Hey, this chapter is a short one, not much action but it's setting the mood for what's to come.

"Am I going to die?" I asked as I sat down.

"That I cannot tell you." Chiron said.

"The oracle, she told me I would be locked up." I said, fighting panic. "That I'd lose something."

"But she said you'd return." Chiron said. "Do not despair."

I laughed bitterly. "Sure." I said. "Easy for you to say."

"It is not easy." Chiron said. "Do you know how many times I've sent hero's on quests? Most times they do not return. I can train them and try to prepare them but their fate is up to the Fates. And so is yours."

"What do I do?" I asked Chiron softly.

"The decision is yours alone." Chiron responded. "Will you accept the quest?"

"I have no choice." I said. "The oracle picked me out herself."

"There is always a choice." Chiron said. "Raymond and Jessica could go on their own."

I thought that over, I have to admit, the idea was tempting. I didn't want to be locked in a cage, or lose anything. But then I remembered what other campers warned me, that people got in trouble trying to thwart prophecies.

"No." I said. "I can't do that to them. I'm going, I have to. It's my destiny."

"I guessed as much." Chiron said. "But I must admit, I am surprised the oracle singled you out, and gave you that warning. I fear for your safety, but you will return, the oracle foretold that. Don't think too much into it, prophecies often have double meanings, we never know what they mean until after they happen." Chiron looked out at the sky. "Wait here." He told me. "I'll go and get Raymond and Jessica."

I nodded and waited on the couch, but five minutes later I heard a scream and I ran to the window. Three people were staggering down the hill, the one in the middle limp.

I ran outside, pulling out my dagger. I wished I was wearing more than just pajama's, or that I had my armour on. But when I got close I skidded to a halt. It was Harry, he was on one side, dragging them along with one of his siblings, Gretel I believed.

"What happened?" I asked as Chiron galloped up, bow at the ready.

"Infirmary." Harry gasped. "Quickly."

"I'll take her." Chiron said, his face grim.

I helped sing the girl onto Chiron's back and with a jolt I recognised Jenifer, but there was a dagger driven to the hilt in her chest. Gretel hopped onto Chiron and he sped away.

I looked at Harry, my eyes wide in distress. "I saw it but there was nothing I could do." He whispered. "One second she was holding her own and the next I hear her scream. What happened?"

It was a rhetorical question I knew but the answer dawned on me quickly. "The prophecy." I whispered.

"What?" Harry asked, but I wasn't paying attention.

Maybe the prophecy isn't meant to happen now. I thought. If that's the case then maybe this quest was designed to eliminate Raymond. Oh gods, what do I do?

. . .

By the time we reached the infirmary it was too late, I could almost sense death. Chiron clopped out, shaking his head in sorrow. He stared at me and said. "Meet me at the Big House in ten minutes, I will get the others."

"Jenifer?" I asked, already knowing the answer, but needing it confirmed.

"She's dead." Chiron said sadly, turning and galloping away.

"Why does Chiron want you at the Big House?" Harry asked, turning to me. "Dianna what happened when I was gone?"

"Prophecies, quest, a warning." I whispered, starring at my feet, just realising they were bare.

It took a minute for Harry to understand. "Wait, you're going on a quest?"

I nodded. "The oracle chose me. She – she gave me a warning to."

"A warning?" Harry said. "What do you mean?"

I told him it, word for word. I watched the disbelief on his face, the shock. His fingers tightened on his bow and he looked around, as if searching for monsters or Romans to shoot down and vent out his frustration. He looked at me. "What was your prophecy? Who else is going with you?"

"Jessica Clarke and Raymond Rodriguez." I replied, than told him the prophecy. We began to walk up to the Big House. Then I told him the other prophecy also mentioned.

Harry shook his head. "But why you?" He asked. "What makes you so special? Why couldn't it have been someone else?"

I shrugged. "It's the Fates." I said. "And who knows, maybe my mother will claim me."

Harry looked down dejectedly. "Try and come back." He said.

"I will." I said. "I don't want to leave. Just . . . win this war for me? Okay?"

"The lands golden age." He murmured. "Maybe that's when this wars over."

"Hopefully." I replied, trying for a smile. "Fighting for your life sure does get old after a while."