fifteen. the whole truth

THE FEAST OF FORTUNA. Not to be thought of as a "feast for tuna" which Percy had questioned and only made Maribelle giggle uncontrollably.

The campers, Amazons and Lares had crowded the mess hall for a lavish dinner. Even the fauns were invited, since they'd helped out by bandaging the wounded after the battle. Wind nymphs zip around the room, delivering orders of pizza, burgers, steaks, salads, Chinese food, and burritos, all flying at terminal velocity.

Despite the exhausting battle, everyone was in good spirits. Casualties had been light, and the few campers who'd previously died and come back to life, like Gwen, hadn't been taken to the Underworld.

The golden eagle now stood proudly behind the praetor's table, and the walls were decorated with cornucopias — magical horns of plenty that spilled out recycling waterfalls of fruit, chocolate, and fresh-baked cookies.

Everyone was constantly moving, switching from couch to couch, flirting and talking with everyone. Maribelle stayed at Hazel's side, the two girls weren't feeling very social. Frank glances at her a few times, but with his success, lots of people wanted to chat with him. She could barely eat the salad she had wished for.

"You should really eat up," Hazel tells her, "We did a lot today."

"Not hungry," Maribelle grumbles and picks out a crouton, studying it before putting it into her mouth.

She stares at where Hazel was eating an assortment of fruit and a giant steak on her plate. She observes the rest of Hazel, petite. She shakes the thoughts from her head quickly.

Reyna raises her hands for quiet, "My sister and I haven't always seen eye to eye — "

Hylla laughs, "That's an understatement."

"She joined the Amazons," Reyna continues, "I joined Camp Jupiter. But looking around this room, I think we both made good choices. Strangely, our destinies were made possible by the hero you all just raised to praetor on the battlefield — Percy Jackson."

More cheering. The sisters raise their glasses to Percy and beckoned him forward.

They began chanting speech, but the boy protests that he really wasn't the best person for praetor, but the campers drown him out with applause. Reyna takes away his probatio neck plate. Octavian rips open a teddy bear and pronounces good omens for the coming year. He raises his hand over Percy's arm and shouts: "Percy Jackson, son of Neptune, first year of service!"

Reyna gives him an eagle medal and purple cloak, symbols of the praetor, "You earned these, Percy."

Queen Hylla pounds him on the back, "And I've decided not to kill you."

"Urn, thanks," Percy replies.

After dinner, the entire legion got the night off. Maribelle and her friends drift down to the city, which wasn't quite recovered from the battle, but the fires were out, most of the debris had been swept up, and the citizens were determined to celebrate.

At the Pomerian Line, the statue of Terminus wore a paper party hat.

"Welcome, praetor!" He greets, "You need any giants' faces smashed while you're in town, just let me know."

"Thanks, Terminus," Percy says, "I'll keep that in mind."

"Yes, good. Your praetor's cape is an inch too low on the left. There — that's better. Where is my assistant? Julia!"

The little girl runs out from behind the pedestal. She was wearing a green dress tonight, and her hair was still in pigtails. Maribelle nodded to herself at the choices. She held up a box full of party hats.

Percy tried to decline, but Julia gave him the big adoring eyes.

"Ah, sure," He says, "I'll take the blue crown."

She offers Hazel a gold pirate hat. Then, to Maribelle she gives a pink tiara, "I'm gonna be Percy Jackson when I grow up."

Hazel smiles and ruffles her hair, "That's a good thing to be, Julia."

"Although," Frank says, picking out a hat shaped like a polar bear's head, "Frank Zhang would be good too."

"Frank!" Maribelle laughs.

They put on their hats and continue to the forum, which was lit up with multicolored lanterns. The fountains glow purple. The coffee shops were doing a brisk business, and street musicians fill the air with the sounds of guitar, lyre, panpipes, and armpit noises. (Maribelle turned her nose up at that.)

For a while, they wander the streets together. Frank's shoulder kept nudging hers. She can only eye the string thing them together. She prayed to her mother for this but now she was wondering if she really wanted it. Frank didn't know what he was getting into.

