Iolaus curled up as small as the chains would allow. He was cold, so very cold, and the manacles at his wrists bit into his skin. The warrior had lost all sense of time, he could have been here a day or a month. He didn’t know any more, he didn’t care any more. He just wanted to sleep. Sleep and escape the cold, escape the pain. And especially escape the sounds of the dungeon, the rustlings, and the scrabbling of the rats. Who were still wary of him and keeping their distance, but for how much longer?
The sounds of the outside world occasionally broke through the thick stone walls too. There was a party going on in the castle, and snatches of music and laughter drifted down to Iolaus as he tried to warm himself, curled up in the corner of the cold and dirty dungeon. And somewhere above him was Hercules, wandering through the magnificent corridors and rooms, a guest of the King and Queen. Hercules was so close and yet impossibly distant. Iolaus felt tears sting his eyes, not for the first time, but this time they were of frustration. He was going to die here, and Hercules would know nothing about it until it was too late to do anything.
It had started so innocently, with an invitation to the royal palace at Ossian. There was to be a huge celebration in honour of the triumphant return of Prince Orrant from a lengthy war. Hercules and Iolaus had both fought beside the Prince in earlier campaigns, and were happy to accept the invitation. They had travelled for two days with no incident, but then on the third day,
“I can’t wait to get there, Herc. The Ossianians know how to put on a really good party. There’ll be dancing girls, and wine, and dancing girls, and singing. And dancing girls!” Iolaus did a little dance in the road to underline how much he was looking forward to the fun.
Hercules laughed at his antics, “It’s been a long time since we’ve been to a festival Iolaus. I’d hate to think that you’ve lost your touch.”
Iolaus stopped his capering, and turned to face Hercules, “I’ll have you know that my technique is well oiled and in perfect shape, I don’t know about you though.” Iolaus blue eyes twinkled, “You always get dragged into judging something. The best baby contest maybe!” He ducked out of Hercules range and giggled, trotting down the road ahead.
Hercules looked at Iolaus in exasperation, how did he always manage to do that? He yelled after the receding figure, “Don’t mention babies to me! This time I’ll volunteer you to be the judge!”
Iolaus laughed and turned back to his friend, “Don’t even think about it. If you do any such thing I’ll refuse to get you out of the trouble you’re going to get in.”
“What trouble? I don’t get into trouble!”
“Huh! Really? What about that time you got chased around the town by all those adoring women? And the other time King whats-his-face practically had you married to that daughter of his? And...”
Hercules held his hands up in defeat, “All right Iolaus, all right. I give.”
At that moment both men stopped and stood, listening. They exchanged a glance and readied themselves for attack. The noise of breaking branches they had heard didn’t herald an ambush however, a lone man exploded out of the bushes to the side of the road. He ran straight into Iolaus who grabbed hold of him to stop them both from falling. The man was only young, barely full grown, and was wearing a dirt smeared and torn brown tunic. He stood for a moment catching his breath, and then looked up at Iolaus, “Hercules?” He gasped.
Iolaus smiled and shook his head, inclining it towards Hercules who stood close by waiting to find out what disaster called him this time. The young man looked up at the demigod in awe,
“Uh...Umm Hercules. Wow! It’s really you.”
Hercules smiled and agreed that yes it really was him, this dumb struck reaction followed him everywhere, and it was beginning to wear very thin. He glanced at Iolaus who was holding onto the breathless mans arm, worried that he still might collapse. They waited as patiently as they could for him to gather himself.
“Hercules. You have to help us. Please! There’s no time!”
“Take it easy friend. Tell us your name and what we can do to help.”
“OK. Umm, my name is Timaleth, people call me Tim. My village is the other side of this wood,” Tim gestured to the side of the road he had appeared from, “The village elders elected me to go for help because I run fastest. There’s a group of bandits camped close to us, they are raiding the village for everything they need. We’re only a small village and poor, when they don’t find the food and drink they want they’re taking their anger out on the villagers. Please help us.”
Hercules nodded reassuringly, of course they would help. He glanced at Iolaus who sighed and gave him a little shrug. Iolaus had already given up his place on the dance floor. “We may still make it to the celebrations, they are to run over several days. And Tim, your village isn’t very far away is it?”
“No, no, it’s maybe half a days journey if we go through the woods.”
Iolaus touched his sword to ensure its readiness, and pushed at Timaleth, “Well, come on then Tim, lead the way!”
Iolaus gave a small laugh, if Hercules had heard it he would have been horrified. It was devoid of all animation and pleasure. It was the laugh of a cynical old man who had no hope left. If only they hadn’t followed Timaleth. But even now Iolaus couldn’t really believe that. The village had genuinely been in need of their help.
The heavy door to the dungeon swung open, and a tall robed figure approached. He was flanked by two guards, both of them appraised the naked man lying in the corner with dispassion. He was just a job to them, all part of the working day. Iolaus cringed under the gaze of the three pairs of cold eyes. He couldn’t help it, he knew what was about to happen. The guards dragged him to his feet, using a key to take the chains from the ring in the wall and thread them through two more rings, positioned a couple of feet apart, in the beam that ran across the ceiling in the middle of the room.
Iolaus was pulled up by the chains which were then securely locked in position, so that his feet were no longer touching the stone floor. His body swung slightly until they put chains around his ankles and attached them to rings placed similarly in the floor. They were ready for him now, having ensured that he was totally exposed, every inch of his body open to his tormentors.
The robed figure was a distinguished looking man, he was tall and slim with steel grey hair, and a neat beard. His grey eyes were the colour of slate and held no compassion as he ran their flint over Iolaus’ abused body, only greed. Iolaus knew this man to be the top advisor to the King, his name was Ffloyd. Iolaus hadn’t liked him from the moment they first met, but wished for this one time that he could have been proved wrong.
Iolaus had never felt so vulnerable in his life. He could do nothing, say nothing, to take control of his destiny. He was utterly at the mercy of these three men. Three men with no compassion or sympathy in their hearts for this slight blond man. His body told the story of what had come before. The usually golden skin was covered in bruising from the beatings that had been dished out. And there were shallow cuts to his inner arms and thighs, they had been inflicted by Ffloyds own sword, causing little real damage but a great deal of pain. They had left Iolaus’ face mostly alone, just a bruise on his jaw and a cut lip. He didn’t know if there was a reason behind that or just chance. He didn’t care.
Ffloyd moved close to his subject, Iolaus could feel warm breath on his naked chest. The King’s Advisor stroked smooth skin with his long slim fingers, his nails were long, and Iolaus could feel them scratching.
“Such a shame to damage such pretty skin, my dear.” Ffloyd's voice reminded Iolaus of a viper, sibilant and cold.
“Would you like to know what your darling friend Hercules is up to?”
Waiting for a response Ffloyd walked slowly around Iolaus caressing his exposed skin. “Oh, I’m sure you would. He’s out hunting with the Prince at this very moment. Laughing and joking and having a wonderful time.” Ffloyd smiled cruelly, “It’s a beautiful sunny day out there you know. Not too hot, just perfect.”
Iolaus, who had almost forgotten what the sun felt like, was silent. Bracing himself against the disgust the hunter felt at the touch of Ffloyd's fingers exploring his body, and the fear that Hercules would never find him here. The growing fear that the demigod didn’t even know there was anything wrong. Iolaus trembled and Ffloyd felt it under his fingers, he smiled, and nodded to one of the guards.
The guards were both big men, rough, they looked like they would make good mercenaries. The one who had been given the order moved behind Iolaus and picked something from a shelf on the wall there. It was a long thin leather whip, and he cracked it experimentally.
Iolaus braced himself as best he could for the onslaught. His naked skin had no protection against the cruel edge of leather. Lash after lash he endured, until each one blurred into the next. The pain he felt joined in with the ever growing chorus of pain from his other injuries. It became too big for him to cope with and though he had managed to remain quiet up till then, he started to whimper. Hardly aware of the sound, or his surroundings anymore, he was only aware of the pain. All the disciplines he had learned in the East were no match for this. He no longer had the strength to block out the pain, or the cold, or the fear. Ffloyd had worn his resistance down slowly and deftly. An expert in his field and proud of his work, the King's closest confidant smiled in satisfaction and gave the order to stop. The three men left Iolaus where he was, closing the door on the lone man and his torment.
Oblivion was cruelly distant, it would not take him in its arms, it would not give him any peace. Iolaus’ arms grew heavier, with his weight constantly straining them. His hands were numb, wrists chaffed and bleeding. And his back, its whole surface, neck to feet, was red with blood and ugly welts raised by the whip. Tears stood in Iolaus eyes, he was so tired, so hurt. He didn’t see how he could resist anymore, he wanted to give in and die. But more than that he wanted Hercules, to hear him say everything was going to be all right. Without that hope he would be without a reason to continue, without the strength to fight anymore.
Hercules was pleasantly surprised at how enjoyable his stay at the palace was becoming. He had arrived quite late after remaining to help the villagers rebuild their homes. Iolaus had come and gone from the Palace in the time it had taken him to do the work. From what the Prince said his friend had found a willing young dancer and they had left giggling and happy a couple of days before Hercules had arrived. He smiled, at least he wouldn’t get Iolaus teasing him about the baby judging contest. The son of Zeus had been asked, and of course hadn’t been able to refuse, but it hadn’t gone too badly. Only one of the mothers had threatened him with bodily harm, the others had been mollified by a chaste kiss.
Hercules and the Prince had returned from their hunting trip and were sitting in front of a huge fire in the royal sitting room. A servant hovered nearby, awaiting instructions. The day had been a beautiful one, clear bright skies, with only a gentle breeze. The Autumn air was crisp and fresh, but not yet too cold, and the hunting had been good, the meal tonight would be a feast of venison and wild boar. Hercules sighed, Iolaus would have enjoyed today, and he had been missed on the hunt by both men.
“What’s wrong?” Prince Orrant asked.
“Oh, nothing. Just thinking how much Iolaus would have enjoyed today.”
Orrant laughed, “Yes, but I bet he’s enjoying himself even more right now!”
Hercules grinned, Iolaus certainly knew how to have a good time. He hoped that the hunter would be back soon though. The hunting on the King’s Estates was superb, and Iolaus would hate to miss the chance of trying it out for himself.
“So, tell me, Hercules. What happened in the end with the village? I take it you and Iolaus saved the day?”
“Oh yes. We saved the day all right. By the time we arrived in the village, several of the villagers homes had been burnt down. And some of the men had decided not to wait any longer for us.” Hercules settled into his comfortable chair as he remembered facing the angry group of men on the edge of the village.
“Please! Wait!” Hercules and Iolaus stood blocking the path of the men. Tim had taken cover behind them, peering around Iolaus’ back, ready to run and the slightest hint of trouble.
“We’ve waited long enough.” The man at the head of the group shouted angrily back, “Our families are in danger, our homes are being destroyed. It’s time to end this!”
The men behind him cheered in support. There were about ten of them, it was a small village and ten strong men were all it could muster.
Hercules held his hands out in a gesture of peace, “I know. That’s why we are here. Don’t go marching off now, in anger. We can organise ourselves, give ourselves a better chance of success.”
“Who are you to be telling us what to do?” came a shout from one of the other men.
“He’s Hercules!” Tim was encouraged by his association with the demigod and had emerged from behind Iolaus. “Our elders sent me to get him, and here he is. He’ll help us!”
The men looked at each other unsure of what to do, and finally their self proclaimed leader nodded his acquiescence. “All right, Hercules. What should we do?”
Hercules and Iolaus moved forward until they were in the centre of the men, who now clustered round them, keen to hear what the demigod would suggest. They talked for some time, discussing their plan, while Tim went to find the elders to let them know of the success of his mission.
It had been an easy task taking the bandits encampment by surprise that night, they had become too relaxed and hadn’t even set a sentry. The villagers had been easy pickings, until now. Silently, led by Hercules and Iolaus, the villagers crept into the encampment. The bandits slept heavily, a result of the ale they had taken from the tavern, and when they began to awaken, they found swords at their necks. None of the bandits escaped and only one had been stupid enough to try, Iolaus had made short shrift of him. The men had been bound and six of the villagers had been chosen to accompany them to a nearby town where a magistrate presided, and there was a secure jail.
It had been late when Hercules, Iolaus, and the remaining villagers had returned to the village but many of the householders had been waiting up for them. When they heard the good news the elders insisted on holding a feast the next day to celebrate and show gratitude to Hercules and Iolaus.
The feast was a meagre affair, the bandits had raided the food stores as well as the ale house. But it was a joyful occasion and no one felt that they had missed out. Hercules noticed that many of the houses in the village were quite seriously damaged and asked what would be done. The elders shrugged, and admitted that it would be a problem, they would be able to rebuild some of the damaged homes, but the nights were drawing in. Iolaus instantly offered to stay and help, disappointed at the thought of missing the fun in Ossian, but seeing the need of the people with him. Hercules found a happier solution though.
“They had so much rebuilding to do, and with Winter so close we thought that we should help. But I could manage the work myself, and Iolaus was beginning to drive me crazy with all his grumping at the thought of missing the celebrations, so I sent him on here! ”
The two men laughed as they looked into the flames in the hearth. But Hercules was wondering where his friend was, and how long it would be before he returned. He had no idea how close to Iolaus he was. If the demigod could have looked down and seen what lay directly below him, in the deepest part of the castle, things would have turned out very differently. But he couldn’t, and he didn’t, so Iolaus continued to suffer.
