A week had passed since the Argives fled and the first ships carrying food arrived at the Mytilenean port. The city was awash with life again like a tree that had lost all of its leaves in the winter, but was now swathed with fresh growth. The victory over the Argives had buoyed the city. General Chiron and General Hedge were hailed as heroes and the freed galley slaves were granted citizenship, though some chose to return to their homelands.

After months of campaigning and training, Frank was glad to have a break. He and the other soldiers had been helping with rebuilding the damaged city walls, but they were told they could leave this week. He was glad. The repairing of the walls left the men sore and sweaty when each workday ended.

The evening before he was set to leave, Frank sat down and chatted with his comrades over dinner. Percy was grinning widely. "Any news?" Frank asked him.

Percy's grin stretched wider. "I'm getting married."

"To Annabeth?" Frank asked.

Percy nodded, his eyes growing softer like mist over a calm sea. "Frederick was impressed by plan, so he told Athena about the proposal. I think the victory sort of won her over because she worked out a deal with my father."

Frank nodded. Many women didn't have as much say as Athena did, but she had married with a large dowry and it had given her a certain amount of power in her marriage. Strangely, Luke looked a bit peeved about the announcement. Frank remembered him saying his father was a merchant and he wondered if he had wanted to marry Annabeth to cement an alliance between the two families.

      Nico also had news. "Will is going to take a rooster to my father when we return. Hopefully then, he'll stop speaking of marriage."

    Frank smiled. He had seen the shy smiles between the two men and how Nico had spent a lot of time assisting in the medics' tent the past week. Leo had also announced his betrothal to Calypso. It seemed like everyone he knew from childhood was finding love — everyone but Octavian. He had fought well enough, but had not distinguished himself like Frank and Percy had.

      Octavian had spent his free time the last week gutting children's' toys and pretending to be a priest. Whenever Frank saw him, he heard the blonde man muttering under his breath about world domination and following the example of the Darnaeans. Frank wasn't certain, but he didn't think Octavian would be the next Odysseus or Diomedes.

    "What about you, Frank?" Percy asked. "Any plans?"

   "I'll be going home," Frank said, blinking happily.

     "I bet you're happy to see my sister," Nico said.

    Frank nodded. "I am."

     Nico smiled slightly. "You don't need my approval, but you've got it. You're a good person, Frank, and my sister is fond of you. Just remember to treat her well. If I hear one word of you laying your hand on her, I'll just down your door."

    Frank nodded. It was not unheard of for neighbors to get involved in cases of domestic abuse. "I swear by the River Styx that I would never willingly hurt Hazel," he vowed.

Nico nodded gravely after Frank swore his oath. "I will hold you to that."

There was a lull in the conversation until General Hedge came over to their tent. "What are you doing here when you should be receiving the praise of your fellow citizens?" Percy said, half in jest.

"Praise can grow weary," General Hedge said. "Sometimes a man simply wants to fight for the sake of it and not for the glory."

Frank laughed. "That's the most unheroic thing I think you've ever said and perhaps the wisest. If the Achaeans had you as a general, maybe the war at Ilium wouldn't have lasted ten years."

General Hedge grunted in satisfaction. "I came here to speak about you — not me. I promised that you would be rewarded for your bravery and that time has come — all of you. You did well, honey cakes."

    His fierce face split into a smile. "You did well indeed," he said. "Percy, I am glad to hear of your betrothal. It looks like you've got a wonderful wife, but remember that your engagement does not mean you can sneak off just yet."

     "My term ends tomorrow," Percy said.

       "Exactly," General Hedge said. "Don't blow it by deserting early."

    Frank was glad General Hedge didn't know about how Percy had snuck out last night to spend it with Annabeth or he'd be ballistic. The General turned his gaze to Nico next. "You may have not ever led soldiers, but according to Frank and Percy," he said, "you have fought well. I've seen you too, helping out in the medics' tent. You're a hard-worker and so I spoke with Athena and Frederick. They agreed to grant your family freedom as recompense for what you have done. Your family will still be renting the land, but you are not tied down to it."

Nico's jaw dropped and then he smiled. "I cannot believe it. Thank you."

To everyone's surprise, he stood up and gave General Hedge a side hug. "There, there," the older man said, patting Nico on the back. "It was nothing."

Nico sat down again, a small smile on his face. General Hedge turned to Frank. "You've proven yourself time and time again," he said. "Like your father, you are a valiant warrior. I hope I have a son like you, one day."

Frank wanted to disagree, but General Hedge raised a palm to deter him. "As a general, I have done power over where the spoils of war go. General Chiron and I have decided that you should be given one talent that you may use however you wish."

Frank's jaw dropped. A talent? That would be more money then he'd ever had in his life? What would he do with it? His thoughts turned to Hazel and he realized the money would be well spent if only he could find away to secure their futures together.