nineteen. topeka

     A KNOCK STIRS MARIBELLE FROM her thoughts. She doesn't answer, but the knock comes again.

"Maribelle," Percy's voice calls out, "We're all going to meet for dinner in a few. Are you okay? Piper said you'd run out of Jason's cabin. I know that it was probably difficult for you—"

Maribelle puts her hands over her ears, tuning out the voice of the boy.

A louder, more rapid knock makes her drop her hands.

"Maribelle, it's me, open the door." At the sound of Frank's voice more tears begin to fall.

Not good enough. Not good enough for Gabe, not good enough for Jason, not good enough for Frank.

"Go away," She manages to say.

She hears muffled voices and then footsteps slowly leaving. The doorknob jiggles and then the door slowly opens. Maribelle glances up, "I said go—oh." She stops when she sees Hazel outside the door.

"Hey, Belle," Hazel smiles and steps inside, closing the door softly.

"Hey, Haze," Maribelle says, wiping her eyes, "I look a mess."

Hazel smiles, "That's okay, I heard you visited Jason?"

Maribelle feels more tears begin to fall, "Yeah."

"Piper said you ran out?"

"Yeah. I just couldn't—he was starting to wake up. And Piper had told me he remembered me."

"I'm sorry, Maribelle."

"But not the bad things I did," Maribelle continues, "He remembers all the good and I just . . . couldn't tell him that I'm not who he thinks I am. I miss him so much, he was one of my closest friends. I loved him."

Not enough. Not enough.

Hazel takes a seat beside Maribelle, taking her hand in hers, "It'll be alright, Belle."

"I can't be on this quest," Maribelle says softly, "I'm a mess, I can't even face Jason."

"Percy wants you on this quest for a reason, Belle, don't doubt him."

"Thanks, Haze," Maribelle says and leans down to rest her head on the girls shoulder.

"Frank's really worried," Hazel tells her after a few seconds, "He's still waiting outside, but I told him if he eavesdropped I'd beat him up."

Maribelle giggles.

"He really cares about you," Hazel says.

Maribelle smiles to herself.

"He's too good for me," Maribelle tells Hazel. "And I just—I know he's nothing like him, but I can't stop comparing the two. It's only a matter of time before I mess something up, I'm selfish and I'd do anything for just a taste of love and power. That's what got me in this mess in the first place. Gabe loved me, or I thought he did and I was so young and he was older and so cool, and he only saw me. So, I did anything to keep him happy, keep him focused on me."

Hazel doesn't say anything for a moment, and Maribelle looks up at her. "I think," Hazel speaks, Maribelle feels bad for dumping all of this on her. She was barely fifteen (though she had been dead for nearly seventy years). "I think, maybe you need to just forget Gabe."

Maribelle scoffs.

"I know how that sounds," Hazel says, "You just have to burn those bridges. Talk it out with Jason, I don't know how you'll talk to Gabe, I'm not really a 'communing with the dead' girl, but I know Nico can. You just have to find a way to move on—I know it can be hard, but once you let it go, it'll be better. For you and for Frank. He doesn't deserve you pushing him away because you don't think you're good enough for him. Because, Belle, you're great, okay? And I know we aren't as close as you and Percy, or you and Frank, but you brought more to the table than just fashion. You're a good fighter when you aren't scared of breaking a nail—"

Maribelle laughs.

"You are not defined by your past, or the mistakes you made. What matters is who you are now, the choices you make now. And you chose to assist Percy, a boy you barely knew who showed up out of the blue with no memories, on a quest—"

"Well, Mars actually said—"

"Not important. You still did it. And you made Frank's grandmother breakfast when we visited, and he trusted you with his life. Literally."

"Thanks, Hazel," Maribelle says.

"So, makeover, then dinner?" Hazel asks, and Maribelle feels her playing with her hair.

"Yea," Maribelle grins and rises to her feet. "C'mon."

Hazel grins and takes Maribelle's outstretched hand.

    Maribelle and Hazel head to dinner together, each sitting on one side of Frank. At one point, Maribelle makes the mistake of looking in Jason's direction and he catches her eye. He smiles and she quickly looks down at her salad, continuing to sort the tomatoes from the croutons and the croutons from the cucumbers.

