"Here Brother," Artemis says dropping a box on the bunk in the back of the Apollo cabin.
"Did you get everything?" he asks anxiously as he starts to go through his things.
"Of course I got everything. I am more dependable than you," she smirks.
"My bow, my lyre, ah my Valdezinator," Apollo says clutching his newest instrument to his chest. "I've been miserable without my music. Thank you sister." Apollo is so pleased he leans over and kisses Artemis on the cheek. Any other god or man would be executed for such an act, but Artemis lets Apollo's kiss stay.
"I thought we might go the arena and shoot at things with our arrows," she now says trying to get him out of the cabin and busy to take his mind off his troubles. "You know, you could become the archery instructor here at camp. These demigods could learn from hardly anyone better."
"Hardly?" he asks with a raised eyebrow. "Why not no one better?"
"Well, there is me, but I do not plan to be here that long," she tells him with a smile.
Apollo takes her hand then says, "You could stay here with me. It would be like old times. We used to have so much fun together. Remember when we used Niobi's kids for target practice. That was a blast."
"Brother dear, you make it sound like we did not have cause for that," she tells him.
Apollo's face turns angry. "You know we did. Mom's honor was at stake. I mean, who did Niobi think she was saying she was better than Mom because she had fourteen kids when Mom only had two. Were any of her kids gods?"
"No."
"Mom is a Titaness, daughter to two great Titans, children of Uranus and Gaea. Niobi was just the daughter of a lowly demigod, and a disgraced one at that. How dare she even try to call herself a better mother when her own father tried to serve her brother to us as dinner."
"I know," Artemis now says trying to calm her brother down. "We did what we had to do. I am just saying that boasting about it now might be in poor taste."
"You know me, I boast about everything," he tells her replacing his anger with a coy smile. He then grabs his bow from the bed and says, "Come on. Let's go show these heroes how to shoot."
When the twins reach the arena, several campers are there. Some are taking sword or javelin practice against the dummies while others are sparing against other campers. A handful of hunters are by the targets sharpening their skills. Artemis notices two kids sitting at a table talking and ventures toward them with her brother in tow.
"You have returned my lady," Thalia says acknowledging her sister.
"Yes," Artemis says warmly. "How did your meeting with the Egyptians go?"
"They were a lot like us," Thalia answers. "I think we will be able to work together."
"And this threat?" her sister inquires. Thalia and Jason fill the gods in on what they have learned about this son of Ramesses II who is intent on becoming a god most likely using the Crown of Ptolemy to do it.
"That sounds like those Egyptians," Apollo tells them, "using their magic to turn ordinary objects into something that could become dangerous in the hands of the wrong mortal."
"Did you commit to helping them?" Artemis now asks her lieutenant.
"Not without your approval, my lady, but I would like to help. If this Setne gets what he's after, it will affect not only the Egyptians but the Greeks and Romans as well," Thalia says.
"I do not like the fact that there are other boys involved in this endeavor," her sister tells her.
Jason is the one who responds to Artemis's concerns. "Both Carter and Walt have girlfriends. I don't think you have to worry about them around Thalia any more than Percy or me. I'm concerned that we may have to go up against a god. Thalia being both a daughter of Zeus and one of your hunters would be really handy."
"You know I would never betray my oath to you Sister," Thalia now tells Artemis.
"Not even for me," Apollo says as he puts his arm around Thalia's shoulder. "I seem to recall you think I'm hot."
"Ugh," Thalia replies pushing the god's arm away. "You're my brother, so that's disgusting," she tells him.
"You knew I was your brother when you said it," he reminds her.
"Well, I'm a lot wiser now," she says with a laugh.
"Brother, what have I told you about hitting on my hunters, even Thalia," Artemis now reminds him.
Apollo smiles and says, "You both know I am just playing around, besides I saw this cute little thing from the Demeter cabin..."
"Aunt Demeter would thrash you," Artemis warns causing her brother's grin to get even bigger. "I trust you Thalia. I know where your loyalties lie," the goddess then says turning her attention back to her sister.
"My loyalties are with you my sister," Thalia tells her. "They always will be."
"So do the Egyptians have a plan?" Artemis now asks Thalia and Jason.
It is Jason who answers. "They think Setne might try to find another god to help him with his plan now that Serapis is gone."
"I can think of a few that might want power," Apollo says, "Like Set. He was always looking to be master of the universe."
"It won't be Set," Thalia explains. "Walt said that most of the Egyptian gods are away right now. Only he, I mean Anubis..."
"You met Anubis?" Apollo asks in surprise.
Jason nods. "Walt, one of the magicians we met, is hosting Anubis. Anubis is keeping him alive."
"How is the barker?" Artemis asks with a smile like she knows the god.
"The barker?" Jason says shocked that the goddess called him that.
Artemis takes a seat on the table next to Thalia. "That is what our people called him. I actually thought he was adorable, for a boy that this."
"Well Sadie really likes him," Jason says. "Anyway, one god they want to check out is, Ptah. They think he might be hiding out in Carthage."
"You want to return to the Mediterranean?" Apollo says as if it's bad news.
"We don't want to," Jason admits, "But if we have to, we will. I just don't want to have to pass Hercules again."
"Sadie said we won't have to, remember. She said they can open a portal and take us right to the ancient city," Thalia points out to her brother.
"Has Chiron approved this quest?" Artemis now asks.
"Percy and Annabeth are up talking to him now," Jason answers.
"So what do you think?" Percy asks the centaur who hasn't said much as they each told of their encounter with the Kanes and then of their meeting earlier in the day.
"Things were easier when the oracle was here to issues prophecies," Chiron finally says leaning forward in his chair. "You said one of these kids is Anubis?"
"Yes," Annabeth confirms. "His host is a magician in the House of Life like the Kanes."
"I remember hearing about this House of Life," their mentor tells them. "Some of them were as skilled at magic as Lady Hecate herself."
"The Kanes are good," Percy tells him. "We can count on them to do their part, and I have little doubt that Zia and Walt aren't almost as good." Annabeth nods in agreement.
"You said Jason and Thalia wish to go with you. Thalia will have to get the approval of Lady Artemis," Chiron tells them prompting Annabeth to nod again. "Carthage was destroyed by the Romans. You must be prepared for Jason to stir up bad feelings in any shades who might still linger there."
"Are you saying that he shouldn't go?" Percy now asks.
"No, I'm not saying that," Chiron replies. "If you are to face a god there, you may need the son of Jupiter. It is unfortunate that Nico di Angelo is in no condition to go with you."
"I would never ask him," Percy says. "That kid has been through too much. He finally has a life and friends. I won't let him be put in that kind of danger again so soon."
Chiron now sits back in his chair and lets out a deep breath. "You are a good friend, Percy, and you are right. This quest is not for the son of Hades at this time. I do wish I could meet these Kanes, however, before you follow them to Africa."
"We could probably get them to leave from here, outside the boundary I mean," Annabeth says. "Of course that would mean letting them know exactly where camp is."
Percy chuckles and says, "With their magic, I'd bet they could find it no problem now that they know we're on Long Island. I don't think giving them the address is a big deal now, but it's up to you Chiron."
The centaur says nothing for several seconds while he considers which he's more comfortable with, letting his campers go off with kids he has never met or having the Egyptians learn the location of their camp. "Our borders should be able to keep them out," he finally tells them. "I would like for you to arrange a meeting."
"I'll call Sadie," Annabeth agrees then takes Percy's hand. "We should go talk to Lou Ellen. I would like to have a little magic on our side as well."
"Yeah, too bad Hazel isn't here," her boyfriend agrees following her out of the room.