Chapter 71 – Preparations

Jason trusted Marcus and the other Emperors to want the best for New Rome. Whether their opinions of what was best were ones that actually were best, however, was another matter.

"I got in touch with Julius earlier," Marcus said to Jason, "whilst I was with Lupa, at her suggestion. Her and I, we discussed rather a lot about New Rome and what she wanted for the future of New Rome."

The son of Jupiter frowned slightly. The straps of the shield on his arm dug into his skin despite the hoodie Jason had pulled on over his purple Camp Jupiter shirt. It was perhaps made worse by the lingering burns he had along his upper left arm and torso. Jason wasn't entirely sure how they'd managed to limp back to Camp Jupiter after Hyperion's blast, but he suspected some form of magic from the former Emperors having an influence on their survival.

"And?" Jason prompted when Marcus seemed content to stay silent without Jason saying anything in response.

"He said he'd get on a plane and fly over," Marcus said. "It's an eleven-hour flight, he should be here by the evening."

Jason grunted. "Thanks for the warning," he said.

Marcus chuckled and nodded. "Of course," he said calmly. "He's also managed to find his sword. I am curious to see how he gets it past security," Marcus mused.

Jason paused briefly at the thought of Julius Caesar being waylaid by security because he attempted to smuggle a large, ancient sword onto an airplane and decided the image wasn't one he had the time to be worried about.

The cohorts had worked swiftly through the night to raise the foundations of defences around Camp Jupiter and there was the beginning of trenches and walls being raised around the borders of Camp Jupiter. To the north and the east was where the greatest defences would be, for the Little Tiber bordered the Camp along the west and south. Lupa's wolves also patrolled the Oakland Hills to the south. Aside from Temple Hill, the south was well shielded. Chrysaor would probably struggle to defend along the entire length of the Little Tiber, which clearly Reyna had also considered, as there were defences being built within the bend of the Tiber to the south. Jason was also glad to see the beginnings of defences around the undefended regions of Temple Hill on the furthest corner of Camp Jupiter.

Reyna and Frank were directing the organised chaos from the Field of Mars, Jason having seamlessly joined them with his own guards which melded with that of the Praetors'.

Reyna had cast a disapproving frown in Jason's direction, but had nodded at him too, clearly having suspected that he wouldn't be sitting this out in the infirmary.

"Chrysaor and the Greeks on the western side," Reyna said. "I was thinking we have the Fifth Cohort join them during the defence," she informed Jason. "Since they welcomed Percy and know him better, they're likely to work better with Greeks than the other Cohorts are."

Jason nodded slightly. "A good idea," he agreed. It was probably an oversight on their part, but he had no idea just how many demigods Luke would be bringing with him. It would be easier to plan if they did know. "As long as they can get along." While the Fifth Cohort had welcomed Percy, Jason rather thought they might have a different greeting for demigods who'd betrayed Olympus in favour of the Titans. Loyalty was everything to a Roman. "With Lupa's wolves patrolling to the south, we should only need one Cohort to the south too," Jason said. "The Fourth, maybe?"

Reyna nodded slightly. "That leaves the First, Second and Third to cover the north and east," she mused.

"That's doable," Jason agreed.

"They're more likely to come from the east," Frank noted. "Unless they want to sail a fleet into San Francisco Bay, anchor offshore, launch boats and march through the Bay Area and Berkeley to us. Especially if this is coming from Commodus too, he's coming from Indianapolis to us."

"First and Second to the east then?" Jason asked, turning slightly as if he would be able to see the legionnaires working on defences the other side of New Rome.

Reyna and Frank nodded. "That would be the plan," Reyna said.

"What about the pirate?" Jason asked. "Chrysaor – what about him?"

Reyna gestured to the river. "He muttered something about calling the fish to him," she said.

Jason raised an eyebrow. "Fish?"

"Yes," Reyna said. "And warned me that legionnaires going into the Tiber during the battle would probably be torn apart by bull sharks and dolphins. That at least limits their army to the bridges."

Jason was grateful then that the ancient son of Poseidon was sticking around. Even if he couldn't patrol the entire length of the Little Tiber with just his ship and crew, the fish and sharks would certainly do that for him.

