The group was coughing as they hovered above the dragons, of which the Riders were struggling to breathe through the noxious smoke that blinded them all. They finally escaped the underbelly of the clouds, worryingly close to the ground as the dragons flared their wings and everyone took in the surroundings.
The charcoal and bloody smoke rose from the sickeningly orange bleached earth, rising from the many crevices in the packed dirt in off-white pillars, joining with the blackened clouds above. The river Jiet flowed staggeringly, stained a murky white as it gurgled across the landscape.

East of the polluted waters sat two armies, the Varden to the south and the endless Empire's troops, several times the size of the unfortunate Varden and Orrin's armies.
"Oh shit, that doesn't look good." Dust commented, snacking on a sausage.
"Really? Thanks, Captain Obvious, I never would have thought of that!" Killer yelled, a trickle of black trailing down one side of his face as his eyelights flickered slightly, full of fear. "There's so many of them.." He trailed, looking back at the sprawling army.
"Come on, we need to get out of the no man's land." Cross spoke up, pointing to their allies.

The team immediately dove down, going as fast as they dared to avoid Galbatorix's army and it's magicians, Bird, Reaper and Dream falling the fastest as Dust whooped from the exhilarating drop, Horror jumping off his Blaster for a brief freefall before slowly meeting back up with it again.

Suddenly, a flock of arrows shot up to meet them, forcing the winged ones to circumvent them as Blue stopped them with magic, letting them fall to the distant ground below as Eragon caught one fired after the original wave.

A hundred feet above the compound, Saphira flared her wings, GB doing the same to swoop just under her before dropping and flapping as he landed- once more ahead of her as she landed on her hind legs and ran to a stop amid the tents. The others merely hopped off their Blasters or teleported to the ground.

Several dozen soldiers gathered in awe as the Riders dismounted, GB grinning as Blue gaped at them in surprise. Cross merely stood at attention, ignoring the others as Horror held a sausage in his teeth like a thick cigar beside him. A familiar large man started shouting at the crowd to get back to work before facing them all respectfully, clearly hiding his shock at some of their changed appearances.

"You've arrived just in time…. I can't tell you how ashamed I am you were attacked. The honor of every man here is blackened by this mistake. Were any of you hurt?"
"No." Eragon spoke for them.
Smiling in relief, the weapons master, Fredric continued. "Well, there's that to be grateful for. I've had the men responsible pulled from duty. They'll each be whipped and reduced in rank…. Will that punishment satisfy you, Riders and Wyrdaí Islingrya?"
Blue looked ready to say something when Eragon beat him to it. "I want to see them."

Fear flashed briefly across the man's face before it was masked. "I would also like to see them?" Blue added. "Me as well!" Dream waved for attention as he spoke. Nightmare sighed slightly at his brother before Fredric nodded sharply. "If you'd follow me, then, sirs and Majesty."

The entire team followed the human as he led them to a striped tent with twenty miserable men stripping. Upon seeing their arrival, they all dropped to one knee. "Hail, Shadeslayer!"
"I feel forgotten." Nightmare whispered to Dream, only to receive an elbow. "Calm down, they saw the shiny dragon first."
Eragon walked the line of soldiers, his boots the only sound as they crunched into the baked, crusty earth. Blue stood in front of them, staring with wide sockets as Dream tugged his brother along to join him. Reaper shrugged and vanished, the sound of him taking flight the only hint that he left.

"You should be proud that you reacted so quickly to our appearance. If Galbatorix attacks, that's exactly what you should do, though I doubt arrows would prove any more effective against him than they were against us." The men all glanced up in disbelief and surprise, hope tinting their faces like the brazen orange light of the sickly plains.
"We only ask that you try to discern what you are firing at next time, alright?" Blue suggested.
"In a real fight, it's entirely possible we will be too distracted to dodge or stop your arrows." Dream added.
"Is that understood?" Eragon asked.
Confused on who to address, they ended up with a unanimous "yes" added with a slew of "Shadeslayer", "Rider/Riders", and "Lord". A few called out sir in panic.
"Just stick with sir if you're confused on what to address." Dream explained gently, glancing at Eragon, who shrugged slightly in response.

The human then stopped at the second to last man in line, holding out the arrow he'd caught. "I believe this is yours, Harwin."
With a face full of awe, he gingerly took it from the Rider. "So it is! It has the white band I always paint on my shafts so I can find them later. Thank you, Shadeslayer."
Eragon nodded before Blue spoke up. "These are good men-" "Good and honest." Dream interrupted. "We would like punishments withheld, they are undeserving of such."
Smiling, Fredric spoke. "I will see to it personally."

