The Truth About Lies (An Inheritance Cycle Fanfiction)

We made plans to depart the capital three days later. I hadn't gotten up enough courage to tell my mother or Braeden yet, but I knew I could not avoid it much longer. I hadn't gone to see her today, for fear that I would lose my nerve and shame myself.

Sometimes it is easier to just get the hurt out of the way, instead of letting it linger and making it harder to tell them, Amera said from where she sat beside me. We were high up in the dragon hold, sitting on the landing that extended from the cave Amera had taken up as her own. It was about midway up the beehive, and smaller than the one Murtagh and Thorn had lived in, but still very large. I had visited their cave when I first came here, reminiscing about the last time I'd been there, but had not been back since. All of his things were still there; his bed; his books; his clothing. It was a stark reminder of his absence, and it did no good for me to dwell on it.

I know, Amera. I'm just afraid. I don't want to be the reason she snaps.

You don't know that she will, Amera countered, snorting slightly. You're creating that scenario in your head and then fixating on it. In reality, you don't know what her reaction will be. Just go down there tomorrow morning and tell her you'll be gone for a couple weeks, and you will see her upon your return.

But I don't know that it will only be a couple of weeks, I shot back, slightly irritated. Nasuada said it could be a month, but that's not to say it might be even longer.

There are people here who will take care of her. She is not alone.

And what if she slips away while I'm gone, or something awful happens? I won't forgive myself.

This is out of our control, Tabatha, Amera snapped forcefully. You must accept that. Nasuada has all but ordered us to go, and we must do her bidding. It is our duty as Rider and dragon.

I fell quiet for a little bit, just gazing out over the city as the sun set over the western wall. The whole place was bathed in a soft orange glow, and I could just glimpse the little flicker of candles being lit all over the city. You are right, as usual, I finally conceded. I will go to her tomorrow and tell her that my duty calls me away. Amera snorted to show her approval and then I saw a flash of blue streak in front of us.

Looks like Eragon and Saphira have returned from checking on the Eldunarí. Shall we greet them? Amera stood up from where she was laying down and shook her body like a wet dog. I joined her and we walked back into her cave. She had chosen a fairly large cave—made for a much bigger dragon than her, anyways—so she easily fit through the opening that led into the cavernous middle of the hive. I alighted into her saddle, not bothering with the leg straps, and she floated us down a few rows to the cave where Saphira was staying. She dropped down onto the small landing that served as the cave's opening, and then I jumped off her back.

Eragon was just unstrapping himself from Saphira's saddle when I entered the cave. He called out a greeting to both of us, and then hopped down onto the outside landing.

"How did it go?" I asked.

"As well as can be expected," he replied. "The Eldunarí are very confused, and many of them have lost a lot of their memories. It will take time for Blödgharm and the others to restore them to their former selves, if that's even possible. Only time will tell."

"But it does not sound like all hope is lost," I replied with as much encouragement in my voice as I could muster.

"No, not all hope, to be sure." He smiled down at me and then turned back to Saphira, presumably to speak to her.