From the Annals of Bastet

The temple of Zeus was deserted this late at night. The priests had come and trimmed the torches; their dim light played against the huge marble statue that dwarfed the rest of the room. The statue was of a handsome, strong man seated with an eagle perched on one wrist. Its other hand rested on his knee. It was cloaked in draping robes that hung down one shoulder to expose a muscular chest and the vestments seemed to drape delicately even though they were made of stone. The statue stared down at the room and wherever one stood, the eyes seemed to follow. It was a feat of artistry and marble work.

The door of the temple creaked as it was opened. A tall figure, completely cloaked in a hooded cape, walked in slowly. The footsteps seemed hesitant, as if the person were tired or ill. The figure walked up to the foot of the statue. The hood fell away and Hercules looked up at what mortals believed was the likeness of his father. The hero was a changed man. His face was pale, his cheeks sunken. His blue eyes, tortured and bloodshot, welled up with tears as he stared up at the statue. He threw back the cape and revealed a body that was wasting away, devoid of power and grace.

"Look at me, father," he whispered desperately. "Look at your son." His breath caught in his throat and he grimaced, clenching his jaw to get hold of himself. "I can't stand this anymore. I held the Sword of War and I became war; now it's all that I can see. It's killing me." He began to weep quietly, running his hands through his dirty, blonde hair as he hung his head in pain. "I can't eat. I can't sleep. I see a thousand wars and it seems like I am in every one of them." He looked up again. "I was in every one of them! All I have ever done is fight!" He sat down tiredly, calming himself as he sat. "I think of myself as a man of peace. What a joke."

Moments turned to an hour as he sat in the chilly air of the temple, huddled at the foot of the statue. He stared at the floor, waiting, but unsure what he was waiting for.

"Were you proud of me, Father?" he whispered, after awhile. He did not look up. "I think you told me once you were but I can't remember." He frowned. "I cannot remember." He put his head against the statue's huge foot. "I miss you so much, Mother," he said quietly. He thought for a moment, then lifted his head. It swayed with fatigue. "I'm so tired," he whispered. He finally put his head down again and fell asleep.

Hercules was still asleep when the door opened again and Iolaus came in. It was early morning hours, before dawn now, and he had spent the night searching the town for his friend. Lines of worry creased his face as he looked around. Then he saw his friend and sighed, relieved.

"Hey, Hercules, get up," he said, coming over to the huddled figure. He crouched down, putting his hand on the tall man's shoulder and rousing him gently. "You're not well; you need to come home. Iphicles has arrived and he's brought his personal physician to take a look at you. I've sent for Xena and even for Waart."

Hercules looked up, trying to focus. "Why have you sent for all them?" he said angrily. "They can't help me. No one can!" He shrugged off Iolaus' hand on his shoulder. "I don't want their help. Leave me alone." He put his head back down. "Leave me alone."

Iolaus stood up. This was becoming a familiar exchange between the two men. It was chilling as Iolaus recalled the events.

A month ago, Hercules and Iolaus had returned Tedras and Valiance to the Amazons and spent a short time with the sister soldiers after the defeat of Ichor. The tall hero had seemed withdrawn and many understood his inner turmoil. The women gave him his solitude but everyone had become increasingly concerned about his welfare. He had seemed fit enough at first. He joined the celebration the first night for an hour or so and then asked to be excused, stating he was tired.

The next morning, it was evident that something was wrong. He avoided people's gazes and answered their comments of concerns with terse replies. He looked pale. Kendaa and Calico tried to approach him without success. Lady Pegasus and Therese both asked if they could examine him for wounds but he turned angrily on each and refused.

That same day he left, and with reluctance, Iolaus followed him. His concern for his friend was stronger than his desire to stay awhile with the attractive women warriors.

Hercules and Iolaus had returned home to Jason in Thebes. Jason had welcomed his friend and stepson home, but was distressed about the change in the warrior. The days spent from then on were awkward and long as Hercules spent more time silent and alone. Each time the two men saw him, he was thinner and more pallid. His skin took on a sallow cast. Iolaus urged him to seek a physician but he shrugged off the suggestion and withdrew even more.

"I just want to be alone," he would say.

Days stretched out to weeks. Friends of the hero came and went but no one was able to rouse Hercules from his isolation. Now Iolaus stood over him in the temple, scouring his mind for ideas of how to help his friend. He was overwhelmed with a sense of helplessness.

Iolaus sighed again, putting his hands on his hips.

"I can force you to come with me," Iolaus said quietly.

Hercules laughed derisively. "Try it, little man. You won't win," he replied.

Iolaus laughed now too, but there was a sad, desperate edge to the sound. "A month or two ago, I would have said that you were right. You have always been bigger and stronger, there was no doubt in my mind. Now, I'm not so sure." He shook his head. "I used to fantasize about being stronger than you. Now I'd give anything to have you back the way you were."

"Just get out," Hercules replied bitterly. "I don't need your pity."

"Then you're not likely to get it!" Iolaus snapped, as he felt the frustration explode in him. He reached down and grabbed his friend by the vest, jerking him to his feet. Hercules pulled away and swung at him, catching him on the shoulder and throwing him back. Reflexively, Iolaus retaliated, aiming a powerful punch at his friend's jaw. He caught Hercules squarely on the chin, and the big man fell back onto the floor, passing out from the blow. Iolaus stared at the prostrate body for a moment, stunned by his action and its effect. Priests had come out of the recesses of the temple to see what was going on now. They huddled in the shadows, not daring to approach the two fighters. Iolaus looked at the priests angrily.

"What are you staring at?" he yelled at them. They retreated, speaking to each other in hushed tones. One young man came forward hesitantly.

"Do you need help with him?" he asked.

"No, I'm fine," Iolaus replied, tersely.

The man still approached, looking at the figure on the floor. "That's Hercules, isn't it?"

"If you value your life," Iolaus growled, "you will get the Hades away from us now."

The priests retreated to the shadows and left. Iolaus looked up at the statue. "Well, where are you, old man, when your son needs you?" He looked back at his friend, who was stirring now. "Useless. All you gods are useless," he whispered as he went over to where Hercules was struggling to get up. Iolaus helped his friend to his feet, positioning himself under the man's right shoulder to help him walk. Hercules still seemed dazed.

"Help me home," the tall man said groggily to his friend. Then, as if he had an afterthought. "Hey, you knocked me out!"

