Author's note:
For various reasons, my siege of Belatona is going to be a little different from what happens in the book. Just bear with me.
Chapter 46: War Council
Lady Nasuada's tent was already full of people by the time Alice and Blodhgarm arrived, and they didn't have wait in the cool afternoon air for long before the Nighthawks ushered them inside, announcing them.
"Lady Alice, Blodhgarm," greeted Nasuada politely, nodding at them from her position reclining on her large wooden chair at the head of a table. She was no longer surprised to see them arrive together, but something seemed different. She was curious about it – how serious was this relationship?- and even a little jealous.
Alice could barely hear Nasuada's slightly weary-sounding greeting over Angela's heated conversation with none other than King Orrin. Arya was also present, surveying the fight with her usual wooden expression, although if Alice had to guess she would have said she was caught between amusement and irritation.
"Ah, Alice!" the Herbalist cried, her face lighting up, "Good, you're here. I was just telling King Orrin how useless his men are. Wouldn't you agree, they are quite useless, yes?" she was speaking rather quickly.
King Orrin looked more than a little annoyed. "Stop changing the subject! We were talking about the mysterious disappearance of my laboratory equipment! I'll have you know it was all commissioned from the finest glass-blower in Aberon... It's not like I can replace it!"
Angela ignored him entirely, nodding at Alice as if agreeing with something she'd said. "That's exactly what I mean!" She exclaimed dramatically, her wild hair gradually escaping its messy bun, "Horses and pikes are utterly useless in a siege. King Orrin, your presence here is quite frankly unnecessary."
"Angela," gritted out Orrin, "I'll not ask again-"
Jormunder entered the tent, with Eragon and Trianna following, and bowed to Nasuada.
"Good, we're all here…" Nasuada said with a meaningful look at Angela, who whipped around and scowled rather comically at Orrin, whose eyebrows looked as though they might disappear entirely into his hairline.
"King Orrin," she said witheringly, as if she was supremely disappointed in him, "Don't you think we should turn our attention from these trivial matters to the war at hand? Are you a commander of an army or not?"
Orrin spluttered indignantly, puffing out his chest. "It's not trivial! As I said, the equipment was transported all the way from Aberon-"
Alice traded a wry glance with Blodhgarm. She wants him to act like a commander… but didn't she just tell him his men are useless in a siege? She marvelled at how easy it was to speak with him through a mental link. It was as though they had already been connected by a dormant line – she wasn't even aware of consciously reaching out to contact him. Had they remained connected since earlier in the healing tents? It felt as natural as breathing.
She felt his amusement echo across their link, like a distant sound of shivering bells, He will never see his equipment again, will he?
Never.
Serves him right. Blodhgarm sounded smug, Tinkering with chemicals is best suited for bored monarchs in high towers, it has no place in an invading army.
Tell Angela that, she dared him.
I shall not, was his swift reply.
A small smile playing around her mouth, Alice turned to Lady Nasuada, who seemed to be observing their silent exchange curiously. Heat rose to her face as she realised for the first time that she was standing close to Blodhgarm's side… so close that their arms were brushing. The tent was much too big to pass it off as something inconsequential. So much for discretion.
Nasuada's gaze flickered past her, to scan the rest of the room. She waited until Orrin's mutterings had subsided before addressing them. "I gave Belatona's leaders until nightfall, and I intend to keep to that deadline. We won't give them a minute more to prepare for a protracted siege."
Alice discreetly tried to take a step away from Blodhgarm, closer to the table, pretending to look down at the map that lay there, but of course he knew immediately what she was doing. She felt rather than saw his eyes narrow at her, and then felt his warmth as he joined her at the table, adjusting his posture in a natural-looking way to ensure that this time they had direct contact. She could even feel his even breathing on her ear as he faked an interest in the map to look over her shoulder.
Across the table, Arya looked about exasperated at his openly possessive display as Alice felt, but she said nothing.
"Well, it's early afternoon yet." Orrin said dismissively, "Surely they will not intend to risk a siege. Our forces outnumber them ten to one, and news of our victory in Feinster has spread."
Nasuada shook her head. "I know Lord Bradburn. He is a fool… He will waste every drop of his own people's blood for the chance to spill some of ours. We must be prepared for making our attack at nightfall."
