I haven't written anything since the eighth grade, so please forgive me if I change the storyline... I'm pretty sure I remember where the story was going... but I don't have any plan, so I don't think I'll finish the story. And I don't have Microsoft word, so expect many spelling and grammatical errors... If it gets too cliché, please tell me... I might write a little halfheartedly, but I really enjoy writing...
Murtagh stalked towards the unsuspecting old man behind the bread stall. It was becoming dark so not many townsfolk were out. As he approached the old man, he heard a quiet sob. He looked around and noticed that it was the old man. Despite being half-starved and determined to eat, he felt a pang of sympathy. He stood up straight from his low crouch and approached him.
"It's pretty late outside. Shouldn't you close your shop?" asked Murtagh. The old man replied without looking up.
"Today… today was the last day before the debt collectors came… I haven't paid for my house yet and my son is sick… I can't afford a doctor… and we'll live on the streets by tomorrow…" sobbed the old man. He covered his face with his hands and sank to his knees. Murtagh sighed.
I hope Thorn isn't listening in on me… he thought to himself, reaching into his deep pocket.
I'm always listening, Murtagh, rumbled Thorn's deep voice. There is absolutely nothing else to do. And even if there was, would I just abandon you? Our King is not, however with me…
Murtagh smiled to himself. Of course, he replied. Out loud he called to old man.
"Old man!" he called, fingering a large gold nugget in his pocket.
Murtagh, considering his status, a gold coin would be too suspicious to use. Just give him your bag of change.
Murtagh readily complied, realizing the problem. Murtagh knelt down to the old man's ear and whispered.
"For certain circumstances, I need to dress like a beggar. I'll give you this money; it should help. However, I need you to pretend that I am a beggar and begged you for bread."
The old man's eyes widened as Murtagh handed him the heavy bag of copper coins. One copper coin would be worth a few loaves of bread, however, Murtagh casually ran away with only one. He didn't give the old man a chance to thank him.
Am I pathetic, Thorn? Even though I've killed so many innocent people, I still try to be a hero said Murtagh, finishing the last of his first meal of the day.
Thorn sighed before answering. It was a long deep melancholic sigh. If you feel pathetic, Murtagh, just think of it as your true self acting around Galbatorix's evil. If we weren't controlled by him, we would try to be heroes like Eragon, right?
O-of course we would! snapped Murtagh. The small loaf of bread did not satiate his monstrous hunger. Eh… sorry. Where's Galbatorix, I need directions…
Haven't I always told you to refer to me as your Lord? asked a sadistically oily voice. Based on the surprise he felt from thorn, Murtagh assumed Galbatorix appeared suddenly. You are not too far from the home we look for. Take a right and keep going straight until you reach high country. The house you look for is the smallest one with an ancient tree behind it, instructed "his Lord". Galbatorix left Thorn without waiting for an answer.
It seems everyone is in a hurry today, said Thorn. You should try to reach your destination before dark falls. Murtagh sent back an agreement and took off in a light run.
You know Thorn…started Murtagh, breaking the silence. I find it funny that Galbatorix uses ancient slang like "high country". He really is old! Thorn chuckled at his comment.
Thorn simply sat in his straw bed the entire day. He had a bed outside and inside, but without Murtagh, he was too lethargic to go outside. He rested his large head on his forepaws like a cat, swinging his tail side to side. While he was looking through Murtagh's eyes at the world he was in, Thorn also looked around in his empty-without-Murtagh room. Thorn suddenly lifted his head, alerted.
A soft knock came from the door. Thorn allowed him in with a short snarl. A somewhat tall and slim figure stepped inside. He was covered in a black cloak with long voluminous sleeves and a large hood covering his head and hiding his face.
"Thorn…" he said, quietly.
Gremlin… said Thorn. Through Murtagh's memories, Thorn had seen the figure many times. He was a tall and willowy character and also Murtagh's teacher of magic, herbs, and the art of sword fighting. At first Galbatorix taught Murtagh himself, but became quickly bored and irritated at Murtagh's lack of progress so he assigned Gremlin to the task. Even though Gremlin had been teaching Murtagh for weeks, months, Murtagh had yet to see his face.
"Galbatorix wants to know how Murtagh is doing," said Gremlin, in a smooth, amiable voice.
Thorn thought about it for a second. At the moment, Murtagh was busy comparing the sizes of all the houses. He also snuck into the backyards of every one of them to see if he could find an ancient oak.
He's having a bit of trouble finding the house, stated Thorn, flatly.
"Ah, is that so? May I send you an image of the house with its location? Also the ancient oak is very large. He should be able to see it from anywhere in the vicinity."
Thorn sniffed a little. While Gremlin knew Murtagh was being inefficient, he did not show any arrogance or spite while helping. Thorn appreciated him a little more.
Ah, that would help, said Thorn, opening his mind to the mysterious Gremlin. Gremlin nodded and sent Thorn a clear and a vibrant image of a lonely house on a hill. A giant, thick oak tree rose above the house from behind, but what caught Thorn's attention was the quality of the image. Before he could inquire about it, Gremlin had silently left.
Murtagh, I have an image that will help you find the house. I never knew you were so bad with directions.
Murtagh huffed indignantly. It's getting so dark, and I'm thirsty and hungry and—
Anyway, I have an image sent to me by Gremlin, cut off Thorn. He's an odd creature. The image he sent me is so detailed and colorful that I doubt he's human. It's something to investigate when you get back.
Why don't you investigate it? asked Murtagh, as he examined the image he received. Oh! I know where that hill is! I can't believe I missed that.
Are you admitting your mistake? That's so mature of you.
You know what? You wait till I get back; just wait!
And you'll do… what? asked Thorn, challengingly as Murtagh knocked on the target's door. Murtagh didn't reply as he got into his beggar mode. But deep inside, he knew he wouldn't do anything.
Murtagh heard a few sets of steps coming towards the door as he hunched over.
"Wait Sebastian, I'm supposed to get the door," said Akai, pulling Sebastian back by his collar. Sebastian tried to argue but tightened his collar around his neck, cutting his words off, and shoved him behind her. Lady Phyllis and Suzan were just peeking from behind the stairs.
She opened the door slowly and examined what was in front of her. She swiftly closed the door before anyone else could see.
"Waait!" yelled Sebastian. "Who was it?" Suzan ran and joined him and looked at Akai with big curious eyes. Lady Phyllis simply got bored and walked away.
"It was… It was just a dog. A stinky, smelly dog. We should wait till it leaves. Yeah, that's a good plan."
Sebastian and Suzan looked at her with surprise.
"A dog?" asked Sebastian, incredulously. "A dog knocked on our door?"
"I wanna see!" squealed Suzan, jumping up and down.
Maybe a dog was not a good idea… thought Akai, as the two children double-teamed on her and opened the door. Both children stopped suddenly, staring at the odd stranger.
A/N: So two OCs so far… I think the story is moving much slower than I wanted it too… It makes it hard to write… Well, anyway, R&R pweeease… Btw, I know that the previous chapters are riddled with grammatical errors and idiocy, but I'm now a HS junior and too lazy to go back and fix it. I also have to read the books again…