Daughter of the Sea || HoO

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

The Argo II raced across the waves, Leo had to use all his skill just to keep the ship in one piece. It turns out that Percy and Jason were a little too good at cooking up massive storms. Tori was exhausted from taking on all those Romans back at Fort Sumter, and still remained in her lying position on the floor.

Percy and Jason  were soon in the same position as Tori. They both sat with their backs against the mast, their heads slumped in exhaustion. Annabeth and Piper were trying to get them to drink some water.

"I talked to a Nereid in Charleston Harbor," Percy said.

"They're normally helpful," Tori said, turning her head to look at her brother, "what did she tell you?"

"She said, we should seek help from Chiron's brothers," Percy  said

Tori smiled as she thought about Chrion's brothers, The Party Ponies. When she was younger, Chiron would tell her all about the Nerf sword-fights, root beer–chugging contests, and Super Soakers filled with pressurized whipped cream. She was able to meet a few back when they rescued Percy, Annabeth, Tyson, and herself from the Princess Andromeda, but the last time she saw them was during the battle of Manhattan.

 "I should go tell Leo," Annabeth said, bringing Tori out of her thoughts. "Did the Nereid give you a location?"

Soon Annabeth left the mast to give Leo the coordinates to what Tori was assuming to be the Party Ponies yacht. After a while the sea calmed and the strong winds died. 

Tori still hadn't felt the urge to get up, and if she could she would have fallen asleep right then and there. But  she figured there was going to be a big crew meeting, and it was probably in her best interest to stay awake. She felt like someone was watching and turned her head to see a pair of exhausted looking sky blue eyes staring at her.

"Are you okay?" Jason mouthed to Tori. The smaller blonde nodded her head and gave him a tired smile. Jason turned his attention back to Piper who was trying to give him some water.

Annabeth returned back to the mast and sat next to Percy. Tori watched as her older brother threw his arm over Annabeth's shoulder and gave her a kiss on her temple. She was glad that one couple was happy because the other, Frank and Hazel, stood just out of earshot having an argument. One that involved lots of arm waving and head shaking. The argument stopped abruptly, and Tori realized that Leo had joined them.

Frank scowled like he was trying hard to turn into a bulldog. "No sign of pursuit," he said.

"Or land," Hazel added. She looked a little green, though Tori wasn't sure if that was from the rocking of the boat or from arguing. 

Leo turned to Annabeth. "Did you find the map you wanted?" 

She nodded, but she looked pale. Tori knew that Annabeth would tell her what happened later, but it still didn't make her any less worried for her friend.

"I'll have to study it," Annabeth said. "How far are we from those coordinates?" 

"At top rowing speed, about an hour," Leo said. "Any idea what we're looking for?"

"No," she admitted. "Percy?"

Percy raised his head. His green eyes were bloodshot and droopy. "The Nereid said Chiron's brothers were there, and they'd want to hear about that aquarium in Atlanta. I don't know what she meant, but..." He paused, like he'd used up all his energy saying that much. "She also warned me to be careful. Keto, the goddess at the aquarium: she's the mother of sea monsters. She might be stuck in Atlanta, but she can still send her children after us. The Nereid said we should expect an attack."