Chapter 29

"Lady Nasuada, we are victorious!" a soldier shouted, smiling from ear to ear.

Nasuada nodded respectfully to the soldier. "The war is not over yet." She turned away from the grueling battle scene, trying to ignore the stench of death. As with every battle, she did not rejoice in the shedding of blood, even if it was mostly that of the enemy.

Groups searched the palace, reporting it safe after only an hour.

"I suppose we will stay here," Jormundor said. "I have set up a new patrol around the city, and a justice system will be established in place of the old one. Citizens are not to be inconvenienced, but for safety purposes, no one is allowed to leave the city."

Eragon and Saphira set to work burying the bodies on the northern side of the city. Barzul joined them eagerly, though he did not realize when committing himself to the task that it would dirty his scales.

Nasuada found an empty room in the palace and washed up, shedding her bloody armor and putting on a simple dress. Just in case, she strapped a sword to her belt and covered it in the folds of her dress.

Well, I suppose there's no chance of sleeping, she thought. The sky was already bright with the morning rays. Besides, there are other things to be done.

She made her way down a wide corridor and into Jormundor's temporary office. He was bent over a pile of legal papers.

"Congratulations, Jormundor," she said.

He looked up. "What? Oh, for the victory? Thank you. I'm just studying these scraps of paper. It seems that the previous ruler of Dras Leona hardly did a thing besides torture rebels and put more spells around his fortress. Too bad they didn't work." He crumpled up one of the papers and tossed it over his shoulder.

She laughed. "Is there anything I can do—besides dispose of the bodies?"

He nodded. "There is always something. Tabor's most trusted general has a room on the top floor. That one needs searched for any important information."

"I could do that. Will you direct me?" Nasuada was glad for a simple paperwork mission. That she could handle, even after a battle.

With explicit directions to the office, she set out. Up three flights of stairs she went and down a dark hall. At long last, she paused outside the double doors. This is it, she thought, pushing it open.

The door opened with a creak and Nasuada slipped through. The room inside was a typical study with a heavy desk in the center. She strode to the desk and set her lamp on it, going around to access the drawers. The moment her fingers touched the handle, she knew something was not right. The hair on the back of her neck stood up and she shivered.

Out of the shadows stepped Murtagh. In the dim light, the hollows in his face stood out, casting a ghastly aura about him. Bags were under his eyes and it looked like he had not shaved his face in a week.

Terror gripped her very soul. Once, she had looked forward to their time together. She had mourned his "death" with as much sorrow as her father's. Now, the very thought of him made her tremble with pity and fear. "What are you here for?" she demanded in a voice that sounded much braver than she felt.

"You know why I am here," he replied, not moving.

Um… no I don't, she thought, searching her mind for something to say—something to put off whatever he had come for. "I know who has sent you," she said, standing to her full height. His loyalty lies with the King, Nasuada, she told herself, like it or not, he cannot be trusted.

He stepped forward, reaching softly for her.

Nasuada stepped back abruptly, biting her lip. Was he there for her? No, that's impossible, she reasoned. He's been sent to kill us all, just like his 'almighty' master told him, I wager.

"Why do you always put yourself last?" he whispered, pain showing in his eyes.

"Because I have a conscience," unlike you, she finished silently. "You are here to kill me, aren't you?"

He laughed, a mad gleam showing through his eyes. "No. I am here for the egg. Where is it?"

Barzul, She thought frantically, trying not to appear too terrified. "You will not find it here, Murtagh," she said, her voice nearly cracking. Well, she wasn't lying. No matter how hard Murtagh searched, he would never find one dragon egg in the whole city.

"Then I shall search elsewhere. If you try and stop me, I cannot hesitate to kill you." Murtagh stepped forward and rested his calloused hand against her cheek tenderly.

She tremored, lifting her left hand to brush his aside. It was cruel of him to play with her emotions like that when they could not be together.

He grabbed her hand and froze, staring with growing terror at the gedwey ignasia.

She pulled it away, cursing herself a thousand times over for being so stupid.

"I see how it is," he said sorrowfully, "now I should kill you, Nasuada."

"There is nothing I can do to stop you," she said, trembling slightly. "Do it."

He drew his sword and lunged at her. Nasuada leaped aside and pulled her own sword from the folds of her dress. "Murtagh, you have become a tool. When was the last time you did anything by your own command?" The loathing disgust in her voice was real. A flood of overwhelming anger filled her veins. He has betrayed everything I stand for, she thought bitterly as their swords clashed in mid-air. "Are you nothing more than his puppet?" She asked, pushing his sword away in fury.

