So this is possibly a slightly shorter chapter but this is really to tie you all over for the next big reveal I want that chapter to be good. This chapter is still important.
Also all units and ranks stated e.g. Turma are real Roman military units.
I did make somethings up about Jason's life but since we don't know much I feel its justified plus it all matches what we know from Rick, plus the added bits make sense.
I'm sure you all know I own nothing.
BTW who else wants to see a Roman series? I'd really want to read that.
Jason POV
"Praetor we understand what you wish but it does not seem possible to integrate with the legion at this current time," Octavian said, again.
"Rome used auxiliaries for centuries," Jason growled.
Standing before the senate being refused a perfectly reasonable solution to the legions problems of numbers and scouting left him furious. Jason had been tempted to strike Octavian down with lightening but thought that might be a tad dramatic.
"But the Fauns-"
"Sit around doing nothing all day!" Jason yelled. It was a hot afternoon and the debating had gotten boring so he was going to use some of that power he was supposed to have as praetor. Gods why couldn't they carry weapons in the city? "We retrieved plenty of weapons and enough imperial gold bars to arm hundreds more warriors we don't have."
"And how will we pay?" Another senator shouted in protest.
"We captured more than just weapons and armour. We took money, silver denarii and gold coins. I don't know where the gold comes from but they must be worth something!" A senator on Jason's side responded for him.
"But would the Fauns stand?" Octavian called out. "When the armies assaulted Camp Jupiter or when we assaulted Mt Tam would the Fauns stand as legionnaires would?"
There were calls in agreement. Jason realized he was losing.
"Most won't have to," Jason replied. "We take 80 in as auxiliaries then 60 will be archers covering a major deficiency we have in the legion,"
"The children of Apollo-"
"Are not numerous enough to be anything more than specialist snipers. They're the best shots on the planet but 17 archers, no matter how skilled, cannot break a shield wall, 60 however could have saved dozens of lives in the war." Looking around at the grumbling senators Jason realized he was winning.
"And the other 20?" Octavian demanded seeing his advantage slip.
"They will be the bravest, biggest and toughest. They will be supporting spear men to guard the flanks." Jason replied.
"How will they be lead?" Someone demanded.
Jason smiled and pulled out a binder Reyna had helped him make, it had taken some time but they now had a method of training and leadership for the Faun auxiliaries. They would start under the control of Demigods but as they gained experience and discipline they would be led by other Fauns. Jason threw it at their feet smiling.
"Read it, if you want to find out," Reyna had helped him make it overly large so that no one would bother reading before accepting. It would save time.
There was a general muttering of agreement.
"But what about the cavalry Turma you intend to create?" Another senator questioned.
"We need scouts you ignorant morons!" Jason had finally snapped, he'd almost got his proposition through now this. He wasn't going to let these senators stop him.
"When the Perses led the Titan army to New Rome we didn't know until he was at our gates, with a Turma we can scout and know before hand," Jason stared each of the senators in the eye.
They remembered alright, that was when the legions Prefect defeated his first Titan and became Praetor earning yet another line for his bravery and that was when these sad old men and scheming bastards had to deal with a bold new captain with the blood of Jupiter, the hero that lead the assault of Mt Tam when the senate wanted to hold position. Jason would not be stopped by a bunch of old idiots now any more than he would then.
"If we take the 30 best riders from the entire legion then the cohorts won't be too weakened, we'll still have 203 Demigods in the infantry." He told the senators.
More nodding from the senators, Jason sighed the men were like sheep, get one bleating the way you want and the rest would follow. Reyna finally spoke "I stand with Jason on this, trials for riding should begin today. Centurions should pick 12 legionnaires they think will make the best riders and we will observe their performance and pick the 6 best of each cohort."
"We haven't voted yet!" Octavian objected.
"Then vote," Jason replied with a harsh tone. "And vote now, before I lose my patience," Jason didn't shout but he made the sky rumble event though the it was a blue and cloudless day. The senators glanced nervously towards the sky, even Octavian looked uneasy.
Perhaps it was unnecessary and not well thought out, he looked more like a dictator than an elected official but he was tired and he doubted his Father took bullshit like this on Olympus.
