"There he is!" Julia pointed to the long jump area.
Iphicles was standing with some others who were watching as Apollo's champion and Poseidon's champion took turns.
Every time one of the athletes beat the other's score, most of the onlookers cheered.
But Iphicles barely seemed to be paying attention.
"He looks restless," Markos said. "That's good. It shouldn't be difficult to convince him to talk with us."
Julia hurried over to Iphicles. "Can you come with us?
There's something very important we need to talk about."
Iphicles looked surprised, but he nodded. "What is it?"
"Just come on. We don't want anyone else to hear."
Julia led the way to a quiet corner behind a pile of armor used for the hoplitodromos race.
On the way she glanced around for Brody.
She didn't see him, but she hoped he'd found an excuse to talk to Heracles.
"What's going on?" Iphicles asked as he followed Julia and Markos behind the armor.
"A lot, actually." Julia turned to face him. "It has to do with your brother . . ."
She went on to remind him that every god in Olympia was planning to try to sabotage Heracles at the Games.
"So your brother is in great danger," Markos added.
"We think we can save him from Tartarus, but we'll need your help."
Julia held her breath. She was sure he would want to help his brother.
But Iphicles seemed quiet and brooding most of the time.
What if he didn't believe what they'd told him? What if he didn't trust them?
But to Julia's surprise, Iphicles nodded immediately.
"I'll help however I can," he said. "Do you have a plan?"
"Yes," Julia said. "We're still working out some of the details.
But basically, the three of us need to figure out everything the gods have planned for Heracles at the Games."
"And then make sure that the gods don't succeed," Markos finished.
Iphicles slowly nodded. "The gods aren't exactly secretive about their plans," he said.
"I've heard many of them plotting and scheming myself, even though everyone must know I'm Heracles' brother."
"Yes, we're counting on their lack of secrecy," Markos said.
"We've already figured out what a few of them are planning."
He and Julia filled Iphicles in on what they'd learned from the gods. When they finished, Iphicles nodded again.
"All right," he said. "We should split up and eavesdrop on the rest of the gods right now.
We can meet later to figure out how to foil their plans."
"Perfect." Julia smiled at him. She was already feeling more optimistic about the Games.
"Brody is supposed to be telling Heracles about all this right now.
Let's go find them and make sure that happened."
At last it was the day of the Games.
"Are you ready to become an Olympic champion, my boy?"
Hermes called out as he strode across Markos' courtyard.
Brody grinned. "I'm as ready as I'll ever be!"
Julia rolled her eyes, but she was smiling.
She followed as Hermes, Brody, and Markos stepped out of the courtyard.
The whole city felt alive with excitement today.
Cheers rang out from every side. Citizens of Olympia lined the streets leading to the stadium.
"Wow," Brody said. "Check out all my fans!"
He puffed out his chest and strutted along.
Soon they were passing beneath the stone archway leading into the stadium.
The place was already crowded, with mortals sitting in seats made of mud bricks and on the grassy hillsides overlooking the track.
The gods were seated close to the track on golden chairs.
Food and drink vendors were selling their wares , the smells of roasted nuts and fish drifting over the scene.
Looking around, Julia wondered how they would ever be able to find seats.
She also noticed that most of the spectators were boys and men.
Markos had told her that married women like his mother were not allowed to watch the Games.
"I'm glad that tradition will change later," she thought. It was so unfair to women.
"Go and warm up with the other athletes," Hermes told Brody, gesturing toward the track.
"I'll come to advise you once I've found your companion a place to sit with the other gods' mortal guests."
He patted Markos on the shoulder, and then he glanced at Julia.
"Good luck finding a spot to view the events, girl."
"What?" Julia exclaimed.
"Aw, come on," Brody said. "Can't she stay with Markos?"
Hermes smiled at him. "If my champion requests it? I suppose she can."
"Thanks," Julia told Brody. "Good luck."
"You too," Brody said.
He jogged off to join the other athletes, who were warming up on the track.
Julia hurried after Markos and Hermes. Hermes waved them toward some empty seats behind where the gods were sitting.
Then he went and took his own seat right up front among the other gods.
All of them seemed to be there: Hera, Hades, Poseidon, and Ares, along with some wind deities and a group of females with leaves in their hair.
Julia guessed they were wood nymphs. Zeus was the only god she didn't see.
"Where's Heracles?" Julia whispered, peering at the athletes warming up. "Do you see him yet?"
Markos pointed. "He just came in. Look, here comes his brother."
Julia saw Iphicles heading toward them. As he sat down beside Julia, he gave her and Markos a meaningful look.
Then Zeus strode in. "Greetings, citizens of Olympia and beyond!" he said, his voice silencing the ruckus immediately.
Julia shivered as the king of the gods lifted a large, flaming torch and then spoke again: "Let the Olympic Games begin!"