Time ticked by, and I still didn't know how I would carry out my escape plan. It was all I could think about as I walked towards the training field to meet Murtagh. I had changed into something more comfortable, which for me was a simple green tunic, black leather pants, and leather boots.

It was still early morning, yet some of the soldiers were already training, sweaty and exhausted from their daily work out. I looked around and found Murtagh already sparring with another person out on the farther edge of the field. I watched, mentally taking notes on his movements and sword handling.

They finally stopped sparring and took a rest, both sweaty and laughing at a comment one of them had made. Murtagh looked up towards my way and grinned when he saw me looking at them.

"Kailee! Come!" he called out a bit breathless.

I smiled and walked towards them, recognizing the young man with whom he had been sparring with.

"Good, you're here," Murtagh spoke once I reached them, "you look great. Of course, the dress was better," he smirked.

"If you like it so much I'll lend it to you someday," I answered and turned my attention to the other person, "hello, Aldrin."

Aldrin had a hard time containing his laughter, still, he managed to greet me. "Hello, Miss Kailee."

Murtagh scowled at Aldrin. "Great, you two know each other. Well come on then, let's test your skills," Murtagh turned to me, "are you ready, Kailee?"

"Of course, but are you?"

"Always am, sweetheart," he winked.

"Wait, you two are sparring each other?" Aldrin interrupted us, his face plastered with an eager grin. "This will be interesting," he continued before we could answer and tossed me his hand and a half wooden sword and went to stand away from us, watching us with anticipation.

I went to stand a few feet away from Murtagh, eyeing his every movement. His grin was soon replaced with a blank mask as he readied himself. For some reason, I had a weird feeling that I couldn't quite put my finger on. Something about Murtagh made me feel, uneasy.

And those gray eyes of his seemed to be hiding something. I stood still, waiting for him to do something to give his next move away, and surprised me when he winked. I cocked my head in confusion and he attacked.

He was fast. Only a blur as he attacked, blocked, and pirouetted away, and came back with another set of moves. I blocked his attacks, feigning that they were difficult and attacked mildly, only testing his abilities.

"Not bad," I commented.

He only grinned in response and his attacks became faster and heavier. I grinned back, this was starting to get fun.

We went on for a long time, neither giving in to the other. We didn't even notice the crowd that had surrounded us until we finally stopped, both of us tired and sweaty.

"Not..bad," Murtagh said in between heavy breathing.

"You were taught well," I grinned. "Let's hope not to fight as enemies."

"Aye."

Aldrin came towards us, clapping and smiling. "Very interesting," he said, "I've always wondered what would happen if you two sparred. I think I might have learned some new moves."

"Glad I was useful," I smiled to Aldrin and then turned to Murtagh. "Another round would be delightful but I really have to go and take care of things, so if you don't mind, I'll leave you two to continue."

"Wait, please let me walk back with you," Murtagh said.

"You don't have to, I can walk myself back," I smiled.

"Yes, I would know," he answered and touched his jaw, "but there a few things I'd like to talk to you about."

"Could it wait for another time?"

"It won't take long."

"Very well then," I said and started to walk away. The crowd had already dispersed though there were still people eyeing us. Murtagh spoke briefly with Aldrin before catching up to me.

"So where are you headed to?" he asked as we left the training field and headed down the corridors.

"To my chamber. And you? Have you anything else to do?"

"Other than follow a beautiful young lady? No," he smiled cheekily at me.

"Aren't you charming?" I laughed. "Well then, tell me about you."

"About me? What would you like to know?"

"Who are you?"

"...that's...an interesting question," he laughed and rubbed the back of his neck.

"I'd like to know who I might be working with," I smiled innocently.

He nodded and then shook his head. "I am...someone who likes to know what goes on around the Empire. And, I have found an interest in you. There are a lot of rumors, after all, and I daresay, they are intriguing."

"I see...is there something you would like to know?" I asked absentmindedly. I was sure there was more to Murtagh then just that for Galbatorix to have an interest in him. Was he hiding something? For what reason? Now I really itched to know. Who was he? Why did Galbatorix trust him?

"Many things," he smiled, his eyes peeking at me as I continued to linger on my thoughts.

"Mmm...such as..?"

"Such as...why is a pretty girl like you stuck here in the king's army?"

"It's a long story," I said simply as we neared my chamber. I stopped in front of the door and turned to look at him.

"I've got all day," he grinned.

"Aye, I noticed," I muttered and rolled my eyes.

He chuckled. "So, will you tell me? As I said, I am very intrigued," he smiled and then added, "please?"

"It is really not that interesting..." I answered. "And I have to..." I stopped, searching for what to say. Maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea. "Well, I suppose...would you care to join me for tea, then? We can talk better that way."

"I'd love to," he grinned.

