Don't be a silent reader
Amara pov
" Ok so explain them!" Percy said later in my cabin living room (above pic) after everyone left to get healed up and I managed to quickly put the new shield up after I use grey matter smarts to give it a solar battery to make the device last 4 days without charge.
My smallest was snuggling on my lap as my other 13 were either flying around the room or cuddling with someone here. Percy even had one of them resting on his head and Tyson was playing with 2 of the bigger ones.
"Well in my old life, I was already 15, Due to the watch various alien DNA is connected to my DNA, so I can transform easily well...there was an incident. The big chill DNA or what their species are called Necrofriggian they all lay eggs asexually like sea anemones once every 80 years...It was 80 years and I got pregnancy symptoms like eating pickles and ice cream, acting more motherly than normal and whenever I turn into alien I am always a big chill and I started building a huge nest of metal. This got my old friend and cousin worried that is when these guys hatched and they were born" I said explaining
" So they are yours?....holy moly," Luke said holding 3 of them in his arms"Will you be doing it again ?"
" nah...it has barely been 5 years.....the next time might be after I am an old woman. The plumbers in the old world helped me watch how they grow and when I visited them on the home planet they have to grow up in, they recognize me no matter what. so I was a huge surprised they are all here" I said " might be my godly parents who have done this helping them find me. maybe..it possible all my alien friends' home world is connected to this galaxy"
"What are their names?" Percy asked smiling as he pets one of them
"Um......I am not sure...they flew off the minute they were born" I said
"As the uncle...I name them all!" Luke said "But no babies till your 40"
"SHUT UP LUKE!" I tossed my shoe at his face
***
Tantalus was sentenced to kitchen patrol — scrubbing pots and platters all afternoon in the underground kitchen with the cleaning harpies. The harpies were washed with lava instead of water, to get that extra-clean sparkle and kill ninety-nine point nine percent of all germs, she had to wear asbestos gloves and aprons. He must be regretting the order of a special luncheon banquet to celebrate Clarisse's chariot victory — a full-course meal featuring country-fried Stymphalian death-bird.
Now, Percy, and Luke were in the main office with me as all my 13 children played outside with the other campers who loved them and the smallest Aqua(Percy named him) was snuggling up to percy happy to Luke pouting. After listening to his dream about Grover again, We all looked at each other
"If he's really found it," Luke murmured, "and if we could retrieve it — "
"Hold on," Percy said. "You act like this ... whatever it is Grover found is the only thing in the world that could save the camp. What is it?"
"I'll give you a hint. What do you get when you skin a ram?"
"Messy?"
"A fleece Bluey. The coat of a ram is called a fleece. And if that ram happens to have golden wool — " I said
"The Golden Fleece. Are you serious?" Percy said. then I remember the grey sisters and what they said.
"Percy, remember the Gray Sisters? They said they knew the location of the thing you seek. And they mentioned Jason. They told him how to find the Golden Fleece three thousand years ago. You do know the story of Jason and the Argonauts?"
"Yeah," I said. "That old movie with the clay skeletons." Luke burst into laughing which also made me laugh.
"What?" He demanded
"Just listen." I said "The real story of the Fleece: there were these two children of Zeus, Cadmus and Europa, okay? They were about to get offered up as human sacrifices when they prayed to Zeus to save them. So Zeus sent this magical flying ram with golden wool, which picked them up in Greece and carried them to Colchis in Asia Minor. Well, it carried Cadmus. Europa fell off and died along the way, but that's not important."
"It was probably important to her."
"The point is, when Cadmus got to Colchis, he sacrificed the golden ram to the Gods and hung the Fleece in a tree in the middle of the kingdom. The Fleece brought prosperity to the land. Animals stopped getting sick. Plants grew better. Farmers had bumper crops. Plagues never visited. That's why Jason wanted the Fleece. It can revitalize any land where it's placed. It cures sickness, strengthens nature, cleans up pollution — "
"It could cure Thalia's tree."
Luke nodded. "And it would strengthen the borders of Camp Half-Blood. But Percy, the Fleece has been missing for centuries. Tons of heroes have searched for it with no luck."
