Cannonfodder

Cliff groaned as he was shaken awake. He rolled over on his top bunk to look at Connor Stoll smiling at him. Connor breathed into his face which made Cliff sputter and cough.

“Gods, Connor haven’t you brushed your teeth by now!”

“Obviously not. Now get up before I pour cold water in your face.”

Cliff sat up in his bed, propping himself up on his bed with his elbows. ” You know what, that doesn’t sound so bad,” he mumbled.

Connor walked away shaking other Hermes kids awake. His brother Travis was doing the same at the far side of the cabin. The cabin was full to bursting and there were lines of kids in sleeping bags along the wall. Cliff was lucky to even get a bed - he had been at camp for a few years and the camper who had once slept in his bed had left a month before joining up with Kronos’ forces.

Cliff could understand their frustration. You would only have to enter the Hermes cabin once to be able to relate. The Olympians were basically just a bunch of deadbeat parents who left most of their kids unclaimed - Cliff included. But he would never have joined the Titans’ forces. They were cruel and manipulative - even more than the gods.

Connor snapped his fingers in Cliff’s face.” Dude, get up. Chiron needs us at breakfast early.”

Cliff jumped down the side of the bed which was probably quite dangerous but he knew how much the Hermes’ kids liked messing with the steps on the ladders of their cabinmates. Especially the kids who were mad that they had to sleep on the floor.

“Why does he need us?” Cliff said as he followed Travis who was leading the last of the younger kids out the door.

Connor was the last one to leave the cabin and stood beside Cliff as they walked to breakfast. “Something about an announcement. That and the extra training we have to do.”

“Huh, wonder what that’s about.” Cliff straightened out his camp t-shirt and brushed his dark brown hair with his hands. He rubbed his face feeling some sweat on his forehead and his white freckled skin getting dry.

“I’ve got no idea.” Connor said as he looked around for someone. He seemed preoccupied and Cliff chuckled. He knew exactly who Connor was looking for.

“Looking for that girl from the Athena cabin?”

Connor scrunched his eyes and his face contorted. Cliff could see Connor getting ready to mouth the words “no” but he sighed. “Yeah. Have you seen her?”

Cliff smiled. “I knew it. She’s usually early isn’t she?”

Connor facepalmed. “Of course.” He almost started running before asking, “You don’t mind if I go do you?”

“Nah. Tanya and Lyle are here now.” Cliff signaled to his two best friends who caught up to him. Connor shot him an ok sign and sprinted away.

Cliff turned around to see the Ares girl walking beside him. “Morning. Aren’t you a bit late?”

“Yeah. Stupid Apollo kids were messing with us again.” She smiled illuminating her chocolate brown skin in a basking glow. She had her straight brown hair pulled back in a ponytail. Although she wasn’t the typical Ares kid, she could beat most people in hand to hand combat.

Lyle shoved her lightly.” Apollo kids are not stupid. Your jerk siblings had it coming”

Tanya shrugged.” True. But why was I the one that got tied to my bed with harp strings.”

Lyle scratched his head and muttered. “Stupid kids cant even take orders properly.”

Cliff laughed. ” Honestly Lyle, I’m surprised you’re not a Hermes kid.”

Lyle gestured to his fair skin and blonde hair.” Somebody this good looking could never be a Hermes kid.”

Tanya scoffed.” Only an Apollo kid could be so arrogant.” She punched his shoulder.

“Relax Tanya, I was joking.” He rubbed his shoulder. “Actually no I wasn’t.”

This time she laughed. They were in a line which was probably a bad idea as they took up most of the path. They entered the dining pavilion where there were kids scrambling around getting to their tables.

Chiron stood at one side of the dining pavilion waiting for the hustle and bustle to die down while tapping his hooves on the ground.

“Quiet everyone! Get to your tables and eat. You will have a long days worth of training to get to shortly so make sure you have sufficient energy.”

Lyle patted Cliff on the back and sneered at Tanya before leaving to go to his table. Tanya smiled at Lyle as he left before turning back to face Cliff.

“Any idea why we’re here so early?”

“Connor told me this so the information isn’t exactly reliable but supposedly Chiron has an important announcement to make.”

Tanya was looking toward the Apollo table and nodded while Cliff spoke.

Cliff smirked.” Tanya, if any other Apollo camper pulled that prank on you, you would have turned them into mush.”

Tanya shrugged. “You and him are my best friends. We’ve saved each others’ asses more times than we can count. I think I can forgive a harmless prank.”

Cliff quirked his eyebrow. He would never be able to get Tanya to simply admit it.

Tanya made the point to look him in the eye.” But the next time he tries something that crazy, I’ll flog him alive.”

Cliff chuckled.” Little harsh don’t you think.”

Tanya smiled. ” I can’t help it. It’s the Ares part of me.”

Cliff returned the smile and paid attention to the dining pavilion which was now much quieter. ” Okay, I’ll see you guys later on in the day then.” He nodded at Tanya and plopped himself down on the very edge of the bench at the Hermes table.

After getting his food and giving a portion of it to whoever his godly mother was he began to speak to cabinmates. But soon enough came Chiron’s announcement.

A clop of hooves silenced the campers. Chiron cleared his throat and straightened up making him tower over absolutely everyone- even the few campers still standing.

“Campers, I hope you are enjoying your breakfast. We have been having significantly harder training sessions as of late.” This earned a few groans among the campers.” But we are facing Kronos and a massive army of monsters. Some of them will be ones you have fought before and others will be forces so ancient the gods would have trouble remembering them.”

A thunderclap shook the sky. ” Sorry. Anyway most of you have some experience in fighting monsters as we haven’t had many campers since the Battle of the Labyrinth. But even still, it’s been a while since most of you have fought anything other than demigods and dummies.

“ It has been decided that it would be best for you to get some experience outside camp. Starting tomorrow, I will be sending groups that you can choose yourselves outside camp borders and you’ll inevitably attract monsters. Slay them and after a couple of hours I will have Argus pick you up and bring you back to camp. Any questions?” The dining pavilion remained silent.

“Okay then camp- yes Harriet?”

A young Demeter camper’s hand had shot up. She must have been 9 years old. The edges of her mouth were stained with chocolate from her Coco Pops and she spoke with her mouth half full.

“Is this a mini-quest?”