Chapter 4
Eragon rolled his eyes as the leaders of the different people of the Varden sat and argued over what to do next.
"We need to move the Varden to a place that's at least defensible! We are sitting geese here in the plains!" Nasuada said, a bead of sweat trickling down her forehead. It was difficult to contain her passion when the others were being so thick-headed about where to go or what to do next.
"Are you saying that we've just shown Galbatorix Surda's true colors then run away with our tails between our legs and allow Galbatorix to take over the country?!?" Orrin shouted, his red face turning a violent shade of purple. A vein pulsed in his temple completing the look of insanity. Eragon glanced at his cousin who seemed to be brooding over his own torment next to Eragon.
'We need to put an end to this argument. It's wasting time,' Saphira's voice echoed in his thoughts. It was even difficult to hear her over the shouts of the others. Eragon stood up and silence fell inside the tent.
"Saphira and I agree that the Varden must be moved, if only to re-group, stock up our supplies, and prepare to march. We must do as Nasuada suggested and attack Galbatorix in Uru'baen," he said and paused at the mutterings, "We'll need to coordinate with the Surdans, Elves, Dwarves, and Varden whether here, undercover, or in hiding. We need everyone we can get. Our casualties were high in this battle. Our troops must train more and our strategies must become more complex if we're to have a chance. There is a new rider to contend with as well. I've made a promise to Roran and we have a quest to complete. I'll need to return to Du Weldenvarden to receive more training myself if I'm to compete with both Galbatorix and the new rider. I suggest that we move the Varden and as many Surdans to Aberon as possible." There was an outcry of disbelief and many mutterings of "impossible" and "can't move that many people". Eragon frowned and continued, "Put as many men into fortifying the farmland around Aberon with walls and trenches as possible. Build towers and outpost barracks in Lithgow, Cithri, Petrovya, and Reavstone. Man each outpost with a magic user that can convey messages quickly to the Du Vrangr Gata and then Nasuada. There will then be enough time to build up the soldiers and supplies before marching on Uru'baen." Eragon paused thinking of the Dwarves who were marching their king to Farthen Dur for his burial and the appointment of their next leader, "But first, we'll need to provide a proper burial to those who gave their lives for our first victory." He took a deep breath and took his seat.
'Well put, little one,' Saphira remarked, her pride emanating through their bond.
'Thank you,' he replied sincerely, 'Let's just hope they agree to it." Eragon could tell by their faces that he had made good suggestions that may be difficult to argue.
"We do not need to make our decision at this very moment," Nasuada said softly, "Eragon made a good argument, but perhaps we should sleep on it, so to speak. What say you to meeting tomorrow to discuss our decision?" There was a general murmur of assent.
"Good," Nasuada replied, "Until tomorrow then gentlemen." She stood and left the tent, and Eragon caught the look she'd given him. He nodded almost imperceptively and followed her to her own tent.
They entered and Nasuada turned to Eragon, her eyes blazing.
"Your words and reasons were infallible Eragon, but I'm concerned about the amount of time you feel that we'll have before Galbatorix marches his army to take Surda," she said, her voice wasn't unkind, but strong and her could hear her worry, "Do you really think there is enough time for your mission to the Raz'ac's lair and then to return to the elves for more training before Galbatorix grows bored with waiting?"
Eragon paused for a moment before answering, "I'm not sure that he'll wait that long, he may since he wants the Varden to attack Uru'baen… but I must try to rescue Katrina with Roran and I need more training if I'm to face even just Murtagh and win. I think he's been fortified by forbidden magic."
Nasuada chewed on her lower lip as she thought about what Eragon had said.
"Does Saphira agree?" she asked hesitantly.
'Yes, I do,' she answered and Eragon relayed her words to Nasuada.
"Very well," Nasuada replied, "Help us bury the dead, then you and Roran are free to set off. Hopefully the elves will be willing to help us keep the empire at bay until you return to us."
"Thank you, Lady Nasuada," Eragon bowed his head and left her tent. He found Saphira waiting for him outside and Roran approached from behind her, nearly at a run.
"Eragon, when do we leave to rescue Katrina?" he said, breathing hard.
"When all of the dead are buried, we are free to leave though I would like to help build the first outpost also, if I can. I assume that they'll be starting to move the women and children first, perhaps even tonight, to keep them safe," Eragon replied, and seeing the look of frustration on Roran's face continued, "It should only be a few days, maybe a week at the most, before we can leave."
Roran grunted in frustration but nodded in agreement all the same. Roran and Eragon turned and looked out over the plains. There was much to be done and it seemed that there was so little time in which to complete their tasks. Eragon felt the same pang of urgency that Roran must be feeling about saving Katrina. Perhaps Galbatorix found a better way to convince him to join the Empire and no longer needed Katrina alive. Or worse, what if he found a use for her there... maybe to satisfy the king's desires? She was after all a very pretty young woman. Eragon's eyes followed a boy who was gathering armor and weapons from the fallen fighters and her sighed. It was such morbid work for one so young, but they would be needed to arm any other volunteers for the fight against the Empire.
"Well come on," Eragon said to Roran as he started walking toward the plains, "If we start now, we'll be able to leave earlier rather than later."
Together and with Saphira close behind them, they walked toward the graves appearing just outside of the edge of the burning plains. This was where the dead were to be buried, both the fallen of the Empire and the fallen of the Varden for all fought valliantly for what they believed in.
'I'm going to use my claws to help dig and bury the dead,' Saphira projected her thoughts to Eragon and Roran, 'Perhaps we'll be able to leave earlier than a week.'
"Thank you, Saphira," Roran replied, "I appreciate your help with our efforts to rescue Katrina."
'Think naught of it,' she said, 'You and Eragon are both worried for her well-being, with good reason for something in the pit of my stomach says that we shouldn't waste any time in rescuing her.'
Roran nodded, "I feel the same. Ever since just after the battle I've felt restless, more than I have been. Something is going on, and it isn't good."
Eragon bent and lifted two spades from the ground, handed one to Roran, and began the arduous task of digging.
"Couldn't you do this more quickly by magic?" Roran questioned as the first beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
"The first rule of magic: Doing things using magic takes just as much energy as physically completing the task," Eragon replied between thrusts of the spade, "If it didn't kill me to magically dig all of the graves, I'd probably take a week to recover from it. We wouldn't be able to leave any sooner if I did it that way... Besides, this is a good strength building activity."
He winked at his cousin. Roran snorted. It was a joke between them as Eragon had the strength of an elf and his cousin had built his strength by weilding the hammer. They tried to make some light coversation as they began the depressing task of burying the fallen.
To be continued in Chapter 5...