"Hey, man," I said. "They treating you okay?"

 

"Mooo, " Bessie answered.

 

We walked toward the thrones, and a woman's voice said, "Hello again, Percy

Jackson. You and your friends are welcome."

 

Hestia stood by the hearth, poking the flames with a stick. She wore the same

kind of simple brown dress as she had before, but she was a grown woman now.

 

I bowed. "Lady Hestia."

 

My friends followed my example.

 

Hestia regarded me with her red glowing eyes. "I see you went through with your

plan. You bear the curse of Achilles."

 

The other campers started muttering among themselves: What did she say? What

about Achilles?

 

"You must be careful," Hestia warned me. "You gained much on your journey. But

you are still blind to the most important truth. Perhaps a glimpse is in order."

 

Annabeth nudged me. "Um . . . what is she talking about?"