Chapter 1

"Into the Night"

It was late in the night, only a few servants and slaves were up at this hour. Among them stood a young woman. She looked the age of seventeen or eighteen. Her beauty was unsurpassed; her eyes shone like deep green emeralds, her hair the color of the darkest hour of night. The train of her long following robe ,which was the same colour as her eyes, draped around her, completely concealing her, except for her head, for her hood was down. The dress she wore was a light jade. It only went to her knees; therefore it was probably designed for riding. Her name was Madrid.

A rough and muscled hand grasped her shoulder. She knew immediately it was Galbatorix. She knew not only because she heard his heavy footsteps, but the air around was always heavy with the magic that he surrounded himself with at all times to make sure he could not be assassinated. They were spells she created or she knew how to recreate. They were spells no one should know, let alone use. They were spells he should never have known were possible. The air seemed to crackle with protest at the darkness; to the trained eye and magic she could see a hazy cloud around him of black and purple. "I thought you would have left by now, as you were commanded." Said Galbatorix accusingly.

Madrid turned to look into his dark eyes. They were harsh, piercing eyes but they didn't frighten her like they did so many. "Don't you dare order me around! Do you forget why I was the one chosen for this mission?" She replied harsh and sharply. "You would have let me rot in that God forsaken prison for all eternity had you not discovered my power." In a whisper she added, "And my heritage."

"You have your father's strength and spirit, but your mother's magic. I respect that." He then bowed mockingly and smirked at his sarcasm.

Ignoring his bow she simply said, "As you should." Anger was hidden beneath her voice as it almost trembled with power. "And you, Galbatorix, you are the most powerful man in all Alegaёsia." Also with sarcasm. "So why do you need me, a girl, doing your most valuable errands? And what about what is outside of Alegaёsia? Surda, Du Weldenvarden, the elves and dwarves…" she paused. She knew what to expect of him when she spoke the next words, "and the Varden?" Galbatorix stiffened at her small rebellion. His stern look became deadly, as he looked into her eyes. Rage boiled inside him. Particles of the air seemed to shake and pop as his face turned red with anger, a vein in his forehead looked as if it might pop, if he could possibly get any angrier with her at that moment. He looked like he would kill her. She knew he would not, because he still needed her, but he was not afraid to beat her within an inch of her life. He had done so before; he would not care if he did so again, even if it did delay her. "What powers do you have over them? I know ….None."

Galbatorix took a threatening step closer. He raised a hand as if he was going to strike her. She knew he would not hesitate, so Madrid did not. She raised a hand and shouted, "Jierda."

As the beam of light left her hand, Galbatorix quickly spat, "Brisingr". Purplish-black fire flew from his hand and made a shield around the front of him, but he was too late. Madrid's magic hit him like a battering ram, straight in the gut. He flew backwards through the air until he hit a wall. He staggered upright, one hand across his stomach the other using the wall for support. "You do not let one forget your power for long."

"No, I don't." was her simple answer.

"You should be going now," said Galbatorix.

"As should you," she snapped, as she turned to leave.

"Wait." Madrid paused, but did not turn around at his voice. "I want to review some things before you leave."

"I thought we had a deal." "A deal with the devil." But if he was the devil, what did that make her? She had helped him so many times. She had enjoyed the pain she gave others. She relished it and let it take her to a new level of intensity. And she never felt remorse for it. "How could I trust him? But I do not." She thought with resolve. "He would turn on me in a second. He has proven himself before. No I don't trust him, or anyone for that matter."

"We do, I am simply making sure we have an understanding." he talked as if she were a child. She was sick of this conversation and wanted to be on her way.

"Fine then." Madrid turned to face him and recited, "My duty is to first ride to Bullridge to show the egg to everyone in the town. I will then leave the egg in trusted hands and ride to Gil'ead to help recapture the city. If all goes well I will await there until further news of the egg. If not… then I will return to Bullridge, take the egg and return here to Uru'baen. Satisfied?"

"Very well. Be on your way." Galbatorix said, still leaning against the wall for support.

Madrid walked into the stables. It smelled of fresh hay and horses. A young boy, probably no more than 7 or 8 years, jumped from his stool when he saw her coming. He was dressed in old clothes that were ripped and soiled. He wore nothing on his tiny feet, and they must have been freezing. His hair was matted and dirty, and she thought she saw some mud in his hair. The boy's face matched his attire; it too was covered in filth. He did a bow as best he could. He probably did not even know who she was. Madrid figured he was one of the lowest ranks and just bowed to everyone so he would not get a beating. "Please, Miss, don't tell the officer me was late bowin'. Me didn't know you was comin'. Me saddle you's horse." The young boy turned to go to the horse but then turned back to the hooded figure that was Madrid. "Err…Miss? Which horse be you's?"

So that confirmed it, he was beaten by this officer. By his accent, she could tell he was most likely bought off of certain slave trader she knew. "When I get back he will pay for selling children." She thought angrily. "Young man, who is your 'officer'?" Madrid questioned.

"Oh please, please Miss let me get you's horse. Me promise Higen do the bestest job. Please don't tell the officer me was late bowin'." The little boy pleaded, begging for her not to tell. His sad eyes told her someone had asked before and gotten a beating for telling.

"Higen, is that your name?" The boy nodded. "Higen, he will not give you a beating. Just tell me his name. "

"Please, Miss, Hegin don't wanna beatin'. Me do a good job. But if you's tell him he's gonna give me's a beatin'."

"Not if I tell him not to."

"His name be Egramon… Sir Egramon." Higen said quietly, just in case someone might have heard him.

"Thank you, Higen; my horse is the black one called Ajax."

"You's horse be Ajax?" Higen's eyes grew wide at the mention of the horse's name. "No one go's near Ajax. He no like anyone. He no let anyone saddle him."

