"We're almost there!" I heard Leo shout over the roaring wind.
He was sitting in front of me. I felt bad that he ended up with me behind him. I had my arms wrapped around his waist and gripped the front of his shirt so tightly that he must be worried that I might rip it off. It's not that I'm afraid of heights; on the contrary, I enjoy flying and being in the sky. However, I do have a fear of sitting on flying dragons, a fear that I realized about an hour and a half ago when I jumped on this gold fire-breather. It turns out that 'Festus' isn't just a nickname for a fancy car.
Leo assured me before we boarded the Festus that he was quite safe and friendly, but that did not assure me one bit. Thankfully, Christian sat behind me. Having his arms around me helped me to remain at least at a bearable relaxed state. If he wasn't, Leo's shirt would have probably been torn to shreds by now. Not that I liked having Christian touching me or anything but having a familiar face there with me definitely helped.
Percy was flying next to Festus on a black pegasus. He kept talking to it. They seemed to be having a heated discussion on whether Dunkin' Donuts or Krispy Crème had the best glazed donuts. Whether Percy could actually talk to the flying horse, I wasn't sure; but he was definitely confirming my suspicion that he was a bit crazy if he was making up this conversation in his head.
Annabeth rode on her light tan pegusus slightly behind Festus. I hope that she was doing so as a precautionary procedure just in case anyone fell off Festus, but I couldn't say whether she'd try and catch me if I fell off. I think it was more for Leo and Christian.
Before we left camp we, well really just me, decided to go to my Grandma's house. After the meeting at the ping pong table conjured, Chiron beckoned me over to him. He waited till everyone was out of the basement before he spoke.
"Cyan, this quest of yours is quite confusing and it will hold many horrors, not just the ones in front of you."
I wasn't sure what he meant, but I got the point. I was probably going to die. I looked down at my shoes.
"I am so sorry, sir. I didn't know that coming here would cause this much trouble for you or for anyone. I don't want my burden to become anyone else's." I looked back at Chiron. I was very sorry. I never want to have anyone be put into harms way because of me. I guess that's one big difference between me and my Mom. I would much rather do something and try and fix the problem myself than tell others what to do.
Chiron sighed and nodded. "I know. I am afraid, though, that this problem is much bigger than yourself."
I swallowed hard. "I don't even know where to start. What am I supposed to do?"
"I do not have an answer for you, my dear," Chiron began, "however, I have been doing some research to find out more about you and your past."
It sounded a bit weird and frightening to have a half horse half man stocking you, but I decided to just let it slide. I didn't think Chiron, one of the greatest hero trainers in Greek mythology, was a creeper.
"Did you find anything?" I asked.
"I am unsure if it is my place to say."
Great, someone else who doesn't want to tell me who I am. Typical.
"But," he continued, "I think it is best to go to your Grandma for answers. She will help guide you in the right direction. I am sure of it."
"You know my Grandma?" I said, shocked about how good he was at finding information. He must have also worked for the FBI, CIA, or, maybe even SHIELD.
Chiron raised his eyebrows and smirked a little bit. "Yes," he said, "she is a very strong woman. I have known her for many years now."
Before I could say anything else, he nodded towards the door. "Hurry. Your crew is waiting for your instructions."
I nodded and followed his directions, even though I was bit tongue tied that he knew about my Grandma and a bit confused as to why the most inexperienced demigod was the leader of the quest.
So, I came to the decision to go to my Grandma's house for answers before we headed to the other camp (apparently there is another demigod camp; who knew!) to pick up the others in the prophecy.
Suddenly, I felt Festus jolt as we started to descend. I could see everything in my hometown of Lake Mary. I saw my old high school. Huh, that's funny, I thought. I just said my 'old high school' as if I hadn't been there in ten years, when I was actually just there yesterday. It's crazy how so much can change in just 24 hours.
After about another minute we were all safely on the ground in front of my Grandma's house. I hoped that none of the neighbors would freak out too much when they saw two flying horses and a giant golden dragon in my front yard. Generally, yard art isn't supposed to be alive.
I slid off Festus and landed into the soft mushy grass with ease. When I turned around everyone was staring at me, waiting for my instructions. Oh, right, I thought, I'm the leader. I proceeded to head to the front door of the house and everyone seemed to follow in line behind me.
The tan Spanish single style home that is indicative to Florida looked exactly the same as when I left it. The brown door loomed in front of me. I wasn't sure why I was so nervous to knock on it. I guess because I didn't know how my Grandma would react, or maybe it was most likely the fact that I was scared to learn the horrible secrets of my past. It was probably the second thing. Despite my temptation to turn around and sprint away like a scaredy cat, I knocked on the door with three definitive bangs. Ten seconds later, my Grandma threw the door open. For being 74 years old, she had quite a bit of strength.
When she saw me, the wrinkles around her eyes seemed to relax a bit more as relief passed over her face and we both gave each other a hug. As she pulled away, she then glanced behind me and saw all the others. In the glass window beside the door, I could see Percy's reflection as he awkwardly smiled and waved behind me.
My Grandma looked back at me with her mouth pulled in a tight wire and one of her eyebrows raised. "Well, I have certainly seen this scene before. You must need my help for a quest."
Her response surprised me. I wasn't sure what to say. I guess grandma's really can read minds.
"Come on in," she said turning around. "I always have cookies and sandwiches ready for this sort of occasion."