Hopefully i got all the miss spellings and extra unwanted words out of this chap if i didnt Im sorry dont kill the author as always i love reviews positive and consructive critisism is nice dont flame though i hate flamers with a passion

thanks again and enjoy

CHAPTER NINE: A SECRET DISCOVERED

Essora sat on the bed for hours contemplating her plight and trying to figure out her escape. None came. What have I gotten myself into now? she asked the empty space were Vrael was supposed to be. She longed for him as she looked at her hand making the mark on it shimmer. She had to hide it but she couldn't wear gloves that would be too suspicious. She walked over to the vanity and rummaged through the drawers. She found a flesh colored paint and rubbed it on to her palm satisfied it would do the trick.

She put the container back were she found it then wandered to the window. A creature that looked like a person only hunched over and twisted stood in the courtyard talking to the Shade that had captured her. They must have been talking about her because both turned toward her window the Shade pointing in her direction. She felt an alien mind brush against hers but she put up her series of defenses the mind only tried harder a smile of sheer cruelty forming on the Shades lips as she realized who and what it was.

But it only made her fight harder. He was an expert at breaking defenses and soon was filling the void Vrael should have been in. She locked that information away hiding it were it would not be found. Enjoy your last minutes of freedom, and prepare yourself for the nightmare that will have no escape. And then as quickly as he had come he was gone leaving her speechless and confused.

Both figures turned away to her relief as the twisted figure mounted the black horse that was waiting for his master. After the figure disappeared the Shade turned back to the entrance and walked in. I'm coming. She knew it would be at least a half hour before he reached her and she looked frantically around for an escape or anything to be used as a weapon. And of course the room was bare of either.

When she came to this conclusion she dropped to her knees in utter dispar and fear as she sensed him draw nearer as he sent her visuals of his location. He sent her one of him outside her door unlocking it as she heard noise from the outside of her door. He handed the key back to one of the multiple guards stationed outside her room. Whoever he was he did not want her to escape.

She froze as the door opened and he walked in. He looked her up and down as if inspecting her and nodded in what appeared to be approval. Now he was really freaking her out. As he advanced she backed away only to stumble back onto the bed. She at this point was shaking due to uncontrollable fear.

She sat there trying to regain the control of her body as she shook violently and cold shivers racked her breathe. She took deep breaths to have control and after about two minutes she succeeded but only when she was standing up and by the window a comfortable distance from the Shade.

As she struggled Durza watched her intently as she got up and walked to the window walking only a few inches from him without even noticing. He could tell that she would be difficult to handle but for him it would be easy. He noticed the palm of her right hand was somewhat darker than the rest of her skin but thought it only a shadow. She looked at him with questioning green eyes.

"Who are you?" she asked breaking the dreaded silence.

He walked over to her stalling his answer only to spite her. "Here I am called Durza my name in the other world is unable to be uttered here. I work under the command of King Galbatorix the master mind of all battles. And you are?" he asked already knowing the answer he just wanted to see if she would answer.

"Now why would I answer a question concerning my identity to a tormentor like you?" she asked boldly and undaunted.

"Bold words you speak and it would do you good to guard your tongue against shrewd remarks such as that one. And in answer to your question why should you answer me, because if you don't I'll invade your mind sooner than I plan," he said backing her up against the wall she looked at him somewhat frightened.

"Your still not frightened are you?" he asked noticing that her palm was darker than the rest of her hand. He grabbed it and she tried to pull away panic and fear in her eyes. "Why does one have a palm that is that dark when the rest of her skin is so pale?" he asked tracing the spot on her hand careful not to touch it.

"I...I burned my hand when I was five," she said hoping he would leave it alone and cringing under his cold finger.

His face turned hard at the lie. "One does not burn their hand and it leave a darker color," he said grabbing her wrist so she could not pull away and whipped his finger over the paint removing it from the palm.

Essora's face went white as her secret was discovered. He looked at her alarmed and pleased at the same time. "Well Essora rider of thee unknown dragon. Looks like we will make a trip to Uru'baen when my business here is complete," he said speaking her name, confusion came into her eyes at the mention of her name that she had not uttered.

"The king will be very pleased. Now if you will excuse me I must come up with a plan to capture this dragon of your's," he said walking out the door.

She sunk to the floor, tears running down her soft cheeks unceasing as she mourned what would become of her and Vrael under the command of the king let alone in the grasp of a Shade.