So, we're already ten chapters into a sequel? Awesome! As of now, I do plan on having a third, but whether the third will come out in No Longer Roman or not is not clear. So for now let's just roll with the punches and see what comes out!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Percy Jackson series.
They arrived in Sicyon with the afternoon tide.
And strangely, it was completely different than Athens. Piper had suspected it would be less intellectual, however she hadn't realized how much of a utopia it would be. They received immediate directions to the palace, and the assurance that their ruler welcomes all and turns away none. Of course, the sailor they'd asked didn't know they were Roman.
As they walked through the streets of Sicyon, Piper was on edge. Not because she felt threatened in any way (that, in fact, was quite impossible), but because there was nothing wrong. People greeted each other when they walked past another citizen. No one tried to pickpocket or fight with anyone, which was all too common in Rome.
No one walked around with parchment or pottery, as they did in Athens. While the streets and building of Athens had been stone and marble-based, Sicyon was more atone to a more earthy feel. As they made there way to the palace, Piper could sense the discomfort of her friends, knowing they had never known anything to be this peaceful.
When they arrived at the palace, they were welcomed unannounced and let it without an argument. Piper widened her eyes at this, would these foolish pacifists just unlock the gates for Jupiter to mosey on in? She'd have to bring this up in the audience. When they were taken into the throne room, a table of food had been laid out for them as if they were here for dinner and not to discuss war.
They all looked at each other apprehensively, except for Leo, who joyfully dove for the food while the others slowly made their way to their cushioned seats as if they were walking towards their own execution. Jason looked more disturbed than all the others combined, for he'd lived in a household where he was taught that those who gave freely were kind-hearted fools, and should be treated as cowards.
But Piper understood why they were so kind to strangers, while Athenian guards had nearly skewered them. During the wars against Rome, Sicyon had been nearly ignored for it had no army. While Piper hadn't seen the reasoning behind this, Jason had explained it to her as the mere fact that they presented no real challenge and therefore it would be embarrassing for Rome to destroy a city so worthless. It was a waste of time and manpower with no real gain.
Sicyon was self-functioning, growing all of its own food; it had no care for mines and traded with others to gain the minerals if and when they needed it. And during the wars, Sicyon had shut itself off from the other cities in fear of Rome, and if a war would take place this time around, Sicyon would most likely do the same thing again. However, during that time, Sicyon had a different ruler as did many other cities, including Rome, which at the time was ruled by Jason's grandfather.
After a few minutes of silent waiting, a large side door opened by two servants and a regal looking woman walked in. Her long tunic-style dress was pure white with thin gold silks draping about the design. A number of expensive looking gold bands encircled both her arms, winding up her biceps like serpents. Out of the corner of her eye, Piper saw Percy swallowed as he fiddled with the ring of trust Annabeth had given him to present to the ruler. Every bowed their heads in respected to her as she tossed a brown curled away from her face, and a servant announced her.
"Now presenting, Queen Katharine of Sicyon!"
"Katie." The queen spoke.
"I beg your highest of pardons, my queen?"
"Katie." She repeated herself. "I asked you to address me as Katie."
"My apologies, my queen." The man said, tiredly, though he didn't bother telling her that it wasn't proper.
Percy stood first, as the group had unanimously decided that he was the best at speaking. He circled around the table and kneeled at her feet, only rising when she granted it to him. He gave her a polite nod and a smile before launching into a speech that he had rehearsed multiple times, to where he wouldn't leave anything out about what they required of her and her city's resources.
"My dear Queen Katie," she smiled at the use of her name the way she liked it. "My name is Perseus, and I am the former high general of Rome." Her smiled dropped, and the room seemed to darken a shade, but she did not interrupt him. "This is Nico, he is a former gladiator of the Roman Colosseum. These are Piper and Leo, escaped prisoners of the Colosseum." Katie seemed to lighten at this, but didn't drop her hardened stare at Percy and Nico. "And this is Jason," she stiffened before Percy even gave Jason his title, "the former prince of Rome."
She didn't speak, she merely glared at the three men, while paying no aggressive attention to Piper or Leo, as if she were deciding if she should throw them out or not (or if she even had the man power to). She took a heavy breath, deciding against it, and nodded for Percy to continue.
"Over the past few months, we have come to realize the harsh cruelty of Rome, and we wish to change that."
"Really?" Katie seemed interested. "A son of Rome," she looked to Jason, "wishing to betray his own city."
"No, my queen." Jason responded. "I wish to save it." Katie nodded, respectively at his answer, before looking to Percy.
"However, there is only one way to make any stubborn city do anything, and that is to conquer it." Katie's body went rigid, but she continued to listen. "And to conquer it, we must go to war with it. We are traveling across Greece to find who we can ally ourselves with. We have already done so with Athens." Percy held up the ring to her, allowing Katie to take it from him. She slipped it on her middle finger, where a similar one rested. "And we wish to do so with you."
