Lorena dozed, a comfortable weight pressed against her chest as she looked up at carved lacquered figures on the ceiling. She slipped out from under Murtagh's arm and stretched. The air was cool against her bare skin, looking around she saw clothes strewn across the room. Blushing, she remembered the previous night and looked adoringly down at Murtagh.

He lay on his side, still fast asleep. The sheets pooled at his waist. He was fit and strong, with long dark brown hair. She thought about curling up next to him and going back to sleep, but decided against it.

Picking her clothes off the floor, she quickly got dressed. Once satisfied with her appearance, she gently knocked on the door. It cracked open, revealing two new guards.

"What time is it?"

They smirked. "Early morning."

Lorena looked back at Murtagh, his tanned chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. "I'll come back soon."

Lorena walked through Tronjheim until she managed to find her room. When there she washed and changed into the red dress. She slipped on her amethyst bracelet and admired the way it caught the light before returning to Murtagh's cell.

The human guard knocked on the door and Lorena entered. Murtagh sat up rubbing his face. "How long have you been gone?"

Lorena sat at the desk and picked up a scroll. "A while," she glanced at him. "How are you feeling?"

"Very good actually, that was great last night." The enthusiasm in his voice made Lorena beam.

"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself."

Murtagh stood, the sheets slipped to the floor. Lorena pretended not to notice as he stepped up behind her. His arm wrapped around her shoulders, as the other reached out and took the scroll she had been holding. "Do you like poetry?"

"I guess, would you read me some?"

Murtagh frowned. "You can't read?"

"I can, it's just been a while."

"Well then, you can read me some." He stepped back and offered a hand. Accepting it, Lorena stood and allowed him to lead her back to the bed.


They spent the morning reading various scrolls and eating the meals the cook sent.

Dropping a scroll on the floor, Murtagh reached out and cupped Lorena's face. "Tell me about your family."

Lorena felt a catch in her throat, "What do you want to hear?"

"Anything." He smiled down at her.

"I… I'm close with my father. He taught me how to communicate with my mind, and how to use a sword."

"Why did he teach you to fight? It's not a common thing for a father to teach his daughter."

"He wanted me to protect the family in case he wasn't around."

"But you have a brother, most people would just teach their sons."

Lorena hesitated. She trusted Murtagh, but she was still nervous. "My father never taught my brother to fight, nor how to communicate with his mind. My brother, Jordane, was two years younger than me. He was born without a left arm."

Murtaghs' brows lifted in surprise.

"My mother said that it shouldn't matter, and that my father should teach him these things because he needed to protect the family if my father wasn't home." Lorena talked quickly, "But he said that he didn't need to, that I had the skills to take on that role. My mother didn't appreciate it, and I honestly think that's why she was often cold to me. In saying that, my father wasn't necessarily warm to Jordane either. But, he was my best friend. We could always confide in each other, and commiserate when our parents fought about us. I started teaching him to guard his mind not long before…"

Lorena tampered off, then shook her head.

"He was a natural, I was getting ready to convince my father to start teaching him before our home was ransacked." Lorena stared into Murtaghs' storming eyes, "That's why the slavers killed him. I tried to fend them off when they attacked our home, and managed to kill one of them. They must have decided that revenge was worth more than the money they would get for him."

Murtagh reached out and wiped away tears she hadn't realised she'd shed.

"You're right," Murtagh said sternly, causing Lorena to tense, "Torkenbrand deserved a thousand times worse."

Lorena relaxed, she reached up and kissed him, before he wrapped his arms around her tightly. They laid like that for what felt like forever as Lorena gently wept for her home, her family, and her past life. Finally relief washed through her, and she reached up and kissed him again.

"Will you read something else to me?"


They continued to read, breaking for lunch, then continuing on. Lorena was lying on Murtagh's chest when there was three louds bangs. Murtagh stopped reading, and they both looked to the door. It swung open, and Eragon walked in.

"Eragon! We hoped you would come!" exclaimed Murtagh cheerily. Lorena jumped up from the bed, before striding over to Eragon and embracing him.

As she let go Eragon stood mouth agape. "How did… I mean I thought-"

"You thought I was stuck in some rat hole chewing on hardtack," said Murtagh, rolling upright with a grin. "Actually, I expected the same thing, but Ajihad lets me have all this as long as I don't cause trouble. And they bring me huge meals, as well as anything I want from the library. If I'm not careful, I'll turn into a fat scholar."

Eragon laughed and the three sat together on the bed. "But aren't you angry? You're still a prisoner."

"Oh, I was at first," said Murtagh with a shrug. "But the more I thought about it, the more I came to realise that this is really the best place for me. Even if Ajihad gave me my freedom, I would stay in my room most of the time anyway."

"But why?"

"You know well enough. No one would be at ease around me, knowing my true identity, and there would always be people who wouldn't limit themselves to harsh looks or words. Anyway, while I'm in here I get to spend much of my time with Lorena. She came a few hours after Ajihad allowed visitors and we haven't been able to spend quality time together before. But enough of us, I'm eager to know what's new. Come, tell me."

Eragon recounted his events of the past two days, including encounters with the Twins and sparring with Arya. "I suspect," Murtagh said, "that Arya is more important than we thought. Consider what you've learned: she is a master of the sword, powerful in magic, and, most significantly, was chosen to guard Saphira's egg. She cannot be ordinary, even among the elves."

Lorena and Eragon nodded in agreement.

Murtagh stared at the ceiling. "You know, I find this imprisonment oddly peaceful. For once in my life I don't have to be afraid. I know I ought to be... yet something about this place puts me at ease. A good night's sleep helps, too." Murtagh squeezed Lorena's hand and she hid her face behind a hand as she felt it redden.

"I know what you mean," said Eragon, causing Murtagh to smile and Lorena buried her face into Murtaghs' shoulder, trying not to laugh. Eragon shifted on the bed. "Nasuada said that she visited you. Did she say anything interesting?"

"No, she only wanted to meet me. She came an hour or two before Lorena. Isn't she interesting? When she first entered through that doorway, I thought she was one the ladies of Galbatorix's court." Murtagh turned to Lorena, "You should have met her, you would like her."

"I'm sure I'll meet her sooner or later," replied Lorena, squeezing Murtagh's hand.

Eragon asked, "How long are you going to remain imprisoned, Murtagh? You can't hide forever."

Murtagh shrugged carelessly, but there was weight behind his words. "For now I'm content to stay and rest. Honestly, I just want to spend more time with Lorena. There's no reason for me to seek shelter elsewhere, nor submit myself to the Twins' examination. No doubt I'll tire of this eventually, but for now... I am content."


After Eragon left, they spent the rest of the afternoon talking, until they both eventually drifted asleep.

A loud bang woke them that night. Lorena quickly sat up, Murtagh jumped from the bed, ready for a fight. The door had been swung open, and Ajihad stood at the opening of the cell.

"We're under attack. Murtagh, this is a chance for you to prove your alliances."