Hey guys! I don't usually like doing this but there have been so many people who have left kudos and reviewed and bookmarked this story that I want to make sure you guys are all aware of what's happening with this story. First of all, I am so, so, so, SO grateful for the support and praise for this story. When I first found Nari, and then discovered that the wonderful premise of it was up for adoption, I took it up as a story that I was excited about. I never imagined that it would be as popular as it has been, or that I would become so attached to it. So thank you for all of the encouragement and questions.
When I first started Nari, I was in college, with my own laptop and plenty of time on my hands and access to my college/parents' internet access. I was able to update weekly. Now it's been two and a half years since I graduated college and I'm living on my own, supporting myself with a full time job, with no extra funds for internet or a computer. I make do with what I have, but there's not much left for extras. When my public library is open and I don't have to work, they offer a total of two hours of computer time per day, to be used throughout the day however you wish. That's it. I'm usually able to snag an hour of computer time on my lunch break, but so far it's slow going.
With that said, I hope you'll understand why there hasn't been many updates. Still, I want to reassure you that I am working on Nari, as well as Roran's story (first chapter has been posted). I am, of course, focusing on Nari, as Roran's story does not begin until around the Battle at Tronjheim. I'm also working to revise the earlier chapters of Nari for grammatical and chronological errors, alongside making a timeline for the story so that it all fits properly and so I don't go making huge mistakes, or even little irritating ones.
If any of you would like to be my editor or sounding board, please let me know.
It's her! The words repeated themselves in Nari's mind. The woman's face in Brom's memories, exactly the same as the face she'd seen in her dreams. Why did I never mention her to Brom? Nari wondered exasperatedly.
Even if you had, you did not know her name. How could he have known it was the same person? Saphira urged, though there was something hesitant in her voice.
Saphira? Nari prompted.
It is only that the faces are exactly the same. Saphira admitted.
Well, yes? Nari prompted, confused.
But Brom traveled to Carvahall when you were very young, you said. And this woman does appear to have aged at all in that time. She looks exactly the same fifteen years ago as she does now. Nari frowned, trying hard to pull up the two images in her mind.
She does! She looks sadder in my dreams, but is explained by her being held prisoner. Aside from that, you are right, sister of my soul. She looks exactly the same. Why do you think that is?
It could be that someone is sending these dreams to you to lure you, or perhaps Brom, into a trap. Or perhaps there is another reason that we do not know. Either way, it is best to ignore these dreams. We cannot trust that these dreams are not just a trap waiting to close on us.
Perhaps she's an elven woman, Nari joked, causing Saphira to huff in amusement.
"Lady Rider?" Murtagh questioned from behind them. Nari turned to look at him, surprised. There was a tenseness in his face, and Nari looked away from it.
"We know where we're headed now," she informed him quietly.
"Oh?"
"Gil'ead. A man named Dormand lives there; he's Brom's contact. He'll know how to get us to the Varden without drawing the attention of the king."
"The Varden?" There was something in Murtagh's tone that was dismayed, and something bitter. "The road to Gil'ead is long, and we'll have to skirt the capital on the way north. The road will be well guarded closer to the capital."
"Dormand may know how to help Brom, or know someone who can. Or perhaps we'll have to wait until we reach the Varden. Either way, it's dangerous to delay longer than we must." She hesitated. "Will there be magic-users guarding the roads?"
"I don't believe so. At least, I didn't encounter any myself. I would think the king would have better duties for them." Nari nodded in agreement, thinking it over.
"If you find this Dormand and then continue on to the Varden, I will leave you." Murtagh said finally. "Encountering the Varden would be as dangerous for me as walking unarmed into Urû'baen with a fanfare of trumpets to announce my arrival." Nari gave him a surprised look.
"The Varden is as dangerous to you as the king?" She questioned. "Why?" Murtagh's jaw clenched, and Nari shook her head. She didn't know him, she had no right to pry, especially as he'd just saved them. "Nevermind. We won't have to part anytime soon. It's a long way to Gil'ead."
"Aye," Murtagh agreed.
"The fastest route is best. Saphira has travelled after Brom and I by night before to avoid detection. This will be little different." Nari decided.
