Castlewarming Chapter 500
by Hercules Forum Collective
The Saga of Calee's Castlewarming - Chapter 500
by Madhatter
Part I
Greensleeves and Joxer had made their way to the battlesite as Bei,
Eeyoraus, Maddie and Autolycus carefully carried Aquillea to the nearest
shelter. The structure had more than enough room for all of them. Auto
placed 'Quills on the makeshift cot as Eeyoraus and Bei found places
nearby. Maddie was readying herself to rejoin the battle as Shait had
suggested when her legs gave out beneath her. She found herself
unexpectedly on the grassy floor.
"Not another patient," Auto said as he rushed to her side. The others had
jumped from their seats when Maddie motioned that they should sit back
down.
"No, everybody sit down," said Maddie. "I'm fine. Just a little dizzy. I
think the lack of sleep is finally catching up with me. It hasn't been an
easy night." She made an attempt to rise but Auto held her down with ease.
This concerned her. Maddie did not realize how weak she had truly become.
"You're not going anywhere until that healer shows up," said Auto. "I don't
think you're ready to join any fight."
Maddie made a second attempt to rise, this one more determined. Auto was
still able to restrain her without difficulty.
"Let's not let our pride get in the way of our common sense, my dear," Auto
continued.
"I wouldn't talk about pride, 'your majesty', if I were you," Maddie
countered.
"All I ask is that you let this person take a look at you," said Auto. "You
are right. It's been a long hard night on everyone. Frankly, I've been
through too much to risk losing you on the battlefield because of fatigue.
If that's selfish, so be it. 'Selfish' is one of my best motivations."
Maddie managed a tired smile for the amazing man before her. Such a series
of contradictions tied up in one package. "You just wait 'til that healer
gets here," Maddie jested weakly as she laid back on the soft grass.
"She'll show you."
"What makes you so sure it's a 'she'?" Auto asked as he sat down beside
her. He gently pulled her head onto his lap to make her more comfortable.
Maddie realized that after her years of travel and extended stays with her
Amazon sisters that the thought that the healer could be male never crossed
her mind.
"A male healer? Naaah," Maddie said closing her eyes. She could afford a
moment or two of relaxation. For the first time since the long night began
she felt safe. . .
Posted on Jun 25 1999, 11:37 AM
Part II
It was moments of stillness like this that Maddie's thoughts went to the
people she loved, the friends she held dear, when she would ask whatever
good force held sway over the universe to protect and bless all those she
held dear . . .
Hercules . . . a great warrior but an even greater human being. His ability
to give of himself to help others seemed limitless. It was that which made
him a true hero.
Iolaus . . . a man whose spirit shone like the sunrise in a world that
could too often turn dark. His bravery - amazing. His humor - boundless. No
wonder 'Quills loved him.
Aquillea . . . she was known as the dark Amazon but Maddie had seen her
glow with joy, especially when Iolaus was around. Logical yet creative.
Impetuous enough to not think twice about laying her life on the line for
her sisters. Maddie could only pray she would find her way back to them
soon.
Greensleeves, the feisty Irish Amazon . . . always ready to fight for a
noble cause. She'd be behind you to the bitter end. Always encouraging.
Forever supportive of her brave knight.
Joxer . . . strangely underestimated at times. Maddie could tell that his
desire to be a hero stemmed from a need to help the weak, not from any
personal desire for glory. ("Although his theme song needed work," Maddie
thought) He dearly cherished Greenie.
Lyrical . . . delicate as a daisy but tough as nails when facing a foe.
Forever caring, forever generous with a gift for the world beyond our
senses that Maddie could not fully understand. Maddie hoped that, wherever
she was, Lyrical was safe.
Eeyoraus . . . intuitive yet at times as stubborn as her former donkey
form. Giving, loving . . . Maddie knew that on at least one occasion E! had
used her gifts in couple "counseling" to keep her from killing Auto.
Strangely alone, though. Could it be due to demi-goddess nature? It seemed
that those with any "godly" blood had difficulty finding their true match
among "mortals". Maddie wished that her true happiness was just around the
corner.
