Dicaeus jogs behind the others, shaking off his oppressive thoughts with the spirit of the race, yet still unable to physically keep up with the Spartans over long distances.

Athletics: 8

Carrus relaxes, trying to keep his movements fluid.  Athletics: 25

(That's going to be close.  Can Anax narrow the gap in time?)

Anax lets a grin curl on his lips as his full Spartan heritage and training comes threw, the mountain of a man easily closing the distance between himself and Carrus. Neither one is able to pass the other as you grow closer and closer to the top of the Plateau.

Cybele is suddenly hit with a waft of different odors that throws her for a loop, In a almost dog-like fashion she stops momentarily to take a big whiff only to remember the proposed challenge.

Dicaeus is out of his element here, He stumbles and falls up the stairs. Trying his best to make some ground on the Mastiff in front of him but without any progress.

This comes down to Carrus and Anaxandros. 

You both are dead even right now, neck and neck as you grow closer to the Plateau. 

For this I want a Constitution check from both of you to see if you can keep the speed up. Last check, Lets see who wins this race!

Constitution check (not save, right?): 18

Carrus sighs as the goliath pulls ahead at the last, but is pleased at how close the race was.

Anax bares his teeth, surprised that the human is keeping pace with him. His powerful legs pump up and down, but he feels his breath beginning to catch in his lungs. He grins and laughs away the muscle fatigue, powering himself through like the days of old in the mountains around Sparta.

Constitution: 12

Anax comes to a stop and puffs his chest out to get his breathing back to normal as quickly as he can. Panting, he turns to Carrus.

"That... was impressive." He takes his wineskin out and takes a deep gulp before offering it to the Olympian. "The only man I've met who can keep pace with me is Achilles, you had me worried for a second there." He claps the man on the shoulder and laughs whilst sitting on the ground. "We'd best wait for the others, then on to the Den."

Carrus takes the wineskin gratefully and takes a large swig of the (pretty decent) contents before handing it back to Anax.  Good race.  And good wine.  He stays on his feet - just - and looks down to where Dicaeus and a large, very familiar looking dog were rapidly approaching.   He's getting faster.  

Check not save. So Anax's would be 22. Still more then enough.

The race won the the heaving Spartan with the Olympian in a close second to find yourselves at the top of the winding staircase, overlooking the entire city. best guess you are almost 900 feet in the air. The air is thinner then on the ground but you quickly adjust to it.

Anax and Carrus while waiting for your companions to catch up you look to where the Plateau begins and see stunningly beautiful archways of Gold and silver, Beautifully carved marble statues depicting the acts of Herkules labors. Thousands of well maintained, young Sequoia's line a path leading to the Plateau itself where open theaters for plays and debates are found, Numerous small buildings where Senators rest their heads and beyond all of it. Towering even higher, The majestic Cathedral-like building where Herkules spends his days; The Den. 

Dicaeus reaches the top some time later, winded but chuckling. “You know... one of these days... might challenge you two to a game... hide and seek... if you don’t let me win one of these... ‘fair challenges’. Either that... or I’ll take a page out of Cybele’s book.” Another minute or two is spent catching his breath before he stands straight and looks towards the Plateau. “Onwards?”

Carrus stands, taking in the view, for a few moments longer, and then nods to Dicaeus.  Onwards.  

He resumes their course towards the Den, though jogging rather than running flat out now.

Anax regards the surrounding opulence and frowns. He looks at the others starting ahead and decides to follow behind Carrus, still excited to meet Herkules.

Cybele will nose around for a moment, panting and pretty slobbery from the run, before turning back into herself and following. "That was no fun! Couldn't turn into half the things I wanted to or I'd frighten all the city folk!" Her grin ruins the admonishing tone though.

So you continue forth and Onto the plateau, The first thing you notice. As high as you are at the moment, there is surprisingly very little to no wind and it is rather warm here. Passing by the Open Theater you see a group of actors rehearsing some sort of play while a few senators sit in the stone seats and chuckle to themselves. 

Not as lively as the city below, the Plateau is all but quiet until you get to the the Stairs leading to The Den. From here you can hear the chatter of Dozens of Individuals, drowning eachother out. The Doors to the Den look out of place amongst all the gold,silver and marble.They look like stable doors. No one stands outside them and as you push them open you hear a billowing, Deep male voice. "ENOUGH WITH YOUR SQUABBLING, LEAVE NOW BEFORE MY MAUL FINDS A HOME IN YOUR CHEST!" 

