Chapter 13
To say the party died after Mars departure would be an understatement. Percy never did get to finish his drink with Cassie, and turned in early to discuss the coming quest among his closest confidants. Percy and Jason discussed the conversation the son of Neptune had with Reyna, and Jason thought it was all too much to be a coincidence. It was decided that Jason would attempt something controversial in the Senate tomorrow, and invite the probatio on the quest to see if the girl could be trusted. Bianca on the other hand was going to be Percy's other quest mate. The question had really been a no brainer. Bianca was elementally powerful, and though their first stop was going to be in the skies that didn't mean her help wouldn't be invaluable along the way.
The senate meeting came the next day, and Percy along with Bianca sat behind Jason and Gwen in their togas for the first time. Bianca was wearing a purple and black toga with the symbol of her father, the helm of darkness, on her lapel. Percy however was wearing a dark green toga that bore the symbol of the trident on his lapel. Percy hated the togas, and didn't understand why this was one of the few traditions Rome decided to keep up with.
The Praetors were sitting in two high chairs in front of the gathered senate, and looked like high judges in a courtroom looking down upon the rest of the senators, and Lars. The senate was composed of the ten Centurions of the legion, and ten elected members from the city giving it an even twenty.
With the bang of the gavel Cassie stood up and announced, "Let's bring this to order, so we may begin our parley. I believe everyone was present last night when Lord Mars Ultor appeared before us, and issued a quest straight from Lord Jupiter himself. Perseus Jackson, and Jason Grace have once again received the call to arms. This meeting is for Percy and Jason to select their comrades, and give emergency power of the legion to myself with the absence of our other Praetor. Jason as Centurion you have first priority. Who would you like to accompany you?"
For once it was a fairly straightforward opening statement. No whispers or murmurs followed the Praetors words, but Jason stood to his feet, "Praetors I have an unusual request for my quest mate. This person however is a probatio. It is no secret among the legion that myself and the majority of Mars children do not get along. Therefore the other patron war God or Goddess in this case is the pool of candidates I have to choose from. She also proved herself yesterday in the gladiator challenge, and has broken bread with my optio so I believe Reyna Ramirez Arellano will be the best pick to aid me in this task."
A roar of disapproval followed immediately as he sat down ending his statement. Of course some of the senators were upset about his request to take a probatio. It was not often in Rome that tradition was forsaken. Praetor Cassie was frowning, while Mark kept an even face as he spoke, "Centurion Grace you have seven years of service in the legion this year. You have earned your spot among the Centurions, and while I would recommend one of my own siblings for a more experienced candidate I will not fault your choice. As this senate knows the probato has some real world experience, and Option Jackson had spoken to me about Probatio Ramirez-Arellano breaking bread with his cohort, so I will support this decision. What do you Praetor Cassie?"
Shaking her head slightly, "I have come to trust Centurion Grace, and Optio Jackson. If they have decided among themselves that this probatio could be an aid to their quest then I say we accept it."
Some of the Lars in the back immediately began to protest, but Bianca merely glared at them, and she held a finger to her lips causing them all to begin shimmering violently and flinch at the gesture she made. All the Lars hated Bianca due to her limited power over the dead. Most were terrified of her in fact.
Jason looked pleased by the acceptance of the Praetors, and they didn't even call it to a vote thankfully. Mark looked at Percy next, "Optio Jackson. Lord Mars requested I help guide you on the quest, but that doesn't change that it came from Olympus for you to lead us. Who would you like to join us on our journey?"
Percy stood straightening his toga a little bit feeling the nerves swell in his stomach as he glanced at his other Centurion, "With such a dangerous task ahead of us Praetor there were only few that I would trust with my life, and I choose someone who has already once saved not only my life, but my Centurion's as well. Bianca Di Angelo Daughter of Pluto, Fifth Cohort is my choice."
Most of the senators had likely seen this coming because all that followed was a few mumbles of disgrace and omens. Bianca stood from the seat next to Percy as her name was called. Praetor Cassie asked, "Legionnaire Di Angelo, do you accept Optio Jackson's invitation?"
With a smile on her face, and not a care in the world of the danger that lay ahead she answered, "It would be my honor Praetor."
Cassie nodded to the girl as she took her seat, and Mark nodded at the two in respect, and approval.
