Entrance to the Camp

"I'm Merrick," the boy said. "This is Darci." The girl managed a shy wave without eye contact.

"Nice to meet you. Who are your godly parents?" Callie asked.

"I'm Bacchus, she's Ceres," Merrick spoke again.

"Wow. Interesting." Callie said. "So. I can't walk you to where you'll be sleeping."

"Why not?" Merrick questioned.

"Because I have to stay here in case other people show up. Just head in that direction and you'll see the camp. Someone will be able to help you with the rest." she said.

"Or I could just watch this for you," the hooded stranger's voice came from behind Callie.

Immediately, Callie tensed. "I'm fine here. Why don't you take them?" she said.

"Really? You want trust me, a hooded stranger, with two new recruits? You're getting old, Callie."

Callie snapped, something she hadn't done in a while, and spun quickly throwing a punch at the guy before unsheathing her sword and swinging at him.

The punch almost felled the stranger's hood but he managed to keep it up, unsheathing his own blade and raising it to parry.

Darci cowered into Merrick, who flicked open his penknife, not that it would do much good.

Callie swung at the guy again before swinging her leg around to bring his out from under him.

The stranger simply jumped back, a low chuckle showing his amusement. "You're too predictable."

Merrick took Darci's hand to reassure her and tried to lead her around the two battling demigods.

"And you're getting redundant." Callie fired back. She sheathed her sword and turned to the kids. "Come on. Let's get you two to camp."

The stranger chuckled, taking her position at the entrance as Darci and Merrick hurried to follow Callie.

Callie balled her hand into a fist and was happy to see when Sofie came along. "Sof, can you take these two to camp?" she asked.

The blonde nodded and smiled kindly at the kids. "Come on," she said.

The stranger smirked beneath his hood. "Aww, you can't bear to be parted from me."

Darci and Merrick hurried to catch up.

Sofie sent a look to Callie to calm down and reached out her hands to the kids.

Callie turned around. "Listen, Assassin's Creed wannabe, your disrespect is worn out and tasteless." she said.

Merrick cautiously took her hand, Darci clinging to his.

"Blah, blah. Boring," the stranger laughed.

"Come on, let's get out of here." Sofie said with a soft smile to the kids before leading them away from the other two.

Callie rolled her eyes. "At least I'm not a coward who hides under a hood." she spat out.

The kid's followed hurriedly.

"Well, so what if I'm a coward?" The stranger spat.

"You act as though you're better than me, but you hide behind a hood." Callie said and smirked. "You're more cowardly than a mouse."

"I've seen some brave mice in my time," the stranger laughed. "Why, are you a mouse, Callie?"

Callie pulled out her sword and held it up to him. "I'm the farthest thing from a mouse. You, on the other hand, pretend that you're one of the big boys. Pleb," she muttered and glared at him.

"Pleb?" The stranger laughed. "Really up there with the insults. I can take you easily." He also drew his sword.