RainCloud . . . RC dedicated herself to the preservation of life in a world
that seemed determined to find crueler and crueler ways to end it. Her
amazing ability to heal came from the compassion and energy that flowed
from her soul. The Amazon's would be lost if she were to ever leave them.
~Wikewike . . . noble warrior and defender of her Amazon sisters. Wike's
the one you want behind you in a fight. And beside you and . . .
Shoshana . . . with the heart of a lion and the skills to lead any battle.
No one worked harder to support the Amazons. Maddie suspected, though, that
under the warrior was the heart of a bard.
Shambalayogi . . . like the still waters that run deep, Shamba's calming
influence soothed and aided all around her. Yet her skills in battle were
unmatched, stemming from her amazing powers of concentration.
Arkie . . . the woman from the future was truly amazing. How was she able
to keep up with the frightening world that Maddie only briefly visited? Yet
she held up her end in this world as well, fighting as bravely as any
Amazon
ANGEL . . . fought to protect mortals from the gods who would use them for
their own purposes. Perhaps she has even been able to teach an immortal or
two a lesson in the meantime. It was surely her influence that caused Ares
to think of mortals as more than just toys.
Shait . . . the mysterious one who knows more about Maddie's current
Bacchai state than she has said. Perhaps she knows the way out of this
dilemma.
All the constant defenders of NewGreeceland rolled through Maddie's mind.
Kendaa, the leader of the Amazons, her supportive sisters Stripe, Bastet,
Hibblette, Calico and Lisa; Xena and her companion Gabrielle, King Iphicles
and his warriors, dear Salmoneus and his constant schemes. And Calee, whose
kindness and hospitality were endless. They invaded her castle for a
surprise party that turned into quite a surprise itself.
And, of course, dear Autolycus. Taken logically, her love for this man made
absolutely no sense. The man stole, without remorse, in fact he bragged
about it. [His strange habit of signing "AUTO-graphs" (as he called them)
for his "fans" slowed their progress on many an occasion.] Maddie had been
asked in the past what she saw in such a man. It was hard for her to answer
not because she could not find a reason but because she could find so many.
On the surface was the pure joy of life and those amazing brown eyes.
Beyond that was a man who would do just about anything to help someone in
need, although he would deny it to his dying day. In the end it was really
simple. Maddie only felt truly alive when Autolycus was near.
She could still picture him swinging through the trees on their way to
Calee's castle that day not long ago. He had brought a rather strange
"castlewarming" gift that touched off an entire series of events . . .
Maddie was beginning to doze in the middle of all this thought when the
ground beneath her began to tremble, then shake with the force of an
earthquake. Items shook but nothing was damaged or fallen. Aquillea
remained in her restless sleep. Maddie jumped to her feet.
Adrenaline . . . the breakfast of champions.
Posted on Jun 25 1999, 11:39 AM
Part III
The ground ceased rumbling as Maddie jumped to her feet. She began to make
her way to the exit with Autolycus in pursuit. Bei made a move to rise but
Maddie motioned for her to stop.
"Please help E! take care of 'Quills," Maddie said. "The earthquake may be
over but if there are any more tremors we may have to move her to a more
stable place. We'll check to see if anyone was harmed."
Maddie and Auto made their way out of the lean-to. A brief look around
showed all the other structures were still in place. No harm seemed to be
done and all was peaceful. The look of the sky was another matter entirely.
Huge thunderclouds darkened the western sky. Suddenly a great white light
pierced the clouds swirling like in inverted tornado. The wind became harsh
and threatening.
"This can't be good!" Auto shouted over the fierce sound of the wind.
A lightning bolt flew from the center of the vortex striking the ground
just yards from where Maddie and Auto stood. At the point of the strike
materialized a huge man, dressed in green with long dark hair.
"The work of the gods," Maddie whispered with quiet awe.
"Really," Auto replied with sarcasm. "What was your first clue, Kiddo?"
The vortex closed, swallowed up by the mounting thunderclouds. The being
spoke and his commanding voice boomed like thunder.
"I have been sent to you with a message from the Council of Elders," the
messenger said.
