So here's how I planned my story update calendar: First, I'll do this one again in Murtagh's POV, then I'll keep updating The Clouds Over Tronjheim. I'm only updating Lady of the Traitor's Heart when I get enough reviews.

Nasuada closed her eyes, comfortable in her soft bed, and allowed herself a tired but triumphant smile at the Varden's capture of Dras-Leona the previous day. She marvelled at the way Jeod had found the secret passageway into the ramshackle city, but her victory was bittersweet as she recalled the many men who had died for the cause. She cursed the dragon and Rider who had guarded the city, Murtagh and Thorn, but she could not help remembering the many visits she had made to the former's cell in Tronjheim. She had liked him then, the young, moody teenager he had been. Now he was one of the most formidable warriors in the land.

Suddenly, a dragon roared.

Nasuada took no notice of it till she realised that a commotion was brewing outside. Another roar emitted from the exterior of her tent. She stuck her head out, irritated, and Lismanth, one of her human guards, immediately pushed her back inside."My Lady, Murtagh and Thorn are attacking us! Please stay inside, lest you get caught up in the fighting!"

Shock rooted her to the ground for a moment, then she hurried to the back of the red pavilion, pulling out and unsheathing the dagger she kept in her skirts. Nasuada waited for a few tense minutes, hearing the cries of dying men and the clash of weapons.

Out of the blue, a shout from her Nighthawks echoed outside. Fear clutched at her belly as she heard the thump of falling bodies and piercing screams of pain.

The entrance to her pavilion was yanked back roughly and the Red Rider stepped in.

His black hair swished around his face, creating a swirling halo of dark light, and his eyes, though they had been kind once, were now filled with a cold, hard anger. Zar'roc swung loosely at his side.

Nasuada took a step back and the blade of the dagger caught the light. Murtagh grinned lazily, and flicked his hand upward."Audr."

The dagger flew out of her hand and landed with a muted thud on the braided fabric rug.

Nasuada drew herself up and set an icy smile on her lips."So. You're here to kill me, I suppose?"

His smirk widened."Close enough. I'm here to capture you. How wise you are, Lady Nightstalker."His tone was cynical.

"Wise I may be, but apparently not wise enough to see you as the monster you were. I should never have convinced my father to let you fight in the Battle of Farthen Dur."

He lifted one dark eyebrow."So that was why Ajihad allowed me to battle. Well, My Lady, I did not choose to be Morzan's son."

Sorrow welled up inside her, and also rage that he was taking this so calmly. Emboldened by her new emotions, she took a step forward and cupped his cheek."I wasn't talking about that. The deeds of the parents are not the deeds of the children."

He sighed, and suddenly, he looked very old and very tired, though Nasuada knew he was only nineteen.

"I'm sorry, Nasuada. My oaths bind me to Galbatorix. He knows my true name, and I cannot disobey him. I'm sorry."

With that, he swept her up and pulled her towards the entrance. She screamed as he tugged her out into the open air. She saw Eragon rushing towards her, horror plain on his face, and her Nighthawks slain in a circle. Nasuada kicked at Murtagh, but her leg bounced off a ward. He struck her on her head with the pommel of Zar'roc, and she blacked out.