Destiny (Volume I: Shur'tugalar)

Chapter Five Part XLV (ED)

"Wait!" Niaomi's piercing cry stopped the brisingr-fethrblaka midflap. It turned towards the girl, and the viewers heard its thoughts in their heads.

Who are you, human child? asked a young female voice that somehow reminded Eragon of Elda.

"I am your bondmate," she answered, her voice filled with confidence.

The phoenix screeched once again before flying swiftly to the girl, who held out a forearm for the bird to land on. As she did, the mark's light flared again. I have been waiting half a century for you, iet yawë fricai. And at last, you have come, and I can teach you the language of fire.

"Thank you for waiting," Nia said, blinking away joyful tears. "My name's Nia. What's yours?"

Flair, the phoenix replied. I have been reborn only once, just now in fact. I died a natural death of old age while I was coming back to my nest. Lachesis decreed you would be here at this moment.

"Lachesis?" Nicholas interrupted, his curiosity overcoming him. "Who's that?"

Flair looked at the boy with one dark eye. Lachesis is one of the Moirai, or Fates, who decides the measure of your life.

"There is really such a being?" Arya said in astonishment. Niaomi nodded as her younger self began speaking once more.

"Well, we are happy to have you added to our party." Introductions put aside, she continued, "You wouldn't happen to know where any werecats would be?"

As a matter of fact, I do know several who still live in Alalëa, Flair said as she settled onto Nia's shoulder, as Gedwëy had flown back to the girl's head. I can show you where they are, but it's up to you to get them to talk.

The image faded, and was replaced by another of them flying. Niaomi was back on Cloud, and they were all flying at a slow, leisurely pace. "We'll definitely make it back before dark," Gedwëy announced, not even bothering to note the time.

And then a nice, warm bath, Vissa sighed, tilting her beautiful white wings to fly in lazy circles.

Food, Ruyi murmured, still resting inside her bondmate's pack now that the spots for relaxing on her bondmate were getting full.

A dragon is approaching from the west, Rumble said, his eagle eyes looking in that direction. The mirror focused onto the already definite shape of Vanilor, heading straight for the group.

"Curse Iapetus - it's Faði!" Nate shouted to the others. "Keep your minds closed from him; we have to land now!"

As one, the four pegasi and the griffin angled their bodies to the ground below. Skystreak flew on to keep an eye on Vanilor. I cannot yet ascertain if he is indeed following you, the owl told them as they slid beneath the cover of the trees.

Landing, they quickly ran off with Bramble leading them to thicker forests. Above, a loud roar sounded, echoing around the group as they hurried and tried to melt into the growing darkness.

Sky! Nia's mental voice hissed. Is he still there?

He is presently circling around the area, scanning the forests to find you all. I would suggest you hide.

"Bramble, did you hear that? We have to move!"

I got it, the unicorn said, pushing faster into the brush. Here, I found a cave!

The rest quickly followed him inside. It was a large, cavernous space that wound deeper into a tunnel. As they packed themselves inside, Sky zoomed in after them, settling onto the griffin's back as she gravely told them, He seems to know where you all are.

"How could we forget?" groaned Nick. "He can sense us!"

"What do we do?" Rosaminda asked, peeking out of the cave to watch as Vanilor flew closer.

Stand back, Rumble ordered. The rest moved behind him as he faced the entrance. Inhaling deeply, he let out a large screech. The entire cavern started to shake, rock tumbling down to obscure the entrance from the outside world. That should hold a dragon off for only a few moments. We must move.

"Follow me," Gedwëy said, brightening her glow so that a soft white light spread throughout the cave. Darting deeper into its depths, she lead the group through the passages. A few minutes into the cavern, a frustrated roar sounded through the rock.

"Looks like they got to the entrance," Renata said grimly as she balanced across a narrow ledge.

"Let's hope there's an exit," Nathan muttered under his breath.

The reminiscence skipped forward a bit and then began further ahead as Gedwëy was calling, "I see a light up ahead!" Quickening their pace, it was only a few moments before the party stepped out of the cave and onto the ledge of a waterfall.

This seems familiar, Flair said softly, peering around the area. It was only a few yards wide, and gallons of water tumbled above them down below.

Now it's my turn, said Dew. He stepped forward, eyes narrowed in concentration as the cascade of water parted like a curtain. Let's go!

Mounting their pegasi, each kid flew off through the gap. Wings brushed the waterfall, but Dewdrop maintained his control over the water. Niaomi sent Rumble and Skystreak ahead of her before picking up the mistwolf, who faltered, making the water fall normally. Before he could utter a protest, the girl tucked him underneath her arm and pointed at the waterfall saying, "Adurna, rïsa!" The water rose as commanded, and Cloud flew through before she ended the spell.

On the other side, the mirror's view showed a small, nestled area of trees. Other caves rose around the mountains that climbed a few hundred feet into the air. The valley between them was rounded, less than a mile in diameter. A coursing river churned from the waterfall and through the forest until it disappeared into yet another cavern. The foliage was dense, mostly deciduous with a few evergreens clinging to the rocky cliff faces.

I know this place, Flair said as Cloud descended towards the others. This is where the werecats dwell.

"Secluded, which makes sense," Nicholas stated as his sister dismounted. Looking around, he noticed the ground was relatively clear of underbrush and shrubs. "A good amount of ground free of greenery, and no signs of large predators. This is a perfect werecat dwelling."

Except when we have uninvited visitors, a soft voice sounded from behind a tree, where a large male cat appeared. His tufted ears were black and the rest of his fur white. He stretched nonchalantly, as only a cat can, while watching them with lidded yellow eyes.