"Yes, though we may need to explain why Brom is unconscious. That will be suspicious, to say the least."
"Brom will stay with Saphira during the day. That will be safest," Nari decided quickly. Murtagh gave her a strange look. "What?"
"I always thought the bond between the Riders and their dragon was a sacred thing." Nari's brows furrowed.
"It is," She said, defensively.
"Sorry," Murtagh said, sensing her anger. "I didn't mean anything by it." Nari nodded stiffly. They packed the campsite in silence, but Nari could not help the way it ate at her.
"Why did you say that?" Nari demanded. Murtagh grimaced.
"I didn't mean to insult you," he swore, "it's only that I didn't think Riders allowed anyone else to ride their dragons. It surprised me, that's all."
"Brom's not just anyone," Nari defended. He's-" What was he, really? Her teacher? The closest she'd ever come to having a father, aside from Garrow? Her mother's lover? She shoved that last thought away for now. "He's saved my life more than once. We trust him, and he needs to not be jostled or discovered by the Empire's soldiers. Besides, the allowance is Saphira's to give, not mine."
"Of course," Murtagh nodded, "I apologize for my rudeness. You and Saphira have no cause to answer to my curiosity." Nari stared at him, judging his sincerity.
"Thank you," she said finally. "I apologize for snapping at you. I can hardly begrudge your curiosity when I have it in abundance myself." Murtagh nodded.
They set off, Murtagh riding confidently beside Cadoc, flowing smoothly with his horse's movements. He's a good rider, Nari admired.
Nari, Saphira hummed, amusement filling her tone.
What? Nari queried. Saphira sent her back a memory Nari herself must have once passed along, an image of Baldor staring at her, and then another of him blushing as he looked away when she spotted him staring. Nari felt her face heat up immediately. Saphira! Nari scolded. Amusement was Nari's only answer.
To distract herself from Saphira's teasing, Nari began to probe Murtagh about himself. It was only after five repetitions of 'Lady Rider' that she asked him why he was calling her that. To her great embarrassment, she found that she had not given him her name. She found that she and Murtagh shared many of the same interests; he too enjoyed hunting, tracking, and archery. Here was a new audience for her childhood mishaps, and one who was not overprotective of her mistakes. Murtagh shared many of his lessons from Tornac, and just as many youthful mistakes as she. She found her suspicions that he was nobly born rising with each word about the power struggles and politics within the Empire. He seemed to know what every noble and courtier was doing and how it affected everyone else. Still, he never mentioned his family, nor why the Empire and the Varden were both against him. Nor did she mention how she acquired Saphira's egg, or the journey since.
That evening, Nari stared at Zar'roc for several minutes before grabbing two long sticks and, after fashioning them into mock swords the way Brom had shown her, offered one to Murtagh.
"Will you spar with me?" She requested.
"Isn't your hand injured?" Murtagh questioned. "Though I suppose you could heal it." Nari grimaced.
"I could, but Brom didn't teach me many words for healing, and I almost died trying to improvise the words to heal Brom. Better to let it heal on its own unless we get desperate. Brom is skilled with his opposite hand; it seems like a good skill to learn."
"Alright," Murtagh agreed, rising. Saphira turned her head to stare at them, interest growing as they faced off in front of the fire.
Murtagh's skill was immediately apparent, and Nari wished desperately that the Ra'zac had not injured her dominant hand. She felt clumsy and weak in comparison.
They collapsed next to the fire, smiling.
The next day, Nari woke early to striking pains in her stomach and blood on her thighs. A dark flush covered her face and she was grateful that Murtagh slept on as she headed to a stream nearby to clean herself and get water to make her tea. She had everything cleaned and put away by the time Murtagh rose.
That night, Nari pulled Zar'roc from her bag, determined to get used to the weight by sheer stubbornness. The sight of the sword made Murtagh's face go as dark as the thunderclouds from the Plains.
"Where did you get that?" he asked fiercely.
"Brom gave it to me. Why?" Murtagh crossed his arms angrily over his chest, a scowl firmly in place.
