Nasuada wants Eragon to travel to the dwarves’ stronghold at Farthen Dûr without Saphira to persuade them to an alliance with the Varden and as a witness to their search for a new king. Saphira would stay with the Varden to avoid bringing attention to Eragon’s journey; with her permission, Arya could ride Saphira if Murtagh came back. Eragon’s guard will be an Urgal and a Kull, but to avoid upsetting the dwarves they will stop in Bregan Hold on Mount Thardur, where Orik (Eragon’s closest dwarf friend) can be found. Eragon is vehemently opposed, and tries to get out of the journey, but Nasuada remains steadfast. As a condition of the agreement, Saphira will fly to Farthen Dûr for the coronation of the new king, and to try to repair the Star Sapphire. After, they will fly to Ellesméra in Du Weldenvarden to fulfill another oath, to see Islanzadí and his tutors, Oromis and Glaedr.

Nasuada coaches Eragon on the customs of the dwarves and persuades him that Orik is the best choice, being the late King Hrothgar’s child, Eragon’s foster brother, and already a fan of the Varden—but she advises he switch allegiances if the majority will not go with him and there is a more likely candidate who is in favor of the Varden.