A/N: It's crazy how much the world can change in a month, isn't it? I hope everyone is safe and that you enjoy this chapter.
Chapter 4: The Dove and the Forge
After Jason's display on the training field, I give him a thorough look over. His vitals are normal and he can take the ring off without any problem, which quells some of my Nine's nerves. Leo makes us dinner in the boy's room while we talk over everything we've learned so far. The talk would be serious, if everyone wasn't talking around Leo's Supreme Tacos.
"So the keys are actually rings, and they seem to provide some kind of power boost, but only to the person they were meant for," Annabeth says, greasy fingers sketching shapes in the air.
"Juan mentioned something about a Council of Ten, and said that by claiming the ring he'd take his place on it as 'the One of Sky'." Jason twists the signet ring around his finger as he talks.
"There are ten of us and there are ten keys or rings." Reyna adds. "So let's assume that we're the 'Council' and that Jason is 'the One of Sky'. Does this mean there's a title for each of us? And what do they mean?"
There's a rising anxiety around the table, so I deflect. "I think we might have to wait for answers until we get to the Temple. All we can do is find the rings and hope for the best." The tension ebbs away, with focus going towards the nine other rings we still need to find.
The next morning we all meet in the Annex again. Piper's prophecy is next in the list, followed by Leo's, and depending on who they choose to go with them we might be able to send both of them off at once.
Piper reads out her passage first:
"Thorns and roses hide the dove,
only to be found by a warrior of true love.
Receive the ring with charm and grace,
do not make your forebears mistakes.
The key is now kept,
by a lady that once slept."
Most of us were quite stumped, but luckily Piper has a good relationship with her gut feelings. She asked Jenkins if the Library had a book of fairy tales, and soon Piper is flipping through a thick tome bound in dark leather with gold leaf on the pages. She comes to a stop at one particular story. "Sleeping Beauty. I knew that something about my lines were familiar. Thorns and roses grew around the castle and could only be parted by the Beauty's true love."
The Librarians latch onto the idea and begin pulling other texts from shelves. Jake, who is the Library's resident historian, explains the Italian origins of the tale and the changes made in the more popular French version.
Piper however, holds fast to the fairy tale book Jenkins gave her initially. One of the illustrations, a distorted map with the fabled castle right in the middle, seems to have caught her eye. She looks up and says with utter surety. "It's a map."
The Librarians are a little puzzled, but allow us to work our own way through. Armed with Piper's hunch and a world atlas, it takes us only a few minutes to find where that castle would have been located. A few laughs rise up as we are struck by the irony of its location.
"France?" Nico says.
"As in 'ze country of amore?" Leo adds, using a very cheesy french accent.
"Yes, Leo. France." Piper says, her tone warning the mechanic to lay off the jokes. He chuckles nervously.
The Librarians, who hadn't given up on their method, come to the same conclusion about ten minutes later and the work begins. People go out and get supplies, secure papers and all the other things Piper's team will need.
"Who are you going to take with you anyway Pipes?" Jason asks.
She ponders the question for only a moment. "Reyna, I'd be honored if you would join me." The Praetor smiles in response.
"That's two. You can take one more, but any more than three is risky." I say.
Piper nods. "Annabeth? How about you?" The child of Athena says yes quickly.
"I guess that means we can send Leo, or at least start the research bit." Jason guides Leo towards the chalkboard and lets him read his passage.
"Ring sweet bell for liberty and life,
In a new nation born free from tyranny's strife.
Find the ring in the tower where liberty was hung,
Break the ancient chain on which it is strung.
The founder's son guards the ring,
energy and persistence conquers all things."
Leo looks up, eyes wide. "I know where my ring is."
"This is no time to be dramatic, Leo. Spit it out." I say.
"Philadelphia. To be precise, the State House, where the Liberty Bell was hung." Leo looks back at the group. "I want to take Hazel and Frank."
The two groups gather their things, tuck away their Library-issue phones, and pass through the Back Door in waves.
Leo
The portal door leaves me with a spinning head and a queasy stomach, but these feelings quickly dissipate as I look around. We stepped into a quiet side street only a few blocks away from the State House. Once I make sure Frank and Hazel are behind me, I start to walk towards it.
