Hey there, thanks for all the reviews! Here's another chapter, hope you like it! And don't worry - this will not be a Jason/Zoe story.
The third, fourth and fifth legions were attacking the fortress built by the first and second legions, I'd learned. I stood with the fifth legion and waited for Jason, who was in charge, to order us to attack. Reyna was refereeing the match and this was apparently normal.
Gwen stood next to me, looking intimidating in armour, and was holding her spear in her right hand. Other than a helmet, I was lacking in any armour; this apparently irritated some of the other campers. In truth, I wasn't entirely pleased with my situation either.
I could see that other archers were dressed similarly and I should have stood with them, for they were in a loose group apart from the main force. However, Gwen had insisted I stay by her side. I understood the reasoning for the tradition but surely, she could see it shouldn't apply here? I was out of place and felt justified to be irritated at Gwen - especially as she seemed sceptical of my ability as an archer. She hardly seemed to notice though, intently waiting for the order to march.
It came. There was a rumble of movement as a hundred armoured kids swiftly began moving forwards, towards the fortress ahead.
As I tried to follow the rhythm of the marching, I watched the group of archers, they were spreading out, getting into good positions to start shooting at the defenders. I wanted to join them. Even as I readied my bow, it was clear that being surrounded would seriously hinder my ability to aim.
Never mind, I was a professional. I swiftly chose a critical target, a sturdy ballista shooting what appeared to be fireballs at us, though it didn't appear incredibly accurate, not from a long range. Mere blunted arrows wouldn't be sufficient to destroy it so I prepared a weak enchantment.
I glanced at Gwen, she was facing forward, concentrating on her marching and generally playing the part of a legionnaire but not watching me. Good. I quietly moved away from her, towards the archers; she didn't notice.
But Jason did, he had been watching everyone's progress intently and obviously noticed me jump out of line. He scowled at me and looked as if he was about to shout, given my actions were in defiance of the disciplined group. His expression quickly changed though, as I went over to the other group, he smirked instead.
"What are you doing? A male archer asked in amazement as I approached him.
"Hello, I'm Zoe," I said, not looking at him but focusing on my arrow.
"Glad you joined us, you looked strange over there without armour," a girl said, walking up to me with a grin.
"I have to agree with that," the boy added, relaxing. "I'm guessing you're really good with a bow?" I noticed he was smiling too.
"What makes you think that?" I replied.
The girl answered, "it's your first war games, you have to be good if they're already letting you join us. I'm Louise by the way."
"And I'm her half-brother John, nice to meet you Zoe," the boy, John, added.
"Liar. You're not really my half-brother and you're not really John either," Louise said to him in a teasing manner.
"What do you mean?" I asked, in a likely too serious voice.
"Well she's a demigod whereas I'm a legacy of Apollo but she's actually one of his daughters - not that it matters," John replied, frowning playfully.
"Oh, and his real name is actually Julius," Louise added.
"You're not supposed to tell anyone! I'm John, alright?" John replied.
I rolled my eyes, they certainly act like siblings. Still they were more relaxed than the rest of the legion. Naturally all the other archers would have to be related to Apollo. Hopefully they'd turn out to be less insufferable.
"Doesn't Julius suit you?" I replied, smiling.
"No! It's not my fault my dad called me that."
"Boys. Complaining about the most ridiculous things," I observed dryly.
Louise laughed. "At least you don't have to put up with him every day."
We were soon in range of the walls and I shot a few arrows. The magic wasn't especially strong but I didn't wish to tire myself out unnecessarily. In time, I'd make sure to have a full inventory of enchanted arrows.
They watched me. "Were you aiming for the ballista?" Louise asked.
"Yes."
"Well I'm not sure that you'll be able to damage it, you'd be better off aiming for the campers operating it," John said seriously.
"Don't worry about it," I replied and looked over at them, "aren't you going to attack?"
As they prepared their gear, there was a small explosion in the walls. The delayed result of my enchanted arrows hitting the ballista. The sudden blast destroying the weapon and blasted back some of the defenders, who'd been caught off guard by it.
They both looked at me in surprise. "How did you do that?" John asked.
"Exploding arrow. Not very big but the fire they were using multiplied the damage, which was why it was destroyed," I said smoothly.
"That's awesome!" John replied. I frowned slightly at his admiring look but simply nodded.
"Do you have any more of these arrows?" Louise asked with excitement.
"I can make another," I said, taking out another arrow.
"You can make them?" She said, impressed.
"It's quite easy, every demigod has some godly power, I just put some of it into the arrow and willed it to explode," I explained.
I decided against another enchantment, instead I unleashed a flurry of arrows on various defenders. Louise and John did likewise, choosing to test out enchantments later.
I think we managed to cause some confusion and trouble for the defenders, they had little way to retaliate to being picked off systematically. Their own archers had been aimed at the main force, meaning there was little threat to the small group. Jason led the main force inside in a successful invasion and swiftly captured the enemy's flag. It was a good match all round.
