"So, if I'm understanding you correctly, you were not only attacked by half-bloods who had seemingly disappeared from our Camp, you were then stopped from bringing them back by Aaron Baldwin, another of our disappeared campers. And instead of bringing him back as well, you allowed him to take the half-bloods you had subdued and disappear into thin air?"
Marcus frowned at the rebuke clear in Chiron's words. The rest of the group sat around the meeting table in the Big House, whereas he leaned against the doorframe to the meeting room.
"You should've seen him!" Elliot said. "He caught an arrow out of mid-air! Like it was nothing! And I didn't even see Phil shoot it!"
"He caught an arrow. And so, you decided to not fight for the half-bloods you had captured? There were seven of you!" Chiron sounded exasperated, sitting in his wheelchair at the head of the meeting table.
"Seven of us who had already had one hell of a trip by the time he showed up." Joel replied.
"Not to mention, the two we 'captured' weren't exactly easy to take down!" Jason exclaimed.
Chiron sighed. "I understand that it wasn't easy to do, but you had still managed to defeat two half-bloods who had gotten the jump on you. I'm proud of you for that fact. But to simply let another half-blood walk in and just take them from you-"
"Dammit Chiron, it wasn't just any half-blood! It was Aaron!" Marcus couldn't take it anymore. "And instead of sending us to track him down, you're lecturing us on letting him escape!"
"Marcus..." Maddie looked up at him from where she sat at the table, concern on her face.
"You want us to go after him?" Chastity asked, her shock clear in her voice. "You saw what he did! H e took that drop that I thought was going to kill you like it was nothing! Caught an arrow that none of us had known was coming, from a Son of Apollo, like we had tossed him a beach ball , and taunted us about it besides! Oh, and to top it off, you said he teleported. Teleported! I don't know what kind of mystery magical powers you have Marcus, but I know I can't fight that."
"Son of Apollo?" Chiron spoke up, seemingly purposefully changing the subject.
"Yeah! Aaron called Phillp a Son of Apollo!" Maddie said, her excitement from before creeping back into her voice.
The rest of the group turned to look at Phillip, who had sat quietly during the meeting thus far.
"It happened right after Capture the Flag." Phillip said with a shrug. "Apollo showed up and claimed me as his son. I didn't think it was that important."
"Not that important?!" Maddie stood up from her seat, and Marcus stepped forward to stand with her, placing his hand on her head.
"Maddie, it's alright." Marcus said quietly. "Remember who we're talking about here. Poor guy was sent here from the Civil War, remember?"
Maddie grumbled a bit but sat back down.
"Well, well... a Child of Apollo, chosen by Artemis herself to travel to this particular period of history..." Chiron scratched his chin. "Momentous indeed... but why...?"
The group looked at each other as Chiron trailed off, seemingly lost in thought. Marcus saw confusion from Jason and Joel, and Elliot seemed just as happy-go-lucky as ever, which was concerning considering the topic at hand. Phillip seemed uncomfortable with the focus on him the conversation had taken, and Chastity seemed fed up with the whole thing. She's probably exhausted... Doe sn't normally leave the camp. Marcus felt a small twinge of sympathy. I'll check on her later and make sure she's okay... I'm sure this was a bit much to handle.
Finally, Marcus glanced at Maddie, and in that one glance saw more than she probably meant to let on. Frustration... Of course she's frustrated. Her patron not only claims his son during a time when she's injured and in danger, but he shows up to him in person. That after the Goddess wh o's favor she's been trying to earn her entire life shows such favoritism to that same child, sending him through the centuries... Marcus placed hi s hand on Maddie's head, ruffling her hair gently. Maddie looked up at Marcus, forcing a smile to her face, but Marcus shook his head gently. You don't have to hide it from me. He gave her a small smile, and he saw his Maddie read his intentions behind it. Her forced smiled relaxed and a smaller one took its place. Smaller, but real, and that was enough for Marcus.
"So, what are we going to do?" Marcus turned back to Chiron, who was lost in thought.
"Hm? Do?" Chiron seemed to shake himself out of his thoughts. "Ah, yes. I'll have Joey send out a few of his best scouts to try and track down these... red shirt half-bloods."
"You know that won't work." Marcus said. "They don't know his habits. Send me out instead."
Maddie looked up at Marcus. "You mean, send us... Right?"
But Marcus was already shaking his head. "Not this time Mads. This is too-"
"Don't you tell me this is too dangerous!" Maddie jumped to her feet again. "What are you going to do if you run into Billy and Isaac again huh? With another automaton!"
Marcus avoided looking at Maddie, rubbing the back of his neck. I can't think when she's this close... "I'll figure it out..."
