𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐔𝐌 • Heroes of Olympus

XIII

𝐓𝐇𝐄 Hercules Guide to the Mare Nostrum didn’t help much with snakes and mosquitoes.

“They couldn't make this island a little nicer, could they?” Andy grumbled as they tromped up a hill and down into a heavily wooded valley, careful to avoid the black-and-red-striped snakes sunning themselves on the rocks. Mosquitoes swarmed over stagnant ponds in the lowest areas. The trees were mostly stunted olives, cypress, and pines. The whole island seemed like a hiker's daydream.

“Can we just fly,” Andy suggested again.

“We might miss something,” Jason said sternly. “Besides, I’m not sure I want to drop in on an unfriendly god. Achelous, wasn't it?”

“Yeah,” Andy grumbled.

Jason was trying to read the guidebook while they walked, so he kept running into trees and stumbling over rocks. “Says here he’s a potamus.”

“Potamus? Like a river god?”

“According to this, he’s the spirit of some river in Greece.”

“Since we’re not in Greece, let’s assume he’s moved,” Andy said. “Doesn’t bode well for how useful that book is going to be. Anything else?”

“Says Hercules fought him one time,” Jason offered.

“Hercules fought ninety-nine percent of everything in Ancient Greece.”

“Yeah. Let’s see. Pillars of Hercules…” Jason flipped a page. “Says here this island has no hotels, no restaurants, no transportation. Attractions: Hercules and two pillars. Huh, this is interesting. Supposedly the dollar sign—you know, the S with the two lines through it?—that came from the Spanish coat of arms, which showed the Pillars of Hercules with a banner curling between them.”

Andy couldn't help but smile at his excitement. “Are you saying you didn't already know that?”

Jason looked offended. “Did you?”

“No, but I'm surprised you didn't.”

“Anyways.” Jason turned away. “Here’s a tiny reference to Achelous: This river god fought Hercules for the hand of the beautiful Deianira. During the struggle, Hercules broke off one of the river god’s horns, which became the first cornucopia.”

“Deianira,” Andy said. “I know her.”

“Hercules married her,” Jason said. “I think… doesn’t say here. But I think something bad happened to her.”

“She's the one who poisoned him. Centaur blood.”

“Oh,” was all Jason said in reply.

They trudged across a ridge between two hills, trying to stay in the shade; but Andy was already soaked with perspiration. The mosquitoes left welts on her ankles, arms, and neck, so she probably looked like a smallpox victim.

The whole ordeal was affecting Andy’s mood significantly. She was irritated with Jason for having mentioned Hera, but, mostly, she was annoyed with herself for getting into this situation.

As they hiked down into the next valley, Andy wondered what was happening back on the Argo II. She was tempted to send an Iris-message, but Hercules had warned them not to contact their friends. She hoped the others were smart enough to not try coming ashore. Andy wasn’t sure what Hercules would do if he were bothered further. 

Andy shuddered. The evening was getting late, and the sun was already starting to sink. How had the day passed so quickly? She would have welcomed sundown for the cooler temperatures, except it was also their deadline. A cool night breeze wouldn’t mean much if they were dead. Besides, tomorrow was July 1, the Kalends of July. It would be Nico's last day of life. They had to get to Rome before that.