The Blade ~Book One~

Chapter One: The Ambush

"Hey, I just wanted to warn you that someone's been talking about your plan." Rowan's golden hair shimmered in the light of the campfire, "You might want to change it."

My eyebrow arched, "How do I know this isn't some trick? Did Thomas put you up to this- I'm going to go talk to him."

"No, he didn't. Like I said, I'm just here to warn you." She didn't sound like she was lying, but she's on the other team. Therefore, I couldn't trust her word.

"Even if what you're saying is true, it's too late. We're starting any minute now." I stated dryly.

She shrugged, "Suit yourself."

I took a seat and tried to ignore the party behind me. I'd been waiting for tonight for weeks now. Every now and then, demigods would look at me with a terrified expression because I had my game face on, and everyone at camp knew what that looked like.

Tonight was the final capture the flag game of the year, which makes it a great deal. Ares leads red team, and Athena leads blue, as usual. Since I'm the head counselor for Ares, I got to pick what other cabins get to be on the winning side.

Deep in thought, I stared at the plate in front of me. Instead of eating, I found myself tracing the outline of the platter.

"Aren't you going to eat that?" A voice asked, but I didn't make the effort to look up, "Beth, don't tell me you're thinking about the game?" I turned towards my friend, "It's just a game!" She reminded me.

"It's not just a game! It's a test." I shot back, but she simply sighed before taking a seat at my cabin table.

"Fine...well you better have a good plan for our team." An evil smile crept on her face.

"Of course I do, Athena stands no chance. Besides, we've got the Hephaestus kids, there'll be traps everywhere!"

She rolled her eyes, "I still can't believe you convinced the Hephaestus kids to work with us."

"What? I'm very convincing."

"Totally." She shook her head.

"I am!"

"Lia, Beth, the game's starting soon, you better start taking your team to your side of the woods." A deep voice interrupted.

"Of course, Chiron." Lia responded with a bright smile before sprinting off to start gathering everyone.

The centaur looked at me with sad eyes, "Good luck, Beth."

I forced a smile before following Lia.

-

"I know, it's not going to be easy, but we will make this work! Stick to the plan, and things should go fine. Look out for that Zeus kid, and avoid Nike and Nemesis campers unless it's absolutely necessary. Are you ready?" I shouted to my team, and lots of yelling came in response.

"Xander!" I called to the Hephaestus cabin counselor, "Traps ready?"

"Oh they're ready!" His voice called back with a bit of madness in it.

I had a new strategy this time around. I decided to have some small groups travel together, some defense, and a large group, which I'd be a part of, heading straight down the middle of the woods. This way, if we found blue team's flag, we'd have a better chance of capturing it if there were more of us. We would most likely outnumber their defense.

It was now an hour or two before curfew, and the dark forest was barely lit by the sky.
I gave my team an approving nod before fixing my sheath and armor.