You're just a girl !!!

Chapter seventeen.

“King Halfpaw, I am touched by your words more deeply than you will ever know but please do not think that you must pledge to me for I myself had pledged with the Varden. I will unite this land again that I promise but if you feel the need to let your loyalty known then do so with the Varden for as a rider I cannot show favour to any one race.” If it was possible for a cat to smile, he did so. “Wise words from one that is so young, I did not mean to test you as so but we needed to be sure that a rider would not seek power as the mad king has done. So all werecats and that of the normal kind pledge our loyalty to you Ajihad leader of the Varden and to whoever may be next to follow in your seat. In return we must ask for this, a pillow will be put next to throne for one of my kind to always have if we choose and a suit of armour for each of us, we need neither silver nor gold. In this will you accept our terms?” “Yes, we will welcome to the Varden. I will have 4 rooms catered to your needs up with Eve.” I bowed my head in honour to have them then pointed to one of the boys lining the wall. “What is your name?” the young boy looked scared but I slowly walked over to him. “It’s ok you’re not in any trouble.” I smiled at him. “My name is Ethan son of Belmar the blacksmith.” “Well Ethan, you see all my friends here? They need milk, lots of milk so if you are willing I would like to pay you for getting them 4 buckets a day of fresh milk and bring it upstairs to their rooms. Could you do that for me?” he lent in close and whispered. “Will they bite me?” he asked nervously, I laughed softly as I hugged him then with his hand in mine I turned to face the werecats. “King Halfpaw, do I have your word that no harm will come to this boy if he does as I have asked?” “This young boy will be the most prized friends of the werecats if he agrees to do this for us.” The young boy started clapping his hands and laughing with complete joy, I had one of the soldiers take to young boy to the milking cows. I then showed our guests up to their rooms, I noticed that a young white werecat took a liking to me a little more than the others. I lent down and asked if I could pick her up. “You may.” She purred at me, I kept walking up the stairs while softly rubbing her back. “This is Sage, my youngest daughter who knows better than to act like a young kitten.” She said nothing but continued to purr. “I must say I am surprised of your numbers, I read that the king set out to kill your kind once you warned the council that he planned to attack them.” “You know your history well young rider, 23 werecats survived the mad kings revenge on us and it has taken 200 years to grow up our numbers again. We are not silly enough to think we can help much to turn the tide of war but we can blend into any village or town we need to get whatever we need.” “One rain drop can help a flood so just image what 100 can do.” I smiled down at him, he seemed to like my answer as he stood a little taller after it. Once we reached the rooms they all set out to find their own spots, I had pillows and small cushions bought up for them. I let them settle in for the night then went back to my own room to find Sage on my bed but in human form. “You seem at ease with my other form, did you know we could change at will?” “My training taught me that you could, yet it still amazes me that you can. Why are you here and not with your father?” she came walking up to me and took my hand. “Like you I am not like the rest of my kind, I see the world differently than they do. I would like to become your familiar if you would allow it.” “Familiar? You mean like Angela and Solomon?” “My brother was a fool to run off like he did but at least he is happy, a familiar is an animal tied to a magical being allowing me to know where you are and your state of health. It would help you speak with all different kinds of animals also, I have lived for hundreds of years and still have many more to go as do you.” “I will agree if your father does, I cannot afford to insult your father now.” She nodded her head and changed form as Godric came in, he noticed her straight away. “Why is there a werecat in here?” “Just having a little talk, she must be going but I have a feeling she will be back soon.” She purred then left us, we spent what little time of the night together lying on the bed talking about a life after this war. In the morning the Varden was alive with talk about the werecats, for once people started to really believe that we could win this war. Godric and I spent most our time helping the train the soldiers. Just like promised a week after our meeting with the kull leaders they sent us 20,000 kull warriors, I waited with Godric and Ajihad at the main gate to greet them. “Thank you for joining us.” I bowed to them, this gesture took them back. “A rider has never shown us respect before, most just try to kill us or ran in fear.” “Well I don’t believe in fearing those who are different from how I am or kill someone for no reason. I know that the past cannot be forgotten easily but I hope we can make a better brighter future. Please come in and let your men rest.”