A sigh escaped from Eragon lips, and he did not bother to try and conceal it. He was currently sitting in Nausuada's new room trying to comprehend what Jormundur was trying to say (something about the gain's with Feinster), however no matter how much he was demanded to appear interested, nothing could stop him from brooding over his masters death. Three days. Only three days has passed since the demise of his master's death and the world continues to move on, without pause or sympathy. For three days Eragon and Saphira attended meetings, went on scout missions and healed all those who were injured during the battle and more; anything to distract their minds off the image of Oromis falling through the sky, the defending cry of Glaedr as his partner-of-soul died and the feeling after his death. The feeling of utter loneliness and despair that would threaten to engulf and consume the mind of even the most hardened warrior in Galbatorix army, the despair that is written so clearly that one can be left wondering why the very sun is not crying for their loss.
Though this method work's during the day, nothing can be stopped to re-live those memories in Eragons sleep. Never is Eragon free from the torturing nightmares. Never. Sitting in the tower, in one of Lady Lorana's state rooms that once might have been a dining room, Eragon noticed that Arya seemed to have been suffering the same fate that he has been for the past few days. Without drawing too much attention to himself, he turned slightly to observe Arya for a few seconds; like him, she looked tried (though that did not stop her from giving Jormear her full attention) with the ever-so-slight drooping of the eyelids and the relaxed posture she was in, when in comparison to her usual straight back and square shoulders. Taking all of this in, Eragon felt slightly concerned for her; though he would never admit his worries to her (unless he got the utter most desire to be thrown into a tree). He could already imagine how the argument would conclude; her explaining in a exasperated tone how she was not a helpless human female and then storming off in which all Eragon would of gained was a frustrated feeling and a couple of weeks where Arya would only talk to him out of necessity.
"Admiring the view?" said the amused voice in the back of his head. "No" he replied with a slight smile "just noticing how Arya seems to be suffering the same fate as we are".
"And what do you propose to do, to fix the problem?" asked Saphira.
"Well, I did consider approaching her about it", (at this Saphira gave a loud snort to emphasise her position on his idea), "however I decided that the idea did have certain flaws in it and decided against it".
"Yes, it is good to see that some logic has been drilled into your head". At this, Eragon could not resist grinning broadly for a few seconds; considering that they were joint mind and soul and were both separated and one mind at the same time, meaning that she could be equally be blamed for his lack of logic. "However, it is a shame", she continued, "I would have found it greatly amusing to see you being thrown off Feinster's walls due to her anger".
"I was thinking of just being thrown into some tree's would be good enough", Eragon replied,"however the wall sounds even better, you can catch me in that case".
"Maybe I will, maybe I won't", came the sly reply. "So how are you going to deal with her without being broken like a baby buck?"
"Simple really, I'll just talk to her, as a friend would"
There was silence from Saphira for a short moment, but then said "Well done little one, I believe that there may be hope for you after all!"
"Ha ha ha" Eragon sarcastically cried out, "just remember that we are one my partner; my strength comes from you as your emotions come from me, we interlink and understand each other like no other being on this world so if I have any faults, they are also your faults".
Saphira huffed as if her pride and dignity was at risk here. "That's rich coming from you! My faults are not your faults otherwise you would of sprouted wings by now and have a much greater understanding of the world; as it is your logic is still impaired in comparison to mine at the moment and you still insist in remaining on the dirt where ever you go. And therefore it is not my fault that you may be still irrational in situations and do not use the full extent of your logic, but yours!" she concluded.
Eragon didn't really know how else to respond to a tease/statement like that apart from just saying "You have been spending far too much time with Angela haven't you?"
"Ha, as if a dragon would need to be taught on logic and wit from a witch!" Eragon smiled at this, for the past few days they both have been playfully arguing with each other like this and as usual; Saphira won. "Oh, and Eragon", Saphira whispered as she started to close her mind slightly from him.
"Yes".
"You are causing quite the scene!" Eragon snapped back to reality and cringed ever so slightly. As it turned out, the whole company in the room was looking at him in a number of different expression's; Jormundur was looking down at him with anger, blaming Eragon for the disruption in his riveting speech, Nausuada looked with a blank face with only the slightest hint of confusion when Arya looked at him with understanding of what has transpired and with even a slight twinkle of amusement in her eyes. Eragon now realised that he must have been causing quite the disturbance; grinning like the fool when he was talking to Saphira, not paying any attention to what Jormeare was saying and to make it worse, it looked like Nausuada just asked him a question.
"I'm sorry my lady, my mind was elsewhere. What did you say?"
Nausuada sighed and in a strained tone, she said "I asked Eragon of what you thought about the idea of advancing towards Belonta now or not and how an army is meant to cover many leagues in a very short amount of time before winter sets? And do try and pay more attention in the future!"
He paused for a minute before answering "Yes my lady. I think that we should move towards Fenistor as soon as possible, the sooner we get there before the first frost begins to set, the firmer ground we will have to progress over. Also if we do leave the attack until next spring, then there may be a chance of Galbatorix of reinforcing the city with troops and magicians and Murtagh and Thorn will defiantly be ready and able for battle".
"As for the troop's, to be able to cover the distance in a short period of time; they must be quick and agile and yet still be prepared for an ambush". At this Eragon paused to let his words sink in with the company; and to see their reactions. Most were of agreement with him but some looked even surprised (which Saphira didn't know whether to be pleased or insulted by that response)! "Therefore I propose a technique which I learnt from one of my scroll's in Ellesmera; the army shall move in groups of one to two hundred, and each group will carry provisions for a month. These groups shall then, one at a time and at a quick jog, traverse a certain distance in one day. This is known as the "caterpillar method" because it is identical to how one moves, the first foot moves to a position leaving the rest to follow, creating a chain reaction. Everyone will be able to move faster and it allows some of the injured to keep up."
Silence greeted his words. Jormundur looked thoughtful as if he was trying to see if Eragons plan could work and/or was looking for any faults in it. However Nausuada looked pleased for his explanation as did Arya for referencing an elvish method that was last used centuries ago.
"Very well then", stated Nausuada with a slight smile, "if we all agree to this, we will use this as our strategy to advance to Belonta in two days time. Does anyone have anything else to say?"
Again silence filled the room, taking this as to no objection, Nausuada called the meeting to a close. Eragon quickly stood up and left the building without talking to anyone, and made his way over to Saphira for a ride. He only stopped when he was about to jump on the saddle, when he realised what he had done. He has settled the fate of the thousands of citizens of Belonta to misery or even death.