A/N- Thank you guys for reviewing! It's really hectic right now, so I'm not doing much. I had a practice ACT and it's hell week (technical term referring to the week before performances) for my school's play. I don't know why I'm telling you, I doubt you care. Anyways.
Disclaimer- I do not own PJO
Valentine
With every step she took into the temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, Valentine found herself growing more and more afraid. There was a very real possibility that the augury could turn against Jason. She'd heard of recruits being rejected before, but luckily there hadn't been any during her praetorship. She didn't think she'd be able to stand having blood on her hands like that.
Surely the gods wouldn't ask her to murder a child? If they thought him weak, they would let him live in the town until he was stronger, right?
Their footsteps echoed on the polished marble engraved with the great prophecies of the ages. Above them, the polished gold dome gleamed like a second sun.
Valebtine felt Jason's hand slip from hers. "Wait!" she cried as he ran forwards.
Jason ignored her and stopped in front of the great statue of Jupiter that dominated the hall. He stretched up one hand and gently touched the hem of the god's robes. Was it just Valentine's imagination, or was there a faint rumble of thunder?
Tony ran forward and pulled the boy back. "Hey buddy, no touching. You have to be good here, okay?" Jason squirmed under his grip.
Valentine joined them, peering around. The temple was deserted. "Where's Laura? She's always here. I didn't think you could drag her away from her auguries."
"Usually you can't," Tony said with a grin. "Unless, of course, you hide her entire stock of beanie babies..."
She stared at him with horror. "You didn't. I thought you said you were breaking up fights!"
"I was!"
"And the beanie babies hid themselves?"
"Well, no, but I really was keeping the cohorts from tearing eachother apart-"
"And playing childish pranks while I was doing the work!"
"C'mon, Val, I'm really sorry about that."
"Sorry? Oh that's just wonderful! That really makes up for the four hours I was stuck inside with those-"
Valentine was suddenly unable to continue her rant due to Tony's lips pressed against hers. She leaned into the kiss, her irritation melting away.
When they broke apart, Valentine noticed that Jason was making a disgusted face. "Yucky!"
Tony smirked at him. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. I bet you'll be such a player when you're older, Jase. All the girls will be after you."
Jason looked horrified.
Valentine placed a hand on Tony's arm. "Be good."
"I am!"
Before the argument could really restart, they were interrupted by the sound of slow, rather dramatic, clapping. They turned to see a tall girl outlined against the sinking sun.
"Wow," she said in a deep voice. "I'm really impressed. Not only did I get to see a lover's quarrel between our own two praetors, but I find out who stole my sacrifices and get to see you two playing babysitter. My life is complete." She apread her hands wide open in an exaggeration of angelic contentment.
Valentine smiled despite herself. "Hey, Laura. Sorry about this idiot stealing your teddy bears. If you want, you could gut him instead."
Laura smiled, the skin around her eyes crinkling with amusement. "You really shouldn't offer that if you don't mean it, Praetor. I might just take you up on it." She pulled a wicked dagger from its sheath and gently carressed the blade.
Tony gulped. "Okay, plans to murder me aside, we need an augury. Two demigods arrived today and we need to know if they may join."
Laura lit up. "Really? Two in one day?" The whiteness of the teeth showing through her grin was almost blinding in contrast to her coffee-colored skin. "Is it my birthday or something?"
Valentine rolled her eyes. "Just murder some cuddly bear already. We all know how much you love that."
The auger harrumphed but magically produced a stuffed bunny with an almost horrifying expression of cuteness. "I'll need to know names," she reminded them.
Tony pulled Jason forward. "This is Jason. The girl who was with him was named Emily."
There was a brief silence in which Laura looked between the praetors, waiting for the punchline. "You're kidding, right?"
Valentine frowned. "I know, but Lupa sent him, so we're not sure what to do. We really need to know what the gods wish. I'd rather give him to a family in New Rome, but if the gods have some sort of plan for him..." She trailed off. They all knew the consequences for those who stood in the way of the gods. Getting slit open like one of Laura's stuffed animals was the least of your worries.
Still, Laura was unconvinced. "He's practically a toddler! He'll be completely useless to the legion, and probably get killed too!" There was a rumble of thunder, but the girl was not deterred. "Look, I say we don't even bother. Just put him somewhere and come back when he's seven. Who cares what his fate is-"
There was a boom like an airplane going supersonic. The entire temple shook from the strength of the thunder. Dark clouds began to form overhead, covering up the sky.
Laura scowled. "That's not how I meant it. All I was saying was that it won't do anyone good if he gets killed in training."
Slowly, the thunder ceased and the clouds began to dissapate. Tony shook his head.
"You augurs get away with so much more than everyone else. If I said that, I would just be a pair of smoking converse right now."
Jason tugged on Valentine's hand. She bent down so that he could whisper into her ear.
"She's scary."
Valentine laughed out loud, causing the other two to stare at her. "You're completely right. Crazy, too."
Laura's chocolatey eyes narrowed suspiciously. "You talking about me or your boy?" Tony looked oddly pleased at her description. Apparently he liked the reminder that despite their many arguments, he was hers and she was his.
