The Heroes of Olympus, #1
The Lost Hero
by Rick Riordan
Contents
XXXI JASON
Overview
Leo disarms the mansion’s lethal defenses, and the trio camps inside. Jason and Leo reconcile while Leo works to free Coach Hedge. At dawn, Hedge awakens violently, and they realize the hall is filled with gold. The mansion’s startled owner appears and summons Lit, prompting Hedge to attack.
Summary
Leo leads Jason and Piper to a booby-trapped Omaha mansion, disarming multiple deadly devices on the way to an already-unlocked front door. Inside a vast, dark hall, they refuse to split up and decide to camp until daylight, with the storm spirits and Coach Hedge’s cages brought in.
As they eat cold rations, Jason studies golden statues in the gloom and worries about Piper’s father. Jason apologizes to Leo for Chicago; Leo jokes but accepts, easing their tension. With his fire inexplicably not working, Leo focuses on freeing Hedge and planning a smaller container for the venti.
At dawn, Coach Hedge awakens explosively, smashing a golden tea set and nearly attacking before the trio calms him. He remembers the Grand Canyon and spots the caged storm spirits, ready to fight again. The group realizes the entire room—statues, throne, even curtains—is gold.
Hedge insists their meeting is destiny and demands the quest details, but before they can explain, a pudgy man in a bathrobe with a golden toothbrush appears, startled, and calls for his son, Lit. Hedge immediately charges, shouting his habitual battle cry.
Who Appears
- Jason GraceNarrator; leads cautiously, insists the group stay together, apologizes to Leo, and prepares for daylight.
- Leo ValdezDisarms traps expertly, struggles with dormant fire, reconciles with Jason, and frees Coach Hedge.
- Piper McLeanAnxious about her father, supports group unity, wakes to Hedge’s chaos, notes the mansion’s gold.
- Coach Gleeson HedgeAwakens from stasis raging, smashes furnishings, insists on destiny, and charges when the owner appears.
- Unknown mansion ownerPudgy man in a bathrobe with a golden toothbrush; startled, calls for his son, Lit.
- The venti (storm spirits)Imprisoned in a canary cage, hostile toward Jason, their hatred palpable as they churn and hiss.