It had been about three days since I had arrived at camp. I was introduced to a few people during activities such as archery training, swordmaking (Note: Do not let me near molten metal again), arts and crafts (basket making, and pottery- I was pretty decent at both), and pegasus riding. The only thing I didn't really like was rock climbing. The thing was like a mini mountain, with lava pouring out the sides. One slip up, and you'd likely become demigod soup.
Then there was dinner, and I had sat with Jasper one night, my siblings the next, and then with Jasper last night. He had been helpful in teaching me all about camp, even walking me through the woods, despite it being filled with monsters. He also showed me the last remaining cabins, which were just as unique as all the others.
The Iris cabin was this white farmhouse-style building, with the columns and railing of the porch painted in bright, rainbow patterns. The door was painted the same way, and the white paint had an iridescent sheen to it in the sunlight. Fountains sprayed in the front yard, the mist creating rainbows- a perfect area for campers to Iris message people. I had learned that Iris messaging was the equivalent of mythical video calling, and it worked with ANYONE. You just… needed access to a rainbow.
The Hypnos cabin was this Mediterranean house, built with beige and tan stones, and a creamy white stucco. The tiles on the roof were a greyish-brown, and the door was painted the same creamy white color as the house was. A small patio housed a comfortable looking wicker sofa, lined with fluffy beige and white blankets and pillows. Suitable for the children of the god of sleep.
Cabin Sixteen was the last one, and it was quite intimidating, It was a perfectly symmetrical Greek house, with various floors and levels. It looked almost like a tiny apartment building. The house was painted a scarlet red, and the door was a dark shade of gray, almost black in the shadows. To either side of the doors, statues of a winged women wearing a blindfold stood, holding up scales. Jasper explained that the statues were actually there for judgment, and served as a way of preventing lies from being told on the premises.
It was an interesting tour, getting to learn the history behind the camp's newly updated scenery. I was even shown pictures of what it had looked like before, and I'll just say it's a nice change. A very needed change. Things were growing rapidly here at camp, so expanding the cabins to accommodate the influx of campers was a great idea. They even had plans to create a new batch of cabins in the winter. It would bring the total to twenty eight, but the other eight would be a bit further, across the path of the others- almost as if underlining the omega sign the current cabins made.
Jasper had also mentioned about the capture the flag game that would take place tonight. Serenity also told me about it. We were teamed with cabins one, six, nine, eleven, and thirteen. The rest were teamed with cabin five. It was tradition to have it be Athena versus Ares, brains versus brawn. The Nike and Tyche kids both sat out during games like this, since they could sway the victory by just channeling their powers. Instead, they were given the task of keeping tabs on campers, and making sure they were playing fairly.
After lunch today, we had a strategy meeting at the Athena cabin. The inside of cabin six was much like a meeting hall- one large oval table in the center, littered in maps and mock-ups of soldiers and different landmarks in the forest. At the head of the table, a guy with pale, olive-toned skin sat. He had sandy blonde hair, grey eyes that seemed to swirl like storm clouds, and wore a camp shirt that was stylishly tucked into his brown slacks. Square framed glasses sat on the bridge of his nose, sliding down ever so slightly as he looked over the map in front of him.
"The Ares cabin has been getting increasingly better at predicting some of our tactics," He spoke. The way he carried himself reminded me of war generals in Hollywood movies- bold, confident, and very, very wise. "Divide and conquer, of course, but they'll be expecting us to hit from any angle. Last time, they took the victory because they encircled their flag. Any suggestions?"
A girl from the Hermes cabin raised her hand. She had straight black hair that was tied back in a ponytail, rich tan skin with freckles across her face, and hazel eyes. She looked a bit like one of the playful nymphs I had seen running around the forest, bustling with energy. She wore a sage green tank top, cargo shorts, and a pair of black vans. The Athena kid looked up, before nodding, giving her the opportunity to speak.
"Can we strike from above, Arthur? It worked the time before that. We didn't try it again last time," She said, speaking so quickly, I almost couldn't understand her.
"No, they nearly shot Nathan down last time. And we can't risk teleporting in either," the guy, Arthur, said, before glancing around. "Any other ideas?"
