The Forbidden Daughter | PJO Book One

four

QUEST TIME

That night after dinner, there was a lot more excitement than usual. At last, it was time for capture the flag.

Personally, Ariana loved the game. Chiron said it was a great way for her to let out all of her pent up anger she had. (If you asked Ariana if she had any anger her immediate response would be no, of course she didn't.)

When the plates were cleared away, the conch horn sounded and everyone stood at their respected tables.

Campers yelled and cheered as Annabeth and two of her siblings ran into the pavilion carrying a silk banner.

It was about three metres long, glistening grey, with a painting of a barn owl above an olive tree.

From the opposite side of the pavilion, Clarisse and two of her siblings rain in with their banner, gaudy red with a bloody spear and a boars head painted onto it.

Ariana heard Percy yell. "Those are the flags?"

"Yeah." Luke answered him.

"Ares and Athena always lead the teams?"

Ariana turned to face them, her arms crossed. "Not always."

"So if another cabin captures one, what do you do - repaint it?"

Ariana grinned at the boy. "You'll see, Jackson and before you ask we've made a temporary alliance with Athen. So, tonight we are getting the flag of Ares."

"And you are going to help." Luke added. "Think of it as practice."

Chiron pounded his hooves on the floor.

"Heroes!" He announced. "You all know the rules. The creek is a boundary, the entire forest is fair game. All magic items are allowed. The banner must be prominently displayed, and have no more than two guards. Prisoners may be disarmed but not bound or gagged. No killing or maiming is allowed. I will serve as referee and battlefield medic. Arm yourselves!"

Chiron spreader his arms out and in an instant all tables were covered in various armour and equipment.

Ariana quickly picked up her armour, shield and sword that she always used. Placing her armour on herself and getting ready, Luke came over to her.

"I think Annabeth is putting you on border control with Percy." He told her.

Ariana groaned. She hated border control. "She knows I hate border control!"

Luke laughed and tapped her shoulder as he walked away.

"Blue team forward!" Annabeth yelled, loud enough so everyone could hear her.

Ariana quickly caught up with Annabeth, ready to give her a piece of her mind. "You put me on border control?"

"Sorry Ari." Annabeth sighed. "But you're used to helping new campers and we can't have Percy bring slaughtered by Clarisse."

Speak of the devil and they appear. Percy had caught up to them.

"So what's the plan?" He asked. "Got any magic items you can loan me?"

"Just watch out for Clarisse's spear." And Annabeth walked away.

"You don't want that thing touching you." Ariana informed him. "Otherwise, don't worry. You know what you're doing?"

"Border control, whatever that means."

"It's easy. You are with me. We stand by the creek and keep the reds away. Leave the rest to Annabeth, Athena always has a plan."