XXXVII
Takes place directly after Chapter 34. Please read AN regarding updates!
No one answered him.
They all stood shock at what had just happened.
And to be fair to them, Tony was little more than a metal statue as well, only able to voice his questions when the three…beings were completely gone from his sight.
Even then, a tinge of fear clutched at his body and his voice was only a sudden and primal thing, where his conscious control was torn away by his instincts to identify and run.
Tiny pinpricks of water touched at the exposed face of Tony Stark. A small diluted sprinkle falling from the sky. It was not snow nor was it all that noticeable.
Like tears. If the sky could cry, it was doing it now. They fell but did so slowly and erratically, if that was even possible for rain.
With all that went on, and with all that he had so far experienced, Tony didn't know what to think was possible or not.
The Golden Warrior. He made Tony feel like an ant in comparison. The analogy given by Loki came to mind often when his thoughts drifted to the warrior. Even the woman, called Morgana, made him feel slightly like that and being beside Thor's friends, Sif and Valkyrie, there was a note of feeling that he was punching way above his weight class here.
Those three beings though. They didn't even look at him. Tony didn't even register on their radar.
If he felt like an ant to the Golden Warrior, a speck of dust would be an even more apt term when it concerned those three.
This wasn't New York, where he stood a chance against overwhelming odds. This feeling was only likened to when he went through the portal that was in the New York skyline. That utter feeling of hopelessness, despair and uncertainty as he looked and saw the Chitauri war fleet.
It heightened his anxiety, he could feel his own chaotic thoughts overwhelm him. He needed to do something. His breathing became slight and hitched.
He was snapped from his thoughts and his worsening anxiety when the Asgardian Valkyrie spoke. It was a distraction he knew but it was better than simply standing like a deer in the headlights.
Her voice was a whisper but holding a choked weight as if she also couldn't believe what had happened. "Who is going to tell his mom?"
Tony frayed thoughts stalled at that. While his inquisitive and curious mind would have loved for nothing more to find out more about the Golden Warrior, he didn't think that meeting the mother of such a being would be a good idea.
Especially if they were delivering the news that he was dead.
It just raised new questions and answered none of the ones he already had.
The Ancient One as she identified herself as, she didn't exactly like it when he had called her Morgana, turned to speak to him. Only to be interrupted once again.
A solid pillar of silver moonlight shone before them. Like a beacon of light only it stood for a moment before winking out of existence. From it a woman, who stepped rather abruptly from the beacon.
Tony's faceplate was down the moment the beam of light had appeared. It hurt. Mark 42 didn't exactly have the safeguards that the finished product would have. As such the faceplate clamped down without regard for his nose.
The tech savant was sure his nose was either already sprained or bruised from the constant use of the helmet or it was soon to be. The pain only stinging now.
Regardless, even Tony could see that the woman from the beam of silver moonlight was trying hard not to stumble as she stepped onto solid ground and only just barely caught herself from blundering from her otherwise graceful walk.
She wore what Tony would expect a hunter to wear to an extent at least. She was decked out in white and grey camo. From her light sweatshirt to her cargo pants tucked into neatly and tightly bound boots. The only things that weren't white or grey was a cloak of black that seemed to twinkle with shimmering starlight and whatever armor she wore; of which was all silver and all of it ornate and intricate, filled with iconography, script and designs. Dominantly, it was her silver cuirass that hugged her body tightly but didn't look to hamper movement or seem to be of any discomfort, with the bracers and the silver tiara that was crowned upon her head.
At her waist, a sheathed sword, that her hand rested naturally on.
If it wasn't the look of vindictive suspicion directed at the group, Tony would have said she was beautiful, but manner begat her true intention. This woman, whoever she was, was not happy to see them.
And that was immediately apparent when she drew a bow from nowhere, nocked an arrow, with the ease he had only seen Barton use, and aimed it at them.
The Ancient One immediately interceded between the newcomer and Tony and the Asgardians, her hands raised in a manner of peace. She spoke in ancient Latin that seemed much more refined and true to the language than whatever Romanoff spoke.
