Luminescent (Inheritance Cycle and Beyond)

Chapter Twenty-Five: Iridescent

"Yes, Shadeslayer!" The men shouted back. Eragon turned to Fredric.

"These are good and true men, and I want no misfortune to befall them because of this event."

"I will see to it personally," Fredric said with a smile.

"Now, can you take us to Lady Nasuada?"

"Yes, sir." Fredric led us deep into the camp until we came upon a vast and heavily tent. Fredric pulled back the flap, and we entered the pavilion. Behind us, Saphira pushed her head through the opening and peered over their shoulders.

A large table occupied the center of the furnished tent. Nasuada stood at one end, leaning on her hands, studying a slew of maps and scrolls.

"Eragon?" Nasuada whispered, Eragon smiled and greeted Nasuada.

"At your service."

"Eragon!" This time Nasuada sounded delighted and relieved. "How did you get our message so quickly?"

"I didn't; I learned about Galbatorix's army from my scrying and left Ellesméra the same day. It's good to be back with the Varden."

"What has happened to you, Eragon?" Eragon explained what had happened since we left Farthen Dûr

"Your scar is gone, then?" Nasuada asked. Eragon nodded back. "What a tale. You and Saphira have experienced so much since you left Farthen Dûr."

"As have you. It's amazing what you've accomplished. It must have taken an enormous amount of work to get the Varden to Surda... Has the Council of Elders caused you much trouble?"

"A bit, but nothing extraordinary. They seem to have resigned themselves to my leadership." Nasuada seated herself in a large, high-backed chair and turned to my cloaked figure. "And who is this?"

With my left hand, I slowly pulled down my hood to look Nasuada in the eyes with a smile. Shock crossed Nasuada's face.

"My lady!?!"

"Lady Nasuada, it is nice to see you again," I replied with a tilt of my head. "We can talk later, in private." Nasuada nodded before turning to Orik.

"I am heartened to know that if we can weather this onslaught, we shall have the elves by our side. Did any of you happen to see Hrothgar's warriors during your flight from Aberon? We are counting on their reinforcements."

"No, but then, it was dark, and I was often above or between clouds. I could have easily missed a camp under those conditions. In any case, I doubt we would have crossed paths, for I flew straight from Aberon, and it seems likely the dwarves would choose a different route perhaps following established roads—rather than march through the wilderness."

"What is the situation here?"

"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."

"How many of them are there?" Orik growled. "It looked a mighty number from Saphira's back."

"Aye. We estimate Galbatorix mustered as many as a hundred thousand soldiers." I sighed; this was going to be very difficult.

"A hundred thousand! Where did they come from? It seems impossible that he could find more than a handful of people willing to serve him."