"There are no great men, only great challenges that ordinary men are forced by circumstance to meet."
- Admiral William F. Halsey
CHAPTER 1
It was dark in the cavernous grotto that served as a temporary home for the fierce band of pirates and warriors camped there. Several fires threw light off the walls, giving them the appearance of sparkling green crystals.
Not far from the entrance, a handful of small boats were pulled up onto the sand, far enough from the beach to avoid being swamped by the crashing waves of the sea. Inside the cave, the men passed the time, either eating, drinking, sleeping or gambling, in no great hurry. The pirates wore loose fitted clothing with curved swords hung from wide belts. Some wore light, leather armor and some went bare chested, but all had a variety of jewelry that hung from about the neck, pierced through the ears and even through the nose and brows. Many sported tattoos and loose or braided hair bound with bandannas.
In contrast, the soldiers were all dressed in black leather and armor with studded helmets that matched. They, too, carried swords, knives and various other weapons of destruction. The majority of them sat upon boulders, sharpening blades with whetstones or repairing the bindings on their armor. The rest took turns sleeping or eating. All in all, the cavern housed the entire group, which numbered at sixty.
Off to one side sat three figures wrapped in coarse, hooded robes, shackles binding their feet and hands. The suggestion of slender bodies easily identified them as female, but were not quite as human women. Their skin was blue and in the shadow of the hoods, shone pastel colored eyes. They sat dazed, but with rigid defiance of the pirate captain who stood before them.
Gorius was a huge man, with a barrel chest and thick biceps, acquired from years of hauling cargo, pulling ropes on sails and marauding unsuspecting vessels on the high seas. He was brutishly ugly, with a scar that ran from his left temple, across the bridge of his nose, to trail down his right cheek to the jaw. It had not healed cleanly, causing that side of his face to appear continuously frowning. He grew a thick, reddish-brown beard and mustache that only added to his already sinister visage. Braids dangled from either side of his head except for a section that was tied back into a ponytail. A half dozen gold rings rimmed each ear, spoils from his conquests or from duels with lesser men foolish enough to challenge him.
He leaned his face close to the women and leered lasciviously. He reached out and grasped the chin of the tallest of the three cruelly. Despite her outward courageous stance, the woman was terrified of this man. She feared what he was capable of doing to her and her companions. He boasted often of his sexual appetites and even described those fantasies to them, much to their disgust.
To this lady, he ground his mouth into her soft lips painfully, then laughed when she twisted away from his rancid tasting kiss and spat.
"I would have you, my beauties, as soon as this detail is complete. Then my men and I will feast ourselves!" he chuckled. The woman stared at him with revulsion.
"You may think you have the upper hand now, sea slug, but Poseidon will have his revenge on you and your ilk!" she flung back.
Gorius only grinned confidently. "The great Sea God cannot touch us here, so long as we remain landbound. By the time he or anyone finds you, it won't matter because you'll be unrecognizable."
With that, he drew a wicked, wavy-edged dagger and laid it across her slender throat. A thin trace of blood emerged as he dragged it ever so slightly across her neck. She gasped in pain, fearing the worst. Gorius chortled again. He returned the blade to its sheath and stood upright.
"Don't worry, lovey, it is only a scratch. However, mind you now, it won't be so gentle if you don't behave." He chuckled evilly, eyeing each of them before turning away.
He did not hear the other man come up behind him and was caught off guard as a huge fist slammed into his jaw. Gorius stumbled backwards, his head snapping back. He fell at the feet of his assailant, stunned.
"I have warned you, Gorius, not to damage the goods. There will be time enough to do as you wish later. I'll not remind you again. It would not do us well to incur the wrath of both Hera and Poseidon. It is time to move. Gather your men and be quick about it!"
Gorius wiped blood from his split lip and pulled himself to his feet. He nodded reluctantly, moving away. Pausing momentarily, he cast a quick glance over his shoulder, muttering under his breath. If the other heard him, he showed no sign.
He studied his prisoners briefly. Satisfied that that pig pirate had done no serious harm, he beckoned them to follow. They rose as one, the chains binding them rattling as they trailed behind. If they had any comments, they refrained from saying so. The dark figure before them was even larger than Gorius. His black leather garments, cape and helmet concealed his features. Great power emanated from him, a gift from the Goddess Hera. A power they feared was far greater than even Hercules' exceptional strength. A power that may once and for all, destroy the legendary hero.
CHAPTER 2
"It is through our strength of spirit and resolve that we become a source of strength for others; a strength that awakens a goodness, and even a greatness, where once there was despair.'
- "The Guiding Light"
Iolaus was hot. Although it was still morning, the sun shone uncomfortably warm and bright upon his bare arms. A steady breeze blew off the water, drying some of the sweat that moistened his skin. He trudged along the beach, occasionally turning his face to the sea, enjoying the way the sunlight danced like crystals across its turquoise expanse. Waves lapped the edge of the sand in rhythmic song. Occasionally a fish broke the surface, only to disappear beneath the waves again. Over his shoulder he carried a small pack and on his belt, his favorite sword. He was on his way to meet his best friend and smiled in anticipation.
Hercules and he had grown up together, vowing to be friends for life, sharing dangers and adventures and helping anyone who needed a hand. Iolaus had been visiting his cousin in the south and it was just such a summons from Hercules that brought him this far to join his friend. He did not yet know the details, but Herc's urgent message prompted him to set out without hesitation. He was getting bored anyway, his restless nature eager to be doing something.
He was a pleasant looking fellow with an easy smile and merry, sapphire eyes, that crinkled at the corners when he laughed. Tousled, sun-lightened hair framed his face and reached nearly to his shoulders in wavy strands. Pale brows and lashes completed the image. Two silver rings pierced his left ear and a medallion depicting some mythical beast dangled from his neck, an heirloom passed down to him from grandfather and father. Iolaus was slight in stature, a trait often mistaken by larger men to be a sign of weakness. He was often targeted by bullies as a boy and even in his adulthood, taunted by grown men about his size. He quickly discouraged their attitudes towards him by proving he was as good or better a fighter than they, by his skill with a sword and his eastern-trained martial arts, which saved his life and Hercules' on more occasions than he cared to admit it.
He slowed as he approached a line of boulders that had spilled down from some higher cliffs jutting out towards the sea. He shaded his eyes with his hand thoughtfully. He'd been traveling since early morning and had eaten little, except for some bread and cheese for breakfast. Now would be a good time to stop and rest, eat, and perhaps cool off with a quick dip in the water. The waves looked exceptionally inviting and that made up his mind.
Iolaus dropped the pack and sword in the shade of one of the huge rocks, easing himself down. He leaned his back against the stone and fished inside the pack for any remains of the food. Although he found but a skimpy portion of bread and cheese, he nonetheless dined leisurely, drinking from the half full waterskin at his side. When he'd somewhat sated his appetite, he stripped off his leather leggings, faded purple vest and his boots. With only his loin covering still on, he dove into the bracing water, bobbing up and down with the movement of the waves.
He frolicked gleefully, thinking about how much he'd enjoyed swimming ever since he was a child. Ever mindful of his errand, he, nonetheless, allowed himself to sink beneath the surface one more time, then made his way back up onto the beach.
He shook out his hair and sat, letting the sun warm and dry his body. The light bronze color of his skin deepened to a darker hue as he soaked up the rays, making the blue of his eyes sparkle as vividly as the sea. He breathed deeply of the salty air, while gulls wheeled and cawed overhead. Reluctantly, after a time, he rose, preparing to resume his journey. He was about to don his clothing again, when a woman's desperate voice reached him on the wind. He lifted his head, turning about in a circle in order to catch the direction from which it had come.
He heard it again, this time from beyond the line of boulders. Iolaus snatched up his sword, dragging it free of the sheath. Cautiously he weaved his way through the maze of stones, careful not to bark his shins against them, nor cut his bare feet on buried edges. When he'd reached the last of them, he peered around it and saw five men struggling to restrain a single female among them. Iolaus frowned and tightened his lips. He didn't like the odds. He was surprised by the fact that the woman was completely blue and quite naked. She kicked and punched at the men trying to hold her, but it was evident that she was tiring. Gripping his sword with both hands, Iolaus charged down the beach, the thirty or so paces it took to reach the group. At ten paces, he let out a bloodcurdling scream, startling everyone into motionlessness. Taking advantage of the distraction, the woman wrenched her arm free of the man who gripped it and dashed away towards the boulders.
Seeing her free of her captors, Iolaus wallowed amongst the men, swinging his sword with abandon, like some crazy, half-naked banshee. He caught two with the flat of the blade, another with a backward kick to his midsection, doubling him over. The other two simultaneously came at him with drawn knives from opposite directions. Iolaus ducked beneath their reach, bringing a fist up to connect solidly under each chin. They collapsed in a heap as Iolaus skipped away.
"Come on!" He urged the remaining three, who had recovered and were regrouping to attack. They grinned through broken teeth, then cried out, charging this apparently suicidal little man. Iolaus timed their approach to the last second, then leapt in a spinning arc. His foot collided with all three in the face as he spun, knocking them unconscious. He landed agilely, like a cat on both its feet.
"Yeah!" he muttered, rubbing his hands together gleefully. He retrieved his sword and raced for the wall of stones. He did not see where the woman had gotten to, but didn't wait to find out. The pirates, he concluded, would not remain out for very long. He risked a glance in their direction and saw to his dismay, the men staggering slowly to their feet. An argument ensued among them, with arms waving. Instead of pursuing him and the woman, they decided to make their way to a boat hidden among a large cluster of reeds. Once aboard, they rowed away until they disappeared beyond the far bend of the coast.
