Sorry it took me so long to update, but I've been pretty busy with school and life in general. Thanks to those who comment and here is the third. I wanted to kind of focus on some characters like Leo before I actually got them on the quest. So this is still the day before. And I do have a good plot for this story, so I hope you continue to read it. Enjoy!
ruleofthumb - Thanks for your kind comment and corrections on my story. Hope you read on:)
Chapter 3
"Ludicrous!" Octavian spat. "Traveling to the Greek camp? What purpose does that hold?" His hands were in fists, his knuckles white from rapping his fingers tightly. "Don't you see Reyna? I warned you from the beginning that he was a Greek Deceiver!"
"You also told us that you'd save the camp on the Feast of Fortuna and that didn't happened either, did it?" Reyna replied almost smugly. Now turning away from the paled yet heated face of Octavian, her eyes met with Percy. "But would like an excuse from you as to why you would propose this request." Percy shifted uncomfortably. Looking at Annabeth comforted him for the moment.
"Well… I think I'd like to visit my home and old friends whom I haven't seen in almost a year, just in case I don't make it back… alive." He choked out the last word.
"It seems fair enough," though Reyna thinking of how Jason might have felt coming back to camp Jupiter. "But how much time will it take out our tight schedule?" Percy thought about it.
"I'd only spend an hour at the most." Then he paused, "By the way Annabeth, do you know why Grover isn't here?"
"He ad some Lord of the Wild stuff to take care of." She answered with a humored smile. "But I think Blackjack should be coming any time now." Percy's face lit up.
"Great, now I'll have to pt up with the name "Boss" again." He laughed.
"Who's Blackjack?" Wondered Octavian suspiciously.
He's a black Pegasus that befriended me after I saved his life."
"A black Pegasus?" Hazel's eyes shined thinking of the majestic winged horse as dark as midnight. Then her thoughts shifted to Arion. Of course, this Blackjack couldn't be as great as him.
"Yeah," Percy smiled seeing the look on her face," I can let you ride him if you want." He offered.
"Yes, please." She said trying to contain her excitement. Frank looked at her, loving it when he saw her so happy.
"So I guess that's the last of our plans?" Frank asked. Reyna nodded her head.
"Yes, so let's go over them one last time." She breathed in deeply. "We are already equipped with everything we need until we reach Europe. So any stops along the ways won't be necessary unless there is an attack in the air on the Argo II. But I believe Leo has already taken care of that?" She looked over to him and he smiled proudly or maybe a little sadistically at the thought of the defense mechanisms he had applied to the ship. "Our only break we will take will e when we stop at Camp Halfblood for about an hour. Then crossing the sea shouldn't be a problem since Gaia doesn't hold power over them. Once we arrive in Europe though, we must be on our highest guard when we go for supplies. And lastly… we will arrive at our destination and be prepared for whatever awaits us there.' she said the last part more solemnly. Everyone there nodded understanding except for Octavian who smiled cruelly at the thought of Percy and some of the other coming to a horrible fate.
Suddenly, before any of them could respond, there was a loud comotion from outside, echoing into the Senate's House. There was the sound of struggling guards, trotting feet, and a loud whinnying. Then Percy could hear the voice of the person's mind.
"Boss! These half breed mules are trying to tie me up. Help me out here!" Percy smiled at Blackjack's insult. Well a least it wasn't as bad as Arion's cussing. Then rushing to his aid, the others followed behind him, he saw his old friend fighting tooth and hoof against the two cohort capers.
"Praetor Percy," one of them said with a huffing breath, "This Pegasus was trying to go into the Senator's Hall-" but before the camper could continue, Blackjack spread his wings, knocking them both to the side. There grips on the ropes failed and he went free, trotting up to Percy.
"Hey Boss!" Hazel was the first to come out and examine the majestic beast.
"Blackjack, Hazel," said Percy introducing them," Hazel, Blackjack." hazel went up to him and began to stroke his nose.
"He's beautiful!" She exclaimed. The others admired him too. "Makes Scipio look like a-" Frank began, but was cut off by an icy glare from Reyna.
"Everybody," said Jason speaking up, "I think it's time that we started preparing for a long trip tomorrow. Rest, relax, and save energy for the quest we will start on early next morning."
"Right," agreed Reyna. "I don't want anyone to be leaving the camp, she looked at Hazel, "we can't take chances that something bad will happen to either of us. Understood?" "But we still haven't covered one last thing yet.." Octavian said, butting in.
"And what's that?" Percy asked, a feeling of annoyance stirring inside him.
"Who will be staying and will be going. If you haven't noticed, there's eight of us and only seven in the prophesy." As soon as he said that, there was an uneasy feeling among them all. Reyna spoke up first,
"I have to stay and keep order over the camp. It is my duty. As for the seven of you; Percy, Annabeth ,Hazel, Frank, Leo, Jason, and.. Piper. You are officially the seven of the prophesy."
The day before the quest was warm, but pleasant. Hazel, to Arion's disgust, had been off, flying on Blackjack with the greatest thrill and contentment. The others were lazing around and relaxing, especially Leo. He had found a shaded tree to sit under and pulled out a cheese burger from his magical belt of wonders.
"What do you want?" He could hear the sound of Piper's annoyed voice behind of the near buildings.
"I just wanted to speak with you daughter of Venus." That was he voice of… the guy name Octavian?
"Aphrodite, if you don't mind." Now he could hear the acid in her voice.
"I like your temper. In fact, I really like girls with your attitude." There was a pause, "I know I didn't make the best impression on you earlier, but I'd like to show you hat I'm really like-" By this time, Leo was on his feet walking.
"Let go of me!" Now Leo was running.
"Give me a kiss beautiful." Now he was standing a small distance from them. He could see Octavian's grip on her wrists and Piper struggling.
"Stop it!"
"Charming me won't work, cutey. I've prepared myself against such forms of attack." Then just as Piper was about to scream, Leo was running toward them, pulling a foot long wrench out of his belt. he was furious! This jerk Octavian was trying to make out with his best friend! (author's not: I promise you readers, that's all he was trying to do) But before he could say anything, in came Jason to save the day. He ran past Leo, flipping his gold coin which formed into a sword.
"Get your filthy hand off Piper!" Jason said with thunderous anger. Octavian back away in a pulse. Without warning though, Jason came up and sucker punched him straight in the jaw.
"Gah!" Octavian was writhing on the ground in pain. Leo knew he should be happy, but he wasn't. He always felt inferior to Jason, and it always felt like he would never get the chance to do something heroic. He was never as good as Jason, and he never would be, or so he thought. He walked away, his head lowered, and a dark cloud following after him. No one had even noticed him.
After Octavian had yelled threats of revenge and stumbled off, Jason and Piper calmed themselves and looked at each other.
"Thanks, but I could have taken care of him," she joked. Jason smiled, but then remembered something.
"Where'd Leo go?"
Comments are very much welcomed! I need them to survive! Ok not really... but anyways, i just want to say that later on in the story, when they're traveling over the Atlantic Ocean, they're going to have something waiting for them. Oh, they thought they could get away with going over the water safely with not attacks, but they don't get out of this one so easy. I have something in store for them. Hope you like it!