Amber wasn't sure how to feel about leaving Leo. For one, he had Emerald, who would definitely tear apart anyone who came close to him. For two, he was Leo. And, no matter how much Amber loved him, that made her immediately wary of leaving him alone with a snake with extremely violent tendencies and an immortal—thing with equally, if not more, violent tendencies. For three, they were on a quest. Quests were like horror movies: split up, immediate death and/or pain. But, as Khione led them away from Cal and her friend, she realized she didn't have much of a choice.

As they climbed the icy staircase, Zethes stayed behind them with a newly-summoned sword drawn, something Amber didn't feel too happy about. 

When they were about halfway up the staircase, someone rushed up to Khione.

"Your Highness, one of the mortals had clear vision and saw the dragon," the new arrival gasped out, panting. Amber's glasses informed her the new arrival was a female aura named Celeste. She was pretty, in a way that reminded her of Grover's sister, Maple. She had pastel blue hair and pointed ears, a small amount of freckles, and startlingly bright jade eyes.

Khione frowned at Celeste. "Well, do something about it, then," she snapped.

"Um..." The aura looked down, seeming sheepish. "That's what I came here for. I don't know what to do."

The snow goddess glared at Celeste. "All right. I'll take care of the mortal. You take these humans to my father."

Celeste bowed. "Y-yes, Your Highness."

Khione disappeared in a whirl of snowflakes. 

Celeste looked back at the demigods. "Um, hi. My name is Celeste Softcloud. I-I guess I have to take you to Lord Boreas, now."

"Hey, Celeste." Amber smiled at her. "I'm Amber Castellan. This is Piper McLean, and Jason Grace." It was safe to use his last name now, since Khione said it earlier.

Zethes scowled at the aura. "Hurry on with it, then. I have things to do, and I'd rather not stand here all day, listening to useless introductions, when I could be scheduling another hair appointment."

Celeste nodded. "O-of course." She led Amber, Jason, and Piper up the staircase, floating slightly above the stairs.

Amber looked over at Jason. He seemed lost in his own world. She lightly touched his arm. "Hey. You still with us?"

"Yeah...yeah, sorry," he said.

"No worries," she half-smiled at him.

Amber decided to make small talk with the only civil thing that lived around here--or she assumed Celeste lived around here, anyway. She wasn't sure.

"So, Celeste, you work here?" she asked.

"Um, sort of," Celeste replied. "I owe Lord Boreas a favour. It's almost paid, though. He said this is the last day I'll have to work here for." Although Amber could tell she was telling the truth, there was something in her tone and eyes that made it seem like she didn't believe what she was saying.

"How long have you been working here for?" she questioned the aura.

"Um...three years? It was a pretty big favour, though, so it makes sense," she said.

Three years working for/with Khione? That seems harsh.

"What was the favour?" Piper asked curiously.

"He made sure it didn't snow on my garden for a year," Celeste informed them.

"Oh. Is your garden where you get all your food from?" Amber asked.

"No. I just garden for fun. I didn't even ask him to make sure it didn't snow, actually. He just came up to me a few years ago and told me I owed him, and who am I to disagree with a god?" Celeste shrugged. "He said it was only for a few days, but here I am, almost four years later." She laughed.

"I...that's..." Piper started.

Horrible.

Amber imagined herself beating Boreas up. She was having so much fun planning how to do that, she almost ran into Celeste when she stopped. Jason ran into her, though, and they would've both toppled to the ground if Amber wasn't an incredibly balanced person. She twisted her body in a way that gave her more balance and caught Jason before he could fall, immediately taking a step back and letting go when she noticed their close proximity. 

Jason's cheeks were a light pink. "Sorry."

"It's okay," Amber told him.

"This is the throne room," Celeste told them. "Be careful. Lord Boreas gets offended easily."

"Thank you, Celeste," Amber said. 

Celeste opened her mouth to say something, but was knocked down to the ground by a strong gust of wind that blew in through the window. The wind circled around the room once before taking shape and turning into Khione.

"It was easy to take care of that, you fool," she told Celeste, who stood up and looked down in shame. "But anyways, Jason Grace, this is the throne room," she continued. "Be on your best behaviour. My father can be...chilly. I will translate for you."

That's not needed, Amber thought. Piper's a child of Aphrodite, and I'm a child of Hermes. We'll be fine.

"-- could have such fun, Jason Grace," Khione was saying when Amber started paying attention again. 

Amber tried not to frown. She really didn't like Khione anymore.

"Um, okay," Jason said. "But really, we're just here for a little talk. We'll be leaving right afterward."

Somehow, I doubt that.

Celeste winced at that and the snow goddess smiled. "I love heroes. So blissfully ignorant."

