-1Murtagh lay in his bed, exhausted and dirty after a long grueling "training day" with Galbatorix. It took all of his remaining strength just to breath. Part of him wanted to pass out, but his mind would not give into his body's struggle.
Nasuada paced in her study. It was midnight and the rest of the Varden, including her vassal Eragon, were asleep. it had been weeks since she had slept or gotten any real rest, ever since she had learned Murtagh had betrayed them and crossed over. They had never been together, but Nasuada's heart told her that she was already in love with the Red Rider. She needed to breathe. She needed to leave the Varden's fortress, if only for a moment. Being there reminded her too much of him, of her responsibility to the Varden, of the harsh truth that they were now enemies. She quickly put a cloak on over her breeches and shirt (she may have worn dresses in court, but when she was alone she didn't see the need. Plus, she was no sissy!), and snuck out of the fortress through a secret passageway that not even her guards knew of.
Murtagh drifted through a state of unconsciousness. He could feel Thorn trying to make contact, but he was so weak to connect. Loud footsteps outside his chamber alerted Murtagh that someone was coming for him. Galbatorix barged trough the wooden door, demanding Murtagh to get up.
"I have a job for you, son of Morzan!" The dragon King bellowed, "It has come to my attention that one of the leaders of the resistance is out, unguarded, in the outskirts of Surda. You will go and kidnap this enemy. NOW!"
Murtagh rose slowly, touched the amulet Galbatorix handed to him, and felt a wave of energy wash over him.
"As you wish...sire" Murtagh replied with a hint of contempt. He called Thorn as he walked out to the courtyard, jumping on the red dragon, and flew out into the night.
Out on the open plains, a hutch opened, revealing a figure hiding in a dark underground tunnel. With ease, Nasuada climbed out, and shut the door, making the ground whole once again. She breathed a sigh of relief. 'Hear I am free' she though to herself. She ran as far as her legs could carry her. As her hair undid itself from it's confines, running free behind her, she laughed and cried, happy to have a moment's peace to herself, and sad at how tragically her life had taken a turn. She came to a stream and eagerly drank from it. As she looked at her reflection in the calm water, she noticed a flying object behind her. At first she thought it was a bird, but as it got closer, it got bigger and revealed itself to be a dragon. 'How foolish she had been!' Nasuada gasped, She had made herself helpless against attack, and no one knew where she was. Quickly she tied back her hair, put on her hood, and ran with all her might. Luckily her clothes hid her sex as well as her rank, maybe this dragon rider would think her a mere farm boy out for a run instead of the female leader of the Varden.
Murtagh saw his prey run from him. He sighed, knowing this would only be another obstacle in catching this rebel.
Nasuada searched ahead for a tree, bushes, anything to take cover in, but found nothing. She was trapped on the vast plains with naught but the grass beneath her feet, the half moon above her, and the dragon and it's rider behind her. She knew escape was futile, stopped running, keeping her back to her opponent. 'After all' she told herself, 'I am disguised and it is quite dark outside...this rider will not know who I am.'
Murtagh grinned when he saw the man had finally stopped. Thorn landed, somewhat gracefully, behind the target, and Murtagh jumped off.
"Well, well, well...it seems the wolf has finally caught the sheep." Murtagh sneered. This man had delayed Murtagh long enough, and he was in no mood for pleasantries. When the man did not turn around, Murtagh commanded him to bow, the man instantly fell as his legs buckled beneath him.
"Now what could Galbatorix want with you, a lowly peasant?" Murtagh asked allowed, not really caring if he received an answer or not.
Nasuada mustered as manly a voice as she could. "I know naught. I am a servant boy. For...the Lady of the Varden. I clean her...um..chamber pots...".
The Rider's once cocky and strong demeanor instantly changed at the mention of Lady Nasuada.
"Please sir, let me go. I know no secrets, except perhaps what the lady may have had for dinner" Nasuada laughed gruffly trying to remain calm. She was still in a bowing position, her hood covering her head. She glanced up at the rider, but it was too dark to see him.
"Nasuada..." Murtagh said to himself. A name so precious, he had dared not say it aloud before, for fear that Galbatorix would hear him and use it against him. Perhaps this servant was useful after all. "Tell me, boy, where do the Lady's affections lie as of late?" The boy obviously seemed surprised by this. "I knew the Varden's leader once, that is why I ask...of course" Murtagh added hastily, trying to act disenchanted.
'Who was this man?' Nasuada thought to herself. Suddenly the rider paced, and under the bleak moonlight, Nasuada could make out his red sword and red armor. 'The Red Rider!' .