Previously:
I was in shock when they found me later, staring after the now gone specks of the two dragons and one Rider.

"Ariston?" Arya asked in the Ancient Language behind me. "Ariston, answer me."

"They took him," I did not bother with the Ancient Language. I was too shocked. "He's gone. I can't feel him."

The picture is a recreation of the symbol I put in the first book in this series, "Apollo's Hunt" by @ashfur1290. I thought it was beautifully done, thank you for doing it!

The feeling of emptiness was one I've felt before. I should have been used to it, welcomed the feeling with open arms. It's an old friend. I shouldn't be paralyzed with the feeling.

The thing is, I have lived with the opposite feeling for so long, to suddenly be reunited with it...I'm almost as unable to function as I was the first time.

Not good. I need to be on my A-game if I am going to get Blackjack and my mom back. I can focus on how it makes me feel later, right now I need to be there for Thalia, Vindex and myself. I can cry about it when this is all over.

As I was thinking all this, I was slowly coming to in the real world. I guess that after I had said those heart breaking worlds to Arya, I was out of it. Unable to comprehend anything that was going on around me. Somehow, they got me back to camp and in my tent. I had no recollection of any of that. I vaguely remembered a wedding going on though.

My mind fully returned some time in the midday. Whether that was a day later or a week, I neither knew nor cared. All that mattered was that I was aware enough to focus on the mission.

However, I knew we would not be able to do this with just us alone. I would not take that chance. Not with my mother and best friend in the hands of that piece of Minotaur dung. It was time to bring in back up.

I need to use the token dad gave me all those years ago.

Looking down at the ring on my finger, I remembered when my father gave it to me right before the battle with Tartarus and I freed him from the spirit that had taken him over. I almost used it right then and there in my tent until I remembered how he gave me Vindex. A comet shooting from the sky and creating a crater.

It was probably best I did this in an open area. The field next to us was probably a good idea.

On my way there, many people saw me. It must have been a while since they've seen me up and about because there were whispers and awed faces. Word must have gotten around because eventually, Thalia, Vindex, Arya, Roran and Eragon were following me.

None of them knew how to approach me though so they stayed silent.

When I finally had enough space, I stopped and looked up at the sky. "Send me the best you got, Dad," I muttered, not caring who heard. Then I pressed my fist with the ring into my palm and closed my eyes.

I was expecting something like the explosion when Vindex appeared(because he's that dramatic) or something like when Artemis appeared for the Battle at Hogwarts when she and her group just popped up in the distance.

What I got was none of that.

Nope. I did, however get a portal out of nowhere, spiraling into a black void.

"What is that?" Eragon asked, putting his hand on his temporary sword at his waist.

"Reinforcements," was all I said.

"Good luck explaining to Nasuada," Thalia grumbled just as the first of the soldiers marched through.

The soldiers were obviously part of my father's elite. A group of soldiers set aside and trained to help out each of his children should they call for it. I could tell because the symbol on their chest matched my ring and they were dressed in gold and black. Helmets covered their faces and a variety of weapons were displayed on their person. Their armor took on the characteristics of a black bird with gold tipped feathers.

By the time the portal disappeared, there were five of them.

"Only five?" Roran questioned. "Percy, are these all your reinforcements?"

The leader of the new group turned their head in his direction. "We are the Elite Warriors of the Ancient One," she started. "There are five because Lord Ariston only needs five, his power is already great. We were set aside to help Lord Ariston, the others help his siblings should they need it. Anymore questions?"

"Why do you hide your faces?" Arya's hand was at her waist where her sword was.

"I told you we should have gone through with out our helmets!" The shortest exclaimed. "But nooooooo! You wanted to look all impressive! Chaos, Selina, now they don't trust us!"

"Selina?" I asked, not even daring to hope.

She ignored me, however in favor of turning to her accuser as she took off her helmet. "How stupid would we look, going though the portal with our helmets under our arms like some astronaut, slow motion scene?" She demanded. Her back was facing us and her black hair flowing down her back in waves. "You should thank me for saving us from such an embarrassment!"

"She's got a point, Ethan," the tallest spoke, his deep voice hinting at amusement.

