Ch3

Percy sat across from Chiron, he had never seen the old centaur appear so deep in thought. Ever since Jason and his crew returned from their quest and revealed his identity of being a Roman demigod everyone in camp was talking about it and the coming implications.

"So this was an exchange," Chiron sighed. "To be honest though Reyna should've gone to the Roman camp in the first place, though situations like hers were common back in the day."

He frowned and looked down not knowing what to say. He missed Reyna greatly and even though she was probably safe with the Romans he still missed her. Still her home is here too.

"Well from what Chris told me we should prepare for all worse case scenarios with these Romans. Apparently conflicts like these happened." He hadn't heard from his brother in a while but he hoped he was ok doing whatever business their father put him on.

Chiron grimaced. "I've seen many of those conflicts, I do hope we can avoid one." The centaur shook his head. "Percy will you be a part of this prophecy?"

He shifted in his seat and shook his head. "I'd rather not. I had enough of prophecies for a while, besides I feel like I should defend the camp. Without me they'd have no leader." The sound of movement from the window made him frown but he said nothing.

Personally he'd rather stay here at camp and protect it than go off to who knows where for Hera's quest. He'd already had one great prophecy in his life and didn't feel like having another.

"Jason, Piper, and Leo. That's three," Chiron said. "I imagine Camp Jupiter would have their own people as well."

Ever since the three of them came back from their quest the talk of the Roman Camp was all anyone could think of. That an the building of the Argo II under the direction of Beckendorf and the Hephaestus Cabin.

"Personally I would rather send people that I trusted more," he said. It wasn't that he disliked the three but something about Jason unnerved him and he found Piper annoying with her dramatics and Leo with his wannabe Casanova personality.

"We have to do with what we have," Chiron said just as the door to the room knocked and swung open.

"Chiron!" Lou Ellen and Malcolm Pace entered the room both of them looked like they had just seen something horrible.

"What is it?" The centaur asked.

The two looked at each other before Malcolm stepped forward and showed a coin in his hand. "I had this weird dream about my mom, she was confused and told me to avenge her by finding the Mark of Athena."

Chiron's eyes widened. "Oh dear."

He raised an eyebrow. "The what?"

Malcolm nodded. "This is every child of Athena's dream, I can't believe she has entrusted me with this task."

Lou Ellen stepped forward. "My mom talked to me in a dream and said that I am to represent her in the next prophecy. She wants a representative of the minor gods present." She then turned to him. "Will you be coming too Percy?"

"I'd rather stay here and help the camp," he said firmly. "I feel like the camp will need me more than ever."

"Yeah I get that," Malcolm said. "To be honest the camp is nervous and will need a good leader to guide it."

Chiron nodded. "True. Percy the camp looks up to you will you train them along with those that will go out on the quest."

His stomach felt as if a cage of butterflies had been released in it. Yet seeing the pleading in Chiron's eyes he knew he couldn't just abandon the camp. "No problem. We have till summer right? I'll do my best to make sure everyone is up to the task."

I'm not much a teacher but I'll do my best. He did lead the demigods in battle before he could do it again. Against Gaea or the Romans we'll show them what we can do.

"Good. Then I suggest you make your preparations," Chiron said.

As soon as they all exited the Big House he turned to Malcolm. "I need you to give make me a good map of the area around camp and New York City for military operations and point out key locations. Also you and Clarisse will make war plans together."

The son of Athena nodded. "Got it."

He turned to Lou who smiled at him. "I don't know much about your magic but if you have anything for reconnaissance or anything you may think would be good in a war let us know."

"Will do Percy," Lou said. "I'm not that good at combat but I'll do my best to train to make my mother proud."

"I'll know you'll do fine," he said. "We'll start training tomorrow." Malcolm and Lou both nodded as he walked away.

He walked to the training dummies where he found Clarisse practicing with her spear. "Hey Clarisse you got a moment?"

The daughter of Ares slammed her spear into the ground and marched to him her face covered in sweat. "What?"

He looked in the eyes, it was hard to believe that they both had respect for each other now. "Chiron wants me to help defend this camp and I need you."

Clarisse raised an eyebrow. "Really? You need me?"

He nodded resisting the urge to get irritated. "Yes Clarisse I do, the camp does. We'll need all the help we can get if things go south with the Romans and from what my brothers say they usually do."

Clarisse sighed and cleaned the sweat off her brow. "Yeah I can see it going badly fast." She looked around to make sure they were alone and leaned closer. "I don't fully trust those three."

He nodded. "I understand how you feel. That is why the camp needs to be prepared, will you help me?'

She looked him in the eyes and nodded. "What do you need me to do?"

"First train the campers and two work with the Athena Cabin to come up with war plans," he said. "My brother may come to our aid but we should plan for just us at the moment."

"Got it." Clarisse turned around and pulled her spear from the ground.

