the_blood_of_olympus_-_rick_riordan

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Nico
COACH HEDGE CHOSE THAT MOMENT to burst into the clearing, waving a paper aeroplane and
yelling, ‘Good news, everyone!’
He froze when he saw the Roman. ‘Oh … never mind.’
He quickly crumpled the aeroplane and ate it.
Reyna and Nico got to their feet. Aurum and Argentum scampered to Reyna’s side and growled at
the intruder.
How this guy had got so close with none of them noticing, Nico didn’t understand.
‘Bryce Lawrence,’ Reyna said. ‘Octavian’s newest attack dog.’
The Roman inclined his head. His eyes were green, but not sea green like Percy’s … more like
pond-scum green.
‘The augur has many attack dogs,’ Bryce said. ‘I’m just the lucky one who found you. Your
Graecus friend here –’ he pointed his chin at Nico – ‘he was easy to track. He stinks of the
Underworld.’
Nico unsheathed his sword. ‘You know the Underworld? Would you like me to arrange a visit?’
Bryce laughed. His front teeth were two different shades of yellow. ‘Do you think you can frighten
me? I’m a descendant of Orcus, the god of broken vows and eternal punishment. I’ve heard the
screams in the Fields of Punishment firsthand. They’re music to my ears. Soon, I’ll be adding one
more damned soul to the chorus.’
He grinned at Reyna. ‘Patricide, eh? Octavian will love this news. You are under arrest for
multiple violations of Roman law.’
‘You being here is against Roman law,’ Reyna said. ‘Romans don’t quest alone. A mission has to
be led by someone of centurion rank or higher. You’re in probatio, and even giving you that rank was
a mistake. You have no right to arrest me.’
Bryce shrugged. ‘In times of war, some rules have to be flexible. But don’t worry. Once I bring you
in for trial, I’ll be rewarded with full membership in the legion. I imagine I’ll be promoted to
centurion, too. Doubtless there will be vacancies after the coming battle. Some officers won’t
survive, especially if their loyalties aren’t in the right place.’
Coach Hedge hefted his bat. ‘I don’t know the proper Roman etiquette, but can I bash this kid
now?’
‘A faun,’ Bryce said. ‘Interesting. I heard the Greeks actually trusted their goat men.’
Hedge bleated. ‘I’m a satyr. And you can trust I’m going to put this bat upside your head, you little
punk.’