Chapter 3: Betrayal

Percy did not know it but the minute he walked off the Princess Andromeda to see Kronos would change his life forever. Truthfully, if Percy knew it then he would sink with the ship rather than take a single step off it. Of course Percy could not see into the future so he was oblivious to the events that were about to occur. The only thing Percy had going through his mind at the time was how much this Kronos guy made his stomach curl. Luke just mentioning Kronos made Percy's guts say something is wrong about Kronos for some reason. It's like he's met Kronos before but Percy does not recall meeting anyone by the name of Kronos.

"If I read his shorthand correctly, Kronos must be at his headquarters." Luke squinted at a wrinkly paper he was reading from what Percy figured was from Kronos himself. They were walking off the plank to some huge Spanish city Percy couldn't pronounce. All the buildings were made from clay and sparkling white. Many people that walked the stoned streets were purple clothed, blonde haired and blue eyed. Luke sort of blended in with the crowds but Ethan with his eye patch and Percy raggedy clothing, they stood out. Percy could feel the townspeople walking him. Percy defiantly did not belong here.

"I hate this place." Ethan said after many minutes of wandering about. For once, Percy could not agree more with him. "Why couldn't we have a place like Nassau like the pirates do?"

"Because we aren't criminals." Luke responded.

Ethan shrugged "Still, I feel out of place here."

"I used to grow up here you know—"

"But I didn't!"

"Are we there yet?" Percy blurted out. He really didn't want Luke and Ethan to get sidetracked here. For some reason he wanted to get the meeting with Kronos over with, the mention of Kronos made him anxious.

"Oi!" Luke looked around. "I think we are." They were standing around a building that read CHASE'S LODGINGS painted on a wood sign above the door.

"Finally…" Ethan groaned. Luke pushed open the door and they all stepped inside. It was a simple lobby area with a counter, some couches scattered about, and a clay stove off to the corner.

"Luke, it's been a while hasn't it?" a man standing behind the counter smiled dryly.

"Far too long…" Luke tipped his hat.

"Annabeth would like to see you." The man said.

Luke shook his head "I'm here for strictly business, Mr. Chase."

The man got the message "He's in his usual room then. Make sure your first mate and cabin boy here cause any trouble. I don't like violence in my inn."

"Don't worry about that sir." Luke proceeded down the hallway to the valley of rooms like he's been here many of times before. Percy followed with no question. So Luke knew the innkeeper her and it sounded like someone else too. Maybe it is true that Luke used to live here. This city was way better than the one Percy grew up in. Some people, Percy guessed, were born lucky like that.

"Here it is." Luke stopped in front of a door that looked like the same from the other rows of doors. Percy noticed a small detail that made this door different though. There was a cross engraved with a knife near the doorknob. Percy knew it wasn't a cross for Christianity though. Luke opened the door to a dark room. Ethan and Luke entered it with ease but Percy knew something wasn't right.

"Kronos?" Luke called out. "Uh, is it normal for the room to be this dark?" Percy asked. The whole room was pitch black. He knew Luke and Ethan were ahead off him but he couldn't see them. They were stumbling around in the darkness.

"Yes," Ethan started to explain "Kronos does not let anyone to—" Ethan voice went muffled. Percy started to panic, he knew from the start something wasn't right.

"Ethan?!" Luke yelped for his friend.

"I think someone's here." Percy put out his hand to try and be near Luke who was more experienced in these situations but couldn't seize ahold of him.

"Aye," Luke agreed "It's not Kronos."

"We need to—!" Percy tried to come up with a plan but someone yanked his arm behind him and put a rag between his teeth. Percy did not know who it was but he knew his capturer smelled like rum and rotting meat.

"Percy!" Luke yelled out. His voice started to strain. Was the great captain starting to crack under panic? Was he afraid of being alone? "It's been a long time, Backbiter." Percy's capturer growled.

"You…" Luke recognized the voice in seconds. "How did you find this place?"

"Oh, ye lot aren't very stealthy when walking through here. All I had to do was pay the wealthy men some gold to tell you off. They can recognize an outsider when they see one."

"Where's Kronos?" Luke demanded.

"Out, I guess." He answered.

"Kronos can't just be—"

"Maybe something came up that was more important than you, Backbiter." Percy's capturer put a knife to Percy's throat. Percy tried hard not to swallow hard. The sharp object glazed his skin. "You should worry bout your comrades, Backbiter. This one is particular seems to be tender."

"I'll—"

"You what? Kill me? That's never worked for you before."

"Where's Ethan?" Luke demanded to know. "I'll pay you to let both of them go."

"Bribery?" he laughed. "I have more gold than I could count. What do I want with just even more gold when I'm already wealthy?"

"Gold is gold."

"How about I just kill both of them?" The knife pressed more against Percy's throat. "I can use their bones as char and guts for meat."

"You're disgusting."

"Also, why would I just leave Kronos's hideout? Kronos has been causing nothin' but trouble for us."

"I'll pay you more than it's worth to kill Kronos."

"How immoral do ya think I am? Killing Kronos will be priceless. No gold can buy me from killing that monster."

"Pirates cannot deny a good bargain." Luke stated.

The man grunted and thought for a long time "Fine… but if it is a bargain you want; we're playing by my rules. I'll take one hundred gold coins and this boy. I'll leave then."

"You are not taking my Helmsman!" Luke pouted.

"It's that or Ethan and Kronos dies and you too. So would you rather run away with your tail between your legs with your first mate or give up your life?" Percy squirmed. He objected to this idea. What was his capturer going to do to him if Luke accepts? No, Luke handles many tough situations. He can get them out of this.

Luke was silent for a long time

"For Jaysus's sake Luke! Percy's not worth it!" Ethan cried out but was muffled again. Percy blinked. Ethan was going to a sacrifice him so they could get off as free as birds? His blood boiled. Percy did not come here by choice. Luke made him.

"Percy?" the man voice echoed softly "It's my final offer, Backbiter."

"If I wasn't in darkness I would slit your throat right now. But as usual, my hands are tied, Blackbeard…" Luke dropped down some gold coins "Here, now let my first mate go."

"Excellent choice…" Blackbeard chuckled like he knew something. Percy knew the infamous pirate, Blackbeard and he defiantly didn't want to be in the hands of him.