Chapter 7
Bri was having a bad time. No matter which way they looked at the problem, they had messed everything up. They tried blaming it on Ian, or Caleb, even on their father, Zeus. But they had failed in every single way - there wasn't anyway around that conclusion.
That only left two options. To sit here and feel sorry for themself, or to try and find a solution. Bri was a lot of things, but quitter wasn't one of them. Somewhere in their mind, they managed to dig up the survival classes Miss Annabeth had taught at camp. Step one: assess the situation for immediate danger.
That was the most obvious one. They glowered at the Cyclopes that surrounded them. There were five of them - all big and ugly and armed with clubs, sitting around a roaring bon-fire without fear, tearing into several deer carcasses. Bri still didn't know why they hadn't decided to eat them, but they were grateful nonetheless. Unfortunately, that wasn't the only immediate danger. They were roughly bound to a tree, within the fire's light, but not close enough to experience the warmth. Both their hands and feet tied so tightly they received precious little circulation. When they had been captured, they had been hit on the head, and the wound still throbbed. They hadn't had any nectar or ambrosia since, and while they were reasonably sure they had only been held captive a day at most, they hadn't eaten at all. The cyclopes only gave them water once in the morning and once in the evening. They also had a cut on their right forearm that hadn't ever been cleaned or bandaged. It had stopped trickling blood hours ago, but that didn't mean it wasn't going to get horribly infected. The only good news there was that it at least wasn't their swordarm.
Bri frowned. That was a lot of immediate danger. Step two: Gather any supplies or tools that may be of use, even if it doesn't seem helpful in the moment.
Okay. Their sword was confiscated, sitting among the monsters. No - one had just picked it up and used it as a toothpick. Bold, considering a slip might have killed it given the metal. They might be able to summon lightning, but they weren't certain they were strong enough to create a blast that could kill all the monsters that wouldn't overtax them to the point of death or helplessness to the elements, other monsters and enemies, and wild animals. That was out. Their canteen of nectar was also nearby, but they couldn't see it right now. That was their first priority to get. They could cause it to rain - that was how they were named in the prophecy anyway - but Bri decided against it. While they were petty enough to do so just to put the fire out, they didn't want to be wet and cold as night approached. Hypothermia was not something they wanted to add to the list of immediate dangers, nor was the possibility that the cyclopes would know they had done it to spite them. So sword and nectar were the most they had in the resource department.
Third? Sit and wait for a rescue. That wasn't an option. No one knew where they were. Which only left step four, one that Miss Annabeth had added to the curriculum herself: if waiting for rescue is not an option, formulate a plan of escape. Try and get information out of anyone near you. (be them captors or bystanders) as to where the nearest safe location is, and get there at all costs.
"The others think you know where you're going, child."
That startled them. "Who-" they managed to croak out. Their throat was completely parched.
"Shhh….child, I'd rather no one noticed I was ever here. Just listen. Your companions believe you know where the next pillar is, and they are trying to meet you there. Convince these ones that you are worth ransoming. They are mercenaries - get them to believe that it's more worth their time to sell you back than to bring you to their employer."
Bri still wasn't sure what was going on. A child in a brown cloak was speaking to them, just outside of the light so the monsters couldn't see. More disturbing were the flames she had for eyes, clueing Bri in that this was a very particular goddess.
"My lady, why would you save me?"
"I am the last Olympian child. I tend the fires. I do not wish to see them go out. You are instrumental to our future. I take care of those by my hearths, even though I wouldn't consider this," she frowned at the monsters, "a gross misunderstanding of the use of the fire."
"Even if I do manage to convince them, where would they send the message? I don't know where they are."
"I would try Oklahoma City. They'll be there by the time the note arrives."
"My lady-"
But she was gone. Bri wasn't even sure they hadn't imagined Hestia. It was the only thing they had though. Time to ingratiate themself to their hosts.
"Water, please." they said, their voice cracking at the attempt to raise the volume enough to be heard.
The nearest one shook his head. "Nothing doing, half-blood. Even if I wants to, which I don'tant, I haven't got no water. Lug-nut drank all the rest of it."
"Please...I had a canteen." they pleaded, trying to sound desperate. Which they really weren't very far from being.
A different cyclops belched. "Give'r the canteen, Squelch. I ain't listen'n to 'er complain'n all nigh'."
The first one grunted, but produced the canteen and lumbered over to them. The stench was horrific. Squelch fumbled with the cap, and poured the nectar down their throat.
"An' no mo' complain'n!" the other one added as Squelch returned. "You ain't gettin' no mo' 'til the morning."
"Yes, of course." they could feel the nectar beginning to heal them. "I just want to be in good condition. You don't get paid if the goods are damaged, and in this case, I'm the goods."
"Wha' are you yammerin' abou'?"
"Didn't you know? There are people who would pay a hefty sum to get me back."
The cyclopes, who had been laying down for sleep, were suddenly interested.
"Go on."
Author's Note:
Hey everyone! Here's what Bri's been up too. This chronologically happens at the same time as last chapter.
If you like one-shots, then you should check out Percy Jackson One-Shots, where starting December first I'm starting Fic-mas! Everyday from the 1-24, I'll be posting a new one-shot (within my few stipulations), so leave me some ideas!
That's all I've got for you today!
Have a lovely day!
justapercyjacksonfan
