Character thoughts in italics, Christopher Paolini owns everything

The walk through the tunnel was long and uncomfortably silent. Murtagh desperately wished Thorn had been allowed to come with him to hear the verdict.

"I'm here Murtagh. I always am."

The voice of his dragon comforted him a little bit. The ground rose steeply and Murtagh shielded his eyes against the light peeking through the crack at the top of the tunnel. Arya offered him a piece of cloth to use as a blindfold.

"I'll get used to it." Murtagh assured her. He didn't want to be any more helpless than he already was. But Arya roughly placed the cloth into his hand.

"We'll be walking past some commanders tents. It's for protection."

"I'd prefer to face whatever is coming if it's all the same to you"

Arya offered a strange smile. "A brave sentiment, but this is required by order of King Orrin." She emphasized these last two words. Murtagh was unsure whether she resented the King or if she was reminding him of his place. He reluctantly tied on the blindfold. Arya gripped his wrist and forcefully tugged him along.

"Perhaps if I can't see the stones thrown they will not hurt me" Murtagh thought wryly. Although his vision was now blocked Murtagh could still hear the angry words, some whispers, some shouts but all directed at him.

"Traitor. Devil. Scum."

Some insults hurt worse than others.

"Just like his father... To think Eragon befriended him! Blood always tells."

He knew the gazes would be just as hateful.

"Ignore them." Thorn counseled "They do not know the agony we endured."

Finally they reached Nasuada's tent. Murtagh could tell it was hers by the red glow the light took on. He reached up to remove the blindfold but Arya stayed his hand.

"Not yet."

"Welcome Murtagh, son of Morzan." He could just imagine Orrin's sickening grin. "You may now remove the blindfold Arya."

She did so. Murtagh almost wanted to snatch it back. He didn't like to give Orrin the satisfaction of following his orders. Instead he looked around the room searching for faces he recognized. There were few, and far too many of them were dwarves. Nasuada's lips were pursed, but whether with fear or distaste he couldn't tell. Eragon's face revealed nothing, but the way his hands were clenched together revealed he would rather have been holding a knife.

"We have reached a decision" Orrin told him. He paused, waiting for Murtagh to ask just what that decision was. Although his blood was like ice in his veins Murtagh merely met his eye and nodded calmly.

"After much careful deliberation between myself, and those gathered here before you." He gestured and each person named themselves and their position. Murtagh could make out only two words, repeated over and over. Dwarf clan. Dwarf clan. Dwarf clan.

"We have decided that you may live." Murtagh let out the breath he was barely aware he had been holding. "conditionally of course." He gestured for a woman to rise. She had the elegance of any of the women of Galbatorix's court, but the same malice of the empire's nobles gleamed in her eyes.

"I am Trianna, leader of Du Vrangr Gata. You will be collaborating with myself and my magicians. You will teach us everything you know. You will tell me anything I ask. You are under my command and will follow my orders without question." The or else was implied by her wicked smile.

This was not ideal, but not unbearable. There was no way this woman could be as cruel as his former master. Orrin resumed speaking.

"At his request, you will continue to share Eragon's lodgings. We trust that your concern for your dragon will keep you from misbehaving."

Not trusting himself to speak Murtagh nodded slowly.

"Aside from Eragon you will be kept apart from anyone you could influence. The dwarves are working to create an amulet that will suppress your magic. You will be permitted to remove it only when training with Du Vrangr Gata." Orrin paused dramatically. "There is one more small detail. You will have to submit to having your memories checked regularly."

"Why?" Murtagh asked angrily.

"How else are we to be sure you won't betray us?"

"You have my word."

King Orrin guffawed. "Your word? And what is your word worth? You gave your word to fight for the Varden, and look how well that turned out. Oh no. You had your chance to prove yourself and you wasted it. You will have your brain picked whenever I see fit."

"I'll swear it in the ancient language."

"No I don't think so. A snake like you will always find a way to slither free. You betrayed us once, I'm not giving you the chance to do it again. You'd find some loophole and break that oath just as you've broken every oath you've ever taken. You betray people just like your father did. It's part of your nature." Orrin seemed to be finished speaking.

"Am I dismissed?" Murtagh hissed through gritted teeth.

"Not quite yet. Your mind will be examined as soon as Angela arrives. But yes, this meeting is over. Everyone else may leave"

Most members of the council filed out quietly. A few familiar faces lingered behind.

"Will someone go get her?" Orrin asked irritably. Arya darted off to find the herbalist.

Authors Note: Alright you guys convinced me. I was unnecessarily cruel. Murtagh's sentence has been altered. This story has been haunting me for years now and I am going to freaking finish it! I'm in college now and have more free time than I know what to do with, so expect updates more regularly now. It is my goal to finish this story before the semester ends. I don't know if anyone is still reading, it's been so long I don't blame you if you've forgotten it entirely, but if you've kept up with the story so far I hope you'll reread it and give me another chance.