Gaah. Stupid Venus genes. His smile probably had nothing to do with that. Valentine so didn't need the mushy-gushy stuff ambushing her while she was trying to keep the camp's only augur from being turned into a crisp.
"Look, Laura," she sid firmly. "As praetor, I order you to do the augury. I don't want him to be hurt any more than you do, but it isn't up to us."
Laura looked defiant for a moment before sagging. "Fine. But you know I can't do the girl's without her present. I'll just do the kid's."
"Jason!" the kid in question interjected.
Laura placed a hand on his head as if blessing him before turning to the altar. She placed the fluffy rabbit on the table and slit it open with one firm slash. Stuffing spilled out of the gash, and she seized it, discarding the skin.
While spreading the fluff with one hand, she chanted, "Dominus Apollo, placere dirige nos et utrum Jason Grace est dignus servire Legio."
Valentine's mind unconsciously translated the Latin to English. Lord Apollo, please guide us and determine whether Jason Grace is worthy to serve the Legion.
Valentine couldn't see any discernible pattern in the clumps of fluff, but Laura studied them the way a general studies a battle plan. After a long moment, she turned back to them, her face grave.
"It is decided," she said in a monotone. "Jason Grace has passed the auguries. He is to be a member of the Twelfth Legion Fulminta. Senatus Populusque Romanus."
"Senatus Populusque Romanus," Tony echoed, seemingly on autopilot.
Valentine tried to swallow down her dread. "Senatus Populusque Romanus. We'll assign him a cohort at muster... Laura, the- the girl is still unconscious, but I'll send her up when she awakes." She patted the other girl's shoulder. "We can't argue with the will of the gods."
Laura looked distraught. "We shouldn't have to. I just pray that they know what they're doing."
"We all do," Tony said quietly. "Val, we have to go. Muster will be any minute now."
Valentine squeezed Jason's hand and he looked up at her, clearly not understanding why everyone was upset. "C'mon, Jason. Let's go to dinner."
A Roman Legion truly is an inspiring sight. The Twelfth Legion was even more impressive than most. Unlike the common soldiers of the Ancient Roman legions, every camper was equipped with an Imperial Gold weapon that glittered in the evening sun. Horsehair plumes were regulation straight, and armor gleamed so brightly that Valentine almost felt blinded.
Next to her, Tony shouted, "Legion! Attention!"
As one, every member of the five cohorts stomped into position. Centurions called roll and each legionairre responded as their name was called. At the front of the First Cohort were Max, son of Mars, and Aaron, son of Mercury. Leading Second Cohort was Valentine's old enemy, George, and a daughter of Minerva named Savannah. Third Cohort's centurions were Thomas and Eliza, twin children of Fides, the Roman goddess of loyalty. Heading Fourth Cohort were two daughters of Apollo, Jen and Eva, and last but not least, leading Fifth Cohort, the losers of Twelfth Legion, were Fred and Walt. Fred was a son of Sterquilinus, who was literally the god of manure. Walt... Well, Walt had the distinguished reputiation of being the only son of Bellona who managed to stab himself in the foot evey time he used his pilum.
Valentine found herself unconsciously assessing each of the centurions. Who could she dump Jason on? It was a heartless way of thinking of it, but it was true. She doubted that any of them would be enthusiastic about having such a little kid in their cohort.
Laura came up to her side as the Lares, the camp's ghosts, fell in and cried, "Colours!"
The lion-skin cape clad emblem bearers stepped forward. Valentine couldn't help the habitual wince as the empty pole meant for the eagle was raised. It hurt her Roman pride to see the empty place of honor.
Finally, Valentine was able to step forward and speak.
"Romans! Today, two demigods arrived at camp. They were chased by an army of hellhounds which were mysteriously destroyed, but not before one of them was injured. The wounded girl is in the infirmary, and once she is better her augury will be read. In the meantime, there is a special circumstance that I wish to discuss with the centurions!"
The legion grumbled and shifted nervously as the centurions made their way to the front. Although they knew that this was out of the ordinary, Valentine doubted that anyone had noticed Jason standing a little behind Tony. Yet.
"What's wrong, Val?" Max asked, brushing his damp hair out of his eyes. Apparently the First Cohort had been working really hard, because both he and his partner were positively drenched in sweat.
Valentine waited until all the centurions were gathered tightly enough around her that no one would be able to hear what she was saying. "As you might have heard, there were two demigods who arrived this morning. The first is obviously the girl in the infirmary, but the second... might be a bit of a problem."
Fred looked terrified. "The- It's not the augury, is it?"
Tony looked as nervous as Valentine felt. "No... Well, actually, yes, but not in the way you're thinking. The demigod, Jason, was accepted into the legion, but he's sort of, um, a bit-"
"What? What's wrong with him?" Valentine reflected that only George would consistently interrupt an explanation to demand the answer that he would have gotten in about two seconds.
Her fellow praetor didn't look particularly annoyed. His brow was too creased with worry. Finally, he sighed. "Jason, can you come here please?"
