VERY FEW PEOPLE could truly piss Camilla off. She prided herself on having a good temper, and not letting other people's words affect her too much.
Octavian, though, was a special case.
"Why should we trust these Greeks?" Octavian was saying.
He'd been pacing the senate floor for five minutes, going on and on, trying to counter what Percy had told them about Juno's plan and the Prophecy of Eight.
The senate shifted restlessly, but most of them were too afraid to interrupt Octavian while he was on a roll. Meanwhile, the sun climbed in the sky, shining through the broken senate roof and giving Octavian a natural spotlight.
The Senate House was packed. Camilla sat with Frank, Hazel, and Queen Hylla in the front row with the rest of the senators. Veterans and ghosts filled the back rows. Even Tyson and Ella had been allowed to sit in the back. Tyson kept waving and grinning at Percy, who was seated next to Reyna on the dais.
"The camp is safe," Octavian continued. "I'll be the first to congratulate our heroes for bringing back the legion's eagle and so much Imperial gold! Truly, we have been blessed with good fortune. But why do more? Why tempt fate?"
"I'm glad you asked." Percy stood, taking the question as an opening.
"I wasn't—" Octavian stammered.
"—part of the quest," Percy said. "Yes, I know. And you're wise to let me explain, since I was."
Camilla barely managed to suppress her laugh. Some of the senators snickered. The augur had no choice but to sit down and try not to look too embarrassed.
"Gaea is waking," Percy said. "We've defeated two of her giants, but that's only the beginning. The real war will take place in the old land of the gods. The quest will take us to Rome, and eventually, to Greece."
An uneasy ripple spread through the senate.
"I know, I know," Percy said. "You've always thought of the Greeks as your enemies. And there's a good reason for that. I think the gods have kept our two camps apart because whenever we meet, we fight. But that can change. It has to change if we're to defeat Gaea. That's what the Prophecy of Eight means. Eight demigods, Greek and Roman, will have to close the Doors of Death together."
"Ha!" a Lar shouted from the back row. "The last time a praetor tried to interpret the Prophecy of Eight, it was Michael Varus, who lost our eagle in Alaska! Why should we believe you now?"
Octavian smiled smugly. Some of his allies in the senate began nodding and grumbling. Even some of the veterans looked uncertain.
Camilla wouldn't consider herself a violent person, per se, but if she ever got the chance, she'd gladly sock Octavian right in the face.
"I carried Juno across the Tiber," Percy said firmly. "She told me that the Prophecy of Eight is coming to pass. Mars also appeared to you in person. Do you think two of your most important gods would appear at camp if the situation wasn't serious?"
"He's right," Gwen said from the second row. "I, for one, trust Percy's word. Greek or not, he restored the honor of the legion. You saw him on the battlefield last night. Would anyone here say he is not a true hero of Rome?"
Nobody argued. A few nodded in agreement.
Reyna stood, looking at Percy. "You say this is a combined quest," she said. "You claim Juno intends for us to work with this—this other group, Camp Half-Blood. Yet the Greeks have been our enemies for eons. They are known for their deception."
"Maybe so," Percy said. "But enemies can become friends. A week ago, would you have thought Romans and Amazons would be fighting side by side?"
Queen Hylla laughed. "He's got a point."
"The demigods of Camp Half-Blood have already been working with Camp Jupiter," Percy said. "We just didn't realize it. During the Titan War last summer, while you were attacking Mount Othrys, we were defending Mount Olympus in Manhattan. I fought Kronos myself."
Reyna backed up, almost tripping over her toga. "You... what?"
"I know it's hard to believe," Percy said. "But I think I've earned your trust. I'm on your side. Hazel, Frank, and Camilla—I'm sure they're meant to go with me on this quest. I don't know who the other four are, but they're on their way from Camp Half-Blood right now. One of them is Jason Grace, your old praetor."
Camilla didn't even bother hiding her smile. Finally.
"Oh, come on!" Octavian shouted. "He's making things up, now."
Reyna frowned. "It is a lot to believe. Jason is coming back with a bunch of Greek demigods? You say they're going to appear in the sky in a heavily armed warship, but we shouldn't be worried."
"Yes." Percy looked over the rows of nervous, doubtful spectators. "Just let them land. Hear them out. Jason will back up everything I'm telling you. I swear it on my life."
Camilla winced, shooting Percy a warning look, but it was already too late.
"On your life?" Octavian looked meaningfully at the senate. "We will remember that, if this turns out to be a trick."
Right on cue, a messenger rushed into the Senate House, gasping as if he'd run all the way from camp. "Praetors! I'm sorry to interrupt, but our scouts report—"
"Ship!" Tyson said happily, pointing at the hole in the ceiling. "Yay!"
Sure enough, a Greek warship appeared out of the clouds, about half a mile away, descending toward the Senate House. As it got closer, Camilla could see bronze shields glinting along the sides, billowing sails, and a figurehead shaped like a metal dragon. On the tallest mast, a big white flag of truce snapped in the wind.
"Praetors!" the messenger cried. "What are your orders?"
Octavian shot to his feet like he was in charge. "You need to ask?" His face was red with rage, strangling his helpless teddy bear. "The omens are horrible! This is a trick, a deception. Beware Greeks bearing gifts!" He jabbed an accusatory finger at Percy. "His friends are attacking in a warship. He has led them here. We must attack!"
"No," Percy said firmly. "You all raised me as praetor for a reason. I will fight to defend this camp with my life. But these aren't enemies. I say we stand ready, but do not attack. Let them land. Let them speak. If it is a trick, then I will fight with you, as I did last night. But it is not a trick."
Everyone turned to Reyna.
She studied the approaching warship cautiously. Her expression hardened. If she vetoed Percy's orders... well, Camilla wasn't sure what would happen. Chaos and confusion, at the very least.
More than likely, the Romans would follow her lead. Reyna had been their leader much longer than Percy.
"Hold your fire," Reyna said. "But have the legion stand ready. Percy Jackson is your duly chosen praetor. We will trust his word—unless we are given clear reason not to. Senators, let us adjourn this forum and meet our... new friends."
The senators stampeded out of the auditorium. Tyson ran after them, yelling, "Yay! Yay!" with Ella fluttering around his head.
Octavian gave Percy a disgusted look, then threw down his teddy bear and followed the crowd.
Camilla stood up with Frank and Hazel.
"I support you, Percy," Reyna said. "I trust your judgment. But for all our sakes, I hope we can keep the peace between our campers and your Greek friends."
"We will," Percy promised. "You'll see."
Reyna followed the crowd outside, leaving Percy, Camilla, Hazel, and Frank alone in the Senate House.
"They're coming right down in the forum," Frank said nervously. "Terminus is going to have a heart attack."
"Percy," Hazel said, "you swore on your life. Romans take that seriously. If anything goes wrong, even by accident, Octavian is going to kill you. You know that, right?"
Percy smiled. He threw one arm around Frank and the other around Hazel and Camilla, who were both small enough to squish under his arm together.
"Come on," he said. "Let's introduce you to my other family."
◈
another double update bc this chapter's super short. also MARK OF ATHENA NEXT WEEK YAYYYYYYYY