Iolaus shook his head, puzzled by their actions. Why would they go to so much trouble for one woman, then simply abandon their efforts? He would have to ask her, if she wasn't already leagues away. He heaved a sigh of relief and worked his way back to where he'd left his belongings. As he stooped to gather his things, a voice spoke practically next to his ear. He straightened up reflexively, sword blade snapping to readiness. The blue lady stood facing him just inches away. Even in his keyed-up state, he'd failed to hear her soft steps approaching. She stood slightly taller than him.
"Thank you," she repeated, her voice sultry and musical. Before he could respond, she cupped his face in both of her hands and kissed him passionately on the lips. Iolaus was, at first, taken aback, but, not one to let such an opportunity to slip by, he reciprocated the gesture. He placed his hands awkwardly upon the gentle curve of her hips. Encouraged by his touch, she embraced him around the neck, pressing her lithe body tightly against his. Still locked in her intoxicating kiss, Iolaus felt his manhood stir, without his willing it to do so. She smelled both of the sea and of the aromatic flowers often found along its shores. Not wanting the moment end, Iolaus, nonetheless, gently stood her away from him, embarrassed by her attention.
She studied his expression for a moment, then looked meaningfully at the bulge in his loin wrap. When she raised her eyes to gaze into his face, she giggled nervously, covering her smile with her slender hands. Iolaus felt his cheeks redden, still trying to catch his breath.
"Uh...You're, uh, welcome," he stammered. He took an exaggerated breath, then released it quickly in an effort to regain control of his wits. He held up his hands in front of him.
"Oh boy!" He mumbled, then, "Stay right there." Silently berating himself, he quickly slipped into his clothing and boots, thinking how much he was going to regret this lost opportunity. He slung his pack over his shoulder, resheathed the sword, then led her by the hand to a safer place under a stand of trees. Once they were seated, Iolaus had the chance to observe the girl more closely. She was obviously young and her skin was indeed blue, not tattooed as he first suspected. Her silky hair was pale lavender, flowing down her back to just below her knees. The tips of her ears tapered to fin-like ends, with pearls rimming the edges. Similar colored brows angled upward from the bridge of a narrow nose, matching the darker tint of her luminous eyes.
Iolaus nearly fell in love right there. Her arms sported sleek fins as did her ankles. When she parted her long fingers and toes, he could see thin webbing joining each digit together. Clearly a creature of the sea, the warrior thought. A beautiful crown of pearls, gems and shells swept back her hair from a narrow face. The lips that invited were full and violet. More pearls and shells dotted portions of her breasts and body. She wore a single green pendant set in an iridescent shell, that hung between those breasts. Iolaus judiciously focused his gaze on her dainty face and cleared his throat.
"Why were those men trying to hold you, back there?" he asked. "Do you have a name?" She lifted a hand and swept a thick strand of hair back over her shoulder. Those beautiful eyes held his steadily.
"My name is Ty' Ra. Those pirates were trying to kidnap me, as they did several of my sisters, in recent days. No one has seen them since. They cannot remain out of the water for very long." Iolaus ran his fingers through his damp hair.
"Who are you?" he asked candidly. Never had he seen anyone like her.
"We are the Nereid, who serve Poseidon. Often we come to the surface of the oceans to swim with the sea creatures or to just sun ourselves upon the rocks. We are free to roam the seas except where Poseidon forbids. I came here today when the others did not return. Had I remained in the water, they would not have captured me so easily."
Here she paused, her eyes changing to a stormy gray. Iolaus ran his hand a cross his face. Who would be either extremely bold or downright stupid, to forcibly provoke Poseidon's temper? Only fools like those idiot pirates, perhaps. It was clear they were not very intelligent enough to come up with such a daring undertaking. To the best of his knowledge, no one had ever seen the Nereid before, much less captured one until now. A chill snaked its way up his spine. Only a force more powerful than mere man could be behind this. Legend has it, the Nereid are lesser goddesses and, when crossed, never forget. Ty' Ra's fierce expression now only lent more credence to that fact.
Iolaus patted her hand reassuringly. He rose and beckoned her to walk with him. She stood, but did not follow. She gripped his arm, halting his progress.
"Wait, I cannot go with you. I must return to the water and inform my Lord Poseidon what has happened here. He will not be pleased," she explained.
The warrior faced her fully and sighed again. "I was going to suggest that we tell my friend, Hercules, about your situation. After all, he's Poseidon's nephew and Zeus is his father. I was on my way to meet him when I heard your cry for help."
It was Ty' Ra's turn to show surprise. All of the Nereid had heard of the Son of Zeus' exploits, even beneath the sea. If anyone could find her sisters, he stood the best chance. She smiled , then, and clasped Iolaus' hand in both of hers.
"Well, then, friend of Hercules, whose name I do not yet know, I thank you again for your help. I've heard of Hercules' many good deeds and if he can be of help to us, it would be most appreciated." She leaned forward and kissed him lightly upon his cheek. He sighed forlorn]y.
"It's Iolaus. My name, that is," he uttered.
"Iolaus," Ty' Ra repeated, liking the way it sounded on her tongue. She stepped back and drew the pendant from around her neck. Turning his palm upward, she dropped it into his hand and wrapped the strung shell chain once around his wrist.
"Keep this as a gift, in thanks for your kindness. It is protection against evil if needed, but its power can only be used once. After that, it simply remains just a gem. Guard it wisely, brave Iolaus. Farewell."
Before he could ask how the power in the gem worked, she'd whirled and sprinted across the sand, to splash through the tide, into the deeper water. A final wave to him followed, then she disappeared beneath the surface. Iolaus stood staring for some time, until the glare off the water began to hurt his eyes. He spared the jewel a quick perusal, shook his head, then flipped it in the air once before tucking it into a small pouch at his waist. "So long, pretty lady," he said, smiling ruefully, in the direction of the sea. Shifting his pack, he set out once more, wondering how he was going to convince Hercules to believe this exciting tale.
CHAPTER 3
Nikos darted between the legs of several grown-ups, some shouting cries of protest after him, others merely shaking their heads. After all, he was just being and doing as any ten-year-old boy at play.
They did not see the full pouch of dinars he'd stuffed inside his tunic, which he'd cleverly snatched from an unsuspecting merchant. A merchant who, after discovering his day's receipts carried off, set out in pursuit of the young thief.
The man was obese and after only a short run, pulled up, huffing and puffing. He swore vehemently, no match for the slender child, and so returned to his stand. He would lodge a complaint with the magistrate once he'd completed his sales.
Nikos risked a glance behind him. Not seeing the merchant dogging him any longer, he whooped triumphantly. He resumed his escape, trotting at a good clip, heedlessly, and promptly ran into a pair of long, leather-clad legs. Nikos bounced backwards and would have landed on his bottom had not the legs' owner grasped his shoulders to steady his fall. The boy lifted his head to stare into the glare of the sun, that silhouetted his face. Nikos eyes followed the man's legs to the torso, then to his broad, bare chest and finally to his bemused face.
The man reached down and picked up the heavy pouch that had dropped with a distinctive jangle from the lad's shirt.
"Hey, that's mine, mister! Give it back!.", Nikos complained. "Really?", the man said with a light chuckle. He kept a firm hand on the youth, hefting the bag in his broad hand. "Tell me the truth now."
Nikos lowered his eyes to the ground. The man stooped to his level. The boy looked up again. His eyes widened when he realized who was before him.
"I--uh--didn't--uh-oh!" he stammered in a small voice. "I was only " borrowing..." he trailed off. "I'm sorry, Hercules. I took the money."
Hercules tilted his head to one side. It was easy to see the boy did not own the money, judging from the tattered clothing and too thin build. He spared the pouch another glance, then to the boy's nervous expression.
"Suppose we return these to their proper owner, shall we? What's your name, lad?" he asked gently. Nikos fidgeted some, then nodded.
"I'm Nikos." he ventured.
"Okay, Nikos. I don't have to tell you that stealing is wrong or that it is punishable. Now show me who you 'borrowed' these from." To show that he meant business, Hercules nudged the lad in the direction the youth indicated.
When the merchant saw Hercules with Nikos in tow, he practically threw himself at him in gratitude. Hercules raised his brows at Nikos, who surrendered the pouch sullenly. The merchant grabbed it quickly and secreted it inside his voluminous robe. He shot the boy a sour look, harrumphed, and didn't even acknowledge a thank you. He turned back to his customers without so much as a backward glance. Hercules stared in amazement for a moment, then led Nikos away to a food stand farther down the street.
Here he purchased two meat pies, offering one to Nikos. The little fellow accepted it gratefully, biting into the hot pastry greedily. Herc smiled sadly at him. Too many of the children in these small towns having to scrounge for a bite to eat these days. Nikos licked his fingers appreciatively. Hercules was hungry himself, not having had any breakfast, but Nikos appeared to need the meal more than he. He handed the second pie over, but warned the child that he better not catch him pilfering again. Nikos nodded, gladly, accepting it with, "Thanks for not turning me in."
"Just remember what I told you, okay?", Herc replied and sent the youth on his way with a light slap on the back.
