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Gwen knew they were quite a sight when they made it back to Camp Jupiter. They had just enough time to make it to the airport and board their flight. None of them slept on the flight. Jason kept muttering about Harpies, while Reyna just stared out the window. Gwen was too busy tackling her guilt.

Gwen did not want to kill the mortals. It didn't matter that they had drained a goddess of blood and had even drained Gwen of blood. It wasn't right to kill mortals, but it was what they had to do. Gwen was disgusted by it, and she felt sick to her stomach reliving it. It was over though.

The three would report to the praetors, be sent to the infirmary, and then take a nice long trip to the bath houses to get cleaned. They would also get a few days off of training until they fully recovered. As they walked through Camp Jupiter, Gwen was grateful that most of the legionnaires were off training in the fields of Mars.

There was only a few probatios doing grunt work or messengers moving about. They all stopped to stare though. After getting off the plane and back to California, the three of them had dumped their jackets, which showed off all their new cuts and bruises.

In their own way, the three of them were messes. They were all covered in mud, dirt, and blood that they had no time to clean off. Reyna's arms were covered in bandages that had started to bleed through. She also smelled like gasoline.

Jason was walking with a grimace on his face. He had mentioned a headache earlier, and Gwen was sure he had gotten a concussion, if only a minor one, from the last hit to the head that he took. His hand kept moving to his side where he had been shot.

Gwen felt completely exhausted. She still wasn't over having that much blood taken from her, and mentally, she was spent. It didn't help that the other two wouldn't talk to her. Reyna seemed to be stewing in her anger, and Jason looked too tired to hold a conversation.

The three of them walked towards the Senate House and stepped inside. Normally, interrupting a Senate meeting was a one way ticket to a day full of lectures followed by a week of punishment. A messenger had already been sent ahead though. The Senate would be expecting them, and they would have questions.

The Senate was quiet, which was not like them. There was usually four people, or Lares, trying to talk at once. Marcus and Tamiah were standing at the front of the Senate. Marcus was staring at the ground and almost looked a little pale. Tamiah studied them intently.

"Welcome back," Tamiah said. She almost sounded surprised that they were alive. "We assume the mission went well."

"Lady Ceres was rescued, and the cult was destroyed. For good," Gwen answered. She glanced at the Senate. None of them seemed surprised about Ceres' disappearance, so they must have already known.

"Why don't you give us a full report?" Marcus asked. Gwen stepped forward. As the most senior centurion, she would tell the story. Jason and Reyna would fill in the gaps.

So, Gwen began her story. She told the praetors everything that happened. The only things she left out was their hesitation and arguments over how to kill the cult, along with Reyna and Jason's perceived disrespect towards Ceres.

Reyna and Jason filled in with their sides of the story, and Reyna was questioned about what happened before Jason and Gwen met up with her. This was something that happened after every mission. They reported back to the Senate and told them everything. Their fastest writers would make a record of everything that was said.

One report would be sent to Lupa, and the original would be sealed away inside Camp Jupiter. When Reyna finished her story, Tamiah slowly stood. The praetor spoke, "The three of you did well. Stop by the infirmary and then get some food. Gwendolyn, stay for a moment."

Gwen barely hid her frown, but she nodded. Jason exchanged a glance with her and left the room. Reyna slowly followed behind. Gwen was left alone with the Senate. Tamiah glanced back at Marcus.

"Gwendolyn, you have been here for eight years," Tamiah said. Gwen nodded. "You have seen many legionnaires in your time, and you know that we value your opinion. How did your fellow centurions do, truthfully."

"They both did well," Gwen answered. She looked around the Senate and made sure to look into each and every one of their eyes. "For having to kill mortals. Why would you send two fourteen years old to do that?"

"To see if they can make the hard choices," Marcus answered. He glanced at Tamiah. "It is no secret that the two of us are nearing the end of our time as praetors. Tamiah is going to step down in a few months, while I probably have another year or two in me."

"Jason has been at Camp Jupiter longer than anyone, but he worries me," Tamiah said. "He seems to lack ambition, especially for a son of Jupiter."

"I don't think Jason lacks ambition. I think he is just learning as much as he can," Gwen said. She stood straighter and looked Tamiah in the eyes. "Jason could have taken the easy way out when he was offered a place in the First Cohort. Instead, Jason decided to join the Fifth Cohort and bring them back to glory. That's ambition."

"When Jason thinks he is ready, he will put his name forward as a praetor, if he isn't raised on a shield first," Gwen said. A smile came to Marcus' face, but he seemed to quickly hide it. Tamiah scowled but didn't say a word.

"And, what about Reyna. She's only been here two years, but to already be a centurion, it is impressive," Marcus said. "And, it never hurts to have a child of Bellona as praetor."

"Are you putting their names forward?" Gwen asked. It was hard to hide her smile. She could imagine Reyna and Jason as praetors. It would make it easier to get the two together as well.

"Simply looking for the opinion of someone who is getting close to completing their service," Tamiah said. Gwen nodded slightly. She knew that the praetor's respected her opinion, even if they would never admit it.

