Dear Readers,

The beginning of this story is under reconstruction. When you read a chapter that has nothing at all to do with what you have just read, please keep in mind that is the previous version of the story and I am redoing it as quickly as I can. I apologize for the inconvenience. Some details are being added along the way that you may not find later on in the story. That will soon be fixed as well.

This is Chapter 2, revised.

Thank you and enjoy!

DragonRider2000

They made it back to Uru'baen castle the next evening, much to Murtagh's surprise. Both of them dreaded what was to come.

I wish there was some way to break free. Thorn growled once the castle spires could be seen through the clouds.

"Be quiet. Things will only be worse if he catches you thinking like that." Murtagh snapped.

Worse? I suppose... but I think he knows, and he relishes the pain it causes us.

"Then stop thinking it and it won't hurt as much."

Speak for yourself.

"Just get us down there, and lets be done with it."

Without a word Thorn decelerated, and spiraled in towards the front entrance of the castle.

"Why aren't you going to the dragon hold?"

Use your eyes, or mine. We have a welcoming party.

Straining his eyes, Murtagh caught a glint of silver, and hoped beyond hope that it wasn't Galbatorix himself.

But as they came into full view of the gate, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Thorn growled as they landed, and the party of four that had been standing by the gate calmly walked towards them. Murtagh, while dismounting and un-tightening Thorn's saddle, surveyed the foursome.

They were all wearing sparring clothes, so they'd come from the training area. While both men seemed relaxed, one had a very carefree feeling about him while the other was more serious. The latter had black hair, while the former was blond. Both men were of the same height, but their features were nothing alike. The black haired man was tall and slender, if he could be called 'slender', with a smooth jaw, angular features, and fiery black eyes with swirls of gold in their depths. The blond was more filled out, bordering on stocky, and his features were rugged, customary of mountain folk. His eyes were a bright blue and were guarded, but full of laughter.

Murtagh then turned his attention to the two women. One was of medium height, with a very muscular build for a lady, hair as black as night that shone in the evening light, and wicked sea-gray eyes that could easily trick you. She had a bow slung across her back, and a light sword at her hip.
The last woman of the group of four was the one Murtagh marveled at the most. She was also of medium height, and she stood before him with dignity, and her long copper hair accented her sharp features and her emerald green seemed to sparkle as she watched him, threatening to swallow him in their depths. At her side was a long, black-leather grip sword with a small emerald gem set in the hilt. Vines were entwining around the hilt and guard, and Murtagh knew the vines would fade into the steel if the sword was drawn.

She was the one he'd hoped would come to welcome them back.

She was Taya Corsallen, the princess of Alageasia.

But there was nothing about her besides maybe her bearing and her sword that would let on who she was. There was no mark of royalty on her clothes, and unless someone looked directly at the small silver ring on her right hand, she could easily be mistaken for an ordinary swordswoman.

Her companions were actually her bodyguards. They were more like her family, which was how she treated them. Since the only family she had was her father, her bodyguards made up for the distance between her and the king. Her mother, the queen, had died some years ago, but no one knew how it had happened. Her death was hushed up, and anyone who talked about her disappearance were thrown into prison and usually never seen again.

The king rarely paid her much attention, although he did care about her education and training, and demanded her presence at special occasions where she needed to make an appearance. Otherwise, she was able to do whatever she pleased; inside of the castle. And although she was never allowed access to the city, she still slipped out at times, and if Galbatorix fund out he usually didn't care as long as she was protected. He knew that she disliked him, and he gloried in being able to hold that against her and use his power and ruthlessness to annoy her and to hurt her.

Murtagh finished with Thorn's saddle and started walking towards the group, and the blond man slapped him on the shoulder in greeting.

"Nice to see you back, Murtagh. We were wondering if you would actually be back, or if the king wanted you watching borders and taking over towns and things like that. The things you do best."

"Easy, Drayson. Stop jumping to your absurd conclusions. He doesn't take over towns. He devours them." The black haired man said seriously, cocking an eyebrow at Murtagh, who narrowed his eyes at them in annoyance.

"Right. Sorry Murtagh." The blond man laughed heartily, but flinched when the black haired woman slapped him on the shoulder.

"If you two say another word I will personally string you up by your thumbs."

