Mr. D turned to Percy. "Cabin eleven, Percy Jackson. And mind your manners."
He swept into the farmhouse, Grover following miserably.
"Will Grover be okay?" Percy asked Chiron.
Chiron nodded, though he looked a bit troubled. "Old Dionysus isn't really mad. He just hates his job. He's been ... Ah, grounded, I guess you would say, and he can't stand waiting another century before he's allowed to go back to Olympus."
"Mount Olympus," Percy said. "You're telling me there really is a palace there?"
"Well now, there's Mount Olympus in Greece. And then there's the home of the gods, the convergence point of their powers, which did indeed used to be on Mount Olympus. It's still called Mount Olympus, out of respect to the old ways, but the palace moves, Percy, just as the gods do." Chiron said.
"You mean the Greek gods are here? Like ... In America?" Percy said
"Well, certainly. The gods move with the heart of the West." Chiron said.
"The what?" Percy asked.
Chiron looked at Percy, "Come now, Percy. What you call 'Western civilization. Do you think it's just an abstract concept? No, it's a living force. A collective consciousness that has burned bright for thousands of years. The gods are part of it. You might even say they are the source of it, or at least, they are tied so tightly to it that they couldn't possibly fade, not unless all of Western civilization were obliterated. The fire started in Greece. Then, as you well know-or as I hope you know, since you passed my course-the heart of the fire moved to Rome, and so did the gods. Oh, different names, perhaps-Jupiter for Zeus, Venus for Aphrodite, and so on-but the same forces, the same gods."
"And then they died." Percy said
"Died? No. Did the West die? The gods simply moved, to Germany, to France, to Spain, for a while. Wherever the flame was brightest, the gods were there. They spent several centuries in England. All you need to do is look at the architecture. People do not forget the gods. Every place they've ruled, for the last three thousand years, you can see them in paintings, in statues, on the most important buildings. And yes, Percy, of course they are now in your United States. Look at your symbol, the eagle of Zeus. Look at the statue of Prometheus in Rockefeller Center, the Greek facades of your government buildings in Washington. I defy you to find any American city where the Olympians are not prominently displayed in multiple places. Like it or not-and believe me, plenty of people weren't very fond of Rome, either- America is now the heart of the flame. It is the great power of the West. And so Olympus is here. And we are here."
It looked like it was just too much for Percy, plus since his mother is gone, I'm not how much he'll be able to take. Percy looked confused, "Who...Who are you? Who am I...?" Chiron smiled. He shifted his weight as if he were going to get up out of his wheelchair, "Uh-oh..." I thought, "Please don't get out of your wheelchair, it'll just freak him out even more."
"Who are you?" he mused. "Well, that's the question we all want answered, isn't it? But for now, we should get you a bunk in cabin eleven. There will be new friends to meet. And plenty of time for lessons tomorrow. Besides, there will be s'mores at the campfire tonight, and I simply adore chocolate."
And then Chiron did what I didn't want him to do, he got up from his chair, "Aw come on!" I thought. Chiron looked at me, "Did I say that out loud?" I asked, "Indeed you did," Chiron said, with a look of annoyance. "Sorry," I mumbled.
Percy looked like he was ready to pass out, I wouldn't blame him. The first time I saw Chiron get out of his chair, I was pretty much surprised, even though I knew about the gods and all that other stuff. The only thing I forgot was, Chiron was a centaur. Anyway, once Percy got over the fact Chiron was actually half horse, he finally went on that tour Chiron told him about. I only went along to keep an eye on Percy, and because I had nothing else to do.
We passed the volleyball pit. Several of the campers nudged each other. One pointed to the Minotaur horn Percy was carrying. Another said, "That's him." I haven't even realized he was still holding the horn, am I blind or something? ...Probably I'm not sure... Anyway, we passed a lot of campers on our way to Cabin eleven, of course all the camps here were all older than me, but I didn't care, because I was almost taller than most of them. Which is irrelevant.
They stared at Percy so much he started to sweat, he probably thinks, "I hope they're not expecting me to do a back flip or something," Or something like, but he was pretty nervous, or uncomfortable. Percy looked back at the farmhouse, I looked back, "Woah...Was it always that big?" just as I said that, someone or something moved the curtain in the attic. I was about to ask what that was but Percy beat me to it.
