Percy

We were in the midst of traveling two hours after dawn when Nico's horse suddenly reared, whinnying forcefully.

Instantly, weapons were drawn, bows were loaded, and eyes were trained on our surroundings. Our horses were trained to react if they sensed monsters or something nearby, but if it was monsters, then any horse would react that way.

For the first minute, nothing happened. I was a about to tell everyone to stand down when Artemis let an arrow fly.

I watched the silver arrow shoot through the air, following it's path with my eyes. It hit something behind a tree, out of my sight, but in plain view for the goddess standing yards away from me.

Silence. Then a large Laistrygonian giant toppled into sight, falling face first into the earth, a silver arrow protruding from his stomach.

A nanosecond after it had fallen, another arrow was sent, this time by Lee Fletcher, a son of Apollo in my group. Another giant fell. Both monsters were now just piles of dust.

Then it seemed as if the trees had come alive. Scores of Laistrygonians poured our from behind the trunks, attacking the group of demigods. My sword came down in a steep curve, cleaving a giant in two. I didn't pause, but kept Riptide swinging, taking down another Laistrygonian.

In the back of my mind, I was irritated that we had two big attacks two days in a row. But that was pushed aside when I realized that like yesterday, Artemis was our only chance of winning this fight. Tons of giants were present, and it seemed as though every time you killed one, two took its place. The questers were trying their hardest, sending several Laistrygonians back to Tartarus, but it wasn't going well.

Even as I watched, a giant swung his huge hand with great force, hitting Nico square in his jaw. It not only knocked the son of Hades out cold, it also sent him flying off his horse into the air, slamming him into a tree. The back of Nico's skull hit the solid trunk with a nauseating clunk. I heard Hazel's cry of anguish as she got a front seat view of her brother getting hurt. Dismounting from her horse, Arion (who had wicked speed, just so you know), she ran towards Nico, leaving Frank to guard her with his bow.

A sword went through the leg of Connor. The Stoll paled, crumpling to his knees as his leg gave out from underneath him, blood gushing from the wound in his thigh. Travis appeared, fending off more attacks and protecting his sibling.

"Don't you dare touch my little brother, again, you disgusting manure filled maggots!" He roared, his anger from his brother getting hurt directed towards the monsters before him.

Connor was safe for the moment, but many more of my questers were falling as well. I didn't know how many were fatal, but I knew we had to get ambrosia to the injured.

Panic was overriding me. I was defending two of my questers that had been knocked out from the giants. As I thrusted my sword into the belly of a giant, I saw a long, jagged cut traveling up my forearm. I didn't know I had gotten it, much less when and how. But I couldn't feel it, so I ignored it, going back to my game of "try to kill as many Laistrygonians without getting killed in a painful way." I think I was winning at the moment, seeing as I was still alive.

But we were falling. Horses were whinnying, some were running away from the scene, their riders on the ground fighting or injured. Blackjack had been kicking giants next to me, but a sword went cut through his wing, sliding through muscles. Blackjack whinnied in pain, rearing up and coming down on the giant. Still, Blackjack was wounded badly, and wouldn't be able to fly until he recovered.

I sliced through the giant that had wounded my horse, mad that he had been able to when I was right there to help Blackjack, then beheaded another Laistrygonian, turning it to dust. My strength was ebbing, but I had to keep it up to help my questers. I was the Captain. I had to stay up, and protect my group. I was about to sever the arm of a Laistrygonian when an arrow flew by my head. I heard a deep grunt behind me as I finished the giant before me. Spinning around, I saw a silver arrow laying in a pile of a dust.

Artemis bounded up, grabbed the arrow, and shot it again, killing a monster that had snuck up to me and was about to strike.

"Thanks," I said, breathless.

She nodded, then said to me, "Go. This is the pack I've been hunting. I'll take care of it. Take your questers and flee to Aegium. Some monsters will follow, but I'll keep the bulk of them here and finish them."

I know I shouldn't leave someone behind, but Artemis would be fine. She's a goddess as well, so she couldn't really die even if the monsters could touch her.

"Thank you again, Lady Artemis."

"Treat your wounded quickly." Then she dipped her head, "Ride swiftly, stay pure, and may the Fates be in your favor, Perseus Jackson." She whirled around and took off, drawing her two deadly looking hunting knives.

