Telsy's eyes widened considerably as she gazed up at Murtagh.
"He gave you that willingly?" Eragon said, not able to hold his tongue anymore. Murtagh glanced once in his direction, deemed his question unworthy and turned back to Telsy. "You know he'll kill me for giving you the Eldunarí," he said, his voice low, "but you know just as well that I could never turn you down, Telsy." A ghost of a smile played on her lips as Telsy looked down at the giant diamond-orb in her arms. "Isidar," she whispered.
The peaceful moment lasted for another half-minute until Murtagh whirled on Eragon. His face was twisted into arrays of pain and sorrow, and Eragon knew he was fighting the oaths that bonded him to Galbatorix's bidding. For a moment Eragon feared Galbatorix would seize control of Eragon's half-brother like he had in the fight over Gil'ead.
"Make a decision, Eragon!" Murtagh yelled, "Come with us willingly or I will force you!" Eragon took a step back, suddenly indecisive. Saphira bared her teeth at Murtagh, covering the question she fired at Eragon.
I don't want to kill Thorn, she said, but I don't want to be taken hostage by Galbatorix. What do you think, little one? Perhaps once we gain entrance to Uru'baen, we can defeat the king from inside his own walls…
Eragon didn't move his gaze from Murtagh but he felt a slight swell of uncertainty within her. It slipped away as they concocted a plan.
He turned to gauge the battle still raging behind them; the Varden had converged upon the forces of the Empire, and along with the help of the dwarves, had taken control of the enemy forces. The clash was coming to an end, Eragon saw, and it was time to make a decision.
Jumping into Saphira's saddle, Eragon said, "We shall go."
Before any could raise an arm to stop him, Saphira unfurled her wings. But before she could raise them, a flash of color surrounded them. Nine dragons landed within a foot of each other and closed ranks so Saphira could not move.
Snarling ferociously, Saphira snapped at her brethren. It's no use, Saphira, Eragon said, we cannot make them move. Saphira roared, Let us go, we have a plan! The dragons did not budge. Eragon saw Murtagh astride Thorn, retreating. Thorn was about to take off when Telsy yelled, "Blöthr!" The clamor immediately cut short as the dragons turned to face the small white elf.
Ophelia, standing directly in front of Saphira, said, Youngling, Morenoí alerted us that the Shadeslayer and Saphira were planning to go willingly with Redfang and the Dwarfslayer. Her posture stiffened as her gaze fell upon said Redfang, who, under her scrutiny, stopped in his tracks. Murtagh scowled. "If he wants to come freely," he yelled, "you should let him come!"
This time three dragons faced him and roared at the same time. Thorn jumped back several feet.
"Enough!" Telsy yelled again. "You will allow Eragon to pass," she said as the protests began once more, "because I am going with him."
Saphira took the momentary distraction of the dragons to hurdle herself into the air. Thorn, having the same idea, leapt after her. On the ground, Telsy was waving her arms, somehow keeping the nine dragons from following. Within a second she was astride Cyvr and the white dragon was in the air.
How did you placate them? Eragon queried. Telsy responded after a moment: I told them the plan.
What plan? Arya's voice said. Eragon, so surprised, almost fell off Saphira's shoulders.
Arya! He exclaimed.
Don't try to lie to me, Eragon, she continued, I see you voluntarily took off with Murtagh and Thorn. You'd better tell me just what you're planning to do.
Eragon hesitated and Telsy filled in for him. We're going to take over Uru'baen from the inside.
Arya's skepticism could be felt through their widening mind connection.
How will you do that, she questioned, when you are virtually alone and have no Eldunarí's with you?
That's where you come in, Telsy responded immediately, we are now in possession of eight more hearts and along with twenty-three dragons and Riders at your command. I know you'll be able to come and save us before Galbatorix figures out our true names and enslaves us…
How will we converse? Arya asked, When you are trapped under the king's watchful eye and are unable to communicate by means of your mind?
You have Thorn's Eldunarí.
Arya fell silent as Telsy told her the rest of the plan.
I see multiple flaws, Arya said, her voice dimming as the distance between them lengthened, but perhaps Galbatorix will not notice them before the Varden reaches his doors.