Zoe blocked a golden gladius with Riptide, sparks flying into the sand beneath them. Zoe utilized the momentum of the attack to spin into a counterattack. The instructor jumped backwards, sword at her side. The morning sun reflected brightly off of the dark haired girl's celestial bronze xiphos. Zoe rolled her shoulder, irked that her attempt failed and the heat causing chafing in her dark leather armor. The oppressive heat a stark contrast to the coolness of night that she preferred.

"Good." The swordswoman proclaimed, tossing her braided raven hair back over her shoulder, revealing her dark complexion. She sat on her heels, dark eyes scanning the empty seats of the arena. "At this rate you might give your father a real challenge..." She leaped forward, striking at Zoe with her sword. Zoe was quick to parry the blow, before attempting to counterattack. "In a few years," she taunted as she redirected the xiphos with her gladius, grabbed the collar of her pupil's armor, and tossed her aside.

"Reyna," Zoe cried out as she tumbled through the sand. The hot and course grains of sand grinding into her skin, filling the gaps in her boots and armor. The young girl rose with a huff. "Not cool. I'll have you know that I've beaten Dad multiple times." She approached her tutor slowly, both hands upon the worn leather grip of her sword. The two exchanged several strikes before Reyna smacked the girl's rump with the flat of her blade. Zoe yelped in surprise, dashing out of range of her instructor's reach.

The daughter of Bellona smirked. "Explains the arrogance." Reyna wiped the sand from her cheek. In the moment of calm, the woman gazed in admiration at the young protégé. The dark haired youth exuded the same talent and enthusiasm her father did in ages past. Though she equally displayed the naivety of her age with her stature, and her wit. Zoe grumbled incoherently, tucking a stray hair behind her ear. "After all, why do you think I'm the one who trains you?" asked Reyna, feet shifting in the soft sands. The Legion commander kicked the sand at her feet, launching a small blanket of sand that struck Zoe across her face.

Zoe stumbled backwards, sputtering and wiping desperately at her eyes to regain her vision. An instinct pulled at her, and she raised her sword hearing the satisfying clang of gold on bronze. Zoe's moment of glee was pulled away as she was tripped and shoved to the dirt. "Your father is too soft. Always letting you win." Reyna allowed her patron's daughter to regain her footing.

The woman grinned at the indignant look of Zoe's face. "I'll show you who's being soft," Zoe said, wiping the bangs from her eyes and thrusting forward. Reyna parried, striking back with whack to her trainee's side. Zoe winced and stumbled back, rubbing at her side. Reyna noticed the girl's dark emerald eyes began to glow lightly. The woman eyed the girl cautiously. She approached Zoe slowly, sword at the ready. Zoe straightened out, her face set in concentration and her stance, confidence.

Reyna tried to sweep Zoe's feet out from under her and she jumped, evading the attempt. The two locked blades and Zoe pushed against her teacher, forcing her back. Reyna's eyes narrowed as she matched strength for strength. She quickly shoved her back, swiping her blade at her student. Zoe blocked the blade, jarring her arm, and rolled backwards out of her opponent's reach. Not giving her a respite, Reyna chased after her. Rolling to her feet, Zoe blocked a swipe at her legs and forward into her opponent's guard.

Using Reyna's surprise to her advantage, Zoe slipped her foot around the roman's leg before shoving her to the ground. A grunt escaped Reyna's lips as she grappled with the greek girl while falling. Reyna twisted her body to send Zoe flying away from her, both gladius and xiphos flying out of reach. The two quickly climbed to their feet and approached each other with fists raised. Sand caked the two's leather armor and skin. Light gleaming from the golden blade intercepted Reyna's path forcing a flinch. Zoe capitalized with throwing the first punch, which Reyna diverted before delivering her own gut punch. Zoe stumbled backwards, wheezing for air. Reyna grabbed the girl, attempting to pin her to the ground. Zoe pivoted her hips, spinning out of Reyna's grasp and delivering a roundhouse kick. Reyna avoided the kick, throwing Zoe off balance and into the sand. The girl rose, spitting the foul tasting sand from her mouth before reaching into her pocket and redrawing Riptide.

