Chapter 2: The Welcome Dinner
The Fifth Cohort dropped all their equipment with Cary, who had the responsibility of cleaning them and stacking them in the storage room. It was tough. First, he had to scrap and wash off the dirt and gravel off the shovels, the pitchforks, the boots, and the gloves. Next, he had to soak them in a bath with detergent and soap. Finally, he had to rinse and dry them off with a towel. This goes on for multiple times. Oh, and the wheelbarrow, he had to scrub it down.
Jason said someone would help him, but Cary looked around and found no one helping him. He was doing this on his own. He wanted to ask the centurion about that later. Jason had stopped by to make sure he was on task and occasionally step in to correct the process as he had little experience with this kind of chore.
'Man, what a rough day. No wonder Amber wanted to leave.' Amber left with the rest of the Fifth Cohort to unwind. She was rather anxious after the tussle with the basilisks. From what Cary heard from Jason, Amber had a bad experience with them the first time the cohort went basilisk nest cleaning. One of them got their fangs in her leg and she had to be rushed to the infirmary. Another near-death experience seemed to have visibly shaken her. 'I got to do something for her,' he pondered
Cary finally wrung the water out of the last set of gloves then put it in the scrubbed-down wheelbarrow. He rolled the gear back into the storage room and returned to the barrack. The sun was still above the horizon. 'The perks of the summer solstice,' he pondered. It was a lot cooler up here than down south back home. He walked to the Fifth Cohort barracks to regroup with Jason. A couple of legionnaires were playing goldfish or some other card game in front at the porch.
"Afternoon, fellas!" he greeted. The pair simply gestured with some halfhearted hand waves.
He walked into Jason's dorm. "Hey Jason, I'm back. Finished cleaning up the equipment." Cary didn't wait long to see the blonde demigod walk from behind a curtain separating his bed from the others. Jason was in a purple shirt and a white toga wrapped around his torso and over his shoulder.
"Ah, Cary. Glad to see you. Dinner is in about half hour. You'll be eating with us in the dinner hall."
"Sure, but ummm, where will I be sleeping?" Cary asked. When he got dragged to Camp Jupiter along with Amber, Reyna didn't arrange anything long-term for him up in New Rome. Since Amber was part of the cohort, she would be bunking in the women barracks. He didn't bring any fresh clothes, toiletries, and any luxuries because he got dragged from home during summer break after a scuffle with some giant fellow called a Germani. Reyna provided some basic needs from the Principia guest room… which he left back over there.
"Oh, you'll be bunking with in my barrack. Reyna mentioned that right?" Jason paused a little to let Cary process his words. "Just stop by the Principia to pick up your belongings before dinner. Actually… if you need anything else. You can drop by the shops up in New Rome."
"Wait, New Rome?" Cary inquired.
"Oh yeah, if you follow the road Via Praetoria, it's a straight shot to our city. There's shops, residence, and the Senate and Coliseum."
"Oh, great. I'm going to the Principia and think about visiting New Rome."
Cary walked over to the Principia. He walked through the door to find Reyna and her two canine companions at her study. He remembers the marble floors, the wooden desks, and the drapes from this morning.
"Mr. Chang. I trust your first day with Jason was eventful," commented Reyna.
"Yeah, it was. I just dropped by to pick up my stuff and move into his barrack," he answered.
"Fair enough. I haven't received Centurion Grace's report. I trust he will turn it in on time?" she asked.
"Yes, he will, I think," Cary faltered under her gaze. He quickly bowed before heading out. However, Reyna had one more thing to ask from him.
"One more thing Mr. Chang. Please be careful not to get deeply involved in the affairs of demigods and the Roman Pantheon. Mortals are usually not meant to learn too deeply of our lore," Reyna warned. She had reminded him yesterday that his job is only to be involved in Amber's growth, not train as a legionnaire.
"Umm, of course." He turned toward the door and walked back to the barracks.
Shortly before Dinner
Cary quickly unpacks what he had -which wasn't really much- at his spot and laid down on his bunk. A raised bedframe with a single mattress. There wasn't anything irreplaceable and valuable, so there would be no big deal to theft, not that theft was permitted in camp. Cary was usually protective of his stuff and his friends. However, what Reyna said unnerved him. In fact, what Jason explained to him left him concerned about everything.
As Cary stared at the ceiling, he had to ask himself how long, this camp- the one around San Francisco Bay- has been around, and how much the gods have been involved in the affairs of the world. Were they the one true faith since their existence are real? What do their existence means for gods from other cultures? Whose creation myth is canon? What are about my aspirations as a scientist. Is everything I've learned in school a lie?
'Man, I have many questions. Actually, since there are multiple gods, should I be thinking 'Oh my Gods' instead? Hmm, I should probably write these theories down so I don't forget.'
