Welcome everyone to chapter 6!

It's time for Amira to get educated in the way of Greeks! Plus a little friend-time-bonding

I hope you enjoy and let's get right into this!

"Wait here."

Amira looked up and noticed that they were already at the giant fire. She nodded in response to Annabeth and watched as the blonde walked over towards the large fire and stopped in front of who Amira saw as a really tall person.

Amira knew she was too tired to do anything so she took a small amount of energy from Arvindr, smiling to herself as she thought of what a fit Balenda and Eragon would have if they knew. She immediately felt her strength return and energy level rise. Looking up Amira saw that Annabeth was walking back over with the other person. When they got closer, Amira's eyes widened when she realized that the person wasn't really tall: he was half horse. Annabeth brought the horse-man over to Amira who was staring with widened eyes.

"Amira, this is Chiron. Chiron, Amira." Annabeth introduced.

"Welcome to Camp Half-Blood, Amira." He said kindly. Amira bowed her head slightly.

"You are the leader here?" She asked.

"I could be called that, though I prefer director." He replied humbly. Amira mentally sighed in relief. At least she found the person- er, horse in charge.

"Is there a place I could speak with you? I am quite confused by all this." Amira asked, gesturing around her. Chiron nodded.

"Of course." Then he turned back to everyone else. "Return to your cabins for the night."

They started protesting but Chiron simply held his hand up and they stopped. Amira saw that all the other people that had been sitting around the fire were beginning to head towards the weird buildings. The small group said their goodnights then started off towards the cabins. After watching them leave, Chiron turned back to Amira.

"Come with me." Chiron started walking. "When we get to the Big-House, maybe you could explain all that is happened."

"I am willing to guess that you are not from around here."

Amira was sitting in a chair in a fairly large room. She was sitting across from Chiron, who had somehow managed to place himself in an odd chair with wheels so he now looked like a normal person. Amira twirled her hair around her finger. The night had passed by and now that she was rested, Chiron had asked to talk to her about who she was and where she was from.

"Then your guess would be correct. I am not from here as I am from Alagaesia." Amira told him. Chiron looked confused.

"Amira, I have never heard of Alagaesia." He told her. Amira's head started spinning.

"You have never heard of the Riders? Or Uru'baen? Or Ellesméra?" She asked. Chiron shook his head.

"Afraid not, my dear. In fact, I don't even know if a place with those name exists in this world."

"Does not… of course." Amira nodded very slowly, mind feeling numb.

"Are you alright?" Chiron asked gently. "I know this may be confusing for you."

"I am very confused. I have no idea where I am. It- It is quite scary to know how far from home I am." Amira's voice was shaking. Chiron nodded once more.

"Would you like to know of this world?" Amira nodded. Chiron asked, "What would you like to know?"

"Anything you are willing to tell me."

"Alright then. Are you ready to learn?" The Rider answered in affirmative and the centaur began.

Amira listened intently as he spoke about the primordial gods. He spoke of Chaos and the creation of the universe. He told her about Tartarus, Gaea, and Uranus. She listened as he told the story of Gaea giving birth to then Titans and their uprise against Uranus, about Kronos and his devouring his children because of what he feared they would do.

Chiron spoke of Zeus, the most powerful and king of the gods, and how he saved his siblings from Kronos and how they overthrew him. He spoke of Titanomachy and the Giant War. Chiron told Amira about the second Titan war and the camp's involvement as well as another camp, Camp Jupiter. Amira was surprised to hear that Percy defeated an Olympian and Titans and was interested as she listened about the second Giant War and their victory. Then he told her about the latest war against the giants that the seven demigods fought and defeated Gaia. He also told her everything he knew about the history of monsters.

When Chiron finished, he looked exhausted. Amira couldn't really blame him as he had talked for hours, explaining as much as he could on the Greek Gods and the history of earth. Amira sat, her mind reeling a million miles-per-hour, trying to take in all she had learned. She slowly dropped her head and placed it on her hands.

"Where in Islanzadi's name have I been sent to?" She muttered to herself. Chiron placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Now you know the history and present of this world, would you be willing to tell me of yours?" He asked. Amira looked up a moment later, taking a deep breath to calm herself.

