From the Annals of Bastet

"I'm going to be a great warrior," the young Amazon said. "I will lead my troops into glorious battle. No one will be able to stand before me." The adolescent girl captivate the younger ones with her rousing words. Their eyes were wide with wonder and they nodded as if under her spell.

Evening was coming on. The wind was a little chilly and the day's training was over. The girls sat by the side of the field where they had been practicing with bow and javelin. Calico and Kendaa were just returning from collecting the weapons, and caught the last of the young leader's comments as she spoke. Calico put away the weapons in the lockers and Kendaa locked the doors. The smaller Amazon gathered up her long, golden hair as she came back to the group of girls. She twisted it into a knot and put it up, securing it with a leather thong, to keep it off her neck.

"So you want to be a great warrior," Calico said to the girl, as she rubbed her neck tiredly. The girl nodded enthusiastically. "Come with me, then."

The small troop of girls followed the two weary women into the village and to the infirmary. Calico disappeared into the hut and came out again soon. She walked up to the young leader and smeared something on the girl's face and arms. Blood.

"That is the blood of another human being," Calico said grimily as the girls all gasped and shied away. The young leader grimaced with disgust. "Wear it until your sweat washes it away. That is what it means to be a warrior."

The girls all looked confused and ashamed. Their eyes avoided each other's and the two adults. Kendaa motioned and they formed a ring around the two women who stood now in the coming darkness, with only the light of the torches in the village green to light their faces.

Kendaa's elfin features were more pronounced in the glow of the torchlights, the dryad in her giving her an otherworldly look in the firelight. She stood looking at the faces of the youngsters, one by one.

"War is about killing," she said quietly, as she looked from face to face. Each girl looked back shyly. "That is what it is. That is all it is. We glorify war to make it palatable, to chase away the demons of our fears; but the truth is, there is no honor in war. Those who make war are without a soul; and to win against war makers, you must put away your heart and go into battle with one thought and one thought only. Destruction." She paused for a moment, seeming lost in thought. "If you're really good," she said in a while, almost in a whisper, "there's a kind of madness that comes over you when you engage the enemy. You become like an animal, savage, completely without mercy." She paused again. "When you come out of this madness, you're never quite sure what you did. That is a blessing. If you're lucky, you never remember." She fixed her gaze now on the young leader still wearing the blood of another. "I, unfortunately, have not had such luck."

The half-dryad sighed deeply and motioned the girls to return to their homes. They disappeared quickly, relieved to get away from this lesson and whispering to each other as they went.

"We'll hear about this from Menita," Calico said, smiling slightly.

Kendaa shook her head and laughed despite the grave exchange that had just taken place.

"We'll hear from Menita anyway," she said tiredly. She nodded toward the mess hall and Calico followed her into the building. They were both famished. "We work the young ones too hard," Kendaa went on as the two sat down. "We don't teach the right way. We're too soft on this one, too hard on that one."

"The tall ones get preference. The short ones get it easy," Calico added. "What is that's woman's problem?"

"Some people are just never happy," said another. The two women looked up to see Calee looking down at them. She served them a pitcher of ale and waved for the women on kitchen duty to bring plates of food for both. The evening meal was still being served.

"You have mess hall duty again?" Kendaa said. "Who did you annoy this time?"

Calee laughed. "Well, it's not like it would be totally out of character for me to be annoying, but I'm filling in for Tedras, who has gone up to the mountains with Valiance to see Bastet."

"Waart?" Calico asked. "I wish they'd told me. I haven't seen Waart for an age. I'd have gone with them."

"Now, does she prefer to be called Waart or Bastet, like the Ancient One?" Calee asked, sitting down now and pouring herself a cup of ale.

"I really don't know," Calico answered. She thought for a moment, looking puzzled.

"You know," Kendaa added. "She's decided to take a new name." The other two began to laugh as she smiled, nodding. "That's right! She's now calling herself 'ascribe' with a small 'a' to signify her new job as the scribe of the Forum."

"Ascribe!" Calico said. "That woman is so strange. I love her dearly but who can make sense of her? It must come from being associated, all those years, with the dark arts. It must make one a little odd."

Kendaa and Calee nodded in agreement.

"Well, we'll get all the news when Tedras and Valiance come back. Perhaps they'll persuade Bastet/Waart/ascribe to come for a visit," Calico said.

"She tells a pretty good tale," Kendaa commented, "but you have to keep refocusing her or she gets sort of lost in the details." The others laughed in agreement.

The two women began to eat and Calee finished her ale and went to serve other warriors who had come in to eat before they went on night patrol. Lessa, Klio and Cellach sat down by the two and waited for their food as they greeted their sisters.

"I love the night," Lessa said, sipping on the wine that had been brought for her. "There's a full moon tonight. Good for patrolling!"

The other two just shook their heads and began to eat when the food had come. The preferences of the blacksmith Amazon was well known. She was a creature of the night, capricious and unpredictable in all things except for her trade as a warrior and an armorer. At those tasks, she was completely focused and exact. The group began to talk about the latest news. Cellach had news about the newest trade agreements with the Athenians. Everyone shared what they thought.

Kendaa finished her meal quickly. A feeling of excitement had come over her in the time the women had been talking. She excused herself from the group and made her way to her hut.

Part 2

Kendaa pushed aside the heavy skins that she had hung on her hut door to keep out the cold and wind. She scanned the room quickly then went to the smaller room in the back and looked around. Everything was in order. No one was there. She sighed and took off the baldric that held her sword, hanging it on the back of a chair in her small livingroom. She went to the fireplace and began to make a fire. The ashes were cold and the air was wet. She cursed quietly as she found it difficult to light the fire.

She stood up after awhile and put her hands on her hips. "Wonderful," she snorted, looking at the still cold fireplace.

Suddenly it burst into a blaze. The half-dryad gasped softly but tried not to jump. She'd expected this.

"There is no honor in war, you say?" said a deep male voice.

"None," Kendaa replied, not moving. She crossed her arms over her chest, feeling the heat of the blaze and watching the fire dance.

"You insult the God of War," Ares replied. Kendaa could hear him approach from behind. She felt his hands run down her arms and felt the coarse hair of his beard against her cheek as he embraced her.

"Well, I'll have to stand in line." She turned around and put her arms around his neck, pulling him toward her. His hands slid around her waist and they kissed.

"To what do I owe the honor of your visit?" Kendaa asked after their lips parted. She looked up into the dark eyes.

Ares' brows arched as he gave her a half-smile. "Do I have to have a reason?"

She pushed him away gently. "I don't know if I have forgiven you for the battle at Trivan yet." She turned and warmed herself by the fire. She felt him approach again and heard him sigh as he rested his chin on her shoulder.

