•as the world caves in•

•we go to a cattle farm•

"That man is wearing three shirts." Tyson pointed out.

"They let my sister die!" Nico shouted. "They're here to kill me!"

"Nico, we're not here to kill you," I tried, holding my hands up. "What happened to Bianca was—"

"Don't speak her name!"

Annabeth turned on Geryon. "How did you know our names?"

He winked. "I make it my business to keep informed, darlin'. Everybody pops into the ranch from time to time. Everyone needs something from old Geryon. Now, Mr. di Angelo, put that ugly sword away before I have Eurytion take it from you."

Nico looked conflicted, but he put the sword away. "If you come near me, Percy, I'll summon help. You don't want to meet them, I promise."

Percy nodded. "I believe you."

Geryon smiled. "Now, we've all made nice. Come along, I want to give you a tour of the ranch."

Where the tour would be taking place was in a kiddie train painted like a cow. I wasn't too opposed to the idea, it seemed like one of those things every kid had gotten to do but me.

Nico sat in the back with Eurytion, Geryon in the front with Orthus, who barked happily, and we took the middle cars.

I grinned as we went over a hill, horses and cattle now where. "Hippalektryons?"

Annabeth grabbed onto me. "I thought they were extinct!"

"Rooster ponies!" Tyson said, a glint in his eye. "Do they lay eggs?"

"Once a year. Very much in demand for omelettes."

"That's not right." Grover mumbled.

"Over here," Geryon said, ignoring the comment. "We have our fire-breathing horses, which you may have seen on your way in. They're bred for war, naturally."

"Were these used in the Peloponnesian War when Sparta burned the Athenian Empire to the ground?"

Annabeth gave me a little glare. "Probably. Sparta brought the ruin to Greece."

"Athens decided to be a little too greedy, that's why the war started."

"I don't think that matters right now." Grover sighed, but he was grinning. "Anyway, everybody knows Sparta was better."

Annabeth was getting ready to retort when Geryon spoke again. "Over yonder, of course, are our prize red cows."

"So many." Grover said in awe.

"Yes, we'll, Apollo is too busy to see them. So he subcontracts us, we breed them because there's such a demand."

"For what?" Percy asked,

"Meat, of course! Armies have to eat."

I frowned. "You kill the sacred cows of the sun god for hamburger meat? That's against the ancient laws!"

"If Apollo cared he would tell us."

"If he knew." Percy muttered.

Geryon ignored us once again, showing us his "stables."

It was horrible. There was horse poop everywhere, it covered the horses and the ground, and the smell almost made me puke. Even Nico reacted.

"How is this guy still in business?" I asked, covering my nose.

Annabeth gasped. "You're supplying Kronos!"

He shrugged. "I work for anyone with gold."

He hopped out of the train.

"I came here for business, Geryon. You haven't answered me."

"Mmm. You'll get a deal, all right."

"My ghost told me you could help. He said you could guide us the soul we need."

"Oh I imagine I could, your ghost friend, by the way, where is he?"

"He can't form in broad daylight."

"I'm sure. Minos likes to disappear when things get... difficult."

Minos? Like that one King?

"What do you mean, things getting difficult?"

"You see, Nico, Luke Castellan is offering very good money for half-bloods. Especially powerful half-bloods. I'm sure once he learns your little secret, who you really are, he'll pay very, very well indeed."

Percy jumped up, but Orthus pounced. "Stay in the car, or Orthus will tear Mr. Jackson's throat out. Now, Eurytion, if you would be so kind, secure Nico. Pick up the sword too, there's nothing I hate worse than Stygian iron."

I stared helplessly at Percy, huge dog on his chest with its mouth open above his throat, foaming as it waiting for it's command.

"You fiend!" Annabeth shouted.

Geryon smiled. "Don't worry. Once I've delivered Mr. di Angelo, you and your party can go. I don't interfere with quests. Besides, I've been paid to give you safe passage, which does not include him."

I frowned. "Paid by whom? What do you mean?"

"Never mind. Let's be off, shall we?"

"Wait!" Percy shouted. "Make me a deal."

Geryon narrowed his eyes. "What sort of deal? Do you have gold?"

"I've got something better. Barter."

"You've got nothing."

"You could have him clean the stables," Eurytion suggested.

"I'll do it!" Percy nodded. "If I fail, you get all of us, trade us all to Luke for gold. But if I succeed, you've got to let all of us go, including Nico."

"No!" Nico screamed. "Don't do me any favors, I don't want your help!"

"You have til sundown, and I'm taking your friends with me."

I yelped when Orthus jumped from Percy and nuzzled himself onto my lap, but I looked at Percy with sympathy. "Percy, tell me you know what you're doing."

"I hope I know what I'm doing."

I smiled, but it was a sad, trying to make light of it, smile. "Just figure something out. I know you can."

Geryon then sent the train off.