I feel so happy that I updated in such a timely fashion! I already had it typed up, so it was really easy...
Reviewers... you are amazing! Thank you so much for your thoughts and encouragement, and I am so glad you enjoy my story so much! You are what keeps me posting and writing, really. As a writer, you always wonder if people are going to like what you write and you wonder if it's really worth it. And I know writing this story is worth it! So Thanks again ;)
I really hope everyone enjoys this chapter as much as I do. I had so much fun writing this and racked my brain for ideas. I had a lot of help putting it all together. So, enjoy! It's getting close to the climax! I'm so excited!
Disclaimer: I do not own anything of the Inheritance Cycle.
A very sleepy Raya collapsed into a chair at the table in their room, blinking blearily due to the rays of sunlight pouring through the open windows.
Sasha was lacing up her boots, looking like Raya felt.
The trouble with staying up so late, Raya thought, is that you have to get up again.
She looked around as her eyes became accustomed to the light, and it took her fuzzy brain a minute to realize something was missing in the room.
"Hey, Sasha."
Sasha looked up, and Raya almost laughed. Her cousin's makeup had smeared around her eyes, and her usually pristine hair was tangled and ratty due to the amount of hair spray that had been applied the day before.
"Yeah?" She asked shortly, looking back down at her boots to tie the last knot.
She was not a morning person.
"Where's Taya?"
Sasha groaned and sat up. "I have no idea. I hope she came back last night. If she did, I sure didn't hear her."
"I think she came back… I could swear she came back. But where is she now?
Roran Stronghammer walked quickly away from his and Katrina's quarters, grinning like a fool.
His thoughts were on the banquet, and his eyes twinkled. It had been a good evening, without any unwanted distractions to the celebration, and he only wished something like that could happen more often.
His first destination that morning was where the villagers of Carvahall were camped. He needed to talk with Horst and the other leaders of the village, about some things that had come up the night before.
Roran's path took him past the many workstations of the different craftsman, and he exchanged a few helloes. Not many people were around that morning, even though it was not very early.
Next he passed by the sparring fields, and what he saw there startled him.
"No no no, if you hold your sword like that it leaves your whole left side exposed, unless you can swing your defense around fast enough with a simple twist, like this. The easiest way is not to do that at all and try to get back into the rhythm… There! Perfect!"
Lady Rider Corsallen was sparring with Baldor, and it seemed to be more of a lesson than a spar. A few people idled around the area, watching, one of whom was Nolfavrell, one of the more mature Carvahall boys. What he could be doing at the sparring fields at this hour, away from his protective mother, was a mystery to him… except Taya Corsallen was an enchanting person to watch…
Roran watched Taya carefully, and in the first few minutes of watching, he knew she was good. Granted, he already knew she was good because he'd seen her fight Murtagh, but there was something more graceful about the way she taught and tested Baldor. The few times Roran got a look at her face, he did not detect an ounce of fatigue, which surprised him.
Taya's green eyes moved with practiced intensity and she blocked and parried Baldor's every move with ease. She was dressed in plain brown leather boots, an ankle length black skirt which looked to be made out of some sort of stretchy fabric, and a 3-quarter-length sleeve light blue button down shirt. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail and the long red/gold tresses whipped around her as she moved. Even though she fought in a skirt, it didn't seem to deter her.
The sword she wielded moved like an extension of her arm, much like when he saw Eragon fight. Her movements were fluid and practiced, and as he watched she held up a finger and in slow motion showed Baldor the move she had just used to deflect his thought-to-be well aimed strike.
Captivated by the two's spar, Roran leaned up against a hitching post to watch. It was clear to him, Roran, that Taya Corsallen wouldn't let someone unknowingly kill himself, and that she was willing to bring herself down to someone like Baldor's level told Roran she wasn't one of those people who thought themselves to be all high and mighty.
This was something he thought was priceless. She also had the ability to teach well, which he knew most people could not do, at least not well.
"Roran!"
Stronghammer turned to the voice of his brother, who was walking towards him. The rider was outfitted for sparring in loose brown pants, black boots and an off white tunic. His magnificent sword was buckled to his waist, and its hilt shown brightly in the sunlight.
"Eragon! It is good to see you." The two clapped each other on the back, and then Eragon's attention was diverted to the field when they both heard Taya's sudden, excited shout.
"You got it! That is exactly what you were supposed to do."
"Thank you, Lady Corsallen." Baldor himself sounded excited, or very proud of himself.
"I think that is enough, for now. Let's end it on a good note. Whoever has been teaching you before has done a fine job of it, and you handle a blade quite well, Baldor."
"Thank You."
Taya lifted her hand into the air in what looked like a salute, and Baldor looked at her, as if asking her what he should do. Her face fell.
"You slap my hand. High five? Good job? Oh boy…"
Baldor reached up slightly and slapped her hand, drawing a grin from Taya.
"Just like that. Maybe there's hope for you people yet." She lowered her hand. "It's like a victory shout, but with a partner and using your hands instead of your voices, obviously. Funny you've never done it."
"We do it differently, I guess."
"Grip each other's arms or something?"
"Exactly that."
"Hmm, interesting. I always took that to be a sign of farewell or a greeting. Well, you learn something new every day! Come on; let's let someone else use our sparring space."
Baldor then caught sight of Roran and Eragon, and pointed them out to her. The two walked over to them and exchanged their helloes and good mornings.
"I can't believe you are awake this early, Taya. You didn't leave the banquet until after most everyone else." Eragon commented when he could.
Taya merely shrugged. "True, I didn't get to sleep until very late. But I woke up on my own, raring to go, so I came out here to start off my day right. Baldor came along and I asked if he'd like to spar a little, and he said yes. As we started, I then realized I would beat him in the blink of an eye, so I then asked if I could teach him something to help defend one of my attacks and it went on from there." She clapped Baldor on the shoulder. "He's a swordsman in the making."
Baldor colored slightly, not knowing what to say and if he should say anything.
"Are you up for another round?" Eragon asked her, motioning with a hand to the empty field.
Taya's eyes sparkled. "I think so. The question is, are you up for it?"
Eragon remembered clearly her fight against Murtagh and how she had defeated him so easily. But she had the advantage of surprise and she knew what Murtagh could do, whereas she knew nothing of Eragon's ability or style of fighting. That gave him an advantage. She was human, and he was a half-elf. He was fairly certain he could beat her, but he knew he must proceed with caution and not under-estimate her. It was obvious to him that she had learned the art of sword fighting from an early age.
"We will find out." He said calmly, and the two riders walked onto the field.
Eragon discarded his sheath and dulled his blade, and he guessed Taya had already done so to hers for her spar with Baldor.
He didn't want it to be a long match, and he didn't want to send her away with too many bruises. He also knew he couldn't go easy on her.
