The party is done with Charleston, now they return home on the way back. Blessings aside, some are wary of what they've learned, and now they return home.

All story characters belong to Rick Riordan. I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians, only my own characters.

Chapter 12: Heading Home

Cary came to after the fight at the center. Jason explained that their search has been fruitful and uncovered enough Imperial Gold to supply the Legion and the auxiliary forces. They had made a mess though and needed to leave as soon as possible to avoid suspicion.

Reyna insisted on sticking to the plan and riding back home on the red eye, but she was generous enough to buy dinner-to-go for the whole party. Dinner consists of some Southern comfort food from a local food truck: fried okra, shrimp and grits, and some cold lemonade. It was about sunset when they finished their meal and mentally said goodbye to the city and proceeded with the eight-hour flight back to Camp Jupiter.

Jason and the praetor took turns whenever each of them got tired. Reyna was good with the horses, while Jason was good with piloting in the air. Cary took the time to take it easy. While physically fine, he was tired. Amber was occupied with looking over her arm. The knotted mark stayed there after showing up in the battle with Alabaster. She couldn't figure out the symbol it pertained to in her readings at camp. She hoped to find someone to train her more in camp, though Romans weren't fond of magic users and witches if history had any basis.

Cary took this chance to fall asleep, but it was not a peaceful dream. He was dreaming of the day when Amber came back to town.

Ten days Ago

Cary was browsing the Shoppes of the local China Ridge outdoor mall. It was a shopping center that was a favorite hangout for teens and adults. Summer break had begun a week ago and he was done with the seventh grade. Now, all he looked forward to was hanging out with friends and family.

"Cary, go ahead and take a look around. You might need something after summer." Of course, his mom would bring up the subject of school next year. Cary restrained himself from sassing his mom and maintained politeness. School didn't start for another couple of months, and he just wanted to relax. He decided to stop by the local Barnes and Nobles to browse the shelves for some new books -some for school, some for recreation.

Cary walked past the gushy teen dramas and high fantasy novels. He wasn't into that stuff and simply just wanted to browse some sci-fi or some best selling autobiographies. He walked past the indoor Starbucks and walked up the stairs. He turned a corner where he bumped into a girl about his age.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to bump…" Cary took a second look to realize that under the oversized hat and jacket was Amber Autumne, who looked like she'd been living on the streets.

"Amber…Is that you?" Cary noticed that she was rather skittish when he called her by her name.

"C- Cary? Hey!" she stuttered.

"Oh my god, are you alright? You look like you've been through hell!" he gestured. She looked like she hadn't eaten well and had a lot of bruises. "What's going…" Amber covered his mouth and leaned him into a bookshelf.

"SHHH, listen. I need to lay low until I can see my parents. Is there somewhere nice we can go?" she asked. Cary answered by taking her to the Starbucks downstairs where they manage to buy some juice and counter snacks. Cary decided to ask about her situation.

"After you disappeared, the police put out an alert for you. Your parents got worried sick, and I've got brought in to the station to explain everything. They've ruled me out as a person of interest when they realized I was just an unlucky bystander at the wrong place at the wrong time and gave up thinking I conspired to kidnap you. It was a rough time, and people stayed away from me. Your friends and family miss you," Cary explained.

"I'm sorry. They wouldn't let me leave. Now before you ask questions, let me explain. I was taken, but I wasn't kidnapped. The wolf took me up north to the Wolf House to train me. They've… made me live in the wild like Man vs Wild," Amber complained.

"That sounds a whole lot like kidnapping," Cary tilted his head at her ridiculous explanation.

"Yeah, well it had to do with my parents…my biological parents. The wolves said that I belong in a place called Camp Jupiter," she answered.

"Camp Jupiter? Where?" he asked.

"I can't tell you where it is. I'm not allowed to." Amber answered.

"Amber, you're not making sense. Why did a wolf take you to camp? Is it a cult retreat like Jonestown?" Cary insisted.

