Frank stared down at his almost shaking hands. Why was he so nervous? The Senate meeting would go their way, or it wouldn't. There was no need for him to worry. All he had to do was convince the Senate to listen to him, which he struggled to do. All he could do was hoped everything worked out and not have a panic attack on the way to the meeting.

As Frank thought he would manage to not have a panic attack, Diana appeared at his side. Frank stared up at the goddess. He was definitely going to have a panic attack. What if their plan didn't work? What if Diana wanted Reyna to be punished horribly as well? There was no emotions on the goddess' face, which didn't make Frank feel any better.

Annabeth had a long talk with Thalia, and apparently, it went really well. Everything about the situation was odd to Frank. They were asking Annabeth to vouch and stick her neck out for the demigod that had tortured her, and Annabeth agreed to it. It was just so strange, and it made Frank feel bad. He didn't want to put anyone in that situation. Yet, here they were.

After their talk, Annabeth and Thalia went to talk to Diana, but Frank had no clue how that one turned out. All he could do was see what Diana said. It wasn't like he could ask her, since he was a male. Frank would probably be nothing more than an ash stain on the streets of New Rome if he did.

"Praetor," Diana said after a long moment. Frank slowly looked up at her. The goddess studied him for a very long moment and didn't say another word. Why was this so terrifying? As Frank desperately tried to think of what to say to Diana. He was saved the by the goddess making a small noise, almost a growl of anger. "Your fellow praetor stepped out of her bounds."

"She did," Frank agreed. Diana met his eyes. "Reyna messed up badly, and we are not denying that. I just know that Reyna being removed as praetor will mean terrible things for Camp Jupiter. I think Halward is power hungry, and he may try to bring New Rome back to how it was before we made peace. He's old fashioned."

There was a few things about Diana that was common knowledge. One, she hated men. Two, she wanted women to be treated with great respect. Three, she hated men for simply existing, but she hated the men that disrespected women the most.

Maybe, it was a little dangerous to make those kinds of accusations of Halward, and Diana could probably see right through it. Frank had to try though. He could try to play dumb and hope that it worked, or maybe, he would get lucky. There was a chance the accusations were true. Diana studied him for a very long moment.

"If there is something that Reyna can do in private to make up for this, she will," Frank said softly. "I will help her."

Diana looked away and seemed to be lost in thought for a few moments. Her gaze moved around the camp, and she spoke, "I do not like to recruit many hunters from this place. It is full of snakes and liars. True loyalty is as rare as a good male, and Frank Zhang, you have loyalty to your fellow praetor."

"I do," Frank said. Diana watched him and nodded. Then, she turned and walked away. Frank just stared at the goddess. Calling after her would probably only get him killed. All he could do was stand there with all kinds of worry and apprehension in his gut. Had his plea worked?

"Are you ready for this?" Reyna asked. Frank jumped and slowly looked at his fellow praetor. Reyna had just appeared at his side. She was back in her armor and praetor's cape. The regret in her face and eyes was long gone, and Reyna almost looked back to normal. There was a small, almost healed cut on her temple, and she wasn't standing straight. It seemed to be the only weakness that she would show.

"I don't know," Frank admitted. Reyna nodded her agreement. "How does your back feel?"

"It hurts. Well, everything hurts," Reyna said. Frank nodded and was happy and a little proud that Reyna confided in him. Reyna glanced at him and smiled slightly. It was a sad smile, and it gave away her emotions. Frank felt like he was seeing behind the mask of his fellow praetor, and he knew how rare that was.

"After this, you should probably rest," Frank said. Reyna gave him a look. Frank smiled slightly, and Reyna rolled her eyes. "I know that you will want to run around and try to put out all the fires."

"You're talking like everything will be the same after this," Reyna said. Frank stopped walking, and he frowned. Reyna stopped and looked back at him. It won't go back to how it was before."

"Why can't it?" Frank asked quietly. Reyna shook her head. "The relationship between the camps doesn't have to change, even if the relationship between the leaders does. Only a few people know the truth, and we can carry that to our graves, for Camp Jupiter."

"Are you sure you didn't get replaced during all of this?" Reyna asked. Frank shook his head. "I guess you're starting to learn how to play the game. It sucks, doesn't it?"

"It does," Frank agreed. He started to walk again. Reyna followed behind him for a few moments but finally matched his pace. "How do you handle it?"

"I just remember that I do all of this for the good of Camp Jupiter, for those demigods who are just trying to live their lives," Reyna answered. She sighed tiredly. "It's a lot to shoulder, Frank. The older members of the Senate just don't get it. They want power, to do what they think is right."

"They're out of touch though, especially now with the Greeks," Frank said. Reyna nodded her agreement. The two of them walked into the Senate House. Frank could see that most of the Senate had already gathered, along with the remaining centurions and their unofficial augur.

