Frank was sick of war. He was sick of the way it changed people. Some rose up and showed valor and perseverance. There were those like Percy who inspired others with their bravery. There were others like General Hedge who led by example, showing their soldiers that they were willing to work just as hard as them. General Hedge never shirked from training or even unglamorous duties like latrine cleaning and his men loved him for that.

Nico showed a perseverance for pain and suffering that frankly, was a bit alarming. After the third battle, though, he disappeared. "He's either dead or captured," Percy said.

"He cannot be dead," Frank said. "We haven't found his body."

Percy's face was shadowed. "The Argives might have desecrated it."

Frank shuddered. Would the Argives really treat their enemies' bodies as Achilles had done when he had Hector's corpse dragged around the dust? Only the gods had prevented his body from rotting and Frank feared no such thing would happen now.

One afternoon, Frank and Percy were both called to General Hedge's tent. Percy had been elevated in Frank's absence and Frank was quite frankly astonished that he still had his rank. "You earned it," Percy had assured him, but it didn't feel like it.

      "Frank, Percy," General Hedge said, acknowledging each man as they entered the tent.

    Frederick and Poseidon were already waiting in the tent. "Seeing my son here in probably the proudest moment of my life," Poseidon said.

Percy ducked his head in embarrassment. "You're sounding a lot like mom, now."

Poseidon smiled, his eyes crinkling up. "It's every man's dream to see his children succeed — and even do better than he did."

Percy muttered something under his breath about having a long way to go. General Hedge cleared his throat. "We have gathered here today to discuss our next course of action. Lately, a lot of our men have been captured."

They all nodded. Not a single person didn't know someone who the Argives had captured. "My only consolation," General Hedge said, " is that we have captured some of their men too. However, keeping prisoners is depleting our food supplies. I'd like to arrange a diplomatic mission to do a prisoner swap."

"A good idea," Poseidon said. "And who would you have lead it?"

"I'm not the most diplomatically inclined," General Hedge admitted. "I'm more of a bash first, ask questions later sorta guy. I was thinking Frederick and Frank could lead the mission. Experience and youth together — a strong combination. Frederick nodded. "I'd be glad to do so," he said. "I think the meeting should take place in the no man's land outside the walls. That way both sides are inclined towards cooperation."

General Hedge nodded. "A fine idea. And what have you to say, Frank?"

"It is a good idea," Frank agreed. "We could also pay ransom if we need to and try to negotiate a temporarily cease-fire to honor the dead. It happened during the Trojan War, so why not now?"

     General Hedge nodded. "It is by emulating the heroes of old that we can find virtue."

     Frank wasn't so sure about that. He remembered how Ajax had gone mad and tried to kill his comrades, Odysseus had framed Palamedes, and Agamemnon had ticked off pretty much everyone. "So, I'll send a messenger to suggest a talk," General Hedge said, "and I'll keep you guys updated on what's happening."

****

   Three hours later, Frank received word that the talks were on. "You are Frederick are meeting them soon," the messenger told him. "You're supposed to be at the gates in twelve minutes."

   Frank nodded and thanked the messenger. He quickly washed his face. He wore his armor, but carried a slingshot and stones instead of his sword. He quickly went to the gates and waited until Frederick appeared. The older man was looking less rumpled than usual. Soldiers always joked that he was a brilliant soldier, but without his wife, he couldn't dress himself properly.

   The two men left the city and walked into the no man's land until they met the Argive commanders. The first was a beefy man who looked as large and intimidating as Frank imagined Heracles was. The second man was shorter and burly with muscular arms laced in scars. "You wanted to speak?" the shorter man asked.

    Frederick nodded. "We have both captured soldiers from the other side."

    "We've captured more," the beefy man said.

     Frank didn't rise to the insult, though he knew his father would want him to repay it with heavy blows. "Would it not benefit everyone to do a prisoner exchange?" he asked.

     The shorter man raised an eyebrow. "What are you suggesting?"

    Frank took a deep, steadying breath. "We could declare a ceasefire for seven days. On the first, we would swap prisoners and we'd have the six remaining days to honor the dead."

    The burly man's eyes narrowed and Frank thought he'd object, but to his surprise and relief, he did not. ""That would be good," he said.

The beefy man turned to him. "You'd agree to this?"

His voice was incredulous, but the shorter man nodded and his expression cleared. It was obvious the larger man trusted the smaller one's judgement. "Alright," the larger one said, "but the cease fire starts today. Bring the prisoners out in an hour or we're calling off the deal."

Frederick and Frank both nodded before hurrying back to the city. General Hesge was there at the gates, pacing and tapping his wooden cudgel against his thighs. He straightened up as he saw them. "There you are! How did it go?"

Frank reported what happened and General Hedge nodded. "I'll make an announcement."

About an hour later, Frederick and Frank were leading the Argive prisoners of wars (still in ropes) out of the city. They met the Argive commanders and commenced the prisoner swap. Frank's eyes fell upon Nico's face. The pale man looked frailer than ever, but Frank had never been happier to see him.