(Hey I said early Febuary)

Chapter Two

Rule Breaking and Surprises

At dinner I was treated like a queen which was probably appropriate because of my mother. No one sat at my table with me, but people kept on coming over and congratulating me on my quest.

I saw movement at the head table and glanced over. Chiron had stood up. He stamped his hoof for attention. Everyone looked over. “For those of you who haven’t already heard. Anne Wall - the daughter of Hera- has been chosen to go on a quest. This quest is to stop the northern cyclopes, from getting to the gods,” he said. Murmuring spread through the crowd of half-bloods. Then Chiron turned towards me. “Anne you need to choose two companions to help you on your journey.”

No! I need three companions not two. Three seems right to me, I thought. I decided to choose now. “I choose Clark and Grace from the Aphrodite cabin and also Chris the satyr,” I said carefully. I saw Grace and Clark perk up at the sound of their names. Chiron gave me a stern look.

“Now, Anne. The ancient law has been only two others. Bad things have happened when four travelers left. Once five went and only three came back. I want you to think about this,” he said. I stared into the old knowing eyes of the centaur.

“I already have. I’ve been thinking about it all afternoon. Four on this quest seems right.” I answered. Chiron nodded.

“Very well,” He said sitting down. “You will receive your prophecy from the oracle in the morning.”

Everyone in the pavilion began to eat again.

After dinner the four campers were preparing and planning for their quest. by the archery range  “We’re going to need rations, nectar, and ambrosia too,” Clark said.

How long has he been a camper? I wondered. For some reason I couldn’t get up the courage to ask him. Chris, not noticing my thoughtful look, bleated nervously.

“What will happen on this quest? I mean Chiron said only three come back whenever more than that go on a quest,” Chris said.
I nodded. “Yes, this has been worrying me. We need to be careful on this quest. I don’t know much about cyclopes and will study about them tomorrow. I think that only three of us will come back at once. I will not allow one of us to die though. Somehow we will escape this curse or law or whatever it is,” I said. Everyone nodded. I noticed Grace had stayed silent the whole time. “Nervous?” I asked her. She nodded, not looking up.
    “It’s just that this is my first quest. I’ve never even faced a real monster. I don’t know I’m ready,” she said after a little while.
    “Oh, Grace. I fought you earlier. You have amazing sword skills. That’s the reason I chose you. Plus, this is my first quest, too. I know how you feel. I mean, I’m leading this quest. I’m not sure if I’m ready either. I won the contest. That was it. I never knew that I would be the leader of this quest. I’m scared, too.We all are,” I said comfortingly.
    “Yes, you’re right,” Grace said. ”I feel much better now. Thank you.”
    I smiled. “Your welcome. Looks like I’m going to have to learn how to do this better,” I laughed.
    “Yes, you are,” Chris said seriously, trying not to crack a smile. Suddenly everyone broke out laughing.
    “Oh, no!” I yelled. Everyone stared at me surprised.
    “What? What’s wrong?” they all yelled.
    “I made you all laugh! This is serious. We’re on a mission. No laughing!” I said, trying to keep a straight, serious face. Everyone believed me for a second and then burst out laughing again, realizing I was joking. “Oh I am getting good at this! I am lightening the mood,” I said, still laughing.
    “Yes, you are,” Clark said, smiling. Hearing that from him was the best compliment I could ever want. Something about Clark seemed different. He was different from the other Aphrodite kids. He didn’t worry so much about what he looked like. He was careful not to hurt others or offend them. He wasn’t selfish like some of his cabinmates could be. He was sweet and kind. I was glad he had said yes to coming on the quest.

I brushed a lock of brown hair out of my face, trying not to focus to much on Clark. “It’s getting late. I’m going to turn in,” I said. I wasn’t actually tired I just wanted to have some time to think before we left on the quest.
    “I’ll walk you to your cabin!” Clark said, standing up. I stared at him, surprised. I glanced over at Chris and Grace. Grace was whispering something in Chris’s ear. Chris started to laugh and nodded. They got up and walked to the beach leaving us alone.
    “I wonder what sort of joke they just shared,” I said. Clark cracked a smile.
    “Probably something to do with me wanting to walk you to your cabin,” he said, looking at me with those deep brown eyes that seemed to say, “They’re right, you know.”
I shook my head looking away. “No!” I blurted out stepping back. “I don’t have a crush on you. I don’t!” Clark laughed.
    “Anne, calm down. You’re just freaking out because of the stress. And what do you mean you don’t have a crush on me? Friends can walk each other to cabins, right?” he said, trying to calm me. I took a deep breath.
    “You’re right. I just need some sleep. Yes, friends can walk each other to cabins. I’m not exactly sure what I mean myself.”

Clark put a hand on my shoulder. “Don’t worry tomorrow we’ll learn about cyclopes and maybe calm down.”

