Castlewarming Chapters 321-330
by Hercules Forum Collective
Chapter 321
by Lyrical
After Eeyoraus and the boys left, Hercules picked Lyrical up and ducked
into the blind. Once inside, he gently put her down and looked deeply into
her eyes, as if searching for something. "You've changed," he said softly,
" I see a confidence now that wasn't there before. I see strength, courage,
and a bit of confusion. But, mostly I see love and that fills my heart to
overflowing." He bent his head and kissed her softly. She responded
instantly, and the kiss grew turning into passion. Later, as Hercules held
her in his arms, Lyrical said. "I can't believe how much I missed you."
Lyrical smiled as she looked into his captivating blue eyes." I have never
felt so happy and safe and most of all, loved, as I do right now." Lyrical
leaned forward kissed him softly, then pulled away and looked lovingly in
his eyes.
"I'm just glad to see that you are alright. Aside from that bruise on your
cheek, you look wonderful." Hercules said. " RainCloud told me what
happened with Arnon. Do you need to talk about it?"
"There isn't much to talk about. I had been in a battle or two before, but
that was with a whole army of Amazon Sisters, never almost all alone. At
first I was terrified. But I started to remember the hours of training I
had had, and all of the people that loved me and counted on me. I also
thought about you. All the love and trust you gave me, all of the
confidence and self worth you showed me I had inside, I new I could handle
anything with your love in my heart." As she shared her thoughts with
Hercules, tears sprang to her eyes. Tears of joy and love. Hercules held
her even closer letting her know how much she meant to him.
" I wish I could be with you all the time to protect you, even though I
know, especially after what just happened, that you can take care of
yourself. I don't want anything bad happening to you." Hercules took her
face in his hands and said "Lyrical, I love you, even if your hair is too
short." He laughed and Lyrical pushed him over saying " You jerk!" And the
wrestling match began. There was an abundance of laughter coming from the
blind, as the two of them continued to "play". Suddenly, Lyrical froze.
Hercules recognized the look and knew she was receiving a vision from
someone. As he watched he felt a feeling of helplessness come over him.
Despite his strength, he couldn't help her through this. Once it passed he
asked," Another vision?" Lyrical nodded. She had a puzzled look on her face
like she was trying to get something into perspective.
"I just had another glimpse into someone's dream. I think it was Eeyoraus,
but I can't be sure." Lyrical said this with mounting frustration.
"Hercules, I don't understand what is going on. In addition to this vision,
I have a really bad feeling that someone or something is trying to take
control. Of what I don't know. OH I hate this. I have powers that I don't
understand and don't know how to use."
Hercules reached out and held her close to him in order to comfort her.
"I think perhaps we had better call Angel. Maybe she will be able to help
you shed some light on what you have been seeing and feeling. I also
believe that she will be able to help you cope with your powers and relieve
some the frustration your feeling."
"I'm not sure where Angel is at the moment, in fact I'm not sure about
anything right now." said Lyrical. Hercules could hear the tiredness in her
voice and could see the toll it was taking on her.
"Why don't you lie down and get some rest." He said, " I'll go and see if I
can...."
"No! Don't leave me alone!" exclaimed Lyrical, "Stay here with me, please?"
" I won't go anywhere," Hercules said, reassuring her. "Come on and lie
down and I'll stay with you."
Lyrical laid down beside Hercules and he held her close to him as she
closed her eyes to rest. As he laid beside her, Hercules tried to sort out
in his own mind, what exactly he could do to help the women he loved.
Strife walked along in the forest, keeping his head down looking at various
objects to kick around. None of his plans had gone right and he was
furious, well it was time for new plans. These mortals were not going to
get the best of him, he'd show them they could not beat a GOD. He started
to grin and dance around as a plan began to from in his devious little
mind, oh these foolish people wouldn't know what hit them.
Back at the camp RainCloud continued to organize supplies, by the sound of
what her Amazon sister Wikewike had told her the battle was just hours
away. There had been a sound of excitement in ~Wike's voice as she had
talked about it, but RainCloud couldn't help but be apprehensive. She never
experienced the same excitement that ‘Shana and the others had when going
into battle or even talking about past battles. Oh how she wished there
could just be peace, with everyone living in friendship.
