The Oracle and the Quest

Your father and Zeus are having their worst quarrel in centuries.

They are fighting over something valuable that was stolen.

To be precise: a lightning bolt.

“Zeus’s master bolt,” Chiron said, getting worked up now. “The symbol

of his power, from which all other lightning bolts are patterned".

“And it’s missing?”

“Stolen,” Chiron said.

“By who?”

“By whom,” Chiron corrected. Once a teacher, always a teacher. “By you.”

My mouth fell open.

“At least”—Chiron held up a hand—“that’s what Zeus thinks. Zeus believes your father convinced a human hero to take it.”

The two have been arguing back and forth for months, threatening war.

Zeus has demanded that Poseidon return the bolt by the summer solstice.

That’s June twenty-first, ten days from now. Poseidon wants an apology for

being called a thief by the same date. Unless someone intervenes, unless the master bolt is found and returned to Zeus before the solstice, there will be war.

But before I can say more, you must officially take up the quest. You must seek the counsel of the Oracle.”

“Hades sent a minion to steal the master bolt,” Chiron insisted. “He hid it

in the Underworld, knowing full well that Zeus would blame Poseidon. Percy must go to the Underworld, find the master bolt, and reveal the truth.”

“Two companions may accompany you. Grover is one. The other has already volunteered, if you will accept her help.” Annabeth, the daughter of Athena.