Daughter of Mother Earth

Chapter Sixty-One

"This is preposterous!" Octavian rose to his feet. "We're supposed to believe she's part of a prophecy because of a knife? And the seven? We just accept that without a vote or debate or-"

Octavian's complaint was quickly interrupted as Tyson ran into the room, yelling Percy's name.

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Crystal's eyes widened at the sight before her. Tyson had burst in with Percy's hellhound following close behind. What shocked her most was the harpy on Mrs. O'Leary's back. Crystal had seen many harpies, as they roam around Camp Half-Blood as night watchers, but this one was unlike any other she had seen. She was extremely skinny, with stringy red hair and a sack-cloth dress. Vibrant red feathers decorated her wings. 

"Ella is scared," Tyson said, his eye sparkling with worry. 

The harpy was muttering to herself, picking at her feathers. "No more boats. Titanic, Lusitana, Pax. No boats for harpies."

Leo narrowed his eyes. "Did that chicken girl compare my ship to the Titanic?"

"Leo!" Crystal elbowed him harshly. "She's a harpy, don't be rude."

"Sorry," Leo muttered. 

Crystal glanced at Hazel, catching her looking away from Leo with nervousness. Crystal wondered what was bothering her. Before Crystal could say anything, Tyson spoke up.

"Ella is scared," He said. "We need to take her away, but she can not go onto the ship."

"No ships," Ella whimpered. 

The harpy's gaze landed straight on Annabeth. "There she is. Wisdom's daughter walks alone-"

Frank stood quickly, interrupting Ella. "Maybe it isn't the best time to-"

"The Mark of Athena burns through Rome," Ella ignored him, continuing to speak. "Twins snuff out the angel's breath, who holds the key to endless death. Giants' bane stands gold and pale, won through pain from a woven jail."

Crystal's jaw dropped, staring at Ella. Percy stood and grabbed Tyson's arm.

"Hey! How about we take Ella to get some fresh air?" Percy began ushering the Cyclops and the harpy away. 

"Wait for a second," Octavian gripped a teddy bear, eyes boring into Ella. "That sounded like a-"

"Ella reads a lot!" Frank blurted, obviously wanting to change the subject. "We found her at a library."

"I'm sure it was something she read in a book, that's all." Hazel inputted. 

Crystal raised an eyebrow. It was clear Percy, Frank, and Hazel were hiding something. Was there a third prophecy? What was with the Oracle these days? 

"Octavian wouldn't let it go. "That was a prophecy! It had to be."

Crystal looked around, unsure of what to do. There was so much tension. She glanced at Percy, who's eyes were screaming for help. 

"Octavian," Crystal laughed awkwardly. "Do you even hear yourself? I don't know if your harpies are different from here, but ours barely have enough intelligence to clean cabins and cook lunches. Are you saying yours can tell the future? What, do you like, consult them for your auguries?"

Nervous laughter erupted and Octavian's face turned red. "No, but-"

"She's just reciting lines from some books," Annabeth interrupted, helping Crystal out. "Besides, we have two other prophecies to worry about."