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The Edge
by Gwen Olivier
golivier@juno.com

	Iolaus sat beside the stream holding onto his fishing line.  The sun was 
setting, and he had yet to catch anything to eat.  He had been feeling like 
somebody was watching him all day, but he had carefully searched the area and 
found nothing.  He heard a noise from the bushes behind him and glanced over his 
shoulder.  But no one emerged.  Where was Hercules?  He should have arrived 
hours ago.  Probably got stopped to help someone along the way.  Something 
tugged at his line calling his attention back to the task at hand.  YEEESSSSS, 
he finally had a fish.  A big one.  He pulled it in and immediately set about 
getting it ready to cook.
	He had just placed the fish on the fire when he heard the noise in the 
bushes again.  He turned in that direction.  Nothing.  He stared at the spot for 
a while wondering if he should investigate, but his hunter's instincts told him 
there was nothing there.  After a while, he turned his attention back to the 
fish.  When the noise happened the third time, Iolaus got up and went to 
investigate.  Just as he suspected, there was nothing there.  He returned to his 
camp fire and ate his fish.  The sun had finally set.  And when he finished 
eating, he lay down to go to sleep.
	There was that noise in the bushes again.  Now, it was getting annoying.  
He pretended to be asleep.  "Glad to see you're so alert," said Hercules 
standing over the spot where Iolaus lay.
	"I knew it was you," lied Iolaus sitting up.
	"Of course, you did."
	"Okay, I've been hearing noises in the bushes all evening, and I can't 
figure out what's causing it."
	"Huh," said Hercules.  He looked around the camp site.  "Uh, from these 
bushes?"  He gestured at the spot where Iolaus kept hearing the noises.
	"Uh-huh," agreed Iolaus.
	"Okay, Discord, come on out now."
	Iolaus was on his feet.  "Discord.  What's she doing here?"
	Discord materialized with her hands on her hips.  "I was just waiting for 
you, Hercules," she said softly.  "I have a favor to ask."
	"Why didn't you just come to where I was?" asked Hercules.
	Discord shrugged.  "I wanted to surprise you."
	"Why don't I believe you?"
	"I don't know, it's the truth."
	Hercules shrugged, "Okay, so suppose I take your word for it, what is it 
you want?"
	Discord pursed her lips together thoughtfully.  "I know he's not your 
favorite brother, but I'm really worried about Ares."
	"Ares.  What's wrong with Ares?"
	Discord moved closer to Hercules and started playing with his shirt, 
"Well, ever since that end of the world thing, he's been in a kind of 
depression.  Believe me, I've tried everything to get him out of it, but he just 
sits and stares all day long."
	"Good for him," said Hercules moving away from her.
	"Don't you care?" whined Discord.
	"That Ares is staying out of trouble?  That makes me very happy," said 
Hercules sitting down on a log next to the camp fire.  "See ya."
	Discord made a face.  "Okay, but you're going to be sorry."  She glared at 
Iolaus.
	"Yeah, yeah, yeah," said Hercules pointedly ignoring her as he removed a 
cloth from his shirt and spread it out on the ground.  There were some berries 
in it.  Discord disappeared.  Iolaus looked at his friend.
	"I don't know what's worse, not having any relatives or having ones like 
yours," said Iolaus.
	Hercules looked at him.  "I do.  Is there any dinner left?"
	Iolaus had the grace to look sheepish.  "No, I only cau...I...uh...didn't 
think you were going to get here tonight."
	"Why is that?" asked Hercules as Iolaus sat on a rock on the opposite side 
of the fire.
	"Well, you were late. And..."
	"And you only caught one fish."  Iolaus grimaced and nodded.  "It's okay, 
I picked some berries along the way," said Hercules as he popped some berries 
into his mouth.  
	"So you're really not going to do anything about Ares?"  Hercules gave 
Iolaus a withering look.  "Well, he did help us during that Armageddon bit."
	"Only because he was worried about his own little god-of-war territory."