The streets are nearly empty, which makes getting to the State House easy, but the entire city seems to be asleep. Or dead. "Anyone else feel like the star in a zombie movie?" I mutter.
"Welcome Seekers!" A voice booms around the street. "Which one of you is The One of Fire, hm?" Something pulls in my gut, like a child when they hear their full name. We turn in slow circles, searching for the source.
"What do you mean, One of Fire?" Hazel asks, having drawn her spatha.
"The Greco-Roman hasn't told you yet? Or is it that she herself doesn't know yet? Interesting." There is the slightest sound of scribbling, as if the voice is taking notes. He, for the voice is male, mutters to himself seeming to have forgotten about us.
"Hey, disembodied voice dude!" I say. "I am The One of Fire, I guess."
The scribbling stops. "Wonderful! Your name please. For the record." Hazel quirks an eyebrow, but I give the voice my name. "Leo Valdez, excellent. Even if you are The One, I will have to test you, just to make sure." Creaking metal, groaning joints. "Defeat the creature and find the ring before the sun sets and we will know if you are indeed The One of Fire."
The voice's condescending tone is getting on my nerves, but I direct the emotion to the creature he mentioned. Hazel's scream pulls me from my thoughts. She and Frank are wrapped in metal wire.
"Ah, I forgot to mention." The voice says, in a sickly sweet way. "The trial is for you and you only, Leo Valdez, Child of Hephaestus. No assistance. And of course if you fail, these two will die. No pressure." Then once more the voice cuts away, this time taking my friends with him.
The creaking noise gets closer. I pull a large hammer from my tool belt and try to think back to my strategy classes at Camp. Unknown enemy with unknown capabilities. Time limit and a hidden object. The creature is probably guarding the ring. I conclude. Changing direction, I head to the State House. The creaking gets louder as I work my way through the streets. Whatever this thing is it's slow, and judging from how the ground shakes, heavy. I can use that.
I peer around the last corner. There stands my creature, a beast of rusted metal with two glowing red eyes. It paces in front of the stairs to the State House. Four steps, pause, turn, four steps back. I could easily slip by him and into the building, to find my ring. I can feel it pulling me, like Jason described. I turn my head a few degrees and watch the sun. It is just passing it's zenith. I have roughly 6 hours to complete my trial.
A snorting, snuffling noise pulls me from my musings. "I can smell you, little ember. I see why you want the ring's power, oh yes. Scrawny, powerless, a builder not a fighter." A metallic chuckle reverberates through the stone wall. "You are going to be crushed."
My anger bubbles up and my hands burst into flame. I step around the corner and send white hot flame at the creature. It screeches and falls to the ground. It lays smoking and drops to my knees. Flames that hot take a lot of energy. Or at least, they do now. If Jason's display the other night means anything, once I have my ring I'll have power to spare. I take a deep breath and edge my way around the smoking ruin of the beast.
I sprint up the stairs. At the top of the tower is a small octagonal room with eight arched windows looking out over the city. The ring is here, I know it, but since this place is a historical site, it must be hidden well. Before I can start my search, a tremendous crash shakes the building. A glance out the window confirms my fears. The creature is back up and moving again. "I knew it was too easy."
I pace up in the tower. The beast howls below about my inferiority and weakness, and I am starting to believe him. The only thing keeping me from going down there and surrendering is the pull in my gut. The ring is close, so very close. I speak the prophecy aloud, looking for any type of clue. "Find the ring in the tower where liberty was hung, Break the ancient chain on which it is strung." Chain! There are several lengths of chain hanging from the ceiling that used to hold the Bell. I inspect each one, each link slowly. Finally I find a link that is not a link at all. The circle of metal is a dark shiny bronze, and close in size and shape to the silver one Jason has. My ring.
I run my fingers over the chain. How can I remove the ring without destroying it? "I could really use your help, Hazel." I say aloud.
Doubt washes over me in a flood. Who was I kidding? I can't do this. I'm just the mechanic. I only got through all that other stuff because I had help. I sink to my knees. "You're right. I am nothing." I whisper.
