The Heroes of Olympus, #3
The Mark of Athena
by Rick Riordan
Contents
V
Overview
Shaken after the attack on New Rome, Leo confesses he fired on the camp while under a chilling compulsion. The damaged Argo II lands at the Great Salt Lake for emergency repairs. With Romans likely in pursuit, the crew splits: Percy, Annabeth, and Frank seek tar in town, while Hazel and Leo retrieve celestial bronze and lime from a nearby island.
Summary
On the battered Argo II, Annabeth presses Leo to explain the attack on New Rome. Leo, dazed and guilty, recalls acting as if controlled, driven by a cold feeling. Coach Hedge gripes about lost TV, while Frank remains wary. Annabeth leaves to check Jason, further shaking Leo’s confidence.
Leo consults the ship’s figurehead, Festus, learning the hull and aerial oars are damaged and repair supplies are needed. Festus detects Hazel nearby on Arion. Annabeth and Percy return, confirm Jason is resting with Piper, and confront Leo; Annabeth believes magic compelled him.
Festus identifies a source for supplies at the Great Salt Lake, and Leo pilots a rough water landing. Hazel arrives aboard on Arion, and the group regathers in the lounge. Percy reports he sent Tyson an Iris-message to take Ella to Camp Half-Blood. Hazel warns the Romans will pursue for honor, raising urgency.
They inventory needs: tar from the nearby city; celestial bronze and lime from an island in the lake. To minimize attention, Annabeth argues for small teams. Despite Percy’s concern, they agree to split: Percy, Annabeth, and Frank fly to town for tar; Hazel and Leo ride Arion to the island for bronze and lime. Jason remains aboard under Piper’s care, with Coach Hedge on watch.
Who Appears
- Leo ValdezRacked with guilt; admits he fired on New Rome under a cold compulsion; assesses ship damage and plans repairs.
- Annabeth ChaseInterrogates Leo, recognizes magical influence; organizes repair plan and team split; partners with Percy for the town run.
- Percy JacksonAngry but defers to Annabeth; secures Ella’s safety via Tyson; joins Frank and Annabeth to get tar.
- Hazel LevesqueArrives on Arion; warns Romans will pursue; proposes small-team strategy; partners with Leo to fetch bronze and lime.
- Frank ZhangWary of Leo but cooperative; can transform into a dragon; assigned to fly Annabeth and Percy to town.
- Coach HedgeGruff satyr chaperone; survives rough landing; stays aboard to keep watch during repair missions.
- Piper McLeanTends to the injured Jason belowdecks; remains aboard during the supply runs.
- FestusBronze dragon figurehead; reports damage and scans for needed materials and Hazel’s location.
- ArionHazel’s swift stallion; runs over water to reach the ship; transport for Hazel and Leo to the island.
- Jason GraceInjured and resting with an ice pack; remains on the ship while others gather supplies.