"Just keep your calm," Reyna whispered to Frank. Then, she walked towards her chair and sat in it. Her eyes slowly studied the Senate, but there was no emotion on her face. Frank still didn't know how she managed that. He walked towards his own chair and slowly sat down. A glance around showed that Halward's gaze was solely focused on him.

Halward finally tore his gaze from Frank and moved towards Livia. He whispered to her, but Livia gave him no response, other than a shrug or small nod. Frank couldn't tell if she was intentionally acting like that or if her mother's death was taking that much of a toll. He knew that feeling all too well, but he had to focus.

Frank moved his gaze towards the ground. A silence fell over the Senate, and Frank slowly looked up. Everyone was staring at Diana, but the goddess didn't look at any of them. Her gaze was focused ahead. She walked towards the opposite wall and stood against it.

"Lady Diana," Halward began. Diana slowly looked at him. There was a scowl on her face. Halward seemed unconcerned, or he was just crazy. He took a step towards Diana. "We will set all of this right. I promise."

Diana didn't say a word. Her eyes drifted around the room, before her gaze focused on Reyna. After a moment, Diana spoke, "I am here to make sure the Greeks are represented fairly. Praetor Ramirez and I have already discussed reparations."

If the words were any surprise to Reyna, she didn't show it. Halward scowled and looked around at the rest of the Senate. He spoke, "It is time that we were told the truth of what has happened. All we truly know is that a Greek was tortured, and Reyna claimed responsibility. Alfred was attacked, and Darriah was killed. We all deserve to know what truly happened."

Frank looked at Reyna for a long moment. She was staring at the ground and seemingly lost in thought. The rest of the Senate was waiting in tense anticipation. Frank glanced over at Annabeth. She met his eyes, and while neither of them made a movement, they were in agreement.

"I'm sure that everyone remembers when Diana first dragged Reyna here, and Reyna admitted to poisoning the tree at Camp Half-Blood," Frank said. As he spoke, he made sure to look at each member of the Senate and make eye contact. He had to win their support.

"Reyna did all of this because she thought that Annabeth was going to attack our home," Frank continued. He could almost see the grin on Halward's face. His eyes were gleaming. "After some investigation, we know that Annabeth was not planning on attacking us. None of the Greeks were."

"So," Halward interrupted. He stood a little straighter. "Our senior praetor tortured one of our allies for no good reason. She disrupted the sacredness of the Pax Romana. Praetor, you know that the consequences will be severe."

"I would agree, if Reyna was in control of her actions," Frank said. He met Halward's eyes. This was going to be the moment of truth. He would have to win the Senate over and convince them that he was telling the truth. "A goddess, Astraea, was called upon by someone who wanted to destroy both of our camps in a bid for revenge. Astraea possessed Reyna."

"This is not just a story to escape the consequences?" Halward questioned.

"I will face the consequences laid before me," Reyna said. She slowly stood and met Halward's eyes. "It is no secret that you do not like me, Halward, but even as my biggest critic, you know how loyal I am to Camp Jupiter. Hurting our Greek allies would mean hurting my home. I would never do that willingly."

"Reyna will face the consequences," Frank promised. He didn't dare look at Reyna. All he could do was hope that she was keeping her face neutral. "When we believed that Livia committed this crime, we were going to have Camp Half-Blood pick the punishment. I think they should pick Reyna's punishment as well."

"I just hope Camp Half-Blood will understand that Reyna was not in full control of her actions," Frank said, before Halward could open his mouth. His gaze focused on Percy. "A rogue Hunter of Artemis was the one who summoned the goddess and led Reyna into the trap that caused her to become possessed. Percy, Thalia, and I handled the rogue Hunter, and the goddess was subdued with help from Lady Diana. There are no more threats to us."

"Other than the traitor that stands before us," Halward said. His eyes focused on Reyna. Frank risked a glance towards her. Reyna was not backing down from Halward's gaze. "I do not believe that a goddess would cause you to do all of that. We have no proof."

"The same goddess took control of my mother," Livia interrupted. She slowly stood, and her hand moved to her wrist. "The goddess, that bitch, made my mother almost kill me. Annabeth save my life, and my mother killed herself. Tell me, Halward. Is that something my mother would do?"

Halward remained silent. Livia practically collapsed back into her seat, and she buried her face in her hands. Frank allowed the silence to settle over the Senate. His heart was racing, but he had to remain calm. There was whispers throughout the Senate.

"I don't think it is fair that we take justice into our hands for what Praetor Ramirez did to Camp Half-Blood," Leila said. As Halward turned on her, she kept her gaze ahead. If her father scared her, she didn't show it. "Who else agrees?"

It didn't take long for a majority of the Senate to raise their hands in agreement. Frank almost let out a deep breath of relief. Before he could, Halward spoke, "What of Alfred's attack? Wasn't that also our senior praetor?"