"So where to now?" Leo asks with a mouthful of pizza, Maribelle crinkles her nose, "I did a quick repair job to get us out of the lake, but there's still a lot of damage. We should really put down again and fix things right before we head across the Atlantic."

Percy speaks up, "We need to put some distance between us and Camp Jupiter. Frank spotted some eagles over Salt Lake City. We figure the Romans aren't far behind us."

"I don't suppose we should go back and try to reason with the Romans? Maybe—maybe I didn't try hard enough with the charmspeak," Piper suggests.

"It wasn't your fault, Pipes," Maribelle hears Jason speak, "Or Leo's. Whatever happened, it was Gaea's doing, to drive the two camps apart."

"Maybe if we could explain that, though—"

"With no proof?" Annabeth asks, "And no idea what really happened? I appreciate what you're saying, Piper. I don't want the Romans on our bad side, but until we understand what Gaea's up to, going back is suicide."

"She's right," Hazel speaks up, "Reyna might listen, but Octavian won't. The Romans have honor to think about. They've been attacked. They'll shoot first and ask questions later."

"You're right," Piper decides, "We have to keep going. Not just because of the Romans. We have to hurry."

Hazel nods, "Nemesis said we have only six days until Nico dies and Rome is destroyed."

"You mean Rome-Rome, not New Rome?" Jason asks.

"I think," Hazel says, "But if so, that's not much time."

"Why six days?" Percy wonders, "And how are they going to destroy Rome?"

No one answers. Maribelle gives her pile of croutons to Frank. She eats half of a cucumber.

"There's more," Piper says, "I've been seeing some things in my knife."

Maribelle sees Frank freeze, a crouton half-way to his mouth, "Things such as . . . ?"

"They don't really make sense. Just garbled images, but I saw two giants, dressed alike. Maybe twins."

"Twins, like in Ella's prophecy," Maribelle speaks up, ignoring the general direction of Jason. She stares at Percy instead.

Annabeth nods at her, "If we could figure out those lines, it might help."

"Wisdom's daughter walks alone," Percy recites. ''''The Mark of Athena burns through Rome. Annabeth, that's got to mean you. Juno told me . . . well, she said you had a hard task ahead of you in Rome. She said she doubted you could do it. But I know she's wrong."

Annabeth takes a long breath, "Reyna was about to tell me something right before the ship fired on us. She said there was an old legend among the Roman praetors— something that had to do with Athena. She said it might be the reason Greeks and Romans could never get along."

"Nemesis mentioned something similar. She talked about an old score that had to be settled—"

"The one thing that might bring the gods' two natures into harmony," Hazel recalls, An old wrong finally avenged."

"I was only a praetor for about two hours. Jason, you ever hear a legend like that?"

"I . . . uh, I'm not sure," Jason says, "I'll give it some thought."

Percy narrows his eyes, "You're not sure?"

Maribelle frowns as well, glancing quickly between the two boys.

Hazel breaks the silence, "What about the other lines?Twins snuff out the angel's breath, Who holds the key to endless death."

"Giants' bane stands gold and pale," Frank adds, "Won through pain from a woven jail. "

"Giants' bane," Leo says, "Anything that's a giants' bane is good for us, right? That's probably what we need to find. If it can help the gods get their schizophrenic act together, that's good."

Percy nods, "We can't kill the giants without the help of the gods."

Jason turns to face Frank and Hazel, Maribelle catches his eye once more, "I thought you guys killed that one giant in Alaska without a god's help, just the two of you."

"Alcyoneus was a special case," Frank says, "He was only immortal in the territory where he was reborn—Alaska. But not in Canada. I wish I could kill all the giants by dragging them across the border from Alaska into Canada, but . . ." He shrugs, "Percy's right, we'll need the gods."

"So . . ." Leo pushes his chair away from the table, "First things first, I guess. We'll have to put down in the morning to finish repairs."

"Someplace close to a city," Annabeth suggests, "In case we need supplies. But somewhere out of the way, so the Romans will have trouble finding us. Any ideas?"

"Well," Piper speaks up, "How do you guys feel about Kansas?"

