Chapter 3

Perseus dreamt of fire, but as the sun rose, so did Perseus. He had begun his hunt to the morning song of the birds. Now, the sun hung low and red in the sky.

In silence, like always, Perseus took his trek, making his way along the river. It was less of a river and more of a trickle, but Perseus could not complain, he had water to drink. Besides, in time, chances were the trickle would lead to a river. How long had it been since the Garden? Perseus counted the moons as he bent down to refill his canteen. Three weeks or so, perhaps a little longer.

See, the Garden stood on the west side of Greece, far from Athens, hidden in ancient forests and sprawling mountains. How Perseus found it, he did not know. Regardless of the circumstance, he had to make his way to Phoebe, Phoebe, and Artemis. Perseus decided he would continue towards Athens, and track Phoebe from there. It wasn't much of a plan, but that was all he had for now.

But first, Perseus needed to hunt. Sighing, he stood. The path was muddy, and he was dirty, but Perseus felt comfortable like this, despite his hunger. He was always on the hunt, with dirt in his fingernails and the wind on his back. With Phoebe, this would be enough.

And of course, he was selective with his prey and meditative with the killing. He only killed what he could eat, nothing more, and every time, he sent a prayer to his father. He cleaned his arrows and reused them, well at least the ones that didn't shatter. He was down to nine arrows, but at this pace, he'd find some western town soon enough.

The sun was high now, and still, Perseus was empty-handed. Where had the prey gone? Only yesterday the prey seemed to run to him. He took a rest, finishing the last of his rations, leftovers from a hunt of the last day.

In time, Perseus continued along the trickle. He learned to move silently so that he could hear more, but for whatever reason, heard nothing. The sun continued its trek, and so did Perseus. Eventually, he found his prey. He heard a scuffle movement only a little further downwind, and he already had his bow drawn and strung back.

With practiced ease, Perseus stalked his prey, a strangely horned deer with a reddish coat, large yet nimble. It was alone, perhaps parting from its partners for a sip of water in the summer heat. It was wary, searching for hunters in the thicket, but Perseus had kept his distance. With his positioning, it could not catch his scent.

But as the deer knelt for a drink, Perseus trained his shot and breathed. On an exhale, he released, and of course, he found a clean shot. He stayed kneeling, and offered a prayer to his father, thanking him for his favor and the life of the deer.

In days past, Perseus wouldn't have hunted prey as large a deer, but right now, he was hungry enough to eat a whole deer. Besides, he could gift the deer at whatever town he would stumble on eventually, so Perseus cut and cleaned the deer and slung it over his shoulders.

He continued his march. If he didn't find a settlement of sorts in a few hours, he would cook the deer for himself. He had enough self-control to at least wait a few hours. In time, his trickle broke into a river. He found a beaten path and then a town.

Timber, green with moss, made their walls, nothing like the walls of Athens. Two guards manned the front gate, a burly man and a skinny man, dressed in leather and armed with iron, rusted spears.

Perseus greeted the men from a distance, making his presence known. "Oi!" He smiled, sighing. If the Persians had already broken this far west, Perseus would have been doomed.

"Who are you?" The big one asked, not unkindly as Perseus drew closer. He had a round face and pudgy nose with a scruffy black-grey beard, falling unkempt down to his chest.

Perseus dropped his prize to the ground gently, and raised his hands in surrender. "I am Perseus, from Athens." He offered a modest bow.

"Athens!" The small one exclaimed. He was young, with an unbruised narrow face and choppy blonde hair. Like as not, he was as fresh as Perseus but he held his spear and spine well enough. "Is it true then," he said, "have the Persians torched the city? Wait, aye, how are you so far west?"

Perseus chose his words carefully. "I was not in Athens when the Persians came. I was in the mountains near here." Lying, he waved his hands. "But, I have heard word that Athens has fallen."

Solemnly, the big one grunted. "It's a crazed time, I tell you. Even Little Apollos, so far West, demands guards. Let Perseus from Athens in." He pointed a scratched finger at his deer. "I'm assuming that's to share, aye?"

Perseus nodded, hoisting the deer back on his back. "Of course, frien–"

"Wait!" The small one pushed his hair out of his eyes, squinting. "How old are you? You look a little young to be out here all alone?

"Five-and-ten," Perseus admitted sheepishly. "I am young, I'll admit, but my father taught me to hunt better than most."

