Forword: This story was inspired by The Heir and his Princess

By:

myshipswillbethedeathofme

Which unfortunately was never finished. It left my mind grasping to finish it. This is the end result.

The city of Athens stood gleaming next to the sea. Twelve year old Percy looked upon the city with hope for the first time in weeks. Ten year old Tyson stood next to him with wonder in his one brown eye, a patch covered his empty right eye socket. He never said how it happened and when Percy asked him about it, he would withdraw and physically hide. Needless to say, they just didn't talk about it. They were dirty from head to toe, their clothes were torn and tattered. Tyson had a scrap along his forearm where he slid down a narrow gully. Percy had a bloody knee where he fell on it wrong. Tyson was about the same hieght as Percy and was definately thicker. In comparison, Percy looked like the younger one. Percy was the very definition of scrawny.

"C'mon." Percy urged Tyson to follow him as they headed down the path toward their destination.

'Do you think it's true that there is no bad guys in Athens?" Tyson asked with wonder.

Percy seriously doubted that there was a place without any crime. But looking at the younger boy beside him he settled for, "I guess we'll find out."

"You gonna join their army?" Tyson and Percy had talked often of what they were going to do once they arrived. Percy had sworn an oath that he would learn how to fight. Especially since . . . but he refused to dwell on that.

"If they'll take me." Percy shoved down the lump that started grow. What if they get there and he is unable to take care of Tyson? The kid didn't have to come with him, but he did. And now Percy felt responsible for him. Tyson was a little different from other kids. He didn't really like to play or socialize. He just liked to sit in his own corner and build things. He was pretty good at it, for his age. But Percy knew that the only reason Tyson had join him was because like him, he was an orphan and Percy was the only one who was ever nice to him, besides Percy's . . . . Percy pushed down the lump in his throat again. Then there was the fact that Tyson had saved his life.

They were approaching the gates to the city now. They were two stories tall and gleaming gold. They looked like the sun set into the tall white walls surrounding the city.

"Woah!" Tyson murmured appreciatively.

Percy was impressed as well. But he became more concerned about the soldiers set on either side of the gate watching as people came and went. He hoped that they wouldn't pay them any attention, but knowing his luck, probably not.

"Hey, you two."

Percy almost groaned, instead he plastered a surprised look on his face. Tyson, just looked confused, as always. "Us?"

"You look like you've been on the road for awhile. Where are you traveling from?" The solder sneered.

That was a problem. The last thing Percy wanted to admit was where he was from. A city full of thieves would never be welcomed to a place as nice as this. "We just fell down the gully, can't wait to get cleaned up." Percy lied. Technically it was the truth. They did fall down a gully, just not here.

Thankfully the soldier bought it and waved them on. The street was full of shops and bustling people. Tyson stayed close to Percy as they walked along. Percy knew that they needed to find food, shelter and income. They didn't have any money and Percy wasn't interested in starting his new life by stealing, so he started looking for a way toward the military barracks. After asking a kind older woman who they helped pick up some fallen groceries, they found the soldiers barracks on the east side of the castle.

Percy watched apprehensively as some soldiers milled around. He took a deep breath and told Tyson to wait for him. As walked toward the barracks, a young man with short blond hair noticed his approach.

"Can I help you?" He asked.

Percy noticed now that he was close up that he had a long scar from his temple to his jawline. He built up his courage and said, "I want to join."

The young man raised an eyebrow and smile wide. "A new recruit. There's always room for someone willing to die." Percy stared. "Just kidding. You're a little young. There's not much to you."

"I'll work real hard." Percy started.

The man raised a hand for him to stop talking, which Percy did. "How old are you?"

Percy stood taller. "Twelve."

"Got permission from you parents?" He looked him up and down.

Percy looked down at this. "I don't have any parents."

The young man hesitated then sighed, "Orphan. You're not the first. You got a name?"

"Percy."

"Percy what?"

Percy hesitated. He was not about to say his real last name for a number of reasons. One, he hated his father with every fiber of his being. Two, they'll be looking for him by that name. Three, if he really wanted a new start he needed a new name. He quickly said the first name that came to him, "Jackson. Percy Jackson."

"Well, Percy Jackson, lets get you signed in with the commander." The young man turned to lead him away, but Percy turned to look over his shoulder. There stood Tyson right where Percy left him. "Who's that?" The young man questioned.

Percy realized that the man had noticed him looking. "He's my . . . my brother. I sort of look out for him."

"Two of you. Well he can join too."

"No." The young man arched an eyebrow. "He doesn't . . . um . . . it just wouldn't be good. But he is great with his hands, he could work in a blacksmiths shop or something." Percy looked at him hopefully. He seemed really nice so far, maybe he could push his luck.

