Chapter 16

Jason's P.O.V.

Jason didn't know what exactly he felt. He'd woken up early, freshened up, and was now stood on the deck, gazing at the towns they were moving above. Up in the air, he felt more confident. He was waiting for his crewmates to show up, so that they could revise their plan one more time. He knew that Tyson must have told Camp Jupiter about their arrival. What he didn't know was how they might be taking the news. He surely knew that the fifth cohort, along with Natalie and Reyna and Hazel would be at his side.

Jason felt that somehow, if everything went wrong, it would be his fault today. After all, the Romans were his camp, and they were quite serious about their enmity with Greeks. He felt excited, to finally be going back to Camp Jupiter. Nervous, because he didn't know what to expect. Happy, because he'd be seeing Natalie and Reyna and all his friends after a long time. He did miss them. Natalie had always been like family to him, and after the seeing what she'd been through, Jason had somewhat become closer with her.

But Reyna…Jason wasn't sure what to do. He definitely liked her. But as a good friend. Though he always knew that Reyna had considered their friendship more than just friendship. He tried not to think what Reyna might think when she met Piper. He knew that Piper and his relationship had been a trick of the mist, but he had never felt something like that towards any girl. Piper was beautiful, she was strong, brave. She had been ready to go on a dangerous quest with him. Jason had never exactly felt the same way about Reyna.

"Hey, bro!" Leo called from behind in his same-as-always sarcastic voice. "Care to come down to discuss what we're gonna do today? Or do we have to wait for an eternity till you break your line of thought and grace us with your presence?"

Jason silently smiled, but pretended to roll his eyes. "I'm coming, Leo."

He made his way to the mess hall, thinking about how his life and changed in the last few months. He'd lost his memory, gone on a crazy quest, then gotten it back. He'd almost died quite a few times. And then as soon as he remembered, he was half yearning to see everybody. He'd spent most of their time at Camp Half-Blood helping Leo with the ship. It kept him busy, and he just did the work thinking that he's gonna see his old friends soon. Then, finally, the Argo II had been completed. They'd set off for Camp Jupiter. And today, in a few hours, he would be there. Nervousness gripped his entire body. He didn't realize that he'd already reached the hall and almost ran into the door.

He took a deep breath, then opened the door and went inside. Tension hung in the air as though sparks of electricity were all cracking here and there in the small room. The walls showed the early morning scenery at Camp Half-Blood. Everybody on the ship was sitting there. Annabeth was thinking deeply, her hands folded. Piper gave him a small smile as he got inside and sat on a chair, but it made him think about Reyna and feel guilty. Coach Hedge was examining his club, and Leo was fiddling with something on the table.

Annabeth looked up. "So, let's revise the plan once more, shall we. Jason," she said pointing at him. "you'll be in the front, so that they can see you easily and not just blow us out. Piper," she turned towards her. "You'll be with Jason, and convince them to talk to us once. Use charmspeak if you have to. Leo," Leo looked up, and whatever he was building immediately crumbled. "You'll be in the control room, in case something bad happens, you'll immediately veer us back and we wait until we find another solution to talk to them. And Coach, you'll be in your room."

Coach Hedge found it most disturbing he had to stay inside. "I think I should be outside. I can control things with my Chuck Norris moves if something goes wrong," he complained.

"Yeah you're right. We're sure you can," she assured him. "But you're our element of surprise. We can't let them see you. Besides, you can watch that episode of your favourite show. The one you missed last night."

The coach grunted, but agreed to it all the same. Jason had to admire Annabeth's wit. She'd convinced the coach to stay inside without even him complaining.

"Leo, have you set up that truce flag?" Annabeth asked. Leo had returned to whatever he was making while Annabeth had been talking with Coach Hedge, but he suddenly stood up.

"Oh, man!" he said, rushing out of the room. "Thanks for reminding me!" he yelled as he made his way up the deck, his voice fading with the sound of his footsteps.

"Leo!" Annabeth sighed.

"Don't worry, Annabeth," Piper put an arm reassuringly on her shoulder. "Everything will be alright."

Jason could tell that Piper was nervous too. But he could tell it wasn't just because they could be blown to bits by the Romans. But she definitely did her best to hide it.

Jason spent the rest of the time alone in his small room, thinking what he'd do or say when he would meet his friends. What he would say to Natalie or Reyna. But the more he thought, the more he felt like he was losing it. Finally, when Leo said they would reach Camp in five minutes, he decided he'd do what his heart told at that moment, and got on the deck to their respective positions. A huge white flag waved in the wind, with the words TRUCE written on it. Jason could see the camp now. He saw the Oakland and Berkeley Hills, the temple hill, the barracks. He breathed in the fresh air. It felt like he was back at home, which, he told himself, he was. Jason could see people coming out of the Senate hall in New Rome. He spotted the Senators from above. Just before they could descend, the ship lurched. A blast sounded. Jason went to the edge of the deck.

