They left early that morning. Percy wished Artimus' Hunters and Clarisse good luck as they parted. Nico rode up front with Percy and Annabeth, but he didn't see his army. He assumed that they were remaining hidden, while they traveled. It was quiet as they rode. Percy wanted to ask Nico more questions, but his greatest fear was that Nico was taking him to Thebes to expose him, maybe even get a reward for turning him in. What if it were a trap. The closer they got to Thebes, the more anxious Percy became. They had made better time than Percy had thought they would, making Percy fidget more than usual. When they had stopped for the night, Percy could see the city's lights in the distance. Annabeth must have noticed his anxiety, as she put a reassuring hand on his and said, "It will be alright."

Percy nodded in response, but didn't dare speak. They set up camp for the night. Percy avoided dinner, especially when Annabeth invited him to join her and Nico. Percy secluded himself from the others and stared out into the night, looking at the city's lights. Unbidden memories filled his mind: a soft smile when he accidentally spilled the flour and then the flour fight afterwards. If he closed his eyes and concentrated, he could feel her arms around him and smell her faint scent of sweets. Then came the beatings at the discovery of wasting so much flour. His heart ached so much as these memories came flooding back. He unconsciously balled his hands into a fist.

"Tired?" Nico's voice asked from behind him.

Percy relaxed his fists and quickly blinked away the tears that threatened to spill. "Not really." He answered.

"Good, we'll sneak out tonight and I'll show you something that will change everything."

Percy turned and gave him an inquisitive look.

"I swear it will be worth the risk."

"Why tonight? Why just us?" Percy questioned.

"You can bring a few men if it makes you feel better, but she gets spooked easily."

"Who?"

"I don't want to ruin the surprise."

Percy looked back at the city. "We're not going in the city?" Percy asked again.

"No." Nico answered.

"Let's get this over with." Percy sighed. Any other man, once betrayed, would have never took such chances. But Percy couldn't help but trust Nico. He found Blackjack grazing on some lush grass in the area, rare in this place. "Looks like we're going for a ride tonight. Are you up for that?" Percy questioned the stallion. Blackjack nodded his head and held still for Percy to get on. As he made his way to the edge of camp, he encountered Otic.

"Going someplace?" He asked.

"Nico wants to show me something tonight. We'll be back in the morning." Percy explained. "Make sure no one shoots us."

Otic saluted. "Does the princess know?" He asked slyly.

Percy shifted in his saddle. "No."

"Yes, sir." Otic smirked.

Percy ignored him and met Nico at the edge of camp.

"No guard?" Nico questioned.

"You said I could trust you. I believe you. If I'm wrong, . . ." Percy actually didn't know what, so he left it hanging.

Nico's response surprised him. He smiled and looked eager to prove himself. They rode out into the night, Percy following Nico. Riding full speed they were almost upon Thebes' city gates just after midnight when Nico lead him off the road onto a smaller one. They raced their horses down the narrow lane until Percy saw a villa lit up in the night. Nico lead him right up to it before they came to a complete stop. It was a beautiful villa that looked extremely well kept. It looked like it belonged to a royal.

"Isn't a bit late to be visiting?" Percy asked.

"Luke? Hermes? Is that you?" A woman came out of the villa. She had long blond hair and was in a white flowing gown that with her pale white skin, gave her a ghostly look. "Oh." A look of disappointment came over her face when she saw them. "Do you know Luke?" She asked.

"Yes." Percy answered a bit bewildered.

"Oh, you do? Well come in. Come in." She ushered them into the villa. She led them into a sitting area that may have once been as lavish as the palace, but was now covered in dust. "Sit." She commanded. "It's been so long since we've had company. Luke! Hermes!" She yelled. She paused for a moment as though waiting for a reply. When none came she looked disappointed again. Then her face brightened. "They must be out hunting. Luke loves hunting with his father."

The words sent a shock of electricity through Percy's body. "Luke is Hermes' son?" The question left his mouth before he could stop it.

He hadn't expected a reply, but the woman exclaimed, "Of course he is. Hermes favored me. He said I was the most beautiful woman he had ever met. When Luke came . . ." She stopped as though she were confused for a moment.

"Hermes, the King of Thebes?" Nico pressed.

She focused on him. "Of course, silly. What other Hermes is there? I'm the Queen of Thebes!" She announced giddily and laughed loudly until they turned to sobs.

Percy and Nico looked at each other. "Well, we should probably get going." Percy announced as he stood up.

"Oh." She looked disappointed again. "It's because I didn't offer you food sooner." She began crying. "I promise Luke will be here soon."

Chills went down Percy's back at this proclamation. He and Nico looked at each other. "How soon?" Percy asked.

"Soon." She replied.

"Yes, but did he give a date or a time?" Nico pressed.

"Mmm, not really. But he said he would try to be here by my birthday."

"When is your birthday?" Percy asked.

"August eighth." She said proudly. "He said he was going to give me a show with fireworks." She looked excited.

"That's two days from now." Nico murmured.

"Thank you for your time, but we promised Luke we would meet him. Do give our regards should you see him before we do."

"Oh." She looked sad, but didn't cry. "Yes, I'll tell him." She replied back formally.

Percy and Nico quickly left the villa. Luke's mother saw them off, like a good hostess, waving goodbye. They rode to the end of the road. "We need to get our armies moving or we won't have time to get everyone out." Percy told Nico.

"You won't reach Theseus in time. You have to go back and get your army and evacuate Thebes."

"What are you talking about. You have to go back for your army too." Percy argued.

"No I don't." Nico simply said.

"What! They're here!" Percy exclaimed as he looked around.

"Father told them, not to let me out of their sight. They take their orders very seriously. I'll take them on to Theseus."

"No wait!" Percy could feel himself start to panic as Nico turned to head East. "There has to be another way. Nico, you promised!"

"I'll make it up to you." Nico called over his shoulder, leaving Percy behind.

Percy cursed under his breath, turned Blackjack around and headed back toward his army.