"Breathe in."
Reyna sucked precious air into her lungs, wincing from the sharp pain that stung her chest and side. Even with the healing from the peacekeeper Pia plus resting, her body still ached from what Eris had done to her. A cool hand gently cradled her ribs, carefully assessing the most painful area. Reyna winced and heard words of Latin.
"Breathe out."
Reyna exhaled, and she swore she felt her rib move slightly against the gentle hand. The pain in her side ceased, and she hung her head exhausted. The cool hand gently felt along the rest of her ribs for anything else out of place.
"An expert healed you," Avaris commented. She removed her hand from Reyna's ribs. "May I see your back?"
"You know that you have permission to do whatever you need," Reyna reminded tiredly. Her eyes glanced over to the resident doctor of the Sixth Legion. Avaris was writing in a miniature notebook that she carried with her at all times. Reyna wished that it wasn't already half full and only with information about her, but she had watched Avaris fill out most of the pages the first time she did a full physical on Reyna.
Avaris hummed as she gently felt along Reyna's back, tracing her fingers up and down the scars that covered its surface. Avaris broke the tense silence, "How has your back been? Any more issues with your muscles?"
"A little," Reyna admitted. She suddenly tensed from the intrusive touching and lowered her head. Avaris instantly retracted her hand. Reyna tried to deny the memories of her flogging from rushing back to the forefront of her mind. Two hands gently massaged her shoulders, and she felt some of the tension being exorcised out of her.
"Any more nightmares?" Avaris asked. She stepped away for a moment, and Reyna heard the screwing off of a bottle cap. "This will be cold."
Avaris gently applied some cool and gooey ointment to Reyna's back, and her patient closed her eyes. Reyna should have been out of commission for months because of what the damned barbarian did to her. Flogging her in front of all of Camp Jupiter, and they all just fucking watched.
Looking back on it, Reyna wasn't sure when she had passed out. She just woke up in some room with the worst, splitting pain all across her back. Avaris and Nico had been there to try and mend the damage. Nico himself tried to save her from the gods-awful bitch. He was the one who alerted the Sixth Legion about what was happening to Reyna.
Avaris spent hours cleaning and healing the crippling lashes, changing her bandages every few hours. Without Avaris, Reyna would probably have succumbed to her injuries in a pool of her own blood and tears. Reyna hung her head, exhausted from recent and past events. From life really.
"Does it hurt, imperator?" Avaris asked again gently. Reyna grumbled a brief 'no' in response. "What about the nightmares?"
"Same as always," Reyna muttered bitterly. It was every other night if not every single one that Reyna suffered from some terrible nightmare. Some nights it was the temple of the Fates. Others it was trying to fight Ouranos only to fail. Then, there was the memories of when she tried to fight Thoon.
"Do you want to try the sleeping pills, imperator? Have you been taking your other medication?" Avaris asked as she finished rubbing the lotion on Reyna's back. Reyna stared blankly at the scars that lined her stomach and chest. How many times had she nearly been killed to help the gods?
"I've been taking my medicine when I can," Reyna answered weakly after a few moments. "With everything that's been happening, it's not often. I don't need sleeping pills."
Silence filled the room as Avaris washed her hands in the nearby sink. Reyna grabbed her shirt and struggled with pulling it back on. Avaris helped her stand and led her towards the door. Reyna glanced back at the doctor, meeting her eyes.
"You need to eat more food," Avaris stated with the gaze of a worried mother. "Eat something sweet or with a lot of fat. Bristol keeps cookies on him at all times. Ask for some of his."
"I will," Reyna replied after a moment. "You're not going to tell Arcadia to keep me here, are you?"
"I would like to wrap you up in a big wad of plastic, like some old furniture, to keep you from hurting yourself. But, you're physically able to leave the base. I must insist that I come with to the vault," Avaris said.
"Come with?" Reyna repeated. Avaris nodded.
"I have heard much about the knowledge that is held in the library. I believe that if I have enough time, I can find something that will help me fix your hand," Avaris explained. Reyna gawked openly at the doctor, her gaze slowly turning down to her scarred hand. She clenched the appendage and winced as it still didn't form a complete fist.
