The Seasons Gloom

Thanks a Lot Ceres (not)

I slept very hard, having no dreams at all, and when I woke up, it was already Wednesday morning. The rest of the week flew by, with Daphne's trial that morning (she got off with a buttload of community service after confessing everything) and preparations for war games all of Thursday. Soon enough, it was Friday, a week since the commotion with Jaidyn and my becoming Augur.

Apparently I had prayed well, because I didn't receive any more visions the whole time. I walked past the Field of Mars where a giant structure was being put together. I was excited to participate in the wargames and hopefully I wouldn't die a horrible death.

I walked towards Cal and Christina who stood before the workers on the field with a large blueprint sketch laid out in front of them.

I heard them talking amongst themselves and decided to say hello.

"-and then the dragon will come here," Cal pointed to a spot on the map.

"Hello!" I said.

Cal and Christina bother jumped. Cal quickly grabbed the blueprint and flipped it over with a suspicious smile. "Uh-hey Nora," he said.

"Whatcha doing?" I asked.

"Setting up for tonight's wargames," Christina explained. Although we didn't make up after our argument, Christina seemed fine with me, she didn't seem to be holding onto any grudges. . . well except for her own.

"Looking great," I nodded, looking towards the large metal structure behind them. It was a large square structure with an opening on the Northern and Southern side, but that was all I saw, it seemed like they were doing the construction on the inside.

"Shoo shoo," Cal nudged me away, "We have work to do. And we want it to be a surprise."

"You want what to be a surprise?"

Christina rolled her eyes, the corner of her mouths lifting in a small smile, "Come on Rainbow Dash," she pushed me away gently.

"Rainbow Dash?" Cal asked.

"My nickname for little miss daughter of Iris," Christina replied.

"Isn't Rainbow Dash that pony in My Little Pony who sounded like he'd just come from a rave?"

"Well yes. And Cal?" I said.

"Yes?"

"You are aware that Rainbow Dash is a she. Right?" I had to keep myself from laughing aloud, but Christina had no such luck. She let out a huge laugh and when workers on the field turned to look at her she covered her mouth and giggled.

"So I've been living my life a lie?" Cal wondered aloud. "Rainbow Dash is a girl?!"

Christina laughed harder. I couldn't remember the last time I had heard her laugh.

Christina sighed, and tried to compose herself.

"Okay Nora, we gotta get to work," Cal said, smiling.

I walked away and for the rest of the day, wandered around New Rome occasionally stopping for food or to talk to a friend, but I felt at peace, and as the sun started to dip below the trees, I walked to where the war games were taking place.

I looked over to my team, Ren, Avian and Sky who were all in their armor, with only a dagger by their side. Although wargames usually consist of the entire cohorts, Christina nominated four people each to let into the wargames tonight.

I heard Ren murmur: "No weapons? I thought this was going to be fun."

My vision tunneled and pain exploded in my head. I winced, stumbling back as the image of the mysterious creature attacking the god Tartarus flashed in my mind. As quick as it came it left.