Shot Through the Heart

When in Rome, Do as the Romans Do

After a couple of hours of getting some much-needed sleep. Amoriel felt much better even though her wounds still stung a little and she was a bit sore.

When she woke up, Leo was gone. She got up, took a shower, and prepared herself for the new day of danger before she left for the upper deck.   

Her friends were already there, taking in Rome.
"We're setting down in that park," Leo announced, pointing to a wide green space dotted with palm trees. "Let's hope the Mist makes us look like a large pigeon or something." Only Amoriel laughed.

when he saw her, Leo gave her a wide smile and Amoriel returned it with a small wave back.

The noise of traffic was all around them, but the park itself was peaceful and deserted. To their left, a green lawn sloped toward a line of woods. An old villa nestled in the shade of some weird-looking pine trees with thin curvy trunks that shot up thirty or forty feet, then sprouted into puffy canopies.

To their right, snaking along the top of a hill, was a long brick wall with notches at the top for archers—maybe a medieval defensive line, maybe Ancient Roman.

To the north, about a mile away through the folds of the city, the top of the Colosseum rose above the rooftops, looking just like it did in travel photos.

Leo flipped some switches to retract oars and touch down smoothly. It was probably the best landing of the trip but that wasn't exactly a compliment considering they crash-landed most of the time. He steadied the helm before joining Amoriel who was standing right next to Jason and threw his arm around her shoulders.

Jason pointed to the base of the archers' wall, where steps led down into some kind of tunnel.

"I think I know where we are," he said. "That's the Tomb of the Scipios."

Percy frowned. "Scipio...Reyna's pegasus?"

"No," Annabeth put in. "They were a noble Roman family, and...wow, this place is amazing."

Jason nodded. "I've studied maps of Rome before. I've always wanted to come here, but..."

Amoriel knew what he meant without him even finishing. Maps were nothing compared to actually seeing the city. Words couldn't even begin to describe how incredible the landmark was. 

"Plans?" Hazel asked. "Nico has until sunset—at best." Leo felt Amoriel tense and he squeezed her shoulder in reassurance. " And this entire city is supposedly getting destroyed today."

Percy nodded. "You're right. Annabeth...did you zero in on that spot from your bronze map?"

"Yes," she said stiffly. "It's on the Tiber River. I think I can find it, but I should—"

"Take me along," Percy finished. "Yeah, you're right." Even before she saw Annabeth's glare, Amoriel could sense the tension. It seemed Percy knew something about Annabeth's solo quest that no one else did. Amoriel wondered why they were so secretive about it.

"That's not—" Annabeth got cut off again.

"Safe," Percy smiled cheerfully. "One demigod walking through Rome alone. I'll go with you as far as the Tiber. We can use that letter of introduction, hopefully, meet the river god Tiberinus. Maybe he can give you some help or advice. Then you can go on alone from there."

There was a fierce staring (glaring) contest between Annabeth and Percy, and the rest of them watched it very awkwardly. After a few seconds, the winner was surprisingly Percy.

"Fine," Annabeth muttered.

"okay since we solved whatever that was," Amoriel started. "Hazel, now that we're in Rome, do you think you can pinpoint Nico's location?"