Disclaimer: I don't own the inheritance cycle.
"The Council wants to see us?" Mellary echoed the messenger who was standing on the floor of the dragon hold. She had been asleep when Embrald poked her awake with the tip of his tail and told her that there was someone on the floor of the hold wanting to talk to them.
Did you know about any Council? She asked Embrald as she rubbed sleep from her eyes. Her brain was still working to wake up.
No. But we better go anyway. Don't want to give the wrong impression.
Ugh. We're at the beck and call of the bureaucrats.
Mellary made them stop by the kitchen for a hot drink to wake her up before the messenger led them to a large, circular room. The dome overhead was painted with the night sky. It was so realistic that it made Mellary sigh silently with longing.
In the center of the room was a stone table with five people sitting on one end. Eragon and Saphira were sitting on the other. Mellary vaguely recognized one of the five people as the late leaders second in command.
The second nodded to the messenger, dismissing him. Mellary waited for the door to close before she opened her mouth. Her feet were planted and her arms were crossed in front of her chest.
"I would like to make four things abundantly clear. One, you have no power over me or Embrald. Two, I will not hesitate to walk out the door and never come back. Three, I have no knowledge of the people in play in your power games, so I can give no suggestions or support to whomever you have chosen." She looked from face to face, her hazel eyes locking on to each of them in turn.
"We understand that, Rider Mellary, and we will respect your statements."
"Thank you." Can we leave now? She silently asked Embrald.
No.
Mellary sighed and slid into one of the vacant seats.
The second thanked them for coming and introduced himself as Jormunder. He gave the names of the other council members as well.
"And what of the Twins? Are they not part of this Council?" Eragon asked. The Council collectively puffed out their chest in indignation. One of them began to give a heated reason why not.
"The Twins have betrayed the Varden." Mellary said quietly. Silence fell over the room.
"What did you say?" Sabrae, who had been ranting, asked.
"I doubt the Twins were ever here because they wished to support the Varden. When I chased the Urgals that attacked out hunting party my magic was blocked, combated by a joint power." She glanced at Eragon. "And that mist was not natural. The conditions were not right to produce fog."
"But there are Urgals who do have limited control over magic…" One of the members began. Mellary locked eyes with them.
"Urgal magic users are weak." They were no match for a Rider, much less one who had access to the power of the elven blood. "They could not have fought me like that."
"We are not here to discuss the Twins." Jomunder interrupted. He went on to give a long speech about how uncertain the future was for the Varden.
They are in a deep mess, aren't they? Embrald asked.
The y probably don't even care about that. It's all a power struggle. Who will gain and loose the most. Mellary snapped back.
You lost your faith in humanity a long time ago, didn't you?
NO, I lost my faith in politics a long time ago.
"… before we reveal who we have chosen, you must give us your word of honor that whether you agree or disagree with us, nothing of our discussion will leave this room." One of the councilors was demanding.
That's asking a lot on faith. On both sides. Mellary said skeptically. They don't know a single thing about me and they want my word of honor? And how do I know they won't use the secrecy for their own gain?
You'll have to give it anyway.
Does that mean I have to act like I care?
Yes. Besides, the other two found the loophole.
Oh, now they're thinking.
"Very well, you have my word." Eragon said.
"I give you my promise." Mellary echoed. Now who had the misfortune of fate to be chosen to lead this rabble?
Be nice.
No.
"We have chosen to support Nasuada." THe words obviously meant something to Eragon. He looked away, and Mellary could tell he was thinking hard. She sat silently, waiting for someone else to break the charged silence that had fallen over the room.
"Why not you, Jormunder?" He asked.
Stalling. Mellary said immediately.
For hating politics so much you have a good grasp of what's happening and what people aren't saying. Embrald said lightly. Mellary ignored the comment.
He gives a pretty good reason why he wouldn't be the good choice. Ho, if he only meant a single word of it…
"Does Nasuada have enough experience?" Eragon asked. Mellary straightened slightly. She would need to know about the person they were discussing if she was to give an opinion at all. The answer, though, was not reassuring.
A puppet. Poor, poor girl.
"We want you to attend the appointment, and to swear fealty to the Varden." One was saying. His eyes flickered to Mellary, but he didn't include her outright in the statement.
To the Varden, not to the leader. There's a big difference there. Mellary noted. Sly little wyverns.
Should we swear? Embrald asked.
Swearing would be tying us down to the Varden. We'd be required to come back and fight, no matter how much it may have changed since we took the oath. We'd be giving our power to the Varden, making it stronger. At the same time, we'd be choosing a side, we'd come out of the shadows and into the front light. Everyone would know we're here. Do we really want that? To be centerpieces in this? Do we really have a choice? The last sentance was whispered.
Can we get away with not swearing? He asked
It would make a scene if we didn't, especially if Eragon decides to. On the other hand, we haven't been here long, so not many people, civilians especially, know about us. We could get away with not swearing, especially if we talk to this Nasuada first, and hope she understands. So, final thoughts. To swear, or not to swear?
There was a few seconds of silence while they both thought it over.
No. Embrald and Mellary though simultaneously.
"… I could decide that my efforts would be best spent guiding the Varden myself." Was the next thing Mellary heard after their decision. She watched as the council tensed.
That was the wrong thing to say. Embrald noted. Mellary watched as the Council glanced at her as they gave their response. The silence was tense.
"I shall attend Nasuada's appointment." Eragon said suddenly.
Notice he didn't say anything about swearing to the Varden. Mellary said dryly. Now it's our turn. Do we want to go? That would require making a public appearance. People watching. Noticing. Connecting the ideas.
Let's see if we can avoid it for now, and make a decision later.
"As of the present, I will not be attending the appointment." Mellary said. The Council's eyes locked onto her like hunting cats.
"And may we inquire as to the reason why?" One of the women asked tensely.
"I have not met this person you wish to appoint; I know nothing about her. Before I can give support I must know who I am giving it to." Mellary said. I won't blindly follow your lead like you want me to.
Jomunder nodded. "Then there is only one matter left: Nasuada's acceptance."
To my dedicated readers (and those of you who are just peaking through)
It's November. Which means it's NaNoWriMo.
So you won't be hearing from me for the next 27 days. At least.
So i'm going to leave you with this little segment of sarcasm (which is really fun to write) and you can guess how she's going to react.
(If you get desperate, ch 4's been redone, so if i could get feedback on the new version it would be wonderful.)
And, as always, pleasepleaseplease review.