"But Grover found it," Percy said. "He went looking for Pan, and he found the Fleece instead because they both radiate nature magic. It makes sense, Amara. We can rescue him and save the camp at the same time. It's perfect!"
Luke hesitated. "A little too perfect, don't you think? What if it's a trap?"
I remembered last summer how Kronos had manipulated our quest. He'd almost fooled us into helping him start a war that would've destroyed Western Civilisation.
"What choice do we have?" Percy asked. "Are you going to help me rescue Grover or not?"
We all glanced at Tyson, who'd lost interest in our conversations and was happily making toy boats out of cups and spoons from the tea tray.
"Percy," Luke said under his breath, "we'll have to fight a Cyclops. Polyphemus, the worst of the Cyclopes. And there's only one place his island could be. The Sea of Monsters."
"Where's that?"
"The Sea of Monsters. The same sea Odysseus sailed through, and Jason, and Aeneas, and all the others." I said
"You mean the Mediterranean?"
"No. Well, yes ... but no." Luke said
"Another straight answer. Thanks." Percy said
"Look, Percy, the Sea of Monsters is the sea all heroes sail through on their adventures. It used to be in the Mediterranean, yes. But like everything else, it shifts locations as the West's center of power shifts."
"Like Mount Olympus being above the Empire State Building," I said. "And Hades being under Los Angeles."
"Right," Luke said
"But a whole sea full of monsters — how could you hide something like that? Wouldn't the mortals notice weird things happening ... like, ships getting eaten and stuff?" Percy said
"Of course they notice. They don't understand, but they know something is strange about that part of the ocean. The Sea of Monsters is off the east coast of the U.S. now, just northeast of Florida. The mortals even have a name for it."
"The Bermuda Triangle?" I said "Oh that makes sense"
I let that sink in. I guess it wasn't stranger than anything else I'd learned since my whole life. "Okay ... so at least we know where to look."
"It's still a huge area, Percy. Searching for one tiny island in monster-infested waters — " Luke said
"Hey, I'm the son of the sea god. This is my home turf. How hard can it be?" Percy said
"As head of the camp, I approve of a quest. I will tell them all tonight at the campfire in front of everybody. The whole camp will hear. They'll pressure Mr. Hungry Man. He won't be able to refuse." I said "Luke you have to be in charge of camp when I am away"
" wait what?"
"I am coming to the quest too. There is a reason I too got those dreams" I said "Watch over the babies when I am gone"
" I will take good care of Jewel, Elanor, Sam, Jennie, Luke jr, ocean, Pearl, Icy, Alex, Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Sven, and Aqua" Luke said "And also Tyson... I have slowly gotten used to him"
" I still question I should have let you name the big chill babies" I sighed "I worry for your future kid"
"HEY!'
***
That night at the campfire, Apollo's cabin led the sing-along. They tried to get everybody's spirits up, but it wasn't easy after that afternoon's bird attack. We all sat around a semicircle of stone steps, singing halfheartedly and watching the bonfire blaze while the Apollo guys strummed their guitars and picked their lyres. We did all the standard camp numbers: "Down by the Aegean," "I Am My Own Great-Great-Great-Great-Grandpa," and "This Land is Minos's Land." The bonfire was enchanted, so the louder you sang, the higher it rose, changing color and heat with the mood of the crowd. On a good night, I'd seen it twenty feet high, bright purple, and so hot the whole front row's marshmallows burst into the flames.
Tonight, the fire was only five feet high, barely warm, and the flames were the color of lint.
Dionysus left early. After suffering through a few songs, he muttered something about how even pinochle with Chiron had been more exciting than this. I had told him earlier about the plan and wished me luck. Then he gave Tantalus a distasteful look and headed back toward the Big House.
But suddenly, Chaos spoke in my mind. Be careful child....someone else will go for the quest but you and the sons of the sea god must go. head to the beach after the campfire with some drink. you will see
When the last song was over, Tantalus said, "Well, that was lovely!"
