Praetor's legacy

Chapter 5

Percy and Reyna had agreed that Percy would sit on the Roman side, and that Jason would sit on the Greek side for the time being. But, when Percy sat down in what used to be Jason's chair, on the Roman side, all of the Greeks, and Jason, were noticeably upset. Again, Percy was on the left while Reyna was on the right. To the left of Percy sat Hazel, who was holding Aidan. To the right of Reyna sat Frank. On the Greek side of the table was Annabeth, who was facing Reyna (and glaring at her) while Jason sat to her left facing Percy. When Reyna leaned over and started whispering in Percy's ear about the matter, Annabeth started glaring daggers, and put her hand on her knife. Rachel, who was sitting on Annabeth's right, reached over and set her own hand on Annabeth's hand to keep her from doing something rash.

Percy saw Annabeth loosen her grip on her knife while Rachel still had her hand on Annabeth's now clenched hand. Percy thought that now was a good time to ask Reyna a question. He whispered to her, "I wonder what's gotten into Annabeth?"

Reyna laughed, quite loudly, which got another glare from Annabeth, and whispered, "Percy, it's called jealousy. She's jealous of you and me because she thinks that you should be sitting on the Greek side, instead of the Roman one."

"Jealousy? Annabeth doesn't get jealous though. Well, I mean, I guess there was that Rachel incident, and the Calypso incident… Okay, you're right, she could be jealous. But I don't know what she'd be jealous about. It's not like me and you are dating or anything. We're best friends, and we had a baby, but we used an ancient ritual, so that doesn't really count. Hey Reyna, I have a question to ask you. Is my and your kiss considered cheating? Please say that it's not!"

"Percy, that's up to Annabeth, not us." She patted his hand, squeezed it, and then let it go at the glare she got from Annabeth. "Shall we start the meeting?"

Percy nodded, and stood up. "As I said earlier, welcome to Camp Jupiter and New Rome. We'll have some of the centurions show you around, so that you don't get lost. I expect you to treat the citizens of New Rome, and the legionnaires with respect. If anyone bothers or harasses you, please do not be afraid to tell either Reyna or me. We would be happy to help. Right Reyna?"

Reyna nodded and replied, "Of course we would. Hazel, Frank, and Gwen, who is not here right now, will be happy to help as well, right guys?"

Hazel nodded, trying not to glance at Sammy/Leo, and responded, "Of course! If anyone bothers you, I'd be happy to help. I could tell the praetors if you felt nervous about telling on somebody." Frank nodded, agreeing with her.

Gwen walked into the meeting at the finish of Hazel's sentence. She sat down to the left of Hazel and took Aidan from her. Gwen replied, "I, of course, will do the same. I'm sure they'd want me to bring Aidan along as well." Gwen, noticing her slip, slapped her hand across her mouth before she could say anything else.

Before people started asking questions Percy answered, "Right! Anyway, on to the problems at hand. We have to decide who the 7 are, and who will be going to Rome and then to Greece to fight Gaea. I believe Hazel, Frank, and I are 3 of the 7. Jason, Leo, and I'm sorry, I never got your name."

"Piper," the brunette responded.

"Also Jason, Leo, and Piper are going on the quest. But we must decide who the 7th person is. I believe that it's either Reyna," Annabeth glared at Percy for even mentioning her name, "or Annabeth."

Hazel then recited in Latin, "Wisdom's daughter walks alone. The Mark of Athena shall burn through Rome."

Percy and the Roman demigods-excluding Jason, since he had never heard the prophecy before- nodded, agreeing with Hazel.