I leaned back, the wind ruffling my hair as the Pegasus I was riding flew through the air.
Leilani was flying near me, her tanned skin shining in the afternoon sunlight.
Silena waved to me, motioning down. Her veil was pinned up, sparkling with the sparkles that covered it.
I sighed, but reluctantly tapped the reins.
"Could you take me down?"
"Yes, my Prince," the Pegasus nickered.
The sky was a bit scary, knowing Zeus would not be pleased with me in his area (especially since my existence could mean the downfall of Olympus and he was kinda obligated to try and get rid of such a threat) meant that normally I wouldn't do so.
But Pegasus were different.
Riding a Pegasus didn't come with any tension or nervousness. It was comfortable and safe. Pegasus were descendants of Poseidon but were of the sky. They were a safe place.
I would never be afraid while on a Pegasus.
"You know, I think the thing I'm most jealous about is just that you get to see your dad."
I looked up from my curse theory book, my stomach twisting.
"What?"
"Like," Leilani paused. "I haven't gotten to see my mom at all, that I know of, and I'm kinda jealous that you get to see your dad. That he's present enough in your life you get to see him."
I shuffled, "Sorry?"
Was she mad about it? Like Annabeth was- well she wasn't mad about this but she did bring it up…
She waved her hands quickly, "Wait no- don't be sorry- that's not- sorry I didn't mean it in a bad way just… I've been thinking lately and I've realized that, a lot of the stuff you've mentioned, the subtle things with Triton giving gifts, and the way the fish seem to know you, and some of the stories and stuff… well it made me realize that my mom did some of that too."
I blinked, "She did?"
"Yeah! Like, I've heard some Hermes kids talk about how their dad does little things for them. Gifts appearing, money appearing, warmth and comfort when upset. Even the floor of the cabin was always strangely soft to sleep on."
I nodded, I remembered that. It wasn't really uncomfortable there.
"Alabaster- well he talked about it some too with his mom. So did Aponi. Just how some supplies appeared for them, how they could just getsome stuff with their magic, like someone was whispering guidance. Stuff like that."
"Wow, that's cool."
"Yeah… and well, I've kinda realized that I have some stuff like that. I just never realized before cause I wasn't thinking of it. Just like… it was really hard for us for a while. My dad did his best, and he's wonderful but… things are really hard in Hawaii. Everything is pretty expensive and native Hawaiians… well… things aren't great. And we were really struggling for a big part of my childhood."
I listened wide eyed, "I'm sorry."
She waved her hand, "It's okay, well it's not but yeah… but we had just… really good luck with certain things? Like on the beaches useful stuff tended to wash up. And three years ago, my dad got a really lucky break with a job that paid really well. It just came out of nowhere and the person said my dad was recommended but they never explained who did it."
I started to understand what she was talking about.
"And just… my dad… I remember him being so relieved. He was doing a lot to take care of me alone. And just- I wonder now how much my mom was helping us. How much was luck and how much was my mom offering us bits of aid."
I nodded, "I'm sure she helped some… but I'm sorry you had to go through that."
She shrugged, "It's just, you know- I get those experiences. The little things our parents may do for us without our notice, and I think maybe more than you cause you don't talk about it as much…"
"My Metua… well, he told me he avoided me completely to keep anyone from finding out about me. And now I can visit him so I guess it's not as important?"
She nodded, waving her hand, "Yeah, so… I got these signs that I just never realized were her that even though… my mom wasn't physically present but she was, and is, there. And I just never realized but now I do and well… I guess it's just I wish I could see her and I'm really happy you get to see your dad—I really am!"
I smiled at her earnest expression, "I get it."
She relaxed, "But I just- I'm also jealous I guess? Cause you do get to see your dad. But also, it's like- I'm not as jealous as I was at the start because I've realized it's not that my mom doesn't care it's that I didn't notice her care."
"That's a good point… that sounds cool though. You've like- you've got your mom watching over you constantly. And I'm glad that she seems to."
