Sorry for the long wait, I've just been so busy. Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter, they're really appreciated :)

And also thanks to my beta, xXxSmidgexXx

Chapter 14

Punishment

The library in Morzan's Castle was so huge Selena wondered where she should begin. It could take ages to find the right book she needed, if it existed at all.

She rapidly pulled down book after book and flicked through each of them to see if there was any mention of true names, but so far she was unsuccessful.

About an hour later she had only found a few books that seemed promising so she took them back to her room to read. But when she got to her room she saw a bird by her window. She opened it and the bird flew in. She untied the bit of paper from its leg and opened it, recognising Galbatorix's writing immediately.

Dear Selena,

I am writing to inform you that your son, Eragon, has broken a very strict rule I had imposed on him months ago. He told one of his friends about Murtagh being a Rider. The friend in question happens to be a Varden spy and he obviously told the Varden leader. Since I am too busy training Murtagh to punish Eragon personally, I will be sending one of my most trusted soldiers to stay with you and punish him daily. Eragon is to remain in the castle at all times and he is not allowed to continue his education. Maybe when Murtagh has finished his training he will punish Eragon further. DON'T INTERVENE or else you will be punished too.

King Galbatorix

Oh, Eragon, what have you done? Selena thought sadly. The letter made her even more determined to find a way out. She grabbed one of the books and began to read it. She read well into the night but found nothing useful.

Eragon awoke, slightly surprised to find out that he was still alive. He quickly got ready for school and went down to make himself breakfast. Well, if he was going to die soon then breaking a few more rules couldn't hurt.

To his surprise Selena was already in the kitchen, making breakfast for two. She turned and saw Eragon frozen on the doorway. He noticed immediately that she looked tired. Clearly she hadn't slept well the night before.

"You'll need as much food as you can get," she said softly.

"What do you mean?" Eragon asked his heart in his mouth.

"Galbatorix has informed me that you let slip about your brother to a Varden spy. He wants you punished."

Eragon's mouth went dry. "I knew it! He's going to have me killed, isn't he?"

He noticed Selena's hesitation and it did nothing to calm his nerves.

"No doubt that's his eventual plan, but for now one of his soldiers is going to beat you regularly." She bit her lip. "He has forbidden me to let you out of the castle, so that means you can't go to school either."

"How come you're able to warn me?"

"He told me not to intervene, so I can't stop this from happening, but he didn't say that I couldn'twarn you. It's probably the only thing I can do, though," she looked away and Eragon thought he saw a tear slide down her cheek.

"Do you know when the soldier will be here?" he asked, trying to stay calm.

"No. That's why I want you to eat as much as you can, so that you can keep your strength up."

Eragon sat down weakly and waited for his breakfast. There was no more talk between them for the next few minutes.

Eventually Selena said, "I don't mean to scare you, but there is also the possibility that Murtagh will come here when he is trained to punish you too."

"Wonderful," Eragon said sarcastically. "Just what I always wanted, to get beat up by a person I used to see as a brother, who has most likely disowned me by now."

"Murtagh might choose not to come through," Selena said but they both knew that wasn't going to happen.

"Why would he not?" Eragon laughed darkly. "After all, I betrayed his secret to the Varden, of all people."

"That spy should not have told them," Selena practically growled. "Just wait until I get my hands on him."

"Leave Jason alone, it wasn't his fault!" Eragon exclaimed. "It was my fault for not being able to shut my fat mouth!"

"You've been lonely. It's no wonder you opened up to this Jason, but he shouldn't have used you," Selena said, watching Eragon grow angrier by the minute.

"He wasn't using me," Eragon snarled. "Just wait and see."

He stormed out of the kitchen and walked about the castle, since he wasn't allowed to go outside. He contemplated going outside to see what Selena would do about it. Then he realised she would tell the soldier when he comes and he would be beaten extra hard. It wasn't worth the risk yet.

After an hour of wandering he ended up in his room. He had decided to put more energy into his sword, knowing he would need it. After all, he didn't know how often he was to be punished and he needs energy to heal.

Just as he was done there was a knock at the door. Eragon paled immediately, knowing who it was. He quickly hid his sword and went downstairs, even though a small part of him wanted to run away.

Selena was just as pale as she answered the door and let in the soldier. He leered unpleasantly at Eragon. Eragon stared back.

"Right, I've had orders to punish the little brat daily, for as long as I wish," he said, smirking now.

"Then you'd better get on with it," Selena replied, faking indifference.

"You, boy, show me where the dungeons are," he spat at Eragon. Without meeting Selena's eyes Eragon turned around and went to the dungeons, where a lot of pain was awaiting him.

