Castlewarming Chapters 101-110
by Hercules Forum Collective
Chapter 101
by Shambalayogi
Ioannes brought his horse to a halt at the crossroads. He knew which way to
go but he had some thoughts about his journey. He had hoped to stop going
places for a while after he returned to Corinth at the end of last summer.
He had spent 3 years in India and wanted to stay in Corinth for a while
just to be home without having to go anywhere. He had gone to India after
his first wife Chloe died. Their children were all grown up and after
Chloe's long illness he wanted to go to Indian to visit merchant friends
that were suppliers for the family business. He had heard of some of the
ideas that were spread by teacher there. He wanted to see and hear them for
himself.
He hadn't gone to meet women. Not that he couldn't be interested and he was
an attractive man who had gotten used to the admiring glances of women. He
wasn't very tall but a rather slight build for a man. But he had a wide
forehead, with a sweeping head of brown curls and large, thoughtful blue
eyes. The blue eyes were more serious than humorous. In the ashram in
India, he met a Greek woman named Shamba who had riveted his attention the
minute he looked into her piercing light green eyes. She was not young but
she was close to his age. He had fallen in love with her somewhat against
his own will. She had come to feel the same way. She had been in India for
many years and never married since her family indulged her in whatever she
wanted to do. But he had to return to Greece to take over the business as
his father was old and she decided to go back to Greece also. They couldn't
travel together at that time so they agreed to meet by the next spring
equinox in Corinth.
Shamba didn't have to meet him until almost 2 months away. But she had been
traveling alone and there were rumors of bands of warlords roaming the
country side in the area she would probably come from.
He had been in the army when he was twenty years younger but he had
different feelings about serving in the army now. His brother, Ithacus,
served in Iphicles' army. Ithacus had never been interested in the family
business anyway and Ioannes' own son and their sister Isolde's son and
daughter were interested as well. Ioannes decided to leave the business in
the hands of their best staff and see if he could find Shamba and maybe
some information about what was going on. There was nothing official coming
out about the battles from the government in Corinth. He had a sword but he
couldn't imagine using it. Still, he knew if it was life or death he could
kill if he had to.
He urged his horse out onto the road and slowly road away from Corinth.
Before Eeyoraus could answer her, Aquillea moaned. "I think we should get
Aquillea back to camp and get RainCloud to check on her wounds."said
WikeWike. "She's right" said Shoshana, " and I'm sorry I blamed you for her
being hurt. She said she saw someone or something out there and told me not
to leave my post that she would take care of it. So you see, your not to
blame for any of this." "Thanks Shana," Eeyoraus said, " I think we are all
on edge and will be until we can see all of sister's are alright and we are
all back in the same place. Let's help get Aquillea back to camp." With
that they carefully picked her up and started back to camp. WikeWike went
just ahead of them and as they were just inside the camp she called out,
"RainCloud, and Kendaa, please come over by the fire Aquillea has been
hurt." Just as she had finished saying this, Iolaus came down the path from
the bathhouse and heard what she said about Aquillea, and was by her side
in a heart beat. "Let me see," Iolaus said," I've seen a great deal of
wounds in my time and I know I can help her." "Iolaus, the best thing you
can do for Aquillea right now is hold her hand and talk to her," said
Eeyoraus, "What she needs most is to know you are here and you care.
RainCloud can take care of her wounds, you take care of her heart. She does
love you, you know." " I know," said Iolaus, " And I love her as well. I
just want to be able to tell her that." Eeyoraus put her hand on his
shoulder and told him,"Just stay with her after RainCloud us finished and
tell her how you feel when she wakes up, first thing."
She watched as Iolaus took Aquillea's hand and walked with RainCloud to the
spot the healer wanted to work. next...
Iolaus watched as Eeyoraus and Raincloud went over to the next person
needing RainCloud's attention.
He sort of nervously looked away from them and found himself looking
straight into Shamba and Arkie's stares. They suddenly looked away and
found something to be busy with. All the other Amazons seemed to be busy
with some important task-poking fire embers, checking packs already packed,
drawing maps in the dirt ….
He looked into Aquillea's face, one that was very dear to him. He held her
hand between both of his.