"Everybody, mount up!" I yelled as loud as I could. Questers glanced at me before obeying my commands. "Grab the injured and ride as fast as you can south! We'll rendezvous once we are out of the forest!"

I saw Frank turn into a dragon and swipe his tail, making a little room around him, Hazel, and Nico, who was still unconscious. The blue dragon gently picked Hazel up and ascended into the air.

"Jason! Get Nico!" Hazel shouted, pointing at her brother. Tempest, Jason's spirit horse, galloped over. Jason jumped onto his back, then leaned down, hoisting a limp Nico up. Jason slung the son of Hades across the front of Tempest, then bolted away, his horse weaving in between trees as he headed south. Travis followed Jason on his steed, leading Connor's horse as well. Connor sat on the back of his mount, clutching a bleeding leg, his pale face contorted in pain.

A Laistrygonian popped out from behind a tree, swiping at Connor. The demigod was too dazed, and couldn't move out of the way. The monster would have succeeded in hitting him had a fireball not gotten to the monster's hand first. The giant had just enough time to stare at his incinerated hand before another sphere of fire hit the Laistrygonian between the eyes.

"Thanks Leo!" Travis called, saying it for his brother who was unable to talk at that time. He urged the equestrians to run faster, bringing himself and Connor out of danger.

"No problem, man!" Leo shouted, launching another blast of fire at one more giant.

He looked at me, grinning crazily. "Not only is she smoking hot, cap'n, but she's got some skills! What a gal!" He said, gesturing to Artemis, who was still leaving a path of carnage wherever she went.

The goddess paused in her work, her fierce eyes glaring at Leo. She said icily, "Be quiet, you idiot of a male! No more foolish comments or I will skewer you!"

Leo had a sarcastic smug smile on his face, and he said to me, "She loves me already. What can I say? All the ladies can't help but fall for this handsome devil right here." He pointed at his torso, then spread his hands in a I'm cool, I can't help it gesture.

I mentally face palmed as I directed Riptide to slash a Laystrygonian, "Leo. On your horse. Now."

The fire user flashed me a wide, crooked grin, mounted, and took off, singing a song about pretty girls in the world.

I rolled my eyes before whistling Blackjack over. With one final glance at Artemis, I hopped on, and kicked my legs. Blackjack moved into action, thundering into the forest.

"Blackjack! How's your wing?" I asked him, my head low over his neck to avoid branches whipping past overhead.

It isn't fatal, but it sure does hurt, boss. But I'll be alright.

I frowned and pursed my lips, concerned for Blackjack.

The pegasus must've sensed my discomfort, cause he whinnied reassuringly. I'll be fine! Now if you please, could you draw that hunk of metal in your scabbard and kill the monster chasing us?

I smiled, drawing my "hunk of metal." Riptide came out of the sheathe with a slight ringing sound, and I turned to see where the monster was. Sure enough, a giant was lumbering between the trees, gaining on us. Normally any horse would be able to easily outrun these beasts, but not in this forest. The trees were really close together, and required a lot of agility to move quick in it. Blackjack was having a hard time dodging trees, and the fastest he could go was a canter, but only for a few seconds before he had to slow to a trot to twist through the trees.

Being on foot would be easier, therefore the Laistrygonian was slowly catching up to us. I turned in my seat on Blackjack. I couldn't swing Riptide in a side arc, cause the blade would hit a tree before it hit the monster. I had to settle for a thrust, which was difficult sitting and twisted around like I was. Nevertheless, I managed it, and we were monster-free for a little while. I saw glimpses of other horses riding in the trees, other questers defending themselves and their mounts, and the injured person on their horse as well if they did have one.

The trees were thinning, signaling that the forest was close to ending. Blackjack could now run at a steady lope, but still had to serpentine through trunks. I heard a shout ahead of me. I peered through the trees, and saw three things. A horse on the ground, covered in blood, and a demigod and Laistrygonian fighting.

I recognized the quester. It was Charles Beckdendorf, son of Hephaestus. He was a massively built boy my age, with dark skin and hair. His hands were calloused from working in forges, but it had made his upper body full of muscle. He easily dispatched the Laistrygonian, but was left with no horse to ride.

