I was right. I was so right. Antaeus is not as cute and lovable as Tyson. In fact I had to turn and duck away when I saw him behind Michael and Ethan because I had to retch and struggle not to throw up. Being good guys and friends, they shouldered themselves together as they covered me whilst Luke tried not to turn around and look for me after I vanished and make it obvious to Antaeus that something was wrong. First off, it was the arena itself that made me want to vomit, because it was the most disgusting building I had ever seen as it was built from stacks of bone white skulls that, for a brief moment, I had mistaken for textured marble. Then I had noticed the empty eyes, the decayed teeth and how some looked older and near enough ready to turn to dust compared to some of the newer ones. Some of the skulls still had flesh on them in varying stages of decay, and it was this that had caused my stomach to lurch. I'm not exactly sure what made me react so strongly, I mean I'd seen and smelled things both just as bad and far worse, Smelly Gabe for one, but this? It seemed to violate my senses in a way that just didn't agree with me.
Then there was the master himself. Luke was right when he'd said half-giant, but still giant all the same. Antaeus was almost as wide as he was tall, and that was saying something. I realised then that all the giants in the army had to be either half giant or less, because Antaeus was easily the tallest of them all, exposing his entire body as he lounged in nothing but a loincloth and if you looked up at him at the wrong angle, I really did mean you could see everything. That was a second round of retching. It then dawned on me that Antaeus was a kind of deep maroon or scarlet shade all over his body but he had inked and even scarred tattoos of waves across his body and seeing that the only thing barely covering his dignity was a rather thin and old looking loincloth, this was my third round of retching. I was related to that? Disgusting. I'd rather be related to a squid. Which, in truth, I probably was, and this thought did not improve my mood. I remained hiding behind Ethan and Michael as Luke began to talk, muttering a quiet thanks to them as I took a swig of water from my canteen in order to try and settle my stomach and wash out the gross feeling in my mouth.
Luke bartered for safe passage, offering Antaeus all sorts of gifts and promises, but there was only thing that Antaeus really wanted, and that was entertainment. The sickened feeling in my gut returned. He sounded gruff and greedy, his eyes alight with a dancing desire as he scanned us tired and weary escorts that had managed to fight their way here. Kelli and the vanguard were waiting for Luke to go back and then lead them through with the string, which currently he still did not have, but just as Antaeus and Luke struck and accord, I noticed someone sitting on the far side of the stands, solitary and alone, and looking straight at me. I always find this kind of thing unnerving, when someone looks at me and their eyes said that they knew who I was, because usually for a demigod that meant they were about to be attacked and eaten by a monster. This guy seemed normal, though. He seemed middle aged, perhaps a bit older, with a sturdy looking frame that made me think that if I kicked it, my foot would break. I would have been more defensive to have some stranger staring at me, but although he seemed to recognise me, there was a soft tilt of his mouth in a partial smile and a gentleness in his expression that didn't raise my defences. If anything, he seemed rather friendly. So whilst Antaeus and Luke continued to finalise their agreement, I went over to the guy. Maybe he was a bodyguard or bouncer for Antaeus, though I doubted that ugly brute needed anyone other than himself protecting him. Climbing the steps I made my was slowly towards the stranger, though my hand hovered in preparation to jump to Amaryllis should he attack, but even as his eyes followed me his body remained relaxed and calm. Not that I would be fooled. I've seen Luke go from lounging half asleep on the couch to springing across the room to tackle a harpy that had snuck in looking for a midday snack, namely me, in the blink of an eye. This was only a few days ago and the harpy had been vaporised as a result. Plus, that had been Luke. This guy looked like he had decades more experience on him. "Hello." I greeted tentatively, standing a safe distance away. "Is there something you need?"
"The more accurate question, my dear, is there something you need?" Oh boy, probably a hundred things. A monster free vacation for one? I could probably go on forever but I doubted tourist destinations were on this guy's mind. I frowned at him slightly, eyebrows pulling together the way they did whenever I made a face. "Hmm…to my understanding, I did not think you were able to see anything. However, it seems that you noticed me well enough on your own. Were you perhaps granted a gift from Lord Kronos?" It was unsettling how easily this guy said that creep's name but I did my best not to show it, merely nodded my head.
