Hercules: The Legendary Journeys Two Book Collection (Juvenile) Read Free Page B

that boulder was.”
    Honorius stood to attention and looked at Hercules. “We had heard a tale about the Greeks giving a giant wooden horse to the Trojans in the course of their war. The Trojans took the horse into Troy, not realizing it was full of soldiers, who burst out in the night and captured the city. That rock was the first in a new series of secret weapons. We built it to hold a soldier, plus food and drink and weapons. We would place dozens of boulders in various places near the enemy camp. During a battle, we could use the soldiers as reinforcements, ambushers, spies—”
    â€œThat’ll do,” Ferocius snarled. “That rock was an experiment, the first of the series. We sneaked it into the town square to see if it would fool our people—and it did. Good thing too—it took weeks to build a fake that looked convincing. Now you’ve destroyed it.”
    Behind Hercules, leaves crunched under the paws of forest wolves running in the night. Crickets chirped and a stray dog howled at the moon. And someone laughed—a high, fast cackle, like dry wood snapping and popping in a fireplace. The laughter stopped abruptly, as if the laugher suddenly realized that someone would hear.
    Uh-oh. I know that laugh, Hercules thought, looking about him.
    Ferocius fixed Hercules with a steady glare. “Give me one reason why I shouldn’t kill you.”
    â€œI’ll give you a very good reason,” Hercules said calmly. “You’re in danger and you need my help. A god is following us.”

Chapter 4
    â€œAnd
he’s planning something dangerous,” Hercules finished. “Just now, someone out there laughed at the idea of my being under your authority. The gods laugh at the idea of humans having any authority. They look at us the way little boys look at worms, as something fun to step on and crush.”
    Ferocius was skeptical. He folded his hands over his belly and smiled, shaking his head like a father who’s caught his son telling a harmless but blatant lie. “Tell me, which god did you hear?”
    The men of his honour guard chuckled.
    Hercules did not smile. “It sounded like Hermes, but it could have been Ares. They’re half-brothers and their voices are similar. Or it could have been one of Hermes’ sons, like Pan. Or maybe—”
    â€œShut up,” Ferocius commanded. He did not move. Everyone followed his lead and kept quiet. Listening.
    Tense, silent minutes passed.
    At last Ferocius made his decision. “Well. We’ve stood out here in the open, waiting for Hermes or Ares or whoever to attack, as you’ve predicted. I don’t see any divine beings firing down lightning bolts or a rain of blood. If they’re out there, why haven’t they turned us into tree toads by now?”
    â€œMaybe they’re trying to make me look stupid,” Hercules replied. Even as he said it, he knew that this made him seem weak or even deceitful. “I don’t have an answer,” he said. And this made him seem even worse.
    Out in the darkness, someone sniffled.
    â€œWho’s that?” Hercules said. He whirled around. “Who’s crying?”
    â€œNobody,” a young voice said. “Leave me alone!”
    General Ferocius’ guards rushed forward and poked their swords at Hercules’ stomach. He slapped the weapons away. “For Zeus’ sake, you can kill me later if you want. Some kid’s upset. I don’t mind if you don’t like me, but kids matter.” He called into the darkness. “Come out, wherever you are. I won’t hurt you.”
    â€œShut up, you fraud!” shouted a pained voice.
    Hercules took off fast, following the sound, and grabbed a boy by the shoulders. He spun him around. It was Peuris, his face streaked with the muddy trail of tears.
    â€œDon’t talk to me, you fake!” the boy shouted. He tried to wriggle free, but Hercules held