["The\tchains\ttightened\tfurther,\tforcing\tme\tto\tall\tfours.\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tunderstand how\tHerophile\thad\tendured\tthis\tpain\tfor\tso\tlong.\tThen\tagain,\tshe\twas\tstill immortal.\tI\twas\tnot. \u2018Let\tit\tbegin!\u2019\tMedea\tcried. She\tbegan\tto\tchant. The\tichor\tglowed\ta\tpure\twhite,\tbleaching\tthe\tcolour\tfrom\tthe\troom.\tMiniature stone\ttiles\twith\tsharp\tedges\tseemed\tto\tshift\tunder\tmy\tskin,\tflaying\taway\tmy mortal\tform,\trearranging\tme\tinto\ta\tnew\tkind\tof\tpuzzle\tin\twhich\tnone\tof\tthe answers\twas\tApollo.\tI\tscreamed.\tI\tspluttered.\tI\tmight\thave\tbegged\tfor\tmy\tlife. Fortunately\tfor\twhat\tlittle\tdignity\tI\thad\tleft,\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tform\tthe\twords. Out\tof\tthe\tcorner\tof\tmy\teye,\tin\tthe\thazy\tdepths\tof\tmy\tagony,\tI\twas\tdimly aware\tof\tmy\tfriends\tbacking\taway,\tterrified\tby\tthe\tsteam\tand\tfire\tnow\terupting from\tcracks\tin\tmy\tbody. I\tdidn\u2019t\tblame\tthem.\tWhat\tcould\tthey\tdo?\tAt\tthe\tmoment,\tI\twas\tmore\tlikely\tto explode\tthan\tMacro\u2019s\tfamily-fun\tgrenade\tpacks,\tand\tmy\twrapping\twas\tnot nearly\tas\ttamper-resistant. \u2018Meg,\u2019\tGrover\tsaid,\tfumbling\twith\this\tpanpipes,\t\u2018I\u2019m\tgoing\tto\tdo\ta\tnature song.\tSee\tif\tI\tcan\tdisrupt\tthat\tchanting,\tmaybe\tsummon\thelp.\u2019 Meg\tgripped\ther\tblades.\t\u2018In\tthis\theat?\tUnderground?\u2019 \u2018Nature\u2019s\tall\twe\u2019ve\tgot!\u2019\the\tsaid.\t\u2018Cover\tme!\u2019 He\tbegan\tto\tplay.\tMeg\tstood\tguard,\ther\tswords\traised.\tEven\tHerophile\thelped, balling\ther\tfists,\tready\tto\tshow\tthe\tpandai\thow\tSibyls\tdealt\twith\truffians\tback\tin Erythraea. The\tpandai\tdidn\u2019t\tseem\tto\tknow\thow\tto\treact.\tThey\twinced\tat\tthe\tnoise\tof\tthe pipes,\tcurling\ttheir\tears\taround\ttheir\theads\tlike\tturbans,\tbut\tthey\tdidn\u2019t\tattack. Medea\thad\ttold\tthem\tnot\tto.\tAnd,\tas\tshaky\tas\tGrover\u2019s\tmusic\twas,\tthey\tseemed unsure\tas\tto\twhether\tor\tnot\tit\tconstituted\tan\tact\tof\taggression. Meanwhile,\tI\twas\tbusy\ttrying\tnot\tto\tbe\tflayed\tinto\tnothingness.\tEvery\tbit\tof my\twillpower\tbent\tinstinctively\tto\tkeeping\tmyself\tin\tone\tpiece.\tI\twas\tApollo, wasn\u2019t\tI?\tI\t\u2026\tI\twas\tbeautiful\tand\tpeople\tloved\tme.\tThe\tworld\tneeded\tme! Medea\u2019s\tchant\tundermined\tmy\tresolve.\tHer\tancient\tColchian\tlyrics\twormed their\tway\tinto\tmy\tmind.\tWho\tneeded\told\tgods?\tWho\tcared\tabout\tApollo? Caligula\twas\tmuch\tmore\tinteresting!\tHe\twas\tbetter\tsuited\tto\tthis\tmodern\tworld. He\tfitted.\tI\tdid\tnot.\tWhy\tdidn\u2019t\tI\tjust\tlet\tgo?\tThen\tI\tcould\tbe\tat\tpeace. Pain\tis\tan\tinteresting\tthing.\tYou\tthink\tyou\thave\treached\tyour\tlimit\tand\tyou can\u2019t\tpossibly\tfeel\tmore\ttortured.\tThen\tyou\tdiscover\tthere\tis\tstill\tanother\tlevel\tof agony.\tAnd\tanother\tlevel\tafter\tthat.\tThe\tstone\ttiles\tunder\tmy\tskin\tcut\tand\tshifted and\tripped.\tFires\tburst\tlike\tsun\tflares\tacross\tmy\tpathetic\tmortal\tbody,\tblasting straight\tthrough\tMacro\u2019s\tcheap\tdiscount\tarctic\tcamouflage.\tI\tlost\ttrack\tof\twho\tI","was,\twhy\tI\twas\tfighting\tto\tstay\talive.\tI\twanted\tso\tbadly\tto\tgive\tup,\tjust\tso\tthe pain\twould\tstop. Then\tGrover\tfound\this\tgroove.\tHis\tnotes\tbecame\tmore\tconfident\tand\tlively, his\tcadence\tsteadier.\tHe\tplayed\ta\tfierce,\tdesperate\tjig\t\u2013\tthe\tsort\tthat\tsatyrs\tpiped in\tspringtime\tin\tthe\tmeadows\tof\tAncient\tGreece,\thoping\tto\tencourage\tdryads\tto come\tforth\tand\tdance\twith\tthem\tin\tthe\twild\tflowers. The\tsong\twas\thopelessly\tout\tof\tplace\tin\tthis\tfiery\tcrossword\tdungeon.\tNo nature\tspirit\tcould\tpossibly\thear\tit.\tNo\tdryads\twould\tcome\tto\tdance\twith\tus. Nevertheless,\tthe\tmusic\tdulled\tmy\tpain.\tIt\tlessened\tthe\tintensity\tof\tthe\theat,\tlike a\tcold\ttowel\tpressed\tagainst\tmy\tfeverish\tforehead. Medea\u2019s\tchant\tfaltered.\tShe\tscowled\tat\tGrover.\t\u2018Really?\tAre\tyou\tgoing\tto\tstop that,\tor\tmust\tI\tmake\tyou?\u2019 Grover\tplayed\teven\tmore\tfrenetically\t\u2013\ta\tdistress\tcall\tto\tnature\tthat\techoed through\tthe\troom,\tmaking\tthe\tcorridors\treverberate\tlike\tthe\tpipes\tof\ta\tchurch organ. Meg\tabruptly\tjoined\tin,\tsinging\tnonsense\tlyrics\tin\ta\tterrible\tmonotone.\t\u2018Hey, how\tabout\tthat\tnature?\tWe\tlove\tthose\tplants.\tCome\ton\tdown,\tyou\tdryads,\tand, uh,\tgrow\tand\t\u2026\tkill\tthis\tsorceress\tand\tstuff.\u2019 Herophile,\twho\thad\tonce\thad\tsuch\ta\tlovely\tvoice,\twho\thad\tbeen\tborn\tsinging prophecies,\tlooked\tat\tMeg\tin\tdismay.\tWith\tsaintlike\trestraint,\tshe\tdid\tnot\tpunch Meg\tin\tthe\tface. Medea\tsighed.\t\u2018Okay,\tthat\u2019s\tit.\tMeg,\tI\u2019m\tsorry.\tBut\tI\u2019m\tsure\tNero\twill\tforgive me\tfor\tkilling\tyou\twhen\tI\texplain\thow\tbadly\tyou\tsang.\tFlutter,\tDecibel\t\u2013\tsilence them.\u2019 Behind\tthe\tsorceress,\tCrest\tgurgled\tin\talarm.\tHe\tfumbled\twith\this\tukulele, despite\this\tbound\thands\tand\ttwo\tcrushed\tfingers. Meanwhile,\tFlutter\tand\tDecibel\tgrinned\twith\tdelight.\t\u2018Now\twe\tshall\thave revenge!\tDIE!\tDIE!\u2019 They\tunfurled\ttheir\tears,\traised\ttheir\tswords\tand\tleaped\ttowards\tthe\tplatform. Could\tMeg\thave\tdefeated\tthem\twith\ther\ttrusty\tscimitars? I\tdon\u2019t\tknow.\tInstead,\tshe\tmade\ta\tmove\talmost\tas\tsurprising\tas\ther\tsudden urge\tto\tsing.\tMaybe,\tlooking\tat\tpoor\tCrest,\tshe\tdecided\tthat\tenough\tpandos blood\thad\tbeen\tshed.\tMaybe\tshe\twas\tstill\tthinking\tabout\ther\tmisdirected\tanger, and\twhom\tshe\tshould\treally\tspend\ther\tenergy\thating.\tWhatever\tthe\tcase,\ther scimitars\tflicked\tinto\tring\tform.\tShe\tgrabbed\ta\tpacket\tfrom\ther\tbelt\tand\tripped\tit open\t\u2013\tspraying\tseeds\tin\tthe\tpath\tof\tthe\toncoming\tpandai. Flutter\tand\tDecibel\tveered\tand\tscreamed\tas\tthe\tplants\terupted,\tcovering\tthem in\tfuzzy\tgreen\tnebulae\tof\tragweed.\tFlutter\tsmacked\tinto\tthe\tnearest\twall\tand began\tsneezing\tviolently,\tthe\tragweed\trooting\thim\tin\tplace\tlike\ta\tfly\ton\tflypaper.","Decibel\tcrash-landed\ton\tthe\tplatform\tat\tMeg\u2019s\tfeet,\tthe\tragweed\tgrowing\tover him\tuntil\the\tlooked\tmore\tlike\ta\tbush\tthan\ta\tpandos\t\u2013\ta\tbush\tthat\tsneezed\ta\tlot. Medea\tface-palmed.\t\u2018You\tknow\t\u2026\tI\ttold\tCaligula\tthat\tdragon\u2019s\tteeth\twarriors make\tmuch\tbetter\tguards.\tBut\tnoooo.\tHe\tinsisted\ton\thiring\tpandai.\u2019\tShe\tshook her\thead\tin\tdisgust.\t\u2018Sorry,\tboys.\tYou\thad\tyour\tchance.\u2019 She\tsnapped\ther\tfingers\tagain.\tA\tventus\tswirled\tto\tlife,\tpulling\ta\tcyclone\tof cinders\tfrom\tthe\tichor\tlake.\tThe\tspirit\tshot\ttowards\tFlutter,\tripped\tthe\tscreaming pandos\tfrom\tthe\twall\tand\tdumped\thim\tunceremoniously\tinto\tthe\tfire.\tThen\tit swept\tacross\tthe\tplatform,\tgrazing\tmy\tfriends\u2019\tfeet,\tand\tpushed\tDecibel,\tstill sneezing\tand\tcrying,\toff\tthe\tside. \u2018Now,\tthen,\u2019\tMedea\tsaid,\t\u2018if\tI\tcan\tencourage\tthe\trest\tof\tyou\tto\tBE\tQUIET\t\u2026\u2019 The\tventus\tcharged,\tencircling\tMeg\tand\tGrover,\tlifting\tthem\toff\tthe\tplatform. I\tcried\tout,\tthrashing\tin\tmy\tchains,\tsure\tthat\tMedea\twould\thurl\tmy\tfriends into\tthe\tfire,\tbut\tthey\tmerely\thung\tthere\tsuspended.\tGrover\twas\tstill\tplaying\this pipes,\tthough\tno\tsound\tcame\tthrough\tthe\twind;\tMeg\twas\tscowling\tand\tshouting, probably\tsomething\tlike\tTHIS\tAGAIN?\tARE\tYOU\tKIDDING\tME? Herophile\twas\tnot\tcaught\tin\tthe\tventus.\tI\tsupposed\tMedea\tconsidered\ther\tno threat.\tShe\tstepped\tto\tmy\tside,\ther\tfists\tstill\tclenched.\tI\twas\tgrateful\tfor\tthat,\tbut I\tdidn\u2019t\tsee\twhat\tone\tboxing\tSibyl\tcould\tdo\tagainst\tthe\tpower\tof\tMedea. \u2018Okay!\u2019\tMedea\tsaid,\ta\tglint\tof\ttriumph\tin\ther\teyes.\t\u2018I\u2019ll\tstart\tagain.\tDoing\tthis chant\twhile\tcontrolling\ta\tventus\tis\tnot\teasy\twork,\tthough,\tso\tplease,\tbehave. Otherwise\tI\tmight\tlose\tmy\tconcentration\tand\tdump\tMeg\tand\tGrover\tinto\tthe ichor.\tAnd,\treally,\twe\thave\ttoo\tmany\timpurities\tin\tthere\talready,\twhat\twith\tthe pandai\tand\tthe\tragweed.\tNow,\twhere\twere\twe?\tOh,\tyes!\tFlaying\tyour\tmortal form!\u2019","42 You\twant\tprophecy?\t I\u2019ll\tdrop\tsome\tnonsense\ton\tyou\t Eat\tmy\tgibberish! \u2018Resist!\u2019\tHerophile\tknelt\tat\tmy\tside.\t\u2018Apollo,\tyou\tmust\tresist!\u2019 I\tcould\tnot\tspeak\tthrough\tthe\tpain.\tOtherwise\tI\twould\thave\ttold\ther,\tResist. Gosh,\tthanks\tfor\tthat\tprofound\twisdom!\tYou\tmust\tbe\tan\tOracle\tor\tsomething! At\tleast\tshe\tdid\tnot\task\tme\tto\tspell\tout\tthe\tword\tRESIST\ton\tstone\ttiles. Sweat\tpoured\tdown\tmy\tface.\tMy\tbody\tsizzled,\tand\tnot\tin\tthe\tgood\tway\tthat\tit used\tto\twhen\tI\twas\ta\tgod. The\tsorceress\tcontinued\ther\tchant.\tI\tknew\tshe\tmust\tbe\tstraining\ther\tpower, but\tthis\ttime\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tsee\thow\tI\tcould\ttake\tadvantage\tof\tit.\tI\twas\tchained.\tI couldn\u2019t\tpull\tthe\tarrow-in-the-chest\ttrick,\tand,\teven\tif\tI\tdid,\tI\tsuspected\tMedea was\tfar\tenough\talong\twith\ther\tmagic\tthat\tshe\tcould\tjust\tlet\tme\tdie.\tMy\tessence would\ttrickle\tinto\tthe\tpool\tof\tichor. I\tcouldn\u2019t\tpipe\tlike\tGrover.\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\trely\ton\tragweed\tlike\tMeg.\tI\tdidn\u2019t\thave the\tsheer\tpower\tof\tJason\tGrace\tto\tbreak\tthrough\tthe\tventus\tcage\tand\tsave\tmy friends. Resist\t\u2026\tBut\twith\twhat? My\tconsciousness\tbegan\tto\twaver.\tI\ttried\tto\thold\ton\tto\tthe\tday\tof\tmy\tbirth (yes,\tI\tcould\tremember\tthat\tfar\tback),\twhen\tI\tjumped\tfrom\tmy\tmother\u2019s\twomb and\tbegan\tto\tsing\tand\tdance,\tfilling\tthe\tworld\twith\tmy\tglorious\tvoice.\tI remembered\tmy\tfirst\ttrip\tinto\tthe\tchasm\tof\tDelphi,\tgrappling\twith\tmy\tenemy Python,\tfeeling\this\tcoils\taround\tmy\timmortal\tbody. Other\tmemories\twere\tmore\ttreacherous.\tI\tremembered\triding\tthe\tsun\tchariot through\tthe\tsky,\tbut\tI\twas\tnot\tmyself\t\u2026\tI\twas\tHelios,\tTitan\tof\tthe\tsun,\tlashing","my\tfiery\twhip\tacross\tthe\tbacks\tof\tmy\tsteeds.\tI\tsaw\tmyself\tpainted\tgolden,\twith\ta crown\tof\trays\ton\tmy\tbrow,\tmoving\tthrough\ta\tcrowd\tof\tadoring\tmortal worshippers\t\u2013\tbut\tI\twas\tEmperor\tCaligula,\tthe\tNew\tSun. Who\twas\tI? I\ttried\tto\tpicture\tmy\tmother\tLeto\u2019s\tface.\tI\tcould\tnot.\tMy\tfather,\tZeus,\twith\this terrifying\tglower,\twas\tonly\ta\thazy\timpression.\tMy\tsister\t\u2013\tsurely,\tI\tcould\tnever forget\tmy\ttwin!\tBut\teven\ther\tfeatures\tfloated\tindistinctly\tin\tmy\tmind.\tShe\thad silvery\teyes.\tShe\tsmelled\tof\thoneysuckle.\tWhat\telse?\tI\tpanicked.\tI\tcouldn\u2019t remember\ther\tname.\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tremember\tmy\town\tname. I\tsplayed\tmy\tfingers\ton\tthe\tstone\tfloor.\tThey\tsmoked\tand\tcrumbled\tlike\ttwigs in\ta\tfire.\tMy\tbody\tseemed\tto\tpixelate,\tthe\tway\tthe\tpandai\thad\twhen\tthey disintegrated. Herophile\tspoke\tin\tmy\tear,\t\u2018Hold\ton!\tHelp\twill\tarrive!\u2019 I\tdidn\u2019t\tsee\thow\tshe\tcould\tknow\tthat,\teven\tif\tshe\twas\tan\tOracle.\tWho\twould come\tto\tmy\trescue?\tWho\tcould? \u2018You\thave\ttaken\tmy\tplace,\u2019\tshe\tsaid.\t\u2018Use\tthat!\u2019 I\tmoaned\tin\trage\tand\tfrustration.\tWhy\twas\tshe\ttalking\tnonsense?\tWhy couldn\u2019t\tshe\tgo\tback\tto\tspeaking\tin\triddles?\tHow\twas\tI\tsupposed\tto\tuse\tbeing\tin her\tplace,\tin\ther\tchains?\tI\twasn\u2019t\tan\tOracle.\tI\twasn\u2019t\teven\ta\tgod\tany\tmore.\tI\twas \u2026\tLester?\tOh,\tperfect.\tThat\tname\tI\tcould\tremember. I\tgazed\tacross\tthe\trows\tand\tcolumns\tof\tstone\tblocks,\tnow\tall\tblank,\tas\tif waiting\tfor\ta\tnew\tchallenge.\tThe\tprophecy\twasn\u2019t\tcomplete.\tMaybe\tif\tI\tcould find\ta\tway\tto\tfinish\tit\t\u2026\twould\tit\tmake\ta\tdifference? It\thad\tto.\tJason\thad\tgiven\this\tlife\tso\tI\tcould\tmake\tit\tthis\tfar.\tMy\tfriends\thad risked\teverything.\tI\tcould\tnot\tsimply\tgive\tup.\tTo\tfree\tthe\tOracle,\tto\tfree\tHelios from\tthis\tBurning\tMaze\t\u2026\tI\thad\tto\tfinish\twhat\twe\u2019d\tstarted. Medea\u2019s\tchant\tdroned\ton,\taligning\titself\tto\tmy\tpulse,\ttaking\tcharge\tof\tmy mind.\tI\tneeded\tto\toverride\tit,\tto\tdisrupt\tit\tthe\tway\tGrover\thad\tdone\twith\this music. You\thave\ttaken\tmy\tplace,\tHerophile\thad\tsaid. I\twas\tApollo,\tthe\tgod\tof\tprophecy.