"Do you really think so?" Reyna asked, hope leaking into her tone. Avaris nodded again.
"If it's dangerous, Arcadia can just steal another aspiring doctor fresh out of med school," Avaris commented. Reyna looked at her in surprise. "May I, imperator?"
Reyna looked down and mulled the idea over. To have her hand fully healed felt like such a far away dream. The library had to be dangerous, though. Could they afford to lose their doctor? Then again, she could just tell Arcadia to take Avaris away at the first sign of trouble.
"Yes," Reyna finally answered. "But, I want you wearing full armor and a shield. If we are attacked, Arcadia will get you to safety. You are too valuable to us to be hurt or killed."
"I understand, imperator. Thank you," Avaris replied gratefully. She bowed to Reyna. "Now, get some food. That's an order."
"Alright," Reyna said with her lips twitching. She couldn't stop the small smile breaking onto her face as she turned and left the office. She made her way down a few hallways until she found Bristol and Sparta, seated in one of the rooms and discussing privately.
Reyna entered the room and approached them. She had only seen Bristol without armor a few times, and it was always strange. Right now, his hair was wet and the skin on his arms damp. He must have just taken a shower. Bristol adjusted a thick arm pad that was strapped snuggly to his entire bicep. He had another one strapped to his knee, and he kept adjusting it, trying to find a comfortable fit.
"Are you okay?" Reyna asked curiously. Bristol's eyes moved to greet her and he stood to bow. She waved the motion off and sat by them.
"I'm fine, imperator," Bristol answered.
"He's just old," Sparta teased cheekily. Bristol lightly clapped her on the arm, and she just laughed at his clear embarrassment. "Be careful. You might snap those old and brittle bones."
"I'm not that old, brat. Imperator, these actually have supplies in them," Bristol explained. He unstrapped the pad from his upper arm and placed it on the table. Bristol slid it toward his imperator. Reyna grabbed the odd looking pad, inspecting it closely in her hands. The pad itself weighed about five pounds. She could feel on the inside where it was rather solid, but the inner layer was lined with a soft material. Her eyes barely noticed the small pockets and pouches on the inside.
The pad was six inches long, and the pocket was almost the same size. Each pocket was large enough to fit three pens inside. Bristol took the moment to proudly boast, "I built this myself. Caesar asked for one but never actually used it."
"Do you think something like this could hold my pills?" Reyna inquired after a brief moment. Bristol's eyes beamed up at her.
"It can. I've packed a vial of unicorn powder in there, same with nectar and ambrosia," Bristol elaborated. "You can have that one for yourself, imperator."
"No. I don't want to take it. Could you make a special one for me by chance?" Reyna questioned. "If it's not a problem."
"It's not, imperator. I would just need to measure your arm above the elbow to get the right fit," Bristol answered. Reyna nodded approvingly. "I also had a special belt if you want it."
"You won't make one for me," Sparta complained, playfully puffing her cheeks.
"No, I won't," Bristol confirmed. He stood and unbuckled his beat, sliding it through his pant's loops. Bristol placed it down on the table. Reyna studied the belt and gently grabbed it. The belt was rather heavy, and she could see pockets lined into this one as well, although these ones ran horizontally across the belt instead of vertically like the pad. Bristol slipped his fingers into one of the pockets and pulled out the hilt of a dagger. He dug into another pocket and pulled out a thin box that held a blade upon opening it. "You won't be too armed on a battlefield, but it can be useful in a jail cell. No one takes a belt."
"Would it be possible?" Reyna began, amazement on her face as she further inspected the belt. Bristol looked at her and puffed his chest out. A confident smirk graced his lips. Sparta rolled her eyes and muttered something about egos.
"Of course. I'll start working on it today," Bristol confirmed.
"Good. We're going to the library tomorrow. You, me, Aquitaine, Avaris, and Arcadia," Reyna stated.
"Avaris?!" Sparta practically shouted, jumping out of her seat. Dismay appeared on her face. "You can't take Avaris!"
"Sparta," Bristol warned. Sparta forced her gaze to the floor and bit her bottom lip as if trying to reign in protests.
