Finding Hope (Book 1)

Chapter 30

Halfway across the dock, three giant eagles descended in front of them. Each deposited a Roman commando in purple and denim with glittering gold armor, sword, and shield. The eagles flew away,and the Roman in the middle, who was scrawnier than the others, raised his visor."Surrender to Rome!" Octavian shrieked.

Hazel drew her cavalry sword and grumbled, "Fat chance, Octavian."Annabeth cursed under her breath. This was not the time especially since Piper and Annabeth were armed only with daggers, and I had nothing.

Piper raised her hands in a placating gesture. "Octavian, what happened at camp was a setup. Wecan explain."

"Can't hear you!" Octavian yelled. "Wax in our ears—standard procedure when battling evil sirens.Now, throw down your weapons and turn around slowly so I can bind your hands."

"Let me skewer him," Hazel muttered. "Please."

"Well?" Octavian demanded. His two friends brandished their swords.Very slowly, using only two fingers, Annabeth drew her dagger. Instead of dropping it, she tossedit as far as she could into the water. What was she doing? Octavian made a squeaking sound. "What was that for? I didn't say toss it! That could've beenevidence. Or spoils of war!"

Octavian huffed in exasperation."You other three..." He pointed his blade at Me, Hazel, and Piper. "Put your weapons on the dock. Nofunny bus—"All around the Romans, Charleston Harbor erupted like a Las Vegas fountain putting on a show.When the wall of seawater subsided, the three Romans were in the bay, spluttering and franticallytrying to stay afloat in their armor. Percy stood on the dock, holding Annabeth's dagger.

"You dropped this," he said, totally poker-faced.Annabeth threw her arms around him.

"I love you!" I smiled at the two. There so CUTE!!

"Guys," Hazel interrupted. She had a little smile on her face. "We need to hurry."Down in the water, Octavian yelled, "Get me out of here! I'll kill you!"

"Tempting," Percy called down.

"What?" Octavian shouted. He was holding on to one of his guards, who was having troublekeeping them both afloat.

"Nothing!" Percy shouted back.

"Let's go, guys."Hazel said.

"We can't let them drown!" I said.

"They won't," Percy promised. "I've got the water circulating around their feet. As soon as we're out of range, I'll spit them ashore."

I grinned. "Nice."

"Piper, get below. Use the sink in the galley for an Iris-message. Warn Jason to get back here!" Annabeth ordered. Piper nodded and raced off. "Hazel, go find Coach Hedge and tell him to get his furry hindquarters on deck! "

"Right!"

"And Percy—you and I need to get this ship to Fort Sumter."Percy nodded and ran to the mast.

Ropes flew on their own—releasing the dock ties, weighing the anchor. The sail sun furled and caught the wind. Meanwhile Annabeth fired the engine. The oars extended with a sound like machine-gun fire, and the Argo II turned from the dock, heading for the island in the distance.The three eagles still circled overhead, but they made no attempt to land on the ship, probably because Festus the figurehead blew fire whenever they got close. More eagles were flying in formation toward Fort Sumter—at least a dozen. If each of them carried a Roman demigod...that was a lot of enemies. Coach Hedge came pounding up the stairs with Hazel at his hooves.

"Where are they?" he demanded. "Who do I kill?"

"No killing!" Annabeth ordered. "Just defend the ship!"