Chapter 4:
Harry spent the rest of the afternoon dodging Clarisse. She was still enraged especially when she tried washing out the hair dye, and it wouldn't come out.
The black haired Son of Hermes ended up in a bush at the top of Half-Blood Hill by Thalia's Pine Tree. Most people tended to avoid it. Cecil had told Harry the sad tale about the Daughter of Zeus. She'd been turned in to a tree when gravely injured while protecting her fellow demigods so they could get to the safety of camp. Harry's brother had been about to tell him about exactly who the other demigods were when Connor and Travis stopped him.
It was one of the only times Harry had seen the Stoll brothers so serious, and naturally Harry had been curious.
From the top of the hill Harry had a decent view of the camp. Clarisse and her brothers were still scouring the valley for Harry. Her distinctive bright puce hair made it easy for Harry to track her whereabouts from the hilltop.
A rustle had Harry's head turning quickly to the left. He frowned when he caught sight of a tall, blonde young man standing at the base of Thalia's tree. The blonde young man had a vial in his hand, and he was pouring it on the tree's roots.
Harry had only been at Camp Half-Blood for two weeks. There were still a lot of things he was learning. Maybe someone had to give the tree special water? In confusion Harry shifted closer.
The blonde young man's head snapped up. His blue eyes met Harry's emerald green. A large scar slashed across his familiar features. The blonde looked to be in his late teens or early twenties, and bore all the familiar facial features of a Son of Hermes.
But Harry had never seen him before. The black haired boy may not know all of the kids in camp yet but he certainly knew all the members of Cabin 11.
"What are you doing in a bush?" the young man called, a smile on lips.
"What are you doing to the tree?" Harry stepped out of his bush, curious.
The blonde's smile turned into a smirk as he looked Harry over. From the top of Harry's curly black hair to his bright orange Camp Half-Blood T-Shirt to his worn jeans that were hand-me-downs from Connor since Harry didn't have any clothes, and then down all the way to his scuffed trainers.
"Why don't you come over and find out?"
Despite the teen's familiar features, and playful demeanor Harry was not put at ease. Something about him didn't feel right.
"Sorry, I can't. Clarisse promised to make me wish I was never born if she caught me, and I'd rather not find out what she's planning on doing to me."
"Oh, and what did you do to her?"
"Who said I did anything to her?" Harry grinned.
The blonde young man just gave him a look.
"I may or may not have turned her hair green."
The blonde young man chuckled. "I promise I won't give away your hiding spot if you don't give away mine."
"Why? Are you doing something you shouldn't either?"
"You could say that. What's your name?"
"Harry. What's yours?"
"My name is Luke. It's nice to meet you. Are you a son of Hermes, Harry?"
"I am," Harry couldn't help but say it with a bit of pride. He was very thankful to Hermes for bringing him here, and he'd enjoyed his bus ride with the god. Harry was well aware that the gods didn't often do such things like that.
"I thought so. He's my dear old dad too so that makes us brothers, Harry. You're new to Camp Half-Blood. I can tell. Has our dad turned his back on you yet?" Luke asked bitterly.
"No..."
"Give it time. The gods, they're all the same. They don't care about us demigods. We're just something they can use when it's convenient for them. But it doesn't have to be that way. You can come with me, little brother. I can make sure the gods never hurt you like they've hurt me," Luke offered, holding his hand out to Harry.
"Er, no thanks. I just got here. I'm not ready to leave just yet," Harry shifted, preparing to flee.
He was getting a really bad vibe from this new brother.
"Understandable. But once you see their true colors, I'll be there waiting for you," Luke's kind smile didn't reach his cold blue eyes.
"Right, okay," feeling unnerved by the event Harry started backing away.
Suddenly Luke let out a cry. He doubled over, gripping his head.
Harry froze, concerned despite his fear of Luke. "Are you okay?"
"What's that mean? What the Hades is a Twice-Blessed?" Luke snarled.
