Hello!:D Here is the long awaited chapter 9!:L Just on a side note, the last sentence of chapter 8 was not supposed to be sarcastic. On reading it back I did notice it sort of comes across that way. But it's not supposed to be! Please R&R!:) ~Luna x
My introduction to sword fighting was incredible. It met every single one of my sky high expectations and even soared beyond. Chiron could tell I wasn't exactly a beginner at fighting, my movements were swift and graceful and I dodged every one of his attacks (although, he probably was going easy on me). I was dead on my feet by the end of it but it had been one of the best experiences of my life. All this business with swords reminded me of the boy who came to my rescue whilst travelling here. I asked Chiron about it.
"You were attacked by a Kindly One?" He asked.
"I don't know what the accurate term is exactly..." I replied.
"I'm sorry, you're so talented and calm I forget you have almost no knowledge of our world. Yes, by what you described it does seem that was a Fury, also known as a Kindly One. And as for your knight in shining armour, that was James Archer. He has returned from his quest today, if you'd like to go and thank him. He is a son of Apollo."
"Thanks Chiron. I think I will." I flashed him a winning Nudge smile on my way out of the door. Really, I'd be eternally grateful to him; he'd helped me so much, been so patient with me. Kind of how Jeb used be. Like a father I'd never had.
I instantly remembered which cabin Apollo's children belonged to. It had definitely been one of my favourites on our tour, seeming to glow a beautiful gold as if it was generating sunlight. I wasn't let down the second time I saw it. I was surprised to find I was apprehensive about approaching, and that was totally out of character. I mean, this guy had saved my life. What was I going to say? I couldn't just say "Hey, thanks a bunch." Oh well. I guessed I'd figure it out when I got there. I took a deep breath, composed myself then strode to the door and planted three loud knocks on it.
A small girl, who couldn't have been older than seven opened the door. She had blonde coloured hair that glistened just like the sun and big, blue, innocent eyes. She seemed to radiate heat and sunlight.
"Elsie Archer. How can I help you?" Her voice was sweeter than candyfloss.
"I'm looking for your brother, James. Could you point me in the right direction?" I asked.
"Of course. He's with his Pegasus, Chip at the stables." She beamed, almost blinding me.
"Thank you," I gave her a Nudge smile, though for once, it seemed meagre in comparison to hers.
Just as Elsie told me, I found James mucking out a beautiful spotted Pegasus with the name 'Chip' painted on his door. He looked exactly as he did when he saved my life those few short weeks ago. His dark brown, unkempt, curly hair tumbled over his forehead. His slender frame towered a few inches above my rather tall 5'6. His strong and powerful jaw made him look much older than he really was. But it was his bluish-steel eyes, which looked like the sky in midwinter, which gave him away. They were young, scared and caring. I couldn't remember how I remembered so many details about his face, but I did. It wasn't the sort of face you forgot in a hurry.
He jumped violently when I told him:
"Your Pegasus is beautiful."
"Thank you." He replied. When he finally looked at my face, a massive grin spread across his. "I know you right? You're the plucky little winged demigod I saved back in Lincoln, right?"
"That's me." I returned his smile.
"You made it! Nudge right? I've heard the rumours. Daughter of Zeus. I'm so sorry," The smile on his face disappeared and was replaced by a caring, genuine look of sympathy. "James, by the way." He held out his hand, and I took it expecting a shake but receiving a kiss. My face burned like fire.
"Hello James. Well, I dropped by to say thank you. For-for saving my life. I wouldn't be here right now if it wasn't for you." And then he smiled. And I smiled back. Not a smile I used to get my own way, or to dazzle strangers but a real smile. One that I hoped showed him that I really did care.
Chip poked his head over the wooden door of his stall. I stroked his pink spotted muzzle in silence for a while, until James asked me a question.
"How- uh – how did you get them? Your wings I mean." His voice was cautious, as if he had been thinking of a way to ask me ever since our first encounter.
"I was given to a lab. They injected me and a bunch of others with bird DNA. And this is how we turned out." I wasn't scared to tell anyone anymore. Everyone already knew, and they weren't treating me like a freak. I guessed that they already had a whole bunch of weird to deal with around here; a girl with wings wasn't really that exciting.
"Can-can I, uh..."
"Can you see them? Sure." This guy had saved my life. This was the least I could do.
I unfurled my wings through the slits that I'd cut in my t-shirt. I could see poor James was doing his best to conceal his shock, but his beautiful steely eyes gave it away. They gave everything about him away.
"You're beautiful."
"Thank you. But really, they're not. They're mutations." I mumbled at my feet.
"Shush, they're wonderful." He told me. I couldn't tell whether he was being serious or polite. When I finally found the courage to look up, he was gone.
The next few days were so crammed full of activities, I barely had time to breathe. Classes in Ancient Greek, which were taught by Annabeth, sword fighting, which were taught by Percy and Arts and Crafts, which were taught by Piper were basically all my day consisted of, except for food and sleep. Just when I thought I had five minutes to myself, Chiron found me and told me I had another job to complete.
"Another job? Chiron, you've got to be kidding me. I'm about to pass out here!" I complained.
"I think you'll enjoy this job. Follow me." I was too tired to protest.
He led me to a big, warm campfire spitting electric blue sparks. Apparently, my job was to socialise. That, I was good at. I immediately found James sitting with a bunch of other kids, and caught his eye. He beckoned me over with a swift movement of his head. He and his friends all wore carefree, casual smiles illuminated cheerfully by the light of the bonfire.
I made it to the bench where he was sitting, and before I could do anything else, a girl with curly red hair the exact colour of the bonfire sprang out of her seat. She spoke with an accent I didn't recognise.
"Niamh Fitzgerald, pleasure to meet you." Freckles covered her pale face and her eyes were as green like the grass in spring. "I'm from Ireland, in case you hadn't guessed, Waterford to be exact. But I much prefer it here. I feel like I belong, for the first time in my whole life..." The rest of her speech kind of surpassed me. One thing I did retain, however, was that she was the daughter of a Goddess called Hecate. I made a mental note to ask someone what she was the Goddess of. Like I did, Niamh seemed to have a gift for talking. Something that I seemed to have lost since leaving the Flock.
I went through many introductions that evening, it turned out that James was rather popular. The only heroes I actually remembered however were Niamh, a girl called Eleri from a place called Wales (From my limited Geography studies, I remembered that was in the UK) who was the daughter of Athena, a boy called Alfie from California who was the son of Poseidon. Also, a girl called Sofia from Argentina, who was the daughter of another minor Goddess called Nemesis. Finally, a boy called Chandler from San Francisco who was the son of Ares. Eleri was tall, pale and quiet with a sheet of beautiful silver blonde hair and mesmerising blue eyes like the sea when the sun is shining. Alfie was short but muscular with sun kissed skin which made him look like he's been on the beach constantly for the past few weeks. He was easy to talk to and reminded me a lot of his brother, Percy. Sofia had dark skin like the colour of milky coffee, straight, jet black hair and deep green eyes. She spoke with a strong, intimidating accent. Finally, Chandler was tall, stocky, muscular and well, to put it plainly, terrifying. He didn't exactly 'speak', he used more of a point and grunt method. He bore a startling resemblance to a troll.
That evening was the best I'd spent at camp yet. It was nice to finally have a night off, and meet some people. Adult's company doesn't exactly compare to that of children's. I felt at home for the first time yet, and I almost forgot about all the worries pressing down on my mind. Almost.
