Nightmare was with the rest of the Wyrdaí Islingrya. He had explained his 'death'. They were stunned into silence.
Then Blue asked. "Why are you glowing like that?"

He stared at his hand curiously. "I'm not sure. Normally it lasts for about thirty minutes, not hours like this. I presume it's an effect of Alagaësia. I don't believe it's permanent; that would certainly annoy me if it were."

Killer shrugged as GB shifted in place, speaking in Wingdings. "Can you control it at all? I heard Dream was capable of glowing at will, though I never saw it."
Nightmare scowled as Blue answered. "Dream can. He does it when he's stressed out or helping someone calm down. I think it's a side effect of radiating positivity?"

The Guardian of Negativity snorted. "Yes, the abilities are tied into each other. As for control, I'm not as proficient as Dream. I don't even know why I have the ability. It's a Light ability, and I can already manipulate shadow to my will."

Cross leaned forward after a pause. "So you have lighter abilities like Dream? Could that mean Dream has a few darker powers that he doesn't use?"
The team considered this in surprise. Nightmare nodded.
"In a way, yes. How do you think Dream vanishes when there is shade around? He can disappear into weak shadows. Though if he tries darker ones, he will stick out like a bright, yellowish light. A sore thumb. But otherwise, it's possible both of us do have similar powers that we are not even aware of, given our preferences to our main element."

"That's… actually really fascinating." Geno muttered to himself as Error steepled his phalanges. The glitch pointed his hands at the silvery skeleton.

"Why wouldn't you look for your other abilities? You could've used them to your advantage. You technically still can. It would be unpredictable if you used a power opposite of your normal skillset. Advantageous, y'know. In the battle of Farthen Dûr, the enemies all saw you fighting with your natural abilities in your typical Corrupted form. And given there were monsters from the Multiverse there, they've probably reported to Galbatorix everything they know about you. All of us. So you could potentially catch them off guard with an unfamiliar attack. You see what I'm saying?"

Several sockets widened as they realized what Error was suggesting. Nightmare pondered the possibility.
"Would you even do that..?" Dust asked quietly as the rest stared incredulously. The King of Negativity rubbed his jawbone. "I'll admit that it's an intriguing idea." He started, folding his hands on his lap.
"But you know my aversion to light and positivity." He sighed patiently.

Error glared at him pointedly. "I have an aversion to crowds and people. Do you see me birching?" He asked severely, ignoring Fresh's flawless censor. Nightmare scowled, knowing he couldn't really argue with that.
"I'm not at all diplomatic, yet I'm sticking with the Varden because one of us needs to stay here, and it's not you." The glitch continued.

Nightmare scoffed, waving irritably. "Fine, fine. I'll look into it, no need to harass me." He gave in, knowing how impossible it was to argue with the glitch when he knew he was right. Error smiled victoriously, having won.

"Since we're on the topic, do you know any other lighter magics you have?" Killer asked curiously, spinning a blade on his phalange by the tip. Nightmare shrugged. "That I'm aware of? Nothing. Though it is possible that something exists."
"So you don't know?" Dust questioned.
"I don't."

Now engaged and curious, Red leaned forward. "I have an idea."
They all regarded him. "What?" Error asked bluntly. The edgy skeleton picked his teeth with a bone attack as he smirked.
"I gotta question for new Boss and Blue." He waved the bone at them as he mentioned the names.
"What's something Dream can do when he's mad?"

Blue stammered momentarily as Nightmare blinked, realizing where this was going.
"I'm afraid he doesn't get angry." The Guardian of Negativity sighed irritably. Red frowned. "That's impossible. He has to get a little angry at some point."
"It's never happened."
Cross perked up. "If you're capable of happiness as his opposite, Dream should be capable of hatred. Maybe he just… avoids getting mad?"
Nightmare shook his skull. "Believe me, it would've been more fun if I could do that. But you've seen it yourself; he cannot get upset in that way."
"But then it isn't balanced." Geno complained, bone-brows furrowed in confusion. "You two are based off of balance.."
The dark King sighed. "Look, I believe that once it may have been possible. Before that incident." His left eyelight flashed a chilling blue upon mentioning that.
"But it's likely he never got the chance to be pushed so far, and in an effort for his weak body to adapt to the massive power shift, he lost his capability of the emotion entirely."
Blue was staring strangely at him as several shoulders slumped in realization.

