--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: About five meters ahead, Nico was…" description: "\"“About five meters ahead, Nico was swinging his black sword with one hand, holding the scepter of Diocletian aloft with the other. He kept shouting ord..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44a/rick-riordan-27_frank-zhang_about-five-meters-ahead-nico-was-swingin_2729677.jpg" --- # About five meters ahead, Nico was swinging his black sword… ![“About five meters ahead, Nico was swinging his black sword with one hand, holding the scepter of Diocletian aloft with the other. He kept shouting orders at the legionnaires, but they paid him no attention. Of course not, Frank thought. He's Greek. [...] Jason's face was already beaded with sweat…” quote by Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44a/rick-riordan-27_frank-zhang_about-five-meters-ahead-nico-was-swingin_2729677.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44a/rick-riordan-27_frank-zhang_about-five-meters-ahead-nico-was-swingin_2729677.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44a/rick-riordan-27_frank-zhang_about-five-meters-ahead-nico-was-swingin_2729677.jpg) > ““About five meters ahead, Nico was swinging his black sword with one hand, holding the scepter of Diocletian aloft with the other. He kept shouting orders at the legionnaires, but they paid him no attention. Of course not, Frank thought. He's Greek. \[...\] Jason's face was already beaded with sweat. He kept shouting in Latin: "Form ranks!" But the dead legionnaires wouldn't listen to him, either. \[...\] "Make way!" Frank shouted. To his surprise, the dead legionnaires parted for him. The closest ones turned and stared at him with blank eyes, as if waiting for further orders. "Oh, great..." Frank mumbled.”” [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Frank, a Greek soldier, commands dead legionnaires who obey, revealing hidden power. **In simple terms:** Frank commands dead soldiers successfully. Key Takeaway Recognize unexpected sources of influence. Themes mythology leadership power dynamics Mood dramatic mythic Type narrative inspirational When to use this quote - military strategy - team motivation Key Concepts ancient history fantasy narrative Questions to Reflect On - What makes people follow orders? - How does belief affect authority? 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"I'm the ranking Roman…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/frank-how-did-you-do-that-jason-yelled-frank-s-head-swam-with-pain-he/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“Stevenson told the legionnaires that patriotism “is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime. . .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-farris/stevenson-told-the-legionnaires-that-patriotism-is-not-short-frenzied/) [Scott Farris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-farris/) > [What exactly did you find in Atlanta?” Frank unzipped his backpack and started bringing out souvenirs. “Some peach preserves. A couple of T-shirts. 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I, Jason Grace, praetor of the Twelfth Legion Fulminata, give you my final order: I resign my post and give you emergency…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/frank-zhang-i-jason-grace-praetor-of-the-twelfth-legion-fulminata/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“Percy and Hedge lay on the deck, looking exhausted. Hedge was missing his shoes. He grinned at the sky, muttering, “Awesome. Awesome.” Percy was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/percy-and-hedge-lay-on-the-deck-looking-exhausted-hedge-was-missing/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“Your lifeline…oh, the burning stick. Right.” Leo resisted the urge to set his hand ablaze and yell: Bwah ha ha! The idea was sort…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/your-lifeline-oh-the-burning-stick-right-leo-resisted-the-urge-to-set/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [I'm gonna be percy Jackson when I grow up," she told Hazel solemnly. Hazel Smiled and ruffled her hair. "That's a good thing to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/i-m-gonna-be-percy-jackson-when-i-grow-up-she-told-hazel-solemnly/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Fair... You'd be amazed how often I hear that word, Frank Zhang,and how meaningless it is. Is it fair your life will burn so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/fair-you-d-be-amazed-how-often-i-hear-that-word-frank-zhang-and-how/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Frank held up the Chinese handcuffs. “Keep it simple.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/frank-held-up-the-chinese-handcuffs-keep-it-simple/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Here's a tip, Alyconeus. Next time you choose the biggest state for your home, don't set up base in the part that's only 10…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/here-s-a-tip-alyconeus-next-time-you-choose-the-biggest-state-for/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“Back in my day, we died all the time, and we liked it!