The old ones who return

I stayed in the cabin for a little while until a girl who looked about 12 appeared.

"Why are you in my cabin?" she asked

"I'm so sorry!" I said, "I didn't know anyone stayed here."

"Oh. No one does. I am Artemis, goddess of the hunt. This camp was dedicated to me when it was built. Though I have no children this cabin is honorary."

"Wait, you're a goddess?! I'm speaking to a goddess!"

"Yes, now quiet down. I have a task for you sent from your mother."

"you know my mom?"

"Well, your godly mother, yes. Your mortal mother no."

"So I have two moms?"

Artemis simply nodded "Anyway normally you need a prophecy for a quest but I am a goddess and so can give you the orders to begin a quest."

"ok, so what do I need to do?"

"I need you to search for my hunters. They went missing and your mother believes you can find them."

"So I'm still new. How does this whole quest thing work?"

"ask the old ones who return. They can show you." I nodded as if I understood then Artemis vanished.

After Artemis left I sat there for a little while then came out of the cabin I discovered I had stayed there overnight! I quickly headed back to the Hermes cabin before anyone woke and managed to make it there just in time but once I entered the cabin an alarm sounded! I quickly jumped into bed and pretended I had just woken up. Everyone else got up and got ready and then we all headed out the door. But I noticed as we left Carter wasn't there.

We got to the center of camp near the campfire where the feast hall was and we headed inside. At the counselor's table were a boy and a girl I didn't recognize.

"We are here today to welcome back some of our oldest campers Maya and Astro!" said a man I didn't recognize.

Everyone started clapping and cheering but I was still focused on what Artemis said: "The old ones who return." Could that be Maya and Astro?

"As you know," said the man continued "Maya and Astro were on a quest with Linus. Sadly Linus died in battle."

Astro was staring off into the distance not really paying attention but he cowered back when Linus's name was said. Maya got up and told the man something. He nodded and she headed back to her seat. Soon Maya and Astro were dismissed back to their tables and they both headed for the Zeus table. Maya stopped to talk to the girl on my right (who I had learned was named Mallory) she whispered something I could barely make out but this is what I heard.

Maya: Astro's very shaken up

Mallory: _______ Linus _____

Maya: Big fight. ______ Astro_________ Linus

Mallory __ I'm sorry.

That's it. Like 5 sentences and I could only hear what 8 words. This is stupid. I decided to just get up and leave. I had nothing better to do. As I walked out I heard footsteps behind me. I turned around and saw Maya following behind me.

"Are you new?" she asked

I nodded slightly and said "Yes. You're Maya right."

This time she nodded and said "Correct. Don't worry about Mr.C. he's just excited that I and Astro are back. I'm also the head counselor of the Athena cabin and I sense something off about you. Have you met my mother?"

"No. I'm actually still unclaimed I've on- never met any of the gods"

"You have met one haven't you?"

"Fine, maybe I met Artemis. She told me to ask the old ones who return about how a quest works. I'd assume that's you?"

"Probably. Come talk to Astro with me. We can explain."

I followed Maya inside and sat down with her at the Zeus table and waved to Alexa who was sitting across the table then turned to Maya.

"How do I do a quest then?"

"Well, first, what is your quest?"

"I'm supposed to find Artemis's hunters. She said my mom believes I can do it."

"But you're still unclaimed?"

"Yes"

Then Astro butted in "I have a friend who's a hunter"

"Yes Astro I know," Maya said to him then turned back to me "Our friend Lily is part of Artemis's hunters. Now that I think about it I haven't heard from her for at least 3 months."

"Artemis didn't tell me how long they had been missing."

"Just like any god. They're not very helpful."

"So how do I do a quest then?"

"First you find 2 other people to go with you. I would volunteer but you know" she gestured to Astro "Then you have to get the quest approved and get a prophecy but after Apollo went missing all forms of prophecy stopped working. I suppose a note from Artemis might be enough but she probably didn't give you that either."

Suddenly a note that said Artemis on it appeared on my plate.

"Or I guess she did"

I picked up the note and tucked it into my pocket then turned back to Maya.

"Who do you think would go with me?" I asked

"Well, I could ask some of my friends who have been here for a while. They might agree."

"Please. I don't want to drag my siblings into this."

"You have siblings?"

"Yeah. Alexa over there" I gestured to Alexa "is my younger sister. I also have 10 other siblings"

"So there's 12 of you," Maya murmured. She looked like she was thinking really hard but must have decided on something because she looked back up and said "Yes you definitely shouldn't make them come if they're new like you. But I can totally ask some of my friends. A lot of them know Lily and would probably love to see her again. I'll meet you outside the Hermes cabin at 8:00."

"Thank you so much. See you then" With that I got up and headed back to the Hermes cabin to wait.