I'll Cover You

Nasuada was joined in her tent by Orrin, Jörmundur, Nar Garzhvog, Roran and Trianna. She had thought about having Trianna scry Islanzadí and Orik but she knew that neither of them would be exactly overjoyed to see Murtagh, not after the crimes he had committed against their races, so she decided to wait until they were certain of Murtagh's loyalty. It was still over an hour until she was supposed to meet with Murtagh, but Nasuada was already starting to feel nervous, she looked around at the other leaders and saw similar expressions on their faces. Trianna in particular looked rather pale, Nasuada couldn't blame her; after all with Eragon and his elven guards gone the responsibility of protecting them from enemy magicians, like Murtagh, fell to her and the Du Vrangr Gata. If Murtagh chose to attack the Du Vrangr would be the first people he targeted.

The officials sat in a nervous silence as time passed with agonising slowness. Nasuada glanced at a map of Alagaësia on her desk. She traced a line from where Murtagh had told her he was last night to Feinster. It is a long way, perhaps I didn't give him enough time, she thought, but he has Thorn... She realised she didn't really know how fast a dragon could travel.

Finally, after what seemed to Nasuada to be a whole life time had passed, Murtagh's face appeared in the scrying mirror. Nasuada's heart fluttered momentarily but she ignored all her feelings promising herself that tonight she would act like a proper leader, not a nervous young girl like the night before. Still as she looked into the mirror she found it difficult. Murtagh too it seemed was making an effort to act more dignified than he had last night. His serious face was once again set in a calm, confident expression that he had worn so often in Farthen Dûr. Nasuada couldn't help but admire the way he held himself so confidently around those with power. Nasuada shook herself, she was off to a bad start but she wasn't about to break the promise she had made herself just yet.

"Hello Murtagh, it's good to see you again," she said strongly. The others all jumped, none of them had noticed Murtagh's appearance.
"It's good to see you too Lady Nasuada," Murtagh said confidently, bowing his head respectively. His eyes darted about the others in the tent, Nasuada realised he wouldn't have recognised most of them.

"Murtagh, this is King Orrin of Surda, Jörmundur, I don't know if you remember but he was a trusted adviser to my father and now to me, Nar Garzhvog, chief of the urgals, Trianna, leader of the Du Vrangr Gata and Commander Roran Stronghammer, whom I'm sure you've heard off".

Murtagh nodded to each one in turn his eyes resting on Roran with a look of curiosity. Nasuada couldn't help but feel a little disappointed when Roran returned his long-lost cousins gaze with a furious glare, so much for a happy family reunion.

"I must apologise for changing the arrangements of our meeting Murtagh, however I think it was necessary," Nasuada lied not wanting to give the impression that she was ever pushed about by others. Nasuada expected Murtagh to respond with a passive aggressive comment about her not trusting him and perhaps a little speech about how he was always being blamed for others actions.

She was however surprised when he answered, "not at all Lady Nasuada, after all I haven't given the Varden a great deal of reason to trust me. I am truly sorry for my actions and I know that I can never make up for what I've done, but I'm willing to try".

Nasuada tried to hide her smile at his words. Still his response did surprise her, it must have been a result of him changing his true name she realised, I wonder how else he has changed.

Jörmundur spoke up for the first time, "for now we'll be happy with you proving your alliance".

Murtagh nodded, "of course, what would you have me do?"

Nasuada beckoned Trianna forward, "Murtagh as I said before this is Trianna leader of the Du Vrangr Gata. The Du Vrangr Gata are..."

"The Varden's little magic club, yeah I remember."

Before she could stop herself Nasuada started giggling, partly because of Murtagh's description of The Du Vrangr Gata and partly because of the outraged look on

Trianna's face. Quickly she put one hand over her mouth and bit her lip trying to suppress the giggles. When she was confident she could speak again Nasuada continued as if nothing had happened.

"We would like you to swear to Trianna in the ancient language that you were forced into Galbatorix's service and that you are now free and wish to aid the Varden," she said avoiding looking directly at Murtagh in case she started laughing again.

"As you wish," Murtagh said with a slight smirk, then he turned to Trianna and started speaking in the ancient language. Although she didn't understand a word he was saying Nasuada couldn't help but marvel at the fluency in which he seemed to speak. He didn't stumble over any words as Nasuada had noticed a lot among the Du Vrangr Gata do, and more importantly he was speaking without being stopped for lying.

When he was finished Murtagh turned back and looked at Nasuada with a smile on his face. Nasuada turned to Trianna.

"He is telling the truth," Trianna said.

Nasuada turned back towards the mirror smiling with relief and happiness. "Great, now that we have that sorted I suggest we meet here tomorrow to discuss what is going to happen next, this situation is going to take a lot of handling".

Nar Garzhvog cut her off before she could say anything else, "wait! You're going to trust him just like that! When we came to the Varden our minds were searched extensively surely you are going to do the same thing with him?"

Before Nasuada could reply Orrin jumped in, "I agree; I would certainly sleep a lot better if he consented to have his mind searched, we could go out now and Trianna could do it".

Nasuada looked at Murtagh expecting him to argue and categorically refuse but was surprised again when he simply looked at her waiting for her decision.
"No," Nasuada said firmly, "If you insist on Murtagh having his mind searched then we will have to wait for Eragon to return".

"Why?" Roran asked angrily, "you don't even know how far away Eragon is!"

"Because," Nasuada said fighting to maintain her composure, "it is possible that Murtagh has access to information that should only be known to dragon riders".

Nasuada glanced at Murtagh, he was staring at her with a look of curiosity but otherwise gave no indication that he knew what she was talking about.

When no one argued, Nasuada once again dismissed everybody while holding her hand out and mouthing "stay," to Murtagh. This time after a quick goodnight everybody reluctantly left her tent.

"You know Lady Nasuada, I'm not a trained dog," Murtagh said as soon as they were alone.

Nasuada laughed, "I don't know, you do follow simple commands quite well, thank you for staying".

Murtagh smiled, "My pleasure. You know don't you?"

"Know what?"

"Information that should only be known to dragon riders," Murtagh mimicked her.

"Well I always knew that you could never defeat my rider without a lot of help," Nasuada said jokingly. Murtagh feigned a look of hurt. Nasuada giggled in response.

"Where are you?" she asked.

"Just outside Feinster like you told me, why?"

"Where exactly are you?" Nasuada asked ignoring the question.

"We are down on the beach, why?"

"Because I want to see you".

"Are you mad Nasuada? You're the leader of the Varden, you can't go wondering around in the dark alone".

"I will be fine after all I'll have a dragon rider to protect me," Nasuada said. Before he could argue she slipped out the secret entrance designed for Elva, evaded her guards and was heading towards the beach.