The Spirits of the Universe (PJO)

Chapter 25--I Make a Decision

By now, you probably should've realized that I hate authority. At this point, I think I'm allergic:

Award ceremonies? They're pretty sweet, except Zeus' booming voice makes you wish you never quested in the first place.

Trying to enjoy your life? Apparently that's too much to ask for, since a certain cow-loving queen of the gods really hates demigods.

Traveling around the universe? It's pretty nice to see how others live, until you get labeled as a criminal.

I've had my fair share of involuntary adventures, so you could see how I had a problem with anyone with power. I was already wary of the mayor of Helmmount before we met, but even then . . . 

. . . he was a total sleazebag. He was five feet tall, portly, and balding. He stayed in a mansion in the back of the city, complete with chefs, maids, and guards. It would've been pretty hard to find without Vespera. 

"I thought I told you I'm not taking any guests," he barked as two guards led Liam and me into the dining hall. "Why did you let them in?"

He was sitting at the head of the table, with a spread of foods before him that could've fed at least twelve people.

He doesn't even greet us? End scoffed. Does he not know who I am?

How would he know who you are? Order asked, as if he was used to dealing with End's tantrums.

End ignored him. Jackson, let me take control. You want information out of him? I'll get that, too.

For a moment, I was tempted. But then I remembered what happened with Ananke. I'll pass. I'd rather not kill anyone on my first day here. 

The guard to my right shifted uneasily. "My lord, we were unable to stop them. My apologies. They demanded to see you."

"What do I pay you guys for?" the mayor grumbled.

"The same thing you pay your residents for," I said. "To stay locked up in their houses and chase out travelers. It's almost like you want to hide something."

The mayor glared at me, which, from his position, wasn't really imposing. "You have no idea what's going on, kid."

"Then tell us," Liam said. "But before that, you mind if I join you? I'm starving." Without waiting for an answer, he grabbed a platter of ribs and dug in. "Percy, this is delicious! You should join in!"

Stay where you are, Percy, Order said. Don't steal the man's food.

And why shouldn't he? End demanded. The mayor can't eat all of this food by himself, and we're guests!

How are we guests when we just barged in here? Order argued weakly. 

My stomach rumbled, and that was the end of my self restraint. I sat beside Liam and grabbed a few plates myself. 

The mayor looked at us stuffing our faces for a second. Then he looked at the guards. Then at us. And at the guards once more. He finally asked, "There's no way you can remove these guys from the premisis, is there?"  

The guards hesitated, as if stuck between telling the truth or giving an answer with false bravado. Finally, one of them admitted, "No, my lord. There were two others outside with us, and these boys made them . . . collapse. We cannot overpower them."

The mayor sighed. "Well, there's no helping it, then." He dug in as well. 

Order looked ready to faint. This is not how guests should be behaving! You are breaking the rules!