Wind howled through the rainy night, carrying a scent that would change the world. A messenger approached King Galbatorix's palace at Uru-Baen. He momentarily paused to look fearfully up at the red dragon and rider circling overhead. Lightning flashed and he quickly rushed into the safety of the palace.
He knocked on the king's throne room door, glancing at the parchment he held in his hand. He shuddered as he thought of the king's wrath when he heard the news. Galbatorix bade him enter, and he did so.
As he approached the throne, he kowtowed three times. Then he held out the parchment to the mad king, hands trembling as he thought of what would happen when the king read—
"WHAT?!?! MY MOTHER-IN-LAW IS COMING TO STAY WITH US?!?!" The king roared. The messenger trembled.
The messenger was almost trembling to hard to speak. "Y-Yes, your majesty. She's bringing your daughter too, Serafina, I think was her name?"
"I KNOW HER NAME! WHEN ARE THEY COMING? I HAVE TO HIDE!" The king was panicking, looking around fearfully as if the guests were already standing before him.
"T-They had just set out when I arrived. They should be here in a matter of hours." The messenger cringed away as he said this. The king was known for shooting his messengers.
"HOURS? THAT'S NOT ENOUGH TIME! HIDE ME! YOU HAVE TO HIDE ME!" The king was close to having a nervous breakdown now, the messenger's teeth were chattering so hard that he couldn't answer.
In his rage, the king sent a blast of magical energy at the messenger, taking off part of his head. The messenger was dead before he hit the ground. The king quickly looked around for someone to hide behind. Suddenly the door swung open. Two pairs of eyes glowed out from the darkness.
A voice said, "Galbatorix, I'm ba-ack."