The Truth About Lies (An Inheritance Cycle Fanfiction)

Kidnappings and Conclaves

Tabatha. Amera's voice cut through my thoughts like a knife, and I took comfort in her familiar presence. A meeting has been called in the small-dwarf-king's tent. The wise-one-Arya has requested you join the others there. I balked at that. Why would Arya be inviting me to a meeting of leaders? I was sure that she hated me. But I was a Rider; that must have been it.

I'm coming, I replied, stepping over the mangled body of an Imperial soldier. He didn't look like he could have been more than eighteen.

The king of the dwarves, Orik, had his tent on the outer edge of the camp. And when I got there, a large group of elves, dwarves, and men alike were gathered outside the tent. In addition, dwarf guards in silver armor stood at attention on either side of the entrance, holding their pikes crossed to bar any unwelcome visitors. When I approached the tent, pushing through the crowd, they uncrossed their spears to allow me to pass. I looked over my shoulder and saw a fearsome looking elf with feline features eyeing me suspiciously. But I paid them no mind. Let them think what they will.

Inside, there was an assortment of leaders. King Orik sat in a high-backed, wooden chair at the head of the long table, and Eragon stood beside him. Saphira and Amera were poking their heads under the tent flaps to survey the gathering. Arya stood on the other side of King Orik, along with Nasuada's advisor, Jörmundur, and across from him was the handsome King Orrin, looking quite sullen in his purple robes; a disheveled child stood off to the side, and I knew he must be the werecat king—his likeness to Solembum was too great. In a shadowy corner, Roran stood with his arms crossed over his burly chest. And looming above them all was a monster I hoped never to see again. I knew that the Kull had allied themselves with the Varden after being released from Durza's spells, but I'd managed to avoid them thus far. It seemed my luck had run out.

They all stared at me pointedly as I entered the conclave, and I immediately felt uncomfortable beneath their scrutinizing stares. "Thank you for joining us, Lady Tabatha," Jörmundur said gruffly. I nodded slightly and then settled in next to Eragon, feeling it was the only place within this tent that I really belonged. "Now, let this meeting commence." Jörmundur heaved a heavy sigh as he stood leaning over the table. "Nasuada made her intentions quite clear. She wished for you, Eragon, to take her place in the event that she was unable to lead."

I could feel Eragon tensing up beside me. "I never wanted this," he said quietly, staring down at the huge map of Alagaësia spread out over the table.

"None of us did," King Orrin barked, his face set into a deep scowl. He seemed so different from when last we met. Back then, he'd been a flirtatious and confident young man. But now... He seemed to have aged ten years, and that confidence had been replaced by a hollow bitterness. Could this really be the same man?

"I never wanted this," Eragon said again, this time louder, "but now that it's happened, I swear that I will live up to Nasuada's example and lead us all to victory over the Empire."

"No one doubts that, Eragon," Jörmundur said. He made to say something else, but was cut off by the Surdan king.

"But will you really live up to her example?" he spat. I was surprised by the venom in his voice. "Nasuada took counsel from nearly every person you see in this room. Will you do the same? Or shall we suffer under the dictations of someone as inexperienced as you, Eragon Shadeslayer? All of us have risked an enormous amount in this venture, and I will not stand by and watch it fall into ruin. Can you promise you will not let that happen, Rider?" It took every ounce of my self-control not to lash out at him, but I knew that Eragon needed to fight this battle on his own. This was an enormous responsibility, and it would not reflect well upon him if I were to jump in now and try to fight his battles for him. We were no longer children in Carvahall; I had to let him do this on his own.