Hi everyone! This is a little prompt that has been buzzing in my brain for a while now. I hope you enjoy and as always, please feel free to leave reviews.
Disclaimer: I do not own either Warrior Cats or Inheritance Cycle, nor any characters in these works.
Chapter 1: A Warrior's Offer
Well, if this wasn't a grand example of fate being a tangled barn of yarn, then he didn't know what was.
The stars shone coldly down on the Burning Plains. Though the plains were, very obviously, hot, the werecat could not help the chill running down his spine. He was perched inconspicuously a short distance away from the tent of Eragon Shadeslayer, though still not close enough to alert a rather dangerous sapphire-colored dragoness.
He had wandered over in boredom after Angela had pranced off to "borrow" some equipment from the insipid Surdan king. At first, he idly listened to the boring woes of the Shadeslayer's cousin- a Roric, Roran? It didn't really matter to him.
Suddenly, he jolted. Hadn't that Roran said that his village was Carvahall? And it had been razed to the ground? That was far more important! Carvahall, after all was nestled within the Spine, quite close to…
He scurried away, intent on finding Grimrr. It seemed that they may not be the only felines drawn into this battle for Alagaesia.
A tangled ball of yarn indeed. Solembum mused, tail lashing in vexation. It seemed that the Rider's fate was knotted with so many beings that it was truly to become a war involving every race…
Three months had passed since that fateful night. Katrina had been successfully rescued and the Varden were ensconced within the walls of Belatona. Eragon Shadeslayer, bane of the Ra'zac and the heir to next generation of Dragon Riders, was busy fretting.
Eragon couldn't help but worry. His cousin was off on a mission from Nasuada and Saphira was still recovering from her near-fatal encounter with the Duathdaert. Why couldn't fate give them a break?! If he could be convinced of the existence an afterlife, he would have promptly resolved to spend it hunting down and torturing the makers of the vile weapons. He glared at the ale he was currently nursing in the castle's keep.
He was yanked from his musing by the sudden appearance of a white werecat at his elbow.
"Shadeslayer" she purred coolly, "Your presence is required in the throne room." Message given, she ignored him and groomed herself.
Barely restraining himself from an eye-roll, he nodded his thanks to her (which was also ignored) and heaved himself up from Saphira's side.
"Tell me what happens!" An ice-blue eye that was half lidded pierced his thoughts and prompted a chuckle. Even recovering, Saphira always had to know the latest events.
With a last stretch, the Rider took the steps, two at a time, up to the throne room. Upon entering the spacious room, he tensed at the silence that permeated the tightly gathered crowd. Deftly weaving his way through the throng, Eragon took his place at Nasuada's side and barely manage to refrain from gaping himself.
For in front of him were what he could only describe as more werecats, eight in total. But they weren't like Grimrr or Solembum at all (both of whom watched from the side, and as alert as he had ever seen them). These felines were somewhere between human and cat, covered with fur and possessing the head of the cat while standing on two legs. They were just as tall as the humans in the room, the tips of their ears reaching well above the crowd. What's more, the newcomers not only had the mystery of "normal", so-to-speak, werecats, they almost seemed regal in their countenance. Sharp eyes scanned the room, missing nothing.
Another difference from their smaller counterparts, they were clad in elaborate suits of armor. A prime example would be their leader, a flame-colored cat who wore plate armor accented by a cape, breast plate and sword sheath all in emerald-green. A paw-like hand gently grasped the pommel of his hand-and-a half broadsword while the other rested at the feline's side.
"I've yet to see werecats like these!" He exclaimed privately to Saphira. He was somewhat startled at the jolt of something- perhaps recognition- run though his partner as she scrutinized the newcomers carefully through their link.
They were interrupted as the lead cat stepped forward.
"My lady," he began (and based on the tenor, this cat had to be male) in a rather gentle voice, "we have come to aid the Varden."
Nasuada studied the strange group, her expression giving nothing away. "While I appreciate the sentiment, I must ask- who are you to offer assistance?"
Eragon tensed as some of the group hissed, particularly a tan cat garbed in chain mail. The leader, meanwhile, ignored the hissing and nodded, seemingly expecting the query.
"We are the Clans." Receiving nothing more than blank stares in response, he sighed. "Our clans have lived for centuries within the mountain range you call the Spine, away from the chaos of the rest of the world."
Eragon tilted his head. He practically grew up in the Spine and, while he could admit to never truly knowing the full secrets of the mountains, he certainly never saw evidence of werecats or any other sort of civilization living there!
"That's ridiculous!" Trianna snorted from Nasuada's other side. The sorceress had raised an eyebrow in scorn. "There have been no recorded sightings of werecats near the Spine!"
The ginger leader almost looked amused. "We are very good at not attracting attention." The rest of his group were also amused, a large gray cat unsuccessfully hiding snickers. "Especially around those who don't know how to pay attention."
He grew serious again. "However, recent events have led to the destruction of our home." Eragon suddenly felt sick as he knew where this was going.
"A recent raid on the village of Carvahall led the foul Ra'zac and Galbatorix's armies into the Spine, burning our forests to the ground and fouling the waters so we can no longer live there." The leader continued. "Though we fought fiercely, many lives were lost, and we were forced to flee. In the past, our might was enough to defeat the kull previously sent to our forest, but due to the actions of the traitor" and here the other cats all hissed or snarled, "they were given the advantage."
Eragon exchanged a perturbed look with Nasuada. As new as these creatures were, everyone knew it was unwise at best to anger a werecat, let alone a group of them.
"We, the four Warrior Clans, come to you with a proposal. Let us fight alongside you to end the Black King's tyranny and in exchange, either help restore our home or help us find elsewhere to settle in peace" The ginger male finished.
As the leader of the Varden tilted her head, Eragon leaned down as Trianna and Jormundur also made their way over.
"I don't believe this little farce." Trianna sniffed. "What if this is just a ploy by the werecats to have more power?"
"What for?" Jormundur whispered back. "They don't seem to want anything to do with a human throne. What's more, we could use the numbers. We lost many men to the siege. Also, I would prefer to have them on our side rather than fighting for the Empire if they were to promise them a new home."
"Trust them."
Eragon closed his mouth, cutting off the sentence he had been about to start at Saphira's quiet interjection.
"Saphira…?" She did not answer the silent request for an explanation.
Rallying, he started again. "I think we should accept their offer. Not only for the numbers, but there is always the possibility that they have stronger magics at their disposal."
Privately, he wondered if they would be able to keep such a promise. Not only was defeating Galbatorix a stretch, but it might also be difficult to find a location for the strange felines in the upheaval that was sure to follow.
He felt Saphira snort. "The upheaval might be the best time to settle them in a new place." Her rider conceded that she had a point.
"As always, little one."
A pleased smile flickered across the rebel leader's face as she gave a brief nod. The impromptu council straightened and Nasuada gave the warriors a firm look.
"We accept."
This is a crossover I have played around with for years. I will try to tie it in with my other fic Blaze of Sapphire. Will this turn into a full work beyond a few chapters...probably not. I just don't have the time now and I do need to finish my other works. But if someone wants to take this idea and turn it into a whole series, then please be my guest! I only ask that you send a note so that I can see the work myself!
Quick note: the armor description was inspired by Firestar's armor as drawn by TurnipStewdios on Deviantart (no they did not draw them at my request, I just found it). You should definitely check their work out!
