A day after Eragon left with Saphira for Vroengard to gather the remaining eggs and leave Alagaësia…
A savage cry rang out in the air in Ilirea, however it was drowned out by all the surrounding noises. A small, young woman with curly, brunette hair with a cat strolled down the pathway near the citadel in the city. She followed the noise to where she saw a baby girl, who only looked a few days old with a thick head of black hair. She looked down at the baby, and beside it she found a small locket. Curious, she popped open the necklace, she pulled out a piece of paper and quickly read it. She slipped the piece of paper into her pocket. Picking up the baby, she couldn't help but notice the fangs the child had.
"So, your name's Amicia. A fine name for a human-werecat mix. If I recall, Amicia was the name of not only a famous rider close to Vrael himself, but also the name of the first werecat Queen." She smirked and looked over toward the nearest alley and saw the slight reflection of two pairs of eyes; from what she could tell, one was wide-eyed with green eyes and one had thin eyes that were yellow. She turned directly towards them, and laughed, remembering seeing a human, pregnant woman by the name of Felicia spending much time with a werecat known as Taileng. Both the beings lurked back into the shadows. "Hey, if you don't want her, I'll gladly take her. I've been in need of an apprentice anyways." She shrugged and walked off carrying the child, the black cat at her feet following, but turning around and hissing at them.
Present
The day was approaching. It would be exactly fifteen years since Eragon had left with Saphira to go search off to the East. Since then, only the two first eggs had hatched. In the second year, the purple egg that was sent to the dwarves had hatched for a dwarf by the name of Träveon, a young male from the clan of Dûrgrimst Ingeitum. He had named the dragon vibrant, male dragon Deszeld. Five years after that, the yellow egg had hatched for Notharna, a female Urgal who had proved her courage by defeating most of the male Urgals her age in hand to hand combat. Her dragon was also male, and was given the name Ingeiro. After Arya had trained them for a year, she sent them to Eragon, who lay in the lands far to the West. After seven years there, Träveon and Deszeld had reappeared. They pledged themselves to the dwarves and the rest of the land, and after interacting for two months, they left to go back to Eragon, but visited annually. Since Notharna and Ingeiro had left, they had not been seen. Once both eggs had hatched and had come to Eragon, Blödhgarm had appeared to Arya and brought two more eggs. One was jet black and one was pure white. A member of each of the four races was to accompany each egg and rotate it through each of the capitals by the turn of the seasons. So far, neither of them hatched.
Nasuada was planning on holding a ceremony, and she had spoken to Eragon recently, who had agreed to let her have a party and appearing and speaking through a large mirror. Most everyone was excited to see him. The celebration would be mainly held in Ilirea, however those who couldn't come there would celebrate from home. As the day was drawing nearer, people began to flock to the city.
Nasuada had tried to personally invite everyone who had made it possible for the city to thrive. Roran, Katrina and Ismira, who was nearing eleven, along with some of Carvahall had recently arrived, and Arya along with Fírnen and some of the other elves had come. King Orik, King Orrin and Garzhvog were both present at their own races' ceremonies, but they would be connected to Eragon's image. However, and Nasuada was unsure how she felt about this, but she was unable to contact Angela. Once Nasuada had announced about her plan, which had held stable for ten years, about limiting magicians and watching them, she had mysteriously disappeared. She had entrusted Roran with her confliction, and Roran had responded saying that Angela would certainly be here, especially since she always followed big events.
The following days were a disaster for Nasuada. All sorts of petty problems came to her, such as not being able to afford the trip home or trying to locate a distant relative who may or may not be in Ilirea. When there was silence, she whispered to herself, "Honestly. It's like people don't think ahead for themselves." However, it was better than constantly hiding in fear. And of course, where there were petty problems, there were large ones. Every few days a massive brawl would break out, and she would have to settle it, which was rather hard. As the day for the celebration drew near though, the tension in the city faded. Everyone was excited for the celebration.
Two days before the celebration, Nasuada was sitting in her chamber with Farica, her ever loyal handmaiden, who had also become a good friend of hers. The sun was just beginning to rise through the window. The heavy golden doors began to open, the sound of the metal scraping against the stone floor. Nasuada stood up suddenly, pulling the sword from the side of her chair. And a face that she had not seen in fifteen years, yet remained unchanged, appeared before her.