The moment they were out of Selena's sight General Haden shoved Eragon so hard he nearly fell to the ground.

"Watch where you're going," snarled Haden. Eragon didn't respond and continued to lead him to the dungeons.

Haden shoved him again but Eragon had been expecting it and barely even stumbled.

"Oh, a quick-learner, are you now? Just as well, once I'm through with you there is no way you would disobey our king again," laughed Haden. "Then again, I'd love to come back and punish you again."

Eragon gritted his teeth but still didn't answer. He knew Haden was looking for another excuse to hurt him even more than necessary.

They reached the dungeons and Eragon pushed open the door to the first cell and walked inside. Haden closed the door behind them and locked it. Eragon gulped but Haden didn't appear to have heard him.

General Haden turned and grinned evilly at him.

Eragon stifled a gasp of pain as he slowly awoke. He realised he was alone and sighed in relief, only to wince as that action hurt him. He struggled to sit up but the pain was too much, so he lay back down again.

There were no windows in the cell, so it was impossible for Eragon to know what time it was, and how long he'd been unconscious for. So he just lay there, unable to sleep.

After a long while the door opened, but it was Selena, not Haden, who came in. Her eyes immediately filled with tears as she took in Eragon's condition. Eragon avoided her eyes. He knew it wasn't really her fault this had happened but he couldn't forgive her that easily either. After all, she helped make his life a misery for the last lot of years.

Maybe…maybe he could just end it himself. There really was no point in staying alive, since his life will be nothing but more misery anyway. Who would care if he died? Not Galbatorix, certainly not Murtagh, and Selena might feel a bit guilty but would probably get over it very quickly. Jason, however, might be the only one who would care. Or was he just using him, as Selena had suggested earlier? No, he had to believe he had at least one friend…

"Oh, Eragon, I'm so sorry!" Selena exclaimed. "You know I would stop this if I could, but I can't! It hurts so much to see what he's done to you, and that I can't do a damn thing about it! Please tell me that you'll keep fighting because all this will be over eventually- you just have to be patient!"

Eragon still didn't look at her.

"You…you are giving up!" Selena shouted, alarmed. "No, Eragon, this is what Galbatorix wants you to do! He wouldn't care if you died, that's why he's chosen this method to punish you!"

"There's no point," Eragon managed to whisper.

"What do you mean?"

"My life has been nothing but misery. I can't endure this pain anymore. I just want it to end!"

"It will get better," Selena soothed.

"It won't and you know it."

"You have to have hope," Selena pleaded.

"Hopes just get crushed."

"Please, Eragon," Selena whispered.

Eragon risked a glance at her face and saw in her eyes that she genuinely cared about him. He sighed, and then bit his lip in pain. "Fine," he almost snapped. "I'll wait for another while but if things don't improve then it's goodbye."

Selena nodded, knowing that was the best deal she was going to get.

"I'll get you some food," she said. "You're bound to be hungry." She got up and left the cell.

Many weeks went by with no sign of improvement. Eragon didn't know what to do. On the one hand he could just take each day as it came or on the other he could give up on life altogether. He'd gotten a bit closer to Selena who'd visited him at every opportunity she had, but she never did tell him the reason she neglected him before- something he was still angry at her for- which contributed to his indecision.

He knew things weren't going to get better and it was pointless to hope for any change, but he still hoped. Maybe one day he will somehow get to the Varden and then would Galbatorix be sorry! But there was no point in having these thoughts – he would stay in this cell until the day he dies. Which will be very soon at this rate...How long would it take him to starve to death?

Hopefully only a few days.

Selena came in with food and laid it beside him. He didn't reach for it. He just lay there and Selena's eyes widened in realisation.

"Is there anything I can do to change your mind?" she said softly.

"No. It's been long enough and there's been no change. There's no point in me living."

"Of course there is! Things may not be going well now, but that's no reason to give up on it!"

"Things haven't been going well since I was a kid."

Selena couldn't argue with that.

"Then there has to be something out there for you. Just- just don't die, alright? I'll send Haden away and things will get better. We'll go to the Varden if you want to."

"You can't intervene and you know it. I'm sorry mother, but that's my final decision. Leave me to die in peace."

"I can't," she whispered.

"You have to. I don't want you hanging around watching me die. Goodbye mother." Eragon turned over; showing her the conversation was over.

Selena left, thinking hard of ways to save her son. She knew it was her fault he was like this. If she hadn't been so mean to him then he might've found the will to live. So how can she convince him to live? Who can she ask to convince him?

The answer came to her immediately. Jason. Although she was angry at him for getting Eragon into trouble, she knew he would be the only person who could change Eragon's mind, so she set off to Jason's house.

