Back in town, Everypony saw Saphira's silhouette in a distance, and they all knew what was going to happen at the moment. They all stood away from Eragon's house and kept their distance for Saphira was about to land near it as usual. Just as they all predicted. Just as they all predicted, Saphira landed right next to Eragon's new humble abode.
Murtagh, studied the surroundings around him and dismounted Saphira. Like the ponies he just met moments ago, they all looked adorable. Many types of colors and three different breeds of ponies.
"Hmm, so this is Ponyville eh? I must admit, it is rather..... adorable. A little more colorful than the cities in Alagaesia I will give you all credit for that." Murtagh acknowledged. "Do you think I might fit in well in this little town? They are staring at me a little. And what will they all think of Thorn?"
"Don't worry, Murtagh." said Fluttershy. "Everything will be just fine. They all like Eragon and Saphira, and they will all like you and Thorn."
"Well, I suppose you are right, Fluttershy. Perhaps I shouldn't worry so much. So, where will me and Thorn stay in town?"
"Some workers in Ponyville are already making you a new house, and Thorn a place for him to stay in if you would like." Twilight noted. "And.... it looks like they are halfway done." she studied the building from the distance.
"Really? that is good. Really good. I suppose I shouldn't be living in a hut in the wilderness anymore."
"Ah Shadeslayer, welcome ba- You?!" Blodhgarm came to welcome back Eragon and Saphira, but then he and his remaining spellcasters saw Murtagh and got ready to fight him, still believing that he is still Galbatorix's bread and butter. Murtagh got out Za'roc and was ready to fight back
"No no no." Eragon intervened between the two sides. "Blodhgarm, Murtagh is an ally now, and so is Thorn. They were forced to serve Galbatorix without any choice, remember?"
the animal-like elf wasn't really convinced, but he and his cohorts slowly put their weapons down, and so did Murtagh. "Very well, but we still do not really trust him."
"Really, it's alright, y'all." said Applejack. "He is a friend to us."
"Thank you Applejack." Murtagh said
"That's what friends are for."
The son of Morzan smiled
"Yeah, Anyone who is a friend of Eragon is a friend of mine." Rainbow said, touching his shoulder with her elbow.
"Do you know where I can have some food around here?"
"Oh! I have some...." Eragon looked sideways too and fro, and quietly said to him "Meat that you could probably eat in my new house. It is a little leftover, but still fresh to say the least."
"Wonderful. May I step in?"
"Of course. Go right in."
Saphira then went into her little shelter for a little nap from all that training and flying. Meanwhile Twilight, Spike, their Friends, looked at eachother
"So, what do you all think of Murtagh?" Eragon asked curiously
"Well he seems like a really nice human." said Fluttershy
"Yeah, I like him already." said Spike. "Same thing with Thorn. Speaking of which, when do you think he might come here, anyway?"
"that, I know not, but momentarily at least. That is what I predict."
"Aright. Do you... really think he might like it here, and stay here in Ponyville?" Rarity asked curiously. "He seems like a very intriguing young man."
"I do not know, Rarity." Eragon relied flatly with a sigh. "We will just have to wait and see. Murtagh is.... a type of man that likes to go his own way."
"I see."
"Oh! what do you think we should do with him? show him around town? throw him a little party? or make him a cake? Or get him some new clothes? or-"
"Alright Pinkie. that's enough." Eragon chuckled.
"Yeah, Murtagh just got here." Applejack added.
"Aye." Then Eragon sensed Thorn's presence with his mind, and saw that he was coming. Then, they all saw the big red dragon in the distance in the sky. Many ponies were a little scared, but mostly because he is new to Equestria and he is slightly bigger than Saphira.
"I'm here." Thorn said to Eragon with his mind. "Where is Murtagh?"
"Right here." Murtagh came out from the house, already full from the meat he supposedly ate.