"Fascinating," Marcus muttered from the side, his eyes on the single Greek trireme floating on the river, the sunlight reflecting off the gleaming cannons poking from the ship's broadsides. "Well, if he's inherited anything from his father, he'll certainly be a force to be reckoned with." Jason could pick out the movement within the river that he was sure would be the aforementioned sharks and dolphins and made a mental note to avoid the river during the fighting to come.

Jason grimaced, pulling off his hoodie and hanging it onto the Spear of Achilles which had the point buried into the ground. It was probably highly disrespectful to do such a thing to the legendary spear, but Jason was far too preoccupied and warm to keep the hoodie on any longer. The breeze was chill across his bare arms, soothing the lingering burns somewhat.

Some couriers lingered around their small group, waiting for orders to be given which could be ran to the various cohorts working on the fortifications. Jason was particularly conscious of them as he turned back to Reyna. "How many of the Senators during the meeting do you think might be supporting the Triumvirate?"

Reyna paused briefly and Frank turned slightly to listen from where he was discussing some of the further details about the northern defensive line with Michael Kahale, the Centurion of the First Cohort. "Some of them said nothing, I couldn't tell where their opinions lay. But Senators Vedia, Titus, Gaius and Inigo didn't seem particularly interested in rushing fortifications," Reyna said. "Senator James spoke out in our favour, before …Marcus decided to threaten all of them."

Jason shot a glance to Marcus Aurelius, whom only inclined his head slightly. "The Senate was wasting time," he said simply. Marcus gestured to the legionnaires at work around the borders of Camp Jupiter. "This will not be built in a day," he said.

Jason didn't miss that Thalia was speaking quietly to the head of Jason's new guard off to the side. Legionnaire Petrus was looking extremely focused on whatever she was saying to him. Jason returned his attention to Reyna and Marcus. "Anything will help. From traps, to pits, trenches and walls. Anything to delay them and give us time to wear them down."

Reyna's expression was grim. She nodded her head slightly. "Hannibal will help too," Reyna added. "And Hazel suggested the unicorns might also be willing to do so too – maybe Chrysaor can talk to them," she mused.

"What about pegasi?" Jason asked then. Of course, Chrysaor wasn't Percy, but he'd have all the abilities that Percy did – including ones involving pegasi, horses and unicorns. "Could he get them to help us too?"

Reyna smiled. "We can always ask him," she said. "He's already getting sea creatures to help, after all," Reyna added.

Frank chuckled. "Having an air force would be useful," he agreed as he looked to Jason.

Jason smiled and nodded in return. His smile fell with the next topic he had to raise. "And Nico's said he might be able to raise an army from the Field of Mars," he added tentatively. The last war that took place there was the one against the Giants, when they'd attacked Camp Jupiter and Percy had been raised on a shield and named a Praetor of New Rome. They'd be raising their own dead.

Reyna seemed as uneasy as Jason did, but she nodded slightly. "Forever defending Rome," she muttered.

"They were Romans," Marcus said, his tone firm and yet reverent. "All of their body and soul was aimed to strengthening Rome. In life, and now also in death."

Jason grimaced. "Disturbing the dead makes me uneasy," he said. "But it's an opti-"

"Praetors! Pontifex!"

Jason raised his head, turning sharply and wincing as he did so. A younger demigod, a courier, had been blocked by the guards around them. "At ease," Jason said to the legionnaire, whom immediately stepped away from the young courier, was breathing heavily and clearly having just sprinted to reach them.

The kid looked to be around twelve, waving a rolled up scroll in his hands as he ducked past the guards and slid to a stop in front of Jason, Reyna, Frank and Michael Kahale. He looked nervous to be standing before them, but Jason just smiled encouragingly at him.

The lad waved the scroll at Jason. "Word – I think it's from the scouts," he said. "It was just brought into the Principia," he added.

"Thank you, Mark," Reyna said to the young courier. One of the ones who helped with messages to and from the Praetors.

The boy cast a quick glance towards Marcus, whom was standing off to the side, a look of amazement and sheer awe in his shining eyes and all over his boyish face. Jason's lips twitched slightly. He understood the boy's disbelief. One of Rome's greatest Emperors was standing before them, flesh and ichor. If Jason had the time to stop and stare he would have, but there was no time for that for him. Marcus Aurelius smiled down at the young boy. "Mark, hmm? It's nice to meet you, lad," he said.

