Castlewarming Chapters 141-150
by Hercules Forum Collective
Chapter 141
by ANGEL
They vanished in a puff of smoke, leaving Hercules & Lyrical alone in the
meadow.........
Hercules & Lyrical watched as Ares & Angel disappeared. Lyrical had a
faraway look on her face.
"Sorry to interrupt, but you look distracted, want to talk about it?" Herc
asked.
"It's nothing" Lyrical replied with a sigh. "I know Ares is the God of War
& all," she looked up at him and continued" & I know you don't approve of
him, but even you must admit they, well, I don't know how to describe it."
"I know what you mean. They seem to fit well together."
"Yeah, that's it. It must be nice to know someone so well, & have loved
them so long, that there's no hard feelings, lack of trust, or jealousy to
get in the way."
Herc thought he saw something in her eyes, but wasn't sure exactly what it
was. Sadness? Jealousy? He couldn't figure it out, but he knew he wanted to
take it away.
They looked at each other in silence. They leaned toward each other
.....and...just as they were about to kiss, a loud rumble came from Herc's
stomach.
Xena gave the 'prisoner' a shove toward a boulder that lay just to one side
of the tent. The boy stumbled to it but stood defiantly facing the dark
woman. "Sit," she commanded fixing her steely gaze. When he still refused
to budge she put one hand on the lad's shoulder and forced him down. "Much
better. Now talk." He made no reply but merely stared angrily at his feet.
"Interesting technique with the bow and arrow you've got there. Who taught
you how to shoot? Your grandmother?" She had hoped to get a rise out of the
teenager whom she suspected had never had his heart in the deed. He glanced
at her briefly then lowered his eyes. 'What are you hiding?' she asked
herself.
"Oh, I see….. You're a tough guy eh? Attacking women from behind trees…..
Yeah, I'm sure your mother is very proud." He flinched a little at that and
Xena knew she had struck a nerve.
"You realize those were Amazons you were shooting at. Considering the way
Amazons feel about men, I'm thinking that was a mistake…..Believe me,
you're in serious trouble here…." Xena thought she saw the start of tears
and softened. "And I just might be the only friend you've got right now."
The reaction she elicited was unexpected.
The desperate juvenile was on his feet, in the face of the Warrior
Princess. He shouted at her in hopeless despair rather than rage as tears
rolled down his face. "Kill me! Go ahead, kill me."
The sight tore at the hearts of all who witnessed it but none more so than
Cupid's big hearted daughter who let out a little whimper. Aquillea was too
far away, so it was the advance guardsman, Ithacus, who put a hand on her
shoulder and shook his head. The time was not yet right. The gentleness in
his eyes was startling.
Completely overwrought now, the child sank back to the stone and covered
his face with his hands. "They're gonna die……They're gonna die……It's all my
fault……They're gonna……"
Xena, struggling to maintain her composure, dropped to her knees beside the
boy. It was all she could do to keep from stroking the long golden hair so
much like Solan's. Instead she grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him,
trying to break through. "Who's going to die? Listen to me, we may be able
to help you, but only if you tell us what's going on."
Ares & Angel had arrived at Hade's castle. They found him just inside the
door. "Angel, Ares, I didn't expect to see you so soon! Is something
wrong?"
"We were just checking to see if you'd found the stone yet. Destiny thinks
it's disappearance has contributed to a lot that's been happening" Angel
told him.
"I know. She blames me for losing it. I have a theory as to where it went
though. Do you want to hear it?" he asked them hesitantly.
Angel & Ares looked at each other both wondering why Hades was being so
unusually timid. "Go ahead" Ares said folding his arms & taking his normal
'yes I'm arrogant, so what' stance.
"Well, ……" Hades conveyed his theory that Discord had used Calee without
her knowledge to steal it.
"That is ridiculous! Calee wouldn't have done that!" Angel was really
getting mad now. She started to advance toward Hades, but Ares stopped her.
"You've got to admit that would be Discord's style," he said.
"But Calee wouldn't do that!" she exclaimed.
"Maybe not intentionally, but unaware she could." Ares attempted to explain
how Calee could have been placed into a sort of trance & not even have
known it. His attempt to calm Angel down did not go unnoticed. Angel looked
up into his face & asked him "do you really think that's what happened?"
"Probably. Look, I don't want to think that Calee would have intentionally
betrayed you either, especially since I let you travel with her when you
were so weak. If she had been in league with Discord or anyone else
willingly, she could have killed you! So I hope that it was without her
cooperation, or she'll be answering to me!"