Eragon walked forward to look at the map of Belatona and the surrounding area that was spread on the table. "Saphira and I can take care of their archers; in the dark we will be hard targets to aim for."
Until I bathe the walls in flame, said Saphira with fierce – and somewhat bloodthirsty - pride.
Blodhgarm rested a casual hand on Alice's shoulder to get an unnecessary closer look at the map, feeling her tense in annoyance. He didn't care – she'd as good as announced her feelings for him in the healing tents the previous day, and that would spread. He wouldn't hide his feelings either – people needed to know it wasn't a one-sided affair.
Since they were still connected mentally, he was pretty sure she understood his intentions – but she was annoyed none-the-less. He might be in trouble after this council, but for the moment he couldn't feel anything but happiness. The euphoria of his newfound bond with her made everything- even the war- fade into insignificance in the face of it. He was pretty sure she was much too cautious to feel quite the same depth of emotion… yet. But he was prepared to wait.
He also felt a warm glow of smugness at the absence of Hedara – it seemed no one had seen fit to invite her to the war council, and he knew she was probably nearby, steaming about it outside. That is, if she could feel frustrated – it was very hard to tell what she was thinking most of the time.
He pointed with one clawed fingertip at the walls around the gates. "If the walls are clear, I can scale them and open the gates. They are crafted of sandstone, with many handholds."
Alice looked up in dismay, forgetting her annoyance in an instant, "That seems reckless," she protested worriedly, "The gates inside are certain to be well guarded. And what of spellcasters?" his expression softened at her anxiety, but he looked away, to Arya, who nodded in understanding of his plan.
"I will go with you." She said grimly, "Though I can't imagine we will have much time to open the gate."
Jormunder looked thoughtful. "It is a risk. Every city and every keep, we run into the same problem. How to get inside? Our experiences in Feinster taught us much. We spent too long divided, fighting in alleyways." He nodded at Alice, "Your help scrying to co-ordinate the battle was the only reason we did not suffer very heavy losses. Even so, it could have gone better."
Alice thought back to Feinster, and Merric and the men who she'd failed to protect in the ambush, and she suppressed a shiver. Under the table, Blodhgarm's large, warm hand found hers and massaged her palm in small, slow, reassuring circles. "Belatona is bigger than Feinster," she said quietly, "And that method of scrying takes a lot of energy. I'd also need to be in the city while we fought."
"Now that Saphira and I are back, that won't be necessary," Eragon reassured her, glancing back to Jormunder, who nodded in agreement. "We can assist opening the gates, and then Roran and Martland's men can lead the charge."
"That's true," Jormunder said, but he wasn't finished yet. Nasuada listened carefully to her most trusted advisor. Jormunder never said anything without thinking it through carefully. Jormunder looked back to Alice, "I think we may have need of your skills before this battle is over. Trianna-" he nodded at the tall spellcaster briefly, "Has been analysing the enemy's defences with the rest of Du Vrangr Gata today, and tells me they have many wards layered in the city… so, possibly, many spellcasters await us within."
Trianna's eyes travelled from Blodhgarm and Alice to look through the table, as if she could see their entwined hands, raising one slim eyebrow, but didn't comment on it, "I'm sure the elves have sensed the same?"
"That is correct." Blodhgarm answered normally, while Alice tried to remain blank-faced beside him. This was made harder by the fact that he was now trying to tickle her inner wrist with feather-light, claw-tipped fingers.
Now Nasuada spoke, "They've also had time- time to come up with tactics that could set us back. Though I had no choice - I refused to start a siege without giving them the opportunity to end this bloodlessly."
Jormunder nodded. "Therefore, I find myself unsure how to approach this siege. We have our dragon rider back, it's true, but our spies say Murtagh and Thorn are in Dras-Leona. They could join this battle, at which point we would lose our biggest advantage in the siege, as well as the expertise of the elves, who would support Eragon." He nodded at Blödhgarm. He ran a hand over his face, and sighed. Now he looked at Alice, and continued, "On the Burning Plains, you prevented many deaths by undoing the spell on Galbatorix's soldiers who couldn't feel pain. In Feinster, your help sped up our efforts, and I'm also to understand you had something to do with preventing the creation of a Shade."
