The Tómir wasted no time assisting the Varden in handing out what supplies they had brought. Some of the soldiers were shocked to see what could pass for a child of twelve summers wielding a great sword bigger than the soldiers were tall, but the king and queen would merely nod their assent when one of the children would ask where their regiment was on the battle plans and point it out for them.

Saphira was radiating more excitement than when she first met Glaedr- she followed Gilgamesh and Boudica as if they were her long-lost siblings for the next twenty-four hours, but the great red and black dragon and his mate merely indulged her with knowing looks thrown at each other.

The encampment was abuzz with celebrations despite the impending battle to come in three days' time, but with the arrival of over ten thousand reinforcements and two new Riders to make the grand total three, the hopeless situation and feeling of pressure and loneliness had almost lifted from Eragon's and Saphira's shoulders. The only ones who seemed to not be as enthusiastic, however, were the Elves.

Or, more specifically, Arya.

Ichigo let out a breath as she sat in a chair alongside Ulquiorra inside the commanders tent, their respective dragons sitting behind them outside and keeping an eye on all the proceedings through their Riders.

"We've got men and women in perfect fighting shape, and magic we can give to the Varden," Ichigo said, ticking off the items on her fingers. "The Tómir with familiars that can fly shall use their summons to survey the battlegrounds and help where needed. Non-flyers and non-combat-oriented Familiars and masters can assist in getting wounded from the field while the more combat-oriented are fighting alongside the soldiers we currently have." Glancing up at the black smoke overhead, customary for the Burning Plains, Ulquiorra tapped a finger on the map that was spread out on the table, picking up where the Queen left off. "I suggest we take a group of fifty Tómir, including either myself or Ichigo, and confront the soldiers riding up the Jiet River early in a pre-emptive strike,"

He traced the line of the river a bit before circling on a section not five miles from their current position. They could whittle away at the empire's soldiers before they got to the Burning Plains.

"We can also lure the current three enemy Riders over before the main force gets here-."

"You and Ichigo are the first and oldest free riders in over a Century, leaving you both in line to lead the new Order, if what you say is to be… believed." Arya said with a grudging acceptation in that fact, "The Varden cannot allow you to risk yourselves just so you can go and play heroes-."

A sudden pressure had the elven princess gasping in shock and even fear.

Ichigo's eyes had begun to glow as the unseen force shut up any other comments of accusations.

"I have fought wars against tyrants and madmen that would leave you and your people trembling in fear, Princess," Ichigo said icily. "You don't have to like us, you don't have to agree with us… but when it comes to me and my people, you have no right to judge. When it comes to Gilgamesh and Boudica, you have no power to command them, just like neither Ulquiorra or I can order them against their will."

Black began to bleed into Ichigo's left eye's sclera.

"So sit down, shut up and listen- I have no need to play hero when that is all I have been forced to be since I was fifteen."

Arya fell silent, a cold sweat broken out on her brow and the rest of the gathered forces staring with fear and shock. That pressure was unlike any they had seen before… as if magic itself were forming a menacing wall behind this girl.

'She is no ordinary Tómir,' Arya thought shakily.

"Any more interruptions?" the orange-haired woman asked flatly. She received silence in response. "Good. Ulquiorra, while I think the idea has some merit, we should let them come to us. I doubt that showing all of our cards before we make the play is a smart move." The black-haired Arrancar's eyes flicked downwards, making him give the impression of sheepishness, and Ichigo huffed, patting him on the shoulder. "I'm itching for a fight as well, but we can't act rashly."

"What about sending some Tómir and Dwarves to keep watch over the approaching legions?" Eragon suggested. "You say that you and your people have lived underground since their exile… wouldn't it be best to excavate tunnels and work in tandem with the Dwarves?"

The group exchanged thoughtful looks before Gilgamesh's voice echoed through their heads. «A novel idea, Blue Rider,» the red and black dragon stated. «But how would you propose we follow through? The Dwarves are and always have been prideful of their terrawork. My Titania's people even more so; getting them to work in harmony will be no easy feat. Besides that, tunnels dug without magic take time that we do not have.» Ulquiorra gave a small sigh.

"We'll have to make it work, then." He stated. Green eyes flicked in the direction his Queen's dragon laid. "Remember Gilgamesh, we are very short on both time and supplies with having us spread our resources throughout the Varden."

«Peace, Little Bat,» Boudica hummed, nudging her snowy snout against the tent's wall gently. «We can make it work- just have it seem like friendly competition.»

"No… the Dwarves are too hard-headed… they'll take it too seriously." Ulquiorra said, sitting back in his chair and flicking his tail irritably. Ichigo sighed. "Well, doesn't hurt to hope," she hummed. The congregation continued to bounce ideas off each other, and in the end a plan was grudgingly was agreed upon.

Boudica and Gilgamesh would circle with their Riders high in the smoke of the Burning Plains; the acrid black veil would mask their scents and hide them from the enemy Riders when they undoubtedly joined the fray. They would show, should the battle begin to turn negatively in the Varden's favor, that they had more than just one Rider.

Ulquiorra stood, tail curling upwards in an 'S' shape, as the rest appeared to have concluded the meeting.

"Your majesties," Nasuada began as Ichigo was standing as well. "I would like to ask that you demonstrate your abilities with your blades for the Varden." Ichigo raised an eyebrow at that request.

"Why?" she inquired. Nasuada inclined her head, a knowing gleam in them. "As one leader to another, it would do to show that the abilities of said leaders are not lacking in terms of bladework. You say your people's craft circle the abilities of what you call a 'Blade Dance'… so why not dance for us?"

