Hercules gave a deep sigh and sat back in the chair. The inn was cold and sparsely furnished, the food was bad, and he had a headache. He rarely had headaches so he found the pain across his forehead annoying. He had been waiting in this inn since the middle of the day. He and Iolaus had agreed to meet here at that time and now he was worried as it was almost sunset. He rubbed his temples absently for a moment. Just as he was about to get up and go outside, the door of the inn opened and his friend came through, looking around quickly. The smaller man flashed that smile for which he was well known and apologized as he hurried to the table.

"I'm sorry about making you wait. I ran into trouble and well, you know," Iolaus said, shaking his friend's hand.

Hercules nodded. "Are you all right?"

"There's nothing wrong that a good meal and some ale won't cure," his friend replied, sitting down across from the massive warrior. They made an interesting contrast.

"Well, then there's something wrong, because you won't find a good meal here," Hercules replied quietly. Iolaus frowned, looking genuinely disappointed.

"This is the only inn in this town and Minilis is a great cook!"

"Minilis has retired and gone to live with his daughter in Thrace," the hero explained. "And whoever bought this inn is not planning to get rich by offering fine cuisine." Hercules sounded almost angry. His friend frowned again.

"What's the matter?" Iolaus asked.

Hercules sighed and shook his head. "I'm tired," he said. "I'm tired and I need a rest. I want to go fishing! Not for sea serpents or hydras that have seven heads and spit fire. Just fish."

He leaned across the table at his friend tapping the table with his finger.

"I don't want to clean the slime off me from crazed poisonous lizards, or fight faceless warriors whose only purpose in life is to die in the service of Hera! I'm tired of warlords that don't bathe!" Hercules was warming to the subject now as Iolaus laughed softly. "I am fed up with immortal imbeciles who visit the world with famine and plague because their girdle is too tight!"

The blond warrior was laughing out loud now. "Well, you're really a mess!" Iolaus said.

"One week!" Hercules exclaimed, trying not to laugh himself. "That's all I'm asking for -- one week when no one will come to me and say that their mother was eaten or their village was stomped."

It was then that a small man, hurried and obviously shaken, came through the door of the inn and looked around. He looked at the two men and ran over to their table.

"I have to warn you," Iolaus said to the man, "if you ask him if he is Hercules," he pointed to his friend, "he is going to run, screaming, out of this building." The man looked at the two warriors as if they were mad. "I'm looking for a midwife! My young daughter is in labor!"

Both men slid back in their chairs putting up their hands.

"We didn't do it!" Iolaus exclaimed.

"And we don't deliver." Hercules added quickly.

"Oh, I know who did it and he's going to marry her if it's his last act on this earth, but first I have to help my daughter," the little man replied. Then he saw someone he knew come in and ran over to him. The two men left together talking quickly, and the two warriors looked at each other and began to laugh.

"We definitely need some time away," Iolaus said.

Hercules sighed. "Yes, but -- people need me. I know that. If something happens while I'm away, I'd never forgive myself."

Iolaus snorted and shook his head, exasperated. "Look, you just got tried for being a hero that people look up to and need. So let's examine the facts. If you're here and you help -- you're wrong. If you're not here and you don't help -- you're wrong. This country really needs to make up its mind on this concept."

Hercules was laughing again. "That whole trial was weird. What was that about really?"

"Oh, who knows? Jealous men who were sickly when they were young, trying to make a reputation on you now," Iolaus replied. He hailed the innkeeper and ordered ale. "The ale is okay, right?"

Hercules nodded. The two settled in their chairs as the ale was served to Iolaus.

"All right, let's talk about some time away," Iolaus went on. "How about Thrace?"

"Too far."

"Corinth?"

"Too close!"

"Malcara?"

"Too hot right now."

"The Amazon Nation?" the blond warrior questioned.

Hercules smiled and stared off in thought, laughing under his breath. "We always get in trouble when we're with Amazons," he said softly.

Iolaus laughed and shook his head. "Yah, and I don't want to spend my time jumping in cold lakes," he added.

They both laughed again.

"Okay," Hercules continued. He took a deep breath and a sip of Iolaus' ale.

Then he grimaced and went on. "Gods, how can you drink that?" He paused for a moment then went on. "So, if we don't go to the Amazon Nation, then where?"

It was at that moment that a small black cat jumped up on the table. The two men started and then laughed at their own responses. The cat froze when the men jumped and then recovered and proceeded to sit down between them and clean itself. Meticulously, the cat would lick one paw and rub its ear. Then it would lick the other paw and do the other ear.

"Do you suppose it's telling us we need a bath?" Iolaus joked. His friend shrugged, smiling and ran his large hand over the soft, velvety fur.

The cat stretched luxuriously on the table. "Oh, that feels so good," she said.

The two men jumped again.

"Hello," said the cat. "My name is Nyxx. Did someone mention fishing?"

The two warriors stared at the cat and she stared back, looking first at one man and then at the other. "Well," she said again, "didn't you mention fishing?"

Iolaus looked at the cat and then smelled his mug of ale. "Hmmm, smells all right."

"Oh, come now," she answered, "I happened to know that I am not the first cat you have spoken to."

"Bastet? Is that you?" Hercules asked, putting his face down close to the small creature.

Nyxx rolled her deep green eyes. "Are all humans completely dense?" she said curtly. "I am certainly not the Ancient One! Do you see an earring, a blue light? Hello? Is anyone home?"

"Attractive, assertive female -- you're not related to the Amazons, are you?" Iolaus asked. "What am I doing? I am talking to a cat! Herc, we need a vacation." He looked at his friend with a look of desperation.

"And what is so difficult to understand?" she answered, looking at Iolaus. "You've wrestled giants and hydras, spoken to dragons. Hades, boy, you almost kissed a spider!"