\tIt\twas\ttime\tfor\tme\tto\tbe\tmy\town\tOracle. I\tforced\tmyself\tto\tconcentrate\ton\tthe\tstone\tblocks.\tVeins\tpopped\talong\tmy forehead\tlike\tfirecrackers\tunder\tmy\tskin.\tI\tstammered\tout,\t\u2018B-bronze\tupon\tgold.\u2019 The\tstone\ttiles\tshifted,\tforming\ta\trow\tof\tthree\ttiles\tin\tthe\tfar\tupper\tleft\tcorner of\tthe\troom,\tone\tword\tper\tsquare:\tBRONZE\tUPON\tGOLD. \u2018Yes!\u2019\tthe\tSibyl\tsaid.\t\u2018Yes,\texactly!\tKeep\tgoing!\u2019 The\teffort\twas\thorrible.\tThe\tchains\tburned,\tdragging\tme\tdown.\tI\twhimpered in\tagony,\t\u2018East\tmeets\twest.\u2019","A\tsecond\trow\tof\tthree\ttiles\tmoved\tinto\tposition\tunder\tthe\tfirst,\tblazing\twith the\twords\tI\u2019d\tjust\tspoken. More\tlines\tpoured\tout\tof\tme: \u2018Legions\tare\tredeemed. Light\tthe\tdepths; One\tagainst\tmany, Never\tspirit\tdefeated. Ancient\twords\tspoken, Shaking\told\tfoundations!\u2019 What\tdid\tthat\tall\tmean?\tI\thad\tno\tidea. The\troom\trumbled\tas\tmore\tblocks\tshifted\tinto\tplace,\tnew\tstones\trising\tfrom the\tlake\tto\taccommodate\tthe\tsheer\tnumber\tof\twords.\tThe\tentire\tleft\tside\tof\tthe lake\twas\tnow\troofed\tby\tthe\teight\trows\tof\tthree\ttile-wide\twords,\tlike\ta\tpool\tcover rolled\thalfway\tover\tthe\tichor.\tThe\theat\tlessened.\tMy\tshackles\tcooled.\tMedea\u2019s chant\tfaltered,\treleasing\tits\thold\ton\tmy\tconsciousness. \u2018What\tis\tthis?\u2019\thissed\tthe\tsorceress.\t\u2018We\u2019re\ttoo\tclose\tto\tstop\tnow!\tI\twill\tkill your\tfriends\tif\tyou\tdon\u2019t\t\u2013\u2019 Behind\ther,\tCrest\tstrummed\ta\tsuspended\tfourth\ton\tthe\tukulele.\tMedea,\twho had\tapparently\tforgotten\tabout\thim,\talmost\tleaped\tinto\tthe\tlava. \u2018You\ttoo?\u2019\tshe\tshouted\tat\thim.\t\u2018LET\tME\tWORK!\u2019 Herophile\twhispered\tin\tmy\tear,\t\u2018Hurry!\u2019 I\tunderstood.\tCrest\twas\ttrying\tto\tbuy\tme\ttime\tby\tdistracting\tMedea.\tHe stubbornly\tcontinued\tplaying\this\t(my)\tukulele\t\u2013\ta\tseries\tof\tthe\tmost\tjarring chords\tI\u2019d\ttaught\thim,\tand\tsome\the\tmust\thave\tbeen\tmaking\tup\ton\tthe\tspot. Meanwhile\tMeg\tand\tGrover\tspun\tin\ttheir\tventus\tcage,\ttrying\tto\tbreak\tfree without\tany\tluck.\tOne\tflick\tof\tMedea\u2019s\tfingers\tand\tthey\twould\tmeet\tthe\tsame fate\tas\tFlutter\tand\tDecibel. Starting\tmy\tvoice\tagain\twas\teven\tmore\tdifficult\tthan\ttowing\tthe\tsun\tchariot out\tof\tthe\tmud.\t(Don\u2019t\task\tabout\tthat.\tLong\tstory\tinvolving\tattractive\tswamp naiads.) Somehow,\tI\tcroaked\tout\tanother\tline:\t\u2018Destroy\tthe\ttyrant.\u2019 Three\tmore\ttiles\tlined\tup,\tthis\ttime\tin\tthe\tupper-right\tcorner\tof\tthe\troom. \u2018Aid\tthe\twinged,\u2019\tI\tcontinued. Good\tgods,\tI\tthought.\tI\u2019m\tspeaking\tgibberish!\tBut\tthe\tstones\tcontinued\tto follow\tthe\tguidance\tof\tmy\tvoice,\tmuch\tbetter\tthan\tAlexasiriastrophona\thad\tever done. \u2018Under\tgolden\thills, Great\tstallion\u2019s\tfoal.\u2019","The\ttiles\tcontinued\tstacking,\tforming\ta\tsecond\tcolumn\tof\tthree-tile\tlines\tthat left\tonly\ta\tthin\tstrip\tof\tthe\tfiery\tlake\tvisible\tdown\tthe\tmiddle\tof\tthe\troom. Medea\ttried\tto\tignore\tthe\tpandos.\tShe\tresumed\ther\tchanting,\tbut\tCrest immediately\tbroke\ther\tconcentration\tagain\twith\tan\tA-flat\tminor\tsharp\t5. The\tsorceress\tshrieked.\t\u2018Enough\tof\tthat,\tpandos!\u2019\tShe\tpulled\ta\tdagger\tfrom the\tfolds\tof\ther\tdress. \u2018Apollo,\tdon\u2019t\tstop,\u2019\tHerophile\twarned.\t\u2018You\tmust\tnot\t\u2013\u2019 Medea\tstabbed\tCrest\tin\tthe\tgut,\tcutting\toff\this\tdissonant\tserenade. I\tsobbed\tin\thorror,\tbut\tsomehow\tforced\tout\tmore\tlines: \u2018Harken\tthe\ttrumpets,\u2019\tI\tcroaked,\tmy\tvoice\talmost\tgone.\t\u2018Turn\tred\ttides\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018Stop\tthat!\u2019\tMedea\tshouted\tat\tme.\t\u2018Ventus,\tthrow\tthe\tprisoners\t\u2013\u2019 Crest\tstrummed\tan\teven\tuglier\tchord. \u2018GAH!\u2019\tThe\tsorceress\tturned\tand\tstabbed\tCrest\tagain. \u2018Enter\tstranger\u2019s\thome,\u2019\tI\tsobbed. Another\tsuspended\tfourth\tfrom\tCrest,\tanother\tjab\tfrom\tMedea\u2019s\tblade. \u2018Regain\tlost\tglory!\u2019\tI\tyelled.\tThe\tlast\tstone\ttiles\tshifted\tinto\tplace\t\u2013 completing\tthe\tsecond\tcolumn\tof\tlines\tfrom\tthe\tfar\tside\tof\tthe\troom\tto\tthe\tedge of\tour\tplatform. I\tcould\tfeel\tthe\tprophecy\u2019s\tcompletion,\tas\twelcome\tas\ta\tbreath\tof\tair\tafter\ta long\tunderwater\tswim.\tThe\tflames\tof\tHelios,\tnow\tvisible\tonly\talong\tthe\tcentre of\tthe\troom,\tcooled\tto\ta\tred\tsimmer,\tno\tworse\tthan\tyour\taverage\tfive-alarm\tfire. \u2018Yes!\u2019\tHerophile\tsaid. Medea\tturned,\tsnarling.\tHer\thands\tglistened\twith\tthe\tpandos\u2019s\tblood.\tBehind her,\tCrest\tfell\tsideways,\tgroaning,\tpressing\tthe\tukulele\tto\this\truined\tgut. \u2018Oh,\twell\tdone,\tApollo,\u2019\tMedea\tsneered.\t\u2018You\tmade\tthis\tpandos\tdie\tfor\tyour sake,\tfor\tnothing.\tMy\tmagic\tis\tfar\tenough\talong.\tI\u2019ll\tjust\tflay\tyou\tthe\told- fashioned\tway.\u2019\tShe\thefted\ther\tknife.\t\u2018And\tas\tfor\tyour\tfriends\t\u2026\u2019 She\tsnapped\ther\tbloody\tfingers.\t\u2018Ventus,\tkill\tthem!\u2019","43 Favourite\tchapter\t Because\tonly\tone\tbad\tdeath That\tis\tjust\tmessed\tup Then\tshe\tdied. I\twon\u2019t\tlie,\tgentle\treader.\tMost\tof\tthis\tnarrative\thas\tbeen\tpainful\tto\twrite,\tbut that\tlast\tline\twas\tpure\tpleasure.\tOh,\tthe\tlook\ton\tMedea\u2019s\tface! But\tI\tshould\trewind. How\tdid\tit\thappen,\tthis\tmost\twelcome\tfluke\tof\tfate? Medea\tfroze.\tHer\teyes\twidened.\tShe\tfell\tto\ther\tknees,\tthe\tknife\tclattering from\ther\thand.\tShe\ttoppled\tover\tface-first,\trevealing\ta\tnewcomer\tbehind\ther\t\u2013 Piper\tMcLean,\tdressed\tin\tleather\tarmour\tover\ther\tstreet\tclothes,\ther\tlip\tnewly stitched,\ther\tface\tstill\tbadly\tbruised\tbut\tfilled\twith\tresolve.\tHer\thair\twas\tsinged around\tthe\tedges.\tA\tfine\tlayer\tof\tash\tcoated\ther\tarms.\tHer\tdagger,\tKatoptris, now\tprotruded\tfrom\tMedea\u2019s\tback. Behind\tPiper\tstood\ta\tgroup\tof\twarrior\tmaidens,\tseven\tin\tall.\tAt\tfirst,\tI\tthought the\tHunters\tof\tArtemis\thad\tcome\tto\tsave\tme\tyet\tagain,\tbut\tthese\twarriors\twere armed\twith\tshields\tand\tspears\tmade\tof\thoney-gold\twood. Behind\tme,\tthe\tventus\tunspooled,\tdropping\tMeg\tand\tGrover\tto\tthe\tfloor.\tMy molten\tchains\tcrumbled\tto\tcharcoal\tdust.\tHerophile\tcaught\tme\tas\tI\tfell\tover. Medea\u2019s\thands\ttwitched.\tShe\tturned\ther\tface\tsideways\tand\topened\ther\tmouth, but\tno\twords\tcame\tout. Piper\tknelt\tnext\tto\ther.\tShe\tplaced\ther\thand\talmost\ttenderly\ton\tthe\tsorceress\u2019s shoulder,\tthen\twith\ther\tother\thand\tremoved\tKatoptris\tfrom\tbetween\tMedea\u2019s shoulder\tblades.","\u2018One\tgood\tstab\tin\tthe\tback\tdeserves\tanother.\u2019\tPiper\tkissed\tMedea\ton\tthe cheek.\t\u2018I\u2019d\ttell\tyou\tto\tsay\thello\tto\tJason\tfor\tme,\tbut\the\u2019ll\tbe\tin\tElysium.\tYou\t\u2026 won\u2019t.\u2019 The\tsorceress\u2019s\teyes\trolled\tup\tin\ther\thead.\tShe\tstopped\tmoving.\tPiper\tglanced back\tat\ther\twood-armoured\tallies.\t\u2018How\tabout\twe\tdump\ther?\u2019 \u2018GOOD\tCALL!\u2019\tthe\tseven\tmaidens\tshouted\tin\tunison.\tThey\tmarched\tforward, lifted\tthe\tbody\tof\tMedea\tand\ttossed\tit\tunceremoniously\tinto\tthe\tfiery\tpool\tof\ther own\tgrandfather. Piper\twiped\ther\tbloody\tdagger\ton\ther\tjeans.\tWith\ther\tswollen,\tstitched-up mouth,\ther\tsmile\twas\tmore\tgruesome\tthan\tfriendly.\t\u2018Hi,\tguys.\u2019 I\tlet\tout\ta\theartbroken\tsob,\twhich\twas\tprobably\tnot\twhat\tPiper\texpected. Somehow,\tI\tgot\tto\tmy\tfeet,\tignoring\tthe\tsearing\tpain\tin\tmy\tankles,\tand\tran\tpast her\tto\tthe\tplace\twhere\tCrest\tlay,\tgurgling\tweakly. \u2018Oh,\tbrave\tfriend.\u2019\tMy\teyes\tburned\twith\ttears.\tI\tcared\tnothing\tfor\tmy\town excruciating\tpain,\tthe\tway\tmy\tskin\tscreamed\twhen\tI\ttried\tto\tmove. Crest\u2019s\tfurry\tface\twas\tslack\twith\tshock.\tBlood\tspeckled\this\tsnowy\twhite\tfur. His\tmid-section\twas\ta\tglistening\tmess.\tHe\tclutched\tthe\tukulele\tas\tif\tit\twere\tthe only\tthing\tanchoring\thim\tto\tthe\tworld\tof\tthe\tliving. \u2018You\tsaved\tus,\u2019\tI\tsaid,\tchoking\ton\tthe\twords.\t\u2018You\t\u2013\tyou\tbought\tus\tjust enough\ttime.\tI\twill\tfind\ta\tway\tto\theal\tyou.\u2019 He\tlocked\teyes\twith\tme\tand\tmanaged\tto\tcroak,\t\u2018Music.\tGod.\u2019 I\tlaughed\tnervously.\t\u2018Yes,\tmy\tyoung\tfriend.\tYou\tare\ta\tmusic\tgod!\tI\t\u2013\tI\twill teach\tyou\tevery\tchord.\tWe\twill\thave\ta\tconcert\twith\tthe\tNine\tMuses.\tWhen\t\u2013 when\tI\tget\tback\tto\tOlympus\t\u2026\u2019 My\tvoice\tfaltered. Crest\twas\tno\tlonger\tlistening.\tHis\teyes\thad\tturned\tglassy.\tHis\ttortured muscles\trelaxed.\tHis\tbody\tcrumbled,\tcollapsing\tinward\tuntil\tthe\tukulele\tsat\ton\ta pile\tof\tdust\t\u2013\ta\tsmall,\tsad\tmonument\tto\tmy\tmany\tfailures. I\tdon\u2019t\tknow\thow\tlong\tI\tknelt\tthere,\tdazed\tand\tshaking.\tIt\thurt\tto\tsob.\tI sobbed\tanyway. Finally,\tPiper\tcrouched\tnext\tto\tme.\tHer\tface\twas\tsympathetic,\tbut\tI\tthought somewhere\tbehind\ther\tlovely\tmulticoloured\teyes\tshe\twas\tthinking,\tAnother\tlife lost\tfor\tyour\tsake,\tLester.\tAnother\tdeath\tyou\tcouldn\u2019t\tfix. She\tdid\tnot\tsay\tthat.\tShe\tsheathed\ther\tknife.\t\u2018We\tgrieve\tlater,\u2019\tshe\tsaid.\t\u2018Right now,\tour\tjob\tisn\u2019t\tdone.\u2019 Our\tjob.\tShe\thad\tcome\tto\tour\taid,\tdespite\teverything\tthat\thad\thappened, despite\tJason\t\u2026\tI\tcould\tnot\tfall\tapart\tnow.\tAt\tleast,\tno\tmore\tthan\tI\thad\talready. I\tpicked\tup\tthe\tukulele.\tI\twas\tabout\tto\tmutter\tsome\tpromise\tto\tCrest\u2019s\tdust. Then\tI\tremembered\twhat\tcame\tfrom\tmy\tbroken\tpromises.\tI\thad\tvowed\tto\tteach","the\tyoung\tpandos\tany\tinstrument\the\twished.\tNow\the\twas\tdead.\tDespite\tthe searing\theat\tof\tthe\troom,\tI\tfelt\tthe\tcold\tstare\tof\tStyx\tupon\tme. I\tleaned\ton\tPiper\tas\tshe\thelped\tme\tacross\tthe\troom\t\u2013\tback\tto\tthe\tplatform where\tMeg,\tGrover\tand\tHerophile\twaited. The\tseven\twomen\twarriors\tstood\tnearby\tas\tif\twaiting\tfor\torders. Like\ttheir\tshields,\ttheir\tarmour\twas\tfashioned\tfrom\tcleverly\tfitted\tplanks\tof honey-gold\twood.\tThe\twomen\twere\timposing,\teach\tperhaps\tseven\tfeet\ttall,\ttheir faces\tas\tpolished\tand\tbeautifully\tturned\tas\ttheir\tarmour.\tTheir\thair,\tin\tvarious shades\tof\twhite,\tblonde,\tgold\tand\tpale\tbrown,\tspilled\tdown\ttheir\tbacks\tin waterfall\tbraids.\tChlorophyll\tgreen\ttinted\ttheir\teyes\tand\tthe\tveins\tof\ttheir\twell- muscled\tlimbs. They\twere\tdryads,\tbut\tnot\tlike\tany\tdryads\tI\u2019d\tever\tmet. \u2018You\u2019re\tthe\tMeliai,\u2019\tI\tsaid. The\twomen\tregarded\tme\twith\tdisturbingly\tkeen\tinterest,\tas\tif\tthey\twould\tbe equally\tdelighted\tto\tfight\tme,\tdance\twith\tme,\tor\ttoss\tme\tinto\tthe\tfire. The\tone\ton\tthe\tfar\tleft\tspoke.\t\u2018We\tare\tthe\tMeliai.\tAre\tyou\tthe\tMeg?\u2019 I\tblinked.\tI\tgot\tthe\tfeeling\tthey\twere\tlooking\tfor\ta\tyes,\tbut,\tas\tconfused\tas\tI was,\tI\twas\tpretty\tsure\tI\twas\tnot\tthe\tMeg. \u2018Hey,\tguys,\u2019\tPiper\tintervened,\tpointing\tto\tMeg.\t\u2018This\tis\tMeg\tMcCaffrey.\u2019 The\tMeliai\tbroke\tinto\ta\tdouble-time\tmarch,\tlifting\ttheir\tknees\thigher\tthan\twas strictly\tnecessary.\tThey\tclosed\tranks,\tforming\ta\tsemicircle\tin\tfront\tof\tMeg\tlike they\twere\tdoing\ta\tmarching-band\tmanoeuvre.\tThey\tstopped,\tbanged\ttheir\tspears once\tagainst\ttheir\tshields,\tthen\tlowered\ttheir\theads\tin\trespect. \u2018ALL\tHAIL\tTHE\tMEG!\u2019\tthey\tcried.\t\u2018DAUGHTER\tOF\tTHE\tCREATOR!\u2019 Grover\tand\tHerophile\tedged\tinto\tthe\tcorner,\tas\tif\ttrying\tto\thide\tbehind\tthe Sibyl\u2019s\ttoilet. Meg\tstudied\tthe\tseven\tdryads.\tMy\tyoung\tmaster\u2019s\thair\twas\twindswept\tfrom the\tventus.\tThe\telectrical\ttape\thad\tcome\toff\ther\tglasses,\tso\tshe\tlooked\tlike\tshe was\twearing\tmismatched\trhinestone-encrusted\tmonocles.\tHer\tclothes\thad\tonce again\tbeen\treduced\tto\ta\tcollection\tof\tburned,\tshredded\trags\t\u2013\tall\tof\twhich,\tin\tmy opinion,\tmade\ther\tlook\texactly\tlike\tThe\tMeg\tshould\tlook. She\tsummoned\ther\tusual\teloquence:\t\u2018Hi.\u2019 Piper\u2019s\tmouth\tcurved\tin\tthe\tghost\tof\ta\tsmile.\t\u2018I\tmet\tthese\tguys\tat\tthe\tentrance to\tthe\tmaze.\tThey\twere\tjust\tcharging\tin\tto\tfind\tyou.\tSaid\tthey\theard\tyour\tsong.\u2019 \u2018My\tsong?