"Wow, it's crowded here today," Brody said.
It was the following morning. Brody was walking into the gymnasium with Hermes, Julia, and Markos.
Some gods were already there, along with their champions.
There were several gods Brody had never seen before, including a goddess with flowers sprouting in her hair and floating out of her mouth.
He also spotted a god with the legs and horns of a goat.
"The opening of the Games is drawing near," Markos reminded him.
"Naturally, everyone wants to be ready."
"Right. Including us," Hermes said. "We'll start with boxing today."
"Do you want me to spar with Brody, Hermes?" Markos asked, sounding nervous.
"No," Hermes replied. "I want you and the girl to wander around Olympia.
Find out everything you can about Heracles."
Markos bowed. "As you wish, Hermes. We'll return when we have news."
He and Julia hurried away. Brody felt disappointed.
To his surprise he liked having the two of them around while he worked out.
"I can't believe I actually like hanging around with a couple of nerds," he thought.
He forgot about that when Hermes dragged him over to a goddess wearing a veil and holding a staff.
She was watching her champion, a stout youth with long black hair.
"Greetings, Hestia," Hermes said. "My champion needs a sparring partner.
What do you say? Shall our champions box?"
The goddess eyed Brody. "I suppose that would be all right," she said.
"My champion hasn't had much chance to practice his boxing in Olympia.
Probably because his reputation as the best boxer in Greece has scared off the competition."
"We'll see about that," Hermes said with a chuckle.
He shoved Brody forward. "Get to it, boy!"
Brody nodded and lifted his fists. The other athlete did the same.
"Hi," Brody said as he sent off a jab with his left fist. "I'm Brody."
"Yes, I've seen you around the agora," the other boy said. "I'm Timon."
"Nice to meet you." Brody let his right fist fly.
"Oof!" Timon grunted as Brody's punch landed on his beefy shoulder.
"Pay attention, Timon!" Hestia called. "You'll need to do better than that if you wish to defeat Heracles."
Hestia and Hermes watched the two boys box for a while, calling out orders and encouragement.
But eventually they started to look bored.
Finally they wandered off to talk to Apollo, who was watching his champion run nearby.
Brody was pretty sure he heard Hermes ask Apollo if he'd seen Heracles that day.
"I wish they'd all stop talking about Heracles," Timon grumbled.
"I know what you mean." Brody dodged a punch.
Then he easily landed a punch on the other boy's chest.
"Ow!" Timon complained, rubbing the spot. "Look. Hera just arrived."
"Really?" Brody turned to look. Pain exploded in his chin as Timon's fist landed there. "Hey!"
"Sorry." Timon grinned. "I had to retaliate. Now we're even."
"Fine," Brody grumbled, rubbing his chin. He turned his attention back to Hera.
The queen of the gods was striding across the gymnasium. Her champion was jogging to keep up.
"Maybe she's here looking for Zeus and Heracles," Timon whispered.
Brody nodded. "I bet you're right. They're not here, are they?"
"No," Timon said. "Zeus knows everyone is out to get him.
He's probably only letting his champion out in public for short times."
Hermes and Hestia saw the boys watching Hera and hurried over.
"What are you two staring at?" Hermes demanded. "Get back to work.
No, wait," he added as Brody raised his fists.
"That's enough boxing for now. Come, boy."
Before Brody knew it, Hermes was dragging him away.
Brody soon realized why. Julia and Markos had just returned.
"Well?" Hermes demanded when he reached them.
"You were not gone very long. You must have learned something interesting."
"We did," Julia said. "Everyone is saying that Zeus has hidden Heracles in the hills again.
Zeus might not bring Heracles back to Olympia until just before the Games."
Hermes scowled. "Is that all the information you have?"
Markos looked nervous. "We thought you would want that news right away.
We can try to find out more if you wish."
Meanwhile Julia stared at Brody. "You look tired," she said.
"I do?" Brody was surprised. He didn't feel tired at all.
Boxing wasn't very strenuous compared to some of the things Hermes made him do.
"Yes." Julia faced Hermes. "Brody still seems quite easily winded, don't you think?"
"Does he?" Hermes turned to study Brody with interest.
"Definitely," Julia said. "We heard that Zeus is making Heracles run up and down the steepest hills he can find, so the champion can get fitter.
Maybe Brody should do that too."
"Huh?" Now Brody was annoyed. What was Julia doing?
The last thing he wanted was even more exercise!
But Hermes was nodding. "You know, I was thinking along those lines myself earlier," he said.
"Thank you for the reminder, mortal girl."
"Julia and I can accompany Brody while he runs," Markos suggested.
"We can keep track of his speed for you, Hermes.
I'm sure you have other important business to attend to."
"Indeed I do. I was about to suggest the same thing."
Hermes plucked a feather from the wing on his sandal.
He let it drift toward the ground—and halfway there, it turned into a chariot with wings sprouting out of its sides!
"Wow!" Brody said. "But where are the horses?"
"No horses required. Get in, mortals," Hermes said.
Markos and Julia climbed into the chariot.
When Brody started to follow, Hermes stopped him.
"You go on foot, boy," he said. "Now get moving!"
Brody sighed and jogged toward the nearest exit.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the chariot floating after him.
He couldn't wait to get out of Hermes' earshot.
He wanted to tell Julia exactly what he thought of her terrible idea to make him run up and down the steep hills outside of Olympia!