I do not own, that would be Rick Riordan.
Sorry it took me so long to update. I have been busy and really unmotivated. I wanted to write but writers block would hit after I wrote a line. Sometimes I was able to write a whole paragraph. This is the longest chapter I have written. Over five thousand words.
Thankyou to everyone who reviewed. Also for everyone who has reviewed, liked and followed this and my other stories. It is greatly appreciated.
Chapter 27: The Ranch
"We stopped running when we reached waterfalls," said Annabeth.
"The floor of the room was a pit with a slippery stone walkway around it. The walls had many pipes sending cascades of water down into the bottomless pit. Briares informed us that it leads down to Tartarus," Percy informed the group.
"Oh so that's where that entrance got to," mumbled Hades.
"How many entrances does Tartarus have?" asked Nico, no one answered him.
"We wanted Briares to come back to camp and help us to prepare, he wanted to jump down into Tartarus, saving us the trouble," said Annabeth.
"Good idea, he knows more about fighting the Titans than anyone," said Athena.
"Briares said he had nothing to offer, he had lost everything. His brothers had faded and he was the only one left," said Percy.
"They faded?" asked Katie.
"Immortality has its limits. Monsters and other immortals can get forgotten and they lose the will to stay immortal," replied Annabeth.
"Apollo was left with the sun duties when Helios disappeared," admitted Zeus.
"My opinion is that it is not mortals forgetting them but them giving up on themselves," said Percy.
"Nice theory," commented Athena.
"Briares stated he must go, he was no help with defending camp even though Tyson believed that he was strong. I pulled Briares aside and explained to him everything that we knew about Luke's plans, the Labyrinth and the golden coffin. I gave him my opinion about why monsters fade," said Percy.
"So technically you made Briares feel ashamed. No wonder he left," said Thalia.
"Tyson cried when he left. He was upset that Briares hadn't helped to escape. Tyson was pleased however that I saved his life even if I had lost my shield," said Percy.
"Oh course he would be happy you saved his life. I don't know anyone who doesn't like to live," said Clarisse rolling her eyes.
"Suicidal people," said Dionysus.
"They say most people who attempt suicide want to be saved," said Will.
"I especially like when the suicidal people grumble about being dead," said Hades sarcastically.
"The Fields of Asphodel is probably not what they were expecting," pointed out Nico.
"Grover suggested we move away from the pit, it was giving us all the willies. So we moved and made camp in a corridor made of huge marble blocks. I thought it may be close to Daedalus's workshop as it had to be an older part of the maze," said Annabeth.
"My guess … it was not," said Apollo.
"Annabeth told us to rest. Grover and Tyson fell to sleep quickly, however Annabeth and I had time to talk," said Percy.
"What do you talk about in the middle of a quest?" asked Aphrodite.
"The Quest," said Hades rolling his eyes.
"Annabeth was frustrated that the quest was not logical. We were travelling but had no idea where we would end up," said Percy.
"Like how you walked from New York to California in a day," said Katie.
"Well space and time mustn't be the same in the maze," said Will.
"Well time is a big ball of wibbly – wobbly, timey-whiney stuff," said Chris with a shrug.
"I felt like I was doing a bad job, because even with all the planning and reading, I didn't have a clue where we were going," admitted Annabeth.
"I pointed out that she was doing a good job. Hell we never know what we are doing but it always works out," said Percy.
"For example Percy as a guinea pig," said Thalia cracking up.
"And we definitely need to find a copy of Hephaestus T.V and Waterland," said Travis with glee.
"Yes although you say you have bad luck, thing turn out okay for you," said Poseidon looking at his son.
"I then asked Percy what Hera meant when she said he already knew how to get through the maze. He had no idea but said that if he knew the last line of the prophecy it might help him work it out," said Annabeth.
"It was worrying that she refused to tell me in the darkness of the maze," said Percy.
"You considered the last line to be that bad?" questioned Hestia.
"Annabeth was very stressed about the quest," dobbed Percy.