"Mhm! It's nice to realize. I- I dunno… I was bitter before? Like I do understand, she's a Goddess, she's busy. She can't raise a kid, especially not a mortal kid. And I've always had my dad, even with all the stuff we went through he was always there. So, I just- I was bitter that she left. That she seemed to have decided that it was too much work or money or something. And now I've just- I mean I'm still a bit upset?"
"That's understandable."
She nodded, "But yeah, I'm just- no longer so bitter? It's just- she was there, I just didn't know how to see it then. I'm glad I realized."
She wrung her hands in her skirt nervously.
"It's just… nice to know she's there. That if I pray to her I'll probably be able to feel her presence. I- I dunno. It's relieving."
I related her some. Not on her struggles really, though we've been tight for money till recently. I understood her feelings for her mom too, and how they were complicated.
"I… I kinda get that. When I was claimed it-" I chewed my lip. "It was reassuring? Like I was actually really upset at first. Triton complains about Poseidon a lot."
She giggled, her brown eyes lightening, "He's aiming to be a proper brother, complaining about his dad all the time?"
I snickered, "I guess so. But it did mean I just… wasn't the biggest fan of Poseidon? And was kinda upset cause also- Metua hadn't been around at all but I had met Okeanus who I thought was my Metua-"
She did a double take, "Okeanus?"
"Hush," I grumbled, flushing. "I know, I was dumb. I mixed up a bunch of signs as being him instead. I didn't know about the oath though."
She nodded quickly, a smile spreading, "Got it, understood."
"But yeah, so I was kinda upset… but now I'm really glad. Like- maybe he's not the greatest parent but he definitely cares. Okeanus and him had some kind of fight over me-"
"Wait, wait, wait," she held up a hand. "You thought Okeanus was your dad and then Okeanus started fighting Poseidon over you?"
I coughed, "Yes."
"That's hilarious."
"Shut up," I said with a pout.
She laughed, "Sorry, sorry, continue."
I was glad she was smiling again.
"But yeah he's just- I've realized he actually is kinda good? He listens to me and does listen to what I want. He, or maybe Triton, sent people to guard me, and got me a tutor, and makes sure I'm taught and stuff."
I smiled at the thought of it all.
"Plus, I've got siblings, and while Khrysaôr and Triton don't get along… Kymopoleia, Herophile, and even Benthesikyme and Rhodos to an extent are great. I spend a lot of time with Kymopoleia and Herophile especially, but Benthesikyme is a really… motherly? Figure, and Rhodos taught me about sun catchers and tells me stories about Helios. I just- I'm really glad I got to meet them and that they're my family."
Leilani nodded, "They sounds really nice, I hope I can meet them someday."
I hummed in agreement. I was definitely going to introduce Leilani to my siblings. I loved them loads, and Leilani was great. They needed to be introduced.
"Anyways, sorry this got so serious," Leilani shook her head and flashed me a smile. "Just- it came to mind and you know… spoke without thinking."
"Yeah, I understand, you're fine."
"Percy? Percy can you hear me?"
I tried to reach for Grover, following a thread that seemed to lead to him.
I woke up.
I was nibbling on my lunch dinner with Leilani and Tyson by me when the fight broke out.
"The patrol is useless at this point!" Tantalus yelled. "Just let them focus on the camp activities-"
"The protection of the camp is a high priority," Minos countered calmly in a voice that would've been inaudible if everyone hadn't gone quiet at Tantalus' outburst. "Not that I would expect you to understand why protecting children might be important-"
"I need more of the brats to work on the chariot racing field, the races are in two days how do you expect it to get done-"
"The chariot race is ridiculous," Minos said dismissively, his gaze turning away from Tantalus. "back in my time we rode bulls-"
"Oh you and your damn bulls, well that's bullshi-"
"There are children here!"
I took a sip of my drink, eyes wide as Minos started chiding Tantalus for his language, seeming to have noticed we were listening in, while Tantalus yelled at him to make a better patrol schedule, so we could do more work.
"I will not change the patrol schedules other than to rotate times and that is final. Now then, since you clearly aren't seeing reason, I will be returning to my room."
Minos swept up (as put together as always) while Tantalus fumed behind him.