"Very well, please, come in." I opened the door and let him inside my room before going to Anna's room and asking her to bring us tea.

"Not bad," said Murtagh when I went back to my room. He stood before the wall where my swords were hung, studying them carefully. "Where did you get them?"

"I've won them."

"Ah. May I?" He asked, referring to a sword with a black leather hilt and silver pommel.

"Go ahead."

I watched as he carefully brought it down and pulled the sword out of its sheath. It was a simple longsword, one of my favorites.

"And what is the story behind this one?" he asked as he tested it out.

"That one..." I sat down on my bed and watched him, awed by the way he handled a sword, as if it were a part of his very being. "Isildor, three years ago. He was the captain here..." I went on and told him how I'd won the sword. Murtagh didn't say anything throughout the story, nor even when I finished, but nodded and put the sword back in its sheath and where it had been on the wall. Any emotion he had was hidden behind a blank mask.

"And what about that one?" Hours passed by as he tested out each sword, asking for their story and now and then commenting or asking questions. It was oddly pleasant to tell him what consisted most of my story throughout the swords, though I made sure to exclude most information.

Anna had brought us tea and was clearly surprised to see Murtagh but had said nothing, just smiling to herself as she left and only coming back once to bring us lunch.

"That is quite a collection," Murtagh said appreciatively after he was done looking at swords. He pulled the chair from my desk and moved it in front me and sat down. "And what of the one you carry?"

"Mmm...that one is no doubt my favorite," I answered and put down my cup.

"May I?"

I nodded, unsheathing my sword and handing it over to him. It was a short, leaf-bladed sword with a blood red hilt and bronze guard. "Beautiful. Nicely balanced...why is it your favorite?"

"It's been with me the longest. It is, perhaps, my closest friend."

"How long have you studied swordplay?" he asked, turning over the sword and then examining the hilt more closely.

"For as long as I can remember. And you? I've rarely seen anyone as good as you."

"All thanks to my friend, Tornac. I wonder, maybe he even met your friend," he smiled and handed back my sword. I gave him a small smile and sheathed my sword and then gave Murtagh his cup of tea and the tray of food. "I am afraid it is cold now."

"It's fine," he said and took a sip and a quick bite of his food. "So, tell me, how is it you are here in King Galbatorix's service?"

"Ah, right," I answered and made myself comfortable before continuing. "There's really not much to it. Years ago, my friend and I came here to Uru'baen. We would spend our days traveling all over the Empire. Somehow, during our stay here, we got caught up in a bloody mess. My friend was killed...and I ended up imprisoned. It's not a pretty thing to be imprisoned," I laughed softly.

"The king heard of me and was...interested, you could say. He offered me a place here, and a chance to get revenge on my friend's death. I had no other family, no other place to go to. And I didn't want to stay imprisoned. So, I stayed. Since then, I joined the army and have helped the king just as he helped me."

"So that's what happened to your friend?"

I nodded. It was still uncomfortable to talk about Liam.

"I am sorry. How long do you plan on staying here?" he asked after a while.

"For as long as I am needed and for as long as I can offer my service."

"Don't you ever dream of doing something more?"

"More? I am serving my king, my empire. What could be more than that?"

"Freedom, maybe?"

"Is there really freedom when the Empire is under constant attack from the Varden?"

"No, of course not. But what would happen if it were to be over? Would you stay here all your life? How about a family? Have you ever thought about that?"

"No. And I won't. There is no future for me outside of these walls, Murtagh. And even if there was a small chance of that, I would rather spend the rest of my life traveling then settle down." I would never be accepted anywhere else, anyway.

He stared at me for a while, his gray eyes stuck in thought as they lingered over mine.

"Besides, the king has plans for us," I continued and looked away from him. "War evidently crawls closer."

"Aye, I've noticed. What do you know about the Dragon Riders? Apart from what Galbatorix has told us."

"Apart from what he has told us? Not much."

Silence settled down between us as we both were caught in the webs of our own thoughts. Murtagh had given me a lot to think about. And what of him? What did he yearn for? Was he ready to serve Galbatorix?

"I should go now," Murtagh spoke after a while. "Though I would like to stay longer, it was a real pleasure spending the day with you. Maybe getting hit wasn't a bad thing after all."

"Right," I laughed and rolled my eyes. "But try to not to get hit again."

Murtagh chuckled softly and stood up to leave. I followed him to the door and outside my room.

"May I see you again soon?"

"It would be a pleasure to see you again."

"Great, I'll come look for you," he smiled and left.

I sighed and went back inside. That had been interesting. But it had also taken up my time. I still had to escape, but could I really? This time, just escaping and stealing a dragon egg didn't seem enough. No, I needed to know more about Murtagh. He was an enemy after all, right?

Liam, I hope I know what I'm doing.