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Chapter 4:Breitenfeld
(Percy POV)
We set out from our barracks in Stockholm in late July, and we've been marching for a month after we landed in northern Germany. Many of the men have holes in the heels of their marching boots, but luckily for me I had an extra pair that my mother sent me after I wrote her I was leaving for war. Today is September 5th and the town of Breitenfeld is finally in view. It was a larger town, but it seemed so much smaller to me after living in Stockholm for 6 months. I digress, I remembered that Annabeth said she lived in the province of Brandenburg which is where Breitenfeld was located. I shook those thoughts from my head, I needed to keep my thoughts on the here and now. We marched for a few more hours and set up camp on the outskirts of Breitenfeld. By the time we set camp, it was already sunset. And the army slept fitfully. When the sun rose my company commander had our company in marching order, as he was chosen to speak to the mayor of Breitenfeld and plan the defense of the town against the Hapsburg army. I got lucky enough to have had Jason commissioned as the officer of my company. "Company!" Jason ordered, "Forward! March!" The company drummer started up our company's marching cadence. After the second measure we started the company marching song. (A/N: these are song lyrics from the Sabaton song Swedish Pagans, slightly altered to fit the story. Look up the song for the original lyrics. I'm just gonna use the chorus to save space for the actual story.) "Swedish Pagans! Marching Ashore! Forged on Olympus, on the order of Zeus!
Out from Elysium, an Olympic ship sails!
Never to turn back again!"
As the company sang I felt all my troubles melt away in the fires of brotherhood. I fought off a smile as that would have ruined our image as the most disciplined soldiers in all of Europe. When the company entered the town square Jason ordered out, "Company! Halt! Company! Left Face!"
(Annabeth POV)
"Company! Halt! Company! Left Face!" I shivered at the sight of 200 Swedish soldiers uniformly stop marching and turn to face the mayor. I myself was in my room overlooking the square but my father was an advisor for the mayor so he was required to be at the meeting. One man stepped away from the Swedish formation of troops and called out, "I am Lieutenant Jason Grace of D Company, 5th Regiment of Karoliners of King Gustavus Adolphus's Royal Swedish army." My breathe caught in my throat when I heard that name. Jason was one of Percy's friends that I was introduced to, part of me hoped that I would get to see Percy just one last time. My father walked up to Jason and shook his hand, I wasn't really paying attention to what was said but I assume that my father was asking Jason to thank the king of Sweden on behalf of the entire town. Jason chuckled and said, "Not to worry Mr. Chase, my king will hear of your thanks. Now down to business." My father, the mayor, Jason and what seemed like Jason's 2nd in command entered the town hall.
-time skip planning is finished it is now about noon-
(Percy POV)
I wasn't really paying attention to the meeting between Jason, the town mayor Kronos and a man named Frederick Chase. Mr. Chase's last name seemed familiar, then it clicked, he was Annabeth's father. After the planning for strategy Jason pulled me aside and said, "Percy, Kronos asked me if I was willing to leave saw men in the town as a last line of defense, and I was thinking of leaving you and your platoon here." "Why does he want men in the town though?" I asked. "To defend the women and children as the men are going to be with our army during the battle." Jason replied sounding annoyed at the fact that I didn't listen at all during the meeting, "Alright fine, but why me?" "Because I said so Sergeant Jackson." I snapped to attention, Jason only spoke to me like that when I pissed him off, and replied. "Yes Lieutenant!" Jason turned and walked away, but I swear u heard him chuckle to himself. I left the town hall and called out, "3rd platoon fall out!" Forty men quickly broke away from the rest of the company and walked until they were standing in front of me, and snapped to attention. I surveyed my men and said, "Listen up boys, Lieutenant Grace has tasked us with staying in town as a defense force for the women and children the men will be leaving behind to fight alongside our brothers in arms." The men seemed shocked but they were to disciplined to outwardly show their displeasure at the news. I myself wasn't pleased but orders were orders. "I'm sorry boys but luckily we get to shack up at the inn free of charge." A few men broke attention and chuckled but quickly regained their composure, "Alright men dismissed." As we heard our company marching song grow softer I sang it to myself. My platoon and I went to the inn to rest and relax before our glorious role of being guardsmen for a town. I heard a knock at my door, "You may enter." I said having no idea who is was. As the door opened Fredrick Chase walked into my room. I quickly stood up and said, "Ah Mr. Chase I wasn't expecting company." "It's fine Sergeant Jackson, I merely came to invite you to come to my home and eat lunch with my family as thanks for guarding them." "Thank Mr. Chase, I gladly accept your offer." He smiled and replied, "Thank you my boy, and please call me Fredrick."With that he turned and left my room beckoning to follow him. We walked in silence until we reached a large three story house. He turned to me and said, "If you will excuse me I must speak to my wife to let her know there will be an extra person eating with us." "Oh sir, I don't want to burden you with an other mouth feed." " Percy don't worry, my family is well off. I'm just letting my wife know so she'll make enough food. And while I'm doing that you may wait in our common room, my children should be down in a moment." "Fredrick I thank you sir." He smiled at me and walked into the kitchen. I then went into the common room and sat and waited for his children to enter the room. It was at this time I realized I was still in my uniform and had my musket over my shoulder. "Oops, Jason's going to kill me." I said to myself. Just then the door burst open and two boys that looked nearly identical ran in but quickly stopped when they noticed me and starred. I awkwardly waved at them, they followed suit and backed up into the kitchen. When they left I got up and went to the bookshelf and scanned through, but nothing peeked my interest. I sat back down and proceeded to wait once again. The door opened again and standing looking as shocked as I felt was the girl that stole and broke my heart in the matter of a few hours, Annabeth Chase.