Part Two: Chapter Five: The Crew

=Nico=

I'll admit to this, I never thought about traveling with the Stolls… They never asked to join us and well I personally tried to keep my distance from them. Everyone else seemed to enjoy their company well enough. But the brother's honestly scared me. They were smart, quick thinkers and could steal almost anything. Having them join for a voyage wasn't usually my first thought. But Percy seemed determined. He walked through The Hydra as if he owned the place and almost everyone seemed to turn in our direction. I could hear the whispers starting, the shock in his appearance. 'The Sea Prince was alive,' or 'He's back,' or 'He survived the Kraken!' Percy didn't pay any attention to the whispers. He walked straight towards Mr. D's Drink and Dinner and entered. More people turned to stare and the room was silent. Even Pollux and Castor stopped in their work to stare. Percy walked up to them, ignoring all the stares. Katie was at his side, that kind of irritated me, but I could see behind her brave face. She was terrified. "The Stolls," Percy said to Pollux. "Where are they?"

"R-Room 13," he answered. "Haven't been down yet today… but… Percy where-"

"Now's not the time." Percy cut him off. He turned and walked towards the stairs, I exchanged a look with Annabeth but we followed after him. When we reached the room we saw that the door had been kicked open. Katie was standing near the doorway with an unimpressed look on her face.

"I don't see what's special about these two." She commented to us as she kept her gaze inside, it seems that Percy had rudely woken them up and they were hurrying about trying to get their things ready with a loud commotion of 'sorry Percy's' and 'yes sir.'

"The Stolls are children of Hermes." Annabeth answered her. "Their the best thieves and tricksters in our generation. They can steal anything, and rumor has it that they trapped a god several years ago." Katie still didn't look impressed.

"Never really liked children of Hermes." She commented. Annabeth chuckled a little. A moment later Percy was walking out the door with the two brothers following him.

"Don't get us wrong, we're glad you're back and that you weren't eaten by the Kraken, but what happened?" Conner (maybe?) asked Percy.

"Seriously, you can't just knock us out of bed, say we're leaving and not give us any answers." Travis continued.

"That's exactly what I'm doing, you'll get your answers later." Percy commented, then looked at me. "Where's everyone else, we need to set sail soon."

"Out at Silena and Beckendorf's house." I answered him. "I'll take you there." Percy frowned considering this and shook his head.

"No, it'd be easiest if I waited at the ship." He said turning away. "Less commotion this way, and we do have to hurry if we're going to catch up to Luke."

"He's out at open sea already," Annabeth commented. "How can we track him?" Percy cocked an eyebrow with an amused smile on his lips.

"I'll just ask around." He answered then looked at me again. "You don't mind, do you?"

"As long as you don't run off," I shrugged. He smiled then turned and walked off towards the boat. Annabeth and I watched the small party leave.

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The ship left port the moment it was filled with luggage and it's crew. This surprised mostly everyone considering the fact that the rigging fixed itself and the ship prepared herself without the aid of anyone. I watched as we left port and then wondered where Zoë was at. "He's back," Clarisse's voice startled me out of my thoughts and I turned to look at her. She was glaring at the ocean. "That's what this is all about isn't it? Leaving Silly and Beckendorf so soon after the child is born. You're not the type to abandon someone like that." She looked at me. "So where is he?"

"Not sure," I answered honestly. "Somewhere aboard ship I he flew ahead and has the ship bringing us to him." Her scowl deepened.

"When I see that punk I'm going to-"

"Throw me through a door." He fell from the sky and landed on the railing near us. I saw a rope swing by and figured he was up on the rafters getting an eagle's eye view. "I think I can accept that, it has been a few years since I last experienced it." To say that Clarisse was shocked by his appearance was an understatement. She nearly froze up. I could see relief flood over her face and she tried to hide it with anger. The others who were above deck fell silent, nearly all eyes fixed on the Prince standing in front of us.