"Now will you take us to Lady Nasuada?" Nightmare asked, flicking a patch of dirt off one of his tendrils.
"Yes, my Lord." He proceeded to guide them through the tents. The Twins both glanced at the Riders in concern as both grew unsettled and disquieted.

What troubles you? Nightmare promptly asked Blue, who blinked before responding in kind.
The Du Vrangr Gata are hiding from us- both me and Eragon, and won't let us explain who we are.
We can tell them later when we have a chance to meet in person. Dream told him.
I hope. They might try to attack.
It will be fine.
Assured, Blue withdrew from them, looking about the encampment as they passed through.

They finally arrived at a red pavilion, flying a banner depicting a black shield and parallel swords above it. Fredric held back the flap for everyone to enter, revealing Nasuada and Arya clad in armor and studying a table covered in maps and scrolls, Error between them and looking like he'd rather be anywhere but there. A sudden joy radiated from the Twins as they spotted the she-elf.
Nasuada flinched slightly at their arrival, dragons sticking their faces in the tent after them.
"Eragon? Nightmare? Blue?" She spoke in a hushed voice.

Eragon grinned widely, twisting his hand in the elven fealty as Blue waved excitedly, Dream practically clinging to his brother as the darker smiled.
"At your service." Eragon stated.
"Eragon!" The leader of the Varden cried, happy to see them all. "How did you get our message so quickly?" Arya asked.
"I didn't-" "We discovered your situation by scrying and we all left the same day!" Blue finished for him."
Chuckling softly, Eragon continued. "It's good to be back with the Varden."
"What happened to all of you?" Nasuada pondered ponderously.

Thus the team all went on to explain what had happened ever since they left Farthen Dûr. They intentionally left many parts of the Rider training out, and mentioned a strange bird of fire that worked many of their changed, Blue's tail wagging as he described a few features of his more dragonic form, comparing it to GB's skeleton form, of which the skeleblaster trilled. Soon enough they finished, more often interrupting each other when they spoke.

Nasuada now shook her head. "What a tale. You have all experienced so much since you left Farthen Dûr."
"As have you." Nightmare and Eragon spoke at the same time, surprising a laugh out of both of them. Eragon gestured for the king to continue, who shrugged.
"You managed to transport the whole of the Varden to Surda. That is impressive on it's own. How fared you and the Council of Elders? Have they been problematic?"
She nodded. "A bit, but nothing extraordinary. They seem to have resigned themselves to my leadership."

Sitting down in a high-backed chair, she addressed Orik, who had been respectfully quiet, asking what he had to add. He shrugged and added a few things, then fell silent. Nasuada smiled slightly.
"I am heartened to know that if we can weather this onslaught, we shall have the elves and another dragon by our side. Did any of you happen to see Hrothgar's warriors during your flight from Aberon? We are counting on their reinforcements."

They all collectively said no, though a few provided reasons for missing an army. Error sighed explosively as this was spoken, turning around to sit on the table. Blue, frowning at this, decided to jump across the table and tackle the god of destruction, who yelped as he fell over.
"Endure my friendship hug!"
Several others burst out laughing as Error begged he be released, glitching as he struggled weakly before surrendering to the embrace. Blue cackled maniacally and stood up, still squeezing the glitch tightly.

Accustomed to the antics, Nightmare prompted the question. "What is the situation here?"
Sighing, Nasuada turned and told her story of how she and Orrin had struggled to reach the Burning Plains before the Empire could. Then she explained. "The Empire arrived three days ago. Since then, we've exchanged two messages. First they asked for our surrender, which we refused, and now we wait for their reply."

"Okay, how many of the fuckers are there?" Dust asked, spinning a sharp bone attack between his phalanges before slamming it into the table.
"We estimate Galbatorix mustered as many as a hundred thousand soldiers."
"Fuck." "What?!" "Bullshit!" "Hundred thousand?!" Eragon was the last to cry out.

"Where did they come from?" Dream questioned. "How could he get more than a few people to serve him?" Blue demanded.
"They were conscripted." Nasuada explained. "We can only hope that the men who were torn from their homes won't be eager to fight. If we can frighten them badly enough, they may break ranks and flee. Our numbers are greater than in Farthen Dûr, for King Orrin has joined forces with us and we have received a veritable flood of volunteers since we began to spread word about you, Eragon and skeletons, although we are still far weaker than the Empire."

What do you think the chances of victory are? Saphira questioned, making a few others wince before repeating her query for Nasuada.

