Light fluttered into Eragon's room. He sat up and yawned, blinking the sleep out of his eyes. He smiled at the memory of last night. Little one, I know that you are happy but Nasuada has called a meeting and you must me present. Groaning Eragon stood up and but on some leather breeches and a simple green tunic. Strapping on Brisingr, he went over to the basin of water and splashed his face. Muttering a few words the small amount of stubble dissolved. Eragon combed his hair with his fingers and stepped out into the crisp air.
Walking to the tower that had Nasuada's meeting room he got many greetings and all he did was give a little smile and slight nod.
The Nighthawks saw who it was and let Eragon in. The grand oak table had Nasuada at the front, Arya at her left and an empty chair at her right. King Orrin, Murtagh, Orik, Jörmundur, Nar Garzhvog and many other commanders and generals sat around the table. Saphira flew to the balcony and perched there.
"Shadeslayer, good to see you have come," said Nasuada. Eragon inclined his head and walked over to the empty chair. "We must capture Belatona to move closer to Uru'baen. But first, we should try to get as many on our side by asking the people of Melian to join the Varden. I have decided to have Eragon go and convince them," she said.
"One man convincing a city to join us? What if there are many on the Empire's side?" asked Arya.
"I have thought of this. Roran managed to convince almost all of Carvahall to make a seemingly impossible journey to join us, why can't his cousin? Also Eragon is a dragon rider, he shouldn't run into too much trouble that he can't handle it."
He can handle it, only when his dragon is around. Said Saphira to Eragon.
Yes of course, Saphira. I can only not get captured when you're around.said Eragon sarcastically.
That is very much true and you know it, little one.
"Do you accept?" she asked Eragon.
"Saphira is coming, am I correct?" asked Eragon.
"Yes, I think that only Saphira will be enough proof for them to believe that you are Rider Eragon Shadeslayer," said Nasuada.
"Of course. When should I leave?"
"First thing tomorrow evening." Eragon nodded. "If no one else has any objections, it is final," said Nasuada. The room was quiet. "Very well meeting adjourned."
Murtagh went up to Eragon and said, "You get to have all the fun, eh? I have to sit around with Thorn and be the Varden's 'bodygaurd'" Eragon smiled. Things were getting back to normal with Murtagh although he still harbored some hatred towards them for being the tool that killed Oromis and Glaedr.
Everybody filed out of the room except Arya. Making sure that everyone was out of hearing distance she said, "How could you let him go? It is potentially a whole city of enemies. Who knows what could be waiting there?" A little bit of an edge crept into her voice.
"He is with Saphira and you know that he is perfectly capable defending himself," said Nasuada. Looking very unconvinced Arya walked out of the room.
Nasuada sat back down trying to decipher the elf's actions. A smile crept across her face as she figured it out.