The beast chuckles. "Of course I am. Doubt is always right, as is Fear. And now I will consume yours." The beast rises to its full height and its face comes to rest in front of one of the many windows.
"LEO! Don't give in! That's what he wants!" Hazel?
"Come on, Leo. Get up! You can do this!" Frank?
The beast drowns out their words. "They lie little ember, you're nothing. They will be better off without you."
But hearing my friends sparked something inside. I stand. "You're the one who's wrong." I say. The beast recoils a little. "I know I can do this. It is my birthright. I was born to be The One of Fire!" I shout. Then more words come to me. "I am Leo Valdez! The One of Fire, Wielder of Hephaestus's Hammer, Engineer of the Greco-Romans!" I place my hands on the beast and push. He falls back and shatters against the pavement. The chain behind me shatters into gold filaments and the ring falls to the ground. I slip it on. The trial is over.
Hazel and Frank appear at my side. Once they assure me that they are all right we decide it is time to leave. Downstairs we find a plain looking man, covered in grease and oil. He smiles at us. "I am The Guardian of the Fire Ring, Thomas Franklin, great great great grandson of Benjamin Franklin, the first Guardian." He bows. "It is an honor to finally see the ring in the right hands."
Still on edge, the three of us draw weapons and fall into defensive positions. "Hold on, young ring-seekers. I mean you no harm." We do not move our weapons away, nor do we relax. "I see that you do not believe me. I am guessing the One of Sky told you of Juan's treachery. Let me assure you, not all of the Guardians are as corrupt as he. Being exposed to the ring's power for centuries turned his mind against his cause. For this I offer my humblest apologies."
"How do you know that Jason found his ring?" Frank asks, lowering his bow slightly.
"All of us Guardians are connected. I knew that the One of Sky, Jason was it, had found his ring. It was simple then, to deduce that you would be coming, which is why I made sure all of the townspeople would be asleep."
My hammer disappears and Hazel's spatha returns to its sheath.
Smiling, Tom says, "Now, are you hungry? The town is awake again and I know an excellent restaurant."
Tom offers us a place to sleep that night and the next morning we say our goodbyes and call the Library for a door.
After stepping through the Back Door and dumping our stuff the three of us explain what happened in Philly. When I come to the part where I defeat the creature, Jenkins's head snaps up.
"Say that again." He orders.
"I told the creature that I was the One of Fire and started listing a whole bunch of other titles."
His gaze narrows. "Name them."
"Wielder of Hephaestus's Hammer and Engineer of the Greco-Romans." Jenkins stands and walks over to the card catalog, sorting through and selecting a card. We all jump as a shelf appears out of thin air. Jenkins pulls a book from the new shelf and starts flipping through the pages.
"I should have noticed when Jason told us about Juan." He says. He looks at Jason and me. "Both of you, when you faced your trial, announced a similar set of titles. Those titles are used to describe a group called 'The Ten of Legend'. No names are given but listen to this." He reads from one of the pages.
"The Ten were led by the Ones of Sky, Sea, and Death for they were powerful, loyal, and determined. The One of Fire was their Engineer, he crafted their grand weapons and assisted the One of Wisdom in building great cities for their people to live in. The Ones of Strength and War were in turn assisted by the One of Wisdom in strategy and other policy. The One of Wealth served as the treasurer and manipulated the earth for farming. The Ones of Voice and Light served as Peacemakers, being skilled in diplomacy and persuasion. Together these Ten served and protected their people, leading them into a golden age."
We sit in awe. "I think," Jason says. "We need to discuss this further when Piper gets back."
Piper
A train traveling through rural France
I stare out the window, watching the French landscape go by. We ended up sharing a booth with an overweight French man who after ogling us for several minutes, decided to take a nap. His snores are loud enough to keep several other people in our car from rest and Reyna is just about ready to smother him. In all honesty we all are. Thankfully the train comes to a gentle stop and the man leaves.