All of us quickly turned back to our food as Tantalus glared out at us.
"Jackson," Minos said as he paused by our table.
"Yes, your majesty?"
"You have patrol tonight, two A.M."
"Yes, your majesty," I said graciously while biting back a groan. "Thank you for informing me."
He nodded and glided away.
Ugh, another two A.M. patrol. Those sucked.
I was standing at the pit.
"Hello, little Percy."
I frowned, "Metani."
"How nice of you to visit, it's been some time."
I chewed my lip, "Well, I've had school."
"Indeed, and how has school been going?"
I frowned at the pit. Did he really want to know or was he distracting me?
"It was fine, except for how I was attacked by terrors on the last day then went to camp and found the tree poisoned by some ancient poison."
"How unfortunate," Metani drawled.
I heard a snort.
"You wouldn't happen to know about the poison?" I asked mildly.
"Hmm, a poison used on the tree guarding your camp?"
"Yes."
"Well…" he hummed for a moment. "I may have heard a rumor or two."
I straightened, he almost definitely did not but if he knew anything-
"What's the poison?"
"It's hardly an ancient poison, little Percy. Akhlys is in here as well after all, she's more than capable of making new poisons."
I frowned, "I see… so… what is the poison?"
"Oh, a very fascinating one, countering all the things a plant needs… almost functions like salt. In order to counter it one would need a divine artifact connected to the ocean, the sun, and the earth. There are very few that do all the above."
I frowned at the pit, "Why are you telling me? Didn't you poison the tree?"
"Well, the tree was poisoned. By someone who I know. Potentially they were informed to do so."
I could practically hear the smirk in his voice.
"I hardly want you all to die though. You're just children, you don't deserve to suffer for the crimes of your parents. I simply want you put to the side, you need not be harmed, Percy."
"We're not gonna just step aside," I snapped.
"No," he agreed. "You won't. But alas, without the one artifact that could counter the poison…"
I glared, "What is the artifact?"
"I'm sure you'll figure it out, little Percy. I wish you luck."
Curls of shifting sands swept around me.
"No! Answer me-"
And I stood in front of Grover.
"Percy! Thank the Gods you're back."
Right, Grover. Avero, I needed to know what could cure the tree but… at least I knew more now.
Why would he tell me how to cure it though? That didn't make sense. What kind of plan did he have? And why was he still saying he didn't want us hurt if he was weakening the camp boarders?
I focused on Grover for now and waved, "Hey buddy. Are you okay?"
Grover winced, "I don't have much time. He'll be back soon. Just- okay I should probably explain how we're talking."
I nodded, though I hadn't really thought of it much. I just thought it was my normal dreams.
"It's called an empathy link. It's like… it connects our emotions and all and lets us communicate some. Through dreams is the easiest… well actually I wasn't sure if it would allow communication in dreams, that wasn't written down in the books… anyways it's just- it connects us. I figured I could use it to ask for help…"
He looked at me pleadingly, "I mean I know it's dangerous but-"
"I'm not leaving you here," I assured him quickly. "You uh… you mentioned before something luring the satyrs here?"
He nodded, moving away from his worries.
"Yeah, it's- well it's not particularly powerful but also it is… it's not directly connected to nature but it's powerful and it's from several Gods- but basically it's got a lot of potential power and has some nature feel and it's just… strong… so it smells kinda like you would imagine Pan would."
He looked down.
"The Kyklopes of the island- he uses it to lure satyrs. It's horrible."
An artifact connected to several Gods.
An artifact that's powerful and reminded Grover of Pan.
What were the chances it was what we needed?
…
That was insane. It couldn't be- surely- but Metani seemed so amused…
"What is it?" I asked slowly.
Grover's eyes rose.
"The Golden Fleece."
I woke up.
"Annabeth," I called.
She stiffened by her chariot, which she was preparing for the race. For once she was alone when I came to her.
"What," she asked, looking weary.
I chewed my lip, wringing my fingers. We hadn't spoken since the tree incident and I knew she was upset still but- We needed to talk.
