From the Annals of Bastet

The leader of the enemy sat in his makeshift tent, listening to his men check in. The tale of the large dragon that had thwarted their assault infuriated him and for this bad news, he killed the man who told him and ordered the lashing of those who had retreated.

"This development is very bad," said his lieutenant in their strange tongue.

"This is nothing," said Gon, leader of the invaders. "Dahak is our God. He is wise and strong. If he brought this upon us, it is to test our resolve. He brought us from obscurity, creating a new force in his own image. We owe him everything. We will overcome this obstacle." His words were final and the lieutenant nodded.

Gon looked back at his men. "Are there any questions?"

They all shook their heads. Their faces were set in stony determination.

"We were nothing," Gon went on, "a band of renegades without skill or equipment. His emissary came to us and gave us power and means. Now our army grows through the power of Dahak. He is our god and we will serve him and be kings and the masters of nations." The men around him muttered their agreement. "Now go and scout out weak points in the city's defenses. We have the city surrounded. The Amazons will not bring up any more of their units, they fear leaving their own land unguarded. They sent out a scout this morning heading toward the Grecian city-states. It was probably a courier for reinforcements. We will have to be prepared to fight on two fronts but I am ready for that possibility. The scout will likely be intercepted." He smiled. "You have your orders."

The war council broke up and Gon stood up and went to the wash basin that was in the corner. Once his men had left, he took off his shirt and washed his arms and chest. He felt sparks behind him and looked around to see the leather clad goddess standing in the middle of the room. He knelt down, wiping himself as he bowed his head.

"Mighty Discord," he said reverently. "I am humble before you."

"As you should be," Discord replied, smiling at the reverence that she relished. "My lord Dahak is displeased with the outcome of today's battle. He wishes to know what you intend to do about this setback."

"I have punished the men who ran in the face of danger. The dragon was unexpected and took us off-guard," he replied.

"See that it doesn't happen again," she snapped. "Dahak is setting in motion his plans for this world. You and your army are a part of that plan. You must be ready and you must be fearless of the barriers that will be put in your way. The Amazons were an annoyance just days ago, but since then they have offended me personally, and through me, Dahak himself." She smiled at the sound of her voice. She sounded almost as imposing as Ares and she liked that. Soon, with Dahak's power, she would have even Ares' neck under her foot. The thought excited her. The goddess walked over the kneeling man and pointed to the floor. He bent down and kissed her foot.

"Dahak will reward you for your service, be assured of that," she said, and disappeared.

Lady Pegasus, who had wings like the Pegasus from which she had come, flew as far as she could and finally had to stop and rest. She landed lightly in a tree, drawing in her white-feathered wings. She looked over the dense forest and took out the water skin she had brought, drinking deeply from it. She looked around at the ground below. All was so quiet. Not even the birds sang in the trees. The hairs went up on her neck and she prepared to take off again though she was still very tired.

Then she heard a man's scream from the forest floor below. She leapt down onto the ground, her wings' action cushioning her fall; and ran in the direction of the sound, readying her bow with a notched arrow. As she came into a clearing, she saw a man face down on the ground. He rose to get up, moaning. She recognized him.

"Hercules!" Lady Pegasus said, taking her arrow out of the bow and slinging her weapon. She went over to him and helped him up. "What happened? Are you hurt?"

He rubbed the back of his neck and grimaced. "Something came at me from behind," he said, leaning on her.

"Gods, I'm so glad to see you." He put his hands on her arms, smiling down at her. Then, without warning, he kissed her.

She looked up at him afterwards curiously, surprised at his sudden intimacy. They were good friends and she was not averse to his attentions but it seemed odd to her.

"Hercules," she said, putting down her medicine satchel, "are you sure you are all right?"

He smiled. Now his hands gripped her arms, pinning them to her side. "I'm fine," he said. His voice changed, he began to sound malicious.

"Hercules, you're hurting me," the Amazon said, trying to pull away.

The tall man smiled coldly, his face set in a sneer that chilled Lady Pegasus. "I could have just taken your pack," he said, "and destroyed you with one glance, but this dress-up game is so damn much fun." He laughed, derisively.

Lady Peg stared at him, horrified, as his grip continued to hurt her. "What is the matter with you?" she asked, angrily.

He shook her violently, bringing her up close to his face. "I hate every damn one of you Forum bitches and I'm going to destroy you all and give your bodies to the god Dahak," he replied, as she struggled in his grip. Then he threw her across the clearing at the tree closest and she hit it hard and fell to the ground with a scream.

The tall hero picked up the satchel and looked in it. "I have the Amazons surrounded and now, I have the cure for the Hind's blood." He laughed. "Gods, I love this job!"

The Amazon looked up as the man's form changed into the goddess Discord. The goddess waved a black-nailed hand at her with mock innocence. "Can you say bye-bye?" Then she disappeared.

Lady Pegasus sat up and winced as a shooting pain went through her back. "Thank the gods that wasn't Hercules," she said to herself. Then she looked around. "The cure for the Hind's blood?" she muttered. She ran her hands through her long auburn hair and winced again as the pain shot through her back again. Her mind raced with questions and concerns at what the goddess had said, but she realized she had bigger problems now. One of her wings was broken.

"Can't you just twitch your nose or something and bring the Fleece here, or rub some magic stone and conjure up Lady Pegasus?" Iolaus asked as he walked into the dining room. He looked at the cat lolling on the table. He went and sat down at the end of the table and put his feet up on it. "What good are you?"

Waart sat up, turning her ears back in irritation. "Iolaus, I am doing the best I can! Everyone is! Magic is not like some child's wish. I can't just make it all better with a nod. I know you are concerned about Hercules but why are you being so testy?"

Iolaus rubbed his face for the thousandth time, clenching his jaw in frustration. "Gods, Waart, I'm sorry." He laughed suddenly. "How many times have I said that today?" He looked back at the cat, who had settled down again in a typical crouch. Her paws were curled in front of her, and her eyes were half-opened. She purred quietly to calm herself and him.

"It's just that," Iolaus continued, "Hercules has always been so strong. I don't mean physically, of course he was... is, I mean. But in his heart, he's strong. I can count on one hand the times I have seen that man lose his temper, and I have known him since we were children. I have seen his temper more in the past month than I have seen it in entire time since we were boys!" He shook his head and looked into the fire that burned in the fireplace by him. "It's just scaring me, the idea that he is losing his mind." He continued to stare, frowning, into the fire's light. "I guess that's what I fear, that Hercules will go crazy. I can deal with Hercules being sick. I can deal with Hercules being weak and that surprised me. I think I could even deal with Hercules being dead, though it would kill me also. But I don't know if I can deal with Hercules being insane." He sighed. "That eventuality just never occurred to me."

