And spirits of the glorious polar vortex overhead I am posting story number to a little early. To hopefully lift the spirits of those who are trapped in their houses. I will, alas, going to work today, but if you are not then this is for you. Enjoy!

THE WORDS OF THE DIVINE

STORY # 2: DISCOVERY

Set just a little before the events of the Lighting Thief

Normally, Poseidon stayed away from his former flings. Once the passion was gone, he had no reason to hang around. He was not the clingy type of god. The conquest was over and he was bored of it. So he stayed away. It was far easier that way. It complicated things a lot less. Alas, this time he could not. Although, it was his son's sake not Sally's that he returned. Zeus had discovered what they had done twelve years ago. His brother was not happy. He threatened war if Poseidon did not give Perseus up. Which he was not going to do. He couldn't. Perseus Jackson was his son. He couldn't abandon him. That was not in his nature. He had to protect him. Zeus would not have his way. Percy had to be safe no matter what. That was why he returned to Sally's side. It was to beg Sally to send Percy to Camp Half-blood.

It was neutral ground. A sacred place to train demigods. Few gods would dare breach that place without earning the ire of the other gods. Yes, Zeus could still easily find Percy there but it was the safest place for him now. There were no better options. Zeus couldn't smite him there without raising questions and he couldn't send monsters to attack him. Not unless the camp welcomed the monster in. The barrier would deflect all others. Which was not going to happen. Zeus currently had no demigods at the camp. His last one was turned into a tree a few years back. (Whom he wasn't supposed to father either. Yes, the irony had not been lost on Poseidon.) So, he couldn't summon a monster into the camp. That was how most gods tried to get rid of unwanted people. By sending monsters to kill them. They rarely bothered to smite them directly. It brought up too many questions. It was far easier just to let someone else do your dirty work. More than likely Zeus would send monsters after Percy soon. Assuming that other gods didn't try it first. They could be very touchy about prophecies and broken oaths. He had to get Percy to safety soon.

Already, his son was displaying incredible power. He already possessed more power than some demigods would ever have. And he was not aware that he had any power. Which made him invisible to monsters but that would not last. His power would get him into trouble. He had to get to camp. He had to learn how to defend himself. If nothing else, he needed to get to camp to protect him from his brother's wrath.

Poseidon had no doubt that Zeus would take out his anger on Percy. He wouldn't care that Percy wasn't responsible for being born. He wouldn't care that he had done nothing wrong. He would still kill him. Most of gods were like that. Even Poseidon had been known to act that way from time-to-time. No, Percy was in grave danger. As his father, he had to try and protect him. It was his duty.

Unfortunately, Sally stubbornly refused to listen to him. She didn't grasp how grave the situation really was. She didn't understand how angry his brother was. How he was looking for an excuse to kill him. For in her religion a god did not do that. Not so with greek and roman gods. Often children were punished for the sins of the father. Percy was a prime target. Once he had an excuse, no matter how tenuous, he would strike. He would kill Percy in an instant or send his minions against him. It was hard to say. Not that it mattered. For right now, there was no way for Percy to defend himself. If Zeus attacked then Poseidon would have to step in or else lose his son. Kicking off a war between the gods. He wanted to avoid that if he could.

Poseidon loved his children dearly. It tore him apart to have any of them suffer. It devastated him when they died. He hated that his mortal children would die no matter what he did. It was just a matter of time. It was in their nature. He would likely never see them again. That was the worst part. He would never see his mortal children again. They would go to Hades' realm and he would never see them again. The tether would snap. He would have no further mental link. It was the worst part of being a father. The loss of your child. He wanted to delay that for as long as possible.

That meant that Percy had to go to Camp Half-blood. It was only safe place that he could take Percy right now. For there was no way to smuggle Percy into his domain without Zeus noticing. He kept a close eye on the boy now. He would notice such a move. Then it would be the opening act of war. Which Poseidon was keen on avoiding. Sure, he would go to war for his son, but he would prefer to avoid it. His subjects would be caught in the crossfire. And Percy would likely be killed. His father did not want that. No, Camp Half-blood was a far better place for him to be now.

