AN 5/29/15: Hey there, so thanks for all the feedback. I was curious about that for some time now. I assume that once I am eventually done with this story you guys will either find it by way of seeing the a future story of mine or a search. Anyway, a little Allison backstory glimpse in here and some fighting. I hope you all enjoyed your week! I look forward to any comments or things of that nature you post for this update. Best of luck until I post again next week or until you see this again, or not. Either way, I wish you a merry pre-summer day.
My dreams were filled with images of Sally being suffocated in the Minotaur's grasp and Percy being trampled or struck with lightning. I even saw images of Nick - of him being killed the same way I had seen in my first dream years ago and the time I had almost lost him before that in forty-three. The images of him being overwhelmed and captured by one of the enemy as I was knocked unconscious by an unseen foe. The ground of the mountain cracking and rumbling as the energy drained from my body all haunted my dreams.
It had happened so many years ago, on a mission into Europe, but I had been stupid and we ended up being captured. We had barely managed to get out of there and into one of the safe houses for demigods on our side, only after weeks had passed though. The demigods we had been on the mission with thought we had been killed. We only got out from using my concealed weapons once we were put back together so I knew he wouldn't be harmed if I tried. They blocked me from using my powers to shadow travel away with celestial bronze. I had killed some of the mortal soldiers guarding us for one of my siblings to get us out and it was not something I ever wanted to have to resort to doing again.
The first time that I woke up there was a girl with curly blonde hair feeding me ambrosia. I moaned as some of my senses started to come into focus and turned my head over to look for Percy. I saw him safely laying a few cots down from where I was and sighed in relief now that I knew for sure he was in safe hands. I hadn't felt this drained ever since that escape.
"What do you know about him? You came here together, right?" The girl asked. I turned to look back at her, this time really taking in her features. She had a Californian tan and stormy grey eyes. A daughter of Athena, I thought offhandedly. She kept looking back and forth between Percy and I. She had this look on her face that said she wouldn't stop until she had answers.
"What's going on, what was stolen? We've only got a few weeks left until the solstice!" She insisted. I had no clue what she was talking about, but it did somewhat ring a bell. Alecto had basically said something was stolen, then Percy overheard Chiron and Grover talking about the summer solstice. They were connected, then with the fight between Zeus and Poseidon, it must be something that included Percy for Poseidon, or one of his other kids. Probably Percy though if Alecto had come for him. For Zeus, well he was a big drama queen, it could really be anything.
"I don't know." I said with little energy, pushing aside the ambrosia she was trying to feed me. I was already feeling a bit too warm from it. I tried to sit up but the pain in my side made me fall back down onto the cot. My head swam briefly, the lack of energy getting to me.
"Ughh.." I moaned stupidly.
"You need sleep. Go back to bed." The girl insisted after observing my attempt.
I was already almost asleep. Shadow traveling like that after so many years of not doing it really drains a person, especially with a passenger. Then the attempt at the ground stuff tacked onto that.
The second time I woke up and finally stayed up wasn't because I was being fed ambrosia. I woke to the same girl who had been healing me asking a drowsy Percy questions. They sounded like they were almost the exact same questions she had asked me earlier. I saw as Percy muttered something, then there was a knock at the door and the girl shoved ambrosia into his mouth. The door opened and Chiron walked in.
"Annabeth, thank you for helping take care of these two. You may go back to your activities now though. You have done plenty." Chiron said to the girl who I assumed to be Annabeth.
Annabeth nodded and walked out, ambrosia in hand. Once the door was shut Chiron sighed and walked over to my cot. I was still pretending to be asleep as I had been since waking up to be able to listen but I slowed my breathing even more as he approached. Internally I was debating whether or not to tell Chiron everything right now. I relaxed my muscles as he came up to the side of my bed.
"I know you are not asleep, Allison." The jig was up, Chiron had too much experience to be so easily fooled. I opened my eyes and met his. After so long, finally seeing Chiron again as himself and being in the place to actually tell him that I knew who I was, it felt like such a relief. I stretched my arm out to him. He paused for a moment and then leaned down and returned the hug.
"I-I'm so sorry, Chiron. I don't know what happened. I've been so lost." I said softly as tears started to form. He just comforted me until I quieted down.
"Well, it looks as if we have a lot to discuss, wouldn't you say?" He said, trying to brighten the mood. I smiled a bit as he helped me out of the cot. I put weight down slowly on my ankle. The pain was still there but it was considerably less. My side still hurt from the Minotaur but it was manageable.
"Yeah, I'm still not one-hundred-percent."
"Let us go to the Big House to talk." He smiled down at me, but I could see the glint of worry on his features. I had died after all, I shouldn't be here, especially being a daughter of Hades.
We walked over to the Big House, Chiron going slower for me to be able to keep pace. We walked inside and he gestured for me to sit in a comfy looking couch. I sat while he lowered himself into the wheelchair he had used as Mr. Brunner.
