!!!ATTENTION!!! When I type "He," "Him," or "His" I am speaking of Galbatorix! If you can see the cynical irony in that, then you get fifty brownie points towards absolutely nothing but your own personal enjoyment. And I am very sorry for the absence, my spring semester has just begun and I finally have a small enclave of time to write before dashing off to reality once more. Believe me, I will be updating more often from here on out. I have the first seven chapters outlined. Hopefully I will get them all to you before March. Until then, Cheers!

Normally this set of circumstances was not unpleasant or unwelcome to Murtagh, but knowing that it was not natural, nor his choice, the imposed silence had become the focal point of his aggravation these past seven days. After leaving her study, he had attempted to convey his wishes to his personal servant but no sound passed his lips. His servant looked stricken, fearing that he would be beaten for not somehow understanding what his master was conveying to him. He was assured through an impromptu game of charades that no harm would come to him for his confusion. Murtagh had attempted to converse with several other individuals including the deputy guard, the scullery matron, and the young woman from the Courts he was meeting that night, though she would not have him if he could not sing the platitudes she longed to here. The next four days were spent scouring every passageway, known and secret, in hopes of coming across that thread of warmth that spoke of her mysterious keep. But every day was but another disappointment, and now he was called to Galbatorix, a meeting he was not looking forward to at all. Galbatorix was as moody and passionate as a woman on the rags at the dark of the moon; once He learned of his silence, Murtagh could wager his soul on the likelihood that a swift and harsh assault on his person would commence until He felt satisfied that he had learnt his "lesson".

"Murtagh to see you, my King."

"Allow." Stepping inside the inner chambers of King Galbatorix, Murtagh showed no sign of his awareness of his new surroundings, nor did his itching hypertension abate when he kneeled expertly while reciting his necessary introduction.

"I serve you in everyway, Master." Galbatorix smiled shrewdly at the title.

"I can hear that you have lost you voice. You lips move but not even your breath is heard. It is such an unnecessary curse, is it not?" Murtagh could only nod gravely.

"Well, she does have a temper, this you now know. I trust you have not spoken of her to anyone?" Murtagh nodded again. "And to Thorn?"

"Thorn does not know." He mouthed the words clearly for his king to read. Galbatorix was satisfied enough with his responses to nod calmly.

"Good. Now, how about I release you from you sentence?" He did not move his lips but curled his fingers in a slow beckoning, and very subtly Murtagh felt a cap come off his voice box. He cleared his throat once to check and was elated to hear his deep rumble once more.

"I thank you, my King."

"The great always balance cruelty with kindness." Galbatorix was known to say these flighty things more often these last few years, praising himself in the third person as though he were a great scholar observing from afar. "Now Murtagh, it seems that you have come across her."

"Her, Master?"

"Yes, the spirit that has chosen to teach me all the wonders this magic can hold. The woman you stumbled across in that passageway a week ago." At his confused and baffled expression, the king softened his approach. "She has informed, Murtagh, that she was the one to lure you into her Study, that this was not your fault. Had she not spoken for you, I would have assumed that you were up to something out of line again. We don't want to have another repeat of that."

"No, Master, I was not up to anything, I swear my life on it, and you may test me."

"I know that what you say is the truth, and I am very glad to see that you are coming along beautifully towards your culmination. Also, she apologizes for the other night, she hopes that in time you will come to see what she truly is. What is it that she is speaking of?"

"I was meeting with Selumy, Pritchkard's daughter, and she would not have me if I had no voice." Galbatorix roared with laughter at the scene playing out in his mind. Murtagh remained silent as he checked his annoyance. "Yes, she is a vain little creature, though she leaves nothing wanting in the eyes. She reminds me greatly of her mother when she was but 17 as well. She was such a beauty, had Pritchkard not done so well in securing my lands, I would have had her for myself. But, rewards must be given before you can treat yourself. Perhaps you may arrange another time in the future?"

"If I do not come across that spirit again, I will." This sent another wave of deep laughter that was not disturbing in the least but more infectious than most.

"Trust me, my son; you will be seeing far more of her shortly than you will ever care to. She and I have great plans for you. If you follow them clearly, and exceed our expectations, you may very well come to be at my side."

"Sir?" Murtagh had never heard such thoughts from the king before today. Never had he known of anyone ever coming close to being by his right hand. Galbatorix had never allowed such an opportunity to occur.

"Rest, now, Murtagh, for you will not know much of in a fortnight's time. And remember, from here these inner chambers are open to you, if ever you need me, ask and I shall answer." Murtagh bowed a most humble prostration, sincerely awed at the offer just made to him. Turning slowly, he left with a poise that hid the secrets of his mind. And like after so many meetings, the foremost conclusion was very simply, "Things will never be the same for Alageasia."