"Okay. I will tell you but it may take a long while." Chiron nodded but gestured for him to continue. "I begin by warning you that what I say may not make much sense in the beginning."

Amira then proceeded to tell him about the history of Alagaesia. She told them about the six races: Elves, Urgals, Dwarves, Werecats, and Dragons. She told him about the elves arrival in Alagaesia and the war with the dragons that almost destroyed both races. Then she spoke about the bond they formed to ensure peace as well as the human's arrival to Alagaesia and how they were involved in the bond. She also told him about the history of the Dwarves and Werecats.

Amira paused for a quick moment when she got to the darker part of Alagaesia history. She took another deep breath then continued. She told him about the human Rider Galbatorix and how the death of his dragon sent him into madness. Amira then explained how he asked for another dragon but how he was refused, resulting in him vowing to bring down the Order of The Riders and how he did; how Galbatorix stole a dragon and throned himself king. She then told him about the resistance called the Varden. Then she explained everything about the war, all the fighting that happened, and how Eragon and Murtagh defeated the Mad King. Finally, she told him how she got her story and how received her dragon. She explained how, after a meeting, she found Balenda was missing then how she got sucked into a tornado and ended up in the woods at Camp Half-Blood. By the time she finished her throat was dry. Throughout the entire story, Chiron had remained silent except a few small questions he asked to clarify. Finally, after a moment, he spoke.

"Your world is just as complicated as it seems. I am saddened to hear you were sent here soon after your victory against the king but what I am curious about is how is it that he was able to destroy hundreds of Riders with little over a dozen at his side?"

"Galbratorix and his followers had close to infinite power, making it almost easy to do so." Amira answered. As she told him Chiron moved his wheeled-chair to a sink and got a cup, filling it with some water. He came back to where Amira sat and handed her the cup. She nodded her thanks, taking a long drink.

"And how did he gain that power?" Amira paused for a moment, setting the cup down on the small table in front of her.

"I cannot give you an answer to that question for two reasons. The first is because it is one of the most close-guarded secrets of The Riders and such information is not given lightly, not even to the newest members of The Order. The second reason is that I know close to nothing about that power except what Eragon has told me." She explained. Chiron nodded but looked even more confused.

"A close-guarded secret… Does this mean that all Riders have this kind of power in their grasp?"

"Yes and no. It is quite difficult to explain." Amira paused for a moment. "Let me put it like this: it is no simple matter to gain it and Galbratorix committed an unforgivable crime to gain it, the result making him nearly unstoppable. The only way Eragon managed to defeat him, from what I have heard, is because he had the same power though on a much smaller scale. He had cast an empathy spell that drove the king insane and commit suicide. Eragon still has that power but if he were here then I do not think he would." Chiron looked in deep thought.

"Is there a way to gain that power here?"

"I do not think so. From what you have told me of this world, there is no magic here like Alagaesia and so I can think of no way to gain it." The Rider answered. Chiron nodded.

"I encourage you to keep the knowledge of this power a secret anyway as a precaution." He suggested and Amira agreed. Chiron stretched his arms. "Now, let's get ourselves to sleep. It's late now."

Looking out, Amira saw he was right and the sky had gotten significantly darker and the stars were just beginning to show. She was surprised as she realized that they had talked all day. She agreed as she was getting tired again.

"Would you like to use the same room as you did before here in the Big House?" Chiron suggested. Amira bit her lip. Usually, she preferred to sleep outside under the stars, with Balenda keeping her warm… but Balenda wasn't here.

"If you do not mind, I prefer sleeping beneath the open sky." Amira denied politely. Chiron smiled warmly; she had taken a fast liking to him.

"Of course, my dear." He reached behind the couch and handed her a blanket. "At least bring this. It can get chilly at night.

"Thank you for all you have done." She told him with a small bow, genuine thanks in her voice. Amira stood, stretched her arms and legs.

She accepted the blanket from Chiron then headed out the door.

Amira walked out the door, stepping into the chilled night air.

