Chapter Thirty Seven
When Arya is done she puts Bradburn to sleep with a spell. "She killed him!" one of the guards shouts. Eragon tries to convince them that he is only asleep. The sound of the Varden's trumpets makes us all pause. I go to the window and look out. Everything seems the same at first glance. What could it be? There's cheering now too.
Eragon walks up beside me and whistles over at Saphira. "What new?" he asks.
One of the Varden points into the distance. "Shadeslayer! Shur'tugal! Look! The werecats are coming!"
I look closer, leaning forward slightly and I can see it. There's a group of figures emerging on the other side of the Jiet River. Some are on four legs, and some on too. They seem so far away that it's almost difficult to know whether they are actually the werecats or not.
"Could it be?" Arya asks, amazed.
"I don't know," Eragon shrugs. "Whatever they are we'll find out soon enough."
We stand together near Bradburn's throne, ready to face the werecats. Nasuada is sitting on the throne. Jormundur is one side of her while Eragon and I stand on the other side. "If we could gain their support," she says to us. "Perhaps they only wish for a chance to strike back at Galbatorix but if not we shall have to find means to persuade them to join us."
"You could offer them barrels of cream," Eragon suggests.
I elbow him. "Stop making jokes. This is serious."
"Fine," he sighs.
The werecats stream in and one announces "His most exalted royal highness, Grimmr Halfpaw, King of the werecats."
Their King is in the shape of a human. Some of them are on all fours. Eragon and I have only seen one werecat in our lives and that was Solembum. Grimmr Halfpaw is only about four feet tall, slanted green eyes, a pointed chin, wide cheekbones, and he's only wearing a leather vest and a loincloth. I can see now why he is called Halfpaw because two of his fingers on his left hand are missing.
There are other people lined up in the room including Roran and the herbalist Angela. She is knitting a sock and a few of the werecats take a swing at her string like a playful housecat while Grimmr Halfpaw hisses at her.
"King Halfpaw," Nasuada greets him. "You are most welcome to the Varden, you and all your race. What do we owe the unexpected pleasure of this visit Your Highness? Werecats have been noted for their secrecy and solitude. Why then do you now choose to reveal yourself?"
"Because of them," Grimmr points at Eragon and I. "One does not attack another hunter until he has shown his weakness and Galbatorix has shown his. He will not kill Eragon Shadeslayer nor Leolynn Shur'tugal nor Saphira and Crystalina Bjartskular. Long have we waited for this opportunity and seize it we will. We would join your army Lady Nasuada as free allies and help you."
"Before I can accept your offer there are answers I must have of you. Do you speak for all of your kind?"
"I do. Every able bodies werecat in Alagaesia have come here to fight. And I also command the one-shapes, they do what we ask of them though they are dumb," he informs us.
"One shapes?" Nasuada questions.
"Those you know as cats, those who cannot change their shapes as we do. They admire us."
'If what he's saying is true,' Eragon tells Saphira and I. 'They could prove to be incredibly valuable.'
'They could…' I agree cautiously.
"And what do you desire in exchange? We can offer you as much cream as you want," she glances at Eragon and smiles. I roll my eyes.
"Cream is for kittens," Grimmr says. "Each of us will need a dagger and two suits of armor to fight with, one for when we stand on two legs and one for four. We also shall have a bird to eat and a bowl of liver. Also, if we win this war whoever becomes your next King or Queen and all who will claim that title in the future shall keep a padded cushion next to their throne in a place of honor for one of us to sit on if we wish."
"You bargain like a dwarven lawgiver," Nasuada sighs. "You may have one suit of armor. Your warriors must decide if they want to fight as humans or cats and then abide by that decision."
"Very well."
"We must also examine your memories to be sure you are not spies."
"You would be foolish not to. But not her," he points at Angela. "Never her."
"I'm sure I am honored to form an alliance you and the Varden, King Halfpaw."
Everyone cheers.
Outside in the courtyard Eragon climbs off of Saphira, jumping down beside me. We are out of the way of the men trying to clear the stones and bodies and the men who are streaming in and out of the damaged building. "I'm hungry," Eragon complains.
"Is food all you ever think about?" I tease him.
He shrugs. "It's been a long battle."
"It has," I agree.
"I'm really happy to have you by my side through this…and through everything."
"I'll always be by your side," I assure him. "And I am happy to have you also."
"I love you," he says.
"I love you too Eragon," I steal a kiss quickly while no one is watching.
"Oi!" someone shouts.
We turn to see Roran walking towards us from the keep, Angela and her yarn trailing behind him.
"Do you two ever stop? Just be glad it was only us who saw and not someone else," he teases us.
"What?" Eragon frowns.
"I'm joking Eragon," Roran chuckles. "I'm glad to see that you two are doing well."
"I'm glad to see you're doing well too Roran," I tell him.
"Thanks."
"Where are you off to now?" Eragon asks his cousin.
"To help secure the city and organize the prisoners."
"Oh…you fought well."
"So did you two," Roran replies. "Where are you guys going?"
'Food' Saphira says in my mind, nudging me with her nose so that I almost fall.
"I guess we're going to get some food," I inform Roran.
"That sounds best. I'll see you at camp this evening then. Give my love to Katrina."
"Yes," Angela says. "I guess I'll be off as well. I have a potion brewing in my tent and a certain werecat I want to track down."
"Grimmr?" Eragon asks her.
"No Solembum's mother."
We wave goodbye. Eragon climbs onto Saphira and I climb onto Crystalina.
'The view is magnificent' Eragon tells me. 'We are privileged to be able to look upon the world from so high above like this. Think of how few people have ever had the chance to fly on a dragon.'
'It is," I agree. 'It is incredible. It makes it all the more special that I get to share this with you and Saphira.'