"Shut the door behind you."

The doors to the throne room shut with an echoing boom as Murtagh and Cadi approached King Galbatorix's throne. It seemed to be an unusually long walk up to the front of the cavernous room. The eyes Galbatorix were fixed unbending, suspiciously, and menacingly on them as they approached the throne. They stopped, uncertainly, at the foot of it.

"Have you forgotten your manners?" The king said in a cold, sardonic tone. Immediately, Cadi fell face to the floor with her legs tucked under her and her arms flung out, the traditional bow for anyone in the presence of the king. Murtagh bowed from the waist and rose to kiss the king's scepter.

"It seems I've been too lax with the two of you lately." Galbatorix sneered as Cadi scrambled to her feet. "I hope you have not forgotten that I am, above all, your king. The two of you – especially you, Cadi – would be nowhere without my trust, protection, and upbringing. Am I correct?"

"Yes, your majesty." Murtagh said immediately.

"Y-Yes your highness." Cadi repeated.

The throne room was so quiet that Cadi could actually hear her knees knocking together under her robe. She didn't understand how Murtagh could seem so calm. But the king probably grew angry like this all the time, she reasoned inside her head. That's why he was so used to it. It would all blow over, and life would continue as it was.

"Get out, Cadi." The king said haughtily. "Wait outside the doors. I wish to speak to Murtagh alone."

She turned and began walking, with timid, faltering steps, towards the doors. She tried to move faster, but she feared her knees would give way if she quickened.

"GO!!" The king roared. Cadi panicked and ran for the door, tripping and skidding on the tiles. Blood stained the white robe, but she picked herself up and fled. The guards opened the door for her and slammed them shut behind her.

"You have no right to treat her like that." Murtagh snarled as soon as she was gone.

"Do you forget who you speak to?" Galbatorix asked menacingly.

"She's my ward." Murtagh reminded the king. "You put her under my control."

"And look how weak and shallow she is." Galbatorix said with a sinister smile. "You've failed utterly, Murtagh. Anybody could have done a better job."

"She's NOT weak!"

"Oh, Murtagh, could it be that you have…feelings for this girl?" the king chuckled. Shruikan snorted with laughter as Murtagh turned slightly pale. "I should have known that you weren't strong enough to resist. She is…beautiful after all." The king fingered his scepter and seemed to enjoy all the color drain out of Murtagh's face. "And a weakling like you would certainly not be able to keep his personal emotions out of business. For, as you certainly remember, this is business."

"I remember, your majesty."

"I don't think you do." The king said suddenly, standing up so his shadow fell across the face of his protégé. "I told you to raise her to be the next leader of this nation. You've failed! I should have taken on the responsibility myself!"

"You failed too – your majesty." Murtagh spit out the last two words. "My ward turned out a thousand times better than yours. Just look at Gabriell, you know you failed!"

"I DID NOT!" the king roared, striding down the steps of the throne to look Murtagh in the eye. "And don't you ever say that again. I loved Gabriell."

"Loved!" Murtagh laughed bitterly. "You abused Gabriell."

Suddenly he was on the floor, ears ringing and eyes burning. The king had punched him full on in the face. "Never say that again." Galbatorix snarled. "I loved my daughter."

"Did you think I didn't know?" Murtagh shouted, scrambling backwards. Blood trickled from where the king's signet ring had scratched his forehead. "I've known for years. Years! Ever since we were children. Did you think I didn't realize that you would bring her into your room for hours?"

This time, Galbatorix's boot caught Murtagh in the nose and there was a sickening cracking sound as blood spurted everywhere. "Liar! And as if you did anything to help her!" the king shouted in reply, kicking him again. It's all thanks to you that she's gone, isn't it?"

"What?"

"You're the one who helped Eragon escape." Galbatorix said viciously, using magic to lift Murtagh's limp body off of the ground. He hung a few inches from the floor, glaring at the king through bleary eyes. "Don't lie to me, Murtagh, traitor! I know it was you. Who else would have brought food to your brother? Oh, don't look all surprised. Remains were all over the dungeon cell – an apple core, an empty wineskin. And the guard recalls him being visited twice – although somebody wiped his memory and he can't remember a thing." Galbatorix's eyes glinted with rage. "I know it was you. It had to be somebody who could use magic. If it wasn't you, it was Cadi who helped him escape, and one of you is going to pay, believe me."