"That, depends a great deal upon all of you, and the number of magicians seeded throughout their troops. If you can find and destroy those magicians, then our enemies shall be left unprotected and you can slay them at will. Outright victory, I think, is unlikely at this point, but we might be able to hold them at bay until their supplies run low or until Islanzadí can come to our assistance. That is… if Galbatorix doesn't fly into battle himself. In that case, I fear retreat will be our only option."

Eragon was about to respond when he stiffened, Error glancing at him as Blue let him go abruptly, both Riders and even Apple Twins looking to the entrance as they sensed something eerie.

A young girl entered the pavilion, black tresses falling down her back as violet eyes regarded them coldly.
The Twins recognized who it was instantly, staring intensely as she greeted them.
Shivering, Eragon asked. "Who are you?"
She only pushed back her bangs, revealing her silver-white and purple mark.

Everything was still as Saphira reached further into the pavilion, Eragon approaching the girl as well, kneeling before her as he whispered in the ancient language. "I am sorry. Can you forgive me for what I did to you?"

Her eyes lost some of their edge, the youth kissing his brow. "I forgive you." Her voice sounded almost like that of a girl her age. "How could I not? You and Saphira created who I am, and I know you meant no harm. I forgive you, but I shall let this knowledge torture your conscience: You have condemned me to be aware of all the suffering around me. Even now your spell drives me to rush to the aid of a man not three tents away who just cut his hand, to help the young fla-" "flag carrier who broke his left index finger in the spokes of a wagon wheel, to help the man who is suffering from a burning rash," "to help the man who sliced his finger cutting bread, to help the man who twisted his foot as he tripped." "You feel all these things and more." Nightmare finished, standing over them, Dream at his side as they both spoke in turn.

The lighter smiled sadly at the girl, a tear in one eyesocket, who stared with wide eyes. "You feel the need to help them all, just like me." "You feel as we do, Evarína." Nightmare murmured. "You are no natural being, by no fault of your own."

Her violet eyes flicked between him and Dream, before faint recognition gleamed as she stared at Nightmare.
"Zíllandr." She stated quietly. His eyelights flashed violet as he hummed in affirmation, a tendril brushing her hair out of her face delicately, black blending with black. Eragon scooted back to give them space, baffled as Dream crouched down and held her hands in his own, starting to cry, despite smiling. "We know you, little Star." She glanced at him in confusion, gleaming eyes focusing on him as though glancing through his very being. He smiled at her before his vines nudged Eragon closer. "You were going to say something." He nodded in the boy's direction without looking away from the girl.

After a moment of hesitation, Eragon let Saphira come between them, the girl, Elva, blinking as the dragon touched her mark with her snout. You must have peace, Changeling. You have much anger in your heart.
Now she calmed, still confused as Eragon found his voice.
"You don't have to live like this forever. The elves taught me how to undo a spell, and I believe I can free you of this curse. It won't be easy, but it can be done."

Now she trembled violently, gasping softly as tears threatened to fall. Then in a flash, her mask returned, smirking. "Well, we shall see. Either way, you shouldn't try until after the battle."
"It could save you a great deal of pain."

"It wouldn't do to exhaust you when our survival may depend on your talents. I do not deceive myself; you are more important than me." She grinned almost cruelly. "Besides, if you remove your spell now, I won't be able to help any of the Varden if they are threatened. You wouldn't want Nasuada to die because of that, would you?"
He hesitated. "No."

After a minute of careful consideration, he spoke again. "Very well, I will wait. But I swear to you: if we win this fight, I shall right this wrong."
Cocking her head to the side, she responded. "I will hold you to your word, Rider."
Standing up, Nasuada spoke. "Elva was largely responsible for saving my life from an assassin in Aberon."
"Did she? In that case, I am in your debt… Elva… for protecting my liegelord."

"Come now. I must introduce you to Orrin and his nobles, as well as new members of the Wyrdaí Islingrya." Nasuada spoke, Error nodding silently as Blue burst into a grin.
"Have you met the king before, Orik?" She quested of the dwarf. Shaking his head, he said. "I've never been this far west."

Now they made their way through the tents once more, Nightmare lifting Elva suddenly off her feet, to which she stiffened and glared briefly at him. He ignored the stare and instead reached into his cloak, revealing something silver that gave off a whitish glow. "You were too small before, Evarína." He stated simply.

She stared at the ring, clearly familiar with the enchanting silver. Dream wrapped his hand around Nightmare's, both of them holding the ring as the tendrils holding the girl became interspersed with vines. They held it out to the starchild, who cautiously took it from them.

