Chapter 8

Galbatorix's army finally arrived. They made no attempt to attack first as they made camp a few miles away from the Varden. The king's army was vast, much larger than the Varden, but they did not have Eragon, which still gave the Varden hope, even if it was slim. Eragon put on his armor after he had put on Saphira's, ready to attack at any moment. He also placed wards around himself and Saphira as well as Nasuada, Orik, Arya and Satine. When night fell, he received order's to meet Nasuada at her tent.

"Ah, there you are Eragon." The woman looked exhausted and tried to hide her discomfort behind her dark brown eyes. Satine and Arya were there and so was Orik, the dwarf that Eragon had become good friends with. Saphira could not fit in the tent, so she stuck her head as far in as she could to see what was going on. Eragon had to admit that it was very awkward to stand in the presence Arya. He had already apologized for his actions in Ellesmera, but she still gave him the cold shoulder.

"I have called you here to tell you how proud I am to have you fight by my side. Also, I wish to say that whatever happens tomorrow-they had a notion that the Kings army would strike at dawn-you have to keep up your spirits. I was telling Satine that the people really look up to you, and if given the encouragement, they will fight by your side for as long as it takes to defeat the king's army."

Eragon respectfully inclined his head. "It is an honor, for the two of us," he pointed to Saphira, "to fight alongside you as well. We understand that we are outnumbered, and we intend to do whatever we can to tip the battle to our advantage." He had no idea how he would do that, but is seemed like a statement that would make her feel better about their predicament.

"Thank you. Orik has requested to have a band of his kin protect you whilst you are on Saphira. It is my deepest wish that you take his offer; you can use all the protection you can get."

Eragon turned his attention to the small bearded man. He had his battle axe with him, but his expression was gentle. "Of course I will accept your offer to have my brothers of the Dûrgrimst Ingeitum fight next to me." He clapped his fist to his chest and bowed his head.

Orik followed suit. "Hrothgar will be pleased to hear that we have the chance to protect you in battle. May your sword stay sharp, Argetlam!"

"And may your axe stay sharp, my brother." He looked back at Nasuada and said, "Is there anything else you wish to speak to me about?"

"No, but if you have anything to add, please address it now."

Eragon thought for a moment and decided to remind her that he had placed wards around her. "I have also placed wards around Arya, Satine and Orik as well."

"You have some around you and Saphira—"

"Of course." He nodded. "Also," he paused to look at Satine, "I need to know how protected Satine's mind is. As the king's daughter, any enemy magician will want to invade her mind for information."

"You want to probe her mind?" Nasuada never liked the idea of intruding into someone's head and gave Eragon a sour look.

"Yes, but only to see how strong her resistance will be. It will not take long, I promise."

Nasuada glanced at Satine, then sighed. "Very well. Do what you must."

"Satine, are you alright with this?" He had to be sure, otherwise he would feel guilty entering her sacred mind without permission.

"Yes. I cannot guarantee that my defense will be strong, but we can give it a try."

Eragon nodded. "Okay. This might hurt a little." He approached her and placed his hands on her shoulders. He stared into her eyes and allowed his consciousness to sweep into her mind. He was not shocked when he was blocked by an image of what seemed to be a play. The actors strutted across the stage in a dance. What he was viewing was Satine's memory of Wicked, the musical she mentioned to him the other night.

He tried to breach her barriers, but found it totally solid. She has had much practice shielding her mind. He was about to withdraw when suddenly the image faded into thousands of thoughts, images, memories, and emotions. He was inside her mind.

Eragon, I can hold my barriers for at least a few minutes until I begin to falter, so I am not as strong as you might think.

It took him a second to realize that she was talking to him. Why did you tear it down? I was about to withdraw.

I guess I wanted you to know what my voice sounds like in your head so that if I ever needed to contact you this way, you will know my touch.

Right, of course. That makes sense.

They severed their connection and he took a few steps back and turned his attention back to Nasuada. "She is strong enough, but could still use some more practice."

"Do you think it will be good enough to withstand in the upcoming battle if a magician should probe her?"

"Possibly. It depends on how strong the magician is and how close he is to Satine."

"Magic is very strange to me." She said mainly to herself. Speaking louder, she dismissed him saying to get some rest. "We could all use some sleep."

