"Why aren't we going to the hippodrome?" Julia asked Hermes as the group entered the gymnasium the next day.
"I thought you'd want Brody to work on his chariot driving some more."
"That can wait," Hermes replied. "I've had enough of watching chariot driving for a while.
Besides, if I ask Poseidon to borrow his horses again so soon, he'll think I'm worried about Brody's chances in the event."
Julia didn't respond. She was pretty sure Poseidon had already figured out that Brody wasn't an expert chariot driver!
Athena and her champion spotted Hermes and Brody and came over.
"My champion is training for the hoplitodromos," Athena told Hermes.
"We've reached the point where he would benefit from running against an opponent. Can we train with you?"
"The hoplitodromos." Hermes snapped his fingers. "I knew there was something I meant to do today!"
"The hoplitodromos," Julia said to Markos. "That's the race where the runners have to wear armor, right?"
"Yes," Markos said. "It's quite a test of an athlete's strength and endurance."
Julia watched as Hermes snapped his fingers again and a pile of metal armor fell out of the sky with a clang.
It was so loud that it startled Ares, who instantly turned into a huge, growling dog.
"Sorry, my friend," Hermes called out with a smirk. "I didn't mean to scare you."
Ares returned to his normal form and scowled at Hermes.
"You didn't scare me, messenger," he snapped. "You merely distracted me!"
Julia watched Ares grab his champion and drag him off toward the javelin area.
She was glad to see the war god go.
After his trick with the javelins, Ares made Julia nervous when he was close.
"I guess it's a good thing Brody gets to practice with Athena's champion," Julia said.
"Athena probably won't turn Brody's shield into a hungry wolf or something."
Markos chuckled. "True. It's too bad we can't say the same for most of the other gods.
I hear they're already coming up with ways to sabotage Alcides as soon as he arrives."
Julia noticed Hermes staring at them.
"Well?" the god said. "Are you just going to sit there, or are you going to help my champion get ready?"
"Sorry, Hermes." Markos scurried over to Brody.
Julia went to help too. The armor consisted of a metal helmet, a large wooden shield covered in bronze, and a pair of metal leg coverings.
She picked up the helmet and almost dropped it.
"Wow," she said. "This stuff is heavy!"
"No kidding." Brody put on one of the leg coverings.
"This gear is a lot heavier than my football pads.
It's not going to be easy to run in all this stuff."
"Don't forget this." Markos picked up the shield.
"Be careful not to drop it while you're running, or you'll have to stop and retrieve it. That will slow you down."
"Okay. Hold the shield while I put on my helmet."
Brody adjusted the metal helmet on his head. Then he took the shield from Markos.
"Ready, boy?" Hermes stepped forward, looking impatient. "Athena's champion is waiting."
"I'm ready." Brody took a few steps toward the other athlete. His armor clanked with every step.
As soon as Brody neared Athena's champion, the goddess waved her hand. "Go!"
Athena's champion started running.
Brody looked startled. "Hey!" he exclaimed. "I wasn't ready!"
He lurched forward. The armor on one of his legs caught on the armor on the other leg.
"Brody, look out!" Julia cried.
It was too late. Brody tripped and fell.
His shield went flying as he hit the ground with a clank and a loud "oof!"
"Stop!" Athena called to her champion. "We need to start over."
Julia and Markos ran over to help Brody to his feet.
"Are you all right?" Markos asked. "Did you hurt yourself?"
"I don't think so." Brody took a few steps and then made a face.
"But this is ridiculous. How am I supposed to run like this? Especially here, in this crowded space."
Julia was surprised. She'd never heard Brody express doubt before.
Usually he acted so confident—too confident!
Then he looked over at her. "Sorry," he said.
"I mean, I know you're counting on me to get us home. I just hope I can really do it."
"You will," Julia said. "You can do this, Brody.
You learned how to throw the javelin and the discus, remember?"
"That's different." Brody frowned and kicked at the shield on the ground.
"It will be easier when you're running in the Olympic stadium," Julia said.
"For now, you just have to focus, and you'll be fine. You have lots of natural athletic ability."
"Do you really think so?" Brody blinked at her. Then slowly he smiled.
"Maybe you're right. I'm the best football player on my team. Coach says I can do anything!"
He grabbed his shield again. By then Athena's champion had returned to the starting line.
"Ready, boy?" Hermes asked.
Brody smacked his shield with his free hand, making it clang. "Ready!" he cried.
"Do you really think he can do this?" Markos asked Julia quietly as the two athletes lined up again.
Julia shrugged. "I guess we're about to find out."
"Go!" Athena said.
This time Brody and the other champion leaped forward together.
After a few steps, Athena's champion pulled ahead.
"Go, Brody!" Julia yelled. "You can do it!"
After another few steps, Brody surged forward, catching up to, and then passing, the other runner.
"Why is he holding his shield like that?" Markos asked. "He's cradling it like a baby."
For a second Julia couldn't figure it out either. Then she realized what Brody was doing.
"He's pretending it's a football!" she said with a smile. "That probably makes him feel more confident."
Hermes' cheers suddenly filled the air. Julia cheered too as Brody crossed the line well ahead of the other runner. He'd done it!