"No, it's not a cult. Why would you… it's a training camp conjoined with a hidden city. It's supposed to be a sanctuary for people like me. And the wolf didn't take me to camp, I had to travel there myself. I stayed at the Wolf House for a few days before they forced me out and said that I'll finish my training over there. I walked barefoot for miles until I found the stinking place. Camp Jupiter sucks, they placed me in the Fifth Cohort without telling me who my parents are and expect me to be a soldier. I got sick and tired of being treated like crap over there. The fighting classes, the monsters, the whole thing. I ran away, and they might still come after me," Amber elaborated him.

"Hang on, how did you get out of there?" Cary asked.

"A guy over there said I could leave if I wanted to. He said he would cover for me," Amber explained.

"Cover you for what? Amber, who are these people?" Cary asked. What Amber was describing was something like a prison. And she was the escaped inmate.

"Demigods! These guys are kids of the Roman gods." Amber looked at Cary who still looked skeptical, "Please, Cary. You have to believe me. I don't want to go back there, not if they send me to war. I just want to be back in China Ridge," she pleaded. Cary wanted to pass this over to the police, but he noticed she had a face that said 'no cops'.

Before Amber could add on to her complaints, her eyes widened as she peeked over his shoulders. "Don't look behind you, there's someone there. HEY! I told you not to look behind," Amber gestured and immediately freaked out when Cary turned his head on instinct. Amber turned Cary's head back, "I need to go now!"

Cary didn't want to do anything criminal, but his friend needed help, "What do I do?"

"Get up slowly and don't make eye contact," Amber ordered.

Cary slowly got out of the chair and stretched his arms. He was hoping he could block Amber from her pursuer's field of vision. The two exited Starbucks to avoid their pursuer and walked out the bookstore. They made their way to a side alley at the west side before Amber tugged at his arm. "They've got this exit locked down," she gestured at a guy in a purple shirt soliciting by the wall, "Let's go the other way. They backtracked to head towards the entrance near the bookstore, but found another purple shirt, this time a girl. "Shoot, come on this way," Amber gestured to a service door between the Wetzel's Pretzels and Bath and Body works. It was against the rules for nonemployees to go through those doors and Cary didn't want to, but Amber insisted on escaping from these purple shirt guys.

They snuck into the hallway, passing a staff member that had noticed them too late as the two made it out through the other side. Amber and Cary made it to the parking garage where no one was in sight. "So what now?" Cary asked.

"We're clear. As I was saying, I'm going to find my parents. Are they still in town?" Amber asked.

"Yeah, they…" he stopped as he noticed a shadowy figure in the corner.

"A wayward Roman, must be my lucky day," The figure growled as it tossed its cloak away to reveal a seven-foot-tall humanoid figure with muscles and tattoos. It pulled out a spear and a shield, "By orders of my masters, I will take you?"

"Is this the guy from camp you mentioned, Amber?" Cary asked.

"No, definitely not, RUN!"

Cary and Amber ran back the way they came as they heard a whoosh sound behind them. Amber tackled Cary down just as a car flew over them before crumpling into the concrete. The warrior threw two more cars in their general direction and piled more wreckage at the entrance. They were trapped with the figure.

"No choice but to fight me!" The figure yelled.

Cary was terrified, he could last a bit, but that spear would skewer him before he could get close. Amber pulled out a dagger that Cary had never seen before, "Cary, get out of here now!"

"I'm not leaving you," Cary defied her pleas. He wanted to run, but he didn't want to leave her behind.

"Are you insane? You won't last against him," Amber took a fighting stance, but her ankles were shaking.

Without putting any effort into it, the monster swung at Amber's knife with his spear and quickly knocked her to the ground and kicked her knife out of her hands.

"Pathetic worms, both of you." Before he could deliver the next blow, Cary tossed a car side mirror that had broken off in the toss. The monster turned its head at him when the debris bounced off his chest.

'Crap,' as the giant fighter made its path to him, Cary backed up towards the wreckage and frantically searched for a way to exit. He found a hole made between the column and the wreck and slid through before the figure slammed into metallic wreckage. As Cary gathered his bearings on the other side, the wreck spilled over, barely missing him.

The monster was furious, "You wanted a fight. Looks like you'll get your wish. He raised his spear above but the figure staggered back as a spear shot into his shoulder.