Finally Percy speaks, "I'm a little tired, guys. You go ahead."

"Me too," Hazel agrees and yawns.

Maribelle and Frank protest, but she was slightly glad for the alone time. Hazel and Percy head back to camp, leaving Frank and Maribelle to wander the streets alone. At some point, their arms had become linked together.

"Frank," Maribelle speaks up as they find a quiet place in the city of New Rome, away from the people hollering and partying. She unhooks their arms and pulls the tiara off her head, fiddling with it instead.

"Hm?" Frank asks.

"I know you know," Maribelle says.

"Know what?"

Maribelle sighs, "C'mon. It's so obvious the crush I have on you, I mean is me flipping my hair and batting my eyelashes not enough?"

Frank blinks.

"Look, we don't have to make this any more awkward. But, I mean, I like you! I think you like me . . . maybe. I don't know, I'm usually good at this kind of thing, mother of love and all but —"

"I really like you too," Frank blurts out.

"Huh?"

Frank places his hands on her shoulders, staring her right in the eyes, "I like you too, Mari."

She flinches.

"What's wrong?" Frank quickly removes his hands.

"Nothing," She shakes her head. Then, she smiles, "Listen . . . don't get me wrong, I'm really really happy about this, but if this is going to work we'll have to take it slow."

"Okay, no problem —"

"Really, Frank. I —" She stops. She really didn't want to talk about Gabe, or what she'd gone through, she just wanted to be happy and skip back to camp with her hand in Frank's. No problems, no issues . . . but she'd made her mistakes and now she had to live with the consequences.

"Is it about Gabe?" Frank asks, as if reading her mind, "Because I would never —"

"I know you wouldn't," She says sharply, "But he said the same thing once. But, I know you're nothing like him, Frank. I really did love him, okay? And it's hard to . . . not think about him, even though I know he did terrible things — I did terrible things —"

"But you've changed!"

"Have I?" Maribelle asks, "How do you know that I wont change sides for love or for power?"

"Because — I just know!" Frank defends, "Look, we can take this as slow as you want. I just want you to talk to me."

"I can manage that."

"Anytime you think about him or have nightmares or anything, tell me. I want to help you," Frank says, "If you're scared — tell me."

"I don't want to mess this up," Maribelle whispers.

"You won't," Frank tells her.

Maribelle looks up at him, a small smile on her face. She looks over the look on his face; sincerity, fondness . . . of course Frank would never hurt her that way.

She pulls him into a hug. Her stomach flutters and her head spins as he hugs her back just as tight.

"I know I said we should take it slow," Maribelle tells him, "But I really want to kiss you."

"I won't stop you," Frank replies, but she grins at the blush on his face.

She stands on her tip-toes, and Frank leans down, capturing her lips on his. It was brief, and gentle, and perfect. Maribelle can't help but smile, breaking the kiss far too early.

"Um —" Frank stumbles and Maribelle giggles, tugging him down and kissing him once more.

     The next morning, the quartet ate breakfast early, then headed into the city before the senate was due to convene.

When they got to the forum, they sat by the fountains and watched the sun come up. Maribelle rests her head against Frank's arm, rolling her eyes as Percy makes a heart with his hands. They watch as the citizens busy themselves with sweeping up cupcake simulations, confetti, and party hats from last night's celebration.

The engineer corps were working on a new arch that would commemorate the victory over Polybotes.

Hazel said she'd even heard talk of a formal triumph for the four of them — a parade around the city followed by a week of games and celebrations. Maribelle wanted nothing more than to be celebrated, but Percy mentions they may not have the time. Then, he tells them about his dream of Juno.

Maribelle frowns, "The gods were busy last night. Show him, Frank."

Frank reaches into his coat pocket, "These were on my pillow this morning." He passes them to Percy. "Like the Tooth Fairy visited."

The book was The Art of War by Sun Tzu. The letter read: Good job, kid. A real man's best weapon is his mind. This was your mom's favorite book. Give it a read. P S. — I hope your friend Percy has learned some respect for me.