Harry's eyes widened. He hadn't told anyone about being Twice-Blessed just like Hermes had told him to.
"How do you know about that?" Harry demanded.
Luke's eyes focused on Harry's form, blue eyes appraising. "I didn't. I didn't even know there was such a thing but Lord Kronos does."
"Kronos?" Harry murmured. "Isn't he the guy who swallowed all his kids?"
"There's more to it than that. He can help you, Harry. Thunder Beard will kill you when he finds out about you, and our dad won't lift a finger to stop him," Luke spat, blue eyes blazing.
"No, he wouldn't," Harry denied, shaking his head.
"He would. Come with me, little brother. Join Lord Kronos. I'll help you. He'll help you," Luke held out his hand.
"I don't think I want help from either of you," Harry turned and started running.
"You can't outrun me, Harry. I'll see you soon, little brother!" Luke shouted behind him.
Harry pushed himself to run faster.
Harry sprinted through the camp. The last couple of minutes continuously replayed through his head. The encounter had unnerved him. He didn't stop running until he found his older brothers. Travis was planting something in the garden belonging to the children of Demeter while Connor kept look out.
Katie Gardner was going to kill them.
Travis grinned impishly at Harry as the younger boy stopped in front of them and doubled over to catch his breath.
"Clarisse hasn't caught you yet?" Connor questioned.
"No," Harry pushed his hair out of his face as he collected himself.
"Impressive, and nice job with the hair," Travis offered a fist bump.
Harry returned it on instinct.
"I haven't seen her that mad since Percy sprayed her with toilet water," Connor reminisced.
Harry hesitated only a moment before saying, "Something happened."
"What?" Connor straightened up, and glanced at Harry in concern.
Harry quickly explained his encounter with their brother Luke. Both Travis and Connor paled at hearing the name. They paled further when they heard that Luke had wanted Harry to come with him. Harry didn't mention him being Twice-Blessed. It worried him that Luke knew about it. But Hermes had told him not to tell anyone about it.
How had Luke known? Chiron and Mr. D didn't know. Or at least they hadn't said anything. What did Luke mean that Kronos knew? His siblings had told him that the titan lord had been cut it to a bunch of pieces and tossed into Tartarus ending the war between the gods and the titans. The gods rose to power, and it been that way for several millennia.
"We need to talk to Chiron. Now," Travis grabbed hold of Harry.
"What? Why? What's going on?" Harry protested.
"Luke Castellan is our older brother," Connor grabbed Harry's other arm.
The two of them began dragging Harry through the camp towards the Big House at top speed.
"Yeah, that's what he said," Harry agreed.
"Last year he betrayed us. He stole the Big Guy's master bolt, and tried to frame the Sea God. It nearly caused World War III," Connor looked so crushed.
"He nearly killed another camper. Then he just ran off to join Kronos without a single word!" Travis cried.
"And Chris went with him," Connor grumbled.
"Chris? Who is he?" Harry asked.
"Yup, another brother who betrayed us," Travis expression was strained.
"Why? Why did he do it?"
"He hates the gods especially our dad," Connor answered,
Harry wanted to ask them why Luke hated the gods and their dad. The time for questions was at an end. They had finally arrived to the Big House. Chiron and Mr. D were playing pinochle like they often were.
"Chiron!" Connor and Travis yelled.
"Connor, Travis, Harry, what's wrong?" Chiron immediately gave the three sons of Hermes his full attention.
It wasn't often the pranksters came to him in such a panic.
Mr. D didn't bother looking up from the board game.
"Tell them what you told us, Harry," Travis ordered.
Glancing from his nervous brothers to the kind centaur and bored God of Wine. Harry once more relayed the events that occurred on the hill. Chiron's eyes took on a panicked gleam at the mention of Luke.
Mr. D hissed, and the Wine God's aura flared dangerously.
"We must check the tree immediately," Chiron leapt up. "Connor, fetch Lee Fletcher, and meet us at the pine tree."
