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Edoc'sil

Prologue:The Agreement

Sloan stood in the hall with one single light shinning upon him. His gaze swept the soroundings. His eyes met darkness welcoming anything - or anyone - who wished to hide there.

"I've been watching you sence we last met, Sloan," a mystery voice ricocheted off the walls prooving imposible to find it's origin. Sloan licked the sweat beading on his upper lip. He dared not whipe his face in case of an attack.

"Who are you? Show yourself! What do you want from me?," Sloan asked in a hoarse voice.

His question was met with a threatening chuckle. Well at least someone is enjoying himself! Sloan thought bitterly.

"Have you already forgotten the agreement we made a week ago today?," asked the stranger's condesending voice.

Sloan gasped as an unwanted memory flashed through his mind . . .

Sloan nealt in front of King Galbatorix, sweat sliding down his temple.

"Please, your Highness! I beg of you, spare me! Have you no mercy?," pleaded Sloan.

King Galbatorix simply laughed, "I do not condone mercy! And take pride in the fact! You have slandered my name and for that you shall pay!"

Galbatorix slid his sward out of it's sheath and flicked his wrist back, preparing to strike. Just then, the door to the hall whipped open and the tall, lean frame of Morzan entered with air of urgency.

"My King," he said in a low voice.

"You have news for me?," Galbatorix questioned.

"I do, sire," came Morzan's reply.

"Speak then."

"You may wish to reconsider killing this man," Morzan said cautiously, "He may proove . . . useful to us."

After a brief pause of thought, Galbatorix turned his attention to Sloan. "Very well. Today you and your slanderous tounge shall go free but when I call on you, you will answer."

"Yes, sir! Absolutely my Lord!" Sloan hastily replied.

He scrambled forward and kissed the hem of Galbatorix's cloak. Galbatorix kicked Sloan back with disgust and said in a dangerously low voice,

"As a punishment for your action, your wife will be slaughtered this time tomorrow."

Then with a grin at Sloans horror struck face said, "You broke the law, Sloan. Valuable or not, you still must be punished."

Sloan's memory ended as soon as it had come and he said in a choked voice, "I have not forgotten."

The voice chuckled once again, "I trust you had enough time for funeral arrangements." It said casually.

Working hard to suppress his fear, hatred, and anguish; Sloan managed to slip out a choked, "yes."

"Your service to me," the voice said in a loud buisness like way, "In order to pay off your crime, is to raise my child. She is not to know she is my child until she turns sixteen. God help you if she finds out before that time."

None of this made the least bit of sence to Sloan, who only truely grasped the part about raising this man's child.

"And what are both of your names?" he inquired.

"Name the child what you wish. As for me, my name is Morzan."

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