It was late now and the household had retired. Iolaus had come downstairs knowing that he would not sleep tonight. Xena and BonaDea had ridden out earlier to the Amazon Nation to get Lady Pegasus. Now all anyone could do was wait.

Hercules had returned to bed. Cassopeia had set a blanket down by the fire in his room and was working on handiwork. She couldn't sleep either and had decided to stay in his room in case he needed anything. Hercules had said nothing but had gone to sleep, turning his back to her. Cassopeia could feel his sense of shame at his vulnerability and his anger at himself for his outburst earlier. She said nothing but worked silently.

Calee left the house and took a walk in the moonlight. The moon was almost full in the starlit sky. She looked up to see her hawk circling overhead, crying out to her in its piercing screech. She smiled and raised a gloved hand and the predatory bird lit on her fist. She blew on the hawk's feathers.

She thought about the telling of her story. She herself had only pieced it together in the last year as the ability to understand the speech of the animals became stronger and stronger. She had begun to have strange dark dreams and she had finally gone to Hygea to ask about the meanings of the dreams. Hygea had advised her to go and talk to the little sorceress. With spells and hours of talking, Calee and Waart had resurrected the Amazon's past. The memories had left Calee depressed and empty, as they so differed from the person she saw herself to be. Three days after she left Waart's cave and returned home, Bastet appeared to her in the night.

The graceful, black cat took shape by the light of her dying fire as Calee prepared for bed. A blue light surrounded the cat and a gold hoop dangled from her right ear, twinkling in the fire's light.

"My blessed child, made from my own spirit," the cat said. "You have awakened from a long sleep. A slumber that I hoped all my children would be sheltered in forever. But the past will become the future if we do not learn its lesson." The cat's green eyes gazed at her, and a chill went down the Amazon's spine.

"I don't understand," Calee said, coming over to the apparition and sitting down. "How can violence and destruction be a lesson?"

"Because it is never far from us," Bastet replied. "Goodness is not the absence of evil. Only the One has that nature. For us who live in the planes of time, goodness can only be achieved by the control of the darkness within us. As we command the darkness within us, we will control the evil around us." The cat's image began to fade and she bid the Amazon a good-bye. "Think on this, my child. I love you with all my heart."

Calee thought about the words of the Ancient One again. "As we command the darkness within us," she repeated, as she walked along in the forest, "we will control the evil around us," she whispered. She thought about the hero who lay in the building beyond, and events that had transpired.

She released the hawk to fly and began to run down the forest path, feeling the freedom of the wilderness around her. As she ran, she listened to the crickets as they sang songs of love to each other in the eternal struggle of procreation. The night owl called out overhead, briefly naming the prey he saw. Tiny mice squeaked in the underbrush, warning each other. Calee slowed to a walk again as the night surrounded her.

"We kill to eat," the owl said to her, "we fight to mate. That is the way of things. We harbor no grudge and carry no guilt. Resentment is for fools. Shame is poison."

"Choice," squeaked the mouse, "that's your curse! We have only instinct."

Suddenly a bear loomed up in front of her. She screamed and backed off, watching the huge beast rear up on its hind legs before her. "I am strong and savage," the bear roared, "and I have no doubts, for doubts come from choices. If you choose wrong, choose once again." He crouched down again and lumbered off.

Calee stood in the clearing, transfixed by the message of the forest which was unfolding before her. "I ... I don't understand," she whispered.

"Don't you?" called her hawk from the perch where it had come to land. "All the forest is talking of the pain of Hercules. But it is not the pain of dying, it is the pain of being born."

"Being born? He's being tortured, haunted by seeing the darkness within him," Calee answered. "It frightens him. He's so strong. I think he fears that it could be unleashed."

"It never has before. He saw the death of his children, the greatest loss a human can sustain; yet, he did not lose his humanity," said the cricket under the fern leaf. It bounced out into the moonlit path. "To see the darkness is to know it. To know it is to command it, but only if you choose."

"But when Hercules held the Sword of War, he became war," she called out to the forest. She could feel the eyes of the beasts upon her.

"He was always war," said the snake that crawled out and slithered across her trail. "Don't you see?"

The Amazon sighed, putting her hands on her hips in frustration. "He cut Ichor's head off," she said, "and put it on Hera's altar. That's a little extreme, don't you think?" She glared down at the snake.

It peered up with black eyes. "Well, perhaps he was having a bad day."

The palace of the King was busy with the arrival of King Iphicles and his royal guard. Servants scurried to get a meal ready, the horses put away, and Iphicles' chamber prepared for whatever he might need. When the group had arrived, a storm of activity surrounded the King and his men. The palace was also abuzz with the arrival of the tall, armed Amazon, Laurissa. Some of the servants had never seen an Amazon. As Iphicles and his group walked down the corridors to the throne room, servants peeked out of doors and around corners to see the lanky blonde warrior as she strode along behind Iphicles.

"I won't be stopping for long," Iphicles said, waving away his manservant. "Have food we can eat in the saddle ready for us. I will change and we will all need fresh horses. We are here to collect the Fleece and go right back to Thebes."

There were murmurs as he spoke of taking the Fleece away. A servant ran down the hall toward the chambers of the Council members.

Iphicles marched into the throne room as the doors were opened for him. He crossed the room quickly and went up to the throne on its dais. There behind it, splayed out on a carved oak rack for all to see, was the legendary Golden Fleece. Its bright coat seemed to shine with an inner light that lit the throne before it. Standing by it was a servant whose sole job was to attend to it. Iphicles looked up at the object which had won Jason a kingdom. He had never actually touched the Fleece, he realized. He took a deep breath and motioned to the servant beside it to take it down from its place. The man seemed to hesitate then began to untie the bindings that held one side.

"Stop," said a voice behind Iphicles. He turned to see the leading members of his Council coming into the room. The chief Councilor, Mendilaeus, had barked the command. "The Fleece belongs to Corinth. It must stay here. If you take it, you will bring bad luck upon the city. It might be stolen or worse, destroyed."

The guardsmen that had accompanied the king began to talk among themselves. Iphicles walked back down the stairs in front of the throne and faced the Councilors. They backed away, intimidated by his scowl.

"Listen to me, you mealy-mouthed sycophants," he said angrily, "Jason and Hercules brought you this Fleece, not once but twice! They risked their lives and the lives of the Argonauts so that Corinth could have the power of the Fleece as her own. My brother Hercules now lies ill, he could be dying. This city and this country owe more to him than they can ever pay back. I am taking the Fleece!