Murtagh could help but laugh a little. "I would almost like to see you take on both Zen and Melcar, Ayda."

"Why should we stop teasing him, Ayda?" The blond man, Zen, demanded. "He'll face far worse when he enters the castle."

"What are you talking about, Zen? You know that-"

"Actually, Ayda has tried to take us both on. It didn't turn out well for her." The black haired man, Melcar, said with a wicked grin at Ayda.

"If you weren't my captain I would... I would..."

They all laughed at Ayda's loss for words, and Melcar shook his head sadly.

"I thought I had trained you better than that, Ayda."

At that Ayda merely rolled her eyes.

"I don't know why I was defending Murtagh anyways. He's perfectly capable of defending himself."

"Really? I disagree." Zen shook his head.

Murtagh stared at him. "I could easily throw you against that wall behind you if you do not shut up, Zen."

"You wouldn't dare." The man replied almost cheerfully.

"And why not?" Murtagh demanded, and then he froze when a new voice spoke,

"Because, dear rider, you would be attacking one of my bodyguards, and that would cause the rest of us to retaliate and you don't want that, I assure you. You may be powerful rider, but we do outnumber you and... well, we will leave it at that." Through the conversation she had kept silent, but now she was staring coolly at Murtagh, her expression very serious.

He felt shocked, as he was trying to understand just what she was implying, but then she started laughing and he relaxed.

"Did you actually think I was serious?" The princess asked him between laughs.

"I did. I was trying to work out just what you were implying."

"Fascinating. We will have to remember for future reference that you do not joke well after a battle. But then, I can't expect anyone would. Now that you're here though, you should lighten up a bit. We will put you in a room with Zen, Weston and Izaak. How would that do?"

"I think we would have to intervene on Murtagh's part to keep him from harming the others. Those three together can get on anyone's nerves." Melcar chuckled.

Murtagh shook his head, his thoughts flashing back to the battle, and his expression turned grim. "No, my lady, it is not easy to joke after a battle."

Taya gave him a surprised look.

"My lady? Since when did you start calling me 'My Lady'? That's so... unnatural!."

Murtagh smiled slightly at her and shrugged his shoulders. "I always seem to forget you hate that."

"Well, then maybe you should remember next time." She smiled mischievously and nudged his arm. "Otherwise we are going to have to straighten you out and teach you what it means to live around us again."

At the moment, Murtagh didn't want to know what 'straightening him out' would entail, so he didn't reply. Somehow something was different about them. What was it? What was bothering him?

They're trying to lighten you up, Murtagh. You're doing a horrible job of complying. And they have grown, as you have, since the days before.

Thorn, if you're trying to sound poetic you are failing.

Taya's right! You take all the funny things seriously.

It's rather hard to act relaxed when you feel like it's the calm before the storm. I am on the doorstep of Galbatorix's wrath. It's impossible not to look at everything seriously when I am expecting to be thrown into the dungeons.

You're right, something is different. There's something else going on.

Murtagh tried to snap back at him, but the dragon growled.

This time I am being serious, Murtagh. Something else is going on. Find out what it is so we can put our minds to rest.

Murtagh complied and turned his attention back to Taya and was about to ask her about the king when she laughed once and said,

"Welcome back, Murtagh Firestone. I am glad you've both returned safely and in one piece. I have good news for you, as I think I know what just transpired in your heads. The king did not anticipate your arrival until tomorrow, and he has made a quick trip to Dras'leona. He will not return until tomorrow morning."

Murtagh stared at her incredulously. She had to be kidding. The king never left the city.

I'm serious, Murtagh. I would not joke about this." Taya smiled.

He almost hugged her, he was so relieved to find out that he had an evening and a night to recover from the battle, and to prepare for the inevitable torture that followed his failure.
"Thank you, Taya. I can't describe how relieved we are to here that." He shivered. Undoubtedly Galbatorix would be angry at his early return. But he tried not to think of it.

"I can see why you would be. After all, I don't see a Varden rider and a blue dragon anywhere, unless you managed to fit them into your saddlebags somehow. He will not be happy."

Murtagh sighed. He would never hear the end of it.

"Don't take me wrong, Murtagh. Come what may, I'm proud of you. It's not easy to find away around his orders."

He nodded. She knew that better than anyone.

Taya turned to Thorn and touched his nose with her fingertips.