"A pleasant gift, but I see no point in it." She stated, studying it critically.
"That is because it is a reminder." She looked up at the dark one, only for the lighter to speak. "As you know we are alike."
"You may resemble a human and we skeletons, but we have more in common than either race has with ourselves." Guardian of Negativity spoke.
She eyed them rather suspiciously, then relented. "Very well. I will hold onto it." She slipped it onto her left thumb, where it managed to fit.

The Twins smiled and set her down as they all arrived at a striped yellow and white tent… that was full of lab equipment.
"Nightmare, Dream, Blue, Eragon, I would like you to meet Orrin, son of Larkin and monarch of the realm of Surda."

Amid the forest of tubes and beakers emerged a tall man with long hair tied back by the coronet upon his head, a bit odd but generally good-natured. He hid his slight distaste upon shaking hands with Nightmare, likely due to the substance the Guardian of Negativity was coated in, but took great fascination in both twins and Bird, due to their seemingly contradictory physiology.

And thus they began meeting countless earls and humans of only minor importance, so many they were beginning to blur together somewhat, something that bored Nightmare to no end. Luckily, he could tell he was not alone in this aspect, seeing Error standing around just as boredly as he went about knitting something, using bone attacks and blue magic to gather yarn balls of his own strings from his other eyesocket as he casually knitted from one.

After a ridiculous amount of time just meeting pointless humans that held next to meaningless positions in Surda's court, they finally had time to themselves. Eragon turned to Nasuada, the others glancing over expectantly as he spoke.
"What shall I do now? What will all of us do? How can I best serve you?"
She tilted her head to one side as she peered at him.
"How do you think you can best serve me, Eragon? You know your own abilities far better than I do."

Dream dared to glance at Arya, staring as she had her eyes fixated on the human Rider, Nightmare eventually following his gaze. Eragon pondered his answer for some time, then finally found his response.
"I shall take control of the Du Vrangr Gata, as they once asked me to, and organize them underneath me so I can lead them into battle. Working together, as well as with any member of the Wyrdaí Islingrya, we will have the best chance of foiling Galbatorix's magicians."
"That seems like an excellent idea."

Is there a place where Eragon can leave his bags? Saphira suddenly asked, GB perking up as her question was voiced. I don't want to carry them or this saddle any longer than I have to.
Yeah, same here with Blue's stuff, it's itchy. GB added, sliding a talon between his sternum and the strap over it.

"Of course." Nasuada told them. "You may leave them in my pavilion, and I will arrange to have tents erected for you two, Blue and Eragon, where you can keep them permanently. I suggest, though, that you don your armor before parting with your bags. You might need it at any moment…. That reminds me: we have your armor with us, Saphira. As well as a second set for you, GB. I shall have it unpacked and brought to the both of you."
"Armor? Me?" GB questioned in disbelief, jaw agape. Blue giggled. "Oh, I bet you'll look fantastic!"

"And what of me, Lady?" Orik asked.
"We have several knurlan with us from Dûrgrimst Ingeitum who have lent their expertise to the construction of our earthen defenses. You may take command of them if you wish."
With an excited slap of fist to chest he spoke. "I think I will at that. If you'll excuse me, I'll see to it at once." He spun on his heel and started off towards the fortifications.

As they approached her pavilion, the group spotted Geno emerging with a tired expression, the reason why clear as they saw Reaper floating behind him, arms wrapped around the bloody glitch's neck vertebrae under the scarf in a strange hug.

"Ah, that's where he went." Bird marveled quietly as a few of the others snickered.
"Geno." Error called, the pale one glancing up in a deadpan, now noticing the rest of them.
"I take it you want my help in finding our 'recruits'."
"Sort of."
"Meeting the newest additions to the Wyrdaí Islingrya seems like a good enough idea." Nightmare stated, turning around. "Does that seem good enough for all of you?"

There was a chorus of agreement. "We'll come with, too!" Blue chirped, bouncing in place as Nasuada reached her pavilion and nodded to the smiling Reaper, then faced Eragon. "Report to me once you have settled matters with Du Vrangr Gata." She disappeared inside, Elva glancing back at them before following.

Geno and Error then began guiding the others down the tents back the way they came, enticing a groan or two before Cross and Bird glanced back at the Twins, who hadn't moved.
"Don't worry, we just need a moment." Dream assured the pair, Cross looking to Nightmare for reassurance as Bird nodded and caught up with the rest, the monochrome finding his answer and following.

Now they faced Arya, who stood regally before Eragon, both speaking in the ancient language.
"I wanted you to know that I am sorry for how I acted during the Blood-oath Celebration. I wasn't myself that night; otherwise, I would have never been so forward with you."
"And you won't do it again?" She murmured.
Both Guardians stared on mutely, understanding the conversation and filled with mysterious dread. Eragon laughed humorlessly. "It wouldn't get me anywhere if I did, now would it?" She did not answer.

