Chapter 10 we made it

Sarah's POV

Luke stopped looking around, then placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Sarah, after you get to the crest of this hill, you'll be able to see Half-Blood Hill. On its crest stands a pine tree. All you have to do is pass the tree and you're in the camp. This is as far as I go, just in case someone is on Half-Blood Hill."

"Ok, what do I do once I'm in?"

"Head for the big house, you can't miss it. They will probably ask you some questions, especially since you are much older than most when they arrive."

"What kind of questions?"

"Something along the lines of where you're from, what you know about the world and how you got here. Now you can answer those however you like, but when it comes to how you got here. Tell them you had your first attack a few days ago, some randoe saved you, and gave you tickets to New York with an address that led you here."

"Luke, I get why you want me to lie about how I got here, but why would they believe the story?"

"Because Half-Bloods have found their way here in strange ways. The story is just to make sure my presence is not revealed. Here is the address to the camp for good measure."

He handed me a small folded piece of paper, which I put in my pocket.

"Remember," he said. "I'm dead, and there is no way you could possibly know me. That being said, if for whatever reason you need me or want to leave. Call me and I'll come get you, until then or the end of Summer I'll be in the city."

I hugged him, well aware he was risking a lot to give me this chance, and willing to risk everything if I changed my mind. Luke leaned down and kissed me gently, and whispered.

"I love you."

I smiled against his torso as I thought, at least I can know that's true. No matter what I find out about Luke's past. Gently he pulled away and pushed me towards the hill.

"You should get going, it will be super time soon."

I nodded and started up the hill, Luke called after me.

"One more thing. If my brothers Travis and Connor are still there, keep a hand on your valuables. Now get going."

Smiling, I turned back to the hill. Once at the top, I looked back intending to wave at Luke. But he had disappeared, I couldn't see him anywhere. Shrugging, I trend back to my destination. Luke had been right, I could see a tall pine standing on the hill, next to it was a huge statue. I set off not wanting to delay, I felt very small and alone without Luke's reassuring presents. The sun had begun to set, as I climbed up the side of Half-Blood Hill. Once at the top I froze, coiled around the tree was a huge purple dragon. I considered running away in terror, but decided against it. I had no idea what you were supposed to do if you encountered a dragon. I wondered briefly if the internet would have a list of 10 things not to do when you encounter a dragon in the wild. Then figured I wouldn't get the chance to look. I was so focused on the dragon, and panicking internally. That I hadn't noticed I wasn't alone, that is till someone called out to me.

"It's ok, he's friendly."

A golden haired blue eyed boy was standing nearby, uncovering something on a cart. I assumed he came from the valley below. He smiled over at me, and no joke the world seemed brighter.

"My name's Will, what's yours?" He held out a hand in greeting.

"I'm Sarah, you're sure it's not going to eat me."

Will laughed, "don't worry, Peleus will only attack if you try to take the Flees."

I still was unsure, but Will took a chunk of meat out of the cart, and offered it to the dragon. Who took it gingerly from Will's hands. Will healed up his hands for my inspection, as he said.

"See, all ten fingers accounted for."

"Good enough for me," I said walking over to Will.

Somewhere in the valley a horn blew, I looked to Will for an explanation.

"That means it's time for supper, once I get Peleus feed I'll take you to the dining pavilion so we can get our food."

As I waited for my guide to finish his task, I walked to the edge of the hill looking down into the valley. Below me was a site to behold. The valley was full of strange billings with dozens of people streaming out of them. As I watched the people formed lines heading to an open air billing. I assumed that's where we would eat, most people came from a semi circle of buildings that ended in a construction site. My guess was that it was the dorms or cabins. A slight breeze carried the smell of the fresh Strawberries and something else I couldn't place. Will appeared next to me,

"Beautiful isn't it?" He said.

I nodded wondering why Luke ever wanted to leave. We started down the hill, as we walked Will pounded out various attractions the camp had to offer. Once at at the bottom Will asked,

"It's Sarah wright."

"Yes and your Will?"

"Yep, that's me. Head Counselor of cabin seven, Head of Infirmary and Battlefield medic at your service."

"You're a doctor?"

