The docks were busy.
A forklift passed by, beeping constantly. Dozens more scattered the docks, most in use.
Ropes lay in coils all over the docks, chains with them, and there were all kind of sea faring tools I didn't know with them.
It was a riot of color, flags and containers and every ship imaginable docked before us. The air was filled with salt and water and spices and fuel. My skin sparked, and I knew there was magic here. Blood chased my tongue as I curled a hand around Annabeth's wrist.
We needed to reach Clarisse, but the water was filled with ships, small and large, and we couldn't get to her safely. Nevermind try to climb the dock where she was. We needed to go around.
Around and through the docks, filled with every kind of person imaginable. Workers crawled through the boxes and boxes filling the port, moving them, lifting them, pushing them, checking them.
Shouts filled my ears, every language under the sun. Words I knew and words I didn't shouting to get their points across, accents melodic, rough, sharp, and soothing.
Boats of every make and model blocked our sight, hiding Clarisse from us. A forklift passed by, adding beeping to the cacophony of moving ships and shouts. A worker's eyes landed on us and they frowned.
"We need to move," Annabeth hissed, tugging me by the hand holding her wrist.
Martha hissed agreement and Tyson took my other hand.
Warmth danced over my skin, paper crinkled, I let Annabeth lead the way.
I should've been a guide, this was a sea based domain, but the docks were a chaotic mess and I couldn't begin to imagine what to do, where to go.
Money changed hands, people argued with workers in uniform, a line to get onto a cruise ship stood on a velvet carpet.
It was loud, it was
Someone waved a sign around, others seemed to be chanting. A police officer was arguing with them.
Annabeth guided us far around that, ducking behind some large metal shipping containers.
"Hang on a second," she told me, slipping her hand from mine.
I watched her scurry up the side of the container like a monkey, disappearing from sight.
I tried to track it, searching for that touch of herb filled olive oil and crinkling pages, but she was too far for my senses to find.
Just being a few steps away was too far, so it wasn't too surprising.
I wondered if the enhanced senses would remain or if they would fade once more as time passed. Did it matter that I hadn't exercised sensing presence's much? Was it just that everything felt more since I hadn't felt it for a year?
I wasn't sure. I would have to ask someone when I had the chance.
I wondered if Tethys-ran would tell me.
Annabeth dropped down next to us, falling all the way to a crouch before she rose.
"Clarisse's ship is that way—" she pointed past the shipping containers "—and they seem to be nearly done refueling so we'll need to hurry."
"Lead the way," I said with a half bow and a sweep of my arm.
She snorted, "Dork, follow me."
Tyson trotted behind us, staring around wide eyed. He must've been rather confused by it all, I felt bad for ignoring him.
"It's a lot, isn't it," I asked him.
"So many boats," he agreed. "Where do they go?"
"All over. Some are for fun, like the cruise ship we saw. Others ship things to different states or countries. Others probably do things I don't know about."
"Wow," he mumbled. "What about our ship?"
"Clarisse's will be transporting us to the Sea of Monsters."
Tyson nodded, looking down.
"Thank you for bringing me. I have not helped much."
I nudged his arm, "Don't be silly. You helped us escape the cruise ship. And you found us donuts."
"I did find donuts."
"They were good donuts too," I grinned at him.
"Thank you, brother. You're a good brother."
I melted, smiling as brightly as I could at him, "Of course! You're a good brother too, Tyson. Don't let anyone tell you different."
He smiled at me, his one eye big and soft.
My thoughts drifted to what Annabeth told me about the Kyklopes she faced.
Poseidon was his Metua too.
Poseidon always protected, or avenged, his children.
Would he have avenged me if something had happened? Did he always do so? Or only when asked?
I knew there were myths where he hadn't acted. Did he only act to those that called upon him to do so?
If I asked him to avenge a wrong committed against me, would he?
What would he do if asked by his children?
What did he do?