He came forward with a toasted marshmallow on a stick and tried to pluck it off, real casual-like. But before he could touch it, the marshmallow flew off the stick. Tantalus made a wild grab, but the marshmallow committed suicide, diving into the flames.
Tantalus turned back toward us, smiling coldly. "Now then! Some announcements about tomorrow's schedule."
But I cut him off as I said, "We have an idea to save the camp." percy stand up as well nods
Dead silence, but I could tell I'd gotten everybody's interest because the campfire flared bright yellow.
"Indeed," Tantalus said blandly. "Well, if it has anything to do with chariots —
"The Golden Fleece," I said. "Percy and I know where it is."
The flames burned orange. Before Tantalus could stop us, Percy blurted out my dream about Grover and Polyphemus's island. I stepped in and reminded everybody what the Fleece could do.
"The Fleece can save the camp," I concluded. "I'm certain of it."
"Nonsense," said Tantalus. "We don't need saving."
Everybody stared at him until Tantalus started looking uncomfortable.
"Besides," he added quickly, "the Sea of Monsters? That's hardly an exact location. You wouldn't even know where to look."
"Yes, I would," Percy said "30,31,75, 12,"
"Ooo-kay," Tantalus said. "Thank you for sharing those meaningless numbers."
"They're sailing coordinates," I said. "Latitude and longitude. 30 degrees, 31 minutes north, 75 degrees, 12 minutes west. He's right! The Gray Sisters gave us those coordinates. That'd be somewhere in the Atlantic, off the coast of Florida. The Sea of Monsters. We need a quest!LET A QUEST BE APPROVED"
"Wait just a minute," Tantalus said.
But the campers took up the chant. "We need a quest! We need a quest!" My kids also join the cheer
The flames rose higher.
"It isn't necessary!" Tantalus insisted.
"WE NEED A QUEST! WE NEED A QUEST!"
"Fine!" Gotcha Tantalus shouted, his eyes blazing with anger. "You brats want me to assign a quest?"
"YES!"
"Very well," he agreed. "I shall authorize a champion to undertake this perilous journey, to retrieve the Golden Fleece and bring it back to camp. Or die trying."
I understood what he means. I got mad but chaos had warned me about this. Percy looked at me curiously why I was upset
"I will allow our champion to consult the Oracle!" Tantalus announced. "And choose two companions for the journey. And I think the choice of a champion is obvious."
Tantalus looked at us as if he wanted to flay us alive. "The champion should be one who has earned the camp's respect, who has proven resourceful in the chariot races and courageous in the defense of the camp. You shall lead this quest ... Clarisse!"
The fire flickered a thousand different colors. The Ares cabin started stomping and cheering,
"CLARISSE! CLARISSE!"
Clarisse stood up, looking stunned. Then she swallowed, and her chest swelled with pride. "I accept the quest!"
"Wait!" Percy shouted. "Grover is my friend. The dream came to me."
"Sit down!" yelled one of the Ares campers. "You had your chance last summer!"
"Yeah, he just wants to be in the spotlight again!" another said.
Clarisse glared at me. "I accept the quest!" she repeated. "I, Clarisse, daughter of Ares, will save the camp!"
The Ares campers cheered even louder. Percy protested, and some campers joined in. Everybody else started taking sides — shouting and arguing and throwing marshmallows. I thought it was going to turn into a full-fledged s'more war and I was about to speak until Tantalus shouted, "Silence, you brats!"
His tone stunned even me....nope just his suddenly shouting
"Sit down!" he ordered. "And I will tell you a ghost story."
I didn't know what he was up to, but we all moved reluctantly back to our seats. The evil aura radiating from Tantalus was as strong as any monster I'd ever faced. Bullshit...He is fucking weak I fought an alien x who was a thousand times better and stronger than him.
"Once upon a time, there was a mortal king who was beloved of the Gods!" Tantalus put his hand on his chest, and I got the feeling he was talking about himself. "This king," he said, "was even allowed to feast on Mount Olympus. But when he tried to take some ambrosia and nectar back to earth to figure out the recipe — just one little doggie bag, mind you — the gods punished him. They banned him from their halls forever! His own people mocked him! His children scolded him! And, oh yes, campers, he had horrible children. Children — just — like — you."
