Chapter two: The Beginning of the End
Hey guy! I was pretty shocked when I saw how much attention my story was getting. I tried to work on this chapter more to get it done quicker, but school interfered. I will try to get chapters out more quickly. I hope you guys enjoy this one.
Saphira swept downward towards the castle at Feinster and the only thing Eragon felt was dread. His fate was approaching quickly, and he was not sure he liked the future in front of him. Either way he chose he would have an ill future, Eragon felt like he was trapped between a hammer and an anvil.
Saphira landed heavily in the courtyard, gouging deep furrows in the earth. A page rushed over to him and said quickly "Shadeslayer! Nasuada is waiting for you in the Grand Study. A guide is waiting for you inside"
"Thank you" Eragon said to the page. He looked at the gate to the Keep and realized that it was too small for Saphira. Sorry Saphira, it looks like your going have to wait out here.
There's nothing to be sorry about Eragon, does it really matter if I am in the room? I can hear the conversation through you and still participate if I wanted too.
Still, it would be nice to have you at my side Eragon said regretfully.
We can't always be together Eragon, you are going to have too make some important choices without me.
I know Saphira, at least you'll be with me when I make this choice. "Eragon, we don't want to keep Nasuada waiting.
Ok, lets go he said and dismounted. Eragon strode through the gateway and stopped for a second to examine the hall. It was the same as before, except that many of the valuables in the wall were gone to fund the Varden. The guide was waiting for him in the middle of the room; he was tall and skinny and wore very fine clothes. "Argetlam, if you would follow me" he said in a quiet and polite voice. Eragon nodded and the guide turned around and walked towards an archway on the other side of the room. Eragon walked after him and was led through a series of staircases and hallways. After a while they stopped before a twenty-foot high door, it was richly decorated.
"You may go" Eragon said to the guide. The guide bowed politely and walked away. Eragon took a deep breath and pushed open the door.
The Grand Study was Oval and very big, it had a high vaulted ceiling. A detailed map of Alagaesia was inscribed on it. Tall bookcases lined the walls filled with ancient tomes. There was another level to the room accessible by a staircase to either side of the room. Nasuada was sitting at a large round table in the middle of the room. King Orin, Orik, and Arya were also there.
Eragon's pulse quickened when he saw Arya and he resisted the impulse to run his fingers through his hair. His thoughts flitted to when he saw her last, after they had killed the shade Varog. And afterward when he held her. The moment was not passionate but Eragon treasured it.
There was an uncomfortable silence through the room, everyone seemed deep in thought. Nasuada started, surprised and said "Ah! Eragon, we were just waiting for you". "Took you long enough" muttered King Orin, Nasuada looked at him sharply and he glared at her in return.
"Now come Eragon, we have a lot to discuss". Eragon bowed to her, and then took a seat. He chose a seat on the side of the table opposite Arya. Eragon touched his fingers to his lips in the traditional elves greeting and Arya responded in kind.
King Orin straightened in his chair and pronounced "Nasuada, now that we are all here" he paused and gave Eragon a sharp look "would you give us the dubious pleasure of why we are here? Nasauda ignored the king's sarcastic tone and stood up and put her hands on the table.
"Gladly Orin, however before we continue I would like all of you to swear an oath to never speak about this subject unless I or my replacement say otherwise." Everyone stiffened in surprise at her words and Orin in particular looked outraged.
"Nasuada! What's the meaning of this? Don't you trust your own allies!" Orin said in an outraged voice. "I would very much like to know myself!" added Orik, "and I" Arya agreed.
Eragon noticed that Nasuada's grip on the table tightened, but her voice stayed calm. "This not a matter of trust, if anyone finds out about this voluntarily or not we might be ruined." Orin sank into his seat and let out a big sigh, he reached for a goblet of wine and drank heartily.
"Nasuada, why are you doing this? You know that we wouldn't betray you. Be reasonable and just tell us," reasoned Orik. Nasuada switched her gaze from Orin to Orik and said shortly "I am not worried about your loyalty, but whether or not someone will take it from you, with or without your consent". Orik slowly nodded "I guess there is some truth to that, I am sure that we have all had to resort that."
Arya raised her chin and added, "I do not appreciate this Nasuada and neither does the queen." She spoke so softly that Eragon strained to hear her. "But I will do this as a sign of trust, but if you trick us there will be consequences".
Nasuada lowered her head respectfully and said respectfully "I understand well enough Arya, I understand that this is a lot to ask for." Arya nodded in return signaling her acceptance of the apology.
Orin put the empty goblet down and said in a calmer voice "I do not appreciate being forced to swear this Nasuada, I am sure knurla Orik agrees with me one this." Orik nodded in agreement and Orin continued "but I guess this time we'll cater to your whims, in the future though I trust this will not happen again or else you will lose the support of Surda" he said in a more annoyed voice.
