Eragon was getting out of bed, silent and brooding. Nightmare shuffled his formless self invisibly, wishing he could provide comfort for the human. Though, he did understand that Eragon only needed time.
Nevertheless, the immortal King of Negativity wished to give him solace.

The Rider began to cry quietly. Nightmare thought to himself, loathing himself as he drew strength from Eragon's misery.
It had been a long time since he last felt this way about his power.
Eragon caught one of the tears sliding down his face, then stared at it blankly. Nightmare watched this, touched by the human's mood.
"Draumr kópa." He whispered to the droplet, and Nightmare felt himself twist, knowing that Eragon was trying to find Murtaugh. Only darkness appeared in the orb.
More tears slicked from Eragon's eyes.

So he leaned back, breathing deep to calm himself as Nightmare reached out for the boy he was supposed to protect.
𝔚𝔥𝔞𝔱 𝔞 𝔱𝔢𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔟𝔩𝔢 𝔊𝔲𝔞𝔯𝔡𝔦𝔞𝔫 ℑ 𝔞𝔪...

Saphira awoke, yawning before addressing her Rider. Nightmare watched mutely from the shadows of another realm as they discussed the dreary morning, and how had the Urgals managed to follow Ajihad's group without being spotted. Then Saphira changed the topic, reminding Eragon of his need to eat, to learn what the Varden had planned for next. The human agreed, pausing as he was temporarily lost in thought before reaching for Snowfire's saddle.

Eragon collapsed on the floor, spasming and clawing frantically at his back. Saphira growled as she sensed his pain, and Nightmare roiled, desperate to stop Eragon's pointless suffering. He started thinking about his options to Eragon. He was the only one capable of muting the human's pain, though if he were to do that now it would prolong his recovery and keep him in this spirit form longer, much longer than he preferred.
Nightmare was at an impasse, either to watch Eragon cry helplessly, or finally do what he failed to do all those eons ago...
Protect.

With an angry flick, Nightmare threw his consciousness into Eragon's, igniting his power within the sobbing human. Eragon gasped, arching his back as the pain subsided. After a pause, he rolled over to stare at Saphira with wide eyes, Nightmare a little uncomfortable as he was intimately aware of it.
Saphira! Do you sense it?
Sense what, Eragon?
Nightmare's magic!

There was a pause, then the dragon bent closer. No, I do not sense him. Error said he was not in our plane of existence. He isn't here, Eragon.
Nightmare scoffed mentally. Eragon flinched. The King of Negativity hesitated.
𝔇𝔬 𝔶𝔬𝔲 𝔥𝔢𝔞𝔯 𝔪𝔢?
The human spun, looking around frantically. Saphira, I hear him!
Eragon, calm down.
𝔏𝔦𝔰𝔱𝔢𝔫 𝔱𝔬 𝔶𝔬𝔲𝔯 𝔡𝔯𝔞𝔤𝔬𝔫. 𝔜𝔬𝔲 𝔠𝔞𝔫𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔰𝔢𝔢 𝔪𝔢.
But I hear you!
𝔒𝔣 𝔠𝔬𝔲𝔯𝔰𝔢 𝔶𝔬𝔲 𝔠𝔞𝔫, 𝔪𝔶 𝔠𝔬𝔫𝔰𝔠𝔦𝔬𝔲𝔰𝔫𝔢𝔰𝔰 𝔦𝔰 𝔴𝔦𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔫 𝔶𝔬𝔲𝔯𝔰. 𝔜𝔬𝔲 𝔴𝔢𝔯𝔢 𝔦𝔫 𝔭𝔞𝔦𝔫, 𝔈𝔯𝔞𝔤𝔬𝔫. ℑ𝔱 𝔦𝔰 𝔪𝔶 𝔡𝔲𝔱𝔶 𝔱𝔬 𝔭𝔯𝔬𝔱𝔢𝔠𝔱 𝔶𝔬𝔲. ℑ 𝔠𝔞𝔫'𝔱 𝔞𝔩𝔩𝔬𝔴 𝔶𝔬𝔲 𝔱𝔬 𝔥𝔞𝔳𝔢 𝔰𝔢𝔦𝔷𝔲𝔯𝔢𝔰 𝔢𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔶 𝔣𝔦𝔳𝔢 𝔪𝔦𝔫𝔲𝔱𝔢𝔰, 𝔰𝔬 ℑ 𝔡𝔦𝔡 𝔴𝔥𝔞𝔱 ℑ 𝔠𝔬𝔲𝔩𝔡 𝔦𝔫 𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔰 𝔣𝔬𝔯𝔪. 𝔗𝔥𝔞𝔱 𝔪𝔢𝔞𝔫𝔰 ℑ 𝔞𝔪 𝔴𝔦𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔫 𝔶𝔬𝔲 𝔣𝔬𝔯 𝔫𝔬𝔴. He spoke so Saphira could hear across the link.

You can do that?
𝔐𝔶 𝔠𝔬𝔫𝔰𝔠𝔦𝔬𝔲𝔰𝔫𝔢𝔰𝔰 𝔞𝔩𝔯𝔢𝔞𝔡𝔶 𝔥𝔞𝔰 𝔣𝔯𝔞𝔤𝔪𝔢𝔫𝔱𝔰 𝔴𝔦𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔫 𝔢𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔶𝔬𝔫𝔢 𝔦𝔫 𝔄𝔩𝔞𝔤𝔞ë𝔰𝔦𝔞. 𝔚𝔥𝔢𝔯𝔢𝔳𝔢𝔯 ℑ 𝔞𝔪, ℑ 𝔰𝔭𝔯𝔢𝔞𝔡 𝔱𝔥𝔯𝔬𝔲𝔤𝔥𝔬𝔲𝔱 𝔱𝔥𝔞𝔱 𝔴𝔬𝔯𝔩𝔡. 𝔈𝔳𝔢𝔫 𝔫𝔬𝔴, 𝔰𝔬𝔪𝔢 𝔬𝔣 𝔪𝔢 𝔦𝔰 𝔰𝔱𝔦𝔩𝔩 𝔦𝔫 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔐𝔲𝔩𝔱𝔦𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰𝔢. ℑ 𝔪𝔞𝔶 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔟𝔢 𝔞𝔟𝔩𝔢 𝔱𝔬 𝔞𝔠𝔠𝔢𝔰𝔰 𝔦𝔱 𝔞𝔰 ℑ 𝔠𝔬𝔲𝔩𝔡 𝔟𝔢𝔣𝔬𝔯𝔢 𝔣𝔞𝔩𝔩𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔦𝔫 𝔄𝔩𝔞𝔤𝔞ë𝔰𝔦𝔞, 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔣𝔞𝔠𝔱 𝔡𝔬𝔢𝔰𝔫'𝔱 𝔡𝔦𝔰𝔞𝔭𝔭𝔢𝔞𝔯. 𝔄𝔩𝔩 ℑ 𝔥𝔞𝔳𝔢 𝔡𝔬𝔫𝔢 𝔦𝔰 𝔭𝔩𝔞𝔠𝔢 𝔪𝔶 𝔪𝔞𝔦𝔫 𝔠𝔬𝔫𝔰𝔠𝔦𝔬𝔲𝔰𝔫𝔢𝔰𝔰 𝔦𝔫𝔰𝔦𝔡𝔢 𝔶𝔬𝔲. ℑ𝔱 𝔴𝔦𝔩𝔩 𝔭𝔯𝔢𝔳𝔢𝔫𝔱 𝔪𝔢 𝔣𝔯𝔬𝔪 𝔯𝔢𝔤𝔞𝔦𝔫𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔪𝔶 𝔭𝔥𝔶𝔰𝔦𝔠𝔞𝔩 𝔟𝔬𝔡𝔶, 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔦𝔱 𝔦𝔰 𝔫𝔢𝔠𝔢𝔰𝔰𝔞𝔯𝔶 𝔲𝔫𝔱𝔦𝔩 𝔴𝔢 𝔩𝔢𝔞𝔳𝔢 𝔣𝔬𝔯 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔢𝔩𝔳𝔢𝔰.
Why would you postpone your recovery for me?
ℑ 𝔥𝔞𝔳𝔢 𝔣𝔞𝔦𝔩𝔢𝔡 𝔬𝔫𝔠𝔢 𝔟𝔢𝔣𝔬𝔯𝔢 𝔞𝔰 𝔞 𝔊𝔲𝔞𝔯𝔡𝔦𝔞𝔫. ℑ 𝔡𝔬 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔦𝔫𝔱𝔢𝔫𝔡 𝔱𝔬 𝔣𝔞𝔦𝔩 𝔞 𝔰𝔢𝔠𝔬𝔫𝔡 𝔱𝔦𝔪𝔢.
....
Thank you.
ℑ𝔱 𝔦𝔰 𝔫𝔬𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔫𝔤. 𝔑𝔬𝔴 𝔤𝔢𝔱 𝔬𝔫 𝔴𝔦𝔱𝔥 𝔦𝔱, 𝔶𝔬𝔲 𝔫𝔢𝔢𝔡 𝔱𝔬 𝔟𝔢 𝔯𝔢𝔞𝔡𝔶 𝔴𝔥𝔢𝔫 𝔱𝔥𝔢 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔫𝔠𝔦𝔩 𝔬𝔯 𝔴𝔥𝔬𝔢𝔳𝔢𝔯 𝔭𝔦𝔠𝔨𝔰 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔰𝔲𝔠𝔠𝔢𝔰𝔰𝔬𝔯 𝔬𝔣 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔙𝔞𝔯𝔡𝔢𝔫 𝔠𝔞𝔩𝔩𝔰 𝔣𝔬𝔯 𝔶𝔬𝔲.
Do you want us to explain your decision to them and the Wyrdaí Islingrya? Saphira asked.
𝔑𝔬. ℑ 𝔴𝔦𝔩𝔩 𝔥𝔞𝔫𝔡𝔩𝔢 𝔱𝔥𝔞𝔱.
.. 𝔗𝔥𝔞𝔫𝔨 𝔶𝔬𝔲 𝔣𝔬𝔯 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔬𝔣𝔣𝔢𝔯.
Thank you for sacrificing for me.
𝔅𝔞𝔥, 𝔧𝔲𝔰𝔱 𝔣𝔦𝔫𝔡 𝔰𝔬𝔪𝔢𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔱𝔬 𝔢𝔞𝔱, 𝔥𝔲𝔪𝔞𝔫! ℑ 𝔡𝔬𝔫'𝔱 𝔩𝔦𝔨𝔢 𝔥𝔬𝔴 𝔡𝔢𝔫𝔰𝔢 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔪𝔢𝔞𝔱𝔶 𝔶𝔬𝔲𝔯 𝔯𝔞𝔠𝔢 𝔦𝔰. Nightmare muttered irritably, shifting within Eragon uncomfortably.
... I'm sorry?