"Thanks. Let me know if you need anything." He smiled and turned headed towards his cabin. That went easier than I thought, hopefully we can work well. A part of him was nervous but he knew Clarisse loved the camp with all her heart.

"I said no!" Calypso yelled. "Stay away from me!"

Uh oh. He quickly ran and saw Calypso trying to get away from Leo Valdez. The son of Hephaestus was blocking her exit and trying to corner her. "Come on I was just being nice," The son of Hephaestus said with an unpleasant grin.

Oh gods. Leo had made a reputation for himself as being a bit of a flirt that couldn't take no for an answer. "Hey what's going on," he said stepping in between them.

Calypso immediately hid behind him and glared at Leo. "He kept on flirting with me and tried to grab my ass!"

He clenched his fists glaring at Leo who shriveled up like scared chihuahua. "Is that true."

"I-I was just being nice," Leo protested. "A pretty like her shouldn't be out alone and how is complementing a good ass a bad thing?"

He stared at Leo incredulously. "Well if you do that again I'll throw you in the lake myself and show you how I play nice."

Leo shivered under his glare just as Jason immediately ran in between them. "Hey what's going on!"

He folded his arms and met the son of Jupiter's gaze. "Your friend tried harassing my cabinmate, if he does that again I'll punish him myself."

"I'll handle," Jason said calmly as he stepped in front of Leo. "Please we are still new here."

He raised an eyebrow. "That doesn't give him a pass to creep on girl who said no." He shook his head. "Anyway get him out of my sight, tomorrow I train you all."

Jason raised an eyebrow. "Train for what?"

"For your quest," he said. His heart raced in his chest as he looked at the three of them. "Chiron asked that I do it. You'll need all the training you can get; I expect you three to be ready at 8 in the morning sharp."

Leo opened his mouth to protest but Jason pulled him away. "We'll be there."

"Good. The three of you will need all the training you can get," he said. His heart raced in his chest, he had always been the one who needed training not the teacher.

Well I guess there is a start to everything.


Lou Ellen sat with Malcom as they observed the stars in the sky. "It's hard to believe that I'll be on my first quest."

Maclolm nodded. "Yeah I was super nervous on mine. But I'm sure you'll be fine."

She smiled at him and slowly grabbed her hand, the son of Athena's face reddened. "Thank you," she said.

"N-No problem," Malcolm said.

She smiled at him, the son of Athena was cute when he was nervous. "You know I'm glad that you and your siblings have helped mine so much, not many wanted to accept us but you did. Thank you."

"N-No problem," Malcom said. Their hands were still together as Malcolm slowly held hers. "You and your siblings are a part of the camp now just like the rest of us."

"I know." She looked up at the sky. "But now I'll train my hardest to show the world what my mother can do."

"I'll help you," Malcolm said. "I mean I may not be much but I'll do my best if you need anything."

She smiled at him. "Thanks Malcolm." Out of the corner of her eyes she saw Circe and some her siblings watching them with smiles on their face. I swear Circe is turning the cabin into a second den of gossipers. "Come on lets go get some marshmallows."

Malcolm shrugged. "Um sure."

They headed towards the fire pit and noticed a familiar girl there. "Uh oh," Malcolm frowned.

"Come on be nice. She's your sister and I think she might want to make amends," She said.

Malcolm frowned but his face quickly reddened as she grabbed his arm and pulled him to the pit. "Hey Annabeth!"

The daughter of Athena looked up in surprise. "Oh sorry I was just leaving."

"Oh need. Right Malcolm?"

Malcolm looked to the ground. "Y-Yeah. We just wanted to uh hang out."

Annabeth didn't move but she avoided her brother's gaze as they sat across from her. The fires from the hearth were the only sounds in the area as they awkwardly sat around it.

"Um you doing ok?" Malcolm asked.

Annabeth stared into the flames her gaze vacant. "Is it true? Our mother is sending you on a quest?"

Malcolm nodded. "Yeah. She wants me to find the Mark of Athena."

"I see." Annabeth's voice was a soft croak. "I um hope you have success."

"Don't worry I'll keep him safe," she said causing Malcolm's face to redden.

Annabeth nodded and got up. "I'm tired, I'm going to bed."

Before she could say the daughter of Athena turned around and left. Malcolm sighed. "I bet she thinks I'm rubbing it in."

"Did you?"

Malcolm frowned. "No."

She looked to where Annabeth ran off. "Well I really think you should try to mend things with her."

"She betrayed everyone; including our mother," Malcolm said. The son of Athena frowned. "I don't know if I can forgive her for what she did."

"True. But I think she wants to change. You should try to give her that opportunity," she said. "Besides, didn't Percy say all those who fought for Kronos should be given amnesty?"

Malcolm looked up at the sky his face melancholy. "I'll think about it."