Previously:
"One more thing before we transport all of you there," Lachesis said with a strange gleam in her eye that made me nervous.

"What?" I asked warily.

"You are going to be a Dragon Rider," she answered. "Your dragon will be Blackjack."

"What?" both Blackjack and I asked in surprise.

They didn't answer as they waved their hands and we were suddenly in a forest and Blackjack was a huge black dragon with his spikes along his back and the tips of his wings being a stunning pure white. I felt a sharp sting on my hand and looked down to see a strange silver symbol on the palm of my hand and then I blacked out.

Coming back into consciousness hurt. The only time that ever happened was if I was with a certain cousin named-

"Thalia," I groaned, "can you not shock me awake after you knock me out? My godly body can only take so much."

A dragon like snort came from the edge of the clearing. Boss, I was watching, you knocked yourself out, he said. How about you stop messing around so we can figure out where we need to go?

Thalia jumped a little. "I still find it weird that I can hear the pegasus now," she muttered.

"Dragon, Thalia," I said. "Might as well get use to it since that's what he looks like."

And my name is Blackjack, thank you very much. The offended dragon snorted, smoke coming out of his nostrils and stuck his head in the air.

We had been in Alagaësia for a few weeks already, hanging around the forest we were deposited at, like the Fates told us to. None of us felt like it was the right thing to do to leave now anyways. There was a large city a ways away from the edge of the forest and I went in alone just because I was the only one who could change their physical appearance.

Seeing how the guards dressed as well as those who were coming and going, I changed my clothes to match that of their style. A simple white tunic and a leather jacket and leggings. I had Riptide hanging on a belt at my side, extended in it's weapon form.

While in Narda, as it was apparently called, I grabbed some clothes I thought Thalia wouldn't mind wearing with the coins my sisters had given us before we left. The women here seemed to still be in the mindset to wear long dresses but I knew Thalia wouldn't like it if I came back with just that so I got some leggings. I figured she could trick the skirt up to be in a more comfortable style.

I got back to my cousin-well, more of my great grand niece- arguing with my pegasus.

I mean dragon.

"You can't just do that, Blackjack, what if someone sees you?" I heard Thalia scold.

I need to stretch my wings, Blackjack said.

"That's not why you were faced towards the city," Thalia said. "You were going after Percy."

He's the only one who can get me doughnuts, Black jack defended indignantly.

"Blackjack, you know how things are here," I said as I stepped into the clearing where we'd set up camp. Sadly, I had not been allowed to bring my hunt's standard tents so we had special ones given to us by the Fates. Something about dimensional barriers or something.

They really were not all that special, it was a normal canvas tent used in the old days. Drafty at night and stuffy during the heat of the day.

But boss, I couldn't feel the bond. Blackjack and I have been feeling a mental bond more intimate and stronger than anything either of us had felt before. Stronger, even, than my connection to my domains. I wasn't sure how I felt about that but Blackjack loved it. Now he could read my thoughts as well as I his.

At least now we knew there was a range for it.

"Blackjack," I started, "If the people down there saw you, they'd report to a guard who would in turn send word to Gallabatorix. Do you know what would happen then?"

Blackjack lowered his head and shuffled his feet on the dirt below. The weird-emperor-dude would know there was another Dragon Rider, he said sheepishly.

"That's right," I said satisfied, "try to keep that from happening Blackjack, okay?"

Can't you turn me into a horse so I can go with you to the city? Blackjack asked. He yanked his head up with his excitement of his idea.

"That...is actually not a bad idea," Thalia admitted. "Percy can't you do that?"

I looked at Blackjack thoughtfully. "Maybe," I said. "My powers here take on a much heavier toll than at home so I don't know what will happen." I looked to Thalia to see what she thought.

She shrugged. "Might as well try it," she said, "he won't leave you alone otherwise."

I shrugged as well, turning back to the now excited dragon. "Hold still buddy, I don't want to accidentally hurt you if something goes wrong."

It took obvious effort but Blackjack held still as I started chanting. Normally I wouldn't need words but they hold even more power here than they did at home. Especially when spoken in Ancient Greek.

We found that out when we were trying to set up camp the first day. I started ranting at the firewood because it wouldn't catch fire.

By the time I was done changing Blackjack, he looked almost just like his old self. Minus the feathery wings.

"Great, now that that is done, you want to find me something to ride?" Thalia said.

