Third times a chime?

Three months passed in a blur of shortened days and dropping temperature, they had set up camp on the edge of a serene lake in the hopes that fish would swim in the waters where Murtagh was painfully aware that he would need to find something better than a dusty tent to live in when autumn becomes winter and the golden leaves turn to harsh snow. He was also attentive to his companion Jinxx, whom he and Thorn had grown close to, as she was as weak as a new-born deer. He had to give her credit, as she tried her best to wash and mend their clothes, bake their food and stumble through conversations the two would have had with Galbatorix despite her disability.

A quiet sneeze caught Murtagh off guard and he leapt to his feet, ready to attack. His battle-ready gaze fell on a shivering Jinxx and he relaxed. She was shivering badly in a thin, pale pink summer gown which, to Murtagh's disbelief, was the thickest dress he had found in the ruins. He sighed, tugged his travellers cloak from around his shoulders and tucked it around her, wincing when the cold air hit his skin through his shirt.

"Th-Thank you." She smiled at the tree behind him, bringing a smile to his lips; it amused him when she offered inanimate objects various things like a bowl of soup or asked them a question confidently. He also found it hilarious when he managed to catch her off guard and jump out at her, bringing a shriek from her lips. He knew it was harsh but it was entertaining.

He watched a lone snowflake drift down onto the fire and sighed again; they needed to find better shelter desperately before they freeze. Jinxx heard his sigh and reached out clumsily to pat his shoulder only to succeed in patting his head like he was a dog. He chuckled and pulled her down onto the log beside him. She giggled and cuddled into his arm while tossing half of the cloak over his shoulder with a grin to keep him warm. Murtagh pulled her into him, securing her under his armpit and used a finger to tilt her chin upwards to his so he could gaze into her glassy orbs. Her eyes didn't bother him anymore; sure they were a little different on a morning but apart from that, he was used to it.

When you two are quite finished. Thorn's booming thoughts startled the two and Murtagh broke away guiltily. Murtagh had no feelings towards Jinxx, he was sure of it. Nasuada still plagued his dreams as did his regret of not telling her how he felt. Nothing for Jinxx. He hoped.

What do you want? Murtagh grumbled as he rose from his seat, letting the cloak slip from his shoulders. Jinxx shivered then clutched it to her before leaving the log and kneeling before the fire for warmth.

I am merely reminding you that we're running low on supplies. Thorn snapped. He was tired of flying further North every day in search of a place suitable to live and he was starved as there were little livestock in the mountains. He had been living on a diet of birds and grass which had taken its toll on the dragon.

We've been low on supplies for weeks Thorn! What do you want me to do? Slice Jinxx into shreds and serve her for dinner? Thorn gave no answer as though he was considering the offer which frightened Murtagh slightly, Look, w-

"I could leave." Jinxx suggested fearfully as she began shuffling away; the two realised their thoughts had been projected, "I d-don't wish to be any trouble."

Murtagh glared darkly at Thorn then turned and pulled her into a tight and comforting embrace, "Thorn isn't going to eat you." He paused then spun his head to watch Thorn, "Are you Thorn?"

No reply.

…

"People have sighted outside the city walls sir."

"Oh good."

"They have a strange beast with them sir."

"That's nice."

"Are you even listening sir?"

Anthony Dewhurst, the lord of Magdalina, turned the page of his book with a sigh; he was an old pompous man with grey hair, blue eyes and was heavily overweight. He glanced up from the pages of his time-consuming novel and smiled at the man before him. "Are these people threatening us? Are they attacking us with flaming arrows?"

"No sir, they seem to not realise we're here." The ginger private, Benjamin, muttered.

"No? Then there is no threat." Dewhurst returned to his book, silently dismissing him. Benjamin left angrily; the lord never did anything that benefited the city apart from hide away from the world. He doubted that the lord even knew what a day of work was.

"What the public saw in him I shall never know." He muttered as he descended the stairs to reach his post on the wall that hid the city from detection. The wall was ten feet thick with a special enchantment woven into the brickwork so that it repelled unwanted visitors; needless to say, the enchantment was crumbling as the wall began showing signs of wear.

He watched the couple who thought they were hidden in the trees with curiosity, wondering if they knew he was there. He came to the conclusion that they didn't when the woman stripped down and dived into the clear lake to wash; he averted his eyes.

"Poor girl, the water must be freezing." He mumbled to himself as his gaze returned to the camp where the male was pacing restlessly in the camp. The great beast they had brought with them snorted, plumes of smoke rising into the air, and flicked it's tail irritably. He noticed their fire was dying and pitied them, "They're going to freeze to death if they stay out here any longer."

Something in the corner of his eye caught his attention and he sounded the alarm. The gates below were bolted shut and the civilians scurried into their cellars where they concealed themselves timidly. Soldiers could be heard marching along the wall with their weapons drawn.

Benjamin sighed and prepared himself for the worst.

Freezing to death was the last of their worries.

"God be with you."