Chapter 9: Annabeth

The feast Minos through for them reminded Annabeth of the hospitality of the Lotus Casino. It all seemed too friendly. Beautiful servants presented plates of exotic food. Tyson and Leo didn't need a second invitation; both buried their faces in the delicacies. Annabeth could see the Argo III through the window, floating in the ocean; a bronze light in the darkness of the Cretan night. Annabeth was sitting next to Minos, who sat at the head of the table. The King turned towards her. Annabeth could feel his eyes staring at her.

"So could we take some supplies, as agreed upon?" she said.

"Daughter of Athena, I'm afraid there has been a change of plan." Annabeth had suspected treachery. She tried to reach for her daggers, but her arms had gone limp. She realised the same fate had befallen the others. Minos smiled, once again revealing his grotesque teeth.

"You…you snake…" Annabeth whispered, her eyes suddenly feeling heavy.

"Ah but you see, I have greater plans for you." Minos continued. He turned to face the window. Annabeth looked on in horror as the Argo III exploded. The flaming wreckage began to sink. Bubbles burst from the plane as it descended beneath the waves. Before she could say anything further she lost consciousness.

Annabeth woke up in a cell. She looked to her left to see an unconscious Jason. To her right Leo sat crossed legged. Annabeth felt her forehead and thanked the gods that Minos had failed to bind her hands. Tyson was shaking the gate in vain.

"It's no use," he said, "this gate is too strong." An armoured figure walked up to the cell. Annabeth deduced it was one of Minos's guards by the horns protruding from his helmet. The guard unlocked the gate and placed metal bindings on Tyson. He started to lead the cyclops away.

"Where are you taking him?" Annabeth protested. The guard turned back to her.

"The King has ordered this cyclops to his personal forge."

"And what about us?"

"The King has decreed that you three will serve as the King's new champions. You will fight in the arena in place of the Minotaur." Annabeth rested her head against the wall. The guard locked the cell and led Tyson away. By this point Jason had come to. Annabeth stood and walked to the gate. Examining the lock she realised something; the gate was strong, but the lock was iron.
"Leo," she said, "come here." Leo climbed to his feet and joined her at the gate.
"What is it?" he replied.

"This lock is iron."

"So?"

"So you can melt the lock you idiot!" Annabeth loved her friends but it irritated her how slow they could be sometimes. Leo placed his hands on the lock. His hands began to glow. Annabeth could feel the heat radiating off of them. Iron dripped onto the floor. She gripped the bars and pulled. The gate swung open.