When Destiny Burns, Ep. 1: A Halo and Inheritance Cycle Crossover

Chapter 7. 2 Poison pt. 1

"Who are you?" He demanded loudly.

The girl gasped and turned around, her hand flying to a small dagger that was attached to her leg. Then she spotted him, standing two feet away from her. Her eyes widened and he saw her clenching her fists.

But the girl didn't scream, yelp or fall to the ground. She merely backed away a few steps and then straightened her back, steeling her resolve to do...whatever it was that she wanted to do. "I am Nasuada," she carefully explained, "and I do not mean harm. Are you rider...Spartan?"

So she knew who he was. How had she known where to find him?

"What do you want?" He asked.

Her eyes sprang from the black knife in his hand to his visor, before she indulged herself in a quick glance at the other parts of his suit. Finally, her gaze settled on his visor. "My father, Ajihad, sent me here with a message. Do you wish to hear it?"

Probably not. But he needed to hear it anyways. "What does he want?"

She frowned and then threw her long, black hair over her shoulder. "He wants you to know that you are required to be put through a test, for him to determine your abilities-"

"Denied. What else?" He interrupted her.

Nasuada closed her mouth, tensed the muscles in her neck and shoulders and then forced herself to calm down again. He had struck a sensitive nerve there. "My father is deserving of more respect than that. You would be wise to remember his position. Furthermore, the twins have filed a complaint on you. They claim you have shown...unnecessary violence, ill feelings and a lacking desire to learn. They were furious, you know?"

He had figured as much when they had threatened him. "Respect is earned, not given."

"That may be, but even though you are a rider, you are still a guest here. And your story has been...questionable at best."

"All humans are guests here," He retorted, remembering how the Varden had been allowed to use Tronjheim only because the king, Hrothgar, had allowed it. "Why should I care about the twins?"

"But is it true?" Nasuada urged him. She was a very strange girl, either courageous or foolish. Or perhaps, a little bit of both. "Did you harm the twins?"

"They attempted to blackmail, threaten and subsequently attack me," He replied.

Much to his surprise, the girl smiled. It was a brief and small gesture, but it was visible nonetheless. "I see. Their attitude has been problematic to many, but few have had the courage or skill to stand up against them. Can I ask you some questions on behalf of my father, rider Spartan?"

'Who is this?' The sleepy, grumpy voice of Aeraleth spoke in his mind. 'Must I scare her away?'

'She is the daughter of Ajihad. And not afraid of me,' He replied, feeling a bit puzzled.

'Ajihad's cub? Curious. Are you sulking because someone does not fear you? Or perhaps happy because a fellow human shows interest in you?'

'Neither. She wants to ask questions.'

'So, let her.'

Aeraleth wanted him to converse with the woman? Fine, it was her judgment.

And her tail on the line.

"What do you want to know?" He gave in, feeling frustrated that he simply couldn't continue on by himself. He could march into the capital, shoot Galbatorix in the head and be done with it in a single day.

Nasuada smiled. "What is the name of your dragon?"

She was starting of carefully to get to the bottom of his origin. Very well; he would play along. "Aeraleth."