"Wow." Percy hands back the book, "Maybe Mars is different than Ares. I don't think Ares can read."

Frank flips through the pages, "There's a lot in here about sacrifice, knowing the cost of war. Back in Vancouver, Mars told me I'd have to put my duty ahead of my life or the entire war would go sideways. I thought he meant freeing Thanatos, but now . . . I don't know. I'm still alive, so maybe the worst is yet to come."

"You risked your life," Percy says, "You were willing to burn up to save the quest. Mars can't expect more than that."

"Maybe," Frank says doubtfully.

Maribelle squeezes Frank's hand.

"Hazel, how about you?" Percy asks. "Any word from Pluto? Maribelle?"

Maribelle scoffs, "No, Venus doesn't have time for me." But she glances at the strings connecting them all.

Several diamonds pop out of the ground at Hazel's feet, "No, in a way, I think he sent a message through Thanatos. My name wasn't on that list of escaped souls. It should have been."

"You think your dad is giving you a pass?" Percy asks.

Hazel shrugs, "Pluto can't visit me or even talk to me without acknowledging I'm alive. Then he'd have to enforce the laws of death and have Thanatos bring me back to the Underworld. I think my dad is turning a blind eye. I think — I think he wants me to find Nico."

"We'll find your brother," Percy promises, "As soon as the ship gets here, we'll sail for Rome."

Maribelle exchanges uneasy looks with Frank and Hazel.

"Percy . . ." Frank says, "If you want us to come along, we're in. But are you sure? I mean . .  we know you've got tons of friends at the other camp. And you could pick anyone at Camp Jupiter now. If we're not part of the eight, we'd understand— "

"Are you kidding?" Percy says, "You think I'd leave my team behind? After surviving Fleecy's wheat germ, running from cannibals, and hiding under blue giant butts in Alaska? Come on!"

Maribelle grins. All four of them started cracking up, maybe a little too much, but it was a relief to be alive, with the warm sun shining, and not worrying about sinister faces appearing in the shadows of the hills.

Hazel takes a deep breath, "The prophecy Ella gave us— about the child of wisdom, and the mark of Athena burning through Rome . . . do you know what that's about?"

"I'm not sure," He admits, "I think there's more to the prophecy. Maybe Ella can remember the rest of it."

Frank slips his book into his pocket, "We need to take her with us—I mean, for her own safety. If Octavian finds out Ella has the Sibylline Books memorized . . ."

"You're right," Percy says, "We've got to protect her. I just hope we can convince her—"

"Percy!" Tyson came running across the forum, Ella fluttering behind him with a scroll in her talons. Ella drops it into Percy's lap.

"Special delivery," She says, "From an aura. A wind spirit. Yes, Ella got a special delivery."

"Good morning, brothers! The scroll is from Leo. He is funny and small," Tyson tells them.

Percy spreads it across his lap, a video recording flickered on the parchment. A kid in Greek armor grinned up at them. He had an elfish face, curly black hair, and wild eyes. He was sitting in a dark room with timber walls like a ship's cabin. Oil lamps swung back and forth on the ceiling.

Hazel stifles a scream.

"What?" Maribelle asks her, "What's wrong?"

Hazel doesn't answer.

"Hey!" Says the guy in the video, "Greetings from your friends at Camp Half-Blood, et cetera. This is Leo. I'm the . . ." He looked off screen and yells: "What's my title? Am I like admiral, or captain, or— "

A girl's voice yells back, "Repair boy."

"Very funny, Piper," Leo grumbles. He turns back to the parchment screen. "So yeah, I'm . . . ah . . . supreme commander of the Argo II. Yeah, I like that! Anyway, we're gonna be sailing toward you in about, I dunno, an hour in this big mother warship. We'd appreciate it if you'd not, like, blow us out of the sky or anything. So okay! If you could tell the Romans that. See you soon.
Yours in demigodishness, and all that. Peace out."

The parchment turns blank.

"It can't be," Hazel says.

