Four:

Discussion of War

Arya shuddered and pulled away from Thorn's mind, though she was not finished. She had witnessed both Thorn's memories as well as Murtagh's, which Thorn had access to most of the time.

Murtagh's memories were the worst.

She could still hear resonance of Murtagh's screams ringing in her ears with the timbre of sheer anguish. Arya sympathized with his pain from the long miserable days she had spent in Empires custody. She shuddered again at the thought of what might have happened if Galbatorix had personally dealt with her. Her opinion of Thorn and Murtagh quickly changed.

Now do you understand? Thorn asked. We have as little love for that monster as you, and if not then a thousand times less!

Arya nodded. I understand, she said with new sympathy. You two have been through a significant amount of struggles. I have misjudged you and Murtagh. I apologize for my naiveté.

Accepted. He turned and glanced at the door, ochre eyes narrowing crossly.

"I really don't how the dwarves are going to react," Nasauda was saying to Thorn's weary-looking rider. "I'm more concerned about them than anyone else at the moment. Since Hrothgar's burial, things have been shaky. Their kingdom is almost entirely up in chaos. However, despite the conflicts between clans, I suspect that Orik will Hrothgar's place as king."

"I shouldn't have been so careless," Murtagh scowled at himself. "If I had known that was Hrothgar I would have never—"

The moment Murtagh came through the door, Thorn leapt from his corner and tackled him with an angry roar. Nasauda gave surprised cry and ducked as the claret dragon leapt over her head.

You! Thorn snarled at his rider, barring jaws of ivory white as he pinned Murtagh to the cold, stony floor. You bone-headed, dusty-brained, idiot! You've been awake all this time and you've kept me shut out!

Murtagh choked and tried to push him away, though to no avail. "Get off," he gasped aloud, squirming beneath Thorn's mighty claws.

I'm not finished with you yet, Murtagh, you wool-headed, paranoid goat! You kept your barriers up so well, I couldn't tell if you were hurt or worse!

I'm sorry.

Sorry for what? Thorn hissed. Sorry that you flat out ignored me, or that I had to assume the worst and come find you? I tried to talk to talk to you many times, but you wouldn't answer. I could hardly sense you at all, Murtagh. You could have died and I might have never known the difference!

I didn't hear you.

You weren't listening. Finally, with a frustrated sigh, Thorn retreated and let him up. Riders and dragons that are bound together through magic are supposed to work together not just as two separate physical beings, but also as a single mind. How can that be if you won't even talk to me?

"Are you finished now?" Nasauda asked patiently.

I don't know, Thorn said, glaring at Murtagh. I'm not sure if I've knocked enough sense into him yet.


Murtagh ducked just in time as a thorny tail swung over his head. He glowered at Thorn. Are you trying to impale me?

Well it wouldn't hurt you too much; you're brain's already rattled!

I get the point, Thorn.

Do you?

Nasauda cleared her throat. "I don't mean to interrupt, but could we perhaps move on?"

If you wish, Thorn said.

"Unfortunately, I will be meeting with my council later this evening. I would ovoid it if I could, but winning their approval should be easy once I make my argument. King Orrin has agreed to help—"

"As will I," Arya added. "Defeating Galbatorix is too important to me. And the Council of Elders are not foolish enough object all three of us." Her eyes flickered over Murtagh. "You are going to fight alongside the Varden, aren't you?"

In the ancient language, he replied, "So long as Nasauda asks it of me."

"The more people we can persuade, the better," Nasauda continued. "Eragon has not returned yet, but I think that if we can get his approval too, then things will be much smoother. He might even be able to help convince the dwarves I've not lost my mind."

Murtagh stiffened at the mention of Eragon's name. "If that is your will, then so be it." He paused. "Although, you should probably be more worried about the army that Galbatorix has sent for from over seas."

"Army!" Both Arya and Nasauda chorused.

"Galbatorix didn't give me much detail, but he seemed pretty pleased with himself."

"What sort of army are we talking about? Humans, monsters, magicians…what?" Nasauda asked.

He was careful to keep that a secret, said Thorn. All he said was that he plans to use it to obliterate his enemies. They seem a powerful race and come from some far away land, long forgotten to human memory.

"He also implied that he plans to expand the Empire further into the east, beyond the Hadarac Desert and into whatever land that lies beyond the Beor Mountains."

"This is terrible!" Nasauda cried. She sank into her seat with dismay at the thought of a whole other army joining forces with an already formidable enemy. "What are we going to do? We already have his army to deal with, let alone a foreign military!"

"When does Galbatorix expect these foreigners to arrive?" Arya asked in a calmer demeanor. "Did he tell you that?"

Murtagh nodded gravely. "If I understood correctly, he expects them to land in port by Midwinter of next year. The battle at the Burning Planes was merely a way of weakening your numbers. He wants as little resistance as possible when this alien military arrives, though I don't think it would matter much anyways."

"Then we need more allies," Nasauda said. "We're already short handed as it is."

"Where are we going to find any?" Murtagh asked. "Everyone in Alagaësia is already involved in the war."

Nasauda let out a groan. Where was she going to find enough soldiers now? The battle of the Burning Planes, as Murtagh said, had indeed left them undermanned. They were already outnumbered as it was, and every race inhabiting Alagaësia was either fighting alongside Alagaësia or in opposition.

Of course, there was the possibility Nasauda could send for outside help from beyond Alagaësia's borders, but that might take too long. The territory was too unknown, too far away, and too little explored. And if there were any outside civilizations, would they even be willing to help strangers?

She sighed heavily and slumped back into her chair. "I suppose we'll figure something out. For now, I must deal with the task at hand." She turned to Murtagh and Thorn. "Orrin has been kind enough to arrange more suitable rooms for you and Thorn." She forced a smile. "Please do get some rest, you look terrible Murtagh."

Yes, Thorn said with a bit of amusement. With the way you look now, you might scare the foreigners to death!

Murtagh ignored the comment. "If you wish it."

A/N: I'm sick of writing this chapter. I've rewritten it fifty million times. So I am not messing with it anymore, even if it is too short for my liking. My patience today, after babysitting all those noisy kids, is running rather slow.

There is a lot I'm planning to do with my formidable army from overseas. I'm not going to reveal who they are just yet. Kind of have to build up to it, you know? So don't worry I have tons of tricks up my sleeve.

Thanks for the reviews!