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/back-in-my-day-we-died-all-the-time-and-we-liked-it/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Frank Zhang: lumbering klutz, child of Mars, part-time pachyderm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/frank-zhang-lumbering-klutz-child-of-mars-part-time-pachyderm/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Frank didn’t drop you on purpose,” she said. “He’s not like that. He’s just a little clumsy sometimes.” “Oops,” Leo said, in his best…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/frank-didn-t-drop-you-on-purpose-she-said-he-s-not-like-that-he-s/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) ## More by Rick Riordan > [“It made sense, and I felt kind of stupid. I’d been hanging around dryads”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/it-made-sense-and-i-felt-kind-of-stupid-i-d-been-hanging-around-dryads/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“That awkward moment when you jump out a window because your friend jumped out a window, then you remember that your other friend can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/that-awkward-moment-when-you-jump-out-a-window-because-your-friend/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Oh, dear Hazel.” Aphrodite folded her fan. “Such optimism, yet you have heartrending days ahead of you. Of course war is coming. Love and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/oh-dear-hazel-aphrodite-folded-her-fan-such-optimism-yet-you-have/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Kids, if anything, are harder to write for because they are a more discerning audience. They will not stay with you if you go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/kids-if-anything-are-harder-to-write-for-because-they-are-a-more/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“He started toward the entrance. Seriously, how could he not? He stopped when he noticed the girl. She was kneeling in her vegetable garden,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/he-started-toward-the-entrance-seriously-how-could-he-not-he-stopped/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Hercules used noise! Brass bells! He scared them away with the most horrible sound he could-" said Percy "Percy... Chiron's collection!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/hercules-used-noise-brass-bells-he-scared-them-away-with-the-most/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“When you take someone’s hand and lead them to Valhalla, you get a glimpse into their soul.” “Did that happen when you took me?”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/when-you-take-someone-s-hand-and-lead-them-to-valhalla-you-get-a/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“he didn’t look as good as Piper had last night after she’d suddenly been transformed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/he-didn-t-look-as-good-as-piper-had-last-night-after-she-d-suddenly/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [There’s my baby!” I cried, quite carried away. “There’s my Poochiekins!” Ammit ran at me and leaped into my arms, nuzzling me with his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/there-s-my-baby-i-cried-quite-carried-away-there-s-my-poochiekins/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“Leo plunked the cheese wheel in front of me. "Cut me a wedge of this, my good ma. Chop-chop!" I scowled at him. "Don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/leo-plunked-the-cheese-wheel-in-front-of-me-cut-me-a-wedge-of-this-my/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [It's all still about having a good story. You have to have a good story as your anchor, as your main focus. So for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/it-s-all-still-about-having-a-good-story-you-have-to-have-a-good/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [I disobeyed Ra's wishes, and so he ordered my onw father, Shu-" "Hang on," I said. "Shoe?" "S-h-u," she said. "The god of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/i-disobeyed-ra-s-wishes-and-so-he-ordered-my-onw-father-shu-hang-on-i/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“Nico knelt and picked it up. He regarded Jason, as if waiting for an attack. "If the others found out-" "If the others found…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/nico-knelt-and-picked-it-up-he-regarded-jason-as-if-waiting-for-an/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Wouldn't that put a twist in your toga?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/wouldn-t-that-put-a-twist-in-your-toga/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [ \[Hazel\] hissed in frustration. 'I hate eidolons. I thought Piper made them promise to stay away.' 'Oh...' Frank said, like he'd just had his… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/hazel-hissed-in-frustration-i-hate-eidolons-i-thought-piper-made-them/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) [Explore all 2,993 Rick Riordan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) ## More Frank zhang quotes > [Fair... You'd be amazed how often I hear that word, Frank Zhang,and how meaningless it is. Is it fair your life will burn so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/fair-you-d-be-amazed-how-often-i-hear-that-word-frank-zhang-and-how/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [What exactly did you find in Atlanta?” Frank unzipped his backpack and started bringing out souvenirs. “Some peach preserves. A couple of T-shirts. A…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/what-exactly-did-you-find-in-atlanta-frank-unzipped-his-backpack-and/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Frank Zhang: lumbering klutz, child of Mars, part-time pachyderm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/frank-zhang-lumbering-klutz-child-of-mars-part-time-pachyderm/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“Back in my day, we died all the time, and we liked it!