"Okay so- I know I screwed up with the tree, I'm sorry, I really am. I shouldn't have attempted to heal it when I'm not good at healing no matter what you asked. I'm really sorry but- But I think I know how to heal it."
She froze.
"What? What do you mean you know how to heal it? How?"
"I had a dream- you know how my dreams are- and I know what the poison does and what we need to counter it… and Grover happens to have found what we need."
"What is it?" she asked. She grabbed my shoulders, her eyes wide and too bright. "Percy what can heal Thal- the tree?"
I gently grabbed her hands.
"The Golden Fleece."
Her face fell.
"Percy- Percy that's not a healing artifact it-"
"I know, I know it's not-"
"It's just a symbol of status. It may have saved Phrixos and Helle but it's never healed-"
"I know!" I insisted. "But the poison the tree has- it basically… it's like the salt. That's why it seemed to get worse the same way I think. I mean, it like- it just seemed to wilt a bit. That's- it's cutting off it's ability to get nutrients and stuff. The Golden Fleece has a lot of divine power and I looked it up this morning and-"
"What nutrients?"
"Uh, sun, and water, and uh… idk the stuff in dirt?"
She seemed to be thinking hard. "That would- well the fleece- the ram it came from is the child of Poseidon and Theophane… and Theophane is the daughter of Bisaltes who's the son of Helios and Gaea so-"
"So, it could work?"
She licked her lips, her eyes bright.
"It- I mean… I'm not sure but-"
"It's more than we've had to go on so far."
"Where is it?"
"With Grover," I said. "On Polyphemus' island."
She flinched at the mention of Polyphemus, her expression tightening.
"It's always a Kyklopes isn't it," she muttered.
"We need to get a quest," I insisted.
She nodded slowly, "Tantalus will never allow it."
"Minos might."
She was silent for a long moment.
"We can save both Grover and the tree," I said. "If it's really the cure-"
"And if it's not?" she snapped.
"Then we have nothing left to lose."
She took a shaky breath.
"Okay. Okay. We'll- we'll talk about this after the race. I doubt Tantalus will listen to us now."
I nodded, "Right… Annabeth?"
She blinked at me.
"I am sorry about the tree."
Her shoulders slumped, her eyes on the ground.
"I- No… I asked you to… I'm sorry for yelling at you, and saying all that stuff… You didn't deserve that. I just- It's not just a tree-"
Her breath caught.
"I know it's a tree to everyone here but it's-"
"It's Thalia to you."
She wiped her eyes, her voice a bare whisper.
"Yeah."
"It's- it's okay."
"I- I am sorry," she whispered. "I shouldn't have I've just been-"
She looked away.
I reached out, then pulled my hands back.
"Can I hug you?"
She peered up at me, her eyes shining with tears. She gave a small nod.
I wrapped my arms around her, letting her lean into me.
"It's okay, we'll save her."
She sniffed, "Sorry… thanks…"
I swallowed, "It's okay. Thanks for apologizing."
She nodded against me, then pulled back and wiped her eyes.
"We'll talk later, okay?"
I smiled at her, "Yeah, see you after we beat you."
She snorted, letting out a weak laugh, "In your dreams."
Tyson looked up when I returned, Leilani finishing with the weapons.
"You talk to Annabeth?" Tyson asked hesitantly.
"Yeah, we're gonna talk more after the race."
"Is she less…" Leilani paused, twisting a strand of her hair that escaped the bun. "Snappy?"
"Yeah… she apologized for our fight."
"That's good," Leilani said. "I guess she's dealing with a lot, but it still wasn't nice of her."
I nodded, "Yeah, but it's okay… she really has a lot going on and she apologized."
I rubbed my forehead; the humidity wasn't bad for me, but the heat combined with it was annoying.
"We all set for the race?"
Leilani nodded, "Yeah, the chariot is all set and Tyson has gone over all the defenses."
I grinned, "Thanks, Tyson."
He beamed.
I looked at the race track, several other's preparing their chariots around us.
The racetrack was built in the grassy field between the archery range and the woods. There were trees all over one side of it, filled with large grey-and-white pigeons. Lots of them actually.