Maribelle shudders and she can hear Frank laugh softly. He looks over at her and she feels her stomach twist as he smiles at her. She wanted to apologize for earlier, for pushing him away after she'd told him she would always come to him when she had a problem. That could wait til they were alone, she decided as he stuffs his face with spaghetti. Normally, she'd turn her nose at messy eaters but she can't help but smile and find it endearing when sauce ends up on the boys chin. She simply reaches out her napkin and wipes it away, enjoying the way Frank easily flushes at her touch.

Eventually, it's only the two of them left. Maribelle was still picking at her salad and Frank was tapping his fingers against the table.

"I'm sorry," Maribelle mumbles to him and she forces herself to take a bite so she doesn't say something else.

Frank only looks at her.

She swallows, "I went to see Jason, obviously he was not conscious but he started to wake up, and I freaked out and I ran. And then, I just got stuck in my head and that wasn't fair to you because I told you I'd talk to you anytime—"

"You don't need to apologize," Frank tells her, "We're working on this together. Besides, I'm glad Hazel could help you if not me."

Maribelle nods and takes another bite.

"I'm proud of you for talking to Jason, even if he was unconscious and probably didn't hear any of it."

Maribelle snorts, but quickly covers it with a cough, "Thanks."

Frank just grins, "Are you done?"

Maribelle looks at her half-eaten salad and nods, "I'm ready for bed, honestly."

"Me too," Frank agrees and together they head below deck.

Coach Hedge was busy yelling about a curfew and how he was watching them so they couldn't sneak out. Maribelle only rolls her eyes, but stays firmly outside of Frank's door. She wasn't going to lie and say that Coach Hedge didn't scare her a tiny bit.

She quickly kisses Frank goodnight and speeds off to her own room before Coach Hedge can yell again.

     The next morning, after Maribelle had showered and dressed for the day, she waited for Frank outside of his cabin. She was inspecting her nail beds when his door swings open and she grins, "Morning."

"Morning," Frank looks her up and down and she feels herself flush. "Tennis shoes?"

"Sneakers," Maribelle says.

"That's new," He comments.

"Well, I've ruined all my good shoes and I can't risk another pair," Maribelle smiles, "So . . ."

"I like them," Frank comments.

Maribelle looks at his own outfit and tries not to laugh. He was wearing a track suit, which was only cute because he was wearing it.

She takes his hand in hers and leads him above deck for breakfast. Maribelle eats a granola bar as Frank douses his waffles in syrup, occasionally offering her a piece of waffle that she declines.

"Here we are. What's the plan?" Annabeth speaks up when it seems everyone was awake and ready to start the day.

"I want to check out the highway," Piper says, "Find the sign that says Topeka 32."

Leo spins his Wii controller in a circle, and the sails lowered themselves, "We shouldn't be far. Festus and I calculated the landing as best we could. What do you expect to find at the mile marker?"

Piper explains to them what she'd seen in the knife — the man in purple with a goblet.

"Purple shirt?" Jason asks, "Vines on his hat? Sounds like Bacchus."

"Dionysus," Percy mutters, "If we came all the way to Kansas to see Mr. D—"

"Bacchus isn't so bad," Jason says, "I don't like his followers much. But the god himself is okay, I did him a favor once up in the wine country."

"Whatever, man. Maybe he's better on the Roman side. But why would he be hanging around in Kansas? Didn't Zeus order the gods to cease all contact with mortals?"

Frank grunts, "The gods haven't been very good at following that order. Besides, if the gods have gotten confused like Hazel said— "

"And Leo said," adds Leo.

"Then who knows what's going on with the Olympians? Could be some pretty bad stuff out there."

"Sounds dangerous!" Leo agrees, "Well . . . you guys have fun. I've got to finish repairs on the hull. Coach Hedge is gonna work on the broken crossbows. And, uh, Annabeth—I could really use your help. You're the only other person who even sort of understands engineering."

"He's right. I should stay and help."

"I'll come back to you." Percy kisses her on the cheek, "Promise."

Maribelle smiles at the pair. They were so easy together, like they hadn't been apart for months.

Frank slides his bow off his shoulder and props it against the rail, "I think I should turn into a crow or something and fly around, keep an eye out for Roman eagles."