"You have to agree with her, you're her boyfriend," Ethan spat sarcastically as he took his helmet off.

"Ethan Nakamura, Selina Beauregard and Charles Beckandorf," I said, cutting their bickering off. "What the actual Hades?"

Now all the helmets came off.

"Bianca di Angelo and Zöe Nightshade," Thalia whispered in awe. "The dead are walking...literally."

"Who are these people?" Eragon asked in confusion, watching as Vindex happily pounced up to Ethan and knocked him over.

"Old friends," I said quietly, still in shock. "My dad is the absolute best, I hope he knows that."

Who knew the reinforcements would be this amazing?

"Don't say that too loud," Zöe warned. "His head is inflated enough as it is."

☀️ ☀️

"If they are going to be a part of the Varden, they need to start off like Roran," Nasuada was saying. "At the very bottom, earning rank as they go."

"I agree, they can't come in, expecting to lead the troops's to victory, not even earning the people's trust," King Orrin said as Nasuada looked like she was trying to refrain from rolling her eyes.

"Fist off, what makes you think we are here to join the Varden?" Ethan demanded. "Second, I've already done that whole 'earning rank' thing, I'm not doing it again." He paused to take a breath. "Thirdly-"

"Shut up, Nakamura," Bianca really did roll her eyes. "No one wants to hear what ever list you came up with."

"We are here as allies to the Varden," Zöe said calmly. "We are our own army-we cannot join yours."

"Yours? Zöe, have you been practicing?" Thalia asked.

"Bianca has been helping," Zöe replied.

"You are the entire army?" King Orrin asked skeptically. "There is only five of you."

"Trust me, if their skill has improved as much as Percy's has over the years, they equate to ten armies," Thalia said with a smug smile at the human king. "We'll be able to win this war much easier with them."

The decision made, I was about to lead Zöe, Bianca, Selina, Beckandorf and Ethan to our campsite but Nasuada cleared her throat.

"If I may, I would like to have a word with you, Eragon as well as Percy," she said solemnly.

"Of course," I said before turning to Thalia. "Lead them to our campsite, there is more than enough room for their tents now that Blackjack is...anyway, I'll keep Vindex with me and we'll meet you there soon."

The five new comers each bowed to me before leaving the tent. We'll need to have a talk about that. I'm pretty sure they all did that to annoy me.

Once everyone left, Eragon spoke, "What is it you need, Lady Nasuada?"

"While we are tramping across the country side, getting farther into the Empire, I have some responsibilities for you, Eragon," Nasuada leaned forward in her seat. "We need the full help fo the dwarves. The elves are fighting for us in the North of Alagaësia, the Surdans have joined us body and mind and even the Urgals have allied themselves with us. But we need the dwarves. We cannot succeed with out them. Especially now that we much contend with soldiers who cannot feel pain."

"Have the dwarves chosen a new king or queen yet?" Eragon questioned.

Nasuada's face adopted a look of pain and annoyance. "Narheim assures me that the process is moving apace, but like the elves, dwarves take a longer view of time than we do. Apace for them might mean months of deliberations."

"Don't they realize the urgency of the situation?" Eragon asked.

"Some do, but many oppose helping us in this war and they seek to delay the proceedings as long as possible," Nasuada sighed. "The dwarves have lived in hiding for so long, they have become suspicious to outsiders. We cannot allow someone hostile to our aims win the throne, we will loose the dwarves. Nor can we allow them to at their normal pace. But"-she raised a finger-"I cannot intervene in their politics; the dwarves do not take kindly to anyone not of their clans meddling in their government. So I want you, Eragon to travel to Tronjheim in my stead and do what you can."

"Me! But-"

"King Hrothgar adopted you into Dûrgrimst Ingeitum. According to their laws and customs, you are a dwarf," Nasuada continued. "You have legal right to participate in the hallmeets of Ingeitum and as Orin is set to become chief and your foster brother and friend of the Varden's, I am sure he'll agree to let you accompany him."

"What about Murtagh and Thorn? When they return, as they surely will, Saphira and I are the only ones who can hold our own against them, albeit with some resistance. If we are not here, no one will be able to stop them from killing you or Arya or Orrin or the rest of the Varden."