"Ares, you know, I think you do have a heart under that war-starting
exterior" Hades teased.
Angel cringed inwardly, knowing that Ares would not take that comment well.
Ares surprised her though, not being physical with Hades, only sarcastic.
"No, I'm not getting soft, if that's what you mean, I only protect what's
mine! Angel is one of my Priestesses, even if she can normally protect
herself."
He turned to Angel & said "come on, he hasn't made any progress, let's go
back to the others."
Angel told him they needed to stop by the meadow to see Herc & Lyrical
first.
"Fine" he said as they were leaving, "but I thought you wanted them to
rest?"
"I do, but they're hungry."
"Huh?"
"Never mind, don't ask. Let's just go, I need you to get them some food."
As they left, Ares was muttering something about never getting told the
whole story.
Once in the woods, Gabriel showed Wikewike where she wanted her to look and
what herbs and roots she needed to look for in that area. "Ok, Arkie," she
said, " If you could look between that oak tree and that maple I think you
will find exactly what we need. Here is an example of the berries and roots
we need. I just know you can find them. Also I checked, no poison anything
around that area." "Thanks," said Arkie. She really hoped she could find
what Gabriel sent her off to find. Unfortunately, she didn’t have a clue
where to start looking, and to make matters worse didn’t even know how to
look! She had almost made up her mind to swallow her pride, yet another
time, and ask for help, when something caught her eye. It was over in a
vine covered area and just enough was peaking out from under the earth.
Arkie was about to say something to Wikewike, when she thought better of
it. "I’ll just check this out first and if it's worth mentioning, I’ll give
a shout." Arkie made her way over towards the object and along the way, she
saw a group of leaves that looked like one of the items Gabriel had given
her to find. " I don’t believe it," she thought to herself, " I actually
found one of those herbs so I can gather them as I make my way to the
treasure." Arkie laughed as she pick up the herbs and as she got closer to
the "treasure" it seemed to get brighter." That is really odd," said Arkie
"I wonder what that is." All thoughts of gathering anymore herbs were gone
and Arkie bent down and very carefully, pried the object out of the ground.
"Oh nuts," said Arkie, " Just a dumb piece of green glass. Well it does
have an interesting shape, and I’ll bet Aquillea would like to see it." So
into her pocket went the "glass" and off went Arkie to get more herbs. Now
Arkie's movements had not gone unnoticed by a long shot. Strife was right
there watching her every move. " How can I get that stone and keep dopey
Discord from seeing me get it." he pondered. "She’s kinda cute, for a
mortal. Maybe if I appear to her we could…." "Strife," said Discord, " You
little weasel. did you find the Chronos Stone?" "NO," yelled Strife, " But
even if I had I wouldn’t tell you." " All I can say, you little runt, is if
you find the Stone, it would behoove you to hand it over to me, or else."
"Or else what, " said Strife, " You’ll tell Ares. I don’t think so. He
would have your head. Besides he is off with Angel and hasn’t a thought in
his head for you."
With that last remark, Discord through a fire ball at Strife who ducked and
it hit the trees where Arkie had just stopped to rest. "Oh great, now what
did I do." said Arkie. WikeWike and Gabriel saw the tree and yelled for
Arkie to run for the open field and not to stop until she got there. As
they said this both were on their way to the same field.
Strife and Discord exchanged fireballs for at least an hour before Strife
started to lose and decided to move to a safer location.
As Arkie and the others made it to the field and Arkie asked "What in the
world is going on back there?" "I do believe we stumbled into the middle of
a fight between a couple of gods." said Wikewike. " My guess is Strife and
Discord," said Gabriel, " They are the only two dumb enough to fight in the
range of mortals."
Aquillea came running over to see what had brought the others out of the
woods so fast, and when she found out agreed they needed to put a lot of
space between the gods and them selves.
As they walked back to the camp, Arkie said, " Aquillea, I almost forgot in
all the excitement. I found something in the woods before." As she reached
into her pocket to pull out her find…
The boy fell silent and crossed his arms over his chest in a miserably
defensive way. He stared straight ahead, not really focusing on the warrior
woman before him. Just then, a whooshing sound emanated from deep in the
woods, seemingly from the direction that Gabrielle, Arkie and Wike were
foraging. It was followed by an explosive-like sound although unaccompanied
by any perceivable concussive force.
