Disclaimer:I don't own the characters; they all belong to Christopher Paolini except Irina and other characters you don't recognize as Paolini's.
Author's note: This story is rated M mostly because of language and some future scenes. It starts right after the end of the second book. Maybe a little bit AU. This story is not for Eragon fans since I have some evil plans for him and it won't be much of him here, at least I think…haven't decided yet. I don't encourage actions and behavior of characters in the story, just to make it clear. More info is in my profile.
It was late at night. Dark shadows were covering Galbatorix's castle. The sky was almost black; heavy clouds didn't even move. Everything was quiet until the lightning spread across the sky, making visible two shadows in the air. Red dragon soon landed near the castle. In that moment a loud roar startled the young dragon and two furious, glowing eyes appeared in the dark.
"You failed!" roared the black dragon again "You failed!"
Murtagh didn't pay any attention to Shruikan. His expression was cold and surprisingly calm. He stood some moments in front of the castle, thinking what to do.
"Will you…?" tried to ask Thorn, worried.
"Don't." said Murtagh.
"He's furious." said Thorn, thinking on Galbatorix who was probably waiting for them to tear them apart.
"Just don't." said Murtagh coldly "Don't say anything."
"Fine. But remember…it is all your fault!" said Thorn angrily "If you hadn't let him go…"
"Shut up!" yelled Murtagh and looked at Thorn before he entered the castle "Leave me alone!"
"It will be my pleasure." Thorn let the smoke out of his nose and followed Shruikan.
Murtagh was walking down the hall, all the way to the throne room. He didn't even wait a second; he just entered the throne room. He knew Galbatorix will be pissed, but still it didn't bother him. The only thing important to him was that he found a loophole in king's orders which meant another proof that he wasn't just his slave. Part of him was very proud of that. But he was surprised when he saw the king sitting in his chair, completely calm. Galbatorix looked up at him.
"Oh, you're here." Galbatorix seemed to be bored "We've been waiting for you."
"We?" Murtagh repeated suspiciously. Something was wrong.
"Yes." Galbatorix rolled his eyes "I assumed you will fail and get back here. I realized my mistake little bit late, but still…I have a better plan. That's why I called someone."
"Huh." it was all that Murtagh said.
"Come, my dear." said Galbatorix with a smile on his face. For the first time Murtagh noticed someone standing in the dark corner of the room. She stepped out of the dark and Murtagh gasped in surprise. He knew her long dark brown hair and hazel eyes all too well. Just now she was wearing long black dress and not white like he remembered.
"Hey." she smiled at him.
"Irina." said Murtagh, still surprised "What are you doing here?"
"I saw her in your mind." said Galbatorix "I thought she would be perfect for my plan. And she accepted."
"What plan?" Murtagh was suspicious again. Irina wasn't good for any kind of plan; she would most likely ruin it all.
"Don't you see?" Galbatorix was upset a bit "You don't respect your king and you keep disobeying me!"
"Well that's a big problem!" Murtagh laughed sarcastically.
"I have one egg left. I'll raise a Rider. Then I'll have a powerful weapon against anyone who confronts me. A Rider who won't even think of failing me!" said Galbatorix "So, I asked Irina to give birth to your child. And no, you won't get out of this one."
"That's crazy!" Murtagh was shocked "That's impossible! It takes a lot of time to raise a Rider and until then you'll be dead."
"Oh, please. A child would do better than you!" said Galbatorix "So no, it won't take so much time. It's a perfect plan, trust me. Now, you two get out of here. Murtagh, help her around and then I want to talk to you. Irina, I hope you'll like it."
"Oh, thank you my king. I'm sure I will." smiled Irina and Murtagh rolled his eyes, grabbing her arm and pulling her out of the throne room.
"Let go of me! You're hurting me!" said Irina when they got out, but Murtagh pressed her against the wall.
"What the fuck did you do?" asked Murtagh angrily "Are you crazy? Why did you accept this?"
"Why not?" Irina asked "You don't know how much money he promised me for this! A fortune!"
"Fuck it, Irina!" yelled Murtagh "You have enough money! At least you had last time when I saw you. But still, you are ready to sell your own child??"
"Hey, I need that money for something. It's not your business." she smiled "And I'm not selling a child…it's just a job."
"You make me sick!" said Murtagh disgusted and moved away from her.
"That's not what you said last time." there was a playful smile on Irina's face.
"I can't believe I was in love with you." said Murtagh.
"Oh, please! Like I care." she said.
"You do." he smiled "I can read it in your mind. I'm a Rider now, don't forget."
"Heeeey!" she was nervous "Don't do that! It's not fair!"
"Don't piss me off because I could kill you with just one look." he smiled.
"Huh. Magic sucks." she made a sad face and looked at him with puppy eyes "You won't kill me, will you?"
"We'll see." said Murtagh, knowing that probably Galbatorix will make him promise in ancient language that he won't try to kill her.
"Would you be so kind to show me the way to my room?" asked Irina "The king told me it's the biggest one in the castle and has perfect view."
"Ah, follow me." said Murtagh and they started walking down the hall.
"So…why don't you just follow king's orders? Your life would be much better, right?" she asked.
"You don't know anything about me and the king!" he said furiously.
"Fine. Sorry. I won't ask anything!" she said and he could see the fear on her face. She was afraid he will really kill her.