"That sword," he said with emotion, "was once as well known as its owner. The last Rider to carry it was Morzan, a brutal, savage man. I thought you were a foe of the Empire, yet here I find you bearing one of the Forsworn's bloody swords!" Nari stared down at the sword in her hand, face pale and fingers trembling.
Brom knows. The thought repeated itself over and over again in her head. Brom had been her mother's lover, had known who had fathered her mother's children. Brom must have taken it from Morzan after they fought in Gil'ead. He had given it to her, this sword that should have been her brother's, had he lived. But she couldn't explain that to Murtagh.
"Brom never told me where it came from," she said truthfully. "I had no idea it was Morzan's."
"He never told you?" asked Murtagh, a note of disbelief in his voice. Nari shook her head mutely. WIthout another word, she slid the sword back in her bag and grabbed the sticks again. They spent the rest of the night after their spars silently.
It took them several days to make it to Urû'baen, and then a week to skirt the city, and the guards surrounding it, without attracting attention. Nari breathed a sigh of relief when no soldiers stopped them. Their travels went by without any sign of the Ra'zac, though they still kept watch at night, and Nari hoped it meant they had escaped them and not that a trap was waiting somewhere ahead. She and Murtagh sparred every evening, as she and Brom had. When her hand healed, she sparred against him with her dominant fight, finally feeling as though she was giving him a challenge. They found they were well matched, his strength and her speed winning out evenly. Afterwards, laughing joyfully, they had agreed to spar together with her dominant hand every other evening. Once past Urû'baen, they headed into the plains, following the Ramr River. It took them another week to reach the outskirts of Gil'ead, arriving on the outskirts late in the evening. They set up camp there, resting the horses.
It had been nearly a whole month since Brom had been injured, and Nari worried more every day. She and Murtagh had cared for him as best they could, feeding him broth and keeping him clean. Still, he was wasting away in this strange, unending sleep.
Saphira, Nari reached out, feeling their bond in her mind. It was stronger now, almost back to the unstoppable river it had once been. Nari relished in the feeling of being wholly connected to her partner once more. Still, she clung to the connection tightly, thinking of the request she would have to make.
Nari?
We are close to Gil'ead now. We will have to find this Dormand and speak with him. If something should happen, while we are in the city…
Must you go in? Saphira interrupted immediately. The Ra'zac know your face, and the soldiers of the Empire do too, after Dras-Leona. Couldn't Murtagh go in alone?
He seemed reluctant to be anywhere near the Varden. This man is most certainly part of the Varden, Nari pointed out. He may leave us before we even enter the city.
Ask him, then! Saphira demanded.
Even if he does go, and even if he goes alone, there is still a chance we may be sighted or pursued. We need to speak of this, sister of my soul.
Speak then, Saphira conceded.
If something should happen, if we are attacked, I need you to take Brom and flee.
Nari! Saphira roared, appalled. A snarl escaped her mouth, startling Murtagh and the horses. Murtagh looked over at them warily, but Nari kept her gaze on Saphira. How could you ask me to leave you when I know you would not do the same! Saphira demanded. Nari flinched, but didn't look away.
It is not the same, my heart, and you know it. Brom is not capable of fighting; worse, his mind is wide open. It would cause us more damage for him to be within range of anyone with magical power than for me to fight off pursuers alone.
And if you are taken? If you are captured?
Then you will take Brom somewhere safe. You will hide him somewhere no one will be able to get to him, and then you will return to a spot where we can contact each other and we will plan from there. I'm not asking you to abandon me, my heart, Nari told her, tone softening. But Brom is a weakness for us at the moment. We cannot let our enemies use him against us.
Saphira turned her head away from Nari's gaze, but Nari could tell she was thinking about Nari's words. Turning back to Murtagh, she shook her head at his questioning gaze and moved closer to the fire.
Before she could open her mouth to speak, Murtagh spoke first.
"I'm not sure you should be the one to go into Gil'ead."
"Saphira was just saying that," Nari admitted. "But I'm not so sure. Dormnad may want to see the gedwëy ignasia as proof that I really am a Rider. And you did not want to interact with the Varden," she pointed out.
