Percy looked at Nico, "How long will that take?"
Nico was thoughtful, "maybe two days."
Percy looked at him in shock, "Two days? We don't have two days. Annabeth's birthday is tomorrow!"
Nico looked at him in surprise. "Well remembered, Percy."
Percy moved to keep walking. Nico's eyes followed Percy for a moment, his face had a hint of something, but he soon schooled it into determination and followed Percy.
Grover looked at Coach, "Nice cup of earl Grey, sire."
"Get out, everybody. Get out!" Coach looked ashamed and worried.
Grover looked at him, worried. "Did he hurt you, Coach? Did you tell him where your nephew and the boy went?"
Coach shook his head, staring at his desk. Grover nodded, "So what's the problem, sire?"
"It's my reputation." Coach said in a small voice.
Grover looked at the crew, who shook their heads. "No. No, no. Don't be silly, nonsense."
A random crew member spoke up, " it's all right, captain. We always knew you were a whoopsie."
He made a vague dirty gesture. Coach glared at him.
Juniper and Demeter grabbed him and pushed him to the back.
They walked forward, going around his desk and each kissed a cheek. Juniper smiled at him, "you'll always be our captain, Sire."
Demeter nodded. Coach looked at them and the rest of the crew. He couldn't help but smile at them. "Thank you, crew. Now, get back to work."
Grover nodded and sent them off. He looked back at the coach, who was sipping his tea. He walked over to Coach and waited. When Coach looked up, Grover smiled at him, "Don't worry, Hedge. It will be alright. The crew thinks no less of you."
Coach smiled at him, "Thanks, Grover."
Ares slowly surfaced from the water, near a shoreline where Bernard sat on a horse waiting for him. He quickly got out of the water and stomped to Bernard.
"Prince Ares. Your men, they're dead."
Ares glared at him, "OH, really?"
He threw Bernard off the horse and mounted the horse. He kicked the horse into gear, yelling. "Go on. Go on!"
A yellow carriage was traveling down the road, where Percy and Nico hid near a bridge. Holding the reins sat Iris, her face in a permanent scowl. Percy recognized her from when Coach took him to Stoll's office. As Iris started to cross the bridge, he poked Nico and nodded. "I met that woman, she is friends with Coach."
Nico looked at him, "Are you sure?"
Percy nodded at him, "He said she trades at the market near wall. Maybe we could hitch a lift?"
Nico smiled at him, "Let's go."
They ran from their hiding place to intercept Iris.
Nico looked at her, "Wait! Wait. I'm terribly sorry, my name is Nico."
Iris looked at him, "That's my flower! 18 years I've been looking for that. Give it back, now!"