Okay! I get it! Murtagh is NOT Morzan's only son! I get the point! Now STOP TELLING ME THAT! I've already gotten 3 reviews telling me the same thing! Something along the lines of 'good chapter, but Eragon and Murtagh are brothers.'

I GET IT!

Whew. Now I'm getting too many reviews to Private Message them all!

Disclaimer: I own nothing except Hadara, Jadzia, Abrienda, Syra, Arnaia, and Emerara. Everything else belongs to Christopher Paolini. Not that he did such an awesome job with them . . .

Chapter VII: I Came So Close

"Who are you?" asked Abrienda warily.

"Someone who wants to help you." He kneeled down by Jadzia, who shrank back.

"I'm not trying to hurt you," he said impatiently. "Look." He murmured something that sounded like "Waise heill!" A bruise on her hand faded. "I'm trying to help you, but you have to trust me."

After a long moment, Jadzia nodded. "Good," said the man. "My name is Murtagh. I too am under the rule of Galbatorix, but I didn't choose it." Muttering something under his breath, the chain securing Jadzia's left wrist to the stone wall snapped. The same thing quickly happened to Hadara and Abrienda and the three dragons.

"Come on," said Murtagh. He went into the hallway and saw that he was alone. "Come on," he whispered. "We don't have a lot of time!"

Hadara narrowed her eyes. She looked around the corner warily, ready for an ambush, and nodded. "All clear."

Abrienda was suspicious. "How do we know you arent leading us into a trap?"

Murtagh let out a frustrated sigh. "Look, if we get attacked, you have permission to hate me."

"We need your permission?" asked Hadara. "I already hate you."

Murtagh muttered something unintelligible, and led them through a door. The kitchens awaited them. Murtagh stopped. "Alright. We have two options. We could use the servants door and go out through the side gate, or we could stop at the armory, get you some swords, and then go through the servants gate."

Who needs swords? asked Syra. Murtagh's dragon snorted.

We dragons may have claws, but the humans? Remember them? Your Riders? They need swords.

Thorn. Calm down, said Murtagh quietly. "You three decide."

"Okay. If he is leading us into a trap, we should at least have some weapon," whispered Hadara.

"Why would he be doing that?" asked Jadzia. "He seems nice enough."

"The stone walls of Teirm have made you soft, merchant girl," declared Abrienda. "We didn't all grow up believing we were safe. Some of us actually are careful."

Jadzia was hurt. "What is this, gang up on Jadzia day?"

"No. but you need to have some common sense. Swords or no?"

"It's a two to one vote. We get swords."

Murtagh shrugged. "This way to the armory."

As Abrienda looked around the doorframe, she immediately pulled her head back as two arrows buried themselves in the wood.

Galbatorix laughed. "did you really think you could escape?"

"Yes, actually," stated Jadzia. Abrienda whapped her on the head. "Certain battles are won through retreat," she whispered.

The mad king was talking again. "I know every thought in Murtagh's head. He couldn't possibly lead you out without my knowledge."

Forgot that little fact, did you? asked the red dragon, Thorn, snidely.

Shut up, muttered Murtagh.

Can we hate you now? hissed Arnaia.

Permission granted.

Abrienda gave Murtagh a malevolent glare as the girls and dragons were carried back to the dungeons.

Murtagh felt horrible. They would never trust him again. It wouldn't help them if they did, but it was nice o have even one person not scurry in fear, even for ten minutes.

End of Chapter Seven. Nice, huh?

alsdssg: yes. I get it. okay?

callernumber16onz100: here it is.

Coffee Grounds: Um . . . okay . . . stands back warily

DragonRider2000: I am not actually sure, but I think so.

yasha-fire-starter: Thank you. Yes, I know Murtagh is not the only son.

Byebye!