"I am the brother of Hercules and with me will be the best warriors of Corinth and one of the finest Amazon warriors. If the Fleece is not safe with us, it will never be safe anywhere!" He turned to the servant who was still standing by it. "Now get me that damn sheepskin!" The servant finished taking it down and brought it over to him. Iphicles threw the Fleece over his shoulder, glowering at the Councilors who were muttering amongst themselves.

"I think that is ill-advised," Mendilaeus continued. He stroked is thin blond goatee. "We made you king because Hercules did not want the throne." He smiled as he saw Iphicles react to the insult. "But you are not so powerful that you can take away this city's greatest prize, not even to help the great Hercules. Let the gods help Hercules. Let Zeus heal his son. Hercules is the son of Zeus, is that not right?" The man said while delivering another subtle jab.

The King stepped over to him, making Mendilaeus retreat at his threatening demeanor. The Councilor tried to back up further but Iphicles had backed him against a colonnade. The man looked around at the others for support but the other Councilors now began to back away avoiding his gaze.

"Yes," Iphicles said, "you gave me the throne after Hercules turned it down. I used to resent that. Then something occurred to me one day, I believe it was in this very room. You and these cowardly, lazy parasites that call yourselves Councilors, were sitting around debating something which was so unimportant that I thought I would die here on the spot from boredom." The King's face was inches from the trembling man. "I suddenly realized that I have done my brother a huge favor! I have taken a terrible weight off his shoulders." He turned and began to walk among the other Councilors. They nodded and bowed but would not meet his eyes.

"I used to wonder, why did Jason give up this throne so easily? Was it for my mother's love? Well, she was certainly worth it. However, it is as likely that it was because you people are so damn full of yourselves, so contentious and self-centered that Jason was probably relieved to have you demand that he step down! We won't even discuss that you gave up the finest Queen that any kingdom could ever hope for.

"So I built your army," the King went on, pacing around the room among the Councilors. "I made new laws and brought peace through diplomacy or might to a city that had not seen a peaceful decade since anyone can recall. Hercules slew the she-demon that plagued your villagers. He negotiated several treaties that brought you safety. Now, you are going to pay this family back! I am in charge here! Do you understand? These guards are mine and they answer to me," he said, knowing that he was gambling everything on the loyalty of his warriors. For the first time since he had started out from Thebes, he looked at Laurissa. His glance was a silent plea for solidarity. He handed the Fleece to Cordeus, his lieutenant. "Take this to the horses and be ready to ride when we come out."

The lieutenant took the Fleece and threw it over his shoulder. "It will be done, Sire," he said curtly. The other warriors ringed him and the troop left to ready their mounts and await the King. The Councilors were left to debate powerlessly, among themselves.

Iphicles went to his chambers without a further word. Laurissa followed him.

Once in his own room the mask of control came off as Iphicles stripped off his vest and shirt and threw them aside, cursing. He ran his hands through his hair.

"I can't believe the greedy self-righteousness of those bastards," he said angrily, pacing around.

Laurissa closed the door behind her and went over to where food and wine had been laid out for the king. She poured herself a goblet of wine, sipping it, and waiting for him to quiet down.

"You haven't said two words to me since you saw me," she said, as he calmed and began to change into new clothing. He sat down on the bed, taking off his boots and socks. He didn't look up.

"Riz," he said quietly, "I've had a lot of time to think since you and I saw each other last. I don't know if you can understand this but..." He struggled for words as he stood up and took off his pants, throwing them aside and taking the new ones from the bed.

The Amazon came over and sat down by him. "Try me, I'm not quite the silly golden haired girl that most people think I am," she said.

"Riz," he said sitting down next to her. He looked into the turquoise eyes that he had dreamt of so often, "I have been so stupid." He paused, gathering his thoughts. "I love you but I never should have done what I did. I was married and it was wrong." He got up and began to pace the room. "After you left I had time to think about my life. I began to see the opportunities that I have been given by being Hercules' brother. His name brought me Rena. His decline brought me this kingdom; but still, I resented him and I could never figure out why. All he has ever wanted is for us to be brothers and love each other the way our mother wanted us to. That's all. She couldn't help the hand she was dealt. She didn't ask for Zeus to take my father's form and come to her. She didn't do anything wrong. Neither did my brother. But even so, I hated him for being her son because I was sure that she loved him more than me. How could she not? He's Hercules."

Iphicles took her hand in his, looking at the long fingers and intertwining them with his own. "Then one day I had a revelation." He paused smiling, and looking at the fire that was warming the room. "When my first son was born, he was everything a father could hope for. He was strong and beautiful and healthy. He laughed easily and learned quickly. He was my pride and my joy.

"Then my second son was born. He was small. His cry was weak and he was pale. He startled easily and was fretful. He drove the servants mad. No one could comfort him. I stayed up endless nights with him and when he died, a part of me died too." He looked back at the Amazon. "Riz, I loved him just the same as my other son. Just the same." Tears welled up in his eyes. "I realized then, through the death of my son what my mother had felt all those years for me. She loved me just the same, no different from Hercules because he was stronger or handsomer or whatever else I thought she thought. When my son died, my anger against my family died too."

He stood up and began to dress again. "Up until then, I was just playing at being a man, a husband, a father, and a king. I didn't think I deserved any of those things and I felt that I wasn't good enough to keep them even though it seemed different to others who saw me, I guess.

"But now I know it wasn't the strength of Zeus that made Hercules the man he is, it was the strength of Alcmene. I have that strength. She knew it all along. So did my brother. In her own way, I think Rena did too." He finished pulling on the vest and doing up its bindings. "I want to do this right. I want to start over because I have a lot to live for and a lot to make up for. All those years of bitterness were wasted. Now I have a son to raise and a kingdom to rule." He finished and stood before her with his hands on his hips. "I hope you can understand."

Laurissa stood up, drawing herself to her full height. She walked over to the man and faced him, her own face unreadable.

She put out her hand for him to shake. Iphicles reached out and shook it, his face in a questioning frown. "Well," she said smiling, "my name is Laurissa, Amazon warrior. And you are?"

He smiled back. "I am Iphicles, King of Corinth, and brother to the great Hercules," he answered.

"Hercules, Hercules," she joked, putting her finger to her chin and looking puzzled, "let me see. Oh, yes. He's a tall man, very strong, and he did those labor thingies."

Iphicles laughed. "I do love you," he said, putting his hand around her waist.

She frowned and crossed her arms over her chest. "Awful friendly for a stranger, aren't we?"

