Ch18
For Chrysaor the next few days at camp were tense and not just because of the frequent monster attacks. Tantalus was quickly making the camp his own personal fiefdom and cared less about anything except his own pleasure. Meanwhile Percy was worried about both Grover missing and Tyson.
He watched Tantalus try unsuccessfully to consume various foods and drinks. It was kind of funny but that still didn't make up for the fact he was acting like a dictator. This is going to be long summer if we just stay here with this guy.
Percy was not in a good mood and Grover's situation was not good since he made an empathy link with him. "Grover is barely hanging int here we have to help him one way or another." His younger brother then looked at Tyson and sighed, "Tyson we finished with the wheels."
Tyson gave them a wide smile, "I like helping my brothers."
"We appreciate your help," he told the young cyclops.
Percy nodded, "I just can't stand how the others look at me now that Tyson is here. I'm not ashamed of him but outside the Hephaestus, everyone else treats him like something bad."
"They'll come around," he said. The children of Hephaestus accepted Tyson because their father frequently worked with various cyclops in the forges, Tyson also had a talent for creating things and was very talented. The rest of the camp avoided Tyson and quickly learned not to insult the cyclops near him or Percy since he nearly took an eye out of an Aphrodite girl.
"H-Hey guys," Malcolm Pace said as he entered their work area with a tight smile.
"Oh hey Malcolm," Percy said. "Do you need anything?"
"Oh we are studying Greek mythology today and we just wanted to let you guys know that we enjoy Tyson and don't mind studying with him," Malcolm said. Despite the tense smile he had to give credit that he was trying. "We enjoyed him being with us last time. If he needs any help let us know and we'll make the right accommodations."
"Thanks we'll be looking forward to it," Percy said. His younger brother also appreciated the effort even if he didn't know Malcolm well.
"See you guys then and let us know if you need anything, " Malcolm said before turning around and leaving.
"He has been doing that lately," Percy said scratching his head. "Not that I have a problem with it but he seems scared of something."
"Yeah he wants to get on our good side to get on our father's good side," he said. The day after Tyson was claimed the pegasi used the area around the Athena Cabin as a toilet and the camp smelled more like shit than usual and since then the Athena Cabin was the only Cabin outside of Hephaestus who tried to get to know Tyson and were extra nice around him and Percy.
"Oh have you heard of the Sea of Monsters?" Percy asked. "In his dream Grover said he was being held captive there."
He looked up from cleaning the chariot and nodded, "I've sailed through there many times. It can be dangerous if you're not careful."
Percy looked around to make sure no one was watching, "Do you think we could sail there on your ship? You know in case we can't get a quest or something?"
He smiled, "Of course. I may not have a crew but I've sailed through it a few times alone. It won't be easy but I know all the tricks of that place."
"Good to know," Percy said. "I honestly want to save Grover as soon as possible. He's in trouble and I don't know if he can pretend to be a girl much longer."
He frowned and nodded. If he is with that cyclops this will complicate things greatly. Polyphemus was a tough opponent though easy to manipulate. Still Percy isn't inexperienced anymore we can handle going there and take him out if need be.
Still Polyphemus and Circe were not opponents he wanted to take lightly, if they were going they would have to be prepared. Then there is Circe, that woman can be a real pain if we aren't careful.
"Do you have an idea of where Grover could be?" Percy asked.
"If what you told me is true then the cyclops Polyphemus must be holding him captive," he said looking up at his brother "He is strong but kind of stupid. Odysseus faced him on his return to Troy, he won't be easy to beat we'll have to be careful. Then there is the witch Circe, who I've had personal dealings with. She is very crafty"
A little too personal to be honest. He and Circe were many things, they used and backstabbed each other and used each other. Running into her might be just as bad as Polyphemus.
Percy smiled at him. "We are Poseidon's children we can do this. When Triton picked me up from school we talked a bit."
"Oh about what?" He asked.
"He said he will watch out for us," Percy said. "You know he is kind of arrogant but I think he is starting to rub off on me."
"Yeah but he still is a bit of a douche," he said. Percy smiled at him and the two laughed, it was the first time Percy smiled since Tyson was claimed.
"Also I was given a series of numbers they may be coordinates," Percy said as he repeated the numbers.
"Yeah those sound like coordinates," he said scratching his head. "Just remember them for when we need them."
They did manage to create a cool chariot though. Tyson helped them weld and create the design while he and Percy would be the riders. "Alright Tyson stand by while we ride," Percy said as they got their chariot ready.
"Alright," Tyson said with a smile as he grabbed his toolbox.
He looked at the pegasi who was pulling the chariot, for a second they looked at each other before it turned away. I wonder if Pegasus is spying on me through his kids. He did his best to avoid the stables but occasionally when he had to interact with his nieces and nephews they allowed him to ride them and get close but they never spoke to him unless it was necessary. According to Percy things would get awkward if he asked them about him.
He was ashamed of what I did for a living and any time he tried to speak of my piracy we just fought. Though ever since I've been with Percy he has been coming to my mind more often. Looking at the pegasi he couldn't help but notice their similarities to his own brother, whether it be their wings or their hooves or how they flew in the sky. It was small things but a part of him felt awkward around them, it was small feeling but the urge to say hello to his brother was there even if it were minuscule.