"Get somewhere safe, mortal," a male voice ordered.

Cary turned his head around to see the purple shirt guy from before wielding a tower shield and a sword. Cary looked closer to see the initials "SPQR" ingrained into the attire.

The fighter recovered just as the guy swung his sword at his head knocking the figure down.

"I've got the Germani. Gwen, go find the probatio. She's probably in the garage!" The teen ordered his colleague, wearing the same shirt as him.

"Got it, Bert," the girl climbed over the wreckage to retrieve Amber. The warrior pulled the spear out as he directed his anger at Bert. Bert blocked its spear with his shield and slammed it into the assailant's face, knocking the Germani unconscious. The girl dragged Amber out of the garage panting. Amber was resisting Gwen's grip begging her to leave her alone.

"Wait a second. Who are you?" Cary asked.

"None of your business. Now go before…" Bert turned around just to see the Germani recover and swing its spear at him. Bert barely dodged in time to avoid losing his head, but the spear cut over his left eye.

As Bert lied on the floor holding his hands over his bleeding eye, Gwen ran to relieve her friend, only for the Germani to knock her down on her back with a backhand swipe. The Germani raised its spear to impale Gwen, who raised a shield out of thin air in time to block. However, the spear broke through the shield and was inches away from Gwen's face. With the spearhead lodged in, Gwen was using all her strength to stay alive.

"Amber, need your help now," Gwen pleaded. Amber, however, was frozen in place as a helpless bystander.

Just a hair width from being stabbed, Gwen was ready to accept her fate when the warrior stopped digging its spear into her shield and started screaming in pain. "AHHH. Get it out of my butt!" As Gwen's shield was wrestled out of her grip, the Centurion saw a hilarious and jawdropping scene: the Germani was bent over with a sword up his butt with a mortal gripping the sword.

In the heat of the moment, Cary grabbed Bert's sword and stabbed it at the Germani when it was distracted savoring its kill. However, Cary missed the back of its leg and instead aimed for an unflattering place, "Oh lord, it HURTS! GET IT OUT!"

Like an angry mule, the Germani thrashed around to try to shake its assailant loose. Out of desperation, the Germani rushed into the parking garage wall and bashed its head in the wall, leaving an indent in the concrete. Dazed, the Germani passed out as Gwen walked up to the fallen warrior and decapitated it with her sword.

Bert walked up and gestured for his sword back. Cary obliged and handed him the sword as Bert winced at the thought of it being used to enter the Germani's GI tract. His left eye was bloody and shut, "Alright, Gwen. Grab the probatio and our friend here. I'm getting the horses. We're bringing both of them back to Camp,"

"Wait, hold on. I'm not going anywhere," Cary asserted. The two Romans may have been allies in the battle, but that didn't mean they were friendly. For all he knows, they may take him to silence a loose end.

"Let me clarify, you can come with us for further explanation. Or you can stay here and explain all of the mess to the cops," Bert gestured to the mess made in the garage with several cracks and a bunch of cars wrecked and turned over. It didn't help that the police station was just two minutes away and sirens were wailing.

After coming to this dreadful realization, Cary realized he didn't want to stay here. "Room for one more?" he sheepishly asked.

Cary was woken up by Reyna shaking his shoulder, "Mr. Chang. We're just over Sacramento. We'll be landing in camp in about half an hour." Cary stretched his arms out and peered out the window. The sun was just starting to rise. Cary pondered about his role in this whole quest. 'How much has he contributed? Was that Germani kill just a fluke? What did that guy see in me to believe that I should come with him?'

Amber was starting to wake up as well. "Are we there yet?" Amber yawned.

"Yeah, Come on. Ambs. On your feet," Jason ordered.

"Ambs? Since when are we doing nicknames?" Amber asked.

"Since we completed our quest," Jason smiled.

The wagon landed in front of the Praetorian Gate. The party was greeted by Norman and Darren on overnight guard duty. "Darren, Norman, call the centurions and Sullivan. We've returned with our prize," Jason greeted.

