Percy had seen a lot of tragedy in his life, but still, he was not prepared for what he saw past the palace gates. He had just been there that morning, with merchants milling about and people peacefully going about their business, but now it was pure chaos. Homes had been disemboweled with their contents strewn across the streets. Women and children were crying. Men were gathered together talking in hushed tones, with murder in their eyes. The further into town they went the worse it got with the soldiers beating up the men, man handling the women, all while taking their personal belongings and throwing them in the streets, and on the occasion blatantly stealing from them.

Percy wanted to jump in several times, but Annabeth stopped him. "We have more important things to do."

Percy shrugged her off and continued on their way. Soon they came to Kapileio street. Annabeth's eyes widened as she saw the street full of bars. "There's so many. How do you know which one the thief went to?"

"Because we've got this." Percy pulled out the mug he found.

"How is that going to narrow it down?"

Percy flipped the mug over to reveal the bottom, where a boars head had been burned into the wood on the bottom of the mug. "Every bar has their own insignia. Patrons often take the mugs with them to be returned the following day. Can't tell you how many times I've returned one of Castellan's mugs."

Annabeth studied the bottom of the mug for a moment. "And you found this under Zeus's window."

"No, the wall they went over."

"Which wall?"

Percy studied the palace and pointed to a section of wall on the eastern side, away from the soldiers barracks. "Around there. Don't you think, Grover?"

"Yeah, that looks right."

Annabeth was studying the walls then looking at the row of pubs. "Come on. I know where this one is." Percy motioned down the street.

There at the end of the row stood a building that was literally leaning against the outside wall. Percy led the way in and found the bar keeper counting his coins. "Returning a mug." Percy said as he plopped the mug down. The man grunted and reached to take it back. "Just a moment. Do you know who took your mug out yesterday around the time of the soldier's competition?"

"How would I know that? I was at the competition." the bar keep growled back.

"Then can we talk with whoever was here during the competition?" Percy pressed. He noticed Annabeth pulling her hood further down over her face.

"Liza, my wife, was tending the bar. Why you want' to know? She done somethin'?"

"No, no." Percy assured him. "But she may know who took the mug."

"Why you need to know who took the mug?"

"Now, now." A large woman with rosy cheeks and a large smile came up and stood beside bar keeper. "Everyone's a little jumpy with Olympus's soldiers on the rampage." The barkeep mearly grunted. "It would be hard to pin point who took a mug during the competition. As everyone took a drink to go." Percy's shoulder's sagged. "But I do know who didn't return theirs."

"Who?" Annabeth nearly shouted, but soon recovered and pulled the hood further down if possible.

The woman eyed her for a moment then continued, "The baker down the next street, Mr. Klankard, and one of the tenets here."

"Is the tenet still here?" Percy asked.

"As far as I know, came in last night and haven't seen him since."

"Where's his room?"

"Wait a minute." The barkeep interrupted. "We can't just let three nosy kids into whatever they want."

Percy felt like they were on to something and he was about to tell exactly what he thought about the barkeep, when Annabeth slid a pouch full of coins in front of him and cooly said, "Can you now?"

The barkeep rubbed his chin while he eyed the money. In one swoop he snatched the purse and said, "Show them the room."

The large woman led them up a rickety staircase up to the second floor were several doors were lined up. She unlocked one of the doors and stepped back. Her message was clear. I will not be responsible for disturbing a tenant. Percy opened the door.

It was a small room, with a single bed. Some blankets were on the floor, a pot was in the corner. But the biggest attraction to the room had to be the large hole in the middle of the wall. It clearly led directly out of the city.

Percy ran to it and peered over the edge. It was at least a hundred foot drop into the gully that surrounded the city.

"What the . . . . That wasn't there. Oh, gods. We'll be arrested." The woman was crying.

Annabeth removed her hood and looked the woman in the eye. "You will not be arrested. Now set to work patching this hole, while we go after the thief."

"Princess Annabeth." The woman bowed.

"Listen, you never saw me. Whoever was here, has Zeus's property, the reason he is about to attack Athens. We have to go after the thief."

"Thieves." The woman calmed down. "There were two men in this room."