32. Secrets

Eragon and Arya sat in rigid shock as they tried to grasp Angela's incredible story and what it might mean for them.

When neither Arya nor Eragon broke the silence, Angela said, "Haven't you ever wondered why I often seemed to be wherever you were, Eragon, after we met in Teirm and I read your fortune? I told you it was because I liked to be where interesting things were happening so I could know what was going on, which was partly true, but the most interesting thing to me was that you had fallen in love with an elf.

"After I heard you rescued Arya—I knew she was the daughter of a queen and therefore a very likely candidate for your epic romance with one of noble birth—I had to see if things would go anywhere in case the impossible happened, which it most certainly has. Now you are here and married and expecting a child."

"But . . . but how . . . ?" Eragon struggled to articulate any of his countless questions. Finally he managed, "How do you always seem to know everything, what's happening at any given time in dozens of places?"

"That's easy," Angela replied. "Solembum."

They stared at her blankly.

"Oh, for goodness sake!" Angela fussed. "Don't you two know anything about werecats? They're a deeply magical race, even as the dragons. They have the ability to communicate telepathically with any other werecat, no matter where they are, no matter how great the distance. And there are werecats everywhere, though people often believe they are rare. In their animal form, they do not appear much different from a large, shaggy housecat. And, as you know, they can also take on a human form when desired. They are masters of disguise and are spread out across all of Alagaёsia, guarding their secrets most zealously. They're also immortal like the dragons, though they can be killed by violent measures.

"Solembum is to me what Saphira is to you, Eragon, or Fírnen to you, Arya. He was crouching protectively next to me when my grandmother discovered me after my birth. Whether a formal bond happened as with the Riders or he just took it upon himself to be my protector, he has remained with me ever since. In time he gave me access to his mind and shared some of the secrets of his race. He can speak to or hear the minds of any member of his race whenever he wishes, and they all keep each other abreast of the most important events of the land. This is how they came to join the Varden at the moment they did." Angela paused for a moment, absently pulling some needlework out of the pouch tied around her waist.

Then, after busying her hands with the project, she continued, "I have asked Solembum before if he knows of the events surrounding my birth since he was there right after. He assured me he doesn't, and I believe him, for werecats cannot lie. He told me that he heard a weak mewling and went to discover what it was. The werecats are very curious, which is one of the reasons they come to know so much.

"He found me, a small infant of unprecedented origin. The cats know of all the races, and I was not of any he knew. He could see I was alone and helpless but could sense I was special, since he already understood my mind to a degree, so he stayed by my side until my grandmother came. He was sure someone of such unusual background would have an interesting life, one the werecats would want to be aware of, and I think because he might have felt a sense of protectiveness for me.

"At any rate, he is how I know what goes on all the time. He simply tells me what he learns, what he thinks would be important for me to know, from all he is constantly learning from other werecats spread throughout the land."

"Incredible," Arya breathed.

"But he did tell me that when he arrived at the scene of my birth he felt the undeniable, tangible traces of magic, as if some spiritual experience had occurred and left its mark. He was most curious as to what could have caused such a powerful effect that it lingered in such a manner after it was over."

Arya's despair of a moment before had disappeared, and she sat calmly with her hands on her lap. Once Angela was finished, she said, "Thank you for sharing this with us, Angela. I cannot deny that it is troubling, yet I refuse to believe that something awful will befall us at the birth of this child. It is too much of a miracle for me to believe it happened only to end in tragedy. I will cling to the hope that your parents had some choice in the matter of their fate, as pure as was their love, as good as they were. There must have been some reason they left, and I will do all I can to help you uncover this secret before my time to have this baby arrives. But I will not forsake my belief that Eragon and I and this child are meant to be together as a family, and I refuse to let it ruin my enjoyment of this most blessed time in my life, one I have so long and dearly desired."

At the conclusion of Arya's speech, Angela set her knitting aside to stand up and give her an embrace. "Good!" Angela exclaimed. "Because you should enjoy it, and you both deserve this happiness more than any other two people I have ever known, as much as you overcame and sacrificed for the good of others and the entire world. As for your other promise, that you would help me uncover the secret of my parents' disappearance before your baby is born. . . . Well, I can't see how we would be able to learn much more than I have in nearly six hundred years, but it never hurts to try, right?" And she laughed weakly as she took up her needlework again.

Eragon sat stiffly as he listened to this exchange, finally joining with, "Arya, are you sure this is right? To travel who knows where to uncover mysteries that have remained unsolved for centuries? And all while you have a child growing within you? Where would we even begin?"

Arya took his hands. "I know you worry for me, Eragon, but I cannot sit idly by and wonder if I will lose you or our baby at the most excruciating time, even the moment of its birth. I must at least try to learn something of what we might expect, if anything. There must be some clue, something to guide us. The Eldunarí may well prove useful, for some of them remember thousands of years of history. So our starting point need not be anywhere distant."

Eragon searched her eyes and sighed in defeat. He could see that Arya was determined and had already made her choice, so there was no reason for him to continue arguing. He must support her in this. "If there is a chance we will never see them again, I would like to visit some family and friends in Alagaёsia in the time we have. It sounds as if this journey may take us there anyway. Would you be open to that?"

"Of course, darling," Arya said.

"Though I truly thought I would never return," Eragon mused, returning his attention to Angela. "Thanks to your fortune."

"Fortunes," Angela dismissed with a wave of her knitting needle. "They mean very little. So much could change with one seemingly insignificant choice. Take you and Arya for example. I foretold you would have an epic romance with one of noble birth, though I couldn't see whether it would end well. Last month did you ever think you would be where you are right this moment, with your lovely wife expecting your child?" Eragon emphatically shook his head. "And even before, when you still were in Alagaёsia, would you have ever categorized your relationship with Arya as an epic romance? That you loved her was obvious to most everyone who knew you, and your friendship led you to your greatest triumph, but she never openly returned your regard. I would hardly call that an epic romance. And yet in one small though significant choice, all of that changed when Arya decided to come here. You truly did leave Alagaёsia with the intention of never returning, and so you fulfilled the foretelling. Now, however, circumstances have changed and so has your determination. Just like that," she clacked the two needles together, "back to Alagaёsia you will go. Which, in my opinion, is as it should be. The Dragon Riders are tied to Alagaёsia as irrevocably as you are to Saphira, Shadeslayer. I believe it will be a very good thing for you to go back. Very good indeed."

Eragon thoughtfully considered her words. "I hope you are right, Angela. May we have some time to discuss this and decide on a course of action?" he asked. "We will apprise you of any plans we make once we have. Or you can just send Solembum."

Angela smiled warily. "Of course, Shadeslayer. I do not expect you to do this for me. That was never my intention in telling you. I meant only to warn you that you might expect something to occur when your child was born, no more. And I suppose in doing that, I also drew you in to my lifelong mystery at the same time. I am sorry again," she remorsefully finished, sadness once again filling her eyes.