"That was when Percy blurted out that he thought Nico was down in the maze. He realised that Nico must have found the entrance to the Labyrinth and that is how he disappeared from camp," Annabeth informed the group, the group turning towards the younger boy.
"Maybe, it was dark and dirty. I found myself in the Underworld later, where I found out about my skills," said Nico with a shrug not looking at anyone.
"I took first watch and when I did sleep I dreamt that I was back in the old man's Labyrinth prison," said Percy.
"Another dream," said Clarisse rolling her eyes.
"They are rather helpful and informative," pointed out Athena.
"The prison looked like a workshop. Tools and equipment was scattered around the room. A forge burned hot in the corner, the boy I had seen before was stroking the bellows except he was now older," said Percy. "It was daytime and I found it weird that parts of the Labyrinth could be open to the sky after travelling in tunnels for so long."
"Oh that is cruel," said Will.
"I thought that the old man looked sickly. His hands were red and raw from working and he was very thin. White hair covered his eyes and his tunic was smudged with grease. He was bent over a worktable putting the finishing touches to his project," Percy informed the group.
"What is it," asked Apollo.
"It was metal wings constructed from thousands of interlocking bronze feathers," replied Percy. "There were two sets and the wings expanded to over seven metres, and when the individual feathers caught the light they flashed different shades of gold."
"Metal wings shouldn't be able to fly, it is too heavy it shouldn't be able to leave the ground," said Katie.
"Icarus insisted that the wings were put on Daedalus first, stating that he should have the honour of wearing them first since he made them. Daedalus was nervous about the wax, I got the feeling that Icarus had heard the concerns a million times," said Percy.
"Don't all parents give warning a million times … don't run with scissors," said Chris.
"Why would anyone run with scissors? Why would you need scissors that badly," asked Connor.
"I have only seen one person need scissors that quickly, and it was when we were duct taping that crazed invention to the flag pole," said Clarisse.
"Well we didn't want the leader of your cabin using his sword to cut it," admitted Annabeth.
"Or that bumbling idiot, who was forever falling over his own sword," replied Clarisse.
"Why were you, duct taping something to the flag pole?" asked Hermes.
"An invention from the Hephaestus cabin was accidentally turned on and went on a rampage around camp," said Chris.
"Only because someone dared someone to turn it on," said Clarisse.
"Luke probably shouldn't have done that," said Annabeth with a giggle.
"Especially since none of the Hephaestus campers were at camp," replied Clarisse.
"In defence we didn't expect it to become out of control," said Chris.
"Where were we when this happened?" asked Travis.
"I think it was… two weeks before you two arrived at camp," said Chris looking at Clarisse and Annabeth for confirmation.
"A tame prank compared to what you two come up with," said Clarisse.
"Any…way back to the story," said Percy.
"You just don't like hearing about Luke," said Annabeth.
"I don't like hearing about fun happening when I'm not there," said Thalia before Percy could comment.
"But you were," pointed out Nico.
"BEING A TREE DOES NOT COUNT," yelled Thalia whacking Nico in the head.
"Once Daedalus was fitted with his set of wings, he began to fit Icarus with his set. He had trouble as his hands fumbled with the straps and his wings seemed to get in the way," said Percy. "Daedalus was upset that he was too slow, but Icarus said they had plenty of time till the guards were due."
"The guards are going to arrive," said Apollo.
"Yep, they had blocked the door with a wooden brace but the guards were banging on the door with something heavy and a crack appeared, although it was holding," replied Percy.
"But not long enough for them to escape," said Travis.
"Daedalus continued sealing the wings to Icarus, even spilling hot wax on his shoulder," said Percy.
"Ouch, hot wax hurts," said Rachel.
"How do you know?" asked Will.
"My mother went through a candle stage," replied Rachel "I may have made artwork by dripping candle wax."
"Weird," said Apollo.
"She's your Oracle," said Hermes laughing.
"Probably why he chose her, he does attract weirdos," said Ares.