"I knocked some sense into you," Iolaus replied, helping him to the door.

Niclio, the legendary healer, shook his head and shrugged. He was standing over Hercules, who was now lying in bed, covered by heavy blankets. The hero had fallen back asleep after the examination. Xena stood by Niclio. Iphicles' physician stood on the other side of the bed. The three had come to the same distressing conclusion. They could not find anything wrong with him other than a small cut on the side of his neck just under his ear. Iolaus had seen it too and knew that it had happened during the fight between Hercules and Ichor. It was a minor wound and both men had shrugged it off, but it was worrisome that it had not healed. Iolaus knew, as Hercules did, that since it had been made by another immortal, it might not ever heal. Still, it seemed like such a tiny wound. It didn't particularly cause the hero any pain. It did not appear red or inflamed.

However, when the three people joined Iolaus, Iphicles, Gabrielle, and Jason downstairs, the small wound was the only topic of conversation.

"I am not familiar with the process of such wounds," Iphicles' physician said.

"Nor I," Niclio added. He shook his head. "Perhaps it has introduced some sort of poison into his blood." Xena sighed, looking back up the stairs at the darkened hall. "Very likely. Such a tiny wound should not be a problem even if it doesn't heal. Tell me again, Iolaus, how it happened."

"Ichor's blade brushed his neck as they were fighting," Iolaus explained.

"And Hercules hasn't told you anything about the fight?" Xena asked.

Iolaus sighed and sat down on one of the divans in the large receiving room. A servant brought the seven people mulled wine. They settled around a central low table on divans to talk.

"Hercules has not said much of anything. He certainly has not talked about the fight at all. Holding the sword of Ares affected him greatly. He ... he just has not been himself since," Iolaus said, after taking a sip of wine.

"We must suppose then that the holding of that sword has something to do with his present condition," Niclio analyzed.

"And perhaps Ares can be of help," Xena added, "if he is willing to. He lent Hercules the sword. That in itself is amazing, but then maybe that is part of some plan he has to destroy his half-brother. The two have been enemies since Hercules was a boy."

"If Ares did have some devious plan, he sure hid it well," Iolaus said recalling the God's cooperation and the healing of the Amazon.

"Well, the person to ask about this would be Kendaa," Xena said, thinking out loud. She began to get up when a voice in the shadows spoke.

"No, the person to ask is me." The God of War stepped out of the shadows of the room and walked over to the group. He looked from person to person, crossing his arms over his chest in thought. "And no, I have no devious plans. Yes, there was a period in my life when my every waking thought was for the death of Hercules. To him, of course, it seemed like most of his life." He thought for a moment. "Well, I guess it was most of his life. But I am not causing his illness. "In an ironic twist of fate," he continued, "the very thing that saved us both may be causing his slow death." He began to pace around the circle of people on the divans. "You see, my sword had the blood of the Hind on it. When he fought with Ichor, some of the blood, just the slightest amount, must have gotten on Ichor's sword. When his sword cut Hercules' neck, there must have been the hind's blood on the blade there. Not enough to kill him outright, but enough to cause a slow decline. That is the only thing I can think of that would cause this." He gazed up at the darkened hall where the hero slept fitfully in his room. "I have no great love for him, that is well known ... but I would never wish a death like this on any warrior. Hercules is a great fighter. He deserves better," Ares finished.

Anyone who knew Ares and Hercules would have been struck dumb to hear the God of War say what he did. Xena sat with her mouth agape and Iolaus shook his head in wonder. Ares laughed to see the Warrior Princess' face.

"I don't believe it," she said.

He laughed again. "What did you say once, 'a kinder, gentler god of war.' Well, maybe so but probably not."

"Can you help him?" Iphicles asked. This was the first time that he had ever seen the God of War in the flesh. He was struck by how similar they looked.

"No," Ares replied. He sounded sure. "The Hind's blood is legendary. The Ancient Ones created the race of the golden Hinds in the dawn of time. It was believed they did this to balance out the powers of immortals. But the Ancient Ones retreated to a different plane and turned their attention elsewhere; so Zeus set out to destroy the race of Hinds and finally succeeded." He sat down on the edge of Xena's divan and took the cup of wine from her hand without asking, sipping it. She smiled at his usual arrogance.

"Maybe Bastet can help us," Xena said.

"I've called to her," Ares replied. "If she hears me, she's not replying."

"The dragons?" Iolaus asked.

"Been there. They don't know a cure for the Hind's blood but they are willing to help," the God of War replied.

"Well," Xena said, taking the cup back, "you have been a busy boy."

He smiled. "Well, if Hercules dies, I think a light will go out of my immortal life. Life will be so boring without him to torment. I can't have that."

Xena snorted. "Bastard," she said quietly. He laughed.

"The Amazons are coming with Waart," Iolaus said. "I hope that she can shed some light on this or maybe she can call her sister to help. At this point, I am willing to do anything."

The others were nodding. Now all they could do was wait for the arrival of the warrior women and the sorceress that accompanied them.

The news of Hercules' illness had come at a bad time to the Amazon Nation. The army of the sister soldiers, headed by most of the Forum members, was assisting their distant neighbor, the King of Galgona, in suppressing an invasion. When the news reached the Queen's village, the last unit was preparing to take off.

Calee was heading this unit. When she heard the news brought by Iphicles' royal guard, she gathered her troop together to make the decision as to what to do. The unit was ready to mount up and women were making the last preparations before leaving.

There was much debate about whether it was the job of Amazons to assist the Greek hero, who was still not well accepted in the nation of women. The troop stood around their horses and looked at the men of the royal guard with disdain or outright hostility. The sergeant of the guard kept quiet, looking to Calee for direction. She nodded to him to have his men retreat to the outer walls of the village so as not to cause more ill feelings.

"Iolaus and King Iphicles have bid that the mighty Sorceress Waart come," he reminded Calee, before he ordered his men to retreat.

"She will come," Calee answered, looking at her saddlebags. On her horse's saddle was mounted a basket in which sat a small tabby cat. Waart, after the conflict with Ichor, had not been able to change back to her human form. The small cat waited in the basket. Next to her stood Laurissa who smiled and ran her hand affectionately over the cat's fur.

"Oh mighty sorceress," Laurissa said quietly.

