Percy: The Events That Dinner Brings

We found Cora and Hunter on the far side of the woods. Actually, Grover found them. Me and Annabeth searched for half an hour (well, maybe not for the whole time . . . please don't judge us) before we decided I should call Grover to find her. Apparently she's really good at hiding . . . and apparently Hunter can easily find her . . . little creepy.

Cora looked like she might have been crying; her eyes were a little red. They both looked a little disheveled, like they might have been in a scuffle. Then I noticed marks behind them in the far side. So a monster must have found them . . . not surprising if what Grover said is true about her. Judging by how they were still out here, Hunter must have forgotten.

"Uh, Hunter, did you forget you were supposed to bring her back?" I asked him. He gave me a confused look then turned to Cora.

"Qu'a-t-il dit?" He asked her (he said 'what did he say').

"Il demandé si tu avez oublié. Oublié quel?" she replied (she told him 'he asked if you forgot. Forgot what'). It was very odd to listen into a conversation in French.

Hunter's eyes widened. Cora looked at him confused. Guess Hunter did forget. What had they been doing then? Aside from fighting some monster.

"Um, what are you talking about?" Cora asked me.

"Chiron sent all of us to find you when you ran off," Annabeth told her. Her face got that Oo-hhhhhh expression.

"Sorry . . . I didn't mean to worry you guys . . . I was just upset. I really didn't mean any harm," she explained. She looked a little embarrassed but seemed unsure if she should be apologizing. At that moment the conch horn signalling dinner blew.

"We should probably go. I don't know about you guys, but I'm hungry and Chiron is probably even more worried," I cut in.

Everyone but Cora agreed and we walked through the woods back to the dining hall, keeping an eye out for monsters. Cora and Hunter were talking in French behind us. I couldn't tell what they were saying; she was probably asking him what the conch horn meant. Oh well, it would be good for Hunter to get a friend, the poor guy was always alone.

When we arrived at the dining pavilion everyone else was already there. Chiron was just about to start the announcements when we walked in. Everyone turned to stare at us. Grover's face turned pink and I probably didn't look much better.

"Glad you could join us. Campers! You all know of the fight earlier today, after it we gained a new camper. Cora?" Chiron said. Cora stepped forward and she looked nervous. Well after all that had happened that day I couldn't blame her.

"Everyone, this is Cora. I hope you treat her with respect. Especially the Ares cabin," he continued. I almost laughed. The Ares cabin, nice? I had never heard of such a thing – unless you count Frank the only nice son of Mars. Everyone nodded (the Ares cabin did a little glaring) and we walked over to our tables.

Cora stood there for a moment, until Chiron walked over and led her to the Hermes table. He probably quickly explained everything about meals because she sat down without a word. She just sat there silent, trying to keep out of everyone's conversations. Which is you look like her couldn't be too easy . . .

We passed around all the food. I loaded my plate with smoked brisket. Well, there were some vegetables, but I like barbecue more. When we got up to dump some in the flame for the gods, I was behind the Hermes cabin, with Annabeth behind me. And Cora in front. One look at Annabeth told me to help her out.

"Hey," I whispered to her. Cora turned to me confused. "We dump part of our meal into the flames. As an offering to the gods, they like the smell." She gave me a curious look.

"Really? The smell?" she asked doubtfully. I nodded and she shrugged. Was it just me or did her moods change as fast as one of the gods?

Slowly the line shuffled forward. Then it was Cora's turn. I noticed Hestia in the flames. Her eyes seemed to bore into me. Like she was trying to tell me something. Cora scrapped a slice of meat into the fire and muttered something I couldn't make out.

I really wished I hadn't been standing directly behind her. When the meat hit the coals it reacted like nuclear fusion (Annabeth taught me that). The fire exploded into different colours. It rose up; soon it was towering over even Chiron.

The flames took on the shape of a giant bird. This bird was the most magnificent you've ever seen. It was a phoenix, the colours were shifting through the rainbow. It opened its beak and spoke.

Be strong young Hero! Your time will come! Be strong until the time is ripe! Have courage! It said. It sounded like the fire itself was speaking. Hissing and cracking, that was how it sounded. Once it finished speaking the colour settled back to red. The same shade of Cora's hair even. Then it shrunk. Soon it was just a fire again.

Cora hadn't moved, she was staring at the fire but not in fear. She seemed almost – calm. Chiron walked up behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder. She blinked and looked startled.

"I didn't do it! I swear!" She exclaimed.

"I know," he told her quietly. Then to the whole camp. "It seems we have received an omen!" Thanks Chiron, like we really need that.

Everyone was silent; we didn't want any more wars, or problems with the gods, or anything. Would I ever get a normal summer? Apparently not.

"Everyone carry on! We should not worry about this! Carry on as before," Chiron instructed. We all went back to our own business. The best we could, it was a little hard with potential doom, and Rachel wouldn't be here for a week.

Cora walked over to the Hermes table and we went on with dinner. I had thought the rest of the night would be uneventful. But when dinner was over there was still one more announcement.

"This Friday night there will a Capture the Flag game!"

The entire camp exploded into cheers. The first game of the summer. Annabeth and Grover smiled at me from the opposite side if the pavilion. This week might just turn out great after all.

We headed off to our cabins, the Apollo cabin was going to work on some big surprise, so we didn't have campfire that night. I got changed and collapsed on my bunk. I was exhausted after today's events. Then I remembered Tyson would be coming up for a while a little later in the summer.

So for now I put the events of dinner out of my mind and fell asleep with a smile on my face.