\u2019\tMeg\tasked. \u2018The\tmusic!\u2019\tGrover\tyelped.\t\u2018It\tworked?\u2019 \u2018We\theard\tthe\tcall\tof\tnature!\u2019\tcried\tthe\tlead\tdryad. That\thad\ta\tdifferent\tmeaning\tfor\tmortals,\tbut\tI\tdecided\tnot\tto\tmention\tit.","\u2018We\theard\tthe\tpipes\tof\ta\tlord\tof\tthe\tWild!\u2019\tsaid\tanother\tdryad.\t\u2018That\twould\tbe you,\tI\tsuppose,\tsatyr.\tHail,\tsatyr!\u2019 \u2018HAIL,\tSATYR!\u2019\tthe\tothers\techoed. \u2018Uh,\tyeah,\u2019\tGrover\tsaid\tweakly.\t\u2018Hail\tto\tyou\ttoo.\u2019 \u2018But\tmostly,\u2019\tsaid\ta\tthird\tdryad,\t\u2018we\theard\tthe\tcry\tof\tthe\tMeg,\tdaughter\tof\tthe creator.\tHail!\u2019 \u2018HAIL!\u2019\tthe\tothers\techoed. That\twas\tquite\tenough\thailing\tfor\tme. Meg\tnarrowed\ther\teyes.\t\u2018When\tyou\tsay\tcreator,\tdo\tyou\tmean\tmy\tdad,\tthe botanist,\tor\tmy\tmom,\tDemeter?\u2019 The\tdryads\tmurmured\tamong\tthemselves. Finally,\tthe\tleader\tspoke:\t\u2018This\tis\ta\tmost\texcellent\tpoint.\tWe\tmeant\tthe McCaffrey,\tthe\tgreat\tgrower\tof\tdryads.\tBut\tnow\twe\trealize\tthat\tyou\tare\talso\tthe daughter\tof\tDemeter.\tYou\tare\ttwice-blessed,\tdaughter\tof\ttwo\tcreators!\tWe\tare\tat your\tservice!\u2019 Meg\tpicked\ther\tnose.\t\u2018At\tmy\tservice,\thuh?\u2019\tShe\tlooked\tat\tme\tas\tif\tto\task,\tWhy can\u2019t\tyou\tbe\ta\tcool\tservant\tlike\tthis?\t\u2018So,\thow\tdid\tyou\tguys\tfind\tus?\u2019 \u2018We\thave\tmany\tpowers!\u2019\tshouted\tone.\t\u2018We\twere\tborn\tfrom\tthe\tEarth\tMother\u2019s blood!\u2019 \u2018The\tprimordial\tstrength\tof\tlife\tflows\tthrough\tus!\u2019\tsaid\tanother. \u2018We\tnursed\tZeus\tas\ta\tbaby!\u2019\tsaid\ta\tthird.\t\u2018We\tbore\tan\tentire\trace\tof\tmen,\tthe warlike\tBronze!\u2019 \u2018We\tare\tthe\tMeliai!\u2019\tsaid\ta\tfourth. \u2018We\tare\tthe\tmighty\tash\ttrees!\u2019\tcried\tthe\tfifth. This\tleft\tthe\tlast\ttwo\twithout\tmuch\tto\tsay.\tThey\tsimply\tmuttered,\t\u2018Ash.\tYep; we\u2019re\tash.\u2019 Piper\tchimed\tin.\t\u2018So\tCoach\tHedge\tgot\tGrover\u2019s\tmessage\tfrom\tthe\tcloud nymph.\tThen\tI\tcame\tto\tfind\tyou\tguys.\tBut\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\twhere\tthis\tsecret entrance\twas,\tso\tI\twent\tto\tdowntown\tLA\tagain.\u2019 \u2018By\tyourself?\u2019\tGrover\tasked. Piper\u2019s\teyes\tdarkened.\tI\trealized\tshe\thad\tcome\there\tfirst\tand\tforemost\tto\tget revenge\ton\tMedea,\tsecondly\tto\thelp\tus.\tMaking\tit\tout\talive\t\u2026\tthat\thad\tbeen\ta very\tdistant\tthird\ton\ther\tlist\tof\tpriorities. \u2018Anyway,\u2019\tshe\tcontinued,\t\u2018I\tmet\tthese\tladies\tdowntown\tand\twe\tsort\tof\tmade an\talliance.\u2019 Grover\tgulped.\t\u2018But\tCrest\tsaid\tthe\tmain\tentrance\twould\tbe\ta\tdeath\ttrap!\tIt was\theavily\tguarded!\u2019 \u2018Yeah,\tit\twas\t\u2026\u2019\tPiper\tpointed\tat\tthe\tdryads.\t\u2018Not\tany\tmore.\u2019 The\tdryads\tlooked\tpleased\twith\tthemselves.","\u2018The\tash\tis\tmighty,\u2019\tsaid\tone. The\tothers\tmurmured\tin\tagreement. Herophile\tstepped\tout\tfrom\ther\thiding\tplace\tbehind\tthe\ttoilet.\t\u2018But\tthe\tfires. How\tdid\tyou\t\u2013?\u2019 \u2018Ha!\u2019\tcried\ta\tdryad.\t\u2018It\twould\ttake\tmore\tthan\tthe\tfires\tof\ta\tsun\tTitan\tto\tdestroy us!\u2019\tShe\theld\tup\ther\tshield.\tOne\tcorner\twas\tblackened,\tbut\tthe\tsoot\twas\talready falling\taway,\trevealing\tnew,\tunblemished\twood\tunderneath. Judging\tfrom\tMeg\u2019s\tscowl,\tI\tcould\ttell\ther\tmind\twas\tworking\tovertime.\tThat made\tme\tnervous. \u2018So\t\u2026\tyou\tguys\tserve\tme\tnow?\u2019\tshe\tasked. The\tdryads\tbanged\ttheir\tshields\tagain\tin\tunison. \u2018We\twill\tobey\tthe\tcommands\tof\tthe\tMeg!\u2019\tsaid\tthe\tleader. \u2018Like,\tif\tI\tasked\tyou\tto\tgo\tget\tme\tsome\tenchiladas\t\u2013?\u2019 \u2018We\twould\task\thow\tmany!\u2019\tshouted\tanother\tdryad.\t\u2018And\thow\thot\tyou\tlike your\tsalsa!\u2019 Meg\tnodded.\t\u2018Cool.\tBut\tfirst\tmaybe\tyou\tcould\tescort\tus\tsafely\tout\tof\tthe maze?\u2019 \u2018It\tshall\tbe\tdone!\u2019\tsaid\tthe\tlead\tdryad. \u2018Hold\ton,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid.\t\u2018What\tabout\t\u2026?\u2019 She\tgestured\tto\tthe\tfloor\ttiles,\twhere\tmy\tgolden\tnonsense\twords\tstill\tglowed across\tthe\tstone. While\tkneeling\tin\tchains,\tI\thadn\u2019t\treally\tbeen\table\tto\tappreciate\ttheir arrangement: BRONZE\tUPON\tGOLD DESTROY\tTHE\tTYRANT EAST\tMEETS\tWEST AID\tTHE\tWINGED LEGIONS\tARE\tREDEEMED UNDER\tGOLDEN\tHILLS LIGHT\tTHE\tDEPTHS GREAT\tSTALLION\u2019S\tFOAL ONE\tAGAINST\tMANY HARKEN\tTHE\tTRUMPETS NEVER\tSPIRIT\tDEFEATED TURN\tRED\tTIDES ANCIENT\tWORDS\tSPOKEN ENTER\tSTRANGER\u2019S\tHOME SHAKING\tOLD\tFOUNDATIONS REGAIN\tLOST\tGLORY \u2018What\tdoes\tit\tmean?\u2019\tGrover\tasked,\tlooking\tat\tme\tas\tif\tI\thad\tthe\tfaintest\tidea. My\tmind\tached\twith\texhaustion\tand\tsorrow.\tWhile\tCrest\thad\tdistracted Medea,\tgiving\tPiper\ttime\tto\tarrive\tand\tsave\tmy\tfriends\u2019\tlives,\tI\thad\tbeen","spouting\tnonsense:\ttwo\tcolumns\tof\ttext\twith\ta\tfiery\tmargin\tdown\tthe\tmiddle. They\tweren\u2019t\teven\tformatted\tin\tan\tinteresting\tfont. \u2018It\tmeans\tApollo\tsucceeded!\u2019\tthe\tSibyl\tsaid\tproudly.\t\u2018He\tfinished\tthe prophecy!\u2019 I\tshook\tmy\thead.\t\u2018But\tI\tdidn\u2019t.\tApollo\tfaces\tdeath\tin\tTarquin\u2019s\tTomb\tunless the\tdoorway\tto\tthe\tsoundless\tgod\tis\topened\tby\t\u2026\tAll\tof\tthat?\u2019 Piper\tscanned\tthe\tlines.\t\u2018That\u2019s\ta\tlot\tof\ttext.\tShould\tI\twrite\tit\tdown?\u2019 The\tSibyl\u2019s\tsmile\twavered.\t\u2018You\tmean\t\u2026\tyou\tdon\u2019t\tsee\tit?\tIt\u2019s\tright\tthere.\u2019 Grover\tsquinted\tat\tthe\tgolden\twords.\t\u2018See\twhat?\u2019 \u2018Oh.\u2019\tMeg\tnodded.\t\u2018Okay,\tyeah.\u2019 The\tseven\tdryads\tall\tleaned\ttowards\ther,\tfascinated. \u2018What\tdoes\tit\tmean,\tgreat\tdaughter\tof\tthe\tcreator?\u2019\tasked\tthe\tleader. \u2018It\u2019s\tan\tacrostic,\u2019\tMeg\tsaid.\t\u2018Look.\u2019 She\tjogged\tto\tthe\tupper\tleft\tcorner\tof\tthe\troom.\tShe\twalked\talong\tthe\tfirst letter\tin\teach\tline,\tthen\thopped\tacross\tthe\tmargin\tand\twalked\tthe\tfirst\tletters\tof the\tlines\tin\tthat\tcolumn,\tall\twhile\tsaying\tthe\tletters\tout\tloud:\t\u2018B-E-L-L-O-N-A-S D-A-U-G-H-T-E-R.\u2019 \u2018Wow.\u2019\tPiper\tshook\ther\thead\tin\tamazement.\t\u2018I\u2019m\tstill\tnot\tsure\twhat\tthe prophecy\tmeans,\tabout\tTarquin\tand\ta\tsoundless\tgod\tand\tall\tthat.\tBut\tapparently you\tneed\tthe\thelp\tof\tBellona\u2019s\tdaughter.\tThat\tmeans\tthe\tsenior\tpraetor\tat\tCamp Jupiter:\tReyna\tAvila\tRam\u00edrez-Arellano.\u2019","44 Ha-ha-ha,\tdryads?\t That\u2019s\tstraight\tfrom\tthe\thorse\u2019s\tmouth\t Goodbye,\tMr\tHorse \u2018Hail,\tthe\tMeg!\u2019\tcried\tthe\tlead\tdryad.\t\u2018Hail,\tthe\tsolver\tof\tthe\tpuzzle!\u2019 \u2018HAIL!\u2019\tthe\tothers\tagreed,\tfollowed\tby\tmuch\tkneeling,\tbanging\tof\tspears\ton shields,\tand\toffers\tto\tretrieve\tenchiladas. I\tmight\thave\targued\twith\tMeg\u2019s\thail-worthiness.\tIf\tI\thadn\u2019t\tjust\tbeen magically\thalf\tflayed\tto\tdeath\tin\tburning\tchains,\tI\tcould\thave\tsolved\tthe\tpuzzle. I\twas\talso\tpretty\tsure\tMeg\thadn\u2019t\tknown\twhat\tan\tacrostic\twas\tuntil\tI\texplained\tit to\ther. But\twe\thad\tbigger\tproblems.\tThe\tchamber\tbegan\tto\tshake.\tDust\ttrickled\tfrom the\tceiling.\tA\tfew\tstone\ttiles\tfell\tand\tsplashed\tinto\tthe\tpool\tof\tichor. \u2018We\tmust\tleave,\u2019\tsaid\tHerophile.\t\u2018The\tprophecy\tis\tcomplete.\tI\tam\tfree.\tThis room\twill\tnot\tsurvive.\u2019 \u2018I\tlike\tleaving!\u2019\tGrover\tagreed. I\tliked\tleaving,\ttoo,\tbut\tthere\twas\tone\tpromise\tI\tstill\tmeant\tto\tkeep,\tno\tmatter how\tmuch\tStyx\thated\tme. I\tknelt\tat\tthe\tedge\tof\tthe\tplatform\tand\tstared\tinto\tthe\tfiery\tichor. \u2018Uh,\tApollo?\u2019\tMeg\tasked. \u2018Should\twe\tpull\thim\taway?\u2019\tasked\ta\tdryad. \u2018Should\twe\tpush\thim\tin?\u2019\tasked\tanother. Meg\tdidn\u2019t\trespond.\tMaybe\tshe\twas\tweighing\twhich\toffer\tsounded\tbetter.\tI tried\tto\tfocus\ton\tthe\tfires\tbelow. \u2018Helios,\u2019\tI\tmurmured,\t\u2018your\timprisonment\tis\tover.\tMedea\tis\tdead.\u2019","The\tichor\tchurned\tand\tflashed.\tI\tfelt\tthe\tTitan\u2019s\thalf-conscious\tanger.\tNow that\the\twas\tfree,\the\tseemed\tto\tbe\tthinking\twhy\tshouldn\u2019t\the\tvent\this\tpower\tfrom these\ttunnels\tand\tturn\tthe\tcountryside\tinto\ta\twasteland?\tHe\tprobably\talso\twasn\u2019t too\thappy\tabout\tgetting\ttwo\tpandai,\tsome\tragweed\tand\this\tevil\tgranddaughter dumped\tinto\this\tnice,\tfiery\tessence. \u2018You\thave\ta\tright\tto\tbe\tangry,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018But\tI\tremember\tyou\t\u2013\tyour\tbrilliance, your\twarmth.\tI\tremember\tyour\tfriendship\twith\tthe\tgods\tand\tthe\tmortals\tof\tthe earth.\tI\tcan\tnever\tbe\tas\tgreat\ta\tsun\tdeity\tas\tyou\twere,\tbut\tevery\tday\tI\ttry\tto honour\tyour\tmemory\t\u2013\tto\tremember\tyour\tbest\tqualities.\u2019 The\tichor\tbubbled\tmore\trapidly. I\tam\tjust\ttalking\tto\ta\tfriend,\tI\ttold\tmyself.\tThis\tis\tnot\tat\tall\tlike\tconvincing\tan intercontinental\tballistic\tmissile\tnot\tto\tlaunch\titself. \u2018I\twill\tendure,\u2019\tI\ttold\thim.\t\u2018I\twill\tregain\tthe\tsun\tchariot.\tAs\tlong\tas\tI\tdrive\tit, you\twill\tbe\tremembered.\tI\twill\tkeep\tyour\told\tpath\tacross\tthe\tsky\tsteady\tand true.\tBut\tyou\tknow,\tmore\tthan\tanyone,\tthat\tthe\tfires\tof\tthe\tsun\tdon\u2019t\tbelong\ton the\tearth.\tThey\tweren\u2019t\tmeant\tto\tdestroy\tthe\tland,\tbut\tto\twarm\tit!\tCaligula\tand Medea\thave\ttwisted\tyou\tinto\ta\tweapon.\tDon\u2019t\tallow\tthem\tto\twin!\tAll\tyou\thave to\tdo\tis\trest.\tReturn\tto\tthe\tether\tof\tChaos,\tmy\told\tfriend.\tBe\tat\tpeace.\u2019 The\tichor\tturned\twhite-hot.\tI\twas\tsure\tmy\tface\twas\tabout\tto\tget\tan\textreme dermal\tpeel. Then\tthe\tfiery\tessence\tfluttered\tand\tshimmered\tlike\ta\tpool\tfull\tof\tmoth\twings \u2013\tand\tthe\tichor\tvanished.\tThe\theat\tdissipated.\tThe\tstone\ttiles\tdisintegrated\tinto dust\tand\trained\tinto\tthe\tempty\tpit.\tOn\tmy\tarms,\tthe\tterrible\tburns\tfaded.\tThe split\tskin\tmended\titself.\tThe\tpain\tebbed\tto\ta\ttolerable\tlevel\tof\tI\u2019ve-just-been- tortured-for-six-hours\tagony,\tand\tI\tcollapsed,\tshaking\tand\tcold,\ton\tthe\tstone floor. \u2018You\tdid\tit!\u2019\tGrover\tcried.\tHe\tlooked\tat\tthe\tdryads,\tthen\tat\tMeg,\tand\tlaughed in\tamazement.\t\u2018Can\tyou\tfeel\tit?\tThe\theat\twave,\tthe\tdrought,\tthe\twildfires\t\u2026 they\u2019re\tgone!\u2019 \u2018Indeed,\u2019\tsaid\tthe\tlead\tdryad.\t\u2018The\tMeg\u2019s\tweakling\tservant\thas\tsaved\tnature! Hail\tto\tthe\tMeg!\u2019 \u2018HAIL!\u2019\tthe\tother\tdryads\tchimed\tin. I\tdidn\u2019t\teven\thave\tthe\tenergy\tto\tprotest. The\tchamber\trumbled\tmore\tviolently.\tA\tlarge\tcrack\tzigzagged\tdown\tthe middle\tof\tthe\tceiling. \u2018Let\u2019s\tget\tout\tof\there.\u2019\tMeg\tturned\tto\tthe\tdryads.\t\u2018Help\tApollo.\u2019 \u2018The\tMeg\thas\tspoken!\u2019\tsaid\tthe\tlead\tdryad. Two\tdryads\thauled\tme\tto\tmy\tfeet\tand\tcarried\tme\tbetween\tthem.\tI\ttried\tto\tput weight\ton\tmy\tfeet,\tjust\tfor\tdignity\u2019s\tsake,\tbut\tit\twas\tlike\troller-skating\ton\twheels","of\twet\tmacaroni. \u2018You\tknow\thow\tto\tget\tthere?\u2019\tGrover\tasked\tthe\tdryads. \u2018We\tdo\tnow,\u2019\tsaid\tone.\t\u2018It\tis\tthe\tquickest\tway\tback\tto\tnature,\tand\tthat\tis something\twe\tcan\talways\tfind.\u2019 On\ta\tHelp,\tI\u2019m\tGoing\tto\tDie\tscale\tfrom\tone\tto\tten,\texiting\tthe\tmaze\twas\ta\tten. But,\tsince\teverything\telse\tI\u2019d\tdone\tthat\tweek\twas\ta\tfifteen,\tit\tseemed\tlike\ta piece\tof\tbaklava.\tTunnel\troofs\tcollapsed\taround\tus.\tFloors\tcrumbled.\tMonsters attacked,\tonly\tto\tbe\tstabbed\tto\tdeath\tby\tseven\teager\tdryads\tyelling,\t\u2018HAIL!\u2019 Finally,\twe\treached\ta\tnarrow\tshaft\tthat\tslanted\tupward\ttowards\ta\ttiny\tsquare of\tsunlight. \u2018This\tisn\u2019t\tthe\tway\twe\tcame\tin,\u2019\tGrover\tfretted. \u2018It\tis\tclose\tenough,\u2019\tsaid\tthe\tlead\tdryad.\t\u2018We\twill\tgo\tfirst!\u2019 No\tone\targued.\tThe\tseven\tdryads\traised\ttheir\tshields\tand\tmarched\tsingle\tfile up\tthe\tshaft.\tPiper\tand\tHerophile\twent\tnext,\tfollowed\tby\tMeg\tand\tGrover.\tI brought\tup\tthe\trear,\thaving\trecovered\tenough\tto\tcrawl\ton\tmy\town\twith\ta minimum\tof\tweeping\tand\tgasping. By\tthe\ttime\tI\temerged\tinto\tthe\tsunlight\tand\tgot\tto\tmy\tfeet,\tthe\tbattle\tlines\thad already\tbeen\tdrawn. We\twere\tback\tin\tthe\told\tbear\tpit,\tthough\thow\tthe\tshaft\tled\tus\tthere,\tI\tdidn\u2019t know.