"Carn! Father says you're to fetch Uiko and tether him by the stables!"

"Go away Mira, you ogre, leave me be. Papa said no such thing!"

"He did you flea-rotten pea-brain- get the damned donkey!"

Mira turned and walked away, ignoring the odious insults her little brother was hurling at her, considering her duty done. If she had acted like he did she would have been in a mad amount of trouble. Mira opened the door to her home and stepped inside, letting it drift softly shut behind her. She knocked on the living-room's door and entered. "Mira, I said leave us! Cannot you see how busy we are! Honestly."

"Oh, I'm sorry, Father. I only came in here to tell you that I have done as you asked! As you so desire- I will leave!"

Mira grabbed an apple from the counter and angrily left the room.

"Gods above! What on earth is wrong with her?"

"Roran, you were hard on her, she sprinted to fetch me and has obviously completed any other tasks you set her. She did nothing wrong!" Katrina held her husband's gaze until he turned his head away. Ismira was a head-strong thing, but had an acute sense of fairness. "Alright- maybe so, but that is no excuse to talk like that to me! You cannot deny how disrespectful that was!"

"Enough. We have more important matters to speak of than your daughter!" Arya interrupted before Katrina could reply. Then Eragon spoke before they could apologise.

"She is right. I will speak, if you do not mind. As you are aware, Nasuada, in her second year of power, imposed a new law, that all magicians in the country will be checked upon, and restricted; thus stopping magicians having the upper-hand over normal people. Even those with the slightest gift had this thrust upon them. Yet despite my reasoning against her and the Elves' refusal to comply, Nasuada's idea was sound and most certainly fair, and she went ahead with it. But, as you might expect, many magicians disagreed and rebelled against it. After a short while, everything calmed and calm it has remained for the last ten years. But now there are whisperings, rumours and dissent abroad in this land. The Elves began to hear tale of a group forming in the Hadarac Desert, in Du Fells Nangaroth. A group which opposed Nasuada's very rule; a group of magicians. This rumour reached Queen Arya, and she relayed a coded message to Nasuada. Nasuada had suspected nothing prior to this, and so wasn't unduly worried by it. Until four of my students, Oden, Cariya, Karhvog and Maurice, as a final stop in their journey to Ilíria, stopped at the Fells to rest with their Dragons. They were curious when they found that there were traces of human activity around the site. So they, after having rested and eaten, explored the inner-caverns of the Wild-Dragon's old nesting place. They happened upon a group of powerful human magic-users, who promptly attacked them and attempted to murder them, and they had to fight their way out. Terrified- Karhvog and Maghara (his Dragon) killed four of them, Oden one, and Cariya and Arnen (her Dragon) captured another. What had happened to Maurice I do not know. He hadn't wanted to stop there in the first place, and had refused to enter, urging the others to comply. He is a quick boy, and sometimes has a bit of a sixth sense when it comes to danger. They fled afterwards to Ilíria and deposited their prisoner in Nasuada's dungeons. There he was tortured. How this came to be, I do not know as Nasuada has banned torturing of any kind after her own… experience. This caused much anger when the magicians of Ilíria and Nasuada had to make a private speech and make them swear in the ancient language not to let a word of this escape. If it had been anyone but her talking there would have been riots, but, thank the stars she is still able to orate like no-one else!" He emitted a nervous laugh, which Roran imitated. It seemed almost as though they were close again, but the moment passed. Eragon cleared his throat quick and efficiently before he resumed speaking.

"We are either on the brink of an attack or not from the Magicians. It is hard to tell, but I brought here with me eight of my older more experienced Riders with me. I have sent two to each of the following cities- Dauth, Ceunon, Gil'ead, and Dras Leona. In Aberon, Teirm and Ilíria there are four Riders stationed (each). Those in Ceunon would sent one to the aid of Carvahall were it attacked. We must tread carefully- very carefully indeed. Hmmm. Nasuada, as always is trying to improve the Varden, no, sorry – Alagaësia's prospects, and asked me to give you this …"

Eragon stuck his hand into his satchel and pulled out a rolled up document. Roran grunted, and opened it.

It read:-

Captain Stronghammer,

I am sure that your cousin will inform you of our current situation, in spite of the fact he has not asked my permission! I am grateful for your help at the Urgal's Games last Summer. I hear you made quite an appearance. But in times such as these trivialities waste time, and if I remember correctly, you are a straight talking, true, blunt man. I request that you send me your daughter, Ismira. I would have her stay with me in Ilíria, and she would be well looked after. At fourteen I believe with some training she could become useful for our country, if her parentage speaks for itself. I need an assistant, to aid me in meetings and politics. I have thought long and hard on this- and I believe that the people would dislike my having a random helper. Also, if I were to have the daughter of Roran Stronghammer and niece of Eragon Shadeslayer by my side, it would remind my adversaries and allies alike why we fought so long and hard to oust Galbatorix, why I released the law, and of how delicate the balance of power is. I sincerely hope you will accept my offer, for if you don't we may all suffer for it,

Consider it at least, Roran,

Nasuada Nightstalker.