Alice tensed as everyone looked at her, pondering his words. She was suddenly conscious of Angela's sharp gaze, and her connection to Blödhgarm. Very few people knew about her role in defeating the Shade- and for her own reasons, she wanted to keep it that way. Angela and Blödhgarm both already suspected there was more to the tale than she'd told them, and yet she was adamant that they don't find out the whole truth. Blödhgarm sensed her sudden nervousness through their link, but misinterpreted it and glared at Jormunder, gripping her hand protectively.
"I was not without help." She reminded him with a small frown.
He gave a thin smile. "No, but it seems you have a knack for coming up with quick solutions to unforeseen problems. We will need you in this battle, and not only as a healer."
Surprisingly, it was Saphira who came to her rescue. And each of those times, Alice put herself in great danger, and didn't come away unscathed, she reminded them all, her young-yet-old voice challenging. Blodhgarm growled his assent from beside her.
"I'm not saying Lady Alice should run into battle," Jormunder reassured them, "But her skills are far beyond a simple healer. I'm not only talking about magical skill." He looked meaningfully at Lady Nasuada.
Nasuada shifted uncomfortably on the hard wooden chair, internally cursing Jormunder's persistence. They'd spoken about this at length the previous night, but she still didn't like it. Even if, as usual, she suspected he was right. Alice followed Jormunder's gaze to Nasuada, confused.
"Jormunder is right." Nasuada said reluctantly, "I would be a fool to confine you to the healer's tents after all that's happened."
Alice frowned. "You appointed me Head Healer." She reminded her, feeling somewhat annoyed, "Where would I be if not there?" Next to her, Blodhgarm had gone very still, which wasn't a good sign.
Jormunder took over the explanation. "There are several big gaps in the chain of command of the Varden, and therein lies our greatest weakness. Nasuada leaves the command of her army to her generals, like myself, Roran and Martland, but we have no idea of how to react to magical traps or ambushes."
Now Trianna stepped forward, and said in her usual haughty drawl, "The Du Vrangr Gata is overstretched as it is, half are healers, and the other half must fight enemy spellcasters. We do not have time to watch over every footsoldier like a nursemaid."
"I still don't understand." Alice said blankly, though she started feeling the first pricklings of uneasiness. It sounded like they wanted her to-
"We want you to play a more active role in commanding the army," Jormunder said bluntly, making her blanch.
"But I'm not a commander!" she argued immediately, eyes wide.
Jormunder nodded, "No, you're not. But Martland Redbeard tells me you're able to keep your head in a crisis, and your strategic insight in Feinster was invaluable."
Alice hesitated after hearing that - but she wasn't finished, "I'm too young… inexperienced… I'm a woman. Men won't follow my orders."
Nasuada snorted at that. "Alice, you're barely younger than I am, and yet I lead the whole army. What's more, I've seen you in the healer's tents. In your short time there you've managed to transform the way things are run. Of course, the number of complaints I get about you has also skyrocketed-"
Margery, Alice immediately thought, exasperated.
"-But that tells me you're not afraid to step on people's toes. A position of command here will not be easy, and many will resent it, but I believe you are more than capable." Nasuada spoke in her usual brisk tone, and Alice forced herself to calm down, and really think about what they were suggesting. Blödhgarm seemed uneasy beside her, but he still said nothing, watching her carefully.
Jormunder saw her expression change from shock to introspection, and continued firmly, "So, my proposal is this. I want you to accompany the second wave into Belatona, after Roran's charge, and join the command centre within the city. You will serve as the commander of the Du Vrangr Gata, but I want you nearby, so that you can advise the ordinary commanders as needed."
Alice looked to Trianna, who didn't seem surprised or resentful. Had they all discussed this already? And she was surprised the feisty spellcaster was okay with her position being usurped.
Trianna saw her questioning glance and drew herself up. "Do not misunderstand," she said coldly, "I am still the leader of the Du Vrangr Gata. You will inform me where our strength will be best spent, and I shall see that my spellcasters get it done. This way, I can focus on the enemy."