"And what if they get the drop on you huh? How are you gonna 'figure it out' if you open a door and BAM Isaac with his rocket launcher?!"
Marcus turned his gaze back to Maddie, hating how even when they were arguing, the way she looked at him, the scrunch of her nose when she was upset, the way she put her fists on her hips... Stop it. Now's not the time. "That's a bit of a long shot there Mads."
"So was Aaron showing up out of nowhere."
"Maddie-"
"We're a team, remember!" Maddie's eyes started to water, even though Marcus could tell she was fighting it. "We're a team... So why do you keep trying to leave me behind?"
Marcus knew he lost. Sighing, he put his hand on Maddie's head. "Alright, alright, you win... Geez, when did you get to be so damn good at arguing."
Maddie brushed he hand across her eyes, inconspicuously brushing those beginning tears away. "I've had a lot of practice you know..."
"Yeah, I know." Marcus smiled and ruffled Maddie's hair, causing her to laugh a little. "Sorry Maddie Madness."
"Now that that little... diversion has been taken care of..." Chiron coughed.
Marcus brought himself back to reality. Turning, he saw the rest of the group watching them. A few of them looked amused. Chiron looked exasperated. Chastity looked furious. Probably could have handled that better...
"It doesn't matter either way Marcus." Chiron continued. "You aren't being sent. You were right to argue that you should have returned home after you first were ambushed, but I am glad that you brought us this new information. For now, you are to remain at Camp and rest."
Marcus couldn't believe his ears. Before he could say anything else, Chiron had wheeled himself out of the room. Damn centaur... Marcus started after him, but he found his path blocked by Phillip, who for once seemed to want Marcus' attention.
"No." Phillip said, putting a hand on Marcus' shoulder. "I understand wanting to finish a job you start, but a good soldier knows when to rest. You don't want to run into an ambush when you aren't ready. Imagine what that would do to Maddie."
Marcus clenched his jaw but nodded. Nodding in return, Phillip walked past Marcus and out the door. Chastity followed suit, passing by Marcus as if he wasn't even there, in fact, Marcus had to step aside to avoid being run over by her on her hasty exit. What the hell was that about? Marcus shrugged and was about to leave, when Joel caught his arm.
"So. You and little miss spear huh?" He said.
"What?" Marcus replied, glad that Maddie had already left.
"Isn't it obvious? Gosh I feel dumb for not seeing it before!" Elliot exclaimed with a smile.
"Wait, you didn't know? Even I noticed something was up..." Jason said, having not moved from his seat at the table.
"Guys, guys, I have no idea what you're talking about!" Marcus said, raising his hands. Shit. Bad enough Aaron knew... But this?
"Oh, so she's single then? Excuse me real quick guys." Elliot tried walking past Marcus, only for Marcus to catch him by the collar of his shirt.
"Oh no. If anybody isn't going to get near her, it's you bear boy."
"What? Why not!"
Marcus turned and stared in Elliot's eyes, letting him see just how much anger was still lying there. "Do I need to remind you of Capture the Flag?"
Marcus watched Elliot deflate in front of him and slip back behind Joel. "Geez, I said I was sorry... Let it go already..."
Marcus shook his head and walked out of the room in response. Although, fled might be the more accurate term. Stepping out onto the wrap-around porch of the Big House, Marcus leaned against the railing, his eyes on the lake in the distance.
Aaron... I'll see you soon. No matter what that centaur says.
Marcus waited until night fell over camp before making his move. Quietly, he left his cabin with the bag he had packed beforehand. The moonlight shone across the camp, causing Marcus to scowl. Great. Just what I needed. More visibility.
Marcus walked casually across camp, doing his best to appear natural, slinging his bag on his back. He saw a few other campers around, some sitting on the grass or at picnic tables. None of them returned his glance, which was just fine with him. Just enough that I blend in, but not enough that I'm noticed. Some God must be on my side tonight.
"I'm worried about Marcus..."
The sound of a voice nearby caused Marcus to jump and slip into the nearest shadow. He wasn't out of the main area of camp yet, but he was far enough out that most people wouldn't be out here this late at night.
"I know I shouldn't be. After all, Marcus' my best friend! I know he can take care of himself but... I haven't seen him that upset in a long time..."
Marcus clenched his jaw in the shadows. He knew what he was hearing. Maddie... Why did you have to choose tonight to have you r nightly chat so far from you r cabin...
"But I know he'll be okay. After all, it's Marcus! And he promised me he wouldn't leave me behind, so whatever he deals with next, I'll be right there!"