I stared at Annabeth's back. He must've done something to her, to Thalia and Luke and Grover.
A Kyklopes took them prisoner and they must've fought back… and the Kyklopes asked Poseidon, my Metua, to avenge him.
I wondered if Poseidon cared why his child was asking for vengeance, what his child had done to get hurt so.
Would he care?
I was almost afraid to find out.
That was a dangerous power to hold, the ability to call to your divine Metua for aid, for revenge, and to receive it.
I knew such a thing happened in the myths but somehow didn't connect it to the now.
"What are you thinking?" I blinked down at Martha.
I wondered if Martha could give me an insight.
"You said the Gods would aid their children…"
"Of courssse. They alwaysss sssseek to help their children."
"What has my Metua done for his?"
Martha swayed.
"No more or lesss than Apollo or Aressss. No more than Lord Hermesss would sssseeek to do. All the Godssss would go to extremesss for their children, and often, though not alwaysss, are willing to ignore their childrenssss crimessss in the proccccessss."
"So… if I got hurt while hurting others and asked him to avenge me…"
Martha swayed up, looking at me. I wasn't sure what her look meant, but it seemed thoughtful.
"He likely would do sssso. The Godsssss will not handle your problemssss for you. You would never learn if you did not live your own life… but they will sssstep in, will avenge, will offer aid. But to call for your Metua would mean to live with the conssssequences of ssssuch a decccisssion. Are you willing to?"
I shook my head, "It's just a hypothetical… I don't- I don't think I would want that. I-"
I frowned. I wasn't sure what I wanted Poseidon to do if I was hurt like that. Did I want him to avenge me? Did I want him to sweep in and destroy my enemies?
I caught a glimpse of Annabeth looking at me.
I sighed, "I was just wondering… I didn't quite realize it was… still a thing? I mean I knew it happened in the myths but… I guess sometimes I forget how much of them is true."
Martha hissed a laugh, "Oh much of the mythssss isssn't quite right. But much reflectssss truth. The Godsss defend theirssss fierccccely. Your Father would drown the world for hisss family."
I could understand that.
I supposed that was why he was my Metua.
And yet despite that…
"I wouldn't want him to," I decided. "I would want him to make sure my friends are safe from whatever hurt me."
Annabeth looked away, Martha hissed.
"An honorable desssire."
I stewed in my thoughts as Annabeth guided us around shipping containers and past workers. Tyson was looking thoughtful as well.
Knowing your Metua would curse someone to wander the sea for ten years for harming their kid is one thing… hearing he would do the same for you-
I'd barely spoken with him despite being in the sea more often. Triton said the laws were being stretched as it was by allowing me around him so much…
I wondered why the laws were in place, what did Phoibe mean when she spoke of them?
I would ask Triton. He would know.
And he would probably tell me.
I let out a breath, wrinkling my nose at the bloody taste.
But before any of that, we had a quest to finish and a camp to save.
"Clarisse!"
I yelped and tumbled over, Annabeth snickered.
"Sorry," she laughed. "Didn't mean to startle you."
I blinked up at her, then saw the ship behind her.
We'd reached Clarisse.
Annabeth turned back to the ship, "Clarisse! HELLO!?"
A head popped over the side, blinking down at us as Tyson helped me to my feet.
"CHASE? JACKSON? WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!?"
"MR. D SENT US!"
"EH! WHY!?"
"TO HELP!"
"BUT WHY YOU!?"
Annabaeth sighed, "CAN WE COME UP THERE!?"
"WHY?"
"TO TALK!"
Clarisse disappeared from view for a moment, then returned.
"BOARDING IS OVER THERE—" she pointed to the side where a boarding ramp was attached to the boat.
"THANKS!"
Annabeth led the way; Tyson and I close behind.
Being on the ship was so much worse. The blood filled my senses, despite me grabbing Annabeth's hand for the herb filled olive oil to cut the taste some. A knife trailed lightly over my skin, not stabbing or poking, just undeniably present. A familiar burning shadow crept over the rest of my skin, offset only by the cool scales coating it.
