He led me down the halls and out to what seemed to be a courtyard. I stopped just inside, not going any further. He walked a little further then stopped and turned, looking at me. I scowled. He smirked. "Let's see what you can do with a sword..." Just then a soldier came from the directions of the barracks, which I could see outside the courtyard, carrying two swords they used to train beginners, with dull blades that did nothing but bruise.I caught the one Galbatorix tossed to me, and weighed it's balance with my hands. Galbatorix held his, watching. Finally I looked at him, gripping the hilt.

"Whenever you're ready." I said, scowling. He smirked. Suddenly I saw movement, then the sword tip of his was against my chest. I blinked. He smiled.

"Thought you said you were ready." I scowled at him as he took a step back. This time I took the first attack by stepping forward and slashing at him. He blocked it, smiling. I cleared my thoughts and just concentrated on what was going on between the swords as he slashed back, and I blocked it. It was a blow that jarred my arm and shoulder, but I ignored the numbness and stabbed, then jumped back out of the way when he blocked then swiped at my stomach. After several minutes of going back and forth between attacking and blocking, I saw him step back, lowering the sword. I kept mine up, out of instinct, and watched him.

He looked me up and down then smirked. "Descent swordsmanship for a beginning girl... Untrusting of the enemy... I may be able to make a fighter out of you yet." I snarled slightly then saw a soldier walking over to get the swords. I held it out to him, holding the blade, loking away from both of them. This was by far the toughest day of my life for me... Not physically, but mentally. It took every bit of self-control I contained to not do something drastic. In the back of my mind, I couldn't help but think about what Eragon and Murtagh were doing right now, and sighed. I wished they would come and rescue me, but I knew that'd be useless and they'd be caught and killed or end up like me. I sighed.

It will be find Elizabeth... Do not worry. I heard Amethyst say softly. I sighed.

I hope so, Amethyst... I honestly hope so...

At the end of the day, I was taken back to the cell. I felt so weak after all that and the magic tests, which weren't really him testing my magic, but invading my mind with force and finding what I knew and how well I could do it. That had taken a lot out of me since I had tried to keep him out and fought it even though I knew it was useless, and afterwards he still made me do the magic I knew. I stumbled in and was laying on the ground before the door was closed.

Elizabeth! Are you okay?

I'm... i'm fine... just, weak.

You shouldn't have fought him in your mind...

I know... I just, couldn't help it. I heard her sigh. I closed my eyes, soon asleep. But, not for long, unfortunately. . A soldier came with Amethysts dinner, and mine also and woke me up because tonight, miraculously, I wasn't going to be sleeping in the cell. I was given a small but comfortable room, though Amethyst had to stay with Shruikan in the throne room. I ate slowly, and then fell asleep laying on the bed, just recovering from the loss of energy today.

Authors Note:

Sorry about the short chapter y'all. Typed this while I was sick and didn't have many ideas or much energy to type it with, but the chapters will get longer again hopefully.

Also, I am SOOOO sorry that it has taken so long to update…. We lost Internet, then had my stories on my Dad's flash drive since my cousin gave me a new computer and had to wait until he got home to update. Am so sorry for the wait y'all, and I hope it won't be as long until my next update.