"Hurry!" Eragon said as Murtagh picked up elven maiden.

"What about Eirien," Murtagh asked, confused that he would leave his best friend behind.

"She's not with you?" Eragon asked back. Had Eirien been captured as well? Saphira?

She's just down the hall in the last cell on the left, Saphira answered. Eragon pointed at the door to Murtagh.

"Eirien's there."

***

Wake up, Eirien, a voice called to her. It was familiar. Wake up! There was a second voice. Both were earnest but the first was worn, as if it had been to long without parchment. The second one was much different. It was firm guiding, and had a hint of urgency to it. Wake up!! Both resounded together. Eirien wondered for a moment why it was so important that she wake. Names came to match the voices. Eragon! Murtagh!

Eragon was kneeling over Eirien as she opened her bruised eyes. She looked beyond Eragon and saw Murtagh carrying the lithe figure of a woman. Anger flared up inside her, and Eirien could tell why. But then she spotted pointed ears sticking out from beneath the woman's hair. An elf! Murtagh saw the anger and amazement cross her face. He looked down, exhibiting something akin to embarrassment.

Meanwhile Eragon was speaking to her.

"Eirien we have to go. Now!" He saw her cuts and bruises in dismay. "Can you walk?"

Eirien got up and said, "I think so." Her face flushed red when she realized for the first time that she only wore a long-sleeved tunic. No one seemed to notice though.

"C'mon!" Murtagh beckoned impatiently. Eirien glared at him briefly but she and Eragon complied. They dashed into the hallway and up the stairs at the end. The stairs led to a banquet hall where Murtagh set the elf down on a table. He told them to stay hidden while he went to fetch their weapons. Murtagh returned quickly, handing out the weapons to their respective owners. He hand also managed to find Eirien some trousers and a cloak so she wouldn't have to run around in her tunic. He tossed them to her and she hurried into them. Eragon and Murtagh debated their escape plan.

While they argued the Shade came into the room. All spun around to face him.

"What'll it be, Rider?" The Shade spoke the title like it was an insult. "Shall you test yourself against me?" He advance towards them slowly.

"Let me do it," Murtagh said, his hand on the hilt of his sword. Eirien scoffed.

"You're no match for him," she pointed out. Murtagh glared at her. "You're so-called heroics will get us all killed." Eirien whispered harshly.

"I'm touched by you're concern," Murtagh whispered back.

"No," Eragon put in before either of them could continue, "I'm the one he wants. I can hold him off for a little bit."

"It'll have to be enough," Murtagh said and just as Eirien was about to protest he grabbed her arm and yanked her backwards. They watched as Eragon battle the Shade. Murtagh had to physically restrain Eirien when she tried to rush to his aid. Meanwhile the ceiling shook and wood and dust fell from above.

"Just wait!" Murtagh said as slammed her against the wall.

"Let me go! He's going to kill him!" She demanded.

"Do you hear that? She's coming. Just wait," he told her. Eirien immediately realized Murtagh's plan and relaxed. He felt the change and released her. Murtagh moved away from her and caught up his bow, notching an arrow to it.

Eirien returned her gaze to the battle. The Shade had Eragon on his knees, weaponless. Through the noise of banging and scrapping she heard Eragon tell the Shade that Saphira was coming. When the Shade brought his sword down, Eragon rolled to dodge it. While he was distracted, Murtagh loosed his arrow and it pierced the Shade's shoulder. Laughter ensued as the Shade merely snapped the arrow off. But Murtagh had another arrow ready and this time it made it's home between the Shade's eyes. He reeled back howling and then disappeared.

"Is he dead?" Eirien asked.

"I don't think so," Murtagh answered grimly. Just then soldiers poured into the room. All of them were cornered into a wall. Roaring came from the ceiling. Eirien looked to see Saphira poking her head through a hole she'd created. The soldiers scattered to dodge the debris raining down as the dragon continued to tear through the roof.

With all the soldier's either gone or distracted, Rider and dragon enjoyed a sweet reunion before the four clambered onto her back. Eirien and the elf were sandwiched between Eragon and Murtagh. The elf was in front of her and Murtagh sat behind her. Saphira took off even with the extra weight though she had trouble getting higher. Eirien suppressed a scream as arrows whizzed by and Saphira rolled to avoid them. She felt Murtagh's arms tighten around her waist. Whether it was fear for his own safety or for hers, Eirien couldn't tell. But what she could tell was that Saphira had been hit.

"She's hurt," Eirien shouted over the roaring wind. "Will she be alright flying?"

"She says she can get us far enough," Eragon shouted back. Eirien patted the dragon's back encouragingly. When she allowed herself to relax she found that Murtagh's arms were still wound tightly around her. The extra pressure on her bruised body hurt.

"Would you mind loosening your vice," Eirien asked him with a little asperity.

"Sorry," Murtagh said flatly. After that they were silent the rest of the harrowing flight.