Chapter 10

He bowed his head to Nasuada and left. Outside the door, he paused to whisper a few sentences in the ancient language. Now a ward was set around the room and he would know if anyone entered by way of magic. Of course, he did not specify protection against physical entry; people came and went through that door dozens of times each day. And it was fully guarded against physical break-ins.

Jarome met him and led him down one hall into his own study. It was not a large room, but the desk in the center would serve its purpose.

"Thank you, Jarome," Eragon said, sitting down behind the desk and picking up a pile of papers that were already waiting for him.

"I am outside the door if you need me, Sir."

"Mmm Hmm…" Eragon wasn't listening. Already he was enveloped in the world of Du Vrangr Gata. They had a meager group of magic users in Aberon, but most of their valuable members were spies throughout the Empire. He observed their reports and evaluated different accounts of Galbatorix's actions. Most were worried messages about Saphira being spotted over Uru'baen. But more recent ones showed that a red dragon was flying the countryside.

He was pulled back into reality only when Jarome brought in lunch. But after eating, he continued his work. He even observed the messages exchanged between Trianna and a spy from Dras Leona prior to his cousin's rescue.

By late evening, Eragon had prepared a list of things to improve their spy network. He sent word for Trianna so they might go over some of the things. She, being the former leader of Du Vrangr Gata, should have a say in the changes.

"Argetlam," she murmured, curtsying.

"Please sit down, Trianna. We are equals here."

She scowled a little, but took his advice.

"I have evaluated our spy network and must compliment you on your efforts. It is well planned out, that is certain. But one thing has caught my eye. Though we have dozens of spies in Dras Leona, and Teirm; and loads of them in Uru'baen, there are next to none in all of Surda."

Trianna looked surprised—shocked almost. "Sir, we don't want to cause tension between Surda and the Varden." She spoke almost as if to a child. "I thought you would have seen that."

"Indeed, I see the reasoning behind that conclusion, yes. We do not wish to spy on Surda, but Galbatorix does. It is only fair that there are spies of ours searching for his. Does that make sense?"

"Well, yes; but us placing spies in this land could be misinterpreted a thousand ways. Orrin would not be pleased if he found out, to say the least."

"That's why we tell him of the spies. He is a reasonable man and will understand our motives."

She looked down a little. Eragon almost felt sorry for challenging her leadership, but he knew it must be done. "I understand. I will station more spies in Surda immediately."

"Thank you. Now about your method of communicating…"

They spoke for nearly two hours, haggling over proper ancient-language terms and debating about the spy placement until each person was too exhausted to defend their position any longer. Only then did Eragon dismiss a very frustrated Trianna.

It was nearly sunset once again and he had not seen Saphira since that morning. He knew she had been hunting, but he longed to see her.

They met in the courtyard and flew over the city, enjoying each other's company and recounting the events of the day.

So tomorrow you will train with the elves? Saphira said, and you will bring the egg?

I have to protect it, haven't I? He grinned. This is the perfect opportunity for Nasuada to expose the egg to elven warriors without permission. 'Very clever of her.

Yes. I hope it hatches.

So does everyone else. I fear it might disappoint us.

The elven camp was outside the city, for the elven warriors preferred sleeping under the stars rather than on top of smooth mattresses. Eragon walked between the tents, greeting elves in the customary manner along the way. As he did so, his hand stroked the smooth surface of a dragon egg inside his sack. Not even the slightest tremor interrupted the hard shell.

He asked an elf maiden where he was to be trained and was quickly given instructions to the far side of the camp.

Good, he thought, the more elves I come near, the better.

But as he trekked across the encampment, the egg remained solid and still. Even though he knew better than to expect its hatching, he felt disappointed.

Vanir met him at the edge of the camp. "Are you ready, Shur'tugal?"

Eragon sighed. He had hoped his instructor was anyone but Vanir. Nevertheless, he held up his sack for Saphira to snag. The azure dragon flew directly above him and snatched it with her claws, landing a few hundred paces away to watch the lesson while guarding the precious cargo.

Eragon stretched his arms and then swung his sword a few times to get warmed up. "I am ready," he said, dulling his sword with magic and preparing for an attack.

He and Vanir circled each other for a few moments, each waiting for the other to make the first move. Finally, Eragon lost his patience and lunged at his opponent, beginning a complex routine. Vanir parried perfectly, of course, moving with equal speed and grace. Their swords moved in such a flurry, one could hardly tell whose was whose.

Vanir launched a very strong attack at Eragon, jabbing earnestly at the Rider and occasionally pulling a "show off" move or two just to prove his superiority. Eragon fought to defend himself, but found his muscles weakening. Again he was reminded of his unnaturally long slumber in Uru'baen and how weak it had left him.

His movements slowed ever so slightly, and Vanir took full advantage of it. He fought harder and faster than before, pushing Eragon into a frantic state.

As many times as Eragon tried to reverse the situation, Vanir's sword was always there blocking him. After only a few moments, Vanir's sword found its way into Eragon's side. He doubled over, clutching the ribs that were surely broken from the blow. Even with the magically dulled blades, the swords were enough to cause much pain.