"How did you know about that?" Iolaus asked warily.

"Word gets around about the two of you -- it's a girl thing," she replied.

Hercules began to speak, then put up his hands and snorted softly. "I'm leaving." He got up and headed out of the inn with Iolaus.

The cat followed after them sprinting along with its tail up. "Where are you going?" she called out. "Wait for me!"

It was hard to ignore the patter of the little creature. She walked along in front of the two men as they strode along, weaving back and forth before them. Sometimes she would run up ahead and greet them from a large rock or an overhead tree branch. Sometimes she would just run along beside them. She talked of being a cat and about the animal world. She babbled on about what she could smell or hear as they walked along. Finally she said the magic words which got their attention.

"And as for hunting..." she said absently as they all walked along.

Both men stopped dead in their tracks so quickly that she went on ahead for a pace or two before noticing that she had left them behind.

"Oh," she said, looking back. "So hunting will get your attention!"

Iolaus crossed his arms on his chest. "I happen to be, and Hercules will back me up on this, one of the finest hunters in all of Greece." Hercules was nodding but Iolaus had not seen him roll his eyes a moment before.

"You mean the finest human hunter in all of Greece," she corrected, and trotted off down the path.

The men made camp and built a fire. They realized, though neither said anything, that they had been following the cat as she made her way through the forest. It was dark now. They were both hungry and tired. Hercules was uncomplaining but his headache was worse. He sat by the fire and watched the flames. He was about to comment on who would get dinner when the cat came through the underbrush with a fine, fat hare and Iolaus clapped his hands together with relish and began dressing it.

"I'll take mine raw, please," Nyxx said, as he put the carcass on a spit. He laughed and cut off a leg and tossed it to her. She began eating the meat, less than delicately.

"You haven't said much," the smaller man said to his friend.

Hercules shook his head slightly. "I have a headache." He rubbed his temples, closing his eyes. "My mother has these all the time. I don't know how she stands it."

"Just another irritation that we mortals have to endure," Iolaus commented.

Hercules looked at him sharply. "And you think I don't have irritations that I have to endure," he replied angrily.

"Hey, calm down," Iolaus answered. "I didn't say that. I know it isn't easy being the man you are. One foot in Olympus and one foot on earth. You've paid dearly for that awkward position. But it has some advantages, and one is that you don't have the same everyday pains as the rest of us. You heal quickly. You rarely bruise. Cuts and scratches last only a short while. You rarely have headaches, nausea, chills and the like; except, of course, when you're plagued by -- you know who. I have never even seen you with a cold!"

Hercules was laughing quietly now despite his pain. "I'm sorry," he replied. "Like I said, I'm just tired."

"Well, you eat some of this rabbit, we'll get some rest, and in the morning, old furball here is going to show us some good fishing holes -- right, furball?" Iolaus said to the cat who had devoured the rabbit leg, and was now cleaning herself. She nodded at the comment, not stopping from her bath.

"Do you cats bathe all the time?" Iolaus added as he put the rabbit on the fire to cook.

"Yes, unlike some who could benefit from an increase in hygiene," she answered.

The two men snorted and looked at each other. "Excuse me," Hercules said. "I may not bathe fifteen times a day but which one here licks their butt?"

"Just an irritation we mortal cats have to endure!" she answered curtly.

Iolaus awoke in the morning after a restful night's sleep. He gave himself the luxury of waking slowly. The ground that they had chosen for camp was surprisingly soft and he had slept well. He rolled over onto his back and opened his eyes. The canopy of trees above let the morning light in shafts of gold that streamed down to the forest floor in a splendid display. He smiled at the beauty of the forest. The best times of his life had been spent in the forest. He loved the wilderness and the wild things. He loved being free.

He looked around and saw Nyxx looking back at him. Hercules was gone. He sat up suddenly. "Hey, furball, where's Hercules?" he said, looking around.

"Oh, don't get your loincloth all in a knot. He's down at the river, bathing hopefully."

He nodded and lay back down. "I love the forest," he said to himself.

The cat came over and hopped up onto his chest where she settled into a crouch, folding her paws under her in the manner of cats since the beginning of time. At first he was irritated, but he realized that the rumble of purring on his chest felt good and he relaxed, stroking the cat's soft fur.

"You know, furball..."

"Nyxx."

"...Nyxx. You kind of grow on a guy. I'm beginning to like you," Iolaus said absently as he stroked her. "This is turning out to be a great holiday."

Then he stiffened and looked at the cat. "You don't have any slimy monsters in store for us, do you?" he asked suspiciously.

"No. No monsters. No slimy, worm-eaten dead things. No giants, dragons, warlords, sea serpents, titans, harpies, or hydras."

He put his head back down. "Hmmm...how boring," he answered.

"That I know of," she added. He looked at her warily again and then relaxed.

Hercules looked around. He had gotten up before Iolaus had awakened and gone through the forest a short distance to find a small lake in a clearing nearby. The forest surrounded the lake on all sides. Near him was a large mound of rocks from which came a little waterfall. He went over to the falls, not much higher than his own height, and felt the fresh water. It was warm. He had found a hot springs. The water in the lake near the springs was warm.

"This is too good!" he said, taking off his clothes. He stood naked in the crisp morning air stretching and running his hands through his hair. Then he waded down into the waterfall and felt the hot water run over him. His headache was gone, he realized with relief. He let the water stream over his face and shoulders, brushing back his hair. When he opened his eyes again, Iolaus was standing by the rocks.

"Warm water!" Hercules said. "It's a hot spring. Come on in! It's great!"

Iolaus stripped quickly and joined his friend in the pool. They sat side by side enjoying the hot water as it streamed down over them.