Nightmare sighed mentally as Eragon got up and left the room with Saphira.
𝔇𝔬𝔫'𝔱 𝔞𝔭𝔬𝔩𝔬𝔤𝔦𝔰𝔢, 𝔦𝔱 𝔦𝔰 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔶𝔬𝔲𝔯 𝔣𝔞𝔲𝔩𝔱 ℑ 𝔭𝔯𝔢𝔣𝔢𝔯 𝔪𝔶 𝔬𝔴𝔫 𝔯𝔞𝔠𝔢. ℑ 𝔥𝔞𝔳𝔢 𝔫𝔢𝔳𝔢𝔯 𝔦𝔫𝔥𝔞𝔟𝔦𝔱𝔢𝔡 𝔞 𝔥𝔲𝔪𝔞𝔫 𝔟𝔢𝔣𝔬𝔯𝔢.
Have you.. inhabited others before? Saphira asked slowly. Nightmare hesitated, trying to conceal his memories from them.
𝔜𝔢𝔰. He said truthfully. 𝔗𝔥𝔬𝔲𝔤𝔥 𝔦𝔱 𝔴𝔞𝔰𝔫'𝔱 𝔣𝔬𝔯 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔟𝔢𝔰𝔱 𝔭𝔲𝔯𝔭𝔬𝔰𝔢𝔰.. He admitted. A few people addressed Eragon as Argetlam and Shadeslayer as they strode through Tronjhiem.
ℑ 𝔴𝔬𝔫'𝔱 𝔩𝔦𝔢 𝔱𝔬 𝔶𝔬𝔲. ℑ 𝔥𝔞𝔳𝔢 𝔟𝔢𝔢𝔫 𝔞 𝔡𝔦𝔰𝔭𝔦𝔠𝔞𝔟𝔩𝔢 𝔠𝔥𝔞𝔯𝔞𝔠𝔱𝔢𝔯 𝔦𝔫 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔭𝔞𝔰𝔱. ℑ 𝔥𝔞𝔳𝔢 𝔡𝔬𝔫𝔢 𝔴𝔬𝔯𝔰𝔢 𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔫𝔤𝔰 𝔱𝔥𝔞𝔫 𝔊𝔞𝔩𝔟𝔞𝔱𝔬𝔯𝔦𝔵. 𝔖𝔲𝔠𝔥 𝔦𝔰 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔪𝔦𝔰𝔣𝔬𝔯𝔱𝔲𝔫𝔢 𝔬𝔣 𝔦𝔫𝔰𝔞𝔫𝔦𝔱𝔶.
Eragon tensed slightly at this, but said nothing. Saphira, however, asked another question. Why do you choose to help us now, with such atrocities upon your conscience?
The King of Negativity considered this, falling silent.

He didn't respond, not until after Eragon found the kitchen.
ℑ 𝔡𝔬 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔶𝔢𝔱 𝔨𝔫𝔬𝔴. 𝔓𝔢𝔯𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔰 ℑ 𝔳𝔦𝔢𝔴 𝔄𝔩𝔞𝔤𝔞ë𝔰𝔦𝔞 𝔞𝔰 𝔞 𝔠𝔥𝔞𝔫𝔠𝔢 𝔱𝔬 𝔟𝔢𝔤𝔦𝔫 𝔰𝔬𝔪𝔢𝔴𝔥𝔞𝔱 𝔞𝔫𝔢𝔴. 𝔗𝔯𝔲𝔱𝔥𝔣𝔲𝔩𝔩𝔶, ℑ 𝔥𝔞𝔳𝔢𝔫'𝔱 𝔠𝔬𝔫𝔰𝔦𝔡𝔢𝔯𝔢𝔡 𝔪𝔶 𝔯𝔢𝔞𝔰𝔬𝔫𝔰, 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔲𝔫𝔱𝔦𝔩 𝔶𝔬𝔲 𝔞𝔰𝔨𝔢𝔡 𝔪𝔢 𝔱𝔥𝔞𝔱 𝔮𝔲𝔢𝔰𝔱𝔦𝔬𝔫. He finally answered.
That is curious. Eragon commented, picking at a fish and mashed potato absentmindedly. Saphira kept her eye out, growling at everyone that approached him. He randomly thought of Murtaugh, causing Nightmare to sigh inwardly in sadness.
You knew he would die, didn't you? He asked hurtfully. Nightmare hesitated. ℑ 𝔡𝔬 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔣𝔢𝔢𝔩 𝔱𝔥𝔞𝔱 𝔥𝔢 𝔦𝔰 𝔡𝔢𝔞𝔡. ℑ𝔫 𝔣𝔞𝔠𝔱, ℑ 𝔣𝔢𝔢𝔩 𝔥𝔢 𝔦𝔰... He froze.
𝔇𝔬𝔫'𝔱 𝔞𝔰𝔨 𝔪𝔢 𝔱𝔥𝔞𝔱. 𝔓𝔩𝔢𝔞𝔰𝔢, 𝔈𝔯𝔞𝔤𝔬𝔫. ℑ𝔱 𝔦𝔰 𝔟𝔢𝔰𝔱 𝔫𝔢𝔦𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔯 𝔬𝔣 𝔲𝔰 𝔡𝔢𝔩𝔳𝔢 𝔦𝔫𝔱𝔬 𝔱𝔥𝔞𝔱 𝔱𝔬𝔭𝔦𝔠 𝔞𝔱 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔪𝔬𝔪𝔢𝔫𝔱.
Fine.