"How many times will I have to apologize for that?" he whispered in her ear.

"I'll tell you when it's enough," she replied, laughing softly.

"Well then," he said, pulling away and brushing the long blond hair away from her neck and over her shoulder, "can't I just come to say a friendly 'hello'?" He kissed the nape of her neck.

Kendaa turned around again, looking at the handsome face, now slightly flushed. "How friendly?"

"Very friendly," he whispered, almost in a growl. He picked her up and carried her to the back room.

The heat of the god's lovemaking still warmed the room. Kendaa lay asleep in the arms of the dark immortal warrior who lay among a sea of sheets and fur blankets spread out on the floor. The Amazon's little bed was not large enough for the two. Ares had complained about it before and even summoned furniture but Kendaa always insisted on keeping things the way they were. If the bed could not suffice, then she demanded they use the floor. Ares always acquiesced. Now he lay with her head cradled on his shoulder. Her breathing was the deep regular cadence of mortals in deep slumber.

Ares smiled to himself as he gazed up at the ceiling. He'd worn the poor woman out. The erotic struggle had consumed them both and now she slept exhausted and, hopefully, content. He never really knew. Kendaa was so hard to read, even for a god.

He thought about invading her dreams. Gods could do such things but the price was high. To look into the mind of a mortal meant to join with that mortal. It left the god forever changed, bonded to the memories of that mortal and so to the mortal herself. "Herself," Ares thought, yes that was an apt term. The few times he had done this were with women. He had looked into the minds of women who had been violated by men. It had changed him forever. After he had known their pain and fear, he had started to change from the paternalistic, militant god of fury known to the world. A slow evolution had begun. No one knew. No one else among the gods cared to understand. Mortals could not understand for they lived what the gods could only try to imagine, but he had lived it through those women. He looked over at his clothing, thoughtlessly cast on the floor when the two had begun their lovemaking. Filaments of blue ran through the black and silver. He thought back on his bond with the Ancient One, Bastet. "You are forever changed," she had said.

"You'll never know how true that is," Ares thought, as he ran his hand over Kendaa's soft blond hair.

The dark God of War stroked his lover softly, taking care not to wake her. His thoughts were half on the memory of their coupling and half on some uncomfortable feelings that kept invading his mind. He was unsettled. Something dark was approaching. A chill ran down his immortal spine. He slid out from under the Amazon slowly, listening to her moan softly and then turn over to her other side. Her eyes fluttered as if she was waking and Ares reached out to still her but she reached up and laced her fingers in his.

"What's the matter, my love?" she said quietly.

Ares stood up and looked around. "Something is wrong," he answered. He stood for a moment longer silently thinking, reaching out with his god sense. In the dim light, his naked form glowed slightly with his power as a god. Kendaa looked up at the powerful male form which was impressive on any man, god or mortal. Every muscle was cleanly etched under the tanned skin. She rolled over and looked slowly up and down the form that never ceased to excite her.

Ares mind was elsewhere now. His nudity was unimportant as he tried to understand the feelings he was receiving. They were more pronounced. Finally he spoke. "Who is Ichor?" he said quietly.

In an instant, Kendaa was awake and standing. She could feel her heart speed up as she remembered the Son of Thor and his chilling words. She thought back on that arctic scene where the Son of Thor had challenged the Son of Zeus. She recalled the scene well.

"I do want to kill you," he had said to Hercules in the frozen island of the North. The two men had faced each other, ready to fight with swords. Hercules had asked that the winner take his victory and leave but Ichor wanted a duel to the death. "And after I kill you," the dark Son of Thor had continued, "I will kill your friend and hang both of your bodies off the bow of my ship. Then I will have your women for my concubines and take them each on the foredeck as my men watch." Even now, the cruelty in his voice chilled her.

She told Ares briefly who the dark norseman was. "The Son of Thor. Hercules killed him in a duel." She put her hands on her naked hips. "Why can't these things ever stay dead?"

Part 3

Hercules pulled back on the bowstring carefully, taking aim at the distant target. A second before he released, Iolaus cleared his throat and the arrow flew just wide of the mark. Iolaus snorted and his friend glanced back him with a look of annoyance.

"Oh, well," Iolaus said, smirking. "I wasn't that hungry anyway."

"Since when? You made me miss," Hercules said, indignantly.

Iolaus laughed. "Ridiculous! If you jump at every sound in the forest, you'll never hit anything!"

"I'm about to hit you!" the taller man replied. He approached his friend, trying not to look as amused as he felt.

Iolaus put his hands on his hips and stared up at the warrior who was now towering over him. He shook his head. "You know what you are?" Iolaus said. "You are average. I've figured it out." He turned and began walking down the forest path. Hercules' incredulous gaze followed him.

"Average!" Hercules said, following him. "I'm average. Just how did you come to that conclusion?"

"Well," Iolaus said, warming to the subject. "You see, you are the son of a god. I've met several of the half-god,half-men and you are really not that different. Average, really."

"Average!" Hercules repeated. He began laughing. "I've beaten every one that challenged me. I'm undefeated, last I counted."

"But I," Iolaus went on, ignoring Hercules' comment, "am a mortal man. I have to keep up with you ... a half-god, which I do very well; which makes me superior in the mortal category. You know, I am hungry," He spotted a deer in the distant woods. "Okay, half-god, now watch this." He took Hercules' bow and notched an arrow. Taking careful aim, he pulled back on the string. Hercules could see him strain at handling the powerful weapon. He thought about paying his friend back by startling him but then thought again.

Iolaus released and the arrow flew true, killing the beast. "Dinner," Iolaus said, smiling. "You make the fire." He strode off.

Hercules laughed and put his hands on his hips. "Average," he snorted. He began looking around for firewood.

The dinner was done. The fire was burning low. The two men had made their camp near a stream and were washing up now after the meal. They finished and sat down on the mossy bank to watch the sunset.

"Average," Hercules said, breaking the silence. "I've been called a lot of things, especially by Ares, but I have never been called average."

"Well, it's only fitting then that I should be the first," Iolaus answered, smiling. "And after all, I brought down the dinner."

Hercules laughed and shook his head. "You're right! I mean, how can I compete? You killed an old buck with a bad leg. You're amazing."

"A bad ... all right, I'll give you that. This one was an easy target but ... " Iolaus was beginning to laugh himself and didn't finish the sentence. "We should do this more often. Just the two of us, hunting or fishing. We never do."

"That's because we end up slaying a hydra or rescuing someone. Our intentions are good, but the plan never pans out," Hercules replied. "We've probably cursed it now by even talking about how much fun we're having. Some irritated god is probably listening."

