Chapter Two:
Sword fighting was fun. Mara found herself sweaty, winded, and exhausted at the end. She didn't really have talent for it, but the older kids smiled warmly.
"You have potential," said Justin from the Apollo cabin. "Don't go fighting any Ares kids, though."
Mara smiled. She took a shower, then went with the Apollo cabin and some people from scattered cabins shooting arrows. Will went with her. He was crazy good, hitting each target with a bullseye. She did this with a bit more ease, but nothing was perfect or natural.
She did foot racing, but that wasn't for her either. She wasn't the fastest, nor the slowest. Same in canoe racing.
That afternoon, at lunch, Will and Chris were both claimed. Will was claimed by Apollo, to no one's surprise. He was an excellent shot. Will gave each Hermes cabin a warm smile, encouraging them to keep believing they would be claimed. Chris was claimed by Hephaestus. He gave each of his old cabin mates, including Mara, hugs and little trinkets. Mara's was a watch.
It was beautiful, gold with red and blue gems surrounding it. The face was clean and clear and beautiful, ticking softly.
"Whenever you need help," Chris told her. "Tap the face three times. I'll always be able to help you."
Mara smiled at her new friend. Quinn came over, marveling at the watch.
"Congratulations," she told both of the newly claimed. She stood up and took a walk down the beach. Afternoons were for fun activities. However, she took to taking long walks.
The walk was long and silent. Birds flew overhead, cawing loudly. Waves lapped softly against the shore. The beach was soft and beautiful.
"Why are you keeping me dim?" asked Mara, miserably. "I want to believe in you, my mother, but I don't know how. Why didn't dad tell me about you? Why didn't you help after he died? Why'd you leave me?" Her voice cracked. "Why aren't you giving me any amazing qualities like the other kids? I can't sword fight. I can't shoot. I can't do anything right."
"Other than be the most beautiful girl around," came a familiar voice.
She turned to see the boy who had stood up for her. Erik. From the Ares cabin.
"Erik," He said, offering her a hand to shake.
She shook his hand. "Mara." Cautiously, she added after hesitating, "Did you hear all of that?"
"Yeah."
"Clumsy me," Mara mumbled, embarrassed. "Talking to myself, I guess."
She was surprised when he continued to hold her hand. He said. "We all feel abandoned sometimes, Mara. Don't worry. We're always here for you."
"Why are you so nice?" she asked. "The other Ares kids are..."
"Mean," Erik smiled. "Yeah, I know. They are difficult." He glanced at the sky. "Come on. It's around time for dinner." On the way back, he asked, "Do you regularly take long walks?"
"Yes," replied Mara. "They are nice."
"I think so too."
Other than that, he was quiet. Mara found herself sneaking glances at him. He was good-looking, sure enough. The light red/brown hair was nice. Dark green eyes. A kind, pureness to him that she found in no one else. She looked towards the other campers. The other Ares kids weren't like him. She didn't know how she knew...he was just different.
Will smiled and waved from across camp. Chris winked at her as he sat down with his new cabin mates.
"I'll eat with you, if you'd like," he offered, but his gaze was elsewhere now. Towards his cabin mates and an Aphrodite girl.
"Is she your girlfriend?" asked Mara, founding she cared a lot and was a little angry. She wondered if this was jealousy.
Erik smiled, shaking his head. "The Aphrodite girl? Hannah? No, of course not. I don't have a girlfriend right now."
Mara almost said good, but bit her tongue to make sure she wouldn't say anything she would regret later. "Um...sure, you can eat with me. If you'd like. I'll be eating with the Hermes cabin."
Erik sat down next to her. "Your cabin is practically empty," He noted. "Hermes has been a good boy, eh?"
Mara giggled shyly. "Perhaps. I could still be claimed by Hermes."
Erik laughed, rolling his eyes a bit. "I actually doubt that. I don't mean to sound rude or anything, but you don't seem like a Hermes daughter."
"And you certainly don't seem like an Ares son," Mara told him. "I don't know what makes you so different than the others."
"I'm not sure. I do know that my father hates me," Erik didn't smile now. Like all children, he still wanted to please his father. "I'm too nice. Forgiving. Not as war driven and crazy as my siblings."
"Yes...well...I don't see anything bad about that," stated Mara cautiously.
Erik smiled, sadly. "Yeah, but, my father does."
They ate the rest of dinner in silence. "Tonight is the Capture the Flag night!" said Liam eagerly, looking deathly excited.
"I wish my mother would claim me!" mumbled Mara, staring up at the darkening sky.
"I know," Erik said. "Wait, so it's your mother that you don't know?"
"Yeah. My father's name is Jared."
Erik banged his hands against his forehead. "Well, then you can't be Hermes daughter! If it were Hermes and your father...that'd be wrong."
Mara scowled at him. "Sorry for not clarifying earlier."
They both laughed. "Ah well," Erik said. "You seem smart. There's still the Athena cabin left."
Liam looked over to Erik. "Erik, will your cabin ally with ours?"
Erik frowned, then shook his head. "Sorry; we're already allied with Hephaestus and Apollo."
Liam sulked. "We're going to lose."
"Don't be like!" Erik said, laughing cheerfully. "There's still Poseidon and Athena."
That night, Chiron spoke about the Capture the Flag game, which Mara found she quite looked forward to. Liam and Liana helped her in to some armor and gave her a sword.
"Please keep the maiming to a minimum!" announced Chiron. "And have fun! Let the games begin!"
Mara gripped the sword nervously. Both Will and Chris were on the other team; as well as Erik and the Ares team. This didn't look good.
Annabeth appeared at Mara's side. "Guard the left forest patch over there. Leave the rest to us."
Mara gave Annabeth a short nod. Maybe this wouldn't be so hard.
