Da What were they doing coming down here? This city was still being finished off; there were still some dangers to the ancient city. Vrael watched as Saphira landed, waiting near Umaroth for now. He wasn't sure what to make of Nasuada, even after all the years of watching her leading the Varden. Of course, no one had bothered to let them know that they were coming, but that was not so surprising, considering that Vroengard was surrounded by water.
Lydia came over to him as Eragon and Nasuada came towards them. Over the time since Galbatorix's destruction, it seemed that Nasuada had recovered from everything she had endured. As had Lydia, and that was something good, considering just how long Galbatorix had had her. Lydia still had a slight bit of a limp, but it was getting better, slowly.
"It's good to see you again, Eragon, Saphira," Vrael said, smiling. He noticed that Eragon was looking around as was Saphira as they came closer. But then again, the island surely would have looked different the first time they were here.
"What brings you here?" Lydia asked. She seemed to frown slightly, but that was because only Riders ever came to this island. That was the way it had been many years ago. Both Vrael and her agreed that was how the island would stay.
"Why are you hiding here when we could use your help on the mainland?" Nasuada answered with a question of her own.
"We told you, if you needed us, we would be here. It is not our place to meddle with that which goes on over in the mainland," Vrael replied. "If you really needed us, surely you would have come sooner?" He hoped she had not forgotten those words. For they had been the last he had said outloud of any importance back then.
Nasuada frowned. "You should have never left," she said, frowning at him.
Umaroth growled. Do not think to decide whether we did wrong or right, youngling. Vroengard is our home, the home of all the Dragon Riders. Clearly even he was getting irked by Nasuada's accusations. Do not forget who we are.
"Yeah, a rider and a dragon thought dead," Nasuada countered.
"You have every right to believe that," Vrael replied. "But it was a mere illusion. We were hidden, alive all this time, nudging events so that all of this could be achieved. We made sure Eragon found Saphira that he got to the Varden, helping Arya on the way."
We have helped in so many ways, and no one ever knew we were doing so, Umaroth added.
"So, what brings you?" Vrael asked, repeating Lydia's question. Even he wanted to know why she had come here, to a place where the Riders alone came.
"I'm surprised you don't know," Nasuada replied.
"We've been busy on our own, Nasuada, not keeping an eye on you and the rest of Alagaesia," Lydia replied.
"Well there have been many discussions you were unaware of then. One of them is that I am now the leader of the Empire," Nasuada replied. "However... I wish not only for that but for more than that. Namely all the Riders working for m..."
"Not going to happen," Vrael cut her off. "There is no chance you are going to undo all the negotiations once made by Anurin, my predecessor, and Queen Dellanir. It was he who convinced her to allow humans to become riders, and also was the one who separated out order from the rest of Alagaesia. We belong to no one once we have a dragon, our role is to keep the peace amongst all the countries here in Alagaesia, Du Weldenvarden, the Broddring Kingdom, Surda, and the Boer Mountains." Did she think he would agree to that?
No, those negotiations that Anurin had made had taken a long time to sort out. There was no chance he was going to simply step aside.
"The Riders shall stay separate, as they should be, Nasuada," he said. He looked at Eragon for a few moments. The young rider was rather silent. "Of course, should anyone need us, we will come and help, but for now, while there are so few of us... there is very little we can do."
Nasuada frowned. "How can I trust you not to turn on any of my people then?"
"If that were any of our intent, we have done so already," Lydia replied. "No, all we want now is to see the Riders renewed. This Alagaesia is still what we remember, even if times have changed. In time, people will get used to seeing dragon in the sky again, but it will take quite some time for the fear that Thorn causes, as well as the turmoil Galbatorix created to finally vanish and for peace to be once more across the lands."
Nasuada sighed. "I suppose you have a point," she replied. "Thoguh I do not have a clue who you are." She looked between them. "If that is how things must be, so be it."