Chapter 15

Arriving before his Praetor and best friend on a hellhound wasn't exactly the dramatic entrance he was looking for. When Mrs. O'Leary brought him to the top of Pikes Peak. It was easily 40 degrees colder than what he left behind in Salt Lake City, and the air was clearly much thinner. A long bridge stood towards the peak of the mountain, and there he saw a fire burning nearby, and had his new hellhound friend guided him over there. Needless to say Mark, and Bianca were on their feet ready to fight at a seconds notice before they realized their wayward son of Neptune had returned.

The explanations were long and drawn out, and Mrs. O'Leary didn't stick around to listen to them. With a loud eruption of a bark the hellhound licked Percy's face again, and took off into the shadows. The explanations for the hellhound alone took quite some time, but eventually they all came to an understanding over some of the events that had occured at the Great Salt Lake. A simple note was left behind in what looked like Percy's handwriting was in his room when they came looking for him in the morning. Bianca claimed it certainly matched his writing, but certainly not his style to run off in the middle of such a dangerous quest. The note had told them to wait for him at the top of Pikes Peak, and they had only been here for a few hours when he arrived.

Bianca, who was dressed in a black parka coat with SPQR on the front, looked quite comfortable in the climate. Mark was similarly dressed, and compared to Percy who was in jeans and a short sleeve shirt they looked quite comfortable. Bianca asked, "Gods Percy we knew something had happened, but where did you go? What did you do?"

Percy sighed, "You wouldn't believe me if I told you. Lady Juno kidnapped me out of my room in the middle of the night, and had me go on a task for her on the Great Salt Lake. Let's just say without your dad I would've been skewered by a Spartan that was over five thousand years old."

A long silence followed his words when Mark finally said, "I'm gonna need you to run that by me again with a lot more detail."

Percy rolled his eyes and laughed, "Well come on it looks like we have quite a bridge to hike up, and I will tell you guys all about it along the way."

And he did. Percy told them about Menalaus and his partial immortality. He told them about the words they had exchanged, and that he was responsible for possibly dozens of legionnaire deaths. By the time Percy was done Mark looked furious, "We sent an expedition to Salt Lake City years ago looking for a former legionnaire who had gone missing in the area. I sent three out, and none of them ever returned. That...that fucking GRACEUS!"

Bianca and Percy both stuttered over the rage of the usually calm and collected Praetor. Mark stewed the news over in silence for a few minutes as they continued to climb the bridge to Aelous' brilliant purple flashing palace in the sky. When they reached the top Mark put a hand on Percy's shoulders, "When we get back to Camp I am going to give you the Phalerae. This is an injustice to our history that has been righted. The Legion will be in its debt to you Percy."

Percy stared in shock at the man, but Bianca was the one to ask, "What is that? A Phalerae?"

Mark looked towards Bianca with a smile, "An award I have not had a reason to give in my time as Praetor. It's a gold disk that Percy can put next to one of his laurels from winning the War Games. I know he has at least half a dozen of those, but this is different. I don't think anyone that wasn't an officer has ever received such a recognition award in sometime. He deserved it last year when he stopped War breaking out on Olympus, but this is the defeat of an ancient enemy. Lady Juno did the right thing separating you from us to end that threat. You are unharmed, and we have lost virtually no time. We must take this as a victory."

With that Mark walked on, and Bianca came to stand beside Percy who watched the man march forward. She bumped his shoulder gently as the two began to walk after him, "Look at you Mr. Big Shot. Defeating ancient enemies, and getting prestigious rewards from the Praetor. Congratulations."

Percy looked at the man as he got out of earshot entering into the palace with them following in step behind, "There is more for us to talk about, but now isn't the time. Your father and I had a little chat back in Salt Lake, and it was almost as interesting as the words Lady Juno had for me. Some of it might interest you."

Those brown eyes searched his sea green, and eventually she just smirked, "Alright Percy. We better catch up with Mark now though before we get left behind."

