Chapter Fourteen-

Murtagh followed slowly, thinking of what Thorn had said. The dragon was waiting for him on the other side of the corner. He walked a little ahead of Murtagh, staying silent also submerged in his own thoughts. The only time they broke the silence was when one would comment on which turn to take, or where to go when the corridor forked. After what seemed like ages they came to the colossal black door of the Dragon room, which swung open of its own accord.

Shruikan was curled up in the corner appearing to be asleep, but Murtagh could see one of the Dragon's large yellow eyes watching his every move. Jazira wasn't anywhere to be seen. Galbatorix was standing at the hole in the wall looking out onto the land, his silhouette impressive against the midday glow.

"At last you decided to show yourselves, but where is the girl and that golden Dragon of hers?" Galbatorix spoke in a clear, loud voice that bore the unmistakable signs of anger. As he was speaking, Galbatorix turned and strode over to Murtagh. "I wanted both of them here!" He suddenly shouted at the Twins, who Murtagh could now see were cowering in a corner.

Galbatorix's cold hands grasped Murtagh's throat in a death grip almost lifting him off his feet. Fury was blazing in Galbatorix's black eyes. One of the Twins stepped forward nervously wringing his hands, "We're very sorry my lord, it's just that they were . . . arguing, and that slowed them down."

"I don't care! You could have easily stopped them! Where is that girl?" Spit flew from Galbatorix's mouth as he bellowed his words.

"We didn't think it would be good to interfere master. They had found their way into one of the lower cages, and refused help when it was offered."

"Thats a lie!" Sputtered Murtagh, gasping for air as Galbatorix still held him. The Twins looked a Murtagh hissing sharply. "They left us there, to find our own way."

"I shall deal with them later. Right now they are to go and find the girl." The Twins shot withering glances at Murtagh, before bowing to Galbatorix, and leaving. Galbatorix threw Murtagh with inhuman strength against the wall. Thorn ran to Murtagh's side, touching him with his nose to make sure that he was unharmed. Seeing that Murtagh was fine Thorn stood protectively in front of his rider growling at the king.

Galbatorix walked to Shruikan, who made the floor shake as he got to his feet. Galbatorix stared at the dragon for a few minutes before walking swiftly to a spot on the wall where a small door was concealed, and when opened revealed three rows of wooden shelves, each holding six bottles of potion. On the center shelve, to the side sat a small crystal flask, filled to the brim with an erie blueish liquid. Galbatorix took this flask, and walked to a large worn and dirty wooden table that stood before the opening in the wall. On the table lay books, bowls and plants among the many burns ands stains that looked like blood. Galbatorix picked a small black leather book, and walked back to Shruikan. Murtagh watched the liquid slop around in the bottle nervously before asking,

'Thorn, what is that potion?'

'Your guess is as good as mine, though I have a nasty feeling about it. And where is Jazira? The Twins should have found her by now.'

'Yes, I know. Though I can't say that I care a whole deal.'

'Murtagh! Why do you say that? You must not let your anger take control of you."

'Ha! To late.'

'But . . .' Thorn was interrupted by the sound of a banging door. Murtagh, and Thorn spun around to see Galbatorix slam shut the cupboard door. Galbatorix walked swiftly to Murtagh, his face still red, a tint of madness in his eyes. Murtagh backed away, raising his hand prepared to use magic, but before he could utter a single word, Galbatorix grabbed the front of Murtagh's tunic, and was twisting it, holding Murtagh fast.

Galbatorix flung Murtagh from him with such a force of anger that Murtagh had the wind knocked out of him when hit the floor. Thorn again rushed to his side. 'Murtagh!'

'I'm fine.' His reply was curt and untruthful.

Murtagh got to his feet shakily, watching Galbatorix as he stormed about, smashing bottles off the table, throwing books. Shruikan laid down his massive head again unfazed, as if this was a daily occurrence. Murtagh caught snatches of the furious mad ravings of Galbatorix, but mostly tried to stay out of the way for fear of having a shred of glass hit him.

All of a sudden and completely unprepared Murtagh was blasted across the room smashing into the wall. Dazed, with blood obscuring his vision he lay still. So still. Then a searing pain rushed through him making his scar open and scorch as if on fire then burn like ice. He screamed, and cursed curling into a ball wanted to throw up. He did not even bothering to fight the tears that sprang into his eyes making him feel weak, and foolish.

