Chapter 17 Training begins

Sarah's POV

My first full day at Camp was a blur of activities. Right after breakfast was archery, and I actually did ok. I even managed to hit the target one, after that we had monster class with Annabeth. I was relieved to find out that we didn't actually have to fight any monsters... yet. Apparently that was just to move up in class or as a test at the end of the year. However some did tell me that second year campers did have to fight a monster as a monthly test. I couldn't tell if they were joking or not. Frankly I didn't like the idea of having to face the terrifying creatures we were learning about. I was grateful that we had another two hours before lunch. Because after learning about some of the monster's hunting styles I didn't have much of an appetite. Annabeth was a good teacher but also a graphic one. I walked into the area still feeling a little queasy, and was a little surprised to see Percy was our sword instructor. He smiled and greeted us,

"Morning everyone. After we warm up and go over the basic forms again, I'll be teaching you all the first actual sword move I ever learned."

Excited chatter rose up from my classmates. I was equally thrilled, this was the class I had been looking forward to the most. I hoped I could learn fast, mostly because I didn't want to be a hindrance for Luke anymore. Percy ran us through the basics. He was a good teacher and not afraid to give us some bruises if we let our guard down. I felt like I was doing pretty good, for the most part Percy was teaching us what Luke had taught me at the park. In fact their teaching styles were very similar, I didn't have too much time to dwell on it. Because Percy called us all over.

"Ok," he said. "Time for the fun stuff. Now this disarming technique is a very difficult move that I'm about to teach you so have some patience with it. Also if you laugh expect to be laughed at, this is a hard move to master and even harder to defend against. I've had it used on me several times and I've only managed to hold onto my sword ones or twice. He dimanstaryed the move a couple times then began teaching it to us. Percy said I did good but I disagreed, the only person I managed to disarm was me. As I was about to leave, someone from my class called over to me. I looked up to see Annie waving and patting the bench next to her. I hesitated, to tell the truth that girl made me nervous, Annie was a big girl. Don't get me wrong I'm not saying she's overweight, I mean she was brawny. Annie was in the Aries cabin, and had a love for fighting. What made me the most nervous was that she was in junior high, and junior high girls are scary. Even when their dad isn't a war god. Telling myself to get over it, I joined her in the bleachers. Annie was smiling as she said,

"What took you so long?"

I shrugged, not wanting to reveal my thoughts about her. She gave me a look so I said,

"I wasn't sure if you were talking to me."

She laughed,

"Of course I was talking to you. Sarah you are in for a real treat."

Confused, I sat.

"What do you mean?"

"I saw the look of determination in your eyes while we were practicing. You have the potential to be a good fighter, which is someone I can get along with."

I frowned, still unsure what she meant exactly. Seeing my face she asked.

"You have freetime this block right?"

I nodded, so Annie pointed down to the arena floor, where a bunch of people were gathering.

"See the reason for me calling you up here is that this is the master class. They are some of the best sword's men in either Camp. I want you to watch their practice to help fuel that fire in you."

I nodded, looking around to see other people trickling in to watch the practice. I wondered what could be so interesting about a sword class.

"Hey Annie."

"Yeah?"

"Who's in this class?"

She grinned like a little kid on Christmas and began pouting people out.

"The blonde guy with glasses is Jason Grace. He's the son of Jupiter, the brunette next to him is his girlfriend Piper. She's a daughter of Aphrodite."

"I thought the Aphrodite kids didn't like getting their hands dirty."

"Most of the time, yes but she's special."

"How so?"

"Piper is one of the legendary seven."

I glanced at Annie who was practically bouncing with excitement.

"You'll have to tell me about that later. Who's everyone else?"

Annie settled down enough to point at people as they jogged past in full armor.

"That's Nico, rumor has it he is the price of the Underworld."

I watched him go bye unsher of to think about that information.

"Here comes my sister Clarice. Her choice weapon is an electric spear, but she's no joke with a sword either."

"Wait, she has an electric spear?"

"Yeah, and you do not want to get poked by that thing. They say that in the Battle of Manhattan Clarice took down an adult Dracon, single handedly with just her spear. No armor, no backup, and killed it without injury to herself."

"Woh."

"Woh, is right!"

"Hang on, is that Annabeth?"

Annie nodded,

"I take it you've met already."

"Yes, last night. But she had gotten stabbed. What is she doing out there?"

"Stabbed?"

I nodded, Annie shrugged.

"Well it must not have a bad wound. Besides if Will was the one that treated her I'm not surprised that she's fully healed."

I squinted at the group who were now making passes at training dummies as they ran past.

"What is her sword made out of?"

I could tell it wasn't metal, but I was not prepared for the answer. Annie leaned close to me, her voice dropping as if she was sharing a secret. But her tone was almost reverent,

"It's made out of Dracon bone, I heard it was given to her by a giant in Tartarus."

I had know idea what any of that meant, but judging by her demeanor it was a big deal. A thought occurred to me, so I decided to try my luck.

"Hey Annie."

"Yeah."

"You seem to know a lot about the people here?"

She smiled,

"As an aspiring warrior, I make it my business to learn everything I can about the big shots. Everything else though I couldn't care less. So if it's gossip you want, go to the Aphrodite cabin."

I shook my head,

"I don't think it counts as gossip, see I heard a name mentioned. And I was wondering if you could tell me a little about him."

"Fire away, I'll tell you whatever I can."

"Who is Luke Castellon?"