Chapter1

I pick pocketed my first pocket when I was seven. It all started on a cliché Californian summer evening.

"And remember! You're worthless!" My uncle Ossy screamed as I ran away for the 50th time. My backstory is one of the 'Mary-sue' stories; my parent couldn't afford me so guess where I ended up. Of course I thought I would go crawling back to him after I couldn't find decent food, but today I was going somewhere to a better home. With my mindset in place, I set off on my normal route. Being only seven most of these details are fuzzy so I'll fill in some of the blanks. In the park I passed many people who glanced me no attention to me as usual, until I found a man, maybe no more than twenty, with a brown trench coat walking slower than the rest of the crowd. Maybe I could easily get something off of him, I had never attempted it before, but I was starting to get hungry. He was walking toward a bench, so I quickened my pace. I saw his pocket and instantly knew what was inside, a massive diamond, a pocket watch and a cellphone. Whoa, how the… I'd figure that out later. I brushed up beside him and picked out the diamond. It was the kind you saw on TV, advertised with the backlight. How would he get something like this? After I snatched my prize I took off with astounding speed to a far away tree. I looked back and he was watching me. He didn't come after me at first but he slowly made his way toward me.

"Young miss, I believe I have something for you." The man no more than twenty said in the kindest voice I had ever heard.

"Um, my uncle said not to take things from strangers." I said as innocently as I could.

"That didn't stop you from taking my diamond did it?"

"No sir, I'm sorry here take it" I handed him the diamond but he just smiled.

"Take it, you need it more than I. You'll get better pocketing, you've got the picking down, but before I depart, I was asked to deliver this to you." The man no more than twenty reached inside his other pocket and pulled out a card. He handed it to me and closed my hands around it.

"Thank you?" I said puzzled.

"Your welcome, I'll be seeing you later, good day" And with that he left.

I looked at the diamond I got/stole. It had what looked like Greek engraved in it

Property of:

I instantly recognized the name Hermes, what a strange name. Honestly that was when my life started going from rags to riches. After that strange encounter with, who would become my advisor and closest friend, I continued on my route.

I walked past more and more people and finally came to a food stand. I was quite dirty from being outside for the whole day walking and trudging though the terrain. I stood on my toes to see the food marshal. It was time to act innocent.

"Sir? May I have some bread? My family and I can't afford food. May I have a sandwich?" I said saying sandwich like sand-wick.

"Here, take this." He said handing me a bag with food in it. " That man over there bought it for you. He told me to say it was provisions until you reached safety."

"Thank you?" I said taking the bag.

"He also said he gives you his blessing. You met someone very important kid. Good luck." The food marshal turned going into the back room. I took out the card 'Hermes gave me it read:

Camp Jupiter

Follow the river

Good luck -Hermes

First why was everyone I was talking to saying 'good luck'? Camp Jupiter? Follow the river? Normally I wouldn't have followed the directions on the card, but they felt important. I kept walking until I came a forest. Near one of the trees there was a richly dressed man in a red tie. I could have sworn he had no face, but he nodded at me and I quickened my pace even faster. I glanced at the road near the forest and it said I was near San Francisco. Jeesh I walked far from home, I honestly thought my uncle cared for me at once, I was so wrong. He never raised a hand against me, but he never paid attention to me and shot down all of my dreams. Me working with the Government as a spy, you're not smart enough. I am so smart enough! Its not like I drank like him and lost half, maybe more than his brain cells. Ranting, one of my skills, I could rant for a whole day if given a topic. Anyway, walking through the forest, I came up against many different things. I saw what looked like flowery young women and near streams, dark haired young women, maybe they were runaways too. After what seemed like 4 hours I came to a river, it was larger than the one I had seen when I was walking. It seemed to have a strong presence. It pulled me toward it without asking my will. I followed the aura into the river and suddenly the small bag I was carrying got instantly heavy, like 20 pounds heavy. I finally came to the other side of the river and when I looked at my reflection it changed, I looked about 18 and more beautiful. How the? I saw that my short wavy black hair had become about 5 or 6 inches longer. I looked like a supermodel! Its like I was in that river for 11 years. I'd ask who ever I found maybe Hermes if I saw him again about the sudden age slash growth spurt. Opening the bag I saw the food had aged to, it was covered in mold in all kinds of colors.

"The river will do that to you" A young woman said looking at me from near a tree with a bow notched.

"I don't want any trouble, I found my way here, where did you get that weapon? The 1600's?"

"If I were in your position, I would not mock a armed person."

"Ok sorry, sorry. Um where am I and why did I age like 13 years?"

"Well the river didn't kill you so you should be ok, guys lower your weapons!" The girl no older than 16, said. I looked into the trees and saw 20 or so people armed with bows and arrows. I swallowed and wiped some sweat off of my face.

"Fear not until you have faced Reyna. Girl what is your name?" One of the people in the tree asked me.

"L-Livia what's yours?"

"My name is Leahne. As for your increased age it'll all be explained in camp assuming Octavian doesn't decide to kill you."