Zoe smirked at her teacher, lunging forward intent on running the daughter of Rome through. Reyna stood her ground, smacking the blade away with her palm. She grabbed the Zoe's wrist and pulled forward. Instead of resisting the pull, Zoe threw her body into it. Using her momentum to roll behind her teacher and kicked her legs out from under her. Reyna fell to the ground with a grunt, her palm finding her gladius. Both stood, swords drawn and began circling each other. Reyna spotted a small object sticking out near Zoe. Smiling, she changed directions, forcing her opponent to do the same. Zoe's foot rolled as her footing gave out. Reyna lunged forward, slamming her into the ground. She planted her foot on Zoe's chest, gladius at her throat.

"Yield?" Reyna asked, her breath barely raised. Sand steadily falling from the crevices of her leather armor.

Zoe huffed again. "Fine."

Reyna's smirk returned. She put away her sword and pulled the defeated Zoe up. "You did well, but you need to pay better attention to your surroundings. Nothing is everything, but everything is something. Even a small rock makes the difference in a battle." Zoe raised her hands above her head and began pacing the arena. Her breath slowly starting to even out.

Zoe turned towards her tutor. She dusted the sand off her tan skin before removing her ponytail. Hair like night framing her round face. "Yes ma'am," she drawled, cocking a hip. "I'll be sure to be on the lookout for loose traitorous rocks while fighting for my life."

Reyna looked at her pupil with mock irritation, hands resting on her hips. "If only your wit could be used to slay enemies. Then you really would rival your father."

The girl stuck her tongue out at Reyna. "Consul Reyna," a man addressed, cutting off Reyna's retort. The soldier removed his helm, revealing sky blue eyes scanning the two women. A red plum adorned upon his helm brushing against the underside of his arm as he rested it against his legion armor. "The Guard is assembled and ready to leave at your word."

Reyna nodded. "I will be there shortly Centurion Bernard." The centurion slammed his fist to chest, before turning and leaving the arena, the dust and sand trailing him. Reyna sighed, her shoulders slumping, before turning to Zoe. "You going to be okay?" A look of concern adorned her regal features as she approached her protégé.

Zoe gave her a sad smile. "I'll be fine."

Reyna's hand cupped Zoe's cheek, piercing black eyes gazing into soft dark emerald. "I know how hard this is for you, but be strong. We will find your father and when we do we can both beat him black and blue for making us worry about him," she chuckled.

Zoe snickered. "I know you'll find him. But please, keep me updated. Being stuck at camp is bad enough. I don't want to be in the dark too."

Reyna smiled at the girl sadly. "I promise," she kissed the top of the Zoe's head before tapping her small upturned nose. "Now go get a shower, you smell like the Minotaur after rolling around with the pigs." She released the girl, laughing at the offended look thrown her way.

"Don't you have a god to go find," Zoe huffed indignantly.

Reyna snorted. "That man is little more than a child. I don't know how they made him a god. Although," she rubbed her chin absentmindedly, "they did make Bacchus a god so I guess it's not surprising." The two laughed as they proceeded to the showers connected to the arena.

Shorty afterwards the two left the arena. Zoe forgoing her leather armor for a camp shirt and black pants and Reyna in her lorica segmenata, purple indestructible Aegis cloak sparkling in the sun. The expanse of Camp Halfblood before the two. Sloping grasslands bordered by forests in front of them and the massive lake to their left and behind them. Between them and the forests stood the camp cabins. Almost three dozen cabins tailored towards the god or goddess they represent, arranged in an omega where the ends continued until the two met at the top of the omega. The Olympian's cabins made up the upside down U of the omega. To their left, on a small peninsula of the beach, sat New Athens. Though not nearly as big or magnificent as its predecessor, the small town was created when Camp Halfblood moved. It was a collection of buildings; a town hall, several stores, and a cinema, nested in the middle the residential area. The town hall also doubled as a shelter in the event of an attack. Her father advocated hard for the gods to provide a sanctuary for those demigods who were too old for camp, but who's scent was to powerful to be left out in the world. Considering the Romans got New Rome, it didn't take much effort. A southern wind blew in, carrying with it the smell of peaches and the sound of song birds.

