"What is that?" Percy asks as he joins his wife in a corner of cabin.
"Zia gave it to us," she explains. "When we decided we would be working together on this prophecy, she said we needed to be connected more privately than cell phones. It's a scrying bowl."
"Is that oil?" he asks sticking his fingers into the basin.
"Olive oil, but don't eat it," she scolds smacking his hand away from his mouth.
"How does it work?" he asks now taking a serious interest in what looks like a metal birdbath with olive oil for water.
"She showed me what to do," she says them starts the process. In a matter of seconds, Alyssa's face appears in the liquid.
"Annabeth, what's up?" the magician asks.
"I was just showing Percy how to scry," the half-blood says. "How are things at Brooklyn House?"
"Not sure," Alyssa says. "Carter, Zia, Sadie and Walt went to check on Ma'at. We got a warning that she might be in danger. They haven't returned."
"This has to be related to the prophecy," Annabeth says.
"That's what we think too," Alyssa says. "I'm starting to get worried. I thought if everything was cool, they would have been back by now."
"Could you let us know what happens?" Annabeth asks. "If we need to do anything..."
"Yeah, as soon as we hear from them," Alyssa agrees then her image fades from the oil.
"That's pretty cool," Percy says prompting a stern look from his wife. "I mean the scrying not Ma'at being in trouble."
"Do you want to join us?" Artemis asks Eirene as the Hunters prepare to take off.
"My Lady," Thalia asks with concern since they never take anyone hunting with them.
"It will be fine, my sister," Artemis says softly. "Lady Eirene, while not a Hunter, is a maiden, and it is her mother and sisters who are missing."
"If I would not slow you down," Eirene says anxiously.
"Just do anything Thalia tells you to do, and you should be fine," Leto's daughter says. "Now we must be off. Phoebe is onto something."
"Come," Thalia says taking the Horai's hand.
"Sure, never ask Hermes if he wants to go on a hunt," the god pouts as the ladies all disappear into the shadows of the trees.
When Artemis's group resurfaces, they are in a city that looks both Greek and Egyptian at the same time.
"Where are we?" Jennifer asks looking around in amazement.
"My guess is Alexandria, Egypt," Thalia says.
"You are correct," Artemis says. "I have not been here in a very long time."
"Nor have I," Eirene says as she puts on a jacket Thalia has now pulled from her bag.
"My Lady," Phoebe now says coming up to join the others. "I tracked the scent as far as here, but then it vanished. I do not understand how it could just stop."
"There is one place you will not be able to track a scent," Artemis says as she knits her brow in concern.
"And would that happen to be in someone else's Underworld?" Thalia asks fearing the answer.
"I am concerned that someone has taken them into the Duat. Although, I cannot for the life of me understand why. Our religions are no longer connected as they once were," the goddess explains.
"Why are people running through the streets?" Jennifer now asks with concern.
"There has been civil unrest in this country for some time," Artemis tells them. "It it worse in Cairo, but I am surprised by the level here. It is as if the country is losing control of all order."
"Order!" Eirene says as if what Artemis has said made her think of something. "My mother and sisters..."
"Yes," Artemis says as if she knows what her fellow daughter of Zeus was about to say. "This cannot be a coincidence."
"What is it?" Phoebe asks.
"My mother Themis is the Titaness of law, justice and order. My sister Dike is the goddess of law and justice, and my sister Eunomia is the goddess of good order and lawful conduct. They all have something to do with keeping order."
"What about you?" Thalia asks.
"I am the gooddess of peace," Eirene explains.
"I fear I should not have brought you here," Artemis now says as she looks around surveying the area. "If someone or something is trying to disrupt order, they may try to take you as well. Perhaps I should try to contact an old associate of mine and find you safe haven. We need her help to continue our search anyway."
"How do we find your associate?" Phoebe asks.
"Thalia, find a quiet spot to make camp. I must find a scrying bowl," the goddess says then walks away.
By the time Artemis returns, Thalia and the others have decided that the quietest place is on top of the
Four Seasons Hotel. They were going to use the library but turns out the roof is almost see through and it slopes down so it can be seen from the road and the Mediterranean. Eirene suggested the hotel because she and her sisters are actually the goddesses of the seasons.
"Is your associate coming?" Thalia asks when her sister returns.
"Yes, she should be here soon," Artemis confirms. "Getting a little extravagant aren't we?" she now asks with a raised eyebrow giving her little sister a hard time about picking a five star hotel. Thalia just smiles. Suddenly a couple of the girls jump to their feet and draw their weapons. The only thing that makes them hesitate is the fact that what startled them turns out to be only a cat.
"Lower your weapons," Artemis says walking to the feline. "What took you so long?" she now asks the cat.
To the surprise of most of the girls, there is a flash then where the cat was standing now stands a woman in a leopard-print one-piece leotard outfit with a long dark pony tail. "I live in New York now," the woman says. "I had to wait until an auspicious time to open a portal."
"Hunters," Artemis now says calling her girls around. "May I present, Lady Bastet an old and dear friend."
"Just call me Bast, everyone else does these days," Bast says accepting bows from all of the girls. "Where's little Zoe?" the Egyptian goddess now asks as she does not see her.
"I'm afraid..." Artemis starts to say but gets choked up.
"We lost our sister Zoe in a battle, Lady Bast, but she fought bravely till the end," Thalia now says.
"What a shame," Bast says sincerely.