"Welcome aboard," Clarisse declared, sweeping her arms out in a grand motion. "What do you think of my ship?"
Despite the fact it was clearly a steam boat, with a smoke stack and everything, it looked a lot more like what I imagined a pirate ship would look like than I expected.
It was wooden for one, though the floor appeared reinforced with steel plates in certain locations.
There were three tall masts as well, one at the front, one a bit farther back than center, and one in the back. Each held several sails rolled tight, three meant to be perpendicular to the ship and one parallel on the front mast, two perpendicular and one parallel on the middle mast, and one parallel on the back mast. There was a mass of ropes crisscrossing every which way and my head hurt trying to follow them all.
Other than the masts there was some sort of fan sitting right in front of the canon placed before the smoke stack, which had many pipes connected to it. Then several hatches I could see, along with more canons. Four life boats hung on the sides of the ship.
Then a flash of red caught my eye and I stared at the flag waving from the back mast.
"Why does your ship have a confederate flag?" I asked, wrinkling my nose.
Annabeth turned look, doing a double take, "Uh… yeah why-"
Clarisse grimaced, "I can't get them to take it down. They were confederate soldiers and refuse to remove the flag, I'm half worried they'll stage a mutiny if I take it down myself and I really can't make it to the sea without them."
I considered it for a long moment, "We could burn it when we reach the sea?"
"That," she declared, "is the best idea you've ever had. Just don't let them hear you say that."
Annabeth huffed, "I don't like the ship."
"Fair," Clarisse said, shooting a dark look at the flag, "but it's all I've got so I gotta deal. It was a gift from my dad to help me with the quest."
She had a proud look at that, and I felt for her.
"Your dad gave you a ship?"
"He rules over war, win or lose you owe an aspect of your war to him. As they lost, he cashes that in. I think this ship was a different one before, but he reformed it the same way as the old."
"I think I recognize it," Annabeth frowned. "What's it called?"
"The CSS Birmingham!"
Annabeth hummed, "Not sure, I'll think on it."
"Right, well… anyways," Clarisse placed her hands on her hips, eyes narrowed on us. "How'd you get here? And why did Mr. D send you. He told me he was sending someone but-"
"We got here by swimming," I said. "And he said he thought we'd be helpful."
"I know the myths better than anyone at camp," Annabeth confirmed. "And Percy is the son of Poseidon."
"And Tyson is really strong," I chimed in. "He's a big help too."
"Right, well, I guess you might be some help," she turned to yell at one of the ghostly workers I'd been very purposefully ignoring.
"HEY! YOU'D BETTER HAVE GOTTEN THE-" she stopped and slowly turned to us. "What do you mean you swam?"
I snorted, and Annabeth broke into giggles.
"We swam!" Tyson chirped. "Well, I rode Rainbow. Percy swam Annabeth."
Clarisse stared for a long moment, Annabeth and I snickered.
"Forget I asked. We're heading out soon. I'll get one of the crew to show you where to sleep."
We were sleeping on the crew deck, where normally the crew would also sleep but since these were undead they didn't need sleep.
I leaned away from the burn that trailed over my skin whenever I got near one of them.
Annabeth was double checking there weren't any more hidden pockets in our bags. Tyson had pulled out his tools to fiddle with them. I sat in the hammock, relaxing with the sway of the boat.
We were out to sea once more, though something about the boat rubbed my senses wrong.
There weren't any new sensations, nothing that I needed to react to… but something was off.
Maybe it was just that it was a confederate ship.
I didn't think that was it, but I didn't know what it could be.
I sighed, closing my eyes and slowly unwinding.
Maybe I was just tense, the quest had been hard so far.
"Percy," Annabeth whispered.
"Hmm?"
"You're awake?" she huffed. "Sorry, I thought you'd fallen asleep."