Eragon turned to Saphira, addressing both of them. Who do you think has the means to take control of the Varden now that Ajihad and the Twins are gone?
𝔍ö𝔯𝔪𝔲𝔫𝔡𝔲𝔯 𝔦𝔰 𝔞 𝔩𝔦𝔨𝔢𝔩𝔶 𝔬𝔭𝔱𝔦𝔬𝔫. 𝔊𝔦𝔳𝔢𝔫 𝔥𝔦𝔰 𝔭𝔬𝔰𝔦𝔱𝔦𝔬𝔫 𝔦𝔫 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔪𝔦𝔩𝔦𝔱𝔞𝔯𝔶 𝔞𝔰 𝔰𝔢𝔠𝔬𝔫𝔡 𝔦𝔫 𝔠𝔬𝔪𝔪𝔞𝔫𝔡, 𝔥𝔢 𝔭𝔯𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔰 𝔱𝔬 𝔟𝔢 𝔞 𝔭𝔬𝔰𝔰𝔦𝔟𝔦𝔩𝔦𝔱𝔶, 𝔲𝔫𝔩𝔢𝔰𝔰 𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔯𝔢 𝔞𝔯𝔢 𝔬𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔯 𝔣𝔞𝔠𝔱𝔬𝔯𝔰 𝔴𝔢 𝔞𝔯𝔢 𝔠𝔲𝔯𝔯𝔢𝔫𝔱𝔩𝔶 𝔲𝔫𝔞𝔴𝔞𝔯𝔢 𝔬𝔣. 𝔗𝔥𝔢𝔯𝔢 𝔦𝔰 𝔞𝔩𝔰𝔬 𝔄𝔧𝔦𝔥𝔞𝔡'𝔰 𝔡𝔞𝔲𝔤𝔥𝔱𝔢𝔯. 𝔖𝔥𝔢 𝔦𝔰 𝔶𝔬𝔲𝔫𝔤, 𝔶𝔢𝔰, 𝔟𝔲𝔱 ℑ 𝔰𝔢𝔫𝔰𝔢 𝔰𝔥𝔢 𝔦𝔰 𝔞 𝔟𝔯𝔦𝔩𝔩𝔦𝔞𝔫𝔱 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔦𝔫𝔡𝔢𝔭𝔢𝔫𝔡𝔢𝔫𝔱 𝔩𝔢𝔞𝔡𝔢𝔯.
They blinked, then Saphira added another option. It is possible you could, Eragon. As well as Error or you, Nightmare. Though Eragon stands a greater chance, because one could interpret Ajihad's last words as a blessing to secure the leadership. However, and I sense Nightmare agrees with me, that does not seem like a wise path to take. I see only trouble in that direction.

ℑ𝔫𝔡𝔢𝔢𝔡, 𝔰𝔨𝔲𝔩𝔟𝔩𝔞𝔨𝔞. 𝔉𝔬𝔯 𝔬𝔫𝔢, 𝔥𝔞𝔳𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔰𝔲𝔠𝔥 𝔞 𝔭𝔬𝔰𝔦𝔱𝔦𝔬𝔫 𝔴𝔬𝔲𝔩𝔡 𝔯𝔢𝔮𝔲𝔦𝔯𝔢 𝔈𝔯𝔞𝔤𝔬𝔫 𝔱𝔬 𝔯𝔢𝔪𝔞𝔦𝔫 𝔥𝔢𝔯𝔢, 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔥𝔢 𝔴𝔬𝔲𝔩𝔡 𝔟𝔢 𝔲𝔫𝔞𝔟𝔩𝔢 𝔱𝔬 𝔤𝔬 𝔱𝔬 𝔈𝔩𝔩𝔢𝔰𝔪é𝔯𝔞 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔠𝔬𝔪𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔱𝔢 𝔥𝔦𝔰 𝔱𝔯𝔞𝔦𝔫𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔞𝔰 𝔥𝔢 𝔰𝔥𝔬𝔲𝔩𝔡, 𝔟𝔢𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔞 ℜ𝔦𝔡𝔢𝔯.

Yes. And Arya wouldn't approve, she could be a dangerous enemy. Elves can't lie in the Ancient Language, but they have no such inhibition in ours- she could deny that Ajihad ever uttered those words if it served her purposes, and without you to back me up Nightmare, they would believe her. No, I don't want the position... So that still leaves Jörmundur.

Ajihad did call him his right hand man. Unfortunately, we know little about him or the Varden's other leaders. Such a short time has passed since we arrived here and as Nightmare pointed out, we don't know the history or other factors of choosing a successor. We must base our judgement upon our feelings and impressions, without the benefits of said history. Saphira explained.

𝔗𝔥𝔢𝔫 𝔭𝔢𝔯𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔰 𝔶𝔬𝔲 𝔞𝔯𝔢 𝔩𝔲𝔠𝔨𝔶 ℑ 𝔞𝔪 𝔥𝔢𝔯𝔢. Nightmare commented softly. 𝔅𝔲𝔱, he added. 𝔜𝔬𝔲 𝔪𝔲𝔰𝔱𝔫'𝔱 𝔣𝔬𝔯𝔤𝔢𝔱 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔡𝔴𝔞𝔯𝔣 𝔠𝔩𝔞𝔫𝔰. 𝔗𝔥𝔢𝔶 𝔴𝔦𝔩𝔩 𝔥𝔞𝔳𝔢 𝔪𝔲𝔠𝔥 𝔰𝔴𝔞𝔶 𝔦𝔫 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔡𝔢𝔠𝔦𝔰𝔦𝔬𝔫. ℌ𝔯𝔬𝔱𝔥𝔤𝔞𝔯 𝔡𝔬𝔢𝔰 𝔰𝔲𝔭𝔭𝔬𝔯𝔱 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔙𝔞𝔯𝔡𝔢𝔫, 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔦𝔱 𝔦𝔰 𝔩𝔦𝔨𝔢𝔩𝔶 𝔱𝔥𝔞𝔱 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔬𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔯 𝔬𝔭𝔭𝔬𝔰𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔠𝔩𝔞𝔫𝔰 𝔴𝔦𝔩𝔩 𝔣𝔬𝔯𝔠𝔢 𝔥𝔦𝔪 𝔱𝔬 𝔠𝔥𝔬𝔬𝔰𝔢 𝔰𝔬𝔪𝔢𝔬𝔫𝔢 𝔩𝔢𝔰𝔰 𝔰𝔲𝔦𝔱𝔞𝔟𝔩𝔢 𝔣𝔬𝔯 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔙𝔞𝔯𝔡𝔢𝔫. 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔢𝔩𝔳𝔢𝔰 𝔴𝔬𝔫'𝔱 𝔢𝔳𝔢𝔫 𝔥𝔞𝔳𝔢 𝔞 𝔰𝔞𝔶 𝔦𝔫 𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔰; 𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔶 𝔴𝔬𝔫'𝔱 𝔢𝔳𝔢𝔫 𝔥𝔢𝔞𝔯 𝔬𝔣 𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔰 𝔲𝔫𝔱𝔦𝔩 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔠𝔥𝔬𝔦𝔠𝔢 𝔥𝔞𝔰 𝔟𝔢𝔢𝔫 𝔪𝔞𝔡𝔢 𝔣𝔬𝔯 𝔰𝔬𝔪𝔢 𝔴𝔢𝔢𝔨𝔰. He counseled.
And who might that be? Eragon quested.
A person easily manipulated. Saphira answered.