"Gods, Herc! I think we've died and gone to Olympus!" Iolaus said.

Hercules looked out over the crystal blue lake. He looked at the green of the trees and the brilliant white clouds that trailed along in the blue of the sky. He listened to the water sing and wind whisper. "Olympus was never this good," he answered quietly. His friend smiled.

Nyxx was asleep again by the fire when the two men returned. The fire had burned low and was embers now. She lay curled up on her side with her nose turned in the air. Iolaus smiled conspiratorially and nodded toward the cat as they approached. Hercules nodded back and the two slowed their footsteps and crept up to the campsite.

"Well, I smell that the two of you are clean," said the cat without moving. "Now I can only smell you from half a league away."

Iolaus laughed and Hercules tossed a small stone near the fire making the little cat jump as it hit the embers.

She was on her feet instantly, then saw the ruse and stretched, yawning. "Brats, you're both brats," she said.

"Hungry brats. Now what about that fishing hole?" Hercules responded.

A large freshwater fish roasted on the fire. The two men had gone back to the lake at Nyxx's suggestion and had speared this fish within minutes. Hercules wasn't sure what it was but Iolaus swore that he had had one before and that they could be eaten without problems. It was enough for both of them. On the way back they found some wild tubers that they threw on the fire also. Nyxx stated she was in the mood for rodent and had headed into the woods.

As the two men watched the fish roast and the fire burn, Hercules turned to Iolaus. "You know, I hate to sound negative but, this all seems just too good," he said. "I'm waiting for the lightening bolt to strike or the giant to jump out at me."

"Yah, I know. I asked Nyxx ..."

"You asked Nyxx?" Hercules replied. "Look at us! Has it come to this? We are following a cat!" The exasperated hero shook his head. "Maybe we're getting too old for this stuff," he said quietly, almost to himself.

"We've gone on less, at times," Iolaus replied. "And we're not too old! Besides, I'm having fun! Can't we just relax and enjoy it?"

Hercules continued to shake his head and grumble.

It was then that Nyxx came back through the blades of the underbrush, dragging a dead mouse for her breakfast. "Ah, wild mouse," she said, dropping the dead little beast. "And a young one too! Nice and tender. This is getting better and better."

"What is?" Hercules asked.

"This holiday!" she replied, digging into her meal.

Hercules bent over and grabbed the mouse by the tail, dragging it out of her mouth. He held it up over her as she looked at it, then at him. "Nyxx," he asked, "exactly, precisely what is going on?" His voice conveyed the serious tone he felt and both the cat and his partner knew the son of Zeus would go no further without some kind of answer. He looked at the little black cat, waiting.

The cat looked up at the mouse dangling over her. Her tail switched, annoyed, as she thought about a reply. She batted at it playfully and Iolaus laughed as he ate. Hercules began to smile then stopped himself.

"Oh, no!" he said, trying not to laugh. "Cute will not cut it! Tell me what the Hades is going on."

"Funny that you should mention me," said the Lord of the Underworld, stepping out of the brush. Iolaus choked and started coughing. Hercules groaned and fell backwards in a mock faint and the mouse went flying into the bushes, with Nyxx bolting after it.

Hercules lay stretched out with the log he had been sitting on under his knees now. His arms were outstretched on the ground and his head was under a fern. He stared up through the foliage at Hades with a look of disgust.

"I knew it was too good to be true. I knew it!" he said. "When should I have suspected? -- I know -- the hot springs! That's it!"

"Actually, that was my idea," said Hephaestus, who appeared suddenly, sitting on the log by Hercules.

Hercules sat up, leaning on his elbows with a look of surprise. "Heph...what the...what is going on?"

Hephaestus offered him a hand and he struggled back up. Hades was patting Iolaus on the back as he coughed. In Hades' hand a cup of sweet wine magically appeared and Iolaus took a drink and regained his breath. Then he took another drink and another.

"Hmmm, good stuff," he commented. Hades smiled and touched the cup and it was full again. "All right!" he added.

Hercules looked over at his immortal kin, first at Hephaestus, who was also his personal friend, and then at Hades. "Well, what is it? Famine, pestilence, Cerberus gone again?" Then he looked at Hephaestus, concerned. "You're all right, aren't you?"

"I'm fine," said the God of the Forge. "I'm just here to support dead boy."

"Don't call me that!" Hades snapped, glowering at the scarred god. "God of the Underworld beats God of the Forge any day, you know. Just ask anyone!"

Hephaestus smiled at him. "Whatever."

"Look," Hades went on, turning to Hercules, "this is the problem...

Hercules wiped the tears from his eyes, trying to regain some composure, but he couldn't help himself. He started laughing again and Hades groaned, cradling his head in his hands. Hephaestus was still sitting by him, trying to be supportive of the god of the Underworld, but the smile on his face betrayed his own amusement at the situation. Iolaus suppressed a giggle, trying to be courteous. Hades looked truly distressed.

Hercules choked back his laughter after a moment and took a deep breath.

"Okay," he said, exhaling. He shook his head. "Let me get this straight. Your wife, the lovely and demure Persephone," he was trying not to laugh, "wants to be an Amazon?" He sank into guffaws again.

Hades looked crestfallen, and the son of Zeus pulled himself together quickly and nodded, "All right, all right. I'm sorry. What do you have to do with all this, Heph?"

The god of the forge took a drink from the wine he had summoned for himself. "Well, she came to me to make her a sword and armor. I felt a little hesitant as the woman can hardly handle a butter knife. I mean -- don't get me wrong -- she's a sweet thing and I'd do anything for her, but she seemed pretty upset and I didn't think it was a good idea to give her weapons, especially mine."

Iolaus ventured a question. "Why was she so upset?"

