Hello, all. It's me again! Arya: I can't tell you…-shifty eyes- O-dragon: MuHAHAHAHAHA! I shall counter with my Army of Giant Squid and Jellyfish! They can play poker. Mmmhmmm. Beat that. XD Miyu: Thanks for reading!

Uh…yeah. Hurrah?

Disclaimer: I do not or Eragon, Eldest, yadda yadda. Onward!

As the door slowly creaked open, Samila held her breath.

Move faster. Come on! She stood on her tiptoes and tried to peer over his shoulder. What is it? Scoot over, she silently willed the young man.

Patience, Samila, Thorn scolded gently.

But- She stopped as Murtagh moved aside of his own accord.

She found herself looking at a rock. It was jade green, polished and smooth. White webbings covered the surface of it, with a few light speckles dotting the exterior. It sat almost expectantly on a red pillow perched upon a stand in the center of the stones room. Samila noted that there were no windows with curiosity. Maybe the stone was worth a lot. Her eyes gleamed.

"Do you like it?" asked Murtagh.

"It's beautiful," she paused, before asking, "What is it?" Murtagh rolled his eyes.

"It's a dragon egg, nitwit."

"Oh…" Her eyes grew as big as saucers.

A dragon egg. A real dragon egg. It could be the beginning of a new age. Samila felt her heart pounding with excitement in her ears. She was staring at a real dragon egg. By some unbidden command, she stepped forward and reached out to touch it.

A sudden jolt caused her to gasp in pain. Murtagh had a hold of her other arm in a vice-like grip. He twisted it behind her back and forced her to her knees in front of the stand. Her hair brushed against the egg, but nothing more. Wincing in pain, she was forced to bend forward to ease the pain. Murtagh let go of her suddenly.

"Up," he commanded. Throwing him a nasty stare, Samila stood up slowly, rubbing her aching arm.

"What was that for?" she demanded.

"Don't touch it," Murtagh replied flatly. "Let's go back." He turned towards the door.

"No," came her defiant reply.

"What?" He turned back to look at her.

"I said no."

"I'm not deaf. I heard you."

"Great. I'm not going." Murtagh gave way to an exasperated sigh. He winced at the mental stab he received from Galbatorix.

Samila snorted quietly to herself. She found herself staring at the egg again, glaring at it as her arm throbbed painfully.

It's all that stupid rock's fault. She turned her back on Murtagh and simmered silently. Suddenly she felt a sharp pain in the back on her head, and collapsed onto the stand in front of her.

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Murtagh stared regretfully at the still form in front of him, blood staining the sash she had bound around her brow. He heard Thorn's angry snort behind him.

I had no choice, he said shortly.

Wrong, came Thorn's accusing voice. You had all the choice in the world. You just chose the wrong one. The red dragon turned on his rider and left the room, leaving Murtagh to think about his actions.

Murtagh sighed heavily. What am I, a villain now? Everything I do marks me as a wrongdoer, and with every action I take, something bad happens! With a sudden wave a fury washing over him, he struck the stone stand that supported the egg. His hand ached and bled from the force of impact, but the egg did not move an inch. He glared at it for a moment longer. It remained in its place, mocking him.

"I don't have a choice," he half screamed. "I can't resist him! It's that or die!" he stopped short the moment after saying the word. Should he simply… die? Would it do any good? He laughed. Of course it would. The true question was whether of not he had the courage.

"Am I going mad?" he wondered quietly.

Fwee! Poor Murtagh. I feel sorry for him. :( I hope he doesn't get mad at me for all of this. Sorry this chapter took so long. Brain block.