"How do you know it was me?" Murtagh slurred.

"I have spies everywhere." Galbatorix replied. "I know where your sympathies lie."

"Nobody could have told you that."

"Somebody did." Galbatorix said with fierce, malicious glee. "Just…this morning, in fact. Seems like quite a while ago, doesn't it? According to my source, you informed Cadi that you "didn't think the Rebellion was all bad". And previously, I had heard from the same source that you were trying to persuade Cadi out of her correct mindset about the Rebels being evil."

A horrified look suddenly entered Murtagh's eyes. "It couldn't have been…"

"TARRA!" Galbatorix burst into a manic laugh. "I sent her to Cadi's room that first night as a footwasher, knowing that the poor little girls were both lonely. After all I'd kept her locked in a room for her whole life, goodness knows she would have given anything to come out. Poor girl. I never did like her as much as I liked Gabriell."

Murtagh's expression looked resembled that of a person who had just been stabbed in the stomach. "Tarra…is your daughter?"

"Grace, actually, her name is." Galbatorix laughed again. "The only one that Cadi trusted, wasn't she? Goodness, that Cadi could talk. And everything she said was repeated straight to me. That's how I know all about you, Murtagh. I've known about your real loyalties for weeks. I don't know why I didn't kill you earlier. But now it's too late. Eragon is gone, and my favorite daughter is gone. As I've said, one of you will pay. Now, tell me the truth." Galbatorix whispered. "Tell me who did it, Mikkel."

Murtagh's eyes began to water with strain. "Don't do this, your majesty."

Come on now, little Mikkel. You know you have to tell me the truth. Did you help Eragon escape? Tell me honestly." The king laughed bitterly. "It's not like you can do otherwise."

He released the magic and allowed Murtagh to fall to his knees. The young captain's limbs writhed and his eyes teared. He held his hands over his mouth to keep from speaking. Galbatorix watched him with evident enjoyment. "Don't try to resist, Mikkel." He said haughtily, looking down at his right hand man as if he were a worm. "You can't overcome the power of your true name. Tell me the truth."

"I DID IT!" Murtagh shouted. His limbs suddenly relaxed and he crumpled to the floor, wasted. The throne room was suddenly silent, and a manically happy glint appeared in Galbatorix's eyes. "You did it?"

"Yes, your majesty."

"You helped Eragon escape?"

"Yes, your majesty."

"You gave him the food earlier today?"

"Yes, your majesty."

"You wiped the guard's memory?"

"Yes, your majesty."

"You visited him – twice?"

"Yes, your majesty."

"Very well, then." Galbatorix sounded triumphant. To one of the guards standing at the door, he called, "Tell Lady Cadi to return to her chambers without waiting for Murtagh. Tell her that she has been pardoned by the king. No harm shall come to her…yet." The king added under his breath.

Murtagh's eyes grew wide with horror. "NO!"

"Patience, little traitor." The king said, and Murtagh felt invisible bonds twining themselves around his wrists and ankles. "There's no reason for you to get so upset. There's nothing that you can do about it anyway. Now that you and Gabriell are gone…it seems that I will have Cadi all to myself."

"NO!" Murtagh screamed, but another bond wound around his throat and began to choke him.

"Pity, isn't it?" Galbatorix chuckled. "You really did love her." He turned and called to the remaining guard at the door. "Take him away. Down the back passageways so nobody can see." Ten more guards rushed in, all seeming shocked to see Lord Murtagh broken, bleeding, crying, and tied. But still, they picked him up and began to exit through one of the back doors of the throne room.

"What are we to do with him, your highness?" the head soldier asked softly, pausing beside the king.

Galbatorix stared after Murtagh with emotionless eyes. "You know what to do." He replied, smirking. "He's a traitor. Deal with it."

