Chapter 12
The Burning Plains
It was dusk when they first saw the land of smoke. The sun caught The Dragon Wing and cast a huge shadow over the Burning Plains. Astoria stood next to Roran on the port bow. They had done much together. After they had left Narda, they arrived at Teirm and promptly pirated the infamous Dragon Wing. A ship of the Empire tasked with delivering food and supplies to its soldiers. Through their journey, a few of the villagers had passed on due to stress but luckily none due to illness or cold. Astoria's assistance was invaluable. They stood silently and watched as the Varden's encampment drew nearer. Jeod had not led them astray. However, the news that Roran's cousin was a fabled Dragon rider had her head spinning. Was this Eragon another Harry Potter?
The months that they spent travelling had hardened all but the oldest of villagers. They were villagers but now they were a battle-ready group. Birgit had taken it upon herself to train the able-bodied villagers for battle. Although she had limited knowledge, she was able to pass it on and help guide the others easily. Women who had never had a fistfight were wrestling and the men had developed an acute sense of awareness for their surroundings.
Astoria herself had developed. She was not only seen as a healer now but also a sort of co-leader to Roran. Everyone started asking her for advice; and then orders after a while. Astoria seemed quite suited to the task. This had also caused her magic to manifest more powerfully. Roran had become much grimmer as time bled. Astoria was a source of comfort for him and always knew what to say when he felt out of it.
Horst had become their second-in-command aboard the Wing. He relayed orders with his booming voice efficiently. Horst had been very muscular but now, he was even more so! Manning the ship was no easy task. Elaine, who was extremely pregnant, would never be found away from Horst for too long. But today, she was at the port bow with Roran and Astoria, relief at reaching their destination was etched on her face.
As the Dragon Wing edged closer to the Varden's embankments, the sentries took notice of the impending ship. It was black. It was big. It was scary. The Varden sent riders out on horseback along the riverbank. Roran squared his shoulders, his hammer hanging ready at his belt, while Astoria pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders, concealing the subtle glow of magic that always seemed to emanate from her these days.
The ship's landing was met with organized chaos as the Varden's soldiers surrounded them, maintaining a respectful distance but clearly ready for any threat. It was Jeod who first descended the gangplank, his scholarly bearing somewhat at odds with the sword at his hip and the new hardness in his eyes. He raised his hands in a peaceful gesture and called out, "We seek audience with Lady Nasuada! We bring allies from Carvahall, and news of the Empire's movements in the north!"
The mention of Carvahall sent a ripple through the gathered soldiers, familiar to some yet mostly not but soon messengers were dispatched to the Varden's command tent. The villagers disembarked in orderly fashion; they were coached by Roran beforehand on how to avoid conflict. Also, Roran wanted to show the Varden that he brought potential soldiers who would be listen and be organized. Even Gertrude, the village healer, carried herself with new authority, her knowledge of battlefield medicine having grown exponentially during their journey.
They did not have long to wait. Within ten minutes, an equine delegation approached, led by a striking young woman in a deep red dress, her dark skin gleaming in the fading sunlight atop a large black stallion. After dismounting, Lady Nasuada moved with the grace of a born leader, flanked by her personal guards who wore cautious expressions and narrowed eyes. Behind her came another older yet burly man, her second-in-command it appeared, and several other advisers, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and wariness.
Nasuada gazed at their group and Astoria felt the weight of her authority. Nasuada was dark skinned. Astoria had only known the Shafiq's who were of Central African descent to be this dark. Astoria thought she was younger than many had expected, but there was no mistaking the authority in her gait or the intelligence in her eyes. Roran stepped forward, and Astoria moved with him, their shoulders nearly touching, as though they may need to protect each other at any moment's notice.
"Lady Nasuada," Roran began, his chin was up proudly and his voice firm, "I am Roran Garrowsson of Carvahall, also known as Stronghammer by my people, and this is Astoria Aurelias-daughter, our healer and mage. We bring you two hundred and eight survivors of Galbatorix's persecution, every one of them committed to fighting against his tyranny." Roran grasped Astoria's hand in anticipation of the Varden leader's response. Astoria scrunched her nose.
Nasuada's eyes widened slightly at the mention of Carvahall, and Astoria could sense the sudden increase in attention from her advisers. "Carvahall," Nasuada repeated and Rorans fingers twitched causing the guards to shift stance ever so slightly. "Eragon's hometown." She continued. It wasn't a question, but rather a statement.
