"I have now decided that my death should be very precious."

Maya

Maya had never been so happy to see Logan in her life. They ran into the Centurion as they were making there way out of the barracks. Much to Mayas pleasure he waved the duo down.

"Where'd you guys go? I was going to talk to you after introductions." Logan lightly scolded them.

"We just went to the barracks to drop off some gear and move my chest into the guest room. We were actually just looking for you." Maya said easily.

Logan nodded softly before turning to P.J. His eyebrows lifted slightly as he inspected him. Maya watched as he carefully traced the Greek with his eyes, pausing momentarily at the boots. No doubt he saw the knife he had stashed there.

"I don't believe we had the chance to be introduced. I'm Logan, Centurion of the 4th cohort." Logan said sticking out his hand.

P.J. grasped the hand and gave a small shake, not breaking eye contact. "Its good to meet you." He rumbled in his baritone voice.

As the 2 released each other P.J., in turn, looked Logan up and down.

"Has Maya got you settled in, no issues?" The centurion asked.

"Yes, no issues." He rumbled in response.

Logan smiled at the news, "Excellent. Some of the Lares aren't super friendly with Greeks. They're just a little bitter, but mostly harmless."

Maya bit her tongue to keep from speaking, that was putting it mildly. The encounter with Letus had proven that.

"Well I'm glad you're settling." He paused as if debating on what to say next. "Do you 2 have anything planned for today before evening muster?"

P.J. glanced away from Logan to her.

"No we were just going to talk about it, see what he wanted to do." Maya answered quickly.

Logan nodded thoughtfully. He gave P.J. another look over before apparently coming to a decision. "Maya get your gear, you too. Then come to the Field of Mars. I want to see what our temporary legionnaire can do."

Maya internally groaned. They were in totally different weight classes. Maya herself was basically average when it comes to fighting. She debated on suggesting putting him against a Child of Mars or someone who was a bit better then her. Alas it was pointless to point it out, Logan had clearly given a direct order and she knew not to talk back.

"Yes sir." P.J. responded easily.

With that Logan took off in a speed walk. No doubt heading for the Field of Mars.

Maya turned around and once again entered the barracks. Speed walking over to her chest, she unlocked it and immediately started putting her armor on.

P.J. must have followed her because soon he was in her peripheral vision digging through his own chest.

"What should I expect?" He asked

"Pardon?" Maya asked, pausing as she tightened a strap.

"What should I pack for? Single combat? Ambush setting? Maybe some fort defense?" he asked while digging through his chest.

Maya resumed tightening her strap. "Its always single combat, so I guess you and I will have to fight it out." She tried to sound cocky but she was sure it sounded flat.

"Thank you." was the only response she got. He set about pulling his medical bag out of his chest and strapping it to his thigh. With that he pushed his chest closed and calmly stood there as Maya continued to strap up.

"No armor?" Maya asked cautiously.

"No."

Maya took a deep breath, It was almost disrespectful that he didn't get armor. He's cocky she thought slipping her helmet on and grabbing her gladius.

Strapping it to her belt she turned to him. Outside of the small Medic bag he hadn't seemed to grab anything else. He certainly didn't have a visible weapon except the knife in his boot, and if that was anything to go on this will be a short fight.

The more she began to think about it, the more confident she got. He had a knife, no shield, and no armor. All she needed to do was pick her shield up from the armory and she would be better equipped then he was, with more range and a better defense.

Mom might be the Goddess of Agriculture but she was still a Roman. Part of the single best fighting force in history. She was going to destroy him.

"Well are you ready? I need to stop off at the Armory to pick up my shield." Maya said as she slipped her sword belt on. Her short gladius and a dagger sat on her left and right hips. The weight was familiar and comfortable.

He said nothing, just jerked his thumb toward the door. As she passed him she glanced into his eyes. Swirling gold and impossible to read. He hid his emotions well.

Ten minutes later they were making there way through the Field of Mars to where a small crowed had gathered. About 30 demigods stood in a circle watching 2 people hack at each other with swords. As she watched, A roman in golden armor swept the butt of there pilum and managed to knock the demigod in an orange shirt to the ground. As one the crowd erupted in cheer.

"There you are!" Logan smiled as he caught sight of the pair. Nothing like a good fight to make a Roman smile.

He waved the pair over. As they approached another pair of demigods entered the circle and slowly began circling. The Greek who had been swept of her feet stood near Logan smiling and chatting next to the 3rd Cohorts Centurion Will.