What's up there?" Percy looked at Chiron.
Chiron looked to where Percy was pointing, and his smile faded, "Just the attic."
"Does somebody live up there?" Percy asked.
"Not a living thing," Chiron said.
I could tell he wasn't lying, "Not a living thing," I repeated in my head. Something is defiantly up there, it doesn't have a mortal soul, maybe that's what Chiron meant.
"Come along, boy's," Chiron said, his lighthearted tone now a little forced. "Lots to see." We walked through the strawberry fields, where campers were picking bushels of berries while a satyr played a tune on a reed pipe. Chiron told us the camp grew a nice crop for export to New York restaurants and Mount Olympus. "It pays our expenses," he explained. "And the strawberries take almost no effort."
He said Mr. D had this effect on fruit bearing plants: they just went crazy when he was around. It worked best with wine grapes, but Mr. D was restricted from growing those, so they grew strawberries instead.
Percy looked at Chiron and asked, "Will Grover be alright? I mean ... He was a good protector. Really." Chiron sighed. He shed his tweed jacket and draped it over his horses back like a saddle. "Grover has big dreams, Percy. Perhaps bigger than are reasonable. To reach his goal, he must first demonstrate great courage by succeeding as a keeper, finding a new camper and bringing him safely to Half-Blood Hill."
"But he did that!" Percy said.
"I might agree with you," Chiron said. "But it is not my place to judge. Dionysus and the Council of Cloven Elders must decide. I'm afraid they might not see this assignment as a success. After all, Grover lost you in New York. Then there's the unfortunate ... Ah ... Fate of your mother. And the fact that Grover was unconscious when you dragged him over the property line. The council might question whether this shows any courage on Grover's part."
Percy looked like he wanted to protest, heck even I wanted to, Grover looked like a cool goat ... Uh ... I mean Satyr. I guess I was thinking too much, because Percy was talking and I didn't hear, Chiron did hear him though, Chiron replied to Percy with, "I'm afraid that was Grover's second chance, Percy. The council was not anxious to give him another, either, after what happened the first time, five years ago. Olympus knows, I advised him to wait longer before trying again. He's still so small for his age..."
"How old is Grover?" Percy asked.
"Oh, twenty eight." Chiron said.
"What!?" Percy and me yelled at the same time, Percy didn't care he just continued talking, "He's only in the sixth grade! He can't be twenty-eight."
"Satyrs mature half as fast as humans, Percy. Grover has been the equivalent of a middle school student for the past six years." Chiron said.
"That's horrible." Percy said, "Your damn right that's horrible." I said
"Quite." Chiron agreed. "At any rate, Grover is a late bloomer, even by satyr standards, and not yet very accomplished at woodland magic. Alas, he was anxious to pursue his dream. Perhaps now he will find some other career..."
"Well that doesn't seem fair," I said. "What happened the first time? Was it really so bad?"
Chiron quickly looked away. "Let's move along, shall we?"
"Chiron," Percy said. "If the gods and Olympus and all that are real..."
"Yes, child?"
"Does that mean...The underworld is real, too?"
Chiron's expression darkened. "Yes, child." He paused, as if choosing his words carefully. "There is a place where spirits go after death. But for now ... Until we know more ... I would urge you to put that out of your mind."
"What do you mean, 'until we know more'?"
"Come, Percy. Let's see the woods." Chiron said.
Chiron told us the woods are stocked, if you want to try your luck, then you should go armed. Stocked with what?" Percy asked. "Armed with what?" I looked at Percy. That should be obvious shouldn't it?
"Huh?" Percy said.
Chiron cut us off, "You'll see. Capture the flag is Friday night. Do you have your own sword and shield?"
Percy started to say, "My own-?"
"No," Chiron said. "I don't suppose you do. I think a size five will do. I'll visit the armory later."
We saw a lot of other places before we finally got to cabin eleven, when we got to the cabins we found Annabeth waiting for us, she was reading a book in front of cabin eleven. When we reached her she looked Percy over critically, kind of weird I thought.
"Annabeth," Chiron said, "I have masters' archery class at noon. Would you take Percy from here?"