"You'd think that the gods have more important things to do, like running the Universe or something," Iolaus said.

"They don't run anything. They're spectators, just like the rest of us," Hercules replied. He lapsed into thought sitting back to rest on the rock behind him as he watched the stream run its course in the dwindling light of the day. "When I was young, I use to go to the temple of my father and look at that huge statue and think 'he's so big and the world is so small compared to him.' I use to be afraid that I would displease him. Then I met him, and he was so ... " His voice trailed off. The crickets had begun to chirp their night song.

"Ordinary?" Iolaus asked.

"Yes," Hercules replied. "Ordinary. I ... I was disappointed. Not just for myself but for the world. We worship these creatures and they're not that different from us. The whole thing is a mystery to me."

Iolaus nodded but said nothing. For a few minutes, the two just sat by the fire thinking. They had known each other so long that they were comfortable with silence. The fire crackled and the night creatures sang. The sun had set now. It was summer so the air of the forest was still pleasingly warm. The two men enjoyed the time of restful quiet.

As the fire burned low, the two men turned in, accustomed to the hard bed of the ground. Hercules put more logs on to keep them warm through the night and then both men drifted into a light sleep. In the forest or on the plains, the two warrior never slept deeply.

Another campfire was also burning low. Valiance put a log on the smoldering embers and then waited for the wood to take catch fire. Across the fire, Tedras was finishing her bread and cheese. The two Amazons, so different in appearance and temperment, had found that they made good traveling companions. Valiance had a forthright, dominating presence that made her a natural warrior and leader. Tall as an average man, she towered over most. She had the straight, blond hair of the Nordic people, cropped short to her chin. Her eyes were icy blue.

Tedras was considered short among the Amazon warriors. Several inches over five feet tall, she was demur, quiet, and content to let others take the limelight. She had green eyes and long brown hair. She did not appear to have the warlike nature of her sisters; but never far from anyone's mind who knew Tedras, was the amazing truth. This Amazon was actually a huge powerful dragon of cobalt blue, each wing the span of five tall men. She hid this nature by taking the form of a human woman. Rarely now did she now take her true form. Valiance's love and reverence for the Masters of the Air who had raised her, tempered her usual arrogance toward this Amazon. The chemistry between them had made for good company.

Now the fire burned low and the two prepared to sleep for the night.

"We'll make the caves of the sorceress by noon tomorrow. We'd better get some sleep, it's a hard climb," Valiance said. Tedras nodded and lay down. Valiance looked around the campsite one more time, scanning the forest depths for any signs of danger. She lay down also and both fell into a light sleep.

In the world of dreams, Valiance found herself in a forest unlike any she had ever seen. Trees around her were twisted and leafless. Strange creatures slithered over the branches and lunged at her as she passed through. She dodged their attacks, running carefully down a path that was slippery with mud and branches and strewn with the bones of dead animals. Above, the sky was a sickly green.

She could not tell whether she was running toward something or away from something. She continued to run.

Then up ahead, she saw a camp light. "Thank the Gods," she whispered, desperate to see another human. She saw the back of a man crouched over the fire. He was dressed in the clothing of the Northern People. She hailed him, running up to greet him as he stood and turned around.

Then Valiance screamed and shrank back. Ichor stood before her, his blue eyes burning with a kind of mad hatred. He reached out and grabbed her before she could elude him. The sword wound that Hercules had given him, piercing him through the chest, was exposed; an angry red scar now.

"What are you doing here?" she cried out, twisting in his grip.

"What am I doing here, my loving wife?" he snarled as he drew her to him. "I was dead, by the hand of that bastard Greek. My father brought me to Valhalla and shamed me before the gods of the North." He grabbed her hair and drew her face toward his. She could smell the odor of blood on his breath. "He ridiculed me for being killed by a Greek with a sword fit for a boy. Then he cast me out of Valhalla and ordered me to get you back and to kill Hercules! That is what I intend to do. It will be impossible for the soft-hearted Greek to kill me this time. You see, my father has given me some of the powers of a god. My victory over Hercules will secure my rightful place beside Thor in the halls of Valhalla."

Valiance awoke with a start. "Oh, thank the Gods it was a dream," she said sitting up, shaking her head to wake from the terrifying nightmare. She looked over at Tedras who was sitting up now, and looking up at someone behind Valiance. The tall Amazon turned and looked into Ichor's angry eyes.

"Hello, wife," he said quietly.

Valiance looked back at Tedras. "Change, get away!" she cried.

Tedras sat unmoving. Tears began to well up in her eyes. "I can't," she said. "These keep me held fast." She held up her hands. Through the palms of both hands had been driven huge nails that were attached on either end to what looked like stirrups. At the other end of the stirrup was attached a chain that held both together. Tedras cried as she looked at the horrific devices. Blood poured down her hands to her elbows.

"Son of a bitch!" Valiance screamed as she snaked around and kicked up at her husband.

He dodged her kick then grabbed her and hauled her to her feet, grabbing her hair and pulling her close to him.

"I never bedded you," he whispered in her ear. "Perhaps when we catch up with Hercules, I will then, and let him watch before I kill him."

"You are pathetic," Valiance snarled. "This time, I will kill you! I will cut up your maggot-ridden body and burn it in the moonlight. And when I do, I will dance around the fire, naked. I will dance for Iolaus, and when I am done, I will beg him to take me." She laughed angrily. "Yes, beg him, which I would never and will never, ever, do for you!"

Ichor threw her to the ground. She looked around to see men materializing from the dark of the forest. They were strangely dressed and had runic signs painted on their faces. Their eyes were empty sockets. They stood behind Tedras, forming a silent ring around the campsite. The two women's eyes met.

"We must be strong, sister," Tedras whispered, "in a world that is weak."

"But be wary in a world of deceit," Valiance finished, looking around.

Part 4

Hercules allowed himself the pleasure of waking slowly. He turned over on the ground and nestled his head on the crook of his arm. Then he opened his eyes to look across the fire at Iolaus. The smaller man was sitting up on a log, looking down at him. On the fire, more of the deer was cooking. Iolaus was smiling.

"I guess a mortal's work is never done," Iolaus said, smirking.

"You wouldn't make it one day as a servant. You're too annoying," Hercules replied. He yawned and ran his hands over his face.

"Come on, time to eat. Get your godly butt up," Iolaus replied.

"You're really focusing on this god thing," Hercules said, sitting up.

"Hmm," Iolaus said. "I just wonder what it would be like to be a god."

"I'm not a god," his friend replied.

"I know," Iolaus said. "I just keep thinking about it, you being immortal."

"I'm not immortal. Hygea told me that I will die someday. And so will my father and all the other so-called gods."

