The Grey Chronicles (Eragon fanfic) Book 1: Emergence

Chapter 12: Fealty

The large underground amphitheater the Varden and the dwarves congregated for the inauguration in somewhat reminded her of the Roman Coliseum she once saw in documentaries. Naturally, the one here was a lot bigger.

She sat beside Angela and Solembum on one of the lower tiers. Eragon, Saphira, and other important people sat at the bottom, level with the podium. Once everyone filled up the rest of the arena (a process that took a few minutes only), Jormundur stepped up from his seat and began to speak. His voice carried easily through the amphitheater, as if the man was speaking right beside the young sailor.

"People of the Varden," he announced, "we last stood here 15 years ago, at Deynor's death. His successor, Ajihad, did more to oppose the Empire and Galbatorix than any before. He won countless battles against superior forces. He nearly killed Durza, putting a scratch on the Shade's blade. And greatest of all, he welcomed Rider Eragon and Saphira into Tronjheim. However, a new leader must be chosen, one who will win us even more glory." Jesse had anticipated the crowd's response. He was a crowd favorite since the Shade incident.

A brave person from the higher tiers shouted, "Shadeslayer!" The girl was considerably impressed that neither Eragon nor Jormundur quite reacted -the older man was naturally more experienced.

"Perhaps in years to come, but he has other responsibilities now. No, the Council of Elders has thought long on this: " -the sailor smirked derisively behind one hand -"we need one who understands our needs and wants, one who has lived and suffered alongside us. One who refused to flee, even when battle was imminent."

The crowd finally got what he was saying; as comprehension rushed through the tiers, many whispers accompanied Jormundur's last word before he stepped aside: "Nasuada." He bowed as he did so.

Arya was next to speak. Jesse could see from her vantage point that she did not seem too distressed unlike yesterday. That was good."The elves honor Ajihad tonight.... and on behalf of Queen Islanzadi, I recognize Nasuada's ascension and offer her the same support and friendship we extended to her father. May the stars watch over her."

When she stepped down, King Hrothgar and lastly, Eragon and Saphira, also expressed their support for Nasuada in her rise to her predeccessor's position. Things looked good for now.

But that was about to change soon enough.

After the pledges were given, Jormundur and the Council of Elders formed a line on either sides of the podium, their spokesperson at their head. Nasuada approached and knelt, her dress spread about her like the night sky. Jormundur asked, "By the right of inheritance and succession, we have chosen Nasuada. By merit of her father's achievements and the blessings of her peers, we have chosen Nasuada. I now ask you: Have we chosen well?"

The response was loud and clear: "Yes!"

"Then by the power granted to this council, we pass the privileges and responsibilities accorded to Ajihad to his only descendant, Nasuada." And Jormundur placed a silver circlet on her foster sister's hair. He took her hand and showed her to the people, saying, "I give you your new leader!"

Humans and dwarves alike roared their approval loudly for ten whole minutes, Jesse not joining in because she wanted to be able to talk later on. As the clamor died down, the young sailor saw one of the council members beckon to Eragon. He stood and walked towards them with Saphira at his side, and Jesse was actually close enough to make out some details of the council members' faces. They looked like they just got a child to give them his lollipop.

What had they tried to spearhead those two into? Jesse thought worriedly as she saw Arya nod ever so slightly. At least Arya helped them somehow.

Then he knelt before Nasuada, drawing out his sword as he did so, and swore fealty to her.

The girl's grey eyes were never wider than they were at the moment. The council immediately switched their expressions from smugness to outrage. They must've foolishly thought to heckle Eragon and Saphira to them by swearing an indirect fealty to them, Jesse realized. Had he not sworn to Nasuada instead, those two would have been in serious trouble. It must be why Arya did not look surprised in the least.

After Nasuada gave the appropriate response, the crowd rose to their feet and roared again, with warriors banging their weapons on their shields or stomping their feet in the case of the dwarves.

The amphitheater began to empty after a few more speeches, and Jesse quickly ran down the tiers to Eragon, intent on asking what on Earth got those two into their situation. Seeing Orik already onto the Rider, the girl swerved to instead charge towards the blue dragon, not even bothering to speak and opening her mind up.

What in heck were you two doing?

It was the only thing we could do, she replied. If we allowed the council to control us, there would have been no hope of freedom.

That would be a bad thing. You two would've been worse off than a teenager on crack overdose. Jesse may have been starting to use a bit more of the language they had here, but her accent and modern slang in her thinking didn't change in the least.

Instead of asking what she meant by that, Saphira changed the subject. Have you thought about yesterday?

The sailor frowned.

Yes, and I've decided I don't like it. How else could she describe hearing what she heard the last time she spoke with Solembum: that she might be one of the Grey Folk?

~

A.N: Thank you God this whole thing is all done! Thank you for being patient with me, and now I need your comments to see how Jesse's trip to Ellesméra will go.

May your keyboards stay active!