"Hey," yelled Apollo and Rachel.
"Careful, she has a hair brush," shouted Nico as he, Percy and Annabeth laughed. Rachel just huffed and rolled her eyes.
"The door was breached and the king entered with his guards. The king admitted that he had been curious to see how far the project would get before he dashed their hopes," Percy informed the group.
"Not good that your jailor knows your escape plan," said Hermes with a sigh.
"The king was impressed but thought that they looked like metal chickens," said Percy.
"He probably said something about plucking them and making soup," said Hades sarcastically.
"You have been spending way too much time with the dead, Lord Hades," said Percy.
"Well if I was allowed on Olympus…." Grumbled Hades but was interrupted by Zeus
"Well you are not. Percy, continue with the story."
"The king blamed Daedalus for letting his daughter escape, being the cause that drove his wife to madness, his monster being killed and made him the laughing stock of the Mediterranean. Therefore he told Daedalus that he would never escape him," said Percy.
"Why do they never blame themselves?" asked Will.
"Because it is easier to blame another than admit you are the idiot," said Clarisse.
"Icarus grabbed the wax gun and sprayed the guards who rushed forward with hot wax," Said Percy.
"Ouch, where did it hit?" asked Hades.
"In their face, the king had stepped back in surprise when Icarus grabbed the gun," said Percy. "Icarus and Daedalus managed to open the vent's man hole and a column of hot air blasted up, lifting the pair up into the air in its updraught."
"They are free," said Travis.
"Wait," said Chris.
"The king called for the guards to shoot them but neither had brought bows. One guard threw his sword in desperation but the pair was already out of reach," said Percy.
"Now… They are free," said Chris.
"The pair flew away from the maze and the king's palace, zoomed over the city of Knossos and out past the rocky shore of Crete," said Percy. "Icarus soared away with his wings at there full limit ignoring his fathers pleas to be careful. He soared upwards and scared an eagle out of its flight plan; then plummeted towards the sea, pulling out of the nosedive with his sandals skimming the waves."
"Drunk on his freedom," said Dionysus.
"They were over the sea, far from Crete when the first metal feather shook loose from the wings of Icarus. He wobbled in mid air as another feather fluttered away. The wings were then shedding feathers, Daedalus told him to extend his wings and glide; however, Icarus flapped his arms in an attempt to maintain control. The left wing went first, the other went soon after and he was just a boy with his arms out wide in an attempt to glide," said Percy. "I woke with the feeling of falling."
"I hate waking up with that falling feeling," said Thalia.
"In the constant moaning of the Labyrinth I thought I could here the anguished cry of a father calling his son's name as he plummented towards the sea," said Percy.
"Percy didn't tell us about his dream when we continued moving again," said Annabeth.
"It freaked me out and I didn't think you needed to know that," admitted Percy.
"What about it freaked you out?" asked Hera.
"I don't know, but something had," replied Percy.
"We travelled along the tunnel turning from old stone to earth with cedar beams," said Annabeth.
"Like a gold mine or something?" questioned Will.
"We then came to a cave where stalactites hung low from the ceiling. In the centre of the floor was a rectangular pit, like a grave," said Annabeth.
"Grover said the room smelt like the Underworld. I saw something glittering at the edge of the pit- a foil wrapper," said Percy looking pointedly at Nico. "In the beam of the flashlight I could see a half-chewed cheeseburger floating in brown carbonated muck."
"You really should clean up after summoning ghosts," said Rachel to Nico.
"Especially if you summon ghosts at camp, you don't want the wrath of Chiron again," said Travis.
"Or the dryads and nymphs," mumbled Nico.
"I don't know why but I suddenly felt the urgency to find Nico. I couldn't let him wander around in the Labyrinth with only ghosts as company," said Percy.
"He announced he had to find Nico and started to run," asked Annabeth.
"I found a tunnel with light at the end of it," pointed out Percy.
"You are supposed to stay away from light at the end of the tunnel," said Chris offhandedly.
