Chapter 9

Gwen

"What do you mean...I can't come?" demanded Percy.

"Oh, in the name of Jupiter," thought Gwen.

Why did she have to ask him about transportation, before she explained the whole situation? Better yet, why didn't her Father tell him he couldn't come. That would have saved herself a lot of heartache and grief. Gwen sighed. Well, at least she had had the sense to wait until after the Officers' meeting to bring it up.

"It's what my Father told me, Percy." she confessed. "You're the Praetor, and it's time you started acting like it."

Reyna, leaning against the far corner in Percy's office, barked out a laugh. "Good luck with that Gwen."

The daughter of Apollo narrowed her eyes at her friend, the Prefect. She wasn't about to agree with Reyna's sentiment, but she knew full well the girl was right. She pretty much told her Dad the same thing; the second he informed her Percy was forbidden from going. All the same, she didn't appreciate Reyna voicing those thoughts aloud. Worse, she knew what was now coming next.

"Exactly," Percy pronounced, "I'm the Praetor. If anyone should get to decide who can or can't come, it should be me."

Gwen softened her glower, and silently pleaded with Reyna to intervene.

Always perceptive, Reyna just shook her head – that annoying grin never leaving her face, "Oh no. I've been dealing with this for the last two months. It's time someone else took a turn."

A less polite person would probably point out the fact, Reyna was the one to nominate Percy to the office to begin with – not Gwen. Instead she just rolled her eyes, before glancing to the two others standing with them inside Praetor Jackson's office. Bobby, not wishing to put himself between to senior officers, pretended not to notice her imploring stare. While Dakota, on the other hand, seemed to inwardly laugh at her plight. That was probably for the best. The son of Mercury – having appearently found a kindred spirit – had done nothing but encourage Percy's rebellious streak.

"Scouts," she muttered, beneath her breath. "Percy," she implored, "please understand, it's not just Apollo refusing you, but Lupa as well – it's for the sake of the Legion."

She watched Percy cross his arms and attempt to lean back into his leather desk chair; however, the seat was attached to a swivel – rather than accept its occupants weight graciously – the chair rolled to the right unbalancing Percy, forcing him to grip the side of the desk or risk falling backwards to the floor. Once he managed to regain control, the Praetor leaned forward – cupping his chin atop his intertwined fingers – and the unyielding scowl returned.

Gwen grinned, in spite of herself.

"Legion," scoffed Percy. "That's all I've heard for the last couple of months, and I'm sick of it."

"Shouldn't have accepted the job then," commented Bobby, off-handedly.

Percy's ears twitched, "What was that?"

The First Spear, maintaining a neutral expression, replied, "Nothing, Sir."

Her grin turned into a full-on smile. During Percy's first two weeks, he and Bobby's relationship had been borderline violent. Then, over the following few weeks, it had simmered down to a mere point of prickly contention. And against all odds, the two somehow managed – in the last month - to form a tenuous friendship, based around the only thing they had in common. They both hated Praetor Jackson.

Percy's voice was gruff, but his eyes radiated amusement, "I thought so."

Bobby's mouth curled ever so slightly at the corners, "Of course, Sir."

Gwen stepped forward, placed her hands on the opposite side of Percy's desk, looked him square in the eye, and reiterated Bobby's remark, "If you wanted to go on quests, then you shouldn't have taken the job."

The two of them held their ground, waiting for the other to blink first. After a few seconds, Gwen could feel her face warming, as well as see Percy's cheeks reddening. She couldn't help but notice, the rosy hue – very nicely – brought out the green of his eyes.

Percy flinched first. He always flinched first.

Looking at Reyna, he accused, "It's not like I had a choice."

"You could have turned it down," she fired back.

"Exactly," agreed Booby. "I've opted out of several promotions."

"Come...on, guys," spoke Dakota, coming to Percy's defense. "What choice did he really have?" Dakota looked at Reyna, "For Elysia's sake...you called him out in the front of the entire Academy. He had to accept."

"Thank you, Dakota," said Percy. "I'm glad someone understands where I'm coming from."

The off-handed remark stung. She and Percy had talked at length about his promotion, and he knew she understood exactly "where he was coming from". She sat down, in the chair across from him, knowing, at the moment, he wouldn't admit it. First, he probably hadn't given any thought to the notion, wound up as he was. Second, even if he did stop and think about what he just said; he couldn't say so aloud. To do so, would weaken his precarious argument and strengthen her own.

"But..." lamented Dakota, "I also understand their points too."

That raised her spirits, and dampened Percy's.

Dakota continued, "Just because you didn't have a choice, doesn't mean the student-body President suddenly gets to run the school. Lupa wouldn't have allowed it, even without Apollo's restriction."

"I'm the one that knows the boatman," pointed out Percy.

She blinked. Gwen hadn't expected him to pullout his trump-card so soon. It spoke to his desperation. Because there were still a few other things he could have brought up. Percy was perhaps one of only a handful of people to have journeyed to the underworld on multiple occasions. Such experience, limited though it was, gave him a qualification no one at Hadrian could match. If not for regulations – and her Father's warning – she would have chosen him, without a seconds thought.

