Chiron has actually banned me from the infirmary.

Prevented me (by force) from entering, and posted a 24 hour guard to keep me out. This is getting out of hand. Anyone would think I'd committed a felony.

On the positive side, I have had some time to work on my combat training. Annabeth agreed to coach me a bit on sword fighting (Percy isn't a great teacher, despite his skills, and Clarisse is way too scary).

"You okay? Percy told me about last night." She said, gracefully side stepping my clumsy attempt at a feint.

"Not too bad. Considering the size of the python." I managed a passable parry, earning me a nod of approval.

"How is Nico by the way? I haven't seen him." she enquired, pushing me onto the back foot with a fast flurry of sword strokes.

"Not sure." I replied, panting a little, "Chiron won't let me even enter the infirmary. Something about exhausting myself which is stupid, because I'm fine."

"Will, you've been dead on your feet for the last fortnight." Even the way she held her sword conveyed scepticism.

"So has everyone else." I was on the defensive already. With the sword fighting I mean.

"Yes, which you then rightfully lambasted them for and made them get more sleep. It's Hippocratic not hypocritical." She paused in her attack to correct my grip on the hilt of my over-long sword.

Have I mentioned that getting into arguments with the Athena cabin is a definite no-no? Percy manages to win occasionally, but only by distracting her with flirting. It works for him.

"Anyway, about Nico. I'm glad you guys are such good friends."

This was the talk. I'd already had it from every other member of the seven. And Reyna. And Coach Hedge (he had threatened me with a baseball bat, I'd prescribed him something for his blood pressure. Also explained that his baby definitely did not have scarlet fever, smallpox or ovarian cancer (not least because he's a boy)). Basically everyone wanted me to know that if I did not look after Nico, or hurt him in any way… How did Jason put it?

Ah yes, "Tartarus would seem like a day at the seaside."

It's good to have friends isn't it?

Actually no, as it turned out this was a different talk.

"So do you want to be on my team for capture the flag?"

"Pardon?"
"Simple, Hermes has recruited Nico for their team, and I want you to join mine. I have a plan." Of course she does. She smiled far too knowingly for my liking.
"You want the Apollo cabin?" We had yet to form any alliances, but with our reduced numbers we were less of an asset.
"Them too." Worrying.

I thought about it. We were quite popular in capture the flag as snipers and defenders, but if she wanted me personally she had something specific in mind.

"Sorry Annabeth, I already said we'd help Hermes." Not technically true, but I wasn't going to abandon Nico just yet. Also Annabeth's plans weren't always kind to the smaller cogs, in order for the whole to work.

"As you wish." She didn't look too miffed, which I was glad about. When Annabeth holds a grudge, she HOLDS it. Her retribution may not always be swift but it was always perfectly planned out and executed with precision.

We completed the rest of the session in silence, apart from the occasional critique of my footwork or swing. I was deemed "Not too bad, a little slow maybe. Also you telegraph your moves too much." An alright verdict considering Clarisse had said "You show all the natural swordsmanship of a squid that's been dead for at least 3 weeks. Actually, no, I think the squid might win." She goes in for encouragement. I quite like watching newbies leave her training sessions, at least till they end up with me with multiple fractures and PTSD.

Now I just had to get myself recruited by Travis and Connor. Not too hard a task since last I heard they were pretty desperate for recruits.

As I jogged back towards the pavilion I crossed paths with Sir Sulk-a-lot himself. Not looking too bad, although he still needed to eat more. It wasn't as if we were in danger of running out of food. Percy alone managed to go through enough for 2.35 people at each sitting. Skeletal by name and by nature should not be a characteristic of the sole inhabitant of Hades cabin.

"This is your fault you know." I began, falling into step with him.

"What are you talking about?"

"Well you've got me roped into joining the losing team for Capture the Flag." I moaned, watching carefully to judge his reaction.

"I've done no such thing. And your optimism is appreciated." He countered, giving what can only be described as a smirk.

"Well I was told you had thrown yourself onto the barricade, and my honour demanded I join you." I bowed theatrically, earning myself a few stares and one snigger from passing campers. I saw that, Amy of Hebe cabin. You have just volunteered yourself for the next William Tell demonstration down at the archery range. Anyway…
"Your honour?" Nico looked amused, rather than horrified at his choice of companion. Always nice.
"Well I could hardly leave my friends to be slaughtered." I replied, elbowing him slightly in the far too prominent ribs. He really needed to put on some weight. I would spoon feed him every mouthful if I had to.

"I didn't know you were so close to the twins." His face darkened. Was that jealousy? I'm quite flattered.

"I meant you doofus." I rolled my eyes. Low self-esteem is one thing, but Nico is on a whole other level. Yet another thing I have to worry about.

"Charmed I'm sure." He looked quite pleased though. It was hard to tell, since he turned his face away.

"Any ideas for recruiting?" he asked, staring off into the middle distance.

"Well other than trying that song from Les Mis…"
"Musicals? Really?" I was rather hurt by his tone.
"Everyone loves Les Miserables."
"Somehow that one passed me by." He looked a little embarrassed.
"I forgot you missed out on everything from the 40s to the late 2000s. No Elvis, no Beatles, no Pink Floyd, no Rolling Stones, no David Bowie, no Michael Jackson…" I mean I wasn't around for them either, but for me at least they didn't just pop up overnight.

"You related to all of them?"

"A couple. Some mortals manage to have musical talent without divine intervention you know." Apollo himself was suffering from a bout of bad taste at the moment. It went a long way to explaining modern pop music.

We were jumped on from behind by Nico's personal bodyguard (I just asked a few friends to keep an eye on him), at the moment a role filled by Jason Grace.

"Hey guys!" he began, leaping between us with all the grace of a gazelle and the enthusiasm of a puppy, "You got a plan for the games tomorrow?"
"Nope." Replied Nico, completely composed at this enthusiastic interruption, "Fancy joining the ranks?"

"Well we who are about to die salute you and all that. I'll play my part in the last stand if you want." Jason put his arms round our shoulders, pulling us in together.

"So far that's five people then. A couple more if I can persuade some of my siblings to help out." This was going to be fun. Even without the best tactician in camp, they still outnumbered us.

"That boys, is where you are in luck, you see, I have a plan." Jason tapped the side of his nose conspiratorially. "I have a sister who owes me a favour, and said sister has a small personal army."

"You mean the hunters of Artemis?" I was a bit flabbergasted. I mean I liked them as much as the last camper who'd had their ass saved by that pack of girls and their pet wolves, but whenever we went into direct competition, stuff tended to get broken. "You do know it didn't go so well last time they played, right? Piper might not be too pleased either. They have a habit of insulting Aphrodite."
"Piper and Thalia get on great. Besides, you don't even have a mummified oracle anymore. Wait, that's a point… Do you think Rachel would join our team?"

"I'm pretty sure she's supposed to be neutral." I tried to picture Rachel in combat, threatening her opponents with that blue hairbrush of hers. I'd be intimidated, if that was any indication.

Nico hadn't said anything. His sister, Bianca, she had joined the hunt just before she died… That must have been hard for him, he was only a kid when it happened. He'd turned away again, so I couldn't see his expression, but Jason was too enthusiastic about his idea to notice. I was about to raise another objection, but he had already run off to tell the Stolls.

I wondered if the camp would survive this competition intact.