Another Son Of Hermes

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Although Annabeth had given Rory a brief tour he wanted to do some more exploring of his own so he went back to the stables. Before moving to London Rory had lived on a farm in Yorkshire and had always felt comfortable around horses. He could ride them well but didn't have a competitive nature and hadn't won anything because of it. Rory walked into the stables and was instantly welcomed by the familiar smell of straw, but to his utmost surprise the animals he saw in the stables were not horses. At first glance they certainly looked like it but after further investigation one would undoubtedly notice the large wings they had.

“Pegasi.” Rory exclaimed, not quite believing what he said. He ventured further into the stables and as he passed the pegasi they nudged his arms. The action was friendly and every so often Rory would stop to pat one on the nose, wishing he had sugar cubes to give them.

At the last stall there was a girl, she was stroking a pegasus and crying silently. Normally Rory's tactic with crying people was back away slowly and avoid eye contact but this girl seemed different. It wasn't a 'just broke up with my boyfriend' cry but more like a reminiscent sadness, like she was thinking back to something in her past. She looked up, clearly having sensed Rory's presence and hastily wiped the tears from eyes. She had blonde hair slightly lighter at the roots as if bleached by the sun, her skin was tanned and she had a collection of freckles around the nose. The girl sniffled quietly and Rory put a hand on her arm.

“Hey, what's up?” he said gently. She shook her head.

“It's nothing...I was just thinking about Silena and my brother.

“Silena?” he said and the girl looked up at him in surprise.

“Oh of course, your the newbie.” she said “Rory, right?” he nodded and swung himself over the stall gate so he was standing net to her.

“I'm Arabella.” she said “Daughter of Apollo. Silena was a friend of mine”.

“I think Grover mentioned a Silena. She was the Aphrodite counsellor?” Arabella nodded. Rory continued. “He told me she died fighting a drakon, that she was a hero.”

“That's right, don't listen to anything Drew- the girl who replaced Silena as counsellor- says about her, she was a hero. Silena was the best pegasus rider at camp, this guy,” she put her arm round the pegasus's neck “he was the one she normally rode.” Rory stepped forward and stroked behind his ears, the pegasus whinnying in response. Arabella blinked away her tears and smiled at Rory.

“good with horses.” she noted and handed Rory a box of sugar cubes. Rory grinned and offered the pegasus one. He snatched it from Rory's palm and swallowed it whole.

“I grew up on a farm,” he explained “I looked after the animals there.”

“A farm.” Arabella mused “could you be a child of Demeter?” Rory shook his head.

“I know it's my dad.”

“Well I suppose you'll find out tonight.” she said. Out of the blue a boy ran into the stables, almost skidding into one of the stalls. He stopped to catch his breath.

“Will?” Arabella said, alarmed. Will held his hand out to signal that she wait a moment. Arabella climbed over the stall gate and walked towards him.

“Your needed.” he said between breaths “at the Big House.” Will ran back out of the stables. Arabella turned to follow him but then hesitated.

“It was nice to meet you Rory.” she said, then winked at him and ran after Will.