The Owl Princess

Book 6: Chapter 2- The Limestone Caves

Calypso was awoken the next morning by a male voice shouting outside of her cave.
"Annabeth," It said. "Annabeth, where are you?"
Fearing that the noise would disturb her mother and aunt, Calypso rushed outside to see what was going on. She found a disheveled looking Prince Percy pacing on the cliffs and calling out across the island.
"Shh," she said to him. "What's the matter?"
"Annabeth disappeared. She asked me to stay with her on the beach last night and I fell asleep. When I woke up after sunrise, she was gone, nowhere to be found."
"Can I help you, young man?"
Hecate, leaning on her cane, hobbled out of the cave. Calypso breathed a sigh of relief that it was not her mother.
"I'm looking for someone," Percy replied. "A girl with long, blond hair and grey eyes. Have you seen anyone like that, Mistress?"
"Can't say I have. Calypso, this must be Prince Perseus."
"How do you know who I am?"
"I've been expecting you, My Lord. I knew you would be coming to rescue your sweetheart. Would you like to go and see her?"
"Yes! Where is she?"
Hecate let out a girlish laugh.
"I'll take you there."
She lead them up to the pine trees at Ogygia's highest point. Percy offered to help Hecate climb the crags. She accepted his arm, more out of politeness than necessity. Calypso knew perfectly well that her aunt could manage on her own.
"Annabeth! Annabeth!" Percy's voice rang across the island.
"Here she comes," Hecate added.
Glauce poked her head out of a hole in the tallest pine tree, where she had built a nest out of twigs, grasses, and mosses.

She swooped out of the hole and flew over to Percy.
"I recognize that bird," he said. "It's the same one I saw yesterday. See the wine-colored mark on its wing."
Glauce landed on Percy's shoulder. He extended his arm to give the owl more room.
"Hello, Pretty Bird." Glauce hopped up Percy's arm and nuzzled her head against his chin. "You said Annabeth was coming, where is she?"
"On your arm," Hecate replied.
"Funny joke but you're not helping."
"I'm not making a joke. That owl is Princess Annabeth."
"I was told that there were powerful witches on this island but all I've come across is a mad, old woman."
"My aunt might be mad," Calypso cut in. "But she's not lying."
"Take a look at the mark on her arm," Hecate said. "Does it look familiar to you?"
Glauce spread her wings so Percy could get a good look at them.
"It's shaped like a spearhead, just like... the one on Annabeth's shoulder."
"I transformed her into an owl to keep her hidden."
"Hidden from what?"
"My mother," Calypso said. "It's a long story and we won't bore you with it."
"But she was human last night."
"The spell only comes into effect at night."
"You two of you are just playing a trick on me."
"Come to the beach right before sunset. I'll explain everything then."

While exploring Ogygia's caves, Calypso had noticed a number of pictures carved or painted into their limestone walls. These pictures were drawn by sailors who had been shipwrecked on Ogygia long before her mother, or even Hecate, arrived there.
Most were crudely etched into the rock face, while others were painted with more detail.