Invisible ― Jason Grace

vi. killer quest

REYNA LOOKED LIKE she was mentally writing her own obituary. "Very well," she said. "Nothing remains except for us to vote what support we can give the quest—transportation, money, magic, weapons."

"Praetor, if I may," Octavian said. 

"Oh, great," Percy muttered. "Here it comes." 

"The camp is in grave danger," Octavian said. "Two gods have warned us we will be attacked four days from now. We must not spread our resources too thin, especially by funding projects that have a slim chance of success."

Octavian looked at the four of them with pity, as if to say, Poor little things. "Mars has clearly chosen the least likely candidates for this quest. Perhaps that is because he considers them the most expendable. Perhaps Mars is playing the long odds. Whatever the case, he wisely didn't order a massive expedition, nor did he ask us to fund their adventure. I say we keep our resources here and defend the camp. This is where the battle will be lost or won. If these four succeed, wonderful! But they should do so by their own ingenuity."

An uneasy murmur passed through the crowd. Frank jumped to his feet, looking like he was ready to fight, but Percy spoke up before things could get interesting. "Fine! No problem. But at least give us transportation. Gaea is the earth goddess, right? Going overland, across the earth—I'm guessing we should avoid that. Plus, it'll be too slow."

Octavian laughed. "Would you like us to charter you an airplane?"

Percy looked a little nauseous. "No. Air travel... I have a feeling that would be bad, too. But a boat. Can you at least give us a boat?"

Hazel made a grunting sound, clearly not happy with that idea, but she didn't say anything. 

"A boat!" Octavian turned to the senators. "The son of Neptune wants a boat. Sea travel has never been the Roman way, but he isn't much of a Roman!"

"Octavian," Reyna said sternly, "a boat is little enough to ask. And providing no other aid seems very—"

"Traditional!" Octavian exclaimed. "It is very traditional. Let us see if these questers have the strength to survive without help, like true Romans!"

More muttering filled the chamber. The senators' eyes moved back and forth between Reyna and Octavian, watching the test of wills.

Reyna straightened in her chair. "Very well," she said tightly. "We'll put it to a vote. Senators, the motion is as follows: The quest shall go to Alaska. The senate shall provide full access to the Roman navy docked at Alameda. No other aid will be forthcoming. The three adventurers will survive or fail on their own merits. All in favor?"

Every senator's hand went up.

"The motion is passed." Reyna turned to Frank. "Centurion, your party is excused. The senate has other matters to discuss. And, Octavian, if I may confer with you for a moment." 

Camilla breathed a sigh of relief as they finally stepped back outside, away from the paranoid Lares and Octavian's suffocating ego.

Hazel picked up a large emerald from the path and slipped it into her pocket. "So... we're pretty much toast?" 

Frank nodded miserably. "If any of you want to back out, I wouldn't blame you." 

"Are you kidding?" Hazel said. "And pull sentry duty for the rest of the week?" 

"I'm in," Camilla said. "Maybe it'll be fun." 

Frank managed a smile. He turned to Percy. 

Percy gazed across the forum, his eyes a little haunted. "I'm with you," he told Frank. "Besides, I want to check out the Roman navy."