Chapter 43
Annabeth
The splashing woke me up.
"Geez, that fucking hurts!" Percy shouted as he rose from the pool and tried to get out without assistance. It was clear he was walking poorly and hurting all over.
"Frank, give me a hand buddy." He said as he reached his arm out for Frank.
Frank looked at Percy like he was from outer space.
"Come on, all night in the pool means I have to pee, now! I hurt too much to get the water to lift me." Percy smiled as Frank reached out and pulled him gently from the water.
Percy gingerly waved his hand over his clothes and pulled the water from them, the walked towards the bathroom. "Stay right there, we need to talk."
"Annabeth, uh, is he alright? I mean, in the head?" Frank asked after a moment.
"Percy? You're asking that about my Percy? When was he ever right in the head Frank?"
"No I mean, last night I almost killed him. This morning he's acting like it never happened."
"Well, he wants you to stay so he can talk to you. Maybe he will try to kill you when he gets back. But I don't think so. Frank, I don't know what was going on last night, but you weren't in a right state of mind, and I don't think Percy was either. In fact I don't think any of us were."
"That's right" Percy said from behind me as he exited the restroom. "That thing, the horcrux, as soon as I got around it I felt angry. What about you guys?"
"Well, yes, now that you mention it" Hazel said. "I wanted to get it and get away from there as fast as I could. I think that is why I rushed towards it without thinking."
"And I wanted to stop you as I thought it was cursed, but I damn near killed you, or at least ripped your arm off and shocked you half to death. I could have dove and grabbed you, or just yelled 'stop' but instead I used a spell that I didn't know whether it would kill you or not. Frank wanted to avenge you, and nearly killed me. Annabeth was torn between healing me and avenging me. None of us were acting rationally, and no one else tried to stop us so they weren't either. Our emotions were amplified and confused. So, before everyone gets weepy, lets admit we were wrong, apologize and get on with our lives. Okay?" Percy said.
"But, I almost killed you. You're.. well you and Hazel, since Alaska, you're my best friend, and I said horrible things..." Frank said, tears in his eyes.
"Hey! Cut it out! If anyone ever yanked Annabeth around like I did Hazel I would try to off them too."
"No you wouldn't. Annabeth would kill them first." Hazel said, making all of us laugh, until Percy grabbed his side and winced.
"Not healed yet?" I asked.
"Mostly, but... be right back" he said as he rushed to the restroom.
Hazel and Frank looked alarmed. "Oh don't worry. He will be like this for another hour or so. The healing in the pool makes him soak up a lot of water. Last time his kidney's had been crushed and he peed blood all day. I better get him into the bath though, I can add more salt there, it seems to help if its at the same level as the oceans. Thanks for staying with us last night, I mean it. I know it meant a lot to Percy too."
"I just wish there were some way to.."
"There is. Don't mention it again. Its part of who we are. We take hits, we nearly die, we grow scars and we keep going. We learn. This time we learned that there is overwhelming evil in a horcrux and we are sensitive to it. We can use that knowledge in the future. Now, you two go get some rest. You look as wrung out as my boyfriend."
"Fiance'" Hazel reminded me.
"Ha! I've still not gotten used to saying that!"
"Did someone call for me?" Percy asked as he came from the restroom. "Hey, I know you're all tired, but we need to make a note of something to talk to the group about later. We have another piece of the prophecy solved, who the one too young to die is, and some of the weird advice from my dad too, you know, for me to beware of dragons. So, we're making progress. Right?"
"Uh, yeah. I guess so." Hazel said.
"What did your dad say about dragons?" Frank asked.
"Oh, when we were on the Argo III, just before he left he told me to beware of dragons. It made no sense in the context of our conversation, but I put it off as one of those random gods things. Now I can see he was really telling me to be careful around horcruxs and the effect they have on people." Percy said, before continuing, "And Hazel, I haven't said it enough, you're doing a great job. While its just the four of us here, well, a suggestion. You are awesome. We want you as our leader. You don't need to ask anyone if you're doing things right. You're doing fantastic, but I sense you doubting yourself. Don't do that. You have no reason for doubt."
"Thanks. I just feel like... well like I don't know what I'm doing."
"Sure. And you don't. I've been on probably a dozen quests, big and small, with Annabeth. A few more without. A lot of them I've led. A lot she has. And we went to Alaska with Frank leading us. I guarantee you not once did any of us feel like we knew for sure what we were doing. That's not the way it works." Frank and I both nodded our agreement. "You have the challenge of a democratically ran quest. To me, that would suck. I want people's input and opinions, but I want to make decisions."