Hades' jaw tensed in anger and he looked around as he recalled the events. "We had to go to Olympus for a gathering. The ladies were together talking, and your mother," he looked at Hephaestus who looked back, shaking his head, as if to say 'don't look at me!' "Your mother made some comment to Persephone. I don't know what it was but it hurt her feelings. Now she wants to 'get tough'. She's got it in her head that she's too sensitive, too weak. She thinks that if she became an Amazon, then she could stand up to Hera and the rest. They scare her. I tried to explain to her that they scare me too! Why do you think I spend so much time in the Underworld? You think it's fun down there?"

All the other men there nodded in agreement at the mention of the goddesses' quarrels.

Hercules shook his head in dismay, "Hades, what do I have to do with this?"

"You know Persephone! She trusts you! You helped us stay together and she has a lot of respect for you. If I tell her it's a bad idea, she'll just say I'm being jealous or resistant or something. But if you tell her it's a bad idea..."

"Maybe it's not a bad idea," Hercules answered.

Complete silence followed. Hercules looked at the two gods. Iolaus was wisely quiet. Hades looked stunned and Hephaestus looked perplexed. He was frowning, thinking about his friend's words. Hades stared at Hercules, becoming more irritated.

"As it is, I don't get to see her for more than six months of the year!" he said finally. "If she joins up with that rabid bunch of females, no telling what she'll do! You know, they're right there at the top of the list when it comes to sending business my way."

"But look who they send," Iolaus replied. He waited for Hades to think for a moment. "The ones they send your way -- aren't those pretty much Tartarus bound?"

"Well, yes."

"Well?" Hercules said. He shrugged and looked at the unhappy god. "Why don't you come with us and meet the Amazons, not as Hades, the God of the Underworld, but just as a fellow warrior," Hercules offered. "Get to know them like we do, then for once, why don't you let Persephone decide. You know, to train with the Amazons might not be so bad for her. Sure, she'll probably get a lot more assertive, but..." Hercules looked quite sure now, "she will also be more assertive with her mother."

Hades raised his eyebrows and began to warm to the idea. "I never thought of that!" Then he frowned again. "I thought the Amazons all hated men and..." He looked up and groaned again.

There, in the morning light, leaning against a tree was Ares. "Did someone say Amazons?" he asked quietly, smiling.

"Why are you here?" Hades asked. "Just to laugh at me and foment trouble probably? Was this your idea? You control those warlike women!" He jumped as all the other men present burst out into laughter.

Ares came into the circle and sat down by Iolaus. He pointed to the fire and it began to blaze. Where the fish had been roasting was now a fat boar. Iolaus dug in without hesitation.

"No one controls the Amazons," Ares said, recovering from his laughter. "Not me, not Hera, not Zeus. And

Hercules is right. Go with him. Find out what they're like."

Hades looked suspicious. "Why are you being so supportive?" he asked angrily.

"I've always been supportive of you," Ares replied.

"Well, of course!" Hades replied sourly. " War and death, they tend to go together!"

"Not just that. You're one of the more level-headed gods. Also, I like Persephone."

Hades shot to his feet. The ground began to shake as his anger rose and Ares stood also, facing him. Everyone stood and tension mounted. Hephaestus was trying to calm Hades, Iolaus and Hercules were trying to step between the two angry gods.

"Don't get your armor all heated up!" Ares said. He laughed and shook his head, sitting down again. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, including Hades. "I don't mean I like her in that way. I mean, I like the girl. She's sweet. I hate to see her pushed around by the other goddesses." His words diffused the tension and Hades sat down again, looking discouraged.

"I try to protect her," he said quietly. "But they're mean to her. Even her own mother. I'll never understand that."

"No one understands anything anyone ever does on Olympus. That's why things are always a mess. But right now, let's worry about Persephone." Hephaestus replied, putting a strong hand on Hades' shoulder in support. "I think Hercules is right, as usual." The son of Zeus smiled at the compliment.

"Let's go to the Amazon Nation."

"Are you going too?" Hercules asked. He looked at Hephaestus and winked.

"Why not?" the God of the Forge replied, smiling.

"How about you?" Hercules asked the War God. Ares shook his head.

"I'd just cause trouble."

"You usually do," Hercules replied.

Ares smiled. "It's what I live for." He disappeared in an instant.

Hercules used a knife to stir the embers of the fire to be sure it was out. He wiped it on the grass and put it back in his belt at the small of his back. The group of men, four strong now, was getting ready to leave for the Amazon Nation.

Hephaestus looked the same but explained to his friends that he would appear as an ordinary person to the mortals who saw him. Hercules looked at the scarred face and wondered why the immortal couldn't change himself through the process of his powers to look the way he desired. Hephaestus was conscious of the burn scars on his face and his noticeable limp that resulted from what mortals would call a club foot. As a god, Hercules thought, one ought to be able to change oneself into anything desired; but Hephaestus appeared to be destined to remain the scarred, limping soul that was always on the periphery of Olympus. This was another mystery that the bastard of Zeus found unbelievable. He was staring, he realized, at Hephaestus.

"Are we almost ready to go?" the Forge God said. Hercules smiled and nodded.

"You lead the way," he replied. Iolaus was ready and stood waiting next to his friend.

Hades had changed his dark attire and was dressed now in a soft suede vest that exposed his arms and chest, and britches and boots of brown leather. The son of Zeus had never known that the God of the Underworld was muscular, although in the struggles he had had with him, he could have surmised as much. He wore a black baldric across his chest from which hung a formidable sword. Hanging from his neck was a fine chain of gold, and on it a petite lady's bracelet. Hercules commented on it.