The hunter woman retorted but did not relinquish on her drawstring. Instead, drawing it further back.
The Ancient One did the same thing she did with the Asgardian to prove her identity, rolling up her sleeve and revealing a tattoo, though he couldn't make anything of it as his optics made it seem more like a blurry mess and JARVIS was having trouble cleaning the image up. He chalked it up to faulty tech.
The woman slowly lowered her bow, the arrow shimmering away like a mist and the bow expertly slung across her back, her hand falling naturally to the hilt of the sword at her side, though the blade was inched out and Tony could see the gleaming silver metal ready to be used.
"And what's Iron Man doing with you? More importantly, why is he here?" She switched to English, and her words accusatory to the woman that defended him. "Actually, never mind, I don't care, so long as he doesn't go inside. Where is he?"
"His family retrieved him, Lieutenant." The sorceress responded, casting a warning glance to the three behind her. "As I understand it, his father has need of him elsewhere."
What sounded like a curse escaped the one identified as a lieutenant but she turned her inquisitive glare to the other three who were watching on. Though Tony noted that the Valkyrie seemed more or less still in shock while Sif had a hand on the hilt of one of the swords she now had.
No one among them took the opportunity to correct the woman.
Tony didn't know why neither of the Asgardians didn't.
He didn't because he had the sense not to.
Tony elected to keep his faceplate down though just in case things took a turn for the worst and quickly took a mental list of things that needed doing. Ultimately, he needed to deal with the Ten Rings, permanently this time around.
And while he wanted to get a start on that right now, he didn't think it'd be a good idea to stray away from the… witch for too long. Right now, she was his only advocate in this little posse.
To deal with the Ten Rings, his lead in Tennessee needed to be pursued. It was a long shot but at this point it was all he had.
Of course, JARVIS was already directing the excavation crews to prioritize the cellar and by extension his suit vault. He would need the backup and replacements, if his estimations were correct (and they always were), his little pet project would be able to provide. He wasn't willing to call other Avengers in this and involving Reed and his team already didn't sit well with him.
This was his fight and his alone.
Tony wasn't actually planning on running this alone. He wasn't that short-sighted, the Ten Rings were terrorists after all and now he knew they weren't afraid of taking him head on and publicly. Pulling a page from Vanko's playbook and turning the dial to eleven, it wouldn't hurt to have a House Party ready to rock.
They wouldn't know what hit them.
His suit needed repairs but that could wait. He shouldn't need Mark 42 in Tennessee. He was sure that the only reasons that the Mandarin knew he was at Avenger Tower was that they were watching it and him since he called them out. Though actually figuring out where to get the equipment and materials for an advanced exoskeleton would be hard to get.
If he wasn't Tony Stark that was and didn't have the whole of Stark Industries at his fingertips.
It was time to see if the Mandarin and the Ten Rings were actually paying attention and pull them away from New York.
"JARVIS, you still with me bud?" Tony's external speakers were off and as such the others shouldn't be able to hear him as the witch and woman conversed with Sif stepping forward and joining the conversation. The Asgardian Valkyrie looking horribly out of place as she stood away from him and the group.
She fidgeted with her armor as if she wasn't entirely used to it or just looking for any sort of distraction, with the upper half of her face obscured by the helmet and the frown she wore, it was hard to tell or make out any facial cues.
"Always, sir." A tinge of relief flushed through Tony's mind at the manicured voice of his UI.
"You know where we are?"
"GPS and other satellite data is currently non-functional and unavailable, sir."
Well, there goes that plan. "Is there anything you can give me?"
"We are in the northern hemisphere." Was the off-hand response. Great that only eliminated only half the planet.
"You plugged into the Tower when we were there right?"
"Of course, sir."
"Keep me updated on any major incidents around the Tower and the Four's and spin up the Quinjet."
JARVIS didn't respond but he didn't need to. Tony knew he would keep him updated on anything he needed to know.
At that time, Tony decided that if he didn't need to be here, then he should go deal with his business.
