Annabeth and Thalia walked slowly back to Annabeth's chambers. "Thalia, why did you ask what the Tide Walker eats?"
Thalia grinned at her best friend. "You mean, what Percy eats." She sighed and threw her head back, as if in relief and peace. "I know of no other person, Greek or otherwise, who primarily feeds himself on blue foods."
Annabeth smiled. "Oh, Thalia. We don't actually know that. After all, you primarily know Athenians - and all we do really is eat olives and meat. You can't judge by that. But I will admit, this Tide Walker does sound a lot like our Percy." Then, Annabeth frowned, remembering something Clarisse had said. "We also need to find out who is the Tide Walker's ally in our court. We may need to ask for an audience with this pirate."
Thalia nodded. "I think I know just the way to find out, Annabeth."
"How?" Annabeth asked, confused.
Thalia smiled, mischieviously. "My dear princess… have you ever heard of High Priestess Rachel Dare?"
Annabeth was baffled. "Of course I have. She is the priestess present at every event we, and nearly all other royal families, hold."
"Rachel is somehow related to a maid I know. I can request an audience with her."
'But how will Rachel help? She's just a priestess, right?"
"Oh, Annabeth." Thalia stroked Annabeth's hair. "How little you know. Rachel is the Pythia. She is never seen, but she holds the Oracle's spirit within her."
Annabeth's eyes widened and Thalia knew that she and Annabeth were on the same page when the glint returned to her eyes. "We're going to visit her and ask her to tell us everything we need to know, right?"
"But of course, my dear princess." Thalia laughed.