Hazel busied herself with preparing for Frank's departure. If she stopped to think about it, a prickly feeling built up in her throat and her mind was swarmed with a vicious hive of thoughts. The thoughts paralyzed her whenever they attacked, so she didn't rest. She couldn't — not if she wanted to keep going. She worked herself to the point of exhaustion, hoping every night that she wouldn't be greeted by dreams of Frank being killed in battle.

    Hazel scrubbed and washed dishes as if they were the soldiers that might attack Frank. She swept as if to sweep away all the household's bad luck. She furiously worked to mend his cloak. No matter how many times she pricked her fingers, she kept at it, doggedly determined to finish the repairs before her husband' s departure.

         The evening before he was set to leave, Hazel cooked a scrumptious meal, using meat for the first time all week. She wasn't sure how she'd handle it when Frank finally left. How would she be able to take care of her daughter, tend the crops, keep the house clean, and make meals? She was only one person and there was only so much time in the day.

Worse than all the work was the prospect of being alone again. Hazel reminded herself that she wouldn't really be alone — Kore would be with her, but it wouldn't be the same without someone who could talk back to her. Hazel remembered the month after Bianca and Maria died; Hades sighed everyday and didn't smile for seven months. Nico's personality matched that of a dead man. That feeling — the loneliness that felt suffocating even while being around others — was something Hazel dreaded.

***
     On the day of his departure, Hazel blinked back tears. She would let herself cry later, but she needed to say everything now in case she didn't have another chance. The crusaders were gathered in a motley group, each one dressed more like a man who worked with ploughs than swords. Their loved ones gathered in a semi-circle around them, faces chiseled in worry.

       Calypso was saying goodbye to Leo. "Hey, everything will be alright," he told her, cracking a smile. "I'm kind of impossible to kill."

      "You're insufferable," Calypso grumbled before losing her composure and giving him a fierce hug. "Come back alive and I'll marry you."

     Her father had been exiled years ago and she had no older male relatives to look after her, giving her paradoxical freedom and restriction. Leo looked like he'd been struck; he was blinking rapidly as if he couldn't comprehend what had happened.

A few feet away Piper was saying goodbye to Jason. "You will come back," she said.

"I'll follow your order," Jason said.

Percy gave his friend's hand a squeeze. "Be safe."

"What's not safe about this?" Jason said lightly, a small smile spreading over his face.

Castor and Pollux checked each other's bags. "Why did you pack me a second canteen?" Pollux asked.

"Because one of us will probably lose one," Castor answered.

"It's going to be okay," Frank said, patting Hazel on the shoulder. "I'll come back."

A lump rose in Hazel's throat. How could he promise that? What if he didn't come back ? What if she lost him like she'd lost her mother? "Be safe," Hazel breathed. "I'll miss you."

A tear trickled down her face and Frank brushed it aside, his large hands surprisingly gentle. "I'll miss you too. We'll see each other again. I promise."

   But what if that's only in Heaven? The thought caused more tears to spring from Hazel's eyes. She enveloped Frank in a hug, dampening the front of his tunic. Nearby, Nico was holding Kore. "I love you," she whispered into his ear.

        "Enough sentimentality!" Lord Dare barked.

        He was seated on his horse, outfitted in splendid robes, a sword sheathed on his side. "We are leaving," Lord Dare continued. "Now!"

His horse snorted and stomped one hood as if even he couldn't stand his rider's pomposity. Hazel reluctantly let go of Frank and retrieved her daughter from Nico. Her brother had been calming Kore with a song about posies and ashes. As she watched her husband leave, Hazel felt like she was turning to ashes.

A voice made her jolt. "Frank will come back."

It was Rachel, her green eyes that so reminded Hazel of the spring gleaming in the bright sunlight. Hazel had always seen spring as hopeful, but now it only felt cruel. "How can you be sure?" Hazel said, unable to keep a note of doubt out of her voice.

"I just know," Rachel said. "God is with them."

Perhaps she was unfaithful for thinking so, but Hazel didn't set much in store for the nun's words. She was probably, after all, trying to comfort the people her father had just hurt. Rachel left Hazel to her own thoughts and went on to comfort Calypso.

The crusaders were now out of sight, but Hazel spotted a lone figure returning to the manor. Even in the distance, she could make out the expensive robes. "Lord Dare," Annabeth hissed, her face sour. "He's fine sending other men to their deaths so long as his soul is purified."

The thought made Hazel want to break something. Why did the rich wage war, yet it was the poor who died? Why was her sweet, steady husband being sent to Jerusalem instead of Lord Dare? If anyone needed to do penance, it was him.

     She didn't hear Nico approach her. "I hate him too," he said.

     Hazel turned around. "I'm not sure if I hate — yes, I do. I just don't get it! Why send Frank to war after everything?"

      Nico's expression was dark. "I don't think it was an accident."

    Hazel shifted uncomfortably. In her arms, Kore began to wail. It took Hazel several minutes — and many back circles — to calm her down. Finally, she caught her brother's eye. "What do you mean?"

    Nico took a deep breath. "I think Lord Dare deliberately chose Frank for the crusades. I think he wants him dead."