Superpowers by Alex Cliff Page B

really into history and was always talking about it.
    â€˜Max and I have been reading some of the Roman myths and legendstogether,’ Mr Hayward went on. ‘I’m sure you’d like them too, Fin. They’re fascinating.’
    â€˜Yeah,’ Finlay said politely. He hastily grabbed Max’s arm before Mr Hayward could start telling him one of the stories. ‘Let’s go, Max!’
    â€˜See you later, Dad,’ Max called.
    â€˜If we survive today,’ muttered Finlay as they hurried out of the lounge.
    Five minutes later Max and Finlay were running up the path that led from the village to the castle. The castle’s crumbling walls formed a circle around a grassy keep. On the outside of the walls was a dark moat. The boys crossed the stone bridge and scrambled through the gatehouse – the entrance to thecastle. The tower in which Hercules was imprisoned was opposite them. Its grey stones stood in shadow.
    â€˜We’re early,’ Finlay said to Max.
    Every morning, just as the sun’s rays fell on the gatehouse wall, the stones in front of Hercules’ face crumbled so that he could see out. At the same time, his superpowers, which Juno had placed in the gatehouse archway, glowed brightly.
    â€˜It’s almost time,’ Max said.
    As he spoke, there was a crash of thunder overhead and a bolt of lightning shot down from the sky. The boys blinked as Juno appeared in front of them.
    â€˜Maggots!’ Juno snapped, glaring at the boys. ‘Worms!’
    Finlay and Max hastily backed away. They were used to being called names by Juno now and knew it was better not to object.
    Not unless you wanted to be frozen in

    mid-air, unable to move or speak
, Max thought nervously as the goddess stared at them.
    â€˜Today is your sixth task,’ she said. ‘You must find and return my three golden apples. They are hidden nearby.’ Her black eyes narrowed. ‘Or, of course, you could just give up now because you will
never
succeed.’
    â€˜We won’t give up!’ Finlay said strongly.
    â€˜No way. Where do we have to look for these apples?’ Max said. As he met Juno’s terrible gaze, he felt his stomach plunge downwards as if he was in a very fast lift.
    â€˜I have placed the apples in the grounds of the Manor House in your village,’ she replied sharply. ‘Look forthem in the walled garden with the statue of Cerberus in the centre.’
    â€˜Ceber-what?’ Finlay echoed.
    â€˜It’s a mythical beast,’ Max muttered to him. ‘A three-headed dog. Dad and I’ve been reading about it.’ He looked at Juno. He knew how tricky she could be and he wanted to make sure they’d got the task straight. ‘So all we’ve got to do is find these apples and bring them back here?’
    Juno smiled dangerously. ‘Yes. That is
all
you have to do. Though of course,’ she added, ‘first you must choose the correct three apples.’
    Max felt alarmed. ‘How many are there?’ he asked, imagining hundreds of apples to choose from.
    â€˜Just four,’ Juno replied. ‘But choosewrong and you will
not
live to regret it.’ She gave a delighted laugh.
    Finlay and Max exchanged worried looks.
    â€˜So how will we know which are the
right
apples?’ Finlay said. ‘Or do we just have to guess?’
    â€˜That would be
much
more fun,’ Juno said. ‘But no, I must give you a fair chance, and so I will give you a riddle that will tell you which apple to leave – if you can solve it.’ Juno clicked her fingers and a piece of folded paper instantly appeared in her hand. It was sealed with a circle of blood-red wax. She held it out to Finlay. ‘Here!’
    She looked down her nose at them both. ‘I don’t imagine either of youwill be able to solve it. It takes wit and wisdom to find answers in a riddle. You will fail in your task this time. Wait and see!’
    She