Chapter 10

He wished that he was in the comfort of his and Arya's room, encased in the soft sheets of his overly large bed, while she lay curled next to him as had become their sleeping arrangement after they had declared themselves mates. His felt his fatigue over taking him, but he fought it off and stifled a yawn before it could escape his mouth. Arya, whom sat next to him gave him a slightly worried look. She, along with Saphira had not been happy with his choice of putting off getting rest after everything that he had done, instead he had argued that it was more important that they speak with Nasuada, as well as Orik and Nar Garzvhog about what they had learned.

"And he said that the Riders were the cause of the creation of his master's?" Nasuada asked.

"He did." Eragon answered her as he rubbed at his tired eyes.

"How could that be? You say that the masters of his order are old, but that they were created during the battle over Vroengard? For that to be true one part of his tale would have to be false." Nasuada once again exclaimed.

"When Saphira and I traveled to Vroengard before the final battle we found a great number of new and odd beings, one from what you have told me Galbatorix had found and used to torture others. It is possible, that much like these other new beings on Vroengard that they were in fact changed by the magics that were unleashed. You have to understand, much of what happened during that battle had never occurred before, the mixture of all of that energy being released, all of the feelings, a battle of that scale was never heard of before. Not even during the war between the elves of dragons had reached such a scale. "

"What is it we should do Firesword? The Urgala will not stand by and watch as these monsters walk the land, it is not in nature. We will not allow them to enter our villages and wreck the havoc they have upon the capital." Nar Garzvhog grunted.

"Your villages are well hidden, and your warriors fierce. I do not think these beings, or their followers will be able to accomplish the same task with your people as they did here." Eragon stated.

"Barzûlegûr, this was not just a small act that should be looked over though. This was a warning, and to perform it so close to the games." Orik said slamming his fist on the black granite throne of the dwarves.

"If Orrin has aligned himself with these beings it could explain for his reasons for starting a war with the empire. I cannot see him doing such otherwise, " Murtagh said, looking between Nasuada and Eragon.

"In light of today's events, and knowing what we do now, should we have the games proceed as scheduled, or should we cancel them?" Nasuada asked, looking at everyone.

"The games, of which Eragon helped to create should proceed as they do every year." Arya stated in sing song voice, her gaze turning on Eragon.

"But perhaps we should raise the number of guards present. In the present troubled times, the people will need a sense of normalcy, but also know that they are being protected to the best of our abilities. I shall have three of my riders help with this in any way they can." Eragon stated.

"If it's alright with everyone Thorn and I would like to command those protecting the events." Murtagh stated to which everyone gave their consent.

For a few more moments they went over what they were going to do about the current situation. Eragon found himself having trouble paying attention and keeping his eyes open and soon found himself being led out of the hall and towards his rooms, Arya's slender arms encircling and guiding him.
With a word she had the door open and was easing him onto their bed. He wanted to stay awake a while longer so as he could speak with her as he had not been in company for the last week, but found that his battle with his exhaustion was too much and soon fell into a deep slumber.

When he awoke in the middle of the night he found himself encased in the beds soft sheets. He turned to his right when he felt a weight on his arm and smiled when he found Arya's head was pillowed over his outstretched arm, her soft breaths sending slight chills up his body.

He briefly considered waking her so they could talk, not only about the events of the day, but perhaps of things to come in the future, but quickly decided against it. Matters were not so pressing that the conversation had to happen now, they could easily speak in the morning and what he had to say would mean no more then, then it would now. Not to mention that right now he rather enjoyed the feeling of her curled against him. Besides, he wasn't extremly fond of spoiling her sleep, and possibly annoying her for the sole reason that he had missed her.

So instead he gently pressed a gentle kiss against her brow and had to smile when she snuggled closer to him, then laid his head back down and fell back to sleep.