"This isn't working!", Nasuada exclaims, slamming her hand down on all the charts and maps she had collected, "just because it is a small does not mean we can just waltz in there without a plan! What part of 'Galbatorix has placed hundreds of soldiers there' don't you understand!"

"A few hundreds, so what!", Orrin says waving his hand, "the Varden has thousands!"

"But Galbatorix would not place them there if he did not think they could not hold their ground, for a while at least. It may be a very small town but we still must take it out before hitting the larger cities and he knows this! Galbatorix has a plan, I can assure you that, and it will be devastating for us if we don't come up with one as well", Nasuada says just as loudly as before, becoming frustrated with Orrin's attitude. Eragon, sensing where this was going, steps in and says something before things get out of hand.

"Nasuada's right, these men are not going to be easy to take on. Galbatorix is confident that these men can do us enough damage to weaken us, even by a little bit. We should plan as if these are the best group of soldiers in all of Alagaësia."

"Fine! Of course side with her! Do as you please lady Nasuada. But when this turns out to be nothing..... ", he trails off, and with that he storms out of the tent, his small of alcohol lingering in the air.

Sighing, Nasuada sits back down, her hand covering her face as she says, "oh Eragon, what am I going to do with that man? He gets worse and worse the closer we get to Uru'baen."

"We could always feed him to Saphira?"

Cracking a smile and moving her hand away from her face, Nasuada says playfully back, "not a bad idea, not a bad idea...", then she looks towards the enchanted mirror and says quieter, "but what do we do about Talin?"

"Well, I'm not the one to talk about tactics with Nasuada, I suggest Jörmundor my lady."

"Eragon, I know you must have some ideas! Even the slightest suggestions would help right now!"

Looking away as well, Eragon stares at the flap in the tent that is usually pulled back for Saphira's head to fit inside, but at the moment she was with Leora..... Leora!

"Nasuada, my only suggestion would be to use Leora. Obvious, but at the same time a subtle detail. I would formulate her into any plan you think of."

Suddenly, a gleam came into her eyes as she stands up quickly and says to Eragon, "how could I not think of this before!? The plan is so simple yet so... Effective. Excuse me Eragon, I must go and talk to Jörmundor and get the fine details worked out.... I will call you back when I have the final plan. Thank you Eragon."

And with that she turns and dashes out the door, her gown flowing gracefully behind her. Eragon didn't have the slightest idea what kind of inspiration had just hit her for he obviously didn't see it. All he knew was that it involved Leora. But what kind of plan could she have formed so quickly from just that!?

Shaking his head, Eragon also stands and exits the tent, planning on going and talking over the meeting with Saphira and Leora.

~*~

'I still do not see what kind of huge plan to take on Galbatorix's men Nasuada could have come up with after you just mentioned me.... It just doesn't make sense', Leora says thoughtfully licking in between her claws to get rid of the blood left over from her last meal.

'Nor do I, but Nasuada is an intelligent woman, otherwise she would not be leader of the Varden', Saphira says as well.

'Yes.... I just wish she would have told me something before running off like that', Eragon says placing his chin in his hands while sitting on a log at the edge of camp. He watched thoughtfully as the people of Talin scrambled to make last minute preparations as the sun sank in the sky.

'We will find out soon enough Little One. We strike at dawn correct? She will have to tell us before we to into battle', Saphira says calmly.

'You're right of course', Eragon starts, then says out loud as well, "I just wish I knew something...."

'Come, let's fly and get your mind off of things', Saphira says crouching down. Eragon smiles and bounds up her leg, then looks down at Leora.

'You're coming right?', he asks her.

'Actually, no. I have.... Things to attend to. I will see you when you return', then she roars joyfully to the heavens and Saphira joins her moments later. And with that Saphira launches off the ground and into the darkening sky.

The air was cool and felt less solid, as if he were flying through water not air. Dipping and turning with the wind, Saphira rides the breezes as up drafts push her around. Closing his eyes, Eragon let's everything just slip away until he was in a blissful peace. They were so high up now that the fires at the Varden's camp were nothing but pinpricks in the darkness.

'We need to do this more often, just get away and fly', Saphira says softly.

'Aye, it really clears your mind..... Hopefully we shall still be able to do this after the siege tomorrow....'

'Eragon don't think like that! We have survived through so much. Farthen Dur, The Burning Plains, and we will make it to Uru'baen. This pathetic little town will not be the one to bring us down!', Saphira says fiercely, turning her head around to stare at him.

'Alright, alright, I give. Your right of course', Eragon says giving in.

