Sunlight | Luke Castellan

X. a weapon of steel

   THERE WAS A violent flash of lightning, and the rain began to fall harder. I became aware of how soaked my clothes still were, parts of my damp hair plastered to the sides of my face. I wasn't excited to run through it back to my cabin, though I didn't have many options left to change into.

"No time to waste," Chiron told the three. "I think you should all get packing." Annabeth was the first to leave, unable to hide the grin forming on her face. Percy gave a last look toward me before abandoning the pinochle table, Grover following after him in the direction of the cabins. I crossed my arms against my chest, unable to meet the centaur's eyes. Loneliness was already settling in. "I hear you have lessons with Luke today."

"Well, word travels fast," I said, shuffling my feet against the wood. With a shake of my head, I looked up to Chiron. I wanted to stay mad, but the emotion was minimal now. Responsibility overpowered how I felt. "The spy. Do you have any guesses who they are?"

"I do not," the centaur told me truthfully. He sighed, glancing out at where the three had run off into the storm. "I know that what you just witnessed could not have been easy."

"Yeah, you're right," I shot. Chiron didn't chastise at my outburst. "There hasn't been anything comforting as of late for me to trust in my brother's safety out there. I don't exactly feel better knowing that a camper here, someone who should be on his side, would want to kill him."

"Your anger is warranted. I myself am not thrilled at that notion." The centaur looked tired, and he rubbed the bridge of his nose as he sighed again. "I fear that everything will change for my campers regardless of this quest's outcome."

"What should I do?"

Chiron's eyes widened, and he lifted his head to shake it towards me. "Apologies, my dear. That was not my intent." I stepped aside as he reached for the abandoned blanket, using it as a towel to dry off from the time he had spent in the rain. "There is still much for us to discuss later. You should go say your goodbyes-"

"I know there is a prophecy," I interrupted, and his shoulders sagged. "It's about my brother, isn't it?"

The centaur held the blanket gingerly in his hands. "As of this moment in time, I believe so," he said carefully. "I once thought it would be another." Chiron wrapped the blanket around his shoulders, covering the drenched suit he wore. "Prophecies are... fickle things. I've learned from experience that the more one attempts to understand the words the Oracle says, the riskier their quest or journey can become. It is dangerous to attempt to control the uncontrollable."

"Wouldn't that help the person receiving the prophecy prepare themselves better?" I questioned. There was another boom of thunder. "It seems wrong to hide knowledge."

"The hero of the prophecy will learn their fate when the time is right." Chiron stepped closer to me, his voice lowering. "I keep it from the campers and now you for a reason. Knowledge of uncertain future like this is not a gift, Eleni. Imagine the destined bearer to know their fate years before. They would make their own understanding and prepare accordingly, but prophecies are never what they seem upon first glance."

As he backed away, I considered his words. His warnings were not meant to scare me, but the point being made was intentional. Chiron knew I would seek him out eventually about the prophecy. My company at the camp already knew of its existence.

"I do want to make something clear again, Eleni Jackson," the centaur said. He looked out to the camp through the rain, focusing on the volleyball pit that had been abandoned due to the storm. I moved to stand beside him at the porch railing. "I consider you to be part of my campers, and Camp Half-Blood will always welcome you. Do you remember my words to you on your first night?"