"I think the two would make good praetors. Reyna may need some more time though," Gwen answered. "She didn't exactly hesitate to kill the mortals."

Marcus nodded to himself. Tamiah had a look on her face that seemed to ask if that was a bad thing. Gwen bit her tongue and just stared ahead. Gwen spoke, "They both were willing to sacrifice their lives to save each other. I would follow either of them any day."

"There's one more thing though," Gwen said. "Lady Ceres said that she wants the two praetors to meet with her and Lupa."

Whispers immediately ran through the Senate. Gwen glanced around and felt how much the mood had shifted. She couldn't hide her frown this time. Something was wrong. Marcus and Tamiah exchanged looks. Their faces were grim.

"Something bad is going to happen, isn't it?" Gwen asked. No one answered her. "Is it war?"

"Why don't you head to the infirmary, Gwendolyn. And, remember to rest for a few days. We will discuss this matter at a later date," Tamiah said. Gwen studied them and finally nodded. She turned and left the Senate House.

Gwen let out a tired sigh as she made it back to the barracks of the Fifth Cohort. She had gone to the infirmary, and after getting cleared, she had taken a nice long trip to the bathhouse. After changing into a fresh pair of clothes, she felt much better. She still needed to eat and then sleep for a day or two.

Gwen stepped into the barracks and looked around. Jason was laying on his bed and munching on a cookie. Upon seeing Gwen, he offered some. Gwen walked towards him and took the cookies. She sat on her own bed.

"How are you feeling?" Gwen asked. Jason glanced at her. He was wearing a fresh pair of clothes as well and looked relaxed.

"I think Robert was planning on actually strangling me when he saw that I had another concussion," Jason answered. Gwen smiled and laid down. The two of them were quiet for a few moments. Jason finally sighed. "I don't blame you."

"Blame me?" Gwen asked.

"For what you said when Ceres was going to turn us into wheat, or cereal. Not really sure what. Maybe, an animal. The point is that I get it. You were just trying to protect us," Jason said. "That's why you snapped on us."

"I couldn't have one of my best friends being destroyed by a grumpy goddess," Gwen said with a shrug. She stared at the ceiling. Should she tell Jason that the Senate was looking at him to become a praetor? To be voted in, he would have to put his name forward. To be raised on a shield, he would need to participate in a battle and do something great. He could still turn down the position, but it wouldn't look good.

Jason would make a great praetor. It wasn't just because of his father being Jupiter. Jason was a natural born leader, and sooner or later, he would lead the legion. Gwen sighed and closed her eyes.

"Is something wrong?" Jason asked. Gwen opened her eyes. Should she tell him how worried she was? The Senate meeting worried her.

"Just tired," Gwen answered after a moment. She looked at Jason. "Are you finally going to ask Reyna out? You have a great conversation starter; remember when we survived a crazy cult?"

"I'm going to ask her when she calms down," Jason answered. Gwen looked at him in surprise. Was he just messing with her? There was a serious look on Jason's face, so he couldn't be messing with her. They both heard a knock on the door.

"I hope I'm not interrupting," Reyna said softly. She stepped into the barracks. Reyna had changed as well, wearing shorts and a purple shirt. "Don't tell anyone about this, but I just wanted to apologize for what I said. The past few days have been difficult."

"It's okay," Gwen promised. She smiled at Reyna. "You did good. Both of you did."

"Thank you," Reyna said after a moment. Jason glanced at Gwen and nodded. He took a deep breath and stood.

"Reyna, can we talk?" Jason asked. Reyna looked at him and nodded. As Jason opened his mouth, they heard the sounds of running. It was quickly followed by the sound of something slamming into the wall of the barracks. Gwen stood and hurried towards the door.

Gwen stepped outside and stared at the scene in front of her. Their augur, Octavian, looked like he was the one who had ran into the barracks. His toga was covered in the stuffings that came out of the teddy bears he kept on his belt. His face was covered in sweat, and he was out of breath. Octavian looked at them with wild eyes.

"The praetors. Where are they?" Octavian asked. Gwen helped Octavian stand. He looked at her. "I saw Ceres being captured. The gods showed me!"

"Hey. Hey. Calm down," Gwen said. She grabbed Octavian's shoulders. She didn't quite like the augur, but he didn't need to create a panic when they already solved the problem. "We already rescued Ceres."

"I know," Octavian hissed. He pulled away. "But, I saw it. I saw who captured her!"

"Who?" Reyna asked. She walked towards Gwen. Jason did as well. All three of them studied the augur.

"A Titan," Octavian whispered. Gwen stared at him. That didn't make any sense. "They have a base on a mountain. I saw them plotting."

"That must be why Lupa and Ceres wanted to talk to the praetors," Jason stated.

"What does that mean?" Reyna asked. Gwen exchanged a look with Jason. For one, it meant Jason probably wouldn't have a chance to ask his question anytime soon. Two, it meant that Gwen wouldn't get her request for time off approved.

"War," Gwen answered. She sighed and looked down. "It means that we are going to war. Gods help us."