Tempting the Fates

Chapter 39

Minor Concussions and Not So Deserted Islands

Annabeth

"What's wrong?"

Rainbow stopped suddenly and the noise he made was a regretful bleating, something between a sad lamb and a grumpy lama but wetter. Glancing around, there's nothing around them to stop their progress. She knew that hippocampi became ill when exposed to pollution but so far as she could tell the ocean around them was azure and crisp and Rainbow wasn't sniffling or sneezing bubbles.

"You can't take me any further, can you?"

The daughter of Athena might not speak aquatic dialects like Percy but she was rewarded but a knowing blink and lowering of the hippocampus' head as if in recognition. Whatever the reason, he couldn't go on. For all she knew, this was as far as the sand dollar could take her… or perhaps these waters were infested with any number of the Oceanids.

The island isn't unreachable but it's a distance far greater than the blonde demigod is comfortable with; she loops her hair around and around making a messy bun of it, using one of the hair bands around her wrist to secure it. The last thing she needs is for the waves to batter her hair into her eyes leaving her hopeless; she might be able to swim but she's never swam in the deep ocean and never in the ocean without Percy. Swallowing, her mind tries to quickly estimate the distance but stops. Maybe it's better not to know the specifics just this once.

"Thank you." Annabeth presses a quick kiss to Rainbow's head and tickles behind his ear. She's rewarded with a burbling series of chuffs, which she takes as laughter. "I'll be sure to tell Percy how helpful you've been, Rainbow. And I'll tell him that you say 'hello'. Thank you, friend." She slips off his back and into the water, arms slow in their skimming of the water, allowing her to tread as she gets accustomed to the temperature.

I feel extra buoyant. There must be an unusually high concentration of salt.

Annabeth's thoughts are interrupted by a spray of droplets; Rainbow was as extra as the son of Poseidon, saying goodbye with a number of airborne somersaults before disappearing into the deep after waving his hoof/flipper at her.

Okay, Annabeth. Let's see how well swimming lengths of an Olympic swimming pool have prepared you for a few miles in the ocean.

As it turned out, and to literally no one's surprise, not very well. Or at all. By the time she washed up on the beach, she was half drowned. The moment her face hits damp sand she let out a gurgle, spitting up salt water, before giving something close to a sigh of relief. Who know that a million million grains of worn down dead things could feel like Nirvana? Ragged fingernails dug into the damp sand just to have something to hold onto, anchoring herself and reassuring herself that she had in fact made it to shore and not drank the ocean dry. Every muscle in her body aches, including ones she didn't have names for yet (she'd have to look them up so she could explain exactly how exhausted she was).

What she did next was hardly the most graceful or elegant thing she'd ever done on a quest, and definitely was one that she wasn't going to admit. Annabeth did her best impression of crawling, physically dragging herself across the beach to where damp sand gave way to dry and promptly collapsed. Everywhere. It was everywhere, just like her hair.

When did I lose my hair tie? Lifting a hand, she shoved the mass of blonde curls (more like nest) from her face. In the process she discovered several pieces of seaweed, some inhabited by living things. If it didn't take so much energy, she would have shuddered and if she were being totally honest? Because she was alone, she probably would have shrieked and did one of those pointless wiggly dance slash run away in circles type things while gagging. But she didn't have the energy so she gave it a half hearted toss all of a few inches. Her heart felt like it was falling — and maybe it was. Or maybe it already had. Far down to the depths of the darkness and then further still… with Percy.

I hope you're okay, seaweed brain. I will get back to the others and we will meet you.

But in the meantime? In the meantime, Annabeth was going to just close her eyes for a second. Or several hundred seconds. "Just to catch my breath a little." With that the exhausted demigod fell into a fitful but much needed sleep ignorant of the sand fleas and sea gulls and whatever or whoever else called the beach home.

"Percy!" She woke up screaming, the feeling of him being ripped from her arms leaving her empty and for a moment paralyzed. She couldn't move and something was tugging at her, yanking her hair from her head. It's just a nightmare, she thought, and with her brain still half asleep, probably Percy. He always managed to roll around and wind up on her hair, and when he moved, it inevitably tugged and woke her. But the next yank was harder. Not Percy… Percy fell… the part of her becoming more conscious whispered. Because Percy had fallen to Tartarus with Nico and… and Annabeth was somewhere on an island she didn't know.