	"Yeah, I guess you're right."  Iolaus got up and moved the stack of wood 
he had gathered closer to the fire and started adding pieces to the flames.  
"What kept you?"
	Hercules ate a few more berries and stared at the flames.  "There was a 
cart that ran off the road and got stuck in the mud.  And a tree was blocking 
the path.  And Aphrodite wanted to talk to me."
	"About what?"
	"About Ares."
	"Really, Aphrodite's worried about Ares, too?"
	"Yeah."  Iolaus looked Hercules in the eyes.  Finally, the big man sighed.  
"You know, I really don't want to help him, but..."
	"But he's your brother."
	"Yeah, and Aphrodite made me feel guilty about ignoring him."
	"So what are you going to do?" asked Iolaus as he sat down on the log next 
to Hercules and helped himself to the berries.
	"I guess the least I could do is to go talk to him."  Iolaus nodded and 
popped the last of the berries into his mouth.  Hercules reached down for a 
berry and noticed there were no more.  He looked up at Iolaus, who was munching 
merrily away, totally oblivious.  "Do you mind if I take time out from our 
fishing trip?"
	"No problem.  I'll be here when you get back.   Do you have any more of 
those berries?"
	Hercules sighed heavily,  "No."
	"Oh, when are you going to go talk to Ares?"
	"I guess there's no time like the present."  He stood up to leave.
	"See you," said Iolaus as he reached with his left hand for another piece 
of wood for the fire.  The piece of wood he was reaching for changed into a 
snake and struck Iolaus on the back of the hand.  It sunk its fangs in and would 
not let go.
	"Hercules," gasped Iolaus grabbing at the snake with his right hand as he 
fell to his knees.  Hercules grabbed the snake which immediately turned back 
into a piece of fire wood, but Iolaus' hand had two bloody puncture wounds and 
was starting to swell.  Iolaus sat on the log while Hercules grabbed Iolaus' 
knife and cut and a small line joining the two puncture marks and began sucking 
out the venom.  Iolaus used his teeth to start taking off the gauntlet on his 
other arm.  When he had it free he placed it around the other gauntlet, and 
Hercules stopped long enough to tie it firmly over the other one.  Then as 
Hercules sucked out another mouthful of blood, he used his fingers to make 
certain Iolaus still had a pulse below the gauntlets.  Hercules continued to 
suck and spit out blood and venom.  Iolaus who was now breathing raggedly looked 
at him.  "That was no ordinary snake, Hercules."
	"I know," said Hercules, sucking out another mouthful and spitting it out.  
He continued the routine for the better part of an hour, while Iolaus broke out 
in a heavy sweat as he gritted his teeth against the pain that was creeping up 
his arm.  Finally, Hercules spit out a mouthful of blood and venom and said, 
"That should do it.  You know the drill, stay as still as you can while I go 
find some herbs.  Have you seen any yellow dock around here?"  Hercules grabbed 
the pan Iolaus had used for the fish.
	"No, but there was some white oak back near the glade."  Iolaus shivered 
involuntarily as he slid down to the ground and leaned back against the log.   
"Hurry if you can, I don't feel too good."
	"I'll will," said Hercules taking the pan he had filled with water and 
placing it on the fire.  He grabbed a piece of wood.  "Here bite on this if you 
start having convulsions or the pain gets too bad.  I'll be back as soon as I 
can."  
	"Yeah," said Iolaus.  "I'm promise I won't run off."

	Hercules was grateful that the moon was full as he ran into the woods in 
search of the plants and trees he needed.  He made his way toward the glade 
Iolaus mentioned and found the white oak.  He removed a several pieces of the 
bark and some leaves and placed them inside his shirt.  It would help but he 
really needed some yellow dock or echinacea, and willow bark was always helpful.  
He couldn't even allow himself to think that Iolaus might die again.  He had 
just gotten him back, and he was far from ready to let him go.  He wondered if 
Michael would help him again.  But how did he reach Michael?  He had never been 
one to pray before, but there was a first time for everything.  Then before he 
could even wonder about how to formulate a proper prayer, he found a large bunch 
of yellow dock.  He quickly pulled up an armload of the plants--roots and all.  
