Chapter 42
Reyna made her way to Samson's office, cornering him as he came out of the door
"Praetor, you have returned safely I'm glad to see" he said with a smile
"Thank you Samson, but I am afraid not all of us were so lucky" she kept her face composed "One of our companions was struck with faun magic, I have moved him into the private ward, I need to be kept updated with your findings"
Samson's medical brain was kicking in as he listened, he nodded "Of course Praetor" he moved off, rushing up the stairs
He may be a pain in the ass when he wanted something but Reyna knew he was the best healer in Camp Jupiter
Once Reyna was alone she leant against the wall taking a few deep breaths, she couldn't break down, not yet, she still had a lot of work to do. She once again composed herself and decided to make her way to New Rome to inform the council that the quest was successful and to tell them of Damien.
It was still dark outside as she made her was across the Sunflower fields, New Rome standing in front of her, she was trying to think of how to explain the reappearance of Damien after he disappear last year, essentially deserting the legion, she knew that the leaders would not like this, should she tell them that he had been in camp before they headed out on the quest? The fact that she lied to everyone about him
Desertion in the Roman legion was a serious crime and she feared for Damien, but maybe if she could talk to the leaders before anyone else she could somehow sway their decision.
She knew that was hopeful thinking, there had been a couple of desertions in her time as Praetor and she knew that it was never a simple or painless matter
She was now making her way through the streets of New Rome, the sky was getting a little lighter as she came to the principia a large white columned building, the purple flags hanging from the them, she took a deep breath and entered into the dauntingly large foyer
"Praetor Ramirez"
Reyna turned to see a middle aged man behind a marble desk
"I request an audience with the council" she said, making sure her posture was correct, they were sticklers for the old ways in New Rome
The man nodded and stood "Wait here Praetor, I will convene the council, is it in relation to Moneta's quest"
"It is sir" she said, taking a at ease posture as she waited patiently
She waited or about 15 minutes before the middle aged man reappeared
"They are waiting for you in the main hall Praetor Ramirez" he nodded to her
She thanked him and walked along the echoing corridor, she could feel her heart rate rising as she approached the door
She entered seeing the leaders of New Rome sitting at their large marble table, they all shared neutral expression apart from Caius, who was glaring at her, his pale eyes filled with loathing for the young Praetor
"Praetor Ramirez you have returned" Augustus greeted with a nod "Triumphantly I presume"
Reyna nodded "Yes sir, we were able to release the Muse and the Lady Moneta punished the kidnappers as she saw fit"
The older Roman nodded "Congratulations on a successful quest Praetor"
"You woke us in the early hours for this?" Caius glowered
Reyna paused for a moment "There is more"
Caius's eyes narrowed and he looked happy at Reyna's discomfort "Go on Praetor" he sneered slightly
Reyna swallowed, her palms growing sweaty
"Our third companion was Damien Blake"
Silence fell in the room
"Damien Blake" Caius was trying to hide his smile "The one who you wanted to join our legion and who deserted us after less than a fortnight"
"That is correct" Reyna felt her body growing colder
"You know what the penalty for deserting the Roman legion is, don't you Praetor" he didn't even bother to keep the joy from his voice anymore
"I do" she nodded "But if I may, he sacrificed himself to save me and defeat our enemies"
"So the boy is dead?" Augustus asked
Reyna thought about lying but by now she had no doubt that half the camp knew about the frozen man in the infirmary, she could not be caught out in a lie, especially not with Caius wanting her dismissed from her Praetorship
"Not exactly sir" she kept her voice an expression level "He was struck with faun magic and he is encased with ice, but the Lady Moneta has told me that he is still alive"
The council thought for a moment
"Where is he now?" Antonia asked
"The infirmary"
"Can he be woken?" she asked
"Samson is looking over him now" she decided to keep Moneta's prognoses to herself, knowing that the council would not care and pronounce him dead, Reyna needed Samson to find a cure, though she wasn't so sure the outcome would be good for Damien if he ever did wake up, but she had to try
"Very well" Augustus said "Get some rest and we will talk more about this at a more reasonable hour"
"Excuse me but Augustus she lied to us" Caius butted in
All eyes turned to him and Reyna had to keep the anger from her face
"The Praetor stated to us that she did not know who their third companion would be and know we find out that it was the child of Letus" he stood "I have heard from members of the legion that Praetor Ramirez favoured him"
"Caius, we will discuss this at a later date" Augustus stood as well, glaring at his fellow council member "Reyna you are dismissed"
Reyna nodded and had to keep her pace normal even though she felt like running, no she couldn't, she was Roman and would not show weakness, so she just walked from the hall and out of the building, her fists clenched so tightly that they had turned white, she kept walking through the early morning sunlight, lost in her own thoughts
She came to a stop in front of the infirmary, her heart wanting to go inside and check on Damien but as more and more Roman's came out to start their duties she knew that eyes would be watching her, so instead of going inside she turned away and returned to her room, collapsing on her bed and wrapping her arms round her chest as if she might break at any moment, silent tears rolled down her cheek.