Seriously, does anyone still need a disclaimer? XD

Soooo, a fairly longer chapter. And I wrote that while down with the flu! Hah! So, we meet Ajihad and see more of Farthen Dur. Did I do this chapter any justice?

Chapter 21: Great Leaders

Nasuada knew the place very well. It was a two-story study filled with rows of cedar bookshelves crammed with books of various subjects. The white lanterns scattered around the room, the spiral staircase leading to the smal balcony with two tables and four seats, and the oval rug on the stone floor were all familiar to her. So was the man standing behind the desk at the far end of the room and the bald man standing by the staircase.

The other Twin must have terrified Murtagh enough. Seeing another of them standing by the staircase must have been too much. Nasuada shook her head as they walked on to meet the leader of the Varden.

Her father was known for shaving his head bald, and for trimming his beard meticulously. His body was still powerful from fighting, which Nasuada knew was what her brother strived for. He dressed in his finest red vest and a purple shirt.

"Greetings, young Riders, mighty dragons and old friends. For those who do not know me, I am Ajihad, leader of the Varden." He smiled tiredly. "Please, seat yourselves, be comfortable. It seems like we have much to talk of today."

The usual seats scattered around the study were positioned in a small semicircle around Ajihad. Nasuada sat between Arya and Brom, who were both. The Twins, reunited, stood by the stairs and watched the group with their disdainful eyes. Nasuada tensed up as her father examined the group quietly.

Ajihad gave her a quizzical look and cleared his throat. "I want everyone but my guests out of this room. Now."

The twins departed with a bow but Orik remained. "Sir, there is still the matter of my insubordination," he said quietly.

"Very well, wait for my call outside. Don't let the Twins get away either, I am not done with some important matters that regard them." Ajihad waited for the dwarf to depart before continuing. "He is a good man. To be honest, I cannot say the same for the nameless Twins. I do not trust them one bit but they are important because of their spellcasting skills."

"They're capable," Faolin agreed. "But unpleasant."

"And I'm glad that you resisted them. They might glean some information that they could use to further their ambitions," continued Ajihad. "That is something I don't wish to happen. There's a line between trusting them to accomplish certain things and outright trusting them. Now, my daughter, I hope you could explain why you have run away."

Nasuada's throat constricted. She couldn't trace any disappointment or anger within her father, but she was still afraid. She could feel Solaris standing protectively behind her. Go on, sister. Your sire loves you, no matter what.

"I convinced Arya to ask her guards to bring us to Brom. Because letting my mighty dragon grow without knowing more of what we have inherited from the Riders of the old is not something I wish to happen to her. I wished to learn more about being a Shur'tugal by seeking out my master because I know that none of your messages will reach him – because there is a spy among the Varden who is sabotaging your messages." Nasuada looked away. "I'm deeply sorry for not telling you, but I'm not sorry for running away. Now we know what it means to be dragon and Rider – and I have met true friends. Fellow Riders."

Ajihad considered her words with a nod. "I know not about how your Order works, daughter of mine, but I shall respect your former decision. I believe that your timely training will be of use in the coming days. Brom, my old friend, now I would appreciate if you tell us about everything that has transpired since Carvahall. Once I am satisfied, I wish to hear more about your encounter with Durza, ambassador. If possible, my friends from Carvahall, you could also tell me about how you have found your dragons." His eyes roamed to Luneria. "It seems like Ismira was right."

"My mother?" Katrina asked. "Where is she?"

"Currently in Surda, working with King Orrin regarding some important matters. So, you are her daughter? I wonder… Ah, never mind, I will listen now."

Hours passed before Ajihad heard everything he wished to. "I am glad that all of your sacrifices have been worth it. You are all here, safe from harm. But it seems like danger is looming in the horizon once more. Kulls have come banging into our front doors, and it seems like the mad king has made a pact with the Urgals. It might only be a matter of time before they attempt to attack us once more. The Varden will be hard-pressed to survive. The Shade must have something to do with it. I met Durza before and I managed to get away by scratching his blade. If only that arrow hit him in the heart when you shot him… Things may be easier."