"Warship!"

He looked down to see the non-handed statue of the god Terminus looking at them, his face furious.

"Weapons! Coming inside the boundary of New Rome!" he yelled.

"Please," Piper charmspeak. "We only want to-,"

"Gah! Don't use that sorcery on me, girl!" Terminus boomed. "I'm a god. I won't fall fir your stupid charmspeak."

Jason understood it was his turn now. If he didn't speak, Terminus would blast them out of the sky.

"Terminus," Jason yelled. "It's me. Jason Grace!"

The crowd of people was coming towards them now. Legionnaires stood a few feet from Terminus, gazing above at the Argo II.

"Jason Grace! Yes I remember. But I expected better of you. I expected discipline." Terminus said.

Jason had completely forgotten about Terminus. Annabeth came to his side. "What's happening?"

"Sorry, um...I forgot to tell you about Terminus. He protects the boundaries of New Rome."

"Well, then. You know him. Ask him to let us descend."

"Terminus! We have just come to talk. We need to descend." he yelled at the god. Jason knew he must be looking like a maniac, shouting from above like that.

"I will not allow a warship anywhere near New Rome or it's grounds."

Jason thought for a moment. "How about this? The ship will hover above the ground. Only we will drop down. And, we won't bring any weapons according to the rules."

Terminus seemed to be thinking about it. Then he turned towards someone, whom Jason identified unmistakably as Reyna.

"What do you say, Praetor?"

Reyna nodded, her eyes fixed on him. Jason could feel his face hot.

"Fine! But no weapons, as promised," he said finally.

"What? We're going down there without weapons?" Annabeth whispered to him. "They'll ambush us right there!"

"Believe me," Jason said. "If they'd have wanted that, Terminus would already have blasted us all to cinders."

Leo lowered a ladder to the ground, and all of them went down. As soon as they touched the ground, Jason immediately felt a connection. It was as though the ground itself had softened for him. He looked at the place, finally back after six long months. They started towards the boundary, and stopped when the four of them faced the legionnaires standing in front of them. Reyna still had her gaze fixed at Jason. For the millionth time in his life, Jason wondered how she managed to maintain such an excellent poker face at these type of moments. Then a guy met Annabeth.

He obviously was Percy. He had sea green eyes, as Annabeth described. And he definitely looked an experienced, battle hardened demigod. He started towards Annabeth. Annabeth started going towards him too. They reached together and kissed. Suddenly, Annabeth judo flipped him to the ground. Some Romans tried to move, but Reyna held them back.

Annabeth was not making a good impression, he thought. Though he was relieved when she finally got up and hugged him. People were staring at them, and he realized he should really say something. But it felt as though someone had glued his lips together. Fortunately, Reyna spoke.

"Jason Grace, my fellow Praetor. Welcome home."

Her expressions remained the same, but she advanced towards him and held out her hand. Jason shook it gingerly. Suddenly, the legionnaires started towards him. He would have been scared they were attacking him if Dakota hadn't rushed and wrapped him in a hug.

"Jason, man! Next time you disappear like this, and we're gonna execute you when you show up" he said.

Jason couldn't help but smile. These people still cared about him so much. It was the first time it struck Jason that everyone would have been worried while he was gone. "Yeah, it's nice to see you too, Dakota," he laughed. He, Piper and Leo moved together. He knew they both felt awkward, surrounded by people they didn't know, but he shook hands with everyone he met. Finally, he reached Annabeth and Percy, who were talking with Hazel, Natalie, and another chinese-looking guy Jason didn't know.

"And, this is Natalie. She's like, my half-sister," Percy introduced her to Annabeth.

"Natalie Carter," she held out her hand.

"Annabeth Chase," Annabeth said as she shook it. "Pleased to meet you."

"Nice Judo flip."

"Thanks."

"Hey!" Percy said.

Jason suddenly felt very comfortable. The awkwardness vanished from inside him.

"Looks like someone is really busy meeting people," he said to Natalie. For the first moment, they met eyes. Then Natalie rushed forward and hugged him. He hugged her back. He realized he'd missed her more than he actually knew.

"You know," she said, not breaking away. "For a moment there, I had a very strong urge to judo flip you like Annabeth did and kick you really badly."

Jason chuckled. "You really missed me that bad, did you?"

"Yeah. I did," she said, pulling away.

He turned to Percy. "Heard a lot about you, man. Jason Grace. Really pleased to meet you."

"Percy Jackson. Pleased to meet you too," he grinned. He introduced them to Piper and Leo. And Natalie introduced him to Frank, who had arrived at Camp after Jason had disappeared.