Below where Hercules and the Prince talked in front of a roaring fire, Iolaus still hung from the beam, cold, and in pain. He clung to thoughts of better times, of times with Hercules, when they were happy. He tried to fall into the memories and block out the present. But it became increasingly difficult, until he could no longer drag his mind away from his body and its pains. He could no longer resist his body’s screaming to be able to curl up tight, to hide itself away. The vulnerability he felt was gnawing away at his mind, poking its way into any happy memory he conjured up. So, instead, he turned his thoughts towards where Hercules could be now, and how long it would take the demigod to realise that something must be wrong.
Above the dungeon, Hercules laughed as Orrant recalled a particularly tall tale Iolaus had told to impress the King and Queen, blissfully unaware of what was going on below him. And just a few metres away Iolaus was still hanging from the beam, not knowing how close his friend was to him. But grasping on to the thought that Hercules wouldn’t let him suffer here any longer than he had to, Hercules would come for him. He had to. It was all Iolaus had left, and he held on to it with all his being.
Iolaus heard a key turn in the door, and a slight figure slipped in to the dungeon creeping up to him. He wasn’t properly aware of his visitor until a familiar voice taunted him away from his thoughts. “Well, Iolaus, you have got yourself in a bit of a bind haven’t you!” The girlish giggle that had seemed so sweet to Iolaus before, now only sounded cruel. Tatiana, one of the dancing girls at the palace, had been so lovely, and so friendly. Iolaus had fallen for her charms and her trap all too easily.
“You are too easily influenced by a pretty girl Iolaus, although I admit it does seem rather a waste having you hanging around here.” She giggled again.
“Maybe you could convince Ffloyd of that.”
“Ooh, feisty!” Tatiana giggled.
Iolaus could have ripped that giggle right out of her throat and torn it into a thousand pieces. It made him so angry. Angry at her and angry at himself for being gullible enough to fall for this dancing girl. But the anger felt good, it made him feel strong, it made him want to exact his revenge. He had been so full of despair, his feelings of vulnerability had been so overwhelming, the anger released him from them for the moment. It focused his mind. He knew that the despair would try to creep back, the vulnerability could not be denied forever, so he used techniques he’d learnt in the East to centre on the anger, to keep it alive.
Big violet eyes carefully looked him over, lingering in their journey, caressing every inch of his body. Iolaus found himself blushing at the penetrating gaze, and she smiled, a cruel smile which did not reach those eyes. How could he ever have thought that they were innocent and beautiful. Her fingers reached out and ran lightly over his torso. They traced delicate patterns over his chest and abdomen and as they explored his body she shivered and locked her eyes with his. Her fingers suddenly dug into his flesh, dragging down his left hip before pulling away. She sucked at them, licking off his blood. Then turned away promising that she would return soon, oh, very, very soon. And she was so looking forward to it!
Iolaus took a deep shuddering breath, his skin felt clammy even though he was still cold, and he could feel the blood trickling down his leg from the scratches she had left. He berated himself yet again for following his heart rather than his head, he should have resisted the dancing girl and her combination of innocence and seduction. Iolaus knew that he should have found himself a nice cold pool of water to jump into, instead he let his libido get the better of him, again. Only this time the consequences were deadly. Iolaus let his head drop to his chest, and took some more deep steadying breaths. He couldn’t escape this living Tartarus, so he would have to endure it until Hercules came, or until he could endure no more, and Charon asked for his fee.
It had been late morning when Iolaus had arrived at Ossian The city was bustling with people, all were dressed in their best clothes, and laughing and joking. The celebrations had obviously started. Iolaus could hear music from a nearby tavern, and from the rowdy whistles and cheers, there were dancing girls in there too. He grinned and headed for the tavern, he could feed himself and have some fun at the same time, there would be time later to find Prince Orrant and the King and Queen.
But before he reached the door to the tavern, Iolaus was hailed. He turned toward the voice grinning and held his arm out toward Prince Orrant in greeting.
“I see you couldn’t keep yourself away from the fun, Iolaus!” The taller man laughed, his brown eyes reflecting his good humour.
Iolaus chuckled, “I was hungry, Orrant. You don’t expect me to starve do you!”
The two men laughed and walked together toward the castle, talking about old times and new ones. Orrant was followed at a discreet distance by two members of the King’s Guard. Iolaus commented on their escort.
“I know, it’s a pain, but, my position here is a difficult one. I’ve been away a long time, and there are some who do not relish my return.”
Iolaus raised his eyebrows at this, “You! With enemies! Who?”
“I don’t know. But the news I have received is that I am in danger. My father's position is safe, but mine is not. The word is that my influence will be a danger to somebody. I only wish I knew who.”
The two men entered the castle, and the Prince took Iolaus to meet his parents. They were seated in their royal thrones receiving visitors. Later there would be a royal banquet for all the guests.
King Lemnos and his beautiful Queen, Niobe, were beginning to show the strain of meeting and greeting so many ambassadors and royal personages. They were pleased to see Iolaus with their son, and greeted him warmly. The four spent some time talking, and the Royal couple used the interruption as an excuse to have some lunch. Iolaus enjoyed himself tremendously, regaling his appreciative audience with wild stories about Orrant and Hercules, all the while tucking into the feast put before him.
After the meal Orrant and Iolaus took their leave of Orrant’s parents and went to see some dancing. A dance troupe was staying at the castle for the festival, there were twelve girls, and they were putting on shows every day for a week in the castle. The two men entered the large hall as one of the shows was drawing to a close.
The girls on the stage were all wearing diaphanous blue gowns, that moved with their own life as the girls swayed and swirled. Iolaus watched as they moved about the stage, one girl in particular capturing his attention. Her dark hair was loose around her head and shoulders, and her large eyes looked full of innocent curiosity, darting around the whole room as she danced. They lit on Iolaus and she paused in her movement, just briefly, but Iolaus caught it. He smiled at her, and she smiled back secretly, her big violet eyes sparkling.
The show finished to a chorus of wolf whistles from some of the off duty soldiers, and applause from the rest of the crowd. Orrant gave Iolaus a sideways look, “Want me to introduce you?”
Iolaus grinned, “It isn’t really necessary, but if it’ll make you feel useful...”
Orrant led Iolaus toward the stage where some of the girls were gathered. At the edge of the group violet eyes watched them approach, and then slid to where Ffloyd sat. He raised the corner of his mouth in acknowledgement and nodded slightly. The girl lowered her eyelids and looked through her lashes at Iolaus, “Hello, I saw you watching me.” She wiggled slightly, as if embarrassed and giggled.
Iolaus smiled his best smile, reserved for just such an occasion.
“Hi, I’m Iolaus. You’re a great dancer! It must be thirsty work, would you like a drink?”
The girl smiled again, and Iolaus felt his heart begin to beat faster, she was very beautiful. She giggled and Iolaus began to melt. He couldn’t resist her sweet smile, or those violet coloured eyes, whose depths were full of promise. She agreed and he led her to a table.
They talked there for a long time. Her name was Tatiana and she had been orphaned as a child. She was raised by her Aunt, who couldn’t really look after her properly as she had five of her own children, so as soon as she could she had run away, and ended up here, dancing in front of all these people. She laughed as if she still couldn’t quite believe how it could have happened.
Finally he asked her when she had to get back to the troupe.
“Oh, not until tomorrow now. I know! Why don’t we go on a picnic, down by the river. They tell me it’s very beautiful there.”
Iolaus nodded, “It is. I know a very nice spot for picnics.”
“Ohh, well, could we... I mean, if it’s all right. Could we go there now?”
Iolaus grinned, “That sounds perfect.”
“I’ll get some things together,” she breathed at him, “meet me outside the gates in ten minutes.”
Iolaus didn’t know quite what to think. Here he was, hardly arrived in town, and now he was going off on a picnic with a girl he’d only just met. And she wasn’t just any girl. He didn’t know what it was about her, but she was different. There was a quality about her, an innocence almost. He battled his way out of the castle, through the heaving masses of celebrants. He wondered briefly what had happened to Orrant, Iolaus guessed that he must have made a discreet exit, he grinned ruefully to himself. He would have to remember to thank his friend next time he saw the Prince. Blinking in the bright sunlight outside Iolaus trotted eagerly off to his assignation.
It was getting late and Hercules and Prince Orrant finally ended their conversation and made their way to their beds. On his way down the long corridors, Hercules passed a dancing girl rushing the other way. Their eyes locked for a moment, his blue and her violet, and then she was gone. For some reason Hercules shivered, he put it down to the drafty castle and continued to his room.
But Hercules’ night was not a peaceful one, he slept fitfully, tossing and turning, and dreaming of violet eyes and Iolaus. Iolaus needed him, but every time Hercules reached out he was gone, only the sound of his voice calling out for help, for his friend, remaining. Hercules woke from these dreams wet with sweat even though the night was a cold one. Finally the dawn arrived and Hercules rose from his bed, dressed and crept out of the castle to wander the city streets. All the time worrying about Iolaus, something had to be wrong, but what? And how could he find Iolaus and be sure everything was all right without embarrassing himself and enraging Iolaus if it was?
While he was walking through the city, hardly noticing it coming to life around him, he was approached by the tall, robed figure of Ffloyd. “Hercules! Why, you are up and about early. Are you enjoying your stay here?”
Hercules missed the cruel glint in Ffloyd’s eye as he spoke. He was still too full of his dream, and muddled with sleep.
“Ffloyd! Good morning. Yes, very much. It’s good to see the Prince home again.”
“Yes, isn’t it.” Ffloyd managed to hiss, his voice dripping in sarcasm, which was, luckily for him, lost on Hercules on this morning.
“Actually, Hercules. I did want to speak to you. One of my messengers returned from an outlying part of the kingdom with some news that I thought you should hear straight away.”
Hercules became more attentive at this, and looked at the Advisor with interest. “What news could be so important?”
“Well, it’s about your diminutive friend, he’s called... Iolaus isn’t he? I don’t want to alarm you unnecessarily, but the messenger seemed to think that he was in a spot of trouble.”
Hercules winced at the description of his friend, but ignored it. He had wanted to be wrong, he had hoped that his fears were unfounded..
“What did he say? Can I speak to him?”
“I’m so sorry Hercules, he was dreadfully tired. I sent him straight to bed. I’m sure you will be able to see him tomorrow. All that he told me was that he had seen Iolaus near one of the farms in the northern territory. He was still with the girl, Tatiana,”
Ffloyd’s face screwed up in distaste at the very thought of the dancing girl,
“My man said that he looked quite ill, running a fever. He pointed them in the direction of the farmhouse, but he really had to get back to the city. I have a map. Would you like to see?”
Hercules was reeling. Iolaus was sick, running a fever, and he was far from the city, probably far from a healer. Hercules had to find him, get him help, if only they hadn’t parted at the village. If only they had come to Ossian together. Ffloyd was waiting patiently for Hercules to speak, he shook himself free of his reverie, and nodded for his companion to take him to the map. A part of the demigod’s mind wondering why he had reacted so strongly, Iolaus was quite capable of finding himself help. It must be the dream, it was still so strong in his mind. Hercules hurried after the robed figure heading into the castle, he would look for Iolaus anyway, just to be sure.
Iolaus couldn’t feel his arms anymore. The feeling had slowly gone from them as the day had progressed. He was shivering uncontrollably, but at least that meant he wasn’t about to die of the cold, not yet anyway. His back was still a mass of flame, but he could no longer feel any blood dripping, he hoped that was a good sign. The hunter tried to work out how long he had been held captive in the dungeons, all he could be sure of was that it was more than three days. He thought it was probably more like a week or even two, but time was so uncertain here.
The door slammed open and Ffloyd came busily into the room, flanked as always by the two guards. They moved to take Iolaus down, first unlocking the chains holding his legs, and then one of the men held Iolaus round the waist, taking his weight whilst the other unlocked the remaining chains. They lay Iolaus down in a far corner of the room, and then left him alone with Ffloyd.
Iolaus couldn’t move his arms, could hardly move at all, so he just lay there, on his back, looking up at his tormentor with defiance in his eyes. Ffloyd smiled, “You have had a time of it haven’t you, dear Iolaus? Well, never mind. Let’s get you more comfortable now.”
With an expert hand the King’s Advisor carefully removed the manacles from Iolaus’ wrists, he then started to massage his arms and shoulders, gently bringing the blood flow back. When the feeling did begin to return Iolaus started to scream, the pain was monumental. Ffloyd patiently waited out the screaming, speaking with a quiet gentle voice, the sound of a snake completely gone. He continued to massage and manipulate Iolaus’ arms until they had recovered sufficiently for Iolaus to move them himself.
FFloyd carefully turned Iolaus over so that the injuries to his back and legs could be looked at. Iolaus lay his cheek on the cold stone and tasted salt in his mouth, he supposed that he must have been crying again. Ffloyd’s ministrations were done with delicacy and care. Iolaus would have been confused by this apparent turn around, but the pain he was feeling and his need for sleep were taking their toll, and he could only feel grateful to his torturer for this kindness.
