Hello everyone,
I have a beef to pick with you all. WHY DIDN'T ANYONE TELL ME THAT I STARTED CALLED SHADOWHUNTER 'SHADOWCAT'. WHAT THE FUCK?
No seriously, I have been calling one of my most favorite characters, the wrong name since like I first introduced her. What the fuck….?
Anywho, too late now. I have renamed her to Shadowcat out of laziness. I don't feel like going back to change any of it. There deal with it, wallow in shame with me.
Also, sorry for the delay. Holidays are a bitch for me.
Authors note at the bottom.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Another day, another battle.
The man in front of me had no chance to stop the warhammer from caving in his chest and pulverising his heart. I am numb to it. I realized as I fed his life energy into a spell that made three more men fall. Three more men gave their energy to my newly acquired ring, another gift from Hrothgar.
I shook my head. Now is not the time. I chastised myself.
When I looked up again, there was no man to contend with. Instead, there was a massive hole in the wall from where Saphira had literally ripped it apart. Once a beautiful wall before a keep was now just a mound of rubble, where Eragon and Saphira stood beside Carn and the twelve elven spellcasters.
Where is Arya? I wondered, recognizing the scene.
Here. A hand appeared on my shoulder. Pine assaulted my nose, in the midst of a battle, and I immediately attributed it to the elf princess in question.
Her emerald green eyes pierced mine and I realized she must have seen my moment of distraction during the middle of a battle. I closed off certain parts of my mind to her, so that she would not worry. Her eyebrows dipped into a frown at the action.
"For the Varden!" Eragon shouted in front of me.
"March!" Someone shouted behind me.
Soldiers parted us as we stood before the pile of rubble. I worried for the next part, the spear that would pierce Saphira's chest, in another life. I will not allow it to in this one. I thought to mine, Brom's, and Arya's connection.
I started towards the mound of rubble when Arya's hand left my shoulder. I reached the top as soon as Saphira landed amidst the enemy soldiers, spewing flame from her mouth and dealing death with each swipe of her claws and tails.
I couldn't help but frown at the beautiful display of death.
It will be over soon. I told myself, or was that Arya again?
This time her hand grabbed my arm and stopped me from getting closer to the battle. I realized that Brom had cut himself off from our connection, most likely at Arya's insistence.
Her other hand felt around the upper part of my chest and I knew the question was coming before she asked.
Where is your necklace? She demanded just as another loud 'boom' echoed across the courtyard.
I sent her the memory of me giving it to Elva, just before the battle, to help her with the pain and misery that always comes with thousands of men dying.
My head snapped towards the gate of the keep opening. A cavalryman burst forward, in his right hand, a green lance.
The horse got twenty out of the one-hundred yards it needed to cross before a spike made out of stone impaled it, killing it immediately and sending the rider tumbling.
Relief shot through our link, immediately followed by worry as the rider rolled unnaturally and leapt to his feet. He took another another ten steps before gathering a lot of momentum, similar to how an outfielder of a professional baseball team would, and threw the spear with more force than I had ever seen anyone, of any race, throw.
Panic raced through our link as we both realized that the speed with which the spear was thrown, would go straight through Saphira, without stopping. Our eyes tracked the projectile in slow motion, knowing that there was no way to stop the spear with magic or our bodies.
Closer and closer the spear traveled, and saphira turned her body, hoping to minimize the damage. Everyone knew it wouldn't matter.
When all hope seemed lost, a loud 'CRACK' could be heard across the courtyard. A black missile shot into the air, right in front of the spear. I could tell it was a body, but everything happened so fast, that I couldn't tell who it was.
What I could tell, was an arm reaching out, and grabbing the spear, followed by another 'CRACK', and a series of bright lights surrounding the figure in the air.
The next few seconds happened in real time. The figure held on to the spear but was launched back with it's momentum, falling to the ground and sliding right in front of Saphira. I saw his face as soon as he landed.
"Carn!" I heard myself shout.
He's in the middle of the battle. I realized.