Jason was the only one in the house when he heard frantic knocking on the door. Who could that be?He wondered as he opened the door to reveal Selena.

"What's wrong?" he demanded. Oh God, if something has happened to Eragon for telling me about Murtagh it's my fault, he thought.

"It's Eragon!" she choked out. "A soldier was sent to punish him daily a few weeks ago, and now he's just giving up and letting himself die!"

"Why is he being punished?" Jason asked dreading the answer.

Selena grew angry. "Because of you!" she spat. "You just had to tell, didn't you? My son is dying because of you! So I want you to get your sorry butt down to the castle and talk some sense into him! Now!"

"Okay, okay, calm down!" Jason exclaimed. "Do you think I don't feel bad about this? Eragon's my best friend and I would never have done all this deliberately! If you want somebody to be angry at, be angry at the traitor in the Varden who told Galbatorix about this!"

Selena's eyes narrowed. "There's a spy in the Varden?" she said dangerously. "And you still told, knowing there was a possibility that Galbatorix would find out?"

"The only people I told were Brom and the Varden's leader. I have no idea how the spy found out."

Selena calmed down. "Oh, then I'm sorry for blaming you. But Eragon's dying right this minute."

"Then let's go," Jason said.

Eragon wasn't nearly as bad as Jason had feared. He was sleeping when he entered the cell alone. With a sigh he poked Eragon awake.

"Jason! What are you doing here?" Eragon hissed.

"Your mother asked me to help you change your mind about dying," Jason said glaring at Eragon. "Do you have any idea of what that would do to Brom? He will always blame himself for not raising you. He will think it's his fault you died!"

"Then maybe he should have retrieved me when Morzan died."

Jason looked at him oddly. "Have you forgotten that we will be leaving for the Varden in just under a year?"

"And just how do you expect me to be able to get out of here?"

"I'll think of something. Listen, Eragon- I promised Brom I would get you to the Varden safely, so don't die on me, alright?"

"Fine," Eragon grumbled.

"That's the spirit!" Jason grinned. Eragon glowered at him. "Anyway, I'd better go before that soldier catches me. Selena said I only had a few minutes. Cheerio!"

"I know I didn't want you to do any missions for me until you are fully trained, but this is urgent," Galbatorix said to Murtagh the next day. "The Varden have destroyed three brigades and they are hiding in Cantos. I want you to go there and kill them."

"How will I know which ones work for the Varden? And what will I do with the innocents?" Murtagh asked.

"Kill them all! They are all traitors!" Galbatorix shouted. Murtagh knew it was best not to argue.

"When do I leave?" he asked.

"First thing tomorrow. I will send soldiers as back-up but you shouldn't need them. I am counting on you, Murtagh. Don't fail me."

Murtagh nodded. "I won't Master," he said.

"Good," Galbatorix said. He spent the rest of the day teaching Murtagh a lot of dark magic, so that he would kill a lot of people at once without using up too much of his energy.

That night Murtagh was packing everything he needed for his journey when Thorn suddenly said,

You're not seriously going to kill a lot of innocent people, are you?

I have to, Thorn, you know that, Murtagh answered.

I don't want to go, Thorn whimpered. You do realise I'm going to have to flame a lot of people too?

Yeah. And I suggest you get used to it, Thorn, because there will be more battles to fight. And win.

This isn't a battle, Murtagh, it's slaughter. But I guess you're right. I have to get used to it. Good night, Murtagh.

The next day Murtagh and Thorn left for Cantos. It didn't take them that long to reach it – only a few days. They planned to attack at night, so that there was less chance of them being seen.

Murtagh searched for guards with his mind and found two of them stationed at the gate. With a few well chosen words in the ancient language the guards collapsed onto the ground, clearly dead.

Ready, Thorn? Murtagh asked as he climbed onto him.

No, but let's do it or else we'll be in trouble, Thorn replied.

Murtagh agreed and Thorn took off. No one spotted them because it was so dark. Thorn stopped at the nearest house. Murtagh searched with his mind and found three people inside. Two parents…and a young child. Feeling sick, Murtagh said the words that would kill them. Then they moved on to the next house and he did the same thing.

Soon everyone in Cantos was dead. He felt a lot of regret for what he did but there was no time to dwell on it as Galbatorix expected him to be back as soon as he was finished. With a sigh he told Thorn to head back to Uru'baen.

It had to be done, Little One, Thorn said softly. At least it will send a message to anybody else who was thinking of joining the Varden.

Aye, but how long until somebody finds them? Murtagh asked. It will cause a lot of outrage directed at me because I killed them. Things have been made hell of a lot worse.

Thorn had no reply because he knew Murtagh was right.

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