And as he turned to leave, there was the echinacea.  He grabbed some of that and 
hurried back to Iolaus' side.
	Iolaus was now lying on the ground curled up in agony.  His hand was 
swollen three times its normal size and he was still sweating profusely.  
Hercules dropped the majority of the yellow dock, then took a bunch to the 
stream to wash the mud off the roots.  Then he sat Iolaus up against the log 
again and shoved some of the yellow dock roots and leaves into his mouth.  "Here 
chew on this."  Iolaus chewed.  Hercules took some of the now boiling water and 
poured it into a bowl adding the echinacea.  Then he placed the white oak bark 
and leaves into the pan filled with water, and started ripping up the cloth 
which had held the berries to make a pressure bandage for the poultice.
	When he finished, he looked at Iolaus who was chewing away with juices 
from the yellow dock running down his chin.  "Iolaus, the idea is to swallow the 
juices."  He held his hand under Iolaus mouth.  "Spit it out."  Iolaus let the 
chewed up pulp fall out of his mouth.
	"That stuff tastes awful," he said weakly as Hercules placed the pulp on 
the wound.  
	"Try to hold that still," said Hercules as he settled the wounded hand on 
Iolaus' knee.  Then he offered Iolaus more roots and leaves.
	"Here you go.  Keep chewing.  This is the best thing for you."  Iolaus 
rolled his eyes, but he obediently chewed the plant.  "Now, remember to swallow 
as much of the juice as you can."  Hercules turned back to the pan on the fire.  
He removed it from the fire and poured the water off of it.  Then he grabbed the 
bowl and tested the temperature of the tea.  He turned back to Iolaus.  "Spit."  
Iolaus spit the pulp into Hercules' hand.  "Here drink this echinacea tea."  
Iolaus took the bowl with his good hand, but it was trembling.  "Hold on, you're 
going to spill it all.  Let me help."  Hercules took the tea back and sat on the 
ground next to Iolaus and held the bowl to his lips.  
	Iolaus took a sip and swallowed.  "I feel like such a baby."
	"You've never been a very good patient.  Drink some more."  Hercules held 
the bowl to his lips again.
	Iolaus almost choked but he swallowed.  "Look who's talking."
	"I can't argue with you there.  Come on, keep on drinking."
	"Yes, mother."  Iolaus drank.
	"Don't start."
	"Don't worry, I don't have the energy."
	"A little more and then you can go back to chewing the yellow dock."
	"I prefer the tea."  Iolaus drained the bowl.
	"Okay, you chew and I'll make some yellow dock tea."
	"Thanks."  Iolaus grabbed some yellow dock roots and popped them into his 
mouth.  Hercules returned to the stream with his pan.
	As the water filled with yellow dock boiled, Hercules finished his 
poultice.  Iolaus was feeling a little better as Hercules tied the poultice to 
his hand.  The Hercules grabbed the rest of the cloth and dipped it in the 
stream and used it to wipe Iolaus' brow.
	"That feels good," said Iolaus after spitting out the pulp.  "In fact, 
maybe I should just jump in the stream."
	"I don't think that's a good idea.  I wish I could find some willow bark."
	"What you have is fine.  I just need to rest a little."  Iolaus laid his 
head back against the log and closed his eyes.  Hercules squelched the sense of 
panic that rose inside as he saw Iolaus slide to the ground.  He carefully 
lifted Iolaus up and held the bowl of yellow dock tea to his lips.  "Come on, 
Iolaus, drink this; it will help."  He forced some of the liquid into Iolaus' 
mouth and breathed a sigh of relief when Iolaus swallowed.  "One more time, 
buddy," said Hercules offering more.  This time Iolaus choked on the liquid, and 
Hercules leaned him forward and gently patted him on the back till he stopped 
gagging.