"No matter. I don't want to trouble you, even if you-" He stopped short, cringing slightly before the princess spoke gently.
"I'm not trying to hurt you, Eragon. You must understand that."
"I understand." He muttered listlessly.

There was a pause.
"Your flight went well, I trust?"
"Well enough."
"You encountered no difficulty in the desert?"
"Should we have?"
"No. I only wondered."
Her voice fell to almost a whisper. "What of you, Eragon? How have you been since the celebration? I heard what you said to Nasuada, but you mentioned nothing other than your back."
"I…" He stared off to the side, pained by his own thoughts.
"I'm better than before."
She stared at him for a moment.
"I am glad." She finally said.

Nasuada started calling from inside the pavilion, Arya peering over and noticing the Twins before regarding the human once more.
"I am needed elsewhere, Eragon…. We are both needed elsewhere. A battle is about to take place." She held up the canvas and stepped into the shadows, nodding to the Twins.
"Take care, Eragon Shadeslayer, Alalëa Nightmare and Islingr Dream."
Then she left.

Eragon stood still, staring at the sickly earth as he fumed at himself, seeing the Twins and ignoring them. They both stepped closer to him, leading to the human inching away.
A tendril traced the side of his face, going under his chin and directing Eragon to look at them. He refused to meet their eyelights.
"Yes, I love her. I will never stop loving her, though I will not let my emotions dictate my actions."
And glare at them he finally did, the anger fading as he beheld their mournful expressions.

"You are not alone, Eragon." Nightmare murmured quietly.
"She has captured more than your attention." Dream continued.
"But unlike you, who is much too young for one such as her, we are older than time. It can never be."
"She doesn't feel the same for any of us, the young enchantress of pine and elegance."
"How can you expect us to condemn you for the very same affliction we too have fallen into?"

He stared at the pair, shock and heartache radiating from his being.
A faint crackle echoed from the Twins, Dream wincing as Nightmare sighed.
"We will go. Just know that you are no fool for loving what cannot be attained, for all of those who are capable of thought are prey to the fickleness of love."

The human attempted a smile, but it seemed more like a grimace as the two turned and walked away, entwined branches and vines hung low, leaves limp in the hazy air.
"Oh what fools we all are." Dream whispered.
"The Soul wants what the Soul wants." Nightmare reminded him.
"There is no controlling wild forces such as love, of which all fall victim to. And we, we are one."
"...We are one."

. • ° . • ° . • ° . • °

The Twins approached one of the command tents, at the front of their procession as they arrived and went inside.
As it turns out, this was a terrible mistake.
Immediately after stepping foot into the tent, there was an extremely unflattering scream as someone tripped over backwards, then a Blaster appeared, a human shouting in confusion as his hand went to his weapon.

"Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa!" Blue inserted himself between the weapon and the others. "No need to resort to violence so quickly! We are all on the same side!" "Blueberry? Is that-" "Do you not realize that is Nightmare?"
They were able to identify Sci still on the floor as an old attempted recruit of the old Bad Sanses stood defensively in front of him.
Blue deadpanned at him, then countered.
"Do you not realize that Dream's right here, too?"
"Why is he covered in plants-" Sci exploded, baffled.
"If you would let us explain-"
The enraged Sans faced him, blue and red-orange eyelights flaring. Dream cut short, at a loss for words.

"You know." Nightmare started, the Blaster facing him again. "This is a welcome compared to the normal greeting; really, it is."
Blue gaped at him as Dream stammered incredulously. "You can't possibly prefer being attacked over-" "We just spent well over an hour enduring a nearly endless parade of useless earls and humans that held even the tiniest shred of worthless political power; how can I not miss the thrill of violence?"

Dream hesitated, seeming on the verge of a crisis before he found his voice. "It's just their culture! They have such short lives, Brother!" "Such is the misfortune of a medieval world." He replied easily. "You shouldn't say such things!"
Nightmare gave him a look.
Green swirled in his eyelights as Dream groaned, then scoffed. "You're being so rude!"
"Yeah, you're almost acting like Error. That's unexpected." Geno deadpanned. Said glitch held a hand over his ribs in mock offense. "I'm wounded by you."
"I will poke you."
Error glitched and fell silent.

"So, aside from that terrible rudeness," Blue began. "Actually, Boss has a point." Dust cut in. The skeleton Rider facepalmed as Killer sniggered.
"We are on a bit of a time crunch." Nightmare reminded them. "We can socialize later, now we need to" "get to know our new members and prepare to fight that huge army waiting for all of us." Dream finished for him, shooting his brother a look as he did so.

