Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians.
Are the characters demigods? That will be kept a secret…for now… Meh heh heh…
Oh, and YOU READERS ARE AWESOME. You almost made me cry from happiness; thank you all so much for your reviews! They mean a lot to me~
Gosh, I sound like a loner…
By the way, I forgot to mention this in my two previous chapters, but I was a pirate for Halloween, ironically. Ha-ha.
Pirates – Chapter Eight (Tests and Duties)
"Land ahoy!" Ethan called from above.
It was the next morning and everyone was working, and Ethan's duty was to be on the crow's nest to detect any other ships or land with a telescope. Once Ethan made the call however, everyone dashed over to the edge of the boat, including myself to take a look at Olympus.
From the distance we're at, it looked so tiny, but I could see some buildings in white and gold. It easily stood out. I've heard that the location of Olympus can only be found by pirates, merchants, and patrons, so certain privateers and the pirate hunters wouldn't be able to discover the place by accident or on purpose; there was an old pirate's tale that said powerful magic was casted on the city.
"Alright, mates!" Luke called from behind the wheel. He gave a signal to Pollux; he went up and took the wheel as Luke walked in front of us. I didn't really think it was a good idea to let Pollux steer the ship, but…I guess our captain trusts him. "We still haven't officially assigned our duties yet."
"You mean, we have to do other stuff rather than cleaning?" Conner said.
"They're not even more tiring jobs, are they?" Travis added.
"Ethan," Luke ignored the Stolls, "has been in charge with the crow's nest. Everyone's okay with that, right?"
A lot of people cocked their heads to the side. Clarisse just yawned as she watched us, standing beside Chris who was mopping. Percy was nowhere to be seen.
"We're allowed to vote; pirate's law that we have democracy to our duties. Pirates also vote for their captains," I said to clarify things.
"Oooh," a lot of people replied.
"I'm fine with that," Beckendorf says.
"Um, but he's got an eye patch," Travis protested.
"Can he even see properly?" Conner looked up curiously at Ethan.
"Best eye sight, actually," Luke said. "His other eye got popped out during a battle, but he can still see pretty well."
"Ew," Katie wrinkled nose.
"So is everyone on agreement to let Ethan stay on his position?"
Everyone nodded in reply.
"Alright, next we have Clarisse as the gunner. She's in charge of caring for the guns, training pirates to use guns, and commands gun crew during battles. Any protests there?"
Everyone shook their head fearfully when Clarisse glared at us evilly from behind Luke who didn't really take notice.
"Percy has three roles. He's the quartermaster, navigator, and surgeon. We can have two people take one of his places," Luke announced.
Everyone stayed quiet.
I sighed. "The quartermaster is in charge of mediating arguments between pirates, selected members of the boarding party, oversaw captured gold and riches, kept an accounting of and disbursed each man's share of the treasure and any food and drink taken, and took command of any prize the pirates opted to keep for themselves. The surgeon's basically the doctor," I explained for everyone. "You should know what a navigator is."
Luke looked impressed. "Well, why don't you be the navigator, then?" he asked me. "You seem to be a person who's good with directions."
I was a bit startled. "W-well, isn't Percy better with that?" I argued.
Luke gave a slight frown. "Then the quartermaster. Percy was never really good with numbers or writing. He's dyslexic; poor boy."
"I'm dyslexic too," I deadpanned, but I was also surprised to know Percy has the same disorder as I did.
"Oh, well, it's just that you seemed smart enough to take on that job," Luke said frantically. "You're good at math, right?"
I nodded my head. "I can still write too, even though it's a bit challenging for me," I also added.
"Then how about it?" Luke suggested. "You like challenges?"
"Is it alright with Percy?" I wondered aloud.
"Don't worry; it'll be fine. It'll give Percy less work to do," Luke reassured me.
I bit my lip. "I guess…"
"Great! Now, we also need to assign a cook. What about you, Grover?"
Grover squeaked. "M-me?"
"Well, you're missing two legs, unfortunately. You won't be able to do well in battle, but most pirates with disorders work behind the scenes. You'll still get your share if we encounter any treasures."
Grover looked relieved. "I don't need to fight? Alright, I'm in."
"We also need a carpenter," Luke started, but Beckendorf's hand shot up before he could say anymore. "Amazing! You're good with building, no? I heard from Percy that you've even got skills to create weapons."
"Yes, sir," Beckendorf says proudly, his face radiating with light.
"Anyone want to take either a navigator or surgeon? Does everyone agree Percy can handle those?"
A murmur of agreement went through the small crowd. It seems that no one else was good with directions or becoming a surgeon.
"Ah, and last but not least, the entertainers," Luke said.
"They encourage their team and try to demoralize the other when in battle," I added.
