Chapter Eighteen

Κεφάλαιο Δεκαοχτώ

(Kefálaio Dekaochtó)

"O̱ch!Gamó̱to!"

Jude scowled up at Viktor Krum, but took the hand he offered her.

"I will get you for that, Bub," she stated flatly, causing the Bulgarian to knit his eyebrows in confusion. This was something that happened at least once every other day, now that they and the other Champions were practising with one another in hopes of both finding each other's weaknesses to exploit, and to fix their own against each other. Right now, Jude, Krum, and Fleur were teaching Diggory how to handle a sword without sticking himself with it.

"'Bub'?" Cedric asked from where he and Fleur had been watching the two duke it out.

Jude brushed some dirt from her jeans and looked at the older boy. "Yes, 'Bub'." At Diggory's still-confused face, the demigod elaborated, "American slang. It's like . . . It just is. It's a term you use for a guy that you're not being all formal with. 'Kay?"

Diggory nodded bemusedly, but Krum, at least, seemed to understand.

Checking her watch, Jude asked the group at large, "Eh, what's the time? Dumb clock stopped again."

Since Jude was the only Champion who wore something as mundane as a watch, it was their minder, Mr D, that answered. "Time for you brats to go to bed!"

"It's still light out!"

The Greek God scowled. "And I say bed. Go."

Jude snarled, but did a she was told, muttering as she went. She told her dads that she didn't need a babysitter for the training sessions, but no, they were paranoid.

"Trantágmata ," she growled. And it was true; Mr D was being a jerk. And so were her parents. She was fourteen! Without counting the fact that she'd had an eighteen-year-old's brain in her skull since she was, what, two? Jude kicked the ground beneath her feet, and stormed into the Camp's building. The others ignored the fact that the air around her was swirling just a bit angrily with a well-practised ease.

Maybe she should work on that . . . a nagging voice in the back of her mind. Jude ignored it; she was mad, and she was going to stay mad, damn it.

She'd been flopped down onto her bed for possibly all of ten minutes when Nico came in.

"What went wrong?" He asked her, leaning against the door frame.

Jude shouted through her pillow. "Go! Away!"

"Nope."

She lifted her head and twisted around to stare at her half-brother. "Why damn not?"

Nico smiled. "Because. You're mad, and if you don't vent now, you'll barbecue somebody."

" Oh please," Jude scoffed, rolling her eyes. "As if. Only Hephaestus' kids can do that, and the last one was ages ago, when the family was still here, of all places."

"Drown them, bury them, slash them with zombies, suffocate them . . . Oh just talk, Jude! You make me do it," her brother added the last sentence in a quieter tone.

Jude sighed. "Fine. Mr D is being a jerkwad, and sent me to bed when I asked him what time it is when we took a break during today's training session. The Champions, that is." Nico raised an eyebrow. "Okay, fine, I may or may not have accidentally doused him in red wine when I was duelling Fleur. The stuff didn't come out of her hair, even though she spent like, twenty minutes scouring it with magic."

Nico tossed a tangled-up blanket – probably Austin's – at her. "Idiot."

"Brat."

"Airhead."

"Dirt-faced."

"Waterlogged."

Jude grinned. "Love you, too, Nic," she smiled, laughing a little.

"Oh, shut up."

" Aww, Wittwe Nico's bwushing!"

"Okay, you're gonna die."

As Nico advanced, Jude ran out, laughing and hoping to reach the lake before he could summon any zombie knights. She'd have the advantage if she could just get near the water . . .

An hour later, two very wet, very tired children of Hades fell into their bunks. If the other Half-Bloods noticed the piles of bones and armour that littered the lake's shore, they didn't say anything.

"I what?"

Jude couldn't believe that she hadn't remembered this. Of course she'd need a date. She was a damn Champion, after all. How could she not have thought of that until now? She did, however, think that the second reason for her exclamation was justified; how was she supposed to guess that her Father would get it into his head that the Half-Bloods should be more 'traditional.' Making them wear Ancient Greek garb . . . No, there was no way she could have expected that.

Well, at least she didn't have to look for a dress. As Jude left her fathers, she mentally added 'con brother into escorting me to the dance' to her little self-check list.

"MERRY CHRISTMAS, DOLLOP-HEADS!"

"HEY!"