"Chilling thought, isn't it," Waart replied, rubbing against Laurissa's hand.

Calee stepped into the circle of women. The troop watched the men retreat before starting their discussion.

"This is not our fight," said one woman as she checked the straps on her saddle. She looked over at her friend who was nodding.

"But neither is the fight in Galgona," said Cassopeia, frowning. "What is the debate? Hercules has helped us more than any king."

"The fight in Galgona keeps the invading army from our door!" said the woman's friend. Both women were worshippers of Hera, a fact that had not escaped Cassopeia, though she kept her thoughts to herself.

"This is strictly a voluntary mission," Calee said, "and one I think that the Queen would endorse. All who wish to go with me, mount up for the ride to Thebes. Those who do not must complete your packing for the field and make your way to Galgona. Any questions?"Women grumbled and whispered amongst themselves. Most of the twenty or so women returned to their packing for the conflict. Cassopeia shook her head as she watched their numbers dwindle.

"I just hope," Calee said to BonaDea as they both swung into the saddle, "that the Queen will understand. But frankly, I'm going whether she likes it or not."

BonaDea smiled, nodding. "I'm with you."

"As Cass said, 'what is the debate?'" Laurissa said, mounting up.

Cassopeia swung into her saddle and the contingent rode out.

Soon the group of women was on the plains of Greece. The royal guard left them then and returned to Corinth under Iphicles' orders to bring him news of events in Corinth once they had delivered their message to the Amazons.

It was a small but impressive entourage of women warriors that road through the villages. All the warriors rode well; they were firm in their seats on the war-horses. They were all dressed in their war garb of sleeveless suede dresses or vests with leather skirts, cut to mid-calf, and boots of leather, laced to above the knee. Each woman had her own style beyond that.

Calee headed the group. She had red hair tied back in a tail. She was dressed in a vest and skirt. Her body was athletic and tan from the sun. She carried a bow and arrows and a short sword, all of which she used well. She had a look of innocent youth, but those who knew her suspected that she was older than she looked. The tale of how she had come to the shores of Greece was a mystery. She had never revealed to anyone anything other than that she was from a foreign shore and knew many languages including the language of some animals. Her love and affinity for animals was well known. Her hawk circled overhead, flying ahead to scout for her.

BonaDea wore a dress with a square cut neckline revealing the olive skin of her fit body. She had dark brown hair with red highlights. She carried no staff or sword, but had her bow and a quiver of arrows with her. Around her right arm was an armband that had the symbol of Artemis, her patron goddess and her teacher. Raised in the wild after bandits killed her parents, BonaDea had been adopted by the Goddess of the Wood, who taught her the skills of the bow. She was a deadly shot and formidable opponent to those who threatened the ones she loved. She also had a black leather belt around her waist with a small dagger in a black sheath. The dagger and belt were gifts from the god Hades in repayment for a favor she had done him. She had never told anyone the story.

Laurissa rode behind them. Her suede vest, skirt, and leather boots were a bright turquoise, which complimented her turquoise eyes. She was taller than the rest, very tan, buxom, and long of leg. She had short blonde hair with almost white highlights. She had come from one of the oldest lines of the Amazons, and her ready wit and easy laughter belied a fierce devotion to the Nation. Always the first to start a celebration and the last to go home, she appeared to be frivolous yet she was also the ready companion of the Nation's champion, Kendaa. Laurissa carried with her a staff with a patina of silver. Embedded in the top was a turquoise heart, given to her by a secret lover. She also carried a short sword which she was loath to draw.

Beside her rode Cassopeia, who had come to the Amazon Nation only a scant year ago. She was from the Northern Isles of the Celts. She was slender, with long brown hair and dark eyes against pale skin. She was dressed in a vest and skirt of brown suede and had on a blue ribbon tied around her right arm to signify the clan of her lineage. She carried a staff with reluctance, because her greatest weapon was her voice, which when used in song, quelled the anger in human hearts. This magic quality had won her the nickname "the Siren."

Once feared by the people of the Greek plains, the Amazons' alliance with Hercules had begun to make the villagers and farmers see the sister soldiers in a different light. It was a strange and thrilling feeling for the Amazons as they rode along having farmers in the fields and men in their wagons hail them and cheer them on instead of running to defend themselves. These Amazons appreciated the new reception, although many of the Amazons still preferred to be feared.

The women rode into a village and found a tavern.

"I remember this place," BonaDea said as she looked around. "This is the village of Boaus, it's got a weird name and strange people. Some say that the Goddess Discord is worshiped as their patron goddess."

"Sure you want to stop here?" Cassopeia asked, looking around at the villagers who were avoiding the four women and packing up their stalls in the market for the night. No one made eye contact with the women.

"We can go anytime you want, but only after I have a drink!" Laurissa said, tying her horse to the post. She went into the inn. Waart jumped out of the basket and followed her in with a tail high in the air.

"Maybe they have some milk," the cat said enthusiastically.

"No milk! It gives you the runs," Calee said, following with the others. Her hawk landed on the horn of her horse, its dark eyes looking around for danger. It screeched out a quick "I'll be waiting" that only Calee understood.

The tavern was sparsely furnished and chilly. The fireplace was cold. A few tavern girls scurried in the shadows and poured wine to the patrons. Men sat drinking and talking in low voices as the women walked in. Laurissa smiled as the men looked up. She walked over to the bar.

"Good evening, sir. What a lovely, rustic establishment you have," she said.

"Who the Hades are you?" the barkeeper growled.

"Just weary travelers in need of some refreshment," she replied brightly. Her sisters had stepped up to the bar beside her. All eyes were on the women now.

"We don't like strangers!" he said. "We don't even like each other." Laurissa was taken aback by the response.

The barkeeper frowned. "I hate this town."

Cassopeia went over to the fireplace and began to make a fire. Men near her grumbled but let her be. "Is it true that Discord is your patron goddess?" she asked, as she took out her flint to light the fire.

"Get out," said one of the men. "You don't know our troubles here!"

Suddenly one of the barmaids screamed and threw her jug of ale at BonaDea. The Amazon ducked and exchanged surprised glances with Calee who stood amazed also at the violent outburst.

"Go away and leave us," the girl screamed. "We are cursed, cursed by Discord's order."

The barmaid screamed again and then sank to the floor crying. BonaDea went over to her and picked her up, helping her to her feet and over to a chair. The Amazon stroked the young woman's hair, calming her.

