The revelation of Dream's apparent Zelda addiction coming to light was cut short by the ragged, bony and shockingly eyeless human shifting in his cell, torn eyelids fluttering. Crusted blood chafed the already open sores on his wrists as he writhed in his cuffs. He sat up slightly upon hearing Roran's hammer slamming into the hinges of Katrina's door.
"Who is it? Who's there?"
Eragon prepared himself to kill the man before him.
Wait.

He paused, somewhat grateful as he waited for Dream.
Do we really need to.. kill him? He's just a helpless, blind, chained man.
He betrayed Carvahall, Dream. Murdered Byrd, and snitched to the Ra'zac about Saphira's egg. He deserves death.
He's chained and helpless! Is this really right?
It's justice. He murdered coldly and betrayed his people. He's just a mortal.
You shouldn't demean him for his race! He's Katrina's father!
Dream is right on that front..
What do you suggest we do? Let him walk free? Would you do that to Roran? He will be executed for his crimes if we return him and your argument would be meaningless.

"What do you want?" Barked the weak, emancipated human. "I already told you everything I know!"
Eragon winced at this, readying himself to kill the man with but just a word.

Eragon, please. You are a Rider, but you cannot be executioner too.
We can't haul him back to the Varden for a proper trial, what plan do you have?
You're suggesting we take his life for convenience!
I'm saying we don't have any other viable options. It's not like we can safely teleport without bodies.
Nightmare, are you throwing away morality?
There is no good morality in war, Dream. Not that I would ever be a good example of it, either.
Fine. Fine! Perhaps there's nothing perfect, but if you refuse to be conscionable, then I will insist. If we are one, then let me be your conscience. We shouldn't do this.
Would you let him rot here in Helgrind instead?
There's another way! This isn't like the field of battle, we have a choice to be better than this.

There was a moment as Nightmare considered this, albeit frustrated as he sensed Eragon agreeing with Dream.
I cannot help but remember Torkenbrand. He was helpless before Murtagh and unable to defend himself when he was slain. I will take Dream's side in this: I will not kill a defenseless man outside of battle if I have a choice otherwise.

"Eragon!" Roran called, now holding the door. "Give me a hand here! I don't want it to fall on her."
With only a slight tremble, Eragon held up his hand and whispered. "Slytha."
The man- they understood his name was Sloan- fell asleep before them.
What are you planning then, you three? Saphira asked from afar.
Wait until we're together again. I'll explain then.
Explain what? Neither you or Dream have a plan.
We will soon enough.

Eragon arrived beside Roran.
"What was in there?" Asked the mortal man.
"Sloan." He took up a hold on the door, then lied. "He's dead."
Roran's eyes went wide. "How?"
"Looks like they broke his neck."
Roran stared for a moment, then grunted.
"It's better that way, I suppose. Ready? One, two, three-"
Both of them lurched as they lifted the large door away, tossing it aside where the entire passage let out thunderous booms in response to the heavy iron clattering away.

They then burst into the dismal space left alight with a single wax. Katrina was huddling in the corner.
"Leave me alone, you toothless bastards! I-" She froze, recognizing Roran.
She was pale from lack of sunlight, smeared in filth from the dingy room hardly bigger than a closet, yet the wonderment and radiant joy that spread across her face was so tender when she recognized her love. She slowly rose to her feet, touching a shaky hand to his cheek.
"You came."
"I came."

He laughed then, ending in a trembling sob as he embraced her into his arms, cradling her to his chest as she stood there, both in their own little world for a long minute.

When Roran pulled away, he kissed her thrice in rapid succession, to which she scrunched up her face and exclaimed. "You grew a beard!"
The sheer unexpectedness of the comment made Eragon chuckle softly. This caught her attention, the girl peering at him in confusion.
"Eragon? Is that you?"
"Aye."

"He's a Dragon Rider now." Roran explained gently.
"A Rider? You mean..." She swayed in his grip, unable to comprehend. She drew even closer to him, moving away from Eragon as she fired off questions.
"How... how did you find us? Who else is with you?"
"All that later. We have to get out of Helgrind before the rest of the Empire comes running after us."
"Wait? What about my father? Did you find him?"

