A new beginning (completed)

Welcome Feast

A.N. Hey guys, hope you all are enjoying. I would love to hear from you so please read, follow, vote, comment and review. Thanks to all who commented or helped with the story, especially booklover4646.

CHAPTER 13: WELCOME FEAST

         Reyna stood at the top, below her the legion assembled. The first four cohorts, each forty kids strong, stood in rows in front of their baracks on either side of the Via Praetoria. The Fifth cohort assembled at the very end, in front of the principia, since their baracks were tucked in the back corner of camp next to the stables and the washrooms. The campers were dressed for war, their polished chain mail and greaves shined over purple t-shirts and jeans. Sword and skull designs decorated their helmets. Even their boots looked intimidating with their iron cleats, great for stomping through mud or on people's faces. In front of the legionaires, like giant dominoes, stood their red and gold shields, each the size of a refridgerator door. Every legionaire had a bout a hundred pounds of equipment that I really couldn't name.

        The six of us walked up to the front, down the middle of the assembled legion. It was pretty embarassing for me but the others seemed to be right at home in the centre of attention. I guess they get used to it but I have never been famous for anything or recognised as someone of importance before, standing next to Reyna at the front of the legion, I felt important. I was just thinking about Chiron words at the bon fire when he chose the campers for the quest. I remember he said something about Alek having a brother here in camp Jupiter. A brother who was Praetor. But I didn't see any Guy Praetors except for the ones in sight. Could he have been mistaken or was I just missing something? 

        I found out very quickly. At first I was confused on why Reyna didn't say anything to those assembled, but then I realised she was waiting for something. She glanced into the sky one more time and then began, "Centurions, you and your troops have one hour for dinner. We have some special geusts so we will have some speeches. Then we will meet on the field of mars for the war games tonight. I will anounce positions then."

        Reyna certainly knew how to handle her camp. All the soldiers made their way into the mess hall in an orderly fassion. Reyna motioned us to follow her and on our way some of the campers would greet us but most ducked their heads in signs of respect as their Praetor passed. I don't think many of them recognized our little group but that was fine by me. We sat down at a table with Reyna and some Centurions from the cohorts. Just after we sat down a guy came and took the seat I hadn't noticed beside Reyna. I was waiting paitently for him to introduce himself but when he didn't I decided to speak up, "Hello, my name is Sophia. May I ask your's?" I thought I was very polite but a look of shock spread across his face from the moment I started speaking. Instead of answering me he turned to Reyna and said, "I didn't know we were having visitors, who are all of these people?" He started looking around while he was talking and his eyes paused on the boys. He seemed to recognize all of them, "I see you all got back from your long vayage well. I am sure we owe you many thanks for the deeds you accomplished while you were away. We heard about the eidolons and we don't hold anything against you or your crew." I didn't know what he was talking about but it seemed to make Annabeth, Percy, Frank and Leo feel better. Maybe they had a run in with these eidolons last time and the eidolons were disguised so there was a misunderstanding. I am glad they are figuring things out. "Who are you? From the Greek camp as well?"

        Alek looked surprised, maybe it was the fact that this random guy was addressing him or maybe it was the way the guy spoke, I'm not sure. "My name is Alek, son of Nike. What is your name?" Finally someone else is asking him, maybe this time we can get a straight answer. "I am pleased to meet you, you can call me Praetor Zach, descendent of Spes, the goddess of hope. I became a Praetor because of the election. I geuss if you guys are sticking around then I don't really need to be Praetor, I mean I don't want to take it from you." He thinks we came to stay? "Are you planning on staying in camp Jupiter?" Reyna seems just as surprised as me. Annabeth quickly clarifies, "No, no. We aren't staying very long. Maybe a couple of days. Did you say you are a descendant of Spes?" What is she on about now? Why does it matter who he is related to? "Yes." Wait, didn't- "Are you and Alek brothers? Because Chiron-" Ow, that was so mean. I was just going to tell them about Chiron's reasoning behind sending all of us. He had said that Alek had a brother who was Praetor here. That is so wierd. Maybe they never met eachother.

        "Actually, I do remember having a little brother but my dad dropped me at the wolf house and I haven't really thought about it since." How can you not think about a brother that you once had? I decided not to continue it but maybe we should start asking about he camp. "You know we are actually here because we greatly admire your camp and city and we were thinking that it is a really good idea. In Camp half-blood we don't have many older demi-gods, and no children of demi-gods. So we were hoping that maybe if we understood more about New Rome we could figure out how to make a better living environment to help the people at camp." Why not start by complementing them, it always seems to soften people up. "We were hoping that maybe we could learn about how the city functions and if you had any suggestions oon how to make a town in camp half-blood for demi-gods, we are open to ideas." Maybe I shouldn't have gotten down to business so soon. The others are looking between me and Reyna curiously as if waiting for her to explode. Did I offend her in some way? I don't think so, I mean, I didn't mean to. I was just telling her why we came. It would give them more time to think over how they can help us. "I really don't think this is a descussion for right now, we can conitue it tomorrow. We should gear up as I have to start the war games soon." Reyna seems to not think this is very urgent. I am excited to see these war games though.

A.N. Thanks for reading. Please vote, follow, and comment. 

~briarose14