Reyna appeared. "Uh, Reyna. These are Piper and Leo," Reyna shook hands with them. "And this is Annabeth. She doesn't normally judo flip people."

"Please to meet you," Annabeth and Reyna shook hands.

"I've heard a lot about you, Annabeth," Reyna said, her hands clasped firmly around Annabeth's. "I must say I've been looking forward to meeting you. Let's go, we must talk."

"Praetor," someone said. Jason turned to see Octavian standing behind him. He'd been half hoping he wouldn't have to see Octavian, but of course, that guy wouldn't leave without making his life difficult. He was such a power hungry moron, that sometimes Jason just had the urge to punch him for no good reason. "I'm sure we all are happy to have Jason back. Do you think it wise to let Greeks inside-,"

"We've been through this, Octavian. The senate has decided we shall welcome them with open arms and listen to them."

"But-,"

"Why don't you go to Temple Hill and burn some offerings, Octavian?" Natalie said. "After all, you were the one praying hardest for his return. Now that he's safely back, shouldn't you be thanking the gods?"

Octavian's face turned pale. He grunted, but made his way towards the temple hill. The others followed Reyna, who was leading them towards the forum. Percy and Annabeth were chatting with Leo and Frank as they walked. Hazel had gone ahead and was walking with Reyna. He, Natalie and Piper moved together.

"So," Jason said, looking at his cousin. "You're a senator now?"

He'd seen her wearing the toga, the sign of a senator.

"Yeah, a senior member, mind you. Just got my tenth stripe yesterday." she said happily.

Piper glanced at her arm. "So all of you get these stripes?"

"Yeah, all full legionnaires do. The symbol marks their godly parent or godly ancestor, and the stripes mark the years."

Jason looked around. "Where's Gwen?"

"She retired. Just before we went on our quest," she said.

"Quest?" Jason asked, surprised. He hadn't hoped he would hear something like that.

"Yeah, it's a long story. Guess you'll hear it when we're talking." Natalie said.

"So what meeting were you having before we arrived?" Piper asked. Jason knew she was trying to be friendly and interested to hide her nervousness.

"There's no need to be nervous," Natalie laughed. "We're not going to hurt you."

"How did you know?" Piper asked.

"Did I mention she's an expert at reading people?" Jason asked Piper. She shook her head smiling. But Piper definitely became relaxed after that.

"We were just discussing your arrival. Tyson told us when we returned from the quest. Then there was a battle. Which" she said looking at my expression. "You'll hear about it in the forum. So we were just discussing what to do when you people came."

Jason looked at the buildings of New Rome. There definitely had been a battle. Buildings looked damaged, then hastily repaired. He felt a pang in his stomach. He wasn't there for his camp at the time of battle. Then he saw Natalie's left hand.

"How'd you get hurt?" he asked. Of all the people he knew, Natalie was the one who was least likely to have a wound. Whenever she got one, she just got it healed from water. Jason had always envied her for that power, especially when she got hurt more than her but still healed faster than him.

"Let's say, a huge giant just swiped at my hand with a trident," she laughed. "It just didn't heal from water. Pranjal said I'd have to let it heal like a usual wound."

"So how does a meeting work?" Piper questioned.

"Oh it's easy," Natalie explained. "The Praetors, who are the heads, bring forward the subject. The Senators make propositions on what to do on that topic. The legionnaires vote or put forward their views on propositions. The proposition with the majority of votes is approved."

"I can bet Octavian was all in for blasting the ship," Jason muttered.

"Natalie chuckled. "Yeah, sure. If you do, I'd lose because he did say that."

Finally, they reached the forum. All of them gathered around, sitting on the tables. Eating arrangements were made, and the legionnaires sat in groups. His Argo II crewmates sat on a huge round table with Tyson, Ella, Natalie, Hazel, Frank, Percy and Reyna. Octavian arrived a minute later, and sat grumpily beside Frank. Frank, Jason was happy to see, shifted his chair so he wouldn't have to be too much close to Octavian. Aurae served the food of their choice on their plates.

"Cool!" Leo said.

"So," Reyna said. "Tell us about what happened after you disappeared."

Jason started explaining. He told them everything. How he woke up at the bus, met Coach Hedge, Leo and Piper, how Annabeth had picked them up. He just left out the details of Piper and his relationship, but Jason knew Reyna had already guessed that. He told them about their quest, saving Piper's dad, battling Porphyrion, and then building Argo II.

Everyone listened to him patiently. After he completed it, he looked at Reyna, hoping she would say something. She looked lost in thought. It only meant one thing. She needed time to deliver her verdict. So he decided it was better to hear their story.

"So what's the story with you guys?" Jason asked.

Percy started telling them about their quest. By the time he had finished, Jason was amazed. Those guys had gone to Alaska and rescued death and gotten back, defeating and killing two giants. And I wasn't able to kill even one, he thought.

