Luminescent (Inheritance Cycle and Beyond)

Chapter Fourteen: Iridescent

"Nausada is fully capable of leading the Varden." I snapped, cutting Elessari off. "She doesn't need others to treat her like an air headed puppet." Silence filled the room.

"Ajihad's funeral will be held in two days," Umérth said, breaking the silence. "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 to swear allegiance to the Varden. That will give back the confidence Ajihad's death has stolen from the people, and prevent anyone from trying to splinter this organization."

"They don't want you to swear to Nasuada—just to the Varden." Saphira hissed, I let out a growl.

"This isn't what we talked about." Eragon looked at me as I started to rub my shoulder; it was beginning to throb with pain.

"You should go and rest Mal. You've been up for nearly two days without sleep." I glanced at Saphira, and she gave me one of her mothering looks.

"If you will excuse me," I said while getting to my feet. "I will be heading to my room to rest." I quickly stalked out of the room and headed straight towards my bed. I dropped my body onto it as Alethea flew over to me and curled up next to me.

I had a firm grip on Tornoc's reigns as Tronjheim's north gate was raised for us to exit the city. It was roughly a half-hour until dawn, and the city seemed deserted. We passed through the gate quickly, and it was lowered back into place.

"Are you sure you're up for this journey Mal." I glanced at Eragon while Tornoc struck the stone floor with his newly shoed hooves. I patted his neck to calm him down. I had decided to keep Tornac since he had been so precious to Murtagh.

"I should be the one saying that Eragon," I responded with a sad smile. "I'm worried about you having an attack while we are traveling."

"I'll be fine, Mal." I let out a snort.

"Then I will be fine too." Eragon gave me a look. I shrugged his look off and checked my saddlebags one more time. It is going to be a long time before we hit any resupplies, so we needed to have all of the goods we need.

We didn't wait very long before Orik came rambling up to us, carrying a large bag.

"No horse?" Eragon asked in confusion.

"We'll be stopping at Tarnag, just north of here. From there we take rafts along the Az Ragni to Hedarth, an outpost for trading with the elves. We won't need steeds before Hedarth, so I'll use my own feet till then." Orik said as he set the bundle down with a clang, he opened it to reveal our armor that had been half destroyed in the battle.

"Our greatest smiths worked on these," said Orik, "as well as your armor, Saphira. However, since we can't take dragon armor with us, it was given to the Varden, who will guard it against our return." I took my newly repaired armor and examined the shoulder, all fixed up.

"Thank you Orik," I said while smiling at the dwarf, I slipped the exceedingly light armor on and tied it shut, or at least tried. My hand spasmed with pain, and I was unable to finish tying my armor. I let out a hiss at my trembling, painful hand.

"Mal let me do it," Eragon said, reaching over and finishing the knot.

"Thank you, Eragon," I muttered as I gripped my right wrist in an attempt to stop the tremors.

"My human..."

"We need to get to Du Weldenvarden Alethea, only there can we train. I can make it to Du Weldenvarden, and then I will rest, does that satisfy you?"