"And for our amusement, they can be clowns too. Pollux is one of them. Anyone else want to join them?"
Conner elbowed his brother with a silly grin and they both raised their hands. "Aye! Us!" they chanted.
"Good, good!" Luke beamed. He seemed pretty happy. "Everyone else, Clarisse will take charge of you."
Clarisse walked up to us with her arms crossed as Luke strut back to his quarters. "Alright, I'm gonna have to test your skills with fighting. Who wants to try and fight me first?"
Conner boldly pushed Travis up for the fun of it; already playing their entertainer role every well. Travis's eyes widened and tried to run away, but Clarisse snatched the back of his shirt just in time.
"Don't hold back," Clarisse said before putting him in a choke hold. "Why aren't you struggling!" she demanded, though Travis obviously was. He was trying to gasp for air and his face was turning purple.
"Clarisse, let him go," Katie panicked when she saw his face.
Though giving her a questioning look, Clarisse did as told. "Then how about you and I, one on one? Chris brought out the weapon rack for me," she gestured to the rack that is now beside us. Chris stood next to it, now trying to polish the weapons. "Yours to pick."
Katie was hesitant, but she walked up to pick a weapon of her choice. Katie took a long sword, which I immediately knew was not suited for her. She stood in a fighting stance and waited for Clarisse to make first strike. Knowing her choice of weapons and her weak stance, it was obvious to me that she had no experience in sword fighting whatsoever.
Clarisse just cracked her knuckles and took out a handgun. Now this was obvious to everyone; there was no way Katie has the skills to dodge any bullets. Even Katie herself looked trouble, and that was an understatement.
Nervous, Katie gripped her sword tightly, deciding to make first hit. Her sword was wobbly as she tried to hack at Clarisse violently. Clarisse dodged it roughly. Her envision, I noticed, wasn't her strongest ability. I kept that note in mind.
Katie's eyes widened when Clarisse loaded her gun and quickly aimed, but her shot missed; Travis shoved Clarisse away just when she was about to pull the trigger.
Katie's hands were shaking and her skin was sickly pale as Clarisse scolded (more like screamed at) Travis for ruining everything.
"But that's bravery, isn't it?" Chris suggested before Clarisse could punch the clown's face. "Travis protected Kit. It's not bad of him."
Clarisse frowned. "But here's the thing about pirates, kiddies," she tells us. "On this ship, it's every man for himself."
"And women are our slaves!" Pollux guffawed as he leaned on steering wheel with his cherry red cheeks.
Clarisse's face turned into a bloody shade of red, as did I, Thalia, and Katie. "Excuse me?" Thalia says in a deadly tone of voice.
Clarisse cracked her knuckles. "I think he asked for death, don't you agree, Tailor?"
"Oh yes," Thalia laughed manically. "We'd be happy to fulfill that wish of his."
Everyone backed up from them but Katie and I. We just stared at Pollux in hatred.
Just at that moment, Percy had emerged from below, walking up the stairs with some crackers in his mouth. "What'd I miss?" he asked us.
Katie gave Percy a 'duh' look.
Percy turned to Clarisse and Thalia, then to Pollux. "Oh."
"Oi! Ay! Percy Pants! Bwa ha-ha!" Pollux laughed at the name he gave him. "What're you doing down there, eh? Ha-ha! Making out with your imaginary girlfriend?"
Percy flushed. "I don't have a girlfriend!"
"Oh ho ho!" Pollux snorted. He didn't say anything after that; Pollux fell asleep.
Percy frowned disapprovingly at him. "I'll take the wheel," I heard him mutter. He pushed Pollux and waited until he slid off the wheel so he would be able to hold it without him in the way.
I felt as if Percy poked my heart with a pin; he didn't even acknowledge me. But if he wanted to play it that way, then fine. I'll play along with it too.
"Alright, Kitty, you're out. You suck with swords. Once we reach Olympus, we'll all have training; especially sword for you, Kit," Clarisse says. "Next opponent."
"Um, Clarisse? Why don't you try sword this time? We don't want to fatally injure our recruits here with bullets," Chris said. "Percy can heal cuts better."
"Fine," I hear her grumble. Clarisse put away her gun and unsheathed her sharp metal sword she had been polishing the other day. "Chase, you're up."
I froze. I was hoping to be last so I would know her skills with swords as I observe; I might be able to detect any flaws to beat her. I looked up to see Percy staring at me worriedly. At least, I think he was worried. Percy turned away hastily when I faced his direction.
I bit my lip, but walked up to pick a weapon. Chris, I noticed, was glaring at me with regret; most likely regret for suggesting to Clarisse for not using a gun. He still probably thinks I 'like' Clarisse, and wants me dead.