"But.. why aren't you two fighting?" Sci finally asked. Dream hesitated, Nightmare rolling his eyelights. "We've reconciled." "..Alagaësia is a new chance for us. Everyone actually, not just the two of us." "But enough of the sap, we are here for a reason beyond this jabbering. Can you agree to at the very least not attack us, in battle or otherwise, until we can sit down and discuss things civilly?"
"No." Omega replied curtly.

"Wait, why?" Blue questioned. Omega glanced at him while keeping his Blaster trained on Nightmare, the human present deciding to step back silently and let the scene play out.
"Because I want to know what you want, and why you think we'd ever be on the same side. I am not evil, I've told you before and I'll say it again: I will never join you." Omega growled.
"You tried to recruit him before?" Dream asked of his brother.
"It went sideways when we tried to." Dust explained boredly.

Nightmare held up his hands in a placating gesture, a few branches lifting up as well. "And that is understood; you do not want to follow me. I am not asking you to, I ask you to at least withhold your attacks until we can properly explain ourselves. A truce. Are you capable of that? Because, in case you have yet to notice, you are the only one here who is exhibiting any form of aggression. The rest of us have done nothing but enter the tent."

Error grunted, never looking up from his work. "We don't have much time before we need to move along. Fresh just contacted me, and Urgals have been spotted northeast by scouts flying a white flag. I think we need to be present for whatever they want, right?" He glanced up at the Twins, pausing briefly in his work.
Dream blinked as the dark one nodded. "You're right, we need to get a move on before Wyrda moves ahead of us. Sci, I already know you are on good enough terms because of your encounters with Error back in the Multiverse, but Omega: We need to come to some sort of agreement, and soon."

"Fine! Only because Blue and Dream trust you psychos- but if you take one step near me, I will fucking kill you."
"I've already been killed once in Alagaësia, I'd rather you didn't." The Guardian of Negativity sighed before turning away.
"Wait, what?" Sci finally realized what he'd said. "What do you mean-" They didn't bother listening to his questions, Nightmare teleporting both himself, his brother, GB and Blue to Nasuada's pavilion and walking inside, skeleblaster shaking his skull from the unexpected shortcut.

There was a note of alarm as several commanders and guards drew their swords, only to hesitate upon seeing the arrivals, some putting their swords away as others stared in confusion.
"Ah. Nightmare, Dream, Error, Blue, GB. Thank you for coming."
Blue glanced back to see Error arriving behind them, still knitting a dress.

"What is your plan, Nasuada?" Nightmare asked as he walked over, Dream standing by the entrance as if to appear important, before giving up and following his twin meekly.

"I intend on giving them audience, as they are flying the white flag. What was your suggestion, Lord of Darkness?" She smiled slightly, knowing what his response would be.
Nightmare grinned, regarding Dream. "I don't know. What do you think, Brother?"

The lighter Guardian shot him a thankful look before clearing his throat. "I think you should definitely give them a chance. From what I've been told of the Battle of Farthen Dûr, they were controlled by the Dakshen in Durza. They might have been entirely unwilling to fight and now blame Galbatorix for sending their people… their Kull, off to a slaughter." He nodded, smiling.

Nasuada regarded him curiously. "A good observation, especially given the fact you were not present in the mountain."
"Thank you, but I had time to come up with theories in Du Weldenvarden, me and Nightmare both." He giggled slightly. "What if they want to be allies, even?"
"No possibilities are too extreme in a situation such as this." Nasuada agreed, Eragon entering the space as she spoke, once again startling the humans and followed by Geno and Reaper.

"What is your bidding?" The Rider asked of his liegelord. Nasuada proceeded to explain what the others already knew, to which the human slowly grinned cruelly. "It will be a pleasure to eliminate them. Saphira and I can handle it by ourselves, if you want."

At this, nearly all skeletons present glanced up and glared furiously at the human.
"I ought to hit you for that. Were you not taught better than this?" Nightmare slipped into the ancient language to berate the human, who blinked at him as the leader of the Varden spoke patiently.

"We can't do that, Eragon. They're flying the white flag, and they have asked to talk with me."
"Surely you don't intend to grant them an audience?"
Geno scoffed at this as Nasuada continued to be patient with him.
"I will offer them the same courtesies I would to any for who arrives under the banner of truce."