The vote was overwhelmingly in favor, apparently people didn't like being smote by lightning.
~(#)~
"Spike from the 3rd cohort, Rank: legionnaire, the Son of Apollo!" The herald, now quite hoarse, yelled.
"I know that one," Reyna muttered.
"Hmm?" Jason looked at her questioningly.
"Problem with authority," she stated "he's very…unorthodox."
"So was I," Jason reminded her.
Reyna smiled at him but immediately hid it as if she'd shown weakness to Lupa. He'd never understand this girl. She shook her head at him, "you volunteered for the gladiator matches sure,"
"And won them," he told her trying to coax another smile. "I became first sword remember?"
"I remember you didn't shut up about it for a week what I'm saying is-"
She was interrupted by Spike demonstrating his riding skills. The test was sword fighting from the horse, who could ride the fastest, firing a bow from the back of horse and using lance and javelin.
From this they would take the 30 best, thankfully they had all so far been pretty decent, so they had plenty of choice. Spike was the best so far, his horsemanship was unnaturally good and his skill with bow meant he hit the targets bulls' eye twice and only missed it to hit the outer ring. His sword skill was above average so he took out his opponent quickly enough. His lance skill wasn't perfect but was capable enough and his accuracy with a javelin matched that with his bow.
Jason could see the others that were to make up the Turma were impressed as well. Spike was the best so far.
"Gods it's hot in this toga and armor," Reyna told him. Then again she was right. Sweat dripped down his back as he tried to look regal in is ceremonial armor with its own built in toga cape thing so it looked more official. And was more uncomfortable on hot California days.
Only praetors and high ranking officers such as the camp prefect and Augur got to ware imperial gold armour. It was better than the steel they gave to the legionnaires but there wasn't enough imperial gold to armour everyone in the legion. Weapons came first, magic metals were the only thing that could kill monsters but steel could still stop them.
"I hope this is done quickly, how many left?" He asked her.
"16 more," she replied.
"Okay," he steeled himself for the next 16.
It was clear the centurions hadn't sent their best. Jason didn't blame them, in their place he would have wanted to keep his best soldiers. They gave him the misfits, the least disciplined, the ones who didn't want to stand in a formation. Oddly enough this worked in his favour the Turma wasn't meant to be like the cohorts. They were going to be more independent going on scouting missions and fighting on the flanks with a variety of weapons.
The next 16 went fast and just before dinner Jason had his Turma. They got to follow the tradition of electing their own Decurion's. 3 would be elected for the Turma and one of these would be chosen as the senior Decurion, it wasn't any wonder Spike became the senior Decurion and the other 2 were his lieutenants.
"So," Reyna said looking at him, "you think they'll prove themselves effective?"
"They better, else-wise the senate will string me up by my balls."
~(#)~
Jason went back to his house after evening training. He was exhausted from a day debating in the senate and the tough legion training.
Being Praetor gave him some benefits, it wasn't easy fighting the senate. It was easier when all he had to do was fight monsters but now people expected him to deal with politicians and they didn't let him hack their heads off with his sword.
This sweet house was his reward, that and his wage. His high wage.
He lounged on his sofa reading some dull reports about monsters and other problems in the legion. What he didn't like was the high concentration of monsters drawing together in a powerful army, namely Arimaspians and some giants mixed with Griffins. This was odd because Arimaspians were basically Griffin killers, this was because they wanted to steal the gold that the Griffins took for themselves. They were like evil, demigod killing magpies.
Of course there was the problem of Venti. Ever since Typhons death they had been attacking the legion.
Then there was the lack of recruits. This was a colossal problem and part of the reason he was recruiting the Fauns for an auxiliary.
He groaned at the idea that he'd have to sit through their recruitment as well.
"You're Praetor you know, you can delegate," a deep voice said.
Jason had flipped his coin and had his Gladius ready and pointed at the voice in an instant.
What was in front of him was far more devastating than any monster, it was Jupiter, his father.
"I see you recognize me and yet you seem reluctant to lower your sword," he smiled kindly.
"Uh sorry," put his sword away and quickly remembered his manners kneeling before him, "sorry father." He repeated.
