I was a little numb as they all led me up to the big house. My mind was racing, thinking of the dream I’d had and that stupid prophecy and wondering how-or even if- they connected. Ugh. Why me? Why was I the one that had to go on a stupid quest? I barely knew how to work my barrette/sword thing and they all expected me to become some hero over night? I honestly just wanted to go back home. I really didn’t think that I could handle the responsibility.
Annabeth gently tugged on my elbow to get me up the steps to the porch where Mr. D and Chiron were playing pinochle. The leopard-print wearing god of wine and parties glanced up at us, his eyes narrowing in on Nico and me standing pretty close together. Nico’s hand rested on the small of my back and I drew comfort from the touch but it looked like the camp director didn’t like it all that much.
"Nicolas Delgado," Mr. D greeted. "Nala Hall. What is it you want?"
"Mr. D," Chiron chided, "Those aren’t' their names and you know it. Now, children, what is it that we can help you with?"
"Chiron, I had a prophecy," Rachel explained as she pulled herself up onto the railing and started doodling on her pants. I figured that this kind of thing must have happened to her a lot because she was totally chill while I was still kind of having a mini panic attack. "It was for Naida. She's been given a quest."
Chiron looked surprised. "Really? Already? Well, that was fast. What was the prophecy?"
All eyes were turned on me. Yeah, like I was really supposed to repeat the stupid thing? I barely even remembered it and I sucked at poetry (shocker). "Um, it was something about six people saving destiny or fate or whatever. I-I'm not totally sure. This is all still a little confusing to me."
"Not to worry, dear Naida. But it said six, did it? Hm, I'm not sure that's a good idea. Does anyone remember the exact phrasing?"
Annabeth perked up a little. “I remember it. The prophecy said ‘The three old maids have little time. They've been trapped in the needle's eye. It's up to the six to return destiny. Or Fate is lost for eternity’."
Chiron sighed again. “Six.”
Rachel shrugged. "That's just what the prophecy said. It's normally not a good idea for quests to have more or less than three people, but wouldn't it be worse if the six didn't go?"
"She's got a point, Chiron," Annabeth agreed. "Naida is new at all this and she'll need all the help that she can get."
"I agree. So Naida, who would you like to accompany you on your quest?"
I didn't like people talking about me and leaving me out of the conversation but even more than that, I didn’t like that the attention was back on me. "Huh?" I said stupidly.
Chiron smiled gently and I didn’t feel like such an idiot. "The quest is yours. That means you are the leader and that it is you that chooses the remaining five heroes to go with you. Who would you like to help you on your way?"
Great, not only did I have to go on a stupid quest, I had to lead it and choose who else went into danger with me? I really didn’t like that all the responsibility was getting thrust on my shoulders. Talk about being put on the spot. I bit my lip nervously. Who the hell was I supposed to take with me? "Um, I don't really know. Chiron, sir, who do you think that I should take?"
Chiron smiled sweetly. "It's just Chiron, my dear. And you who choose to take is entirely up to you."
I blew my bangs out of my eyes. Yeah, thanks for the help. "Chiron I don't know how to do that. I'm a surfer chick, not a warrior. I don't have the faintest idea who would be an asset on this."
Annabeth touched my arm gently. She gave me a sweet smile. "Chose the five people that you trust the most here at camp. Your friends will be there for you. All you have to do is ask."
I bit my lip nervously. "Annabeth, would you go with me? You too, Percy. Please?"
"Well..." Percy started. Annabeth rolled her pretty grey eyes and elbowed him in the ribs. "Ouch, hey! Of course, we'll go with you, Naida. You're my sister, after all."
Tyson suddenly appeared and started jumping up and down with his arm raised in the air like a kid too eager to answer a teacher’s question. The ground shook with each jump. "Ooh, ooh. Me. Pick me, sister Naida."
I smiled. "Yeah, Tyson. Would you go with us too?"
Tyson smiled widely. "Yes, please. I promise that I will help."
I let out a breath. "Well, that's three. I need two more people. So-" Wow, I'm an idiot. I turned and shot Nico a smile. "Nico, would you please go with us? I could really use your help." I gave him my most pleading look.
He laughed once. "Sure, I'll help. But you still need another person."
"Percy, Percy!" Grover yelled as he ran into the room. "Percy, Chris Rodriguez said you were in here. I need a big favor. Juniper- What's going on in here?"
"Naida's been given a quest," Annabeth said. "Where were you?"
"Off with Juniper,” he answered vaguely, seemingly trying to drop the subject when he realized that Percy wasn’t alone. “What kind of quest?"
I really didn't want to explain any more of this, but Grover had watched out for me those months in California before I knew about demigods so I figured I could trust him. "Destiny is being held hostage. Five people are supposed to go with me to save them. Are you in?"
Grover bleated. "Sure." Apparently his Juniper crisis was going to have to wait.
"Then it's settled. You kids go get packed up and meet at Thalia's tree in fifteen minutes."
Great, so I had a quest and a team. I just hoped that I could actually do this. Guess it was time to start praying to some gods that I didn’t even believe in twenty-four hours ago. Yikes.

Notes

sorry i've been MIA for a little while- between school and work i haven't had much time for my writing. but thank you for your patience and THANK YOU tmcar1 ; Daughter of Poseidon123 ; Thalia grace ; Evil espresso drinks
and my silent readers, you are more than welcome to comment, too! ;)