Reyna resisted the urge to groan as she sat through another senate session. Over the century and a half, she had learned how to tune out the worst of the sessions. However, there were still times where she wanted nothing more than to leave and bash some skulls. She wondered if this was how the gods felt in their own courts. Reyna sat in her 'throne' behind the praetors' pedestals on a raised dais. Her glittering purple toga detailed in gold seemed to sparkle in the daylight streaming into the Senate House. Just behind her and flanking her throne were Bernard and Nicole. Bernard, like her, had learned to ignore most of the boring aspects of Senate meetings. Nicole, however, was new to the Praetorians and this was her first Senate meeting. Her two guards remained vigilant however, their wandering eyes roaming the stands of the half bowl shaped structure that made up the Senate House. As Percy's official representative on the Senate, Reyna had unilateral authority over any and all functions during the sessions. This included everything from changing the schedule for the day to vetoing bills. Some might have considered her to have too much power and be a dictator, a title she may have earned on one or two occasions. However, she had the backing of not just Percy, but the legion as well. Her position was not up for discussion. Everything she did was to protect and serve New Rome. Even her most vehement critics could not claim otherwise. She was brought out of her thoughts by a particular senator standing.

"Praetors, I must admit I am at a bit of a lost as to why we are focusing on these games when we should be focused on war preparations," Senator Johnson spoke from his seat halfway up the steps. Johnson had been a thorn in Reyna's side for nearly two decades. She was certain he drafted the bill to make New Rome a tourist attraction. Though he was smart enough to use someone else to write the official bill. Someone new too, she didn't recognize the handwriting yet. "It would seem our efforts would be best spent preparing the defense of this city and its people."

Patrick stood straight as he addressed the senator. "Do you doubt the wisdom of the gods?"

Reyna smirked as Johnson flinched, even if minutely. He knew he really had no ground to stand on when the gods were invoked. Though, he couldn't back down now. "Of course not Praetor," the man countered swiftly. "However, it seems our city is...vulnerable."

"Our city is defended by Lord Perseus," Patrick answered smoothly. "Nothing but demigods can breach our barriers without Lord Perseus' permission. And so far, we have no indication that the enemy possesses any such forces. Additionally, the games are important for both building camaraderie with our Greek allies as well as allowing us to train against a non-legion force. Your concerns are noted Senator, but we are on top of it."

Johnson looked like he was contemplating arguing before deciding it was a losing argument and sat down. "Bernard," Reyna whispered to her centurion.

The man's eyes flickered to Reyna. "Do you want him tailed?" he asked, matching Reyna's whisper.

"No, not yet. Could just be scared," Reyna answered quietly. Johnson was always a pain, but he stayed out of Legion affairs. He knew he would get nowhere as a civilian. His sudden interest in the legion meant one of two things to Reyna. Either he was worried about his safety, or he was attempting to gather intel for the enemy. While she doubted, he had the audacity to turn traitor, she wasn't sure she was right. "On second thought, do it. Nothing to extensive yet, just his whereabouts."

Bernard gave a slight nod, not that Reyna could, nor needed, to see it. Erica had continued on where the praetors left off before the impromptu questioning by the Senator. "At the curtesy of the Consul, we inform you that, over the last couple weeks, we have successfully raided war bands in Yellowstone, Detroit, Kansas City, and San Francisco. Our Greek brothers and sisters have taken down their own war bands in Miami, Nashville, and Chicago, where they also took down a gigante with the help of Lord Perseus. We will continue to keep you updated on legion operations as a show of good faith. For now, this session is concluded, we will reconvene next week at the same time. Dismissed."

