I would like to apologize for such a big delay in publishing this chapter. Took me months to get the courage and energy to continue. Thankyou for waiting and reading!

Chapter 4 - Luke Farms and Cattles

Nico

The atmosphere in the van was anticipatory. All three of them were on alert. Leaving safe demigod territories was never easy. Their senses flared up, trying to detect the slightest change in the environment. Even Argus was tensed up, his 100 eyes darting from one place to another so fast, just looking in his direction gave Nico vertigo. Will sat up front, as only he knew the address of our quest - guide. He was jittery but was trying to be jovial, joking with Argus while trying to point out directions, several of which were wrong. Nico felt bad for him because only he knew that Will was low-key scared of Argus. Whenever he was around him, he felt somehow exposed, too seen. How was the son of the Sun God scared of being seen too much, he had no idea. Will was modest to his bones, even after him being an extremely powerful half-blood. And that was one of the reasons Nico loved him.

Annabeth was sitting beside him looking out of the window. She had a forlorn expression, a far-away look in her eyes. Nico felt bad for her, having to go on another quest after leaving this life behind and starting college. But he was also sure that Annabeth hadn't told them the entire truth. He was sure that if she had told Percy she was going questing, he would have undoubtedly come with her. Nico was sure she hadn't told Percy about this quest at all, which was disturbing to him. If Annabeth was keeping things from Percy, then things weren't all sunny between the two of them. Nico wasn't sure he felt more sorry for her or Percy.

The van stopped in mid of a lonely road. There was a small by-section of a dirty by - lane on the left. Will turned his head towards the backseat and said," This is where we get off. We need to go on foot from here."

We took our supplies from the backseat and got off the van. We waved goodbye to Argus, who nodded, his 100 eyes staring at us, like he was looking at us for the last time, and left. Annabeth patted her jacket, making sure she had her invisibility cap. Her drakon-bone dagger was fastened at her hip. Will didn't like to fight much, but he still had a celestial bronze dagger in his pocket and a bow and two quivers of arrows. Nico had his faithful stygian iron blade fastened on his waist. They were as ready as they could be.

Annabeth took a deep breath and said her first words since they had left camp. "Well, William, lead the way."

We made our way through the by-lane, swatting away flies and mosquitoes. Once in a while, we would encounter some small strange insect. The entire road smelled of cattle feed and excrement, mixed together for a monster dessert delicacy. The smell was getting stronger as we moved forward.

"At this rate, we'll die of shitty smell before we reach our guide-god.", said Annabeth, covering her nose with her handkerchief.

"Actually, you'll have to endure much worse once we reach where we want to", replied Will. "According to myths, Autolycus was a brilliant thief who could steal anything he wanted. But the only thing he liked stealing for himself was Cattle. He loved rounding up different types of cattle and taking care of them, feeding them and making them...well...fatter. Then he sacrificed them to the gods in order to ask forgiveness for stealing and to give him more finesse in stealing things. He got pretty good like that."

Annabeth made a retching motion in his direction. He laughed.

"So how did this herder slash killer started the information distribution business?", asked Annabeth.

"Let's just say that in lieu of his sacrificial practices, the gods gave him a lot more than just A-Class thievery tools.", replied Will, turning into an open field. "Here we are."

In front of them was one of the biggest ranches Nico had ever seen. And that is saying something because he had been to many big ranches(long story). There was a huge cattle grazing field and inside it were the largest cows that he had ever seen. He was sure that any one of these could sit on all three of them and wouldn't even feel a thing while crushing them to their deaths.

"We need to go inside that house, I guess", Annabeth pointed to a large house on the left of the field.

They started moving towards the huge building looming in their peripheral vision. The cows ignored them. Nico started having the demonition (demigod-premonition) that something monster-y was waiting for them inside that house. When it came to bad things, he had a pretty spot-on instinct.

Will turned to him and said," I feel the demonition. Do you?"

Great, now WIll's instincts were acting up as well. Nico was sure they'll be having a great time in few moments. They had gone too long without any incident.

Suddenly, Annabeth winced. Nico turned and followed her line of sight. He grimaced. He hadn't thought about that name in a very long time.

In front of them was a huge board on which in red shiny paint was written the name of the Ranch - Luke Farms and Cattles.

