Chapter 2

Arya snapped awake in a moment and sat up in her bed the dimmed blue-white light of the lantern that hung from the ceiling glowed dimly clashing with Firnens emerald scales, small ribbons of pale smoke curled from his nostrils, the green dragon was immeasurably proud of his new ability to breathe a fire that was hot enough to melt steel. She sat their reflecting upon the previous days events, she hated that she along with Nassuada, Firnen and Solus had, had to shatter the great star sapphire Isidar Mithrim, even though she knew it had been necessary to ensure Eragon's victory; since then she along with the other riders had been staying in one of the old guard rooms that was large enough for all six dragons and the riders. Arya quietly rose and dressed so as not to disturb Roran, Nassuada and Murtagh who were all still asleep, as she finished lacing up her left boot the door opened and Katrina slipped in coming to sit across from her, she watched as Katrina looked at where Nassuada lay curled under a thin woollen blanket "will she be, ok?"

Arya looked at her friend as well "in time she will be, just as I was."

Katrina frowned at this "you've lost your father as well?"

Arya's smile was faint but warm with reminiscence "it was just over a century ago now at the fall of Illeria when Galbatorix overthrew the riders." She went on to describe her father and the many fond memories she had of him until finally she came to a halt "he marched alongside Eragon and Olwen when the elven army reached the city only a day before the battle, he never returned to us after the fight. I spent months in mourning not only did I loose my father that day I also thought that Eragon died that day, it was several weeks before I found out he was alive." During this conversation Eragon had entered and now he moved to his wife's side "and I apologise that I couldn't get word of my fate to you sooner."

She smiled up at his handsome face "there is no need to apologise dear your survival is more important than anything else without you the order of riders would have ended with Vrael's death at Utgard mountain."

It was at this point that Firnen woke, he raised his great head and brushed Arya's shoulder from behind though he expanded his thoughts to all three riders "good morning little ones." His melodic voice was drowsy "so is there anything to eat?" He asked

This statement made them all laugh and Eragon noticed the smile on Murtagh's face indicating that his brother wasn't quite as asleep as he seemed. "Do you not think about anything else?" Asked Arya and she smirked to herself as an image of Saphira flashed through her dragons mind.

It was later that afternoon when the riders were all congregated within one of Tronjhiem's dining halls that a messenger approached them, he was a young boy of about twelve with chestnut coloured hair and rich brown eyes, he slowly approached the small group that were surrounded by their dragons and when Saphira swung her massive head to face him he froze in place.

It took a few seconds of silent conversation between Saphira and Eragon before the elder rider looked up at the boy who bowed bending at the waist "Argetlamr you have been summoned by the council of elders to speak with them on the subject of Ajihad's successor"

"And who are they?" Asked Eragon

To everyones surprise it was Nassuada who answered "they were my father's closest advisors they were picked from amongst the Varden to speak for the people of the Varden"

Brom snorted as he took a draft of his ale, lowering his tankard he said, "a bigger bunch of conniving, scheming, ingrates I've never met save for Jormunder." He paused for another drink before he continued "you must be careful in dealing with them son they can prove to be as great a foe as Galbatorix himself."

"Very well then." He looked back at the boy "are you to lead us to them?"

"Yes sir."

Nodding Eragon stood as did the other riders.

Murtagh looked at the boy "what is your name boy?"

"Jarsha sir."

"You carried your message well Jarsha you should be proud."

Together they followed Jarsha from the hall, after nearly half an hour they arrived at a grand set of oak doors, Roran couldn't understand why the dwarves built structures as large as they did when they themselves were so short but he was glad for it meant that seldom was he forced to be away from Breoal.

Jarsha knocked on the door and when an inaudible reply came, he pushed the doors open and entered followed once more by the riders.

In the centre of the grand vaulted room sat a large malachite table inlaid with the crest of Durgrimst Ingeitum an upright hammer circled by twelve stars, around the edge of the room were low benches that were shaped from the marble itself whilst around the table were fifteen heavy oak chairs only five of which were occupied one by Jormunder and two other men, one tall, the other broad, a woman with pinched lips, close set eyes and elaborately painted cheeks, and a second woman with an immense pile of grey hair above a matronly face belied by a dagger hilt poking out of the vast hills of her bodice.