Completely ignored, I thought. Oh well I'm probably going get ignored from pretty much everyone here, which, of course, I don't mind. I actually like it that way. "Yes, sir." Annabeth said. I didn't realize it but I was still staring at Annabeth, "Do you have something to say to me?" she said coldly.
I stood up straight "Nope."
She sighed, "Come on Percy, let's go see the other campers,"
"Alright," He said.
"All righty than, let's go!" I said sarcastically. Annabeth Glared at me. I smiled, "Lead on."
We walked in, and stood at the doorway, just looking at the kids, "Come on let's go, we don't have all day," Annabeth looked at me, "Shut up,"
I kept my closed my mouth. That's probably all she could take from me, anyway she told Percy, "Well you heard him, go on."
The natural thing for anyone, is to trip and make a total fool of yourself, I know I almost tripped, but at least I saved myself from falling on the floor. Some of the campers snickered, but none of them said anything.
Annabeth announced, which made me jump since she's right next to me, "Percy Jackson, meet cabin eleven."
They asked the same thing when I got here, "Regular or undetermined?" somebody asked.
Weird, it was the same voice I heard when I first got here, I looked around, and again since Annabeth is right beside me, I jump when she said, "Undetermined." Everyone Groaned.
I looked at her, you enjoying this? She smiled a little, than she went back to her steely look, "Well you interrupted me twice." She said, she had smug look on her face.
I stuck my tongue out at her, and then Luke came forward, "Like I said yesterday," "That's what we're here for. Welcome, Percy." Luke said. "This is Luke," Annabeth said, and once again her voice different. I glanced over and saw her blushing. She saw me looking, and then she got her mean look back, "He's your counselor for now."
I leaned toward Annabeth and whispered, "You trying to act 'Cute?'" she gave me an evil look, she was about to say something until, Percy said, "For now?"
"You're undetermined," Luke explained patiently. "They don't know what cabin to put you in, so you're here. Cabin eleven takes all newcomers, all visitors. Naturally, we would. Hermes, our patron, is the god of travelers."
Luke gave Percy a spot next me, Percy looked at it, "How long will I be here?" He asked.
"Until you're determined." I said.
"How long will that take?" I'll admit it I laughed a little when he asked that question, so did everyone else.
"Come on," Annabeth told Percy. "I'll show you the volleyball court."
"I've already seen it," He said.
"Just listen man," I leaned close to him and whispered, "We should get out of here for a while, you kind of made a fool of yourself, just now."
All three of us got out of the cabin, when we got out, Annabeth said, "Jackson, you have to do better than that,"
"What?" Percy asked.
She rolled her eyes and mumbled under her breath, "I can't believe I thought you were the one."
"What's your problem?" Percy started getting angry now. "All I know is, I killed some bull guy-"
"Don't talk like that!" Annabeth told him. "You know how many kids at this camp wish they'd had your chance?"
"Yeah, Percy. And I'm pretty sure you know what you defeated."
He shook his head, if that thing I really fought, is the Minotaur, the one in the stories...
"Yes." Annabeth said.
Then there's only one," Percy said.
"Yes." She repeated.
"And he died, like, a gazillion years ago, right? Theseus killed him in the labyrinth. So..."
"Monsters don't die, Percy. They can be killed. But they don't die." Annabeth told Percy.
"Oh, thanks. That clears it up." He said sarcastically.
"They don't have souls, like you and me. You can dispel them for a while, maybe even for a whole lifetime if you're lucky. But they are primal forces. Chiron calls them archetypes. Eventually, they re-form." She said.
"So...You mean if I killed one accidentally...with a sword-"
"The fur-
"Annabeth," I said.
She barely looked at me. "I mean, your math teacher. That's right. She's still out there. You just made her very, very mad."
"How did you know about Mrs. Dodd's?" he said.
"You talk in your sleep." She said.
"You almost called her something. A Fury? They're Hades' torturers, right?"
"Yoo, Percy you remember when Mr. D said it dangerous to throw names around?"
"Yeah, but I thought I that only applies to the Olympians?" He asked
So I've noticed that the views have been going up a lot lately, I actually didn't think that much people would read this, so thank you! I'll be uploading two chapters today and two more tomorrow. Please favorite or review, thanks for reading! ~ Rilurz