Summary
It is mentioned multiple times in the book that if Eragon and Murtagh's places were reversed Eragon wouldn't have been able to do as good as Murtagh did. What is this was true? Read on to find out.
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The world seemed to spin in front of her eyes. The baby in her arms seemed to weigh 100 pounds instead of the 15 pounds he was. Childbirth was not an easy experience. It had left her too weak but she couldn't stop. Or else he would get her.
She looked at the child in her hands. He was sleeping peacefully. She had unexpectedly gone into labour and given birth a month before she was due so she was grateful that the boy was healthy and not deformed in any way. She heard behind her footsteps. She would have preferred if they had belonged to a dozen thieves or murders. But they belonged to the one she hated the most. The one she wished to avoid at all costs.
"Going somewhere, black hand?" announced a voice behind her. She had desperately hoped she was just hallucinating but she could never mistake that voice. It belonged to the black tyrant.
"I am afraid Morzan is dead. But fear not, now you shall have the honour to serve me. And I will not neglect my duties as godfather either."
"No, you shall not get anywhere near me or Eragon. I will kill you if need be. It won't be my first time assassinating a king."
The threat was weak and feeble. She was too tired, only adrenaline allowed her to move forward. But she was determined. The king only laughed sensing her weakness.
"I often wondered what Morzan saw in you. Now I know the answer. Yes, I like your determination though I expected you to be more intelligent than this. Eragon is it? A fine name. He has a lot of potential."
She started casting a spell drawing energy from the nearby plants to support it. The spell would without a doubt kill her but at least her son would be safe. The king sensed this and attacked her mind. Her barriers were strong but not as strong as him. He crushed them apart and heard a think one final word before assuming control. She died but the king stopped her from killing her son.
"Ahh! Why are women so stupid." Muttered the king. Eragon started crying rather loudly as if to spite the king. "Slytha" whispered Galbatorix as he gently took Eragon in his arms.
The morning was clear and beautiful. Garrow went to the front door expecting Horst or Ismira. He had certainly not expected to see an old man with a three-year old boy.
"Are you Garrow Cadocsson, Selena's brother?" asked the man.
"Yes, how do you know my sister?" questioned Garrow rather sharply with narrowed eyes
"I am a friend of hers. Here to fulfill her last wish. She wanted you to raise her son Murtagh. She never told me who the father was, neither does Murtagh know. I only know that he is dead and Murtagh is an orphan."
"How do you know my sister? How do you know her husband is dead? last wish? Is she- is she dead?" asked Garrow dreading the answer
"As much as hate to be the bearer of such grave news, yes she is dead. I am oath-bound not to reveal anything of her life to you so don't question me further. Will you or will you not raise her son Murtagh?" asked the man.
"Of course I will. Bring him in," replied Garrow. He was getting tired of all this secrecy. Selena occasionally sent him letters describing the various places she visited but she never told him what she was doing. She never talked of her husband only claiming he was a powerful man who would protect Carvahall from urgals if they ever attacked. She too had the same excuse, that she was oath-bound. As much as he hated all the secrecy, he respected his sister and this man to keep to their oaths. So he would honour his sister's last wish and raise her son to be a man she would be proud of.