“Uh..I…” Kyle stammered before Marina snatched the paper out of his hand.
“Zeus’ son. That’s Hercules, right? Hercules’ bow?” She said, staring at the paper. “Who used his bow after he did?”
“Philoctetes.” Kyle said still staring forward. Marina furrowed her brow and looked at him. “The satyr in the Disney movie. Philoctetes.” He said quietly.
“That movie couldn’t be more inaccurate.” Hunter said shaking his head.
“No, no, no. The satyr was named after Philoctetes. He was some warrior a long time ago. Hercules gave him his bow.” Marina looked at him. “Why do you always looked surprised when I know something? I know things.”
“Of course you do, sweetie.” Marina said before kissing him on the cheek. Chiron cleared his throat. “Oh, right. Sorry.” She said quietly.
“So, what is named after Philoctetes?” Hunter asked, trying to think of something. “Who’s a famous Phil?”
“Phil Hartman. No, wait. He’s dead.” Kyle said quietly.
“He wasn’t a demigod, either.” Mr. D interjected.
“Dr. Phil. You know that talk show host guy?” Marina suggested.
“He’s DEFINITELY not a demigod.” Mr. D said with a chuckle, taking a sip of Diet Coke.
“Children. What do you know of Persephone?” Chiron asked taking a step forward.
“She’s my sister.” Kyle said with a shrug. “Uh…Goddess of springtime, flowers, and youth or something.”
“And….” Chiron said, trying to coax an answer.
“Well, and she’s the queen of the underworld, but what does that have to do with anything?” Hunter said, a little curious with Chiron’s ambiguity.
“She was abducted by Hades and brought to the underworld. However, Demeter wasn’t exactly happy about this. As a compromise, she spends Spring and Summer with her mother and Winter and Fall in the Underworld with Hades.” He explained. Hunter nodded.
“Yeah. We know this. What’s the point?” He said calmly.
“Well, how do they decide when it’s Spring? It was a battle between Demeter and Hades for centuries.” Chiron said in his typically calm voice. “They finally reached an agreement a few hundred years ago. Every year on February 2nd the date on which she will return is decided.”
“February 2nd?” Hunter said with a furrow in his brow. “That’s Groundhog Day.” Chiron nodded.
“Every year the groundhog in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania decides when Persephone can rejoin her mother.” Chiron said with a nod.
“Punxsutawney? That’s…Oh! Groundhog Day? With Bill Murray!” Kyle said, snapping his fingers. “The Groundhog’s name is Punxsutawney-“ He stopped short when he realized it. “Phil…” He said quietly.
“I would look there first.” Chiron said with a nod. Hunter took a step forward.
“Okay. When do we leave?” He said calmly. “I figure we’ll take Pegasi.”
“Demeter hides him away every other day of the year. The only year when the groundhog is accessible is on Groundhog Day.” Chiron said quietly. “That’s tomorrow. I would leave then. Bright and early.” Hunter could tell Kyle was trying to contain himself, but he wasn’t doing a very good job.
“Thanks, Chiron.” Hunter said with a nod. “Let’s get going. We’ll need to pack and you guys need to pick a Pegasus.” The three of them walked out of the Big house and stood near the door. “Alright. Follow me.” He said as he lead them toward the Pegasus stables.
“This seems too easy.” Kyle said. “I mean, we have to take out a groundhog? That’s just ridiculous.”
“I’m sure there’s more to it than that.” Hunter said. He glanced at Kyle and the image of him squaring off with him in his dream flashed in his mind. When they arrived at the stables, Hunter walked Ulysses out and patted him on the neck. Marina and Kyle stared. “Go on in. Pick out a friend.” he said teasingly. Marina and Kyle gave him a look before heading in and picking out their pegasi. Marina led a dark grey Pegasus out.
“This is Jimmy.” She said with a grin as she patted him behind his ear. The horse let out a happy whinny and nuzzled her with his nose. 20 minutes later, Kyle led out a light brown horse.
“Her name is Petunia.” He said patting her on the neck.