87A/N: Welcome back everybody. Sorry about the long wait. I was in a bad accident and had some complications. But fully back to 100 percent but enough to write.
Hopefully everyone liked the last chapter. Now I have seen some reviews about the Demigods being OP. First of all they are Demigods, they are pretty much bred for battle and have heightened battle senses. They have also faced way worse foes than simple mortal men. Plus in the fight in the last chapter it was some of the strongest demigods going against simple bandits. They only had 4 to 1 odds.
Second was about the reactions that the Northerners had for Lupa and Hestia. That will be explained in this chapter. I will say that they call the Gods the OLD GODS. Well who are the old gods? In this story it will be the greek gods. The Lord Stark knows who they are and you will find out why in this chapter.
Anyways, I hope everyone likes this chapter, we will be starting the journey of their new life. Enjoy!
Legend of the Olympians
Chapter 3: The Truth
"Sea Dragon Point" Annabeth mused, "What can you tell me about this land, my lord?" They can take a little expedition to survey the land in a couple of days. Having the Pegasi would not only make it a lot faster, but they can also get a Birds eye view of the land in order to find the best spot.
"The peninsula is surrounded by the Sunset Sea to the west and the Bay of Ice on the east. Bear Island is off of the coast to the northeast. The Point has many forests and also many bogs along with lots of hills and open plains." Lord Stark replied to his now future bannermen. He thought for a moment then continued. "Much of the coast has cliffs, which make for good natural defences in case of Ironborn attacks."
"Ironborn?" Percy asked curiously. He knew who they were, but since he is not supposed to know anything about Westeros he had to act like he didn't know very much. Also, the gods only told them the basics of the houses and politics of the realm. Since they haven't even been to this world in a long time the only way the demigods could find out about the current events then they had to ask a lot of questions.
Richard's face turned dark. The ones present could tell that the Lord Stark didn't like the Ironborn. "Aye, they live on the Iron Islands and worship the one who they call the Drowned God. They pretty much live their life by the sea, pillaging coastal towns and stealing a raping women. Disgusting people if you ask me." Every sentence that Richard spoke was with disgust and a hint of malice. He wanted nothing more than to wipe the Iron Isles from the face of the planet.
The thoughts in Perseus' head were very similar to what was going on in his new liege lord's head. Perseus was already told by his father of the things that his worshippers do. And he vows to either change their ways or to remove them. He almost didn't hear Lord Stark continue to speak but fortunately Annabeth squeezed in hand and brought him from his thoughts. She already knew of her boyfriend's hatred for these people that disgrace his father. To be honest, she herself felt some hatred for them.
"They have a little bit of a desire to control Sea Dragon Point, due to both the location, as it's a landing area into the north, and the resources it provides. Hearing that there will be a new Lord of the point then I have know doubt they put the land as a target on their raids." He chuckled for a bit. "Although, seeing you fight I have no doubt that they will find themselves sorely ones at the table chuckled.
"I never got to see them fight." Brandon half said and half yelled. "I want to see what all the awe with you and the guards are all about. Brandon mused for a bit while chuckling. "Hmmm….How about a spar tomorrow."
"Bran, show some respect. Is fighting all you think about?" Lyanna asked
"Mostly." He replied. Lyanna just shook her head.
"I just can't believe your women are allowed to fight. I always wanted to learn how to fight. I hate having to be a 'lady'." He put quotation marks when she said the word lady. She always wanted to learn how to fight and joust. Lyanna wanted to be like the women of Bear Island, they were respected warriors and no one in the North disputed it. Her father lets her ride her horse to her heart's content but still wont let her fight.
Annabeth chuckled. "Yes we were taught that anyone can be anything and it doesn't matter whether or not you are a man or a woman."
"Can you fight?" Lyanna asked the older girl. Annabeth smiled before pulling a dagger and twirled in between her fingers.
"I am trained in a sword but I'm only decent. My skill is in how to fight with a dagger. A woman should always learn to fight with a dagger and keep one on her. Just in case of events like you just went through."
"I try to tell father the same thing. But he doesn't listen to me." The last parted she turned to her father and glared at him. Her father just sighed before smiling.
"Because if I taught you how to fight or even gave you a weapon you would kill anyone you didn't like that comes within twenty feet of you." Lyanna tried to deny it though the laughing of both of her brothers turned her face red. Everyone else lightly laughed around her though Thalia looked intrigued. She was thinking of possibly trying to recruit her but thought better of it. She knew if she did then it would most likely anger her father, since he is the warden of the land they are in and giving them land then she thought better than to anger him.
