The Pact

by Warrior Goddess

Eragon, Saphira and Murtagh are travelling together to seek the Varden, when they come across a mysterious young warrior woman who joins their party.Discover how their fates and stories are entwined in this exciting and thoughtful adventure.

26. Chapter 26

Chapter 26

She could not see him, she could not feel him, but she knew that somewhere, behind those walls, he was there. This was no longer the time for wallowing in pity and despair; this was the time for action, planning and vengeance. Something was happening here, something bigger than she could have imagined and somehow, Murtagh was a part of it.

Gazing up at the impenetrable castle, past the impossibly high walls, Lia vowed that she would not sleep or rest, until she could feel his presence once more. Whether it would only be for a minute or a second, it mattered not. He was close… she could taste it in the air and feel it, as though he was merely hidden behind a pane of glass. It may have only been a gut feeling, but she trusted it like no other.

The pitiful Lia of the past two days melted away and once more, the survivor and fighter that she was born to be had returned. As her brain registered the additional numbers at her side, a plan began to unfold. With only seconds to accomplish what she must, Lia dropped their hands, as if they were hot coals, spun around and pushed them firmly away from her.

"You must go," she ordered them. "Both of you. I know not how this has happened, but this place is not safe for you…either of you. Leave now, while you still can. This is my fight and I will fight alone."

Erika assumed a theatrical thoughtful pose and then made a dramatic grab for Ella's arm. "You don't need to ask me twice. Come, let us flee."

Wriggling out of Erika's grasp, Ella stepped back and stared at Lia with wide eyes.

"How can I leave, knowing that you will be in there alone?" she asked Lia, her eyes filled with hurt.

Lia groaned in exasperation. "Please Ella, I shall feel safer knowing that at least one person that I care for is not knee deep in life endangering shit."

"I'm not leaving you," Ella replied angrily, folding her arms and planting her feet apart.

Glancing between the both of them, Erika took in their adamant expressions and shrugged her shoulders.

"Suit yourselves," she sang, without a care in the world.

Willing to leave the both of them in the shadow of this evil place, Erika prepared to flit away at high speed, away from danger, away from it all and back to the safety of the Varden. That was, until she heard Lia's muttered words...

"Yes… do leave," Lia spoke quietly, but loud enough to be heard by all.

A bitter smile twisted Lia's lips, as she grabbed Ella's arm, pulled the girl by her side and began to walk away. The next part of the plan was crucial…she counted the seconds as she walked, waiting for that which was inevitable.

Erika turned her head a fraction. "You would like that wouldn't you? Me gone."

Satisfied, Lia paused and shot the girl a malicious smile over her shoulder.

"You have no idea," Lia replied, infusing her tone with as much venom as she could – it was not a difficult task.

Erika was trapped and she knew it. Whether the warrior knew it was another question entirely and one which she did not wish to consider, not for the moment at least.

Facing the two girls, she placed a pondering finger to her lips. At the very same moment, Lia presented a show of irritation and Ella, the only one who did not possess an ulterior motive, could only shoot them baffled glances.

Tracing patterns in the dirt with the tip of her shoe, Erika grinned up at Lia from underneath her lashes.

"Do you know what I think?" she asked in her appealing voice.

"No and to be perfectly honest, I don't care," Lia replied dryly.

Erika ignored the dismissal. "I think that I should very much like to stay."

Letting go of Ella's arm, Lia folded her own and fixed her adversary with a steely stare. "Well, I think I should very much like you to leave."

The warrior's tone was final.

Erika's smile widened. "Oh really? Well I've just had another marvellous idea. I think I should stay and do you know what else? I think I should rather like to help you on your little rescue mission to save that rather handsome rogue."

With hands bunching into fists, Lia's face reddened and her eyes burned with a fiery passion.

"I do not need your help and neither does he," she said through her teeth. "So I strongly suggest that you leave or perhaps you would care for me to aid you in the process?" Lia offered in a hopeful tone.

Unruffled by her threat, Erika eyed the warrior with a condescending tilt of her head and her mouth turned up at one corner.

"My dear warrior… you may have your brawn, but your skills are no match for my speed, so do not waste your breath with empty threats."

Lia could only glower, knowing the words that were said were in fact perfectly true. Seeing the understanding in the warrior's eyes, Erika smiled vindictively and sought to rub further salt into the open wound.

"So, let me make myself perfectly clear... in order to save that attractive cretin, you will need my help, unless of course you have some incredible plan to breach the walls and save him with just your brute strength and foul language?"

"I have a plan," Lia announced, a little too quickly to convince anyone.

"Wonderful. What is it?" Erika enquired politely.

Averting her eyes, Lia bit down on the inside of her cheek.

Erika laughed mockingly. "That's what I thought warrior!"

Striding past her, Erika was still laughing when she began her walk to the wall.

"And who knows? With your uselessness in this situation, when your dearly beloved sees that I was the one that did the most to save him, maybe he will have a change of heart?" she suggested, with a triumphant giggle.

After the exchange, Ella moved herself beside Lia, who was positively fuming; that was, until the strange girl had progressed a fair amount from where they stood. As soon as she was sure that they were out of hearing distance, Lia's fury evaporated instantly and a grin spread across her face.

Not in a million years would she have sunk so low as to ask the abnormal girl for her aid, but she was short of allies and she knew that she needed all the help that she could get. Bearing that in mind, there was no choice in the matter – the girl had magical abilities that would prove crucial to their task.

It was always destined to be "their" task. Lia had already known that Ella would not abandon her and she was glad of the company of at least one being that she could trust. But in regards to asking Erika for help again? If the humiliating event had ever taken place, Lia knew that the girl would have refused.

Even if she had begged for help, the girl would only have found great enjoyment in Lia's humiliation and then promptly left, satisfied. No, Lia had needed to give the girl a reason to stay… and now she had one. The foolish, supposedly cunning creature had fallen for her act and was exactly where she wanted her.

Ella stared after Erika, looking utterly perplexed and then, taking in Lia's new expression, the realisation dawned on her.

"Oh," she quietly exclaimed, "You're good," she chuckled.

"I know," Lia replied with a shrewd smile.

With an exchange of secretly knowing grins, they headed after the girl who would get them past the wall.

When Murtagh opened his eyes and gazed up at the familiar decorated ceiling, he wanted to laugh. His mouth was covered in a layer of scabs and even the smallest movement caused him pain, but he did not care – ignoring the fresh blood that oozed through the cracks in lips, he opened his mouth wide and let the harsh sound escape. It was simply too terrible not to be found amusing. After all his efforts and everything that he had endured, here he was, again, in the care of Galbatorix.

He was lying in exactly the same bed, in exactly the same room that he had lain in almost a year before. So familiar it felt; it was as though none of what had occurred had ever come to pass… but it had and he remembered every second of it… every taste, smell, sight, sound and most importantly, he remember her.

The previous night was also horribly clear and his memory of the way in which he had screamed caused his blood to boil. It did not matter that he had suffered a pain worse than death, all that mattered was that those two bald headed bastards had been the ones to see it. They had witnessed his moment of weakness and they had caused it. That fact was more humiliating than the act itself.

Lying there, he promised that once he had ensured Lia's safety, he would deal with the vermin…they would deal with them. Another painful smile crossed his lips, as he imagined Lia by his side once more and facing their foes.

Sitting up, he was pleased to feel that there was no more pain. He felt slightly weakened from the wear on his endurance, but physically, the only pain that he felt resided on his lips and on his palm. He could not yet bring himself to look upon it. If her visage was utterly gone, he had no wish to know.

Chuckling grimly, he savoured the fact that the Twins had failed in their task to erase his past from him. Even if he did not hold onto that which mattered to him the most, the scar on his palm would always prove a reminder of what had once been there. In essence, they had changed nothing.

Rising to a sitting position, he glanced around the room apathetically, recognising every corner, every piece of furniture and every colour. Nothing here was new. He knew where everything was and everything would be, just as he knew that there would be a letter waiting for him on the writing desk.

Slinging his legs over the side of the bed, he walked to the table, where he found the sealed envelope with his name printed on the front in an elegant script and some new clothes draped across the back of the chair.

Lazily, he tore the envelope apart and pulled out the parchment that was folded within. There was not much to read. Only a few lines of the expected high and mighty drivel. A fancy and unnecessarily warm formal greeting, instantly followed by the promise that if he tried to escape, he would be shot on sight.

He laughed aloud at that part. If they had wanted him dead, they would have killed him a long time ago. If he were no longer useful to them, they would have disposed of him after they had acquired what they needed. There was a further reason he needed to be alive which remained a mystery, but whilst it remained, he would not try and leave. It was better to remain in the home of the enemy alive and able to scheme, than die trying to escape and achieve nothing.

The next part of the letter was a polite invitation to join the King in the throne room. Murtagh wondered if he would be offered tea and some cake? Chuckling to himself, he read the last part with a twitching smile.

It seemed that the King wanted him to enter the throne room via the secret passageways. Glancing over his shoulder, Murtagh saw that the panelled wall that existed to the side of his bed had been moved a little to reveal the passageway beyond. As if he would forget such things! It was through these passageways that he had escaped.

The last few lines of the letter concerned the lavish wardrobe that had been provided for him for the remainder of his stay, which of course all depended on where his loyalties lay. Taking in the robes left for him, Murtagh noticed the fancy colours and the elegant trim and his gagging reflex kicked in, as he could only imagine Eragon prancing around in such clothes, if he was given half the chance.

Crumpling the letter into a ball with both hands, Murtagh threw it aside and considered the general gist of the words. He could make no attempt to escape, he was encouraged to approach the King by means of stealth and he was requested to dress for the occasion.

Conspiratorially stroking his chin, Murtagh casually turned his head around and looked down. Regardless of having his tunic stripped from him, he was wearing the same trousers that he had been captured and tortured in. The very same that he had worn throughout his journey and the very same that exposed an entire buttock. Smiling hugely, Murtagh ignored the passageway and the elegant attire and headed for the only door.

Stepping out into the brightly lit hallway, where servants and others were walking and bustling around, Murtagh grinned at them in turn and greeted each and every one with a nod and a cheerful "Good afternoon." Occasionally, he added a slight bow, wherever it was completely unnecessary, as a poor excuse to bend over. He didn't need directions; he remembered the way.

As he strode onwards at a slow and comfortable pace, he felt each and every set of eyes stare at his bare, scarred torso and finally, rest on his retreating buttock. Adding an important swagger to his walk to show it off a little; he snickered to himself.

It was easy to imagining Lia's incredulous brow, if she had been able to witness his act of defiance and the laugh that would have followed. And who says that I cannot make my own fun? he thought to himself merrily, as he marched forth to meet the awaiting and unsuspecting King.

In the shadow of the wall, Erika, Ella and Lia stood a fair distance from the entrance gates. Erika scrutinised the other girls and took a step back from them, assessing their appearance.

"What?" Ella asked self-consciously.

"Hmmm," Erika's brow furrowed. "We will need to do something about the both of you, especially you," she threw in Lia's direction.

Lia's replying frown was short lived and replaced by an understanding nod.

"Yes…I suppose I would have a stunning portrait beside the boys. But Ella?" she asked.

"She travelled with you, did she not?" Erika stated obviously.

"You did all save me from Gil' Ead and I was there when Durza first appeared," Ella sighed and then perked up. "Does that mean that I have a picture beside the rest of you?"

