Sparks in the Flame

Annabeth dragged Percy out of the infirmary, and into the rec room, where Chiron was playing pool with Mr. D. The air was musty, smelling of sweat and cheese puffs. Chiron was in his wheelchair form, contemplating his next move when they entered.
He looked up and smiled. “Ah, children! You’re just in time to join Mr. D and I in a hearty game of pool!”
“Hello, Perry Johnson. I guess this game would be slightly more enjoyable with other players.” Mr. D said begrudgingly.
“Sorry, not today. We just came to tell you that Grace is awake.” Annabeth said.
Chiron’s smile faded. “I see. Well, I suppose it’s time to discuss Grace’s quest. Mr. D and I have been discussing possible campers to join her, besides Nathan and Reed. However, we've decided to hear your input first.”
Annabeth started spouting out names, including Clarisse, Lee Fletcher from Apollo, Lou Ellen from Hecate, and Katie Gardner from Demeter.
“Nathan. Nathan Lehman.” Percy interrupted.
Annabeth looked surprised. “Are you sure, Percy? I mean, Nathan’s a nice kid, but he doesn’t seem like the kind of person who would do well on a quest when he's so new.”
Percy nodded, turning to look at Chiron, who seemed wary of Percy’s choice. “I don’t know why, but Nathan isn’t your normal run-of-the-mill demigod, if there is such a thing. He’s special. I can feel it. Plus, we already asked and he said he would." Percy persuaded. Chiron looked at him for another moment before giving in.
“Alright, Percy. I trust you. Nathan will go with Grace on her quest.”
Percy was about to celebrate when Annabeth said something. “How can Grace and Nathan go on a quest when they don’t know who their godly parents are?”
Chiron was silent and scratched his beard for a moment before answering.
“Well, Annabeth. If a prophecy was given to her, then the Fates must have a plan. As for Nathan, his parent should claim him soon enough.” He sounded sure of what he was saying, so Annabeth didn’t question any further, and neither did Percy.
“I have some ideas for the second demigod to go with Grace, if we don't pick Reed.” Annabeth said. Chiron nodded, and she was about to open her mouth again to give her new ideas when there was a commotion outside. Percy stood up and ran to the door, followed by Annabeth and Chiron, who wheeled his way through them. Outside, everything was buzzing. Campers were running towards the beach and everyone was talking. Percy caught a few fragments of conversation.
“Reed and Grace-“
“On the beach-“
“That arrow came so fast no one saw it!”
Percy grew more worried with each thing he heard. It seems Chiron had too, because he was already getting out of his wheelchair form, half of his white stallion body standing on the uneven wooden floor.
“Go and see what’s going on, you two,” Chiron said, still getting out of his wheelchair. Percy nodded, grabbed Annabeth’s hand, and pulled her towards the beach.
By that time, there were a few dozen campers crowded together along the sand, and Percy pushed through them, pulling a protesting Annabeth behind him. They finally broke through the crowd, and were greeted with an interesting sight. In the water, about ten feet out, surrounded on the beach by a group of campers holding bow and arrows, were Grace and Reed. Both demigods had the same mixed expressions of confusion and astonishment on their faces. They stood about a foot from each other, and Grace couldn’t seem to be able to take her eyes off of Reed, they were wide and round in her face.
This was probably not a sight seen every day—a boy glowing with a golden aura, an arrow in his hand, standing dramatically in the water. Above him hovered the unmistakable outline of a lyre, the mark of Apollo.
“So he’s been claimed,” said Annabeth, crossing her arms. “Son of Apollo—I was expecting Aphrodite. This is a surprise.”
“Yeah.” Percy said. “Hey, what’s with the arrow?” He asked a camper next to him.
“He caught it out of the air!” she replied excitedly. “We were practicing archery and a stray arrow flew at them—total accident, I promise—and he grabbed it without even looking at it!”
Annabeth raised her eyebrows. “Well.”
“Are they both okay?” Percy asked the girl.
“Yeah, they’re fine. Reed didn’t even give the arrow a chance to get close to them.” She said before turning back to her friends.
Percy was about to wade into the water when Chiron caught up to them. His face remained emotionless as he assessed the situation.
After about a minute Chiron finally spoke. “Well then. Just like I thought. It looks like we have our third member of Grace’s quest.”

*

Later that night, Percy and Annabeth were sitting on a bench by the campfire with the rest of the campers. It was an especially nice night, the kind where you could see every star in the sky as if you could reach out and touch them. Annabeth leaned into Percy and he smiled and put his arm around her. Grace was sitting with Jason, Piper and Frank and was acting out the day’s events, gradually attracting a larger crowd who’d missed the earlier action.
Percy heard the clanking of metal and looked to Chiron, who was hitting his cup with the end of his sword. After a few moments, the campers settled down and were all looking at Chiron, who spoke.
“Good evening, demigods. I have a few brief announcements to make. First, a camper was claimed today. Reed McCallic, please stand.” Percy looked around until he saw Reed standing up from directly next to the large fire. He looked better than when Percy had seen him earlier; he’d changed clothes and was surrounded by Aphrodite girls and a few Nymphs as well.
“Reed has officially been claimed by the god Apollo.” At this, the Apollo cabin and some others erupted into cheers and various other noises. “Alright, alright, settle down.” Chiron continued. “Will, please bring him back to Cabin 7 later tonight and give him a bed.” Will Solace nodded and clapped Reed on the back. Reed smiled and was about to sit down when Chiron spoke again. “Reed, please stay standing. I must make another announcement.” Reed looked uneasy, but obliged. “I and a few senior campers have decided who will be going on a quest with one of our newest campers, Grace Everson.” He made a motion with his hand and Grace stood up from near Percy. She looked his way, gave a small wave, then turned to Chiron and smiled.
“Grace will be accompanied by two other campers, as is customary for quests here.” Chiron said. This was followed by outbursts of conversations and hopeful excitement from the campers around the fire. “Quiet down, demigods. Let me speak.” Chiron boomed. The campers were immediately silent as they waited for his announcement. “The first demigod that will be going with Grace is Reed McCallic, son of Apollo.” The campers exploded in cheers. The Apollo cabin was whooping and high-fiving Reed, who looked shocked, but excited. Grace, Percy noticed, looked like she wasn’t too happy with the decision; there was a slight frown on her face and she had crossed her arms.
“I would be glad to go with Grace and aid her in accomplishing her quest.” Reed announced once everything quieted down. Chiron nodded.
“Thank you, Reed. The third and final demigod going on Grace’s quest is also a new camper.” Chiron continued quickly to prevent being interrupted. “Nathan Lehman, please stand.” Percy searched the campfire for Nathan and saw him rising near the corner, further away from the fire than most. “You are also to accompany Grace and Reed on this quest.” At this statement, most of the campers clapped and some cheered, all directed towards a smiling Nathan. Percy looked over at Grace, this time she seemed significantly more relieved than when Reed was announced.
However, both Grace's and Nathan’s moods changed when someone yelled, “How can they go on a quest when they haven’t been claimed?” All heads turned to Chiron for the answer. He was about to speak when someone else did.
“Well, I can’t let that happen, can I?” Percy whipped his head around and was astonished to see who spoke. There were various gasps from the crowd, including an especially loud one from Piper, who was sitting with Jason to Percy’s left.
“If you can’t let that happen, then neither can I.” Percy turned to the second voice and nearly fell off of the bench he was sitting on.

Notes

Hi everyone! It's been so long since I've posted a chapter, sorry! I've been SUPER busy lately! But I worked extra hard on this one and hopefully I can crank out another one during my long weekend! :)
xoxo,
galeckey1234