I yawned, "No, m'awake. What is it?"
"Nothing," she assured quickly. "You can sleep if you need to. I'm going to go check how long Clarisse thinks the trip will be and talk about when we should plan what to do and our route and stuff."
I waved a hand, barely having the energy to lift it, and then dropped it once more.
The faint clicking and clattering of Tyson working was a soothing background noise.
The hammock rocked slowly, the sea beneath me cradling the boat. The bloody taste and trailing knife weren't too bad, not super strong, though still there and a distraction. The burning cold was less when away from the crew.
I breathed out and let the sea beneath me sooth me until my body was heavy and distant.
I slipped asleep to the sound of Tyson working.
Beneath me, in the depths, was a war council.
I couldn't imagine it being anything else, not with so many looking ready for battle. Several sea Gods I recognized from my lessons. Several I didn't. Spirits, naiads, and terrors alike drifted around the room, all armed.
Okeanus-ari floated before other sea spirits.
"You have all heard the news, now you must make your decision."
"To fight or to not?"
"If you wish to fight, then for whom. If you do not, then what will you do? Neutrality? War? What current will you pick to swim or die in?"
I drifted around the room, confused. What war?
"This is coming from you?" wondered one. "The Aril of Neutrality?"
Okeanus-ari shot them an unamused look.
"I stand neutral in all wars to protect my subjects and to prevent unneeded death. But can we truly remain neutral? You have seen the state of the world today. Is that not a direct result of us standing neutral in the wars now past? There are lives on the line once more, a war is coming. Will you pick a side or remain neutral?"
"And you?" Asked a new voice. "Have you picked a side?"
Okeanus-ari pursed his lips, "I have."
"We weighed our decision carefully," Tethys-ran declared. "It was not done lightly. But we must do what we believe best, for our people and the sea at large. No matter the sacrifice we must make to do so."
What war? Do they mean-
My breath caught.
Were they getting involved in the conflict with Metani and the Titans?
"And what side have you chosen?" asked one. "Who will you support in this war?"
Okeanus-ari raised his chin, "I would not influence your decision, and yet I am aware what I have chosen will affect the choices you make."
Tethys-ran touched his arm, her eyes gentle.
"We have chosen to support-"
The room swept from me as a current sent me tumbling, bubbles streamed past, glinting with reefs and fish and endless light and dark.
"Spying on others is oh so rude," chided a silky voice.
I spun, finding a Goddess drifting before me. She could be nothing but a Goddess. It reminded me of Phoibe, with shining skin and dark hair dusted with constellations. Her eyes pools of deep water one could get lost in. The water around her was strong, and so was her presence.
Strong, guided, coils of water swept over me.
"It was not my intention," I said warily, twisting my hand in a motion of greeting. "Muru."
She smiled, "You are forgiven, by me at least. Why do you watch their war council?"
"I was sleeping. I don't have much control over where the current takes me then."
She nodded, "The power of the sea is mysterious, I presume then that it sought to give you knowledge. Alas, the meeting is well past the stage it was then and would offer no guidance to you now."
I flicked my finger, annoyance curling though I hid it.
"Well then, I would like to return to my sleep."
"So soon, it has been some time since I had a conversation with a drifter. Would you not stay and talk? I would offer you a meal?"
I didn't know who she was, but she held great power. And she had pulled me from the war council.
"I suppose a conversation wouldn't hurt," I conceded carefully.
"Wonderful," she declared with a grand smile. "And what might be your name, current drifter?"
"Percy," I said.
Recognition flashed, "Ah, the youngest of Poseidon? I must apologize, I wasn't there at your introduction. I am Eurybia, it is a pleasure to meet you."
My eyes widened. Eurybia, the Titaness of the Sea's Power and it's Mastery.
"It is a pleasure to meet you too," I said quickly. "Though I am unsure what conversation I could offer you."
"I'm sure we'll find something," she laughed as the water twisted around us.
