Lassa

A week later I'm sitting on my bed checking off everything I'm about to pack. I have my Bible, my journal, all my favorite Salt Life and Simply Southern shirts, a few pairs of shorts and jeans, some swimsuits, a change of flip flops, and enough toiletries to last me 12 weeks of summer.

"Knock, Knock." My mother says as she peaks her head into my room. "You okay, Kiddo?"

"Just getting the last of my stuff together."

"That wasn't my question." she points out. I sigh.

"I'm scared. I don't know what's waiting for me there."

"I know. But it'll be okay. Poseidon may not have been here for you in the flesh, but I know he loves you best he's able to. Zeus forbids too much contact between gods and their mortal children. He gave you those swords. He told me where you'd be safe. He wouldn't have told me to send you there if it wasn't best."

"I love daddy. You know that, Mama. I wouldn't trade him for anything in the world. I'm not asking for you and Poseidon to have joint custody or whatever, but something would be nice. A birthday card, a fishing trip, something." She sighs.

"I know, Lassa. I know it's hard to understand. I know I don't more often than I do. And you were so blessed, as was I, that Cass was so ready to take up the mantle of being your dad. But regardless of the role Poseidon has in your life, he'll always be your father. And I think he does more than we think he does, he just can't show it without getting into trouble with Zeus."
"Like what?" I ask. She shrugs.

"It's just a feeling I get sometimes. I don't have any proof. But from what I remember of him, he was brave and kind. I don't think he's completely abandoned us."

"Do you think I'll have any contact with him once I go to camp?"

"I think it's possible. But I wouldn't count any chickens before they hatch, kiddo."

"What about other siblings? The camp is for demigod children, right? Think Poseidon has any other kids?"

"I doubt it, Kiddo."

"Why?"

"Because in the letter he wrote me when you were born, he explained why things might be hard for you. All half bloods are in danger of monsters and such, but you particularly are a child of the Big Three. A few decades ago, Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades all entered an oath together not to have any more demigod children. Apparently they have a tendency to be a bit too powerful."

"I know I'm powerful by human standards. But think I'm really that much more powerful than normal half-bloods?"
"I think…you're much farther along than most your age. We never hid the truth about who you are from you, so your powers developed much younger simply because you were aware of them. Most demigods don't even find out about their heritage until they're teenagers. In terms of raw power, I don't know. I've never met another demigod."

"I guess we'll find out. Where are the boys?" I ask. She lets out a small laugh.

"Wrestling over who gets the top bunk in Y'all's sleeping cabin on The Wavecrest."

"As long as we're clear that the full size bed is mine." I smile.

...

A week later, I scan with my binoculars to try and find the camp shoreline. Poseidon gave us an address as well as coordinates. We should be right on top of it. I glance away from my search for a second to see River and Seaver sitting as still as they can staring at the water. I choke down a laugh. I told them if they concentrated as hard as they could for an hour, they could make the water move like I do. It just so happens I only had an hour shift watching them. Returning to my binoculars, search the shoreline once more. And Going beyond the shore to the woods line, I see a kid in an orange shirt in a tree.

"Mama!" I holler. Seaver and River jerk their heads towards me.

"Awww!"

Lassa!" They complain.

"You broke our concentration." I shrug with a smile, but my stomach is getting filled with a nervous queasy feeling.

"Oops! Sorry boys." I tell them. "Mama! Daddy!"

"Lassa?" My mother calls when she comes above deck. "What is it, Honey?"
"I found it. Time to go."

"Oh." she says and her face falls. "Cass, you'd better get up here."

An hour later I stand on the railing to the deck with my duffle slung over my shoulder. I've double checked everything is packed, given everyone hugs, and promised to write at least a few times a week. I throw my arms over my head and do a head first swan dive into the water, then flip on my back and will the current to bring me to shore. I walk towards the tree I saw the kid in, and when I'm underneath it, I see he's still there. He's playing with what looks like a celestial bronze fidget spinner though, so he doesn't notice me. Hope he's not a lookout, if so he's doing a pretty terrible job. I put two fingers in my mouth and whistle at him.

"Hey!" I hollar, and he jerks up then falls out of the tree. I grimace, and help him up.

"Are you okay?"

"Ummm. Yeah. I'm sorry, who are you? How'd you get here? Are you trying to deliver a pizza? Cause if so, you're really, really lost."

"Ummm no. Is this Camp Half Blood?"

"Yeah…Who are you again?" I take a deep breath and stick out my hand. He shakes it.

"I'm Thalassa Beth Jackson. Daughter of Poseidon." His eyes widen like he's seen a ghost.

"Uhhh…Connor?" He yells. A few trees down I see another kid in an orange shirt jump down. ,

"Yeah, Travis?"
"Let's go get Chiron."

A little bit later I'm in the living room of what they call "The Big House" waiting for whoever Chiron is. I know the name, I've been studying greek mythology my whole life. But it can't be Chiron Chiron. Centars aren't immortal, he must have died over a thousand years ago. I do remember he trained heroes. Maybe this is his great, great, lots of greats grandson?

"I'm sorry to keep you waiting, my dear." A man says as he walks, no wheels, himself into the living room. I get up and go over to shake his hand.

"It's no problem, Sir. Are you Chiron?"

"I am, Child. And you are Thalassa Beth Jackson?"
"Just Lassa is fine, Sir."

"Alright. Let's take a walk outside, Lassa." I nod and Get up, walking next to his wheelchair. When we get out the door, I expect him to find a wheelchair ramp, but to my surprise his legs disappear and he walks out of the wheelchair in full Centaur form.

"You are a centaur! Are you descended from the Chiron in the stories?"

"Actually, I am the Chiron in the stories. The gods have made me immortal as long as there are heroes for me to train."

"That's amazing." I breathe. He smiles with a small chuckle.

"And you said you're a daughter of Poseidon?" He asks and we start walking through the camp. I marvel at all the cabins, and how bizarre they all look in the same place and yet how they all seem to belong at the same time.

"I am, Sir." He looks concerned.
"Lassa, how do you know this? Most demigods don't even know of their heritage until they're a bit older than you, and you seem to have known this for a good time." I shrug.

"I've always known, Sir. My mother can see through the mist. She never hid from me who I was."

"I see. And you're sure it was Poseidon?"
"I am. He told my mother himself. He gave me these." I say and hold up my bracelets, willing them into my Xiphe. "And when I was born, he told my mother how to find the camp. And about the oath he broke having me. Which is why I guess it's hard for you to believe I'm his daughter. I'm the only one."

"Ah. That's not exactly true, my dear. I suppose it's high time you met your brother." He says as we stop in front of a cabin with a 3 on it. I jerk my gaze to him. "Curious you share a last name, only being related on the godly side. His name is Percy Jackson."