"Ah! Nasuada, I see you have flourished these past few years." Nasuada lowered her weapon. Angela appeared unchanged. Her thick, brown hair was curly as ever, and she her attire still consisted mainly of black and green with the occasional splotch of red or blue. Solembum the werecat strolled in, ever so casually. His sleek, black fur glistened in the moonlight.
"Angela! I had tried to invite you personally, but no one's seen you since Eragon left. Please, do tell what you've been doing all these long years." Nasuada fell back into her seat, placing her sword across her lap, ready just in case Angela had changed. She motioned to a seat across from her. Angela smiled and flopped down in the armchair. She leaned against one of the arm rests and threw her legs over the opposite.
"Oh, Nasuada! You know that even if I wanted to, I couldn't reveal all that I've done these past fifteen years, for many reasons. One, because that would take fifteen years, which you don't have at the moment, and two, because even you know that I never give away my secrets. However, I will have you know that I have been training someone." Angela snapped her fingers, and a head popped in from the side where the door was opened. "Oh, you fool. Come in." The girl strode forward, and Nasuada couldn't help but be astonished by her. She had piercing, dark eyes that didn't seem entirely human, and her hair was the blackest Nasuada had laid eyes on. It was cut short, just past her ears and it was cut awkwardly, but in a way that it possessed elegance. She wore black pants, that weren't too tight and allowed her to move freely yet showed off her extremely slim yet muscular shape. She was shorter than Angela, and her shirt was black and loose, similar to her pants. The sleeves ended just above her elbow, and she had a silver belt strapped about her waist that looked as if it was missing something, yet was still elegant. She also carried a white bag which she had slung over her shoulder. However, Nasuada detected that there was something about her that didn't fit correctly. Her eyes were slanted and the shape of a werecat's eye. And her face's shape was similar to that of an elf's or werecat's. Along with larger than the average size fangs, Nasuada realized that she had never seen a child like this before. "Now, before you ask any questions, let us put most of them to rest." Nasuada remained silent, yet the urge to begin asking questions was extremely strong. The girl didn't bow to Nasuada as expected, but nodded her head in acknowledgment.
"Queen Nasuada, I am Amicia, Daughter of None. I am the child of a human and a werecat from after Galbatorix was defeated. And while I am aware of my parents' identities and have confronted them, Angela has been my family more than any other, so that is why I declare myself the Daughter of None." Amicia silenced herself, and Angela nodded in approval. Nasuada straightened herself up. Standing before her was the offspring of two different races, which never happened, especially with a race so confined as the werecats.
"Well, I am still curious as to what you three have been doing these many years, but I doubt I will be able to Will you be joining us for the 15 year celebration? I can arrange for rooms for you to stay in. Is there anything in particular you wish to have in your room?" Amicia looked to Angela, who sat pondering for a moment.
"Well, I would very much like to see most of, if not all, of the treasures located her that Eragon recovered before his departure." Nasuada's mouth fell open, she began to protest, but Angela interrupted her. "If you must know, these past fifteen years, we have been finding many of the treasures of Alagaësia, but many of them are hidden here, and so they are unavailable for us to examine. If you allow us to examine the artifacts here, we may show you what we have discovered and we may tell you some of what we have done." Nasuada doubted that she would due to Angela's choice of words, but in her curiosity about the woman and her apprentice and werecat friend, all she could do was nod.
"I can do my best to give you access to the vault where we hid much of the treasures once stored here. Would you like a room high up in the tower, or would you like one closer to the ground?" Angela this time turned to Amicia. Amicia immediately responded.
"The higher the better. After all," she glanced over at Angela and smirked, "all the better to see everything that's going on." Nasuada couldn't deny that this child had a unique sense of humor. She smirked.
"Then it's settled. You'll stay in the room adjacent to Roran, and I'll send Roran or Jörmundur you escort you to the chamber later today. If you need anything at all, come here or ask a high ranking official." Nasuada waited for them to leave, but they both waited. After a few minutes of silence, she began to grow uncomfortable. She could tell they both enjoyed her discomfort. "You are dismissed." They both waited for another moment, and eventually Angela stood up. She called in a guard. "Sir, can you please show them to the room next to Stronghammer's?" He nodded and left, showing them the way out. Once they were gone, Nasuada sunk back into her chair. Something about the girl had enlightened her, and then her true meaning had struck Nasuada. Nasuada wanted her to stay as far away as she could. She couldn't tell, but something ominous struck her about this child.
