MISSION MASTER

Hazel and Annabeth shared more by the river. The little peace was nice and even better than making up false realities inside her head.

Not only did Annabeth learn more about Hazel, but she learned a little bit more about each of the assassins. Hazel was being cautious because Annabeth still wasn't that trusted. Although, she seemed to get more comfortable as time went by, speaking more of herself. Annabeth learned from Hazel that Percy, Jason, and Malcolm were the oldest members of the Fifth Legion. She then explained how she was the youngest, Reyna, Dakota, and Gwen coming in before her. Still wary of Annabeth, Hazel still didn't give too much information.

"God, you do have shitty pasts." Annabeth chuckled humorously.

Hazel shrugged, leafing her fingers through the grass. Meanwhile, Annabeth's fingers fiddled with her cloak. She was in shock. She wasn't surprised that Percy hadn't been lying, but she was shocked to know how bad they were. Dakota's mother had gotten killed, which even without context was upsetting. Reyna and Gwen had also been maids like Hazel, but they had been from Rhodes. Percy and Malcolm were both from Athens, which seemed like hell in itself.

"Where's Jason from?"

The princess was genuinely curious. What story did Jason make up to please the assassins? What lies was he sharing with people he considered friends? Cleary by the way he acted to trick the guards, knew of his royal status. Did the others know? If he was able to get the guards to treat him like the royalty he was, were they able to figure that fact out?

Annabeth watched as Hazel sighed deeply. Her chin rested on her fist, and she propped her elbow on one of her legs. She stared at the water, her eyes glittering in the setting sun. "I'm not so sure anymore,"

She knew why. Annabeth hadn't known Hazel for more than a day and she already trusted her judgment. She didn't think Hazel would hurt Jason or rat him out, but she would keep her newfound information to herself. Hazel wasn't one to start drama. Annabeth knew that just from being around her this evening.

"Don't doubt him," Annabeth said, staring at her friend.

The word sent a shock down Annabeth's spine. Friend. Her mission wasn't to make friends, especially within twenty-four hours. Although, it wasn't hard. Despite how Annabeth had already made Percy dislike her, Hazel was amazing. She knew boundaries and was super sweet. From what she had seen before, Annabeth didn't doubt that she had a powerful side to her.

She wasn't trying to become mutual with them, but she didn't want them to hate her either. So far, the group was so much more different than what Annabeth had expected. She had predicted that they'd be brutal, and competitors like no one she had ever seen before. Instead, they weren't any different than her.

Even though she had just met them, she thought she could trust them. Well, more specifically, Hazel. Hazel seemed very easygoing. If she couldn't trust Hazel, she couldn't trust any of them. Annabeth could think of so many different words to describe the girl, but the moral of the story was that Annabeth knew that she was good.

If Annabeth could have faith in all of them, then they were telling the truth. They hated the royals. They were stealing from them just to spite them. They took the money and gave it to their boss, who then gave it to the peasants. She was still skeptical of their boss, but she let it slide. She trusted Hazel. Therefore, she had some trust in them.

Still, Annabeth had her duty. She needed to protect her people, friends, and family. The assassins have seen the right way under their intentions, but they weren't executing it in the right way. They weren't royals, which made it tough to get their ideas through, but still. Doing the wrong thing was never the way to go. They were doing the wrong thing for what they thought was the right cause.

That's what Annabeth thrived on. She wanted to, and did, do the things that she thought her kingdom would benefit from. It was wrong in the sense of law to give the peasants the royal's things. Although, morally, Annabeth didn't see anything wrong with it.

Hazel sighed. She ran a hand through her thick hair. She glanced at herself in the water, and the princess followed her gaze. Through her ruffled reflection, she saw fish swimming past the stream's current.

"Something happened back in Athens..."

"What?" Annabeth was truly curious.

"He comes up with plans that are nearly impossible! He shouldn't be able to get the attention of a group of guards as a peasant! Let alone surround him like royalty!"

