Charmolypi

Chapter 94

That night at the campfire, Apollo's cabin led the sing-along. They tried to get everybody's spirits up, but it wasn't easy after that afternoon's bird attack. All the campers sat around a semicircle of stone steps, singing halfheartedly and watching the bonfire blaze while the Apollo guys strummed their guitars and picked their lyres.

When the last song was over, Tantalus said, "Well, that was lovely!" He went forward with a toasted marshmallow on a stick and tried to pluck it off, real casual-like. But before he could touch it, the marshmallow flew off the stick. Tantalus made a wild grab, but the marshmallow committed suicide, diving into the flames. Tantalus turned back toward us, smiling coldly. "Now then! Some announcements about tomorrow's schedule."

"I'm glad he's being punished by not eating."

"Sir," Percy called.

Tantalus's eye twitched. "Our kitchen boy has something to say?"

"Someone throw something at him, he really angers me," Marlene said under her breath, gritting her teeth.

Some of the Ares campers snickered, but Percy wasn't going to let anybody embarrass him into silence. He stood and looked at Annabeth, who stood up along with him. The turned to Thea who signaled them to go on, knowing that they had her support. Percy smiled slightly at the idea that the most respected demigod supported his claim.

The son of Poseidon said, "We have an idea to save the camp."

"They're going to get in so much trouble," Remus said worriedly.

"Why are you so worried, Moony," Sirius asked, genuinely confused. "We get in trouble all the time and it isn't that bad."

"We're not demigods and Dumbledore isn't that monster," James explained.

Dead silence, but the group could tell they'd gotten everybody's interest, because the campfire flared bright yellow.

"Indeed," Tantalus said blandly. "Well, if it has anything to do with chariots-"

"I swear-"

"Shh!"

"The Golden Fleece," Percy said. "We know where it is."

The flames burned orange. Before Tantalus could do anything, Percy blurted out his

dream about Grover and Polyphemus's Island. Annabeth stepped in and reminded everybody what the Fleece could do. It sounded more convincing coming from her.

"The Fleece can save the camp," she concluded. "I'm certain of it."

"Nonsense," said Tantalus. "We don't need saving." Everybody stared at him until Tantalus started looking uncomfortable. "Besides," he added quickly, "the Sea of Monsters? That's hardly an exact location. You wouldn't even know where to look."

"He's so stupid!"

"He wants them to die?"

"He's such an evil man!"

"What would happen to him if all the demigods were to die, and the monsters overrun camp?" Evan asked.

"Probably will be sent back to the underworld," Regulus said after a moment of thinking.

"Yes, I would," Percy said.

Annabeth leaned toward him and whispered, "You would?"

"What?"

"Really?"

"The coordinates," Regulus said in realization.

The son of Poseidon nodded. "30, 31, 75, 12," he said.