"But what do you expect of us?" Eragon asked.

"You are enigmas. Quandaries. All six of you and your noble dragons – nobody knows what you want, even you, my daughter. Everyone knows what the Varden wants, what the Urgals and Galbatorix want. Everyone knows the Forsworn and their wishes to support the mad king. It makes you dangerous to even Galbatorix and the Forsworn. They're afraid of you. Nobody knows about what you're planning to do."

"Does the Varden fear us?" This time, it was Nasuada who asked the question. "I understand why you refused to take us whenever it is time to touch the eggs, as a Rider's life is dangerous but, Father, do you and the Varden fear us?"

"No." It was Faolin who spoke. "You are the hope of the Varden. You are only to be feared if the hope is proven false. Your position is unusual in nature, and it means that many forces are trying to influence you – to further serve their purposes. It's what you must be wary of."

"Even my influence is beginning to hover over you," Ajihad said sadly. "Ambassador, your spell missed Brom by a small frame of distance, but this mistake is truly a gift."

"When I found those eggs twenty years ago, everyone was so interested in it," Brom said. "And yet it never hatched for anyone. Dwarves just wished that the new Riders would be allies but the Varden and the elves had more personal stakes. Riders have only ever been elves or humans – none of them was ever a dwarf. It is why I asked for the eggs to be ferried yearly, with one staying with the humans and the elves for the entirety of the year. The eggs never hatched – but now we know why."

"They hatched for people far from the Varden – and to those who were not allowed to touch them." Faolin smiled. "Which makes all of these circumstances very curious indeed. I wonder though, does the queen know of their existence?"

"No." Ajihad paused, gathering his thoughts. "After Nasuada ran off with Arya and her guards, Islanzadi was so enraged that she withdrew her support of the Varden. None of your people know of the dragons, as I was not able to explain it properly before she threw a fit."

"That… is truly our queen," Arya murmured. "She has always had quite a temper."

Faolin nodded. "Don't worry, her hostility will abate once we return to Ellesmera. My people will be expecting all six of them to finish their training there, though I am not sure that there's time for that."

"What? But why?" Murtagh asked. "We'll work hard for it. We won't disappoint Brom or our new teachers."

Ajihad bowed his head and closed his eyes. Worry emanated from him, and the dragons reacted with uncomfortable grumbles. "True, but we are in a delicate position. While we have agreed on letting the new Riders train with them after a time, we cannot risk angering the dwarves, who have given us their hospitality and let us reside in Tronjheim. They let us live here and provide assistance when needed but their loyalty is solely to King Hrothgar. He has enough trouble pacifying the thirteen dwarf clans and their powerful chiefs who are to elect Hrothgar's successor as king in the future. Hrothgar is an ally but many of his chiefs aren't. If their king angers them, they will withdraw their support."

Brom grinned, but it looked old and tired. "These clan chiefs are also against you and your dragons. There has long been emnity between dragons and dwarves because dragons used to kill their flock and steal gold. Dwarves do not forgive easily. Galbatorix and his Forsworn has worsened their hatred – and they never let the Riders serve them in any way before that too. We are lucky enough that he fears the elves enough not to come marching there, even if his elven Forsworn told him of their cities."

"And we have another problem – his strength keeps growing more than what could be expected of even a regular elf. We do not know what causes it, but whatever it is, it can't be good. Not even the elves know of it." Ajihad brought out a slightly battered and bloody piece of parchment. "This parchment caused us twelve men, but we gleaned important information from it. The Urgals – scores of them – are going to meet at Ithro Zhada, which seems to be an existing place that Galbatorix has renamed for his own purposes."

"He's forging an army of humans and Urgals to destroy this place," Faolin said in horror. "But this Ithro Zhada could be anywhere."

"Aye, we can only wait and watch – but as the Urgals last night have all been slaughtered, no one can return to report about the location of Farthen Dur," Ajihad said wearily. "You're lucky that my sentinels spotted you and knew that you were coming. This still raises many serious questions, like how Galbatorix has found out which merchants support us, and how to ambush the ambassador on his way here. Our supplies are limited, even with the dwarves' help."

