Post by zkjt on Apr 16, 2010 22:34:04 GMT -5
Endorin
It seemed that no matter how hard I struggled, I would never be able to get out of the Empire's grasp. From the summit, to Uru-baen, I had been manhandled by all sorts of people, from cannibalistic shades, to crazy kings, and I wasn't liking it. And now, I was alone for the first time, and I took the time to cry.
After Schrren and Cesar had killed the guards, we had fled Feinster, running all the way to Belatona. From there, Schrren and Cesar had decided to take me to Dras-Leona, and only after that to Uru-baen. The nights had been long, especially with Cesar and Schrren sleeping in the same rooms. On more than one occasion I had fled the bedroom to hide in the bathroom, covering my ears to the noises they made. We stayed in Dras-Leona for a few more days, waiting until the passage to Uru'baen would be clear. Finally it was. Before we had left, I had asked for news on the Summit, to which they had only smiled.
The road wasn't much better than Dras-Leona. I slept on the dirt, and when I slept I was bound by magic not to speak or move, and I had slept unwillingly and uncomfortably. I never had the chance to get away, as I was always under the eye of one of the two men. I was used to luxury from Ellesmera, but I quickly adapted to this rough lifestyle.
It took at least a week to get to Uru'baen. I wanted nothing more than to be back home with my mother, but I knew the chances were...almost impossible. After I told myself that, I became a rock. I refused to talk and ate only when I needed to. And then finally, as it seemed to take forever, we made it to Uru'baen.
I admit when I first saw the amazing palace, and huge mansions, I was impressed. But as I looked at the castle, I just thought of the evil that dwelled within, and my admiration left to be replaced by horror and disgust. Schrren and Cesar had taken me to the palace, and when we entered I was taken to an actually nice room, with lush carpets and a nice bed. I was monitored by 10 magicians until Galbatorix himself asked to see me.
I was taken to a royal table where I was placed directly opposite the king himself. He ate silently, while I refused to eat. And then the questions began. Where was Ellesmera? I don't know. I answered each question blandly, fearing for my life. And with each question he continued to gaze at me with his cold black eyes, as if they seemed to see through me. And then his mind attacked mine.
My barriers flew up, but were washed away by his immense strength. He sorted through each of my memories, no matter how hard I tried to defend them. And then he said three words that made me halt. They..they were me. I realized it was my true name, and I flinched as he said it again. Smiling, he said it again, and again, and again. Each time I grew more afraid, and I felt myself tremble, and I could barely hold in my screams of distress, when he dismissed me. That was it.
I was taken back to my room, where I slept instantly. I was summoned again the next day where Galbatorix ordered me to touch the eggs in his egg chamber. He was looking at me oddly, and unwillingly, I went into the dragon chamber.
After my tears had dried, I wiped my nose. Despair filled every fiber of my being, and body still shook from the horror I felt. But I had a task to do, and the fact that Galbatorix knew my true name didn't make it any better. I drifted among the eggs, laying my hand on each one. Each egg was beautiful, and the stone was smooth. Knocking on one of the eggs I noticed it was hollow. I didn't know why I was here, because I knew that the chance of the eggs hatching for me was rather low indeed. But I touched each one anyways, and when I was done I approached the door. I opened it, to be met with the same magicians who had accompanied everywhere I had gone. Nodding toward them, I allowed them to take me to my room.
When I got there, I shut the door on them, and sprawled across my bed. I groaned, knowing how my mother must be feeling, and that didn't make it any better.