The boy's face lit up even further. "It's – it's nice to meet you, Mr. Caesar Sir," he stammered out.

Marcus chuckled. "And it is nice to meet you, young Mark, but I am not a Caesar anymore," he said with a large smile. Jason didn't miss the sharp, calculating gleam in Marcus' eyes. "You have your own Praetors, and your Pontifex, of course."

Mark beamed then, and Jason was uncomfortable when he realised that the bright-eyed amazement had turned onto him instead.

"Thank you, Mark," Reyna said with a smile. "Make sure you have some water," she added.

The kid nodded and snapped off a military salute to the four of them, before he trotted towards the water station close to the group.

Reyna's lips were twitching. "It looks like you have yourself an admirer, Pontifex," she said teasingly.

Jason found himself flushing red. He remembered when he was just a courier in his youth for the Legion, how he'd found it all so exciting. It was odd now being the focus of the amazement of the younger future legionnaires. Jason nodded to the scroll. "What does it say?"

Reyna's smiled fell as she unrolled the scroll, taking a minute of silence to read everything written therein. Her dark eyes were hard as she returned her gaze to Jason. "A small group we currently have in Omaha, Nebraska, have reported back. Four hours ago, they spotted a large convoy of vehicles passing through with men in Roman armour, bearing Roman weapons. Another group spotted a similar number going through Kansas."

Jason winced. "How many?" He asked quietly.

"Four-by-fours," Reyna said, scanning the scroll. "At least eighty of them," Reyna said curtly. "With five men to a single car. Some towing siege engines. And that's each of those two groups – who knows if any others slipped past us or not."

The son of Jupiter cursed under his breath. "That's at least eight-hundred from Commodus."

"It's a joint attack." Thalia's voice came from the side as she approached, clearly having overheard their conversation. That blessing from Artemis given to all members of the Hunt seemed very useful. "Caligula's supposed to have his own force too," Thalia continued as she stopped next to them. "Those eight-hundred might be less than half of their force."

Jason shut his eyes. "Reyna, how many more legionnaires have signed up since I left for the Burning Maze?"

Reyna exhaled sharply. "Until last night? Ten in those last two weeks, returning veterans. Overnight I had a further fourteen applications to re-join the Legion from retired veterans. Word's spreading that we're going to be attacked and more veterans are signing up," she said.

Jason did a quick calculation in his head. "So we currently have a defensive force of… three-hundred-and-fifty," Jason said. "Give or take a few."

Frank grimaced.

"We're defending," Thalia said slowly. "With the defences we're building, who knows? They could make the difference."

"And we have Lupa's wolves," Jason added. "And Chrysaor and his crew."

"And the Titan demigods," Reyna added. She paused briefly. "Hopefully, that'll be enough."

Jason pressed his lips together. "How many still haven't signed up to re-join the Legion that are fit to do so?"

"At least eighty within New Rome," Reyna said. "If we expand it to veterans up to fifty years old, we're looking at one-hundred-and-fifty more legionnaires," she added. "But at that age…"

Jason nodded slightly, understanding what she meant. There was an age at which a legionnaire slowed. Most of the newly returned legionnaires were also far less fit than they should be. "It takes a day to drive from where they are to us," Jason said quietly. "Factoring in breaks… we're looking at two days."

"Make it one," Marcus interjected, clear concern in his gaze. "Best to be safe," he added. "They could always rotate the driver with the others sleeping while they drive."

Jason took a deep breath. "One day," he repeated. He stared at Reyna and Frank, feeling cold despite the sun overhead. "Just a day to build fortifications."

Reyna turned abruptly to Thalia. "Thank you for reaching us to warn us," she said, dark eyes shimmering. She too suddenly looked overwhelmed and daunted at the task before them. "You gave us an extra day to prepare. That – that might have made the difference." Reyna shut her eyes tightly, before she took a deep breath and nodded sharply. Thalia's gaze was knowing as she nodded to Reyna, no doubt also knowing what it was like to lead. "Twenty-four hours," Reyna said. "We have twenty-four hours to finish our fortifications." The Praetor's eyes were sharp and determined when she straightened and opened them again. "We can do this," she said firmly.

