The Heroes of Olympus, #2
The Son of Neptune
by Rick Riordan
Contents
XIII Percy
Overview
Percy’s sleep brings urgent visions: Grover, Annabeth, and Tyson are seeking him, while Gaea claims he will be her pawn and a golden giant with a captured eagle awaits in the north. In daylight, Percy joins Hazel and Frank for the senate meeting.
After surrendering his weapon to Terminus and glimpsing New Rome’s civilian life, Percy wrestles with staying put for rescue versus committing to Mars’s quest, then enters the Senate House to decide the legion’s next move.
Summary
Exhausted, Percy finally sleeps and dreams in fragments. A ragged faun identifying as Grover urges him to stay put while allies search. Annabeth appears, echoing the plea and mentioning Tyson is closest. The dream shifts to ominous scenes: Gaea’s face in the hills declares Percy will be her pawn and must come north to meet Alcyoneus; then a golden, automaton-like giant promises to break Percy “atop the ice,” amid frozen Roman relics and a golden eagle standard.
Percy wakes in the Fifth Cohort barracks, shaken but focused on the coming senate meeting. At breakfast, the camp buzzes about yesterday’s battles and Mars’s decree. Hazel and Frank explain the senators’ togas and why the three quest members must attend. Percy resolves to help Frank despite fears stirred by the dreams and the war god’s involvement.
On the way to New Rome, the boundary god Terminus inspects entrants. He detects Percy’s pen-sword, forces him to surrender it to his child assistant Julia, and scolds Percy about regulations. The trio proceed, with Percy noticing Nico di Angelo avoiding him and Gwen looking recovered. Hazel and Frank explain the Pomerian Line’s no-weapons rule and Terminus’s role as the city’s final defense.
In the forum, Percy sees veterans, families, and shops—a peaceful civilian life protected by the legion. The sight tempts him to imagine a future but also strengthens his resolve to defend the city against the looming attack foretold by Juno. Torn between staying for rescue and honoring the quest, Percy follows Hazel and Frank into the Senate House to face the legion’s decision.
Who Appears
- Percy JacksonProtagonist; dreams of allies searching, Gaea’s warning, and a golden giant; surrenders his pen to Terminus; proceeds to the senate.
- Hazel LevesqueGuides Percy to New Rome, explains rules and Terminus, and accompanies him and Frank to the senate.
- Frank ZhangTired and anxious about Mars’s quest; brings Percy to the senate and explains Roman customs and boundaries.
- TerminusGod of boundaries; enforces the Pomerian Line, confiscates Percy’s weapon, and dictates regulations.
- Reyna Avila Ramírez-ArellanoPraetor leading the senators’ procession to the meeting with her metal greyhounds.
- OctavianAugur accompanying the senators to convene the meeting about the quest.
- Nico di AngeloWears a black toga as Pluto’s ambassador; briefly acknowledges Percy but keeps his distance.
- Gwendolyn (Gwen)Recently revived centurion; appears pale but recovered while heading to the senate.
- JuliaTerminus’s young assistant who collects Percy’s pen-sword with practiced seriousness.
- VitelliusLar of the Fifth Cohort who wishes the questers luck and reminisces about senate history.
- GaeaAppears in Percy’s dream, claiming he will be her pawn and luring him north to Alcyoneus.
- AlcyoneusGolden giant in Percy’s vision who vows to break him atop the ice, amid frozen Roman trophies.
- GroverAppears in Percy’s dream, telling him allies are coming and to stay put.
- Annabeth ChaseIn Percy’s dream, urges him to stay where he is so Tyson can find him.
- TysonMentioned in Percy’s dream as the closest ally searching for him.
- DakotaSenator from the Fifth, struggles with his toga en route to the meeting.