There were arguments in the central camp tent of the Varden that early morning in Feinster after starting way in the afternoon the day before when they had conquered the city they were camped almost on the foot of the walls of. The people of the town had eventually submitted to fate as their Lady Lorana was seen to be well cared in the custody of the Varden troops.
The "debate" as Nasuada, the leader of the Varden, had intended it to be was being conducted in the tent as they felt intrusive on Feinster as they did not plan to overcrowd their city and own it like Galbatorix would have done if he was in their stead as they would not descend to his low life level.
The dark skinned and ebony black haired leader of the Varden, mentioned above, was sitting tired in her chair at the head of the table next to Commander Jömundur, on her left, and the Rider Eragon, her liege, and his Dragon Saphira behind him curled up and resting on her head on her overlaid claws.
Wise words spoken with a calm yet bored voice flooded Nasuada's mind.
They need to listen if they want to get some sleep soon, Saphira thought to the young woman in the head chair of the table and her rider next to her.
Nasuada looked to Saphira in the corner of her eye as if to say 'I know' and turned her eyes back to the table. She picked up her cup and a large sip of water and stood up. The men fell silent at her standing and sat themselves down.
"We know what we need to do," she said with a strength that she muscled up from somewhere inside her that her wounds from the trial of the long knives had not taken from her. "We need to conquer Belatona, then Dras-Leona and then we will march on to Urû'baen. We need to defeat Galbatorix and free the land of Alageasia."
"But my lady," answered Jömundur. "We have only Eragon to defeat Galbatorix and Murtagh who are both skilled as Eragon. How is he to defeat them? Especially if they have the remaining dragon eggs and can get them to hatch."
She looked at her commander and paused for effect before her answer.
"Then Jömundur," she replied, looking at him they surveying the rest of the council, "We will get the dragon egg back."
A shocked silence fell on the occupants of the large tent: the flames around the warm orange tent edges flickered; breathes were breathed quietly; and nothing moved or made a sound. Compared to the sounds of arguments, that had only been a few minuets ago; you could hear an axe being used in training combat over the other side of the widespread camp.
Nasuada waited for the men to get their heads around the new proposition.
"Gentlemen, ladies," she said gesturing to the council. "I think it's best that we all reconvene tomorrow evening when we have had a good rest. Good morning to you all."
As the council got up and exited she called back: Eragon and Saphira; Angela with the Werecat Solembum; and the witch child Elva.
"How are we supposed to get the egg?" asked Eragon. "It's sure to be guarded by a many men and magical defences in the deepest part of possibly Urû'baen or Gil'ead or some other well defended city."
Nasuada sat down in her chair and sighed. "I don't know but we're going to have to find a way."
"I think there's going to be a way," said Elva from behind Angela.
"How?" asked Nasuada.
"I don't know for definite but I think there's a way," she replied with wisdom way beyond her age of one year and seven months and her looks of a seven year old.