The Lost Royals of Atlantis: Disputed Call of Duty.

VI: Not the Perfect Start

Percy arrived just in time to get into his marching positions. He was to stand beside Sabrina Eldoris. She was a lean mermaid with sandy skin, hazel eyes and dark brown hair and tail. She showed no signs of registering his presence, which was fine with him. They were soon made to march for three whole hours, drilling it inside them that discipline was more important than any disadvantage they would be facing in battle. They were made aware of all the signs that would be used by their future Colonels and Major Generals.

Percy regretted not eating anything since yesterday. He hadn't had the stomach to digest anything this morning. He was late to realise that mer-people only ate twice a day and their next break would be at nine in the evening, only after the combat training.

Bythos came down strolling slowly, after all the other teams had already started practicing. Percy couldn't help but chuckle to himself as Ryan and Zale struggled hard to keep their annoyance in check as they introduced themselves politely to Bythos, gently reminding him of all the relatives they could name and remember the profession they were in.

It must have been a shocker to the two of them when he recognised the 'Eldoris' House name, telling her that her mother had a gift in healing and had been the head healer of the main military until she was killed in the eastern battle, expressing his apology. He further enquired about the reason why she chose to be a soldier, when her family was mostly into medicine. She just mumbled a quick 'I'm just interested in it, sir. "

He just passes over the rest of them, just asking their names. A second glance was all the indication he gave him that he had realised that he was a bastard. Then they were urged into the eastern part of the ground where a long row of mermen dummies stood. A read dot was painted over the forehead, heart and a point on the middle lower portion of the tail, indicating the three fatal points of a mer-person.

"You'll all be learning archery, crossbow and throwing axe today." he informed them. Percy's nightmare come true. He couldn't help but think Apollo was enjoying himself in his sun chariot, wherever he was, getting back at him for the scratch on his golden bird he and Grover had rescued sometime back. Artemis must have helped too, for three archery weapons together couldn't come on their own. He was sure that his luck wasn't that bad, atleast hoped so. 

Bythos instructed them, carefully showing the poses, mistakes and tricks for a good aim. Percy had to admit, he was really good at teaching, especially considering how lethargic he usually seemed at other times. Percy was reminded of his own mentor Chiron at camp Half-blood. 

They all took their positions after that. A dummy and a bow had to be shared between five people. He had been grouped with Jordan, Sabrina, Nori and Aaron. 

It was going to be a long day, he sighed, picking up the bow and arrow. He took aim, tried following all the rules set by Bythos and released the arrow. The arrow missed with a lot of gap. The Water brothers took a special interest in taunting him, Ryan just smiled snidely at him a few times, but he as more focused on competing with Zale, who had been trained in the arts of war since childhood.

Jordan didn't bother with practicing at all, standing at the very back and letting them practice. Percy had half a mind to do the same too, but he didn't want to get into trouble, so he continued humiliating himself repeatedly. Thankfully,  he wasn't the only one this bad at archery,  seeing the number of stray arrows that came their way. Aron was just as bad as him, and he did not look amused to be grouped together with a bastard. The only person who had managed bullseye after bullseye was Sabrina, who hadn't missed a single shot. When Bythos came to inspect them after nearly two hours, Sabrina showed off her skill with grace, hitting each of the targets in the centre. Bythos wholeheartedly praised her.