"Lovely Quilla, because you are very lovely. I'm sorry I've never told you
that before. Very lovely and beautiful…." He wasn't sure he could do this
well, but he had to do it. He knew her physical wounds weren't very
serious, but he had to say this to help her.
"I also think you're funny and strong and a great fighter …. It's just that
it's so hard for me to say how I feel about anything much less about you.
But I love you and I want you to come back to us okay, no, …. I want you to
come back to me …. "
He put her hand to his lips and his eyes began to fill with tears. He
repeated more softly ,"I do want you to come back to all of us but most of
all to me…. " He bent and kissed her gently on the forehead, … cheek … and
finally the lips … And then he let himself weep a little …….
No one was trying to listen but some of the sisters couldn't help but
overhear. It was hard to have a private life when you were always together
with each other all the time. Amazon lives and relationships couldn't help
it .
Aquillea stirred …. Gave a great sigh ….opened her eyes to Iolaus and
smiled …..
Before Aquillea opened her eyes she had started to come to, and heard
everything Iolaus was saying to her. She could hardly believe what he was
saying, but she knew it was from his heart. Aquillea prayed that this
wasn't a dream and that Iolaus was really here. As she opened her eyes she
smiled because it wasn't a dream he was standing over her telling her he
loved her! "He loves me," she thought happily, "now what do I do?"
Eeyoraus' words came back to her, "Just tell him how you feel." "Iolaus,"
said Aquillea, That was all she could say before Iolaus lips claimed hers
in a soft but powerful kiss. Her head reeled. She never thought it would
feel so right and so wonderful. When Iolaus finally raised his head she
said, "Iolaus, I do love you. I don't why I couldn't tell you before."
"That doesn't matter now," he said, "We know it now and that's all that
matters." He bent down once again and their lips met, this time with a lot
more passion.
As the other Amazons went about their duties they couldn't help but smile.
Eeyoraus had mixed feelings. She was very happy that Aquillea and Iolaus
were finally together, but she was a little jealous. She really did like
Iolaus and wanted both of them to be happy, but she couldn't help wondering
if anything like that was out there for her. Little did she know that just
over the next hill rode......
Auto and Joxer struggled with the big, hairy Goon as the small group made
its way to Xena's camp. "Man, what does this guy eat for dinner? A side of
beef?" Auto grunted under the weight of the huge warrior. Joxer could only
groan in reply. Behind them Maddie, greenie and Gabrielle walked and
laughed at the guy's staggering attempts. "Well, you know, we would help
you guys, but seeing how you're big, strong men we thought you could handle
it," Greenie laughed.
"It's too bad we sent Shamba and Arkie back to our camp to get Arkie's knee
tended to," Maddie said. "I think they would have enjoyed this." She burst
out laughing as Auto did a little dance to keep from falling. He looked
back over his shoulder at her and remarked, rather huffily, "I'm glad you
think this is so funny, my dear." Which only made Maddie laugh louder.
The Goon moaned suddenly and started to stir. Without thinking, Greenie
bopped him hard on the head with her warstaff. He went out like a light.
"Way to go, greenie," Joxer said and looked back at her with a smile.
Greensleeves smiled back at him as they all resumed their trek to Xena's
camp.
"You know, greenie, back on the path earlier when we met I seemed to feel a
little tension from you when Joxer appeared," Gabrielle said as she looked
over at her friend.
Greensleeves almost looked shocked. "Me? I don't have a jealous bone in my
body and I trust Joxer with all my heart. Besides, I believe what he felt
for you, and he did feel it, strongly, is past now. He's moved on."
Gabrielle smiled at Greensleeves and put her arm around her shoulder. "Glad
to hear it. I wouldn't want anything to come between our friendship. All
I've ever felt for Joxer is a brotherly affection anyhow. He just sort of
grows on you, you know?" Greenie laughed and agreed wholeheartedly.
"Now, Gabrielle, what have you gotten yourself into this time?" Everyone
stopped. Directly, in from of them on the path stood the tall warrior
princess in all her savage glory. Her arms were crossed over her chest as
she surveyed the little group with a raised eyebrow.
"Xena, you're never going to believe what's been going on," Gabby said as
she moved toward her. "Try me," Xena replied. "Well, you see, it's like
this. It all started when I went searching for firewood."
