Bianca's Choice

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Annabeth inspected the farmstead through keen eyes. Hazel noticed how she didn't hurry and paid attention to every detail. She wasn't afraid to ask questions and she had lots of them. At one point, Percy laughed. "Why are you bother Hazel so?"

Annabeth pursed her lips. "I want to know as much as I can. If I'm going to help my mother run her properties, then I need to know how they work."

"You read several treatises on agriculture before we left the city," Percy reminded her.

"Reading treatises is one thing, but learning with my own eyes and hands is another," Annabeth replied. "When I return to Mytilene, I'll know enough to write my own treatises."

     They were examining the shed now. After declaring the home in fair condition ("the roof was leaky and the decor a bit sparse," Annabeth commented), they were examining the ripening cheeses. Hades did most of the cheese-making himself, but Hazel was the one who milked the sheep.

     To keep the cheeses in good condition, they were stored in briny water. Some types of cheese matured in the same solution. Annabeth counted the number of cheeses. "You produced 6% more than last year," she commented.

     Hazel blinked. "How do you know?"

      "My mother keeps records of how much each farm produces and how much we take," Annabeth said. "She has records going back eighty years when her mother ran the business."

     "She sounds like a scholar," Hazel said.

      "No, she's just a shrewd businesswomen," Annabeth said. "I wish . . ."

    She trailed off. "What?" Percy said.

    "I wish I could do more with my life. I'd like to write treatises that would be read around the world and built monuments that would stand for centuries. Pericles said the most virtuous women aren't spoken about, but I want to be remembered for my intelligence and vision."

    Her eyes glowed like silver as she spoke of her dream. She turned to Percy. "Don't you ever think that if you ruled the world, things would be better?"

     Percy shifted. "Definitely not. I'd probably be assassinated on the first day for my incompetence."

    Annabeth rolled her eyes. "You're not that incompetent."

    "Gee," Percy said. "What a compliment."

      "I think we're down here with the cheeses," Annabeth said briskly.

     Hazel led them to the fenced land where the sheep were milling around and the horses were grazing. Blackjack neighed as Percy approached him. It was cold enough so that the animal's breathes were misty clouds. Hazel wrapped her cloak more tightly around her. She wondered if it would snow this winter.

"The animals look in good condition," Annabeth said. "And you've added fourteen more to the flock."

"Yes," Hazel said. "We has a lot of lambs the past spring; one ewe even had twins."

Annabeth raised her eyebrows. "Did she survive?"

"Yeah," Hazel replied. "I named the lambs Castor and Pollux after Leda's sons."

Annabeth smiled. "You know your stories well."

Hazel shook her head. "Not like my brother. Nico loves to listen to the bards."

She didn't mention that he also like playing games of dice. Annabeth smiled. "My favorite is The Odyssey."

    "You relate to Odysseus?" Hazel guessed.

     "You're right on that," Annabeth said. "His fatal flaw is hubris and . . . so is mine."

"I always thought your fatal flaw was that blue wasn't your favorite color," Percy joked.

Hazel grinned. "You two are adorable together."

Annabeth stepped back from Percy. "Is it so obvious?"

Hazel shrugged. "Even the way you tell him he drools in his sleep makes it plain as day."

Annabeth's grey eyes turned stormy. "Well, that's a dream that won't come true. We're like Hero and Leander; our parents don't want us together."

Hero and Leander; Pyramus and Thisbe. Why couldn't there be a happy ending for lovers whose families were rivals? "Who knows?" Hazel said. "You never know what the Morai may do with our threads of life. Dreams can come true."

"I wish," Annabeth said.

Hazel thought now might be a good time to speak up. "My sister, Bianca, has a grand dream too."

Annabeth's eyes narrowed shrewdly. "You need my mother's permission for it to happen?"

Hazel nodded and Annabeth waved. "Well, take me to her; I'd like to speak."

***

Bianca was only too pleased to speak with Annabeth. She had dressed carefully that day, wearing an olive green chiton and a grey peplos over her shoulders. Unlike her brother, her skin was a warm olive tone and her brown eyes lit up as she spoke. "I've wanted to be a priestess for years," she explained.

"Who would you wish to serve?" Annabeth asked.

"Artemis would be my first choice," Bianca answered. "She took a vow of eternal maidenhood like I would if I could serve her."

"You don't wish to marry?" Percy asked. "Ever?"

"There are more things in life than marriage," Bianca said. "I have no desire to spend my days pleasing a man. I wish to serve the goddess."

"And what does your family think of this?" Annabeth asked.

"My mother was reluctant at first," Bianca admitted, "but she understands that it is my dream."

"Our father wishes to take Bianca to Mytilene," Hazel added, "but we need your mother's permission."

Bianca nodded, her brown eyes imploringly meeting Annabeth's grey ones. "I want this more than anything in the world. Maybe it is selfish, but I've had to be a second mother for my younger siblings. I love them, but I want my own life. I don't want to run a household; I want to help run a temple. I desire to serve a goddess — not a man."

Annabeth nodded. "I will speak to my mother when I return and send word of her response."

Bianca gave Annabeth a hug. "Thank you! Thank you!"

She was already standing taller as if Annabeth's response meant she was already initiated as a priestess. Hazel smiled for her sister, but then she thought of how Nico had been more brooding recently and worry entered her heart. How would he cope when Bianca left them for good?

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