He backed off, putting his hands up. "I'm sorry. Please forgive my intrusion."

"Well, watch it! We Amazons are very touchy about that sort of thing!" She fixed him with a steely gaze.

They began to walk toward the door.

"I've heard," Iphicles said opening the door for her, "that Amazons hate all men."

"Well, my friend," she replied as they walked down the hall, "that definitely depends on the man."

Lady Pegasus had bound the broken wing with her belt and baldric. The leather straps held it securely against her back. She realized as she ran along in the forest toward the city-state of Corinth, that she had relied far too much on her wings and did not have the endurance for running that she had had when she was a girl.

"I have to get back in shape," she said, stopping in the path to catch her breath. "Therese and Amberlia will never let me live this down." She started running again but slowed to a walk as she began to get light-headed. "I'm not that out of shape!" she muttered, stopping as her head began to pound. She looked around, squinting as her vision began to blur. "Damn, I think I've fractured my skull too." She sat down for a moment, feeling an overwhelming urge to lie down and sleep. "Got to get up," she whispered and began to walk along the path, knowing that if she slept, she might not wake. "Damn you, Discord, you painted little trollop!" She stumbled along the path, willing herself to continue as the pain worsened.

The miles seemed endless as she walked along. Her vision was blurring and her gait became more irregular as she lost strength. She was walking now along one of the main thoroughfares and hoped it would be just a matter of time before someone came along that might help her. Then suddenly, she slipped and fell in one of the deep ruts in the road. She hit on her right side, falling back onto the broken appendage. The Amazon screamed once, then slid into unconsciousness, rolling into the grassy ditch by the side of the road.

"Oh, my gods and goddesses!" said an odd voice. "This creature has wings!"

Lady Pegasus forced herself to open her eyes. She could barely make out a long face, dark eyes and a big, yellow grin.

"Are you a dryad, a fury, or a harpy?" asked the man. "No, no. Not a fury or else I would be mad by now, not that I wasn't before I met you, you understand, but ... "

Lady Pegasus summoned all her strength, grabbing the man's shirt and pulling him close to her. "You must take me to Corinth!" she croaked, weakly. "Please, it is a matter of life and death for thousands." She fell back, exhausted from the effort.

"Corinth!" said the man. "Corinth! Oh, no, no, no, my good woman, if that's what you are, I can't go to Corinth. I'm on a mission of my own. It's very important!"

The man slid his arms under hers and dragged her out of the ditch and over to his cart in the road. Lady Pegasus opened her eyes briefly to see pots and pans and packets and foodstuffs piled high in the cart. In the back was a bed of straw.

"Come on," he said, lifting her into the back of his cart. "I can't take you to Corinth, but I will take you to Thebes. I am on my way there to visit my dear friend, Hercules. He's ill, you know. It's probably his diet; he doesn't eat enough roughage, I think. But Falafel will fix him right up."

He covered the wounded Amazon with a blanket and went to the front of the cart. He took the halter of the little donkey that was his companion and urged the animal forward.

"Come on, Aphrodite," he said, "now we must hurry. We must get to Thebes."

The two physicians were in Hercules' room first thing in the morning, looking him over. He sat at the edge of the bed dressed in a short robe. Though he said nothing, the look on his face told the two men that he was still angry and upset from the night before. Cassopeia had left the room early in the morning.

"How did you sleep last night?" Niclio asked.

"Fine," the hero said tersely.

"How do you feel? Any stronger?" said the other physician.

Hercules looked up at him, disgusted.

Niclio sighed, looking at the other man who shrugged. "Well, you don't look any worse this morning and you seem a bit stronger. That, at least, is hopeful."

Hercules looked up at the aged man. "I'm glad you think so."

"If you feel stronger, you should get up and walk around a bit," the other physician said. Niclio nodded. "It isn't good for you to stay in bed."

"Fine," Hercules said, and got to his feet, towering over the two men as he stood. "Look, I don't want to seem ungrateful," the hero said as went over to the basin to wash, "but, I just want to be alone."

The two men nodded and left the room. Alone now, Hercules looked up into the glass that hung over the wash stand. Running his hands over his unshaven face, he sighed deeply, feeling badly now that he had been so abrupt with the healers. "They're only trying to help," he said to himself in a whisper, "just like you have done many times for others. If you can give, why can't you accept?"

He poured some water into the basin and began to wash and shave. There was a knock at the door. He sighed again, feeling the irritation rise in him.

"Who is it?" he asked as he began to shave.

"It's Calee," replied the Amazon.

He smiled, despite his feelings. "Come in."

The Amazon opened the door and went over to where her friend stood attending to his morning ritual. She greeted him with a pat on the shoulder, then sat down on the bed.

"I suppose you've already been asked this but how are you feeling?" she asked.

"You're right, and I'll tell you what I told them. I'm fine."

"Well then, let's go find a hydra or a Nemean lion for you to slay then," she replied.

Hercules looked over at her. "Did you come in here specifically to anger me, or do Amazons as a rule like to pick fights in the morning?"

"Well, if you're going to pick a fight, for me the morning is the best time. I have the most energy then," she replied, leaning back on her arms on the bed. She crossed her legs, one leg bobbed up and down as she looked over at him. "Hercules, I received a message for you from Bastet."

The hero's head turned in surprise. His blue eyes stared at her. "When, last night?"

"No, actually it was a few months ago, but I didn't understand it until last night." She went on to tell him about her meeting with the creatures of the forest the night before. He listened, his face intense, even as he continued to shave and wash up. After he was done, he took off the robe and dressed, unconcerned at his nakedness in front of her.

As he finished dressing, he pulled on this boots and laced them, sitting down beside her.

"But none of those creatures were Bastet," he said, turning and looking into her eyes.

Calee smiled. "They all were Bastet," she replied. "Some months ago, Bastet came to me." She went on to tell him of her visit from the Ancient One. "... the past will become the future if we do not learn its message," Calee said, as she told him of the meeting. When she finished they sat for a moment in silence, then the Amazon took the warrior's hand in hers.

"Hercules, I can't pretend to say I know how you feel, but let me say that I have had a similar experience. I see myself as a lover of all life, as a peacemaker, but I had to come to terms with the fact that I was created to be a warrior, with the one purpose of fighting."

"But you were fighting Dahak, and Set, and Moloch! They're evil incarnate. They needed to be stopped," Hercules argued.

"But so do you," Calee replied. "You battle the darkness, the evil in men and gods. And when you fought Ichor, you went up against a creature that could hold is own with those three from what I'm told!" Calee shook her head, struggling to put her thoughts into words. "Don't you see? Hercules, you have been given a wonderful gift. It's not something to be feared, but something to be understood for what it is. When you held the sword, it didn't make you anything that you weren't before, I mean inside. Okay, at the moment, you may have had the power of the gods, but inside you were still the same man."