"You 2 are next. Rules are simple, to disarm or to knock down. If the Roman wins the bouts over, If the Greek wins they stay in for another round. No maiming." Logan said with a cheerful grin on his face. "Rules clear enough?"

"Yes." The pair said in unison.

"Great." Logan paused as he glanced at P.J. "No armor?"

"No sir." Logan's eyebrows rose slightly. "No weapon?"

"I have some." P.J. confirmed before turning to watch the spectacle. The 2 Demigods in the center were cautiously poking at each other from range with there swords. Neither seemed ready to commit.

Logan leaned to Maya and in a hushed town he whispered quietly. "How is he wearing a jacket. Its almost 100."

Maya shrugged, the thought hadn't crossed her mind. But it didn't seem important.

The crowed once again erupted into cheers as the Roman demigod somehow slammed the sword out of the Greek demigods hand.

"4th Cohorts next." Logan yelled as he shoved Maya into the center of the arena.

P.J. calmly walked to about 12 feet away, well out of range of her sword. He produced no weapon but turned to Logan and gave a single nod.

"Begin." As Logan yelled the command Maya leapt forward in 2 bounds. Closing the distance between the pair in less then a second. Her gladius darted out with the speed of a striking snake to the belly of the Greek. She had him dead to rights.

Then the entire tone of the battle shifted in an instant. Instead of drawing a weapon or backing up P.J.s left hand darted out and slapped the flat of her blade with a force she had never felt before. Her blade stabbed about 6 inches left of him. However he wasn't idle. He stepped into Maya and his right hand came in an over arching punch landing on the side of Mayas helm. A deep ugly noise rattled the inside of her helm as Maya attempted to draw her sword back and turn to him, but he was simply to quick. Maya felt arms wrap around her waste and chest and she felt herself go weightless. She saw the sky, she saw the world upside down, then she saw the ground. All before she slammed bodily to the ground.

Maya gasped for breath as she opened her eyes. Her heavy legion shield was pinned under her, keeping her down. He was standing over her. Unthinking she attempted to swing her sword. It was then she realized she couldn't lift it because his boot was on the blade. Abandoning the sword she attempted to snatch her knife from her belt. Only it wasn't there... It was in P.J.s hand.

The crowed erupted in cheer.

P.J. didn't acknowledge the crowd in the slightest. He slightly bent down and extended his hand to Maya. Maya in turn took it and allowed herself to be hauled to her feet.

"Thank you." She mumbled, embarrassed that she was humiliated.

P.J. turned her dagger in his hand and presented it hilt first to Maya. "Are you alright?" he asked as he looked her in the eye.

Maya suddenly found it hard to look into his eyes. He'd embarrassed her. No other way to put it.

"I'm fine." She mumbled as she turned away from him to her centurion. Logan was very animated, a massive smile fixed on his face. He waved Maya to the edge of the circle.

Reluctantly Maya trotted over, wincing slightly as she realized shed have a few new bruises.

As she approached her Centurion P.J. called from the center of the circle. "Maya."

Allowing herself to turn she saw him walking toward her with her sword. She must have forgotten it on the ground.

Turning it he presented the handle to her. As she took it she caught sight of his eyes once again. There was no triumph there, just... sadness?

Before she could even be sure of what she saw he turned away and walked back to the center.

"Good match." Logan grinned at her.

"Not really." Maya responded as she rubbed her back.

"Who's next?" Logan shouted as someone from the 2nd Cohort stepped into the circle. Mathew maybe?

The pair soon were circling each other. Taking carefully measured steps.

The Greek next to Will spoke. "You ok?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine." Maya stated nonchalantly.

"I'm Morgan."

Maya smiled and extended her hand "Maya."

"So you're with P.J. this week?" Morgan asked chewing her lip.

"Yeah..." she trailed off for a moment glancing back to the fight.

"What do you think about him so far?" Morgan asked.

Maya watched the big man step into his opponents personal space again and slammed his elbow down onto Mathews sword arm, In a fluid motion with the speed of a much smaller man P.J. jumped on the exposed arm somehow wrapping his legs around it. The weight of the man on his arm brought Mathew down neatly into an arm bar. His sword arm trapped.

P.J. arched his back slightly. In an instant Mathew was yielding.

"He's good." Maya mumbled.

Next to her Morgan chuckled. "He gets that a lot. He'll hang with the best of them that's for sure." Maya mused in a slightly southern accent.

"How long has he been at Camp Half-blood?" Maya asked as the 2 demigods on the ground untangled from each other.

