Chapter 1:
Aftermath
Eragon trudged through the piles of bodies that were lying lifeless throughout Feinster. The corpses had gashes on their breasts and faces and arrows and spears protruding from their torsos. There were enemies and friends alike, all lying dead on the battlefield. Saphira padded alongside him scoping the extent of the losses. Arya was nearby tending to the wounded with the other elves. Blodhgarm was behind him and Saphira trying to keep guard against any ambushes that might be set up. Du Vrangr Gata was helping heal the small cuts and bruises, because they weren't as skilled in the magical arts as Eragon and the other elves were.
Eragon looked around him. There was blood everywhere and weapons and armor scattered throughout the road. He heard footsteps behind him and whirled around, hand already on Brisingr's pommel. It was Jarsha, the young messenger who had brought him messages twice while he was staying in Farthen Dur.
"Nasuada would like to see you, sir." Jarsha spoke quickly and urgently.
"Thank you Jarsha." Eragon replied. Jarsha lead them to Nasuada's tent where she waited with Jormundur, Orik, King Orrin, and Roran. Saphira stuck her head through the back flap and when Eragon entered everyone looked at him.
"Good," Nasuada said monotonously, "You're here. All of us have been trying to whip up a battle plan for our next siege on Belatona and from there we will move on to conquer Dras Leona and then we will move to our final destination, Uru Baen. There is only one problem that we must solve however, how to get into these cities. We will have to worry about Uru Baen later, on account of its monstrous size and extremely large forces. We need to find a way to enter Belatona. There will most likely be soldiers right inside the gate so that when we burst in we get caught in a barrage of swords and arrows.
"We need your help to formulate a plan. We have already decided to sleep the day before and try and siege it at night. It could catch some of the force off-guard so that we have the upper-hand and they will most likely be drowsy which adds to our advantage. We will post archers all around and I would like you and Roran to lead a small militia towards the back gates so that we hit them from both sides. We have prisoners from Feinster and we should have enough of them to replenish, if not strengthen, our army. King Orrin and his army will be joining the two of you, while the dwarves and I attack from up front."
"That sounds like an excellent plan, but my Lady I couldn't possibly let you go without me. You are my liege lord. I must protect you at all costs," Eragon stated firmly, but not angrily.
"I will survive. I will need you and Arya to go to the wall during the day, and weaken it. It could help another small cluster of warriors try to storm the rest of the city."
Roran looked at Eragon, and Eragon looked at Roran, both with a sparkle in their eyes. It would be a great battle having the two of them paired up.
"I accept." Roran declared with broad shoulders.
"As do I." agreed Eragon.
"Good," Nasuada replied, "once you and Arya weaken the structure Arya will lead the small group of warriors, and half of the dozen elves we have in our possession. Du Vrangr Gata will accompany you and Roran, because of your strength in magic alone, Eragon. The other six elves will guard me. Oh yes, I forgot about the Urgals. They will be going with Arya and some with you, because of your small amount of soldiers. All should go as planned and it won't be too difficult to overtake Belatona." Eragon caught Roran's attention, and they both smiled and winked at each other. Eragon knew that paired together, they would be a very formidable force, even with the small amount of warriors they had at their disposal. He knew it would be a fantastic battle and that the Empire had better watch out, because together they were invincible.