Michael Kahale turned to the cluster of couriers gathered close to them. "We need one of you to head to each muster point," he said to them. "Tell them that they have twenty-four hours remaining to finish work on the fortifications."

The young couriers all paled, shaking slightly as they nodded nearly in unison. "Yes, Centurion," they said, before the five couriers raced off in each direction.

Jason uttered a quiet curse under his breath. "I need more ambrosia," he said, his voice steady. "I can't help like this," Jason said. "If they arrive tomorrow… I need to be able to help," he added firmly.

Reyna only nodded to him, clearly in agreement. "Go and rest, Jason," she said.

He hesitated briefly. He'd only been helping for a few hours. It felt like he needed to do more – a lot more. It felt as if Reyna and Frank were doing everything. Jason reluctantly nodded. The more he rested, the more he would be capable of doing the day after when the fighting began. Even carrying around the shield on his arm was wearing him down and making the raw skin ache.

Jason sighed. He started back towards the infirmary, where it was required that he sleep while he still had healing skin from the burns. Jason supposed it was to be expected after he dared to get so close to an angry Titan.

At least Hyperion hadn't slipped into his true form and incinerated them.

Jason glanced to the side to see Legionnaire Petrus matching his steps from several paces behind him. Marcus Aurelius had deigned to follow along behind Jason, and Jason wasn't sure if that was good or bad. At least Marcus was a capable commander on the field of battle and his expertise would be useful where it came to defending New Rome. Jason trusted him, of course, where it came to New Rome. Even if the former Emperor held a frustrating interest in the old Roman Empire.

"Have you rested yourself, Legionnaire Petrus?" Jason asked. "You seem to be here at my side constantly." Jason also recognised some of the guards from the faces he'd seen when Reyna first informed him that he'd need a guard on him. Jason had been less than pleased, but agreed.

"Yes, Pontifex," the legionnaire said. "We rotate shifts around. I slept overnight, Pontifex."

"Good," Jason said to the other Roman. "I'd hate for you to lose sleep over this stupidity," he muttered.

The member of the First Cohort shrugged slightly, a movement which made his armoured breastplate clank. "It's an honour, Pontifex, really," he said. "I fought in both the battle at Othrys at the Greek camp. I've still not forgotten the legion's march to Othrys and the battle there and I doubt I ever will. We lost a lot of good officers and legionnaires that day. That's not even mentioning how you and Praetor Reyna stepped up to fill those gaps and stopped the Legion from being routed." The legionnaire's eyes gleamed with distant amazement. "You fought that Titan, destroyed the Black Throne."

Jason's lips twitched slightly, frowning. "For all the good it did," he said. "Saturn's still out there."

"But he no longer has a power base," Legionnaire Petrus said. "Thanks to you, Pontifex. No one else could've done what you did up on that mountain." The Legionnaire smiled under his helmet. "Being picked by the Primus Pilus to protect you was an honour," he added.

Jason glanced back at Petrus. "Centurion Kahale handpicked you?" He noted the rising chaos within New Rome, armed and armoured legionnaires on the streets. Terminus' statues were shouting instructions at civilians and legionnaires alike as they moved sandbags and blockades through the streets in the event that the Legion's lines were broken and New Rome itself was attacked. Everyone still parted for their party to move through, Jason hearing raised voices calling greetings to him and Marcus Aurelius. He tried to acknowledge each of them.

"Yes, Pontifex," the member of the First Cohort said. "He asked if anyone wanted to help keep you, our Pontifex, safe. With the assassination attempts on the Praetors lately, I didn't think it was worth the risk not to. So I volunteered."

Jason slowly nodded, his estimation of the head of his guard – Felix Petrus – raising several inches slightly as he heard that the Legion's First Centurion had personally handpicked the head of his guard. Jason and Michael Kahale hadn't always seen eye-to-eye, especially more recently since Kahale went along with Octavian's insanity. But despite that, Jason never doubted Mike's loyalty to New Rome.

The son of Jupiter inclined his head slightly. "Thank you," Jason said. "But I wish it wasn't necessary."

