Castlewarming Chapters 181-190
by Hercules Forum Collective
Chapter 181
by Madhatter
Let's see what we can do to help," Maddie calmly said as she removed her
hat. Reaching inside, she withdrew...
a small metallic device which sprang open into a tiny grappling hook. "Gift
from a friend," said Maddie with a Cheshire cat grin. She swung it around
her head by the attached cord and it lodged tightly on one of the support
beams. With a spirited "YEE-HAA!" Maddie took flight. Within seconds her
boots made firm contact with Strife's back, sending him reeling across the
platform and through a setpiece wall.
"This is just perfect," Ares purred in Discord's ear.
"How so? The two of them are beating the snot out of him?" Discord replied.
"Oh, I seeing the cover of the 'Enquirer-Star-Examiner" next week," said
Ares. "Yes, 'Crazed TV star goes Bonkers on Set'! That should shut this
whole place down and put an end to my brother's acting career. Besides,
I never did get my full share of the syndication rights."
"What are you babbling about?" asked Discord.
"Just come along with me, my dear and I'll explain everything," Ares
replied. With a bright flash, the two vanished.
Hercules and Lyrical were slightly embarrassed, but recovered quickly.
Iolaus gave Hercules a hug and then hugged Lyrical. "I'm glad to see you
looking so well Lyrical, and it's great to have you both back." said
Iolaus.
"It's nice to be missed and we are glad to get back. We need to end this
thing and quickly." said Hercules.
Lyrical smiled at Iolaus and then excused herself. She started over towards
Aquillea and the others in the circle. She gave Aquillea a hug and smiled
at her friend. "It is so good to see you again. I really missed everyone.
How much of what happened with me did Angel tell you?" Lyrical inquired.
Aquillea started telling her all of the things Angel had passed on to her
and the other sisters. About her health and how she was getting stronger
and something about heightened powers.
She didn't go into much detail and said that Lyrical would fill her in once
she got back.
"Well I guess that's my cue to start talking," laughed Lyrical. She started
to explain how before her injury, she would get a feeling that something
wasn't quite right, or she had been some place before even though she
hadn't, or when you just know someone shouldn't do something or go
somewhere because something bad was about to occur. "Now, as it turns out,"
she continued" I know when anyone is around me. In other words, you can't
sneak up on me anymore." Lyrical laughed. She went on to say, her
telepathic powers are limited. She can't read minds but she can get a
general sense of what a person is thinking if they are worried or
frightened. "So don't think I can read every thought. That can only happen
with someone else who has the same power." Lyrical said.
" You mean like Angel or Aphrodite?" asked Aquillea
"Yes, and that holds true for any god or demigod. It is limited though, I
can't communicate with more than one person at a time." replied Lyrical.
She went on to tell her dear friend, what happened in "the meadows" to
bring she and Herc back.
"So, after the fog lifted, I knew we had to get back right away." said
Lyrical, "Now, why don't you tell Hercules and Iolaus more about this crazy
plan to sacrifice yourself and Xena to a Warlord, considering they will be
your back up."
Sometime during her explanation, Hercules and Iolaus had joined the circle
as did Eeyoraus.
Aquillea introduced the two women, and told Lyrical about the boy and his
family.
"Perhaps I can help with the boy some how," she said, "Eeyoraus, would you
take me over and introduce me, please?"
Eeyoraus took Lyrical by the hand and they started walking toward the tent
where the boy was waiting outside. Xena started to stop them, but Aquillea
said, " Don't worry, Xena, Lyrical is great with children. She takes care
of them in the Amazon camp. It's her main duty. If anyone can help him,
it's Lyrical."
" Well from what she just told us, I'm glad she is on our side. I look
forward to talking to her when all of this is over." said Xena.
The group once again started to plan their strategy against the warlords.
"Does anyone have a plan ready to present?" asked Hercules.
"Well," said Aquillea, " I have the start of one and with your help I'm
sure we can come up with the rest."
"If this has anything to do with you being a hostage for that warlord, you
can put that plan right out of your mind." stated Iolaus.
"Now Iolaus, I know how you feel. I feel the same protectiveness toward
Lyrical, but we have to let them be who they are. After all, isn't that why
we love them?" said Hercules.
"Yea, but I don't see Lyrical walking into an enemy camp and giving herself
up as a hostage either." stated Iolaus.