He pointed a crooked finger at several people in the audience. He try to point at me but with one glare he looked away
"Do you know what he did to his ungrateful children?" Tantalus asked softly. "Do you know how he paid back the gods for their cruel punishment? He invited the Olympians to a feast at his palace, just to show there were no hard feelings. No one noticed that his children were missing. And when he served the gods dinner, my dear campers, can you guess what was in the stew?"
No one dared answer. The firelight glowed dark blue, reflecting evilly on Tantalus's crooked face.
"Oh, the gods punished him in the afterlife," Tantalus croaked. "They did indeed. But he'd had his moment of satisfaction, hadn't he? His children never again spoke back to him or questioned his authority. And do you know what? Rumor has it that the king's spirit now dwells at this very camp, waiting for a chance to take revenge on an ungrateful, rebellious chil....."
"DOUBLE PUNCH!!!!!" I had transformed into four arms and punched the stupid king into the ground. " YOU WERE RIGHTFULLY PUNISHED CAUSE YOU MISUSE THE GODS' HOSPITALITY! SOME THINGS ARE MEANT TO REAIM TO TO ONLY FEW PEOPLE FOR A FUCKING REASON! NECTAR AND AMBROSIA ARE DEADLY TO MORTALS STOP SCARING THE CHILDREN WITH THE STORY!'
I sighed and looked at clarrise."The Oracle. Go on. It has been already binding since you agreed to do this"
She shifted uncomfortably, like even she didn't want glory at the price of being Tantalus's pet. She nods awkwardly and hurried off toward the Big House. Percy looked at me confused as I went back to human and walk away as I heard Tantalus say. "And let me remind everyone — no one leaves this camp without permission. Anyone who tries ... well, if they survive the attempt, they will be expelled forever, but it won't come to that. The harpies will be enforcing curfew from now on, and they are always hungry! Good night, my dear campers. Sleep well."
With a wave of Tantalus's hand, the fire was extinguished, and the campers trailed off toward their cabins in the dark. I was packing my bag in my cabin bedroom and Ship wines but he could not come this time cause I need him to take care of the devices in camp.
Luke looked at me and took the letter on my hand
"You will go anyway?" he asked.
"Yes," I admitted. "It would be hard. Very hard. But camp is our home away from home."
"I will help."
"No. I need you to watch camp...watch everyone even Tyson" I said. Luke sighed as he sat on the bed and sit next to him
"You know why I don't fully like him amara...he is better than all others but still"
"My best friend tried to kill me for a whole summer...he was my enemy at first but he later became my closest friend who dated my cousin." I said remembering Kevin " He hated me a lot and try to take the watch powers for himself when we were 10 but we put our differences aside when I got older and put the watch on again to save my old world. He was the one reason i am alive today....he somehow trapped me in a security dome in the explosion when I was unable to move at all and trying to be conscious ...next thing I knew...they were gone"
Luke looked at me in sadness and shock. "Tyson is not his monster family... Tyson...is Tyson. He is better and more caring. He deserves that same kindness"
"I felt I might hurt the memory of thaila." He said
"From what you said about her...I'm sure she will be cool with Tyson... maybe. The best way to honor her is to make new memories"
"Be safe kid...I don't want to lose another sister" Luke said. I smiled and hugged him tight. Less than a year, but Luke has been a great brother. I tied up my wing shoes and put on my green jacket as I held my bag in one hand and some drinks in the other hand
The full moon shone as I walked down the path. I could smell the warm scent of the strawberry fields, and hear the laughter of the dryads as they chased owls through the forest. But something felt wrong about the night — the sickness of Thalia's tree, spreading across the valley.
The Cokes were against the rules. No outside snacks or drinks were allowed, but if you talked to the right guy in Hermes's cabin and paid him a few golden drachmae, he could smuggle in almost anything from the nearest convenience store.
Sneaking out after curfew was against the rules, too. If I got caught I'd be eaten by the harpies...the trouble I myself get out of being unofficial head of the camp. Soon I was at the beach as I spread my blanket near the surf and popped open a Coke. I waited to learn what dad chaos want me to do.
