Piper didn't know what was going on. After seeing Jason bust out of his room with Frank, both speed walking down the corridor, she honestly didn't know if she wanted to know. She walked up to the grand oak doors of the prince's room and peered in. The bed was in disarray, a table flipped in the corner, not to mention the thin layer of gold dust that coated everything. She put the table upright and noticed a few pieces of fur on the floor. She squinted. Lion fur? There weren't lions this far south in Cardin. Then again, there weren't many people like her in Cardin at all.

She sighed, making her way out of the room. She would need some help to clean this mess. Maybe she could find her friend, Lacy, to help. "Excuse me." Piper stopped walking and turned around to meet whoever had spoken.

"Lady Reyna. How can I help you?" Piper asked, trying as best as she could to not sound worried. If the King came around and saw Jason's room...

Reyna stood a bit taller. "Have you seen Prince Jason? I sent Frank to get him but..." she bit her lip. She noticed Piper's nervous glances at the prince's door. She stepped back and peered into the chaos. "By Edwylm," she muttered. She looked back at the handmaiden. Running up to her, she began to drag Piper along down the hall. Struggling not to trip, Piper saw Reyna's panicked expression. Even if she tried to hide it, one thing was pointed out to Piper. They were in danger.

"You've seen too much," Reyna said as she glanced at Piper. Before Piper could question this, Reyna bust opens the door to the servants steps. Rushing down the stairs, she made it outdoors into the main plaza. She spotted Frank hiding behind a haystack, Jason fidgeting not too far away. Frank glanced up and his jaw tightened as he saw Reyna.

Reyna crouched behind the hay and pulled Piper down with her. She took it as her chance to speak. "What do you think you're doing?" Piper whisper-shouted. "Just because I didn't exactly clean-"

Piper's voice faded as Reyna gave her a glare. Frank sighed. "Later. Right now, we need to get out of here." He peered over the haystack, slouching against the pile when he saw no way out.

"Frank, we could have you turn-" Frank shook his head at Reyna's words.

"You know how it is. I'll have to be an animal big enough to get us out of here. By the time I get us airborne, the archers would have shot us down. The king hates magic- to do it within his castle walls?" Frank shuddered.

Jason shrugged. "The only other exits I know of are up top." he glanced at one of the guard posts that loomed over the capital city. "There should be ladders up there that can be pushed over the edge. We could escape through Astar's back streets then out to the forest."

Frank nodded, ready to get into action. Piper gave a nervous laugh. "Wait, um, Sirs? My Lady? Are we just going to-"

Reyna gave a single, quick nod. "Yes. I promise, we will get you out of here."

"I don't want to leave! All I did was get dragged along!" She yelled, desperately trying to keep her voice low.

"Look, Piper-" Jason tried.

"Shut up! Close your mouth," Piper said, rubbing her temples. Unknown to her, Jason's mouth snapped shut at the command. Frank's eyes widened at the sight.

"Piper, did you just... Jason?" Piper looked confused, then looked up. Her eyes began to shift, from green to blue, and every color in between, as they always did when she used her powers. Jason's mouth was snapped shut and he had a concentrated look on his face, desperately trying to get his mouth open. She would've laughed, this time for real, but decided against it at the looks on Frank and Reyna's face.

Reyna spoke first. "Magic. You have magic?" Her questions were drowned out at the thoughts pouring into Piper's brain. She had yelled at people with a way higher rank than her, then used magic? She was going to be sold for slave work, she knew it. She shook her head, trying to hold back tears. "Piper?" Reyna questioned. She looked up.

Frank cleared his throat. "Don't worry, I was that way too when Reyna found me. When she found out about my magic... Let's just say that backing away in fear isn't a good idea on a cliff." He gave a nervous chuckle.

Jason cracked a small smile. He glanced at Piper, wanting to say something. Piper's eyes widened in realization. "Sorry. You can speak now."

He sighed, relieved. "It's alright," Jason looked at the small group. "Ready?" They nodded.

After a half hour of sneaking past guards and others who would question the four, they had made it to the tower. Jason glanced around and pointed at the rope, gesturing Frank to get it. Jason glanced over the edge, looking for anyone below in the streets of Astar. Frank began untangling the rope ladder (obviously the guard did not do a good job of putting it away.), leaving the girls to spot intruders, should they come.

"You shouldn't be so ashamed of your powers," Reyna stated, still looking ahead.

"Ashamed?" Piper asked. "I never said I was."

"Piper, I know that look. You may not be ashamed of them, but they have done something to you in the past. Something you can't quite forgive yourself for."

Piper looked down, thinking of a memory long ago. But however old that memory was, it was burned into the mind like the fire that put it there.

"Reyna? Piper?" Jason called. "We're ready."

Hope you enjoyed the chapter, I feel like this was a good one! I'm currently writing a few stories, and moving, so I'm not sure when the next chapter will be up. I made a few changes at the end of the last chapter, so check those out if ya want. Anyways, notes:

Anon: I plan on writing in multiple POV's. I usually put the name of the POV in the first sentence, like how today it was 'Piper didn't know what was going on'. Glad you're enjoying it!

stars-sailor: Yeah, I'll have to work on the OOC-ness. Most characters I feel like I can handle, like Jason, Nico, Annabeth, and Leo. But for Frank, Percy and the rest, I just wing it. I'll be rereading the books and practicing, so hopefully it'll get better.

Okay, good news: I have a good idea for introducing Hazel... Now I just need Frank and Percy. But I'm excited. Plus, I will be trying to make the chapters longer for a more enjoyable read.

This chapter has been edited for your reading entertainment. (:

Anyways, look forward to the next chapter! And please review, I'd like to know where I can get better. Bye!