Galbatorix threw Murtagh to the floor in an angry rage.
"What do you mean, you let him go?"
Murtagh groaned and brushed some of his dark hair out of his face. If it hadn't been for Galbatorix's knowing his real name, he wouldn't even be in this mess. Ever since he was a little boy, Galbatorix had manipulated him. Making matters worse was the fact that Galbatorix made him speak in the ancient language. He could not lie to him.
He lifted his head to look at the king. Even in the dim light, he could see that Galbatorix's face was contorted with rage. "I did not disobey you," he gasped, getting to his feet again. "You ordered me to try to capture him. I did try."
Galbatorix snarled, "You are a foolish child! Your father never failed me like this."
"I am not my father," Murtagh breathed.
Murtagh felt himself pushed to the floor by Galbatorix's magic. He managed to suppress yelps of pain as the scar on his back burst into pain. Outside, he could feel Thorn sharing in his pain.
"In time you will learn, Murtagh," snarled Galbatorix, "not to be so flip with me." He allowed Murtagh to recover and make his way to his feet again. "You said you killed Hrothgar?"
Murtagh nodded. "He's dead and a bunch of dwarves with him."
"Good, good," Galbatorix purred. "Then the dwarves with return to Farthen Dûr to bury him the way their religion dictates. That will significantly weaken Nasuada's forces."
"What about the elves?" Murtagh asked.
Galbatorix laughed, dismissing the absurdity with a wave of his hand. "The Elves have not bothered me for years. They're too busy hiding in Du Wendelvarden."
"Eragon was there, in Ellesméra," Murtagh told him. "They changed him. He looks like an elf now."
Galbatorix waved his hand again to indicated that it was of no concern to him. "What happened to the Twins?" he asked.
"Dead," Murtagh answered. "Eragon's cousin, my cousin, Roran killed them."
Galbatorix rubbed his chin pensively. "Roran," he whispered, as if contemplating the name. "I sent the Ra'zac to fetch him from Carvahall. They came back with his fiancée. He was capable enough. I wonder," his eyes fell on the last remaining dragon egg. Could he have found the last Rider?
"This one will not turn," Murtagh informed him. "He is as stubborn as Eragon."
"You are stubborn," said Galbatorix. "Both Roran and Eragon will bow to my wishes."
"How do you suppose you will do that?"
Murtagh was sent flying backward onto the floor again. He let out a whimper as his head slammed on the cold marble floor. He groaned, rubbing his temples. He had to think before he spoke. After a few moments he stood up again.
"Have you seen him?" Galbatorix wondered.
Murtagh nodded. "I watched as he swung his hammer into the Twins' skulls," he answered.
Galbatorix smiled. "Midori!" he shouted.
The dark-haired slave girl ran to him. "Yes, My Lord?" she asked timidly.
"Bring me a bowl of water," Galbatorix ordered her.
"Of course, My Lord," she muttered, scurrying off to fetch it.
When she returned, Galbatorix took the water and set it on a stone pedestal. Murtagh, picking up on Galbatorix's intentions, protested, "He's probably protected by the same spell that Eragon is. This is pointless!"
Galbatorix glared at him. "Scry Roran," he ordered.
Murtagh sighed and bent over the bowl of water. "Draumr kópa," he muttered.
The water rippled and eventually showed Galbatorix and Murtagh an image of Roran Stronghammer, Morzan's nephew. He was floating on something invisible, most likely Saphira who was blocked by some magic. After a few moments, he started talking.
"I hope we make it to Helgrind by nightfall, Eragon," he said. "I can't bear another night without Katrina."
Galbatorix's lips curled into a nasty grin. Murtagh looked at him in horror. "You can't be thinking…."
Galbatorix laughed. "Midori!" he shouted, calling for the servant girl again. She ran into the room immediately and took the bowl of water again. The slave girl took the water away in a hurry.
Galbatorix's eyes fell on Murtagh. "You know what we must do," he smiled.
Murtagh lowered his head in reluctant submission. "I'll get Thorn ready."