Piper rested her hand on her dagger. "Well, can you enlighten us? You say you're going to translate for us, but we don't even know who you are. What's your name?"

Khione looked annoyed, so Amber decided to answer for her. "This is Khione. The daughter of Boreas and goddess of snow."

Khione nodded and stirred the air with her finger, making a mini-blizzard swirl around her. "Now, come," she said. The oaken French doors flew open, and cold blue light spilled out of the room. "Hopefully you will survive your little talk. Celeste, come with us. I need to inform Boreas of your failure to do even a simple job, as usual."

Amber really wanted to push this girl off a microwave.

If the entry hall had been cold, the throne room was like a meat locker.

Mist--the normal type, not the magical kind--hung in the air. Amber saw Jason shiver. Her breath steamed. Along the walls, purple tapestries showed scenes of snowy forests, barren mountains, and glaciers.

A layer of snow covered the floor, so Amber had to step carefully. All around the room stood life-size ice sculpture warriors--although Amber doubted they were just sculptures, with all she'd learned about Boreas so far. Amber tried to stop Jason from stepping between two Greek spearmen ice sculptures, but she was too late. They moved with surprising speed for things made of ice. They crossed their javelins to block his path.

From the far end of the wall, a man's voice rang out. "Ne les tuez pas. Je veux les voir d'abord et évaluer s'ils méritente de vivre." Do not kill them. I want to see them first and evaluate if they deserve to live.

"Merci," Thank you Amber murmured.  "I'd rather not die just yet." She looked up at her friends. "He said not to kill us just yet."

"Super," Jason said. He didn't seem very surprised that she knew French. As a child of Hermes, it was much easier for her to learn languages. She knew a wide variety, but, for some reason, she wasn't as good at learning Latin as everything else. It was sort of backward, since most demigods naturally knew bits of Latin. She had taught herself a few phrases, though.

Zethes prodded Jason in the back with his sword, and Amber was tempted to disarm him again. "Keep moving. My father is not a patient man. 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.

They kept walking, and the mist parted to reveal a man on an ice throne--Boreas. He was sturdily built, dressed in an old-fashioned white suit that was magically woven from snow, with dark purple wings that spread out to either side. His long hair and shaggy beard were encrusted with icicles, and he had white hair. His arched eyebrows made him look angry, but his eyes twinkled more warmly than his daughters--Amber could tell he had a sense of humour buried under everything else.

"Bienvenue," Welcome the king said. "Je m'appelle Boreas. Comment t'appelle tu?" (Sorry, I'm not the best at spelling when it comes to French) My name is Boreas. What is your name?

Khione was about to speak, but Amber and Piper stepped forward. They both curtsied, although Piper did it with a lot more grace than Amber. "Votre Majesté," Your Majesty Amber said, "je suis Amber Castellan." I am Amber Castellan

"Je suis Piper McLean," I am Piper McLean Piper said.  "Et c'est Jason, fils de Zeus." And this is Jason, son of Zeus.

The king smiled with pleasant surprise at Piper. Amber assumed he already knew about her being able to speak French, somehow. "Vous parlez français? Très bien!" You speak French? Very good!

"Piper, you speak French?" Jason asked.

Piper frowned. "No. Why?"

"You just spoke French," he informed her.

Piper blinked. "I did?"

"Fils et--" Amber closed her eyes for a second. It was hard to switch between languages sometimes. "Sons and daughters--or children, I should say, of Aphrodite can speak French, because it's the language of love. Children of Hermes can learn languages easier than most people because our dad is the god of languages. It's even easier for me to learn--well, anything, to be honest, since I'm related to Athena."

"I--oh," Piper said. "That makes sense."

Boreas turned to Khione. "Ces charmantes dames peuvent traduire pour moi. Vous n'êtes plus nécessaire ici." These lovely ladies can translate for me. You are no longer needed here. He made a motion with his hands as if shooing her away.

Khione looked miffed. "The king says--"

"He says we can translate now, instead of Khione," Piper interrupted.

Behind them, Zethes snorted, and Celeste looked like she was trying not to smile. Khione shot her brother a murderous look. She bowed stiffy to her father and took a step back.

The king sized up Jason, and Jason bowed. He turned and said something in French to Piper and Amber, but Amber had zoned out. She was thinking about Celeste.

How can I get her out of this? she wondered. Hm...what if...no, that wouldn't work. Maybe I can threaten to tell Zeus? Would they call my bluff, though? Yeah, they would. Also, they know Zeus wouldn't care. I could make Boreas swear on the Styx to let her go, but I have no leverage over him. Wait...every nymph has the right to live at Camp Half-Blood. I could just tell her that, and she'd be able to leave, I believe.

Amber started paying attention again when Khione stepped behind Jason and put her fingers on his neck.

"Espace personnel," she snapped. Personal space.