"A short match, then?" Taya asked softly, settling into a ready stance.
"Agreed. Are you ready?"
"Yes."
Eragon went into his starting stance and said calmly,
"The let's begin."
First, they circled.
"Do you think it'll be a short spar?" Baldor asked Roran. The latter shook his head. "I have no idea. They are both very good. They will call it off when they are ready, and perhaps they just want to see just how good the other is. Whatever the case may be, I am going to watch. This is going to be interesting."
Taya feinted and back pedaled as Eragon struck out, and she nearly caught him on the shin as she struck from the side. It was Eragon's turn to back pedal, and he was watching her more carefully than before.
She was quick, and he could tell she was devious.
He moved in, watching how she moved, how she stepped, at what height her sword stayed at when she moved. She was good, alright.
Now he had to show her how good he was.
They circled again.
"Dang, you are good!" Eragon exclaimed after Taya flicked her sword to his neck.
"You're not too bad yourself, Eragon." She commented dryly, her eyes on the blade inches from her own neck. "I'd have to say that was the most interesting and complicated spar I have ever had. I had to think like an elf, and the only elves I know are Vanira and Arya, and I don't know either very well."
"I saw you fight Murtagh, and so I thought I could beat you because I knew how you fought. Was that a misconception or what?"
They both laughed and lowered their swords.
"So, I guess we both exceeded each other's expectations." Taya said. She was breathing fairly hard, and was glad to see Eragon was as well. She'd had the advantage in the beginning because she was warmed up and he was not. That advantage didn't last long, however, and it certainly didn't stop him from keeping her on her toes.
Her hours and hours of training with the Hljodhr Evarinya had paid off in the spar.
She was actually totally exhausted and she knew if she'd gone on for another few minutes she would have been beaten badly by her fellow rider.
She also knew if she sat down she wouldn't be able to get up again.
Corsent Solenta had taken its toll on her body and her agility, and she was still in the process of recovering.
Taya had a feeling the only reason she'd tied with Eragon was because he thought he knew what she would do and that he had the advantage. At the second she saw her opening he must've seen his opening and so the spar ended, leaving them both more appreciative of the other's skills.
"That was what I call a spar." A deep voice rumbled from behind them, and the two riders turned to see a man with incredibly thick arms and a hairy jerkin. The broad two-handed sworn at his side seemed to fit him perfectly, Taya thought, and the man obviously knew something of fighting.
The big man bowed to her slightly.
"Good morning, Lady Rider. I was wondering when you would grace the field with your presence."
Taya raised an eyebrow and bowed slightly back, saying,
"I beg your pardon good sir, but I do not have the pleasure of knowing you, though it seems you know me." Taya watched as a huge grin spread across the man's face, and she noticed Eragon was smiling as well.
"Who does not know the new Dragon Rider? I am Frederick, Lady Rider. I am in charge of the weapons here. I helped Eragon find a sword, when he was in need of one." Frederick eyed the male rider. "It is a pity that falchion shattered, but under the power of a half-elven Dragon Rider, I can see why it did. That is why you riders have special swords, and so people like me do not have to keep giving you new weapons when the previous one shatters into a million pieces."
Taya looked at Eragon's perplexed look. "I can see that there is an interesting story behind this. I will have to hear it, someday. Well met, Frederick. And please, call me Taya. I think I will be getting enough 'Lady Rider' as it is. So, you enjoyed our friendly little spar?"
Frederick took in the growing bruise on Eragon's cheekbone and the sizeable welt on Taya's forehead, and their other little souvenirs and he couldn't help but laugh.
"I did, at that. It was the best spar I have seen since Eragon and Lady Arya had their fight in Farthen Dur. And that was before he was… changed."
Taya cast a glance at Eragon, suddenly wondering. How had he been changed? The story had never come up, and she realized now how little she knew of him besides the tidbits Murtagh had given her and the little things she'd picked up since being in Eragon's company.
"Well, I am open to any advice you'd see fit to give me." Taya commented, almost eagerly.
Frederick eyed her. Most proficient swordsman disliked advice, and rarely ever welcomed it or asked for it. Perhaps she was open to any kind of improvement. He liked that.
"Sometime you must spar with me, Taya. I may be able to give you a piece of advice here and there.
"I would greatly enjoy sparring with you sometime, Frederick."
Both men looked at her in surprise, and she had to smile.
"I know a man who is just as solid as you are, Frederick, and we sparred together frequently. His two-handed sword was a menace. He is a good fighter."
"At that then, I don't see any harm in it."
"But perhaps another day?" Taya asked quickly. Her voice, which had risen in pitch slightly, caused the big man to laugh.
"Of course. I am at your service, Taya, whenever you are free."
Whenever I'm free… yeah, that's the tricky part.
Of course it is tricky. When is being a rider of a dragon like me ever anything but tricky?
Well well well! Good morning Kabarak!
Good Morning Taya dear. Sleepy yet?
Getting there, getting there, but I won't let Vanira win our bet that easily!
One thing I never would have figured you to enjoy so much… gambling.
I only gamble when the stakes are in my favor and I have really nothing to lose. And be quiet. It's just between the two of us… unless you bet something with Saphira…
Of course we bet something. We had nothing better to do, since our riders were busy sparring.
Oh, so you bet this morning instead of last night. Now who's the one gambling?
Shush, you'll ruin the moment!
What moment?
The moment when both of us are being gamblers.
Oh, shut up Kabarak! The dragon laughed heartily at her indignant outburst. So what did you bet?
A meal. The loser would catch.
Aww, how sweet. All I have to do if I lose is let her see one memory of my past in Uru'baen. It has to be something important to where we are now, and something she hasn't seen before. She's obviously trying to piece some things together.
That is an interesting bet. It also applies to her if she loses, correct?
Of course. What kind of a gambler would I be if I let her bet something else if she lost? Anyways, that's why I can't lose.
Ahh, I see now.
Did you see our spar just now?
Yes, we did. You were magnificent, of course, though to me it was obvious you were…are exhausted. Why don't you meet me somewhere and rest up a bit?
Hey! You know what my schedule today is like! My next stop has to be Du Vangr Gata.
No, your next stop has to be breakfast. Kabarak's voice was stern. You will pass out if you don't eat anything. And we can't have you pass out in front of Du Vangr Gata. Saphira is bringing the breakfast idea up to Eragon this very minute, so he can suggest it.
Should we invite Arya? Taya teased, causing the dragon the chuckle.
That was cold, Taya. Cold.
Sorry. You don't have to tell Saphira I said that.
I won't, but I am sure something along those lines was running through her mind.
Mhmm. You two are—
Go no further, my dear rider, before you make a fool of yourself!
Ooh, touchy touchy! You are most certainly right.
About what?
Being your rider istricky!