"This contact in Gil'ead shouldn't be trouble for me. And the Empire wants you much more than me. If I'm captured, I could eventually escape. But if you are taken, they'll drag you straight to the king, where you'll be in for a slow death by torture unless you agree to join him." Looking her in the eyes, Murtagh added seriously. "And I don't believe you'll do that." He looked away. "Plus, Gil'ead is one of the army's major staging points. Those aren't houses out there; they're barracks. Going in there would be like handing yourself to the king on a gilded platter." Nari frowned, contemplating his point. Finally she nodded.
"You're both right," she admitted. "If you're captured, I will be coming after you," she promised, meeting his gaze. His eyes went soft, staring at her for a long moment. Finally, he quirked a smile.
"That would be fit for a legend: how a lone Rider took on the king's army single-handedly." She smiled back, nodding.
"We're going to be legends anyway," she told him with a sigh, "we might as well make it the story interesting."
"Think that highly of yourself, do you?" Murtagh asked with an arched brow. She laughed, shaking her head.
"Either we'll be the ones who helped overthrow him, or we'll be the Rider and Dragon to try. There's not really much middle ground in this, not for us. I've known that since she hatched for me. And people can make a story out of much smaller things than that." Murtagh frowned darkly, staring into the fire. Her smile faded. He stood abruptly.
"Is there anything I should know before going?"
"Shouldn't we rest and wait until tomorrow?" Nari asked worriedly.
"Why? The longer we stay here, the greater the chance that we'll be discovered. If this Dormnad can take you to the Varden, then he needs to be found as quickly as possible. Neither of us should remain near Gil'ead longer than a few days." Nari bit her lip, but nodded.
"Alright then," she agreed with a sigh. "Just tell Dormand that…" she hesitated, forming the words in her head. "Tell him that the egg has hatched and the one who was to begin the training has been injured. Tell him the student requests help."
"The egg has hatched, and the one who was to begin the training has been injured. His student requests help." Murtagh repeated. Nari nodded. "Very well," said Murtagh, adjusting his sword. "Unless there's trouble, I'll be back within a couple of hours. Make sure there's some food left for me."
"Be careful," she called after him softly. He didn't turn back.
Hours passed as the sky darkened, but Murtagh didn't return. Saphira watched the city intently, Brom strapped securely to her back, while Nari paced and fiddled with their campsite, packing more and more away, loading Snowfire and Dusk with their supplies in case they needed to run.
Nari, look! Saphira urged. Nari spun around to look at the city.
A horseman exited the city gates, riding furiously toward their camp.
It could be Murtagh, Nari attempted.
Climb up anyway, Saphira urged. Nari climbed up into the saddle, sitting behind Brom, his legs strapped into the loops.
As the rider got closer, Nari felt relief surge through her as she recognized Murtagh bent low over Tornac. No one seemed to be pursuing him, but he did not slow his reckless pace. He galloped into the camp and jumped to the ground, drawing his sword.
"What happened?" Nari demanded as she slipped to the ground.
"Did anyone follow me from Gil'ead?"
"Not that we saw," Nari said, shaking her head.
"Good. Then let me eat before I explain. I'm starving." He seized a bowl she had saved for him and began eating with gusto. After a few sloppy bites, he said through a full mouth, "Dormand has agreed to meet us outside Gil'ead at sunrise tomorrow. If he's satisfied you really are a Rider and that it's not a trap, he'll take you to the Varden." Nari smiled, relieved.
"Then why did you leave the city like that?"
"It's a rather simple thing, but all the more deadly because of it: I was seen in the street by someone who knows me. I did the only thing I could and ran away. It was too late, though; he recognized me."
"Will he tell anyone he saw you?" Nari asked intently.
Murtagh gave a strained laugh. "The question isn't whether he will tell people, but whom he will tell. His mouth is loosely hinged and hangs open all the time, vomiting whatever happens to be in his mind. If word of this reaches the wrong ears, we'll be in trouble." Nari nods, frowning.
"Well, we have some time, at least," Nari points out. "I doubt that soldiers will be sent to search for you in the dark. And you said Dormand will meet us at sunrise, so if all goes well, we'll be leaving before they come looking. Where are we to meet him?"