"Uh, excuse me." The tech savant raised a metal gauntlet as if he were in a classroom in an attempt to add some levity to the situation they were in.
The three women turned towards him, none of them amused.
"Yes, Stark?" The bald woman asked, a flicker of exasperation.
"Do I need to be here?"
"That's a good question." Sif spoke and there was a nod of agreement from the silver hunter. "Does he need to be here?"
"For your protection." Was her immediate response, ignoring the Asgardian's comment.
"From the Apollyon guy right?" The silver hunter woman, whose expression was uncaring turned angry as she looked at him. He ignored it though, but he still felt a tingling and undercurrent of fear gnaw at his throat. She's definitely one of them. Looks like all the theories that the Golden Warrior wasn't a lone actor were just confirmed. "It looked like he was busy with something else. So I should be good until he gets back."
Tony had the benefit of his faceplate being down as a smirk wormed its way onto his face when the Ancient One's jaw set in annoyance but looked over the three. "You will take the Asgardians with you."
Sif's and Valkyrie's head snapped to the witch's direction. "You have no leave to command us." Sif retorted speaking up.
"I don't." The Ancient One agreed and turned to face the woman Lieutenant. "She does. In the absence of Apollyon, the Lieutenant has overall authority here."
"Why would he want to kill him, a mortal?" Was a musing thought that the silver woman said aloud, though none responded. Tony figured voicing that the Golden Warrior was simply annoyed with him wouldn't garner any favors since the Lieutenant was not on his side. She shared a look with the Ancient One. "Guess I'll ask him when he turns up. Lady Sif, Valkyrie go with the mortal, this has turned into an internal issue. I'll deal with it."
It was clear that Sif wanted to argue and the Valkyrie wanted to speak in protest but a harsh glare in her direction by the silver hunter and Sif's grudging acceptance and her own harsh look in response had acquiesced.
"Do you mind if I can get one of those little fairy gateways back to Avenger Tower?" Tony ventured. He was eighty percent sure that he didn't even need to ask considering it seemed like they wanted to lay low.
There was still twenty percent though.
The Ancient One didn't respond verbally and instead made a circling gesture with her hand, a portal forming in behind them.
Tony didn't waste any time making his way into the portal, Valkyrie following in a slightly despondent walk and Sif after her.
"Lady Sif," The voice of the silver hunter cut through suddenly and Tony turned around to see what the hold up was. "What's that in your pocket?" Her eyes were narrowing in suspicion and the blade of her sword almost coming fully out.
The Asgardian woman's hand immediately went to her side, obscuring a beaded cord that was hanging partway out and subsequently tucked further into it. "A memento."
The silver hunter hummed and then turned to the witch.
The portal closing immediately after Sif walked through.
"Keep the lights off, JARVIS and spin up the Quinjet."
Reyna turned her attention to the witch.
Her mind running through a plethora of questions and scenarios.
Something was not right.
The way she refused to meet her eyes clued her in on it.
And the way she refused to answer any question that concerned Percy only added to the fact.
But that was not what cemented it. What made this naïve and false calm set her blood aflame wasn't anything the Asgardians, the mortal or what the witch had said or done.
It was who sent her here in the first place.
Lady Diana had summoned her. At first, Reyna thought that it was because of the creature they were tracking. It had eluded them for a good couple days and Reyna had made note that the Hunt should be alert and ready for anything. If a creature could avoid them for so long, then its last and cornered moments would be spent making them bleed.
Lady Diana had not been fond of the idea of allowing her Hunt to go so willingly into the jaws of whatever's fury they were hunting but it was something that every Hunter willingly signed up for and they would not be found wanting.
But it was Reyna's duty as the Lieutenant to be the devil's advocate. To second guess her Lady's intentions and plans and rarely, to override them.
This was, unfortunately, one of those times. To be passive would allow their quarry to escape and such a clever adversary could not go unchecked or remain unknown.
But this had not been because of their current Hunt. Lady Diana had instead been appealed and ordered by the Queen of Olympus to send her to Percy's home to check in on him and follow his lead on pursuing a witch that had used an artefact that was not meant to be used.