"I know but ... " Iolaus seemed to struggle for words. "I just wonder sometimes what it's all really about. You know, like what is our purpose here? Who are the ones we call the Gods and who are the Ancient Ones? Who made all of them? I know the stories. But then I also know that that's all they are ... stories." Iolaus cut some meat off and began eating. They both lapsed into a silence and Hercules went to the stream and washed. He dried himself on the gauze shirt he wore under his vest, laying it out in the morning sun on a bush to dry.

"Did you figure out the point of it all?" Hercules asked as he sat down again. He cut off some meat for himself and joined his friend in eating.

"I think that maybe the point is not the point but the thinking about the point," Iolaus replied.

Hercules stopped for a moment and thought, then he smiled. "Like the point of the journey is the journey, not the destination?"

Iolaus looked over at him and smiled. "Whatever," he said. They both laughed. "There's a great truth in there somewhere, but I think I'll stick to hunting and slaying monsters."

"Easier to evaluate the results," Hercules replied.

They broke camp and moved on up into the mountains. Both realized that they were nearing the cave of the sorceress. They had decided to stop and see the strange, little woman.

The hills had turned into cliffs and the men had now been climbing in earnest.

"How the Hades did that woman get up here and get all her belongings up here?" Iolaus said as he reached around to find another handhold on the rocks above. He looked down at Hercules below him. The hero had pulled himself up on another precarious hold and was catching his breath. They both looked down at the now dizzying distance between them and flatter land. Hercules looked back up and Iolaus smiled.

"I know, magic," Iolaus said, answering his own question.

"She used to live closer to the plains," Hercules said, groaning with effort as he found and used another hold, "but after the thing with Moloch and the Bacci, she decided to go higher into the mountains. Now she wonders why no one visits?" He pushed himself over onto a small ledge where Iolaus waited for him. Iolaus gave him a hand up and the two sat down, catching their breaths. There was still a ways to go.

As they looked down over the plains and forests below, they marveled at the view of their world.

Hercules was about to comment when a tabby cat jumped up onto the ledge. It sat down and curled its tail around itself, staring at the two men who stared back with surprise.

"Waart?" Hercules asked.

"Yes, it is me," the cat replied. It stretched and licked its fur several times, then spoke. "I've come to warn you. I was looking into the dark glass when I saw a terrible vision. I saw the coming of a man who is not a man but a god ... but not truly a god. Darkness and cold, I saw. I hate being cold, don't you? Darkness, I tell you. And the blackness of the depths, cold as night."

"Dark and cold," Hercules said, "we've got it ... what is the problem?"

"Oh, yes. The man, he's come back from the darkness of the grave. Brought back by gods of the cold to wreak vengeance upon an innocent world. Sad, I am and frightened for the world. He's very angry," the cat went on.

"Get to the point, Waart," Iolaus said, running his hands through his blond hair. He and Hercules exchanged knowing glances. "Who's the man? Where can we find him?"

"Ichor's back from the dead, saved by his father to seek revenge on you for killing him. He wants Valiance as his slave and to kill you, Hercules," the cat said.

Both men sat speechless, their mouths dropping open at the terrible news.

"I wanted to break the news to you gently," the cat added.

"Gently," Iolaus replied. "Was that the 'darkness and cold, blackness of the depths' part?"

The cat nodded. "I was setting the scene."

Hercules exhaled wearily. He sat back for a moment and thought. Iolaus was silent also, recalling the trials the two men had undergone in the cold Isles of the Dragons.

Then slowly, Hercules readied himself for the descent, looking over the side to find a foothold to start. He looked back at his friend. "This is the last time we spend leisure time together," he said sourly. "We are cursed."

Iolaus looked over the side and then at the cat. "Can't you just magic us down to the bottom?" he asked.

The cat got up and looked over the edge. "Well, I certainly will try. Meanwhile, let us begin our journey." She jumped onto Hercules' shoulder as he swung himself over the side. As he started his descent, she dug her claws into his vest to keep her position.

"Ouch!" he said. "Your claws are sharp!"

"Sorry, I needed to hold on. Hush now, I'm concentrating on a spell of movement," the cat replied.

Iolaus had began to lower himself over the side and find holds on the mountain's craggy rocks. The cat looked up at him and then over at the hero upon whose shoulder she perched.

"All right," she said. "Here goes!"

Both men began to fall. Their bodies were pushed away from the cliffside and they fell headlong down the mountain side, screaming as their fall took on speed.

Then, as they approached the ground, they twisted and landed on their feet on the grass.

"Just like a cat," the tabby said, landing beside them.

The two men still stood immobile, their arms slightly spread out. They crouched as if trying to brace themselves.

"You can move now," the cat said.

"You want to warn us next time?" Hercules shouted angrily.

"I did warn you, I said 'here goes'," the cat replied curtly. It began to trot off. "Come on, we must go."

The two men looked at each other. Iolaus put his hand on his chest. "That took five years off my life," he said quietly.

Hercules nodded. They both glowered at the feline and followed her as she trotted off.

Part 5

From the ether of the gods, Ares scanned the world for his target. He located the hunting party of men, walking along with the two Amazons as prisoners. Valiance walked with men surrounding her. Her hands were bound tightly behind her. Tedras came behind with her own cadre of guards. One had hold of the chain that bound her hands. It was obvious that each movement caused her pain; but she walked along, uncomplaining, gripping the spikes that pierced her hands to keep movement of the spikes to a minimum. Ichor walked along behind.

Kendaa stood behind her lover in the celestial spot, feeling the anger and pain of her sisters as they moved along.

"Bastard," she whispered, as she watched the morbid scene.

Ares shook his head, crossing his arms over his chest. "First Dahak, then Moloch, now this one," he said, "I'm losing my place as the chief villain around here." He turned and looked into the deep green eyes of his lover. "Well, this will never do."

"Are you going to fight him?" Kendaa asked.

"Absolutely not!" the God of War replied. "This is Hercules' fight. I may be a villian with a black heart but I would never intrude in another warrior's fight."

Kendaa rolled her eyes. "I don't think Hercules would mind. For him, this is a job, not a lifestyle. Please, my love, end their suffering."

Ares eyes were dark now, his mood, unreadable. "We will do this my way."

Kendaa turned her eyes away, knowing the tone of his voice meant that his words were final.

Ichor called for the party to stop and the men who accompanied him formed a silent circle around the women, standing at attention. They had not spoken. They did not appear to eat or drink.

"Who are these creatures?" Valiance asked bitterly. She helped Tedras to sit down. The smaller Amazon was pale now with loss of blood, her skirt and vest stained where she had wiped her wounded hands. Tedras said nothing and sat down, putting her head on her knees. Valiance sat down beside her.