"Hello, Thorn."

Hello, Taya. I am glad to see you. You look radiant.

Thorn snorted smoke at Murtagh and returned his attention to Taya.

The battle was certainly not something that we can easily think lightly about, Taya.

Right, of course. I'm sorry.

Do not be. It was hard on the both of us, but mostly for Murtagh.

I can believe that, after finding out that Eragon was his brother in such a horrid way and then having to fight him from the opposite sides after they had been friends. I have do not doubt that Eragon was not thrilled to learn about his heritage.

He was not, you are correct. That truth was a hard one.

I can well believe it. I hope Murtagh wasn't too harsh on him.

Taya, the battle was harsh. Eragon was worn out by the time we arrived, and so was Saphira. But even then he was a match that Murtagh. He's changed since Murtagh knew him. He looks much like an elf.

Magic, do you think?

Undoubtedly.

How did they compare to each other with magic?

Eragon was not as strong as Murtagh, but he is powerful and will continue to learn and so his strength will grow. He was not an easy match.

Emotionally and physically, I am sure.

Just don't say that to my rider or you will make his mood plunge even deeper.

I wouldn't dream of it right now. Right now we are all going to find food.

Thorn chuckled, which caught Murtagh's attention and the rider narrowed his eyes. Their little conversation had taken barely any time at all, so it was hard for anyone to tell that something had passed between Taya and Thorn.

Taya smiled at Murtagh and took his arm.

"Come, you must be starving! Enough of this talk, let's at least start walking in the right direction. You both have had quite the ordeal and I'm not about to keep you standing on weary feet!"

Thorn, what did you two speak about?

Oh, nothing important or anything in particular.

I don't believe you.

So be it.

Thorn...

You concentrate on your direction, and I will concentrate on mine. The dragon said stiffly, and spread his wings, beating them a couple times and rising in the air, and he flew slowly up to the dragon hold.

As they entered the castle, Zen turned to Murtagh and asked curiously,

"So how did you manage to get around Galbatorix's order for you to bring Eragon Shadeslayer and his dragon back with you?"

"I don't want to discuss it, Zen." Murtagh growled

"Come on, that's hardly fair!" Zen cried indignantly.

Melcar nodded in agreement, watching Murtagh carefully.

"Zen's right. You can't just come back to the castle without having completed your mission, which was to bring back Eragon and Saphira, and expect questions not to be asked. It's not like it's easy to get around Galbatorix's orders. We all know that, you and Taya most of all. We want to know how, and why? You knew the consequences of coming back without them. Other people besides us are going to ask questions. You might as well tell us now, because we will hear about it one way or another. You can't stop people from being curious."

Murtagh looked to Taya, almost begging her with his eyes to redirect the conversation, to get the others off him, but she merely stared back at him with a curious glint in her green eyes. Murtagh sighed. They were right, he couldn't keep people from being curious, and Taya was just as curious as the rest of them. So he retold the battle from the time just before he entered the fighting, so they could understand the placement of the battle and the stakes, and what had already taken place so far, and where everyone was on the field.
He hesitated a moment before telling about his confrontation with Eragon, but he kept talking until he got to where he and Thorn began their flight back to Uru'baen, and then silence fell over the group as the others thought over all he'd told them.

"How could you?" Ayda scowled, catching Murtagh by surprise.

"What?"

"How can you justify killing the dwarf king in that way? Do you have no sense of honor?" Ayda stared at him, her grey eyes flashing menacingly.

To everyone else's surprise, Murtagh scoffed his reply,

"I was not going to have Thorn land merely to put out of the way an old dwarf with a hammer. There were more important things to be done and he needed to be dealt with as quickly as possible."

He realized too late that he had said the wrong thing.

Their emotions rose and sparked, especially Ayda's, and Murtagh tried to speak again but Taya raised her hand to stop him, her expression only showing that she was annoyed.

"That is your reasoning? Are you even human?" Ayda whispered, trying to control her voice and temper but failing. She stepped forward towards him but Melcar stopped her with his hand on her shoulder.

Again Murtagh tried to reply but a strong feminine voice barked angrily in his mind, catching him completely off-guard,

Enough, Murtagh. Keep silent for once, before you make things worse.

Out of reflex he threw up his mental barriers, but to his astonishment her presence remained.