"Do you really think he'll take your advice?" a woman's voice spoke at his shoulder. Hercules wrapped an arm about her shoulders. His mother, Alcmene, smiled knowingly up at him.
"I can't say for sure, Mother, but who knows?" he chuckled, sharing the smile with an even grin. Hercules was a ruggedly handsome man, with an exceptional physique and bronzed skin. His blue-gray eyes sparkled with amusement in a long face. He stood well over six feet tall, with shoulder length light brown hair. He wore a sleeveless, soft suede tunic that opened to his waist. His pants were made of leather strips woven together in a multi-hued basketweave pattern. Leather boots laced up the sides fit snugly around his calves. On each forearm,, a decorative gauntlet forged by the god, Hephaestos, completed his attire.
Alcmene was not quite as tall as her son, though slightly more that his erstwhile friend. They both shared the same shade of eyes and hair coloring, but Alcmene's revealed telltale hints of gray. She remained as slender as any younger woman and few lines revealed her true age.
They walked for a ways, enjoying the festive air of the various street venders and shopowners. Alcmene savored these moments with her son each time he returned home from some adventure. She worried over his safety time and again, but more so whenever the gods had a hand in the trouble. Foremost of those was Hera, Zeus' wife and Hercules' stepmother. He was that constant reminder to her of Zeus' infidelity.
Without consciously thinking about it, she leaned in closer beneath his arm. The fear that one day he would not return, remained a painful possibility in the back of her mind. That fear extended to Iolaus as well, Hercules' loyal and longtime companion. She delighted in the little man's company, for he was witty and a bit of a schemer. Often, some of his wild ideas nearly turned into disasters, but she seldom faulted him. Truth be told, she was grateful to him for the way he stood by Hercules, especially when he lost his wife and children to Hera's treachery. Alcmene thought of him as a third son, much the same way as she did Hercules and his half-brother, Iphicles.
She nudged Hercules in the ribs. He shifted his musings from the surroundings and gave her his full attention. Thinking of Iolaus reminded her of questions she'd been meaning to ask of her son.
"Hercules, what was that message about, that you received a few days ago? I don't mean to pry, but you seemed quite disturbed by its contents. I also know that you've sent for Iolaus to join you, which could mean only one thing. You'll be leaving again." She stroked his arm gently, protectively.
Hercules kissed the top of her hair and drew her close. His mother didn't miss too much. He sighed.
"You guessed correctly, as usual.", he stated affectionately. He led her to a bench where they could sit and relax. When they were seated, he took both of her hands in his. Alcmene waited.
"Mother, the message was from Poseidon. He asked that I meet with him regarding a favor. I sensed that it was pretty important, since he's never asked anything of me before."
"From Poseidon?", Alcmene asked, brows raised. Hercules nodded, then continued.
"I know he's a god and quite capable of handling his own affairs, but he did give me some sound advice and help, when Iolaus and I went to Themon. He could not get involved, mind you, but without his discreet counsel, we might not have succeeded in defeating Hera's latest scheme. You might say that I owe him one."
Herc understood her maternal concerns. She's shared some of those tribulations with him. Alcmene nodded. "I see," was all she said.
"Iolaus and I will be fine, Mother. Besides, you know he'd be upset if I went off on some adventure without telling him. He's afraid that he'll miss out. To be honest, Mother, I can't think of anyone else I could trust at my back if things got hairy. We know and understand each other's fighting skills and techniques, so that there's no need to discuss it. Saves time and energy."
Alcmene sighed. "Very well, then. Where are you meeting him? I could prepare something for you both to take along, if you like."
"I've already asked him to meet me at your place. It would certainly be great to take along some of you cooking and also give both of us a chance to visit with Jason again. By the way, how's he doing?"
"He's fine, Hercules," she spoke of her husband fondly. "He'll be delighted to see the two of you as well." Hercules rose and offered her a hand up.
"Then shall we, dear Mother", he teased, indicating that she precede him. Alcmene laughed and stepped out ahead of him on the trail that led to her home.
CHAPTER 4
'There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.'
- Proverbs 18:24
Hercules, Jason and Alcmene had just sat down to dinner when Iolaus arrived, late in the afternoon. He greeted Alcmene with a kiss on the cheek and grasped both men with a firm grip of the wrist. He heartily accepted the plate of food Alcmene set before him and tolerated Herc's good-natured ribbing about how he always managed to arrive in time to eat. Iolaus chuckled and shrugged his shoulders.
"Where else can a starving guy go to find a great home-cooked meal? You've outdone yourself this time, Alcmene!" he complimented, around a mouth full of food. "Can we take some of this with us?"
Alcmene beamed and laughed lightly. She kissed him on the forehead and patted his shoulder. "I'll see what I can arrange.", she replied and rose.
In so doing, she picked up several of the empty dishes and moved to place them in some water. A telltale worried look crossed her face beneath the smile, a look that was not lost on Iolaus. He glanced questioningly at Hercules, fearing he'd spoken out of turn. Hercules put his fork down and returned his friend's gaze.
"Mother knows we're off to do some work. What I'm not sure is exactly what Poseidon wants of us. We're supposed to meet him tomorrow," he replied to Iolaus' unspoken question. Iolaus paused in his chewing, a deep frown furrowing his brow. He swallowed quickly, then spoke up.
"Poseidon wants us to help him?" He rested his chin on his hand. "Now that's really funny." Hercules eyed him curiously.
"Funny?" he asked, incredulously. Iolaus focused his eyes at Hercules, and waved his fingers absently.
"No, Herc, not funny-funny, but strange-funny, you know? I wonder...?" His voice trailed off thoughtfully. Hercules exchanged a look with Alcmene, which said, 'I think he's losing it!'. Alcmene shrugged imperceptibly and sat down, curious herself over Iolaus' change of mood. When Iolaus didn't speak up right away, Hercules tapped his hand to bring his attention back to the present.
"What is it?" Herc insisted. Iolaus shook his head.
"Well...something that happened to me on the way here. It just might be connected to what Poseidon has to tell you." Hercules sat back in his chair. A little half-smile touched his lips.
"What happened on the way here and make it brief?" he asked patiently. Iolaus tended to stretch a story out to eternity. Iolaus made a face at him.
"Come on, Herc, this could be important!" he lamented.
"Then start from the beginning," Hercules replied. Iolaus nodded.
"Okay. Around midmorning, I stopped to rest along this beach. When I finished, I took a quick swim. As I was getting ready to leave, I heard this woman calling for help, and -"
"A woman? Why am I not surprised?" Hercules cut in, teasingly. Jason also smiled.
"Herc, do you want to hear this or not? No, never mind, don't answer that."
Iolaus raised his hand to stifle any reply. "Just let me finish, please." His friend nodded assent and Iolaus continued where he left off.
"When I went to investigate, there were five guys trying to pull this woman into a boat. She definitely did not want any part of it. So I intervened and fought them off. However, once the woman was free, they simply jumped into their boat and rowed away."
"They just rowed away? What did they want with the woman?" Alcmene cut in. Iolaus spread his hands wide. "That's my point, I don't know. She certainly was no ordinary woman, Herc. She told me that she was of the Nereid, who serve Poseidon. Judging from her overall appearance, I had no reason to doubt her. She told me those men were pirates who've been kidnapping her sisters, that being the reason she was there in the first place." Iolaus paused to take a breath. Hercules' amused grin gradually changed to alarm
"The Nereid?" he uttered more to himself than out loud.
"That's right, Herc, and no one knows where they are now," Iolaus finished.
"No one except the person or persons responsible for their disappearance."
"What did this woman look like, Iolaus?" Hercules wanted to know. Iolaus sighed reflectively.
"Oh well, Herc, she had blue skin and fins on her arms and legs and the most beautiful lavender eyes I've ever seen, long hair down to here--," he emphasized, warming up.
"Okay, okay, Iolaus, I get the picture!" Hercules interrupted him with upraised hands and a wry smile.
"She certainly sounds like a beautiful lady. What happened to her?" Jason chimed in.
Iolaus scratched his head. "I 'd asked her if she wanted to come along with me to speak to you, Herc. You know, with your knowledge of the gods and all that. I told her you, uh, might be able to help. She thought it was a great idea- the help, that is, but she said that she had to get back to Poseidon. Another thing, she said those other women that are missing can't stay out of the water for too much longer or they'll die. Then she dove back into the ocean. No, wait, she gave me this jewel first for safekeeping and said that it would protect me from evil."
While he spoke, Iolaus removed the pendant from the pouch at his belt and draped it across Hercules' outstretched palm. The light from the lamp reflected off its many facets.
"It's absolutely lovely!" Alcmene breathed in awe.
"Yes it is," Hercules agreed. He handed it back to his friend. Then he rose and moved to the fireplace. He stoked the blaze higher while pondering all that Iolaus told them. Kidnapping Nereid, stirring up Poseidon's wrath. That certainly would justify his uncle's summons.
"So. What do you think, Herc?" Iolaus prompted, cutting into his thoughts. Hercules looked over his shoulder at the other man. "I think you may be right, Iolaus. The Nereid are Poseidon's daughters. The question now is, who is behind all of this? Some warlord maybe, or another god?"
"Or maybe another of Hera' s enforcers," Iolaus stated gloomily, then shuddered involuntarily. Both Jason and Alcmene looked at her son, grave concern clearly visible on their faces. The fear of another Enforcer was Justified, Hercules reasoned to himself. Especially for Iolaus, who suffered the most from their attacks; the last time fatally. If it wasn't for a favor owed him by Hades, Hercules would have lost his friend forever to the underworld.
