Chapter 24

MURTAGH

The trees seemed to call to me as I walked towards who would decide my future, but I had not the time to think about the beauty of the spot Nasuada had chosen. My mind was weighed down with the possible outcomes of my past mistakes, a multitude of questions winging their way throughout my consciousness like newly formed dragons. Which led to the startling realization, I'd forgotten Thorn's injury! I swiftly contacted him, not noticing that I'd stopped walking in the process.

'Are you alright?'

'I'll be fine while you talk, but your life-mate is another matter entirely. She is confused and I daresay a bit tired. Also there is the matter of telling her about your past, all of it.'

'Can you at least try to reassure her, tell her I'll explain everything?'

Thorn gave a mental shrug of annoyance. 'It's always me who has to do the dirty work, isn't it? I'll do this for you, but it doesn't mean that I enjoy it or that it will help in any way.'

I could sense his reproach through our link, and I instinctively knew that I deserved it and that he had come to the same conclusion, but much earlier. 'So much for me being a wise, fearless and brave Rider.' I thought sarcastically. Then I severed the link, wanting to get this over with as quickly as possible, and with the least amount of hurt feelings, for whatever I told myself, I did not want to endanger Nasuada's friendship, even if it was beyond repair to begin with.

I shoved Thorn's jabbing about me having a mate to the back of my mind, and strode forward the rest of the way into the clearing. Nasuada sat on a fallen log, her back to me. Her countenance was that of a leader still, and I desperately wanted to see the side of her that I had known, the side that she showed to only a select few people.

When Nasuada was not forthcoming, I decided to "break the ice." It was rather ironic, that I used this phrase to describe the woman I thought I loved, when I had actually learned the phrase from my real true love, the girl that filled my heart with such happiness. I suddenly realized, standing there confronting my past, that I had never loved Nasuada, but she still held a special place in my heart. But now was not the time to think, now was the time to act. Taking a deep breath, I began:

"Nasuada, I never meant this to happen, please…"

"No," Nasuada cut me off, as I knew she would. "We are not here to dwell on the past Murtagh, we are here to discuss our relationship, or lack thereof. It pains me to say this, but I do not think you were the one. For I dream of another, someone who can give me what I want, someone who is not a Rider, free or otherwise. I cannot and will not divulge more, for I think you get the idea. Know that I am happy for you, and I do not hold anything against Abby, for that would be wrong of me."

I was reeling. Since when did Nasuada have prophetic dreams? Had I been ignoring her for so long that moving on was so easy for her? I knew the answer to that question at least. Yes, I had ignored her, but I was more relieved than anything, for I knew my new life could begin now. So, as casually as possible, I asked:

"So, does this mean I get my best friend back?"

In answer, I suddenly had an armful of Varden Leader, among other things. As we broke apart, she responded in an excited air,

"Tell me everything about this world; I have only heard snatches of talk…"