The inappropriate excitement in her tone caused Lia to laugh.

"We shall soon find out. In the meantime, what exactly do you propose we do?" she asked Erika, all friendless extracted from her tone.

"That depends…" Erika smiled dangerously. "Do you trust me?"

Lia's reply came forth as a mirthless laugh and Ella fell silent, before mumbling sarcastically, "I don't think we have a choice."

"Good," Erika clapped her hands in delight. "Then it's settled…Let me see…"

Hovering between them, Erika moved her eyes slyly from side to side, before allowing them to finally rest on Ella. Raising a hand before her, she touched the tip of her index finger to Ella's forehead and thought the words of the spell that she had in mind.

Moving to Erika's side to see the effects of whatever it was that she was doing, Lia stared at her friend intently, looking for signs of any chance. Ella stared back, confused and a little nervous. After a minute, she was bored.

She shrugged. "I don't feel any different."

"You're not supposed to," Erika grinned.

Lia snorted, unconvinced by whatever magic was cast.

"Well I cannot see what you – Oh…"

Ella's form began to shimmer and change. Her hazy image no longer looked like Ella anymore. She was shorter, rotund and her hair was fairer and arranged into ringlets. The illusion would have been impressive, were in not for the fact that the real Ella was clearly visible in the background.

Opening her mouth, Lia was about to state the glaringly obvious, when Erika exhaled sharply and shot her a dark look.

"For pity's sake woman, before you presume that you know everything, could I get a word in edgeways?"

Stonily and without saying a word, Lia only pointed to her friend, raised two questioning palms and stared at the strange girl expectantly.

"What?" Ella complained, oblivious to any change whatsoever.

They ignored her.

"Yes, I know that we can still see what she really looks like," Erika stated in a petulant tone. "But to anyone that isn't aware of who she is, she will look like that."

Appeased, Lia stood herself by Ella's side and waited for her own appearance to be adjusted.

"What? What do I look like?" Ella whined.

"Short, fat and curly," Erika replied curtly. "Now move up, it's her turn."

Sulking a little and trying to somehow see what everyone else could, Ella shifted aside, leaving Lia facing Erika and an unpleasant atmosphere in the air between them.

Facing the depressing truth, Lia accepted that at that moment, she was entirely at her enemy's mercy. Keeping her expression smooth, she braced herself for what trickery was to come.

Erika's warm smile was the give-away. Nothing behind that look could mean anything good. As her delicate finger rested against Lia's brow, Lia's eyes swerved to Ella; watching for any reaction that betrayed her coming physical representation. The required minute passed quickly and the magic caster stepped away.

"Done," Erika stated happily and gestured Ella to her side.

Ella watched Lia curiously and then, as the seconds passed, her eyes drifted lower and lower until they rested at knee level.

"Well…" Ella began uncomfortably. "I don't think they'll have trouble recognising you…"

Her carefully chosen words left an impression that was somewhat vague and unsettling.

"Then that is all that matters," Lia stated firmly and headed towards the gates, before anyone could divulge to her what manner of being she had become.

Erika and Ella followed behind. Ella bit down on her lower lip and fired the cruel girl beside her a reproachful look. Erika smirked, utterly unrepentant. They watched Lia reach the gates first and Ella cringed, as she watched her friend open her mouth to speak.

"Good afternoon good sirs, would you be so kind as to allow three maidens to pass through the walls and seek some food and shelter?" Lia asked as sweetly as she could.

The two guards at the gate glanced down at her legs and laughed. One of them grabbed something small and round – it looked like a ball of some description.

"Awww, he's barking like he wants to talk to us! Isn't he lovely?" one gushed to his companion. "I always wanted a dog, but the Misses says we got enough mouths to feed without a blasted mutt. It's boring as hell out here, let's play with it!"

"Alright," the other agreed amiably.

Lia wasn't surprised; not really and she discovered that the blood did not rush to her cheeks in embarrassment. Gratified, she smiled wickedly and gestured Erika and Ella to approach the men in her stead.

Ella, pleased with her friend's reaction, grinned, and they both turned to see Erika' s twitching eye, a sign of her aggravation, that was quickly replaced with a belittling curve of her mouth.

The guards were still trying to get the attention of the dog, when Erika stepped in front of them, demanding their full attention. Straightening up and gawking, one of them dropped the ball and the other smoothed back his hair. Erika fluttered her eyelids, Ella rolled her eyes and Lia yawned noisily.

"May we come in?" was all that she asked.

"Of course," one replied.

"Just make sure your dog doesn't cause any trouble," the other warned her, giving the animal an adoring glance.

"Well, I can't promise that," Erika replied sadly. "The bitch does have a tendency for it."

Having taken everything so far with a certain degree of grace, Lia felt her patience burn out and give way to her more… rebellious side. Having already made her decision, she placed a hushing finger to her lips and gave Ella an apologetic smile, before unfastening her trousers and approaching Erika. The only indication of what was to come, was her vindictive smile.

When Erika took a step forward, the guards shuffled together importantly and exchanged a reluctant look, before pulling out some parchment and pen.

"We just need your names, your purpose and how long you intend to stay," they informed her with a hint of regret.

"But of course," Erika nodded. "I am Maria and this is my sister Violet and this is – ugh!"

"Oh dear." The guard that had dropped the ball muffled a laugh with the back of his hand.

To their eyes, it simply looked as though the pet dog was urinating on her master's leg.

Stunned, Erika stared down in absolute horror, at the warrior that had her trousers dropped to her ankles and was proceeding to pass water on her perfectly crafted and rather expensive shoe.

"Oh I'm sorry!" Lia said cheerfully. "Are dogs not supposed to do that?"

Furiously, Erika drew her leg back to kick at the girl. That much, she could afford to do in the presence of bystanders. Amusedly, Lia watched the leg draw back and when it came flying towards her, she simply grabbed it and pulled it hard, bringing the beautiful girl crashing down on her rear.

The guards, who only saw the girl aim a kick at the dog laughed and then fell silent, as they watched the girl appear to slip and fall on nothing. Courteously, they moved forward to help her up.

Suppressing a laugh, Lia stepped aside, yanked up and fastened her trousers. Ella moved forward and pressed her lips together, hiding her smile.

Erika allowed the guards to help her up and kept her cool. As long as she only simmered on the inside, that was all that mattered. She could not give her reactions away; it was the only way that she could maintain the upper hand.

So, it had turned into a game, had it? Some form of competition that involved humiliating, outwitting and outmatching the other? The type of game where there appeared to be no limits, no conscience and no requirement for fair play? These were the kinds of rules that Erika liked.

Feeling the dampness in her shoe, she grimaced inwardly and then, despite her revulsion, she found herself feeling elated. Indeed, there would be fun times ahead.

As they walked past the guards, through the gates, Lia took Ella's former place by Erika's side and although they did not look at one another, they were both smiling. Ella walked in Lia's shadow, taking in the two girls' very similar and very frighteningly mischievous expressions, with a building sense of unease.

From the corner of her mouth, Erika spoke to her opponent.

"This isn't over you know," she stated conversationally.

Lia smirked. "Good."

For the briefest moment, the two girls turned to each other and in spite of their mutual dislike, a competitive charge sparked between them, which caused them to smile wider. Enemies or no, it seemed that they shared this one other thing in common, a need to cause trouble.

Raising her eyes to the heavens, Ella prayed that this was the beginning of some form of alliance. It was either that, or the beginning of something very, very bad.

Upon entering the throne room, Murtagh only had eyes for the large table that lay in the centre of the room. Surrounding it were eight beautifully crafted chairs, adorned with gemstones of every kind.

Pulling one out for himself, he placed his semi-bare derriere upon it and propped his feet up on the table's finely polished surface. After wriggling his toes and folding his arms behind his head, he turned to face the King, as if he had just noticed that he was there.

"Your Majesty," he smiled wryly. "You called?"

Galbatorix sat perfectly still, his expression was entertained. The Twins stood either side of the throne, their faces thunderous, as they observed their victim's unacceptable nonchalance.

"Murtagh, Murtagh, Murtagh…what are we going to do with you?" Galbatorix mused, caressing the hilt of his broadsword.

Murtagh grinned.

"You could settle for a good old fashioned arse spanking and send me on my way?" he suggested with a chuckle.

The King grinned back, but his eyes shone with malice.

"Now, now Murtagh, what has happened to your manners? You used to be such an obedient boy and then you went and ruined it all by running away and joining forces with the whelp!" Galbatorix gasped in mock horror.

"What can I say? Being good is awfully boring, but then again, you'd know all about that, wouldn't you… sire?" Murtagh replied.

His tone, which had started off light, took a darkening turn and developed a disrespectful edge. The King noticed this and slowly, he rose from his throne.

"I wonder Murtagh…have you ever stopped to wonder why exactly it is that I have not killed you? I have killed people for less than what you have done. Indeed, I have had people's tongues cut out for speaking to me in such a way as you have just done. Have you not been curious as to why you are standing here alive?" the King asked in his honeyed voice.

"Hmm," Murtagh pondered. "Is it because…you enjoy the company of young boys?" he asked, the suggestion behind his words was perfectly clear.

Galbatorix shook his head and a slow, cruel smile spread across his lips. Murtagh forced his own smile to remain in place, but something gnawed at the pit of his stomach. Walking down the red carpet that covered the few descending steps, the King eyed Murtagh like a prize.

"You believe yourself to be brave and I do believe you think yourself as rather… funny? Well, let me tell you something boy, it is I who shall have the last laugh. For who ever said that I wished to keep the company of your unworthy presence?" he informed the boy with secretive, narrowed eyes.

Removing his legs from the table, Murtagh pushed the chair away from him and stood to face the ruler of the Empire. The King's cryptic words wiped the smile from his face and left him struggling to maintain his show of seeming impassive.

Shrugging his shoulders, Murtagh rolled his eyes. "Well then, your highness… enlighten me. If you do not keep mefor my looks and my charm, then why am I here?"

When Galbatorix stood but a foot away from him, Murtagh felt the full force of the power and magic that surrounded the King. It was cold and evil, but he showed no sign of his discomfort. He only gazed up at the King with disinterested eyes.

"It has already begun," the King smiled down upon him. "The ritual commenced this very morning, whilst you lay in your ignorant slumber. After the sun has set on the seventh day, I will have the company that I desire…"

Reaching out a cold hand, the King rested it upon Murtagh's shoulder and gazed deep into the boy's eyes…through him.

"Soon my friend, we shall be reunited," the King murmured in a seductive whisper.

Understanding dawned on Murtagh's face, but his brain would not allow it. It had been a nightmare and yet, his face paled, as he realised that he now lived in a time where nightmares often became realities.

"I will never work for you," Murtagh protested vehemently, already fearing the reply to his words.

"No, you will not, but it was never about you…" the King said with a cold laugh. "Where do people go when they die Murtagh, I wonder?"

As the hand was removed from Murtagh's shoulder, he took a step back, brushed at his shoulder as if it were unclean.

"Straight to the fiery pits of hell, if they've had anything to do with you," Murtagh spat.

"Really? Where does that leave you, I wonder?" Galbatorix asked with a trace a humour.

Murtagh did not reply; he only glared. Paying the boy's words no heed; Galbatorix continued his revelation in an educational manner.

"When a person dies, their soul leaves the body and moves on…but to where…another plane of existence? The darkest void? No one knows, but if the soul is reluctant to leave, it can merge with another being close by at the time of death and linger in this world for a little while longer.

