Disclaimer: I don't own Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Chapter 6: Down to Business
Annabeth's POV
Percy and I stayed out last night sailing for two hours before we returned to our cabins. It was a beautiful night. We were back together and our bond was stronger than it had ever been. I slept incredibly last night and when I woke this morning I was ready for the day ahead. I was excited because we would be unveiling the two sailing ships that Percy designed this morning. I got ready and made my way to the Poseidon cabin to get Percy. As I approached the door it opened suddenly and standing before me smiling madly was Percy.
"Hey wise girl ready to see my two girls get unveiled?" Percy said.
"I can't believe I thought you were cheating on me when you were talking about boats." I said sarcastically.
"These aren't boats, they're ships. You see that ships are what we call sea going vessels." Percy said.
"Is this a long or a short lesson Professor Jackson." I said amusingly.
"Ha! Ha! Ha! Very funny wise girl." Percy said.
"Well, you sounded like an Athena kid for a moment." I said sarcastically.
"Let's get to the ocean before they start." Percy said as he grabbed my arm and dragged me towards the big house.
We walked passed the big house and over the hill. The ocean was beautiful this morning it was a brilliant blue-green color. A fine mist hovered over the surface and the sun shined down through the mist forming several small rainbows directly over the water. The ocean was very calm today; I guess Poseidon was giving us a great day for the unveiling. We headed for the large dry dock facility and proceeded to go inside to check on the ships. As we entered the dry dock I couldn't believe what I saw. There were two very large sailing ships inside; I didn't think they would be so big. The ships sat out of the water and you could see the long keel that extended below each vessel. The ship on the left was white with a wide green stripe on the side. The ship on the right was white with a wide blue stripe down the side. Each ship had three very large masts with impressive blue-green sails. These ships looked like they could easily hold fifty people and there appeared to be two levels under the deck. Percy and I climbed into the ship with the blue stripe to look around. We walked below decks and I noticed that there were two levels; the first level had a galley, a communications room, and a study and entertainment area. The bottom level had four rooms, each with four bunk beds per room. The ships were beautiful and the equipment aboard was state of the art.
"Percy they're beautiful." I said.
"Thank you, did you see they're names?" Percy asked.
I walked to the aft of the ship we were on and looked at the name of the ship. The ship we were on was called Aethra.
"Aethra, that's Theseus's moms name, right?" I asked.
"Sure is." Percy said.
I looked at the ship next to us and smiled when I saw the name, Sally.
"Your mom's going to love that Percy." I said.
Percy just smiled and nodded at me.
"Let's get over to the pier, I'm sure Theseus will be waiting." I said.
"I need t do something first." Percy said as he walked to the main control panel.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
'Retracting the keel, if not the ship will run aground when Theseus pulls the release on the dock." Percy said, I guess he did know what he was doing.
Once finished we both boarded the next ship and retracted the other keel as well,
We exited the dry dock and walked to the pier. Theseus was already waiting for us.
"Looks like you two have made up." Theseus said smiling.
""Yes!" Percy and I said at the same time.
"Good, I hate to see the two of you not getting along. So, Annabeth I take it that Percy showed you the ships, what do you think?" Theseus asked.
"They're beautiful, I guess seaweed brain can design ships after all." I said.
"He sure can, dad and I were here last night looking at them. Poseidon was incredibly excited. Percy, he thinks that you are going to be an incredible naval architect. We also talked and came up with an idea that I think all of the campers will love." Theseus said.
"What's that?" I asked.
"Well, I know you don't like surprises, but you're both going to have to wait a little while." Theseus said as he smiled at both of us.
"I've learned my lesson, I can wait." I said.
"Well, if you can wait, then I can." Percy said happily.
As we finished talking more and more campers started to arrive on the beach. Everyone sat in the sand near the pier. After about thirty minutes all of the campers arrived. I was still struck by how few campers we had now. We were still about one hundred campers short. I couldn't believe that we would get that many in two days, which was the official start of camp. I tried to clear my mind of worry and to focus on this happy event.
"Heroes, thank you for coming this morning. As I mentioned last night during the unveiling of the sailboat for the camp lake, we have built two ships for use along the coastal waters. These ships were designed by our own Percy Jackson." Theseus said as the campers cheered.
