Desert Winds (a Percy Jackson AU)

The Arrow of Truth

     Annabeth was excited for her promotion. It was planned during the king's visit with his chosen wife. King Frank would then join the fray of battle and the country could measure him against his father.

        King Frank was visiting in two days and that excitement helped keep Annabeth's eyelids open as she stood for sentry duty alongside Reyna. Gleeson has told them they had proved themselves capable enough to be given this important task. Though it wasn't the most glamorous job, it was vital for the army's safety.

     "We're nearly halfway through our watch," Reyna noted.

    Annabeth nodded. There were three watches, so that no soldier was too sleep deprived to fight the next day. She squinted her eyes to peer into the darkness. With the new moon, the only thing lighting up the landscape was their torches and the twinkling of stars in the sky.

"I cannot believe we're getting promoted," Reyna said. "My sister told me it was madness and she's the bravest person I know."

Annabeth nodded. What had begun as a impulsive decision to be with he betrothed had turned into a whole new world of possibilities. Annabeth had always known that men had more opportunities, but pretending to be one showed her just how much. She was treated with more respect and less judgement.

There was a crackling sound and Annabeth turned her head towards the noise. She held her torch in front of her, hoping to discern any movement. Reyna tensed and looked around. There was another sound and then a figure lunging towards them.

     "Attack!" Annabeth screeched.

     Reyna fell to the ground, an arrow sticking out of her left side. Annabeth crouched down and deftly pulled pulled it out, causing Reyna to moan. "Adad, can you get up?"

    Reyna nodded. "Go alert Gleeson," Annabeth said. "I'll hold them off."

    Reyna nodded curtly and got up, running off. Annabeth squared her shoulders and lifted her torch as if it was a sword. A dagger was strapped to her thigh, ready to use if necessary. A figure came barreling towards her, so Annabeth side-stepped.

     They growled and lunged towards her. Annabeth waved widely with her left hand clasped around her torch. A sound caused her to look to her right and the figure took the chance; they hit her in her arm with the butt of their sword, causing the torch to fall out of her hands. It fell to the ground and sputtered before dying.

      "Give up," the attacker said.

      Annabeth narrowed her eyes; she couldn't even make out her attacker's features, but she guessed he was a Mitanni rebel. "You guys promised to sign the peace treaty."

     The figure laughed. "It was a ploy powered by your arrogance."

    Annabeth grabbed her dagger and unsheathed it. "Say that again, you fool!"

    The figure smiled. "I won't have to."

     Annabeth looked at him in shock, her eyes bulging as an arrow entered her back end caused her to fall. The figure stood over her and gave her a contemporary kick in the stomach. "Deliver my message: Mitanni will achieve its independence."

    He walked away and Annabeth was left bleeding into the earth. She wasn't sure how long it was until Gleeson appeared with Reyna by his side. The darkness obscured their faces, but she recognized the sound of their footsteps. Gleeson kneeled over. "He's hurt! I'll kill them!"

     Reyna laid a hand on his shoulder. "Magnus needs medical attention now."

    Gleeson nodded. "I'll pull out the arrow myself."

    As he did so, Annabeth heard him gasp. "Magnus, you're a woman?"