"Well, I will let you get to your duties. But, Taya, if you ever do have time, I think it would be beneficial if you would spar against some of the other soldiers, as you did with Baldor?"
"I would enjoy it very much. I'll be here whenever I possibly can, Frederick. You have my word."
The riders watched as the big man walked away, and once he was out of earshot Eragon grinned over at her.
"You sure make friends easily. But, Kabarak told me through Saphira that you have yet to eat, so before I have you meet the spell-casters, we'll stop by the kitchens. Is that good?"
Traitor. She snarled at Kabarak.
The dragon had the nerve to laugh. I couldn't afford to let you starve yourself. And besides, you already knew Saphira was bringing food up to Eragon.
Meh.
Deal with it, Taya. I've got to look out for you.
"Alright alright! Let's go!"
Surprised by her eagerness, Eragon shrugged and they walked back over to Roran and Baldor, where he buckled his sheath and sword back on. He looked over at the two as he did so and asked,
"Would you two like to join us for some food?"
"No, I have something I must discuss with Horst and the other Carvahall leaders."
"And I need to get to our shop and help Albriech."
"Conspiring against us, aren't you?" Taya chided. She took Eragon by the arm and steered him back towards the castle.
"We'll just have to enjoy ourselves without them. Goodbye boys!"
Eragon cocked an eyebrow at her. She was incredible. And confusing.
Breakfast was quick, and Eragon continued to be blown away by his fellow rider. She ate quickly, talked little, and squirmed when Eragon was still eating after she had finished.
"What is your problem today?" He asked incredulously. "I would have thought after last night you'd be exhausted."
"I need to get things done! I can't dawdle around all day. I have to show… well, I have to get used to everything and everyone so I might as well not waste any time." She stared pointedly at his food, and Eragon took the last bite. The sentence she had cut herself off at. She had to show… what?
She has to show everyone why she's here and what is going to happen and what she can really do.
Saphira finished for him, her tone smug.
How do you figure that?
Kabarak.
Ahh. What else has he told you about her?
Nothing. He's like a closed book about her unless she says something he thinks merits an explanation. He is saying now that she is so tired she's running on reserve energy. If she stops moving for even a few minutes she'll undoubtedly fall asleep. You might want to oblige her so you don't have to carry her around, or try to wake her up.
Right then.
"Ok, I'm ready." He stood, and Taya leapt from her chair.
"It's about time!"
He could've laughed, the way she said it sounded like she was a five year old.
Eragon was surprised by her countenance as they made their way to where Du Vangr Gata was. Instead of being active and hyper like she had been at lunch, she seemed to mellow out and get contemplative. Eragon hardly got six words out of her. The dragons met them and walked to the magicians section with them, as the area was open enough for the two as long as they didn't move their tails and they walked close together.
With Kabarak close by, Taya found she was able to think better. She calmed down, something due to the soothing energy coming from the dragon through their link. She planned her whole course of action once she met Du Vangr Gata, and she had Eragon tell her the names of the spell-casters and what their parts in the group were. Taya could tell by the way he talked about them that he had taught them much and had helped them improve. He also explained the connection he had helped them form, with their leader and point being the woman named Trianna. Eragon explained how Trianna was slightly touchy when the subject of command and leadership was brought up.
What he failed to say was where she, Taya, fit into the picture, something which made Taya bristle slightly. Of all things she could not be last on the totem pole, but she had a growing suspicion that that was where she was going to be placed. It rankled her to be thought of as 'the rookie'.
The tented off area seemed foreboding from afar, and Taya stood a little straighter as they came within sight of the entrance. Vanira Dacoryn waited there, standing silently as if she wasn't there.
I would be on my guard. Kabarak suddenly commented. I have a strange feeling about this. Some things Eragon said cause me to wonder just what this Trianna woman is like. It is good, I think, that Vanira is here.
That makes both of us. Stay close?
I'm not going anywhere. He growled softly, and Eragon looked sharply over at him.
"What is it?" He asked softly, strengthening the guard around his mind, but he received no answer, as the two were watching their destination warily. Cautious now, as he knew Dragon's had much better senses than even elves, Eragon stepped forward.
"Trianna?" His voice carried, and a woman appeared through the entrance. She was dressed in black robes, and her hair was dark, along with her eyes.
"Shadeslayer." She greeted, not unkindly. Her voice was smooth and soft, reserved, and Taya took her to be a fair magician… with a limited temper.
"We have been expecting you." The woman, Trianna, continued. Eragon nodded.
"That is good."
"Our connections to one another are quite strong. We are all gaining confidence, in all that we do." Trianna's eyes flickered to Taya, and only the female rider caught the spark akin to jealousy that flashed across her face. Those dark eyes moved purposefully away from Taya, back to Eragon, and the energy that radiated off of her was thick with distaste.
"You have come to teach us more?" She asked Eragon calmly, now ignoring Taya.
"I have."
Taya's waterfall like voice was firm and said just as calmly as Trianna had spoken. Again the spell-casters eyes flickered to her and her haughty reply chilled Taya's rising anger.
"Oh, well then."
Eragon's surprise was evident as the two women faced each other. Taya's green eyes flashed menacingly and Trianna's dark ones glowered at her.
"I'm not your enemy, Trianna. In fact, I want to keep you alive. Only, if you cross me as my enemy, I will kill you." Her eyes narrowed. "And I will not think twice before I do."
Shock rippled through the air, and Eragon gaped at her. Of all things to say…
There was nothing funny about Taya Corsallen at that moment. It would have been hard to recognize her as the energized young woman from earlier. Her burning green eyes seemed to pierce the sorceress's mind, and her figure seemed to command their respect.
As Trianna stared into her eyes she felt as if she was being engulfed in flames. Her barriers flew up, but even where they were the strongest the flames kept coming. Burned, she looked away from those eyes and was astonished when the heat subsided. She looked sharply back up at Taya Corsallen, her astonishment overriding her shock and jealousy.
If you cross me as my enemy, I will kill you.
"We came to introduce Du Vangr Gata to Lady Rider Taya Corsallen and Kabarak Authamir." Eragon stepped in hastily, stepping forward and slightly between the two women. "Taya knows much about the Empire's magical abilities and as she is a rider, she and Kabarak need to be introduced to our communication link. She is also proficient with magic, and we could all learn something from her."
"Du Vangr Gata would be… honored… to learn from another skilled magician. Our duty is to keep others and ourselves alive. .. It would be beneath us to refuse any means to help us achieve that goal."
Trianna's earlier spite had diminished greatly, allowing her to be wary of the new and unknown Lady Rider. Her neck still prickled from the strange heat… There was something about this woman, and something told her she was quite powerful, and dangerous. Trianna was smart enough to realize this, and take her threat seriously.
Only now, Taya's smile was genuine, and the strange fire in her eyes had disappeared, leaving her looking like a normal human.