Hercules pushed himself to his feet and ran his hand through his hair. "Regardless of who the suspect is or the reason, we've got to find out soon. I, for one, don't want to see what Poseidon will throw at us in his rage.
"The gods can be downright nasty if pushed far enough."
Alcmene stood up and smoothed the front of her gown. She smiled at the two younger men. "Then you two had better get plenty of rest."
"I could lend you a couple of horses, if you think it will speed up your journey," Jason put in. Hercules shook his head. "Thanks, Jason, but I think not. I have a bit of a problem with them.'
He feigned walking stiffly. Jason chuckled and turned to Iolaus. "What about you, Iolaus?"
Iolaus shrugged. "It doesn't matter to me, either way. I guess walking is as good as riding."
"Suit yourselves," Jason replied pleasantly. He held out his hand for Alcmene. "Shall we go for a walk, my dear? We'll leave these two to make their plans." Alcmene nodded and they exited, arm in arm.
When they'd gone, Iolaus spoke softly. "They sure make a wonderful couple, don't they?" Hercules studied his friend for a moment. He knew Iolaus was thinking of his own lost wife, Ania, who died birthing his son. When the boy died in his fifth year from an epidemic that swept the land, Iolaus was so devastated he couldn't bring himself to even talk about it. Yet, despite his own losses, it was Iolaus who was Hercules' own source of strength and comfort, when Deineira and the children were taken from him. He could never ask for a better friend, who was more brother to him than even Iphicles or his various half-brothers and -sisters among the gods.
Hercules also admitted to being against Alcmene's wedding to Jason at first, but came to realize how much they came to care for one another Both had long ago lost their respective spouses and were living lonely lives until they met.
Hercules was glad now that they were together. With Jason here to look after his mother, Herc felt less anxiety about her safety, whenever he had to leave her.
To Iolaus, he replied, "Yes, they do. They've certainly lived with enough heartache before. I'm happy for them. They complement one another nicely."
"Yeah." Iolaus agreed. Hercules clapped Iolaus on the back.
"What do you say, we take my mother's advice and turn in early? Tomorrow's going to be a long day."
"That 's fine by me, Herc." Iolaus answered with a huge yawn, "My feet have been begging for a break since midday." To prove his point, Iolaus had no sooner curled up beside the fire, then he was fast asleep. Herc shook his head in amazement. He envied how easily Iolaus could do that without a worry or care.
Hercules corrected himself abruptly. Iolaus worried and cared a great deal about things, but chose to accept each situation as it arose. His solution was to tackle it without convention, oftentimes not thinking about it, rather just doing. For Iolaus, that was often the rule, not the exception.
Hercules settled down beside his friend. When he finally dozed off, it was with a nagging fear that they were getting into something far more than they could handle.
CHAPTER 5
The five pirates returned to the cave, barely in time to join the others as they began to transfer supplies and weapons from the boats to wagons. Gorius was barking orders to his men to get a move on, his temper foul after the confrontation with the captain of the soldiers earlier.
Mordros had come to him a week ago with this task, promising riches and women for the taking. Prospective targets had been scarce lately for him and his men, so any offer for a chance at bounty was better than nothing. Gorius accepted the proposition eagerly. However, when he asked Mordros who his benefactor and employer was, Mordros simply told him it was of no concern of his. The pirate would have backed out of the deal right then and there, but his men were hungry and rebellious by this time. Allegiances came and went very quickly among pirates. Leadership changed hands almost as often and honor among this bunch was thin at best.
The big man was inspecting a box of daggers when the latecomers came forward. Gorius picked up a particularly wicked looking blade, tilting it this way and that, catching the light on its edge. Without turning around, he addressed his lieutenant
"Speak to me, Kalus. What have you brought for me? You're late." Kalus stole a nervous glance at the other four men. They'd argued back and forth on the trip back over how they would explain how one crazy little man was able to overcome the five of them, and rob them of their prize. Keenly aware of Gorius' short fuse, they conspired to report that a band of soldiers attacked them, from which they had barely escaped with their lives. To Gorius, Kalus responded cautiously.
"Soldiers, Captain. They ambushed us while we were trying to steal one of the sea-woman. We barely fought them off!" Gorius did turn then, to face him.
He eyed the others, each in turn. They nodded grimly in agreement.
"And the woman?" he added softly. Kalus swallowed nervously. "She escaped, back into the water." he uttered, lowering his eyes.
"Did she now?" Gorius said, his voice a deadly drawl. He towered over his second and leaned into the man's face. "And I suppose your nets were not adequate enough to recapture her, right?!" This time his voice boomed. Kalus flinched but dared not step back. Sweat dotted his brow, as it did on the others.
"Sir, the soldiers--", Kalus started to say in a small voice. He did not finish. Gorius' hand darted out and grabbed the man's shirt front. He grinned evilly, his black eyes hard as stone. He yanked Kalus forward, plunging the momentarily forgotten knife into the man's heart. Kalus gasped in surprise, then his eyes rolled back into his head. He sank slowly to the ground in a dead heap. Gorius shifted those deadly eyes on the other mates.
"I don't like liars. Let that be a lesson to ya!". He left the knife sticking in the dead man's chest. When the others moved to pick up the body, Gorius barked. "Leave him! Get on and help the others with the packin'. But don't think I've finished with the rest of ya! Move!" The four didn't need to be told twice. Muttering quick 'yessirs', they fled to the relative safety of the crew. Gorius spat on the body.
"Just can't get good help these days." he grumbled.
"Problems, Gorius?", a raspy voice said behind him. The pirate's head whipped around. Mordros stepped with his head cocked to one side. A mocking grin peeked through the full mask. Gorius straightened his shoulders.
"Not anymore. The fool lost his last captive, then has the audacity to lie about it." Mordros casually waved his gloved hand in dismissal.
"No matter. We've enough of the bait for our purposes."
"And what is our purpose?", Gorius countered. He was getting sick and tired of being kept in the dark. Mordros smiled mysteriously.
"You'll find out in due time, Captain. Rest assured, our plan has already been set in motion and our prey will come running." On that note, he strode away, leaving Gorius no more enlightened than before. Mordros made his way to the far end of the grotto, where several of his soldiers were filling water skins from a natural spring. One immediately moved to his side upon seeing his leader.
"Malignos, you'll take all but ten of your men on to the temple as planed. Make sure those ten are your best. I want them in full battle gear, ready to fight on a moment's notice, preferably tomorrow. Be sure to keep an eye on Gorius and that slovenly crew of his. I don't want him near the Nereid women. Right now, they are only useful for the passage on their ship, when we have completed our job.
"Is that clear?"
"Completely, my lord," Malignos acknowledged with a salute. "Will that be all, sir?"
"See to it that my horse is fed and watered and that my gear is intact. I will need him fresh for tomorrow as well." Malignos bowed and hurried off to do his master's bidding.
Mordros glided from the cave to stand facing the open sea. He absently fondled his favorite weapon, that never left his side. The huge, spiked ball hung from a length of chain, which, in turn, was attached to a leather-wrapped grip. Besides his sword, a quiver of specially treated arrows was slung across his back. He was proficient with each and did not doubt his ability to perform the commission entrusted to him. His orange-red eyes glowed with anticipation.
He did doubt the competence of that fool pirate, Gorius. The captain was perhaps a fair fighter at best, but his crew couldn't fight their way out of a sack.
But they had their usefulness, if only through their ferocity in a fighting sense. Greed was always a great motivator for their kind, and they were easily expendable when the time was right.
Upon reentering the cave, the tall warrior reached inside the black armor encasing his torso. From it he pulled a colorful feather and stroked its silky fronds.
"It has begun, oh Great One!", he hissed with glee. He bowed to a small niche in the wall. He reached up to the ledge before him and placed the feather with care, at the base of a miniature stone peacock.
CHAPTER 6
'We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best that we find in our travels is an honest friend.'
- Robert Louis Stevenson
The summer day dawned with a thick haze, signaling yet another sweltering day ahead. The sun burned a red hole in the sky and stained the scudding clouds purple and pink, as it crested the horizon.
Herc and Iolaus hiked along a trail that skirted a clear, burbling brook. Trees lined the path, providing cool shade. They'd been on the road since before dawn, after saying their good-byes to Alcmene and Jason. True to her word, Alcmene prepared a small feast for their travel convenience, knowing only too well, their hearty appetites. It was no secret she wished to see both of them find new loves again and to care for their needs. It was also a mother's instinct that they did not eat properly while on the go. She truly reveled in any excuse to cook for them when they returned home.
The companions paused to refill their waterskins in a clearing by the brook and to take a brief respite. They nibbled on fresh apples and cheese, while watching a small herd of deer drinking on the opposite bank. Colorful birds sang and darted between boughs above their heads. Iolaus tossed the core from his fruit at the foot of a tree, where a fidgety squirrel eyed them, tail twitching. It scurried down the trunk, snatched the morsel, and raced back up to the relative safety of higher branches to eat.
The men chuckled at the little creature's antics, then resumed their trek.
Their progress took them through a tall forest, over a flat, grassy plain, through some hilly country and, at midday, found them standing at the fringes of another forest. Here they chose to rest and break for lunch. No fire was needed and they shared a large, fallen log to sit. They dined on meat pies and more fruit, a long with the remainder of the cheese. Iolaus brushed the crumbs from his hands and spoke thoughtfully.
