"I hate that bastard, I was commanding armies whilst he was still in diapers. Who does Perseus think he is to order me around." "He is right though father," a hersperide said, "we need the quarters to get here in order to have the best chance of victory."
"I know I know but it just annoys me."
Back with Theseus
He woke with a start and was sure he'd heard a loud banging. It was dark outside. The salt spring still gurgled. No other sounds but the hoot of an owl in the woods and the distant surf on the beach. In the moonlight, on the nightstand was Annabeth's New York Yankees cap. BANG BANG.
Someone, or something, was pounding on the door. He grabbed Riptide and got out of bed.
"Hello?" Theseus called, whilst creeping towards the door. THUMP. THUMP Uncapping the blade, flinging open the door, and finding himself face-to-face with a black pegasus.
Whoa, boss! Its voice spoke in Theseus' mind as it clopped away from the sword blade. I don't wanna be a horse-ke-bob!
Its black wings spread in alarm, and the wind buffeted me back a step,
"Blackjack," he thought relieved but a little irritated. "It's the middle of the night!" Blackjack huffed. Ain't either, boss. It's five in the morning. What you still sleeping for? "How many times have I told you? Don't call me boss."
Whatever you say, boss. You're the man. You're my number one. He rubbed the sleep out of my eyes and tried not to let the pegasus read my thoughts. Since Poseidon created horses out of sea foam, Theseus could understand most equestrian animals, but they can understand him, too. Sometimes, like in Blackjacks case, they kind of adopt Poseidon's demigod children.
See, Blackjack had been a captive on board Luke's ship last summer, until a little distraction was caused that allowed him to escape.
"Blackjack," Theseus said, "you're supposed to stay in the stables."
Meh, the stables. You see Chiron staying in the stables?
"Well... no."
Exactly. Listen, we got another little sea friend needs your help.
"Again?"
Yeah. I told the hippocampi I'd come get you.
Theseus groaned. Anytime he was anywhere near the beach, the hippocampi would ask him to help them with their problems. And they had a lot of problems. Beached whales, porpoises caught in fishing nets, mermaids with hangnails—they'd call Theseus to come underwater and help.
"All right," he said. "I'm coming."
You're the best, boss.
"And don't call me boss!"
Blackjack whinnied softly. It might've been a laugh.
He looked back at his comfortable bed. A bronze shield still hung on the wall, dented and unusable. And on the nightstand was Annabeth's magic Yankees cap. On an impulse, He stuck the cap in my pocket.