The atmosphere around everyone became so tense, Astoria felt something touch her consciousness. She fortified her mind just like her parents taught her, yet this person seemed to attempt a break-in. Roran nodded while this was happening.
"My cousin," he confirmed, emotion briefly cracking through his stoic facade. "We've traveled far to find him, and to join your cause. The Empire sent the Ra'zac to our village, demanding we surrender him. But he ran away. We chose to fight instead."
Astoria stepped forward then, her voice clear and steady. "We've lost good people along the way, Lady Nasuada, but those who remain are stronger for it. We bring not just warriors, but skilled craftsmen, healers, and..." she hesitated for just a moment before continuing, "please tell your magicians to stop trying to break into my mind." Astoria turned to a woman a few meters to the left of Nasuada.
"PROTEGO!" She shouted as she kept her wand hidden. Suddenly, Astoria's mind was assaulted with the life of a young girl who wanted nothing more than to learn magic, but when she told her parents, she was cast out at eleven years old and called a witch. She was caught the next day by the Empires soldiers, raped and tortured until she accidentally killed them with a burst of magical energy. She woke up and was cared for by a young man who had offered her sanctuary and taught her about magic while keeping her hidden from the Empire. He had given her the name of Trianna. Now a magical figurehead in the Varden, she sought to control whoever she needed to ascend the political ladder.
"ENOUGH!" Trianna shouted as she fell down. A few of the Varden's soldiers circled Astoria and Roran threateningly causing the villagers to gasp unanimously.
"Stand down." Nasuada said as she gestured to them to lower their arms. "Why do you attack my magician, Astoria?"
Before Astoria could speak, Trianna cut in quickly while still down.
"It was my fault, Lady Nasuada. I attempted to scour their group in search of malicious magicians." She made eye contact with Astoria as she spoke.
"Could you not have informed me of your intentions prior to acting?" Nasuada responded firmly albeit with a resigned look on her face.
"I am sorry. I will ensure that I inform you in future." She said as she got up and began hitting the dust off her dress before looking back at Astoria. "I apologize for attempting to invade your mind." Astoria nodded back at her as if to say that it was okay.
"You are powerful." Nasuada said to Astoria who was still slightly unsure of her safety.
"I wish I was." Astoria mumbled softly causing Nasuada to raise her brow.
"Unfortunately, we do require your cooperation for our safety. Roran," she fixed her gaze on him, "kindly allow one of my men to examine your mind so that we can be sure that you are here of your own free will." She let the hidden meaning linger.
-oIo-
After allowing a man by the name of Garven to sift through Roran's memories, Nasuada asked Roran and random villagers questions pertaining to their reason for joining the Varden. Astoria would have thought that such a force being added to an army would be welcomed with open arms, but it seemed she still had a lot to learn about this world. The people here were very dangerous and suspicious of anything new and unknown. Just like when her house elf appeared.
FLASHBACK
CRACK!
Astoria gasped in shock as Tufty appeared in front of her and as quickly as she arrived, her face contorted as if in tremendous agony and she disapparated away again. The villagers around her also reacted with screams and some jumped behind others in an attempt to scramble to safety.
"TUFTY!" Astoria shrieked as quickly as she could but was too late. "Come back Tufty, I order you!"
Nothing.
She couldn't help it. The flood gates opened, and she broke down.
"Did ya see that? Was it a goblin or a dwarf?" someone whispered.
"No. I think it was a companion to her…" Roran's voice broke through the villager's hubbub.
"I don't trust her."
"That was dangerous!"
"Must be an evil dwarf."
Astoria ignored the villager's banter. She marvelled at how easy it was for villagers to turn on each other.
For days on end, she continuously tried summoning Tufty to her but always failed.
END OF FLASHBACK
The demonstration that followed was brief but impressive. At a nod from Roran, the villagers displayed their various skills and abilities. Astoria created a small display of magical light, carefully controlled but enough to prove her capabilities. Horst and his sons showed their smithing skills and Nasuada was exceptionally pleased with that, allowing a small smile to fall through. Gertrude presented her knowledge of healing and herbs which was corroborated by one of the Varden's own healers who Nasuada had summoned. Other villagers displayed their new combat abilities which were acceptable. For the rest, Nasuada's expression remained carefully neutral, but her eyes betrayed her interest. When all the demonstrations had concluded, she turned to her advisers for a short, whispered consultation. Jörmundur's face showed approval, while others seemed more cautious. Finally, she turned back to the group.
