Murtagh awoke; trembling like a lost kitten. A cold sweat covered his head and arms, and his breathing came in rigid gasps.

'What is wrong?' Thorn asked, with concern for his rider. Murtagh tried to respond, but found he could not. All his thoughts jumbled together as he tried to think of a way to explain his pain. He hurt everywhere; but he bore no physical wounds. A fever burned inside his chest; driving him to the edge of insanity.

'I...I..' Murtagh stuttered, 'I can't do it any more Thorn.' The unacknowledged realization passed from rider to dragon, feeding their fears. They had to escape; but how?

(POV Switch: Eragon)

Eragon sat, staring at the wooden ceiling. No matter how hard he tried, he could not grasp sleep. Every time he tried images of a little girl being cut flashed before his eyes. The tears that ran down her face haunted him. Her screams sent shivers down his spine. It was times like these he wished for Saphira the most. She would know exactly the right way to comfort him.

"Saphira.." he whispered, the feeling of emptiness once again making an appearance. Then the tears came. They ran down his cheeks like there was no end. Tremors racked his body as he shook, crying away his pain.

What had happened to him? He was once a carefree boy living his life with his dragon. But then she had been taken from him in a instant. Hatred started to replace his sorrow as he saw Saphira die in front of him. Murtagh had done this. It was his fault! His fault that the once powerful rider had been reduced to nothing but an empty shell!

Before Eragon could gain control of himself he stood. Not knowing what he had doing he walked towards the wooden wall. Raising a trembling fist he punched the curved wood. It gave way under his strength; sending his hand into the room on the other side.

A cry of pain escaped his lips as he pulled it out of the now broken wood. His hand was covered with splinters and cuts. Small beads of blood dropped from his hands onto the rocking floor. Once again tears sprung to his already wet eyes; threatening to fall. The boy could feel a scream rising in his chest; ready to burst out of his mouth.

Suddenly, small, pale hands wrapped around his bloodied one. Whispers reached his ears as his skin started to tingle and itch.

"Sit down, Eragon" Arya demanded, dropping her hold on his hand. He obeyed, dropping himself on his small straw mattress.

"Th..Thank you." Eragon whispered. Once again the elf had saved him from madness.

"What is wrong with you?" She asked, staring at Eragon with wide eyes. He sighed, and then,

"Do you truly wish to know, Arya Sivit-Kona?"

She nodded briskly, before moving to sit next the him.

POV Switch: Arya)

She truly worried for the rider. Each night she was required to heal one of his self-inflicted wounds. When he offered to tell her what bothered him; she eagerly agreed. Eragon stared at her with his brown eyes, boring into her emerald ones. He placed a shaking hand on the side of her face, before closing his eyes. Pictures flashed before her eyes; replacing them with her own. No longer did she sit in Eragons small room; instead she stood in a small field.

'Where am I?' She thought. A pain filled scream sounded behind her seconds later. She saw a man running away; but from what? The source of the scream was a young woman. She was beaten until she had deep cuts along her arms. Her face had a cut so deep you could see the bone. She had been raped and scared; then left to bleed to death alone. Her bright blue eyes shone up at Arya; they were filled with pain and tears that would not fall.

Suddenly, the girl vanished, bringing her back to see Eragon. His face looked pale, and he was still shaking.

"That Arya, is what is wrong with me. Every time I close my eyes I see visions like that. That is what I face each day. I try to get through it, I really do. Do you know what that torture is like?" He asked, tears falling down his cheeks for the third time that night.

Arya was baffled. Was it really like this? Those gruesome pictures flashing before his eyes constantly? The elf quickly pulled a shaking Eragon into her arms.

"Shh...It's all right." She cooed, attempting to calm his sobs.

(POV Switch: Still Unknown)

"Why is he crying?" The young boy asked.

"Shh! They will hear you!" The man hissed through clenched teeth. Stupid child! Doesn't understand the meaning of be quiet! Slowly, they crept silently down the hall; almost loosing balance due to the rocking boat.

"Why was he crying?" The boy asked again, this time whispering.

"I don't know!" The man exclaimed, closing the door behind them. "It matters not. Do you know the plain?" The boy nodded, but then frowned.

"Why do we have to kill them, they seem nice."

"They are not nice. Believe me boy, they are not nice."

A/N: So yeah, another short chapter... hoped you like it. This time you got a closer look at who the 'unknown' is. Any guesses?

Reply to Daxxx: I agree with you; I like decisions more.

Reply to basketballstar: I updated soon! :D hoped you liked it.

Reply to riptide: Thanks! I'm so glad it is somewhat intresting!

Reply to EminemBitches: Well that is true; but without Saphira there would be no Inheritance story! O_o …...*Starts to have a mental break down* "No Eragon...?" Princess Arya whispered. *Starts ripping out hair.*

Reply to Restrained . Freedom: Hmm... Well your guess was not correct but inspired me to add Murty to the story! :D Hmm...

I might say you are smart for not thinking she is gone gone..maybe (Omg did I just give you a hint?)