"Ow! Quit it!" She shouted.

Stormy grey eyes were met with unblinking but watchful beady black ones. The seagull tilted its head sideways as if checking out the half drown girl's point of view before prompting helping itself to the contents of her nest of hair once more, and in the process, gave a good whack to her skull with its beak. There was a fairly colorful description of what the demigod thought of the bird as she slapped at it and sat up. It hissed and gave a few unhappy screeches before finally flying away to look for its next meal elsewhere.

"Give my strength," she prayed of any of the gods — her mother, maybe, if she was in sound enough mind — because Annabeth was sure she was being tested though she didn't know by who or for what. "Probably to see how absolutely screwed your life can get before you go full nuclear." She would have had to admit the seagull munching on whatever was currently residing in her salt encrusted hair was close to the breaking point.

There was a pain building behind the backs of her eyes, a pressure building, as if it were trying to push them out of their sockets. On top of being covered in sand and probably being sunburned (she didn't know how long she'd been asleep but the tide had gone out and was beginning to come in once more), her mouth felt like sandpaper… as in there was literally sand in her mouth. But Annabeth was too dehydrated to spit, so instead rolled her tongue around in her mouth and grimaced. Dehydrated. So dehydrated. She needed water. And food, was added to her mental checklist as her stomach chose to make itself known with its own interrogation. Food? It groaned. So that was two things she needed to do… in addition to figure out where she was and how she could get back to her friends. One thing at a time, Annabeth, she scolded herself as she pushed herself to her feet.

The problem, the daughter of Wisdom, soon realized was that there was no one around. Clapping the sand from her hands, she tried to then use them to get as much of the grit off of her as possible. Her clothes were still damp but drying quickly in the heat of the sun As she did a quick twirl around to survey the beach, she lifted a hand to shield her eyes. The beach was white sand, glittering in the rising sun, but darker where the water danced and retreated as the tide progressed. The horizon, for all its pastel painted sky and blue green water gave no hint of anything manmade. No boats. No far off landscape. No jet skis or yachts or airplanes. Nada. And the beach itself? Pristine. Untouched. Her own exhale felt like it was disturbing the gentle calm. There was not a single piece of litter to suggest man had ever known it (and with man, unfortunately, always came pollution). The only debris were water softened pebbles and sea glass, whatever had been washed up from the sea— the largest of which, by far, was Annabeth herself.

The sea gulls, beyond the one attempting to feast upon the contents of her hair, stayed away and regarded her with curious but skeptical eyes and kept their distance. Further inward, the beach gave way to luscious green and long sea grass swaying in the breeze. There were trees, tropical, from the high branches. Similar to palm trees but different. She didn't recognize all the varieties but some were flowered and in the air hung the scent of juniper and cedar.

The beach has to end somewhere. So her feet began to wake her forward, picking a direction, and walking along the water line. For all the challenges she'd encountered with her friends recently, it would figure that the daughter of Wisdom might have washed up on the one as-of-yet discovered island in the entire world. She walked a few miles, circling the island's beach until she found herself looking at a very Annabeth shaped outline in the sand with footprints before her… but there up ahead from the greenery came a different set… that then disappeared after they approached her own. As she kneeled down next to her footprints, fingertips hovered just above. They weren't as clear as the original set that first left where she'd fallen asleep. Whoever it was had the good sense to use the steps as a guide, fitting their tread inside her own. Her feet weren't particularly large, and the disturbance was minimal, so either it was a young boy or possibly another woman.

Annabeth's thoughts didn't get any further than that because as she stood up something very hard slammed the back of her head and the sun went out.

For the second time that day, Annabeth wakes without any idea where she is but this time, instead of a white sandy beach, she's in some kind of cave. There's a dull throbbing at the base of her skull and when she lifts her head, she feels woozy, her stomach rolling with nausea. Concussion. She self diagnoses, because what demigod hasn't been concussed about a million times in their lives? Thank the gods for nectar and ambrosia, they don't wind up punch drunk in their old age… usually… if they make it that far. Groaning, she blinks a few more times trying to will her eyes to focus.