Shamba lowered Arkie carefully to the ground, their backs away from the
preoccupied Iolaus and Aquillea.
"Thanks, Shamba. Sorry to be such a bother," Arkie apologized.
"Hey, bother me anytime somebody is about to slice my head off," Shamba
laughed as she hugged the dejected visitor. "How’s the knee doing?"
"Sore, but it’s not broke, just banged up pretty good. I wonder how I’ll
explain the bruise when , or if I get back to the future."
"You’re missing your family, aren't’t you?" Shamba sympathized.
"Sure, but I have to tell you, this has been the best time I’ve ever had,"
Arkie exclaimed. "Besides, they won’t be home for a few more days. This
sure is a lot better than sitting around bored to death."
"Let’s don’t use the word death right now, okay?" Shamba offered, then
grinned at Arkie. Sneaking a peek over her shoulder at Iolaus and Aquillea,
Shamba turned back around quickly and grinned even wider. "I guess those
two aren’t worried about anything but each other right
now."
"Good for them," Arkie laughed then rubbed her knee to relieve the
stiffness. "Gee, I bet Herc could ease the tension in my knee," Arkie
giggled.
"Yeah," Shamba chuckled, "but I bet it could create more tension
elsewhere!"
"You are so bad, Shamba," Arkie giggled louder, then sobered for a moment.
"Oh, well, that is a pipe dream."
"What’s a pipe dream?"
"Total, complete, unreachable fantasy. And considering how upset he is with
me right now, I’d say chances are he’d like to really break my kneecap,"
Arkie grumbled.
"What is the problem between you two?" Shamba snapped.
"Time, my friend, a difference in time. Or more accurately, the fact I know
him in...nevermind. I better keep my mouth shut."
"Can I see that red dot thingy?" Shamba asked, trying to get Arkie’s mind
off her trouble with Herc.
"Sure," Arkie replied and handed the laser keychain to her friend and
showed her how to operate it.
Shamba began playing with the laser and laughing at the motions she could
make with it. First she aimed it into the campfire, then raised it above
the flames as if the dot were growing and flying away. That sent the other
Amazon sisters into a crouch of alertness and amazement at the
sight. Then Shamba quickly turned the toy off leaving the others to wonder
about its appearance and disappearance.
"This is soooo cool," Shamba laughed.
Arkie joined in her fun and made a quick decision. "Keep it."
"Thanks, Arkie," Shamba said , then returned to her fun aiming the red dot
onto Iolaus and Aquillea’s lips, once again joined. As the two broke apart,
Shamba covered her mouth to smother her laughter.
"What is that?" Aquillea
"Cupid’s arrow?" Iolaus laughed, deciding the red dot was harmless and also
noticing Shamba and Arkie trying to control their mirth.
"Couldn’t be," Aquillea answered, a seductive grin on her face. "We
certainly don’t need one, do we?"
"Not at all," Iolaus growled then reclaimed her lips.
Arkie glanced at Shamba and Shamba returned the look. Then simultaneously
the two groaned, "Give me a break."
Eeyoraus was dancing around the campfire doing something like an Amazon
Super Bowl shuffle, jumping up with fisted hands in the air and landing
with an exaggerated twist of her hips.
"YES!YES!"She yelled again adding "I did it,Daddy! Back less than 24 hours
and already I did it!"
When she finally came in for a landing,more out of breath than she had felt
after kickin'' some serious goon butt during the battle, a blinding light
and the sound of fluttering wings was immediately by her side.
"Daddy?"
"That's my girl,"Cupid boasted as he materialized in the midst of the too
numb to stun Amazons.
"Daddy?" came the sluggish question from her exhausted
sister-friends."Cupid is your father?" "Oh, yeah. I was just about to
tell you, but I was afraid you wouldn't believe me. But now I guess you
have to."
"I still don't." and "I knew something' strange was up with the girl," were
among the comments her the other women made.
"Well, believe it,"the proud father interrupted"Has been all her life."
"Heh, heh, you still got it, Pops," Eeyoraus grinned as she punched the
young and handsome god in the shoulder.
"I never heard about Cupid's having a daughter. Doesn't that make you a
goddess of some kind?" Arkie asked as she bent over her wounded knee in a
gentle caress. Cupid again answered for his grinning daughter. "Well, you
haven't heard because she been kind of a secret. And she not exactly a
goddess either...because she half human ...half Amazon."