"Well there goes that option, then." Red muttered as he flicked his bone attack across the room in annoyance. Then Blueberry spoke in a low voice.

"Dream can get angry."

Everyone faced him in surprise.
"How could you know??" Nightmare demanded. Blue stared at the floor thoughtfully, his eyelights unfocused.
"I saw it once." He continued in that quiet time, barely above a whisper.

"What the heck is capable of angering Dream himself?" Error questioned tersely. Blue rubbed his arm nervously. "Ink."
A few gasps, Dust mumbling "I knew it." Chaos scoffed. "He can make literally everyone mad. Thardsvergûndnzmal."
"What happened? You're frightened." Nightmare asked incredulously. It was true. Fear was softly emanating from Berry.

Blue sighed. "Well, because it scared all of us." He admitted. "Dream was upset because Ink didn't care about what happened inside the AU's, only that they continued to exist. They didn't even know I was there." He scratched the back of his skull shakily.

"Dream started with yelling at him, like when he's getting Ink under control.. but he wasn't listening. He actually had his hands over his skull and ignoring Dream.." Blue's breath shuddered.
"I… Dream kept yelling louder and louder until he started crying. Ink made it worse by refusing to listen and saying it didn't matter.. so Dream just screamed."

Nightmare felt chills down his own spine upon sensing Blue's apprehension. The other had his sockets screwed shut, lost in a bad memory. The King of Negativity gave Blue's shoulder a gentle squeeze.
"You don't need to continue if it upsets you so."
"No." Blueberry snapped. "I kept it from you long enough. You deserve to know."

Blue took a deep breath, still shivering. Then he met their gazes, eyelights flashing with Determination. "It didn't seem so bad at first. Dream was just really, really furious with Ink and the situation. His eyelights were bright red and everything. It was when he just started screaming at Ink that things started to go wrong…."

"Wrong?" Chaos whispered fearfully. Blue nodded quickly, gulping.
"He stopped shouting words at some point, just screaming nonsense as he started clawing at his skull. I think the anger hurt him, or it snapped something inside him. Ink was still ignoring him, too… He.. Dream.. his skull started cracking. I tried to run up and help him, but I couldn't move for some reason. I just watched my friend-" Blue cut short, sniffling. Nightmare could tell the others were a little angry, but mostly confused. What Berry was describing didn't seem all that scary..

"His tears are normally yellow." Blueberry said randomly. Red shifted around. "Dey are." Fresh commented flatly, his smile twisted into one of confusion and more, concern. The other nodded brokenly.
"His tears turned green. An awful, sick-looking green. Like a Moldsmal.. It was like it was goopy, too…" He gazed up at Nightmare, who was feeling more and more horrified himself.

"It started pouring out of the cracks in his skull and mouth, too. Then Dream just attacked Ink. Like a feral animal. I think… I think it's some form of Corruption, Night." He wiped his face, sniffling.
"That's impossible…" Nightmare breathed, feeling his Soul hammer inside his ribcage.

Blueberry shook his skull. "I don't know. He just went crazy on Ink. He tore off Ink's limbs and just wailed on him… when I finally pulled him off, I had to hold him down with blue magic and put Ink back together. Then he took him to my house, where he puked all the green stuff out in the sink and fell asleep for the rest of the day. When he woke up, he was so scared. Of himself…. We made a promise that day. Dream would never let himself get angry if he could help it, never again; while we would watch him in case something ever happened… I guess I forgot it a little. It was.. some time ago. He's never gotten upset at all ever again. So I think he's scared of his angry self.. because…. Never.. mind…" Blueberry trailed, his gaze distant.

There was a full minute of stunned silence, everyone considering the eerie story. "Blue…" Chaos muttered, a worried look on her face. She hugged him tightly, a few tears pricking her eyes. "I'm sorry.."
"It's okay. It wasn't anybody's fault." The skeleton muttered gently.