Connor nodded and sprinted off.
"Travis gather the other counselors and have them meet in the rec room. If the worse should happen we will need to have a plan," Chiron ordered.
"On it," Travis agreed and he too ran off.
"That brazen little traitor," Mr. D rumbled, purple eyes narrowed.
"Indeed. Let us hope it's something easily rectified. Harry, come with me. I need you to show me exactly what you saw Luke doing," Chiron waved him along as the centaur started trotting away.
Chiron explained that no one had seen Luke since last year. He'd even been hidden from the eyes of the gods. Harry figured it was just his luck he would be the first one to encounter the brother who had a grudge against the gods.
They made it to the pine tree in no time at all. Harry quickly pointed out the spot where Luke had poured his bottle on the tree. The roots that were exposed appeared to be warped, and they were oozing a grayish sludge.
"This is not good," Chiron murmured.
"What did he do the tree?" Harry asked.
"He's poisoned it with some sort of venom, and if it is the venom I think it is, it isn't something easily remedied," Chiron appeared troubled.
"Why would he do that?"
"Thalia's tree affords Camp Half-Blood strong protections. Without it the barrier will fall and we will find ourselves under attack from all sides. This will weaken us tremendously."
Soon Connor and Lee joined them. The children of Apollo had healing abilities like their father. Chiron explained what was going on to two arrivals.
Lee looked over the tree. "I'll need to confer with some of my siblings and maybe a few Athena campers but..."
"There's nothing to be done," Chiron sighed.
"Yeah, this is Elder Python venom," Lee shook his head, looking pale.
"Just as I suspected," Chiron ran a worried hand through his long beard.
"It's not something we can just fix with a chant and a prayer to my dad. We're going to need a powerful divine object to heal it," Lee agreed.
"Would Phoenix tears work?" Harry asked, remembering how Fawkes had healed him from the basilisk venom.
"Phoenix tears? I don't think they could hurt maybe it would hold off the inevitable. But this is Elder Python venom from the pits of Tartarus. I can only think of a handful of items capable of healing it, and none of them are easily accessible," Lee shook his head again, stunned.
"Then we must prepare for the worst," Chiron grimly stated.
Harry felt worry creep over him as he regarded the worried faces of those around him. It appeared his easy and fun summer had come to abrupt end.
/
The next several days passed in a whirlwind. Patrols were set up around the borders of the camp. To add insult to injury Chiron was removed from his position as Director of Activities. He was blamed for Luke poisoning the tree. Harry felt guilty about that. If anything it was his fault. He hadn't tried to stop Luke from poisoning Thalia's tree.
Chiron was one of the few adults Harry respected. The Director of Activities had proven himself to be a kind and patient person in the short two weeks Harry had known him.
The new director was Tantalus, and Harry immediately hated the man. The feeling was mutual for the other campers as well. Harry didn't understand why someone from the Field of Punishment had been chosen to watch over children. But then Harry didn't understand how Snape was still a professor despite how terrible he was. It was apparently a universal decision that terrible people were chosen to watch over children.
Mr. D was called to Olympus leaving Tantalus in charge of the camp. Mr. D wasn't the best but he didn't actively make the campers' lives miserable. Tantalus seemed to actively make them miserable.
"We stick together. Never go anywhere alone, and always have a weapon with you. Don't aggravate Tantalus unless you're 150 percent certain you can get away with it," Connor announced during another meeting with the rest of Cabin 11.
They had nightly meetings after the campfire sing along since Luke poisoned the pine tree.
They were all crowded in the middle of the cabin as Travis and Connor updated them on a meeting they had with the other counselors. Monsters had begun breaching the barrier as the tree weakened. Harry had fought off a hellhound with Cecil, and a few Apollo campers earlier that day. It was the first time Harry had put his new fighting skills in to practice, and it had been both exhilarating and terrifying.
