There once was a mortal; His name was Rick.

He owned PJO…That's about it.

Chapter 4: Growing up Londinium

A few minutes after the ship docked, I walked out of the harbor. The weather was chilly even though it was afternoon, and I was thankful for the traveling robe the captain had given me. I decided to head into the market, as a few things had to be done.

First, I had a proper breakfast. Eating fish for ten days straight for all three meals had killed my appetite for them. I settled for a small corner where stalls were put up. As soon as my food was ready, I inhaled the smoked meat within minutes.

"Where's the nearest thermae?" I asked the man while paying him. He pointed to an alley as he counted his money. I started walking.

"Buy some lessons in street etiquette with the change miss" he laughed.

"Change?" I looked back, confused.

"There's no change!" he said. "Come back soon!"

After navigating for fifteen more minutes, I finally reached the bathhouse. It was a small establishment, and thankfully there was no crowd.

"Ahhhh" I sighed, stepping into the warm bath of fresh water. No more sea voyages, I promised myself. Not for this goddess!

As I relaxed, I began thinking ahead.

Next, I had to seek out the son of Poseidon. Old Tobias had told me that he lived close to the shores of Chania. I had assumed it won't be hard to find him. But as soon as I saw the shores of Chania, my mind changed.

Then what? You grovel at his feet to help you? taunted the voice in my head.

No, I thought back. I ask him nicely for his help. If he doesn't want to help me, I'll respect his decision and move on.

Pathetic! the voice snorted. Look at you! A goddess of Olympus-

Look, you got a better plan?

She said nothing.

I thought not.

You still haven't found him yet, she pointed out.

"Hopefully the kind locals will help me find him," I muttered.

"Hey girl, get out of there already!" yelled the old woman running the bathhouse. I sighed. It was going to be a long day.

Line Break

Indeed. Minus a surprise.

"Do you know a fisherman named Trent?" I asked a small boy sitting on a barrel, playing with a fishing hook. He looked up and stared at me.

"No," he replied.

The sun was just about to set. My legs ached as I walked through the alley, hauling my heavy bag on my shoulder. My stomach growled as I hadn't had anything to eat since breakfast. My hair had fallen loose, and I hadn't bothered to tie it.

Men stared at me as I walked past, which made me feel insecure. I was a lone girl, wandering empty streets. It wasn't a problem before, but now I realized what it felt like to be mortal, young, and vulnerable.

Sister? A voice spoke in my head. My eyes widened.

"APOLLO?" I said aloud.

Shhh! Wait, you can hear me?

Obviously? I replied, confused.

Interesting… Are you okay little sister?

I was born first! I argued, for the zillionth time.

Hmm. Maybe.

Yes Apollo, I sighed. I'm doing okay. Glad you could find time to contact me.

It's not like that. Most gods can't speak to you. I had to come to Delos…

Brother, I interrupted him. Is it true? Did Helios really…?

He said nothing for a few moments. I thought I lost him.

Yeah, he replied, in a morbid voice. The night before yesterday. Aunt Selene hasn't left her palace. Hera and Demeter are tending to her day and night. Listen, tell me about you. I don't have much time. Where are you? How have you been?

I filled him in. I half-expected him to start laughing after hearing my plan. But what he said next took me by surprise.

Be careful Artemis. I don't trust Poseidon. Nor any demigod.

I turned around an alley and saw a bunch of teen boys painting a wall. I heard loud footsteps. The boys looked at me.

I will, I promised Apollo. But right now, I have to go.

I love you sis. Don't die.

One of the boys approached me. He held something behind him. I wondered what it was before the realization hit me.

"Don't you dare!"

But it was too late. He splashed red paint all over my white chiton. Before I could do anything, the boys took to their heels.

You asked for this! I got ready to chase them.

"Now what have we here?" mused a voice behind me.

I slowly turned around, to face a squad of Minoan soldiers.

They were wearing black Greek armor, carrying a sheathed sword and a spear. Most of them looked tired, while others were staring at me. Some of them wore helmets, while others did not.

"Rebel scum caught red-handed," continued the man who had earlier spoken. He wore a patch over his left eye and had a scar across his face. Others around him stared at me, making me uncomfortable.

"No officer, there must be a mistake," I said earnestly. "I am no rebel, I'm just trying to find-"

"Nonsense!" he said loudly, pointing at the rebel graffiti on the wall. "The evidence points right to you!"

"I wasn't the one who did it, Officer! The kids-"

"Women!" he bellowed. "They think if they use women then we won't hurt them? I'll show them. Bind her boys! Do with her as you please!"

Two of the soldiers stepped forward. I calmed my breathing. There wasn't a chance in Hades I was going to lose this fight.

