As the rebels moved across the landscape with every battle they won, Galbatorix became short tempered with everyone until Nasuada got captured by Murtagh from the Varden and that had made him pleased, while Murtagh became miserable. Aliana didn't have much time to talk to him, but when she did what she heard about how the new captive was treated wasn't pleasant. She'd always known Galbatorix would do anything, including torture to wear down opponents, though the meathods he used when things weren't going his way were far worse. Nasuada sounded strong enough to give him the same refusal no matter what he did to her and Aliana felt respect for her because the woman clearly would hold to her ideals. She could tell that Murtagh was drawn to Nasuada because of her strength and beauty from the way he spoke of her as time progressed.

She sighed heavily when he showed up at her door in the middle of the night, covered in cuts and swelling bruises and she could tell from the way he was standing he had a few ribs and joints ripped out of place. "What did you do this time?"

"I cast a protection spell on Nasuada so most of the time she won't feel pain when being tortured."

"Which means you exploited a loophole and knew you'd pay for it."

"It's nothing he hasn't inflicted before." He barely flinched when she popped his joints back into place. "You remember how many broken bones I got last time because I let Eragon get away."

She rubbed a few herbs on his cuts and bruises. "All too well, Murtagh. I know you care about her, but just try to be more careful. You're the only family I have left."

Murtagh's faint smile was the first one from him she'd seen in months. "Don't worry Aliana, I'd already be dead if I wasn't so valuable to His Highness."

"It's when you're no longer in his favor that worries me." She admitted as she wrapped up his torso. "You've always been too headstrong and impulsive for your own good."

"Oh and you're not, I suppose?"

"I don't stand in the way of the king."

"He seems to think you're getting a soft spot for Oromis that could make you get in the way."

"If he really thought that it was a possibility, I wouldn't be in charge of recovery still."

Murtagh's serious expression made her heart feel like it stopped. "No, you'd be forced to watch Oromis be killed in the slowest way possible. We stand on the edge of a knife now that we've lost Belatona, Aroughs and Dras-Leona to the Varden."

Aliana thought of Aerin, whom had looked more pale and thin than ever the last time they'd dined together. "What are we going to do, Murtagh?"

"Survive." He replied gravely and left.

The days blurred together as they all walked on eggshells around Galbatorix till one morning alarms sounded all over Uru'baen, which jolted Aliana from her sleep and she rushed out to see what was going on. People ran down the halls in a panick and the sounds of battle echoed from outside the castle. Her first thought was of Oromis stuck in the gardens and took off towards there before she could reconsider her descion. Suddenly, she was tackled as she rounded a corner and found herself face to face with a wolf that walked like a man. She struggled against him, all the wind driven out from her so she couldn't protest and he held her with such a strong grip she couldn't get free.

"Get off her, Blödhgarm." Oromis' familiar voice was dangerously quiet as a growl from above drew their eyes to an immense golden dragon he was dismounting. "I will not ask again."

"Oromis-elda, Glaedr!" He scrambled off at once and bowed in respect. "We thought you dead."

Oromis held out his hand to her and helped her to her feet. "Aliana is the only reason I am alive and able to move on my own. She even knows a few things the best healers in Elesméra could learn from."

It is good to finally meet the strong willed Swordmaster I have only seen through my Rider's eyes till now. Glaedr said kindly and his nose rubbed against Aliana in affection before he turned a fierce glare on the other who was still prostrate. If you had harmed her Blödhgarm, I would have reciprocated whatever you did back ten fold. She doesn't even have a weapon, though I doubt that would have stopped her if you hadn't caught her unawares.

"I apologise for my rash behavior Aliana, I didn't know you were a friend."

Aliana felt her lips twitch. "It's okay, I wouldn't have guessed that either if I were you. Since both of you are free, Galbatorix must be dead."

"We came to the same conclusion when we found each other. Now that we're all together, let's go see for ourselves." They all made their way to the throne room where Murtagh sat beside a woman Aliana could only assume was Nasuada, for she looked exactly as he had described her. A man and a blue dragon rushed over to greet Oromis and Aliana politely scooted over to Aerin to give them some space.

"I'm glad to see you're alright." Aerin slid an arm around her in a hug.

"Likewise. What do you think will happen now?"

"Probably a long discussion between the leaders of the other races about who to elect for the new leader."

Aliana glanced up at her. "Do you think the Shades will be included?"

"I don't know, though I think they should get the opportunity at least. The whole reason they joined Galbatorix was he let them be a part of society in a way most would have shunned them or pretended they didn't exist."

"You should be the ambassador to them since the Shade that was here disappeared." A new female voice interrupted and their eyes turned to see Nasuada had joined them.

Aerin hmmmed. "I have been to their lands before, so their customs aren't foreign to me. However, the journey there is far too long unless you're flying and I'm fairly certain you will want to come to an understanding with them a lot sooner than that."

"Yes. Seems I have plenty of Riders to choose from now." Nasuada bowed in respect as Oromis joined them. "You think you and Glaedr would be up to a little trip?"

Oromis exchanged glances with his dragon. "I am not fully healed yet, but we have been stuck inside a very long time and long to do something. What do you think, Aliana?"

She swallowed the lump in her throat when his golden eyes rested on her. "I think you should be fine, you don't need bandages any more."

"I would like your company regardless, but only if you want to come."

"I do."

Aerin smiled while everyone else just stared. "Sounds like you've got a full team. I suggest we leave at once. News travels fast in Alagaësia and we must be faster."

"Agreed." Nasuada nodded and sent them on their way.