"Persephone's wedding bracelet," Hades answered. "Demeter makes her return it when she leaves for her mother's six months. Persephone resents doing it but obeys, and I wear it when she is not with me. We see each other at functions and the like but her mother tries to keep her away from me -- she's so jealous. The gathering I spoke of marked the transition from my time to hers." He sighed quietly. "I hate that woman," he added.

"Persephone is all she has," Hercules replied. "I know that doesn't help but maybe if you learned to pity her, it might make it easier." Hades shrugged, he seemed unpersuaded.

The group left camp and Hephaestus led the way down the path with Iolaus following, then Hercules, and finally Hades. Iolaus suddenly realized that the cat had been missing since the appearance of the gods. He turned and whispered to Hercules.

"Where's Nyxx?"

Hercules stopped. He whistled and looked around. "Nyxx?" he called.

Hephaestus came back from up the trail. "What's going on?" he asked.

"When we came here, we were accompanied by a small black cat," Hercules replied, looking around. "She seems to have gone now. I just wonder where she went." He looked at the two gods. "We thought one of you might have sent her. Did you?"

They both shook their heads. They looked at each other and then back at the two mortal warriors.

"She must have been sent by someone with immortal power because the cat had the power of speech," Hercules explained, continuing to look around.

Hades smiled. "Maybe my wife sent her."

"Who knows," Hephaestus replied. "Let's go. She can take care of herself."

"Well, I guess she'll be all right," Hercules said. "I mean, after all, she is a cat. They're pretty independent."

"And she did say she was a better hunter than I am," Iolaus added. Hercules smiled and the small band of men started out again. As they left the area, Iolaus turned one more time and looked at the campsite. He frowned and shrugged, moving out behind his companions.

The companionship of gods had its advantage. The journey to the Amazon Nation should have taken days, yet before sunset, the four men were approaching the forest area that bounded the territories of the famous sister soldiers. Hephaestus, even with his limp, had picked up speed and seemed determined to get there in good time. Hades remarked on it.

"Their night patrols are more deadly. We need to be out of the forest before the night falls," Hephaestus replied to his question. Hades nodded and complied. Hercules turned to the God of the Forge and gave him a look that spoke volumes. Hephaestus smiled back and shrugged going on down the forest path.

Hades remarked as they walked along. "Tell me, Hercules, you and Iolaus know these women well, correct?"

"I came to their land originally to help a group of villagers who said they were being plagued by them. That was when I first ran into the Amazon sisters. Since that time, Iolaus and I have fought many a battle with these women at our sides. They are brave, loyal and steadfast. They value freedom and equality. Their ranks are made up of women who come from many lands and backgrounds," the son of Zeus replied. Suddenly he looked at Iolaus, stopping on the trail to put his hands on his hips, frowning. "You know, Calee has still not told us her story, Iolaus."

The smaller man flashed a smile and shrugged. "Maybe she's got some deep, dark secret," Iolaus replied going on up the trail with his friend following. "I mean, we have heard some pretty amazing tales from these ladies." He thought of Cassopeia who was known as the Siren, and the mystical Hygea. "Pretty amazing tales," he said again to himself.

"Last time I was on Olympus, I heard Hera raving about something called 'the Forum'. What is that?" Hades asked, as they came to the edge of the forest and entered the plains where the villages would soon start to dot the land.

Hercules and Iolaus glanced at each other then turned to Hades.

"The Forum," Iolaus answered, "is a group of Amazon women who are sworn to fight Hera's tyranny in the Amazon Nation. They are loyal to the Queen, Apollena, and to each other before all else. Hercules and I are the only males who have been allowed to join." He walked along beside the God of the Underworld now. "The tales of the forum members alone would make the Iliad sound like a nursery rhyme."

Hades turned to the God of the Forge. "I'm surprised you are not one of them also," he said.

"Armorer," Hephaestus answered quietly.

"Oh."

The small black cat sat before a throne in a room of dazzling light. This was the throne room of Olympus. On a crystal dias sat a chair of gold and silver that shone so bright it hurt the cat's sensitive sight. Nyxx's tail twitched nervously as she looked up at the figure on the throne.

"I am not done with you, creature," said the Queen of the Heavens, Hera. Her beautiful face was severe. She stared down at the small animal with displeasure. "If you wish to win your mistress's freedom to go to her rest, you will continue to do as I say. Follow the humans as I order and report on their progress to me."

"Yes, Great one," said the cat. "Can I see my mistress one more time?"

"I don't have time for your sentimentality. Go now and follow Hercules and the gods."

The cat bowed and vanished in an instant. She found herself back in the forest by the campsite where the two warriors she had befriended had made camp for the night. It was deserted now and she panicked to think that she might lose the scent. She had to stay close to them if she was ever going to undo the terrible wrong that had placed her mistress in world of shadows; the wrong that Nyxx felt she had done.

It was not so long ago that she had been a well-loved pet in the arms of a five year old girl named Molli. Molli was a charming and curious child who lived in a village near Corinth, but she was prone to getting sick and slow to learn. When she found a kitten with her litter mates in the barn of her neighbor and had picked out the small black runt of the litter for her own, her mother had been against the idea. Mother did not want the trouble of one more mouth to feed and, as usual, was indifferent to Molli's needs; but the little girl persisted and finally the kitten was allowed, at least, to live in the stalls outside the hut. Molli had named the kitten Nyxx, after the Goddess of the Night and the two became inseparable.

One day, the two were playing near a large building that stood near the village. Nyxx knew instinctively that this place was different. People came and went from the building in great numbers and spoke in hushed tones when they were there. Two large males with weapons stood on either side of the main door.

Molli saw some men dressed in robes go in a side entrance and she followed them in. Nyxx followed her, sensing nervously that her mistress should not go in. Everyone who came and went seemed unhappy and anxious. The child was oblivious to this. She followed the men down the hall and into a large room.