"Yeah, that's right. Though it's conditional."
"As are all gifts, my dear. Or at least, those without good intentions." My eyes travelled to his hands which looked smoothed and noted how they didn't have any callouses, which was confusing because this guy clearly worked out and he didn't seem like a monster, in fact he appeared rather normal. Were it not for the Greek armour, I would quite confidently say he was an ordinary mortal that had wandered in at a very bad time. The only alternative was that this was another half-blood, though I couldn't tell from looking at him who his godly parent might be. "Ah, how rude of me, I am yet to introduce myself. My name is Quintus. It is a pleasure to meet you Lily."
"Sure but…how did you know my name?"
"Your brother spoke of you very fondly." Instantly my eyes brightened and I straightened up, unconsciously taking a step forwards as a light burst within at the mention of my brother.
"You know Percy? Is he alright?" I whispered, completely forgetting that I was still in the arena and surrounded by Luke's henchmen and monsters, and some of them had keen ears. However lucky for me, their attention was completely transfixed upon Luke and Antaeus. Word had since passed that Percy had turned up at Camp Half-Blood in the middle of his funeral, causing quite a stir where Annabeth had apparently screamed and leaped on him. Whoever Luke's spy was, they were keeping him well informed. I really need to figure out who it was. Quintus smiled at me steadily, opening his hand with a gesture to sit so I did so, lowering myself onto the large stone step that served as a seat to watch the arena.
"I believe he is well, though it has been some time since I saw him last. I was briefly a sword instructor for Camp Half-Blood, but alas, I could not remain there. In the time I was there, however, you were much spoken of, Lily Jackson. Your brother is adamant that you have not turned, as are his close friends. I believe even the Cyclopes Tyson has defended your honour whenever your name came up in conversation at meal times. Unfortunately, several tables were broken." Instinctively I winced because I knew how strong Tyson was and felt bad for the tables, but I couldn't hold back my grin as my eyes started to shine. "Whether their faith in you is true or misplaced, it seems only time will tell."
"If you're Quintus, then you're the contact that Luke has been talking to about the string of Ariadne. What were you doing posing as a sword instructor? Were you spying on everyone?" I questioned as we used this small pocket of time in order to talk in private. There was something about this guy that felt so…old. No matter how I tried to put my finger on it, I just couldn't. The way he spoke was formal and polite, yet gentle and comfortable like the way a gentleman from several decades ago might have talked, and his eyes seemed to be so tired like they had seen too many summers and winters, yet still clung to a spark of life that made them endure. For some reason, I just liked the guy, and although I didn't say anything about whether or not I was a spy for the camp or really on Kronos's side, the way that he was looking at me made me think that he was clever enough that he could guess the truth on his own but wouldn't say a word to Luke, Kronos or anyone else. He was a cool dude in my books.
"Well I was curious. After I was approached with an offer from Luke with a story of his own making, I thought it wise to verify the facts for myself. Your brother is an admirable young man. He is growing into a fine hero, though it is a shame that so much has been placed upon his shoulders. It is quite unfair." This I couldn't disagree with. With Percy he'd been thrown in the deep end concerning the ancient Greek world existing in modern society, so much so that it was probably an excellent thing that he could swim and breathe underwater. Otherwise, he probably would have drowned in it all. "You two look very much alike. It is clear that you are siblings, though your eyes are a little more blue than green." Was it odd that he would notice something like this? It sounded like something an artist would say because they noticed those kind of details.
"They weren't always like this, but thanks." I answered a little awkwardly, because I wasn't entirely sure how to answer a comment like that. "So…you're joining Luke then? Are you going to give him the string?"
"Do you think I should?" Caught once more in a battle of words, I opened and closed my mouth several times in order to try and think cleverly, though this had never really been my strong suit.