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/back-in-my-day-we-died-all-the-time-and-we-liked-it/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Here's a tip, Alyconeus. Next time you choose the biggest state for your home, don't set up base in the part that's only 10…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/here-s-a-tip-alyconeus-next-time-you-choose-the-biggest-state-for/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Frank held up the Chinese handcuffs. “Keep it simple.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/frank-held-up-the-chinese-handcuffs-keep-it-simple/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Frank didn’t drop you on purpose,” she said. “He’s not like that. He’s just a little clumsy sometimes.” “Oops,” Leo said, in his best…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/frank-didn-t-drop-you-on-purpose-she-said-he-s-not-like-that-he-s/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [I'm gonna be percy Jackson when I grow up," she told Hazel solemnly. Hazel Smiled and ruffled her hair. "That's a good thing to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/i-m-gonna-be-percy-jackson-when-i-grow-up-she-told-hazel-solemnly/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“Your lifeline…oh, the burning stick. Right.” Leo resisted the urge to set his hand ablaze and yell: Bwah ha ha! The idea was sort…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/your-lifeline-oh-the-burning-stick-right-leo-resisted-the-urge-to-set/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“Percy and Hedge lay on the deck, looking exhausted. Hedge was missing his shoes. He grinned at the sky, muttering, “Awesome. Awesome.” Percy was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/percy-and-hedge-lay-on-the-deck-looking-exhausted-hedge-was-missing/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Frank Zhang! I, Jason Grace, praetor of the Twelfth Legion Fulminata, give you my final order: I resign my post and give you emergency…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/frank-zhang-i-jason-grace-praetor-of-the-twelfth-legion-fulminata/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“Welcome, praetor!” he said. “You need any giants’ faces smashed while you’re in town, just let me know.” “Thanks, Terminus,” Percy said. “I’ll keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/welcome-praetor-he-said-you-need-any-giants-faces-smashed-while-you/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [This is Buford,” Leo announced. “You name your furniture?” Frank asked.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/this-is-buford-leo-announced-you-name-your-furniture-frank-asked/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“Jason shouted in his best drill-sergeant voice: “Frank Zhang! I, Jason Grace, praetor of the Twelfth Legion Fulminata, give you my final order: I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/jason-shouted-in-his-best-drill-sergeant-voice-frank-zhang-i-jason/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“Don’t lose hope, Frank. Rainbows always stand for hope. - Iris, Rainbow Goddess”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/don-t-lose-hope-frank-rainbows-always-stand-for-hope-iris-rainbow/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) [Browse all 32 Frank zhang quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/frank-zhang/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“About five meters ahead, Nico was swinging his black sword with one hand, holding the scepter of Diocletian aloft with the other. He kept shouting orders at the legionnaires, but they paid him no attention. Of course not, Frank thought. He's Greek. [...] Jason's face was already beaded with sweat. He kept shouting in Latin: \"Form ranks!\" But the dead legionnaires wouldn't listen to him, either. [...] \"Make way!\" Frank shouted. To his surprise, the dead legionnaires parted for him. The closest ones turned and stared at him with blank eyes, as if waiting for further orders. \"Oh, great...\" Frank mumbled.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Rick Riordan" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/about-five-meters-ahead-nico-was-swinging-his-black-sword-with-one/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Frank zhang" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/about-five-meters-ahead-nico-was-swinging-his-black-sword-with-one/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44a/rick-riordan-27_frank-zhang_about-five-meters-ahead-nico-was-swingin_2729677.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44a/rick-riordan-27_frank-zhang_about-five-meters-ahead-nico-was-swingin_2729677.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44a/rick-riordan-27_frank-zhang_about-five-meters-ahead-nico-was-swingin_2729677.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“About five meters ahead, Nico was swinging his black sword with one hand, holding the scepter of Diocletian…” — Rick Riordan", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Rick Riordan", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“About five meters ahead, Nico was...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/about-five-meters-ahead-nico-was-swinging-his-black-sword-with-one/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/about-five-meters-ahead-nico-was-swinging-his-black-sword-with-one/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```