"Wow. Looks like you all had a lot more fun than us. Thanks for saving my camp," he said to Percy.

"Same to you," he grinned.

"Oh come on!" Octavian grunted. "How's that supposed to make us believe they don't mean any harm?"

Annabeth spoke up. "We haven't brought any weapons. We did as you were told. We're even offering a hand of friendship to end this rift. And you still doubt us?"

Octavian leaned forward. "That still doesn't make it clear why suddenly the Greeks would offer a hand of friendship."

"Percy already explained it, Octavian. It's about the Great prophecy." Natalie snapped.

"And turns out he's a Greek too, isn't it? Even if we believe you're interested in friendship, this prophecy stuff is completely made up. We'd be making the same mistake as last time, like Michael Varus did!"

Jason spoke this time, "And the proof is the prophecy we got! The giants revenge, the eight shall birth. What do you think eight means? The eight of the prophecy. We're the eight. The four of us and the four members of the Alaska quest. The eight!"

"And we are supposed to believe this rubbish! Why should we consider you all the eight of the prophecy! The members cannot be chosen like this! And what if you're wrong? Maybe the eight people are the demigods of another prophecy."

"Octavian," Reyna spoke. "We shall discuss this-,"

"Look, Octavian," Annabeth intervened. "Our Oracle hosts the spirit of Delphi, and she's blessed by Apollo herself. She has told us that the prophecy is starting. Her words are the words of the spirit of Delphi herself."

"Oracle?" Octavian laughed. "this just cleared all this is a big lie. How can we trust the saying of a person? We don't even know if your Oracle is faking it. Isn't it an insult itself, for a daughter of Athena to step in New Rome!"

The forum became silent. Percy clenched his fists, but Natalie grabbed his hand to stop him from getting the Augur. This time, Octavian had gone too far. Jason himself wanted to stand and punch him in his ugly face.

"Enough, Octavian!" Reyna said. "This discussion ends now! And if you do not want to show our guests proper hospitality, you are excused!"

Octavian grudgingly quietened. Reyna was breathing heavily.

"Daughter of Athena," someone muttered. Ella the harpy had stood up, her eyes widened. She looked at Annabeth.

"Ella!" Natalie hastily sat up. "Maybe it's not the time-,"

"Daughter of Athena," Ella repeated. Jason didn't know what was going on. Why would Natalie stop Ella from speaking?

"Uh, Tyson," Frank stood up too. "Why don't you take Ella outside?"

Tyson got up, but Ella started speaking before he could do anything.

"Wisdom's daughter walks alone,

The Mark of Athena burns through Rome.

Twins snuff out the Angel's breath,

Who holds the key to endless death.

The giant's bane stands gold and pale,

Won through pain from a woven jail."

Ella sat down. Natalie gestured to Tyson to take Ella outside. They both went outside, legionnaires gawking at them from their tables. Octavian probably wanted to say something, but he didn't.

Natalie leaned in to Reyna, and told her something urgently in her ear. Reyna nodded. Jason looked questioningly at Natalie, but she just met his eyes. Her expression conveyed only one thing. I'll tell you later. Just shut up for now.

"Octavian, I need you to go with someone and survey their ship." Reyna told him.

"But Praetor, you do understand what she said appeared like a prophecy-,"

"Just do what you're told, Octavian," Percy snapped. "And that's both the Praetor's telling you now. You're not supposed to refuse your senior's orders."

"Perhaps, respected Praetor," Octavian said, getting up. "You do not seem to have noticed we have three Praetors now, which definitely seems to be a problem. The rules state there must be only two praetors."

"Perhaps, you, Octavian," Percy pointed to him. "Do not seem to have noticed that there are three people who can tell you to shut up and follow the orders."

Jason wanted to smirk, but the situation was so serious, he just glared at Octavian.

"Come on, man!" Leo said cheerfully, getting up. "Let's lighten up the mood. I'll show you around the ship."

"Go, Octavian," Reyna said.

"All legionnaires are excused. The meeting's over."

After everyone had left, Jason dared ask Reyna something he was sure would hurt her, but he did it, feeling more guilty than ever.

"Uh, Reyna? Do you mind if I show Piper around?"

"No."

Just that word sent a pang through Jason's stomach. And so he left with Piper, showing her around New Rome. He could tell that Piper was having a good time. After about half an hour, as they were coming back, Jason heard a boom. He looked over to see a blast from Argo II, which had been aimed at the Forum. His friends were inside the building. And it was collapsing and on fire. Jason didn't stop to wonder who had fired or what had happened. He rushed towards the building the fastest he could. He was aware that the legionnaires were yelling at them. Some were throwing stones, or whatever they could find. But Jason had only one thing in mind.

Their plan had backfired, and now the possibility that the Romans would have accepted their friendship was crumbling.