"So, I know a lot has happened. I do not blame you for not telling me sooner, but why not start at the beginning." I nodded and took a moment to collect my thoughts, then started to tell him my story. I started with when he had seen Nick and our team off on the mission to protect camp. He would raise an eyebrow here and there but he never interrupted. When I got to Chester and my death, I had to stop a few times. It was hard to actually retell it aloud for the first time, even after all this time. It made it seem so much more real, but Chiron was patient.
I eventually got up to Yancy Academy, then to seeing him and knowing about Grover being a satyr. Then the trip to the museum. I made sure to thank him for saving Percy and I as I told him what happened from my perspective. Chiron grew a deeper frown on his face when he heard what Alecto had said, but covered it quickly. I decided to ask about that after I was done with my story.
I was hesitant to bring up the encounter with the Fates, but I needed his take on it. He knew a lot more about that type of thing than I did. When I went into telling him about the vision Atropos had shown me his eyebrows had raised in surprise but he quickly scrunched back down in thought as he leaned back into his seat. Eventually I got up to the fight with the Minotaur and Sally disappearing. I knew she hadn't died, I would be able to tell if she had. Especially her being a person so close to me.
"What do you think happened to her, Chiron? I know she isn't dead."
After a moment he replied. "Well, from what you described to me, I would say she was taken. I do not know by whom, but my guess would be for something to hold against Percy and yourself."
I understood the concept of having something or someone to control others all too well, but who would want to control Percy or me now? Then I remembered the dream I was having when Percy woke me up at Montauk, and the one on our first day of school.
"Chiron, what's going on? What was stolen and what's up with the summer solstice?" Chiron looked as if he was debating telling me whatever the answer was, then he made his choice. He told me about Zeus's master bolt and how it was missing. He briefly filled me in on the different things I had missed in the years I was gone. I sighed in relief when I heard that my siblings were defeated with minimal casualties from camp. Then I asked the question that had been bugging me for years now.
"Chiron, I need to know... what happened to Nick?"
"Well, Allison. He made it back to camp safely after that mission." He skirted around that mission, the one that had taken my life and the world I knew. "But after that is a discussion for another time."
"But, Chi-" He cut me off with a look, telling me no to continue. I found myself tapping my fingers with nervous energy and a bit of frustration, but I relented, for now. "Fine."
"Where will I be sleeping? The Hermes cabin again? Oh, do I have any siblings at camp right now?" Chiron got an interesting type of look on his face, like he was about to tell me something that would shatter my world, but was holding back.
"You do not have any siblings at camp right now, Allison. Yes, you will be residing in the Hermes cabin again, but it would be for the best for you not to reveal your parentage right now. Things have happened since the war, my dear. I will tell you more of it later when you are ready. For now though you should rest. You drained yourself dangerously when you got Percy to the porch. You could use some nectar for that ankle and your side as well. Relax while I bring you some." He said carefully, then he wheeled off over to the kitchen. My spirits fell from the slight jump they had taken at the idea that I might have good siblings at camp and I had the slight hope that Hades would have a cabin of his own by now. But I wasn't allowed to tell who I was again? I thought this time would be different.
I heard Chiron take out a glass and fill it. I leaned back into the couch; it was really comfortable and I was already getting tired again. I put my feet on the cushions and put a pillow behind me, against the armrest. Chiron came back a minute later holding a glass of nectar. He brought it over to me and set it on the coffee table.
"I have some activities to attend to. Rest for the time being. If you need me you need just ask. Also, I believe this is yours." He said with a slightly mischievous look on his face, placing my steel hunting knife on the table before me. I smiled sheepishly a bit and took it. "You did well for what resources you had. " He said as he wheeled out after giving my head a pat.
"Oh, and Allison. I assume you already know, but I must say it anyway. It would be for the best if you pretend you are just a new camper here. Questions with difficult answers would arise if you show otherwise."
I nodded and picked up the glass, taking a long drink. Warmth spread through my body, the taste of my mother's homemade caramel filling my mouth. I slowly finished the glass and set it down to take a nap.
When I woke I found it was very early the next morning. Somebody had put a blanket over me while I was asleep along with leaving a change of clothes on the table. The nectar from the day before had really helped: my side didn't hurt anymore and my ankle was just a bit sore. I got up, quickly changed in the nearest bathroom, and went outside to find Chiron. I heard the sounds of many people chatting and eating up by the dining pavilion so I made my way over.
The pavilion was filled with kids ranging from about ten all the way up to their late teens. I looked around and saw the Zeus and Poseidon tables to be empty. That's weird, usually those tables have at least some kids there. I skirted around the pavilion and came up to the head table where Chiron was. He was talking with a porky man who had a red nose, watery eyes, and curly hair so black it was almost purple. He wore a tiger-pattern Hawaiian shirt. I realized this was Dionysus; God of Wine, Madness, Theater, and Vegetation. What is he doing at camp?
