Hey, I am still alive I am just a terrible person when it comes to updates haha. I hope you are all enjoying the holidays and the hot weather. Keep reading and reviewing and feel free to send me PMs (I don't bite). Enjoy :)

Solumbum padded into the elven camp, curious to see them packing away, and sat alert on a branch next to his companion who was clearly struggling to pack her never ending supply if herbs into her saddle bag. He watched amused as she muttered away under her breath and cursed when she could not fit the herbs in her bag in the correct order. She then took them all out and started rearranging them cursing evermore under her breath.

"The tincture of belladonna cannot go next to the rosemary but then neither can the wood wort… and then the mandrake root…tsk" Angela's head suddenly snapped up as she spotted her new observer. "And what, may I ask, are you looking so smug about? Arranging herbs is tougher than it looks thank you"

"Your welcome" replied the werecat.

"I was being sarcastic" grumbled the witch turning back to her neglected herbs.

"I wasn't. You should be thanking me"

"And why should I be thanking you?"

"Wait and see" was the only reply he gave before jumping gracefully from the tree and scampering back into the woods.

Later that day, when the elves had finished packing and were about to eat their final supper before leaving under cover of dark, Solumbum made his entrance back to camp. He glanced around at the elves before stating in one clear statement "I found it" and shuffling smugly on a nearby log.

Arya froze. "What do you mean you found it?" she asked, not wanting to get her hopes up.

"I found a way in" he repeated.

Silence fell over the camp as if that one sentence had been a death sentence. No one moved. Suddenly Arya rose from where she sat and lightly strode over to her horse, removing her bow and fastening her quiver over her back, sword already at her side. Slowly, each of the elves followed, as did Angela. They then sat silently around the werecat and after contacting Islanzadí only one thing remained.

"Show us." Blödhgarm ordered.

x X x

Murtagh stormed through the castle without stopping, his legs working of the own accord and carrying him towards the Hall of the King. The castle was dark and gloomy and as cold as the heart of its master. As Murtagh raced up the stairs a faint dripping could be heard. Murtagh wished it was water but he knew better. He continued along each corridor, his heart sinking in his chest and his hands trembling at his side. With each step he took, he could feel the invisible chains tightening and drawing him closer. His stomach dropped as he grew increasingly anxious as to why he had been summoned. Soldiers hurried out of his way and stared as he passed. When Murtagh was in a hurry, no one bothered him. Perhaps it was because of his father's tendency to pin people up against a wall if they didn't let him pass. Sometimes being the son of Morzan had its uses.

As Murtagh approached the great metal doors he paused and took a deep breath in an attempt to steady his nerves. He drew a final breath, straightened himself and masked his face in an emotionless cocoon as he had so many times before. Then he pushed. The doors groaned as if they were as reluctant as Murtagh to be in the presence of the King. Murtagh strolled into the room and kneeled before the throne hoping his heart would not leap from his chest. Galbatorix sat on the dark marble throne hidden by shadow and as silent and unmoving as a statue. He revelled in seeing his apprentice submissive in front of him, waiting longer than necessary before addressing him.

"Murtagh" his cold, snake-like voice filled the room and echoed around the hall as if the walls were repulsed by his voice and sent it bouncing off back into the darkness.

"Sire" Murtagh replied cooling, ensuring no emotion showed. He stood stiffly. "You summoned me." It was a statement not a question.

"I have become aware of a presence outside the city. It seems the elves plan to free their pet rider and this" he paused "shall not be allowed."

"I will kill them if you ask it of me sire" Murtagh responded eager to get to the point of why he had been summoned and to leave the hall as quickly as possible.

"No" the King said lazily. "You must allow them into the castle and set up a trap. Let them go to the boy, but do not let them escape."

"Yes sire" Murtagh said "I will make the preparations right away." He turned to leave.

"And Murtagh" Murtagh stopped in his tracks "I want them alive. That is an order."

Murtagh made no reply and merely hurried out of the room closing the doors behind him. It was only when he reached his chambers that he allowed himself to relax.

"Thorn?"

"Yes troubled one" he sounded tired as Murtagh relayed his audience with the king to his partner.

"He wants the elves alive? Why?" he was not concerned of what the king would do to the elves, he was anxious as to what he would do with them in regards to Eragon.

"No one can ever hope to understand the mind of the tyrant. All we can do is do his bidding and try to soften the blow."

"But how do we do that if we don't know his plan?"

"Whatever he does, he will do and all we can do in return in pick up the pieces let behind and try to make them whole again."

Murtagh grunted in reply and glowered at the map in front of him. He knew how to defend a castle, but now he had to defend it from an enemy which were to be let inside on purpose. He sighed. Time to get to work.