"Well, do you have to be so melodramatic about it?" Autolycus asked. He
brushed the blown leaves and dust from his tunic. "Gees-Louise! And they
say I like to make an entrance!" Maddie put a well-placed elbow in his
side. The messenger was unaffected by the comments.
"You have been summoned to testify in a matter currently before the
Council," the messenger continued.
"The Council of Elders?" Maddie repeated.
"Wait a second," Auto interrupted.
"Is something wrong with Rhiannon?" Maddie asked the messenger.
"We must leave immediately," the messenger replied.
"You didn't answer my question," Maddie continued.
"HOLD IT!" Auto bellowed. Both Maddie and the messenger turned to face him.
"Wait one Athenian minute! Now, I don't know about anyone else but after
the last few days I am sick and tired of the gods playing with us like
rubber balls. I'm not going anywhere until I know Maddie is well! As a
matter of fact, I'm not moving from this spot until I know ALL our friends
are safe and well!"
"Very well," the messenger said, dispassionately.
"Oh, no," Maddie whispered to herself.
Posted on Jun 25 1999, 11:41 AM
Part IV
Lightning once again split the sky and instantly the messenger was gone.
All that remained were clear morning skies and the peaceful landscape.
"Guess I told him," Auto said.
"Yeah, right," Maddie replied. "He's probably going to come back here with
the army of . . . Auto?"
"Yes, hon?"
"Look at the horses."
The horses had returned with them from the adventures with the Bacchai and
had been grazing nearby. Now they were perfectly still, as if suspended in
motion. Edmund was frozen in mid-gallop. Not a bird sang. Even the breeze
had disappeared.
On the battlefield, Hercules and Iolaus were in the middle of one of their
famous "over-the-head-backflip" kicks when ninety percent of the combatants
froze in place, including the warrior they were fighting. Iolaus' landing
knocked the man to the ground yet he remained frozen. It was as if he had
knocked over a statue.
Somewhere nearby, King Kalas' army was frozen in mid-charge.
As Greenie, Joxer, Kendaa and Xena battled bravely, their opponents also
froze in their places.
While the small band made their way to summon a healer for Aquillea,
Gabrielle noticed a bird suspended in the middle of the sky.
Back in the lean-to, Aquillea's restlessness seemed to stop. She slept
peacefully. Eeyoraus noticed the change.
Maddie and Auto stared at each other in stunned amazement. With a sudden
blaze of light the two disappeared.
Posted on Jun 25 1999, 11:42 AM
Part V
Maddie shook her head clearing the cobwebs. These fast trips could always
leave her a bit disoriented. Auto tried to gain his bearings and the two
looked around, hardly able to believe what they were seeing.
Their surroundings were ordinary enough. They seemed to be in a large,
circular cavern of some sort. The walls, floor and ceiling were definitely
stone. They were sitting on a wide ridge above a huge hole in the cavern
floor. A light source of some sort seemed to be coming from the hole.
Maddie was about to stand when flashes of light filled the cavern. Each
flash marked the appearance of a dear friend. Lyrical, RainCloud, Alex and
Salmoneus appeared on the opposite side of the ridge. Shamba, 'Shana,
Ioannes, Ithicas and Arkie were suddenly there as well. Kendaa appeared
with Xena, Bastet, Calico, ~Wike, Stripe, Hibblette and Calee. Joxer
appeared with Greenie (she seemed to be in mid-swing of her warstaff). The
two were not together, though. Maddie thought it odd.
Eeyoraus materialized with Bei, ANGEL and Aquillea,. Maddie was glad to see
her conscious and as confused as everyone else. Shait stood back near the
wall with Gabrielle and Lisa. Finally Hercules and Iolaus appeared. There
was hugging and greeting and quite a few tears all around. Hercules was the
first to speak.
"Autolycus!" Hercules shouted above the din of greetings, "have you been
fooling around with the Chronos stone again?"
"Absolutely not!" Auto shot back. "I'm not responsible for stopping time
back there. Or for any of this." Maddie shot him an "oh, yeah" look in
return.
"Well, I'm not!" Auto continued, "I just said . . ."
