Chapter II-
Percy and Annabeth stared at the newcomer.
"But that's impossible," She said. "There are no Egyptian demigods. The Egyptians didn't have demigod children like the Greeks."
Enrique's nostril's flared and he glared at Chiron, as if to say, "That is my point!"
"Of course the Egyptians had demigod children like the Greek gods. They were just another form of the Greek gods, like the Romans. The first time Typhon attempted to destroy the gods, most of them ran off to Egypt, where they took on new shapes. Hermes became my father, Anubis, for example."
"But then why are there no stories of Egyptian demigods?" She countered. Enrique scowled, but said nothing. Instead, Chiron took over.
"Annabeth, when Rome conquered Egypt, there was a war between the demigods of those two nations. When the Romans emerged victorious, they inflicted a heavy punishment of the Egyptians for resisting them. They decreed that the deeds of the Children of Egypt would become forgotten, that the entire pantheon of demigods would fade into obscurity, and never again would the son or daughter of an Egyptian deity be recognized for what they did. And so, no stories of them exist to this day."
"That sounds harsh," Percy said.
"Harsh?" Enrique spat. "Yes, I think so."
"So what are your demands?" Annabeth asked, although she had an idea.
"My kind recognizes the stirrings of Mother Earth, although we know the Earth as Geb, a male god. We know the threat that she poses, to all of us. We know that you could greatly use our numbers and abilities to help overcome her. But we will refuse to do so until our curse is lifted. To add a bit of weight to our argument, we will wage war on your camp unless you meet our demands."
"That's not fair," Percy muttered.
"Want to talk to me about fairness, Son of Poseidon?" Enrique asked dangerously. "So what will it be Chiron?"
"You know as well as I do that we do not have the authority to revoke your curse. I don't know why you are talking to me. You should be talking to the Romans."
"My kind will do no more direct dealings with the Romans than we would with any of our enemies. Do not try to fool me, Chiron. I know that you carry weight in the Roman hierarchy. You have the ability to influence them to revoke it if you wanted to."
"I am sorry, but I am not able to." Chiron said calmly. Percy had no idea what he was playing at. Wouldn't it be easier just to say yes? From what he had heard, the Egyptians were putting up a pretty decent offer. But Chiron did not apparently see what he saw, or maybe he saw more that Percy did.
"Then you leave me no choice. This has become a declaration of war." Enrique said, obviously holding his rage inside. He snatched the parchment and turned his back for a moment to collect his walking stick. When he turned around, he saw Chiron aiming a bow and arrow at his chest.
"I am afraid that I can not allow you to walk out of this house, in that case." Chiron said softly. Percy was surprised at the threat. It seemed unlike Chiron.
"What is the difference between one and the other?" Enrique asked. "To kill me is as good as to send a declaration of war yourself." Chiron did not answer. Percy looked at Annabeth, who pulled her knife out. Percy, unwilling to feel left out, uncapped Riptide.
"Very well," Enrique said slowly, and his walking stick began to change. It became a black scepter made of some kind of ore. At the top, there was delicately carved the head of a dog-like creature with glowing gem blue eyes.
"The Was scepter," Annabeth breathed in a shocked tone. Percy couldn't blame her surprise, though if he had no idea what a was was. If that made sense. Only Chiron didn't seem surprised.
"That is not my only trick," Enrique said calmly. He looked up, and the black garment he was wearing that Percy had mistaken for a cape unfolded and extended into a pair of large, feathered wings. All of their eyes widened.
"I'm sure you've heard of the curse? 'Death will come on swift wings'? Well, I am that death on swift wings. So stand down, or face my wrath." Enrique said, and if Percy didn't know any better, he would say that the messenger was enjoying himself.
"Not likely," He countered, and ran at Enrique.