"It was the rogue Hunter," Annabeth answered. Everyone looked at her. "Before Reyna started to torture me for information, the rogue Hunter confronted me and told me that no one would know I was there. The child of Veritas had been taken out by her hand, and she thought that Percy and Frank were incapacitated."

"So Greek, what should happen to the person who tortured you for information you did not have?" Halward asked. He stood a little straighter and studied Annabeth. "It should be a fitting punishment, hopefully."

"Praetor Ramirez flayed my arms. I believe the Romans are great believers of an eye for an eye, or skin for skin," Annabeth said. Her face remained emotionless, and her voice didn't quiver. "I'm sure you can get a Roman to match the wounds. Or, a Greek can do it, so we make sure that it is fair."

"Will Camp Half-Blood forgive us then?" Dakota asked. Annabeth looked at him and nodded.

"We understand that Praetor Ramirez was not in control of herself. After blood is repaid, we will be satisfied. This will be a precedent and hopefully be a warning for everyone else about what happens if you try to break the peace," Annabeth stated.

Frank slowly looked around the rest of the Senate for reactions. They were all impassive, and it made his gut twist. A glance to his side showed that Reyna was looking at her arms. Frank finally looked up and focused on Halward.

"It seems that all of the victims have been satisfied then," Halward said through gritted teeth. He looked at Livia, and for a few moments, his face softened. "We should honor and bury our dead."

"Darriah will be honored," Frank promised. He stood. "I also suggest a probation for my fellow praetor. I have no doubts she will go back to being the best example of us, since the goddess is out of her head. It will be wise to remain cautious."

Halward studied Frank for a long moment. He finally gave a single nod and moved to Livia's side. Halward sat by her and slowly placed his hand to Livia's back, as if to comfort her. Leila moved to Livia's other side and pulled her into a gentle hug.

For a few moments, the only sound was Livia's heartbroken cries. Frank took a deep breath and spoke, "This Senate meeting is adjourned."

Frank sat back in his chair and let out a deep breath. He watched the members of the Senate file out. Some stopped to give Livia words of comfort. Others left as soon as they could. Frank looked back at Diana, but the goddess was gone. He let out another deep breath.

Halward looked at Frank. He studied him for a long moment and shook his head. Then with the help of Leila, he helped Livia stand and led her out. Frank slowly stood and looked at his friends. Annabeth and Percy were talking quietly. Reyna was sitting in her chair and staring down at her arms.

"I wasn't serious about flaying your arms," Annabeth whispered softly. She made it to Reyna's side and squeezed her shoulder.

"It will have to be done," Reyna said softly. She shook her head and looked up at them. "Thank you. It is only because of you three that I still have my home and my position."

"We couldn't let Halward get any more power," Percy said. A small grin came to his face. "Besides, it's fun to annoy you when you're trying to be all serious and can't tell me to shut up."

A small smile came to Reyna's face. She slowly stood and clasped Frank's shoulder. Reyna spoke, "You did good, Frank. You're really coming into your own as praetor."

Frank couldn't stop his smile, and he couldn't stop himself from hugging Reyna. She tensed for a few moments before slowly giving him a partial hug back. Frank pulled away and spoke, "Sorry. I'm just happy that you're going to be okay."

"Don't get soft on me," Reyna warned, but she still had that smile on her face. "Thank you guys, again."

"You would do the same for us," Annabeth said. She turned towards Percy. "We better update Chiron on everything."

"Make sure you get some food before you go," Frank said. Annabeth nodded and started to walk away. She looked like she was already in work mode. Percy gave Frank a look.

"I'll make sure she eats something. You two should get some sleep," Percy said. He turned and hurried to catch up to Annabeth.

"I owe you, Frank. You saved me," Reyna whispered softly. As the Greeks disappeared from sight, her shoulders drooped, and she sighed tiredly.

"That's what friends do," Frank said. Reyna looked at him and smiled slightly. Frank smiled as well. He looked away and slowly lost his smile. They were lucky that the Senate went their way, or maybe, the Senate just liked Reyna that much. Was it possible they were just going to ignore any proof or logic presented to them to cover up for their senior praetor?

Was that why Halward wanted control of the Senate? How much would he be able to get away with? Frank thought he was starting to get the hang of navigating the Senate, but something told him that he was wrong. It was probably something he would never get use to, but that was okay.

All he needed was for his friends to help. Together, they could stop any threat, internal or external. For now, Frank would enjoy the victory and make sure that the punishment passed by as smoothly and painless as it could. Then, he would make sure that things between the camps stayed peaceful.

If Frank threw himself into his work, he could forget that he had blood on his hands from someone who was just trying to save their family but was so broken that they didn't recognize the truth. He would forget how far their enemies and even allies would go to do what they thought was right. Frank took a deep breath and stared at the ceiling. He had to stay his course, and maybe, there would be a lasting peace between the camps after all.

Thank you for all of the support throughout this story. I hope everyone has enjoyed the last chapter.