"They're brutes, though. Vicious beasts! It's folly to allow them into the camp…. Nasuada, I have seen the atrocities Urgals commit. They relish pain and suffering and deserve no more mercy than a rabid dog. There is no need for you to waste time over what is surely a trap. Just give the word and I and every last one of your warriors will be more than willing to kill these foul creatures for you."

"You say this and yet you do not hold these values to me." Nightmare snarled, tentacles waving angrily as he pushed others away. "You forget that I was, and still am, no better than an Urgal myself! You say they relish agony, when I see a monster fighting for glory and honor through blood. You accept that I feed of Negativity, pain and suffering, and that I have committed far more visceral and abominable sins than even Galbatorix in my time of madness, yet you still despise a race because you have known them only through their feats under vile possession and in war. What have you to say for yourself? Did you not learn of Urgals in your training? Their culture, lives, reasons for fighting?" He fell silent, glaring at the human Rider as Eragon went mute, unable to find any logical argument to back his opinion.

"Please." Dream murmured quietly, addressing all humans present, not just Eragon. "Focus your hate on Galbatorix, the reason we all have to fight and kill and go to war in the first place. Try to find, at the very least, some mercy in yourselves to understand the species so different from yourselves. Yes, they have violent tendencies, but so do humans as well."

"Or at least learn from the humans of our worlds." Blue added quietly. "They went to war with monsters, killing them not by thousands, but millions, so many that dust filled the air in the battlefields. They caged our races when we could defend ourselves no more, and it was all done in the name of fear: humans were afraid of our races, all because we were unlike them and strange. Please do not make the same mistakes. Be better than the humans of the Multiverse." He stepped away then, leaning against GB with his tail curled around himself.

"Don't reduce yourselves to the term 'eye for an eye'." Error explained bluntly, not wanting to drag it out too long. "Because as I understand it, an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind." He regarded everyone present boredly as distant voices rose up in an uproar. With this, everyone gathered seemed to deflate in temper and order themselves around the pavilion.

Guards tied the flaps back and the commanders arranged themselves parallel from the entrance to the seat Nasuada took for herself. Elva stood to her left, Nightmare behind her as Eragon stood by the right, Dream behind him and standing on bone attacks so he could see. Error just leaned on the back of her chair, Reaper leaning over to stare at his work as the rest of the Wyrdaí Islingrya stood behind and around them. Saphira had managed to fit inside the pavilion and crouched beside Eragon, Blue on the other side, standing in front of GB as they all waited for the coming representative of the Urgal race.

Soon enough a magnificent Kull arrived, head held high as he ignored the viscous insults directed at him from the army outside. He wore light armor, poorly made but made up for in his pure muscle strength. He took a deep breath, then roared at the top of his lungs at Nasuada, guards drawing their weapons at him going ignored until he finished. Then he spoke. "What is this, Lady Nightstalker? I was promised safe passage. Do humans break their word so easily?"

One of the commanders leaned towards Nasuada to whisper. "Let us punish him, Mistress, for his insolence. Once we have taught him the meaning of respect, then you can hear his message, whatever it is."
Nightmare scoffed, Dream quickly speaking before Eragon could say a word. "I read a great deal on Urgals from the elves, they actually greet their war chiefs this way, also with headbutting, but I don't think that would end well here- I can see why he didn't do that."

Eragon seemed a little disappointed to have been cut off, Nasuada nodding to the Guardian of Positivity, raising her voice. "The Varden are not liars like Galbatorix and the Empire. Speak your mind; you need fear no danger while we hold council under the conditions of truce."

The Kull grunted, lifting his chin. Nightmare let his eyelights wander over to Omega at one end of the tent, standing beside Blue tensely. The Urgal introduced himself.

"I am Nar Garzhvog of the Bolvek tribe. I speak for my people." He paused, regarding them all. "Urgals are hated more than any other race. Elves, dwarves, humans all hunt us, burn us, and drive us from our halls."
"Not without good reason." Nasuada commented.

The other nodded. "Not without reason. Our people love war. Yet how often are we attacked just because you find us as ugly as we find you? We have thrived since the fall of the Riders. Our tribes are now so large, the harsh land we live in can no longer feed us."

"So you made a pact with Galbatorix."
"Aye, Lady Nightstalker. He promised us good land if we killed his enemies. He tricked us, though. His flame-haired shaman, Durza, bent the minds of our war chiefs and forced our tribes to work together, as is not our way. When we learned this in the dwarves' hollow mountain, the Herndall, the dams who rule us, sent my brood mate to Galbatorix to ask why he used us so."

He shook his head regretfully. "She did not return. Our finest rams died for Galbatorix, then he abandoned us like a broken sword. He is drajl and snake-tongued and a lack-horned betrayer. Lady Nightstalker, we are fewer now, but we will fight with you if you let us."

