Ch44
"Well good luck you three," Blitz said as Hearth nodded at them.
"Thanks we promise we will be careful," Magus said.
Samirah nodded as well, "Yes I will wear my swan cloak to remain invisible while they show me around and stuff." Samirah in the end chose to visit the camp, apparently she was interested in learning about camp and promised to try and keep a low profile and she was interested in playing capture the flag with them so it was a win for everyone.
"Just be careful," Hearth signed. "Also we have something for Percy." Hearth took out a few old looking seashells, "Just break them up if you need to summon water for anything or to escape. They are from your grandfather."
"Cool thanks," Percy signed as he took the seashells. "Just like in the labyrinth," Percy said as he looked at the seashells.
"Thanks Hearth," he signed. He told them both about the capture the flag they were going to have and since they were going up against the Athena and Aphrodite cabins they would need all the help that they could get.
Hearth nodded, "Be safe," he signed.
"I will," he signed back as he and Percy said goodbye to Hearth and Blitz. Both of them nodded and quickly hid in the nearby trees as Sam put on her cloak and turned invisible.
"Are you alright Sam?" He asked as they all walked towards the barrier.
"I am fine," she said as he and Percy walked over the barrier.
"Alright try walking in now," Percy said.
There was a short pause as Sam walked through the barrier he heard her pass through though she sounded short of breath. "Are you ok?" He asked.
He heard Sam take a few deep breaths, "I am, it just felt like I was walking through pudding. It strange I feel weird being here but I also feel at peace."
"Are you alright?" Percy asked
"I am don't worry," she said from underneath her cloak.
"Ok let us know if you need anything and stay close by," he said.
"I will," Sam said as she walked behind them. They both nodded as they walked towards the camp. He had to admit he did feel a bit nervous bringing Sam here but both he and Percy thought she would like to see it besides, it's not like anything bad will happen.
They walked towards the main part of the camp and heard Sam walking behind them. They passed by various campers. They passed by various places and showed her around before showing her the Poseidon Cabin. Sam wasn't comfortable being in a cabin alone with two guys so she took a quick peak inside while they waited outside.
"Yo Magnus Percy are you guys ready for later," a voice called out to them.
They both turned around and saw Beckendorf walk towards them. "Hey Beckendorf yeah we are," Percy called out.
"Great I know it will be just you two but I am sure we got this," Beckendorf said. "My cabin is ready we will beat the Aphrodite and Athena Cabins for sure."
"Yeah well we are looking forward to it," he said.
"Great see you both later," Beckendorm said with a smile as he returned to his cabin.
"That was close," he said with a sigh as he heard the door open slightly from behind them.
"Was he a friend of yours?" Sam asked as she carefully got out of their cabin.
"Yeah, he is the head of the Hephaestus Cabin. They will be joining us for capture the flag," Percy said as they looked around to make sure no one was nearby.
"Ah ok. He seems nice," Sam said.
"He is," he said. "So did you still want to do the capture the flag with us?"
"Sure why not. It sounds fun," Sam said.
"Great lets go find a quiet place to talk about our strategy," Percy said.
"Sounds good," Sam said as they walked towards a private grove of trees. "So in this game its not to the death right?"
"Yes we don't kill the opponents," he said. Sam had mentioned that in Valhalla apparently people fought to the death and were revived, hopefully she remembers that. "Just knock out the enemy and get their flag."
"Sounds good. It appears that I still do have my Valkyrie powers so lets talk strategy," Sam said as they sat down on a log.
"Yeah we will need it the Athena Cabin specializes in strategy you'll be like our secret weapon," he said.
"Yeah we will need you if we are going up against his cousin Annabeth," Percy said as he took out the shells. "If these shells work like the ones I've used before then we will be good."
"I heard Lord Njord would use them to summon water by breaking them," Sam said as she picked on up and setting it down when she was done. "We should use them sparingly."
Percy nodded, "Yeah we should," Percy said as he put them back into the little pouch they came in.
"Hey guys how are you," Annabeth called out to them.
He and Percy exchanged a nervous look as Percy put the bag away and Sam went to stand behind them. "Hey Annabeth," he called out trying to sound normal. "Are you ready for capture the flag?"
Annabeth walked up to them with a small smile, "Yeah I've been busy but don't worry we will make your defeat quick."
He and Percy laughed. "Well we will see about that we have a little plan of our own."
"Oh really?" Annabeth said with a raised eyebrow. "Well we will see about that good luck you two," she said as she turned around and walked away.
"Is that your cousin?" Sam asked when Annabeth was out of earshot.
"Yeah that is Annabeth. She is my cousin and a daughter of Athena," he said with a sigh. "Well lets go meet with Beckendorf for a strategy meeting.
Percy nodded, "Sounds good."
"I will be close by your side," Sam said. He nodded as they both got up and headed towards the Hephaestus Cabin.
They went to the Hephaestus Cabin and found Beckendfor with his siblings looking around a map, "Hey guys thanks for joining us," Beckendorf said with a smile. "Come we were just discussing strategy."
They nodded as they approached the map, "We will be in this area," Beckendorf said pointing to the map. "Percy the river is a bit far but I think the Athena Cabin would want to draw you to it."