	Iolaus didn't have the energy to respond to Hercules.  Breathing seemed 
such a chore.  He felt his friend's gentle touch as he eased him back against 
the log then applied the damp cloth to his forehead.  It felt good.  The liquid 
he had swallowed felt soothing.  His body shuddered involuntarily again.  
Hercules was offering him more liquid.  He did his best to drink it and managed 
to get most of it down this time.  He could feel its warmth moving down his 
body.  The fire in his hand started to dull.  He managed to open his eyes a 
little, and he thought sure he saw Michael standing behind Hercules, but he 
could not hold his eyes open.  Hercules was talking, but whether to Michael or 
to him, he could not tell. He sounded so far away.  It was so hard to focus.  He 
felt himself sinking into oblivion, and he surrendered to it.
	Hercules knew the moment Iolaus had passed out.  He knew it was important 
to keep the wound below his heart, so he sat down next to the hunter and held 
him in a sitting position.  He started thinking again about Michael, but Discord 
was suddenly standing before him.
	Discord moved to look down at Iolaus.  "Having problems with your little 
friend, Hercules?"
	"Why, Discord?"
	"Oh, I think you know the answer to that one."
	"But I was on my way to help Ares, why now?"
	"Oops.  I didn't realize.  But now that it's done, I suggest you go help 
Ares or no herbs on this planet will make him well."  She smiled.  "You make 
Ares better, and I'll give him the anti venom."
	"And what if I can't help Ares?"
	Discord shrugged, "Then I guess, he goes back to the Light."  She moved 
closer to Hercules.  "Are you ready?"
	"I can't just leave him here."
	"If you want to save your little buddy you can."
	"All right, but I need something to keep his heart above the wound."  
Discord made a face, but she pointed her finger and a blanket appeared.  
Hercules rolled it up and carefully propped Iolaus so that his heart was above 
his hand.  He made sure the hunter would be all right before he turned 
reluctantly toward Discord.  She held out her hand to him.  With a last worried 
look at Iolaus, Hercules accepted her hand and the two of them disappeared.

***

	Ares was sitting slumped on his throne staring into space when Hercules 
and Discord arrived at his temple.  He hardly glanced at them.  "So you two an 
item now?" he snarled.
	"Hardly," said Hercules ignoring the appraising look that Discord gave 
him.  "I came because I heard you were upset about something."
	Ares raised an eyebrow.  "The only thing bothering me is the fact that 
you're still alive."
	"Great, well, I'm not about to die for you, and Iolaus needs me, so 
later."  Hercules turned to leave.
	Frantic, Discord grabbed at Hercules' arm.  "Wait, you can't just leave."
	"Watch me," said Hercules stalking toward the door.
	"Do you really want your friend to die?" yelled Discord.  Ares sat up on 
the edge of his throne; his eyes wide.
	Hercules turned back to glare at Discord.  "If he dies, you are going to 
be one sorry goddess."
	Discord wrinkled her nose.  "You wouldn't dare."
	"If anything happens to Iolaus because of either of you...," Hercules 
turned and headed out the door.
	Discord stomped her foot.  Ares had gone pale as he listened to them.  He 
stared at the door where Hercules had exited, then got up out of his chair and 
moved to confront Discord.
	"What was he babbling about?" asked Ares in a low menacing voice that 
barely revealed the panic he was feeling.
	"Oh, well, you were so depressed, I wanted him to come cheer you up."
	"How could HE cheer me up?" roared Ares.
	"Well, you're up out of that chair for the first time in weeks..."
	"What did you do?" demanded Ares in a softly menacing voice.
	"Well, let's just say, Hercules' little friend had a close encounter with 
a very poisonous snake."
	"Are you crazy?" screamed Ares.  Discord was totally nonplused by his 
behavior.  Ares had not dared to tell anyone about Michael and how powerless he 
felt around him.  And Michael had just given Iolaus back his life; he would not 
look kindly on the person who took it again.
