Hi all. Firstly, I'm sorry for the slow update. I have been singing three days last week in my school's musical. That and school work are to blame so sorry. Anyway, wow, I'm ecstatic with all the support I've been getting. I just hope I can continue to write as well (and improve) in future chapters. Here it is...

The salt water stung Jason's eyes like pins were being shot at them. His vision was blurry, and the only way her could perceive his surroundings was by the shapes and silhouettes. It wasn't too hard to locate the action- the Greek prince and the monster. A large black blob was charging a smaller, limp one. Rising to the surface for air, a plan formed in his strategic mind. Swim to Perseus and save him. Somehow.

He stared swimming to the fight, but before he could do anything helpful, the small shape lunged for the creature's eyes, stabbing one final time, and the creature went limp. Its carcass sunk to the seabed, far below. Perseus remained still for a moment, then his muscles relaxed. The sword in his hand sunk out of sight, and his body followed.

Jason snapped into action. He manoeuvred himself into a straight position, facing right down, and quickly caught the boy. He struggled for a grip and settled for the wrist. Perseus was a dead weight, and Jason's air was running out, but slowly, slowly, the surface neared. Blood thumped in Jason's ears. His head spun. His muscled screamed at him. He was about to take a breath of water, inevitably killing him, when they broke surface.

Annabeth woke up shivering. Crystallised salt crusted her lips and hair- even her eyelashes! For the first time in six years, her sleep had been dreamless. It should have been a relief, but was bittersweet due to the fact that her betrothed had just escaped death by a fraction. Again.

"What happened?" she whispered as she helped him up onto the raft. The Praetor, Jason, clambered on after him. Percy shook his head in response, slumping against the princess who held him in weak but comforting arms.

"It's okay, we're safe. He – he killed it!" Jason gasped as if he still couldn't believe the fact. Annabeth shot him a glance which on the outside looked hostile, but it's true meaning was confusion. She still couldn't get her head round the fact that he'd voluntarily saved Percy and hers life, but the hazy memories proved the point. She still refused to believe that it was stimulated by anything but glory and selfishness, though she was still working on the reasoning.

Annabeth ran her hands through Percy's hair until she felt him truly relax and his breathing deepen. She continued for some more, avoiding the impending exchange of words with anyone else on the raft. She did, though, use the time to analyse them out of the corner of her eye and from behind the protective veil of her hair.

Her eyes flickered over the two Romans, two slaves and a – Greek girl?

"P-Piper?" Annabeth stuttered. A rebellious tear escaped her eye. The younger girl hung her head, her dark hair covering her face.

"I was worried," Piper said quietly, "you going on the ship and..." she trailed off, regarding the Romans, "not here." Annabeth scanned her 'sister's' guilty and miserable face, her shivering shoulders and scarred hands. Without a word, angry or otherwise, the princess pulled Piper into a hug. The girls clutched each other a while, hiding their tears. The raft's further residents were silent, and Annabeth was thankful for that.

Once regaining herself, Annabeth pushed Piper to arm's length, forcing her to look into her eyes, "those Romans had no idea what they were doing; they fought as poorly as slaves," she said in slow Greek. Piper tilted her head, confused at where her sister was going, but Annabeth was looking at Jason and the other soldier. Jason had been gazing blankly at one of the girls, while the other soldier was fussing over the freed-slave. They showed no sign of understanding the insult.

Annabeth had presumed that, like highly born Greeks, the Romans would have learned their enemies native language. Apparently not. It was like them; thinking that they were so important, they needn't learn anything about their enemies.

"I was just saying that to make sure they didn't understand," Annabeth explained. Piper nodded in understanding, "now, explain." The younger girl shifted uncomfortably.

"I knew something like this would happen. You know, you running into a Roman ship. And now look at us."

"Piper, we knew the dangers; that's why we didn't allow you to come." Piper's head hung further, until her chin touched her chest. She screwed her face up, and put it in her hands.

"I'm sorry," she mumbled in Latin, "but I wanted to be there to help you. Roman territory is just so dangerous. I – I couldn't bear it if I lost you." Annabeth enveloped her in her arms.

Frank had a strong erge to draw his sword. The Greek women were so much more intimidating that the typical Roman lady, with their toned muscles and strategic minds. It made even him in all his bulk nervous when they spoke in the swift and unusual language of Greek. It was quite possible they were planning his death right at that minuet.

Hazel rested her head in his lap, eyes still wide from shock. Frank may not have been the softest of people, but when it came to his former slave – she was everything to him. He had bought her from a dealer in Palizzi Marina three years ago when travelling with the army. At first, she'd served as a personal slave, but as the years went by, the girl realised she could trust her new master. And from slave she went to friend and finally love had seeded in Frank's heart.

She'd been free for seven months, but usually stuck by Franks side none the less. Honestly, he was quite pleased about that, though saddened by the fact that she was too frightened to live her own life. He had offered her a chance to return to her country, but she politely declined. To Frank, her past was misty. However close they grew, he had the feeling it would be the one secret that remained untold.

Suddenly, by his feet, the Spanish slave jolted up. His eyes were wide like he'd woken from a nightmare, though it was also possible that he just remembered what had happened with the ship. He shivered even though the sun had evaporated the water from his clothes. Frank glanced at Jason, noting the Praetor had the same unsure expression. Slaves, especially lowly ship slaves, were known to be treacherous and unforgiving. Give one a chance and he would kill his master without blinking.

But this one couldn't top seventeen. He wasn't like some of the men who rowed, with their bulging biceps and vulgar habits. One the contrary, he was somewhat scrawny and even showed a hint, just a hint of delicacy in the way he moved.

Frank, though pleased at his survival, was also somewhat bothered that a slave could escape. It was one of the most punishable crimes in the Roman empire, and dangerous. How many other slaves had the means to be free? Were they just waiting for the right moment?

Before anyone had time to react or say something, Piper gasped, her delicate hands covering her mouth. Frank turned, following her line of sight. Just emerging from the horizon was the mast and sails of a ship. But Frank would have preferred drown at sea that be taken captive on this ship...

I need to learn how to stop using cliffhangers. Sorry! I know there wasn't much action here, but it was kind of a filler chapter. Please review! xx