"Herc, why do you suppose those pirates would grab the Nereid? I mean, they don't have wealth or anything like that, unless you count the jewels on their crowns. They sure don't have any clothes, either!" A tiny half-grin touched his lips.
Hercules eyed him askance, then laughed lightly. "You mean they're naked?" he replied, pretending surprise. Iolaus was staring dreamily ahead, so Herc smacked him on the chest with the back of his hand.
"Ouch," Iolaus complained, but Herc got the desired response. However, Iolaus still retained the silly smile. "Yeah, my friend, they are She sure knows how to kiss, too!" he stated, with exaggeration. This time, Hercules was truly impressed.
"You kissed her?" he exclaimed, "Come on, Iolaus, don't push your luck!"
"I did--really! Well, actually, she kissed me, Herc, in gratitude for saving her life from those bad guys." He spread his hands out to declare his innocence. "Honest, Herc, she made me feel all tingly inside, but I managed to control myself." He began to fan himself rapidly, feigning like he was overheated and whistled softly.
Hercules picked up the waterskin and poured it over Iolaus' head, then burst out laughing when Iolaus sputtered in protest.
"Serves you right." Hercules joked, pulling his buddy to his feet. "Come on, its getting late and we still have business with my uncle." Iolaus wiped the water from his eyes, grabbed his pack and sword and followed }Hercules. 'They continued the banter throughout the day, until their path ended at the edge of the forest. It opened up to a panoramic view of the ocean, that spread below them as far as the eye could see. A path led down to the sandy coastline, where rows of gentle waves marched up to the beach, breaking into foamy pools. The sun was well past its zenith and had begun its descent in the western sky.
Hundreds of gulls whirled lazily above or fed on the remains of fish and crabs that littered the sand. Hercules and Iolaus tossed a few scraps of bread and meat in the air, just to watch them snag the morsels in midflight.
"Well, Iolaus, this is the place Poseidon indicated we meet. Let's move over to those outcroppings where we'll have some privacy." Herc stated, pointing to his right. Iolaus nodded, a bit apprehensively, even though he'd been privileged on many occasions to meet several of the gods, this due in part, because of his association with Hercules. The duo dropped their packs by the rocks and waited until the sun was balancing on the rim of the sea.
Hercules stepped up to the water's edge and spoke several words softly that Iolaus didn't understand. He waited as Iolaus joined him. All at once, the sun appeared to slip beneath the waves, the water becoming awash with firelight. It began to churn and boil. Both companions held their breath in awe, as the mountain of water rose in a column, then took on a man-shaped form. The faceless figure towered above them, blue sparks where the eyes should be. A crown of jewels and shells captured the last of the sun's rays. Poseidon's hand gripped his trademark trident.
Iolaus stared, open-mouthed and wide-eyed, having only caught glimpses of the god before. For the first time, he got to view Poseidon in his full majesty.
Not wasting a chance to tease his friend, Hercules touched his arm and uttered, deadpan, "You'd better take a breath, Iolaus, or you'll faint right here in front of Poseidon." Iolaus' head snapped around in Herc's direction, then back to Poseidon. He sucked in a huge breath and exhaled slowly, calming his jittery stomach.
"Yeah, right." he managed to say, hooking his thumbs in his belt. Poseidon moved closer to the shore. Satisfied that his nephew could converse comfortably with him, the sea-god settled himself nearby. He spoke directly and to the point.
The warriors could see that he was quite agitated, so they gave him their utmost attention. When he spoke, his voice was deep and resonant.
"Hercules, I thank you for coming. You, too, Iolaus. My request is very simple. My Nereid have been victims of kidnapping pirates. Normally I do not interfere with the ways of mortals unless they intrude on the everyday business of the workings of my kingdom. When they are found, those ingrates will be exacted a proper punishment. As you know, my domain is limited to the oceans and seas. I cannot pursue them on land, which is why I've requested your help. I strongly suspect divine intervention has motivated these worthless fools to infringe on my territory, but I've yet to determine which one."
Poseidon's watery form mirrored the rich blues and greens of the sea, darkening now with his contained rage. Hercules respected his uncle's temper and knew, firsthand, how dangerous it could become when provoked. Hercules was also privately grateful to know that his uncle was among the few gods who did not fault him for his birth nor treat him as a pariah. He even hinted at a fondness for Zeus' son, especially so to spite Hera.
Hercules spoke up instantly. To hear this information from Poseidon's own testimony, just confirmed what he and Iolaus had only speculated.
"Uncle, my help is at your disposal, whatever it may entail." he offered.
"Mine too." Iolaus added, spreading his arms and shrugging his shoulders.
Poseidon's coloring seemed to lighten somewhat, a sign that he was pleased with their response.
"I thought that you would.", he commented and even allowed himself a brief chuckle. " Ty 'Ra advised me on how you fended off those misfits. The Nereid are precious to my wife and me and are fondly cherished. It would please me tremendously if this problem is resolved soon. Their lives depend on it."
Iolaus smiled congenially. "Glad to be of service.", he ventured. He stole a glance towards Hercules, who nodded.
"We'll do our best, Uncle. Any idea where they may be hiding?"
"As of two days ago, they were spotted in the vicinity of a natural cave farther down the point. They have since moved inland, out of my reach." the sea-god rumbled.
"Then that's where we'll begin our search." Hercules reassured him in a confident tone. Poseidon accepted this strategy, ending the conversation. He waded out to the deeper depths. The last light of the day chased the sun below the horizon, as stars began to dot the evening sky. A half-moon spilled its silvery mantle over the waves, as Poseidon's silhouette melted to blend with the sea's incoming tide.
Foam hissed and swished around their boots as Hercules and Iolaus ambled back to the rocks for their belongings. They polished off the last remnants of food and climbed to higher ground to camp for the night. Sleep came to them without much effort, exhausted as they were from the day's journey.
Unbeknownst to them, a lone rider had witnessed the meeting with Poseidon from a higher perch. An evil smile bared gleaming white fangs in a dark, masked vi sage.
"Tonight you will enjoy your last night on this earth, Son of Zeus, along with that lapdog you call friend." he gloated.
He turned his head slightly to peer over his shoulder "...And your will is my command, Great Hera! Tomorrow will be our finest triumph, the death of Hercules!"
"And so it shall!" was the reply in a woman's husky voice. The black warrior raised his sword in salute to the peacock-feather eyes that pierced the inky night.
CHAPTER 7
As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his Friend. '
- Proverbs 27: 17
Hercules awoke with a start. Overhead, the sky had filled with thick, gray clouds, promising rain. The air was heavy with a damp mist, making visibility virtually impossible. Iolaus was trying vainly to ignite a fire, using a flint and a stone. It was the clacking of those tools that brought Hercules to wakefulness. He sat up slowly, rubbing his eyes.
Out of the corner of his eye, Iolaus caught Hercules' movement and paused in his task. He examined the little fire pit he'd constructed from loose stones. It was designed to protect a fire from excessive wind or rain. The meager wood he was able to accumulate was too damp to catch the spark from the flint. Iolaus sat back in disgust.
"Sorry, Herc, I thought we could at least cook some fish for breakfast, before heading out, but the wood's just too saturated. There's nothing left in the packs either," he apologized. Hercules stretched and moved to sit beside him. He rested a hand lightly on Iolaus' shoulder.
"Then I guess breakfast is out of the question. The sooner we get started, the sooner we'll find that cave." He leaned over and drew his pack close to him, slinging it over this shoulder, then rose. Iolaus cast an eye at the pit entreating]y, grabbing his own pack. He hooked his sword to his belt and followed suit.
"I wasn't hungry for fish for breakfast anyway.", he muttered dejectedly. His stomach made a loud, gurgling noise on cue, contradicting his statement.
Hercules raised his brows, then shook his head, laughing. He ruffled Iolaus' hair, draping an am across the other's shoulders, pulling him along. Iolaus ordered his stomach to be quiet, but he was smiling also. They picked their way cautiously down to the beach again, into the thick of the fog. They plodded along in the direction Poseidon had indicated. They could hear the waves roar and crash against the shore, as the morning high tide rolled in. Their skin felt clammy and sticky from the salty air and their boots made sucking noises as their feet rose and fell in the sand.
Minutes seemed like hours in the mist as they trudged along. By the time they finally located the cave, both were soaked. Tangled hair hung about their faces.
The opening yawned suddenly in front of them, giving them pause. They strained to listen for sounds within above that of the surf, but only heard the wind as it whooshed about the interior. Iolaus crept forward, his senses keyed for traps. Hercules stepped carefully, not far behind. Although the fog thinned somewhat in here, the men found it still difficult to make out the stalagmites and stalactites protruding from above and below the cave floor. Iolaus located several fire pits along the way. He knelt and pressed his fingers into one. The ashes were cold, as he expected.
Hercules had tiptoed to the opposite wall, spotting more of the same. He counted at least seven of the pits. Also present were impressions from various wagon wheels and shoe prints from both horses and men. Considerably more than Iolaus' five from the beach.
As they proceeded farther inside, the darkness closed in. Without torches, neither man could decipher clearly what lay ahead. What was clear was that the recent inhabitants had gone. Satisfied that the place was deserted, Hercules retraced his steps. However, his keener eyesight lit on a hand partially hidden behind a boulder.