Jude mock-scowled at the other Campers. "Oh, shush. You're all dollop heads, just admit." When no admissions of dollop-headedness were forthcoming, she added lightly, "If you want your presents, that is."

Only her siblings and Clarisse admitted it, but Jude grinned anyway; she hadn't really expected the others to do so.

"To Clarisse, an amulet of warrior's protection." Jude handed Clarisse the red-wrapped box containing the circular pendant, and the older girl's face lit up at the image of a Spartan helmet with a flame inside embedded on it.

"To Seaweed Brain," Jude continued, ignoring her big brother's face at the never going-to-go-away-nickname, "I got you a copy of . . . " Jude paused dramatically, "Tom Sawyer!" At Percy's face, she added, "You know, you really shouldn't have babbled so much in your sleep after that fight with Pasiphae's son."

Percy glowered, and Jude handed him the green-foil-wrapped carton, grinning madly. Percy continued glowering until . . .

"Huh?"

Jude slapped her palm to her forehead. "It's an amulet, you dummy! It's the Star of Olympus – based off of the original Argead Star. It was engraved on Achilles' shield. In the centre is the Delphian Epsilon; it represents both the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and end, timelessness, infinity. The four points represent the four elements and the twelve rays represent the Olympians. It's supposed to help you connect more to the world around you, and make it easier for our family to guide your thick skull, but apparently, it's defective!"

Percy blinked. "Do you research everything you give us?"

Percy was unanimously smacked upside the head by Thalia, Nico, Clarisse, and the Stoll brothers, who had been 'not' eavesdropping.

"Ow! Di immortales! It was an honest question!" Seeing that his baby sister was still looking miserable, Percy added, "But I really do like it, Jude. I'm sorry."

Jude looked up at her only (big) brother and gave him a searching look. She gestured for him to lean closer, then gave him a hug. As Percy pulled away, she smacked him on the nose. "You're such a boy!" she scoffed, before kissing him on the cheek. "But, you're my big brother, so I suppose I'll have to live with you for a while."

Percy looked like he didn't know whether to be insulted or not.

"To Nico," while Nico grinned and Percy scowled at the younger boy's lack of irritating epithet, Jude went on. "You get Dragon Claw with black crystal. It's supposed to bring self-control – Percy, stop snickering, or I'll electrocute you – self-control and power, rebirth and resurrection – not that you need that – stability, receptiveness and understanding, prudence and wisdom, and eliminate negativity. It's planetary influence is Saturn. Do you like it?"

Nico grinned and took the stone sphere, tracing the detail on the pewter claw, before saying to his sister, "I love it, Jude." Jude launched a hug on the boy, just as he added, "Even if the meaning behind the thing is completely irrelevant for me."

"Oh, you!" Jude couldn't think of a truly well-fitting name to call him, so Nico was instead smacked on the shoulder, and Jude turned in an overly dramatic fashion to her sister, mentally thanking Artemis for letting Thalia stay all year.

Finally, Jude got to her big sister. "Thalia, I'm giving you a talisman of Jupiter. I found it when you drag – erm, brought me to the Renn. Faire last summer, and just thought you'd like it. So, here you go." Jude noted from the corner of her eye that Chiron had stiffened when she mentioned the word 'Jupiter,' but right now there was only another half an hour until they all had to head over to the Yule Ball after the gift exchange, so she ignored it for the most part. She handed her sister the pendant, saying, "It came with a little paper booklet saying the properties it has, here." Thalia took the paper. "Well, read it!"

Grinning, Jude's only living sister read out, "Jupiter is the sixth of the seven fabled planets known to the ancients. Jupiter's influence is said to rule over the liver and the pituitary land. It rules the body's growth rate and production of hormones. This talisman consists of the sixth and seventh pentacles of Jupiter said to: Protect one from all earthly dangers. Give great power against poverty by bringing luck in gambling, business and law suits. Bring tranquillity of mind. Make a person honest with a deep moral sense. Increase mental energy. Give great ambition. Ensure good fortune at all times. Give freedom from all money problems. Imbue great mental energy. Build strength of will and character." Thalia looked up from the paper and at her sister. "Worried about me, much?" Jude blushed, and Thalia ploughed on, "I love it, sis. Thank you."

Jude grinned.

And then the heart-warming family moment was interrupted by Jude and Thalia's half-brother. Thanks, Mr D.