I approached the table, nodded my head at Dionysus respectfully and addressed Chiron.
"Hey, Chiron. Thank you for letting me sleep in." He offered me a smile.
"Not a problem. Well, let's introduce you to camp then why don't we?"
He rose to his full height and banged his hoof against the marble ground, effectively gathering everyone's attention. I awkwardly stood there next to him, just standing in front of the mass of unknown campers, eyes all on me.
"Good morning, Campers!" As you might already know, we have some new arrivals amongst us." Some of the shorter kids were moving around to get a better look. Chiron put his hand on my back and gently pushed me forward.
"This is Miss. Cooper, undetermined. Luke, would you please show Allison to her table?" There was a slight grumbling at the undetermined. Then a tall blonde boy with a large scar running down his face and blue eyes stood and made his way over. "Now, everyone, please show her your kindness. You were all new here at some point. Welcome to Camp Half-Blood Miss. Cooper." Chiron concluded and everyone went back to eating their breakfast. More like welcome back.
"Allison, this is Luke Castellan; head counselor of the Hermes Cabin. Luke, after breakfast would you give Miss. Cooper a tour of camp?"
"Sure thing, Chiron." Luke said, holding his hand out to shake and I took it. Luke looked to be in his late teens, his camp necklace held three beads for three years at camp. Absently I wondered where my old camp necklace would be. Probably with mom.
"Nice to meet you, Allison. Come on, let's get you some breakfast." He led me over to the Hermes table and made a spot for me amongst the crowd. I sat down and a nymph brought me out some food and a goblet. I thanked her and filled my glass with plain old water. It felt like I hadn't had something to drink in ages. I was about to take a bite of my food when Luke stopped me.
"Hold up, you have to sacrifice some food to the gods. Wouldn't want them to get grumpy." Oh yeah. Duh, I'm stupid. How could I have forgotten that? I followed him up to the brazier in the center of the pavilion. He explained to me about sacrificing and all, but I already knew about that stuff so I just picked out some of the better looking strawberries and bacon and dumped them into the fire. Hades and Hermes.
After breakfast Luke showed me around camp and put some of his other siblings in charge for the time being. I took note of the things that had changed since my last visit as I played the "newbie", asking all the usual questions and acting all amazed. Luke then took me to assess my skill level with a sword and to get me one to use in the arena. Kids were scattered around the arena having sword fighting practice when we arrived. Perfect. I hid a smile.
Luke started me out with the basics, choosing a sword that fit me best and he went into teaching. At first it was just basic moves, counters, blocks, etcetera. I was happy to find I hadn't lost my touch much when it came to fighting. I was itching to get my hand on my knife and fight with that too, but I didn't want to seem too advanced. Dual-wielding a sword and dagger at the on my first day would be a major tipoff. It was supposed to be my first time here and that was a more advanced skill that only certain demigods had a natural affinity for. Once Luke saw that I was doing well with what he was teaching me he suggested we try out some sparring. I agreed and we squared off.
I stood with my knees slightly bent, toes light and ready to dance myself out of the way of any attacks. I leveled my sword and Luke and I started circling each other.
"I'm not going to give you and instructions, you just do what comes naturally and what you believe is best. Then we will work from there to-" I grinned and came in for the attack mid-sentence. He raised an eyebrow at my move but blocked my strike easily. I ducked out of the way and raised my sword to block his counter. Soon the fighting became more intense. I was a bit out of practice but was holding my own, albeit it was a bit tiring. I rolled out of the way of an incoming attack and came up with my blade raised to block his swing that was trying to catch me off-guard.
"Nope!" I laughed happily as I blocked, it was exhilarating to fight again. Luke then seemed to get a more intense look in his eyes. He started really beating down on me. My smile disappeared after a number of his new styled attacks. Luke was starting to pull more elaborate moves, lining up a few strikes in advance as if he was playing a game of chess. He also put more power behind his hits. By now I was panting and sweating a bit. He took a wild swing at my head and I quickly ducked. I was then swept off my feet by a well placed kick at my legs and they fell out from under me. I landed with a grunt and rolled to get out of the way. Too late did I realize that he was expecting that and his blade was leveled at my throat, making me freeze.
"Yield?"
"Fine." I dropped my sword and held up my hands. I looked around to realize that our little matched had not gone unnoticed. Onlookers had stopped their matches to watch our fight and kids were whispering to each other. I gathered that a partner of Luke's, especially a supposed newbie like myself, never lasted as long as I had. Luke looked down at me, pulled away his sword, and offered me a hand up. It still looked like other things were on his mind though, like he was observing me.
"Well, you did great for your first time. That was your first, right? You almost look like you've done this before."
