{1} 𝐁𝐔𝐋𝐋𝐒𝐄𝐘𝐄 | p.jackson

𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦

| chapter twelve |

in which the chariot races in a bang

"One on one," Percy challenged Luke. "What are you afraid of?"

Luke curled his lip, but before he could say anything, Agrius burst onto the deck leading a flying horse. The pegasus was pure black with wings like a giant raven. They bucked and whinnied.

"Sir," called Agrius, dodging a pegasus hoof. "Your steed is ready!"

Luke kept his eyes on Percy. "I told you last summer, Percy. You can't bait me into a fight."

"And you keep avoiding one," noticed Percy. "Scared your warriors will see you get whipped?"

Luke glanced at his soldiers, knowing that Percy had him trapped. If he backed down, he would look weak. If he fought Percy, he would lose valuable time chasing after Clarisse.

"I'll kill you quickly," Luke decided and raised Backbiter. He whistled to one of the men, who threw him a round leather-and-bronze shield. Luke grinned wickedly.

Annabeth bristled. "Luke, at least give him a shield."

"Sorry, Annabeth," he said. "You bring your own equipment to this party."

"This is a party?" Nia muttered. The shield that Luke had was a clear problem. Fighting two-handed with just a sword gives more power but fighting one-handed with a shield gives better defense and versatility — more moves, more options, more ways to kill.