"Imperator, I mean no disrespect, but she is our only doctor. You can't just take her to the library," Sparta pleaded.
"I'm going to protect her with my life," Reyna promised. "No harm will come to her."
Sparta bit down hard on her cheek, unable to hide the frustration on her face. She finally bowed and then turned on her heel, storming away. Reyna watched Sparta go for a few moments before her gaze moved back to Bristol, and she spoke, "The one on your leg?"
"Knee brace. Nothing special with this one," Bristol answered. "Old injury… and old age."
"Avaris ordered me to find you and get some of your cookies," Reyna said as the brief thought of teasing Bristol came to mind. Bristol smirked and pulled a miniature pack of Oreos out of his pocket, handing it to Reyna. "Thank you."
"Anytime, imperator," Bristol waved off.
"Can I ask you something personal?" Reyna asked. She opened the bag of Oreos and grabbed one. She nibbled on it.
"Of course, imperator. I am an open book," Bristol stated. Reyna looked up at him, watching him for his next action.
"I know that your wife died because of Aquitaine, if the barbarian was telling the truth. Was she?" Reyna asked. Bristol nodded once, emotionless. "If that's true, I assume it had something to do with the mortal that Nikaia killed. Why would you join the Sixth Legion if their members caused her death?"
"Have you ever had a lover?" Bristol asked quietly. His eyes focused on Reyna's. It took a moment for Reyna to shake her head at his question. There was Jason, but she wouldn't call him a lover. Their relationship never went anywhere. She made her shot with Percy, but he turned her down. After that she was too busy trying not to die. "My wife was my everything."
"To know and love a brilliant woman like her was the best part of my life. We were so happy and grateful just for waking up together. Even with no make-up, terrible bed head and awful morning breath, I was fulfilled with the sight and smell of her first thing in the morning. I loved every second of it. When I left for work, the only thing on my mind was being back in her warm embrace. With her, nothing else in the world mattered. With her, it was all okay. Wonderful even," Bristol recalled fondly. His eyes watered before a single tear fell as he seemed to be lost in pleasant memories.
Bristol's radiant smile withered. He wiped his eyes and turned his head to the side. Reyna knew he was struggling to not openly weep.
"Then, she died. My warm and shining sun was snuffed out like a candle. I lost myself and fell deep into a very dark place. The pain was… nothing like I've ever felt. It was like the abyss had swallowed my heart and left it a hollow shell before trying to consume the rest of me. With the massive hole in my heart, I thought I needed revenge," Bristol explained. His fond tone was now replaced with icy contempt. "I wanted to avenge her."
"It took a lot of digging, but I found the Sixth Legion. I confronted Caesar with the video of what happened. Then, Caesar spoke to me. He convinced me to join, and I still can't recall what he said to me. I just remember that his words promised me a way to heal from the grief. I walked into his office wanting blood, and I left ready to give my life for the legion," Bristol explained.
"That was the thing about Caesar. He was stuck in Rome, never really able to leave the base. He sweet-talked all these promises, but he never put in any actual work. Arcadia was the one we always saw out in the field. She was the one who held the legion together. Caesar rode on his high horse of past deeds and old title," Bristol revealed bitterly. "Do you remember how you approached me and asked me to spar with you? He never did that."
"Caesar wasn't a ghost in our base, but he acted like one. We all pledged ourselves to him, but none of us liked him. None of us would do for him what we would do for you, Reyna. We would go through hell for you. Do you know why?" Bristol asked. Reyna didn't answer as she just stared at him. "When we were in the ambush, things would have been very different if Caesar was still our imperator."
"Caesar would have left the injured behind. He would have ordered us to move immediately. You didn't do that," Bristol said. "Even with your mangled back, you tried to move the tree that kept Aquitaine pinned. With your destroyed back, you picked her up and carried her. I can't think of anyone else who would have done that. I don't think I would have done that."
"My point is that I have heard all of the things the Greeks and even some Romans have said about you, and I can tell you that it is all lies. You are not like Caesar. As someone who served the man, I can tell you that. Any of us would march into hell for you. None of us would do that for Caesar."