	"Well, I did it for you," Discord said coyly moving to embrace him.  Ares 
grabbed her by the arms and pushed her away.  "Well, if you want to do something 
for me, you had better go save his pathetic little life--pronto."
	"Why should I do that?  What do you care about Hercules' friend?"
	Ares wanted to wring the life out of her.  "Hercules has the hind's blood; 
do you want to end up like Strife?"
	Discord laughed, "Hercules isn't a murderer."
	Ares was getting desperate.  He grabbed Discord by the arms and got in her 
face.  "Listen to me.  He just got his little friend back, and he's not going to 
take kindly to the person who kills him again.  So we need to wait till I find 
out where he stashed the hind's blood and get it back."
	"Well, you'll never find out where it is if you don't give him a reason to 
use it," said Discord.  "This could be the perfect opportunity to discover where 
he has it."
	Ares sneered.  She was driving him crazy.  What to do?  What to do?  "Your 
little intervention could ruin all my plans.  Now, what do you need to do to 
save his life?"
	Discord scowled at him; then seeing the look on his face, she moved over 
to a table that held several flasks and vials.  She picked up one removed the 
stopper and sniffed.  "EEEEWWWW, this stuff reeks.  He just needs one dose of 
this and he's fine."  Ares moved closer and took the flask from her.  He poured 
the liquid into one of the vials and offered the vial to Discord.
	"Then I suggest you make sure he gets it before it's too late," said Ares.
	Discord looked at him a long moment before she reached for the vial.  
"Okay, but if I do this for you, what will you do for me?"
	"I'm saving your scrawny little neck."
	"Wrong answer."
	"Hurry back and we'll see what develops," said Ares moving behind her to 
blow in her ear.
	"That's more like it," she purred.  "I won't be long."  She turned to face 
him, blew him a kiss and then disappeared.
	Ares' lip curled in a snarl as he stared at the empty spot thoughtfully 
rubbing his chin.  Then he quickly poured more of the antidote into another vial 
and moved to watch Discord's actions.

	Hercules hurried back to Iolaus' side.  The golden hunter was still 
comatose where he had left him.  Hercules tried to wake him by gently shaking 
him and calling his name.  Iolaus moaned in pain.  Hercules lifted him up and 
tried to force more of the healing liquid down his throat.  Iolaus swallowed 
some and choked.  Hercules patted his back until he was okay.  This would never 
do, he had to find a healer.  He put out the campfire and placed a bunch of the 
yellow dock inside his shirt.  Then he lifted Iolaus carefully in his arms and 
headed in the direction of the nearest village.
	Discord arrived at the abandoned camp site shortly after Hercules had 
gone.  She looked around.  "Now, where did they go?"  She shook her head and 
disappeared.  She reappeared on the trail in front of Hercules.
	"Where are you going?" she asked.
	"To find a healer."
	"I told you I'd give you the anti venom if you went to see Ares."  
Hercules just stared at her.  She held out the vial to him.  "Here give him 
this."
	Hercules looked at the vial but make no move to take it.  "How do I know 
it won't kill him outright?"
	"You went to see Ares.  That's all I wanted.  If you don't use it.  He 
WILL die.  It's up to you."   Hercules reached for the vial; Discord 
deliberately moved her hand and let it fall and shatter on a rock.  "Oops, how 
clumsy of me," she giggled and disappeared.  Hercules stared in horror at the 
liquid running down the rock.  He quickly knelt down still cradling Iolaus and 
dipped his fingers in the liquid and touched them to Iolaus' mouth.  Maybe he 
could get enough to keep him alive.  He repeated the action until there was no 
more liquid he could gather from the rock.
	Iolaus moaned and tried to open his eyes.  Hercules watched him hopefully, 
but the hunter settled down again and his eyes remained closed.  Hercules stood 
up and continued toward the village.

	
	Ares slammed his hand against the arms of his throne.  "Damn the stupid 
wench.  DEMOS!" he yelled.  Nothing happened.  Ares was growing angrier and 
angrier.  "DEMOS," he screamed again.
