Arrival and Departure

The moment Katrina, Thorn, Murtagh and Saphira landed they were surrounded by the army of Dwarfs axes raised. Most in the crowd were screaming "MURDERER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

For an instant the four of them thought they would attack them but Eragon vaulted over the crowd and landed sword raised.

He opened his mouth and bellowed "If any Man, Elf or Dwarf dare harm this man they will have to go through me!!!!!!!!!!"

The Dwarfs stared in shock at the only human member of their clans and that he was defending the murderer of their king.

Eragon continued "every act he did at the battle he did because he had no other choice, he was forced to serve Galbatorix as have many before him."

Eragon believed that they would back off at these words but Orik marched forward a look of pure venom in his eyes.

"He murdered our king, but he managed to let you go! You, Saphira destroyed the Star Sapphire! You are as bad as each other. You, Eragon, are no longer a member of the Durmstrang Ingentium!"

As the dwarf finished he took his ring from his finger, wrapped three hairs from his beard around, threw it to the ground and spat after it. Saphira, furious walked up to Orik and let out a ground shaking roar inches from Orik.

"You don't frighten me Dragon!!!!!!!!!!" yelled dwarf despite the fact most of the dwarfs behind him ran away screaming.

Orik walked marched passed Saphira and pointed at Eragon "you betrayed us." He accused "your dragon will repair the Star Sapphire and then you will never be allowed in our halls again."

As Orik turned away Eragon called to him "Murtagh's Dragon Thorn, wishes to help Saphira repair your lost jewel."

Orik turned back and replied "you must each answer for your separate crimes. That beast can not help her."

Once Orik had left Murtagh placed a hand on Eragon's shoulder.

"I'm sorry Eragon." He said his head bowed.

"you have nothing to apologize for. I knew their stubbornness would make them do something like this." Replied Eragon reassuringly.

"I have a lot of work to do to redeem myself"

"Dwarfs are stubborn, Humans and Elves will understand your bonds better and will know you fight with us."

"Katrina!!" they heard Roran yell as he ran and embraced his fiancé.

Both the riders smiled and walked to Nasuada's tent. To the casual observer they seemed to be passing in silence, but in reality they were discussing what Nasuada might say.

They entered Nasuada's tent and found her in the company of Arya and all the other Elvin spell weavers. All of them hhad their hands resting on the weapons.

"I'll told you he could be trusted!" growled Eragon furious at the elves presence when he had assured her it was not necessary.

"I am not willing to take that risk, Eragon" said Nasuada emotionlessly "now, search his mind"

Murtagh's eyes flickered in fear at how Nasuada was acting. But Eragon contacted him mentally.

Murtagh, I only need to see what happened after you were captured. Anything else I won't look if you don't want me to.

Eragon gently brushed against Murtagh's mind like a mist. At first Murtagh cringed in an expected pain as had happened every other time some tried to enter his mind. Eragon was just there not tearing away and analysing everything but carefully searching his memories of the past year. Finding nothing of malicious intent towards the Varden, the Dwarfs or the Elves.

Eragon breathed deeply as he withdrew from Murtagh's mind. He looked at Nasuada and said "there is no danger to Varden in Murtagh."

Nasuada sighed with relief and dismissed the elves. They hurriedly left the tent leaving the two riders and Nasuada alone.

"I apologize for my behaviour" was the first thing she said "I needed to be beyond a shadow of a doubt sure that this was a safe thing to do."

Eragon calmed down instantaneously after her apology and replied "it's fine"

Both the riders took a seat in front of Nasuada's desk and they began discussing what was going to happen.

"Murtagh, with the dwarfs hating you and too many in the army with all to recent memories at the battle the only safe place for you is with the elves." She stated.

"That is what I was hoping for anyway. Although my training is complete I feel the elves can still teach me much." He said.

Nasuada shuffled some papers on her desk and said "I have some important news to give both of you. The elves attached the northern end of the Empire in your absence."

Both riders gasped in alarm at this news.

"you may not have seen it but half the Empires army has been called north to retaliate but in the time the elves could well make it to Uru'bean."

"This is excellent" sighed Eragon "For better or worse this war will be over soon."

"Many in the Varden are of a similar mind." Smiled Nasuada "you are dismissed, get to the elves as soon as possible and complete your training."

"Thank you Lady Nasuada" the riders said in unison as they got up and left.