Those were her only orders.
Too vague to understand any sort of motive but clear enough to not mistake her goal.
Unfortunately, she had been beaten to the punch and Percy was already in his father's realm. Reyna was simply unable to pursue him.
And the Lieutenant of the Hunt would play her cards close to her chest until Percy got here. As far as the witch knew, she was only here for the Son of Poseidon. She would rather have backup and the element of surprise when if it came down to confronting Morgana.
At least then she would think twice about offering any sort of resistance if it was the two of them.
And that was where she found herself, in the cold, dead and stormy atmosphere on the outskirts of Percy's home. An IM, some months ago, from him inviting her and the Hunt to visit but they had never got around to it. This was her first time there and while it seemed dead, there was hints of its beauty scattered about.
She pulled her thought back to the present and to the witch in question.
Reyna had never quite gotten a solid bead on the Daughter of Trivia. The only time they had met was during the Second Gigantomachy and it was only an introduction before she joined the rest of the Legion and the Magi Auxilia that was being organized.
All that the Lieutenant of the Hunt knew was that she was a servant of Olympus and answered the call to arms as had everyone else, a talented and powerful practitioner of magic even by standards of the Magic Goddess' children, that she had been alive for two thousand years and had lived in isolation among an order of monks.
Well, two thousand fifty four years of age, if her math was right and claimed to have been among the recently conquered tribes of barbarians in southern Britain before fleeing north after having served in the Legion as a scout auxiliary. Considering her name, it wasn't a stretch to believe that she had stayed there for a considerable amount of time, though she did claim to go by a lot of names and Morgana was the only one that really stuck.
The two commanders of the Olympian armies didn't know what to make of it at the time. The Praetor and Polemarch were under the impression that half-bloods didn't exactly live a life pass forty if they were lucky. Though Percy did remark that there was also a Greek demigod, the famed Daedalus, that had lived in the Labyrinth for three thousand plus years.
They had speculated that half-bloods actually had a decently long shelf life if they weren't prematurely killed before the two returned to their more pressing duties.
Exceptionally powerful and long-lived for sure, but given the situation, her appearance was just another footnote in the war and no one she paid any more attention to than the average half-blood.
Until now that is.
"You better explain yourself, Daughter of Trivia." Was Reyna's biting remark.
The witch didn't respond. Not immediately that is. "Praet-"
"I no longer hold that title." Reyna immediately interjected, a constriction in her throat at the reminder. Not out of regret but out no small amount of shame for her weakness.
"Lieutenant, I know as about as much as you do and what I do know, would only serve to," The woman paused, seemingly considering her words. "stall and hamper whatever is going on."
Reyna hummed. She was not so ignorant of the nuances of the children of the Magic Goddess. Mysterious and evasive as their mother, they wouldn't say more than needed.
The Roman in her screamed in annoyance and exasperation.
And they wonder why they're not well liked in Rome. Reyna thought to herself. The seemingly flippant attitude she retained grating on her nerves but not enough to lash out at the woman, verbally or otherwise.
Had she still been among the Legion, she would have definitely said something. As it was, Reyna's time in the Hunt had allowed her a measure of patience when dealing with those that weren't…Roman.
"Then tell me what you do know." Reyna said as she began to walk to Percy's home.
"I can't do that either, Lieutenant. What I know doesn't make sense even for someone like myself and from what I can understand…faulty information is not something you take kindly. I know that he will return however, but not when." The witch followed after her, though did not walk beside her, and instead trailed loosely behind.
She really had a high opinion of herself. Not haughty or arrogant but assured as if the very idea of her not understanding something was to be a cause for concern.
And for all the dislike Reyna had for the mysticism of the Trivia's domain, the daughter of Bellona was not so close-minded to not take that into account. Her authority may not extend to Rome any longer, but it was no longer so exclusive either.
As a Sword of Olympus and Lieutenant of the Hunt, her purview extended beyond that of just her former home. Morgana would be obligated to divulge what she knew to her.
