"So, the gods exist, live in Mt. Olympus above the Empire State Building and the essence of the west is in America? Did I get that right? Oh and the Mist masks all aspects of the divine from typical mortals, but as I am a witch I can now see through it."
Chiron nodded. "You are taking this exceptionally well, but yes that is the general idea."
Aaron smiled, pleased. "I have lived as a witch alone for six month, I practice actual magic. There is little that could shock me, really."
Soon, Aaron and Chiron walked through the strawberry fields, where campers were picking bushels of berries while a satyr played a tune on a reed pipe. Chiron told him the camp grew a nice crop for export to New York restaurants and Mount Olympus. "It pays our expenses," he explained. "And the strawberries take almost no effort."
Aaron nodded. "With Mr. D nearby, I imagine not."
The Centaur laughed. "Yes, but since he is grounded, so to speak, he cannot grow grapes, only strawberries. It's why he's here, he chased after a Wood nymph he was no supposed to. First time prohibition, now... well, he's here for a centaury. "The man winked at Aaron. "Come, Aaron. Let's see the woods."
As they got closer, Aaron shivered, realizing how huge the forest was. It took up at least a quarter of the valley, with trees tall and thick, oozing life and magic.
"I can sense magic here, Nymphs right?"
Chiron nodded and said, "Oh yes... oh and just a warning. The woods are stocked, if you care to try your luck, but go armed."
He frowned. " Monsters? Can they get past Thalia's barrier?"
The man froze. "Thalia, how do you know?; Chiron shook his head. " Wait, you told me this, you saw her essence in the magic of her barrier. My mistake. Oh and today is Saturday, Capture the flag is Friday night. Do you have your own sword and shield?"
"Can I even touch your metals? My book says I cannot."
"No, you can't but we can fix that, if you wish to try I would advise you try enchanted metals or wood... " Chiron said
They walked to the cabins next,. There were twelve of them, nestled in the woods by the lake. They were arranged in a U, with two at the base and five in a row on either side. Except for the fact that each had a large brass number above the door (odds on the left side, evens on the right), they looked absolutely nothing alike. Number nine had smokestacks, like a tiny factory. Number four had tomato vines on the walls and a roof made out of real grass. Seven seemed to be made of solid gold, which gleamed so much in the sunlight it was almost impossible to look at. They all faced a commons area about the size of a soccer field, dot-ted with Greek statues, fountains, flower beds, and a couple of basketball hoops.
In the center of the field was a huge stone-lined firepit. Even though it was a warm afternoon, the hearth smoldered. A girl about nine years old was tending the flames, poking the coals with a stick.
Aaron waved at her, and she waved back peacefully. 'I'll visit you later... Lady Hestia.' He took a guess and prayed, not entirely sure as to why he assumed it was her, but from the surprise suddenly on her face, he was right.
The pair of cabins at the head of the field, numbers one and two, looked like his-and-hers mausoleums, big white marble boxes with heavy columns in front. Cabin one was the biggest and bulkiest of the twelve. Its polished bronze doors shimmered like a hologram, so that from different angles lightning bolts seemed to streak across them. Cabin two was more graceful somehow, with slimmer columns garlanded with pomegranates and flowers. The walls were carved with images of peacocks.
"Zeus and Hera?" Aaron guessed.
"Correct," Chiron said.
"Their cabins look empty."
"Several of the cabins are. That's true. No one ever stays in one or two."
"Why? Zeus had a ton of kid in myth?" That thought angered him, he hated cheating... and disloyalty. His eyes moved to Hera's cabin. 'It looks' lovely, my lady.'
He did not quite hear her voice, but a soft sigh of appreciation washed through him and he knew she was listening and appreciated him.
The man sighed. "The Big Three, the original male gods, realized their children were affecting history too much after World War Two. So the vowed to not have any more children... until Lord Zeus has Thalia."
Aaron froze, eyes narrowing. "So Zeus couldn't..." He caught himself, not wanting to be obliterated. "Never mind... just... wow."
Seemingly understanding, Chiron led him onward. "Cabin eleven," Chiron told Aaron gesturing toward the doorway. "Make yourself at home."
Out of all the cabins, eleven looked the most like a regular old summer camp cabin, with the emphasis on old. The threshold was worn down, the brown paint peeling. Over the doorway was a caduceus.
Inside, it was packed with people, both boys and girls, way more than the number of bunk beds. Sleeping bags were spread all over on the floor. It looked like a gym where the Red Cross had set up an evacuation center.
Chiron didn't go in. The door was too low for him. But when the campers saw him they all stood and bowed respectfully.
"Aaron, this is Cabin Eleven... Cabin Eleven, welcome Aaron, he is a young witch serving the gods. He seems quite capable. Now, Aaron, I must depart now, but I'll see you at dinner." And like that he departed, leaving Aaron to face the cabin of demigods oozing random divine power that he could literally taste. Some were the same, but many of the kids had entirely unique auras, some stronger or weaker but all still scarily potent.
"Now, now, campers. Welcome, Aaron." Someone said, drawing Aaron's attention. " You can have that spot on the floor, right over there." The guy was about nineteen, and he looked stunning. He was tall and muscular, with short-cropped sandy hair and a friendly smile. He wore an orange tank top, cutoffs, sandals, and a leather necklace with four different-colored clay beads. The only thing unsettling about his appearance was a thick white scar that ran from just beneath his right eye to his jaw, like an old knife slash. "I'm Luke, your counselor for now. This is the cabin eleven. Hermes, our patron, is the god of travelers. So you are most welcome."
Aaron looked at the tiny section of floor they'd given him, wisely not saying shit. However, remembering the Hermes was gods of Thieves, he smirked and said. "My stuff is warded, should you try and steal from me, you might not survive it. Just saying."
That only made Luke cackle. "I think I'm going to like you."
"Same... say, can you lead me to someplace I can make mystical weapons. I need some help in the department. My magic is too thin to make permanent enchantments."
"I'll take you to the forge, come on."
Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.
Love, your Ninja Overlord,
Mika.