I was able to get this chapter out sooner than I thought I would. This chapter will take place just before the Battle of the burning plains.
Eragon and Arya were standing around a table in Nasuada's tent. Her father had been seriously injured during an assassination attempt 3 months ago. Since it was believed he would not be able to continue as the Varden leader, Nasuada had been elected.
They were now at the Burning Plains waiting on the Empire's army that was marching towards them. The Varden along with the soldiers of Surda were camped next to the Jeit river. Orik and several of his clan were also there to help. King Hrothgar and the rest of the dwarfs would join them later, but nobody knew when they would arrive.
Eragon looked around the table at all those that were there. King Orrin and a few advisers, Lord Dathedr as Islanzadi's ambassador, Orik, Jormundur and a couple of his captains that Eragon recognized. Nasuada and Orin were arguing about who should lead the joint armies in battle.
Beside him Arya was getting annoyed. Even Blodhgarm who was there as Eragon and Arya's guard, was getting annoyed.
Eragon finally had enough. "Nasuada and King Orin." They both stopped arguing and looked towards him. "It seems that we need someone that has experience in leading men in battle. Right now, the only senior commander with any experience is Jormundar.
He was Ajhad's senior military commander. He has led several raids against the Empire over the years. Your Majesty, while your generals are very capable, they themselves have not lead attacks against the Empire.
Have Jormundar be the military leader. Select one of your most capable Commander your Majesty to be his second in command. We still have several days till the Empire is to believe to be here. The two armies should adjust easily since the two had train together for months. We will just have a new commander.
The two of you are really good at leading your people but neither of you have any military experience. You need to set the goals that the joint forces need to meet but let your military leaders decide how best to do it.
Arguing will not free the lands. Only by working together can we win this war. We will need not just those that are here now but others if we are to win. If you cannot show a united front, then others will not want to join up.
Saphira and Firnin have also told me that they have seen a large group of Urgals heading our way and should be here in another day. I also hope that the Werecats also come out and join us. We need to put our differences aside."
Both leaders looked at the other and apologized. Nasuada turned to Eragon. "My apologies Eragon."
King Orrin also apologized but didn't look happy about it. "I know before Ajhad's injuries it was decided he would lead the joint military and his absence has caused some confusion. We all in this tent are leaders and we need to remember that everyone in this camp depends on us working together."
Orrin spoke "You are right Rider Eragon. Let us put our differences aside and see how we can bring this conflict to a quick end."
Everyone agreed and they set about planning for the battle. It took a couple hours, and they would meet the next day to make sure nothing needed to be changed.
The plan was that Orrin and his Calvery would attack from the west along with the Urgals if they joined as Eragon believed. Eragon and Arya would be at the center of the Varden's line. Till the empire arrived they could not say when they would attack or if they would have to be defensive. If the dwarfs arrived before the battle started, they would need to rearrange troop positions. I they arrived after it started then they would need to be sent where they were most needed.
E/A
The Dragon Wing had finally made it to the mouth of the Jeit River. They would need to sail a few hours to reach the Surda city of Dauth. Once there they would unload all those that did not want to go on to where the Varden were.
Brom had got word that the Varden were camped a few days upriver. They were preparing to meet a large force from the Empire.
Garrow and Horst were watching as the ship started up the river. "It is good to be getting close to our destination. I can't wait to get off this ship." Garrow commented.
"It will be nice, but it looks like we may see some fighting soon when we reach the end. Elain is worried. Not just for me but our sons and your boys too and you of course. How is Selena setting back in with the village?"
"Fine. She and I have had a couple talks that ended in words. She has also spoke with Roran, Katrina and your boys to hear more about Eragon. I believe she even went flying with Brom so they could talk as well."
"While Elain is glad her friend is alive and back, she is also not happy with Selena. It will take time for their friendship to fully heal."
"Aye, Though Elain may have some computation on being angary at Selena. As protective as Arya was while the two were staying with us, it would not Suprise me if she will not be guarded around my sister.
That's not to speak of Eragon. I believe there is more than him needing time before speaking to his mother. My sister is going to have to work to regain her son's trust.
Eragon is normally quick to forgive but he would not even tell Selena who he was. So, Selena will need to work hard if she wants to be in Eragon's life."
They stopped talking when they heard footsteps approach. Seeing it was their sons they relaxed. Neither wanted Selena to learn the truth by accident.
E/A
The next morning Eragon called a council of the leaders. Even Queen Islanzadi was present via a mirror. The only one that could not be reached was King Hrothgar. That was believed because he was marching at the time.
Eragon decided to speak "A few months ago we did something that has never been done in the entire of our history. We all came together and made a pac. Not only to bring down Galbatorix but to form better relations between the races.
We all know we will all not agree with the others, but we also agreed, that was fine. When, we as leaders disagree, we need to keep it between us. The people we represent need to see a united front. They need to trust their leaders. Acting like a bunch of children will not accomplish this.
Yesterday, Lady Nasuada you started taking control. You went as far as to insist you take the position of military commander. Even though you have no experience. You are the newest leader here. Yes, your father has been preparing to take control of the Varden should he fall, and you have the most troops at present but that does not give you the right to start telling the other leaders what they should do.
It didn't help that King Orrin started getting angary which caused things to escalate. While I agree with what you said your Majesty, I think we should have paused the meeting and the 3 of us speak privately."
