The Pact

Disclaimer:This is a fan fiction loosely based on Inheritance Trilogy by Christopher Paolini. Some of characters are the same, but the new characters and developments are my own. For the benefit of my story, some facts and the order of known events have been altered. My story starts just after Murtagh joins the travelling party and in my interpretation, Arya has not yet appeared on the scene.

The hair pricked on the back of Murtagh's neck. He had been in danger enough times to learn that when he suspected something bad was about to happen, he was usually right. The first few times the feeling of unease crept up on him, he dismissed it. After all, fear and caution were inevitable emotions to be experienced in the presence of a dragon, even a dragon belonging to a Rider.

Three days had passed since he had saved Eragon from the Ra'zac. Two days since Brom had died. It was a time of tension, sorrow and wariness. They had to keep moving to avoid detection, but Murtagh knew that despite his heroic deed, he was far from being trusted or accepted.

Saphira would watch him warily and whilst Eragon kept a civil tongue, it was evident that he was unhappy about their travelling arrangement. But it mattered not. They would have to learn to trust him. He needed to follow them. He needed to side with the only two beings capable of overthrowing Galbatorix's rule.

He felt it again and stopped. Eragon continued walking, whilst Saphira soared somewhere overhead. He looked to the sky. Saphira was gliding past, scanning the land, as if she were hunting for prey.

There was something in the quiet and stillness of the air. Hidden eyes were boring into the back of his head. They were being watched.

Slowly, he turned his head and scanned their surroundings. They were in the thick of a forest. Tall trees loomed over them, often blocking the view of the clear blue sky above. Scattered along the ground were scores of shrubs and bushes of various shapes and sizes. For some reason, a particularly large bush caught his eye and he stared at it suspiciously. When nothing appeared to happen or go amiss, he resumed his brisk walk.

Noting that Murtagh had fallen behind, Eragon halted in his stride and folded his arms impatiently.

"We can't afford to stop and rest… not until nightfall… unless you want the soldiers to gain on us?"

Staring at him blankly, Murtagh bit back an angry retort. He knew that he hadn't joined forces with them during the easiest of times. They were painfully aware of his added threat to their safe passage across the Empire. But he had saved Eragon's life and this open hostility began to tug on his last threads of patience. Rider or not; he was owed courtesy, if nothing else. Forcing an accommodating smile, he strolled towards Eragon and stopped at his side. Talking in a whisper, he voiced his concern.

"I agree Rider… but I think we have company"

"How? Saphira would have seen the soldiers long before they reached us?"

"That's because she is looking for a group. I think this is something… or someone"

Eragon's expression hardened as he tried to hone all his senses and thoughts to include consciousness' existing around them.

"Where?"

Tilting his head backwards, Murtagh discreetly motioned to the bush that had stole his attention only moments before.

With a nod from Eragon, his hand began to inch towards the hilt of his sword. A single word was uttered.

"Brisingr!"

The bush went up in flames and there was a small, but audible yell that followed. Eragon glanced to the skies, searching for Saphira.

We have an unwelcome guest I'm coming

Both drawing their swords, they cautiously headed towards the burning bush. From the opposite side, Saphira came crashing through the trees and roared. The being hidden behind the bush stood upright and froze in fear, trapped between a fierce dragon, a fire and two men with swords.

"Who are you and why are you following us?" Eragon shouted from a distance.

The being was cloaked in dark green from head to toe. A hood was obscuring any face that was underneath. The concealed face turned, an indication that their words were being acknowledged and understood. The voice that emanated from the dark void caused both Murtagh and Eragon to frown in confusion. Not only was the voice human, but it was female.

"Who I am is of no meaning to you, but for what little it is worth, my name is Lia. Although you may not chose to believe it, I am here to help you"

"Why would you help us?"

"You are a Rider. You are the only hope we have to restore peace to these lands"

"How could you possibly help us?"

"I know things. I know you seek the Varden. I can help you find it"

"We don't need any more company or help on our journey"

"Would the potential saviour of Alagaesia be so foolish as to decline help in his greatest time of need?"