As RainCloud lifted one end of a cot, she just as quickly dropped it back
down in disgust, no longer was she apprehensive but rather filled with
fury. She raised her leg, kicked out at the cot, and sent it crashing
across the lean-to. Her anger not appeased she stormed out of the lean-to,
grabbing her war staff as she left. Looking around the camp she spotted
Hercules and Lyrical standing close to the blind. As her gaze rested on
Hercules she saw red, this was all his fault, they wouldn't be on the verge
of battle if it wasn't for him.
RainCloud stormed across the camp making her way to where the two stood,
neither had noticed her approach since they seemed to have eyes only for
each other. She twirled her war staff getting the feel of it, when she came
even with a ceramic pot she swung out with the staff smashing the pot into
a hundred pieces.
The sound of the pot breaking drew the attention of those in the camp who
immediately went into self defensive stance as they looked to see what
happened. Shock appeared on their faces as they watched RainCloud continue
to wreck havoc on any inanimate object that was in her path. Several
Amazons tried to approach RainCloud, however she swung out with the war
staff and they jumped back in time to avoid being hit.
The only other time that they had seen such violence from her was when she
awaked from the dream with her memory back and had attacked Xena. Hercules
knew that if she wasn't stopped someone was going to get hurt and they
couldn't afford that since everyone was needed for the battle. He slowly
made his way to RainCloud, her back was turned as she destroyed the drying
racks for the Herbs. With satisfaction that she had damaged the racks she
turned to seek the next object and spotted Hercules making his approach.
RainCloud's eyes narrowed as she watched Hercules move closer, her
opportunity was here to finish the one person responsible for everything
that had happened lately. RainCloud swung her war staff at Hercules' head,
he quickly ducked and before he had a chance to straighten, she had swung
again catching him behind the knees. Hercules went down with a thud,
looking up just in time to roll as the staff was once more aimed at his
head. Jumping to his feet, he felt pain once more as the staff connected -
this time in the right shoulder. Spinning around he raised and kicked out
with his leg knocking the staff from her hands.
RainCloud dove for the staff laying on the ground not more than three feet
from her, however she was not quite quick enough and was tackled from
behind by Hercules. Swinging her arm backwards RainCloud's elbow connected
with his mid section knocking the breath from him, and giving her the
chance to get to her feet. As Hercules got to his feet, he raised his arm
in time to block a kick from RainCloud with his arm. She continued to kick
as he continued to block, blow by blow. Hercules noticed the fatigue
beginning to show on RainCloud's face, however there still seemed to be an
unusual amount of power in each of her kicks.
Hercules suspicion increased as he looked in RainCloud's eyes and noticed
that they looked very different, they were not the eyes of the healer that
he had come to know. "What's the matter Hercules? Am I too much for you?"
snarled RainCloud. "Strife, enough of your games." said Hercules as he
ducked and spun around avoiding the next kick. With the force of the kick
and missing her target RainCloud lost her balance and stumbled. Hercules
reached for her from behind and found himself flying over her shoulder,
landing hard upon the ground. Recovering he swung his own leg out knocking
her to the ground. RainCloud lay still and not moving. Strife exited from
RainCloud's body and jumped to his feet looking down in disgust as it
appeared his fun was once more over. Hercules was also on his feet and with
a mighty swing he connected with Strife's jaw sending him sailing through
the air. Strife landed against the trunk of a tree, shaking his head to
clear it, as he slowly got to his feet. He looked up and noticed that
Hercules was approaching, he knew that now that he was no longer in
RainCloud's body there would be no protection against Hercules fury. Having
reached this conclusion he knew that it was time to leave, and didn't waste
any time in disappearing.
Hercules turned and started walking toward where RainCloud lay on the
ground, a group of Amazons had gathered around her. He knelt by her and
felt her faint pulse, reaching down and gathered her in his arms and with
Lyrical by his side they made their way toward the lean-to.