Morzan never had any intention of dying, you see. So, at the time of your inconvenient birth, he sought to make your existence… convenient. Using only the darkest of magic and most forbidden of spells, he bound himself to you-"

"No…" Murtagh said, running his hands through his hair and then clutching his hands to his chest.

"Yes," Galbatorix continued with sparkling eyes. "The moment he died, his soul transported directly into your body, where he has remained dormant for years. He had been biding his time… waiting for the moment when you come of age…a time when, as discussed, I would bring his spirit forth and your own would be annihilated."

"No!" Murtagh growled, grabbing for the sword that hung by the King's side and pressing the blade against his own throat.

"He will not return. I will not allow it!"

The King guffawed.

"My dear, stupid boy, did you honestly think that I have not covered every angle? Considered every stupid and defiant act that you may seek to perform? You are protected, completely and utterly untouchable, until the transformation is complete. You may seek to cut yourself, skewer yourself, drown or hang yourself and it will be to no avail," he said with a manic laugh.

Throwing the blade down at the King's feet, Murtagh stared down at his chest, fearing his skin was about to bubble, blister and contort, revealing the presence that lay within him.

"Lies…" Murtagh muttered weakly.

"Oh, I think we both know that I'm telling you the truth. I can see it in your face, you pathetic boy. You have felt it before, his presence lurking in wait. Of course, it matters not whether you believe or no. In seven days, what you think will never matter again. But I am a reasonable man…

For the next seven days, you shall receive the best care, the finest food and a woman every night, to sate any lust you may possess. I want you to leave this world feeling comfortable, so that my accomplice may return to find a body that is well rested, satisfied and ready for war."

Raking his fingers across his chest, Murtagh could not see nor feel any trace of their touch. When his fingers reached for his lips, they felt fully healed. His hand twitched, but he would not look down upon it in front of the King. So it was true… he was protected…until it would be too late. And he only had seven days…seven days to do what? Lia, he thought desperately.

Consumed by his own thoughts, he started when he looked up to see that the King was sat back in his throne once more. Glaring at the man, Murtagh folded his arms.

"You may take me your Majesty, but rest assured, I will not go without a fight and you will not find it that easy," he assured him, in a tone that rang with promise.

"On the contrary," the King smiled pleasantly. "I shall find it very easy and oh-," he exclaimed, clicking his fingers.

From behind the billowing black curtain that lay behind the throne, a large black snout appeared, pushing something forward.

"What is this?" Galbatorix asked, with false curiosity. "It is round…large and covered in beautiful, red tendrils…Why, could this be the last dragon egg?"

Stepping forward, Murtagh gazed at the egg in both wonder and horror. Pointing down at it, he glared at the King and shook his head in disbelief.

"You must be joking," he barked a hysterical laugh.

"I am perfectly serious," Galbatorix assured him.

"It will never work," Murtagh stated, his manner resolute.

The King smiled. "You may not be Rider material, but there is a Rider inside you boy and the egg will hatch for him or I will make it."

Snorting a laugh, Murtagh eyed the egg comically and thought of all that Saphira and Eragon had gone through. He had listened to tales of their bonding, watched their relationship grow and never could he imagine the magic of dragons, so sacred and old, being overridden by a man- no matter how extensive his knowledge of the dark arts was.

"What a bunch of arse!" he proclaimed.

The King's brows shot up unappreciatively.

"Well," Murtagh said, with a final glance around the room. "If that is all, I should very much like to retreat to my room. If I have seven days left to enjoy myself, I would sooner do it without the company of those two shiny headed wrong ends of a dog," -he gestured his head toward the Twins- "And a King who thinks he's clever, when he's not. So, if you will excuse me, I will take my leave."

The Twins scowled and took a threatening step forward, but Galbatorix halted them with a wave of his hand and letting his pleasant mask fall, gazed down upon Murtagh with hard, piercing eyes.

"Mark my words Murtagh, son of Morzan…I always have my way," the King vowed fiercely.

Murtagh took a moment to pause and stare at the man blankly.

"With all due respect my liege…Grow up," he muttered, sounding aloof.

Marching past their incredulous faces, he headed towards the back curtain from which the snout had appeared, where one of the secret passageways lay.

The wish to return to his room by the way that he came had left him. Now more than ever, he needed to think and to be alone. Somehow, his time with Saphira had erased all fear of the great creature that he knew awaited him.

He felt their eyes staring after him in shock, as he pushed past the curtains and came face to face with the snarling and roaring beastly dragon. Accustomed to such behaviour, Murtagh shooed the dragon with his hands and gave the creature a stern look.

"Do shut up," he growled back at the monster.

Storming past the creature, that abruptly slammed its' jaws shut, he left the chamber by means of the hole in the nearby wall, leaving the dragon staring after him, with two confused jets of smoke leaving its' nostrils.

In an abandoned alley, leading off from the hustle and bustle of the busy city streets, Erika stood with her eyes closed and her fingers rubbing small circular movements around her temples. Ella counted the bricks in the opposite wall and Lia watched the strange girl's face, as the once smooth brow began to crease in irritation.

"I don't expect you to feel what I feel, but surely even you can feel it?" Erika spoke in a low voice.

Lia did not need to close her eyes or focus on the task to answer the question; she felt it as soon as they passed through the gates. The magic in this place was strong- strong enough to create static in the air.

"I can feel it," Lia confirmed.

"Feel what?" Ella asked dully. "The boredom threatening to kill me?"

"Patience," Lia said kindly and then faced Erika once more. "How bad is it?"

"In the city, here, it isn't so bad – what you're feeling here is from the castle; the spells protecting it are strong. I cannot see it, but I can feel it; the power forms shapes in the back of my mind. It resembles a gigantic, translucent bubble and it protects the building and all that reside within its walls.

A spell of this magnitude requires a minimum oftwenty spell casters and the spell can never be broken – the concentration required is constant. Bearing that in mind, I assume that they have at least forty magic bearers, who continue the chant in shifts, thus never allowing the spell to cease.

The spell will block anything attempting to breach the walls and I mean anything. No human, no magic and no thought can breach the spell.

I can taste it with my mind…this spell is old…it has been kept up for a long time…possibly a year? Each chant leaves a residue that is decipherable to those that possess our talents. Galbatorix started it and now his little bastard magical helpers keep it up."

Opening her eyes, Erika swung her head from side to side and laughed callously.

"Forget him, he is but a man. There is no way of saving him. This is a lost cause…" Her words were sincere.

Lia struggled not to reach out and grab the girl, as she turned to leave. Ella cupped her hands to her face, all hope lost.

"Leaving so soon?" Lia asked in a cutting tone.

"Would you have me stay?" Erika asked sarcastically. "There is nothing for me here. The both of you have outlived your use and there is no pleasure to be gained in trying to accomplish the impossible. I am but one spell caster. Guarding that lunatic you so stubbornly wish to save, are too many for me to even count!

I fulfilled my part of the deal by helping bring you here warrior, but now, my work here is done and I strongly suggest that the both of you follow my example and leave this place."

"Murtagh…" Ella whispered.

"Fine," Lia said coolly. "Go look after yourself, after all, that seems to be what you do best. Tell me Erika, if you dropped dead, would anyone give a rat's arse? Would anyone mourn you? No. And do you know why? It's because you're a heartless, egotistical coward."

Amused by the rant, Erika eyed Lia with a new interest.

"In fact," Lia continued. "You should leave. No amount of magic is going to stop me getting in there. We will find a way inside without you."

"And how will he recognise you when you look like a dog?" Erika asked, smiling cruelly.

"Do get over yourself," Lia sneered. "Or do you honestly think that you are the only magic caster that we could ever find in this place? I am certain that there are plenty who exist here, with powers beyond yours, that shan't feel so threatened by the task at hand."

"Ha!" Erika laughed. "You think that you would find those that oppose Galbatorix within these walls?!"

"It's surprising what you can find on the doorstep of your enemy," Lia countered with a confident grin. "Therefore, please…" she concluded, waving her hand in the general direction of the gates. "Don't let us keep you. Feel more than free to go and drag your skinny arse somewhere nice and safe and warm; preferably far, far away and leave the fighting to the people that matter."

Turning on her heel, Erika marched to the mouth of the alley and left them staring after her. So the words that had been said were perfectly true. They changed nothing.

"Wonderful," Ella muttered, before starting around the corner in the opposite direction.

A heavy hand fell on her shoulder.

"Wait," Lia said, pulling her friend back into the alley.

"Why?" Ella asked. "She's made up her mind, it's not as if she ever intended on staying anyway."

"Wait," Lia repeated firmly.

Ella's face crumpled.

"Fine," she grumbled, leaning back against the wall.

"Patience," Lia reminded her again with a faint trace of a smile on her lips.

Until now, Erika had never been in danger. She could have sped, talked or manipulated her way out of any situation. But in this place, the risk was too high and it was not a risk that she was willing to take. The girls would die in their attempt and she had no desire to share their fate.

Rounding the corner, she focused on the gates ahead, but then several, large pieces of hanging canvass caught her eye. On each, a portrait was drawn and beneath each, a price was labelled. Hesitating, Erika slowly approached the posters and examined each picture carefully.

First and fore most, was Eragon, followed by Murtagh by his side and then, a rough sketch of Lia. Reaching out a hand, she ignored the surrounding two and placed her fingers on the lips of the centre picture with a frown. Why had she allowed herself to stop and look? Cursing herself, she looked into the accusing eyes of the three faces that gazed down upon her.

What was it that caused her lower lip to jut out in annoyance? Was it the looks on their faces? Was it the individual way in which each of them irritated her? No… it was the arrangement. The three pictures, side by side… a combination that made sense. They were companions, that even when apart, were always thought of as a whole.

A stupid, unhealthy bitterness overwhelmed Erika, as she realised that there was no one that could ever be associated with her. There would never be any faces that would be pictured beside hers. Annoyed by this sudden ache, she tried to dismiss it, but when she met their eyes again – they were still there, judging her and mocking her with their togetherness.

Whether it was out of pity for them, or a need of her own, that she was not yet able to accept, Erika narrowed her eyes, sighed in exasperation and stormed back down the alleyway. The girls stood patiently waiting for her, as if her return had been expected. A smug smile tugged at the corner of Lia's mouth.

Erika pulled a disgruntled face. "Let's go find some place to eat and have a drink," she stated sourly.

"You're staying?" Ella breathed.

"Yes, I'm bloody staying," Erika barked. "And if we're planning to merrily walk to our deaths, I'd sooner do so after a hearty meal and several jugs of ale."

"I shan't argue there," Lia agreed, wholeheartedly.

Ella frowned at the both of them. "Is this really the time for banquets and ale?"

Lia and Erika stared at the girl and then glanced at each other.

"Yes," they blurted out at the same time.

In no position to argue, Ella sighed and followed the two girls, as they headed down the streets and towards the market in the square.

Several hours had passed since his rendezvous with the King and Murtagh was still pacing back and forth across his room, growing more infuriated by the minute. Had he seriously been intent on ending his life? He remembered grabbing the sword and the only thing that had mattered, was being able to somehow extract his father from his body. But had the act been selfless or selfish?

He concluded that it was both. It was selfless, in the sense that he would have done anything, to ensure that his father would never return. A man so evil should never be allowed a second chance; it was a crime that he had ever been conceived. However, the act had also been selfish, because nothing would be more unbearable than having Lia see him in such a way.

