Chapter 2

Concern

Nasuada was sitting in the now empty command tent. Her chair was positioned so that she would be able to see and hear everyone present. Just like after most meetings Nasuada thought back to the meeting that she just had with all the leaders throughout the Varden. While it is not unusual for Arya not to say to much, Eragon usually says something. Now that I think of it, they both didn't seem to be listening to anything that was said. I guess I underestimated how much his masters meant to him. I never had seen or even known of them before the end of the battle, and I guess Eragon spent most days with them while he spent all that time training after Farthen Dur. I should call them both back here and make sure that they are still prepared to fight in this twice cursed war. Yes, that is what I will do tomorrow. Nasuada made a note to herself so that she wouldn't forget to summon them in the morning.

Nasuada woke up a few hours after sunrise like normal in her tent that was connected to her command tent. She looked around her tent and saw just how simple everything was. All she had was a cot, table with two chairs, with her armor and clothes in the corner. She got up and went through her normal early morning routine. She called out to her nighthawks to summon two messengers so that they could go and get both Eragon and Arya. After giving the messengers their job she sat back in her chair in the center of her command tent and waited a while for the people she summoned to show up. After about fifteen minutes Nasuada heard a loud thud as a magnificent dragon landed next to her tent and stuck her head through the flap. Both Eragon and Arya came at the same time and after the standard greetings looked questioningly at her. She told both of them to sit down.

"Eragon, Arya, is there anything wrong with the two of you. At yesterdays meeting you both looked distracted by something. I know that your masters Eragon were killed. I guess I am asking if there is anything that I can help you with so that you both can get your mindset back?"

Eragon was the first to answer Nasuada. "Nasuada for most of the war both Oromis and Glaedr were in hiding amongst the elves. They were their best kept secret. Their only hope of properly training the rider that the sapphire egg hatched for. While I did receive training from my masters, it was by no means complete. The riders of the old order trained for many years so that they could be considered full riders with all their privileges. While I did accomplish much during my time in Du Weldenvarden and would have been considered a full rider because of my training, there is still much for me to learn. I hope that you can understand the magnitude of the loss we have suffered a few days ago. Now as for your concern on wether our heads are in the right place, I cannot speak for Arya, but I know that if we were attacked in the next few minutes I would be very distracted because of the loss of my masters. Yes I would overcome the distraction but it would still be there. They meant a lot to me and I do not think that I will be able to get over their loss for quite some time."

This defiantly is not good. It seems that Eragon almost considered his masters as father figures. This poor young man seems to loose everyone he becomes close to save for Roran and Katrina.

"I am sorry for your loss Eragon. I understand you told me that Thorn had suffered a serious injury, do you have any idea how long he will be out of commission?" Nasuada said.

This time it was Saphira who answered and projected her thoughts to everyone in the room. Thorn should not be able to fly well for a while, unless Galbatorix is somehow able to heal his tail through some dark magic only he knows of.

This came as a relief to the people in the room knowing that Thorn will be unable to do much for a while.

"Arya you have not said anything regarding Oromis yet. Do you feel the same as Eragon or is it something else that is bothering you?" To Nasuada it looked like Arya was contemplating her answer in her head, but with her blank emotionless face it was hard to tell. Arya took a few minutes to think about what both Nasuada and Eragon had said.

"I feel the same as Eragon does on the matter. I..."

She was cut off by Nasuada standing and looking into the mirror that was opposite of her chair, which had just come to life with Queen Islanzadi on the other side. Both Arya and Eragon immediately started speaking in elvish to the Queen while Nasuada greeted Islanzadi in her native tongue. The Queen looked extremely sad when she looked at both Eragon and Arya, which was rare because she always had the stone cold expressionless face no matter what the situation.

Nasuada spoke up, "Queen Islanzadi why is it that you have scryed us today?"

The Queen's eyes flicked up to Nasuada before settling on both Eragon and Arya. The Queen started in a sad tone, "Eragon and Arya this may come as a shock..."

Eragon then interrupted the Queen and said, "We know about Oromis and Glaedr's death. Glaedr gave us... something... so that we would be able to contact him when we needed him."

Relief was on the Queen's face before she went back to her blank face. "I'm glad he saw fit to trust you with something like that, and also I am relieved that I do not have to repeat what has happened. That being said I do want both you, Eragon, and Arya to fly up to Gil'ead to attend Oromis and Glaedr's funeral. I want both of you to leave as soon as you can."

As Islanzadi said this a look of horror found itself onto Nasuada's face. "You can't take him from the Varden! We need him here in case we get attacked!"

Soon after she said this a vast consciousness found its way into the heads of everyone present save Islanzadi. Eragon is not needed with the Varden for at least two weeks. There is no way for Thorn to be able to grow back his tail and he will need to get used to the shortened tail first so he could even be a match for Saphira. The dark king will not send them back out into battle until he is certain that they cannot lose.

Everyone in the tent was awed especially Nasuada who had never spoken with Glaedr before. Eragon quickly relayed Glaedr message to Islanzadi who had a somewhat confused expression on her face at the silence. As soon as Eragon was done talking the Queen said, "Nasuada you now know that you will be safe from Murtagh and Thorn for at least two weeks, so I expect you to send Eragon, Arya, and Saphira to Gil'ead so that they can attend their masters and friends their last respects. I will send them back in a week and a half so that they will have adequate time to return to you. Eragon and Arya I will see you in a few days." With that she ended the connection without hearing another word from anyone.

Nasuada was fuming. She hated that the Queen could boss her around like that. She was also angry that the Queen's logic was sound and she couldn't find a way to make Eragon and Arya stay. With a sigh, admitting defeat, she said, "The three of you may go as soon as you are ready." With that the three left Nasuada alone to think about what had just happened.

An hour or so later she heard a roar signifying that Saphira was getting ready to leave. The roar reminded her of Murtagh's dragon, one of the reasons Murtagh was taken from her at Farthen Dur. Still thinking of Murtagh and what could have been, she continued on with her day of endless meetings and problems to be solved.