With a silent nod, King Iphicles directed his guardsman to check out this
newest disturbance even as Kendaa had done the same with Aquillea. She and
Ithacus looked questioningly at one another then back at their respective
leaders. The Amazon really had no desire to go but it was obvious Kendaa
was precariously close to confronting the king of Corinth about his
overbearing manner. As if that were not enough to convince the peaceable
Amazon, she couldn't help but feel the Ithacus seemed to belong at the side
of the spitfire Amazon. Aquillea cocked her head towards the woods saying,
"I've got it." She grabbed her warstaff and took off running.
Aquillea dodged the occasional tree, and jumped a few rocks, finally
reaching the last clearing before the woodland began in earnest. She
sprinted toward the treeline, eyeing a plume of smoke coloring the sky
ahead. It was a relief to see Arkie emerge from the forest with Gabby and
Wikewike hot on her heals. She could just make out the bard saying, "My
guess is Strife and Discord. They are the only two dumb enough to fight in
the range of mortals."
"Strife and Discord? Here?" Aquillea asked. "Why do I think that's not a
coincidence? On the bright side, at least they're preoccupied with one
another for the time being." A misdirected fireball reached the far end of
the glade. "But we should probably give the lovebirds a little privacy."
In a hurry to get back to the interrogation, Aquillea walked well ahead of
the others. Before they reached the tent, however, Arkie had sprinted up to
her. "Aquillea, I almost forgot in all the excitement. I found something in
the woods before." As she reached into her pocket to pull out her find the
Amazon looked at the woman, trying to conceal her impatience. "What could
she have possibly found in the woods that I would care about?" she thought.
The sophist from the future reached into a hidden fold in her clothing and
removed a glowing, green, crystalline object. 'Gods,' Aquillea thought as
she drew to a halt and stared in amazement, "it's the Chronos Stone!'
In the blink of an eye the dark Amazon had snatched the stone out of
Arkie's hand, tucked it into the waist of her skirt, and resumed walking as
if nothing had happened. 'Ooohh-kaaay,' the newcomer thought to herself,
following Aquillea's lead and only half a step behind. She was learning not
to be surprised by the surprising, and she walked along nonchalantly,
silently awaiting an explanation.
Aquillea thought for a moment, unsure how much she should reveal to the
woman. But this was a learned woman, a teacher of the young, and the Amazon
knew she would eventually piece things together on her own. But that might
require questions and too many others would become involved. So the Amazon
explained over her shoulder in a hushed voice. "
The object you've found is the Chronos Stone. It rightfully belongs to
Hades and it must be returned to him. No doubt it's what Strife and Discord
are fighting over. Eventually, they're bound to come looking for it so its
safer for people not to know where it is. If ya know what I mean."
'In other words, keep my mouth shut,' Arkie thought to herself and signaled
her understanding. Then the woman was struck with another thought. "It's a
dangerous thing to be holding on to then."
"I'll have it in Kendaa's hands soon enough," Aquillea said to reassure her
companion. "She'll know the quickest way to get it safely back where it
belongs." As they came within sight of the camp the dark warrior smiled
adding, "We'll definitely have to send you out foraging more often."
Arkie knew an Amazon compliment when she heard one.
Just then a thundering burst of light came from the forest, then another,
and another.
"What's that?!? Oh, gods! Arkie!...Eeyoraus took off towards the
explosions.
Ithacus had to jump to grab her arm. He turned her towards him, very much
against her will.
"You were honest about your lack of logic. I'm guessing it's some of your
relatives...on your dad's side. "He couldn't help but grin at the wildly
emotional woman his strong hands could barely hold back.
"I would laugh IF that had been funny. Arkie and Aquillea are in that
forest and Arkie...well...well, she's not from here." the half-warrior
screamed.
"What that got to do with it? ...Look, honey, there they come." He pointed
her back in the direction she had been heading.
"Don't you 'honey' me ,boy and *don't* ever grab me like that again!"
"I was trying to keep you from getting yourself killed." he explained,
still grinning at the fiery redhead. "and it's been a long time since I was
a boy."
"I'll get myself killed if I want to...BOY" with that Eeyoraus had to stop
and laugh at herself. She knew sometimes she bordered on being
ridiculous." You were right. I suppose."
She quieted a bit, "Maybe, I need someone to look after me...a little."
Eeyoraus tensed at every bump she heard coming from inside the tent.
Ithacus gently took her hand and gave it an understanding squeeze.
" She won't hurt him," he said softly.
"Oh, I know she won't hurt him, I can feel her concern for him. She
doesn't hide it very well.
