Percy had been busy for weeks, between getting the soldiers ready to be mobile, help plan the defense of Athens should they get attacked, and continue the training of soldiers. There was a nervous energy among the men as they prepared. Percy especially felt self consious and nervous because everyone was looking to him for reassurance that he wasn't sure he could deliver. Percy had only had his new rank of lieutenant for a few weeks and was having a hard time keeping the soldiers contained. When Queen Athena returned, the nervous energy doubled. Percy wasn't surprised when he got the call for a meeting in the war room. He was surprised when he was the only one reporting.

Queen Athena sat with her children on either side of her and General Philiuppieus and General Bracca sitting beside her son, Prince Malcolm. Percy saluted and stood at attention.

"Lieutenant Jackson," Queen Athena addressed him, "time is of the essence. Olympus denied our council and will not aid in the defense of Olympus. Artemis and her hunters have offered aid. How much help they will be is debatable. I am putting you in charge of thirty thousand men. That's two thirds of my army." She emphasized. "Go to Olympus and defend it to the best of your ability. The rest will defend Athens, minus a small group to be my personal guard. I am headed to Orthys, as commanded by Zues, the high king. If what you say is true and Kronos marches from the south and not Orthys, then you will need every man that can be spared. Make no mistake, you are on your own." Percy could hear his heart hammering in his chest. "I strongly suggest building defenses around the city. I will continue to try and convince the others to send additional troops." Athena paused as if giving Percy a chance to process all this. "Do you have any questions?"

Percy took a deep breath. He wanted to ask why him. He wanted to suggest another of higher command to take on such a feat. But in the end, he only said, "No, you majesty."

"Very well, you leave at first light. Prepare your men accordingly." She presented a scroll that he knew to have the names of the men that would serve under him.

He approached the queen and took it from her. He saluted and as he turned to leave, his eye caught hold of Annabeth's. It was just a moment, but he felt better about tackling such a huge task.

The preparation was daunting to say the least, but they had everything ready to move out by nightfall. Percy knew it would be a sleepless night for everyone. He was restless himself. It was late when he went to the arena. He shouldn't have been surprised, but he was, to see Princess Annabeth donning a sword and whacking and stabbing furiously at a dummy pole.

Percy withdrew his own sword. She stilled at the sound and then turned toward him. "I Thought you would be either too busy or too tired to spar tonight." She checked the blade of her sword.

"Couldn't sleep. I thought you would be too tired from your travels." He said nervously.

"Guess no one is getting much sleep." She said.

"What's with the sword?" Percy asked.

She looked at her blade as though analyzing it. "The sword is the standard weapon for a soldier. Just thought I would get familiar with it."

Percy was suddenly concerned. "Annabeth, I don't think . . ."

"I'm coming, whether you like it or not."

"That was when all of Olympus was going to fight. I'm not sure what the odds are now, but they are not looking good." Percy argued.

"Then you could use one more soldier." Annabeth looked back stubbornly.

Percy breathed frustratedly through his nose. "Annabeth, . . ." He started again only to have Annabeth cut him off.

"And don't give me that 'you're a future queen of Olympus' garbage either. There won't be an Olympus if we don't succeed."

Percy sighed dejectedly, "There's no changing your mind, is there?"

Annabeth smiled, "No."

"I know everyone is looking to me to pull off some miracle, but we may not survive this." Percy looked at her worriedly.

Annabeth looked back at him with a serious expression, "Then we will die together." The words hung between them as they stared at each other. Percy could feel his heart constrict and his stomach ache. He saw a blush creep across Annabeth's cheeks. "So are we going to spar?"

Percy felt his senses slowly come back as she raised her sword. Percy took a couple of steps back and raised his sword in response. She attacked first swinging her sword expertly through the air. Percy easily blocked her and felt the adrenaline rush through his body.

"So how are you going to get away?" He asked.

Annabeth smiled coyly, "Wouldn't you like to know." And she attacked with increased force.