"All right, you brats. It's time to get to this silly Ghoul Maul."

"Yule Ball!"

"Whatever. You all are dressed properly? Good. Go!"

"Same old Mr D," Percy muttered to his cousins and sister. Jude nudged him.

"He can still hear you, you dummy. And he's a god. They don't change much."

Percy pouted, and Thalia and Jude frog-marched him up the walk to the Hogwarts Castle, with Nico laughing and pointing behind him. And so the stola- and toga-clad Campers made their way to the Ball, with Jude and her brother staying behind.

"See you inside, sissy," Thalia murmured as she gave Jude one last once-over, checking to make sure she looked perfect. Jude gave the older girl a hug and took her place next to Nico, and began to wait for the other Champions. In a way, she supposed she was thankful that Thalia had thought as she had and had asked one of the 'Ambrosiadis Bunch,' as the Half-Bloods had jokingly called them, and had gone with Percy. The boy was wonderful as a big brother, and she'd been on quests with him before, but she was about Nico's age – she could talk to him more easily.

Soon, Robes and dresses replaced stolas and togas, and Fleur lined up behind Jude with her date, Roger Davies (again), and Krum showed up with Lorelei Zednik from Hephaestus' Cabin, surprising Jude, and – take long, much? - Cedric Diggory with Lillian Moon taking the back of the line, about a minute before they were all ordered into the Great Hall to open the dance. Nico bowed slightly to her, and she was partially jealous that he was able to keep his black over-tunic from slipping so well. Jude took his hand, adjusting her own wine-coloured tunica, and they strode out for the waltz.

Looking around, Jude was suddenly very, very glad that Nico knew how to dance as well as he did, because she, while a good dancer herself, likely would be frozen on the spot if he wasn't leading her. As it was, his making faces drew her out of her nervousness and she just put it all out of her mind.

It was surprisingly similar to fighting, in that regard.

When the first dance had finished, Jude and Nico hurried over to where most of the Campers were standing, obviously uncomfortable with the wizards surrounding them, and instead having their own little mini-celebration near the punch bowl. Seeing two identical sons of Hermes near said drink, Jude made a mental note not to drink it. They better not have decided that adding nectar was a good prank . . . .

Jude grinned as she sat down on Percy, rumpling his sea-green over-tunic, and turned to begin talking to Thalia, who was picking at her blue stola. "Thalia." Nothing, "Thalia." Nada. "Thalia." Zip. "Thalia." Zilch. "Tha-li-a." Goose. Eggs.

"THALIA!"

The Hunter jumped. "What?"

"I forgot."

"Di immortales . . . "

"Oh, hush. Hey, Thalia?"

"Yeah, Jude?"

"What's with the difference in our clothes?"

Thalia gave her sister a weird look. "What do you mean?"

Jude, in turn, rolled her eyes. "Well," she said, in a rather falsely put-upon voice, "You are wearing an electric blue stola to represent father, Katie is wearing an olive green one for her mom, Kayla is wearing a light gold one for her dad, Lorelei's is scarlet for her dad – Thal, I'm the only one not wearing one of my parent's colours. Even the boys are!"

"Hey, I'm not the one that dressed you!"

" No, that was Father. C'mon, you're the eldest! Didn't he tell you?"

"Nope," Thalia answered, smacking her lips on the 'p.' "I'm getting punch. Drown Connor and Travis if I get high or something, okay?"

"'Kay," Jude pouted, slipping off of Percy's now-rumpled lap. She sat down next to Travis, who turned to her.

"Ah, poor wee Judy-kins, doesn't know why she's dressed like a little dolly."

"Shut up, Travis."

"Oh, but don't you want to know why Father Dear dressed you like that?"

Jude had her wand at his throat in a flash, suddenly angry. "Either tell me or shut up, Travis."

Travis grinned widely. "Of course, oh hormonal one."

"I am not hormonal!" Jude snapped.

" 'Course not. And you haven't been acting like a sack of hormone soup for the last few weeks at all. Anyway. You've got a bleached white stola with red trimming, which shows political influence or power, plus that you've got pure intentions, the red shows that you're of high rank and the winey-coloured purple tunica is all trimmed in gold, so it's supposed to represent victory, like you're a general of an army or something. I would've thought they'd have Percy wear that, but then, you were a big leader in the War, too, and I guess putting you in that is easier than trying to figure out a way to show your dads and grandma. Dressing you like that shows all of us."