Ichor took a seat on the only rock around. He looked at the two women, now at his feet, and smiled mirthlessly. "These are the spawn of vengence, created by my own blood," he said to his wife. "When the men from my ship took my body home, they were so ashamed of me, they did not return me to our homeland. They threw my body into the sea and sailed off to a distant land. My father took me from the depths. He dragged me to the Halls of the Heroes; laughing at me and scorning me. Then he threw me out of the hall with the command to retrieve my honor. I wandered, wounded and betrayed by the woman who was mine to have ... "

"I am not your property," Valiance said angrily. "I will never be any man's property."

"I prayed to any god who would hear me to give me an army to avenge myself," Ichor went on.

"And why do you need an army?" Tedras asked, raising her head. "Hercules has no army. He doesn't even carry a sword. He defeated you once, he'll do it again. You can gather all the creatures you want, you will never defeat him."

Ichor sat silent, looking at the small woman. For a moment, Valiance thought he would strike her and she prepared to intervene; but Ichor only smiled and went on.

"I prayed day and night to be avenged, and then my prayers were answered, but not by the gods of Asgard. A goddess came to me, a woman of stature among the Olympians ... "

"Let me guess," Valiance said sourly, "Hera!"

"Yes," Ichor continued, "the great Queen of the Olympians heard my plea. She took the blood from my open wound and sprinkled it on the ground with her own hands. When she did, there sprang up warriors of souless strength, marked with the runes of darkness. Sword, spear, or arrow cannot injure them. Now I have an army of men, small in numbers but stronger than any army known." He looked over at the men standing silently. "I am ready to meet Hercules without the interference of mortals to spoil our reunion." He gazed at Valiance.

Valiance snorted disgustedly. "So what is your plan? Where do you intend to take us from here?"

"To the one temple in the Amazon Nation," Ichor replied. "When I have defeated Hercules, I will rededicate the temple to Hera. Hera's army will stay there to see that it is undefiled by other, lesser gods and to rule over the Amazons in Hera's name."

Valiance hung her head for a moment. Then she spoke. "I will go willingly with you now. I will serve you like a slave if you will release Tedras and go with me to the North."

"No, Valiance," Tedras said, putting her hand out on her friend's shoulder. "No."

Ichor laughed at her attempt to divert him. "You will be my victory prize, my wife. I want Hercules' blood on my hands. Also, do you think I would miss the pleasure of cutting a swath of blood through an army of women? I want to show your new-found sisters what a true warrior is like." He laughed out loud. "An army of women! What a thought."

Part 6

Hercules and Iolaus realized that even as they traveled, magic was at work. The three had covered ground quickly.

"We're heading into the Amazon Nation," Iolaus remarked as he followed Waart in her tabby form.

"Yes, Ichor is heading there," the cat replied. "He is going to the temple, to meet you there. I want to get there ahead of him to warn the Amazons not to put up a fight. He won't attack first against women. He's too proud to do that, but if they take up arms against him, he will attack with his army."

"He's got an army?" Hercules said, stopping in his tracks. "You failed to tell us that."

"Would it have stopped you?" Waart said, sitting down in the path. She curled her tail around her, and licked her paw.

"No, but ... "

"We like to know what we're up against," Iolaus said, finishing his friend's thought.

"Well, now you know," the cat replied. She started out down the path again. "Come on, it's only a mile or two now." The two men followed, grumbling.

The Amazon Council was gathered in the main hall. The Queen sat on her throne and many of the sister soldiers had gathered in the hall at the coming of the sorceress and the two heroes.

Waart stood, having now assumed her human form, in front of the Queen's throne. She was dressed in her traditional pale robes, her white hair was tied back in a tail. On either side of her stood the Greeks. Hercules towered over the others. His face was grim.

"Queen Apollena," Waart said quietly, "I have come to warn you of an impending threat to the Nation. A man called Ichor comes this way. He is on his way to our temple to do battle with Hercules. He has with him a small army of invincible creatures, armed and very dangerous. I believe at this time, if you do not fight him, he will not attack our sisters. At the outcome of the duel, I do not know what he will do, but I beg you not to attack him when he comes. I think it would be best if we wait and see how the duel comes out."

"Is there any question who will win?" Lessa said, stepping forward.

"I will do my best," Hercules said, meeting her gaze, "and I defeated him once, but nothing in this world is a sure thing."

There was murmuring in the crowd. Many warriors began to protest the idea of not mounting a defense, but the Queen raised her hand when Laurissa stepped forward.

"Sisters, I was with Kendaa and Tedras when Hercules fought this man," she said. "I can tell you that he is a formidable opponent. Perhaps Waart is right. We should let Hercules deal with this man."

"You put us in a difficult position, Hercules," Apollena replied. "The best defense is a good offense."

"Queen Apollena," the hero replied, "I can't tell you how sorry I am that I have brought this problem to your Nation. I do not want this fight, and I would do anything to keep it out of your territory."

"Then go meet this enemy outside our borders," said one of the Council members. Hercules looked at Waart.

Waart shook her head, sadly. "Unfortunately, this is not just about Hercules," she said. "This man was Valiance's husband. She was betrothed to him when she was just a girl. She does not love him but he feels that she is his property, so along with killing Hercules, he has sworn to take her with him back to the Northern lands. In planning this campaign, he has struck a deal with Hera."

At that, Hercules turned to the small woman, glowering. "You also failed to tell us that part."

"Would it have stopped you?" she replied again.

"No, but again that is not the point!" Hercules added, groaning at the thought.

Iolaus sighed loudly, and shrugged. "Is there anything else we need to know?"

"I'll tell you as I think of it," Waart answered. "I'm doing the best I can. I'm not a soldier!"

"Enough," Apollena said, ending the squabble between the sorceress and the two heroes. "The temple is located, as you know, on the outskirts of our lands, at the site of the original temple in the forest. We will prepare a defense of our villages, here. If they go to the temple and leave the villages in peace, I have no quarrel with them as long as they leave afterward."

"And if they take Valiance with them?" Calico asked. "Are we now so afraid of war that we would let one of our own be stolen as if she were some kind of object?"

"Of course not," Apollena replied. She glared at Calico who smiled back, knowing she was getting the response she had hoped for. "I will send the Forum members to the temple with Hercules. They will go only as escorts at this time. Take to the trees, and stay well covered. This Ichor and his army will have to pass through dense forest in order to get to the temple. Keep an eye on the intruders and send word to me regularly about what is happening." Queen Apollena waved away any further discussion. The Council said nothing more and the sister soldiers began to leave the hall. Forum members gathered around the three people.

