with the moon and the stars up above
After Thalia had nearly killed them all, Apollo had taken a few minutes to talk to Chiron - it looked serious from the uncharacteristically grave face of Apollo, and Chiron also looked deeply worried. The sun god had left soon after - he had duties to perform.
Zari and the other hunters followed Grover towards the Artemis Cabin. There was no shaking him. She watched in amusement as Zoë tried, extremely frustrated, to make him leave, but to no avail. He was persistent, she'd give him that.
Zari drowned out satyr's annoying and purposeless babbling and looked around the Camp. It was nothing like she had ever seen before. There were twelve cabins, one for each of the Olympians, but she didn't think that was right. Just because they weren't on the council doesn't mean they weren't important. She noticed Hades didn't have one, and his children were some of the most powerful. Hecate and Morpheus' children were powerful as well. Making a note to bring it up with Lady Artemis, Zari moved on.
Her eyes widened when she saw a girl about thirteen years old climbing a rock wall that had lava flowing down it. One wrong move and BAM! You've got an early meeting with Hades.
There was an arena with dummies for swordplay, an archery range and the woods. There were also heaps of strawberry fields that made her mouth water. Phoebe, who'd been in the Hunt for about a century and a half, noticed where she was looking.
"Strawberry sales are how they make their money," She told me. "They're the best in New York. Of course," She added dryly, "Having gods help you doesn't hurt either."
Zari laughed and a few campers looked her way, surprised. She tucked her hair behind her ear self consciously, supposing it was because she was so cheerful. Most of the other hunters looked sullen and grumpy, Sophie being one of them. To be honest, she couldn't blame them. They all had something similar to a Familial Bond with Lady Artemis, and knowing she was so far away and quite possibly in danger didn't feel pleasant.
They passed the Mess Hall and the Big House. Zari wondered idly how long it had been since it had been painted. It certainly needed a few touch ups. The bright blue paint was peeling.
They arrived at their cabin. She had to suppress a snort when Zoë had to forcefully throw Grover out. From what she'd seen, he was nice, but was most likely missing a few screws in the head.
The cabin didn't look anything like it did on the outside. With Lady Artemis being the goddess of the Hunt, inside was like a forest. They were in a clearing, and surrounding the area they were stood in were giant trees that, logically, should not have been able to fit in the small building. The sky reflected the real one, like the Great Hall at Hogwarts. There were insects buzzing around, but no wildlife big enough to hunt. There was a fire pit in the middle of the clearing. The only thing that threw off the realistically natural theme was the simple wooden door on the wall that led to the bathroom. Thank the gods for small mercies, at least.
There were no beds, which meant they would be camping.
The hunters got to work setting up, going through the process quickly and efficiently. Zari and Sophie set their sleeping bags up next to one another, as usual. They didn't bother with the tents because it didn't rain at Camp Half-Blood. Something about the clouds passing around, Zari remembered. When they'd finished, Sophie headed off to help some of the others finish up.
Zari poked around a bit, and found an extra supply pack in the bathroom, handing it to Bianca, who murmured "Thanks," gratefully.
Zari showed her how to set it up. It was a bit quiet, and started up a conversation.
"Sooo..." she drew out the word. "How old are you?"
She smiled, and Zari supposed she was feeling a little uncomfortable not knowing anyone but Nico and Grover, neither of whom were able to be in the hunt - though she was sure Grover would try, given the opportunity. "Immortally twelve," She answered with a crooked grin. Zari laughed.
"Immortally sixteen," she chuckled.
"Who's your godly parent?" Bianca asked curiously.
"I don't have one," she replied honestly. "I'm what Zoë calls a 'magical mortal'. I'm more powerful than any of Hecate's kids, the goddess of magic."
"Really?" She asked. Zari nodded. "I need to sit down." She sighed. "Gods, satyr's, monsters, flying cars, immortality, and magic."
Flying cars ... an image of Arthur Weasley's flying Ford Anglia crashing into the Whomping Willow sprung to the front of her mind, and Zari suppressed a smirk at the thought of Michael Potter and Ron Weasley's terrified twelve-year-old faces.
"It is a bit overwhelming, isn't it?"
"Yeah. Definitely."
"It gets easier," Zari reassured her.
"I know it will," She said. "It's just a lot to process, is all. Hey," She perked up a bit. "What can you do with your magic?"
