The Heroes of Olympus, #3
The Mark of Athena
by Rick Riordan
Contents
XXIX
Overview
Percy, frustrated and sidelined, dreams of Ephialtes and Otis conspiring with a sinister “Lady” to capture Annabeth alive and spill demigod blood. Annabeth insists on secrecy and going alone for the Mark of Athena. Near the Italian coast, a trireme ambushes the Argo II; dolphin warriors overrun the deck, and Chrysaor disarms Percy and captures the crew.
Summary
Percy frets over recent failures, Annabeth’s distance since Charleston, and feeling useless at sea. As the Argo II crosses into the ancient Mediterranean, constant attacks underscore the land’s heightened danger. Jason sends Percy to rest so they can alternate air and sea travel.
Percy dreams of the giants Ephialtes and Otis reporting to a hissing “Her Ladyship” in a vast, crumbling cavern eroded by Athena’s rage and Gaea’s stirring. They plan for a child of Athena—Annabeth—to be taken alive, and prefer Percy’s blood as well. The giants reference a “golden boy” obstacle and Ephialtes’s centuries of trophies from failed Athena quests.
Percy wakes and tells Annabeth on deck in heavy fog. She, unsurprised, demands secrecy and insists she must pursue the Mark of Athena alone despite her fear of spiders. Percy, torn between protectiveness and guilt over his prior disappearance, reluctantly backs down as they near the Tiber.
Suddenly Percy senses danger, but too late: a black-sailed trireme with a gorgon emblem rams the Argo II. Dolphinlike warriors swarm aboard, subdue Leo and the others below, and surround Percy and Annabeth. Percy finds his sea powers oddly resisted and cannot break the encirclement.
Their leader appears: a fully armored golden warrior with a gorgon-visored helmet. He swiftly knocks Riptide from Percy’s hand and introduces himself as Chrysaor, another son of Poseidon, declaring he wants everything they have as his troops secure the captured ship.
Who Appears
- Percy JacksonNarrator; dreams of giants plotting Annabeth’s capture, fails to repel a sea ambush, and is disarmed by Chrysaor.
- Annabeth ChaseDistant, focused on the Mark of Athena; insists on secrecy and going alone; stands with Percy during the ambush.
- ChrysaorGolden-armored son of Poseidon; leads the attack, effortlessly disarms Percy, and seizes the Argo II.
- Leo ValdezExhausted helmsman; blames himself for earlier attack; sounds the alarm but is overpowered by dolphin warriors.
- Jason GraceHolds off aerial threats, orders Percy to rest, and helps transition the ship back to sea before the ambush.
- EphialtesTwin giant; reports to a sinister Lady, flaunts trophies from Athena quests, plots Annabeth’s capture.
- OtisTwin giant; bickers with Ephialtes, nearly cracks the cavern floor, assists in plans against Annabeth.
- Her LadyshipHissing entity in a crumbling cavern; collaborates with giants, craves revenge, wants Annabeth as a victim.
- Coach HedgeAboard during attacks; minor presence as the crew endures constant threats en route.
- Hazel LevesqueSeasick belowdecks during night sailing; status uncertain after the boarding.