It was a week before Percy saw Tyson again. But it seemed that they were both too busy to feel too nostalgic. Tyson was kept busy with keeping the fire hot, working the small jobs of the forge, and fixing broken items around the camp. Percy had discovered real quick that he wouldn't get too much time to practicing fighting. He was too busy learning how to polish shields and armor correctly, cleaning the barracks, and every other thing that Lieutenant Castellan ordered him to do.

"I'm more of a servant than a fighter in training." Percy complained loudly to Tyson. "I only get one hour of sword training with Chiron, and even then, I can barely hold up the sword, let alone do anything effective with it." Percy sighed. "I've only got one more week to prove to Chiron that I can be a good soldier."

"Percy needs a sword." Tyson concluded from Percy's ranting.

"No, I need more time." Percy emphasized. "It doesn't help that I constantly get lost around her and then I put too much polish on the armor so it is so slippery, he can barely get it on. With all my chores, I have no time for anything related to sword fighting."

"Maybe, Tyson come help Percy with chores?"

Percy looked at him. He realized with some regret that he was distressing Tyson. Percy sighed, "No, no, you're needed here. Besides I hear you are doing great in the blacksmiths. It's not that big of a deal. I'm sure that I'll get better at my chores and find more time to practice."

Tyson looked unsure, but as soon as Percy asked what he had been doing he forgot all about it. Percy looked at Tyson animatedly talking about the process of melting and shaping weapons. Percy knew that if he failed to make the cut with Chiron after next week he would leave Tyson with Master Beckendorf. Percy had never seen Tyson so happy. Athens was all that Tyson dreamed.

Percy could not sleep that night, no matter how exhausted he was. He worried that he would fail if he could not be a better swordsman. He knew he should sleep, but he couldn't help but think about the sword arena that stood empty at night. He decided to try his luck and headed for the arena. To his surprise it was open and there were lights inside. Percy peeked inside. At first he didn't see anyone, but as he walked further in he saw two figures fighting. Lieutenant Castellan and a much smaller figure he didn't recognize. Percy had watch Castellan fight many times in the past week with unmatched skill. But now he was slow and hesitant, while the smaller figure was fighting ferociously with nothing other than a dagger. Castellan should have bested his opponent at least a hundred times, but still he merely defended himself slowly and hesitantly. It was a strange sight. He supposed that Castellan was giving private lessons, which sort of upset him. Why was he giving private lessons to this stranger and not to his own squire. Percy was about to leave when Castellan left an obvious opening and the student took it, scoring a point on Castellan's side.

"Well, done, my Lady!" Lieutenant Castellan formally bowed.

Shocked, Percy looked closer at Castellan's student. There was a girl with curly blond hair done up in a ponytail behind her head. She looked about Percy's size, but a little taller. Her cheeks were flushed and her face had a sheen of sweat.

"If I can get by you, Luke, I worry about Athens' chances in a battle." She teased.

"I assure you, there is no need to worry, my lady." Castellan smirked.

"I do appreciate the spar. Tomorrow evening then?"

"I'm afraid I am on duty tomorrow evening. Perhaps another night, my lady."

The student frowned. "Perhaps. I have not known you to have duties at night."

"Part of my new duties." Castellan persuaded.

"Very well. Perhaps another night." The student abruptly turned way and strode toward the other side of the arena.

Castellan turned toward the part of the arena where Percy was. He quickly hid and waited until Castellan was well past him before he left his hiding place. He found himself a sword and began swinging as Chiron had shown him. The sword weighed heavy in his hands as he positioned himself and stabbed and swung at the air in front of him. He was at it a for only a couple of minutes when he heard a distinct bossy voice.

"You're doing it all wrong."

Percy made a wild swing before catching himself and turning to see the royal student in front of him. "What?"

"Your feet are too far apart and your swings are too slow. That sword is too big for you."

"It's the smallest sword they've got in the armory, so it will have to do." Percy said defensively. He turned to resume his practice when a long knife met his blade.

"What gives you the right to come here at night and use the arena?" Her grey eyes flashed dangerously and Percy hesitated for a moment, then he raised his sword and swung again.

"I have to practice so Chiron will let me train in the army, and I don't think you're going to tell anyone about it."

She met his sword with her knife again. "What makes you say that?"

"Because you were training here at night with a man twice your age. That would be hard to explain, especially for a royal." Percy smirked.

Percy could have sworn that the girls eyes went red, or maybe it was just the reflection of the firelight. Her blade moved much quicker. Percy struggled to meet her blows, and just when he thought he had her with a swing to her shoulder, she ducked kicking a foot out towards Percy's and literally knocked him off his feet. Percy landed roughly on his back, knocking the wind out of him. Soon he found a knee on his chest and a knife at his throat. They were both panting.

"I will slit your throat if you tell anyone."

Percy swallowed, which was dangerous with where the knife was positioned. "I won't tell anyone, cause I'm not supposed to be here either, or I'll get kicked out." Her eyes narrowed as she studied him. She slowly removed the knife and stood up.

"You're not bad for a trainee. How long have you been training?" She sheathed her knife.

"A week." Percy struggled to his feet.

"A week?" she looked shocked. "I've been training since I was seven, and I could barely beat you. You must have had more training than that?"

Percy shook his head. "I just watch what others do and learn what I can. I don't hardly get any practice time myself, with all my duties. I'm kind of jealous that Lieutenant Castillian was training you. I'm his squire, and all I do are his chores. Although, I must admit, he goes a lot easier on you than on me."

"I knew he was going easy on me, but I thought that my skill would be at least more above a trainee with no more experience than a week!" The girl was looking at Percy in a way that was making him very uncomfortable, like he was a pawn on a board. "How about a deal. Neither one of us wants anyone else to know that we are learning to fight in our spare time, so how about we train together? Unless of course you have a problem with fighting a royal girl?"

Percy studied her. "I don't particularly go around fighting royals or girls, but I think it is a good idea for you to have someone that won't go easy on you." She gave him a peculiar look at this. "Just as long as I won't get arrested or executed for it," Percy smirked, "I'm okay with it."

She smirked at that, "Alright, no arrests for attempting to hit me with a sword. I expect to see you here at nine on the dot."

"When will I know it is nine?" Percy asked.

She gave him an exasperated look then turned and started walking away. "Just get here when it is dark and don't get caught." She called over her shoulder as she left the arena.

Percy hurriedly put his sword back in it's exact place and sneaked back to his bunk, pondering this new development.