The Truth About Lies (An Inheritance Cycle Fanfiction)

It only made sense for me to stay in the row house Nasuada had taken up. Eragon would be there too, until the citadel was safe once again; it was not far from the citadel, and the dragon hold where Amera and Saphira would stay. I was thankful that Nasuada was showing me such kindness, in light of all that had happened over the past couple of days. Without some sense of stability, I feared I was going to lose my mind.

I'd visited my mother at least once a day, though only for a very short time. While she had realized who she was, and had recognized Braeden and my uncle, she was still very confused and too many questions at one time sent her spiraling into panic. So, I kept my distance as best I could. Braeden and my uncle kept me updated on her condition, as well as the elf-woman, who'd been given charge of her care, named Thëa. They had moved my mother to a different row house, across the quadrangle from the one I was staying in, so it was not very difficult to keep up to date on what was happening with her care. Thëa was kind, and spoke to me softly; she realized that I was just as traumatized by this.

On the sixth day after we'd discovered her, I spent a little more time than usual with my mother, although Braeden was there. He thought it might be good for me to try and speak with her now, though he insisted on being there in case she went into one of her episodes. After the messenger had come to me at the row house, I hurried out into the quadrangle. It was not so packed with people today, so I had an easy time crossing it.

Amera reached out to me from the dragon hold. Be safe, Tabatha, she said. I assured her there was nothing to worry about and then hurried into the great house. It was not nearly as nice as the one Nasuada had taken residence in, but it was still a beautiful home. My mother had her rooms on the second floor, and I sprinted up the grand staircase, turning sharply to run down the east wing. When I came to her room, I opened the door softly, not wishing to frighten her.

Braeden sat in a chair across from her, a small tea table set in between them. He looked up at my arrival and beckoned me over. Tentatively, I crossed the large room to stand before them. My mother had been scrubbed and cleaned, and given clothing suitable to wear. I couldn't believe how different she looked. She looked... well, she looked just like me, only a little older and more weathered. There were a few cuts on her face and hands, and she was terribly thin. Whatever tortures she had endured over the past seventeen years, I could not begin to imagine the toll they'd taken on her.

"Adelaide," Braeden said softly, "I've brought you a visitor." There was another chair set up at the table, so I took my seat and looked expectantly between the two of them. My mother turned her gaze on me.

"Hello," she said softly. "I recognize you." My heart leapt in my chest for a moment, until she said, "You have visited me often over the last few days. You are very kind." Her voice was soft and timid, and her gaze was vacant.

"Yes, I... wanted to see how you were doing. Are you feeling any better?" I asked.

"Much, thank you." I looked at Braeden woefully, but he gave me an encouraging smile.

"Adelaide, I'm going to ask you some questions about your past now, is that alright?" My mother looked up at him. Her dark hair was swept back from her face and secured in a bun, so I could clearly see the apprehension in her face. "You don't have to, if you don't want to."

She chewed on her lower lip for a moment. Finally, she said, "I will answer your questions as best I can." Braeden seemed to take heart from that answer, so he continued on.

"Very well. Adelaide, do you know where you are?"

"I am in Urû'baen, the capital."

"Yes, excellent. Now, do you remember where it is you came from?"