The sky was clear and starry. I was checking out the constellations Grandpa had taught me when camping — Sagittarius, Hercules, Corona Borealis — when 2 somebodies said, "Beautiful, aren't they?" "Quite amazing indeed"
I almost spewed soda.
Standing right next to me was a guy in nylon running shorts and a New York City Marathon T-shirt. He was slim and fit, with salt-and-pepper hair and a sly smile. Then there was a beautiful woman, she had her brown hair down with glasses hanging around her neck attached in a chain. She wears a walking outfit for the beach but she looks a lot like the professor in college.
They looked kind of familiar, but I couldn't figure out why. I first thought they must've been taking a midnight jog down the beach and straying inside the camp borders. That wasn't supposed to happen.
Regular mortals couldn't enter the valley. But maybe with the tree's magic weakening, They'd managed to slip in. But in the middle of the night? And there was nothing around except farmland and state preserves. Where would these guys have jogged from?
"May we join you?" he asked. "I haven't sat down in ages."
Now, I know — strange people in the middle of the night. Common sense: I was supposed to run away, yell for help, etc. But the guy acted so calm about the whole thing that I found it hard to be afraid. Then I recognized him
I said, "Sure Mr.Hermes and Ma'am"
He smiled. "Your hospitality do you credit, Amara and I see you're wearing the shoes I got you. Oh, and Coca-Cola! May we?"
He sat at the other end of the blanket and the woman sat next to me, both popped a soda and took a drink. "Ah ...that hits the spot. Peace and quiet at — "
A cell phone went off in his pocket. "You should get that Hermes," the woman said
He sighed as He pulled out his phone and my eyes got big because it glowed with a bluish light. When he extended the antenna, two creatures began writhing around it — green snakes, no bigger than earthworms. He checked his LCD display and cursed.
"I've got to take this. Just a sec ..." Then into the phone: "Hello?"
He listened. The mini-snakes writhed up and down the antenna right next to his ear.
"Yeah," the jogger said. "Listen — I know, but... I don't care if he is chained to a rock with vultures pecking at his liver, if he doesn't have a tracking number, we can't locate his package... A gift to humankind, great... You know how many of those we deliver — Oh, never mind. Listen, just refer him to Eris in customer service. I gotta go."
He hung up. "Sorry. The overnight express business is just booming. Now, as I was saying — "
"You have snakes on your phone?" I asked Hermes
"What? Oh, they don't bite. Say hello, George and Martha."
Hello, George and Martha, a raspy male voice said inside my head. Don't be sarcastic, said a female voice.
Why not? George demanded. I do all the real work.
"Oh, let's not go into that again!" The jogger slipped his phone back into his pocket. "Now, where were we ... Ah, yes. Peace and quiet."
He crossed his ankles and stared up at the stars. "Been a long time since I've gotten to relax. Ever since the telegraph — rush, rush, rush. Do you have a favorite constellation, Amara?"
I was still kind of wondering about the little green snakes he'd shoved into his jogging shorts, but I said, "Uh, I like that one." I point to the hourglass constellation
"Why?" The lady asked me
"Well...when my family died, I saw this up in the sky glowing in an hourglass-like my watch. the four stars on each tip glowed the brightest so...it became my favorite as I can feel them mostly watching from the sky till I got into the underworld and saw they are in Elysium. I now feel that remains me of what I choose to become when I wish on a star"
The woman looked at me seriously and smiled as we all looked up "You're an interesting young woman. And so, what now?"
I knew immediately what she was asking. What did I intend to do about the Fleece?
Before I could answer, Martha the snake's muffled voice came from Hermes pocket: I have Demeter on line two.
"Not now," He said. "Tell her to leave a message."
She's not going to like that. The last time you put her off, all the flowers in the floral delivery division wilted.
"Just tell her I'm in a meeting!" He rolled his eyes. " Be right back!" he goes to attend the call annoyed
"Sorry again, Amara. You were saying ..." the woman said
"Um ... who are you, exactly?" I said
"Haven't you guessed by now, a smart girl like you?" She said as an Owl lands on her shoulder.