"Well, this is a rather peaceful little city." The red dragon acknowledged. "Quite a little more peaceful than Teirm maybe."
"Aye, and Thorn, please do it try to eat these good people."
"Don't worry, I will never eat them. I promise."
"So, did you find any good meat to hunt?" Eragon asked him curiously
"Yes, a large elk bull to be exact. You should have seen the size of the buck, quite large like an ox."
"That's...... rather fascinating." Said Twilight, feeling a little squeamish and uncomfortable hearing Thorn eating a live animal.
After Murtagh ate, he noticed the remaining eggs and eldunari in a pile inside the house in a pile. He made a brief smile, knowing that the eggs were doing just fine then he went back out. "So, have you start building a sanctuary for any future riders by any chance?"
"Well, not exactly. We are about to sooner or later." Eragon replied. "We already sailed such a long way from here."
"How long?"
"One month."
"Really? Than this place is a completely different world then. So, you and Saphira might never come back home eh?"
Eragon sighed sadly. "As much as I would like to, and Saphira too, we cannot."
"I see. So, now that me and Thorn are here, what happens now?"
"Now, we get to know you." said Twilight.
"You all go ahead, i am going to help out with the construction for the new house." Eragon said.
"Okay, you do that." said Rarity.
"So, how does it feel to be in Equestria?" asked Pinkie
"I can assure you that I feel like a complete stranger here, and Thorn thinks the same way." he replied. "How long has Eragon and Saphira been here?"
"A number of weeks." Fluttershy replied.
"He really likes it here, and could be a perfect place to raise new dragon riders." Twilight added
"I really hope that they will except me." said the elder brother. "Me and Thorn have done things we are not proud of at all."
"We know, Eragon told us about you." said Rarity
"Oh. Did he tell you about where I came from?"
"Yes. He told us you were the son of Morzan." said Twilight
"Aye." Murtagh sighed sadly. "But I promise you, I am nothing like that hellish man. A son never chooses his father."
"We understand." said Fluttershy. "We know you are nothing like him at all."
"At least he is dead, right?" said Rainbow
"Aye. I never felt more happier when he died by Brom's hands. And Of course I was happy when the king died, and the same for Shruikan."
"Well, I don't know about Shruikan." said Spike. "You might have noticed, but Shruikan was a forced servant to Galbatorix and he stole Shruikan, so I kinda feel sorry for him."
"Perhaps, but Shruikan was too driven to hatred and insanity."
"Yeah, it sounded like he was pretty angry with everypony." Rainbow shrugged."
"Oh yes, he was. He was full of hate, and anger within his heart."
"I have been around Shruikan more than any other dragon when Galbatorix was king, and I must tell you all, he was a nasty piece of work, and was very strict in teaching me the way of the riders. The dark type that is." said Thorn. He remembered the time how horrible Shruikan treated him when he was his apprentice, and how blunt he was, but he was glad Shruikan died, and besides, he was getting a little off topic.
What I am trying to say is that, I hope I will get accepted by the new riders, and if not, what will i do now? Where will me and Thorn go if they will not welcome us?"
"Don't worry, Murtagh. We will help you and Thorn be as comfortable as possible, and we will be there for you if any of the new riders do not accept you." said Twilight
"Here here." Applejack added.
"Promise?" said Thorn.
"We promise." they all said.
The two rogues were touched by their kindness and both smiled. "Thank you. Thank you all. You do not know how much your kindness means to us." The red dragon complimented.
"You're welcome." Said Applejack.
It was just then Eragon came back from looking at the almost finished house. "So, how are we all getting along?" He asked them all.
"Just fine." Said Rainbow.
"Say, Eragon, I was thinking if my sword skills were still useful, and I was wondering if you would be my sparring partner." he wanted to spar with him for old time sake and see if he is as good as he was with Za'roc in his possession
"Sure."
"Ooh! A duel. I love it!" Pinkie said with excitement.
"That sounds interesting." The baby dragon added, knowing what the idea was.
