The Heroes of Olympus, #1
The Lost Hero
by Rick Riordan
Contents
XLVI PIPER
Overview
At Oakland, Piper chooses the quest over staying with her traumatized father by erasing his recent memories and entrusting him to Coach Hedge, who departs on Tristan’s jet. An urgent Iris-message from Thalia reveals Hera is captive at the Wolf House and Porphyrion is rising. With no mortal pilot allowed, Leo takes the controls of the helicopter to rush them to Sonoma before sunset.
Summary
Piper charms air traffic control to land at Oakland. On the tarmac, she admits she must get her father home but fears abandoning the quest. Coach Hedge volunteers to protect Tristan McLean, reminding them he is a protector first. Piper, realizing her father’s fragility, resolves to help him forget his trauma.
She gives Tristan Aphrodite’s vial to erase his recent memories. After a final exchange of love and regret, Tristan drinks, passes out, and Hedge arranges Tristan’s Gulfstream. Piper provides contacts from Tristan’s phone and warns Hedge about Jane; Hedge escorts Tristan aboard and departs, promising to protect him.
Overwhelmed, Piper breaks down; Jason comforts her while Leo awkwardly assists. An Iris-message shimmers into view: Thalia, amid battle noises, announces they have found Hera at the Wolf House and urges them to arrive before sunset. She warns Porphyrion is rising and cues Jason’s memory with “Jack London,” triggering Jason’s recall of the Sonoma Valley location.
Needing to move fast, Piper asks the ranger pilot for help, but Jason refuses to endanger a mortal. Leo assesses the helicopter’s specs by touch and decides he can fly it. With a bit of persuasion, the pilot yields the craft. The trio boards, and Leo lifts off toward Sonoma to reach the Wolf House in time.
Who Appears
- Piper McLeanChooses the quest; erases her father’s memories; coordinates travel; charmspeaks the pilot despite grief.
- Jason GraceSupports Piper; recalls the Wolf House location; insists no mortal joins the battle.
- Leo ValdezDecides to pilot the helicopter; reads its specs by touch; speeds the team toward Sonoma.
- Gleeson HedgeEmbraces protector role; escorts Tristan onto the jet; promises to guard him.
- Tristan McLeanTraumatized father; drinks Aphrodite’s vial to forget; sent home under Hedge’s care.
- Thalia GraceSends urgent Iris-message: Hera at the Wolf House; Porphyrion rising; sets the deadline.
- Ranger pilotInitially transports the group; relinquishes the helicopter to Leo after persuasion.