The Shadow Summoner | Book Three - PJO Universe

four

BACK AT CAMP

From where they stood at the top of a hill, the entire valley spread out below them: roughly three square miles of woods, meadows and strawberry fields bordered by Long Island Sound to the north and rolling hills on the other three sides.

Just below them, a dense forest of evergreens covered the western third of the vale.

Beyond that, the buildings of Camp Half-Blood gleamed in the wintry light: the amphitheatre, the sword-fighting stadium, the open-air dining pavilion with its white marble columns.

A trireme floated in the canoe lake. Twenty cabins lined the central green where the communal hearth fire glowed cheerfully.

At the edge of the strawberry fields stood the Big House: a four-storey Victorian building painted sky blue with white trim. Chiron would be inside, probably having tea by the fireplace.

Ariana's gaze rose to the far end of the valley. There, on the tallest hill, the Athena Parthenos shone in all its gold-and-alabaster glory.

Once, the massive statue had graced the Parthenon in Greece. Now it presided over Camp Half-Blood, protecting the valley from intruders.

Even from there Ariana could feel its power, like the subsonic thrum of a mighty engine. It was on the lookout for threats, being her usual vigilant self.

Meg's mouth hung open. "How come I've never heard about this place? Do you need tickets?"

Apollo chuckled. "You see, Meg, magical borders camouflage the valley. From the outside, most humans would spy nothing here except boring farmland. If they approached, they would get turned around and find themselves wandering out again. Believe me, I tried to get a pizza delivered to camp once. It was quite annoying."

"You ordered a pizza?" Ariana asked, confused.

"Never mind." Apollo said. "As for tickets ... it's true the camp doesnt let in just anybody, but you're in luck. I know the management."

Ariana rolled her eyes. "Meg could get in with or without you, she's a demigod."

Peaches growled. He sniffed the ground, then chomped a mouthful of dirt and spat it out.

"He doesn't like the taste of this place." Meg said.

"Yes, well ..." Apollo frowned at the karpos. Perhaps we can find him some potting soil or fertilizer when we arrive. I'll convince the demigods to let him in, but it would be helpful if he doesn't bite their heads off - at least not right away."

Peaches muttered something about peaches.

"Something doesn't feel right." Meg bit her nails. "Those woods ... Ariana didn't you say they were wild and enchanted and stuff."

Ariana bit her lip, nobody usually entered the woods because of that reason and yet the trio had (so far) no issues walking through it.

"Don't worry." Apollo assured Meg. "You're travelling with a god."

"Ex-god." Ariana reminded him.

"I wish you wouldn't keep harping on that. Anyway, the campers are very friendly. They'll welcome us with tears of joy. And wait until you see the orientation video."

"The what?"

"I directed it myself! Now, come along. The woods can't be that bad."

The woods were that bad.

As a child Ariana had no issue with the woods, she embraced it like an old friend. But ever since she had met Nyx in Tartarus she had developed a fear of the dark.