𝒊𝒊. 𝐒𝐀𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐆

𝒙𝒊𝒊.

While Percy controlled the ship with his new found Poseidon-inherited power, Noelle leaned against the rail. Now that is was just them again, the memory of losing Annabeth floated around her mind on constant replay.

She still had Annabeth's Yankee hat. If they found Annabeth, Noelle would give it back to her after almost squeezing the daylights out of her best friend. Noelle really hoped that she would be able to do that.

After nightfall, Noelle walked over to where Percy stood. She wrapped her arms around him in a loose hug. Percy turned to hug her back, kissing the top of her head. No words were said, they didn't need to be. They just needed this moment; needed to know they still had each other.

They watched the horizon. Noelle, having better vision than Percy at night, saw a few more monsters than he did. A plume of water as tall as a skyscraper spewed into the moonlight. A row of green spines slithered across the waves— something maybe a hundred feet long, reptilian. Neither really wanted to know.

Once they saw Nereids, the glowing lady spirits of the sea. Percy had tried to wave at them, but they disappeared into the depths.

Sometime after midnight they were passing a smoking volcano island. The sea bubbled and steamed around the shore.

"One of the forges of Hephaestus," Noelle said. "Where he makes his metal monsters."

"Like the bronze bulls?"

She nodded lazily. "Go around. Far around."

Percy didn't need to be told twice. They steered clear of the island, and soon it was just a red patch of haze behind them.

Percy pulled slightly away from Noelle to look at her. "The knife you pulled out against Circe... Where'd you get it?"

"A gift," Noelle said, meeting Percy's eyes, "from my mother."

Noelle pulled the knife out and handed it to Percy. Once he'd read the engraving she also handed him the note.

Percy's brows furrowed. "What does this mean?"

"What part?" Noelle said calmly.

"All of it."

"Well, I think it's a test. Annabeth and I talked about it, but—"

"Wait, how long have you had this?"

"Since before I left my cabin the night we met Hermes."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Percy, I was going to, but you had enough on your mind as it was. I didn't need you distracted or worried about me, too."

Percy frowned and was about to say something before Noelle spoke again.

"As for the forgetting or losing it part..." She took the knife from Percy's hand and threw it into the ocean.

Percy gave Noelle a shocked look. "Why'd you do that?"

Noelle didn't respond, waiting several seconds before pulling the knife out of her sheath.

"It's like my sword," Percy realized.

"Sort of, but I have a feeling it will only appear in my sheath," Noelle said. "Not a borrowed one or just in my pocket."

Percy nodded. "Is this what you were talking about on Clarisse's ship?"

Noelle nodded. "I-I had a dream that night, too."

Noelle told Percy the dream she'd had on Clarisse's ship. At the end Percy didn't look at her, staring at the dark waves instead.