Murtagh moved through the dark castle as quiet as a deadly predator stalking its prey. He wore entirely black clothes in hopes of not being seen by the random guard walking the halls. If a guard did see him and stop him, he had Zar'roc fastened to his belt.
Murtagh had to open the door to Galbatorix's chambers with magic. The lock opened with a small click and Murtagh slid into the room. It was dark inside, unlike the hallways that were lit by torches. However, he could see that he stood in a sort of living room.
There was a faint meowing coming from under the window. Silently, he made his way over to the magical cage that held the cat Circe. He used the same spell that he used to open the door to open the cage. The black cat scampered out of the cage and nuzzled her head against his chest.
Murtagh scratched her behind her ears and picked her up as he head a muffled noise from the next room.
Galbatorix is awake, Circe warned, touching his mind. Run!
Murtagh nodded as he dashed out of the room and down the hall. He was vaguely aware of shouting noises coming from behind him as Galbatorix realized that his pet was missing. The sun was beginning to rise and soft rays of light illuminated the stone passageways.
Circe turned into a mouse in his arms. Put me in your pocket. You'll reach Eragon and Roran faster that way.
Murtagh obeyed, carefully putting the little creature into one of the pockets on his belt as he continued fleeing from Galbatorix. The dragon stables weren't far off now.
Be ready to take off, he told Thorn. Tell Saphira and Garrow the same to tell Eragon and Roran. Galbatorix knows someone's stolen Circe.
Already done, Thorn replied. They're all here waiting for you.
Good, Murtagh said as he rounded the final corner before the dragon stables. The door swung open to reveal Eragon and Katrina waiting on Saphira, ready to go, and Roran perched atop Garrow who was barely big enough for him. Murtagh jumped onto Thorn and nodded, his eyes falling on Shruikan who was still asleep.
The three dragons took off from the roofless dragon stables and went out to meet the army that had assembled to meet the elves at Gi'lead and Isenstar Lake.
The army was assembled on the plains outside of the city. By the time they got there, the sun was fully risen and its golden light reflected off every single soldier's armor with a nearly blinding effect. Saphira, Thorn and Garrow landed in front of the troops and a captain came forward to meet Eragon, whose dwarven necklace had begin to use his energy to stop someone from scrying him again.
The man bowed before the Rider. "Greetings Great Shadeslayer," he said, showing his wonder and awe for Eragon. "I have ten thousand of my best troops assembled and ready to march against the elves at Isenstar Lake. We expect to be able to reach Gil'ead in two and a half days."
Eragon nodded. "Very good, captain," he said and the man returned to his ranks. Eragon turned to Roran. "You said you managed to convince Carvahall to leave and go to Surda?" he asked.
Roran nodded slowly, as if he wasn't sure why Eragon was asking this of him.
"Good," Eragon said. "We need a motivational speaker," he stated as he looked out over the troops. They couldn't have looked less excited about fighting elves if they had tried. They must have heard how skilled elves were in magic and combat.
"What?" Roran shouted. "Don't we want them to be demoralized?" he asked, lowering his voice slightly. "Won't they be easier to kill?"
"No, Eragon's right," Murtagh said in agreement with his brother. "If I know Galbatorix, he's sitting in his throne room scrying us right now…"
"It'll add credibility to Circe's fake visions if we act like we're into this battle. These weak humans will be easy for the elves to beat whether they want to fight or not," Eragon argued.
Roran sighed. "All right, all right," he said, deciding to succumb to his two cousins because he'd rather not argue. "But I have to tell you… I was only so passionate about leaving Carvahall because those filthy Ra'zac had taken Katrina."
He shot one final glare at Eragon and Murtagh for making him give a motivational speech to a group of Imperial soldiers and cleared his throat in hopes of getting the men's attention. Most of them looked up, expressions of dread on their faces. The superiors reprimanded those who didn't. Reluctantly, Roran began to speak:
"Soldiers of Alagaësia, today, we march to fight an age old foe and enemy of the Empire and of the Great Rider King Galbatorix, the elves of Du Weldenvarden. Ever since the Fall, the elves have been causing the Empire trouble, whether it was by helping the Varden and Surda steal dragon eggs from His Highness himself or in some other, less obvious way. Yes, people tell stories about the greatness of the elves, but today they shall be no march for you for you are soldiers of the Empire, the most powerful force in all the land!"
Roran looked to Eragon and Murtagh and then back to the crowd of soldiers assembled before them. To his surprise, the mood of the soldiers seemed to have brightened.
Eragon smiled at him. "Well done."
"Aye," Murtagh agreed. "I think you have a knack for that."
Roran smiled and dismounted from Garrow. Unfortunately, the dragon wasn't big enough for two people and he wanted to spend time with his beloved Katrina. Using the little bit of language that he'd learned from Saphira since he was born, Garrow had told Roran not to worry. He would enjoy flying much better if he didn't have to worry about dropping him. Roran laughed and quickly flagged down the captain again.
"You!" he called as the bulk of the soldiers mounted their steeds. "D'you have two mounts? One for me and one for my lady?"
"Aye, sir!" the captain said and scurried off to find them.
Eragon stroked Saphira's neck lovingly after he helped Katrina dismount to go to Roran. I've missed flying with you, he told his dragon friend.
I know, little one, Saphira agreed. It has been too long.