Percy nodded, "True but I have a little present from my father," Percy said pointing to his pouch. "I'll use it if I need water."
Beckendorf and his siblings smiled, "Great sounds good."
"Yeah and I've been practicing my own powers as well. I can disarm people," he said.
"Sounds good. Percy why don't you come with me. Magnus why don't you and some of my siblings defend our perimeter," Beckendorf said.
"Sounds good," he said as Percy nodded in agreement.
"Well then lets get ready," Beckendorf said.
He and Percy nodded and excused themselves outside. "Hey Sam do you understand what to do?" Percy whispered when they were in a safe place.
"Yes I think I will fly in and swoop down when I see an opening. I'll keep Magnus safe as well," she said.
"Good, take half of these just in case," Percy said as he handed her some of the seashells. Sam took the shells and placed them in her pocket.
"Great, lets all be safe," he said. "I'm looking forward to this."
Percy patted him on his back, "Yeah man are you ready to show Annabeth all the stuff you've been learning."
He smiled at Percy, "Of course I bet she will be surprised."
Percy laughed, "I bet she will be."
He knew that he still couldn't beat his cousin in a fight but he would like to show some of the stuff he had been learning and practicing. When they finished organizing their plans with Sam she put her cloak back on and they headed back to Beckendorf.
With that, they were all ready for their game of capture the flag. As they got to their position he was put in charge of some of the Hephaestus cabin and would be responsible for retrieving the flag.
"I'll be right next to you. I'll tap your shoulder to communicate with you," Sam whispered in his ear.
"Alright try to find their flag and come back to me," he whispered.
"I will good luck," Sam whispered. "If I need to I can just transform into you or Percy for a short amount of time."
"Sounds good," he said as he heard Sam walk away and he turned to the few campers under his command. "Alright everyone lets get ready," he said. The campers cheered and soon a conch rang signaling that the game would start.
"Good luck Magnus," Percy said.
"You too Percy," he said as Percy went with Beckendorf.
"Alright guys lets go," he said as they started to march forward.
They didn't go far before they ran into some of Annabeth's siblings. They fired arrows down at them but he quickly snapped his fingers and they all fell down like branches. "Fire back everyone," he yelled.
The archers they had with them fired back just as a group of armored campers came at them. He quickly disarmed the enemy campers just as they come close enough and were soon knocked to the ground by members of the Hephaestus cabin with him.
"Good work guys lets get going," he said as they ran up ahead.
He heard someone come up close to him, "Their flag is up north behind the hill, I'll disarm the guards and get it for you," Sam whispered.
He only nodded, "Lets go," he said pointing his sword as they headed down the trail. They ran into more campers from the Athena Cabin who he quickly disarmed and they quickly gained the upper hand over them.
He looked around and saw a hill in the distance. That must be where it is. "Guys lets go," He said as he knocked a person from the Athena Cabin down with this sword. He led his group towards the hill and they were met by stiff opposition from the Athena Cabin.
He quickly disarmed the enemies. Disarming opponents was easy to him and came naturally to him and was something he could do repeatedly without getting to tired. Damn Annabeth really planned this defense well.
The Athena cabin fired arrows at them, he used the Peace of Frey on them and they fell to the ground. He and the members of the Hephaestus Cabin fought back but the Athena Cabin were better organized.
Suddenly there was a commotion from the Athena side as a bunch of them broke formation. "Its Percy!" He heard of them yell as water filled the area.
He and the Hephaestus Cabin watched in shock as a bunch of the members of the Athena Cabin broke formation, no they were getting knocked down by Percy. He saw Percy break through the Athena Cabin ranks with a green scarf around his neck and the flag strapped to his side and an ax in his hand.
That's not Percy though he thought as he was handed the flag.
"Good luck," Samirah mumbled quickly before running into the woods.
He was taken by surprise but then he remembered that Samirah can shape shift though she didn't like to do it a lot because according to her, her dad would try and take control. He looked at the confused campers around him.
"Lets go guys we got it," he said.
The members of the Hephaestus Cabin were confused but quickly cheered and thought nothing of it. They all quickly made their way back to the base as quick as they could before the Athena Cabin could regather their strength. The way back was surprisingly easy the few opponents they found were quickly taken care of and before they knew it they were back at their base. He planted their flag down and they all cheered as Chiron blew a horn.
"Congratulations Magnus the Poseidon and Hephaestus Cabins have won," Chiron said as he approached them. He noticed Chiron gave him a reproachful look. Crap did he notice Sam?
He nervously avoided his gaze as he saw Percy and Beckendorf come up followed Annabeth and her other siblings, all of whom were covered in mud.
"Hey what happened?" He asked.
"Oh I used those shells my dad gave me and me and Annabeth got in a fight and well I won," Percy said with a nervous laugh as Annabeth glared at him.
Annabeth looked the flag and at her other siblings who were supposed to defend it. "You were all supposed to defend it how did you lose it?" She said in a frustrated tone.
Her siblings avoided her gaze, "Percy he just jumped down from the sky and summoned water," Malcolm said awkwardly. "He knocked me out and the next thing we knew he was tearing through our defenses."