Eragon closed his eyes and rubbed his temples as they continued discussing the situation before them. Then Saphira interrupted the other two.
Eragon, there is someone here to see you. I can't scare him away.
Eh? The human blinked his eyes open, squinting at the brightness of the room. A pale, nervous young boy was staring at Saphira in fear, as though expecting she would eat him.
"What is it?" Eragon asked gently.

The kid flinched, perturbed, then bowed at him. "You have been summoned, Argetlam, to speak before the Council of Elders."
"Who are they?" Eragon asked without batting an eye.
The kid looked slightly bewildered as he stuttered through his next sentence. "The- council is... are... people we- that is, the Varden- choose to speak our behalf to Ajihad. They were his trusted advisors, and now they wish to see you. It is a great honor!" He grinned for a second.
"Are you to lead me to them?" Eragon further inquired.
"Yes, I am."

Saphira gave Eragon a curious look and he shrugged at her, leaving the half-finished plate and waving at the kid to continue. As he followed the boy, the child eyed Zar'roc, eyes gleaming curiously before glancing away out of shyness.
"What are you called?" Eragon asked kindly, breaking the tension.
"Jarsha, sir."
"That's a good name. You carried your message well; you should be proud."
That put a big smile on the boy's face and a bounce in his step.

They arrived at a circular door, which Jarsha heaved open. The room inside was just as convex, a dome above depicting constellations. At the massive round table in the middle of the room engraved with the hammer and stars of the Dûrgrimst Ingietum sat Jörmundur, the rest of the Wyrdaí Islingrya, two other men as well as two women, a tall and a wide one dressed in pitiful attempts to appear beautiful.

"You may go." Jörmundur informed Jarsha, the kid bowing before skipping out of the room. Eragon took in the details of the chamber before taking a seat in the middle of the Wyrdaí Islingrya, between Geno and Cross. The rest of the council members had to turn their seats to look at him, and it gave Nightmare a sliver of satisfaction. Jörmundur got up, giving Eragon and Error two half bows before reseating himself.

"Thank you for coming, Eragon, Lord Error, and Wyrdaí Islingrya, even though you have suffered your own losses. This is Umérth," he gestured at the tall one, "Falberd," wide human; "and Sabrae and Elessari" the tall and fat women.
Eragon dipped his head, asking. "And what of the Twins, were they part of this council?"
Sabrae quickly shook her head. "They had naught to do with us. They were slime- worse than slime- leeches that worked only for their own benefit. They had no desire to serve the Varden. Thus, they had no place in this council."
ℑ𝔰 𝔰𝔥𝔢 𝔢𝔳𝔢𝔫 𝔞𝔴𝔞𝔯𝔢 𝔱𝔥𝔞𝔱 𝔥𝔢𝔯 𝔡𝔦𝔰𝔤𝔲𝔰𝔱𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔭𝔢𝔯𝔣𝔲𝔪𝔢 𝔰𝔪𝔢𝔩𝔩𝔰 𝔬𝔣 𝔯𝔬𝔱𝔱𝔢𝔫 𝔣𝔩𝔬𝔴𝔢𝔯𝔰? Nightmare asked, forcing Eragon to hide a smile.

"Enough. We're not here to discuss the Twins." Jörmundur explained. "We face a crisis that must be dealt with quickly and effectively. If we don't choose Ajihad's successor, someone else will. Hrothgar has already contacted us to convey his condolences. While he has been more than courteous, he is sure to be forming his own plans even as we speak. We must also consider Du Vrangr Gata, the magic users. Most of them are loyal to the Varden, but it's difficult to predict their actions even in the best of times. They might decide to oppose our authority for their own advantage. That is why we need your assistance, Error, Eragon, and Wyrdaí Islingrya, to provide the legitimacy required whoever is to take Ajihad's place."

Falberd struggled to shove himself to his feet, putting his hands on the table. "The five of us have already decided whom to support. There is no doubt among us that it is the right person. But." He lifted one of his sausage fingers. "Before we reveal who it is, you must give us your word of honor that whether you agree or disagree with us, nothing of our discussion will leave this room."

Some of the Wyrdaí Islingrya shifted in place, Blue already agreeing as the others muttered amongst themselves. "I don't have no fuckin' honor." Red mumbled. Dust and Killer began to agree with him as Geno reluctantly took the oath.
ℜ𝔢𝔪𝔢𝔪𝔟𝔢𝔯; 𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔶 𝔡𝔦𝔡 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔞𝔰𝔨 𝔪𝔢, 𝔊𝔅, 𝔬𝔯 𝔖𝔞𝔭𝔥𝔦𝔯𝔞 𝔱𝔬 𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔡𝔤𝔢 𝔞𝔫𝔶𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔫𝔤, 𝔲𝔫𝔡𝔢𝔯 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔭𝔯𝔢𝔰𝔲𝔪𝔭𝔱𝔦𝔬𝔫 𝔱𝔥𝔞𝔱 ℑ 𝔞𝔪 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔥𝔢𝔯𝔢 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔰𝔥𝔢 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔊𝔅 𝔞𝔯𝔢 𝔫𝔬 𝔪𝔬𝔯𝔢 𝔦𝔫𝔱𝔢𝔩𝔩𝔦𝔤𝔢𝔫𝔱 𝔱𝔥𝔞𝔫 𝔞𝔫 𝔞𝔫𝔦𝔪𝔞𝔩. 𝔗𝔥𝔞𝔱 𝔪𝔞𝔨𝔢𝔰 𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔪 𝔣𝔬𝔬𝔩𝔰. 𝔄𝔩𝔰𝔬 𝔖𝔞𝔭𝔥𝔦𝔯𝔞, 𝔱𝔢𝔩𝔩 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔚𝔶𝔯𝔡𝔳𝔯𝔞𝔫𝔤𝔯 𝔱𝔬 𝔧𝔲𝔰𝔱 𝔞𝔤𝔯𝔢𝔢 𝔱𝔬 𝔦𝔱. 𝔗𝔢𝔩𝔩 𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔪 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔯𝔢𝔞𝔰𝔬𝔫𝔰 ℑ 𝔰𝔱𝔞𝔱𝔢𝔡, 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔥𝔬𝔴 ℑ 𝔞𝔪 𝔥𝔢𝔯𝔢. ℑ 𝔴𝔦𝔩𝔩 𝔢𝔵𝔭𝔩𝔞𝔦𝔫 𝔩𝔞𝔱𝔢𝔯. Nightmare said calmly.
Saphira complied, all the others falling dead silent as her words sank in. Even Error twisted around to gaze at her.

Then all of the Wyrdaí Islingrya gave their word to the Council of Elders, Eragon speaking last. "Who do you want to lead the Varden?"
The answer was short, and simple.
"Nasuada."
Error blinked, Red whispering furiously to Killer, who shrugged as Dust silenced them. Geno seemed to think, then regarded the Council as though they were either geniuses or idiots. Nightmare considered this choice. It was a good one, though whether the Council was aware of how suitable she was still seemed up for debate. When he met her not too long ago, he had sensed that she was going to become the leader of the Varden regardless. This only confirmed it.

Eragon spoke before Error could. "Why not you, Jörmundur? Ajihad called you his right-hand man. Doesn't that mean you should take his place now that he's gone?"
Error furrowed his non-existent eyebrows as the council shifted uneasily. Jörmundur addressed Eragon carefully. "Because." He gave a meaningful look. "Ajihad was speaking of military matters then, nothing more. Also, I am a member of the council, which only has power because we support one another. It would be foolish and dangerous for one of us to raise himself above the rest."