"By the time we caught up to Percy he was staring at daylight streaming through a steel grate above his head," said Annabeth.
"A shadow fell over the grate and a cow looked down on us- a bright red, like a cherry," said Percy.
"My cows," exclaimed Apollo.
"Grover told us that we had found a cattle grid," said Percy.
"The satyr would have known that, having hooves," said Dionysus.
"Ashton had that happen to him," said Connor.
"Who is Ashton?" asked Percy.
"Ashton the Satyr, you wouldn't know him, use to work in Texas but kept getting his hooves caught in cattle grid, needed to be rescued often," said Annabeth.
"Often it was once a week," exclaimed Clarisse.
"They ended up transferring him," said Travis.
"He still complains," said Katie.
"He is in Hawaii, what is there to complain about?" asked Annabeth.
"SAND," said Travis
"Getting in his Fur," continued Connor.
"We realised that we had reached a ranch and since Hera had mentioned a ranch, we had to check it out," said Percy.
"How did you get out of the tunnel, the cattle grid was in your way?" asked Apollo.
"Tyson hit the grid and it flew out and away with a clang and a startled moo," said Percy.
"Tyson apologised to the cow, before giving us a boost out," said Annabeth.
"We were amongst the red cattle of the sun," said Percy.
"My sacred cows," said Apollo.
"There are holy cows?" asked Connor.
"Yes, cows are also sacred in India," replied Rachel.
"In the distance we could hear dogs barking and they were getting louder," said Annabeth.
"Except when the dogs came out of nearby undergrowth; it wasn't two dogs but one dog with two heads," informed Percy. "It looked like a greyhound, long and sleek brown but it neck veered into two heads which were both snapping and snarling."
"What is with multiple heads, we have Cerebus, the Hydra, Janus and now this two headed dog," grumbled Katie.
"That's what Tyson called him, Janus dog," said Annabeth as she and Percy laughed.
"Grover can talk to dogs… how, did that go?" asked Will.
"I don't think it was impressed, it just bared it's teeth," said Annabeth.
"His master lumbered out of the woods, who looked liked a redneck Father Time. He was huge with stark white hair, a braided white beard and wearing a straw cowboy hat," said Percy.
"Really a redneck Father Time?" questioned Thalia.
"You didn't meet him," said Nico.
"I take it you did, young nephew?" asked Lady Hestia looking kindly at Nico who nodded.
"Yes, he carried a large wooden club, with big spikes at the buisness end," said Nico.
"He enquired about whom we were," Annabeth informed the group.
"He knew we were half-bloods, as he himself was one. He was Eurytion son of Ares and cowherd of the ranch," said Percy. Ares nodded he know who they were talking about.
"Eurytion confirmed that someone else had arrived through the Labyrinth," said Annabeth.
"He advised us to re-enter the maze but we refused wanting to meet the other demi-god," said Percy.
"You were given a chance to get away from that place and you stayed?" questioned Nico.
"Eurytion informed us that he had to take us to see his boss. It didn't feel like we were hostages. He walked beside us with his club. Orthus the two headed dog ran into the bushes regularly," said Percy.
"The temperature was so hot; it must have been close to forty degrees. Heat shimmered off the ground. We were soon sweating like crazy," said Annabeth.
"I hate that type of heat, the flies buzzing around, the stickiness of damp sweat laden clothes," said Chris as certain demi-gods agreed with him.
"We walked past more pens with red cows and strange animals. Eurytion informed me that they raise animals for lots of clients, Apollo, Diomedes and ….Others. We came to a corral which was coated in asbestos, inside was a herd of fire-breathing horses," said Percy.
"Fire-breathing horses," exclaimed the demi-gods.
"Oh imagine them in a battle," exclaimed Ares "Total destruction."
"YOU DON'T NEED FIRE BREATHING HORSES," yelled the gods and goddesses, Zeus the loudest.
"The hay in their feeding troughs was on fire, the ground under their feet was also smoking," Annabeth informed the group.
