The Unusual Half-Blood

Chapter 6: The Quest begins

It didn't take me long to pack. I decided to leave the Minotaur horn in my room, which left me only an extra change of clothes, and a toothbrush to stuff in a backpack provided by the camp.

I dressed up in black jeans and sneakers, and a grey hoodie, over my orange camp half-blood t-shirt.

The camp store loaned me one thousand dollars in mortal money and twenty golden drachmas – for mortal and mythical transactions respectively.

They also gave Annabeth and me each a canteen of nectar and a Ziploc bag full of ambrosia squares, to be used only in emergencies, if we were seriously hurt.

Annabeth was bringing her magic Yankees cap. She also carried her book on architecture, and a long bronze knife, hidden in her shirt sleeve.

Once ready, both of us hiked up Half-Blood Hill to the tall pine tree.

The weather was stormy, with mild gusts of wind. I could see occasional Lightning streaks across the grey clouds that covered the entire sky.

Chiron was waiting for us at the top with Grover. Next to him, there was another guy- the camp's head of security. I'd seen him around the camp a couple of times.

According to the campers, he had eyes all over his body. I could see extra pairs on his arms, and neck.

"This is Argus," Chiron told me. "He will drive you into the city, and, er, well, keep an eye on things."

I heard footsteps behind us as Luke came running up the hill, carrying a pair of basketball shoes.

"Hey!" he panted. "Glad I caught you."

Annabeth blushed, the way she always did when Luke was around.

"Just wanted to say good luck," Luke told me. "And I thought ... um, maybe you could use these."

He handed me a pair of normal-looking sneakers.

"Maia!", chanted Luke.

White bird's wings sprouted out of the heels of the shoes and started flapping.

"Awesome!" Grover said.

Luke smiled. "They served me well when I was on my quest. Gift from Dad. Of course, I don't use them much these days...." His expression turned sad.

"Thanks, Luke."

"Listen, Keith........ a lot of hope is riding on you. So just ... kill some monsters for me, okay?" he said, beaming.

We shook hands. Luke patted Grover's head between his horns, then gave a goodbye hug to Annabeth, who looked like she might pass out.

"You're hyperventilating," I told her after Luke left.

"I'm not"

Her face and ears were still red.

"Are you sure?" I teased

"I-I said I'm fine. God, you're so annoying", she said as she stomped down the other side of the hill, where a white SUV waited on the shoulder of the road.

Argus and Grover started marching down too.

But before I could follow, Chiron caught my arm. "Keith, promise me something. I want you to keep them safe. This quest is too dangerous. Even though they are both capable and trained, they are not like you. Can you give me your word?"