Arabella jogged to catch up to Chiron as he trotted ahead of her. Thoughts raced through her head, trying to figure out what it could be that he needed to discuss with her. Had she pissed anyone off? No, she thought, the last time was when I called Travis a manwhore, and he made me apologise for that. It couldn't be last weeks party, could it? Oh god, that must be it. I knew Castor had the music too loud!
"Chiron, if this is about last week-" she said until he cut her off.
"No, no... Hold on, what happened last week?" He asked, turning around to stand face to face with her.
"Oh.. uh.. nothing, um... Pollux was just annoyed at me..." she stuttered, quickly trying to cover up her slip-up.
"Arabella, you have to stop antagonising your brothers," he said with his arms crossed. "But no. I wanted to ask you if you'd heard from your father recently. He told me he'd be going away to a mortal festival for the weekend, but he was supposed to arrive back at camp on Monday. I thought he would've kept in contact with you, or at least let you know why he's three days late."
She looked up at him in confusion. "He's not back? Last time we talked was Sunday, and he said he was on his way home." Dread pooled in her stomach, as she tried to think back to the conversation they'd had. It had seemed to be completely normal, just like the father-daughter catch-ups they often had. She was grateful to have a father far more present than most of her friends' parents, but even so it was common for them not to talk for days at a time.
Chiron shook his head. "I think something may have happened, neither Castor or Pollux has heard from him since then either."
She paused a second, thinking. "Could we ask Rachel? Could it be to do with a prophecy?" She suggested.
"Maybe..." Chiron muttered to himself. "No. It couldn't be. But... could it? Oh no." Panic flashed in his eyes and he started to stride toward the Big House.
"What? Chiron, hold on-" Arabella said, struggling to keep up with him. She could make out a blurry figure leaving the building and starting towards them. As she got closer, she realised it was Anais Nixon, a daughter of Hypnos and good friend of hers.
"Chiron, finally!" She exclaimed in a panic, rushing toward them. "Its Rachel. The prophecy- theres more."
His eyes flashed with recognition as he followed her back, Arabella in tow.
"What prophecy? Anais? Chiron? How come i don't know about this?" She questioned, but no answers were given, Chiron and Anais to focused on getting back to the Big House to be any help.
When they arrived, a tall girl with curly hair that surrounded her like flames was sat in a large armchair. A strange green smoke thinly veiled her body, the only really distinguishable feature being her vivid emerald eyes, piercing Arabella's as she walked in.
"Rachel? What-" Chiron started, before being interrupted by the ginger.
"South the six shall prevent erase,
Home finally from afar.
A mother's wrath cursed son shall face,
So a father shall raise the bar."
A shiver ran through Arabella's body as Rachel slumped over in her seat, Anais rushing to wake her up. "Chiron, was that..."
"Yes, my dear," the elderly centaur replied. "A prophecy for you, i believe."
She stood there for a moment, as her heart raced. Then it set in. A prophecy! My prophecy! Her mind moved at a million thoughts per second. "So- so what does that mean? Do we know what my quest is? She said six people, right? Do i choose, is it predetermined, do you choose-"
"Relax, Arabella," he said, cutting her off. "You cant avoid fate, so your choice will be right." He smiled tenderly at her as she turned to Anais.
"Nai, are you hearing this? Gods, you know how long i've been waiting for my quest. Ever since Percy and Annabeth came back, since the war- it's been my dream!! Oh my gods, i have to go pack, i have to choose my people- see you soon!" She rushed off in the direction of her cabin as Anais and Chiron looked at each other solemnly.
"We have to tell her," Anais said, shaking her head anxiously.
"We will, Anais. All in due course."