"Here. This is your room." he opened the door, using magic to light the torches as they entered the big dark room. Irina looked around in surprise. The room was almost empty; there was just one big bed with black covers, one closet in the corner and a desk and chair in another.
"Ok, this needs rearrangement!" she sounded disappointed.
"No one was here since…I don't know actually!" Murtagh laughed and pointed at her shoulder "Look, there's even a spider on your shoulder…"
"Ahh!! Fuck!! Get it off me!!" she screamed in panic.
"Whoa, calm down! I got it!" he said, moved the spider and it dropped dead on the floor.
"That was awesome!" her eyes shined "I changed my mind about magic."
"Because I killed a spider?" Murtagh raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah." Irina smiled.
"Whatever you say." he said "I would show you the terrace but it's not a good time for that. The only thing you could see now would be an angry old dragon."
"What?" Irina's eyes widened "There's a dragon outside?"
"Yeah. Shruikan is little bit angry so he flies around…" said Murtagh "But don't worry. He won't come in here."
"Umm, could you stay with me for a moment?" she suddenly asked when he headed for the door.
"I don't think so." he smirked "The king doesn't like to wait."
"Just…a moment." she got closer to him, trying to touch his face but he moved away.
"Damn it, Irina! If you think this is going to be that easy, you're wrong!" he said.
"You changed so much since the last time I saw you." she whispered, not taking notice of what he said.
"You changed too. I didn't know you can be such a…" he stopped in the middle of the sentence "You made a wrong decision."
"I made a wrong decision?" she looked at him surprised "You say that just because you don't like it."
"Don't be stupid." he said "The king lied to you. He will probably get rid of you as soon as he doesn't need you anymore."
"That's not true!" she was upset "He promised…"
"Oh, please." he laughed "His promises mean nothing. Did you have to say something to him in ancient language? Make a promise or something?"
"Huh, maybe." she looked at him "How did you…?"
"The king always wants to be sure. No one can escape after making an oath." he said coldly "So what did you promise?"
She stared at him, looking shocked and said nothing.
"You don't know?" he sounded amused "That's amazing. You swore something and you have no idea what."
"..I..I do." she said nervously.
"Oh, when you will understand you can't hide anything from me right now?" he said "Your mind is an open book for me."
"Leave!" she yelled, trying to stop the tears forming in her eyes "Please!"
He went out of the room, looking at her for a moment before closing the door. She was afraid. And he couldn't do anything to change things; she already made a pact of their end.
Murtagh reached the throne room and took a deep breath before opening the door. Galbatorix didn't wait a second; he just threw Murtagh against the wall and got closer to him. Murtagh was pinned to the wall and couldn't move.
"What were you thinking?" yelled Galbatorix and hit Murtagh in the face.
"Do I have to answer that?" Murtagh smiled sarcastically as the blood appeared on his broken lip. Galbatorix was furious. He whispered something in ancient language and Murtagh was screaming in pain as the magic spread through his body like fire.
"Huh, what you have here?" Galbatorix looked at the sword Murtagh had with him for the first time. The king took it in his hand, examining it and smiled.
"How sweet. You got Zar'roc back." the king smiled wickedly, pressing the sharp blade against Murtagh's neck "Now, will you do as I say or I have to remind you how this sword feels in your flesh?"
Murtagh looked angrily at the king, breathing nervously. He closed his eyes for a moment when Galbatorix made a small cut on his neck.
"Good." said Galbatorix, knowing well that Murtagh didn't have a choice. Of course, he could have forced Murtagh to do whatever he wants using just one word, but still he enjoyed the longer way. Suddenly someone knocked on the door and Galbatorix was so surprised that he let Murtagh drop to the ground.
"What?" yelled Galbatorix annoyed, looking at the door.
"Umm, I'm sorry, my king." said Irina nervously "I didn't mean to…"
"I'm glad you are here." Galbatorix suddenly said and turned back to Murtagh who was kneeling on the floor "You have to promise you won't try to hurt Irina or cause her any problems with completing her task."
Irina watched in shock as Murtagh repeated something in ancient language that the king had said. Then Galbatorix threw the sword on the floor and Murtagh got up and took it.
"Murtagh, go to check your dragon." said Galbatorix coldly and looked at Irina "You, come closer. I want to talk to you."
"Yes, my king." Irina's voice sounded more like a whisper. She came slowly closer, trying to stop the shivering, but she couldn't calm down.
"Irina, I want you to get closer to Murtagh." said Galbatorix.
"What?" Irina looked at him "I mean, I don't understand, my king."
"I want you to make him fall in love with you again!" he said, little bit upset.
"Oh, that." she said quietly "I don't think that is possible…he hates me now."
"So? Make him change his mind." he said.
"My king, is that really important, because I don't have idea how I could change anything?" she whispered.
"Yes, it is important. It could be useful for me later." he said and his eyes shined dangerously.
"I'll try, my king." she said, not realizing that the king wants to use her against Murtagh some day.
"You won't try! You'll do it!" said the king angrily, reminded of what happened with Murtagh.
"I'll do it! I'll do it!" Irina was shaking from fear.
"You have no idea, oh my girl." Galbatorix sighed after looking into her mind.
"I'm sorry, my king?" Irina was confused.
"It's easier than you think. You just have to figure it out." said Galbatorix annoyed "Now get out of here and find a way!"
"Yes, my king." said Irina and almost ran out of the room. She tripped on her long dress while getting out and almost fell. Galbatorix rolled his eyes; this will be harder than he thought.