With a nod the two jogged lightly to catch up to the Praetor. The light jog winded them quickly as they realized the air was thinner than they previously thought. When they came shoulder to shoulder with Mark he stopped before a large door where a large blue ball was floating. Mark stared at the ball before he took a knee. The two half bloods confusedly followed suit, and the Praetor called out, "Lord Auster we come seeking an audience with Lord Aelous."

The blue ball shimmered into a large blue humanoid giant that stood easily at twenty five feet in height. Percy immediately recognized the name as the Roman God of the South wind, "Greetings demigods. What brings you to the palace of my master?"

"Bad tidings I am afraid my Lord. An ancient enemy of Rome is stirring in the Pacific. We were warned by Mars Ultor that the Trojan Sea Monster has risen from the depths of Tartarus. We seek Lord Aelous out for information. We know his wisdom, as well as the other anemoi is endless. We only wish to gather the location of this monster so we may hunt it down and destroy it, before it destroys the Romans way of life." Mark said humbly.

The wind God shimmered before them and eventually shrank down to a tall blue humanoid of about seven feet in height. Percy inappropriately thought the man looked similar to Genie in an old movie he had seen as a kid, but decided to keep that thought to himself. A lot of pop culture was created in the name of the gods, so this wasn't all that surprising. Austur stood tall with a thoughtful look on his face, "I have two children in the ranks of the twelfth legion. Are they well?"

Mark looked surprised at this, but Percy called from behind, "Your son David is in my cohort My Lord. He is a good legionnaire, and a value to the fifth cohort. Your other son I am not as acquainted with, but he was well when I last saw him on the field of Mars. He fights for the fourth with honor."

The man looked at Percy in surprise, "Perseus Jackson. Yes I have heard rumblings of you. In my oldest son's prayers even your name has appeared from time to time. He thinks you are a good leader, and has high praise for your performance. To honor my son's prayers I would be happy to grant you an audience with Lord Aelous."

The three demigods slowly stood at this, and Bianca spoke for the first time, "That is excellent news Lord Austur."

The man looked the daughter of Pluto over with the same bored look he had the whole conversation, "Yes I suppose it is. Unfortunately the next opening Lord Aelous has is in two days from now. Also if you really wish to be on his good side it would be wise to have some kind of offering to give him."

Percy felt as if the sword on his belt was heavier than usual at those words. Lord Pluto told him it would be wise for him to take the sword to barter. Perhaps this is what he meant, "We have brought the sword of Menalaus the Spartan King to gift to Aelous."

Austur looked interested for the first time, "You would give a weapon to the Lord Aelous, the Master of the winds?"

Percy felt like he had just been asked if he would give a toddler a weapon with the way Austur had made it sound. He was about to retract the offer when Austur burst into laughter, "Oh he is going to love you Perseus Jackson. Now come on if you have to wait two days for your meeting the least we could do is provide entertainment."

The entertainment wasn't exactly what the demigods were hoping for. Austur's idea of entertainment was sitting on the set watching Aelous lose his cool at Nymphs, and nature spirits banishing them back towards the Earth. Thankfully Austur had shown them their accommodations which was a large suite that had three bedrooms for them each to rest.

When they awoke the second day Percy realized it could be a very long day if he wasn't given time to train, and work out some of his frustrations. After some discussion among his group they decided to take a short trip out of the palace, and back onto the peak of the mountain to conduct some training exercises. Austur couldn't believe that they would rather go play with weapons then watch Aelous lose his temper at his assistants, but he easily relented saying they would have Lord Aelous' attention for a whole seven minutes the next day, and as long as they were back by then he saw no problems.

The day was mostly spent adjusting to the elevation, but as it all began to wind down Mark and Percy finally got their sparring match that was supposed to take place that morning in New Rome. Percy had borrowed Riptide from Bianca, and Mark had bested him in the first match, but the second match Percy found his rhythm with his friend's blade, and the two were staring each other down for the deciding match.