"These people are under a curse," BonaDea said. "As long as one person in the village feels anger or resentment, they are all doomed to live under a curse of ill feelings. The men rape the women. The women beat the children. The children hurt the animals and the cycle goes on," she explained, as she looked into the minds of the people there. This power to see into the minds of others was her gift from Artemis, and sometimes as much of a curse as a gift. Tears welled up in her eyes as she felt the woman's pain.

"Get out while you can," the young girl whispered.

Laurissa thought for a moment. She looked at Waart who had curled up by the fire and was asleep, then she looked at Cassopeia and smiled. "Well, my friends, this is your lucky day. Nothing in this world happens by accident." She looked around at the people as they began to talk amongst themselves. "Gather everyone in the village now. Leave no one out. This is 'the Siren' Cassopeia," Laurissa continued, motioning to her friend. "Her voice calms a troubled spirit. She will sing for you and the spell will be broken."

The bartender came over to the tall woman, a look of mixed excitement and fear on his face.

"Is this true?" he asked.

"Yes, she can do this," Laurissa explained. "She has a great gift." Cassopeia was nodding quietly.

"I will go gather the people now!" he replied enthusiastically.

"You do that, but first, pour me some wine," the tall Amazon added. The man put a pitcher and four goblets on the table and hurried off to gather his fellow villagers.

All the people were gathered around a bonfire that the four women had made in the center of the village. Its warmth helped the people to gather closer. The villagers stood around, bickering and arguing, but all the while, they also talked about the spell being broken.

"Is this everyone?" Calee asked.

The barkeeper nodded, looking around. "Yes, I should know, I'm the village elder. There aren't many of us left. Only eight or so families, and small ones at that. This kind of relationship does not make for large families." Cassopeia stepped into the circle of people. She paused for a moment, thinking about the song she would sing. Then she began. BonaDea felt the resentment and anguish melt away as the people heard the mystical voice.

When the dark wood fell before me
and the paths were overgrown.
When the priests of pride say there is no other way,
I tilled the sorrows of stone.
I did not believe because I could not see
though you came to me in the night,
When the dawn seemed forever lost,
you showed me your love in the light of the stars.
Cast your eyes on the ocean.
Cast your soul to the sea.
When the dark night seems endless,
please remember me.
Though we share this humble path, alone,
how fragile is the heart.
Oh, give these clay feet wings to fly
to touch the face of the stars.
Breathe life into this feeble heart.
Lift this mortal veil of fear.
Take these crumbled hopes, etched with tears.
We'll rise above these earthly cares.
Cast your eyes on the ocean.
Cast your soul to the sea.
When the dark night seems endless,
please remember me.
Please remember me.**

The people began to dance. They whirled around, finding what partners they could. The men hugged their lovers and the women laughed and embraced them. The children held out their hands for their mother's skirts, giggling. Even the animals came out of the shadows. Waart watched bemused, as the pall of sadness was lifted.

"I'd say this is a good reason for celebration," Laurissa said as she watched.

The celebration went on all night. As much as the Amazons wanted to sleep after a day of hard riding, they were dragged into the festivities. Laurissa danced with the children. Cassopeia sang many more songs. BonaDea told the people the story of her last hunt with the famous huntress, Artemis, and Calee interpreted the speech of the night owl for the fascinated peasants. The small tabby cat watched amazed, as the village was reborn from fear and sadness.

Finally, in the early morning, the Amazons were given lodgings and slept for a few hours until daybreak. Then they started off again on the last leg of their journey amid the cheers of the villagers, but from her celestial place, Discord watched, furious at the interference of the Amazons.

**Verse from "Dante's Prayer"; set to music by Loreena McKennitt on the album "The Book of Secrets".

The small tabby cat sat by Hercules as he lay curled up asleep in bed. She smelled his skin, the wound on his neck, and his breath. Then she looked up at the crowd gathered around the bed.

"It is not good," the cat said quietly, "it's definitely the Hind's blood in his system. I can smell it."

Hercules had not been strong enough to leave bed since he had come back with Iolaus from the temple of Zeus. Niclio had been keeping a close eye on him.

Now the Amazon contingent had arrived with Waart. There was some discussion of why Waart could not change back but the cat quelled all the anxiety with her comments.

"You must understand that in the world of the supernatural, there are laws that must be obeyed like the laws of nature here on your plane," she said. "I could change back, but it would use a great deal of power, power I would rather use on something else. Besides, I like this form. I'm small and lithe; I can run and jump well. I'm easily transported." The cat paused and stretched on the bed. "And I'm so cute," she added.

Calee snorted a comment of derision. "Oh, please."

It was late now in the day. The Amazons had just arrived and the group had immediately gone up to check on Hercules. Iolaus had informed them of what had transpired with Ares. Now that the poison of the Hind's blood had been confirmed, the group went back downstairs again to discuss what could be done from here. Iphicles led the way to the dining hall. Behind him were the Amazons. He could feel Laurissa's eyes on him. The King of Corinth avoided her gaze.

"Ares says that Bastet is not listening," Iolaus commented as they were served a meal around a long table by servants.

"Bastet always listens," said the cat. She trotted down to the end of the room where a great fire roared in the fireplace. The small cat leapt up onto bricks and sat down, looking at the group with mystic green eyes. "If she does not speak, it is because she has nothing to say yet. If and when she can help us, she will." The cat looked at Calee, then licked her leg and curled up to sleep.

"She will help us," Calee answered. She sat down at the table and took a sip of the hot mulled wine. "She has the power to reverse the effect of the Hind's blood. If she's not responding then her attention is turned to another, greater thing."

"You sound definite," Xena observed as she sat down across from the Amazon. The others were taking their places at the table and beginning the meal.

Calee waved away the servant when she came to serve her food. "I'm not hungry," she said quietly to the servant. "Just the wine will be fine." Then she looked over at the dark Warrior Princess who was watching her carefully. "I know Bastet well," Calee continued. "It's a long story and ... "

"I think it's time to hear it," said a weak male voice from the hall. In the door stood Hercules, wrapped in blankets, leaning on the doorsill. His hair was wet with perspiration and he seemed out of breath. "I thought I heard Amazon voices but I wasn't sure," he added.

