Author's Note: Please review! I wasn't going to post this chapter for a long time later because I couldn't finish and it's all because of you sniff!
The armies were silent, and unmoving as they were a few minutes ago. Then they started fighting again. But never did both armies fight with so little enthusiasm. Eragon hacked, slash, and lunged. His moves seemed mechanical for he had not the thrill of battle anymore.
Eragon filled his gems with energy once more then went back to his tent. The battle was over. Saphira landed back by Eragon's tent and, head between claws, the dragon went to sleep…
He woke at noon. Eragon met with Nasuada and Roran at lunch but no one spoke. The munched on silently until Angelica spoke up.
"Why be so silent? We have had a victory and the army of Galbatorix has retreated even farther. We have much to be thankful for," she said.
"Yes, and you must tell me about the sword and you quest the Menoa tree," said Lady Nasuada.
"No my Lady, I have not forgotten, Eragon must reverse you spell on Elva first," Angelica said firmly.
The conversation stopped at that, and as everyone finished, they went their separate ways. He was in no mood to heal Elva though he knew he must. The image of Murtagh turning into a dark creature of pure evil made his blood run cold. Where was Murtagh now? Where was Galbatorix? He shock himself and thought, I'll heal Elva tomorrow, when my mind is not so troubled.
Eragon went to Saphira, who surprisingly, had not woken up by now. Saphira, Eragon said gently.
What? The dragon was obviously half-awake.
You should get up. We have a battle to fight at dusk.
Yes, I know. But I keep thinking about Murtagh. When I was fighting his dragon, at some point I saw a shadow fall onto the dragon. I looked down, and I saw a Shade. The dragon laughed at me. I could feel that it was pure evil.
No matter what you saw last night, you're duty calls.
Without another word, the huge dragon rose. Her scales glistened in the fading sunlight, and her claws were extended. The dragon was ready to fight. Eragon raised his blue sword in the air in salute, and then rushed to get into line with the dwarfs, the Urgals, and the Varden.
A horn blew in the air; it was at the side of the Varden. Eragon remembered the day that Hrothgar had died. Fury arose in him as he saw the rows of advancing troops of the opposing army. His fighting spirit arose once more and he scanned the army. Even with the devastating losses, the opposing army still had maintained many of it's magicians, and catapults. Eragon called the Du Vrangr Gata, they had sensed the large amount of magic users too.
The first row of soldiers charged. Saphira unleashed a wave of fire, and most were driven back but, at the same time, the catapults unleashed a hail of massive stones on the Varden. Setting up his ward quickly, Eragon caught a boulder and hurled it back. Others, however, were not so lucky. Many were wounded, a few were killed, and some were trapped under their shield and the rocks. Unlike him, the rest of the army did not posses super-strength.
The Varden re-organized, removing boulders, and setting up a new defense. Lady Nasuada was among them, and beside her, carrying a spear, was Elva.