Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson or the Heroes of Olympus.
Chapter four:
Reyna's POV
The new guy, Icarus, was definitely hiding something. Percy had said he would explain, but that didn't help the fact that I was still anxious about what was being kept from me. Argentum and Aurum weren't very happy about it either. Their ears were twitching and they kept looking at Icarus. They wanted to know the truth as well. As I lead then to the principia my mind wandered on to other things. Instead of wondering about the truth behind Icarus, I caught myself thinking about his appearance.
He was tall, maybe a little more than six inches taller than myself. His shaggy, but tame, blonde hair was slightly wavy, just barely falling over his eyes and curling at the base of his neck. His skin is tan, but still light, as if he was just recently making a habit of going outside in the sun. His eyes are a stormy gray, much like the rest of Athena's children. But there's something different about them, other then the small traces of gold I can catch in them, something almost sad. His eyes seem haunted, tormented even, like he's been though things that no one should have to endure. In a way, they are similar to Percy and Annabeth's eyes. Like he grew up too fast, even for a demigod, even though he looked my age.
But there was also something unique about Icarus. The way he held himself, as if everyone was the enemy. And his features were sharper, closer to those of ancient Greek mortals than of modern day men. In a way, he himself seemed ancient, like a man out of his own time.
I frowned. The boy had barely been here ten minutes and I was already wishing for his darkest and deepest secrets to be revealed. I mentally shook my head, trying to clear it, and since we had reached the principia, it wasn't that hard to do. That is, until I remembered that Percy said he would explain everything when we got here.
I quickly lead them inside, walking down the hall and taking a seat in my high-backed chair at the cluttered planning table next to Jason's. Jason is already there, Piper just standing up from her seat on the table to take a place standing slightly behind him. The two inspect Icarus closely as he does the same to them, his eyes observant and calculating. Argentum and Aurum took their places at my feet, their ruby eyes never leaving Icarus.
Percy, Jason, and Piper were greeting each other as I cleared my throat to get their attention. Everyone's eyes turn to the new comer as Percy steps up next to Piper to be out of the way.
Jason sits straighter, "State your name."
Icarus clasps his hands behind his back and stands with his feet apart, his chin high in the perfect soldier's stance, "Icarus."
"Last name?" I press as my hounds' eyes narrow slightly.
Icarus' stance stiffens, "Unknown."
Argentum and Aurum growl softly, barring their sharp metal teeth.
I glare at the boy, "Your last name." I speak in a demanding tone.
His eyes move to Percy, questioning. Percy sighs and nods, gesturing for Icarus to continue. He nods stiffly and brings his eyes back to meet both mine and Jason's, switching between us before settling on me, as if he was deciding who was higher up and more worth his time.
"My name is Icarus, son of Daedalus, grandson of Athena. And before you ask, yes, I mean the Icarus from myth."
Jason's jaw drops, "What? How is that even possible. Didn't you fall into the ocean and die?"
Icarus winced, "Yes, I fell into the ocean, but I didn't die. An insane mermaid captured me, chained me up, placed enchantments over me to keep me alive and immortal, and kept me in her underwater cave for centuries. Percy found me and has been helping me adjust ever since."
On the side lines, Piper whispered to herself thoughtfully, "So, that explains the accent." Jason and Percy rolled their eyes, both of them grinning.
I glanced down at Argentum and Aurum, but they didn't make a sound, the story Icarus had told was true. I narrowed my eyes slightly, tilting my head to the side as I took time to study his weapons.
Two identical swords were sheathed against his back and a dagger was hanging from his belt on the right side. He didn't seem to have anymore weapons on him, but looks could be deceiving. I rose from my chair slightly, stroking my hounds' heads as I watched the boy. I clear my throat to get everyone's attention again, since Jason had been questioning Icarus about being, well, Icarus.
Once I had all eyes on me, I gestured from Icarus to the entrance, "You are dismissed. Piper, I'll need you to show him around, Percy, Jason, and I need to talk about our plans to better unite the camps." Piper nodded, pressing a quick kiss to Jason's forehead and gesturing for Icarus to follow her. As he turned to leave, he nodded to Percy one last time and walked out of the doors.