"Dude," said a centaur named Larry. His T-shirt identified him as BIG CHIEF UBER

GUY, NEW MEXICO CHAPTER. "That was more fun than our last convention in Vegas!"

 

"Yeah," said Owen from South Dakota. He wore a black leather jacket and an old

WWII army helmet. "We totally wasted them!"

 

Chiron patted Owen on the back. "You did well, my friends, but don't get

careless. Kronos should never be underestimated. Now why don't you visit the

diner on West 33rd and get some breakfast? I hear the Delaware chapter found a

stash of root beer."

 

"Root beer!" They almost trampled each other as they galloped off.

 

Chiron smiled. Annabeth gave him a big hug, and Mrs. O'Leary licked his face.

 

"Ack," he grumbled. "Enough of that, dog. Yes, I'm glad to see you too."

 

"Chiron, thanks," I said. "Talk about saving the day."

 

He shrugged. "I'm sorry it took so long. Centaurs travel fast, as you know. We

can bend distance as we ride. Even so, getting all the centaurs together was no

easy task. The Party Ponies are not exactly organized."

 

"How'd you get through the magic defenses around the city?" Annabeth asked.