Khione ignored the daughter of Hermes. "My father gives me such lovely presents," she murmured in Jason's ear. "Join our court. Perhaps I'll let your friends go."

Excuse me, but I'm going to go wherever and whenever I want to, thank you very much.

Amber tensed and moved her hand close to a hidden pocket, where there were three throwing knives.

"What?" Zethes broke in. "If Khione gets this one, I deserve the girl who isn't ugly." Amber did her best not to wince at that. She knew he wasn't wrong about the ugly part, but it still hurt. "Khione always gets more presents!"

"Hey, Amber's pretty!" Jason and Piper said at the same time. Amber just looked down slightly.

"Now, children," Boreas said sternly. When did he start speaking in English? "Our guests will think you are spoiled! Besides, you moved to fast. We have not even heard the demigods' story yet. Then we will decide what to do with them. But first, Celeste, take the child of Hermes girl outside. She is too smart, too good at manipulation, if I am correct. Which I am. She can wait outside the throne room with you."

Amber opened her mouth to protest, but she realized if she didn't come quietly, Celeste would probably get in trouble. She sent Jason and Piper a thumbs up before stepping outside with the aura and closing the door.

"S-sorry," Celeste apologized. "I didn't want to take you out, but, you know..."

"It's alright, Celeste." Amber smiled. "I wanted to talk to you, anyway. Do you know about Camp Half-Blood?"

"Where you came from, right? I've heard a bit about it, but that's all. Why? Isn't it just for demigods?"

"No, actually. It's for basically anything that isn't fully mortal or a monster," Amber told her.  "Every nature spirit has the right to live there. If you want to go there, if you aren't happy with living here, or something, you could go there."

"Really?" Celeste's eyes widened. "I always wondered what it was like there! I can just...leave?"

"Yep," Amber confirmed.

"Okay! I'll do that right after you guys leave, then. Wait...what about the favour?" The cloud nymph frowned.

"That favour was paid a long time ago," Amber said.

"Okay, then! That make sense, anyways."

"So, you're going?" Amber asked, to confirm.

"Yep!" Celeste grinned.

"Perfect! There's this satyr there named Maple Underwood. She's great. You should meet her. She has red hair, looks to be around your age, and hazel eyes. She's usually seen around a blueberry bush in the middle of a clearing."

"Okay!" Celeste said. "I'll go tell Mellie, my older sister, about it, then! Only after you leave, though, so it doesn't seem like you murdered me."

"Good idea." Amber laughed.

Amber spent the next few minutes telling the aura about camp. She seemed to become more and more excited to go there the more she told her about it. Eventually, Jason and Piper walked out, flanked by Khione and Zethes. Amber waved goodbye to Celeste, who was mouthing, "Thank you,"  as they walked back to the entry hall. 

At the entry hall, Emerald, Leo, and Calais were waiting for them. Leo looked cold but unharmed. He'd even gotten cleaned up, and his clothes looked newly washed, like he'd used the hotel's valet service. Festus was back in normal form, snorting fire over his scales to keep himself defrosted.

As Khione led them down the stairs, Amber noted that Leo still seemed hopefully in love with the snow goddess. She'd have to warn him about her later.

At the bottom step, Khione turned to Piper. "You may have fooled my father, girl. Mais tu ne m'as pas trompé." You have not fooled me. "We are not done. Jason Grace, I will see you as a statue in the throne room soon. And you, Amber Castellan," she smiled coldly. "Well, you will find out soon enough."

"Boreas is right," Jason said. "You're a spoiled kid. See you around, ice princess."

He has a death wish. Just like Per--

JASON FUC--FREAKING GRACE WHAT DID YOU JUST DO?

Ow, Emerald. You're giving me a headache.

Khione's eyes flared pure white. She seemed at a loss for words. She stormed back up the   stairs--literally. Halfway up, she turned into a blizzard and disappeared.

"Be careful," Zethes warned. "She never forgets an insult."

Cal grunted in agreement. "Oui. Bad sister." Yes.

"She's the goddess of snow," Jason said. "What's she going to do, throw snowballs at us?"

JASON. WHAT. THE. HADES. HAVE YOU LEARNED NOTHING FROM PERCY'S STORY? ANNABETH HATES HERA, AND LOOK WHERE SHE IS NOW!

That--that was such a--Luke would've said something like that, wouldn't he have?

Amber--

Luke...it was all my fault. If I hadn't just...

Amber, that wasn't your fault. You didn't want to...

He looks like Luke, too...

Amber. Stop this.

But Amber had stopped listening. She was stuck in her memories.

"I--Luke...you betrayed...all of us," Amber said, sounding broken.

