Chapter Text
Perseus took a few practice swings of the trident, likely to get used to the resistance of the water.
The two of them had sparred a lot on land over the past few weeks, and he had introduced proper trident training, but this was the first real chance they’d had to spar in the ocean.
Hypothetically, combat under water should come naturally to his brother, but all of his training had been on land as had almost all of his combat experience. Experience could challenge a natural reaction, and unfortunately his brother had far too much experience.
Triton tried to tamper down his nerves.
Bringing Perseus to Atlantis had been the right idea, and Perseus more than deserved his place in the family, that much had become clear to him all too quickly after getting to know him.
Bringing Perseus to Atlantis had been necessary, and Atlantis loved him, but it was challenging.
He had informed Perseus of as much of their law and culture as he could, as well as Perseus’s role as a prince and what might come with it. They had clarified what would be expected of him, and explained what other roles he might need to take on once he was of age.
Which had served as a reminder that he was not of age, and that when he came of age, everyone would learn the truth.
Despite everything he had told Perseus, it was still evident that he was different. That he had not been raised in Atlantis.
This was yet another one of those things. Perseus was a mortal hero, and skilled in combat, but he had not trained as an Atlantean warrior, as a prince of Atlantis would have. Should have.
Didn't, because the ancient laws forbade it.
A part of him wondered if it was to keep Perseus safe, or because everyone who had known had believed him prophesised to die on his 16 th birthday and had not wanted to grow attached.
Perseus signalled ready, and Triton lunged forwards. His brother’s reaction was slower than on land, clumsier, but his instincts had kicked in.
Good.
They continued for a little while as he tested his brother, and unfortunately, it gathered a crowd.
He knew most of them, honourable warriors of Atlantis, mers he’d fought alongside in the war and many times before. They would be skilled and knowledgeable to see the skill being challenged by the new terrain. Knowing he’d been involved in the battle for Olympus and actually seeing him fight were two different things. This was the real test, and Perseus was at a disadvantage.
Children were not allowed to fight in actual combat before they were 21, but most started training very young, basic defence they could expand if they wished to. Most Atlanteans, at least those who took combat training, were far more advanced in their training by this age than he would be. There were many aspects of Atlantean Combat that were unique to them, and Perseus would be starting from scratch or worse.
There had been nobody to train his brother, not with the skills that came to all Atlanteans nor the ones unique to being a child of Poseidon, and he had simply worked it out himself. It was impressive, Triton would admit, but there were areas in which it was dangerous for him to be untrained.
Areas in which he could come to harm if he continued without formal training.
It was miraculous he had not yet come to harm.
Unless he had and Triton simply did not know of it.
Noami, a mer captain he’d known since he was a child, swum forwards the second he called a break. He did not insist she used his formal title every time she approached, they’d known each other too long for that, but she still bowed her head.
“He’s skilled, for someone who trained on land.”
“He is.”
“Even learning new forms, his experience is clear to see. Do you think he’d be willing to spar once he’s learned some more?”
“I think he’d be willing to spar now.”
He gestured over to where Perseus and a young soldier were eyeing up the ring.
The few who had decided to approach Perseus had all bowed and respected his station, not that he had ever doubted that they would. Perseus did not seem as outwardly uncomfortable with the formalities as he had when he’d first arrived, or when he’d been told about them.
He was impressed, until one of the warriors forgot himself for a second and lightly punched Perseus on the arm, before apologising profusely.
Until Perseus responded,
“Nah, don’t even worry about it.”
Noami choked on a laugh beside him.
“Don’t.”
“I’ve met the New York River gods; I don’t think you’re going to get that city out of him.”
“I can try.”
He did not protest the two stepping into the ring.
Nor did he protest when Perseus drew Anaklusmos instead of picking up the trident.
This would be interesting.
Despite how little experience Perseus had, both underwater and in general, he matched the soldier blow for blow, before using a feign to disarm and knock the mer down.
A cheer went up from the spectators and Triton let out a silent sigh of relief.
Noami jumped in the ring before the first mer had managed to pick himself up, and he fought off a flash of betrayal. She was supposed to be on his side, even if he hadn’t managed to inform her of Perseus’ age yet. He was not yet ready to be sparring skilled and practiced Atlanteans fighters like herself, and she should have known better.
The feeling went away rapidly. Perseus was smiling as they sparred, and taking onboard every piece of advice Noami offered him. Every strike inside his guard came with a tip, and the next time he’d adapt using that tip.
Fine, they’d be allowed to spar again. If she was willing to be helpful, he’d allow it.
With a final move that left Perseus on the ground and her thrown into a wall, they called it a tie, and she retuned to his side.
Unfortunately, his brother remained in the ring, grinning like it was some sort of holiday.
Child.
“He’s definitely skilled, I will look forward to seeing how those skills grow as his training progresses. I've had recruits come to me with a lot less than he has, and I suspect they were older than he is.”
She shot him a pointed look, but it was not his information to divulge.
“You don’t have to tell me anything, old friend, but the duties the king have given him thus far are suited to an underage prince, even with his other commitments on land. The situation truly is complicated, isn’t it?”
“You have no idea. The fates demanded more of us, of him, than they had any right to.”
She sucked in a sharp breath.
“There is not a person here who would not protect your brother with their life, my prince, you may need to worry about him when he is up there, but here not so.”
“I did not need you to say so to know it was true, I trust you, Noami. But thank you.”
“So, should we let him beat all of them around the training arena, or call for lunch before my warriors embarrass themselves further.”
One of the warriors let out a pointedly times shriek and he swam forwards.
The soldiers went still, and Perseus grinned as he panted.
“It is time for a break.”
They ended up around one of the many tables set to the side of the sparring area. Unlike many places, the goblets and plates were not enchanted. Instead, somebody had brought food and drinks to the training room edge, anticipating their needs. He had ordered some of it, the rest had likely been ordered by Noami for her warriors.
Triton made sure to position his brother to his side as they took benches and the joking started anew.
There was a place for royal titles and proprietary, and maybe it was the warrior in him, but this was one of the few situations where he would not concern himself if they were dropped.
One of the warriors, Rinus, handed a goblet to Perseus as they all traded food between their plates.
He pulled the goblet out of his brother’s hand before he could take a drink, replacing it with a mortal beverage he liked instead.
“Oh stop fussing Triton, let him have some mead.”
“No!”
“Why not, we’re all adults here? Or close enough.”
“I’m 16.”
If he did not have the restraint that came with a royal education, Triton would have slammed his head into the table. It had been unfortunately agreed that it would be necessary to reveal Percy’s age and that it was at Percy’s digression how and when he chose to do so. This was not what he’d expected.
Thought why he had expected anything else from his brother, he wasn’t sure.
There was total silence around the table, total stillness, except for Percy, who sipped his diet coke.
Triton was almost certain he was smiling into the goblet.
Child.
Utter child.
.
Triton had not been expecting the Iris call, so he assumed it was from his brother. Unless it was an emergency most people booked his time or used other methods of communication.
Perseus was not meant to return to Atlantis for another week, and even that had been up in the air after Father had been recalled to Olympus and communication all but severed.
He answered it, only to be faced with the daughter of Athena instead. He wasn’t sure Athena’s children could be trusted any more than the goddesses herself, even if Perseus acted like she could hold the sky above her head. Like she was in any way worthy of him.
“Lord Triton."
Her tone and face betrayed the sense of control she was clearly trying to maintain, and something cold settled in his stomach.
Something was wrong.
Something was very wrong.