"Then there's a traitor here, like I have said before," Nasuada said. She gave her father a level look. "Reading the minds of all who enter here seems to not work."

After a few more discussions regarding what the Varden wanted and expected from the Riders, and for them to discuss more options in the coming days. He also praised the six dragons, who were all pleased with his discreet flattery. Then, called for the dwarf, Orik.

Orik may have been shorter than a human, but he walked as swiftly as one when he moved into Ajihad's study. He nodded to Brom before facing Ajihad. "I am here."

"You've caused me a great deal of trouble," Ajihad told him. "One of those blasted Twins was complaining to me all morning about your insubordination! None of them will stop heckling me until I punish you. The thing is that they're absolutely right, and I can't ignore the rules. You must bear responsibility for your actions."

Though he betrayed no emotion, Orik's eyes flickered to Brom and back again. He began to speak in rough tones. "The Kull have trapped them in Kostha-merna and rained arrows upon the group – and the Twins did nothing to help. Not even when they gave us the password and were seeking sanctuary. When one of them fell into the water, they refused to take action. I cannot let a Rider die."

"Eragon was not strong enough to get out of the water himself," offered Nasuada, remembering her friend falling into the lake and struggling. "He would have drowned without Orik's help."

"But then, why did you oppose him later?" Ajihad pressed on.

Orik raised his chin with a defiant grunt. "They would have forced themselves into the mind of our oldest and greatest ally? Brom? Forgive me if I was mistaken but I was under the impression that Brom is not to be tested, like that strange woman."

"Yes, Brom and Faolin need not be tested. We have known them for years." Ajihad narrowed his eyes. "It would have been simpler if you have let them be but. We shouldn't force ourselves into people's minds, whoever they are. You did the honorable thing but the fact remains. You defied your own commander. The penalty for that is death."

"You can't kill him for that!" Eragon's face turned as white as paper. "He was only helping me!"

"Eragon, it is not your place to interfere. Orik has broken the law, and he must pay for it. And yet because of the circumstances, it can be alleviated. Orik, you are now removed from active service. You cannot engage in military activities under my command. Do you understand?"

Orik bowed his head, confused. "Yes."

"Now, in the absence of your old duties, I appoint you as our new guests' guide for the duration of the stay. Make sure that they receive every comfort that we could offer. The dragons may stay above Isidar Mithrim, and the rest may take quarters wherever they wish to. Nasuada may have her old room back if she still wishes to share it with her sister." Ajihad's face darkened subtly. So it seemed like Hiseria still resented her. He reached below his desk and handed the group their weapons. "Very well, you may go for now. Brom, Faolin, we will need to talk of a few more matters before I send for the Twins. Nasuada, I will be expecting a conversation with you soon."

In the hall, Katrina stretched her back. Her body felt stiff from sitting so long. She wished that her mother was around but it seemed like they were not fated to meet in the Varden. With a sigh, she watched the rest of her friends march out of Ajihad's study with Orik and the dragons.

"Sorry. I got you in trouble," Eragon was telling the dwarf.

"Ah, don't bother yourself, lad," Orik told him with a grin. "Truth be told, Ajihad actually gave me what I wanted."

"What does that mean?" Murtagh asked. "You can't do any training or fight, and now you're even stuck with a new duty – guarding all six of us. How can that be something that you could have actually wanted?"

"Ajihad is a good and wise leader. He's great when it comes to balancing the law and remaining just. He may have punished me as someone under his command and yet I am still one of Hrothgar's many subjects. I'm still free to do what I wish under his rule."

Katrina was still a bit about the dual nature of the authority within Tronjheim and Orik's loyalties, but she knew that it would be unwise to forget it. "Did he just put you in a powerful position?"

Orik chuckled. He grabbed an orange lantern. "You got that right, lass. He did just that, and the Twins can't complain about the way he did it. He sure knows how to irritate the Twins. They're unpleasant, and Ajihad can't stand them even if they're needed around here. Now come, we should get those dragons settled. Tell me their names and yours as we go."