"Very well. Now as for the matters of what we can spare for each of the questers. It has been a long time since two active quests were going at once, but this will be a good testament of our strength. Centurion Grace, what will you require for your travels?"
Jason stood with a bow, "Ma'am getting to the weapons cache will be our easiest part of the task I think. Myself and the daughter of Bellona, if she accepts, will be able to get to Fort Sumter with ease. The problem is going to be getting the weapons back here. I would like to be optimistic, and say that we will find a chariot, but if we don't then that could complicate things. While also having to find horses that are capable of such transport."
The Senate was quiet at his words, all clearly pondering ideas, but then Percy stood, "With permission Praetors I would like to present an idea."
Mark and Cassie both nodded their approval while Percy spoke, "My father is the Lord of the Horses, and my family's house owes Centurion Grace a debt. I believe my family would provide my cousin with two pegasi, or a location to find them. Of course if there is no chariot in Fort Sumter then the task will be theirs to build it for transportation."
Jason nodded, "Myself and Lord Triton are on amicable terms. I believe Optio Jackson is wise in his council. I will visit the shrine of Neptune and pray to the Lords of Sea, and trust their guidance. The Chariot building will not be a problem either. With the right money I could purchase the supplies, and build one myself if necessary."
Cassie looked between the two with a slight smile, "A son of Jupiter praying at the Altar of Neptune. Things have certainly changed around here since you two rose through the ranks. I accept your requests however if my fellow Praetor does as well."
"Yes I accept as well. People in your position, Centurion Grace could've requested way more than necessary to make their tasks easier, but you went for the bare minimum, and wish to prove successful through the use of your own resources. I respect that. We will allocate you the necessary funds. Senatus, does anyone wish to veto?"
No one spoke, and Cassie smacked a gavel on the podium, "It is done then. Optio Jackson, what will you need for your quest?"
Before Percy could ask for anything Mark shook his head, "We will not need any assistance from the legion. I myself have never had the opportunity to join a quest, but my resources and allies as Praetor are extensive. We will make do with what I can find us if Optio Jackson, or Legionnaire Di Angelo have no protests."
Bianca leaned over and whispered in Percy's ear, "My father is the Lord of Wealth. There isn't anything the legion could really provide us that is going to help."
The young man nodded at her in acceptance rising again, "Yes Praetor we will be happy to use Praetor Mark's allies and resources, and figure it out amongst ourselves. Bianca and I are also going to be reaching into our own things to figure it out. I trust we will not have any problems discovering the location of this monster."
Cassie nodded, "Then it is done. No resources will be provided by the legion to Optio Jackson. Questers good luck, and please consult the augur before you depart. Pack your things, and prepare to move out. We will begin building defenses around the Tiber to prepare for a possible attack from the water."
With the final conclusions done the Senate meeting came to a close as Cassie banged the gavel signalling a dismissal. Jason leaned back sighing, "Well that could've gone worse. I guess I get the privilege of hunting down Reyna to see if she will assist me."
Percy crossed his arms wiping a hand through his hair, "There had to have been a reason Mars wanted you to take a child of war. There is something to that, but I just don't know."
Gwen commented easily, "It's possible there will be angry Lares there. It is said children of war have some extent of control to Lares who have lost wars. It is said that each losing side of the War owes Mars Ultor a tribute due to their defeat, so maybe it has something to do with that."
As the group continued to discuss Praetor, Cassie walked past the group merely saying, "Walk with me, Optio Jackson."
Giving wide eyes to Jason, Bianca, and Gwen at the woman's tone he quickly fell in step with her as they marched out into the city, and towards the Pomerian line. When they crossed it they were looking over the valley in which New Rome sat in. Silence followed, and the son of Neptune felt the nerves in his stomach return ten fold from what they were earlier as the silence stretched on. Finally she spoke, "Percy, I could be a very valuable...ally to you."
This caught the young man flat footed, "I don't understand Praetor."
"Your intentions to take the daughter of Pluto are interesting. She proved to be among the best female fighters in Camp yesterday. What were your intentions by bringing her on this assignment from Olympus?" Cassie questioned severely.
"I'm not sure what you are implying with this line of questioning Praetor. This job could very well kill all three of us. A monster of this caliber has not haunted Rome in many years. If I could have taken Jason, I would have in a heartbeat, but my circle of trust is small, and I had to draw from it in what will most certainly be a fight for my life." Percy said, trying to keep the heat out of his words.
