After Ajihad left, Murtagh collapsed onto the bed - it felt incredible after months of sleeping on horseback or the ground.
He woke up - unsure of how much time had passed - to the sound of banging on the door. He sat up quickly as one of the guards announced a visitor.
"Eragon? Or... maybe Fallyn?" he glanced hopefully at the door as he tried, in vain, to fix his hair.
He was very aware that he sorely needed to bathe.
The door opened, and a young woman with dark skin and almond-shaped eyes strode into the room. Her wine-red velvet dress was elegantly cut, and he warily noted the worn, jewelled dagger at her hip.
"Not Eragon or Fallyn..." he thought wryly.
The young woman curtsied. "I am Nasuada."
Surprised, Murtagh awkwardly fell into old habits from his time at court, bowing elegantly.
"Greetings, Nasuada," he said. "I am Murtagh. To what do I owe this pleasure?"
"I was simply curious and thought I'd come to see if there was anything you needed?" she said, smiling.
"Uh," thrown off guard, Murtagh glanced around the room before looking down at himself. "The opportunity to bathe, clean clothes, and something to read would be appreciated. Are Eragon and Fallyn well?"
"I'll arrange for you to be able to bathe and have clothes and books delivered," Nasuada said. "I've not yet had the pleasure of meeting Rider Eragon, and I haven't seen Fallyn yet. I can let them know you would like to meet?"
"That is... thank you," he said sincerely. "All of that would be wonderful."
She curtsied again with a smile. "I'll take my leave then."
"It's been a pleasure," he said, bowing back and watching her leave.
YOU ARE READING
Age of the Dragon 1: Return of the Riders
FanfictionPart 1 in my Age of the Dragon series. Fallyn senses a change is coming and leaves the safety of her home to meet her Destiny head-on. Along the way, she finds herself in unusual company and embroiled in a headlong escape from the Empire. This is a...