Hercules stood up. "Don't say that!" he cried, beginning to pace the floor. "You don't understand, if I am the man that killed Ichor in that temple, then I deserve to die. Don't you see that?" He came over and stood over her, staring down angrily.

"Because you killed Ichor?" she asked, unafraid to challenge him.

"No, because I enjoyed it," he replied bitterly. "All the anger and bitterness I ever felt came raging up in me." He looked away.

"And you let it loose?"

"Yes," he said, looking back at her.

"So now you know it. You know it better and more completely than you ever have. It was always there, but you never had to look at it, be it, and deal with its consequences."

He frowned at her; his face was a mask of inner turmoil. "I am so afraid," he whispered.

"Of it?"

"Yes," he replied.

"You should be. We all should be afraid of that shadowy part of ourselves. Hercules, Bastet said that goodness is not the absence of evil, it is the control of the darkness within us," Calee explained, reaching out and taking his hand. "If we can command the darkness within us, that is the ultimate goal."

He sat down again beside her, lost in thought. "So, did the Sword of Ares make me war?"

"Every sword makes us war," Calee replied. "We can't make darkness go away by ignoring it. It is a part of every human being. It is the curse that we bear by having choice. That is what the animals were trying to tell me. When Sekhmet came to the One to sacrifice herself with the rest of us, we knew we had made a terrible choice, even though it didn't seem that we had any other option then to fight the Three. But we realized then that we could choose again to lay down our weapons. And with that came redemption. That was why the One changed Sekhmet into Bastet. I see it now so clearly. You're choosing to surrender, to give in to the power of the Hind's blood and die rather than go on having to face that dark part of yourself. But you must go on, even at the risk of becoming that man again."

"Become him again?" he cried, a look of horror dawning on his face. "I fear being that man! I hate him! He is everything that I ever fought against."

"Then you have to keep fighting. I think that is the path to redemption," she answered.

Jason and his guests were awakened morning by the arrival of Iphicles and his party. It was early in the morning and the light of the stars and the full moon still lit a now purple sky. The servants were busy taking the horses into the barn. The guests had thrown on robes and everyone greeted the party with cheers as the men and the Amazon came in from their hard ride and were received.

Calee, Gabrielle, and the Siren greeted Laurissa with hugs and looked over at the legendary Fleece that was draped over Iphicles' shoulder. Jason was greeting in the guards who nodded and smiled at the legendary man who had once been their king.

Iolaus greeted Iphicles with a handshake. "Gods, you brought it!" he said. "I worried that the people of Corinth wouldn't let it out of the city."

"I didn't really give them a choice," Iphicles replied.

Hercules was coming down the stairs, tying the sash on his long robe. "Iphicles, you're back. You brought it," he said.

His brother came over to him, handing him the legendary object. "I hope this helps. I really do."

Hercules took the large, golden sheep's hide and held it for a moment. "I can't thank you enough," he said, looking into his brother's eyes.

Iphicles put his hand on his brother's shoulder. "You and I have a lot to talk about, and no thanks are necessary. I am glad I could do this."

Then the cat jumped up on the newel post next to Hercules. Both men looked at the small feline as she gathered her tail around her, sitting in the eternal pose of the cat.

"Well," she said. "Do you feel any different?" She looked at the hero.

Hercules looked at the Fleece in his hands, and laughed. "No."

"Oh," she replied. She jumped down from the post and headed down the hall. "Well, then. Bring the Fleece into the dining room and put it on the table. I will see what I can do. It's a good thing we have an alternate plan."

"An alternate plan?" Iphicles questioned, walking beside Hercules down the hall. The guests trailed after them.

"Yes, Lady Pegasus once cured the god Hephaestus of being cut with a knife that had the blood of the Hind on it. We've sent BonaDea and Xena to get her," Hercules explained.

Iphicles laughed to himself. "Then you didn't really need me to bring the Fleece," he said quietly.

Hercules put his arm around his brother's shoulder. "Yes, I did," he replied.

BonaDea and Xena neared the outskirts of the land of Galgona and found farmers with their families, fleeing into the forest trails. Xena stopped one of the farmers and asked what they were running from.

"Marauders," he said. "A large army from the North. We can't understand their language but we didn't have to understand much to know what they wanted. They're fierce and they mean to take Galgona. I've been told they've surrounded the city and have our king and the Amazons under siege."

"You didn't recognize anything familiar about them?" BonaDea asked.

"Nothing," the farmer replied. "They came through our village, screaming and slashing. I barely had time to get my family into the woods. They kept saying one word. It must be their war cry," the farmer replied to the two women.

"What was that word?" Xena asked.

"Dahak." Both women stepped back, chilled by what the farmer had said. "Does that mean something to you?" he asked.

Xena looked at BonaDea and both women's thoughts began to race. Their faces reflected the gravity of what they had learned.

"Get your family as far away as you can," BonaDea said. "Go to Thebes and find the house of Jason." She reached into the small purse on her belt and pulled out some money. "Here is something to get your family food and shelter. But don't stop until you have reached Thebes." She took a small ring from her finger and handed it to the farmer. "Give this to an Amazon named Calee. She will know that it comes from me. Tell her what you told me." The farmer nodded. Beside him stood a young man, late in his teens, listening to what they had talked about.

The farmer shook his head. "I'll go as fast as I dare, but my daughter is pregnant and I dare not rush her. Her husband is one of the soldiers trapped in the city. This is very hard on her."

"I'll go, father," said the young man. "I can run all the way and be there in a day and a half." He looked at the two women. "I know the way to Thebes. I want to study at the Academy there."

"Well, if you do this, you will prove that you have what it takes to be a true warrior," Xena said. "And Jason will see that you get into the Academy."

The farmer nodded and the two women bid the young man luck as he took a coin and the ring from his father.

"Well, do you feel anything now?" the cat asked, looking down at Hercules on the floor.

The hero was lying before the fire on a mat that had been brought down from one of the bedrooms. The Fleece covered his body. He opened his eyes and looked over at the cat that was sitting beside him. Her tail switched impatiently.

"Yes," he said, "I feel ridiculous."

The cat snorted and the people around the dining room table laughed or sighed.

"Well, at least your sense of humor may be returning," Waart said, jumping up on him, walking across his chest and from there leaping up over onto the hearth. "If I do nothing else but bring back that, I will consider my job here successful." She sat down on the stones and looked down at him. "I have summoned every power that I dare. There is a chill and darkness in the higher planes. I felt it when I conjured the spell to awaken the power of the Fleece. I don't think I can find any more spells that will help."