"We can in the city," I suggested, tossing her the clothing I'd acquired, "but what's wrong with riding with me?"

Thalia gave me a look. "Percy," she started in an almost patronizing tone, "I know we're cousins but you know how I feel about that."

"Actually, you're me great grand-"

"I get it," she cut me off, "our family tree is messed up. Now are we going or aren't we?"

I winked at Blackjack as I came up to him. "As soon as you change, 'cuz." I gestured to the clothes I tossed her and waited for her reaction.

I was not disappointed.

"I have to wear this?" She demanded, holding up the dress in front of her. "Where are we going? A Renaissance fair?"

"No, but that's what it seems like," I sighed. "I got you some leggings too."

"Like the leggings make it any better," she muttered as she stalked off to her tent to change.

"I figured you could mess with the skirt to make it easier to move around in," I called after her. "I got the best fabric I could find."

"Yeah, yeah," she called from the tent.

When she was done, the skirt was a great deal shorter than it was before and had two slits cut on either side of it. She still wore her black combat boots since she did not want to part with them. A belt hung around her waist, holding a dagger and a pouch. Even in medieval clothing she still looked too intimidating to mess with.

"Climb on," I said, doing my best to hide a smile.

"Not a word, Jackson," she threatened as she climbed up behind me.

"What, did you think I was going to say something?" I questioned innocently.

Thalia didn't answer, just smacked me in the back of my head.

"Ow," I said, reaching back to rub the offended spot.

The rest of the ride to Narda was short but filled with offending comments about me coming from Thalia and occasionally Blackjack.

Alright, some of those I deserved but 'Fish-breath'? I'll have you know I haven't eaten fish in a month.

Did you think that just because I was born a son of Poseidon, I didn't eat fish? Wrong-o! It's the fact of life people, deal with it.

"What was his name? Rolan?" I muttered as we came up to the gate.

"Roran," Thalia corrected. "Do you think he already made it out of the Spine?"

"I don't know," I sighed in exasperation. "My sisters only told us so much before they decided to plop us randomly in this weird country and it's hard to keep all the information straight."

We didn't get very far in the town before Thalia pointed to a place where a bunch of papers were pinned. "There, I think that's him," she said, "him and a bunch of other people."

My eyes narrowed in their direction and I tried to tune into their conversation.

"What are they talking about?" Thalia asked in my ear.

"We need to get closer," I whispered back. Blackjack's ears twitched as a sign that he'd heard and he started across the street to where they were. "Not too close, bro."

Blackjack snorted. I know how to eavesdrop, boss, he said.

"Stop calling me that," I said under my breath.

Ok, boss, he said.

"...If killing Gallabatorix's men and defying the Ra'zac gets you ten thousand crowns, what do you have to do to get an earldom?" One of them said. It appeared they were looking at some wanted papers one of which held a face similar to the one closest to the picture.

"Buggering the king himself," another said.

"That's enough of that," a very large man said. "Guard your tongue better, Blador, or we'll end up in irons. And Roran, don't draw attention to yourself again. With a reward like that, people are bound to be watching strangers for anyone who matches your description." The large man that reminded me of Beckendorf shifted uneasily. "Right, so we all have things to do..."

I stopped listening, now that I knew who was Roran, I knew who to follow. The bearded man carried a large hammer and had a hard look in his eyes. As if he had to change too quickly to get used to battle.

"The one carrying the hammer is Roran," I told Thalia and Blackjack. The last one was rather pointless but I did anyways.

"He's going with the big one and the smaller one that looks a bit like the big one," Thalia whispered back.

I turned to look at her, my brow raised. "That was descriptive," I said dryly.

"How else would you describe them?" Thalia defended.

I watched thoughtfully as the trio headed off in the direction I could sense was an ocean. "Beckendorf supreme and mini Beckendorf," I finally said.

I couldn't see but I could almost hear Thalia roll her eyes. "Just follow them," she said before adding, "Kelp head."

We arrived at the docks and watched as the two younger men stared out at the sea in awe as if it were their first time seeing something so magnificent.

I smiled and closed my eyes, taking in the ocean air as the older man said, "Quite a sight, isn't it?"

"Aye," Roran said in barely a whisper.

"Makes you feel rather small, doesn't it."

"Aye," the other, Baldor, I think it was, answered this time.

"I remember when I first saw the ocean..."

