Error had his upper half splayed across the table, groaning as he listened to Nasuada hold court in the next room.
Red was snoring away in a chair not far from them. Fresh was just sitting in his, a strained smile on his face as he stared blankly.
He was worried about Fresh. The parasite was genuinely unsettled about the possibility of dying. Error was damned if he could let that happen. He'd give his own Soul if need be- he really would, no questions asked.

Nasuada's raised voice drew Error's attention. "Yes! You'd get more. But I happen to know that Master Gamble cannot afford to give you the chickens' full price, as I'm the one who provides his salary! As I do yours. You forget that if I decided to acquire your poultry for the good of the Varden, you'd get no more than a copper a chicken and be lucky at that. Am I understood?"
"He can't-" "Am I understood?"

There was a tense pause before the reply came. "Yes, Ma'am."
"Very well. You're both dismissed." Some shuffling as the pair of humans left, then Nasuada addressed her guards. "You too."
Error waited a moment, then drew himself upright, flipping his hood over his face and jamming his hands in his pockets as he teleported while the bell ringed. He appeared at her left as the door behind the banner on the right opened.

The human glanced at him curiously before facing the handmaid, Farica. "Are there any more?"
"No, Ma'am."
She sighed a little, rubbing her forehead with one hand as she thought.
"I want that Gamble reassigned. Give him a job where his talent with words will be of some use. Quartermaster, perhaps, just so long as it's a job where he'll get full rations. I don't want to see him before me for stealing again."
The woman nodded as she wrote it down on a scroll nearby. "Where can I find him?"
"One of the work gangs in the quarry."
"Yes, Ma'am. Oh, while you were occupied, King Orrin asked that you and Lord Error join him in his laboratory."

Error smirked softly as Nasuada groaned. "What has he done in there now, blind himself?" She stood, approaching the lavender-scented washbasin before glancing at Error. "What brings you here at the sweltering time?" He shrugged, letting his multicolored hands show. "Honestly, I wanted something to do. Surda is as boring as ever. I've been teleporting between here and Du Weldenvarden just for some form of entertainment. Though the elves don't appear to like that I can bypass their wards." He rubbed a hand over his skull, the hood falling back as he did so. "But Orrin's requested the two of us, so now I have something to do."

She smiled half-heartedly, washing her arms and neck, adjusting her clothes in the mirror before facing him again. "How goes Eragon's training?"
Error deadpanned. "They've been in Ellesméra for only three days." Her smile dropped.
"But they seemed willing to train Blue and GB as Riders for some reason. As long as he's okay with it, I don't mind.." He stared over her shoulder, head tilted thoughtfully. Nasuada's grin returned, though more uncertain. "That's good! More Riders is what we need."
He nodded distractedly before they set out through the dusky hot castle. Borromeo Castle.

Error kept his hood up, hands in pockets of his cloak as they trudged in the blazing heat. It was a matter of safety; only nobility were aware of skeletons here, that and most of the Varden. They didn't want to unduly frighten the commoners, so they needed to hide their faces.
Error didn't care. He's hidden his face before, he's quite good at it.

They waited at the entrance as the guards announced their arrival. Then Orrin himself called out to them. "Lady Nasuada! Lord Error! I'm glad you both came. I have something to show you."

The two entered, Farica behind them. All manner of glass beakers, test tubes, and other scientific objects greeted them, Error making sure they were out of sight of the guards before tossing his hood off.
Weaving through the glass forest they found Orrin, stirring a tube of quicksilver.
"Sire." Nasuada spoke.
"Orrin." Error added, watching as Farica curtsied.
"You seem to have recovered from the explosion last week." Nasuada added.

The king grimaced, though kindly. "I learned that it's not wise to combine phosphorus with water in an enclosed space. The result can be quite violent."
Error snorted humorously as Nasuada asked another question. "Has all of your hearing returned?"
"Not entirely, but…" King Orrin grinned like Chaos on Skittles as he lit a pipe from a nearby brazier and returned, packing weed into it.

"I didn't know that you smoked." Nasuada commented. Orrin shrugged. "I don't really, except that my eardrum hasn't completely sealed up yet, I can do this…." He took a draught on the pipe and puffed out his cheeks.
A thin wisp of smoke emerged from his left ear, wafting around his head.

Error blanked in surprise as Nasuada exploded into laughter, Orrin joining her as Error started snickering.
"It's the most peculiar sensation. Tickles like crazy on the way out."

Eventually they recovered, Error pinching the bone between his sockets as he grinned, listening to Nasuada. "Was there something else you wished to discuss with us, Sire?"
He snapped his fingers at her, waving his pointer finger at the two of them. "Of course."

Spinning on the heel he dipped a long glass tube in the quicksilver, then covered the open end with his finger. He revealed it to them excitedly. "Would you agree that the only thing in this tube is quicksilver?"
"Sure." Error eyed it, curious what the man was getting at.
"I would." Nasuada agreed.