Eragon laughed. "I suppose I could use an actual sparring partner instead of practice dummies. So, yes."
"Perfect. It will just be like old times, eh, brother?"
"Aye, definitely. But no magic helping us, hm?"
"Of course"
"Goodness, I really hope you don't injure yourselves." Said Fluttershy in worry.
"Oh nonsense. We dueled a number of times before and haven't got injured in any way."
"Aye, so do not worry, Fluttershy." Murtagh said to her, then turned his attention back to his younger sibling. "So, where should we duel?"
"Well, there is a good spot in the park that we could duel at, it is a very nice spot from what I have experienced." Said Eragon.
"Well, that sounds a little..... Not my style, but very well. We'll follow you," then they all went to the peculiar spot in the park to see the sparring
"Hey, Murtagh, do you think we can take a look at your sword for a moment?" Twilight asked
"Sure." Then he pulled out Za'roc and it gleamed a blood red in the sun. Twilight and her friends were really intrigued by the blade and looked exactly like Brisingr, except it was red, and not blue, and the black cross symbol on it looked rather menacing to their eyes and gave them all chills down their spines.
"Very divine, absolutely stunning." Said Rarity
"Very beautiful." Said Fluttershy.
"Totally awesome." Rainbow added.
then Murtagh and Eragon went in the little spot together and was a little pause. "You ready?"
"Ready when you are, Eragon." Then after a little pause, there was a clash of swords striking against again and again. Eragon parried a strike from Murtagh and was about to retaliate, but Murtagh swirled around in a little spin and spun behind Eragon.
"Not bad, but I think you can do better." Murtagh flatly teased
"Don't worry, I still remember some techniques." Then they clashed again. Eragon jumped in midair and went behind Murtagh. Before he could strike, Murtagh retaliated and clashed Za'roc with Brisingr from behind as a rear guard.
The others were getting really impressed by how it was turning out to be and how interesting it was getting. The brothers were dueling in a rate that was rather equal, and what they did varied. One moment Eragon would get the upper hand, and then after another, Murtagh vice versa.
It was almost like a grudge match, even if they are just sparring to improve their skills. Both fighters dodged time to time again, as well as blocking theit opponent's attacks with great ease.
Finally, after a long half an hour, Eragon felt Brisingr falling out of his hand and Murtagh pointed Za'roc at his face, but not lethally. He smirked
"Looks like I have won again, brother." Murtagh chuckled. "You still have much to learn."
"I know." Then Eragon picked Brisingr up and placed it back in his scabbard. Murtagh did the same with Za'roc. "I guess you do win again, brother. You know more about sparring more than me since I am younger than you."
"Aye."
"Well. That was amazing." Said Rarity. "Quite am impressive display."
"Very beyond awesome." Pinkie added
"Sorry you lost Eragon." Said Rainbow Dash, sympathizing for him.
"I'm alright Rainbow, don't worry."
"That was wonderful, a really wonderful display." Fluttershy congratulated.
"Thank you" said Murtagh. "Well, that was a rather good workout, I suppose I should probably take a break."
"And I should too." They all went back the new houses and Saphira was awake again.
"Ah, there you are." Said Saphira. "I was sensing your fight with Murtagh." Then she made a yawn that made the ground shake a little, like a little aftershock. "I thought you were strong enough to beat him."
"Well last time was different, i had Glaedr, Umaroth and the other eldunari helping me against him, and it was not a sparring match." he pointed out
"I see."
"Oh! I see your house is built now." said Rarity. It was rather fast to build, and Murtagh gave a brief smile, knowing that he and Thorn have a new place to live, because they had nowhere else to go in Alagaesia.
"Perfect." he said.
"And the shade for me looks rather promising. I like it." Thorn admired.
"Is there anything you would like for your house?" asked Twilight
"Well, I do not know if I would want anything fancy for the decor. I really do not care how it looks, as long as it's clean and rather suitable. Well, maybe if i would like to add something, i might let you know."