Jason was going to break his cover if he wasn't careful. None of the assassins knew of his status. If he had been attempting to keep that a secret, he was failing. Maybe he was trying to get the assassins to figure it out? Maybe he was trying to show them that one royal was on their side? Soon, Jason was going to be fully exposed. Instead of protecting him, guards not only from Meteora but all over Greece would come after him.

Was Jason on anyone's side? If he had been such a brat to her in Athens, then why was he trying to get his friends caught. Eventually, people would begin to come after him. Maybe he figured since he killed all of the guards before he disappeared, he would be safe? Who did he think Annabeth was?

That was something she wasn't sure of, and that unsettled her stomach. Another feeling settled into her stomach at the same time. It was the sense that Hazel was still going to trust Jason, despite her suspicions against him. Now, that was the friendship like no other. It was something like Silena and Will shared with her. She would back them up and Hazel would do the same for Jason. Even being with the assassins for a few hours, Annabeth realized they were no different than her.

She felt bile rise in her mouth at the thought of hurting these people, possibly sending them to their deaths. Not only did she think that they were right in their motives, but they were all so similar. Were they executing their beliefs the right way? No. Were they putting their trust of thousands of coins with someone they hardly know? Yes. That was something the princess couldn't relate to.

The last factor made her know what she had to do. She was just sympathizing with the assassins. All from the vague descriptions of their pasts, to their trust, determination, and love for each other, Annabeth only felt bad for them. She had a job to do, and relating to the opposing side was not the way to go. She was letting her feelings creep up on her. Now was not the time for her heart to speak over her head.

Annabeth had to find the person that received the money from the assassins. She didn't have time to get homey with the rebels. She had a mission to complete. She had to complete it for the royals, her family, and her kingdom. She couldn't put them in the danger they had been in weeks ago. The princess had a duty now. Marrying a man to further save her people, to take out the rebels was her duty.

After all, she managed.

Arriving back at the tent, Annabeth found herself saying. "I have a plan,"

Setting her properties straight was something she should have done from the beginning. Still, she would treat the rebels with respect, but she would be more firm. She wouldn't have petty fights with them and will do anything to get information. Even now, she had already given her plan to Hazel on the way back. It clicked as soon as she realized.

The looks she received were disbelieving. Including right after the disagreement they all had. The assassins glanced at Hazel as Annabeth stood in front of them near the crate. The girl in question just shrugged, joining the other assassins that crowded around the log.

The princess stared at each of them, taking in their questioning looks. She stood in front of them, motioning with her hands and fingers as she talked. "Our next mission. It's a way we could easily get more money!"

"I thought you didn't trust us?" Jason pestered, leaving Annabeth to glare at the boy a few meters in front of her.

"It's not that I don't trust you. I don't trust your boss. Although, if you are right about him, the money is heading to the right cause, then I will assist."

With no further responses, she continued.

She knew her plan was foolproof. There was no way they'd notice the trap she put them into. They couldn't, no wouldn't, notice. They were smart, but so was she. She wouldn't let them realize anything about her plan. She wouldn't give them any hints. To prove her point, she would avoid fighting with them. She would do her best to agree with them, or give an alternative they'd like. She needs to keep the peace. Then, they'd have reason to question her.

Annabeth wouldn't be suspicious. She got away with sneaking out of the castle for nearly two years. She bribed guards just weeks ago to get Luke out of the cells. It must've been a royal thing. William had been doing a magnificent job at keeping under the radar. Royalty must have a natural ability to seem believable. That or they were just super manipulative.

Anyway, she concluded to go with something simple. Alert the royals on their mission. Tell them which kingdom they were going to next and have them be ready. The rebels would get locked up in that kingdom. She would have completed her mission then and there. She protected her people and kept everyone safe. Annabeth fulfilled one of her many duties.

Something nipped at the back of her mind. She knew the assassins were great people. She knew they had the right intentions. They saw the wrong in the world and worked to fix it. Maybe in another life, Annabeth would've done the same; steal from the people with an overflowing amount of love and money, giving it to the ones who need it, passing it on to the innocent who deserves much more respect than they get.