The whole legion lined up to meet the party and begin unloading the wagon and trailer. Cary noticed some new faces. Some older adults and teens wearing military fatigues in some forms were within their ranks. However, the bigger concern was that Sullivan was not there. It was Octavian.

"Ah finally, our wayward Romans have returned. Now that you have finished your diversionary errand. We can finally get things done," the augur answered.

"Octavian, you seemed to have brought some friends. Where's Sully?" Jason asked.

Oh, and I'm sorry to report that Praetor Richards has fallen ill from an unknown illness or perhaps from stress. Either way, he's retiring in his family residence." Jason and Reyna shared a look of concern at each other. They've been only gone for two days and there was no Iris-message to inform them.

"Since Sullivan was incapacitated, and Reyna was absent from camp, I immediately took charge of camp yesterday and invited some of our friends to help us. Veterans of camp and family members of our most important patrons will assist us," the augur informed the wary Jason and Reyna.

"That's …great, but we like to offer these weapons to our auxiliary force,"

"I'm afraid they'll have to wait. But in the meantime, let's take this time to introduce everyone here. Praetor, Centurion, meet Benito Soldato, Primo's uncle. He's going to be in charge of the auxiliary force."

Cary's eyes widened when he saw Primo's uncle. He was like an older version of the jerk. He hoped that the guy wasn't anything like his jerk of a nephew.

"Good morning, praetor, centurion. I'm honored to accept the role of leader of the auxiliary force," Benito answered.

"Hold on, Praetor Richards put Mr. Chang in charge of the auxiliary force," Jason refuted.

"Yes. He did, but due to extenuating circumstances regarding his health, the praetor has given me authority of leadership, which included the ability to override his previous orders. As of now, your augur has just as much authority as your Praetor Arellano, and this Orient is not in charge of anything now," Benito argued.

'Nope… probably going to be like his nephew,' Cary silently cursed.

Reyna clenched her fists. She didn't find Octavian an appealing person to work with. He always causes panic, strong-arms others for approval, and never approves the probatio system. The coming battle on the mountain is a pivotal moment in history, and she must work with him. What's more, he brought in more of his friends to make it look like he's popular. If things go right, he might become praetor…next to her. 'That's it. That's what he wants,' she concluded.

"I notice that the probatio has a new sword," Octavian pointed out. Everyone's eyes were focused on Amber.

"Right, Octavian. I would disagree with you that our quest was a waste of time because we retrieved -wait for it- Crocea Mors," the entire legion murmured at the claim as Jason gestured to Amber to raise the sword. She did so hesitatingly. Everyone was awed by the sword having returned to proper hands, but Octavian was not impressed.

"Please, no probatio could wield a sword that grand. Give me that," the augur tried to snatch it from Amber's hands but ended up playing tug-of-war with her at the grip. He was answered with a painful jolt in his arms, "Youch, damn it, probatio, give me the sword."

"Forget it, Octavian. Crocea Mors chose her, so she's worthy," Jason rebuked him.

"Worthy? She's a probatio. She's unclaimed, she's…" Octavian's eyes followed Amber's arms all the way to the knotted mark, "What is that on your arm?" The party paused to avoid giving Octavian any leverage. Reyna answered for Amber, "It's just a birthmark, not a big deal."

Octavian's eyes narrowed, but he decided to drop the subject.

"Well, things are going to change here praetor. All decisions made by you must be approved by the war council, which includes me, Mr. Soldato, and you." Octavian handed her a list of individuals on this council.

Reyna noticed that the list was full of Octavian's yes-men. They'll overrule her in all decisions. 'I can't protect Amber and her friend from Octavian if he gets his way. I need to get Mr. Chang out of here,' she thought.

Jason was thinking along the same line. "I think after returning home, my teammates could use some rest," he rubbed his eyes.

"Fair enough, but I do want your cohort ready for war games and training. Speaking of training, the orient won't be participating anymore. Understand, Centurion?" Octavian commanded. All the effort Cary put in keeping up with legion training became meaningless. It also means separating Amber from Cary.

"Understood, Octavian." Jason murmured. He was hoping that Cary would stick around to help Amber and train more. Now that was no longer an option, meaning Amber would need help from other friends, "Perhaps, a promotion is in order for our probatio?"