With a splash and surge of foam and mist we were elsewhere.
Coral climbed high, their arrangement strangely familiar. The ground beneath us was soft sand filled with shells and pearls. Soft seats drifted in the water around us, woven of kelp and soft with sea grasses.
A pelt of some animal was hanging from a hook, the fur a soft white and more elegant than anything I had seen before. It seemed to be a cloak of some nature.
"This is my sanctuary," she said. "You may recognize the ceiling by the constellations shining through them."
Understanding dawned on me. The coral openings were arranged like constellations. Wasn't her husband a constellation God?
"It's lovely," I said honestly.
It was. The water was shallow here, oddly so, and the sun shown through the coral above us, shining like a thousand stars.
It was peaceful.
"Please, sit. What would you like to drink?"
"Tea?" I asked with all the grace Euphemia had taught me.
A taipanu shimmered before me, already filled with tea.
I sucked on it, the tea was delicious.
"Now, a subject of conversation, hmm? Perhaps we may speak of the war meeting you viewed."
"I didn't see much," I rushed to assure her.
"Oh, I'm well aware. Okeanus-ari requested I ensure none could interrupt."
I flushed, "Muru."
She laughed, "No need to apologize little drifter, you have yet to learn to guide the currents. The skill will come in time, with experience. For now, I would hold you to here, so the currents do not sweep you away."
"Havu," I murmured, mind drifting back to the war council. "What is the war council about? What war? What side is Okeanus-ari taking—"
"So many questions," she chided gently. "The war is the one to come, you are already a player in it despite your youth. Many would wish you removed from the storm coming."
"I don't have a choice."
"There is always a choice, it is simply a matter of one accepting the consequences of the decision made. The war council is about making a choice, as individuals."
"Why are you not participating?"
"I have already made my choice," she murmured. "A choice I grieve, a choice I stand by."
I tilted my head, "What was your choice?"
"My husband. I have missed him dearly and I wish to have him by my side once more."
I couldn't remember who her husband was. I didn't dare admit that though.
"I'm sure it must've been hard to be separate."
"It is," she murmured. "But he will be home soon. Have you chosen your side in the war?"
I considered for a moment.
I still wasn't sure with Metani, what I thought of his goals or actions. I didn't know which side I agreed with.
The Gods were certainly kinder than some claimed, I'd seen that kindness clearly on this quest.
And, of course…
"I'll side with Triton," I said softly. "I could never betray him."
"A noble decision," she agreed. "To stand by your family is commendable. It is always a tragedy when family fights."
I nodded.
"I do not look forward to the war to come, but alas… it is needed. The world is suffering and it needs new aid, a new perspective."
"The Gods can't fix everything," I frowned as I thought of Martha's words from the day. "Mortals would never learn if they handled all our problems for us."
"You speak the truth," she agreed. "Else I would interfere now and cleanse the sea of all pollution. Alas, mortals have failed to learn. There are many who seek to aid nature, but those in power do not. Something must be done."
"You could always offer aid to the mortals," I offered.
"We could," she agreed. "And often we do. But it has not been enough. Something more must be done before the damage is irreparable…"
I shifted, my gut twisting. It wasn't a pleasant thought.
"Ah, I apologize. It is not right for me to hold such a debate with you, child. It is a dark thought, a fear that you should not be burdened with. Let us speak of another thing, perhaps you dreams? Do you dream of elsewhere often?"
"Often enough, but a lot of the time it's things I don't understand."
"Such is the nature of divining the truth."
"Divining?"
"That is what you are doing. Dream Divining, Tairo."
"I thought it was… Hee-oh-eye-pie-hah-eye-hoe?"
"Hioipihaiho," she corrected. "And that is a specific kind of Tairo, the kind you are doing right now."
"Oh… I didn't realize it was a form of divining."
"It is a common gift of demigods to my knowledge, and those of the sea commonly have a stronger gift than most demigods."
