Perseus Jackson: Titan of The Hunt

CH54: Two Can Play That Game

(Percy)

After a few minutes' walk we had arrived at the area which used to be dominated by Zeus's Fist, I noted the silver flag we were supposed to be defending standing proudly at the peak of the twin peak beside it. To be honest the new rock pile beside it was a more secure location to defend as the boulders were not weathered or battle damaged like Zeus's Fist, but instead freshly created stones placed there by Briares in his revenge killing of Kampẽ, which provided more cover as well as being harder to traverse for anyone who wasn't a satyr.

'Girls I want you to spread out among the rocks and use them for cover. The campers are generally about as subtle as raging Cyclops so whittle them down as they come towards us. Thalia you are on over watch from above, keep an eye out for your brother and his friends but don't attack them on your own. Perseus that is your job though I need you to concentrate on any aerial problems should they arise,also you need to deal with Nemea before we begin.' She outlined quickly as time was of the importance. Therefore I quickly did as she requested, reverting the lioness back to the size of a regular African lioness.

'Nemea I want you to make the campers lives a living hades before they get here, do everything you can to stop them but don't kill them at all costs. Do that and we will get you something good to eat.' Artemis explained as the lioness sat attentively, I thought I saw her eyes glaze over at the prospect of food before she released a loud roar in acknowledgement before running off in the direction of the woods.

'The rest of you spread out and cover the area; we may be outnumbered but show them we are not outmatched. Reyna, wait here a second the rest of you go.' she various other hunters ran off between or in a few cases over the boulder field as they searched for ambush positions, or in Thalia's case simply flew upwards several hundred feet where I could just about see her with bow in hand.

'Milady what is the matter?' Reyna asked nervously.

'I know what you plan on doing during the game; I don't plan on stopping you but understand this, whatever happens when the horn blows at the end of the game that is it. I understand you have resentment towards the daughter of Aphrodite and I recognize you need to deal with it but understand, if you carry on with this after tonight I would not be able to protect you from the consequences,and for hades sake do not kill her.'

'Yes Milady I understand and thank you for understanding, besides I have no intention of killing her where would the fun be in that? Percy can I have a lift to the frontline?' She asked turning towards me.

'Sure I guess, give me a minute I need to speak with Lady Artemis privately.' I replied and the demigod looked confused before shrugging and walking away between some stones.

'So what are you going to be doing?' I asked her as she had not mentioned her own plans for the game.

'Winning.' She replied simply with a smile.

'Fair enough, not that helpful but accurate I suppose.'

'Well it was easier than to say protecting your ass, but seriously remember you are not immortal at the moment so don't go doing any of your usual heroics. I would rather lose the game than lose you, besides I would have to go tell Hades to give you back.' She said worriedly before shifting to a smile.

'I think I could pull a Houdini and just break out anyway.'

'Yeah but you don't have the advantage of being a son of Hades, but I mean it don't die!The first time was bad enough.'

'I don't really want the consequences if I do so I will keep it in mind.' The look on her face of worry however made me want to kiss her but I was well aware of the hunter hovering a few hundred feet above us, which would have made things a little awkward if we were caught.