o.O People have actually been READING this? Holy…. Damn, now I'm all motivated to write. So much for starting United by Fire… I'll probably start working on that after this story (or as soon as I get writer's block again). Thanks for reading!
We ran up the hill as fast as we could, knocking over some fauns as we went. I heard Dakota cursing in Latin about wishing he could forget Octavian… but I didn't have time to think about that now. We ran up to Jupiter Optimus Maximus, Gwen flinging the doors open as we rushed inside. We were panting and breathing hard as this skinny blonde boy wearing a toga chanted in Latin, gutting a hippo Webkinz with a ceremonial dagger. As he pulled out the stuffing and threw the soft carcass aside, red lightning flashed over our heads. He stopped chanting and turned to face us. He had wild blue eyes that looked capable of murder, and looked to be about a year younger than Gwen. I wasn't sure I trusted this guy with my fate, even though it was undoubtedly in his unpredictable hands.
"Welcome, members of the Fifth!" He had a strong, charismatic voice that I associated with politicians and salesmen. Like he wanted to be my friend (so that I would do whatever he wanted me to do). "And," he added, looking at me, "your new recruit. Let me guess. You want me to see if he can join the Legion?"
He certainly got straight to the point. Which was good, considering we had no time. "I was going to read your interrogation before consulting the auguries, but somehow," he stated, glaring at Dakota for a moment, "formalities were… bypassed. How very unusual. Now," he smiled crazily, rubbing his hands together as he took a step forward. "I believe Centurion Dakota wishes the praetors to be left out of this matter. So, his wishes will be acknowledged. You and your cohort can leave the temple, Centurion. I need to interview the new recruit. As you seem to have forgotten to do." Dakota was seething quietly at Octavian's words, and Gwen was trying to hold him back while standing at attention.
"You are dismissed." Octavian waved his hand disdainfully in their direction. Dakota forced a smile and left, managing a slight courtesy bow before turning on his heel and exiting the temple, Gwen and Jason hot on his heels. I could tell none of them liked Octavian, and I wasn't sure I wanted to find out why. There seemed to be a history between Octavian and Dakota…
"So," Octavian started, pulling me out of my thought process, "Tell me how you met the shame of the Legion."
I stared at him for a second, debating whether or not to argue with him. I mean, if the Fifth Cohort was the worst there was- couldn't be. I couldn't see any one soldier taking down the Chimera from any other cohort, even if those other cohorts had better reputations than the Fifth. I hadn't met all the soldiers from the Fifth, but already it felt like a family. A group that would stick up for me no matter what the consequence was.
Do not pick fights you cannot win, Bob said in my head, his mental voice dark and ominous. That is the way of Rome. Conquer or die. Do not try to conquer if there is no way of victory. Octavian is not an enemy you want to have. He has most of the camp under his thumb. He can control your fate, if you let him.
That was comforting. I listened to his advice (for once), and didn't start to argue with either Octavian or him. Obviously I can't win when arguing with myself, and he was probably right- somehow.
I patiently explained how the battle had gone, and how if the Fifth hadn't interjected when they did, I'd be dead. He stared at me while I was talking, unblinking. I felt like his eyes were seeing into my soul and through me at the same time, and not in a good way. It felt as though he were examining me for faults and screw-ups that would impact his precious Legion- or, more probably, his chances of grabbing more power.
"You haven't been to the Wolf House?" he said, frowning. "And you haven't had your interrogation by the praetors? This isn't protocol… but nothing about your story is. I'll clear it because Rome needs all the soldiers it can get. I have foreseen a great battle in the near future…"
He trailed off, gutting a Beanie Baby absentmindedly and putting the beans on the altar. He studied the pile for a second as a flash of red lightning lit the ceiling. "Excellent. The gods agree. You will be a valuable asset for Rome. Good luck, Mark," he said, putting out his hand. I shook it nervously. "You'll need it. Train hard, and always remember, aut vincere aut mori."
He spoke with such finality, it was hard to tell if he was being friendly and wishing me well, or planning my funeral. "Conquer or die," I said, looking him in the eyes without flinching. He nodded, smiling normally. Maybe he wasn't completely crazy. Spending all your time in a temple, gutting stuffed animals and reading the will of the gods, had to have an impact on one's sanity.
I exited the temple in a hurry, and bumped into Jason, who was standing just outside the door. "That was fast," he said, helping me up. "So you've been accepted?" Gwen asked. "Obviously," Dakota spat, still thinking about Octavian. "Let's go, Mark. We have five minutes to get to muster."
-sigh- Another cliffy, and one that is a lot like last chapter's. This is probably my shortest chapter…. Ever. I was going to continue, but then it wouldn't get done until Thursday. While that's within the week that I promised, I would keep putting it off and it wouldn't get done until next week. Bad author! Bad! Muster is next, maybe war games in there, dunno yet. Mainly working on the time-skip chapters right now.
I'm kind of making a rivalry between Dakota and Octavian. I don't really have a reason, but I'll probably add some sort of history between the two later. So, no reason YET. Anyone that can think of one gets a blue virtual cookie!
It may seem like Octavian is a good person here. I haven't made any opinions about him yet, besides that he's greedy and probably shouldn't be trusted, so I'm trying to only reflect what we know so far into this... and make him a little nicer because he's younger now without much experience. The war will probably change him somehow… probably figure that one out during the fourth or fifth book.
I dunno if Hazel and Frank will be in here. Maybe as brand-new recruits… I have to do the math. Bleh. Stupid math! It feels like I have to calculate something for every chapter! Oh well, it's canon. This is the price I pay…
Review or Kronos will come out of Tartarus and FIND YOU!