Cary was going to raise more questions before he heard the dinner bell rang. Besides he didn't have a notebook with him to write down those thoughts. He'll have to get one from a shop in New Rome. He joined up with Jason and walked along with the Fifth Cohort toward the mess hall.
When he entered the mess hall, he joined up with Amber at the far end of the dining room under the purple banner with the Roman numeral V under it. Cary looked around to see banners with Roman numerals of one through four, representing the other cohorts. He sat on a low-raised couch next to her at the edge of the table. A few other legionnaires shared the table with the duo, but they kept to themselves and left a distinguishable gap from them. Cary turned toward Amber, trying to start a conversation.
"So… uh, what are we having for dinner?" Cary asked.
"Oh, anything you like. An aura would come by to take your order and go back to the kitchen to make it." Amber answered halfheartedly. She was looking distracted. "Oh, aurae are wind spirits who help around the camp," she added unenthusiastically.
"Oh ok," he took a glance around but couldn't see anyone. He did see a bunch of trays and platters levitating around at whirlwind speed. He squinted a little to see a faint humanoid silhouette carrying the food around. He wanted to place his order, but he notice that none of the aurae took orders. Instead, they just presented the food in front of the legionnaires without anyone saying anything like they read their minds. Amber got her order of grilled chicken salad with a side of fries and a cup of soda. "Cary, you don't need to ask. They just deliver whatever you think of," she said.
"Sure," Cary thought up something from home. Something like his mom's homestyle fried rice with some side dishes and a cup of juice. However, nothing instantly came to his table. He waited patiently. However, he found himself still waiting while everyone else was halfway through dinner. "Ummm… Amber, I haven't gotten dinner yet."
Amber took a glance. She had a perplexed look on her face and glanced around. "That's not right… I think you need to ask Jason, he's sitting at the officer table." Cary walked out of his seat and went to the table. He had to skirt and bob and weave so as not to get a plate of food to the face. Jason was sharing a conversation with Reyna and a couple of other legionnaires, possibly officers. One of them was a rather scrawny blonde who looked like he needed some vitamin D and some sun.
"Ahh, hello Cary. You know Reyna and this is our augur, Octavian," Jason introduced the rest of his table in rapid succession. Cary didn't catch all their names, so he'll have to ask again later.
"Nice to meet all of you," Cary saluted, "Sorry to bother, but I haven't got my food yet; I was wondering if you know what's going on?"
"That's odd, the aurae usually don't leave guests like you waiting for food this long. What did you order in your head?"
"Some food from home like fried rice." Cary answered.
"Hmmm, maybe your order was too …complex… for the aurae to make, why don't you order something classic, like a burger or a turkey club," Jason answered. Cary was slightly offended aback by the word choice he used. He didn't think that Chinese fried rice would be exotic or complex to make. But he complied and though of something else. He was now thinking rice pilaf with a side of lamb. He returned to his table as fast as he can without making a mess or bumping into the floating plates and waited for his order, not knowing the discussion Jason was having with Reyna.
"So, what's your impression of him, Jason?" Reyna asked.
"He's a good kid. I think he got potential to leave a good impression here. I don't think we need to worry about anything, so I was wondering if…"
"No, he can't train with your legion," Reyna interrupted him, "There's rule against having non-divine individuals fight among us. I've been hearing gossip over the legion, there's been talk wondering if he's related to Shen Lun and it's stirring up talks of discontent. Look at his table."
Jason looked over to see Cary waiting for his meal again. Not only that, but he also notices that the aurae passing through gave a huge breadth around him when they needed to pass him.
It didn't bother Jason the first time but looking back it should have been a red flag. Earlier in the afternoon, he peeked to make sure Cary stayed on task cleaning the equipment. The good news was that he was working diligently despite showing a little understanding here and there on efficient scrubbing and drying. The bad news was that he was alone. The aurae and lares that were supposed to help him kept their distance and wouldn't help. Jason as the son of Jupiter had some affinity toward his father's domain would try to convince the wind spirits and ghosts to help, but they refused citing that Cary was a bad omen or something like that. It seems they were afraid of him.
"I've talked to the aurae and some ghosts around. They keep talking about how Shen Lun has returned or about how the Chinese don't belong here. I find that blatantly xenophobic and discriminatory." Jason remarked.
"I've been reviewing the auguries. I don't see good fortune for him or Amber, either. If you ask me, it was a mistake to bring her back her, Grace. We're about to have the Feast of Fortuna in three days and you keep a deserter and an… Orient in camp?" Octavian answered.
"I'm hoping they can help us down the line. You know what's going to happen this summer; we have to get ready for battle," Jason defended.
