"I expect good behavior from you." Murtagh warned as he, Nasuada and Thorn stood before two massive wooden doors with elegant designs and symbols.
Nasuada did not reply for her mind was too troubled with thoughts of war and torture. She was finally going to meet the mad tyrant of this land. The reason of the establishment of the Varden. The reason of The Fall of the Riders, the reason of bloodsheds and war for decades.
Murtagh pushed the door open with magic and the three of them entered the massive throne room. The walls were covered with tapestries and the aisles were lined with black and gold marble pillars. The ceiling was lined with twisted, barbed yet elegant chandeliers that held dim candles that gave the room an eerie light.
At the very end of the aisle of pillars was a single throne adorned with gold and silver. There was a large cushion beside the throne for the king's dragon. The wall behind the throne was covered with a tapestry of the map of Alageasia and beside it, another tapestry displaying the seal of the Empire.
All of this would have been grand for Nasuada, but she ignored these details and focused her gaze on the man sitting on the throne and the onyx dragon nestled on the cushion beside him. The man was wearing elegant garments decorated with gold and silver threads. He wore no crown on his head, but his air of authority filled the room. His dark eyes, black like snake pits stared mockingly down at them.
When they were near enough for ear shot, Murtagh kneeled down on one knee and bowed his head.
"My king." He murmured. Thorn did the same as his Rider did and Nasuada who was unsure and whose head was still spinning from all the madness, remained standing.
"Ah, Murtagh," Galbatorix's voice immediately sent cold chills down Nasuada's spine. His voice was cold and merciless like an unwavering blizzard in winter. "I expect you carried out my orders well?"
"Yes, you Highness." Murtagh replied. "I have done things the way you instructed."
"Very good." Nodded Galbatorix. "And you left no evidence, I hope?"
Murtagh shook his head, and he looked up. There was something in his eyes that Nasuada couldn't quite make out.
Was that… Nasuada wondered. Regret?
"The assassination of the councilor of Belatona went smoothly." Murtagh explained.
"Breaking in his estate was easy as well, there weren't many guards posted."
Nasuada was horrified at this. She couldn't believe that Galbatorix would send Murtagh to assassinate nobles and royals.
"Good." The king chuckled. Nasuada felt the hairs on her nape stand up; this was the laugh of a mad man who enjoys death and torture. "That would teach them a lesson for disobeying me."
Then Galbatorix's eyes looked at Nasuada who neither kneeled nor curtsied.
"Who are you, woman?" Galbatorix asked.
Nasuada was so filled with fear and hatred that it took her a moment to find her voice and confidence.
"I am Nasuada." She said with pride. "Daughter of Ajihad and Lady of the Varden."
A small smile twitched on Murtagh's lips, but he quickly discarded it and looked down on the carpet.
Galbatorix blinked twice as he absorbed such a revelation. Shruikan twitched his tail side to side in amusement and fixed a deadly gaze at Nasuada.
"Ah," Galbatorix smirked. "The little tramp that keeps ruining my plans. Tell me, how is that pathetic vassal of yours?"
Nasuada's eyes narrowed in anger.
"Powerful and growing stronger each day." She replied with a tone of retort. "No one matches his loyalty, and his desire of overthrowing you and reforming the country burns with a strong flame."
Galbatorix gave a mocking laugh, "Do stand, Murtagh."
And the dark haired youth did so.
"And compared to my vassal here?" Galbatorix asked Nasuada whose resolve was hardening with anger every minute.
"Compared to your dog" Nasuada spat as she glanced with hatred at Murtagh who unknowingly flinched at the word. "Eragon is nobler and more pure in heart. He has his own decisions and free will, and does not wag his little tail to anyone, not even to me. He speaks out his mind and corrects the wrong in every situation."
Murtagh's hands closed into fists, but he refused to look at Nasuada.
Galbatorix laughed even louder. "Oh my, that sounds very motivating. Isn't it, Murtagh?"