"Absolutely not. I've told the Senate that there will be no promotion until we finish this war and they agreed. Your probatio will not receive honors for this quest," Cary's head snapped at the augur's remarks. With no promotion, Amber's stuck at the bottom of the ladder. No legionnaire status means no furlough luxuries or liberty. She was able to only go to New Rome when the Cohort was assigned duties in town. Speaking of which, Octavian has also ordered that the Legion was forbidden from going into town for the rest of July.

Cary had enough of this abuse of trust, "This has gone too far, Amber…"

"Is still unclaimed. Or perhaps you know who her godly heritage is." Octavian finished the sentence. Cary wanted to answer, but Reyna gripped his shoulder. Reyna knew better than to take the bait. She knew who Amber was related to, but she couldn't say or else Amber would be ostracized more than she ever was. Cary took the hint.

"No, not yet. Are we dismissed?" Reyna asked.

Octavian put his finger on his chin pondering "Yep, I'll see you at dinner. In the meantime, I suggest getting your cohort ready for war games, Centurion." He walked away in stride as his lackeys joined him. Cary peeked to see Primo gestured with his hands by punching his fist into his palm then gesturing his finger across his throat.

As the augur departed, Jason looked at their new guests before walking up to Cary and Amber, "Meet me and Reyna in the Principia, now."

Reyna, Jason, Amber, and Cary were in the Principia. The lone praetor tried not to show her worry, but her body language could not hide it. She was petting Aurum and Argentum vigorously and kept the dogs closer to her space than normal.

Cary and Amber were sitting across from Jason standing off to the side.

"Mr. Chang, Miss Autumne. If it wasn't made explicit, then I will do so. Octavian has basically committed a coup." Cary and Amber's eyes widened at that statement.

"What do you mean? Are you saying he had something to do with Sully's illness," Amber asked.

"Maybe. I won't know until someone in this room sees him. Octavian's bringing in veterans and former members of the legion, but only those who have a history of lobbying on his side over issues in the Senate. Normally, the praetor approves of this transfer, but if he's doing this in Sullivan's absence, then he's committing insubordination. Jason, I need you to find Sullivan and see what's going on," Reyna asked.

"Understood, Reyna." Jason knew the Richards residence and made a plan to visit.

Reyna then turns to Cary, "Mr. Chang, while I may not agree with Praetor Richards' decision to put you in charge, I do not approve of Octavian robbing you of your role. I know you don't fear Octavian or Primo, but you need to be weary. For now, I want you to stick to your original duties that were assigned to you on the first day. Stay close to Jason and follow his orders. Can you do that?"

"Of course, Praetor," Cary answered tersely. Thinking back on the day of how Amber came back and described Camp Jupiter, he was beating himself mentally for not paying closer attention to things around here. 'Were the days of me staying here just an attempt at faux hospitality? To convince me that Amber should stay?' Cary started to think that maybe he should have been more aggressive in getting Amber out of here.

Reyna turned to Amber, "Miss Autumne, I want to see your arm again."

Amber showed the praetor her arm. Reyna took a look at it before pulling out a book from a bookshelf behind her. She perused the book until she reached the page she was looking for. She shook her head and then showed the whole room the contents. It was a discussion of the ancient gods -except it wasn't the Roman gods.

"What's this?" Amber asked.

"It's a page talking about the Egyptian gods. This particular one is Isis. See this symbol here of the knot. That is actually a tyet." Cary and Jason looked between the arm and the page to notice the identical marks. Reyna continued on, "Miss Autumne, you are a legacy of Isis, goddess of the underworld, and also life and magic. Everything you've done on the way to Charleston all ties to powers of Isis: the magic you fought against the demigod, the summoning of the dead, healing rites on Mr. Chang."

Amber looked at her arm with ambivalence. On one hand, she can finally identify herself with a god as her ancestor. On the other hand, she's the descendant of an outside god, one that is not appreciated in Camp Jupiter's religion. She's no longer unclaimed, but she can't tell Octavian or else the camp will shun her. But something was off.