"If things go well, Mr. Chang only has to stay for one summer to help Amber adjust in time for battle. Let me remind you Jason, you are ordered not allow him to join the Legion," Reyna reiterated.
"Understood Reyna," Jason answered. He had other plans though. Dark forces were stirring in Mt. Tamalpais and the Twelfth Legion will need all the help they can get. Hopefully, Sully was going to bring that.
Cary was eating parts of Amber's chicken salad. He had given up waiting for dinner and ask Amber to share his dinner with him. Amber offered as she wasn't hungry.
"Some first day. Help didn't show up. I didn't get my dinner. And… well maybe things will get better," Cary remarked.
Amber's hands trembled. She had her head staring at the ground. "No, no it won't," she whispered. When she learned of the battle that was to come, she froze and felt like running away. She did run away. What did the legion think she could do? Of all the times, she could learn of her heritage, it was when the battle of a great prophecy had to come. She didn't manifest any divine power like some legionnaire. She didn't show up with any letters of recommendations, so she ended up in the Fifth Cohort.
"Did you say something?" Cary asked.
"I don't want to be here. Listen to me, things are…"
"Well, what do we have here? A couple of outsiders," A spiky haired brunet was standing behind her and interrupted her talk, "The name's Primo of the First Cohort. I take it you're the visitor camp's been talking about."
"Yeah, name's Cary, Primo. Can I help you?" He can feel the aura of arrogance from him. It appears he wanted to pick a fight.
"Nothing much, I just wanted to know what you're here for. I don't think let guests fight in our ranks," prodded Primo.
"Oh, I'm not. I'm going to just be working with Jason and helping Amber," answered Cary.
"Amber's not cut out for this. I don't think you realize this, but she's not a fighter. You see, during training, I get paired up with her and curbstomped her every time. She can't hold a sword correctly. The Legion have no use for those who can't hold a sword," Primo mocked.
"We'll see about that," Cary responded with as much courtesy as possible. He wasn't sure why, but Primo was pissing him off. He wanted to say something, but he didn't want to make a scene. It was taking a lot of effort to not lose his temper.
"Cary, you don't need to say anything further, Primo's just goading you," Amber warned him, "He wants to pick a fight with you because it's in his nature as a Son of Mars." The two guys were staring at each other, with Cary hoping Primo would back off while Primo hope Cary would throw the first punch and allow him to retaliate. The stand off was interrupted however, by the ringing of glass from the officer's table.
-CLING- -CLING-
"Fellow Legionnaires. Today we welcome the return of a fellow colleague and a guest from Socal," Reyna began his speech. She was returned with some half-energized hand claps. A quick scowl from her changed their attitude, as more hands start to clap.
"We'll see each other again, Cary. Amber." Primo returned to his table.
"In three days, we will be having the Feast of Fortuna. Unlike our other annual feasts toward her godhood in this time of the year, this one will be one of our most important feasts, so we must make our Lady Fortuna proud. We will need to make all the proper preparations. Fortunately, the gods have blessed us an extra hand. Will you please come to the front, Cary?"
Cary walked up to the front next to the officer table. Seeing the entire Legion under a single roof was intimidating. It was like introducing himself to the Fifth Cohort earlier today, except he was facing an audience five times the size. Lucky for him, Reyna did all the introductions today.
"Cary has been invited as a guest thanks to my blessing. He will help us with preparations for the feast. However, I ask something from you, legionnaires. As a guest, he will not participate in legionnaire trainings, but I expect you to treat him with respect. This order extends towards the fauns, the lares, and the aurae. In return, his services will be appreciated," Reyna concluded with confidence.
Jason stood up next. "Thank you, Praetor. I would like to add that Praetor Solomon will be returning to attend the feast after San Francisco. Now, then I would like to…"
"Why would we accept this Chinese visitor?" a legionnaire from the second Cohort rudely interrupted, "With him and the runaway, they're just going to screw us over."
"Hang on, man chill. We can't disobey Reyna-," a girl from the Fifth cohort refuted.
"Is this a bad omen for us? Don't you guys remember the last Chinese guy to join the Legion?"
"What can this guy do? What do we need besides soldiers in this fight?"
"Of course the Fifth Cohort takes in freaks and geeks," said a guy from the First Cohort.
"That's not fair, I met Cary, and he seems a pretty decent guy," defended Darren.
"ENOUGH!" yelled Reyna. "The decision by the praetors is final. If any of you wish to disobey my order, then surely there's enough spots open for basilisk nest cleaning." She received no back talk after mentioning the basilisks.
