Please note that Talim's age is 13. I have added it, but I wish to make it clear. Disclaimer for the whole story: I confess, I do not own Eragon, but I am working on it.

SLAP! "Insolent wench! How DARE you bear me a female child!" A deep cold male voice yelled. SLAP!

Talim shivered in her sleep, god how she hated this dream.

A crying woman's face became visible, "I'm s-sorry! I didn't try to!" she burst out between sobs. The man's face was in shadow, but his eyes could be seen, shining like two burning suns with the equal of ten thousand suns' rage burning inside them. The flaming eyes narrowed.

"I don't care!" he announced, "Guards!" instantly five guards appeared at his side. "Take her to the dungeons! Leave her there to rot!" He roared as the guards dragged the bawling woman through the door.

"Please!" she begged, "Be good to her!" the man growled quietly, yet menacingly, but looked as if her considered the woman's words.

But it didn't end there.

"Wait," the man growled. The guards dragged the crying woman back into the room. Her hood fell down to reveal her facial features. A round face, beautiful red brown eyes, brown hair, and above all, she had a scar on her forehead. It was a pointed, four point star. "You shall have the privilege of naming the wench," he declared. The light shifted and for the first time the man's face became visible. He looked strangely like Talim's father.

He can't be... he has a beard...

Immediately after thinking this Talim realized how childish it was. Her father could have shaved the beard.

"T-talim," the woman requested, "Please, give her this!" the woman yanked her locket off her neck and dropped it in the evil man's hand. He laughed.

"In your dreams," he breathed, smirking. "I'll sell it, its gold after all!" he added evilly. With a flick of his hand the woman was dragged into the dungeons and the man exited another door.

Talim sat bolt upright. How stupid she was! Her father was evil! No, this nightmare could just be a figment of her imagination. Talim's father was NOT evil! Yes, she decided, just something her over active mind pulled out of the blue. Still, she had to ask father about it.

"Father?" Talim started tentatively, he was still mad about the dragon egg. He grunted to show he was listening. "Who was my mother? Can you describe her?"

The king grunted again, but answered, "Her name was Selena. She had a round face like yours, beautiful brown hair, and eyes just like yours too. She also had a scar on her forehead resembling a 't'. Now why all these questions child? Make haste, I am meeting with Durza."

Talim nodded and slipped away, but stood within earshot as she watched the shade approach her father. They greeted each other and the shade spoke, "The young lady asked about her mother... it is interesting. Did you ever sell that locket?" the king shook is head, "No, it's somewhere in the treasury. Now on to more pressing matters, are the Urgals all in place?" Durza nodded, "But we are still searching for this new dragon rider... we fear that he has joined the Varden."

Talim didn't want to hear anymore. Her father had lied to her! He was so evil to his wife who he loved... "No," Talim realized, "he cannot love. I must leave this place as soon a possible!" A single tear slipped down her smooth face, glistening in the sun like a pearl as she ran off to the treasury. Her feet carried her there without being told as more pearly tears slid down her face. She pushed open the big wooden door and was faced with many treasures. Talim moved to the jewelry and spent an hour, searching for the locket. She finally found the plain heart locket, but didn't look at it longer than it took to shove it into her pocket.

Talim then grabbed a coin sack and shoveled heaping handfuls into it until the sack was full. She then packed a backpack with the essentials: a pot, clothes, water skins, and a blanket. She strapped on her belt and clipped on her assorted weapons. Talim uses a sword, a bow and arrow, and a staff, but Talim also hides small daggers and other sharp objects about her person. Multiple assassination attempts does that to a person.

She sat on her bed, waiting for the castle to fall asleep. A knock sounded at her door and Talim hastily shoved her backpack and weapon belt under her bed. A man's face appeared a the door.

"Your father wishes to speak with you," he muttered and slipped towards the servants' quarters. Talim's heart began to pound. Had he found out about her plan to escape? She slowly opened the door to his chamber and took a deep breath. If asked, Talim would have failed to recall the events of that conversation. Fortunately the king didn't know about Talim's plan, but he did talk to her about war tactics. Talim just let it slide over her, wishing he would sleep. Finally he bade her good night and retired to his bedchamber. Talim collected her belongings from her room and slipped into the cool garden.

"Just one more thing," Talim thought as she stole into the dark hallway. There were only a few guards in the passage at night, but Talim just nodded to them and headed for the door. She unlocked it and stood in the egg room, staring at the beautiful dragon eggs. Breaking her gaze, Talim grabbed the closest egg and shoved it back into her backpack. Talim walked back to the garden and took a deep breath. Her eyes shifted, looking for pursuers. Talim took one look back at the castle and stole into the night, not sure where she was going, but anywhere was better than here...

A/N: What did ya think? Review please!