Hercules gently lay RainCloud on the cot just inside the lean-to, she had
begun to stir a little as he arranged a pillow under her head. Lyrical went
and got a cool cloth to put on her forehead and started calling her name
softly "RainCloud, open your eyes." RainCloud let out a weak moan as her
eyes started to flutter open, everything seemed blurred at first and then
slowly started to focus. As her vision cleared the events of what had just
happened started to come to her, she raised her eyes and looked at Hercules
in a panic.
Hercules seeing the look on RainCloud's face began to reassure her. "It
wasn't you, Strife decided to play some games once again." "Why me, that's
twice now that he has used me or involved me in his vicious activities."
cried RainCloud. " I could have hurt you or someone else."
Lyrical began to sense the conflicting emotions in RainCloud, she was angry
with Strife but more so with herself. "How could I do this, all you have
ever done is helped us." said RainCloud turning her head away from Hercules
in embarrassment. Lyrical looked at Hercules in concern, with a nod of her
head she got up and left the lean-to ushering the other Amazon's out. This
was a situation that RainCloud and Hercules needed to work out without and
audience.
After a few minutes of silence Hercules placed a hand on RainCloud's
shoulder turning her to face him "I don't blame you and I don't want you to
blame yourself, Strife has been nothing but trouble, he thrives on creating
havoc, you just happened to be in his way." RainCloud was so tired she
couldn't fight the tears any longer, as they started to stream from the
corners of her eyes, Hercules gently lifted her in his arms and held her.
She cried until she could cry no longer, all the while Hercules just
continued to hold her.
With tears spent RainCloud weakly hugged Hercules "I want to Thank you
Hercules, I only hope that someday I can be as forgiving." Hercules helped
RainCloud to lay back down on the cot, exhaustion taking over she was
almost asleep. "There is one thing I'd really like." whispered RainCloud
with eyes closed. "What's that RainCloud" asked Hercules. "I'd give
anything to be a God for a day in order to teach Strife a lesson." Hercules
had to agree with RainCloud for Strife was over due for a lesson, but he
was sure that could be accomplished without her becoming a God and he was
going to have to give this some thought when the battle was finished.
Lyrical was at Hercules side as soon as he came out of the lean-to " Is she
alright?" Wrapping his arm around her shoulder Hercules responded "She was
better emotionally, but I do think someone should check her for injuries."
"Why don't I go and do that while you get a some rest." said Lyrical.
Hercules held Lyrical for a few moments longer, he knew that they would
soon have to part again when the battle started. Lyrical desperately wished
that the battle could be avoided and that she and Herk could just go away
and be alone. She cherished the few stolen moments that they had been able
to have so far but she wanted more. Hercules cupped Lyrical's face and
slowly lowered his head until his lips touched hers, he intended to keep
the kiss brief however as soon as their lips touched a flame seemed to
ignite. With reluctance Lyrical was the first to pull away saying "You
won't get any rest at this rate, and I need to see to RainCloud." Running
her hand from his shoulder and on down his chest she gently pushed him
away, her gaze never leaving his face. " Come see me before you leave." she
whispered.
Lyrical went in the lean-to and checked on RainCloud. She found her sound
asleep. She really didn't want to awaken her, but Lyrical knew she needed
to check RainCloud for any injuries. Being as careful as possible, Lyrical
checked her arms, legs and head. Aside from a couple of bumps that would
probably turn into a bruise or two, RainCloud appeared to be fine. Lyrical
was just putting another cool cloth on RainCloud's forehead, when she
opened her eyes.
"Will I live?" she asked.
"In my expert opinion," laughed Lyrical," I don't even have a clue.
Seriously, RainCloud, you appear to be fine. Nothing but a couple of bumps.
Is there anything I should be doing for you, that I'm not aware of?"
"You are doing just fine. What I would really like is for you to get some
rest and stop fussing over me." said RainCloud.
"My doesn't that sound familiar. Just reverse the roles and I do believe I
said something similar to you not long ago." teased Lyrical, " May I
suggest that you take the advice you gave to me and just let me help you so
you get better. Now, I promise to get some rest as soon as you go back to
sleep. Until you do, I'm not moving."
"Alright, alright," RainCloud giggled, "How can I fight my own words. I'll
go back to sleep and believe me it won't take long."