"Iolaus, I won't be alone. I'll have Xena with me the whole time. So, with
you and Hercules and part of the Amazons, as back up, how can I be in any
real danger?" Aquillea asked. "Besides, there is more to this than just the
boys family. We need to plan how to get the hunters back, and keep Stygnos
and Maloran's from joining forces. If no one has any objections, I will
finish the remainder of my plan"
Shoshana and Phaeleon looked up when they saw Eeyoraus and Lyrical
approaching.
"So don't worry, ok?" 'shana quickly said as she grasped the boy's arm in a
swift handshake.
"What are you doing here?" Eeyoraus inquired. "I thought you have plans to
make ... or brawls to plan."
" Hi Lyrical! Glad to see you're back, and looking better than ever."
Shoshana continued with a small smirk " I take it Herc is back too?"
Lyrical blushed as she replied, "He's back, and I'm glad to see you too!"
Eeyoraus began tapping her foot in response to 'shana's obvious
conversational diversion.
"Hi Eeyoraus!" Shoshana began to stroll away from the trio. "Gotta go ...
see ya later!"
"But ..." Eeyoraus began to sputter. Lyrical laughed and said "I'm sure
we'll find out in due time." Eeyoraus worriedly asked the healed Amazon,
"But what about your new powers? Can't you tell what she's up to?" Lyrical
replied, "No .. she's not worried and she's mortal".
Eeyoraus introduced Phaeleon and Lyrical.
Phaeleon looked away and refused to answer when Eeyoraus began to question
him about his conversation with the tricky Amazon.
Shoshana continued across the Amazon camp. Once she reached by her
campsite, she swiftly gathered her weapons and pack. Everyone was absorbed
in getting ready for the battles ahead and therefore no one was paying
attention to what she was doing.
After gathering her things 'shana approached Kendaa. Shoshana cleared her
throat and Kendaa whirled around. "Jumpy?" 'shana asked. "No" Kendaa
replied."Just didn't hear you walk up." "Can I talk to you for a minute?"
'shana asked the Amazon leader. "Sure" Kendaa replied.
Kendaa and Shoshana walked a short distance away from the others.
"Look," 'shana began, "we need to get the men from the village back from
their hunt, right?" Kendaa nodded in agreement. "They've been gone, what, a
couple of days already?" 'shana continued. "Kendaa, I have a map, and I
know this countryside pretty well. I've spoken to Phaeleon, and I've got an
idea of where the hunters ought to be by now. As a matter of fact, they
very well may be on their way back home ... and we can't afford to have
them ambushed. Not only will we need the hunters for the coming battles,
the villages will need the meat they are bringing back if they are to make
it through the winter."
Kendaa looked relieved as 'shana went on "I'm volunteering to head the
hunters off before they get ambushed. I can divide them up, send a portion
off to secure the winter provisions, and have the rest meet the rescue
party at the farmhouse." Kendaa replied, "That would be great. That's one
less thing to worry about - now that I know you're going to warn them, I
can concentrate on battle plans." Kendaa continued under her breath "and
making sure Aquillea doesn't get herself killed ..."
Kendaa and 'shana clasped arms in the traditional Amazon farewell. "Be
careful .." Kendaa admonished. We're going to need your skills for the
upcoming rescue." Shoshana pretended astonishment. "Me? Not be careful? And
miss a brawl? Not a chance!" Kendaa grinned at her fellow Amazon. She knew
'shana pretty well, and knew that the Amazon could take care of herself
easily. Still, she worried. Anything could happen.
As Kendaa walked back to her previous position in the planning circle,
'shana quietly made her way to the outskirts of the camp.
Shoshana turned for one last look at the camp. Lyrical, Eeyoraus and
Phaeleon were watching her leave. Their faces were a study in contrast.
Eeyoraus was obviously worried, Lyrical looked peaceful, but the big
surprise was Phaeleon. He had the beginnings of the first smile she'd seen
him display yet.
Phaeleon gave 'shana a thumbs up. She returned his gesture with a wink.
Striding to the surrounding forest, 'shana signaled the closest patrolling
Amazon. The Amazon drew closer. Shoshana glanced once again back at
Phaeleon and said to the Amazon, "Make sure nobody follows me." The Amazon
nodded and continued her patrol.
Quickly gaining the shelter of the trees, 'shana stopped and looked around.
No one was visible. She rapidly climbed the nearest tree and began her trek
on the Amazon high way.
As 'shana made her swift and silent way through the trees, she pondered her
options and calculated the timing for her next move.
After traveling for a while, 'shana looked down at the farmhouse.
As she studied the farmhouse, outbuildings and surrounding territory,
'shana rummaged in her pack. "Found it!" she thought in relief. "Who'd a
thought this would ever come in useful?". She pulled a squashed up bundle
of brightly colored fabric from the depths of the battered pack.