"I--I'm sorry, Amber. I was...I was planning on double-crossing h-him. But he said he had you. He said he'd kill you if I didn't listen, if I didn't do everything he said. It made sense, too. You were--almost half of his army was right there. Right where you were."

"I--oh," Amber said.

"I'd do it again for you, Amber. I'd do it for you and Annabeth, my sisters. I love you two. So much."

"We love you too, Luke," Amber and Annabeth chorused.

Luke smiled, then, with apparent difficulty, stabbed himself in the armpit. He screamed for a moment, then closed his eyes tightly. Amber grabbed one of his hands, and Annabeth grabbed the other.

"D'you think--d'you think I'll make it to E-Elysium?" he asked.

"Yes, Luke. You will," Amber reassured him.

"G-good. Think...rebirth. Isles of the Blest."

"You always were ambitious," Annabeth sniffled.

"Too ambitious for your own good," Amber agreed.

"I--saved them, right? I stopped...others from dying, right?"

"Yes, Luke, you did," Annabeth said.

"Good. And, you three," Luke opened his eyes and looked at Percy, "don't let it happen again. Me, Ethan, all of us. Make sure the gods pay attention. Let the minor gods be--be appreciated."

"We will," Percy promised.

"Make sure of it," Luke said firmly. "And, Amber, take care of Emerald."

"I will." Tears were pouring out of Amber's eyes now.

"I love you two. G-goodbye."

Those were the last words Luke Castellan ever spoke.

Amber was jolted out of her flashback by Jason lightly touching her arm. She jumped, grabbed a dagger, and just barely stopped herself from stabbing him. He blinked.

"Sorry," she said, embarrassed. "You just...shocked me. Literally."

"Oh," Jason said, seemingly at a loss for words. "Sorry. You haven't talked for a while, and I wanted to make sure you're okay."

"Physically, or emotionally?" she joked. "Either one is fine."

Amber! You scared me! I couldn't communicate with you at all!

Oops. Also, I thought you said snakes don't get scared?

Right...I take the being scared part back then.

"Anyways," Amber continued, "what happened after I got kicked out?"

Piper and Jason told her and Leo what happened. Amber didn't like what they told them one bit. Especially the Roman part.

Jason's definitely Roman, she thought.

Aren't Romans supposed to be evil? Enemies of Greeks and stuff?

Well, yeah. But that was thousands of years ago.

Hm.

Leo passed them some sandwiches from his pack. He'd been quiet ever since they'd told him and Amber what happened in the throne room. "I still can't believe Khione," he said. "She looked so nice."

Okay. I know snakes aren't as important as humans, but not even a tiny bit of food? Really?

Be quiet, Emerald. You're important. Plus, you know where the mice in my bag are.

I know. I just felt like complaining about something.

"Khione did not look nice. Didn't you look at her eyes? They were so...cold. Pun intended, I guess," Amber said.

"You also have your magic glasses that help you with that stuff, though," Jason reminded her.

"Fair enough," she said.

"And trust me, man," Jason started. "Snow may be pretty. but up close it's cold and nasty. We'll find you a better prom date."

They were silent as they ate. Amber decided she may as well analyze the prophecy.

Child of lightning. That's Jason, unless we meet Thalia along the way, which might actually happen.

I hope we do. I like her.

Who doesn't? Well, maybe Connor. 

Yeah. But he doesn't count, because he's Connor.

Beware the earth. That...could be a few things. I really hope it isn't who I'm thinking it is, though.

Child of travels. Could be me, but I'm not the only child of Hermes out there. There are one or two living in Chigaco.

Beware the past. Well, that could be anything. But if it's my past...I can't go there again, right? The things there...I can't just...I barely made it out last time...

For you have much more pain to attract, Emerald prompted, most likely to distract Amber, but she appreciated the gesture.

Right. It could be physical pain or mental pain. Either one, I've had enough for 1,240.53 lifetimes. It could also be someone named Pain, or bread, since 'pain' in French is 'bread,' although it's pronounced differently.

The forge and dove shall break the cage. Probably Hera's cage, although it could be a mental cage.

What would a mental cage be? Emerald wondered.

I don't know. Anyways, then there's 'Death unleash, through Hera's rage.' 'Death' could be Thanatos, or actual death, or both. Or just someone named Death. Maybe she'll be helping us by killing an enemy?

When has Hera ever been helpful?

Fair enough.

Anyway, I should probably try to sleep, since I most likely won't get much sleep until the end of the quest. You should sleep, too.

Night.

Night.

And with that, Amber closed her eyes and commanded her body to go to sleep--a trick she'd learned over years of being sleep-deprived and needing to sleep when she could. Unknowingly, her body slumped back, into Jason, but he didn't mind. 

Celeste may or may not come up several other times in the story. Same with Maple. Also, sorry, this chapter was kinda rushed and is currently unedited