Contents
LIX
Overview
Jason drives a team of venti across the sea to Malta, exhausting himself but delivering the Argo II to the island. Piper stabilizes Jason and Festus jump-starts the ship’s engines. As Jason wrestles with the storm-or-fire dilemma, they spot Leo’s makeshift raft in the harbor and call the crew to prepare for reunion.
Summary
Jason harnesses a team of venti and lashes them to the Argo II’s prow, driving the ship out of North Africa. The fiery horses churn steam and strain against his wind-ropes, forcing Jason to concentrate for hours as he aims straight for Malta. After six hours, drained and blistered, he releases the winds and the venti disperse.
Piper emerges to treat Jason with ambrosia, restoring his strength even as he feels the bitter cost of leaving Camp Jupiter behind. Jason notes Piper’s newfound intensity since Khione’s attack and her training with Hazel. Their brief moment of closeness steadies him, but Jason’s thoughts return to Notus’s warning and the looming choice of storm or fire.
With the ship still a half mile out and their propulsion uncertain, Festus wakes and belches flame, coaxing the engine to life and nudging the Argo II toward harbor. Jason resolves to protect his friends regardless of the prophecy’s cost, determined that Leo will not die for him.
As the medieval city of Malta rises ahead, Jason scans the crowded docks and spots a crude raft outfitted with Celestial bronze rigging—Leo’s unmistakable handiwork, strategically moored where they’d see it. Convinced Leo is near, Jason orders Piper to gather the others to prepare for reunion.
Who Appears
- Jason GraceDrives the Argo II to Malta by controlling venti; exhausts himself; grapples with storm-or-fire prophecy and resolves to protect friends.
- Piper McLeanTends Jason with ambrosia, shows intensified readiness since Khione; supports and steadies Jason; helps prepare for docking.
- Festus (Argo II’s figurehead dragon)Responds to Jason and Piper, reignites the ship’s engine, and helps the Argo II approach Malta.
- Venti (fiery wind horses)Harnessed by Jason for six hours to tow the ship across the sea toward Malta before dispersing.
- Leo ValdezOff-page presence; his Celestial bronze–rigged raft signals he’s nearby, prompting the crew to prepare for reunion.