*Sequel Posted*
Murtagh awoke to a deep throbbing behind his eyes and his entire skull ached like never before, faced pressed down on a cold marble floor. He took a few deep breaths to steady himself and looked around in an attempt to gather his bearings.
He wished he hadn't.
There was very little he wouldn't give in that moment to not recognise where he was.
To be somewhere, anywhere else.
But he did know.
He recognised the patterned marble floor.
The large cavernous chamber.
The rows of flameless lantern that stood out against the overbearing darkness that bordered the room, like wardens against the dark he had once though as a child.
All of this was pushed to the back of his mind as most of all he recognised the throne and the man who sat on it, gazing down upon with a deceptively benevolent smile. He knew that face better than his own. Fear, hate and rage had etched it in his mind.
Galbatorix sat regally upon his throne of gold and soft velvet, crown of reddish-gold adorned with many precious stones resting on his head. His sword, a void of colour, sat within easy reach.
"Hello Murtagh, it has been quite a while, hasn't it?" Galbatorix spoke in a genial tone, as if discussing the weather over afternoon tea. "I was most put out when you decided to flee from the palace." He continued. "It was a very rude thing you did, throwing my hospitality and my generosity back in my face like you did. I know that you know better than that because it was I that provided the tutors that educated you, the swordsman that taught you wield to a blade, the grooms who taught you to care for a horse. Did I or did I not?" He questioned.
Fear pushed him answer but his desire to spite the king proved victorious and so Murtagh remained stubbornly silent. He narrowed his eyes stared directly at the crown rather than look him in the eye, determined not to let him know just how much he was actually panicking.
Galbatorix's face grew stricken at Murtagh's refusal to answer, as if his silence pained him, but his eyes gave away how amusing he found the young man's display to those that had seen the man behind the facade.
"Murtagh will you not look at me? Do you not remember how I cared for you in your younger years? How we enjoyed those hours spent together?" Galbatorix continued to look anguished before his face evened out as he let his cruel amusement show.
"It appears not because if you did you would remember just what kind of man I am and just how much I disliked being betrayed." Galbatorix's voice became menacing. "You betrayed me Murtagh."
Murtagh became still as a statue at those words. "Do what you want, I'll never serve you." He raised his head and looked the king straight in the eye. "Not now or ever again!"
Galbatorix's gave him a blank stare before abruptly throwing his head back and roaring with laughter. He carried on for a full minute, madness beginning to creep into the sound, before it stopped as suddenly as it started, leaving Murtagh thoroughly unnerved. The Black King stood from his throne and slowly made his way the kneeling man before reaching out to grasp his face.
"My dear Murtagh."
He leaned down till there was less than a foot between their faces.
"You say it like you have a choice."