Chapter 6
Nasuada eagerly hastened towards her chambers, a grimace barely hidden from her face. It had seemed like the day would never come to an end. Countless duties required her attention, from trivial matters like guard rotations in the city and livestock prices that needed adjusting, to matters of security, and of course, the regulation of the magicians in the nation. This above all others was the most draining to her. She hadn't fully realized just how many people (magicians all, of course) would be angered by her suggestion.
Still lost in thought, she reached her chamber door and nodded to her guards. "Evening," she said.
"Your Majesty," one of the guards replied. "Not five minutes ago you were requested in the mirror room. The page said it was Eragon."
The queen's heart raced. So soon? She had not expected Eragon to arrive at his destination for quite some time. Thanking the guard, she hurried to the small room down the hall, where she had placed the enchanted mirror used to communicate with the Rider. The room was protected by wards to prevent eavesdropping, along with another six guards standing watch outside the door.
She entered the room, Elva trailing along behind her. Nasuada was initially startled by the girl's appearance-she didn't even know Elva was behind her- but her surprise quickly faded. She was used to the girl appearing seemingly out of nowhere.
Nasuada approached the large mirror on the eastern wall. There stood Eragon's likeness, and she breathed a sigh of relief. He did not seem to be harmed. Nasuada frowned, however, when she saw that Eragon stood on solid land. He seemed to be standing on a beach of some sort, and the elves were gathered behind him.
"Eragon!" she exclaimed, a smile touching her lips. "I didn't expect to hear from you so soon. Are you well? Where are you?"
Eragon folded his arms and grinned in return. She had not seen such joy on his face since Galbatorix's downfall. It was good. However, she noticed that the smile didn't erase all of the sorrow in his eyes. She supposed she might look the same way, however hard she attempted to keep her own pain concealed. "You won't believe this, Your Majesty, but-"
She waved. "Just Nasuada, Eragon. You and I have known each other far too long for such pleasantries."
He nodded, his smile slipping. "Of course."
"Now tell me, how fared your journey? But more importantly, where are you?"
He began to tell her about their discovery, how everything about the island seemed to fall perfectly in place with their needs, and his own unease.
"I know that I should be happy that we found such a place, and I am, but it almost seems too good to be true," he finished. "I just can't shake the feeling that this place was made for us, and I don't know why or by whom. Then there's the fact that I've never heard of it recorded anywhere, despite its closeness to shore." He paused. "Is it possible I may be readingtoo much into coincidence?"
Nasuada pondered his question. "Perhaps…I don't know. My only advice for you at the moment is trust your instincts. Do you think the island is dangerous?"
He slowly shook his head. "Nay, not dangerous, but I'm uneasy just the same."
"I suppose you should continue with your plans to settle there, then. Just keep your wits about you."
Just then Elva, who had so far remained hidden and silent, sidled over to Nasuada's side. Eragon raised his eyebrows but otherwise contained his surprise. "Elva. It's nice to see you. Are you well?"
She nodded, then said flatly, "You're not as alone there as you think, you know."
"What? How do you know? Are we in danger?"
She waved away his questions. "It's just a feeling. I don't think you're in any danger, not yet anyway. Just keep your guard up. Saphira too." With those statements, she promptly melted back into the shadows, concealing herself from the mirror.
Seeing Eragon's now-impassive face, Nasuada nodded. "It's best you heed her warning. Remain there if you wish, but it might be in your best interest to investigate every nook and cranny of the island before any permanent decisions are made."
"Of course."
Rubbing her hands, Nasuada said, "Have you found a suitable location to build on yet?"
Resuming some of his former eagerness, Eragon told her about the cliff. She nodded. "It does indeed sound perfect." Then he told her about the granite on the other side of the mountain.
"Even with the strength of the elves and Eldunari, it will take weeks, maybe even months, to gather enough stone to work with, even for the simplest of dwellings. Which this one won't- can't- be. By the time it's ready for the Riders, it will be a small city." He paused, and Nasuada took her opportunity to voice her thoughts, a plan that had been circulating, half-formed, through her mind the second Eragon told her of the island. Eragon did not even bother to hide his shock this time.
"Lady, it would not work."
"Why not?
"Because the plan was to seclude ourselves," Eragon grumbled. "The elves, Riders, dragons, Saphira and I. I don't think the elves would be very happy with what you're suggesting."
"And they won't have to be. It's only temporary, after all. And it benefits the both of us."
"This is a project best suited for magic alone. They would just get in the way!"
"Not if you and the elves gave them their space, and set aside certain activities for them and them alone."
Eragon scowled. "What about sleeping quarters? Security? The elves and I don't have time to babysit petty criminals."
"Nor will you have to," Nasuada replied calmly. "A full team of guards will accompany them, along with provisions. The prisoners will build their own shelters, far away from you and the elves. They will work for a week to three weeks at a time, depending on their crimes and the progress on construction. Then they may consider themselves free men, and will be shipped back to the mainland. A spellcaster will accompany the guards as extra security. You'll have no trouble."
Eragon frowned. Nasuada was making a very good point; however, he still did not like her idea. "Aren't there other, easily accessible places in the kingdom where they can work off their sentences?"
"Of course. But this will give them a sense of purpose, something to be proud of. Why break rocks or plow fields when you can be building a sanctuary for the next generation of Dragon Riders? The pride they earn in their work may be just enough to keep them out of prison in the future. Eragon, can't you see I have little choice?" Eragon realized that the strain of ruling an entire country, which Nasuada usually kept firmly under control, was beginning to show in her eyes. He frowned, concerned. "The prisons are dangerously overcrowded, I am pushing my resources to the limit trying to keep them clothed and fed, and I cannot simply release the minor criminals. Meanwhile, more dangerous people, the ones who need to be in prison, keep pouring in and I simply do not have enough space. Will you please consider my proposition?"
"Perhaps," Eragon said slowly. He finally nodded. "I will discuss the matter with the others."
"Thank you," Nasuada replied with an audible sigh of relief.