Bianca whistled standing between the two, "I'll admit Praetor I thought Percy was going to trounce you."

The young man chuckled lightly, "I told Percy the other night that I hadn't risen to Praetor for my charming personality. Until now I was unquestionably the best sword fighter in camp."

Percy grinned at the man, "Not too late to call it a draw."

Mark shook his head, "No I have to know. Though I ask you both that you keep our matches to yourselves. Whether I win or lose this next bout."

Both demigods bowed to their commanding officer slightly in acknowledgment. The son of Mars then looked to Bianca who nodded her head and began her countdown. Mark already had his sword pointed at Percy, and this time he was creating small circles in midair with the blade seemingly carving letters in the air.

When Bianca hit zero Mark with a big upwards thrust that came from the ground flicked snow on the towards Percy attempting to blind him, and surged forward in full attack mode. Percy shook the sabotage attempt off, easily beginning to match each strike with a block, and began slipping his own into the man's defense. The fight didn't drag on for a minute before Percy realized the man in front of him was starting to glow with a slight red aura. He briefly processed a gasp that came from Bianca to his left, but stayed focused on the man that seemed to become faster and stronger as the fight waged on. It was at this moment that Percy knew why no one had been able to beat Mark. The blessing of Mars was something he had only ever heard stories of. He had never seen it first hand, and knew he would never want to see it on the battlefield.

Percy had taken it personally after being beaten by Luke last year. He had pushed himself further with his weapon skills than he ever thought would've been possible. The way he saw it was that if he can't beat the best demigod swordsman of the age, what chance would he have against an immortal, or a Titan? It was only his commitment to his training that kept him in this, and even with it he was unsure how he was going to stay in the fight longer.

The strikes felt like they were coming from Triton himself, and Percy was forced to a knee under the barrage of strikes where Mark relentlessly attacked until he finally slammed his blade into Percy's three times before sweeping his sword in a downwards circling catching the hilt of riptide and disarming the son of Neptune soundly.

Mark breathed deeply, "Do you yield?"

In a fight to the death or even in competition against anyone else Percy might have tried some underhanded tactics to stay in the fight, but with the son of Mars still in his red glowing blessing he knew it would be possible suicide to try him, "I yield Praetor, and bow to your prowess."

Mark sheathed his sword and offered a hand up to Percy, "It's actually a draw. I cheated."

Percy looked at the man confused, but he grinned, "We are very closely matched in weapons, and I knew there would be nothing to gain for us to hash this out and really find out who the best is. The truth is in a fair fight it would be you with the powers of Neptune behind you, but I wanted to see how you would hold against the blessing of Mars. I am his only child to have ever been able to summon his power at will. To my knowledge I alone hold the gift."

Percy's mouth opened and shut a few times unsure of what to say, Bianca even chimed in, "I thought you might try and use your own powers Percy. Once Praetor Mark had initiated the use of demigod powers I certainly wouldn't have held back."

"It didn't even occur to me. I only wanted to win the duel." Percy admitted.

Mark grinned patting the boy on the shoulder, "You're a damn good Roman Percy. There's honor to you that not many would expect from a child of Neptune. I have heard whispers that you are planning to rebuild your fathers shrine?"

Percy blushed at the praise, but felt a little defensive at the mention of his fathers shrine. The question stalled his brain, but not for long, "It is my intention to do so after each of my services to Rome. For the honor you award me I will do something small. If I defeat the Trojan Sea Monster I will do something small. The more I accomplish, the more I will build upon my fathers shrine until one day he has a temple worthy of an Olympian. I know my father was feared in the Roman Empire, but throughout our history after the Trojan War he has aided our people in battle on the high seas, and it is unfair he doesn't get recognized for it. Let me ask you this Praetor. Minerva is the goddess of what is essentially arts and crafts, yet she is an Olympian so she has a beautiful temple. My father is Lord of the seas, earthshaker, stormbringer, and a son of Saturn, yet he has a toolshed. What about that is fair?"

