Because Perseus doesn't have a memory, he also doesn't have the slightest clue about Alagaesia or her politics. So after they give him a small amount of food (he isn't able to keep down much) Brom settles them all into the saddle and begins the very long story. Eragon rides Saphira though they periodically take breaks and she walks alongside the horses. Perseus takes Eragon's horse, Cadoc.

Perseus is very energetic and quick of tongue. Brom soon gets to work trying to teach him better manners. Eragon and Saphira laugh when it becomes apparent that Perseus is a difficult student.  

The only thing strange that they noticed about him is the faces he makes when the horses get riled up. It's as if he's talking to them mentally, but that's impossible. Horses do not know spoken language and only think in feelings and pictures.

"So what do plan on doing now that you are aware of the situation?" Eragon asks Perseus. He and Saphira are once again on the ground. They voice everything despite the fact that Perseus seems to have quickly adapted to mental communication. It's been one week since they met the beat up black haired boy and already they have become somewhat close to him.

Perseus shrugs. "I was thinking that I'd just continue with you guys. Maybe I could help the Vardin in some way. Hey don't you think my name is a bit too long?"

Brom smiles slightly, already very acquainted with Perseus's distracted nature. "We would be quite all right with you as a companion and I think your name is quite fine."

"But can't we shorten it to something? It's just so stiff and formal," Perseus complains.

"There is nothing wrong with formality," Brom scolds and Perseus sticks his tongue out in a very childish manner. The older man huffs, but says no more.

'If it is too long, should we call you Percy instead?' Saphira says in all of their heads. 

He smirks up at her. "I like it. Percy."

Eragon chuckles and Brom shakes his head. They definitely have their work cut out for them.

- O - O - O - O - O -

 Brom and Eragon sit around the fire later that night. Saphira is curled up behind Eragon and Percy is sound asleep on the other side of the camp site. The older man coaxes the fire using a long, sturdy stick. He seems lost in thought.

'What do you think of Percy?' he asks inside their heads.

'He's a good guy. I trust him,' Eragon replies almost immediately.

Saphira snakes her head forward and purrs quietly. 'I trust him as well. I think that he will be a lively asset for the Vardin.' 

Brom sighs and leans back, leaving the fire to its own devices. 'This is what I wanted to address. I do not think we should bring him with us to the Vardin.'

'Why not?!' Eragon exclaims. He has already become unexplainably close to their newest traveling companion. 

'The Vardin are fighters. He will without a doupt have to fight and will likely end up dead. It would be better if we left him to become a poor farmer in one of the smaller villages where no one will notice him.' Brom replies with a tinge of sadness to his voice.

Saphira snakes her head forward to look directly at the storyteller. 'True but Perseus has no memories. This simpe life of traveling has already proved somewhat difficult for him. Would you just abandon him?'

Brom looks down, guilt just barely visible through his emotionless mask. 'I suppose we can't.'

And with that the conversation ends for the night, leaving the trio in somewhat somber moods. Eragon lays down, contemplating Percy's fate and what the Vardin will hold for all of them.

- O - O - O - O - O -

When Percy awakes Brom and Eragon are still asleep. Finding his muscles cramped as they have proven to be every morning, he decides on a walk to stretch out. After asuring Saphira that he will be careful and won't wonder too far, he starts off into the woods.

He thinks about everything he's learned so far. it's quite overwhelming, but since his head's pretty empty most of the new information has seemed to stick. Lost in thought he quickly fails to keep his promise to the young blue dragon and finds himself rather lost. He spins in a circle, but really he's not even sure if the way he was walking from is the direction of the camp.

He sighs and starts walking, attempting with no success to retrace his steps. After several hours he groans and simply plops down right where he stands. There's no way for him to get into contact wtih his new friends and he's obviously completely unfamiliar with area.

Just then something catches his eyes. He creeps forward slowly, Brom's warnings of soldiers and beast present in his mind. 

There buried within the rotting trunk of a tree is a gleaming white stone. He picks it up and examines it. It's oval shaped and supprising light for it's size, more easily held in two hands rather than one. He raps it lightly with his knuckles. It's hollow too. How strange.

Sighing he sits down again, placing the odd stone in his lap. It's a mystery for another time. RIght now it's best that he either comes up with a plan or waits until Saphira, Brom or Eragon finds him.

- O - O - O - O - O - 

After waiting for so long and even toying with the stone some more, Percy falls asleep. There's nothing else to do really. 

He's awoken some time during the middle of the night by a strange rustling sound. He sits up slowly, his bones creaking, and looks around. His eyes are quickly drawn the mystery stone laying only a couple feet away. It is rocking rapidly from side to side in an almost frantic way. He leans away from is wearily. 

After several long minutes it stops and is still. Then there is a loud cracking noise that echos throughout the woods. Without warning something springs forth from the stone causing Percy to leap nearly fifty feet in the air. (big exaggeration)

He blinks in shock as he stares down at the now stumbling form of a very tiny dragon. It is as white as the stone - no  egg it came from, looking as if it were recently dipped in freshly fallen snow. It finally tumbles to a stop by falling face first into the dirt. From its position on the ground it looks up at Percy and he looks down at it. Neither one seems to know quite what to do. 

Finally Percy tentatively reaches out his right hand to help it up. It can't be that bad. After all Saphira's pretty gentle.

The small dragon stretches out it's neck and its nose tickles his palm. For a second a tingling sensation spreads from the point where its nose touches, but then a firey pain raises through his hand and up his arm. 

He falls forward beside the dragon, curling his hand protectively to his chest. Somehow through the haze of pain he manages to remain conscious. He stares at the little beast through blurry vision and if he didn't know any better he would swear that it is smiling, but not a feral or mocking smile. More of pleased and content smile.

And for whatever reason he smiles back.

- O - O - O - O - O - 

Yay! Second chapter up! Please please please let me know what you think and don't forget to vote and follow.

Also ideas for names would be great. The white dragon is a girl by the way, though Percy won't find out until next chapter. All ideas are appreciated. 

<3