A Tale of Romans and Slaves | PJO/HOO

Chapter 46: Hazel

I was excited.

I was about to meet my new handmaiden. My father had told me that he had gotten me an educated one, like Bianca's. While I didn't like that fact that she was a slave, because I don't agree with the concept of slavery, I was still excited.

"Calm down Hazel," Frank said with a smile from my bed.

"No," I replied. "What if she can actually play chess, Frank?"

He rolled his eyes.

Just then, there was a knock at my door. I quickly opened it.

"Hello," A blonde-haired, grey-eyed girl said nervously. "I'm Annabeth, your new handmaiden."

"Hi!" I said. "I'm Hazel. This is my bodyguard, Frank."

"Hi," Frank waved.

She smiled weakly. "It's nice to meet you."

I waved her inside, and she walked in.

She surveyed the room. "You don't have many finerys, for a lady."

"I'm not a lady," I replied. "I'm illegitimate."

She turned to me. "Oh."

"So, where are you from, Annabeth?" Frank asked, changing the subject.

"Lord Dionysus' ludus," She replied.

"Where you born there?" I asked.

"No," She said. "I was born in Athens."

There was a brief silence.

"Do you know how to play chess?" I asked.

A weak smile formed on her face. "Yes."

"Do you want to play?" I asked.

"Sure," She replied.

I pulled out the board, and we sat down across from each other on the floor. Frank sat down on my left.

"It's been a while since I've played," Annabeth said as we set up the board. "But I remember the rules."

"Your move," I said. She moved a pawn.

Annabeth was a much better player than Frank. In fact, I think she was the best opponent I'd ever played. Her moves were calculated, and for every piece of hers I took, she'd take one of mine.

Eventually, I had her. I just needed her to move, and then I'd have her king in-

"Checkmate," Annabeth said.

I stared at the board in shock. Sure enough, my king was cornered.

"I've never been beaten before," I said in awe.

"Neither have I," Annabeth grinned.

"I demand a rematch," I demanded.

"Bring it," She replied.

She beat me again. And again. By round five, it became very clear that I was never going to win.

"How did you get so good?" I asked as she put the pieces away.

"My mother," She replied. "It was her favourite game. You?"

"Taught myself," I replied.

"And playing against other people," Frank chimed in.

"Frank, if I had a denarii for every time I got you or Sammy in the four-move checkmate, I could buy myself a palace," I replied.

"Who's Sammy?" Annabeth and Frank both asked at the same time.

I froze. "A person from my past."

Thankfully, they didn't ask any more questions.