"You just said," Maddie continued.
"Could someone please explain what's going on here?" Iolaus asked after he
had spent several moments hugging a rather confused Aquillea.
"I think you're all in my dream," Aquillea ventured.
"Let me try," Maddie began. "This is no dream 'Quills. It has something to
do with Rhiannon. The Council of Elders governs the actions of the gods of
my homeland. Their messenger appeared to Autolycus and me saying that the
Council wanted us to 'testify'. He didn't say about what."
"He appeared to me as well," said Eeyoraus. "But before I could answer, he
was gone."
"Well, Auto blew his stack and said that he wasn't going anywhere until he
knew all our friends were safe," Maddie continued. "The messenger must have
suspended time and brought all of you here."
"So you would know we were alright?" 'Shana replied.
"Exactly," said Maddie.
"Well," said Greenie, "this doesn't look like any courtroom I've ever seen.
What could this 'council' want from you?"
"I can't think of anything," Maddie replied. "As far as I know, the Council
will only convene when one of the gods breaks a major rule, like the
'non-interference pact' or some other major transgression. Rhiannon hasn't
appeared in quite some time. The last time I had any contact with her was
ages ago."
"Unless . . ." came a voice from the back. The crowd parted like the Red
Sea to reveal E! with a rather sheepish look on her face."
"Yes, Eeyoraus?" Shamba asked.
"Well, this could be all about that man in the Bacchai cave," E! answered.
"What man?" Aquillea asked. E! suddenly wished the cave floor would open
and swallow her.
"Ah . . . well, you probably didn't see him," Eeyoraus continued. "He was
blonde . . . and strong . . . and . . ."
"Yes?" asked Maddie. She was beginning to get a very bad feeling about the
whole conversation.
"Oh, yeah," E! replied, "he saved my life."
"Oh boy!" Maddie whispered.
Posted on Jun 25 1999, 01:21 PM
Part VI
"Oh, no," Maddie said as she suddenly began to pace, "this is not good. Not
good at all!" Eeyoraus shot her a slightly wounded look.
"Not about him saving your life," Maddie continued, "of course I'm glad he
saved your life! Oh, you know what I mean! It's just that, if he's a god,
he's not allowed to interfere with human free will or save a mortal's life.
It's a huge NO-NO."
"But Rhiannon saved Autolycus," Greenie said. "We all saw that."
"It's not the same," Maddie replied. "The mortal has to be wounded on
sacred ground and considered worthy of saving for the gods to be allowed to
interfere. Auto was wounded in the forest. All forest land is considered
Rhiannon's sacred ground. So, although E! would be more than worthy of
saving, the Bacchai cave was definitely not sacred ground."
"I'm so confused," Xena said. Many heads nodded in agreement.
"I'll fill you in later," Gabrielle replied. "It's a long story."
They were suddenly interrupted by an earthshaking roar and the sounds of
battle coming from the lighted pit in the middle of the cavern. It caused
the crowd to hurry to the edge of the ridge. The sight there was not
comforting.
Well below the ridge the walls sloped down to the main floor. Separating
the slope from the main floor of the cavern was a wide moat of lava that
surrounded the floor on three sides, cutting it off from anyone on the
ridge. It was the light source for the cave. The fourth cave wall held
mysterious dark openings.
The middle of the floor held the true horror. A beast the size of a large
house took up most of the cavern floor. It had the body of a dragon, the
head of an eagle and the head of a snake (Yep! Two heads!) and the claws of
a lion on each of its six legs. The rest of the cave floor was covered with
debris - huge, overturned tree trunks, boulders and rocks. A young man
battled the beast in the middle of the floor. He was armed with only an
oversized tree branch.
"By all Olympus!" E! exclaimed, "that's him! He's the one who saved me! We
have to help him!"
"Do we have any weapons?" Maddie asked. She had managed to grab her
warstaff before she left the shelter to check on the earthquake. By some
stroke of good luck it managed to materialize with her.
"Even with weapons, how do we get past that lava?" Iolaus asked.
No one stopped to answer. From one of the darkened passages a second beast
appeared. This one appeared more dragon-like, though its three heads had a
more snake-like appearance.