Dozens of men in white and blue robes rush pass you before you can step inside, many are murmuring under their breath. Looking inside the Den, It looks nothing like it does on the outside, While outside it looked brilliant and majestic, fit for the Gods. Inside it looks nothing more then a farmers home. Wooden walls and a simple stone floor, Low burning braziers every 3 feet or so leads to a single Chair. The chair looks humble and wooden, larger then others by a decent amount but not the throne you were expecting.

Sitting on the chair you see a Mountain of a Man, Easily twice the size of Anaxandros and far more muscular. Head shaved bald with a long, thick beard that falls almost a foot from his chin. Bronze skin, covered in scars from all manner of beasts. Open chest with a kilt of Lions pelt covering his lower body, the High-King Herkules looks up. "ITS ABOUT TIME, COME AND DRINK WITH ME. I've had nothing but senators bothering me all day long, could use a drink with proper folk."  He stands and extends his arms, at his full height he is comparable to one of the giants you witnessed outside of Athens. A large smile across his face as he pulls a table and a few chair closer to his seat, Hurriedly placing platters of food and jugs of wine onto the table.

"Ah! Now that's what I call a welcome!" Anax hurries over and grabs a jug of wine to himself, gathering plates of meat and piling them before his spot at the table. Forgetting himself, he shakes his head, "Where are my manners?! It's an honour to meet you finally, high-king. I am Captain Anaxandros of Sparta, slayer of the Black Manticore of Amyclées and King Leonidas' most celebrated champion." Anax bows his head, obviously trying to set a good first impression with some of his accolades without trying to overdo it. He can't help himself from staring in awe at the man before him - almost chewing clean through his chicken bone without even realising, which he plays off by gulping down an impressive volume of wine.

"Well met Anaxandros of Sparta! I am High-king Herkules of Olympia, Bane of the Nemean Lion, Ruler of Greece, Son of Zeus and Bringer of Peace!" He pats you on the back Anaxandros, and it almost makes you fall face first onto the table the sheer power behind it. You have to crane your neck up to look this man in the eye, He is every bit as awe inspiring as you have heard. "There are other titles but I can never remember them all." 

Carrus watches Anax seat himself at Herkules' table, marvelling at the man's bravado and grinning as he almost gets smacked into the floor.  He walks up and bows before the High King.  I am Carrus, your Majesty.  He thinks back to Anax's long list of titles and accolades, and wonders how exactly should a man introduce himself to his God?   I am a soldier in your service, he says simply.  And I will gladly drink with you.   He sits at the table and reaches for the nearest wine.

"A Fellow Olympian! You are always welcome at my Table Carrus!" The High-king is smiling under his thick beard. In these very brief moments you get a strong sense for the Demi-god sat before you. While it initially seemed he was a man of fine taste and supreme details. You can tell from the simple wooden chair he uses as a throne and the shambled mess of walls inside the Den. Herkules prefers the simple things in life and finds comfort in them rather then the shine and gold leading up to his home. He seems friendly if a bit brutish in the way he carries himself. 

Cybele smiles. The inside of this building is much like the interior of any home of one of the common folk and it makes her feel more at ease then the opulence outside. She will salute with a fist to her chest. "Cybele of Sparta, priestess of Artemis and Warrior of the Four. I will gladly join you for food and drink your Majesty." 

 Since the High King seems to eschew formality, she will take a seat and help herself to food and wine.

"Please, Call me Herkules." His smiles widens as the three of you sit at the table before him. He chuckles and is clearly more a comfortable now. Then his eyes find Dicaeus. "You....I know you." The Smile vanishes from his face as he stares at Dicaeus, He stands from his wooden throne and walks to within 4 feet of you Dicaeus. This man is......Intimidating, Anax looks like a child next to him. A Literal mountain of Rippling muscle and ferocity. 

"Son of Hades, You were there when I wrestled with Cerberus. You were younger but it was you."  He looks down at you Dicaeus, His looming size hovering over you; It feels like with a step he could squash you like a bug. 

 The Smile returns as he clasps you on the shoulder "Guess that makes us Cousins! Come Join me!" He practically forces you to the table which is a odd feeling. 

Dicaeus is propelled speechless to the table by the God-King and sits down. Hard. “You... you remember? That day, the day we spoke, the day you started me down this path? The one to being a better man, the one I’ve strived to follow all these years? You remember?  I’ve never forgotten that conversation.” A stupidly big grin breaks out across the pale man’s face, larger than you’ve ever seen from him, in spite of the turmoil of the morning. “And apparently you haven’t either. You have no idea how much that means to me. Thank you, my lo... Cousin, thank you.”