They came at dawn.
From Shorai's back, I saw the black tide first: Galbatorix's army spilling across the plains like spilled ink, banners snapping crimson and gold, Urgals roaring, soldiers glinting in endless rows. The sight punched the air from my lungs. Below, the Varden camp erupted into frantic motion: horns blaring, children herded to safety, weapons clattering from racks.
We took to the skies every day for a week. Scouting, Nasuada had asked us. I laughed at her worry, knowing Percy and I could easily decimate the opposing troops, but I knew that the people fighting needed to think they actually had a meaningful effect on the outcome.
Percy and Furnöst soared on our left, Shorai's gray wings cutting the wind on my right. Up here, the world felt impossibly peaceful: sky endless blue, wind singing past us, dragons laughing in our minds. Percy whooped as Furnöst barrel-rolled just to show off. Race you to the river! he sent. Shorai answered with a burst of speed that left my stomach behind.
For once, I thought, leaning into the wind and looking at the small army, an easy quest that lets us relax.
Those moments were golden. All four of us—two humans, two dragons—talking strategy, teasing, and having a great time. Percy's laughter echoed across the clouds, Furnöst bragging he could eat an entire Urgal battalion, Shorai rolling her eyes so hard I felt it through the bond.
Down below, there was some commotion, and it appeared Galbatorix had sent a messenger.
A lone rider on a black horse, banner of parley raised. Using his magically amplified voice, he said we had one day to surrender, or in 2 days they would unleash their "great and superior forces" upon us. We circled overhead, watching. The man also delivered a scroll sealed in blood-red wax. I didn't need to read it to know the contents: more of the surrender or die, the Empire is merciful, blah blah.
That night, the camp became steel and fire. Smiths hammered nonstop, fletchers never slept, and the little spellcasters ran about like headless chickens. Percy and I helped reinforce the eastern trench, Furnöst and Shorai hauling boulders like toys. When the moons rose, the horizon glowed with enemy campfires—thousands of them. We retired for the night, surprised to find Eragon waiting outside our tent.
"What can we do for you, Eragon?" I asked casually, sweeping the tent open, a silent invitation. He accepted, and we sat down, Percy making coffee.
"I don't know what to do, with so many people looking up to me, and who knows what will happen, I'm supposed to protect the majority of the people and..." he trailed off, sounding hopeless, exhausted, and worried.
"It's fine, Eragon, all you need to do is trust that your heart will lead you on the correct path," I replied calmly.
"That sounded really professional, Annabeth!" Percy complimented sarcastically, setting the mugs on the table. "Let me guess, got it out of a book?"
"No I did not Seaweedbrain!" I responded, slightly indignantly, "And I'm sure you got that insult from someone else. Nico? Thalia?"
"How do you know!?" Percy cried and leaned over to Eragon. "I swear, if I didn't know better, I would be positive she's a mind reader." We all laughed at the irony of that statement and continued talking. Soon, Eragon left, and we retired to bed.
"You know, I always seem to forget that we're married, but then I see one of our rings and then I'm just so...happy." Percy blurted out as we lay in bed. I smiled, touched by his affection and kind thoughts.
"I am too, but maybe you forget because it seems so natural, I mean, how long have we known each other for? 6, maybe 7 years?"(A/N: THAT WAS NOT INTENTIONAL, I AM SORRY FOR ANY POSSIBLE TRAUMA I HAVE CAUSED. LOL)
"Wow," he replied softly, pulling me closer. "And I knew you loved me from the start."
I snorted at that, and he laughed too before sleep pulled us down into its depths.
I found Percy on one of the guard posts, staring across the plain. I snuck up behind him and gave him a kiss, one of his hands wrapping around my waist.
"It's so peaceful this time of day," he commented, "Like at camp when the Stolls are asleep, and Thalia is away." I laughed at that and followed where Percy was looking, towards a forest in the middle of the two armies on the left. However, the peaceful view was interrupted by the sound of a horse galloping, unheard and unseen by most of the humans but easily heard by Percy and my enhanced senses.
