Roran turned back to get one last look of Belatona that had been his home for the past two months. The days spent in the city had been rough what with the capture and return of Eragon and the departure of Katrina. Ever since his wife had gone towards the elven homeland that morning Roran hadn't had any free time to think of her, being occupied with the preparations for leaving to Dras-Leona. It was probably a good thing because if he had had time then he would have brooded over all the improbable things and lost even the little peace of mind he had now.
The Varden had left a few soldiers and some women and children at the city trusting the patrols to inform of any empire troop movement in the area. Further, the perimeters of the countryside surrounding Belatona had long been secured by the Varden and it would be absolute madness for even a king as mad as Galbatorix to attack, especially when he knows that his enemy has moved on to attack his largest city after the capital, namely Dras-Leona.