"And what about now?" He asked, flipping the tube upside down while removing his finger, the liquid dropping halfway before stopping. "What occupies that space?"
"It must be air." Nasuada suggested. Error felt a confused grin spread over his face, realizing that they didn't know.

Orrin grinned again as he shook his head. "If that were true, how would the air bypass the quicksilver or diffuse through the glass? No routes are available by which atmosphere can gain admission." He glanced at Error. "What's your opinion, Lord Error?"

He let out a low chuckle. "You have no idea." He tapped the glass, disrupting the quicksilver so it fell out, only to catch it with blue magic. "You discovered the vacuum, Orrin. I never thought I'd be around for any world during any large discovery; yet here I am. Man.." Orrin's eyes gleamed. "You knew of this already?"

Error held up the quicksilver. "I know a hell of a lotta things. I spent eons learning about science- especially space. The Multiverse had many, many worlds, most of which were extremely advanced compared to Alagaësia." He chuckled again, excited.

"Here." He grabbed an empty beaker nearby, ripping a string from his face and tying it around the edge so it wouldn't fly off. "Since we're here, let me show you a little something about gravity and motion."
He dumped the liquid in the glass and without warning, started swinging it around.
The three humans ducked in surprise, only to hesitate as no liquid flew at them.

"Are you using magic?" Farica questioned shyly. Error shook his skull vigorously. "Make your own conclusions, you three." He stopped, returning the beaker while grabbing the quicksilver out of it, dismissing the string as he put the liquid in the tube again.
"But about the vacuum."

He held the tube upside down with his magic, letting the quicksilver hang down in the attempt to follow the natural course of gravity. Pointing at it, he said "Everything that exists in the physical realm is made of tiny particles called atoms. They're too small to be seen by anyone's eye or eyesocket, except with the very best microscopes. Even then, atoms are comprised of smaller particles called protons, neutrons, and electrons. They can be separated for various purposes; it even occurs naturally. Lightning? That's a huge mass of electrons briefly combining in a current. But anyway."

He shook his skull, aware he'd drifted from the topic. "Everything already exists in a vacuum. Atoms gather in certain patterns to form molecules, which in turn form everything we see and know. Even what we don't see, like air. But a vacuum is when there is simply nothing; no atoms, no molecules. Atoms naturally want to fill empty space-" He gestured at the tube. "Which is why that quicksilver isn't falling out. The atoms and molecules making up that substance are trying to fill the vacuum above it. And due to the properties of liquid, it holds the entire mass of the rest of the quicksilver up with it in the effort to fill the gap. Unfortunately, gravity pulls it away, so it's stuck like that; half tugged up to empty space, half tugged down by gravity."

Orrin had been furiously taking notes on some nearby parchment.
"What purpose does it serve, though?" Nasuada asked, a hint of strain in her voice.

"Nothing at the moment, you don't have the technology to utilize it's benefits. However, due to the fact that heat transfers between atoms, a vacuum can be used to preserve heat and cold in places and objects, because in a vacuum there's nothing in which to transfer the heat. It's most commonly used in fridges and double-walled cups; those are basically two cups with space between them, sealed with all air removed to create a vacuum that keeps the drink hot or cold."

Nasuada glanced at Farica. "Wait for us outside." The maid curtsied and departed, Orrin still scribbling his notes. "I think.." He paused as he finished up. "I would like to know these mysteries you hold the answers to. If you don't mind divulging them!"
Error grinned. "Oh I don't mind at all!"

The door closed as Nasuada addressed Error. "I understand your excitement, but I would like to address something more important." He waved at her to speak, and she turned to the king.
"Orrin. Have you taken leave of your senses?"

"Whatever do you mean?" The king amiably replied.
"While you spend your time locked in here conducting experiments that no one understands- endangering your well-being in the process- your country totters on the brink of war. A myriad issues await your decision, and you stand here blowing smoke and playing with quicksilver?"

His mood immediately snapped to grave. "I am quite aware of my duties, Nasuada. You may lead the Varden, but I'm still king of Surda, and you would do well to recall that before you speak so disrespectfully. Need I remind you that your sanctuary here depends on my continued goodwill?"

Error stiffened at the threat, watching closely as Nasuada hesitated, thinking. If she took too much initiative or moved the Varden too quickly, Orrin would very well consider that a threat and turn against them. Wait too long, and they lose their chance to exploit Galbatorix's weakness.
Everything depended on Eragon.
Even the skeletons.

"I don't seek to undermine your command, Orrin. That was never my intention, and I apologise if it appeared that way." He jerked his head in a tense nod. Nasuada hesitated again, pressing her fingers to the bench and leaning on them. "It's only… so many things must be done. I work night and day- I keep a tablet beside my bed for notes- and yet I never catch up; I feel as if we are always balanced on the brink of disaster."

Try dealing with that feeling for several eons. Error mentally retorted, but held his tongues. Orrin grabbed a pestle with it's head stained black, rolling it methodically between his hands before he answered.

"Before you came here… No, that's not right. Before you skeletons and your Rider materialized fully formed from the ethers like Moratensis from his fountain, I expected to live my life as my father and grandfather before me. That is, opposing Galbatorix in secret. You must excuse me if it takes a while to accustom myself to this new reality."

