The Son of Artemis Book 2

Chapter 10:

Percy's POV:

That night I had honestly one of the weirdest dreams I probably ever had, that I didn't want to have. All I saw was Ares, and he was telling me that I had to go on the quest solo. Wait a minute, why am I seeing things from Clarisse's perspective. 

She's going to want to pulverize me for this. Anyways before I could learn more the scene changed to that of my mom talking to Athena in her tent. "You know she's going to fail without them" My mom said

"Yes but do you think Ares is going to admit that. He's in denial of my advice about the quest and is only setting his daughter on the path of death" Athena grumbled

"Then why are you complaining to me again" Mom asked, as they were seemingly in agreement, on whatever the problem is. Which I'm beginning to think is Ares being his usual dumb self giving out idiotic advice which might get his own children killed. But hey at least it would be in the glory of battle, at least that's what I think he thinks

"Percy are you just going to be quiet or ask us something of importance" Mom said, which got a shock look from Athena. I didn't say anything and shortly came out of my dream.

Like I said a bit weird, even for demigod standards. I guess I should also explain that the Athena kids and me were only on the night boarder patrol till three where we cycled out. Now, I immediately made my way to Annabeth woke her up and explained my dream, which she somewhat sighed at and agreed that we should talk to Clarisse before she leaves.

Annabeth and I ran out of her cabin, only to start running towards Thalia's Tree hoping to stop Clarisse in time.

As we got near the tree Annabeth and I saw her about to leave but she stopped and looked at us questioningly. Well, until we tackled her, as apparently Annabeth and I had the same idea.

"What are" Clarisse started to yell from under us, only for Annabeth to cover her mouth.

"What's the prophecy" Annabeth asked quickly, and just as quickly removed her hand from Clarisse's mouth rubbing on the ground

"You didn't need to tackle me or put your hand over my mouth and why would you like to know, it's a solo quest"she demanded. 

"Your father told you that didn't he" I asked, only to get a moment of shock from Clarisse before she started glaring at me for probably tackling her.

"So what if he did" 

"Do you honestly think your father gives wise advice, nevertheless good advice when it comes to prophecy. He's a soldier and not a thinking one at that. We all know he represents the chaotic side of war, when my mother represents the organized side of war"  Annabeth said trying to get through to Clarisse as once she makes up her mind it's hard to change it.

"fine, but this doesn't change my mind about who's going on the quest" she grumbled, 

"You shall sail the iron ship with warriors of bone,

You shall find what you seek and make it your own

But despair for your life entombed within stone

And fail without friends, to fly home alone"

"That's it that's the prophecy" she finished and Annabeth smacked her upside the head.

"And you still think it's a Solo Quest" Annabeth said making a huge emphasis on Solo.

"Yeah it says to fly home alone" She said only to get slapped by Annabeth...again. I would feel sorry for her but she should have expected that one.

"It also say 'fail without friends'. I knew your father was a dumbass, after he underestimated Percy, but he ought to be made the god of stupidity" Annabeth exasperated.

"He still has competition with Hermes, Apollo, and Poseidon" I reminded Annabeth which only got me slapped.

"You are taking two others Clarisse and that's final" Annabeth yelled turning to her and for a moment I was wishing to look at my watch instead as that was a preferable view to an infuriated Annabeth.

"Ok, well I guess I should take you and Perce assuming you're both ready" Clarisse mumbled under the harsh glare of Annabeth, which I think she may have picked up from my sisters.

"Good now, we'll go get our backpacks, and you'll wait for us here, or so help me Zeus, I will find you and kick your ass the entire way there Clarisse" Annabeth said, with a slightly sadistic smirk, which I've only seen a few times on Zoë. Yeah I'm not letting those two spend that much alone time together ever again, it scares me, and probably the others two as she needs to learn how to control her hubris, and maybe some repressed anger. 

"Fine, just be quick about it" Clarisse said, with a mixture of annoyance impatience, and a hint of fear, likely wondering if she would follow up on that threat.

I quickly ran off down the hill and only packed a few changes of clothes, checked that my weapons were in order, and packed a couple of whetstones for something to do if I get board, before returning to the top of the hill, just as Annabeth also arrived.

"Good can we get going now" Clarisse asked, to which Annabeth nodded, before the both of them dragged me off. 

"So where are we going" I asked, as they dragged me off into the camp's van, only this time I'm happy that there wouldn't be any flirting.

"To Pier 84 next to the Intrepid apparently we have a ship that's going to be waiting near by" Clarisse said

"Let me guess, manned by skeletal crew who died in war" I asked, which only got a nod from Clarisse

Honestly, I was not looking forward to this quest but Annabeth volunteered the both of us, but I also have a feeling that we don't have our full crew yet, which is a really bad feeling to have.

Line Break

 When we got their I immediately recognized the ship as an ironclad, and it was either pre civil-war or made during the civil war, based off the design alone. "we should stick to the coast until it's time to go out into deeper waters" I mumbled

"This just proves your father is an idiot. I would rather take Trireme where we are going than that" Annabeth said.

"I might just agree with you two now, about my father being an idiot but it's better than nothing" Clarisse said.

"I would steal a boat if it weren't for the damned prophecy" I said. "Once again Thanks for this Apollo" I finished sarcastically, only to receive a rumble of thunder in response. Which I'm guessing is Apollo saying 'my prophecies are perfection'.

Anyways, during that time the ironclad, sailed close enough for us to board which we did and we set sail heading south .