Vanir offered a hand to Eragon and he took it, climbing to his feet. He would need to fix the ribs with magic. But first, embarrassed, Eragon instinctively looked around to see who had witnessed his defeat.

Arya stood only a few paces away, observing with her arms crossed. "You have improved much since I first fought you in Farthen Dur, Eragon."

"I still could not beat you," he mumbled, trying to keep his face from flushing.

"Do not be a fool, Eragon. If you stood firm against Vanir for a respectable amount of time, that's no worse than I can do." She looked amused at his assumptions.

Eragon wondered if it was true. Since their spar in Farthen Dur, he had idolized her abilities. But now that he had been trained, he could not trust his memory of the elf's skills.

"Care to try again, Shur'tugal?" Vanir arched an eyebrow.

Eragon quickly healed his wound with Saphira's aid and readied for another spar. Vanir won once again, but it was a much closer round. In the end, Eragon was pleased with his progress even though every inch of his body ached from the effort.

The following morning, he arrived once more to spar. They fought three times; Eragon won once.

He did not bother to heal his bruises that day. Instead, he headed back to his study in the castle. The injuries would heal themselves and he would come back stronger in a couple of days.

"Vanir and Arya of Ellesmera are here to answer your call, My Lady," Nasuada's guard announced.

"Send them in, Tobias," Nasuada said.

The two elves entered, nodding respectfully to her.

Nasuada started to speak, but was interrupted by Vanir.

"Before you speak, I would like to apologize for my disrespectful words during our last meeting. It was cruel to speak of Shurtugal Eragon in that way."

"Yes, about that… I have called you here to inquire about those comments. You said, I believe, that it required faith to believe Eragon will save us?" Nasuada asked.

"Yes."

"I want you to tell me truthfully how much power Eragon wields in comparison to Galbatorix and in comparison to the elves. Please put it in perspective for me—and for God's sake, be honest. I cannot lead the Varden wisely if I am overestimating Eragon's abilities or lack thereof."

Vanir sighed.

Arya, deciding to answer the question for him, said, "We cannot measure him against Galbatorix because we do not know how powerful Galbatorix is exactly. And we cannot compare him to the elves, because some of us are more powerful than others."

"Just give me a straight answer. Is he competent? Is he as knowledgeable and powerful as, say, you two are? More powerful maybe?" Nasuada was fed up with answers that really didn't answer her questions.

"He, with Saphira's aid, is able to wield more power than any normal elf can dream of. What Eragon lacks, occasionally, is good judgment—and I mean that in the most respectful way. He is learning," Arya responded.

Vanir added, "Arya and I both have more knowledge than Eragon, yet he is capable of far more complex spells. And his skill with the blade is adequate. Probably better than Galbatorix and Murtaugh, given Eragon's heightened senses. Yet, as Arya said, he lacks judgment."

Nasuada felt relieved with their answer. Apprehension drained from her spirit and she pulled up in her seat. "Thank you for your honesty. I have thus far been left completely in the dark concerning this matter and it relieves me to know that there is hope."

She was about to dismiss them when Tobias once again came into the room. "My Lady, Trianna of Du Vrangr Gata is here to see you, along with two others: Roran and Katrina of Carvahall. She says you will wish to interrogate them."

Eragon was just finishing up a message to one of the Dras Leona spies when Jarome entered through the double doors. "Yes?" Eragon asked.

"Lady Nasuada wishes to have your audience, Sir."

"I will be along, Jarome," he murmured. "'Just finishing this assignment."

"She wishes your audience now, Sir."

Eragon looked up with concern, but did not ask any questions. He strode out of the room and down the hall to the door of Nasuada's office. The guard opened the door to announce him, but before the words could escape his mouth, Nasuada's voice said, "Let him in."

Entering the room, Eragon immediately spotted a familiar face. "Roran!" he shouted, rushing forward to embrace his cousin. "It's about time you came back."

Roran laughed. "It wasn't too bad in prison; three meals a day and I didn't have to do work. But I'm glad to be back."

Eragon laughed, nodding to Katrina.

"I thought you might be pleased to see them," Nasuada said, smiling. "You all surely have a lot to catch up on; I will dismiss you. Vanir and Arya, you may also be dis…" But she did not finish the sentence; for, at that moment, a distinct tapping noise interrupted her.

"What is that?" Roran asked, looking at Eragon's satchel where the noise emanated.

"It's the egg!" Vanir cried.

Eragon stood stunned for just a second before pulling the sack off his shoulder and setting the silver egg on the stone floor.

Roran, Katrina, Arya, Vanir, and Eragon stood in a circle around the object, listening as the tapping grew louder and more desperate.

"Who is it hatching for?" Nasuada asked, stepping out from behind her desk, yet observing from a distance still. Her eyes widened with shock and hope.

"We won't know until it gifts its true Rider with the Gidwey Ignasia," Arya said quietly, her eyes never moving from the egg.

At last, the silvery shell split in two. And out of it emerged a dragon hatchling.