Heh heh heh…Me and my evil plots are just going to take a little nap now, okay?

Before we do that, I would like to clear up something: yes, the chapter does involve someone/something surrendering to Galby. Yes, this person was in fact revealed in the last chapter, and no, she does not fall in love with Murtagh. Not to say someone else doesn't.

Chapter X: Surrender

"Afraid of being weak, is she?" Galbatorix nodded thoughtfully. "And we can't have the other two there to comfort her…Captain!"

"Sir!" the soldier stood to attention.

"Have the Dragon Riders placed in separate cells. I no longer want them all together."

"Yes, your Majesty!"

"Separated?"

Jadzia's question hung in the air. "Why?"

"I have my orders, I am not in a position to question them," replied the soldier.

The three girls' hands were bound and they were led in separate directions. The dragons were each carried by a soldier and taken with their respective Riders.

Hadara was still shaking over her earlier problem. But now…it was different. She was weak alone, very weak. Weakness she could not afford.

Stop wallowing in self-pity! snapped Emerara. You're not weak. Nor are you alone. As long as I live, you will never be alone. We are one, Hadara. Never forget that.

"I know," she whispered. "I won't forget. But compared to them, I am not strong enough."

Stop talking like this is a competition! Jadzia and Abrienda are not trying to outdo you. Hadara, I chose you as my Rider for a reason.

"Yes, I know. I'm sorry.

Abrienda bit her lip. "Hadara's going to be targeted, you mark my words."

So marked, said Syra sleepily.

"I'm serious! He was listening, I'm sure of it! He knows what she wants—power—and he knows what to do with that knowledge!"

Are you feeling protective? Hadara is the last person you'd think would turn.

"Yes, but still. He could still hurt her."

Obviously.

Jadzia sat up. "You do know what comes next, right?

Do tell, said Arnaia.

"He can get to us separately. We can't help each other anymore. We're on our own."

Jadzia thought. What would be next? He would play on Hadara's fear of weakness, that much was sure. Abrienda—verbal abuse, from what Jadzia knew, would be most effective. And Jadzia herself…her own fear, that of death, would be enough.

Hadara shrank back as Galbatorix entered. He smiled cruelly.

"You're showing weakness, cowering like that."

She glared back.

"I can help."

"…What does that mean?"

"I can make you powerful. Nobody would ever think of you as weak again. Your strength would be unrivaled across Alagaesia, and your skills in battle, especially, would shock the world."

"Never."

Why would we join you?

"To prove your strength! To show the world that they were wrong, that you were not the weakling they thought you were!"

"No."

"You are already looked down on enough as it is, being female. People will whisper, say that you won't be able to hold up. They will say you should leave the fighting to the men."

Emerara hissed. If anyone says that, we will destroy them!

"But you can't," he said with a sad smile. "You are too weak. But you don't have to be."

Hadara took a breath. She clenched her fists and opened them.

"Okay."

Come on, I know at least a few of you must have thought this would be what happened. And if that was a surprise, you are so dense. This chapter was littered with clues.

I am a terrible unicorn: what, seriously? Thanks!

Diamondchild: um. Thank you?

teenchic2004: no, I just can't write as a boy. It's hard. Thanks for noticing, though—I completely forgot!

Coffee Grounds: eh, even the sad ones need a bit of random.

Azulcat: isn't it scarier when the bad guy acts all cheerful? And I didn't listen to you, for the record, I had this all planned out.

alsdssg: heh. Heh heh. I just love writing this.

Well, you know what to do.