Hercules sat up, handing the Fleece to the guardsman that stood by and getting to his feet. Iolaus felt the urge to help him but stopped himself, knowing it would embarrass his friend.

"Do you sorcery types have some reference you go to and look up this stuff?" Hercules asked, straightening his robe and sitting down in the chair at the head of the table. "Fleeces: Powers of Awakening, Scroll Nine, Verse Four?" He took the cup from Iolaus and drank a mouthful.

The cat glared at him with bright green eyes. "Well, aren't we the critical one!" she said. "That's gratitude for you."

"Thank you for trying," Hercules replied. Then he frowned. "Now, what's this about 'chill and darkness'?"

Iolaus put his hands up in mock surprise. "Don't tell us, you're setting the scene," he said, and everyone laughed.

The cat's tail slapped the stone of the hearth angrily as she fixed her gaze on Iolaus.

"I'm just telling you what I felt. Don't shoot the messenger!" she replied, sourly.

"Why do I think it might have something to do with Discord?" Hercules answered back, looking over at Iolaus. "Whenever that creature appears there's trouble somewhere."

Iolaus nodded.

"Maybe we should take you to Lady Pegasus," Iphicles said. "Are you strong enough to ride?"

Hercules sighed. He thought for a moment and then spoke. The words were difficult for him. "No, I don't think so."

"Then we wait," Jason said. "The hardest thing for a warrior to do is wait, but it's the best test of strength."

Iphicles looked over at Laurissa sitting next to him. He put his hand in hers and squeezed it.

The day dragged by. It was nearing suppertime. Iolaus had gone out with Gabrielle and the Amazons to fish in a nearby lake and relax, trying to take their minds off the helplessness they felt. Laurissa had gone up to rest in the afternoon. Now, Iphicles and Jason sat in chairs by the fire in the receiving room, the Fleece casually thrown over the back of Iphicles' chair.

"That thing has brought me nothing but pain," Jason said as he looked at the golden object.

"Well, I think in a small way, it's brought me closer to my brother," Iphicles answered.

"Then it's finally done some good," Jason said. "They spoke about its great power, and I used it when I was in Colchis to heal one of my men who was wounded; but other than that, it has only been a source of contention."

"Your Councilors think it's important," Iphicles said.

"Don't call them My Councilors!" Jason replied, laughing. "They're yours now and more power to you!"

Iphicles laughed too. "I can see why you left the throne."

The two men lapsed into silence for awhile. The crackle of the fire and the smells of the baking food filled the room. Both men were in a private world of thought, until Jason spoke again, breaking the silence.

"Your mother would be so proud of you," he said. "It grieves me that she's not here to see you as you are."

"It grieves me that she's not here at all," Iphicles answered. He sat back in the chair and heaved a heavy sigh. "I have wasted so much time being angry and jealous. I have been such a fool." He paused for moment, thinking, then continued. "My brother has had a mission all his life. Whether it was his fate or his choice, I don't know, but he has always been on his own path and he never cared what others thought. I really admire that about him. They can hail him as a hero or ignore him. He doesn't care. He walks his own way." Iphicles shook his head looking back into the fire's light. "He doesn't care what others think," he repeated.

"Yes, I do," Hercules said. The two men looked back to see the hero standing in the doorway dressed in a long robe. They got up greeting him, and Jason waved him over as Iphicles pulled up another chair.

Hercules sat down and the two men joined him, as servants brought them hot tea.

"It was easy not to care about what others thought when I was strong and agile, and won every battle," Hercules continued. "But this illness has shown me a side of myself that shocked me. When I didn't have any strength anymore, I felt very vulnerable. I was ashamed. I felt like people would pity me or laugh at me. 'There's the great Hercules, look at him now,' I was afraid they would say."

"Hercules, you are vulnerable!" Jason said. "People can be petty and cruel. When I left the throne for your mother, people talked. 'There's Jason, tamer of the harpies and the man who brought back the Golden Fleece. Now look at him, carrying a basket in the market for one of Zeus' castoffs'." He shook his head gazing into the fire. The two sons of Alcmene tensed at the insult to their mother. "They build pedestals for their heroes," Jason said, "but they won't allow them to come down, even when a hero must."

Hercules nodded.

"When you get a chance," Iphicles said, "I'd like you to make a list of all the people who called my mother a 'castoff'. When Hercules is better, we'll go beat them up."

All three laughed. Hercules looked over at his brother. "It'll be kind of a bonding experience for us."

Iphicles nodded, laughing.

The head servant of the household had come into the room. He walked over to where Jason sat; looking incensed at his master. "Sir, a man has come to our door demanding to see Hercules. He claims to be his friend and states that he must cook for the hero in order to heal him." He sniffed angrily. "And he smells."

All three men burst into laughter.

"That's got to be Falafel!" Hercules said.

"He cooked at our wedding," Jason explained to the servant. "He is a friend of the family." He thought for a moment. "Have him come into the kitchen. He's not a bad cook, you know."

"You let him prepare food for you?" the servant answered, horrified.

The men laughed, and Jason got up. "Let's go see what he's is up to."

They went out into the kitchen.

Falafel was already causing a stir in the kitchen. Servants scurried as he shooed them away and began setting up his pots and herbs. "Get away, now," he said as servants bolted, cursing at him. "I must cook for the great Hercules!"

"Falafel, what the Hades are you doing?" Hercules asked, coming into the kitchen with his brother at his side. The two men were laughing. Jason followed, shaking his head.

"Hello, my dear man!" the funny, gangly cook said, rushing over to the tall hero. "Look at you! You are so pale! You haven't been eating right, I'm sure." He slapped Hercules gently on the face and went back to the kitchen counter, talking to himself.

Hercules frowned, looking over at his brother who was still giggling. "Now I'm worried about what people will think!" he said, disgustedly. Iphicles broke into laughter.

Falafel continued to talk to himself and cook for a moment, then suddenly looked up as the three men turned to go back into the main hall.

"Oh, by the way," he said, "on my way here, I found a woman by the side of the road. I think she is injured. She's in my cart. Funniest thing is that this creature has wings."

All three men froze. Hercules' mouth dropped open in surprise.

"Wings!" Hercules exclaimed. "There's only one woman in the world that I know of that has wings!" He looked at Jason and Iphicles and the three men hurried out to the cart in the back as the cook went on talking and cooking.

