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War Meeting

I - Roran

Arya firmly placed her finger on top of the large map engraved into the wide stone table and pointed at the Southern Isles. From that, Roran immediately knew what everyone would talk about tonight. Veras.

"Veras is gathering strength there," Arya said. "He has bought himself indefinite time to thoroughly plan his next move."

Everyone leaned in. It had become routine during a meeting that Arya would get straight to the point. No one expected any introductions or pleasantries when she was serious.

"Aye," Orik said, springing up at the mention of war. "However, we know he would most likely strike at a Surdan port. Orrin assures me he has them heavily guarded should that happen."

Roran nodded. "My men made sure that Veras would never show his face in the north again. You can rule out the eastern ports to Palancar Valley, or even Teirm for that matter."

This caused Arya to sigh. "I understand your confidence Lord Roran. However, what your soldiers faced at The Spine was a brash Veras. The Veras that will re-emerge from the Southern Isles would have learnt from that mistake."

"Pointed ears is right," Nar Garzhvog said in his guttural voice. "The human traitor seems much surer of himself now. He's not the petty plunderer he was years ago."

Roran felt irritated at the compliments everyone was giving Veras. He remembered seeing that rebel in Surda during a court hearing. That day Veras had arrived to collect his brother Ralcum after he was cleared from conspiratorial charges against a Surdan lord. If only Roran had the foresight to choke both of them right then. "That filth," Roran said. "I'm surprised he survived this long. If we treat him more than a mere rebel we are only casting doubt into our own capabilities."

In all of this Nasuada looked down at her crossed hands. It was no secret that she was disappointed at how things unravelled in Alagaesia under her rule. Two bloody wars in just ten years was not how anyone here envisioned the post-Galbatorix era. Potentially, another war headed their way.

"Not knowing our enemy's full potential is more dangerous," Arya said. "Veras started out as a penniless beggar and within a year became one of the most influential figures in Surda. Not to mention he gathered an army of three thousand mercenaries shortly after that. Underestimating him like we underestimated our previous enemies is a mistake I cannot allow again."

"Aye," Nar Garzhvog said. "My clan shall not know me as lazy when dealing with my enemies. The same advice is for all of you in your clans as well. If Veras is a dying ember he needs to be in the right place to spark a fire."

"And that is what he is doing," Arya said. "He is planning something big. My contacts in Surda tell me a lot has gone quiet since Veras escaped. This can mean only one thing. He is gathering his supporters outside Surda for a major attack. We cannot know his plan because he understands the magical fluctuations caused by Eoam's floating crystal. He is manipulating that vast energy to cloak his affairs."

"Another war, then," Nasuada said, closing her eyes in chagrin.

Roran stood up, furious. How could the most powerful figures in Alagaesia not be able to stop a small band of rebels? He knew he was not the only one asking this question. Every citizen in Alagaesia was asking the exact thing. As long as this went unanswered the people would lose their confidence, and that would mean more rebellion to come. Where would Katrina, Ismira and Garron go then? Carvahall was their only home and Roran was too tired to start over.

"What if we force him out?" Roran said, stroking his beard while scanning the questioning looks in the room. "If we form a naval blockade around those islands we would essentially cast Veras into attrition, forcing him to surrender."

There were hints of nodding from Orik and Nar Gharzhvog. However, Arya and Nasuada seemed less convinced hardly reacting to his plan at all. What is it with queens these days?

Nasuada spoke. "This plan will utilise such resources which we do not have. Look at those islands." Nasuada tapped a finger on the map thrice. "Surrounding such a large stretch of ocean is impossible. We don't know which island he is on."

"Hold on," Orik said, raising a finger. "We can narrow it down, however. The whirlpool between Nia and Bierland makes it an impossible passage to cross. Thus Nia and the northeast of Beirland can be ruled out."

"Uden is too small for an army to grow," Nar Garzhvog added.

"That still leaves Parlim, Illium and the rest of Beirland," Nasuada said. "Setting a blockade around even one of the islands would require us to pool a large amount of resources. Three is impossible. Not to mention our naval capability is poor."

Roran cursed to himself. He sat back down in his seat, his fists whitening as he tightened them. If I ever catch a whiff of that bastard he'll have hell to pay in this life. "We cannot know how much resources we truly have until we form a pact to blockade Veras," Roran said. "Surely the races would be willing to do their utmost."

