It was shaping up like a normal summer at Camp Half-Blood; which was weird, because we hadn't had one of those for a long time. New camper were turning up al the time, making about 200 total demigod here. As they arrived new cabins were added for they're godly parent so there were now over 20. Jason, the pontifex of New Rome (and my best friend) had been busy too, trying o get the lesser known gods/goddess recognition and getting rights for merchandising (long story). He was struggling though; there are just too many of them. Pipper's doing all she can to help, but it's not easy. I think he likes his new job, and is glad of Pipper' company. Even Nico seems happy, which I don't think he'd really been since Bianca died. He stays at camp year-round and was still going steady with Will (I still haven't gotten over that conversation we had last summer...). It was nearing the end of summer and there was some debate about what this years beed should be (last years being the roman numeral XII) because nothing particularly interesting had happened. So of corse that's when things got crazy.
One evening, Annabeth and I were standing at the bace of Thalia's pine tree, feeding Peleus, Camps resident dragon, when Will Solace came sprinting up the hill towards us. He fell to his knees in front of us, panting. "Percy, Annabeth," he said between breaths, "Come quick, Dragon!"
"What do you mean 'Dragon'?" I asked.
He pointed out over Long Island Sound. I could just make out a spot with wings, flying towards us at incredible speed. I glinted in the orange light of the setting sun. "Dragon." Will repeated.
With that, me and Annabeth ran towards the beach, leaving Will to catch his breath.
"Can a dragon even get thought the magical boundaries from that direction?" I asked Annabeth as we ran.
"I don't know," she admitted, "though hippocampi seem to be able too...".
"Yeah, but they're friendly," I complained, "Dragons usually aren't.". We reached the beach swords in hands and ready for a fight. A few of the other campers were already there. Chief amongst them were Clarisse and Chris, spears raised and ready to kill a dragon. Nico stood to the side, his eyes closed, like he was concentrating. More campers flocked down to the sound and a volley flew from the Apollo campers, but they bounced of it's hide harmlessly. Suddenly, the dragon roared and slammed into the surf. Salt water sprayed everywhere, soaking everybody, except me, being a on of Poseidon has that sort of advantage. The dragon rose, making a sound of clanking gears and whirring of servos. The dragons scales glinted bronze and gold, and jewels glittered in the sun. It looked oddly familiar.
Annabeth gasped "Festus!".
I realized where I'd seen it before, and, for the first time, I noticed it's riders. A young, latino boy grinned at me from behind a mop of black hair. "Miss me?", he asked.