Chapter 7
"It's time," Eragon told Amirah through his thoughts. Amirah nudged Nasuada, who was dozing beside her. Nasuada opened her eyes immediately. "It's time, isn't it?" she whispered. Amirah nodded and the two girls stood up to put on their armor.
Ajihad had been off by only one day. Amirah and Nasuada had sent their handmaids off to Surda, veiled heavily. Ajihad had waved at Risa and Farica as they set off, thinking he was saying goodbye to his own daughters. From that moment on, Nasuada and Amirah spent their time in the dragon stronghold. Eragon was hardly there, as he was continually in conference with Ajihad, Arya, and Hrothgar. Saphira stayed in the stronghold almost the whole time. Part of the reason why, she told Amirah, was that she wanted the rest. The other part was that she wished to ensure no one came in. Nasuada's major problem with staying with Eragon was just that . . . that someone would enter and see them.
Saphira argued that if she remained in the stronghold, no one would enter as most were afraid of her. Nasuada reminded Saphira that she would be needed in Ajihad's counsels, but Saphira told her that Eragon could relay messages to her through their thoughts. There would be no need for Saphira to be present. Nasuada finally relented as time passed and there was no attack. They couldn't continue walking around Farthen Dur, for fear someone might recognize Amirah's eyes underneath the veil of her helmet. Nasuada and Amirah kept to the stronghold for the night and most of the day after. Amirah spent her time talking to Saphira or reading to her from The Song of Altheria. Nasuada paced the room, dozed, or worked on embroidery.
But now, the time had come for battle. Amirah turned around automatically for Nasuada to lace the ties of her leather under-armor, smiling wryly at the motion born of much practice. Nasuada knew exactly what Amirah was smiling about. "This is becoming pretty routine," she said with an understanding nod. "It is, isn't it?" Amirah answered. "This time, we'll really be in for it, though." "Do you think we're going to win?" Nasuada asked quietly. "Of course we are," Amirah said, tossing her head. "We must." The girls embraced quickly before donning their helmets. Without another word, they hurried down to the cavern where the Urgals were expected to break through.
"I love you, Amirah," Nasuada whispered before leaving her sister to join the archers up on a cliff. "I love you too, Nasuada," Amirah answered, going in the opposite direction, towards a formation of rock close to some cave entrances. It was a place she had chosen much earlier, where she would hide until letting Du Vragnr Gata know she was there to help. To her surprise, Murtagh stood in the dark corner, dressed for battle. "Murtagh!" Amirah cried. "What are you doing here?" Murtagh pulled her behind the rock and lifted the veil from her face. "Waiting for you. I wanted to ask you once more to put yourself out of danger." Amirah smiled and put a hand on his cheek. "You know I won't." He smiled back. "I know."
"I'm glad Father allowed you to fight with us," Amirah whispered. Murtagh nodded once. "Yes. I believe it was Saphira who insisted. She told Eragon to tell Ajihad that if he didn't allow me to fight, he would be losing a valuable asset to his side." His cheeks turned red as he recalled the dragon's praise. Amirah smiled. "She is right." "She is saying that because I helped Eragon," Murtagh said quietly. "But I am happy she did. I want to prove I am no lover of Galbatorix." Amirah nodded. "I don't know how anyone could be." In response, Murtagh held her close to him. They stood for a long moment, clinging to each other. "This is madness, what we're doing," he said into her ear. At that moment, their ears rang with the sound of the dwarves' battle horn.
Amirah and Murtagh listened to the sounds of men and dwarves running into formation, the generals giving the final orders, and weapons clanking against chain mail. Murtagh ran a finger across Amirah's lips. "Here is where I prove myself." She smiled bravely, her eyes filling with tears, a shadow of dread passing over her heart. "Promise me I will see you again, Murtagh." He smiled back, leaned down for a brush of a kiss. "I promise. I love you, Amirah, daughter of Ajihad." He pressed something into her hand. She looked down to see a small silver ring with a ruby in its center. The ruby had a rune engraved in its center.
"This means . . ." she began. Murtagh nodded. "It means misery. My father's symbol. Morzan gave it to my mother, to mark her as his." He closed his eyes as if in pain. "I know that it may not seem appropriate to give to you, but it is the only thing I have left of my mother. She never took it off." Amirah nodded in understanding and slipped the ring on her finger. In return, she reached underneath her armor and took out a silver necklace. "Then take this. For luck." She put it into his hand. He studied the small pendant hanging from it. It was a crescent moon, engraved with small flowers, with a single sapphire in the middle. "I've had this since I was a girl," Amirah whispered. The war horn sounded again. "I must go," she said quickly, then pulled his head down and kissed him hard. "I love you, Murtagh. Come back to me." She drew the veil back over her face, gave him one last, pained look, and hurried away.