As Iolaus finally fell into an oblivious sleep Ffloyd took a blanket from the shelf and covered him. Smiling he left the sleeping form on the stone floor, everything was going perfectly. Hercules was flying off into the wilderness searching for his beloved partner. And Iolaus, Ffloyd looked back at his captive, Iolaus didn’t know which way was up anymore. He would be easy to mould, he would soon be doing everything Ffloyd asked of him, and he would be doing it willingly. His smile broadening Ffloyd left the dungeons to go and talk to the King about how unreliable sons, just returned from war, could be.
Hercules was hastily preparing himself to leave the castle and go to the northern territory to find his friend. Orrant knocked on the open door of his room.
“I heard. Did you want me to come with you Hercules?” Orrant’s concern showed in his eyes and in the slight frown on his face.
Hercules looked up at his visitor and smiled his thanks. “No, Orrant, you have only just returned to your people, you shouldn’t leave them, or your parents, again so soon. I’ll be fine, and so will Iolaus.”
Orrant sighed and nodded, “I know he will, I just wanted to help. I feel partly responsible, after all I introduced him to the dance troupe.”
Hercules, taken aback by this remark, laughed. “I don’t think Iolaus will hate you for that! And I don’t think his being sick is your fault, any more than it’s mine. He just got sick, anyone can. It’s just...” Hercules stared at the wall in front of him for a moment, “It’s just that I forget sometimes that he is only human. He gets sick, he gets hurt, and sometimes I don’t take enough notice when that happens. I’m sure he doesn’t really need me to nursemaid him, especially when he’s got a pretty girl to do it, but...”
Orrant laughed at the thought of Hercules being a nursemaid, but he quickly noticed the depth of feeling running through his companion, “But you are still worried, aren’t you?”
“Yes, and I don’t know why! I’ve had this nagging feeling for days now that something is wrong. Something is terribly wrong, but I have no idea what it is. All I can think of is this news that Iolaus is sick. But; somehow, it doesn’t seem to fit. There’s something else going on, something that’s making my nerves scream at me.”
Hercules turned his gaze on his old friend, and his worry was obvious. The lines round his eyes were more pronounced than usual and there were the beginnings of shadows under them.
“I’ll come with you then, Hercules. There’s no argument. If Iolaus is in trouble, and you can ‘feel’ that he is, then the more help you have the better.”
Orrant would brook no discussion, and the two men soon set off from the castle. They travelled light and on foot, and they moved quickly. Orrant had left his guards back in the city, they would only slow him down in the open country and he considered this trip no danger to himself.
Iolaus lay under the blanket oblivious to his surroundings, oblivious of the woman who stood over him. Her violet eyes looked over his body greedily as she knelt beside him. He stirred, uncomfortable beneath her gaze, and opened his blue eyes to meet hers. He curled himself tighter, holding on to the blanket in a defensive gesture. She laughed quietly, her voice still stirring a response in him, somewhere he did not want to go. But she took him there anyway, she removed the blanket from his body. Tugging it away from his weak clutch with ease, a mother taking her child’s comforter away.
But the dancing girl had no maternal instincts, and Iolaus felt fear made powerful by his weakness, driven by his inability to defend himself anymore. He could not even keep hold of a blanket to cover himself. Iolaus felt like crying, but he had enough dignity left to stay the tears, he would not cry in front of her. His anger was too small a weapon to use here, his body was too abused to do his bidding. He would have to find a way to bide his time.
Tatiana looked at her conquest, naked on the cold stone floor. She reached out her hand and gently caressed the honey skin of his flank, he shuddered his response. His body betraying his mind, wanting her touch whilst abhorring it, he felt himself becoming lost in the struggle. Not knowing how to defend himself anymore, his mind took him back to his first captivity, to the day he saw Ffloyd’s true colours.
Iolaus was so totally relaxed, so comfortable with the dancing girl with the violet eyes, that he dozed, and then slept, by the side of the river. The breeze stirring his blond locks from his brow, the sound of the river easing his thoughts as he drifted, until... Until, the men came. Tatiana had stood watching, not screaming, not surprised, just watching. Her betrayal pierced his heart like a dagger. She had known, she had been a part of the trap, and he had been foolish enough to fall for it. Hercules would have laughed at his stupidity, only this time laughter was for fools too. This time Hercules wasn’t there to back him up when he needed it. This time he had fallen into the trap and it was sticky with glue.
Iolaus was taken completely by surprise, roused from his sleep by the prod of a sword, he had no chance to fight his captors. Comments about their cleanliness, about their breath, and about their parentage, yes, that he could do. But this time it was no protection. His bravado had nowhere to go. The men took him from the river-side, roughhousing him into the castle and down to the dungeon. He fought, but to no avail, they were prepared for him, and none of his tricks had any effect.
Once they had him in the dungeon they strung him up by chains held to the rafters, and left him, fuming and fighting the manacles, to wait for their leader. Ffloyd entered the room some time later, Iolaus hanging from the wooden beam in the centre of the room, still trying to free himself from the chains. Ffloyd laughed softly, sibilantly. Impressed with the spirit his captive showed, he watched the hunter’s futile attempts to release himself with an hungry expression. He stilled Iolaus’ struggling easily, with a thin rapier-like sword held to his throat for a moment. It’s point drew a drop of blood and then Ffloyd nodded the guards to move closer. Iolaus stopped his struggles and looked at his captor in contempt.
Ffloyd moved closer to his prey, the two guards ready to control the man hanging between them. Ffloyd motioned to them and they moved in unison to remove Iolaus’ boots. Iolaus kicked out, and one of the guards went reeling to the other side of the room. But his defiance was short lived, Ffloyd’s sword was at his throat in an instant. Iolaus was not about to give up his life so easily, although if he had been able to tell the future his choice may have been different. He reluctantly allowed his boots to be removed and then it was the turn of his vest. Ffloyd appeared reticent when he approached Iolaus with the short dagger, but he dragged its handle up the flesh of the warrior's chest slowly, in appreciation, before cutting the leather of the purple vest at the shoulder. He repeated the action on the other side and the vest dropped to the floor. Iolaus commented that he hoped there was a good tailor nearby to make him a new one, but his barbed joke sounded hollow to his ears, his captors ignoring it. He resigned himself to the situation and refrained from any more comments.
Then the gauntlets at his wrists were carefully removed, the tall guards unlacing them and letting them fall. Iolaus shivered feeling unprotected now they were gone. Ffloyd captured Iolaus in his eyes, his grey growing large around Iolaus’ blue, his intentions were clear in the flint. And Iolaus felt a touch of fear, this man would not be talked out of anything, this man would not be tricked. Ffloyd slid the palm of his hand down Iolaus’ flank, halting at his waist. With a smile he inserted the hand into the waistband of Iolaus’ pants whilst he used his other hand to unfasten them, easing the waistband loose. Iolaus’ breath caught in his throat and his body shuddered, there was more here, much more than he wanted to contemplate. What were they going to do to him? Ffloyd’s smile broadened as he placed his free hand to the small of Iolaus’ back, sliding it inside the leather, and slowly with great care he pushed Iolaus’ remaining clothing down over his hips, until it slid down his body to the ground. Ffloyd and the guards stood back from Iolaus and carefully appraised his body.
Defiance lay in every line of his face, in the set of his jaw and the ice of his eyes, but Iolaus felt the cold fingers of fear encircle his heart as the men looked at him. They were going to hurt him, they were going to find ways through his mental disciplines, they were going to do whatever they wanted to him. Ffloyd was going to enjoy it and Iolaus was not going to be able to do anything to stop him. He knew that as surely as he knew Hercules would move Olympus and Earth to save him.
Why were they doing this to him? Was it a plan against Hercules, a plan against Orrant, or, Iolaus could hardly bear to consider this possibility, was he just here for entertainment? Whatever he was there for, Iolaus would not make it easy for Ffloyd, he would not give this man what he wanted, not easily. Ffloyd would have to work hard for his prize, whatever it might turn out to be. Iolaus could only hope that he was capable of buying himself enough time for Hercules to come.
The only thing he had left was his talisman, hanging round his neck, his one hold on the world. The symbol of his life. Ffloyd took it’s smooth surface in his hands, a knowing smile on his face, and looking into Iolaus’ eyes he held it in his fist. Tightening his hand on the cool surface of the stone, Ffloyd pulled; hard. The pendant’s rope gave way, and Iolaus’ father’s toy, his talisman, was gone. Disappearing into a hidden fold of Ffloyd’s robes.
The start of the pain and the start of the torture was there. Iolaus used the disciplines he had learned in the East, the meditation focused his mind, helped him to keep the pain a separate entity. But the vulnerability, the feeling they gave him each time one of them touched his body. He couldn’t protect himself from that, he couldn’t stop himself from feeling revulsion, from shivering at a rough caress of his skin. His mind reeled, he stopped knowing what it was he felt. And when Tatiana came to him, touching him, caressing him, as only a lover would, he responded. He hated himself, he hated her, but his body was too busy answering her call to care.
When the pain came he welcomed it, it was uncomplicated, clean. He understood the pain, he could deal with it. His body screamed, sometimes he screamed, and sometimes he felt alien tears on his face, but it was better than the touching, better than strange hands caressing him making his body a traitor. Iolaus wanted to be free of this torture, where pain was the least of his problems. He didn’t know how to cope with this. Nothing he had learned, in the East, anywhere, could help him, could protect him. His mind started to tire of it’s fight, it began to get confused. A kind touch was a kind touch, wasn’t it?
Hercules woke with a start, the dream had come to him again. Stars shone above him in the deep blackness of the night. He breathed steam as he sat up, Iolaus needed him. It was so strong a feeling it was almost tangible. Iolaus was in terrible danger, and he needed Hercules. He was calling on their friendship, calling on the love they never spoke of. It was time to pay for that love, but Hercules didn’t know how. Iolaus was in trouble, that was nothing new, but this time was different, this time, he really needed Hercules’ help.
Hercules was troubled by more than the dreams. How did he know these things? Deep in his soul, they lay. Truths, against which the Gods could not argue, against which Hercules could not argue. Iolaus was huge now in Hercules’ mind, and heart. The dream was the same as before, Iolaus was calling him, his voice breaking Hercules’ heart with its pain and its despair. But when he ran toward the sound of that familiar voice, all he could see were violet eyes, goading him on, filling his head with laughter. And the distinctive view of Iolaus’ talisman, the pendant he had always worn around his neck, no longer there, but enticing Hercules. Always just out of his reach, hovering above him, dark in front of the stars and the moonlight. But still watched by violet eyes, silently. Hercules shivered and looked up at the stars, wishing he could pray to the gods. Wishing he could believe that they would answer.
Orrant stirred in his sleep, tossing and turning as if he were fighting off an unknown assailant in his dreams. Hercules watched him for a few minutes and then turned away. He would be no help to Iolaus without rest. The demigod lay down again trying to find a comfortable spot, hating the helplessness he felt. He worried at the problem for a long time, thinking of his friend. Golden hair crowned by the sun. The grin that could light up the day. Their friendship meant the earth to both men, neither able to show the depth of their feeling, both knowing anyway. Iolaus was always there when Hercules needed him, Hercules was running to be there for Iolaus, but a small voice was telling him he was doing the wrong thing. A little niggling doubt was pointing at Iolaus’ talisman, standing, in the air of his dream, above the road that led back to the city.
Finally, Hercules slept. Dreaming of a past time, with his mother and Jason, and Iolaus. When they had been happy and together. But that wasn’t right, Iolaus hadn’t been there, this was the time the Fire Enforcer had caught Iolaus, had killed him when he hadn’t given Hercules to her. Hercules struggled under his blanket, the demons he was facing this time in memory. Unable to fight them he had to follow the dream, again it ended with violet eyes watching as he heard Iolaus scream. The dream faded and Hercules finally rested in dreamless sleep. The stars above glittering their cold light over his motionless form.
King Lemnos was concerned. He sat with his Queen, Niobe, in the main hall. Watching the festivities, smiling and nodding at people as they celebrated the return of his son. But he couldn’t feel the celebration, he couldn’t join in. He worried that his son, Orrant, the pride of his kingdom, was not the man he had thought.
Ffloyd had joined them earlier. He had seemed excited, his eyes shone more than normal and he was distracted. Lemnos was glad he was near though. In the past years, with his only son away at war, the King had missed the comfort and advice Orrant had provided. He could trust Orrant, his word was good, and after he had left, Lemnos had started doubting himself. Wondering if his choice was the right one, what would Orrant have said?
And then Ffloyd had arrived, and slowly Lemnos had grown to trust the advice he had received. Time after time it had proved good, time after time Lemnos had rued not taking it. Until eventually, he had. And now Ffloyd was the King’s Advisor. And Lemnos was content. The small matter of his wife’s complaining, was small indeed when thinking of his kingdom. What did she know of the great decisions needed to run a kingdom, what did she know of people?
