And here's chapter 2. Just a heads up, this isn't a Murtagh/Katrina pairing.
Chapter 2: Katrina
Katrina sat huddled on the cold stone floor. She knew she must be filthy, but as there was no light, she couldn't see herself. Her arms ached from a thousand different bruises and a cut on her forehead had finally stopped trickling blood.
Katrina couldn't think straight; her head was pounding and she couldn't remember the last time she had been given a decent meal or glass of water. She pulled her legs up to her body to try and stay warmer. It was so cold.
The only sound Katrina could hear was the pounding of her own heart, or at least, that was until she heard the footsteps. At first she thought she had just imagined them, but then they grew closer. One set was louder than the rest. 'Well, at least one of them's human, or, at least not ra'saac.' She thought glumly.
When the footsteps were right out side her cell, Katrina closed her eyes. She was unsure wether she wanted them to stop, maybe bringing her food, or if she wanted them to keep going, meaning she wasn't going to be tortured.
The footsteps stopped. "Good. Leave us." Katrina gasped as the sharp voice broke the silence. A few seconds later the door swung.
Katrina didn't move until a floating orb lit up the room. Startled, she looked up at the figure standing in the door way. A flicker of surprise darted across his face and it gave her a grim type of satisfaction.
'I guess he wasn't expecting a woman.' She had to admit, though, that she too was a bit surprised. Katrina hadn't thought her next visitor would be someone quite so young.
The young man looked to be a few years older than Roran's cousin, Eragon, but was younger than she.
The man entered the cell almost cautiously, closing the door behind him. "So," he said leaning against the door. "Who are you?"
Katrina hesitated for a moment, "K-Katrina." She mumbled.
The man tilted his head ever so slightly to one side, "That does not tell me who you are. The name has no meaning to me." Katrina was nervous now, she could not tell if the man was angry with her. His voice was cold and emotionless, and his face was blank.
"I am from Carvahall." She paused, but figured that if Galbatorix already knew who she was, telling this stranger wouldn't make a difference. "My father is Sloan, a butcher. My mother is dead. I was to marry Roran Garrowsson, cousin of Eragon." Katrina didn't know why she had said the last part, about Eragon, but it seemed to mean something to the man.
Something dark flickered across his face, but he gave a sharp nod of understanding. "I am Murtagh." He said simply. "I need you to answer some questions for me."
Katrina didn't say anything. She was cornered. She knew she'd be interrogated eventually, but now that the time had come she wasn't sure she'd be able to keep what little information she had from the man, Murtagh.
"What do you know of Eragon Shadeslayer?" Katrina was confused by the last part of the name, but tried not to show it.
"N-Not much?" Her statement came out sounding more like a question.
Murtagh did not look pleased. "And the Varden?" He questioned.
"Who?" A faint whisper was all Katrina could produce.
The man let out a short sigh. "Have you ever had someone in your mind before?" He smirked at Katrina's obvious puzzlement. "No, of course not." With that, he closed his eyes.
Katrina was about to question him when she felt something strange pushing at the edge of her mind. Without warning, it poked her sharply. She let out a whimper and the tendril like presence retreated.
Slowly it came back again, gentler this time. Katrina was curious, but not scared. That was, until it began rifling through her memories like they were nothing but sheets of paper.
"Stop," She whispered so quietly she doubted Murtagh had heard. "Please, stop." But it didn't. Katrina saw visions of Roran, Eragon, and the ra'saac flash by. She winced as saw the beasts dragging her out of her tent and away from Roran. Then, as quickly as it had come, the thing left.
Katrina was breathing hard and even though she had not been hurt after the first time, she knew there was something wrong. Something had just looked at her memories. She looked up, startled to see the man looking at her, something that resembled regret in his eyes.
Without a word, he stood and left. The strange light stayed, however, and Katrina could just see Murtagh produce another. There were no ra'saac around to take offense at the light this time.
Katrina realized she was shaking. Taking deep, calming breaths, she thought of Roran. Oh, she wished he were here, but that was stupid, because then he would be caught too. She felt a tear start to make its way down her cheek, but wiped it away quickly when she heard footsteps again.
The door opened and Murtagh was back. She knew he wasn't back for more information as Katrina suspected he was the one who had looked at her memories and now knew everything. She froze when she saw what he was carrying. Food.
He set it down gently in front of her, so it was within reach of her manacled hands, which was more consideration than many of her 'caretakers' had provided. On the small plate was some bread, vegetables, and a type of meat. She marveled at the real, if not slightly cold, meal.
Katrina glared at the man, who only gave her a small smirk in return. Figuring things couldn't get much worse for her, she ate swiftly, gulping down the glass of water Murtagh had brought as well.
When she had finished, the man took her dishes, but hesitated before leaving. He looked her up and down then muttered something in a language she didn't recognize. As Murtagh walked out, muttering something again, Katrina felt the bruises on her arms and the scratch on her forehead slowly fading away.
She shook her head in amazement. The man was clearly a servant of the king, an important one at that, and yet he had treated her better than anyone else so far. She could have sworn she heard him mutter 'I'm sorry' on the way out.
So, I'm sorry that was so short, unless you're someone who likes short chapters, then I guess its just a bonus.
Anyway, thanks for reading and feel free to review!