"So what's an Egyptian legacy doing in a roman camp? I thought you guys tore down all the religious sites worshiping the Egyptian gods when you took over," Cary asked. Cary didn't dig too deep asking personal questions, but he recognized that all legionnaires were descended from Roman gods- major and minor. Being descended from an Egyptian goddess sounded like a bad joke.

"No not really, some worshippers went underground and started to form their own cults, like Mithras," Reyna gestured, "But these cults ended up being illegal later on by the emperors as the Roman Empire conquered more territories: Carthage, Egypt, Greece, Gallia, Levant…" In the back of Cary's head, a thought was vexing him since Charleston. After the revelation that so many Confederates had been Roman legacies, he questioned how insular this camp is for Amber and for himself. He wondered if this camp was worth protecting. He questioned if the gods were worth serving.

"So why am I here? If the worship of Isis is outlawed in camp, then why am I here fighting for Rome?" Amber asked.

"You were brought to the Wolf house by Lupa and her wolves. Jason and I trust her judgment. If Lupa believes you are worthy to protect Rome, then she sends you here.

'Not really… I think it's because they just wanted me out of their hair,' Amber didn't say anything out of it. She couldn't help but feel unworthy when the wolves sent her out. 'Leave and finish your training at camp, there is nothing I can do more for you.'

Jason thought there may be some connection between her and Rome despite her newly-discovered Egyptian heritage, "Before the Romans took Egypt, the land was ruled by the Ptolemies, a Macedonian royal family. I think I know who your ancestor might be."

"Who?" Amber asked.

"Cleopatra, the last queen of Egypt," he answered. Jason's audience was stunned by this audacious theory, but he continued, "Cleopatra had two lovers: Mark Antony and Julius Caesar. Now Cleopatra and Julius Caesar weren't just lovers, they were allies in a civil war against Pompey. I think Crocea Mors finds you worthy because of a possible connection with Caesar himself."

"That's a rather bold theory, but Cleopatra didn't bear any children. At least, none that I know of," Cary refuted.

"Actually, she did. Her son, Ptolemy XV, was raised to succeed the Ptolemy line after Caesar was assassinated. Now, although records stated that he either committed suicide or was executed by Augustus Caesar, there's no clear evidence on what really happened or maybe Cleopatra had a secret child not recorded in history. Lady Venus clued in when she said Miss Autumne looked like herself back in the days of Alexander the Great. If that's true, then she might be more Greek and Egyptian than Roman," Reyna added on, "Which is why I'm asking you to stay silent about your parentage and wait for to opportunity to prove yourself."

Cary was indignant about this situation, "But this quest was supposed to be Amber's chance, and now Octavian ruined it by dismissing our achievements. It's not fair for her…"

"I know, but right now. The situation has soured. Octavian is in charge and if he learns about her parentage, then history might repeat all over again," Reyna commanded. Cary wasn't happy with it, but he tolerated her request.

Reyna turned back to Amber, "Turn your chin high and stand strong. We can help you. While you continue training under Jason, I will arrange private lessons with you on wielding the magic of Isis." Reyna had little experience with magic other than Circe's teachings, but it was better than nothing.

"We have a reprieve to attend to our rest and well-being. Take some time to chat with the other legionnaires. Cary, stay close with Jason. Octavian might make both of you sweat, but we will not budge," Reyna saluted.

"Right," the room answered.

The centurion, the probatio, and the visitor were dismissed as they made their way back to the barracks. 'This is going to be hell week,' Cary thought.

Meanwhile, Primo was getting ready for phase 2 of Octavian's plan. His uncle had taken over the auxiliary and will keep the mortal out of the battle. All the glory will go to him and the pure-blooded Romans when they face combat. Octavian's opponents will perish in the line of fire, and his allies will survive. He had leaked sensitive information to that son of Trivia to sabotage the quest and he put Sullivan out of commission with those almonds he loves to eat. If things go right, he'll be running things around here… even without Octavian.

So much for things shaping up after Charleston. Cary and Amber now face harder challenges with this regime change in camp. Next time, a new assignment for the traveler. Finished up the Charleston Arc, now the next arc will focus on getting ready for war. It'll be a while for the first chapter to come out.