"Finally. Now we can talk." Annabeth says taking a seat on the opposite side of the booth as Reyna and me. "Based on what we learned from Jaosn, each ring should have a Guardian. If we can figure out who the guardian of yours is, we can be better prepared."
"I would have thought it would be obvious." Reyna says. "The key is now kept/by the lady that once slept. The Beauty has it."
I nod. "But what is she going to make me do?" We throw around ideas for the next hour or so. The cities of France have melted away, leaving only a dusky countryside. We still have several hours until our stop, it will be morning by then. "Let's get some sleep. We'll have more time to think tomorrow."
I am the last to wake the next morning. Reyna and Annabeth have brought me some food and some news from the dining car. While I eat they tell me what they have discovered.
"There was a woman in the dining car, a tour guide." Annabeth starts. "Apparently there are several abandoned castles in the area, but only one that has been completely taken over by vegetation." She passes me a brochure. It's in French, but the picture on the front is a dead ringer for the storybook castle in Sleeping Beauty, all the way down the mass of rose hedges around it. "We have a destination."
At the train station, we find out that the castle is part of a guided tour route. It appears to be the fastest and safest way to get to our goal so I don't hesitate to sign up. Unfortunately I did not account for the length of the tour. It is nearing dinnertime by the time we pass the overgrown castle. The French speaking tour guide rattles off her pre-prepared speech and announces we have an hour to eat before we have to be back on the bus.
I catch Reyna and Annabeth's eyes and we slip away from the group. "According to the guide, the castle is mostly a ruin which is why no one is allowed in. Probably a trick of the Mist." I say as we work our way through the dense vegetation that separates the road from the hedged in castle.
"Piper, what's your plan for getting inside the hedge?" Reyna says from behind me.
My words freeze on my tongue, I hadn't thought that far ahead. I was just trusting my gut.
Annabeth comes to my rescue, replying with her famous logic. "They should open right up. Being a child of the love goddess, Piper is a 'warrior of true love'. Our real problem will be the Beauty and her trial."
After that our journey is made in silence, either out of concentration or respect for the place we are about to enter.
The forest ends several feet before the hedge of roses begins. From our vantage point the hedge blots out the sky, casting a long cold shadow over the earth. Each of us pause a moment and pull out our blades, daggers and swords made of bronze, gold and bone. We form a wedge; Annabeth and Reyna to my left and right, only a step or two behind me, advancing on the roses. The tip of Katoptris barely brushes a single leaf, and the wall of foliage splits in two. The vines weave themselves into a welcoming archway, filled with the late afternoon sunlight and dotted with roses of every color imaginable. It's like stepping into a fairy tale.
We walk slowly through the arch, weary of every step and ready to turn back if need be. The hedge is only ten feet thick, but in the time it takes us to cover that distance the castle before us transforms. The moss covered stones clean themselves of grime. Flags appear on the towers and life is breathed back into the empty space of the courtyard. Blue toned spirits, all women, dressed in clothing from almost every time period turn to see us enter the castle. They look at me and break into whispers. Is she the One? Will she be the one to set us free?
One of the grandest looking spirits, dressed in a huge ball gown covered in shimmering brocade holds her hands aloft, quieting the group. Get Lady Rose. Tell her . . . Another group of seekers has come to prove themselves. Several of the blue women float upwards to the tallest tower. The grand lady looks us up and down, scrutinizing every detail. You will come with me. We must make you presentable to our Lady.
The inside of the castle is just as breathtaking as the outside. Everything shimmers or sparkles or shines in the evening light that comes through the huge windows. The grand lady leads us to a large chamber. You will clean yourselves and dress for dinner. The washroom is through that door. Gowns are in these trunks and all other finery can be found in the drawers of the vanity. Good day, Seekers. The lady points around the room and then leaves abruptly.
"What do you think, Pipes? Play along or fight?" Annabeth asks me.
"I would prefer to fight." Reyna mutters.
"I think it would be wise to follow instructions, at least until we know what's going on." They agree with me, though a little unwillingly in Reyna's case.
