Running From the Olympians

Chapter 10

Jay's P.O.V.

I didn't have anything to do before seeing Chiron, so I walked to the arena to practice archery early. I walked past the climbing wall, the dining pavilion, and the cabins, and the arena. I needed to go to the armory to get a bow and arrows before going to the arena.

I walked inside the armory and flicked on the lights. It's changed a lot since the last time I've seen it. One wall was lined with crates that didn't look like they've been opened yet. The opposite wall was lined with all different sized swords. No two swords had the same style, but they were all made out of celestial bronze. There was a closet in the back, next to daggers and more swords differently styled swords.

In the center of the armory, there were boxes filled with bent, broken, burned, and entirely damaged weapons, including swords and daggers. Some weapons I had no idea what they were, because of how damaged they were.

I shoved some boxes aside to get to the back door. I pushed open the door, but couldn't see anything. It was way too dark. I felt the walls for a light switch, flicked on the lights, and looked around. The whole back room was half the size of the first room. The side walls were lined with differently sized bows with quivers arms with arrows on the side of each bow. The back wall was lined with more quivers and arrows.

I grabbed the nearest bow off the wall and got an arrow from the quiver next to it. I pulled the arrow back, to see if I liked how the bow felt. I didn't like it. I put the bow and arrow back.

I scanned the wall for a bow I thought I'd like. I grabbed a dark brown one and an arrow. I pulled the arrow back. It felt worse than the first. I put it back.

I grabbed a black one and an arrow from its quiver. I pulled the arrow back, ready to let go, and it felt perfect. I put the arrow back in the quiver and slung the quiver over my back. I turned off the lights in both rooms and walked to the arena.

I checked my watch. 6:51. Well, that had taken a while. Breakfast would be a 7:30, then training started. I would have to tell Nyla when to go to breakfast, too, which would take around ten minutes. I had around a half an hour.

I pulled an arrow out of the quiver and aimed at the target. I pulled the arrow back and let it go. I didn't even hit the target. I guess this is why I chose a sword over a bow and arrows.

I pulled another arrow out of the quiver and aimed. I let go, and it landed a few feet in front of the target. Archery class was not going to be fun today.

I pulled a third arrow out and aimed at the target again. I looked to the side of the arena and a light colored owl was watching me creepily. I aimed at the owl, and it didn't move. Apparently it saw how terrible my aim was before.

"Shoo," I said.

It tilted its head, but didn't leave.

"You're a very creepy bird, you know that."

It screeched at me.

"I don't understand your creepy owl language."

I flew towards me. I ducked, but it sat on my head.

"Get off." I shook my head, trying to get the bird to fly away.

It dug its talons into my scalp.

"Ow, ow, okay!"

I stood up carefully and aimed another arrow. Before I let go, the owl jumped onto my shoulder and bit my arm that held the bow.

"Ow! What was that for?"

It stared at me.

"You could at least make some owl noise."

It screeched really loudly in my face.