A huge thank you goes out to all reviewers of chapter one!

centra228, walkure13Brynhild, Nelarun, sweetblonde14, luvthefluf, DrakonGurl, FireDancer, bloodrainalchemist, alfalfa7, and LittleRockinDragon

You guys are my heroes!!! This second chapter is for you all.

Thank you to FireDancer, for pointing out that I had the wrong place for the capital, it was in Uru'baen, not Gil'ead. I apologize for the mistake, it has been fixed.

---Chapter Two---

Fight or Flight

by: ElfLuver13

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"You're sending us where?" Caitrin asked. They had listened to Galbatorix speak of their enemy the Varden and his plan to send the two of them to retrieve the rider and kill the Varden leader. Galbatorix spoke with venom in his voice, spitting out the names of Eragon and Nasuada as though they were poison.

"You will both travel to where the Varden are regrouping. It is already rumored that some of their number has set off to find the Ra'zac and retrieve some who were taken. It is a hopeless endeavor, but should you meet them on the way, kill them. I would not want to take any chances," he told them, resuming his nervous pacing. "Two horses have been set up, and they have been stocked with provisions. You will leave this night, and try to stay hidden if you travel by day."

They both nodded. Caitrin pondered on the thought of traveling with this man. He glanced at her as well, and she thought him to be sizing her up. He was known for his quietness, and his parentage. It was known also that he was the brother of Eragon, the fearless dragon rider. Caitrin had learned that bit of information when an advisor she was speaking with slipped. He had seemed quite flustered about it, and she had not brought it up since.

The thought of traveling with him seemed daunting, especially when she would be traveling with his dragon. Would it fly overhead? Creep along beside them hidden in the forests? For all she knew, dragons could have invisibility powers. Highly unlikely, but it was a thought. Galbatorix dismissed them, clearly distressed as he had been the night before when Murtagh returned. The news that the twins were dead did not help matters.

As they left the throne room, she felt Murtagh pull her aside. He had a strong grip on her sleeve as he swept her behind a pillar. She rubbed her arm where he had grabbed her and frowned at him. Already they had gotten off to a rotten start.

"What do you want?" She asked, scorn evident in her voice. He obviously felt he had the right to push her around, and he responded as such.

"What do you think?" He growled. "Look, I don't see the reason why we should become enemies. If we are to be traveling partners for the next few months, at least we could try and make this enjoyable." Caitrin sensed an underlying sense of wounded pride and irritation in his voice.

"Something the matter? You seem upset," she asked, not really caring about his well being, just curious as to his harsh disposition.

"I would expect so. Anyone would feel inadequate when their superior assigns someone to assist them after an almost successful run," the irritation became more evident. "Especially when the assistant is a woman."

He had overstepped the line.

"Fine, if you feel that way then I see it impossible that you and I can cooperate in a successful assignment. You and your male superiority will have to deal with a woman, no matter what your thoughts on the matter," she turned, stomping away from him in fury.

"Oh, and one more thing," she turned, a violent look on her face, "who said I was your assistant? Are you sure the King hasn't assigned me to you to make sure you don't mess up again?" She turned and walked away again in triumph, a smirk on he face. She missed the slight look of hurt before his face twisted into equal anger.

Caitrin slammed the door to her room and sat on her bed. She probably shouldn't have said the last bit about him messing up, but her temper had gotten the best of her. She gathered a few things such as extra clothes, weapons, and personal items before she fell into her bed and tried to get some rest before they left.
Thorn was silent as his rider stalked around the dragon hold with a furious look on his face. Murtagh hadn't said anything, but Thorn knew from the way he was moving that it would be useless to try and speak with him, he would only anger more.

"We are leaving tonight," he spoke suddenly, in a vicious tone. "We are to be accompanied by another, one of Galbatorix's assassins. I am sure you'll find her quite... agreeable," he struggled with the last part, adding a sarcastic tone to it.

But you didn't.

"What?" He shouted.

You didn't find her agreeable. Something tells me you do not like her.

"Really? What would give you that thought?"

Thorn sighed and rolled away from him on his side. Murtagh shook his head and left, knowing Thorn wouldn't talk to him until he calmed down.

After a quick and light meal, consisting of bread, cheese, and fruit, Caitrin walked to the courtyard. It was nearing dusk, the sun was set low in the sky. Two horses, a bay with white socks and stocky legs, and a long-legged gray, stood waiting with two stablehands holding their reins. Saddle bags tied to them were bursting at the seams with provisions and other necessities.

Caitrin looked around, seeing no one but herself and the the stable hands with the horses. Where was Murtagh? Perhaps he had refused to travel with a woman, that seemed like something he'd do. She could not imagine him being late. Hearing voices behind her, she turned to see her answer.

Galbatorix was talking with Murtagh in hushed tones as they walked down the steps into the courtyard. Murtagh shot her a narrow-eyed glance before returning his attention to Galbatorix, who didn't seem to notice. He handed Murtagh two tags, engraved with Galbatorix's insignia. She strained to hear what he said next.

"You will wear these, if you are stopped by any of our soldiers, these will get you through faster than an explanation," she heard him say. Murtagh nodded and took them, giving a slight bow and continuing down the stone steps. As he passed her, he tossed her one quite agressively, hitting her square the chest. She grabbed it before it slipped through her fingers and begrudgingly followed behind him.

"The bay is mine," he said, answering her unspoken question about who would ride which horse. She watched as he grabbed the reins and swung up on the horse with a sense of familiarity. She raised an eyebrow at his assertiveness, and mounted the gray, feeling him prance beneath her in anticipation of the journey.

"Thorn, my dragon, will fly above us," he said. As he finished hs sentence, a blur of red scales landed in front of them. Caitrin turned her head and shielded her eyes at the sudden wind. When she felt it stop, she looked up and saw a brilliant red dragon on his haunches before them. He growled softly and turned to face her. She felt herself shudder at his close observation, and was more than relieved when he turned his eyes away from her and back to Murtagh. After she thought she saw a silent conversation play between the two, the dragon drew his wings back and jumped into the air, flying high above them.

Murtagh silently turned his horse around and she took this as a command to follow him. They passed through the iron gates, so heavily guarded by a unit of armored men, and made it to the outer fringes of the city by nightfall.

Second chapter alright? I had a little trouble with this one, but I think it turned out okay. Now that this is written, I should be able to write the other chapters more easily. Please review and leave a comment! It is imperative I catch mistakes like the one in the first chapter early!

-ElfLuver13