"One whinnied and columns of red fire billowed out of his nostrils," said Percy.
"Wouldn't that hurt?" questioned Connor as Percy shrugged.
"We finally arrived at the big ranch house, it looked like a Frank Lloyd Wright," said Annabeth. She then noticed the blank looks she was receiving sighed "it was made from wood and white stone with large windows."
Poseidon looked at Athena, "She is definitely your daughter, however at least she is not condescending with her boring facts," he said, continuing the feud between the pair. Everyone sighed; they had hoped that this constant nit-picking was abating. .
"Eurytion warned us as we walked up the front steps to not break the rules," said Annabeth.
"So Travis and Connor wouldn't last a minute at the ranch," said Katie.
"We would so last a minute," exclaimed Travis with Connor nodding in agreement.
"You don't follow rules, you have broken every rule at camp," pointed out Chris.
"They even developed new rules because of you two," said Annabeth.
"Sounds like you wouldn't last, but don't worry sons, you probably have had more fun," said Hermes.
"What were the rules?" asked Athena.
"No fighting. No drawing your weapons and NO making comments about the boss's appearance," answered Percy.
"We were quickly welcomed to Triple G Ranch," said Annabeth.
"The man on the porch had a normal head with a weathered, brown face from too much time in the sun," described Percy.
"Oh being in too much sun always makes the skin look leathery, it isn't very appealing," said Rachel.
"His hair was slicked back and he had a pencil moustache, like a villain in a black and white movie. The man smiled, but it wasn't friendly, more amused like he was pleased to have more people to torture," explained Percy.
"I knew he reminded me of something," said Apollo.
"Then I noticed his body… or bodies. He had three of them," said Percy.
"What is it and multiple body parts?" said Rachel.
"He was like three different people," said Annabeth "his neck was connected to the middle chest like normal."
"The abnormal part was that two more chests, on either side, connected at the shoulders. His left arm grew out of his left chest, the other arm the same on the right. Therefore he had two arms but four armpits," said Percy.
"The chests all connected into one enormous torso with two regular but beefy legs," said Annabeth.
"As we met Mr Geryon, though glass doors onto the porch came Nico. He looked thinner and paler than he had in the Iris-messages. I wonder if he'd eaten in the last week. His clothes were dusty from travelling through the Labyrinth," said Percy.
"Why are you so concerned about me?" questioned Nico.
"Had you eaten?" asked Demeter clearly concerned, Nico shrugged shaking his head. Cookies appeared in front of him, enough to feed a whole army.
"Nico froze when he saw us, before drawing his sword," said Annabeth.
"Wasn't the rule not to draw your sword?" Hera asked Nico with a raised eyebrow.
"Geryon wouldn't allow his guests to kill one another," said Apollo.
"Geryon knew who Annabeth and I were before we introduced ourselves. He said that he made it his business to be kept informed as everyone pops into the ranch from time to time," said Percy.
"Nico blamed Percy for letting Bianca die and thought we were there to kill him," said Annabeth.
"Percy tried to reason with me but I didn't even want him to speak her name," said Nico who seemed to shrink into his chair.
"I wasn't worthy to even talk about her," said Percy.
"Geryon told Nico to put away his sword, otherwise he would make Eurytion take it from him," Annabeth informed the group.
"His spiked club was scary so I put away my sword," admitted Nico.
"Nico had so much hate in his eyes. He warned me that if I came near me that he would summon help and that I would not like to meet his helpers," said Percy.
"Nico you are far too young to have so much hate and anger," said Hestia looking at the young boy.
"Made it hard for me, especially since I still saw him as the annoying, cheerful little kid obsessed with Mythomagic," said Percy.
"I wasn't annoying or obsessed with Mythomagic cards…. Was I?" asked Nico looking at the demi-gods.
"Once Nico had made nice, Geryon took us on a tour of the ranch in a trolley train like you would at a zoo," said Annabeth.
