Greetings to all those who had waited patiently for my return, I apologise for such a long wait but I am back and I have a few weeks left before school starts, of course I have homework and various other things to do like playing the Xbox, but I will write as much as I can. Thank you all.

Replies to the reviews I was not able to do via PM

Guest: yeah here come Orrin.

Anonymous: thank you for pointing that out, but perhaps the splitting forces part should have been explained better, as to what situation the empire was in, I apologise for that. I do however appreciate the complement.

Guest: I felt slightly offended by this comment. "Come on …carry on writing for sake ... please" I am not sure if you were going to say "for f*ck sakes" or "for god sakes" either way I felt offended. I am sorry if you are unclear about how this site works, I don't get paid to write, I do it purely for my and your entertainment, therefore I will write when I have the time and chance. I will not forsake my future for mere entertainments for other people. If you did not know then that meant you were not bothered to read my notes before every chapter- if that is the case then all this has no point- or if you did know and you just decide ignore it; no matter, which way is rude. I only ask you to wait patiently. Despite all that, I apologise for the wait.

This still a flash back as in the last chapter I had to end it before the flash back could be finished.

Chapter 19: Gold and Swords

"Halt!" Orrin's disagreement brought the group's attention upon his reddening face. "Nasuada! What spell have you ordered your vassal to conjure? Influencing the decisions of the other leaders."

"I gave no such order." Nasuada answered her voice cold and harsh.

"Then why are they all supporting you?" Orrin demanded again.

"We support her, Orrin." Eragon cut in. "Is because she is just and she will put the good of her people before her personal desires and entertainment."

"How dare you address me by my name? I am a king. I am above you." The Surdan king screamed, his flushed in anger.

"And he is the Lead rider, he bow to no king or queen; or have you already forgotten who had slain the dark king?" Orik's deep rough voice answered before Eragon could speak.

"Oh my! I think that is a point for the dwarf!" Angela chuckled.

Orrin's beady eyes narrowed to slits and fuming with rage. "Quiet witch. Why should she be queen and not I, I have every right to claim that title as she."

"She has led us to victory, without her, we would still be hiding in the stone city of Farthen Dur." Eragon argued his voice calm unlike the screams which sprang forth from Orrin who had forsaken his chair and took the liberty to stand upon his feet.

Eragon knew Orrin would not be happy about their choice of the next leader, however he was too unstable to be ruling a large country. Roran would be a excellent choice for a leader but he had no such desire, so the optimum option would be Nasuada. Now the only obstacle to peace is Orrin.

"If it was not for Surda who had supplied the Varden with food and gold and soldiers you would not be here today."

"If that's the case king Orrin, then shall I rule over the human kingdom? The dwarves had supplied the Varden for far longer than Surda and am I claiming to rule over this land? No I am not." Orik battered away Orrin's reason again.

"Oh, that's two for the dwarf. Exciting!" Angela said again.

"SHUT UP WITCH! Have any of you forgotten that I possess royal blood, my house is descended from the first human king, I am the heir of Palancar."

"So are Eragon and Roran, they originated from Palancar valley where the remnants of the mad king's family remained after he was killed. In that case everyone who came with Roran to join the Varden can be a potential ruler for the new empire."

"That three." Angela exclaimed in excitement as she watched the unfolding events.

"I SHALL NOT BE MOCKED I WILL CLAIM WHAT I DESERVE. I-" Orrin began but he was soon interrupted.

"That's enough Orrin!" Nasuada finally spoke up. "The majority votes for me, there are no point in arguing further and damaging our relationship, I am willing to give Aroughs, Feinster, Furnost and Melian to Surda to aid her recovery and for her sacrifices during the war."

Just as Eragon suspected, Nasuada was too kind, those cities would flourish under Nasuada's reign but Eragon cannot say the same for Orrin's rule, but Eragon understood the importance of this gift and it will ensure peace between two sides. Hence he said nothing but to watch Orrin with a guarded expression. Orrin was silent as he contemplated on Nasuada's offer, all eyes were focused on him as all the leaders waited for his answer. Orrin's stern expression never left his features, Eragon could see the conflict within his eyes whether to accept the offer. Finally after what seemed like an eternity, Orrin answered. "Very well, your offer is accepted…High Queen." Sighs of relief could be heard around the wooden table.

Nasuada spoke first after Orrin's acceptance. "Thank you for your cooperation King Orrin, now we can move on to other matters at hand."

"Yes Nasuada before we move on I would like to have Murtagh and Thorn receive a burial fit for a rider and Shruikan's corpse burnt, his ashes to be released into the skies so he may have freedom after death… As for Galbatorix I would like the elves to conserve his body so the people of this land never forgets the face of a horrid tyrant." Eragon knew the human race is a short lived race, maybe fifty year prior to this war, people will forget such a tyrant ever existed.

"Your wishes will be fulfilled, I am sure the elves are happy to obligate, Lord Däthedr?"