"Why a crow?" Leo asks, "Man, if you can turn into a dragon, why don't you just turn into a dragon every time? That's the coolest."

"That's like asking why you don't bench-press your maximum weight every time you lift. Because it's hard, and you'd hurt yourself. Turning into a dragon isn't easy."

"Oh." Leo nods, "I wouldn't know. I don't lift weights."

"Yeah. Well, maybe you should consider it, Mr. — "

"Hey," Maribelle quickly interrupts, confused by whatever was going on between the pair.

"I'll help you, Frank," Hazel speaks up and Maribelle can't help but frown, "I can summon Arion and scout around below."

"Sure," Frank says, "Yeah, thanks."

Maribelle now glances between Frank and Hazel, the string reminding her of the reasons she was jealous of the pair beforehand.

"Just be careful when you go out there. Lots of fields, lots of crops. Could be karpoi on the loose," Hazel says to Percy.

"Karpoi?" Piper asks.

"Grain spirits," Hazel replies, "You don't want to meet them."

"That leaves four of us to check on the mile marker," Percy says, "Me, Belle, Jason, Piper. I'm not psyched about seeing Mr. D again. That guy is a pain. But, Jason, if you're on better terms with him—"

"Yeah," Jason says, "If we find him, I'll talk to him. Piper, it's your vision. You should take the lead.

"Of course. Let's find the highway," Piper says.

Maribelle double checks the security of her knives on her thighs. Frank places a hand on her shoulder, "Will you be okay?"

Maribelle glances up, "Why wouldn't I be?"

"Well — well, with Jason and everything," Frank stutters.

"It'll be fine, I'll just stay close to Percy," Maribelle smiles at him.

"Right," Frank frowns. Maribelle stands on her tippy-toes and pulls him down closer to press a kiss to his cheek. He smirks at her and she can't help but giggle as he kisses her lips, "Be safe."

"I'll try," Maribelle tells him, falling back down onto her heels.

"Come on, Belle!" Percy calls and Maribelle quickly chases after him.

After trudging half a mile through hot fields, getting bitten by mosquitoes and whacked in the face with scratchy sunflowers, they finally reach the road. Maribelle was not made for this, she decides as she continues on. She couldn't wait to get back and complain to Frank.

"Correct my math," Percy speaks up, "But doesn't that mean we have eight miles to walk?"

Maribelle groans and wipes her forehead, she doesn't sweat but the act was slightly comforting to her. Like she had accomplished a very difficult task.

Jason peers both ways down the deserted road, "No cars . . . but I guess we wouldn't want to hitchhike."

"No," Piper agrees, "We've already spent too much time going overland. The earth is Gaea's territory."

"Hmm . . ." Jason snaps his fingers, "I can call a friend for a ride."

Percy raises his eyebrows, "Oh, yeah? Me too. Let's see whose friend gets here first."

Jason whistles. Percy simply closes his eyes and concentrates.

Maribelle observes both boys. She'd stayed close to Percy the whole time, not even sparing a glance to Jason. But the boy didn't seem too keen on talking to her either, so Maribelle would consider it a win.

Thunder crackles in the clear sky.

Jason smiles, "Soon."

"Too late." Percy points east, where a black winged shape was spiraling toward them. For only a moment, Maribelle thought Percy and Frank had accomplished telepathy and Frank's crow-figure was coming to their rescue. That was ridiculous.

"A black pegasus?" Piper asks, "Never seen one like that."

The winged stallion came in for a landing. He trots over to Percy and nuzzles his face, then turns his head inquisitively towards Maribelle, Piper and Jason.

"Blackjack," Percy says, "This is Belle, Piper and Jason. They're friends."

The horse nickers.

"Uh, maybe later," Percy answers.

"What does Blackjack want?" Maribelle asks as she admires the horse.

"Donuts," Percy answers, "Always donuts. He can carry all three of us if—"

Suddenly the air turns cold and Maribelle's ears pop. A miniature cyclone three stories tall tore across the tops of the sunflowers. It touches down on the road next to Jason and took the form of a horse.

"Tempest," Jason says, grinning broadly, "Long time, my friend."

The storm spirit rears and whinnies. Blackjack backs up skittishly.