Lord Stark then calmed everyone down by clearing his throat. "One other matter to discuss, though it wouldn't have to be right now." Everyone was waiting quietly and patiently for the Lord to continue speaking. "In order to turn the land over to you there would need to be a Lord to rule over the land, or a Lady if you wish."
All of the demigods turned to Perseus, he just sighed and wiggled around in discomfort. He knew they would choose him, and while he had expected it he was still nervous about having to lead a group of people. An Army he could lead, but civilians also? The Son of the Sea god still wanted to talk with everyone before accepting anything. He decided to speak.
"We will have to talk about everything first before making any decisions." Richard nodded his head. He figured that that would be the answer. His heir spoke up again. Not letting the topic of a spar go.
Perseus stayed quiet for a moment. He didn't want any of the more battle hungry demigods to fight him and risk injuring him or worse, nor did he want to see his men and women lose because wanted to show these Northerners that they are not to be messed with. Then he thought of what Lyanna said about women and fighting so he also wanted them to learn that the women have skilled fighters. Thalia and Clarrise are out of the question for obvious reasons. He smirked before he spoke up, "I'm sure Lady Reyna would be willing to indulge you in a spar." The woman in question turned to look at the Son of the Sea with her eyebrow raised.
"Her? You believe she could keep up with me? I heard that they could fight but I don't believe they could keep up with me?" Bran says arrogantly. He believes that he is a good fighter and even knows looking at some of these warriors, particularly the one named Jason and especially Perseus.
"Bran!" Lyanna yells. Benjin looked appalled at his eldest brother. Reyna looked insulted. She is a daughter of the goddess of battle, a former Praetor of the Twelfth Legion. She will put this man in his place, but she also can tell why Perseus suggested her. He knew she would act with a level head and not embarrass him.
The former Praetor looked to the Heir of the North. "Is that so Heir Stark? I expect an apology after our spar." Brandon looked at her in shock. The Demigods all smirked, they knew that Reyna would win. Lyanna smiled, knowing that her brother is about to be put in his place. The fact that it would be by a girl makes it even better.
The Heir of the North got over his shock and began to start laughing. "You got some balls on you woman. I definitely look forward to our spar tomorrow." Everyone just shook their heads at the Wild Wolf.
After dinner everyone went back to their rooms, wanting to relax after the journey that they had. As Lord Stark was on his way back to his room when he was stopped by Lupa. He wondered what the wolf goddess wanted but knew it was important for her to stop him at this time.
"Come Lord Stark, there is something I wish for you to see. Something the North needs to see to remember." The wolf goddess told the Warden of the North. She started walking away without waiting for a reply, expecting for him to follow. He started walking after her.
"What are we going to go see, Mi Lady?" He asked. She continued walking for a few steps then stopped and turned to him.
"Who the gods really are. Or as you call them the 'old gods'." She started walking again. Rickard wanted to ask what she meant and where she would go to show him what she wanted to show him but decided to not ask and just follow her. After all, he will find out anyway. After a few minutes he realized that they were heading into the crypts. When they went in she started speaking again.
"Tell me, Lord Stark. Why did you show me such respect when we first met. You never met me before, and I can tell that you are not a man to be so trusting and believe everything until you have facts." Lord Stark knew that she was insinuating that he knew of her, or had at least heard of her and meeting her for the first time caused him to believe. Of course that was exactly what had happened. He remembered when he was still a boy, his father had shown him a book about Bran the Builder. In the book it also showed Bran's companion, he talking wolf Lupa. The goddess of wolves, it called her. The book said that she could turn into a woman and that when she became impregnated she turned back into a wolf and had pups. Due to being from her they became very large, and since they had brans blood in them they were very smart.
If the story was true then that means that Direwolves had Stark blood in them. That's why they were loyal to the Starks. He hadn't told his children the story like his father did him, unfortunately. He turned to the wolf goddess before answering, "When I was a boy my father read me a story on Bran the Builder, you were in it. I didn't believe him at the time, although I did love the stories. But seeing you now I had to believe. I'm not sure if everything is true in the stories but I do know that you exist, and part of the stories are true at least. " She was glad that there was some story about her, but she was happy that there were stories about her former lover.
"What was said about me in the story?" Lupa asked Bran's descendant. He decided to tell her about what the book said. The fact that she confirmed the story was beyond real. He told her that Direwolves have been seen south of the wall in ages which made her sad. Perhaps she would have to go look for her descendants at some point.
When they finished Talking they walked in silence before Rickard noticed that they were walking by the tomes of the old Winter Kings. He noticed the Direwolves that stood next to the Kings, companions to the end. They were family, that's what made the Starks the most respected and feared family, not only in the North, but all of Westeros.