"I am sorry I have to resort to these measures Orin, but if this gets beyond these walls all hope of resisting Galbatorix might be lost," Nasuada said unyieldingly.
"Just as long as it doesn't happen again, now what do I have to say?" Orin said feigning boredom. "Eragon, can you help us swear these oaths?" asked Nasuada. "Should we swear these oaths Saphira?" Eragon asked. "Nasuada has never misled us in the past, I think we should trust her. However they forget me once again, humans are so foolish sometimes" said Saphira. It shouldn't have to come to that, Nasuada wouldn't betray us."
"Now Nasuada, will you tell us why this is necessary?" Arya said in a deceitfully calm voice but Eragon knew she was annoyed.
"One of our spies in Dras-Leona has discovered a… Ah, he called it an Artifact. He heard it from one of his contacts inside the palace. It is apparently part of the priests of Helgrind religion."
Eragon interrupted "the priests of Helgrind? Nasuada are you sure that we want to use anything that came from that foul religion?"
Nasuada sat down with a sigh. "The spy has done some research, although nobody really knows anything about their religion except for the priests. He found that they believe that one of their gods is trapped inside the Artifact, he assures me that this is purely mythology. However he assures me that this Artifact is real and does have magical power".
Orin perked up suddenly interested "How powerful is this Artifact" he asked excitedly.
Nasuada quickly read a scrap of parchment on the table that Eragon assumed was the letter. "We don't know how powerful it is, what it looks like, or even what it does. All we know is that it exists.
"That's a little vague don't you think? What makes you think that this artifact is worth the trouble of retrieving it?" Eragon asked
"I don't know Eragon, but if we don't do something then we will surely lose against Galbatorix. We need to find something to increase our chances of beating him. If this is a dead end the Varden will be close enough to you that you could get back quickly".
Eragon sighed, he had been hoping to get some rest before he traveled again. Nasuada continued, "Eragon, you will go to Dras-Leona and find the spy. He will guide you to the Artifact. You will bring it back here and figure out how it works. Eragon nodded grudgingly in argument.
"If Eragon goes I go with him," proclaimed Arya. Eragon inwardly smiled, he had been hoping that Arya would want to with him.
"Why? You are needed here Arya" Nasuada said annoyed. "It is my duty, and I will not fail this again" Arya said stoically
"Arya-" she cut Nasuada off "I will not be persuaded, and we will bring three of the elves with us".
Nasuada paused and thought about it for a second. "You can have one, the Varden will notice if the elves are missing".
Nasuada rubbed her eyes and said tiredly "Okay, it's decided then, Eragon I expect you to leave before midday. Now go and prepare".
"Yes, Nasuada" Eragon said tired, he mentally ran through the things they would need. Eragon turned around and went back through the door. Guided by memory he descended back the way he came, Saphira was waiting for him right outside of the gate.
I guess we'll go back to our tent and prepare Eragon said subdued. I wish she would give us more time to rest, said Saphira. That makes two of us He wearily agreed.
Eragon mounted her and they were just about to take off when- "Wait, Eragon"! He looked down to see Arya rushing hurriedly over.
Saphira stopped and Eragon said "what is it Arya?" Eragon inquired curiously.
Arya stopped before Saphira and said "you seemed a little…disturbed at the meeting, is there anything amiss." She sounded concerned and in a way it pleased him. Should we tell her? he asked. Saphira thought for short time and answered No, not yet anyway.
Why? he said surprised. She has enough problems of her own Eragon, there is no need to burden her with yours. Besides we don't even know if it will come true.
The other ones did he retorted "Eragon you asked for my advice and I gave you it" she said irradiated. fine I won't tell her he said
"No, I am just tired from the battle." Arya frowned and Eragon thought she knew that they were keeping something from her. She didn't press however and just said "I will be expecting you at the northern gate of Feinster in a hour". Eragon nodded and added "And bring Blodgarm". Arya nodded and then hurried away.
Eragon watched her as she ran towards the Vardens camp. He hugged Saphira's neck and said sadly to her "My fate approaches quickly, I wish I had more time". He remembered the dream, the very though of it sent chills through him.
Do not despair little one, your future might not be so bad. Don't think about it, the future can only harm us if we worry about it, only think about now.
I hope this one was better then the first chapter. I hope you guys enjoyed it too. I will try to get the next one out by next week. And please review if you have the time, it helps me more then you know and encourages me to keep writing.
Thank you HelloTheir-for being the first person to review this and for your encouraging words.
Thank you to Elemental Dragon Slayer-And yes I do have some more couples in mind (Nasuada/Murtagh and one you will never expect in a later book)
Thank you to Unseen-for the great tips, I will try to implement them more in my future writing, and I will think about changing the title. But I think it is good as it is.