"Well you're good at it." Hazel said with Frank still nodding agreement.
"Maybe so. But the point is that for me a democratically ran quest... well I couldn't do it. I would either piss everyone off immediately, or they would piss me off. You're doing great though, so stop worrying about how you're doing. You're our leader because we want you to lead. That fact isn't going to change. Now, I'm in, uh, agony, and, uh, I have to pee again. Would someone let the teachers know I'm laying out today?"
And with that Percy returned to the bathroom.
"He's right. You need to have confidence in yourself. Its not an accident that you're in charge. We found a reason to turn down everyone else, mostly by turning down ourselves. It was you or Piper, and honestly I don't think we can seduce horcruxes, do you?" I giggled.
"Piper and Caly...Jennifer probably could." Frank said and Hazel gently smacked him.
"Easy big boy." She grinned. "I know where you sleep."
In the end we all took the day off. I slept in the bed while Percy slept in a brine filled bath. Before he nodded off I pointed out that he was certainly able to command the water to remove itself from him and his clothes, so he probably could have gotten it to lift him out of the pool.
"Yeah. but I needed an ice breaker with Frank. You know, to let him know no hard feelings."
"That was nice of you. I think I chose well." I grinned as I kissed him good night? Good day? Whatever, I was still exhausted and got into my pj's and jumped in the bed.
"How do you make love stay?" I was asked as I woke late that afternoon.
"Huh wha?" I mumbled.
"How do you make love stay? You and Percy. You've made love work. How?" Jennifer asked, her eyes filled with concern, as she sat on the edge of the bed.
"Well, uh, you don't. It just does. But why are you worried? Leo is crazy in love with you!" I asked, mildly perturbed at the intrusion. I realized that Jennifer wasn't familiar with mortals boundaries though and I guess with a bit of thought I was glad she felt she could confide in me.
"When Percy was on Ogygia it was clear he loved someone else, and that was you. How do you make it last?"
"I mean, you can't force it, but Jennifer, Leo... he loves you. You two totally complete each other! You don't need to make it last, he's going to love you forever, I can just tell. Why? Has something happened?"
Jennifer laid down beside me and began to weep on my shoulder. "I'm never going to grow old. I want to travel and quest and have a life with Leo, but they will want me on Olympus eventually. He cannot live there, eventually I must. This has been wearing on me. When Leo passes I will be as alone as when I was on Ogygia, and I know I shall never love again. Were we to have children I would have to leave for Olympus immediately, and I am forbidden to marry a mortal. We have gone as far as we can, and yet I want more. I sense Leo does as well, but I do not know how to make our love last."
"Wow. I hadn't considered that. I thought Percy and I had problems because our godly parents despise each other. I, well, I don't know what.. Here's the thing Calypso, and I want to call you by your real name for a moment if I may"
"I would like that. I wish I had taken a different alias truthfully. Sally or Beatrix maybe." She smiled.
"Right, I think you're better off with Jennifer." I grinned. "Here's the thing. You see what must happen if nothing changes, but one thing I've learned over the years is that even though the gods are constant, changes happen, and lately they have happened a lot. I just can't help but think Aphrodite wouldn't take mercy on you two and find a way to make it work."
"Leo is a child of her husband with a mortal. She might not be helpful at all."
"And Piper is her child by a mortal, so it goes both ways. She's about love, and love stories. Yours is a great one. Just enjoy it and let it happen. I know it will work out somehow." I smiled, trying to put on a brave face. The fact is I had been so busy with Percy and I that I hadn't paid much attention to those around me. I needed to work on this.
"You're very kind. I'm sorry if my attempt at humor caused you any grief." She smiled.
"Uh, you lost me, what humor?"
"Oh, when I insinuated that you were with child."
"Oh! Just don't mention it around Percy again! Geez I didn't think he would ever believe me!" I laughed.
"Mention what around Percy?" Percy said from the doorway.
"Oh nothing, you feeling better sweetie?"
"Yeah, I feel great, thanks to Jennifer and you. Seriously Jennifer, that's twice I would be dead if you hadn't saved me. If there is ever anything I can do..."
"Well, if Zeus ever grants you a wish again..." She smiled.
"I'll use it to make Leo immortal, you got it!" Percy said.
"How did you know that?" I asked.