They relaxed, Nightmare scoffing. Ha! Saphira noted. He probably would have taken power if it were possible to force the others to back him. Just look at how they eye him. He's like a wolf in their midst.
𝔓𝔢𝔯𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔰, 𝔟𝔲𝔱 ℑ 𝔡𝔬 𝔰𝔢𝔫𝔰𝔢 𝔩𝔬𝔶𝔞𝔩𝔱𝔶 𝔣𝔯𝔬𝔪 𝔥𝔦𝔪.
Hm. He's a wolf in a pack of jackals. Eragon commented.

"How much experience does she have?" Cross asked from beside Eragon. Elessari grinned as she shoved her fat bodice onto the table, leaning forward. "I had already been here for seven years when Ajihad joined the Varden. I've watched Nasuada grow up from a darling girl to the woman she is. A trifle light-headed occasionally, but a good figure to lead the Varden. The people will love her. Now I," she pat her oversized rump happily, Nightmare even noticed Error's disgust as it faintly jiggled. "And my friends will be here to guide her through these troubled times. She will never be without someone to show her the way. Inexperience should be no barrier to her taking her rightful position."

They want a puppet! Eragon exclaimed mentally, Nightmare taking note of the derision some of his men directed at the council, Geno's face morphing into disdain. Error wasn't impressed, fiddling with some of his strings.
"Ajihad's funeral will be held in two days." Umérth added. "Directly afterward, we plan to appoint Nasuada as our new leader. We have yet to ask her, but she will surely agree. We want you to be present at the appointing- no one, not even Hrothgar, can complain about it then- and swear fealty to the Varden. That will give back the confidence Ajihad's death has stolen from the people, and prevent anyone from trying to splinter the organization."

Several skeletons' eyelights flared in aggression, Red needing Fresh to slap his hand over his teeth to prevent the edgy Sans from shouting as Dust and Killer went stiff. Horror's eyesockets narrowed, Geno furrowing his non-existent eyebrows. Error's eyelights vanished briefly, Chaos complaining hotly to her father. GB was staring at Blue, the pair clearly locked in a silent debate as Eragon raged mentally.

Notice, they don't want you to swear to Nasuada- just to the Varden. Saphira reminded him.
Yes, and they want to be the ones to appoint Nasuada, which would indicate that the council is more powerful than she. They could have asked Arya to appoint her, but that would mean acknowledging their superiority over Nasuada, gain control over all of us over fealty, and also get the benefit of having a Rider endorse Nasuada in public.

"What makes you +hïπ[{ any of the Wyrdaí Islingrya should swear fealty to the Varden?" Error asked calmly, voice briefly glitching, eliciting a flinch from some of them. "The Eldjierdar already follow me, and the Wyrdvrangr follow Nightmare, who is unfortunately not as present as any of us could wish at the moment."
"Yes, we are sorry to hear of his death." Sombrae inclined her head. Error scoffed loudly.
"You misheard. He is not as present as he wants to be, but he has joined us in this meeting today."
"He has? I haven't seen him." Jörmundur commented nervously.

Nightmare reached out with his power and dimmed the lights in the room, changing them to illuminate blue and violet for a brief moment before they returned to normal. The council members all paled as the skeletons and Temmie grinned.
"But we heard he was stabbed through the heart? Or.. your equivalent of a heart?" Umérth asked slowly.
"That would be Soul." Geno explained. "And yes, he was." "But gods don't die." Error stated flatly.
"Gods?" Falberd questioned hesitantly.

"Yes. I'm afraid there's a lot you don't know. Where we come from, there are gods. Many different types and levels. Nightmare is on the lesser end of the major gods in the physical realm, from the Multiverse. He is the Guardian of Negativity, and part of a very famous balance, the Emotional balance. I too, am a god of the physical plane, though one of the major gods, and am more famously known for that fact, as many, and I mean many, have tried to kill me in the past. Especially my very ignorant counterpart, Ink. I suppose I should clear this up for you. I am Error, god of destruction.

As for other gods, there are only a few more powerful than me, and those consist of the incorporeal gods. The only one I actually know of is Fate. She made me who I am. I only exist because Ink, my counterpart, god of creation, was creating too many worlds, or AU's, and was overfilling the Multiverse. They would crash into one another and destroy everything. So I was taken, made into a god, and forced into my occupation. Fortunately and unfortunately, I was sent here, along with most of the Wyrdaí Islingrya present at this moment. I got a break from destroying and fighting Ink, but bad news is; no one is stopping him from creating or dealing with his creations. He's going to inadvertently destroy everything he's trying to 'protect'. Horribly ironic, I know." He leaned back, arms behind his skull.

"Error, you just turned that into your life story. You barely explained gods at all." Geno explained quietly. Error facepalmed. "[)âπgī+, got carried away." He rubbed his skull, then spoke again. "Fate and her ilk are the most powerful of the gods. They are the incorporeal, too powerful to even exist in the mortal realm. Just below them are creation and destruction, aka me and Ink. We are the first of the physical gods, and are not just immortal, but unkillable. Period. Ink was created by Fate from what I know, and Fate stole me from a mortal life in some random AU, I don't remember, and forced me into a sort of godhood after I don't know HOW long in my old prison, an empty place of white I like to call the Anti-Void. It's just endless white and silence... if you don't count the screaming voices and my own decorations."
"Error." Geno reminded him.
"Hey, I'm trying."

"Anyway, discounting a bunch of currently unimportant gods and whatnot, Nightmare is below me, though sometimes he gets weird.." Geno nudged him.
"Right. He protects the Emotional balance just like I do the creation/destruction balance. Both our counterparts don't understand that too much of them is bad. My counterpart being Ink. Nightmare's and his brother, Dream. Dream is able to make you.. positive. He also is the one that visits you when you sleep, should he choose to. But mostly he just gives you- heh- sweet dreams. Anyway, he protects the Multiverse by keeping the positivity stable, though he seems to think it's a good idea to keep everyone happy all the time. Happiness is pointless without sadness. And vice versa... and that's the simple explanation for ya."

"But the so-called good guys weren't even there when anyone of us needed them the most." Chaos muttered. "And they... dislike, that is the nicer way of describing of what I really feel about them without getting my mouth washed out with soap, my Father, Nightmare and his group, because they have to do some of the nastier things that kept everyone alive, and they didn't even care to ask them for the reasons why they do it. Dream and Ink tend to see the world in black and white, while we see the greys in between the black and the white."

She noticed the council staring at her and she grinned back at them. There were a lot of teeth in that smile. "Oh, and please continue with what you were telling us, and don't mind me, I tend to get lost in my thoughts sometimes...."

"So, now that we've gotten that out of the way." Dust said a little loudly. "I think I speak for all of us Wyrdaí Islingrya when I say we decline your offer." Cross cleared his throat. "But again, we don't speak for Eragon and Saphira." Geno sighed, an annoyed look on his face for a moment. "We'll respect Nasuada and the Varden with our appearence, but you cannot expect an entire race to swear fealty to you. We are looking out for ourselves. Eragon is our ticket in doing that." "So no hard feelings." Fresh finished with a dark smile.

The room grew still momentarily, then the council seemed to regretfully agree. But then like a pack of scavengers, they faced Eragon.
"Dear Rider, do you accept our offer?" Elessari asked with an all too knowing smile.
𝔄𝔱𝔱𝔢𝔫𝔡 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔠𝔢𝔯𝔢𝔪𝔬𝔫𝔶, 𝔈𝔯𝔞𝔤𝔬𝔫. ℑ𝔱 𝔦𝔰 𝔶𝔬𝔲𝔯 𝔚𝔶𝔯𝔡𝔞, ℑ 𝔣𝔢𝔢𝔩 𝔦𝔱. ℑ 𝔰𝔢𝔫𝔰𝔢 𝔱𝔥𝔞𝔱 𝔑𝔞𝔰𝔲𝔞𝔡𝔞 𝔦𝔰 𝔦𝔫𝔡𝔢𝔢𝔡 𝔴𝔥𝔞𝔱 𝔴𝔢 𝔞𝔩𝔩 𝔫𝔢𝔢𝔡, 𝔱𝔥𝔬𝔲𝔤𝔥 ℑ 𝔠𝔞𝔫𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔞𝔰𝔠𝔢𝔯𝔱𝔞𝔦𝔫 𝔭𝔯𝔢𝔠𝔦𝔰𝔢𝔩𝔶 𝔥𝔬𝔴. 𝔇𝔬 𝔶𝔬𝔲 𝔱𝔯𝔲𝔰𝔱 𝔪𝔢?
Perhaps something will occur between now and then that will change our position... Arya made have a solution to this trouble of swearing fealty. Saphira added to Nightmare's counsel.

