Of Greeks And Romans (Leo Valdez x Reader)

XVI

You

I filed into line with the rest of the third cohort, at least that is what I thought I was supposed to be doing. It didn't help that I had never done this before. But still, that Hank kid who was centurion of the third cohort gave me a pretty strict look that said get into line or die. Well, maybe not die. But I'd probably have to do gruesome chores if I was in the wrong place. When I stood in line, no one seemed fazed, so I took that as a good sign.

Somebody blew the horns and all of the campers stood still in attention. I tried to copy their stances as best I could, but I felt like I stood out like a sore thumb. It didn't help that the helmet Frank had given me at the Armory was too large, and the fact that armour felt like it weighed 50 pounds. How on earth did Romans accomplish anything with all of this gear. I felt weighted down.

Hank started roll call, as campers started responding when their names were called. There was a "here" there and a "present" there. I nearly jumped out of my armour when Hank called out my name.

"Y/n L/n," he called out.

"Present," I called out. I made my best effort to sound strong, really I did.

The sound of running footsteps caught my attention as Hazel and Nico ran past the cohorts on their way to the fifth cohort. Way to cut it close, I thought.

She ran right past Reyna who looked down at her with a scrutinous eye. ""Hazel Levesque," she called, "so glad you could join us."

I heard her centurion call out her name before she squeaked out a very shrill, "Present!"

A smile came to my lips as I watched her settle into line with Frank. My eyes then slid to where Percy was standing with a couple guards, Nico joining him. It was practically yesterday when I was in that same position. Percy caught my eye and gave a little wave. I just gave a small smile. It was too much effort to lift my hand with all of the armour. I was for sure going to be taking most of it off for war games.

I looked back at the fifth cohort, only now seeming to realize that the girl Katherine, the one who had introduced me to camp was staring at me. She almost seemed to be staring past me, but as soon as I caught her eyes, she gave me a quick grin. Odd, I thought.

The Lares were the last ones to fall in. Their purple forms flickered as they jockeyed for places. They had an annoying habit of standing halfway inside living people, so that the ranks looked like a blurry photograph, but finally the centurions got them sorted out. I was just thankful one didn't decide to stand half in me.

Octavian shouted, "Colors!" The whole thing was happening similarly to how it had when it was my first time.

The standard-bearers stepped forward. They wore lion-skincapes and held poles decorated with each cohort's emblems. Of course, last but not least was the empty pole for the legion's eagle. I could practically feel the embarrassment rippling through the crowd. At least they wouldn't have to worry about that for too much longer now that Percy was here.

Reyna brought her pegasus to a halt.

"Romans!" she announced. "You've probably heard about the incursion today. Two gorgons were swept into the river by this newcomer, Percy Jackson. Juno herself guided him here, and proclaimed him a son of Neptune."

The kids in the back rows craned their necks to see Percy. He raised his hand and said, "Hi." Classic Percy.

"He seeks to join the legion," Reyna continued. "What do the auguries say?"

"I have read the entrails!" Octavian announced, as if he'd killed a lion with his bare hands rather than ripping up a stuffed panda pillow. "The auguries are favorable. He is qualified to serve!"

The campers gave a shout: "Ave!" Hail! It more came out as a small mumble for me, but at least I blended into the crowd.

Unlike Frank, who was a little late with his "Ave," so it came out as a high-pitched echo. The other legionnaires snickered. I merely smiled and shook my head.

Reyna motioned the senior officers forward—one from each cohort. Octavian, as the most senior centurion, turned to Percy.

"Recruit," he asked, "do you have credentials? Letters of reference?"

They asked me the same question. I actually wondered how many people actually managed to bring letters. I feel like most demigods must have been thrown out of the loop.

Percy shifted. "Letters? Um, no."

Octavian wrinkled his nose.

I sighed. Still, nobody seemed impressed by the fact that he had carried a goddess into camp. What better reference could you get?

Octavian grinned, reveling in the fact that he could prove how much better he was. His family had been sending kids to camp for centuries.

"No letters," Octavian said regretfully. "Will any legionnaires stand for him?"

"I will!" Frank stepped forward. "He saved my life!"

Immediately there were shouts of protest from the other cohorts. Reyna raised her hand for quiet and glared at Frank.