"There's no need for that," Jason stood trying to control his swirling emotions of resentment and desire to make his dad proud while not letting them show.
"I have flatterers aplenty on Olympus I don't need you to try and boost my ego."
Jason didn't know what to say, his father stood before him a powerfully built middle aged man with strong broad shoulders. He seemed entirely at ease and he examined a picture of him and Reyna stood together before The Little Tiber when they were 14.
"A beautiful girl," Jason blushed.
Finally he found his voice "Why have you never visited before?" Jason half expected to get incinerated for what was probably a rude question but he didn't care, this was the very first time he had seen his father, 15 years and this was the first time he showed himself.
Jupiter looked at him pained, "I… I did not want this. Juno is easily made jealous and when she has something she likes does not let others play with it."
Jason didn't like being compared to a jealous toddler's toy, "so why show now?"
"I am still the king of Olympus. No one can stop me from doing as I please," he stood proud and strong and Jason realised that this God could smash the entire legion to ashes with a wave of his hand. He was more powerful than Perses or Krios had ever been. There was no God to match him. Even the eldest Gods were made nervous by Jupiter.
"And you are my son and I see you struggling to make Rome great despite the wishes of a corrupt senate."
Jason was tempted to ask if Jupiter could kill Octavian and couple of other choice senators.
"So what? You've come to pat me on the back? All I had to do was beat two Titans and you noticed I exist," Jason was angry but immediately bit his tongue as Jupiter's eyes flashed dangerously.
But then his shoulders slumped, "I am sorry, Jason I did not want this. Juno would never have you let you live in peace had I not made my deal with her," he looked genuinely sorry. "Its easy for…some to judge me harshly. Ruling the Gods has never been simple. Only so long as the others see me as too powerful and ruthless to cross will they be kept in check. If I acted differently then all Olympus would be at war."
Jason still stared at him his heart bursting with emotion. "I just wanted you to send a sign, to let me know you were proud." Jason looked at his father feeling all the bad emotions he'd been filled with leave him in the words he spoke, "I tried everything to get your attention, I thought it would be easy being your only demigod child," Jupiter seemed to wince at that but Jason continued, "training hard to become First Sword beating every other member of the legion who tried to face me. I went on quests, became centurion, I even became the Camp prefect and you never once let me know you were proud that you noticed me." Jason glared at Jupiter hot tears filling his eyes but he blinked them away.
"I was proud though Jason that's why I'm here now to warn you and help you," Jupiter pretended not to notice the tears for which Jason was glad. Jason Grace Praetor of Rome crying? Not a good look.
"So what's your warning?" Jason just wanted him to leave. The meeting was only short but it seemed to drain Jason of all the energy he had left, which wasn't much.
"You are my son. No one you have met has ever stood your equal. That is soon to change." He gave me a meaningful look. "No person can stand without an equal, not in our world. It upsets the order of things." Jason didn't like these riddles.
"Your point?"
"You will soon meet your match. Should you have to face him and you should defeat stay your hand from killing him, as Neptune's favorite you will incur his wrath." Jupiter then smiled wryly, "though I confess I will understand if you do kill him. He is the single most annoying mortal I have ever had the misfortune of meeting."
"What do you mean by favorite? Is he a child of Neptune, is that what you mean?" Jason asked.
"It is complicated," Jupiter told him.
"Seems pretty simple to me he either is or he isn't,"
Jupiter's eyes twinkled with a mischief Jason would never have thought existed in him. "You do not bow to authority that is good. Never hold an authority higher than yourself my son, a leader can do nothing else."
"You won't answer me will you? Fine I'll figure it out." Jason said ignoring his father's pointless prattle.
"The world is changing. A storm is coming and you must face it a leader and a hero," Jupiter looked at him with a fierce pride that made Jason's heart stir. "Know I stand with you, when you are in great peril pray and I will answer."
With that his father left.
"Nice to see you to," Jason muttered.
Then he saw on the floor an eagle's feather. On an impulse he picked it up and put it in my pocket.
Jason went back to reading the last reports. Tomorrow was going to be a long a day.
So how was that?