The woman seemed to analyze his words, "Would you like to be a Praetor one day?"
In confusion Percy shook his head, but then she said, "I could make that task a lot easier you know. I know Mark already favors you, and though you are only an Optio now I think you could ascend over Jason Grace if you had stauncher allies."
The way she kept saying ally made Percy think she had something else in mind. Cassie was almost nine years older than him though, and he surely wasn't interesting to her, "Jason is my best friend ma'am. It has been clear to me for years that he would one day ascend to Praetor, and my aspirations are only to serve Rome, and restore honor to the House of Neptune. My desire to build my father a temple he deserves here in Principia is my highest ambition. That is it."
"It could be more." She said easily.
"I don't think I want it to be ma'am." Percy said defensively.
Her face turned to a frown, "You disappoint me Percy."
"I am sorry ma'am." He said softly.
A few moments of silence passed to the point that it became uncomfortable before Cassie spoke again, "You slay the Trojan Sea Monster, and I will see to it personally that your father's shrine is getting an upgrade. After that I would like it if you would see yourself somewhat in my debt."
Taken aback by this offer Percy said, "I would see myself that way ma'am, and the Sea repays its debts."
With a slight smile now she then nodded her head, "Good. Then let's get it done. Good luck Optio Jackson. You are dismissed."
Feeling terribly confused by the direction the conversation took Percy strolled his way down the hill back through the Pomerian Line in search of his friends and quest mates.
When Percy made it to his barracks Jason was waiting on him with a packed bag on his shoulder. Percy met him with a fist bump asking, "Did you talk to Reyna about the quest?"
Jason nodded, "I did. I told her if we managed to be successful I would make sure she was taken off Probatio instead of having to wait a year to get her first bar of service. I wasn't sure I had her support until I offered that."
"Well at least she agreed." Percy said in concession.
The two walked together towards Temple Hill, and silence followed them all the way to the shrine of Neptune. Standing at the door Percy waited for his friend to enter, but Jason shook his head, "Will you come in with me? Before we go see Octavion?"
Grinning at his best friend the young man said, "My father isn't going to smite you, but if that is what you want. Come on."
The two stepped into the small tool shed to surround themselves in the antiquated building. The only nice part of the building was the beautiful three tier water fountain Percy had built by hand last year. The two demigods stepped to the new altar, and went down to one knee together. Jason immediately began speaking, "Lord Neptune, this is Jason Grace. I need help. An ally of mine, and I will be going to Fort Sumter at the request of Olympus to open a weapons cache of Imperial Gold. Mars Ultor told me that it would be imperative the legion was well armed to face a rising threat. The problem my ally and I face will be transportation once we have the weapons. I beg of you to aid me in this quest. If you could just show me a way to find some pegasi, or perhaps even more of the hippocampi you sent us last year I would find myself in the debt of House Neptune. Please my Lord. Help me."
Nothing happened for three long minutes as the two friends stayed on their knees in the temple, and finally a small gust of sea breeze entered the room, and somehow the boys knew his prayer would be answered in one way or another.
The two silently rose to their feet and gave a bow to the altar as they exited. Percy spoke once they began walking away from the altar, "He was listening. You felt the breeze. I think he is going to help you."
Jason grimaced, "I hope so. I've never felt anything like that when praying at my father's temple so perhaps it was a good sign."
The two walked in sync together towards the Jupiter Optimus Maximus where they new Ocatvion would be awaiting their arrival. Pushing the massive Iron doors open to the building they saw Octavian was on his knees before a giant statue of Jupiter holding his Master Bolt. Both knew the architect of the statue obviously had never seen the weapon in real life, because the bolt looked nothing like what they were seeing.
When the doors closed Octavion rose to his feet, "Centurion Grace, Optio Jackson, welcome. I have been sacrificing and praying to the gods all morning in hope of getting good readings for our quest issued by Olympus. I am confident we are going to get something good out of our sacrifices today."
Jason gave the augur a small look of exasperation with all the formality being shown, but held his head high, "Good afternoon Augur. I am ready to see my fate."