But Morgana did have a point, as much as it grated on her nerves. Acting on information that was known to be faulty was the epitome of stupidity and Reyna would rather not hear it for fear it may sway and affect any further decision making.
There had been enough of that in the war. Where any information was akin to gold and treated as such rather than to be speculated and debated upon. Reyna was no longer at the head of an army, had no enemy before her nor was this an active battlefield or against any sort of clock. Reyna could afford to wait. She could consider her actions and while she didn't enjoy the thought and would endeavor to avoid it, she could make mistakes.
Percy was not some half-blood just finding out about their heritage. He could take care of himself.
Now all she needed to do was to wait.
And if there was anything she absolutely hated doing, it was waiting.
She strolled into the courtyard of the homestead. To her it looked like a villa, with a mixture of English, Greek and Roman undertones.
She had seen a few, Roman demigods and legacies be granted such pieces of land throughout the countryside that the Hunt used as small points of rest and resupply. If this followed the tradition and she was sure it did, then the East Wing would be reserved for visitors.
The Daughter of Bellona and the Daughter of Trivia made their way inside.
A flick of Morgana's wrist and the lights of the hallway lit slowly and dimly, as if a parasitic darkness clung to its walls and ceiling.
But Reyna dissuaded the cold feeling that ran through her.
"I'm going to get some rest. I suggest you do so as well." Reyna muttered as she looked around.
Morgana said nothing but moved forward and into a sitting room, Reyna following close behind. It was a simple sitting room, simple from what she had seen from other's that is. Morgana took a seat on a nearby carpet that faced the television and went into some sort of meditation, armbands of amber magic materializing and coalescing about her form.
It unsettled Reyna that she didn't immediately sit down as she divested herself of her weapons and cold weather gear, except for the cloak which she wrapped around herself like a cocoon. She was sure that they were safe, but even in the camps of the Hunt, it didn't hurt to have the Aegis cloak already being used.
The Earthborn even if they were incapable of manifesting without the Earth Mother or the Gigantes, instilled within her an instinctual fear.
Indeed, every Hunter had that same instinctual fear. None of them had ever said anything about it as far as she was aware anyway.
But Reyna knew it because of what happened to their predecessors. Not many of the Hunt knew why they had that odd almost paralyzing fear of the ground erupting around them.
"Shut off the light." Reyna grumbled and after taking one last suspicious look at Morgana, the Lieutenant of the Hunt closed her eyes.
She awoke groggily, rubbing the sleep from her eyes as she peeled the cloak from about her.
It was dark and a dim blue morning sifted through the blinds and drapes of the windows and it took a moment for her eyes to adjust.
Morgana was still in her spot, sitting cross-legged in meditation. Though didn't have those swirling bands of amber symbols twirling about her body.
Reyna took the opportunity to explore a bit.
While the hall was decorated in paintings and a few statues but other than that, it was largely devoid of anything. Simple.
She didn't know what else she expected. Percy was a simple person and didn't mind too much when it came to ornamental possessions.
She exited the hall and into the a small atrium of the villa. It was quiet enough that each of her steps echoed in the empty and dark place.
"Judging by your crown, you must be Reyna." A warm greeting came from above her. "Percy's told me a lot about you.
Reyna's gaze followed the voice. There she saw who could only be Percy's mom. Warm and dark brown hair with some lines of white and grey in them but she was no less beautiful. While Percy was undoubtly his father's son, even Reyna could see the resemblance even if it was more of small hints rather than anything readily apparent.
The Daughter of Bellona responded, a small smile on her face. "Only good things I hope."
Sally smiled and nodded to her as she descended the stairs. "He told me you worked together…in the war."
Reyna's smile faltered as her teeth clenched. "Yeah." Was the simple answer. How did you follow that with conversation?
"I'm not going to pester you about that. The gods…you only know what that must be like." Sally said softly and a hint of sympathy. "Let's get some coffee."
Reyna saw no reason to deny the woman.
The two walked to a kitchen and after a few minutes of silence. Sally spoke again, standing before the Daughter of Bellona, both with a steaming mug in their hands. "So what's the Hunt like these days?"