Everyone gasped at the hero's appearance. Xena and Gabrielle began to get up. Iolaus was at his friend's side in an instant. Jason smiled and began to rise but Hercules waved them all away and put his arm around Iolaus as the other man helped him to a chair. The Amazons greeted him when he sat down and he kissed each one in turn. "I need to hear your voice more than ever," he said to Cassopeia as they embraced. "I've been so troubled ever since..." His voice faded away.

"I know," Cassopeia replied quickly. "You have a bite to eat and get some strength and I will sing for you later." She smiled and cupped the pale cheek in her hand.

Hercules sat back. It seemed as though the simple task of coming down to the guests had taken all the strength he had. He closed his eyes for a moment and sighed. The others sat back down and continued their meal, trying to ignore the dramatic change in the tall warrior.

"I think it's time you told us your tale," Hercules said, opening his eyes and looking at Calee. "You've been promising me for years."

She looked back at him and then at the others. "I know Bastet well," she said quietly, "because I served her once. She was very different then and so was I."

The hawk that always accompanied her gave a screech from its place on the mantle as if to say, "it is time the truth was told."

Calee sat back and closed her eyes for a moment then began her tale.

Calee sat for a moment, thinking about where to begin. It was hard to tell this tale in terms that the others could understand. She looked over at the cat asleep on the stones in front of the fireplace. The room was hushed, only the fire's crackle broke the silence. As if Waart could read her thoughts, the cat woke up and looked at her.

"So the time has come, as the hawk has said," Waart said quietly. She stretched and jumped down, trotting over to the table and leaping delicately up onto it. The cat walked down the middle of the table until she reached the place where Calee sat. Then she sat down in front of her and curled her tail around her small, sleek body. Calee looked at her.

"How can I explain?" the Amazon said.

"It is really very simple," the cat replied. "Start at the beginning, when the Ancient Ones came into ascendancy." The cat paused, feeling the woman's hesitation. "Well, let me set the scene...

"In the mists at the dawn of time, when the One created the world, the One put upon it all manner of beings. First, the One created those we call the Ancient Ones. Then the One created those we call gods, then animals and finally, man. All these creations had a special place in the Universe. And all were sacred and intertwined in the dance of existence. All things were equal and all things were balanced. There was harmony. "But missing was the tension and struggle which we call life. Nothing is gained when there is not an equal loss. That is the way with the Universe. All the beings of the world struggled to define themselves and in this struggle was born rank. Rank created power and power created force. And force created time. Time made a past and a future. And was born the capacity to remember, to pass on and to procreate. No longer was there just everlasting now. Serenity gave way to history. History revealed what was, but also what was not and what might have been. And the harmony was broken as ... "

Iolaus had been rubbing his face. He broke the cadence of the cat's speech. "Is there a point here?" he interrupted tiredly. Hercules looked over at him and smiled weakly, knowing his friend's impatient thoughts, thoughts that mirrored his own.

Calee laughed despite her discomfort at revealing the dark times in which she had been created. She realized that it would be hard for the guests to understand her origin. "I think, Waart, that you need to get to the point," she said. "I don't think they want to hear the entire history of the Universe."

"I was setting the scene," the cat replied, annoyed.

"Speed it up," Calee answered.

"Oh, very well," the cat said. She looked over at Gabrielle. "The storyteller's art is never appreciated."

Gabrielle smiled. "We're all just worried about Hercules," the young woman replied. "It's not the time for poetry."

"Ahmmm," the cat said, "well then...

"The Ancient Ones were twelve in number, twelve being a sacred number containing four sets of three. There was Ra, Osiris, and Isis; Set, Dahak and Moloch; Sekhmet, Anubis and Thoth; and Nephthys, Atum and Tefnut. They were the twelve that sat at the pinnacle of power. They started history."

"Wait a minute," Gabrielle said. "What about Bastet? You forgot her."

"No," Waart replied. "Bastet had not yet been transformed."

"Go on," Calee said. She patted Gabrielle's hand affectionately and the young woman smiled back at her.

"They ruled the Universe," the cat continued, "as the One retreated to watch. As is the way of things, ruling became struggle and struggle became conflict. The Ancient Ones divided into camps and began to war amongst themselves. Ra was the head of the Ancient Ones. Wise, he was, and strong. He ruled with compassion. Others were content to have their places with him. But the triumvirate of darkness had begun to make plans to take Ra's place. You know who they are and have felt the chill of their power. Set, Dahak, and Moloch conspired to topple the leader of the Ancient Ones.

"Ra was wise and cunning. But he did not foresee the evils that the three Dark Ones were planning. They created a race of animal creatures called the Golden Hinds. They were stunning in their beauty and graceful to watch in all that they did. But hidden in them was their curse and the curse to all immortal beings. The three had given their blood the power to kill immortals.

"The three gave the Hinds to Osiris and Ra as a gift. One day, Osiris, Set and Moloch were hunting with several of the Hinds and one of the beautiful beasts was injured. Osiris was compassionate and he immediately set about healing the wounded stag. But when he came in contact with the Hind's blood, his fate was sealed and he died. Set and Moloch killed the rest of the Hinds that were present and took their blood as a provision against the vengeance of the others. Then they took Osiris' body and dismembered it, spreading the pieces far and wide so that Osiris could never rest in peace.

"This made Ra furious. He went to console Isis, who was Osiris' wife and true love. She vowed to find all of her husband's body and restore him to life. Isis wept for an eternity, with her sisters Nephthys and Tefnut trying to console her. The one affected most was Sekhmet, who was known as the Lioness, for no one knew that she loved Osiris secretly.

"Ra called a great council. He asked the others what they should do to punish the three for their treachery. The Ancient Ones called for vengeance and asked to start the first war. The three had retreated into a dark realm where they waited to see what their brothers and sisters would do.

"Isis begged the others not to fight. She was like a mother to all life, and as much as she was angry with her brothers, she could see that the coming of war would start an inclination that would seal the fate of all living things. But Sekhmet wanted war. She was angry at the death of her love and she stepped forward and volunteered to begin the fight against the Dark Three. She was known as the Lioness, the Destroyer, for her anger had made her turn from light into darkness. The others were afraid of her but they could see that her power could match the Dark Ones. She created an army of twelve creatures; you would probably call them Furies. They are similar to the Furies of your people, only more powerful. They were beautiful, vengeful, female creatures that looked sometimes like women, but were every manner of animal or monster depending on their need. They were terrible to look upon and fierce in their ways. It was with this army that Sekhmet hunted down the three, defeating their minions in a terrible conflict, and put the Evil Ones in prisons so deep and strong they have rarely escaped. When all three ever do, then the world will be a place unlike anything you would ever want to experience."