Orik followed Eragon and Saphira back to Eragon's tent. "If you permit me, I wish to stay with you in case we get a surprise attack."

"Of course," he smiled. He appreciated everything that Orik had done for him. "I hope you will be comfortable enough in my tent, I do not have much room."

"Don't worry about me. I will sleep outside your tent and alert you if I hear anything."

"As you wish." Eragon entered his tent, but instead of going to bed, he went to his rucksack and pulled out an old blanket. With the cloth in his hand, he exited his tent. "Here, take this then."

The dwarf took the blanket. "Thank you. Goodnight Eragon."

"Goodnight Orik. Saphira, keep him company." The sapphire dragon hummed and rested near Orik.

I will, Little One. Rest well, tomorrow will be a long day.

I know. Goodnight. He entered his tent once more and sat down on his cot, his armor clanking. He hated to take it off for safety reasons, but at the same time, he found it very difficult to sleep in the metal clothing. So, he compromised. He took off his metal plates, but left his chain mail on. It still was not very comfortable, but he could still manage to sleep.

Satine crept carefully across the camp avoiding the sentries. She was heading towards Eragon's tent hoping to speak with him in private before dawn. When his tent was in view, she cursed silently to herself when she noticed Orik asleep outside the tent. I must sneak in through the back. She hid behind a tent as a guard walked by. If caught, she would not only be in big trouble with Nasuada, but the guards might open fire upon her in fear that she was from Galbatorix's army. The night was quite dark, so no one would know who she was at a distance. An alarm would be raised and when the Varden find out that it was just her sneaking around, they would want to have a very good explanation.

When the guard was far enough away, she ran from her hiding spot to the other side of the pathway. She then crouched behind the tents and walked until she was behind Eragon's. She opened the flap and entered after she made sure no one was around. She finally felt relief when she was safely inside his tent. It was so dark in the tent that she had to place her arms if front of her to feel where she was going.

Clang! The metallic sound rang across the once silent tent. Satine clenched her fists and tried to resist crying out in pain as her right toes throbbed. Eragon sprang up, a dagger in his hand. Outside, she heard Orik awaken as well as Saphira.

"Who's there?" Eragon demanded. He reached out with his mind and felt Satine's consciousness.

It's only me. Her voice was mixed with fear, alarm, and pain. I stubbed my toe on your armor.

"Where is he, I will tear him apart with my axe?" The dwarf barged in the tent, Saphira's head poking in above him, her teeth bared.

"At ease, it's only…"

"Satine." She finished.

"What on earth are you doing here, and in the middle of the night?" It was apparent that the dwarf was upset. After all, he was rudely woken up to find that it was a false alarm. Then there was the fact that it was by Satine, who should not only be in bed, but also should not be with the Rider in this manner.

"I'm sorry to have woken all of you up. I only wanted to see Eragon."

Orik scowled. "What for? You saw him earlier…"

"Orik, please." Eragon said, putting his dagger away.

Saphira snorted. Eragon, you are well aware that I do not approve.

You know how I feel about her. I can't help that she is engaged.

You must learn to control your emotions.

Oh, like how you controlled them with Glaedr?

Saphira growled. At least I am not trying to woo one woman, and at the sight of another, decide to woo her too.

It's not like that…

Sure it isn't. Watch it, Eragon. This secret cannot be kept forever. Already Orik knows.

Eragon looked at the dwarf. "You will not tell anyone that we are together, will you?"

Orik took a few deep breaths to calm down. "You have gotten yourself into a mess, Eragon, but I will keep it secret. But you need to either end it, or reveal it. There will are no other options."

He is right. At least listen to him if you refuse to listen to me.

"Enough!" Eragon was severely irritated. "Just leave us to talk in peace."

"Fine, provided that talking is the only thing that will go on." Orik left when Saphira withdrew her head.

Don't you think for one second that I won't burst in again if I sense your emotions getting too wild.

Goodnight, Saphira! He hated to be so harsh with them, but he hated their accusations, even though they held some truth to them. Focusing on Satine again, he said softly, "Ignore them. Now, what is it you wished to talk to me about?" He was utterly unprepared when she flew into his arms sobbing.