The new friends of Cupid's eldest stirred with renewed interest."O.K. I'll
bite." Iolaus piped in from the shadows where he and Aquillea had been
'proclaiming their love for each other' for some time now. "Oh,please
don't.I have enough bruises already," Aquillea giggled.
"I'd say *she's* feeling better." the campfire group chimed in unison once
again.
Iolaus smiled and blushed"Later,Baby...No really,Cupid, tell us about your
remarkable daughter."
Cupid responded,"Well you have all heard about the time when my mother
tried to keep me away from the woman I loved 'for my own good'.I was angry
and confused and hurting,not to mention hanging with a bad crowd. One night
I drowned my sorrows in the arms of a beautiful Amazon. Idamaus, was her
name. It was a one night stand. She had recently lost the only man she'd
ever loved and I took advantage of her grief. I was young and dumb. What
can I say? Anyway,later I felt badly about it and went back to
apologize.When I found her, I found her holding my sweet daughter in her
arms. She forgave me after some serious begging and we became friends. We
decided to keep Eeyoraus' heritage quiet because you never know how my
mother will react and a besides I was a married man with a son on the way
by then."
"Wow! Uh..yeah..so that makes you Aphrodite's granddaughter. But she's the
one who turned you into a donkey!" Iolaus exclaimed turning to Cupid's
Amazon accident.
" Are you surprised? You know that nothing gets past that old woman and
when she found out she literally blew up. She hated me before she ever
saw me but couldn't resist coming around to check me out. As I got older
she noticed a little if my father coming out in me. I couldn't make people
fall in love, but I knew instantly when 2 people were meant to be
together...then it only took the power of suggestion to make it happen.
Daddy was really proud but Granny (she hates it when I call her that)
forbade me to use my gift. I never liked her anyway so that just made me
more determined. When I was seventeen Aphrodite wanted a man who was
supposed to be with one of my mom's Amazon sisters. I told him not to
forfeit the real thing for a fling with the tram....my grandmother and he
listened. She was sooo ticked! She said if I was going to act like a
donkey that I should be one and the rest is history."
"Well.I'm sure glad you were born and that you showed up when you
did."Iolaus said gently pulling the beaming Aquillea closer to his side.
"Hey, that makes you Herk's great niece."
"...And a great business partner for someone with vision...me," added Sal
who had been studying the ex-donkey all day with profit on his mind as
usual."For only 60% I could make you rich with that gift of yours."
"We've already discussed this....
"YOU!" startled group turned to see an angry looking Aphrodite.
When Eeyoraus began telling her story, there by the light of the Amazon
campfire, Aquillea nestled herself in Iolaus' arms as the pair joined the
others in rapt attention. It was a fascinating story and one of great
significance to them both. But the ordeals of the day, the safe, warm
shelter of the hunters arms, the song of the storyteller began to lull the
weary Amazon into much needed sleep.
Iolaus felt the woman drifting off and his heart leapt with joy. He knew
better than anyone the toll that had been taken that day, that the only
medicine would be rest and time. But he also knew too well how sleep is
often stolen from the tortured souls who need it most. It was an
unbelievable relief to him to feel Aquillea relaxing, dozing off. 'A few
moments more,' he thought happily.
Just then, there was a glowing flash of light that glittered and sparkled.
There was no mistaking the arrival of Aphrodite, the goddess of love.
Iolaus nearly fell backwards as, with a surge of adrenaline, Aquillea
jumped to her feet and immediately placed herself between the goddess and
the obvious reason for her presence, Eeyoraus. The dark Amazon adopted the
same challenging stance she had taken earlier that evening, eyes narrowed,
hands on hips. "You have no business here, Aphrodite," she said.
The look of anger on Aphrodite's face changed to disbelief. Few mortals
would dare challenge a god as this Amazon was now doing. Fewer still ever
gave grief to the goddess of love for Olympus's sake. The goddess didn’t
find herself in this sort of situation very often and she didn’t know quite
how to react.
"Where is the little beast?" the Olympian demanded.
(Little did she, Eeyoraus, know that just over the next hill rode...HERE HE
COMES)
"Just over the next hill," thought Ithacas, as he climbed the the low rise.
