The New World

Queen Annabeth

Rachel walked through the large hallway of the royal residence with servents weaving around her as they carried out their duties. 

As she walked Rachel glanced up at the tapestries that lined the walls and depicted past rulers of the Greek States and famous battles. The tapestries were all around the castle but as Rachel looked up at them they made her feel uneasy and doubt slowly crept its way into her mind. 

Rachel was lost in thought as she approached the end the hallway and the two warriors, dressed in ornate silver and gold armor, that stood on either side of a great wooden door with the royal crest emblazoned on it.

"Oracle, how can I help you?" asked a young boy, as he stood up from a desk on the right side of the hallway in a small alcove, as Rachel approached

Rachel forced herself to come back to reality and smile at the young boy "I would like to speak with Queen Annabeth if she is available" 

"She is meeting with some right now but I will go ask her" Michael said quickly walking to the door and knocked before entering 

Rachel stood in the hallway as she waited and as she turned a tapestry caught her eye and Rachel froze 

The large tapestry depicted a single two-masted Brig with pitch-black sails charging a line of Egyptian style warships. 

As Rachel stared at the tapestry, she was drawn towards it and she could almost see the crew as they prepared for the fight of their lives, swords in hand and cannons loaded, the enemy vessels seemingly numerous against the lone greek vessel. But she could feel the determination radiating off the ship that promised that this ship would not sink and that it would drive the enemy from the field. 

Rachel felt her arm hair stand on end and she shivered, she could almost hear the crashing of the waves and a faint voice on the wind.

Rachel went to touch the tapestry when she felt someone tap her on the shoulder and she quickly turned to see Michael looking up at her concerned

"Lady Oracle, are you ok?" The young boy asked 

"I...of course Michael, may I speak with the Queen?"  Rachel sturred out

Michael gave Rachel a strange look "Yes, she said you can come in" 

"Thank you Michael" Rachel replied as she took one last look at the tapestry before walking to the door and knocking before she entered the royal office

Rachel opened the door to a large office with the windows open wide. Scattered around the office were desks covered in documents all neatly arranged.

Rachel walked towards the desk that sat in the center of the room

"Thank you for seeing my Queen" Rachel said as she dropped to one knee and bowed her head. 

"Of course Rachel, please stand" Queen Annabeth smiled from her seat at her desk 

Rachel quickly rose and glanced at the other person in the room. I tall, well built, a woman with short brown hair and wearing dark red armor

"You've meet General LaRue before correct?" Annabeth asked 

"Yes M'lady" Rachel responded as she inclined her head in a greeting

Clarrise LaRue simply nodded stiffly in return 

"General LaRue has just been given command of the 8th Army on the border with the Egyptian Empire" Annabeth Explained 

"Congratulations," Rachel said simply