"Kabarak and I are honored to aid and work beside Du Vangr Gata."
Trianna noticed she did not say she'd 'help' Du Vangr Gata. She said 'aid', which made it seem much less like she thought they were puny little magicians in great need of her… help.
She nodded and motioned them to follow. Vanira fell into step beside Taya, saying nothing as they entered the tented area where Du Vangr Gata practiced their abilities.
The dragons easily lifted their heads above the wall, and looked down at them from there.
The magicians, roughly 30 to 40 in all, were all standing in a group and all bowed as Eragon and Taya entered. Their numbers greatly shocked Taya, because it seemed like there were so few…
Eragon had a triumphant smile on his face, and Taya could only puzzle about his expression. Why was he smiling?
When he didn't say anything, she almost rolled her eyes, but stepped forward.
"My name is Taya Corsallen. I am the new rider, and Kabarak Authamir is my dragon. I am greatly honored to meet you all, and have come here to teach you things that will allow you to defeat most magicians of the empire, and also keep you and those you protect alive longer. Any objections?"
No one replied, and Taya looked at each of their expressions. All seemed attentive, but there seemed to be something else going on. Annoyed, she leaned back on one foot, crossing her arms in an imposing manner. Expressions changed.
"First of all, open your minds slightly, just enough for me to say hello and for you to get used to Kabarak and my presence. Eragon and Trianna have hinted you have been developing mental communication. The Empire's magicians, in practice and battle, only use their minds to communicate. None of them are powerful enough not to verbalize their spells, but they are far from incompetent… I assume you all remember the Twins?"
The atmosphere darkened considerably.
"I thought so. No other magicians of the Empire are like they were. Ruthless, yes; small minded and self centered, not so much."
Taya reached out with her minds, as did Kabarak, and they touched the mental barriers of each magician in turn, together and separately, and then all of them at the same time. Eragon and Trianna, who were included in their test, had to wonder at what she was getting at.
Good, all of you. Taya's voice reverberated through all their minds together, connected to each person. A few people panicked and withdrew from her, but oddly enough it was as if Taya's mind moved with theirs.
Tsk task. Don't do that. You must get used to my mind right now, and my voice. To all she said,
Your mental connection to one another is good, but far from outstanding. The first test will be everyone trying to black me from their minds, individually. If you cannot, relay that through your link to your fellow spell-casters.
You want us to let everyone know if we fail?Someone interrupted.
Correct. Our companions, in the event something like this was to happen in battle, need to know who failed and who succeeded.
One by one they tried. First they were tentative, and when Taya didn't budge, they tried harder and harder.
A few managed to block her when she decided they were giving it their all and weren't too bad. But a good portion of them had no strength and gained no ground in blocking her.
When Trianna's turn came, she was met by a wall of steel. Her every trick failed against Taya Corsallen, and she found she could not block the rider. Physically she started breathing hard as she strained, until Taya's voice startled her and broke her concentration.
"Trianna, enough."
She stopped her attempts to block Taya's presence in her mind and stared at the rider, red hot anger coloring her cheeks. Taya merely shook her head.
Some of you have failed. Some of you have succeeded. Those who succeeded were those who gave it all they had and did not believe they could block someone as powerful as me. Those who failed were those who expected they could block me.
Now, use your connection to one another and block me. All of you together at once.
They banded together with such strength and ferocity to push Taya away, so she gave in willingly and started clapping. All, even in just a minute of blocking her and pushing her away, were breathing extremely hard.
"So you see," Taya said softly, "Together you succeeded; you have strength. Without one another, and alone, you failed miserably; you are weak."
A few of them looked as though they'd accomplished the greatest thing in the world, and Taya's next words crashed down harshly on them.
"You all fail."
"What?" Trianna was beside herself with anger, as were others. "How did we fail when we succeeded in blocking you? In pushing you away? There is no sense in what you say."
Taya stared evenly at her.
"If one magician of the empire invaded one of your minds, you, the individual, would die very quickly. As a group you are strong. By yourselves you are weak. Does that not make sense? Let me make myself crystal clear. Without each other you would die. I am here to keep you alive by teaching each of you how to become stronger individually, so you can easily overpower you opponents alone and keep yourselves alive at the same time."
Surprise flickered across their faces, and this caused Taya to grin ever so slightly.
They never thought of it that way. She commented to Kabarak.
Their goal was to be united. Anything else seemed like a distraction. He replied wisely.
Eragon was astounded. Taya handled herself like a queen, and when Trianna had rudely questioned her, she had kept her composure. From the beginning she had let Trianna know she was a force to be reckoned with, and the way she was handling Du Vangr Gata impressed him greatly. Taya meant every word she said… he could feel it.
"Now," Taya said brightly. "You know each others strengths, so you are going to do what I just did, in pairs. One will try to invade, one will try to block. Do not use your mental connection. Act like your partner is your greatest enemy. Just please don't hurt anybody! I will be watching you all, so try your hardest. Do not act like wimps."
Eragon frowned, until he felt Taya's mind faintly brush his. The magician's paired and it was fascinating to watch them struggle against one another.
Taya crossed her arms, smiling contentedly. This was what she wanted. Her eyes flickered to Trianna, and her smile faltered. That woman… Taya thought she understood not to mess with the rider, but Trianna had pride and did not like yet another person to come and have another piece of her power, and her rule over Du Vangr Gata. She was its true leader, and Eragon was her boss.
The female rider sighed heavily. Change was not easy, for anyone. Only, it felt like there was no place for her here. Everything seemed trimmed and right, and then she came along and messed everything up.
She knew if she was in Trianna's place she would feel much the same way. So, what was she going to do?
"Where is she!" Sasha nearly yelled in frustration. Raya practically glared at her cousin. The older girl had led Raya on a wild goose chase around the castle and around the Varden camp, and although it was only a little after lunch, she was already dead on her feet and starving.
"I don't know, Sasha!" She said miserably, wanting to fall into a chair and stay there. "But wherever she is I'm sure she isn't looking as frantically for us as we are for her. I am two steps away from abandoning you and going to get lunch."
"You can't leave me to search alone!" Her cousin cried indignantly.
"Watch me." Raya watched as Sasha's face screwed up.
"Fine, fine. Lunch it is. You win."
Raya grinned. Sasha broke down so easily for her… She'd believe almost anything Raya told her, and do almost anything for her. The younger cousin knew Sasha was just as hungry as she was, so there was really nothing to swaying her decision.
As they were walking, they watched people. Some people stared at them while some averted their eyes, but most smiled and exchanged helloes.
Lunch was delayed for a bit because they entered into a conversation with a very interesting older man, who was so talkative they hardly managed to get away, and by then the two were beyond starving.
"Gosh, do you think anybody doesn't know who we are?" Raya exclaimed as they sat down as a table with their food. Sasha nodded.