Caught of guard, Eragon hesitated and risked a quick glance at Murtagh. Murtagh gained a certain sense of acceptance from this gesture. Eragon was looking to him for assurance. It wasn't much, but it was a start. However, unsure of what to do, he merely shrugged his shoulders. Eragon reached for Saphira's thoughts.

What do you think?

She smells of fear. I don't think that one who was meant to cause us harm would feel such a thing

Should we trust her?

That I cannot tell. But if she really does know the way to the Varden, she will save us precious, valuable days

Another person I don't know if I can trust!

Decide little one. No matter what you chose, I shall support you

I think you are right. It may be a risk we should be willing to take

Very well. So be it.

You may want to stop growling at her

If you think it will help…

Saphira's growls receded, but she satisfied herself by glaring menacingly at this mysterious stranger.

"If you are to travel with us and we are to accept your help, you must uncloak yourself!" Eragon demanded. Murtagh stared at her anxiously, still fingering his blade.

When the hood fell back, the face of a young girl was revealed. She could not have been more than eighteen years old. Her hair was long and black as ebony. Her skin was the warm colour of honey and her eyes were a dark shade of brown and strikingly beautiful.

Taken by surprise, they could not find the right words to say. She noted their discomfort and raised a challenging brow.

"You seen surprised?"

"We just… we just weren't expecting a woman"

"Well…now you have one"

"You say you can lead us to the Varden. How?"

"I know where to look…signs…places…rituals. I've gathered much information on my travels. I can find it"

"If you know we seek the Varden, then you know that we are being pursued and that our time here is short. We cannot waste time protecting you. You have to keep up and you have to stay out of trouble"

A cold laugh echoed through the trees as a response to his warning words. When the laughter subsided, she placed her hands on her hips and fixed him with a steely stare.

"Rider, you don't need to waste your time worrying about me. I have seen and done things that have hardened me to the harsh things in this world a long time ago. I am more than capable of taking care of myself. I may prove an even greater use by helping protect you and your dragon in these cursed times"

Saphira's tail whipped across the ground in annoyance. A smile flickered across Eragon's face, whilst Murtagh allowed himself a throaty chuckle. It was impossible for him not to. The concept of a woman being able to protect a man was ridiculous. During his life at and around the palace, the women were rotund and pampered, or weak and willowy. Neither kind showed the ability to defend them selves.

"Her name is Saphira. You would do well to remember it. This is Murtagh"

"Murtagh… do you find something amusing?"

"I find this talk amusing. Eragon, let us move before she starts to slow us down with her womanly ways"

"You doubt me?"

Anger flashed in her eyes and she stepped past the bush and stood facing him. Eragon stared at her curiously. Saphira observed the scene with interest, waiting in anticipation as to what would happen next.

Murtagh eyed her from the top of her head, down to the grime on her weatherworn boots. It was a degrading movement. He wanted to see her cheeks flush with embarrassment. It was to no avail. She satisfied him with no such thing. Instead, she cocked her head to the side. The anger that had clouded her face was replaced by a mischievous smile. He didn't know why, but there was something about this sudden change of expression that caused him to tense.

"You women are fragile…how could you possibly protect others, let alone yourselves?"

"You think I am weak?"

"You think you are strong?"

"I know I am strong"

"Then humour me…humour us…show the Rider and I how strong you are. I'll make it easy for you… here…I am standing before you… throw your best punch… right here at my face… do it"

He moved until he was directly in front of her. He placed his hands behind his back and stared at her smugly. He didn't have a doubt in his mind that the blow would sting only a little, if at all. Then she would be put back in her place. However, he found her smile unnerving.

"I am giving you this one chance to walk away"

"Empty threats My Lady"

"Fine…"

A slap was what he had really expected. At the most, a clumsy fist that would merely have bounced off his cheek. What he never expected was her to lash out, with a punch thrown from her shoulder that was so powerful, he was thrown backwards off his feet.