With that, RainCloud closed her eyes and drifted back to sleep. Lyrical
watched over her sister until she was sure she was asleep. She knew that it
would be a very long time before she could even hope to get any sleep.
Lyrical had so much on her mind she wondered how she would ever get it all
sorted out. She hoped that Hercules was using this time to catch upon his
sleep. With the impending battle just hours away, she knew he would need as
much rest as possible.
In her own mind, the thoughts were so jumbled and confused she was having a
very hard time sorting them all out. Closing her eyes she put her fingers
on the sides of her head, and started to rub her temples. Concentrating on
the last vision she had had she wondered what it meant and what she was
supposed to do about it. In addition to the vision, though, was that
horrible feeling that someone or something was trying to control a
situation. What that situation was, however, was a complete mystery to her.
About the only thing she was sure about, was this unknown being, was very
evil. Lyrical opened her eyes and went over to check on RainCloud. She was
pleased to see that she was sleeping peacefully. Lyrical smiled and quietly
left the lean-to.
Once outside, she took a deep breath and stretched all of her muscles.
Instinctively she knew someone was standing behind her and had a very
strong feeling who that someone was.
"I thought we agreed you were going to go and get some sleep." she said.
"I tried, but I just couldn't seem to get comfortable with out you lying
beside me." said Hercules as he wrapped his arms around her.
Lyrical leaned back against his strong chest and sighed. She then turned
and faced him, pushing him back so she could look him in the eye and said,
"Now you listen to me, buster, you are going to find a cot and get some
rest even if it means I have to tie you to the darn thing. Now move."
With that she turned him around and started pushing him toward the lean-tos
to make sure he got the rest he needed. Once she found an unoccupied one,
she pointed to the cot and said,
"Get in there and lie down and try and get some sleep. I have to see if I
can locate Salmoneus. I want him to find Eeyoraus and the boys so we can
get them behind those city walls as soon as possible. That’s the only way I
know they will be safe."
She turned to leave, but didn't get far. Hercules reached out and caught
her by the arm and pulled her into his. He bent down and captured her mouth
with his own in a soft loving kiss. Lyrical's arms went around his neck for
an instant, then traveled across his shoulders and onto his chest where she
firmly pushed away from him.
"Hercules, please don't make this any harder than it is,” she pleaded, “ I
want you to go into that battle fully rested so you are at your best. If we
keep this up, you won't be doing any resting at all and then I'll worry
my self sick because....." Lyrical never finished her sentence. Hercules
once again took possession of her mouth and this time wasn't taking no for
an answer. He picked her up and was just about to enter the lean-to
when......
"Oh, sorry!" Joxer exclaimed as he and greenie interrupted Hercules and
Lyrical. "We were lookin' for ya Herk, but didn't mean to intrude."
Hercules put Lyrical down with a soft sigh of resignation. Looking into her
beautiful eyes he said in a low whisper, "As always duty calls, my love,
but it won't be for long, I promise." Lyrical reached up to caress his lean
cheek with her slender hand. "Not too long, I hope." She placed a soft
kiss on his sensual mouth, then resolutely turned away. "I'm going to check
on the boys while you three talk." She smiled at greenie and Joxer as she
left the lean to.
"Hercules," Greenie started as she moved forward into the lean to, "Joxer
and I thought it might be best if we take the children back to Antianos
where they will be safe. If we could get Eeyoraus to go along with us I
think the children will be more well behaved." Greensleeves hesitated a
moment, then went on. "Is RainCloud alright?"
Hercules ran a hand through his golden brown hair and sighed loudly. "Yeah,
she's going to be fine. I really hate what happened. It was Strife up to
his old tricks again. You would think he would give up his silly games one
day, but no such luck."
"You know, Herk, with him causing trouble here and RainCloud not quite up
to par, maybe you should stick around for a little while longer," Joxer
said. "Greenie and I can take the kids back to town and get them out of
danger. I think you may be needed here more than in town. Besides the
battle isn't going to be for a few hours yet. What do you think?"