----

Cadi heard the sound of pounding footsteps running down the hallway towards her room long before any other human could have detected it. In a flash, she left her lookout at the window and raced to the door, where she pressed her eye against the crack. "Help!" she shouted, pounding against the solid oak with her fists. She twisted the silver knobs, even though she knew the doors wouldn't open. The doors shuddered from her violent beating, but some magic outside was keeping it shut. Cadi didn't know whether it was Murtagh trying to keep her safe, or Galbatorix imprisoning her, but she had been locked in for almost a day. Just a few seconds ago, Cadi had been watching the sunset. It reminded her of Tarra and Murtagh, because they used to watch it together. Surprisingly, though, she hadn't grown hungry, although she had gone over 24 hours without food. She had probably eaten too much at the feast the previous day.

"Help! Let me out!" Cadi shouted, hoping in vain that the approaching person would set her free, or give her news about the whereabouts of her friends – anything that could help. "Help! Help!"

As she tugged on the doorknob with all her might, the door suddenly loosened and she flew backwards ungracefully, landing in a heap on the floor. The pint-sized common soldier who stood there bowed respectfully to her as she leapt up and faced him.

"What's going on?" Cadi demanded. "Where's Murtagh? Who locked me in? What has the king decided? What's my punishment?"

"As you were informed before you left the throne room, my lady, there is no punishment for you." The soldier said in a monotone. "I am here to bring you to see Lord Murtagh for the final time."

The words didn't register in Cadi's head. "Final?"

The soldier looked worried and indecisive, but he finally leaned in towards Cadi. "My lady, I suggest you bring some form of healing salve with you. His condition is none too good."

"Condition?" Cadi asked blankly, running to her dressing table to pick up the enormous diamond jug of potion she had just been using to heal her knee. "What's going on?"

"Follow me, if you will, my lady." Was all the soldier said in reply. Cadi followed him impatiently down the hallway, thinking to herself that he was moving too slowly, even though the stubby little man was sweating and panting from their rapid pace. To her surprise, they approached the base of the tower where Cadi used to watch the sunsets with Murtagh and Tarra.

"Right up there, my lady." The soldier said, now sympathetic. "But I warn you – be careful to guard your emotions. Do not become overwhelmed by what you see there."

"Overwhelmed?" Cadi said sharply. "What do you mean?" But the little man had taken off, running down the hall.

Cadi didn't know what to expect as she climbed. Certainly nothing too terrible could have happened, after all, Murtagh was Galbatorix's right-hand man. Most likely he had been pardoned, and had just wanted to talk. Nevertheless, before she opened the door leading outside onto the terrace, Cadi took the guard's advice and steeled herself. But no amount of steeling could have prepared herself for what she was about to see.

"Murtagh!" she screamed in a strangled voice, dropping the diamond jug as she ran to him. Despite herself, she felt tears welling up as horror burst inside of her, spreading into her limbs until every part of her felt weak and trembling. Murtagh was unrecognizable – bruised, bleeding, tattered, broken. He had been hung from a metal contraption that levitated him, horizontally, so that he hung about three feet from the floor, his limbs bound together. The blood-red light from the setting sun made the effect even more grotesque. When he saw her, though, his eyes, which were swollen beyond belief, relaxed and even sparkled.

"Murtagh, what happened?" Cadi choked, trying to keep her sobs inside of her. She ran for the dropped jug and knelt down beside him. "What happened? What's going to happen? Will you be all right?"

"I'm glad to see you." Was all Murtagh managed to rasp out. His regal magician's robes were now rags that hung from his tattered body. Cadi could hardly stand to look at him.

"You're going to be all right, aren't you?" Cadi asked fiercely, uncorking the jug and pouring the potion over his face. Bumps, bruises, and scars faded considerably so that she could make out his features. "You'll be all right?"

With his trademark smirk, Murtagh shook his head slightly. "But you are." He said hoarsely. "That's what matters."

"It's NOT what matters! What matters is that you'll be all right!" Cadi stood to bathe his back and gasped at the sight of a huge, jagged scar that ran down his back and stood out among all the rest of his injuries. "Did he DO this to you?"

"No. It's an old scar."

Cadi finished off the priceless potion by drenching his back and legs in it. She fed him the last few drops. "What happened? Why have you been punished?"

"Galbatorix says I helped Eragon escape." Murtagh said, this time in a clear voice. The potion had healed his throat. "Said he knew I had sympathies for the rebellion."

