Im back! I shall not make excuses, pure laziness kept me from updating.

Murtagh sat on a stone bench in the sparring yard, arms crossed, and legs spread out. His dark eyes watched as Tornac showed Nathan the proper way to block a low hit. Nathan had such a look of concentration on his small face, Murtagh thought he might explode. The teen raised his eyebrows as Tornac made a swing for Nathan's legs, and Nathan managed to block it. Why could Tornac teach that kid something, but not Murtagh? Shaking his head, Murtagh got to his feet, wincing slightly as he did.

"Not that this isn't interesting," he started, "But since I am still not aloud to participate, I think I will find something else to do." Tornac nodded.

"Alright, but try not to aggravate those ribs. They are still barely healed. Murtagh just rolled his eyes and left the courtyard. He had been aloud to leave his room the last couple days, but not aloud to participate in anything that might harm him further. All that Murtagh really could do was watch Nathan's lessons, which was not exactly his idea of interesting. But being alone was not any better for him. It aloud him to think, or rather, remember. Remember the blood on his hands, the look of horror in the other teen's face. He needed to be around people so that he could try and forget. Murtagh decided to try and find Mandy. He could help her with some of her chores.

He decided to check the washing area first and turned a corner. There was a high pitched scream and a thud as Murtagh crashed into a servant girl. Murtagh stumbled backwards but caught himself. He looked down at the servant, who, was covered in feathers and scratches.

"Are you alright?" he said, offering his hand to her. She completely ignored him. Instead she jumped to her feet and started looking all around her frantically.

"My chicken!" she cried.

"Wh-what?" Murtagh stammered.

"My chicken! Oh my chicken! I was to bring it to the kitchens! Anne is going to kill me!" Comprehension dawned on Murtagh.

"Don't worry, it can't have gone far." He said. His eyes fell to the ground. He saw it. The chicken was standing ten feet away, it feathers ruffled, and walking away from them. He slowly walked up behind it, hands ready to snap out. Suddenly the chicken took off.

"Dammit!" Murtagh cursed. The chicken disappeared around the corner and out of sight. Murtagh grudgingly followed it, the servant girl following him.

"Is this your chicken?" a soft voice said as he turned the corner. Murtagh stopped dead. Princess Kamara was standing there, the chicken struggling in her arms.

"Uh…" he said stupidly.

"It's mine milady!" The servant said, rushing forward. "This young man was just trying to help me." Kamara glared at the chicken as it's feet kicked up and scratched her arms.

"You are going to eat this thing, correct?" the servant nodded. Kamara nodded and grabbed the chicken's neck with both hands. There was a sickening crack as she snapped the chicken's neck. The poultry's body instantly went limp. Murtagh couldn't help but shudder.

"There," Kamara said, handing the chicken to the girl. "Now he can't escape." The servant nodded weakly. She took the chicken, suddenly very pale, and hurried away with it in her arms. Kamara watched her go, bemusement on her face, and then turned her gaze on Murtagh. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up as she scrutinized him. Her emerald eyes swept his entire body, before finally resting on his face.

"That was kind of you to help her." She said. Murtagh nodded; his voice seemed to have abandoned him. There was a awkward silence, one Murtagh was incapable of breaking.

"Princess! Oh princess!" a loud voice wrung out." Kamara turned to see the owner of the voice. A frown suddenly came onto her face and she turned away.

"Hello Simon." She said coolly. Murtagh looked at Simon. He had seen this noble before. He was young, perhaps only a few years older then Murtagh. He had sandy blonde hair that reached down to his shoulders and bright blue eyes. Murtagh scowled."Hello Princess." Simon bowed slightly. "I was wondering if you would like to accompany me on a horseback riding trip." Murtagh raised an eyebrow.

"I don't think I can." Kamara said quickly. Simon's wide grin feel slightly.

"Come on. My horse has been slacking off lately. He needs a challenge like carrying two people." Murtagh raised both eyebrows; now that was bold, and Kamara didn't seem to like it.

"A horse is more then some servant that you order around, sir." She said, her voice icy. "Perhaps it is slacking off because you are not a good enough master." Simon smile faded even more.

"And besides, I cannot come with you." Kamara turned towards Murtagh, who took a step back. "This young man and I were on our way to the library." She said, walking over to Murtagh and snaking her arm around his. Simon glowered at Murtagh.

"I see. Well I hope you enjoy yourselves." Kamara didn't wait for a response, but instead steered Murtagh away.

"Thank you." Kamara said once they were out of earshot. Murtagh looked at her with confusion.

"For playing along." She clarified.

"Oh." Murtagh said. "No problem." Murtagh couldn't help but notice that she had not removed her arm.

"Are we really going to the library then?" His voice cracked slightly as he said it. Damn voice. Why now? He cursed mentally. Thankfully, Kamara seemed not to notice.

"Only if you want to." She said. Murtagh turned to look at her, making sure he didn't stumble as he did so. She was looking straight forward, her head held high with a sense of dignity. He frowned slightly when he noticed she was at least an inch taller then him. So it was true that women tended to grow faster then men did. Well, hopefully this height problem would change soon.

"Do you like to read?" she said suddenly.

"Uh….I guess." He said stupidly. Kamara turned to meet his gaze, disapproval etched in her face.

