'What do you mean 'Its not here!' Arya exclaimed, pacing up and down Nasuada's tent.
The party had arrived back late yesterday evening as night was closing in, only to find the egg had not arrived.
'It is simply not here! We have searched every tent, every stable, it is not to be found,' Nasuada said calmly.
'Has Eragon tried finding it?' Arya fumed.
'Yes.'
'Could maybe Galbatorix have intervened with the spell?' Roran asked.
'I doubt it. I specifically guarded it from that sort of magic, besides I said directly to Nasuada's tent. I don't see how it could have gone array.'
'Scry it!' Kisidu exclaimed suddenly.
Arya nodded and looked a little happier. 'I guess I can try.'
'Quickly, get a bowl of water,' Nasuada ordered.
Kisidu grabbed a bowl that was lying abandoned on a table and filed it with water from a bucket outside the tent. He brought it back into the tent and Arya concentrated on it intently.
'Draumr kópa,' she muttered.
An audible gasp ran through the tent. The egg had hatched. A green dragon was standing on wooden slats – a floorboard. A window shone light into the room, and Kisidu could tell it was the city of Teirm outside.
A female voice floated in from the bowl.
'And how exactly did you get here? Hmm? And what am I going to do with you? I guess… I guess I could go to Varden. I know where they are. Everybody does. But I'll have to wait 'till you're a bit older won't I? It will be an adventure! Nobody but ourselves…'
'I don't know her, we can't see her.' Arya said flatly.
'That's beside the point!' Nasuada said. 'The final egg has hatched for someone!'
'That doesn't explain how the egg got to Teirm,' Roran said, stroking his beard.
'It could have been the dragon. Maybe it could tall its Chosen one was in Teirm. After all, dragon magic in inexplicable,' Arya said.
'Possibly, possibly, but anyway. That doesn't matter; we need to send someone to escort the newest rider. Dromminger, could you go and fetch Eragon and Murtagh?' Nasuada said.
Dromminger, the third elf of the partly, nodded and ran gracefully from the room.
Murtagh had finally broken the bonds of Galbatorix, and he and Thorn had sworn fealty to Nasuada.
The two riders entered the tent, looking solemn.
'Has Dromminger told you what has happened?' Arya queried.
'Yes,' Murtagh said.
'Murtagh.' Nasuada said.
'Yes?'
'I want you to find the girl. Escort her back to the Varden, try to keep her from harm, teach her a bit of magic, that sort of thing.'
Murtagh looked disgusted. 'I know it's an honor, but can't Eragon or Arya go? I've just been freed. I don't want to be stuck teaching magic to a girl,' he said, earning glares from Arya.
'Murtagh! She might be the deciding factor in this war! You should be grateful to go and help her. ' Thorn projected his thoughts to everyone.
'Thorn's right, after all, it won't be hard to lead her to the Varden. She doesn't seem like much trouble,' Eragon said.
Murtagh groaned but said he'd do it, albeit with much grumbling.
'Try and get back as quickly as possible. Fly there on Thorn and then buy some horses once you are in Teirm. It shouldn't be difficult,' Nasuada said.
'I'll leave in the morning,' Murtagh promised.
Eragon and Murtagh left the tent together and parted ways near Eragon's tent. The sun was setting over the Varden's camp, throwing shadows onto tents and making Murtagh squint. They had recently captured the nearby city of Belatona and many more people had joined the rebel's. Tents stretched across many miles, though some people had been stationed in Lord Vivian's castle.
Murtagh kicked a stone angrily away from him and he walked back to his tent. Thorn was already there and he could feel his dragon's disappointment with him.
'What is wrong with you? Your acting like a spoilt child!'
I don't want to go and fetch this girl. I wanted to stay here and get to know some of the Varden, gain their trust,' Murtagh replied.
'Nasuada will trust you much more if you escape the Empire with the latest dragon rider much more then if you stayed here,' Thorn countered.
Murtagh didn't reply. He had reached his tent, it was time to start packing.