Sorry I took so long to update, I was away for the weekend and I was also working on a sneak peak! And thanks all you guys for following my story! :)
51 Leo
Leo had to stop himself from laughing- he'd taught Reyna well. She'd managed to get her way without completely loosing the friendship of her soldier.
Frank gave him a look-he glanced at Hazel as she walked away, upset- as if saying, That's my cue! With one last, worried glance at Annabeth, he followed his girlfriend.
When he'd turned from Frank, he nearly jumped out of his clothes. Annabeth's face was right in his- or rather, her face was in Reyna's. Leo and Jason stood on either side of the Praetor, helping her move along with her uncomfortable crutches. Leo had done his best at turning the damaged swords into a helpful support, but the mangled metal hadn't cooperated as well as he'd have liked.
"Hazel is coming with me- she has the right to find her own brother." Annabeth stated.
"Half brother." Reyna corrected in the most composed of tones. "But more to the point, Hazel may only aid you. She cannot accompany you the whole way to whatever destination this trail leads to. She's a valuable fighter and I'm not willing to lose her in such a situation. Anyway, if Hazel goes, I suppose Frank will want to go along as well. Then, two of my most responsible demigods, and two of the seven in the prophecy would be put in danger. If something should happen, the prophecy might not be able to be completed. Camp Jupiter would be blamed. I'll have none of that."
Annabeth sighed. It looked to Leo as if she'd just realized that Reyna's decision was solid, unwavering and reasonable, too.
"All right. She won't follow me into the Underworld. But, she will lead me to the point where the trail ends. She'll create or find a route that leads down to the Underworld, an easy walk's distance from its end. She'll be safe."
"That's fine." Reyna replied.
"We're leaving as soon as I find her. Good luc-"
"Hey, wait!" Piper cried. Annabeth froze involuntarily.
"What is it?"
"You know Nyssa, from Hephaestus' cabin? She said that the ship would be waiting at the closest port. I've captured tons of giants…there's more than enough to go around. Go to the Argo II first, get a giant and then go on the trail. You should have some protection."
"I agree to that." Reyna replied.
Annabeth bit the inside of her lip for one hesitant second. "The trail could disappear… I don't want to waste time…"
"Annabeth, do as I say." Piper commanded. Her eyes were shut closed, and her fingers lay clenched into fists.
Annabeth stared at Piper. Through gritted teeth, she unwilling replied, "I'll do as you say. I promise on the gods."
Piper let out a breath of air and relaxed. "You're tough."
"I can be tougher if I need to. Careful with that trick."
Piper smiled and had a quiet laugh. "C'mon lets go."
Jason nodded. "We're wasting enough time already. If we don't take advantage of Gaea's pause like the Athenians did in the Battle of Thermoplylae, we'll little chance of winning. Let's get everyone to the Argo II, train some giants, and prepare for war."
Annabeth stiffened. Slowly, she turned.
Leo followed her gaze- she was looking at an old woman, grey haired and slender, holding in her hand a ball of yarn. She wore oval glasses that highlighted her eyes. Her eyes which were copies of Annabeth's. Intense and grey, like twin moons.
"Go away." Annabeth muttered under her breath.
Ignoring the warning, the woman approached the group. By now, the rest of the demigods were so far ahead, they could barely hear their voices. Leo glanced at them- they had stopped, and were looking around. He could just about make out Malcolm, standing still with a concentrated expression and closed eyes.
Reyna, tilting her crutches, bowed her head curtly at the woman. The group followed her actions. The entire group, except, of course, Annabeth.
"What do you want?" Annabeth asked, quietly.
"I want to help you win this battle. And so I shall," replied Athena.
"Haven't you done enough?" Annabeth questioned, head bowed uncharacteristically.
"I see Aphrodite has been playing with your mind."
Piper scowled.
"But I'll grant you my help out of kindness-"
Annabeth walked away hurriedly. Looking at Reyna, she said, "I'm going to find Hazel. We're going to grab a giant and get on our way. Piper, mind coming to make sure the brutes don't turn on us until we're at least out of the ship?"
"Uh, yeah, no problem." Awkwardly, Piper faced the goddess that had just scorned her mother and bowed before going to Annabeth's side.
"Leo, go with them. Help them find the ship." Reyna added.
"All right." He began to walk away.
"Wait-!" Pulling out a scroll from his back jeans pocket, he handed it to Reyna. "Take this. Send us a message before you approach."
Reyna took the scroll and tucked it into a fold in the cloth lining of her crutch.
Leo bowed to the goddess of wisdom and crafts, and walked away with Annabeth and Piper. He could feel her eyes burning holes into the back of his head.
Keep her safe, Leo.
Leo nearly jumped out of his skin. He turned around, and looked at the goddess. She was talking to Reyna and Jason, and gave no indication that she was also having a telepathic conversation with him. Despite it he gave one nod in her direction and she gave him an acknowledging glance.
As he walked and tried to catch up with Annabeth and Piper, he wondered what was worse. Punishment by Athena, or punishment by Annabeth?