"So," Iolaus said quietly, trying to contain his frustration. "The blood of the Hind was created by these three, who have some sort of antidote, I assume. Am I close?" He looked over at Hercules who had fallen asleep in his chair.

"You are," the cat said, lounging before him on the table. "But who will go and get this antidote? Only Sekhmet could get the Hind's blood cure from the realm of Set. It is he who holds it."

"Calico went into the realm of Set but he took her there. She never speaks of it and has no idea how she escaped," Laurissa asked, sipping her wine. "How do we find Sekhmet?"

The cat continued the story.

"When Sekhmet had defeated the Dark Three, she was changed. The evils of war, the sheer horror of destruction, had appalled even her vengeful spirit. Her warriors were few now, only three survived the conflict. They were tired and despondent over what they had become. The Lioness and her warriors went to the temple of Ra and asked to be sacrificed so that harmony could be restored to the world and they could find peace in the sleep of oblivion.

"Ra took pity on the four brave women. He went to the highest altar and fell down in worship before the One. He asked that mercy be shown these brave creatures who had had to become war and evil in order to contain evil.

"The One is loving and all-merciful. The One decreed that balance had to be maintained so the Lioness and her warriors could not be destroyed. But the One blessed the Lioness for her sacrifice and she became an elegant and dainty black cat. It was then that she took the name Bastet. Then the One blessed each of the warriors and they were changed, and they were strewn throughout the ages to live their lives as human women. Each was given a gift."

The cat turned toward Calee. "Calee's gift was language," the cat said. "The language of all things."

The room was silent as the guests took in the last of the story.

"You were one of the warriors that served the Ancient Ones?" asked Gabrielle.

"I was in the first army, an army of women," Calee replied.

Calee went on. "Yes, I was a member of the Army of the Destroyer, the first army." She shook her head as she recalled faint memories of the battle. "At first after I was changed, I didn't remember anything of my origin. I started my life as a human in Babylon as a scribe and a servant in the temple of Astarte, who was called Isis by the Babylonians. It was very clear that I was different even then. I had the gift of many tongues and could sometimes understand even the sounds of the animals. I could feel what they felt. Over time, my powers to understand them grew.

"The Babylonians sacrifice animals," Calee continued, "and in the days that passed it became harder and harder for me to watch their suffering. I suspected even then that the Gods did not care about the sacrifice of animals. They had no need for the blood of innocents. So one night, I freed a great, strong bull that was to be killed the next day in honor of the King. For that I was condemned to death and the priests took me to the cliffs and threw me in the sea to die. I was saved by the dolphins and brought here to the shores of Greece. As I lived my life in amongst the Amazons, the memories of my true past began to come back as I learned the art of war among the sister soldiers. It was then that I began to remember my relationship with Bastet. She had never forgotten me."

"I always wondered about that," Laurissa said. "You came to the shores of Greece so alone. You seemed so naive. You said you were a scribe from foreign shores but you picked up the art of war faster than I have ever seen any woman do before."

"I was surprised myself," Calee answered. "The hawk who found me on the shore led me straight to the Amazons." She looked over at the graceful bird with piercing eyes. "I think she knew all along."

"And the cure for my brother?" Iphicles asked impatiently. Iolaus exchanged glances with him.

"That," Calee answered, "will have to be revealed, but I know that Bastet will help. She would not let a great hero like Hercules die."

"So what now?" Iolaus said angrily. "We are still sitting watching my friend die by inches. I need answers, not stories."

"Iolaus," BonaDea said. Her voice had an edge to it. "There's no need to be angry at Calee. She's come here, as we all did, to help. She has just poured out her secret to us. I think we owe her the courtesy of respecting her story." She thought for a moment. "Besides, I think there is something more here than just the Hind's blood in the wound." She looked at the hero asleep in the chair. "And I don't think he is going to die."

"Now you're an oracle?" Iolaus asked testily.

"Enough," Jason said. "Bickering will get us nowhere."

Cassopeia began to hum and tempers receded as the guests found their good spirits again.

"Have another biscuit, Iolaus," BonaDea said, smiling at her friend, "and let me explain."

Iolaus nodded and shrugged, "I'm sorry, Calee," he said quietly.

Calee nodded. "I know you're worried." She turned to BonaDea. "You were saying?" "Even when we find the cure for Hercules' wound," BonaDea continued, "and I do mean 'when', he still is troubled by holding Ares' sword. I think that is why he is fading so rapidly. He is letting himself go and he needs to come to terms with holding the Sword of War." She looked around the table. "Everyone here, except the physicians possibly, has been in battle. Most of us are warriors for a good deal of our waking time. Yet, no one here is a warmonger. We do not seek out violence, but it exists, and we have to face it. It sounds to me like Hercules had to look into the darkest side of himself in order to defeat Ichor. He saw that that dark power was a part of him. Sekhmet the Destroyer and Bastet the Kind are one and the same. Good and evil; there is never one without the other. That is the mystery."

Xena nodded. "When I fought Morpheus for Gabrielle's life, I went into a dream world in which I had to face the shades of my past. I found that my greatest enemy was also my strongest power, my dark side. It is my dark side that gives me my edge in battle, but it is an edge that I could easily fall off and into the abyss of brutality and hatred. Every once in a while, I get too close to that edge and Gabrielle has to pull me back." She recalled the fight with the Horde where she took control of a garrison and the bloodlust of battle and command came back too strongly. Gabrielle smiled and winked at her friend.

"Well," Iolaus said, swallowing the fruit biscuit that he had been munching. "I'll let Hercules worry about his spiritual health, but I'm worried about watching him waste away. So let's get down to the point. How do we get the cure for the Hind's blood?" He looked over at Calee.

Calee sighed and took another sip of wine. "It's odd that Bastet has not spoken. When Ares told you that she had not even spoken to him, I found that especially strange. I wonder all the more whether the Dark Ones are causing trouble again."

