Author's Note

Kira walked along the same corridor, her head hanging. Her heart was racing. Murtagh. That same sent chills down her spines. She didn't know whether to hate him or love him, but to her she was a legend. She replayed every moment of last night, her heart started to race again. She smiled to herself. The bucket was swinging from her hand. She set down the bucket and looked into the depths of the water. Her reflection stared back at her. Her silver eyes gave the water an eerie effect. Her messy dark mop of hair clung to her face. Her face was thin and sickly looking. She sighed. Suddenly she heard the clip clop of footsteps. Egeus. Kira looked up and saw his green eyes smile at her. He licked his lips and gave her a cunning smile. Kira bit her lip and looked away from his intense stare. HE picked her up and thrust her to the wall. Kira took heavy breaths; he pressed his body on top of her and caressed her cheek with his fingers. He slid his other hand down to her butt and moved his lips towards hers. Kira tried to push him but he wouldn't budge.

"Kira, those pretty eyes, always makes me think of your mother." he whispered in her ears. Kira squealed.

"She's not my mother! Don't talk about her. I hate you and I hate her!" Kira yelled. He forced his tongue into her mouth. She choked. He pulled away and smiled.

"Just as feisty as your mother, but you, but you make me sick! It makes me sick just to think of you and know that I helped make you." He let the sentence hang in the air. Kira whimpered. She rested herself on the wall. Egeus forced himself on her again.

"Daddy please no!" Kira pleaded. He had an evil glint in his eyes and he forced himself on her again. Kira whimpered.

Suddenly a shadow fell upon them. Murtagh stood in front of them with anger in his eyes. He pulled Egeus of Kira and pushed him against the wall. His blue eyes glittered with anger.

"Don't you ever, ever let me catch you doing this to her, I will personally chop your head off, take this as your first and last warning" Murtagh growled. Egeus looked fearfully at Murtagh and nodded hesitantly. Kira's eyes widened and her heart warmed. Egeus took a last look at her and fled. Murtagh turned to look at her, his eyes exposing numerous emotions. Kira bowed to him. Murtagh's breathing was grew labored. He went up shakily towards her. She had tears in her eyes.

"Well, Kira, if he troubles you again, please inform me, is that understood?" he asked her gently. She nodded. He patted her shoulder and awkwardly walked away. Kira looked at his retreating figure with disappointment.

"Lord Murtagh! Please wait-"she cried out. He stopped and turned. Kira ran towards him and stopped. The tears started to fall.

"Thank you, I'm in debt to you." Kira whispered. Murtagh's eyes grew stony. He leaned forward.

"Kira, listen to me, never ever say that to anyone. It can be used against you, be very careful, you owe me nothing it is my job to make sure that everyone is safe within our fort, for my safety and Galbatorix we need you to be loyal to us. People like Egeus help make enemies for the empire. Just promise me you will protect and fight for the empire." Murtagh declared. Kira nodded and she gave a tiny smile. Murtagh nodded at her and walked off. Kira watched him go and her heart sank. Murtagh.

-------

Murtagh turned around and watched her petite figure looking down at the ground with disappointment as he walked away. His heart ached for her. He ran his hand through his thick black hair. One of Galbatorix's guards ran over to him. Murtagh bit his lip as he anticipated the news. The guard bowed to him.

'Lord Murtagh, Lord Galbatorix's extended an invitation for you to have dinner with him tonight and also mentioned that you must not be late." The guard said dutifully. He bowed again and hurried off. Murtagh cursed under his breath. What does Galbatorix's want from me now? How much more does he want to milk out of me. Murtagh hurried towards him room of the thirst floor. The door was made out of wood and the knocker was of ancient brass. The knocker showed two dragons chasing each others. One of the dragons looked big, majestic and noble. Empire. The other looked thin, sickly and cruel. Varden. Murtagh pushed open the door and entered his childhood room. The room was dark and eerie looking with torch lights brightening areas of the room. The roof of the room pictured a majestic dragon with fire coming out it. The dragon was red with it's snout growing considerably darker. Murtagh sighed.

Morzan's eyes grew wide, his anger made the whole room grow cold. Murtagh was holding his baby sword and he poked Morzan. The great rider picked up the toddler and shook him. He threw the child to the ground. He withdrew the Za'roc and threatened the toddler with it. The child burst into tears and started to crawl away from the angry father. Morzan got up and walked towards the retreating toddler. He pushed the boy to the ground and slit his back open. The red blood tickled out and baby started to howl. Morzan's temper grew, the air in the room got extremely chilly. Morzan withdrew Za'roc once more ready to kill the boy. Selena walked in and her eyes grew wide in horror.

"MORZAN!" she yelled as she rushed to the baby's side. She pushed Morzan away and picked up the boy who was howling in pain. She looked at Morzan in shock and clung to the baby and ran out of the room. Morzan grumbled and stood up and walked towards his dragon and laid his hands on the scales. The dragon sniffed in disgust and Morzan patted him once more.

Murtagh's scar tingled at the memory. He kicked over a chair and grumbled. He sat on his bed, his head in his hands. Why me? He laid down on the bed, memories rushing past him. He got up and grabbed his sword which was hanging from his side. He spun in the air and started air fighting. He concentrated on his imaginary opponent; he swung and thrust his sword around. Sweat broke out and he sighed. He walked towards his closet and grabbed his attire for the dinner and wore it. He went into the bathroom. The room was beautiful, showing spectacular scenery. He let the cool water run through his fingers. He washed his face and looked at himself in the mirror. I am my father. His face contorted into rage and he marched out of the bathroom. I can't be my father!

The door of his room opened and Galbatorix's guard walked over and bowed.

"Lord Murtagh, the dinner is starting soon, I advise you to make your way to the great Hall, that is all." He bowed and left. Murtagh let out a frustrated sigh and walked out. As he walked out Tornac blocked his exit. His eyes were livid with rage.

"Murtagh, what have you done? After all that I taught you, after all the teachings, this is the result?" he hissed. Murtagh let out a growl and backed away. I'm sorry.

"I realized he's more than what you think. His ways are cruel but it works and that's what matters! He knows what is best for all of us, you should listen to all his plans, really you'd be stunned I mean –" Murtagh rambled on defensively. Tornac growled at him. He turned and marched away angrily. It's all for the best, you'll see.