A/N:

Well, I worked my butt off and here stands chapter two! Hope you guys like it! That aside, I have an announcement: I'm thinking about a new story! I'm thinkin' a PJatO, but I don't knw yet. Whatdya think about that? Leave me a sugestion in your REVIEW! And of course, I don't own any characters (I would never make their names so complicated! Sheesh!) CP owns all but the words I type.

Chapter 2

Before the king could say anything, Nasuada spoke. "What is it you require, Orrin?"

The king smiled; Nasuada's gleaming whites challenged his. "Lady Nightstalker," The handsome Surdan king began, "as you know, both my kingdom and your Varden are lacking financial aid. I was advised by my, ahem, advisor—" Nasuada almost smiled at that—"to open free trade with the dwarves. Furthermore, I was also advised to close trade with the elves, a wise decision."

Nasuada's temper rose at Orrin's idiocy. "Were you not advised by your dwarfish advisor to open free trade with the dwarves?"

Orrin flushed. "It was a good decision, nonetheless."

"And what, pray tell, is Surda gaining by lacerating trade with the elves?" Nasuada demanded, "Certainly not the Varden's nor my approval!"

"Nor do I desire you approval!" Orrin bellowed. "I only desire what is best for my people!"

"Oh, but do tell me, Orrin, how does restricting trade with the elves help your people?" Nasuada taunted, now deadly quiet. "Of course, it removes their main food supplier, and wood source, but how does it help them? You do realize this moronic, idiotic, ill-thought out plan of yours is not just affecting Surda, but also the Varden? You do realize that I, as leader of the Varden, can up and leave without warning, and leave you virtually defenseless against the empire?"

Orrin was red in the face with fury. "I was told," he said, low and ferocious, "that by restricting trade, Islanzadí would be cut off from copper, a valuable resource for them at this time. Therefore, she would be forced to assist Surda's economy."

Nasuada laughed, high and cold. "Think nothing of the Varden! Surda! Only Surda! At when I make decisions, I think of the impact on both of our kingdoms! And without me-!"

Orrin cut Nasuada off by storming out of the tent.

She let out a long breath, and just as she was about to go and eat, for it was well past noon, Jörmundur entered her tent.

"My lady, the cooks would like to report the absence of nutmeg, from the kitchens."

Nasuada groaned in exasperation. "It's the trade barriers Orrin's set up with the elves, blast the imbecile, Morgathal knows how long they've been up if the cooks have run out of nutmeg already," she complained, picking the first one of the numerous gods on her mind. "I don't know how to get the elves on our side, or at least to convince the queen to lend her warriors, and Orrin, being the rock head he is, is not helping one bit! All he does is undermine my venture to come to peace with the elves and have them join with us in plot to overthrow Galbatorix! Is there nothing I can do to make him see sense? I know he wants nothing less than to tear Galbatorix' throat out himself, as do I, but his ploys never cease to backfire!"

All the while Nasuada ranted, her most trusted guard and advisor stood silently, taking in every single word like his living breath. Finally, he said:

"There are many ways to influence Orrin's point of view, but I strongly suggest this: Flattery. I you agree with him, you can most certainly worm your way into changing his plans and getting your way for the Varden."

Nasuada crossed her arms. "Flatter Orrin? How?" She asked, surprised by the additional urging to use flattery.

"Just think of what you usually do persuade other to see things your way, my lady." Jörmundur bowed, and left her tent.

That was when Nasuada came to the decision to try with all her might to flatter Orrin. It couldn't be that difficult, could it?

There you have it :) I'm sure if I butchered anything, but if I did please tell me! And review! Don't forget that either. It's a little on the short side, I think, but the next one might be a smidge easier because it's from Arya's POV! *Excited Cheering* I'll have that one ASAP, probably tomorow or the next day! KEEP READING!

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