"You said when you arrived, you would fill me in on what you know," Artemis says. "Please join me in my tent. Lady Eirene and Thalia, would you please join us." Artemis motions for them to follow.
Once inside, Bast fills the ladies in on the prophesy and the fact that they received a warning about Ma'at. She explains that she was waiting for the kids to return from a visit with Osiris when Artemis called.
"So Percy, Nico, and my brother Jason are all involved in this?" Thalia asks with concern.
"Yes, they are three of the demigods. Hazel, Frank, and Sani..."
"Sani!" Thalia says, "But he's just a little baby."
"Not any longer," Bast explains. "He is now about twelve years old."
"Because of this prophesy? How can anyone think he would be called to answer?" Thalia says clearly very upset. "Poor Annabeth, she must be devastated."
"She and Percy were understandably upset, but they have come to accept it," Bast explains.
"So they are after those who maintain order?" Eirene says with a look of terror on her face. "Like my mother and my sisters."
"And you," Bast says softly. "I have no doubt that if you were found..."
"That is why we must get Eirene someplace safe and search the Duat for Themis and her daughters," Artemis adds.
"Yes, but we must obtain permission from Horus," Bast says.
"Oh, gods," Artemis says in disgust.
"I know but he is pharaoh," her long time friend says.
"So do we go to him?" Thalia asks.
"It is not safe for you to stay here," Bast says. "We should leave right away."
"Thalia, have the girls break camp," Artemis says still looking like she dreads going to see Horus.
Bast decides to take Artemis, Eirene and the Hunters to the Hall of Judgment in hopes that Osiris will keep a reign on his son. After all, he is a teenage boy who just lost his girlfriend, and she know Artemis will brain him if he hits on her Hunters. When they enter the room, it is empty except for Osiris who is sitting on his throne with his head in his hands.
"My Lord," Bast says hurrying to him, "Lady Ma'at?"
"She has been taken," Osiris says sounding very heartbroken. "Why have you brought Greeks to the sacred hall?" he asks when he looks up and sees Artemis and the girls.
"My Lord, Ma'at is not the only one who has been taken. This is Lady Eirene. Her mother Themis and two of her sisters have also disappeared. Lady Artemis has tracked them the Alexandria..."
"And now to here?" Osiris guesses.
"Lord Osiris," Artemis says taking a step forward the bowing to the Egyptian god of the Underworld, "We lost their scent above ground, but I can sense them again now."
"You have come to seek Horus's permission to hunt in the Duat?" the god asks.
"Yes, my lord, and safe haven for Eirene until this matter is settled," Bast confirms.
"He will be here shortly," he says. "I dispatched Neith and Sobek to search for Ma'at. I presume that we will find them all together."
"My hunters and I may find them faster," Artemis tells him.
"Faster than Neith?" he says.
"Lady Neith is apt," Artemis agrees, "but the more of us."
"The prophesy my lord," Bast now says to Osiris. "Should we not have Carter and Sadie..."
"I sent them back to confer with the other, including your demigods," he says looking to Artemis.
"Percy and Hazel are quite capable," Artemis says drawing a nasty look from her sister. "Oh, and I assume the others as well," she adds.
"The son of Jupiter who is included in that group...I am concerned about his involvement," the god says.
"My Lord," Thalia says stepping forward then bowing, "if I may. Jason is my little brother."
"You are also a child of Jupiter?"
"Actual, I am a daughter of Zeus. Jason and I share the same mother but were born to the Greek and Roman aspects of our father. You should not fear my brother or his intentions. All he wants in life is to provide for his wife and children who are on the way. He seeks no power."
"My lieutenant speaks the truth, Lord Osiris. Jason is an honest young man, for a Roman," Artemis says now drawing a look from Jennifer who is also Roman. "A Roman man, I mean."
"My children speak highly of him as well, so I will take your word for it," the god says as his son enters the hall. Thalia notices Artemis roll her eyes in disgust.
"Ladies," Horus says like he's thrilled to see them there.
"Please Horus," Artemis says as he walks toward them. "Please do not speak to my hunters."
"Oh come on, Artemis. You bring this group of gorgeous ladies to my home then won't let me be hospitable," he says with a grin.
"Son, you know the position Lady Artemis's hunters have taken. You must respect that," Osiris says earning a thank you smile from Artemis.
"Then I'll just talk to you Artie," he says walking right up to her now.
"Lord Horus," Bast says trying to take his attention away from Artemis, mostly so she doesn't shoot his with an arrow. "We have come to ask for protection for Lady Eirene while the rest of us search for her mother and sisters. We believe that whomever has taken Ma'at has taken them as well."
"You want one of these beauties to stay with me?" he asks with an even bigger grin. "Which one?"
"I am Eirene, goddess of peace," Eirene says stepping forward.
"Peace? Peace!" Horus says taking a step back. "I don't like peace."
"You don't have to like her in order to protect her," Bast tells him.
"I shall have her stay with Ruby. She shall be safe with her," Osiris offers.
"Fine, then I'll go with the rest of you," Horus says grinning again.
"No!" Artemis says, "I mean we appreciate your offer, but you should remain here in case something else happens. Bast has offered to accompany us."
"She is right," his father now agrees. "Carter may need your help."
"Oh all right," Horus says sounding extremely disappointed that he doesn't get to go.
"Thank you, Horus," Artemis says then turns to Bast. "We should get going."
"Lady Eirene, my wife Ruby will be here any moment to take you some place safe," Osiris/Julius says as Bast, Artemis and the Hunters head for the exit before Horus changes his mind.