Gwen closed her eyes and took a deep breath. It was time to drown the last of his objections.

"From what you've told us," she began, "you don't really know Charon. You simply bribed him for passage across the Styx."

"Well..."

Gwen shook her head, "Percy, I would ask you to come, but I can't." She swallowed, the next thing she would be saying scared even her. "I don't care about the Academy's rules. If Dad hadn't specifically said you couldn't come...right now, I would be in Lupa's office arguing on your behalf."

The room grew silent. Everyone turned to stare at her, except the blushing Praetor. By now they all knew she liked Percy, and they also knew he cared about her. Still, none of them would have thought her capable of breaking a core principle of the Academy – other than Hazel. However, her feisty friend wasn't here at the moment, so that didn't...

Someone knocked on the door.

They all turned in time to see Hazel step inside the office.

"So what've I missed?" she asked, instantly dispelling the room's tension.

"Nothing much," replied Dakota, smiling. "Though, I am pretty sure we're on the verge of killing each other."

Gwen cut her eyes at the poor excuse for humor.

Hazel just giggled, "Good then I haven't missed the best part. Who's got the popcorn?"

Percy cut-in, "Popcorn? No...that's only for the audience. You're part of the production."

Hazel tilted her head in an amused way, "Really? What's my part?"

"You're going to help convince the others I should go on this quest."

Hazel openly laughed, "And why should I do that?"

That hadn't been the answer Gwen thought to hear. Hazel normally liked stirring the pot – within reason.

"Because you're cute and unlike everybody else you like helping out the boss."

Gwen rolled her eyes.

"Flattery will get you nowhere – this time – Sir," Hazel sighed. "If I can't go...you can't."

Flirting aside, Gwen wanted to hug her, but stopped after registering Hazel's last couple of words.

"What do you mean...you can't go?" disparaged Gwen.

Hazel closed the door, shutting away any unwanted ears. "Lupa's punishment," she explained. "Me, Emily, Michael, and Jessica are all to report to the Ranger's Station tomorrow."

"The Ranger's Station? What for?" asked Bobby.

"Special training assignment," she sighed. "Ranger Edmunds will be taking us out on a four day cross-country survival trek..."

Gwen, and the rest of them, winced.

Julia Edmunds was not someone they, Bobby included, wished to be stuck with for a prolonged period of time – especially, not alone in the wilderness. Hazel would be lucky if she could walk back to the Academy under her own power.

"Lupa feels it will bolster our flagging since of urgency," Hazel finished. "I may never use shampoo again!"

A couple of them blurted, "Shampoo?"

Hazel nodded, "I was in the shower, lathering up my hair, when Lupa sounded the howl. I practically jumped out of the tub – nearly breaking my neck on the tile floor – and ran to my footlocker. By the time I dug out my dress uniform, the suds had worked their way down into my eyes. I spent about five minutes washing them out... then another two rinsing out my hair."

Dakota laughed, "You were late because of..."

Bobby elbowed him in the ribs, "Could've happened to anybody."

Gwen repressed the urge to smile. Bobby, little by little, was becoming increasingly more obvious. Why Dakota, Hazel, and Percy hadn't begun picking up on it – she couldn't fathom.

"Right...right," wheezed Dakota. "Sorry, Hazel."

The daughter of Ceres shrugged, "S'okay." Hazel moved over beside her, "It's pretty obvious you haven't had a chance to choose anyone yet," she said eying Percy. "Got anyone in particular in mind?"

Gwen stopped and thought about it for a second or two, before nodded "I do," she admitted.

"Who," inquired Percy, still sounding hopeful.

Faced with such persistence Gwen couldn't help but grin, "Not you...obviously."

Percy turned his head away, sulking.

Gwen looked at Hazel. "I was going to ask you," she said, "But that isn't happening now..."

"Sure it can," amended Dakota. "Why, just before Hazel knocked you told us..."

Bobby elbowed him again.

Hazel's brow furrowed with intrigue, "What...what did she tell you?"

Dakota glanced over at over Bobby; wondering if he should dare to open his mouth again. Meanwhile, Gwen was curious too. Dakota could be persistent to the exclusion of everything – when he chose to be. Would that stubbornness win out, or would his own sense of self-preservation? A thought accord to her. Could she afford to find out?

"I told them that if my Dad hadn't told me Percy couldn't be allowed to come..." answered Gwen, potentially sparing Dakota's ribs, "I would be in the Consul's office right now, petitioning his inclusion."

Hazel's eyes brightened, but amazingly she held her tongue. It was rare times like these Gwen knew exactly why the two of them had become best-friends.

"Well Percy's definitely out," spoke Reyna. "And...it sounds like Hazel is too. I don't think it would be a good idea to go to the Consul right now...for any reason. So is there anyone else you would like to choose?"

"There is," assured Gwen. "In fact you are the other person I had in mind, Reyna."