\tThe\tMeliai\thad\tformed\ta\tshield\twall\taround\tthe\ttunnel\tentrance.\tBehind them\tstood\tthe\trest\tof\tmy\tfriends,\tweapons\tdrawn.\tAbove\tus,\tlining\tthe\tridge\tof the\tcement\tbowl,\ta\tdozen\tpandai\twaited\twith\tarrows\tnocked\tin\ttheir\tbows.\tIn their\tmidst\tstood\tthe\tgreat\twhite\tstallion\tIncitatus. When\the\tsaw\tme,\the\ttossed\this\tbeautiful\tmane.\t\u2018There\the\tis\tat\tlast.\tMedea couldn\u2019t\tclose\tthe\tdeal,\thuh?\u2019 \u2018Medea\tis\tdead,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018Unless\tyou\trun\taway\tnow,\tyou\twill\tbe\tnext.\u2019 Incitatus\tnickered.\t\u2018Never\tliked\tthat\tsorceress\tanyway.\tAs\tfor\tsurrendering\t\u2026 Lester,\thave\tyou\tlooked\tat\tyourself\tlately?\tYou\u2019re\tin\tno\tshape\tto\tissue\tthreats. We\u2019ve\tgot\tthe\thigh\tground.\tYou\u2019ve\tseen\thow\tfast\tpandai\tcan\tshoot.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow who\tyour\tpretty\tallies\twith\tthe\twooden\tarmour\tare,\tbut\tit\tdoesn\u2019t\tmatter.\tCome along\tquietly.\tBig\tC\tis\tsailing\tnorth\tto\tdeal\twith\tyour\tfriends\tin\tthe\tBay\tArea, but\twe\tcan\tcatch\tup\twith\tthe\tfleet\teasy\tenough.\tMy\tboy\thas\tall\tkinds\tof\tspecial treats\tplanned\tfor\tyou.\u2019 Piper\tsnarled.\tI\tsuspected\tthat\tHerophile\u2019s\thand\ton\ther\tshoulder\twas\tthe\tonly thing\tkeeping\tthe\tdaughter\tof\tAphrodite\tfrom\tcharging\tthe\tenemy\tall\tby\therself. Meg\u2019s\tscimitars\tgleamed\tin\tthe\tafternoon\tsun.\t\u2018Hey,\tash\tladies,\u2019\tshe\tsaid, \u2018how\tfast\tcan\tyou\tget\tup\tthere?\u2019 The\tleader\tglanced\tover.\t\u2018Fast\tenough,\tO\tMeg.\u2019","\u2018Cool,\u2019\tMeg\tsaid.\tThen\tshe\tshouted\tup\tat\tthe\thorse\tand\this\ttroops,\t\u2018Last chance\tto\tsurrender!\u2019 Incitatus\tsighed.\t\u2018Fine.\u2019 \u2018Fine,\tyou\tsurrender?\u2019\tMeg\tasked. \u2018No.\tFine,\twe\u2019ll\tkill\tyou.\tPandai\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018Dryads,\tATTACK!\u2019\tMeg\tyelled. \u2018Dryads?\u2019\tIncitatus\tasked\tincredulously. It\twas\tthe\tlast\tthing\the\tever\tsaid. The\tMeliai\tleaped\tout\tof\tthe\tpit\tas\tif\tit\twere\tno\thigher\tthan\ta\tporch\tstep.\tThe dozen\tpandai\tarchers,\tfastest\tshots\tin\tthe\tWest,\tcouldn\u2019t\tfire\ta\tsingle\tarrow before\tthey\twere\tcut\tto\tdust\tby\tashen\tspears. Incitatus\twhinnied\tin\tpanic.\tAs\tthe\tMeliai\tsurrounded\thim,\the\treared\tand kicked\twith\this\tgolden-shod\thooves,\tbut\teven\this\tgreat\tstrength\twas\tno\tmatch for\tthe\tprimordial\tkiller\ttree\tspirits.\tThe\tstallion\tbuckled\tand\tfell,\tskewered\tfrom seven\tdirections\tat\tonce. The\tdryads\tfaced\tMeg. \u2018The\tdeed\tis\tdone!\u2019\tannounced\ttheir\tleader.\t\u2018Would\tthe\tMeg\tlike\tenchiladas now?\u2019 Next\tto\tme,\tPiper\tlooked\tvaguely\tnauseous,\tas\tif\tvengeance\thad\tlost\tsome\tof its\tappeal.\t\u2018I\tthought\tmy\tvoice\twas\tpowerful.\u2019 Grover\twhimpered\tin\tagreement.\t\u2018I\u2019ve\tnever\thad\tnightmares\tabout\ttrees.\tThat might\tchange\tafter\ttoday.\u2019 Even\tMeg\tlooked\tuncomfortable,\tas\tif\tjust\trealizing\twhat\tsort\tof\tpower\tshe\u2019d been\tgiven.\tI\twas\trelieved\tto\tsee\tthat\tdiscomfort.\tIt\twas\ta\tsure\tsign\tthat\tMeg remained\ta\tgood\tperson.\tPower\tmakes\tgood\tpeople\tuneasy\trather\tthan\tjoyful\tor boastful.\tThat\u2019s\twhy\tgood\tpeople\tso\trarely\trise\tto\tpower. \u2018Let\u2019s\tget\tout\tof\there,\u2019\tshe\tdecided. \u2018To\twhere\tshall\twe\tget\tout\tof\there,\tO\tMeg?\u2019\tasked\tthe\tlead\tdryad. \u2018Home,\u2019\tsaid\tMeg.\t\u2018Palm\tSprings.\u2019 There\twas\tno\tbitterness\tin\ther\tvoice\tas\tshe\tput\tthose\twords\ttogether:\tHome. Palm\tSprings.\tShe\tneeded\tto\treturn,\tlike\tthe\tdryads,\tto\ther\troots.","45 Desert\tflowers\tbloom\t Sunset\train\tsweetens\tthe\tair\t Time\tfor\ta\tgame\tshow! Piper\tdid\tnot\taccompany\tus. She\tsaid\tshe\thad\tto\tget\tback\tto\tthe\tMalibu\thouse\tso\tas\tnot\tto\tworry\ther\tfather or\tthe\tHedge\tfamily.\tThey\twould\tall\tbe\tleaving\tfor\tOklahoma\ttogether\ttomorrow evening.\tAlso,\tshe\thad\tsome\tarrangements\tto\tattend\tto.\tHer\tdark\ttone\tled\tme\tto believe\tshe\tmeant\tfinal\tarrangements,\tas\tin\tfor\tJason. \u2018Meet\tme\ttomorrow\tafternoon.\u2019\tShe\thanded\tme\ta\tfolded\tsheet\tof\tdandelion- yellow\tpaper\t\u2013\tan\tN.H.\tFinancials\teviction\tnotice.\tOn\tthe\tback,\tshe\u2019d\tscribbled an\taddress\tin\tSanta\tMonica.\t\u2018We\u2019ll\tget\tyou\ton\tyour\tway.\u2019 I\twasn\u2019t\tsure\twhat\tshe\tmeant\tby\tthat,\tbut\twithout\texplanation\tshe\thiked towards\tthe\tnearby\tgolf-course\tparking\tlot,\tno\tdoubt\tto\tborrow\ta\tBedrossian- quality\tvehicle. The\trest\tof\tus\treturned\tto\tPalm\tSprings\tin\tthe\tred\tMercedes.\tHerophile\tdrove. Who\tknew\tancient\tOracles\tcould\tdrive?\tMeg\tsat\tnext\tto\ther.\tGrover\tand\tI\ttook the\tback.\tI\tkept\tstaring\tforlornly\tat\tmy\tseat,\twhere\tCrest\thad\tsat\tonly\ta\tfew hours\tbefore,\tso\tanxious\tto\tlearn\this\tchords\tand\tbecome\ta\tgod\tof\tmusic. I\tmay\thave\tcried. The\tseven\tMeliai\tmarched\talongside\tour\tMercedes\tlike\tsecret-service\tagents, keeping\tup\twith\tus\teasily,\teven\twhen\twe\tleft\tbumper-to-bumper\ttraffic\tbehind. Despite\tour\tvictory,\twe\twere\ta\tsombre\tcrew.\tNo\tone\toffered\tany\tscintillating conversation.\tAt\tone\tpoint,\tHerophile\ttried\tto\tbreak\tthe\tice.\t\u2018I\tspy\twith\tmy\tlittle eye\t\u2013\u2019 We\tresponded\tin\tunison:\t\u2018No.\u2019","After\tthat,\twe\trode\tin\tsilence. The\ttemperature\toutside\tcooled\tat\tleast\tfifteen\tdegrees.\tA\tmarine\tlayer\thad rolled\tin\tover\tthe\tLos\tAngeles\tbasin\tlike\ta\tgiant\twet\tduster,\tsoaking\tup\tall\tthe dry\theat\tand\tsmoke.\tWhen\twe\treached\tSan\tBernardino,\tdark\tclouds\tswept\tthe hilltops,\tdropping\tcurtains\tof\train\ton\tthe\tparched,\tfire-blackened\thills. When\twe\tcame\tover\tthe\tpass\tand\tsaw\tPalm\tSprings\tstretched\tout\tbelow\tus, Grover\tcried\twith\thappiness.\tThe\tdesert\twas\tcarpeted\tin\twild\tflowers\t\u2013 marigolds\tand\tpoppies,\tdandelions\tand\tprimroses\t\u2013\tall\tglistening\tfrom\tthe rainfall\tthat\thad\tjust\tmoved\tthrough,\tleaving\tthe\tair\tcool\tand\tsweet. Dozens\tof\tdryads\twaited\tfor\tus\ton\tthe\thilltop\toutside\tthe\tCistern.\tAloe\tVera fussed\tover\tour\twounds.\tPrickly\tPear\tscowled\tand\tasked\thow\twe\tcould\tpossibly have\truined\tour\tclothes\tyet\tagain.\tReba\twas\tso\tdelighted\tshe\ttried\tto\ttango\twith me,\tthough\tCaligula\u2019s\tsandals\treally\twere\tnot\tdesigned\tfor\tfancy\tfootwork.\tThe rest\tof\tthe\tassembled\thost\tmade\ta\twide\tcircle\taround\tthe\tMeliai,\tgawking\tat them\tin\tawe. Joshua\thugged\tMeg\tso\thard\tshe\tsqueaked.\t\u2018You\tdid\tit!\u2019\the\tsaid.\t\u2018The\tfires\tare gone!\u2019 \u2018You\tdon\u2019t\thave\tto\tsound\tso\tsurprised,\u2019\tshe\tgrumbled. \u2018And\tthese\t\u2026\u2019\tHe\tfaced\tthe\tMeliai.\t\u2018I\t\u2013\tI\tsaw\tthem\temerge\tfrom\ttheir saplings\tearlier\ttoday.\tThey\tsaid\tthey\theard\ta\tsong\tthey\thad\tto\tfollow.\tThat\twas you?\u2019 \u2018Yep.\u2019\tMeg\tdidn\u2019t\tappear\tto\tlike\tthe\tway\tJoshua\twas\tstaring\tslack-jawed\tat\tthe ash\tdryads.\t\u2018They\u2019re\tmy\tnew\tminions.\u2019 \u2018We\tare\tthe\tMeliai!\u2019\tthe\tleader\tagreed.\tShe\tknelt\tin\tfront\tof\tMeg.\t\u2018We\trequire guidance,\tO\tMeg!\tWhere\tshall\twe\tbe\trooted?\u2019 \u2018Rooted?\u2019\tMeg\tasked.\t\u2018But\tI\tthought\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018We\tcan\tremain\ton\tthe\thillside\twhere\tyou\tplanted\tus,\tGreat\tMeg,\u2019\tthe\tleader said.\t\u2018But\tif\tyou\twish\tus\tto\troot\telsewhere\tyou\tmust\tdecide\tquickly!\tWe\twill soon\tbe\ttoo\tlarge\tand\tstrong\tto\ttransplant!\u2019 I\thad\ta\tsudden\timage\tof\tus\tbuying\ta\tpickup\ttruck\tand\tfilling\tthe\tbed\twith\tsoil, then\tdriving\tnorth\tto\tSan\tFrancisco\twith\tseven\tkiller\tash\ttrees.\tI\tliked\tthat\tidea. Unfortunately,\tI\tknew\tit\twouldn\u2019t\twork.\tTrees\twere\tnot\tbig\ton\troad\ttrips. Meg\tscratched\ther\tear.\t\u2018If\tyou\tguys\tstay\there\t\u2026\tyou\u2019ll\tbe\tokay?\tI\tmean,\twith the\tdesert\tand\tall?\u2019 \u2018We\twill\tbe\tfine,\u2019\tsaid\tthe\tleader. \u2018Though\ta\tlittle\tmore\tshade\tand\twater\twould\tbe\tbest,\u2019\tsaid\ta\tsecond\tash. Joshua\tcleared\this\tthroat.\tHe\tbrushed\this\tfingers\tself-consciously\tthrough\this shaggy\thair.\t\u2018We,\tum,\twould\tbe\tmost\thonoured\tto\thave\tyou!\tThe\tforce\tof\tnature is\talready\tstrong\there,\tbut\twith\tthe\tMeliai\tamong\tus\t\u2013\u2019","\u2018Yeah,\u2019\tPrickly\tPear\tagreed.\t\u2018Nobody\twould\tbother\tus\tever\tagain.\tWe\tcould grow\tin\tpeace!\u2019 Aloe\tVera\tstudied\tthe\tMeliai\tdoubtfully.\tI\timagined\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\ttrust\tlife-forms that\trequired\tso\tlittle\thealing.\t\u2018How\tfar\tis\tyour\trange?\tHow\tmuch\tterritory\tcan you\tprotect?\u2019 A\tthird\tMelia\tlaughed.\t\u2018We\tmarched\ttoday\tto\tLos\tAngeles!\tThat\twas\tno hardship.\tIf\twe\tare\trooted\there,\twe\tcan\tprotect\teverything\twithin\ta\thundred leagues!\u2019 Reba\tstroked\ther\tdark\thair.\t\u2018Is\tthat\tfar\tenough\tto\tcover\tArgentina?\u2019 \u2018No,\u2019\tGrover\tsaid.\t\u2018But\tit\twould\tcover\tpretty\tmuch\tall\tof\tSouthern\tCalifornia.\u2019 He\tturned\tto\tMeg.\t\u2018What\tdo\tyou\tthink?\u2019 Meg\twas\tso\ttired\tshe\twas\tswaying\tlike\ta\tsapling.\tI\thalf\texpected\ther\tto\tmutter some\tMegish\tanswer\tlike\tdunno\tand\tpass\tout.\tInstead,\tshe\tgestured\tto\tthe Meliai.\t\u2018Come\tover\there.\u2019 We\tall\tfollowed\ther\tto\tthe\tedge\tof\tthe\tCistern.\tMeg\tpointed\tdown\tat\tthe\tshady well\twith\tits\tdeep\tblue\tpond\tin\tthe\tcentre. \u2018What\tabout\taround\tthe\tpool?\u2019\tshe\tasked.\t\u2018Shade.\tWater.\tI\tthink\t\u2026\tI\tthink\tmy dad\twould\thave\tliked\tthat.\u2019 \u2018The\tcreator\u2019s\tdaughter\thas\tspoken!\u2019\tcried\ta\tMelia. \u2018Daughter\tof\ttwo\tcreators!\u2019\tsaid\tanother. \u2018Twice\tblessed!\u2019 \u2018Wise\tsolver\tof\tpuzzles!\u2019 \u2018The\tMeg!\u2019 This\tleft\tthe\tlast\ttwo\twith\tlittle\tto\tadd,\tso\tthey\tmuttered,\t\u2018Yep.\tThe\tMeg.\tYep.\u2019 The\tother\tdryads\tmurmured\tand\tnodded.\tDespite\tthe\tfact\tthat\tthe\tash\ttrees would\tbe\ttaking\tover\ttheir\tenchilada-eating\thangout,\tno\tone\tcomplained. \u2018A\tsacred\tgrove\tof\tashes,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018I\tused\tto\thave\tone\tlike\tthat\tin\tancient\ttimes. Meg,\tit\u2019s\tperfect.\u2019 I\tfaced\tthe\tSibyl,\twho\thad\tbeen\tstanding\tsilently\tin\tthe\tback,\tno\tdoubt\tstunned to\tbe\taround\tso\tmany\tpeople\tafter\ther\tlong\tcaptivity. \u2018Herophile,\u2019\tI\tsaid,\t\u2018this\tgrove\twill\tbe\twell\tprotected.\tNo\tone,\tnot\teven Caligula,\tcould\tever\tthreaten\tyou\there.\tI\twon\u2019t\ttell\tyou\twhat\tto\tdo.\tThe\tchoice\tis yours.\tBut\twould\tyou\tconsider\tmaking\tthis\tyour\tnew\thome?\u2019 Herophile\twrapped\ther\tarms\taround\therself.\tHer\tauburn\thair\twas\tthe\tsame colour\tas\tthe\tdesert\thills\tin\tthe\tafternoon\tlight.\tI\twondered\tif\tshe\twas\tthinking about\thow\tdifferent\tthis\thillside\twas\tfrom\tthe\tone\twhere\tshe\twas\tborn,\twhere she\u2019d\thad\ther\tcave\tin\tErythraea. \u2018I\tcould\tbe\thappy\there,\u2019\tshe\tdecided.\t\u2018My\tinitial\tthought\t\u2013\tand\tthis\twas\tjust\tan idea\t\u2013\tis\tthat\tI\theard\tthey\tproduce\tmany\tgame\tshows\tin\tPasadena.\tI\thave\tseveral","ideas\tfor\tnew\tones.\u2019 Prickly\tPear\tquivered.\t\u2018How\tabout\tyou\tput\ta\tpin\tin\tthat,\tdarling?\tJoin\tus!\u2019 Putting\ta\tpin\tin\tsomething\twas\tgood\tadvice\tcoming\tfrom\ta\tcactus. Aloe\tVera\tnodded.\t\u2018We\twould\tbe\thonoured\tto\thave\tan\tOracle!\tYou\tcould warn\tme\twhenever\tanyone\tis\tabout\tto\tget\ta\tcold!\u2019 \u2018We\twould\twelcome\tyou\twith\topen\tarms,\u2019\tJoshua\tagreed.\t\u2018Except\tfor\tthose\tof us\twith\tprickly\tarms.\tThey\twould\tprobably\tjust\twave\tat\tyou.\u2019 Herophile\tsmiled.\t\u2018Very\twell.\tI\twould\tbe\t\u2026\u2019\tHer\tvoice\tseized\tup,\tas\tif\tshe were\tabout\tto\tstart\ta\tnew\tprophecy\tand\tsend\tus\tall\tscrambling. \u2018Okay!\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018No\tneed\tto\tthank\tus!\tIt\u2019s\tdecided!\u2019 And\tso\tPalm\tSprings\tgained\tan\tOracle,\twhile\tthe\trest\tof\tthe\tworld\twas\tsaved from\tseveral\tnew\tdaytime\tTV\tgame\tshows\tlike\tSibyl\tof\tFortune\tor\tThe\tOracle\tIs Right!