I didn't realize we had so many pigeons.
There were rows of stone steps for spectators, Tantalus, some dryads, all campers not racing, and of course Minos.
Minos did not look amused by it.
But then, he'd been muttering about how none of us were trained charioteers and this was going to be a disaster all week so that wasn't too surprising.
"Right," Tantalus declared. His hand slowly reached for a pastry on a platter nearby.
The chocolate eclair was not amused.
"You all know the rules. It's a quarter-mile track. First one twice around wins. Two horses, a driver, and a fighter for each chariot. Weapons are naturally allowed, and dirty tricks expected. But do try not to kill anyone!" Tantalus gave us a mischievous smile. "Any killing will result in harsh punishment, no s'mores at the campfire for a week!"
Minos shot him a withering glare.
"Now… ready your chariots!"
Beckendorf lead the way onto the track, the Hephaestus team chariot made entirely of bronze and iron, even the horses. They were probably filled with all kinds of traps, they usually were.
The Ares chariot was blood-red and pulled by two grisly horse skeletons. I wasn't sure where they got them, we definitely didn't have them in camp normally. Could Ares kids summon skeletons? I wondered if I could speak to them or not. Clarisse climbed aboard with an armory worth of weapons.
The Apollo chariot was a sharp contrast. All smooth lines and elegance. It was a shining gold and pulled by two lovely palominos. Their fighter had a bow, though I'd heard he didn't have any pointed arrows for shooting.
There were two Hermes chariots.
The first was green and made of wood. It was smooth and looked well used. With the Stoll brothers driving it I had no doubt it was filled with nasty tricks.
The other chariot was a light blue, with all symbols patterned all over it. It was manned by Aponi and a boy Leilani told me was named Toshiro. He was great in snow-ball fights. Aponi was pretty good with magic though, which meant we'd have to watch out. Those symbols probably had a purpose.
Then there was Annabeth's chariot. Her's was a sleek wooden one with metal support and covering. It had a shield design on the front that reminded me of Medusa. She and her partner (Yewande, someone I'd only spoken to a few times before) were standing ready with their weapons.
Then there was our chariot.
It was a deep blue with a sandy shaded bottom. The pegasi pulling it were ones I'd spoken to a lot and I trusted them to carry us safely to the end. We had a few tricks of our own, from the catapult to the javelins tucked to the side to my own skills with water.
Even if we didn't win I had confidence we'd get to show off our skills a bit.
The conch horn rang out.
"Charioteers!" Tantalus called. "To your mark!"
I frowned at the screeching in the trees. I hadn't noticed earlier, we'd been a bit farther away, but they were loud.
No one else seemed too concerned, though in the stands Minos was frowning up at them. Something about them pinged my senses though.
"Hey, Leilani, do you recognize the pigeons?"
She glanced up, "No, that's… a lot of them."
I nodded, eyeing their gleaming beaks.
"Get ready!" cried an Athena kid.
We focused back on the course.
The chariot wasn't very comfortable, but it was built for speed not comfort. Leilani would be driving, and I would be handling other chariots… and doing a shield.
I checked the containers of water on the chariot and smiled.
We were gonna run a clean race, but I was absolutely putting my skills to use.
"You will win!" Tyson beamed. "Good luck!"
I flashed him a grin, "And it'll be thanks to your amazing building skills."
He bounced, his one big eye sparkling.
"We're gonna- umm," Leilani furrowed her brow. "hamu ortipeo?"
I snorted, clutching the side of the chariot as I held back my laughter.
"That's-" I snickered "-that's one way of saying it."
Leilani pouted, "Did I get it wrong?"
I snickered, "I think you mean leke faipe."
She frowned, "Ugh, I wasn't even close."
"Well sorta-"
"Attend your mark!"
Tantalus was sure taking his sweet time-
Oh, that explained it.
I watched him lunge for the éclair only for Minos to snatch it up and take a bite.
Tantalus glared.
"Begin!" He shouted angrily, his hand dropping.
Hooves thudded against the dirt and the chariots took off.
I raised my hands, not bothering to pull out one of my weapons, and pulled for the water.
