Revenge

Chapter 16

"Alright, team, time for assignments." Annabeth stood confidently on the fallen tree, which made her taller than everyone else milling around her.

Beck awkwardly adjusted the armor she had been given. It fit well enough, but she wasn't used to wearing it. This game of Capture the Flag might get interesting.

"Percy decided to spice things up a little bit by teaming with Clarisse early on-"

Groans sounded all around. Beck distinctly heard one of her current cabinmates, a daughter of Hermes named Mara, whisper, "Well, we're screwed."

"-So we just have to change things so he isn't expecting it. If his knowledge of my planning is useless, he won't be able to find the flag as easily." Annabeth explained. "Athena cabin, we're doing a wedge formation in the center front. Normally we'd spread out and stay on our side since we have the flag, but this is a good way to go with who we're facing. We can tie them up over there and prevent them from even getting here to look for the flag. Travis and Connor are on the flag-"

"But they're two of our best front fighters!" Someone exclaimed from the crowd.

"They've got the resources to keep the flag safe." Annabeth replied. "I'm sending Beck with them as well because she's never played before and if we keep her on defense with two experienced teammates, she's less likely to be overwhelmed."

Beck sighed in relief. She hadn't really been worried about being on offense, she just didn't want to have to deal with the creek that formed the boundary between the sides. Sure it was only a bit of water, but if she could stay away from it, she would.

"Anyway, if any of you use a bow, even if you're an Athenian, spread out over our land and find a tree. Those of you in the minor cabins, pair up and spread out. You're on defense. Make sure to get some kids behind wherever the boys put the flag so no one sneaks up from the back.

"Hermes cabin, spread out along the front line on either side of the wedge formation. Cross the creek and distract. Do not go back for the flag under any circumstances."

Annabeth ticked the orders that she had just issued off on her fingers. "That's everyone. Get in position and wait for the conch horn. Travis and Connor, not the normal place."

"We'll be nearby." Travis said with a smirk. "That way when Percy shows up we see him before he sees us."

"Good idea. Don't make it too obvious and don't drag Beck into anything that she can't handle."

"Right." The two boys dashed off, leaving Beck to follow them with a grunt of annoyance.

She had chosen to wield her bo staff for this game, assuming that it would be better for a beginner than a sharp object that could hurt someone.

Not that she couldn't do plenty of damage with the weapon she currently had.

Travis and Connor were setting up a few feet away from Zeus's Fist. They were hidden in the trees, but anyone who entered the clearing would be easily seen beforehand.

"We're going to stand out in the clearing." Travis told Beck. "Maybe we'll be able to draw anyone who comes near away from the flag. You stay here."

"Right." She muttered. The two boys scrambled up the rocks and clicked their swords together. It seemed to be some sort of thing they did before each game, they didn't even look at each other as they did it.

The conch horn blared in the distance, followed almost immediately by battle cries from near the borders of the game.

Beck was on edge, listening for any sound. A couple of times people crashed through the bushes to their left or right, but the sounds of battle and triumphant cries followed and no one came for the flag.

Travis and Connor were goofing off, pushing each other back and forth on the highest rock and trying to 'become king' of the rubble.

Beck heard a rustle in the bushes behind her and whirled, stepping in front of the flag.

"They put you on the flag?" Percy emerged from the bushes.

"Travis!" Beck shouted, not taking her eyes off the three boys that had stepped into view. She heard one of the brothers swear, then they were heading towards her.

"Get it before they get here." Percy ordered before lunging at Beck.

She stopped his blade inches from her side. Percy immediately pulled back and attacked again. Beck struggled against his strikes until she found the beat of his fighting style.

Percy was a mixed meter. He would switch between a simple four four style and a slightly more complicated six eight style.

'As if this wasn't hard enough.'

Beck knew Percy was viewed as a master swordsman. He was deadly.

"You know, when I said I wanted to see how you fought with this, I didn't imagine these circumstances." Percy said suddenly. Beck was thrown off by the sudden comment and wasn't fast enough to react when he locked his blade with her staff and shoved her backwards into a bush.

Beck immediately felt her ankle roll. She cursed loudly, knowing she wouldn't be able to put her weight on it for weeks now. Percy snatched their flag.

"Get him!" She screamed at a surprised Travis, who had 'dispatched' his opponent and was trying to help her up.

"I don't have to." He pointed over his shoulder. Beck watched in surprise as Percy leapt over a trip wire, only to be tackled by Connor. The two of them rolled around on the ground, wrestling. "We planted enough traps to distract him so we could keep pace with him. Are you okay?"

"Just peachy." Beck groaned. "I can't use my ankle though."

The conch horn sounded in the distance, telling everyone that the game was over and the Athena cabin was still on top.

Travis helped her up. "Let's get you to Chiron."