35_The Banquet

Wow, ” Brody said as he stepped into the banquet room with Markos and Hermes. “ There are a lot of people here. It’s like one of my football team’s parties! ” The banquet room was large and full of people and gods. Men and boys were lounging on the sofas that lined the walls, talking and laughing and drinking from goblets. Servants bustled around, carrying trays of food and drink. Candles flickered inside clay lamps. Brody spotted Zeus right away. The king of the gods was at the far end of the room, one hand on Heracles’ shoulder.

Iphicles stood behind them. Zeus was talking to several other gods, including Hades and Poseidon. Brody soon saw more familiar faces. Apollo was helping himself to food from a servant’s platter. Nearby, Athena was chatting with a pot-bellied god who had a bald head and a white beard. “ Hey, look, there’s a donkey here! ” Brody said, pointing to an animal standing next to the god. “ Yes, ” Markos said. “ Silenus rarely travels without his donkey. ” “ But I heard that many of the other gods also decided to bring their lucky creatures to this symposium. “

He nodded toward Artemis, who was surrounded by several lean, amber-eyed hunting dogs as she talked with Hephaestus and Demeter. ” Symposium?” Brody blinked. “ What’s that? I thought this was supposed to be a banquet. I hope they’re going to serve more food! ” “ A symposium is a type of banquet, ” Markos said, grinning at him. “ Don’t worry, Brody, the food will be plentiful. ” As if to prove Markos’ point, a servant hurried up and offered them roasted meat and vegetables. Brody helped himself to a piece of the meat.

He’d barely taken a bite when Hermes grabbed his arm and dragged him across the room. “ Nike, the goddess of victory, just arrived, ” Hermes said eagerly. “ I don’t think she’s seen you yet, has she, my boy?” “ Uh, I don’t know. ” Brody glanced back to make sure that Markos was keeping up with them. “ Nike, my friend! ” Hermes said when they reached a tall, broad-shouldered goddess with wings sprouting out of her back. “ I wish to introduce my champion, the finest mortal athlete in Greece! ” “ Greetings, Hermes. ” Nike looked Brody up and down.

“ I’ve heard that your champion is very talented. ” She smirked. “ Perhaps if Demeter’s latest plot is successful, your champion might even win an event or two at the Games. ” “ Brody will win every event at the Games, ” Hermes bragged. Then he blinked. “ Wait—what plot are you talking about?” Nike looked around, and then leaned closer. “ I’ve heard that Demeter plans to cause the grass beneath Heracles’ feet to become as sticky as honey when he runs, ” she whispered loudly. Brody looked at Markos to see if he had heard this news too.

But Brody quickly forgot about Heracles when Aphrodite walked into the room, followed by her champion. “ I see Aphrodite! ” Brody exclaimed. Hermes heard him and glanced toward the goddess of love. “ Stay away from her, boy, ” Hermes said sternly. “ She’s been seen plotting with Hera. You don’t want to get involved in that kind of trouble. ” Brody waited until Hermes turned away again to talk to Nike. Then Brody flashed a look at Markos. Brody and his friends had known about the goddesses’ plotting days ago!