Mark stared at Percy for a long moment before shaking his head, "You're right it's not fair." Percy was surprised at the omission, and before he could question it Mark continued, "You do great services for Rome, and in turn you build upon your fathers shrine that is remarkably admirable. You are nearly seven years into service though, and with only three left do you believe you will be able to bring honor back to the house of Neptune? I am sure you are aware one of your ancestors destroyed our last camp?"

Percy grinned at the man surprising him, and the daughter of Pluto, "Praetor I will serve this legion for a lifetime if that is what it takes. My father ensured I was trained well, and the people of Atlantis rose to my defense when Olympus thought I stole the lightning bolt last year. I owe a great debt to the sea, and I will not retire to live my life until that debt is paid. The house of Neptune's honor will be restored. I will serve for life if I must."

Bianca put an arm around Percy's waist as she came to stand next to him, "As long as Percy is in I am as well. I would get bored with city life anyways. Though I do have a lot more service left to give than him."

Mark didn't comment on Bianca's words at first, but he did raise an eyebrow at Percy. A small part of the son of Neptune realized Bianca's pledge to him, but also wondered just why she had come to stand so close to him to say it. Mark was clearly curious about the relationship between the two, but he didn't voice it, instead he said, "You're a good warrior Bianca. Other children of Pluto who have come through the legion are historically more like ambassadors from the Lord of the Underworld. It has been a long time since one has actually served. The American Civil War I knew we had someone. A general of great power, and he reeked devastation on the enemy. You have a great chance to live up to your ancestors reputation of being fierce warriors. I would love to see you take on Cassie. Cassie was popular in the legion from practically the day she started. Don't get me wrong she is a great fighter, and was for sometime the best female in the legion, but between yourself and the daughter of Bellona I think you could make her sweat. The way you two fight I could be looking at a future Praetor among you if you can get people to like you in the senate."

Bianca blushed heavily under Mark's praise, but said, "I have a little brother out there that I have to find. Once I know he is okay I think I will be a little friendlier with people in the legion, and maybe less intense. I just feel the constant pressure of being the best I can be. I can't help but believe one day I am going to have to save him, and I can't fail on that day. He is the only family I have left."

Mark's eyes shot up, and looked to Percy to confirm her words which he did with a simple nod, "A son of Pluto? Out there in the world alone? Is he your twin or how is the familial connection?"

Percy and Bianca both stilled at his last question, but Percy intercepted Bianca before she could lie, "Praetor it is a great crime to lie to someone in your position, but we have been sworn to secrecy by Olympus. Her brother isn't alone, but as a son of an Eldest Olympian he will always be in danger. We hope to bring him to Camp one day as an Ambassador to Pluto perhaps. He could be a great ally to have, but it could be sometime before Bianca gets reunited with him."

Mark furrowed his eyebrows at this, "Olympus wouldn't have asked you to keep it a secret if it wasn't important, but I will admit you have me curious."

Bianca sighed, "He is my full blooded brother, the same mother, and father. We are only about two years apart, but his control over his powers wasn't nearly as good as mine when we were last together. The Olympians told me he was safer elsewhere, but that we would be reunited one day."

Mark looked like he wanted to push the questions more, but seemed to think better of it after a moment before saying, "Well if he's anything like you Ms. Di Angelo we would be happy to have him. You are a good legionnaire."

Percy grinned at the girl and bumped shoulders with her, as they all agreed to wind up their training session for the day, and return to the palace for the evening.

(A/N) Hints of PercyxBianca laid in this chapter. Perhaps its pretty one sided now, and it will be that for a while longer. Tell me what you guys think. Big chapter coming up!

PS For once my delay is with reason. I was in Chicago with my family over the weekend on vacation celebrating my birthday with my family. I plan to go ahead and update the next chapter this coming Friday...well at least that's the plan!

To NiHarOP

I definitely agree with you, but Paris is still an essential story to the birth of Rome. These are also just Trojans the legacy of Rome, and not necessarily Romans themselves. Thanks for the review!

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