It's just that he is already carrying so much pain. He is so afraid of
losing all he loves," came the quivering response.
"You interest me," he told her and saw that her muscles tightened again at
his remark. He went on to explain," You don't seem to be telepathic, but
there is some sort of insight you have."
" You have been paying attention, she flirted, calming a little with this
distraction.
" You're right I don't read minds but sometimes when emotions are strong
enough I can feel what someone is feeling... It's not always pleasant."
With that she turned back to the tent and Ithacus could see tears rimming
her long black lashes.
"Please, don't cry. Can't you feel that your pain is hurting me? The
daughter of the god of love turned back to him , forcing a trembling smile.
"What are you? the soldier went on," I mean where do these talents come
from?"
" Well, it's rather along story and I've told it already once today. Let's
just say they run in my family." Eeyoraus wasn't in her usual gabby self at
the moment. It wasn't just the boy's pain and her wonder about Xena's
strong concern for him. She was beginning to realize she had something else
to worry about. She had drawn attention from men before. It was long ago,
but her own feelings haunted her. They were the feelings of confusion.
Knowing how the good and handsome man beside her was beginning to feel she
decided it was only fair to tell him that much of her story.
"Ithacus you are a wonderful man...a good man. I have to tell you that if
you fall in love you're taking a risk. I am Cupid's daughter. My mother was
a strong and fearsome Amazon ,but ,to me, she showed incredible love. I am
an embodiment of that emotion. There are few people I don't love and even
fewer I don't like. It takes a total absence of love in a person for me to
dislike him. I always know when two other people are right for each
other, but I could never know for sure if a man was the man for me."
Icathus was no longer surprised by anything he saw or heard after the
amazing day he witnessed. He pondered the strange half-Amazons words
carefully before he replied." Then you'll just have to base your decision
on logic rather than emotion." He bowed his chest, rather proud of his
problem solving skills.
At that Eeyoraus had to release all else and laugh. " Logic!?! Logic is not one of my strong points." The eyes so filled with pain just moments
earlier were now just as full of merriment.
As Aquillea and Arkie reached camp, Aquillea searched for the person who
seemed to have the most experience with the legendary stone. She spied
Madhatter who was helping prepare supplies for the battle to come.
"Maddie," Aquillea said in almost a whisper, "where's Autolycus?"
"Where, indeed?" Maddie replied. "He was here with me a moment ago. I have
to put a bell around his neck. He should be close by, though - avoiding any
real work. Can I help?"
"Possibly. You see, we've come to possess a rather interesting item and . .
."
"Have you gotten into stolen goods, 'Quillea?" asked Maddie, her voice
dripping with sarcasm.
"No, I found this in the woods but . . ." Arkie tried to continue but was
silenced by 'Quillea with a gentle jab to the ribs. "Oh, yeah.
Icksnay-on-the-oone-stay"
"What language is she attempting to speak?" asked Maddie.
"Never mind," said Aquillea "this is what this is all about." She revealed
the large green stone as Maddie's eyes opened wide with disbelief.
"I thought we got rid of that! It causes nothing but trouble. Shouldn't
Hades have that?" Maddie asked
"Yes, that's why I wanted Auto to take a look at it. I'm not even sure if
it's real," Aquillea replied.
"Well, let's find his majesty," said Maddie. "If anyone can tell, without
being teleported to who-know-where-or-when, it's him."
"Well, you and Arkie go," Aquillea said. "I've still got some business
here." She slipped the stone to Maddie. "I'm only doing this because Hades
is probably upset enough as it is. If he ever got the idea we were trying
to pass off a fake stone . . . . We'll I'd rather not think about it."
Maddie and the teacher nodded in agreement. "But when I talk to Kendaa . .
. . " "*If* I talk to her Aquillea thought. " . . . . I'll tell her about
this. Be sure Autolycus knows that. I'm trusting you to make sure he
doesn't get creative with this. I'm sure Kendaa would enjoy lunching on
his liver, and afterwards he'd still have to face Hades!"
"So you want me to keep Auto in line, eh?," Maddie asked, eyes twinkling.
"I'm not sure that's possible," the Amazon laughed, "but I will certainly
enjoy the challenge." Arkie smiled at her jovial Amazon friend, the more
serious Amazon, however, did not.
"Real or not, that rock has Strife and Discord all hot and bothered,"
Aquillea reminded the pair. "So watch yourselves!" And with that the dark
woman made her way to the leader of the Amazons.