"Yes I know that's why I usually saddle him myself." Madrid said with a sigh. "Higen, go get Egramon while I saddle Ajax. Hmmm?"

"Oh ….ummm….ah…al…alright." the little boy stuttered. He then turned and ran out of the stable as fast as he could to go get his master.

Madrid silently walked back to Ajax stall. All the other horses looked back, ears perked up, they had probably seen many people go back to his stall, and be kicked right back out. She sent a tendril of thought ahead to calm him let him know it was her. She came to a halt in front of his stall. His tail faced the door. She leaned against the stable, both hands rested under her chin. "What am I supposed to do with you?" She made a clicking noise with her mouth and the horse turned to look. His ears immediately perked up and he turned around. He pressed his nose up against the bars. He loved when Madrid came. He knew it meant an adventure. Lately she hadn't been able to come and ride him; she figured it had been a week. She opened the door and he walked out. He wasn't tied; she never tied him. He would never run from her.

Ajax was the most magnificent horse she had ever seen. He was a beautiful, black Friesian. He stood about seventeen hands high. This made him one of the largest horses in the stable. She kept his mane and tail shorter than most Friesians, but it was still fairly long.

He was all black except for his right, front foot which was white. This marking was his only imperfection and that was why she had chosen him. Others thought this imperfection made him ugly and unworthy. So the people who breeded him thought he was no good so they mistreated him. That was until Madrid saved him when he was still a foal. And that was why he only trusted her. However, Madrid didn't want a perfect horse, and she thought it was useful, no one would want to steal an imperfect horse, if they were going to try to sell him later, and they would not even be able to get near Ajax. He would not allow that. Tornac come close, but didn't have the intelligence of Ajax. Ajax knew when to run, hide, or come to her rescue at the precise moment. That made him more beautiful than any other horse.

She retrieved his heavy saddle from the tack room. His bridle was already near the stall; it was so black it almost matched him. She slipped the bridle over his head, and pushed the bit into his mouth. She talked to him as she worked. Madrid was telling him why she wasn't there as often and where they were going and why. She retrieved the saddlebags and put them near the saddle. Madrid once again lifted the heavy saddle and put it on him. She was just finishing up with the buckle. She put her knee up by his stomach. He often liked to play a trick on her and make his stomach huge. Then when she got on him he should suck in his gut, and she would fall off. "The trickster." Madrid thought with a smile.

She put on the saddlebags, when she heard a noise behind her. She turned and saw Higen leading Sir Egramon toward her. Madrid also noticed Higen now had a bloody nose he was trying- but failing- to hide with a hand and his left eye was tuning a purplish color. "Higen! Come here." Madrid called.

The boy started to walk a little faster until his master backhanded him in the head with his knife hilt. The blow knocked the child to the ground. A trickle of blood formed a small puddle beneath the wound. Madrid was furious. "Thrysta!" she shouted and sent Egramon sailing through the air. He did not get back up, but he was still conscious. She heard him moan.

She calmly walked over to the boy and whispered "Waise heíl." over him. The boy sat up and looked around then he saw Egramon lying on the ground. Next he felt his nose and eye, and the back of his head.

"Hey, it no hurt no more. Hegin's eye no big." He looked again to Egramon then to Madrid, "Did you do that?"

Madrid looked to the big man and sighed, "Yes, Higen, I suppose I did." She looked at the little boy and saw the concern on his face, "Do not worry. He will be alright."

"Me no worry 'bout Sir Egramon now. Me worry 'bout when he get up." Said Higen.

Madrid gave the child a small smile. She walked over to Egramon and looked down at him as he rolled over in pain. "Waise heíl."

The man stood up. He was tall and dressed in a soldier's uniform. Madrid was taller than most women, but he stood a good couple inches over her. "How dare you use magic on me? And how DARE you heal than ungrateful, pathetic, and ignorant little scoundrel!" he shouted.

Madrid kept a calm look on her face as she backhanded him. The loud smack echoed through the stable and spooked a few horses. Ajax trotted up next to her. "And how dare you insult Galbatorix's right hand. This boy did nothing wrong. He was sent on my orders to get you so that I may tell you he is no longer your property. And your services are no longer necessary."

He looked at her and then the boy, "What gives you this right to order me around." He said with a sneer. "You are probably nothing more than an whore to Galbatorix. That's all women are and that's all they're ever meant to be."

"You stupid man, you don't even know how foolish you really are. I am on a mission for Galbatorix himself."

"Who are you?" The man questioned, his voice now filled with suspicion and fear. His was starting to put the pieces of the puzzle together.

"I'm disappointed. A better question would be 'what are you' but you will never know the answer to that either." Madrid said as she pushed her knife into his stomach. Egramon's eyes bulged; he shuddered as blood began to come out of his mouth. Madrid waited until his warm blood nearly covered her hand. She removed the knife and let him fall to the ground. He crumpled like a rag doll. She knew he wasn't going to get back up. Madrid bent over and wiped the blood off of her hand and knife with his cloak.

She turned back to Higen. He was still on the ground where she had left him. His eyes were wide with fear; his mouth hung open as he stared at her. She walked back up to him and he tried to skitter back away from her. So she stopped going toward him.

"Go up to the palace and look for the maid named Naccia. Tell her that her mistress sent you. If she doesn't believe you tell her that Gleadr is gold. It is a code that she will know. Tell her she is to take care of you, and to see if she can find you a job in the palace." The boy just nodded and stayed where he was. "It was good to meet you, Hegin, goodbye."

Ajax trotted over to her and she put her foot in the stirrup and swung her other leg over the big horse. She took one last look at the boy before she put her hood up and dug her heels into Ajax. The horse went into a full gallop out of the stables, and left Hegin all alone in the stables as she rode into the darkness and silence.