"Sounds like a plan to me, Joxer. Come on, let's go tell the others." They
left the lean to in search of Lyrical and Eeyoraus. They found them on the
other side of the camp near the blind. The children were playing a game of
tag, while Eeyoraus, Lyrical and Salmoneus looked on.
The laughter of the children rang out in the background as Hercules
informed everyone of the new plans. Lyrical smiled at the thought that she
would have her love nearby for a while longer.
Greensleeves stepped forward and pulled the radio from her belt. She handed
it to Lyrical and told her what it was used for. Quickly, she gave her
sister friend instructions on how to use it. "Great!" Lyri cried. "This
will really be useful when the battle starts." Greensleeves readily agreed
with that.
Eeyoraus began gathering her weapons and readying the children to leave. In
the late afternoon sun her beautiful long red hair gleamed with soft copper
highlights. Greensleeves noticed the men watching the lovely woman's
movements. Salmoneus looked transfixed. She smiled at the silly look on his
face. Ah, her sister friend was very unaware of her power over men,
apparently. She guessed that came with being cursed to live as a donkey for
so long. Well, no one could call this beautiful woman a donkey any longer!
Soon everyone was ready to go. The children were safely placed on the
horses with the Amazons to protect them. With a final wave, the small group
moved out.
"Go with the Gods, sister friends, and be safe," Lyrical softly said as she
stood next to Hercules and watched her friends leave.
"Thank you, sister," Greenie replied. But in her heart she felt a fear. It
was a feeling she couldn't shake. She needed to get back to Quilla. And
time was of the utmost importance. Moving Kalianna into a ground eating
canter, she hurriedly led the group on its way.
Aquillea sat on the edge of the cot, her head in her hands and her palms
pressing into her closed eyes to help hold back the tears. It would be too
easy to cry and that would only make matters worse. She drew a deep breath
and ran her hands through her hair. Then she interlaced her fingers behind
her head, pressing her forearms hard against her temples as she tried to
calm down and concentrate.
It was the same dream she'd had earlier in the day; worse, but the same. It
now seemed even more likely to the Amazon that she was being given glimpses
of the future. Aquillea prayed to whatever god was playing her benefactor,
"You helped me prevent Iolaus' death. . . . Thanks to you, I didn't fail
him. . . . Please. . . . don't let me fail her!" The recalled vision of
the Amazon dying in her arms assaulted her eyes and she again closed them
tightly to keep the burning tears from falling.
"Stop it!" the dark warrior scolded aloud. Aquillea reminded herself that
there was still plenty of time to alter the course of the Fates. All she
had to do was invent some ruse to delay the woman in Antianos after the
battle, then the threat could be eliminated. 'In fact, even a victory
celebration could give me all the head start I'd need,' she thought then
smiled. 'Victory celebration?'
Musing aloud, she chuckled, "Getting just a little ahead of ourselves
there, aren't we?"
Aquillea's amused smile evaporated when her eyes wandered to the window now
bathed in the shadows of late afternoon. 'How long have I been here?'
wondered the troubled Amazon feeling that RainCloud must have arrived by
now. No one had come to the sleeping quarters to inform her. "Well, of
course not," she reminded herself, "They already knew you weren't here."
She blew at her bangs in frustration and absently watched them flutter.
With a sigh, the dark Amazon stooped to retrieve her newly acquired sword
and peeked up at the doorway somewhat reluctantly. At its threshold,
however, she squared her shoulders and strode down the corridor, the
picture of self-possession. Finally, as Aquillea approached the main
chamber she couldn't help but wonder which way the temperature would swing
when she entered, towards fire or towards ice.
Eeyoraus was delighted with the way things were working out. She was trying
to come up with the best way to sneak out of camp unnoticed and without
leaving the children, especially Pyro, unattended , just when she was told
to pack up and move out. To top it off, she could now have some time alone
with someone who had been with Iolaus and Aquillea and ask all the
questions that now pounded inside her heart. It was obvious that no one had
been mortally wounded yet. Perhaps she could be with them in time to
prevent it. Oh, the gods were on her side it seemed.
She mounted an old red mare behind Pyroalis, feeling very uncomfortable
with having another beast carry her load, but how else could she keep up
with Greenie who seemed to be in one heck of a hurry. She’d have to push
the horse very hard to pull along beside her and get the answers she so
desperately needed. Still it seemed the aging equine animal didn’t mind the
weight or the run.