"Frank Zhang," she said, "for the second time today, I remind you that you are on probatio. Your godly parent has not even claimed you yet. You're not eligible to stand for another camper until you've earned your first stripe."

Frank looked like he might die of embarrassment. I felt bad for him.

Hazel, at least could do something for Percy. She stepped out of line and said, "What Frank means is that Percy saved both our lives. I am a full member of the legion. I will stand for Percy Jackson."

The campers started to mutter. It didn't seem like her support was much when she had just gotten her first stripe before I arrived.

Reyna wrinkled her nose, but she turned to Octavian. The augur smiled and shrugged, like the idea amused him.

"Very well," Reyna announced. "Hazel Levesque, you may stand for the recruit. Does your cohort accept him?"

A couple campers around me started to cough, trying their hardest to keep laughter in. I frowned, but I could tell what they were thinking. Another loser for the fifth. How wrong they were.

Frank started by pounded his shield against the ground. The other members of the Fifth followed his lead, though they didn't seem very excited. Their centurions, Dakota and Gwen, exchanged pained looks, like: Here we go again.

"My cohort has spoken," Dakota said. "We accept the recruit."

Reyna looked at Percy with pity. "Congratulations, Percy Jackson. You stand on probatio. You will be given a tablet with your name and cohort. In one year's time, or as soon as you complete an act of valor, you will become a full member of the Twelfth Legion Fulminata. Serve Rome, obey the rules of the legion, and defend the camp with honor. Senatus Populusque Romanus!"

The rest of the legion echoed the cheer, my own joining them, albeit a little less enthusiastic.

"Our second order of business," Reyna continued, facing the legion again. "One of our campers has completed their act of valor and seeks to join the legion as a full member. Y/n L/n," she said. "Please step forward."

My cohort practically seemed to step out of the way, giving me a path to the front. As if that wasn't more nerve wracking. I made myself look strong as I walked down the path. Still, I was already sweating in the roman armour.

Thankfully, my the armour only went over my shoulders, leaving my arms open to the air. I really hoped that if they accepted me, it wouldn't be too painful. I wasn't even sure how this would work considering I didn't have a godly parent.

"Do you accept Y/n L/n, unclaimed daughter of the gods, a full member of the legion?"

The campers shouted "Ave," again. At least this time Frank managed to say it on time.

I stepped forward, my heart already racing with the nerves. Octavian didn't seem to impressed, but he still did his duty. He motioned me forward before passing his hand over my outstretched arm and shouting, "Y/n L/n, unclaimed, first year of service!"

Roman symbols burned on my arm and I gasped. I felt as if someone were pressing a hot brand into my skin. My muscles clenched, and I bit my tongue to stop from crying out. I looked down at my arm, the letters SPQR and a single stripe burnished on my skin.

Octavian seemed smug. "I hope that didn't hurt too much," he said with sarcasm. 

Reyna wheeled her pegasus away from me, I look of pride on her face. Skippy spread his beautiful wings. 

"Centurions," Reyna said, "you and your troops have one hour for dinner. Then we will meet on the Field of Mars. The First and Second Cohorts will defend. The Third, Fourth, and Fifth will attack. Good fortune!"

A bigger cheer went up—for the war games and for dinner. The cohorts broke ranks and ran for the mess hall.

My skin was still stinging as I looked down at the tattoo on my arm. It was still missing a spot for a godly parent, almost making my arm feel bare without it all. Still, I had no idea what it meant now that I was a full member and unclaimed. It felt weird, and I could tell that the whole camp was pretty hush hush about it.

At least now I could get rid of that stupid probatio tablet.

I walked up to Percy. "Good job," I said. "Welcome to the legion."

He gave me a small smile before Hazel walked up to us.

"Thanks, Hazel," he said. "Um, what exactly does it mean—your standing for me?"

"I guarantee your good behavior," Hazel explained. "I teach you the rules, answer your questions, make sure you don't disgrace the legion."

"And...if I do something wrong?"

"Then I get killed along with you," Hazel said. "Hungry? Let's eat."

Percy gave me a shocked expression. I only shrugged. I had no idea how strict the romans could get. Let's just hope I didn't do anything to anger them and get killed myself.

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