Chapter Text
The sun was shining, the breeze was cool, and no one had gotten stabbed yet, so today was a good day.
The sun was rising just over the treetops, and the barrier glowed faintly whenever the wind blew. I wove between the trees, my dagger hanging limply from my belt. I knew I wouldn't need it, but it was always nice to feel the cool metal. It was reassuring.
The early summer mornings at camp were the best, because they were quiet and calming. I had left my cabin early, when no one was awake yet. It had become routine for me to leave early in the morning and be back before breakfast, so it wouldn't be an issue when the others woke up.
I took note of everything that happened around me. A fox scurried into a bush as I climbed up a hill, and I barely spared it a glance. Even if I didn't look too interested in my surroundings, I kept an ear alert for any sounds that were unnatural.
Too many years on high alert had taught me to keep an eye out, or die. Harsh way to grow up, but no one said having some god as your father would be easy.
The trees started to thin out as I reached the top of a small hill. To continue my path, I slid down the slope, stopping just before a small stream.
I had forgotten to tie my hair back, so I saw a wave of blonde and red tips as my hair fell into my face. I was surprised it still was able to get in my way, I'd recently cut it a tiny bit past shoulder length. I pushed them out of my face and kept walking at a steady pace.
After a few minutes of following the stream, I broke off the path and walked through the foliage. I hadn't expected to find anyone awake, but a small woodland nymph moved her tree slightly out of my path, and I smiled at the tree, because I couldn't tell where the nymph actually was.
Finally, the trees started to disappear, and I reached the crest of the hill. A lone tree stood at the center, and the grass seemed to grow even greener around its base. The sun was hitting the tree at an angle, giving it a divine look. Despite that, I doubted the gods had anything to do with it.
I walked straight up to the tree, and placed my hand on it.
"How are you doing, Thalia?" I greeted, patting the trunk of the tree. I had never found out if she could actually hear me, but I never missed saying good morning.
"This week's going to be really boring, but leave it to the gods to throw something in our paths." I chuckled at myself. I traced the bark of the tree with my hand, a variety of silver rings glittering in the rising sun.
"I'm probably going to write up the barrier report for Annabeth, or she might kill me." I said, keeping the one sided conversation going.
I sat down, leaning against the tree and I pulled out a scrap of paper from my pocket. I started drawing the rough outline of camp, and noting what I'd seen at each corner. I was no artist, and Apollo campers loved to remind me, but my crappy sketches kept camp's security in top shape.
I spent about half an hour sitting by the tree, swapping between sketching and talking to Thalia's tree. The sun was now fully risen, and I could see birds fly away from where the cabins were, meaning people were getting ready for the day.
I decided to spend a few more minutes, then head back, because I knew there was going to be no breakfast left if I was too late.
Before I saw anyone, I heard footsteps come from the same place I had, and they seemed quick, but with intention. Just as expected, a figure emerged from the trees, jogging.
"Hey Lydia!" The girl waved at me with the spear in her hand, but not stopping.
"What's up Clarisse?" I shouted back.
"Do you ever sleep? I swear I never actually see you in bed." She asked, and I let out a laugh because she did have a point. But I was still going to match her sarcasm.
"Do you ever stop yelling?" I shot back, which was ironic considering this conversation was done via shouting because of our distance.
This time, it was her turn to laugh, and she waved goodbye as she disappeared back into the green. I looked up at the clouds again, and hauled myself up onto my feet.
My arms were sore from training yesterday, and I stretched them out. I said goodbye to Thalia, and headed in the same direction Clarisse had gone in.
I walked through the forest once more, twigs and leaves crunching under my boots. The birds were chirping louder now, and all the fauna of the forest had fully woken up.
Just like the forest creatures, all the campers were all over the place. Most were heading to the Dining Pavilion, but a few were waiting outside cabins to see their friends. I spotted Luke walking with Chris Rodriguez and a few others over to eat.
Luke spotted me and raised his hand in greeting, and I returned it, but I headed towards the Athena cabin.
I passed by a few other cabins, including my own. I had grown to like Hermes cabin, with its dull brown paint and crooked shutters. It had become like a home. Yes, it was constantly packed due to it being the residence for unclaimed demigods, but I liked helping kids while they tried to navigate this strange world.
I also passed the Aphrodite cabin, where I saw a certain black-haired daughter of Aphrodite.
"Silena!" I shouted, waving at her over the heads of little campers. She saw me, and waved enthusiastically back.
"Lydia! How are you?" She asked, giving me a hug.
"Great." I replied, "How's mystery boy?" I wiggled my eyebrows.
She blushed, and swatted at me. "He's fine."
"Oh I bet he is fine if he was able to get your attention." I retorted, but glad that she had found someone to love.
She laughed, and a few Aphrodite campers turned around. Silena smiled warmly at them, and they kept walking. Only a few kids gave her stares.
Naturally, I stared back at them.
"You're scaring them." Silena noticed, waving her hand in front of my face.
I turned to look at her. "No...I'm just not letting them pick on you."
She put her hands on her hips, blue eyes fixed on mine. "You're afraid some 12 year old will pick on me? I'm the head counselor for my cabin." She gestured behind her.
I pretended to ponder on this, before agreeing. "Alright, alright. I'll stop." She smiled, and clapped her hands as if I'd just agreed to do something crazy.
"Oh, and for the record, I don't need you to save me." She added, head turned to look at me as she walked away.
"I know, I know," I raised my hands in mock defeat, "I just like making sure there's no trouble."
Silena scoffed, but her tone was light, "You cause enough trouble for the three of us." She thought about that for a moment, "Well, Clarisse helps with making trouble."
We both laughed, and she went off to breakfast. I made it to the Athena cabin, where it stood as impressive as ever. The owl engraved over the door and plain white curtains showed off how tough these kids were. Athena was notoriously one of the strictest goddesses. The gray paint reflected the eyes of the blonde girl sitting on the steps, notebook in hand.
"Mornin' Annabeth." I said, plopping down next to her.
"Hi, Lydia." She greeted me, and took my notebook. I rolled my eyes at her bluntness, which she responded with a surprisingly strong punch.
"Remind me to stop teaching you how to punch so well." I muttered as I rubbed my sore arm.
"Oh please, that's only a fraction." Annabeth said, but under her sarcasm lay the warmth of the Annabeth I knew.
"Wonderful then, little miss warrior. You can keep looking over these notes after breakfast," I stood up, "I'm starving."
She remained seated, eyes fixed on the sheets of paper. "It's paper. You can revise these notes in 20 minutes." I tried to convince her, grabbing her hands and pulling.
She looked up at me, unimpressed, but there was a small smile creeping its way up. "Please." I tried, pouting until she finally stood up.
"Fine. But only because people work better on a full stomach." Annabeth stated, putting the two notebooks away.
"Yay!" I exclaimed, throwing an arm over her shoulders, "Let's get going before Luke eats everything. I swear that kid eats like he's never seen pancakes."
That got a laugh out of Annabeth, and we walked away from the cabin, and past the small torches that hung on the trees.
Just out of view, I could hear the chatter of breakfast, and Annabeth and I kept joking until we finally reached breakfast.