I frowned at the list of names, scratching my forehead with the end of my pen. If I was going to steal something, my choice of Hector was obviously perfect. A child of Athena would be helpful, because I wasn't the best strategist and I had no idea to where Prometheus could be. Then… someone who fights better than me. I couldn't stand children of Ares, despite how they were my… aunts and uncles? I shook my head. The Greek god families were confusing. So the best option was an Apollo Extra, because children of Athena and Hermes already were generally good at close range fighting.

Sighing, I stood and paced. I really didn't have any friends other than Hector, so I'd have to go off of who was nicest and had the best record. Picking out any files other than Apollo and Athena folders, I moved to throw them on my bed.

But someone was already sitting there.

I yelped, jumping backwards and flinging my files all over the floor. It was a woman in a simple, gorgeous, white sundress and ancient Greek sandals with shimmering black hair that almost seemed psychedelic in the light. Her hair was braided down her back and a circlet of flowers was woven into it. She was tall. Tan. Shockingly beautiful.

And… she was my mom.

Now, this was me, the girl that always has something to say. But I stood, mouth slightly open, staring at the woman and wondering why she bothered to show up now out of all of my thirty years of existence.

After a few moments of my silence and her smile, I said the most intelligent thing that came to mind: "Uhhh, umm, hey."

"Hello, Clio," she said, her voice lulling and smooth as driftwood lying in a softly flowing brook. "Congratulations on your quest."

I began to pick up my files with shaking hands to occupy myself. "Thanks."

To speed up the process, Harmonia snapped her fingers and my files were back together and sorted. I nodded in thanks as she motioned for me to sit beside her. I did so, staring at my hands the entire time.

She watched me closely. "You wish to say something to me. But, as it is not peaceful, it should be against your nature. Is it?"

I sighed. "Not really. I'm mad at you and I think you're a disowning, heartless, phony that is the goddess of peace but can't keep peace with the relationship between her and her own child. Did that seem against my nature?"

Playing with a fold in her dress, my mother said, "It should be, but that is what makes you so special, Clio."

I stared at her. "What, no 'Bad girl, Clio' or 'I was busy' or 'You're wrong' or even maybe 'I'm sorry'?"

Gently, yet absently, she lifted up my black hair much like hers and began to braid it. I didn't bother to stop her. "I am sorry, but I didn't think you would accept my apology, so I decided it wouldn't be the best answer. Yes, I am busier than you'd think, but I suppose it isn't an excuse. You are my only demigod child, after all, and I am always watching you."

I made a face in horror. "Always?"

Her laugh was light as an autumn leaf being blown down from its tree. "Not when you need your privacy. But I was proud of you at school and at Camp when you broke up fights. And that brings me back to why you're special."

"Special Olympic special?"

"No, sweetheart. You realize the necessity of how others see the world. Sometimes, the only way to make them peaceful is getting right in the middle of things. Some need more than a few peaceful quotes to stop violence or bullying, yes?"

Blinking, a taken back. "Yes. I didn't know that you…"

"I'm the goddess of harmony and concord, dear," she said. "I understand all forms of peace. And, unlike your siblings, so do you. You know the power of reasonable speech as well, along with some of my aura. That is why I named you Clio: the proclaimer. And that is why Hades chose you."

When I looked confused, she explained, "Prometheus is a kind titan. He just does unreasonable things with good intentions. You are able to reason with him, which makes you the key to this quest's success."

"Yeah, no pressure."

Harmonia finished my braid and set it against my back. "I spoke to Nemesis as soon as I knew you'd been chosen. She assured me that she did not think it would be fair for you to retain the curse if you succeed in this mission. She will not take it upon herself to inflict one, and you were born without the curse originally. That's another reason why I am so excited; you will have a full, good life with your father and your friends and that Camp Half-Blood."

I shrugged. "Yeah, if I don't get skewered."

"We must think positively," my mother said decisively, squeezing my hand. "I have a present for you, before I go. You must choose your companions."

"Yeah," I agreed glumly. "I don't know who to pick."

Nodding, Harmonia began to rifle through my files and ended up picking out three. "I've been observing these two, along with that very lovely boy that is your friend, Hector. They work well with others and are very kind and skilled. I think you should give them a look."

Taking the files, I narrowed my eyes at the names. All I could see before she spoke again was Apollo: Archer Solman, and Athena: Aquila Athens. I rolled my eyes for the third time today. Gods were so corny in the way they picked names and last names for their kids.

Apparently, that wasn't my mother's present, because she gently lifted the files from my hands and handed me something instead. I didn't know what the something was, due to the fact that I couldn't see it, but feel its weight.

"It is called Prowler, in English. It is the beast that strikes without warning," she told me.

"Um, what exactly is 'it'? I can't see the thing."

"It is a sword. Will the sword to appear, and it will show itself," mother encouraged me.

Not bothering to feel insane, because this was all magical stuff anyway, I did so. When I opened my eyes, there was a gleaming blade in my hand.

It was a short, Celestial bronze sword, about a foot and a half long, with carvings of lions tigers, hawks, and other predators in the hilt and sheath. Prowler indeed.

"Who named it Prowler?" I asked, mystified.

"I did. About five seconds ago," Harmonia said with a small smile.

I offered her a smile. "You have a sense of humor. That's refreshing."

She laughed that laugh again. "Perhaps, but I think yours is from your father." I swallowed. Harmonia stroked gentle fingers down my hair. "You must miss him. I know I do."

"So, ah, do you have any advice for me?" I asked.

If she was bothered by my obvious avoidance of the subject, she didn't voice it. "Hades was right to choose you. You are the perfect one for this mission. Clio, you are more powerful than you know. However, you must discover these advantages during your journey to achieve your goal."

Turning my eyes up to her blankly, I said, "Well, thanks, but you wouldn't have, um, any clues to what those things might be?"

"That all depends on you, darling," she told me, taking my hand in her soft one. "You have the power that you create within yourself."

We shared a silence, but not an awkward one. Both of us seemed to be entangled in our own thoughts. At last, I cleared my throat. "Thank you, Mom."

Without hesitation, she pressed a kiss to my forehead. "I will always be with you. I hope that sword serves you well, and I shall help you all I can without Zeus getting all uppity. Good luck, my Clio. Now turn away."

I did as she said, and after a flash, my mother was gone again.

Second chapter up, my good ladies and gentlemans! Thank you to all who viewed, even if you don't see this, because each one meant a lot to me. 1 review, but it was enough to get me to post this. A thank you shout out to Miniaon, my first follower and reviewer. Love you!