It took a while to catch her sister on the beautiful Kalianna , but
together the old horse and the ex-donkey made it. It seemed as if the
animal wanted to help. That really made Eeyoraus wonder, but other things
were more important at the moment than getting to know a horse.
When they pulled up beside Greensleeves , the half-goddess motioned for her
to slow down. A look of frustration danced across the Amazon’s face but was
quickly replaced by a tender smile.
Greenie spoke. "O.K. ,what can I help you with Eeyoraus? We really need to
get there as soon as possible."
"I know and that’s part of why I need to talk to you so badly. Why are you
in such a hurry? I know you’re very concerned about something in town. What
is it? What has happened to Aquillea and Iolaus?" She quizzed, speaking the
last name so tenderly it was only Greenie’s own preoccupation that kept her
from knowing the truth.
There was careful hesitation in her sister’s voice when she answered, but
she told the story, in all it’s strange and horrible detail, as quickly and
as gently as she could. Eeyoraus nodded as if she had been there and seen
the whole thing herself and only needed confirmation that it really
happened.
She added another query "Where are they and how are they now?"
The other Amazon, trying her best not convey her own apprehensions to her
sensitive sister, paused mentally to fetch the right words. Her efforts
failed, of course, when the emotion reader looked at her.
"They’re still in danger aren’t they?"
"Oh no. They’re fine. Being tended to in town when I left. Nothing to worry
about." Both women grimaced at the obvious but well intentioned lie.
Eeyoraus dug her heels into the dear old mare who responded with
unbelievable speed and poor, confused Pyroalis held on for life as they
flew towards the city and the objects of Eeyoraus’ affection and concern.
Kalianna slid to a grinding halt in front of the council hall as
greensleeves reined her in. She eased the boy child who had been riding
with her softly to the ground, then swung her leg over and hit the ground
in a run. An Amazon sister was there to take care of her horse. At the
moment Kalianna was the least of her worries.
Greenie burst into the council hall and quickly scanned the astonished
faces there. Her heart slowed as she saw Quilla was among them. Mentally
telling herself to slow down, she quietly walked into the room. Behind her
Joxer, Eeyoraus and the children followed.
"Hey, greenie, glad to see you're back," Iolaus shouted from across the
room where he stood beside Aquillea. "Where's Herc?"
"Well, that's sort of complicated, Iolaus. Let me try to explain." She told
everyone of Strife's antics and the problems that had followed. Everyone
groaned at the mention of Strife's name. They certainly didn't need him
around to cause trouble.
While greensleeves talked with Iolaus, Eeyoraus walked over to greet
Aquillea. In moments they were in a deep conversation, quietly talking in
subdued tones.
Joxer took the children to a quiet corner and started telling them a story.
Greensleeves watched this from the corner of her eye. She smiled to
herself. Knowing Joxer, it was probably one of his many tales of Joxer the
Mighty.
Suddenly, a dark flash of light caught greenie's attention. It was off to
the side and behind Aquillea. Then, before her astonished eyes, it
materialized into an evil looking creature all dressed in black. He looked
at Quilla with hate filled eyes and started to raise his hand. Greensleeves
wasted not another moment. She shoved Quilla out of the way and leapt
towards the apparition. As she did so she saw a blinding streak of light
flash from his fingertips. A cold hot searing arc of pain shot through her
shoulder and she went down in a crumpled heap. With blurry eyes she saw the
figure disappear. Good, she thought as she felt a black void overcoming
her, he's gone. He can no longer hurt my Amazon sisters.
Greensleeves felt everything going black, the last sound she heard as she
drifted away was Quilla's desperate voice. "No! By the Gods. I will not
lose another Amazon Sister!"
When Aquillea had entered the council chamber, the already hushed room fell
utterly silent and every head turned to look at her. It was more than a
little unnerving. The dark Amazon stopped, crossed her arms in front of her
and waited. Iolaus' expression was unreadable as he trod across the stone
floor, but clearly it was not ice he held in his eyes. 'Oh sure,' thought
the woman, 'you expected him to give you the cold, silent treatment? Yeah,
right!'