"You may go Jarsha, thank you." Said Jormunder

The boy bowed quickly and left closing the doors behind him.

Conscious of the eyes on him Eragon approached the table and pulled out a chair for Arya before he sat in the chair next to her which was exactly in the middle of the table forcing the council of elders to turn to look at him, the others took seats on either side of him and the dragons each curled up behind their rider save for Brom and Selena.

Jormunder half rose and bowed to them "Thank you all for coming," he glanced at Nassuada "I am sorry to disturb you in your time of grief and you have my personal condolences." He gestured to the tall man "this is Umerth, Falberd," the broad one "and Sabre and Elisari." the two women

Eragon inclined his head to each in turn though he was the only rider to do so.

He then asked. "What of the twins? We're they a part of this council?"

Sabre shook her head sharply and tapped a long fingernail on the table "they were nought to do with us. They were slime, worse than slime, they were leeches that worked only for their own benefit. They had no desire to serve the Varden and thus had no place on this council."

Eragon could smell her perfume all the way on the other side of the table it was thick and oily like rotting flowers, he had to hide a smile as Murtagh made the same mental observation through the link they always maintained between themselves.

"Enough we aren't here to discuss the twins" said Jormunder "we currently face a crisis that must be dealt with swiftly and effectively. If we don't choose Ajihad's successor then somebody else will, Hrothgar has already contacted us to convey his condolences. While he was more than courteous, he will no doubt be forming his own plans even as we speak."

"We must also consider Du Vrangr Gata, the magic users." Added Umerth "many of them are loyal to the Varden but they can be unpredictable at the best of times they may decide to oppose our authority."

"And that is why we need your help." Finished Jormunder "to provide the legitimacy required by whoever is to take Ajihad's place."

Falberd heaved himself up placing two meaty hands upon the table "The five of us have already decided whom to support and there is no doubt among us that it is the right person. But" he raised a fat finger "before we reveal who it is you must give us your word wether you agree or disagree that not a single word of this matter leaves this chamber."

Eragon paused for a few moments during which he not only strengthened his link with Murtagh but also reached out and joined the minds of the other riders and their dragons as well so they could talk with no worries of being overheard, once the link between their fourteen minds was established, he spoke "very well you have my word." As the others each gave their word Saphira spoke within their minds "How silly of them forgetting that we dragons are as intelligent as any human."

"Aye." Came Thorns Voice "and we can always tell Olwen or anyone else what they say if we wanted."

"And that my friends is why I gave my word." Eragon looked at the council members as Brom gave his word, once his father finished speaking, he asked "So who do you want to lead the Varden?"

"Mika."

Eragon's mind raced trying to understand why they would choose Mika he was only a few years older the Roran, Katrina or even Nassuada no real reason existed why he shouldn't take his father's position, it was then he heard Nassuada's voice in their shared mind space "ha they want to elect Mika because they think that they will be able to control him and manipulate him." Then out loud she said, "why not you Jormunder father always called you his right hand man, surely you should take his place."

Eragon watched as a current of unease ran through the council at her words Sabre sat straighter her clasped tightly, Umerth and Falberd glanced at each other darkly while Elisari just smiled the dagger hilt giggling on her chest.

"Because." Said Jormunder carefully selecting his words as he spoke "Your father was talking purely of military matters, also I am a member of this council which only has power because we support one another. It would be foolish and dangerous for one of us to raise himself or herself above the others." The council noticeably relaxed as he finished

"Ha he probably would have taken power if it were possible to force the others to back him."

"Yes." Said Thorn "just look how they eye him he's like a wolf in their midst."

"A wolf amongst a pack of Jackals." Commented Solus

"Does Mika have enough experience?" Asked Roran

Elisari pressed herself against the tables edge as she leaned forward "I had already been here for seven years when Ajihad arrived with a young Mika and Nassuada wrapped in swaddling clothes. I have watched them both grow up from darling children into a great man and a formidable woman, Mika can be a trifle lightheaded at times but he will be a good leader for the Varden. The people will love him. Now I," she patted herself on the bosom affectionately "and my friends will be here to guide her through theses trying times. He will never be without someone to show him the way, inexperience should be no barrier to him taking his rightful position."

"I see what you mean Nassuada" came Roran's voice "they simply want a puppet."

