XIX

Annabeth, Piper, and Hazel are intercepted on the Charleston dock by Octavian and two Roman commandos, with giant eagles circling. Outgunned, Annabeth tosses her dagger into the harbor as a signal. The sea erupts; Percy rises the water to dump the Romans into the bay and returns Annabeth’s dagger, allowing the group to rush aboard the Argo II.

Annabeth orders Piper to send an Iris-message to summon Jason, Hazel to fetch Coach Hedge, and Percy to help launch. Percy commands the ship’s lines and sails, while Annabeth powers the engines and points them to Fort Sumter, where the map to the Mark of Athena is supposed to be. More Roman eagles converge on the fort as Festus keeps them at bay from the deck.

Piper’s message reaches their allies: Frank (as a giant bald eagle) carries Leo, with Jason flying behind. A Roman flying chariot dives at them, loosing arrows. Coach Hedge fires a ballista “warning shot” that panics the pegasi but also singes Frank’s wings, sending him into a spiral. The chariot collides with Jason; he catches Leo but cannot regain altitude. Jason, Leo, and Frank crash behind Fort Sumter’s ramparts as the chariot smashes inside.

With a dozen Roman eagles bringing reinforcements, Annabeth accelerates for a hard docking. She assigns Percy, Piper, Hazel, and Hedge to defend the Argo II, while she undertakes a solo infiltration of the fort. Despite the risks—Romans swarming, allies down inside, and the critical need for the map—Annabeth commits to finding Jason, Leo, and Frank and retrieving the Mark of Athena map.