Harry had faced down a basilisk so at least he had a little experience fighting giant monsters. At least now he actually had more skills, and he had back up from the other campers.
"What's going to happen?" Lou Ellen asked over the clamoring voices.
Harry quite liked Lou Ellen, and had considered approaching her a couple of times about magic especially since the barriers had fallen. He'd seen her using it against the monsters, and had been amazed at the things she could do without a wand. But then her mom was the goddess of magic.
Harry wondered if witches and wizards knew about Hecate. Or any of the gods really. Or did the Mist hide the gods from the eyes of wizards just like it hid them from mortals?
These were questions Harry supposed he could ask later when they weren't in immediate peril.
Connor and Travis had also told Harry about the events of last year. It was clear Luke's betrayal still stung. They had been close to their older brother. He had been a respected demigod, one of the best sword fighters of the century, and a camp counselor for years.
But apparently he'd been harboring hatred for the gods for a while, and had even managed to convince other campers to join him. Another of their brothers, Chris Rodriguez, had run off to join Luke only shortly after their dad had claimed him.
Travis and Connor were loyal to the gods, loyal to Hermes. Harry didn't know about the other gods but he liked Hermes. His godly dad had come to help him when the opportunity presented itself. If he came sooner then he'd just have put Harry in danger earlier.
The Dursleys were bad but at least they weren't monsters bent on killing him. He'd heard the stories of other demigods having to live on the streets constantly being chased and hunted. It also wasn't Hermes's fault that he wasn't allowed to interact with Harry. The god had broken the law bringing Harry here himself, and Harry was grateful to him for that. He realized what a big deal that was. Most of the others had only seen their godly parent from afar on the Solstices.
"Hopefully someone will figure out how to heal the tree. Chiron will come back, and everything will go back to normal," Travis shrugged.
"If only," Lou Ellen sighed.
Harry agreed.
The next several days passed. More and more monsters were getting through the barrier. Harry was getting a lot of fighting practice in. But it was beginning to be a little much. Everyone was tired and on edge especially with Tantalus in charge of them he seemed to encourage the animosity between the campers.
Everything came to a head when the Colchis Bulls crashed through the camp. Harry was working with his siblings to try and lead the bulls into the paths of the archers and more heavily armed campers. Hermes's campers being swifter allowed them to keep ahead of the metal bulls, and lead them on a merry chase.
Cecil tripped and Harry had just enough time to shove his brother out of the way before cloven metal hooves could trample him. Unfortunately it left Harry in the direct path of the angry bull. His chest burned and he wasn't sure how much longer he would be able to run.
In move that confused even himself he dodged the bull and stabbed it the shoulder with his bronze dagger. The dagger did not come back out, and Harry was yanked off his feet. He clung to dagger for dear life as the bull continued to rage, dragging Harry along for the ride.
"Harry!" Connor shouted, panic in his brother's voice.
Harry didn't dare let go for fear of getting trampled but his whole body was rattling as it bounced against the metal bull's side. Seeing no other choice he managed to get a foothold in the side of the bull, and pulled himself up onto it's back.
He clung to the back of the bull as it roared and bucked. Harry's had gripped one of the over lapping plates on his back, and squeezed tightly with his legs. Thankfully his years of Quidditch helped him with his balance. But riding a wild, giant, metal bull built by the god Hephaestus was slightly more difficult.
The bull did not like Harry on his back, and paused in his sprint through the camp to try and buck his passenger off. His panicked green eyes swept over the shocked gazes of his fellow campers.
Luckily help came in the form of another boy who leapt into the fray swinging a bronze sword. With the bull not moving he made an easier target for the other boy to slam the sword in to the bull's glowing chest. The monster burst into golden dust, and Harry dropped and rolled to the ground.
"Thanks for that," Harry smiled at the other boy as he dusted himself off.
"No problem. I'm Percy," the other black haired boy grinned at Harry.
Percy had sea green eyes and looked to be about a year older than Harry.
"Harry, nice to meet you."