But, now Ffloyd was saying that his son, his only child, had turned against him, become cold and cruel, and he couldn’t believe that. Orrant was a good man, war may have changed him, but he was still loyal and loving to his father. Of that Lemnos thought he was sure, but all it took was a seed of doubt, and Ffloyd was an expert at planting it. Deep within the heart where it would grow. Tended by Ffloyds loving care, fed by his words, until the seed became a plant and the plant became a tree. No longer doubt, but belief. Belief that someone you love, who once loved you, has betrayed you, turned away from you for ever.
In Lemnos the seed was growing bigger and stronger by the day. Orrant had been a good boy, but now he was a man. Did he really want to follow in the feet of the King, was his rule going to be a kind and just one? Or was Ffloyd right, had the battle fever taken his heart and turned it away from all that was good? Had Orrant become a cruel man, enjoying the pain of others, could Ffloyd possibly be right? But Ffloyd had never been wrong before, so how could he be now? Lemnos struggled with the battle between his love for his only son and his loyalty to his people, believing that they were separate things. He frowned as he watched the festivities, wondering if they should be celebrating at all.
Ffloyd was happy, things were going his way. He smiled sweetly at Queen Niobe, she managed a strained nod in his direction. She hated him, and he loved it. He loved the fact that Lemnos now valued his word so highly that he would begin to doubt his own son. He loved the fact that Niobe didn’t trust him, but could do nothing. He loved life. And below him, in the dungeon, his little secret lay. Quiet for now, quiet and soon to be a willing sacrifice to his ambition. Ffloyd laughed quietly to himself, things were moving along so perfectly.
Iolaus was dreaming, he tossed and turned, wanting to be free of the dream, but tied to it, fearing the waking world. He lay on the cold stone floor, the blanket twisted around him. Sweat covered his body, even though it was still cold, and his breath steamed in the damp air of the dungeons. He woke with a cry, and sat upright, tangled in the blanket. The night was quiet around him, silence crowded in on him and he cowered before it. Iolaus could remember a time when he was frightened of nothing, when he would face the darkest terror with a grin and a flourish of his sword. But that time was far behind him, and he shivered in fear of what was to come.
Beside him the dancer sat, watching him, waiting. She smiled when he woke and moved closer. As he trembled she caressed his body. He didn’t notice her, not with his mind, but his body did, it noticed and it remembered. She smiled, her violet eyes shining in the little light that remained in the deepest part of the castle. She smiled and pulled his head to her breast, stroking his golden hair lovingly.
They stayed like that for a long time, hours. Until a grey light filtered in to the dungeon. It was dawn, and Ffloyd returned, bringing the two guards with him. He stayed back as they approached Iolaus. Tatiana melted away, almost as if she had never been there. One of the guards ripped the blanket away from Iolaus and he moaned, hating to lose his last comfort. Pain bolted through his body as a foot crashed into his stomach. Iolaus curled up tight, but the two men were wise to that, and pulled him, and pushed him, and kicked and punched him until finally he lay, exhausted, on his back, on the cold floor. He could take no more, and Ffloyd could see this, he gestured to his men, ‘Enough’, and they stopped.
Ffloyd sent the guards away, he sent Tatiana away, Iolaus was oblivious to this, he didn’t see the King’s Advisor at all. Until he approached Iolaus, cooed soothing words to him, sat beside him and softly stroked his skin. Until Iolaus was grateful, until Iolaus was his.
In the days that followed the pattern was established, the two guards came to hurt him, and Ffloyd or the girl came and gave him comfort. Iolaus almost forgot Hercules, he could hardly remember his face, or his voice. He found himself reaching for Ffloyd when he needed comfort, reaching for his tormentor without realising it. His body was abused and beaten. Without protection he remained, learning to block out the fear, to block out the humiliation he felt. The guards did their job, they prided themselves in their ability to do a good job, and Iolaus’ body showed the scars of their dedication. But what was worse, much worse, what confused his mind and his body, was Tatiana. His body responded to her mere presence, his mind repulsed by her wiles filled with hatred. But she was kind now, gentle. After the pain came the calming words, the soothing hands. His mind rebelled, crying out against the confusion. Where was Hercules? Why didn’t he rescue him?
It was a simple matter to suggest to Iolaus that Hercules was too absorbed with Orrant, his new friend. Orrant, the Prince who had gallantly fought for his fathers’ kingdom. It was easy to make Iolaus believe that Orrant was the shadow in the background, Orrant was responsible for his pain. And Orrant had stolen Hercules away from him. Another seed had been planted and Iolaus began to learn that friends betrayed you. Friends, family, could leave you to be tormented and tortured by people they trust. Friends could let you down.
Over the days that followed Iolaus was slowly indoctrinated into the belief that Orrant was responsible for his pain and anguish. He began to believe that Hercules had abandoned him. The demigod wasn’t there, he hadn’t saved him, what else could he believe. But Ffloyd or Tatiana, they were always there, with their comforting words and gentle hands, they made him feel better, they tried to protect him. Iolaus didn’t notice that the torture took a different turn, he didn’t notice that the guards were careful not to leave any marks on his body. His face was kept undamaged, as were his chest and arms. And when they took him from the dungeon to Tatiana’s room, Iolaus made no comment. His body welcomed hers, his mind felt nothing but emptiness.
For days Hercules and Orrant had travelled, pushing themselves to the limit. Mortal man stretching himself beyond endurance to keep up with demigod, who hardly slept and hardly ate and moved like a man possessed. He was, he was possessed by the dream. The dream he had every night now, the dream where he could hear Iolaus screaming, but could do nothing. The dream which ended with the sight of Iolaus’ precious talisman hovering over the road back to Ossian, and violet eyes.
Hercules had parted from Orrant on several occasions to follow up leads, dead ends. But neither man spoke of their time apart, though it covered days and nights. They were apart and alone, both dreaming of Iolaus, both caught in the obsession that was their failure. Several times they had separately chased shadows of their own making. Hoping beyond hope that this time it would lead to Iolaus, but it never did.
Finally they came together again, quietly, in defeat. Neither man liking to admit that they had been the one to fail. The two men hardly spoke, Orrant was too tired and Hercules had become too driven, but on this morning, with the sun finally breaking through the low cloud, Hercules spoke;
“We have to get back to Ossian.” With no further preamble he began breaking camp.
Orrant was too tired to show surprise, he roused himself from the ground slowly, aching bones protesting. “Hercules, you’ve dragged me over half the kingdom, chasing shadows. Empty farms, people who looked at us like we were mad. And now, after days of chasing our tails, you want to go back to where we started from! Just tell me one thing. Why?”
Hercules didn’t stop his work, but he sighed,
“We should never have come out here. All along, my dreams. That’s what they’ve been saying. That’s what Iolaus has been telling me. I didn’t see. I didn’t realise. Gods! It can’t be too late!”
He finished putting earth on the ashes of their fire, and moved to leave. Orrant put a hand on the bigger man’s arm,
“Please. Hercules? Wait a moment?”
Hercules paused, Orrant felt fear for a second, fear that he would be thrown aside. But he wasn’t and Hercules turned back to face him. His fight for control apparent on his face.
“Hercules! What’s going on? When we set out, it was with the thought that Iolaus may be sick. We’ve had no news of him yet. He wasn’t at the farm, the farmer hadn’t seen him. Which, I admit, is worrying. But, you. You’re going insane with worry. What is it?” Orrant’s concerned brown eyes looked up earnestly into his companions face trying to read his expression. A fleeting thought that Iolaus would know what to do caught him, and the power of its backwash made him step away from Hercules.
“I don’t know! All I know is that the dreams are getting more persistent. Iolaus needs me. Every bone in my body is telling me that, every tooth aches with worry for him. Can you understand that? Can you understand that I have to follow my heart. I’ve been ignoring my dream, ignoring the warnings my own soul is giving me. It’s time to start listening, and it’s telling me to go back to the castle, now!”
“All right, Hercules. We’ll go back. I just hope that Iolaus is there.”
“So do I, so do I.” Hercules sounded forlorn, lost. Orrant had never seen him like this before. He prayed to Zeus that Iolaus would be at the Castle, that he would be safe.
Tatiana was nervous, she didn’t like to be in Ffloyd's rooms. And he had already reprimanded her for her foolishness, he didn’t need her to be weak, he needed her to be strong. But she was here all the same, wanting comfort, wanting to believe. Would Iolaus really do their bidding? Ffloyd was exasperated with her,
“Of course he will girl! Don’t be stupid! He’s ours. Can’t you feel it, can’t you see? He’s ripe for the picking and I am doing the picking! Iolaus is ours, Tatiana. He will do whatever we wish of him.”
“But....”
“Oh! Don’t give me but! But is for weaklings! He’s ours, waiting to be picked. What if there’s a danger? What if there’s a risk? It’s all the more exciting, don’t you think?"
Tatiana wasn’t sure she agreed. ‘But what if he wasn’t ripe for the picking,’ seemed to be a pretty good point to her. Ffloyd was right though, it was now or never, if Iolaus wasn’t ready to bend to their will now, he never would. He was ready, how could he not be? She smiled to herself, Iolaus belonged to her, and she intended to have such fun!
It took less that two days to return to Ossian. Hercules striding ahead, Orrant struggling to keep up. As they passed the gates, guards clustered worriedly round their Prince, he waved them away, appreciating their concern, but too concerned himself about Hercules to acknowledge it. He had fallen behind the demigod and stopped inside the city gates searching for him. What he saw he could hardly believe.
Hercules was grasping Iolaus’ arm in a tight warriors greeting, and beside them stood Ffloyd, smiling benignly at anyone who looked in their direction. Orrant ran to join them,
“Iolaus! By the Gods! What happened? What are you doing here? How did you get back?”
Iolaus smiled, “You’re babbling my friend.” He took a breath and looked up at Hercules, “You worry too much, you know that?”
Hercules nodded dumbly. Still too surprised to really take in Iolaus’ words.
Orrant didn’t have the same problem, “What happened Iolaus? Everyone was worried sick!”
Iolaus looked sheepish, and now that Orrant got a good look at him, his friend looked tired, bone tired.
“I was sick. Like Ffloyd said. Tatiana and me, we holed up in some abandoned place a days journey from here. When I was better we came back.” Iolaus shrugged, “I don’t know what the fuss is about, it’s no big deal.”
But a shadow crossed his face as he spoke, and Orrant noticed how he leaned toward Ffloyd when Hercules got too close. What was he thinking? Iolaus never backed away from Hercules, they could never be ‘too close’. What was really going on? Orrant was worried by Iolaus, he seemed lethargic and quiet. It could be explained by his illness, but, there was Ffloyd, hovering, and Orrant didn’t like Ffloyd, didn’t like him at all.
Niobe looked behind her for the fifth time in the last minute. She wasn’t comfortable with this subterfuge. She was too old to be creeping around her own home in the dead of night, feeling like an interloper. But she had to know what Ffloyd was up to, she was so frightened that he was plotting against her son, turning her foolish husband against him.
She was in a part of the castle she had never visited before, the dungeons. As rulers Lemnos and Niobe had little use for this part of the castle, neither of them were particularly comfortable with the thought of what had once gone on down here. She shivered, partly from the cold, and partly from the atmosphere of despair that pressed down on her in the dark dank corridor. Niobe pulled her regal robes closer around her, their cloth shimmering red in the low light.
At the end of the corridor was her target, the door to the main dungeon lay ajar. It took all her strength to pull the heavy iron banded oak open far enough to slip inside. Her heart hammering loudly in her ears, the Ossianian Queen hesitantly moved further into the room. It was empty, but there were signs that it had been occupied recently. She bent to pick up a blanket crumpled on the floor in a far corner, it carried the scent of man. Sweat and blood and that underlying something that made her mind turn to the word despair again. Niobe looked at the floor which had been covered by the blanket and noticed that the stone was stained dark with blood.
A set of manacles had been abandoned nearby, and holding onto the blanket, unconsciously mimicking Iolaus in her search for comfort, Niobe reached to touch them. They were stained with blood too, and her mind would not let her believe that the stain was old. These manacles looked too new, and the dungeon had not been used in such a cruel manner since her husband had come to the throne over 30 years ago.
The Queen had seen enough. She had been right, Ffloyd was up to some evil plan, but she was too late to help the poor soul that had been kept here. She determined to confront her husband, but first she would see if Orrant had returned and talk to him. Reluctantly she dropped the blanket to the floor as she left the dungeon, planning on having this whole part of the castle bricked up. It would never be used again if she had her way.
Hercules sat by the fire in the Royal sitting room, staring at Iolaus who sat across from him. He could hardly believe that it had been so easy after all to find his friend. He took in the shadows under Iolaus’ eyes, and the lines that hadn’t been there when last they’d met. He noticed how hollow in the cheek the hunter was, he had lost weight, he must have been very ill. But in his relief at finding Iolaus, the demigod missed the way his companion kept looking to Ffloyd and Tatiana, who sat further away from the fire, as if for comfort. He missed how Iolaus shifted in his seat as if it was uncomfortable for him to be sitting there, and he missed the way Iolaus always managed to shift his gaze away from Hercules, avoiding eye contact.
Orrant entered the room with his father and two serving girls, who carried trays laden with tankards and food. The girls put the trays down on a table and retreated from the room. Orrant looked at Iolaus with sympathy,
“You look like you need a bit of feeding up, Iolaus. Why don’t you tuck in? Hercules, we’ve been travelling hard, you need to eat too.”