The princess cleared her throat. "Apollo won't expect another attack so soon. His guard will be down. It's our chance to strike!"

"Wouldn't their guard be up? I think they'll be less paranoid when we don't come back for a while," The blonde prince argued.

At times like these, Annabeth wanted to strangle him. He was being stubborn, which was a trait he inherited from his father, no doubt. She didn't understand why he was so frustrating. Even if he was stubborn, it didn't mean he had to believe the same as her! Every time she gives an idea, he retaliates with something else. There was no way they were that different.

"Have you come back to the same kingdom so soon after an ambush?"

"No," His eyes peered at hers. "But what do you know about strategy?"

"Plenty. I've lived off the grid for a long while now."

"What does that have to do with strategy?"

"I had to plan when to hunt. I had to plan out how much food to eat, how much water to drink when to bathe, and more."

"That's planning,"

She huffed and threw her arms in the air. "They're the same!"

In a brief silence, Annabeth breathed deeply. She was not going to cause fights. She was not going to cause drama. She was not going to be a problem. She repeated the phrases like a mantra inside her head. Closing her eyes and huffing once more, she opened them to find Jason with a subtle smirk on his face. Really? Did he find joy in annoying her?

"Like I had been saying, it's unheard of to travel to the same kingdom so close together. So why don't we change that?"

"Are you sure this trip is worth all the money?" Reyna's firm voice popped the question.

"I'm sure it will. On the way to Meteora, there is a large village. It's self-governed. We could make a large profit from them."

That much was true. There wasn't a bone in Annabeth's body that wanted to steal from a village. They had been living in peace with all the kingdoms. They were thriving on their own, a great example of how things should be. No princes, princesses, dukes, or suitors. No people with lots more money than others. Annabeth did not want to steal from a village out of the dust. Although, it was the only way to convince the assassins the trip North would be worthwhile.

When Annabeth gets the job finished, she'll be sure to gift lots of money back to (insert Boreas kingdom)

"What's the need to go all the way up North?" Jason asked, earning a slap on the arm from Reyna. Despite the warning, he continued. "Why should we listen to you anyway? Who deemed you in charge?"

"No one did. I just believe that this is a better way to get money. Think about it, if not for Delphi, Meteora would be the richest kingdom! That's an unsuspecting village and the two richest kingdoms! I may not be your leader, but I think my head is screwed on right."

The whole team blinked at Percy. His head tilted a bit as he gazed her up and down. His eyebrows lifted high on his head. The attention didn't seem to bother him, as if he was used to the position. Back at the cabin, he radiated the energy of a leader. Annabeth knew the team followed just from the way Percy carried himself.

They look at him for answers. No matter how stubborn or strong or independent each of them is, they recognize their leader. It was something Annabeth knew firsthand. As a princess, it was way too easy to get attention. Whether it was wanted or unwanted, she got it. Annabeth knew how to pinpoint a good leader. She knew Percy was one of the best she's seen.

"I don't see why we can't trust her. Bethanny's reasons add up."

Heads snapped to the middle of the log. Percy sat scrunched over, his hands clasped together. His bright eyes stared at Annabeth, and she could feel the sea digging into her soul. His forearms balanced his weight on his spread legs. He seemed unfazed by his agape followers, as he smirked and winked at the princess.

"Really, Perce?" Jason elbowed his leader, raising his eyebrow.

At this, Percy's gaze drifted off Annabeth and to Jason. They appeared to be having a silent conversation, something she recognized all too well. She had them with Silena at meetings all the time. At random times, Percy's fingers would twitch, and his lips would form into a frown. Jason, on the other hand, would squeeze Reyna's hand that rested on his thigh. His eyes would narrow at Percy's.

She studied the other assassins as well. She noticed how they glanced at each other or poked fun. Gwen would swat away Dakota's fingers, while Hazel twirled a loose piece of her hair around her finger. Malcolm and Reyna watched the exchange like a chess match, their heads bobbing back and forth as if they understood the silence.

