Conquer

~7~

Photo by Zoltan Tasi on Unsplash 

"In order to attack here," Thalia points to the underside of her ribcage. "you must be able to disarm them there." She then refers to her arm guarding that side.

My body hurts from the days upon days of training, bruises covering every inch of skin. I nod, bouncing a little. Today I am determined to show the general and co-general I am worthy of being here. I will not be sent back to my family with nothing to show for anything I've accomplished. I will fight for my kingdom, and I will bring honour to my family.

Thalia licks her lips, clear dark circles matching mine in the waking of the day. The sun rests at the perfect spot in the sky to blind me and I squint. She gestures to me, "Again."

We commence our calculated fight, turning into more of an art form than rough battle. Thalia tells me it is better to learn the techniques first, so then my body can move swiftly in the grueling, non-stop, and dirty fight we call human conflict. I am determined not to give up, despite the self-doubt trickling through my thoughts. It infiltrates it and rests there like lice in hair. I do as Thalia says, and have reminded myself to not speak down to me.

I strike her underarm, catching Thalia by surprise. I see it flash across her face and take that as a moment of weakness, a moment of clear distraction. Aha! My left leg hits her in the thigh, and I knock her sword to the ground, my dagger shining in the morning sunlight. That is when I shove the butt of my dagger into her ribcage, marking it as the killing blow.

Thalia coughs, clutching her side, "I was not expecting that, Chase. Nicely done."

I grin, proud of myself. She has taught me to find strengths within myself and use that to aid me in everything. Thalia calls it the human design, and apparently it is linked to finding purpose in your life.

For example, I am a good listener, so I apply that to anything I may hear from her, how others feel in combat due to their body language and facial expressions, and how to best use the instructions I am given and apply them correctly to myself - this especially helps when Percy is yelling at us. I am also a quick thinker, which not only aids my reflexes but also survival as in combat you must be able to think on your toes at every strike.

"Thank you," I say, pride lacing through my tone. "Again?"

She waves her hand, "No, you need to get to the field for training today. I heard you're learning archery." I feel a little disappointment but that soon lifts when I realize I won't be thrown to the ground in combat today.

I lean forward, saying, "You're just scared I'll beat your butt again."

"A little," she winks, brushing off her pants. "Alright, go or else you'll be late. And you know what that means."

Oh, I do. Tardiness, appearance and character are all very strict in the military I have found. If I am late, I will pay. Whether that be twenty laps around the camp or completing 100 pushups in front of everyone before we can move in with our training for the day. Depends on whose deciding the punishment. Percy likes laps, General Hedge likes humiliating you and your weaknesses in front of everyone. Thalia also has taught me how to view my weaknesses as strengths. This has done me well for the punishments of being late as I have done it a few times.

My legs pump quickly through the tents, and trip around ropes tying them to the ground. I see everyone assembling on the other side of the camp from where Thalia and I frequently train in the forest. They are picking their bows, and I see Percy watching with a careful eye. How can I even squeeze in without being seen?

Scuttering around a tent, I peek around the corner. My eyes catch on a small opening in the line up. I duck down, padding across the wet grass. The soldiers are too caught up in the new section of training that they don't notice me slide between them. I breathe a sigh of relief but it catches in my throat when I meet Percy's knowing eyes. Shoot.

He then turns to the rest of the group and I cringe a little, waiting for him calling me out and granting me the twenty or so laps around the camp. But instead, Percy says, "Once you have your bow and arrow, take a spot on the line. Try not to shoot each other, please."

My jaw practically falls open, but I keep it locked. He isn't calling me out, or even recognizing my tardiness. The table full of bows and bags of arrows opens up in front of me when the line moves and I shove any questions from his decision to dismiss my late arrival. I run a finger along a dark wooden bow, the carvings deeping embossed in it. Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. It's hard to think of something so wonderfully made to take a life.

I haven't allowed myself to think of taking lives, it isn't desirable in the slightest to me. But I know it is a part of war. Death. Sorrow. I guess it just never was in the forefront of my mind when I made this fatal decision.

"Hurry up, Perch," someone grumbles from behind me. Probably Jefferson.

I grab the bow, moving to snatch a bag of arrows to sling across my back. I hear Percy say, "The bows and bags of arrows you pick will accompany you to battle, so, I do not want to see one bow on this table again."

"Where can we refill our arrows?" Leo asks.

"Same place you go for fixing or buying weapons."

"Ah, okay, makes sense."

I take my spot on the grass, facing the target a ways away from me. Men down the line get the 'okay' to begin shooting. I am keenly aware of Percy making his way down the line, correcting people and giving them permission to go ahead - not to mention, reminding them not to kill anyone or flag the line.

I face directly toward the target, the bow awkward in my grasp. Then Percy arrives to me, his eyes assessing. "Fix your posture, Perch, you aren't walking through low-ceiling tunnels."

I stand back straighter, my head clearing a bit. Huh. He gently places his hands on my shoulders and moves me to face him to the side. "Don't face completely forward." I nod. "Now, raise your bow."

I do so, my fingers thrumming with a tiny heartbeat against the bow string. "How's this?"

He tsks, saying, "Elbow down, shoulders back. Okay, good, good." Percy then comes around in front of me, meeting my eyes. "Position your hips and feet however you feel is comfortable, and relax. Just relax your muscles, I can tell you're really tense."

"Why'd you let me go without punishment for my tardiness?" I blurt.

He sighs a little, eyes never breaking contact with mine. "You have enough physical activities to catch up on, I'm not going to assign more."

"So, you were helping me?"

"You could say that."

I huff, "I don't need help."

His eyes twinkle, "Yeah, yeah, I know, you're a proud male. Well, hate to break it to ya but we all need help sometimes. Never a bad thing, or a sign of weakness for that matter."

"Is it apparent how less experienced I am than everyone else?" I ask, not knowing why I am opening up like this to him.

"I wouldn't say that. You're not the strongest guy here, but you have far greater power within than most in the kingdom, dare I say."

"I'll take it," I smirk.

He grins back, before saying, "Okay, the trick is to let the bow do the work. You're just the thing propping it up." His fingers then push the bow closer to me, the string brushing my lips. "Touch your hand to the corner of your mouth, that'll be the best indicator to how to place your stance."

"Okay."

"And then, shoot."

I do so, letting the arrow soar. Whoosh. It hits the second inner ring. 

Have a great day/night wherever you are! - The Fangirl