She was glad to feel that the night wasn't freezing, just a bit chilled from a breeze. Looking around she saw what looked like a beach close to the forest and headed over. She walked towards the water by the treeline, close enough where she could see the water but far enough away not to get wet. She sat down and wrapped the blanket around her shoulders. She smiled; she always did like the ocean. Amira closed her eyes and listened to the waves lapping against the shore.

"Beautiful isn't it?" A voice behind her said. Amira jumped at the voice, startled. Turning around she saw Percy Jackson standing a few feet from her, his arms crossed as he stared at the water.

"Indeed." She agreed. He looked over and noticed he had startled her.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." He came over by Amira and sat beside her. He turned back to the water and smiled softly. "I love coming here. Whenever I'm by the water just I feel… at home. Makes sense, being the son of Poseidon." Amira turned back to the water watching the waves.

"I have always loved the sea. I find it calming to watch the waves." She agreed. Percy nodded, still watching the waves. They sat in silence for a minute or so. "I am surprised you are still awake. I had figured that everyone here would be asleep." Percy gave a faint smile but Amira could tell that it was fake.

"I couldn't sleep. I try to but every time I do…" He trailed off as if thinking. Amira broke the silence they had fallen into.

"I would guess that the dreams you have are not pleasant?" Amira asked.

"Not really. I guess you could say I went through a really really bad experience a while ago. Annabeth did too and we still haven't healed completely." Amira nodded. She knew the effect war had on people but she could tell that it was something else that had happened to them, something worse than war.

"If you ever feel the need to share then know that I am willing to listen," Amira told him, giving him a smile. The two of them said nothing for a few minutes before Percy sighed.

"It was about a year ago." He started. Amira turned to him but Percy kept his eyes on the water. "Me, Annabeth, Jason, Piper, Frank, Hazel, and Leo… we were heading to Greece for a war against the giants. Leo had made a big warship that was able to fly or sail. First, we had to go to Epirus to close the Doors of Death, which kept letting monsters into the mortal world but there were problems along the way. We had to get something from Rome and to get it Annabeth, being a daughter of Athena, had to go on a solo quest. She went through some underground tunnels which lead her to a big chamber where the statue was but it was guarded by an enemy. The floor was all cracked and unstable. If you fell you would end up in Tartarus." Percy's voice hitched when he said that. Amira was glad Chiron had told her about all the Greek stuff or she would have had no idea what Percy was talking about. "Long story short, Annabeth and I... We- we fell."

"We fell into the hole and fell all the way to Tartarus. Thankfully we were together. But the things that were down there…" The dark-haired demigod turned to Amira. He had a glassy look in his eyes that looked as though even the smallest tap could break him. He turned back to the ocean. "It was horrible. We were walking through a living hell, everything there was trying to kill us. We wouldn't have survived if not for some friends." His voice was shaking but he smiled slightly at the word friends. "They helped us make it through, helped protect us. But when we got to the doors to return to the mortal world... the worst happened: the living form of Tartarus appeared. It was the worst thing I have ever seen in my life. His face was a swirling pit of darkness, sucking in and destroying monsters…" Percy took a really shaky breath. "Annabeth and I made it into the doors and came back to the mortal world but even after a year I still can't get those things out of my head. I can't sleep cuz I hear his taunting. Those images haunt me almost every night and I wake up in a cold sweat every time. I just wish..."

Amira hesitated for a moment, then placed her hand over his. Percy glanced at her slightly startled.

"I am so very sorry that had happened to you. No one should ever have to go through the things you did. I wish there were a way I could help and am saddened that there is none." She said sadly. Percy nodded then smiled faintly at the purple-eyed Rider. He stood up and stretched then slowly started to walk down the beach. He stopped a few feet away

"Hey, Amira?" Amira turned to him. He was smiling crookedly at her. "Thanks for listening. I really needed to talk about that with someone."

"Of course. Thank you for trusting me enough to do so." Amira smiled softly in return. Percy nodded then turned and walked away.

Amira stood and walked towards the treeline. She found a spot beneath a low-hanging tree and laid back on the sand, wrapping the blanket around her body, and closed her eyes.

And that concludes the sixth chapter of A Strange and Different Land!

Thank you all for reading and I hope you chose to continue the story. Please feel free to leave a review. Criticism, advise, complements or corrections are welcome.

Have a good one and I'll see you later!