"Iolaus, come here." he called out. A few heartbeats later, Iolaus materialized at his side. Hercules pointed at the figure. Together they pulled the body into the dim light. By the man's garb, it was certain that he was one of the pirates.
Iolaus bent closer, studying the face. A knife protruded from the victim's chest.
"I know him. He's one of the guys who tried to take Ty 'Ra. I guess his boss got pissed because he failed." he stated.
"Honor among thieves." Hercules commented in agreement. They left the man where he lay. They retreated to the outside with no further clues as to the identity of the intruders. What they both failed to see was the recessed niche in a wall, with its tiny peacock shrine.
The wagon tracks disappeared along the waterfront, washed away by the sea. Hercules suggested that they turn inland, where they might again pick up the trail. Iolaus was only too agreeable. He was cold and his belly grumbled continuously.
By late day, the mist had lifted to a degree, but the clouds still hovered threateningly. The men reached the outskirts of a tiny hamlet, hoping to get a decent meal to fill their empty stomachs. At the mention of food, Iolaus perked up, rattling off a list of things he proposed to eat. Hercules was no less enthusiastic. The prospect hastened their footsteps until they reached the inn. Pleasing odors wafted from within, causing Iolaus to inhale deeply, closing his eyes.
"I'm so hungry, my stomach thinks my throat has been cut. C'mon Herc, let's eat," he proclaimed, pulling his friend inside. They found a table easily, since there were only a few patrons seated about. The owner hustled over, smiling and wiping his hands on an apron.
"Welcome, gentlemen. What may I get for you?"
"What have you got?", Iolaus answered for the both of them. The man ticked off a list of items that included soup, beef, mutton stew and lamb shanks.
"Good," Iolaus replied, rubbing his hands together, "I'll have that:"
The innkeeper looked confused, then at Hercules for help.
"He's hungry." Herc said by way of explanation. "What he really means is, it's for the both of us, don't you, Iolaus?" He shot Iolaus a look of pure innocence and a kick under the table. Iolaus botched a strained smile, hiding the pain.
"Oh--of course--I was only kidding--heh, heh. Uh--could we have some mead to go with that, please?"
The innkeeper smiled along with the joke and nodded. As soon as he was gone, Iolaus frowned, rounding on his friend in a tight whisper.
"What'd'ya do that for, Herc?!" Hercules kept the smug grin on his face.
"What are you trying to do, Iolaus, eat the man out of business?"
"Who me?" Iolaus replied, dramatically. "Perish the thought"' Then they both dissolved into good-natured laughter. Across the room, a couple and their young son tried to hide their amusement at the two men, snickering behind their napkins.
Both Herc and Iolaus caught their looks.
"See, Herc, even they think it's funny!" Iolaus managed, between chuckles. The family discreetly turned back to their dinner, but the smiles remained. The boy peeked over his shoulder, hand covering his mouth. Hercules mimicked crazy, pointing at Iolaus. The child burst out laughing. Iolaus, who was not lost on the gesture, reached out and slapped Herc's hand. This brought on yet another giggle from the youngster. At another table, near a dimly lit corner, a lone man in dark leather, sat sipping a mug of ale. He listened to the comical exchange for a few moments, then dropped a coin on the table, before quietly exiting the inn. By the time the food arrived, both warriors were ready to eat a horse.
They had only taken a few bites of food, when a clattering of horses' hooves followed by screaming, captured their attention. A man stumbled into the inn and grasped the door frame.
"Raiders!" he warned in a choked voice, "They're killing--everyone!" He fell forward, landing face down, an arrow imbedded in his back. The innkeeper and the family immediately fled the premises. Iolaus and Hercules were each raising their forks to their mouths, but froze halfway, when the man gasped out his grim message. Hercules thrust back his chair, which fell over, and bolted for the door. Iolaus looked forlornly at their uneaten meal, pressed his lips together with a tight curse, then followed on the heels of his friend.
Several black-clad riders were hunting down citizens with callous abandon. Women screamed and babies cried as swords flashed vicious death blows. Some of the men shook farm implements at the intruders, others just tried to protect their loved ones. Fires already crawled along thatched roofs or consumed wooden structures. All of this Iolaus visualized in just a few heartbeats. As he watched in horror, a rider cruelly rode right over a fleeing man who had tried to knock him from his mount. The man died screaming, his head crushed by the animal's sharp hooves.
Iolaus ducked instinctively as an arrow thudded into a post mere inches from his head. He searched for the archer, but the man was invisible in the chaos.
So instead, he tried to locate Hercules. He spotted the taller warrior farther down the street, tossing raiders right and left. For a brief moment Hercules stood out among the confusion. Iolaus started to go to him. An arrow sped over the scrambling villagers and buried itself in Hercules' shoulder. The big man clutched at the shaft and tried to yank it free of his flesh, then suddenly keeled over to lie still on the ground.
"Herc!" Iolaus screamed desperately, breaking into a run. Several pairs of hands grabbed his arms, pinning them behind him. Acting solely on reflex, lolaus jabbed the heel of his boot into one man's shin, causing him to cry out. That man loosened his grip enough for Iolaus to free his arm and slam a fist into the face of the second. Blood spurted from the man's nose and he staggered back. The third raider threw an arm around Iolaus' neck in an effort to cut off his air. Iolaus tucked his chin, bent his knees, then thrust himself upward, driving his head into the brute's chin. He collapsed with a grunt into an unconscious heap.
Iolaus sensed, rather than saw, the fourth attacker. a huge man, twice the weight of his smaller target. He came at Iolaus slashing his sword frown side to side. Iolaus, still clutching his own blade, barely parried a swipe aimed for his head. The man growled, pressing the fight, pushing Iolaus backwards, until he was pinned against a well. Iolaus reached behind him, groping for the bucket.
When his fingers found the edge, he grasped it and bashed it alongside the man's jaw. Down he went as well. Iolaus was breathing hard, fury and worry warring on his face and in his eyes. He further attempted to go to his friend, but yet another rider galloped up, stooping low along the side of his beast. This one tried to stab Iolaus in the spine. Using the rider's momentum, Iolaus caught the horseman's arm and dragged him off his mount. They both tumbled into the mud, arms and legs atangle. The man's helmet bounced away and the knife skittered off beneath a trough. He came to his feet first and aimed a kick at Iolaus' middle.
Iolaus grabbed the foot, twisted, and bounced to his feet, pulling the leg towards himself. He backhanded his assailant neatly, then swept the soldier's other foot from beneath him, using a continuous spin of his own outstretched leg.
The raider slammed to the ground, striking his bare skull on a large stone.
The soldier lay still. Iolaus bared his teeth in a shark's grin and regained his footing nimbly, sword in hand. He turned at the sound of more pounding hooves bearing down on him, thoroughly sick of being a target. For a split second he saw the rider wielding a large mace over his head. The huge, spiked ball crashed into Iolaus' shoulder and chest, then glanced off the side of his temple. The impact lifted him up and backwards into the air. Pain ripped into his flesh like flaring daggers, tearing an anguished scream from his throat. His blade sailed out of numbed fingers. Iolaus crumpled in a heap, rolling over twice before coming to a stop at the base of a tree. Writhed in agony, his left arm useless. Blackness threatened to steal his consciousness. He moaned, fighting off the darkness, vaguely aware of his vulnerable position.
The masked raider had wheeled his steed in a tight circle and cantered back to where Iolaus lay. The little man forced himself to remain still, his eyes closed and his breathing slowed. The soldier gazed down at his prone figure and smiled in satisfaction.
"Tough luck, whelp, Hercules can't help you now. He'll be dead soon enough and Hera will reward me handsomely !" his voice rasped viciously.
He kicked his horse's flanks, rallying his men to him. Iolaus half-opened his eyes, wincing in pain, as the troops thundered off. An infant's frightened wailing was suddenly cut short. A woman's scream of despair followed and that, too was silenced. Grief and shock gripped Iolaus' heart, a sob escaped his lips.
Tears of sorrow welled up in his eyes for those lost innocents. He gritted his teeth angrily, vowing vengeance in their behalf. With a supreme effort, he struggled to raise himself upright. He gasped as the pain renewed its intensity.
Warm blood coursed down his cheek and body, his suffering marring his usually handsome face. He clung to the tree's trunk, using it to brace himself. He finally gained his feet, but dizziness washed over him. The blackness again descended upon him. Iolaus' legs felt boneless beneath him and he surrendered himself to unconsciousness. His body slid slowly to the ground, his last thought being that Hercules was in grave danger and he would not be able to save him.
CHAPTER 8
' A blessed thing it is for any man or woman to have a friend, one human soul whom we can trust utterly, who knows the best and worst of us, and who loves us in spite of all our faults.'
- Charles Kingsley
A soft rain fell over the tiny village, further adding to the pall of death that already hung there. Dawn lightened the gray sky, revealing the still smoldering wreckage that were once homes and shops to this tiny community. Bodies were strewn everywhere, some appearing as though they had lain down to sleep, others in grotesque positions of rigor where they fell. The thick mist that swirled about, gave the scene an eerie and haunted appearance.
A lone horse materialized, approaching through the fog. Two figures were astride his golden back, one clearly a warrior by her leather garb. The other wore less protective clothing, but loose enough to give her lithe body freedom of movement. It was she who broke the solemn silence as the day light began to reveal the tragic tableau. The horse snorted and shifted nervously in reaction to the stench of death. His mistress patted his neck soothingly.
