The next few weeks passed and I gradually fell into the routine. I improved at archery enough that I was able to hit the target. Chiron even said I could now use a bow in a dire situation. Annabeth taught me how to weave my own net to use with a trident, an ancient form of weaponry, she said. I found it incredibly easy to make nets and snares to entrap the enemy in. Annabeth said it must be because Hera uses snares on Zeus and his children all the time.
"Demigods tend to take on specific traits of their parents. Apollo is the god of archery, so his kids are good at archery. If their parent has a dislike for something then often the children have a fear of that," she explained. I wondered then if she feared something, though looking at her it seemed unlikely Annabeth would fear anything.
During sword lessons with the Hermes cabin I met the art of sword fighting.
"Come on, I know you can do it," Luke persisted when the sword had gone clattering from my hand again. Picking it up I attempted to disarm him. "You're not trying hard enough."
"I am trying!" I shot back. I didn't want to let him down by not doing this simple task but I was having trouble doing so.
"No, there's no motivation," he insisted, pinning my blade under his shoe. "If a monster came right now you would die because you can't defend yourself."
"No I would not!" I shot back. The frustration channeled through my left arm and faster than he was expecting I sent Luke's sword clattering to the ground. To my surprise he grinned, twisting the scar along the side of his face. "There you go, just a little motivation."
The day of my first capture-the-flag was my first Friday. At dinner each table was abuzz with what was going to happen after dinner. Obviously this was a common occurrence. When it was time for the two cabins to choose teams I was suited up in a helmet with red horse plume, breastplate and sword that was off balance in my hand.
"I choose Caitlin." My head snapped up and I walked over to cabin 6. Annabeth gave a faint smile as I passed her. On our side were the cabins of Athena, Hephaestus, Apollo and Hera. The other team consisted of Ares, Demeter, Dionysus, Hermes. Chiron went over the rules, warning if anyone was seriously maimed there would be consequences. Then Annabeth picked up the flag and we all followed her, screaming and banging on shields and armor, into the forest.
We placed it on a small island in the middle of the stream, where anyone coming for it would have to crash through the water. The Athena cabin gave brief directions and the counselors took their siblings away. "Caitlin, I want you to patrol west of the stream," Annabeth pointed as the conch horn blew. I paced, ears intent and eyes peeled the way Dad taught me. I was beginning to think this was a waste of time when a twig snapped. Raising the sword in my hands I stalked forward.
Luke and a couple of his siblings came out, stopping as they saw me. "You are not getting past."
"I think we are," Luke smirked. I raised my sword in time to deflect his blow. My body took over and I didn't think of what I was doing. The girl and other boy slipped past and continued on. Hopefully the guards would be able to stop them. Luke slammed the flat of his blade into my chest and I fell backwards. Not ready to give up yet I jumped back. Even though I was not nearly as experienced as he was I held my own against Lukeā¦until I slipped up and he knocked me over.
"Nice try," he said, standing over me, "you were a bit sloppy on defense. We'll work on that next time." He ran off, leaving me cursing and spitting mad. I was going to wait for them to cross back over when arguing caught my attention. Creeping forward I saw through the brush three of Ares's campers standing guard before the flag. If I could draw them away then I could grab it.
Looking around I spotted a large rock and picked it up, throwing it against the tree. The guards scanned the tree line. I threw another and snapped some branches, hoping it sounded like several people. Two took the bait, raising swords and spears and walking forward. Just one left.
Sneaking around to the back I snatched the flag when no one was looking. As I dashed away someone yelled for me to stop. Nearing the stream I saw Luke holding our flag above his head. I was closer to our side than he was. Jumping over the boundary I raced past him, grinning.
The conch horn sounded as I crashed across the stream. Annabeth turned, surprise washing over her as I held the now red flag before her. The rest of our team came back and rushed me. "Caitlin, Caitlin, Caitlin," they chanted, lifting me up on their shoulders and parading around. I waved the flag high, grinning like a maniac. Chiron nodded when we passed. Even Luke flashed a thumbs-up in my direction. I was the hero of the night.
After that, I had no trouble fitting in at Camp.
This chapter is another filler :/ I had more interesting stuff but took it out because it didn't fit right now. I promise the next one starts getting into the action and more characters are introduced. Thanks for keeping up with my slow start. Please comment :)
