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Summary

Chapter 7

Percy, Annabeth, and Tyson are sent to work kitchen duty because Tantalus blames them for disturbing the Stymphalian Birds with their terrible driving. On the bright side, Percy and Annabeth finally get a chance to talk about Grover, and they call truce on their argument. Annabeth realizes that Grover must have found the Golden Fleece, an object with immense healing powers, and she explains to Percy that it is the only thing that can cure Thalia’s tree. Percy and Annabeth agree that the situation is too convenient and that it might be a trap, but they decide to save their friend anyway. Later, they ask Tantalus to approve a quest so they can retrieve Grover and the Golden Fleece. Tantalus questions how they could possibly know where to look, and Percy realizes the numbers the Gray Sisters gave him are coordinates. He explains this to Tantalus, and the new activities director approves the quest. However, he wants Clarisse to lead it, not Percy. 

That night, Tyson asks Percy if he does not want him around because Annabeth doesn’t like him, and suggests he shouldn’t have been born. Percy attempts to reassure him, but Tyson falls asleep. Percy sneaks out to sit by the beach to make himself feel better and is soon approached by Hermes, the messenger god, who encourages him to look for Grover—and the Fleece—regardless of Tantalus’s decision. He gives Percy a thermos containing winds from the four corners of the earth to speed up his journey, a bottle of chewable vitamins, and three duffle bags filled with supplies. Hermes then says he hopes Percy will save many people on the quest, and Percy realizes he is talking about his son, Luke, who betrayed Percy and sided with Kronos at the end of the previous book, The Lightning Thief. Percy replies that he thinks Luke is beyond saving, and Hermes insists you can’t give up on family. Percy then sees Annabeth and Tyson approaching in the distance, and Hermes suggests Percy ask for his father’s help to reach the large cruise ship that Percy can see in the distance. Hermes disappears as Annabeth and Tyson reach him.

Read more about Luke’s betrayal in The Lightning Thief.

Chapter 8

Percy quickly explains his encounter with Hermes, and Percy and Annabeth decide to leave on their own unsanctioned quest. Annabeth doesn’t want Tyson to come because he is a Cyclops. Part of Percy agrees with her—he wants some space from his new brother, and he doesn’t think Tyson is up to the challenge. However, he suggests they bring him because he doesn’t want Tyson to get punished in their absence, and Annabeth reluctantly agrees. Percy asks his father for help, and the three are soon approached by hippocampi, seahorses that were created by Poseidon, who carry them to the cruise ship, called the Princess Andromeda. They climb aboard and are soon confused because the ship appears to be empty. Tyson maintains that the ship smells “bad,” but does not elaborate. They head into an empty room and go to sleep. 

That night, Percy dreams about the pit of Tartarus, an abyss in the Underworld that contains evil beings such as Kronos. In his dream, Kronos taunts Percy for “slaving away” for gods who do not care about him. The dream then shifts to Grover, who is undoing his bridal train while Polyphemus is not looking. Grover urges Percy to hurry, and Percy wakes with a start. In the morning, Percy, Annabeth, and Tyson realize that the ship is filled with monsters and humans who appear to be in a trance. The three heroes debrief in the bathroom and have decided to leave when they hear Luke’s voice. Percy and Annabeth agree that they need to investigate what Luke is up to.

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