But Aquillea was never to learn what the Golden Hunter had intended to say,
for just then greensleeves caught everyone by surprise, practically flying
through the main entrance. Iolaus turned to face the new arrival and
immediately inquired about Hercules. Aquillea too had noticed the puzzling
absence of not only the handsome hero but RainCloud as well. As greenie
began explaining the situation at the base camp, however, Eeyoraus was
already approaching her dark sister-friend looking like a fast moving
storm.
Aquillea observed the agitated redhead with concern and a little
irritation. 'Of course she's going to get herself into trouble if she lets
her emotions run out of control like this!' the rational Amazon thought.
Fortunately, even as Eeyoraus came to her side, Iolaus left it, walking
over to greenie for more information on his friends in the camp. Taking the
spitfire Amazon gently by the arm, Aquillea pulled her aside and
immediately took control of their interaction. She needed to confer some
measure of calm reason to the emotional demi-goddess. . . . for both their
sakes.
Cupid's daughter stole a glance the man she loved and the fear in her eyes
found a voice despite her whispering, "He's gonna die. . . . He's gonna
die, isn't he?. . . . You saved him the first time. . . . but what if. . .
. what. . . . You have to let me help you!"
"Ssshhh!" the brunette whispered her reply. In a voice that was somehow
both caring and dispassionate Aquillea continued, "You need to try and calm
down. . . . Look at Iolaus. He's fine. . . . I'm fine. . . . " The empath
eyed her skeptically. ". . . . More or less," the drained woman conceded
with a chuckle and a grin.
It had been a genuine smile, not a forced one, and while it did not
reassure Eeyoraus sufficiently to elicit a similar response, she did close
her eyes, and take a deep breath. Cupid's daughter did her best to comply
with the esteemed Amazon's admonishment to 'calm down.'
Aquillea needed to subtly determine how much her sister-friend knew before
planning a course of action to protect the woman, and Eeyoraus needed no
coaxing to share with her. In fact, the rational Amazon found it necessary
to frequently interrupt the storyteller just to maintain emotional
equilibrium. It unsettled the already troubled woman to discover that there
was actually very little the demi-goddess did not already know. Oddly
though, Eeyoraus seemed somehow oblivious to the danger that she herself
was in, leaving the knowing Amazon to ponder the best way to handle the
situation.
Before the dark warrior was able to reach a decision she found herself
sprawling on the cool, granite floor. She jumped to her feet spinning
around in time to see a lightning bolt strike her heroic sister-friend,
greensleeves, a god's weapon that Aquillea immediately determined must have
been meant for her. "No!" Aquillea cried as she dropped to kneel beside her
stricken friend. "By the Gods. I will not lose another Amazon Sister! I
won't lose any more people I love!"
Morpheus rematerialized in his palace bedchamber and promptly threw a
pitcher across the room, smashing it against the massive ebony door. His
irritation rose as he stared at the mess he'd just created. The dream god
hated mess. He hated direct interaction with mortals precisely because it
always proved to be so messy. But that friend of Aquillea's was showing far
more concern for his prized mortal than the Olympian was comfortable with.
Throwing the lightning bolt had been an impetuous, ill conceived action on
his part, all-in-all highly out of character. He was decades out of
practice using that power and, as a result, his aim and timing were
slightly off. It was lamentable that the Amazon survived. Moreover there
was no telling how much the woman understood or whether she had somehow
recognized him. The coppery-blonde mortal had been put out of commission,
but only temporarily. Morpheus clenched his fists, desperately want to hurl
another pitcher.
Suddenly a surprised smile crossed the pallid countenance of the god of
dreams as he sat down on the grand yet tastefully simple four poster bed.
'Passion,' he thought almost stunned. 'This is passion that I'm feeling! I
do believe I'm jealous of the possibility that someone will steal my
intelligent little Amazon away from me too soon!' Then Morpheus frowned
again knowing his playtime was even more limited now. His agenda would have
to be pushed up if there could be any salvaging the plan to punish his
despised enemy.