"Oh, I've been awake a half hour. I was just laying in the bath staring at you in the mirror as you slept. I heard everything." He grinned.
"You were watching me sleep. From the bathtub. Nope, that's not creepy at all Percy." I laughed.
"Percy, please don't tell Leo, I don't think this has occurred to him yet." Calypso asked.
"I won't. But Leo is the smartest one of the bunch. I'm sure he's already trying to figure a way around it. Something will work out. I agree with Annabeth on that. So, what time is it?"
"It is almost time for the evening feast. I was asked to gather you up so that we might all go together."
"Great! I'm famished. Oh and for what's its worth I'll sacrifice to try to help with your situation. Who knows, maybe one of them likes me at the moment."
Jennifer left and Percy and I talked about it. It just seemed unfair to both Calypso and Leo to be ultimately torn apart that way, although it would be many years before it happened. It took me a few minutes to get ready. I still had the Mark of Aphrodite so I didn't have to worry about hair or make up, but I did shower quickly and change into a fresh, non blood soaked, uniform.
As we exited the room I leaned over to kiss Percy, as I hadn't in almost a day and he opened the door for me. We stepped into a hall lined with demigods, professors, DA1, 2 and 3. All began applauding us, well Percy really.
"What's this about?" Percy asked.
"Its our salute to you for the destruction of the horcrux and for nearly giving yourself and your life up to do so." Hazel smiled.
"Oh come on, you're the one that destroyed it, all I did was"
"Figure out a prophecy in a few seconds that has had us stumped for a couple of months and save my life, so that I could destroy it. Just accept our thanks and go on." She smiled.
"Uh, Thanks everyone. It was a team effort, by all of us, Brits and Americans both, working together. Lets keep up the good work, figure out what Voldemorts going to do next and hunt down the rest of them. Thanks again." Percy said, loud enough for all to hear.
Finally we went to the feast and fortunately there were not many announcements as both Percy and I were starved. Hazel and Frank sat on either side of us, while Piper and Jason sat across. Even Grover joined us.
"Dude, you're still here? Thats awesome, maybe we can catch up tonight."
"Can't tonight, I'm taking over Will's class to teach survival. I'm going to teach how to find wild plants for food and medicine. Maybe tomorrow though?"
"Deal!" Percy said.
Gryffindor had quidditch practice which meant we had an hour after dinner to meet with the Professors, the Order (as we were calling Lupin, Black and the Longbottoms), Hermione and Dumbledore. Hazel took charge of the meeting early.
"So, an eventful day. Yesterday I mean" she began. "We now have a total of two destroyed Horcruxes, the diary, and the ring. Obviously the ring isn't destroyed and still holds the curse of my father upon it, but the abomination within it is gone. We now hold all the elements to be the Master of Death, but I confess it bothers me that anyone would have that title other than my father or perhaps Nico." She smiled.
"We also learned that demigods are particularly susceptible to enhanced emotions when in the presence of a horcrux. The evil they emanate brings out the anger, rage... well all the bad emotions in us as exhibited by my behavior, Percy's and Frank's last night. For those curious, we met this morning, the three of us, with Annabeth, and discussed this. There are no hard feelings, there is no residual anger. We are a team and we are moving forward with this new found information. If any of our enemies doubt our unity, have them attack me and see how Frank, Percy and Annabeth react. Any questions?"
"So you're convinced this is the Resurrection Stone?" Remus asked.
"Yes. It is my father's work, and Jennifer has confirmed his curse is upon it."
"How can she tell it is his curse?" Professor Weasley asked.
"She can." Percy said, making clear it was the end of the discussion on that issue.
Dumbledore nodded his assent and that was concluded.
"Next we should review the prophecies to see where we are. Thus far we have three, or three and a half if we include a conversation Percy had with his father on the way over, but the issue raised there may be concluded, and if it isn't, well being wary of dragons is just good every day advice. Rachel, would you repeat the original prophecy given by Hecate at Camp Half Blood? For those that haven't heard, it is the over all marching orders of America House."
"Yes. Of course." Rachel said, somewhat taken back by Hazel's confident demeanor.
"Let's see, it started with Poseidon saying Apollo would be silent, then Athena telling us 'In the interim the Gods require of you a mission, a simple task which you should find a holiday from your past quests. The child of Hades, Nico, has already begun. He is to be joined by the Seven of the great prophecy, as well as the Praetor of the Romans, Jennifer, the claimed daughter of Poseidon, and the Oracle Rachel Dare.'"