"I understand." Nasuada said.
"I can relate to that." Error muttered under his breath.

Orrin paused the pestle before continuing. "You are newly come to your power, Nasuada, whereas I have held mine for a number of years. If I may be arrogant enough to offer advice, I've found that it's essential for my sanity to allocate a certain portion of the day for my own interests. I am sure Error agrees with me."

Error nodded with a slight smile as Nasuada objected. "I couldn't do that, every moment I waste might be the moment of effort that's needed to defeat Galbatorix."
The pestle stopped moving momentarily again. Error raised a non-existent eyebrow at the woman.
"You do the Varden a disservice if you insist on overworking yourself. No one can function properly without occasional peace and quiet, from what I have seen. They don't have to be long breaks, just five or ten minutes. You could even practice your archery, and then you would still serve your goals, albeit in a different manner…. That's why I had this laboratory constructed in the first place. That's why I blow smoke and play with quicksilver, as you put it- so that I don't scream with frustration throughout the rest of the day."

She seemed unwilling to, but relented nonetheless. "I will keep your recommendation in mind."
Orrin smiled. "That's all I ask."

Nasuada turned, heading for the window and pushing the shutters outward so she could look down at the crowded streets of Aberon, the voices of merchants calling to potential customers echoing into the laboratory.
Error teleported behind her, standing tall enough to peer over her head with no effort at all.
"Have you received copies of our latest reports from the Empire?" Nasuada quested without turning from the window.

"I have." He joined them.
"What's your opinion of them?"
"That they're too meager and incomplete to extract any meaningful conclusions."
"They're the best we have, though. Give me your suspicions and your hunches. Extrapolate from the known facts like you would if this were one of your experiments. Error, if you could, I would like the same of you."
A smile graced her face.
"I promise I won't attach meaning to what you say."

There was a moment of silence. Error simply watched, preferring to comment after Orrin had spoken.
The king eventually did.
"Increased taxes, emptied garrisons, horses and oxen confiscated throughout the Empire… It seems that Galbatorix gathers his forces in preparation to confront us, though I cannot tell whether he means to do it in offense or defense."

A flock of starlings flew up and patterned their faces with shadow as they blocked the sun.
"The question that weighs upon my mind now is, how long will it take him to mobilize? For that will determine the course of our strategies."
"Weeks. Months. Years. I cannot predict his actions."
"All I can give is that many people are going to die soon, including those in power. My conclusion is he will match on us soon. That much is worrying." Error explained, studying a distant figure weaving through the crowds in unusual clothing, dancing to music playing from bards.
Why is Chaos dressed like she's in an anime? He quietly asked himself, not sure of how to feel about the situation.

"Have your agents continued to spread tidings of Eragon and the Wyrdaí Islingrya?" Orrin inquired, glancing at Error.
"It has become increasingly dangerous, but yes. My hope is that if we inundate cities like Dras-Leona with rumors of Eragon's and the skeletons' prowess, when we actually reach the city and they see them, they will join us of their own accord and we can avoid a siege."
"War is rarely so easy." Orrin murmured.
She didn't answer that.

"And how fares the mobilization of your own army? The Varden, as always, are ready to fight."
He spread his appeasingly. "It's difficult to rouse a nation, Nasuada. There are nobles who I must convince to back me, armor and weapons to be constructed, supplies to be gathered…."
"And in the meantime, how do I feed my people? We need more land than you allotted us-"
"Well, I know it."
"-and we'll only get it by invading the Empire, unless you fancy making the Varden a permanent addition to Surda. If so, you'll have to find homes for thousands of people I brought from Farthen Dûr, which won't please your existing citizens. Whatever your choice, choose quickly, because I fear that if you continue to procrastinate, the Varden will disintegrate into an uncontrollable horde." It sounded like a minor threat, despite her clear attempt to not do that.

"Your father never let his men get out of hand. I trust that you won't, either, if you expect to remain leader of the Varden. As for our preparations, there's a limit to what we can do in so short a time; you'll just have to wait until we are ready."
Error saw veins bulging in her wrists as she gripped the windowsill, choosing to make no comment as he was irritated as well.
Her voice was deceptively calm. "In that case, will you lend the Varden more gold for food?"
"No, I've given all the money I can spare."
"How will we eat, then?"
"I would suggest you raise the funds yourself."

Error actually took a step back, feeling her anger as she turned and gave Orrin a huge smile, waiting for him to shuffle his feet uncomfortably before she curtsied like a servant, still grinning.
"Farewell then, Sire. I hope that the rest of your day is as enjoyable as our conversation was."

She sped away, leaving the two men as she left, sleeve catching on a bottle that shattered, spraying yellow liquid on her dress. She flicked her wrist and continued without hesitation.
Error glanced incredulously at Orrin. "That grin was scarier than a pissed off Nightmare."

He teleported then, leaving the king confused as he rejoined Nasuada and Farica at the stairs.