What if he really did change? What if Morzan took him over and carried his face, paraded around under his skin and committed crimes in Murtagh's name? Even though he would no longer exist to see her anguish, he could not bear the thought of it. It would have been better if he had died, but even that option had been robbed of him.

He had seven days to make things right. Seven days, in a castle where his every movement would be monitored and there was no way of escape. Lia was too far away…whenever she arrived would be too late and what if she learned what happened and still tried to save him? Would Morzan hurt her? Would Morzan use these hands to kill her? Clenching his fists, he reminded himself of his promise…he would never allow it to happen.

So he was no Rider, so he possessed no magical abilities whatsoever… there had to be a way to stop this ritual. If it took seven days, he still had six days in which to wreak havoc. In a castle this size, there would have to be somebody that was useful…somebody that knew somebody else, that could somehow give him some information to work with.

He could not allow Lia to save him; he had no wish to involve her in this. This was his battle and if he could resolve it before she arrived, she would be safe and he would be free to escape. He had fled before; he could do it again. Then they could find each other and live the silly dream that they had planned, what felt like so long ago.

Unbelievably, it had been less than a week. Less than seven days,since they had been running through the forest, laughing and being chased by an army of Kull, thinking that they were free. That morning felt like a lifetime ago. Less than seven days…exactly what I have now.

Finally, finding the courage to open up his fist, he glanced down upon the palm and saw that which he desired. It was no illusion, no trick of his mind; it was there. On his callused, fully healed palm, was the only face that he wished to see – fiercely beautiful and showing the same determination in her eyes as his own.

The silvery lines faintly glowed and he felt something. It was not Lia… it could only be described as…magical. Somehow, the magic that was imprinted on him by the dragon was resurfacing once more and his hand began to tingle and grow warm.

Had it been caused by the protection spell that had been cast upon him? He did not know; but if that was the case… then Galbatorix's plan had sorely backfired. Murtagh could feel it- something was happening inside of him and whatever it was; it had nothing to do with Morzan The Forsworn. This something was definitely on the side of good. Grinning down at her image, he traced a finger across the line of her lips.

"I will not fail you," he swore, pressing his palm to his chest.

Two loud wraps at the door disturbed his peace and he watched, as a clearly ordinary girl, who had been stuffed into an elaborate dress, was shoved inside his room. When the door slammed shut, they stared at each other cautiously.

Appetites sated, the three girls headed towards the nearest Inn. Dining had not been a difficult task; Erika had only had to politely request food and it was given to her. After eating in a secluded spot, they sought to quench their thirst and gather information. Before entering through the swinging double doors, Erika paused and spoke to Lia without looking at her.

"This whole dog business, it is only an illusion. Be careful who you bump into and try to stay out of everyone's way."

"I shall do my best," Lia promised, with innocent eyes, that caused Erika to groan inwardly and Ella to hope against hope.

Entering the Inn, they wove their way through the small groupings of people and took up places by the bar. Erika and Ella seated themselves directly before the barman and smiled up at him. Lia stood, leaning with one elbow propped up against the counter, eyeing one man's unattended drink, as he sat unknowingly to her right, distracted by a busty whore. Erika was visibly seated on his other side.

Sneakily, when no one was looking, she chugged the contents down. If her companions expected her to drink from the water dish that had been put on the ground by her feet, they were sadly mistaken.

When the man reached for his jug and brought it to his lips, it was empty. Shaking it upside down a few times, he looked straight through Lia and eyed Erika furtive contempt. Grinning, Lia stood herself in the gap in the stools between the two girls.

The barman was clearly admiring them, he took more time than necessary to clean the same glass with a soiled rag and when he smiled, he showed a small row of black teeth. Ella suppressed a shudder, but Erika leaned forward across her jug and beckoned him over with her finger.

All too willingly, the man came forward and leaned an elbow on the side of the bar. He lowered his face, until it was uncomfortably close to hers.

"Can I help you?" the man asked in a husky voice.

"I believe you can," Erika beamed and then lowered her voice. "Tell me, where could I possibly find someone who knows everything?"

"Everything?" he asked for clarification.

"Everything," she confirmed with a wink.

"That depends on the type of everything you want to know. There are a lot of the King's spies walking around, disguised as normal folk. That everything you seek may very well end up with you swinging from the gallows."

"That, my good sir, is no concern of yours. Now, tell me, where can I find such a person that holds the knowledge I require."

"There is one that springs to mind," he said, rubbing the stubble on his chin in worry. "But she is a strange one and you don't want to go to her, not unless you really, really have to."

"Where can I find her?" Erika pressed.

"Go past the Market Square, towards the poor quarter. On the edge of the street, you will find the apothecary. It's his wife. Just knock and ask for Hepzibah."

Nodding her thanks, Erika glanced at Ella and cocked her head towards the door. The barman quickly grabbed her hand and Erika stared down at the offending, grubby fingers that dug into the sleeve of her dress and finally to the two warning eyes that burned into hers.

"You want to be careful lass. Be careful whom you talk to and to whom you address your questions. For all you know, I could have been a spy," he muttered under his foul breath.

"Are you?" Erika asked, narrowing her eyes.

"No," he replied tonelessly, under the influence of her power.

"Then I thank you for your time," she beamed, before dragging her hand away and patting her thighs for the dog to follow.

Rolling her eyes, Lia followed them back outside the building.

"Maybe we should be careful," Ella suggested sensibly. "He seemed to find something about that Hepzibah rather frightening."

Lia chuckled and Erika smirked.

"If the poor man could have seen what we are capable of, he probably would have shat boulders. This woman is probably nothing more than some old wench that created a foul reputation to protect herself. But still, if she knows something useful, it's worth tracking her down."

As they quickened their pace, Lia thought about the name of the woman. Hepzibah. Why did that name mean something to her, she wondered. Putting the thought aside, she satisfied herself with the knowledge that she would soon find out.

When, after several minutes, neither of them had said a word. Murtagh raised a mildly irritated brow.

"Yes?" he prompted.

The girl dipped her head and curtseyed. A gesture that caused his brow to rise dramatically higher.

"I have been sent to you my Lord," she said in a small and humble voice.

At the mention of the word "Lord," Murtagh nearly choked.

"Lord?" he spluttered. "I can assure that I am no Lord."

"My apologies My Lord," she mumbled back at him, with downcast eyes.

"Because?" he asked, his patience waning.

"Because what my Lord?" she asked, quietly.

Raising his eyes to the heavens, he wished that for once, he would not be surrounded by such simpletons.

"You were sent because…?" he said, enunciating each syllable.

The girl turned a bright shade of red under his condescending eyes.

"For your pleasure My Lord," she whispered.

Waving a hand to the door, Murtagh gestured her away.

"Then you can leave," he stated firmly.

The girl's head shot up and her eyes were wild. Staggering forward, she fell to her knees at his feet, clasped her hands together and lowered her head.

"Please My Lord, please!" she begged him. "You must take me, you simply must!"

"No," he replied; his tone final and then a humorous edge crept into his voice. "You could say that I am a married man."

"Please My Lord. If I do not satisfy you, they will punish me!"

"Why?" he demanded. "Why should they punish you, when it is not a service that I require?"

"If you do not bed me, they will assume that I am useless My Lord and then-" she began to shiver "-they will beat me… or worse."

Frowning, Murtagh grabbed her shoulders and pulled her up. Holding her at a safe distance, he stared into her frightened eyes. The fear there was genuine.

"Can you not lie?" he asked, disbelief marring his tone.

"If only I could My Lord," she sniffed. "They… monitor our progress, as it were."

"How?" he asked darkly.

Leaning forward, she spoke in a hushed tone. "They listen."

"Ah," he said, with a slow calculating smile. "And when is it that we are to begin?" he asked with mock solemnity.

"Now sir," she sighed in relief and began tugging at the back of her dress.

"Keep your clothes on!" Murtagh hissed.

"Oh," she nodded. "Of course," she smiled.

Turning around and bending over, she began to hoist up the back of her dress.

"No, that is not what I meant," Murtagh complained.

Grabbing her arm, he pulled her upright once more. She gave him a puzzled look, before her eyes nervously flickered to the door. Shaking her slightly to regain her attention, he fixed her with a steely stare.

"If I help you, will you help me?" he asked in earnest.

"Yes," she promised fervently.

All seriousness dropped from his face and a playful smile spread across his lips.

"Then we have an accord…So…are you ready to make some noise?" he asked, moving his eyes suggestively to the bed.

When her eyes showed no understanding whatsoever, Murtagh's smile only broadened.

Opening the door to the apothecary, Erika entered first, followed by Ella, who held the door open for Lia to pass through. The place reeked of pungent herbs; that hung from the various shelves. An array of multicoloured bottles brought life to the otherwise dull interior.

Behind a large counter, sat a small, mousy looking middle aged man with a vacant expression. Staring straight ahead, he did not notice the three customers, despite the bell that had rung upon their entrance. Walking up the counter, Erika and Ella stood directly in front of him and still, he did not appear to see them at all.

"Good evening sir, we were wondering if we could possibly speak to your wife?" Ella asked politely.

No reply.

"Sir?" Erika asked, waving an irritated hand in front of his face.

Still no reply.

Lia was studying some nearby herbs, when she heard bustling from behind a nearby closed door. The door banged open and a handsome woman emerged, with her arms full of dried twigs. All heads turned towards her, including that of the man, but the woman saw no one else except Lia.

"You!" she cried out with wide eyes, before emptying her hands and slamming her hands on her hips.

"You certainly took your bloody time!" she muttered in disapproval.

Thrown, Lia shrugged to the others and decided to address the more obvious problem.

"You can see me?" Lia asked with a frown.

"Well of course I can see you. It takes more that one small, shoddy amateur enchantment to manipulate my eyesight," she scoffed.

Lia's lips twitched and she refrained from glimpsing the reaction on Erika's face.

"And who are they?" she demanded, scrutinising the remaining two girls.

"My…acquaintances," Lia replied.

Hepzibah's husband continued to stare at her.

"Not very bright, is he?" Erika commented rudely.

"Trust me girl, I didn't pick him for his brains," she assured her, with a sardonic smile.

The man's brow suddenly creased and he raised an accusing finger and opened his mouth as if he were about to speak.

"Goodnight Albert," Hepzibah stated tersely.

With no warning, the man's head lolled forward and by the time his cheek was pressed against the wooden surface, he was snoring loudly. All three girls glanced from him, to the woman that stood before them.

"I suppose you had all better follow me," she grumbled, turning around and heading back through the door from whence she came.

The warrior, the strange girl and the former thief remained stagnant for a few moments.

"Is there something you would like to share with us?" Erika asked in a petulant tone.

"When I know what that something is, I will be sure to inform you," Lia replied distractedly, as her feet began to move her through the door.

Ella watched, as Lia's form began to shimmer and Erika's charm dissolved into nothing. Muttering under her breath, Erika fired Ella a quick assessing glance, glared at what she saw and then stormed after the warrior girl. Ella gave the sleeping man one last look and then followed them through the back door, into the darkness beyond.

Two men stopped outside Murtagh's room and pressed their ears against the door. Their assigned duty had been a simple one; they were to ensure that their guest was well looked after and that the services offered to him were satisfactory.