"Caesar was a man of words. You are a woman of action. You protect those that you love and give everything you have. You are the perfect example of a Roman, and I am honored to serve you," Bristol declared. He let out a deep breath. "You ask why I serve the legion, and the reason is that Caesar used his words to show me I can make a difference in this world. Your actions convinced me that I can."
"I don't want anyone else to die because of me," Reyna muttered quietly. "Death goes wherever I am. Hell, I'm Atropos' Reaper. I am... Death."
"We all know what we signed up for. I do not seek out death, but if it were to find me, I have lived a long and happy life. I can see my wife again. Until then, I will be honored to continue to serve you," Bristol assured, pride seeping into his tone. Reyna averted her gaze from him. "I hope I did not overstep my bounds, imperator."
"You didn't," Reyna promised after a few moments. "Bristol, can you tell me why the Sixth Legion seems to think so highly of me, but everyone else thinks I'm a monster? Is it because you all have to be loyal to me?"
"No," Bristol replied honestly, shaking his head at the idea. "I wish I could tell you why the others have this warped opinion of you. All I know is what I have witnessed, and that is an imperator, a friend if she would, that gives everything she has and more to do what she thinks is right."
"What if I'm not?" Reyna asked the big question, doubt breaking its way into not only her words but her heart. "What if I keep pushing and pushing, just to find that I'm wrong at the end?"
"That is something I ask myself often," Bristol admitted. He looked Reyna in the eyes and gently grabbed her hand. "It took me many years to learn the answer to that. Your goal is yours. No one can tell you if it is right or wrong. Only you can. You have to look at yourself in the mirror and be proud. Not of what you have done but of completing your goal."
"What is your goal, imperator?" Bristol asked. "Not survival. We all know that you want to survive and lead this legion through this next war with as few casualties as possible. What do you want, Reyna?"
"I just want my sister to be safe. That's all I want," Reyna answered. Her hand drifted towards her pocket, where her sister's string rested comfortably. Bristol remained silent. "I don't know what I want. Ever since Atropos brought me back, I feel like I've been living on borrowed time. Like at any moment it might all just... end."
"Have you been able to enjoy your life since then?" Bristol asked. Reyna looked at him for a long moment and thought about the question. After she was brought back, she was exiled. From there, she spiraled further and further into madness with Kronos urging her on in her head. Then, there was the flogging by that fucking barbarian. The only bit of happiness that Reyna felt for a few days at a time was when she was with the Sixth Legion after the war with the Arimaspi.
"No," Reyna finally answered. She sighed and finished off the first cookie. Reyna went to push the package back, but Bristol leveled her with a look that would have made Avaris proud. Reyna looked down and grabbed another cookie. "Maybe a few days here and there with the legion, but I've been constantly at war ever since Mars' shield was stolen."
Bristol watched her sadly. He finally stood, "After we go to the vault below the library, you're taking a day off."
"What?" Reyna questioned as she looked up at him. "A day off? I can't take a day off. There is a war going on!"
"According to your own words, you have been in back to back wars for months. You need to take some kind of mental break, even if it's only for a day," Bristol stated. "Don't try to get out of it! I will tell Arcadia, your sister, and Avaris my idea."
"You wouldn't," Reyna began sharply. Bristol just grinned cheekily at her.
"You need a day off. A day where you aren't the reaper, imperator, champion, demigod, or anything like that. You need a day where you are just Reyna: a teenager," Bristol explained. Reyna shook her head, disapproving of the idea. "No arguments, imperator. Ah, there's Arcadia. Arcadia!"
Bristol quickly bowed and rushed off in a power walk towards Arcadia. Reyna just stared slack as he walked away from her. Bristol stopped at Arcadia's side, and his enthusiasm meant he was pitching his idea to the goddess. Arcadia looked over at Reyna, a smirk creeping onto her face.
Reyna sighed and hung her head. Then, she finished the cookie that she was eating. There was no way for her to get out of this. It wasn't like she could run from a goddess or her sister. And Avaris too? That woman was a damn bloodhound. Reyna sighed and grabbed another Oreo. Hopefully, this wouldn't end terribly.