The following week, Percy continued to meet with the royal girl. That was all that he knew her by. She refused to give him her name and likewise refused to know his. She said that if he didn't know her name he couldn't let it slip.

Percy threw everything he had into each practice. He was sore between his daily chores, his fighting lessons with Chiron, and his nightly sessions with royal girl. He felt like he was equally matched during Chiron's lessons with the other recruits. But Percy had yet to land a blow on royal girl. He had never practiced with an opponent that held a knife during his regular training sessions, so he often misjudged her knife's reach.

"You're swing is too wide." Her knife found his ribs. Percy quickly retaliated, "What did I tell, you! You're letting your sword control you. Is your brain full of seaweed?"

Percy growled at that, "Oh, excuse me, oh great wise girl, I've only had a few days to learn what you've had years to learn."

"Stop with the excuses and attempt to hit me." she taunted.

Percy charged. He gave a few good blows, but could feel his arms giving out. He made a desperate move that almost ran her through, then she shifted her weight, barely dodging the blow, and moved in with her knife to his neck.

"Dead, seaweed brain." She smirked. Percy yielded. "You know you could do so much better with a sword that fit you." she sheathed her knife.

"That won't happen until I am actually paid, and custom swords are expensive. Not everyone is rich like a royal."

She looked away for a moment. "Why do you talk to me like that?"

"Like what?"

"You know, like a commoner. You like pointing out that I am a royal, but you show no respect."

Percy eyed her warily. "You said no arrests."

She rolled her eyes. "I'm not saying, I'm offended. I just find it strange."

"I don't know. I guess it's because we're always trying to kill each other. Kind of hard to be all respectful to someone whose trying to beat you to a pulp."

"Mmmm. You have a lot to learn. Well, I won't complain. After all, no other guy would want to beat up a girl."

Percy's heart clenched painfully. He glared at her. "I give my all in each fight, so I can become a better fighter, and so the person I am fighting can become a better fighter, not to beat up a girl. If I go easy on you, it just makes it that much easier for the next guy to overcome you. You'd think you'd know that, wise girl."

Percy stormed off. He knew he was letting his emotions get the better of him, but it all hit way too close to home. Once he was far from the arena, he stopped to get his emotions under control. She was right, she could probably find ways to control his entire career. He had to be careful around her. They had been practicing all week for his final test in font of Chiron. How easy would it be for her to have him kicked out. He would have to watch himself, in the future. He swallowed his anger, and snuck back in his bunk. Chiron would be pitting him against the other recruits tomorrow. He had to get some rest and focus on tomorrows activities.

Chiron allowed Percy to stay in the army. Percy and Tyson celebrated by going to the market and getting some sweets. Percy hadn't expected the smells to bring back so many memories, but he worked through them.

That night, Percy was nervous about training with the royal girl. He wasn't sure how she would react since he last stormed off. When he entered the arena, it was empty. Percy worked on a nearby dummy. After several minutes passed, he fully expected to never see the royal girl again. He made a rather vigorous swing that turned him, when he noticed her leaning in a doorway. He stopped what he was doing and turned to face her.

"How long have you been there?" He questioned. She shrugged and began walking toward him. "I want to apologize for my outburst the other day." He began.

She eyed him calculating. "No, you're right. No holding back." With that she drew her knife and nearly sliced him across the chest. He barely reacted in time to dodge the blow. She didn't give him time to regain his balance as she went to strike again and again and again. Percy knew he would have to do something to help him get back into control. She made a wide swing that would have surely ended the match. Percy ducked the swing and swung a leg out like she did to him during their first match. She barely had time to jump over it. But it had achieved what Percy wanted, he had got his balance back and was now able to deliver some blows back. They went back and forth, throwing everything they had into besting the other.

Percy could feel the sweat dripping down between his shoulder blades and his hands and arms ached from the weight of the sword, He knew it was only a matter of time before his aching hands gave way. She had a sheen of sweat across her forehead and a look of determination in her grey eyes that made him wonder if she was really trying to kill him.

Then with a twist of her wrist, she successfully knocked the sword out of his cramped hand and put the knife to his neck in one swift move. Percy stared into her fierce grey eyes that seemed to bore into him. Again, he wondered if she was going to kill him. He straightened himself and coolly replied, "My lady."

Her eyes widened a fraction, before she removed the knife. She eyed him for a moment and said, "I'm sorry I upset you. But I saw something in your eyes that scared me. I don't know what it was, but it reminded me of why I wanted to learn how to fight in the first place. And don't call me 'my lady.' I don't like it."

Percy pondered this for a moment then nodded.

"See you tomorrow night, seaweed brain."

Percy for some reason still felt extremely off balance as he watched her leave.