For Alagaesia: 64. Consequences of being closed

“Never lose sleep over your husband, Katrina. He has a knack to defy difficulties.”, Eragon said. Katrina had contacted him and explained about Galbatorix's counter attack. Eragon was embarrassed to have heard of the Varden's struggle and victory from Katrina. It was his duty to scry and learn about the happenings of the Varden on a day-to-day basis, since the Varden were in no position to contact him when need arose. But he had spend his time training Indra, making fairths and practising with Arya and had forgotten to keep an eye on the Varden for the past four-five days.

Katrina nodded as if to say 'I know' and said, “But Galbatorix grows desperate.”

It was a very true observation. It was, indeed, desperate of Galbatorix to send armies from three directions to recapture Teirm. And Eragon knew quite well that victory wouldn't have been this easy if the Varden were ignorant of the marching armies. Somehow they had been notified and they had won the battle.

For Alagaesia: 63. The informer's victory

Victory. Humph, Victory. It must be the only word glorified beyond all its merits. When people spoke of it, they spoke as if they had fed a whole country of men for a year. They stood with their heads held high when they proclaimed victory over the opposing forces.

Roran had had his fair share of such moments where he had felt on top of the world; as if he was the God and the world was a bit of dirt under his feet. But this time, victory wasn’t as sweet for now he had not gone headlong into battle. He had had the chance to look upon a battle scene from above and he had watched how fate could work either way as it chose and kill anyone.

For Alagaesia: 62. Nightmares, Confrontation and Who are they?

He lay sprawled on the top of the mountain. Cold was all around and it was inside him too. It was evil. And it was deep inside where it should not be. It was terror. Terror unlike anything he had felt before. It wrapped around him and it was coursing through him. Darkness was spreading all around.

Somebody was calling out to him.