You're wasting your energy trying to block me, Murtagh. I'm not going anywhere. This is the only way I will discuss what you just so bluntly stated. I think that was the most heartless thing I have ever heard you say, and I know those were your true thoughts. I couldn't give you a chance to 'fix' them. Do you understand what you've done? You've doomed yourself and Thorn to even worse lives of misery, and I know that seems impossible but it is true. We cannot condone this. The people of Alagaesia will not turn their heads at your action... I cannot imagine that killing Hrothgar helped your fight with Eragon Shadeslayer at all.

Murtagh bit back an angry reply, annoyed that she could enter his mind so easily and stay there, and mostly angry because he knew that she was right. He just wanted her out of his mind.

Taya, it's over now. I won't apologize for what I said because you were right, those were my true feelings on the matter. Can you just speak-

No Murtagh, it's not over. You do not seem to understand how wrong this is, what this reminds people of. Killing Hrothgar that way, snapping at Ayda the way you did... that doesn't just show us that you're Morzan's son, Murtagh. It shows us that you are his legacy!

There was a pause as her last word rang like a gong in his mind, and Murtagh watched Taya's emotions flit across her face. She took a deep breath, calming herself, and continued slowly, softly. Murtagh remained silent. He knew from experience that it would not be wise to interrupt her at this point.

If Galbatorix ever dies, or you're captured, being a rider won't spare you. Being Eragon's brother will not spare you. The dwarves want revenge. The Varden would never see you as anything but a threat if you lived. There may come a day when you say again what you did to Ayda, and you will be killed for it. Those were words of a heartless murderer, a man who has gone so far not to care about anyone but himself. A man like that is too dangerous to leave alive.
You shattered any relationship you could have with your brother now. Not that anything could work with you two being riders on opposite sides and you trying to capture him so he can be enslaved by Galbatorix. You have to apologize, Murtagh. You have to want to apologize because if you don't, what little hope there is left for you is slipping down a very steep slope.

He watched her as she took a step closer to him, her eyes staring into his.

I don't want to see you die because of this, or anything else.

There was complete silence all around them, as the bodyguards understood what was going on and kept their peace, letting Taya work things out, which she always did.

Murtagh let his mind wander over the things Taya'd said, and much of it struck him. She was correct, his life was hanging in the balance. He didn't wish he could take back what he did on the battlefield, but he knew that he shouldn't have said his feelings. But he wasn't worried about himself, maybe not as much as he should have been. But he'd already resigned himself to the fact there was little hope for himself.

Taya watched him, as if seeing his thought as they formed, and her expression softened a little.

Thorn's voice replaced Taya's. You know she's right, Murtagh. You can't deny it.

Thorn, I know...

Good.

Murtagh looked away from Taya and up at the Hljodhr's, and said with as much feeling as he could,

"I should not have said what I did. I apologize."

Ayda narrowed her eyes, but Melcar nudged her and smiled slightly at Murtagh as he said,

"Let it go, Ayda, or he'll feel obliged to add something else and you still won't be happy."

They all laughed, including Ayda, and with a brilliant smile Taya took Murtagh's arm and pulled him down the hallway.

"Now what matters is that you're back, in one piece, and undoubtedly hungry. Let's eat dinner and talk about other things, hmm? There's no use in dwelling on it all. Besides," Taya grinned wickedly, "there's so many interesting things to tell you and it's not like anything important is going to happen tonight. Come!"

They quickened their pace, and Murtagh let their wit envelope him as he hadn't done in a long time. He even believed Taya when she said that nothing important would happen that night. What could? The king was gone. He had a night to relax.

Watch yourself, Murtagh. Don't let yourself go too far, and don't let them put you off your guard. Something can always happen in a split second of weakness.

Of course, Thorn. Murtagh replied, not really listening. Thorn sighed and went back to his meal, watching carefully with his mind. He wasn't going to let his guard down and if he had to reprimand his rider later, he would take immense pleasure in it.

If Murtagh was really paying attention, he might have noticed that Taya was a little more charming than usual. Someone could have said she was trying very hard to make him feel at home or trying very hard to put him off his guard, but it would depend on the person's perspective. No one suspected anything, though, and so the evening slowly faded into night without any thoughts of suspicion arising... not from the humans, at least.