Prologue

Meranda sat at her window facing outwards. Her feet were dangling out as she looked over the landscape of Alagasia; a sigh escaped her and she looked down. Meranda was her name; the only daughter of Galbatorix, her mother had been killed by Galbatorix in a fit of rage when she had disobeyed him.

Galbatorix told Meranda that she was an unparalleled beauty, but he only said things like that when he was in a good mood with her. She was 15 years old and had long, curly blonde hair, her eyes were electric blue and she was quite tanned. She was very slim but muscley; this was because she had a very active lifestyle, there was a rare moment when she could just sit down like this. Meranda also had a 6 month old dragon, her name was Elestra and she was a pure white dragon. Galbatorix had lied to the people of Alagasia about how many dragon eggs were left because he wanted one for his daughter. He taught her how to fight with swords and her body, but his greatest achievement was teaching her how to use magic. She knew everything he did and could do it almost as well as he could. Meranda was a princess, when her father died she would become queen, surely that was a life that every girl would want, but she didn't. Meranda hated being who she was, everywhere she went people would bow to her and say very little. It was as if they were so scared to say something wrong and she would tell the King. Meranda was to protected for her liking, she was a free spirit and loved being outside with Elestra but her father kept her inside a lot. He was worried about where she might go or who he might meet. If she was anything like her mother she was very good at making friends with his enemies.

High above her Meranda could hear the roar of Dragons; she looked up and saw a red tail flick over the edge of the dragon hold. The Dragon hold was on the highest turret of the castle, she could see that far because she was only partly human. Her mother had not been of this world, she had travelled to Alagasia while she was exploring, when she fell in love with Galbatorix she refused to go back to her people so they cast her out. Meranda rolled her eyes and stood up; she exited her room and walked up the long, winding stair case. Half way up she met Murtagh who had a long cut down his face and was scowling as he stomped down the stairs loudly. When his eyes met Meranda's he looked down and bowed, she sighed loudly and folded her arms,

"You do not have to use niceties with me Murtagh; we both know where we stand with each other, were you just up with the dragons?"

He straightened his back and wiped a line of blood from his face and continued to scowl at her,

"Yes I have, and none of them seem to be in a good mood. I would be carful if I were you Princess,"

Meranda laughed coldly,

"Murtagh if you were me you would want me to go up there just so I would get killed, I think I can handle my own dragon thank you very much,"

Murtagh just shrugged and pushed past her, Meranda pulled a face at him and continued to walk up the stairs. When she reached the door that led to the dragon hold she pushed it open cautiously and looked around to see what was going on. Thorn and Elestra were standing in the middle of the large marble room snarling at each other while Shruiken was standing in between them whipping his tail furiously. Because of her abilities with magic she could hear all of the dragon's conversations,

"Thorn apologise to Elestra now!"

Thorn curled his top lip back and snarled dangerously at Elestra, Meranda walked into the room and leaned against the door silently,

"But I did nothing wrong Shruiken, it was all her!"

Elestra roared at him but was soon silenced by Shruiken,

"If the both of you don't start getting along soon I will have to report you too Galbatorix, he will know what to do with you,"

Meranda grinned and laughed, her father was the only thing the dragons were scared of and they would do anything to avoid a meeting with him. The dragons looked over at Meranda and in an instant the air seemed less tense. Meranda smiled and walked over to them,

"Oh come now Shruiken, I'm sure there is someway to resolve this without involving my father,"

Elestra bounded over to Meranda and nuzzled her snout against Meranda's cheek,

"Hello little one,"