It only takes a little while for Annabeth and I to dress. Annabeth wears a simple grey dress with long sleeves. It will be easy to run and fight in if need be. I braid her hair and pin it up into a halo, securing it with jeweled pins from the vanity. I find a soft blue gown that has tiny crystals and pearls sewn into the cloth. But Reyna is another story.
Annabeth pounds on the washroom door. "Come on Reyna! We need you to get dressed. The spirit said dinner was at seven and it's a quarter 'til."
The door opens a crack and one of Reyna's eyes and part of her mouth appears. "I'm not going. I don't feel well."
Annabeth catches the edge of the door and pulls it open. "That's not the reason. Spill."
The proud daughter of Belladonna looks down in shame. "The last time I wore a dress was on Circe's island. It just brings back bad memories."
I place a hand on her shoulder. "Then let's make some happy ones."
Ten minutes later the three of us are escorted down a giant hall of mirrors. I catch our reflection in the wall and smile secretly. Annabeth looks cool and calculating in grey and the crystal pins in her blonde hair catch the light. No other gems does she wear, but her bone sword and bronze dagger adorn her hip. Reyna looks like a queen in the flowing purple gown we found. Her dark hair is loose and adorned with a golden circle, which matches the gold chain around her throat and the golden blade at her waist. My pale blue dress and the matching silver circle make me look like one of the nymphs we met in Rome. I am the only one unarmed in the trio. Despite that, the three of us radiate power and confidence. I dare this Lady Rose to try anything.
The spirit leading us waves her hand and the giant door ahead of us swings open. All of the other spirit-women are already seated at four circular tables, except for the grand one who sits at a long rectangular table up on a dias. The empty chair next to hers is a throne, carved with roses. Lady Rose isn't here yet. Our guide takes us up to the dias and has us sit in the three chairs to the left of the throne. I feel the eyes of the women on me, waiting and hoping. I think back to what they whispered when we arrived. Are these my forebears? Others who tried to claim the ring and failed? Pity swells in my chest. I will save them.
Winds pick up plates and whisk them away, bringing another round of food. But for us three only. The blue women, having no need for food, sit and talk among themselves. The final plates are revealed, each holding a different colored rose. Reyna's is blood red, Annabeth's pure white. The eyes are back on us, watching carefully. The dome on my plate is pulled away revealing a pale pink rose and the women start to chatter again.
The grand ghost rises from her seat. Lady Rose has chosen the warrior. Her eyes land on the pink rose then slide up to me. This one will compete. If she wins, she will receive the ring and freedom will be ours. But I remind you. None of us were able to defeat the trial. And we were handpicked by the gods! What hope does she have?
Reyna reaches for her blade, but Annabeth snatches her hand. I rise and lock eyes with Miss High-and-Mighty. "What hope do I have? I do not believe you know to whom you speak." The blue glow of her cheeks brightens, like a rageful flush. "I am Piper McLean, Daughter of Aphrodite, The Charmspeaker and one of the Seven who defeated Gaea when she rose last summer. I have faced down monsters, giants and crazed gods. I can handle any trial your Lady can give me."
A slow clapping starts from somewhere in the hall. All of the women freeze.
"Well done, little dove. Not many of your predecessors had this much gusto." A body, a real flesh and blood one, emerges from the shadows. "Welcome to my castle, young seekers, I am Lady Rose. Though you probably know me as The Sleeping Beauty." Just like in the story, Rose has porcelain skin, blonde hair and pale pink lips. Her gown is simple and understated, in the same hue of blue as mine. Annabeth and Reyna rise from their chairs and we fall into shaky curtseys.
Lady Rose tilts her head in appreciation. "Now, dinner is done and the trial starts at dawn tomorrow. Agatha." The ghost in the gaudy dress curtseys. "Take them to their quarters. I must prepare." Agatha curtseys again and leads us from the dining hall.
Each of us is given a different room. Well 'room' is an understatement. This suite has five rooms, not including the washroom. I had hoped to discuss strategy with Reyna and Annabeth, they always seem to know what to do. Deprived of that, I pace. Through the study, turn,then the antechamber to the bedroom and lounge then turn again to the sunroom and back into the study. "What am I going to do?" I chant, finally falling backwards on the large bed when my legs become weak. I lay there, staring at the ceiling and waiting for inspiration to hit. In its stead, sleep finds me.