Staring at Chris warily, I searched through the weapons. Hammers, axes (which Katie might've chosen, but didn't; by the way, Pollux was able to take his axe back from her by threatening with not-so-pretty stuff), especially swords.
Frowning, I turned to Clarisse. "Are we allowed to use our own weapons?"
Clarisse shrugged. "If you got one, which I doubt it."
I took out the dagger from my boot, and I felt Percy glaring at me from behind. A dagger was for close-combat, and I have to figure out a way to disarm her. Clarisse went to her fighting stance as I continued to stand as straight as a statue. Clarisse was holding the sword up high, so she'd be swinging it downwards.
"Hm…" I hummed.
If I hit the side of my sword to hers, I'd be able to push it sideways and twist the sword out of her hands. She's not great with dodging attacks, but most likely blocking.
Clarisse growled. "You just going to stand there, punk? Fight!"
I simply twirled my dagger in a carefree manner. "I let you take first strike," I offered.
"Just because she's a girl doesn't mean you have to act like a gentleman," Chris spat at me. "You're a pirate."
"And don't you forget that," Clarisse says as she charged towards me with a war cry.
As swift as a feather, I dodged two of Clarisse's sideway swings easily and quietly smiled, registering her fighting style in my mind. It's going to be useful in this little battle.
Turning to Chris, I tilted my hat at him in a respectful manner, and mocked him. "I'm sorry; I've been raised to be very etiquette. Personally, I think you need to control that utter temper of yours. Please don't take that offensively." Hiding a smile at Chris's pissed reaction; I continued to avoid Clarisse's vicious attacks. In fact, I may have imagined it, but I heard Percy chuckle in the surrounded laughter going around.
I silently snickered after a while, enjoying myself; Clarisse's moves were too easy to predict. Her style was all put in strength and make critical blows. However, she was slow, but I was much too fast. Using that as my leverage, I had a much higher chance of winning.
Getting bored after a short while, I've decided it was time to knock her sword away. As I planned, Clarisse was getting tired from using too much energy; I now completely have the upper hand. She gave one more swing; instead of dodging, I've blocked it with my dagger. Clarisse looked surprised with my change of tactics.
With our blades side to side, I pushed the sword with my dagger to the left, quickly twisting it out of her hands. It was a complete success. Clarisse was breathing heavily from running around, trying to catch me before. She looked annoyed to be beat by an amateur.
"And this is your first sword fight?" Clarisse wondered.
"Second, actually," I replied.
"Not bad, punk. You've got skills and strategy. You'd make a good pirate," Clarisse said to me, still trying to catch her breath.
Smirking, I made a short bow, and looked at Chris through the corner of my eyes. He was absolutely aggravated; it was satisfying.
I made my way back to the group where Thalia and Katie patted me on the back with encouraging words. I tried to listen, but I couldn't help look up to check Percy's expression. He looked proud, beaming down at me; I couldn't help but feel a flutter of happiness thump in my chest. I smiled back shyly at him, even though I know that there shouldn't be a reason to be so timid with him.
I quickly wiped the smile off my face and peeked over at the rest of the people. Thalia, Katie, and Clarisse didn't notice. Neither did Nico. Beckendorf was too busy talking with Grover; the Stolls were trying to hide behind each other so that Clarisse wouldn't drag one of them into a fight.
Chris however, was looking at me oddly. I quickly turned away so that I wasn't facing him. Crap. He knows now, doesn't he? I sighed. And just when I found my source of entertainment, but I guess there are other ways to keep myself amused. I crossed my fingers, hoping he would keep his suspicions to himself.
Luke walked out of the captain quarters to check how everything was going.
"Annabeth beat Clarisse," Katie notified him in a whisper, just as Clarisse started the fighting test with Conner. Luke's face lit up and grinned at me. I felt my face heat up and I looked down at my feet in embarrassment.
Thalia who stood next to me elbowed my stomach. She jerked her head up at a certain direction. My eyes followed where she was pointing, and I saw Percy with a solemn expression on his face, looking down at Luke.
I never exactly talked to Percy since yesterday, but I've decided I should. Taking one quick glance at Conner failing miserably at his test, I took a deep breath and found myself walking up to Percy. I stopped abruptly though, to take a glimpse of Luke. He gave me a warning look. Like a kid, I took one more step forward, and looked back again at Luke. He gave me a disapproving expression.
Finding this fun, I kept it up, taking one step at a time, looking back to check Luke's funny faces. When I found out I was getting closer to Percy, I looked over at him, and realized he had been staring the entire time. My face burned like lava.
"H-hey…" I stuttered.
So as you may have guessed, I didn't edit :)
(Like I ever do...)
Anyways, I've decided to post this up early because you all gave me awesome reviews :')
Aaaaannd, I'll probably update again this weekend too~ Hopefully I won't get much homework.
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