Uru'baen was teeming with visitors once they had arrived and Aliana could honestly say she hadn't seen a more diverse crowd in the capital. Urgals, elves, dwarves, humans, dragons, werecats and a lone Shade. K'aeligh was the topic of interest for a while and he politely answered everyone's questions, but soon the conversation died down as Nasuada held up a hand.

"If I could have everyone's attention, please? Thank you. As the leader of the Varden, I would like to introduce you all. First we have Arya, who is taking her mother Queen Islanzadí's place due to the queen's death in battle and she is representing the elves. Eragon and Sapphira are representing Riders and dragons, though they have insisted I mention we obviously have other capable Riders and dragons here. King Orik speaks for all dwarves and we are pleased to have our commrade back with us. Nar Garzvhog, Otvek, Khagra and their blood brothers preside as the collective representation for the Urgals. Grimrr Halfpaw king of the werecats is with us as well, which is a rare honor. And for the first time in history, we have K'aeligh who has come to represent the Shades. We are here to discuss what should be done now that Galbatorix has been defeated. Every race has had a king or leader of some kind for as long as anyone can remember, going back to the first records ever written. Still, after all that has transpired under Galbatorix's reign it may be time to consider new form of government."

"We dwarves have elected our leaders for many centuries, giving voice to our people so that there is not as much dissention." Orik stated with pride.

K'aeligh inclined his head. "Shades have a similar process. When we first established ourselves, a leader's position was won through battle and that made our beginning very chaotic. A great deal of blood was spilt before a council was formed and we all mutually decided voting was a much easier way to establish peace and who was in charge. During Galbatorix's reign, we had a figurehead while the council was the real power. Now members of the council decide who speaks on behalf of everyone without the pretense of a figurehead."

"But without a leader, how can a council be set up? There would be much bickering about who would be better suited for the job and soon that would dissolve into war." Arya pointed out. "After all, it's not as if there's been a democracy here since the fall of the Riders."

"While Urgals have always battled for their positions, I cannot see the wisdom of of humans doing the same. You would destroy each other." Garzvhog intoned gravely.

Nasuada was silent for a while as she considered their words. "You haven't said anything, Lady Aerin. You were a prominent person here in the castle for quite a long time, what do you think?"

"Your victory today won't be viewed as such by those given power by Galbatorix, for not many outside these walls have seen his true nature. These people are influential and still hold sway among the common folk and all they have to do is make it sound like you're worse than their previous monarch and it won't matter what you do for them, they will only view your actions as a trap of some kind. Rebellions will rise up and it wouldn't take very long for a hostile takeover to undo all you have strived to achieve. If you wish to maintain order, you must approach those with status and gain their alliance by offering positions and properties their greed would refuse to let them ignore."

"Bargain with friends of the enemy?" Roran snorted. "I hope you're joking."

"Your enemy is dead." Aerin's tone was as cold as ice and just as treacherous. "And overlooking those who can seriously hurt you is not something I would advise."

"She's right." Eragon interjected before anyone else could say anything. "Besides, they're people just like us and deserve a chance to be part of something new."

Nasuada nodded. "I agree. I will need your insight so we know who to approach and in what way, Lady Aerin."

Aerin was silent for a moment. "Lord Dayton should be first, his family used to own the land Uru'baen now stands on. He will agree to meet with you out of curiosity, but getting his support won't be easy. He is quite wealthy as the former steward of the kingdom's vault, so promises of riches will not sway him. Letting him keep the land he was given as a gift by Galbatorix would peak his interest certainly, for I'm sure he assumes you will try to get it back considering the fact that it is a large chunk of the countryside on the outskirts of the city formerly used by the Riders outside the city as training grounds."

"Eragon?"

"That's fine. Sapphira and I have decided it best if we don't reestablish the Riders here in Uru'baen anyway. We promised the Elundarí we'd protect the dragon eggs till they hatch for their Riders, though we still need to figure out where to train when that does start happening."

"There's always the Hadarac Desert." Murtagh put in. "But I don't know if anyone would be too thrilled about training in scorching heat and freezing cold, even if it would be good for acclimation."

That is the ancestral home of the dragons, we want them to feel like they can return...if there are any still alive. Sapphira sounded sad and looked down at the ground as Eragon touched her neck. If not, then perhaps one day it can be where the children of us bonded dragons can go.

"There is an old base in Du Weldenvarden from before Queen Dellanir cast out the Riders because she was displeased they included humans among their ranks. Technically all the Riders would need is another queen's permission." Oromis looked meaningfully at Arya.

Arya inclined her head. "As current acting queen, I revoke Dellanir's exile of the Riders so they may have a place to learn and live until such time they deem to do so elsewhere."

"That settles one issue, but hardly resolves the other. Even if we meet with these powerful people Lady Aerin suggests, someone needs to represent what we are trying to uphold." Orik pointed out. "Someone who would be seen as non-partisan."

"In times of old that would have been a Rider, but I'm afraid all of us here would be viewed as partisan."

Aliana thought about what Oromis had told her when they met on how she would make an excellent Rider, but she didn't have a dragon and Dayton knew that. "Not necessarily, Murtagh. Lord Dayton hasn't met Oromis-elda and Glaedr and they weren't known members of the Varden or allied with Galbatorix."

"You are very wise, Aliana." Nasuada smiled. "I think we have found our emissaries, if they are willing to accept."

Glaedr exchanged glances with Oromis and made a sound similar to a purr. We will. You know Nasuada, I think we don't need an election as long as you lead.

The room erupted into applause as everyone else agreed.