The group re-arranged themselves informally around the table, but no-one seemed to be hungry. Iolaus only half-heartedly picking at the food, his thoughts elsewhere.
“I am glad to see you are recovering Iolaus, you must be our guest at the castle for as long as you need.” The King included Hercules in his invitation, and both men nodded their acceptance.
“Iolaus. What happened to your talisman?” Orrant had to ask, he wasn’t sure that Hercules had even noticed that it was gone, and the more he got to see of his old hunter friend the more worried he became.
Iolaus hand flew to his chest, to the spot where his talisman had lain for so many years. Its absence hurt more than he cared to admit, and his eyes were full of pain and puzzlement as he replied,
“I don’t know. I don’t remember losing it, it must have been while I was sick.” His eyes grew large though as if he were remembering something, and he looked across at Orrant with something akin to hatred. Orrant was taken aback, it was almost as if Iolaus blamed him for the missing stone.
Just then, Queen Niobe entered the sitting room, she seemed a little surprised at seeing the gathering there, but collected herself, and smiled sweetly at all present.
“Hello everyone. I hope you are all comfortable. Orrant! I’m so glad you’re back, and you too Hercules. I see you’ve found your friend now. I heard what happened.”
Niobe looked carefully at Iolaus, concern in her eyes. She briefly looked at Ffloyd and then returned her gaze to the blond, “Oh, Iolaus, you poor thing! You look like you need lots of rest and recuperation. You must have been very sick, and all alone like that.”
“I had Tatiana, she was very good to me.”
“Oh, yes. I forgot. The dancing girl. How lucky for you.” Sarcasm dripped from every word. But Niobe knew she should be careful, she didn’t know what was going on here yet, and she had no proof that Iolaus was the same man that had been kept in the dungeons. But her heart told her it was true, she just had to look at him to see his pain and confusion. What had they done to him? Niobe tried to catch the eye of her son, she needed to talk to him.
Orrant got his mothers message and he met with her in her private quarters after the others had retired for the night. “What is it mother? Why did you want to see me?”
Niobe explained her fears, and told him about her visit to the dungeon, “I think that Ffloyd is trying to remove you from the picture my son. And I don’t think that Iolaus was sick, I think he was in that pit of Tartarus beneath us.”
Orrant shook his head, he had suspected something, but for his own mother to draw the same conclusions, it frightened him.
“But why doesn’t Iolaus talk to Hercules? Why does he say nothing?”
Orrant already knew the answer and he didn’t really want to hear his mother speak the words. But he needed to have it confirmed, or the sweet natured, boyish faced, Prince would never be able to take the action necessary.
“They tortured him, Orrant... my son. They tortured him. The gods alone know what they did, but he’s hurt so badly inside that they own him for the moment. Perhaps they managed to turn him against you, maybe; maybe, they even turned him against Hercules.”
Orrant didn’t want to believe his mother but he knew he had no choice. They decided to talk to Hercules first thing in the morning, they should not act without him. Privately Orrant hoped that he could convince the demigod of the truth of their words, if he couldn’t all was lost.
Hercules had looked forward to having a good nights sleep, after so many nights interrupted by the nightmares. But his hopes had been dashed, he woke shouting from another dream. Iolaus’ screams ringing in his ears as he sat up in the bed. He was breathing hard and his heart was thumping heavily in his chest, sweat rolled down his torso. The demigod gave a strangled cry as he made the connection between his dream and reality, Tatiana had violet eyes. The dancing girl who was at this moment sleeping by the side of his partner had the same eyes that had tormented Hercules every night for weeks now.
Iolaus wasn’t all right, Iolaus wasn’t recovering from a bout of the fever, he was still in the middle of whatever had been happening to him. And that girl, with the eyes that reminded Hercules of Hera, was deep in the middle of it. Gods! What had been going on? What had she done to Iolaus for him to stay with her, to keep such distance between himself and Hercules? Hercules wanted to run to Iolaus now, down the night darkened corridors of the castle. He wanted to rescue him. Now! But he restrained himself, with difficulty. He didn’t know what kind of hold they had on Iolaus, he didn’t want to damage his friend further by doing something stupid now. He would have to try and get Iolaus alone, try to talk to him. Hercules sat in the middle of the tangle of sheets and blankets, shivering with emotion and fear for his brother. He would sleep no more this night.
Iolaus would sleep no more either, he woke from a dream with a scream receding on his lips. He had been back in the dungeon hanging from the rafters, the two nameless guards had been hurting him, taunting him with words. And in the shadows stood a robed figure, watching. The men had been laughing, telling him how Hercules was enjoying himself with Orrant, how they were leaving Ossian to travel together. They were enjoying the joke that Hercules no longer needed Iolaus, he was forgotten, they could do what they liked to him and there would be no retribution. Hercules didn’t care. Iolaus felt tears on his face, he didn’t believe them, he really didn’t but... it was so hard. Why had Hercules not been there? Why had he let Iolaus suffer so? And seeing Hercules today, seeing the relief on his face, he wasn’t sure it was enough. He had felt a stab of anger toward his friend, and envy when Orrant drew close to Hercules, stood by him protectively just as Iolaus always had in the past.
Iolaus lay on his back staring into the blackness above him. Beside him Tatiana breathed the deep regular breath of someone in the arms of Morpheus, a smile played on her lips, but Iolaus was blind to it. All he could see was the dungeon, in a part of his mind he was still there, enduring the rough hands of the two royal guards. Having to find ways of coping with the way they touched him, in private places, in places they had no right to go. He gave a cynical laugh, but it was him who had no rights. His body was not his anymore, it had belonged to those men, and now it belonged to her. He moved further away from the sleeping form next to him, almost falling out of the bed in his desire to create distance between them.
He was naked under the sheets, and earlier she had watched as he undressed, her eyes roaming over him, admiring his body. Seeing the shadows still of what it had been, of the muscles that were now weakened. She could still see the body that she had so admired that first day by the river, she could still see the possibilities.
And then, after his body’s needs had been satisfied, she had sat beside him looking at him again. His body was betraying him, it was overwhelming his mind with its need for her. He had been rough with her, in a way he did not recognise as himself, but she had giggled and taunted him to go further, do more. Iolaus hated her, he hated what she was turning him into, and he hated Hercules for letting it happen. Hercules, his best friend, the one man he would do anything for, the one man he would die for.
‘And where were you when I needed you buddy? Hunting, with your new best buddy, Orrant. Hunting Herc, while I was being killed. Hercules?’
The pain he felt at the physical wounds was nothing to the pain in his heart. The fear and helplessness he had been made to feel, the disgust and self-loathing that had been forced on him by rough unkind caresses. No part of him had been sacred, nothing spared. And his fear had grown, fear of what they would do next, fear of what they could do. He would be able to do nothing to stop them, he was helpless to defend himself. And so when the girl came and his body responded to her, a part of him grasped that reaction. Held it tight as a defence against the men. And when she taunted him to hurt her, to show her what he had, he did. All the time hating himself for this but needing to be in charge. Needing to take control.
Iolaus turned on his side, his back beginning to protest at the pressure on it, still painful after so long. He closed his eyes trying to shut out the confusion. The thought that even then, with Tatiana, it was she who had control, not Iolaus. Trying to shut out the little voice that was telling him that he could blame Hercules all he wanted, but that it was his own weakness that was doing this to him.
Ffloyd had told him that everything was Orrant’s fault, he had persuaded Iolaus to hate Orrant with such a passion. But when they had met earlier Iolaus hadn’t quite been able to believe it. The Prince had been genuinely concerned, he’d shown him only compassion. Iolaus had tried to please Ffloyd, really he had, but he couldn’t hate Orrant. He couldn’t really hate Hercules either, he missed him. He wished that he was here now, and they were telling each other tall tales of adventure. Iolaus curled himself up into as small a ball as he could, he curled himself up and he cried. Tomorrow he would see Hercules, tomorrow everything would be all right, Hercules would tell him what to do.
Iolaus felt a pang of guilt at the thought of going against Ffloyd. Ffloyd had been there for him, Ffloyd had held the blond while he’d shivered and cried with the pain and despair, he’d cleaned up after him when he had been sick, he’d cleaned Iolaus’ wounds. He’d fed Iolaus when he had been too weak and in pain to feed himself. How could Iolaus turn against him now? How could he turn away from such kindness? He didn’t know, but somewhere deep inside him, the anger that had been husbanded for so long flared, and it was aimed at Ffloyd. Not Orrant, not Hercules, not even himself. Ffloyd. A part of Iolaus, hidden deep inside his soul, protected by his mind from all the torture he had suffered, told him that the figure in the shadows, watching, enjoying, was Ffloyd. It wasn’t Orrant, it was Ffloyd.
It was a long night, Hercules and Iolaus lay in their beds awake, both torturing themselves with their thoughts. Hercules couldn’t help trying to imagine what must have happened to his friend whilst he had been gone, he couldn’t stop blaming himself for what had happened. He should have listened to his dreams, he should not have gone against his heart. The demigod hoped that it was not too late now, that he could still save Iolaus.
Niobe tossed and turned in her bed, dreaming of dungeons and Ffloyd’s face smiling over the abused body of his victim. Her mind put Iolaus’ face on that body, and her heart broke for him. But she felt fear for her son too, if Ffloyd could be so evil in his plans, what fate did he have in store for her beloved Orrant?
In a nearby room the King slept, but he was not quiet in his dreams either. He dreamt of Orrant, his son and heir, and of Ffloyd’s words. Ffloyd whom he had trusted and leaned on for so long, telling him with regret that he felt Orrant was a danger to his father now, he had shown signs of instability. Running off with Hercules for no good reason, for instance. And then his dream turned to what had happened in the sitting room earlier, something had been going on there, something he hadn’t been a part of. He didn’t like being left out of the loop. He was the King, he should know everything.
Orrant sat by the window of his room looking up at the stars. Wondering how he would convince Hercules of the danger, how he could show his father that he was true to him. Wondering what it was that Ffloyd had planned. Why had he taken so much trouble to torture Iolaus, and what did he have in store for them all now?
There were two people who slept well in the Castle. Laying beside Iolaus, Tatiana still smiled sweetly. In her dreams she was watching as they tortured Iolaus, watching them humiliate him and cause him so much pain that he screamed. The sound making her smile widen for a moment. In another part of the castle Ffloyd slept a dreamless sleep. He never had dreams. He was pleased with progress and wanted to be fresh for tomorrow, when all his careful planning would bear fruit. He would miss Iolaus, his diminutive captive had proved entertaining.
At first Ffloyd had been a little worried that his choice was wrong, that the small man would not be strong enough to withstand the torture. He had been very pleased with him, though. And bore Iolaus no ill will. The King’s Advisor had a great deal of respect for the hunter, and the way he had coped with his trials. His admiration had grown over the weeks as the hunter had kept resisting, kept fighting. Even now there was still a spark left, which made tomorrow all the more interesting, had the torture and kindness worked, did Iolaus really belong to Ffloyd? His subconscious mind decided in his dreamless sleep that he would have to remove Tatiana from the scene Ffloyd would go back on his word to her to let her have Iolaus when this was finished. Iolaus deserved to die a quick death tomorrow, it was his right after all he had been put through. And Ffloyd could not be sure that Iolaus would not talk eventually and give him away.
At last dawn showed itself, slowly bringing light to the day. And with it the castle began to awaken. Orrant dressed intending to make his way toward Hercules’ guest room. He dreaded this task, but it had to be accomplished, and quickly. But Hercules was already up and about, he was on his way to find Iolaus.
Iolaus had risen before the dawn, unable to bear to share the same bed as Tatiana for a moment longer. He was sitting in the Queen’s private gardens, staring unseeing at the fountain and the faded autumnal flowers.
Hercules had to pass the entrance to the gardens to find the rooms Iolaus was supposed to be staying in, and he glanced into them as he walked by. The still form of Iolaus sitting beside the water caught his eye, and stopped him in his tracks. Taking a deep breath he approached his friend, not quite knowing what he would say to him. He sat beside Iolaus quietly, not saying anything. And they remained like that, sitting silently, for some time. Both of them caught in their thoughts, both unsure of how to break the silence.
“How are you? How are you really Iolaus?” Hercules voice was soft in the stillness.
Iolaus answer was so quiet Hercules could hardly hear him, “I....I’m ... Oh, Hercules! I’ve been better!” He grinned with something of the old Iolaus still present. Hercules patted his friends back with his large hand in a friendly gesture. Iolaus pulled back, pain in his eyes.
Hercules studied his friends face for several moments, “Iolaus. Do you trust me?”
Iolaus shuddered as he finally returned the demigods steady gaze. Quietly he breathed, “Yes.”
“Will you take off your vest for me? Please Iolaus, for me?”
Iolaus face was stricken. Hercules was asking too much of their friendship. But he didn’t know why he should think that, Hercules had every right to know...everything. Slowly, avoiding his companions eyes he shrugged the familiar purple vest off of his shoulders. He let it slip to the ground. Hearing the gasped intake of breath behind him, Iolaus let his shoulders fall, he was beaten. Finally. They could do what they liked to him, he had no fight left.