Several things happened at once. I took off like a bullet towards my friend, Saphira stepped over him like a mother protecting her children, the soldiers in front of her realized that the object of their victory was under her, and the worst part of all of it; a scream that would haunt my dreams for a long time cut into the battle, and it was Carn's.
My mind processed what the cracks in the air were, his bones giving out under the strain. The first crack had to be the bones in his legs, the second was most likely his arm and shoulder giving out, and the colorful lights was the result of massive amounts of energy clashing.
The scream means he's still alive. I rationalized as I crossed the halfway mark. My mind reached thought of a better plan at the same time. I reached out to the new energy in my ring and cast without using the Ancient Language.
His body lifted off the ground and shot towards me, his body didn't jerk, as my mind willed the magic to protect him from the movement. He got to me quickly, and a massive amount of energy was lost.
I willed the magic to lay him in front of me, and cut off the magic, in a moment of clarity. He looked at me pleadingly. My mind reached out to his.
I was immediately assaulted with more pain than I had ever felt.
How is he awake? I pondered. Or alive?
"Slytha." I whispered as I looked up. Arya and Brom stood in front of me with their swords out, protectively. It was unnecessary as Eragon and Saphira were in the middle of absolute decimation of the empires forces in their rage.
The spell took immediately and his eyes closed. Next I whispered my diagnostic spell. A comprehensive list of injuries assaulted my mind. Multiple fractures along the legs, from top to bottom, nearly every muscle ripped or detached, right arm fractured in seven different placed, bicep detached, pectoral detached, three ribs broken, internal bleeding.
I felt immediate relief at his spine and internal organs being relatively unharmed. I set my mind to remembering the injuries and focusing on how I wanted the body to heal. Once I felt confident, I didn't bother with the basic healing spell, instead I sang specifically what I wanted to heal.
It was slow, as I designed it. Constant feedback of the state of his body hit my mind, as I wanted it to.
I started at his chest as I set the ribs back in place and stopped the internal bleeding. Then I put his shoulder back in place and set the bones before magically healing them. Then I began on his legs, which took the most time in setting them back perfectly, before healing them. Next I focused on his muscles, they were the easiest to put back in place and mend.
In the end, I was exhausted as I opened my eyes and realized that the energy in the ring had depleted. I was using my own energy for the finishing touches, something I hadn't done since Brom first taught me magic so long ago.
I looked around to find that more time had passed than I originally thought. The sun was well on its way to setting. Soldiers moved around the keep with purpose, carrying supplies and setting up to use Belatona as a base of operations for now.
My companions stood around me in a circle, looking simultaneously worried and relieved at the same time.
"He'll be fine." I spoke aloud to everyone.
Glittering blue scales shook before a snot rose into the air and let loose another earth shattering roar as fire spewed from her mouth. Being so close to her made all of our chests rattle in conjunction with hers.
I went to greet my companions before I realized they were all facing a certain direction, and standing to attention.
"You're camaraderie is to be admired." A voice that sounded like it belongs to a lion spoke behind me.
That's when I noticed the black shape sitting on Carn's chest, purring. I decided to ignore the voice to greet my old companion.
"I thought you got tired of me and left." I spoke to Shadowcat. A twitch of her tail and a stare was all that I got in response.
I stood up and turned around at the same time. My body ached at being hunched over my body for so long. A young boy, no werecat, stood before me in a leather jerkin and a rabbit loincloth. He stood with an arrogance that only one of his race could, I knew who he was immediately.
"I apologize for making you wait, King Halfpaw." I spoke in greeting.
He smiled, revealing his sharp teeth. "There is no need, Stronghammer."
"To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?" I asked him, perhaps a little to directly.
He didn't seem to mind. "I come with the might of my kind, to fight against the mad one."
"Your kind? All of you?" I asked him plainly.
"All who are not nursing." He responded fairly quickly.
"We welcome you of course, although my intuition tells me that you require something in return." I responded, trying my best to be cordial and also speed up the conversation.
