Hey guys I'm back. I was having trouble deciding whether Saphira should hatch instantly or wait a few days to hatch. Whilst in the shower I suddenly came up with Murtagh's first chapter. Yeah, not a joke. Anyway, two disclaimers. One I don't own anything. Two in feb only I found out about reversed life, the life that could have been, modified, etc. and I am NOT copying them. A few things may be similar but I wont simply copy paste someone else's work. READ AND REVIEW.

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Italics denotes character's thoughts and use of ancient language.

Italics bold denotes mental conversation.

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Murtagh knelt in a bed of grass. There was a gentle breeze blowing. The sun was about to set and soon it would be dark. The sky was mostly clear with a few clouds here and there. The dying rays of the sun crashed against the peak of the mountain making it appear as a looming sight. There was nobody else in the clearing but he knew that a herd was coming. He had keen ears and after almost a decade of hunting he could easily tell. The herd would most likely bed down here. It was a secluded and hidden clearing one where he had caught deer before.

It was only the second day of the hunt and he already had a full stag but he wanted more. Not for meat, he had enough of that already to last two months. This one was for his brother. Roran had left last winter for therinsford taking a job at the millers. He had returned just three months ago and spent 10 weeks setting up his farm. It was just two and a half miles west to Garrow's farm. Close enough that he could visit easily. After that he had immediately gone to Sloan. It had taken a week to convince Sloan but after much effort on Roran's part and assurance on Garrow's he had agreed but on a condition. It was a sort of test. Sloan had said he wanted his daughter to marry a man she could rely on. A man who isn't dependent on any one else but did everything by himself whilst taking care of her. Roran had to operate his farm for a whole month by himself with no help from anyone else. Not even advice. In the final week Katrina would come live with him but she would do nothing other than sit in bed or take a walk. She couldn't even touch him let alone do anything else.

Roran was so determined that he accepted without any hesitation whatsoever. It was only Garrow's wit that saved him from losing for the fool in his enthusiasm had forgotten to ask time to stock up on some essential items. Sloan wasn't happy but Katrina somehow convinced him. It had ten days and so far, everything was going smoothly. At this rate their marriage was pretty much guaranteed since Sloan would have no reason to deny Roran. Garrow was already prepping for the marriage as was half of Carvahall. It seemed that everyone was confident that Roran would succeed, everyone but Sloan.

He is too far gone in love to fail such a small challenge. If Sloan even asked him to become the king of Aleagasia, Roran would find a way to kill Galbatorix. Murtagh thought amused. Thankfully that's not the case. it would be quite a tale for bards though.

The sound of hoofs interrupted his thoughts. As he had predicted, the herd stopped in the clearing. He was carefully concealed behind a bush but the leaves had a small gap large enough to shoot an arrow comfortably but no more. He quietly nocked an arrow and drew the string deciding who to shoot. He settled on a doe that was on the edge of the herd a little behind the rest of the group. Her leg was bent at an awkward angle meaning it was either sprained or broken. Even if the herd bolted because of a predator the doe would be an easy target.

Having decided he crouched, drew his bow and released…. and suddenly there was an explosion. It rocked the entire clearing like a lighting bolt. The herd bolted but the doe didn't move. Murtagh was thrown back and fell on his back. Thankfully he was far from the epicenter or else it could have easily killed him. It took a quarter of an hour to stand up again. He looked at the clearing and saw that the dust had mostly settled, the grass was totally burnt and the tree barks were heavily blackened. The whole clearing was pretty much destroyed and the effects reminded him very much of when he had seen a lighting bolt fall during his twelfth hunt. But this couldn't be a lighting bolt because three feet ahead of his doe stood a shiny red stone. It was crimson with faint wine red slightly pinkish veins running all over it as if they were a spiderweb. It shone as bright as a jewel.

Murtagh was mesmerized by its beauty. Few things could compare to its beauty none of them in Carvahall. It was magical, this was the only explanation. Magic and magic users were not to be taken lightly. His scar was a testimony of that. He had not forgotten his father and his drunken rage. He may have been only three when he saw it but the image was burned in his mind. Just thinking of it made him shiver.

He made his way to the stone carefully with bow drawn, arrow nocked ready to shoot at a moments notice. He noticed that the doe's hide was burnt and her meat was cooked nicely. Forgetting the stone, he made his way to the doe. It still needed butchering and cleaning but the skin had completely burnt off leaving only the meat which was cooked to perfection in some places, burnt or overcooked in others and undercooked in the portions facing away from the stone. He would get less for this doe that much was certain.

Sighing he put down his bow, picked up his knife and began cleaning the doe all the while his gaze kept flickering to the stone. He had already decided taking it would be more trouble than it would be worth but there was something about it. Something that called to him, that urged him to hold it in his arms. He decided to take the stone and place it somewhere in the spine as far from town as possible so that whoever comes looking for it doesn't decide to venture into the town. He picked up the stone which was surprisingly light for its size and with the doe on his shoulder made his back to town.

He went to his camp and after eating some of the well-cooked portion of the doe's meat went to sleep. In his earlier days his father's face and the rage he witnessed haunted him. It took him over a year before he finally convinced himself that his father couldn't reach him. Now he was pretty much alright with only the occasional nightmares. That day was thankfully not one of those days.

After waking he took his haul and his pack and started towards Carvahall. It was well into afternoon by the time the town came into view. The first stop was at Gedric's to sell the hide of the first stag. He went from shop to shop earning sixty crowns until all that was left was the doe. The burnt or overcooked portion wouldn't get him anything. But there was a significant amount of well-cooked meat. He went to horst's house and greeted by Elaine at the door.

"Hello Murtagh, what brings you here?"

"Just here to sell some meat. Its well cooked and only a day old."

"Very well I'll take 35lbs for 20 crowns. Is that fair?"

"Yes, thank you very much."

After giving Elaine her 35lbs there was around 80lbs of meat left. He turned to leave when he was greeted by Horst.

"Good to see you Murtagh. I take it the hunt was successful?"

"Yes sir. I got a stag and a doe though lightning claimed most of the doe before me."

"Ah yes. Man can never match the forces of nature. Anyway, how's Roran coming along?"

"He's fine managed to pick up ten injuries in a week and a half but all of them are minor and he's doing well. The wedding is more or less official now."

"Speaking of weddings what about you Murtagh? You are nineteen already pretty soon there will be a line of women waiting to marry you have you picked one?"

"No! not yet. Besides let's wait for Roran and Katrina to settle down first before I decide to court someone."

"Alright take care!"

"Bye Horst."

He silently made his to Garrow's farm humming to himself thinking about the mysterious stone. He didn't wish to tell anyone about it and had already decided to leave it deep in the spine in his next hunt but something still called him to it. What would it bring to his life?

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PHEW! That was long. Hope you liked it. I am not entirely sure how much crowns a stag would be worth or if a day old meat will actually sell so forgive me if I got those things wrong. I decided to shake things up since it is an AU story. I wanted to give this much of an insight in Eragon's life in the second chapter so I am expanding it. Expect that in a few days. I am so so very thankful to everyone who reviewed every single review even a two word well done or I'm interested means a lot. Though I do prefer longer more descriptive reviews with questions or suggestions since those give advice along with motivation. And don't take this the wrong way every review is precious so is every view. Until next time peace out

~REALMIRROR71