I stopped listening, taking in the feel of the sea in this world. I may not truly be a son of Poseidon but the sea has always been my favorite place in the world. The smell of salt water and fish guts filled my nostrils. While the second smell may not be particularly pleasant, I still breathed it in deeply. It had been a while since I had the chance to relax by the sea side. The sound of the waves pounding against the docks and rocks below was sporadic, inconsistent and ever changing. Nothing was predictable about the sea.

Thalia nudged me suddenly. "Percy, they're moving on," she warned.

"Tell Blackjack, he's the one carrying us everywhere," I muttered back. But Blackjack, I could tell, was almost entranced with the ocean as I was and needed a little nudge to refocus.

We only made it to just a block away from the house they stopped at before they turned straight back around. The three of them along with the man they seemed to be looking for stalked back to the docks. Roran and the ship owner, it seemed, were arguing and debating on a price and when they finally stopped, Roran went back to his friends, I could see that whatever they had decided on had a worrisome cost.

"We can not afford to hire him," the mini Beckendorf said.

"We can't afford not to," Roran answered. "We do not have the gold to buy barges, neither do I like the idea of learning to use them when everyone's life is on the line. It's safer and faster to pay Clovis."

"It's still too expensive," the big Beckendorf muttered.

"We can pay Clovis's initial fee of two hundred crowns. Once we reach Teirm, though, I suggest that we either steal-"

"Let me stop you right there," I said quietly so as not to startle them. I could see where this was going and I did not want to let Roran and his friends live with that on their conscience. I had dismounted from the top of Blackjack as he was speaking and came closer, Thalia right behind me. "I know you will not like what ever you were about to say so allow me to help."

Roraln's hand jumped to his hammer at his waist despite my efforts to not seem threatening thought he calmed when I said I would help. "You're the man on the black horse that's been following us around the city," he said in recognition.

My brow raised as I acknowledged his statement. "So you're not as helpless as I thought, there may be hope for you yet."

"What were you saying about helping us." Beckendorg supreme questioned.

"Ah, yes," I said. "Take my cousin, my horse and I with you and I will pay what you cannot." I pointed to Thalia and Blackjack behind me.

"That is all?" Roran asked incredulously.

I nodded then re-thought. "Well, that and tell us your names and keep her-" I pointed to Thalia "-away from as many males as possible, it's for their own good."

They were silent for a while before Beckendorf supreme stuck out his hand. "Horst, the blacksmith, my son Baldor and Stronghammer," he said.

I turned to Thalia. "Ha! He's a black smith and I'd wager Baldor too, called it!" I said triumphantly as I accepted his hand and shook.

Thalia rolled her eyes before turning to Roran. "That's not your real name, Roran Stronghammer," she whispered. "The scruffy beard isn't much of a disguise. My name is Thalia, this Kelp-head is Percy."

"Full names?" Horst pushed.

Thalia and I shared a look and shrugged. "Percy Chaosson," I started.

"Thalia Zeus's-daughter," she finished, taking my example.

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The next day was filled with getting ready to begin the voyage to Teirm; getting the supplies for the trip and avoiding Clovis's pointed questions about the lack of animal food. It seems the hired captain had yet to find out he was hauling an entire village.

I can't wait until he finds out.

According to Roran, creatures called the Ra'zac had appeared the night before. These creatures were hard to kill and if Roran's bitter voice was anything to go by, he obviously held a grudge for something they did. It was likely they were much like the monsters back home, only difference was, they fed on any flesh, not just demigods. I'd yet to see them but if the stories the villagers were telling had anny accuracy, I am not eager to see them anytime soon.

At least one blessing came from these monsters being so close, the villager's attitude compared to the night before. They hadn't been so happy to be traveling in barges for weeks on end with out any cover from the sun. Now, however, they wanted to leave by any means possible now.

These villagers are hard to gain the trust of. Roran, Horst and Baldor had introduced us and in the same breath, warned the men of Thalia. They must have thought I warned them away from her because I was an over protective family member because most of the older men looked at me in approval and smiled in amusement. I can't wait until they figure out that it was because Thalia is sworn against any affiliation with males not in her immediate family like the hunt and I.

Today, they decided to test the limits to Thalia's huntress tolerance. We had stayed behind with Baldor to guard the villagers in light of the information of the Ra'zac visiting in the night. It had been a close call apparently.