In all honesty, there was no need for them to even approach the door. The sounds of the occupant's antics were heard from halfway down the hall. Servants passed the room with faces flushed and some even dared to laugh aloud.

The pleasurable groans and sighs were loud and clear, as was the unmistakable sound of the bed's headboard slamming hard and repeatedly against the wall. Not wanting to seem perverse, the men cleared their throats importantly and left to report that apparently, his Majesty's guest was more than satisfied.

After twenty minutes of jumping up and down on the large bed and moaning and shouting until their throats felt dry, Murtagh and the whore collapsed on the bed in a fit of laughter. Extending a hand for her to shake, she shook it gingerly.

"Very convincing," he laughed.

"I'll say," she agreed with a timid smile.

Moving himself to the very edge of the bed, Murtagh sat up and gave her a significant look.

"And now, it is time to fulfil your part of the bargain…" he reminded her.

"Of course My Lord," she responded.

Slipping off the edge of the bed, she stood facing him with her head bowed low and her hands clasped behind her back in a servile manner. Giving her an odd look, he rose to his feet and walked around the front of the bed until he was directly in front of her. Dropping into a crouch, he looked up at her hidden face.

"What is your name?" he asked.

She blinked down at him.

"Whore," she replied, giving him an equally odd look.

"Really? That's your name? And I thought my parents were cruel!" he joked.

He understood her, of course. Whores that visited the castle had no names; that much he remembered. As her face reddened, he deliberated and when he spoke, his voice was kinder.

"Let me strike another deal with you Mistress Whore. If you call me Murtagh, then I shall call you…" he allowed his voice to trail, inviting her to complete the sentence.

"Scarlet," she whispered uncomfortably.

"Well Scarlet, here is what I want you to do for me," he began, as he presented her with his marked palm. "Look at this face and look hard… can you remember it?"

Scarlet gazed down upon the face in wonder and nodded slowly. Somewhere behind the awe, Murtagh did not miss the glimmer of recognition or the spark of hope that entered the girl's eyes

"Very good," he continued, in a careful tone. "I want you to keep your eyes open for me and if you ever see her…you tell her that I said not to come. Can you remember that?"

Even as he said the words, he found his head tilting to one side and felt the corner of his mouth pull upwards. Lia would never obey such a request, but still…

The girl nodded once more, this time a little too eagerly and after another curtsey, she hurried for the door. Murtagh watched and waited until her hand rested on the doorknob.

"And Scarlet…" he said in a casual voice, stopping her in her tracks.

With a frozen smile, she reluctantly turned her head.

"Yes My Lord?" she asked as politely as she could.

Advancing towards her, he stopped when he was towering over her and when his eyes locked onto hers, his lip curled into a threatening sneer.

"If you hand her over, like the treacherous whore you no doubt are… If she is ever captured and I can link it back to you; I promise you that I will personally hunt you down and cut out your beating heart."

Nodding fiercely, the girl scurried out of the room, shutting the door behind her. Smiling bitterly, Murtagh listened to the sound of her feet slamming hard against the stone as she ran away.

"Sit!" Hepzibah ordered.

After descending an impossibly long flight of stairs, the three unlikely and somewhat reluctant travel companions, found themselves in a cavernous, underground chamber, brightly lit by a roaring fire in the far corner. Erika's head tossed and turned irritably, as she searched for a seat of some description. Lia and Ella wordlessly sat themselves cross-legged upon the floor.

When Hepzibah perched her behind on the only small stool, Erika wrinkled her nose in distaste and sat on the soiled ground. She was yet unaccustomed to settling for anything less than what she desired.

Ignoring the other girls, the woman propped her elbow up on one knee and rested her chin in her palm, as she looked down upon Lia through narrowed eyes.

"Talk," she insisted, after a defeated sigh.

Scrunching her eyes, Lia tried to place the woman before her. There was still no identifying her.

"How did you know I would come?" she asked slowly.

"I am cursed with the sight, or whatever it is you wish to call it. You have been popping in and out of my head for several months now. I didn't have much to go on, not that I cared. I just saw you coming to me and asking for something.

Your face just kept leaping into the back of my mind at the most difficult times," she grumbled. "I can't tell you how annoying it became! And I found myself simply begging for you to show up, just so you could bugger off out of my head!"

Lia's lips became a thin line.

"I apologise for any inconvenience caused," she spoke the words dryly.

The woman seemed oblivious to her manner and began to look behind them all, towards the stairwell. Her face puckered in frustration.

"Well I suppose you should go and get him. There is no need for him to lurk outside of wherever it is that you left him. This concerns him too, so one of you may as well bring him down here," she muttered, her tone bored.

"Who?" Ella asked, confused.

"The boy, of course," Hepzibah said obviously. "The one that is always with you," she added, throwing a glance to Lia. "Your face was the prominent one I saw, there is no doubt about that. But he was always there with you, even if he was only in the background. So, I imagine that he also has something to do with these visions I have been plagued with."

"He does," Lia acceded. "We need your help to find him."

Hepzibah stopped glancing over their heads and stared at them curiously, one by one, before folding her arms and cocking an interested head to the side.

"I'm listening…" she prompted, but quickly added. "But don't get your hopes up. Whether I help you or not depends on what I hear… and whether I am in a generous mood."

Erika made a noncommittal noise at the back of her throat and Ella eyed Lia worriedly, hoping that whatever she said would be convincing enough.

"I know that he is here, in Uru' Baen. The spell that we cast to bring us here confirms that much. He must be in the Castle." Lia's tone exuded confidence.

For no apparent reason, Hepzibah laughed, covered her face with her hands and then proceeded to giggle to herself. Lia expression hardened, unable to see where any humour could be found in what she had said.

"I can assure you that there is nothing entertaining to be found in the knowledge of his current whereabouts," Lia said, in a tone darker than her expression.

Regaining her composure, Hepzibah raised a conversation-halting palm and gazed down upon Lia with a new intensity.

"As I understand it, there are only a few who know of such a spell and to disclose it to another would have been both incredibly stupid and also rather desperate. So, bearing that in mind, how is my dear sister faring these days?" the lady asked offhandedly.

Baffled, Erika and Ella's faces remained blank. However, in contradiction to their reaction, Lia's eyes widened and then, slowly, a smile of blissful understanding spread across her face.

"Angela," she breathed.

"Yes," Hepzibah said with a rueful smile. "She likes to pretend that I don't exist."

Lia's eyes lit up, as she remembered what had been familiar about the woman. She had never met her, but she had heard her name.

"She mentioned you once," Lia informed her in a distant voice, before hesitating. "Just the once… It was during my brief time in her company. She said that she had never met anyone with such a natural knack for identifying herbs, with the exception of you."

"Well, well," Hepzibah mused. "You must be good, if you caused my name to tumble from her lips. And I suppose by some act of great coincidence, my beloved sister is also involved in something that occurred before she bestowed upon you this convenient spell?"

Lia stopped and thought and realised that indeed, the woman was right. Had she not stolen the Ra'zac saliva from Angela? Had it also not been easier than she could have hoped?

"Yes," she confessed with a hint of mistrust.

Hepzibah laughed again and ran her fingers through her long, fair hair. Lia noticed that unlike her sister, she appeared younger, more attractive and her brow carried fewer lines.

"Typical!" Hepzibah muttered, although she seemed more entertained than annoyed. "That was always her way. Always so bloody cryptic and so irritatingly sneaky about things.

It wouldn't kill her just to tell someone outright what she has seen. But nooo, she has to make it all seem accidental and plan things out so that it seems like fate! A waste of effort if you ask me! If someone has a destiny, why leave him or her in the dark? Why not tell them! Interfering she calls it. Bah!" she scoffed.

"Then you tell me," Lia pressed, leaning forward in anticipation.

"My dear girl, if I knew that, I would have told you and sent you all on your merry way. I don't have a clue, but I am guessing that it obviously involves the young man and this rescue attempt.

Hmmm? I wonder if she knew that you would come to me? Would it drive her completely insane if I didn't help you at all?" she pondered the question with a twisted smile.

"This isn't about Angela, this is about me," Lia argued.

"Please help us," Ella asked softly.

Both Lia and Ella stared at Erika pointedly, until she was forced to release a bored sigh.

"Pretty please?" she said with a mocking ringing of her joined hands.

A rebellious gleam appeared in Hepzibah's eyes, as she straightened herself up and grinned wickedly.

"Then again, think how angry she will be if the sister that she disowned played some part in something that would change the Empire. Something that she didn't foresee, something that she simply would have loved to play a part in and I got there first. Not that I care, by the way," she added, just in case her listeners interpreted her words in the wrong way. "Live or die, your fates are no concern of mine. But vengeance is sweet…"

Erika opened her mouth to make an unruly comment of some sort. Raising a silencing hand, Lia watched the woman's calculating face slip several notches down to a decided smile.

"Your decision?" Lia asked calmly.

Hepzibah extended a hand. "You have my aid."

Struck by a curious idea, Lia smiled inwardly. After gripping the woman's smooth hand, she shuffled closer, whilst the others remained where they were.

"How do you propose we enter the castle?" Lia asked excitedly.

With a curious smile, the woman glanced up through the ceiling, in what Lia imagined was the general direction of the sinister building that they planned to impregnate.

"You have chosen a peculiar time to arrive and ask me this girl. Strange things are going on in that castle, strange things indeed. The King likes to think that his magic casters are the best and don't get me wrong, they are very, very good. But the good King doesn't know about people such as the likes of me, that dwell right at his feet.

He may have his wonderful home protected by his little blanket of safety, but even though we can't get through it in any way, we can still feel things beyond. He is up to something and that something, is something that none of you should wish to be anywhere near," she warned them.

The warning was issued in a light tone, as if the woman already knew that whatever it was, would not affect their decision in the least.

"What is going on in there?" Ella asked, shuffling closer to Lia's side.

"An ancient spell is being cast…a very dangerous one. The ingredients required and the casting itself is a constant and extremely unpleasant process. Let us just say that those who cast it; are nothing other than the purest of evil and as for the items required? … Well…you really don't want to know. Either way, it is some form of resurrection spell."

"A resurrection spell?" Lia's brow creased with concern for the unknown. "Your sister refused to perform one."

"And I should bloody well think so too!" Hepzibah said in a harsh voice. "Even I wouldn't perform such a monstrous charm and trust me girl, I've crossed the line many a time. Things that are dead should stay dead…but apparently, the King thinks otherwise. Hmmm…and you say that your young man is in the castle?"

"Yes," Lia stated grimly.

"How long has he been there?" the woman enquired with a thoughtful pursing of her lips.

"Almost two days, perhaps less," Lia answered, not liking the sudden look of understanding in Hepzibah's expression.

"Coincidence or not? That was round about when I felt the beginnings of the spell. I wonder…who exactly is this young man that is so important to you?"

Leaning forward and staring deep into Lia's eyes, Lia had the distinct impression that the woman was trying to sift the information straight from her mind. It was no use of course. Lia's wall was up and it appeared that she was immune to whatever it was that the woman was trying to achieve.

"Come now! Have you not seen our family portrait?" she asked, her tone blatantly mocking.

With closed eyes, Hepzibah's face fell and then she nodded, opening her eyes once more. A new recognition fell into place when they landed on Lia, but it was not a comforting one.

"I should have known," she grumbled. "Friends of the Rider! This is the last thing I need," she huffed in annoyance.

