Chapter 37 Summary: The Second Labor – Hermes' Riddle
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Lyra is shaken awake by Hades, who tells her the second Labor is about to begin. Still groggy after a restless night dreaming of Hades, she is caught off guard when he flips back her covers, revealing her bare midriff. Before she can react, she is transported to the site of the Labor—without her vest, jewels, or relic. She materializes on a tiny cement block jutting from a mountain, enclosed by glass on three sides with a sheer drop below. Other champions appear on similar platforms, all in pajamas except Dex, who is already in uniform. Hermes announces the challenge: solve a riddle with only three questions allowed. Asking a question adds six inches to that champion's plank but subtracts one inch from everyone else's. After the third question, the champion has five minutes to guess correctly or their plank disappears. The first to answer wins Hermes' Talaria—winged sandals—and can fly off the mountain. The survivors must then climb down barefoot in pajamas, a descent Hermes hints will be treacherous. Lyra realizes the real danger lies in the climb, not the riddle.
Key Events
- Hades wakes Lyra; she is distracted by her attraction to him.
- Lyra is transported to the Labor site without her equipment, wearing only pajamas.
- She balances on a narrow cement block inside a glass cylinder on a mountain.
- Hermes introduces the riddle challenge with diminishing plank sizes.
- Champions must ask questions strategically; each question grows their own plank but shrinks others'.
- After the third question, a five-minute countdown begins to guess correctly.
- The winner receives Talaria; survivors must climb down the mountain.
- Lyra concludes that surviving the descent is the true test.
Character Development
- Lyra: Her vulnerability is highlighted—physically (no gear) and emotionally (attraction to Hades). She shifts from fear to strategic thinking, recognizing the Labor's hidden threat.
- Hades: A brief but impactful appearance: he wakes Lyra, calls her "my star," and promises to see her soon, hinting at deeper care beneath his cold exterior.
- Hermes: Presented as cunning and theatrical, with a flair for psychological games. His Labor prioritizes intelligence over strength, but the real cruelty is the deadly climb.
- Zai, Dex, Jackie, Rima: Minor reactions show fear or discomfort; Dex's preparedness (in uniform) contrasts with others' vulnerability.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Risk and Reward: Asking questions grows your plank but reduces others'; cooperation is punished, individual strategy rewarded.
- Innocence vs. Brutality: Pajamas and bare feet symbolize naivety, while the mountain descent and death threat expose the game's savagery.
- The Talaria as Goal: The winged sandals represent freedom and safety, making them a coveted prize that may shift alliances.
- Limited Agency: The three-question limit and collective penalty force champions to weigh every word, emphasizing the scarcity of control.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 37 marks a turning point in the Crucible. After a first Labor that tested physical endurance (dragon teeth), this Labor challenges mental agility and strategic thinking. The introduction of Talaria—a tool that could trivialize future Labors—raises the stakes. The chapter also deepens Lyra's connection to Hades, both emotionally and as a protector. The final revelation that the descent is the true threat underscores the series' theme: the gods' Labors are never straightforward, and survival demands reading between the lines.
Study Questions and Answers
1. How does the riddle challenge force champions to compete against one another, and what does this reveal about Hermes' personality?
The plank mechanic creates a zero-sum game: one champion's gain (asking a question) reduces everyone else's footing. This pits allies against each other, discouraging cooperation. Hermes revels in this psychological manipulation, as shown by his "villainous smile" and theatrical scroll. He enjoys watching champions squirm.
2. Why is Lyra particularly vulnerable at the start of this Labor, and how does her mindset evolve by the end of the chapter?
She is transported without her magical tools, shoes, or even warm clothes—just thin pajamas. Initially panicked, she quickly shifts to survival mode. She identifies the climb down as the true danger, showing she is learning to see past the surface of each Labor.
3. What role does Hades' brief interaction with Lyra play in both plot and emotional development?
Hades' wake-up call establishes his continued watch over Lyra, and his whispered "my star" suggests genuine affection. It gives Lyra a moment of hope ("I'll see you soon") that contrasts with the morning's peril. Emotionally, it deepens her conflicted feelings for him, setting up future relationship tension.