Through Annabeth's Mind: Percy Jackson And The Lightning Thief (Annabeth's POV)

8) My plan works (and we capture the flag, of course)

Later that evening, I met Grover near the strawberry fields. He had just come back from a talk with Mr. D and the Council of Elders.

"How did it go?" judging by his face, not so good.

"I don't think I'll get my searcher's license, Annabeth."

"What? Why?"

Grover had been working his whole life for a searcher's license to go and find the dormant god, Pan. Many satyrs had gone on trips to find him, but none of them had come back alive. Maybe it was better if Grover didn't leave.

"Mr. D suspended judgment. He said that if Percy got a quest, and I would go with him to protect him, and we both come back alive, I might get my license. He said I hadn't failed or succeeded, yet, so our fates are still tied together," he answered, sighing.

"And Percy getting a quest..." I didn't finish.

"Is unlikely. Even if he does, why would he want me along? I'm just a weak satyr."

"Grover! Don't say that. It's not true. I've already told you, and... you never know. Maybe Percy wants you along. He's a good person, I'm sure he sees you the way I do, as a good, loyal friend."

"What if I fail again? Then they might never give me a license, or even let me out of camp again. Or maybe something happens to Percy, it will be my fault."

Just as he said that I remembered my dream. Was it just someone who wanted me to see this or was it something that really happens?

"Tell you what, Grover. If you or Percy ever get a chance to go on a quest, I'll do everything possible to try and come with you, all right?" That made him feel better, he nodded. "After all, you guys are gonna need someone to be the brains of the quest, seeing that you two have none" I said, chuckling.

"Hey!" Grover said, but it made him smile and forget about the license. The horn for dinner sounded, so we walked to the mess hall together.

Finally, Friday evening came. The day of the Capture the Flag game. After we were all done with dinner, the conch horn sounded and everyone stood. I went to retrieve the flag of our cabin, which was a glistening gray, with Athena's symbol painted, a barn owl perched on an olive tree. From the other side of the mess hall, the Ares kids ran in with their much more barbaric, bright red flag, which had a bloody spear and a boar's head on it. All the campers yelled and cheered as we carried it into the pavilion ready to announce the teams. We had made a temporary alliance with the two biggest cabins, Hermes and Apollo, after a long hour trading shower times, chores schedules, and the best slots for some activities in order to get their support. But it was worth it, we were about to get the flag from Ares. They basically got everyone else: Dionysus, Demeter, Aphrodite, and Hephaestus, and apart from the last one, they weren't much of a threat.

Chiron hammered his hoof on the marble.

"Heroes!" he announced. "You know the rules. The creek is the boundary line. The entire forest is fair game. All magic items are allowed. The banner must be prominently displayed, and have no more than two guards. Prisoners may be disarmed, but may not be bound or gagged. No killing or maiming is allowed. I will serve as referee and battlefield medic. Arm yourselves!"

He spread his hands, and the tables were suddenly covered with equipment: helmets, bronze swords, spears, oxhide shields coated in metal. Everyone chose their equipment, but I didn't really need anything cause fighting wasn't the priority in my plan. I preferred my dagger, and obviously my Yankees cap, but I did need the armor so I joined everyone putting it on. I was glad everything was going according to plan. As I turned around, I saw Luke instructing Percy, telling him he would be on border patrol. He looked hilarious with the oversized chest plate, his unbalanced sword, and our team's helmet which had a blue horsehair plume on top. On the other hand, Luke looked quite heroic, with his battle armour and strong, lean body- but I couldn't decide who looked better with the helmet; it matched both of their striking eyes. Percy caught me looking and I quickly turned my head and shouted, "Blue team, forward!".