Shoshana continued to rummage in the seemingly bottomless pack. At the same
time, she was making mental notes about where and when the guards patrolled
the perimeter of the farmhouse.
She knew she didn't have much time before she needed to head off the
hunters. Kendaa was counting on her to make sure that the rescue party had
sufficient back up.
As she examined the fabric and decided on the best method for implementing
her plan, Shoshana was momentarily sidetracked by her concern over the
strange disappearance of a number of her fellow travelers. Especially the
one with the odd name, Arkie. She shook off her concerns and turned the
retrieved outfit inside out.
Shoshana thought back to what she had learned from the boy. A particularly
evil grin crossed her face briefly. If her plan worked, both the rescue
party and the guards would be in for a surprise. And for the guards, it
wouldn't be a pleasant one.
As she pulled various other items from her pack, 'shana continued to plot.
Finally, she had almost everything she needed. Only one more item was
needed and then the game could begin.
Shoshana watched as the guards continued to patrol. So far, she'd seen no
sight of Maloran or Phaeleon's young siblings. She hoped they were still
ok. She mentally corrected herself. She hoped Phaeleon's young siblings
were ok. As far as 'shana was concerned, the worse Maloran felt, the
better.
Time was passing quickly. 'shana repacked her bag, with the essential items
on top. She slithered quickly down the tree.
Avoiding detection, she rapidly approached a fallen log just off a
footpath. Changing direction and counting her steps, she continued on until
she saw the boulder she'd been looking for.
Shoshana placed her weapons and pack on the ground, well within reach. With
a deep breath, a prayer and a shove, she managed to move the boulder. But
it wasn't enough. Centering herself, she prepared both mentally and
physically for another push. "If I wanted to shove rocks around," 'shana
mumbled "I woulda stayed home on the farm ..."
With one last effort, 'shana edged the boulder the rest of the required
distance. Under the rock was a manmade hole with a ladder conveniently in
place. The Amazon grabbed her belongings and scrambled down the ladder. The
underground area was very dark. 'shana wished she had that magic light
thingie she'd seen used earlier. Reaching carefully, 'shana found the torch
near the ladder. She quickly lit it and looked around the store room.
Ahhhh... there it was. Phaeleon's father would be quite surprised if he
knew Phaeleon knew exactly where to find his not so secret cache of
moonshine. Shoshana didn't care how he knew, she was just delighted that he
did know.
'shana popped the top on the nearest jug and took a healthy swig.
When she could breathe again, she exclaimed "Great stuff! Wonder where he
gets it?"
She quickly took a last, healthy gulp before opening the lids on three
other large jugs. "I really hate to waste good 'shine like this ... but
it's for a good cause ..." Shoshana opened her pack and grabbed the items
packed on top.
The white powder was poured into the four large jugs, the inside out, very
large tanktop replaced the tunic she'd been wearing. 'shana then replaced
the jug lids.
Now she felt she didn't look like an Amazon at first glance anymore. She
was also glad she'd turned the shirt inside out - Hercules wearing just
grapes on the front might have provoked a little more attention than she
was ready for.
'shana wasn't very comfortable wearing the tanktop - it was much more
revealing of her assets than she had realized it would be. She rapidly let
her hair down from its normal Amazon knot. Now she felt a little more
covered - her hip length hair made her feel more secure. Little did she
know it also was much more provocative than just the falling off shirt and
hair in a knot ...
Shoshana gathered up her things and repacked her bag. As she did so, she
glanced around, checking to make sure she hadn't dropped anything. She knew
she couldn't carry everything up the ladder in one trip. She also knew her
bow, quiver and sword would be a dead giveaway to her plan. Leaving her
large weapons at the base of the ladder, she ascended with two jugs. She
returned to the underground room and put the pack on her back. She then
grabbed the two remaining jugs, blew out the torch and rapidly returned to
the surface.
'shana put the jugs down briefly. After brushing the hair out of her face,
she took a deep breath and moved the boulder back to its original position.
She brushed the hair out of her face again and reached down and picked up
the four jugs. She was glad she didn't have the six she originally planned
to doctor up - four were all she could manage. Carefully maneuvering,
'shana worked her way noiselessly back to the farmhouse perimeter.
She had timed her entrance perfectly. As she pretended to struggle with her
heavy burden, one of the guards walked up. "Hey!" he called. "What do you
think you are doing here!" As he walked up, 'shana could see his eyes bug
out and his jaw drop. "Here we go" she thought.