Alice bit her lip. That made sense… "What of the healers?"
Now Angela spoke up."Don't you worry, dearie, they'll be fine. You've trained them well, and I'll pop around every so often to make sure they're managing."
Jormunder saw her not-quite-reassured expression, and broke in, "You can direct your healers to get the wounded out of the city quicker, consult with Lady Nasuada and Eragon, and tell Trianna where the Du Vrangr Gata are needed as the battle progresses. I do not want you in the fight, but I need you close enough to make a plan if something unexpected should come up. In my experience, something always does."
Alice felt rather overwhelmed all of a sudden. Could she really do this…?
Nasuada felt sorry for Alice, who had gone very quiet. Perhaps she should have called her in alone first and talked it over. But a small, selfish part of her had been curious to see how she'd handle so much being put on her young shoulders… Would she rise to this challenge?
What do you think? Alice asked Blödhgarm.
I don't like it. He responded immediately, fiercely. I don't want you anywhere near the battle. And yet…
And yet? She prompted him.
He hesitated. I understand why they suggested it. He said reluctantly, You are more than capable of what they ask. But haven't you given enough to this fight? His mind-speak voice was suddenly bitter, You said yourself that you are a healer, not a warrior.
I am whatever I need to be to defeat the King.
Alice stood a little straighter, and pulled herself away from Blodhgarm, placing both hands palm-down on the table. She met Jormunder's gaze with steel in her own, and then looked to Lady Nasuada. "If this is how you think I can best serve the Varden, of course I will accept." She said seriously, "I only hope to prove worthy of your trust."
"That is my hope as well," Nasuada said coolly, "Rest assured, this decision was not made lightly." One step closer to the throne, a snide voice reminded her, though she tried to quash it. Alice would never… One step closer to usurping me.
Alice bowed her head, but was all business as she turned back to Jormunder, looking determined, "Where is our command centre to be?"
Jormunder pointed at a large tower about four streets from the main city gates. It was difficult to tell from the stylised map, but it seemed to be located on a wide street, opening onto a courtyard. "Here. We'll follow Roran's charge into the city and make our way there once it's made safe. From the upper windows we'll have a good view of the Keep and the lower levels of the city."
She nodded, trying to picture the scene. "I'd like the first-aid healing station nearby, in the buildings around this courtyard."
"That was my first thought, as well." He replied approvingly.
"Then, let us discuss what will happen at nightfall." Nasuada said decisively.
Are you sure about this? Blodhgarm sounded tense.
Alice kept her eyes on Nasuada as she told them the plan, but her mind reached out to him in an effort to be reassuring. Don't worry about me, she said firmly, I'll be surrounded by strong fighters the whole time. You're the one going into battle.
I still don't like it, Blodhgarm said, frustrated, Every time I leave you, something bad happens.
She was frightened by the depth of anxiety he felt for her, and found his hand again under the table. We're at war, Blödhgarm. We've been in danger for months, and will continue to be in danger for many more to come. But nothing's going to happen to me, she said firmly, and squeezed his hand, turning her attention back to Nasuada.
Blodhgarm felt her warm hand lacing her slim fingers through his, and a terrifying thought occurred to him. What if this was the last time…? Ice froze his heart at the thought, and he withdrew his mind from hers to hide his torment. You're a fool, he told himself in despair, Loving a mortal. How else could this end? Tonight, tomorrow, or in fifty years… they had no time.
He remained silent as the meeting continued, and even while he walked with Alice back to her tent. The sun would set in two hours, and the camp was bustling with preparations for the siege.
Alice needed to dress for war, and Jormunder had promised she would have a set of light armour to wear, to look the part for the battle. Despite her confident words, her heart beat unsteadily at the enormity of the task ahead of her. And yet… a not insignificant part of her was glad to be playing a more direct role in the war. She would see to it that the Varden won this battle… and keep going until the King lay dead at her feet, or she'd given her last breath. Whichever came first.
She looked cautiously at Blodhgarm as they entered her tent. He'd said nothing the whole way, and his face was blank and wooden. Even more ominously, he'd blocked off their connection so she couldn't even tell what he was feeling.
"Blodhgarm?" she said tentatively, "Shouldn't you be telling Hedara and the other elves about the council? I doubt Eragon will."
