Charmolypi

Chapter 113

The Cyclops's Island was nothing like the monster islands they had encountered on their journey up until then. It had green fields and tropical fruit trees and white beaches.

"This is beautiful."

"Are they sure that they're in the right place?"

"It's the work of the Fleece," Narcissa said, her eyes sparkling in wonder.

As they sailed toward the shore, Annabeth breathed in the sweet air. "The Fleece," she said. Percy nodded. Despite them not being able to see the Fleece yet, they could feel its power.

"If we take it away, will the island die?" the son of Poseidon asked.

A few of the younger Hufflepuff students started protesting the idea of taking the Fleece and killing the island. Some of the younger students from other houses either sided with the young Hufflepuffs or argued against them.

"They can't do that!"

"They would be killing the island!"

"It's a remote island or a camp full of half-bloods!"

"It's either the trees or an entire population of people."

"Enough," McGonagall called when she saw that the bickering children would keep going. "We shall continue the movie. This is something that we cannot control. These are actions that have already happened."

Everyone went quiet after the firm professor's words.

Thea shook her head. "It'll fade. Go back to what it would be normally, whatever that was."

The young children were on the verge of starting another argument, but McGonagall's stern threatening face stopped any student who was considering speaking up.

In the meadow at the base of the ravine, several dozen sheep were milling around. They looked peaceful enough, but they were huge-the size of hippos. Just past them was a path that led up into the hills. At the top of the path, near the edge of the canyon, was the massive oak tree.

"This is too easy," Percy said, trying to look for danger. "We could just hike up there and take it?"

"Why does he keep jinxing them?"

"It's like he does it on purpose."

Annabeth's eyes narrowed. "There's supposed be a guardian. A dragon or ..."

That's when a deer emerged from the bushes. It trotted into the meadow, probably looking for grass to eat, when the sheep all bleated at once and rushed the animal. It happened so fast that the deer stumbled and was lost in a sea of wool and trampling hooves. Grass and tufts of fur flew into the air. A second later the sheep all moved away, back to their regular peaceful wanderings. Where the deer had been was a pile of clean white bones.

Gasps rang through the hall and everyone looked in shock at what is usually a passive creature.

"There it is," Rabastan said, looking wide eyed at the sheep.

"Bloody hell," Thea commented, not taking her eyes away from the bones.

"They're like piranhas," Annabeth said, her state similar to Thea's.

"Piranhas with wool. How will we-" Percy started, before he was cut off by Annabeth.

"Guys!" Annabeth gasped. "Look." She pointed down the beach, to just below the sheep meadow, where a small boat had been run aground ... the other lifeboat from the CSS Birmingham.