Act II - From The Sea We Rise

Part VI - Hundreds of dangers await and I don't plan to miss one. In a land I can claim, a land I can tame; the greatest adventure is mine.

Andy was glad Riptide had returned to her pocket. Judging from Reyna's expression, Andy thought she might need to defend herself. Reyna stormed into the principia with her purple cloak billowing, and her greyhounds at her feet. Andy was sitting in one of the praetor chairs that she'd pulled to the visitor's side, which maybe wasn't the proper thing to do but nobody said anything about it.

"We have a lot to discuss," Reyna growled. Aurum and Argentum took their posts on her left and right and fixed their ruby eyes on Andy.

"What have I done now?" she asked. "If this is about the chair, like, seriously, my legs are tired..."

"It's not you." Reyna scowled. "I hate senate meetings. When Octavian gets talking..."

Andy nodded. "You're a warrior. Octavian is a talker. Put him in front of the senate, and suddenly he becomes the powerful one."

Reyna narrowed her eyes. "You're smarter than you look."

"Gee, thanks. I hear Octavian might get elected praetor, assuming the camp survives that long."

"Which brings us to the subject of doomsday," Reyna said, "and how you might help prevent it. But before I place the fate of Camp Jupiter in your hands, we need to get a few things straight." She sat down and put a ring on the table: a band of silver etched with a sword-and-torch design, like her arm's tattoo. "Do you know what this is?"

"The sign of your... godly parent?" Andy asked. "Ah... Hum, the goddess of war. Something like... bologna? Or salami?"

"Bellona." Reyna scrutinized Andy carefully. "You don't remember where you saw this ring before? You really don't remember me or my sister, Hylla?"

Andy shook her head. "I'm sorry. I have no memory. Of anything."

"It would've been two years ago. It seems so long ago. I suppose you wouldn't recall me even if you had your memory. I was just one attendant among so many at the spa. But you spoke with my sister, just before you and the boy, Anthony, destroyed our home."

Andy's heart raced. "Wait... So you know Anthony? Do you know where I can find him? Please, I need-"

Reyna raised her hand. "I do not. That was the only time I saw the both of you." Then her eyes softened. "He is the one you remember? The only thing left in your mind?"

Andy nodded. "What were we doing at a spa?"

Reyna tapped the silver ring. "I don't know. Now, I believe you are sincere. But not everyone at camp does. Octavian thinks you're a spy. He thinks you were sent here by Gaea to find our weaknesses and distract us. He believes the old legends about the Greeks."

"Old legends?"

"Some believe Greek demigods still exist," she said, "heroes who follow the older forms of the gods. There are legends of battles between Roman and Greek heroes in relatively modern times; the American Civil War, for instance. I have no proof of this, and if our Lares know anything, they refuse to say. But Octavian believes the Greeks are still around, plotting our downfall, working with the forces of Gaea. He thinks you are one of them."

"Is that what you believe?"

"I believe you came from somewhere," she said. "You're important, and dangerous. Two gods have taken a special interest in you since you arrived, so I can't believe you'd work against Olympus... or Rome." She shrugged. "Of course, I could be wrong. Perhaps the gods sent you here to test my judgment. But I think... I think you were sent here to make up for the loss of Lena," her voice softened when she said her name.

"You were a couple, right?" Andy blurted out. Reyna's eyes bored into her, like the eyes of a hungry wolf. "It's just... the way you talk about her. That look in your eyes. I see it every time I look in the mirror."

Reyna sighed. "She was my best friend. Praetors work closely together. It's common for them to become romantically involved. But Lena was praetor for only a few months before she disappeared. Ever since then, Octavian has been pestering me, agitating for new elections. I've resisted. I need a partner in power, but I'd prefer someone like Lena. Another warrior, not a schemer."

She waited. Andy's throat went dry. "Oh... you mean... oh."

"I believe the gods sent you to help me, Andy," Reyna said. "I don't understand where you come from, any more than I understood it two years ago. But I think your arrival is some sort of repayment. You destroyed my home once. Now you've been sent to save my new home. I don't hold a grudge against you for the past, Andy. My sister hates you still, it's true, but Fate brought me here to Camp Jupiter. I've done well. All I ask is that you work with me for the future. I intend to save this camp."