He had left his horse tied in a small copse of oak trees down in the small
gully/ravine/arroyo. He was scouting for his unit and had been out the past
day or so. After he looked over this next hill he had to get back with his
report. Sometimes he was a messenger for his commanders but he was also
good at scouting. He was an exceptionally quiet scout. This had nothing to
do with his temperament. He was a middle child between an older brother and
a baby sister so he had always had to try harder to get a little more
attention in his family. Not that he was neglected, but he was always in
the middle!! Maybe that's why Ithacas had decided on the army as a life
instead of the family business. He was more action oriented than his
brother. He was still out in the field much of the time even though he had
been in the army for a few years now.
He chuckled to himself as he thought about his family. His siblings and he
had always gotten along pretty well and still did. It had always galled his
older brother that he was the taller one. His mother kept hoping that
Ioannes would grow taller than he did but it was not to be. Ithacas was the
taller one by a couple of inches. Even the daughter of the family was just
a hair taller than her oldest brother. That was in years past. Now both
brother and sister had children who had grown enough to decide on their own
ways. Ithacas himself had never married although he enjoyed his nieces and
nephews enormously. He was different in other ways also. His hair was a
much lighter color than his dark brother and sister. He got this from his
mother's mother who was from Norseland. Hence his sister's unGreek name,
Isolde.
As he approached the top of the rise, he flattened himself out on his
belly. He carried a long knife ready if he needed it. Only one of many
weapons. The rise ran down into a flat open area for some way. He didn't
see anything obvious but there were two plumes of smoke beyond the trees
that were in the middle of the open area. It could be one of the warlords
or both, who knew. He had heard from the camp grapevine that Xena was also
battling the warlords. His own commanders had said nothing about that. He
was certainly not privy to what Iphicles and the commanding officers knew.
Well, he would get back to camp and report on what he had found. Back down
the hill he half-slid, half-ran to get to his horse.
"Where is the little beast?" the Olympian demanded.
'shana sprang into action. Signaling WikeWike and Raincloud to stay close
to Eeyoraus, Shamba and Arkie took but a second. Gently shoving Aquillea
back into Iolaus 's waiting arms but another. Kendaa raced up beside
'shana.
"Hi Aphrodite" 'shana said cheekily. "Catch any good waves lately?" 'Dite
rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "As if!" the goddess replied. "La
Nina has .. like flattened all the best tubes, ya know?" 'shana quickly
agreed and began to discuss surfing technique.
As she was flailing her arms around in order to explain a new method of
staying upright on the clamboard, 'Dite suddenly realized two things. One,
'shana and Kendaa were leading her away from the rest of the Amazons and
two, she looked like an idiot flailing around like that.
Aphrodite came to an abrupt halt. She turned around, faced the camp and put
her hands on her hips. "What are you looking at?" she demanded. The
warriors were trying very hard not to smile. They knew full well Aphrodite
could be … spiteful when angry or embarrassed. "We were just admiring your
grace and beauty … and seeing visions of you gliding across the waves …"
Salmoneus gushed.
'Dite once again rolled her eyes. "Not you again? Can't you get a real
job?" Salmoneus pouted, then brightened. "Of course! That's it!"
Kendaa jabbed Salmoneus in the ribs. "What's it? What the heck are you
scheming now?" Salmoneus ignored the Amazon as he mumbled to himself.
'shana turned back to Aphrodite. "So, what brings you here tonight? Not
that we're tired and want to get a little sleep before tomm – today rather,
but what can we help you with?"
Aphrodite repeated "Where is the little beast?"
Kendaa winked at 'shana and said "Little beast? Which one are you looking
for? Strife's not here, we haven't seen Discord lately, I think Callisto's
on vacation and Velasca's got her own show now." Aphrodite began to twitch.
"Were you looking for a pet?" Kendaa continued "This is a war camp. We only
have warriors, healers, horses and well .. Salmoneus."
Salmoneus looked up at the mention of his name. "I have a proposition for
you, oh graceful one …." 'dite spat "Will you leave me alone?" Salmoneus
continued … "But listen … what you need is a promotional tour … I can
arrange for you to be seen in all the right places (for a small fee of
course) and .. " Aphrodite began to look intrigued as Salmoneus continued …