Calico hugged Waart who looked embarrassed. "Sorry I had to visit under such circumstances," she said.

"I'm just glad you're here to help. I thought you weren't going to practice the dark arts anymore," Calico said, smiling.

Waart grinned. "Oh, uh ... well, it's so hard to get away from it."

Bwell and Chantal stood on either side of Iolaus. "It seems," Chantal said, putting her arm around Iolaus' waist, "that we spend most of our time with you getting you out of trouble."

Iolaus winked at his friend. "It does seem that way, doesn't it."

BonaDea stood next to the Son of Zeus. He smiled at her and put his arm around her shoulder. "How are you, Dea?" he asked her. "I don't see you much."

"Council matters, and I have volunteered to be the head of trainers for the young ones right now. I didn't know that it would take so much time."

"A woman of importance," he answered, squeezing her gently.

"A fool, more like it."

The Forum members went to their huts and armed themselves quickly. Now a small army of forty or so headed out of the village of the Queen toward the temple. Evening was coming on as the group left the village and headed east.

"Has anyone seen Kendaa?" Calee asked as they marched off.

"No one has seen her since last night at the mess hall," Laurissa replied. "Her bed was slept in." She turned to Klio beside her and whispered. "More like her floor was slept on."

"Well, that explains it," Klio replied. "She's with my father. I wonder if he will have any part to play in all this?"

"Considering how close he is to his mother," Laurissa answered.

Klio glanced at Laurissa. "Oh, yes. Just like that." She held up two fingers crossed. "Close. Very close. The whole family is. I must remember to send Granny something."

"Poison, perhaps?" Laurissa replied.

Klio nodded and the two laughed.

The war party reached the forest and the Amazons prepared to take to the trees. As the two men bade their friends and allies goodbye, Hercules pulled Hygea aside.

"Do you sense anything?" he whispered to her.

"The voices are confused," she replied. "They are fearful of this man and his army." She turned to him and looked up into his blue eyes. "But I have faith in you."

He smiled and kissed her on the cheek. "Thank you."

She threw her rope up into the trees and disappeared with the others into the foliage.

Hercules turned to Iolaus who was watching as Bwell disappeared. In the confusion of the moment, no one had noticed that Waart had changed back into the tabby cat. The two men saw the small animal sitting and waiting. Iolaus sighed and started off toward the temple.

"Come on, furball," he said, as they walked off.

Part 7

Ichor stood on the hill overlooking the villages of the Amazon Nation, spread across the plain below. He turned to his army. Tedras was now too weak to stand. The magic chains that bound her in her present form seemed to be sapping the strength from her as much as the loss of blood. Valiance now carried the small Amazon in her arms.

"Behold your new kingdom," he said to the silent men around him. He smiled a grim smile. He headed down the hill with the men of the army surrounding the Amazons.

"Strange, I thought your sisters would come out to greet you," Ichor said to Valiance as they crossed the plain's edge toward the forest.

"Perhaps they were forewarned. They're not fools," Valiance replied.

Soon the band crossed the plains and went into the dense forest that surrounded the temple. The marching went slower as they made their way through the forest beneath the canopy of the trees.

Tedras lifted her head and put her lips close to Valiance's ear. "Do you see them?" she whispered.

"I see them," the tall woman replied quietly.

From the trees above, the Forum war party observed the band as it made its way toward the temple. The warrior women glanced at each other with frowns of anger at viewing Tedras' condition.

The old temple had been rebuilt from the stones and other materials of the different temples and shrines that the Amazons had erected to their gods. It was not the great stone edifice that was there originally, built before the Amazons had conquered the lands. That temple had been razed along with others to consolidate their spiritual center to one building. Stone made up the walls of the round building and great wooden beams held up the roof of thatch and wood. Altars ringed the inside of the structure. In the center of the roof was a hole to let in light and let the smoke of the offerings and candles escape to the sky.

Hercules and Iolaus sat in the empty building now. The only light in the building were the large torches that stood on either side of Ares' altar. Hercules looked around.

"This temple reminds me of the roundhouses of the North," he said.

Iolaus nodded. "We've been a lot of places, done a lot. It's been a great adventure together," he said quietly.

Hercules looked over at his friend. "You sound like it's over. You going somewhere?"

Iolaus smiled. "No, you?"

"No." He looked around. "See how fresh that rabbit is on that altar over there. We can start a fire and eat."

Iolaus went over to the rabbit and smelled it. "Probably this morning. You really want to take one of Hera's things?"

"Why not, she's taken about everything of mine," his friend replied, starting a fire in the altar hearth to Hephaestus. "Heph won't mind if I use his altar to cook. He's not much for altars anyway."

The two men dressed the rabbit and put it on a spit, using stakes from branches in the forest. They waited for the rabbit to cook in silence. Hercules looked at the sword that Calico had given him. It was a good, sturdy sword made for a large man. Calico kept it razor sharp and highly polished. It was the only possession she had left from her life with her hunter. He thought about his own wife and children, a thought that was never far from his mind. He was lost in thought, watching the fire, when he looked up to see Iolaus looking at him.

Hercules frowned. "I was ... "

"I know," Iolaus said.

"Maybe today I'll join them," Hercules said quietly, looking back into the fire's light.

"Don't think that way!" Iolaus exclaimed. "You'll win! You'll win because you always win, and because you've won once against him already. And besides ... you have to win because I don't want to do this by myself." He looked at the rabbit. "It's done. Let's eat."

"Your favorite phrase," his friend replied, laughing.

"Other than 'yes, mighty hunter, I would love to sleep with you,'" Iolaus added. They both laughed.

They ate in silence and then washed up with water from the skin they had brought. Hercules went outside and looked at the sun's position in the afternoon sky. The sun would soon set.

"Any time now, Ichor," he said. "I don't have all day. Well, actually I do." He sighed and went back inside. Iolaus was looking over the altars, seeing what was offered to the different gods.

"This is interesting," he said, as Hercules entered again. "Ares and Hephaestus have no offerings but their altars are clean and well cared for. The metal is polished and the candles are new. Aphrodite has ... " he looked at the mound of gifts on the altar; there was sweet foods prepared in someone's kitchen, trinkets of jewelry and bouquets of flowers, "stuff. Artemis has greenery and small weapons." He picked up a knife, newly made. "This is gorgeous. Someone labored long and hard over this metal."

"And Hera has dead animals," Hercules observed looking over her altar. "There's blood on the altar. That's only appropriate." Iolaus came over to look at the array of offerings.

They were looking at the smears of gore that blotched the broad, ostentatious altar when a chill ran down Hercules' spine. A shadow fell over the floor from the door and both men turned at the same moment to see Ichor standing in the door.