Morpheus tried to console himself with the knowledge that, by moving more
quickly, Angel would never see it coming, but he knew that for the
rationalization it was. The deliverer of nightmares scanned the room in
frustration, hoping to find another fragile object he could shatter.
Aquillea fairly growled at the others to stay back as she checked the pulse
and breathing of the dear sister-friend who was her would-be savior.
Everyone stood a few paces away from the women save for Joxer. Even he
approached the fiercely protective Amazon with caution, but the Furies
themselves could not have kept him from the side of his fallen lady love.
Although greenie's vital signs were strong and regular, rage, fear and
guilt filled her beleaguered sister, causing her to shake almost
imperceptibly.
'Bacchus!' she screamed in her mind. It was painfully obvious to Aquillea
who had sent that lightning bolt and why. The evil god was going to great
lengths to prevent her from returning to that sorry, swamp village. Bacchus
wanted her dead, but he was so inept that the people around her, people who
meant everything to her, were being put at risk.
The god had sent Khestrany to eliminate Aquillea but Iolaus had nearly been
killed as a result. Now greenie lay pale and unconscious from a searing
bolt of light that had been meant for the dark Amazon. Who would be next?
Eeyoraus was the likely candidate but it might be someone else entirely.
Not that it mattered. Keeping her friends from harm was of the utmost
importance and it appeared that she, herself, had become a greater threat
to their safety than the impending battle.
With the spitfire Amazon, the danger again came from a servant of Bacchus
rather than the god himself. Typically, most gods were rather reluctant to
do their own dirty work. The village Bacchai were the greater direct
menace, not only to her loved ones, but to the entire region. 'Bacchus must
have big plans to be going to all this trouble,' Aquillea deduced.
The dark warrior had always intended to return to 'Bacchaiville' to help
rid the town of its infestation, but she had hoped it could wait until
after the war. She had also hoped she would be able to enlist some
assistance. Now it was clear that she could do neither. Aquillea could only
pray that she had the strength and the skill that would be necessary to
accomplish the task.
Gabrielle quietly slipped beside Aquillea to check greensleeves out for
herself. The kind and gentle blonde placed a reassuring hand on the
shoulder of the watchdog Amazon and, while simultaneously meeting Joxer's
eyes, she offered, "I've seen this kinda thing before. . . . She'll be OK.
. . . She may be out for several hours, perhaps longer. . . . and she'll
probably have a monster headache when she wakes up. . . . But she will
wake up. I'm sure of it." Joxer nodded gratefully and, eyes brimming with
tears, he reached for greenie's hand to caress it lovingly.
Aquillea leapt to her feet and began barking orders.
"Iolaus, Autolycus, go find a cart or something so we can get greenie to
base camp."
"Maddie, go to one of the sleeping quarters and get some blankets."
"Gabrielle, I think you should go to base camp with greensleeves and the
others. I don't know what kind of shape RainCloud is in. . . . which may
make you the closest thing we have to a healer right now."
The rational Amazon then drew Eeyoraus aside once again. Aquillea knew how
to handle the woman's misconception that Iolaus was the one in whose life
hung in the balance. She would use it to her best advantage, keeping the
two of them far away from Bacchaiville. . . . and her.
"You're right," Aquillea began, "Iolaus is in danger. He'll be killed
unless we do something to stop it. I really do need your help with this."
"Anything!"
"You have to stay here and cover for my absence while I go to the village
and eradicate the Bacchai threat." Eeyoraus looked at Aquillea with doubt
and what appeared to be disappointment, but the dark warrior provided no
opening for interruption. "If anyone figures out where I've gone and what
I'm doing, Iolaus is sure to hear about it and come after me. You *can't*
let that happen! He'll be safe as long as he stays away from
'Bacchaiville'. . . . You can keep him safe . . . . by keeping him here
until the danger is past!"
The concerned demi-goddess shook her head uncertainly asking, "What about
you?"
"I've dispatched two Bacchai already. . . . so don't you worry about my
end. Just make sure he stays here for the battle. . . . And watch over him.
. . . Protect him the way you protected him before. I don't want to save
him from the Bacchai only to lose him in this damn war. . . . Understood?"