" At that point Hecate said 'In the north of the last old world lay a land where the Greeks never stood and the Romans were driven out a thousand years ago. There of all the pantheon, only I, Hecate, have had a following. My students there are not like our children. Their gift is the ability to learn magic and the ways of the mist, but only through the manipulation of it by tools that are themselves imbued with magic. The land is roamed by monsters both good and evil, familiar and foreign to you. Therein will be one who should not die so young, and one who is hunted and is in need of your protection. For the next year or two you will guard and protect he and his friends as you travel as if a wizard or witch like them, learning their ways and teaching your own... I think the rest was where the catch the train and such.'"
"The prophetic part of this is 'There will be one who should not die so young and one who is hunted and in need of your protection.' We had taken this to mean, based upon the circumstance of the arrival of what we will call the first haiku prophecy, that Professor Dumbledore was the one too young to die. However last night before we left, we were gifted with what we will call the second haiku prophecy. Rachel, if you will." Hazel said.
"Sure. Last nights was ''The truth is shown now, One too young to die revealed, Don't fuck this up Percy.'"
"Fortunately Percy did not, as Apollo so colorfully put it, fuck this up. At the last moment he realized that the one too young to die was me. I think you all know my story. I was killed when I was quite young, and brought back from death decades later by my brother Nico. Had I touched the ring, a curse that Voldemort had placed on it would have killed me again. If those there will recall there was a tremendous peal of thunder at that moment, and this is a normal sign of a part of a prophecy being fulfilled or revealed. With no ego I have to admit that I must be the one that both prophecies refer to, however this should not change our behavior in anyway. We have looked out for and protected one another. We must continue to do so as if the prophecy were about any one of us. In other words, figuring out who the one too young to die is changes nothing. We are all too young to die."
Hazel let her words hang in the air for all to consider. When she felt we had thought long enough she spoke again.
"Finally, having disposed of those prophecies, lets review the first haiku. Rachel?"
"Its a good thing I can remember these, you know I usually can't." She smiled.
"Just do your best, I know it will be more than enough." Hazel said.
"Very well. 'The Dark Lord seeks that
Which he did not have before
The one cannot err now"
"He will learn those things
Which are real and that are not
Projected in his dreams"
"Fight the snake and fail.
For yule the safety of Poseidon's wall
In spring to find the pieces."
"The potion master knows
The number divided to find
Each a part of the whole"
"Quest for each they must
Witch's and hero's might joined
Keep the one too young"
"Keep them alive you must.
And save one who dies like Leo.
Annabeth, your mom says hi.'"
"First verse?" Hazel asked.
"Clearly about Harry and the Hall of Prophecy." Frank said.
"Agreed. Second verse?"
"I think it is also about Harry, and his dreams. But whether he has learned the difference we can't really say, Jennifer's friend is protecting him now, so it may be moot." Hermione said.
"I don't remember any part of a prophecy ever being moot before." Reyna replied.
"I find myself agreeing with both of you. I suggest we leave this one open for now." Leo said.
"I concur, and remember we figured Apollo wrote this fast. The metaphor he was going for may have been lost on us." Percy added.
"Does anyone disagree?" Hazel asked. After a moment's silence she said "Very well, we will put this in the category of probably resolved but maybe not and we'll keep an eye out for it. Third verse?"
"Well we've fought the snake and failed." Hermione said "and we've made plans to visit America over the break. I think the pieces refers to the pieces of Voldemort's soul, you know, that are horcruxs. We are to find them in the spring."
"I think that's exactly right. Any one differ?" Hazel asked, but received no response other than general agreement that Hermione was correct.
"Excellent. Forth verse?"
"I think this is where we are." Dumbledore said. "If you recall I believe that Professor Slughorn is the potions master referred to.. Where is he anyway?"
"Watching the quidditch practice. He said it had been some time since he had been able to see a match. Think we could turn him into an owl Friday?" Sirius replied to everyone's giggles.
"Yes, I'm sure we can reach some accommodation. In any event, he possesses a memory of a conversation he had with Voldemort when he was a student. He has given it to me, but it has been altered, I believe by his pride, and is mostly useless. I am going to ask Harry to attempt to get for us the accurate memory so the number of targets we have can be determined."
"Do you wish for any assistance in persuading him at this time?" Hazel asked.
"No no! I think a more peaceful approach rather than brute force is what is needed." Dumbledore said, referring I think to our earlier offer to just beat it out of him.
