Water and Wisdom

#1 - A Quest Is Ordered

                   

#1 – A Quest Is Ordered

ANNABETH

Annabeth sighed as Chiron shook his head. Putting an arm on her shoulder, he apologised, "Sorry, my dear, but I cannot tell you anything." Annabeth huffed in frustration. A few weeks had passed since the gods had went silent, and her mentor still refused to reveal anything to the demigods. No matter how many times she or the others asked him, his answer was still no.

Shuffling out of the Big House, Annabeth's shoulders drooped in disappointment. Just when she had thought that she and her mum had been getting closer, the gods just had to ruin their relationship and close the gates. Trapped in her thoughts, Annabeth ran into someone.

"Hey, Princess! Watch where you're going!" Clarisse shouted.

Annabeth scowled, "Whatever." Softer, she mumbled, "Grumpy, just like her dad.

Clarisse roared, "What did you say? I challenge you to a duel!"

"Look. Clarisse, I really don't have time for this. I–" Before Annabeth could get a whole sentence out, she found a sword pointing at her throat. Clarisse stared her down, sneering, "Scared of losing, Princess?"

Annabeth smirked, "Well, if you put it that way..." Annabeth kicked Clarisse in the stomach, dodging a swipe of her knife. Clarisse backed away for a moment before charging at Annabeth, her sword raised.

Thoughts whirled through Annabeth's mind like they always did during a battle, calculating and analysing her opponent's moves. Having fought with and against Clarisse before, Annabeth knew that Clarisse had all the brute strength, but less of the brains. Whereas Annabeth had all the brains and agility, but no weapon.

As the celestial bronze sword came down on her, Annabeth executed a well-placed kick on the hilt of the sword, which was in Clarisse's hands. In a cry of pain, Clarisse released the sword, which flew through the air. Using her skills, Annabeth extended a hand and caught the sword, aiming it at Clarisse who was on the ground.

After a few seconds, Annabeth placed the sword on the ground and walked over to her friend. She helped Clarisse up, laughing, "That's 3 out of 3 that I've won, Clarisse." Clarisse pouted slightly, but shook Annabeth's hand, then ran off to the hall to train.

Wiping a hand across her forehead, Annabeth checked for any wounds. A slight nick from the sword here and there on her clothes, but no blood. She trudged back towards the Athena Cabin, all the discontent from earlier on dissipating the adrenaline from the battle.

When she entered the cabin, Annabeth realised that all her cabin mates were crowded around her bed.

"What's going on?" she asked curiously. Annabeth squeezed her way through the tightly packed demigods, pushing her way to the front. A sphere of light was floating over her bed, hanging in mid-air.

A lilting voice flowed out of the ball of light, like the rushing water of a pure stream, "My children, gather the demigods, gather all of them. Quickly. I don't have much time before Zeus senses that I am communicating with you."

"Mum!" Annabeth exclaimed in delight. Finally, her prayers had been answered. She pointed to her brothers and sisters, "Go get the campers. I'll bring the light to the main square." Nodding, her siblings raced out of the door like the wind, ready to notify all the campers.

Turning to the sphere, Annabeth asked, "Mum, why has Olympus been closed?" A sigh could be heard, "I'm afraid that I do not know. Zeus may have had an overreaction, but even Hera cannot persuade him to reopen the gates." Frowning, Annabeth nodded, "He should know that closing the gates didn't work the last time."