Hercules tentatively put out a hand, it hovered over Iolaus’ shoulder. The sight he beheld horrified him too much, he couldn’t move, couldn’t speak. Iolaus’ whole back was covered with angry red marks, scabs healing over broken skin, it painted a picture of pain and torment. And Hercules didn’t know what to say or do. He had let his best friend down, he hadn’t been there for him. What could he do now?
“Who did this to you?” Hercules’ voice was full of the shock and anger.
Iolaus cringed away from the angry question, trembling he kept his head lowered, he couldn’t speak. Hercules looked at him with horror in his heart, who could have reduced Iolaus to this? It couldn’t have been Tatiana, not alone. So who? And then he remembered the way Ffloyd had been hovering around Iolaus ever since his return. He remembered the way Ffloyd had manipulated the demigod into leaving on a wild goose chase over the whole of the kingdom. He spoke in a whisper,
“Ffloyd?”
Iolaus sobbed, a heartbreaking sound, and for the moment the anger drained out of Hercules. All he could feel was love for his best friend. All he could think of was how he could help him now. Ffloyd could wait. Finally Hercules laid his hand gently on Iolaus’ shoulder and quietly he said,
“I’m sorry Iolaus. I’m so sorry.”
Iolaus couldn’t answer, he could hardly breathe. Hercules hadn’t abandoned him, Hercules had been tricked, just as he had been. And now? Now, they had each other again. No matter what else, he had his family close by him. Iolaus felt the tears threaten. He didn’t want Hercules to see them, so he stood, and, unsteadily, walked further into the garden, his vest abandoned on the path, Hercules bent to pick it up. Holding the purple leather by the shoulder he noticed the new stitch work, he noticed how the shoulders had been mended, new seams stitched into them. Clutching the material tight in his large fist for a moment and then letting it drop Hercules followed Iolaus. His eyes full, he had difficulty in seeing the path clearly. The demigod's heart was breaking for his brother, for the family he held most dear. What could he do? How could he help?
Niobe was waiting for her son outside his door. When he opened it, and was confronted with her waiting patiently in the corridor, he was taken aback for a moment and then smiled,
“Mother! You and I are too alike!” They laughed briefly and, walking close to each other for comfort, started for Hercules’ room. On the way there they had to pass the Queen’s private gardens, Niobe looked into them wistfully, and stopped dead in her tracks.
“Mother! What is it? Why did you stop?”
Orrant had almost mown his mother down in his haste to see Hercules and to get things moving. She stared at something lying on the pathway in her secret sanctum. It was a purple vest. It belonged to Iolaus. The two companions, mother and son, moved as one into the garden. Protected in its depths from the outside world, Niobe had always treasured the sanctuary, needing the peace it brought her. Orrant scooped up the vest in his hand as they passed, and moved deeper into the natural sanctuary. Ahead of them was an answer, ahead of them was Iolaus.
Hercules finally caught up to his friend, they were in a central part of the garden, open to the sky it was full of rose bushes and other scented plants. Iolaus sat on a bench, his head lowered, avoiding contact with Hercules’ eyes. Hercules sat close to his friend not sure how to continue, what to say.
“Iolaus? Look, Iolaus. I don’t know what he did to you. I’m not sure I want to know. But...I care for you. You’re my best friend, I need you. Please...”
Iolaus head still lowered to his chest, his body shivering with the moment, he struggled to speak, struggled to overcome the fear that was attacking him.
“Herc... I’m sorry!”
Hercules straightened in shock. Iolaus had nothing to be sorry for. “Iolaus! What are you talking about? You don’t have to say that!” He grabbed hold of Iolaus’ closest arm, “I should be the one that’s sorry Iolaus! Not you!”
Iolaus didn’t flinch from the touch, he had reconciled himself to it. He had fought a hard fight and now he was lost. They could do their worst, it was of no matter to him anymore. Hercules sensed the acquiescence and removed his hand. “Gods Iolaus, what did they do to you?”
Before Iolaus could respond, Niobe and Orrant entered the quiet glade. They took in the scene, Hercules beside Iolaus, his body bent with confusion and pain. And Iolaus, sitting compliant, his torso covered in the scars of his earlier nightmares. Nightmares in which he had no chance of winning. Neither of the Ossianian royals knew what to do, how to react, so both of them stood in place. Horror on their faces and in their hearts. Finally Niobe broke the tableau, she moved toward Iolaus, kneeling on the grass in front of him she held out her arms and wrapped him in their silent embrace. At first his body was cold, compliant but not ‘there’. Then as she hugged him tight, her arms encircling his abused body, he responded. A distant remembered dream of kindness, of love, pushing at him, dragging him to the edge.
For the moment, the danger of Ffloyd and the reality of the outside world was forgotten. All that mattered was the pain. The pain Iolaus held in his heart, and the pain his companions felt at their helplessness. Iolaus slowly relaxed into Niobe’s embrace, a mother’s comforting arms protecting her son. His body began to shake, wracked with sobs from deep within. Hercules and Orrant helpless to do anything but stand by and watch.
Slowly the sobs eased, slowly Iolaus became calm, and Niobe raised her head, tears standing in her eyes. “Whatever the reason, whatever the cause, Ffloyd must be made to pay for this!”
Hercules couldn’t agree more, he had stood by helpless while the Queen comforted his brother. His heart torn by what he saw, whoever was responsible would pay, there was no doubt of that.
Orrant was of the same mind, but his thoughts were clearer, they had to have details, they had to have the facts. They would help in their battle, having the facts, that was always the final blow. The best secret weapon. He moved closer to his mother and Iolaus, who was now holding on to the Queen tightly, not wanting to let her maternal safety go.
“Iolaus? I know this is difficult. But we need to know what they did to you. We need to know what they have planned.”
Iolaus cringed away from the words, but Niobe and Hercules were both making supportive noises. Deep inside he knew that it was true, they needed to know who they were up against. But his mind railed at exposing his weakness, at letting his friends know how stupid he’d been. He raised his head slowly from the comfort of Niobe’s breast. He could not remain there forever, he would have to return to Tatiana. A shiver running through him, Iolaus took a deep breath, looking to Hercules for support. He found it in the calm gaze of his friend’s eyes, and began to speak.
“I fell into their trap. It was easy for them, a dancing girl, a picnic by the river, and they had me.” Iolaus voice was full of bitterness as he spoke, “I fought, but it was no good. I wasn’t strong enough. They took me to the dungeons.”
For a long moment Iolaus didn’t speak, his head hung low he closed his eyes, how could he tell Hercules this? How could he bear to lose his friend over this betrayal. But he had to, not telling the truth was a bigger betrayal. So Iolaus took a deep breath, his naked skin shivering in the cold of the autumnal morning, and he continued.
Telling Hercules what had happened to him was hard for Iolaus. He felt that he had let the demigod down, he had given in to the torture and had been willing to believe that Hercules would turn away from him. At times he had to stop speaking, unable to find words to describe what had happened, other times Hercules or Niobe had to gently ask him to speak up, his voice lost on the breeze. Finally he took a deep breath and looked up into Hercules’ eyes.
“Ffloyd wants me to kill Orrant. He says that the Prince is responsible for what they did to me. He...he said... if I killed Orrant you’d see that you were wrong.” Iolaus lowered his head and sat, shoulders slumped, waiting.
The three companions had listened to Iolaus’ tale with horror in their hearts. Hercules felt cold, so cold. He could not understand how a man could go to such evil lengths to keep the ear of the King. And what had it done to Iolaus? He seemed beaten, his spirit gone. The demigod placed an arm around Iolaus’ shoulder. He squeezed gently, again frightened by the lack of response in his friend.
“So what do we do now, Hercules?” Orrant spoke quietly.
Hercules shook himself free of the shock that was seeping into him. He needed to be alert now more than ever, for Iolaus. There were payments to be demanded, but first they had to make sure Iolaus and Orrant were safe. Hercules kept his arm protectively around Iolaus, taking comfort from his presence.
“What were you supposed to do today Iolaus?”
“Go to the main square with Tatiana, watch the speeches. I should go now, I’ll be late.”
The hunter made no move to get up or raise his head, the division of what he knew and what he felt was filling his head with noise. All he could think of was that he must return to Tatiana, but he knew that he was safe now, with Hercules. Hercules wouldn’t let anyone hurt him. Ffloyd pulled at him though, Ffloyd whispered to him, Orrant hurt you, Orrant must pay. Iolaus didn’t believe these words, but he still felt their power over him. He still wanted to obey.
“No!” Hercules almost shouted his surprise, then with a warning glance from Niobe he continued more quietly, “No, Iolaus. You don’t need to go back to her now. You don’t ever have to go back to her, or to Ffloyd. I won’t let them hurt you anymore. I won’t let them touch you.”
His hand unconsciously massaging Iolaus’ shoulder in an effort to comfort both men, Hercules wondered if he would ever see his old friend again, or if perhaps Ffloyd had killed the best part of him in that dungeon. The son of Zeus vowed on his father's name to make that man pay for what he had done.
The sun was rising higher now and its warmth was beginning to reach the garden, but the four people didn’t notice. Orrant abruptly stood and began pacing, his thoughts were confused, flying around in his head, he couldn’t think clearly,
“What are we going to do? We can’t just barge in on Ffloyd and, and ....We have to be careful, my father still trusts him. If we just blunder our way through this, he’ll take Ffloyds’ side.”
Niobe nodded her agreement, her husband loved his family, but he took his royal responsibilities very seriously. If he thought anyone was acting against the Crown, even his family, he would take immediate action.
“Lemnos is a proud man, he has trusted his advisor for many years, he will not easily be persuaded that Ffloyd was responsible for this.” She gestured towards Iolaus, who remained slumped on the stone bench.
Hercules looked fondly down at the tousled blond head, he wanted to break heads and rip bodies asunder, but his companions were right. That would solve nothing if it meant Lemnos ended up executing them, and it wouldn’t restore Iolaus to him. Perhaps nothing could, but Hercules would not allow himself to think like that. He put all feeling to one side to deal with later when there was time. He would deal with bringing Iolaus back to health, he would deal with his own pain, but not now. Now he had to save a Kingdom.
“Which of you is the King most likely to listen to?”
Niobe and her son exchanged glances,
“Perhaps both of us together could persuade him.” Niobe frowned with concern, she wasn’t convinced.
“He might believe you Hercules. Especially if you were with Iolaus, he’d have to believe Iolaus!” Orrant was still pacing.
Hercules shook his head, “I don’t want to put Iolaus through all that.”
“But what’s the alternative? Gods Hercules, if you don’t put him through that, you could end up sending him back to the dancing girl. Won’t that be worse?” Orrant stopped his pacing and stood over the demigod angrily.
Hercules looked up at him calmly. “I will do what has to be done, Orrant. It’s your Kingdom that’s at stake here, as well as your life, and Iolaus’ life. I know what it is I may be asking of Iolaus,” his voice caught slightly, but he pushed the emotion that was threatening to overwhelm him brutally aside.
“Niobe, can you get the King to come here? I don’t think it’s safe for all of us to go traipsing around the castle. We will all talk to him, and if that doesn’t work, then we’ll just have to think of something else.”
Niobe moved to leave the garden and summon her husband there, as she left she looked back at Hercules for a moment, still sitting with a protective arm around Iolaus’ shoulder.
“Don’t ask too much of him, Hercules.”
The King was not happy at being disturbed. He hated speech making, and the drivel his speech writers had brought to him this morning was something he would not present, under even the most dire of circumstances. He had a lot of work to do, whoever dared to interrupt, did so with a great deal of trepidation. But when he heard that it was his wife and son he decided not to behead the messenger, instead he chose to take a break from his work and strolled to the Queen’s private gardens.
Normally Lemnos wasn’t allowed to enter so, his curiosity piqued, the King made his way to the gardens. He was glad that he had gifted the large courtyard to his wife, he had always known how she loved roses, and had thought, as a newly married, newly crowned King, that a rose garden within the walls of her new home would be the perfect gift. He was right, Niobe had adored her present, and had spent many hours there over the years, enjoying the escape from the stresses and strains of everyday court life, and from her often irritable husband. Lemnos allowed himself a smile as he came to the garden as always marvelling at the size and magic of the place, and went to find his family.
The King wasn’t surprised to see Hercules and Iolaus with his family. He wasn’t surprised, but he was a little angry. They had been keeping things from him, they had been meeting behind his back, he was King, they shouldn’t do that. Ffloyd would never do that, his loyalty was complete. Lemnos narrowed his eyes slightly as he approached the four people. Orrant still paced nervously, Hercules sat close to Iolaus but stood as soon as he saw Lemnos approach. Niobe stood too, in respect of her husband. Only Iolaus remained where he was, head down, hands clasped tightly between his knees. Lemnos frowned at this lack of respect, it wasn’t like Iolaus. He could be cheeky, but not even to acknowledge the King, that was very strange.
“What is the meaning of dragging me down here now? You know how busy I am Niobe.” Lemnos hadn’t meant to sound so angry, but he felt betrayed by his wife and his son, betrayed and hurt.
Niobe ducked her head, this wasn’t starting well. Hercules stepped forward and spoke quietly,
“Forgive me your majesty. It was my fault. There is a matter of some delicacy we needed to discuss with you urgently.”