Andy found Reyna's eyes a lot harder to meet. "Look, I'll help," she promised. "But I'm new here. You've got a lot of good people who know this camp better than I do. If we succeed on this quest, Hazel and Frank will be heroes. You could ask one of them..."

"Please," Reyna sneered. "No one will follow a child of Pluto. There's something about that girl... rumors about where she came from... No, she won't do. As for Frank Zhang, he has a good heart, but he's hopelessly naive and inexperienced. Besides, if the others found out about his family history at this camp—"

"Family history?"

"The point is, Andy, you are the real power on this quest. You are a seasoned veteran. I've seen what you can do. A daughter of Neptune wouldn't be my first choice, but if you return successfully from this mission, the legion might be saved. The praetorship will be yours for the taking. Together, you and I could expand the power of Rome. We could raise an army and find the Doors of Death, crush Gaea's forces once and for all. You would find me a very helpful ally."

"Reyna... I'm honored, and all. Seriously. But I don't want power, or a praetorship. All I want... all I need is my memory back and way to find Anthony."

Reyna raised her eyebrows. "A demigod who turns down power?" she said. "That's not very Roman of you. Just think about it. In a few days, I have to make a choice. If we are to fight off an invasion, we must have two strong praetors. I'd prefer you, but if you fail on your quest, or don't come back, or refuse my offer... Well, I'll work with Octavian. I mean to save this camp, Andy Jackson. Things are worse than you realize."

"How bad?"

Reyna's nails dug into the table. "Even the senate doesn't know the whole truth. I've asked Octavian not to share his auguries, or we'd have mass panic. He's seen a great army marching south, more than we can possibly defeat. They're led by a giant—"

"Alcyoneus?"

"I don't think so. If he is truly invulnerable in Alaska, he'd be foolish to come here himself. It must be one of his brothers."

"Great," Andy said. "So we've got two giants to worry about."

The praetor nodded. "Lupa and her wolves are trying to slow them down, but this force is too strong even for them. The enemy will be here soon... by the Feast of Fortuna at the very latest. It is bad but not hopeless. If you succeed in bringing back our eagle, if you release Death so we can actually kill our enemies, then we stand a chance. And there's one more possibility..." Reyna slid the silver ring across the table. "I can't give you much help, but your journey will take you close to Seattle. I'm asking you for a favor, which may also help you. Find my sister Hylla."

"Your sister...? The one who hates me?"

"Oh, yes," Reyna agreed. "She would love to kill you. But show her that ring as a token from me, and she may help you instead."

"May?"

"I can't speak for her. In fact..." Reyna frowned. "In fact I haven't spoken to her in weeks. She's gone silent. With these armies passing through..."

"You want me to check on her," Andy guessed. "Make sure she's okay."

"Partially, yes. I can't imagine she's been overcome. My sister has a powerful force. Her territory is well defended. But if you can find her, she could offer you valuable help. It could mean the difference between success and failure on your quest. And if you tell her what's happening here—"

"She might send help?" Andy asked.

Reyna didn't answer, but Andy could see the desperation in her eyes. She was terrified, grasping for anything that could save her camp. Andy took the ring. "I'll find her. Where do I look? What kind of forces does she have?"

"Don't worry. Just go to Seattle. They'll find you."

Andy nodded once more. "Well, wish me luck."

"Fight well, Andy Jackson," Reyna said. "And thank you."

Andy could tell the audience was over. But at the door of the principia, she turned back. "How did we destroy your home? That spa where you lived?"

The metal greyhounds growled. Reyna snapped her fingers to silence them. "You destroyed the power of our mistress," she said. "You freed some prisoners who took revenge on all of us who lived on the island. My sister and I... well, we survived. It was difficult. But in the long run, I think we are better off away from that place."

"I'm sorry," Andy said. "If I hurt you, please, forgive me."

