Arya advises Nasuada that Galbatorix’s soldiers must not be allowed to breach the walls of the Varden or they will run rampant amongst the tents; this is a trap set for Eragon and Saphira to battle it out with Murtagh and Thorn in the sky. The 13 elves led by Blödhgarm will back Eragon, while King Orrin leads a charge on the ground with Garzhvog the Kull and a band of Urgals. Nasuada’s soldiers, led by Jörmundur, would defend the walls with Narheim and the dwarves guarding the perimeter. Eragon feels it when the first of Orrin’s spellcasters dies; then Murtagh taunts Eragon to come fight him in the sky, and that’s their cue—Arya gives Eragon a burst of energy and they’re airborne. In only two weeks, Thorn has grown four feet larger although still barely more than a hatchling. Murtagh reveals he was tortured by Galbatorix for leaving Eragon alive at the Battle of the Burning Plains, and he will not make that mistake again. Eragon tells him what he learned about the ability for anyone to change their true name; he encourages Murtagh to try to break free of his oaths.