"Dahak enlisted Ichor to serve him," Iolaus said, recalling the battle on the Isle of the Dragons. "When the Black Dragon and the two sorceresses imprisoned him again, Ichor came on anyway to fight Hercules."

"I have a feeling that that was just Ichor's sterling personality," Laurissa said, recalling the events also. "He seemed to be driven by his own desires as well as Dahak's."

Iolaus laughed. "You're right, Riz. That man was... " He shook his head. "So is Dahak at work here? And is that why Bastet is silent? She is occupied with fighting his powers?"

The cat who had remained silent through all this, sat up suddenly. "Has anyone tried the Golden Fleece?" she asked. "I can't believe I didn't think of that!"

"It has no powers anymore," Jason answered. "I thought about it. But I've tried using it before now, with Alcmene when she became ill, and with Rena before she died. Nothing happened."

"Well, bring it to me," the sorceress cat exclaimed, "perhaps I can unlock it's powers again. It is worth a try."

Iphicles got up and went to the guards who waited outside. Within a short time, the King and his guards were preparing to ride to Corinth to bring back the legendary Golden Fleece to the ailing hero. Laurissa asked if she could ride with them. Iphicles consented reluctantly.

"Can you keep up with us?" he asked, as he mounted his horse.

"Can I keep up with you?" the tall Amazon said icily. "The question is, can you keep up with me?" She swung into the saddle of her mare, Mystic. Soon the Greek contingent learned the meaning an oft-used phrase "an Amazon's pace" as they struggled to keep up with the Sister Soldier.

As Laurissa rode away with King Iphicles and his men, Hercules awoke from sleeping in the chair. He rubbed his face and yawned. "Gods, I have waited for years to hear your story and I fell asleep. What did I miss?" he asked, putting his head back in the chair and closing his eyes again. Xena and Gabrielle had retired for the night and Iolaus and Jason had gone out to see Iphicles off.

"Other than the history of the Universe?" the cat said sourly. "To recap, Sekhmet the Destroyer went against Dahak, Set, and Moloch with an army of Furies. Calee was one of the Furies, by the way. Sekhmet became Bastet; Calee became a human woman and got the gift of language. End of story."

Hercules opened his eyes, looking at Calee and the Amazons who were laughing now.

"I think I missed a lot," he said, blinking.

The cat jumped down and trotted out of the room. "I told it better the first time," she said, as she disappeared out the door.

Hercules sighed. Calee got up. "Come on, oh Great Hero, time for bed," she said. She took his arm and put it over her shoulder, preparing to help him onto his feet.

The big man frowned as BonaDea did the same on the other side.

"Do you think I need help, just to get up the stairs?" he said, irritated.

"I really don't care," BonaDea said, looking up at him as she positioned herself under his left shoulder. "Because it gives us the opportunity to put our arms around you." The two women snaked their arms around his waist and helped him out of the dining room and up the stairs. The two physicians followed. Cassopeia took the blanket that Hercules had left on his chair and trailed the others upstairs.

The three Amazons took the hero to his room. Hercules sat down on the side of the bed as BonaDea stirred the fire in his fireplace to warm the chamber. Calee straightened the bed coverings for him. Cassopeia studied the tall man as he sat watching others serve him. He looked uncomfortable. Her heart was torn by the despondent look on his face. He looked up at her and she crossed her arms, frowning at him.

"If I were you, Hercules, and you were me, what would you tell me right now?" she asked.

He frowned back. "I don't understand."

"I see in your eyes the suffering you feel," she answered.

He looked away. "I never should have taken Ares' sword," he said, almost in a whisper.

"But you did. It's done," she replied. "You did what you thought you had to do to win that fight. You could have tried to fight Ichor without Ares' sword, and you might have won. But you might not have, think of the consequence of that." She paused, sitting down beside him. He looked down at the slender singer. She smiled. "You had to make a choice between your soul or the greater likelihood of victory. You made a sacrifice. You sacrificed your last innocence to save others."

"I just don't know if I can live with it," he said to her. He looked away and tears welled in his eyes. "I just don't know."

"So I ask you again, if I were you, what would you say to me?" she asked putting her hand on his and squeezing it.

He looked back at her and thought for a moment. "I would tell you that you did the best you could. That's all that any of us can do," he replied.

Cassopeia smiled. "Even the great Hercules," she added.

Hercules lay back down in the bed and prepared to sleep. The other two Amazons had gone to the door to wait. Cassopeia went to the fire and gazed into the flames and began to sing a song in her native Celtic tongue. As she sang, Hercules drifted off into a light sleep and the ghosts of his tortured soul receded into the shadows. Soon he was dreaming about a summer day playing with his children in the fields.

Hercules turned over in bed, waking up. The fire had died out and he realized that he had only been asleep for a short while. The house was quiet; the pleasant images of his dreams still lingered in his mind. He smiled, thinking for a moment that he was feeling a little stronger. Just the thought of his children, the sound of their laughter, and their hugs and unself-conscious nature, made him feel better.

"Maybe that's the secret," he said to himself quietly, "I have to think of them."

"You should think of us more," said a voice in the shadows. Hercules looked over to see Deianeira step out of the darkness into the faint light of the fire. She was dressed in a filmy shift that showed the curves he dreamt about so often. He swallowed as he smelled her scent.

"Dei," he whispered. "I must be dreaming."

She walked over to the bedside and sat down by him. He sat up to meet her as she leaned over and kissed him. He could feel her heavy hair brush his face. He reached up and ran his hands through it as he tasted her kiss. The hair did not feel the same.

He opened his eyes to look up at the malicious grin of Discord as she smiled.

"You look terrible, big boy," she said. Then she giggled at the look of horror and embarrassment on his face.

"Oh, you're not going to cry, are you?"

"Get out!" Hercules screamed, trying to push her aside, but she raised her hand and her power forced him down onto the bed. "Get out and leave me alone, bitch!"

"My, my," she laughed, "how rude." She smiled wickedly, watching him struggle as the force she had summoned kept him pinned down.

She vanished as Iolaus and Calee came through the door.

"What is it? What's wrong?" Iolaus asked, coming to the bedside. Hercules' face was contorted in rage; he appeared to be struggling against nothing. He sat up as Iolaus approached.