"That's ridiculous." Cadi said firmly. "How could he know that?"

"Somebody brought food to him."

Cadi froze. "That was me." She whispered.

"I know."

"Well, why didn't you tell him?" she shouted.

"It doesn't matter now." He said mildly, reaching for her hand. "He would have convicted me anyway. Tarra was working as a double agent. Told him everything."

Only one word registered in Cadi's mind. "What do you mean, convicted? He'll let you off."

"Convicted." Murtagh repeated dully. "Treason's a hanging error. I'm to be executed at dawn."

"NO!" Cadi screamed, and the tears came. She rattled his chains with her fists and shouted streams of words in the ancient language. The metal bars held firm. "I'm going to get you out of here." She sobbed. "Please, Murtagh, please! You can't die. I'm going to Galbatorix."

Now it was Murtagh's turn to shout. "NO!" he bellowed, seeming to use the last of his strength. "Cadi listen to me. Whatever you do, you need to stay far from Galbatorix. He's not to be trusted. He'll try to lure you away, get you alone. Don't fall for it."

The words were meaningless to Cadi, and she shook the bars and dissolved into tears again. "Don't go, Murtagh." She sobbed, leaning against the bar. "It's not fair! It's my fault. I should never have gone to him, gone against what you said. I'm sorry! I'M SORRY!" she screamed. "Can't you do something?"

"I don't need to." Murtagh said gently. "I've done my part."

Cadi sniffled. "What do you mean?"

Murtagh was silent for a moment. "I have a brother." He said then. "We were close friends. Traveled together, saw the world."

"What happened?" Cadi asked, trying helplessly to stop crying.

"We…lost contact." Murtagh said casually. "But I remember one thing I said to him, Cadi. I told him that you must be willing to protect yourself and what you cherish, no matter what the cost."

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"I cherish you." Murtagh said gently. "And I've protected you. That's all that matters."

Cadi shook her head. "But I can't let you die because I made a stupid mistake. Isn't there any way I can fix this? I need to fix this."

"You don't need to." Murtagh contradicted her. "But instead, in the future, when I'm gone-" –this caused Cadi to burst into tears again- "-I hope you make the right choices."

"I tried to, and look where it's gotten us." Cadi said bitterly.

"Your heart is pure." Murtagh insisted. "You'll be an incredible leader, Cadi. You're worth the sacrifice."

"I'm not worth anything." Cadi said dismally. "I wish I could die too."

Murtagh shook his head sadly. "Never say that, Cadi. You can do great things. You will. I promise. Now you need to go, Galbatorix said that we only had ten minutes. It's tradition that a nobleman be granted two wishes before his execution."

"What did you wish for?" Cadi asked, even though she already knew.

"The sunset." Murtagh said simply. "And you."

Cadi felt her eyes stinging. "I can't go. Isn't there anything else we can do?"

"Just let it be, Cadi." Murtagh said again. "Everything that happens does so for a reason. You'll see."

Cadi brushed away the last of her tears with the back of her hand. Then, before she knew what she was doing, she was leaning forward, and then they were kissing. Cadi didn't know how long it lasted, it took her breath away and gave her flutters in the front of her stomach. When they broke apart, finally, Murtagh gave her a small, sad smile.

"I love you." He said gently.

Cadi felt herself beginning to cry again, so she leapt up and grabbed the diamond jug, which now looked like ruby in the light of the setting sun. "I don't want to leave you here." She said in a quivering voice. "All alone."

"It won't be so bad." Murtagh attempted a grin. "Remember what I said, Cadi. Remember everything."

Cadi felt a hand on her shoulder. The soldier had come upstairs, and he began to lead her away forcefully. She glanced backwards at him, but his head had already dropped as he drifted into unconsciousness. Cadi, crying all the way, allowed herself to be led away down the steps.

The next morning, she woke up curled into a ball on the couch with tearstains on her cheeks. For a moment, she forgot where she was or what had happened. But then, as two maids walked by her door, she heard what they were saying.

"It's terrible, isn't it?"

"What's terrible?"

"Didn't you hear? There's a body hanging from the dome of the palace. Lord Murtagh was executed at dawn today."

END OF FIRST BOOK.