"That is overly optimistic," Nasuada said. "What you are suggesting is not simple. These races will not go to a war thousands of leagues away that does not affect them directly. As far as they are concerned humans should deal with human wars. It is only a matter of time before the races start to undermine the coalition we have set up. As much as I know Orik, Arya, and Nar Gharzhvog are willing to help, however, their belief is not shared entirely by their people."

"She is right," Arya said. "The social constricts that were present before Galbatorix's reign have reformed. Self-interests have become the prevalent concerns within each race."

Roran spoke. "If we cannot send a naval force then surely we can at least send scout ships there. If we know where Veras would be striking we'll be there to stop him before it happens."

"I tried that," Arya said. "The scouts either find nothing or they are killed. Veras has intelligence of where the scouts are and acts accordingly."

"Spies," Roran said in a low voice. He's infiltrated our military now?

Nasuada nodded. "They have spread throughout the empire."

"How could we have allowed him to amass such power right from under our feet?" Roran said.

"When Galbatorix died his closest followers remained loyal to his cause," Nasuada said. "These followers see Veras as their next leader and have formed a sick cult around him. These mercenaries they've hired are former soldiers of the Empire who've not been able to transition into normal life. So these former soldiers keep doing what they are trained to do."

"Sometimes when soldiers have no wars to fight they create their own," Arya said.

They remained silent for a moment allowing Roran to form his thoughts. There was this growing itch in his mind that he should take matters into his own hand. The only reason this fool has the upper hand is because he can predict and monitor our movements. We are too big to conceal our movements. But if Carvahall acted alone it could provide the small-scale circumstance needed to mount an effective surprise.

Orik broke the long silence. "What of the underground network in Dras-Leona? Have you managed to infiltrate it yet?"

"We have tried but there seems to be no progress," Nasuada said. "Those we have caught in relation to the network die instantly before divulging any information. Lady Trianna tells me that the magical trap is extremely sophisticated."

"Vermûnd was always careful," Orik said. "He wouldn't have created this network without making sure it was protected in every way."

"His clan is still supporting him after all he has done," Roran said. "Haven't they learnt that the riders are a blessing for this cursed land?"

"Hatred makes men blind Roran," Arya said. "Vermûnd always had a way to make people see what he wanted them to see."

"Once the magical incantation on his followers is cracked I will remove this rotten membrane from Dras-Leona forever," Nasuada said.

Roran shook his head. "We are in a perpetual state of secret wars. Is there any wise course of action we can take?" Everything we do to try and remedy these problems only enflames them, Roran thought to himself, thinking it better not to say it out loud. He didn't want the council thinking that he felt hopeless at the moment.

"For now, there isn't much that we can do." Arya said. "The Surda Games are fast approaching. Deploying large armies into Dras-Leona or the east coast would only cause panic. The people have suffered enough to earn this peace and we shouldn't undermine their confidence."

What peace? Roran wanted to say. One enemy rises after another. In the end there has only been an illusion of peace. Like tonight's feast…

"For now vigilance is our best course of action," Orik said. "Once the Surda Games end we should make a bigger effort militarily."

Roran smiled pitifully.

"Why do you smile?" asked Nar Garzhvog.

"I was wrong…you were wrong…we were all wrong," said Roran, pointing his finger at everyone in the room. "We thought that by defeating Galbatorix the chaos would end. Having this war meeting during a celebration is the irony that reflects this. The people outside don't know that we're celebrating a false victory."

Roran felt hypocritical. He felt he was deceiving his own people let alone his own family. Today should have been the day where he felt happy at his own children growing up but truly he felt more afraid for them now. What world was he leaving for them?

"I agree with Roran," Arya said, tapping her fingers on the table. Roran could sense the anger in her mood the same way he had it. "Defeating Galbatorix brought with it freedom but it also gave freedom to those who wish to do vile things. The fear of Galbatorix kept chaos at bay. No matter how much we disagree with his actions we have to admit his rule kept order in the land. With that gone cracks have formed. Cracks that we cannot fill. We can't rule by fear. It goes against everything we fought for. However, with moral decision comes consequences. Our enemies know this and use it against us."

"Speaking of which," Nasuada said. "Word has arrived that a mage rebellion is brewing within the Hadarac Desert."

"Wait," Roran said. "Didn't Field Marshal Däthedr and Lady Trianna put an end to Trishant and her brother Arcaso?"

"Däthedr and Trianna did indeed kill Arcaso at the fringe of Farthen Dûr," Nasuada said. "However, it seems Trishant survived that encounter. Now she seeks revenge for her brother's death. She has openly called for blood by sending me the heads of several of my soldiers."