"It was painted black and white in a cowhide pattern with the hood having longhorns stuck on the front and a cowbell horn," said Nico.
"It was a way to torture people… Embarrass them by making them ride around in the moo-mobile," said Percy.
"Moo-mobile, why haven't I ridden around in that," exclaimed Apollo.
"Nico sat in the back car, Eurytion next to him with his spiked club and his cowboy hat tipped over his eyes like he wanted to have a nap," said Percy.
"I wanted to keep an eye on you," admitted Nico, as Percy smiled happy he had guessed the reason why correctly.
"Orthus jumped into the front with Geryon and Percy, Tyson, Grover and I were in the middle two cars," said Annabeth.
"Geryon informed us of their huge operation, which was mostly horses and cattle but all sorts of exotic varieties as well," said Percy.
"We came over a hill and there was some Hippalektryons, which I thought were extinct," said Annabeth.
"They are, aren't they," said Demeter.
"We then came to the Rooster Ponies as Tyson named them," said Nico.
"Rooster Ponies?" questioned Will.
"The front half was a horse while the back half was a rooster. Their rear feet were huge yellow claws and they had feathery tails and red wings," described Percy.
"Do they lay eggs?" asked Connor.
"Once a year, with a high demand for omelettes," replied Nico.
"That is horrible, they must be endangered," said Hestia clearly disturbed.
"The omelettes are seemingly very tasty," said Annabeth.
"Geryon then showed us the fire-breathing horses, and their prize red cows," said Nico rolling his eyes.
"I am to busy to see to them, so I subcontract to him," informed Apollo.
"There were hundreds of the cherry-coloured cattle," said Annabeth.
"So many… How come there is so many?" asked Ares.
"The ranch breeds them vigorously because there is such a demand … for meat," replied Percy.
"WHAT, THEY KILL MY SACRED COWS," yelled Apollo.
"That is against ancient law," said Athena.
"They kill my cows ….to eat," said Apollo.
"And turn it into hamburger meat," said Nico.
"Geryon pointed out some of his exotic game… giant scorpions," said Percy.
"Quintus got those animals from a ranch?" exclaimed Connor in awe.
"We already knew that," said Clarisse rolling her eyes.
"Geryon denied knowing he knew Quintus, although he described him," said Percy.
"We then got shown the prize stables," said Annabeth
"What prize did it win?" exclaimed Nico.
"The most disgusting," said Percy with a shrug.
"At three hundred meters away we could smell the filth from that place," said Annabeth clearly disgusted.
"The horses were milling around in muck, it was like a blizzard had occurred and dumped meter high piles of horse poop. The horses were really gross from walking in it as was the stables. It reeked even worst than the garbage boats on the East River," described Percy. Aphrodite for once did not look beautiful as she put the bucket she had produced to good use. Aphrodite was not the only one who looked a little green; the majority of the females present were gagging just from the image Percy had placed into their heads. All present wished Percy wasn't so good at describing situations.
"The stables belong to Aegeas, who pays a small monthly fee for them to be watched over," said Annabeth.
"How can they keep animals like that, standing around in piles of poop?" asked Rachel looking quite sickly.
"Don't worry Rachel, they made him nauseous when the wind blew a certain way," said Nico.
"It was a challenge to clean the stables and according to Eurytion, Geryon was too cheap to have them cleaned," said Percy.
"They were flesh-eating horses," explained Annabeth.
"Who would want flesh-eating horses?" asked Aphrodite not noticing the eager look in Ares eyes.
"According to Geryon they make great garbage disposals and it's a wonderful way to terrify your enemies," said Nico.
"They are also popular at birthday parties, they rent them out all the time," said Percy.
"Great, Ares next party is going to have a flesh-eating horse present," said Dionysus with a sigh.
"I blame this on you," Athena accused Poseidon.
"Why does Ares's want of a flesh-eating horse at his party my fault?" questioned Poseidon.
"Not that. Why there are flesh-eating horses in the first place," said Athena glaring at Poseidon.