"I know what you mean," She ate some of her food, and once she swallowed, she continued her sentence, "but I think I'll like it here…" She trailed off, her eyes looking past Raya and her face went a shade whiter than it already was.
"What? Sasha?"
"Raya, what would you say if I told you Colt Silwona was in this very room?"
Raya froze. "You mean the Colt Silwona, as in the Colt Silwona who we met in Dras'Leona… the Colt Silwona who, with his brother, is a part of the military of Dras'leona? The Colt Silwona who supports and fights for the Empire! That Colt Silwona?"
Sasha's expression was grim. "That Colt Silwona. We need to find Taya."
In the mean time, while Raya and Sasha finished their meal and snuck out of the room without Colt Silwona, for it was him, see them, Taya and Eragon were walking with Saphira and Kabarak around the outskirts of the camp and Eragon was talking their ears off about what he learned from Oromis and Glaedr. He'd said something that Taya thought he implied he had an Eldunari, which they believed could only be the Heart of Hearts of the dragon Glaedr.
"So, we know that you can fight." Eragon was saying, "And we know you can use magic, or at least you can use your mind extremely well. I don't know how good you are with the Ancient Language and magic itself."
"Are you saying you want a demonstration?" Taya asked him bluntly. She appreciated what he was telling her about being a rider, but when it came down to what she could do, that was a different story.
"I have this feeling you are one of those people who only uses magic when it is absolutely necessary."
"Wrong." She grinned at the look on his face. "I usually do not use magic anyways. I have to wonder, though, because didn't you get a demonstration when I fought Murtagh?
Eragon hesitated.
"What." Taya didn't get it. Why did they doubt her magical skills after that?
"You won against Murtagh, yes. That was something none of us believed you could do. Heck, you had died. You seem to be learned in magic, but you've only done extraordinary magic. I don't know how well you know it or how you know it. Does that make any sense?"
"So you are saying that because you don't know how I learned magic and you don't know how good I am at the basics, you can't judge my talent by the harder things I've preformed?"
Once she thought about it, it began to make a little sense. A little… but not really.
Eragon nodded. He was glad she knew what he meant.
"Well," Taya laughed, relieved, "That's easy! I'll start talking in the Ancient Language, just to please you, and you can tell me what you want me to do."
"Why not? Start with fire." Eragon started speaking in the other language, wondering how well she knew it.
Taya grinned. "Brisingr." She held out her hand, closed, and when she opened it there was a little flame, flickering in her palm. She directed it away from them and then looked back at Eragon.
"Break."
"Jierda." Taya directed her attention to a tent, and one of the wooden stands snapped. Before Eragon could tell her to mend it, she'd done it.
For over an hour Eragon talked to her in the Ancient Language and she preformed the different spells he asked her to. Saphira took Kabarak into the sky and worked him on drills, to test his flying abilities.
Taya was distracted more than once when Saphira was teaching something really interesting to Kabarak and Eragon had to snap her back to reality. She would do what he asked, and she'd hear him talking, but her attention was split between Eragon and what she was doing and the dragons. Eventually Eragon asked her what was causing her to space out, and she replied,
"Saphira was drilling Kabarak on different ways to counter being caught in violent wind thermals and other violent storms. Sorry, Eragon."
"So you're listening to what Saphira's teaching Kabarak as you and I are working on all this?"
"Err, yes. We always do, unless we tell each other to go away."
"Then you've already mastered one of the most important arts of a rider and dragon." He looked totally perplexed. "It took Saphira and me a lot longer to do that..."
"I did this exact same thing back in Uru'baen with the Hljodhr's. We all communicated, much like Du Vangr Gata, and no matter where they were everybody listened to what someone else was teaching or being taught, or the different conversations from meetings somewhere else in the castle. It was really handy. But then some of the guys would continue doing it when we didn't want them to… it made life funny."
"Well, ok then. That was one thing I never thought to bring up. So, now what?"
"Why are you asking me? You're the lead rider. I'm just the follower. You're also the teacher."
"Right."
After a minute of silence, Taya caught sight of someone running towards them and said,
"I think you're saved, Eragon. Here comes Jarsha."
Eragon turned to look and sure enough the Varden messenger boy was galloping towards them, his expression clearly telling them he was relieved to see them.
"Hello, Jarsha!" Eragon greeted the boy as he skidded to a stop in front of them. "What brings you after us?"
"Lady Nasuada, Shadeslayer! She's calling together a council and requests that you and Lady Rider Corsallen be there at once!"
"What is the meeting about, Jarsha?" Taya queried, a strange pounding growing in her head. She hoped she wasn't going to get an ear splitting headache right during the climax of the day.
"She said the Empire's army was seen on the march. That's all she said to me."
Taya looked sharply at Eragon. "So soon? They couldn't have traveled as fast as we did. Even if Murtagh aimed to hit Lithgow, they wouldn't make it there for another week or more!"
Eragon nodded in agreement, and then said to Jarsha.
"We will go straight there, Jarsha. Thank you."
The messenger boy bowed to them and scampered away. The two riders looked at one another and took off back towards the castle.
"Taya!"
She and Eragon looked over in time to see Raya jumping up and down and waving frantically at them. They altered their course towards the two.
"Thank goodness we found you!" Sasha was gasping for air. "Taya, we have to tell you something! It's-"
"Not now! Lady Nasuada's called a council meeting and I'm sure you two are supposed to be there too!"
"But its-"
"Come on!"
The two had no other choice but to follow the riders, who had to slow their pace so they could keep up.
Kabarak and Saphira had heard the message through their riders and were heading towards the castle at full speed.
"Did… the messenger… happen… to say what… was so… urgent?" Raya gasped out as they made it to the castle. The guards let them past without a word and without slowing them down.
"Someone spotted Murtagh's army." Taya replied grimly.
"What?" Sasha exclaimed. "They shouldn't be… anywhere close!"
"That's what we thought." Eragon interjected. "But we don't know when and where the spy was when he saw the army. That's what we'll find out from the council meeting."
"No, we were urgently called to a council meeting to hear that someone found a new and rare species of mushroom." Taya commented sarcastically, drawing a puzzled look from Eragon.
"Forget I said anything." She grumbled, shaking her head. She would have to get used to Eragon's lack of humor and his habit of stating the obvious.
As they went through the castle, they ended up running into Vanira.
"Well, fancy seeing you here, Vanira." Taya teased, grinning at her friend.
"Oh, I know! This meeting was totally by chance. Have you fallen asleep yet?"
"Do you know anything more than we do?" Eragon asked the elf, cutting off Taya's smart come-back to the elf's teasing joke. Taya narrowed her eyes at her fellow rider.
"Well, Arya will join us at the doors to the council room." "That is good. But do you know anything about the empire's army?"
