Murtagh and Thorn fly west and south toward Gil’ead, choosing to skirt Du Weldenvarden rather than cross elven territory or the mountains hidden within the forest. Murtagh keeps Thorn hidden from observers with a spell, but the effort adds to his fatigue during the long days of flight.

As they travel, Murtagh reflects on magic, Galbatorix’s limited training, the danger of wordless spells, and the deeper mystery of energy. Murtagh also thinks about the Eldunarí Galbatorix once forced into his service, the companionship and power they gave him and Thorn, and Murtagh’s conflicted resentment that Eragon now has so much while Murtagh and Thorn remain wounded and alone.

At their evening camp beside alders, Murtagh asks Thorn to help carry waterskins from a stream. Thorn tries to enter the grove but panics when the confined space and moving branches overwhelm him, forcing Murtagh to carry the skins himself. Later, Murtagh writes down a poem, experiments with an “if” spell that turns water down a chosen furrow, and considers whether conditional magic could be used for traps, alarms, or protection.

That night, Murtagh lets Thorn sleep instead of sharing their nightly true-name ritual, speaks his own true name, and dreams of past helplessness, battle, and Nasuada. The dream moves from Murtagh’s imprisonment in Tronjheim to Galbatorix’s torture of Nasuada and finally to Murtagh’s inadequate apology after the king’s death, leaving Murtagh shaken by guilt and grief when he wakes.

Before dawn, Murtagh practices sword forms with Zar’roc to master his fear and pain. He reflects on the blade’s history as Morzan’s weapon and the hateful inheritance it represents, then returns to camp, where Thorn notices Murtagh’s fear and offers quiet contact. The following days repeat with flight, writing, spellcraft, nightmares, true-name confessions, and one playful sparring match that gives both Rider and dragon brief relief.

On the fourth day, Murtagh and Thorn find Isenstar Lake and fly across it to avoid people along the shore. They spot an elegant elven rowboat and veer away, guarding their thoughts to avoid discovery. By evening, Gil’ead comes into view, stirring memories of old battles, Eragon’s rescue, and bloodshed under Galbatorix’s command; Murtagh directs Thorn toward a hiding place in the hills while considering how to approach Ilenna.