His guard immediately nodded. There was agreement from the other five too.

Jason sighed when he stopped in front of the infirmary, reluctant to return to his uncomfortable bed there while there was still too much to do before the Triumvirate's force arrived the day after. But Jason knew Reyna was right, so he retreated to the region of the larger room which was set aside for the use of him and the three Emperors. Jason was glad Piper at least had managed to escape without significant burns and had kept her head enough with the others injured that she'd been able to guide the out of the Labyrinth.

Marcus Aurelius cleared his throat, having stopped before the entrance to the infirmary. "I have heard that there is a harpy here which managed to memorise the prophetic Sibylline Books bought by the old Roman King, Tarquinius?" Marcus Aurelius smiled slightly. "And a cyclopes – Tyson, I believe?"

Jason glanced back to him and nodded. "Yes," he said, eyes furrowing slightly. "Yes, they're here – unless they left while I was in the Labyrinth." The son of Jupiter frowned. "Why do you ask?"

"Curiosity," Marcus Aurelius said in faint amusement at the suspicious tone in Jason's voice. "Sheer curiosity. Nothing nefarious to it," he assured Jason.

"Is it smart to go walking around Camp Jupiter?" Jason asked.

Marcus chuckled. "I am the closest to a god one can get without a domain, Pontifex," Marcus said. "I will be fine."

Jason glanced to Legionnaire Petrus, whom was watching in silence, aware and sharp. Jason nodded then, coming to a decision. Felix Petrus was a survivor of both the war against the Titans and the war against the Giants and Michael Kahale would only assign him to Jason's guard if he trusted him explicitly. "Legionnaire Petrus, would you go with him?"

Marcus stirred. "Someone in legionnaire wear would draw attention," he said.

Jason gestured to the grand toga that Marcus was wearing. "And you won't?" He asked.

The former Emperor looked down at himself with a faint frown. "I suppose you are right," he reluctantly conceded. Marcus observed Jason closely, clearly perturbed with Jason's suspicion. "I swear upon Lapis Niger that I am not your enemy, Pontifex," Marcus said. "I only want what it best for Rome."

"Everyone has their own ideas about what's best for Rome," Jason pointed out to Marcus, whom chuckled and nodded in agreement.

"New Rome is divided," Marcus Aurelius said. "We are at war with former Emperors and your civilians know it. A Roman's duty is to Rome and to the Emperors – and the Triumvirate and your own people know that truth above all else." The Roman's light eyes had darkened as he looked to Jason. "New Rome must have an authority to rival theirs, else all shall fall to chaos and corruption. You heard of the split within your Senate and how many Senators-"

"Half of the Senate has avoided serving in the Legion because of their family names," Jason flatly said to Marcus Aurelius as he crossed his arms, and then grimaced as the movement pulled at the raw skin across his arms and chest. Concern flickered briefly in Marcus' eyes. "Out of the fourteen currently serving civilian Senators, I can think of only four whom have served within the Legion. Most of them were elected by their constituents on the basis of family and wealth only."

"Which is why they fail to recognise the authority of you and the Praetors," Marcus calmly continued. "I can bring the Senate to heel."

Jason grit his teeth. "We can't turn into dictators! That's not what New Rome is!" Jason's guards seemed alarmed with the direction this conversation was turning. He didn't miss Petrus' hand shifting to the hilt of his sword. "It's alright, legionnaire," Jason said, remotely surprised. The reverence Marcus had received from the Romans clearly didn't extend so far as Jason's guards favouring the former Emperor over Jason. He was relieved, more so than he would admit.

"Then I shall request for the harpy to visit you instead," Marcus finally said, clearly having also noticed the way Jason's guards had shifted in the event that they needed to defend him. There was a faint smile flickering over his lips. "And I shall return to the Field of Mars to assist with the preparations for defence of the city." He inclined his head slightly to Jason. "Pontifex."

Jason pressed his lips together as he watched Marcus Aurelius stride off.

"Should someone follow him, Pontifex?" Felix Petrus asked, his hand still on his sword which Jason now noticed was an inch out of its sheath.