\tIt\twas\ta\twin\u2013win. The\trest\tof\tthe\tevening\twas\tspent\tmaking\ta\tnew\tcamp\tdown\tthe\thillside, eating\ttake-away\tdinner\t(I\tchose\tthe\tenchiladas\tverdes,\tthanks\tfor\tasking)\tand assuring\tAloe\tVera\tthat\tour\tlayers\tof\tmedicinal\tgoop\twere\tthick\tenough.\tThe Meliai\tdug\tup\ttheir\town\tsaplings\tand\treplanted\tthem\tin\tthe\tCistern,\twhich\tI guessed\twas\tthe\tdryad\tversion\tof\tpulling\tyourself\tup\tby\tyour\town\tbootstraps. At\tsunset,\ttheir\tleader\tcame\tto\tMeg\tand\tbowed\tlow.\t\u2018We\twill\tslumber\tnow. But\twhenever\tyou\tcall,\tif\twe\tare\twithin\trange,\twe\tshall\tanswer!\tWe\tshall\tprotect this\tland\tin\tthe\tname\tof\tthe\tMeg!\u2019 \u2018Thanks,\u2019\tsaid\tthe\tMeg,\tpoetic\tas\talways. The\tMeliai\tfaded\tinto\ttheir\tseven\tash\ttrees,\twhich\tnow\tmade\ta\tbeautiful\tring around\tthe\tpond.\tTheir\tbranches\tglowed\twith\ta\tsoft,\tbuttery\tlight.\tThe\tother dryads\tmoved\tacross\tthe\thillside,\tenjoying\tthe\tcool\tair\tand\tthe\tstars\tin\tthe smoke-free\tnight\tsky\tas\tthey\tgave\tthe\tSibyl\ta\ttour\tof\ther\tnew\thome. \u2018And\there\tare\tsome\trocks,\u2019\tthey\ttold\ther.\t\u2018And\tover\there,\tthese\tare\tmore rocks.\u2019 Grover\tsat\tdown\tnext\tto\tMeg\tand\tme\twith\ta\tcontented\tsigh. The\tsatyr\thad\tchanged\this\tclothes:\ta\tgreen\tcap,\ta\tfresh\ttie-dyed\tshirt,\tclean jeans\tand\ta\tnew\tpair\tof\thoof-appropriate\tNew\tBalance\tshoes.\tA\tbackpack\twas slung\ton\this\tshoulder.\tMy\theart\tsank\tto\tsee\thim\tdressed\tfor\ttravel,\tthough\tI\twas not\tsurprised. \u2018Going\tsomewhere?\u2019\tI\tasked. He\tgrinned.\t\u2018Back\tto\tCamp\tHalf-Blood.\u2019 \u2018Now?\u2019\tMeg\tdemanded. He\tspread\this\thands.\t\u2018I\u2019ve\tbeen\there\tfor\tyears.\tThanks\tto\tyou\tguys,\tmy\twork is\tfinally\tactually\tdone!\tI\tmean,\tI\tknow\tyou\tstill\thave\ta\tlong\tway\tto\tgo,\tfreeing the\tOracles\tand\tall,\tbut\t\u2026\u2019","He\twas\ttoo\tpolite\tto\tfinish\tthe\tthought:\tbut\tplease\tdo\tnot\task\tme\tto\tgo\tany further\twith\tyou. \u2018You\tdeserve\tto\tgo\thome,\u2019\tI\tsaid\twistfully,\twishing\tI\tcould\tdo\tthe\tsame.\t\u2018But you\twon\u2019t\teven\trest\tthe\tnight?\u2019 Grover\tgot\ta\tfaraway\tlook\tin\this\teyes.\t\u2018I\tneed\tto\tget\tback.\tSatyrs\taren\u2019t dryads,\tbut\twe\thave\troots,\ttoo.\tCamp\tHalf-Blood\tis\tmine.\tI\u2019ve\tbeen\tgone\ttoo long.\tI\thope\tJuniper\thasn\u2019t\tgot\therself\ta\tnew\tgoat\t\u2026\u2019 I\trecalled\tthe\tway\tthe\tdryad\tJuniper\thad\tfretted\tand\tworried\tabout\ther\tabsent boyfriend\twhen\tI\twas\tat\tcamp. \u2018I\tdoubt\tshe\tcould\tever\treplace\tsuch\tan\texcellent\tsatyr,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018Thank\tyou, Grover\tUnderwood.\tWe\tcouldn\u2019t\thave\tsucceeded\twithout\tyou\tand\tWalt Whitman.\u2019 He\tlaughed,\tbut\this\texpression\timmediately\tdarkened.\t\u2018I\u2019m\tjust\tsorry\tabout Jason\tand\t\u2026\u2019\tHis\tgaze\tfell\ton\tthe\tukulele\tin\tmy\tlap.\tI\thadn\u2019t\tlet\tit\tout\tof\tmy sight\tsince\twe\treturned,\tthough\tI\thadn\u2019t\thad\tthe\theart\tto\ttune\tthe\tstrings,\tmuch less\tplay\tit. \u2018Yes,\u2019\tI\tagreed.\t\u2018And\tMoney\tMaker.\tAnd\tall\tthe\tothers\twho\tperished\ttrying\tto find\tthe\tBurning\tMaze.\tOr\tin\tthe\tfires,\tthe\tdrought\t\u2026\u2019 Wow.\tFor\ta\tsecond\tthere,\tI\u2019d\tbeen\tfeeling\tokay.\tGrover\treally\tknew\thow\tto kill\ta\tvibe. His\tgoatee\tquivered.\t\u2018I\u2019m\tsure\tyou\tguys\twill\tmake\tit\tto\tCamp\tJupiter,\u2019\the said.\t\u2018I\u2019ve\tnever\tbeen\tthere,\tor\tmet\tReyna,\tbut\tI\thear\tshe\u2019s\tgood\tpeople.\tMy buddy\tTyson\tthe\tCyclops\tis\tthere\ttoo.\tTell\thim\tI\tsaid\thi.\u2019 I\tthought\tabout\twhat\tawaited\tus\tin\tthe\tnorth.\tAside\tfrom\twhat\twe\u2019d\tgleaned aboard\tCaligula\u2019s\tyacht\t\u2013\tthat\this\tattack\tduring\tthe\tnew\tmoon\thad\tnot\tgone\twell \u2013\twe\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\twhat\twas\tgoing\ton\tat\tCamp\tJupiter,\tor\twhether\tLeo\tValdez was\tstill\tthere\tor\tflying\tback\tto\tIndianapolis.\tAll\twe\tknew\twas\tthat\tCaligula, now\twithout\this\tstallion\tand\this\tsorceress,\twas\tsailing\tto\tthe\tBay\tArea\tto\tdeal with\tCamp\tJupiter\tpersonally.\tWe\thad\tto\tget\tthere\tfirst. \u2018We\twill\tbe\tfine,\u2019\tI\tsaid,\ttrying\tto\tconvince\tmyself.\t\u2018We\u2019ve\twrested\tthree Oracles\tfrom\tthe\tTriumvirate.\tNow,\taside\tfrom\tDelphi\titself,\tonly\tone\tsource\tof prophecy\tremains:\tthe\tSibylline\tBooks\t\u2026\tor\trather,\twhat\tElla\tthe\tharpy\tis\ttrying to\treconstruct\tof\tthem\tfrom\tmemory.\u2019 Grover\tfrowned.\t\u2018Yeah.\tElla.\tTyson\u2019s\tgirlfriend.\u2019 He\tsounded\tconfused,\tas\tif\tit\tmade\tno\tsense\tthat\ta\tCyclops\twould\thave\ta harpy\tgirlfriend,\tmuch\tless\tone\twith\ta\tphotographic\tmemory\twho\thad\tsomehow become\tour\tonly\tlink\tto\tbooks\tof\tprophecy\tthat\thad\tburned\tup\tcenturies\tbefore. Very\tlittle\tof\tour\tsituation\tmade\tsense,\tbut\tI\twas\ta\tformer\tOlympian.\tI\twas used\tto\tincoherency.","\u2018Thanks,\tGrover.\u2019\tMeg\tgave\tthe\tsatyr\ta\thug\tand\tkissed\thim\ton\tthe\tcheek, which\twas\tcertainly\tmore\tgratitude\tthan\tshe\u2019d\tever\tshown\tme. \u2018You\tbet,\u2019\tGrover\tsaid.\t\u2018Thank\tyou,\tMeg.\tYou\t\u2026\u2019\tHe\tgulped.\t\u2018You\u2019ve\tbeen\ta great\tfriend.\tI\tliked\ttalking\tplants\twith\tyou.\u2019 \u2018I\twas\talso\tthere,\u2019\tI\tsaid. Grover\tsmiled\tsheepishly.\tHe\tgot\tto\this\tfeet\tand\tclicked\ttogether\tthe\tchest straps\tof\this\tbackpack.\t\u2018Sleep\twell,\tyou\tguys.\tAnd\tgood\tluck.\tI\thave\ta\tfeeling I\u2019ll\tsee\tyou\tagain\tbefore\t\u2026\tYeah.\u2019 Before\tI\tascend\tinto\tthe\theavens\tand\tregain\tmy\timmortal\tthrone? Before\twe\tall\tdie\tin\tsome\tmiserable\tfashion\tat\tthe\thands\tof\tthe\tTriumvirate? I\twasn\u2019t\tsure.\tBut\tafter\tGrover\tleft\tI\tfelt\tan\tempty\tplace\tin\tmy\tchest,\tas\tif\tthe hole\tI\u2019d\tpoked\twith\tthe\tArrow\tof\tDodona\twere\tgrowing\tdeeper\tand\twider.\tI unlaced\tthe\tsandals\tof\tCaligula\tand\ttossed\tthem\taway. I\tslept\tmiserably\tand\thad\ta\tmiserable\tdream. I\tlay\tat\tthe\tbottom\tof\ta\tcold,\tdark\triver.\tAbove\tme\tfloated\ta\twoman\tin\tblack silky\trobes\t\u2013\tthe\tgoddess\tStyx,\tthe\tliving\tincarnation\tof\tthe\tinfernal\twaters. \u2018More\tbroken\tpromises,\u2019\tshe\thissed. A\tsob\tbuilt\tin\tmy\tthroat.\tI\tdid\tnot\tneed\tthe\treminder. \u2018Jason\tGrace\tis\tdead,\u2019\tshe\tcontinued.\t\u2018And\tthe\tyoung\tpandos.\u2019 Crest!\tI\twanted\tto\tscream.\tHe\thad\ta\tname! \u2018Do\tyou\tbegin\tto\tfeel\tthe\tfolly\tof\tyour\trash\tvow\tupon\tmy\twaters?\u2019\tasked\tStyx. \u2018There\twill\tbe\tmore\tdeaths.\tMy\twrath\twill\tspare\tno\tone\tclose\tto\tyou\tuntil amends\tare\tmade.\tEnjoy\tyour\ttime\tas\ta\tmortal,\tApollo!\u2019 Water\tbegan\tfilling\tmy\tlungs,\tas\tif\tmy\tbody\thad\tjust\tnow\tremembered\tit needed\toxygen. I\twoke\tup\tgasping. Dawn\twas\tbreaking\tover\tthe\tdesert.\tI\twas\thugging\tmy\tukulele\tso\ttightly\tit\thad left\tgouge\tmarks\ton\tmy\tforearms\tand\tbruised\tmy\tchest.\tMeg\u2019s\tsleeping\tbag\twas empty,\tbut\tbefore\tI\tcould\tlook\tfor\ther,\tshe\tscrambled\tdown\tthe\thill\ttowards\tme\t\u2013 a\tstrange,\texcited\tlight\tin\ther\teyes. \u2018Apollo,\tget\tup,\u2019\tshe\tsaid.\t\u2018You\tneed\tto\tsee\tthis!\u2019","46 Second\tprize:\troad\ttrip With\tBon\tJovi\ton\tcassette\t First\tprize:\tplease,\tdon\u2019t\task The\tMcCaffrey\tmansion\thad\tbeen\treborn. Or\trather,\tregrown. Overnight,\tdesert\thardwoods\thad\tsprouted\tand\tgrown\tat\tincredible\tspeed, forming\tthe\tbeams\tand\tfloors\tof\ta\tmultilevel\tstilt\thouse\tmuch\tlike\tthe\told\tone. Heavy\tvines\thad\temerged\tfrom\tthe\tstone\truins,\tweaving\ttogether\tthe\twalls\tand ceilings,\tleaving\troom\tfor\twindows\tand\tskylights\tshaded\tby\tawnings\tmade\tof wisteria. The\tbiggest\tdifference\tin\tthe\tnew\thouse:\tthe\tgreat\troom\thad\tbeen\tbuilt\tin\ta horseshoe\tshape\taround\tthe\tCistern,\tleaving\tthe\tash\tgrove\topen\tto\tthe\tsky. \u2018We\thope\tyou\tlike\tit,\u2019\tsaid\tAloe\tVera,\ttaking\tus\ton\ta\ttour.\t\u2018We\tall\tgot\ttogether and\tdecided\tit\twas\tthe\tleast\twe\tcould\tdo.\u2019 The\tinterior\twas\tcool\tand\tcomfortable,\twith\tfountains\tand\trunning\twater\tin every\troom\tprovided\tby\tliving\troot\tpipes\tfrom\tsubterranean\tsprings.\tBlooming cacti\tand\tJoshua\ttrees\tdecorated\tthe\tspaces.\tMassive\tbranches\thad\tshaped themselves\tinto\tfurniture.\tEven\tDr\tMcCaffrey\u2019s\told\twork\tdesk\thad\tbeen\tlovingly recreated. Meg\tsniffled,\tblinking\tfuriously. \u2018Oh,\tdear,\u2019\tsaid\tAloe\tVera.\t\u2018I\thope\tyou\u2019re\tnot\tallergic\tto\tthe\thouse!\u2019 \u2018No,\tthis\tplace\tis\tamazing.\u2019\tMeg\tthrew\therself\tinto\tAloe\u2019s\tarms,\tignoring\tthe dryad\u2019s\tmany\tpointy\tbits. \u2018Wow,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t(Meg\u2019s\tpoetry\tmust\thave\tbeen\trubbing\toff\ton\tme.)\t\u2018How\tmany nature\tspirits\tdid\tit\ttake\tto\taccomplish\tthis?\u2019","Aloe\tshrugged\tmodestly.\t\u2018Every\tdryad\tin\tthe\tMojave\tDesert\twanted\tto\thelp. You\tsaved\tus\tall!\tAnd\tyou\trestored\tthe\tMeliai.\u2019\tShe\tgave\tMeg\ta\tgooey\tkiss\ton the\tcheek.\t\u2018Your\tfather\twould\tbe\tso\tproud.\tYou\thave\tcompleted\this\twork.\u2019 Meg\tblinked\tback\ttears.\t\u2018I\tjust\twish\t\u2026\u2019 She\tdidn\u2019t\tneed\tto\tfinish.\tWe\tall\tknew\thow\tmany\tlives\thad\tnot\tbeen\tsaved. \u2018Will\tyou\tstay?\u2019\tAloe\tasked.\t\u2018Aeithales\tis\tyour\thome.\u2019 Meg\tgazed\tacross\tthe\tdesert\tvista.\tI\twas\tterrified\tshe\twould\tsay\tyes.\tHer\tfinal command\tto\tme\twould\tbe\tto\tcontinue\tmy\tquests\tby\tmyself,\tand\tthis\ttime\tshe would\tmean\tit.\tWhy\tshouldn\u2019t\tshe?\tShe\thad\tfound\ther\thome.\tShe\thad\tfriends here,\tincluding\tseven\tvery\tpowerful\tdryads\twho\twould\thail\ther\tand\tbring\ther enchiladas\tevery\tmorning.\tShe\tcould\tbecome\tthe\tprotector\tof\tSouthern California,\tfar\tfrom\tNero\u2019s\tgrasp.\tShe\tmight\tfind\tpeace. The\tidea\tof\tbeing\tfree\tfrom\tMeg\twould\thave\tdelighted\tme\tjust\ta\tfew\tweeks ago,\tbut\tnow\tI\tfound\tthe\tidea\tinsupportable.\tYes,\tI\twanted\ther\tto\tbe\thappy.\tBut\tI knew\tshe\thad\tmany\tthings\tyet\tto\tdo\t\u2013\tfirst\tamong\tthem\twas\tfacing\tNero\tonce again,\tclosing\tthat\thorrible\tchapter\tof\ther\tlife\tby\tconfronting\tand\tconquering\tthe Beast. Oh,\tand\talso\tI\tneeded\tMeg\u2019s\thelp.\tCall\tme\tselfish,\tbut\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\timagine going\ton\twithout\ther. Meg\tsqueezed\tAloe\u2019s\thand.\t\u2018Maybe\tsomeday.\tI\thope\tso.\tBut\tright\tnow\t\u2026\twe got\tplaces\tto\tbe.\u2019 Grover\thad\tgenerously\tleft\tus\tthe\tMercedes\the\u2019d\tborrowed\tfrom\t\u2026\twherever. After\tsaying\tour\tgoodbyes\tto\tHerophile\tand\tthe\tdryads,\twho\twere\tdiscussing plans\tto\tcreate\ta\tgiant\tScrabble-board\tfloor\tin\tone\tof\tthe\tback\tbedrooms\tat Aeithales,\twe\tdrove\tto\tSanta\tMonica\tto\tfind\tthe\taddress\tPiper\thad\tgiven\tme.\tI kept\tlooking\tin\tthe\trear-view\tmirror,\twondering\tif\tthe\thighway\tpatrol\twould\tpull us\tover\tfor\tcar\ttheft.\tThat\twould\u2019ve\tbeen\tthe\tperfect\tend\tto\tmy\tweek. It\ttook\tus\ta\twhile\tto\tfind\tthe\tright\taddress:\ta\tsmall\tprivate\tairfield\tnear\tthe Santa\tMonica\twaterfront. A\tsecurity\tguard\tlet\tus\tthrough\tthe\tgates\twith\tno\tquestions,\tas\tif\the\u2019d\tbeen expecting\ttwo\tteenagers\tin\ta\tpossibly\tstolen\tred\tMercedes.\tWe\tdrove\tstraight onto\tthe\ttarmac. A\tgleaming\twhite\tCessna\twas\tparked\tnear\tthe\tterminal,\tright\tnext\tto\tCoach Hedge\u2019s\tyellow\tPinto.\tI\tshuddered,\twondering\tif\twe\twere\ttrapped\tin\tan\tepisode of\tThe\tOracle\tIs\tRight!\tFirst\tprize:\tthe\tCessna.\tSecond\tprize\t\u2026\tNo,\tI\tcouldn\u2019t face\tthe\tidea. Coach\tHedge\twas\tchanging\tBaby\tChuck\u2019s\tdiaper\ton\tthe\thood\tof\tthe\tPinto, keeping\tChuck\tdistracted\tby\tletting\thim\tgnaw\ton\ta\tgrenade.\t(Which\twas","probably\tjust\tan\tempty\tcasing.\tProbably.)\tMellie\tstood\tnext\tto\thim,\tsupervising. When\tshe\tsaw\tus,\tshe\twaved\tand\tgave\tus\ta\tsad\tsmile,\tbut\tshe\tpointed\ttowards the\tplane,\twhere\tPiper\tstood\tat\tthe\tbase\tof\tthe\tsteps,\ttalking\tto\tthe\tpilot. In\ther\thands,\tPiper\theld\tsomething\tlarge\tand\tflat\t\u2013\ta\tdisplay\tboard.