That didn't happen because his eyes swept past me as I heard shuffling behind me. I turned quickly and felt a huge build up of energy sweep across the courtyard. Soldiers stopped moving, the world held its breath.
Saphira dipped her head down to where Carn still laid almost glowing blue magical energy. The magic had a different taste? than normal, like the most free form of it possible. Nothing close to what I or other magicians wielded.
Her snout touched Carn's chest and his body jerked similar to what happens in the movies where doctors try to start someones heart back up by shocking them. The blue lights surrounded him for a moment before settling at the spot in his chest where she touched him.
Carn's eyes opened slowly, when I expected him to shoot up in panic. I felt Shadowcat rubbing against my legs in her cat form.
He sat up and looked around, like he hadn't been so close to death for the past few hours.
"Brom." I spoke up while turning back to the King of the erects, trusting that he would get Carn to a bet somewhere so he could rest.
"Sorry about that, King Halfpaw." I mimicked myself from earlier.
His eyes were curious and they flickered from Carn to Shadowcat on my legs and then back up to my eyes.
"Yes, I can see it now. Fate follows your family." He spoke up ignoring my apology. Then he snapped out of it.
"Every Werecat will be given a daggen to fight with, if we do not already have one. Each of us shall have two suits of armor made to fit, one for when on two legs we stand, and one for when on four. We need no other equipment than that - no tents, no blankets, no plates, no spoons. . Each of us will be promised a single duck, grouse, chicken, or similar bird per day, and every second day, a bowl of freshly chopped liver. Even if we do not choose to eat it, the food will be set aside for us. Also should you we win this war, then whoever becomes your next king or queen - and all who claim that title thereafter - will keep a padded cushion next to their throne, in a place of honor, for one of us to sit on, if we so wish." Each word was spoken with precision, and purpose.
Same as the books. I thought as he finished.
"I will provide one set of armor per Werecat, their choice. Everything else, I can agree on." I told him without consulting with anyone. That turned out to be a mistake.
Hrothgar had apparently been watching the proceedings off to the side with King Orrin and Garzhvog and decided to speak up.
"The dwarves will fill the need of a second set of armor." Hrothgar proclaimed proudly and simply.
I looked his way and he met my eye. I nodded to him as thanks, and as an apology without talking it over with him beforehand. He returned it.
"Then let us bring an end to the Usurper."
I woke up to a small body crawling on me, I didn't react as I might have some time ago, but Elva has been training me for a while now, sneaking in to sleep with me without Angela knowing. At least she thinks Angela doesn't know.
My arms wrapped around her without thinking about it. Then my brain kicked into overdrive and I sat up.
"What's wrong?" Elva asked startled as she sat up with me.
I calmed myself before I spoke. "I need the necklace back." I told her calmly.
Her eyes widened and her hands jumped to her chest. "But, it really helps…" She protested.
"I know, baby, I know." I nodded to her. "It helps me too, but I learned something during the battle."
She stared at me with overly sized eyes, curious for me to continue. "I haven't been processing things properly, I almost froze during the battle."
"What does that have to do with me, You'll never let me near battle." She cut in before I could continue. Her panic told me everything I needed to know about the necklace.
"Of course I won't. But I learned that I am dependant on the necklace, and I don't want that for you, you need to learn how to live with it. Trust me when I say I will only wear it during battles, and after the war is over ...I'll destroy it." I told her honestly.
"No, please don't." She begged, tears coming to her eyes. "It stopped them, all of them." Both of her hands were on the necklace now.
My eyes widened, unaware that it would do that for her. "You said it only helped…" I trailed off.
She was shaking now. "Don't make me, Daddy. Don't make me." She didn't answer me as to why she lied.
My heart broke when she said 'Daddy', it was only the second time she had ever said it to me. I wrapped her in my arms and held her head to my chest. My mind reached out to her for the first time ever.
Her unprotected mind broadcasted her panic, but it was truthful, she wasn't manipulating me with the word 'daddy', she meant it.
It's ok, baby. We'll do it together. I told her as I took on some of her panic and sent calming thoughts and feelings, showing her how to focus on the warmth of our embrace.
