Prince of the Seas, Lord of the Eclipse (Discontinued)

Chapter 13

The camp was bustling. Everyone was doing something for the war efforts, or they were training. My class had just ended when a horn sounded. Looking to the top of the hill, I saw a bunch of silver clothed girls...and a man dressed in gold. My siblings were here...and of course Artemis had to bring the Hunt. Of course she was going to be mad that I sort of volunteered her hunters without asking...but I was her little brother, I doubt she would do much, right? Wrong.

"You did what!" She yelled at me later that day.

"Well...errr, I volunteered your hunter...Atalanta. She's the oldest in your group, other than Zoë, but I figured Zoë would be busy at your lieutenant."

She sighed but nodded. "You are right, but you had better know that you are never to do such things without my consent again."

"Thanks sis!" I grinned. Now it was time to see these campers become something of legends.

----

"No. You have to keep your sword up and your arms loose but not too loose. Be flexible but don't give up anything."

I was trying my best not to get frustrated. Teaching these kids everything they needed to know as fast as possible wasn't going to work as well as I had hoped.

At least the undead hero's were doing far better. But most of them had been former kings or generals. They had trained troops and lead them into battle. I was fairly glad that Hades had helped me with this favor. Maybe I owed him for the extra thing he gave me for it, but that was an easy decision to agree to.

What had astounded me was the number of humans that worshipped us, that came to us. Clearly the satyr's only brought us ones that were willing to fight for us and they swore an oath on the Styx to never turn on us, but I was astounded nonetheless. Our measly group of fifty campers before the time reset bounded up into the multiple thousands.

I can see why humans wanted to help though. A lot of then were formerly poor. It was hard to get food into their bellies and clothes on their backs in this kind of time frame. We offered all of that. We had barracks set up now and no doubt we would have to expand again soon.

I had a feeling though, Kronos was doing his own recruiting. He had spurned the use of humans in the first war because they were beneath him. They had fought with the gods and look what happened. I doubt he would make that mistake again, even if just to secure his throne again.

"How do you expect them to be perfect so quickly?" My sister, always one to question my ideas.

"I don't but I'm not patient in this area. I wasn't patient with myself either. I don't know, its hard to look at their progress and see how far they've come. But I'm thankful for the heroes...and this boy, Luke."

"Luke? Isn't he that Annabeth girl's friend?" she asked.

"Yes. He helped the brand new campers and recruits when the heroes found it just beyond their ability to stretch themselves that thin. He's an excellent swordsman. I'm thinking..."
I mutter, trailing off.

"You're thinking what? You can't possibly ne thinking to train him personally? You don't have that kind of time now."

"I do. And I will, now I need to go find him."

I had every intention of making this boy a force to be reckoned with, one that his father couldn't help but to acknowledge. That was his goal after all. He just wanted Hermes to recognize him and see how much he wanted him to be impressed.

"Luke!" I shouted, spotting him headed to the dining pavilion. "Can I get a quick word with you?" I ask, trotting up to him.

"You want to talk with me?" he asked stunned.

"Yes. Look, how bad do you want your dad to see you?"

He looked stunned. A slightly disappointed look flashed across his face. "It's all I want right now...well, one of the only things I want."

"The other one?" I asked, though I was sure I knew what it was.

"It's something beyond me to get back. Plus, Zeus wouldn't allow it."

I chuckled. "My dad owes me a lot, and I'm sure he'd let a lot more than what you want back slide to get on my good side again."

"You know then?" he asked in wonder.

"Little known fact...I'm one of the three gods of archery, I also have the eclipse and tides, but something no one knew or really acknowledged if they did was the fact I am a god of heroes. Whenever any of you pray, doesn't matter if its to your parents or just in general, I hear it. I do a lot to help you guys. I can hear you, I'm not constricted by the Ancient Laws, though most of the gods aren't anymore either but they don't know that. I also know what it's like to be a demigod so I want to make you guys' life easier."

He looked at me in awe. "Could you? Could you bring her back?" he asked, unshed tears in his eyes.

"Not yet.."

He looked down, his fists clenching. "I knew it."

"I can't do it yet..." I say going on, "but at the next eclipse, that might be a different story. I don't have the power right now, but during that time, any of us three can draw from each other's sources and I should be able to get her back. Let me ask them so they don't get mad at their power being siphoned."

"Why are you helping me?" he asked.

"Because, I like you kid. And I want to train you personally. I think you could be the one to end this war. Kronos appears to you in your dreams right?"

He looked startled, then looked at the ground, "Yes," he murmured. "But I didn't accept his offer," he said.

"Hey, I'm not saying you did, nor would I think less of you for considering it. He isn't called the Crooked One for nothing. He will say anything to get you to believe him. He said he could bring Thalia back, didn't he? Do you really think he would do that?"

Luke shook his head, "But it sounded so good. I don't want to betray you guys, but the offer sounded good...and my dad doesn't pay attention to us. No one does. We have so many unclaimed demigods. I don't think its right."

I nodded. "I agree with you. At the next council meeting, I'll mention it. I don't know if they will abide by it, but I will say something. But I think there's a better way for what you want to happen to be upheld. Fight for us. Win the war. You will be rewarded, of that I will personally make sure of it. Then ask for them to swear an oath to claim their children, all of them. But as for Thalia, I will do what I can to get her back. Plus, I doubt dad will mind that I brought back his youngest daughter. He's partial to his little girls...I know because he doted on Artemis when we were kids."

Luke thanked me profusely and agree to train under me. Perfect. Now all that's left was to get married. This war would fall into place and we would win, I was sure of it.