	Just then Discord returned, "I did my part, now it's your turn."
	"You call breaking the vial doing your part?  I won't have you defying me 
like this.  Get out of here."
	"But, Ares..."
	"OOOOOOUUUUUUTTTTTTTT," he bellowed.  Just then Demos appeared yawning 
widely.  Discord looked at Demos and snarled.
	"What's he doing here?" demanded Discord.
	"Saving your incompetent butt.  Now, go."  Discord stomped her foot and 
disappeared.  Ares turned to Demos and held out the vial to him.  "I need you to 
give this to Hercules for his friend Iolaus.  Disguise yourself as a healer; he 
can't find out that I'm the one who helped him.  Do you think you can handle 
that?"
	Demos stared at him dumbly.  "Uh, yeah, I pretend to be a healer and heal 
the short guy."
	"And?"
	"And Hercules will never know he's been helped by you."  Demos paused and 
looked at Ares frowning.  "Why do you want to help Hercules?"
	"It's not Hercules I'm helping.  I have a special use for his little 
friend.  Now, do it."
	Demos shook the vial.  "You're sure this is going to heal him?"
	A dark look came over Ares' face.  "It better."  Demos swallowed and 
nodded.
	"I'm on my way, boss.  You can count on me.  I'll get the job done.  You 
can rely on..."
	"GET OUT OF HERE!"
	Demos dropped the vial.  Ares drew in a deep breath and shook his head.  
Then he grabbed Demos by the clothes and lifted him up in the air.  "I'm sorry," 
mewled Demos.  Ares dropped him, grabbed another vial, filled it and thrust it 
at Demos.
	"You break this one, and you'd better not come back.  Now hurry up."
	Demos nodded and disappeared.  Ares moved to watch what he did.

	Hercules had continued to the village and entered the tavern.  The tavern 
owner looked up as he entered carrying his precious burden.  "Is there a healer 
in the village?"
	Before the owner could answer, an old man sitting at a table with a cup of 
ale spoke up.  "I'm a healer."
	Hercules turned to the man.  "My friend's been bitten by a poisonous 
snake."
	The healer stood up and gestured toward the table.  "Put him here."  
Hercules placed Iolaus on the table holding him in a semi-sitting position.  The 
healer pulled out a vial and looked at Hercules, "Help me get him to swallow 
this."  Hercules tilted Iolaus' head back and opened his mouth.  The healer 
poured the contents of the vial into Iolaus mouth.  Iolaus choked a little, but 
he swallowed most of the potion.  Hercules continued to hold Iolaus in the 
upright position.  The healer breathed a sigh of relief.  Hercules looked at him 
suspiciously, but didn't say anything.  "Put him to bed and make sure he gets 
plenty of rest and fluids," said the healer.  "He'll be fine in no time."
	"Uh, thanks," said Hercules.  "How can I repay you?"
	"Don't worry about it.  I'm always glad to help a son of Zeus."  Hercules 
looked at the healer again, but he had turned to the tavern owner.  "Do you have 
a room for Hercules and his friend?"
	"Only one vacant one."
	"Well, give it to them."  He turned back to Hercules, "I have a patient in 
the next village, so I have to keep going, but I think your friend will be 
okay."
	"Are you sure?" said Hercules.  "Should I keep giving him the yellow 
dock?"
	"The yellow what?  I mean...no, what I  gave him should do the trick," 
said the healer.  Under his breath, he added, "I hope."
	"What?" said Hercules studying the healer carefully.
	The healer shrugged, "He'll be find.  Remember lots of fluids."
	"First door on the left at the top of the stairs," said the owner.  Iolaus 
moaned.  Hercules looked down at him.  Iolaus' felt a familiar warmth in the 
middle of his forehead and opened his eyes to see Michael withdrawing his hand.  
Iolaus blinked and Michael was gone, but he could feel Hercules supporting him.  
