A/N: Hi everyone! This is my first fanfiction ever. I'd appreciate if you review.
Thank you so much in advance and please enjoy!
Murtagh looked at the door of the cell, gathering all his courage to open it. He had hoped that Galbatorix wouldn't ask him to come, but at the same time he couldn't silence his desire to see her. But this… How could he do this? He knew he was the reason why she was there, prisoner in Urû'baen.
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Galbatorix is seating in his office, and Murtagh is talking to him. An officer knocks and Galbatorix tells him to enter the room.
"My king, we have received the latest information from our spies in the Varden camp", he announces.
"Very well! Are they good?", Galbatorix asks.
"I'm sure your Majesty will be pleased to hear them", he replies. "So, we know the current disposition of their troops, the state of their supplies, and draft strategies for the siege of our citadel. About the Varden staff, we have a report on the latest progress of Eragon and Saphira. One of our spies has also written us a note on the protection of Lady Nasuada, as the child witch Elva has stopped watching over her."
"Did the child witch leave her? Very interesting," the king murmurs pensively. "Murtagh, bring immediately the Black Hand in my office."
Murtagh leaves the room right away, preoccupied with the idea that Nasuada is no longer protected by Elva. Hopefully, the elves may send her one or more spellcasters to become her personal bodyguards. As he enters the Black Hand gathering room, he announces to the assassins: "Galbatorix awaits you in his office right now". They all leave their activities and follow him in the tortuous corridors of the citadel.
"Please, take a seat", the king orders. "Officer Tunor here told me that Lady Nasuada is now less protected as she used to be."
"Yes, my king", the Black Hand leader replies. "Actually, one of our spellcasters in the Varden camp overheard a discussion between Eragon and Elva, in which she refused to help the Varden. And several spies witnessed that Elva is no longer escorting Lady Nasuada in her daily activities. Her regular guards are still protecting her, but they are swordsmen with few magical skills, so she is vulnerable."
"Very well", Galbatorix says. "So, this is a good opportunity to get rid of this annoying young woman. In the entire Varden army, she is the only real threat. Without her, the Varden will be disorganized, and it won't be long before all the different factions will fight each other and fail to lead the fight. Do you think it is possible to kill her?"
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Murtagh remembered how he felt when he heard those two small words "kill her". He couldn't stand them. All the darkness they concealed, all the suffering they involved. Many memories had come back to him. Her elegance when they met. Her bravery in the Battle under Farthen Dur. She had secretly defied her father's orders to stay hidden with civilians and had chosen to fight alongside the archers. Her intelligence, that she had displayed at the head of the Varden. Her strength of character, that had allowed her to win the Trial of the Long Knives. Nasuada was an exceptional young woman that didn't deserved to die. He couldn't let it happen.
A desperate idea crossed his mind. He began to listen to the discussion between Galbatorix and the Black Hand again, and when the king asked him his opinion on the operation, he dared to try his luck.
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"My king, instead of killing Lady Nasuada, why not capture her? As you have noticed, she has a gift for leadership. Such an intelligent and ambitious woman would be a boon to the kingdom. Death is a waste of her skills, she would be of great value to us."
"It's true that this girl is out of the ordinary.", the king acknowledges. "Since the death of the last of the Thirteen, I have begun to look for who would be worthy to replace them. Murtagh, you were the first candidate to meet my criteria and the first to survive the tests I put you through. Indeed, she could be the next one."
"My king", a Black Hand member says. "Separated from the Varden, there is no way she can hurt us. And, with spells, she will not be able to escape."
The king strokes his chin and thinks for a few moments. "I think this idea is worth a try. No one ever resisted to me, and she would be a useful servant. So, Murtagh. You will bring her back to me", Galbatorix concludes.
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At that time, it had seemed it was the only way to spare her life. And yet, Murtagh was now wishing that this could be avoided. Before stepping inside the cell, he mastered his will to silence his emotions. He had to be as emotive as a stone. He knew too well that his emotions could only be a weapon for Galbatorix to toy with him. He also forbade himself to look at her, knowing all the pain and the shame that it would awake.
Without having a glimpse at the stone slab, he carried the copper brazier filled with coal, which he placed on a tripod a few steps from the stone bunk. Turning his back at her, he began to light the fire. During several minutes, he focused on his tasks. The silence was broken only by the crackling of the coal.
When he was sure that the fire wouldn't go out, he left the room. He still hadn't glimpsed at her. He climbed the stairs and found a blind spot in a corner. There, he allowed himself to breathe slowly, inhale and exhale, trying to be as strong as the situation demanded it. Even without looking at her, it was hard to resist to the wave of emotions. He knew what the next step was, and he could not find any reasonable way to avoid it. He had to play the game and stick to the rules, so he wouldn't worsen the fragile situation.