"What?" Frank asks, "You know that guy?"

"It's Sammy Valdez," She says slowly, "But how . . .
how — "

"It can't be," Percy says, "That guy's name is Leo. And it's been seventy-something years. It has to be a . . ." Percy trails off. Maribelle tries to wrack her brain for the name "Sammy Valdez," maybe she needs to share more with Hazel.

"It's meeting time," Percy says after a few moments, "Come on. We've got to warn them about the warship."

     "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 shifts restlessly, but most of them were too afraid to interrupt Octavian while he was on a roll.

"The camp is safe," Octavian continues, "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 stands.

Octavian stammers, "I wasn't—"

" — part of the quest," Percy speaks, "Yes, I know. And you're wise to let me explain, since I was."

Octavian had no choice but to sit down and try not to look embarrassed.

"Gaea is waking," Percy tells them, "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 spreads through the senate.

"I know, I know," Percy says, "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. Seven demigods, Greek and Roman, will have to close the Doors of Death together."

"Ha!" shouts a Lar 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?"

"I carried Juno across the Tiber," Percy reminds them, "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 says 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?"

Reyna stands. Maribelle watches her anxiously. "You claim this is a combined quest. 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 deceptions."

"Maybe so," Percy says, "But enemies can become friends. A week ago, would you have thought Romans and Amazons would be fighting side by side?"

Queen Hylla laughs, "He's got a point."

"The demigods of Camp Half-Blood have already been working with Camp Jupiter," Percy says, "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."

Maribelle takes a deep breath, ignoring the whispers and eyes falling on her.

Reyna backs up, almost tripping over her toga, "You . . . what?"

"I know it's hard to believe," Percy says, "But I think I've earned your trust. I'm on your side. Maribelle, Hazel, and Frank—I'm sure they're meant to go with me on this quest. The other four are on their way from Camp Half-Blood right now. One of them is Jason Grace, your old praetor."

Maribelle feels her blood run cold at the name Jason Grace. She wasn't sure she could face him again. He probably wanted nothing to do with her (she knew that wasn't true).

"I loved you . . ."

"Not enough . . ."

Maribelle shakes her head and squeezes Frank's hand. He squeezes back.

"Oh, come on!" Octavian shouts. "He's making things up, now."

Reyna frowns, "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. Just let them land. Hear them out. Jason will backup everything I'm telling you. I swear it on my life."

"On your life? We will remember that, if this turns out to be a trick."

Right on cue, a messenger rushes 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 says happily, pointing at the hole in the ceiling, "Yay!"

Sure enough, a Greek warship appears out of the clouds, about a half a mile away, descending toward the Senate House. As it got closer, Maribelle could see bronze shields glinting along the sides, and billowing sails. On the tallest mast, a big white flag of truce snapped in the wind.

The Argo II.

"Praetors!" The messenger cries. "What are your orders?"

Octavian shoots to his feet, "You need to ask?" His face was red with rage, "The omens are horrible! This is a trick, a deception. Beware Greeks bearing gifts!"

He jabs a finger at Percy, "His friends are attacking in a warship. He has led them here. We must attack!"

"No," Percy says 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."

All eyes turn towards Reyna.

She studies the approaching warship.

"Hold your fire," Reyna says, "But have the legion stand ready. Percy Jackson is your duly chosen praetor. We will trus this word—unless we are given clear reason not to. Senators, let us adjourn to the forum and meet our . . . new friends."

The senators stampede out of the auditorium.

Reyna marches outside, leaving the quartet.

"They're coming down right in the forum," Frank says nervously, "Terminus is going to have a heart attack."

"Percy," Maribelle says nervously, "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 smiles. Then, he throws an arm around Frank, and tries to pull Maribelle and Hazel both under his other arm. "Come on," He says. "Let me introduce you to my other family."

—

a/n; this is the end of son of neptune!!! time for mark of athena hehe, i hope u all enjoyed and i hope you love maribelle and frank like i do <3 there's more to come ;) i never know what to write in authors notes so i hope u don't mind the fact that there are never any.