Percia wasn't sure how long they'd been in their cells. She remembers Thorin coming back after having apparently insulted the Elf King. Then guards came in to take their coats and any armor they had, thankfully Riptide was hidden in her pocket in pen form. Occasionally the she-elf would return and speak to Kili. More than once they spoke of the stars. She wanted to get mad, but she could admit that neither she nor Kili ever stated they were exclusive. And with the inevitability of her returning to her world, she couldn't fault him for pursuing his interests. Besides, she knew she couldn't compete with the other woman's looks.
So she might have cried, silently mind you, for a good long while about the whole affair. She was allowed her heartaches thank you very much. Fili, who was in the cell next to hers, tried to engage her in conversation a few times, most of which ended in arguments about strategies. Balin, Thorin and Dwalin often cut those short when they really got going. A few times the others would make conversation from their cells, only to have the guards come in to silence them. Surprisingly Kili didn't try to speak to her once. It was one thing to not wish to be involved any longer, but to not even be her friend? That hurt. It also brought back painful memories.
At one point she got so bored she started carving Greek letters into the walls, writing out a few stories she learned. It wasn't like they would be able to read them anyways. She thought her rendition of the Hellhound, Mrs. O'Leary, was pretty good. Though, it would be better if she had some red paint for the eyes and charcoal for the body.
The guards came by with food and water every so often, but usually a good time apart and randomly so it was hard to judge time. She did consider using her powers with the water she was given, but the few mouthfuls provided would not be enough to get them all out.
A good amount of her time was used to catch up on missed sleep. In the beginning she had few dreams, mostly a strange mix of memories and food she apparently had been missing since her journey. Of course it was only natural for her to miss chocolate. Occasionally she'd have a nightmare, but few and far between. Those had been easily shaken off once she reached the waking world. One time though the dreams changed, more reminiscent of the times she dreamed of Kronos.
She found herself in a cave far darker and more menacing than most she had been in. Somehow she knew she was deep under the sea, the water cold and pressing. Goose bumps littered her skin, and she felt the definite need to get away. Similar to the times she dreamed of Tartarus.
Murmurs alerted her to the presence of others. Moving further inside, against her will, she found two figures working around a large bowl, suspended over what looked like an underwater lava vent. Irridesant plants provided weak light for the two to work by.
One figure looked like the typical depiction of sea hags that people had created for centuries in her world. She had a bent figure, with long unruly hair that looked very similar to seaweed and boney limbs with knobby fingers and dangerous looking nails. Currently the witch was mixing various items into a rather nefarious looking concoction.
The other figure she recognized from her prior dreams. Urchin stood off to the side watching the process with a sneering glare. If she could punch the bastard right in his crooked nose she would.
"You are sure this will work," he growled at the witch.
"Yes my lord," the other assured in a deep raspy voice. "As you know immortals may not cross the boundaries into other worlds, but other things can."
"Like demi-gods," he huffed angrily. "I must admit I never thought one of his half siblings would bother to help him. Certainly not with the way he has treated them in the past."
"Percia Jackson is not just any demi-god," the witch warned.
Urchin snorted in disbelief. "She is just a demi-god, and like any demi-god she can be killed. I just wish I could have the pleasure myself."
Percia kind of wanted him there too, if only to have the satisfaction of gutting the coward herself.
The witch said nothing, though Percia got the feeling she thought Urchin a bit too arrogant. Instead she put one final touch in her potion. The bowl bubbled and hissed spitting out sparks. It might have been inappropriate but she kept having flash backs to The Little Mermaid, and wondered if this witch was going to break out into song. Yeah, she'd been in the dungeon too long.
"So what wonderful beastie are we sending after the little half-blood," Urchin inquired with an especially cruel smirk.
"A favorite of the Persians, my lord." She held up a small glowing ball the surface of which shifted and flexed in time with the movements of whatever was inside. "A Manticore. One of the Alpha breeds, which is far more deadly."
Urchin laughed. "Using a Persian monster against a Greek demi-god. Perfect!"
Percia frowned in thought. She had heard of such creatures but not a lot, mainly worried about monsters from the Greek Myths. From the black aura coming off the ball she wasn't sure she wanted to know, but she doubted she'd have a choice. Sure enough the witch placed the ball into the glowing concoction. Soon the light from the magic grew so bright Percia had to shield her eyes.
Once it was safe to open them again she frowned. Nothing but darkness surrounded her, yet she knew she was not alone. Hair on the back of her neck spiked at the sensation of something watching her. Turning around she only just caught the glimpse of harsh red eyes and a set of wicked teeth lunging for her…
The harsh impact with the floor of her cell woke her up completely, her chest heaving for air. What was that thing? Was that the Manticore? Was it here?
"Percia?" Fili's voice sounded worried. "Are you okay?"
"No," she choked out around the cold fear settling in her gut. "No I'm not."