Seeing that he needed help, when we cantered by him, I held out my hand. Beckendorf (we always call him Beckendorf, never Charles, and definitely not Charlie) grabbed my hand, and swung around onto Blackjack.

I could see the border of the forest, and more horses with riders were visible through the trees. Beckendorf and I broke through the line of trees, opening us to the sight of a peaceful meadow with a village just beyond the top of the hill.

"Percy! Beckendorf!" My head turned as I heard my name. Hazel was running over to us, a frantic look on her face. Behind her I could see Frank lying in the grass.

She reached us, panting, "It's Frank! We landed for a moment to help Jason and Nico who were getting chased, and Frank got stabbed trying to protect me! I don't know how he's doing, and I don't know where the wound exactly was, cause there is too much blood to tell!" She was rambling, her countenance showing nothing but panic and worry.

I left her, running to Frank, Beckendorf and Hazel following right behind. Hazel now had tears running down her face. When she reached Frank, she sat down and picked up Frank's head, cradling it in her lap. Jason was running over, as were many other questers. I did a quick headcount, taking in the demigods that were still on horses, either unconscious or unable to move.

We were all here, and I started giving out commands, "Beckendorf, get me some ambrosia for Frank. A lot of it. Jason, go wake up Nico, and see if he needs any help. The rest of you, tend to the injured. We have little time, we need to get going again so any Laistrygonian's that might still be following won't be able to follow."

Everybody moved out, and Beckendorf ran to get some of the godly food.

I knelt and tried to clear some of the sticky blood off of Frank's torso. I managed to find the wound, which was on his upper stomach. Beckendorf came back with the ambrosia, and I handed it to Hazel, ordering her to feed it to the son of Ares. I held off the flow of blood while she fed Frank the food, and watched for his signs of reaction.

He swallowed, and I saw Hazel holding her breath, waiting. She relaxed with a big sigh when color returned to Frank's face, clearing away the paleness. My gaze went to his wound as it healed itself, the dark patch that was gushing blood now closing. His breathing became more even, and the injury was now fully closed.

He gave a shuddering gasp, and his eyelids flew up. Frank looked around, grimacing. "What happened?"

Hazel laughed in glee before hugging Frank and giving him a quick kiss, "You're okay!"

Frank tried to sit up, and Hazel helped him. I smiled in relief, "That was a close one. You've lost a lot of blood, and the ambrosia will help, but I reckon you'll still be weak for several hours, maybe even a day."

Frank looked at his clothes, then groaned, "I look like I took a bath in blood."

"There's a pond down a little ways to our right, if you want to wash off." Lee Fletcher had come up, and was supporting his half-brother, Michael Yew. Michael's leg had been slashed from the thigh to the foot, and even though he had had some ambrosia, he still couldn't put his full weight on it.

"You doing alright, Michael?" I asked him.

"Yeah, I'm good," he replied. "And we just saw Jason and Nico, they said they wanted to talk to you."

I nodded, "I'll be right there. Frank, you gonna go wash off?"

Frank bobbed his head, "Yeah." He tried to stand up, but staggered, and almost fell if Hazel didn't throw out her arms to steady him.

"Woah. Why is the world spinning?" Frank asked, swaying. He lightly shook his head, then stopped, shutting his eyes tightly, "Ugh, major migraine."

I frowned, "Um, I don't know how you are going to get to the pond. Mayb-"

I was cut off when Beckendorf stepped forward. He picked up Frank like he was no more than a long piece of paper in his hands, and started off in the direction of the pond.

I stared after them. "Well, that works."

Hazel smiled at me, then handed me some ambrosia for me arm before jogging forward, catching up to Frank and Beckendorf. I watched her disappear over the hill, then turned, searching for my two second in commands. I found them close to the border of the trees. Lee and Michael followed me over to them. I paused though, and thought for a moment. Then I beckoned over two demigods, a son of Ares and a son of Hephaestus. They walked over to me, a questioning look on their faces.

"Yes captain?" The son of Hephaestus, Jake Mason asked.

"You two are on guard duty for this short while. I don't know if any Laistrygonians are still tracking us down, but if they are, then I don't want to be undefended. Just pace the border of the forest until we start up again."