"You forget I am here as are my father's warriors," I interjected. "While I may not have Blackjack with me, I can still fight as well as before. So can my father's warriors."

"And most likely, Murtagh and Thorn are on their way back to Urû'baen even as we speak so Galbatorix may interrogate them about the battle and chastise for their failure. Between now and when they are sure they can overwhelm you, I believe you have enough time to travel back and forth between Farthen Dûr."

"You could be wrong," Eragon argued. "Besides, how would you keep Glabatorix from learning about our absence and attacking while we are gone? I doubt you have found all the spies he has seeded among us."

Nasuada tapped her fingers on her chair. "I said I wanted you to go to Farthen Dûr, Eragon. I did not say I wanted Saphira to go as well."

Saphira let her thoughts be known by blowing a puff of smoke that floated up to the top of the tent.

"I'm not about to-"

"Let me finish, Eragon."

Though clearly unhappy about it, Eragon shut his mouth and tightened his fist around the pommel of his sword.

Nasuada explained then that while Saphira is not for her to command, she had hoped that Saphira would stay with the Varden to deceive the Empire on Eragon's whereabouts. She explained that in order for the ruse to work, Blödhgarm(the wolf looking elf) and his companions will stay, since they are part of Eragon's defense. The leader of the Varden suggested that if Murtagh and Thorn reappear while Eragon was away, Arya would take his place on the sapphire dragon.

Then she explained her thoughts on how Eragon would get there. It was fine until she mentioned his escort so he wouldn't be alone on the way.

"A Kull!" He exclaimed. "You would send me among the dwarves with a Kull by my side? I cannot think of any race the dwarves hate more than Urgals. They make bows out of their horns! If I walked into Farthen Dûr with an Urgal, the dwarves would not pay head to anything I had to say."

From that Nasuada told him of the roundabout path he would be taking to meet up with Orik, leaving the Kull.

There was silence after that and I watched Eragon carefully until he said, "And what if I do not agree with the path you have chosen? What if I believe there are other, safer ways to accomplish what you desire?"

"What ways would those be, pray tell?" Nasuada challenged, looking up at the Rider from her seat.

"I would have to think about it but I'm sure they exist."

I rubbed my eyes even as Nasuada countered with, "I have thought about it, Eragon, at great length. Having you act as my emissary is our only hope of influencing succession of dwarves. I was raised among dwarves, remember and I have a better understanding of them than most humans."

"I still believe it is a mistake," Eragon growled. "Send Jörmundur instead, or your other commanders. I won't go, not while-"

"You won't?" Nasuada's voice rising. She gripped her arm rests tightly. "A vassal who disobeys his lord is no better than a warrior who ignores his captain on the field of battle and may be punished similarly. As your liegelord, then, Eragon, I order you to run to Farthen Dûr, whether you want to or not and over see the choosing of the next ruler of the dwarves."

Eragon didn't speak, only breathing furiously through his nose and gripping the pommel of his sword.

Softer, the still guarded Nasuada said, "What will it be, Eragon? Will you do as I ask, or will you dispossess me and lead the Varden yourself? Those are your only options."

Eragon glanced at me and to Nasuada anxiously. He can't be thinking of arguing further. If he does, he must be desperate. She has made up her mind and she does not seem like the kind of person to change it once she's made it up.

"Don't bother reasoning with her, Eragon," I interjected. "She has her mind set and it would take years to change it."

"May I take a moment to think?" He said quietly.

"You may," Nasuada agreed. Once Eragon's back was turned, she sent me a grateful smile which I returned.

After several minutes of conversing with Saphira, Eragon turned back to Nasuada and I. "Very well, I will go."

The dark skinned leader relaxed somewhat. "Thank you, and you, Saphira? Will you stay or go?"

The blue gemmed dragon(I'm kind of upset Eragon got the blue dragon by the way) projected her thoughts, saying, "I will stay, Nightstalker."

Nasuada nodded slightly. "Thank you, Saphira. I am most grateful for your support."

"Has Blödhgarm or Arya agreed to it?" Eragon asked.

"I assumed you would inform them of the details."

"If I might make a suggestion?" Eragon said. He seemed much calmer after his talk with his dragon.