They continued their flight for twenty minutes more, until the sun had sank below the horizon and the air had become so chilly that Eragon was shivering. Tilting towards the ground, Saphira dives almost straight down, making him feel as if he was going to fall off, even with the leg straps on. And he loved it. Throwing his hands up into the air, Eragon let's out a large whoop of glee and Saphira shoots out a burst of fire. Luckily it passes to the left of him as they keep barreling towards the ground. Finally at the last possible moment, she snaps her wings open, fills them with air making them look like taut sails, and slows to almost a complete stop, then glides gently to the ground.

When Eragon finally gets himself all unstrapped and down out of the saddle, he can barely hold himself up due to exhaustion. Bidding Saphira a quick goodnight, he stumbles into his tent and crashes onto his cot, falling asleep almost immediately, but not before a trace of worry gnaws on his mind at the battle approaching at dawn.

~*~

'Wake up Little One.'

Even the lightest thought from Saphira snaps Eragon out of his waking dreams. He was barely sleeping in the first place, just waiting for her to call for him. Sitting up, he stretches out his back, hearing it crack in several places, before lacing on his light leather boots he received from the elves, and slipping out of the tent into the cool night air.

It was still dark as Eragon looks around. Saphira lays next to the entrance and over her Eragon sees three people striding towards them. Nasuada, Blödhgarm, and Arya, all already garbed in their armor. Looking down at his wrinkled tunic and pants, Eragon realizes that he should probably get ready. Dashing back inside he straps on his greaves and throws his chain mail over his shoulders then straps on his helm. Once he is ready, he dashes back out to meet them over next to Saphira.

With his enhanced vision, Eragon sees looks of tension draw across their faces. None really was excited for the battle ahead from the looks on their faces.

"Nasuada, Arya, Blödhgarm", Eragon mumbles in a quiet greeting.

"Eragon", Nasuada says back before continuing, "we are about to wake the camp, we wanted to make sure you were ready before having the whole Varden prepare to march. It would be motivating to see you at the front preparing to fight."

"I will go to it then."

"That would be good", Nasuada says before turning and striding away again, Blödhgarm following close behind.

"Come, let us got to the edge of camp and wait for the rest to get up", Arya says waiting for him to follow. Together the both of them walk towards the side of the camp closest to Talin as Saphira flies overhead.

They do not speak, as both of them brood on the fight ahead. For such a small settlement it caused them much worry. As Eragon kept thinking about the siege ahead, he realized something he couldn't believe he had forgotten.

'Saphira?'

'Mhmm?'

'Where is Leora?'

She pauses, then answers, 'that is a good question.'

And before he could question her further she was gone, her mind sealed off from him for some reason he could not explain. But just as soon as she left, she was back and says in an emotionless voice, 'she will meet us at the north entrance.'

'Good, but Saphira? Where was she?'

'She will tell you when you arrive.'

Nodding his head, Eragon turns to Arya then says, "do you mind if we step up the pace a bit? I need to get to the north entrance quickly to...... Question someone."

She turns towards him as well and says, shockingly, with a smile, "if you would like to get there quickly to question Leora about her whereabouts just say so", then he smile turns mischievous as she finishes so quietly that he would not have heard it without his enhanced hearing, "race ya!"

And with that she takes off with a large leap, starting her long quick strides. Even though Eragon only started less than a second later, he was still at least 25 feet behind her. Eragon somehows catches up by taking a shortcut by jumping over a low lying tent. Twisting and turning in between tents, the two struggle to make it to the entrance first. The competitiveness between them could have been cut by a sword if anyone cared to try. Finally the entrance came into sight and leaning forward slightly, Eragon starts to pull ahead. Arya, seeing what he was doing, does the same and the two are side by side as they pass right through the entrance, making it a tie.

Placing his hands on his knees, Eragon doubles over and tries to catch his breath. Across from him, Arya does the same. It is a few moments before he realizes that they are not alone at the entrance.

Looking up, Eragon sees Saphira and Leora sitting there waiting for him. But the thing was, Leora did not look the same.

Her shoulder was above his head now and her body easily thirty feet long. Her chest had broadened too, causing the muscles in her wings and chest bulge out full of power. He couldn't help but gape at her. Not only would she be able to hold her own, she could probably take on some major opponents.

'You like?', she asks smugly, smoke roiling out of her nose.

'I must say I am quite shocked.... Even with your advanced warning', Eragon says dazed.

'I figured.'

Before he has time to reply, Nasuada rides up on her gray war horse, flanked closely by her guard the Nighthawks and Jörmundor. She looked determined with her head held high and her back straight, but her eyes held an expression of slight worry.

Eragon strides up as she dismounts and asks in a steady but quiet voice for people were starting to assemble and he could see the whole camp approaching not too far away, "Nasuada, what is the plan?"

"We March onto the city from three sides, you Eragon from the east, Saphira, Arya, and I from the north, and Jörmundor shall lead a group from the south west. Leora shall fly above the town and help us anywhere she can."