A gleam of anger came into Murtagh's eyes and he thrust his sword right for her heart.

Nasuada evaded the blow, ducking aside and jabbing for his stomach.

"You know nothing," he spat, their swords meeting in an X once more. He swung hard, and this time the force jolted her very bones.

Nasuada tried to stand strong and block his next blow, but it knocked the blade clear out of her hands. She was weaponless.

A lump rose in her throat. So this is how it ends, she thought. I always hoped for a heroic death, but no. I die at the blade of a traitor, one who I once loved. "Do it quickly," she requested in a whisper, backing up until she was against the stone wall. Despite the situation, she held her chin high. Better not to die a coward.

Murtagh came close, so close their bodies nearly touched. He whispered quietly into her ear, "He would want me to kill you, or perhaps capture you, but that was not in my mission statement. I am to find two dragon eggs and return them. It would not be a lie to say one wasn't here."

She caught her breath. Maybe he would spare her as he had spared Eragon. Perhaps, just perhaps, he still had a conscience.

He lifted her chin and pressed his lips against hers.

Nasuada stiffened with surprise, but she was unable to pull away. Despite the situation, her emotions took hold. Even after everything, she still cared for Murtagh. His touch was so soft, and his kiss so tender. She returned the gesture equally, resting her hands hesitantly on his shoulders.

Murtagh let his sword clatter to the floor so he could wrap both arms around her waist.

Nasuada knew that, since he was unarmed, it was the best time to defend herself, but she didn't care. Nothing mattered except herself, Murtagh, and the passion in their kiss. She felt her body being pressed against the wall, and she let her hands migrate up and around his neck.

Nasuada? It was Barzul's voice. What is happening, Nasuada?

Immediately, Nasuada was brought back to reality. It's nothing, Barzul. I'll explain in a few moments. She pushed Murtagh away and looked at his boots, wondering what had come over her. "Murtagh… I don't… We can't…"

He scoffed, retrieving his sword from the stone floor and sheathing it. "I should have known, Nasuada. You can never forget your duty to the Varden. You never think about what's best for you."

"Oh, and being with you is best thing for me, is it?" she demanded, her voice quivering.

"If a few moments without thinking of our obligations means being together, then yes! You can never enjoy the simple pleasures of life without your duties interfering!"

"Is that all I am to you?" she said, gazing into his dark eyes with disdain, "'A few moments away from reality?' 'The simple pleasures of life?'"

"I cannot deny it," he said evenly.

She choked back a sob, continuing, "I put the needs of others before my own. Before I act, I think of the consequences. Yes, my duties are always foremost in my mind. Maybe it isn't such a bad thing when they interfere with my selfish desires."

He studied her face, expressionless, and then picked her sword up off the floor. "Since you speak so highly of performing duties, I shall get back to my own. Where is Saphira's egg?"

"It is not here," she said proudly. Deciding to deceive him as to the level of her training, she added, "I can swear by it if you'd tell me the words in the ancient language."

He laughed. "So you haven't learned enough to make a simple oath. My master will change that if he ever gets hold of you. Do not bother swearing; I believe you. Since none of my duties can be performed, I will leave. You shall stay in here until I am long gone, is that clear?" At her nod, he continued. "Good day, Lady Nasuada. The next time we meet, my mission will undoubtedly be to capture or kill you. And, after all, my duties come first." He bowed elaborately and strode out of the room, closing the door behind him.

Saphira! Barzul cried, landing next to the larger dragon.

What is it? She asked.

Eragon looked curiously at the silver dragon, listening to their conversation through his link with Saphira.

I don't know… Nasuada didn't tell me, but there was something odd coming from her… something I've never felt before. And then she was angry and very hurt… She hasn't explained anything. Barzul's eyes were wide with worry and he wouldn't stay still.

What kind of feeling? Saphira asked, growing nervous.

It was an intense desire—like something I've never felt. Barzul looked away briefly. But it left awfully quick when I contacted her. Then she was angry, but not at me.

Well, did it—

WAIT! She's talking to me! Barzul paused, and so did Saphira and Eragon. Murtagh was in the castle. He's leaving now.

Before Barzul had finished his sentence, Saphira was in the air, flying for the city with all her might.

Eragon gripped the saddle tightly, urging her to go faster. If Murtagh was in the castle, half of their army could already be dead.

As the city came into view, they saw a ruby colored dragon emerge from the thicket and swoop over the palace, landing briefly to pick up a passenger from the highest tower and then flying away.

Saphira surged forward, flying faster than ever. Shall I follow them, Eragon?

No. We must see if everyone is safe.