Chapter 14
For the Good of the Varden
The Varden had just stopped marching for the day. Nasuada sat in her command tent, as she did every day. She had not bothered to refurnish it after Saphira had wrecked it, except for the necessities. All that was in the tent with her was the large meeting table with various maps and attack plans, a fairly large mirror for scrying, and chairs. Nasuada sat in her chair worrying. Worrying about Eragon and Saphira. Worrying about wether or not Murtagh and Thorn would attack the next day. Worrying about wether her goal was reachable.
Disrupting her thoughts was a few scouts that she had sent out. She allowed them to come in after the Nighthawks announced their presence. The first scout was sent ahead to Belatona to see how far away they were and to find out how many soldiers the Varden was up against. The second scout was sent to search the surrounding area to look for empire soldiers.
The second scout spoke first. "My lady, it does not appear that there are any soldiers around us. Word is that the king has recalled all soldiers back to the remaining cities to defend." Nasuada thanked the man and sent him on his way. She turned to the remaining scout.
"Lady Nasuada, we are around a two day's march from the city walls. Upon further inspection, Belatona looked as if there were around four thousand soldiers, within the walls. Of those four thousand, however, only one thousand are soldiers of the empire. That should help our cause if those men are forced to fight. However, I was unable to determine if the empire soldiers were soldiers without pain, or some other abomination that the dark king has created." Nasuada thought Great such a meager force should easily fall, even with the walls and the possibility of soldiers without pain.
"Thank you for that report, you are dismissed." As if on cue, as soon as the scout left the tent the mirror shimmered to life. She recognized the man as the person she had sent into Uru'Baen to keep tabs on the king as a servant.
"My lady, I have less than a minute so please don't interrupt me." Nasuada noticed that the man seemed frightened for his life. She nodded trying to keep a straight face but was genuinely worried for the man's well being. The spy continued in a whisper constantly looking around, "The dark king is in a terrible mood. He is killing servants left and right. I don't know what it is but he is furious. All of the people who are within two rooms of him are scared for their lives. The people here have never seen him so upset." With that last sentence he cut the spell off, and Nasuada was looking at herself.
Nasuada was stunned to hear of this. Well it definitely means that Eragon and Saphira are alive. That is good. What could get Galbatorix so angry? She sat in silence pondering this question. After a few minutes she gave up and started to busy herself by looking at the battle plans in front of her.
An hour or so later the mirror shimmered to life again. Nasuada who hadn't moved from her seat since the last person scried her, looked up expecting to see her spy in Uru'Baen. She was surprised to see Eragon appear in the mirror smiling next to I cannot believe it a smiling Arya. "Hello Eragon and Arya, I assume you are on your way back to the Varden to help us take Belatona." Eragon shook his head and replied, "No, we will not be joining the Varden until you make it to Dras Leona, when the two armies combine. Nasuada had a look of horror on her face.
"But what about Murtagh and that blasted red dragon. We are going to be at their mercy if they show up." Eragon's reaction was not of anger as she had expected, but of sadness.
"Nasuada Saphira and I had to kill Murtagh and Thorn." Eragon said with a tone of deep regret. A regret that Nasuada had as well.
"Very well Eragon, I know how much you wanted to save them from Galbatorix. Is there anything else you wish to report?" Eragon nodded and looked at Arya, who gave a nod to Eragon.
"Yes there is another reason for Saphira and I to not return with the Varden." At that Arya held up her right palm for the mirror. Nasuada gasped. "It can't be. How did you get the egg? Why didn't you tell me you had the egg!" Nasuada got louder and angrier at both Eragon and Arya for not telling her. They wouldn't be so foolish to infiltrate Uru'Baen and steal the egg. Saphira would not of allowed it. Is that why Galbatorix was furious? Did he just find out that the egg was missing?
As if Eragon knew what she was thinking he interrupted her train of thought. "No we did not go to Uru'Baen. Before I tell you this tale you must give us your word that you will not tell anyone of what has happened between Arya and the new green dragon Verdir."
Nasuada gave her word and Eragon recounted the story. Nasuada was astounded that Murtagh had sent the egg to Eragon, and deeply saddened that he had to die. I cannot think like that. Murtagh was not the same person that I met in Farthen Dur. He had been twisted into Galbatorix's image. He was not the person I loved. Eragon was looking at her with a concerned face that she was surprised to see on Arya's face as well. What has happened to Arya? She shows her emotions now just like any human would.
"It's nothing Eragon, trust me. I am just saddened at the death of Murtagh and his dragon." To her Eragon didn't look satisfied, but she was happy that he let it go. Quickly she tried to change the subject from Murtagh and Thorn to prevent her from crying.
"Arya how goes your rider training? I know that it will be different than it was for Eragon to learn, for you already know the ancient language and about the dragon's history."
Nasuada noticed that her green eyes showed happiness, which was something that she had never seen in Arya. "Nasauda, it goes well. Eragon is a good teacher." She turned and met eyes with Eragon and a big smile came across her face. At that it clicked in Nasuada's head. So that is the reason she is here for Eragon's report, and why she seems so happy.
A small smile came across Nasuada's face at looking at the spectacle in front of her. Neither Eragon nor Arya wanted to be the one to break off their eye contact. I wish that I could of had that for longer than the short time I was in Farthen Dur with Murtagh. It was cruel to lose both my father and my love in the same day. She quickly replaced those thoughts with thoughts of the battle to come in just a few days.
"You two look like you have some more... rider training to get back to." With that both Eragon and Arya broke contact and looked embarrassed. Eragon showed it more for he had less practice at keeping his emotions in check, but Arya showed a hint of it as well in Nasuada's opinion.
The both smiled and said their goodbyes to Nasuada, and the mirror returned to an image of herself. She was surprised at what she saw. Her face had a look of longing that rivaled that of a starving dog looking at meat in front of him. She quickly tried to rid her face of emotion but was only partly successful. She called on of her Nighthawks into the tent so that he could gather the Varden members for an announcement.
Once everyone was gathered outside her command tent in the area that doubled as the landing area for Saphira she spoke to the group. Nasuada told the Varden about Eragon's defeat of the red rider that has caused so many problems for them. She spoke of Eragon's safety among the elves. She spoke of Eragon meeting them in Dras Leona when they met up with the elves. Finally she spoke of the plan to attack Belatona in two days time.
She had always made sure to end all of her speeches on a high note so that it would increase the Varden's morale.
The next day the Varden set off to Belatona with renewed vigor at the news of the dead red dragon and rider.