~ { Shadow and Beauty } ~

Rome

{Percy}

It took them longer than Percy wanted. As they worked, he kept glancing at the sea, waiting for Chrysaor and his pirate dolphins to return, but they didn't.

   Leo got back on his feet, thanks to a little nectar. Piper tended to Jason's wounds and the bruises on Kiara's arms from fighting back, but they weren't as badly hurt as they looked. Mostly Jason was just ashamed that he'd gotten overpowered again, which Percy could relate to.

   It was off topic, but Percy had also noticed the tension between Piper and Kiara. The daughter of Pluto would always blush whenever she was near Piper, and Piper seemed to be extra gentle with Kiara. Percy didn't think much of it, though.

   They returned all their own supplies to the proper places and tidied up from the invasion while Coach Hedge had a field day on the enemy ship, breaking everything he could find with his baseball bat. When he was done, Percy loaded the enemy's weapons back on the pirate ship. Their storeroom was full of treasure, but Percy insisted that they touch none of it.

   "I can sense about six million dollars' worth of gold aboard," Hazel said. "Plus diamonds, rubies—"

   "Six m-million?" Frank stammered. "Canadian dollars or American?"

   "Leave it," Percy said. "It's part of the tribute."

   "Tribute?" Kiara asked.

   "Oh." Piper nodded. "Kansas."

   Jason grinned. He'd been there too when they'd met the wine god. "Crazy. But I like it."

   Finally Percy went aboard the pirate ship and opened the flood valves. He asked Leo to drill a few extra holes in the bottom of the hull with his power tools, and Leo was happy to oblige.

   The crew of the Argo II assembled at the rail and cut the grappling lines. Piper brought out her new horn of plenty and, on Percy's direction, willed it to spew Diet Coke, which came out with the strength of a fire hose, dousing the enemy deck. Percy thought it would take hours, but the ship sank remarkably fast, filling with Diet Coke and seawater.

   "Dionysus," Percy called, holding up Chrysaor's golden mask. "Or Bacchus—whatever. You made this victory possible, even if you weren't here. Your enemies trembled at your name...or your Diet Coke, or something. So, yeah, thank you."

   The words were hard to get out, but Percy managed not to gag. "We give this ship to you as tribute. We hope you like it."

   "Six million in gold," Leo muttered. "He'd better like it."

   "Shh," Hazel scolded. "Precious metal isn't all that great. Believe me."

   Percy threw the golden mask aboard the vessel, which was now sinking even faster, brown fizzy liquid spewing out the trireme's oar slots and bubbling from the cargo hold, turning the sea frothy brown. Percy summoned a wave, and the enemy ship was swamped. Leo steered the Argo II away as the pirate vessel disappeared underwater.

   "Isn't that polluting?" Piper asked.

   "I wouldn't worry," Jason told her. "If Bacchus likes it, the ship should vanish."

   Percy didn't know if that would happen, but he felt like he'd done all he could. He had no faith that Dionysus would hear them or care, much less help them in their battle against the twin giants, but he had to try.

   As the Argo II headed east into the fog, Percy decided at least one good thing had come out of his sword fight with Chrysaor. He was feeling humble—even humble enough to pay tribute to the wine dude.