𝐅𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄𝐒 - jason grace

02. NEWBIE, TO THE FIFTH!

𝐌𝐀𝐈𝐀 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐋𝐘 𝐈𝐍 𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐄 as the campers rushed to their positions. Evening muster was never fun for Maia, she'd often find herself spaced out, especially when Octavian began spewing nonsense about finding the lost Sibylline books, or indirect jabs at Reyna's praetorship.

The first four cohorts, each forty kids strong, stood in rows in front of their barracks on either side of the Via Praetoria. The Fifth Cohort assembled at the very end, in front of the principia, since their barracks were tucked in the back corner of camp next to the stables and the latrines. Maia noticed how Hazel had to run right down the middle of the legion to reach her place.

The campers were dressed for war. Their polished chain mail gleamed over purple T-shirts and jeans. Sword-and-skull designs decorated their helmets. Even their leather combat boots looked ferocious with their iron cleats, great for marching through mud or stomping on faces. Maia had always wanted to try that last one, on a certain legacy of Apollo, whenever he'd piss her off. She really didn't like Octavian.

Hazel and her brother, Nico, jogged down the street as everyone was coming to attention, so their entrance was really obvious. Maia knew what that felt like, having been late a couple of times before. She winced in sympathy. Their footsteps echoed on the stones. Maia noticed how Hazel tried to avoid eye contact, but she caught Octavian at the head of the First Cohort smirking at her, looking smug in his plumed centurion's helmet with a dozen medals pinned on his chest.

"Hazel Levesque,'' Reyna called, "so glad you could join us." Hazel knew better than to respond. She was missing most of her equipment, but she hurried to her place in line next to Frank and Maia, and stood at attention. Their lead centurion, Dakota, was just calling her name – the last one on the roll.

"Present!" she squeaked.

Nico joined Percy Jackson, who was standing off to one side with a couple of guards. Percy's hair was wet from the baths. He'd put on fresh clothes, but he still looked uncomfortable. Maia couldn't really blame him, he was about to be introduced to two hundred heavily armed kids. She was extremely nervous when she was in his position.

The Lares were the last to fall into place, obnoxiously toying with the flickers of the images they'd create when standing between people. They did this a lot, so Maia wasn't surprised, but still, she wanted to get this over with already. The spirits fell into place as Octavian shouted, "Colours!"

Reyna brought her pegasus to a halt. "Romans"' she announced. "You've probably heard about the incursion today. Two gorgons were swept into the river by this newcomer, Percy Jackson. Juno herself guided him here, and proclaimed him a son of Neptune."

The kids in the back rows craned their necks to see Percy. He raised his hand and said, "Hi."

"He seeks to join the legion," Reyna continued. "What do the auguries say?"

"I have read the entrails!" Octavian announced, as if he'd killed a lion with his bare hands rather than ripping up a stuffed animal. "The auguries are favourable. He is qualified to serve!"

The campers gave a shout: "Ave!" Hail! Frank was a little late with his 'ave', so it came out as a high-pitched echo. The other legionnaires snickered. Maia rolled her eyes at them.

Reyna motioned the senior officers forward – one from each cohort. Octavian, as the most senior centurion, turned to Percy. "Recruit," he asked, "do you have credentials? Letters of reference?"

Percy shifted. "Letters? Um, no."

Octavian wrinkled his nose. Unfair! Maia wanted to shout. Percy had carried a goddess into camp. What better recommendation could you want? But Octavian's family had been sending kids to camp for over a century. He loved reminding recruits that they were less important than he was. He certainly loved reminding her.