He turned his eyes toward Hercules.  He could see the grim worry in his friend's 
face.  Iolaus tried to smile to reassure him, but he felt so weak.  He closed 
his eyes again and was quickly fast asleep.  Hercules lifted Iolaus and carried 
him up the stairs.  The healer left.  The owner's wife followed Hercules up the 
stairs with a pitcher of water and a bowl of stew.
	Hercules looked up from placing Iolaus on the bed as she entered.  "I've 
brought you some water and a bowl of stew."
	"Thank you," said Hercules accepting the items.
	The woman hesitated.  "Are you really Hercules?"
	"Yes."  The woman smiled, nodded at him and left.
	Hercules put the food and water down and continued to make sure Iolaus was 
comfortable.  He poured some of the water into a bowl and dipped a cloth into it 
which he placed on Iolaus' forehead.

	Ares looked up as Demos popped back in.  "You almost blew it, you idiot.  
What's Yellow Dock?  What healer doesn't know his medicines?  And what was all 
that stuff about drinking fluids?"
	"I heard a healer say that once."
	"Well, you had better hope that that potion works."
	"Uh, why wouldn't it?" said Demos as he sat on Ares' throne.  Ares glared 
at him.  Demos finally looked up at Ares.
	"Uh, I guess I'll be going now."
	Ares grimaced at him, "Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'll call you if I need you."
	"No problem."  Demos disappeared.  Ares moved back to keep an eye on 
Iolaus.

	Iolaus had stirred again after Hercules placed him in the bed.  But 
finally he fell into a peaceful sleep, and Hercules finally ate his long cold 
stew.  He and Ares both sat watching through the long worrisome night.  Hercules 
offered Iolaus sips of water from time to time.  Ares paced up and down to work 
off his nervous energy.  He should have just gone and healed Iolaus himself.  
What if Discord was lying about the potion being the cure?  
	When the sun came up and Iolaus opened his eyes and looked up at Hercules 
with a scowl, both Ares and Hercules breathed sighs of relief.  "What's going 
on?" asked Iolaus.
	"You don't remember being bitten by a snake."
	"A snake?  It thought it was a piece of wood."
	"You thought right."
	"Huh?"
	"Discord tried to kill you to make me talk to Ares."
	"Ah, did Michael save me again?" asked Iolaus as Ares held his breath.

	"Michael?"  repeated Hercules.
	"Yeah, I thought I saw him standing over your shoulder by the camp fire 
and then later he touched my forehead."  Ares shivered involuntarily.  Was 
Michael coming after him?  He looked around his temple grateful to find nothing 
there.
	Hercules frowned, "I thought of asking for his help, but I wasn't sure 
how."
	"Thinking about asking him was enough.  The Guardians of the Light prefer 
to work through earthly means if they can avoid outright miracles."  Ares was 
suddenly very glad he had helped the little mortal.  "So what happened?  Did you 
and Ares have a nice chat?" asked Iolaus.
	"No, though I did go to see him.  I think Ares was worried about what 
Michael would do if anything happened to you, so he sent Discord back with the 
cure.  And when she dropped it on purpose, he sent someone else to follow up," 
explained Hercules.  Ares sneered at his brother's uncanny telling of the truth.
	"One of these days, little brother."  But today he had what he wanted and 
he turned away from sappy Hercules and his friend.  He had things to do.
	"Nice family you have," said Iolaus.
	Hercules nodded and smiled down at him.  "Yes, you are."  
	Iolaus grinned back at him.  "Hey, wait a minute."
	Hercules grinned, too, "How do you feel?"
	"Like an elephant sat on me."
	"That good?  Well, what do you say we just relax around here for the day?"
	"And miss out on fishing?"
	Hercules laughed.  "I guess that means you're cured."
	"I will be after we get some fishing done, but first I'm starving.  I 
wonder what they have for breakfast around here...."  Hercules just smiled and 
shook his head as Iolaus climbed out of bed and headed for the door.

That's all, folks.

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