"Percy, as leader of Camp Half-Blood I thank you for your work and I officially unveil these beautiful ships." Theseus said as he pulled the lever on the pier. The doors to the dry dock opened and ropes and pulleys started to move. The two beautiful ships slowly slid out of the dry dock and entered the ocean adjacent to the pier. Theseus grabbed the rope to one ship and pulled it in place adjacent to the pier in front of the other ship. That would have been a feat for someone, but not for the god of heroes. The ships looked beautiful in the sun. The hulls of both ships shined a beautiful white and the blues and greens sparkled in the sunlight. The sails were not set so they hung loose, but I could imagine how beautiful they would be billowing in the sea breeze. I could hear the cheering and campers talking to each other about how great these ships were.
"One last thing, heroes." Theseus said everyone instantly became quiet when Theseus spoke.
"In honor of these ships and the new training class on sailing that Percy will start this summer, Lord Poseidon and I have devised a contest. Since we have two ships, starting this summer we will have a race at the end of the season. This race will be from our pier around Hero's Island and back. The winning team will receive a special gift from Lord Poseidon. The rules of this contest will be posted tomorrow in the mess hall, but the major rule is that this is a contest not between cabins but between a team of heroes from different cabins. I want to see how heroes from different cabins work together. Those able to compete will be the campers who pass the sailing course. Percy will provide the names of those that are passing his class two weeks before the contest. The two teams will have those two weeks to train for the race. As I said more details will be provided tomorrow. Everyone have a great day." Theseus said. As he finished all of the campers walked back to camp talking feverishly about the contest. The whole camp was excited about the race. I have to admit I was excited, but I wondered what were the other rules; I knew I would have to wait till tomorrow. I guess Percy saw me thinking.
"Wise girl, you're thinking about the race?" Percy said.
"Of course, I want to win that prize." I said.
"I'm sure you do, but you'll need to pass my class first." Percy said as he started to walk back to camp without me. I ran to catch up with him and grabbed his arm. He stopped as soon as I grabbed him.
"What do you mean if I pass?" I asked incredulously.
"Well, you have to pass you heard Theseus. I'm not going to just pass you because you're my girlfriend." Percy said.
"Why not?" I asked, I guess I should have known the answer already. Percy just raised an eyebrow and looked at me.
"First, I wouldn't be a good teacher if I just let my friends pass without actually knowing what to do. Second, this is sailing in a race and it can be dangerous, everyone has to know what their doing or someone could get hurt. Third, Theseus, Poseidon and Athena would kick my butt." Percy said defensively. I just looked at him and smiled.
"Well, I better pass on my own." I said.
Percy looked at me and smiled. "I guess I could always tutor you one on one if you need extra help." Percy said as he put his hands around my waist and leaned down and kissed me. We broke apart and I couldn't do anything, but smile back. We walked hand in hand back to camp. As we reached the training facility I stopped Percy and said, "Do you want to train?" I asked.
"That sounds great, let's go." Percy said as we walked into the training facility. Percy and I both walked into the sword-training center. Nico and Thalia were the only ones in there. I noticed Percy tense up when he saw Thalia; ah crap I thought he's going to do this now.
Percy walked over to Thalia and Nico. Nico smiled when he saw Percy, but his smile faded as he saw the angry look on Percy's face. Thalia was frozen, I could see her trying to look at Percy in the face, but I could only imagine what his eyes looked like at that moment. I walked over and stood next to Thalia hoping that Percy would calm down.
"Thalia, I think you owe me an apology." Percy said matter-of-factly.
Thalia looked at Percy in the face and I saw the anger in his eyes fade, I guess Thalia saw this because she said, "Percy, I'm so sorry for doubting you and for causing Annabeth to doubt you."
Percy just looked at her and a smile slowly formed on his face. Then he began to laugh, it was an angry laugh, but one I could recognize anywhere, it was pure amusement. Thalia's eyes narrowed and I could see a frown form on her face.
"You played me, didn't you?" Thalia accused.
"Like my guitar, pine cone face." Percy said with amusement in his voice. Nico started to laugh until Thalia punched him hard in the arm.
"Ow! What was that for?" Nico said painfully.
"That's for laughing, dead boy." Thalia said as she gave Nico the death glare.
I couldn't help myself so I started to laugh, everyone stared at me and Thalia said, "What's so funny brain?"
"This whole bantering around. I should have known that Percy couldn't be that mad at you, but that look on your face Thalia it was priceless." I said.
"I guess it must have been." Thalia said as she began to laugh too.
"Do you all want to train with us?" Nico asked, still rubbing his bruised arm.
"Sounds good to me." I said as I looked at Percy. Percy smiled and then nodded in agreement.
"One condition." Percy said.
"What condition?" Thalia, Nico and I asked at the same time.
"Three on one." Percy said. We all looked at Percy stunned.
"You want to fight the three of us?" Thalia asked. I was stunned too, I knew Percy was good, but he couldn't beat the three of us.