"If Ink had just cared about the AU's it wouldn't have happened." Red pointed out venomously. Geno shot him a look, Error silently agreeing himself, earning a glare from the bloody glitch as well. Nightmare carefully sorted through his thoughts, attempting to unravel the possibilities, suggestions, and ideas stemming from this unsettling prospect.
Then Horror, of all people, made the terrifying connection.

"If Dream becomes a terrifying toxic goop monster when pissed off as Guardian of Positivity, then what happens when you get genuinely happy, Boss?"
They all flinched slightly before facing Nightmare, who was remarkably dumbfounded.
"I… have no idea.. I've never been extraordinarily happy before, and I doubt I could possibly reach such a state. There is also the fact that I took the Apples to take into consideration. There's no telling what could happen, and I would prefer it to remain unknown."

Fresh rearranged his cap, smirking. "What if we tried to find out, brah? Yo broski radical Dream brah was driven totes unrad crazies by squidy himself, yo! If dat skelbrah gets da case of de angries, then ya can be happy, yo! What's so wrong with dat ta not wanna find out? Happiness is a good thing, ain't it brah?"

After a moment of deciphering what the 90's reject was saying, Nightmare scowled. "Happiness has never been ideal for me, and such a state would only ever weaken me, regardless of strength."

"You said you didn't want misery anymore, why can't that include yourself?" Cross questioned innocently enough. Nightmare scoffed. "That isn't what I was saying-" "Then why deny it for yourself?" Dust now pressed.
"It isn't that simple." The Guardian of Negativity growled.
"Then please, explain. We're curious and have time." Dust suggested with a casual wave of his hand. Nightmare blinked, frustrated. "It isn't something one can merely explain." "How so?" Geno countered. Everyone was ganging up on him to know the truth. Which irritated him.

"It's possible that Dream became that half-state due to his imprisonment in stone for a century. He was surrounded by Negativity and still fighting with his power. He could have accidentally taken on some of that magic and twisted it into some sort of abomination; Corrupted Positivity, purely by accident. As for myself, I am that source of Corruption due to the Apples I contain. I am much stronger than he is and it should be a danger to stray too far from my natural state. Corrupted. Negative. So no, I don't believe it's safe to even attempt such a venture for anyone involved."

Several of them frowned upon hearing this, but thankfully no one chose to argue.

"It can't hurt to try, can it?" GB dared ask.
Spoke too soon.

"I have been trying to explain to you. That's exactly what could happen. Someone could get hurt."
"It's Positivity." Error pointed out.
"Clearly you have never heard the term 'kill them with kindness'." Nightmare responded drily.
"How could that possibly apply here?" Error countered.
Nightmare's face darkened. "You don't want to know."

The glitch threw his hands up, irritated. "¥øü [{π0w wha+¿" He grumbled. "№w I'm ju$t going +0 £igū®e it øû+ on m¥ ∅wñ."
"Whoa, calm down there, Error." Dust told him. Geno just said something in glitched speak as the dark skeleton rolled his eyelights, fizzling slightly.
Nightmare sighed. "I doubt you could get very far."

Standing, he approached the door and opened it, revealing a familiar young human that gasped in awe at him.
"Hello, Jarsha."
The kid gawked for a moment. "How did you know my name?" He breathed as the others started leaning in to see the kinda cute kid.

The Guardian of Negativity allowed a small smile. "I was there when you first met Eragon and Saphira. You're a very bright young man."
He beamed, still confused as of how despite not bringing up the question.
"Um. I have a message and a summons!" He exclaimed.
"Go on, let us hear it."

Error stood behind him as GB poked his skull over Nightmare's other shoulder curiously. Jarsha's eyes gleamed as he recited.
"His Majesty Hrothgar requests that he send an ambassador with those who are traveling with Eragon. He would like to send his nephew Orik to represent dwarves in Ellesméra, to be fair since dwarves are affected as well." He paused, nervously awaiting Nightmare's reaction, as well as the others.