"You have already agreed to help us," Lia reminded her, with an exquisite smile.

Hepzibah smiled back with equal brilliance.

"I can change my mind," she informed her in a superior tone.

Lia began to chuckle, causing her companions to look at her strangely and the woman's smile to falter.

"Actually…" Lia said between laughs. "You can't."

"Enough of this," Erika snapped, rising to her feet abruptly. "Let us leave this wench."

"Erika!" Ella hissed, casting the woman a nervous glance.

The apothecary's wife paid their words or actions no heed, as her attention was firmly focused on the laughing girl before her.

"Of course I can!" she snapped. "I re-"

All of a sudden, it was as though something closed off her voice and froze her lips. Glaring down at her mouth, Hepzibah transferred her glare to Lia and attempted to leave her seat.

No matter how hard her fingers gripped the edges of the stool and attempted to lift her weight, she was unable to move. Furiously, her nostrils flared and her eyes began to blacken.

Suddenly frightened, Ella went to grab for Lia, but Erika held her fast and shook her head, watching the two of them curiously. Lia stopped laughing, rose to her feet and began to pace around the woman, who was now frozen in place.

"Surprised?" Lia asked with a derisive smile. "If you're wondering what it is… well… in all essence… it is commitment. I've learned a few things on my travels and one of them was this useful little spell. I have never felt the urge to use it. In all honestly, I enjoy working hard to gain people's loyalty…"

Stopping, she stood behind the woman and bent her head, so that it was at ear level.

"But if you think that I am going to play nicely and waste my time on the likes of you, I can assure you that I will not," she spat down at her, before pacing around her once more.

Attempting to wriggle free of whatever held her, Hepzibah groaned against the invisible force.

"Don't bother," Lia said offhandedly. "The words were all in the ancient tongue and you are now bound to help me, until my mission is complete. If at any moment you refuse to help, you will freeze as you have now. And this is only the beginning…"

After seating herself back on the ground, Lia smiled at the glaring woman warmly, but her tone was laced with malice.

"The spell was designed to keep those that are faithful alive. If you continue to refuse me, no magic and no person will save you. The spell will weaken you and you will die and it will not be spread over days or weeks. It is only a matter of hours…

Can you feel it already… the drain? How is your breathing Hepzibah? Does the air seem a little thin? Tell me, have you ever seen a drowning man? I've been told that it feels and looks very much the same…you just die a little… drier."

Horrified, Ella stared at her mentor and wondered what lengths she would go to, to save her love. Erika's expression was impassive, but her fingers gripped Ella's arm hard. Hepzibah's eyes widened in fear and then slowly, as she resigned herself to her decision, her lips began to move and she found the she could stand. Turning her back them with a heaving chest, she spoke over her shoulder.

"I underestimated you girl. Clearly, you are not as incapable as you look," she stated as calmly as she could, between deep breaths.

"Clearly," Lia agreed, before resuming their conversation as if nothing had happened. "Now, tell me about the castle."

"Even with this commitment, I am not the one to help you gain entrance. My power is strong, but no match for The Shield. Members of this collective, maintain his majesty's protection. One being is no match for them all…but…there is someone," she said, after a contemplating pause.

"Who?" Lia demanded.

"Nobody knows his name, but I can tell you where you will find him. I can tell you the hour and the place, but how you get him to help you is entirely down to you. You could use this pleasant spell you so kindly blessed upon me, but I sincerely doubt that he will give you the chance.

He is not a man to be trifled with. If you can get him to talk, it will be a miracle, but something tells me that you may know something that will make him listen. Whether you can hold his attention long enough for him not to kill you is another matter, but you at least have some advantage.

There is no more help that I can offer you at the moment. If by some luck you acquire the information that you need, return here and we will move to phase two."

"And what would be phase two?" Erika asked, her tone aloof.

"Why don't you complete phase one and then you will find out?" Hepzibah stated wryly.

"Where do we find him?" Lia asked, rising to her feet once more.

"The Tavern near the castle, more commonly referred to as the Whore House. When the sun sets, you will find him in the largest available room, waiting to be serviced. There, he will stay for an hour and then he will be gone."

An important question sprang to Lia's mind. "How will we recognise him?"

At that, Hepzibah turned and gave her a sly glance.

"Oh, you will," she assured her, with a devious wink and then her face turned stony. "Well, there you have it. I did what you asked and I'll be here if you survive. But I suppose there is one thing I could do for you now" she said, clapping her hands.

Waiting for something interesting to happen, Lia glanced around impatiently. It was Erika's "Humph" and Ella's smile that alerted her to the fact that whatever it was, it affected her.

"How do I look?" she asked her friend.

"You look the same, just blonde and your hair has a nice wave to it," Ella replied, admiringly.

"It's in your hands now; the charm that is. Just will it on and off," Hepzibah informed her blithely.

Nodding her thanks, Lia turned and gestured the others to ascend the stairs. Erika didn't give the woman a backward glance; Ella eyed her warily and followed. Just as Lia placed a foot on the stairs, Hepzibah's spoke in a cruel voice.

"Don't be too careful, will you," the bitter woman muttered darkly.

"Oh!" Lia exclaimed joyfully. "There was one small detail that I neglected to mention. If we die, then you die too. So, you may want to wish us good luck?" she suggested with a winning smile.

"Good luck," Hepzibah spluttered and then stormed away.

Grinning, Lia followed the others back up to the world above.

Wandering through the dark passageways with but the smallest candlelight, Murtagh decided to make the most of his time and reacquainted himself with his surroundings. Before he could attempt anything, he needed to create a mental map of the castle and in doing do, he could assess any changes that had been made.

From what he remembered, the secret passageways led to various rooms and areas within the castle, from top to bottom, in a large circle. He could make his way from one entrance to his room and find his way back in through the other, which lay behind the full-length mirror, beside the dresser table.

The outing, which he had anticipated to last several hours, ended in less than two. His aim had been to stop and check every door that led off the passageway. The first twenty or so on each floor contained occupants and servants busy at work. The following twenty after were empty and then, at exactly the same point, he was presented with a brick wall. The tunnels had been blocked.

Making a mental note of his current location, Murtagh returned to his room and tried the other passages and found that although they seemed to go on for longer, he eventually encountered a wall.

Deep in thought, he made it back inside his room as the candle burned out and saw that a meal had been left for him on a silver platter. Eyeing the contents wistfully, he inhaled deeply, taking in the smell of the roasted meat, the fine selection of vegetables and the goblet of wine that had all been beautiful arranged for him.

Picking up the tray, he opened one of the large windows and tipped the contents over the edge and then threw himself upon the bed. Ignoring the hunger that gnawed at his stomach, he glared up at the ceiling. His insides would just have to get used to it. He would take no risks in eating or drinking anything that was offered to him. No one could be trusted.

Casting his thoughts back to the tunnels, he closed his eyes and pictured the inside of the castle and attempted to figure out what lay beyond the blocked walls. Obviously, they had been blocked for a reason and whatever it was, he intended to find out.

When he tried to imagine what lay in the halls beyond the restricted areas, he could think of nothing of any significance. As far as he was aware, there had only been more chambers. There were no rooms of importance or any area worth protecting.

What then was the purpose of the walls? He pictured the confined area and followed the space down each floor, until finally, he hit the ground…but there was something below the ground, wasn't there? A place that lay directly underneath the forbidden circle… the dungeons. He needed to be sure. As a guest, he had free reign to wander the grounds, so could he not approach the place and at least see how well it was guarded? It was a start.

Hopping to his feet, he decided to take the tunnels to the kitchen and make his way from there. If he took his own food, there would be less of a risk of whatever it was, that they were no doubt seeking to achieve. Picking up a silver letter opener that lay on the desk, he slipped it inside his pocket and disappeared behind the mirror.

"I spy with my little eye, something beginning with…W," Erika continued the game, that was now becoming old.

Glancing at the long line of mind wiped whores who stood lounging around the lobby, Ella threw the girl a sour look.

"Stop… alright? Please!" she pled.

"It's not my fault you are so frighteningly boring, that I need to play these abysmal games, to keep myself occupied," Erika grumbled.

"Oh wait!" Ella said suddenly, with false cheer. "I have one. I spy with my little eye, something beginning with…T!"

After a brief glance around the room, Erika mouth pulled down at the corners in disapproval.

"There is nothing beginning with the letter T," she objected.

"Try… The annoying bitch standing next to me," Ella corrected her, with a wide smirk.

"Hilarious," Erika muttered and stared at the front door.

From the corner of her eye, she caught Ella anxiously glancing at the furthest door down the narrow hallway.

Rolling her eyes, Erika sighed. "You worry like a little old woman."

"Just because you don't care what happens to her doesn't mean that I don't," Ella countered angrily.

Erika only shrugged her indifference.

"That nasty old hag told her that she was the one that had to speak with him," she reminded her.

Ella chewed on her lower lip. "So remind me, what are we doing, whilst she tries not to let him kill her?"

"We wait for him to come in, then, as soon as he gets here, we send all these charming ladies away and I cast a spell on the doors."

"Will it keep him in?" Ella asked dubiously.

"Not for long," Erika admitted. "But it should buy her enough time to make an impression."

Glancing sideways at the girl, Ella asked the inevitable. "And if she doesn't?"

Erika grinned. "That is what running is for."

"We leave her?!" Ella gasped.

Erika paused dramatically.

"You're absolutely right," she nodded and poked a finger in the girl's chest. "You stay and I'll bugger off. Then everyone will be happy," she beamed. "Well, apart from you two, because in all likeliness, you'll both be a bit dead."

"Erika," Ella muttered petulantly.

"Yes?" Erika replied politely.

"Why are you here? I mean, apart from your obvious need to piss Lia off to breaking point and the quest to nab her man. Seriously, what the hell have you go to stay for?" she asked through her teeth.

"You say that like it's a bad thing," Erika sniffed unappreciatively. "I think they are two perfectly good reasons."

"Keep dreaming," Ella snorted.

Exchanging scornful glances, the girls looked away from one another and then, felt a cold wind tousle their hair, as the front doors swung open. Right on time, a man stepped inside. Lowering their heads, they tried to look insignificant, as he strode past them towards the far door. Once they heard the door slam shut, Erika's head shot up.

"All of you, go upstairs, lock yourselves inside and sleep," she commended in a whisper.

The girls and their Mistress obediently obeyed their order and filed upstairs. Without waiting for them to be out of sight, Erika scurried outside the relevant door and chanted the incantation in her mind. A dim glow surrounded the door. Throwing a glance over her shoulder, she cast a similar spell on the front door, ensuring that nobody came in and nobody got out.

Positioning themselves directly outside the door, the girls listened intently. Erika leaned lazily against the wooden frame, safe in the knowledge that whatever happened; she was able to flit out of harm's reach.

Not thinking about her own safety, Ella worried for her friend. She had seen what Lia was capable of and yet, it appeared that her friend had no control over her talents at all. Thinking a silent prayer, Ella hoped that somehow, Lia's abilities would wake in her time of need.

As Lia stood against the far wall, staring at the large bed that had been prepared with clean sheets, a hot bath and various massage oils for the coming client, her mind drifted to a moment several months before. A memory occupied her mind.

She saw a lake, saw herself and Murtagh beside it, talking. He had mentioned something about whores that she hadn't liked and then, they had put their differences aside and swam. Shortly after that, they had tried to kill one another. Then they had fought the Urgals, then he had saved her life and then, they had headed back to the forest where they made their Pact. The blood oath, that had changed the course of their friendship.

