Grover Underwood and the Sorceress' Secret

Part 2

Summary:

"I'm new."

The boy - she should ask his name - falters. "It's nearly December!" he protests.

Rachel shrugs. "I'm an exchange student. Annabelle Chadwick."

***

If not speaking and just standing there glowering is Hecate's intimidation tactic, Rachel can attest to it working. Her arms are not even crossed, busy dutifully carrying her twin torches but her eyes are burning just as brightly as their flames.

"Lady Hecate."

Rachel refuses to cower - but she does bend her head because there is a line between respect and fear. Percy hasn't learnt to appreciate the distinction yet. Percy isn't here. He will be soon. Hopefully.

The first thing the goddess says (hisses really) is far from unexpected. "You are not supposed to be here!" The fire flares, in tune with her temper or her tone - maybe both.

Rachel debates whether or not to say something. It's not like she wants to be here but for some reason, she thinks that Hecate does not want to hear that, no matter how important it seems. She glances over to Grover, whose heart rate has definitely gone through the roof. He smiles wanly at her.

"Then we can go."

She would be happy to go back to Camp for a day or two, a well-deserved reprieve from going wherever her dad wants her to. Grover nods next to her, equally as eager to spend some time with his girlfriend and friends. They can tell the story around the campfire and laugh when the others roast the people who were there, including themselves. Rachel wants to go to Camp.

Hecate is not onboard. The goddess shakes her head, a small and sharp movement with all of the grace you would expect from an immortal.

"Had you done the reasonable thing and left once you discovered the forest then perhaps." That is a distinctly unfair judgement. Neither of them protest. "Now that you have interacted with the creatures and the Headmaster, as well as entered the castle, such a thing will be difficult. You noticed the Mist?"

It does not sound like a question, clipped as her tone is but Grover responds before Rachel has finished processing that it isn't meant to be rhetoric.

"Yes, my Lady. We saw the Mist and decided to c-"

"Decided to trespass? Yes, I am aware." That is also unfair in that the goddess first insulted them and is now interrupting them. Rachel will admit, however, that leaving might have been appropriate and that they might be trespassing. On the other hand, investigating and trespassing is part of saving the world so...

Hecate sighs and begins to pace, turning away from them. Can she sense their lack of guilt?

"So... what happens now?"

There is only so long that Grover and Rachel can watch Hecate trying to wear down the stones beneath her feet. Watching other's nervousness exacerbates the satyr's own and Rachel is still a bit strained from socialising with those... with her father's 'friends'.

"Seeing as you have successfully been enrolled, it might be pertinent for you to stay a little longer." The admission is grudging and Rachel fully understands the goddess's reluctance.

"What? But what about my mission and Camp and-" Grover abruptly stops when he realises that he has just shouted. At a goddess. At the goddess of the Mist. The tips of his ears are a flaming pink-red and he bows his head solemnly. "I'm sorry Lady Hecate."

"I am assigning you a quest." the goddess says, face as smooth and cold as the marble she is often depicted in. "If necessary, I had hoped to assign it to two half-bloods and perhaps a third but I see now that the Fates have other plans. Grover Underwood, Lord of the Wild, pick your other companions. Two are non-negotiable but the fifth, the sixth and the seventh are up to you."