Blood Of Poseidon

V. The Cursed Spirit

The camp wasn't the same as it used to be. On the surface, things didn't look all that different. The Big House was still there with its blue gabled roof and its wrap-around porch. The strawberry fields are still baked in the sun. The same white-columned Greek buildings were scattered around the valley- the amphitheater, the combat arena, the dining pavilion overlooking Long Island Sound. And nestled between the woods and the creek were the same cabins crazy assortment of twelve buildings, each representing a different Olympian god. But there was an air of danger now. You could tell something was wrong. Instead of playing volleyball in the sandpit, counselors, and satyrs were stockpiling weapons in the tool shed. Dryads armed with bows and arrows talked nervously at the edge of the woods. The forest looked sickly, the grass in the meadow was pale yellow, and the fire marks on Half-Blood Hill stood out like ugly scars. Percy still felt like he wasn't welcomed at the camp. After tending the wounded, He went straight to the Big House along with Annabeth. They found Chiron in his apartment, listening to his favorite 1960s lounge music while he packed his saddlebags. Annabeth ran up and hugged him. "Chiron, what's happening? You're not ... leaving?" Her voice was shaky. Chiron was like a second father to her. Chiron ruffled her hair and gave her a kind smile. "Hello, child. And Percy! Good to see you again." "What the Hades Chiron! What the hell happened? Clarisse said you were—" "Fired." Chiron's eyes glinted with dark humor. "Ah, well, someone had to take the blame. Lord Zeus was most upset. The tree he'd created from the spirit of his daughter, was poisoned! Mr. D had to punish someone." Percy didn't like it, Although he asked "Chiron, What about the tree? What exactly happened?" Chiron shook his head sadly. "The poison used on Thalia's pine is something from the Underworld, Percy. Some venom even I have never seen. It must have come from a monster quite deep in the pits of Tartarus." "This is the Titan Lord's work. He'd get Luke to do it, that traitor." "Perhaps," Chiron said. "But I fear I am being held responsible because I did not prevent it and I cannot cure it. The tree has only a few weeks of life left unless we can find a cure." The immortal Chiron smiled at him and patted his head before he closed his saddlebag and stopped his boombox. "I see you are successful in what you left the camp for, Percy. I can see the fights you have fought in your eyes." "That is of no concern now Chiron. I can understand Mr. D, But... Isn't there any way for you to be reinstated?" "Perhaps if my name is cleared I shall return. Until then, I go to visit my wild kinsmen in the Everglades. It's possible they know of some cure for the poisoned tree that I have forgotten. In any event, I will stay in exile until this matter is resolved... one way or another." Chiron said. Annabeth stifled a sob. Chiron patted her shoulder awkwardly. "There, now, child. I must entrust your safety to Mr. D and the new activities director. We must hope ... well, perhaps they won't destroy the camp quite as quickly as I fear. Percy... protect the camp. You're experienced now. But Do not act rashly though. Please protect the camp whilst I am not here." Percy nodded solemnly. "Who is this Tantalus guy, anyway? Is he the one I think?" He demanded. "Where does he get off taking your job?" A conch horn blew across the valley. "Go," Chiron said. "You will meet him at the pavilion... and yes, Percy. He is the one from the myths."

After leaving the Big-house, He went towards the dinner pavilion with Tyson in tow. On the way, He looked at the Hearth in the center of the inverted 'U' formed by the cabins, looking for the eight-year-old girl who was his Aunt. But Hestia wasn't there yet. So, He continued ahead. The sun was setting behind the dining pavilion as the campers came up from their cabins. Percy, Tyson, and Annabeth stood in the shadow of a marble column and watched them file in. Annabeth was still pretty shaken up, but she went off to join her siblings from the Athena cabin- a dozen boys and girls with blond hair and gray eyes like hers. Percy watched the other cabins file in, Demeter, Apollo, Aphrodite, Dionysus, Ares, Apollo. Hephaestus, Hermes along with the unclaimed campers they take in. Naiads came up from the canoe lake. Dryads melted out of the trees. From the meadow came a dozen satyrs. As soon as the last campers had filed in, Percy led Tyson into the middle of the pavilion. Conversations faltered. Heads turned. "Who invited that?" somebody at the Apollo table murmured. He glared in their direction.