"Maybe he can tell us where they took our things." Dropping into a squat, the herbalist placed two fingers against the youth's jugular vein, feeling his pulse. Then she slapped his cheeks and peeled back his eyelids. The novitiate remained slack and motionless. His lack of response seemed to annoy the herbalist. "One moment," she said, closing her eyes. A slight frown creased her brow. For a while, she was still; then she sprang upward with sudden speed. "What a self-absorbed little wretch! No wonder his parents sent him to join the priests. I'm surprised they put up with him as long as they did." "Does he know anything of use?" asked Eragon. "Only the path to the surface." She pointed toward the door to the left of the altar, the same door through which the priests had entered and departed. "It's amazing that he tried to free you; I suspect it's the first time in his life he's ever done anything of his own accord." "We have to bring him with us." Eragon hated to say it, but duty compelled him. "I promised we would if he helped us." "He tried to kill you!" "I gave my word." Angela sighed and rolled her eyes. To Arya, she said, "I don't suppose you can convince him otherwise?"