My throat tightened. I realized who the woman reminded me of with her bookworm features, and the eager and cunning twinkle in her eyes...
"Oh, your Annabeth's and Malcolm's mom, Athena...Goddess of War and Wisdom" I said
She smiled and nods " Indeed, I am." She said. Hermes came back as his phone glowed a brilliant blue. It stretched into a three-foot-long wooden staff with dove wings sprouting out the top. George and Martha, now full-sized green snakes, coiled together around the middle. It was a caduceus, the symbol of Cabin Eleven.
"Hermes...I am surprised you both are here" I said as Hermes messed up with my hair
The goddess pursed her lips as Hermes stuck his caduceus in the sand like an umbrella pole. '"Annabeth's mother.' Normally, that's not the first way people introduce me. Goddess of wisdom, yes. Goddess of War, if they wish to be kind."
God of thieves works for Hermes, George said.
Oh, don't mind George. Martha flicked her tongue at me. He's just bitter because Hermes likes me best.
He does not!
Does too!
"Behave, you two," Hermes warned, "or I'll turn you back into a cell phone and set you on vibrate!" Athena sighed before looking at me
" Now, Amara, you still haven't answered my question. What do you intend to do about the quest?"
"I have to save Grover and Camp. I am going no matter what" This made both the gods smile.
Hermes then spoke. "I knew a boy once ... oh, younger than you by far. A mere baby, really."
Here we go again, George said. Always talking about himself
Quiet! Martha snapped. Do you want to get set on vibrate?
Hermes ignored them. "One night, when this boy's mother wasn't watching, he sneaked out of their cave and stole some cattle that belonged to Apollo."
"Did he get blasted to tiny pieces?" I asked joking.
"Hmm ... no. Actually, everything turned out quite well. To make up for his theft, the boy gave Apollo an instrument he'd invented — a lyre. Apollo was so enchanted with the music that he forgot all about being angry."
"So what's the moral?"
"The moral?" Hermes asked. "Goodness, you act like it's a fable. It's a true story. Does truth have a moral?"
"Urn ..."
"How about this: stealing is not always bad?"
"I don't think many mothers would like that moral, Hermes" Athena said
Rats are delicious, suggested George.
What does that have to do with the story? Martha demanded.
Nothing, George said. But I'm hungry.
"I've got it," Hermes said. "Young people don't always do what they're told, but if they can pull it off and do something wonderful, sometimes they escape punishment. How's that?"
"You're saying I should go anyway," I said, "even without permission."
" Well you are going anyway," Athena said and I nodded. Hermes's eyes twinkled. "Martha, may I have the first package, please?"
Martha opened her mouth ... and kept opening it until it was as wide as my arm. She belched out a stainless steel canister — an old-fashioned lunch box thermos with a black plastic top. The sides of the thermos were enameled with red and yellow Ancient Greek scenes — a hero killing a lion; a hero lifting up Cerberus, the three-headed dog.
"That's Hercules," I said. "But how — "
"Never question a gift," Hermes chided. "This is a collector's item from Hercules Busts Heads. The first season."
"Hercules Busts Heads?"
"Great show." Hermes sighed. "Back before Hephaestus-TV was all reality programming. Of course, the thermos would be worth much more if I had the whole lunch box — "
Or if it hadn't been in Martha's mouth, George added.
I'll get you for that. Martha began chasing him around the caduceus. That was funny to watch
"Wait a minute," I said. "This is a gift?"
"One of two," Hermes said. "Go on, pick it up."
I almost dropped it because it was freezing cold on one side and burning hot on the other. The weird thing was, when I turned the thermos, the side facing the ocean — north — was always the cold side...
"It's a compass!" I said.
Hermes looked surprised. "Very clever. I never thought of that. But its intended use is a bit more dramatic. Uncap it, and you will release the winds from the four corners of the earth to speed you on your way. Not now! And please, when the time comes, only unscrew the lid a tiny bit. The winds are a bit like me — always restless. Should all four escape at once ... ah, but I'm sure you'll be careful. And now my second gift. George?"
