The Heroes of Olympus, #2
The Son of Neptune
by Rick Riordan
Contents
LII Percy
Overview
Percy, Hazel, and Frank receive a message from Leo: the Argo II is arriving under a flag of truce. Hazel is shaken by Leo’s resemblance to Sammy. In the Senate, Octavian pushes for attack, but Percy argues for alliance and swears on his life. Reyna backs Percy, ordering the legion to hold fire and meet the Greeks.
Summary
At dawn after their victory, Percy, Hazel, and Frank reflect on looming tasks despite talk of a triumph. Percy recounts Juno’s warning. Frank receives Mars’s gift of The Art of War with advice about the mind and sacrifice, hinting his hardest duty may be ahead. Hazel believes Pluto is allowing her continued life so she can find Nico.
Percy insists Hazel and Frank are part of the coming quest, easing their worry about being excluded. They discuss Ella’s prophecy and the need to protect her from Octavian. Tyson and Ella deliver a scroll from Leo, whose recorded message announces the Argo II approaching under truce. Hazel is stunned that Leo looks like Sammy Valdez, unsettling any notion of coincidence.
Horns summon the Senate. Octavian denounces trust in Greeks, but Percy addresses the chamber, citing Juno and Mars’s guidance and the need to unite Greeks and Romans to close the Doors of Death. He recounts the Titan War and asserts that Jason Grace is en route with the Greeks.
As a messenger reports a ship and the Argo II descends over the forum, Octavian demands attack. Percy, as praetor, orders the legion to stand ready but not fire, swearing on his life that it is not a trick. All eyes turn to Reyna, who chooses to support Percy, commands a hold on fire, and leads the Senate to meet the newcomers.
Afterward, Reyna admits she hopes Jason is aboard. Hazel warns Percy about his oath and Octavian’s hostility. Percy, confident and eager to reunite with Annabeth, brings Hazel and Frank along to greet his “other family.”
Who Appears
- Percy JacksonNewly named praetor; argues for alliance with Greeks, swears on his life, and prepares to greet the Argo II.
- ReynaCamp Jupiter praetor; weighs Percy’s plea and orders the legion to hold fire and meet the Greeks.
- OctavianHostile augur; urges the Senate to attack the approaching Greek warship and challenges Percy’s claims.
- Hazel LevesqueSupports Percy; believes Pluto is allowing her to find Nico; shaken by Leo’s resemblance to Sammy.
- Frank ZhangReceives Mars’s gift of The Art of War; worries about future sacrifice but commits to Percy’s team.
- TysonPercy’s cyclops brother; delivers Leo’s message and celebrates the ship’s arrival.
- EllaHarpy with Sibylline knowledge; brings Leo’s scroll and is identified as needing protection from Octavian.
- Leo ValdezAppears via message as Argo II’s builder/leader, announcing arrival under a flag of truce.
- Queen HyllaAmazon queen present in the Senate; supports Percy’s point about unlikely alliances.
- GwenSenator who publicly vouches for Percy’s heroism and trustworthiness.