The Child of Artemis

Chapter 4

"Hey, Leo, are you in here?" Percy stuck his head into Bunker Nine.

"Yeah, I'm up here." He glanced up, and saw Leo sitting on Festus's back, a screwdriver in hand. "Oh hey. Can I come in?"

"Sure. Just don't step on the loose parts and don't touch anything."

"Okay." Percy picked his way across the room until he was underneath the  dragon. Festus cast a long shadow across the workshop floor, which was littered with various bolts and washers and only Leo knew what else.

"What are you doing up there?" Leo peered over the side and grinned. "Just adding a few new upgrades so he can help with the ceremony." Festus whirred and creaked a reply. Leo laughed. "No, these are only temporary. So don't worry." He winked at Percy. "He's a little cranky 'cause I switched off his fire breath." Leo gave the screwdriver one more twist before shutting the panel on Festus's neck. "There. That should do it." He stuck it back in his tool belt and jumped down next to Percy.

"So did you need me for something?" Leo asked as he wiped his hand with an oil-stained rag. "Actually, yeah. It's lunch time, and Frank, Hazel and Jason called ahead and said they'll all be here soon." Leo nodded. "Gracias, I'll clean up and head to the dining pavilion." Percy left and shut the door behind him.

Leo quickly sorted through the random piles of gears and wires and things. He stuck some in his tool belt, but most he tossed away. Within minutes, the Bunker was clean, and Leo was off to lunch.

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"Leo, over here!" Piper waved from the head table, where she, Annabeth, Percy and the others sat with Chiron. Leo wove his way between the tables, stopping only to say hello to Harley, and to avoid bumping into the serving nymphs who roamed about with platters of food and drink.

"Everything good with Festus, Leo?" Annabeth asked as he sat down. He nodded, then reached across the table and snatched one of Percy's blue corn chips. The Son of Posideon may have been twenty-five, but he still loved blue food.

"He's more than ready to help with the celebration." Leo glanced around. "Hey, where's Cal and Sammy?" His wife and son were conspicuously absent. A serving nymph set a platter of roast down in front of him, and he dug in. Modifying a bronze dragon required lots of energy.

Piper nodded toward the Big House. "Calypso said she was feeling a little tired, so she and Sammy were going to go rest." Leo nodded and stood up. "I think I'll go eat with them." He grabbed an extra plate for Calypso and headed for the Big House.

Leo dodged groups of campers headed for the pavilion and skirted around Argus, the 100-eyes head of security, who was marching to the pavilion, an anxious look on his face. At least, Leo thought he looked anxious. The guy had about 20 eyes on his face alone, so it was hard to tell.

He made his way upstairs, and crept into his and Calypso's room. The ex-sorceress and their son were both snoozing on the big bed. Leo quietly set the extra plate on the floor, then planted a kiss on Cal's cheek. She mumbled something in her sleep. He smiled and left the way he'd come.

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"So, has the matter been discussed?" Chiron folded his hands and cast a meaningful look at Annabeth. She put a finger to her lips and shook her head.
"We're waiting until Jason, Hazel and Frank get here." She whispered. Chiron nodded.

"Hey, where's Lily?" Percy asked as he sipped his blue Coke. Annabeth still couldn't believe he drank that stuff.

"She's in the stables with Lacy." Annabeth answered. "She said she would watch her while we ate."
Percy nodded and shoveled pork roast into his mouth.

"Hey Chiron," Piper called from the opposite end of the table, "Where's Mr. D?" The infamously grouchy camp director was conspicuously absent.

Percy snapped his fingers. "That's who's missing!" He exclaimed. "I thought this place felt a little too cheery." Annabeth rolled her eyes. She wasn't a big fan of the grumpy camp director either, but had long ago learned not to speak ill of the gods.

Chiron acknowledged Piper. "He left a few days before you came to spend time on Olympus. The gods are celebrating our triumph as well. He should return after the celebration, though." Piper nodded and went back to eating.

Just then a cheer rose up from the tables. Applause thundered from the crowd as campers paused their meals. The three demigods glanced at the door and joined in.

Rachel Elizebeth Dare, supported by a cane, had entered the pavilion. She waved to the campers and took her seat at the head table. A tired but grateful smile crossed her face as a nymph served her.

"Rachel! How are you feeling?" Piper asked as Rachel sat down. She propped her cane against the back of her chair and grinned. "I'm alright. Just twisted my ankle when I slipped." She looked at Chiron. "The healers said that I should be fine, though. Nothing broken, and only a few bruises." She thanked the nymph who set a plate in front of her and began to eat.

"So, what happened to you?" Percy asked, confused.

"Oh, sorry Percy. I forgot to tell you. Rachel, do you mind?" Annabeth asked the Oracle, who was sipping a glass of fizzy water. "Not at all."

"Well, Percy, the thing is..."

But Annabeth never got the chance to finish.

Because at that moment, Jason Grace arrived.

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"Alright buddy, The Camp is down there." Jason pointed, and Temptest tossed his smoky head back and snorted.

"I am holding on. Why do you-WHOA!"

Temptest dove down beneath the clouds, flying straight for the dining pavilion. Jason could see the campers at their tables nearing at an alarming speed. One of them glanced up, and screamed. The rest of the camp followed suite.

Temptest sped up and landed with a thud on top of the Zeus table, which, luckily, was empty.

Jason grinned sheepishly at the campers. A few gawked, but most cowered behind their tables. One Ares brandished his breadstick like a sword.

Desperate to lighten the situation, Jason glanced down, and noticed the half eaten plates of meat and salad.

"Oh, good. I'm just in time for lunch."

At the head table, Percy laughed. Long and loud. This earned him a few odd looks, but some campers joined him. Soon, the most of the pavilion was laughing.

Jason jumped off Temptest, and down to the ground. "Thanks for the ride buddy, and the entrance." Temptest snorted and flew off towards the forest.

Jason turned and made his way to the head table, earning himself a few high fives from the campers. Percy was still chuckling when Jason sat down next to Piper and began eating.

"Well Jason Grace, I must say, that entrance was quite impressive." Chiron complemented him. "Although next time, please keep in mind that we don't want to upset the newer campers."

"Will do Chiron." Jason nodded. Percy finally stopped laughing and resumed eating as well.

"Hey Pipes, do you want to take a walk when you finish?" He whispered.

Piper grinned. "Sure." She brushed a kiss against his cheek. "I'm glad you're back, Jason." Her free hand found his under the table, winding their fingers together.

"Me too."
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