The Rogue Emperor (A Riordanverse Story)

Chapter 10: Frank Learns How to Anger Nature Spirits

Frank woke up to Reyna tapping his shoulder. They had exited off the highway and Augustus was pulling into a run down dinner. Will was in the front seat with him, discussing UV protective clothing  and ancient remedies for sun burns with the princeps. Augustus was seemingly the first proponent for preventative measures against skin cancer.

He notices the monitor on the dashboard completely shattered and looks over at Reyna, who gives him a look of don't ask. The emperor puts the car in park and tells everyone that they've arrived at their destination. Frank assumes it's another pit stop to stretch legs and use the bathroom, but Will spots Nico and the empress sitting inside at one of the booths, playing Jenga.

"You had little faith in me that I could get you where you needed," states Augustus, opening the door for them, but standing in their way.

"We aren't at Meg's," grumbles Will.

"But you are reunited with your boyfriend, which is what you really wanted, no? You couldn't care less about these Romans."

Will scowls, pushing past the emperor without a response. 

Augustus moves out of the doorway and they shuffle in. The place is empty save one short order cook in the window and a waitress, who they saw was on a smoke break when they pulled in. It was a sad looking establishment, perfect for a meeting place without interruption. Frank wasn't sure how or when Augustus was able to speak with his wife, but the two groups found each other.

Will runs over to Nico embracing him and giving him a once over for any apparent damage Livia could have done to him. "How are you feeling? You look pale and thin." He looks at Livia with malice. "What happened?"

"I'm fine, Will."

"You're tired, you need to rest. You hardly slept when we were in St. Augustine."

Nico glances at the empress nervously for just a moment before looking back at Will. "I said I'm fine."

Frank makes eye contact with Reyna, who returns his confusion, but points him to the booth. She quietly joins Augustus, who slid into the circular booth next to Livia. Since Will and Reyna were squeezed in on Nico's side, there was only room to sit next to the emperor, which made him uneasy after the conversation the two shared in the car.

Eventually, he gave in, sliding next to Augustus, but leaving some buffer space. "Successful mission to see your dad?" ask Frank, looking at the Jenga tower.

Nico reaches in between himself and Livia to pull out a covered vase the size of a large flower pot. It must be heavier than it looked because Nico struggled to lift it to the table. "Yep."

They all raise an eyebrow, but Will finally cracks out of frustration. "You went there for a jar?!"

"Well yes, but they are in the jar, not waste the 48 hours that Pluto gave them. Who knows how long you four are going to want to play Scooby Doo in the desert."

"We'll break the jar to release them when we're ready," says Nico.

"And Pluto made concessions to allow him into the Underworld without vaporizing him like the others and sending him to the Fields of Punishment. I don't think he'll be rewarded considering he's evaded death and went mad in his natural life, but he should be able to be convinced."

"Perhaps Pluto will allow him to strangle Julia," (1) says Augustus with a smile.

Livia bites her lip. "Speaking of a former daughter-in-law...Drusus thought it was, uh, pertinent that Vipsania join us, that he'd need her help." Augustus' face turned to stone and he swallows hard. "I know, but she was the love of his life. Little bear spoke with her and she won't cause trouble."