Abruptly, Eragon nodded and spoke. "As you wish; I shall attend Nasuada's appointment."
Jörmundur visibly relaxed. "Good, good. Then we only have one more matter to deal with before you go: Nasuada's acceptance. There's no reason to delay, with all of us here. I'll send for her immediately. And Arya too- we need the elves' approval before making this decision public. It shouldn't be difficult to procure; Arya cannot go against our council, Eragon,l and the Wyrdaí Islingrya. She will have to agree with our judgement."

"Wait." Elessari insisted, a dark gleam in her eyes. "Your word, though, Rider. Will you give it in fealty at the ceremony?"
"Yes, you must do that." Falberd agreed eagerly. "The Varden would be disgraced if we couldn't provide you every protection."
A nice way to put it! Eragon scoffed mentally.
It was worth a try. I fear you have no choice now. Saphira explained as Nightmare thought to himself carefully.
They wouldn't dare harm us if I refused. Eragon countered.
No, but they could cause us no end of grief. It is not for my own sake that I say accept, but for yours. Many dangers exist that I and the Wyrdaí Islingrya cannot protect you from, Eragon. With Galbatorix set against us, you need allies, not enemies, around you. We cannot afford to contend with both the Empire and the Varden.
𝔄𝔤𝔯𝔢𝔢, 𝔈𝔯𝔞𝔤𝔬𝔫. 𝔗𝔯𝔲𝔰𝔱 𝔬𝔲𝔯 𝔧𝔲𝔡𝔤𝔢𝔪𝔢𝔫𝔱 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔤𝔦𝔳𝔢 𝔶𝔬𝔲𝔯 𝔴𝔬𝔯𝔡.

"I'll give it."
The whole table either relaxed or tensed up. The monsters gave Eragon looks of concern or outright shot him stares of are you crazy?! while the Council of Elders showed overwhelming relief.
They're afraid of us! Eragon realized incredulously.
As well as they should be. Saphira responded darkly.
ℑ𝔫𝔡𝔢𝔢𝔡, ℑ 𝔴𝔬𝔲𝔩𝔡 𝔥𝔞𝔳𝔢 𝔟𝔢𝔢𝔫 𝔦𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔱𝔞𝔱𝔢𝔡 𝔰𝔥𝔬𝔲𝔩𝔡 𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔶 𝔥𝔞𝔳𝔢 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔟𝔢𝔢𝔫.

Jörmundur summoned Jarsha and sent him after Nasuada and Arya, then the meeting room lapsed into silence, save for the faint whispers of the Wyrdaí Islingrya as they discussed what just occurred amongst themselves, asking Eragon a few questions that he refused to answer as he focused on his dilemma. Nightmare did his best to explain his reasoning to the human and dragon.

Then the door opened once again, revealing Nasuada in a jet black dress interrupted by a slash of royal purple and Blue Arya directly behind her, Jasha staring open-mouthed at the sight of the elf. Then he was dismissed, the boy scuttling off as Jörmundur helped Nasuada to a seat. Eragon offered the same for Arya, but she ignored the chair and stood beside the table.
Saphira, let her know all that's happened. I have a feeling the council won't inform her that they've compelled me to give the Varden my loyalty.

Jörmundur spoke up. "Arya." He acknowledged her, then facing the young woman. "Nasuada, Daughter of Ajihad, the Council of Elders wishes to formally extend it's deepest condolences for the loss you, more than anyone else, have suffered..." His voice dropped in volume. "You have our personal sympathies as well. We all know what it is like to have a family member killed by the Empire."

"Thank you." She dropped her gaze, shy and vulnerable in demeanor. Jörmundur continued. "Although this is your time of mourning, a quandary exists that you must resolve. This council cannot lead the Varden. And someone must replace your father after the funeral. We ask that you receive the position. As his heir, it is rightfully yours- the Varden expect it of you."

Her eyes glimmered with a few tears as she dipped her head. Her voice shook as she answered. "I never thought I would be called upon to take my father's place so young. Yet... if you insist it is my duty... I will embrace the office."

The Council of Elders all burst into big grins, glad that Nasuada accepted. Jörmundur went on. "We do insist, for your own good and the good of the Varden," the others inserted their support. Nasuada just smiled sadly. Sabrae shot Eragon and the Wyrdaí Islingrya a look upon seeing them not partake in it.
Eragon was busy studying Arya as they spoke, though she revealed nothing in her demeanor.
However, Nightmare sensed great rage boiling within the Elf, mutely warning Eragon.

Falberd suddenly addressed Arya. "Will the elves find this agreeable?"
She just stared at him. For a full thirty seconds. When he started shifting uncomfortably, she lifted an eyebrow and responded.
"I cannot speak for my queen, but I find nothing objectionable to it. Nasuada has my blessing."
How can she find it otherwise, knowing what we've told her? Eragon complained miserably. We're backed into corners.
𝔔𝔲𝔦𝔱 𝔶𝔬𝔲𝔯 𝔴𝔥𝔦𝔫𝔦𝔫𝔤, 𝔈𝔯𝔞𝔤𝔬𝔫. 𝔖𝔥𝔢 𝔦𝔰 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔞𝔰 𝔪𝔢𝔢𝔨 𝔞𝔰 𝔰𝔥𝔢 𝔰𝔢𝔢𝔪𝔰. ℑ 𝔰𝔢𝔫𝔰𝔢 𝔴𝔢 𝔞𝔯𝔢 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔦𝔫 𝔰𝔲𝔠𝔥 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔡𝔦𝔯𝔢 𝔰𝔦𝔱𝔲𝔞𝔱𝔦𝔬𝔫 𝔦𝔱 𝔞𝔭𝔭𝔢𝔞𝔯𝔰 𝔱𝔬 𝔟𝔢 𝔰𝔬 𝔣𝔞𝔯. ℭ𝔞𝔩𝔪 𝔶𝔬𝔲𝔯𝔰𝔢𝔩𝔣, 𝔦𝔱 𝔦𝔰 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔢𝔫𝔡.
... Very well.

"Would you leave me now? I need time to consider how best to honor my father and serve the Varden. You have given me much to ponder." Nasuada brought them from their thoughts. Umérth appeared ready to protest this, but then Falberd waved him off. "Of course, whatever will give you peace. If you need help, we are ready and willing to serve." He made his exit, the rest of the council following as the Wyrdaí Islingrya started getting up.

"Eragon, Wyrdaí Islingrya, will you please stay?"

They all were a tad surprised, but complied. Dust put his feet on the table, Error still stiff as Geno patted him so he would relax. As the others filed out slowly and reluctantly, Nasuada faced those left over with a measure of worry and even apprehension.
"So we meet again, Rider. All of you; you haven't greeted me. Have I offended you?"

"Nah kid, all of us are fine." Horror responded easily. Red spoke next. "Personally, I was sizing ya up. I'm curious about you."
Dust waved boredly. "We all know that you are special." He glanced at Geno, who finished. "But I think I speak for us all when I say we can't tell what exactly makes you special."
Eragon dipped his head. "No, none of us are offended. I myself was reluctant to speak for fear of being rude or foolish. Current circumstances are unkind to hasty statements."

