Chapter 5: Mission of Importance

Eragon awoke to the sound of a voice outside his tent. Whoever it was appeared to be talking to Saphira to try and convince her to wake him. He put on a sapphire blue tunic and his brown leather pants and walked outside with Brisingr strapped to his waist. "Shadeslayer, Nasuada requires to speak with you. She says it is urgent and requires your immediate attention. Whatever it is, this mission has our leader on the edge of her seat. I would guess that she is much stressed and could some assistance." The messenger was a girl about the age of fifteen and had light blonde hair with a heart-shaped face. She was very pretty, but obviously nervous about talking to a Dragon Rider.

"I would be glad to come and help Nasuada with whatever needs done. Her problems are my problems; she should know that by now. Are you going to take me to her tent?" He smiled at her as he talked. His warm tone set her at ease and she was finally able to relax.

"Yes, I am to show you where she is staying. Isn't it a wonderful day today? The sun is out, the air is clear, and none of the awful fighting that I have become used to since living with the Varden. War is a stain upon the earth, and the day cannot come soon enough when it is over." In fact, it was the nicest day they had seen in a long time. Her words rang true in his head, and reminded him that he was one of the people who could end this war. It was his duty to return Alagäesia to the way it should be.

"Truer words were never spoken. Riders hate war more than most everyone else, but it is my duty as was my predecessors to fight the battles in the land. We do not learn to fight with swords and magic because we enjoy it, we do it because it is what we were born to do. When I lost my temper the other day when Arya was in danger, you have no idea how angry I was at myself. Everybody makes mistakes, but since I am a Rider my mistakes can cause much more damage." They came to an abrupt halt in front of a big pavilion set up in the center of Feinster. He entered the tent after the Nighthawks had announced his presence. Lady Nasuada looked the most stressed out that Eragon had ever seen her. Again and again, she was looking over the same pages, trying to solve some dilemma for the Varden. She looked at the end of her rope and Eragon knew that he needed to do something to ease her frantic rush. Her arms had fully healed from the Trial of the Long Knives and there were scars that covered both of her arms. Jörmundur was still angry at her for accepting that challenge even though it had happened over a month ago.

"My lady." Eragon announced his presence to her. "What can I do for you?"

Immediately her countenance darkened, "I'm afraid that I have a potentially dangerous mission for you. As I'm sure you remember the men without pain that we have been fighting I'll cut to the chase. The giant you fought was a man without pain, and our scouts report that there is a small army of roughly one hundred and fifty men without pain of that size. They shouldn't be able to use magic; however, I doubt anybody but you can slay them without suffering heavy casualties. And we don't even know if they can or can't use magic at that."

"How far are they away from Feinster? Also, may I bring the elves with me in case there are powerful magic users with them? Eragon asked. He decided that if there were spellcasters among them it would be best if he had people who could help him. Caution, he had learned, could save your life more often than pure skill.

"They should be about eight hours march north of here, so it should take and the elves about three and a half to four to get there. I agree that they should accompany you, we don't know if they can use magic and they can help you if you get in trouble. It's up to you whether you leave today or tomorrow, but the sooner they are taken care of the better. "Nasuada's face looked relieved and she let out a sigh. "Good luck, Eragon. Remember that if you can't defeat them you have to run away and fight them another time. The Varden can't afford to lose you."

"As you wish, my lady I will leave tonight with the elves and if nothing goes amiss we should be back by morning tomorrow. If I cannot defeat them myself, I will back away and not attack them directly, but don't expect to run. I will do my best to delay them if I cannot kill them."

"Do as you deem fit Eragon. You are dismissed."

With that Eragon turned and walked out of the tent. He was surprised to find Arya waiting for him. "Hello Arya. We have been given a mission to take out a group of giant men without pain. Our scouts didn't know if they can use magic or not, so I asked if I could bring you and the other elves with me and she agreed. If that is okay with Blödhgarm and you?" Arya closed her eyes as she talked with the leader of the twelve elven spellcasters.

"He says that he and the other elves are ready to stand with us. According to him, they should be ready to go in roughly fifteen minutes. I, of course will be marching with them and ready to assist where need be." Arya replied after she had spoken with him on the matter. "I'll go grab my things and meet you at the north side of Feinster.

After she had gone, he ran to his own tent and readied his supplies. He packed his shield, armor and food for two days into his pack. Saphira landed loudly outside his tent and the earth shook beneath her. She poked her head through the tent and eyed Eragon thoughtfully. "What are we waiting for? Hurry up and get my saddle ready Eragon." Within fifteen minutes, Eragon and the elves along with Saphira were on the march toward the troop of giant men without pain. Not knowing what to expect they came prepared for anything. The elves had decided that it would be best to attack in the dark when their enhanced eyesight gave them an advantage. They would attack tonight at whatever time they found the deadly soldiers.