"Why is that my fault?" demanded Poseidon.
"You created horses," shouted Athena.
"For the chariot that YOU invented, therefore it is your fault for flesh-eating horses," defended Poseidon.
"IT IS BOTH YOUR FAULT," shouted Hades. "Can we get back to the story?"
"We worked out that the clients Geryon kept referring to was Kronos and he was supplying his army with horses, food and anything else they needed," said Annabeth.
"Can we get rid of Geryon? If we get rid of him now, he won't be able to kill my sacred cows for meat or assist the enemy army," enquired Apollo.
"Changing the future is a difficult thing, you always tell us, paradoxes and so what," said Artemis.
"Geryon is a business man, he only works for gold," pointed out Zeus.
"Geryon got out of the moo-mobile and Nico followed demanding that he answer his business deal," said Percy.
"You are doing business with this monster?" asked Thalia looking concerned.
"Apparently Nico's ghost had told him that Geryon could guide him to the soul he needed," said Annabeth.
"Hang on, I thought Percy was the soul he needed," said a confused Hephasus.
"No, Bianca's soul was worth a thousand times more than my soul," said Percy.
"I was wrong… your soul is equal to Bianca's," whispered Nico and was only heard by Percy, Thalia and Annabeth.
"Geryon asked Nico where his ghost friend was," informed Annabeth.
"Broad daylight, therefore it is hard for him to form," said Hades.
"Geryon was sure that Minos was around somewhere, as he likes to disappear when things get …difficult," said Nico quietly.
"Minos, so Percy was dreaming about an evil king and his ghost is advising Nico," said Will.
"What do you mean about it getting difficult?" asked Hades.
"Luke Castellan was offering good money for half-bloods, especially powerful half-bloods. When he found out who Nico really was, he would pay very well indeed," replied Annabeth.
"Nico drew his sword but it was knocked out of his hand by Eurytion. Before I could move Orthus pounced on my chest his face meters from my face," said Percy.
"Eurytion secured me, picking me and my sword up. Geryon wanted to head back to the lodge so he could send an Iris-message to the Titan army," said a grumpy Nico he hated being picked up like a child.
"We were told that our party was able to go once Nico had been handed over to Luke. Geryon admitted that he didn't interfere in quests and that he had been paid well to give us safe passage, unfortunately the deal didn't include Nico," said Annabeth.
"Paid by whom?" asked Hera.
"Percy then tried to make a deal with Geryon," said Nico.
"But you have no gold?" questioned Hades.
"I was going to barter," said Percy.
"What do you have to barter?" asked Poseidon.
"Eurytion suggested that I could clean the stables," said Percy.
"So he doesn't have to do it," whispered Chris.
"The deal was that if Percy failed and the horses ate him, Geryon got all of us," said Nico
"Can you imagine if the great Percy Jackson had been eaten by a horse," said Clarisse sarcastically.
"I could have been turned into a big frozen popsicle," said Percy in defence.
"Geryon will just trade you for gold," said Zeus.
"Yes to the ENEMY," said Hades.
"If Percy succeeded in cleaning the stables the deal was Geryon was to let all of us go, including me," said Nico.
"Yes but you didn't want any help or favours from Percy," pointed out Annabeth.
"I was angry and confused," said Nico.
"Geryon chuckled as he informed me that the stables hadn't been cleaned in a thousand years," Percy informed the group.
"A THOUSAND YEARS WORTH OF HORSE SHIT…. EWW," exclaimed Aphrodite looking ill still.
"Geryon accepted my offer giving me till sunset to get the stables cleaned," said Percy.
"Sunset is not very long to shovel thousand years of horse poo," said Poseidon.
"Geryon took Nico, Annabeth, Tyson and Grover hostage taking them back to the lodge to wait to sunset, leaving me alone to get out of the huge pile of shit I was in.
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I don't know when the next update will be. I am on Holidays and in two days will be without internet access. I am going to Europe for three weeks. But I wanted to update this story before I left.