Three, counted the voice in my head.

Two, I thought back, in agreement.

One-

"There you are!"

The soldiers turned, so did their captain.

"I've been looking all over the place!" said the same voice. "How the hell did you even get lost in a small town like this?"

I saw him for the first time, as he walked up to me with a smile on his face. The boy from my dream earlier.

Trent.

The dim light of the alley shined upon his face. He had unruly jet-black hair and a healthy complexion. His jawline was narrow and well-defined. But what struck me was his eyes.

Poseidon's eyes.

But unlike my uncle, his eyes lacked any mirth. Still, he was looking at me and smiling. His eyes were sending me a clear message. Play along.

"You know her?" the captain asked him bitterly.

"Yes Captain," he addressed the captain. "She's a cousin from overseas. Just came here this morning."

"What happened to your dress?" he asked me. Then he looked at the wall beside me.

"Well?" the captain questioned. "What do you have to say now, Trent?"

Trent did nothing at first. He just stared first at me, then the painting on the wall, and the captain. I was starting to get really uncomfortable now, with all the eyes fixed either on him or me.

Then suddenly he stepped forward and raised his right hand. The captain's eyes grew wide and the soldiers behind him began pointing their spears at him. Before they could do anything, he snapped his fingers.

Interesting, said the voice in my head.

"This is a misunderstanding," he said in a commanding voice. "She was framed by the rebels. You are not after her."

The captain and his men looked dizzy. A second later, they gave the nod and lowered their spears.

"Well, sirs?" Trent said, this time in a confused voice. "Aren't you going to chase them? I think they went that way."

"Do not presume to tell us what to do fisherman," the captain snapped, putting extra malice on the last word. "And get out of my sight, both of you!"

Trent slowly gave him a bow and hurried towards me. He grabbed my hand and we quickly walked past the Minoan soldiers. I wanted to say something to him, thank him at least. I had planned this meeting!

"Trent I-"

"Keep walking."

We walked through a labyrinth of alleys, making turns and avoiding more Minoan soldiers. I was silently cursing the Fates in my mind. This moment was supposed to be crucial! It would decide whether he'd help me or not, and they had messed it up.

After what seemed like an eternity, we made a turn and came to a small complex of closely-built houses, which looked like they had stood there for a thousand years. Fishing nets and rods covered the window, and a dog was sleeping on the doormat. At the sound of the moment, his head perked up.

"Quiet now Sirius," Trent said. "We don't want to wake up our neighbors."

He opened the door and gestured for me to step inside. I did as I was told.

I am not going to lie. The place was small and ugly. All sorts of fishing equipment covered the wall, and a smoldering fire burned in a corner. There were barrels on which clothes were stacked in the most untidy manner and a sink on the ground where dishes lay unwashed. It was the definition of tardiness and disgust. Worst of all, it reeked of the sea.

Trent closed the door behind me and seated himself on a barrel next to him.

"Well, I'm guessing you're not a rebel?" he questioned.

I slowly pulled out the letter from my chiton's fold and handed it to him. He stared at me for a second with curious eyes, before taking and opening it.

The next few minutes were filled with utter silence. I could hear the gentle hum of the sea waves crashing on the shores. Out of the window corner, I saw a strix owl sitting on a roof staring at me. Trent read the letter, paying no attention to any of my moments. I asked him if I could have any water, and he pointed at a pot without looking up.

Another few minutes passed, and I was nervous. What's taking him so long? I thought to myself. Wait, can he even read it? I was starting to wonder if he was having trouble deciphering the letter when he closed it.

"What is your name?" he finally asked me.

Be careful Artemis, I remembered Apollo's words from earlier that day.

"Jo," I lied.

"Jo...let me guess, Jody? Josephine? Joaquina? Jo-"

"Jocasta," I replied, a little annoyed.

"Funny name."

"You're one to talk, flooder."

He chuckled. I took this as a good sign.

"Well Jocasta," he said. "You must be tired. Rest tonight, we'll discuss this matter tomorrow."

Hello there! What took me so long huh? Well, this chapter sets the mood for the rest of the plot, so I took my time with it. Hopefully, it turns out okay. Anddddd my exams just ended!

To the guest reviewer from the last chapter, who complimented my description of the Golden Age, thank you so much. I wish you'd make an account, that way we could converse more!

To KryptonJoyWrites (check out his prophecies guys, he'd make the Oracle blush!) I know I should probably cut down the Line Breaks and the use of italics for dreams and flashbacks, but I kind of decided on a writing format for this fic, and I'm sticking to it. But thanks for the suggestion, I'll consider it for the next chapters.

Growing up Londinium by Daniel Pemberton.