Destiny (Volume I: Shur'tugalar)

Chapter One Part II (ED)

"Wait," said Nasuada, her brows coming together. "How do you know all this information?"

"Oh, it's simple," Niaomi replied in her lilting voice as she removed the mirror from her belt. "I extracted it in the assassin's mind before he killed himself."

She closed her eyes, moving her right hand across the mirror as she murmured under her breath, and the glass started to fog over. "What are you doing?" asked Nasuada. Deep in concentration, the woman didn't seem to hear.

"She's working a scrying spell through the mirror," said Arya. "The more appropriate question to ask would be who she is contacting."

"My brethren," said Niaomi as she looked up. "Galbatorix has sent some of his finest mages, and in order to defeat them all in time, we will need assistance."

"Just who are your brethren? How many magicians are there? And why are you helping us?"

"So many questions," remarked Niaomi to Nasuada's fast-paced questioning as she gazed back into the mirror. "My brethren are my two brothers and our childhood friends. They are fiancées to my brothers. As to the number of magicians, there are nine left. Now if you would excuse me - "

Niaomi turned away and raised the mirror. Eragon could see in the glass a young man, though he couldn't make many details. However, the fact that he was seeing the person at all was astonishing.

"Can you see him too?" asked Arya quietly. She was also looking at the mirror, her green eyes narrowed in concentration.

"Yes, but how?" responded Eragon. "You can only see things you've already seen, and I've certainly never seen him be-"

"Are you there? Have you made it safely? Did you save Nasuada?" sounded a voice from the mirror, cutting off their murmured discussion. It had the same musical accent as Niaomi, but the tone was deeper, as befitted a young man.

Niaomi laughed, and it was as if the clouds had parted to reveal the sun, like the whisper of the wind or the pleasantness of just being happy. The sound left Eragon feeling very odd, as if his world had suddenly been recentered.

"Yes yes, I'm fine. Her Ladyship is safe as well," said Niaomi. "I haven't explained much to them because we don't have time. I need you and the others to come and help us defeat the Black Hand."

"And I assume we ride the pegasi?" asked the man in the mirror.

"Of course. We don't want Galbatorix to know of our presence here if we wish to save Murtagh," said Niaomi. She didn't seem to hear the sharp inhalation of breath from Eragon. Niaomi looked into the distance, seemingly lost in her thoughts. "Come fast. We haven't much time."

"On our way," replied the man before the glass returned back to normal. Niaomi put the mirror back through her belt loop as she turned back around to face them.

"Now that help is on the way, I can explain the situation," said Niaomi. She looked around at the guards and tents just a few yards away, then turned back to Nasuada. "Could we perhaps discuss this in a more private environment...?"

Nasuada stared hard at Niaomi, who smiled in return. The Varden's leader looked away and nodded towards the tent. "Yes, we can go into my pavilion. Shall we?"

Niaomi smiled and strode forward, but instead of entering, she pulled back the flaps and gestured towards Nasuada. "After you, my lady."

Nasuada gave a rueful smile before entering, Eragon and Arya following her. "Seems that you do know proper courtesy," she remarked as she sat down. She caught Eragon's and Arya's eyes and motioned for them to each take a seat beside her desk.

Niaomi stood in front of the desk. "My parents did try to teach me good manners. Now, would you like me to brief you on the information I've obtained?"

"If you'd be so inclined," replied Nasuada, signaling her to take a seat.

"Well, after I stopped the dart, I immediately proceeded to - "

A whinny sounded from outside, and Niaomi quickly turned back around. "I'm sorry, I forgot about Cloud. Excuse me," she said as she hurriedly exited the tent.

Nasuada blinked in surprise, then said, "Eragon, Arya, would you please watch our impromptu visitor?"

"Of course, my lady," said Eragon as he stood. Arya nodded tersely and walked out of the tent, Eragon close behind. As they emerged, Blödhgarm and the others moved to them. Niaomi was standing by her mount, stroking its mane as she whispered in its ear.

"There hasn't been a pholÿn spotted since we left Alalëa," murmured Blödhgarm. "Arya, you don't suppose that she is from...?"

"I don't know, Blödhgarm," replied Arya, staring at new arrival. "But there's one way to find out."

Niaomi walked towards them, her winged horse following. Eragon noticed there was no bridle or bit on its head.

"Is there anywhere Cloud could be stabled?" asked Niaomi. The horse, apparently called Cloud, shook its head. "Calm down," she whispered, stroking Cloud's nose.

"What kind of animal is she?" asked Eragon, his curiosity getting the better of him. The creature turned to eye Eragon, and he realized with astonishment that its eyes were as purple as its master's.

Niaomi opened her mouth to reply when Arya spoke. "She is a winged horse that my people call a pholÿn, the human term being pegasus and the plural form pegasi," the elf explained. "They come from our ancestral homeland, Alalëa, and are a cousin to our horses, though they're significantly smarter. They've never been seen anywhere else."

"Cloud and I have been together since I was old enough to sit on her without falling off," said Niaomi, smiling at the pegasus. "She and I grew up learning how to ride and handle a rider together."

"Where were you born?" asked Arya. "Where did you find Cloud?"

Niaomi was quiet for a spell, then met Arya's eyes. "We both come from the elves home," she said quietly. "You mentioned the place."

Arya's eyes grew, but before she could speak, Nasuada stepped out of the tent. "It seems the matter is taking longer than expected," she said, looking shrewdly at the three.

Niaomi bowed. "My apologies for the rude departure," she murmured. "I heard Cloud's whinny and realized I had forgotten to tend to her. If you're willing, may she be stabled and cared for?"

"Of course," said Nasuada. She waved one of her human guards to her. "Can you please take the...horse...to the stables and ask one of the grooms to rub her down, feed, and care for her?"

"Of course, my lady," replied the guard. As he turned to go, Niaomi called out.

"I think there are more pegasi that will need to be cared for," she said, smiling up at the sky.

The rest all looked up. Spiraling down from the clouds were four other pegasi, all of them white. They landed gently behind Cloud, large feathered wings folding neatly to their sides.