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Reyna's POV

Dinner was silent and for once no one sat at their designated table. It was quick, lacking its usual festive air and as soon as it was over final preparations were put together before the first night watch began.

No one was going to be able to sleep tonight. Even if they wanted to they'd be lying in their cabins staring blankly at the ceiling.

Hazel and I had the first shift and were taking the center tower as our post. Other groups would line the walls as well. The more eyes that could see a possible threat the better.

She leaned on the wall looking out of the Archer's window; the moon causing her bright gold eyes to reflect brilliantly.

"Hey Reyna?" She asked glancing back at me.

"Hm?" I asked looking back at her instead of the sky.

"Just wanted to let you know while you were gone I did my best to have things run smoothly," Hazel sighed.

"I know Haze. I put you in the job because you're the best one for it," I smiled warmly.

"No I'm not. You are," She said standing up straight.

"You know there's going to come a time where I have to step down." Although it was difficult to voice I'd known for a long time it would happen eventually.

"Not anytime soon," Hazel worried.

"Maybe not. It could be today. Or tomorrow, maybe another three years." Her eyes took on a bit of a sadness to them. I hardly ever saw her wear such an expression. "Eventually I'll get tired of it. Or I'll want to move on. Maybe I'll die on the battlefield. Or maybe I'll just get too old to do it anymore."

"Don't talk like that." Hazel said looking back outside.

"It needs to be said. And whether it's today or tomorrow if there's someone I want taking over it's you." I rested a hand on her shoulder.

"I'm glad you trust me enough to do it," Hazel smiled. "Even if I'm not a fan of it."

"Oh come on, everyone likes you." I laughed.

"People like you too!" Hazel argued.

"Yeah, but you have no enemies. I do. There are still those who secretly support Octavian's ideas and though I haven't told anyone this the longer I stay in my position of power the antsier everyone gets." Hazel shivered not liking the mention of Octavian -even if he was dead- and his supporters. We both knew that there were those who secretly agreed with his viewpoints.

"I don't understand why," Hazel frowned.

"It's because they want a change. They think I'm getting too...relaxed. Content with things. Don't forget that Romans were bred for war. The instinct is still buried in us and it's stronger in some than others. But the only thing keeping people from openly being against me is politics. There are too many legionnaires who support me." Hazel nodded knowing I was right. "But after today I have a feeling things will change."

"How do you know?" Hazel asked.

"Easy. War brings change. For hundreds of years territory borders have been altered. Old alliances have broken and new ones have been formed. New enemies become what old enemies were. Governments shift. People alter their beliefs. Mankind changes as a whole." I explained keeping my eyes trained in the horizon. "I'm not sure how things will change but they will."

"Are you worried we won't keep our relations with the Greeks?" Hazel asked.

"Oh no. Too many bonds have been formed. I'm not worried about that." I laughed lightly.