"It is only fitting that you should be standing at the altar of Hera," he said quietly. "I will cut off your right arm and put it on her altar as my token to her."

Hercules and Iolaus looked at each other. "You have to kill him, Herc," Iolaus said, flatly. "It's a moral imperative."

"I did kill him," Hercules replied, irritated. He walked over to Calico's sword and picked it up, sighing. "Let's get this over with."

Part 8

Ichor stood in the door of the temple, casting a long shadow into the large open room. Hercules walked over to where Calico's sword lay on the ground and picked it up, weighing the weapon again in his grip.

"This time," Ichor said, "I see you plan to use a decent weapon." He stepped into the room. He was followed by the first of his men, and behind them came Valiance with Tedras in her arms. Hercules and Iolaus looked at the wounded Amazon, responding with looks of horror at her tortured condition.

The tall hero dropped his sword and both the Greeks came toward the two Amazons. As they approached, the eerie warriors drew their arms.

"Let them pass," Ichor said. "These soft-hearted men have to blubber over a few cuts and bruises." He motioned to the warriors and they formed a circle along the walls of the room. Ichor walked over to the altar of Ares and hoisted himself up on it, sweeping aside with one arm, the candles that were on the altar. He lounged, waiting.

Hercules went to Valiance, taking Tedras from her arms gently.

"Gods almighty, what have they done to you?" Hercules asked, carrying her over to the altar of Hephaestus and putting her down on the stone table. Iolaus moved aside the candles as the tall man lay the Amazon on the altar.

Hercules was examining the wounds in the small woman's hands. He felt the surge of rage at this senseless cruelty.

"The spikes are magic," she whispered through cracked lips, "they keep me in my human form." Her face was blank with fatigue. "I'm so tired." She lay her head down on the altar's surface and closed her eyes. Then the tabby cat who had come in unnoticed, jumped up on the altar beside Hercules.

"Oh, my," she said softly. "How awful."

"Can you help her?" Hercules asked. "I will try with all my heart and skill," Waart said. The cat touched one spike with her nose and then drew back as if it were hot. She hissed angrily. "The magic metal drains her life force," Waart said.

Iolaus looked over at Valiance, who stood glaring at Ichor. He went over and handed her a water skin. She looked at him and took the skin from his hand, drinking deeply. Then she smiled at him.

"They captured us in the forest at the foot of the mountains," she said. "I'm so sorry to have brought this creature into your world ... I never ... " She struggled for words.

"This isn't your fault," Iolaus replied quietly. "We know a bit about what is going on. Waart told us about his coming." He put his hand in hers and squeezed it gently. "Hercules is more than a little upset about this whole thing, and that was before he saw Tedras."

Valiance smiled weakly. Hercules looked at her. "I'm just so sorry," she said again.

Hercules' eyes hardened with anger. "This isn't your damn fault," he growled. "I'm so sick of creatures like this and Hera. They do whatever they please without any consequences." He turned back to Tedras, stroking the wounded woman's brown hair gently. Then he turned and went back to where the sword lay, picking it up.

"Let's get this over with," he whispered through clenched teeth.

Ichor jumped down from the place where he had been relaxing. He came over and faced his opponent. "This time I will not lose."

"No more talk ... fight!" Hercules replied.

Ichor drew the sword from the sheath on his back. As the metal cleared the scabbard, he began to glow with an unearthly light. Power emanated from him and he smiled grimily.

"I have been given the power of the gods," he said. "Like I said, this time I will not lose." He laughed and readied himself now in a crouch, the sword poised before him. Hercules raised his sword in the dimming light of temple, preparing to meet his opponent's onslaught.

It was already becoming difficult to see in the large room. The torches by Ares' altar began to sputter as the two men squared off, then everyone jumped as the torches flared, sending bright light into the room.

A flash of lightening struck the War God's altar and then, standing on the altar was Kendaa, her hands on her hips and a massive sword strapped to her back. She was not dressed in her traditional Amazon war garb but was dressed now in a black leather short skirt, high boots and tight vest. All were studded with the small silver pattern of the Lord of War.

Another flash brought a large black panther to her side. It leapt down off the altar and walked slowly over to where Tedras lay, springing up on the altar to smell her. It let out an angry cry, baring its teeth and glaring at Ichor with cold green eyes.

Kendaa jumped down off the altar and walked over to where Hercules stood. She took the baldric from around her chest that held the sword and held out the scabbard so that Hercules could draw the mighty weapon.

"The Sword of War," she said quietly. "I dare not touch it myself. Ares offers it to you, Hercules, to assist you in this fight."

Hercules handed Iolaus the other sword and put his hand on the hilt of the famous weapon that had waged a thousand wars. He drew out the blade and as it was finally drawn, he began to glow with a red golden hue. His eyes developed an unusual hardness, and his face became devoid of emotion. He swung the sword around in an arc and smiled mirthlessly at Ichor.

"Apparently even my half-brother, Ares, doesn't like you. That's not a good sign," he said, taking a fighting stance.

Ichor lunged at him, thrusting the sword before him. Hercules parried it easily. The fight was on.

Part 9

The deadly fight between the two warriors, both armed with unearthly power, was one unlike any that anyone who knew Hercules had ever seen. A chill went up Iolaus' spine to see his friend, usually so peace-loving, take a grim delight in the combat. Hercules had a mirthless smile on his face as he parried and thrust at the other man. Ichor glared at his opponent, watching Hercules' eyes to predict his next move.

The fight wove in and out between the altars and around the poles that held up the vast roof of the structure. Hercules' easy grace would have made the casual observer think that the duel was just for practice, but all who were there knew that one of these two men would not leave this field of battle alive.

Ichor sliced out again and caught the hilt of Hercules' sword, knocking it from his hand. With a flip of his wrist, Hercules called it back and it sprang into his grip again. The tall Greek laughed.

"You know, this is fun," he said. "I believe my half-brother is right! I should explore my dark side." He slashed downward at his opponent, driving Ichor to his knees, but he did not relent as would have been his usual pattern. He continued to drive his advantage mercilessly, leaving Ichor to defend himself with quick responses so as not to be carved in two. Then Ichor saw his opening and rolled away from his enemy, jumping to his feet and running over to the altar of Hera.

"Come on, little Greek boy," he taunted, "come, let me spill your blood on Hera's sacred spot."

Hercules smiled again. "Perfect," he whispered. He followed the Norseman over to the gory altar and engaged him again. The two grappled at close quarters with swords crossed, and struggled to gain the top position. They twisted and turned, groaning at the effort as they fought. Ichor began to glow more intensely and seemed to get the upper hand. He pushed Hercules against the altar, forcing his sword closer and closer to the Greek's neck.

