Six:

Dangerous Requests

Nasauda leaned back into her chair and sighed. The situation was like a ball of yearn; a giant ball of knotted, dishelved yarn that was growing increasingly difficult to untangle. It would take time to stabilize Murtagh's reputation. Time that they didn't have. She knew that the council had only agreed because they could not ignore Arya's,Orrin's, and her authority. It had been easy; almost too easy for Nasauda's liking. She remembered how much they had harried her about who he was loyal to not only within the Varden as well. I'd bet my left my left hand they'll try something. They'll either try to get rid of him, or try to control him. And I want neither of those things.

"In that case," Nasauda said at last. "Do you have any suggestions? The sooner we can smooth things out, the better."

"Has Eragon returned yet?"

"He has not, but it is too soon to worry."

"Where is Eragon?" Murtagh asked.

"Helgrind," both Orik and Nasauda said with the same edge of irritation.

"To help Roran rescues his fiancé."

"Fool," Orik muttered.

Half the color drained from Murtagh's face, though he remained nonchalant and expressionless all the same. "You sent him there?"

"I didn't," Nasauda said. "It was his idea, as imprudent as it was. Why?"

Murtagh shrugged. "Oh it's nothing really. Just that Eragon has a rock for a brain! Doesn't he know that Helgrind is infested with Ra'zac? That's like walking into a hornet's nest."

"He was well aware."

"Now hold on here," Orik said. "We can use this to our advantage." He pointed to Murtagh. "We can send you to go help Eragon, which you should be happy to do considering your actions on the Burning Planes, and in the process slay the monster that lives beneath Helgrind."

"Monster?"

"It's called Gonoszság Sämd, meaning 'rotten evil.' It's a terrible creature said to have manifested out of all the evil actions committed in Alagaësia. It used to live in our mines, devouring unsuspecting dwarves until the Riders drove it out. Legend says that it now lurks beneath Helgrind's evil earth, waiting for a time when the sun no longer rises, when nighttime is eternal and misery is fluent. Only then it will breach stone and soil to once again abbolish all things good as king of darkness."

"And how would slaying this monster—if it even exists— help?" Nasauda asked skeptically.

"Gonoszság Skämd stole myriad lives. It relentlessly wrecked havoc on our cities and forts, destroying nearly everything in its path. It is also the epitome of sheer evil. If you kill that demon and bring back its head, then that should be proof enough to the people."

"That sounds reasonable," Nasuada said. Plunging headforth into the domain of evil to slay a monster that might exist was indeed a bit risky. Still, if it will convince everyone to see the good in him, then it's worth a try. To Murtagh she said, "Are you well enough?"

Murtagh laughed. "I've never felt better."

"Good. If Eragon has not returned by the first quarter moon, we'll set out for Helgrind. The situation isn't too dire, so four days should be enough."

"We?"

"Yes," Nasauda said. "We. As in you, me, and Thorn."

Murtagh frowned. "Why are you going?"

"Murtagh—"

"Nasauda, I'm not going to put your life at risk when it's unnecessary."

"It's perfectly reasonable," Nasuada said. "If I go to Helgrind with you, and come back safely, then that should also prove you can be trusted. Besides, someone has to go with you to make sure you don't try to escape. I doubt you would, but the Varden won't be so convinced. Let alone Eragon."

Murtagh turned to Thorn, as if hoping he could say something to back him up. You're on your own with this, he said. I'm staying out of this.

Murtagh shot the dragon an irritable glare. "Nasuada, you can't go. If something did happen to you, the Varden would fall apart. And if they go, then who will defeat the Empire? Beside, I don't want to be responsible if something did happen to you."

Because he would regret it for the rest of his life, Thorn added. Sorry, I lied. Now you're on your own.

Nasauda ignored him. "You're not my father, Murtagh," Nasuada said coldly. "And I am not made of glass. You said that all I had to do was ask and you would follow."

He met her gaze with a pleadingly, almost heart wrenching look. "And this is what you ask of me? To put your life in peril?"

With a gentle smile, she nodded. "It is."

Defeated, Murtagh drew a heavy breath. "Then so be it."

A/N: Sorry I haven't updated in a while. My Internet thing keeps pooping out on me.

As for 'Gonoszság Sämd:'

'Gonoszság' is a Hungarian word meaning 'evil' and 'Sämd' is a Sweedish word meaning 'rotten' and 'tainted.' You see, most people collect things like figurines, roosters, cows, rocks, plants, nutcrackers, and rand Coke merchandise. Me? I collect words. Words from all around the world. I don't why, but I just love words. I like the way they sound, they way they look, the way they're spelled...I'm known to get on the Internet and look up random words in random foreign languages. The point is, I'm using my collection to fill in the gaps.

I'll tell more later.

In the mean time, thanks for the reviews and happy Holidays!