\tShe\thad\ta couple\tof\tbooks\tunder\ther\tarm,\ttoo.\tTo\ther\tright,\tnear\tthe\ttail\tof\tthe\taircraft,\tthe luggage\tcompartment\tstood\topen.\tGround-crew\tmembers\twere\tcarefully strapping\tdown\ta\tlarge\twooden\tbox\twith\tbrass\tfixtures.\tA\tcoffin. As\tMeg\tand\tI\twalked\tup,\tthe\tcaptain\tshook\tPiper\u2019s\thand.\tHis\tface\twas\ttight with\tsympathy.\t\u2018Everything\tis\tin\torder,\tMs\tMcLean.\tI\u2019ll\tbe\ton\tboard\tdoing preflight\tchecks\tuntil\tour\tpassengers\tare\tready.\u2019 He\tgave\tus\ta\tquick\tnod,\tthen\tclimbed\tinto\tthe\tCessna. Piper\twas\tdressed\tin\tfaded\tdenim\tjeans\tand\ta\tgreen\tcamo\ttank\ttop.\tShe\u2019d\tcut her\thair\tin\ta\tshorter,\tchoppier\tstyle\t\u2013\tprobably\tbecause\tso\tmuch\thad\tbeen\tsinged off\tanyway\t\u2013\twhich\tgave\ther\tan\teerie\tresemblance\tto\tThalia\tGrace.\tHer multicoloured\teyes\tpicked\tup\tthe\tgrey\tof\tthe\ttarmac,\tso\tshe\tmight\thave\tbeen mistaken\tfor\ta\tchild\tof\tAthena. The\tdisplay\tboard\tshe\theld\twas,\tof\tcourse,\tJason\u2019s\tdiorama\tof\tTemple\tHill\tat Camp\tJupiter.\tTucked\tunder\ther\tarm\twere\tJason\u2019s\ttwo\tsketchbooks. A\tball\tbearing\tlodged\titself\tin\tmy\tthroat.\t\u2018Ah.\u2019 \u2018Yeah,\u2019\tshe\tsaid.\t\u2018The\tschool\tlet\tme\tclear\tout\this\tstuff.\u2019 I\ttook\tthe\tmap\tas\tone\tmight\ttake\tthe\tfolded\tflag\tof\ta\tfallen\tsoldier.\tMeg\tslid the\tsketchbooks\tinto\ther\tknapsack. \u2018You\u2019re\toff\tto\tOklahoma?\u2019\tI\tasked,\tpointing\tmy\tchin\ttowards\tthe\tplane. Piper\tlaughed.\t\u2018Well,\tyes.\tBut\twe\u2019re\tdriving.\tMy\tdad\trented\tan\tSUV.\tHe\u2019s waiting\tfor\tthe\tHedges\tand\tme\tat\tDK\u2019s\tDonuts.\u2019\tShe\tsmiled\tsadly.\t\u2018First\tplace\the ever\ttook\tme\tto\tbreakfast\twhen\twe\tmoved\tout\there.\u2019 \u2018Driving?\u2019\tMeg\tasked.\t\u2018But\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018The\tplane\tis\tfor\tyou\ttwo,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid.\t\u2018And\t\u2026\tJason.\tLike\tI\tsaid,\tmy\tdad\thad enough\tflight\ttime\tand\tfuel\tcredit\tfor\tone\tlast\ttrip.\tI\ttalked\tto\thim\tabout\tsending Jason\thome;\tI\tmean\t\u2026\tthe\thome\the\thad\tthe\tlongest,\tin\tthe\tBay\tArea,\tand\thow you\tguys\tcould\tescort\thim\tup\tthere\t\u2026\tDad\tagreed\tthis\twas\ta\tmuch\tbetter\tuse\tof the\tplane.\tWe\u2019re\thappy\tto\tdrive.\u2019 I\tlooked\tat\tthe\tdiorama\tof\tTemple\tHill\t\u2013\tall\tthe\tlittle\tMonopoly\ttokens carefully\tlabelled\tin\tJason\u2019s\thand.\tI\tread\tthe\tlabel:\tAPOLLO.\tI\tcould\thear\tJason\u2019s voice\tin\tmy\tmind,\tsaying\tmy\tname,\tasking\tme\tfor\tone\tfavour:\tWhatever happens,\twhen\tyou\tget\tback\tto\tOlympus,\twhen\tyou\u2019re\ta\tgod\tagain,\tremember. Remember\twhat\tit\u2019s\tlike\tto\tbe\thuman. This,\tI\tthought,\twas\tbeing\thuman.\tStanding\ton\tthe\ttarmac,\twatching\tmortals load\tthe\tbody\tof\ta\tfriend\tand\thero\tinto\tthe\tcargo\thold,\tknowing\tthat\the\twould","never\tbe\tcoming\tback.\tSaying\tgoodbye\tto\ta\tgrieving\tyoung\twoman\twho\thad done\teverything\tto\thelp\tus,\tand\tknowing\tyou\tcould\tnever\trepay\ther,\tnever compensate\ther\tfor\tall\tthat\tshe\u2019d\tlost. \u2018Piper,\tI\t\u2026\u2019\tMy\tvoice\tseized\tup\tlike\tthe\tSibyl\u2019s. \u2018It\u2019s\tfine,\u2019\tshe\tsaid.\t\u2018Just\tget\tto\tCamp\tJupiter\tsafely.\tLet\tthem\tgive\tJason\tthe Roman\tburial\the\tdeserves.\tStop\tCaligula.\u2019 Her\twords\tweren\u2019t\tbitter,\tas\tI\tmight\thave\texpected.\tThey\twere\tsimply\tarid, like\tPalm\tSprings\tair\t\u2013\tno\tjudgement,\tjust\tnatural\theat. Meg\tglanced\tat\tthe\tcoffin\tin\tthe\tcargo\thold.\tShe\tlooked\tuneasy\tabout\tflying with\ta\tdead\tcompanion.\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tblame\ther.\tI\u2019d\tnever\tinvited\tHades\tto\tgo\tsun cruising\twith\tme\tfor\tgood\treason.\tMixing\tthe\tUnderworld\tand\tthe\tOverworld was\tbad\tluck. Regardless,\tMeg\tmuttered,\t\u2018Thank\tyou.\u2019 Piper\tpulled\tthe\tyounger\tgirl\tinto\ta\thug\tand\tkissed\ther\tforehead.\t\u2018Don\u2019t mention\tit.\tAnd,\tif\tyou\u2019re\tever\tin\tTahlequah,\tcome\tand\tvisit\tme,\tokay?\u2019 I\tthought\tabout\tthe\tmillions\tof\tyoung\tpeople\twho\tprayed\tto\tme\tevery\tyear, hoping\tto\tleave\ttheir\tsmall\thometowns\tacross\tthe\tworld\tand\tcome\there\tto\tLos Angeles,\tto\tmake\ttheir\thuge\tdreams\tcome\ttrue.\tNow\tPiper\tMcLean\twas\tgoing the\tother\tway\t\u2013\tleaving\tthe\tglamour\tand\tthe\tmovie\tglitz\tof\ther\tfather\u2019s\tformer life,\tgoing\tback\tto\tsmall-town\tTahlequah,\tOklahoma.\tAnd\tshe\tsounded\tat\tpeace with\tit,\tas\tif\tshe\tknew\ther\town\tAeithales\twould\tbe\twaiting\tthere. Mellie\tand\tCoach\tHedge\tstrolled\tover,\tBaby\tChuck\tstill\thappily\tchewing\this grenade\tin\tthe\tcoach\u2019s\tarms. \u2018Hey,\u2019\tCoach\tsaid.\t\u2018You\tabout\tready,\tPiper?\tLong\troad\tahead.\u2019 The\tsatyr\u2019s\texpression\twas\tgrim\tand\tdetermined.\tHe\tlooked\tat\tthe\tcoffin\tin the\tcargo\tbay,\tthen\tquickly\tfixed\this\teyes\ton\tthe\ttarmac. \u2018Just\tabout,\u2019\tPiper\tagreed.\t\u2018You\tsure\tthe\tPinto\tis\tup\tfor\tsuch\ta\tlong\ttrip?\u2019 \u2018Of\tcourse!\u2019\tHedge\tsaid.\t\u2018Just,\tuh,\tyou\tknow,\tkeep\tin\tsight,\tin\tcase\tthe\tSUV breaks\tdown\tand\tyou\tneed\tmy\thelp.\u2019 Mellie\trolled\ther\teyes.\t\u2018Chuck\tand\tI\tare\triding\tin\tthe\tSUV.\u2019 The\tcoach\tharrumphed.\t\u2018That\u2019s\tfine.\tIt\u2019ll\tgive\tme\ttime\tto\tplay\tmy\ttunes.\tI\u2019ve got\tBon\tJovi\u2019s\tentire\tcollection\ton\tcassette!\u2019 I\ttried\tto\tsmile\tencouragingly,\tthough\tI\tdecided\tto\tgive\tHades\ta\tnew suggestion\tfor\tthe\tFields\tof\tPunishment\tif\tI\tever\tsaw\thim\tagain:\tPinto.\tRoad trip.\tBon\tJovi\ton\tcassette. Meg\tbopped\tBaby\tChuck\ton\tthe\tnose,\twhich\tmade\thim\tgiggle\tand\tspit grenade\tshavings.\t\u2018What\tare\tyou\tguys\tgoing\tto\tdo\tin\tOklahoma?\u2019\tshe\tasked. \u2018Coach,\tof\tcourse!\u2019\tsaid\tthe\tcoach.\t\u2018They\u2019ve\tgot\tsome\tgreat\tvarsity\tsports teams\tin\tOklahoma.\tPlus,\tI\thear\tnature\tis\tpretty\tstrong\tthere.\tNice\tplace\tto\traise","a\tkid.\u2019 \u2018And\tthere\u2019s\talways\twork\tfor\tcloud\tnymphs,\u2019\tMellie\tsaid.\t\u2018Everybody\tneeds clouds.\u2019 Meg\tstared\tinto\tthe\tsky,\tmaybe\twondering\thow\tmany\tof\tthose\tclouds\twere nymphs\tmaking\tminimum\twage.\tThen,\tsuddenly,\ther\tmouth\tfell\topen.\t\u2018Uh, guys?\u2019 She\tpointed\tnorth. A\tgleaming\tshape\tresolved\tagainst\ta\tline\tof\twhite\tclouds.\tFor\ta\tmoment,\tI thought\ta\tsmall\tplane\twas\tmaking\tits\tfinal\tapproach.\tThen\tits\twings\tflapped. The\tground\tcrew\tscrambled\tinto\taction\tas\tFestus\tthe\tbronze\tdragon\tcame\tin for\ta\tlanding,\tLeo\tValdez\triding\ton\this\tback. The\tcrew\twaved\ttheir\torange\tflashlight\tcones,\tguiding\tFestus\tto\ta\tspot\tnext\tto the\tCessna.\tNone\tof\tthe\tmortals\tseemed\tto\tfind\tthis\tat\tall\tunusual.\tOne\tof\tthe crew\tshouted\tup\tat\tLeo,\tasking\tif\the\tneeded\tany\tfuel. Leo\tgrinned.\t\u2018Nah.\tBut\tif\tyou\tcould\tgive\tmy\tboy\ta\twash\tand\twax,\tand\tmaybe find\thim\tsome\tTabasco\tsauce,\tthat\twould\tbe\tgreat.\u2019 Festus\troared\tin\tapproval. Leo\tValdez\tclimbed\tdown\tand\tjogged\ttowards\tus.\tWhatever\tadventures\the may\thave\thad,\the\tseemed\tto\thave\tcome\tthrough\twith\this\tcurly\tblack\thair,\this impish\tsmile\tand\this\tsmall,\telfish\tframe\tintact.\tHe\twore\ta\tpurple\tT-shirt\twith gold\twords\tin\tLatin:\tMY\tCOHORT\tWENT\tTO\tNEW\tROME\tAND\tALL\tI\tGOT\tWAS\tTHIS\tLOUSY T-SHIRT. \u2018The\tparty\tcan\tnow\tstart!\u2019\the\tannounced.\t\u2018There\u2019s\tmy\tpeeps!\u2019 I\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\twhat\tto\tsay.\tWe\tall\tjust\tstood\tthere,\tstunned,\tas\tLeo\tgave\tus hugs. \u2018Man,\twhat\u2019s\tup\twith\tyou\tguys?\u2019\the\tasked.\t\u2018Somebody\thit\tyou\twith\ta\tflash grenade?\tSo,\tI\tgot\tgood\tnews\tand\tbad\tnews\tfrom\tNew\tRome,\tbut\tfirst\t\u2026\u2019\tHe scanned\tour\tfaces.\tHis\texpression\tbegan\tto\tcrumble.\t\u2018Where\u2019s\tJason?\u2019","47 In-flight\tbeverages\t Include\tthe\ttears\tof\ta\tgod\t Please\thave\texact\tchange Piper\tbroke\tdown.\tShe\tfell\tagainst\tLeo\tand\tsobbed\tout\tthe\tstory\tuntil\the, thunderstruck,\tred-eyed,\thugged\ther\tback\tand\tburied\this\tface\tin\ther\tneck. The\tground\tcrew\tgave\tus\tspace.\tThe\tHedges\tretreated\tto\tthe\tPinto,\twhere\tthe coach\tclasped\tMellie\tand\ttheir\tbaby\ttight,\tthe\tway\tone\tshould\talways\tdo\twith family,\tknowing\tthat\ttragedy\tcould\tstrike\tanyone,\tanytime. Meg\tand\tI\tstood\tby,\tJason\u2019s\tdiorama\tstill\tfluttering\tin\tmy\tarms. Next\tto\tthe\tCessna,\tFestus\traised\this\thead,\tmade\ta\tlow,\tkeening\tsound,\tthen blasted\tfire\tinto\tthe\tsky.\tThe\tground\tcrew\tlooked\ta\tlittle\tnervous\tabout\tthat\tas they\thosed\tdown\this\twings.\tI\tsupposed\tprivate\tjets\tdidn\u2019t\toften\tkeen\tor\tspew\tfire from\ttheir\tnostrils,\tor\t\u2026\thave\tnostrils. The\tair\taround\tus\tseemed\tto\tcrystallize,\tforming\tbrittle\tshards\tof\temotion\tthat would\tcut\tus\tno\tmatter\twhich\tway\twe\tturned. Leo\tlooked\tlike\the\u2019d\tbeen\tstruck\trepeatedly.\t(And\tI\tknew.\tI\thad\tseen\thim struck\trepeatedly.)\tHe\tbrushed\tthe\ttears\tfrom\this\tface.\tHe\tstared\tat\tthe\tcargo hold,\tthen\tat\tthe\tdiorama\tin\tmy\thands. \u2018I\tdidn\u2019t\t\u2026\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\teven\tsay\tgoodbye,\u2019\the\tmurmured. Piper\tshook\ther\thead.\t\u2018Me\tneither.\tIt\thappened\tso\tfast.\tHe\tjust\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018He\tdid\twhat\tJason\talways\tdid,\u2019\tLeo\tsaid.\t\u2018He\tsaved\tthe\tday.\u2019 Piper\ttook\ta\tshaky\tbreath.\t\u2018What\tabout\tyou?\tYour\tnews?\u2019 \u2018My\tnews?\u2019\tLeo\tchoked\tback\ta\tsob.\t\u2018After\tthat,\twho\tcares\tabout\tmy\tnews?\u2019 \u2018Hey.\u2019\tPiper\tpunched\this\tarm.\t\u2018Apollo\ttold\tme\twhat\tyou\twere\tup\tto.\tWhat happened\tat\tCamp\tJupiter?\u2019","Leo\ttapped\this\tfingers\ton\this\tthighs,\tas\tif\tcarrying\ton\ttwo\tsimultaneous conversations\tin\tMorse\tcode.\t\u2018We\t\u2013\twe\tstopped\tthis\tattack.\tSort\tof.\tThere\twas\ta lot\tof\tdamage.\tThat\u2019s\tthe\tbad\tnews.\tA\tlot\tof\tgood\tpeople\t\u2026\u2019\tHe\tglanced\tagain\tat the\tcargo\thold.\t\u2018Well,\tFrank\tis\tokay.\tReyna,\tHazel.\tThat\u2019s\tthe\tgood\tnews\t\u2026\u2019\tHe shivered.\t\u2018Gods.\tI\tcan\u2019t\teven\tthink\tright\tnow.\tIs\tthat\tnormal?\tLike,\tjust forgetting\thow\tto\tthink?\u2019 I\tcould\tassure\thim\tthat\tit\twas,\tat\tleast\tin\tmy\texperience. The\tcaptain\tcame\tdown\tthe\tsteps\tof\tthe\tplane.\t\u2018Sorry,\tMiss\tMcLean,\tbut\twe are\tqueued\tfor\tdeparture.\tIf\twe\tdon\u2019t\twant\tto\tlose\tour\twindow\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018Yeah,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid.\t\u2018Of\tcourse.\tApollo\tand\tMeg,\tyou\tguys\tgo.\tI\u2019ll\tbe\tfine\twith the\tcoach\tand\tMellie.\tLeo\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018Oh,\tyou\u2019re\tnot\tgetting\trid\tof\tme,\u2019\tsaid\tLeo.\t\u2018You\tjust\tearned\ta\tbronze\tdragon escort\tto\tOklahoma.\u2019 \u2018Leo\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018We\u2019re\tnot\targuing\tabout\tthis,\u2019\the\tinsisted.\t\u2018Besides,\tit\u2019s\tmore\tor\tless\ton\tthe way\tback\tto\tIndianapolis.\u2019 Piper\u2019s\tsmile\twas\tas\tfaint\tas\tfog.\t\u2018You\u2019re\tsettling\tin\tIndianapolis.\tMe,\tin Tahlequah.\tWe\u2019re\treally\tgoing\tplaces,\thuh?\u2019 Leo\tturned\tto\tus.\t\u2018Go\ton,\tyou\tguys.\tTake\t\u2026\ttake\tJason\thome.\tDo\tright\tby him.\tYou\u2019ll\tfind\tCamp\tJupiter\tstill\tthere.\u2019 From\tthe\twindow\tof\tthe\tplane,\tthe\tlast\tI\tsaw\tof\tPiper\tand\tLeo,\tCoach\tand Mellie,\tthey\twere\thuddled\ton\tthe\ttarmac,\tplotting\ttheir\tjourney\teast\twith\ttheir bronze\tdragon\tand\ttheir\tyellow\tPinto. Meanwhile,\twe\ttaxied\tdown\tthe\trunway\tin\tour\tprivate\tjet.\tWe\trumbled\tinto the\tsky\t\u2013\theading\tfor\tCamp\tJupiter\tand\ta\trendezvous\twith\tReyna,\tthe\tdaughter of\tBellona. I\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\thow\tI\twould\tfind\tTarquin\u2019s\ttomb,\tor\twho\tthe\tsoundless\tgod\twas supposed\tto\tbe.\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\thow\twe\twould\tstop\tCaligula\tfrom\tattacking\tthe damaged\tRoman\tcamp.