Murtagh meet her steady gaze as he lifted his hand towards her face, "You were screaming, I thought someone was in here…" he mumbled as he glanced at the sword that was leaning against the wall. He turned back to Kyana and said in a grave voice, "What happened?"

Kyana was still unable to speak, the battle still fresh in her mind as she stared at the man who just moments ago was lifeless in her arms. Her brain couldn't process the fact that he was alive, that he was there with her. All she could see was the Blue Rider stabbing him, over and over as if on a loop. All the blood, all the pain, it just felt all too real. She was afraid that if she blinked or even moved, that Murtagh would be gone, he would be dead again and she would be left on her own.

"I'm so sorry," she managed to whisper as she felt her body on the verge of tears. "It shouldn't have been you… It should have been me…. I'm so sorry." She repeated as she curled up in a ball and wrapped her arms around her knees. Murtagh noticed her uneasiness and without even thinking of his actions, he wrapped his arms around her small frame in a hug. He didn't know what she was so sorry for or what had happened to him but for some reason, he knew he had to protect her. Kyana clung onto his arms as she continued to cry. The two of them sat there for hours until the sun slowly started to come back to the sky. Kyana cried harder because she knew that he would leave her as soon as the sun was fully in the sky.

Without knowing it, Kyana slowly felt herself crying herself to sleep. Before she closed her eyes again, she thought she heard a soft voice whisper, "It's okay, your safe. Nothing is ever going to get you, I promise." But promises are meant to be broken, nothing lasts forever, especially not promises.

~*..*~

When Kyana woke again, she noticed that she was alone. She looked around and saw that there was no sign that Murtagh was there last night. Could she have imagined that he visited her? Was it all part of her dream?

Kyana's thoughts were melded as she got out of her bed and walked over to her mirror. She saw that her skin was much paler than it was before and her eyes looked red from crying so much. She took a deep breath as she splashed water onto her face, the cool droplets dripping down her face as they pooled before her. "Kyana, your services are needed in the throne room now." Kyana heard her father's voice echo in her head.

She took a moment to pause, briefly wondering what the King would require her for so suddenly. She quickly threw on a clean pair of trousers and putting on her boots. She strapped her gleaming black sword, Reona meaning reaper onto her belt and strapped her bow and arrow set onto the strap on her back. "I am on my way, my King." Kyana replied to her father as she decided to take the normal way to the throne room instead of her secret path.

After Kyana threw her cloak over her head she swiftly walked along the corridors, servants barely noticing her presence for as soon as they had seen her, she was gone.

When she arrived at the large, polished doors, Kyana didn't bother to knock as she barged her way in. She saw her father sitting on his throne and another form in front of him. Kyana couldn't help but think back a few days ago when she walked in and first meet Murtagh. Kyana found herself hoping that this wouldn't be the same situation as she made her way to her Father's side, making sure that her cloak hid her face. "You called for me, my King?" she asked in a non-formal tone as she fell to one knee.

"Yes. Rise, Kyana." Galbatorix said, making sure to hide any form of affection towards his daughter. He turned his attention towards the form in front of him as he said again, "Rise." The form slowly rose and Kyana could finally see a face.

The person in front of her was a girl, probably the same age as Kyana. The girl was shorter than Kyana though, not by too much but enough to notice it. Kyana was able to see the girls black hair that framed her face. Gray eyes bore into Kyana and she felt her throat clog up as she noticed that the eyes reminded her of Murtagh's steel gray. However, the girls eyes seemed to have flecks of green that almost reminded Kyana of green flames.

The girl stared at Kyana, both girls insanely curious of the other. Galbatorix however was unable to notice the stare down between his daughter and the newcomer. "Kyana, this is Azeilia. Her father is one of my generals in charge of Dras-Leona. She has come to the palace to master her swordsmanship and it was decided that you will mentor her." He paused to watch Kyana's reactions and was surprised to see her grinning.

"Very well my King." She said in a happy voice. "Come along this way, Azeilia." Kyana started to walk back towards the door before turning to look over her shoulder and say, "Thank you, my King."

Azeilia gave Kyana a weird look as she didn't understand why Kyana was thanking the King. But Galbatorix understood his daughter's hidden message. Thank you for giving me a friend. The Dark King nodded in the direction that the two girls left.

~*..*~

Forgetting about her nightmare, Kyana was happier than she has been in a long time. While her father has been very protective and never allowed her friends, she might now have a chance at friendship with Azeilia.

She led the dark haired girl out towards the stables. "Where are we going?" Kyana heard Azeilia ask.

"I'm gonna call you Zeil, okay Zeil? Azeilia is just too long," Kyana said as she turned around and started to walk backwards. "Since I am supposed to teach you swordsmanship, I am going to take you to a place a little outside the palace that we are going to train at." She started to turn back around but then a thought came to her. "Wait, do you have a sword?"

"Not really," the smaller teen said as she meet Kyana's eyes.

Kyana paused for a moment before she grabbed onto Zeil's arm and dragged her through the crowd. "Come on, Zeil. We are going to get you a sword."

People started to move out of the way of the two girls as soon as they noticed the seal on Kyana's hood. Kyana gave Zeil a wild looking grin as the two ran, dodging the occasional castle guard until Kyana finally stopped. Zeil found herself breathing heavily and turned to see that Kyana was barely fazed that they had just run to the other side of the kingdom in around five minutes. Kyana strutted into the building before them as she called out, "Crisdork I'm homeeee!"

"How many times do I have to tell you, my name is Crisdalf." A man said as he walked around the corner. His curly black beard was singed from the fire as she pulled out a rag to dry his hands. "What can I do for you?" he asked.

"Zeil here is here to learn swordsmanship and the King has appointed me her mentor. However, she does not seem to have a sword. Think you can help us, Crisdork?" Kyana said as she picked up a dagger that was nearby and twirled it in her fingers.

Crisdalf sighed as he looked around in his forge, constantly looking at Zeil and then going back to searching as he muttered to himself. "I assume a right handed sword, maybe a hand and a half, hmmmm."

Zeil looked over to Kyana who was still playing with the blade. When Kyana noticed her apprentice's eyes she turned to meet them. Zeil raised an eyebrow as she glanced at the knife and then back at her mentor. Kyana laughed as she stuck out her tongue and put the knife down.

This ought to be fun, Kyana thought to herself.

So sorry guys! I was hoping to update quite a while ago but summer homework is something that I have been putting off for a long time. I want to thank you guys so much though (this story has over 1,000 reads!) This chapter we get to meet one of our new characters, Azeilia (thanks to Leopardsky!) and I would still love to maybe get some more new characters in this story so please, HELP ME! Next chapter we will get to see Kyana and Zeil's first lesson and I promise I will try and get it to you guys by Thursday! Please review, it makes my day when I see any sort of comment and helps me update faster! Love you all!