"You misunderstand. Piper?" Hazel asked.
"Professors could I have your wands please?" Piper asked. Each of the professors and Lupin handed her their wands, which she carefully took, thanked them, then sat down.
"Fifth verse?" Hazel asked.
"I think this clearly means that on each quest for the horcruxes, no matter how many, there should be a mix of magicians, you know, Hogwarts students, and demigods. Which makes good sense given our sensitivity to their evil. " Percy said.
"I agree that is the clear meaning of the first two lines, and the last line rolls over to the next and I think is about me, however, again, we should keep on our toes and be forever vigilant. We would not want to go around unarmed. You know, I think we need Harry's input for this last one. I believe he may have useful information as to the one that dies like Leo. Professor Dumbledore, would you sent a patronus for him please?" Hazel asked.
The Headmaster reached for his wand, but it wasn't there.
"Professor Snape? Weasley? Could you instead until the Headmaster finds his wand?"
Of course neither could they, nor could Lupin when asked.
"Piper?"
"Certainly she said as she pulled out five wands, including her own." Before she could send the patronus though Professor Weasley interrupted.
"How did you get those?"
"I asked."
"I dont' remember giving you my,,, how did you ask, when?"
"Very nicely." Piper grinned.
"She asked you just a moment ago. She asked if the Professors could give her your wands. Even Remus handed his over... you don't remember it? Sirius asked, dumbfounded.
Piper handed the wands back to their owners as Hazel said "I told you we could be persuasive. Let us know if we can assist with Professor Slughorn. I think that covers everything for now as far as the prophecies go. Professor Dumbledore and Harry are going to attempt to find the number from Professor Slughorn, call us for assistance if necessary, and other than that all we can do is train and plan our American adventure. Now, what of Voldemort's next move, anyone have any ideas?"
"It is the dark lord's nature to gather his forces until they are overwhelming, then attack. His targets will be the Ministry, where he already has followers and sympathizers to his racial purity movement in place, and here, where he sees his two biggest threats, the Headmaster and Mr Potter." Snape said.
"He will hit the ministry first." Percy said.
"Why do you say that?" Remus asked.
"It is softer. Every time he has hit here he has lost. He hit there as a diversion once, fully expecting to lose, but drew attention away from his real goal, that of breaking his followers out of Azkaban. So his attack there was successful in the strategic sense. By drawing us away he showed who he thinks the real threat is." Jason said.
"You sure that's not ego? For all we know he knows nothing of America House other than the quidditch report in the paper." Remus said.
"The facts speak for themselves. He may not know what is going on here, but he has sent his best and strongest to attack and none have returned to him." Dumbledore said.
"Where will they get wands?" Hazel asked.
"What?" Professor Weasley replied.
"The other day Hermione I think said that prisoners at Azkaban aren't allowed any magical items, so the ones that broke out don't have wands. No wands, no magic." Annabeth said.
"Right, so he has a couple hundred fanatical criminals backing him now, but the are impotent without wands. Where will he get them?"
The elder magicians looked at one another, then Professor Dumbledore created a patronus. "Tell Kingsley Shacklebolt to place as many aurors as he can at Ollivanders to prevent a burglary by the escapees of Azkaban attempting to arm themselves." and with that a glowing phoenix flew away.
"Is there anything else we can do to prepare?" Hazel asked.
"There is an old adage I think is applicable. 'The gods favor the army with the heaviest battalions.' We must train hard, and expand our training to the largest number of students possible. We have just over a month until the Yuletide break. I believe we can have one hundred warriors ready by then." Reyna said.
"The dark lord will attack with hundreds." Snape said.
"And we will defend with a hundred or so. But in addition to having the advantage of defense, our people will fight with overwhelming power, and as a team. I would not bet against us." Frank said.
"Perhaps we can increase our numbers." Lupin said.
"Well we have the ghosts, they will fight at my command as they are able, but unfortunately only a dozen or so are capable of touching mortals." Nico said.
"Uh, yes. I was thinking perhaps we should contact other schools of magic." Lupin said, "After all, they have ultimately as much risk as we do."
"Frank and I could approach the Senate about back up as well, and of course there are the year rounds at Half Blood. Once the Leodis has doors at both it should be easy enough for them to drop in." Reyna said.
"Are they trained in magical warfare?" Sirius asked.
"No, but they are all demigods trained in individual and group combat and there would be about 500 of them if we add them all up. Of course we could ask the hunters and amazons for reinforcements too, but they are apt to say no as it won't appear necessary." Reyna replied.