All Eragon could think of as she reached the end of the plan, was about the thought that had plagued his mind for the past day. The reason Leora would have to save him.

"Nasuada, do you think it wise to split up the Varden like this?", he asks his voice low and almost nothing but a slight rumble.

"Yes Eragon, I have thought it through thoroughly trust me."

"Yes....... M'lady."

"Good, now most of the men have been prepped on their positions, but not all, so if you would excuse me, I must go and prepare the final touches", Nasuada says briefly before turning and disappearing into the ranks of men, the Nighthawks following closely on her heels. Jörmundor remains behind, shaking his head at her as she goes.

"I shall never understand her", he mumbles, "first no plan was tactical enough to take on this town, and now here we are just marching into battle with absolutely no plan and she seems perfectly fine."

"Aye", Eragon agrees. It was a very strange situation indeed.

They must have sat there for twenty minutes more before some kind of signal was given. Nasuada came marching to the front on her horse once more and said in a shout, "split to you segments!" And as soon as they were separated, she says "forward march!"

The Varden sets off. Some heading straight on to the settlement at a slow place, another looping all the way around the town, moving faster than either of the groups to make it to the other side of Talin before the alarm is sounded. The final group, the one Eragon was in, moved at an intermediate pace, their weapons muffled to give them the element of surprise. Far above them, Leora circled, so far up she looked like a harmless hawk.

Finally they moved into position. From where he was located, Eragon could see Saphira perfectly, and see her eyes following his every move. Just as they were about to set the trap and start hammering on the walls, an alarm horn sets off somewhere above them at the top of the wooden wall. Then another, and another, until the air was filled with crossing notes the woke up the whole city.

But the city was already awake.

Arrows rained down on the Varden from far above and oil was tipped from the very top. Men's screams lit the air was they are wounded by stab wounds or burns, and for the most unlucky, both.

Raising his shield, Eragon catches three arrows, even though his wards would have stopped it. He would rather not waste his energy on something so easily stopped. From what he could tell, the other side was getting hit just as badly.

"Ladders!", shouts a familiar voice to the right of him. Turning towards the sound, Eragon sees Roran and hails him, and he returns to gesture. At least he had Roran with him. The men followed his orders, carrying flexible ladders that would easily climb all the way up to the top of the wall. The only problem was the men waiting at the top for you, shooting arrows and even pushing ladders away. It was dangerous work to climb up.

Men started to file up the ladders, climbing faster and faster until they started to make it to the top. But, they did not stay up very long.

From the other side of the wall, a loud fast chanting started, though over the loud war calls of the Varden, it was impossible to determine what they were saying. Men were being thrown from the top of the wall, some from the Empire, some not. With Eragon's enhanced vision, he could see that Roran had made it to the top and was bashing all within his reach so his hammer. He had already made it halfway to the North side, when it happened.

A large section of the wall glowed with a large white outline that shone so bright that everyone had to avert their eyes. An ominous creaking filled the air and Eragon dared to look at the blinding light. It had dimmed slightly so it did not feel like his eyes were burning out of his sockets.

The wall was splitting along the outline, disintegrating in front of his very eyes. Realizing this, the Varden started to cheer, thinking they had broken through the wall. Eragon thought this too, until the wall started to lean.

It leaned towards the Varden.

It leaned right over him and the east group.

As the wall fell, everything seemed to slow down. Eragon knew he would not have the strength to stop the wall, nor the time to come up with something in the ancient language to even slow the impact of the wall. Everyone would die and there was nothing he could do about it. And he was certain his wards would not be able to hold out.

Eragon was about to die, and he actually felt calm. Everyone he cared for was out of danger, including Roran who was far enough along the wall so that he had not fallen with it.

Turning to look at the north side, his eyes found Saphira, who had spotted him in the seconds it took him to think all of this. In that moment he felt more gratitude and love rush up inside of him then ever before. He could remember all their best moments in a split second. He was glad to have had those moments together.

'I love you Spahira', was all he could say before the wall hit.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

AN: HOLY CRAP!!!!!!! WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT? REMEMBER THIS IS A FANFIC SO I CAN CHANGE THe PLOT NO MATTER HOW MUCH I WANT ;) I'LL LET YOU TOY WITH THAT......... MAJOR CLIFFHANGER! AND ALSO I REALLY LONG CHAPTER..... I DIDNT KNOW WHEN TO STOP!!!!!! SORRY FOR THE LONG WAIT ON THE UPDATE BUT AGAIN DIDNT KNOW WHERE TO STOP...... SO PRETTY PRETTY PLEASE IF YOU LIKE THIS CHAPTER AND LOVE/HATE THE CLIFFHANGER THEN WILL YOU PLEASE.......

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~Bert