Chapter 8

The week Percy spent in Braavos was possibly the most he has ever improved in such a short time, Syrio made Percy more aware of how his body was positioned in combat, even realizing your whole body is a weapon alongside with the weapons, while Percy has used a few kicks and punches in the past what Syrio taught him is that every single movement should flow fluidly between every transition. Each step each swing each breath are all connected. Percy was pretty confident that now he has the teacher who could turn him into the perfect fighter or at least as perfect as he could get.

During his free time Percy spent most of his time playing and hanging out with Bianca and Nico during their time together the three demigod caused plenty of mayhem with their pranks, and the guards and people didn't stand a chance in catching them. While Percy proved to be more agile and quick thinking leading the way as the three ran from their pursuers, it was thanks to Bianca and Nico's ability to blend into the shadows appearing invisible, that they got away. Bianca and Nico would end up having to hold his hands in order for them to make Percy invisible in the shadows with them.

Percy had so much fun in the past few days that he felt a huge wave of sadness when he had to leave. Saying good bye was the hard part, as he grew attach to His cousins. Bianca was cool and smart Percy will miss the little fun facts she shared involving the city of Braavos and haring about his uncle Hades. Percy would miss having Nico around the younger boy followed Percy everywhere, the two committing many petty crimes and pranks around the city. Percy would even miss His lesson's with Syrio, learning more about combat from the former sword of Braavos than he did under any other tutor. Percy now fought with fluid actions instead reacting by instinct and his stiffer way of fighting that he learned in Westeros. Knowing now that The blade is just one of many ways to strike, and not a separate object from his body but instead an extension. Percy now fought using everything around him, while before he did use his legs to place a few kicks and by instinct found ways to get an advantage Percy was now aware of nearly everything he could use in a fight around him, and that instead of facing his opponent head on. Hell, Percy will even miss talking to the horses.

Percy was already on the ship heading their way to Salvers bay to reunite with Jard's brother, Ragnar. Ragnar was known as The Bloodied Pyke due to a myth that states him single handedly boarding a pirate ship and butchering the whole crew that he was drenched in the blood of his enemies. What interested Percy the most was that Jard said that rumor was true, Ragnar is an angry man and the man was the blood thirstiest sailor Jard has met.

"Mind yourself in slavers waters Perseus" Igor said as Percy saw the one arm man have the miniature cross bow attached to his bracer, loaded and cocked back with a bolt short bolt ready to fire. Percy took note how Igor was fully equipped ready for a fight. Suddenly Percy felt exposed, "It may be best to be prepared for battle at first sign. Slavers don't have honor; they will use anything they can to sink your ship with the sole purpose of enslaving any man who has fallen overboard. And you would have an easier time single handily killing ten men alone then make it to land. You'd either drown or get eaten by the sea creatures below."

Percy was once again reminded how different he was from Igor and Jard. Sometimes Percy would learn so much from them involving ships, navigation, and even the creatures in the sea. So much so that Percy is amazed that they aren't children of Poseidon like himself. They were normal humans meaning, they won't be able to breath underwater or swim as far as him. If these ships sunk, they are at the mercy of the ocean.

"…Hey Igor can I tell you something?" Igor stopped His inspection of his equipment to look at Percy with a curious look.

"What's eating ya lad, your making that face like a sad blow fish?" Percy was struggling to say what he wanted to, 'I mean how does someone explain that you are the son of the sea god. Just, yeah my real father is a god you don't even know.'

"Has the drowned god ever had children?" Percy asked unsure and nervous, luckily for him Igor laughed because he misread Percy's nervousness for embarrassment.

"Ha, the last time anyone claimed to be a child of the drowned god was that crazed priest Lodos, some still believe he could have possibly been the son of our god, since his body wasn't returned to us and stuff but those are the religious fanatics. If you ask me he was just fortunate enough the drown god kept him under. Because we relied on him to summon an army of Kraken to sink Aegon Targaryen's fleet. But that's history now the only people muttering that shit are drunks on the iron islands."

"yeah ha ha madness." Percy tried to laugh off but Igor was able to see through it and realize the boy wasn't just making a joke or an innocent question.

"Perseus, why did you ask?"

"…Say you actually met someone who is the drowned god's son… how would you know?"

"You shouldn't worry about such things lad, but to answer you. It would take something truly grand, a son of a sea god should be able to command the sea and its creatures, no?" Igor said as inspected one of the many throwing knives he kept on his belt. "I believe most men are like me, if a man can bend the ocean to his will they would believe, it's the drowned priest and the Greyjoy's that would be hard to convince. The priest follow their own agenda and Greyjoy's wouldn't like to lose their power, considering how the iron born would rather follow their god's child proven the child strong." Percy stayed quite as he thought deeply on that as Igor gave him a look.

"Would you treat him any different, if you knew the son of god?" Percy said as Igor finally caught on to what Percy was questioning.