Mark, the son of Ares, nodded, standing to attention. "Yes captain."

He and Jake strode off, their hands on their weapons. Lee watched them go, then said, "I'll watch with them." He cast an asking glance at me, and I nodded. He drew his bow, then paced towards the two demigods going to the border.

"I'm gonna go help with the injured. Captain." He dipped his head, then limped off.

I came up to Nico and Jason, who were distributing water. I put a hand on Nico's shoulder, "You doing alright, Nico?"

"Just dandy, Cap'n," he replied, grinning. Then he added, "I was just asking Grace over here if he's missing someone." Nico very coughed in a loud and fake cough, and in his cough was the word that was obviously meant to be heard, which was "Piper."

Jason rolled his eyes, and I smirked at him, "That's true. I wasn't able to ask you about that little.... friendship."

The son of Zeus glared at me. I was managing to keep an innocent face, but Nico wasn't doing too well. Jason looked at Nico, who had a retarded look on his face, trying hard to keep in his laughter.

"You guys are full of it," Jason muttered, handing water to a demigod.

Nico grinned, "Ahh, come on! Just tell us!"

"There is nothing to tell. And what about you, Nico? Hm? Thalia ring a bell in your romantic life?"

Nico shrugged, unfazed. "That was just a little something. Gone, really. Now we have more like a brother/sister friendship. Man, does that girl rub heads hard." He absentmindedly scratched his head where Thalia had rubbed her knuckles on it when saying goodbye. "But back to you, Jason. Come on. Pweeease? Pwetty pwetty pwease?" Nico pouted, sticking his lower lip out.

Jason glowered at him. "No."

Nico whooped, "Dude, big mistake! If you had said it was just a friendship, then we would probably believe you. But since you don't want to share anything, you obviously have something more than a friendship, huh?"

Jason ignored him, stalking off. Nico grinned widely at his back before turning to me, winking, then going off to give some people more water. I rolled my eyes, wondering not for the first time why I made these two my second in commands.

~-:-~

"Aegium's just over the hill! We've made it! Finally, might I add." Lee had been scouting ahead, keeping alert for the town that was our destination. It had been four days since the Laistrygonian fight. Since then, we hadn't had any major attacks, so we had journeyed according to plan.

I told Jason I was going up with Blackjack, and then proceeded to prod the pegasus into the sky. Wind hurtled against me as Blackjack climbed into the sky, trying to knock me off. But my hold was tight, and I squinted, trying to make out as many details of Aegium as I could.

The port city was big and bustling, many people moving around. Being noon, it was a busy point of time for all cities. Several ships were docked at the harbor, and were being unloaded or loaded, the goods coming into the town being brought to shops. The main street was full of vendors trying to sell their merchandise. Restaurants and stores lay up the road as well.

I was looking for someplace to stay, though. An inn big enough to fit my group without it being so noticed. So a pretty large inn used to housing big clans of demigods. My eyes fell upon a substantial building. Screwing up my eyes, I tried, but to no avail, to read what the sign said. I didn't dare get closer to the town in fear that some mortal might see me. Even though they all know what a pegasus was, it still would be weird to see a single pegasus with a rider going above the town. It isn't exactly something you see everyday.

But I spotted a stable in the outside of Aegium where we could keep our horses for the time being. We also needed to replace the horses that were lagging behind. The equestrians that had died during the Laistrygonian fight had been substituted with mounts that we had found at the nearest city. We didn't get fancy or expensive steeds, just ones that could get the horse-less demigods to Aegium, where we could buy proper horses. We get a sufficient amount of funds from Zeus to help us on the journey with circumstances like these, so money wasn't a huge problem if we spent it wisely.

I came back to my group, landing down next to them. Telling them about my recent discoveries, we set off to the stables. It was a handsome stable, with new wood, plenty of horses, and set in a pretty part of the town. We all dismounted, and I let Blackjack fly away. He would stay out of town for the few days, and I could call him back when I needed to.

Seeing someone who looked like the manager, I addressed him. "Good day, sir. We need nine stalls to hold our horses, and we have five horses that we are looking to replace."

The man nodded a greeting at me, "Good day to you as well. And we have open stalls for your horses, and horses for purchase as well. How many days?"