The Tyrant's Tomb

Of course Tarquin was connected to the Sibylline Books. Of course he
would choose now to show himself, and send an army of undead against
Camp Jupiter. And the Sibyl of Cumae herself…Was it possible—?
“Apollo,” Reyna said again, more insistently.
“I’m fine,” I lied.
One problem at a time. Jason Grace deserved my full attention. I forced
down my turbulent thoughts and kept walking.
When I reached Temple Hill, it was obvious where to go. At the base of
Jupiter’s temple stood an elaborate wooden pyre. At each corner, an honor
guard waited with a blazing torch. Jason’s coffin would burn in the shadow
of our father’s temple. That seemed bitterly appropriate.
The legion’s cohorts fanned out in a semicircle around the pyre, the
Lares in their ranks glowing like birthday candles. The Fifth Cohort
unloaded Jason’s coffin and bore it to the platform. Hannibal and his funeral
cart were led away.
Behind the legion, at the periphery of the torchlight, aura wind spirits
swirled about, setting up folding tables and black tablecloths. Others flew in
with drink pitchers, stacks of plates, and baskets of food. No Roman funeral
would be complete without a final meal for the departed. Only after the food
was shared by the mourners would the Romans consider Jason’s spirit safely
on its way to the Underworld—immune from indignities like becoming a
restless ghost or a zombie.
While the legionnaires got settled, Reyna and Frank joined me at the
pyre.
“You had me worried,” Reyna said. “Is your wound still bothering you?”
“It’s getting better,” I said, though I might have been trying to assure
myself more than her. Also, why did she have to look so beautiful in the
firelight?
“We’ll have the healers look at it again,” Frank promised. “Why did you
stop in the road?”
“Just…remembered something. Tell you later. I don’t suppose you guys
had any luck notifying Jason’s family? Thalia?”
They exchanged frustrated looks.
“We tried, of course,” Reyna said. “Thalia’s the only earthly family he
had. But with the communications problems…”
I nodded, unsurprised. One of the more annoying things the Triumvirate
had done was to shut down all forms of magical communication used by