Chapter 7: The Prophecy

The next day, during archery, Chiron pulled Emmaleigh aside. "Penelope is going to Rachel today, she's our oracle. Something happened on Olympus today. She would like you to go with her."

"Okay, where is she?"

"Waiting outside the Nike cabin."

Emmaleigh put away her bow with excitement and raced to the Nike cabin in a matter of minutes. Penelope stood outside, looking anxious. She brightened when she saw Emmaleigh.

"Glad you came, let's go." She marched away from the cabins and up to the Big House. "Rachel will be up here."

"So is she a daughter of Apollo?" Emmaleigh questioned, as they entered the house.

"I'm quite mortal, actually." Said a voice to the right. Rachel stepped out into the light. She had frizzy red hair, freckles, bright green eyes, and was wearing a Camp Half-Blood t-shirt.

"Oh."

"We're here about Nike's stolen laurels." Penelope interrupted.

Rachel nodded. Almost immediately, Rachel collapsed and her eyes rolled up into her head. Penelope and Emmaleigh rushed forward and propped her onto a chair. Green mist began to splay from her mouth.

"Magic, wisdom, and victory three,

Will venture to the inland seas,

Five Great Lakes conceal a might,

To tear the gods into the darkest nights,

One will fall in the wooded lands,

Two will venture with bloodied hands,

Monsters, gods, and foe will stalk,

But in the end, one alone will walk."

Rachel's eyes focused and she sat up. "So what'd I say?" Feeling unnerved, Emmaleigh repeated it.

"Magic, wisdom, and victory..." Penelope mumbled. "A child of Hecate, Athena, and Nike."

"Possibly," but Emmaleigh had a feeling magic meant her. "Let's go to Chiron."

Just as they turned to leave, Dionysus appeared in the doorway. "Your sister is in danger, Emmaleigh." His eyes glinted.

"What do you mean?"

"Nike suspects a child of Athena. Not you. No, she thinks its Annabeth."

"ANNABETH?!" Emmaleigh cried, "Why her?"

"It all adds up, actually. It disappeared right under her nose, and Annabeth has that nifty invisible baseball cap of hers. She's the stealthiest of you all, and the smartest. Athena trusts her the most. That's what Nike has concluded."

"How do you know what Nike thinks?"

"Nike yelled it at Athena today on Olympus, it was on Hephaestus TV."

"Thanks for the info, I guess." Emmaleigh said, but she knew Dionysus was only saying to to disgruntle her. Emmaleigh pulled Penelope down to Chiron, who was conveniently conversing with Annabeth.

She explained everything, from the prophecy to Dionysus's information. Chiron nodded. "I heard about it. She also gave Athena seven days to return it; if Athena does then their relationship will be repaired. If not, she will wage war."

"Well, it looks like we've formed our group." Emmaleigh said dejectedly, "Penelope, Annabeth, and me."

"But that's two wisdoms!" Penelope exclaimed.

"No. I'm magic. Watch." Emmaleigh lit up her palm with light; it wavered for a few seconds before flickering out. "It's not very powerful, but it's something."

Annabeth sighed, "So it looks like we're off to Michigan."