Chapter 3

The council of elders beamed at each other in their triumph pleased that Mika had done exactly as they had wanted.

"We do believe this to be the best course for both you and the Varden." Said Jormunder

The rest of the council gave their own expressions of support which Mika dutifully accepted; Sabre threw an angry look at the riders when they sat their in silence. Throughout the interaction Eragon sat contemplating the best way out of their predicament, he then felt a slight pressure against his mind which had he realised inadvertently retreated in on itself letting down his guard he heard Arya say to him "Olwen wishes to talk with us afterwards, I had Firnen inform him of everything that the council said to us."

Once the the councils voices died down Jormunder looked at Olwen "and do the Elves find this agreeable?"

Olwen looked at Eragon for a split second before he spoke "I cannot speak for my Queen but I have known Mika for many years now and he will make a fine leader for the Varden."

"It's not as if he had a choice, they have us all backed into a corner." Grunted Murtagh

Mika then stood and the others quickly followed "if you would all excuse me my sister and I have things to attend to."

The councilmembers looked perturbed at the council being dismissed in such a cold manner but they along with the riders moved away from the table and filed towards the door without comments, after they had all risen and pushed in their chairs the riders save Nassuada who still remained seated bowed to Mika and also began to move for the door.

Just as Falberd placed his hand on the doorknob to open it Mika spoke "Eragon please could you and the other riders stay for a moment please."

Murtagh saw Falberd stiffen at this and an uneasy look passed between him and the other council members apart from Jormunder who was talking quietly with Olwen.

"As you wish my lord." Replied Eragon who led the other riders back towards the table.

After the council members left and Olwen who was at the rear closed the door Mika spoke "have I wronged you in some way master rider?" Looking at Eragon

"No my lord it's just that." He paused and then delving into the magic that ran through him he said "Atra nosu waíse vardo fra eld hórnya." As he released the spell he spoke once more "there now we can talk without fear of being overheard by the ears of men, elves and dwarves." He watched as Mika visibly slumped ever so slightly in his chair.

"Thank you Eragon you have no idea how much of a blessing that is." He looked at them all then "so Nassuada through Solus has informed me of what that council has demanded of you."

Eragon glared at her but she wore no look of contrition "well they didn't make the dragons promise to hold their tongues after they made their ridiculous demands."

Next to Eragon Murtagh laughed and he heard Saphira say "she has you there little one, Arya also used the same loophole to communicate with her brother and no doubt you to would have arrived at the same conclusion eventually. There is no need to be angry she is a smart one and a fierce hunter she would make a splendid dragon if she wasn't human." Eragon released a low breath and felt as Arya took his hand a squeezed it reassuringly. It was then that a light flicked on in Eragon's mind and he quickly ran it past first Saphira and then Murtagh and Thorn, he then looked at Mika "there is something you must know, before your father died, he commanded us to keep the Varden strong and to keep them from falling into chaos. You more than anyone have right to know, we have kept this information a secret due to the potential implications."

Murtagh followed his brother "we aren't exactly sure what he meant but we have decided that we shall always defend the Varden with our might even if it should take our lives."

"We do not wish to usurp the Varden's leadership for we as riders belong to no one race."

Mika laughed at Eragon's final statement "but that leadership is not to be me is it I know thanks to Solus why you were here before me and what the council has asked of you. Do you not think that in the years my father was leader of the Varden that we did not prepare and account for his death? We expected the council to act in the exact manner they have and now all is in readiness for me to assume total control of the Varden."

Brom let out a barking laugh "your father always was as wise as an owl and as sly as a fox, I bet he even had a contingency plan if you died as well."

Mika smiled "he did, but that is for another time." He grew serious again "now we must talk of your departure. I wish to maintain the arrangements that my father had with Queen Islanzadi of the Elves, that is to say that the new riders having completed their initial training which we assumed would be under Brom shall journey to Du Weldenvarden where they shall complete the rest of their training to become the riders we need if we are to overthrow Galbatorix and what is left of the Forsworn."