"Reading is highly under-rated. You will love it soon enough." She quickened her pace, practically dragging Murtagh to the library.

Nathan walked down the hall leading to Murtagh's room, practicing his new moves with an invisible sword as he went.

"One, two, three." He muttered, making a motion each time. "Left, right, down." He grinned, brimming with pride.

"Wait till Murtagh sees." He declared happily. Not wanting Murtagh to have to wait any longer to see his new skills, Nathan started to run down the hall. He was going so fast, he ran straight past Murtagh's room, skidded to a halt, and ran backward to the room. Not bothering to knock, he burst in.

"Guess what?!" He exclaimed happily. There was no response. Nathan looked around, then spotted Murtagh in a chair by the window, a book in his hands. Nathan slowly approached him.

"Guess what." Nathan said right in Murtagh's ear. Murtagh smacked him away.

"I heard you the first time." He muttered.

"Well why didn't you respond?" Nathan whined.

"I WAS reading." Murtagh said irritably, shutting the book.

"Reading what?"

"The History of the Horse" Murtagh read the title. Nathan frowned.

"Why are you reading that?"

"The princess said I should." Nathan's eyes widened.

"You talked with the princess? Did you tell her your name? How long did were you with her? Why did she give you a book?" Nathan blurted out. Murtagh rolled his eyes and stood up.

"Yes I talked with her. No, my name never came up. I have no clue how long I was with her. She gave me the book, and those books," he said, motioning to a stack of books on the floor, "to try to get me to love reading." He finished. Nathan nodded.

"Alright. Anyway, Tornac taught me ssooo much today! I can't wait till your better and we can spar!" Murtagh smiled.

"You and me both. I hate being not aloud to do anything." He said, flexing his arms.

"Wait a second," Nathan said, staring at the window. "How were you reading, there isn't a candle over there." Murtagh gaped at him.

"You change subject faster then anyone I know." He said, shaking his head. "There is a full moon, it provides the light."

Murtagh was walking through the forest, the moon shining down on him.

"Murtagh." A voice whispered through the trees. Murtagh stopped and looked around.

"Who is there?" he called out. There was no response.

"Show yourself" he shouted. There was a gust of wind. Murtagh was thrown backwards into a tree. He slunk to the ground and looked up, his head pounding. There stood his mother, Selena.

"Mom..?" he said shakily.

"What have you become Murtagh?" she said, her voice echoing.

"Mother, please." Murtagh he choked out.

"You are a monster." Selena whispered. "You have become a murderer. You have become your father." Murtagh's whole body began to shake.

"No. I will never be him." A cold, evil laugh wrung through the forest; causing everything to shake. Selena started to scream as she shrunk to the ground. The more she screamed, the louder the laughter grew. Murtagh clutched his ears and curled up into a ball, shaking.

"No! I am not him! NO!" he screamed. Everything stopped. Murtagh slowly opened his eyes. All around him was a white emptiness. All for directly in front of him. There stood his victim, bloody and pale.

"Did you think I was gone, Murtagh?" The noble said. "Because I'm still here."

"No." Murtagh whispered.

"I'm still here…."

Another dream ending. Anyway, how do ya like this chappy? I know, kinda dull. But essential. Anyways, I think I only have like, one or two chapters left with Murtagh at his current age. Then I am going up 2 years. I know, I promised angst. But don't worry. Murtagh was kinda in a state of shock, type thing. You know when you lose a limb, you don't feel any pain at first? Well this is like that. That dream at the end is going to be the final trigger. Mostly because his mother was In it. I hope that makes sense

SpiritGirl of Japan- Thanks for the review! Glad you like it.

ElizabethAnnRiddlie- A one word review. How fascinating!

Jeeves1729- Naw, Galby didn't kill him. He just stunned him.

MISS MURDER 15- Thank you! I am kinda slow about updating though…..

The Cookie Thief- Ah yes, about that. Galbatorix has to play nice to Murtagh. You have to remember that he is going to try to get Murtagh to serve him willingly one day. He is trying to leave a good impression in Murtagh's mind for when he is older.

Wulfeh- I didn't put much angst in this chappy. Actually I didn't put any. That is all for next chapter.

Cornelia Claire Chase- Thank you! I love stories all about Murtagh, then you don't have to be irritated when there is a chapter with none of him in it.

Lost Scribe- MM well I don't really have a good image of what Galbatorix looks like, since we haven't seen him, or heard any description of him in the books. I really didn't want to describe him out of fear of getting him wrong. I didn't want to go by the movie him because I think they made Galby all wrong. What purpose would he have to have 3 INCH FINGER NAILS! The dude was a dragon rider, I think he has some dignity! Sheesh.

Tiger Priestess- Oh crap! Now that is stuck in my head! hums "murtagh got to go free, ya!" thanks a lot for that!

-Bista- Don't worry, we all have lapses of memory from time to time.

Alsdssg- You didn't get a response, because your special! Haha. Anywase, ya Morzan's son and all. You cant really hurt him. Especially if you want to use him in the future.

Twilight Kumorichu- Yes! Get rid of Eragon! That is what we should do! I am terribly sick of reading the stuff were Arya suddenly realizes she was wrong and they get together. UGH! Its so depressing.

C.T Eleczko- Well Murtagh will know eventually.