\tBut\tnone\tof\tthat\tbothered\tme\tas\tmuch\tas\twhat\thad happened\tto\tus\talready\t\u2013\tso\tmany\tlives\tdestroyed,\ta\thero\u2019s\tcoffin\trattling\tin\tthe cargo\thold,\tthree\temperors\twho\twere\tall\tstill\talive,\tready\tto\twreak\tmore\thavoc on\teveryone\tand\teverything\tI\tcared\tabout. I\tfound\tmyself\tcrying. It\twas\tridiculous.\tGods\tdon\u2019t\tcry.\tBut,\tas\tI\tlooked\tat\tJason\u2019s\tdiorama\tin\tthe seat\tnext\tto\tme,\tall\tI\tcould\tthink\tabout\twas\tthat\the\twould\tnever\tget\tto\tsee\this carefully\tlabelled\tplans\tfinished.\tAs\tI\theld\tmy\tukulele,\tI\tcould\tonly\tpicture\tCrest playing\this\tlast\tchord\twith\tbroken\tfingers. \u2018Hey.\u2019\tMeg\tturned\tin\tthe\tseat\tin\tfront\tof\tme.\tDespite\ther\tusual\tcat-eye\tglasses and\tpreschool-coloured\toutfit\t(somehow\tmended,\tyet\tagain,\tby\tthe\tmagic\tof\tthe","ever-patient\tdryads),\tMeg\tsounded\tmore\tgrown-up\ttoday.\tSurer\tof\therself. \u2018We\u2019re\tgoing\tto\tmake\teverything\tright.\u2019 I\tshook\tmy\thead\tmiserably.\t\u2018What\tdoes\tthat\teven\tmean?\tCaligula\tis\theading north.\tNero\tis\tstill\tout\tthere.\tWe\u2019ve\tfaced\tthree\temperors,\tand\tdefeated\tnone\tof them.\tAnd\tPython\t\u2013\u2019 She\tbopped\tme\ton\tthe\tnose,\tmuch\tharder\tthan\tshe\thad\tBaby\tChuck. \u2018Ow!\u2019 \u2018Got\tyour\tattention?\u2019 \u2018I\t\u2013\tYes.\u2019 \u2018Then\tlisten:\tYou\twill\tget\tto\tthe\tTiber\talive.\tYou\twill\tstart\tto\tjive.\tThat\u2019s\twhat the\tprophecy\tsaid\tback\tin\tIndiana,\tright?\tIt\twill\tmake\tsense\tonce\twe\tget\tthere. You\u2019re\tgoing\tto\tbeat\tthe\tTriumvirate.\u2019 I\tblinked.\t\u2018Is\tthat\tan\torder?\u2019 \u2018It\u2019s\ta\tpromise.\u2019 I\twished\tshe\thadn\u2019t\tput\tit\tthat\tway.\tI\tcould\talmost\thear\tthe\tgoddess\tStyx laughing,\ther\tvoice\techoing\tfrom\tthe\tcold\tcargo\thold\twhere\tthe\tson\tof\tJupiter now\trested\tin\this\tcoffin. The\tthought\tmade\tme\tangry.\tMeg\twas\tright.\tI\twould\tdefeat\tthe\temperors.\tI would\tfree\tDelphi\tfrom\tPython\u2019s\tgrasp.\tI\twould\tnot\tallow\tthose\twho\thad sacrificed\tthemselves\tto\tdo\tso\tfor\tnothing. Perhaps\tthis\tquest\thad\tended\ton\ta\tsuspended\tfourth\tchord.\tWe\tstill\thad\tmuch to\tdo. But\tfrom\tnow\ton\tI\twould\tbe\tmore\tthan\tLester.\tI\twould\tbe\tmore\tthan\tan observer. I\twould\tbe\tApollo. I\twould\tremember.","Guide\tto\tApollo-Speak aeithales\tAncient\tGreek\tfor\tevergreen Aeneas\ta\tprince\tof\tTroy\tand\treputed\tancestor\tof\tthe\tRomans;\tthe\thero\tof\tVirgil\u2019s epic\tthe\tAeneid Alexander\tthe\tGreat\ta\tking\tof\tthe\tAncient\tGreek\tkingdom\tof\tMacedon\tfrom 336\tto\t323\tBCE;\the\tunited\tthe\tGreek\tcity-states\tand\tconquered\tPersia ambrosia\tthe\tfood\tof\tthe\tgods;\tit\tgives\timmortality\tto\twhoever\tconsumes\tit; demigods\tcan\teat\tit\tin\tsmall\tdoses\tto\theal\ttheir\tinjuries Aphrodite\tGreek\tgoddess\tof\tlove\tand\tbeauty;\tRoman\tform:\tVenus arbutus\tany\tshrub\tor\ttree\tin\tthe\theath\tfamily\twith\twhite\tor\tpink\tflowers\tand\tred or\torange\tberries Ares\tthe\tGreek\tgod\tof\twar;\tthe\tson\tof\tZeus\tand\tHera,\tand\thalf\tbrother\tto Athena;\tRoman\tform:\tMars Argo\tII\ta\tflying\ttrireme\tbuilt\tby\tthe\tHephaestus\tcabin\tat\tCamp\tHalf-Blood\tto take\tthe\tdemigods\tof\tthe\tProphecy\tof\tSeven\tto\tGreece Artemis\tthe\tGreek\tgoddess\tof\tthe\thunt\tand\tthe\tmoon;\tthe\tdaughter\tof\tZeus\tand Leto,\tand\tthe\ttwin\tof\tApollo Asclepius\tthe\tgod\tof\tmedicine;\tson\tof\tApollo;\this\ttemple\twas\tthe\thealing\tcentre of\tAncient\tGreece Athena\tthe\tGreek\tgoddess\tof\twisdom Bellona\ta\tRoman\tgoddess\tof\twar;\tdaughter\tof\tJupiter\tand\tJuno blemmyae\ta\ttribe\tof\theadless\tpeople\twith\tfaces\tin\ttheir\tchests Britomartis\tthe\tGreek\tgoddess\tof\thunting\tand\tfishing\tnets;\ther\tsacred\tanimal\tis the\tgriffin cabrito\troasted\tor\tstewed\tkid\tgoat\tmeat caligae\t(caliga,\tsing.)\tRoman\tmilitary\tboots Caligula\tthe\tnickname\tof\tthe\tthird\tof\tRome\u2019s\temperors,\tGaius\tJulius\tCaesar Augustus\tGermanicus,\tinfamous\tfor\this\tcruelty\tand\tcarnage\tduring\tthe\tfour years\the\truled,\tfrom\t37\tto\t41\tCE;\the\twas\tassassinated\tby\this\town\tguard Camp\tHalf-Blood\tthe\ttraining\tground\tfor\tGreek\tdemigods,\tlocated\tin\tLong Island,\tNew\tYork","Camp\tJupiter\tthe\ttraining\tground\tfor\tRoman\tdemigods,\tlocated\tin\tCalifornia, between\tthe\tOakland\tHills\tand\tthe\tBerkeley\tHills Cave\tof\tTrophonius\ta\tdeep\tchasm,\thome\tto\tthe\tOracle\tTrophonius Celestial\tbronze\ta\tpowerful\tmagical\tmetal\tused\tto\tcreate\tweapons\twielded\tby Greek\tgods\tand\ttheir\tdemigod\tchildren Chicago\tBlack\tSox\teight\tmembers\tof\tthe\tChicago\tWhite\tSox,\ta\tMajor\tLeague Baseball\tteam,\taccused\tof\tintentionally\tlosing\tthe\t1919\tWorld\tSeries\tagainst the\tCincinnati\tReds\tin\texchange\tfor\tmoney Claudius\tRoman\temperor\tfrom\t41\tto\t54\tCE,\tsucceeding\tCaligula,\this\tnephew Commodus\tLucius\tAurelius\tCommodus\twas\tthe\tson\tof\tRoman\tEmperor Marcus\tAurelius;\the\tbecame\tco-emperor\twhen\the\twas\tsixteen\tand\temperor\tat eighteen,\twhen\this\tfather\tdied;\the\truled\tfrom\t177\tto\t192\tCE\tand\twas megalomaniacal\tand\tcorrupt;\the\tconsidered\thimself\tthe\tNew\tHercules\tand enjoyed\tkilling\tanimals\tand\tfighting\tgladiators\tat\tthe\tColosseum Cyclops\t(Cyclopes,\tpl.)\ta\tmember\tof\ta\tprimordial\trace\tof\tgiants,\teach\twith\ta single\teye\tin\tthe\tmiddle\tof\this\tor\ther\tforehead Daedalus\ta\tskilled\tcraftsman\twho\tcreated\tthe\tLabyrinth\ton\tCrete\tin\twhich\tthe Minotaur\t(part\tman,\tpart\tbull)\twas\tkept Daphne\ta\tbeautiful\tnaiad\twho\tattracted\tApollo\u2019s\tattention;\tshe\ttransformed\tinto a\tlaurel\ttree\tin\torder\tto\tescape\thim Delos\ta\tGreek\tisland\tin\tthe\tAegean\tSea\tnear\tMykonos;\tbirthplace\tof\tApollo Demeter\tthe\tGreek\tgoddess\tof\tagriculture;\ta\tdaughter\tof\tthe\tTitans\tRhea\tand Kronos denarius\t(denarii,\tpl.)\ta\tunit\tof\tRoman\tcurrency Dionysus\tGreek\tgod\tof\twine\tand\trevelry;\tthe\tson\tof\tZeus Doors\tof\tDeath\tthe\tdoorway\tto\tthe\tHouse\tof\tHades,\tlocated\tin\tTartarus;\tthe doors\thave\ttwo\tsides\t\u2013\tone\tin\tthe\tmortal\tworld,\tand\tone\tin\tthe\tUnderworld dryad\ta\tspirit\t(usually\tfemale)\tassociated\twith\ta\tcertain\ttree Edesia\tRoman\tgoddess\tof\tbanquets Edsel\ta\tcar\tproduced\tby\tFord\tfrom\t1958\tto\t1960;\tit\twas\ta\tbig\tflop Elysium\tthe\tparadise\tto\twhich\tGreek\theroes\twere\tsent\twhen\tthe\tgods\tgave\tthem immortality empousa\ta\twinged\tbloodsucking\tmonster,\tdaughter\tof\tthe\tgoddess\tHecate Enceladus\ta\tgiant,\tson\tof\tGaia\tand\tOuranos,\twho\twas\tthe\tprimary\tadversary\tof the\tgoddess\tAthena\tduring\tthe\tWar\tof\tthe\tGiants Erymanthian\tBoar\ta\tgiant\twild\tboar\tthat\tterrorized\tpeople\ton\tthe\tisland\tof Erymanthos\tuntil\tHercules\tsubdued\tit\tin\tthe\tthird\tof\this\ttwelve\tlabours Erythraean\tSibyl\ta\tprophetess\twho\tpresided\tover\tApollo\u2019s\tOracle\tat\tErythrae in\tIonia","Euterpe\tGreek\tgoddess\tof\tlyric\tpoetry;\tone\tof\tthe\tNine\tMuses;\tdaughter\tof\tZeus and\tMnemosyne Feronia\tthe\tRoman\tgoddess\tof\twildlife,\talso\tassociated\twith\tfertility,\thealth\tand abundance Furies\tgoddesses\tof\tvengeance Gaia\tthe\tGreek\tearth\tgoddess;\twife\tof\tOuranos;\tmother\tof\tthe\tTitans,\tgiants, Cyclopes\tand\tother\tmonsters Germanicus\tadoptee\tof\tthe\tRoman\temperor\tTiberius;\tbecame\ta\tprominent general\tof\tthe\tRoman\tempire,\tknown\tfor\this\tsuccessful\tcampaigns\tin Germania;\tfather\tof\tCaligula gladius\ta\tstabbing\tsword;\tthe\tprimary\tweapon\tof\tRoman\tfoot\tsoldiers Golden\tFleece\tthe\tmuch-coveted\tfleece\tof\tthe\tgold-haired\twinged\tram,\twhich was\theld\tin\tColchis\tby\tKing\tAe\u00ebtes\tand\tguarded\tby\ta\tdragon\tuntil\tJason\tand the\tArgonauts\tretrieved\tit Hades\tthe\tGreek\tgod\tof\tdeath\tand\triches;\truler\tof\tthe\tUnderworld Hadrian\tthe\tfourteenth\temperor\tof\tRome;\truled\tfrom\t117\tto\t138\tCE;\tknown\tfor building\ta\twall\tthat\tmarked\tthe\tnorthern\tlimit\tof\tBritannia harpy\ta\twinged\tfemale\tcreature\tthat\tsnatches\tthings Hecate\tgoddess\tof\tmagic\tand\tcrossroads Hecuba\tqueen\tof\tTroy,\twife\tof\tKing\tPriam,\truler\tduring\tthe\tTrojan\tWar Helen\tof\tTroy\ta\tdaughter\tof\tZeus\tand\tLeda\tand\tconsidered\tthe\tmost\tbeautiful woman\tin\tthe\tworld;\tshe\tsparked\tthe\tTrojan\tWar\twhen\tshe\tleft\ther\thusband Menelaus\tfor\tParis,\ta\tprince\tof\tTroy Helios\tthe\tTitan\tgod\tof\tthe\tsun;\tson\tof\tthe\tTitan\tHyperion\tand\tthe\tTitaness\tTheia Hephaestus\tthe\tGreek\tgod\tof\tfire,\tincluding\tvolcanic,\tand\tof\tcrafts\tand blacksmithing;\tthe\tson\tof\tZeus\tand\tHera,\tand\tmarried\tto\tAphrodite;\tRoman form:\tVulcan Hera\tthe\tGreek\tgoddess\tof\tmarriage;\tZeus\u2019s\twife\tand\tsister;\tApollo\u2019s stepmother Heracles\tthe\tGreek\tequivalent\tof\tHercules;\tthe\tson\tof\tZeus\tand\tAlcmene;\tborn with\tgreat\tstrength Hercules\tthe\tRoman\tequivalent\tof\tHeracles;\tthe\tson\tof\tJupiter\tand\tAlcmene; born\twith\tgreat\tstrength Hermes\tGreek\tgod\tof\ttravellers;\tguide\tto\tspirits\tof\tthe\tdead;\tgod\tof communication Herophile\tthe\tdaughter\tof\ta\twater\tnymph;\tshe\thad\tsuch\ta\tlovely\tsinging\tvoice that\tApollo\tblessed\ther\twith\tthe\tgift\tof\tprophecy,\tmaking\ther\tthe\tErythraean Sibyl Hestia\tGreek\tgoddess\tof\tthe\thearth\tand\thome","Hyacinthus\ta\tGreek\thero\tand\tApollo\u2019s\tlover,\twho\tdied\twhile\ttrying\tto\timpress Apollo\twith\this\tdiscus\tskills hydra\ta\tmany-headed\twater\tserpent Hypnos\tGreek\tgod\tof\tsleep Imperial\tgold\ta\trare\tmetal\tdeadly\tto\tmonsters,\tconsecrated\tat\tthe\tPantheon;\tits existence\twas\ta\tclosely\tguarded\tsecret\tof\tthe\temperors Incitatus\tthe\tfavourite\thorse\tof\tRoman\temperor\tCaligula Janus\tthe\tRoman\tgod\tof\tbeginnings,\topenings,\tdoorways,\tgates,\tpassages,\ttime and\tendings;\tdepicted\twith\ttwo\tfaces Jupiter\tthe\tRoman\tgod\tof\tthe\tsky\tand\tking\tof\tthe\tgods;\tGreek\tform:\tZeus Katoptris\tGreek\tfor\tmirror;\ta\tdagger\tthat\tonce\tbelonged\tto\tHelen\tof\tTroy khanda\ta\tdouble-edged\tstraight\tsword;\tan\timportant\tsymbol\tof\tSikhism kusarigama\ta\ttraditional\tJapanese\tweapon\tconsisting\tof\ta\tsickle\tattached\tto\ta chain Kymopoleia\tGreek\tgoddess\tof\tviolent\tstorm\twaves;\tdaughter\tof\tPoseidon La\tVentana\ta\tperformance\tand\tevent\tvenue\tin\tBuenos\tAires,\tArgentina Labyrinth\tan\tunderground\tmaze\toriginally\tbuilt\ton\tthe\tisland\tof\tCrete\tby\tthe craftsman\tDaedalus\tto\thold\tthe\tMinotaur legionnaire\ta\tmember\tof\tthe\tRoman\tarmy Leto\tmother\tof\tArtemis\tand\tApollo\twith\tZeus;\tgoddess\tof\tmotherhood Little\tTiber\tthe\tbarrier\tof\tCamp\tJupiter Lucrezia\tBorgia\tthe\tdaughter\tof\ta\tpope\tand\this\tmistress;\ta\tbeautiful noblewoman\twho\tearned\tthe\treputation\tof\tbeing\ta\tpolitical\tschemer\tin fifteenth-century\tItaly Marcus\tAurelius\tRoman\tEmperor\tfrom\t161\tto\t180\tCE;\tfather\tof\tCommodus; considered\tthe\tlast\tof\tthe\t\u2018Five\tGood\tEmperors\u2019 Mars\tthe\tRoman\tgod\tof\twar;\tGreek\tform:\tAres Medea\ta\tGreek\tenchantress,\tdaughter\tof\tKing\tAe\u00ebtes\tof\tColchis\tand granddaughter\tof\tthe\tTitan\tsun\tgod,\tHelios;\twife\tof\tthe\thero\tJason,\twhom\tshe helped\tobtain\tthe\tGolden\tFleece Mefitis\ta\tgoddess\tof\tfoul-smelling\tgasses\tof\tthe\tearth,\tespecially\tworshipped\tin swamps\tand\tvolcanic\tareas Meliai\tGreek\tnymphs\tof\tthe\tash\ttree,\tborn\tof\tGaia;\tthey\tnurtured\tand\traised Zeus\tin\tCrete Michelangelo\tan\tItalian\tsculptor,\tpainter,\tarchitect\tand\tpoet\tof\tthe\tHigh Renaissance;\ta\ttowering\tgenius\tin\tthe\thistory\tof\tWestern\tart;\tamong\this\tmany masterpieces,\the\tpainted\tthe\tceiling\tof\tthe\tSistine\tChapel\tin\tthe\tVatican Minotaur\tthe\tpart-man,\tpart-bull\tson\tof\tKing\tMinos\tof\tCrete;\tthe\tMinotaur\twas kept\tin\tthe\tLabyrinth,\twhere\the\tkilled\tpeople\twho\twere\tsent\tin;\the\twas\tfinally","defeated\tby\tTheseus Mount\tOlympus\thome\tof\tthe\tTwelve\tOlympians Mount\tVesuvius\ta\tvolcano\tnear\tthe\tBay\tof\tNaples\tin\tItaly\tthat\terupted\tin\tthe year\t79\tCE,\tburying\tthe\tRoman\tcity\tof\tPompeii\tunder\tash Naevius\tSutorius\tMacro\ta\tprefect\tof\tthe\tPraetorian\tGuard\tfrom\t31\tto\t38\tCE, serving\tunder\tthe\temperors\tTiberius\tand\tCaligula Neos\tHelios\tGreek\tfor\tnew\tsun,\ta\ttitle\tadopted\tby\tthe\tRoman\temperor\tCaligula Nero\truled\tas\tRoman\tEmperor\tfrom\t54\tto\t58\tCE;\the\thad\this\tmother\tand\this\tfirst wife\tput\tto\tdeath;\tmany\tbelieve\the\twas\tresponsible\tfor\tsetting\ta\tfire\tthat gutted\tRome,\tbut\the\tblamed\tthe\tChristians,\twhom\the\tburned\ton\tcrosses;\the built\tan\textravagant\tnew\tpalace\ton\tthe\tcleared\tland\tand\tlost\tsupport\twhen construction\texpenses\tforced\thim\tto\traise\ttaxes;\the\tcommitted\tsuicide Nine\tMuses\tgoddesses\twho\tgrant\tinspiration\tfor\tand\tprotect\tartistic\tcreation\tand expression;\tdaughters\tof\tZeus\tand\tMnemosyne;\tas\tchildren,\tthey\twere\ttaught by\tApollo;\ttheir\tnames\tare\tClio,\tEuterpe,\tThalia,\tMelpomene,\tTerpsichore, Erato,\tPolymnia,\tOurania\tand\tCalliope Niobids\tchildren\twho\twere\tslain\tby\tApollo\tand\tArtemis\twhen\ttheir\tmother, Niobe,\tboasted\tabout\thaving\tmore\toffspring\tthan\tLeto,\tthe\ttwins\u2019\tmother nunchaku\toriginally\ta\tfarm\ttool\tused\tto\tharvest\trice,\tan\tOkinawan\tweapon consisting\tof\ttwo\tsticks\tconnected\tat\tone\tend\tby\ta\tshort\tchain\tor\trope nymph\ta\tfemale\tdeity\twho\tanimates\tnature Oracle\tof\tDelphi\ta\tspeaker\tof\tthe\tprophecies\tof\tApollo Oracle\tof\tTrophonius\ta\tGreek\twho\twas\ttransformed\tinto\tan\tOracle\tafter\this death;\tlocated\tat\tthe\tCave\tof\tTrophonius;\tknown\tfor\tterrifying\tthose\twho\tseek him Orthopolis\tthe\tonly\tchild\tof\tPlemnaeus\twho\tsurvived\tbirth;\tdisguised\tas\tan\told woman,\tDemeter\tnursed\thim,\tensuring\tthe\tboy\u2019s\tsurvival Ouranos\tthe\tGreek\tpersonification\tof\tthe\tsky;\thusband\tof\tGaia;\tfather\tof\tthe Titans Palatine\tHill\tthe\tmost\tfamous\tof\tRome\u2019s\tseven\thills;\tconsidered\tone\tof\tthe\tmost desirable\tneighbourhoods\tin\tAncient\tRome,\tit\twas\thome\tto\taristocrats\tand emperors Pan\tthe\tGreek\tgod\tof\tthe\twild;\tthe\tson\tof\tHermes pandai\t(pandos,\tsing.)