Error frowned thoughtfully as GB regarded Blue in a mute discussion. Nightmare went over this briefly.
"It may slow us down in the journey, but it's necessary for equality. I have no quarrel with the decision. You?" He glanced at Error.
"Guess not. It makes sense. Fairness is why I'm staying here anyway." He shrugged. Nightmare turned back to Jarsha.
"And what of the summons?"

The kid smiled awkwardly. "Nasuada asks you come, if you decide to. She's requested to meet Eragon and says it involves you, too."

Nightmare leaned to the left on the doorframe, letting Error draw closer to the kid. "Very well, we will come. You may leave. We can get there ourselves."
Error chuckled softly at the excited boy, suddenly ruffling his hair. "You're a good kid." The glitch muttered, putting a huge smile on the child's face.

"Thank you! It's an honor- really an honor to meet you! And a great honor to hear that from you! I will carry it with great pleasure! Lord Error and his Majesty Nightmare!" He bowed deeply before skipping away.

Error chuckled quietly again. "Honor. Heh." He faced the others with a disquieted look in his sockets. "We going or what?" He asked. Nightmare frowned at the lack of self-esteem, but made no comment. "Yes. Go ahead and find Eragon if he is not already there. The rest of us shall meet you in the study."

With a nod, Error disappeared into a cloud of glitches, Nightmare opening a portal leading just outside Ajihad's old study and guiding the others through as he noted the emotions on the other side. They were almost giving the guards heart attacks with their sudden appearances. It made him smirk humorously.

As they finished filing into the hallway, the guards still barred the entrance whilst trembling slightly as Nasuada was notified of their arrival. Nightmare sighed internally at the fear. It wouldn't do to have allies fear them; they could get attacked because of that.
"You are brave men to hold at the ready despite our sudden appearance. We understand our magic is new and frightening, and it leaves you uneasy. Don't be so fearful of our kind, even skeletons bleed like any other. We may be different species of different worlds, but we still have the same moralities and fears at the core. And dispite everything, in the end that is all it boils down to." Nightmare assured them with a diplomatic smile, ignoring the silvery sheen of his bones that glimmered brighter.

His speech worked. It alleviated much of the fear, leaving only distant apprehension behind as the guards relaxed.
Nightmare smiled at them as he strode past the now open door, hands folded behind him as the rest of the Wyrdaí Islingrya followed him.
Once inside, they spotted Eragon and Saphira and noted a flowery scent before seeing the vase of flowers it originated.
"That was really nice of you." Geno mentioned as the door shut behind them, raising a non-existent eyebrow at the dark King. Nightmare sighed.
"We can't have our own allies turn against us in fear. They are afraid of our power. Before, we did not have to worry about betrayal. Now, there are too many to take chances."

Nasuada raised her head, watching the quiet conversation from behind the desk as Eragon waited patiently in his seat. The team, aside from Geno, Nightmare, and Error, all moved to stand by the desk.
Error furrowed his non-existent eyebrows in worry. "There's no way I can deal with that, I can't be all polite and respectful like that. It pisses me off just thinking about it."
Nightmare chuckled. "Don't worry, that's why I'm doing that. All you need to do is be yourself, albeit with some extra patience. You're stubborn, intelligent, and understanding, while having a stout personality. That is something dwarves seem to respect. I admit, it's likely for the best you are remaining here. I have a feeling the elves would infuriate you to no end."

Error scoffed, but didn't reply otherwise. Without further delay, the trio joining the others. Nasuada raised an eyebrow, but didn't comment.
"I wasn't expecting all of the Wyrdaí Islingrya to join us today, so I apologise for the lack of seats." She began, gesturing at the two chairs taken by Dust and Red, the pair grinning.

Nightmare tilted his skull. "It's of no consequence. Often we all travel together, and it is likely this will be our last meeting all together for a while." He glanced around at the suddenly solemn faces. Nasuada took that into consideration.
"That is understandable. I cannot say when you may be able to speak face to face again myself." She paused meaningfully. "Which brings me to the point of this meeting."