Zari chuckled. "Nearly anything. I can't raise the dead or make people fall in love, but that's pretty much it."
"Can you show me some?" She implored, and the other girl grinned.
"Wand or wandless?"
"You have an actual wand? What's next, a cauldron and a broomstick?"
"Nah, there was only so much I could take with me. Didn't bother. Wand or wandless?"
She shrugged, looking a little dazed. "Either or."
Zari drew her holly wand and waved it discretely at Zoë. Her hair turned a golden blonde and her skin turned blue. She also shrunk until she was about a metre tall- it wouldn't be good to have their lieutenant squished. Bianca covered her mouth with her hand to stifle her giggles.
"Azari!" Oops. Zoë rounded on the witch.
"I'm just showing Bianca some magic," she said innocently, and ignored said girl's suppressed laughter as Zoë made a face that clearly said 'I don't believe you'. Before she could say anything, however, there was knock on the door. Whew. Saved by the... door? If they had a doorbell it could have been 'saved by the bell'... Zari decided that they should get a doorbell. That'd be cool.
"I'll get it!" she called as though her superior wasn't shooting daggers with her eyes. Bianca was calming down now, refusing to look in Zoë's direction to prevent herself from succumbing to laughter. Zari yanked the door open. Thalia was standing in the doorway, looking furious. Her anger melted into amusement, though, when she saw the scene inside. She really didn't like Zoë and got the joke.
Zari ushered her in.
"We have Capture the Flag at seven tomorrow night, Smurfette," She informed Zoë. Thalia shook her head at Zari. "What's your name?"
"Azari," she informed her, not all that offended that Thalia hadn't remembered her.
"Right, Azari," She said, frowning slightly in confusion. Where had she heard that name before? "Chiron wanted me to tell you to go to the Big House. Something about pottery. I'll never understand that cryptic centaur..." Zari frowned. The last thing she wanted to do was talk about them. What right did the centaur have to interfere with her previous life, from over a decade ago?
She plastered a fake smile on her face. "Sure," she said, trying to act casual. "Zoë, come with me? I'll turn you back." Zoë nodded, clearly displeased with Chiron.
Thalia left, having given her message, with a curious look over her shoulder.
"What do you think they want this time?" Zoë asked tiredly.
"Same as usual," Zari shrugged. Her expression turned grim as they reached the Big House. "It's time to face the music."
Zari sat in a low branch of a tree in the cabin. It was nearly dawn. The 'talk' she and Zoë had had with Chiron before was preventing her from sleeping. Too many thoughts were flying around.
Down below, someone woke with a gasp, and she dropped down, startling the girl. It was Zoë.
"Zari," she said. "What is thou doing up?"
She shrugged. "Couldn't sleep. Too much on my mind. What about you?"
"Nightmare," she said. She looked worried. "I think Lady Artemis is in trouble."
"What?" Zari asked, slightly troubled. "What happened in your dream?"
"I think-" She swallowed. "I think Lady Artemis has been captured."
"We have to see Chiron."
She shook her head. "I shall not bother him. We must leave."
"We can't," Zari reminded her. "Our orders are to stay here. We need a quest."
Zoë glared but conceded defeat. "Alright," she nodded reluctantly. "Come. We must leave as soon as possible."
Zari rather agreed with her. They got changed quickly and left, nearly tripping over Grover, who was sleeping right outside the door. "A stalker with hooves," she muttered. Zoë heard her and shot her a reproachful glance.
"Didn't deny it," Zari sung under her breath.
They reached the Big House quickly and knocked loudly. Argus opened the door. "We need to see Chiron," she said immediately. Argus shook his head.
"You can't see him." His voice was raspy, like he didn't use it often.
"It is important!" Zoë was insistent.
"Please!" Zari added desperately.
But the Head of Security was stubborn. "He's busy."
"It's Lady Artemis," she snapped. I could lose my only mother figure! "She's missing!"
One thing Zari had noticed was that Zoë starts talking old-fashioned when she gets upset. Zari thought she was insulting Argus - she couldn't understand half the things she was saying, but she was pretty sure a boil-brained lout wasn't nice.
"What is going on?" Chiron appeared, most likely attracted by the noise Zoë was making. Though Zoë paid them no mind, Zari's eyes were glued to the curlers in his tail.