Murtagh pointed west. "On a small hill across the road." Nari nodded.
"Saphira and I were wondering," Nari began, falteringly. Unhappiness filled her, but she knew she had to continue on. "You said that when we started our path to the Varden, you would leave us. I want you to know," she hurried on before he could speak, "that you are more than welcome to stay. We would vouch for you. Whatever reason you think you would not be welcome, we would do what we could to ease the way. But, if you still wish to leave…"
"It's not that I want to leave you," Murtagh interrupted suddenly. He was staring at her fiercely, spoon paused in midair. "It's not. But while the Varden will have no trouble accepting you and Saphira, they wouldn't welcome me even if I came bearing the king's head. And as you can see, I don't have that."
"I don't understand," Nari told him, frowning. "What could you possible have done to warrant treatment like that?"
Murtagh shook his head, mouth twisted bitterly. "It isn't like that. I haven't done anything to deserve this treatment, though it would have been easier to atone for if I had. No . . . my only wrongdoing is existing in the first place." He stopped and took a shaky breath. "My father was an enemy of the Varden. They will recognize me immediately, I've no doubt. I'm told I look like him." His mouth twisted bitterly again.
Nari's stomach twisted, feeling bile rise up in her throat. He was nobility so his father had probably fought against the Varden at some point in service to the king. If that made the Varden dislike him, simply for being the son of a noble in Galbatorix's court, what would they think of her when they found out she was the daughter of the Betrayer?
"My father was too," she found herself saying before she could stop herself or think about it.
Nari! Saphira protested immediately, horrified. Not another word! If he leaves us, and is captured, he could tell our enemies about this! Do not give them that!
"I…" Murtagh began before cutting himself off. "We should rest. Can Saphira take first watch?"
Nari woke to a fierce tingling in her palm. It was two hours before dawn, and everything was still and quiet, but something itched at her. She rose carefully, reaching for her sword. It made her uncomfortable, knowing it was Morzan's, but she would need it if there was trouble. Saphira looked over at her.
Nari? What is it?
I don't know, Nari admitted. Something feels...off. She couldn't see any signs of trouble. Saphira sniffed the air curiously. She hissed a little and lifted her head.
Horses, Saphira alerted her. They're nearby, but not moving. They reek, but the smell is unfamiliar.
Nari crept over to Murtagh on silent feet and shook his shoulder fiercely. Murtagh started in alarm, pulling a dagger from under his blankets. She pressed a finger to her lips.
"There are horses close by," she whispered. Murtagh nodded, rising and grabbing his sword. They quietly stationed themselves on either side of Saphira, Brom secured in her saddle, prepared for an attack. As they waited, the morning star rose in the east. A squirrel chattered.
Suddenly, an angry snarl came from behind them. Nari spun, sword raised, to face the Urgal that stood at the edge of their camp. Nari was stunned into confusion at the sight of him. Saphira had smelled Urgals before, there was nothing unfamiliar about them. And they had seen no Urgal tracks.
The Urgal roared and waved his weapon, a mattock with a nasty spike, but did not charge. Nari frowned, confused. Still, she reached for her magic.
"Stenr thrysta." A stone from the ground shot forward, piercing the Urgal in the head, his body falling lifelessly to the ground.
Behind her, Saphira bugled with alarm and reared. Nari spun to find a group of them had run up from the side and swore fiercely.
Steel clashed loudly as Murtagh attacked the Urgals. Nari tried to step forward to join him, but four Urgals had already moved forward to intercept her.
The first one swung a sword at Nari's shoulder. She ducked the blow and killed the Urgal with magic. The second one, she caught in the throat with Zar'roc. The third and fourth Urgal rushed at her. She ducked one, stabbing it in the heart from behind, but was too slow to avoid the one with the club. She saw the club begin to fall and tried to dodge.
Saphira, go! She cried as she felt the pain in her side burst into life, falling to the ground. She saw Murtagh bolt with the horses, Saphira taking to the sky, and smiled. An Urgal came to her, its face filling her view, and then darkness.