The Truth About Lies (An Inheritance Cycle Fanfiction)

Facing My Fate

Tabatha's POV

Eragon was looking green in the face, like he might pass out at any moment. Nasuada and Arya had similar looks of shock on their faces, and Saphira was emitting a low growl from deep within her throat. I couldn't tell if she was just surprised as well, or if she was angry. I hoped it was the former and not the latter.

"How can this be possible?" Eragon whispered, his voice sounding raspy.

"I'm not even sure myself," I admitted. "There is much that I have to tell you."

"Then you better go ahead and start telling us," Nasuada said, not unkindly. "If the tale is as complex as you have suggested, we may be here til morning." Eragon started a small fire and we all settled in for the long haul behind the grassy knoll. It was going to take me a while to recount everything that had happened to me.

I told them about the Burning Plains, and how I'd originally thought it was Murtagh. Eragon had known that it wasn't him, but when I'd revealed that it was actually Gregorio—or Léod, rather—he had been caught off-guard. They were all even more surprised when I told them that he was also my brother.

"If Galbatorix was able to hide both of his children from the world for over seventeen years, then who knows what else he's hiding?" Nasuada mused quietly. I could see the wheels were turning in her head, but I couldn't think what plan she was formulating. Then I told them how I'd escaped, and that Murtagh had fought against my father's hold on him long enough to help me get out. Nasuada was happy to hear that her letters had been reaching Master Tobias, as they'd been working with him as a spy since her father was still alive. I decided, and Amera agreed, that it would be best to leave out the part about Evander for now.

And then I told them how I'd met Asron in the enchanted woods, and his knowledge of my mother and the prophecy that surrounded my birth. All the while, Arya stared at Manin where it rested across my lap, her face set into a scowl that furrowed her smooth brow. I told them how it had been my choice to become a Rider, though it was a difficult one for me to make. I gave them a few details of my training, but by now the sky was turning pink in the east where the sun would soon be rising. With a sigh, I finished my tale. "...and then I came back. There's nothing left to tell."

"That's simply incredible," Arya said quietly, shifting her unsettling, emerald gaze to the crackling flames that were dying down.

"I can't believe it," Eragon agreed. "It's like something we would hear in one of Brom's stories."

"Just so there is no doubt," I said, directing this at Nasuada, "I'm on the side of the Varden. I will fight against Galbatorix until the very end."

She looked up at me from across the fire, the light of the flames dancing in her dark eyes. "I know, Tabatha," she said, smiling softly. "There was no doubt about that in my mind. But all the same, I will request that Eragon be allowed to search your minds, as a precautionary measure, of course."

"I understand," I said, nodding.

Eragon looked as though he had suddenly snapped back to reality. "How is your dragon so big, Tabby?" he said, gazing up at Amera where she stood beside me. "You said she only hatched for you about three months ago. It doesn't make sense."

"I told you, Eragon," I said, rubbing Amera's side absentmindedly. "Amera is unlike any other dragon that's come before her. She was blessed by the goddess Ashola to be unparalleled in her might and power, and she was blessed to be mine. We are two parts of the same soul; meant for each other since before we were born. It's amazing." Saphira grumbled softly; no doubt her vanity was injured by my statement. But it was the truth. "Look," I continued, holding out my palm to show Eragon my own version of the gedwëy ignasia and compare it to his own.