Roran looked to Eragon, who faced Katrina and spoke softly.
"We were too late."
She shivered, closing her eyes as a lone tear slipped down her cheek. "So be it."

During this, Dream and Eragon were busy discussing their course of action with Sloan, Nightmare keeping watch for Saphira's probing as Eragon kept her unaware of the conversation, the trio being fully aware that she wouldn't like what the plan was turning into.

As soon as Katrina's moment was done, Nightmare broke her shackles with a flick of thought and magic, to which she jumped in surprise and fear. "Magic..."
"A simple spell." Eragon noted while regarding the Twins mentally with curiosity at how well they were functioning and using spells without being able to say a word aloud.

The woman flinched from him as he reached for her.
"Katrina, we have to make sure that Galbatorix or one of his magicians hasn't enchanted you with any traps or forced you to swear things in the ancient language."
"The ancient-"
"Eragon! Do this when we make camp. We can't stay here."
"No." He slashed his arm. "It must be done now."

Let me do it. Nightmare reached into both other mortals to speak, Katrina squeaking in shock.
Do not be afraid. He turned towards her, finding it somewhat amusing that he, Guardian of Negativity, was asking someone to not fear.
He gently sifted through her consciousness, taking about a minute of observation and gentle investigation as his brother and the Rider quietly had a discussion.

He pulled away and resumed contact with Roran, letting the other two know he was done. Eragon was surprised at the speed at which he finished.
"What did you find?" Katrina asked Nightmare, not knowing what he was or even how to communicate with him due to the strangeness of the circumstances.
You are free of any meddling. No one has cast spells upon you.
"Of course she is." Roran grumbled, gathering her in his arms again.

Now they left the cramped space, Eragon getting his werelight to follow him as they headed back up to the surface.
The ground was slippery, covered in a thin layer of slime. Eragon kept hearing the lovers murmur to one another softly, Roran reassuring her delicately, as though Katrina were a delicate flower.
The love that poured from the couple was so precious, it elicited a yearning within the Rider and Twins, who all loved the same woman.

They pushed aside their whimsies, guiding the lovers to the light. A few feet away from the main cavern Katrina stopped.
"I can't. It's too bright; my eyes hurt."
Roran immediately placed her in his shadow. "When was the last time you were outside?"
"I don't know...." Fear colored her consciousness as notes of hysteria tainted her voice.
"I don't know! Not since they brought me here. Roran, am I going blind?" She started crying, not able to keep her composure any longer.

Her breakdown shocked Eragon. He was used to seeing only strength from her. Roran instead wasted no time in comforting her.
"No, your fine. You just need to get used to the sun again." He ran his fingers through her hair sweetly. "Come on, don't let this upset you. Everything is going to be alright.... You're safe now. Safe, Katrina. You hear me?"
"I hear you."

Eragon quickly tore off some cloth from his tunic, handing it to the woman. "Tie this over your eyes. You should be able to see through it well enough to keep from running into anything."
Thanking him, she wrapped it over her eyes and tied it at the back, whereupon they gradually entered the larger room. Saphira emerged from the Lethrblaka's den, causing Katrina to gasp and cling to Roran in terror.

"Katrina, allow me to introduce you to Saphira. I am her Rider. She can understand if you speak to her."
"It is an honor, O dragon." Katrina struggled to curtsey. The dragon nodded before regarding Eragon.
I searched the Lethrblaka's nest, but all I found was bones, bones, and more bones, including several that smelled of fresh meat. The Ra'zac must have eaten the slaves last night.
We could have saved them...
I wish we could have done that. Eragon agreed.
We cannot save everyone. Nightmare murmured.
I agree with the darker one. Saphira added before Eragon gestured to her for Katrina.

"Go on; climb into her. I'll join you in a moment."
She hesitated, glancing at Roran uneasily.
"It's all right. Saphira carried us here."
Her fear abating, Katrina walked alongside Roran as they avoided the dead carcass of the Lethrblaka, dragon crouching low to the ground so that the unsteady woman could climb atop her saddle. Roran gave her a boost to the straps, which Katrina clambered up like a ladder, lover not far behind.

