The Heroes of Olympus, #2
The Son of Neptune
by Rick Riordan
Contents
XXXIII Frank
Overview
Arion hauls the crew at near-supersonic speed to North Vancouver, where their chariot disintegrates. Near Frank’s grandmother’s mansion, they find Laistrygonian giants encircling the property with explosive bronze orbs. To clear a path, Frank summons the spartus Gray, who annihilates six ogres, unsettling Hazel but enabling the team to advance.
Summary
Arion races the chariot north over Puget Sound at breathtaking speed, leaving Frank nauseous, Percy dazed, and Ella muttering flight data. As they enter Vancouver, the chariot smokes and collapses in North Vancouver. Arion darts off to graze while Hazel, unfazed, promises to find him gold. The group salvages supplies, and Ella gleefully clutches a bird guide.
Frank recognizes the area as near his grandmother’s house and, despite doubts about returning, agrees to seek rest and supplies there. As they approach, Percy spots danger: a nearby clearing holds six tattooed Laistrygonian ogres roasting meat beside steaming bronze spheres. Additional campfires ring the woods, revealing the mansion is surrounded.
Ella identifies the ogres and Percy recalls their explosive cannonballs and the problem that monsters may not stay dead with Thanatos captured. Fearing for his grandmother, Frank proposes a distraction to draw this group away so they can slip through without alerting the others.
With Arion absent, Frank reluctantly taps his Mars-given gift, breaking his spear tip to summon the spartus, Gray. Despite Frank’s attempt at careful orders, Gray charges, pulls out his ribs as blades, and wordlessly slaughters all six ogres, scattering their ashes before saluting and sinking back into the ground.
The display stuns Percy and unsettles Hazel, highlighting Frank’s violent Mars lineage even as it saves them. With the immediate threat gone, the team moves to aid Frank’s grandmother and infiltrate the besieged property.
Who Appears
- Frank ZhangHomesick and determined; leads the group toward his grandmother’s house and summons the spartus Gray to defeat ogres.
- Hazel LevesqueRides Arion effortlessly, worries about Arion returning, and is disturbed by Frank’s violent Mars gift.
- Percy JacksonTranslates Arion, recalls fighting Laistrygonians, and helps plan a stealth approach to the mansion.
- EllaHarpy companion; spouts facts, identifies Laistrygonians, and clutches a bird guide from the wreck.
- ArionSupernatural horse; sprints the chariot to Vancouver, then departs to graze, promising uncertain return.
- GraySpartus summoned by Frank; wordlessly kills six Laistrygonians with rib-blades, then sinks back underground.
- LaistrygoniansNorthern cannibal giants besieging the Zhang mansion; wield steaming explosive bronze spheres.