Marcus tried to swallow the guilt. He knew he had promised her but this... This isn't like an official quest... We'd be breaking the rules, sneaking out... I don't care about the Olympians' favor... To Hades with them... But Maddie does. I can't ask her to do this.
As he turned to walk away, a movement at the edge of his vision caught his eye. Following the movement, he saw a figure standing in the shadows under the trees. A woman. Indescribably beautiful. Marcus couldn't believe she'd have the nerve to show up now. Aphrodite. What are you doing here?
But Aphrodite didn't say anything. She just smiled at him, shaking her head gently. What are you trying to say? You're a Goddess, stop playing around.
She shrugged, and at that moment Marcus was sure, as he had been so many times before, that Aphrodite read his thoughts, no matter how many times she claimed she didn't do that to him. She always says I'm just easy to read... Like hell.
Aphrodite's smile grew wider. She slowly raised her hand and waved to Marcus, yet her eyes weren't looking at him. They seemed to be looking past him. Confused, Marcus stepped towards her when he felt and heard a crack come from under his foot. Looking down, Marcus realized that while he had been so focused on Aphrodite, he had stepped on a branch that had fallen from the tree he was under. Raising his head back up, he saw that in that split moment, Aphrodite had disappeared.
"Marcus?"
Marcus flinched inwardly. Dammit... He turned around, putting a smile on his face. "Hey there Mads. Bit far out for your nightly talk isn't it?"
"I guess." Maddie shrugged, her hands in the pockets of her overalls. "I don't know. Just had a feeling that it would be good for a bit of a change tonight you know?"
Oh I'm sure. Marcus fought to keep the scowl from his face. And I'm pretty sure I know exactly where that feeling came from...
"Marcus are you okay?" Maddie said, stepping closer to him, her face full of concern. "You seem a bit upset still."
Marcus shrugged. "Of course I'm okay."
Marcus felt his heart rate skyrocket as Maddie stepped closer to him, close enough he could count the freckles across her face if he wanted to, even in the moonlight. She peered up into his face, seemingly searching for an answer to what he was hiding. He returned her gaze with a smile.
"What? Do I have something on my face?" He laughed, trying to relieve some of his own tension.
"No... But you do have something on your back." Maddie pointed out. "Why do you have a bag Marcus?"
"What?" Shit.
"I said, why do you have a bag?"
Marcus looked away. "Oh, this? Uh..."
"You weren't... You weren't going to try to sneak out, were you?"
"I was just looking for some fresh air." Marcus knew he was caught out even before he said it, but he had to try.
"Then... Can I go with you?" Maddie asked innocently.
Marcus looked back at Maddie, an eyebrow raised. "And what about your talk with the moon?"
"Oh, we were just about finished anyway." Maddie smiled up at Marcus.
Marcus sighed, knowing that there was no way out of it now. "Mads... I'm going after Aaron alright?"
Maddie frowned, taking a step back from Marcus. "But... Chiron said-"
"I don't care what Chiron said." Marcus said, probably a little too forcefully, but he didn't care. "Look Maddie... If there's anybody who has a chance of tracking him down, it's me. We both know that. Who else knows his tricks from when he used to sneak out? Who else knows where he's likely to go? I waited the last time Chiron told me to and I can't help thinking... I..." Marcus' voice faded to silence, knowing he was rambling. He screwed his eyes shut, trying to calm his racing thoughts. He felt a touch on his cheek, small fingers gently touching his face, and he was able to think clearly again. Opening his eyes, he saw Maddie had her hand on his cheek, a sympathetic look on her face.
"You think if we'd gone after him before, we could have brought him back... right?"
Wordlessly, Marcus nodded. She seems so innocent I sometimes forget... She can see right through me when she tries...
"Well then. We better go after him then." Maddie exclaimed with a grin.
"What? We? Maddie you know it would mean-"
"Sneaking out of camp. Yeah, I know. You guys used to do it all the time, so what's the big deal?" Maddie's nonchalance at what she was talking about might have been aggravating if he wasn't so shocked.
"But what about-"
"I'm sure the Gods will notice us more if we actually do something rather than sit around camp all the time." Maddie said . "After all, there's been so much Godly stuff happening lately, and it's the first time since Aaron left that we've all really tried to do anything. Even Appollo showed up to camp... apparently ..." Ma ddie's voice trailed off, but she perked back up so quickly anybody else would think that it had been their imagination, but Marcus knew her too well. Ah, so that's where this is coming from.
With a sigh, Marcus gave up. If he was honest with himself, he would feel better knowing that Maddie would be with him, even if it was just because-
A crash came from behind Marcus, causing him to jump. Spinning, he stopped for a second at the sight before him. Joel was sprawled on the ground, Jason half on top of him, both covered in leaves and twigs, with leaves still falling slowly from the tree above them. "What the..."