The man studied Percy and then shrugged. "We'll see what Chiron has to say. Come on, I don't have all day."

Percy waved Tyson over and together they tried to keep up with the young man. He led them through the barracks and into one of the larger buildings. There were weapons everywhere of all kinds. Past that there was tons of armor. Soon the building opened up into an arena of sorts where fifty men were fighting against each other in an open battle. A man in worn armor was shouting fighting suggestions to them. He has long scraggly brown hair and a full brown beard.

"Chiron, a word please."

"Castellan. Aren't you supposed to be on duty?"

"Ran into some potential recruits. Thought I'd introduce them before heading out."

Chiron nodded. "I'll look into it." Castellan told Chiron all the information he'd gleaned from Percy. Chiron studied them for a moment before dismissing Castellan. "You two go sit up there until we're done, then I will address you."

Percy nodded and guided Tyson to the seats that Chiron had pointed at. Tyson didn't like looking at the fighters and quickly busied himself with scraps that had been lying about. Percy however watched with intense fascination at every move that was made. Chiron looked over at him every once and awhile, but never approached them. After about another hour, Chiron dismissed the troops and once they were all filed out, he turned toward them.

"Why do you want to join the Athenian army?" He asked simply studying Percy.

Percy could feel his emotions building, but he forced them down. "I want to learn how to fight, so I can protect others." Percy couldn't help but glance at Tyson who was busy fixing the bleachers. Chiron followed his gaze.

"Your brother is good with fixing things. Want's to be a blacksmith, eh?" Chiron noted.

"Yeah." Percy shrugged.

"But he doesn't want to fight, I understand."

Percy nodded.

"You're a bit scrawny to be a soilder." Chiron sized him up.

"I'm a hard worker. I'll do whatever you ask. Please give me a chance." Percy begged.

Chiron looked over at Tyson who was examining his work satisfactorily. "Mmmm. Well, far be it from me to turn away potential recruits, orphans at that. I'll give you a two week trial period to prove that you will indeed do your best for us. Then we will see if you will join the Athenian army." Despite Chiron's harsh words he smiled warmly at Percy.

Chiron led him and Tyson past several buildings until they were obviously nearing the forges where smoke billowed and you could hear the hammering of anvils. Chiron stopped at one such forge.

"Master Beckendorf, I have an apprentice for you."

A tall burly man came out. He was covered in soot, but despite this his grin was wide and white. "Chiron! It's been awhile since you've been in this part."

"Yes, I'm afraid I have my hands full." Chiron put his hand on Tyson who looked at the forges with great interest. "These two would like to offer their services to Athens. This one is very good at building and fixing things. I think that he would be a good addition. Feel up to teaching him?"

Beckendorf looked Tyson up and down, "Well, we will give him a try. What previous knowledge does he have?"

Bechendorf and Chiron both looked at Percy. "Uh, none that I know of, but he is always building trinkets and working on stuff. He's a natural, really."

Beckendorf nodded, then addressed Tyson, "You look like you've been through the ringer, How about we get you fixed up and then we'll get started."

Tyson nodded and went to follow Beckendorf, but stopped when he noticed that Percy wasn't following him. "Percy's coming too?" He asked.

Beckendorf and Chiron exchanged a look.

"No big guy."

'Percy goes to learn how to fight?"

"Yeah."

"Why can't we stay together?"

"Hey, we'll see each other around. You'll get to build like you wanted to. And I'll fight like I wanted to. Master Beckendorf seems really nice."

Master Beckendorf picked up a contraption and offered it to Tyson. "Hey Tyson, Do you think you could figure this out for me while we get you patched up?"

Tyson's expression turned to excited curiosity. "I'll see Percy?"

"Whenever, I get the chance."

Tyson then gave Percy a bone crushing hug and took the contraption. Last he saw of Tyson he was trailing behind Beckendorf down the lane, working madly on the contraption.

Chiron guided Percy away from the forges. "You've protected him for a long time now." It wasn't a question. Chiron then cleared his throat and said in a much firmer voice, "Now, if you want to learn how to fight, you have to learn how to be a good soldier. And to be a good soldier, you need to study the best. Let's get you started."

Chiron took Percy to be bathed, get his own set of uniforms, a bed in one of the barracks and by the time all that was done he was assigned to be Luke Castellan's squire. He was told that it was his job to take care of all of Castellan's armor, weapons, clothing, and his barrack in general. The idea was that he would see what a good soldier is and follow his example. When he wasn't fulfilling his duties as Castellan's squire, he was to be trained by Chiron along with others his age on how to fight with the sword.

Percy could hardly wait to get started. It had been a long day and he was to get started with his new duties in the morning. Percy had hope that this new life would be better than his old one. Not that his old life was all bad, but there was nothing left there now. He would not be bullied ever again.