"Aye your decision is wise Slayer of the king, we shall honour the dead and never let all the race of this land forget the evil of Galbatorix." Lord Däthedr replied.

The rest of the meeting was about various other things needed to be decided now that Galbatorix is dead, Nasuada had set up a mages guild led by Trianna, and 5 year games had been set up to ensure the communication and peace between the races.

"The black citadel looms ahead little one." Saphira's smoothing voice broke Eragon out of his flash back.

"Thank you Saphira." Below Eragon and Saphira, the guards of the Citadel moved to allow the great dragon space to land. Blödhgarm approached the blue rider as he dismounted Saphira and he initiated the elven greeting with Eragon finishing it.

"Shadeslayer, we have scouted the treasury for signs of traps and wards and we have disable all that we could find, but beware, the black king may have found ways of concealing them."

"Your service is appreciated Blödhgarm." Eragon thanked the furry elf.

"Our pleasure."

Eragon made to enter the black keep but a presence brushed his mind, out of pure instinct Eragon shut his mind from the presence but a tendril of a perfect melody slipped between his guards; Eragon knew instantly that it was Arya who was seeking him for no other have a mind as beautiful as hers.

"Is something amiss Arya?" Eragon asked displaying everything on his mind apart from his emotions.

"There is not, but I will join you in searching the treasury if you will allow it." Arya's musical voice floated around his mind.

"I have no objections since you already know a large part of the rider's secretes and I would trust no one more than you. But. What of your mother, you should stay by her side."

"She had already awoken and I insisted to remain by her but she had said that my heart has escape my body, so she send me away, I had no other matters to attend hence I chose joining you." Arya confessed along with a fleeting thought of annoyance at not comprehending her mother's meaning.

"Very well I shall await you by the front gate of the black citadel."

"I shall arrive within moments." Arya answered before cutting off their connection.

Blödhgarm looked at Eragon with a faint smile. "Would the princess be joining you?"

Eragon frowned. "Yes how do you know?"

Blödhgarm's smile widened. "I apologise Shadeslayer though you masked it well but whenever you are in the presence of the princess your eyes would contain a certain glint that was not there when the princess is absent."

"He is right little one, your orb do light up when the she-elf is near."

Eragon did not know what to say he only hope that it is not too obvious that Arya does not feel any discomfort in his presence; but before Eragon could reply Blödhgarm spoke again. "Do not worry Shadeslayer few can notice the change in your demeanour." Eragon was somewhat relieved after Blödhgarm's assurance but he made a note to conceal the emotions through his eyes better.

True to Arya's words that he did not need to wait for long, a few moments later she arrived at his side. She was as beautiful as ever.

"Shall we venture into the treasury?" Eragon asked.

"Yes and liberate the Eldunarya and the last dragon egg." Arya answered.

"Saphira?" Eragon spoke to his soul mate.

"I shall look through your eyes"

The two Shadeslayers arrived at the gate of the treasury room, the halls of the citadel have change since the battle, more candles and lanterns had been lit and it lacked the wreckage left by the dragon battle.

The gate of the treasury was a massive golden door with carvings of the most skilful hands. Eragon glanced at Arya and braced himself against the door, the oversized gate opened with a groan of rusty iron hinges. As soon as the door opened, Eragon was presented with the most spectacular view he had ever seen in his entire life.

"I've…never seem so much gold in my life." Eragon gasped but Arya only chuckled at Eragon's amazement.

"Little one focus on our quest"

"Right, sorry Saphira."

The golden glint reflected from all the golden coins and trinkets almost blinded Eragon, this room did not seem like it needed much light, only a lone chandelier hung from the ceiling in the middle of the room, on the walls of the treasury hung beautiful paintings, Eragon even recognised some paintings from his studies with the ancient rider. Apart from the huge amount of gold and the paintings there were also a massive amount precious jewels. This room seemed to be like a typical treasury room you hear in stories, there is no order or placement of the treasures; coins littered around the large room and man-sized statues peaked from the golden mountains. A make shift path leads to the end of the room and at the end lies a stage, golden armoured mannequins stood tall and proud. There were five mannequins, the armour they wore were clearly elven made, they were not designed to fight as the material is gold and various gems were forged upon the helmet and the chest plate; luscious swarm feathered capes cascaded down the mannequins, just like the cape Islanzadí worn. Surrounding the armoured mannequins were the rider's swords, they floated in mid-air atop the stage, every kind of colour all displayed along with their names. Eragon recognised a few name like Kiahlandí the only elven traitor who aided Galbatorix in the downfall of the riders. Eragon scan the treasury room once more, hoping to spot the objects of their goal for but it was futile, there was nothing apart from the gold. Eragon spread his mind and searched around the room for any signs of life but there was none, not even an insect or a mouse.

Eragon looked at Arya. "Do you sense the egg and the dragons?"

Arya's shiny orbs narrowed. "No, I sense nothing."

"NO, this cannot be! They must be here." Saphira roared into Eragon's mind.

Thank you for reading and I'll see you next time.

~Six