A/N: For this very special chapter, my sister, LadyPython, is co-authoring.

vampyrecurse: In this chapter our lovely Aurana and our strong and handsome Murtagh are-

LadyPython: Shutup, or you'll ruin the chapter!

vampyrecurse: Yeah, yeah. So, since I can't' say what I was going to say, I'll say that Aurana meets with-

LadyPython: At this rate they won't even have to read the chapter!

vampyrecurse: Alright, alright, I'll stop. So read on, brave fanfictioners!

And, since everyone is doing it, A DISCLAIMER: We don't own jack shit . . . yet.

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Chapter Three

Lady Nasuada, Leader of the Varden,

I, Aurana, heir to Galbatorix's throne, offer you my services. I have no wish to be a servant of the Empire any longer. If you think you can trust me, have Rider Eragon meet me outside of Dras Leona in two days.

Lady Aurana, Heir to the Throne of Alagaesia

Nasuada reread the letter once more, disbelieving. She sent for Eragon and Saphira after a moment, her mind whirling with possibilities and questions.

Eragon walked calmly into her chambers, brow furrowed. "Nasuada, what is it?" he asked seeing the confused expression on her face.

"She looked up from the letter to smile at him. "We've received a message from Lady Aurana asking you to meet her in Dras Leona," she told him.

"Why does she want to meet with us?"

"She claims she wants nothing to do with the Empire and has offered us her services. What do you think?" Nasuada asked.

Eragon shrugged, surprised by this new information. He was quiet for a moment, then said, "I think Saphira and I should go meet with her. If Galbatorix is anywhere nearby, Saphira will know, and all we have to do to escape if there's an ambush is fly away. And it would be worth it, because she would be valuable if this isn't a trap."

Nasuada nodded. "I agree. One week from today, outside Dras Leona. That is all."

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Galbatorix silently watched his heir and his Rider from his window. They were seated on a stone bench in one of the many gardens, talking animatedly, often arguing. Then the arguments would stop and they would smile at one another, all the while exchanging casual touches. That was very good.

It would be very advantageous if one of the Forsworn, the only Forsworn other than Galbatorix himself, married the heir to the throne of Alagaesia, now wouldn't it? Advantageous indeed.

Galbatorix called in one of the guards and sent him to fetch Murtagh. Moments later he saw the guard approach Murtagh out of the window. Murtagh nodded and rose, walking out of sight.

There was a brisk knock on the door and he called, "Enter."

Murtagh came in and kneeled. "No need for that Murtagh," Galbatorix said calmly. "All I need from you is one simple favor."

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Wind whipped through Eragon's hair as he and Saphira flew over Dras Leona. He had quickly located the Princess with his mind, now they searched for soldiers or an enemy Rider.

After seeing none Saphira landed lightly in the clearing Aurana waited in. There was a long silence before Aurana spoke. "I suppose the first thing you want to know is if there are any soldiers hiding under the rocks, or perhaps if Murtagh and Thorn are hiding in my sleeve?" she asked mockingly.

"If you want help from the Varden, you would do best not to disrespect me," Eragon snarled.

Aurana's taunting expression sobered and she nodded. "Indeed, you are right Shadeslayer. Forgive me. I tell you this because I assume you want to know; I am to be married to Murtagh in three months," she told him and he jolted, doing his best to conceal his surprise.

As Eragon regained control of his face, Saphira ordered, "Reassure me that this isn't a trap. Tell me the story of why you have chosen to betray your beloved 'father'."

Aurana nodded in consent and began, "I suppose it's really your fault. When Galbatorix received word that Durza had failed to recover a blue dragon egg that the elves had in their possession, he went into a rage, focusing himself on finding the egg. He was locked in his chambers for the better part oftwo months.

"It of course sounds deplorablr, but I grew angry at him for ignoring me and resentment grew. That was when I started looking at the Empire and how Galbatorix ruled over it, andI, after a lifetime of having my eyes shut, realized he was a tyrant and not worthy of my love or loyalty.

"I decided that there was no way I could leave him, so I didn't do anything. Then the battle at the Burning Plains came and my true love, one Lieutenant Daven, was sent into battle. He never came back. I learned later he had been slain by your hand, Shur'tugal. But I didn't blame you. The blame shifted to Galbatorix. It was his fault the battle had happened, and he had been the one who sent my beloved there.

"I was in a storm of grief, so I may have thought irrationally, but I decided I had to get out. Then Murtagh told me he was unhappy as I and we began spending long hours together, plotting. The King assumed we were courting, so he ordered Murtagh to propose to me, and now we are to be married. That's the whole story."

"I can believe that, but if Murtagh is in this with you, why is he not here, and why didn't you speak of him in your letter?" Saphira protested.

"I have an answer. If Galbatorix had intercepted the letter, or had troops follow me here, we would be found out and I would be killed. But Murtagh would suffer through hours of endless torture and punishment for his deceit. So he wasn't mentioned," Aurana explained.

"Very well. But say it in the Ancient Language," Eragon ordered.

Aurana inclined her head and said solemnly, "Vel eÑ—nradhin iet ai kona, eka fricai."

Upon my word as a woman, I am a friend.

"Good. Now, what help can we give you?"