Love Across Lifetimes

Chapter 6: War Plans When all the cabin counselors gather in the Big House for the war meeting, tension is so high it could be cut with a knife. Rose still felt a little ticked. Her mother had been twenty feet away from her, but didn’t even look toward Rose. What was that about? Chiron comes into the room in his magical wheel chair that hides his horse body, making it easier to be inside. “Now, I believe that we have some business to attend to,” he says. “First shall be the matter of deciding who shall quest for Lord Hades.” To no one’s surprise, Kate volunteers immediately. “I will lead the quest. I will take two of my siblings. I have been having dreams lately, of my father being trapped. I think he is reaching out to me. There have been images of Alaska, so that’s where we will head first.” Chiron nods his head, “Yes that sounds like a good plan. We will provide support for your quest. Things like money, weapons and such. We will discuss that later. Now, for the matter of the Underworld.” This time, Chiron is met with silence. Rose looks for the person who would volunteer. Then after a few seconds, a voice next to her says, “I will go.” She turns to her right, to look at the owner of the voice, her best friend. Her heart drops a little bit. She doesn’t want him going on this quest. It will be too dangerous, literally facing an army. “I will lead this quest, but I will need more than two companions.” He turns his face and look directly into Rose’s eyes. “I wouldn’t ask you if I didn’t think I needed you Ro. Going against an army, you are the one I need by my side.” As she looks into his eyes, she can see the pleading in them. She can’t refuse him, not when he needs her this much. “Of course Barnacle Brain. Someone has to make sure you don’t do anything stupid.” She playfully punch his arm. “I also would like to take Charley, Ally, Grace, and Gabe,” Justin says, back to Chiron. Then he turns to Ally and Charley, “What do you guys say?” Charley looks to Ally, who nods. “We’re in,” he says. Everyone turns to Chiron. He thinks for a minute, then says, “Normally I wouldn’t want more than three on a quest, but this is a special circumstance. If Gabe and Grace agree, they can go.” “Awesome. My plan would be to take the secret entrance of Orpheus. If I remember the old story of Percy Jackson correctly, the entrance is in Central Park somewhere. I figure Grace can probably get us close, then maybe she can open it, or a satyr could come with us as far as the park.” Rose feels slightly confused, “Why not the entrance in Los Angeles? It seems easier.” He chuckles, “You didn’t think about Minos guarding that entrance? Come on Ro, you are supposed to be the brainiac.” He gives her his signature grin. Oh, duh. Chiron nods, “Good plan, I believe an old friend, Grover Underwood is living in Central Park right now. I shall send him a message to meet you somewhere there.” Rose can’t help but feel anxious, she and her five friends were about to venture into the Underworld. A place that is hostile on a normal day. Now it is being run by a mad king who is dead. How can they kill him? “Chiron,” she starts. “Will our celestial bronze weapons work on the dead?” “Hm, good question my dear. Kate, any idea?” “Not someone like Minos,” Kate started. “It will affect any zombies. Souls will shy away from it, but Minos will require Stygian Iron.” “Do we have any weapons like that?” Justin asked her. “Grace has a Stygian blade, she doesn’t use it much, but she is still very good with it. We also might have a few daggers you could take.” After mulling over the details of his plan for a while, Justin nods his head.“That sounds like everything,” Justin concluded. “Then let us adjourn. You all know your responsibilities, I’ll see you all in the morning,” Chiron says and they start heading toward their cabins. Rose grabs Justin’s arm, making sure he doesn’t get too far away. “Hey, are you sure you’re up for this? It doesn’t have to be you.” He puts his hand on her shoulder and looks into her eyes, his green eyes seeming to pierce right to her soul “Yes, it does. I need to help Hades, it’s the least I can do after insulting him.” He must see the worry on her face because he puts his other hand on her other shoulder and says, “If you don’t want to come I understand. Don’t worry, I won’t get hurt.” “Oh Barnacle Brain, you know you shouldn’t make promises you can’t keep. Besides, you’re my best friend, I’ll follow you anywhere, even the Underworld.” He gives her a big smile, “Yeah? Well I’d follow you to Tartarus, so that makes me the better friend.” Glad for his usual joker attitude. Rose follows with, “Yeah like we’d ever fall into Tartarus!” they start laughing at that for a while. The only people who ever fell into Tartarus and lived to tell the tale about it were Percy and Annabeth. Rose always admired that story, she loved how Percy and Annabeth started as best friends and eventually became a great love story. After they calm down, they head off towards Hades cabin to find Grace and ask her if she would like to go on the quest. When she agrees, they head toward Aries cabin. Along the way, Justin puts his arm around Rose’s shoulder. It’s a simple, friendly gesture, but it comforts her immensely. She feels safe in Justin’s warm embrace. She would definitely follow him anywhere he went.

Notes