Cloudcroft is a sad backwater town, in Poseidon's honest opinion.

Far away from ocean, you can't leave unless you own your own car or motorcycle. Or rent them before enter the city because for whatever stupid reason, this place has no bus station or taxi. And the store has pitiful selection of items for sale. Poseidon was glad neither Sally nor Percy lived here. Or moved here. Harder for them to get out and onto safety if something happens. The only good thing this place has is the forest and ski resort—and even then, the latter is not good enough.

Not like New York is any safer, but at least it's closer to the sea so that was something.

And easy access in and out of the town.

"Do we call taxi?" Percy pointed at nearby telephone booth.

"Don't be stupid." Snapped the hunter and Poseidon glowered at her. "We do not have that much of money!"

At this Poseidon frowned. He's pretty sure Percy brought his card with him. The one connected to his account. Is $50 a month is too small amount? and he did promise to give extra allowance if he's on quest like this, right? Like, triple that.

"I'm going to walk down the street, see if anybody in the other shops has a suggestion." Thalia grumbled.

Maybe Poseidon can send some help? But how? Water Transportation is his thing, not… Land transportation. Without overt effort. His land thing is more on the destructive scale unless you're talking about horses.

Maybe he can send Pegasi to them? Pegasus is his son, so the Pegasi are technically still in his domain, and they're fast.

Soon enough, another hunter—Artemis' Lieutenant, and Percy's Satyr Friend arrived with their goods. Hot Chocolate and Blueberry muffin for Percy. Good choice. Percy is young still. Don't make him a coffee addict just yet. Especially in Quest. He need his rest when he can have it.

"We should do the tracking spell," The Lieutenant said. "Grover, do you have any acorns left?"

"Umm," The Satyr—Grover mumbled, through chewing his baked goods. "I think so. I just need to –"

A warm breeze rustled past them, like a gust of springtime had gotten lost in the middle of winter. Fresh air seasoned with wildflowers and sunshine.

Poseidon froze.

The Lieutenant gasped. "Grover, thy cup."

Grover dropped his coffee cup, which was decorated with pictures of birds. Suddenly the birds peeled off the cup and flew away – a tiny flock of doves. The rubber rat on the rail squeaked. It scampered off the railing and into the trees – real fur, real whiskers.

There are numerous deities related to nature. But one that has such a potent Wilderness feeling to it. One that affects Satyr powerfully so… there is only one.

"…Pan?" Poseidon whispered.

Can it be truly him? The Lost God? Is he nearby? Here?

Poseidon was so preoccupied with trying to see if he can spread his sense and find out the missing God of Wild, that he missed how the crew had left somewhere, carrying the unconscious satyr with them.

He had to search for them, following the strange connection with Percy, and he stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Spartoi pointing handguns at the group. Worse, two more showed up, and their teeth clattering, calling for more of its brethren.

Ffffffuuuuuuuuccccccckkkkkkkk

"It's near," Grover moaned.

The reinforcement? They are closing up?

"No," The Satyr insisted. "The gift. The gift from the Wild."

Warm wind rustling from the canyon. A warmth befitting spring, not winter.

Poseidon swallowed.

He was about to try again, when Percy stole all of his attention by charging ahead. Poseidon's mouth was left hanging open when Percy blocked a bullet with Anaklusmos and charged at the Skeleton.

Holy Mother Rhea, his children weren't exaggerating when they said Percy slashed arrow midair?!

Poseidon left uttering gratitude to the fate for the Nemean Coat. It comes in handy please do not take it off, Percy! You have a bad habit of going neck-deep into problems and giving everyone a heart attack!

He also wants to smack the Satyr. Look, Poseidon wants to find Pan also, but that can wait until you're no longer in danger of dying and turned into a plant! Pretty sure you can't do anything in that state! Except, whatever plants are doing!

Suddenly Poseidon feels the Pan's presence. Again.

"A Gift," the Satyr muttered as the trees were shaking and something came out of the woods. It was a wild boar, ten meters high, with a snotty pink snout and giant-sized tusk to match its body. Its back bristled with brown hair, and its eyes were wild and angry.

It squealed and raked the three skeletons aside with its tusks. The force was so great they went flying over the trees and into the side of the mountain, where they smashed to pieces.

Oh.

Erymanthian Boar. Boar of the Wild.

Pan's Gift.

.

Poseidon is severely disappointed and upset that he was woken up so quickly. But things are in a dire situation so they do need him to push back the beginning of the invasion.

He also has an Iris-Message to make.

"Uncle P!" Hermes greeted. "What do you want? Please no delivery! Send them to Triton! I am busy as it was!"

"Hermes." Poseidon called him. "I need you to hear me out, and I swear on Mother Rhea's name that I did not make this up."

That got his attention.

"What is it?"

Poseidon takes a deep breath.

"I was watching how the Quest going."

"Have they found Artemis? Or the Bane of Olympus?" Hermes asks with interest.

It's funny for all he demanded the Ancient Laws to be fulfilled, none of Zeus' children are inclined to follow it to the letter. Hermes is one of them.

No. Hermes is the biggest offender, and Poseidon respects him for that.

"Unfortunately, no." Poseidon shook his head. That would be too much good luck. And they trade it for… "They found the traces of Pan."

The Caduceus slipped from Hermes' grip and the line was cut.

Half a minute later, and after rude intrusion to his Domain, the Messenger God is in the throne room. Staring at Poseidon with all the seriousness and desperation in his eyes.

"Tell me everything." He half ordered half begged. "Do not - Do not leave any details out."