Reviews!

Mrs Pierre Bouvier: Thank you. Yes, what few fics I've read that focus around Murtagh depict him as either a sissy or insane. I hope I'm walking a good line between the two.

Saucy Dog: Thanks for the concrit. I hope this chapter's better, albeit a little depressing.

T.J. Silver: Um…thank you?

Here's the story! Sorry it's late everyone :)

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3/30/101

Thorn screamed with fury, slicing with needle-sharp claws at the sorcerer-king as the communication with Murtagh was cut off. Next to him, Shruikan shook his head, screeching with rage and pain as he struggled against the web of spells that sank over his head, binding him to Galbatorix's will.

What did you do to me? Thorn shouted furiously, lunging forward. What did you do to Murtagh?

Galbatorix held up a hand, screaming, "Letta!" Thorn froze in midair, legs moving in a futile effort to gain ground. With a grunt, Galbatorix lowered his hand, gazing at the two captive dragons. Shruikan was quiet now, giant tears trickling from his eyes.

What do you want? Thorn managed, his voice tight with anger.

"Want? Want? What do I want?" Galbatorix said, eyes darting from one dragon to the other. He grinned; a slow, evil smile spreading over his face. "There are many things that I want, dragon. There are things I will never have. But there are things I will."

He turned away, muttering under his breath. Thorn shook his head, snapping at the air as if he could bite into the magic holding him there, calling to Murtagh. Where are you? Answer me!

The heavy thunk of the cavern door broke into his thoughts. His eyes picked out two guards, their human eyes darting blindly about into the gloom. Between them they carried a third man, grossly mutilated. Thorn recoiled at the sight, his voice lashing out sharply. What did you do to him, Galbatorix!

Galbatorix ignored him, striding over to the tortured man, dismissing the guards with a nod. "Well," he said in a voice laden with contempt as he grabbed the man by what remained of his shirt. "Here's the traitor with the iron mouth." He grinned mirthlessly. "But not the iron mind, I see."

The man gurgled softly, blood trickling out of the sides of his mouth. One eye had been punctured, weeping a bright line of clear fluid. The other was glassy, staring blindly at Galbatorix. The king turned to Thorn. "How would you address a traitor?" he asked the dragons quite calmly. "If one was planning to overthrow me, how would you answer?"

Shruikan gave a soft moan, while Thorn tried to think of an evasively true answer in the ancient language. Personally, he would rejoice if Galbatorix was overthrown, but that was not the right answer. I would do what you wish, he said finally. That was true, as he had no choice in the manner.

Galbatorix snorted ruthlessly. "I see," he said flatly. His eyes glinting with a cold light, he said softly, "Then I want you to torture this man. Losna."

Thorn dropped to the ground as the spell released him, aghast. What? Why!

"Just do it, Sílngr Leskulna," Galbatorix snapped, invoking Thorn's secret name. "I want your claws to rip through his body. I want you to cause this man the utmost pain possible for the longest time possible. I have already found what I needed, and now I want him to suffer. Do you understand?" The last word was a half-roar as Galbatorix stared wildly at Thorn. "Do it!"

Thorn's claws reached forward, no longer under his control.

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Salem walked down the corridor into her quarters, trying to appear nonchalant when in reality she was already shaking. It was late. Locking the door behind her, she drew out the crystal necklace slowly, whispering the password that would open the connection.

The picture shimmered to life, hovering within the crystal. Salem looked into the eyes of her contact, known only as 'Aliya'. "It's good to see you, Blackfire," Aliya greeted her. "You are sure you are alone?"

Salem laughed nervously. "Well, as alone as I can get. Thank Jina for arranging single quarters," she said, naming another. "It's easier than having to sneak it with three other people in the room."

Aliya nodded solemnly. "Heii's gone missing," she said softly. "Blackfire, I know that when we first recruited you, the agreement was that you would not participate in Peregrine. However, Talinia can't pull this off alone."

"I'm not a magicker!" Salem said, horrified. "I agreed to information only, Aliya. Maybe set up a couple things, but not actually do it!"

"You know we've set up every precaution. We'll have a magicker enspell you with every single cloaking, stealth, whatever spell we can possibly think of, and give you a couple charms that'll enable you to draw on the energy inside and make up your own rudimentary spells. Talinia's good, but she's not that good—"

"She can fight! I can't! I can barely behead chickens as it is—"

"It's a simple matter to learn how to speak a few words and release a spell from stored energy," Aliya said sternly. "There is always risk, Blackfire. You knew that. If Heii has indeed been captured and is tortured to reveal who we are, then we have been dealt a severe blow, and there's a chance you may be captured anyway. There is always risk, so why not do something worthwhile while you're at it?"

Salem shook her head shakily. "I—I'll—I just can't! How—how much did Heii know?"

"Think about it," Aliya advised, ignoring the question. "If you don't do it, we'll have to either pull someone into the palace, or else recruit someone new." The picture began to fade. "And," she said as if from far away, "that may be even riskier…"

The room fell silent. Salem threw herself onto her bed, staring moodily at the crystal. "I hate myself," she muttered darkly. "Why did I get myself involved in this mess in the first place?"

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The mental connection linking Murtagh to Thorn had appeared as quickly as it had vanished. Murtagh closed his eyes, calling to the companion of his soul. Thorn? What hap—

No! Thorn was screaming, a terrible mixture of rage, disgust, and shame. Murtagh, I can't—I can't stop—I—

Thorn! Murtagh said, alarmed. Thorn, what's wrong?

All that answered was a wordless cry.

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1. Depressing

I know I put Galbatorix in a really bad light, but you have to understand how I'm trying to put his character here. He's an insecure, spoiled royal tyrant. He revels in power but is constantly insecure that'll it be taken away, and he lashes out most horribly at those who try.

When Eragon encounters Murtagh in Eldest, Murtagh and Thorn are both pretty nasty and bitter. That comes from Galbatorix's work—he'll keep on forcing worse and worse things onto the two of them.

2. Happy

But yes, there will be happiness (I'm not that morbid!). Anytime over the next few chapters if you think it's way too depressing tell me. I'll stick something cheery in. And this is a romance story, so never fear!

Keep on reviewing! I take your advice pretty seriously. Reviewers are cool :)