19/9/12

Disclaimer - Disclaimer – I don't own the Inheritance Cycle or any of Paolini's characters BUT I do own my characters such as Thamus and Alexus!

Sorry about the wait, just finished my D of E practice expedition!

Thanks to all my readers and carry on reviewing.

Chapter 11 – We meet again
"But Murtagh," Katherine insisted.
"No," he snapped.
"Why won't you?" she asked settling on the bed next to him.
"Post-traumatic stress; I believe it is called," he snapped.
"What could have happened to scare you this much; you're a tough nut, it must have been pretty bad!" Katherine said putting her hand on his shoulder. Murtagh flinched away and threw a knife at the wall. Despite Murtagh's tendency to resort to violence and his anger issues; Katherine still stayed with him. "I'm not going to talk about it," he snapped and another knife hit the wall. "When is that git leaving?" Murtagh asked.
"I don't know baby but it should be soon," Katherine murmured and rested her head on his shoulder.
"I damn hope so," Murtagh shouted.
"I better be off," Katherine said standing up and straightening her shirt out. "I'll come back tonight," she murmured smiling. Murtagh stood up and planted a kiss on her cheek.
"See you tonight then," he whispered in her ear. She blushed and hurried into the passages. Murtagh smiled and his attention returned to the bath in the corner.

He had his sleeves rolled back and sweat dripped down his brow. Murtagh had been working solidly all day and was fitting a semi working shower. He had enhanced The drain network and was currently working on the curtain and rail. Murtagh was struggling to balance the beam in place and screw it in. He was wobbling on one foot and was about to fall when someone caught the pole and held it for him. Murtagh turned around expecting to see Kitten but was shocked. "Daniel?" Murtagh asked.
"Yes, sir," he replied, grinning. "Good to see you again," he laughed. Murtagh smiled and quickly screwed the bar in place. They both sat down on the bed. "I ain't sir no more Danny," Murtagh replied casually running his fingers through his unruly black hair.
"You're still sir to us lads, Murtagh! Ye, you're the most wanted criminal but in the two days you were captain you instilled more respect than we had for the old chief," Daniel replied in his southern drawl that Murtagh had grown used to on the carriage ride.
"So why you here, not Katherine?" Murtagh asked bluntly.

"Alexus has been suspicious about where Katherine has been going for a few hours every day. She knew that you had told me your secret and trusted me so she sent me down," Daniel explained looking round the room.
"You can go now if you want," Murtagh replied miserably. He was looking forward to the company Katherine brought but he shouldn't make Daniel stay just to keep Murtagh company.
"I'll stay if you don't mind; much more interesting down her than on the surface," Daniel said and was clearly in awe of Murtagh's cave. Murtagh couldn't help but grin with relief but returned his gaze to slight joy when Daniel faced him.

"Tell me stories of the surface lad," Murtagh insisted with a small restrained smile.

"Alexus is currently on a crazed rampage, tearing the town apart" Daniel sighed and Murtagh smile was replaced by a grimace. He sat with his head in his hands and closed his eyes in despair.

"Has anyone been hurt?" Murtagh asked frantically. He has caused the death of so many people in his life and also so many had died at his hands; no one else will die because of him.

"Thankfully no!" Murtagh sighed with relief. "People are starting to think he has gone insane," Daniel laughed.

"Finally someone agrees with me; he has always been insane, ever since we were young," Murtagh cheered.

"You know him personally?" Daniel asked leaning closer.

"I'll just say he has quite a large grudge," Murtagh laughed and Daniel couldn't stop the laughter pouring out.

"You've really found yourself a vicious opponent there, sir," He laughed. For once Murtagh let the casual calling him sir slip and buckled over with laughter. They rolled about laughing for a while before Daniel regained his composure. "So how are you finding it down here?" Daniel asked glancing round the cave again. He was clearly still in awe of Murtagh's handiwork and this made Murtagh smile slightly again.

"It's a boring as hell; no actually, more boring than hell," Murtagh moaned. "There is nothing to do apart from home improvements or throw knives at an imaginary Alexus," Daniel laughed and looked at the damaged wall. There were lots of little holes arranged in the outline of a man, like you get after a murder has been committed. There were clusters around the vital organs and eyes and forehead. Daniel applauded and clapped Murtagh on the back. "I wish someone would do that to the real Alexus," he chuckled. Murtagh rolled his eyes and sighed.

"I wish," he muttered. "I just wish he would leave; I've finally made a life for myself here." Daniel lay back on Murtagh's bed with his hands behind his head; like he was cloud watching.

"Nothing will make him chose to leave lad; you need to either make him leave, kill him or get him sent away. Preferably option two, just a suggestion," Daniel sighed.

"Damn right apart from I refuse to kill him; he's like this because of me. That could have easily been me out there," Murtagh exclaimed and lay in the same position next to Daniel. They were a strange pair; a tall, lanky scared almost nineteen year old and a short, almost childlike twenty five years old. They both just laid there and stared at the flickering lights from the torches set into the solid stone walls. "I'd better be going lad; don't anyone getting suspicious or anything," Daniel grunted while slowly standing up and stretching. Murtagh grunted in response and stood up as well.

"Nice to catch up with you Dan; come down again if you're bored," Murtagh said with a weak smile.

"That'll be soon then," he laughed unenthusiastically. Daniel shook Murtagh's hand and smiled. "Come back to us Murtagh," he whispered.

"I'll try," Murtagh nodded. Daniel walked solemnly out of the cave and Murtagh had a feeling of dread. He had a subconscious feeling that the next time he would see his friend, it would not be under good circumstances.