A few hours passed. The wind picked up. It was strong but Gemini's strong wings had small difficulty cutting through the wild air. The shock that Eragon was a Rider still had not worn off Amikayte. She could not understand why the dragon had not chosen someone with more promise. Someone of noble birth as she was. Or someone strong and brave. An experienced warrior possibly. Such things were beyond Amikayte's grasp. When she was young she used to laugh over the stories about the common farm boys winning hte hearts of princesses or slaying dragons. Such things just did not happen. Why should they happen now? The wind was growing stronger. Eragon's small dragon was being tossed about. Finally the poor thing gave up and landed. Soon the gusts wer too strong for Gemini. Stones and dust pelted Amikayte's face as they flew lower and landed. Eragon had pulled a dirty pink scarf over his face so that he didn't breath in the dust that filled the air. The old man still led the way though he walked and his clothes were whipped about him. The dragons moved slowly behind the horses. Being earthbound did not suite them. Amikayte watched them as she trudged along. It did not suite her either. She began to dismount, drawing her brown head scarf over her face again as she had in Dras Leona. Amikayte, don't run again. You will wear yourself out. Gemini said in her mind. You may need your boundless energy for other purposes. Amikayte disagreed but her dragon was wise. She resigned and buried her face in Gemini's shoulder until they stopped at nightfall. The three humans sat against the dragons's sides, Amikayte set slightly apart. They ate a boring dinner with no conversation. After an hour or so, the old man (who still had not introduced himself) began to light his pipe but soon tucked it back in his pocket. Eragon fumbled with his hands for several moments before asking, "How in the world did they find us"
"There could have been spies in the palace servants. Word of me reached Tábor and then the Ra'zac"
"Brom-" Eragon began. The name rang a bell in Amikayte's mind and she cut him off before he could finish.
"Brom? There were rumors of a Brom all over Teirm"
"Oh?" The man asked nervously.
"Nothing dangerous. Just that you murdered someone's donkey and burned down a library"
"How dod these rumors start?" Brom sighed, shaking his head.
"Believe me, your friend Jeod helped them a lot. They started off as something very close to what really happened. Angela told me the whole story. She knows everything and finds great amusement in it. She didn't mention that you and Eragon were together though. Anyway, Jeod twisted those rumors to save your head"
"Why are you with us?" Brom asked, "And might I ask your name"
"I am Amikayte. I will not tell you my surname nor my parentage. But I will tell you that I am high born and well learned. As I've told Eragon, Angela sent me. I've been a Rider for nigh on a dozen years. The Varden do not know of me only the Elves. I trust both parties but it is not my duty to tell the Varden of Gemini. I was in Teirm looking for some information and chanced upon the haerbalist's shop. The werecat spoke to me. I was not surprised because I AM a Rider. Angela offered to toss the bones for me. I accepted. My fate was hopelessly complicated and she could make out very little. Some I found frightening, some encouraging. But rather than letting me go and contemplate my twisted future Angela expuonded on the complicated mess and matching symbols. She sent me off to find Eragon assuring me that our fates were crossed. It did not take me long to track you down. Little wonder the Ra'zac found you too with that trail you left." Both men blushed. Eragon suddenly turned and stood, staring into the darkness. Eyes searching for something unseen. Amikayte sensed danger and followed suite.
"What's wrong?" Brom asked.
"Nothing." Eragon said, sitting "Just a bird." Amikayte still felt a presence. She peered into the darkness. Something moved in the darkness.
"There." she said, pointing. Then she threw herself on the ground trying to dodge the magic which came at her. She struggled against unconciousness to summon her own magic. But her mind was clouded and she slipped into deep sleep.