Percy's POV:
Look I know you're reading the title and are probably thinking Percy how can you say that, you never met the auger. Or yeah you're right Percy because I've read an alternative universe version of you and that auger was dumb...that second one is a story for another time though.
Anyways I can easily tell you why. An oracle no matter who the oracle is, is and will always be infinitely better than an auger. Augers are political, oracles are not, that's you're primary distinction between the two.
Anyway Hazel was taking us across to the other side of Camp Jupiter, to go see the Auger in the temple of Jupiter if the weird clouds and red lightning striking around the place is anything to go by.
You don't have to be a genius to tell that he's just putting on a show. You just can't be Roman, and indoctrinated to believe that it isn't a show, or bought off by said Auger. Either way this is just a bunch of politics.
We were approaching the temple hill, and I shared my wisdom with my loves. "This is a political meeting" I informed them. "Despite the religious connotations it is political, we should keep quiet and let Hazel do the speaking as she's the one with official rank"
"But" Thalia protested
"Percy is right Thalia. If it is political we must abide by their system" Annabeth stated
I heard Thalia mumble out a short curse about Juno but remain silent. "How"
"The auger is a position any can have. It's inherently political and the auger is a effectively a downgraded Praetor. And even from here I can sense the stupid boys lust for power" I stated
Thalia and Annabeth re evaluated their sense by my guess, "he's right the boy reeks of power hunger"
"How can you tell that" Hazel asked
"My adoptive mother taught us when preparing to face Saturn in the defense of Olympus. It's a hard skill for most demigods but if given dedication all can learn to sense their fellow demigods. It's easier to sense siblings though"
Hazel thought about it, but bought it. In truth this was from the blessing of my mother, and why my sisters hate camp because it confuses their senses and blinds them from each other.
"This is depressing" Thalia stated
"No wonder why the minor gods left. I wouldn't be surprised if Neptune and Hades would have abandoned us seeing this" Annabeth added.
"It's no worry now" Percy said, "changes will come eventually here. The gods just haven't been spreading the memo yet"
"What memo" Hazel asked
"Part of the war the gods decided to reward a few of us for our deeds in the defense of Olympus, most got recognition, weapons, armor, textbooks, or something else of use. Annabeth was given the right to redesign the destroyed parts of Olympus and Percy and I were offered something else. Which we exchanged to put in efforts to prevent a similar war from occurring in the future" Thalia explained, "recognition for the minor gods and their children were a large part of that, even for Pluto and Vesta to have their thrones returned"
"I guess that explains..." Hazel paused "he's almost done. We should enter"
Hazel lead us into the temple of Jupiter. Do I agree he is Jupiter Optimus Maximus? No I don't agree, but the Romans think otherwise. The best and greatest is milady of course if you ask me...though mom is a close second...and don't you dare tell anyone but Zoë is third, I can't have my sister getting an oversized ego on my account.
"Hello" this skinny and pale looking boy spoke. I noticed a lyre on his arm with seven lines. Great an annoying cousin that got the annoying gene from uncle. Though I wouldn't dare say that out loud, as this boy has leverage with words and he has a crisis to use them for it's only a matter of time before this politician makes his move. Though the surrounding stuffed toy fuzz makes it far less intimidating.
"Octavian" Hazel nodded curtly but to the trained ear their was a hidden disdain in her voice.
"Why bring me three Graecus" he spat looking us over and thank mother Lupa that Thalia was able to control herself and keep cover.
Hazel went on to explain the story of us coming here from them watching us on the surveillance system to the carrying of the three goddesses as well as their proclamation.
"Juno you say" Octavian said and sounded interested for once.
"What about her" Thalia asked, rather politely given her feelings on the goddess
"She's called Juno Moneta. She comes to Rome in times of great crisis to give warning and council" Octavian said, though if he could read thoughts there's no doubt in my mind that Thalia wouldn't be admit as I can practically feel the curses directed to Juno from here.
"Can you get on with the Augries Octavian. They are here to join the legion if you are to listen to ladies Vesta and Diana" Hazel said
Octavian grunted and looked around for something fluffy to stab and open. His eyes came across the pillow pets we had. "Perfect" he said
I wanted to protest, but knew he was already hard set on murdering my pillow pet. He grabbed all three with light protest from Thalia. And Annabeth...well if looks are anything to go by her St. Bernard pillow pet will be avenged.
All I know once he stabbed my panda pillow pet and spewed it's stuffing I gave no care of how he were to end and prayed to milady his end would be painful. He deserves the worse of the fields of punishment if you ask me.
"Good news" Octavian declared after excessive spilling of pillow pet guts. "They can join. Hazel tell Reyna they can receive a cohort after the feast tonight"
Hazel nodded and started to leave, "oh and Hazel I do hope you reconsider. It would be a shame for those rumors to continue to spread and circulate about you" I took a quick look at Hazel and new that he was blackmailing her to doing something she doesn't want to.
"Jason is still alive" she claimed. "You're the augur. It's you're job to find him"
"I know I know but do reconsider Hazel. It's a shame those rumors exist"
I may have lost a slight gasket there. "And tell me boy. Do you think it wise to blackmail a maiden in the presence of the only adopted son of Lady Diana. A boy she herself raised and taught"
Octavian seemed to be thinking for his words. "Do not think my uncle will save you. His sister is dear to him and while she has one official kid he has many if one is required to be sacrificed for him to keep his sister do you think he wouldn't make that trade boy" I said
"I would watch how you speak to me" Octavian threatened, "I am the Augur here"
"And Reyna is the praetor." I reminded him. "I'm certain she would not be pleased to hear from the champion of Lady Vesta, Lady Vesta's only adopted child, and a child of Jupiter that you've been blackmailing one of her legionaries under oath of Jupiter or even an oath by Pluto's Rivers. " I countered. "Nor do I imagine the senate being to fond of this information"
Octavian started grumbling, "and what would you have me do"
"Simply stop your power play. Stop the rumor spreading about Hazel and do not cause anymore trouble" I stated
Octavian looked disgruntled, but agreed nonetheless and allowed us to leave.
"He's lying" Annabeth said, once we got out of ear shot of the temple.
"Without a doubt" I replied
"Thank you for trying" Hazel spoke softly
"Don't worry" I told her, "it's pricks like him that I've been trained to castrate and torture"
Annabeth and Thalia chuckled.
"Uhh" Hazel started
"Sorry it's a favorite method of my mother" I explained
"Oh" Hazel said. "But how will you get him to stop"
"He's a power hungry fool. He may be smart but only with words and politics. He'll screw up. It's just a matter of catching him in the act" I answered