I knew that the necklace was tied to me, tied by magic unspoken, only felt. It unclasped itself at my will, without me drawing on any energy, and settled on the bed beside us.
As soon as it left her neck, the compulsions? came with the force of a hurricane. They gnawed at her, and she panicked once again, sending it through our link.
I grabbed? it and pulled it into myself, sharing it amongst us. It was surprisingly easy to deny.
There was a man three hundred feet away, near the wall, who was about to die, and he knew it, he wasn't ready to go, he had a lot to offer the world, I could help hi…
No. I said and pushed the thought away, and with it the compulsion. The next one came fast, a woman grieving over her dying son…
This time I shoved all of them away and held them there, similar to how my shields were, when there wasn't a battle going on, or I wasn't joined with any of my companions. The type that would defend me from a surprise attack from an enemy magician.
I felt Elva's understanding of the technique.
I've never tried that. She spoke as she felt what I was doing. I should have let you in a long time ago.
I'm sorry I can not carry this burden for you. I told her and broadcasted my feelings to her.
It's ok. You can be Stronghammer, I'll be Strongmind. She responded sending understanding across the link.
I chuckled out loud at her comment.
Out of the mouth of babes…
I broke the connection quickly as her rage built.
"It does what?!"
Angela was on a tear. But she looked to Elva with a hand over her mouth, who was in a magical ward I put up to not let us disturb her so that she could sleep. Once Angela saw that she didn't wake up, she turned to me and tapped her mind.
I shook my head furiously, unwilling to let her in my mind right now. "She won't wake unless it's natural." I explained.
Her eyes narrowed. "Why won't you let me inside?"
"Because you're terrifying." I answered truthfully. "And I made a terrible mistake."
She closed her eyes for a few seconds and her hands dangled in the air as her fingers danced. When she opened her eyes, she was back to her wistful, un-apocalyptic self. "You are the most infuriating person I have ever met." She told me.
"Yes, I know." I agreed. "Trust me, you weren't near as mad as I was at myself."
"That is the only reason I am being so pleasant right now. I have half a mind to take her and leave this place." Angela answered.
My head shot up and looked at her in her eyes again. "Now that would be a feat worthy of a god." I told her while standing up, protectively.
"And that is why I don't." She said jokingly. "For all of your talents, the most impressive is your fatherly instincts."
Then she turned around and walked out. Right before she reached the door, her head turned to where the necklace rested on the desk of the former leader of Belatona, Lord Bradburn.
"It seems that the lack of the Ancient language, your bond to it, and the massive amount of energy it has stored inside has created a similar effect as Eragon's new sword, although more sinister in nature, I would say." Angela stated before walking out.
I sat back down at the foot of the bed and was reminded of the one other occupant in the room when her hands landed on my shoulders. I reacted without thinking and leaned back into her presence, my head landing on lower abdomen. She shuffled until my head slipped down to land on her thighs, a more comfortable position for both of us.
Pine needles once again assaulted my nose making me open my eyes. The days events seemed to repeat themselves once again as her shining emerald eyes met mine.
There have been multiple instances where I have begun to think our relationship has taken a turn for what I would say the better, but this one is by far the most intimate. I thought as I stared at her, wondering at her beauty.
I agree. I heard inside my mind, while feeling amusement at the situation.
At first I felt embarrassed at saying that without realizing that she was in my mind, but then I felt happy that I said it, and happy at her response.
Her eyes darted to my mouth at both of our thoughts, then I could feel indecision leak through before she closed it off.
I acted immediately and my hand found the back of her head, and gently encouraged her to lean down. I made sure it wasn't forceful, just enough to tell her not to worry.
She smiled, and our lips met.
A/N: BOOM IT FINALLY HAPPENED!
Dude so much happened this chapter. Finally the necklace plot gets revealed, the romance! AND CARN ALMOST DYING, AND THEN BEING 'BLESSED' BY SAPHIRA! Dude…..
I don't even have questions for you all, but let's talk about it in the reviews!