Ichigo's lips twitched in a knowing smirk. "Oh, I like you," she said lowly. Turning to her King, Ichigo hummed. Arya could see the silent conversation being exchanged between the two powerful Tómir, and Eragon was tense, curious of what the answer to a request would be.

"We accept," Ulquiorra said, his voice cool and collected as usual, even though his eyes seemed to shine with a polite eagerness. "Let us know when you wish this to happen- keep in mind, that unwanted eyes will be observing as well."

With that, the king and queen swept from the tent, and moments later, the sound of dragon flight made the walls of the tent nearly collapse.

"Well…" Orrin grumbled. "They seemed quite sure of their abilities." Arya scoffed, an uncharacteristic show of dislike for the elven next-to-rule. "It was arrogance. Their pride in that vile magic they practice will be their ultimate downfall."

Eragon fingered Za'roc's hilt. "That wasn't arrogance," he said quietly. Saphira turned her attention more to her Rider, as did everyone else in the space. The young man flushed at being the center of attention but pressed on. "They both had an air about them, Her Highness even more so… what she told Arya was, for all she believed to be, true. Couple that with the fact that she had been a Rider for little under four years and is able to give off so much magical presence like that…" the Blue Rider finally looked up at those with him.

"One must wonder what exactly they went through to believe they could handle something of this scale without batting an eye."


The main Tómir camp was sectioned next to the newly integrated Urgal camp, with them being similar in racial segregation due to elven and human influence. The two races got along well, sharing their love for combat and knowledge in warfare.

Grimmjow was ferally grinning at Nar Garzhvog as the Kull bared his own fangs in a grin- Ichigo got the feeling that they were competing about something, but from where she was on Gilgamesh's back, she couldn't tell what it was. Szayelaporro was conversing with an Urgal shaman in the ways of magic and how it was compatible in their floating city-fortress- what it did, how it was directed without the use of the Ancient Language, and the like. Shyla ran about with Urgal woman to help them prepare for their men to go off to battle soon. Ichigo and Ulquiorra returned with a sweep of dragon wings, Gilgamesh and Boudica alighting in an empty area specifically for dragon landing.

"Grimmjow, gather five of our strongest Blade Dancers among the Watchers and your Battalion; Lady Nasuada wishes for a demonstration." The general looked up, blue eyes narrowed, before he nodded, standing from his strange… Male contest with Garzhvog.

The Kull stood himself, raising his neck as a customary greeting of trust, and Ichigo returned the gesture.

"Well met, Shadow Queen." He rumbled. Ichigo hid a smirk at the nickname knowing her attire paid a role in that sudden moniker.

"Well met, Fierce One. We soon go into battle together. May the blood of your enemies stain the ground around you."

The Kull snorted in amusement and turned to leave, leaving Ichigo and Ulquiorra to wait for their fighters to gather.

The young woman groaned lightly, scratching her neck before Ulquiorra huffed and gently grabbed her arm, guiding her to a chair. "Sit." He said. When Ichigo sat in the chair, Ulquiorra took down the braid her hair had been in, making Ichigo sigh in relief as the tight feeling in her scalp loosened.

"If it feels so uncomfortable," the ex-Arrancar began, brushing his fingers through the brilliant pumpkin-colored strands. "Why do you let Shyla put it up like that?" Ichigo gave a noncommittal grunt. "Because she likes to… and it reminds me of Yuzu back home…" Silence fell as Ulquiorra didn't have a reply to that.

"Milady, you summoned us." Ichigo looked up to see Tier Harribel and her Tres Beastas apprentices, a fully adult Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck without the damaged fragment, Grimmjow himself, and a Tómir named Hrunting Ursa. The queen nodded in satisfaction. "Good, you're all here. Lady Nasuada believes that we can raise the morale of the Varden if we demonstrate our skills to them." Grimmjow snorted.

"So the Elves can ridicule us?" the general rumbled. Ichigo tilted her head. "She seemed more intent on not choosing a side," Ulquiorra said. "More, she wants to keep the peace between those she is leading."

"A wise decision," Nel said, crossing her arms. "A house divided cannot stand."

"But who are we going to fight?" Grimm rumbled.

"I think Nasuada will pit us against the Elves, seeing as they are the most physically adept the Varden have to offer aside from Eragon himself." Ichigo said. "However, she may pit Ulquiorra or I against the Blue Rider to see where we stand in terms of power, from one Rider to another."

"That would cause dissonance among the Varden," Tier said flatly. "They have only one Rider, and he is their ray of hope. Should another party show to have their Riders and that they are stronger than theirs, it could sow feelings of paranoia and envy."

Ichigo tilted her head to look up at Ulquiorra.

«What do you think?» she asked mentally.

«She has a good point, but we have already shown ourselves to the Varden anyway. Paranoia and a power struggle are simply unavoidable.»

Ichigo sighed, feeling Shiro shift at his Queen's annoyance.

"In any case, should you all wish, you'll be chosen to fight in a bid to show our power." The queen's mismatched eyes flick to each of her officers to peer into their own gazes intently. "If you want to keep your abilities secret and safe until the battle to come, speak now and I'll understand; we don't know if any in the Varden are spies for the King."

"Are we allowed our Blade Dance release?" Tier asked after a moment. Ichigo thought for a moment before nodding. "If you want to use it, yes."

Her warriors all nodded, bowing their head before leaving to get ready.

"Very well, then."