"Ajihad's funeral will be in two days," interrupted Umerth "directly afterward we plan to appoint Mika as our new leader, we have yet to ask him but he will surely agree. We want you all to be present at the appointing no one not even Hrothgar himself can complain about it then, and also to swear fealty to the Varden at that time. That will give back the confidence that Ajihad's death has stolen from the people and it will prevent anyone from trying to splinter this organisation."

"Fealty!" Came Katrina's voice

"Notice they don't want us to swear fealty to Mika" said Nassuada "just to the Varden."

"Yes" said Arya "and they want to be the ones to appoint Mika which would indicate that the council is more powerful than he, they could have asked Olwen or one of us to do it."

"But that would mean acknowledging that whoever did it is above everyone in the Varden." Added Murtagh "this way they assert their superiority over Mika, gain control over us through fealty and also get the benefit of six riders endorsing Mika in public.

"What happens," asked Eragon "if we decide not to accept your offer?"

"Offer?" Falberd asked seeming puzzled "why nothing of course, only it would be a terrible slight if you aren't present when Mika is chosen, if the heroes of the battle of Farthen Dur ignore him what can he think but that no fewer than six riders have spited him and found the Varden unworthy to serve. Who could bare such a shame?"

Eragon gripped Brisingr's pommel under the table yearning to scream that it was unnecessary to force them to support the Varden and that each of them would gladly do so anyway, it was then he felt Arya lay her hand on his and he released his grip on the pommel so he could hold her hand instead.

"Since riders are so highly thought of." Said Roran "perhaps we could decide that our efforts would be best spent guiding the Varden ourselves." The mood in the room hardened and Eragon saw Murtagh's lip twitch into a smirk

"That would not be wise." Stated Sabre

"With Ajihad dead it may be impossible to keep the younglings independent of every group as he wanted to." Said Saphira to Eragon in the private corner of their shared mind "we cannot anger the Varden if this council is to run it once Mika is in place, we must have allies."

To all the riders she said "agree to be at this ceremony, that I think we must do as for swearing fealty try and avoid acquiescing. Perhaps something will occur between now and then to change our position."

Without warning Eragon nodded and said, "very well we shall attend Mika's appointment."

Jormunder looked relieved "good, good then we only have one thing left to do before you go that is Mika's acceptance there's no reason to delay with all of us here, I'll send for him immediately and Olwen too we must have the elves approval before making this decision public. It shouldn't be difficult to procure, Olwen can't go against our council and all of you, he will have to agree with our judgement."

"Wait!" Commanded Elisari a steely glint in her eyes "your word riders will you give them in fealty at the ceremony?"

"I fear we have no choice now" said Roran

"It was worth a try at least" added Katrina

Finally Eragon conceded "very well we shall give it."

Jormunder then called for Jarsha and sent the boy scurrying to find Olwen and Mika once he was gone the audible conversation in the room fell into and awkward silence whilst the riders tried to find a way around giving their oaths of fealty.

When the door opened again everyone's head swivelled to look, first to enter was Mika in a set of leather pants and soft boots and he also wore a soft shirt and waistcoat, the clothes wear the deepest shade of black darker even than his skin broken only by the wide deep purple fabric belt around his middle from which hung his fathers sword which Eragon had magically repaired. Behind him was Olwen who wore his usual black leather trousers and forest green tunic and he wore his slender elven rapier at his left hip.

Jormunder rose as Mika entered and bowed, then as the two men took the only two empty seats he spoke "Mika only son and first born child of Ajihad the council of elders would like to extend our deepest condolences for the loss that you and your sister more than anybody have suffered. You also have our personal condolences as well; we all know what it is like to loose someone to Galbatorix and the empire."

"Thank you." Replied Mika

"Although this is your time of mourning the is a quandary that you alone can resolve. This council cannot lead the Varden, someone must replace your father after the funeral and we wish for you to receive the position. As his heir the position is rightfully yours moreover the Varden expects it of you."

Mika bowed his head for a few moments and Eragon along with the other riders felt as Nassuada reached out with her mind to her brother. After several seconds Mika looked up his face a mask of steadfast resolve and his golden eyes briefly met those of his sister "I never anticipated being called upon to take up my father's mantle so early, but if you believe this to be the best course of action then I shall embrace the office."