She glanced at Eragon and back at them. "You do not judge upon money, do you?" She asked a little quietly. Nightmare blinked as Error scoffed.
"I have all the money I want, but back home I stole anyway just to spite everyone." The glitch told her with a fond look in his eyelights. Blue stomped his foot and pouted. "And I hope you won't steal anymore!"
"I won't, I won't….. as long as they aren't the Empire."
"Error!"

Geno sighed into his hand to hide his grin as Nightmare chuckled. "Yes, we don't put value in money. In fact, in the Multiverse we did in fact steal everything purely out of spite of our old enemy… Though I can promise that will not be done here, not anymore. There is nothing we value in the possession of the Empire, and the Varden, dwarves and elves are our allies." He assured. "So, that being said, what brought you to ask that question?"

Nasuada's face crinkled up a little as she smiled at Blue and Error's antics, the energetic skeleton bickering with the grinning glitch.
Chaos giggled, she may, or she may not, have been Error's assistant when he stole items and money from others back in the Multiverse… Which had been so much fun. She had received so many pets and ear scratches, which she adored.
Geno nudged the two skeletons and mutely reminded them that now was not the place for the argument.
Error coughed. "Right. So wh¥'d you ask?"

Nasuada flattened her hands across the desk before she turned serious, addressing mostly her vassal but including the others as well. "I have spent the last few days reviewing the Varden's affairs, such as they are. It was a dismal exercise." Her eyes flitted over to the monsters, almost unnoticeable in her brief moment of fear.
"We are poor, over-extended, and low on supplies, and few recruits are joining us from the Empire. I mean to change that."

She lifted her head. "The dwarves cannot support us much longer, as it's been a lean year for farming and they've suffered losses of their own." Again, she hesitated. Whatever she was about to say next was going to be with great trust. Nightmare's eyelights softened, aware at how intimidating the Wyrdaí Islingrya must have appeared.

After a few seconds, Nasuada seemed to find what she was looking for. She folded her hands atop the desk. "Considering this, I have decided to move the Varden to Surda." A pause as she gauged their reaction. Nightmare gave none, except for a bit of admiration at the endevour she was suggesting. Error was lost in thought, Geno practically mirroring him as Chaos grinned. Red was mumbling to Dust incredulously as Killer shrugged carelessly. Cross was silently at attention, but one could see the gears turning behind his sockets. Fresh was the only one with a perfect poker face, partially because he literally could not care.

Nasuada continued. "It's a difficult proposition, I know, but one I believe necessary to keep us safe. Once in Surda, we will finally be close enough to engage the Empire directly."
"I thought King Orrin didn't dare openly oppose Galbatorix." Eragon suddenly protested. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure that was a thing." Red agreed.
Nasuada smiled, but it was more of a grimace. "His stance has changed since we defeated the Urgals. He will shelter and feed us and fight by our side. Many Varden are already in Surda, mainly women and children who couldn't or wouldn't fight. They will also support us, else I will strip our name from them."

Eragon leaned forward as Red looked even more confused. Fresh smirked just behind the edgy skeleton, Blue having a silent discussion with GB as the other hummed.
"How did you communicate with King Orrin so quickly?" The human asked.
"Why is that your question?" Killer asked him before Cross kicked him in the leg. "You sonofa-" the monochrome held up a phone that was long dead. Killer blinked in remembrance, quietly cursing.

Nasuada took the chance to explain. "The dwarves have a system of mirrors to relay messages through their tunnels. They can send a dispatch from here to the western edge of the Beor Mountains in less than a day. Couriers then transport it to Aberon, capital of Surda. Fast as it is, that method is still too slow when Galbatorix can surprise us with an Urgal army and give us less than a day's notice. I intend to arrange something far more expedient between the Du Vrangr Gata and Hrothgar's magicians before we go."

A few of them blinked in surprise, that was a rather creative form of communication. Nasuada opened one of the desk drawers and brought out a scroll, continuing. "The Varden will depart Farthen Dûr within the month. Hrothgar has promised safe passage through the tunnels. Moreover, he sent a force to Orthíad to remove the last vestiges of Urgals and seal the tunnels so no one can invade the dwarves by that route again. As this may not be enough to guarantee the Varden's survival, I have a favor to ask of you." This she largely directed at Eragon. He nodded. "I am yours to command."