"All servants will leave the room now." Her voice came out cold, as her eyes darkened.
The few servants in the room looked surprised, but they bowed and did as told. This wasn't good. Gentle Queen Katharine had left with them at the mention of war that possibly involved her city. Her hands tightened around the ends of the arm rests of her throne, as if she were gripping them so as to keep from losing her temper. She may have kept herself calmed, but her pupils were enraged.
"You will leave now as well." She said, authority in her voice.
"We will not leave." Jason stood. "You must help us."
"I shall have no acquaintance with any war, especially one that will endanger my people!" When Katie saw that they truly weren't budging, she stood from her throne.
"Katie!" Percy shouted as she quickly walked passed him, slipping through his arms. "Wait!" Katie picked up her pace, ignoring his calls. "My queen! Please! Stop!" In one last desperate attempt, he shouted to her. "If you don't help us now, they'll die!"
Katie froze.
Jupiter boarded his ship with haste.
The crew stood on the sides of the wide gangplank, bowing to their emperor as he board with Octavian behind him, nearly stepping on the man's cape. It was obvious to Octavian by the way the crew was trembling in their sandals that each feared Jupiter. But that was all right. Octavian feared him too.
The Captain and first mate stood at the top of the gangplank, ready to welcome Jupiter. With guards behind him and Jupiter in front of him, there was no way Octavian could escape now unless he threw himself into the choppy water below, which would be such a foolish thing to do on a windy day. There was no escape now. And with the crew bowing to him as he walked up the plank, he felt important for the first time in his life, and he liked the feeling.
He'd changed clothes on the way to the ship when the others had taken a rest break; Jupiter had insisted on it, for he was far too important to board a ship with a boy in dirty peasant's clothing. He was now dressed similar to Jupiter, in white with a purple sash to show his new connection to the royal house. With the badges pinned to his chest, any Roman with half a brain would identify him as a high advisor to the emperor, which meant he was untouchable or so Jupiter had told it.
If someone were to attack or merely annoy Octavian, he could report it to Jupiter and Jupiter would have them beheaded. Octavian felt nervous about having that kind of power, but at the same time it coursed adrenaline through his veins and he loved it. As well as being newly dressed, servants had taken him to a nearby stream and scrubbed him clean. His hair still sagged into his eyes the way he liked it, but he was sure Jupiter would plan on cutting it to look more regal.
"Captain," Jupiter said once everyone was aboard, "if you will."
The Captain bowed to Jupiter before shouting out. "Set course for Delphi!"
Though no one else could hear him, Octavian did. "Beware, young one," Jupiter murmured beneath his breath. "We are coming for you." Afterwards, Jupiter initiated a conversation with his newest advisor, but Octavian wasn't listening.
He merely stared out emptily into the gray ocean, his eyes as dull as the water.
Katie froze.
"What?"
"All our soldiers." Percy said, walking over towards so as to lead her back to her throne. "All the citizens. If we don't have rations for them, they will starve. If we don't have medicines for them, they will catch sickness. If we don't have clothes for them, they shall perish in the winter cold. If don't have water for they, they shall be dehydrated. They will die."
Katie sat back against her throne, a quizzical expression painting her face. "I do not have an army."
"Yes, I know." Percy nodded.
Katie leaned forward against her knees, thinking. "If Jupiter were to find out about this, my city would be defenseless."
"I will send soldiers." Percy promised.
"What soldiers?" Piper said, abruptly.
"I have friends who owe me a favor." Percy clarified.
"Just resources, correct?" Katie asked with a hand against her chin, a finger absentmindedly playing with her lip.
"Yes." Percy nodded. "That's all... And once we've taken Rome, we shall reimburse you for all you've given us, ten-fold." Percy added on quickly.
Katie nodded her agreement. "Then I pledge my city and my resources to the best of my ability you, I swear it on the River Styx." Off in the distance, thunder clapped. "I wish you luck." She said, unfazed by the sudden storm. "Do not disappoint me."
Percy nodded, bowing to her for a final time as the others followed his suit. And after a few quick negotiations, and telling her to send the supplies in the night to Sparta in five months' time, the group was ready to leave for their next destination. They left Katie sitting in her throne room, bent over her knees with her hands covering her mouth. Tears were formed in her eyes, but unsure if they should fall. And she didn't move for hours.
She merely sat there, wondering if she'd just damned Sicyon to the underworld.
So yeah. It's a little short, especially for being a day or two late, but I want to thank all of you for your reviews and your support, and I promise the next one to be longer. And we'll meet a few new characters from the books, like three or four. I'd tell you who they are, but then it'd ruin the surprise of who Percy's "friends" are that owe him a favor. So READ AND REVIEW!
Never ever stop being such Awesome Possums! :oD