"Can other people in Farthen Dur use magic?" Roran was asking as they began to walk.

"Few enough," Nasuada said quickly. "I heard that most of them can barely do more than heal bruises at that. It's why Father values the Twins so much, even if they're nasty."

"Oei, and their art is not of the healing, anyway," Orik told her. "You should know better than that, Nasuada. Their talents lie in scheming for power and tormenting everyone around them to get what they want. Deynor, the former leader, allowed them to join because we need their capabilities. It would be difficult to oppose the Empire if our spellcasters can't even hold their own in battle. They may be unpleasant but we need them. And they know it, the scheming little sheilven."

As they reached one of the main tunnels within Tronjheim, they passed by clusters of people – both human and dwarves – who stared at the dragons and dropped their conversations as they passed. Katrina found herself walking between Roran and Arya, who both looked irked by the attention. They headed for one of Tronjheim's gates.

"Where are we going?" Eragon looked around, cheeks reddening as a girl giggled at him.

"We're leaving these halls so your dragons can fly to the dragonhold above Isidar Mithrim – the Star Rose. The peak of Tronjheim is open to the sky like that of Farthen Dur, so dragons can glide to the hold as they wish. My dear dragons, it is where Riders used to stay when they visited Tronjheim." Orik smiled with pride as he shared his knowledge to the young Riders. "There will be no rain nor snow here thanks to the protection of Farthen Dur. There are marble caves for dragons – even a full-grown, century old one if need be. Fear only the icicles, which can cleave a horse in two."

Oh, we will be fine. Marble caves are a luxury compared to where we have stayed before, Luneria said in excitement.

What do you think of the Varden? Katrina asked.

Ajihad is a good man. We have nothing to fear from him, but we must be wary of the Twins. I do not like them.

Katrina pursed her lips, remembering the way they scoured through her mind. If Luneria didn't help, the ordeal may have been worse, and important things like some words from the Ancient Language may have been known by them. "Where are our horses?"

"There are stables by the gate," Orik said. "We can visit them before heading to the dragonhold, if you wish."

By the time they left Tronjheim, so many hours have passed and the crater was a velvety black. The lanterns around the gate's golden griffins cast a vivid light around them. Orik pointed at the top of Tronjheim. "The dragonhold awaits you, mighty dragons, along with fresh meat and the purest mountain water. Once you have chosen your space, we shall send bedding in there. No one will disturb you there."

"Oh, I thought we were to go there together," Arya said in surprise.

"The tunnels leading to the place where food is prepared are not big enough to accommodate dragons, so it would be best for them to wait while you eat. It's a long way to the top but I could send a servant to deliver it to you if you want."

It seems like he actually means it, yet it feels like he's somehow testing us. Katrina leaned against Luneria for a moment.

I'm weary, and it feels like I will like this dragonhold. Go ahead and eat. We can catch up and talk more of these things later. Luneria was already spreading her wings, and so were the other dragons.

The Riders strapped their swords to the dragon saddles and bade them goodbye for a moment, keeping their bows just in acse. Orik smiled, apparently satisfied. The dragons let out a mighty roar and flew up, Luneria spiralling beside Askanir with glee.

"Those dragons are a beauty. I find myself longing for the open skies all of a sudden. I'm still better off with my feet on – or under it, I would prefer that." Orik chuckled. "The Twins gave you a pitiful dinner, I heard. They shame us. Barely feeding the ambassador, Brom and Ajihad's daughter herself is crime enough, and they make it worse by starving six Riders and their dragons. Come, come, let's beg meat and bread from the cooks. And vegetables for you, young elf."

"No, no, I'm perfectly fine with meat," Arya said with a grin. "I wish you would not tell any of my people about it though."

"Oh, it will not be a problem. You're different from your cold and confusing people, lass. Be proud of it."

So, without the need to assess the Riders' skills since Brom is around, what will our young Riders do with their free time? Aside from Nasuada's unpleasant future family reunion, that is.

As always, I loooove reviews :3 We're nearing the end!