Murtagh was Thorn's Rider in Christopher Paolini's Inheritance Cycle. Murtagh was the son of a former Dragon Rider who aided Galbatorix in obtaining Shruikan and overthrowing the Dragon Riders. Murtagh was traveling with Eragon when he was kidnapped by some of Galbatorix's allies and brought to Galbatorix. When Thorn's egg was presented before Murtagh, it hatched, and Thorn and Murtagh were made to serve Galbatorix.