He paused, hit with sudden paranoia. He quickly reached his own magic and spoke a line of words. "Atra nosu waíse vardo fra eld hórnya... There, now we may speak without being overheard by man, dwarf, or elf." The monsters smiled or nodded, Chaos giggling a little as Nasuada dropped her shoulders. In a stronger voice she spoke. "Thank you, Eragon. You don't know what a gift that is."

Saphira rose from her seat behind her human and monsters and approached Nasuada. She dipped her head until their eyes met, staring at the young woman for a whole minute, then snorting and moving away.
Tell her that I grieve for her loss. Also that her strength must become the Varden's when she assumes Ajihad's mantle. They will need a sure guide.

Eragon relayed Saphira's thoughts and added. "Ajihad was a great man- his name will always be remembered... There is something I must tell you. Before Ajihad died, he charged me, commanded me, to keep the Varden from falling into chaos." "Me?" "No, be quiet." Geno smacked Chaos's hand with a sharp glare, Eragon ignoring the interruption. "Those were his last words. Arya and Nightmare heard them as well. I was going to keep it a secret because of the implications, but you have a right to know. I'm not sure what Ajihad meant, nor exactly what he wanted, but I am certain of this: I will always defend the Varden with my powers. I want you to understand that, and that I've no desire to usurp the Varden's leadership."

Nasuada abruptly laughed, the sound harsh. "But that leadership isn't to be me, is it?" She kept her composure, but Determination seemed to shine in her eyes. "I know why you were here before me and what the council is trying to do. Do you think that in the years I served my father, we never planned for this eventuality? I expected the council to do exactly what it did. And now everything is in place for me to take command of the Varden."

"Oh my God." Killer breathed.
"You're amazing." Chaos grinned.
"You have officially earned my respect." Dust spoke seriously, straightening.
"And that, is obviously what we were sensing from you." Error said with a smile.
"You have no intention of letting them rule you." Eragon let a chuckle escape him.

"No." She told them, smiling a little at the praise. "Continue to keep Ajihad's instruction secret. It would be unwise to bandy it about, as people might take it to mean that he wanted you to succeed him, and that would undermine my authority and destabilize the Varden. He said what he thought he had to in order to protect the Varden. I would have done the same. My father..." She hesitated. "My father's work will not go unfinished, even if it takes me to the grave. That is what I want you, as a Rider, and you, as his guardians, to understand. All of Ajihad's plans, all his strategies and goals, they are mine now. I will not fail him by being weak. The Empire will be brought down, Galbatorix will be dethroned, and the rightful government will be raised."

A lone tear traced her face as she ended her monologue, and Nightmare wished he could praise this woman as Eragon began to appreciate the new side to Nasuada.
"And what of me, Nasuada? And the Wyrdaí Islingrya? What shall we do in the Varden?"

She stared at all of them before facing Eragon again. "You can do whatever you want. The council members are fools if they think to control you. You, Eragon, are a hero to the Varden and the dwarves, and even the elves will hail your victory over Durza when they hear of it. If you go against the council or me, we will be forced to yield, for the people will support you wholeheartedly. Right now, you are the most powerful person in the Varden. However, if you accept my leadership, I will continue the path laid down by Ajihad: you will go with Arya to the elves, be instructed there, then return to the Varden. All of this applies for the Wyrdaí Islingrya as well, to a point. I understand that you follow Eragon as his guardians and supporters, so you are following him to Ellesméra?" She directed at the monsters.

"Most of us." Dust explained. "Error and the Eldjierdar are planning to remain here with the Varden to assist wherever and however we can." Geno started. Error picked up the conversation. "However, we are sending Blue and GB -who recently decided he follows us- with the Wyrdvrangr to go with Eragon to the elves. As envoys, you could say."

Even Blue understood that Error just thought it was safer for his sake, rolling his eyelights discreetly at the plan but not arguing with it.
"So you accept my leadership?" Nasuada questioned. Error blinked. "I believe you are the rightful leader for the Varden. I will support you and do my best to listen, although if I feel you are not making the right decision I will refuse, though I don't believe that situation will happen." He chose his words carefully. Nightmare was kind of proud of that, despite himself. Nasuada nodded. "That is reasonable, Lord Error."
"Please." Error said tiredly. "Skip the dang formalities. They make me itch. Just call me Error. I don't like the Lord quack. I'll take from the others, but not from you, okay?"
"I will keep that in mind, Error."
"Thanks."
Fresh was staring at Error.

During this short conversation, Eragon, Saphira, and Nightmare were having a silent discussion between each other, before Eragon made a rather brilliant suggestion on his part. Nightmare would've smiled if he could have, he could feel Wyrda moving again as Saphira gave her consent to the human's decision.

So Eragon stood, drawing out Zar'roc and approaching Nasuada. The Wyrdaí Islingrya all kinda fell silent in confusion as they watched this, noting Nasuada's sudden fear, reaching into her dress and grabbed what was presumably a knife. Eragon paid no heed to this, instead choosing to kneel before her, blade flat across his hands.

"Nasuada," he raised his voice. "The Wyrdaí Islingrya, Saphira and I have been here for only a short while. But in that time I believe we have all come to respect Ajihad, and now, in turn, you. You fought under Farthen Dûr when others fled, including the two women of the council, and have treated us openly instead of with deception. Therefore, I offer you my blade... and my fealty as a Rider."

Killer let out a long, drawn-out gasp before Red punched him lightly, some of the others glaring at him. Nasuada blinked, working her mouth in shock before delicately taking the handle of Zar'roc and studying it's bloody blade as she rested the tip on Eragon's bowed head.
"I do accept your fealty with honor, Rider, as you accept all the responsibilities accompanying the station. Rise as my vassal and take your sword."
Eragon complied, then explained. "Now I can tell you openly as my master, the council made me agree to swear to the Varden once you were appointed. This was the only way Saphira and I could circumvent them."

Nasuada laughed as Geno pointed out. "And I think you couldn't have made a better decision! It's honestly probably best you don't follow either Eldjierdar or Wyrdvrangr in the end, anyway." He told him.

"Yes, I see you have already learned how to play our game." Nasuada went on. Very well, as my newest and only vassal, will you agree to give your fealty to me again- in public, when the council expects your vow?"
"Of course."
"Good, that will take care of the council. Now, until then, leave me. I have much planning to do, and I must prepare for the funeral... Remember, Eragon, the bond we have just created is equally binding; I am as responsible for your actions as you are required to serve me. Do not dishonor me."
"Nor you I."

She paused thoughtfully, furrowing her brow. Her voice went soft. "You have my condolences, Eragon. I realize that others beside myself have cause for sorrow; while I have lost my father, you have also lost a friend. I liked Murtaugh a great deal and it saddens me that he is gone... goodbye Eragon." She glanced at the rest, waiting expectantly with smiles on all their faces.
"You may all go."

Together, dragon, human, and Wyrdaí Islingrya left the meeting room, processing what had happened. A lot had just occurred, and the day was still so young.
Saphira nosed Eragon. This way. She started down to the right, confusing everyone with her lack of explanation. When pressed, she provided them with nothing, so the team gave up and followed.

Things have certainly changed for us. Eragon started with her casually. I never know what to expect from one day to the next- except sorrow and bloodshed.
𝔗𝔥𝔞𝔱 𝔦𝔰 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔱𝔯𝔲𝔢, 𝔈𝔯𝔞𝔤𝔬𝔫. 𝔇𝔬 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔩𝔢𝔱 𝔱𝔥𝔬𝔰𝔢 𝔱𝔥𝔬𝔲𝔤𝔥𝔱𝔰 𝔭𝔬𝔦𝔰𝔬𝔫 𝔶𝔬𝔲.
Indeed, all is not bad. We have won a great victory. It should be celebrated, not mourned.
It doesn't help, having to deal with all this other nonsense. Eragon complained wearily.
Saphira huffed angrily, a tiny jet of flame darting from her nostrils and singeing Eragon's shoulder, enticing a yelp from the human as Killer snirked, Dust patting her side as Red softly cheered it on.

