1850 hours -

"Okay, here's the plan so far, I'm going to send the eighth cohort, mounted on horseback to ride ahead of us. Percy pointed to the map so that Aero, Alexis, and Artemis could see.

"They're job is going to be to make sure that this… Fort, is actually there. Then they'll report back." Artemis chipped in as he drew his breathe for his next sentence.

"And if the fortress isn't there?"

Percy sighed. "I was about to get to that… If the fortress is not there, our only hope is to head East, fast. Maybe we could rendezvous with the 12th, assuming we can delay them enough." Aero stepped forward, studying the map, then he spoke, dashing Percy's backup plan. "We'd never make it Percy, it's too far, you saw the way those Picts were built, we might outrun them at first, at forced march, but then they're endurance will close the distance."

Percy slumped down in his chair, holding his head. "Then what do you suggest as an alternative?"

Aero looked around the rest of the table, his answer becoming obvious. If this fortress wasn't there, they would all be slaughtered. There was going to be no plan B.

Just as the information had sunk in, there was a quick exchange of words and the new Centurion of the eighth entered. Bowing to Artemis respectfully before saluting Percy.

He returned the salute with a fist to his heart, then extending his flat palm outward, motioning for her to sit once the formalities were over. "What's your name Centurion?" She shifted for a moment before sitting up a little straighter and speaking. Percy smirked and glanced at Artemis, noting the sudden burst of confidence from the girl, and attributing it to Artemis' presence.

"My name is Catherine." She said it confidently, but not in a overly-confident way. "Well Centurion, you've got a job to do. Tonight I want your cohort to mount up and ride North, to about here." Percy finished by pointing to the spot on the map he'd mentioned earlier. "Once you're there, I need you to look for a fort, or fortress of some sort, stone walls we think."

She nodded in response, examining the map for a moment before commenting. "How do you want us to report what we've found, just ride back here?"

Percy thought about it for a moment before responding, glancing not just at Catherine, but also at everyone else around the table as well.

"Send a rider back along the same exact path you rode there on, we'll be not re than two days' ride behind you. while you're there, see what you can find out about the place, and shore up its defenses as best you can."

She nodded in understanding. "Anything else Praetor?" Percy shook his head. "Plan your route and send me a copy before you go, past that, take what you need and move out."

—–New Rome—–

Jason rolled his eyes. "Terminus…" Terminus, the annoying God of boundaries scoffed and mocked the Praetor. "Jason…"

Jason sighed, he never liked giving up his gladius, but he could deal with it, if he could keep is twin daggers, Gemina Caesaria's.

The name translated to "The Twinned Caesar's" they were supposed to signify his rank as Consul, but he liked to have at least them for defense.

But rules were rules, he could remember the last time he'd tried to sneak his daggers into New Rome, it had not been pretty. He shuddered, and put the daggers on the pedestal next to Terminus. Then walked across the border, trying not to smirk as Terminus began giving reasons to a scribe as to why pens were 'dangerous weapons' and should not be allowed in the City.

Jason kinda liked walking through the streets of New Rome, it reminded him of simpler times. Times he and Reyna would run away from their mountains of paper work and get coffee and Crassus' Café. Of course, Crassus always reminded them of their duties as Consuls of Rome, but they drank their coffee nonetheless.

But those were the times when the fates of 1,000 demigods weren't about to be decided in a marble house full of aristocrats, most of whom had never seen active military duty. They have no idea what we are faced with, and see this as a way to put more money in their coffers.

That was the problem with the Senate nowadays, none of the Senators had to serve as military tribunes to gain favor for election. Not since the tribunate was abolished.

He sat down at Crassus' Café, at the same table he and Reyna used to sit at, and ordered a cup of coffee.

The meeting would start in thirty minutes, so he had some time to finish his coffee and get to the Senate House.

After just a minute or two of sitting, he heard footsteps behind him and a familiar voice spoke. "You know, it won't be easy to convince them that this whole thing isn't just an easy way for them to line their pockets with Denarius." Reyna came into view in front of him and he smirked. "Yeah, I figured as much. It'll be less trying to convince them and more trying to convince Severus…" Reyna nodded her head, agreeing. Severus owned half of New Rome. One word from him and most of the Senate would flock to his side, they needed to convince him first.

The server came by and gave Jason his coffee and Reyna ordered her's.

"I think I'm gonna try to meet with him before the Senate meeting, if I can secure him before the meeting starts, I might stand a chance." He chuckled lightly and she responded. "Good luck with that, he's worse than Octavian… And about 100 times richer…" Jason nodded. "I'm assuming I have your support, and your followers support?"

"Of course, as you said though, it won't make much of a difference unless Severus comes to our cause." Jason nodded in agreement and sat in thought for a moment, Reyna's coffee arriving in the meanwhile.

Jason stood, gulping the last dregs of his coffee down. "Well, Mi' Lady, I have an asshole to go meet, so, if you'll excuse me…" Reyna raised an eyebrow and Jason grinned. "Get out of here airhead…" And he turned towards the Senate House.

This is about to get political…

Hey Guys, I'm back after a long break, I had a lot happen combined with college and it all basically took a giant shit on my life, but I managed to get it back together and duck tape myself into some sort of shape again, so I'm ready to write! XD All the support you guys and gals can show is appreciated, reviews, follows, and favorites are all appreciated deeply, and they inspire me to write more, thank you guys and gals, SO much! Until next time… -RR