Rapidly recalculating, 'shana realized the guard was actually more
interested in her liquid assets, rather than her physical ones. "Hi!" she
called to him. "I'm here with the weekly ... umm ... delivery." Shoshana
held her breath while she waited to see if he was as dumb as he looked.
"Hey - is that the real stuff??? Real 'shine? We haven't had anything
stronger than ale in forever!" He was as dumb as he looked.
"Yessss, it is. But it's not for you. I'm here to deliver this to the
farmer who lives here. Where is he, by the way?"
The goon suddenly remembered his instructions. "Never you mind little
missy" he said with a leer, finally noticing the Amazon's attire. "I'll
just take those jugs off your hands ...." Shoshana pretended to struggle
with the guard, eventually letting him have the 'shine. She'd remember him
for later though - she wasn't amused at his taking the opportunity during
the struggle to check out her personal assets. "Wait!" she called as the
guard turned away "Who's going to pay for all that shine? I want my dinars!
Give me my dinars! Now! I want my dinars!"
"Quiet!" the guard growled "before I take both the 'shine and you!"
Shoshana debated that for a heartbeat. It would get her in the farmhouse,
but at this point in time, it was more important for the 'shine to be in
the farmhouse and she, herself on the way to warn the approaching hunters.
'shana backed up as the guard looked around to see if anyone had noticed
the exchange. Before he could turn back to her, the Amazon had disappeared
back into the forest.
He scratched his head, shrugged one massive shoulder and carried his
newfound wealth back to the farmhouse.
'shana scrambled back to the boulder. She grunted silently as she once
again moved it to reveal the cellar. She climbed down, changed back into
her Amazon tunic, put her hair back up, grabbed her weapons and rapidly
climbed the ladder.
For what she hoped was the very last time, 'shana moved the boulder back
into place.
Shoshana took one more look around before obliterating her tracks and
climbing the nearest tree.
Angel awoke with a start. She sat up quickly not aware of where she was at
first. She had the feeling something was wrong. "Good," she thought, "Ares
is still sleeping. I guess I was wrong, if he's still here & asleep, he
can't be in trouble, or causing it!" That thought brought a grin to her
face as she continued to muse about the way he had of trying to put one
over on her so he could start trouble. Once in awhile he succeeded, but
usually she could tell when he was up to something. Angel couldn't shake
the feeling that something was wrong. "Well" she thought, "what do I
expect, with what happened to Lyrical, Eeyoraus finally being made
woman/Goddess again, Aphrodite's attitude, & Destiny being highly upset
about the timeline & the Chronos Stone, there is a feeling of unrest
everywhere. At least Ares isn't causing it this time!" She looked over at
him. He was still (& probably always will be) an exceptionally
well.....uhm.....proportioned man. That was the problem she sighed, every
time she thought he'd really changed into something really bad, or thought
he'd been exceptionally cruel to someone, he'd end up showing her a side of
him she thought no longer existed. It was hard for her to stay mad at him
for long, but this did not mean she wouldn't make him suffer when he
deserved it! She knew that she would always stand by his side, defending
him when he was right, chastising him when he was wrong.
He moaned in his sleep suddenly & Angel got the impulse to read his mind &
find out what he was dreaming. "No," she thought "that wouldn't be right.
He deserves his privacy, too. But, it was tempting."
She continued to think of him, wondering what the future would hold. Though
most people thought the Gods would live forever, Destiny had once let it
slip that not all would survive forever. Angel was sure that if Destiny
had her way there would always be the three of them- Renae, Destiny &
Angel. If that were true, then there would always be Ares, too. Angel would
see to that!
Ares turned over at that moment, displaying his nicely formed back &
backside. If she continued with this line of thinking, she grinned again,
they would never get back to the others. She would wake him up, but not
to get dressed & go!
Suddenly she started to get this feeling of urgency, along with the feeling
that something was wrong, again! There had to be something more going on.
She started to get dressed.
"Cut!!!" I said CUT!!!" Rob yelled and the sheer volume of his voice
stopped Maddie in mid-attack against Strife. "Have you all gone over the
edge?? This is a TV show!"
Maddie jerked around to look at Arkie strangely, mouthing "A TV show?"
Arkie jumped immediately and ran the short distance to her friend and
grabbed her arm to try to restrain any further attacks. It was more
important that Maddie be aware of what Arkie had just overheard between
Discord and Strife.
"Everybody take five," Rob grumbled as he headed toward Maddie and Arkie,
now surrounded by everyone on hiatus from New Greeceland.
"Maddie, if you've got that stone, now is the time for us to take a trip,"
Arkie whispered urgently, Rob's face turning redder with each step he took
toward them.
