Coach, Percy and the crew walked to a small shop in the middle of the city, Juniper and Demeter carrying a large chest between them.

"Hurry up!" Grover called to them. The crew rushed into the shop. Grover closed the door marked "Stoll's office."

"Yeah, doesn't seem very fresh, I'll be honest." Travis looked at Coach. Coach raised an eyebrow.

"Shall I give you a taste, young Travis?" Coach held out his hand to Grover who gave him a small barrel.

Travis replied, "no, no. that's alright."

However Coach was not listening and used the lightning in the barrel to knock down some of the merchandise that Travis had hanging. Travis looked nervous.

"Brilliant, like they're cheap."

"I think you'll find it's still cracking, very much alive. Tres fresh. So name your price."

"For ten thousand bolts?"

"Ten thousand bolts of finest quality grade A."

"Yeah, but it's difficult to shift, isn't it? Difficult to store." Travis looked nervous. "IF I get the revenue men in here sniffling around, what's the..."

He makes an explosion noise, "Best price? 150 guineas."

"Gentlemen, put the merchandise back on board and prepare to sail."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa."

"Travis, always a pleasure!"

"Hold on, hold on. 160."

Coach looked at his crew, "Seeing how I'm feeling generous today, 200."

"Two hundred? Okay. You're having a laugh. Have you had your head in that?"

Travis smiled and nodded to the chest. He kept making jokes at Coach's expense. Percy thought he was weird and gave a half smile, half grimace. Coach could see he was uncomfortable.

"You, Travis, are being very rude."

"Not anymore."

They went back and forth, Coach sticking to 200 and Travis bringing his price up slightly. Until he reached 195. Then Coach smiled, "One ninety five it is. So, with sales tax, that's 200."

Travis rolled his eyes, "Brilliant, put it in the back."

Travis motioned Coach away from his group, "Here, Listen."

Percy walked up. Travis raised an eyebrow, "Can I help you?"

Percy moved away. Travis looked at Coach. "Nosy, Now. Have you heard any of these rumors of a fallen star?"

Coach sneak a peek at Percy, and shook his head.

"You get your hands on one of them, we can shut up shop. Retire." Travis rubbed his hands greedily.

Coach pretty much shook his head. Travis stared at him, "nothing on your travels? Not a whisper?"

Coach shook his head. Travis kept talking, "everyone's going on about it down at the market."

"Which market, the one by the wall?"

Travis nodded. Coach rolled his eyes, "Well Travis, you're wasting your time on idle gossip from that pond scum."

"Well, if it..."

"My word," Coach said as he looked to the door opening, "Speak of the devil."

"Yeah? What were you saying then?" Iris raised an eyebrow at Coach.

"Oh, what a wonderful woman you are, Iris. How the world wouldn't be the same place without you!"

Iris rolled her eyes at Coach. Coach smiled at them, "But you have business to attend to. Iris, Travis. Good day."

Coach rounded up Percy and the crew.

They went back to the ship, where the crew saw Nico sitting on one of the nets. The crew got tense and some pulled out knives. Coach and Percy felt the tension, so Coach pushed through his crew and saw Nico sitting there, a pipe in his hand.

"Coach Hedge." He grinned wide. "Stand down, friends. It's just my nephew, that fearsome buccaneer, Nico!"

The crew members that had pulled knives put them back.

"He'll be joining us for our journey home," Coach shook Nico's hand and pulled him into a hug, "And Nephew, I have the perfect gift to keep you entertained."

He went and pushed Percy to Nico's side. Nico hugged him and made an obscure gesture at the pirates, who shouted in a sexualized manner.

The ship flew through red falls and made for the nearest stop to the wall. Percy and Nico spent the next few days with Coach. Nico learned how to fence and became an expert. They learned a lot about themselves and some would say both became a lot more confident. One night, Coach and Percy danced around the boat, and at one point Coach leaned to whisper in Percy ear, "I know what you are, Percy."

Percy stumbled and Coach held him closer, "Have no fear, my dear. Nobody on this ship will harm you. But there is plenty out there who will. Be cautious."

Percy nodded and whispered his thanks to Coach. They had a quiet conversation as they danced, until Nico interrupted, and Coach allowed it. Percy started shining the more he danced with Nico. The author paused to look at the full moon.