I watched as Thalia took out her hunting knives hidden in places I'm sure I do not want to know and started practicing. I wasn't the only one watching. A young man by the name of...I didn't bother learning his name... he started watching my niece throwing knives at a log. When she decided to change her routine to sparring, she looked at me and held up her knives. I nodded in agreement and stood, taking out my own knives.

"You sure you can keep up Pinecone face?" I teased.

"I've gotten better," Thalia defended as she got into position. "I think I can last for longer than the past few times."

Before we could even start, the young man eyeing Thalia spoke up. "She's going to fight you?" he asked, borderline sneering in disapproval.

I turned to him calmly, not allowing my frustration to show. These villagers have been expecting Thalia to help the women instead of moving any of the supplies. She would have gone to help the pregnant lady and the others had most of the men been so condescending as she went to pick up two bags of flour. She'd looked them straight in the eye, picked the bags up and dropped it in their hands, making them stagger under the weight. "Then you do it," she'd said.

"Yes, boy, she is," I said now. "Do you have a problem with that?"

The boy had stuck up his chin in defiance and stood firm. I had to admire him for that. "Women do not fight with weapons, they should sick to caring for the children," he'd said firmly.

Quick as a flash, a knife appeared under his chin and another at his chest. "You want to repeat that, punk?" Thalia growled. "I know seven year olds who could beat you with one hand, boy."

"Thalia, you're letting your Clarisse side show," I said evenly as I sat back down on the log I was on before.

"Are we going to spar or not?" she said, stepping away from the kid.

"I'm waiting for you," I said, sharing a look with Blackjack behind me.

Without another word, we fought. Thalia skillfully slashing at any available point she could see and defending me at the same time. I could tell she had been practicing.

"Thalia, are you learning how to dance?" I asked. Her moves seemed more graceful and smooth. Like a dance.

"Yeah, Sally, the new recruit used to be a ballroom dancer," Thalia said, grunting as she parried.  "She's teaching whoever wants to learn."

"It does wonders for your fighting style," I said, effortlessly dodging her counter attack. "You look like a cat."

We finally stopped with each other's knives at each other's throats.

"Well done," I complimented, "have you been practicing with Artemis too? I saw some of her moves in there."

Thalia grinned, which somehow was not comforting. I saw several onlookers shudder. "Yeah, she agreed to help me beat you."

My laugh was cut short when I saw Roran among the crowd that was watching. "Roran! When did you bet back?" I said pleasantly.

"Long enough ago to have seen your fight," he said wryly. "Where did you learn that?"

"Learn what?" Thalia asked defensively.

"Your fighting, we could use some lessons," Roran answered with what I'm sure was a reassuring smile but it was covered almost completely by his beard, I couldn't be sure.

"Experience," I said, sharing a look with Thalia. I was smiling inside, this guy knew what his people needed. "And an old friend."

After that, we promised to teach them few moves and then helped move the camp site to the beach where Clovis and Roran were going to pick us up the next day. The kid never bothered Thalia again after our spar and the women of the group had more respect for her despite her choice of wardrobe. (I heard several whispering about how scandalous it was for her to have her skirt and hair so short)

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"Watch out, Blackjack, you're being attacked by an army of gremlins," I joked, coming up to my pegasus disguised as a dragon disguised as a horse. Several children were fascinated by his sleek black coat and his affinity for the sugar they were feeding him. They giggled when I referred to them as gremlins and kept stroking Blackjack's coat.

Blackjack snorted and looked at me. Boss, they have sugar, he said, even if they were weird-emperor-dude, I don't care if they attack me.

I rolled my eyes and turned to the ocean horizon. I'm sure the kids' parents were grateful for Blackjack in more ways than one. He was keeping them occupied and out of the way until the barges came.

"There they are!" a voice yelled excitedly.

Horst came up next to me to see for himself. "Get the animals ready!" he shouted. "They'll need to go first."

I smiled when Blackjack jerked his head up in surprise as a response to Horst's shout. The black horse snorted indignantly and flicked his tale.

"Ready, Blackjack?" I whispered. "We're about to start this adventure for good now."

Blackjack stomped his feet and bobbed his head in agreement. About time, he said.

"I'm ready too, Percy," Thalia said in a mock injured tone "You forgot about me."

I rolled my eyes and turned back to the barges. This was going to be one wild ride from here on out that's for sure.