\ta\ttribe\tof\tmen\twith\tgigantic\tears,\teight\tfingers\tand\ttoes, and\tbodies\tcovered\twith\thair\tthat\tstarts\tout\twhite\tand\tturn\tblack\twith\tage parazonium\ta\ttriangular-bladed\tdagger\tsported\tby\twomen\tin\tAncient\tGreece Petersburg\ta\tCivil\tWar\tbattle\tin\tVirginia\tin\twhich\tan\texplosive\tcharge\tdesigned to\tbe\tused\tagainst\tthe\tConfederates\tled\tto\tthe\tdeaths\tof\t4,000\tUnion\ttroops phalanx\ta\tbody\tof\theavily\tarmed\ttroops\tin\tclose\tformation","Philip\tof\tMacedon\tthe\tking\tof\tthe\tAncient\tGreek\tkingdom\tof\tMacedonia\tfrom 359\tBCE\tuntil\this\tassassination\tin\t336\tBCE;\tfather\tof\tAlexander\tthe\tGreat physician\u2019s\tcure\ta\tconcoction\tcreated\tby\tAsclepius,\tgod\tof\tmedicine,\tto\tbring someone\tback\tfrom\tthe\tdead Plemnaeus\tthe\tfather\tof\tOrthopolis,\twhom\tDemeter\treared\tto\tensure\tthat\the would\tflourish Pompeii\ta\tRoman\tcity\tthat\twas\tdestroyed\tin\t79\tCE\twhen\tthe\tvolcano\tMount Vesuvius\terupted\tand\tburied\tit\tunder\tash Poseidon\tthe\tGreek\tgod\tof\tthe\tsea;\tson\tof\tthe\tTitans\tKronos\tand\tRhea,\tand\tthe brother\tof\tZeus\tand\tHades praetor\tan\telected\tRoman\tmagistrate\tand\tcommander\tof\tthe\tarmy praetorian\tguard\ta\tunit\tof\telite\tRoman\tsoldiers\tin\tthe\tImperial\tRoman\tArmy princeps\tLatin\tfor\tfirst\tcitizen\tor\tfirst\tin\tline;\tthe\tearly\tRoman\temperors\tadopted this\ttitle\tfor\tthemselves,\tand\tit\tcame\tto\tmean\tprince\tof\tRome Python\ta\tmonstrous\tdragon\tthat\tGaia\tappointed\tto\tguard\tthe\tOracle\tat\tDelphi River\tStyx\tthe\triver\tthat\tforms\tthe\tboundary\tbetween\tEarth\tand\tthe\tUnderworld Sarpedon\ta\tson\tof\tZeus\twho\twas\ta\tLycian\tprince\tand\ta\thero\tin\tthe\tTrojan\tWar; he\tfought\twith\tdistinction\ton\tthe\tTrojan\tside\tbut\twas\tslain\tby\tthe\tGreek warrior\tPatroclus Saturnalia\tan\tAncient\tRoman\tfestival\theld\tin\tDecember\tin\thonour\tof\tthe\tgod Saturn,\tthe\tRoman\tequivalent\tof\tKronos satyr\ta\tGreek\tforest\tgod,\tpart\tgoat\tand\tpart\tman scimitar\ta\tsaber\twith\ta\tcurved\tblade shuriken\ta\tninja\tthrowing\tstar;\ta\tflat,\tbladed\tweapon\tused\tas\ta\tdagger\tor\tto distract Sibyl\ta\tprophetess situla\tLatin\tfor\tbucket Spartan\ta\tcitizen\tof\tSparta,\tor\tsomething\tbelonging\tto\tSparta,\ta\tcity-state\tin Ancient\tGreece\twith\tmilitary\tdominance strix\t(strixes,\tpl.)\ta\tlarge\tblood-drinking\towl-like\tbird\tof\till\tomen Stygian\tiron\ta\trare\tmagical\tmetal\tcapable\tof\tkilling\tmonsters Styx\ta\tpowerful\twater\tnymph;\tthe\teldest\tdaughter\tof\tthe\tsea\tTitan,\tOceanus; goddess\tof\tthe\tUnderworld\u2019s\tmost\timportant\triver;\tgoddess\tof\thatred;\tthe River\tStyx\tis\tnamed\tafter\ther Tarquin\tLucius\tTarquinius\tSuperbus\twas\tthe\tseventh\tand\tfinal\tking\tof\tRome, reigning\tfrom\t535\tBCE\tuntil\t509,\twhen,\tafter\ta\tpopular\tuprising,\tthe\tRoman Republic\twas\testablished Temple\tof\tCastor\tand\tPollux\tan\tancient\ttemple\tin\tthe\tRoman\tForum\tin\tRome, erected\tin\thonour\tof\tthe\ttwin\tdemigod\tchildren\tof\tJupiter\tand\tLeda\tand","dedicated\tby\tthe\tRoman\tgeneral\tAulus\tPostumius,\twho\twon\ta\tgreat\tvictory\tat the\tBattle\tof\tLake\tRegillus Terpsichore\tGreek\tgoddess\tof\tdance;\tone\tof\tthe\tNine\tMuses Thermopylae\ta\tmountain\tpass\tnear\tthe\tsea\tin\tnorthern\tGreece\tthat\twas\tthe\tsite of\tseveral\tbattles,\tthe\tmost\tfamous\tbeing\tbetween\tthe\tPersians\tand\tthe\tGreeks during\tthe\tPersian\tinvasion\tof\t480\u2013479\tBCE Tiber\tRiver\tthe\tthird-longest\triver\tin\tItaly;\tRome\twas\tfounded\ton\tits\tbanks;\tin Ancient\tRome,\tcriminals\twere\tthrown\tinto\tthe\triver Titans\ta\trace\tof\tpowerful\tGreek\tdeities,\tdescendants\tof\tGaia\tand\tOuranos,\tthat ruled\tduring\tthe\tGolden\tAge\tand\twere\toverthrown\tby\ta\trace\tof\tyounger\tgods, the\tOlympians tragus\t(tragi,\tpl.)\ta\tfleshy\tprominence\tat\tthe\tfront\tof\tthe\texternal\topening\tof\tthe ear trireme\ta\tGreek\twarship,\thaving\tthree\ttiers\tof\toars\ton\teach\tside triumvirate\ta\tpolitical\talliance\tformed\tby\tthree\tparties Trojan\tWar\tAccording\tto\tlegend,\tthe\tTrojan\tWar\twas\twaged\tagainst\tthe\tcity\tof Troy\tby\tthe\tAchaeans\t(Greeks)\tafter\tParis\tof\tTroy\ttook\tHelen\tfrom\ther husband,\tMenelaus,\tking\tof\tSparta Trophonius\tdemigod\tson\tof\tApollo,\tdesigner\tof\tApollo\u2019s\ttemple\tat\tDelphi,\tand spirit\tof\tthe\tDark\tOracle;\the\tdecapitated\this\thalf\tbrother\tAgamethus\tto\tavoid discovery\tafter\ttheir\traid\ton\tKing\tHyrieus\u2019s\ttreasury Troy\ta\tpre-Roman\tcity\tsituated\tin\tmodern-day\tTurkey;\tsite\tof\tthe\tTrojan\tWar Underworld\tthe\tkingdom\tof\tthe\tdead,\twhere\tsouls\tgo\tfor\teternity;\truled\tby Hades ventus\t(venti,\tpl.)\tstorm\tspirits Vulcan\tthe\tRoman\tgod\tof\tfire,\tincluding\tvolcanic,\tand\tof\tblacksmithing;\tGreek form:\tHephaestus Waystation\ta\tplace\tof\trefuge\tfor\tdemigods,\tpeaceful\tmonsters\tand\tHunters\tof Artemis,\tlocated\tabove\tUnion\tStation\tin\tIndianapolis,\tIndiana Zeus\tthe\tGreek\tgod\tof\tthe\tsky\tand\tthe\tking\tof\tthe\tgods;\tRoman\tform:\tJupiter","","THE\tADVENTURE\tNEVER\tSTOPS\t\u2026 THE\tGREEK\tGODS\tARE\tALIVE\tAND\tKICKING! They\tstill\tfall\tin\tlove\twith\tmortals\tand\tbear\tchildren\twith\timmortal\tblood\tin their\tveins.\tWhen\tPercy\tJackson\tlearns\the\u2019s\tthe\tson\tof\tPoseidon,\tgod\tof\tthe sea,\the\tmust\ttravel\tto\tCamp\tHalf-Blood\t\u2013\ta\tsecret\tbase\tdedicated\tto\tthe training\tof\tyoung\tdemigods. PERCY\tJACKSON\tAND\tTHE\tLIGHTNING\tTHIEF PERCY\tJACKSON\tAND\tTHE\tSEA\tOF\tMONSTERS PERCY\tJACKSON\tAND\tTHE\tTITAN\u2019S\tCURSE PERCY\tJACKSON\tAND\tTHE\tBATTLE\tOF\tTHE\tLABYRINTH PERCY\tJACKSON\tAND\tTHE\tLAST\tOLYMPIAN THE\tDEMIGOD\tFILES CAMP\tHALF-BLOOD\tCONFIDENTIAL PERCY\tJACKSON\tAND\tTHE\tGREEK\tGODS PERCY\tJACKSON\tAND\tTHE\tGREEK\tHEROES PERCY\tJACKSON\tIS\tBACK! Percy\tand\this\told\tfriends\tfrom\tCamp\tHalf-Blood\tjoin\tforces\twith\tnew Roman\tdemigods\tfrom\tCamp\tJupiter\tfor\ta\tdeadly\tnew\tmission:\tto\tprevent the\tall-powerful\tEarth\tMother,\tGaia,\tfrom\tawakening\tfrom\ther\tmillennia- long\tsleep\tto\tbring\tabout\tthe\tend\tof\tthe\tworld. THE\tLOST\tHERO THE\tSON\tOF\tNEPTUNE THE\tMARK\tOF\tATHENA","THE\tHOUSE\tOF\tHADES THE\tBLOOD\tOF\tOLYMPUS THE\tDEMIGOD\tDIARIES AN\tOLYMPIAN\tHAS\tFALLEN! The\tgod\tApollo\thas\tbeen\tcast\tdown\tfrom\tOlympus\tin\tthe\tbody\tof\ta\tteenage boy.\tWith\tthe\thelp\tof\tfriends\tlike\tPercy\tJackson\tand\tfamiliar\tfaces\tfrom Camp\tHalf-Blood,\the\tmust\tcomplete\ta\tseries\tof\tharrowing\ttrials\tto\tsave\tthe world\tfrom\ta\tdangerous\tnew\tenemy. THE\tHIDDEN\tORACLE THE\tDARK\tPROPHECY THE\tBURNING\tMAZE THE\tGODS\tOF\tEGYPT\tAWAKEN! When\tan\texplosion\tshatters\tthe\tancient\tRosetta\tStone\tand\tunleashes\tSet,\tthe Egyptian\tgod\tof\tchaos,\tonly\tCarter\tand\tSadie\tKane\tcan\tsave\tthe\tday.\tT\their quest\ttakes\tthe\tpair\taround\tthe\tglobe\tin\ta\tbattle\tagainst\tthe\tgods\tof\tAncient Egypt. THE\tRED\tPYRAMID THE\tTHRONE\tOF\tFIRE THE\tSERPENT\u2019S\tSHADOW BROOKLYN\tHOUSE\tMAGICIAN\u2019S\tMANUAL","THE\tGODS\tOF\tASGARD\tARISE! After\tbeing\tkilled\tin\tbattle\twith\ta\tfire\tgiant,\tMagnus\tChase\tfinds\thimself resurrected\tin\tValhalla\tas\tone\tof\tthe\tchosen\twarriors\tof\tthe\tNorse\tgod\tOdin. The\tgods\tof\tAsgard\tare\tpreparing\tfor\tRagnarok\t\u2013\tthe\tNorse\tdoomsday\t\u2013 and\tMagnus\thas\ta\tleading\trole\t\u2026 MAGNUS\tCHASE\tAND\tTHE\tSWORD\tOF\tSUMMER MAGNUS\tCHASE\tAND\tTHE\tHAMMER\tOF\tTHOR MAGNUS\tCHASE\tAND\tTHE\tSHIP\tOF\tTHE\tDEAD HOTEL\tVALHALLA:\tGUIDE\tTO\tTHE\tNORSE\tWORLDS","","","","","Your\tstory\tstarts\there\t\u2026 Do\tyou\tlove\tbooks\tand\tdiscovering new\tstories? Then\tpuffin.co.uk\tis\tthe\tplace\tfor\tyou \u2026 \u2022\tThrilling\tadventures,\tfantastic\tfiction\tand\tlaugh- out-loud\tfun\t\u2022\tBrilliant\tvideos\tfeaturing\tyour favourite\tauthors\tand\tcharacters\t\u2022\tExciting competitions,\tnews,\tactivities,\tthe\tPuffin\tblog\tand SO\tMUCH\tmore\t\u2026 puffin.co.uk","Do\tyou\tlove\tlistening to\tstories? Want\tto\tknow\twhat happens\tbehind\tthe scenes\tin\ta\trecording studio? Hear\tfunny\tsound\teffects, exclusive\tauthor\tinterviews\tand the\tbest\tbooks\tread\tby\tfamous authors\tand\tactors\ton\tthe Puffin\tPodcast\tat www.puffin.co.uk","#ListenWithPuffin","It\tall\tstarted\twith\ta\tscarecrow\t\u2026 Puffin\tis\tover\tseventy\tyears\told.\tSounds\tancient,\tdoesn\u2019t\tit?\tBut\tPuffin\thas\tnever\tbeen\tso\tlively. We\u2019re\talways\ton\tthe\tlookout\tfor\tthe\tnext\tbig\tidea,\twhich\tis\thow\tit\tbegan\tall\tthose\tyears\tago. Penguin\tBooks\twas\ta\tbig\tidea\tfrom\tthe\tmind\tof\ta\tman\tcalled\tAllen\tLane,\twho\tin\t1935\tinvented the\tquality\tpaperback\tand\tchanged\tthe\tworld.\tAnd\tfrom\tgreat\tPenguins,\tgreat\tPuffins\tgrew, changing\tthe\tface\tof\tchildren\u2019s\tbooks\tforever. The\tfirst\tfour\tPuffin\tPicture\tBooks\twere\thatched\tin\t1940\tand\tthe\tfirst\tPuffin\tstory\tbook\tfeatured a\tman\twith\tbroomstick\tarms\tcalled\tWorzel\tGummidge.\tIn\t1967\tKaye\tWebb,\tPuffin\tEditor, started\tthe\tPuffin\tClub,\tpromising\tto\t\u2018make\tchildren\tinto\treaders\u2019.\tShe\tkept\tthat\tpromise\tand over\t200,000\tchildren\tbecame\tdevoted\tPuffineers\tthrough\ttheir\tquarterly\tinstalments\tof\tPuffin Post."]
Search
Read the Text Version
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
- 25
- 26
- 27
- 28
- 29
- 30
- 31
- 32
- 33
- 34
- 35
- 36
- 37
- 38
- 39
- 40
- 41
- 42
- 43
- 44
- 45
- 46
- 47
- 48
- 49
- 50
- 51
- 52
- 53
- 54
- 55
- 56
- 57
- 58
- 59
- 60
- 61
- 62
- 63
- 64
- 65
- 66
- 67
- 68
- 69
- 70
- 71
- 72
- 73
- 74
- 75
- 76
- 77
- 78
- 79
- 80
- 81
- 82
- 83
- 84
- 85
- 86
- 87
- 88
- 89
- 90
- 91
- 92
- 93
- 94
- 95
- 96
- 97
- 98
- 99
- 100
- 101
- 102
- 103
- 104
- 105
- 106
- 107
- 108
- 109
- 110
- 111
- 112
- 113
- 114
- 115
- 116
- 117
- 118
- 119
- 120
- 121
- 122
- 123
- 124
- 125
- 126
- 127
- 128
- 129
- 130
- 131
- 132
- 133
- 134
- 135
- 136
- 137
- 138
- 139
- 140
- 141
- 142
- 143
- 144
- 145
- 146
- 147
- 148
- 149
- 150
- 151
- 152
- 153
- 154
- 155
- 156
- 157
- 158
- 159
- 160
- 161
- 162
- 163
- 164
- 165
- 166
- 167
- 168
- 169
- 170
- 171
- 172
- 173
- 174
- 175
- 176
- 177
- 178
- 179
- 180
- 181
- 182
- 183
- 184
- 185
- 186
- 187
- 188
- 189
- 190
- 191
- 192
- 193
- 194
- 195
- 196
- 197
- 198
- 199
- 200
- 201
- 202
- 203
- 204
- 205
- 206
- 207
- 208
- 209
- 210
- 211
- 212
- 213
- 214
- 215
- 216
- 217
- 218
- 219
- 220
- 221
- 222
- 223
- 224
- 225
- 226
- 227
- 228
- 229
- 230
- 231
- 232
- 233
- 234
- 235
- 236
- 237
- 238
- 239
- 240
- 241
- 242
- 243
- 244
- 245
- 246
- 247
- 248
- 249
- 250
- 251
- 252
- 253
- 254
- 255
- 256
- 257
- 258
- 259
- 260
- 261
- 262
- 263
- 264
- 265
- 266
- 267
- 268
- 269
- 270
- 271
- 272
- 273
- 274
- 275
- 276
- 277
- 278
- 279
- 280
- 281
- 282
- 283
- 284
- 285
- 286
- 287
- 288
- 289
- 290
- 291
- 292
- 293
- 294
- 295
- 296
- 297
- 298
- 299
- 300
- 301
- 302
- 303
