On its surface, the mirror revealed a room in an inn. It had a bed pushed to the side, and a desk with papers scattered across it. More papers lay on the floor, on which two figures stood at opposite ends of the room. One was Niaomi, her dark hair coming out of its neat bun. The other was a tall man with close-cropped brown hair and wild eyes. His face was tight as he battled Niaomi mentally.

Eragon looked at the image, shocked again at the sight of a person whose face he'd never seen before clearly visible in a scrying. "How am I able to see this man?"

Ren answered him without taking her eyes off the mirror. "Bronze is a metal that amplifies visions and scrying ability. A bronze mirror that is constructed under...special circumstances...can be used by mages to scry things they have yet to behold."

Did you know of this, Saphira? asked Eragon.

She exhaled in response, her breath stirring the air inside the tent. Not at all. It appears the laws of magic can be bent, if not broken. And it seems Arya didn't know about this either.

Glancing at the elf, he saw that her eyes had widened at the new information. Looking back at the mirror, Eragon saw the mage raise his hand, his mouth forming words. "Rose, you forgot to add the sound," whispered Nate tensely.

Rosaminda did not respond, but soon noise emanated from the mirror. Eragon heard the mage say the last words of his spell before a bolt of lightning leapt from his hand towards Nia. She held up her hands, eyes narrowing. Water appeared in front of her palms, quickly expanding to form a shield. When the lightning struck it, the water absorbed the energy, flashing with sparks. The liquid suddenly flew towards the mage, hitting his ward and falling to the floor.

"She didn't use the ancient language," murmured Arya, her voice reproving.

"She doesn't have to," Nick explained, his eyes flickering towards the elf. "Nia is bound not only to the dragons, but to the elements themselves."

"How is that possible?" whispered Nasuada, shock clear in her voice.

"She is godblessed," answered Renata.

Arya's eyes narrowed at that, but before anything else could be said, a howling noise drew their attention back to the mirror. Niaomi's figure was obscured by the whirling air around her. The mage's eyes widened in horror as the winds shrieked louder and faster. Niaomi pointed and shouted something that was lost in the wind.

The cyclone she'd created leapt to the man, swirling around him in a viciously. His scream was cut off as the tornado sucked the air out of his lungs, and he fell to the ground with a dull thud. The winds ceased; the man laid on the ground, moving no more. Nia stood for a moment, swaying slightly before slowly crumpling.

Nathan and Nicholas sprang up, touching the mirror as if they could reach their sister through the glass.

"She is still alive." Rose finally spoke, ending the spell. As the mirror shrank to its original size, she continued, "She is mortally tired, but alive. The image would've turned black if she had died."

"But someone does need to go and retrieve her," said Nasuada.

Before anyone could speak, Eragon said, "I'll go." There was a shocked silence as everyone looked at him. Even Saphira was surprised.

Why? she asked, but Eragon did not know how to answer her.

"Alright," said Nasuada, breaking the silence. "While you retrieve Niaomi, I will send guards to collect the bodies of the other spellcasters and confiscate all of their equipment. It may prove useful."

"Just be careful to make sure they know not to open any boxes," Nick piped up. "They may be magicked with some magical trap."

Nasuada nodded at him. "Thank you for the warning."

Eragon fidgeted; the others were still staring at him questioningly. "I'll be going now," he said quickly, ducking out of the pavilion.

He sighed as he began jogging rapidly to The Durell Inn where Niaomi's mage had been staying.

Why did you volunteer, Eragon? asked Saphira. She was determined to find out the answer.

There's just something about her, Niaomi... His speech trailed off as he thought. It's like - like I want to be the one who brings her back safely.

Is it that you want to be her hero?

Eragon blushed and was perturbed as to why. That's ridiculous Saphira. I barely even know her.

You know that she is brave, the dragon replied. You know she is beautiful, and kind to animals as well as people. You know that she is skilled in the ancient language, has nice manners, and a deep familial connection that is not unlike your own.

Eragon was speechless. You truly do know me better than I know myself, he said wryly.

He could sense Saphira smiling. I AM the partner-of-your-mind-and-heart.

As it should be, he responded, stopping at the entrance to the inn. Wish me luck.

In what?

Rescuing the damsel in distress.

His dragon merely withdrew from his mind, highly amused, as Eragon went forth.