I glanced back at a loud crash, seeing the Apollo chariot flipped over and the Hermes chariot shoving past, with Conner and Travis cackling. Apparently they'd rammed into it-
CRASH
And the Apollo horses crashed into theirs… oh well.
That chariot flipped over, leaving a pile of broken wood and gold and stumbling horses.
Two chariots were down in the first six meters.
I turned my attention back to the front, flicking my wrists so that the water encircled our chariot. We were just pulling ahead of Ares now, and I quickly lashed out at them.
Clarisse swung her sword at my water, but it passed through harmlessly, letting me wrap it around her sword and yank it away.
She shouted something lost in the sound of horses and birds and grabbed her spear.
Electricity sparked over it, only for the Hephaestus cabin to ram into us, sending us sliding into the Ares chariot.
Their driver managed to pull ahead just before they could tumble over, and I spun around to raise a water shield against another strike.
"Sorry Percy!" Beckendorf yelled. He pressed a button on the side of his chariot and three sets of balls and chains shot straight towards our wheels.
I swept the shield lower, hardening it to ice and flicking. It deflected the attack into the ground and then shattered into a dozen large chunks, catching in the Hephaestus chariots wheels.
"Shit!" cried the driver as the wheel shattered. She yanked at the reins, but the horses couldn't steady them. Her veiled head vanished as it crashed.
I pulled the water back as we pulled ahead.
"Getting there!" Leilani called.
I nodded, though she couldn't see, and looked around the course.
"Just keep on the-"
I gaped.
The birds had taken off from the trees and were circling above, like a huge tornado.
They're just pigeons-
Oh when has anything in my life been just anything?
"Speed up!" I yelled. "And watch out for the birds."
We made the turn, only a few meters behind the Athena chariot. If we could get a little closer I could use the water I had to pull them back.
Yewande readied her javelin, her blonde braids swinging with the chariots movement.
She drew back to throw and then missed horribly as the screaming started.
I whipped around, finding the cause.
The pigeons were swarming.
There were thousands of them, dive-bombing the spectators, attacking the other chariots, and headed towards us.
Minos was yelling but I couldn't hear him.
Beckendorf and his fighter were trying to bat them away but they were stranded.
The Ares chariot threw on a camouflage cover and kept moving, catching up on us. Clarisse was gritting her teeth but kept on driving. Her horses were immune to the distraction, being skeletons and all.
The birds were attacking every inch of exposed flesh, driving everyone into a panic. Several were swinging swords, and the Apollo cabin shooting arrows, but they were too spread out.
Those weren't just pigeons.
Several swept up to us but I lashed out with the water and knocked them from the air, pulling more from the container on the chariot to bulk up the shield.
Up close I could see the birds had bronze beaks, that seemed to be razor sharp.
"Stymphalian birds!" Annabeth yelled as her chariot fell in beside ours. "They'll strip everyone to the bones if we don't drive them away."
Of course they would.
"Leilani!" I called.
She just nodded, "Turning around!"
I summoned more water, flicking open my water skin, and readied myself.
We did a tight turn, barely avoiding flipping over.
The birds grew denser as we rode closer and I spread the water into a large ball, lashing it out and knocking several birds out of the air at once.
I flicked my rest, spreading my hands as I flattened the water sphere. I swept it up, then slammed it down quickly.
Several dozen birds crashed to the ground.
Annabeth swung with her sword, swiping a handful out.
I repeated my actions, swiping large swaths out together as I swept the water through the air.
I winced as several birds got past, pecking at my arms and back.
"Avero," I hissed.
"It's not enough," Annabeth shouted.
"How do we get rid of them?" I called back.
She stabbed a pigeon with her knife in one hand and a sword in her other.
"Herakles used noise! Brass bells! He scared them away with the most horrible sound he could-" her eyes grew wide. "Percy… Khiron's collection!"
It didn't take a genius to figure out she meant Khiron's horrid music collection.
"You think it'll work?" I called back.
"It's our only chance."
I bit back a scream when she leapt from her chariot to ours."
