Infuriated, Mira sprinted to Odele's hitching up her cumbersome skirts as she ran through a rabbit-warren of alleyways and passages. Why had her father dismissed her like that? He never normally did! He would have let her stay there had she been a boy- damn it, why did men always have everything so much better?! She thought of Arya, who emanated power and regency despite her unusual attire. Ismira thought that if she dressed like a man she might be treated with more respect, as Arya was. Mira had visited Du Weldenvarden when she was but a babe, but it had still made a strong impression on her. One of pine-needles and harps and love and joy. She passionately longed to visit again the elves. It was one of her happiest memories. Katrina talked of it often, and when she did there was a beautiful gleam in her eye. When her little brother, Carn was born she had been five years old, and her parents had decided not to travel so much. Roran spoke regularly of his namesake, and how on many occasions his life had been saved by the magician, and how Carn had sacrificed himself for the annexation of Aroughs.
Odele's house was near the centre of town, a pretty wooden building, with a view over much of Carvahall and Palancar Valley. She had elected to stay in Dauth, under the protection of Lady Alarice, where she married Frewin, a man of Narda. After the War, they had travelled to Narda where she met his family: an old wizened Grandmother, Marja his older sister, and Rae his little sister. Rae was twelve at the end of the War, and an orphan, so Odele took her back to Carvahall. Rae had grown attached to her sister-in-law and soon settled in making many friends her own age and charming Odele's with her innocent nature, and gained a well earned place in their hearts. Rae was a kindly young woman, with soft, downy, mouse-brown hair, a snub nose, smiling button eyes and a love of children. When Ismira was little, Rae had helped look after her, played with her, and comforted her when she had trouble with friends. Under Nasuada's orders, schools of earning had been set up in every notable settlement, and many in cities. It was not mandatory, but advisable to attend classes at these. They taught writing, mathematics, history, geography, home-keeping, swordsmanship, dwarvish, and the ancient language. A student could pick which classes suited them best, and students were expected to attend every lesson unless they had a reasonable excuse. If none of these subjects suited you, or if you wanted to enter a particular profession, it was common for people to seek apprenticeships. Ismira was enrolled in all subjects offered with the exception of home-keeping, and she refused to be taught it at home. "Boys aren't expected to take it- in fact many are mocked if they do so. I refuse to allow myself to be treated differently from them, there is no reason for them to be considered superior, so I shall act as if that is the case!" The only reason she helped Birgit was because if she didn't her mother had threatened to take away Mira's gelding, Alexis. Ismira's friends were mostly boys with the exception of Rae. She regularly sought Rae's consul, as she was always able to help her, and Ismira would help her in return. Rae was considered old for marriage. It was odd that she had not yet tied the knot, she certainly had had plenty of offers. But she had declined many a suitor, for she was waiting for something: love.
Mira knocked on Odele's door and entered, following the sounds of voices to the kitchen where Katrina, Odele and Rae sat talking. "Mira!" exclaimed Rae and jumped up to give her a sisterly hug. "Mama- Father says you have to come home now. Uncle Eragon and Queen Arya are at home." Katrina raised her eyebrows quizzically.
"Ismira. Don't joke about things like that."
"No- Mama! It is true! Papa requested everyone present keeps quiet about it so they are not bothered."
"Thankyou Odele, Rae" Katrina nodded to them. " You are welcome at our hearth anytime. I guess I had better go!"
Odele hugged them both- "May the stars watch over you, Sisters." Rae smiled.
"And on you both" replied Ismira hurriedly as she ran after her already departed mother.