"Ow... I told you you were too heavy..." Jason grumbled.
"Me?! If it weren't for you bouncin' up and down like a kiddie at a football game, we may have actually caught somethin' spicy! Now will you get offa me!" Joel cried out.
Marcus and Maddie looked at each other. Maddie's eyes were full of questions, and even though Marcus was pretty sure he knew what they had been trying to see, he wasn't about to tell Maddie that. With a sigh, he put his hand on Maddie's head and messed with her hair. Note to self... Kill those idiots later. "So... How much of that did you hear?"
Having finally pushed Jason off of him, Joel stood up and dusted himself off. "Well now, enough to know that y'all are about to get the heck outta dodge and after that golden boy. And I want in."
"Excuse me?" Marcus raised an eyebrow.
"You heard me. I want in. I ain't ever backed down from somebody before, and frankly leaving things like we did ain't sittin' right with me. Besides, I can't let y'all run around without me. What if something... interesting happens and I miss it?"
"Ooh when you put it like that, count me in!" Jason said, having finally managed to pull the last leaves from his hair. "Where are we going?"
Marcus looked back and forth between the two of them and sighed. If I don't take these morons. the first thing they'll do is go to Chiron... And the longer he doesn't know where we went, the better. "Fine! Fine. You both can tag along too."
"Too? Does that mean...?" Maddie perked up.
"Yeah, I guess." Marcus sighed, throwing a half grin at Maddie. "We are a team after all. Meet me at Thalia's Tree in ten minutes. If you aren't there, we leave without you." Marcus threw this last bit towards Jason and Joel.
"Yeah, yeah, I gotcha. Ten minutes." Joel smirked with a mock salute. "Just make sure y'all don't do anything till I get there. I'm starting to get a hang of this camp gossip thing."
With that, the group split up to meet back up at the tree in ten minutes time. While he'd never admit it out loud, a part of Marcus was happy Jason and Joel were tagging along. While Jason hasn't really proven himself yet, a guy like Joel will be useful in a fight... And for some reason, I get the feeling that's exactly what we'll find out there.
Leaning back against the tree, Marcus looked out from camp at the mortal world. Somewhere out there, Aaron was waiting. He knew it. And where he is, the other two won't be far behind... At least, that's what I hope...
When they all had gathered, Marcus led the way down Half-blood Hill towards where he had seen Chiron stash the bus from their last trip to the city. Sneaking around the bus, he led the way to the front door and forced it open slowly. Jason took it upon himself to keep watch, using some sort of power to bend the shadows around himself so he was almost invisible. Huh. Maybe it pays to have a child of Dolos with us after all. Marcus slipped onto the bus quietly and slipped under the steering wheel.
"What are you doing?" Maddie whispered.
"Aaron showed me this while we were out..." Marcus replied. "Granted that was on an older car, but how hard can it be?"
"Or, ya know, we could just look for the keys." Joel said quietly, having joined them on the bus.
Marcus rolled his eyes. "Yeah, like they'd just be-"
But Joel stepped forward and flipped down the sun visor. With a jingle, a ring of keys fell and landed on Marcus. Joel smirked down at him. "You were sayin'?"
Marcus grabbed the keys and stood up. "Oh shut up already."
"You know how to drive this thing loverboy?" Joel's smirk was really starting to get on Marcus' nerves.
"No. But how much different from a regular car can it be." Marcus spat back.
Joel shrugged and shook his head, his smirk never leaving his face. "Ah, poor little city boy. Move over and let me show ya how it's done."
Marcus raised an eyebrow but stepped aside. "You're telling me you know how to drive a bus?"
"We got up to all sorts of things when the heads of the orphanage weren't looking." Joel replied, plopping down into the driver's seat of the bus. "Hey, Boulder Boy! Get in here, train's leavin'!"
"When are you people gonna let that boulder trap go..." Jason grumbled, hopping up into the bus and sitting in the first seat behind Joel. "It was one time..."
"We'll forget when ya do somethin' to make up for it." Joel laughed, closing the door to the bus and turning the key in the ignition.
Marcus rolled his eyes and sat in the opposite seat from Jason. "Just get us out of here. I'll navigate on the way."
"Oh? Where we goin', hotshot?"
"A place Greek Half-bloods avoid like the plague these days. If there's one place I can think of that Aaron went, it's there."
"And where's that?" Jason piped up.
Marcus couldn't help but smile as Maddie slipped into the seat next to him, leaning against him and falling asleep almost immediately. "The ruins of New Rome."