Hercules glanced at the still form of Iolaus, and then back at the King who was still frowning, but said nothing.
“We believe that there is a plot against your son, majesty. Evidence has only come to light this morning and we wanted you to be informed immediately."
“What kind of evidence?” Lemnos was curious, but he still felt anger.
Hercules guided Iolaus to his feet, and stood beside him. Iolaus kept his head lowered.
“You know Iolaus. You know him to be a true, honest, brave man.”
The King nodded, he had always had a soft spot for the little man with the big heart. Iolaus had been a good friend to his son and to their kingdom, as had Hercules. He looked hard at the blond. He stood in a slump, shoulders rounded, head hanging. He still held his hands tightly together in front of him, and Lemnos thought that his purple vest looked even more threadbare than it had before.
He spoke gently to the man standing in front of him recognising the pain he was bearing.
“What happened to you Iolaus? What evidence do you have that my son is in danger?”
Iolaus slowly raised his head, he glanced to Hercules for support and then found the King’s clear dark eyes.
“I am supposed to kill Orrant later today. When the speeches are ending. I’m supposed to...to...stab him.”
Iolaus wrapped his arms around himself, pulling his vest closer. He couldn’t remember when he’d put it back on, but he was thankful for the small measure of comfort it brought him.
“Why would you want to kill my son?! Who would want such thing?!”
Iolaus’ eyes darted between all his companions, looking for an escape, not knowing how to answer the question. Finally they rested on the calm steady gaze of his friend and he knew what he had to do.
“I don’t want to kill Orrant, but....he told me...”
Iolaus took a deep shuddering breath, this was so hard, but it had to be done.
“He said that Hercules had abandoned me for Orrant, he told me that all the torture, all the pain came from Orrant. He tried to make me believe, but I don’t. I don’t!”
Hercules knew that his friend was desperately trying to believe his own words, the demigod knew that in his heart Iolaus knew the truth, but his mind was confused. It would pay to watch Iolaus carefully, ensure that the confusion didn’t lead to anything they would all regret.
Iolaus looked into Lemnos’ face, searching for something there, not finding it he continued.
“I wasn’t sick, I was in your dungeons.”
Quickly, he shrugged the leather vest off his shoulders again, and turned his back on the King. Hearing the horrified gasp he turned again, pulling the vest back on.
“You see part of it your majesty. Only part. You don’t speak, you don’t ask the question. Can you guess the answer, maybe you don’t want to hear it? It was Ffloyd that did this to me. It was your Royal Advisor!”
Iolaus turned away, tears in his eyes, and blundered down the path
Further into the gardens. Nobody made a move to follow, nobody moved at all for a long moment.
The King began to walk away from the group, he was almost out of sight before he turned to face them.
“I have heard Iolaus’ words. I know him to be an honourable man, but he is confused, he doesn’t know what to believe. I don’t think that I can believe this of Ffloyd on only his word. Orrant, you are my son, once I trusted you, now I don’t know what to think.”
Without any further words the King left the gardens, his son and wife standing watching him, unsure what to do now. Orrant was horrified, his beloved father no longer felt he could trust his son, couldn’t trust his own wife. King Lemnos would rather trust the King's Advisor than the word of Iolaus and Hercules, he shuddered, suddenly feeling very cold.
Hercules was torn between going after the King to try and make him see the truth, and going after Iolaus. In the end he did neither, the King was not going to listen to him now, his head had been filled too full of Ffloyd’s words, and Iolaus needed some time alone. It was hard to leave him, it made Hercules feel helpless, but he had to keep focused on the current situation, everything else would have to wait. The demigod guided the two royals to the bench, where they all sat.
“Look after Iolaus for me. Please.”
Niobe nodded her head, “But where will you be?”
“I’m going to see Tatiana and Ffloyd.”
“Please be careful, Hercules. They are both very dangerous, don’t let your guard down.”
Hercules thought of Iolaus, and the way he had sat, resigned to his fate, “I know, Niobe. I will be careful.”
Lemnos strode down the long corridors of his castle angrily. The more he thought about what had just happened the angrier he got. How could his son do this to him? How could he use Iolaus so cruelly? The King could hardly believe it of the Orrant he remembered, but as Ffloyd had said, war changes a man.
His breath ragged the King finally reached Ffloyd’s chambers and knocked on the doors, “Ffloyd! Let me in! Now!”
The doors opened and Lemnos slipped inside. He was amazed as always by the room he had entered. Its decor was unusual to say the least, everything was red, a deep blood red. The wall hangings were draped extravagantly in great swathes, and there were intricately carved totems scattered about the room. In the gloom he couldn’t make out their design. The shutters were closed and the only light came from several flickering candles. Lemnos shivered, he didn’t understand how Ffloyd could like to live in this.
Ffloyd was standing by his desk, a huge slab of oak, carved with the intricate designs of intertwined snakes and dragons. Ffloyd always managed to put Lemnos at his ease when he was with him, it was as if his mere presence was enough to right all the wrongs in the kingdom.
“What ever is wrong your majesty?”
Lemnos relaxed into a chair and told Ffloyd of his meeting in the Queen’s Gardens. His advisor listened to the King, nodding and making sympathetic noises. When Lemnos had finished he sat and thought for several moments,
“I was afraid of something like this your majesty, we will have to discuss what is to be done. But first, is your speech ready? The Anniversary speech is an important one, you must be seen to be the strong and good King of Ossian, your people must not know of this upset. Not yet, not until we are sure.”
The King had completely forgotten the speech he was supposed to make in just a few hours. He regretted for the first time beginning the tradition of speaking to his people on the anniversary of his coming to the throne, thirty four years ago now. The public loved him for it, and he had always prided himself on keeping a finger on the pulse of his kingdom. With his speech he clarified all his hopes for the next year and underlined what had been achieved in the last, he made everyone feel a part of the process. It was important to Lemnos but suddenly, today, it didn’t seem to matter very much. He sighed and shook his head,
“The speech isn’t ready, it needs so much work. But should I really be making a speech about the successes of Ossian when my own son could be turning traitor?”
“Yes! It’s very important that there is continuity, it’s important that Orrant cannot show you to be weak in any way. If you do not make your speech, do you think he’ll refrain from his? No! And what will he say? No. You must make the speech as normal, after that we shall talk.”
“But, Ffloyd! They accused you! They said it was you that did those dreadful things to Iolaus!”
Ffloyd sighed, “I know, I know. There’s something I need to tell you about your son, I just don’t want to do it now, not just before the speeches. Look; Iolaus is a good man isn’t he?”
The King nodded silently.
“Yes. Well, why would I want to torture such a man? What would I gain from hurting a friend of this Kingdom, and what kind of fool would I have to be to torture the best friend of Hercules? You see, Lemnos? You understand? They are twisting his mind into believing this. The poor man, he probably doesn’t know what to believe, but he’ll follow Hercules to the ends of the earth. He’ll believe anything he says.”
“Surely, you’re not saying that Hercules was involved!”
“No. No, of course not, but he could just as easily have been duped by Orrant, he’s managed to do it to you. After all neither of you would want to believe such a thing of the Prince, would you?”
The King shook his head, his thoughts whirling. It was so plausible. Orrant had been away at war so long, he could have changed. And Ffloyd did get to hear and see things that the King never would,
“This is all so difficult to take in. We’ll talk properly later, after the speeches.”
Ffloyd nodded his agreement, “Yes. I’ll tell you everything then. Don’t worry Lemnos, you know that you will do what is best for your kingdom. Everything will be all right.”
Ffloyd smiled at his companion and the King went to find his speech writers, and see if they had come up with anything satisfactory, he felt much better, cheerful almost. Ffloyd would have a plan, everything would turn out for the best. Deep in his heart he was sure that it was all a misunderstanding, Ffloyd could not possibly have tortured Iolaus, but neither could his son, there must be another explanation.
Iolaus ran blindly through the paths of the garden, stray branches of rose bushes that had not yet been pruned scratched his arms. He did not notice, his mind was full of noise, nothing made sense, everywhere was pain. All he wanted was to curl up somewhere and sleep, sleep quietly, without dreaming. But the noise would not leave him, the confusion raged on. And all the time Tatiana was there, her eyes watching him, her voice calling him, they should be together now. But he didn’t want to go back to her, he never wanted to go back to her. Iolaus kept running, the tears in his eyes turning the world into crystal reflections, he tripped over a lavender bush and fell sprawling to the ground.
Iolaus lay on the cool grass for a long time, not moving, not wanting to move. But the noise wouldn’t go away, it buzzed and shouted its way around his head, he was so tired. He thought of Ffloyd, he thought of his kind touch, soothing away the pain and the fear. How could he let Ffloyd down? After everything he had done for Iolaus, after all they had been through. And then he thought of Tatiana, she could make the noise go away, Hercules couldn’t, but she’d be able to. He knew she would. Iolaus carefully got to his feet and looked around him, Hercules would probably send someone after him, they mustn’t stop him from going to her. The hunter turned and moved silently into the flowers, pushing himself between the roses and larger bushes, this part of the garden was little used and had the air of a forgotten place. Behind these bushes were the walls of the castle, perhaps there was some way to get back in.
Orrant and Niobe couldn’t find Iolaus. They had looked everywhere in the gardens, they had even asked the Royal guard to help. He wasn’t there, and they had no idea where he could be.
“I don’t believe this! Hercules is going to kill me! We can’t have lost Iolaus, we just can’t have.”
As Orrant was frantically pacing a guard came up to the Prince and Queen who were now back at the entrance to the gardens.
“Excuse me highnesses, but it is almost time for the speeches to begin. The King requests your immediate presence at the castle steps.” He respectfully bowed and backed from the garden.
Orrant and his mother exchanged a glance, they would have to comply. Where was Hercules though? And what had happened to Iolaus?
After leaving the garden Hercules had intended to find Ffloyd, but as he strode toward the Royal Advisors quarters, he saw Tatiana, walking ahead of him. She was wearing her blue dancing dress, but the troupe was long gone from the castle with no explanation of why she had not followed.
Hercules hailed the woman, and she turned to wait for him, her violet eyes large in her face.
“Hello, Hercules. What a beautiful morning it is. I was just looking for Iolaus, he left so early, have you seen him?”
Hercules found it hard to resist the sweet smile and innocent looking eyes, he could understand how Iolaus had fallen under her spell. If the demigod didn’t know what lay behind the sweetness he would have found her difficult to resist himself.
“No. No, I haven’t seen him. Sorry.”
Tatiana shrugged, “Never mind then. Why don’t we go for a little walk? Shall we go up to the roof , the view is magnificent?”
Hercules nodded and followed as the dancing girl led the way. He watched her back as she moved, trying to understand her. Trying to understand what was really going on. He still felt as if he didn’t know everything, he still felt as if he were ignoring something important, and if he couldn’t see it, what then? What would that mean for Orrant and Ossian, and for Iolaus? Hercules felt a stabbing pain every time he thought of his friend, and he narrowed his eyes as he watched Tatiana. She had hurt Iolaus, she had changed him, and she would pay.
Tatiana had been right, the view from the roof of the castle was breathtaking. It was late morning now, and the clear blue autumnal skies spread out over the patchwork of farms and woodland that was Ossian. Hercules looked out over the parapets for a long time in silence, drinking in the clear golden air, finding peace in the pastoral view. Finally he turned to Tatiana,
“What have you done to him? What kind of hold do you think you have?”
Tatiana laughed, “What do you mean Hercules? I have done nothing to him. I’ve just been there for him when he needed someone the most.”
Hercules felt the barb of the comment, it dug deep into his heart. He knew that he had let his best friend down, but he would make up for that now.
“And that’s all? You know nothing about the torture? I find that hard to believe, after all the ‘intimate’ moments you’ve shared.”
Tatiana raised one dark eyebrow, “Torture? What do you know of that? Unless, of course you have seen Iolaus this morning. Ahh, how sweet, he came running to his old buddy Hercules. Did he tell you everything then? Did he tell you what an evil woman I am? Did he tell you how I held his naked body while it was wracked with pain, how I quieted him when he cried out for you and you didn’t answer? Did he tell you how he turned to me for comfort, how he needs me now?”
Hercules stared at Tatiana horrified at the sight of her true character finally showing through. There was no innocence in those eyes now, no compassion. The violet held only lust and cruel pleasure at the pain she was causing. Tatiana saw the demigod's shock and giggled,
“Oh, you poor dear, Hercules. In a moment you’re going to want to throw me off of this parapet aren’t you baby. But you won’t. You won’t do anything, you daren’t, do you.”
Still giggling Tatiana turned and left Hercules standing on the castle roof. He didn’t move, felt as if he couldn’t move. Was it true, had Iolaus finally turned to Tatiana because she had been there? And Hercules hadn’t, he’d been off running fools errands, playing Ffloyd's game and losing. She had been right, he couldn’t touch her now. Ffloyd still had the King’s ear, Hercules didn’t want the whole of the Royal Guard after him, it would leave Ffloyd free to do whatever he wished. This time Hercules knew that his strength would not get them out. He couldn’t defeat this evil by brute force, it had taken the ear of a good King and bent him to its will, using his weaknesses and fears as its tools. He couldn’t risk destroying the King, it would throw the kingdom into confusion and war.