"Yeah, my first. I guess it just comes naturally." I lied as I picked up my sword, wiping some sweat from my brow.
"If you and that other kid came here together, then I would love to see his skill with a sword too." I simply nodded, knowing that Percy already had some natural talent with a sword. That coupled with my little games I staged with sticks and "playing pirates", he would have some affinity to it for real. I knew all too well though that he had not seen actual combat before with actual weapons, battling for his life, minus his brief work taking care of Alecto.
"Come on, I think that's enough for today." We went and grabbed a drink, then headed off to meet up with the rest of the cabin for the day's events. An hour or so had passed since the arena when I got the news that Percy had woken up. I ditched Luke and the Hermes cabin and ran over to the Big House. There I saw Percy standing with Grover near Chiron, Dionysus, and that girl Annabeth. Chiron and Dionysus were playing pinochle, Annabeth was leaning against the porch railing, and Percy was holding the Minotaur horn, which I figured Grover had gone and collected.
I saw Percy take a seat and then Chiron noticed me run up the porch stairs.
"Ah, Miss. Cooper. How are you getting along at camp so far? All is well I hope?" He greeted.
"Yeah, Chiron. It's great." Then I went over to Percy and gave him a big hug. He still looked a little shaky but he was a lot better than he was a few days ago. "Percy, I'm so glad to see you awake. How are you feeling?"
"Allison! I was asking for you, they said you were out around the camp somewhere. Yeah, I feel okay. Thanks."
"Annabeth?" Chiron called. She came forward and he introduced us formally.
"This young lady nursed you two back to health. Annabeth, my dear, why don't you go check on Percy's bunk? We will be putting him in cabin eleven for now, and I believe Miss. Cooper has yet to be assigned a bunk as well."
"Sure, Chiron." Annabeth turned toward Percy, looking between him and the Minotaur horn. Just by her eyes I could tell her mind was running a million miles-per-hour. Then I saw her get a slightly mischievous look.
"You drool when you sleep." Then she sprinted off down the lawn. I couldn't help myself and I burst out laughing until I couldn't breathe. I had managed to yell out a "Thanks!" to her but I just couldn't stop. Percy's expression was priceless. He then turned and hit my shoulder.
"Don't laugh." He pouted.
"Sorry, sorry. That was just hilarious, Percy. She's right, you know. You do kind of drool in your sleep." I grinned.
"So," He said, looking back to Chiron, eager to change the subject. "You, uh, work here, Mr. Brunner?"
"No, not Mr. Brunner, child. I am afraid that was a pseudonym. You may call me Chiron."
"Okay," Percy looked totally confused. "And Mr. D.. does that stand for something?"
Dionysus stopped shuffling his cards and looked at Percy as if he had just squirted vinegar in his face.
"Young man, names are powerful things. You don't just go around using them for no reason all willy-nilly."
"Oh. Right, sorry." But I could tell he still didn't entirely get the concept. After a few years in the Greek world though, that concept kind of was a side thing. You didn't really pay attention to it much unless it was a god or something really major, even then it wasn't as "fiery scary death ahh-BOOM" to say aloud.
"I must say, Percy." Chiron broke in. "I'm glad to see you alive. It has been a long time since I've made a house call to a potential camper. I'd hate to think I've wasted my time." I let out a short laugh. That was such a Chiron thing to say when he wasn't thinking fully. They all looked at me but I just motioned for them to continue.
"House call?"
"My year at Yancy Academy, to instruct you, and then Miss. Cooper. We have satyrs in most schools, of course, keeping a lookout. But Grover alerted me as soon as he met you. He sensed you were something special, so I decided to come upstate. I convinced your previous Latin teacher to.. ah, take a leave of absence."
"You came to Yancy just to teach me?"
Chiron nodded. "Honestly, I wasn't sure about you at first. We contacted your mother to let her know we were keeping an eye on you in case you were ready for Camp Half-Blood. But you still had so much to learn. Then I discovered Miss. Cooper with you, so going to Yancy Academy turned out to be a very wise idea indeed. Nevertheless, you two made it here alive, and that is always the first test."
I let them chat for a while as they played pinochle and I sat on the porch railing. I tried not to interrupt as this conversation was really important for Percy to understand. After a bit I think they forgot I was there. Dionysus soon took Grover into the farmhouse. I already knew what Chiron was explaining to Percy so I just tuned it out after a while and took in the warmth of the sun shining down into camp. Finally Chiron got up out of his wheelchair, showing his whole self to Percy, whose eyes almost bugged out of his head.
"What a relief," Chiron sighed. "I'd been cooped up in there so long, my fetlocks had fallen asleep. Now, come Percy. Let's meet the other campers."
Leave a comment to tell me what you think! I'm always curious and hope that you enjoy what I've written. Even if its negative I will accept it, I see it as a way to improve.