If only Sally would listen to him. If she could understand what was going on. How bad things were in Olympus. Then she would agree to send him there. Not cling to Percy for dear life. She was being selfish. She didn't think that Zeus would kill Percy 'just 'cause.' She thought so long as they stayed out of his brother's way then he would leave them alone. Poseidon knew better. He knew far better than that. Zeus would get involved. All he needed was an excuse. Which was only a matter of time. Things were not 'the same as they were before.' Even if it didn't seem that way from Earth. She had to act!

Of course, she ignored his warnings, dismissed the danger. She didn't understand the danger that he was in. Even after several visits she still did not understand. She still did not listen. She remembered that he was a god, right? Gods did not visit you multiple times without a good reason. It was not in their nature. They only did that if there was something you could not ignore. He did not want to take Percy away from her. He would never do that. It didn't matter that celestial law forbade it. He would never do that for his son. Sally was Percy's mother. She was important to him. She would see him again. Once he was able to defend himself! Poseidon would never try to pull them apart. She should know that! What kind of god did she think he was?

And he was a god. He knew things that mortals could never possibly know. If he said that Percy needed to go Camp Half-blood then he needed to go to Camp Half-blood! End of story. There was no ulterior motives. He just wanted to save their son's life! Percy needed training and respite from the inevitable tidal wave of monsters trying to kill him. Percy's blood was strong. Even if Zeus gave up on his ridiculous agenda Percy would still be at risk. It was time to start his training. Not hold his hand and hope for the best.

It was the only way to guarantee his safety. He needed sanctuary. He needed go to a place where the gods would be hesitant to enter. In fear of breaking that sacred oath to set aside this land for their children. Lest their children suffer the same fate. It was an agreement that they all made years ago. To leave Camp Half-Blood alone. They could visit their children just outside it's boundaries but never inside it. Nor could they harm anyone there. Not without breaking a taboo. Gods did not like that. They would leave Percy alone there. Why couldn't she see that?

Why was she being so stubborn?

After several attempts to convince her Poseidon gave up. She would not change her mind. She would continue to selfishly guard Percy. Percy would not go to Camp Half-Blood for the foreseeable future. Placing him in the firing line. Which was unacceptable. He had to act. He sent oceanids to guard him. To report anything unusual around him. They had to pull favors from the naiads to gain access, but they were able to watch him. For now, everything was quiet around him. That was good. His brother had not found him. Percy was safe for now.

That gave Poseidon time to work. He found a young satyr named Grover. Who needed a break after his recent disaster guarding the daughter of Zeus. He had one of oceanids whisper to some naiads about a powerful demigod in New York. Who 'might' be a child of one the Elder gods. Those naiads let it slip to Grover that this maybe true. The boy was so desperate that he would listen to anyone or anything thing. Regardless of the source. For one never truly believes a water spirit. They were as fickle as the tides. They often spoke in half-truths. Even to their god. Only a fool would not question their words. Take them at face value. Particularly naiads. They were the most unreliable sources of information. Poseidon rarely ever believed them. And he was a god!

Fortunately, the satyr believed them hook, line, and sinker. He took their advice and did not question it's source. How they would know such a thing. He never asked if Poseidon was the source. He should have but then again the satyr was desperate. As was the Sea God. He had to get Percy protection now. He could not delay. A seeker was his best shot. It was worth the risk of potentially giving away his son's position to Zeus. For it might get him the protection and training that he so badly needed. That would mean the difference between life and death for Perseus. His father had to take the risk. He had no other choice. Sally would not work with him on this.

If his plans didn't work out and they found Percy before reaching Camp Half-Blood then he had to prepare for war. For there would be a war. He would have little choice. Perseus was his son. He had to try and protect him. Poseidon knew that it might be in vain, but he had to try. It was his duty to ensure that he was safe. Particularly at his age. Perseus was a child. Not even aware of his true nature. He needed his father now more than ever. And his father would not let him down. Poseidon would protect his child. Consequences be dammed.


That's it for now, I'll see you Sunday for your regularly scheduled story! Ciao!