Forbidden Quests

Chapter 2

Annabeth

At the conference, I immediately recognized Lord Zeus. He looked exactly like the way Athena had described him to me at my asking. Because gods were . . . Well, gods, they could change their age and appearance. Most of them liked the age of about thirty years, though.

Zeus was tall, muscular, and had a neatly trimmed brown beard. Long brown hair fell around his shoulders. His eyes were electric blue, and I swear I could see lightning bolts flashing in them. Speaking of lightning, in his right hand he held the legendary lightning bolt. It was said that in that one bolt it held the voltage power of about five hundred normal lightning bolts. So, yeah, it was kinda dangerous.

I also knew Hades, sitting at Zeus' left. Although Athena has never described him to me, he had the Helm of Darkness on his head, and only the Lord of the Underworld wore that. It covered most of his head, but you could see long black hair coming out the sides of the helmet. A sharp pointy nose, and two black eyes were visible as well. The helm radiated darkness. Literally. Everything within a foot of the helm seemed shadowy. Just looking at it triggered my deepest fears.

Spiders. I shuddered and looked away from the sinister helm.

Then my gaze traveled to the throne on Zeus' right.

On that throne sat a tall, tan and muscular man. He had messy black hair reaching his shoulders, but no facial hair. The sides of his eyes had crinkles, the result of frequent smiles. He looked really relaxed, and was casually leaning back in his coral throne, while Zeus and Hades sat stiff and upright. But what really got me were the eyes. Sure, they were bright green and looked like miniature seas, but they were cheerful and happy, which was the complete opposite of Zeus and Hades. Both of their eyes were cold and forbearing, held aloof with haughtiness. I glanced back at the third god I had seen, wondering who this joyful person was.

Wait . . . sea green eyes? Miniature oceans? Sitting on the right of Zeus? Coral throne? Just then I noticed a trident leaning against the throne. Oh, great. This must be Poseidon.

Annabeth! You were just thinking that this god was pretty good looking! You're supposed to hate him! I screamed at myself. My hatred returned immediately.

But I found it was hard to hate him. He was just so nice to me.

I know, it was weird, since he was the one that murdered my father, and also was my mother's archenemy . . . but he smiled at me and it was a genuine smile, but it had a touch of sadness in it.

Annabeth, my dear.

My head snappy around, looking for whoever had spoken to me. However, nobody was looking at me, just Poseidon. Only then did I realize the deep voice was Poseidon's, and it was in my head, reverberating around my skull like an echo.

I am very sorry about your father. We did it for everybody, for without Athena in her right mind, things would not go well. I'm so sorry that you had to go without a father figure in your life. Please forgive me, but I will understand if you don't. I left you a gift at the temple, and you will find it when you get back, but don't tell your mother, for she will probably destroy it on sight. Again, I'm sorry.

I looked dumbfounded at Poseidon. Everything I thought of this god was wrong. He definitely wasn't a ugly, old hag. But I also thought he would be mean. Just saying. He did kill my father, but now he was apologizing and begging for forgiveness. I didn't know what to think. I wasn't ready to just forgive the murderer of my father, but he seemed genuinely sad and apologetic . . .

But what if he was pretending to be nice to get me on his good side to acquire an advantage over my mother when they had their arguments? Or if he was just faking it so I wouldn't think of him so badly? I didn't know, there was just too many bad consequences that could happen if I forgave him. I decided to hold off. I swear I saw Poseidon nod his head as if in acknowledgment. It's creepy how much gods know.