"Your arrival here is indeed fortuitous," she addressed all the villagers. "We are on the brink of a decisive battle, one that may alter the fate of Alagaësia, and every skilled hand provides much value. However, I must ask you this. What drove you to make such a perilous journey? From Carvahall to here is fraught with danger."
Roran and Astoria looked at each other, the two unspoken unanimous leaders nodded at each other and began recounting their tale. First, Roran explained the arrival of the Ra'zac, his cousin's disappearance with Brom the storyteller (Nasuada's eyes widened at that name), the gruelling trek through the Spine and their eventual escape by the sea. Nasuada was especially interested to learn that they pirated the Empires' largest supply ship, as was evident in front of her. They also spoke of battles, lost loved ones, storms and such. Throughout all, the villagers stood tall and proud.
As the sun set fully and torches were lit around the gathering, Nasuada made her decision. "Your courage and resourcefulness honor you," she declared. "The Varden welcomes you, not as refugees, but as valued allies. We will provide you with proper equipment and assignments befitting your skills and station. But as warriors, I cannot and will show favoritism, each of you will have to prove your mettle. Now, who's hungry?"
The villagers exhaled a large sigh of relief, tension eased as finally they will get to sleep on land. Nasuada turned to her subordinates, and issued rapid order about space, accommodation and food for the villagers.
"Roran, there is one concern." Nasuada began.
Roran looked at her warily. "What's wrong."
"We may not have enough clean drinking water to last the week and with the addition of the villagers, that time has lessened drastically."
"But the river?" He queried pointing to the dark water.
"The river is tainted with foul substances from the burning land. It is unsafe to drink. Unfortunately, we did not know about this prior. Would you be willing to allow us to use your ship to fetch clean water upstream?"
Roran knew this was a test of trust. He nodded in agreement. As Nasuada was about to dismiss them, Astoria stepped forward.
"Nasuada." She spoke.
"Yes, Astoria."
"I think I can help with this." She stated confidently.
"How so? I am interested…" Nasuada trailed off.
Astoria smiled, raised her wand and whispered an aguamenti spell which caused a strong torrent of clear water to spurt out of the tip. She cancelled it and looked to Nasuada whose eyes were wide open in wonder.
"Is that safe to drink?" Nasuada blurted out quickly causing a few of her people to chuckle.
"Perfectly safe to drink, yes. Do you have water tanks?" Astoria asked.
"What is a tank?" Nasuada appeared puzzled by the word. "A water barrel?"
"Yes, that would work. A tank is a water barrel made from steel. A type of iron that does not get damaged by the water." Astoria explained while intentionally leaving out words like oxidation and rust.
"Motharn!" Nasuada shouted.
"Yes, Lady Nasuada!" came a voice from somewhere behind, a short and sturdy man followed the voice into the clearing.
"Bring us an empty water barrel." She commanded.
"Yes, Lady Nasuada!" Motharn repeated and remained rooted to the spot.
"Now?" She exasperated.
"Sorry, Lady Nasuada!" and he stumbled off with haste.
In just a few short minutes, a dilapidated donkey-drawn wagon arrived with an empty barrel set upon it. Motharn hopped off and bowed to Nasuada before scurrying off to the crowd to blend in again.
"Astoria, please fill these with water." Nasuada requested.
"Not a problem." Astoria said as she walked over to the barrel and inspected it. Finding a handle, she lifted it slightly, pointed her wand inside and cast the charm, within half a minute, the barrel was overflowing. Astoria then turned the wand to her face and drank some of the water before cancelling the charm.
"As you can see, the water is safe to drink." Astoria told Nasuada, maintaining eye contact.
Nasuada nodded with approval.
-oIo-
As the villagers were led to their new quarters, Nasuada held Roran and Astoria back for a private conversation. In her command tent, away from prying eyes, she spoke more frankly. "Eragon has spoken of Carvahall, though he knows nothing of your flight. He will be... affected by this news."
Roran's face scrunched up at the mention of his cousin. "Where is he?" He asked, and Astoria wasn't sure whether he was angry or concerned.
