A/N: My how time flies. Another year is over and once again, it's time for my yearly update to this story. I really am sorry I don't ever seem to update more frequently, but I'm going to try to change that this year.
Chapter Three
Olympics
Hermes' next appointment brought him to a quiet farm in the country. It looked like such a peaceful place, so different from the frenzied activity of the city that he hated to think of Herry having to leave it. There hadn't really been any choice though. It was either bring Herry to New Olympia or let Cronus destroy him and no matter how successful he'd been against Cronus' giants, the god of time would have found it easy enough to get rid of him.
Hermes strolled up to the farmhouse and knocked on the front door, which a petit dark-haired woman he realized must be Herry's mother promptly answered.
"May I help you?" she asked.
"I certainly hope so," Hermes replied cheerfully. "I'm here to talk to you about Herry."
"Please come in," Herry's mother invited.
Hermes stepped inside and followed his hostess down the hall and into a cozy looking living room where Herry's father was sitting in an armchair beside a crackling fire.
"Honey," Herry's mother said. "This gentleman says he's here to discuss Herry."
Herry's father, an imposing looking man with broad shoulders and heavily muscled arms, likely the result of years of farm work, gestured to the chair across from his.
"Have a seat," he said. Then, turning to his wife he added, "Sweetheart would you mind getting our guest some refreshments?"
Hermes sat down while Herry's mother left to retrieve refreshments.
"Now what's all this about Herry?" Herry's father asked. "He isn't falling behind in his studies again is he because I've had several discussions with him about the importance of academics?"
"No, no, nothing like that," Hermes hastened to assure him, thinking how strange it was to hear him talking about academics. Hermes never would have pegged someone who looked like a body-builder for a man who'd be overly concerned with his son's scholastic achievements. "Actually, I'm here to offer your son a wonderful opportunity," he continued, "but if you don't mind I'd prefer to wait until your wife returns before I go into details."
"Of course," Herry's father agreed readily. Apparently, as long as Herry wasn't struggling academically he was perfectly content to wait.
Hermes, meanwhile, was regretting his choice of words. Calling Herry's present situation 'a wonderful opportunity' seemed to him like a particularly cruel lie. He knew this whole mess was anything but wonderful. He also couldn't help wondering what he and the other gods would do if something unfortunate did befall one of the heroes. He knew it was a possibility none of them wished to consider especially since they were determined to remain positive for the sake of their young charges no matter what doubts they might have, but it was a reality nevertheless.
After what seemed an interminable length of time, Herry's mother reappeared balancing a tray holding a plate of cookies and three mugs of hot chocolate. Herry's father hurried to assist her with the heavy tray and soon they'd settled themselves comfortably next to the fireplace.
Hermes took several sips of hot chocolate and helped himself to a cookie before deciding to get down to business.
"My name is Mr. Comm," he began. "I represent the coach of an Olympic Wrestling Team. He saw Herry in competition a couple of months ago and he's decided to recruit him. He firmly believes that your son has an excellent chance at winning a gold medal in the next summer games. I've spoken to him and he's thrilled."
"You spoke to Herry about this without consulting us first?" Herry's father demanded.
"Yes," Hermes confirmed, "but you must understand that this offer is time sensitive. The individual I represent wants Herry to begin training with him and the rest of the team right away."
"I still think you should have discussed this with us first," Herry's father remarked.
"I apologize for not informing you before I spoke to Herry," Hermes responded.
"What's done is done," Herry's mother commented quietly. "Now if you two are finished, perhaps we should call Herry inside and discuss this with him."
"Well, actually," Hermes explained hesitantly, "Herry was so excited and so certain you'd give him your approval that he's already gone."
"What!" Herry's father exploded leaping to his feet. "What kind of organization are you working for? How could you allow a sixteen year old boy to leave home without his parents' knowledge or permission?"
"I'm sorry," Hermes said. "Herry seemed so sure you'd approve that I…"
"And what if we decide to say no?" Herry's father demanded.
Then your son will die at the hands of a lunatic god or his homicidal minions, Hermes thought.
He couldn't say that, of course, tempting as it was, so he settled for something less likely to make Herry's parents question his sanity.
"If you would prefer I can contact the coach and have Herry sent home," he offered, silently hoping they wouldn't say yes.
"Honey, sit down," Herry's mother said, putting a hand on her husband's arm. "I'm sure we can work something out with Mr. Comm."
"First, I want to know the name of this coach he keeps talking about," Herry's father insisted as he reluctantly resumed his seat.
"Strong," Hermes responded instantly, having prepared for this question beforehand, "Coach Strong."
"All right," Herry's father conceded, "tell us more about this offer."
"Herry will train with a top coach at world class facilities along with several others who've been specially selected," Hermes explained, relieved that things were back on track. "There will be tutors on staff to ensure that no one falls behind in their studies."
"Good," Herry's father acknowledged.
"Herry will also be encouraged to write or call on a regular basis, so you'll be able to stay in touch," Hermes continued.
"What about visits home?" Herry's mother asked.
"We'll do the best we can," Hermes answered, "but the coach feels that family can be a distraction. However, Herry should be able to make occasional visits home and, of course, he can withdraw from the program at any time."
"Is there anything else we should know?" Herry's mother asked.
"No, I think we've covered everything," Hermes replied. "Have you made a decision?"
"It does sound like an excellent opportunity," Herry's mother agreed. "What do you think, honey?"
"I suppose so," Herry's father muttered, "provided he maintains good grades."
"I assure you, he will," Hermes informed him.
"Then he had our permission to participate," Herry's father consented.
"Thank you very much," Hermes said, relieved. "Now if you'll excuse me I have other appointments."
"Of course," Herry's mother said. "My husband will show you out."
Herry's father climbed to his feet and escorted Hermes to the door while Herry's mother tidied up the remnants of the cookies and hot chocolate.
Just as Hermes was about to leave, Herry's father grabbed him by the shoulder and spun him around, so they were eye to eye.
"If anything happens to my boy, an injury, a nosebleed, anything, I promise you'll regret it," he warned.
"Nothing will happen, I promise," Hermes assured him, but as he headed down the path leading to the house, he couldn't help thinking, I hope.
A/N: I thought I'd try something I little different with the parents' reactions in this chapter, something I think is a little truer to life. I hope you enjoyed it and I'll try to update again soon.