Hey there, sorry this chapter was a few days late. I'm happy with it though and will definitely try to keep this story updated. I'm happy with how this chapter turned out. And to the ongoing requests of when Percy will come into this story, just give me two more chapters, okay?

"Hey Zoe," Nico said early next morning as I was, once again, eating. I could never seem to have a quiet breakfast anymore.

So I turned to face him, looking irritable. Nico however wasn't look at me but staring down at the table, nervously. Well it had to be important then. And probably bad news.

"So I'm leaving, I don't like to stay anywhere to long you see, maybe I'll try and find Percy, you see he's my friend and he's clearly not here so umm, I'm going to look elsewhere - I'm sure you'll be fine and everything..." he babbled and I struggled to make sense of what he said.

"So you're leaving?" I checked.

"Yeah."

"And are you planning to return any time soon?"

"In a few weeks? Not sure honestly," He said, like He hadn't thought that far ahead.

"Well then..." I wasn't sure west to say, really. He'd been helpful, understanding the death situation far better then I'd anticipated. He was so far the only person who knew who I was and respected me. "... You have been most pleasant these past few days and I'm sorry to see you go so soon." Too formal but it was all I could manage.

"Good luck!" He said with an uncharacteristically child-like grin on his young face.

I smiled brightly and seconds later we both descended to cheerful laughter. Who knew why?

-

Nico left swiftly but I stayed. I couldn't leave as easily as him. Why did the others seem aware that he didn't belong here? True he was not a Roman but they were tolerating my presence. How did he and I manage to find this place? The gods kept it hidden for good reason, what was now changing?

These were questions of fate and destiny, I knew there were reasons, and I had to play my part but the answers would not be pleasing. Messing with Romans was a very risky idea and a problem with death was equally worrying. That was definitely part of it.

There was nothing to do but wait for now though.

I held the gleaming gold short sword in my hand, finally completed. I swung it experimentally a few times, smiling in victory. I didn't often build things nor was I the best at it but this has turned out great. And, more importantly the spells seemed to be working. I couldn't test out the warning signal but with a sharp jab, a bolt of fire appeared and singed the ground, leaving a blackened mark behind. It was perfect.

I felt more secure with it though dealing with the other smiths in the meantime had been exhausting. I was thinking about trying to relax, trusting that the signs would make themselves known to me. I would definitely prefer ignoring people to arguing with them.

I was thinking of trying to change jobs to guard duty. Sure, it wasn't the most high ranking but I could mostly just sit around all day, the only work to do was slash up monsters whenever they came close. I'd have to deal with one other person and most said it was a boring duty with high casualties but real fighting sounded interesting.

With that thought in mind I headed over to the temple of Jupiter to have another talk with Octavian. I didn't think Reyna really trusted me and was likely to be harsh after the Jason problem. Giving me the benefit of the doubt was the most I was likely to expect from her. Octavian might be more willing to listen

It had been a while since I'd entered the grand temple and paused to take in the shiny braziers burning merrily, the polished statues and the intricate works of art. As usual, the temple was empty save for Octavian. It seemed slightly sad for such a regal building to be so quiet and empty.

Octavian was probably a little lonely. Maybe that's why he smiled so brightly when I came in. I could not smile back however. He was too political for me to feel comfortable. He was honestly the most threatening person I'd met at the camp, with his ability to get others to do what he wanted. And he didn't need charmspeak either.

"Dead girl, how nice to see you," he greeted me in such a way that I felt a great deal less sympathetic.

I rolled my eyes. "How's the journey towards being a Praetor going?"

His face became more business-like. "Wonderfully. What do you want?" He replied.

No point in beating around the bush. "Think you get me a job change to a guard?"

If he was surprised by the request he didn't show it. "

"Why would you ask me?" He wondered.

"Is there anyone else I can ask?" I said impatiently.

Octavian sighed, looking over at his ritual table with a little... unease present on his usually cool face. "I am flattered that you trust me so much but I can't influence Reyna on every little issue and why would I?"

His heart didn't seem to be in arguing with me today, I noted. I thought it had something to do with what he had divined recently. Things seemed calm now but surely something would happen soon. It was likely haunting him. Despite the fact that I didn't much like him, I felt a little sympathetic.

"Don't involve me in your discussion. Suggest that the guards would be better off working elsewhere and you'll find suitable replacement. I doubt she'd care about that," I suggested, slyly.

Octavian sighed. "And why," he asked slowly, "should I help you?"

"The others don't like me so it's probably for the best if I was on my own?"

He shook his head. "I would have to try very hard to care about your social failures," he replied, demonstrating his infamous lack of compassion.

I sighed too, he was really forcing my hand here, wasn't he? Insisting I give reasons for him to do things. I didn't mind being useful in the future but that was unlikely to persuade him. Whatever, time to give an excellent reason.

I grabbed his arm, roughly. He immediately struggled sensing my actions but I then dug my hand into his shoulder, stepping behind him. With my other hand, I took out my sword and held it in front of his neck, menacingly. Octavian didn't seem to be much of a fighter and paled at the sight of the sharp sword. But then he relaxed.

"Bit barbaric to pull out a weapon when things don't go your way, isn't it?" He noted.

"Does it matter?"

He seemed to consider the question. "I suppose not, however it's not going to do you any good," he said, in a markedly calm voice.

"You'd be surprised, I know an interesting hypnosis - it ought to put you into a sort of half-sleep where you follow orders, it's effective," I said, equally calm. The hypnosis thing was actually a bluff, it was too noticeable and I didn't have the herbs required to get it to work.

Octavian didn't know this though. "If you try something like that, I will tell everyone your secret," he threatened but was clearly alarmed.

I lowered the arm holding my sword though kept a grip on his shoulder. "I'll live with it, but can't we try working together?"

Octavian took a deep breath. "Well Zoe, you are very lucky that I am a person willing to compromise and whom believes in doing what's right. I will grant your request just this once and it shouldn't be too much to expect some gratitude."

I let go of him. "Thanks, then."

It took but a day for the switch to occur. In front of others Octavian grinned maniacally at me as if this was some sort of punishment. But he was just acting.

I was surprised when I arrived at my new post to find no one there, usually two people guarded it at any given time. It seemed Octavian really had done well in ensuring me a bit of quiet and peace. Assuming not to many monsters spoiled the tranquillity.

I wouldn't mind dealing with a few though I really wanted to avoid being overwhelmed, I'd have to retreat and get support from archers like Louise. Plus it was dangerous.

No random encounters appeared that day and I soon dozed off, content that my sword would alert me to any danger. But the next day, as I was placing some traps in the woods, Nico literally appeared on top of me.

I was twisting since thorns and branches around, concealing a devious trap from view, when the tree I was leaning against darkened and Nick came flying or of the shadow. I was startled and annoyed as we both fell to the ground. I immediately got up, unsheathing my weapon and Nico just laid there.

How had he managed to shadow travel right on top of me? And why was he here? He was supposed to have left for a few

"Nico!" I hissed, irritably.

He looked up, tired from his journey. He seemed surprised to see me there, but pleased too.

"Zoe? What are you doing here, and where's your new bird?" He asked, gesturing to my birdless shoulder.

Why was that the first thing he asked? "Asleep back at camp, why are you back so soon?" I answered and asked.

His face focused, getting over the disorientation from his method of travel. "Zoe, at camp half-blood! He's there or he was anyway," Nico said energetically.

"What?" I said, not understanding.

"It's Jason! He's alive!"