"Perhaps." She glanced at Saphira and the Wyrdaí Islingrya, notably Nightmare as she responded. "In any case this is not a command, and furthermore, I ask something similar of the rest of you, should you decide to agree with me."
Nightmare leaned closer, curious as to the request. Error did the same opposite of him beside Eragon.

"I would like you to think carefully before replying." Nasuada informed her vassal before addressing everyone. "To help rally support for the Varden, I wish to spread word throughout the Empire that a new Rider- named Eragon Shadeslayer- and his dragon, Saphira, have joined our cause, as well as a new race of magic greater than the elves. Skeletons. However, I would like your permission before doing so."

Nightmare and Error regarded each other as the rest all recoiled slightly with a wide range of reactions. The King of Negativity spoke first. "Given our former status in the Multiverse, it is best you referred to us as two Kings or Lords, or even gods if you prefer; just not our names. We can use this opportunity to draw in other monsters lost in Alagaësia to the Varden before Galbatorix finds them. There is already enough of our kind fallen to him." Error nodded. "It really is a disappointment. I always thought Yandere would join us in the end."

Red shuddered. "Fuck him. He's beyond psychotic." His eyelights were small and shaking. "Is your rib okay?" Blue asked gently of the angsty skeleton. Red shot him a dirty look. "M'fine." He huffed.
"So you allow word to be spread?" Nasuada questioned of them.
"Yes. Even if we decided no, it would have spread nonetheless." Nightmare told her.

Blueberry perked up, posing dramatically. "Of course, the magnificent Blue will be quite popular! While I may not approve of such overly violent behaviors like this war, I will do as I must! I am very cool, after all."
Error chuckled softly as most of the rest hid their dopey smiles at the precious Blueberry, Chaos giggling madly.

"And I'm cool, too! I just need SKITTLES." Instantly everyone leaned away. Error just grinned. "You'll get Skittles again, don't worry." He told her serenely, Red giving him a morbidly enraged face as the glitch patted the Temmie's head.
Nasuada seemed close to asking about it… but decided against it. She instead looked to her vassal.
"Eragon?"

He put a hand on Saphira's side, finishing a private conversation. "Do what you see fit. If this is how we can best assist the Varden, so be it."
She leaned back. "Thank you. All of you. I know it is a lot to ask for some of you. Now," she changed the subject. "As we discussed before the funeral, I expect you Eragon to travel to Ellesméra and complete your training, with the Wyrdvrangr and Eldjierdar representatives accompanying you."
"With Arya?" He asked.
"Of course. The elves have refused contact with both humans and dwarves since she was captured. Arya is the only being who can convince them to emerge from seclusion."

"Can't she use magic to tell them of her rescue?"
Nasuada shook her head. "Unfortunately not. When the elves retreated into Du Weldenvarden after the fall of the Riders, they placed wards around the forest that prevent any thought, item, or being from entering it through arcane means, though not from exiting it, if I understood Arya's explanation. Thus, Arya must physically visit Du Weldenvarden before Queen Islanzadi will know she is alive, that you, Saphira and the Wyrdaí Islingrya exist, and of the numerous events that have befallen the Varden these past few months." She passed the scroll she had been holding for several minutes to Eragon. A wax sigil was imprinted upon it.

"This is a missive for Queen Islanzadí, telling her about the Varden's situation and my own plans. Guard it with your life; it would cause a great deal of harm in the wrong hands. I hope that after all that's happened, Islanzadí will feel kindly enough toward us to reinitiate diplomatic ties. Her assistance could mean the difference between victory and defeat. Arya knows this and has agreed to press our case, but I wanted you, and all of you aware of the situation too, so you could take advantage of any opportunities that might arise." She spoke to everyone. Nightmare and Error both nodded, the glitch glancing at the King of Negativity.

