Next in introductions is us dragons, Luminous said, raising her head slightly. I am Luminous Bjartgarzla, bound to Niaomi, daughter of Vervada and Glaedr. In the shocked silence that followed, she snorted. Did you believe that our Riders were the only ones with interesting ancestry?

Saphira twisted her head to stare at the white dragon beside her in delighted amazement. You are Vervada's daughter as well?

Luminous grinned, her fangs glistening. We are not only sisters-of-the-wind, but also sisters-of-the-blood.

"What next, Thorn is my cousin?" Orrin grumbled to himself. Eragon saw Niaomi and Nasuada both trying to hide smiles; he didn't bother to conceal his own.

I am Emere Laúfsflauga, bound to Nicholas. The green dragon's mental voice was deep and rumbly. My sire was Ohen the Strong, and my dam was Rœslî.

Like my brother, I have the same parents, the orange dragon said, his voice like the sound of rocks tumbling from a hill. My name is Toparien Fellblaka, and my Rider is Nathan.

The pink dragon looked up, her glittering scales reflecting flecks of pink-tinted light. When she spoke, her voice was smoother than the others, more like a rockslide than boulders crashing together. I am Opheila Hljödhrdauth, daughter of Lenora and Roslarb. Rosaminda is my Rider.

The silver dragon, Renata's, was last. He looked at them with eyes that shone like the moon and spoke with a voice a bit more deeper than Opheila's. I am Opheila's twin brother, Silveran Evanrínyagarjzla.

Eragon's curiosity overcame his silence. "How can dragons be twins?"

Silveran turned his head towards him, amusement in his molten eyes. It is very rare for two dragons to be laid in the same egg, and it is even rarer for the egg to be spelled for a Rider. If we were also the same breed, then would it certainly be a miracle.

"Breed?" Arya asked in confusion. Nia explained about dragon types while Eragon listened in on Saphira's conversation with Luminous.

So you are really my sister? asked Saphira in wonder.

Luminous laughed the same choking growl that Saphira made, and he knew it was true. How many times will you ask until you believe?

It's just astonishing, said Saphira. For so long I worried I was the last female of my kind, and then I discover not only two others, but a sister as well.

Luminous's voice was kind. I can see why it would be a surprise.

Saphira nodded excitedly. But an extraordinary surprise. Oromis once told me, "Surprises are like answers. They may shock you or be what exactly you're looking for. And sometimes, they do both."

Luminous looked at Saphira, her inner eyelids closing. Glaedr's Rider, is he not?

Realizing Luminous was curious about her sire, Saphira began describing her and Eragon's masters. The other dragons, also in on the discussion, started to ask more questions, and his dragon basked in the attention of her fellow kin.

Turning back to the two-leggers' conversation, Eragon realized Niaomi was finishing up her explanation.

"Fascinating," said Arya, her eyes unfocused till she looked towards Eragon. "Did Glaedr ever mention this to you or Saphira?"

As Eragon shook his head, Nia interjected, "I doubt he even knew himself. The way I discovered it was through my own powers and in some ancient texts."

Nasuada looked at her. "I've heard tell about your mysterious powers, but no one has yet to explain."

"Like I said before, I must start at the very, very beginning. In order to save time, after our story is told, you may search our minds for the truth."

"Tell it with the mirror," said Nathan, his eyes eager. "It's always better illustrated."

Niaomi laughed gently and took her mirror in her hands, expanding it the same way Rosaminda had done before. Holding it up where everyone could see, she began the tale.

"If I shall tell you of how we came to be, I must first use a reminiscence to take you back to where it all started..."

The mirror swirled with mist and cleared to show a young man, around the age of fifteen or so, standing on a beach with a little girl, around six. They were playing in the waves, laughing as they splashed one another.

Eragon peered closer. The boy looked a lot like Nate and Nick did, except much more human. His brown eyes crinkled in a smile as he looked at the little girl, who had the same dark brown skin and curly black hair.

Nasuada gasped. "That's me," she whispered, eyes glued to the frame.

"You and my father, about twenty years ago," Nia said softly. "My father, Niom, was eighteen at the time, and - "

"I was four." Nasuada closed her eyes and breathed deeply. "That was the day that he disappeared."

The image in the mirror shifted to show them the darkening skies, and suddenly a gust of wind snatched the scarf from the little girl's head. She cried out as it landed in the ocean, a couple of yards away from the shore. Patting his sister's head, the young man - Niom - began to wade into the water. The deep purple scarf bobbed farther from shore, but he kept after it, swimming hard. He finally reached it, looking back at the young Nasuada with a smile.

"I remember being so proud that my brother had gotten my scarf," said Nasuada softly. She gazed at the mirror while tears ran down her face. It wasn't until Orrin placed a hand on her shoulder that she continued, "It was my grandmother's, a family heirloom and an important memento from our tribe. I had been so fearful of losing it that I thought didn't think about the danger of Niom going to retrieve it for me. And for that, I lost something far more precious."