"And what of the Varden?" Asked Arya

"Well in that regards with the help of Brom and others I trust I will continue the path laid down by Ajihad, we will bring down the empire, slay Galbatorix and Shrukien, defeat what is left of the Forsworn, and then we shall assure that the rightful government shall be raised in its place." Answered Mika

"Why is he so honest with us?" Asked Roran in their shared collective mind space

"I believe it is because Eragon's spell allows him to be." Came Nuanen's voice

"I think I've found a loophole in our promise to the council." Said Katrina in triumph. She quickly outlined her idea and intention to them and once they all agreed she rose, drew her sword and approached Mika whose hand automatically went to the hilt of his fathers sword then she knelt before him the sword blade across her open palms and her head bowed, one by one the others joined her she felt Eragon knelt on her right and Roran on her left with the others flanking them she then spoke "even though most of us have only been here a short while we came to know and respect your father, you fought when others fled including the members of the council save for Jormunder. Only a short while ago I was nothing but a simple butchers daughter in a small, isolated village but now I am a rider and we are a race apart from all others in Alagaësia and so..." she proffered Mika her sword "we give to you our swords and swear fealty to you as Shur'tugalar."

Mika's eyes widened he looked at the six riders and two former riders kneeling before him, then he gently lifted the gleaming silver blade and admired its full length before he took the hilt in his grasp and touched the blade to her head "I accept your fealty with honour rider, as you accept all the responsibilities that go with the position." He handed her back her sword "now rise as my vassal."

He made his way down the line of riders until he came at last to Nassuada, he smiled down at her "my dear sister how you have changed in such a short time, so strong, so wise, so beautiful," he handed Aeidail back to her before he repeated for the final time "I accept your fealty with honour rider, as you accept all the responsibilities the go with the position."

Smiling Nassuada stood and sheathed her golden sword "so what happens now?" She asked them all in general

"Fathers funeral will be held in two day and as you know that is when the council plans on declaring me the new leader of the Varden, for now keep secret your oaths of fealty then recite them once more when the council expects your oath. Until then you are free to do as you, please as you always have been." Mika sat once more at the table "now if you will all excuse me, I have many vital plans to set in motion."

Without a word the others filed out of the room allowing the door to swing shut behind them.

Roran looked at them "so what shall we all do this afternoon?"

"I think it is time you received an education of elven etiquette if we are soon to travel to the woodland realm." Answered Murtagh

Eragon looked at his brother "I think I need to go and speak with Olwen about what just happened."

Murtagh nodded. "So be it. I'm sure Arya and I can handle this on our own."

Eragon made his way to Tronjhiem's library where he could sense Olwen's mind as he entered, he saw the tall elf pacing backwards and forwards, as he wheeled around to make another pass, he caught sight of Eragon and bore down upon him "what have you done Eragon?"

Eragon frowned at his brother-in-law. "What do you mean Olwen?"

Olwen's hand tightened around the hilt of his sword "I have spent seventy years with the Varden ensuring that they had strong and worthy leaders and with your parents help I have been successful and now I see you and the other riders siding with the council of elders willingly or not to control Mika." Eragon watched the elf carefully he could tell from his bearing how close his friend was to loosing control. Quickly he explained all they had done to counter the councils plans. Olwen seemed to calm down slightly. "I see, I must beg your forgiveness then Eragon Elda, your position and that of the other riders in not one I would wish though it is far better than I thought. Your compromise will be accepted by the elves."

Eragon smiled. "You need not ask forgiveness for something that was not your fault, it was only after you and the council were dismissed that we even contrived our work around and even then, it was Katrina who came up with the idea. I do foresee one minor problem with these oaths and I feel it is something we shall have to work out with Mika, King Hrothgar and Queen Islanzadi."

Olwen opened his mouth to say something but Eragon cut him off "yes I know about the enchantments surrounding Du Weldenvarden that prevents scrying but I have a solution already in place, for now I must ask you to fetch Mika to King Hrothgar's throne room and I shall meet you there."

Together the rider and elf left the library parting when they reached the main chamber and the shattered fragments of Isidar Mithrim.