Reyna gazed at her for a long time, as if trying to translate her words. "An apology? Not very Roman at all, Andy Jackson. You'd make an interesting praetor. I hope you'll think about my offer."

Everybody ate their lunch quietly. Nobody seemed particularly happy. Reyna made a brief speech wishing them luck. Octavian ripped open a Beanie Baby and pronounced grave omens and hard times ahead. Andy followed Hazel and Frank to the barracks to pack. She didn't have much. A second purple T-shirt, nectar and ambrosia, snacks and some mortal money. Reyna had handed her a scroll of introduction from the praetor and camp senate. Supposedly, any retired legionnaires they met on the trip would help them if shown the letter.

Nico came to wish them luck. He shook Frank's hand and asked him to keep Hazel safe. Hazel asked him if he'd stay at Camp Jupiter to help defend it, but he said he'd be leaving today, heading back to the Underworld.

"Dad needs all the help he can get," he explained. "The Fields of Punishment look like a prison riot. The Furies can barely keep order. Besides... I'm going to try to track some of the escaping souls. Maybe I can find the Doors of Death from the other side."

"Be careful," Hazel said. "If Gaea is guarding those doors—"

"Don't worry." Nico smiled. "I know how to stay hidden. Just take care of yourself. The closer you get to Alaska –" he stopped himself eyeing Hazel with concern.

"If we free Thanatos," she told him, lowering her voice, "I may never see you again."

Nico took her hand. His fingers were so pale, it was hard to believe Hazel and he shared the same godly father. "I won't lose another sister," he said. "Good luck, Hazel." He hugged his sister then turned to Andy. It was unsettling the mixture of feelings in his face. He was nervous, unsure, puzzled but there was also some sort of fondness that Andy found strangely appealing. Before he could say anything, she hugged him. His body stiffened, but he didn't step away.

"See you, Death Boy," she said, the words tugging at her memory.

The panic in his eyes made her think she had done something wrong. "What did you call me?"

"Sorry," she said quickly. "For a second... I thought... Forget it."

Nico almost smiled. "Take care, Jackson," he said. Then he melted into the shadows.

It took them two hours to reach the docks in Alameda. Compared to Andy's last few days, the trip was easy. No monsters attacked. There were no signs of danger. They got off in Oakland. They had to walk through some rough neighborhoods, but nobody bothered them. In the late afternoon, they made it to the Alameda docks. Andy looked out over San Francisco Bay and breathed in the salty sea air. Immediately she felt better.

Dozens of boats were moored at the docks, everything from fifty-foot yachts to ten-foot fishing boats. "Um... you guys know what we're looking for?" she asked.

Hazel and Frank shook their heads. "I didn't even know we had a navy." Hazel sounded as if she wished there wasn't one.

"Oh..." Frank pointed. "You don't think...?"

At the end of the dock was a tiny boat, like a dinghy, covered in a purple tarp. Embroidered in faded gold along the canvas was S.P.Q.R.

Andy's confidence wavered. "Oh, c'mon."

She uncovered the boat, her hands working the knots like she'd been doing it her whole life. Under the tarp was an old steel rowboat with no oars. The boat had been painted dark blue at one point, but the hull was so crusted with tar and salt it looked like one massive nautical bruise. On the bow, the name Pax was still readable, lettered in gold. On board were two benches, some steel wool, an old cooler, and a mound of frayed rope with one end tied to the mooring.

"Behold," Frank said. "The mighty Roman navy."

"There's got to be a mistake," Hazel said. "This is a piece of junk."

Andy imagined Octavian laughing at them, and decided to make it work out of spite. She jumped aboard. The hull hummed under her feet, responding to her presence. Andy pointed at the rope, and it untied itself from the dock. "This'll do," she said grumpily. "Hop in."

Hazel and Frank looked a little stunned, but they climbed aboard. Hazel seemed especially nervous. When they had settled on the seats, Andy concentrated, and the boat slipped away from the dock.

"Let's see what this rowboat can do." She turned the boat to the north, and in no time they were speeding along at fifteen knots, heading for the Golden Gate Bridge.