Okay first of all, I am sorry for the delay. I've been busy since Christmas, and haven't had the chance to post a new chapter. Anyways, here you go, and happy new year by the way!
Arya's POV
The room fell into a deadly silence, in which the villagers from Carvahall each did a small double take. Roran was the first to recover.
"Eragon. Your name is Eragon?" he seemed to be trying to reassure himself that what he was hearing was true.
"Yes."
In a tone that gradually filled with anger, Roran continued; "And where the bloody hell have you been, cousin?"
Orik stood, though he came up shorter than when he was sitting, but spoke anyways;
"Cousin, you say? You know Eragon?"
Roran turned to him and growled out his answer; "Yes, I said cousin. He ran away from Carvahall nearly a year back, and left us to the Ra'zac."
His voice bitter, Eragon said in reply;
"I left originally to track down and kill the Ra'zac. It was never my intention to leave the village to a terrible fate, but it seemed the safest choice at the time."
The tent once again fell into silence, and neither Eragon nor Roran broke it, allowing it to spiral horribly until even Arya was fidgeting in her seat slightly. Finally, Eragon broke it and said to Nasuada;
"I wish to go to my tent now. Is that acceptable, my lady? I doubt that there is anything I can do at this point in time."
She waved him off, and quietly proclaimed to the tent,
"Meeting adjourned. Roran, the village of Carvahall's offer to join the Varden is accepted. Please bring them to the east wing of the encampment and get something to eat. Eragon, you are dismissed, use the next few hours as you wish."
He bowed and shuffled out of the tent, looking more forlorn than ever. Roran opened his mouth, but changed his mind and turned to his companions, who bowed and followed Eragon out of the tent.
Arya followed Nasuada out of the tent, and over to her own, easily directing her tired energy to create her usual privacy wards, perfected by endless use.
"There. I have placed protective enchantments that should prevent anyone from hearing us. Please, sit."
Nasuada immediately dropped her tightly controlled demeanor, and collapsed into a nearby chair, Arya sitting on the cot opposite her.
Nasuada put her head in her hands and let out an exhausted sigh.
"What are we going to do, Arya? With Saphira gone I see no hope for the Varden in defeating Galbatorix, despite Eragon's assurances."
For once, Arya was at a loss. No one had foreseen the death of Saphira, and no-one had bothered to consider what would happen if it did come to pass. All that was assumed was that if at all, she would die at the black gates of Uru'Baen.
"I must consult my mother and tell her of what has happened. Right now though, our primary concern would be keeping Eragon sane. Without him, we stand no chance. We must be cautious, because if we give the news to the Varden in the wrong way, or send out any signals that we don't have full confidence we can still win, half the army would desert, and the rest would go into hiding."
Nasuada didn't look up for a moment, but when she did her eyes were full of sorrow.
"Go, contact Islanzadi, but after that, go see how Eragon is coping. Tomorrow, we shall address the Varden."
EDIT: 11/22/14; Grammar, sentence structure and general refinishing.