"Areo," Leilani swore. "Watch it!"
"To the Big House!"
We swung the chariot to the side, and I reluctantly pulled the water into a shield around us.
Clarisse had just pulled across the finish line, completely unopposed, and finally noticed the situation. She scowled at us when she saw us driving away, "You're running? The enemy is here, cowards!"
We ignored her as she drew her sword and charged for the stands.
Our horses surging into a gallop, their wings flapping to get us over bigger bumps.
We went through the strawberry fields and across the volleyball pit before we lurched to a halt in front of the Big House.
Lord D yawned, blinking at us as we bolted inside.
"Wha-"
We slammed the door open to Khiron's apartment and grabbed his boom box and his favorite CDs.
Annabeth lugged the boom box out and we raced back towards the track.
"What-" Lord D said again as we raced past him once more.
The track was a disaster. Chariots on fire, wounded campers running in every direction, and birds screeching as they dive-bombed everyone.
I swept another wave of water up, giving a moment's respite, and we ignored Tantalus yelling "Everything's under control! Not to worry!"
Minos managed to get a small group together in a defensive position but it wasn't going well.
His eyes landed on us as we set up the boom box, a flash of confusion on his face.
Birds dived towards us and I swept the water back up in a shield.
Annabeth hit PLAY and Khiron's favorite CD started—Greatest Hits of Judas Priest. Suddenly the air was filled with drums and fast guitar playing and some sort of techno addition. It was weird, and more importantly the demon pigeons hated it.
They started flying in circles, running into each other like they wanted to bash their own brains out. After a minute they abandoned the track altogether and flew skywards in a huge dark wave.
"Archers!" Minos yelled.
With clear targets, Apollo's archers had flawless aim. Most of them could nock several arrows at once (which was insane) and within minutes the ground was littered with bronze-beaked pigeons.
I slowly relaxed as the remaining pigeons flew away, a dark cloud in the distance.
The camp was saved, though not without damage. Most everyone was wounded and nearly all the chariots were destroyed. Several kids were crying and clutching their heads. Veils were scattered on the ground from where the birds had ripped them off.
"Bravo!" Tantalus said, stopping whatever Minos was about to say. "We have our first winner!"
He walked to the finish line and awarded the golden laurels for the race to a stunned-looking Clarisse.
Then her turned and smiled at us.
"And now to punish the troublemakers who disrupted the race."
I gaped.
Annabeth gaped.
Even Minos gaped.
"What?"
Zoey POV
I swung my legs, sitting at the booth with Nikola.
"Okay, so we're in agreement?"
"That the school did not have a freak gas explosion and there was something really weird going on?" He drawled. "Yes."
"They just- okay… so we know that Percy… and Kai and Acantha and probably Klara too, all had something going on."
"Plus, Tyson."
"Right."
I rubbed my head.
"I just- what?"
"Well they've all vanished."
"Did you go talk to Ms. Jackson too?"
He nodded, "She said he's at summer camp."
I groaned, "Same answer I got."
"Well we don't have his phone number-"
"He doesn't have a cell phone," I added helpfully.
"And we don't know where this camp is."
"And I'm going on vacation literally tomorrow."
Nikola groaned.
"Right, you're going to Florida. By Odin there's way too much going on. I'm not awake enough for this."
I chewed my lip, "Well, if we ask him do you think he'll tell us?"
Nikola sighed, "I would hope so but… we don't know what's up and… it could be dangerous."
I frowned, "Like-"
"Maybe he's involved with the mafia? I mean I looked him up and there was a big scandal with his step-dad and Percy got kidnapped last summer so-"
"Maybe his step-father was involved with the mafia?" I mused.
"Maybe," he muttered. "He did disappear…"
We both stared at the table.
"Okay, so, before the next school year starts we'll talk to Percy."
Nikola nodded.
"And we'll make him tell us what's up."
"Wait-"
"I don't care if it's dangerous," I insisted. "He's our friend! I'm not gonna let some- some mafia losers get in our way."
Nikola sighed, "Why am I friends with you again?"
I beamed, "I didn't give you a choice!"