A/N: Sorry it was a long time. I was too lazy to continue it. I had other ideas on my mind. But here is the chapter. In the next one things start to get interesting. But here you go!
Back in Athens, the two girls hurried through the streets. They had a hard time navigating as citizens crowded the streets. All headed for the same square at the base of the palace. An announcement was about to take place, something rare in Athens. Once in the southern end of the Plaka, the two girls halted as the street split in two. The sunk into the shadows quickly.
"I must go here," Tia whispered frantically.
"Good-bye. Same time tomorrow?" Annabeth said.
"I'll be there," Tia promised. Then she took off, as smooth and as quickly as a gazelle. Annabeth watched her disappear from view then gathered her skirts and took off down the other street.
She ran swiftly, coming up to a large beautifully designed house. It was made of white marble and the front was mostly of columns. It was surrounded by a high stone fence, but the house was still visible over top. The gates, which bore the sign of the Owl, were open wide. But Annabeth did not take the route. She ran around to the back of the house. Without pausing to think of how it would look, she scaled the wall and dropped down into the garden on the other side. Sprinting across the smooth lawn she came to a balcony overlooking it. She climbed the climbing ivy next to it and pulled herself onto the balcony.
Unlocking the door she slipped inside and closed it quietly behind her. She tossed her manuscript on the bed and pulled the linen bandanna out of her hair. Opening a wardrobe she dropped it inside. Quickly she undid the clasp on her cloak and tossed that in as well. Underneath she wore a silver silk chiton. She pulled out a pair of grey silk slippers and slipped then on her feet, tossing the dirty sandals in as well.
She plopped down on the bed and opened the manuscript to a random page just as the door to her room burst open. In strode her maid, Juniper. Juniper was a petite girl with wispy, amber coloured hair. She had deep, forest green eyes and her skin appeared to have a greenish tinge. She was wearing a green chiton and green laced sandals. She was a Dryad, a wood woman. When she saw Annabeth she stopped dead and folded her arms.
"And just where have you been?" Juniper asked her. Annabeth looked up, faking a surprised expression.
"I've been here in my room reading," Annabeth told her. Juniper rolled her eyes and walk in further.
"I've been searching all over for you, you haven't been here. Where were you?" Juniper questioned. "I have news from your mother." Annabeth eyes widened in surprise, news from her mother was either extremely good or horribly bad.
"Maybe I was in the bathroom," Annabeth said. "Now what news does my mother have for me?" Juniper sighed and sat down beside Annabeth, getting ready to tell her the news
Scarcely ten minutes before, the Lady Athena had been talking and making plans with the County in her grand hall. She was entertaining County Chris Rodriguez, with certain things in mind as she did. The County was a muscular young man, no more than eighteen. He had warm brown eyes and dark brown hair. He was dressed in a simple tunic of black and silver.
"As well as this all sounds, are you sure?" the County asked Lady Athena.
"I am not," Athena sighed. "My daughter is well past the age where most girls are wed. But she is unused to the world; she has lived her whole life in a home. She does not know of the world outside." Her grey eyes turned slightly sad at this mention of her daughter.
"I am sure in time she would get used to it," the County assured her dully.
"Perhaps, but I do not wish for her to go into this without knowing her she is to matched with," Athena said.
"Then what do you propose?"
"In a week's time, I shall throw a ball. You two can get to know each other and it will give her a chance to meet all kinds of people," Athena decided.
"I shall be there then," the County promised. "There I shall meet your very pretty daughter. Farewell, thank you for your hospitality." With that he stood and walked over to the front door. A servant opened it, and with a bow between he and Athena, he left her home. Athena let out another sigh and called for a messenger and her daughter's handmaiden. In walked Juniper and a young boy of thirteen.
"Boy, go and announce to the city that in a week's time I shall be holding a feast and ball. All but those associated with the House of Poseidon are welcome. Tell the whole city," Athena instructed the boy. He nodded and quickly left with a bow. "Juniper, go and tell my daughter about the ball and feast and that she is betrothed to the County." With a grim nod Juniper left to go and find Annabeth.
Now, much later, here Juniper was telling Annabeth the news of her betrothal. At this Annabeth's face turned ashen. Her eyes teared up, but she forced herself to not cry. Kindly she asked Juniper to leave. When she did silent tears ran down her face. She had been hoping her mother would not insist upon this. How close she been to bringing up the idea, of her maybe becoming a Hunter of Artemis. Now, here she was, betrothed.