Chuckling to herself, she accepted that only they could endure and enjoy such eventful days, without suffering a nervous breakdown. Suddenly, waiting around to talk to some man, who may or may not be able to help them seemed terribly dull.

The sound of a door swinging shut and the approaching rhythmic steps indicated that it was show time. Positioning herself in the centre of the room, arms folded and her expression smooth, she stood and watched, as the door banged opened. As the door bounced back off the wall, it shut with a satisfying click.

Standing perfectly still, they stared at each other appraisingly. Whilst Lia held her position, he began to circle her with interested eyes. As he did so, she took in his appearance. The man was tall and even through his tunic, she could tell that he was extremely well built. But none of this was what sent a shiver of recognition down her smile; it was his ebony black skin and the dark, almost black eyes that shone with a sense of dominance.

The man eyed the blades at her side with something close to amusement and then her physique with wonder.

"You are…different, I must admit. I see no need for dressing up in such a way, but if this is the service offered these days, then so be it; you will do," he finally announced.

Having stopped behind her, his hands reached forward to grab her shoulders and turn her around to face him. Sensing his movement, Lia spun around and backed away from him with the smallest shake of her head and a half smile on her lips. The man eyed her irritably.

"I am not accustomed to waiting. Undress. Now!" he ordered.

"Well you had better get used to it, because you and I are going to have a little talk," Lia informed him with enticing eyes.

"I did not come here to talk," he stated flatly and headed for the door.

Lia counted several seconds in her head and then said the words that she hoped would change his mind.

"Would the son of Ajihad not even take a moment to mourn his father's death?" she asked softly.

Her question was met with a sharp intake of breath. Spinning around, he advanced upon her with frightening speed and she held her ground. Bearing down upon her with two grabbing hands, he reached for her neck. Dancing out of his way in one movement, she drew both her swords at the ready. When he turned to face her once more, his eyes were furious.

"Who are you? And how dare you suggest such lies?" he demanded, his face livid.

In form of answer, Lia dropped her altered visage. Her gut told her that in order for the encounter to be successful, she could pretend to be no other than herself. She saw the change in his eyes, as they widened in recognition and then, something inside them died. His face crumpled in despair, but even so, he pulled forth two swords of his own and stared down upon her with cold eyes.

"You are her…the one with The Rider. Then…he is there?" he asked, without needing to state where "there" was.

"We made it to The Varden," Lia confirmed, still maintaining her fighting stance. "The Rider is still there, but there was an attack. Durza came with an army of Kull. We defeated them, but the next day your father was tricked to his death. I know this, for I was there."

"The great Ajihad, tricked?" His brows knitted together in disbelief.

"He was betrayed by the leaders of Du Vrangr Gata. Two bald headed men. Identical Twins. They led us into a cave, under the impression that some Kull remained hidden there. Once we had travelled far enough, they cast a spell that exploded the walls and your father was smashed into pieces," she muttered in disgust.

"Killed? By people under his command?" he choked and then his face darkened. "Stupid man. Stupid, stupid man," he muttered.

A silence fell between them, but neither lowered their weapons and neither looked away.

"I feel I should apologise in advance," he said in a gruff voice.

"For what?" Lia asked, although she had already guessed.

"For killing you," he stated, with no trace of hesitation.

With no warning, he plunged both swords forward, in a clear attempt to remove her head. Parrying his attack, they stood, blades crossed over, pressed together and their glowering faces inches apart.

"Make no mistake; I could kill you with a thought," he growled down at her.

"But where on earth would be the fun in that?" she stated with a challenging smile.

"Indeed," he agreed, launching into his attack.

Listening to the clashing of steel, Erika clicked an impatient tongue.

"Can that girl go nowhere without making a mortal enemy?" she groaned.

"No," Ella replied happily.

The sounds behind the door were like music to her ears and filled her with confidence. For who could ever match Lia with a blade?

Smiling, Ella jerked a thumb at the door. "She's winning."

"Really?" Erika responded wryly. "Because it sounds to me as though she has met her match."

"Not a chance," Ella protested vehemently.

"Hmmm, would you care to make a wager?" Erika suggested, placing her hand to a coin pouch at her side and shaking it suggestively.

Ella's eyes rolled to the ceiling. "You are despicable."

"No, I am simply bored," the seemingly heartless girl replied with an angelic smile. "Now how much?" she asked, her face all business.

Giving her an incredulous look, Ella ignored her and pressed her ear to the door.

Ducking under a blade, Lia was pleased to note that the dark man's brow was beaded with sweat, whilst her own remained dry as a summer's day.

"So, I was actually wondering if you would help me?" she asked conversationally, side stepping a thrust to her ribs.

"Well, why don't you ask and see what I say?" he replied sarcastically, slicing his blade across the air where she had been a split second before.

"If you insist," she replied from behind him, slapping his behind with the flat of her blade and then leaping up, as he dropped to the floor and attempted to hack off her legs.

"Go on," he encouraged, anticipating her appearance behind him and stabbing his blade backwards, missing her by a hair's breadth.

Unperturbed, she slapped him once more, this time, against the side of his head and through annoyance more than anything else, he gave her a wide birth and they began to circle one another.

"It just so happens that on the day that your father was murdered, my partner was taken from me by the very same men. Men that apparently work for your King… Men, that are being kept safe behind this convenient spell. Now, you wouldn't per chance happen to know of a way inside, where I could enter undetected, kill the bastards and rescue him?" she asked airily.

The man's eyebrows shot high. "The men are in the castle?"

"Evidently so," Lia bobbed her head once.

"And they killed my father?" he asked slowly.

"Yes," she replied in a hard voice.

"The fool had it coming," he stated harshly, but the flicker of his eyes gave away his pain.

"He may not have been the most charming man," Lia agreed. "But he fought for a just cause. Tell me, what do you fight for?"

"What I fight for is none of your business," he growled.

"Then what is keeping you from giving me the information that I desire?" Lia urged him with a pleasant smile.

"The fact that you will not be alive to accomplish your task," he stated bleakly, dropping his swords and fixing her with an unfathomable look.

Knowing that she only had seconds, Lia shot forwards quicker than humanly possible, leapt onto his back and had her blade to his throat. Making a small slice to impress her point, a bead of sweat trickled from his brow and he stared at her from the corner of his eye. Standing perfectly still, Lia dragged the blade across a little more, nipping at the skin enough to draw a small, but steady stream of blood.

"Now you listen to me and you listen carefully and I swear to you, if I feel even the tiniest spark of magic emanating from you, I will cut your throat and gut you like a fish. Do you understand me? Are you going to listen like a good little boy? Don't try to nod or shake your head, you'll just cut yourself even more. Just blink once for yes and twice for no," Lia uttered calmly against his cheek.

With eyes almost hidden under the shadow of his brows, he blinked once. Lia nodded approvingly.

"Good," Lia praised him. "I regret that we started off on the wrong foot, but I suppose that it was inevitable. I do not know the reasons as to why you are here sitting snugly in the nest of evil, whilst the rest of your family seek to purge the Empire of it and to be honest, I don't give a damn. What I care about is that apparently, you can help me save my partner and that is the only thing that matters to me in this world."

Taking a deep breath, she scrutinised his face. Unlike his father, the hardness was only skin deep. His eyes showed potential.

"Hmmm…" she said, glancing down at the trickle of blood that now stained the front of his tunic. "I get the feeling that under different circumstances, you could be a reasonable and respectable man and therefore, I will give you a chance to help me on your own accord.

I am a fair person, all these threats aside and for your aid, no matter what little you have to offer me; I will offer you my silence. No one shall know your identity and I shall take it with me to the grave. But let me assure you of an inescapable fact. If, when I lower my blade, you kill me, I guarantee that your secret will be public in seconds. Or do you honestly think that I work alone?"

Lines of suspicion creased his brow and Lia smiled.

"You think I'm bluffing don't you?" she laughed. "Well I'm not. One of my friends can move faster than a flying arrow and her hearing is inhumanly clear. She is listening to our every word and no matter how talented you are, she is better."

From the other side of the door, Erika clasped a hand to her heart and painted a delighted look across her face.

"Did you hear that? She called me her friend! Well, there is a sign of the times!" she chuckled.

"She also called you inhuman," Ella pointed out with a grin.

"A small, insignificant detail!" Erika said in a dismissive manner, flicking an invisible speck of dust from her shoulder.

Mouth agape, Ella stared at the girl, momentarily stunned. With a secretive smile, Erika turned her attention back to the goings on beyond the door.

Carefully, Lia removed her blade from the man's neck and lowered herself to the ground. Never taking her eyes off him, she moved herself a fair distance away and then, after a casual spin of her blades, she gently placed them on the ground before her and folded her arms once more.

"Make your choice," she said in a hard voice.

Passing his fingers across his throat, the man examined the blood that glistened on their tips. He did not look at her, as he walked to the bed and perched himself on the edge. Resting his elbows on his knees, he inhaled deeply and glared down at the floor.

"What you ask for is nigh impossible and the chances of finding what you need to accomplish it are even less impressive. Though it seems that fortune smiles upon you.

The only people that could help you gain entrance are members of The Shield and if just so happens that you've found one. Tell me, can you move the speed of a flying arrow?"

"Sometimes," she admitted with an uncertain smile.

"Well you would need it. I will spare you the technicalities, but I can explain this much at least. Every night, when we take over the watch, there is a way to leave the spell vulnerable. All it takes is for one of us to begin the spell but a few seconds later and it leaves an opening. Ten seconds, where anything could happen. The King is not aware of this and nobody wishes to be the one to inform him.

Unless you could vault over the wall undetected, I cannot see how even with this advantage, you could pass undetected. The gates are manned from above the wall, by several armed guards, who wear charms protecting them from the influence of others. All I can offer you is ten seconds. Is that honestly worth your efforts?" he asked bitterly.

Lia's eyes tightened. "My partner is worth everything."

"Then ten seconds you shall have," he laughed without humour.

"It should be enough for what I need tonight," she said with a curt nod.

"And what exactly do you need tonight?" he asked.

"To feel," she answered vaguely.

"Then, I think it best if you remain here. You are close enough to the castle to sense whatever it is that you need to. The gap in the protection is so small, close proximity will be necessary," he informed her.

"Very well," she nodded.

"How do I know that I can trust you?" he asked suddenly, giving her a sideways glance.

"How do I know that I can trust you?" she countered.

Breaking into simultaneous grins, they shrugged and then the man ran his hands over his clean-shaven head and gave Lia a peculiar look.

"It is time," he said, rising to his feet.

"Then I shall not keep you," she replied amiably, waving a hand to the door.

A strange look passed across his face.

"Keep your mind open," he warned her, as he went to pick up and sheathe his weapons. "You may not even know that the moment has arrived until it has passed."

"I will know," Lia said, her voice sure.

"Then I bid you farewell…until tomorrow night."

"Until tomorrow night," she agreed, pleased.

Hearing her words, Erika unsealed the door, seconds before Lia opened it for him. Pressing themselves against the walls to make way for the man, Ella and Erika held their tongues. Ignoring them entirely, he strode past without a backward glance.

Stopping abruptly, he turned his head a fraction to the side. "Do you have a name?"

Lia offered the back of his head a knowing smile. "I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours."

