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There was a valuable lesson that Rory had learned a long time ago: never assume you're safe.
So when the Argo II docked at the harbor in Piraeus, on the outskirts of Athens, she resisted the urge to breathe a sigh of relief. Sure, they had finally reached their destination. Somewhere nearby — past those rows of cruise ships, past those hills crowded with buildings — they would find the Acropolis. Today, one way or another, their journey would end.
But that didn't mean she could relax. Any moment, a nasty surprise might come flying out of nowhere.
As it turned out, the surprise was three dudes with snake tails instead of legs.
Everyone was gearing up for combat — checking their weapons and armor, loading the ballistae and catapults. Rory was helping Piper with her chestplate when she spotted the snake guys slithering along the docks, winding through crowds of mortal tourists who paid them no attention.
"Oh my fucking gods," she muttered. She called, "Annabeth."
Annabeth and Percy came to her side.
"Oh, great," Percy said. "Dracaenae."
Annabeth narrowed her eyes. "I don't think so. At least not like any I've seen. Dracaenae have two serpent trunks for legs. These guys just have one."
"Annie's right," Rory said. "These look more human on top, too. Not all scaly and green."
The snake man in the lead was... weirdly attractive. (Do not tell Percy!) His face was chiseled and bronze, his eyes black as basalt, his curly dark hair glistening with oil. His upper body rippled with muscles, covered only by a Greek chlamys — a white wool cloak loosely wrapped and pinned at the shoulder. From the waist down, his body was one giant serpent trunk — about eight feet of green tail undulating behind him as he moved. He held his head high.
In one hand he carried a staff topped with a glowing green jewel. In his other, he carried a platter covered with a silver dome, like a main course for a fancy dinner.
The two guys behind him appeared to be guards. They wore bronze breastplates and elaborate helmets topped with horsehair bristles. Their spears were tipped with green stone points. Their oval shields were emblazoned with a large Greek letter K — kappa.
They stopped a few yards from the Argo II. The leader looked up and studied the demigods. His expression was intense but inscrutable. He might have been angry or worried or terribly in need of a restroom.
"Permission to come aboard." His rasping voice reminded Rory of a talon dragging across a stone.
"Who are you?" she asked.
He fixed his dark eyes on her. "I am Kekrops, the first and eternal king of Athens. I would welcome you to my city." He held up the covered platter. "Also, I brought a Bundt cake."