The three dragons took off looking forward to a fun day of flying. They wouldn't have to worry about making good time on this journey and because they would have to wait for the soldiers and Roran to catch up, they would have plenty of time to goof off.
As they started to move out, Circe the rat climbed out of the pocket Murtagh had put her in. Once again, she changed her shape, this time to a magnificent black hawk that joined the flying group.
Eragon was thoroughly enjoying himself. The last time he had flown with Saphira was more than a month ago when he and Roran had attempted to rescue Katrina from Helgrind and that hadn't ended well. It was good to not worry about fighting the Ra'zac or Galbatorix again any time soon.
How has life been up in that terrible castle? Saphira asked him.
Not terrible, Eragon replied. I was able to keep myself occupied with our little conspiracy, but not able to completely keep my mind off of Arya.
Saphira nodded. I know, she said. I know everything that you've done. Remember those lessons with Oromis? He told me to know what you and he did and he told you to know what me and Glaedr did.
Eragon nodded, Yes, I remember. Do you miss him? Glaedr I mean.
Saphira sighed. Not the way you miss Arya. I miss having him as a friend.
Eragon smiled. I know, he said. I know what you've been doing. You're not interested in Glaedr anymore. Now you're interested in Thorn.
What? Saphira demanded, pretending to be outraged, but Eragon caught her stealing a quick look at Thorn. I have no idea what you're talking about!
Eragon laughed. Sure you don't.
I'm telling the truth! she said indignantly.
Then why don't you talk in the ancient language?
Saphira blew smoke from her nostrils angrily. I don't have to prove anything to you.
Come on, Eragon pleaded. Don't get mad! I'm just playing with you.
Saphira remained silent and executed a dangerous flip that she had clearly intended to use to throw Eragon off her back.
What was that for? Eragon demanded.
What was what for? Saphira asked playfully.
The next two nights they pitched tents and make camp along the banks of the Ramr River. The second night, Eragon, Roran, Katrina and Murtagh all sat around one of the many campfires eating their rations and Saphira, Thorn and Garrow were a little while off munching on some animal they'd caught.
"We will reach Gi'lead by midday tomorrow," Circe announced as she came over wearing some of Murtagh's clothes.
Eragon nodded. "I hope everyone's ready. We can't afford any mistakes. Everyone has to make it out of this battle alive."
"Except the soldiers," Roran added. "It's imperative that they all die."
"What?" Circe asked in confusion. "All of them have to die?"
Eragon, Roran and Murtagh all shot her a strange look. "That's how war works," Murtagh said, confused as to why she was surprised. "You have to kill all of your enemy to win."
"But these men aren't my enemy!" Circe informed them. "I know them. Some of them have wives… and children! You can't just kill them like that."
"Yes, we can," Eragon started.
"And we will," Roran continued.
"That's the only way we'll succeed in our plan," Murtagh finished.
Circe opened her mouth to protest again, but Eragon silenced her with another question. "Are you prepared to do your part?" he asked.
Circe nodded. "I will be on the battlefield with you and I'll chose what Galbatorix is allowed to see," she explained. "Eragon, do you still have that dwarven necklace?" Eragon nodded and pulled it out from under his tunic. "Good," Circe said. "That means I won't have to worry about faking your death because Galbatorix won't be able to see you anyway."
"And if you did send him an image of me he'd know something was up," Eragon finished for her. "This is a well conceived plan, but there is great risk. Let's just hope it works."
They passed Gil'ead at midday the next day and continued on a little farther to the banks of Isenstar Lake. They pitched their tents and made camp again. They would spend the rest of the day preparing for battle. At the moment, the conspiracy sat in Eragon's tent in their usual seats when a captain walked in.
"What is it, captain?" Eragon asked, eager to get this man away so they could fine-tune their plan.
"The elves' leaders want to meet with our leader," the captain said. "I have three delegates waiting outside."
Eragon looked to Murtagh and Roran, his partners in crime. Both of them nodded meaning that he should accept and let them in. Eragon nodded back and turned his attention back to the captain. "Send them in," he ordered.
The captain bowed again and left. Only a few moments later, three elves came into the tent. Eragon recognized all three of them: Nari, Lifaen and Vanir. All three of them were shocked to see him in the tent of the leader of the Imperial army.
Eragon gulped. How was he going to explain himself now? "This isn't what it looks like," he said quickly, before any of the elves could say anything.
Vanir glared at him. He'd always been an enemy of Eragon. "So you aren't leading the Empire's attack on the elves?" he sneered.
Eragon sighed. "Sorry, it is what it looks like then. But there are things you don't know-,"
"How convenient!" Vanir hissed. "I should have expect this human to betray us like this," he said to Nari and Lifaen. The other two elves looked to Eragon seeking an answer. They, unlike their belligerent companion, seemed to be willing to let Eragon explain himself.
"Sit down," Eragon said, motioning to the three empty chairs. Once they were seated, Eragon continued, careful to use the ancient language so they would know that he was not lying, "My cousin and I were captured by Galbatorix on a rescue mission. He's forced us into his service by the ancient language. But I can assure you, my loyalties have always been and always will be to the Varden. My companions and I plan to betray him in the battle tomorrow. You will not have to worry about dragon attacks."
Vanir still looked unconvinced, but Nari and Lifaen who had been friends with Eragon almost looked glad to see him again. "I look forward to seeing that tomorrow," Nari said.
"Just imagine the looks on the soldiers' faces," said Lifaen.