"Yes, I've been working with Theseus on a few new techniques." Percy said.
"What kind of techniques?" I asked.
"You'll see if you three aren't too scared that is?" Percy said. I was mad now, I looked at Thalia and Nico; I could tell they were ready to teach the old seaweed brain a lesson of their own.
"We're ready." I challenged.
"Good, let's limber up first, you wouldn't want to cramp up in the middle of a fight, would you?" Percy said.
I was mad now, he's acting so nonchalant, he's going to get it, I thought.
Thalia, Nico and I did our stretching exercises that Chiron had taught us, but when I looked at Percy, he was just sitting on the floor with his legs crossed.
The three of us just stood there and looked at him. Percy closed his eyes and I felt the humidity get pulled out of the room. It became really dry in the room, except for one place. Around Percy a mist was forming and then it started to close in around Percy's body. Then the mist seemed to get pulled into Percy's body. It was incredible I didn't know he could do that. Percy continued to concentrate and I noticed that his skin on his arms and face at least the areas that were visible started to change slightly and become a little darker color almost like he just got a deeper tan, it was definitely weird. Then Percy opened his eyes abruptly and jumped up to his feet in one motion. He took out Riptide and it sprang to life, he was ready I guess.
"Ready?" Percy asked.
Thalia, Nico and I just looked at each other. I could tell that our determination was a little less after what we just saw.
"Yeah, we're ready." I said hopefully.
Aegis exploded open from Thalia's wrist and she held her spear, I took out my knife and Nico held out his sword. We were ready, I guess.
Thalia roared forward first she tried to strike with her spear, but Percy extend his shield just in time to block her. Thalia swiped from the other direction with Aegis, but Percy had already moved in the other direction. He lifted his left leg and with an incredibly quick motion kicked Thalia in the shin. Her momentum carried her forward and she ran into a workout dummy hard. I could tell that she had the wind knocked out of her. I could tell Nico was mad now, he ran forward with his sword, Percy blocked the attack. Percy tried to swipe Nico with his shield, but Nico was ready. Nico ducked under the shield and tried to punch Percy in the stomach. Percy just stood there and let Nico hit him. I thought he was crazy for a moment and then Nico connected with Percy's stomach, I closed my eyes. I heard a scream of pain and a sword hit the ground. I looked up and Nico had dropped his sword and he was clutching his hand in pain. Percy turned and hit Nico with the butt of his sword and Nico lay on the ground unconscious. Thalia charged from behind Percy when she saw Nico fall. Percy sidestepped her attack and tripped her. Thalia fell forward and I caught her. That was enough for me, I charged with my knife and Percy easily blocked my strike. He swung his shield, but I ducked and before Percy could kick me, I jabbed my elbow towards his ribs. I connected and it felt like hitting concrete. I dropped my knife and grabbed my elbow in pain. That was all the distraction that Percy needed, he moved forward and tapped the side of my forehead. My vision blurred and I passed out onto the mat.
I woke up about an hour later with a huge headache. At first I didn't recognize where I was. Then I remembered, I was lying down in the medical treatment portion of the training facility. The walls were white with medical posters and three medical beds. I noticed that Nico and Thalia were there on either side of me. I heard yelling out in the hallway and then I realized it was Theseus. He was really mad.
"What in Hades were you thinking? You can't fight fellow campers with those techniques, you could have really hurt someone." Theseus said.
"Theseus, I'm sorry I thought I could control my intensity. I just wanted to try out the new techniques. You know I wouldn't want to hurt anyone especially them." Percy said worriedly.
"Percy, you are a son of Poseidon and I have taught you things that no other son of Poseidon has ever known except me. These techniques I've learned over three thousand years. They can make you incredibly strong, but they also make you powerful, very powerful. You have to save these techniques until they're really needed. You can train with me, but you have to fight normally around fellow campers, alright?" Theseus said anxiously.
"I'm so sorry, I promise I won't use them against campers. Its just that it feels so incredible to use them and to feel the power within me." Percy said. What power is he talking about?
"Percy, you are my little brother and more importantly you remind me of myself, so much. I don't want you to make my mistakes, alright?" Theseus said sincerely.
"Thank you and I promise to be careful, if anything ever happened to my friends because of me I don't know if I could live with myself." Percy said.
"Exactly, think about that and just make sure this never happens again." Theseus said.
The door handle turned and opened. Percy walked in followed by Theseus.
I sat up and winced in pain when I touched my elbow.
"Ow! That hurts like Hades." I said.
Percy was there in an instant.
"I'm so sorry, this is all my fault. I shouldn't have fought the three of you." Percy said emphatically.