"A dozen of the hunters against 500 Death Eaters... there is a fight I'd pay to see" Percy grinned.
"Just a dozen?" Sirius asked.
"That's all they would need" Percy grinned.
"Let's discuss what we learned from the penseive, shall we?" Hazel asked, changing the subject and turning the floor over to Professor Dumbledore.
"Not including sleep, we have approximately thirty two hours of memories from each of the four that attacked Mr Weasly. Obviously we have not reviewed them in full, but all have been given a cursory review. Three of the attackers memories appear to be mostly useless, they were, as expected, hired for the job shortly before it occurred, seem to have no real loyalty to the Deatheaters, and were hired by Lucious Malfoy. Much of Malfoy's memory consists of wondering where to hire thugs and finally doing so, however early there is a meeting between he and Voldemort which apparently occurred at Malfoy Manor. Professor Snape recognized the home when he viewed it. It confirms that the ministry attack was a diversion intended to tie up myself and the Aurors while he broke the prisoners out of Azkaban. He notes that he now controls the dementors rather than the ministry and it is apparent that this is true. His overall goal is control of the ministry and through it the muggle government and world, however he proclaims that first he must rid himself of Harry and myself. It appears that at present Voldemort is residing in the homes of several of his supporters, one of whom being Malfoy, however the schedule is of his own making and no one else seems to know when he might arrive at a given location. Again, this memory must be studied more, and we shall as we are able to."
"Headmaster, the swords." Snape said.
"Ah yes! It seems that Voldemort is aware that his first attack, early this semester as the students departed the train, was thwarted by visiting students who used a combination of magic and weapons, allegedly swords. He is seeking more information on these students and Malfoy was pleased to tell him how Gryffindor and the Americans were able to kill his son and friends dates to the formal in much the same way. Malfoy was to seek more information on this group from his son, however two of his friends parents were killed in that attack, Crabbe and Goyle. They were unrecognized due to the damage inflicted on them. Malfoy was also going to seek to find the young man that was the date of Pansy Parkinson that fled before the fight began for more information on the group, however it appears he did not have an opportunity to do so before he was apprehended. Still, Voldemort is aware of what the America House does, and we can only imagine that he holds you in the same regard as Mr Potter and myself."
"Then we are in excellent company." Hazel grinned.
"Before we break up to begin training, I have an issue I would present for discussion." Hazel said once everyone had quieted down again. "For training we have kept the students and ourselves in set groups, however for quests and rescue operations we have formed ad hoc groups each time. In addition, should there be an in mass attack against either the ministry or the school we would need to organize as to ground troops, archers/long distance fighters, airborne and air cavalry fighters and the like."
"What is the difference between airborne and air cavalry?" Lupin asked.
"Well, in reality very little, but as we would use them there seems to be a group that would attack from brooms, or pegusi, or dragon, and would generally stay on them, while others would use them to deliver themselves to the part of the battle field where needed. Each has a separate group of tactics and areas of concern. We may ultimately wish to consider an air superiority group that would take out apparating opponents before they, uhhhh, congeal? Land? I would like to task Reyna, Frank, Hermione, Ron and Annabeth to commit some time to coming up with organizational structures for both the horcrux quests, based upon the needs of questing, that is to say who works well together and who brings the maximum firepower with the greatest problems solving skill sets in the smallest, fastest packages, as well as for castle defense, where we would attack on, and be attacked from, as I see it three fronts from the air, ground and the woods. Sorry Percy, if we are attacked from the lake you're probably on your own."
"If we get attacked from the lake its probably best that he is, anyone else would just get in his way." Piper grinned.
"I... I really like this idea Hazel. I think we've all see how well DA1 works together compared to the other groups. We should maybe mix up the training a bit to fill in those areas where we have needs the fastest, like after basic swords, woodland, open, urban and indoor tactics, we take a bunch and focus on archery. We don't really have enough archers at this time, and its something the younger students can excel at." I said.
"So you think we should reexamine our training regime?" Jason asked.
"No, well, yes and no. We would still do everything we are doing now, just maybe in a different order depending on the needs of the group and the skill exhibited by the student." I replied.
After a pregnant silence Jason said "I think this is wise. Tonight, this week, lets go as planned, and next week be ready to modify?"
"If we can be ready next week." I said.
"Take all the resources you need." Hazel said. "Is there anything else?"
No one could think of a thing.