Surprisingly it was Orrin that spoke up first. "You are right. We all have to hold ourselves to a higher standard. I thank you Lord Eragon for stepping in yesterday. I believe the solution is the best one we could come up with.
We have our strengths and weaknesses. As long as we continue to work together that our strengths will overlap enough that as a group, we have no weakness.
While I am not the commander that Jormundur is, I would like to lead the carvery and the Urgals if they join us during the battle."
Islanzadi spoke, "Wise words your Majesty. Together we can overcome more together then separately."
Nasuada spoke, "I would like to apologize for my actions. I can only say in my enthusiasm and that I am new to my position has led me to offend others. It was not my intensions.
I agree that Orrin you should lead the Calvery, you understand mounted warfare better than the rest of us. I would like to offer myself as commander of the soldiers on foot with Jormundur as overall commander. I am assuming Eragon you will still be leading Arya, your dragons and the elves placed under your command on the front line and in the center?"
"Yes, we hoping to draw the most of the Empire's attention. Also, if Murtagh arrives Saphira and I will confront him while Arya, Firnin and the elves hold the line."
"Eragon, will you try to capture the red rider or kill him?" Islanzadi asked.
"For the moment my hope is to drive him off if he shows. We don't have the strength to hold him while he is still a name slave to Galbatorix. I'm not sure what Thor will do. I would like to keep from having to kill him and Thor if all possible. Though in the end if he cannot be saved or doesn't want to be, Saphira and I will kill the pair."
A short time later the meeting ended. All the leaders had things to take care of.
E/A
Eragon was sitting outside his tent with Arya. They were not talking about anything in particular when a runner arrived and informed the pair that the Urgals had arrived under a white flag.
Nasuada had asked the pair to come to her tent. She was also sending for King Orrin and Orik.
When they appeared, the front of the tent had been opened with 5 chairs placed next to each other. Nasuada explain that Orrin and herself had talked and decided that Eragon should take the center seat with Lord Dathedr and King Orrin on his right with Orik and herself on his left.
She told him that it was he that brought the races together and had helped maintain the peace between them all. He was also the one who was responsible for the Urgals being here.
Eragon agreed. Behind the leaders they would have others of importance and some of their guards. Some of their other guards would stand off to the side. Both dragons laid down on either side of the tent. With Blodhgarm's elves split between the two dragons. Blodhgarm, himself would be standing beside Arya, behind Eragon's chair.
The Varden soldiers along with King Orrin's men lined up. Leaving a path between them, for the Urgal representative a path to walk to meet the leaders of the combine army.
Eragon watched Nar Garzhvog walk up the path with his head held high. Some other soldiers started to yell insults till some of the commanders started quieted them down. Also, Saphire let out a roar of her displeasure at the soldiers. This kept the rest quiet.
E/A
Nar Garzhvog was not surprised by some of the insults. What surprised him was that others shouted down those that were yelling insults at him. He smiled when the great dragon Saphira roared ending any yelling still going on. No one with any intelligence would anger a dragon.
When he got closer, he saw Eragon sitting in the center of a line of chairs. He was surprised see an elf and a dwarf sitting next to him with two humans he assumed were the human leaders sitting next to them.
When he stood before them, he let out a bellow in greeting. He was not surprised Eragon stood and greeted him with a sign of respect.
E/A
"Nar Garzhvog, I would like to welcome you and your rams." Eragon Greeted.
"Thank you Firesword. It is gratifying to see that you are just not one of words that you back them up with actions."
While most didn't not understand what the Urgal meant, Eragon did. "As I promised. I told you when I visited your tribe that I will see all the races come together and that even the Urgals would be welcomed."
"While I stand by what I said, I believe that peace can be possible. Because of this I have brought 400 Kull with me from my tribe and 3 others, who have agreed to help."
"We welcome any help you can provide. If you will join myself and the other leaders, we can discuss what you would like for your help. You may have your Kull setup on the east side of our camp."
"I will join you if you can ask your mate to let my second Torak know of where we can set up our camp."
Eragon turned towards Arya who nodded to him she would do it. All the leaders rose and took up positions around the table.
Once they were all situated Jormundur had the tent closed. He then took his place as military commander. Eragon asked him to inform Nar Garzhvog of the battle plan they came up with.
Once that was done Eragon informed the Urgal Warchief of the decision the council had come up with in regard to the lands to be granted the Urgals. Nar Garzhvog was surprised they had already granted the Urgals land once the war was over. He graciously accepted on behalf of his people. He told them this just reinforces is belief that aided the other races was the right decision to make.
They were just finishing up when a runner entered the tent. He informed all of them that the Empire was here. All the leaders headed to the berms surrounding the alliance's camp.
Once they all stood on top of the berms so they could see, all of them except Eragon were surprised of the size of the army they now faced.
So, the next chapter will be the battle. I changed things up a lot. In the books it has Nasuada taking over and pretty much disregarding Orrin. Here she try's the same thing but Eragon points out that they were all equal and should be treated as such. I believe the biggest reason that Orrin was like he was by book four was because Nasuada did not treat him right. With Eragon insisting they all be treated as equals I believe Orrin will be more helpful and less hostile.
Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I will try to get another one out in about a week.