One for All and All for One
Barty
Barty lived for the afternoon war games. There you could let out all your emotions and test the limits of your abilities. Barty knew he was one of the strongest demi-gods and he showed it. He was well aware that he didn't have the best reputation as part of the fifth cohort, but unlike Dorcas, he didn't mind. If you are constantly underestimated, you can use that to your advantage.
He just wished Dorcas wouldn't put so much pressure on herself about it. He didn't understand what the problem was. Frank liked her, he knew that. Probably because he used to be in the fifth cohort too. Besides, Dorcas is the only female centurion. Barty is sure that earned her a few plus points with Alice.
Dorcas is often in his ear about how he should become a centurion too. Barty doesn't doubt that he could. His confidence isn't exactly low, you could say. But it's just not his style. Too much responsibility. That's always been more Dorcas' territory. Barty is completely content to support her in her ambitions.
His goals were rather different. For example, shutting up idiots like Avery and Snape. Avery thought he was so blatant just because he was a centurion in the second cohort. Not even the first! To be honest, Barty had no idea how Avery had managed to become a centurion in the first place. It probably had something to do with his father being Mars, which was why he supposedly had skills in a battlefield. Whatever. At least he could really show him during the war games. Snape was a different problem.
The slimy git was the augur of Camp Jupiter. That meant he received visions and could predict the future or something. Barty thought he was just a creep. He put on far too much airs. He wasn't even a son of Apollo, the god of prophecy, but a descendant over many generations. But since his ‘important task’ meant that he didn't have to take part in battles, Barty had no opportunity to polish his snooty mug. Which means, he had to resort to other means. And if Severus Snape woke up one morning with all his ceremonial tools hanging from the ceiling, Barty could make do with that.
Dorcas was very stressed about the afternoon and Barty was prepared to give everything to make sure they won. Even if he had to work with Avery to do so. Which was proving rather difficult at the moment, as he simply couldn't agree with Dorcas. She looked like she was going to go for Avery's throat at any moment.
‘We're not going to put your whole cohort in front of the base for the attack and my cohort as cannon fodder! We can fight! Besides, we’re supposed to work together!’
Avery looks at her disparagingly.
‘Your cohort wouldn't even last a minute on the battlefield. You're bad enough as it is, you didn't need a girl as a centurion.’
That was it. Barty had had enough. He clenched his fists threateningly.
‘You want to repeat that?’
Avery smiled mockingly.
‘What part didn't you understand? That you're weaklings? Or that you're at a distinct disadvantage because you’ve got a girl-’
He didn't get any further, because Barty's fist collided with his jaw. Avery howled as he landed backwards in the dirt. Dorcas looked at Barty in shock, but before she could say anything, Praetor Longbottom intervened.
‘What's going on?’
Avery immediately took advantage of the distraction and tried to pounce on Barty. But Frank held him back with the shaft of his spear. Realising that he probably couldn't beat Barty up, Avery turned to Frank.
‘Praetor, Crouch punched me in the face for no reason at all.’
Before Frank could say anything in reply, a voice suddenly spoke up.
‘No! That's not what happened!’
Everyone turned to the voice. Barty was surprised to recognise that it was Emma Vanity. He felt pride swell inside him when he saw Emma speak like that. She was the smallest and youngest in her cohort, so they had all developed some parental instincts.Emma glared at Avery with an intensity that Barty would never have believed her capable of.
Avery turns to Frank for help.
‘Come on! Who are you going to believe? Me or the little girl?’
Frank looked at him with raised eyebrows.
‘Since this situation obviously can't be definitively resolved, both Avery and Barty will be punished.’
Avery threw Barty a mocking grin, but Frank wasn't done yet.
‘I'll leave the determination of a suitable punishment to Praetor Fortescue.’
Barty felt a sense of euphoria fill his body as he watched Avery's smile slowly crumble. It was definitely worth it.