Nightmare was quietly explaining how he had become intricately aware of moments of Fate, Wyrda, as had the others, to Eragon as they made their way to the dragonhold. What the human had done was best never mentioned again. As much as Eragon pestered, Nightmare refrained from telling him what exactly he did. They passed Error and Chaos, the Temmie obsessing over dragons to her adopted parent, who smiled joyously at her excitement.

They waved at one another, Geno and Fresh discussing something further down the corridor behind them. Nightmare and Eragon continued back up the Vul Turin, on the stairs, to be precise. Eragon commented that at last he knew where the Wyrdaí Islingrya were staying. Nightmare agreed nonchalantly, but pausing as he heard a voice.

He warned Eragon, who proceeded to contact Saphira. The dragon spoke to both of them. A female… she has the air of command. I'll distract her while you come in.

They snuck up the rest of the stairs, Eragon ready to draw his sword while Nightmare didn't care what he had; his magic was always more than enough.

The young lady wore a velvet dress the color of wine, looking to be about 17 years old and carried a decorated yet well used dagger in a leather sheath. She stared at Saphira, the dragon smiling with her eyes as she asked.
"Please, could you tell me where Rider Eragon, Lord Nightmare and Lord Error may be?"

Nightmare smirked as Eragon spoke. "I am here with Nightmare."
She spun in alarm, reaching for her dagger as she took in their features. She relaxed and curtsied at them both. "I am Nasuada."

"You obviously know who we are, but what do you want?" With a smile, she said, "My father, Ajihad, sent me here with a message. Would you like to hear it?"

Eragon blinked in surprise, not expecting that Ajihad would have loved a woman or have children. Nightmare was busy sensing wisps of the future and her fate.
"Yes, I think we would."

She flipped her hair out of the way and spoke. "He is pleased that all of you are doing well, but cautions Eragon against his actions yesterday like your benediction recently, Eragon. They create more problems than they solve. Also, he urges you and the Wyrdaí Islingrya to proceed with testing as soon as possible- he needs to know how capable you are before he communicates with the elves, but especially Eragon."

"Did you climb all the way up here just to tell us that?" Eragon asked, Nightmare raising a non-existent eyebrow at the woman. She shook her head. "I used the pulley system that transports goods to the upper levels. We could have sent the message with signals, but I decided to bring it myself and meet you in person."

"Would you like to sit down?" Eragon offered, gesturing at Saphira in her cave. Nasuada chuckled. "No, I am expected elsewhere. You should also know, my father decreed that any of you may visit Murtaugh, if you wish." Her face fell. "I met Murtaugh earlier… He's anxious to speak with you. He seemed lonely; you should visit him." She told the pair directions to find his cell.

They gave their thanks, then Eragon questioned. "What about Arya? Is she better? Can I see her?" "Orik didn't say much on the subject of Arya." Nightmare explained, reigning in his own curiosity.

She grinned. "Arya is recovering swiftly, as all elves do. No one is allowed to see her except my father, Hrothgar, and the healers, my greatest apologies Lord Nightmare. They have spent much time with her, learning all that occurred during her imprisonment." She glanced back at Saphira, then curtsied. "I must go now. Is there anything you would have me convey to Ajihad on your behalf?"
"No, except a desire to visit Arya." Nightmare interrupted. "And our thanks for the hospitality he has shown us."

"I will take your words directly to him. Farewell, Lord Nightmare and Rider Eragon. I hope we shall soon meet again." Nasuada curtsied one final time and exited, chin up with the air of nobility.
"Farewell, future leader." Nightmare spoke gently after her, ignoring the curious look Eragon shot him as he climbed up to the cave. Nightmare just teleported inside.

Upon arriving, they both spotted Saphira with Solembum curled up in the hollow at the base of her neck, Horror splayed out across her paws, all three giving them a look that asked, "what?"

Nightmare scoffed, Eragon laughing. "Have you been up here all day?" The King of Negativity asked the creepy skeleton, who angled his skull to stare at him innocently. "Yea. Mostly sleepin'." 

Both Rider and Lord of Darkness snickered, but let the trio lie, only after Eragon gave up pestering for Angela's location from Solembum. Admittedly, the dragon, werecat, and skeleton fit together well, as they had such similar personalities and were already creatures of magic, even if one was an entirely different kind of magic.

So Nightmare and Eragon fell to chatting, the King of Negativity getting excited about the library Eragon had visited, to the point where his eyelights flickered into stars, if only briefly.

But as the topic of the Twins came about, Nightmare growled and swore he'd protect Eragon, as the unnatural pair obviously thought they could get away with the behavior behind his spine.

The day wound to an end, Horror fast asleep in Saphira's talons, cradling his new and beautiful war axe in his arms while Saphira had her head wrapped around him, Solembum still sleeping in the hollow of her neck. Nightmare bid farewell as Eragon leaned against his dragon's side, waving his own goodbye.

Rest well. I feel danger on the horizon…