The winged Amazon was still lying in the back of the cart. She had drifted in and out of consciousness. Her eyes began to flutter open as Hercules gathered her small form in his arms and whisked her through the kitchen and up into his bedroom, still warm from the fire he had fed before coming downstairs. He laid her on the bed gently as Iphicles came in with Niclio.

"Where am I?" she whispered, then she saw Hercules and started, pushing him away angrily.

Hercules backed off. "Lady Pegasus, calm down, it's me, Hercules," he said, raising his hands above his head and crossing his wrists in the traditional Amazon greeting.

The woman looked confused then lay back down groaning. Niclio came to her side.

"Hello, winged lady," he said quietly. "You know me, do you not?"

She nodded weakly.

"I fear you have a concussion from the looks of your eyes and skin, and the knot and bruising on your head," he said as he looked her over. Laurissa had come in and was on the other side of the bed, looking at her with concern.

"Hello, little sister," Laurissa said, gently taking her hand.

Lady Pegasus had not taken her eyes off of Hercules.

"You're not Discord, are you?" Lady Pegasus asked finally.

Hercules frowned as he thought about her question, then a look of understanding dawned on his face as Laurissa looked up at him and shrugged.

"No," he said, smiling. "Did she come to you disguised as me, Lady Peg?"

She nodded.

"She came to me disguised as my wife," he answered, "the other night. Discord is planning something. I know it."

"She took my medicine bag. It's what she said she wanted."

Hercules sighed; his face showed the disappointment that he felt. "We were hoping that you could bring us the cure that you used on Hephaestus when you cured him of the Hind's blood poisoning," he said.

"Hercules has been cut with a knife that had the Hind's blood on it," Laurissa said.

Lady Pegasus frowned. "I wondered why you looked pale." Then she closed her eyes for a moment. Niclio put his hand on her face and roused her gently. She opened her eyes again and smiled weakly. "So Discord thought my bag had the cure in it?"

Hercules and Laurissa both nodded.

The injured woman laughed softly despite her pain and weakness. "The truth is, Hercules, I don't quite know how I cured Hephaestus. Maybe, I burned the poison out of his body. I took him down to the forge room where it was hot. I watched over him there. I gave him water when he was thirsty. That's all." Then she looked over at Laurissa. "Riz," she said as she began to fade again, "the sister soldiers are ... "

She fell into unconsciousness again. Niclio frowned.

"I dare not rouse her again. I think we must let her rest now," he said.

"She took him to the forge room and gave him water when he was thirsty? That's it? Heat and water?" the cat stated. "Water? Water! Maybe that's it! The gods don't drink water, they eat Ambrosia," said the cat, looking around the dining room at the guests. "What a concept, that such ordinary things might be the cure for the gods' scourge. Serves them right." She sneezed and then began to wash her face.

"But I've had plenty of water so far, though. It hasn't made me stronger yet," Hercules said.

"I've got the forge in the barn heating up now," Jason said. "Maybe it's a combination of the heat and the water. Who knows? It's worth a try."

Now seated around the table were Hercules, Iolaus, and Jason. Iphicles sat with Laurissa by the fire. Gabrielle and Calee were just coming down from visiting with Lady Pegasus. They walked in and sat down. Cassopeia had stayed upstairs with Niclio to tend to the injured woman.

"Well, I'm willing to do anything," Hercules said. "I'm tired of being an invalid."

Iolaus smiled. "Now that is the Herc that I know," he said. "I think you're getting better already!"

The tall warrior smiled back. "I do feel stronger." Then he looked over at Calee. "And I've done some thinking about what you told me this morning. I've let this thing consume me. I have to fight and get back my strength." There was a round of cheers around the table to hear Hercules speak this way. The relief was evident on Iolaus' face.

A servant came in and whispered in Jason's ear. He frowned. "Show him in," he said. Then he looked back at his guests. "A young man has come to the door. He says he is from Galgona with a message for you, Calee."

Calee sat up, looking toward the door. The servant led in a young man. He was panting from exertion and soaked with sweat. He took something from within his belt and held it up.

"Which of you is Calee?" he asked breathlessly.

"I am," Calee said, standing up and going over to him.

"A woman, an Amazon, gave me this and told me to tell you that the city of Galgona is surrounded. They're under siege by a foreign army."

"Army!" Laurissa said. "Last we'd heard, it was just a band of mercenaries."

"They are well-armed and fierce," the young man answered. "The villagers around the capital are fleeing for their lives. The city is cut off from any help."

"Was she with another woman?" Gabrielle asked. "Tall, dark hair, wearing black leather?"

The young man nodded. Calee led him to her place and asked him to sit down and eat. A servant brought him food and drink.

"She told me to tell you," he went on, between wolfing down the food hungrily, "that they use the war cry "Dahak. She said you would understand."

A pall of shocked silence fell over the room. The guests looked at each other in horror.

Hercules sat in huge oaken vat filled with steaming water that had been brought into the barn's forge room by servants. The hero had taken off his robe and loincloth and was soaking now. The air was so hot that it was difficult to breathe. Vapors rose off the water that the hero soaked in. Beside him on a small table was a large jug of water that he drank from periodically. His hair was wet from the bath and from the perspiration of the intense heat. He breathed deeply, putting his arms out of the sides of the bath and letting his head fall back.

Iolaus came in the room, smiling.

Hercules looked over at him. "This room could kill you!"

"It is a bit warm!" Iolaus replied, looking at the fire blazing in the forge. "How do you feel? Or are you tired of us asking that?" he asked, coming over to the side of the vat.

Hercules laughed softly. "I feel like the vegetables in a soup," he said, tiredly. "How's Lady Pegasus?"

"Niclio says that she'll be fine," his friend replied. "The blood of the Pegasus kept her from dying from the head wound but it'll take time for the wing and the head to heal. He doesn't want her to go with us. She will have to stay here until she's better."

"Go with you?" Hercules said.

"Herc, we're riding out in a few hours," Iolaus replied. "If Dahak has somehow amassed an army, we need to go now."

Hercules sat up now, splashing water over the sides. He frowned at Iolaus. "I have to go with you! You need me!"

"Do we?" his friend answered, looking back at him.

Hercules opened his mouth to speak then stopped. His blue eyes searched the room as he thought about the statement. Then he looked up again at Iolaus. "Yes, you need me. I have to come, strong or not. Son of Zeus or mortal man, I have to come!"

A smile dawned on Iolaus' face that was strangely serene. Then stillness came over the room. Iolaus' face and figure began to fade and shimmer. Hercules shrank back, thinking that Discord was tricking him again. His face took on an angry scowl as he felt rage well up in him.