"Xena, what has happened here?" Gabrielle queried in respectful awe. She brushed back a strand of her reddish-blonde hair from her face. It dangled limply from the dampness, as did Xena's dark tresses. The horse moved slowly down the dirt road, both women taking in the surroundings. Xena reined in the beast and both dismounted. She stroked the animal's neck again, then said.
"Stay, Argo. That's a good boy." The beautiful Argo shook his head, then lowered it obediently and remained still. Xena and Gabrielle fanned out, Xena drawing her sword and Gabrielle hefting the long staff she carried.
"It definitely looks like a raid to me, Gabrielle, although I don't see that there was much in this village that any raiders would want. Such senseless killing.'' Xena commented. She recalled her own past raidings, but was appalled that anyone was cowardly enough to slaughter defenseless women and children. Except Darfus, her former lieutenant. She knew of no one more sadistic than him she did not regret his death. She stepped over two men whose throats had been slit. Their shocked expressions were frozen on their faces.
Xena's lips tightened into a hard line. With each step she took, another body or group of bodies appeared, some clutching each other in protective poses. They were simple folk, probably caught off guard as the day was coming to a close, Livestock wandered or stood aimlessly about, unattended. She shook her head sadly.
Gabrielle moved cautiously down the opposite side of the street, occasionally peering between the broken and burned structures. A single horse nibbled on strands of grass at the end of the street, his saddle still on. A few feet away, a leather-clad man lay dead. As she neared him, it became obvious that this man was one of the raiders. Blood pooled around his head. The horse was probably his. Nothing about his armor identified him with any group she knew of. She moved on without looking back.
The young woman gripped her staff more tightly. Xena had schooled her of often enough regarding raiders, how they sometimes hang around, feasting on the spoils of their raids. She would be ready for them if that was the case here. However, all of the victims she had encountered were dead. She was also grateful that there was more light to see by, for she hated surprises, especially in the dark.
She slowed, taking one step at a time, due to the opaque mist. The shadow of a tree loomed in front of her and she jumped aside involuntarily. Her foot made contact with a soft object, nearly tripping her up. She recovered her footing with the help of her staff, her heart pounding in her chest. She then inhaled a couple of deep breaths to recover her wits. As she bent to inspect the object, it occurred to her that it was yet another body. Gabrielle gently prodded it, then stayed her hand.
She leaned in closer. Something about the man's clothing was very familiar. She pulled the figure over on his back, a cold, sinking feeling spreading across her belly. Iolaus' head lolled to the side, a soft moan escaping his lips.
His face was frightfully pale and lined with pain. He did not open his eyes at her' touch. She placed her palm on his bare chest. Her fingers came away with sticky blood. She realized that the purple vest was saturated as well. She carefully peeled the vest away from his shoulder and gasped at the amount of bruising and torn flesh. His breathing was shallow. Gabrielle stroked his forehead, brushing his blond hair out of his eyes. Blood matted it to his skull.
"Iolaus?" she whispered to him. He did not respond. Gabrielle stood up quickly. Xena was needed here. As far as she knew, he was the only person still alive in this devastation She wondered briefly the reason for his being here at all. And where was Hercules? They were seldom apart. She slipped back out to the road.
"Xena," she called out, "Come Quickly. I've found a survivor."
Xena was stooped over a young woman, whose pretty face had been viciously slashed. Another wound wept blood from her chest. A small infant lay alongside of her, also dead. The warrior princess stroked the child's downy hair and choked back the bile rising in her throat. Anger welled up in her gut. The bastards will pay for this, she thought to herself.
Her head snapped up at Gabrielle's summons. She stole one last look at the pair, then moved quickly to the road, searching for her companion.
"Where?" she called out. Gabrielle came towards her through the most and gripped her arm.
"Hurry, this way." she said, pointing behind her. Xena indicated that she lead the way and Gabrielle turned, practically running to the other side. Xena scanned for unwanted visitors as she trailed in her wake. Gabrielle slowed when she located the tree. She propelled Xena to the fallen man. Here she hesitated, taking Xena by the hand.
"Xena, it's Iolaus. He's hurt badly and bleeding." she said. Xena's eyes widened slightly at this news. She looked down, then dropped to her knees beside Iolaus. The man's arm was dislocated at the shoulder. Blood still seeped from the gashes there and on his chest. Mace, she guessed. Nasty weapon used to smash and crush. In the past, she'd seen Iolaus fight, knowing him to be an excellent fighter. To sustain these kinds of injuries, shy decided, was not typical of him. He must have been distracted to have been so easily caught. She sighed hugely and bit her lower lip.
"Gabrielle, I have to reset his arm. It's dislocated. He'll have little use of it otherwise. I'll need you to hold him down. Once I 'm through with that, we'll need some of those healing herbs of yours in Argo's saddlebags, to pack into the wounds. Then we must get him under some shelter."
Gabrielle simply nodded. She knew Xena had enough knowledge dealing with battle wounds, in order to tend to Iolaus' Injuries. In a way, she was glad the poor guy was unconscious. She hoped that he wouldn't feel the pain as much. She pressed her body across his uninjured side and nodded at Xena, signaling her readiness. Xena grasped Iolaus' forearm and bicep and pulled with all of her strength.
She felt the joint slip back into the socket. Iolaus arched his back and let out a strangled cry. He moaned again, gasping for breaths. Gabrielle rose and hurried to Argo to retrieve the articles Xena had requested. Xena, meanwhile, used those few moments to examine her patient. She brushed the back of her fingers across his cheek tenderly. Once, it seemed so long ago , Iolaus had loved her intimately, but she had not shared in his affection in return. At the time, she had only used him to get to Hercules. She had wanted to kill the son of Zeus. She regretted that cruel deed, but both of them had forgiven her, once she'd proven that she had changed from her evil intentions.
Seeing Iolaus now, helpless and in pain, she experienced a pang of guilt.
The gods only knew how the relationship may have turned out, had it been under different circumstances. it was behind them now, but at least they'd remained friends.
Xena admired his courage and passion, in everything he did. His boundless energy was infectious. She sincerely hoped that he would survive this ordeal or she would never forgive herself. Gabrielle hurried back and together they secured Iolaus' arm tight against his body. Then, at Xena's urging, they took positions on either side of him and lifted him to his feet. lolaus moaned and slumped in their arms.
"Pick him up. We've got to get him inside!" Xena commanded, draping the man's uninjured arm around her neck. Gabrielle wrapped her own arms around his waist careful not to jar his raw wounds. They walked him to the nearest building a small cottage that somehow managed to escape any serious damage. Once inside, they eased him onto a straw pallet. Gabrielle immediately set to stoking a fire in the stone fireplace, to boil water. Xena, meanwhile, loosened the bindings that immobilized Iolaus' arm and slipped off his vest.
In the light of the now blazing fire, Xena could see the extent of his injuries. She had seen enough of these types of wounds to know that infection was a real possibility. Iolaus was already feverish and they had no way of knowing how long he had lain there. Xena suspected it was for a long time, perhaps all night.
Gabrielle approached with a basin of hot water, several clean pieces of torn cloth strips and a bone needle with thread. Working with precision and care, the women bathed and stitched the most severe of the wounds. Gabrielle applied a healing poultice over the entire area, then covered it with the cloth strips. She wrapped another larger strip around his head wound as well. Through it all, Iolaus remained oblivious to his benefactors.
When they completed their task, they scrubbed the work area. Xena was grateful to the house's owner, who had kept the place tidy and spotless. Gabrielle handed her a worn blanket which Xena spread over Iolaus' shivering form. They'd have to watch him carefully. The warrior woman also noticed the empty scabbard still hooked to Iolaus' belt. She gently removed it and placed it deliberately on the table.
"Gabrielle, Iolaus' sword is missing. Did you see if it was near that tree?"
The younger woman shook her head and collected her staff, moving to the door. "I'll see if I can find it. We could probably use that raider's horse when we're ready to move Iolaus. There's a stable behind this building large enough to accommodate both him and Argo." At Xena's nod, Gabrielle slipped out, closing the door quietly behind her. Xena ambled back to Iolaus' bedside and picked up a large section of the cloth. She filled another basin with cool water and dipped the cloth into it until it was well saturated. She wrung it out and began to dab the sweat from the man's brow and face, deftly avoiding the bandages. She murmured soothingly to him.
"Don't you go and leave us, my friend. You're the only one who can tell us what has happened here. When you're strong enough, we'll find Hercules and make those bastards who did this, answer for their crimes. Maybe then, we'll find out whose responsible and why."
CHAPTER 9
The wagon rumbled along a seldom used road, bumping over exposed tree roots and ruts, adding to the headache that pounded in Hercules' skull. His stomach felt nauseous from the combination of motion and the drug he suspected had been on the arrow's tip. Its affect nearly paralyzed his limbs, which were shackled inside the wagon. Several times he attempted to break the cuffs and found to his dismay, that his strength was all but gone.
He felt numb for his own inability to aid the townspeople. He shook his head in sorrow. A hazy fog seemed to dull his brain, a residual effect of the drug. Herc shook his head several times to try and clear it, with only minimal success. He raised his eyes, searching for Iolaus. His friend was nowhere among the soldiers about him.
Hercules found little comfort with that knowledge. He wondered where he was being taken and who commanded this group. For only the second time in his life, he felt totally human, the first being the time he'd given up his god-like strength for his beloved Serena. It had cost him her life and his heart. He felt very much alone right now and sorely missed Iolaus' company. He fervently hoped his partner had come to no harm.
