Frank Tidings

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    Percy steered the ship to land. "You're really good at this," Frank remarked.

    White teeth flashed against Percy's bronzed skin. "Thanks. I've never handled a ship so large."

"You've sailed before?" Frank asked.

"Yeah," Percy said. "My father taught me how when I was five. He said I had to understand the sea and sailing if I was to successfully carry on his business. When I was eleven, a band of pirates caught us."

"Pirates?" Nico said. "What were they like?"

"Rough men toughened from a life of hardships," Percy said. "They were resourceful and clever, but we managed to fight them off."

Nico's eyes were shining in admiration. "Before I got into heroes, I was really into pirates."

Frank smiled, remembering how Nico used to pretend to be a pirate. In the games, he'd sneak away from home and join a ship before working his way up to be a captain. Once he got into heroes, he pretended to be one of them. Frank had fond memories of the two of them play-acting scenes from  The Iliad. He clearly remembered that one time when they were twelve, they had re-enacted the fight between Achilles and Hector. Nico had been Achilles, Frank was Hector, and Hazel had taken on the role of Andromache.

      Once they docked the ship, they went under deck and Percy gave the galley slaves the news. "You are free men now," he said.

    They blinked at him in disbelief. ""We will speak with General Hedge and General Chiron," Frank continued, "and see if you can join the Mytilenean army as paid recruits."

   "So we'd get the chance to bash some Argive heads?" one of them asked.

    Others cheered in response. With the help of the newly freed galley slaves, they were able to unload the cargo from the ship very quickly. The ships carried weapons, as well as supplies for the Argive soldiers. They were amphorae of wine and olive oil, sacks of grain, and containers of dried fish. The Mytileneans cheered when they saw the food being unloaded, but when the newly freed men were taken to General Hedge, Frank noticed a lot of people sending them dirty looks. "Why is that?" he asked. "These men delivered food to them."

"And they don't want to share that food with them," Nico said grimly.

Frank was amazed at how quickly the people's emotions could switch. When they arrived at the tent, Nico stayed outside to supervise the men. Frank and Percy strode forward and greeted the messenger outside of General Hedge's tent. They looked at them suspiciously. "Why are you back already?" the messenger asked.

Percy explained how they had captured a ship. "The battle is still raging," the messenger replied. "You'll have to wait until it's over."

Frank stepped forward, seized by sn idea. "No," he declared. "We'll arm the men now and join the attack."

"But these men are Argives," the messenger protested.

The former galley men heard the messenger. One stepped forward. "I am a native of Lesbos. I was captured by pirates and sold into slavery."

"I'm an Athenian by birth," another said.

"I come from Delphi," another added.

"I'm a native of Crete," another shouted.

Frank faced the men. "Are you ready to battle the men who enslaved you? Are you ready to fight back against them!"

Huge roars of approval erupted from the crowd. The messenger hastily ran and half an hour later, the former galley men were outfitted in an assortment if armor and armed with swords, daggers, spears, axes, bows, anything really they could use. Frank led the men outside of the city walls and into the midst of war.

The galley men were not trained soldiers. Some had a little experience in combat, but most had none. Still, they were strong from hours behind oars and they were fighting with a ferocity the Argives could not match. Their enemies fought to subdue a city, but the galley men fought to protect their newly won freedom and to avenge the opportunities stolen from them.

The rush of fresh men surprised the Argives. They'd been pushing the Mytileneans back towards their walls, but they fled in terror as Frank's contingent approached. Terror was their enemy. It made their movements clumsy. It made them trip over their own feet. It made them easy pickings for the Mytilenean forces who were invigorated by the reinforcements.

Frank led the forces by example. He didn't have his bow and his slingshot was still wet from swimming, but he had his dagger and after some fighting, he picked up a fallen sword. Frank felt himself merge into a warrior. He didn't fight out of anger like Achilles when Patroclus was killed or out of delight for war like Ares. No, it was like a deity had imbued his limbs with strength and grace. Even the clumsiness he had so often abhorred growing up seemed to aid him as he body-slammed against opponents and used his greater weight to his advantage.

The troops, seeing Frank put his own life at risk, felt that connection that one only feels among people that one has risked their lives with. They saw him fight ferociously and they copied his example. Percy was there too, helping anyone who got into a tough scrape, while Nico slunk through the battlefield like he was wearing Hades' helmet.

The Argives began to rally back as they got over their surprise, but it was too late. They were cut off on all sides now. Eventually, General Hedge allowed an opening in the force and the Argives fled towards their remaining ships. Cheers went up from the Mytilenean forces. The forces scoured the Argive camp and took the supplies and booty back to the city.

The walls had been thrown open and the people cheered as the soldiers returned. The former galley men, who the Mytileneans had previously shown distrust to, were now being hailed as heroes. Frank met the gazes of his friends. Percy and Nico were both injured, but not badly.

It took time for things to calm down. People sang and danced in celebration as they saw the Argives sailing away. The soldiers rested and had their wounds looked after. Frank was only too happy to sit down with his friends and enjoy the cool air of the evening.

He looked up as he heard the sound of footsteps approaching them. It was General Hedge, his expression hard to read. Frank suddenly wondered if he would be punished for making the decision on his own. Instead, General Hedge patted him on the back. "You did well, honey cakes," he said. "Especially you, Frank. You showed great courage and strategy and you, Percy, your plan worked. Both of you will be rewarded for your bravery."

Frank smiled. "We won te war. I think that is recompense enough for me."

General Hedge shook his head. "No, there is more due for you, young man."

Then, he clapped Frank on the back one more time and made to rejoin the celebrations.

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