The light is soft, flickering, and dancing against the walls and from the scent, there's a fire somewhere out of her line of sight. When she tries to turn, her wrists yank. Of course you're tied up, Annabeth. Why wouldn't you wake up in a cave tied up? And honestly, her first thought is cyclops. She's going to be made into stew by some island dwelling monster — that's the best case scenario. Worst case is that the monster wants to make her his bride and there's a lot of other unpleasant things that follow that, but Annabeth's thoughts are halted there.

"Good, you're awake."

The voice is melodious, like a song but without the singing. She can't see the female but from the shadows forming against the walls of the cave, she can tell it's a shapely woman. Tall, almost willowy, but generous curves where they've most desired.

"I'm tied up. Not sure what your definition of 'good' is but I'd say this is the opposite." Ugh. Percy was rubbing off on her. Snarky back talk before a fight was normally his thing.

The lady, whoever she was, laughed, breathy and not unlike a music box. Something about it was soothing and for a moment, Annabeth forgot that she was trapped… She shook her head. Try as she might, the knots in the rope around her wrists was too tight. Her hands and arms were beginning to go numb, and the post or whatever it was she was tied to wasn't giving way no matter how hard she tugged or turn. With her mobility seriously limited, Annabeth attempted to get her legs under her and kneel, raise her arms up (she wasn't double jointed but if it came to hyper extending or dislocating something in the name of escaping, she was going to have to grin and bare it). No luck. Although she felt no barrier, her arms lifted so high and then stopped, as if held by an invisible force.

"The knot, the rope, and the post are enchanted. You can try what you like, but the only thing you'll accomplish is tiring yourself."

Grey eyes narrowed. Okay, so the lady had magic. Add in desert island in the middle of the ocean. Already, the list of potential immortals or monsters was considerably limited. Come on, Annabeth, think! She chided herself but trying to focus and pluck a specific thought was impossible. It would be on the tip of her tongue, just within her grasp, and slip through her fingers lost once more. Between the dehydration and what was probably a mild concussion, her mental acuity was compromised. Great. And when your gods given talent is wisdom and wit… you're concussed and can't use it. That's super helpful, mom. Normally she didn't envy Percy or Jason or even Nico or Hazel but what she wouldn't give for some kind of latent ability to snap her fingers and turn her captor into a salt spring or something.

"I'm pretty sure if you're going to kidnap someone, it's common courtesy to show your face."

"You're a feisty one, aren't you?"

A moment later, the woman stepped into view but she couldn't have been older than eighteen, maybe nineteen. Her almond eyes were watchful, curious even, as she circled around the demigod and came near, kneeling before Annabeth and meeting her eyes as if to get a good look at her. Her hair was woven into the most intricate and delicate french braids she had ever seen, caramel and glistening in the light of the fire. Those tendrils that fell loose danced across her shoulders, twisting in curls looking equal parts effortless and natural. A golden headband (wore more like a crown) decorated with twinkling jewels adorned her head. Across the bridge of her nose was a smattering of freckles, but they reminded her more of constellations though she wasn't sure why. The bright white of her sundress contrasted with the sun kissed color of her skin.

"I— I'm not feisty." She sputtered.

"You're a mess." Annabeth didn't have anything to say about that. Her clothes were salt crusted, there was definitely sand in places she'd rather not mention, she could really use the toilet, and she'd probably kill a man for a burger and a slurpee about now. She didn't even want to think about what the rest of her looked like.

"That's sort of the state of my life right now." She finally answered.

The wide eyed teen grasped her chin between her hands and turned her face one way and then the other, as if searching for something. "I don't understand how you found my island."

"To be honest, I didn't. This crazy ice blast goddess attacked my friends and I… something exploded… I wound up flying across the ocean. I had a sand dollar and I used it to get Rainbow— he's a hippocampus— to bring me to land. I guess your island was closest." Why was she babbling? Why was she talking at all? Annabeth forced her mouth shut.