"Never gets old huh?" Reyna asked. Zoe smiled and nodded at her. "I remember the first time your father showed me this land." She turned to their right, heading northward and Zoe moved quickly to catch up to her. They followed the paths of stone carved throughout the larger peninsula. "Olympus had moved to Dallas a year prior and he was searching for new homes for both camps." Memories shrouded her vision. "He was so excited, he picked it specifically because of that out cropping peninsula." She pointed at New Athens. "He wanted to make a home for those under his patronage. It's small now, eventually though, it could rival New Rome." They passed the large armory on their right, a pair of demigods inside organizing it.

"Why haven't the gods had one built before?" Zoe said. "Obviously they had the ability to do so with the Romans." A blue blur sped past them, followed, rather slowly, by a stumbling satyr. The blur slowed enough for the two to make out the elven features of a naiad. The water nymph broke into hysterics as the satyr tripped and fell into the grass. Teacher and pupil exchanged a wave with the dryad as she helped the poor half-goat up.

Reyna gained a thoughtful look, resting a hand on the hilt of her gladius. "Before your father came along, the barriers for the camps was not nearly as strong as they are now. Even the Golden Fleece and the Athena Parthenos only helped so much. It wasn't until your father became a god and our patron over one hundred and forty years ago that the barriers of both camps were truly strong enough. Even Gaea would find invading nearly impossible where she not dead." A small herd of pegasi rode past them, young riders following their instructor back towards the stables near the cabins. "New Rome simply had the advantage of numbers. After the fall of Rome we were still a legion, though we have lost a lot over the centuries. That's why the lake has been filled with friendly sea monsters. To give camp an extra layer of defense in the event the barriers are breached there."

Zoe absorbed this information before asking her next question. Her eyes observing the amphitheater off to their right, sat on a small hill just before the beach. "Doesn't that mean Dad is okay then? The barriers are still as strong as ever so surely he wasn't captured or killed."

Reyna shook her head. "Not necessarily. It at least means he is alive. If he was killed his domains would become erratic and since there are no hurricanes pounding the east coast or wildfires plaguing the west coast he is breathing. Though capturing him would simply prevent him from controlling his domains. So hopefully the next storm doesn't become to bad."

Passing the peach fields on their left, Zoe waved at several of her friends tending to the trees. "Where will you go?" she asked the woman who raised her.

"Northeast," Reyna answered, fiddling with the straps of her bracers. "We have a lead that points to the northeast region of the US. Beyond that we will just have to see."

"Now that I think about it," Zoe said, raising an eyebrow. "Who is going to deal with New Rome while you're looking for dad?"

Reyna smiled at the girl, pride gleaming in her eyes. "The praetors are more than capable of managing things in my absence. I also asked Lady Lupa to keep a closer eye on things just in case the senators get a little more uppity now that your father and I are gone."

"You really think they would try something?" Zoe asked confused. The two spotted the Big House ahead of them, three stories of a near mansion sized homestead standing proud. Fresh blue paint gleamed in the morning light, contrasting the black shingles perfectly. The white wrap around porch housed many chairs and tables. In front of the house stood several dozen legionaries at ease. The Athena Parthenos, in all its judgmental ivory glory, stood tall and proud next to the massive house. An identical depiction of the war goddess herself, or so Zoe had heard, bearing her Aegis shield in one hand and Nike in snake form in the other. "What could they hope to gain?" Past the Big House and the soldiers rose Halfblood Hill, topped with Thalia's Pine Tree her father had transported from Long Island Sound. The Golden Fleece still resting soundly over one of the lower hanging branches with Peleus the dragon still guarding it, his massive body wrapped around the trunk of the enormous pine.

