Hazelcloud: Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter. Also the way the wolves communicate is based partially off the majay-hìs in the Noble Dead Saga by Barb Hendee, which is a wonderful series that I highly recommend!

Ch. 17

Eragon had been expecting to be called to another war council meeting for ages, King Orrin had implied that he would need to speak to all of them when his cousin and mage had arrived at the frontlines. When he woke one morning to the feel of Saphira in his mind he knew that something had finally happened.

There is a pair of wolves here for you. Saphira says and she sounds amused. Such tiny little things.

I will be right out. Eragon replies and he dresses quickly. He had heard of the wolves that would be accompanying Faellie Langfeld and Riley Greylay but he had yet to speak with any of them. He runs his hand through his hair and decides that he looks presentable enough. Eragon steps out of his tent and spies the wolves immediately.

One of them is smaller than the other, its fur is a brownish color and it is sitting farther from Saphira than the other wolf. It bows its head when Eragon catches its eyes. The other wolf is larger and sitting much closer to Saphira, not intimidated by the way that she is baring her teeth at it. This wolf is Torix, Eragon remembers him from the magician duel, and its fur is pitch black except for the white ruff on its chest.

It is a pleasure to finally meet you Saphira, dragons were once the greatest predator of Alagaesia. Torix's mental voice is deep and rumbling.

We still are. Saphira growls back. The wolf exposes its white fangs in what could be a wolfish smile.

Indeed, I meant no disrespect. Greetings lone wolf. Torix says turning his head to look at Eragon. There is to be a war council this morning, are you prepared.

"I am prepared. What do you mean lone wolf?" Eragon asks as he follows Torix when the wolf stands to lead the way to the war chamber. Saphira leaps into the air; she will meet them at the tent which has been altered so that she can fit her head inside.

News of your actions with the wolf in the forest has spread. You are lone wolf, wolf without a pack, generous one. You have been claimed as wolf-friend. Torix says and he brushes against Eragon. Eragon blinks at the image that is projected into his mind; it is him from the point of view of the wolf that he fed when he was traveling with Nar Garzhvog. It is an honor to meet you and the dragon.

"Thank you." Eragon said politely but he was wondering how the wolf knew about the meeting. "How did you find out about that?"

I keep in contact with some of the wolf packs. We speak in pictures. The wolf you encountered shared the memory with another wolf and it has been making its rounds amongst the wolves. You have gained much respect. Torix replied.

"But how did he share the memory?" Eragon asked. He didn't know that any of the animals of the natural world shared memories; he had assumed that it was only something that magicians and dragons could accomplish.

We speak mostly through sounds but when we need to share information it is done through touch. Torix brushed against Eragon's leg, and he was left with a series of pictures; a sharp sensation, a thorn, and the color brown. That specific set is Azur's wolf name. Torix said as he looked over at the brown wolf that accompanied them, the smaller wolf was keeping a respectful distance away.

"That means Azur?" Eragon asked unable to see how the set of sensations and pictures related to the name Azur. Torix made a huffing sound and Eragon thought the wolf might be laughing.

No. Azur is his human assigned name. Likewise, my human name is Torix. It is easier to convey than the wolf ones. We have grown fond of them; most wolves do not have such names. Torix explained patiently.

"What would your wolf name be?" Eragon asked curiously. Torix brushed against him again and another set of sensations and pictures was projected into his mind. The vastness of the night sky, slick granite rock, and a flash of black.

Here we are. Torix said suddenly and Eragon realized that they were at the tent already. It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance.

"And you too." Eragon said as he ducked into the tent after being announced. The conversation that he had with the wolf was interesting but he knew that he did not have time to think more about it at the moment; he needed to be focused on the war council meeting.

He entered the war council tent and saw the usual leaders, Nasuada, Arya, Jormundur, and Orrin but there were a couple that he was not used to seeing; General Felix, Mage Riley, and Jeod were also there. Eragon nodded a greeting to them and took a seat at the table that had been prepared in the room. There was the rush of wind that always accompanied Saphira's arrival and her head appeared in the cut in the tent that had been prepared specially for her. Orrin stood and everyone fell silent as they looked over at him.

"I called you here for a reason." Orrin said and Riley Greylay was pulling a carefully sealed scroll from his sleeve and placing it on the table. He murmured something softly and the scroll unsealed itself. Riley Greylay pulled a piece of parchment from the container and spread it gently out on the table, weighting the edges down so that it stayed flat. "My scholars found a map of Uru'Baen."

There was complete and utter silence as all of the leaders leaned forward. Eragon eyed the coarse looking parchment and the thick charcoal line on it. He knew what this could mean if it was a true map. Everyone knew that the true battle would be facing Galbatorix and taking the capital, Uru'Baen. If the Varden could take the capitol city, many of the other cities would surrender. It could cut the time that the war would last down drastically.

"Is it a true map?" Nasuada asks and Eragon can see the restrained hope in her stance and her expression. All eyes turn towards Orrin and the room is hanging on his answer.

"It is. I sought independent confirmation with scholar Jeod." Orrin says and Jeod is nodding in agreement.

"In my professional opinion this is a true and accurate map of Uru 'Baen. It is certainly one of the better maps that I have seen of the capital city." Jeod added.

"Excellent, this will help us figure out how to navigate the city." Nasuada says and it's clear that she is pleased. Orrin looks happy to have been of use also.

"I thought that I should share this with everyone. I know that we will have to face Belatona first but we need to begin to figure out how we will be getting into Uru 'Baen." Orrin said.

"I suggest that we all work with our generals and at the next meeting we can compare plans." Nasuada said, and her idea was quickly agreed upon. The war council meeting adjourned shortly after that, and Eragon and Arya left at the same.

"Things are finally beginning to look up." Eragon said referring to the map that he was sure would be key in figuring out how to enter Uru 'Baen and therefore defeating Galbatorix. Arya looked doubtful.

"Things will only look up if we figure out the correct way to use what we have found." She said.