I nodded slowly, "That makes sense, I suppose… why though?"
She laughed, "The dreams for most demigods are of the mist's whispers, but those of the sea follow it's currents. The Mist may hold much knowledge, but it is whispy and hard to catch. The knowledge is rarely shared, and you must be quick to see what is shown. In the ocean the currents are ever moving, the knowledge shared freely and widely. It is easy to find new knowledge."
"Oh, that… does make sense."
"I am glad, as it appears our time is up."
I blinked, "What?"
"Your current strives to bring you to your slumber once more, and so I will release you. Safe travels, Persi Yakson."
With a swirl of currents and a bubbling of power I was swept away once more.
I woke up.
"So, we'll arrive at the sea of monsters on the thirteenth."
"That's three days," I muttered. "Will we be traveling on this ship the whole time?"
Annabeth nodded, "It seems so. Tyson mentioned that a steam boat of this make shouldn't be going so fast in the waters. Clarisse wanted to push it down to two days but he argued her to three."
"Tyson argued with her?"
Annabeth nodded, "Started talking about the engine and stuff. I didn't understand much of it, I'm adding boats to my list of things to research."
"That sounds useful," I mused. "Maybe I could ask Khrysaôr—well… Triton probably wouldn't be happy with that."
"I mean if you can learn something from someone might as well ask?"
I perked up, "That's true."
Khrysaôr did talk about his ship a lot. It was one of the few things I knew about him.
He didn't like Triton. He didn't want tails. And he loved his ship.
Maybe he'd teach me something if I asked nicely.
"Well, guess we'd better get comfortable for the ride," I said. "And maybe we can learn a bit here too."
She nodded, "I'll definitely be taking notes. At least we have time to read our books."
"Yeah," I stretched. "At least there's that."
Triton POV
Antonio-oro and his three students floated before me, bags packed and ready to go.
"Do you understand your mission?" I asked.
"Find Persi-aia, make sure he gets through the quest safely."
"I have searched them out, but they are currently residing on something under another God's rule, and it makes it difficult to pinpoint them."
Kai nodded, "Then we'll just need to track the Godly boat they're on. Those leave marks, so it shouldn't be too hard."
"Be warned that with Persi on the boat it will hold more sea than expected."
The three shared a look before turning back to me with their hands twisted in a sign of respect.
"We won't fail you, Triton-re'aia."
Antonio mimicked them behind them, "We will find Persi-aia and ensure his safety."
I nodded, "The ship is heading South, along the coast. Your best bet may be to move ahead of the boat and try to find it at a port down south.
"Florida?"
"A good starting place," I agreed. "Beware the Wasare av Tetek, it is near Florida and you would be wise to avoid it. That is not ours to rule over."
They nodded, determination shining in their eyes.
They would protect Percy, I had faith in them.
"Now go."
Poseidon POV
I rubbed my hand over my face as I studied the reports.
Something was going on with the various Sea Gods.
Okeanus was holding meetings.
Duberdicus was holing himself up.
Eurybia was hiding something from our sight.
Keto had started experimenting with new children.
And many more were coming out or hiding away.
They were preparations.
Preparations for what could only be war.
What war was the question.
Was it related to my son's quest last year? Was it related to his mention of… of my Father rising once more?
I shivered at the thought of Kronos.
I didn't know what was coming and my spies were being blocked quite well.
I needed more information. If this war had anything to do with Persi or his quest from last summer-
I rubbed my face. Was he safe? It was summer for him now, so he must've already arrived at camp. I wished I could've seen him more before he went.
I let my gaze fall upon the camp, searching out my son amongst the campers, and frowned.
The camp… the lightning wind that imbued the barrier was weak, flickering. The barrier itself was thin and cracking in places.
What-
I zeroed in, sweeping my gaze over the campers.
Tense. Afraid. Armed.
Something was going on.
But Persi… wasn't there.
I scowled.
Where was Persi?