Like Percy had warned him, Frank's training started slowly. At first he was doing sentry duty at least once a day and being delegated to unsavory tasks like cleaning out the latrines. It was boring and stinky work, but it helped him build up his strength. He helped once or twice with cooking, assisted Will for a couple days, and carried messages until he was cleared to begin combat training.

Frank's injury was healing. The cuts and scrapes he had received were fading, though the wound on his torso was still a reddish-pink. Still, Frank knew he was lucky to be alive and he credited it to Will, the gods, and vinegar (in that order).

Training was exhausting at first, but after a week, Frank was cleared to do full-training and his body became accustomed to the exertion. "You've recovered remarkably well," Percy commented one day as they sparred.

Frank was stronger than Percy, but the green-eyed Mytilenean was an expert swordsman. "I've trained since I was twelve," he had told Frank when he asked. "My father said I should be ready for anything. He fought in war and he said any city dweller should be able to fend off thieves."

     Frank enjoyed training with Percy. He'd never had siblings, but Percy felt like a brother. They shared their secrets and trained alongside each other and they both grew into better fighters as a result. Percy helped Frank with his swordsmanship and Frank helped Percy with his wrestling technique. He also showed him how to use a bow and arrow one afternoon. "You make this look easy," Percy said as he watched another of his arrows fall short from the target. "How'd you get so good at archery while living on a farm?"

    Frank shrugged. "I'm a goatherd, so I keep a slingshot and some stones with me at all times. Been using one since I was five."

    He sighed, remembering his first days as a goatherd. The memories were faded and hard to hold onto, but they were there. They were more sensations and feelings, rather than a scene. Frank could smell the scent of goats and hear the gentle tone of his mother's voice, though he couldn't remember her words. He recalled crying that day, but he wasn't sure why.

     "Maybe I should try another weapon," Percy said. "I don't think the bow and arrow is my style."

    Frank laughed. "You're already an adept swordsman, but it's good to be able to use as many weapons as possible."

     "Indeed," came a confident voice.

     "Annabeth?" Percy said, turning to see her walking into the gymnasium.

    It was early dusk, so Frank and Percy were the only ones there still. "Hello," Annabeth said. "Seaweed Brain, Frank speaks sense."

     Frank was surprised she remembered his name from her short visit; then again, Percy was always commenting on how smart she was. "Practice with me," Annabeth said.

     "This isn't Sparta," Percy protested.

      She raised an eyebrow. "Scared you'll lose?"

     Percy handed the bow and arrows back to Frank. "On guard my feisty Spartan lass."

    Annabeth gave the faintest of smiles. The two circled each other. Frank could see Annabeth's eyes were stormy; it was as if she was calculating everything at once in her mind. Percy's entire body was taut and Frank knew he was just as ready to fight as Annabeth was.

     He made the first move, feinting to one side and then lunging to the other. Annabeth anticipated the move and with a flick of her arm, she judo-flipped him. Percy recovered quickly, rolling to one side and then grasping her by the waist. His arms went around her shoulders and soon the fight turned into a kiss. It was a little long and Frank looked away.

Percy and Annabeth broke off, both gasping like fish and looking rather pink. "Erm," a Frank said, shuffling his feet.

"Well, that is the best way to defeat an enemy," Percy said, his eyes glinting in mischief.

Annabeth rolled her eyes. "I'd rather not have you get killed while trying to kiss Argive soldiers."

Percy planted a kiss on her cheek. "Don't worry, Wise Girl. There is only one person I want to kiss and that is you."

***

"How does her mother not find out?" Frank asked later that evening. "From what Hazel told me, Athena is a sharp woman."

"Annabeth is clever too," Percy said, "and she has handmaiden who helps us keep in touch. I bribe her with money. I think she's saving up to buy her freedom."

Frank nodded. On the battlefield, he outranked a Percy, but when life returned to normal, it would be the other way around. Unless the Argives won. Then, they'd both likely be killed and the social order of women would be scrambled. "You remind me of Hector," Frank said as he ate his dinner with Percy.

They were eating soup today that was more water than leek or lentil. He spooned another bit into his mouth, hoping to quiet his grumbling tummy. "How so?" Percy asked.

"Well, you don't like fighting, but I see that fighting for Annabeth makes you brave," Frank said.

Percy laughed. "You should've seen me growing up. I was such a troublemaker — always getting into fights. I've had a few dozen tutors because they all tired of me. I'm not like Hector, Frank, but you are."

Frank blinked. "I'm no great hero," he said.

"Yes you are," Percy said. "You came here with no previous knowledge of war, but you have rose to the challenge."

"I've spent a third of my time here out of commission," Frank argued.

"Because you were brave enough to lead the fight," Percy said. "Like Hector. I know you're fighting for the girl that you love and for your family. Face it, Frank: you're a hero."

Frank spooned the last bit of soup into his mouth and then set the empty bowl down on the earth in front of him. The sky was growing gradually darker by the minute. Frank turned to Percy, still mulling his words over in his mind. "Maybe we all are," he said.