A low rumble was sounded from Saphira's throat. Eragon's lips twisted into a smile. Murtagh didn't need to be educated in dragon lore to know that Saphira was laughing at his misfortune. His rear was sore from his bad landing. His hands felt raw from the scrape against the small stones and pebbles on the ground. Licking his lips, he tasted the bitter tang that was his own blood. She had split his lip. And whilst half of his face had regained its feeling, the other felt burning hot and numb.

Raising his eyes to meet hers, he began to accept that she was no ordinary female. Rising to his feet, he wiped the back of his hand across his mouth and examined the result of her attack.

"Not bad…for a woman"

Without a further word, she let her cloak drop to the floor and he was drawn to her unexpected physique. She was neither skinny to the bone, nor fat, like an overfed lady of leisure. She was lean and well built. Her shoulders were broad and her arms were muscular. She was built like no other woman he had ever seen. She was built like a fighter: a warrior. Her long hair whipped about her face in the breeze. She bunched her fists before her face and inclined her head.

"You are too kind… now… why don't you try and hit me?"

It was a challenge. She almost looked like a worth adversary. She had beaten him once, but he would not let it happen again. No. He was going to enjoy humbling her. He had been humiliated enough throughout his life. Being beaten by a woman was not an option he would gracefully accept. He readied himself and then he sprang.

Lunging forward, he swung his fist at her. Effortlessly, she ducked under his arm and attempted to punch him in his side. Twisting at the last second, he avoided her blow. Impulsively, he pulled his sword out of his scabbard. Without hesitation, she followed suit and they stood, poised, ready for an attack. Eragon and Saphira touched minds.

Maybe we should stop them

No. I think this is something that needs to be done

All right. But if it looks like there might not be much left of them, maybe we should intervene?

We will intrude when the time is right…

He swung his blade in a deadly arc, but she parried the blow. They toyed with each other for a few minutes. It was a dangerous and deadly display or swordsmanship. Murtagh felt the sweat dripping into his eyes and his hair matt against his forehead. Beads of sweat rolled down the side of Lia's face. Her sleek hair was now hanging lank in clumps, soaked through. Apart from the perspiration, neither of them showed signs of tiring from this battle. Their eyes shone with the lust for battle… but behind this passion, there was something else… admiration and respect. They had both surpassed each other's expectations. But neither was willing to step down.

In a final attempt to gain the upper hand, Lia spun on her heel to jam her sword sidelong into his middle. Murtagh rushed behind her, swung an arm around her shoulders and aimed his blade at her throat. She stopped the blow with her own blade, bare inches from her jugular.

A deafening roar filled the air and they stopped, holding their positions. Lia turned her head to the side and stared up into Murtagh's eyes. A grudging respect passed between that glance… however, they did not lower their weapons.

The ringing in their ears ceased and Eragon stood by Saphira's side and eyed them both, as a teacher would a pupil.

"Enough! If you kill each other, neither of you will be of any use to us or our cause!"

Lia was the first to lower her blade. Murtagh carefully removed his own. They both returned their blades to their sheaths. They avoided eye contact and focused their undivided attention on Eragon.

With a small snort of smoke, Saphira swung her head, casting a scrutinising stare from one of them to the next. Patiently, Eragon waited for her decision.

They are both strong willed and skilled fighters. Together, they could make an impressive guard…I approve of her…

"You both still need to earn both mine and Saphira's trust… but you may travel with us… if you work together"

Lia picked her cloak from the ground and threw it back over her shoulders. Brushing the dirt from it, she studied Murtagh's determined expression and nodded her head.

"As you wish Rider…"

Murtagh satisfied Eragon with a small nod.

"Then it is settled…come…we have ground to cover and not enough hours in the day to outrun our foes… we must make haste"

Without a further word, Eragon turned his back on them, grabbed Snowfire's reigns and sprinted away, Brom's old horse trotting at his side. Saphira hurtled into the sky and resumed her place, gliding on the currents above. Murtagh leapt into Tornac's saddle and followed Eragon. Lia, carried only by her own two feet, ran after the both of them. And so their journey as a group began.