Hercules growled like an animal, and threw aside the bed sheets, jumping out of bed. He stumbled around the room, angrily knocking over furniture and throwing objects. He screamed and ranted, but the two could not make out what he was saying. Iolaus backed off, concerned but afraid to approach him. Calee watched horrified. Others were now in the hall talking. Xena came in and tried to approach him but he threw a chair and she barely ducked in time to miss being hit. She backed out of the room realizing she had to let his anger take its course.

The episode only lasted a few minutes. The stricken warrior became tired and his movements slowed. He began to stumble more and finally fell into a heap on the floor in despair.

As he sat, rocking back and forth, the tabby cat came in and slunk around to face him, giving him a wide berth. "My goodness," Waart said, "Hercules, what happened?"

Hercules shook his head, burying his face in his hands. "She was here," he whispered.

"Who?" Calee asked, crouching down beside him. She put her hand on his shoulder. "Who was here?"

"Discord. She came to me looking like Deianeira. She made me think she was my wife."

He rested his head on her chest. "For a moment I thought..." He paused, struggling for words. "I can't go on like this," he said. "I want to die."

Calee brushed his hair from his face. She struggled to find the words to comfort him but could not think of anything that did not seem patronizing. She looked up at the others standing in the door now. Xena looked away for a moment, tearful at his agony, then came in with the two other Amazons.

"Come on," Calee said. "Let's get you back in bed." She helped him up, and with Xena, led him back to the bed. BonaDea and Cassopeia quietly straightened the room, clearing away the broken pottery and righting the furniture. Iolaus stirred the fire. A heavy feeling of helplessness rested over all.

"I have a brew in my satchel that Lady Pegasus gave me," BonaDea said. "It helps me sleep when I can't. I'll go get it."

"Rrrrraaaaarrrr! Fffffttt!" the cat screamed, all the fur standing up on her back. Her tail stood out as if she'd been hit by lightening. "My gods, am I dense?"

"What, what?" the guests echoed.

"Lady Peg!" Waart said. "She cured ... "

"Hephaestus' wound!" Hercules finished, sitting up in bed. "Gods, you're right! He told me that story! Lady Peg must know a cure for the Hind's blood! Why didn't I think of that?"

Through the smoke and the screams, Kendaa looked around. The fighting on the city walls was still fierce and she parried a sword thrust from an enemy, taking him down with a quick countermove. For the briefest moment, she thought of how the Amazons had become embroiled in this war. They had come to help a bordering small kingdom repel a warlord and his army. It had seemed simple enough at first but the enemy turned out to be experienced and well equipped. The Galgonians were poorly trained and undisciplined and the fight had soon become one with the Amazons at the point. No one could identify where the invaders had come from and their clothing and equipment looked strange, although they appeared to be similar to the Greeks in their coloring and build. They spoke a foreign tongue that was unintelligible.

Kendaa looked around again in the fury of the battle. "Where the Hades is Calee when we need her?" she said, annoyed, and engaged the enemy again, attacking another small band of the invaders as they tried to put a plank onto the wall to let more of the enemy over from the moving rampart that they had constructed. Suddenly Chrysim was at her side.

"Well, jump right in anytime," Kendaa said, killing another man and dumping his body unceremoniously over the wall.

Chrysim parried a thrust and sent another man to Hades. "The Queen thinks we should pull back," she said.

"Lady Pegasus scouted behind enemy lines and found at least two more battalions of the enemy on the way. We can't hold them here. We may have to make a run for it. She is calling for reinforcements from Corinth."

Behind them, a shadow loomed over and the two women looked around to see the Blue Dragon landing inside the wall on the ground under the walkway. Her huge body dwarfed the women and even the wall. The enemies scattered as they saw the dragon. Tedras arched her long neck, taking in a deep breath and aiming for the men outside the walls. She released her fiery weapon and hundreds burned as she seared the enemy troop. The allies let out a whoop of victory as the invaders began to retreat from the city walls.

"Run for it?" Tedras questioned, as she looked down to see her friends. "I think not."

"This form comes in handy," Chantal said, coming to join the others.

"Yes, but it scares the boys when they find out how powerful I am," she replied in her deep serpentine voice.

"Good," all three replied in unison, then they laughed.

"Well, they've withdrawn for now, but I have a feeling that they will be back," Chrysim said. "Let's go report in." The two others nodded. Tedras became her human form again and waited below as the women left the rampart to join their sisters. The Galgonians were cleaning up the city as they made their way to the headquarters of the Amazon Queen. The people gave the sister soldiers looks of distrust as they passed.

"I don't understand this concept," Lessa said, joining the group as it neared the headquarters. "We came here to help these people and they look at us like the bastard at a family reunion. Can someone explain that to me?" The others shook their heads.

"Perhaps we have done our job of appearing formidable a little too well," Chantal offered. "The Amazons wanted to be feared. Well, now we have our wish."

They went into the tavern that was now serving as the headquarters of the Queen. She was seated at a table at the end of the room, with couriers and lieutenants around her. When she saw the five women come in she waved them over. Calico was already standing by her, listening to something that the Queen had been discussing.

"Hercules is very ill, he may be dying," the Queen said, putting down the communication from Calee that had reached them. "Calee, Laurissa, BonaDea, and Cassopeia have taken Waart to see if she can help."

The news took all the women by complete surprise. Kendaa felt the chill of deep dread come over her. She remembered the last time she had seen Hercules and how distant and troubled he had been. She had been concerned about his reaction to holding Ares' sword but never thought it would come to this.

"We have to go to him," Chantal said, echoing the thoughts of the others.

"And do what?" the Queen replied. "Calee says the Niclio has been summoned also. Hercules has the best physicians that I know of; he even has sorcery. We are needed here. If we don't hold this invasion off here, we will have this enemy at our doorstep by the end of the month. I don't relish that thought. Besides, we can't leave the Galgonians now. They can't defend themselves."

"I thought you were thinking of pulling back?" Chrysim answered.

"I was," the Queen replied. "I thought we might be able to get the citizens out with an escort and into the hills but we don't have the resources to move them. Besides, the enemy is fast surrounding the city. I just hope that my courier got through to Corinth. I've sent to some of the other neighboring kingdoms but I wouldn't bet on any help from them."

The others agreed.

"Who did you send to Corinth?" Kendaa asked.

"Lady Pegasus flew out just before daybreak," Queen Apollena answered. "With luck, she'll reach Corinth in a day and a half, barring any unforeseen problems."

The group began to discuss the defense of the city.