Ok, I'm uploading this in my school library during lunch because I have nothing better to be doing.

On Katrina: the last chapter wasn't entirely pointless, she will be back at some point, not sure when, let me know if you liked her pov or not.

Here's the next bit, So... enjoy.

Chapter 3: Emma

Murtagh was angry. He had been simmering for the past hour and a half. Of all the things Galbatorix had done, imprisoning an innocent woman who clearly had no valuable information particularly bothered Murtagh. Yes, he had seen things a thousand times worse, but to torture a young woman who had done no wrong? And then to find out that she was Roran's fiancé and would have been Eragon's cousin in-law? That had surprised Murtagh, which was the real reason he was so annoyed. He, Murtagh, who had seen everything, had been caught off guard by the fact that the woman was indirectly related to Eragon.

'Murtagh?' Thorn's voice was gentle. 'It won't be long until we reach Uru'baen, what will you tell the King?'

Murtagh sighed. 'Its not as if I learned anything. Everything she told us He already knows.'

'Well, he can't torture us if he knows out mission was truly impossible. It wasn't our fault.'

Murtagh let out a short bark of laughter which held no humor. 'Of course He can, Thorn. Galbatorix needs no reason to cause others pain.' He sunk into a gloomy silence and Thorn said no more.

When the dragon and Rider landed in the Dragon's Keep at the castle, Murtagh was exhausted. He hadn't slept in what felt like days. He splashed some water on his face, changed out of his traveling gear and headed directly to Galbatorix's throne room knowing the king would want to see him immediately.

When the two guards on duty saw Murtagh approach they hurriedly moved to the side, closing the door loudly behind him. Walking forward confidently, Murtagh knelt when he neared the Kings feet. He stayed in that position, unmoving, waiting for his master to instruct him.

"Stand, my faithful Rider." Galbatorix's voice echoed eerily around the large space. Murtagh mentally flinched at the King's strange mood.

"What did you find?" He sounded only vaguely interested in the answer.

"Nothing you did not already know, milord. The prisoner knows nothing of the Varden or their pathetic rider." Murtagh watched the King's face closely for any sign of what his punishment was to be. To his astonishment, the King merely waved him off.

"No matter," He said distractedly. "We have just gained someone who will be of much help to us." Galbatorix faced Murtagh, a cruel smile on his lips. "The green egg has hatched and the Rider is in our possession."

Murtagh was at a loss for words. The Empire had just gained another Dragon Rider. He felt a moment of dark pleasure before shoving the thought away. He, Murtagh, Son of Morzan, and slave to the King would no longer be alone in this place. But no matter who the person was, Murtagh could not wish his fate on another living soul.

"Come, stand beside me, son of my most trusted servant." Galbatorix gestured for him to stand to the right of the gilded throne. Murtagh hesitated for a moment, partly because he was unsure of the King, and partly because he had no desire to have the monster Shruikan at his back.

Having no real choice in the matter, he stepped up silently, stopping to the right and just behind the bald man. Murtagh stood tall, staring impassively at the doors as they slowly began to open.

Two men walked into the room side by side, closely followed by a figure who must have been the Rider and who was shorter by far than himself. As the escorts bowed and exited, Murtagh got his first good look at the prisoner. He inhaled sharply and fought to keep his face blank.

This was no Rider. This was a child. A girl who could be no older than twelve.

Emma was completely, without a doubt, in shock. This morning she had be brought to the King's Palace to become a servant. Later, as she was searching for her Lady's chambers, she had gotten lost. In her fright, she had run down a hall, only to ram into someone as she turned a corner.

Emma had bowed quickly, begging their pardon, but had gotten no reply. Looking up, she had been petrified to see none other than the King himself standing in front of her. He had looked her up and down, while she stared determinedly at the ground.

"Come." He had said with an odd look in his eyes, and she had, sure that his face would be the last she ever saw. So it was to her utter amazement that Galbatorix lead her to a dim, well protected room, filled with what could only be his most prized possessions.

Emma's heart had almost stopped when she saw a large, green stone. She had heard enough tales in her short life to respect it for what it was. A dragon's egg. Most likely the last one in all of Alagesia. She was brimming with questions but had no way of asking them.

"Come, touch it." Galbatorix's voice had not been unkind, but Emma knew he was not to be trusted.

Hesitantly, she stepped forward, trying not to let the fear show on her face. The egg was at her eye level even though Emma was tall for her age. She raised her hand as if in a trance. She saw nothing but the green orb in front of her.

The second Emma's hand had touched the egg, she knew. And so did the Mad King beside her. She heard him let out a sigh.

"The last of the three dragon riders." He muttered to himself. "And two of them are mine."

Emma couldn't move. The realization of what had happened was just dawning on her. She was a dragon rider, one of the only three in the whole world. And yet, she was doomed to a fate worse than death. Emma had heard many tales of what had happened to the Red Rider. She shuddered.

"Follow me." Galbatorix's commanding voice startled her, but she trailed him without question back into the hall. The King beckoned over a trembling serving boy.

"Take this young lady to the Rider's wing. Find her the nicest room." He paused, then added, as an after thought, "Get her suitable clothing then lead her to my throne room." Galbatorix turned without further instruction and walked, head held high, out of sight.

All too soon, Emma had found herself standing in front of two wood doors manned by a pair are men in uniforms. She was wearing loose fitting black leggings and a dark green tunic. The color, she suspected, had been intentional.

When she showed no sign of moving, one of the men escorting her turned to glare at her. Afraid of the consequence if she didn't obey, Emma walked into the long room, looking neither right nor left, only straight ahead.

The King was lounging on his sickening throne; fingers entwined and a calculating smirk on his face. Emma only had a few seconds to glimpse him before one of the soldiers prodded her. She took one last look at the King before kneeling, but the man standing beside him caught her attention.

Emma began to shiver uncontrollably as she awaited the King's orders. He held her absolute fear, but the Red Rider frightened her almost as much. At least, she assumed he was Galbatorix's pet Rider. He was younger than she had expected; much younger.

When she thought she could stand it no longer, Galbatorix spoke. "Stand, my new Rider, and meet your fellow."

Emma stood slowly, trying to keep the fear off her face. "This is Emma, our new… student." The King spoke to man behind him before tuning back to her. "And this, Emma, is Murtagh. You've heard of him before, no doubt." It wasn't a question.

Emma's fear was replaced by anger as Galbatorix proceeded to talk about Murtagh and herself as if they were trophies to be shown. She scowled at the other rider, who stood unmoving, showing no signs of humanity. Didn't he care that he was just a pawn in the King's games? Didn't he care that while people were dying Galbatorix was making idle chatter? How could he just stand their while the cruelest man in the world was discussing various ways of torturing a twelve year old into servitude?

"Well?" Emma started at the King's impatient tone. She must have missed what he said. "You are dismissed, both of you." Looking up at the second rider, Emma saw that he was surprised by the man's sudden change of topic as well. She almost curtsied, but decided bowing would be more appropriate as she was in trousers.

As she began walking towards the doors, Emma heard Murtagh following behind her, only to be halted by the King. "Actually, Murtagh, stay a moment." Emma swallowed hard and had to struggle to keep herself from running out the doors.

So let me know what you think of Emma, I want her to seem as much like a real twelve year old would.