The dolphin spoke in a chattering voice, but I could understand it in my mind:

Yes, lord! It sped away.

 

I looked in dismay at Tyson, then back at the old man.

 

It didn't seem possible, but . . . "Dad?" I asked.

 

The old man looked up. I recognized the twi nk le in his eyes, but his face ...

he looked like he'd aged forty years.

 

"Hello, Percy."

 

"What — what happened to you?"

 

Tyson nudged me. He was shaking his head so hard I was afraid it would fall off,

but Poseidon didn't look offended.

 

"It's all right, Tyson," he said. "Percy, excuse my appearance. The war has been

hard on me."

 

"But you're immortal," I said quietly. "You can look . . . any way you want."

 

"I reflect the state of my realm," he said. "And right now that state is quite

grim. Percy, I should introduce you — I'm afraid you just missed my lieutenant

Delphin, God of the Dolphins. This is my, er, wife, Amphitrite. My dear — "