"Eragon, I know as much as you do. We will figure out what is really going on once we get into the council room and Nasuada kindly explains all this sudden commotion."
The way she said it implied that there was something else going on, and not just a sighting of Murtagh's army, which was in itself urgent and enough to cause people to panic.
True to what Vanira told them, Arya met them at the doors, and upon them questioning her the found out that she knew no more than the rest of them. A few other high ranked officials walked by them and into the room.
This looks like a council of war, not just a regular council meeting to discuss a threat. Do you think Lady Nasuada took what I said to heart?
There's only one way to find out. I'm sure if she did, she'd mention it in the council.
How could Murtagh have gotten his army here this quickly!
You are asking me? The dragon scoffed, but added his two cents worth. I doubt he could move an army that quickly under normal circumstances, no.
Then what the blazes is this all about?
Stop asking me and get inside that room! The suspense is killing me, as are your questions!
Taya grumbled as Eragon opened the door to let the ladies through,
The suspense is killing you? You've got to be joking, Kabarak. You hardly seem phased by all of this.
Be quiet! You're entering the council room. Act like you want to be there, and maybe you'll find out what's going on more quickly!
My my, he is impatient after all.
The group walked into the well lit room, which was occupied by a large group of people, all varying races. Almost all wore armor, and all were armed.
Many of the people Taya recognized from the banquet, though some she did not and most of them were the ones in full armor.
Lady Nasuada spotted them immediately and waved them over to her.
"Eragon, Taya, I'm glad Jarsha found you. Raya, Sasha, I'm glad you found them too. You had more luck than everyone else."
Taya looked over at Eragon and grinned when she saw he was blushing slightly. They hadn't planned on traveling so far from the castle, or people… except the business of riders was meant for riders alone and Eragon couldn't exactly question her and teach her around the average person. Well, he could, but that would be slightly awkward…
"So, Lady Nasuada, what is this all about?" She waved her hand around the room. "A council of war? So soon?"
"And a tally of our forces." Nasuada nodded. "And yes, someone did sight the army, but we are just glad to see it. They are not anywhere near striking distance as of this morning. I'll show you where it was seen on the map in a moment. I took Taya's suggestion to heart." The Varden leader stared straight into Taya's eyes, "That is an important topic that will be discussed here. For right now, if you'd all sit, we aren't exactly ready to start just yet. By the way, where is Sacar?"
Sasha paused in mod stride, and looked over at Raya, who's eyes grew to the size of saucers. "Well, um, we thought we'd let him sleep and we went to look for Taya… who we finally found." She glared at her sister, who smartly was looking the other way. "And since then we've been moving, so we never went back for him…"
"Why was it so urgent to find Taya?" Eragon asked.
"Well, you see, and this is what we HAVE to tell Taya, so Taya, list-"
"There you guys are!" Behind them the doors had opened again and revealed Sacar, his father and uncle, and Mavir Sevalla-Drayson.
"I was looking everywhere for you guys!" The teenager exclaimed, sounding relieved and exasperated as he walked up to them. "When I woke up and you didn't answer, because you were gone," He fixed Raya with a hard stare, and she turned bright red, "I set off to find you guys and well, I got lost until I ran into someone who told me how to get outside, and I got lost again."
"I ended up finding him." Mavir said, smiling slightly. "I think he was glad to see someone he knew."
"I really was. So we met up with my father and uncle until we were called to this meeting."
"I'm sorry we left you, Sacar." Raya said sincerely. "Will you forgive me?"
"Only if you promise me one thing."
"Anything!"
"Well, in that case…"
She swatted him on the arm. "Be quiet! You know what I meant."
Sacar grinned at her. "Next time, or any other time, wake me up?"
Everyone laughed, and the teenage girl smiled brightly. "You got it."
"If you'd all find some seats? It is nearly time to start." Apparently Lady Nasuada had slipped away form the conversation, as she now appeared in front of the group, motioning to the long table in the center of the room. "I hate to break up this conversation, but it would be better if you sat. It might help people start winding down."
"Usually people wind up in council of war sessions, Lady Nasuada."
Nasuada smiled at Taya's sarcastic comment. "Very true, Taya. Well, we can at least try to act like civilized people. Don't make me make sitting down an order."
"An order? Goodness. Come on, gang, you heard the leader. Let's go sit." Taya saluted Nasuada, who nodded and went to sit in her spot at the head of the table by King Orrin. Raya and Sacar trooped off down the table to take some seats, and Sasha watched them go, her eyes narrowed.
"Well, I'm not going to let them go off by themselves." So she walked over to the teens and seated herself next to Sacar. Taya shook her head and went to sit beside Raya. Vanira did not sit, but stood against the wall where she could see everything and it was hard for everyone to see her.
Mavir went to sit beside his commander, a big burly man with a massive helmet set on the table before him.
Eragon and Arya took their seats closer to the front of the room, close to Lady Nasuada, King Orrin, Jormundar and the other Council of Elders and Orrin's staff.
Once everyone was seated, the meeting still did not begin. Nasuada and Orrin had their heads together, and whispered comments flew along the table. Everyone was restless, but the leaders seemed to be waiting for something, or someone.
After a few minutes of tense waiting, one of the generals whom Taya knew as General Var Anron, stood up and cleared his throat. All eyes turned to him and he asked in a clear, almost annoyed voice up the table to the leaders.
"Forgive my interruption, but can we not get on with this council? If we are to fight, and soon, then there is much to prepare for and it would be difficult to do by sitting here idly."
There were titters from people up and down the table, and Taya wasn't the only one who scowled at the general. But before Taya could say anything, Mavir's commander, the one with the helmet, stood and practically bellowed,
"Hold that foul tongue of yours Anron, and stop acting like you are so bloody important! You are bad enough when you mouth off to your fellow officers, but to our leaders… sit down before I sit you down!"
"Peace, General Gi'Vare. General Anron, I apologize for keeping you waiting, but a group of people who are very important to this meeting are on their way. We cannot begin without them, so please, sit down and be patient. You will find out what all this is about shortly."
Nasuada's quiet, polite and sharp rebuke made General Anron sit, though he glowered at the doors, as if willing them to open and reveal the latecomers. General Gi'Vare did not sit until Anron had, and he did so slowly.
Taya had realized the night before that Anron was going to be a very hard man to like. He was caught up in his own self-importance and 'power', if you could call it that, and to Taya's frustration he treated everybody as his underlings. The problem was that he was brilliant. Apparently his strategies were nearly fool-proof, and his ideas were smart and quite logical in a battle situation. His attitude was his biggest flaw.
Taya looked over at Gi'Vare, and gave him another look. She had yet to meet the man, but she thought she was going to like him very much. Mavir caught her eye and winked at her, causing her to smile.