"Percy, I know what you're thinking, most bastards from the iron island with any skill in sailing or combat thinking them self the son of the sea god. Let me tell you this, no matter how skilled you are with a blade or how quick you are at learning things you will always be a man, and men aren't gods."

Percy thought about what Igor said when one of the men came up to them. "Cap'n Slavers spotted up ahead."

"To arms lads! We'll talk later Percy!" The deck was a whirlwind of organized chaos as they all got ready with shields and bows. Percy stood ready with one of the many spears in hand, trusting his aim with a spear versus a bow, for some reason he wasn't the most accurate person. Percy took his side by Igor who also had a spear ready. Looking around Percy could see the other 2 ships ready, on one of them he noticed Jard ready with his long bow. A few minutes passed and Percy saw a small fleet of 6 ships.

The crew where silent in the coming minutes waiting for a signal to engage in combat, but as the minutes rolled by and as they got closer there was no signal. Percy was unable to stand still he felt the adrenaline rush through his veins and he wanted to do something, luckily for him he had powers over the sea and was now trying to reach out to the divine feeling he felt in his gut. While the ships where still out of combat range Percy was able to feel everything around the surface of the water, almost as if he caused a giant but invisible ripple around the ship he was on that only he could see, feel? Percy couldn't describe it but he now knew the position of his fleet and the slavers, along with the currents just below the surface and some of the fish minding their business. And in the tie that Percy had established this he opened his eyes and realized no more than a second went by.

"They are not heading towards us." Percy said in confidence as Igor raised a brow at him, "Best to stay prepared, their fleet is large enough to temp them in attacking us regardless of the color of our flags, if they aren't attacking it must be because they already enslaved their fill today." Igor said out loud.

Closing his eyes and taking a breath again Percy tried to focus his abilities around the slaver ships, and sure enough he could somehow feel through the ships, once he did he noticed that each ship had a massive amount of Human sized beings. It was then that Percy realized that all those people couldn't be crew. Reaching out with his senses Percy tried to locate and signs of a sinking ship within the area. After a while Percy found a ship wreck what feels like a few nautical miles out.

Opening his eyes again Percy realized that the same amount of time must have passed, despite feeling as if he took longer to explore. In just a few seconds Percy managed to get a clear picture of the surrounding area for a radius of 5 nautical miles. And be able to see what another vessel was carrying as cargo. The only way Percy was able to make sense of how was comparing this experience to hearing an echo in a cave of your own voice. But instead of only getting back the sound of his voice he got back every detail of the area he focused on. 'This must be because I'm at sea. I wonder if I can practice tis on land, only if there was water nearby probably.'

After a few minutes went by The tension in the air began to dissipate as the slaver fleet never changed course to engage, once the ships where behind us Igor heard a horn from Jard's ship and immediately the Iron Pyke barked out orders, "Set loose every last inch of Sail, I want the wind on our backs and those slaver bastards out of my sight!"

Percy watched as the crew hustled to complete their captain's orders. And then Percy turned to look at Igor the young man's face was serious, "Are slaver such a threat.?" Percy asked.

"Perseus, against pirates you either die, join their crew or be stranded at sea. With slavers it's die or become a slave… and it would be better to die than be a slave." Igor said his eyes narrowing thinking about slavery.

"Aren't slaves like thralls? Is being a slave so bad?" Percy questioned confused.

"You would think they are the same, but being a slave is worse, we take care of our thralls because we paid the iron price, they trade away their right to be warriors to serve us by doing the labor that's not fit for a Raider, task like mining and farming, and the educated thralls teach the young. We keep them alive and healthy and when they become too old for labor they are freed to be iron born, after they accept the drowned god as their own. Slaves aren't well maintained and are often worked to death because their owners just buy more from the market. Not only that a slave is forever a slave unless he steals his own freedom by killing their master. And probably worst of all the children born from slave parents are in turn slaves as well. Children born from thralls stay with their parents till the age of 10 and recruited onto a ship. My grandparents where thralls." Igor informed Percy.

"What, Really I thought Igor was a bastard." Percy eyes widened at the revelation."

"My father still is, and the toughest bastard alive ha-ha. But his parents never married, so still a Pyke." Igor said. The wind started to pick up and as the ship gained speed Igor visibly began to relax. Percy reckoned at this speed they would reach Astapor within 2 days. While not excited to be visiting the Slaver cities as he once was Percy was still interested in seeing the unsullied, eunuch warriors trained to be the best soldiers in Essos from a young age. Percy wanted to see one in action.

It was after a solid hour of sailing that the crew went back to their normal activities It was in the captain's quarters that Percy now stood before Igor who was eating a bowl of stew made from scallops and crustaceans. Percy was silently watching the man look at the charts as he ate, the sight was always impressive as a one handed man multi-tasking, but Percy was silent because he was deciding to tell Igor the truth about his heritage.