She started shouting at him as well, her eyes brimming with tears, and Zari zoned out.
"...get orders from Lady Artemis if Lady Artemis is lost?" Zoë finished ranting.
Zari glared at the centaur.
"You cannot leave," the centaur said firmly. "You are under orders to stay." Letting out a snarl of frustration, both spun on their heels and marched towards the cabin. Beneath her anger, Zari knew he was right. What could thirty Hunters do to whatever had captured a goddess?
Still, she stomped back to the cabin to wake Sophie and Bianca. They had to train for Capture the Flag.
Zari glared at the camper positioned directly across from her.
They were playing Capture the Flag.
She nocked an arrow, firing at the son of Hermes. It lodged itself in his breastplate, making him stumble backwards, and giving Zari time to skirt around him and catch up to Zoë and Sophie. Bianca had decided she'd like to be the defence because she'd only had today to train.
"Almost - there -" Sophie panted. Zari leapt over a boulder, heart racing. She loved being pushed, loved the rush of adrenaline. It made her feel alive, a feeling she usually only associates with the Hunt.
Sophie and Zari kept the guards busy, drawing a sword and a pair of daggers respectively. A bow and arrow wouldn't be much use in close contact. The boy was good, but Zari was better. Above her, Zoë had scaled the pile of rocks and ripped the flag off the pole. Having temporarily defeated her opponent, a son of Hephaestus, Zari shot a deep purple spell at Zoë, that would enable her to run faster for however long the caster could hold the draining spell for. It was rare and difficult, but not unheard of.
The lieutenant of the Hunt sprinted towards the river. She just had to get over it, into their territory, and they would win. Zari could see Percy running as fast as he could, on the other side, with the hunter's flag whipping in the wind behind him. The campers were wide-eyed in anticipation and hoping he would reach the river first. Zari almost snorted. There was no way he could beat a Huntress with magically boosted speed.
The campers were shooting arrows and throwing spears and swords towards Zoë, but it was no use. She ran like a cheetah- swiftly and quickly, dodging the dangerous projectiles all the while.
Zari watched, smirking at the mortal demigods, as she leapt over the trickling river, flag held high in triumph. It shimmered and changed from the Greek Omega on an orange background, to a silky silver banner with the symbol of Artemis. They had won.
The campers all groaned. "The game goes to the Hunter's!" Chiron shouted. "For the fifty-sixth time in a row," he added under his breath, but everyone could still hear him.
Having the physical age of sixteen, Zari was slightly taller than most people there, bar some campers and Zoë. She stood on the tips of her toes, neck craned, to catch a glimpse of Bianca, but couldn't find her. She got worried. What if she was hurt? It was only her first day, after all ... she'd have to go look for her. Maybe it wasn't a good idea to put her on guard duty. Taking off, Zari passed Thalia who looked extremely angry - again. That seemed to be her main expression.
She didn't stop though- she had to find Bianca. When she reached their base, Zari could see her, just sitting in the snow.
"I'm no good at any of this stuff," she said, not turning to look at the other girl.
"Hey," Zari said gently, "It's only your first day. Besides," she added, "we won."
Bianca finally faced her. "We did?" Zari nodded. "Yeah."
Zari nodded. "Yeah."
"But Percy got our flag!" she protested.
"Maybe, but Zoë got theirs over the river first."
"She did?"
"Mmm-hmm," Zari said. "Now quit moping and come see Thalia shout at Percy."
Bianca laughed and she wrapped an arm around her shoulders. They headed back to the river and stood next to Zoë, who was smirking. Percy was controlling all the water in the river, his hair sticking up in every direction- Thalia must have shocked him. Then his face, red from anger, paled and he dropped the body of liquid, his expression horrified. The daughter of Zeus was so surprised, she turned to where he was staring. Everyone else looked as well.
"Impossible," Chiron whispered. "She hasn't left the attic for decades."
The attic... what was up there? Zari remembered Zoë saying something about it...
"It would not be wise, to go up there, Zari," She'd said grimly. "Apollo's Oracle lives there, now a mummy. There has not been a new one for over sixty years. A curse was placed upon her, preventing the spirit of Delphi to move on to find another host."
Zari gulped. This wasn't good. It only got worse when it turned to her and Zoë.