At the end of the final corridor they came to a dead end. Next to the wall was the final tomb. It was of a strong looking man. Next to him was a very familiar and large Direwolf, Larger than the others. He looked at the writing below the Statue that read:
Here Lies King Brandon 'The Builder' Stark
Son of Hephaestus
Lord of Winterfell
King of the North
Builder of Winterfell, The Wall, and The Tower of Old Town, and Storm's End
Next to him stand his companion, The Goddess of Wolves and Mother of Direwolves: Lupa
Rickard was stunned, he had never been this far into the crypts before. Seeing the tomb of the greatest Stark in history and actually standing next to both his companion and lover was unreal. Lupa let him stare at the statues above the tomb of Bran before she cleared her throat to get his attention.
When he finally turned to her he actually saw the wall at the end of the corridor. It had the most amazing carving he had ever seen. At the top was a man holding a lightning bolt, next to him was a man holding a trident with a wave behind him. On the other side was a woman holding a scepter with a bird he had never seen before by her side. He took a minute looking at all of the carvings of the people on the wall. There were fourteen of them on the wall.
"What amazing carvings." he told Lupa. The response she gave shocked him but considering the circumstances it wasn't as shocking as before.
"Yes it is an accurate showing of the Gods." lupa replies nonshalontly, like it's not a big deal. But her tone made Rickard think differently. He knew she meant it as it is not a big deal for her but he still better take her seriously.
"The gods?" Rickard asked her. She nodded her head at him. She pushed a symbol at the bottom of the other carving that looked like a mostly full circle but ends at the bottom went out on both sides. He stared at the symbol confused until she told him the symbol was called Omega, which he found meant the end in their language.
After she pushed the now known Omega symbol, the carvings of the gods started to light up and the wall pulled apart. He realized that it wasn't a wall at all but a door. After the door opened fully Lupa walked inside the new room. He was hesitant to enter but one look from Lupa and he steeled his nerves and followed her.
As they entered the room Rickard saw statues in the center of the room and many that aligned the outer walls of the room. The fourteen in the center created an Omega shape, the same statues of the carving on the wall. Twelve were in a half circle and the last two were next to the two ends. One of them at the ends he recognized, the woman.. She was the other goddess that he had met alongside Lupa. It was Hestia, he walked to her statue read the carving:
Hestia
Goddess of the Hearth, Home, and Family
Eldest and Most Powerful of the six children of Kronos and Rhea
'She used to be one of the twelve Olympian Gods until she saw that her family was fighting due to having the same number of goddesses as gods. Therefore to keep the peace in her family she gave up her throne to the recent demigod, son of Zeus, turned god, Dionysus, God of Wine.
Rickard walked every Statue and read them. The ones one this inside first, then the ones on the outside. He memorized as many of the names that he could. Form Zeus and Poseidon to Khione and Hebe. He realized that each and every god had their purpose.
"So every statue in this room is one of the Old Gods?" Lord Stark asked the Wolf Goddess.
"Yes, the ones you call the old gods, better known as the Olympian Gods" Lupa told the Warden of the North. "The fourteen in the center are considered as the 'major' gods. Though there are fourteen of them, only twelve are part of the Olympian council. Hades, the Lord of the Underworld and the second oldest is only welcome once a year on the winter solstice. Hestia tends to the hearth and keeps her family in line." Lupa explained.
"Why is Hestia here and not with the other gods"
"Because she wished to help the demigods and their families start a new home." Lupa explained to him. One word stuck in his mind though, one that he saw when reading Hestia's statue, 'demigod'.
"Demigods?" he asked.
"Yes, when a god comes down and has a child with a mortal that child is a demigod, half god half mortal." Lord Stark gulped. He realized that if Hestia came down to help demigods, and the fact that she was with these new people then they had to demigods.
"Are you saying that some of those People you came with are demigods?"
Lupa laughed out loud realizing that Lord Stark was scared of them now. "Yes they are. Perseus is a son of the God of the Sea Poseidon, the ones your Ironborn call the Drowned God. and Yes he hates them as much as you do. One of my best was Reyna Ramirez-Arellano, the girl you son will spar with tomorrow. She is the daughter of Bellona, minor goddess of Battle."
Rickard just shook his head. He knew something was different about them but wasn't ever going to bring it up. He realized that they are going to be his Bannerman so decided to be happy about this new knowledge he had just gained. He just prayed that the girl didn't kill his son tomorrow.