"Are you going to speak lad or you just going to stand there like a sea sick child." Igor said finally breaking the silence. Percy struggled to respond before taking a deep breath that got Igor's attention.

"I- I'm… I'm not normal." Percy stammered as Igor just snorted at the confession.

"You don't fucking say." Igor said with a smile.

"No I mean, I know who my father is, my real father." Igor now had his eyebrow raised in curiosity as he was told by his father that Percy was Baylon's Bastard."

"Where are you going with this lad." Igor said confused.

"My father is Poseidon." Percy watched as Igor processed the name but clearly didn't recognize the name.

"…I'm afraid the name doesn't ring the bell." Igor said.

"Ugh, I mean my father is the drowned god, his name is Poseidon?" Percy corrected only to watch Igor's expression grow to one of concern.

"Percy, I think you should get some rest," Igor said believing Percy was losing his mind. Igor got up and started to escort Percy to the hammocks below.

"no, no I can prove it." Percy said as he brushed off Igor's hand.

"Sure you can bud," Igor said trying to calm him down. In quick motion Percy raised an arm and the boat rocked violently and unnaturally. Igor was knocked off balanced and looked up and watched with wide eyes as the ship rocked side to side with Percy's hand motion.

"I can control the ship, manipulate water and speak with sea creatures."

"No, that's just a coincidence, we must have hit a reef or something. Percy the drowned god doesn't have children." Igor said.

"What can I do to prove it to you," Percy asked him.

"Nothing just get rest you're not well." They could hear the crew outside wonder what just happened as they tried to figure out why the ship rocked randomly. Then Percy came up with an idea and pulled out his snake head dagger and before Igor could say anything slashed the palm of his hand, blood flowing freely as Igor quickly got up and rushed Percy, trying to stop the boy from hurting himself more. But one of the nets on the wall suddenly flew at him and pinned him into hi chair as Igor watched Percy open his water pouch and poured the drinking water onto his hand.

Igor's eyes widened in pure shock as he watched as Percy's hand mended itself back to normal not even a scar to show. Igor continued to watch in awe as Percy made the bloodied water to float in air before separating the blood from the water, cleaning the liquid as the blood dropped to the floor.

"I discovered I had these abilities a few years ago and have been practicing since, I'm still learning my true power but this power I gained from my father…Poseidon." Percy said judging Igor's reaction, only to find out the young man was slowly calming down.

"Perseus, I don't know what sorcery this is or where you learned this but being able to use magic to do weird spells doesn't make you a god, I mean I kicked your but many of times to know your mortal." Igor said now getting the net off him, "I have seen all sorts of strange things on this side of the world I wouldn't be surprised if your just talented in some form of ancient magic. I told you it will take a real divine feat, something that even Lodos failed to do."

"I don't know if I can yet, I'm not a full god, my mother is mortal, so technically I'm a demigod. I know back in bravos I felt confident that if I tried my hardest I could probably sink the city." Percy said casually as he was thinking as Igor eyes widened.

"Percy, you said you were sure you could sink a city." Igor said shocked as Percy had a hand on his chin trying to think.

"Probably, maybe not the whole city but the Harbor for sure I could bring down, if I was in the water. On land would be a lot more difficult." Percy said trying to imagine a proper god like feat as he remembered the times Poseidon showed the demonstrations of his own power, Massive tidal waves, powerful storms and ability to make the whole world tremble. Percy comparing his abilities to his father's.

"Percy, that's… insane. Does anyone else know?"

"Only you and some of my friends, you know the orphans that are sailing on the Salty Shark, but they only know what I could do before we started this voyage. I improved a bit since then and haven't really told them about being the son of Poseidon."

"you should keep that to yourself for now, if people know about your powers, there's no telling what they would do. Some might worship you like a god while others would try to assassinate you before you could reach adult hood." Igor said as Percy nodded the very same thoughts plaguing Percy for over a year now. "When we arrive in Astapor we should talk to Father about this, he should be the last person we tell of this. None of the crew should know."

"What about Ragnar, should we tell him as well." Percy asked as Igor turned on him rapidly.

"Never! Ragnar despises the gods; he would probably kill you to spite them if he found out."

"Why is that?" Percy said confused.

"Ragnar had a wife who was with child, they got lost at sea, and Ragnar searched every day and night until he found the wreckage. Their bodies where fish food and Ragnar was enraged, the drowned priests told him it was because he didn't believe in the drowned god, the storm god was able send a storm uncontested. Ever sense Ragnar resented any type of god, and if given a chance he would strike back at them." Igor said.

Percy nodded in agreement as he now followed Igor out of the cabin to look over the deck, there was a small ring of sailors who surrounded two who were brawling. Percy felt a hand on his shoulder and looked at Igor who smiled at him, "Come now lad enough of that strange talk, who do you think will win." Percy smiled back and said, "Obviously me!" With that said Percy and Igor joined the circle until They had a turn themselves to fight any challenger they got.