Winter Solace(Mark of Athena fan fiction)

Chapter 10-"How would you slap, if you don't have any arms?"

Chapter 10

Winter's POV

I did my morning routine and went up the stairs of the ship.

Annabeth paced the deck of this flying warship, checking and double checking the ballistae to make sure they were locked down. She went to see that the white "We come in peace" flag was flying from the mast. She told us the plan with the rest of the crew-and the backup plan, and the backup plan for the backup plan.

The warship descended through the clouds.

Everything was planned. Actually crammed last night. I felt nervous. I mean who would be? If I were in the shoes of the Romans, I'd also think that we're arranging a war against them.

The Argo II definitely did not look friendly. Two hundred feet long, with a bronze plated hull, mounted repeating crossbows fore and aft, a flaming metal dragon for a figurehead, and two rotating amidships that could fire explosive bolts, pretty much enough to kill me.

The clouds broke around our hull, revealing the gold-and-green carpet of the Oakland Hills below us. I seriously didn't like flying that much but I'll be okay if I mostly looked at the horizon. 

We all took our places. I thought I was prepared for this but seeing the large place clearly, I think I'd want to run away.

On the stern quarterdeck, Leo rushed around, checking his Hephaestus materials that is really unfamiliar to me—I haven't seen them before in my entire life. He installed more things. The things that I recognized were; a keyboard, a monitor, and motion-control sensors from a Nintendo Wii. Ever since I was seven, my mom gave me a Nintendo Wii, along with a lot of games. She said it was bought by my dad—who is apparently Apollo. I shook those thoughts away. I should be more focused on the repertoire of plans.

Piper who was beside me between the mainmast and the ballistae, practicing her lines.

"Lower your weapons," She murmured, expressing it with her emotions. "We just want to talk." I wish I wasn't beside her, because I was resisting the urge to unsheath my dagger that was attached to my belt. Her charmspeak was powerful.

Then there was Jason. I hated him a little for forgetting who I was. Every time I'd pass him, I'd ask him if he remembers me, he would just say,"Who are you again?" Sometimes, I think that he's joking or he's doing it on purpose. But as I observed, he has no humor on his face. He really doesn't remember me. He was currently standing at the bow on the raised crossbow platform, where the Romans could easily spot him. His knuckles were white on the hilt of his golden sword. He looked calm, like nothing is happening. I didn't know whether to hate this guy or not. He looked in control, like he knows what he should do. He claimed that he had grown at Camp Jupiter, so hopefully his familiar face will make the Romans hesitant to attack us.

I sighed, calming myself. I breathed in the fresh air. I should clear my mind and try not think too much. That Percy boy that Annabeth is deeply in love with is probably down there. I looked down which made my stomach churn like I was tossed down a tall building. I looked back at the horizon.

In the valley below, the horns sounded, making me focus back my attention to everything that's going to happen. Even if I hated heights, my eyes betrayed me because they got curious on what's down there. The Oakland Hills looked just about twice the size of Camp Half-Blood. Camp Half-Blood was already big for me but this place was absolutely massive. A small river snaked around one side and curled toward the center like a capital letter 'G', emptying into a sparking blue lake.

Directly below the ship, nestled at the edge of the lake, the city of New Rome gleamed in the sunlight. There was a hippodrome that I've only seen in pictures, a coliseum, fascinating temples, parks, the neighborhood of Seven Hills with its winding streets, colorful villas, and flowering gardens. As I've read mythology books, this one was what I've been dreaming to see. It seemed like fantasy to me before I was claimed as a demigod.