There in the center was a group of robed people. In their midst was a beautiful woman dressed all in blue and adorned with peacock feathers. The woman became angry when she saw Molli in the room and began screaming at the others and pointing at the child.

Molli froze in fright. Men were approaching her, yelling. One man reached down to grab the frightened girl. Nyxx attacked him as he loomed over Molli who was crying now. Nyxx clawed and bit at the man, hissing and making her fur stand out as full as possible to intimidate him. Her razor claws cut through his flesh and he shrank back.

"Oh, Great Hera. These mortals defile your altar!" he screamed.

Then a blaze of fire consumed the child and the cat alike. The next thing Nyxx recalled was a place of grey shadows and the soft crying of her mistress. The curse of the Queen of the Heavens had sent this child to the place between life and death. She was destined to wander as a shade in this place forever unless she could cross over the River Styx and go to Tartarus or the Elysian Fields. Nyxx followed the child as Molli wandered in the timeless world.

Then, after what seemed like an eternity, the Queen of Heaven appeared to the cat. She commanded Nyxx to return to the world of the living and lure two warriors into the forest. For this, Hera had said, she would give the cat the power of speech; and if the cat followed her commands, she would free the child to cross over the river Styx and find peace. Nyxx obeyed. She rubbed against the little shadow leg one last time and returned to the world of the living to carry out her orders and save her mistress.

Now Nyxx was running through the brush following the trail of the warriors. It had been clear for a while and then suddenly the trail had vanished. The cat's heart beat fast as she searched around for the scent of the men but to no avail. The trail was gone. The cat slowed her pace and finally sat down on the trail, dejected, looking around to decide what path to take. Her tail twitched with anxiety. She said a cat's prayer to the forces that wove through all things and added a plea to the Ancient One, Bastet, to help her find her way.

Then she heard the sound of horses' hooves. She looked up the trail to see riders coming. They bore down fast on the little cat. She bolted into the forest brush to safety, sure that they would pass by, but to her surprise the front rider reined in her horse and called to the others.

"Calee, did you see that? I thought I saw a cat," Calico said, as she brought her stallion to stop. She looked around, her long blonde hair sliding over the metal shoulder-plates of her light armor. The Amazon dismounted and looked around, crouching down to see if the cat was somewhere in the underbrush. Behind her, another rider came up and dismounted. Calee joined her warrior sister looking around to find the animal. Then behind them came up a young attractive man on horseback. He was well dressed and handsome, with a noble bearing. He reined in his horse.

"Now what?" he said angrily. "I have a schedule to keep. You were sent by your queen to accompany me to the Amazon Nation. Do so with all speed and stop dallying."

Calico looked up at the insistent young prince. "Calm down. We thought we saw a cat here in the trail. It might be injured."

"Who in Hades cares? I use cats as prey to make my dogs better killers in the ring," he said curtly.

The two women stood up and looked at each other. Both pursed their lips and exchanged a glance.

From the underbrush, Nyxx looked out at the humans standing there. She was afraid of most adult humans as she knew they could be cruel, but these two were different. At first, Nyxx wasn't sure what it was. Then her tail twitched and her ears pricked up, and she opened her mouth slightly to take in the scent. Then she knew. These two females had the scent of the Ancient One on them. They were favorites of Bastet, known to the humans as the Cat Goddess. Nyxx crept out of the bushes and meowed softly.

Calico saw her first and nodded to Calee. They both smiled and crouched down again, making soft noise to reassure the cat. All the while, the young prince behind them snorted and grumbled, making comments about the stupidity of commoners and women.

Nyxx approached Calee and smelled her hand carefully. Then she rubbed on the woman's hand, arching her neck as the Amazon ran her hand down the cat's spine. Nyxx decided not to speak. Before she knew what had happened, the woman had gathered her up and secured her in a basket on her horse. Soft blankets around her kept her from bouncing around. She nestled down trusting that the women might help her find the mortal warriors again.

Then the two women exchanged another knowing glance with each other. "So perhaps we should step up the pace," Calico said to the prince, as she remounted her horse. Calee swung into the saddle also.

"That would be adequate," he said haughtily.

The two Amazons screamed out a warcry that made the young man jump and their battle-trained horses bolted into action. No more trails of convenience would be used. The prince dug his heels into his horse and attempted to keep pace with the warrior women in what would be the hardest ride of his privileged life.

The compliment of hunters arrived at the heart of the Amazon Nation by nightfall. The village of the Queen was quiet and no one came out to greet them; but Hercules and Iolaus had seen the sentinels watching them, though, as they had come through the territory. The son of Zeus and his friend were well known in the Amazon Nation, but not all the warrior women were receptive to the intrusion of men, no matter who they were.

The party soon found themselves at the doorstep of the hut of Lady Pegasus.

Hercules knocked on the door and famous winged warrior appeared smiling.

"Hercules! Iolaus! Welcome!" Lady Pegasus said, embracing the two and asking the party in. Hercules began to introduce the other two men.

"This is..."

"Welcome to my house," Lady Pegasus interrupted. "It is not often that we mortals have a chance to entertain two powerful gods."

All the men were taken aback in surprise.

"How did you know?" Iolaus asked.

"Your wife arrived today, Lord Hades. She warned the Queen that you had gone to seek out Hercules to help you talk her out of coming," replied the Amazon.

Hades groaned and shook his head sadly. "This is really getting out of hand," he said quietly.

"Not so," Lady Pegasus replied, smiling and putting a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "When she told Queen Apollena her tale and how she wanted to become one of us, the Queen agreed with you." Hades looked up quickly, surprised.

She laughed to see the look on his face. "Come. Let's join the Queen. She has called for a meeting of the forum, they're meeting in the forest. She hasn't made your wife's identity known to many, but I know who she is, as do Kendaa and the other forum members."