"Yeah how did Percy get with you guys when he got the flag?" A person from Hephaestus said.
He and Percy exchanged a nervous look and he felt Chiron give them both a reproachful look. He felt Sam tap his shoulder to let her know she was close by. "Um I run fast and used a gift my dad gave me," Percy said nervously. "Me and Magnus planned for a scenario like this," Percy said.
Annabeth sighed and shook her head in frustration, "Fine I'm going to shower," she said as she stormed off to the showers.
He exchanged another nervous look with Percy as Beckendorf and his siblings cheered. He signaled for Percy that they should head back to their cabin. Percy nodded and they headed back to their cabin. They were going to go to a secluded area near their cabin but Samirah said that she doesn't mind going in if they leave the door open.
When they got into the cabin they gave Samirah some privacy as she adjusted her hijab before going in. "Well how did you like capture the flag?" Percy asked as Sam sat by the window.
Sam smiled at them, "It was pretty fun. It was nice to play a friendly game that isn't to the death. Oh I found something out, when I transformed into Percy, my dad I didn't feel his influence," she said in a surprised tone.
"Hmm well I think because of the barrier around this place your dad can't reach you," he said. "I don't really get dreams about my dad unless it is something Greek related. I feel more connected to the Greek world while here."
Sam nodded, "Well it is a nice experience I can't help but feel a bit free here, like my father can't reach me."
"Well that's good. How do you like our camp?" Percy asked.
Sam smiled as she rested on the window edge. "It is nice. I like it a lot thank you both for inviting me."
"No problem today was really fun," Percy said as he told them both about what happened between him and Beckendorf. Apparently they ran into some bronze dragon and managed to stop it and Annabeth tried to take them both in but he used the seashells and overpowered her.
"Wow sounds like an adventure," he said as Sam laughed at the story.
"Yes it sounds very funny this place is super nice," Sam said with a smile on her face. He had never noticed her that happy and at ease. "I almost wish I could stay here more."
"Well you are always welcome to visit," said Chiron through the door.
There was an awkward silence they all turned in shock as Chiron was standing in the doorway looking at all of them with a blank look. Oh shit he thought as he looked at Percy and Sam who were shocked.
"Sir it was my fault I just wanted to shower her around," he said quickly.
"Its also my fault we both decided to show her around," Percy said
Chiron sighed as he walked in and closed the door he greeted Sam in what appeared to be Arabic.
"You know Arabic?" Sam asked in surprise.
Chiron chuckled and nodded, "Yeah I taught and trained many Arabs during the early days of the caliphates, met a lot of the early leaders of your faith but not the prophet. Allow me to introduce myself I am Chiron."
Sam was surprised and did a small bow, "I am Samirah Al Abbas and am in charge of watching over Magnus Chase here."
Chiron sighed, "Well I figured so, I recognized your swan cloak. I take it by your transformation into Percy here you are a child of Loki?"
Sam nodded carefully, "Yes he is my father though I don't have much association with him."
Chiron nodded, "Well don't worry I do not judge demigods by their parents. By all means you are free to come and go here but I would be careful with everything going on."
"I understand forgive me for any trouble I might have caused," Sam said.
"You did nothing demigods from all over are welcome and I teach all who wish it," Chiron said with a smile. He then turned to him and Percy.
"Magnus you and Percy are not in trouble for bringing her in but please be more careful," Chiron said with a sigh.
"I understand sir. Sorry for keeping it from you," he said.
Chiron smiled, "I understand your good intentions but now is not the time to be keeping secrets from each other, especially now with everyone on edge."
"I understand I will be more mindful in the future," he said.
"Yeah we won't do anything like this again we promise," Percy said.
Chiron nodded, "Good, now then Samirah you are free to join us for the remainder of the day. Also feel free to come and visit if you need a break from your father's influence, I understand he can be a bit pushy at times."
Sam smiled, "Thank you sir."
Chiron smiled at her, "Well then feel free to join us for the remainder of the day. I'll have Magnus here bring a camp shirt for you, think of it as a reward for helping them win," he said with a wink.
When he left they all breathed a sigh of relief. "Well that went better than I thought," he said. He honestly thought that he and Percy would've received some sort of punishment.
"I am sorry for bringing problems to you guys," Sam said with a frown
"No don't be it was our idea to bring you here to visit," Percy said
"Yeah you are not at fault," he said reassuringly.
Sam smiled at them. "Thank you. I greatly enjoyed my time here. Who knows maybe I can visit again in the future."
"That would be cool. Well then lets enjoy the remainder of your time here," Percy said. Sam nodded and after they got her a camp shirt they decided to show her around the camp and enjoy their time before it was time for her to return home.
AN: So I made this chapter and the last one since I wanted to see Samirah at camp. I don't know the exact rules Muslim women follow around men so I apologize if anything is amiss. I figure her cloak and Valkyrie powers would still work inside the camp and that Loki wouldn't be able to influence her as much.
Also I found out someone made a TV Tropes page for this fanfic, I'm honestly flattered so for whoever did it thank you.