Destiny (Volume I: Shur'tugalar)

Chapter Five Part XLI (ED)

The wolf turned and trotted off, and the group did as told, flanked by the other members of the pack. Bramble was shaking in fear, his purple eyes darting between the wolves. To soothe him, Nia twined her fingers in his thick mane, and the trêuräz's breathing slowed.

Ruyi as well was tense, hissing in the sundavrilnú language as her body coiled defensively. No matter how much her bondmate stroked her, the snake still quite literally remained wound up, eyes locked on Lonewolf.

The sounds of their treading became softer as he lead them out of the forest and into a tiny grassy knoll. Many fallen trees and rocks were scattered there along with two other wolves who snarled at the new arrivals until Lonewolf barked at them. Yips sounded from the mirror, and half a dozen baby pups tumbled out of the den the wolves had obviously been guarding.

Who have you brought to our den, Lonewolf? one of them demanded. She was a female, and her amber eyes were fierce as she curled her lips.

This is the Brunskulblaka, the wolf said as he went up to her, rubbing against her gently. Roamers, this is my mate Windpaw and our pups.

And you all said she wouldn't come, said the other female who'd been with Windpaw, voice greatly amused. You should listen to your Seer.

Of course, Skysong, Lonewolf said respectfully. Nodding to Niaomi, he commanded, Step forward.

The girl obeyed, readjusting the brown leather thong that held back her hair as she approached Skysong. The wolf was completely white save for her eyes, which were a startling black shade. Windpaw stayed in front of her cubs, her black speckled fur bristling as the girl came nearer. The pups seemed fearless, trying to wiggle from behind their mother to gaze curiously at the newcomers.

Stopping in front of Skysong, she bowed and murmured the greeting in the ancient language. The wolf smiled, her teeth flashing white in the early afternoon light. Welcome, child, to the Water Wolves pack. We are a dozen strong, and with only half the amount of pups and knew that you would come, for our goddess Artemis sent me a vision telling us so.

But is she worthy enough to claim one of mine? Windpaw said fiercely, her black face still bearing a vicious snarl. Her mate tried to calm her, but she shrugged off his attempts.

You think Artemis would ask us to give one of her own to anyone less than the best? Skysong glared at her, eyes narrowing. Do you dare try to claim our goddess is wrong?

The other wolves stood nervously as the two females faced off, their eyes locked on each other. Finally, the amber ones looked away, and Windpaw backed down with a quiet, So let it be as she wills.

Gently, she nudged her puppies in front of her. The six wagged their tails slightly as they came towards Nia. All of their eyes were blue, and only two were old enough to have the preliminary markings that showed how'd they look when they were adults. One of these, a male, trotted up to the girl, rubbing against her legs as the others hung back. He was reached halfway up her shin, was no longer than a foot, and he bored a black snout like his mother and a dark chest like his father.

"Hello, there," Niaomi said, smiling as she lowered her hand to pet the wolf cub. A streak of light blazed from her brow, and it gently enveloped the pup before disappearing. Eragon felt a new mind full of youthful curiosity.

Hey, I can feel you now! the voice of the pup said. Wriggling, he ran towards his mother, yelling out loud, Mor! (A/N: "Mom" in the ancient language) I can mind-speak now, too!

Windpaw blinked in astonishment, and her gaze softened as she looked at the pup. Good for you, my son. It became haughty upon turning to the girl, and she issued her a warning. His name is Dewdrop, but we call him Dew. Take good care of my pup, Brunskulblaka, or else…

Nia managed to smile. "Of course, Windpaw. He will be safe, and can visit whenever he wants to."

The she-wolf looked surprised, and her gaze became less haughty and more hopeful. You're a good whelp, if a bit young, she grumbled. To her son, she ordered, Dewdrop, behave, and don't forget that you still belong to the Adurna Garmar pack.

Dew nodded sagely as he nuzzled against his mother and siblings before walking to his father. Lonewolf rubbed his own head against his son's before nudging him toward the group.

Rosaminda smiled at the newest addition. "Welcome to our group, Dew."

Can we please leave? Bramble asked, taking a few skittish steps back from the wolves' clearing.

It'll be faster if we fly and you run, said Delli seriously, but her gray eyes twinkled in amusement. But of course, we have to walk, since -

Fly, oh you can most definitely fly!

The pegasi snickered, unfurling their long wings. Then let us be off! cried Cloud.

Nick, Nathan, Rose, and Renata all mounted, but Niaomi stayed aground. Taking off her pouch and cupping it in her palms, she closed her eyes as she whispered, "Eldhrimmer eld galba." The bag grew larger, expanding wide enough for Dewdrop to fit inside. Carefully, she picked up the mistwolf and set him inside the pouch before securing it to her small black belt. Then, she mounted Cloud, and settled the pup so that he was safely tucked between her legs.

Launching themselves into the air, the pegasi flew after Bramble, who was running out of the mountains and back into safer pastures. Dew looked around, his deep blue eyes wide as they soared through the air. Wow, I'm actually flying!

His bondmate laughed, her young face gleeful. "It's incredible, isn't it?"

Best feeling in the world! Vinny neighed as he barrel-rolled in the air.

When he righted himself, Nate looked a bit green. "Please, a bit of warning next time," he moaned as his brother laughed, almost falling off Malthinae, but he didn't even have the energy to glare.

"So, what's next?" Rosaminda called from in front, nudging Loivissa softly so the pegasus would fall back.

"'By stone comes a girœdiań'," her sister answered, repeating the next line of the poem.

Girœdiań? Delois asked, the beat of her wings faltering. Did you say a girœdiań?

"Yeah," said her rider. "Do you know what those are?"

Eragon saw a tremor run through the pegasus's body. Girœdiańar are pholÿnar hunters with the body and head of a lion and the wings of an eagle. They’re fearsome, solitary creatures that prey on pegasi and not only have great strength but also emit a cry that can turn anything in its range to stone.