i work hard

Stupid columns. Some people claim I created the whole Strait of Gibraltar by shoving mountains apart. Some people say the mountains are the pillars. What a bunch of Augean manure. The pillars are pillars. Right Piper said. Naturally. Socan we pass The god scratched his fashionable beard. Well I have to give you the standard warning about how dangerous the ancient lands are. Not just any demigod can survive the Mare Nostrum. Because of that I have to give you a quest to complete. Prove your worth blah blah blah. Honestly I dont make a big deal of it. Usually I give demigods something simple like a shopping trip singing a funny song that sort of thing. After all those labors I had to complete for my evil cousin Eurystheus wellI dont want to be that guy you know Appreciate it Jason said. Hey no problem. Hercules sounded relaxed and easygoing but he still made Piper nervous. That dark glint in his eyes reminded her of charcoal soaked in kerosene ready to go up at a moments notice. So anyway Hercules said whats your quest Giants Jason said. Were off to Greece to stop them from awakening Gaea. Giants Hercules muttered. I hate those guys. Back when I was a demigod heroah but never mind. So which god put you up to thisDad Athena Maybe Aphrodite He raised an eyebrow at Piper. As pretty as you are Im guessing thats your mom. Piper shouldve been thinking faster but Hercules had unsettled her. Too late she realized the conversation had become a minefield. Hera sent us Jason said. She brought us together to Hera. Suddenly Herculess expression was like the cliffs of Gibraltara solid unforgiving sheet of stone. We hate her too Piper said quickly. Gods why hadnt it occurred to her Hera had been Herculess mortal enemy. We didnt want to help her. She didnt give us much choice but But here you are Hercules said all friendliness gone. Sorry you two. I dont care how worthy your quest is. I dont do anything that Hera wants. Ever. Jason looked mystified. But I thought you made up with her when you became a god. Like I said Hercules grumbled dont believe everything you hear. If you want to pass into the Mediterranean Im afraid Ive got to give you an extrahard quest. But were like brothers Jason protested. Heras messed with my life too. I understand You