The door of the house opened and a tiny figure came out. He was a boy of 15 years of age, had golden hairs and the same elfish expressions that Nico had seen on so many Cabin 11 campers. He wore rugged pants and was bare-chested. Nico guessed they had interrupted some extensive physical session.

The boy smiled and said," Ah, dear demigods, you are early. No monster-fighting on your way here, I suppose." He looked as if he wasn't particularly glad our journey wasn't perilous.

He gestured us in. "Welcome to my humble abode. I am, as you know, Autolycus. Do come in and enjoy my hospitality.", he smiled warmly at us.

"Thank you so much for inviting us in, but we can't stay long.", said Nico. He wasn't going to enter the lair of a serial cattle killer. "Please answer our query and we will be on our way."

Autolycus frowned as if he was genuinely hurt by Nico's refusal. "My dear Son of Hades, my father Hermes is the god of hospitality. I can't let you get fried in this hot sun now, can I? It'll anger my father."

"Umm, we are doing great here. The sun is not a problem.", said Will.

"Not to you, son of Apollo.", said Autolycus," but think about your friends."

"All of us are okay standing here.", said Annabeth firmly. "We need to know something important from you. And then we'll be on our way."

"If you insist, dear Annabeth", smiled Autolycus.

"If you know our names and our parentage, surely you know what we want to ask", said Will.

"Does it matter? What you seek, you should have the courage to ask about." Autolycus looked at Annabeth. "Do you have the courage to ask, daughter of Athena?"

Annabeth gritted her teeth. "We want to know the location of Zeus' Prison where he keeps the ones whom he punishes.", she said.

Our guide-god tapped his chin. "Zeus is the god of the sky. His reach encompasses entire realms. He doesn't just have one prison, dear. He is the king of Olympus. He has a hundreds of prisons for his offenders. It might help if you tell me what or who you want to find."

Nico looked at Annabeth and Will. He wanted to know the location as soon as possible but he wanted to disclose as little as possible. He caught Annabeth's eye and an understanding passed between them.

"Do you know of a demigod named Marcus Eridian?", asked Nico.

Autolycus smiled. "Ah, poor old Mark. Such a sweet boy. The justice of gods is very heartbreaking indeed.", he said in a tone that very clearly implied he wasn't sorry at all for what happened to the boy.

"We want to know where he is. We..uh..need to talk to him regarding some important thing.", said WIll.

"You have come to the right place. I know exactly where dear Mark is suffering his punishment.", said Autolycus.

"Then tell us where he is", asked Will.

Autolycus made a very sad face."Ah, my dear heroes, I wish I could help you. But it is classified information, you see. Mark is not supposed to have visitors. If Zeus comes to know who told you his location, he could literally burn my ranch and my pretty cattle to a crisp. I do really want to help you, you know. It's just that, it is a very big risk to take."

Nico sighed. He knew what was going to happen even before Autolycus implied it.

"What can we offer to you, so that it becomes a risk worth taking?", he asked.

Autolycus shook his head. "It's too risky. Nothing is worth it. Nothing...", he turned slowly and smiled," Unless..."

Here we go, thought Nico.

"Only for you, my dear demigods, only for you I will make this deal. There is a ranch 5 miles from here where reside the most beautiful cows I have ever seen. Bring me their herd and I will tell you the place where you can find Eridian.", said Autolycus.

Nico let go of the breath he was holding. This wasn't that bad. All they had to do was steal some cows. How difficult could it be?

"We'll do it.", said Nico.

"Excellent!", clapped the guide-god.

"Wait", said Annabeth. "This is too easy. What is the catch?"

"Oh, well", Autolycus smiled mischievously," Nothing major, my dear. Just this that those cows are ahem... very well protected. I have, over a long time, sent many people to get them but they have not succeeded. But you surely will. There's no doubt about it. "

"What is so difficult about stealing a bunch of cows and how are you so sure we'll succeed where no one has?", asked Will.

Autolycus winked and said, "Because of you, my dear. You are the son of the sun god. And those cows have Apollo's protection on them. People die terrible deaths if they try to steal them. They are Apollo's scared cows - the cattle of the Sun. And you will steal them and bring them to me."