Very nice. It makes perfect sense that he would use Murtagh and Thorn's bond to use benefit. I can't wait for the third book to be released!
Author's Response: When I closed book two, that plot bunny about Murtagh and Galbatorix wouldn't leave me. I needed to think about how things could have happened, and it came out as this one-shot. I can't wait for book 3 too, though I'd rather wait one more year and have a good book. I don't want Paolini to pull a Jo Rowling ;)