And maybe they did. Annabeth noted long ago that they had to have been together a long time. They were possibly able to read each other that well. She knew that Silena and her definitely could.

"Is there something you can't tell me?" She broke the tense stillness, having all the attention flicker to her. "I thought we were all a team here?"

The Princess of Athens wasn't expecting the subtle glare in Percy's eyes. Gone was his carefree smirk, but now a cocky grin rested on his lips. Setting back into his previous position, the leader of the Fifth Legion answered. "You're new here. You don't need to know everything here, sweetheart."

Annabeth clenched her jaw. She didn't know what changed in the past minute but something did. Percy was calling her by her name seconds ago. Now, he was back to the pet calls. First, he deemed her a sweetheart. Then, he called her by her name. Now, he's back to the first. What went through the boy's mind?

His whole demeanor had changed right after the intense staring contest with Jason. It led her back to her previous question. Why did Jason hate her so much? Did he know something? Did he not like new members? Did he not like her strategic tactics? What was with his attitude? Something about all of the unanswered questions made a pit in her stomach twist and turn.

That wasn't what she was there for. She was there to find out more about the motives of the assassins, not why one despised her so much. She had a mission to do, and she was determined to finish it. She wasn't about to let the pest known as Jason Grace get in the way. If she learned her lesson now, she might as well stay away. She will accomplish her mission that way.

With three main goals in mind, she continued.

"I understand. Although will you all still follow through with my plan?" She shall fulfill her duty.

"Yes,"

Annabeth found the eyes of Reyna. She had answered right away, ignoring the wide eyes of the rest of the crew. What was with them? They all seemed to be on her side before Jason decided to be an ass. Had he enchanted them all with a simple staring contest?

"Are you sure?" Jason pushed. She shall watch out for the ex prince.

Reyna's dark brown orbs never strayed from the blonde's. "Yes."

"Good." Annabeth stepped in front of the log. She stood only a foot away from them, taking her piercing view onto the faces of each assassin. "The journey will be rough, trust me. But we will be rewarded with victory!"

The commander slowly stood, cocking his thick eyebrow. His arms crossed, and he looked down at Annabeth. She only came up to his chin, causing her to look up. Their eyes met, and something as strong as electrocution shocked her. It was almost as bad as when they shook hands.

"Who made you leader? I thought that position belonged to me?"

Annabeth smirked. "No one. But do you, Mr. Leader, detect a flaw in my plan?"

"Absolutely everything."

"Mmm…. I don't think so. And I'm not the only one who thinks so. Two of your female warriors seem to agree." The princess reached up to his chin and flicked it. This came as a surprise to Percy who blinked.

Reyna and Hazel backed her up by staring at Percy with neutral faces. He turned to look at them, giving them some kind of message. Annabeth could tell he was trying to tell them something by how frantically his hands moved.

"If you could stop with all that nonsense," The blonde motioned to Percy's hands. The commander turned every which way, looking at Annabeth, his fellow rebels, and the girls. "I'd like to carry this team to victory, whether you're with us or not."

"Victory!" Hazel and Reyna shouted, repeating her.

They unsheathed their swords, pushing them into the sky. Percy, Jason, Reyna, and Malcolm turned around to meet the other sword ends. Their weapons clinked together at the tips, followed by singular cheers, much to Percy's annoyance. She could tell by the roll of his eyes. "To victory!"

She shall create acquaintances, but never friends.

Annabeth's plan was simple. Make the assassins think that they're planning a surprise attack on Delphi. From what she had gathered, they had never gone back to a kingdom so soon after a previous attack. She would be changing that. Instead of making it obvious that she was going to rat them out, she told them they would get more money from the richest kingdom.

On their way back from Delphi, they would find the small village near Meteora. They would take from them, giving them a huge stash. Since none of the rebels knew that the village had been there before Annabeth's plan, they hadn't stolen there before. They would gain lots from the village that would be in utter chaos from the attack.

Then in Meteora, Annabeth's victory would be clear. She wasn't leading any of the assassins to victory, but she was herself. She would capture them in the cells of Jason's kingdom. There, she would share as much knowledge she gained from them, while the royals pry the rest out.

