Chapter 1
It was mid-july and the sun was beat down harshly on the back of Reyna's neck as she watched the training sessions, the new recruits were struggling in the intense heat but Reyna was sure they could make Romans out of them, they had the natural skill necessary, the great wolf Lupa had seen to that.
She could hear Frank yelling encouragement at them, he was good like that, he knew how to push people without making them lose the will to live, he taught them how to have strength and how to use it properly. New recruits were often a little cautious around him, due to his size and muscled figure, but soon they realised he was a good guy but if the time came to it he could hold his own.
Frank spotted Reyna and jogged towards her, he nodded in greeting and stood beside her, looking over the recruits as they trained
"How are they fairing?" she asked
Frank nodded and wiped the sweat from his brow "They are doing well, they just need to get used to wearing the armour mostly, especially in this heat" he gestured over his shoulder "We already had to send one to the medics, they didn't hydrate enough"
Reyna rolled her eyes "Nothing too serious I hope"
Frank shook his head "They should be fine in an hour or so, hopefully they learnt their lesson about the importance of drinking water on days like today"
"Hopefully" she agreed
Frank wished her a good day and returned to his teachings, Reyna watched for a few moments longer before turning to attend her other duties.
She made her way through the camp, she went to visit the medic building, they had been asking for extra supplies recently so she had to talk it through with the head medic and figure out what exactly they needed and if it was in their budget, one of the other fun jobs of being Praetor.
"Reyna"
The Praetor turned to be greeted by Samson, Son of Apollo and head medic at Camp Jupiter
"Samson" she nodded back "You said about meeting over new supplies for the camp"
"Yes" he replied "Maybe we should talk in my office" he held out a hand to signal her to proceed first, which she did as she made her way down the corridor and into a room at the far end, it was a small office and all the walls were covered in bookshelves, filled to bursting point with medical books through the ages, Samson took pride in his collection, the largest known to exist in the modern day.
Samson sat in his desk chair and gestured for Reyna to do the same, as she sat he rifled through some papers that were neatly organised on his desk
"Ah yes here we are" he handed over a piece of paper with a long list of very complex medicines and herbs "Just a few items"
"What exactly is all this for?" she asked as she counted about 20 different names
Samson stood and walked over to one of the large bookshelves, he took down a huge and very old looking book held together with some sort of string, he placed it down in front of her and opened to a certain page that was book marked
"I recently required this manuscript from our friends at Camp Half-Blood, inside I have found some new herbal formulas that could be very useful to us" he pointed to a very long Latin word "I would like to experiment with these, with your permission of course"
Reyna looked back at the paper in her hands "These are quite expensive items Samson, how vital is it at this moment in time for you to experiment with vivificantern?"
Samson seemed excited by the whole aspect of it "If I can figure out a way to make this actually work then it could revolutionize our medical practises, we can save more lives with the 'Life Giver' those who get too injured on a quest to make it home to us, fatal injuries that even nectar cannot heal"
Reyna nodded thinking it through but before she could make a decision, somebody knocked frantically at the door
"Enter" Samson called
The door flew open to reveal Rebecca, Reyna's assistant looking a little out of breath
"Praetor, I'm sorry to interrupt but there is an urgent issue that needs your immediate attention" she took a deep breath "In your office"
"Is everything okay?" Reyna asked standing
Rebecca looked a little shaken, but she nodded "I just need you to return to your office Praetor, now… please"
Reyna frowned but turned to face Samson "I will think over this and we shall talk further on the matter"
"Very well Praetor, I will await your decision" Samson returned to his desk as the two women exited
"Rebecca are you going to tell me what in the name of Jupiter is going on?" Reyna demanded in a slightly hushed voice
The younger girl looked a little worried "I was told just to bring you back to your office"
"By who?" Reyna demanded, not understanding why Rebecca seemed nervous
Rebecca looked towards her leader "Please Reyna just… just come and see for yourself, I can't say anymore in hearing distance of others"
Reyna began to feel a little defensive, she had never seen Rebecca so quiet and worried, she had never disobeyed her Praetor before. Reyna mentally prepared herself for whatever or whoever was waiting for her in her office that had he assistant so on edge.
As they neared her office Reyna slowed and caught a hold of Rebecca's arm
"Stay out here, if I give you the signal I want you to find Praetor Frank and tell him what happened" she ordered before taking her blade and listened to the door, she heard nothing
She burst into the room ready for anything, well anything but what she saw before her, there standing in the middle of her office looking regal in an opera gown, her brown hair pulled up into a tight bun with some jewels around her neck. She turned looking down at Reyna with piercing eyes, her face showing no emotions what so ever.
"Hello Reyna Ramirez-Arellano" she said coldly "I have come for your help"
"Lady Moneta?" Reyna's jaw almost dropped as she stared up at the titaness