"I don't care." He suddenly said, with such venom she blinked, shocked.
"What do you mean, you don't care?"
His eyes snapped up to meet hers and her breath caught in her chest, he looked so intense. After a moment the tension seeped out of his face, leaving a lost expression in its wake.
"Blodhgarm," she sighed, walking over to him, "What's gotten into you?"
"I-" he broke off, and hesitated. Alice was starting to feel really worried. She'd never seen him so uncertain. Why do elves have to be so unpredictable…?!
He caught her face in his hand and stroked her cheek for a long moment, lost in thought. She waited, one eyebrow raised. "I wish I could take you away from all of this." He murmured at last.
She blinked at the tender sincerity in his eyes.
"You should never have known such uncertainty and fear…"
"Then I would not be the same person," she reminded him carefully, "And I would not have met you."
He gave no sign that he had heard her, but gave a deep sigh and ran his hands up her arms to rest on her shoulders. He suddenly stilled, and a strange gleam came into his yellow eyes. He cocked his head. "Why don't we go?" he said suddenly, his musical voice holding a note of desperation, "We could just go."
She went very still. "Blodhgarm." She sounded strained, "Please, stop this."
He ignored her, and ran his fingers through her hair, admiring how the light caught the lighter strands like burnished bronze. "I mean it. We could go, so far away from this country… this war. I have seen it – the distant lands beyond the borders. There are mountains and waterfalls and oceans to explore. We could have many years together, just us." There was a wistful tone to his voice, yet she could only read despair in his eyes.
She couldn't help a strange leaping in her heart as she allowed herself to picture it. A life away from war…
But her reality was vastly different, and it twisted her heart like a knife to the chest. She didn't have time - she barely had six months left, and after that, a slow descent to death as her body shut down. He was wholly unaware of the anguish he made her feel by reminding her of that fact, but the cold fury that replaced it was real. Her grandfather had died - so many had died - in the pursuit of freedom. How dare he suggest they flee, even as a vague wish?
She batted his hand away and tore herself from his grasp. "I'd never have thought you could be such a coward." She spat, furious at him for suggesting it.
He remained silent, and after a moment looked away, unable to bear her gaze. "I am." He whispered, so quiet she almost didn't hear him. If anything, it just made her angrier.
"Let me make one thing very clear." Her voice was icy. "I give my life to this war, gladly, if it meant Galbatorix dies. I am not running away. And neither will you." She couldn't tell him how much her heart yearned for things to be different. But this was her fate, and letting herself indulge in fantasies was far too dangerous.
Blodhgarm met her eyes again and flinched. This was Alice at her angriest, and it wasn't the heat of argument and fire of their usual spats, but a cold and awful disappointment, yawning like a chasm between them.
It jolted him out of his poisonous thoughts. "Of course, you are right," he muttered, "I was selfish to put a voice to such things. But it is you that made me that way."
Some of the ice seemed to melt from her eyes at his words.
"You did warn me you don't do things halfway." She conceded. "Just… never make me choose between you and this war. Please."
He bowed his head in acquiescence. "Then, I need to go and prepare for battle, and so do you."
He turned to leave, but her voice stopped him as he got to the tent flap.
"Is that how you want to leave?" he looked back, and her smile was bittersweet, and fragile. She held out her hand to him.
He hesitated only a moment before turning back and taking it.
"You keep running from me," she teased gently, "But I know you're not a coward."
"I am afraid." He admitted. "It is a selfish fear, and I must conquer it."
She smiled for him, this time a stronger smile, knowing he needed to see it, "Don't run, then." She ordered him, "I'm right here. Trust in your strength... and mine." She felt like a traitor saying it, knowing she would leave him bereft in the end, but also knowing he needed to hear it. She leaned up and kissed him, long and heated enough to replace the fear in his eyes with something fiercer. I'm right here… for now.
Then she said goodbye, and dressed herself in the outfit of war, and tried to ignore the nervous shaking in her fingers on the unfamiliar buckles.
Nightfall…
Screams, yells and the sounds of clashing metal filled the air as Roran lead his men through the shattered gates and into the city. Overhead, Saphira dove in and out of the black, low-hanging clouds, spreading fire and destruction with every pass she made over the ramparts.
