Chapter Eight

Summary

• The protagonist wakes up in a palace, noticing that someone is missing and those around her are whispering and making glances at her.
• Feeling a desire to be away from the palace and yearning for fresh air, the protagonist takes a walk to an olive grove.
• As the protagonist walks, they can smell the sea and feel a need to leave, deciding to head towards the mountains and away from the palace.
• Planning to depart without a trace, the protagonist runs towards the woods, leaving behind all their belongings, with the exception of their mother's lyre.
• After running for a few hours, the protagonist becomes tired and slows down, realizing that reaching their destination, Mount Pelion, by nightfall is not possible.
• Out of nowhere, the protagonist hears a sound and becomes alert. Expecting danger, the protagonist is surprised to find out that it’s Achilles who joined her.
• Achilles has brought along Chiron, a centaur, to teach them both, which leads the protagonist to feel a mix of fear and joy.
• Achilles informs Chiron that they are ready to be his students, and the centaur provides them with food, water and a place to stay.
• The protagonist becomes intrigued by Chiron's surgical tools and expresses an interest in learning about medicine, to which Chiron agrees.
• Late in the afternoon, Chiron guides the protagonist and Achilles through the surrounding mountains, after which he reveals that the protagonist's mother had sent a message for Achilles, asking Chiron to send the protagonist away.
• Achilles and the protagonist defend the protagonist's right to stay, and Chiron ultimately allows it, telling them to rest.
• The chapter ends with the protagonist feeling a sense of relief after learning he can stay with Achilles and Chiron.