Oops. Saphira apologized as Eragon shot her and angry look.
Oops! You nearly roasted my side!

I didn't expect it to happen. I keep forgetting that fire will come out if I'm not careful. Imagine that every time you raised your arm, lightning struck the ground. It would be easy to make a careless motion and destroy something unintentionally.
A few of the others laughed at her strange comparison as Error and Nightmare actually found it accurate.
You're right... sorry I growled at you.

She winked at him. No matter. The point I was trying to make is that even Nasuada can't force you to do anything.
He stared at her. But I gave my word as a Rider!
Maybe so, but if I must break it to keep you safe, I will not hesitate. It is a burden I could easily carry. Because I'm joined to you, my honor is inherent to your pledge, but as an individual, I am not bound by it. If I must, I will kidnap you. I am sure even Nightmare would help me, should he agree with my reasons.
𝔜𝔢𝔰. ℑ 𝔴𝔬𝔲𝔩𝔡 𝔪𝔬𝔰𝔱 𝔠𝔢𝔯𝔱𝔞𝔦𝔫𝔩𝔶 𝔡𝔬 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔰𝔞𝔪𝔢 𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔪𝔶𝔰𝔢𝔩𝔣, 𝔰𝔥𝔬𝔲𝔩𝔡 ℑ 𝔡𝔢𝔢𝔪 𝔦𝔱 𝔫𝔢𝔠𝔢𝔰𝔰𝔞𝔯𝔶.
Any disobedience then would be no fault of your own.
Eragon stewed over this.
It should never come to that. If we have to use such tricks to do what's right, then Nasuada and the Varden will have lost all integrity.

They halted at a grand archway, leading to a glorious library that sent Nightmare into a moment of furious excitement.
𝔒𝔬𝔬𝔬𝔬𝔬𝔥𝔥𝔥𝔥 𝔰𝔬 𝔪𝔞𝔫𝔶 𝔟𝔬𝔬𝔨𝔰! 𝔒𝔥 𝔪𝔢 𝔬𝔥 𝔪𝔶 𝔬𝔥 𝔪𝔢 𝔬𝔥 𝔪𝔶 𝔰𝔬 𝔪𝔞𝔫𝔶!! 𝔒𝔥, ℑ 𝔠𝔬𝔲𝔩𝔡 𝔰𝔭𝔢𝔫𝔡 𝔞 𝔡𝔢𝔠𝔞𝔡𝔢 𝔬𝔯 𝔰𝔬 𝔦𝔫 𝔥𝔢𝔯𝔢!! 𝔒𝔥 𝔶𝔬𝔲 𝔟𝔢𝔞𝔲𝔱𝔦𝔣𝔲𝔩 𝔠𝔯𝔞𝔠𝔨𝔩𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔭𝔞𝔤𝔢𝔰 𝔬𝔣 𝔥𝔦𝔰𝔱𝔬𝔯𝔶! 𝔏𝔢𝔱 𝔪𝔢 𝔤𝔞𝔷𝔢 𝔲𝔭𝔬𝔫 𝔶𝔬𝔲𝔯 𝔰𝔱𝔬𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔰 𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔞𝔰𝔢!
Saphira glanced at Eragon, concerned.
Is Nightmare alright?
I think so?
The King of Negativity composed himself.
𝔑𝔬𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔫𝔤. 𝔑𝔬𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔫𝔤. ℑ 𝔤𝔬𝔱 𝔞 𝔩𝔦𝔱𝔱𝔩𝔢 𝔠𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 𝔞𝔴𝔞𝔶 𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔯𝔢. ℑ 𝔞𝔪 𝔣𝔦𝔫𝔢. ℑ 𝔧𝔲𝔰𝔱 𝔯𝔢𝔞𝔩𝔩𝔶 𝔡𝔬 𝔞𝔭𝔭𝔯𝔢𝔠𝔦𝔞𝔱𝔢 𝔟𝔬𝔬𝔨𝔰 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔰𝔲𝔠𝔥.
Well. I knew you liked them a great deal, but that was a lot more than I expected. Eragon admitted. Nightmare struggled to explain himself, before grumbling.
𝔏𝔢𝔞𝔳𝔢 𝔪𝔢 𝔟𝔢 𝔴𝔦𝔱𝔥 𝔪𝔶 𝔬𝔟𝔰𝔢𝔰𝔰𝔦𝔬𝔫.

Eragon smirked, then let it fade as Saphira led him to an alcove, whereupon Arya sat. The rest of them saw this and a few just shrugged and teleported away, leaving Error, Geno, Blue and GB to watch what would come next.

"What have you done?" Arya snapped at Eragon, alarmingly aggressive.
"How so?" Eragon tried to remain placid.
She tensed, unbelievably angry and barely controlling it.
"What have you promised the Varden? What have you done?" She hissed, ending with her words worming into Eragon's mind. He was hit with a wave of fear when he realized how unstable she was. Nightmare quietly assured him that the others would protect him if it came to that.

"We only did what we had to. I'm ignorant of elves' customs, so if our actions upset you, I apologise. There's no cause to be angry."
This only made it worse. Arya clenched her fists.

"Fool! You know nothing about me! I have spent seven decades representing my queen here- fifteen years of which I bore Saphira's egg between the Varden and the elves. In all that time, I struggled to ensure the Varden had wise, strong leaders who could resist Galbatorix and respect our wishes. Brom helped me by forging the agreement concerning the new Rider- you. Ajihad had committed to your remaining independent so that the balance of power would not be upset. Now I see you siding with the Council of Elders, willingly or not, to control Nasuada! You have overturned a lifetime of work! What have you done?!"

Horrified, Eragon began explaining as bluntly as possible why he agreed to the council's demands despite his and Saphira's attempts to avoid said fate. Arya listened carefully, gradually calming down.
He completed his explanation.
"So." Arya spoke first.
"So." Eragon repeated.

She leaned back tiredly, keeping her intense eyes on him as she spoke. "Your position is not what I would wish, but better than I had hoped. I was impolite; Saphira... and you... understand more than I thought. Your compromise will be accepted by the elves, though you must never forget your debt to us for Saphira. There would be no Riders without our efforts."
"The debt is burned into my blood and my palm." Eragon told her, and they fell into silence.

"You must have been gone for such a long time; do you miss Ellesméra? Or did you live elsewhere?" He tried changing the subject.
Her gaze shifted away, blankly staring off into the distance as she thought.
"Ellesméra was, and always shall be, my home. I have not lived in my family's house since I left for the Varden, when the walls and windows were draped in spring's first flowers. The times I've returned were only fleeting stays, vanishing flecks of memory by our measurement."

Her elegant scent of crushed pine drifted by once again. Both Eragon and Nightmare found it strangely intoxicating.
"It must be hard to live among all these dwarves and humans without any of your kind." Eragon went on. She looked at him curiously.
"You speak of humans as if you weren't one."
"Perhaps..." he paused, thinking. "Perhaps I am something else- a mixture of two races. Saphira lives inside me as much as I live in her. We share feelings, senses, thoughts, even to the point where we are more one mind than two." The dragon nodded, almost hitting the table with her muzzle.

"That is how it should be." Arya told them. "A pact more ancient and powerful than you can imagine links you. You won't truly understand what it means to be a Rider until your training is completed. But that must wait until after the funeral. In the meantime, may the stars watch over you."

She got up and walked away, vanishing within the corridors of the bookshelves. Eragon blinked, Error, Geno, Blue and GB coming out of the shadows, confused.
Is it me, or is everyone on edge today? He quested. Like Arya - one moment she's angry, the next she's giving me a blessing!
No one will be comfortable until things return to normal. Saphira explained.
Define normal.
𝔗𝔥𝔞𝔱'𝔰 𝔭𝔯𝔢𝔠𝔦𝔰𝔢𝔩𝔶 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔠𝔞𝔱𝔠𝔥. Nightmare answered in a low voice.