I nodded and started toward walk to the cluster of cabins. “I guess I thought Grace said something along the lines of me liking you. I just freak out about these things. I mean I’ve been trying to avoid crushes ever since...I had this one and I got expelled and-” I said in a rush.
    “Anne, let’s hurry to your cabin. I can tell you’re really tired if your telling me secrets,” he said, cutting me off. I nodded and began to race to my cabin. Before we could pass the Aphrodite cabin Clark slowed and grabbed my arm. I stopped and turned to him.
    “I’ll see you in the morning,” he said. Then, just then, he did something I couldn’t believe. He kissed me on the cheek! At that moment my brain melted. I couldn’t think about anything. I felt like I knew nothing. “Goodnight,” he said then turned and went into his cabin.
    “G...goo....goodnight.” I called after him, stammering. I passed the Ares cabin before I reached mine. Samantha was on the step, her face bright red. She was glaring at me. I expected she would be mad after I defeated her this afternoon. This was a different glare, though. This was a glare filled with pure hate.

That’s not what I expected! I thought, wondering what her glare meant. When I entered my cabin, I fell into my bunk. Thoughts started to flood my mind. Had Clark actually done that? Did I have a crush on him? These questions followed me into my dreams.

When I got up in the morning my mind was still buzzing. Was that a dream? Did I make it up? Did it actually happen? I kept on asking myself. I went to breakfast without saying a word to other campers. I passed the Aphrodite table on the way up to mine. I  didn’t even look up, knowing Clark was there. I scraped some of my food into the bronze brazier. “Hera,” I whispered, “please help me with my quest.” Thunder boomed in the distance. I hoped that meant I had been heard.

I ate quickly, then decided to go up to the stables. When I got there, Clark was brushing Holly. I slowly walked over. I stared at the ground not wanting to meet his gaze. “How’d you sleep?” I asked him quietly.

“Fine. You?” He answered gently.

“Okay. Why did you do it?” I said, taking Clark by surprise.

“Do what?” He asked suspiciously.

“You know exactly what I mean,” I  said looking up.

“Oh. That,” he said guiltily, “I did it because...I don’t know, Anne. I guess the same reason you chose me to go on the quest.”

“No, Clark. I may have a small crush on you, but we don’t even know each other. Do you go around kissing all the new girls?” I said in a small voice.

“Anne, you know that’s not true,” he said soothingly. I nodded in agreement.

“Is Holly ready for a ride?” I asked, wanting to get away from this pressure.

“Yeah. Let me just get a saddle for him. Do you want me to come up with you?” Clark answered.

“You may. And thanks for getting him ready for me.” He nodded his welcome. Once Holly and the other Pegasus - Rose - were ready to go, we hopped up on them and took off, soaring into the bright blue sky. “Hey, Clark, ready for the quest?” I asked him.

“Yeah, I think so. I’ve been studying a little and found some ways to kill, well, at least hurt, the cyclopes. If you poke its eye, it will be blinded. The problem is that it’s really hard to do that,” Clark said. I nodded.

“After we land, I’ll ask Chiron if he has any books on them or if he can tell me anything.” I called over as Holly swooped downwards. Clark pulled Rose’s reins and she swooped down, too. I laughed at this. “It’s almost like Follow the Leader, just for pegasi!” I called swooping up this time. Rose followed again with Clark holding the reins, trying hard not to fall off.

“Yes, it is,” he said. “I’m not sure I can hold on much longer.”

“I thought you were the best Pegasus rider,” I smirked.

“I was until you came along. I guess now I know how Sam feels.” He held on tighter.

“Now I feel bad. I’m both the best Pegasus rider and the best sword fighter.” I said glancing at Clark.

“No. You’re the best dagger fighter. Not the best sword fighter,” he said argumentatively. I pulled the reins to the left telling Holly to go toward Rose and Clark. When I reached them, I punched Clark on the arm gently.

“Argumentative, huh?” I asked. “Well, okay, if you say so.” I kicked Holly and he sped forward quickly. The breeze in my face felt so good. After a little while I pulled back and let Clark catch up.

“You must have a good connection with Holly. I could never get Rose to do that,” he said, out of breath.

“He follows what I tell him to do. That’s all,” I said grinning. “Let’s get back to camp.” Clark nodded and swooped back to the stable. “I’m sorry for snapping at you earlier. It’s just you confuse me.”

“It’s okay, Anne. I’m sorry, too. I felt pressured,” He said. I nodded and we took the saddles of the two pegasi.

“I’ll see you later,” I said.

Clark looked up. “Anne! Before you go.” he said nervously, “uh...about last night...”

“It never happened,” I said smiling.

Clark suddenly grinned. “Good.” He said relieved. I walked slowly to the door.

    Before I left, I turned and said, “Clark?”

    “Yeah?” he asked.

    “I would kiss you, too, if I had the courage.” Clark grinned and I walked out of the stable still feeling his warm gaze on my back.

When I reached the big house, I was happier than ever. This looked like the beginning of a new, beautiful relationship.

But there was still the quest ahead of us. “Only three came back.” Chiron’s words echoed in the back of my mind.

No! It won’t be Clark. Not him.

(I will post chapter 3 very soon)