I'm not sure why I bothered asking, he was telling the truth. Still I was unsure how someone so young could be a licensed medical provider.

Will merely smiled saying, "yes indeed, which means after supper I want to see you up in the infirmary for those scratches."

I was probably doing a pretty bad job of hiding my skepticism, because a voice on my left said.

"You would do well to believe it, he's the best Medic we have. Will has saved almost everyone here's life, including mine multiple times."

I stared at the boy who had joined in the conversation. He was dressed all in black even the sword at his side was black. He had dark hair and eyes which seemed to have seen too much. The boy's complexion was even paylor than mine, which is a feat considering I'm a redhead. On my right Will said,

"Thanks Nico, but I was just doing my job, and there's no need to defend me. After all, it's normal for people to be skeptical of youth. Especially if the youth is going to be treating their injuries."

Back on my left Nico said,

"If you don't want me explaining your qualifications for you, perhaps you should lay them out yourself."

Will threw up his hands in mock surrender, saying.

"Ok, we'll talk about it later or something. For now though introductions, Sarah this is Nico. Nico Sarah is our newest arrival."

Nico offered a hand. I took it, a little surprised at the strength his grip held.

"Nice to meet you." I said, not knowing what else to say.

Nico asked, "how long have you known?"

I frowned, "known what?"

Will clarified, "He means how long have you known you were a Half-Blood."

"Oh, uh, about twenty four hours."

Will whistled, "That's not long, you must live in the area to have gotten here so fast."

"Actually I'm from Kansas, I flew in earlier today."

Nico asked, "did you come alone?"

I almost said yes but something stopped me short. Will made the conversation feel like he just wanted to get to know me. Nico made it feel like an interrogation, Luke had warned me they would ask questions. I had to tred carefully in order to protect him. The thought reminded me of my earlier pondering, the thing that made Luke a good liar was the way he told the truth. So instead I answered,

"Sort of, I flew in with my boyfriend. His family lives somewhere in the city, he just goes to college in my home state."

"But he's not a Half-Blood?" Will asked.

I shook my head, Nico was frowning slightly, but for all I knew that was his resting face.

Nico asked, "If your boyfriend is mortal and you came alone other than him, how did you know where to go?"

This is the moment Luke prepared me for, hopefully I don't bomb it.

"Well last night I was at my neighborhood park when a monster attacked me. I ran and hid in the bathroom, not long after I got inside there was a commotion outside. Someone knocked on the door and told me it was safe to come out. After I did, the guy explained everything to me and gave me a piece of paper with an address that led me here."

Will and Nico exchanged looks that I couldn't read. Will asked,

"Did you get his name?"

"No, when I asked he just winked at me."

Will chuckled, "To me it sounds like you met Hermes, the god of travelers and almost everything else."

Nico asked, "What about the address, do you still have it?"

I produced the scrap paper from my pocket, handing it over to Nico. He glanced at it then passed it to Will, who looked it over and said.

"That's Hermes's handwriting alright."

I took the paper back and asked, "How do you know what a god's handwriting looks like?"

"Simple," Will said. "We get deliveries from him once a week in the infirmary. As the head of Infirmary, not only do I have to place the order but I sign for all of them too."

We walked into the dining pavilion and I admit I was a little taken aback by how young most of the campers looked. It seemed most were between the ages eight and fourteen. I could see older people too of course, but they mostly consisted of teens.

"Nico," Will said. "Would you tell Chiron we have a new camper, while I show Sarah to her table?"

Nico nodded and strode towards the head table. Will waved me to follow him, as I did I noticed that most everyone at any given table looked similar to each other. One table in particular followed that standard to the extreme. Every single one was blonde with gray eyes, much like the girl from earlier.

"Here we are." Will said, shaking me out of my thoughts. The table he had led me to was full of a wide assortment of kids. Some had similarities in their futures but most didn't look alike. The two boys at the head of the table stood to greet me. As Will said,

"These are you to head Counselors, Travis and Connor Stoll. Make sure you guys show her the ropes." Then whispered to me, "good luck you're going to need it."

With that he walked away to join his table. I looked at the two nearly identical boys and in perfect unison they said.

"Welcome to Camp-Halfblood and Cabin 11."