Eragon then followed the mortals to get a better look at Saphira, glancing over her enormous, deep injuries that still leaked rivulets of blood onto the cold stone below. He started attending to her injuries with the assistance of the Twins, much to Saphira's complaint. For goodness' sake, save your attentions until we are well out of danger. I'm not going to bleed to death.
That's not quite true, and you know it. You're bleeding inside.
If we don't heal you now, the situation could very well worsen, and you might injure yourself to the point of no return. We cannot teleport you safely back when we are both currently dead.

She grumbled irritably, but gave no further argument. That didn't mean she'd stop complaining, and complain she did whenever they moved on to her less serious wounds. They were all incredibly painful to deal with, for the most part. When he was done, he flicked a finger to the areas he'd healed from the Lethrblaka stabbing her with their beaks. You should have Arya or another elf inspect our handiwork on those.
Indeed. Any one of us could have missed something. Nightmare begrudgingly agreed.

I appreciate your concern for my welfare, but this is hardly the place for softhearted demonstrations. Once and for all, let us be gone!
With a pause, they agreed.
Aye. Time to leave. Eragon took a step away from her.
"Come on!" Roran shouted. "Hurry up!"
Eragon!
"No. We're staying here."
"You-" He couldn't say another word, as Saphira suddenly growled, a loud, vicious sound that echoed in the cavern, reverberating to the point of chilling any who could hear it. Her tail smacked the devastated rock and produced a screech alongside the dull thud, her scales scraping against the stone, the ear-piercing cries of her claws intensifying the noise.

"Listen! One of the Ra'zac is still on the loose. And think what else might be in Helgrind: scrolls, potions, information about the Empire's activities- things that can help us! The Ra'zac may even have eggs of theirs stored here. If they do, I have to destroy them before Galbatorix can claim them for his own."
Saphira, we can't let Sloan die here. Dream explained tensely.
Nor can he be recaptured, let alone seen by Katrina and Roran. There is no good option here.. unfortunately.
I'm sorry, but we have to deal with Sloan without you.
"How will you get out of the Empire?" Roran demanded.
"I'll run. I'm as fast as an elf now, you know."
Saphira's tail twitched.
Eragon, run.

The Rider spun around and dashed for the safety of the tunnel, a split second before her paw came crashing down after him. She slid ungainly on the slick stone, roaring as she tore violently into the rock like a wolf digs after a frightened rabbit. The dragon rammed it's muzzle into the crevice, teeth as long as Eragon's forearms bared in feral snarls as the walls tremored and crumbled.
"Gánga!" Eragon cried.

No! Her head fell to the floor and Saphira lowed, eyes wide.
"Gánga! I love you, Saphira, but you have to go." He struggled with her raw pain seeping across their link, the dragon shuffling a few yards from the tunnel as she sniffed, mewling pitifully. Little one...
Eragon couldn't find his voice for a moment.
I.. I'm sorry. Dream almost regretted his decision for a moment.
At least know that we will watch over him. Nightmare explained.
But you still have to go, Saphira.

"Gánga!" Eragon finally spoke again, tears streaming down his face.
"And don't come back for me or send anyone else for me. I'll be fine. Gánga! Gánga!"
Saphira let out a wail, a wild howl full of frustrated longing and heartache as she dragged herself to the edge of the cavern.
"Eragon, come on!" Roran called from the saddle. "Don't be daft. You're too important to risk-"

Saphira erupted out of the cave, her scales exploding in glittering light as she was illuminated by the sun, shining in the blue light she carried around herself, a creature so magnificent and beautiful and of magic.. it was a glorious sight to behold. How noble.
Eragon trembled, his heart feeling like molten rock- burning and dense with sorrow.

A week: that is how long I will wait. Saphira said. Then I shall return for you, Eragon, even if I must fight my way past Thorn, Shruikan, and a thousand magicians.
She flew onward, fading to a distant blue dot in the distance, her mind beyond the reach of the dragon Rider.

It hurt more than Dream could understand.
Yet Nightmare.. was all too familiar with loss.

Eragon turned his back to the light and returned to the innards of the temple of Darkness: the Gates of Death.