She turned to Raya and Sasha, folding her hands on the table and asked,
"So, now that we are here and we've got a minute or two, what was it that you two wanted to tell me earlier?"
Sasha leaned forward closer to Taya so everyone wouldn't hear, and as she started to speak there was a loud knock and the doors to the room opened. Two grey glad soldiers walked in, helmets on, and Taya's mouth nearly dropped open in surprise as she instantly recognized two of the three men who entered after the solders.
As if on cue, the two soldiers removed their helmets and tucked them under their arms, and Taya turned to look at the surprised and sheepish faces of Raya and Sasha. The latter finished what she trying to say then in a whisper,
"Colt Silwona is here."
"Why didn't you tell me earlier!" Taya hissed, casting a quick glance at Colt and Dierik Silwona, and then at Lord Calveen Katzia and Sharac Katzia.
Sasha stared at her incredulously. "What? Now, wait a minute here! You never gave us a chance to tell you because you were in such a blasted hurry!"
"Whoa, hold up a sec. What's going on? I'm confused. When I'm in the middle of a war, I like to know what's going on!"
All three girls stared hard at Sacar, who shrank back in his chair, flabbergasted.
"Forget I said anything." He mumbled crossing his arms and letting them duke it out around and over him. Raya had to smile at his action. It was very smart.
"You know when I'm like that you just say the most important thing really loud like 'COLT SILWONA' and you'd have my attention faster than you could say 'war'."
"Who's Colt Silwona?" Sacar asked again, and then flinched but this time Sasha answered. "The soldier on the right with the jet black hair, you'll find out what is so flabbergasting to poor Taya in just a moment."
"Man, of all things, this was what I least expected…" Taya whispered to herself, watching Lord Katzia and Sharac. How utterly ironic that they should be here when Larel was probably not far away? Here when she was here?
All of a sudden she began to panic. Taya looked up and down the table frantically.
Only a dozen people in the room, not including the Katzia's, knew that she was the daughter of King Galbatorix… and those who did not hardly trusted her anyways. What is Calveen or Sharac recognized her? 'Princess!' would be the shocked exclamation she knew, and after that everything would be a lost cause. 'Princess?' She could just see Anron's infuriated astonishment… No, these other people didn't need to know about that part of her history.
So she fussed with her hair as Lady Nasuada and King Orrin stood and greeted the new arrivals, and the entourage was analyzed by everyone else in the room. Then Taya pressed a hand against her head and leaned on the chairs arm and tried to put a very bored expression on her face. She highly doubted she'd fool anyone.
Raya turned towards Taya, her mouth open to say something, and she had to clap her hands over her mouth to muffle her laugh. Her sister looked ridiculous! Raya knew what she was trying to do, but it was a pitiful attempt.
Taya saw her expression, and started laughing. The sisters leaned against each other as they laughed at Taya and this caused many odd and disapproving looks to be shot their way.
Taya straightened and wiped the smile off of her face when General Gi'Vare cleared his throat, and fixed the young ladies with an amused stare. Taya's panic subsided slightly, which enabled her to regain her composure and sit back in the chair regally and watch the proceedings of the… unexpected arrival of the Katzia's.
"Thank you, Lady Nasuada and King Orrin." Lord Calveen was saying as her attention fixed on them once more. Taya remembered the older man's voice well, but there was a certain tiredness in his voice now that caused her to blink. Calveen stood straight and tall before all the questioning glances, and he really did look the part of a lord… now. When he'd been a drunkard, it had been a different story. But now? Something was different… wrong.
"We encountered no opposition on our journey here, but I assume that is because Galbatorix has most of his attention on his next attack."
"I see. All of you, may I present Lord Calveen Katzia of Dras'leona, his son Sharac, and the general of his troops, General Otar Kyson. They chose to leave Galbatorix and aid us in his downfall by giving us intelligence on Galbatorix and his army, as we still do not believe Galbatorix knows of their defecting. Lord Katzia has also added ranks to our own army. We have much to thank him for." Lady Nasuada stared at everyone up and down the table, willing them to think well of the new arrivals.
Most of the people around the table nodded, but a few, including General Anron, frowned.
"We must hope very much that Galbatorix does not know about the defect." Anron growled. "Or an element of surprise will be lost that could be to our greatest advantage. But it is hard to tell a spy from all the rest."
There was a shocked pause when all were too shocked to reply, and only Taya caught the slight shift of Anron's eyes that caused her to slap her hands on the table and stand up in a fury.
"ENOUGH!"
Taya's shout reverberated throughout the room, startling everyone, and Anron stared at her coldly, but it was clear he had not expected her to be the one to contradict him, and certainly not in the manner she had.
Taya's voice was low and cold and her fiery green eyes bored into General Var Anron like hot emeralds. "Only a coward would say what you did, Anron. And those who speak with such a foul tongue as you… they are usually the ones hiding their double allegiances. Not all defects are spies, Anron, as you should know. If you ever speak of me being a spy again, I will not hesitate to defend my honor. It would be wise to take back what you said. You just insulted one person too many."
All present were shocked, most of all the Varden and Surdan leaders.
For a moment Taya had forgotten about the Katzia's. At that moment she cared about nothing but Anron.
The general did not move. That she could see into his very mind shook him. He had not thought anyone would have caught his double accusation and as his dislike for Taya Corsallen did not diminish, his wariness and respect for her grew.
"I have been accused of being a spy before, Lady. I can imagine I will be accused many more times." Lord Katzia's voice was soft and his statement caused Taya to break her gaze from Anron and turn her fiery stare onto Calveen. He started, suddenly taken aback and Taya replied just as coldly as before,
"Yet unlike you, Lord Katzia, I will not have anyone wrongly accuse my family or myself, especially as spies or traitors. I will not stand for it!"
"Sit." Nasuada's command came sharply, but cautiously. Taya remained standing, looking between Anron and Katzia.
"My sincerest apologies, Lady Rider." Anron spoke, his voice perfectly even, except for the slight hesitation before he spoke. "I had not expected my statement to be taken in such a way."
Taya nodded, seeming to agree with him. "I thought naught. Apology accepted." And she sat, slowly and with poise, and everyone watched her.
The room seemed to visibly relax. Only Nasuada seemed tense. She was staring at Taya as if expecting her to say something more. The rider clasped her hands on the table and stared back defiantly.
"Is there something else you'd like to say to Lord Katzia?" Nasuada enquired, and Taya kept her cool even though it sounded like Nasuada was talking to a child.
"Only that he knows from experience what I said is true." Taya replied simply.
Nasuada turned to Lord Katzia, who raised a hand to stop her from speaking. Nasuada frowned, but motioned to the empty chairs along the table.
"If you will sit, we shall begin."
As the three took their seats and the Silwona twins flanked their chairs, Taya was watching Sharac Katzia. He was taller, or seemed taller than the last time she had seen him, in Dras'leona. His face had lost all traces of baby fat and he was slim and lean, and strong.
