The Trial of the Long Knives is the 7th chapter of Brisingr. It takes place from the view of Nasuada.
Summary[]
Fadawar, a native of Nasuada's and Ajihad's clan, came to Nasuada seeking places of honor for him and his kinsmen, for they shared blood. Nasuada denied his request, as his reasoning was dependent only on bloodlines. Insulted and furious at Nasuada's denial, Fadawar challenged Nasuada to the Trial of the Long Knives. In this, each person would cut their forearms with a dagger in turns, and the person who withstood the most cuts(not exceeding six per forearm) without any form of interference by healing, and without losing consciousness would be declared the winner. The winner would gain control of both participants' tribes—that of Fadawar's and the Varden. Nasuada accepted, believing that Elva had foreseen her winning, and won by besting Fadawar's eight cuts with her nine. By winning, Nasuada gained control of Fadawar's tribe, and strengthened her hold on the Varden. Elva later revealed that she had not foreseen her winning, but by saying she had foreseen it, Nasuada then had the courage to go on.