Another messenger arrived, announcing, "Since you have not accepted our Lord's generous offer, he offers those who follow his path amnesty from your crimes. We attack any treasonous people tomorrow; none will be spared." With that amazing speech, he wheeled his horse around and headed back to his camp.
The two days blurred past in a storm of preparations, and suddenly it was the night before the battle. Percy and I strode into Nasuada's command tent, the air thick with maps, candle smoke, and the tense murmurs of generals. Urgals growled in corners, humans argued over supply lines, and a few Nightstalkers eyed us like fresh meat. Nasuada sat at the head, dark eyes sharp.
Their plan was spread across the table: hold the trenches, archers on the ridges, cavalry flank. Solid, but riddled with holes and flaws. I leaned over the map, tracing lines with my finger.
"You're spreading the center too thin," I said, voice calm but firm. "Galbatorix will punch through with his forces and collapse your lines in hours. Pull the reserves here—" I tapped the eastern ridge—" and feint a weakness on the west. When they commit, slam the door with catapults and spellcasters."
A grizzled general scoffed. "And who made you commander, girl?"
"I did, because you are all too incompetent to make an actually decent plan," I responded
Nasuada raised a hand, silencing him as he tried to protest. Her gaze locked on mine—calculating. "Explain."
I did. Flanks vulnerable to any of the spellcasters, supply lines exposed, no contingency for more than some weak spellcasters.
"What about if they attack from the river?" one of the generals asked, looking surprised at how well my plan was.
"I'll take care of it," Percy said, "Should be no problem."
"You?" Nasuada asked skeptically.
"Yep," he said, popping the p. "It's not like you guys have any extra forces to watch over it, so I'll just keep an eye on it, but I don't think they'll attack by sea and ship." Nasuada, seeing that I was right, agreed to my role, and we continued talking about the plan.
After twenty minutes of back-and-forth, Nasuada nodded. "Annabeth Chase commands the defense. Obey her as you would me."
The scoffing general opened his mouth—then closed it when Percy's sea-green eyes flicked his way. Smart man.
We left the tent, Percy grinning. "How does it feel to take control of an army again, Wise Girl?"
"Not that big of a deal, actually. I know the plan will work, and we'll handle whatever difficulties arise," I replied, smiling back.
Outside, Percy paused by a group of guards practicing sword forms. "Hey, try this," he said, uncapping Riptide in a flash. Bronze gleamed as he demonstrated a disarm—fluid, effortless. The guards gaped, then copied eagerly. Percy's laughter rang out, easy and warm. I motioned to him, and with a slightly crestfallen look, he headed back to where I was standing as we continued walking through the camp.
I caught up with Angela near the herb tents. The herbalist's wild curls bounced as she mixed something foul-smelling.
"Poison," I suggested quietly. "Slip it into their water barrels tonight. You'll probably neutralize or put more than half of the army in a worse condition."
Her eyes gleamed like a kid with a new toy. "Oh, I knew there was a reason I liked you, demigod." She vanished into the shadows, already plotting devious delights.
Night fell heavily. Percy and I slipped into our tent with Shorai and Furnöst curled outside like living walls. The air smelled of pine smoke and steel.
Percy pulled me close, rings clicking. "Tomorrow's gonna be a bit traumatizing for them."
"Yeah," I whispered, resting my head on his chest. "But we've got this."
He kissed my forehead. "Always, Wise Girl."
Sleep came slowly, but when it did, it was deep—no nightmares, something I truly appreciated about this world, just the steady beat of our hearts and the distant rumble of our dragons outside.
Tomorrow, a war would break out.
Tonight, peace ruled the moon, land, and stars.
A/N: So school has started, and I love every second so much... Yeah, that is definitely not happening, but just about 5 months of school, so... should be easy, right?