Octavion smiled, pulling forth a ceremonial dagger, and a really cute coca-cola Polar Bear stuffed animal as he gutted the poor creature in search of prophecy or their fate. Octavion trailed his hands through the gutted stuffed bear mumbling a prayer in Latin to his Great Grandfather Apollo. After a few moments Octavion lifted his head, "I see an alliance being formed. A new ally you will gain, and it seems I see success on your journey to ultimately supply the legion with new weapons."
Jason turned to grin at Percy, clearly excited to hear the news, and Octavion kept searching the stuffing of the Polar Bear saying, "I see you uncovering valuable information on your quest. Though I cannot tell how valuable, or what it may be. It seems you may be destined for success on this quest Jason Grace."
Not even caring that his dislike for Octavian was immense Jason bowed, and stepped back allowing Percy to come forward. The Legacy of Apollo smirked at Percy as he reached for a black killer whale stuffed animal, and began slicing it up. The smirk went away instantly as he began reading the entrails. Octavian's eyes seemed to cloud as he chanted in Latin, "I see Death Percy Jackson. I see heartbreak. The fall of Rome's greatest threat comes at a great cost. The location of this monster...it's immense. Impossible to track, even more impossible to…"
The boy trailed off, staring at something in the entrails clearly disturbed him. Jason stepped back forward by Percy asking impatiently, "Well what do you see?"
Octavian's eyes shot up, and his eyes seemed to flash gold as he fell to his knees crying out in pain. Jason and Percy both surged forward to check the young man, "The death of this creature comes at a cost. I cannot see what. I saw a mountain, and a lone man standing towards a plateau. A man of divine appearance. A woman behind him holding up the sky. I saw Percy in front of the Tiber holding a massive monster back. It was a blur of images. I have never seen so clearly."
Jason and Percy looked at each other troubled by what had just occurred. They always thought Octavian was a show, but whatever had just happened was real. They saw the gold flash through his eyes. The pain in his face was not something that could've been faked. Octavian had seen the future. Lord Apollo himself was likely watching the scene with interest.
Together they helped the young man back to his feet as the augur whispered his thanks, "I need to report this Cassie. You must both be careful. While I was given the gift of reading into the future by being a legacy I should not be able to peer into the future like I did. I am not an oracle. Something's...not right."
Clearly shaken and disturbed the two left Octavian to ponder what had happened and report his findings to the Senate and Cassie. Jason and Percy however went back to the barracks to discuss what was to come.
(A/N) Sorry for the delay. I know I am terrible about being on time, but only two days behind this time.
Hello! Lots of foreshadowing done in this chapter, and some of it may not make sense yet, but hang around and I promise it will. A Titan's hand is at work in all this, and in time all will be revealed!
To answer some reviewers:
I have yet to comb through the story and change it everywhere, but going forward we will use Triton's name that he was given in the PJO Universe instead of what I dug up online. Honestly I can't seem to find where I saw Triden as his Roman form, though I know I found it somewhere at some point. Enough people have come forward saying its not right though that I will bow to it. Sometime this week I will fix it throughout the story, and the Summary.
Percy, Bianca, and Jason bonded fast. This was partially out of necessity due to their quest that through them together, and partially out of Olympian intervention. Lord Pluto asked Percy to take Bianca under his wing, but along the way he took a liking to the girl much like he did in the Original Universe. I think had Bianca lived in the original story her relationship with him would've been way better, and healthier than what he had with Thalia.
Someone also commented a few chapters back on how powerful Bianca is. To this I say that Zoe Nightshade saw something in the girl when she planned to make her a lieutenant. Her exact words I can't remember, but she said saw such potential in the girl, and let's face it Percy was defeating A-List monsters that grown adults in mythology were fighting with no training, so what I am suggesting in this story with all the training she is receiving isn't out of the question.
Last thing! Percy and Gwen. Their relationship is developing, but it won't last for long. The age difference shouldn't be weird to many people if you are a fan of the OG story, because lets not forget Annabeth and Luke were the same distance apart that Percy and Gwen are if not less so. Don't try and debate me either about whether Annabeth loved Luke like family or not either. Her original ambition that Percy see's in Siren's bay, and the way she reacted to the prophecy in book 4 tells it all. SO THERE.
See you guys on Friday for next weeks update...MAYBE!
Cheers!
NNZtZXyD2c