Galbatorix stopped him. "You've failed me once, Murtagh. I cannot trust you not to do it again."
Murtagh cursed quietly. Galbatorix wasn't as bad as most people thought, but he was truly unhappy in Urû'baen. Galbatorix treated him like a servant, especially since he'd returned from the Burning Plains without Eragon and Saphira.
"Yes, Murtagh," Galbatorix grinned. "I am going to Dras-Leona and Helgrind to capture Eragon, Roran and especially Saphira. If we fail to capture her, the dragons will become extinct. Without Eragon and Roran, the Varden will fall. Then we shall have peace. So go, Murtagh," he ordered. "Prepare Thorn for the journey to Helgrind. We need to make it there before nightfall."
"Yes, My Lord," Murtagh submitted. Resisting Galbatorix while he knew his real name was futile.
"But remember, Murtagh, you are not irreplaceable," Galbatorix hissed.
Murtagh walked out of the throne room and made his way to the stables. He walked past the endless row of horses and reached out to Thorn with his mind. We're going to Helgrind, he told the dragon. Galbatorix's orders.
Thorn snorted. Your master is not a very good one. First hurting you like that and now he thinks he can just order us around.
Murtagh opened the door to the dragon stables and was nearly blinded by the sun's reflecting on Thorn's bright red scales. He can order us around like that, Murtagh told him. He knows our real names, but maybe you've forgotten.
Oh bother. Thorn stretched his legs and let Murtagh put the saddle on him.
Anyway, Galbatorix is coming with us. He doesn't trust me. Murtagh continued, fitting the supply bags on Thorn's saddle. It was such a short distance by flying from Urû'baen to Helgrind that they probably wouldn't need that many supplies, but it was better to be safe than sorry. He was just finishing up by strapping Zar'roc to his belt when a servant girl came into the dragon stables. She began to approach Shruikan, but stopped dead when she saw Murtagh.
"Sorry," she muttered, remembering to bow. Murtagh ran his fingers through his dark hair in annoyance. He looked at the girl. She had the undesirable position of being Galbatorix's maidservant. She looked up at him from behind her long, dark hair. Her skin was so pale it was unnatural. She was so frail and thin that Murtagh thought if her arm was twisted the wrong way, it would snap off. He felt sorry for her, but she wasn't the only one that Galbatorix mistreated.
"His Highness sent me to ready Shruikan," she said quietly, trying not to meet his eyes.
"Fine," Murtagh nodded, stepping away from Shruikan so she could do her job.
After a few more moments, Galbatorix came into the stables fully dressed in his regal armor. Murtagh rolled his eyes. He was dressed in a regular tunic and breeches and armed only with Zar'roc and his bow and quiver of arrows. Murtagh mounted Thorn and Galbatorix mounted Shruikan. Then, they were off.
They had arrived at Helgrind just before dusk. Since then, Galbatorix had been conspiring with the Ra'zac and sent Murtagh to find Katrina. Curious to see what kind of a girl could drive a man on such a crazy mission, Murtagh made his way to where they were holding Katrina. None of the guards even gave him a second glance. It was incredibly silent in the halls and Murtagh felt uneasy. When he arrived at Katrina's cell, he opened the door and stepped inside.
She was a thin, copper-haired, pretty girl chained to the wall with shackles that held her arms above her head. It looked like she hadn't eaten or bathed in weeks. Yet another to be maltreated at the hands of Galbatorix, Murtagh thought grimly. She lifted her head in surprise when Murtagh came into the room. Then she saw the crest on his tunic and narrowed her eyes in hatred. Murtagh pretended not to notice her glare. "Roran's coming for you," he announced.
Katrina's expressed seemed to soften at his words. "What?" she asked in disbelief.
"Roran and Eragon are coming for you," he repeated. "Galbatorix is going to give you back to Roran." That was true, though not a complete explanation. If Roran pleased Galbatorix, he would be reunited with Katrina. There would be no point in telling her the bad news yet.
Katrina's eyes lit up with hope, and Murtagh went over and unshackled her wrists. "Come," he said. "You will not stay here any longer."