Chapter 12
Khione can't Let It Go
IF THE ENTRY HALL HAD BEEN COLD, the throne room was like a meat locker.
Mist hung in the air. Vivian shivered, and her breath steamed. This was too cold even for her fire powers. Along the walls, purple tapestries showed scenes of snowy forests, barren mountains, and glaciers. High above, ribbons of colored light—the aurora borealis—pulsed along the ceiling. A layer of snow covered the floor, so they had to step carefully. All around the room stood life-size ice sculpture warriors—some in Greek armor, some medieval, some in modern camouflage—all frozen in various attack positions, swords raised, guns locked and loaded.
Wonder what happened to them. Vivian thought, but was convinced that she would not like the answer.
At least Vivian thought they were sculptures. Then Jason tried to step between two Greek spearmen, and they moved with surprising speed, their joints cracking and spraying ice crystals as they crossed their javelins to block Jason's path.
From the far end of the hall, a man's voice rang out in a language that sounded like French. The room was so long and misty, Jason couldn't see the other end; but whatever the man said, the ice guards uncrossed their javelins.
"It's fine," Khione said. "My father has ordered them not to kill you just yet."
"Super," Jason said.
"Great..." Vivian said.
Zethes prodded him in the back with his sword. "Keep moving, Jason Junior."
"Please don't call me that."
"My father is not a patient man," Zethes warned, "and the beautiful Piper, sadly, is losing her magic hairdo very fast. Later, perhaps, I can lend her something from my wide assortment of hair products."
"Thanks," Piper grumbled.
"I think your hair is lovely," Vivian told Piper.
"Thanks!" Piper was able to crack a smile. A real one.
They kept walking, and the mist parted to reveal a man on an ice throne. He was sturdily built, dressed in a stylish white suit that seemed woven from snow, with dark purple wings that spread out to either side. His long hair and shaggy beard were encrusted with icicles, so Jason couldn't tell if his hair was gray or just white with frost. His arched eyebrows made him look angry, but his eyes twinkled more warmly than his daughter's —as if he might have a sense of humor buried somewhere under that permafrost. Vivian hoped so.
"Bienvenu," the king said. "Je suis Boreas le Roi. Et vous?" [Translation "Welcome," the king said. "I am Boreas the King. And you?"]
Somehow Vivian was able to understand that. Khione the snow goddess was about to speak, but Piper and Vivian stepped forward and curtsied.
"Votre Majesté," she said, " je suis Piper McLean. Et c'est Jason, fils de Zeus." ["Your Majesty," she said, "I am Piper McLean. And this is Jason, son of Zeus."]
Vivian then spoke up, "Votre Majesté, je suis Vivian, fille de Poséidon. C'est un honneur de vous rencontrer" [Your Majesty, I am Vivian, a daughter of Poseidon. It is an honor to meet you]
The king smiled with pleasant surprise. "Vous les filles parlez français? Très bien!" [The king smiled with pleasant surprise. "You girls speak French? Very well!"]
"Piper V, you speak French?" Jason asked. Piper and Vivian frowned. "No. Why?"
"I never learned French," Vivian said, confused.
YOU ARE READING
The Lost Hero
FanfictionJason has a problem. He doesn't remember anything before waking up on a school bus holding hands with a girl. Apparently she's his girlfriend Piper, his best friends were two kids named Leo and V which was short for Vivian, and they're all students...