Yeah, just tell your whole life story to the ethereal lady who's probably going to suck your soul out or feed your liver to her pet anaconda. Inwardly she cringed at herself. Another few seconds passed and the girl nodded, as if accepting that answer.

"You were brought here by a hippocampus."

It's not a question, but it's clear she wants further details.

"Mostly. He stopped a few miles out. I got the feeling that he couldn't come any closer."

She nodded as if in agreement and stood, brushing off the knees of her dress though it was as white and pristine, unsullied by the cave floor. With a snap of her long fingers, the ropes fell from Annabeth's wrists and she could move them once more. Blood immediately rushed back to her appendages causing pins and needles so she shook them, trying to will the life back into them and the unpleasant not-quite-numbness away as she stood.

"That would make sense. I'm surprised you made it to the island."

"It wasn't exactly difficult. I mean, I nearly drown, but swimming in an ocean isn't really my thing."

Without prompting, the girl practically floated over to a basin and dipped a wooden up, coming back with what Annabeth assumed was collected rain water. It was cool, almost sweet against her tongue, and she didn't stop to breathe until she had emptied the whole thing. Instantly, she felt better, tongue dragging across her chapped lips. Normally she'd be worried it might have been drugged or enchanted but she was so dehydrated, she was willing to take the chance. "So you're not going to eat me?"

"No… I can't say I've ever eaten a human. Demigod or otherwise, though, I'm sure many of my sisters have dabbled. I never saw the appeal."

"I'm sorry— who are you? I feel like I know but," she motioned to the bump at the back of her head. It didn't feel like it had bled but there was a massive egg there. Yup. She wasn't in her best state at the moment.

"Ah— yeah, I'm really sorry about that. I'm going to be honest with you, I panicked when I saw you. I'd heard screams coming from the beach. They sounded panicked—"

"I- I had a nightmare."

"I left in such a hurry I didn't think to grab anything for protection. I realized I was unarmed by the time I made it to the beach and… you must understand, there aren't many visitors to my island and never any women. My stars, it's been so long since I've seen another girl. I was scared."

"Is it just you here?"

"Yes…"

"How long?"

"I'm afraid it's been a few years since the last demigod washed up on these shores. Once in a lifetime, the gods tease me with a companion, for a time. They never stay long."

There it was, a tingling, a niggling feeling somewhere in the back of her mind. Annabeth attempted to will it forth as she combed her fingers through her hair, brushing the salty strands behind her ears, but couldn't force the name to come to her, nor the stories.

"Just long enough to heal an old heartache… and leave their own mark on my heart. But the gods have never sent me a girl before… that's new." The girl glances over her shoulder at Annabeth, almond eyes drifting across her form before she turned back to their path. Without thinking, she was following the enchantress through the cave— it was decorated with tapestries, intricate and immaculate, as well as a number of potted plants and flowers, many of which were lined and growing up or down to stretch towards the ceiling or the floor, and many times, tangling with other species as if braided much like the other girl's hair. Stepping out of the cave, the sun was setting over the canopy of trees and the forest was alive with birds singing.

"Is the war over?"

The question sounded hopeful, like she'd been meaning to ask it from the moment Annabeth woke but hadn't been quite sure how to put it. It hit her then, the name slotting into place. Calypso. Percy had promised her that she would be freed of her island paradise prison and the Gods, after the Battle of New York, had agreed to his concessions. But Calypso… was still here. Still waiting for those who might wash up on her shore and bring her company. Closing her eyes, she chewed on her bottom lip before turning to meet the other's gaze.

"Yes. We lost so many… the Roman demigods did as well."

"Ah," she nodded as if not at all surprised, her fingers brushed against the bark of a nearby tree. She stopped there, hesitating in her movement and in her words, before she turned back around, leaned against the tree trunk, crossed one sandaled foot in front of the other. A few stray locks fell across her face, eyelashes slowly batting. "Will you take me with you? When you leave… will you bring me?"

Annabeth stepped forward and took the other girls' hand in her own and didn't hesitate. "Yes, Calypso, I will."