WAR GAMES -- connor stoll

II. Council of War

It was strange for Malora to attend a war council without her father present, not that he was ever really participating or helping in any way, but that was why it felt right that the council was held in the sword arena at least and not in the Big House. Though it did distract her that Mrs. O'Leary was chewing loudly on a life-sized pink rubber yak that squeaked constantly, like a toy for a normal-sized dog.

Malora was sitting between Annabeth and Clarisse, the three of them leading the briefing. Chiron and Quintus were standing at the front together, by the weapon racks. Malora also noticed that Grover, sitting beside his girlfriend, was keeping as much distance to Tyson as possible. Connor and Travis were across from Malora and her friends, while Percy, Silena, Beckendorf and Lee also sat around the table.

What unnerved Malora the most was the presence of Argus, the hundred-eyed security chief, though. He tended to be by himself, only ever showing up when something really dangerous, something big, happened. She didn't have anything against him, but with all of his blue eyes fixed on her, staring so intently that his entire body got bloodshot, she became extremely nervous.

"Luke must've known about the Labyrinth entrance," said Annabeth with a little pride in her voice. Malora repressed the urge to roll her eyes. "He knew everything about camp."

For all his faults, his conniving ways, and even though he had tricked Annabeth into taking the sky from him and carrying it, she still seemed to like him. Impressed and proud that Luke was as smart as he was evil. Malora couldn't understand that.

Just then Juniper cleared her throat, drawing Malora's attention to her, "That's what I was trying to tell you last night. The cave entrance has been there a long time. Luke used to use it."

Silena frowned at the dryad. "You knew about the Labyrinth entrance, and you didn't say anything?"

Juniper blushed bright green. "I didn't know it was important. Just a cave. I don't like yucky old caves."

Malora figured that this would've in fact been important to mention earlier, but she decided not to say that aloud. After all Juniper had mentioned it now.

"She has a good taste." Grover spoke in his girlfriend's favor, though Malora wasn't sure whether he wanted to compliment himself or not.

"I wouldn't have paid any attention except..." she blushed a little greener. "well, it was Luke."

Malora couldn't prevent her eye roll this time. Grover, too, huffed in annoyance. She suspected he was more jealous than truly annoyed, but she was glad that at least someone besides her wouldn't forget everything Luke had done just because he was good looking or because he had been kind once upon a time.

"Forget what I said about good taste." grumbled Grover.

Quintus polished his sword as he spoke, "Interesting. And you believe this young man, Luke, would dare use the Labyrinth as an invasion route?"

Malora nodded. "I've got no doubt about it."

"If he could get an army of monsters into Camp Half-Blood, just pop up in the middle of the woods without having to worry about our magical boundaries, we wouldn't stand a chance. He could wipe us out easy. He must've been planning this for months." Clarisse added seriously.

"He's been sending scouts into the maze," mentioned Annabeth. "We know, because... because we found one."

"Chris Rodriguez." Malora and Chiron spoke up at the same time, even though Chiron's words were directed to Quintus and Malora's to the demigods (and Tyson) around the table.

Chiron threw Quintus a meaningful look.

"Ah," realized the older demigod. "The one in the... Yes, I understand."