Herc shifted a little, trying to alleviate the numbness in his legs. The movement attracted the attention of a dark-clad individual, who was currently riding at the rear of the column of soldiers. He nudged his steed forward until he rode parallel to Hercules' position.
"Good afternoon, Son of Zeus. I hope you enjoyed your nap." he greeted, his voice laced with derision. Hercules glared back, saying nothing. Mordros chortled in a mocking tone. "What's wrong, cat got your tongue? Too bad."
Hercules frowned darkly. He tried the shackles again. Mordros laughed behind his dark mask.
"Who are you?"' Hercules demanded in a hoarse voice. Mordros bowed with a sweep of his gloved hand.
"I am Mordros, servant of Hera, and your personal executioner. You, no doubt, are wondering why you can't move very well. Let's just say the venom I placed on the tip of that arrow is of my own concoction. It was meant to make you sleep longer, but your semi-god status apparently granted you the ability to resist its full potential. You've only slept for one day."
One day? Hercules thought. I've been out of it for that long, stuck in his wretched wagon. Hera involved? Hercules considered this awhile longer. He surreptitiously took a head count of his captors. Nine other soldiers accompanied Mordros. Many of them appeared somewhat battered, a few he recognized from his own doing. The others he presumed were the result of Iolaus' handiwork. Iolaus.
He needed to know how his companion had fared. To Mordros he stated, "Why did you kill those people in that village? If it was me you wanted, why not just have taken me?"
Mordros lifted a shoulder. "Because no one would care, Hercules, and anyone that did would just assume raiders attacked. No one knows about our true mission, except perhaps you."
"My friend would figure it out and he'll come after me." Herc shot back.
Mordros lifted the mace off of his belt and held it in front of Hercules' face. He rotated it slowly as he spoke.
"Yes, he probably would. Iolaus, isn't it? Well, the little runt put up a heck of a fight, even dispatching one of my best men. However, I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for him to rescue you. If you get my meaning," He hefted the mace again, then hooked it back to the belt. "A wonderful weapon, Hercules. Crushes a skull as easily as a melon. I'm afraid your friend is quite dead. So you are all mine."
Hercules' blue-gray eyes hardened with hate. Mordros snickered again, catching the expression.
"As for our destination, we go to see Hera in her temple farther on. There we will decide your fate." he added
"Just like Hera to hire cheap help to do her dirty work. What did she promise you, Mordros? The coward hasn't the audacity to kill me herself. What a pity you'll be disappointed, even if you do succeed. She generally doesn't keep her promises. You'd be wiser to worry what I'll do to you once I'm free." Mordros appeared unruffled by the threat.
"We'll see, Hercules. Right now you are hardly in a position to challenge me. Rest easy now." At this, he raised a thin tube to his lips and blew hard. A tiny dart zipped across the space between them and stung Hercules in the neck. Too late, Herc realized the thing was drugged. Its effect was almost instantaneous, coursing through his veins, dulling his senses. Darkness washed over him and he went limp.
Satisfied, Mordros put away his toy. To the soldier at the head of the caravan, he commanded a brisk order to step up the pace. They would make Hera's temple by nightfall and there he, Mordros, would accomplish what no one else would dare to achieve-- the demise of the Son of Zeus.
CHAPTER 10
'Depth of friendship does not depend upon length of acquaintance.'
- Rabindranath Tagore
Mist swirled around the galloping rider, the beast's eyes glowing red as it approached. The black-clad demon on its back wielded a huge, whirling ball, aimed right for his head. Can't move out of its way! He screamed.
Iolaus' eyes snapped open, the remnants of the nightmare, fleeting images before his mental vision. He was panting hard, his heart thudding in his chest like a hammer in a smithy's shop. He sucked in several gulps of air before he forced himself to take slower, even breaths. He allowed himself to focus on the thatched ceiling as a point of concentration, to calm his racing heart.
He wondered distractedly where he was. He settled back into the warmth of the woolen blanket wrapped around him. The warrior turned his face toward a small fire crackling in a stone fireplace to his left. Pain lanced across the side of his temple and down to his left shoulder, eliciting a grimace from his lips. Iolaus reached his right hand across this chest to gingerly touch the bandages there. His whole left side throbbed unmercifully.
His mind drifted back to the nightmare and he realized that it was no dream.
The attack replayed itself before his mental eye, the raging raiders, Hercules going down, the wailing of slain infants and people fleeing for their lives.
Iolaus closed his eyes, groaning weakly and feeling such utter helplessness. A soft sound drew his attention to the doorway and he forced his eyes open. Two figures entered and were speaking quietly. He recognized them immediately. Xena and Gabrielle strode to a table upon which a basin of water rested. They scooped up handfuls of water to scrub at smudged faces and arms. Xena handed the younger woman a clean cloth to dry herself off.
Iolaus attempted to sit up, but was again thwarted by pain. He cursed his debilitated state through gritted teeth. He nearly passed out again. He shook off the impending darkness. Both women turned at the sound of his muffled cry and moved to his side. Gabrielle knelt alongside the pallet and felt his damp brow.
"Iolaus, it's so good to see you back with us!" She half turned her head to Xena and added, "At least the fever appears to have broken." Xena placed a hand on Gabrielle's shoulder then lowered herself beside her. She studied Iolaus' weary face with her warrior's scrutiny. He was drawn and pale from the blood loss and pain, but he returned her stare with his seasoned fighter's tenacity. Xena smiled wryly at him.
"You gave us quite a scare when we found you lying in your blood out there. Can you tell us what happened here? Gabrielle, please get some water, Iolaus looks like he could use some." Gabrielle nodded, patted Iolaus' knee and rose.
"I'm on it," she replied, moving to the table. Xena reached over and checked the bandages. Gabrielle balanced a dipper of cool water between her hands as she positioned it for Iolaus to drink. Xena lifted his head from the pillow as he swallowed several sips. Once he'd taken his fill, he lay back, exhausted by even that small effort.
"Where's Hercules?" he asked in a hoarse voice. "Is--is he dead?"
Xena and Gabrielle exchanged puzzled glances. Neither had seen him among the dead. They had spent the better part of the day moving the bodies to two locations, putting each pile to pyre, since burying them would have taken much too long.
The efforts of that grim task showed in their expressions. Their hesitation in responding made Iolaus' stomach knot. He tried to sit up on his own. His lacerated shoulder daunted his efforts, screwing up his face. He fell back with a groan.
"He is dead--isn't he'?" Iolaus croaked. He closed his eyes, swallowing hard. "Tell me the truth." His piteous expression tore at Xena's heart. She sat on the edge of the pallet and took his hand in hers.
"Iolaus, we have no way of knowing that. He wasn't among the dead. The only ones we found were villagers," she said.
"And one raider," Gabrielle le put in. Xena gave her a sardonic look. Gabrielle shrugged her shoulders. "Well, it's true!" she replied, defensively.
Iolaus was watching them with grave concern. A frown creased his brow.
"I saw them shoot him-- with an arrow. I saw him fall! I was--trying--to get to him, but I was set upon--by several men." Iolaus declared, his voice cracking. He paused momentarily, appearing to drift off to sleep. Xena readjusted the blanket. Iolaus stirred himself, forcing open his eyes. He grasped Xena's forearm.
This time his voice was barely a whisper and full of emotion. Perspiration beaded his forehead and upper lip.
"The one--who did this,--the leader, I think,--said he'd kill Hercules. They slaughtered--the women and--babies! I need--to go with you--to find them and Hercules." Xena remembered the young woman and her babe, lying in their own blood. Her desire to avenge their deaths obviously paralleled Iolaus'.
To him, she said gently, "We know about the women and children. We'll find those cowards in due time. Hercules, too, but first you need time to regain your strength. You've been out of it for nearly a full day, and you've lost a lot of blood. At least allow yourself a little more rest."
"I can't." Iolaus implored. His voice carried a strained edge. He managed to sit up on the third try, but nearly fell over when he attempted to stand. Xena caught and steadied him.
"Don't be foolish, Iolaus. You'll be no good to him if you're incapacitated. Besides, we haven't a clue as to what direction they took." Iolaus hissed in agony. Nonetheless, he stared harshly at Xena, determination coloring his speech.
"I appreciate you concern-for me and I--thank you for--caring for my wounds, but--time is running out for Hercules! !..I've already lost--too much time."
He ceased briefly to catch his breath. He reached out and took the dipper Gabrielle still held and tossed back the last of its contents. He wiped the back of his hand across his mouth, his expression softening a bit.
"Please do this for me." he pleaded, gripping Xena's arm. "Wouldn't either of you--do it for the other- if the boot--was on the other foot?"
The women considered his point. Appreciating the affection they had for one another, it was not difficult to understand the necessity that prompted Iolaus. Gabrielle's expression indicated that she was all for Iolaus' request. Xena was not unmoved by his passionate plea, having learned long ago, not to underestimate the degree of Iolaus' devotion to Hercules. She sighed, giving in.
"All right, we'll go. At least let us change those soiled bandages for fresh ones. And while we're at it, you'll take some nourishment. Gabrielle's made some soup for you." When Iolaus started to protest, she insisted, "There'll be no argument, you hear?" Iolaus sighed in acceptance, a tiny smile playing across his lips. Xena led him to the table, where they supped and planned their strategy.
Continued in part 2
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