She led the men away. As she showed them out the door, her wing touched the forge god's shoulder as she walked. He let his hand brush over the white feathers softly and as she walked away, he gave a gentle sigh. Iolaus nudged Hercules as he saw the exchange and his friend nodded.

Lady Pegasus guided her guests out of the village. Soon they were in the heart of the forest. A bonfire burned and around it in the clearing were the forum members standing in a circle. Among their ranks was the Queen, Apollena, and beside her stood Persephone, dressed in a long white gown. Her dress made her seem out of place among the women who were all clad in clothing of war.

By Persephone stood the glorious eastern tiger, Tosh. His shoulder was high enough for the demure goddess to stroke as she stood. She seemed to take a special interest in him and was speaking to Calico, his owner, as the men approached with Lady Pegasus. Persephone looked up as the party arrived and she smiled and ran to Hades as the men came into the circle. She embraced the god and kissed him, then appeared to catch herself and went back to her place as if she was embarrassed.

"Amazons don't run to men and kiss them," she said as she stroked Tosh again.

The Queen laughed as did some of the other women. The men joined the women in standing in the circle. Lady Pegasus took her place by the Queen. Beside her stood Hephaestus. Hercules stood between Tedras and Kendaa who were across the bonfire from the Queen, and Iolaus stood between Chrysim and Bwell.

Hades took a place by his wife but the tiger separated them and it seemed to annoy him.

The Queen stepped forward and spoke. "A woman has come to us asking to be taken into the Amazon Nation. Anyone who has an objection to this, speak now."

Kendaa stepped forward. "Is she willing to give up the nation of her birth to become one of us?" she asked.

"I have to do that?" Persephone objected. "I'm a goddess, don't I get special privileges?"

Apollena laughed again. "I'm a queen and I don't," she answered quietly looking at the young woman.

"Well, Hercules and Iolaus are Amazons and they...."

The entire group burst into laughter.

"We're only members of the forum, Persephone," Hercules replied.

"And we would do anything for these ladies," Iolaus added, "except become one."

"Why do you wish to join the Amazon Nation?" asked the Queen.

"I want to become strong like all of you. I'm tired of being hurt by the other goddesses. I guess I'm just weak."

"I think you mistake gentleness for weakness," said Calee who stood beside Calico.

"And our strength comes with a price," added Lessa. She stepped forward to speak. "You must understand that many of us had to give up what we loved, like home and family, in order to have what we valued most which was freedom and equality." She looked around at the women whose faces were lit by the firelight and saw many stories of suffering as well as adventure. She stepped back into the circle.

"Sensitivity is as much a gift as it is a burden," said Lady Pegasus. She stepped out of the circle and as she did, her wings fluttering slightly. "As a healer, sensitivity is important to my ability to help others. But harsh words that others can shrug off, I find hard to ignore. Yet I would not trade a moment of my pain if with it, I had to give up the depth of feeling I have for those I treat." She looked briefly at Hephaestus and he smiled and nodded in agreement.

She stepped back and the group was silent again. They listened as the bonfire crackled and the night creatures sang quietly. Then Hades stepped forward, turning to look at his wife. He was no longer dressed as a man, but had magically and without notice, changed his vestments to the black armor and clothing of war that was his trademark. He had always had mixed feelings about these garments. How could he explain to mortals what it felt like to be the Lord of Death?

"When the world was young," Lord Hades said, "the inhabitants of Olympus took this place from older conquerors who had taken it from those before them. When we won this battle, Zeus divided the world into three realms. I, one of his brothers, got the Underworld by the luck of the draw. It's a dark, sad place and I'm never at ease there. But I took charge of my realm, because it was my duty. I was never been happy though. Never." He turned and looked at the fire for a moment as the mortals and immortals around him waited. He turned again toward his wife. "Then you came along, Persephone. You were not like any of the other women of our race. You were sweet, but not simple or stupid. You were gentle without being helpless. You gave me hope."

Hades gazed at the young woman. He could see the tears forming in her eyes. "I have loved you from the moment I saw you. And I will never not love you. Every day away from you is a torture for me worse than any one could find in Tartarus. I don't want you to change. I love you as you are. And I will always love you and be faithful to you, even when you are away from me."

Persephone began to weep softly. "I love you too, my husband." She stepped into his arms and he embraced her.

No one had noticed that the air had gotten colder. Nyxx looked out from the shadows of the underbrush and her tail twitched with anxiety.

The air had, without notice, gotten colder and it wasn't until the fire began to die down that the group, still spellbound by the reunion of Persephone with her husband, noticed that something was changing. Nyxx crouched under a bush, watching the group and waiting.

Hercules turned to Kendaa beside him. She was already beginning to frown herself. The Queen called for silence as the group began to whisper and look around.

"What is happening, My Lords?" she asked of the two immortals.

Hades looked around. Persephone clung to him as she felt the cold grow. He shook his head and shrugged. "I don't know."

Hephaestus went to the fire to revive it with his touch but the embers only glowed. Then above the ashes began to form the figure of a tall woman dressed in black. She floated in the air, her dark clothing flowing around her figure. The stern face of Demeter formed from within the a black cowl.

"You have broken your word to me, Hades," she said quietly. "You have stolen Persephone from me and broken our agreement. I am alone without anyone and all the world will pay for your deceit." The group was shivering now as the air continued to chill. The Amazon Queen and her subjects watched with horror as snow began to fall in the middle of summer.

"Demeter," Hercules cried angrily, "don't do this!"

"Mother," Persephone said, going to the figure and reaching out in supplication, "please... this was not Hades' idea. It was mine. He followed me here to the world of the mortals. I wanted to join the Amazons and become one of them."

