Chapter 2

"That makes no sense what so ever!" Arya cried "send a human, send a Kull, send an elf if you must, your plan is ill thought out and reckless!"

Nasuada looked at Arya's face. Her mask was still on, but her voice had flown an octave higher. Arya was fuming. Nasuada kept her façade up as well even though she had a fair amount of respect for the elf and was stunned by her sudden ferociousness. She slowly looked from Eragon to Arya.

"Galbatorix has set up an unbelievable amount of guards on his castle, foot soldiers as well as spells. No walking, swimming or digging animal can get passed it and keep their life. However, my spies have noticed that because Thorn and Murtagh have to fly outside his wards to complete their 'duties', there are no wards to stop flying. Since Saphira is not prepared to take anyone without Eragon on her back, and once they are inside the guards, they can land a while before the castle without being spotted by the sentries, I see no problem in the matter," She proclaimed. She was lying out of her teeth. With Eragon everything could go wrong. He could attract danger anywhere, no doubt he could do it in a castle owned by a power-crazed rider with lord only knows how many 'hearts of hearts' to give him energy, not to mention two dragons and a whole group of soldiers that felt no pain.

Arya leapt on to her feet "you don't even believe that yourself!" she hissed. "I shall show you the floors in your plan and hope you take them in to account."

Eragon had stopped listening, he looked from the ground up to Saphira's massive head. Then he burst out laughing.

Puzzled the two girls stopped squabbling and turned to the grinning Eragon. There was no joy in his eyes. Just a realisation.

"It's funny how, you both speak as though I wasn't there," he pointed out "Nasuada wants me to creep into Galbatorix castle and steal the last egg, Arya wants me not too, Roran wants me to fight beside him…do I have no choice in the matter?"

Arya and Nasuada bowed their heads and stared at the floor.

"when do we leave?" he muttered softly and each word made Nasuada's chest throb. What had she done?

They were going to leave as soon as Belatona was captured.

Why did you choose nasuada's plan? Arya is right it's irresponsible! Saphira pestered him once again.

I sweared Fealty to Nasuada, and anyway, I'll be helping to save the dragons!

Even Saphira could not argue with that. She still was not pleased though. Dangerous, risky, thoughtless! She told him.

Eragon looked at his gedwëy ignasia. Then he knocked on the post of the tent he stood before.

Jeod's head appeared from inside the tent. The tent door covered the rest of his body and it looked rather ridiculous, ever the less, Eragon made do- and spoke to the head "Do you remember where the tunnels were? The ones that lead into Galbatorix castle?" he had not meant to be so straight forward, why was he here?

Jeod's head sighed and let go of the tarpaulin so that his body was visible. "Hello Eragon." He said instead of answering the question. He signalled Eragon to come in and offered him tea. Eragon shook his head determined not to get distracted. "The tunnels?" Jeod questioned after long last, seating himself opposite the crate Eragon was settled on. "They were sealed off as soon as Galbatorix found them, and I suggest you don't go looking for them either."

Eragon did his best to hide the disappointment. How was he meant get into the fortress now? Jeod must have noticed the look in Eragon's eye though "Eragon, what are you plotting now?"

Eragon peered out of the tent door at the setting sun. They were a good two hours away from Belatona, but Nasuada had ordered them to stop anyway. "I'm not supposed to say" he said through gritted teeth. How he wished he could talk to someone about it apart from…Arya. Saphira had already declared her judgement as a disapproving one. However, he feared the man's opinion would be a similar one. What was he doing?

Jeod breathed out noisily. "I'll draw you a map"