Erys: An Eragon Fanfiction - (Under Editing)

Chapter Fifty

Visions of the Past

Erys sat on her cot, staring at her hands. Devastation ravaged her. She'd failed time and time again; this time, she'd managed to get her friend beaten near to death; she'd hardly been allowed to comfort him.  Not long after he'd found respite in sleep, Jorren demanded she leave and forced Eirdain to return to the non-Rider's quarters. 

"But...we passed probation—"

"And breaking rules is meant with a repeal of privilege."

"Then I will go with him," she said.  "Khyiana may stay—"

"You'll stay with your dragon."

Erys pressed her lips together tightly, but could argue no more so returned to her room to sulk in silence.  It wasn't necessarily unwarranted, but their reaction frightened her.  She didn't favour staying longer than she had to; once Eirdain had healed enough, they would leave and make for Aberon.  She'd heal him and be done with it sooner, but she was not permitted to see him as of yet.  Still, it did not good to sulk; she did not have long to dwell on the precariousness of her position.  She endeavoured to continue her daily routine until she found that which would aid her rescue effort.  She wiped away a tear and sat straight as a knock sounded at her door.  Before she could invite them in, the door opened.  Her eyes landed on an empty hallway.

"Hello?"

A sharp meow made her jump.  She lowered her gaze.  Sat back on its haunches was a sleek black cat with glowing green eyes—slanted—giving them an eerie look and sharp fangs protruding from its jaws.  Its tail flicked back and forth across the stone.  Erys slid from her cot and approached the door.  She knelt and extended a hand to pet the creature.  It leapt forward and crashed against her chest with surprising force, knocking Erys back.  She landed on her back and winced.

"I don't recommend that," the cat said.

Erys' eyes bulged as it spoke.  "Y-you—"

The cat kneaded its paws against her skin, a warning.  Erys bit her tongue and stared.

"You," it purred, "are a very special Rider."

"Wait—"

The cat barred its teeth and continued kneading her skin.  "Very special indeed."

"May we close the door please?" Erys asked.

The cat jumped away.  Erys closed the door.  When she turned back she was surprised to find, not a cat perched on the edge of her bed, but a child.  Her appearance was as startling as he sudden materialisation.  She had the look of many children Erys had known—more or less—with the exception of her ever glowing eyes; large furry, pointed ears; and small fangs peeking from underneath her upper lip.  She sat in a crouch, her arms resting on her knees.

"Where...what—"

"Meow," she said with a giggle. 

Erys blinked in surprise.

"Oh, I know you're not dumb."

"N-no...but...what are you...exactly?"  Erys winced at the question, but all sense of manner had left her at the sight of the creature.

"Sometimes I'm a cat.  Sometimes I'm a girl."

"What does that mean exactly?"

"I'm what you might call...a Werecat."

"Werecat," Erys repeated.  "So you can change your form."

She smiled, flashing her teeth.  "You can call me...Shara."