"You know of the Hunt?" Reyna figured but to hear it from a mortal was something that was odd.
"Thalia would come by to check on Paul and I when she was looking for Percy after the Battle of Manhattan. She and the Hunters loved my food." Another warm smile, though it faltered into a frown.
Reyna's throat grew heavy at the thought. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be." Sally eased. "She would've wanted us to move on. That spitfire would give us an earful if she knew we didn't."
Reyna offered a slight but false smile. The Roman demigoddess hadn't been on the closest terms with the former Lieutenant. Had the Daughter of Zeus not been the Lieutenant of the Hunt, Reyna doubted they would've interacted at all.
From what few interactions they had, she seemed like a spirited and rebellious person and quick to speak her mind.
Admittedly, not someone that Reyna ever saw herself getting along with. The Daughter of Bellona was used to regimen and order. Someone like that was someone that wouldn't really fit in at Rome.
Reyna, wanting to move her thoughts away from her predecessor, answered Sally's question. "The Hunt's fine. We're tracking a monster in Yellowstone right now before we head back East."
"Yellowstone? What're you doing all the way out here?" Reyna bit her lip and didn't answer immediately which prompted the older mortal to speak again, her voice slightly panicked. "Is he alright? He left in a hurry last night."
"Percy is alright. He's just taking care of some stuff." Reyna reassured.
"So this isn't a social visit?"
Reyna face tightened and shook her head in the negative.
Sally's next words made Reyna's chest clench in fear as even as they were a whisper, Reyna heard them all the same. "When will they leave him alone?"
Thunder rumbled dangerously overhead.
There was a moment's hesitation, as Reyna waited with bated breath for…something to happen. She may be the mother of Percy Jackson but mortals had been struck down for less.
"We have our purpose, Mrs. Jackson." Reyna ventured slowly, It was new ground for her.
And she didn't want to alienate herself from the woman, but neither did she desire to speak ill against Olympus.
But if she had to choose a side, she would choose the gods.
Reyna would rather not have to make that choice.
Sally sighed tiredly. The Lieutenant of the Hunt could see and feel the exhaustion in the woman's posture. "Sometimes…sometimes when I look at Percy…I don't see Percy. I don't see my baby boy that was so happy and clever. He stares off sometimes, for hours and hours on end. Sometimes, he'll say something or do something that worries and scares me. Like he doesn't even realize what comes from his mouth, like they aren't his words. He doesn't call me mom anymore. He calls me Sally. Its…its like he's a stranger." Sally gulped suddenly as Reyna let her vent. The Daughter of Bellona could tell that the woman was frustrated. "They took my son. Whatever they did, they took my son."
Thunder rumbled but it did not have that drum of danger and was more distant and held a somber note to it.
"War does that, Mrs. Jackson." Reyna said. Her own memories resurfacing. "What we did…" Her own throat tightened and a lump formed as she forced her words not to become choked. "It changed us. Not because we wanted to, but because we had to." Just in case, she did not mention that Percy had spent time in what was arguably the most dangerous, torturous and tormenting place in existence. Reyna didn't want to add to the woman's worries and fears.
The fact that Percy's sanity still remained was a feat and miracle that eluded even the gods.
"He's told me." Sally admitted. "About the war. No one should have to go through that. In some ways, he is still that same selfless teenager." A smile twitched at her lips. "He would step up just so others wouldn't have to. Even still, he worries about all of us. About war and peace. I can see it on his face even if he doesn't want to tell anyone."
Reyna nodded unsure of what to make of the words. "The burden of leadership." Reyna echoed Lupa's words that had stayed with her throughout all these years since her time at the Wolf's House.
Sally's nod was minute and had Reyna not been looking for it she was sure she would have missed it.
Reyna could relate. It was a self-inflicting wound that always festered. To take command, not because it was desired but because it was needed. To not trust anyone but yourself to make those hard decisions. To not allow others to help, because to do so would burden them as well.