After an hour Rickard decided to leave. He had gone to all of the statues and had memorized many of them. Lupa told him that many of the old gods were now also being worshiped in different ways. Such as Pseidon in the Iron Isles and the Seven. They don't realize they are worshiping the old gods but yet they do.
The next morning Many of Winterfell's guards stood in the training grounds. The demigods were at one side with Reyna in the ring. She had on her Praetor armor with a purple cape. In her hands was her gladius and a roman style rectangular shield. It was dark grey with a gold Omega Symbol and purple outline, along with a Purple accidents on the outside of of the shield
On the other side of the ring was Brandon Stark, Heir to Winterfell and the North. Lyanna stood on the outside of the ring but in neither corner. Truly hoping Lady Reyna would win, unable to show it.
After both Brandon and Reyna were ready Rickard who decided to oversee the spar rather than his Master at Arms, though it's mainly so Lady Reyna doesn't kill his son. He calls a start to the spar.
Once Rickard started the match Brandon stalked toward her. Some would think of it as him being smart, but that's not the case. It's only a spar for one, and two would be that he wouldn't want to truly embarrass a bannermen. Especially one that saved his father. When he got close enough to strike he sent his sword in a heavy arc downward.
Reyna easily dodged it and sent and bashed him with her shield. Brandon tried to follow it up with a sideways slash but the Praetor was ready for it and defected the blow with her shield and hit the side of his knee with her sword. Brandon's knee buckled but he was able to right himself and block a blow from the woman.
They exchanged striked but it was clear that even though the woman was far smaller and weather than the later Heir she was far more skilled. That was the difference in the fight. Brandon wasn't able to fully land a blow on Reyna but she was able to hit him with the flat of her sword many times. Brandon got frustrated with the fact that he was not only losing to a woman, but couldn't land a single blow on her. He sent a couple striked to try and over power her but she spun out of the way and hit him in the side.
After about ten minutes he saw an opening and ended up knocking her shield from her arm and sent her flying. He was quickly on top of her and went to put his sword to her throat but noticed that hers was already putting pressure on his chest. She had got him before he got her.
Rickard called off the spar and asked if any others wanted to take place. Other than a couple of the demigods wishing to fight other demigods it wasn't too eventful. He was disappointed that his son lost but he realized that since it was against the daughter of a goddess of battle he was ok with it.
In the afternoon Perseus called a meeting with the other 'higher ranking' demigods. When everyone was settled Annabeth, who was by his side began to speak.
"I'm sure most of you already know why you are here." Most of them nodded. "We have to start figuring out how our land will be ruled." Some of them started putting in their own opinions until Nico spoke.
"We were there when Lord Stark said we had to have a Lord, or Lady, ruler the Lands. If that's the case then I, and i'm sure many will agree, choose Percy." Clarrise, the Stolls, Katie Gardner, Thalia, agreed. To be honest, all of the Greeks agreed along with mostly all of the Romans, even if they all didn't voice their agreement.
"Now now," Annabeth said, trying to calm everyone down. "Perce and I have came up with an idea that we believe everyone will like." this got everyone's attention. "We realized that we all come from a democracy or a republic, they are both pretty much the same."
"What do you suggest?" Jason asked. While yes he would have to be the lead he knows Perseus is the better choice, therefore he will follow.
"A government similar to the Roman empire. We have a Senate which two hundred of us will be a part of, BUT it will be ruled by someone…..Say with tradition of the Roman Emperors called Caesar. He has control unless he can get a certain percentage of the Senate to overrule him." Annabeth finished.
"And we can have noble houses like in ancient Rome." Perseus quickly added.
"That could work." Reyna agreed. She could definitely agree to a more republic government. But having a good and strong ruler is better. Sometimes have a senate with different opinions isn't always best., you have to have balance.
"So who would this new 'Caesar be?" asked Frank. He already knew who he wanted, i'm sure it was the same as everyone else but thought better than to say it out loud.
"I know the Hunters would only follow a male if it's Perce." Thalia said.
"I agree Perseus would be best since he is highly respected by both Roman and Greeks." Reyna said, Frank agreed with her. One by one everyone else agreed.
"Then I guess it's official." Annabeth spoke up then tuned to her boyfriend, "Hail Perseus Achilles Caesar of the Noble House of Jackson" Everyone stood and bowed to him.
"Hail Caesar."
A/N Hope everyone liked this chapter and I hope I'd answer some questions and concerns. I look forward to reading your reviews and also writing more. I will write at least one or two chapters of my other story Aemon the Dragonwolf before I come back here but it won't take long. Please review or message me.