"I've got one," one of the other Athena campers said, smiling. She was the youngest in the Athena cabin, with long, wavy brown hair, grey eyes, and pale olive skin just like her half-brother. She was about thirteen, and wore the same outfit Arthur wore, minus the glasses. Her name was Gwendolyn Montgomery, and I remembered Jasper telling me that her father was some big league in the Air Force. "We need to distract them, make them split up. If we draw out their leader, Deacon, they'll begin to fall apart in ranks."
"That's not a bad idea. Deacon is always quick to act when something irritates him," Arthur nodded. "Then it's settled. Apollo campers, you'll be the ones to lead the distractions, then. Sebastian, how are those special arrows coming along?"
One of my cabin mates, Sebastian Yang spoke up, "There's plenty. Party-popper arrows, rainbow arrows, flares, fireworks, and my personal favorite- blinding arrows. They… don't actually blind, but the flashing light on them can stun them for a moment." Sebastian was this genius when it came to arrows. He is the cabin's co-counselor, and the twin to Oliver Yang, from the Hermes cabin. How twins had different godly fathers? I couldn't tell you. They both had shaggy, dark brown hair, blue eyes, and tanned skin, though Sebastian had freckles.
"Perfect, then stock up on those," Arthur nodded, "And we'll be set to go. Hermes kids, you're in charge of stealing the flags. Hephaestus kids, go nuts with the defenses. Athena kids, keep an eye out for anything unusual. Felix may try his stunt again. And Nathan? Patrol the skies. We don't need another flanking incident."
Everyone raised a fist into the air, cheering, "Go, Team Wit!" It sounded almost like the strangest sports cheer ever. I inspected the maps, curious about how this would go. The area marked for our flag was in a semi-circle clearing near the far northwest of the forest, almost to the shore. Spreading out our numbers over an area that vast wasn't the smartest idea, until I remembered…
Apollo and Hermes kids were among the fastest in camp, and the best at dashing through crowded places like forests, or city streets. I always felt more comfortable in the streets of a city, than in an open field. It was just something about the accessibility of different terrain that felt… natural to me. The Hephaestus kids were the right call for defense, because they were already discussing how they'd construct different traps after planting the banner. Tripwires, trapdoors, and even metallic nets that would snag anyone wearing the color red.
The Hermes kids were filing out, divvying up their respective roles. Some would remain in the trees, ready to launch down at the attacking forces, while a select few would go to steal the flag. Between the Hermes and Apollo kids, it seemed like the two cabins were hogging all the really good traits. Athena's kids really knew how to pick their allies.
Then I remembered exactly what Jasper had said.
"It's always wise to choose your allies well."
Oh gods. Since we had the Zeus kid, Nathan Lacroix, that meant the other team-
"They have two kids of the Big Three," Arthur cut off my own thoughts, patting my shoulder. "I know, I'm concerned too. Reagan from the Poseidon cabin is enough to rival some of us, and Jasper is way too intelligent to go unchecked. However, they don't know about our secret weapon just yet. You see, we have a temporary alliance with the Aphrodite cabin, who usually don't play games like this. However, Valentine's had a change of heart," the way Arthur trailed off led me to believe that he was the change of heart. "They agreed to play this once, but only if they get immunity from chores if we lose."
"Who else knows?" I asked, looking around. By now, everyone except the Hephaestus and Athena kids had left.
"Just whoever is in this cabin right now. You're welcome to sit and listen," Arthur pointed to a chair, "You see, most people forget that Aphrodite was a war goddess. You know the saying 'all's fair in love and war?' Or the saying 'love is a battlefield?' That's where it all stems from. You'll be amazed at just how well they can handle themselves- and what's scarier than a battalion of heavily armored, beautiful, fashionable people charging at you?"
"... Nothing?" I answered, it seemed correct.
"Exactly. No one expects it, and it's something that's never been done before!" Arthur grinned, before pacing. "You should go get ready, practice a bit. I understand you're new here, so definitely hit up the archery range."
"Aye, aye, captain," I gave Arthur a smile, and he gave me a farewell wave as I left.