"Approach, seekers, and ask." Zoë swallowed and stepped forward, Zari beside her.
"What must we do to help our goddess?"
Green smoke drifted out of the Oracle's mouth and formed the picture of a battered Lady Artemis. She was shackled and looked to be in pain.
"Six shall go west to the goddess in chains,
One shall be lost in the land without rain.
The bane of Olympus shows the trail,
Campers and Hunters combined prevail.
The Titan's curse one must withstand,
And one shall perish by a parents hand."
Percy and Grover were selected to carry the Oracle back up to the attic, and Zari didn't think she'd ever seen such a shade of green before.
They'd been in the middle of their meeting (at a Ping-Pong table of all places) when they came back down, looking thoroughly grossed out.
"This is pointless," Zoë said bluntly. "There is no time for talk. Our goddess needs us. The Hunters must leave immediately."
"And go where?" Chiron asked sharply.
"West!" Bianca cried. "You heard the prophecy! Six shall go west to the goddess in chains. We can get six Hunters and go!"
"Yes," Zoë agreed. "Artemis is being held hostage! We must find her and free her."
Thalia glared at her. "You're missing something, as usual. Campers and Hunters combined prevail. We're supposed to do this together."
"No!" Zoë cried. "The Hunters do not need thy help!"
"Your," Thalia corrected. "Nobody has said thy in, like, three hundred years, Zoë. Get with the times."
"Yerrr," Zoë tried. "We do not need yerrr help." Zari stifled her laughter in her hand guiltily. She loved Zoë with all her heart, but seeing her fail at something - especially something so trivial - was hilarious.
Thalia rolled her eyes. "Forget it," she grumbled.
Chiron spoke up. "I fear the prophecy says you do need our help. Campers and Hunters must cooperate."
When she saw Zoë about to protest, Zari broke in. "How about this," she suggested. "Four Hunters and two Campers? It's logical. It's Zoë's quest, and she wants to take the Hunters, but we can't take only one camper because it says 'Campers'."
Chiron nodded and Zoë looked disgruntled. Most of the campers were nodding as well, though a few looked ready to argue for three and three. Zari turned to Zoë. "You're the leader of this quest. You get to choose."
"No," She shook her head. "The Oracle spoke to us both. We choose a Hunter each." Zari nodded.
"First," Zari said, "which campers want to do it?" Thalia jumped up.
"I'll do it."
"Me too!" Grover cried.
Percy looked between the two before realising something. "Hey!" he shouted. "I need to go as well!"
"No," Zoë said flatly. "I will not travel with a boy."
"What about Grover?" He exclaimed.
Zoë waved a hand. "He is a satyr. He is not technically a boy." The satyr looked indignant at that. She scrutinised Percy. "You wish to look for thy friend. Annabeth."
Percy looked uncomfortable. He was also very red and nodded. "Well, yeah."
"I wish to take Bianca," Zoë stated.
"Me? But... I'm so new... I wouldn't be any good." She asked, stunned. That girl really had self-worth issues, Zari noted - something to work on.
"You will do fine. There is no better way to prove thyself." Zoë reassured.
"And I choose Phoebe. She is our best tracker," Zari decided. As much as she'd love to take Sophie, Phoebe would be more of an advantage in this quest. Zoë nodded in approval.
"Phoebe?" One Hermes son asked. "The big girl who likes to hit people on the head?"
"She only does that to people she doesn't like. She's a very good judge of character," Zari said sweetly. He glared at her and she smiled back innocently.
His brother added, "The one who put arrows in my helmet?"
Zoë nodded. "Yes. Why?"
"Oh, nothing," the first one said. "Just we have a T-shirt for her from the camp store." He held up a big silver shirt that read ARTEMIS THE MOON GODDESS, HUNTING TOUR 2002, with a huge list of national parks and stuff underneath. "It's a collector's item. She was admiring it. You want to give it to her?" Zoë took the shirt impatiently.
Zari didn't like the looks on their faces. It was the one the Weasley twins always wore when they'd successfully executed a particularly cruel prank on Malfoy or Snape.
"So be it," Chiron said grimly. "Thalia and Grover will accompany Zoë, Azari, Phoebe and Bianca. You shall leave at first light. May the gods-" he looked sideways at Dionysus, "-present company included, we hope - be with you."