I Who Should Not Be
Chapter 10
Murtagh sat with Eragon and Onika in the room that Nasuada used to brief her commanders, his hands clasped in his lap to keep them still. He had been on edge for the whole night before after the leader of the Varden had sent the three notice that she would speak with them the next morning.
:Stop worrying Leader Male, it is making me nervous. I will behave today, so long as the dark female does.:
He nodded to his companion and glanced up when he heard the heavy door to their left open and Nasuada floated in. The dark skinned woman wore a shimmery blue silk gown today with short tiers of material from her waist until the skirt touched her feet. The long sleeves ended with deep falls of lace that drew the eyes to her long shapely hands. Her dark eyes flitted over the Riders, then settled of Murtagh.
"Alright. Yesterday didn't go quite the way any of us intended, but things have been explained and I think that you all can handle being in the same room."
Her eyes flicked to Onika and the Wolfborn rolled her eyes, but kept silent. There was a time and place for sass, and this was not it… The woman's right hand twisted the lace that ended her sleeve, a steely chill coming over her dark eyes as the Wolfborn looked to Murtagh and reached over and plucked something off the dark haired Rider's sleeve, earning her a tiny smile and nod.
"Lady Nasuada, the happenings of Farthen Dur?"
Eragon's words seemed to pull Nasuada out of her thoughts and her hand stopped it's agitated twisting, but her eyes did not warm.
"Yes, Farthen Dur. We have received reports from your dwarven foster brother Orik that there are Urgals attacking. The problem is that there is a strange beast that has been attacking people there. The creature is like nothing that the dwarves have ever seen before. You will be leaving tomorrow, I assume?"
:Is that all she can tell us?:
Murtagh looked at Onika, who was watching Nasuada intently, her amber eyes never leaving the woman as she paced back and forth in front of them. The woman looked over at the Wolfborn as the tawny haired woman stood.
:Why Pack Female not talk? Talked before.:
:Just ask her, Leader Male.:
Murtagh looked back at Nasuada and repeated Onika's question. Nasuada nodded, closing her eyes slightly. Figuring that the dark haired man had just translated the information she had given for the Wolfborn, she spoke in clipped tones to him.
"Please tell her that this is all that I can offer. Otherwise you will have to talk to Orik."
Onika's eyes betrayed nothing, but Eragon saw her jaw tighten and knew that she would no doubt like to turn into her wild form and scare the wits out of Nasuada, if not bite her face off… Murtagh narrowed his eyes at the insult.
"Onika understands everything that is said. Her people are linguists. She can't speak our language, but she understands perfectly."
Nasuada raised her eyebrow and looked at the Wolfborn.
"Well, that is interesting. We will have to chat when you return."
Onika nodded once and left, telling her packmates that she was going to the dragons to ready them.
Eragon smiled and stood, bowing to Nasuada.
"I do believe that we will leave now. It will be better if we leave quickly. Until we meet again, my lady."
He left the room, turning toward the inn that they had been staying at. He would pack as much as they would need, then ask Balin and his wife to watch the rest of their things and keep the rooms for them. Then he would tell Arya that they were leaving before meeting his fellow Riders.
Murtagh sat in silence for a long moment before standing to leave, not even saying farewell to Nasuada as he closed the door.
As he walked, he reached for Thorn's mind.
You and Saphira have been training Mishee for battle?
Of course. She is quite adept at flying under her opponent's guard and striking. She is doing very well for her size.
She isn't so small anymore.
She is only half Saphira's size.
Still.
We are leaving then?
Yes. As soon as Eragon gets there. Arya may be coming with us. You said that the elf purchased a saddle for the little dragon?
Thorn snorted in amusement and sent an image of the smaller dragon strutting around, her golden scales gleaming and sending motes of light onto a new leather saddle that was bound to her back.
Cute. Will you and Saphira be ready?
We already are. The wolf girl is with us. We wait for you.
Without another word, Thorn severed the communication and Murtagh took off down the hall, a smile spreading over his face. Finally, he would be out of this city, and Onika would be free to talk as much as she liked and he and Eragon could continue to learn to speak and, in his brother's case understand, her language.
He slowed when he approached the door that would release into the training grounds that they would be leaving from. When he opened it, he saw that Eragon and Arya were waiting for him, the elf securing a pack to Mishee's saddle. The Wolfborn smiled and closed her eyes and let her Tame form melt into her wolf body.
I will travel this way for a while. Arya can ride Mishee until we get far enough away. I will stay hidden in the woods until we are away from the paths and then I will ride Mishee and Arya will ride with Eragon. When Mishee gets tired…
Her voice trailed off and she looked at the dragon. She wasn't sure what she would do, but Murtagh could tell that she was trying to decide if she could try to carry the golden creature.
Eragon swung himself up onto Saphira as Murtagh mounted his own dragon and Arya eased up onto Mishee. In silence the group left, in hopes that they would have a celebration on their return.