progress."

 

"Progress?" I said. "He nearly destroyed St. Louis."

 

"Yes," Hermes admitted. "But he destroyed only half of Kentucky. He's slowing

down. Losing power."

 

I didn't want to argue, but it sounded like Hermes was trying to convince

himself.

 

In the comer, the Ophiotaurus mooed sadly.

 

"Please, Hermes," Annabeth said. "You said my mother wanted to come. Did she

give you any messages for us?"

 

"Messages," he muttered. '"It'll be a great job,' they told me. 'Not much work.

Lots of worshippers.' Hmph. Nobody cares what / have to say. It's always about

other people's messages .”

 

Rodents, George mused. I'm in it for the rodents.

 

Shhh, Martha scolded. We care what Hermes has to say. Don't we, George?

 

Oh, absolutely. Can we go back to the battle now? I want to do laser mode again.

That's fun.