"On a diplomatic mission of vital importance," Nasuada replied carefully. "He will return soon, and there will be time for reunions. But first, we must prepare for battle. The Empire's forces approach, and we will need every advantage we can muster."
Astoria and Roran nodded along before Roran spoke, "I need to have a few words with him."
"By all means," Nasuada smiled. "Just try to leave him in one piece, I need his assistance. Although, Saphira might not take kindly to you harming her rider."
"Saphira?" he queried in confusion.
"Yes, his dragon, her name is Saphira. She holds much better conversations than Eragon."
"A talking dragon!" Astoria thought loudly in shock.
"Yes. It is not widely known that the bonded dragons can talk."
"I see," she dipped her head. "Where I am from, dragons cannot speak."
"I understand. Now Astoria, I do have a huge favor to ask of you." Nasuada walked around the table to stand in front of Astoria. "My people, the Varden, need water, would you be able to take on the task of providing water every day? You will be handsomely rewarded."
Roran narrowed his eyes at Astoria.
She looked at him expectantly and he gave a short curt nod.
Astoria studied the maps spread across the command table, looking at their layout. "When I was at school, we studied maps like these, you know, rebellions and other similar events. But what I noticed is that supplies were never close enough when needed. So yes, I can provide enough water for everyone, be it in the camp or on the battlefield."
Nasuada studied the map with her. Roran walked around the table and scanned it as well. Astoria's eyes flitted up to take in his expression.
"I think I have a solution to the battlefield problem." Astoria said while locking eye contact with Roran.
"I'm listening." Nasuada responded as she walked to her chair and promptly sat down. "Oh, don't worry, I made the map, I know every space of it, please, continue."
"Right, so, I recommend we place supplies to be used in the battle, such as ammo, healing supplies and waterskins. But I can hide it so that the enemies will not know it. We can place markers or arrows on the floor pointing at the hidden supplies so your soldiers can find it. Simple spells, really." She trailed off, more so talking to herself at the end.
Roran chuckled lightly, "She does that from time to time." Then his expression turned stoney again.
Nasuada noticed but held back.
The discussion that followed lasted well into the night, as plans were made and strategies discussed. The villagers of Carvahall would be integrated into the Varden's forces, and Astoria would begin filling all the water barrels in the morning. But for now, Astoria and Roan exited the command tent, led to their living quarters by a young lad named Jarsha, who was only a year or two younger than Astoria. But with Astoria being a bit tall, she allowed others to believe that she was older than she really was. They dodged spears, shields and campfires until they arrived at a modest tent.
"Jarsha…" Astoria looked at the boy, "Is this for me or Roran?"
"Sorry Mam, I thought-" Roran halted him with his hands.
"This is fine, you may go." He said gruffly.
"Roran, do they think we are together?"
"Yes." He grimaced. "But you can sleep inside. I am engaged. It would be improper to share a bed with you. I will take a spot by the fire.
Astoria looked at him, then the fire and nodded slowly before cautiously entering the tent.
-oIo-
The next few days were a whirlwind of activity as the villagers settled into their new roles within the Varden. Horst and his sons were immediately put to work in the forges, their skill with metal proving invaluable in repairing and creating weapons. Gertrude found herself working alongside the Varden's healers, sharing her knowledge of traditional remedies while learning new techniques from her colleagues.
Astoria spent long hours with Trianna, the latter having arranged for all the empty water barrels to be filled. Trianna had been amazed by the fact that Astoria never seemed to tire out for someone so young. She filled scores of barrels in under two hours. Astoria also learned a little about the magic of Alagaësia and found it odd that the more magic you do, the more tired you became.
Roran, meanwhile, was often seen helping the tradesmen build trebuchets or dig trenches, his knowledge of farming helped a lot with this. Eventually he was approached by a big, muscular man with a Viking beard by the name of Fredric and was outfitted with a small sword to complement his hammer after he refused to give up his hammer – much to Astoria's amusement. A day later, Fredric had brought a newly crafted hammer for Roran with a hammer on one side and an axe blade on the other side.
The villagers themselves adapted quickly to their new environment. Even Jeod was assigned to work with a lot of the other scholars. The villagers were given an area just for themselves, which helped them to be closer to each other.
Astoria still missed home.