Once in their chambers, Amicia tossed her back to the ground. She touched her collarbone as if something was there. Angela noticed, and tossed her a pack that she had concealed. Solembum jumped onto the ledge on the window. Almost as soon as they had walked in the door, there came a knock on the door.
"That should be Roran, Katrina and Ismira. It'll be good for you to get to know someone your age." Angela smiled and opened the door to the three. "Ah, we were expecting you." Amicia raised an eyebrow, and even after all her time with Angela she didn't understand half of the stuff she did, but she had come to trust the woman. Roran raised an eyebrow at Amicia.
"Queen Nasuada told us that we were going to have neighbors for the duration of the celebration. We were hoping that you would join us for dinner. Quite a few people will be there, including Elva." He posed it as a statement, yet it seemed more like a command. Ismira glanced cautiously at Amicia.
"We'd love that, right, Amicia?" Angela squealed. "Besides, maybe you can introduce her to other people her age, Ismira. After all, both of you are fifteen." Katrina and Ismira seemed taken aback that she knew her age, however Roran was expecting this.
"Of course. Will you meet us out in the court pavilion in an hour's time?" Angela nodded. "We shall see you then." They said their good-byes and Angela closed the door.
"Go get changed, Amicia! You have an impression to make, and Nasuada is already suspicious. She has every right to be, though. You were destined for greatness and people in power fear greatness." Angela shooed her into the bathroom and threw in an outfit after. Amicia couldn't help but laugh at the choice of outfit. She cleaned herself up and put it on. Angela took over the bathroom, and together they left for dinner, and soldiers stopped and stared for they were a fearsome looking duo.
Amicia was wearing a top similar to what she had been wearing before: a black top that was loosely fit so she could fight properly on short notice. The collar was white and it was sewn in a star like pattern. The tight sleeves ended at her elbow, but there, they flowed out in loose fabric. She wore pants similar, only they flowed out above her knees. Both she and Angela went barefoot unless entering severe climate. She was wearing her traveling cape and attached to her back was her hûthvír. Angela also had one, but wasn't wearing it. Proudly, she had made it all be herself from only the strongest materials, but even that wasn't enough. She had brought Tinkledeath with them. Angela was wearing her typical green and black clothing, but she still looked quite ferocious. When they exited into the courtyard, everyone stopped dead in their tracks and stared at the two.
Angela kept smiling and walking and so Amicia decided to follow her lead. However, she didn't put on the big-happy-Angela smile. Rather, she walked behind, carefully. Eventually, they came to the place where Roran was standing. "We were all thinking that a picnic would be nice, so we decided to pack the meal and we are all going to meet outside the city. Everyone else went ahead, except for us, Roran motioned to a shadowy figure next to them. She stepped out of the shadows. She appeared a girl of eighteen, yet she had a mark on her forehead.
"Elva!" Angela cried out as if she hadn't seen her in fifteen years, when actually Angela and Amicia and had met up with her on multiple occasions. Amicia and Elva got along quite well, both of them being quite odd. They were very good friends, and so they were delighted to see each other.
"Angela! Amicia! I had no idea that you would be here for the celebration. Why didn't you send ahead?" The three girls quickly embraced. Roran appeared confused by the connection, but he shook his head. "Anyway, we should be going." The four set off, for Solembum had deserted them for wandering the city. The walk was silent, for the first mile, and then Angela struck up a conversation with Roran, asking him about the local mushrooms and whether or not he believed in toads.
Amicia! We have so much to talk about. How have been lately?
I've been better than last time we met. Both girls stifled laughter, and Roran glanced back curiously. So any news on the eggs? Their most recent discussions were of the two eggs in the country that had not achieved Riders
Oh, yes! Nasuada is going to try and get them to hatch before or during the celebration, to strengthen the people's support. Perhaps you should touch one of the eggs. You might get lucky.
Yeah, right. I doubt that a dragon wants a werecat – human mix as a Rider. Amicia rolled her eyes. It was so easy to talk to Elva compared to when they had first met. From the stories Angela had told her, Elva had been a much different person when she was a lot younger.
Eventually they reached the grove. Nasuada and Farica were there, along with Katrina, Ismira and many others. About thirty or so people were gathered, and the arrival of Angela, Amicia, Roran and Elva seemed to be the signal for the picnic to start.