Apple of Discord: Chapter 4
Back at home Grey congratulates you. “You actually found him! What’s he like?”
“Uh, nice. A bit formal. VERY dead, but not in a gross way. He’s going to help us, but I have to answer some questions before he is allowed to help. Some kind of curse involving a turnip,” you say, ticking off the important bits.
“Okaaaay?” Grey replies. “That’s both descriptive and wildly unhelpful.”
Tree chuckles from inside the portal. “I’m getting used to it.”
An idea hits you suddenly. You grab a black Sharpie from your backpack.
“Tree, I’d like to celebrate that epic “through-the-wall grab and sleeper hold with a Camp Half-Blood Austin tradition. May I draw on your forearms with this? It’ll take 30 seconds and make me really happy.”
“I’d prefer you not.” Tree shakes his head.
“Please?” you say, wiggling your eyebrows. “It’ll wash off!”
“We don’t have time for this.” Tree scowls.
“One minute!” you insist.
“Okay, one minute,” Tree agrees. “Keep it away from my SPQR tattoo and nothing vulgar!” He emphasizes that last bit, holding out his bare arms through the swirling BELCH.
You pop the cap on the pen and start to write, explaining the questions the Watcher gave you to both he and Grey as you anoint Tree’s forearms.
Satisfied, you exclaim, “Ta da! I now officially licence your arms as lethal weapons of destruction. What do you think?”
Tree smiles and nods appreciatively, but says nothing.
“Sleepy-time T?” Grey reads the inscriptions aloud. “I’m sure it’s something profoundly meaningful to you both. Now, I’m afraid Tree is going to have to go.
I have two instructors I think can help you best, given the Watcher’s set of questions.”
You smile as Tree places both hands over his chest in a gesture you take as good natured gratitude.
“Good luck, demigod. It’s been an honor to fight at your side.” Tree smiles and nods at you.
“Thank you, Tree. Get some rest. We’ll find Master Da’Mon and Cat, I promise.”
Tree disappears into the BELCH.
Okay, demigod. I have two instructors that immediately come to mind. Both of them are very knowledgeable in the areas you need right now.
One is Master Thomas, son of Ares and the other is Chris Hyde, son of Demeter. Take notes. You’re bound to learn lots of useful information.
You’ve already seen Master Thomas, although you may not realize it.
He was one of the archers that came to your aid in the park when you were helping Mr. Fishman escape from Pontifex and the Plague Spirits. He is an archery instructor at Camp Half-Blood Austin branch, a ferocious warrior, former phalanx instructor, and is also our history instructor. His knowledge of history, beards, comics, table-top games and RPG’s (both kinds) is unrivaled.
Chris Hyde can tell you what plants will nourish, heal, and kill you. If you want to know how to survive out in nature, track monsters, animals or humans, build a shelter, start a fire, make a bow, hunt for food, or harvest plants, this is the demigod to learn from. Remember, before you use any plant for healing or food to really research it’s uses, benefits, and possible toxicity.
Which will you see first?
<Initiating BELCH>
Show me Master Thomas
Show me Chris Hyde
“You look even more knowledgeable than you did going in,” Grey greets you after your lessons.
“Grab a snack and then let’s BELCH you over to the Littlefield building”
You are still missing the answer to the third question and wonder if you could find the source Monty Python video in Smarties Training so you could see it for yourself and see what your fellow demigods have to say about it. You check in with your fellow demigods>>
Then you grab a power bar, fill your water bottle, and snatch up your sword.
Grey opens a BELCH to the alleyway between the hotel and the Littlefield building.
<Initiating BELCH>
