Citizens and foreigners
Annabeth could now confidently say that she had met "real Romans". And she could confidently say that she was unimpressed. The centurion "Felix Vitus" clambered aboard, flanked by two other legionaries in full armor. They looked like a bunch of lost cosplayers. The centurion’s sword, a gaudy flashy thing with enough gems imbedded in it to make Hades jealous, was ill-balanced, its grip was too short and its guard wasn’t stopping anything. His compatriots were no better their armour shone in a way that only came from not seeing combat.
Annabeth chuckled, These were soldiers, yes, but not the kind that you saw on the battlefield. No, these Romans were the kinds of soldiers that spent their time on parades marching down Main Street kissing babies. Beside her Bianca raised an eyebrow. Annabeth smirked. At least her and the daughter of Hades could agree on one thing.
"Greetings Grecians!" the centurion spread his arms coincidentally showing off the rows of medals that decorated his armour, apparently the romans must give medals out for poor fashion sense.
"Preator Reyna had informed us of your impending arrival; however, I must say you arrived in far better shape than we expected!" the centurion flashed a bright plastic smile.
Bianca tilted her head, her black eyes flashing. "What’s that supposed to mean?" she said in a sickly sweet voice.
The Roman shrugged, apparently undeterred. "Well, the roads are dangerous at the moment, especially for civilians such as yourselves-"
"Oh, civilians, are we?" Bianca tilted her head innocently. The poor Roman squirmed under the gaze of the daughter of the underworld. Annabeth suppressed a laugh cos it was funny sue her.
"Um I think we’re getting off on the wrong foot here."
Jason, ever the peacemaker, inserted himself between the two demigods. The centurion turned towards him a strange look on his face. "Ah, former praetor grace." His eyes surveyed Jason, taking in his orange shirt. "Good to see you in such good health and…..good company."
Huh, Annabeth filed that away for later.
Jason pushed ahead. "Thank you, Centurion. As you know, we have a meeting with Reyna and the Senate that is of the utmost importance, if you could allow us through."
Felix turned his nose up. "Im afraid that’s not possible, citizen Grace."
The expression on Grace’s face was something akin to a kicked puppy. He opened his mouth and closed it a few times. Annabeth sighed a stepped forward.
"Not that I don’t appreciate the little passive-aggressive dick-measuring contest you two are going through, but we happen to be in a bit of a hurry." She gestured to the crew. "Off to save the world and all that."
The centurion screwed up his face in confusion. "And who exactly are you?"
Annabeth waved her hand dismissively. "Irrelevant, now," she smiled sweetly and sharply "Are you going to let us pass, or are we going to have to explain to the senate that the Seven were late because some fucking, border guard decided to get uppity?"
The Roman scowled and took a step back, Annabeth kept smiling sweetly. The one good thing about stratified societies like Rome was that all you needed to do to make someone wet their pants was to threaten their chances for a promotion.
Felix turned to the rest of the crew. "That will not be necessary; the senate has already made up its mind, your warship will be permitted to enter Roman territory on one condition."
Percy stepped forward a dark look on his face. "We agreed to no such conditions."
"No, but you see, the Senate requires something of a, how should we put it? proof of trust?" Felix’s eyes drifted over to Jason as he spoke. "You see many in our Imperium are most weary of foreigners."
Percy continued to scowl but Annabeth could see the cogs turning in his mind. "And Reyna wants us to endear ourselves by completing this condition?"
"Precisely."
"And what exactly is this condition?" Bianca spoke up, ever impatient. "Because, I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but we’re on a bit of a tight schedule right now."
"Oh, nothing much," he waved his hand airily. "We just require you to destroy Mount Othrys."
Annabeth’s blood went cold.