"We can't leave Strife and..." Maddie protested.
"Then he can come with us, but Discord and Ares are gone. They plan to use
our....enthusiasm to destroy Kevin's.....Hercules' good name. Look we have
this thing called the media...ah, the scribes that love to dish out dirt on
heroes,....never mind, let's get out of here," Arkie insisted.
"You!" Rob commanded, "Stop. I wanta talk to you," he yelled, his finger
pointing straight at Maddie.
"I wouldn't do that Mr. Tapert," Arkie suggested, wincing. Maddie's face
was now getting as red as his.
"NOBODY points a finger at me like that," Maddie seethed. From somewhere
the Chronos Stone appeared in her hand.
"What are you doing with that prop? Don't you know how much those things
cost? I've spent a fortune making those things and they cost plenty.
Between Hurst and Campbell I'll have a patent on them..." Rob raged on
With a blinding flash of light and gale force wind, the New Greeceland crew
disappeared.
Kendaa and the rest of the Amazons and the assembled battle party braced
themselves against the sudden blowing wind and shielded their eyes from the
brilliant blaze of light.
"We're baccckkk!" Maddie announced joyfully.
"It's about time," Kendaa grumbled. "Who's the new guy?"
Suddenly she started to get this feeling of urgency, along with the feeling
that something was wrong, again! There had to be something more going on.
She started to get dressed .
She was almost dressed & ready to wake Ares up. "Darn, " she thought,
"where are my boots? There they are, on the other side of Ares." She
reached over his sleeping form to retrieve them.
Suddenly, his hand came up & grabbed her arm. This startled her so much,
that she fell down on top of him! In a flash he rolled over so that he had
her pinned beneath him.
"Ares! " Angel exclaimed, "you scared me half to death! Will you get off
me?" She tried to roll him off her, but he had her effectively pinned down.
She could barely breath, much less move!
"Where do you think you're going?" he asked. "Were you going to just get
dressed & leave me here?" His voice took on a sarcastic edge and he
continued "baby, if you leave me, I'll feel so used! We can't have that
now, can we?"
"What in Tartarus are you talking about? Ares, will you get off, I can
hardly breath! I was not going to leave you, you know it takes me longer
to get dressed than it does you!"
Ares lifted some of his weight off her, but didn't move. "I think you had
every intention of leaving me here! You brought me here to keep me busy &
once you wore me out, you were going to leave me!" He pouted.
"Ares, I have no clue what's gotten into you, but get over it! You
brought me here, remember?" Angel's eyes narrowed. "What were you
dreaming about just before you woke up?"
This question caught him off guard " I uh, I'm not really sure. It was
so confusing, one minute we were here, & you were kissing me, next you were
gone & I couldn't find you!" He stared at her accusingly. "You were going
to leave me, weren't you!"
"No Ares! I was not!" she shouted. Angel lowered her voice & took on a
softer tone "Ares, let go of my hands please."
"No way, do you really think I'm stupid enough to let you hurt me?"
"Ares, love" she very softly pleaded with him, "please, I would never hurt
you. I love you, you know that. I don't want to hurt you, I want to touch
you."
He looked into her eyes, expecting to see betrayal or contempt there, but
found only concern. "Promise that you won't try anything. Because then I'd
have to hurt you." Hurt her? Something was definitely wrong with him. He
would never hurt her, any more than she would hurt him. She had to buy some
time & stall him, but from what? What was he going to do? Angel knew that
someone had to have done something to Ares, which means they had plans for
him. She needed to figure this out, before Ares hurt her, himself or
someone else! That meant she would have to play this out carefully. She had
a feeling it had something to do with whatever he had been dreaming.
"I promise," she said. When he released her hands she very slowly & gently
lifted them off the ground & placed one in his hair & one around him so she
could caress his back. "See, I told you all I wanted to do was touch you.
Ares, this dream you had," she tentatively started to question him, "did I
try to hurt you in it?"
"YES" he roared. He started talking so fast she was having trouble
following him. "That was a messed up dream sweetheart. But, it was only a
dream! Don't you understand Ares, I would never hurt you! Neither would
any of the other Amazons, not unless you provoked them!" He had really had
a nightmare! It seemed like everyone they knew was in this dream, & they
were all out to kill Ares. Given the circumstances, she might be a
little paranoid upon waking, too. But, he was fully awake now, & it wasn't
like Ares to be afraid of anybody. There was more to this than just a
nightmare, & Angel was going to find out who was messing with her
Ares mind!
