Yeah, February... Well, life got in the way. Particularly university. I really can't believe it's April already, I've developed an ability to procrastinate in absolutely every aspect of my life. But sad real life stories aren't what you're here for. Please enjoy the new chapter!

PJO belongs to Uncle Rick.

Percy couldn't deny that having the Duchess on his side was relieving. And enlightening.

She had begun to take her sword-fighting classes seriously, possibly because of the previous event, and she was indeed becoming better each day.

She also proved a valuable assess concerning tactical decisions. Her brain worked in mysterious ways, but it was surely a welcome second opinion. She could think objectively, and it led to wise choices on her behalf.

Three days he enjoyed the momentarily truce, until the small post they had been waiting for appeared, a tiny figure in the distance.

The Blackjack had taken an ugly hit and could withstand no more traveling without repair. This town was home to the best mechanic Percy could think of, and thus he found himself docking his ship one sunny afternoon.

"Nico," he called. "Fetch Beckendorf and show him what happened. We need this ship fixed as soon as possible."

The boy nodded and ran off.

"The rest of you," he pointed to the south. "Let's get settled, we might be here for a good few days."

The bar, which also served as a motel of sorts, was still not crowded. Percy guessed even thugs waited for the sun to set before drowning their troubles in various alcohols.

He knocked on the door marked for "personnel only", and walked right in.

"Why if it isn't Perry Johnson," a slurry voice sneered. "Oh, of course, it's Captain now, isn't it?"

"It's been for a while, Mr D," Percy smiled ruefully. "But thank you for taking notice. It's quite a feat for us sea people."

Another voice chuckled benevolently on the corner. A middle aged man stepped into the light and put a hand on Percy's shoulder.

"I have heard you have encountered some trouble with your Uncle, am I right?"

"As always, Chiron," Percy grinned.

Chiron was a tutor who had suffered an accident, making him incapacitated to move his legs. With the help of crutches he went on, but he had decided to abandon teaching to set a place, a safe haven of sorts, in this dingy outpost.

"I do wonder how you hear news so quickly," Percy asked. "After all, only my uncle and I know, and we have arrived not an hour ago!"

"I have my ways," the old man shrugged at ease. "Now come, my boy. I expect I'll be making a few rooms ready."

Percy gave the order for his men (and women as had been pointed out to him before) to take the night off. The crew was expected to return the following day at midday. Unless, of course some unexpected event required of their assistance.

As it was, barely after dinner, the Captain of the Blackjack found himself seated with the former tutor.

"I didn't kidnap them!" he insisted as he recounted the events leading to hi ship's attack. "I made a deal with them."

"A deal? Is it wise to call it a deal when you cornered them into agreeing?" the man wondered, not unkindly.

Percy huffed. His choice of actions had already started to eat his conscience these past few days. He had ignored the bite of regret at first, seeing his new recruits happy had made him feel like they were there by choice, rather than obligation. After the attack he realised how dangerous the situation actually was.

"Point is," Percy continued. "That Uncle Zeus is after me because he couldn't keep his kid under control."

Chiron weighted the information for a few seconds, before allowing a fond smile to graze his lips, "You, and your cousins as well, have a certain knack to break the rules and follow your own paths."

The young man shrugged, "We don't like to be told what to do. But, Chiron, this is serious, my uncle I can deal with…"

"Not with both him and your grandfather."

Percy stared at him in disbelief, "How can you possibly know?"

"Like I said before, lad," Chiron smiled. "I have my ways. I can offer to pacify your uncle for a while. It might buy you a couple of days, at most. Your grandfather, though, you must face by yourself."

"All alone? He'll massacre us!"

"Then make a deal with your uncle. What's more, make a deal with both your uncles. Then you will be powerful enough to face the old crook," Chiron suggested.

Percy tried hard not to roll his eyes, "You know perfectly well what they both think of me. They won't let me close to them, much less will they allow me to strike a deal with them."

"Perhaps not you in person, but you have ways to make you listen in your power," the tutor thought for half a minute. "Maybe talking about it as tools is wrong. Your cousins can help you, Percy. Don't try to hold the weight of the world in your shoulders, lad, it's all right to need help. In the meanwhile, there's someone who may be able to give you a hand."

That got Percy's attention, "Who?"

"Another of your many relatives is around," the man pointed out. "She's the reason I know about your grandfather, she witnessed what happened, sought me out as soon as possible. I don't think she knew it was you who was attacked, that day."

"She came to you?" Percy asked, confusion shinning bright in his eyes. Then his eyes widened, "I didn't mean to say you can't do anything, it's just… you told me not two minutes ago that you couldn't help…"

Chiron chuckled amusedly, "I take no offense, son. She came here because… how did she say it?"

" 'You're the only one who is bound to move a finger to stop this menace, any other person in this God forsaken family will ignore the threat until it's too late. It's the only thing they know how to do: hide'," quoted Mr D's slurry voice from his desk.

"Ah, Dionysus, you're awake," Chiron said cheerfully. "Thank you. Yes, that was how she paraphrased it."

"You're suggesting I pay her a visit?" Percy urged him. "Is it safe?"

"She wouldn't harm you without a cause," the old man assured him. "Be certain to take at least a girl, to put her at ease."

"I'll go tomorrow," the Captain decided. "I'll call an early night, tonight. I'll need my brain working well if I'll talk to her, of all people."

I'd be totally grateful if you can spare a minute to give any suggestions (or tell me if I made some mistake, grammar is not my forte) :)

Have a lovely day!

-B