Unexpectedly the pain left, leaving Murtagh dripping in sweat and panting for breath. He closed his eyes to keep out the blood, and waited in shock for the next round. He heard footsteps near him, and next thing he was hanging in the air staring at an insane Galbatorix. Fear rushed through him as he truly saw what Galbatorix had become. He remembered the well spoken, stately, man he had been willing to help a year ago, now as a raving lunatic bent on creating pain. Murtagh longed to fight, to free himself, but he was far to weak, and could feel his power leave with the blood that ran freely down his body. Like a lifeless rag doll he waited for Galbatorix to continue. Galbatorix breathed hard, his beard shining with sweat as he said demented,

"You will pay, I said you would, and you have and shall. You haven't even started to experience the smallest taste of my power! I heard you and your little girlfriend talking about escaping! Do you honestly think that I didn't know? If you ever try to leave I. Will. Kill. The. Girl." Laughing like a maniac the King dropped Murtagh, leaving him to go smash some more bottles.

Murtagh lay still, fear holding him in place. Jazira. Jazira was his punishment, she would be hurt for anything he tried. But as he was thinking this sudden flashes of Jazira angry and attacking him burst into Murtagh's mind eye. Her words of rage ringing in his ears. Anger replaced fear, and he found he hardly cared what happened to the her. Thorn was more important then that girl would, or could be to him. A sharp pain ran through him making him wince and forget Jazira as he lay broken on the rough stone floor.

The shock of the situation finally over came him and he almost passed out. Thorn rushed to him, crying from the pain he could feel in Murtagh. Thorn tried to contact Murtagh through the connection but Murtagh couldn't answer. Not yet. Fighting back the pain he struggled to his knees, and deafly started to repair his injuries depending greatly on Thorn's energy. Slowly he healed all his cuts, and repaired any internal damage. As he finished he slumped against the wall with Thorn by his side, a comforting weight.

The doors burst open with a bang and Jazira was dragged kicking and screaming in by the Twins. Brisingr whimpered by her side as she was left in front of Galbatorix. Jazira clambered to her feet, snarling. As Murtagh watched he saw Galbatorix start to raise his hand to cast a spell. Murtagh started to cry out to warn Jazira despite his anger, But right as Galbatorix was about to cast the spell Jazira turned away from danger as she saw Murtagh and ran to his side.

"What happened?" She demanded, her eyes solid anger pain and confusion.

"Nothing." Murtagh weakly got to his feet furious at everyone and everything. Jazira was clearly affronted, but before he could say anything about the scandalized look on her face Galbatorix interrupted.

"At last my incompetent magicians have done something useful. Now," Galbatorix had calmed down a little, but his eyes were still raging as he looked at Murtagh. "that I have punished him who sought to disobey me," Jazira shot Murtagh a glance which he ignored as Galbatorix went on, "I am ready to kill those others who go against my command. The Varden have moved to Surda, and that young, inexperienced Dragon Rider, Eragon," Murtagh felt his anger now flair up toward Eragon, and he snarled as he remember the pain he had just experienced. Galbatorix sneered as he heard Murtagh, a menace gleam entered his eye as he said, "It would seem that I'm not the only one to have an enemy in that boy they call a rider. Yes, well Eragon has gone, it seems to the elves. Ha! As if they think that those cowards could ever produce something to kill me! But while this happens the Varden are preparing for a war," Galbatorix retrieved the bottle of blue liquid from the table as he spoke, "I will be preparing my weapon. Thorn! Brisingr! Come here." Murtagh looked sideways at Thorn before slowly walking over with him to the king. Jazira reached out and grabbed his sleeve. Murtagh paused then wrenched free without looking at her. Thorn remained wisely silent.

Galbatorix pulled the stopper of the bottle free making the potion swish around.

"Thorn, you are to take this as well as Brisingr. With this potion no one will be able resist us with the new power that we will hold!" Cold dread swept through Murtagh as he realized what was in that bottle.

'Thorn! Don't take the potion!'

'Is it . . .'

'Yes, it is what I fear. Don't take it.'

'I don't have a choice if he tells me to in the ancient language.'

Even as Thorn said these words Galbatorix spoke again in the tongue that binds. Murtagh felt invisible ropes bind around him, and no matter how hard he struggled he couldn't break through. He yelled, kicked and thrashed but all to no avail. Jazira was held back by a Twin as she screamed for Brisingr until Galbatorix finally stunned her. The Twin dropped her and went to go help his brother sedate the dragons to force the potion down their throats. As the last drop fell down the dragons throat Murtagh felt a sensation unlike any other before. It was power, anger, fear, pain, and sadness all rolled into one combined emotion.

Murtagh fell to his knees as the magic was released. Quickly he got to his feet scrambling over to Thorn.

'Murtagh, I'm perfectly well.'

'Then why are you shaking like a leaf?' Before Thorn could answer Galbatorix interrupted laughing.

"Now that the task is complete, you are to go to your room, and stay there. Take the girl too." As the king addressed Murtagh he went to stand in front of the hole in the wall framing himself against a blood red sky.

Murtagh went over to Jazira, scooping her up in his arms. Then he went to the door with the Dragons following. Before leaving he looked back at Shruikan who gazed back at him with pity and fear until the door swung shut closing out the horrors of what were inside.