"No," Jason said tiredly, letting out a long breath. "No, leave him be. We shouldn't forget he's still a god-Emperor himself," he said. "And he wants the best for Rome."

Petrus nodded, letting go of his sword. "Yes, Pontifex," he said.

Jason grimaced and ducked into the infirmary's building as Marcus Aurelius disappeared out of sight, heading in the direction of the Field of Mars. He sighed, relieved to finally put down the Spear of Achilles and the shield he bore on his left arm, propping them against the foot of his bed and stepping behind the curtain to pull off his hoodie and clothes with a pained grunt. Jason pulled on the loose shorts he'd been given while in the infirmary and inspected his left arm with a grimace, noting the raw and flaking skin spiralling across them and down his left side. The shield had taken the brunt of Hyperion's fiery offensive on Medea, completely undamaged despite the heat which had peeled back Jason's mortal skin. Any normal shield would have melted with such a direct strike, but that shield was clearly not normal.

"Pontifex?"

Jason poked his head around the screen and smiled at the medic which had entered the room. He gestured for the medic to drop the formalities as he went to snap to attention. A son of Aesculapius, the Roman version of the Greek Asclepius, Pranjal was the head medic at Camp Jupiter and ran the infirmary with a critical and efficient eye. The demigod was already striding towards Jason with another bowl of unicorn horn shavings and burn ointment in his hands. "Can you do it yourself, Jason?" He asked.

Jason nodded slightly. "I should be able to, thank you, Pranjal," he said.

The other demigod smiled. "Of course," he said, also producing a few half-crushed squares of ambrosia in a little box and handing them along with the cream in a mortar. He hesitated briefly before he turned to the other two present, the other two former Emperors who'd been quietly watching and listening. "Is there anything we can get you two?" He questioned carefully, eyes flicking briefly to Jason.

No one seemed to know how to speak to the former Emperors now walking around Camp Jupiter, not that Jason could answer that for them. Calling them Caesar, Augustus or Imperator would suggest that they were present Emperors and Jason was reluctant to give them any room to attempt to claim themselves Emperors again. They were figures of legend and great men, yes, but they were also of an age long gone.

"A glass of nectar for us both, more water, and some fruits would be adequate," Augustus said.

Jason was remotely surprised he was up and talking. More than that, the time resting and recovering seemed more than enough for Rome's First Emperor despite the horrendous burns he'd suffered. Pranjal inclined his head to them and left to seek someone whom could bring them the requested drinks and snacks.

"You two are looking better," Jason said.

"We are fortunate," Augustus mused. "Immortality has its benefits. We heal swiftly from most wounds. And even when we die, we eventually return from death. Alas, it may be many centuries before the others re-join us three."

Jason assumed he was referring to Hadrian, Trajan and Narva, whom had been killed by Kronos. "Just in time to help us when the invasion force arrives," Jason said. He could hear the raised voices from outside, even New Rome having come alive with the imminent invasion. "Marcus said that Julius Caesar himself will also be joining us this evening."

Augustus seemed pleased at the mention of the man who'd adopted him and inclined his head slightly. "Of course he will," he said with a smile. "I would also gladly defend Rome alongside you, Jason Grace," the First Emperor said. "You, from what I understand and saw within the Labyrinth, are astoundingly capable for a man of your young age."

Jason let out a long breath. "You have the same opinion as Marcus Aurelius, then?"

Augustus' smile grew. "Of course," he said with a quiet chuckle. "I was the one whom first suggested it to him and Antonius."

Antonius Pius was also smiling, looking amused at the extremely unamused look upon Jason's face. "Did you expect any different? Augustus was the one whom began Rome's line of Emperors. An Emperor here would solve all of New Rome's problems."

Jason's expression soured further. "We hold a similar structure as the Roman Republic."

Augustus snorted in amusement. "Your Roman Republic lacks any Consuls and relies on Praetors, a traditionally judicial position, to lead both your city and your Legion. You lack both the structure of a Republic, and that of an Empire. It is due to this that you are now seeing these issues within your society." Augustus turned his sharp, calculating blue-eyed gaze up to the infirmary's domed ceiling overhead. "We are offering to help fix this. None will ever create a split within New Rome again."

"You are suggesting a Dictatorship," Jason said flatly.