Alice remained calm and collected – at least on the outside – as she watched the city burn from a low rise with the waiting second wave of the army. Inside, she already felt sick with anxiety for Blodhgarm, though she would have news of him soon when they entered the city. And she'd seen him in battle before – there was no man alive who could best him.
Their conversation earlier… Blödhgarm's fears, and her own… they milled around in her head like circling birds of prey, adding to the pre-battle jitters she suffered. She wished Roran would hurry up and take the lower levels, so that they could get the signal to charge and she could move.
On her left, Jormunder exuded calmness, and she tried to copy his neutral expression and stop fidgeting with the reins of her horse.
She, the other commanders – King Orrin among them -and their personal guard, were mounted on strong battle-chargers, stallions which pawed at the ground, eager to charge. Her own beast was reassuringly massive and solid beneath her. Orrin's men, as well as a large number of urgals and dwarves, were arrayed in rank upon rank behind them, awaiting the order to sweep into the city and take the higher levels.
"My lady, only you could make leather armour look radiant."
Her worrying over Blodhgarm was interrupted. She gritted her teeth, and replied dryly, "Why thank you for such a kind remark, Sir Coram." How he'd managed to manoeuvre himself to be beside her so quickly, she would never know. He had his own horse, of course, as one of Orrin's favourite knights.
"Fear not, for I am at your side," he said earnestly, "And though I might fall, know that I shall die with a smile upon my face, if you would shed but a single tear over my mangled body."
"Yes, your sudden death would be so tragic." She remarked even more dryly. She was getting downright tired of his constant efforts to flirt, and wondered what Blodhgarm would make of it.
Beside her Jormunder gave an odd-sounding cough.
"Indeed, my lady," Coram continued in the same cheerful tone, as they watched the city burn, "Many may die this night." There was a slight pause, and when he spoke again his tone was matter-of-fact, and somewhat cruel. "Those in the first wave are most at risk, of course."
His words took a couple of seconds to sink in, and when they did she turned to look sharply at him, her eyes wide. He knew she was distracted, and could easily guess why. Blodhgarm and Arya were the first ones to breach the city. Was he implying…? He caught her shocked gaze with his gentle eyes and gave her an innocent smile. "I just meant we probably won't be in so much danger, my lady." He explained smoothly, "You will likely not have to use your – albeit admirable – swordsmanship skills."
"Ah, yes…" Alice looked away from him, reassuring herself that she must have been imagining things. Coram was, though irritating, always a gentleman, always noble, always good…Right?
She missed the small smirk playing around his mouth as he watched the city burn, and the smouldering jealousy in his gaze as his thoughts turned to darker places…
Author's note:
Hmm, I wonder if there's more to the handsome, noble Coram than meets the eye. What do you think?
Also, Uchiha-Dani-Uzumaki, you said you were confused by the teaser in my last author's note. Well, "Silver Coin" is a song I've been listening to for a while, and it conveys the very depressing tone of a chapter which I wrote recently. Here's an excerpt of the lyrics:
Heard the rattle from the chains
This goddamn room, it gets so small sometimes
I had a dream that you were gone
Woke up and you were gone
But there's happy times ahead, too :)
And just a note for some of you who were wondering how long I intend to make this fic. So far I've followed the storyline of the books pretty closely, but that is not going to last much longer. After much deliberation, I've decided to scrap the entire section in Inheritance about Eragon going to Vroengard and finding a bunch of eggs and Eldunari. That's just not going to happen. Though I love Paolini's books as they are, I've always thought it was a little too convenient. Galby has the Eldunari, and there are no eggs left (except the green one).
In my version, when they eventually battle the king, they'll be hopelessly outmatched and will just have to deal with that.
And, whether they successfully defeat the king or not… the story will continue beyond the end of Inheritance. That's all I can say for now.
As Guest pointed out in a review, it's boring to make Alice invincible and perfect. I'm not saying yet that making her a dragon rider is completely off the table, but it's definitely not happening anytime soon. That would be way too predictable.
Leave a review with your thoughts! Any other questions or comments about my plot or characters?