Cary could only stand there and wear a stoic look on his face. He didn't want anyone to see the fear and regret. He never faced this kind of discrimination back home. To him, Camp Jupiter seemed uninviting towards Chinese, and Amber wasn't any better for her lack of parentage. 'Maybe accepting the invitation was a bad idea.'
"Continue Jason."
"Right," Jason cleared his throat, "I would like to apologize to Cary about our legion's attitude and the aurae for being unable to serve dinner and assistance today. I will personally rectify it. Reminder that we will be nominating for a new Praetor once Sully leaves this summer to go to college, we'll announce at the Feast of Fortuna. Top three votes will be finalists. Have a good evening. Ave Roma.
"AVE ROMA!" The legion either continued their dinner or excused themselves to clean up. Amber was burrowing her face in her arms and into the table. She didn't want this attention. And now, Cary's presence was escalating rather than defusing the situation. Instead, of fixing her mistakes, he's going to remind the legion of her because that's why he is here. Her.
"I apologize again about what happen. I don't know why my cohort and every brother and sisters here believe that stupid superstition. Ever since… never mind, we can talk after dinner. Why don't I go back in the kitchen and fix you up something else than a salad?" Jason asked.
"It's fine, I don't think I'm hungry anymore." "Me, too." Amber and Cary walked off to the barracks to have a private conversation.
"I'm starting to see what's the deal with leaving this place is now. It sucks how they don't give either of us a chance. I think we need to stay close to Jason, get him to help us." Cary answered. Both of them were trotting slowly from the mess hall toward the barracks. Night has started and the moon was climbing over the east. The only manmade lights were open flames in fire pits or torches scattered around camp.
"Yeah, I want to run away again. But they'll disavowed me from the Legion. As much as I don't want to leave, I can't help it. According to the praetors, demigods like me attract monsters like the ones we faced. Without the resources of the camps, I'll be lucky to survive by the end of the year."
"Ouch… so have you found out about your godly parentage?"
"No, and that's what bugs me. Why won't my mom or dad claim me? Why do I have to wait so long for it, it's just…" Amber lamented. The poor girl was close to tears.
"I can't say, but I just want to let you know that I will be there for you. We're friends, right?"
"Yeah, yeah," Amber mumbled.
"Why don't we get some sleep, I'll see you tomorrow."
"Sure. Goodnight Cary." Amber departed from the conversation toward the female barrack. Cary headed toward his barrack where Jason sleeps.
When Cary entered the barracks, he got a mixed reception. With more legionnaires inside, he had a more visual understanding of how he was perceived. Some were friendly enough to say hello and good night, others turned their hands and scooted away from him. Cary laid down on his bed and stared at the ceiling. 'Can't really keep a low profile anymore now that I made waves without even trying. What happened to the last Chinese legionnaire?'
"Hey Cary. Can we talk?" It was Jason asking to have a conversation with him. "Yeah, sure Jason, what's up?"
"I hope you're not discouraged by tonight's attitude from the legion, they were…"
"Slightly hostile…I wanted to ask about what that guy said. About a Chinese legionnaire."
"Right,…" Jason gave a brief pause, "A while back in the 1900s, Camp Jupiter accepted a legionnaire by the name of Shen Lun, a descendant of Neptune. Now Shen Lun came over with his family from China, but he had Roman ancestry and recommended to join the Legion. He qualified due to his blood, but he wasn't accepted because he identified more as Chinese than as a Roman. Camp Jupiter at the time was rather… close-minded. Things didn't get better in 1906."
"What happened in 1906?" Cary asked. He had a feeling it was an answer that he wasn't going to like.
"Take a look at the Bay," Cary turned his head west toward the city. He connected the dots with what Jason hinted. '1906, San Francisco, Neptune, god of oceans and …earthquakes.'
"He started the 1906 Earthquake?" Cary asked.
"There was no definitive proof that he did. But it didn't take too much for Camp Jupiter to blame him. To us, Neptune was the Earthshaker, and it's believed that his children can cause earthquakes, or be a magnet for them. Shen Lun was banished from Camp Jupiter and blamed for the destruction that reached here. We've lost a lot of Romans that day," Jason finished his story with a hint of remorse.
"Oh…, that blows. But… what does this have to do with me? I don't have an ancestor named Shen Lun and I'm definitely not a descendant of Neptune," Cary retorted.
"You're right. It doesn't. I just wanted to warn you that some of them judge you without getting to know you. I really want to prove them wrong. Anyways, the Fifth Cohort will be offering help in preparing for the Feast of Fortuna in New Rome. While we're there, we can go shopping at the Forum to see if there's anything you need."
"Yeah, sure. Night, Jason," said Cary.
Jason wished him well and called lights out.
End of the two-parter intro to the Traveler. Next time, will be festival preparations and a glimpse of the past of how Amber went missing.