"That should never have happened," Arya said, turning to Nasuada. "That war nearly ended us eight years ago, and all because you went against my advice of passing The Orders for Limitation into power."

"At the time it seemed the best course of action," Nasuada said, matching Arya's glare in intensity. "It was the only way to restrict a single person from having absolute authority on magic. This law prevented another Galbatorix."

"And instead you brought a crippling war," Arya said. "That victory at the edge of Farthen Dûr was pyrrhic."

"If I could change what I did then, I would," Nasuada said. "I certainly didn't ask for a war."

Arya seemed like she wanted to say something more but she stopped herself. Instead she sighed as if noticing that arguing with Nasuada was only making things worse. "What's done is done," Arya said. "The thing to do now is to prevent this Hadarac rebellion from spreading out."

Nasuada nodded. "Lady Trianna and Mage Faelyn are using all their resources to prevent Trishant and her supporters from amassing magical power. Her rebels would be crippled in their efforts to recreate the previous war, I am sure of it."

"Trianna and Mage Faelyn are powerful no doubt," Roran said, his heart racing at the thought of what he was about to say next. "But…um…we need my cousin Eragon to return." All faces turned to him except for Arya who seemed indifferent to what he had said.

Roran nonetheless continued. "By what you have told me about Alagaesia, it seems the time is right for Eragon to return and issue a measure of order in the land."

He nearly jumped off his seat as a loud thump reverberated through the room. Nasuada had banged the table hard. For the first time in many years Roran saw genuine anger in her eyes causing a slight chill in his body.

"Eragon, you say," Nasuada said. "Where has he been for the last ten years when we needed him the most? When the mage rebels were close to Ilirea, where was Eragon? When Carvahall was sieged, where was Eragon? When rebels burned down a dozen villages in the north killing hundreds of innocents, where was Eragon? I asked him for help each time and he refused. I begged in my heart for him to return. I even prayed for it. But he did not return. So many lives were lost; good people, good soldiers. Friends don't leave you when you need them the most."

"Are you saying he turned his back on us?" Roran said. Just the mere thought of it caused him enough outrage to want to hammer this whole castle into rubble. What has happened to you Eragon?

"Look around you Roran," Nasuada said. "The world we know is falling apart. I think it's time we leave the heroes of the past in the past, and look to fix the future ourselves. I've wasted enough time on wishful thinking. I would also advise you to be pragmatic now. Eragon is not returning"

Orik held Roran down by his shoulder before he had a chance to retort. He saw betrayal in Orik's expression as well. This whole unity you worked for Eragon has fallen apart because of you.

The rest of the session was spent in silence before Arya stood up from her chair shortly followed by Nasuada. Arya smiled towards Roran. "I thank you for your hospitality Roran, but I have to return to Du Weldenvarden and Nasuada must return to Ilirea. We have important duties to perform."

"Aye," said Orik, also rising from his chair, "Alagaesia needs us to be strong if we are to ever bring peace to the land. Anyway, kings and queens can only celebrate for so long, eh?" Orik smiled but Roran did not return it.

Normally Roran would have asked them to stay longer but he was too tired to prolong the night. He needed distance to think. He needed distance to think about Eragon.

Outside, the night was silent. The people had returned to their homes and the only sounds which could be heard were the distant hooting of owls. Fírnen rose from his slumber as Arya, Nasuada and Roran approached him. Orik and Nar Garzhvog mounted their steeds and rode down to the city square where their personal guards waited to accompany them home.

As Nasuada mounted Fírnen Arya turned to Roran. She leaned close to his right ear. "I do not ask you to lose hope, Roran Stronghammer. However, Angela has never cast a fortune that has not come true. For those who defy their own destiny have never existed in Alagaesia. Eragon's destiny is not here, it's in Drovengard."

With that she climbed onto Fírnen and flew off into the dark swirling clouds, leaving Roran with a deep sense of loss.

He entered the great hall of his mansion, completely devoid of the energy he had starting today's proceedings. Katrina joined him as he walked up the stairs, her hands wrapped around his left arm.

"Are you alright, my love?" Katrina said.

"No," Roran said quietly. "But I don't want to talk about it."

Arya's parting words troubled him greatly. He knew she had not meant to hurt him but instead open his eyes to the cruel truth of destiny. The world now seemed empty, like the night sky void of any stars.