Chapter Thirteen

"Are we there yet?" "Shut up.

"Are we there now?"

"Shut. Up."

"How 'bout now?"

"For gods sake Percy would you shut the heck up?!" Thalia screamed.

"But I'm so bored," he moaned, resting his head on the side of the cart.

"Seriously Percy, shut up. You've been moaning for the last hour," Luke said.

The younger boy quieted for a few and seemed to drift off to sleep. Luke smiled, believing he would finally be able to take a nap.

The three had sat in the rocking cart, arguing at various outbursts of the bored green eyed gladiator. Luke was amazed that Nico had stayed asleep so long.

He looked over at Princess, er, Thalia. She wasn't princess anymore. Her eyes stared out at the country as the cart rolled down the road. Luke was interested in the former royal. She had an air of confidence about her that certainly befitted a royal, but also a strong, tough, intelligent and arrogant attitude that helped her in battle. He chuckled softly as he remembered how Thalia had gotten her red mark. This caught the blue eyed girl's attention. "What?"

Luke froze. As much as he respected her, he was a bit scared of a girl who could take down a huge bodybuilder especially if said girl was hot- "Um, nothing."

She raised an eyebrow and went back to staring out through the cart bars.

Luke was startled at his thoughts. He never been attracted like this to a girl before. There wasn't much time for romance when you're in the army. This was a new feeling to him. He began to take in her appearance. Her hair was raven black, like Percy's, only choppy. Her skin was olive toned. In fact, she looked very similar to Percy. Except for the eyes, her eyes were an electric blue. But back to the Percy thing. It amazed Luke. Was it possible the two were related? It would explain the fatherly nature the Emperor had had to Percy.

"Luke, what are you doing?"

Luke blushed when he realized he had been staring at Thalia too long. He quickly looked away. "Sorry."

He didn't notice that Thalia had blushed as well.

Thalia nearly smacked herself for doing so. It was so out of character for her. She wasn't one to be chasing after boys, and besides, look at their current condition. Gladiators, who could die any day in the arena.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the simultaneous snore of the two sleeping boys. Percy mumbled something about "Blue pancakes mom. Bluuuueee…"

Luke and Thalia shared a look before bursting out into laughter.

Percy sat up startled by the sudden loudness and sleepily asked, "Are we there yet?"

Triton strolled down to the dungeons. You would think the stone halls of the dungeon would echo with the sound of screams. No, these halls were silent. The prisoners had long since understood that the sounds echoed back to their lonely ears, and it frightened them. By the time voices began talking in their heads, urging them to do the ultimate, prisoners were already sentenced to death or thrown into the Colosseum. In a way it was a great accomplishment. Some prisons unintentionally became asylums. This one never would be.

Triton walked down the corridors until he arrived to the cell he was looking for. Inside the cell, a blonde sat on the dirt floor, tracing patterns in the dust absent-mindedly. Triton was not alone. On his right was his adviser, Alabaster. On his left were two guards.

"Well then brother, it is such a shame we had to meet again this way," Triton said with a disappointed look on his face.

Jason didn't look up.

"If only you hadn't interfered with my affairs that night, you could be in your bedroom with Piper," Triton said with a cruel grin.

Jason's eyes flared in rage and he shot up, gripping the cell bars that restricted him from freedom. "How dare you disrespect Piper! First you disrespect her sister, now Piper. No, I won't let you!" The guards shoved him back with the butts of their spears and Jason was forced back from the bars.

Triton chuckled. "Such a shameful sight. Alabaster?" he asked, turning to his adviser. "What do you think we should do with such an insolent person?"

"Such insolence should not go unpunished sire," Alabaster replied.

Triton nodded in agreement, an approving smile forming on his lips. "Alabaster, I have an idea. Since my younger brother here thought he was strong enough to assault me, he must be strong enough to fight in the arena, do you not agree?"

Alabaster flinched briefly, too quick to be noticed, but Jason saw it. "I wholeheartedly agree sire," Alabaster answered.

Triton smiled and patted his adviser on the back. "Thank you my friend." He turned to the guards. "Guards, escort my younger brother to the gladiator wing would you?"

Author's Note: A little of Luke and Thalia action, nothing major...yet. Thanks for reading and to all of those who have reviewed. I am open to all of your opinions. It's very important to me as a new author. Thanks again!