Chapter 9. Lady Nightstalker and the Red Rider

Galbatorix returns to what is left pf his army at Urubaen to lead in the great slaughter of Surda so the three Riders and their Dragons have time. Life among the rebel allies is slow for Murtagh. They slowly accept his help as he aids in healing injuries or performing some feat of magic like a blessing or something. For the most part Murtagh keeps to himself seeking only company or advice from Oromis or Eragon. Thorn has been accepted by both Glaedr and Saphira. She and the Blue One as he refers to Saphira are good friends. The only other person who dares approach him or is interested in a friendship is Elva.

Murtagh sits by himself carving a piece of wood into Brom when he is visited by Nausada. "Excuse me Red Rider…I mean Murtagh…"

"Oh Lady Nausada!" He jumps up putting away the carving knife. Nausada's guards eye him suspiciously. "Um Red Rider is okay…" He replies nervously, "You can call me whatever you wish I mean…" He sighs, "If you are comfortable with Red Rider that is fine."

"Thank you Murtagh!" She looks at her guards, "I wanted to ask you about my father…"

"Sure anything…"

They talk for several hours not just about her father, but about their adventures and upbringing. "Would you like to go flying on Thorn?" Murtagh asks during a pause in the conversation. She agrees and when her guards object she reminds them that if Murtagh meant to harm her Elva would have intervened by now. Elva was sitting by herself petting Solembum. They returned six hours later.

"Are you sure?" Jormunder asks to the Captain of Nausada's guards, "I am positive sir. Saw it with my own eyes I did…"

Eragon is dueling with Oromis in the garden when Jormunder clears his throat. They both pause and look at him. "Pardon my interruption." He says after observing the Elven custom. "May I speak with Eragon in private…" Oromis bows to Eragon and leaves.

"Atra nosu waíse vardo fra eld hórnya...We can speak freely now…"

Jormunder sighs as Eragon wipes the sweat from his face, "I need to speak with you about your brother. I think he is attracted to Lady Nausada."

Eragon frowns, "She is a beautiful woman."

"You know what I mean…Aren't you just as concerned for her reputation as I am."

"Yes but…"

"But she is the leader of Varden and consorting with the Red Rider."

Now it is Eragon's turn to cut him off, "Murtagh is my brother! I am sure his intentions are honorable besides Nausada can take care of herself." That is when Saphira speaks to Eragon's mind. He sighs, "But to put your mind at ease I will speak with him."

Eragon finds Murtagh cleaning his saddle, "So did they send you to tell me to stay away from Nausada?" He asks without looking at Eragon.

"I am your brother. Not your enemy." Eragon walks up to Murtagh and places his hand on Murtagh's shoulder forcing him to look his way, "Do you have feelings for Nausada?"

"From the first day I saw her through Ajihad. While I was in Urubaen I could have any woman I wanted…But the only one I wanted was Nausada…I didn't say so but she was one of the reasons I was able to break away from Galbatorix…"

Eragon sighs, "Then go after her, but first prove yourself to the people and leaders of Alagaesia…"

Nausada's room is in the ruins of the old Rider's academy on the first floor. She was preparing for bed. She removes the pins from her hair and sits in front of the mirror. She gasps, because Murtagh's reflection is in the mirror. She looks behind her but no one is there, "Murtagh?"

"Yes!"

"How?"

"He smiles I am a mage am I not?"

"What do you want…" She says folding her arms over her breasts.

"I wanted to say…I wanted to say that I am in love with you…and that love grows stronger every time I am around you. The more I learn about you the stronger it becomes…So am I wasting my time or do you feel the same way?"

"I…" She stands up and starts pacing, "I would be lying if I said I wasn't attracted to you…" She sighs, "But duty comes first…a…No! Murtagh give me time…"

He nods, "Okay! Can I still see you from time to time?"

She smiles, "Yes! Only stay out of my mirror…"

Murtagh laughs, "It is a deal." From that moment on they strove to keep their romance a secret until after Galbatorix was defeated. In the eyes of everyone but Saphira, Eragon, Thorn, Arya, Angela, Solembum, and Elva Murtagh had given up on his pursuit of Nausada.