Nasuada and Nathan both looked up from their conversation wearing nearly identical grins. "Welcome," the woman said, gesturing for them to take a seat as her nephew scooted down a chair to offer his previous seat to Arya. She accepted it with a tight smile, and Eragon was concerned over what could have caused her changed attitude from the night before.

Rose and Nick chose the seats beside their respective partners, leaving Niaomi the chair at the other end of the table. Once she'd sat down, Nasuada began speaking.

"The reason why I called you all here is to discuss our next steps. Your arrival, though well timed, was extremely abrupt to put it simply. The Varden is understandably concerned about you new Riders, as they do not yet know your origins. There are already rumors running amok that you are servants to the king, like Murtagh, and have come to overthrow me and capture Eragon. Though they are preposterous claims, the more that build, the harder it will be for the people to trust you."

"And so what do you recommend, Lady Nasuada?" asked Ren, her gray eyes narrowed sharply in contemplation.

"I believe the solution is a simple one. You should get to know a person before you judge them, and so I wish for Eragon to lead you five in that endeavor. Of course, you must be properly introduced to the Varden first."

"Where we can explain our purpose and how we have chosen Eragon as our leader." Nia lifted her head from her folded hands and smiled. "A well-thought plan, my lady."

Quietly raising her hand, Rosaminda added gently, "Of course, by choosing Eragon to lead us and swearing our loyalty to him, we not only prove that we are indeed dedicated to the Varden's cause, but to the Varden themselves, as our new leader is also your vassal. Well-thought-out indeed, Lady Nasuada."

Since he sat beside her, Eragon could hear her twin's short chuckle and understood the politics at work here. As he'd sworn his service to Nasuada, and they in turn swore theirs to him, indirectly she was the one who held all of their loyalty. By commenting on this fact, the blonde was ensuring his liege lord that the five were well aware of this and would not let themselves be subtly manipulated.

While her smile did not flutter in the slightest, he thought Nasuada's eyelid may have twitched for a split second before she congenially agreed, "You are correct, of course. This should leave the Varden without any doubts as to your intentions, though to seal the deal, it would be prudent if you swore your loyalty to Eragon during the introduction ceremony I have planned an hour before midday."

A counterstrike, Eragon mused to himself and Saphira, who'd stuck her head in the tent along with the other dragons. And well timed. Making the ceremony today leaves them without an out.

She only grunted at him, and he grew concerned. What's the matter? You usually find these things of greater interest.

Her mind thoughts flickered, and Eragon saw a glimpse of Emere and a snatch of their conversation before she shut him out and snapped, Pay attention!

Nicholas had already agreed to his aunt's plan and was now inquiring as to whether they would reveal their true identities as well. "It would surely strengthen our position to know we are the grandchildren of their previous esteemed leader."

"You are right," Nasuada admitted, "but I should be the ones to introduce you as such. I would be asked to verify your claims myself, and it would sound more believable if I stated the fact rather than agreeing with you. However, in concerns to your mother, I am not sure - "

"We shall be introduced as we introduced ourselves to you," Niaomi interrupted, her gaze hard. "We are not ashamed of our mother, and she has committed no folly. Queen Islanzadí may have chosen to disown us, but we are still the children of Leafë. If she can no longer be known as Dröttningu, then she can be known as Ilerneö, as she was often on Alalëa."

He noticed Arya stiffen across from him, and he asked, "What does that mean?"

To his surprise, it was the elf herself who answered. "Ilerneö is an ancient title my people bestowed to the one who acted as the Voice of our homeland. He or she protected us and the island, keeping the barrier stable and the races united. When I saw her cast that spell...'Alalëa'...I knew that she - my sister - must have been the Voice. Ilerneö."

"She was." Nate's own voice was subdued as he spoke. "One of the greatest in the history of Alalëa. But now that we've got it straight who shall be introducing who, I think we should prepare ourselves for the introductory ceremony. If you would excuse us, Lady Nasuada?"

Toparien's huff disrupted the air, but his Rider was unperturbed. The man looked to his aunt, who waved her hand, and he rose along with his brethren as they exited the tent. Nia glanced back once at Eragon, her face unreadable before it disappeared from view. The dragons' heads retreated, and he felt Saphira stiffen through their bond as a tail brushed against her own. As her thoughts turned to Emere as if she knew it must have been him, she felt his curiosity and quickly turned him away.

Before he could could speak more with her on the matter, Nasuada told him, "I'm preparing to have Arya scry her mother and Orik as soon as Orrin arrives so I can inform them of their latest development, though it seems the queen already knew of their existence beforehand. Will you stay?"

"I would actually like to begin getting to know the other Riders." It still felt weird when he said it out loud: other Riders - plural. More than Oromis and him. Free unlike Murtagh, and good unlike Galbatorix. Other Riders.

"Of course. They are our new comrades - and your new subordinates."

"I don't think I'll have to pull rank just yet," Eragon said with a short laugh.

"Eragon." He looked at Arya, a bit taken aback by the emotion on her face as she said, "Be careful."

Nodding, he exited the tent to find the others gathered not too far off. They all glanced up as he emerged, and Rose lifted her hand in greeting. "We were just planning to eat breakfast at my tent. Would you like to join us, Eragon-vinr?"

Glancing towards Saphira, he asked her, What shall you be doing while I eat?

Eating myself, she told him as she stretched out her wings with a snap.

Will the other dragons be joining -

No!

Her growl made him take a step back, and now true concern filled him. Saphira, what's amiss?

Slowly, her fangs retreated as her lips uncurled, and her eyes gazed beyond him towards the other dragons, skipping over Emere. Nothing that concerns you.

You are my concern.

Her teeth reappeared, but this time in a smile. I am fine, little one. We shall fly together once I return.

Before he could utter a word of protest, Saphira took off, the back draft from her wings making it a struggle to stay standing as she took flight. Deciding to let her work through it on her own for now, Eragon turned just in time to see Luminous take to the skies as well. Once again he had to fight not to fall over, as did the other Riders. The white dragon circled around her sister, and through their bond he could knew they were conversing, and the two began to fly away. He watched, amazed at the sheer brilliance of the sight as their scales refracted light from the rising sun, until they disappeared from view above the clouds.

Trying to ignore the pang that Saphira's absence always brought, he looked back and found the others waiting for him with knowing looks on their faces. "I, ah, would love to join you all. And please, just call me Eragon."

"Sure thing," Nathan grinned. "Well, let's get a move on, then! I don't know about you, but I'm dying to eat."

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A/N: Made this one about 350 words longer than the last one, so hope you enjoy it! I'm sure most if not all of you guys caught on to the little SaphiraxEmere moment that took place off-screen, which I'm planning to make a little short story for The Chronicles of Alagaësia. Haven't written one of those in ages. If you're curious to know what all this "Ilerneö" business is about, then read volume zero; that's where I'm planning to get into that whole thing. (^_-)

The trailer pic up above is meant to represent Eragon's sword Brisingr as you all no doubt guessed, though in reality it's a snapshot of Bilbo's sword Sting from a The Lord of the Rings movie - see external link. I really like where I used the image in the transition sequence. Matter of fact, what did y'all think of the trailer? Be honest, and I won't be offended even if you disliked it, (though I worked really hard on it for a long time so if you hate it then you must hate me and Destiny and everything we stand for), PROMISE. :)