"Oh! it would be my honor." said Rarity in an excited voice.
"So, can you tell us more about yourself?" asked Rainbow
Murtagh had a blank look on his face. "Well..... normally, I do not like to reveal myself. Normally, I am not a person who likes the company of strangers, but I guess.... you can be an exception."
the others said words of joy, and were happy to hear him be considerate to them.
"However, I do not want to reveal some things that I don't want to talk about, alright?"
"Well, i think we'l be fine with that." Said Applejack.
"Why don't we show you around town for a little while yo do that?" Spike suggested.
"Very well."
"You all go on ahead, I need to calm all th eldunari again." Said Eragon.
"Okay, you do that." Pinkie bounced
"And I think I want to take a rest in my new shelter, all that flying from Alagaesia to here made me a little tired."
The rider nodded at his red dragon companion and he went to the new house
Then Murtagh followed the others down a road through town "so, you must be lucky to have Eragon as your half brother." Said Rarity
"Oh yes. And Thorn is really lucky to see another dragon besides hinself, and Shruikan of course. So, what do you want to know?"
"Well, what was it like traveling with Eragon and Saphira?" Twilight started off with her question
"It made me feel really special, although we did get a little sidetracked at some times. I really did. Not want to come to the Varden however, because of my father. However, Ajihad and Nasuada did welcome me in, even though I didn't want those demonic twins to penetrate my mind, so they locked me up for a period of time."
"What was it like living in Ellesmera in the wilderness?" Asked Fluttershy.
"Rather peaceful actually." He replied. It was calm, quiet, and serene for me and Thorn. I learned how to talk to animals in the Ancient Language like the elves would do. Even when I was at my angriest, it was rather calming for me and Thorn."
"Wonderful, well, I live in a cottage full of animals and you can try and communicate with them if you would like to."
"Really? You love animals?"
"Oh yes. I love to take care of them."
"Fascinating. Anything else?"
"Well, Eragon told us about your, Tornac. We would like to say, we're sorry about you losing him." Twilight said sympathetically.
"Thank you. That means a lot for you honoring him like that. Tornac was a really great man, and unlike Morzan, he was more like a father to me."
"Even though he was a servant to the king? " asked Rainbow
"Yes, but nonetheless, he hated the king with a burning passion, like being thrown in a lit of Hellfire." He sighed. "Sometimes I wish he was still alive with me. He could make the best out of any situation with me, and maybe Thorn too."
"It sounded like he was a good man." Said Applejack
"Oh he was. He was one of the greatest men I have ever met."
"So, speaking of Morzan, can you show us your scar?"
"Rainbow!" they all scolded.
"It's not nice to ask somepony if you want to see their scars." Twilight scolded.
"No no no. It's alright." Murtagh said calmly. He looked around. "Let's do it in an ally. I don't want to disgust all these ponies."
"Fair enough." said Rarity. They all went into an ally and fortunately, there was nopony else to see this. Murtagh gave a little sigh, and then took off his shirt to the group and showed him his back. They all gasped, minus Rainbow who was rather intrigued.
"Oh you poor thing." said Fluttershy, gently touching his back where the scar was tracing
"Cool." said Rainbow.
"We are so sorry that you have that." said Twilight
"It's alright. I'm used to it now." said Murtagh. "But, enough of that. I don't want to disgust you to the point where you will all vomit by getting to squeamish."
"Good idea." Spike said.
"Aww, I thought it was cool looking. It makes you look tough." Rainbow complimented
"Rainbow." Fluttershy gently scolded her.
"That's kind of you, but i rather prefer to keep it to myself. Besides, I did it for your amusement, Rainbow Dash. Now, Shall we continue with the tour?"
"Of course. We'll lead the way for you." said Twilight. Then they all continued down the street and looked for anything to show Murtagh next.