The next morning I am instructed to dress in my old clothes and arm myself by one of the blue women. Once that is done she escorts me to one of the large courtyards.
"Welcome Piper." Lady Rose says when I come to stand in front of her throne. "My trial consists of many parts and you will be happy to know you have already passed two of them." Lady Rose watches my face and sees my confusion. "When you helped your friend Reyna get dressed last night and overcome her past discomfort, you passed the Test of Beauty. Making others look and feel beautiful is one of the roles of a child of Aphrodite. You have also passed the Test of Persuasion, when you spoke up against Agatha at dinner. You gave these lost souls hope again, after so long." She smiles at me gently. "Your final two tests are as follows. Love and Strength." She waves her hands and a door appears. "Through this door is a sort of obstacle course. At the end are your friends. Find them quickly and make your way back here. Then you will have proven yourself worthy of the Dove's Ring and the titles that come with it."
I brace myself and open the door. Beyond it is a mirrored corridor, much like the one we walked through to get to dinner. I step over the threshold and the door slams closed behind me. Hand on the hilt of my dagger, I advance slowly. The mirrors reflect my image over and over, showing thousands of me. They move with me turning and stepping as I do. Halfway down this hall I start to hear voices. Whispered doubts. I pay them no mind. I have faced my doubts before and finding my companions is more important. Sensing this determination the voices stop. The mirrors suddenly stop, leaving me in a room of black.
"You there. Over here. Look over here." A voice calls.
I spin scanning the room, finding the source in another reflection.
"Well you aren't exactly what I was expecting." The reflection moves on her own slowly encircling me. "Scraggly, dirty, and the way you dress, pft."
I am frozen in her words, all I can do is watch the mirror-me.
"You really think you are worthy? Darling! Get your head out of the clouds." Images dance over the black, my father, Camp Half-Blood, Jason and all my other friends. "You aren't a fighter, you're a beauty queen. Shallow and petty." The voices of my friends now speak her words of hate and loathing.
"I don't know why we still trust you. After all, if given the right incentive, you would turn against us again." Hazel sneers.
"You think I love you? Dumpster Queen?" Jason laughs. More voices, more horrible words. I fall to my knees
"You aren't worthy and you know it. But I am." The mirror-me says, standing over me. "Let me continue on. I will take your place as The One of Voice, and I will make them proud. Just say the words. And all your troubles go away." Her voice is velvet soft, sweet as honey.
I know what to say to make this stop, I have to make this stop. "I . . ." The words are caught in my throat. In this moment of pause, the voices of my friends reach my ears again. This time though they encourage me, tell me that they value and need me. I begin to speak again. "I am Piper McLean, Daughter of Aphrodite." The reflection screams and doubles over in pain. "I am the One of Voice, Peacemaker of the Greco-Romans, and Wielder of Katropis!"
The reflection shatters at my announcement and lights come on around the room. Annabeth and Reyna sit bound to chairs in a far corner. I run over to them and cut them free. "The exit is this way." I say.
They follow me and we start to walk back through the hall of mirrors. The voices are back and once again I brush them aside. But Annabeth and Reyna are not prepared for the voice's lies and start to crumble under their assault. I rush to their sides, whispering the good things about them, telling them how much I and all the others at the Library depend on them. When they are able to stand again, I take their hands and still speaking highly of them, lead them out of the mirror and back into Lady Rose's courtyard. There all of the blue women are waiting for us. They erupt into cheers. She's won! We are free!
Lady Rose claps for us, smiling. "Well done, Piper McLean. You have proven yourself worthy of the Dove's Ring." She opens a small gilded box and passes it to me. Inside is a copper signet ring, obviously designed for a lady. The top is carved with my mother's Dove. "Now you must leave. As I understand it you and the others have a long way to go still and in so little time." Our bags appear at Rose's feet.
We say our goodbyes and exit through the hedge. We find the road again and hitch a ride to the train station. "Two down, eight to go." I say slipping the copper ring onto my hand.