Chapter 4: Funeral Invitations

Eragon announced his arrival to the Nighthawks who allowed him to go inside. Upon entering, the first thing he saw was Nasuada sitting on her chair, looking extremely angry, next he saw Queen Izlanzadi in the mirror, no doubt she and Nasuada had been between a discussion. Nasuada's tent had been refurnished after most of it had been destroyed by Saphira. There was now a large closet, a chest of drawers, a large table for dinner and meeting purposes, other than that there were twenty or so fold able chairs, arranged properly in the corner, Nasuada's own chair and the huge mirror. Eragon finished greeting both of them, after which Nasuada began:

"Eragon, where have you been these past two days, and where in Alagaesia is Arya?" Nasuada asked angrily.

"My Lady," Eragon began, making his voice as dull and unemotional as he could, "I have been mourning the death of my masters, and I preferred to do it away from throngs, crowds and parties, which seemed to be going on a lot since we captured Fienster."

"How do you now about Oromis's and Glaedr's death, Eragon?" Izlanzadi asked with a surprised expression which she didn't bother trying to conceal.

"I have my ways, your Highness, but understand this, I am not quite alone yet, and their knowledge is still alive . . .. Do you get my meaning?" Eragon said in a quite voice which only Nasuada and the Queen heard.

Relief and understanding dawned upon the Queen's face.

"I understand Shur'tugal. There is one last thing, I want you and Arya to be here by the end of this week, for we are holding Oromis's funeral and it is vital that you, as his final apprentice, be present. I will instruct you in the ways of the funeral when you get here."

Nasuada, who had been quite so far, suddenly blurted out, "But we can't afford to let Eragon and Saphira go, if Murtagh and Thorn attack, we would all be killed! Please you must understand why I am saying this. For the good of the Varden and all of Alagaesia please-"

"Quiet!" The Queen cut in. Nasuada immediately fell silent, though she did look somewhat flustered and irritated.

"Now, Eragon's guards are to stay with the Varden so that they can repel Thorn and Murtagh, and also create an illusion of Eragon and Saphira, which if necessary can used as a decoy to lead them away from you, right towards the elves, though that will be a drastic venture."

"Your Highness, when is the funeral?" Eragon asked before the Queen could begin lecturing them again.

"It is the first day of the next week." The Queen replied."I take my leave now, if you and Saphira arrive a little earlier it would be much better."

With that the Queen's image vanished from the mirror, which now reflected Eragon having a blank and impassive expression and Nasuada having a very shocked and utterly annoyed expression.

"You are not going, I tell you-" Nasuada started.

"Why not?" Eragon cut in before she could continue.

"Because we need you here!"

"Nasuada, can you for once let me do what I want? I need to pay my last respects to my masters because without them I would never have got this far. This is what I must do! The least you can do to thank them for teaching and educating me is to let me go to them and pay my last respects . . . Well?" Eragon lost control towards the end, and literally shouted the last word.

Within seconds the Nighthawks were inside, pointing their weapons at him and surrounding Nasuada to protect if need be.

But Eragon just looked at Nasuada with raised eyebrows. She nodded and said in a tone that accepted defeat, "You have leave to go, but please return as quickly as you can."

The Nighthawks looked at him but he just smiled at them, took his leave and returned to his tent.

After greeting Blodhgarm and the rest of his guards he finally lay down to sleep after the long day.

Good night Saphira, I'll tell you what happened tomorrow, I am too tired now.

Good night little one.