5_At the Agora

The next morning Brody was eating breakfast when a hawk landed in the courtyard. It quickly transformed into Hermes. “ Come, my champion, ” Hermes said to Brody. “ I’m taking you to the agora to show you off. ” “ Show him off?” Julia said. “ I thought we were supposed to blend in so Zeus doesn’t notice Brody. ” Hermes eyed her. “ You talk a great deal for a mortal girl. But you’re partly correct. ” “ I don’t want Zeus to know where I’m keeping my champion. Zeus might decide to tamper with him when I’m not here. ” “ Huh?” Brody looked up from his bread and fruit. “ What do you mean, tamper with me?”

第二天早上，布罗迪正在吃早餐，这时一只鹰落在院子里。很快转变为赫尔墨斯。 “来吧，我的选手，”赫尔墨斯对布罗迪说。“我要带你去集市逛一下。” “给他展示？”茱莉亚说。“我以为我们应该融入其中，这样宙斯就不会注意到布罗迪。” 赫尔墨斯看着她。“你为一个凡人女孩说了很多话。但你有一部分是正确的。“ ”我不想让宙斯知道我的选手在哪里。我不在的时候，宙斯可能干扰他。” “嗯？”布罗迪从面包和水果中抬起头来。“你是什么意思，干预我？”

“ Never mind that. You’re under my protection, boy. ” Hermes patted him on the shoulder. “ I can keep you safe, and also show you off in public. ” “ Okay, ” Julia said. “ But listen, I’ve been thinking about that time passage we came through. “ ” It sounds like it could easily close up again. Could we end up trapped here forever?” “ Forever?” Brody echoed. He didn’t like the sound of that. Ancient Greece was pretty cool so far—he was looking forward to competing in the Games. But he already missed TV and video games and playing football.

“没关系。你在我的保护下，孩子。”赫耳墨斯拍了拍他的肩膀。 “ 我可以保护你的安全，也可以在公共场合介绍你。” “好吧，”茱莉亚说。“但听着，我一直在想我们经历的那段时光。” “听起来它很容易再次关闭。我们会永远困在这里吗？” “永远？”布罗迪附和道。他不喜欢那样子。 到目前为止，古希腊很酷—他期待着参加奥运会。但他已经错过了电视、视频游戏和踢足球。

“ You don’t need to worry about the time passage, ” Hermes said. “ Caerus assures me the passage should remain stable at least through the Games. After that, you’re welcome to return home. ” “ Do you promise?” Julia asked. “ You’ll let us go right after the Games?” “ Of course. ” Hermes shrugged. “ Now come to the agora. ” The agora was Olympia’s central square. Dozens of merchants and farmers were there selling goods like honey, fish, silk, and gems. People and gods wandered around shopping and chatting.

“你不必担心时间的流逝。”赫耳墨斯说道。 “卡埃罗斯向我保证，至少在奥运会期间，通道应该保持稳定。之后，欢迎你回家。” “你保证吗？”茱莉亚问。“你会让我们在奥运会后离开吗？” “当然。”赫耳墨斯耸耸肩。“现在到广场来。” 广场是奥林匹亚的中心广场。 数十名商人和农民在那里出售蜂蜜、鱼、丝绸和宝石等商品。人们和神在购物和聊天。

“ Is Zeus here?” Julia asked Hermes. “ I don’t see him. But look. ” Hermes pointed to someone in the distance. “ There’s his lovely wife. Let’s go and say hello. ” “ Zeus has a wife?” Brody asked Julia. She gave him a scornful look. “ Didn’t you pay attention in social studies? Zeus’ wife is Hera. She’s a very powerful goddess. ” “ And a very scary one, ” Markos whispered. “ Be careful not to say anything that might insult her. ” Hera was a tall, stately woman with a sharp chin and even sharper black eyes.

“宙斯在吗？”茱莉亚问赫耳墨斯。 “我没看见他，但你看。”赫耳墨斯指着远处的人。“那是他可爱的妻子，我们去打个招呼吧。” “宙斯有妻子吗？”布罗迪问朱莉娅。 她轻蔑地看了他一眼。“你没注意社会研究吗？宙斯的妻子是赫拉。她是一位非常强大的女神。” “这是一个非常可怕的故事，”马库斯低声说道。“小心不要说任何可能侮辱她的话。” 赫拉是一个高大、端庄的女人，有着尖尖的下巴和锐利的黑眼睛。

“ Greetings, Hermes. Who are these young mortals?” Hermes yanked Brody forward. “ I’m pleased to introduce my champion for the Games. Say hello to the queen of the gods, Brody. ” “ Hi, ” Brody said. “ Nice to meet you. ” “ Brody . . . , ” Hera repeated. “ What sort of name is that? It doesn’t sound Greek to me. ” Hermes squeezed Brody’s shoulder to stop him from responding. “ Perhaps it does not sound Greek, ” Hermes said quickly. “ But as you can hear, the boy speaks Greek as well as you and I do. ”

“你好，赫耳墨斯。这些年轻人是谁？” 赫耳墨斯猛拉布罗迪向前。“我很高兴向大家介绍我的奥运会选手。布罗迪，向众神女王问好。” “嗨，”布罗迪说。“很高兴见到你。” “布罗迪……”赫拉重复道。“那是什么名字？我听上去不像希腊语。” 赫耳墨斯按住布罗迪的肩膀，阻止他做出反应。 “也许这听起来不像希腊语。“赫耳墨斯快速的说。 “但正如你所听到的，这个男孩说的希腊语和你我一样好。”

“ Hmm. ” Hera stared at Brody, her eyes suspicious. “ So, Hera, ” Hermes said innocently, “ I hear Zeus has found himself another impressive champion. “ ” Do you know whether this mortal hero has yet arrived in Olympia?” Hera stiffened. “ I have better things to do than keep track of Zeus’ business. ” “ Of course you do. ” Hermes smiled. “ Still, you must be as curious as the rest of us. What’s the fellow’s name again? Alexandros?” “ Alcides, ” another goddess said, walking over to join them.

“嗯。”赫拉盯着布罗迪，眼神充满怀疑。 “那么，赫拉，”赫耳墨斯天真地说，“我听说宙斯为自己找到了另一个令人印象深刻的选手。” “你知道这位凡人英雄是否已经抵达奥林匹亚吗？” 赫拉愣住了。“我有更好的事情要做，而不是跟踪宙斯的事情。” “当然。”赫耳墨斯笑了。“不过，你一定和我们其他人一样好奇。那家伙叫什么名字？亚历山德罗斯？” “阿尔西迪斯，”另一位女神说，走过去加入他们。