Chapter 2
Saphira landed a few tents away from Nasuada's and allowed her rider to jump off her back. The Varden's camp was full of movement. There were people everywhere: the newly recruited soldiers from Feinster were heading to the rebel's armoury, their own soldiers started to pull down tents and place them on the numerous wagons. Eragon could hear Katrina's voice in the distance. He smiled. Roran must have gotten into trouble again.
You're starting to look better said his beautiful dragon.
Aye, I feel better when I know that we're getting something done. And with that he entered the brown tent. It was guarded only by two men; they stood tall and proud at the entrance; they nodded they allowed Eragon to enter.
It seemed he was the last to arrive, after he sat down Saphira poked her head through the flaps, there was no way for her to fit her whole body inside the small tent.
Nasuada sat at the end of wooden table, she was wearing a maroon coloured dress. It matched perfectly with her dark skin. To her right sat King Orrin and to her left sat Jormundur. Eragon was sitting opposite Arya.
Nasuada broke the silence that had engulfed the room. "Right then. We need to move north toward the city of Belatona. In three days time I'll send a small battalion to secure the small city of Melian but in three weeks we will need your assistance, Eragon." she glanced in his direction. She motioned to show her war advisors and best strategists her plan. They simply nodded in agreement ".. The elves are about to start their march towards Dras-Leona" she continued "That's where we will join them. And from there to Urubaen."
"Now, in the meantime Eragon, Arya I want you to try to find as much information as possible on you-know-what and the last remaining egg. We need to gain an advantage over Galbatorix if we are to overpower him."
"I may have an idea" interjected Eragon "Jeod, could prove useful if he still has in his possession the scrolls that show secret passage ways into various cities in the Empire. I'm referring to the source of Galbatorix's power, of course. I'm sure he keeps them with him at all time."
Before he could continue he was interrupted by King Orrin "Shadeslayer, if you know what the source of the evil King's power, you must share it with us."
"I'm afraid I cannot, King Orrin" said Eragon in a low voice. Orrin glared at him.
"As I was saying, the egg's location however is quite obvious." Arya, Nasuada, Jormundur and the rest of the war advisors and strategists' eyes widened. But, before I reveal its location, I must ask from all of your word in the Ancient Language that you shall not reveal to anyone what I'm about to tell you." One by one everyone in the room swore an oath of secrecy to Eragon and Saphira.
"Eragon, I'm most keen to know how you came up with your theory" said Arya.
"Very well, then. I've spent the past few days thinking how to destroy Galbatorix and how to rescue the egg. As you all know, Murtagh and Thorn were in Gil'ead a few days ago" he winced as he mentioned the Red Rider's name but no one seemed to notice except Saphira. She growled in response. "There they fought my master and his dragon and they were killed" this last sentence was nothing more than a whisper.
"Eragon.." started Arya. She stared at him with her shimmering emerald eyes, showing understanding, compassion and...love. iNo/i. Eragon must have imagined the last one. He regained some of his composure and continued.
"Why else would Murtagh and Thorn be in Gil'ead where he was certain to lose, considering how many elves and how many spellcasters the Elven army possesses, if not to recover something? It's in Gil'ead. Nasuada, you said to me yourself that the Red Rider had visited the city not long before the siege began. I believe it's because Galbatorix is trying to get the last egg to hatch and so I've reached the conclusion that it's hidden somewhere in the city." he said extremely satisphied with himself. His thoughts were smug and Saphira chuckled.
"If the Murtagh ad Thorn were certain to lose, how is it that your masters perished?" asked Orrin. Eragon tried to remain calm, but he found that his fists were clenched under the table in anger. Suddenly he felt a soothing presence against his mind. He recognized it immediately and granted her access. Calm down she said softly. With that she left his mind.
"They died because Galbatorix entered Murtagh's mind and if my master hadn't had a seizure in mid air, he would be telling the tale and not I." he said roughly, doing his best to keep himself under control.
"Well, Eragon I do believe that yours is a good theory. But why would Galbatorix wait until now to try to get it to hatch? It's been in his possession for years." said Arya.
"This is something I've still not been able to figure out yet, Arya Drottingu." he finally said. Nasuada seemed to be processing the latest news and after a few minutes she replied to Eragon's theory,
"I must admit I'm impressed and for the sake of Alagaesia, I hope you're right. Tomorrow at dawn you and Arya shall go to Gil'ead and search for the egg. I shall send Blodgharm when we are about to take Belatona." And with that she exited the tent.
"I shall inform my mother that she is to expect us in two days time." said Arya and she too exited the tent to return to her own.
Later that day Arya retrieved a mirror from her bag and murmed "Draumr kópa". After a few seconds a figure started to appear in the mirror. It was an Elf. He recognized the Elven Princess and they exchanged the traditional Elven greeting.
"Would you send for my mother?" the elf nodded and disappeared. Minutes passed and finally Islanzadi appeared in the mirror. She did not take her time to greet her daughter according to tradition.
"Good evening, my daughter" she said in a proud and regal voice.
"Good evening, mother" she answered "I wanted to inform you that Eragon Shadeslayer and I are to travel to Gil'ead at dawn. I do not wish to part with the details surrounding our visit. It is an extremely delicate subject."said Arya. She too had the same tone of voice as her mother. She despised it but she would not show weakness in front of her.
"Very well. I will see you in two days time. May the stars watch over you, my daughter" And with that she ended the comunication.
Before resting the Princess decided it was best to pack now instead of morning, she would most likely forget something and regret it later on in their journey. Finally finished, she lay down in bed, hoping for a good night's rest. But she knew what was coming. And with that she closed her eyes and smiled at the figure that approached her in her dreams.
Eragon .