The senators and centurions stood as one and began flowing out of the structure. Reyna stood as well, gesturing for her guards to follow before her hands fell beneath her cloak. As she stepped down from her raised dais, she approached the praetors. "Follow me," was all she told them. Patrick and Erica shared a look before following the consul out of a side entrance, where a trio of other praetorian guards joined them. As the group made their way through New Rome, many wondering civilians noticed them. Some stared, some nodded their respect, there were a few however who looked on in fear. Reyna ignored them all. Any ruler was going to have those that feared them, no matter how much you bear their interests at heart. She had accepted long ago that there would always be those who disliked her on principle. Once they passed through New Rome and on the way towards Temple Hill did, she speak again. "I am leaving," she informed the praetors. The two leaders looked to their consul in shock. Reyna smirked at their reactions. "Nico informed me of a new monster war band gathering in Phoenix, Arizona. I want to take the fourth and my guard and eliminate them."

"Is it strictly necessary for you to go consul?" Patrick asked. His wounds had mostly healed from his own excursion.

Reyna shrugged. "Maybe not, but I want to see how well the cohort works together with my own eyes. Also, as one of Percy's heralds, it is one of my duties to seek out enemy leaders and eliminate them. We have reason to believe that one of the elder titans are about. Plus, I want a break from the Senate."

Erica rolled her eyes. "And the real reason presents itself," she drawled with a smile.

Reyna smiled at the young girl. "Hey, you two have only been dealing with them for six years, four of them as centurions where you just had to listen. I have had to do it for a century and a half. Granted they are different people every few decades but still."

They rounded Temple Hill, the sounds of metal striking metal reached their ears. "Are you taking the fourth to keep an eye on Karina?" Erica asked as a different training ground came into view. Nearly two dozen men and women in full legion armor sparred before a grand temple, a swirling hurricane with a trident in the eye sitting above the entrance. Their strips of armor painted in purple and gold, denoting their status.

"That is another reason, yes," Reyna confirmed as she watched her guard's train. Not just anyone was allowed to become a praetorian. They were selected early in their career as a legionary. Some picked by their own excellence, some by heroic deeds. All were subjected to the praetorian trials, to determine their compatibility.

Patrick raised an eyebrow at the older woman. "You aren't planning on making her a praetorian, are you?" he asked in curiosity. The group stopped just outside the training grounds, watching as the soldiers moved about. The praetorians required their own space as they practiced tactics that the legion often frowns upon. The focus much more on individual combat than normal legionaries, combining the best of both roman's and greek's into one superior fighting force.

Reyna shook her head. "No, she is more useful to the Legion, but I think she could make a great praetor one day."

The male praetor nodded. "I'll admit, when I first learned of the guard, I wanted to join," he said.

"Oh yeah?" Reyna asked in surprise.

"I think a lot of people do at first," Erica answered for him. "Then they find out about the extensive trials for acceptance, the even more extreme training regiment, and add on to the fact that you have to spend your career defending an old woman? The benefits lose the appeal," the praetor smiled at Reyna's mock offense.

"I am not that old," Reyna defended herself.

Patrick chuckled. "Ma'am, with all due respect? You're old enough to be my great grandmother."

"Touché," Reyna conceded, leading the group through the training ground and into the temple. Percy hadn't wanted an extravagant temple. Instead, it was built as a place of comfort for wayward demigods. A place one could feel safe and comforted in a time of need, and also a place one could defend themselves in a time of need. A last stand. There were several caretakers whose sole purpose was to maintain the temples of New Rome. Reyna stopped before a statue of Perseus. Similar to the throwing of the spear before the temple of Bellona, a hero may pray before the statue of Perseus to gain favor on their quest. It wasn't an active use of power for Perseus. He never choses to grant favor, though he would for any who asked. It was more something that just...happened. Reyna kneeled down before the visage of her love. She lowered her head and prayed. She prayed for the strength to defeat her enemies and to protect those under her care. She felt...a different sort of feeling. In the past when she had done this, she had felt emboldened, like she was ready to conquer the world. Now though she felt, comforted, loved. She smiled as she stood. "While I am gone, you two will have command, obviously. I believe the Amazons are on their way, so be sure to prepare some of the spare barracks for them."

"Wilco," Patrick responded, turning towards the consul. "We will have everything ready for them. Do bring back a trophy."

