Nasuada (to Eragon): If you, Roran, and Murtagh were locked in the same cell, I'm not sure who would survive.
"You will be staying in there until there's only one of you left," said the Tyrant-king. The door slammed shut with a resounding crash.
"Any plans, brother?" Murtagh demanded, "You got us into this mess, and you should get us out."
"I don't know," Eragon admitted, "Roran, you're the best strategist here. Can you think of anything?"
Roran growled. "He's right, Eragon. For once I agree with that power-hungry half-brother of yours. It's your job to get us out of here. And if anything happens to Katrina while I'm stuck in here, I'll have your hide, rider or no."
"I'll have to think on it," Eragon sighed, "Murtagh are you in reach of Thorn? Saphira might as well be on the other side of Alagaesia for all I'm getting from her. I can sense the basic colour of her emotions, but we're too far away to communicate with words."
"Thorn is even farther away. I can't even feel his mind rubbing against mine."
Oh bother, Eragon thought, unarmed and drugged, however are we supposed to get out of here. Roran's going to kill me when he finds out. Murtagh, too. "First, you, Roran is to eat all the food served to us since you're the only one that can't use magic. The food and water is drugged, but it won't do you any harm. That way, Galbatorix will think that we've had our dose of the drug."
"Agreed," Roran said curtly.
"Then you and Murtagh will pretend to be dead. I'll cast a spell to transfer your pulse so Galbatorix won't be able to feel it. He'll probably then stick you in a coffin and toss you into Leona Lake. Murtagh will be able to free you with magic."
"It's a good plan," said Murtagh, "but how will you get out? Your and Roran should be the ones in the coffin."
"No," Eragon snapped, "The king would kill either of you. It's me he wants."