"I…think you should do what you think is right. Whether that's right for you or right for the world…then that's up to you. Not me." Mostly I said this just to push the question off my shoulders, but later I would realise that this had been a rather excellent thing to say to this man, because I was not yet fully aware of who he was. "For some people, they still have the luxury of a choice. The rest of us do not." Arching an eyebrow at me, Quintus asked if I was one of the people who no longer had a choice. "I made my decision a long time ago, and I'm not fickle like the sea. Once my mind is made, I'll stick to it until the very end." I kept to myself what that decision had been because I didn't think this to be an important detail to share with a guy who I had just met and didn't entirely trust. "What have you been promised? If you don't mind me asking." Quintus then closed his eye and breathed in deeply, as if drawing in all the woes of his lifetime before exhaling them gradually, pushing them back away from him with a picture of longing upon his face.
"Peace at long last." He didn't elaborate and I didn't press further because now, Luke was approaching us. He was moving quickly, glancing between the two of us with a slight scowl at me as if to say 'how dare you wander off and talk to strangers', the kind of look my mom would have if I did just that. I grinned back at him mischievously. "Luke, it is good to see you so well. I have just been speaking to your lovely lieutenant. She has been keeping me entertained whilst you were otherwise occupied." Quintus said as he rose up to his feet, standing at an even height to Luke, though the bearing of his stature appeared far more solid and enduring even than Luke's who was invincible because of the Curse of Achilles. Glancing to me, Luke softened a little and nodded his head appreciatively and I perked up further, feeling rather prideful that I'd earned Luke's approval for something. Jeez. Now who's the puppy around here?
"Do you have it?" Getting directly to the point, Luke hardened his stare and turned back to Quintus. The older demigod said nothing but reached behind him into one of the satchels upon his belt, and from within drew something round and golden, made completely from a woven string that seemed to glow faintly.
"It will serve you well, though as I said before. A clear sighted mortal would lead you far better than this. The string is not as accurate." Quintus said to Luke but his attention was now entirely faced upon the string, observing it before then taking it from Quintus. I swallowed back a rock that had formed in my throat and watched the ball of string now in Luke's hand. If I take that, then Luke won't be able to find his way through the Labyrinth, and Kronos's plan to destroy the camp would be at least temporarily thwarted. It may even be that the time that Luke will be forced to give his body to Kronos would be delayed, long enough for me to do something to save him. My hand twitched on impulse and started to rise, intending to snatch the yarn from Luke and run for it, however before my movement even became noticeable, I felt someone's open hand block mine. Quintus. Luke was so focused on his prize that he never noticed our exchange, my eyes snapping up to Quintus in order to flare angrily but his were so calm and cool that I could not help but calm down gradually under their enduring gaze. Not yet. They said. I did not understand at all. If he did not want Luke to have the string in the first place, then why give it to him at all?
Even as I asked myself that question, the answer seemed to rise to my mind as I recalled the prize that Quintus had been promised for his service to Kronos. Peace. He wanted to get what he desired first. After that, it was every man for himself. I didn't like it, but I forced myself to relax and gave the tiniest nods of my head in order to signal that I understood so that Quintus then removed his hand from against mine. Not a moment too soon either, because then Luke turned back to him. "You have done well. Lord Kronos will remember your loyalty to the cause. Lily, it's time to go. We're bringing the vanguard here." I shuddered with a scowl, initially not moving.
"We have to come back to this place? To this skull infested temple dedicated to Poseidon with a flatulent monstrosity as a host?" Luke scowled back at me. "Fine, fine, whatever you say boss." Although unhappy about it, I went along with Luke though as we started to leave I turned back in order to look at Quintus, trying to understand exactly what game he was playing and who he was. He remained as much a mystery to me even with a final look over my shoulder, but he smiled kindly, the type of smile that was easy to read and to determine that the bearer was at heart a good person. I smiled back, then turned and walked beside Luke into the dark terror of the Labyrinth, only this time guided by a magic string that guided our way.