Colors flashed by in frightening explosions. Voices echoed all around her but the words were unintelligible. Cold and heat bombarded her at various intervals and intensity. For one long moment she feared she would throw up.
Out of the corners of her eyes she saw hundreds if not thousands of galaxies or worlds pass by, but when she tried to look directly at them they disappeared.
Perhaps she should have inquired more of what to expect when she walked through. Would she even make it to the world she planned to go to? Or would she fall forever? She hoped not, the sensation did not appeal to her.
Then without warning she crashed through a barrier of some sort going from air to water within seconds. The changed shocked her some and had she not had the ability to breath under water she likely would have drowned. As it stood it took a good few minutes for her to realize which way would take her to the surface.
Finally her head popped above water and she took a few deep breaths to recover those knocked out of her. She was in a fairly deep rived considering her feet didn't touch bottom. It also spanned a good portion of the land. Turning around she took in the trees lining the banks, untouched by man. The sky had started shifting from day into night, pinks, oranges and purples slicing through the clear blue. Even the smell was different. Nothing on her world had ever smelled so fresh, not even the Camps, which were protected by magic.
She searched the banks for a good place to climb out as she tread, but she wasn't even sure which bank she should make for. The decision however was made for her.
"I believe this is the side you wish to disembark on my dear." The voice had her spinning in the water to find an older man in grey robes and a grey hat leaning on a large staff.
"And why is that, sir," she questioned not sure if this was who Janus had sent her too. Her life had taught her to be cautious in trusting others.
"Because I am the wizard Janus spoke of. My name is Gandalf," he introduced. "And you are Percia Jackson, daughter of Poseidon, god of the oceans of Earth. We have a similar destination in common."
"Okay then," she acknowledged before swimming over to his side of the river. Of course she would still keep an eye on him, but for now she followed the other.
He lowered his staff to help pull her out, which didn't take much considering her small size. Once on dry land she thanked him waving away the towel he offered her.
"My that is a useful trick," he mused when he noted she was actually bone dry despite her swim.
"It comes in handy," she remarked playfully. "So I was informed there was a group with you heading to this mountain with the dragon?"
"Indeed. A group of thirteen Dwarves and one Hobbit," he informed her. "The Dwarves go to reclaim their home from Smaug, the dragon, while Bilbo, our Hobbit is going to assist them in their venture."
Percia frowned as she thought over the information. "Will I be welcome to join them on their journey or will I need to find my own way? I am under the impression most males of this realm feel females to be useless except in the home."
"I have already informed the leader Thorin of your impending arrival," he stated skimming her question. "He knows that you will be able to assist us in this venture. Though I should warn you Dwarves are very secretive and distrustful of strangers, once they get to know you they will warm up to your presence."
"Great," she muttered dryly not looking forward to this. At least she had an idea how to handle the Dwarves. She'd just treat them like she did the members of the Ares' Cabin.
Trailing after the wizard she hung back slightly as they broke through the trees to find a large group of males around a camp. She saw a large red headed Dwarf cooking dinner over a fire. Another Dwarf, with a strange hat and long mustache, helping him. To another side sat three older Dwarves, one with reddish brown hair and an amazing beard speaking to a grey haired one that had similar features and a horn to his ear, the last just whittled away at a block of wood, the end of a nasty looking axe stuck in his head. Towards the other end of camp were three others, one with a bowl shaped hair style, another with a strange tri-star style and the last with elaborate braids fussing over the first and snipping at the second. Two younger and rather handsome dwarves were pestering a small child like male, though his features showed more aging than the other two. They reminded her greatly of the Stoll brothers, which could be bad. The final three approached Gandalf. One was bald with a dark beard and dangerous looking axes, as tall as her. Another was about a head shorter with white hair and beard with a kind grandfatherly face. The last though was one of import. He carried himself much like Triton did, so she assumed he was a leader if not a king. He had long black hair with grey streaks and a close-cropped beard. He also could come close to matching her in height, maybe even a slight bit taller.
"Gandalf," the leader greeted shortly. His tone had the rest of the camp stopping to look over at them. "Is this the human you told us about?"
Wow, could he make it sound any more derogatory?
"Indeed, this is Percia Jackson," the wizard announced stepping aside to allow them a better view of her. It took a lot to bite back the sigh at the looks she received. So the wizard hadn't informed them of her gender.
"A girl?" The other's tone could manage to a new level of derision, impressive. "It is not enough you have us bring a burglar that cannot protect himself, now you wish to saddle us with a female?"
Well at least she had an answer to her question.
"On the contrary, the wizard was simply kind enough to guide me from the river, so if you point me in the direction of the road, I shall take my leave," she stated civilly if a bit sternly. Thankfully she never inherited her father's turbulent temper.
"You can't possibly think to travel on your own," the small grandfatherly Dwarf stated with no small amount of worry.
"I will be quite alright, Master Dwarf, thank you for your concern." She gave him a sincere smile before turning to Gandalf with one raised brow.
"Now Percia," he chided. "I know Thorin is not the most personable of hosts, but we are all traveling to the same destination. Your abilities would be very helpful." He emphasized the last part with a hard look to Thorin.
"And what business does she have with Erebor," Thorin hissed angrily, eyes narrowing in distrust.
"The dragon there has something which does not belong to him. I am going to get it back," she stated plainly not at all bothered by their shocked reactions.
"The dragon hasn't been seen in years," the bald one challenged. "It could be dead!"
Percia shrugged. "Janus seems to think otherwise. He told me to prepare for battle with a dragon that took what I am looking for."
"So you're going to travel to Erebor and fight Smaug, just like that," Thorin snorted.
She stared at him hard, knowing her eyes probably looked unnerving to them, as they tended to glow slightly. "I made a promise to return my brother's Heart. I will do so or die trying, even if it means facing a dragon."
He seemed to study her considering her words. "We shall see, girl. As Gandalf indicated we are heading there, but you will pull your own weight. You will also not be entitled to the treasure of Erebor."
"I care not for treasure, only the item Smaug has that belongs to my brother," she shot back smoothly.
"Agreed." He turned from her and went back to his place by the fire, pretty much dismissing her. He was definitely a royal of some type.
"Now that we have sorted that out, let me introduce you to the rest of the company," Gandalf stated happily.
So she met the thirteen Dwarves and their one Hobbit. Several of them threw her strange looks all through the night and none approached her, which was fine in her opinion. It seemed this quest might take all the patience she had and then some.