DIVINE » l. valdez

part four: xxxii

❝i wanna flip the script around ❞

Hina climbed with ease, her sandals slapping against the rocky path. She tried her best to avoid looking directly at Jason for fear of blowing their cover.

Seeing the almighty son of Jupiter waddling along behind them in the body of an old man was in a grey area between amusing and downright terrifying. 

Hazel had outdone herself contorting the Mist. Old Man Jason reeked of moth balls and had to stop and cough every few minutes.

Hina was thankful she was disguised as a Greek serving maiden. Her golden hair was twisted into two low ponytails, stray strands framing her face. The white sleeveless gown she wore, blew in the wind. Silver bracelets lined her arms, hiding the pale scars from her previous battles.

Around her neck, the sun pendant hung, framing the three ugly scars cut across her neck, reminders to her fight with the Fates. Carefully strapped to her back was her sword, hidden from sight. The curved blade was cold against her skin, combating the searing heat.

"Almost there." Piper smiled at Jason. "You're doing great."

Glancing up the hill, Hina realized the summit was still a hundred yards away. She wasn't entirely sure if Jason would last that long. 

"Worst idea ever." He leaned against a cedar tree and wiped his forehead. "Hazel's magic is too good. If I have to fight, I'll be useless."

"It won't come to that," Annabeth promised. She looked uncomfortable in her sleeveless dress, folding in on herself. Her pinned up bun had already begun slipping out, leaving long strands dangling.

 "We infiltrate the palace," she said. "We get the information we need, and we get out."

Piper set down her amphora, the tall ceramic wine jar in which her sword was hidden. "We can rest for a second. Catch your breath, Jason."

From Piper's waist her golden cornucopia hung. She had hidden her dagger somewhere in the folds of her dress too. Piper didn't look dangerous, it was exactly what they needed. 

Annabeth removed her amphora from her shoulder, hers also concealing her sword. Even without a visible weapon, Annabeth looked deadly. Her grey eyes were hard and Hina worried Annabeth would judo flip anyone who asked her for a drink.

Hina looked unremarkable as usual. Her short stature hiding the power inside her, and her shoulders slouched ever so slightly, making her even smaller. She'd spent so much time in the sun, she'd tanned and more freckles dotted her cheeks.

Jason wheezed behind Hina where he rested on a rock. His face was thin and veiny, Hina hoped for Jason's best interest that he did not age passed sixteen.

Below them, the crystal blue Afales Bay glittered. A few hundred yards offshore, the Argo II bobbed up and down in the water. The massive sails looked like post stamps at their distance. Hina imagined the rest of the crew taking turns watching them climb through Leo's spyglass.

"Stupid Ithaca," he muttered.

Hina grinned. "You really sound like an old man now."

 The island was breathtaking. A spine of forested hills twisted down its centre. Chalky white slopes plunged into the sea. Inlets formed rocky beaches and harbours where red-roofed houses and white stucco churches nestled against the shoreline.

The hills were dotted with poppies, crocuses and wild cherry trees. The breeze smelled of blooming myrtle. Except, the temperature was hovering around a hundred degrees.