She's touching me, George complained as he and Martha slithered around the pole.
"She's always touching you," Hermes said. "You're inter-twined. And if you don't stop that, you'll get knotted again!"
The snakes stopped wrestling.
George unhinged his jaw and coughed up a little plastic bottle filled with chewable vitamins.
"You're kidding," I said. "Are those Minotaur-shaped?"
Hermes picked up the bottle and rattled it. "The lemon ones, yes. The grape ones are Furies, I think. Or are they hydras? At any rate, these are potent. Don't take one unless you really, really need it."
"How will I know if I really, really need it?"
"You'll know, Nine essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids, everything you need to feel yourself again," Athena said " I also let you have my dear friend to be your eyes in the sky"
The owl lands on my head hooting. He is a beautiful eagle owl and boy he is heavy.
" Off my head buddy your heavy!" I said
Rude human but I shall sit on your lap if you don't mind he huffed before resting on my lap. That surprised me...now I know how percy first reacted to the zebra talking to him. Hermes tossed me the bottle which I put in my bag along with the thermos
"Um, thanks," I said. "But Lord Hermes...Lady Athena, why are you helping me?"
He gave me a melancholy smile." I am here to give gifts to help with the quest which Athena herself choose and I know where to find you fast...Athena here well"
"Perhaps because I hope that you can save many people on this quest, Amara. Not just your friend Grover." Athena said
I stared at her. "You don't mean ... Annabeth?"
Athena didn't answer. Even if the gods are busy they still care for the kids (except Zeus and hera)
"Look," I said. "Lady Athena, I mean, thanks and everything, but you might as well take back your gifts. Annabeth may or may not be saved. Even if I could find her... she told me she wanted to tear down Olympus stone by stone. She betrayed everybody he knew. She — she hates you especially."
Athena gazed up at the stars. "My dear young mortal, if there's one thing I've learned over the eons, it's that you can't give up on your family, no matter how tempting they make it. It doesn't matter if they hate you, or embarrass you"
"Or simply don't appreciate your genius for inventing the Internet — " Hermes said
"You invented the Internet?" I said surprised
It was my idea, Martha said.
Rats are delicious, George said.
"It was my idea!" Hermes said. "I mean the Internet, not the rats. But that's not the point."
"Amara, do you understand what I'm saying about family?" Athena said
"Yes I do," I said " I will try...That I can promise" Athena nods accepting that and Hermes got up and brushed the sand off his legs. "In the meantime, We must be going before Mr. Zeus catches us breaking a rule."
"Metting me is against his rule?" I said and they both smiled. Hermes laughed and Athena shook her head
You have sixty calls to return, Martha said. And one thousand-thirty-eight e-mail, George added. Not counting the offers for online discount ambrosia.
"And you, Amara," Athena said, "have a shorter deadline than you realize to complete your quest. Your friends should be coming right about ... now."
I heard Percy's voice calling my name from the sand dunes. Tyson, too, was shouting from a little bit farther away. Wait he is coming too?
"I hope I packed well for you," Hermes said. "I do have some experience with travel."
He snapped his fingers and two yellow duffel bags appeared at my feet. "Waterproof, of course like your bag from chaos. If you ask nicely, Percy's father should be able to help you reach the ship."
"Ship?"
Athena pointed out at sea. Sure enough, a big cruise ship was cutting across Long Island Sound, its white-and-gold lights glowing against the dark water.
"I'd make up your mind in the next five minutes if I were you," Hermes advised. "That's when the harpies will come to eat you. Now, good night, Amara, and dare I say it? May the gods go with you."
He opened his hand and the caduceus flew into it.
Good luck, Martha told me.
Bring me back a rat, George said.
The caduceus changed into a cell phone and Hermes slipped it into his pocket. He jogged off down the beach and twenty paces away, he shimmered and vanished. Athena transformed into an owl and flies away into the sky, leaving me alone with a thermos, an owl, a bottle of chewable vitamins, and five minutes to make a decision.