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"So you're Beckendorf, legendary fire master of Camp Half Blood's armory."

Beckendorf's hammer clattered to the stones over his fire. He was a tall, good looking blonde. He was probably older than me by a few years. His muscular and tall arms were thick and sweating from the heat. He had a thin scar over his left ear.

His eyes grew large. "I—uh—yes, hello! You're Thalia!" I rewarded him with a half-smile and moved into his work space. I leaned forward, resting my body weight against his table. The armory was dark and hot. Dust and smoke filled the room, making it black with soot.

I inclined my head and watched him stare me up and down several times. After he was done undressing me in his mind, I moved sideways to check for other people. They all seemed to be at dinner.

Good.

"Look, Beckendorf, I need a small favor." I leaned proactively forward. I purposely had changed into a more form fitting shirt with my shorter pair of shorts.

"Name it. All heroes are welcome here."

There we were with that word again. Hero. That seemed like it was the only thing that mattered to these people. Warriors and heroes.

"I was wondering if you could make me a large set of merchandise."

"Absolutely! What do you need?" His voice rose eagerly. He wiped his tanned forehead with a dirty towel.

"I'm going to need a full set of weapons. A single sword, a set of knives half curves, half not, a Saracen bow—but no arrows and a handful of throwing stars." I watched him through my eyelashes.

He blinked carefully for a moment. "Of course! I'll have them done as soon as possible. Any specifications?"

"Only one. I need all the knives done in obsidian. It's a black stone. I'm sure you have some. For the sword, mix the melted rock with iron. Not copper like the others—iron."

He looked at me for a moment. I waited for a moment. He seemed unsure. "We're not supposed to make swords with mortal killing power, but…"

"Don't worry, Mr. D said it was alright."

Liar Liar, pants on fire.

Make sure he tells no one. You'll need secrecy when Chiron retraces your footsteps.

I nodded subconsciously. The voice was right.

"And Beckendorf, this needs to stay between you and me. Is that all right?"

"Y-yes! Of course. Anything!" I nodded my thanks. And he blushed bright red. "I'll have them done as soon as possible. If it's a secret, how do you want me to deliver them to you?"

I was already half way out the door when I called back, "Don't worry, I'll find you."

Chiron had delivered on the first part of his promise. When I return to my cabin that night, sitting promptly on my bed was a new black book bag, the rope and tarp, with a case of medicine and ambrosia. Sitting on top of the box was a card stock sheet with a list of classes and courses written down.

I couldn't help but laugh at a few of them.

Latin and Greek Studies … 9:30 AM

How to Disarm Your Opponent's Mind … 4:45 PM

Berries A Guide to the Forest… 6:00 PM

Swordsman Advanced … 7:00 PM

These people really had no clue. No clue at all how to survive. I leaned down on the cabin floor and retrieved by stash from underneath the floor boards.

I stored the new things inside and left the backpack next to the door. I next needed a detailed map, one with all new and up to date locations of the Titans and the local half bloods.

That wouldn't be easy to get. I guess I would have to charm it out of some dumb smuck. I shook my head. "Oh Thalia," I told myself, quietly. "Too pretty for your own good. That's why you destroy everything you touch."

There was a sharp knock on the door and I jumped to my feet. "Yes?"

"Uh—hey? It's Percy. Can I come in?"

Well, hello smuck.

"I guess."

He looked so nervous and flustered that he looked sunburnt from the redness in his cheeks. His hair was sticking up like a porcupine in the back and he only made it worse key continuing to mess with it as he spoke.

"Chiron said that you wanted to meet the with oracle and that you and I should meet him in the Big House. We have all the cabin leaders meeting to talk about the war on Olympus and that you can speak with her afterwards..." He trailed off and I watched him for a moment before actually moving.

I could tell he spends a lot of time in the sun. And he's obviously a swimmer. His face was slightly freckled around his nose and there was a certain quality of a lonely school boy in him.

Just by looking at him I could tell he lived somewhere near New York and with only his mother. She had a boyfriend...an ugly one who didn't treat her right. There were no siblings.

"Thalia?"

I set my gaze on him again.

"Yes."

"Well are you coming?" He blinked once and hesitated.

I shook my head. My curls bounced up and down like a slinky. "No. I think I'll arrive when I'm ready. Have a nice meeting..."

He looked at me-shocked. And then his face hardened and I could tell he wasn't going to take it. I smirked. He was about to start something he couldn't finish.

He had no idea just the damage I could do.

"Look-I know you the daughter of Zeus and that you've had a terrible wake up call and everything, but you just can't trample over all the rules like you're the ruler of Olympus!"

He was breathing hard and his fist were clenched.

"Angry, Jackson?" I whispered, seductively.

His eyes grew threatening and wide.

"I'll take you on any time, Pinecone Face!" He yelled, voice radiating across the room like a rocket. I smirked again this time, large. More scary.

"Bring it on, Seaweed Brain."

This was war.