"And where's your father?"

"Dead."

Soon after that, Perseus entered the town. It was a small thing, nothing like Athens, built with moss-caked wood and dirt, but it was homely enough. There were no more than five streets. The town was more of a large camp, Perseus mused. Strangers eyed him with curious eyes, and Perseus returned their gaze with a smile.

The big man led him through the town. They made their way to the town's tavern, a raggedy building near the center of the town. He exchanged his hunt for food and a night's bed. As quietly as he could manage, Perseus took a seat near the back of the tavern, sighing.

Perseus wrinkled his nose. He stank, but he would bathe later. First, he needed to eat. The tavern itself smelled of candles and alcohol, a strange combination. He hunched over, watching his breath. Perhaps the others were staring at him. Kids, three or four of the devils. They had fallen silent, judging him and whispering amongst themselves. Well, probably. Perseus didn't pay them any attention. Too tired.

His body was tired, yes, but mentally, Perseus was more exhausted than he'd like to admit. He closed his eyes, but for a moment. Of course, despite his hunger, he lost the battle and fell fast asleep, snoring, drooling, and all.

He was too tired to dream.

"Wake up."

Someone tugged at him.

"Hades, what a damn log."

Well, there goes his Elysium. Perseus woke with a start, banging his knees on the booth in front of him. He cursed and blinked. Wait, why was it dark outside?

"You come from Athens?"

"Huh?" Perseus found himself lost in startling grey eyes.

"Did you come from Athens?" She repeated, slowly too, as if he was stupid.

Perseus frowned. The tavern was empty now, and well, the moon had replaced the sun perhaps a little too soon. His stomach growled, and Perseus stood up hastily. He was taller than her.

"I need to eat."

She stared at him, mouth agape, as if was talking in Persian.

"I need to—"

"Eat, I know," she scoffed, eyeing him down. Intimidating, intimidating, and annoying too. "Whatever," she sighed. "I'm sure there's some leftovers. Let's talk while you eat." She tossed him a dirty glare, scoffed again, that's the second time mind you, before heading to the back of the tavern, her blonde hair falling behind her.

Perseus considered that a victory. He sat back down, smiling. That girl had some gravity to her. He'd entertain her for a while, eat, sleep, and then be on his way. He stretched, brought his shoulders to ears and back down again.

She took her sweet time, but eventually, the girl brought him stale bread and some dish to go with it. Whatever, Perseus was too hungry to be particular. He attacked his food like a drunkard for wine.

She opened her mouth to speak, but Perseus cut her off. "I told the guards this, but I come from Athens. Now, I wasn't there when the Persian destroyed the city, but I heard that it was razed down and all." Perseus paused and watched her carefully. Her cheeks had flushed with heat, and she refused to meet his eyes. Oh. "There were survivors," he added. "The Persians were slow to take the city. I mean, it is Athens after all."

"Of course." She raised her head, staring him down with a devilish glare. Her hair was curly, Perseus noted.

"Say what's your name?"

"Annabeth."

"Okay Annabeth, who do you have in Athens?"

"My father." When Perseus didn't say anything she continued. "He's an architect. Not much of a fighter, you know?"

Perseus leaned forward. "Yeah, I have—er, had—family in Athens too." He didn't miss that little moment there. It was small, but she broke her whole tough act just for a second or two.

"A mother and a sister?"

"Just my mother, but how did you know that?"

"You talk when you sleep." She shrugged.

Talking in your sleep is perfectly normal, I think. "Alright, Annabeth. If you say so."

"Stop doing that."

"What?"

"Stop saying my name."

"Well, aren't you going to ask me my name?" He put on his best smile. Perseus didn't miss the dagger on her belt earlier, and well, her eyes told him what he needed to know. Chances were, she could probably kill him.

With that, she stood and made her towards the exit. No thank you or anything polite that wouldn't make sense would it?

She stopped, scoffed, and paused at the door.

"Perseus," he said, embarrassed for some reason. "I'm Perseus."

"You drool when you sleep, Perseus."

Is my name an insult? He considered it, but she was gone by then, leaving him alone with an empty plate and an empty tavern. He made his way up the stairs, and found an empty room which he assumed was his.

He was tired, more than he thought. He tested the feather bed, and fell asleep before he could come to a conclusion.

A/N: Another chapter for the books.

-Tech108