"Will this do?" a new voice asked. The group turned to find Frank walk in carrying what looked to be a giant pig hoof. He stopped in front of the group and dropped the hoof in front of them. He bore his leather armor, his large form eclipsing any one of those present.

Erica looked the hoof up and down. "Is that?"

Frank nodded. "Clazmonian Sow," he confirmed, gesturing to some of the caretakers who took the hoof away to be stored in the vaults under the temple. "Found it in the Rockies. She was terrorizing the local nature spirits, so Percy sent me to deal with it."

"Impressive. But if you were dealing with that, who is watching Ares?" Reyna asked as she watched the hoof be dragged off.

Frank rubbed the back of his neck. "Percy said Aphrodite would take over while I was busy," Frank answered. "Don't really want to know what those two get up to."

The romans all cringed. "Yeah, let's not go there," Erica said. "So, will you continue your babysitting?"

Frank thought about it for a minute. "I don't think so. Percy said she would watch him for a week and that was only two days ago so," he shrugged. "Guess I'll hang around. It's been a while since I have seen Hazel."

"Sounds like a plan," Reyna agreed with him as she patted his muscular arm. "I will be leaving in a couple days; we should catch up at one of the cafes in town."

Frank smiled at his old friend. "Senate driving you crazy again?"

Reyna rolled her eyes in exasperation. "You have no idea."

Frank hummed in thought. "Noticed you are pushing the legion hard, is Percy looking for any Heralds?"

"No," Reyna shook her head. "I don't think he has any intentions of recruiting more of us. I think he likes our group; we are his only true friends."

"Yeah, I guess," Frank relented. "Just feels like we are being stretched a bit thin is all."

"I know. That's why I am joining the fray," Reyna said with a wicked gleam in her eye.

Frank shivered. "Fates help whoever you're going after."

Reyna smiled before it quickly fell. She turned the praetors and her guards. "Leave us," she ordered.

Bernard gave her a questioning look. "Ma'am? It's my job to insure your safe-." Reyna whistled sharply, cutting the centurion off. Two dogs, one of silver and one of gold, appeared from behind two columns. The consul gestured to the door with her head. Bernard looked at the dogs before giving Reyna an irritated look. "Of course Consul," he said politely before leading the guards and praetors out of the temple.

As soon as the temple was cleared, Reyna turned to Frank. "Follow me," she ordered before heading out one of the side exits, Argentum and Aurum following close behind. Frank followed; his eyes filled with confusion. Reyna led him up temple hill, out of sight from the guards and the praetors. "I can't risk Percy hearing this," she told Frank as she walked up the hill. "So, we are going somewhere safe." The two weaved through the temples of Temple Hill before arriving at a modestly built temple. Inside a hearth burned a fierce orange and red fire and was tended to by two young teenage girls. "Maddie, Veronica," Reyna greeted the two girls.

Both girls smiled at the consul. "Consul Reyna," they spoke together, nodding in respect. "Do you require an audience with the Lady Vesta?"

Reyna shook her head. "Not an audience. Just her protection, and discretion."

Maddie nodded. "Of course, Consul," her and her fellow sister rose. "We will go tend to the garden while you talk." The two maidens left without another word, closing the doors behind them.

Frank turned to Reyna. "What's going on?"

Reyna slipped him a paper. "After your visit with Hazel is concluded, I need you to retrieve something for me," she told him as he took the paper. "Don't open it until you get to Alaska, it will show you where to go."

"What's so important about this item that you have to hide it from Percy?" Frank asked in concern.

Reyna sighed heavily. "Percy knows its existence. He asked me to hide it for him. He doesn't know where it is and doesn't want anything to do with it."

Frank raised an eyebrow at her. "So why am I getting it?"

"Because I have a feeling that he will need it before the end," Reyna answered him. "But he is too stubborn to realize that he needs it. So, you will find it, bring it back, and I will hold onto it until he pulls his head out of his rear."

"Alright," Frank relented. "But what am I getting?"

"A gift from the Fates," Reyna answered, her eyes gaining a hard edge.