The Wheel Of Time

The boat stopped, and the older campers by the railing threw ropes to the two guys on the dock. After the boat was tied down, kids started to get off in a quick and oddly orderly procession.

I felt my heart beat faster. I had waited for this moment for almost five years, and now... I was just suppose to walk in? I didn't know what I expected, but maybe something a little more... dangerous, scary?

Two more people in front of me. One. I stepped onto the dock and walked forward. I prayed to whom ever my father was, to not claim me in this huge crowd of people. I wasn't just praying to all of them though; I was almost positive who he was, and I did not need that to be people's first impression.

I waited at the end of the dock for David; But he slipped past me in the crowd. Percy walked over to me, instead.

"You don't know where you're going do you?" He asked crossing his arms and grinning like this scenario made his day.

"No. I mean yes... I can find my way around." It was said colder than I meant, but I wasn't going to apologize. He was practically laughing at me to my face!

"Why are you standing here then?" He asked. He opened his mouth as if to say something else, But stopped as a bluish green light shone on his face. I looked up as the mark was fading, but I caught the distinct shape of a glowing trident. I took a deep breath and sighed, closing my eyes.

"Finally." I said and bent to pick up my bag. Percy still stood in front of me, but now instead of the stern expression, he looked shocked and confused.

"You knew?"

"No, not for sure."

"What do you mean?"

I bit my lip and then looked at the water next to the dock. I pointed at an area, and spun my wrist, creating a little one foot wide whirl-pool. I looked back up at him as I stopped and the little swirl dissipated.

He smiled at me, like he was happy and pitied me at the same time.

"You call that 'not sure'? I call that a pretty sure sign." He grinned at me and gently pulled my bag from my hand, only to drop it seconds later as a blonde rocket shot out of the trees and onto the beach.

"Annabeth!" Percy yelled, and walked forward.

"Percy!" Annabeth yelled, and ran, launching herself into his arms. They spun on the beach for a couple of seconds, before he dropped her back on her feet and kissed her. It was quick but my face still heated a little bit.

"When did you get back?"

"Yesterday. I looked for you, but Chiron said you'd gone to over see the campers from up north."

"Yeah, I got Rhode Island. By the way, thanks for the marina tip." Percy said, smiling and steered her back towards me.

"Lizzie, this is--"

"Annabeth. Its great to finally meet you. You're one of the reasons David has been trying to get me to camp these last few years." I said cutting him off. I held out my hand and she shook it still beaming.

"Liz is my newest sister." Annabeth looked at him, and then back at me.

"Wow. Yeah, I can see the resemblance, only Percy's hair is darker." She said to me.

"Mom always said I look like my dad, but I still think that other than our eyes, I look more like my mom." I said, as I picked up my bag.

We made our way up the beach chattering, while the forest swept by us. Soon we had passed the open mess hall and amphitheater, and were standing in front of a long and low grey-blue building. It as beautiful in a homey way, with the low roof, and shells embedded into the outside walls. Annabeth kissed Percy's cheek and half skipped-half ran to a glass and marble structure almost directly across the clearing from us.

"Well, Liz. Here's home." He said and opened the door. I walked in and he motioned to the right side of the room. Each wall had six bunk beds on them and a trunk sat at the end of each of them. the walls seemed to glow, and I definitely saw light at the back of the cabin, which turned out to be a salt water fountain. Movement caught my eye and I looked up, to find little detailed bronze figures - like fish/horses - seemed to swim across the ceiling, and underwater plants swayed on the window sill in non-exsistant water.

"Any bed you want, unless it's been claimed." I picked one in the middle and began to unpack. I put my clothes in the trunk, my shoes under my bed, and anything else in the carved shelves next to my bed. The last few things I pulled out were my sword, my dagger, and the wooden box. I hung the sword and knife on hooks at the foot of my bed, above the trunk lid.

I then sat on my bed and opened the box slowly. In the crumpled satin, I found a silver and abalone pendent necklace. I pulled it out and looked it over. There was a beautiful and elaborate carving on the front with a small pearl embedded into it. a small letter 'T' was carved onto the back. I put it on and held onto it. This was a gift from my father.

"So, Whats up?" Percy said walking up to me. I jumped violently, hitting my head against the top bunk. ouch.

"Oh! um... nothing." I said, fingering the necklace. I ended up accidentally pressing on the pearl. I looked down as Percy gasped quietly.

I watched at the necklace expanded into a perfectly tailored set of armor. It fit perfectly, and was really lite. I found the pearl on my breast plate where the necklace had been and pressed it again. It folded up into my pendant again. I took it off and looked at it open mouthed. This was a gift from my father!

"Nice." Percy said. " My brother made me a shield like that once."

"Did his name start with a 'T'?"

"Why?" I gave him the necklace and pointed to the back.

"Tyson. Yeah. It looks like something he would make. Wait." He said and I watched in horror as he broke the pendant in half. He smiled and handed it to me again.

"It's a locket." Oh. Duh. I looked in the locket and found a small perfectly round mirror, and a piece of paper.

It read 'Those around you can make you stronger.'

Notes