𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑔𝑛𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑒¹

𝑃𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝐴𝑛𝑑𝑟𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑑𝑎

‧̍̊˙· 𓆝.° ｡˚𓆛˚｡ °.𓆞 ·˙‧̍̊

BEING KIDNAPPED WAS ON the bottom of her list for fun things to do during the fall. In fact, she never planned on it, but considering that Kronos, himself, sought her skills, she should've expected it to happen sooner or later.

Astoria was locked in a nice room and judging from the sound of crashing waves, she was on the Princess Andromeda. Her hands and feet were bound to her back. Great. "How long was I out for?" she muttered.

"Only ten months."

"What?!" Astoria shouted. Luke was leaning against the door, Backbiter sheathed to his left side. He walked in, seating himself on a chair that faced her.

"Shut up," Castellan scowled. "We just put you to sleep. Now that you're awake, tell us where to find the Fleece." He pulled out Backbiter and began sharpening it. Not a nice threatening gesture.

Astoria cursed to herself. Of course, he would pull out the one weapon she hates. "What makes you think I know where the Fleece is?"

"The same way you knew who Percy's godly parent was, and when he would be claimed," Luke shrugged. "That information doesn't come by anyone, much less a mortal."

"You're stupid if you think I'll help you," Astoria spat. She wriggle her hands to see if the rope would come loose. It didn't.

"I was hoping you would come to your senses," he sighed. "Agrius, Oreius, come in here, now."

Astoria scooted away from the door. Two bear-like creatures came inside the room. They were about eight feet tall, covered in thick brown fur, and had claws for fingernails and snout-like noses. Their teeth were all pointed.

"Bring her to the suite," he commanded. "And make sure to muffle her. She's annoying to listen to."

Agrius came towards her with a handkerchief in his hands. "Why do we need this weak mortal in the first place?"

"Hey," Astoria yelled, "I may be weak, but I'm still worth something alright?"

"Quiet," the man-bear snarled, "Or I'll rip out your tongue."

Needless to say, she shut up pretty quickly.

Agrius managed to cover her mouth with the cloth and pulled her up. Luke then walked and kneeled down to cut the rope binding her feet.

"No funny moves," he warned.

Astoria only rolled her eyes.

They walked through the ship's deck. Oreius and Agrius stood behind her to make sure she didn't run away as Luke led them to where Kronos was. Astoria kept her eyes glue to the velvet carpet as the twin bears bickered amongst themselves.

"Why are you in charge in the first place," Agrius complained. "A mere demigod like you in charge of us? What a joke."

"Are you against our Lord's decision?" Luke countered.

"Of course not," Agrius claimed. "But all we've done is wait around. Are you sure we'll find the Fleece?"

"Of course," Luke said confidently. Astoria lifted her head to see him eyeing her. "With her help, we can change the prophecy ourselves. The fools won't know which way to turn."

Astoria vaguely recalled this line. If he said it, that means Percy, Annabeth, and Tyson were here on this ship. "Mmmph," she said through the handkerchief.

"Silence," Agrius growled. He stared at Luke. "You really think the old horseman is gone for good?"

Luke laughed manically. "They can't trust him. Not with the skeletons in his closet. The poisoning of the tree was the final straw."