The Heroes of Olympus, #1

The Lost Hero

by Rick Riordan

Genre

Fantasy, Young Adult, Children's

Year

2010

Pages

350

Contents

XXXIV PIPER

Previous: XXXIII PIPER Next: XXXV LEO

Overview

Lycaon and his wolves corner the group, revealing plans to deliver Jason alive to the Wolf House for a mysterious woman to kill. Conventional weapons fail until Leo’s fire stalls the attack. The Hunters of Artemis intervene with silver arrows, driving Lycaon off, and Thalia is revealed as Jason’s sister.

Summary

Piper, weakened by cold, hears wolves approach their cave. Jason confronts the pack, briefly cowing them with Latin. The alpha arrives with a gaunt, red-eyed man—Lycaon, king of wolves—who identifies their lineages and declares Jason must be taken alive to the Wolf House for execution by a female enemy.

Piper recalls Lycaon’s myth and warns about silver. Jason’s sword passes through Lycaon, and with no silver or lightning, the group braces to fight. Leo douses the floor with gasoline and ignites a fiery barrier, driving the wolves back, but the flames fade as Leo tires.

As the barrier sputters out, silver arrows strike, dissolving wolves into shadow and wounding Lycaon. He curses them and retreats with his pack, vowing the conflict isn’t over.

White wolves and a troop of girls in winter camouflage—Hunters—enter. Their leader orders most to pursue Lycaon, then checks the group. Piper recognizes her as Thalia. Thalia reveals her face, and Jason, stunned, tells her he is her brother.

Who Appears

Piper McLean

Ill from cold but resolute; recalls Lycaon’s myth and silver weakness; attempts to intimidate him; witnesses Hunters’ rescue.
Jason Grace

Confronts Lycaon; Roman ties noted; told he’s marked for the Wolf House; weapons fail; recognizes Thalia as his sister.
Lycaon

King of wolves; seeks to deliver Jason alive; boasts origin; immune to normal metals; wounded by silver; retreats vowing return.
Leo Valdez

Uses gasoline and fire to create a barrier against the wolves; tires as flames fade.
Thalia Grace

Leader among the Hunters who saves the group; reveals identity; sister to Jason.
Coach Gleeson Hedge

Eager to fight; protects the group with his club; provides satyr commentary and bravado.
Hunters of Artemis

All-female archers with silver arrows; track Lycaon and drive off his pack.
Phoebe

Hunter assigned to guard the cave entrance while others pursue Lycaon.