The Gathering

Chapter Eight

Chris came and got us up at five in the morning, much to our dismay. "Rise and shine, it's time to go"

We all met with Ava and Adrian on the home run deck. Alexander was with them, waiting for us. As Alexander discussed something with Chris, I looked over the stadium for one last time. Lights shining brightly, I was able to see all that was here. They had held this place in great condition and showed great strength for my duration here. I was glad to know I had won their respect.

"Morning. So do you guys know where you're going next?" He asked.

I took out the map and looked for the closest mark. It looks like we would have to go visit Poseidon's kids, somewhere off the coast of Manhattan island.

"Poseidon's next. The rest are either south or west of here" I reported.

"To our deaths, you mean" I heard James mutter under his breath. And he could be right. In the war, Poseidon was our biggest enemy and none of us would be surprised if they refused us, I think.

"I wish you all good luck and a safe journey" Alexander said, in departure.

Jonathon brought out our three horses, and we each doubled up on a horse. Chris and Danny on Vizzen, Adrian and Ava on Dinah, and James and I on Solomon.

Most places were all in the same amount of ruin: Crumbling buildings with vines growing throughout and the smell of rotting flesh.

We rode for about two days before reaching New York City limits where we set up camp for the night.

We all sat around a wwarm fire and made small talk about past experiences. As we broke off to attend to our various duties, I went to talk to Danny.

"Did Chris say anything about his past when you guys were riding?" I asked.

"Nothing. I asked a few questions, but he fended them off, quite expertly if i migt add"

"Well lets see if we can change that" I said, walking over to Chris despite Danny's skeptical looks.

"Tell us a little about yourself Chris" I said as we sat across him.

"Not much to me. I came to the Ares camp after my mother was killed because I had nowhere else to go" Chris said, all the while staring straight ahead and into the city.

Definitely a tragic past he's had. But who of us hasn't.

"Ever since then I've been training so that I can find the man that killed my mom. Only reason I'm still tolerating all of you, so that I can get to him" Chris told simply and bluntly.

"Any way we'd be able to recognize him?" I asked.

"Nope. I just know I'll know when I see him" Chris said simply, but one look at Danny and we knew he was hiding something.

"Danny, how about we go scout out the area for awhile?" I suggested as I got up from the ground.

"Sounds wonderful" Danny replied, following me away from camp.

I had every intention of going out to scout, but I also wanted to talk about Chris to Danny.

"So what do you think of what just happened there?" I asked, once we were a safe distance away.

"He's definitely obsessed with his moms killer. Hopefully he'll want to stay with us by the time we do find her" Danny observed.

"How do you think we should approach this next meeting?" I asked, referring to how we were going to get the Poseidon kids to come with us after such a rivalry.

"We have to be there. If there's any deceit they could act harshly and endanger us all" Danny said.

"But theyll almost certainly react badly to the fact that we're Athenians. You dont just forget 250 years of warfare" I restated.