"What happened?" I asked curiously.
"My little brother got a little carried away with some fighting techniques that I taught him." Theseus said.
"Are Thalia and Nico going to be alright?" I asked.
"Well, Thalia has a concussion and Nico has some bruises on his head and a broken hand." Theseus said.
"How did that happen?" I asked.
"Well, I guess I got a little carried away." Percy said, I could tell that he felt terrible because he wouldn't look in my eyes when he talked.
"How?" I asked.
Theseus looked at me and then at Percy. Percy nodded and said, "Tell her."
"Tell me what?" I asked.
"Percy has learned some techniques that no one other than I know. These techniques use the special powers available to certain sons of Poseidon, like Percy and I." Theseus said.
"What kind of special powers?" I asked curiously.
"You see that my early training with Percy centered around focusing his inner power to control his ADHD and his focus. This has allowed him to do better in school and has made him more efficient in battle. However, there are other ways to use these powers. As a son of Poseidon we can breathe underwater, use the ocean currents to propel us at incredible speed, use the water to heal, and use the water to hurt or kill." Theseus said with dread in his voice.
"I taught Percy how to make his body extremely strong." Theseus said.
"How strong, like he can lift a thousand pounds?" I asked.
"Not that kind of strength although we can use the water in our body and around us to train, strengthen and tone muscles. However, the strength I'm talking about is the skin and bone. You see deep sea creatures have very strong bones and skin in order to survive the incredible water pressure. I taught Percy how to make his body strong like a deep sea fish. So strong in fact that if you hit him it can feel like " Theseus said before I cut him off by saying, "Concrete!"
Theseus looked at me and smiled. "Yes, concrete would be a good comparison." Theseus said.
"What about the speed?" I asked.
"What do you mean?" Theseus asked.
"Come on, the speed that you and Percy have. You have the quickest reflexes I have ever seen." I said.
"As a son of Poseidon and since all our bodies are made of water, even those of a god, you see gods have about twenty percent water in they're blood. Percy has more and therefore that is why his powers over water are stronger than mine now. Water can have incredible speed and is in constant motion. Water can be a vapor, a solid or a liquid. This constant motion of molecules can be controlled to make you faster and more agile. At least for someone with Percy's abilities." Theseus said.
"So Percy you never told me about this." I said anxiously.
"I'm sorry, it's not something that's easy to explain that's why I just let Theseus do it. I only know that I can do it, I really don't know all of the ins and outs, yet." Percy said.
"That's why you don't need to be practicing against campers, little brother." Theseus said disappointedly.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't know this would happen." Percy said, I could tell that he was sincere and something else. I think he was scared.
"Percy, I think you should go to the mess hall for dinner now. Annabeth will be fine actually I want to talk to her." Theseus said.
Percy looked at me and then kissed me on the head and walked out.
"Again I'm sorry that this happened. I thought Percy was mature enough to use his power. I guess I was wrong." Theseus said.
"He's really sacred isn't he?" I asked.
"You have no idea, when the thought of really hurting you and others finally hit him. He was like a little boy. He cried on my shoulder for five minutes straight. He has grown a lot over the last several years, but he can still act like a seaweed brain sometimes. He'll need you to help him grow up just like you need him to help you trust." Theseus said.
"Theseus, I understand if he can be there for me I will be there for him. Is this what you wanted to talk to me about?" I asked
"No, there is a more pressing issue. Like camp attendance. I know we have another full day until the official camp start date, but recent information has made me alter my opinion. Before I came here I had an IM message with Grover. He was in upstate New York on a mission to bring a young daughter of Demeter to camp. It should have been a routine mission, but Grover said that as he was about to approach the girl a van ran up along side her and two men forcibly subdued her and they drove off with her. He said the license plate was unmarked. I have also heard other similar reports from other satyrs in the last few hours. It appears that someone is capturing young demigods. Most have been first year kids, the easiest to target and capture. Since you were the first to suspect something I wanted to tell you this first. I will let the rest of camp know at dinner tonight. Please stay here and get better, Argus will drop off food for the three of you. I will leave Thalia and Nico in your care until I return." Theseus said, then he disappeared in a golden light.
Someone is grabbing young demigods, who could it be? I was right something was going on. I looked at Thalia and Nico beside me they were still asleep. I didn't envy the headache they would have when they awoke. I sat there near them still trying to fathom who would be stealing young half-bloods. A thought that reminded me of my time as a young demigod trying to get to camp with Luke and Thalia. I knew I had to help find these kids.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter, so I wonder who is grabbing young first year half-bloods.