"You're not a bad shot," a voice said behind me as I was walking back.
It was Gwen. She was frowning at me. Ah, she was probably still angry about me leaving her side.
"Thanks?" I said uncertainly.
"You shouldn't have just left without telling me," she said.
"I apologise," I replied calmly, perhaps too calmly.
She scowled at me, "I'm supposed to be looking out for you, don't you want me to?"
Gwen was definitely angry. "Gwen... I am sorry, I had no intention of upsetting you," I said sincerely, hoping to appease her.
"You're so serious and independent, Zoe. I can't bear it," she said, with frustration.
She took a deep breath. "If you need anything I'm around but otherwise... find someone else to hang around with," Gwen said, with trouble, before turning and walking away.
She was leaving me? Had I upset her that much? I didn't quite know what to say. It was foolish for her to insist I join the front lines but even so…
I couldn't really claim to care too much. I didn't need her. In that respect, she was right. Maybe she was bored of taking care of me and she was just using this as an excuse, I couldn't be sure.
Whatever the reason, I'd driven her away. I watched her walk away without a word before heading back to my cabin alone.
Jason was standing outside my sleeping quarters when I got back. He was seeking something more from me?
"I heard your argument with Gwen," Jason said, as I approached.
"It wasn't much of an argument and how?" I replied, displaying some annoyance.
It would have been easy to eavesdrop considering Gwen hadn't waited to find some privacy so I guessed it wasn't surprising someone had heard. But why Jason? I could only assume it was deliberate. Was he so determined to find out more about my past?
Jason shrugged. "I didn't want you to see me. Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," I replied. I didn't want his pity.
"Good. Will you be alright on your own?"
Did he think I was helpless without Gwen? More importantly, what was he trying to offer? This went beyond mere courtesy, for he had deliberately found me. He didn't trust me, but he wasn't avoiding me either. I wasn't about to trust him, yet speaking to him was strangely tempting.
I just rolled my eyes at him, "of course."
"I'm sure Gwen will have forgotten this by tomorrow, she was probably overreacting," he said.
"Possibly." She might apologise but I doubted she was about to start any close friendships.
"Anyway, you did well today. I noticed you taking out that ballista, I'd love to find out where you learned to fight," Jason said, kindly but clearly fishing for some answers.
I wasn't going to give him any however. "It is in the past. I've left it behind to come here," I replied.
Jason moved closer to me. "Yes, but who are you? Are you saying it doesn't matter?"
"My name is Zoe Nightshade, I was a hunter but now I am a Roman," I responded, daring him to contradict. People couldn't know anything else about me, they didn't even know that Greek demigods existed here.
"You don't fight much like a Roman."
"Are you saying I don't fight well?" I challenged. He was a boy and just like every other boy, he was underestimating me?
"You didn't wish to fight in the legion, you broke rank to shoot arrows. That is not Roman," Jason explained with annoyance.
"It was a strategic decision. My place in the ranks was the mistake. Joining the archers was the best thing I could do to suit my abilities," I said, coldly. Around us, others campers walked past us, but we were keeping our voices low.
"Maybe." He allowed. I still know nothing about you," Jason replied steadily.
"And I know nothing about you either!" I retorted.
That one seemed to catch him off guard.
"...I suppose you don't. Well, I won't keep secrets. I'm Jason Grace, son of Jupiter and praetor of the twelfth legion. I've lived here since I was three. A few weeks ago I defeated the Titan Krios up on Mount Diablo and saved Olympus," he said, proudly.
I hadn't heard much of that before. At the same time, I knew it was all common knowledge. I didn't owe him any answers.
I paused before replying more calmly, "that is admirable. But I still don't really know you. To know anyone takes time." And it would take more than defeating monsters to impress me.
"Perhaps you're right," Jason mused. He placed a hand on my shoulder. "But just know that I would like to get to know you, Zoe. We'll have time. Good night."
And Jason smiled gently at me, before gracefully turning and walking away. I wasn't sure what to think of him, but he hadn't been terrible so far. His words certainly sounded genuine. Did he want to be like a replacement for Gwen or something else? I did hope it wasn't something else.
And that was the last time I saw Jason, at least for a long time.
Alright, what did you think of that chapter? I can get on with the plot when I try. I liked John and Louise so I may use them again, just as side characters. I know they're OCs but there's not many characters to choose from.
Anyway, yes Jason did disappear, which is a shame because I've absolutely adored writing him. This was inevitable, unfortunately.
As half-bloods all seem to have some sort of magical powers I thought, it'd be possible for them to put magic in arrows and weapons though it would tire them out. That's what Zoe was doing during the battle anyway, she made Percy's sword so I'd imagine she's good at enchantments.
That's quite a few notes for this chapter but I hope you enjoyed it. Feel free to review. Thanks for reading!