The Rider did not answer and just looked at the other direction.
"But do tell me how this tart ended up before me." Galbatorix said.
Nasuada was about to say something, but then Murtagh fell on the floor, gasping for air and was obviously in pain.
Nasuada realized that Galbatorix must be skimming Murtagh's memories and invading his mind.
"Murtagh..." Nasuada was about to help him up, but…
"Do not interfere." Murtagh said through gritted teeth.
After a short moment…
"A job well done." Galbatorix said after the narration. "Normally, I would kill the prisoners you bring back here before me the instant I see them."
Nasuada shivered but she shook it off and kept her air.
"But, she is too valuable to us, not to mention useful."
"Indeed." Murtagh agreed and wobbly stood up.
Galbatorix's face darkened and his brows knit close together; "However, about your spell…"
Murtagh was about to explain when he fell down on the floor again and this time, not only gasping for air but giving out groans of pain, Thorn also fell on the floor and gave out a loud roar of pain.
By the way they acted; it looked like there were a thousand arrows piercing them all at once.
Shruikan twitched his tail in amusement as he watched both dragon and Rider suffer before them.
"That oath you bound her in," Galbatorix said finally and he stopped the magic he was using to hurt Murtagh and Thorn. "Was out of my permission."
He leaned forward and glared at his servant who was trying to get back up on his feet desperately.
"You bound Lady Nasuada to you and you alone"
Galbatorix casted the magic to hurt his servants again and Murtagh and Thorn fell to the floor despite their efforts to get up.
"You're a greedy little bastard, aren't you?" the king sneered. "Just like your pathetic father."
Nasuada was horrified at all of what she's seeing and she had an urge to help Murtagh. But her master told her not to interfere so she can't.
"It…" Murtagh gasped. "Was the only way, your h-highness."
Galbatorix raised as eyebrow and stopped the magic.
"She screamed with both her voice and mind." Murtagh replied, through gritted teeth as he tried to stand up. "Who knows who might have heard her, there was no time. The elves have a keen sense of hearing and there's no doubt they heard her. The camp wasn't that far away and anyone could've rushed to the scene.
Nasuada blinked and stared at Murtagh. She wasn't that far from camp; she hated herself fro her stupidity. If only she knew, she could've made a run for it.
"Fine." Galbatorix sighed irritably. "I'll allow your little pet here. She could be useful to me"
His dark gazed fixed on Nasuada. "You."
Nasuada stepped forward.
"You will get all the privileges Murtagh had promised you." Galbatorix said with authority. "You may go anywhere in the palace except in the treasury and my private quarters. You will be treated like a guest in my citadel, but do not forget…" he leaned forward and glared at Nasuada mockingly.
"That you are a bound by an oath to Murtagh as his slave, and through him, you are indirectly bound to me as a slave, since your pathetic excuse of a master is under my power."
Murtagh stood up and but had trouble with his balance. Nasuada tried to help him stand but Murtagh pushed her away rudely.
"I'm trying to help you." Nasuada whispered to him, she was offended when Murtagh pushed her away when she was trying to help.
"I don't need your help." Murtagh snapped loudly than supposed to be that Nasuada glanced at the king who watched them with amused but mocking eyes.
Murtagh was able to stand up with Thorn's help faced the king.
"You might as well take your little pet and make her feel comfortable." Galbatorix said in a rather bored tone.
"Yes, my king." Murtagh gave a small bow.
"Then go," The king yawned quite rudely. "You two sicken me."
Murtagh turned on his heel and headed for the exit.
"Let's go and be quick with it." He muttered as he walked by Nasuada.
Nasuada gave a small curtsy to the king just to be polite and hurried behind Murtagh. The three of them left the throne room and Nasuada dared not look over her shoulder at the cold hearted king who watched them with dark and evil eyes.
A quick update. I hope you liked it. Thanks to all who gave reviews. I hope that you
Keep on posting them. It might be a while before I update again, but I'll do my best.
R&R =D