Jude stared. " . . . How the Hades do you know all of this?"

Travis pointed at himself. "Me. Son of Hermes. He. Jack-of-all-Trades, Short One."

"I'll 'Short One' you in a minute . . . "

"I'm sure you will. Why is Thalia singing Ring around the Rosey?"

Jude raised an eyebrow. "She drank your punch. Here, she told me to electrocute you if she got high . . . "

"Ow!"

Jude laughed. "I'm gonna go outside, alright? It's getting warm, and we've been here for like, three hours. If anyone asks, I decided to explore the forbidden forest or something. Maybe I wanted to see if I could lift the lake into the air."

"Uh-huh. Yeah. I'm gonna ask Thalia if she'll kiss me."

Jude shook her head, muttering to herself, "Now I really don't wanna know what's in that stuff . . . " She noticed Ginny Weasley flirting making doe-eyes at Percy as she left. What was it with that girl and green eyes?

Soon the girl was outside, and was almost to the Camp building when she began to think that perhaps exploring the forest wasn't that bad an idea, after all. "Really," she murmured into the air, "What can it hurt?"

With that in her mind, Jude firmly set off and out toward the wild-wood.

It wasn't all that scary at all, Jude thought quietly to herself as she strode through an animal-trodden path. The wood was very . . . alive, surprisingly. Almost like the one at Camp, but it felt . . . older . . . than that, and more native. Yes, that was a good word. To be frank, it was wild, completely and utterly and totally wild, and Jude – for whatever reason – liked it. It pulled at the corner of her mind, like a half-forgotten melody.

"When you hear a melody, half in mind, and half in ear, then you know a fairy's near. " Jude had no idea where she had heard that before, but it seemed fitting for this place, she mused, as she sat down on a stone next to a shallow lake. She didn't recognise this clearing at all from Judida's memories, though it was very peaceful, serene, in fact. Okay, perhaps it wasn't a wonder her alternate, older self had never stumbled into it. Jude smiled to herself and considered trying to warm the air a little, but decided against it. For some reason, she didn't want to . . . mar this place with magic. Funny, the trees around her almost glimmered with magic. Like pixie dust in a Disney cart ton.

"Ho, ho, ho!"

Jude was up in an instant, her sword and wand both out and pointed at the source of the puckish laugh – at a surprisingly puckish figure, to match.

"Oh, such violence from my kin," the smiling-faced male said in a sad voice that, somehow, wasn't very sad a tall, even though he definitely sounded honest about his unhappiness. "I wonder why you wake me up, only to threaten me. I know what I'll do," he said, grinning like the Stoll brothers had after pranking Demeter Cabin with chocolate Easter bunnies, only much wider. The redhead winked, and suddenly Jude's wand was a leafy mistletoe branch, and her sword was very long iron spoon.

" ACK!" Jude shouted, staring at the man. "What the – you – what are you talking about?" She definitely hadn't woken this guy up, Jude thought angrily, trying to control herself so as to keep from attacking him when she was so blatantly disadvantaged.

" Oh, ho, little godling, don't you recognise family when you see it? That's what we are, you and I." The curly-topper grinner smiled cheekily at her, and Jude chanted to herself mentally Do not smack him, Do not smack him, Do not smack him . . .

Oh, but she wanted to smack him, But, instead, she asked in a controlled fashion, her voice only a little tight, "Family? I;m afraid I would have to doubt that, good sir; I don't even know your name."

The bright-eyed boy – no, man – no, teenager – whatever watched Jude in fascination for a few moments before speaking again and answering her. "Not family, you and I?" He asked, his voice . . . different somehow. Still light and airy and almost annoyingly cheery, but it held a different quality, now. "Oh, come now, only family could have woken me up. And the blood of the court is heavy in you, that much is obvious. I do wonder, if it shall soon wake the others?"

" Sir, I don;t even know your name. I really don't think we're related." And now her voice sounded different . . .

The green-clad male perked up and said, his voice still holding that odd inflection, "Oh, but I have forgotten that, haven't I? Ho, ho! I, sweet sister, and called Puck by many, but you may refer to me as Robin Goodfellow."

"Robin . . . Goodfellow?"

The implications of that name, and then the name Puck, hit Jude like a tonne of bricks.

She'd awaken a god.