"Easy, boy," Percy says, "He's a friend too. Nice ride, Grace."

Jason shrugs, "I made friends with him during our fight at the Wolf House. He's a free spirit, literally, but once in a while he agrees to help me."

Percy and Jason climb on their respective horses. Piper accepts Jason's hand and climbs on, Maribelle gets on Blackjack.

Tempest races down the road with Blackjack soaring overhead. They land not too long later.

Blackjack whinnies.

"You're right," Percy says, "No sign of the wine dude."

"I beg your pardon?" Comes a voice from the field.

Maribelle's grip tightens around Percy.

The wheat parts, and a man wearing a wide-brimmed hat wreathed in grapevines, a purple short-sleeved shirt, khaki shorts, and Birkenstocks with white socks steps forward. He looked maybe thirty, with a slight potbelly, Maribelle raises an eyebrow.

"Did someone just call me the wine dude?" He asks, "It's Bacchus, please. Or Mr. Bacchus. Or Lord Bacchus. Or, sometimes, Oh-My-Gods-Please-Don't-Kill-Me, Lord Bacchus."

Percy urges Blackjack forward, "You look different. Skinnier. Your hair is longer. And your shirt isn't so loud."

The wine god squints up at him, "What in blazes are you talking about? Who are you, and where is Ceres?"

"Uh . . . what series?" Maribelle asks him.

"I think he means Ceres," Jason corrects, "The goddess of agriculture. The greeks call her Demeter."

Maribelle nods, feeling slightly stupid.

"Lord Bacchus, do you remember me? I helped you with that missing leopard in Sonoma," Jason tells him.

Bacchus scratches his stubbly chin, "Ah . . . yes. John Green."

"Jason Grace."

"Whatever," the god says, "Did Ceres send you, then?"

"No, Lord Bacchus," Jason says, "Were you expecting to meet her here?"

The god snorts, "Well, I didn't come to Kansas to party, my boy. Ceres asked me here for a council of war. What with Gaea rising, the crops are withering. Droughts are spreading. The karpoi are in revolt. Even my grapes aren't safe. Ceres wanted a united front in the plant war."

"The plant war," Percy says, "You're going to arm all the little grapes with tiny assault rifles?"

"Have we met?"

"At Camp Half-Blood," Percy answers, "I know you as Mr. D — Dionysus."

"Agh!" Bacchus winces and presses his hands to his temples. "Stop that! Stop thinking about me in Greek!"

"Uh, but — "

"Do you have any idea how hard it is to stay focused? Splitting headaches all the time! I never know what I'm doing or where I'm going! Constantly grumpy!"

"That sounds pretty normal for you," Percy says.

The god's nostrils flares. One of the grape leaves on his hat burst into flame. "If we know each other from that other camp, it's a wonder I haven't already turned you into a dolphin."

"It was discussed," Percy assures, "I think you were just too lazy to do it."

Maribelle pinches his side, he really needed to learn when to stop talking. And that was coming from her.

"Lord Bacchus!" Piper interrupts, sliding off of Tempest.

"Piper, careful," Jason says.

"Sorry to trouble you, my lord, but actually we came here to get your advice. Please, we need your wisdom."

"You're well-spoken, girl. Advice, eh? Very well. I would avoid karaoke. Really, theme parties in general are out. In these austere times, people are looking for a simple, low-key affair, with locally produced organic snacks and—"

"Not about parties," Piper interrupts, "Although that's incredibly useful advice, Lord Bacchus. We were hoping you'd help us on our quest."

She explains about the Argo II and their voyage to stop the giants from awakening Gaea. She tells him what Nemesis had said: that in six days, Rome would be destroyed. She describes the vision reflected in her knife, where Bacchus offered her a silver goblet.

"Silver goblet?" He grabs a Diet Pepsi from nowhere and pops the top of the can.

"You drink Diet Coke," Percy says.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Bacchus snaps, "As to this vision of the goblet, young lady, I have nothing for you to drink unless you want a Pepsi. Jupiter has put me under strict orders to avoid giving wine to minors. Bothersome, but there you have it. As for the giants, I know them well. I fought in the first Giant War, you know."

"You can fight?" Percy asks.