"Me...Why?"

Gwen nodded, "We worked well together on the last quest, you are also one of the Academy's most capable warriors, plus your encyclopedic knowledge of...well everything, is sure to come in handy too."

Reyna was taken aback. "But I'm the Prefect," she claimed. "I can't go."

Gwen shook her head, "Regulations forbid the Academy's senior most officer from taking part in quests. Fortunately, you no longer fit that description."

"So the person that chained me to this desk can go," complained Percy. "And I can't?"

"Don't whine," harped Reyna. "I can't go either."

"So you're in trouble too?" inquired Hazel.

Reyna shook her head, "No...there's just no way I'm leaving this Academy exposed to Praetor Jackson's every whim. Don't laugh...if I left there wouldn't be an Academy to come back to."

Gwen wasn't so sure about that. After all, Hazel wasn't the only one leaving for a few days. With the Anti-Jackson Coalition gone, things were sure to run smoother around Hadrian...at least for awhile.

After her giggles subsided, Hazel commented, "That's too bad. We were just a couple of yeses away from creating the first all girls quest."

Gwen hadn't thought about that, but it certainly could have been true, and – provided they all lived – it would definitely have been a fun story to recount one day.

"Okay, Ladies," declared Dakota. "You've twisted our arms." He bowed, " The First Spear and I would be more than happy to accompany you...Tribune Hudson, on this dangerous journey."

"Excuse me," retorted Bobby, indignantly.

"Send me a postcard," mused Percy, ruefully.

"What?" shouted the girls, perplexed.

Where had that come from? Not that Bobby and Dakota were terrible candidates. In fact, they were next on her list – and probably should have been higher. Still, why was Dakota so eager? He hadn't acted anything of the sort during the meeting or present discussion.

Dakota glanced between them. "Is it really such a surprising idea?" he asked.

"No," said the girls, shaking their heads.

"Yes," pronounced Bobby, nodding.

Percy just shrugged.

"Why is that Bobby?" queried Dakota.

That was a good question. She certainly saw nothing wrong with either, or both, of them joining her for a stroll through the Underworld.

"Well...It's...You know," Bobby fumbled.

No, none of them knew, but she certainly did want to know. Which, was why Gwen was more than happy when Dakota pressed the issue.

"Come on, Bobby...out with it"

The normally confident First Spear's eyes darted around the room. Reminding her of an animal – afraid for its life – caught in a trap.

After a couple of heartbeats his eyes closed, and he stammered, "You know...if we're gone...umm...who's going to keep Emily...Emily...yes,...Emily and the other troublemakers in-line."

Everyone laughed, revealing to Bobby the obvious err in his statement...his plea.

"You don't have to worry about that Big Guy," placated Hazel. "Julia is going to be keeping a close eye on them...I'll make sure of it."

"Ri...right," Bobby stuttered, red-faced.

It was obvious then why Bobby wished not to go. Gods, the guy really needed to tell Hazel how he felt.

"Well if that's settled," asserted Dakota, "then I think everything is all set."

"Oh, no it isn't," retorted Gwen. "You've been mum about volunteering until just now. Why are you suddenly so gong-ho?"

Dakota shrugged, "I thought that would be obvious. Percy was going to do his best to join. I figured you would ask Hazel, and Reyna – after finally putting the kibosh on the Praetor. So I didn't see any point. But now, Hazel can't join. Reyna is Erebus bent to keep Percy walking the straight-and-narrow..."

"Hey!" bellowed the Praetor.

As if deaf, Dakota continued, unfettered, "and there is no chance the three upstarts will be causing trouble now. Like Hazel just said, that frees the two of us up to go on this suicidal excursion." Dakota grinned, "It sure sounds like fun doesn't it, Bobby?"

Bobby's answered sounded hesitant, "Yeah..."

"Fantastic, then it's settled," trumpeted Dakota. "With your permission of course, Gwen."

With her permission? If that wasn't a joke, she didn't know what a joke was. How could she say no now – not that she wanted to. And although, she was the only that could find the fountain, it wouldn't hurt to have someone with Dakota's abilities along for the ride. Additionally, Bobby would be a great asset when things went south – because something always did on quests. It was as agreeable a setup as she could have wished for.

Gwen overlapped her arms and sighed, "If Bobby agrees...how could I say no."

Hazel proclaimed, "Of course he agrees! When he gets back he'll finally have a new story tell." The daughter of Ceres smiled, "No offense Muscles, but the tale of the Trojan Sea Monster is getting a tad bit old."

Hazel's broad smile and playful demeanor, left Gwen wondering if perhaps her friend knew more about Bobby's feelings than she cared to acknowledge.

"Alright," agreed Bobby, grinning. "When we get back...I'll tell you everything."

"Excellent," said Dakota. "Now how are we going to get to the Underworld?"

Percy, sounding miserable, responded, "Like I said before...do any of you know any good tailors?"

They all just stared at him, dumbfounded.

"I know...I know," he conceded. "It sounds crazy, but I'm telling you the truth...I swear."