"Shall I put it into the words of an great, old dubious friend of mine, whom unfortunately did not join me in immortality?" Augustus questioned. "A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious; but it cannot survive treason from within."

"Cicero," Jason guessed.

Augustus chuckled. "You have heard it before," he said.

"Lupa told me that," Jason slowly said, "when I was younger. Several times." His lips twitched slightly, the small scar twisting as he started slowly and painfully spreading the mix of ground unicorn horn shavings and some other medical ointment down his peeling left arm. "Whenever I did something stupid in my childhood. Loyalty to Rome, above all else, or we'll see Rome fall."

Antonius raised an eyebrow. "I should like to see her again. It has only been an honour of mine once before to bear witness to the Mother of Rome."

"Marcus said he's spoken to her," Jason said. "She's south of Camp Jupiter right now, with her pack. Her pack will protect New Rome from the Oakland Hills."

Augustus nodded his head slightly. "You are already named Pontifex, Jason," Augustus said. "Marcus has already told you the traditional role of a Pontifex." The man whom manipulated Rome's Republic into the First Roman Empire smiled at Jason. "Take my advice," Augustus said, "for I now freely give it to you. New Rome is splintering. You have treason occurring at this very moment within New Rome, there are those whom walk the streets and whisper of assassinations and sabotage. New Rome will not survive this treason within its own city walls."

"We have no city walls," Jason said flatly.

Augustus' expression and tone soured, frustration clear in his bright eyes. "And you are all the worse for it," he snapped. "Son of Jupiter, New Rome splinters with the offer of an Empire from the Triumvirate. What are you to do about it?"

"Kill them," Jason said stiffly. He nodded to the Spear and the shield at the foot of his bed. "The Spear is the Spear of Achilles, given to me by Ops herself and enchanted to strengthen my abilities," Jason said to the two Emperors. "I can kill them with it."

Augustus cast a disgusted glare at the Spear. "You should be wielding a Roman weapon, not one wielded by a Greek. But I suppose it shall do… and there is some satisfaction to wielding the weapon of a defeated enemy. Julius should be able to remedy that when he arrives this evening." Augustus gestured to the shield next to the Spear. "And your new shield? That is no normal shield, Jason," he said. "That is the Ancile of Mars. The legendary shield wielded by Mars and granted to the Second Roman King, Numa Pompilius. The palladium of Rome." Augustus paused briefly, allowing Jason a moment of silence as he stared wide-eyed at the Shield propped up next to the Spear of Achilles. "Fate is speaking to you, Jason Grace. You would be wise to listen."

Jason shut his eyes. "We are a Republic," he repeated firmly. "You will not change that, no matter how hard you push for it."

"Then New Rome shall crumble."

"Let the boy be, Augustus," Antonius quietly said. "Pushing without end here will get you nowhere."

Augustus scowled, his lips curling in distaste as be observed Jason. "The boy speaks of loyalty to Rome, yet fails to see the only solution to their present issue."

"We never had traitors during the Titan war and the Giant war," Jason said. "We shall have none here. Everyone understands loyalty."

"Of course they do. But to Rome, or to their opinion of Rome?" Augustus questioned. "Sometimes, loyalty to Rome means actions that one would dislike from themself."

Jason only grunted in response, his left arm and the left side of his torso tingling as the mix worked at healing his side. Pranjal opened the door again, saving Jason from actually answering Augustus as an assistant, Cole, brought in the requested items for the former Emperors.

Pranjal frowned at Jason, his eyes flicking from Jason to the Emperors and clearly picking up on the tension in the air. "You should be resting," the head medic scolded Jason.

The son of Jupiter nodded slightly at him. "I know," he said. "I will." Jason's lips twitched up. He recalled the many times he'd landed himself there in the past and how the head medic prior to Pranjal had struggled to keep him there. The man had been killed when Polybotes had attacked New Rome during the Giant war.

Jason sighed, shutting his eyes as he lay back on the hospital bed and tried to get some sleep. It would be difficult to sleep well with the imminent attack on his home.

The battle begins at the end of Chapter 73 - we're nearly there! Next chapter... Luke and the other Titan demigods arrive at Camp Jupiter!