Slowly, the blond boy eased himself out of hiding and stood awkwardly before the ring of teenagers.
There was a silence.
The only sounds were the rustlings and clankings of the still waiting legion. Valentine wondered if the others were even breathing.
Jason seemed to realize that everyone was staring at him in a not-very-nice way, because his chin came up defiantly. His bright blue eyes traveled over each of the staring centurions, unafraid and challenging.
George began to laugh. "You two can't seriously be crazy enough to try to put some wimpy little kid in the legion?"
Jason's eyes flashed but he didn't say anything.
Instead, Laura spoke up. "The augury said he was to be in the legion. It is the gods' will."
Which, Valentine thought, was a clever thing to say. George wasn't suicidal enough to challenge the gods.
The son of Ceres seemed to realize the futility of arguing the point as well. "Well, if the gods say so, then they know best. But you are not sticking him in my cohort. We've got a reputation to uphold, and we don't need some kid running around in diapers."
Valentine frowned. "First of all, I don't care about your reputation. Secondly, I wouldn't even consider putting him in your cohort. He needs to be somewhere where there are good fighters so that they can watch out for him."
"That'll just make trouble," protested Jena, one of the Apollo girls from the Fourth. "He'd be the weakest link. Put him in the Fifth. People already know it's just a bunch of losers, and the kid might actually be on level with some of the legionairres." Her voice was intentionally cruel, and poor Walt flushed beet-red.
"W-w-we'd take h-him if you w-wanted us t-t-to, V-val. W-we aren't j-j-jerks like F-fourth. We'd l-look after him." Walt's stutter, ever present, did not detract from the relief coursing through Valentine. Thank the gods someone would accept him.
"Fine," she said. "I'll announce it. Return to your cohorts."
They scurried away.
Valentine glanced at Tony, who smiled reassuringly but quickly returned to his former look of worry.
Thanks. Nice to see the support, there.
She turned back to the impatient Romans. "It is decided! The new recruit, Jason Grace, shall join the Fifth Cohort! Jason Grace, step forward!"
Jason hesitantly took a step forward. As the legion realized that he was the 'new recruit', they broke into a roar of jeers, whistles, and moans. One soldier's yell stood out. "Look at 'im! Think he's missin' his mwommy?" Valentine really hoped that the legionairres were too far away to see the slight wobble of Jason's lip.
Laura tried to shout over the noise. "I have read the auguries! Jason Grace may join the legion!" There was only one or two Ave's. People were having too much fun mocking him to really follow the ceremony.
Fred, the most senior centurion, took it over from the augur. "Recruit! Do you have any letters of reference?"
Jason look confused. He glanced at Tony, who shook his head.
"No," Jason said, so quietly that Valentine could barely hear.
"Very well. Will the Fifth Cohort accept this recruit?" Fred asked, with a pointed glare that suggested his cohort had better accept him or else.
There was a half-hearted banging of shields on the ground.
"My cohort accepts him!" Fred said loudly.
Tony nodded at him and turned back to Jason. In a powerful voice, he spoke the traditional phrases of welcome. "Congratulations, Jason Grace. You stand on probatio. You will recieve a tablet with your name. In one year's time, or after you complete an act of valor, you will become a full member of the Twelfth Legion Fulminata. Serve Rome, obey the rules of the legion and defend the camp with honour. Senatus Populusque Romanus!"
The legion echoed him faintly, clearly much more interested in finally getting to dinner than in welcoming the newest probatio.
As soon as Valentine gave the word, they hightailed it for the mess hall, leaving only Jason, the praetors, Fred, and Walt behind.
Walt swallowed. "N-n-nice to meet y-you, Jason."
The three-year-old soldier smiled slightly at him.
Valentine spoke up. "Listen, I'm not crazy. Jason can be on a special schedule. He won't participate in war games until he turns seven, and he can attend school in New Rome during some of your more difficult training excercises. Other than that, he'll live with you guys, eat with you guys, and get basic training with you guys. Once he's bigger, he'll be a regular member of the legion."
Jason pouted. "I am big."
Fred held one of his palms flat to the top of Jason's head, then drew it towards his own body, measuring. "Sorry kid, you're not even up to my waist."
Jason looked up at him, brow furrowed. "They don't like me. They think I'm too little," he said quietly. No one seemed to know what to say, but he continued more strongly. "I'll get bigger. But I won't laugh at the little kids. It's not their fault."
Fred smiled, wrapping an arm around Jason's shoulders. "You're all right, kid. With an attitude like that, you'd have my vote for praetor."
They started towards the Fifth's barracks, with Walt trailing behind. It was really comforting, Valentine thought, that he would have a sort of family. Maybe it was best that he was in the Fifth. Since they were always being told that they were bad, they didn't have anything to prove, unlike the other cohorts who were always trying to boost their own egos by putting others down.
Still, it might be a good idea to keep an eye on him for his first few days. Just in case.
A/N- Sadly, no one from SoN is in camp at this point, so it's all going to be OCs. The next chapter... I wish I could do it in Jason's PoV, but I don't think I can. Sorry. Will probably jump forward a couple of years in the chapter after next.