Suddenly, his Diet Pepsi transforms into a five-foot staff wreathed in ivy, topped with a pinecone.

"A thyrsus?" Piper says.

"Oh, what a mighty weapon!" Maribelle quickly says.

"Indeed," Bacchus agrees, "I'm glad someone in your group is smart. The pinecone is a fearsome tool of destruction! I was a demigod myself in the first Giant War, you know. The son of Jupiter!"

"Of course that was long before I invented wine and became an immortal. I fought side by side with the gods and some other demigod . . . Harry Cleese, I think."

"Heracles?" Piper suggests politely.

"Whatever," Bacchus says, "Anyway, I killed the giant Ephialtes and his brother Otis. Horrible boors, those two. Pinecone in the face for both of them!"

"Lord Bacchus, those two giants, Ephialtes and Otis . . . would they happen to be twins?"

"Hmm? Yes, twins. That's right."

"That's why we're here," Piper tells the god, "You're part of our quest!"

Bacchus frowns, "I'm sorry, my girl. I'm not a demigod anymore. I don't do quests."

"But giants can only be killed by heroes and gods working together," Maribelle insists, "You're a god now, and the two giants we have to fight are Ephialtes and Otis."

"I think—I think they're waiting for us in Rome. They're going to destroy the city somehow. The silver goblet I saw in my vision—maybe it's meant as a symbol for your help. You have to help us kill the giants!" Piper says.

"My girl," He says coldly, "I don't have to do anything. Besides, I only help those who give me proper tribute, which no one has managed to do in many, many centuries."

"What kind of tribute?" Percy asks.

Bacchus waves his hand dismissively, "Nothing you could handle, insolent Greek. But I will give you some free advice, since this girl does have some manners. Seek out Gaea's son, Phorcys. He always hated his mother, not that I can blame him. He didn't have much use for his siblings the twins, either. You'll find him in the city they named after that heroine — Atalanta."

Maribelle corrects him, "You mean Atlanta?"

"That's the one."

"But this Phorcys," Jason says, "Is he a giant? A Titan?"

Bacchus laughs, "Neither. Seek out the salt water."

"Salt water . . ." Percy says. "In Atlanta?"

'Yes," Bacchus says. "Are you hard of hearing? If anyone can give you insight on Gaea and the twins, it's Phorcys. Just watch out for him."

"What do you mean?" Jason asks.

The god glances at the sun, which had climbed almost to high noon, "It's unlike Ceres to be late, unless she sensed something dangerous in this area. Or . . . or a trap. Well, I must be going! And if I were you, I'd do the same!"

"Lord Bacchus, wait!" Jason protests.

The god shimmers and disappears with a sound like a soda-can top being popped. The wind rustles through the sunflowers. The horses pace in agitation. Maribelle can't stop the shiver running down her spine. Something was definitely off.

"Bacchus is right," She begins, "We need to leave—"

Too late, said a sleepy voice, humming through the fields all around them.

Percy and Jason draw their swords. Maribelle holds two of her knives, watching Piper who stood on the road between them, frozen with fear. She quickly slides off of Blackjack to stand by Piper, ready to protect her if needed.

The power of Gaea was suddenly everywhere. The sunflowers turn to look at them. The wheat bends towards them.

Welcome to my party, Gaea murmurs.

"Gaea!" Jason yells, "Stop hiding in the wheat. Show yourself!"

Such bravado, Gaea hisses. But the other one, Percy Jackson, also has appeal. Choose, Piper McLean, or I will.

"You're insane!" Piper shouts, "I'm not choosing anything for you!"

Suddenly Jason gasps. He sat up straight in his saddle.

"Jason!" Piper cries, "What's wrong—?"

He looks down at her, his expression deadly calm. His eyes were no longer blue. They glowed solid gold.

"Percy, help!" The two girls stumble back from Tempest.

But Percy gallops away from them. He stops thirty feet down the road and wheels his pegasus around. He raises his sword and points the tip toward Jason.

"One will die," Percy says, but the voice wasn't his.

"I will choose," Jason answers, in the same voice.

"No!" Piper yells.

Maribelle's heart was pounding in her ears. She didn't know what to do or how to even stop the boys. She glances at Piper who appears to be just as lost.

—