The Heroes of Olympus, #3
The Mark of Athena
by Rick Riordan
Contents
VI
Overview
Leo and Hazel ride Arion to a lime beach seeking materials, then encounter Nemesis, who appears as figures they resent. The goddess reveals the gods’ instability, Hera’s absence, and a looming Greek–Roman war. She warns Nico will die in six days and Rome may fall, brands Leo the “seventh wheel,” offers costly help, and directs them to a reflecting pool and the Celestial bronze with “sweethearts.”
Summary
Riding Arion across the Great Salt Lake, Leo and Hazel reach a white “sand” island. Leo gathers lime for repairs, momentarily rattled by memories of Gaea’s taunts. Their banter reveals Hazel’s uneasy recognition of Leo’s resemblance to someone named Sammy. Hazel senses nearby Celestial bronze and leads them inland.
They find a leather-clad woman beside a crippled motorcycle, cracking fortune cookies. She appears to Leo as Aunt Rosa and to Hazel as Mrs. Leer, then reveals herself as Nemesis, goddess of revenge. Nemesis complains about Tyche’s false luck, alters fortunes to grim outcomes, and explains the gods are fractured between Greek and Roman aspects; Hera/Juno has fled Olympus amid blame for uniting the camps.
Nemesis claims she opposes Gaea, but insists true success requires sacrifice. She warns Hazel that Nico has only six days to live and that Rome may be destroyed. Turning to Leo, she calls him an outsider—the “seventh wheel”—and predicts he will face a problem he cannot solve unless he accepts her help. She offers aid at a painful price and gives him a special fortune cookie to break when he needs an answer.
After refusing for now, Leo pockets the cookie involuntarily. Nemesis hints that an ancient wrong, if avenged, could unify Olympus, then directs them to a reflecting pool and says the Celestial bronze lies “with the sweethearts.” She departs on her bike, and Hazel finds a final fortune: “You will see yourself reflected, and you will have reason to despair.” Resolved to investigate, Leo and Hazel head toward the pool.
Who Appears
- Leo ValdezSeeks lime and Celestial bronze; meets Nemesis, is called the ‘seventh wheel,’ given a fortune cookie aid.
- Hazel LevesqueGuides Leo to metals; unsettled by Leo’s resemblance to Sammy; learns Nico has six days to live.
- NemesisGoddess of revenge; manipulates fortunes, warns of looming war, offers help at a painful price.
- ArionSupernaturally fast horse who carries Leo and Hazel to the island across the lake.
- Percy JacksonOff-page; warned Leo about Hazel’s past before departure, prompting Leo’s caution.