Names were a dangerous thing – they gave people power over you. Lia knew this and so did he. From their angle, they could just make out the subtle lifting of his cheek, before he carried on walking away. With a click of her fingers, Erika lifted the seal off the entrance and they watched as the son of Ajihad left the building.

After raiding the kitchen stores, Murtagh ate his fill and then set about wandering across each and every floor. He was curious to see exactly how significant the positioning of the walls had been and it seemed that their placing had been very significant indeed.

Guards had been placed; blocking off entry to the most innocent of corridors and it appeared to make no sense whatsoever. Only when he reached the ground floor and saw that the entrance to the dungeons was left completely unguarded, did his theory appeared questionable. Surely, if this was the area of utmost importance, it should have been heavily guarded.

Wanting to conceal his movements, he had taken to the passageways and passed as close to entrance, as the concealed tunnels would allow. Hidden behind a large tapestry, the large steel doors that led down to the dungeons were in sight. There was only a short stretch of corridor between himself and his destination and but one door on the opposite wall.

Even with the corridor empty, Murtagh had the strangest sensation tingling through him. It was odd – goose bumps coursed across his flesh and every hair on his body stood on end. Something wasn't right, but what? Determined to find out, he slowly stuck his head out, looked both ways and then stepped out of hiding.

The tingling grew stronger, it was a clear warning of some sort, but as of yet, he could see nothing that was worth his fear. He took a slow step forward and then another and with each step, his skin began to prickle more and more.

When his foot was about to pass the point in line with the door, the sound of slamming footsteps had him stop. The steps were definitely coming his way. Retreating quickly, he leapt behind the tapestry, just in time to see a harassed looking serving girl, marching down the corridor in a huff. Through the smallest gap, he watched her approach.

Impatiently, Scarlet stood in front of the gate, waiting to be allowed out. Rubbing her arms and stamping her feet to fight the cold, she smiled to herself, as she thought of the girl that she had been asked to keep an eye out for.

Oh, she intended to keep an eye out all right. If she alerted the other girls to this wonderful news, they could all keep their eyes open and if they found her, they would be paid their weight in gold. The young man's threats meant nothing to her, not where that amount of coin was concerned.

As she dreamt of all the things that she could buy, the large gates slowly opened and she hurried forward, passing a dark skinned man, who she recognised as a regular client. Smiling at him shyly, she kept her head down and quickened her pace. If he had recognised her, he had made no attempt to show it.

Scurrying down the streets, she headed back to the Tavern. It was the place where she both worked and slept. She would deal with one more client and then she would find the others and tell them her plan.

Arriving in good time, she burst through the front doors and headed for her designated working area – the room at the furthest end of the corridor.

The dark skinned man passed through the gates and climbed up the steps and onto the wall that surrounded the castle. From here, he could see the other members of his order positioned at various points, all perfectly still, except for their lips, which vibrated from the constant chant.

Standing himself behind the nearest man, he prepared to take over. The man's face was familiar, but his name, like all of theirs, remained unknown. Tapping his finger against the man's shoulder, the man stopped chanting, gave him a curt nod and walked away.

All around the perimeter of the wall, the same occurrence was taking place. The switch was almost complete. Already he could hear the murmur of the spell on the wind. The others had already begun. He waited the promised ten seconds and then, he joined in.

Lia stood, sandwiched between Erika and Ella, as all three of them stared out of the bedroom window up at the castle. Lia's eyes flitted from the walls to the windows, as she wondered where her partner might be. Ella's eyes simply drank in the sheer size of the building and the high walls with a bleak look. Only Erika, with her keen vision could see what they could not.

"Our friend is walking on the wall," she informed them.

They squinted hard into the darkness that had fallen fast.

"He has replaced someone," she carried on. "They are all being replaced. Are you ready?"

Lia nodded. Ella squeezed her shoulder and Erika closed her eyes, trying to feel the moment of magical weakness when it arrived.

For several seconds, there was not a sound. Each of them held her breath, scared of missing whatever it was and then, both girls leapt back, as Lia suddenly jerked backwards and collapsed, gasping on the floor.

Those few seconds where nothing happened felt like hours. Lia felt her lungs burning, as she denied them any air. She could not afford to miss the moment. The void that he had left was open and waiting, as it had been since the moment he had disappeared. And now, it was tearing at her insides, ripping wider, as it desperately begged for his return. Every part of her mind and soul that belonged to him lay open wide.

At the passing of the fourth second, she felt it. Like an invisible comet, it came hurtling towards her and then, it slammed into her hard, like a punch in the gut. There was no pain, there was only him. In that second, the void was gone and he was there, just as he had always been. His familiar warmth surged through her, his life ran through her veins and a fire returned to her eyes. Her palm flared with a burning sensation that left her desperate to look upon it, but there was no time.

Scrabbling to her feet, she ran to the window with wild eyes; knowing exactly where it was that he stood at that point in time. With her mind, she shouted out to him with the few seconds that she had left.

Murtagh!

The servant girl seemed to be looking for someone. She was muttering under her breath and when her eyes fell on the door, a triumphant smile crossed her lips and she headed towards it.

The tingling that had stopped; started again, as Murtagh watched the girl march past his place of hiding, to the point where he had progressed. And then, as her foot stepped past the exact same spot where he had halted, she could go no further.

Sickened, Murtagh's face twisted in revulsion. The girl wasn't simply denied further progress; she was destroyed. Not a trace of her remained. The second that her foot passed the ground in line with the door, some invisible force in the air caused her entire body to explode in a shower of flying limbs and blood.

By all rights, the walls should have been painted red and the ground should have been littered with body parts. But as quickly as she had exploded, everything flew back inwards. It was all sucked towards a small hole the size of a pinprick, and then, there was nothing. There was no sign that the girl had ever passed through there at all.

Shuddering, Murtagh realised how close he had been to walking through whatever it was and then, acknowledged that she had died in his place. He wondered how many other people had died innocently, strolling down this corridor and what the purpose was of such an evil spell?

Leaning against the side of the tunnel, he rolled his head back, covered his eyes and thought of the only person that he knew who might have been able to shine some light on the situation. The one person he could never ask for help. The one person who he wanted to keep as far away from this place, as humanly possible.

Oh Lia, I could really use your help right now he muttered desperately.

Pushing himself off, he stuffed his hands in his trouser pockets and began to trudge forward. He made it three steps, before being slammed hard back against the wall. Breathing heavily, he clutched at his chest.

Everything that had ever been missing had returned and then, to complete the moment, he heard her call his name. The voice he had wanted to hear every second of every day. The voice he had missed so terribly, that at the sound of the one word, his throat closed.

Her picture filled his mind and for a moment, it looked as though she was lost in a dark room and then, her eyes fell on him. The look that passed between them was nothing but the purest of longing and then; they were running towards each other, in this place that existed somewhere between them both.

Lia! he yelled, as he pushed his legs to run faster and close the distance between them.

Murtagh, I - she began.

Lia, you - he started.

Both spoke at the same time and both were abruptly cut off, as some force cut between them, severing their communication. There was no more visual and no more sound…but their bond reformed was stronger than before and their emotions were clear. They were still a part of one another; whole once more and suddenly, everything became bearable.

Wrestling with his emotions, Murtagh slid down the wall, until he was sat breathing hard and staring down at his glowing palm. Was he more relieved or terrified of her presence? Did it mean that she was here or did it mean that by some miracle, she had established contact? It was too much to ponder and he did not want to waste a further minute thinking about anything other than her.

Shutting his eyes, he allowed himself this night to merely sit in this cold, dark tunnel and feel her. Giving in to his senses, he let her emotions wash over him and in turn, he showered her with every feeling that gripped him at that moment. It was joy, relief, gratitude and love, one thousand times over.

He could feel the heat of it all build up inside him, until it glowed brightly and then, he sent it her way. Clenching his jaw tight, he willed the sob that was building in his chest to remain there. He succeeded. But he was unable to stop the singe tear, which seeped out of the corner of one of his closed lids.

"Did you see him?" Ella shouted, shaking Lia hard.

"Forget that," Erika argued. "Did the idiot have anything useful to say?"

Ignoring them, Lia could only stand, gripping the edge of the window hard, with eyes staring wistfully into the darkness. He was with her again, he was inside her where he belonged and they were together once more. Fighting back the rising tears, she answered their questions slowly, one by one, in a tight and controlled voice.

"Yes, I saw him and no he did not say anything. The connection was cut... but he is here," she said, with a tap to her chest.

"Yes, he is always in your heart. We know," Erika muttered sarcastically.

Ella's eyes brightened. "How is he?"

"Relieved," Lia breathed, closing her eyes. "As am I."

Looking indignant, Erika's lips twisted into a bemused smile. "That is fascinating, but you didn't really find out anything useful though, did you?"

"I found out enough," Lia replied in a faraway voice.

The opening of the door caused all three heads to shoot around, as a young girl entered the room. She looked up, started at the sight of them and the second her eyes landed on Lia, she turned and ran. She was fast. Erika was faster.

One second Erika was standing by the door, wagging a cautioning finger and the next, she had the girl in a headlock with a blade to her throat.

"Deal with her," Lia said, giving Erika a deliberate look.

"Wait!" the girl cried desperately. "He told me to give you a message!"

The blade did not move from her skin, but it rested there snugly, instead of threatening to slice. In what little time she had to talk herself out of this situation and escape alive, the girl talked quickly and pleaded Lia with her eyes.

"He?" Lia demanded, advancing on the girl with no weapons but her fists.

"The young man," she blubbered helplessly, between the rising sobs.

Erika eyed the sobbing girl in disgust, glaring hard at the tears that now soaked through the sleeve of her dress. Ella's eyes flickered between the girl and her friend. Lia stopped a foot away from the girl and leaned in with a menacing curl of her lips.

"What message?" Lia whispered in a deadly tone.

"He said… He said for me to tell you not to come," the girl finished, finally breaking down.

Lia's arched an amused brow. "He… he said that?"

"Yes," the girl replied in a small, choked voice.

Stepping back, Lia bit down on the inside of her lips to hold back a laugh. Glancing out of the window, she grinned to herself and then sighed. It was no use; she could not keep it in.

"Ah, Good Sir," she chuckled. "Since when have I ever done as I was told?"

"Since when have either of you ever done as you were told," Erika muttered dryly, relating the words to memories of her own.

"What does it mean?" Ella asked, in a more serious tone.

"I am not sure," Lia replied, sobering herself momentarily, before fixing the weeping girl with the sweetest smile. "But our little friend here is going to tell us everything that she knows."

The girl's eyes widened and fresh tears began to fall, along with two streaming trails of unattractive snot.

"Ugh! Good grief woman, that is disgusting!" Erika griped.

"But I don't know anything!" the girl wailed.

"Erika?" Lia asked politely.

"Yes," the beautiful girl, with the temper that was wearing dangerously thin, replied in a hiss.

Smiling in a way that caused a chill to pass down the girl's spine, Lia eased the knife from her throat. Dropping her arm from around the girl's neck, Erika stepped away, staring at her arm as if it were infected by something nasty.

"Make her talk", Lia requested in a pleasant tone.

Erika's responding smile had the girl's knees begin to tremble and left Ella wishing that she could somehow be perceived as frightening. At times like these, she felt next to useless.

"It would be my pleasure," was Erika's obliging reply.

Then, all three girls converged around their victim.