I heard a knock on my cabin door. "Who is it?" I asked in my most princess-like accent. Who says training to be a royal never pays off? I crept the five steps to the wooden board. "A friend of Shur'tugal." Replied a deep voice. I may have grown up in Uru'baen but I knew enough of the ancient language to know that whoever it was meant Eragon. "Fine. Come in. Lest you be seithr. I don't particularly like witches." I grumbled in my normal voice. The door creaked open and Murtagh stepped over the threshold. "Gimme the message and leave." I snapped. I know. I'm so polite.
"Eragon says to meet him at the other side of Isentar by sundown tomorrow." Murtagh replied, clearly annoyed. "The OTHER SIDE by SUNDOWN? Is he crazy? Does he want to kill Shruikan?" I shrieked. "I'm just the messenger! Don't kill me!" Murtagh squeaked. I tried to control my temper. Note to self: take pills. "OK. Tell him I'll meet him there." I sighed. "By the way," Murtagh said from the door, "where is Shruikan?" "Hunting." He did that weird eyebrow thing where your eyes get bigger then shrink back to normal. He shut the door after him. Such a gentleman.
Shruikan! Can you hear me?
Of COURSE I can hear you princess.
Good. We need to get to the other side of Isentar by sundown tomorrow.
I'll meet you a mile from the northern most border of Gil'ead when the 3rd rooster crows. Bring the saddle and some provisions in a leather bag. Pack light.