"What is your price? Your Herndall must want something in return."
"Blood. Galbatorix's blood. And if the Empire falls, we ask that you give us land, land for breeding and growing, land to avoid more battles in the future."

Nightmare felt a wide smile spread across his face, sensing Nasuada's decision as the others saw it on her face. Jörmundur leaned towards her and uttered. "Nasuada, you can't do this. It goes against nature."
"Nature can't help us defeat the Empire. We need allies."
"The men will desert before they'll fight with Urgals."
"That can be worked around. Will they keep their word?" She asked the others.
"They are honorable people." Dream said, peering at the Urgal curiously.
"Only so long as we share a common enemy."

Nodding quickly, she spoke up. "Very well, Nar Garzhvog. You and your warriors may bivouac along the eastern flank of our army, away from the main body, and we shall discuss the terms of our pact."
"Ahgrat ukmar." He pressed both his fists to his forehead. "You are wise Herndall, Lady Nightstalker."
"Why do you call me that?"
"Herndall?"
"No, Nightstalker."

The ram chuckled with a strange ruk-ruk noise in his throat. "Nightstalker is the name we gave your sire because of how he hunted us in the dark tunnels under the dwarf mountain and because of the color of his hide. As his cub, you are worthy of the same name." He immediately turned around and walked away, leaving the camp.

Nasuada gave Nightmare a look, then rose from her seat. "Anyone who attacks the Urgals shall be punished as if he attacked a fellow human. See that word of this is posted in every company."

As soon as the last words left her mouth, Orrin could be seen speed-walking over, cape billowing out behind him as he started firing off questions. "Nasuada! Error, Nightmare! Is it true you met with an Urgal? What do you mean by it, and why wasn't I alerted sooner? I don't-" He was abruptly interrupted by a sentry darting out of the tents. "A horseman approaches from the Empire!"

His interrogation forgotten, Orrin fell into their group as they all turned towards the forefront of the army, quickly arriving at the defenses. There, Nasuada, King Orrin, both Riders, the whole of the Wyrdaí Islingrya and a hundred or so others spread out along the vanguard as a black horse came storming over, panting loudly as the soldier riding it guided it to stop before the poles.

He yelled out across the thirty foot gap. "By refusing King Galbatorix's generous terms of surrender, you choose death as your fate. No more shall we negotiate. The hand of friendship has turned into the fist of war! If any of you still hold regard for your rightful sovereign, the all-knowing, all-powerful King Galbatorix, then flee! None may stand before us once we set out to cleanse Alagaësia of every miscreant, traitor, and subversive. And though it pains our lord- for he knows that most of these rebellious acts are instigated by bitter and misguided leaders- we shall gently chastise the unlawful territory known as Surda and return it to the benevolent rule of King Galbatorix, he who sacrifices himself day and night for the good of his people. So flee, I say, or suffer the doom of your herald."

Here he pulled out a canvas bag and brandished a severed head, throwing it at the army and shivering when it never touched the ground, instead held suspended by magic as Horror slowly brought it to his arms, grabbing it and staring into the lifeless eyes. Then the messenger took one look, then turned around and began galloping back to the enemy at the same desperate pace as before.

"Shall I kill him?" Eragon asked Nasuada. "Hey no, I wanna kill him." Dust complained. "I at least want to severely injure him.." Killer muttered. Nightmare shook his skull, gesturing to Nasuada as she spoke. "We will have our due soon enough." She said. "I won't violate the sanctity of envoys, even if the Empire has."

"As you- wah!" Eragon cried out as Saphira lunged forward, rearing up and standing on the verdigris bank. She then opened her maw and let loose a tremendous, deafening roar, a challenge to the Empire. The horse leapt into the air upon hearing her bellow, GB adding his own voice to it as the soldier was thrown off, landing on a gorge at precisely the right moment for it to burst out a pillar of flame.

He screamed horribly, writhing in the inferno before a dark winged shadow appeared over him, slamming a long blade into him before he fell silent, never to scream again.

The black-robed and hooded figure glanced at the army, slowly spreading it's wings as the wheeling clouds of crows, ravens, and other birds of death swooped down to feed.
The Varden erupted in cheers, applauding the dragons for the feat. Dust only muttered "showoff" of the figure that had struck the killing blow.

Now Nasuada went on to their battle plan, explaining how they'd attack at dawn, taking Orrin by the shoulder as the gods turned to follow and join in.
Let them come. Saphira's bloodthirsty voice echoed in their minds.
They will all burn.