A blue light began to form around the figure and it melted until the shape of Bastet sat daintily on the barn floor. Her black fur glistened and gold earring glittered in the forge's fires. Green eyes peered at him.

"Hello, my blessed one," she said quietly, but her voice filled the room. "I am pleased that you are getting your strength back."

Hercules' scowl melted into a look of confusion. "I'm not any stronger! I'm not any better!"

"Aren't you?" the cat said. "Yesterday you could barely walk, but today you carried the Amazon up the stairs without trouble."

Hercules' frown deepened. "Am I getting better?"

"Are you?"

The hero pounded his fist into the water, splashing water out over the sides. "By the gods, why are you playing tricks with me? Why can't you immortal beings ever just say what you mean?" He half-expected the Ancient One to strike him with lightning for his outburst, but he was so furious, he didn't care. He glowered at the cat, his jaw tense with anger.

The cat laughed softly, the sound was almost musical. As suddenly as it had come, his anger melted away and he felt foolish, but he continued to stare resolutely.

"My son," Bastet said. "I ask you again, are you getting better?"

"Yes," he said, sighing, "I guess I am. I don't understand any of this. Why did you put me through this?"

"I did?"

"Well," he answered, shaking his head and running his hands through his wet hair, "maybe you didn't put me through this but why didn't you come when I needed you?"

"Beloved, I gave you the answer even before you had the question," she replied. "I brought the answer to you when you called."

"You mean when Iolaus sent for the Amazons?"

"Yes."

"And Iolaus had to call because..." His voice faded away.

"Because?" the cat asked.

Hercules let out a deep sigh and hung his head. "Because I wouldn't. Because I was too proud, too ashamed."

"The Hind's blood poisoned you, but you are only half immortal," Bastet explained. "That is a strength in this case, not a weakness, because the blood does not have the same potency. It was your own inner desire to punish yourself that sickened you so badly. It is a powerful force, shame. Shame is the tool of the darkness."

"I ... I felt guilty for the pleasure I took in killing Ichor," he said, barely above a whisper.

"No, you felt shame for what you thought you had become."

Hercules looked up at the cat again. "I don't understand the difference."

"Guilt is the feeling that we have done evil, shame is the feeling that we are evil. Do you see now?"

Hercules thought for a moment then nodded his head. "I am not that man," he answered.

"You have him in you. You must choose. Not just today or tomorrow, but every day and in every battle. It is not easy being a warrior, to fight the darkness, and remain in command of the darkness within you, that you call upon for that very reason. That is the dilemma of war, it will always be with you. It will always be with us all."

Hercules nodded again.

"Your struggle is not over," the cat said. "Dahak has found a willing accomplice on this plane."

"Discord," he answered.

"Yes, and he means to use her in whatever way he can. She is a fool and she will be defeated, but in the time that that takes, many suffer cruelly. You are needed. Go with my blessing, son. You fill my heart with joy that you have persevered in this difficult battle with yourself."

She disappeared leaving the hero alone. Hercules looked around, first a little angry and then suddenly he began to laugh. "So why am I sitting here like a boiled potato?"

Jason and Iphicles stood out in the courtyard waiting for the war party. They both looked at the setting sun. Horses stamped nervously as servants brought them out of the barns and readied them, checking the mounts' hardware. Hercules came out into the yard, dressed in his traditional clothing, and although he still was not fully recovered, he had the look and stride of a strong man.

"I'll come with a regiment of my guard," Iphicles said to him as Hercules swung into the saddle of large black stallion. "And I'll come as soon as I can. Jason will be in charge in my absence."

"Be safe," Hercules said, as he nodded his acknowledgment. Iolaus mounted the horse beside him and reined the nervous steed in as it snorted and pawed the ground.

"The same to both of you," Iphicles said, slapping his brother on the thigh, then he turned and nodded to Iolaus who smiled.

The Amazons and Gabrielle came out, and began to ready themselves for the ride. Calee went to her horse and put away her weapons, mounting up. Then she reached down for Gabrielle. The young woman smiled and shook her head. "You don't understand. Horses and I do not mix," Gabrielle explained.

Laurissa was standing by her horse next to them. She finished tying down her staff and turned around. The taller woman looked down at Gabrielle and she backed away at the Amazon's glare. "We don't have time for laggers," Laurissa said. "Do you think we are going to wait for you to walk there?"

Gabrielle snorted and reached up, taking Calee's hand. She stepped into the stirrup and Calee pulled her up onto the horse behind her.

"That is no way to talk to your Queen," Gabrielle muttered.

Laurissa smiled and swung into her saddle. "A thousand pardons! Do you think we are going to wait for you to walk there, Your Majesty?" she said.

"That's better," Gabrielle replied, putting her hands around Calee's waist. Calee snickered.

Cassopeia mounted up and Jason went over to her to bid her farewell. "I never got to hear the legendary Siren sing," he said. "I hope to next time we meet."

She smiled. "Count on it." She shook his hand.

Iphicles made his way between the steeds to Laurissa's side. He looked up as she settled into the saddle.

"You be safe too. I don't want to lose what I have just found again," he said, reaching up and putting his hand in hers. She squeezed it, then ran her fingers through his hair.

"The problem with Amazons is we don't trust men, but when we finally find a man we do trust; we are as tenacious as the badger. We do not let him go," she said, smiling.

"I hope so," he replied. He took her hand from his temple and kissed it. "I'll see you soon."

"Wait for me!" Waart said, scurrying out of the front door as a servant opened it to go in. "You weren't going to leave without me, were you?" She ran over beside Calee. "You're going to take her and not me?"

"We aren't so lucky," Iolaus said. "Come on, furball, you can ride with me."

"Oh, I don't know if I like the sound of that," she replied, as Calee threw the cat's basket over to him. He hooked it on his saddle horn and the small cat wove her way carefully between the horses' hooves to his side. She gathered herself and then leapt into the basket. "I can work on a spell of movement," she said, settling in.

"No!" Hercules said, putting his hands out. "I don't think I'm strong enough for that! We will get there the ordinary way!"

"Oh, very well," the cat replied. "Just try to keep a steady pace," she added, glaring at Iolaus. "Don't bounce me around like a bushel of turnips."

Iolaus smiled back wickedly. "You're all mine, furball."

"Oh, God," she said.

The riders of the war party looked around at each other in the waning light of day. Laurissa looked over at Jason.

"Take care of Lady Peg for us," she said. "Pamper her. She deserves it."

Jason and Iphicles both nodded.

Hercules and his friend, the three Amazons and their cat, and Gabrielle, spurred their horses forward toward the mounting darkness.

Finis