Orders
A familiar feeling of dread filled Murtagh as he entered the king's throne room with Ywain. The two men stopped before Galbatorix and bowed.
"Murtagh," the king said, his voice sending cold shivers down Murtagh's spine, "I have new orders for you".
Murtagh felt sorrow coming from Thorn, pouring through his mental link. He felt pain of his own but pushed it away. "What would you have me do?"
Murtagh saw the Galbatorix smile slightly. He thought it may have been due to Murtagh's new found obedience. Murtagh had no loyalties to the king but he had realised that there was no point arguing, the last time he had questioned Galbatorix's orders it had been in front of some of the king's guard. Galbatorix had been furious and Murtagh had been punished severally. The sight of the king's smile angered Murtagh, he would have dearly loved to give the king a piece of his mind but held his tongue. Whatever he said would not be worth the punishment.
"The Varden succeeded in capturing Feinster. I had suspected that their next target would be Belatona, one of my spies has just confirmed this. I want you to fly out and help protect the city. I am sending an army of two-hundred painless soldiers to assist you however the majority of my army will be going to defend Dras-Leona. If Belatona falls you are to join my army in Dras-Leona; understood?"
Murtagh nodded.
"Good. The Varden have only just begun their march; you should have plenty of time before they reach Belatona, you should take advantage of this and plan an ambush".
Murtagh gulped; Eragon wasn't with The Varden. Murtagh had seen him flying towards Gil'ead after the attack on the elves. As he had no current orders to attempt to capture Eragon, Murtagh had hidden and waited for Eragon to pass. He hadn't mentioned this to the king. If Galbatorix knew he would have taken advantage of Eragon's absence and ordered Murtagh to attack The Varden as soon as he arrived back in Urû'baen. Without Eragon there to protect them The Varden would be slaughtered.
Thinking quickly Murtagh said, "You want me to attempt to ambush The Varden? Your painless soldiers won't reach them in time. Surely you don't expect me to go up against Eragon and Saphira, Eragon's elvan guards, Du Vrangr Gata and the entire varden army alone?"
The king looked angry. "I am no fool Murtagh! Of course you will not be facing the entire varden force. I've decided The Varden's current leader has caused us too much trouble. She is protected too well for any of my spies to make an attempt on her life so it will be all up to you. I don't you to take any un-necessary risks or detours, straight in and make sure you are not hurt before Belatona".
Murtagh stared blankly at the king. Hundreds of different emotions ran through his mind. Hesensed Thorn's confusion and realised that the dragon was trying to contact him but was unable to. Murtagh's grief and horror was acting as a powerful mental barrier. Murtagh tried to remove the barrier; he tried to move his body to respond to the king but he couldn't, his brain seen to have stopped working.
The king laughed. "Yes I've seen your memories; I understand this is going to be a difficult mission for you but don't worry I've thought very hard about the oaths you will swear to me, there is no way you'll be able to get out of it".
The king handed Murtagh a roll of parchment which he reluctantly took. On the parchment were fifteen lines in the ancient language that the king expected Murtagh to resight.
Murtagh scrolled down the list, "No," he said dropping the list to the floor, "I won't do it".
Before he had time to defend himself Galbatorix's fist slammed into the side of his face sending Murtagh backwards and onto the cold hard floor.
Gasping for breath Murtagh heard to the king utter a single word in the ancient language. His arms and legs were suddenly being pinned tightly to the floor, the invisible force crushing his joints, at the same time fire shot though his veins causing his blood to boil. Unable to move Murtagh threw his head back and screamed. He was dimly aware of Thorn absorbing some of his pain trying to help but it didn't seem to make a difference. Murtagh thought he heard a dragon roarin the distance.
Darkness started to gather on the edge of his vision, dearly seeking the relief it would bring Murtagh welcomed un-consciousness but before it could come the pain stopped.
His skin red raw from the heat that had just passed through his body Murtagh sat up. Galbatorix was looking down at him with a cold hard look, to his right Ywain looked positively delighted.
The king muttered something under his breath. Again Murtagh dropped to the ground he shuddered as is skin tingled all over; it felt as though thousands of bugs were crawling about just under his skin. Galbatorix had said his true name.
As soon as he felt in control of his body again Murtagh sat back up. Galbatorix shoved the parchment back into his hands.
"Read," the king instructed.
Murtagh felt himself talking against his will. Silent tears ran down his face as he strained to make himself stop but his efforts were useless.
"Good," the king said when he had completed the binding oaths, "you run along and pack now; you'll be travelling alone, Ywain is going to remain here and assist me with a little experiment".