The Rogue Emperor (A Riordanverse Story)

Chapter 15: Nico Finds His Roots

While he couldn't bear to be on the boat again, Nico insisted on accompanying the freed prisoners to the harbor and seeing them off. Livia and Augustus had met the group outside of the mansion and used their magic healing god powers to tidy up any wounds that were still lingering. Mostly, the hostages were weak due to their scant diet the few weeks. Reyna had done her part, but the emperor and empress jump started everyone's mental strength and will to push on at least to the docks.

They too came to the harbor, making sure Hazel, Leila, and Pranjal were back to prime legionnaire fighting shape, while practically ignoring the Hunters after they'd done their magic. Once everyone was up to their standards, they'd wander over to one of the shops to look for a snow globe to commemorate their victory.

"They're weird," says Pranjal. "I suppose they'll expect some kind of celebration in New Rome to thank them for their assistance."

"They've never been to New Rome and I'm not sure they'd have the urge to visit now," responds Frank, handing everyone a ticket that the emperor had paid for with actual US currency.

Hazel fidgets with her fingers. "We should still offer, it's only right."

Nico nods. "I'll let them know. They've insisted on seeing me return to Will and I can only hope they'll apologize for making him comatose." Reyna and Frank laugh, but Hazel looks confused. Over by the boat, there is a call for people to begin boarding. He hugs his friends and kisses his sister on the cheek. "I shall see you again, I hope under happier circumstances."

He watches as his friends, his family, and the Hunters board the boat back to Long Beach, each  happy to leave what transpired on this island behind. They disappear out of his site, choosing to sit in the cabin as it was getting dark. Nico gives on last wave before turning and walking to the gift shops.

Nico finds Livia and Augustus right where he'd expected, Hal's Haberdashery, the artisan hat shop he'd seen them admiring on the way in. Sensing they weren't quite done, he wanders around the store, eyeing a green cap that reminds him of Bianca. He stares at it, memories flooding to his mind, but not like he would have thought; they're hazing and far fewer than he'd expected.

Livia creeps up behind him, tapping him on the shoulder. She points to her basket, offering to buy it for him. It was a kind gesture, a nice way to cap off the past few days. Livia and Augustus had taken a liking to him, something that he didn't think anyone on the quest had expected. For once, he felt like he could let go of control and let someone care for him as he did when they had come over on the boat.

"How did you get Tiberius out of an eternity of torture? I've never known my father to be lenient," asks Nico.

"She only got him out of the Fields of Punishment, but trust, he'll get plenty of torture."

Livia nods. "Yes, he'll spend his time as my granddaughter, the elder Agrippina's, servant. (1) I doubt she will treat him with much love, but I convinced her to not boil him in oil."

"Are you sure?"

"That she'll torture him? Definitely.  I suppose you'll want to check to be sure."

"You'll love Agrippina, smart as a whip, kind of like Reyna in a way," says Augustus. "Just have Germanicus take you, he's her husband."

Nico shifts uncomfortably. "I met him once for like two minutes."

"Oh, he's much less formal normally," she says. "I guess you could ask your stepmother. All assuming the Romans would want you to check that he hasn't escaped." 

"Come, bambino, let's not worry about his fate. We'll need to get you back to tuo ragazzo," (1) Augustus takes Nico's hand as if he were a child.