The Heroes of Olympus, #2
The Son of Neptune
by Rick Riordan
Contents
XXXII Hazel
Overview
Hazel engineers a daring escape from the Amazons by weaponizing warehouse jewelry, freeing Percy and Frank, and releasing the warhorse Arion. As Otrera’s forces close in, the trio harness a chariot, retrieve Ella, and flee Seattle at supersonic speed across Puget Sound, decisively shifting momentum back to their quest.
Summary
Escorted to the high Amazon jail, Hazel spots crates of jewelry and realizes she can manipulate the precious metals. She feigns illness to draw guards close, then detonates a pallet of silver bracelets, sweeping two Amazons off the catwalk and binding them midair. Intimidating the third guard into fleeing, Hazel seizes access cards and frees Percy and Frank as alarms sound.
Retrieving their gear, the trio descends while Hazel repeatedly unleashes avalanches of jewelry to bury pursuing Amazons. In the throne room, Hylla has cleared out per plan. Hazel frees Arion, whose presence terrifies their enemies. Percy reveals he can speak to horses; Arion agrees to pull a warehouse chariot.
Otrera arrives with Amazon troops and a battle forklift, ordering their capture. Hazel mounts Arion, Percy rigs the harness with practiced ease, and Frank boards. Under a hail of attacks, Arion sprints, drags the chariot up the stairs, and smashes into the Seattle plaza as Amazons give chase.
Outside, Hazel calls desperately for Ella. With Amazons closing in, Ella lands in the chariot. Hazel cues Arion to run; the stallion accelerates to impossible speed, streaking through the city, then across Puget Sound, leaving steaming water and a sonic boom as they escape Seattle and Otrera’s pursuit.
Who Appears
- Hazel LevesqueLeads the escape; manipulates jewelry to disable Amazons, frees Percy and Frank, releases Arion, and drives the breakout.
- Percy JacksonFights Amazons with Riptide, rigs the chariot swiftly, and translates Arion’s speech, helping secure their flight.
- Frank ZhangSupports the escape, guards the rear with his spear, and rides in the chariot during the high-speed getaway.
- ArionFerocious, ultra-fast horse freed by Hazel; pulls the chariot and carries the group out of Seattle over water.
- OtreraAmazon founder leading the coup; pursues with troops and a battle forklift, ordering the heroes’ capture.
- EllaHarpie ally who reunites with the group in the plaza and escapes with them in the chariot.
- HyllaAmazon queen who discreetly enables the escape by clearing the throne room of loyalists.
- KinzieAmazon escort secretly aiding Hazel; stages the handoff so Hazel can spring her plan.
- DorisAmazon guard swept off the catwalk and left dangling by enchanted bracelets.
- LuluAmazon guard trapped with Doris after Hazel’s jewelry avalanche.