Disclaimer: I don't own the Inheritance Cycle or any of its characters.

CHAPTER NINE

Murtagh knelt before the mirror, waiting in silence as the image of his master appeared on the flat surface. Galbatorix's eyes bored into him, his expression betraying nothing of his thoughts or emotions. Murtagh bowed his head, preferring not to have to look at him through the duration of their contact.

"What is it?" Galbatorix asked.

"I was successful, sire. Jasper is dead," he informed simply.

"Dead?" the king asked, the tone of his voice changing dangerously. Murtagh was grateful that they were separated by hundreds of miles. "I ordered you to bring him to me. Since he is dead, I only hope you were able to extract the information from him?"

Murtagh paused for a second. "I was not able," he answered, "Jasper killed himself before I could break through his mind." Murtagh knew better than to tell him the whole truth of the encounter, even though the king would inevitably find out in the end, when he returned to him. He decided to avoid his wrath for now though, and would bear his punishment when the moment came. Most likely, Galbatorix already knew he was lying, and would think carefully on what pain to inflict when they returned.

"Very well," the king said in the end, "As long as he is no longer a problem. What have you done with his body?"

It was an unexpected question, but Murtagh answered anyway. "I gave it to his mother, sire."

He didn't have to look up to know what the king was thinking. "I hope your relationship with that woman won't prove to be a problem for you in the future."

Murtagh could detect the subtle threat. It made him beyond angry, but he kept himself still. "It won't, sire," he replied tightly. He lifted his eyes for the first time, seeing the face of the king. "Shall I return to Uru'baen then, since my work here is done?"

"No, you will remain. The Elves are on the move from Ceunon. It won't be long before they're upon the city. I want you to stay and crush each and every one of their soldiers, and show them my might."

Murtagh swallowed against the lump in his throat. He had known this battle was coming, but he had futilely hoped it wouldn't be this soon. "Yes, master."

"You!" Murtagh called to the young soldier running passed him, causing him to stop in his tracks and turn back. He faced Murtagh, his eyes full of wonder and respect. "I need you to get me a horse, one of the fastest this garrison has, and I need it packed with enough provisions to make the journey to Uru'baen. And I'll need an escort."

"Yes, Rider." The soldier nodded, complying without question. He turned and headed the opposite direction of which he had been going. Murtagh watched him disappear amongst the bustle of soldiers who were rushing back and forth, shouting orders and preparing for the approaching siege. Murtagh turned away from it all, heading down the hall to Zuriel's room.

He entered without announcing himself, not wanting to take the time. He paused in the doorway when he saw the healer asleep on her bed. He quietly closed the door, shutting out the noise of the commotion outside. He slowly walked to her bedside, watching her as she slept soundly. She looked exhausted, not from her work here, but from all the emotional toll this mission had taken.

He gently took her hand as it hung partially off the side of the bed. She didn't awaken at his touch, so he sat on the edge of the bed. He wished he could have just taken a moment to watch her sleep, to find some moment of quiet. But the sounds of the soldiers couldn't be ignored. Neither could his duty - his orders.

He took her by the shoulder, shaking her awake. Her eyes opened heavily, her brow creasing in confusion as she saw him hovering over her. He offered a soft smile, though he wasn't sure the situation merited it.

"Murtagh? What is it?" she asked, her voice quiet in the darkness. She lifted her head a little more when a soldier yelled something as he ran by the door.

"You need to get up," he said, helping her sit up.

"What's going on?"

He left the bed and gathered her bags which were set in the corner, all of them still packed. She still didn't seem to understand, even as he stood before her, offering her her small purse of medicines. "Come on, get up. You need to leave."

She rose to her feet, her tiredness melting away in a second. She took her purse from him and put it over her shoulder without question, then took one of the smaller bags from him. He slung the third one over his own shoulder, before taking her hand and leading her to the door. When he opened it, she caught sight of what was happening outside. She understood in an instant.

"The elves are marching on the city," Murtagh explained, leading her down the hall and passed the many soldiers, "They'll be here by nightfall."

"You're staying, aren't you?" she asked.

"Yes. Galbatorix ordered me to fight."

"Then I should stay as well," Zuriel argued, "If there's going to be battle, I'll be needed more than ever."

"No, you can't stay," he replied simply.

They eventually came to the stables at the outskirts of the city, where the young soldier he had spoken with stood beside a gray steed. Two more fully garbed and armed soldiers stood ready nearby, beside steeds of their own. The soldiers, along with every horse in the stable, looked uneasy around Thorn, as the dragon sat perched nearby. The young soldier bowed to Murtagh as he approached, offering the reins. Murtagh thanked and dismissed him, and the young man rushed back to join the other soldiers in preparation.

Murtagh attached the bag he held to the saddle, then took her other one from her.

"Murtagh," she said, placing her hand on his arm after he was done, making him turn to face her. "I should stay."

"No, you can't," he answered. He expected her to argue, but instead she stood there silently in question. He looked away uncomfortably, ignoring the trickle of emotions Jasper had left lingering in his mind. "I made a promise to someone...a promise that I would keep you safe, if a battle came to Gil`ead."

Her eyes softened with understanding.

"Please," he said.

She stared into his eyes for a moment, before pulling him into a tight embrace. She held him for a long while, and when she pulled away, she grabbed him on either side of the head, forcing him to look directly at her. "Don't die," she said. Her right hand slid from his head, down to the center of his chest. "Don't die."

He smiled softly, "I won't."

She pulled away and turned to Thorn, staring up at his crimson eyes. He lowered his head to her level, allowing her to affectionately stroke the scales on his face. You either, she told him.

He assured her with a nod of his large head.

He stepped back from the both of them, turning to her steed. She pulled herself up effortlessly, then took a moment to look between the two of them. "I'll be waiting for you," she said. With a jerk on the reins, the horse turned about, beginning its gallop away from the city. The two soldiers both turned and followed after her, fulfilling their duty of escorting her all the way back to the capital.

Both dragon and rider stood watching the small party till they were far away, nothing but a speck in the distance. Murtagh suddenly felt like they were alone in this large city.

Murtagh, Thorn started, causing him to look to his young dragon. Are you ready?

Murtagh's eyes slid shut. Another battle was upon him, another slaughter. He had never battled elves before. He didn't know how powerful they would be, but he knew they still wouldn't stand a chance against him. He knew the Varden were also on the move, besieging the city of Feinster. He wondered where Eragon was. Most-likely with with Varden. But he knew there was chance he could meet him here.

Perhaps he would defeat him this time. Perhaps this time, he would deliver him to the life he hated so much.

He never answered Thorn. He wasn't ready, but he knew he had no choice. Without a word, he pulled himself into the dragon's saddle. Thorn crouched low, before springing into the air, his outstretched wings carrying them high into the sky.

A/N: Well I'm sure you can all guess what's coming next. *scared face*

Question though: The elves won the battle at Gil`ead, right? I can't remember, and I tried looking through the book, but couldn't find if it said so anywhere. :/

Heh heh...please review. :)