"What?" Eragon nearly shouted just as Arya gasped, "Impossible!"

"Niaomi, think about what you're saying," Nick hissed underneath their exclamations.

He saw Niaomi stiffen at the use of her full name before she replied, "I have, and I can. I am the best one to know my own limitations, and I know it can be done."

"Galbatorix has bound them in the ancient language," Eragon began protesting. "Their oaths cannot be broken - not unless their true names change."

"And they will." The statement was meant with silence, and she merely tapped the Dragon's Kiss beneath her bangs and added, "Dragonseer, remember?"

"You've seen their future," Nasuada confirmed, and her niece nodded. The older woman's sigh turned into a yawn, and Eragon finally realized how late the hour had become. "The sun has already set, and it is growing darker by the minute. I think it is time we should retire and continue this discussion on the morrow, along with what we are to tell the Varden about this situation. I'll have Jarsha escort the five of you to your new tents near Eragon's, where there is room enough for the dragons as well."

"There is one last thing that must be ascertained," Nate spoke up in a strangely serious tone for the characteristically laid-back young man. "We Riders must choose one of us to be our new leader."

"A leader?" Nasuada said in slight surprise. "Well, my choice is obvious no doubt."

"As is mine." Arya's words warmed him more than he could express.

Ren fidgeted slightly as she spoke. "I mean no offense to either of you, but this is a matter for Riders. The choice is up to us alone - "

"Though your opinion is to be considered regarding your respective stations," her twin smoothly added with a smile.

Nicholas snorted. "Either way, is there really a choice to be made? It has to be Eragon."

"Why do you say that?" asked his aunt in confusion.

"Well, he is the most logical choice to make," the green-eyed Rider answered. "Eragon is the only one among the six of us to have the Varden's trust, and I doubt they shall be eager to work with five unknown Riders, especially if they were under the command of a stranger no matter what their relations may be."

"But it is a choice left for Riders," Eragon argued, echoing Renata's statement. "Should you not have a leader who you trust?"

"I trust you," Nia stated quietly, and he had to no choice now but to meet her eyes. The sincerity in her gaze both alarmed and intrigued him. "And if I trust you, then so do the others. Oromis and Ruby have both given their support as well. It can only be you, Eragon Shadeslayer. You are the Leader, which means you are our leader."

"So long as you accept the position," her brother interjected, his brown eyes darker than before.

The strong-blooded-two-leg seems to be threatened by you, Saphira cautioned him.

Perhaps he thought he'd be chosen to be the leader, but he has not voiced any argument.

The smartest hunters hide their presence from their prey until it is time to strike.

Eragon conceded to her in that regard. Either way, I am the candidate they have chosen. Should I accept?

What else can you do? The wise-headed-one spoke the truth; our allies will only trust the new Riders if you lead them. And you are more than strong enough to bear this burden, Eragon.

I hope you are right. He inhaled once before he turned his attention back to the assembly and told them, "I accept the position as leader of the Riders."

"Now who do you choose for your second?" Nick asked immediately, as if Eragon would not have answered any differently.

His sister shook her head. "He has not had time to get to know us yet, so choosing among us is imp-"

"You."

"-ossi...wait, what?" Niaomi stared at Eragon now as if he would have answered differently. "You choose me to be your second-in-command?"

"Yes," he affirmed, this time holding her gaze and startling her with the depths of his sincerity. "It is obvious from the reminiscence that the others look to you to lead - "

"Hear, hear!" Rose interrupted with a large grin.

" - and you have proved yourself more than capable enough. So do you accept?"

Closing her violet eyes for brief moment of contemplation, she opened them to say, "I accept the position as your second-in-command, Eragon-vinr."

Nasuada said questioningly, "'Vinr'?"

"It's the traditional title for the leader of the Order of Dragon Riders," her youngest nephew replied. "As second-in-command, Nia would be addressed as Niaomi-vísi."

Ren included, "Only Riders would use the title."

"None of you have to use mine," Nia hurriedly added. "And now that that has been taken care of, we can be done until the morrow."

"Jarsha!" The young boy came scurrying at his lady's call. "Would you please be so kind as to show these five Riders to their tents?"

"Of course, me lady." Jarsha held the flap open, and the five filed out with their fairies close behind. Ava leapt off her perch on Luminous's head as the dragon pulled it out of the pavilion, winding past the empty chair legs to rub against his own before she exited along with Ruyishewa.

Saphira's head also vanished as she went to wish her sister goodnight, and Eragon was left alone with his liege lord and his elven friend. The former wiped her eyes tiredly and asked the two, "What shall we do with these new arrivals?"

"It is too late to hide the fact that they are Riders from the Varden." Arya's lips pursed slightly. "And despite the elimination of the Black Hand agents, Galbatorix will soon be made aware of their presence."

"He possessed Murtagh just to slay Oromis and Glaedr," he reminded them all. "So it can no doubt be assumed that he would go to even greater lengths to capture Nia."

"Her powers are quite vast," murmured Nasuada.

"And still largely unknown," said the elf. "I've met seers in the past, but none as powerful as her. Coupled with her ability to draw energy from the elements themselves, and she is no doubt the most powerful mage in all of Alagaësia."

Eragon was shocked by the statement. "Even more powerful than Galbatorix?"

Arya shrugged. "Perhaps. It would explain why he did not leave Urû'baen to capture them himself and sent Liress instead. Even he is not crazy enough to confront the power of gods he does not fully understand."

"Then we are fortunate to call her an ally as well as family," Nasuada said, and she did not catch the other woman's short wince though the Rider did. "It makes it less likely that she would ever betray us. We'll ask if her if we should fear Galbatorix's arrival, but I doubt that the dragons would have revealed themselves if that were to be the case. Now I am afraid that this conversation must truly come to an end; I can barely keep my eyes open. Please report back here an hour after sunrise, and bring the other Riders with you, Eragon."

"I shall," he replied as they all stood. He held the flap open for the women before stepping out into the dims remains of twilight. Saphira was there waiting, and Eragon rubbed the scales beneath her chin as he finally took the moment to ponder the discovery of the newest Rider and what it meant.

But before he could get caught up in his musings for very long, a hand on his shoulder had him turning to face Arya. Her eyes were unfathomable as she whispered, "Would you walk me to my tent? I wish to speak with you...in private."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N: Sorry this is later than I originally had planned - missed two days of school, so I've been playing catch up. Happy to see how many of you guys are psyched to have Destiny's story continue! I have to ask: Team Aragon or Team Eromi? This chapter will mainly focus on the first pairing, but ends from Niaomi's POV! I know y'all are eager to find out just how she plans to free Murtagh and Mahogany, but that explanation will have to wait a little whiles longer. Picture of the first and original leading lady now up above instead of to the right (gah, this new system is so BAD). See you guys next Sunday - now the official update day - for the next post! :))