Demeter frowned. "Why ever would you want to do that?" The figure of the goddess came to rest on the ashes of the fire and she stepped down to embrace her daughter. "I knew you were upset when you left Olympus. What troubles you?"

Persephone hugged her mother. "Please don't be angry with Hades," she said holding the old woman tightly. "I want the two of you to get along. I want that more than anything. Please try to understand, mother. This is all my fault."

"Tell me what has upset you," the Goddess of the Harvest replied quietly.

Persephone whispered something in her mother's ear and Demeter frowned and looked at her daughter again. She stepped away from the girl and frowned more deeply. "She said that to you! Hera said that to you!"

Persephone nodded. She seemed afraid of her mother's reaction.

"Listen to me, daughter," Demeter went on, "And all of you, hear me now!"

The stately woman walked around the fire that now began to burn again. The snow melted slowly and the air began to warm. "This child is my child by the god Zeus and by no other. I have no quarrel with Hera, but if the Queen of Heaven cannot keep her husband at home, it is not my problem. Nor is it the problem of my child who has clearly been a model to all of goodness and grace." She continued to pace around the fire as she spoke, almost to herself, and the forum members watched with mouths agape as the Olympian aired the gods' dirty laundry. "We immortal beings have a different code than that of the beings of this world. Our ways seem strange to you. It appears that brother marries sister and husband couples with many women, wife or not. That is our nature and may be hard for mortals to understand.

"I have never understood Hera's rage. I do not comprehend what drives the sheer animosity of that woman!" She finished her tirade standing in front of Hercules. He stood looking at the powerful being and nodding. The goddess looked up at him and shook her head in sad agreement. "You are the saddest of all," she said finally. "Her anger with you is the greatest of tragedies."

"Because of Zeus's infidelity?" Iolaus asked quietly.

Demeter stood looking at Hercules in the firelight. He stood motionless before her, waiting. She reached out and brushed a wisp of his hair from his face. Then she put her hand on his cheek. "No, I know Hera better than anyone else. Zeus's infidelity is not what fuels her hate for this man," she said, almost in a whisper.

"She hates you, Hercules, because you are the heroic son she will never have." Then she looked over at Hephaestus realizing what she had said. "I'm so sorry, Hephaestus."

"No, it's all right. You're right," Hephaestus replied. "She's a bitter old woman who has what she doesn't want and wants what she cannot have. In a way, I'm glad she dislikes me."

Demeter shook her head and stepped away from Hercules. She went back to her daughter. "So, do you still want to become an Amazon?" she asked taking her daughter's hand.

Persephone laughed. "Mother, I don't think I could qualify!" Everyone laughed.

"Well then ... come back with me to Olympus." She began to walk into the fire's light. Then Demeter stopped and turned toward Hades. "First, though, say goodbye to your husband and get your wedding bracelet from him. You should wear that always."

The little black cat watched as the drama of the humans unfolded. She felt a change take place in her and was strangely cold even now when the warmth had been restored to the air. When the two women in long gowns disappeared, the group of humans began to talk again, but the cat had lost the power of speech and could not understand what was going on.

Nyxx felt a pang of loneliness as she realized that the Queen of Heaven had deserted her. She was alone now in the world of the living, while her mistress wandered in the shadow world. She came out of the underbrush toward the humans that carried the scent of Bastet. She was meowing softly.

Calee saw her first and went over and picked her up. "Hello, little one."

"Nyxx!" Hercules exclaimed. He went over to the cat and took her gently from Calee and held her up so their eyes met.

"Where have you been? Why did you leave us in the forest?" he asked, waiting for an answer.

"Meow."

"Come on," Iolaus said, standing alongside his friend now. "Cat got your tongue? Come on, furball...where have you been?" They both waited, watching the cat.

"Meow."

Calico came up to the two men. "Hercules, it's just a cat. It can't talk."

"It can talk!" he said. "At least it could a day ago. This is Nyxx." He turned toward the two immortals. "This is the cat we told you about. The one that led us into the forest where you met us."

"You were following a cat?" Kendaa said, joining the group gathering around Hercules and the cat. "You weren't joking when you said you needed a vacation."

"No, really," the hero replied. "We were in this inn...and we were talking about..." He looked around at the faces of disbelief. "Oh, forget it." He looked again at Nyxx. "I was worried about you."

Through the crowd came the commanding figure of Hades. He came up to the two and took the cat from Hercules, looking at the animal curiously. "This cat has been to the underworld," he said. He seemed to glow for a moment and Nyxx shivered and then sneezed.

"Oh, thank you!" Nyxx said, as the god restored her ability to speak. The humans around her laughed, or gasped, as the cat replied. "My Lord, please help my mistress. She is alone and wanders without hope." In the fire's light, the cat told the forum members and the two immortal guests the story of her mistress and their misadventure. Hades and the others shook their heads at the cruelty of the Queen of the Gods. Then Hades himself escorted the cat to the world of shadows, taking his leave of the mortals. Hades promised to take Molli to the Elysian Fields himself and there she and Nyxx could play for eternity.

With the god's return to the underworld, Hephaestus bid the group goodbye also. "The Amazons are always welcome in my valley," he said to the group as he left. He glanced at Lady Pegasus, "You know the way." Then he disappeared.

Hercules looked at Iolaus and shrugged. "Some vacation," he said.

The Queen of the Amazons looked around at her subjects. "I think we can find something fun for you men to do," she said.

Hercules looked at Calico and the Queen on one side of him and Calee and Lady Pegasus on the other. Iolaus was surrounded by Bwell and Chrysim, Kendaa and Lessa.

"Promise?" asked the two men.

"Promise," stated the Amazons in unison.

Finis