His dark hair was longer, and his whole appearance told Taya that this was a different man than the one she'd known. He was strong, he was poised, and he was intelligent. She caught his eye as he sat down beside his father, and she was relieved to see that his eyes had not changed. She could still read them like a book.
He was watching her with a cool expression. She could tell he was trying to understand what she'd said to his father.
Calveen did not look back at her, but gave Lady Nasuada all this attention. He was far leaner than she remembered, and he had lost more of his black hair. He looked lordlier than ever, but there was still that strange feeling about him that wasn't right. She couldn't place it, but the feeling worried her.
"Now we can proceed. This morning one of our spies reported a small army in the Dauth territory, heading east. He lost sight of the army right before his eyes. So we know that there is some sort of magic surrounding the army, but it is faulty. His estimate was a couple thousand men altogether, most of them on foot but a few on horseback. He did not see the Red Rider." Nasuada's eyes paused on Taya as her eyes swept up and down the table.
"While it makes sense for them to attack Aberon, which would weaken our forces, a very reliable source told me that as they have lost the element of surprise it is likely they will move on Lithgow instead. Our forces there are not heavy there, so they have more of a chance, if slight, of taking the city. Does this sound plausible?"
There were murmurs, shaking and nodding heads. Then General Gi'Vare stood. All eyes shifted to him.
"Whoever your source was, Lady Nasuada has a good sense of battle tactics and an eye for advantages. While we cannot for sure know what is running through Galbatorix or the Red Rider's minds, attacking Lithgow now instead of Aberon would seem easy to them. No doubt they want us to think they would still be heading here, and so they would probably send a couple hundred men or so this way while the rest continued east. This in itself gives us an advantage, because we have at least an estimate of numbers when they think we do not."
General Anron nodded as Gi'Vare finished speaking. "My fellow general is correct. We do have that advantage."
"If we sent more troops to Lithgow, we would surely crush them once they tried to take the city." Another commander chimed in.
"But we must defend Aberon as well; in the case they do not strike Lithgow at all. They could be trying to make us think that they will steer away from Aberon for a smaller target. How would they know their cover is gone?" Someone else defended haughtily.
"One, they are not stupid." Taya drawled. "Two, Shadeslayer and his companions had a run in with the Red Rider near Dauth. Three, Kuntar Liastrin was held hostage by the Red Rider and a few well trained soldiers. There was talk about 'moving the army' and don't try to say that was to throw the Varden off. The Red Rider was going to kill Mr. Liastrin until he was stopped by one of his own men. After that and the Red Rider's meeting with Shadeslayer, there was no question their cover was blown."
"And you know this for sure?" The man was toeing the line, and everyone knew it.
"Lieutenant Scora, remember you are talking to a Rider. And remember she knows much more about the empire than you do." Lady Nasuada said casually, and Lieutenant Scora shut his mouth quickly. Nasuada turned her attention to Lord Katzia.
"Lord Katzia, what do you think?"
Calveen was watching Taya, who was succeeding in keeping her composure. To Nasuada's question it was General Kyson who replied.
"Forgive my interruption, milady. May I speak?"
"Of course, General." Nasuada sat back and let Kyson have their attention. He stood, and leaned his hands against the table. He was a powerfully built man, but not overly muscular. He was almost wiry in his build. Not exceptionally tall, his hair was a light brown that was cropped short but unruly in the front, and his eyes, slightly small, were a light blue and slightly foggy. He was not a very striking person, but Taya guessed that he was not a general for nothing. He reminded her slightly of Larton Zax, though the two men looked almost nothing alike.
"I served in Galbatorix's army for 20 of my 39 years. The empire's tactics I know well, or well enough, to get me through. Luckily I was already positioned with Lord Katzia when the Battle of the Burning Plains took place, so I was saved from that slaughter. I've fought the Varden a number of times and know you have good leaders. So this on-coming fight I can slightly piece together from my knowledge of both sides. I must agree with what one of the general's said earlier; whoever came to the conclusion that, since the Red Rider has clearly lost the element of surprise, that he will probably move on Lithgow instead, has a good sense of battle tactics. But he also has a fair knowledge about the empire's tactics. We, or they, have done that number before: switching attack strategies to keep from losing the all out advantage. Lithgow is strategically placed to where it would be a shorter march and if they made us think there were still hitting Aberon, they could take out Lithgow 'without a problem'."
"What we must realize though, is how did we know they were going to hit Aberon in the first place? Or what kinds of traps could we be walking into by believing they will attack Lithgow? What kind of destruction would occur if we believed that defending Lithgow is a trap and keep all the troops here, when Lithgow isn't a trap? I personally think the same thing as the general. They, the Red Rider, will send a couple hundred soldiers here, to Aberon, while the main force marches straight to Lithgow."
"Who was the one who came to the conclusion that the Red Rider might attack Lithgow?" Jormundar spoke for the first time. Most everyone looked towards where Eragon and Arya were sitting. The likely candidates, such as the generals Anron and Gi'Vare and Jormundar had already spoken without knowing who had said it.
Nasuada wondered at Jormundar slightly. Usually, when it came to such talks as these, he was a large part. But as people fought against one another, he remained silent.
Lord Calveen Katzia watched the woman rider from the corner of his eyes, having already a fair idea of who they were looking for. When he had entered he'd been ready for anything, even being called a spy… or he had thought he'd been ready for anything. He had not been ready for the fiery eyed, red haired beauty who took offense to words clearly, or unclearly, spoken to himself. But when he'd locked gazes with her, he saw the last person in the world he'd have thought to see.
Princess Taya Corsallen, daughter of King Galbatorix.
It had been a year or more since he had last seen the princess, and this young lady bore many resemblances to her, especially her eyes and her temper. He was even more surprised to learn that this young lady was the Dragon Rider.
The story he'd been told about Princess Corsallen's disappearance what that she had been kidnapped with the last dragon egg and died while trying to recapture the egg and escape back to Uru'baen.
He had not been able to contain his laughter once alone. The Princess? Taya? Trying to escape back to Uru'baen? He'd known her well enough to know that was not something she would do. Sharac had not thought so either.
Calveen could imagine her complying easily to her captors and being firmly locked in a cell, but the idea that the Varden would let their greatest enemies daughter go free was a whole different option he had not considered… and he'd certainly never figured the dragon hatching for her.
He could and could not see this fiery young woman being Taya Corsallen.
"That person would be me." Taya said casually, and the room went silent once again.
Now everything was thrown into a new perspective, as this revelation jarred the people who had doubted Taya to the fact that she did know what she was doing, and that she was smart.
"Shall we continue?" Nasuada asked, and everyone nodded.
"Alright, we need a battle plan… for both cities."
So, was it good?