And leadership was often a lonely enterprise because of it.
"Why tell me this?"
There was a small pause. "Sorry. But I tell you because he doesn't say anything to anyone. He may be a stranger but he is still my son and no matter how long he is away from me, I'll know him better than anyone. And I know that Percy needs to talk."
"So tell him that. Talk to him." Reyna's simple response was but even she knew it was never that simple. Even she still had her own nightmares that she needed to push through.
But she had a whole sisterhood to lean on and support her.
And she realized this when she spoke the words. She never really had…parents. The closest thing she had to a mother figure was Lupa and Reyna never knew her father. And yet, while Reyna would ask for advice and counsel from the Mother of Rome, there was never an instance of sharing the burden.
Lupa had to keep a detachment from those she taught and advised. For the good of Rome.
Hylla had her own problems to deal with the Amazons. Reyna had her own problems to deal with in Rome and with the ploy to unite the aspects of the Olympians, she had shouldered the burden of leadership that was meant for two people.
He had a mom that cared for him and Reyna guessed that he didn't want to burden her in much the same way she didn't want to bother others with her own troubles.
There was a pause as both sipped on their drinks and eventually Sally did respond. "I guess that's why I'm talking to you. Because he needs me to be his mom, not his doctor."
"You want me to talk to him. Why me and not Lord Chiron or Calypso?" Reyna said. She had tried once. In their campaign after the Gigantomachy. A small heart to heart in an attempt for both of them to come to terms with what had happened.
It ended with both sitting by a campfire and staring absently into the flames just as Sally described.
She could command armies and inspire others to do feats unheard of and yet connecting with others on a personal and emotional level was never a strong suit of hers. She doubted it ever would be.
"Because you have an idea of what he went through." Sally spoke. Though Reyna didn't want to lie to her and say she didn't. War was one thing. The Abyss was an entirely different and more malignant beast. "Chiron and Calypso want to help, they really do but…they've been alive for thousands of years. Immortals…they don't understand like we do."
Another rumbling of thunder more ominous than threatening or sedating.
They were silent because as much as Reyna agreed with the words of Sally, she didn't want to voice them. Immortals held a certain aloofness. A certain disparity to the troubles of mortals that made them clinical and impartial to them.
She guessed Lord Chiron experienced it often enough. Percy never went to Lord Chiron probably because of the same reason she never went to Lady Lupa. Well-intent did not beget understanding. The heroes they trained and watched grow only for them to die. Repeat for a thousand years, training generation after generation only to see them fall to the dust and ash of history.
Reyna didn't have the desire to learn if her patron simply wouldn't care.
Lady Lupa would certainly try but…Reyna didn't want to risk it.
That is to say if she ever went to Rome on unofficial business. Being an outcast from her home was hard to get over but she found a new one in the Hunt.
Another silence descended before she made up her mind. The Lieutenant of the Hunt wouldn't commit to anything but she would certainly try to get through to Percy. Maybe he just needed some time to acclimate and actually wind down.
The war, the aftermath, that whole debacle in New York and what she learned of his new assignment.
One war to the next.
It seemed their generation was fated for the torment of duty.
Reyna would certainly try.
"I'll try." Reyna nodded. "No promises but I'll try."
"That's all I can ask." Sally murmured as she downed the rest off her coffee. "If he swings by today, would you let him know that Estelle and I will be going out for the day?"
Reyna nodded, nursing her coffee. She would have to let Morgana know but that was neither here nor there.
'To love. To be loved. To never forget your own insignificance. To never get used to unspeakable violence and the vulgar disparity of life around you. To seek joy in the saddest of places. To pursue beauty to its lair. To never simplify what is complicated or complicate what is simple. To respect strength, never power. Above all to watch. To try to understand . To never look away. And never, never to forget.'
-Arundhati Roy, The Cost of Living
I will be going on a hiatus for the rest of the year. IRL stuff has me swamped and I don't want to commit to an update schedule until I'm absolutely certain that I can keep it.
On that note (and as always) you can find me on the Emerald Library! If you do join please follow the rules!