43_More Tricks

" Man, I’m starving. ” Brody popped a few grapes into his mouth. “ I wish the gods would give us more food, ” he complained to Heracles. The gods were feasting on roasted meats, fish, cheese, and vegetables. Even the mortals in the crowd had plenty of food, thanks to the vendors wandering around. A few minutes earlier, after the end of the discus event, Zeus had called for a lunch break. Brody could see Julia, Markos, and Iphicles enjoying a platter of cheese and olives. Delicious scents drifted over the track, making Brody even hungrier.

Heracles was chewing on a fig. “ Eating light snacks is best, ” he told Brody. “ If you’re full, you can’t perform well in the Games. ” Brody shrugged, still wishing he had a nice, juicy cheeseburger—or at least some of those sausages Dionysus was enjoying. “ So which event comes next in the pentathlon?” he asked. “ The javelin throw, ” Heracles replied “ And what pranks are planned for that?” Brody asked. “ None, ” Heracles said. “ At least none that we know about. Julia, Markos, and Iphicles heard no one plotting against me in this event. ”

Brody shrugged. “ So maybe the gods will give you a break when it’s your turn to throw the javelin. ” He picked up another grape. “ I doubt it, ” Heracles replied grimly. “ I suppose I’ll have to be ready for anything. ” “ Yeah. ” Brody tossed the grape into his mouth. “ By the way, I’m sorry for throwing my discus so far. I almost beat you! ” Heracles shot him a surprised look. “ You have no need to apologize for that, my friend, ” he said. “ I didn’t realize the tortoise would be so heavy, ” Brody went on.

“ You would have thrown a real discus much farther. ” “ This is still a competition, Brody, ” Heracles said, looking serious. “ I’m willing to accept your help in avoiding the gods’ mischief. But I still want to win on my own merits. ” Brody nodded. “ Yeah. I get it. ” He knew just how Heracles felt. He loved to win football games, but winning wouldn’t be fun if the other team wasn’t doing its best. Soon the lunch break ended, and the Games resumed.

Zeus announced the start of the javelin event. “ Ares’ champion will go first, ” he declared. Then he smirked. “ Although there’s not much point in anyone throwing the javelin, is there? It’s pretty clear already who is going to win every event. ” A few gods groaned. “ Don’t get cocky, Zeus, ” Ares called out with a frown. “ Anything can happen in the Olympic Games, and we’re not even halfway through! ” A smile curled across Zeus’ face. “ As you wish, Ares, ” he said. “ I merely wanted to spare your champions the embarrassment of losing. ”

Hera scowled. “ That’s enough, husband, ” she snapped. “ I came to see the Games, not to listen to your constant bragging. ” “ It’s not bragging if it’s true, dear wife. ” Zeus smirked again. When Brody’s turn came, he threw the javelin as far as he could. Brody knew at once that it was a good throw, and he instantly heard Hermes cheering and applauding. Agon stepped forward to retrieve the javelin and mark its landing spot. “ Sorry, Hermes, ” Demeter said with a smug expression. “ It appears that your champion has failed to beat my champion’s mark. ”