Proditione et Fide

Chapter II: An Oath

Beta'd by VCRx & PraetorFable
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The Sixth of April

One Month Before the Invasion of Manhattan

Rubbing his eyes, Percy swung himself out of bed. Feeling the cold wooden floor under his feet, he groggily made his way over to his bathroom. Yesterday had been eventful, to say the least. After the plans for their invasion of New York had been finalized (He still couldn't believe he was actually going through with the damn thing), he had a private conversation with multiple councillors, including Annabeth, about the morals of invading a city. He thought of those that had still been adamantly against the plan.

He remembered the look on Travis' face when the boy told him that he had changed, and the look on Connor's when Percy asked him if he thought the same. As he finished brushing his teeth he remembered the tears that Katie had shed into his shirt as he tried to comfort her. Throwing on a Camp Hal-Blood shirt and some shorts he walked out into the cold brisk air. Going places was now an event, even as early as five in the morning. Even just walking to the beach to start his run he attracted stares from the few that were awake that early.

He liked to run early in the day. It helped, being able to think of everything in the morning rather than letting it keep him up every night. Not only did it let him think, but it got him awake quickly, something he often struggled with.

After he finished jogging the perimeter of the camp making sure the guards were remaining vigilant, he noticed the increased activity in the camp along with the ever so faint peak of sunlight on the horizon. Making up his mind, he decided to jog over to the arena.

The arena was a hotspot for those looking to improve themselves. Well, that and workaholics. Entering the arena with the slightest bit of sweat visible through his shirt, he walked over to a practice dummy and began his routine.

About an hour later he got deja vu as a newer camper approached him. Already knowing what the kid was going to say, he let the guard tell him that he was needed at headquarters before moving past him towards the big house.

Entering through the two doors at the front of the house and making his way into the war room, he noticed that when he entered, the cabin councillors were slightly less reluctant to stand up. Just as before, the Roman liaison and Leo's replacement, who was actually here this time, snapped to attention. He shot them a glare, and they quickly got the drift.

Sitting down at the head of the table, he looked over the maps of New York they had laid out.

He frowned, still not satisfied with the plan.

Any death for this plan of theirs would be a tragedy. It seemed, however, necessary, despite how much he cursed himself for that sentiment.

He knew that even if he didn't go along with this plan, someone else would, and more people would just end up dead or suffering. He didn't want this plan to go through, but if it was going to happen anyway, he had to take the opportunity to control it.

He looked up at everyone else sitting at the table. Everyone was wearing the same morose expression. He imagined he wore a very similar look on his face.

"Well, everyone. You know your jobs. Get to preparing and briefing your groups," he spoke. He looked around, trying to find the darkest corner in the room, before addressing it. "Nico, your preparations start in two weeks, on the twentieth. For everyone else, we'll be invading Manhattan in exactly one month, on the sixth of May. You have that much time to prepare. Remember, not everyone in this camp has seen battle. Keep morale high, and blood lust low." He shot a glance at Clarisse with the last part, to which she rolled her eyes in response.

Standing up, he again addressed everyone at the table. "The announcement will be made today at lunch. Classes will be cancelled for the rest of the day, so it's your time to get to know the people under your command before you work the hell out of them for the next month. Go, and good luck," he finished, turning around and walking out of the room, fully expecting Annabeth to follow him.