Hercules never changed expression. His face still had a look that was almost bored even as Ichor's blade brushed his neck, bringing blood to the surface. Ichor's eyes gleamed as he saw the blood.

Iolaus watched the two nervously. He looked at Valiance and then nodded once, moving over toward Tedras and picking her up off Hephaestus' altar. The panther moved aside to let the warrior pick up the woman then he lay back down in the altar, cleaning a massive paw and watching the two men fight.

"I think we'd better move outside," Iolaus said. Tedras was barely conscious. She hung limply in his arms as he carried her out.

The warriors of Hera did not move. They stared ahead, not even watching the fight that would decide their fate.

Kendaa, Valiance, and the tabby cat followed Iolaus out. Iolaus put his charge on the grass and looked over at Waart. "Can't you do anything to help her with these spikes?" he asked.

"I've been trying!" she replied. "I've gone over every spell I can think of. These spikes hold a powerful magic!"

Iolaus looked up at Kendaa. "Get Ares! Maybe he can free these things."

"He can do nothing without his sword," she said. "He can't even change back into a human form. If Hercules loses, Ares loses everything. Ichor will take the sword and become the new God of War."

Valiance sighed as she sat down by her friend. "Gods," she said quietly. "What a horrible thought."

Kendaa turned to go back in the building when a scream from inside split the air. It was followed by another, and then a whimper, and silence. Kendaa stood for a moment, then looked back at Iolaus and the others. She turned to go back into the building when Hercules came to the door, covered with blood. The panther stood next to him growling.

Hercules looked at his friends. "I have made my first and last sacrifice to Hera," he said. "Oh, except for the head, I left that on his altar," he added, looking down at the panther. "Thanks for the sword." He dropped the gory weapon by the huge cat. As he did, his countenance changed back and a look of horror came over his face. He looked down at his blood soaked vest and his hands covered also with blood. The hero shut his eyes tightly for a moment, as if this could drive the memories out of his head. Then he opened his eyes and looked at his friends who stared back, not knowing what to say.

Hercules walked past the group and into the forest. "I need to be alone," he said quietly as he walked past Iolaus. His friend nodded, frowning at the hero's pain.

The panther touched the sword with its nose and transformed into the dark God of War again. He picked up his weapon and examined it. "This has been both a comfort and a curse," he said as he looked at the bloodied steel. He wiped it off on the grass and sheathed it, then he came over to where Tedras lay. She was near death now. He took one spike in his hand and in a flash of light, it was gone. He quickly did the other. As the spikes and their chains disappeared, Tedras' cheeks filled with color again and she opened her eyes to see the God of War kneeling over her. She looked at her hands, healed now by his actions, and smiled.

"Perhaps what they say is not true. You're not so bad," she said quietly.

"I know, but don't tell anyone. I have a reputation to maintain," Ares replied. He stood up. "Now, I'd better go deal with my mother's soldiers."

Tedras got up. "Wait, let me help you with that," she replied.

As she spoke, she began to transform. In the space of a moment, a huge blue dragon towered over the humans. The graceful reptile looked down at her friends and then put her head back and gave a bellow that made the humans cover their ears. She inhaled deeply and then turned to the temple and spewed a flaming breath so hot that the building's roof was consumed almost instantly. When she was done, nothing was left but the stone of the walls and altars, and smoldering ashes.

Ares crossed his arms over his chest and gazed at the ruins. "Excellent," he said. "Clean, quick and complete. I could have used you at the battle of Corinth."

Epilogue

Hercules sat alone on a log by the river. He had stripped off his blood soaked clothes and washed himself in the cold water. It was a chilly night, and he shivered slightly in the moonlight as he sat wearing nothing but a loincloth he wore beneath his leather pants. He sat looking down at the ground. His mind was of a jumble of images, and conflicting feelings coursed through him. He ran his fingers through his hair and sighed, feeling like he was going to be sick again but he knew he had nothing more in his stomach. He'd been retching for over an hour as the final scene replayed itself in his head.

He was just about to get up although he wasn't sure what he would do then. He didn't want to go back to his friends, but all of a sudden, he didn't want to be alone. Then suddenly he was dressed and a campfire appeared before him, warming him. He looked up to see Ares leaning on a tree, staring down at him.

"You are the last person I want to see," Hercules said, sourly.

"I know," Ares replied, laughing softly. "Believe me, I know. But I am possibly the only person who can help you."

Hercules laughed now, too, although the sound was desperate. "All the more reason why I should throw myself in that river and drown."

"Oh, don't be ridiculous," the God of War said. "You and I, we have many battles left to fight and years to go before we rest. We are not so very different. We're like the two sides of a coin."

Hercules stood up suddenly. Now he was filled with rage. "I'm not anything like you. I don't want to fight with you. I don't want anything to do with you or any of the gods!" His voice broke in agony. "Get away from me," he cried. "I wish I had never taken that sword from you!"

"Is that when your anger started? Really?" Ares approached his half-brother until they stood across from each other in the firelight. "You tell me that it was only after your hand touched that sword, and not before, you had the desire to kill Ichor. You tell me that if you hadn't taken up that sword, you would have never killed him. You tell me that, and I swear by my Godhood that I will leave and never, ever, cross your path again." He looked into the blue eyes with his own dark gaze.

Hercules stared back. His expression was a tense mixture of anger and pain. Moments went by as the two men squared off.

"You're right," Hercules said finally. "I would have killed him. I did it before and I'd do it again. Because I had to. I had to stop him," he whispered.

"And there you have it," Ares said stepping away and pacing around the clearing. "That is your dilemma and mine. I don't make the wars in this world, but I channel men's energies because war is within them whether they like it or not. You don't make the cruelty and injustice, but not a week in your life has gone by that you did not use your fists. You've injured more than you can count. You've killed more than you'll say." He looked over at the other man. "You say we make our own fates, but you know in your heart that that is not entirely true. We are handed a part to play. How we play it determines how we will be judged. I know you had to kill Ichor, one way or another, because your two lives were bound together. He was evil and he had to be dealt with." Ares sighed, and put his hands on his hips looking around the clearing. "Unfortunately, he won't be the last."

Hercules was suddenly very weary. He sat down again and warmed his hands, feeling exhaustion wash over him. He looked up at the dark man whose life was so intertwined with his own, for what reason, neither knew. "I don't remember if I thanked you for letting me use your sword to defeat Ichor," he said tiredly. The words sounded so hollow.

Ares smiled sadly. "You did thank me. But it wasn't the sword, or your skill, that defeated Ichor." He paused. "It was your wife's blood. The sword had the blood of the hind on it." He turned and disappeared. "In the end," said his voice, "she saved us both."

Finis