Destiny (Volume I: Shur'tugalar)

Chapter Eight Part LXXII

Hey guys - here is the last part of chapter eight! Only two left! xD And here's the final cast member revealed: Arya Dröttningu portrayed by Ashley C. Williams. :D

Now, enjoy! (:)

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The image in the mirror sped up soundlessly, showing the hatching of the dragons: first Nicholas's, then Nathan's, then Niaomi's, then the twins' in tandem. After the pink and silver dragonets emerged, the reminiscence resumed playing in normal time. Renata and Rosaminda both hissed in pain as their gedwëy ignasias were burned onto their rights palms. 

"'Doesn't hurt' my arse!" they both cursed at the same time. 

"Oh, quit whining you two," Niaomi lightly mocked. She bent down to retrieve her elemental bracelet as the cavern began to shake slightly. "Looks like we're heading up now." 

Her words turned out to be accurate as the floor rose and the ceiling became the a myriad of glowing glyphs once more. The portal opened just in time for them to all disappear inside. 

The mirror showed the five kids and their dragons floating upwards in a glowing white vortex. Raising her dragonet so that their eyes could meet, Rose asked aloud, "Where are the Spine Mountains?" 

"They're not a part of Alalëa, that's for sure," her twin answered, stroking the baby Silveran in the spot right between his wings and causing him to emit the higher-pitch rumbling sound Eragon associated with pleasure. 

Niaomi set the young Luminous down on one shoulder so that she could straighten the tangle that was her hair. "Then they must be in Alagaësia - looks like we're really leaving." 

It was quiet for a spell as they kept ascending. Looking at the whiteness that surrounded them, Nat managed to sit down on whatever platform was keeping them afloat and tucked the orange dragonet that would be named Toparien in between his legs. "I'll miss our island." 

"And everything we'll have to leave behind," his brother added grimly, hugging baby Emere to his chest gently. 

"Wayłoêr, Tristan, Błathr, Shwa and Hisera, Elodiâ, Skysong, Fleetfoot - there are so many." Niaomi sighed and leaned against the glowing border that acted as a wall. "And in Alagaësia, who will we have?" 

"G-Ma and G-Pa have family there, don't they?" Ren reminded them. "You'll be able to meet your aunts, your grandmother." 

"Don't you mean our?" Nick asked. 

His beau gave him a rueful smile. "We're not blood related, Nick. Plus, god-family doesn't extend past the parents." 

"But in-laws do - " He paused, realizing what he'd said as shock crossed Niaomi's, Nathan's, and Rosaminda's face. "Oops." 

"Wait, wait, wait... 'in-laws'? So what, this means - you two are...getting married?!" 

"No need to sound so shocked, brother." 

Nat pointed his finger at Nicholas accusingly. "Oh, don't get all righteous on me! How could you not tell us?" 

"Yeah!" Rose agreed, crossing her arms. "I understand between the brothers, but I'm your twin for gods' sakes, Renata!" 

"Hey!" both boys protested. 

"Shush and let them explain," Niaomi silenced the grumbles as she turned to face the couple in question. "So? Let's hear it, then." 

"It just happened two days ago," Renata began explaining. "We didn't want to turn our birthday party into an engagement one, especially since it was your turn to be surprised, Nia. So we were just going to wait until after the party, but all this stuff happened so we never got the chance."