Disclaimer: I own nothing from Eldest, Eragon, or Inheritance series. Though if I did have a dragon, purple is a good color… or green… I wonder if they have orange dragons…

"Welcome all here, to the meeting. I see we have all made the venture in good condition! Excellent." exclaimed Rezan as he walked in and sat himself at the head of the table. "We will now begin with out first topic of discussion; the assignment of who shall be our representative in Alagaësia. Now I do believe we had a volunteer already. Nika?"

She turned to face him and gave a nod. Then she stood and announced, "I am willing to take on the duty of returning to Alagaësia on the behalf of my people."

When she said this, Eragon noticed that Amean sighed and appeared disheartened, and the same followed with Dourle and even Razen, though his was less pronounced.

"Sir, don't you think we should choose a more, oh say… capable person for this assignment? What I mean to say is that this decides the fate of those races and we need someone with all of their dexterity in check." The man Eragon recognized as Brenol stood up and proposed his view.

"Brenol, we have been through this before. Nika is in no way limited and none should consider her so. Do I make myself clear?" Rezan answered.

"Yes sir." He sneered and sat himself back down again.

"Good. Now, all we need from you, Nika, is an oath."

Once more, she nodded and stood up. She then placed her hands in front of her chest and held them as though she were holding a small sphere. "O txies vu aq jume vji jupus ug nz qiuqmi epf ati nz gamm quvipvoem vu gamgomm nz nottoup." Nika repeated in a language Eragon could not understand, though he did suppose it was their own language.

"It is settled then. Nika, you will make us proud."

"I hope that may be true…" whispered Nika, so low that Eragon barely caught it.

"Our next topic of discussion is…"

The meeting carried on for several hours, though Eragon was left slightly confused at some parts and other parts did not pertain to him at all. They talked about war plans and when the different races might act, a medley of subjects all in some way relating to the gathering of the peoples in Alagaësia.

When Rezan had all dismissed them, the sun was beginning to sink behind the walls of the round basin, but there was still time to walk around the city.

Eragon still investigated the city, taking all of the different routes and roads that led around it. His mind was left to think of the meeting and some of the conversations he had heard while in the room. Echoes of battle plans, future strategies, and possible assignments for Saphira, Nika and himself reverberated about his mind.

Oh, why does it have to come to this? I still barely understand how I am such an 'important person' in this whole situation. These people have phenomenal power and they have the ability to stop this was on their own.

The more Eragon though about it, the more this whole war was becoming suspicious and almost seemed outrageous.

Unless Nika was talking about the races fighting themselves, there is no way the different clans will join together to fight the other races. That one clan was about to kill me just for representing Orik's, and I wasn't even a dwarf! No, this… this can't be. It will never happen. Not as long as I live!

Do not be too sure of that little one.

Oh, yeah? You tell me the chances of have every single dwarf clan joining forces to beat down a bunch of elves and men.

As unlikely as that seems, there is a great and unavoidable possibility of that. And if they do not join as you said, they will turn on one another.

No…it… I… I won't let it happen!

"I can't let it happen" Eragon whispered to himself as he clenched his fists.

Do you understand now? Can you see why this is so important?

I… I think so. But why Saphira, why? Does it really have to come to this?

That is one you will have to learn on your own little one. The moon is rising. Nika is waiting.

Oh, the meeting! Thanks!

Eragon ran off in the direction of the now familiar house, trying not to get lost along the way. He ran along the roads, not wanting to be late for when he met Nika on the deck, as she called it. He made the few turns that he remembered, but the streets all began to blend together and look the same. Frantically, Eragon searched down every road, peering down every alley and lane.

"Oh no. Oh no no no no no! This can not be happening! I will not get lost. I can not be lost. This is so embarrassing!" He ran a shaky hand through his hair as he mumbled to himself. "Um, uh… lets see… I took that turn last time, and that is a dead end… but that way only doubles back on itself! Clam down Eragon, you can do this… I can do this." He ran back to the intersection and took a few steps down another street.

Oh boy… She will never forgive me for this…

Eragon pulled out the silver trinket that Nika had given him, which he had since put on a chain around his neck. He debated using the object, but then the idea of just asking Saphira to come fly out and get him came to mind. Deliberating his options, he figured that it would be potentially less embarrassing if Saphira came to get him as opposed to making Nika walk all the way out to where he was in the night.

Hey Saphira…

Yes?

Would you do me a favor?

I suppose I could… what is wrong?

Well, I was walking home and…Igotlost…

What was the last part?

I… got lost.

Oh, this is good… but I suppose I can take mercy one you just this once.

Eragon waited in the street nervously pacing across the length until the familiar beat of wings greeted him. She silently landed and asked no more questions, though he swore he heard the sound of her laughing as he got up on her back. Wordlessly, she took off and Eragon had to slap himself in the face because he discovered that he was only two roads off from the main street that led to the house.

Are you kidding me? Not funny, not funny.

Actually, I found it quite hilarious if you ask me.

I'm sure you do.

She landed a few feet away from the house, being nice and saving him some humiliation before he walked into it. Sneaking in, he causally drifted around corners until he came to the main hall, from which he could basically find his way around. Not knowing exactly where the deck might be, he drifted around the house some more, until he stumbled on another argument taking place in a room he did not recognize.

"Please Nika, reconsider. You don't have to do this for us! There is nothing you have to prove to anyone! Nika please…" Eragon recognized the voice as Amean's.

"I have already accepted and taken the vow. I can not turn back now." Nika responded. "Besides, it is the only thing I am good for…" she murmured, barely intelligible.

"No, you are better than that. Please Nika, forget the vow, forget any promise you have made and think of yourself for once. Just… just think about it, alright. Please… we don't want to loose you again."

Eragon quietly rounded the corner and tried to sneak off with out them think he was listening, but the door opened and Nika stepped out. Cringing, he turned back as he heard his name being called.

"Oh, um… Hi, uh, Nika! I was just… heading to the deck, and uh…"

"Oh, good. But I take it you do not know where you are going, because the deck is that way." Giving him a smile and pointing in the opposite direction than that of which he was headed.

"Of course it is…" and he completely turned himself around and followed Nika.

Alright all my devout reviewers… I can not update as much any more (oh the glory of school and homework) so maybe a couple times a week I will post. Till next chapter…