There was no way the plan wouldn't go perfectly. Her ideas were always flawless, and her plans always went smoothly. Nothing ever stopped her from getting what she wanted, other than her parents. And her duty. Well, a lot of things stopped her from marrying someone she wanted or becoming an architect like she wanted. But nothing would bomb the image inside of her head.

Annabeth almost saw it as clear as she saw the pictures that popped into her head with Rachel. She saw herself writing a note to Apollo, somewhere she knew he'd find it. Then, Percy's crew would ransack Karpenissi, while she informed the leader that she would repay them when her mission was over. At Meteora, she would find Zeus and Hera, using them to help lock the assassins into jail. They were all simple. With color and moving quickly through her head.

"Care to join us?" Hazel called, breaking Annabeth out of her regard.

The young girl waved her over, coins clattering together as the others counted. The princess smiled tightly, nodding. She made her way over to the crate and sat down on her knees. She began to total small handfuls of coins. She couldn't help but stare at the ground while the others slowly began to pick up a conversation. The tense atmosphere that had been created moments before vanished, along with the little progress she had made getting onto Percy's good side.

She could only fathom mutter one thing. "I assure you, we'll have tons more than this when my plan gets complete."

Annabeth couldn't help herself. She had to assure herself that she was doing the right thing. Hazel's grin was something she didn't want to put into captivity. Dakota and Gwen were the lights of the group, giving them a short laugh in tough situations. Hence them doing something that started the conversation back up. No matter how much Jason pissed her off, he and Reyna had something different. She didn't want to see their love for each other used against them. That wasn't fair. Annabeth didn't know much about Malcolm, but she knew he could fight. Why waste such potential?

And Percy. He was such a leader that the group trusted. He didn't boss his followers around as royalty did. He did things himself, protecting his friends when they were in possible danger. He was an example of what a true leader should be. He stuck up to any challenge and didn't back away. He could be a bit soft at times, but he was a leader. Annabeth of all people should understand that.

Despite everything, Annabeth knew her place. She knew what had to get done for her people. She knew what these people were doing was wrong. She knew she had to lock them up. Annabeth wasn't going to be any more than mutuals with them. She couldn't form a relationship with them. She wouldn't do that. With her parents being distant until it came to royals duties was hard. She wouldn't want to feel alone or betrayed by anyone like that.

She needed to stay distanced. Annabeth didn't want to hurt any of them more than she had to. She wouldn't put them or herself through that.

Suddenly, someone grabbed her wrist. The strong but soft grip slid a paper into her hand. Opening the folded paper, she found a map of Greece. Looking over her shoulder, she met green eyes. They didn't look as soft as his unsure touch did, but they weren't as dark as earlier. He must have cooled down.

"Here's a map. Just to be sure." He said, his warm breath fanning her face.

Her tongue felt like sandpaper. "Thank you,"

"I trust your judgment. Don't disappoint me, sweetheart."

He smiled at her. It wasn't sarcastic or sassy; it was genuine. He glanced down at the map once more before pushing himself off the ground. She watched him stroll back to the corner of the tent, doing something on the large log. Annabeth saw him smash his finger under something, before swearing loudly. When everyone looked at him, he blushed bright red and chuckled nervously. The whole gang laughed, throwing their heads back.

Sometimes, doing her duty was harder than she thought. That wasn't something she didn't know; she always knew that. It was something she wanted to ignore until it was staring her in the face.

Words: 4,242

WOW. That took way longer than I thought it would. Since it's Percy's birthday, I decided to pump out this chapter for you guys. After all the supporting and waiting you guys do and still stick with me, I think you deserve this. I also just wanted to mention that this story is about halfway done! I have the rest of this story planned chapter by chapter, and I'm REALLY excited for what's upcoming!

THANKS FOR ALL OF THE FOLLOWS AND REVIEWS! It means soooo much to me!

[ANY RECOGNIZABLE CHARACTERS GO TO RICK RIORDAN]

-Bookworm-2026