"Chris are you ready?" Percy asked snapping him out of his thoughts.
"Yeah lets do this," he said as he stood in the carriage. I never actually rode a pegasi as transportation in ages. The last time he could recall was when he was younger and his brother took him flying. Then he got famous and had a bunch of stories told about him. He gripped the reigns tightly as the chariot moved into position with the other chariots. Shaking his head he ignored the nostalgic feelings inside of him. Damn. I guess mortality brings all kinds of feelings back.
Still I've made a few accomplishments of my own. I'm sure Percy will be a hero just as the heroes of old. He looked at his younger sibling, despite his young age he did save the world and had a few feats under his belt.
"Alright everyone get ready," Tantalus said as he gripped the reigns tightly. "The winner will achieve glory and a banquet. On your mark, get set, go!"
He gripped the reigns tightly as the chariot began to move. Keeping eyes on hie peripherals he watched the other charioteers as they rode by their sides. They rode through the route, Percy drew his sword and occasionally used it to repel another chariot that tried to knock them off the path.
Squinting his eyes he saw the chariot of Clarisse ahead of them. I'm sure I can knock her down. He reached into his pocket and gripped his pen in his hand.
"Look out!" Percy yelled.
He snapped his head to see a series of large birds come at the. Shit. The Pegasi neighed as he steered the chariot erratically into an evasive maneuver to prevent a collision. A large bird came at them but Percy quickly took care of it with Riptide. The chariot veered but he managed to park it before he drew his sword at the monsters that came at them.
Drawing his sword he quickly decapitated the head of a monster that tried to bite him. "Damn it there are so many of them," Percy said as they two fought off the birds that came at them.
The other campers also came and helped as the birds. People screamed as the monsters dived down to bite at the campers. Campers tried everything from arrows to swords but they kept coming. That was until Tyson came with a large tree branch and swung it in the air.
"Bad birdies go away!" Tyson yelled as he swung the trunk of the tree knocking the birds to the ground.
"Good job Tyson!" Percy yelled as the birds got whacked down to the ground making it easier for them to be killed.
The monsters screeched in pain and disappeared as he sunk his bolden blade into them. Within a matter of minutes, the monsters were gone, the few that had brains decided to fly away while those that stayed perished.
"Alrighty campers it appears like we have a winner," Tantalus announced. They turned around to see Tantalus hold up Clarisse's hand. "We shall feast for her tonight."
Percy glared at Tantalus but said nothing as they decided to put their chariot away. "Don't worry if they give her the quest we can still save Grover our own way," he said as they ate dinner. During the feast, Tantalus praised Clarisse repeatedly and completely ignored the discontent among the campers.
"I think we'll have to do that," Percy said folding his arms. His younger brother cleared his throat, "Um sir about Thalia's tree shouldn't we send a quest out or something to fix it?"
Tantalus frowned at them, "Why would I do that? The tree will fix itself." There was a grumble of discontent and Tantalus shifted noticing the glares on him. "Ok fine if you want a quest I say Clarisse here should go."
He noticed Percy frown but he pulled at his arm, "Calm down lets just do what we can to go if not I still can summon my ship."
Percy nodded and sat back down as Clarisse got up and headed to visit the oracle. The campers waited in anticipation until she came back with a tense expression on her face. "I got it," she said as the camp cheered. "But I'll go alone, I don't need any help." She directed a glare at them.
"But we know the way," Percy said as he blurted out some coordinates.
Clarisse glared at his younger sibling. "I don't need anyone's help."
The children of Ares are just as stubborn as his father. He did his best to hold Percy back as he tried to argue but it was no use, the daughter of Ares refused any help.
"She is so stubborn," Percy said once they got back to their cabin.
"Don't worry trying to convince her would be fruitless," he said calmly.
Percy nodded and took out the baseball cap that belonged to that Athena girl, "True." His younger sibling then proceeded to put it on and off turning visible and invisible in front of him. "Does your offer of helping me still stand?"
He looked his brother in the eyes and nodded, "Of course. If you need my help I'll gladly help you." Reaching into his drawer he pulled out the small conch shell he was given. "We can leave tonight if you want. But remember we'll have to be very careful there."
"Thanks," Percy said as they began to discreetly pack their things and get ready to leave.
It was late in the evening when they decided to leave. Percy left the cabin first while he stayed with Tyson. He was preparing to break it to the cyclops that they heard Percy call out to them."
"That was Percy!" Tyson said.
He sighed, "Yeah it was come on lets be careful." Grabbing his bag he quickly they quickly left the room where they found Percy at the beach with a few bags at his side.
"Percy what's wrong?" He asked.
His younger brother looked at him in surprise, "What do you mean? I was just talking with Hermes. He came by to give us help for getting the fleece."
Well at least we have his blessing to go not that we were going to ask anyone's permission. Percy looked at Tyson, "We are leaving camp to save a friend of mine do you want to come?"
Tyson nodded, "Want to want to help my brothers."
"We better hurry before the harpies find us," he said looking up at the dark sky. "I can guide you, it won't be easy but I'm sure we can take on Polyphemus if we prepare well enough."
"Thanks," Percy said pointing to the hippocampi in the water. "Come on lets go save Grover."
