Andlátkyn; Vandr Sanses unin Alagaësia

Plans of War

((Since I failed to upload last Friday, I'll give y'all a double upload today. The last chapter was rather short, anyway. Enjoy.))

Geno was picking up some of the mess Saphira had apparently left behind in Nasuada's pavilion, despite the woman's protests that it was unnecessary.

She's the leader of an army, her tent should look the part.
Especially if she's meeting with someone.

"Roran Stronghammer requests an audience for you, Lady Nightstalker." An Urgal announced. Speak of the devil. Nasuada glanced at Geno, clearly an invitation to depart. He gave her a look, sitting down on the table he'd righted. She sighed.
"You may admit him."

The harrowed man he'd met just after the battle where... the battle that happened recently, stepped inside, looking concerned about the disheveled scene and bowed before Nasuada.

"Please, rise." She told him, the man doing so and looking her in the eyes after glancing at Geno. She too, peered at Geno for a moment before continuing.

"My position allows me the luxury of clear, direct speech, Roran, but I will be blunt with you today. You seem to be a man who appreciates candor, and we have much to discuss in a small amount of time."

"Thank you, my Lady. I have never enjoyed playing word games."
"Excellent. To be blunt, then, you have presented me with two difficulties, neither of which I can easily resolve."
"What sort of difficulties?"

"One of character, and one of politics. Your deeds in Palancar Valley and during your flight thence with your fellow villagers are nigh on incredible. They tell me that you have a daring mind and that you are skilled at combat, strategy, and inspiring people to follow you with unquestioning loyalty."

"They may have followed me, but they certainly never stopped questioning me."

She allowed a slight smile. "Perhaps. But you still got them here, didn't you? You possess valuable talents, Roran, and the Varden could use you. I assume you wish to be of service?"
"I do."

"As you know, Galbatorix has divided his army and sent troops south to reinforce the city of Aroughs, west toward Feinster, and north toward Belatona. He hopes to drag out this fight, to bleed us dry through slow attrition. Jörmundur and I cannot be in a dozen locations at once. We need captains whom we can trust to deal with the myriad conflicts springing up around us. In this, you could prove your worth to us. But..." She trailed.

"But you do not yet know if you can rely upon me."
"Indeed. Protecting one's friends and family stiffens a person's spine, but I wonder how you will fare without them. Will your nerve hold? And while you can lead, can you also obey orders? I cast no aspersions on your character, Roran, but the fate of Alagaësia is at stake, and I cannot risk putting someone incompetent in charge of my men. This war does not forgive such blunders. Nor would it be fair to the men already with the Varden to place you over them without just cause. You must earn your responsibilities with us."

"I understand. What would you have me do, then?"
"Ah, but it's not that easy, for you and Eragon are practically brothers, and that complicates things immeasurably. As I'm sure you are aware, Eragon is a keystone of our hopes. It is important, then, to shelter him from distractions so he may concentrate upon the task before him. If I send you into battle and you die as a result, grief and anger might very well unbalance him. I've seen it happen before. Moreover, I must take great care with whom I allow you to serve, for there are those who seek to influence you because of your relation to Eragon. So now you have a fair idea of the scope of my concerns. What have you to say about them?"

"If the land itself is at stake and this war is as hotly contested as you imply, then I say you cannot afford to let me sit idle. Employing me as a common swordsman would be just as much a waste. But I think you know that already. As for politics..." Here he just shrugged.