Destiny (Volume I: Shur'tugalar)

Chapter Six Part LIV (ED)

The reminiscence followed Niaomi as she walked through the forest, pushing past the bushes. She glanced to the right, and the view in the mirror swiveled to show Belinda's grave. The girl bowed her head respectfully and walked on, her brother and godsister following suit. Finally she reached the clearing where a surprise awaited her quite literally.

"SURPRISE!" roared the large group that was awaiting her, laughing at the expression of complete and utter shock on her face. It seemed that everyone who had been present in the earlier memories was there. All the darksnakes were under a tall pine; Ruyi's parents hissing in quiet amusement as Shwa and her usshu looked on with amused eyes. One satyr guffawed loudly: Tristan was bent over in mirth as a female satyr watched, rolling her eyes while rocking a kid in her arms.

To their right was Bramble's father, Błathr, looking slightly older with whitish hairs beginning to form on his muzzle. Beside the stream stood Wayłoêr, her smooth black hair held back with a coral band. Slightly in front of her stood the Adurna Garmar pack; Lonewolf and his mate sat in the front, showing their sharp canines in wolfish grins. In a large space clear of trees rested Vanilor, whose rumbles vibrated in the air. His Rider stood in front of him, one arm wrapped around his wife as the pair smiled at their daughter.

Beside them were the other two children. Nate was laughing as loud as Tristan, and Rosaminda stood beside him smirking. Around their heads fluttered a pair fairies: Jeshindû and his queen Elodiâ, both shimmering brightly. Two werecats stood slightly apart from them, regal as ever; Eragon recognized Fleetfoot, and suspected the female beside him was his mate.

You can pick your jaw up from the ground anytime now, the cat said now, his mind-voice as snarky as ever.

"B-but it wasn't my turn!" Nia stuttered before pointing an accusing finger towards her eldest brother. "You - you did this! You said the surprise was for Rose - inside of the house!"

He recovered from his fit of laughter long enough to choke out a garbled, "I lied!" before collapsing, howling with glee. She just stared at him, too shocked to say a word. As Fleetfoot had so eloquently put it, Niaomi had "picked her jaw up from the ground" but was still clearly surprised.

Tristan tried to speak. "Y-y-yer - yer face, 'tis-'tis that - " He finally gave up and succumbed to his mirth. The satyr woman beside him swatted his arm.

"Shut yer gob, Tristan!" she scolded him fiercely, blushing to the roots of her curly red hair on top of which even curlier horns rested. "If ye cannae contain yer guffaws, then donnae speak!"

"I'm sorry, wifey," he apologized, swooping the babe from her arms to plant a solid kiss on her face.

Nia's bewilderment finally gave way to laughter. "I see you and Mabel are doing as well as ever."

Tristan smiled at her, his face mainly unchanged after the years except for a new abundance of laughing lines. "Aye, 'n' lil Cassie is as good a kid as e'er. See for yerself."

The girl complied, leaning over the baby. The mirror's image zoomed in onto the young kid's face. She cooed, hazel eyes big and wide as she stared at Niaomi, who offered her a finger. The baby immediately grabbed it and tried to stuff the appendage in her mouth. Chuckling softly, Nia removed her hand from the tiny grasp and stroked the abnormally straight hair, revealing the tiny horns that grew underneath the auburn locks.

"She's a beauty," the newly turned sixteen-year old told the satyr parents. They smiled proudly at their daughter, and Cassie just giggled softly as she mimicked playing with her hair like Niaomi had done.

Looking up from the satyr trio, she spoke to whole attendance. "Thanks for the surprise, everyone; as you all have probably noticed, it turned out to be quite unexpected." A few laughs sounded, mentally and verbally; Nia just smiled and continued her spiel. "Today is the day were my brethren and I finally become adults. We have a greater place in society, more responsibilities, and increased wisdom for us all - except Nate." Even more laughs echoed throughout the clearing as the boy of which she spoke glared, his chuckles having ceased completely with the utterance of her words. "I just wanted to express how much it means to me that you all came, and I hope that by the end of the gathering, you will agree with me this has been an amazing birthday party."

Everyone who had hands clapped, while all those with hooves, tails, or paws - save for the werecats - beat them against the ground in their approval.

"Now let's paaaartay!" crowed Nathan.

The reminiscence skipped ahead once more to show the party now in full swing, the guests mingling as a group of young women played a happy tune. The mirror focused on the musicians, tall and graceful beings with leaves strewn over their person and mossy brown-gray dresses fluttering. Below the image, a description appeared: DRYADS - tree nymphs.

Niaomi was walking around, chatting with her guests. Her first stop was Błathr, who stood regally as his son pranced around him excitedly, chattering away.

"Well meet, Błathr," the girl said as she approached them, smoothly cutting off Bramble's words.

Niaomi, the older trêuräz said, turquoise eyes shining. I am safe to assume you are enjoying the celebration?

Who wouldn't be? Bramble babbled. It's amazing! Wait, more than that - extraordinary! No, no, it's -

Rude to interrupt, his father said.

But you just did!

Snorting in annoyance, Błathr lightly pawed Bramble's nose. Don't be insolent, Blakkar. You know very well what I meant.

Eragon could tell the younger Nia was trying to hide her smile. "This is a spectacular party I am indeed enjoying immensely. But how have you been since we last visited you?"

Very well, thank you, he answered as his son grumbled quietly. I went out to some other meadows to see some old friends, and we had a pleasant time. But this day isn't about me; it's about you and the other yearlings - or rather stallions and mares. Regardless, I'm looking forward to giving you your gift.

"I'm looking forward to receiving it," she replied with a smile. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I should see to the other guests." Błathr nodded, and so the girl began to walk away, calling out, "And try not to irk your father, Bramble."'

Whose side are you on? her unicorn asked indignantly. His father pawed him again, admonishing him for insinuating that there were sides in which you had to choose from. The two began to argue once more, and Niaomi chuckled as she moved out of their thought-range.