Eragon tucked the scroll away. "When will we leave?" He asked. "Tomorrow morning… unless anyone has something already planned?"
A short chorus of "No"'s.
"Good." She laced her fingers together. "You should know, one other will be traveling with you."
Eragon seemed confused as Nightmare nodded. "Yes, Orik. I have no objections to the decision; it is in the interest of equality."
She faced him. "I presume he sent a message ahead of my summons?"
"It arrived with the summons. The messenger is a good kid, y'know?" Error added with a half-smile. "Reminds me of someone.."
"Was it Jarsha?" Nasuada questioned further. "Yeah. He's a pretty innocent little guy." Dust muttered with a grimace. "I'd forgotten what an innocent kid was like." He said in an even quieter voice.

The leader of the Varden gave a sad smile, having heard of Dust's past. "If that bothers any of you-" "No! It doesn't! Don't trouble yourself with tha-hat." Killer interrupted, non-existent eyebrows furrowed in a worried expression, white rings glimmering in the depths of his sockets. "Is Killer alright?" GB asked in Wingdings. Dust waved him to stay quiet. Blueberry nudged the skeleblaster to silence as well.
After a moment of dead silence, Nasuada let it go. "Very well.."
Eragon came to the rescue by changing the subject. "Do you really mean to attack the Empire?" He spoke quickly, Killer blinking rapidly as the rings faded… but didn't entirely vanish, either.

"You said yourself that the Varden are weak. It doesn't seem like the wisest choice. If we wait-" "If we wait, Galbatorix will only get stronger." Nasuada interrupted him, finally taking her attention off the normally dark-eyed skeleton. "This is the first time since Morzan was slain that we have even the slightest opportunity of catching him unprepared. He had no reason to suspect we could defeat the Urgals- which we did thanks to all of you- so he won't have readied the Empire for invasion."

Invasion! Saphira cried. And how does she plan to kill Galbatorix when he flies out to obliterate their army with magic?
"What she said." Red agreed loudly, prompting Eragon to explain what she said. Nasuada only shook her head. "From what we know of him, he won't fight until Urû'baen itself is threatened. It doesn't matter to Galbatorix if we destroy half the Empire, so long as we come to him, not the other way around. Why should he bother anyway? If we do manage to reach him, our troops will be battered and depleted, making it all the easier for him to destroy us."

"But you still didn't answer." Dust pointed out. Nasuada spread her hands a little helplessly. "That's because I can't yet. This will be a long campaign. By its end you might be powerful enough to defeat Galbatorix, or the elves may have joined us… and their spellcasters are the strongest in Alagaësia. No matter what happens, we cannot afford to delay. Now is the time to gamble and dare what no one thinks we can accomplish. The Varden have lived in the shadows for too long- we must either challenge Galbatorix or submit and pass away."

Nightmare felt the growing excitement of change and wonderment in the monsters of the Wyrdaí Islingrya, as well as sour notes of apprehension, trepidation emanating from Eragon.
"You are making a bold move, Nasuada." He nodded appreciatively. "Not many can do what you are doing right now." He didn't need to feel emotions to see the gratitude in her eyes.
"But what of you, Nasuada?" Eragon prompted. "Will you be safe while I'm gone? I must think of my vow. It's become my responsibility to ensure that you won't have your own funeral soon."
She waved at the door, indicating the guards outside. "You needn't fear, I am well defended." Then glanced at her desk.

"I will admit." She continued in a lower voice. "One reason for going to Surda is that Orrin knows me of old and will offer his protection. I cannot tarry here with you and Arya gone and the Council of Elders with power. They won't accept me as their leader until I prove beyond a doubt that the Varden are under my control, not theirs."
After a moment's hesitation, Nasuada squared her shoulders and lifted her head. "Go now, Eragon. Wyrdaí Islingrya. Ready your horse and what steeds you may ride, gather supplies, and be at the north gate by dawn."
Eragon bowed, as did Blue, and even Cross (though awkwardly) copied this before they all made their way to the door.
"Good luck Nasuada, leader of the Varden." Nightmare murmured before crossing the threshold of the study to the hallway beyond.