Hercules would have to see Ffloyd with all artifice and pretence gone, he needed to know exactly what it was he was fighting. He would have to resist the urge to tear the man limb from limb, to throttle the life out of him. That satisfaction would have to wait until Iolaus was safe. Hercules smiled a narrow hard smile, so unlike his usual grin that his friends would have been very frightened by it, very frightened indeed. The pleasure he would get from killing Ffloyd was something the demigod could look forward to, it would not make up for what had happened to his friend, but it was a place to start.
Iolaus had found an old forgotten door hidden behind the green wall of overgrown brambles. Not feeling the thorns as they drew blood from his hands, he pulled them away from the faint outline he had spotted. The door must have been hidden for the last thirty years and it would not open easily, but the hinges and lock were rusty and finally they gave enough to allow Iolaus to slip through. He ran down the corridors to Tatiana, his only thought to find her so that she could stop the noise in his head. The corridors he found himself in were little used and he met no one as he ran.
He found Tatiana in their room, she was sitting on the rumpled bed, waiting for his return.
“I was worried about you Iolaus, I even went looking for you. But I knew you’d come back to me. Here, come here my sweet.”
Iolaus fell to his knees at Tatiana’s feet, sobbing,
“Please make the noise go away! Please make it stop! I don’t understand anything anymore. What should I do?”
Tatiana smiled down at Iolaus, this was proving to be such fun. Ffloyd had been right, the little man was a lot more entertaining that she’d expected, a lot more entertaining.
“It’s all right Iolaus, everything’s all right now. Shhh.”
She stroked his head soothingly and slowly the hunter calmed until he was sitting quietly at her feet. The image of a dog sitting by its mistress flickered into Iolaus’ mind briefly, but there was so much in his mind and so little made any sense to him. He gave himself up to Tatiana, he would let her decide what was to happen, he wouldn’t try to think anymore, it hurt too much, it was too difficult.
They sat there for some time, Tatiana enjoying this new humiliation in the long list of humiliations for the little blond, and he was too lost to even know it. Delicious, she was so looking forward to having him to herself to play with when all this was over. Tatiana wasn’t really bothered about Ffloyd’s master plan. He wanted to get rid of Orrant and seal his influence on the King, Tatiana just wanted to have fun.
Ffloyd had approached her soon after the dancers had arrived at Ossian, with an offer of a partnership He had told her that he was trying to consolidate his position as the Royal Advisor and he would be using the friend of Hercules that travelled with the demigod. She was to be the bait. She was flattered, her reputation had obviously preceded her. This group like the last one, were toying with the idea of letting her go, she was a wonderful dancer, but she was too much trouble.
So, the timing had been perfect, and when Ffloyd had given her the nod that yes the cute little man in the purple vest was Iolaus, she had been very pleased. He had exceeded all her expectations, with his beautiful body and talent for passion, and most of all with his stamina. He had survived all the torture that either Ffloyd or Tatiana could throw at him, and he had screamed so beautifully. The woman sitting on the bed shivered at the thought of hearing Iolaus scream, she so wanted to hear the sound of his agony again, and she intended to before the day was out.
“Now then Iolaus, you want to know what you should do?”
Iolaus nodded, his heart full, but he could not see into it anymore, he did not know his own mind, or his own heart. He only knew that his body was happy to be here. It was calm and not feeling any pain for the first time today, he followed its lead, and it led him to Tatiana.
“We must follow the plan. The speeches will be made later on the castle steps, the King first and then Orrant, in honour of his return. There will be a large crowd, it’ll be easy for you to sneak up to them. When Orrant begins his speech you must kill him. Kill him Iolaus! With this.”
She handed him a dagger, the handle with a snake curled around it, its blade long and sharp. Iolaus took it silently, sliding it carefully into his waistband at the small of his back. They looked into each others eyes for a long moment, she knew that he would do her bidding, he knew that he would do her bidding, but he didn’t know why.
“Now then, sweet Iolaus, we have a little time. What shall we do with ourselves I wonder?” The tinkling giggle made Iolaus shudder even as he cupped her face in his hands and leaned forward to kiss her.
Ffloyd was just leaving his rooms as Hercules came round the corner, he looked at the demigod with a quizzical smile on his face.
“Hercules! Is there something I can help you with?”
Hercules resisted the urge to punch Ffloyd into the next millennium, “Yes, Ffloyd. There is. I think we should talk privately.”
Ffloyd smiled, oh how beautifully things were coming together, “Yes? Well I suppose I can spare a moment, but the speeches will be starting soon, and there is much to prepare.”
Ffloyd opened the doors to his room and gestured for Hercules to enter. As he entered the darkened room Hercules felt as if he were entering a great beast. The deep reds of the walls and ceiling and even the floor reminded him of the Sea Monster that had swallowed him. There was something very intimidating about this room, something very threatening.
The King's Advisor noticed the way Hercules was looking at the decor,
“Do you approve? I’ve modelled it on the womb, warm and dark and nourishing. I always feel that nothing can harm me whilst I’m hidden away in here. It’s not to everyone’s taste of course.”
Hercules felt a cold chill in his bones, this room was not the comfort and safety of a womb, it was the dark and despair of a trap. Anyone who was caught in here would be lost forever. He struggled to control his thoughts, he had to concentrate on Ffloyd, he had to know what the man was planning.
“I had an interesting conversation with Tatiana just now. She seemed very confident.”
“Really? Well she has no reason not to be. She does, after all, seem to have caught the eye of that diminutive friend of yours. It appears that he would do anything for her.”
“Stop the pretence, Ffloyd. I know what you did to Iolaus, I know what you are planning. And you won’t get away with it!”
Ffloyd smiled, “Indeed? A nice speech Hercules, perhaps you should be standing on the castle steps this afternoon instead of our dear King and his beloved son. Iolaus is a grown man, surely he can make his own decisions. Nobody is forcing him to stay with the dancing girl, he could leave her.”
“Perhaps he already has.”
“Perhaps, but I think not. He is a credit to you Hercules. I congratulate you on finding such a loyal companion. He’s everything a man like you could desire. Steadfast, loyal, a good warrior, and like a little puppy dog, he’ll always come back for more, won’t he?”
Hercules frowned, he didn’t like the way this conversation was going, but he didn’t seem to have any control over it. This man’s personality was so strong, that even Hercules felt its power, even he began to feel persuaded by the soft words.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“I think that you do Hercules, son of Zeus. The little man has a big heart doesn’t he? He suffers for you, doesn’t he? He suffers and you pat him on the head like the good little puppy dog that he is. He runs in circles chasing his tail, and you laugh, it makes him happy. And you’re used to his being around, wouldn’t be the same without him would it Hercules? Where would all the laughs come from then? Who would be able to take the wrath of your family for you, if he wasn’t there? Orrant perhaps, have you been grooming him for the role?”
Hercules found himself to be speechless. He could think of nothing to say, he knew that what Ffloyd said was a lie, he didn’t feel that way. Iolaus wasn’t his puppy dog, he was his brother, his equal. But he could say nothing to stop the words coming from behind the thin lips opposite him. Thin lips, sharp teeth, Hercules had been invited into the viper's den and now he could not escape. And the weapons that had him so helpless, words, simple words. All these years, all the demons and warriors defeated, always by the mighty muscle of the demigod. Always with his fist or his club or his sword. And now, all he could do was stand, wishing Iolaus was there to protect him, Iolaus who could deflect the cruel words with a grin and a throw away comment. But he wasn’t here and the words flew home, each one a dagger biting into his heart.
Ffloyd could see the results of his work, and exulted in it. He felt the power flowing through him, this was almost as good as the time he had spent in the dungeons with the little man. That had been better though, he’d had more time to savour it, to make the work complete. Here he was just having a little fun, the main work of the day was elsewhere, and if he could enjoy keeping Hercules away from it, well all the better.
“What’s the matter Hercules? No riposte? No quick and biting remark? No, I suppose you need the wit of Iolaus for that too, don’t you. So, your little pet is very useful to you, isn’t he. No wonder you keep him such a secret. Let people think that it is you that’s the hero, taking all the credit for your feats. Whilst Iolaus runs after his tail, yapping happily. He’s a sweet man that Iolaus, most would never put up with you. Mayhap your Daddy moulded your sidekick into the loyal fool he is, or maybe you did.”
Ffloyds words turned hard with the accusation, and his eyes of flint sparked with anger,
“Away with the pretence, shall we. I’ve spent a lot of time with your friend, I’ve got to know him very well. I understand his needs, his fears. Do you? Do you really appreciate what you have there? I don’t believe that you can. Or you would have fought harder for him, you would have killed me before now. He changed me, you know Hercules. I’m a hard man. I feel nothing but disdain for humanity, I have lived a long time in many places, and none of the people I have come across have touched me like your little buddy. His courage in the face of my cruelty, and believe me Hercules I am a very, very cruel man. His love for you, his loyal undying belief in you and your essential goodness, sickened me at first. But then I began to wish he could feel that way about me. Now there’s a power I’ve never felt.
“I don’t think you deserve his love, I don’t think so at all. So, when this is over, I will reward him, he deserves a quick and dignified end, and he will get it. He will be remembered as a hero who was sent to madness by an evil man. Which is true I suppose, isn’t it? Only the people of Ossian will be hailing me a hero and Orrant an evil cruel man.
“Iolaus will be thought of by every man woman and child in my kingdom as a brave and true man who died well. I will do that for him, and that is something I have never done before, and will probably never do again. Don’t think you can bring me to justice Hercules, you are but a minnow in the sea to me. Go and play with the other fish.”
Ffloyd sat in the chair at his desk and turned his back on the demigod, who stood unmoving behind him. Hercules could not see the smile on Ffloyd’s face and he turned and left the room. It was difficult for him to walk, difficult to breathe, and he didn’t dare think. That frightened him too much. Hercules walked away from Ffloyd not knowing where he was going, not caring. The speeches were forgotten, the threat to Ossian unimportant. Iolaus, Iolaus was everything. Was even a word of what Ffloyd had whispered to him true? Was he so unfeeling, so unseeing? Hercules kept walking blindly, his breath shuddering through his frame, his eyes full. Walking from the vipers nest to nowhere, away from the snake to the chasm.
Ffloyd kept the smile on his face, it felt good, it felt really good. Not for a very long time had he felt so alive, so full of power. And to what did he owe the feeling, to words, merely words. All others had failed when dealing with the threat of Hercules, some had known to strike at his heart by hurting Iolaus, but they had not gone far enough, they had not given voice to Hercules fears. Ffloyd laughed out loud, poor dear Hercules, so confused now. It hadn’t been difficult, after all there was a lot of truth in what Ffloyd had said. And he was a little angry at the demigod himself. Everything he had said about his regard for Iolaus was true, and he did feel that the little man deserved a better friend. For a moment the King's Advisor almost regretted having had to hurt the blond so badly, but his pain would soon be over. He would find peace later today.
Lemnos looked splendid in his finery, he always wore his best outfit for the Anniversary speech. Today could be no different. The purple of his robes shone in the afternoon sun, the gold embroidered flowers and birds sparkling. Straightening his crown the King looked around again for Ffloyd, he didn’t want to begin without his Advisor, where had the man got to?
Orrant pulled at his collar, he hated these regal robes, kept for special occasions. Trimmed with fur the blue robes were beautiful, but the neck was tight and he was unaccustomed to so much flowing material. He fidgeted with it again, as Niobe tried to straighten the back of the long robes. It was time to go to the steps at the front of the castle, they could hear the noise of the gathered crowds who were waiting expectantly for their King and Prince. Orrant sighed deeply,
“I wish we could have spoken to Hercules before this starts. Or found Iolaus. What’ll we do mother?”
Niobe was silent, she was as worried as her son, frightened that Iolaus would try to kill Orrant. If only he hadn’t disappeared, if only they had kept a closer eye on him. She smiled up at her son, who looked so handsome in those robes, and shrugged,
“I am sure that we will know when the time comes, my son. Now, come, the King is waiting for us.”
Niobe and Orrant arrived at the top of the stairway at the same time as Ffloyd, he moved protectively close to the right side of the King. Orrant took his place at the Kings left, and Niobe had to step in behind them. Orrant bristled at Ffloyd, he had without a word taken the Princes rightful position. The son and heir should always be at his father’s right hand side, the Queen his left, and the Advisor, if he were to attend at all, should walk two steps behind. Niobe shushed her son with a look, now was not a good time to make a scene.
The group stepped forward into the sunlight, they stood at the top of the broad long staircase that led to the main entrance to the castle. The crowd cheered happily, they were always pleased to see the royals. For the last generation and more there had been relative peace and prosperity in Ossian, whilst neighbouring kingdoms were struggling with civil wars and invasions. They had even been strong enough to lend their support to their neighbours in the border wars, and now they were won and their Prince safely returned. The people were grateful to their King for the good lives that they led, and they were loyal to him.
No one on the steps noticed the blond head that moved forward through the people crowded round the steps. They didn’t notice when he reached the bottom stair and started edging his way up through the crowds that had begun to encroach on the staircase. The King had no fear of his people turning on him, they were allowed to get close. The front line of the crowd had managed to edge within four steps of Lemnos, beyond that the