Chapter 1: Choices, choices
Author's note: this is my very first Eragon fan fiction so please be critical (but not too critical) to help me be a better author.
Eragon's eyes snapped open to the rustling of someone opening his and Roran's tent flap. A soldier of the Varden was crouching in the entrance, upon seeing Eragon, he tried to bow, but found it too difficult and carefully stepped closer. Eragon sat up and leaned towards the soldier, indicating Roran's sleeping form across the tent.
"The lady Nasuada requests your presence, Shadeslayer; I believe she is planning the Varden's next move with help from our generals." He whispered,
"OK," Eragon yawned, "what time is it, by the way?" he asked as the soldier began to leave the tent,
"It is approaching 10 hours, sir", he stated "but if you'll excuse me I really have to report in", and with that he stepped outside.
10 hours! he thought, that battle must have really taken it out of me, and my fight with Murtagh… No! he mentally slapped himself, I have a duty to my liege that comes first; I can dwell upon Murtagh later.
He muttered a small spell to keep Roran asleep, feeling the aches of yesterday, while he quickly changed into his full armour; the Empire could mount a counter attack at any time. Emerging from the tent, he squinted as his eyes adjusted to the comparatively bright light from darkness. He quickly searched for Saphira with his mind, and found that she must have been at her limit as well yesterday, for she was in a deep sleep, emanating a rumbling snore from where she slept behind the tent. He briskly set off towards Nasuada's relatively huge tent, it was more like a pavilion, and was easy to find due to its deep purple sides contrasting with the white tents of soldiers. Along the way, any people he passed either bowed or stopped to say "Hail, Argetlam", as respectively as they could.
Upon arriving at the tent, two guards pulled aside the flap for him to get through, and Eragon just remembered to thank them before he went in.
All heads turned his way as he entered, and Nasuada quietly said to him,
"Well now that you're finally here, we can start", Eragon of course knew that she was joking, but some of the generals who heard it were horrified that she would insult such a powerful ally. Raising her voice, Nasuada then announced,
"Right, I'm sure you all know that the choices we must make today are extremely important, and could prove fatal if we do not make the right ones. Do we hold our ground? Do we retreat to Surda? Do we take the fight to Galbatorix? We must think things through very carefully. So, to get the ball rolling I will tell you my plan, and we can modify it if necessary. Now, as we are currently under supplied and our army is not at its original strength, I suggest that we retreat to Surda for the time being, at least until we have received recruits and replenished our weapons supply. Then, using our spies in the empire, we will be able to determine when Galbatorix plans to attack, and prepare for it. We must also find out when and where Islanzadi's army will attack, we can co-ordinate our plan with theirs. It may not be a very cunning plan, but for the moment I think that it's the only one we've got."
"Well I think that that's a fine plan, Ma'am," a general commented, accompanied by nods all round,
"I agree; we would not stand another clash with the Empire's forces, which is what we'll get if we stand around here for long enough" another concluded.
"OK then, if that's settled then it's just how we'll be able to contact Islanzadi", Nasuada said, when Arya popped up in the crowd and said,
"I'm sure I'll be able to send a message to her, with the help of our best spell casters, when they arrive."
"Good, that's another matter sorted. The only other one is what you're going to do, Eragon," Nasuada turned to him "I would have hoped that you could stay with the Varden for at least a little time longer, but am I right in assuming that you must return to the elves as soon as possible?"
"I'm afraid you are right, my lady, but that may be delayed as it seems that I have somehow acquired even more choices. I promised my cousin, Roran that I would go with him to rescue his betrothed, Katrina, but for that I will need to train him, which I have no time for since we must go as fast as I can if we want to find her alive, and I must also travel to Farthen Dur which is where I assume Hrothgar's funeral will be taking place, and both me and Saphira have other promises to be fulfilled," he looked at Elva "as well as keeping to my oath in the ancient language that I would return as soon as events permit!" he then realized that he had been slowly raising his voice while he was speaking. "I need time to think" was all he said as he went out of the tent back towards his own.
Across his mental link he felt Saphira awake at his outburst,
Little one, what are you shouting about at this hour? she asked him, still waking up herself.
I just don't know what to do, Saphira he said, as he thought of Murtagh's words once more.