The next morning Brody was eating breakfast when a hawk landed in the courtyard. It quickly transformed into Hermes.
"Come, my champion," Hermes said to Brody.
"I'm taking you to the agora to show you off."
"Show him off?" Julia said. "I thought we were supposed to blend in so Zeus doesn't notice Brody."
Hermes eyed her. "You talk a great deal for a mortal girl. But you're partly correct.
I don't want Zeus to know where I'm keeping my champion.
Zeus might decide to tamper with him when I'm not here."
"Huh?" Brody looked up from his bread and fruit.
"What do you mean, tamper with me?"
"Never mind that. You're under my protection, boy." Hermes patted him on the shoulder.
"I can keep you safe, and also show you off in public."
"Okay," Julia said. "But listen, I've been thinking about that time passage we came through.
It sounds like it could easily close up again. Could we end up trapped here forever?"
"Forever?" Brody echoed. He didn't like the sound of that.
Ancient Greece was pretty cool so far—he was looking forward to competing in the Games.
But he already missed TV and video games and playing football.
"You don't need to worry about the time passage," Hermes said.
"Caerus assures me the passage should remain stable at least through the Games.
After that, you're welcome to return home."
"Do you promise?" Julia asked. "You'll let us go right after the Games?"
"Of course." Hermes shrugged. "Now come to the agora."
The agora was Olympia's central square. Dozens of merchants and farmers were there selling goods like honey, fish, silk, and gems.
People and gods wandered around shopping and chatting.
"Is Zeus here?" Julia asked Hermes.
"I don't see him. But look." Hermes pointed to someone in the distance.
"There's his lovely wife. Let's go and say hello."
"Zeus has a wife?" Brody asked Julia.
She gave him a scornful look. "Didn't you pay attention in social studies?
Zeus' wife is Hera. She's a very powerful goddess."
"And a very scary one," Markos whispered.
"Be careful not to say anything that might insult her."
Hera was a tall, stately woman with a sharp chin and even sharper black eyes.
"Greetings, Hermes. Who are these young mortals?"
Hermes yanked Brody forward. "I'm pleased to introduce my champion for the Games.
Say hello to the queen of the gods, Brody."
"Hi," Brody said. "Nice to meet you."
"Brody . . . ," Hera repeated. "What sort of name is that? It doesn't sound Greek to me."
Hermes squeezed Brody's shoulder to stop him from responding.
"Perhaps it does not sound Greek," Hermes said quickly.
"But as you can hear, the boy speaks Greek as well as you and I do."
"Hmm." Hera stared at Brody, her eyes suspicious.
"So, Hera," Hermes said innocently, "I hear Zeus has found himself another impressive champion.
Do you know whether this mortal hero has yet arrived in Olympia?"
Hera stiffened. "I have better things to do than keep track of Zeus' business."
"Of course you do." Hermes smiled. "Still, you must be as curious as the rest of us. What's the fellow's name again? Alexandros?"
"Alcides," another goddess said, walking over to join them. "Zeus' hero is named Alcides."
"Greetings, Athena." Hermes bowed, and Hera nodded coolly.
"Athena?" Julia whispered, elbowing Brody. "Wow! She's the goddess of wisdom. She was always my favorite goddess."
"You're such a nerd!" he said, laughing.
The gods were all exchanging rumors about Alcides.
"He's said to be the strongest mortal of his generation," Hermes told Athena.
"It's hard to know what is true," Athena replied. She sounded disapproving.
"I'm afraid you all exaggerate your heroes' abilities so greatly.
The Games are meant to be an honest contest," she went on.
"Not some silly competition full of deception and cheating."
"Don't be a spoilsport, Athena," Hermes said.
"Our gossip and mischief are just good fun. And I will have even more fun when my champion defeats Zeus' hero!"
Brody grinned. "Don't worry, I'll do it," he bragged.
Hermes clapped him on the back. "That's the spirit, boy!"
Hera eyed Brody with scorn. "We'll see about that.
If you'll excuse me, I have things to do."
She stalked off. Athena wandered away too.
As soon as the goddesses were gone, two more gods rushed over.
One was a muscular young man with wavy dark hair and mischievous golden eyes.
The other was a pretty young woman with a bow slung over one slim shoulder.
She had the same wild, dark hair and golden eyes as the young man.
"Apollo, Artemis," Hermes greeted them. "How are you, my friends?"
"We heard you found your champion," Artemis said, staring curiously at Brody. "Why, he's very impressive."
"Thanks." Brody puffed up his chest.
"Hera seemed impressed too," Hermes said. "Though I suspect she's much more concerned about Zeus' champion."
"Ah, the mighty Alcides," Apollo said with a laugh. "Have you seen him yet?"
"No one has seen him yet," Artemis said.
"According to the rumors, Zeus is keeping him hidden in the hills until Zeus is ready to present him."
Hermes smirked. "You know Zeus. He likes to make a dramatic entrance."
"Yes," Apollo agreed. "He also must know that everyone will be looking for ways to beat him in the Games."
Brody spoke up. "Don't worry, I'll beat his hero.
I scored more touchdowns last season than anyone in the history of my middle school!"
The gods stared at him, looking amused and puzzled.
Then Hermes chuckled. "Perhaps the boy is right," he said.
"Perhaps Zeus failed to find a suitable hero this time.
That could be another reason Zeus is keeping Alcides hidden."
"Perhaps." Artemis sounded doubtful.
"But I won't believe it until I see you and your champion setting off on the victory tour of Greece after the Games."