"He arrived in winter I think. Like November maybe? I don't know he never really talks about it." Morgan said as another Roman stepped into the field.

"He never really talks about anything."

Next to her Morgan snorted softly. "True enough. He's a bit awkward. But don't blame him. He spent to much time alone."

Maya turned and studied the Greek. "You seem to care about him a lot."

Morgan began to chew her lip as if she was debating. Her gaze snapped from the fight to Maya and back again.

"I've been at Camp almost 8 years. Long enough to know what its like to be an outcast. I was stuck in the Hermes Cabin knowing my mom was Hecate. I know what its like to never truly feel at home. Then after the Titan war the kids of the minor gods got there own cabins. They were allowed to feel at home. From what I've heard P.J. never got that. I don't know it just hits super close to home for me." She quickly snatched Mayas hand and yanked her out of the way as a roman demigod was thrown bodily out of the circle.

Maya had lost track of the fight and turned to see P.J, who had finally drawn a weapon. In his left hand sat a large circular shield made of a solid black metal. Much like the ambassador of Pluto, Nico di Angelo's, sword. In his right he loosely gripped a Greek style double bladed axe also made of the black metal.

"Keep it in the circle." Logan yelled despite looking giddy with joy. He was clearly enjoying this to much. "Who's next?"

A small lean girl entered the center and began poking from a distance with her pilum.

"Thanks." Maya hadn't even realized the boy was heading her way until Morgan yanked her out of the way.

"No problem."

The pair fell silent once again as they watched the duel. The girl was taking it much slower then the boys had. She would poke with her pilum then back up a few paces. P.J. for his part was calmly deflecting the pocks and standing steady. For the first time Maya actually watched him fight. He was balanced on the balls of his feet and moved with surprising grace. It was like a dancer with an axe. His movements were enough to get him out of danger but not out of position. He looked entirely to comfortable to be fighting.

Suddenly P.J. raised his shield above his head and gently tossed his axe on the ground. "Hold" His baritone voice spread across the field.

The girl, clearly shocked raised her spear and gave a questioning look. The whole circle was questioning the boy.

"Your left boot is untied." P.J. calmly pointed out.

"Like I'd fall for that trick." The girl in the center claimed as she leveled her spear into his chest again.

"I stopped the duel, I dropped my weapon, and I pointed it out. I have no desire to win do to an unfair advantage." He calmly stated running a finger along the blade of the pilum.

With great reluctance she looked down. Only to see her left boot was indeed untied.

Glancing back to P.J. she very cautiously bent down. Lifting her spear, she leaned it against her shoulder. Her hand slipped out of her shield straps and she quickly tied it.

As she got back up she once again leveled her spear to his chest.

P.J. calmly stepped back and picked his axe back up. He slipped into a half crouch with his shield in front of him and gave a single nod.

"Ready?" He asked.

"Ready." The girl responded, and they started circling once again.

Maya watched as the girl 'she'd really have to learn her name' once again began her poking and retreating.

She watched as P.J. waited for his opportunity. When he did move he moved fast and unpredictably.

He raised his axe and threw it at the ground at the girls feet. Sinking the blade into the ground so it stood up right at a 45 degree angle. As he threw it he rushed in. Running his shield along the shaft of the spear. The girl tried to back up but she wasn't as quick as P.J. In an instant he was in her personal space, forcing her to drop her Pilum. As she reached for her sword P.J.s hand snaked down and gripped the axe handle. In an instant he was yanking it out of the ground sending a upward rising lateral cut into the bottom of her shield. The force slammed the shield painfully into the girls shins. The girl, with her sword half drawn, stumbled backward causing her feet to tangle. She fell to the ground in a heap.

And so the cycle continued. The big man viscously beating down any challenger who came at him. Roman after Roman fell to his spinning black blade and impregnable defense. Volunteers to fight him soon slowed to a trickle, with only the most cunning and biggest attempting the challenge. After each defeat the crowd would cheer with a deafening roar, but not P.J. He was as silent as the night.

The only thing that ended the one sided slaughter was the call for evening dinner.

With the call for dinner came the mad rush for food. Though many people stayed back to either escort there Greek demigods to dinner, or in P.J.s case mob him asking questions and making comments. At least 6 campers were surrounding him as he made his way to Maya.

Maya couldn't help but smile, until she saw his face.

He looked as if someone had stabbed a puppy in front of him. Deep sadness complimented by an undertone of rage.

He locked eyes with her and immediately he rearranged his features to a stone wall. Once again unreadable.

It was unnerving.