invisible string | f. zhang

xiv. the strangest reinforcements you'll ever see

"Where's Lupa?" Frank asks, "She and the wolves . . . they should be here."

Maribelle tries to focus, not let the memories sink in but it was too late. She takes a deep, shaky, breath.

"She did what she could," Percy says, "She slowed down the army on its way south. Now it's up to us. We've got to get the gold eagle and these weapons to the legion."

"But Arion is out of steam!" Hazel says, "We can't haul this stuff ourselves."

"Maybe we don't have to." Percy scans the hilltops. Then, he whistles as loud as he could. Shadows ripple in the trees. A huge black shape bounds out of nowhere — a mastiff the size of an SUV, with a Cyclops and a harpy on her back.

"What the —" Maribelle gasps and stumbles backwards.

"Hellhound!" Frank shouts.

"It's okay!" Percy grins, "These are friends."

"Brother!" The cyclops climbs off and runs towards Percy.

The cyclops slams into him and smothers him in a hug. Then, he lets go and laughs with delight.

"You are not dead!" He says, "I like it when you are not dead!"

Ella flutters to the ground and began preening her feathers, "Ella found a dog," She announces, "A large dog. And a Cyclops."

Maribelle smirks at the blush on the harpies face. Oh yes, this could keep her distracted from the war raging on below. Ella the Harpy and what's-his-name the Cyclops.

"Hey, Mrs. O'Leary," Percy says, "Yeah, I love you too, girl. Good dog."

"You have a hellhound named Mrs. 0'Leary?"

"Long story. You can ask your brother . . . sorry, but yeah, this is my dog, Mrs. O'Leary. Tyson — these are my friends, Maribelle, Frank, and Hazel."

"Are you okay?" Maribelle asks Ella, "We were worried about you."

"Ella is not strong," She says, "Cyclopes are strong. Tyson found Ella. Tyson took care of Ella."

"Tyson," Percy grins, "You big charmer, you."

Tyson turns the same color as Ella's plumage.

"Um . . . no." He leans down and whispers nervously, loud enough for all the others to hear: "She is pretty."

Maribelle squeals, "Yes, she is," She whispers back to the cyclops.

Never did she think she'd be gushing over a cyclops.

"Anyway, there's this battle happening," Frank says.

"Right," Percy agrees, "Tyson, where's Annabeth? Is any other help coming?"

Tyson pouts. His big brown eye got misty, "The big ship is not ready. Leo says tomorrow, maybe two days. Then they will come."

"We don't have two minutes," Percy says, "Okay, here's the plan."

As quickly as possible, he points out which were the good guys and the bad guys on the battlefield. Tyson was alarmed to learn that bad Cyclopes and bad centaurs were in the giant's army. "I have to hit pony-men?"

"Just scare them away," Percy promises.

"Um, Percy? I just . . . don't want our friend here getting hurt. Is Tyson a fighter?" Frank asks.

Percy smiles, "Is he a fighter? Frank, you're looking at General Tyson of the Cyclops army. And by the way, Tyson, Frank is a descendant of Poseidon."

"Brother!" Tyson crushes Frank in a hug.