"We are romans, Zoe," Reyna chided. "Ambition is a fundamental part of our beings. Doesn't mean they are smart enough to consider the odds of what little power they gain lasting. Nor the consequences of even attempting it."

"It must be exhausting being a roman," Zoe told Reyna, eyes alight with amusement.

A wide smile graced Reyna's sculpted features. "We can't all be as easy going and nonchalant as you greeks."

Zoe felt her own face split into a grin. "Admit it. You're just jealous."

Reyna laughed as they reached the steps of the Big House, Centurion Bernard called the Guard to attention. Chiron and a young light skinned girl standing next to the centurion. "Never. You may be more relaxed than us but you're also much more chaotic. I don't understand how you all stand it," She told Zoe before turning towards her legionaries. "Ad laxare!" She ordered and the legionaries relaxed their positions. She turned towards the centaur and his companion. "Chiron, a pleasure. I trust Zoe is in capable hands." It was not a question.

"Of course Consul," the old centaur said, inclining his head to her. "We could have her teach the beginners class for swordsmanship? That should keep her busy."

Zoe frowned. "I know I'm young but I am just as skilled as the instructors of the advance courses, why can't I teach those?"

Chiron gave her a small smile. "My dear you will find that experience is as important as skill in combat and even more important when teaching. This is why there is an age requirement to teach the more advanced courses, which was introduced by your father if you'll recall."

Zoe scoffed folding her arms across her chest. "I think they are just offended that a thirteen year old girl can give them a run for their money." Zoe then looked to the smaller girl and waved. "Hey Karina, it's about time you got here."

Karina's light green eyes found Zoe's as she fiddled with the hem of her purple Camp Jupiter shirt. "I only just finished cleaning the latrines at the barracks yesterday. I had to get my dad to drop me off."

A perplexed look took over Zoe's face. "Seriously? Why didn't you just use your magic to do it? That's what I did for mine. Used my power of water to clean the entire thing."

Reyna's eyes widened, turning to the girl. "Zoe!" she shouted. Karina and Chiron flinching at the volume.

"Did I say that out loud?" She asked, already knowing the answer. The sound of several of the legionaries chuckling reached her ears.

Reyna gave a heavy sigh, rubbing her forehead. "Gods, Zoe. We will have to deal with this when I get back." She then turned towards the Praetorian Guard. "Legionaries. Our mission is simple. Find our patron, Lord Perseus, and return him home safely. How is much more complicated. We have a vague lead and will receive no help from on high. We will be coordinating with the Hunters, Camp Halfblood and Legion search parties and even the rest of the Seven to cover as much ground as possible. We have secured buses for transportation just over Halfblood Hill and will be leaving momentarily. If you're not on board you're left behind. Dimitto!" The legionaries saluted before gathering their bags and heading over the hill.

The woman turned to Chiron, inclining her head to him. "I will now take my leave. If you require anything please let me know."

Chiron nodded to her, a hand stoking his full beard. "Safe travels Consul."

Reyna then turned to Zoe, pulling her into a hug. "Remember, your time will come. And when it does, you will know what to do. Until then, enjoy your time with your friends."

The two let go of each other. "I'll do my best," Zoe said, putting a brave smile on her face. "Just bring him home."

"I will," Reyna promised. "I love you Zoe, and so does your father. We both love you very much."

"I love you too Reyna. Goodbye," Zoe said. Reyna's nodded to her ward, turning and departing up the hill to join her troops.

"So," Karina began, "want to go eat? I'm starving."

"Yeah," Zoe replied distractedly, eyes following her guardian as she crested over the hill. She watched the Consul come to a stop next to the massive pine tree, petting the gigantic dragon, who gave a small puff of smoke in satisfaction, before departing. Shaking her head, Zoe turned and smiled at the younger girl. "Come on, let's go to the Mess." Wrapping an arm around her shoulder, Zoe lead her friend down the fields of grass.