"This guy's toast," Salmoneus replied, stating the obvious.
Posted on Jun 25 1999, 02:21 PM
Part VII
"No!" Eeyoraus yelled and grabbed Maddie's warstaff. In a matter of moments
she had charged down the slope and used the warstaff to pole vault over the
lava moat. She landed just inches from the edge. The group let out a
collective sigh of relief.
"E!, are you insane?" Aquillea cried but E! was already battling the snake
head of the first beast with the warstaff. The young man was momentarily
stunned by Eeyoraus' arrival, then went back to the business at hand.
"Well," said Maddie, "no turning back now. Let's go get 'um"
"You think that thing breathes fire?" Autolycus asked.
"Auto!" Maddie cried.
"I don't want to get my tunic singed," he replied sheepishly.
"I still want to know how we're supposed to get over there?" Iolaus asked.
"I've got an idea," said Hercules. He turned and bolted down the slope,
flying into a fast leap at the last possible moment. He soared over the
moat, landing perfectly on the other side. Instead of immediately joining
the battle, he began to toss boulders and other debris across the moat
until a makeshift bridge was formed.
"Sisters!" Kendaa cried. "Advance!"
The band of Amazons and heroes flowed down the slope and on to the cavern
floor. Their timing could not have been better as two more bestial
creatures appeared from the darkened passages. Those that did not have
weapons used the debris provided to fend off the creatures' attack. Maddie
and Greenie found enough canvas to wrap up two out of three snapping heads
on beast #2. Lisa triumphantly knocked out head #3. Arkie held off beast #3
with her whip while Lyrical and RainCloud dispatched with swords. Kendaa
and Xena took care of beast #5.
"You come in handy," the young man said to E! as he battled head #1 of the
first beast. "Thank you!"
"Just returning the favor," E! replied as she battled head #2. "By the way,
my name's Eeyoraus."
"I'm Michael," he replied.
Hercules and Iolaus battled a sixth and final creature that had been
attacking from the rear. The task completed they turned to see Michael
lunge at beast #1 with the pointed end of the tree branch. It found its
mark, straight through the beast's heart. It's massive body fell forward,
straight towards Eeyoraus. Michael grabbed her and ran, the body missing
them by inches.
The cavern was suddenly calm. All stood watching as the walls suddenly
melted away. They now stood in a grassy pavilion looking at a large outdoor
court of gold and marble. Ten seats of white marble appeared before them.
They were suddenly filled with men and women of grave appearance dressed in
white. It was The Council.
Posted on Jun 25 1999, 03:23 PM
Part VIII
The messenger appeared before the Council seats. "Be seated, please, as the
final judgement of the Council is announced," he said. The group was
thoroughly confused but each person took a seat on the grassy pavilion.
Everyone was eager to understand what was happening.
Only Michael remained standing before the Council. Maddie recognized
Rhiannon seated in one of the Council chairs. The woman occupying the
center seat spoke.
"Michael," the woman said, "Son of Rhiannon and Dyfed, you have confessed
to interference in the affairs of mortals."
"Excuse me," Maddie interrupted, "but didn't you want us to speak to you."
"No Maddie," Michael replied, "there was no need. I told them what I did.
Although I thought I was saving you, I saved another life just as
precious." His eyes met Eeyoraus'. "I'd do it again."
The woman continued. "The penalty for such an act is loss of immortality
and banishment to the wastelands." An audible gasp came from the crowd.
"That must be where we were," Auto whispered. Maddie was nearly overcome
with grief and guilt. Rhiannon's son would be lost and she felt it was her
fault.
"Normally," the woman continued, "but it seems that the mortals here were
willing to risk their lives for you. You risked your immortality for them.
This cannot be ignored. Another fact must also be considered. The woman you
saved is not fully mortal. She has immortal lineage as well. All of these
factors have been examined. Here is our final decision."
Maddie held Auto's hand tightly. Eeyoraus' eyes never left Michael for a
moment. Joxer placed a protective arm around Greenie. The whole valley
seemed still for one moment.
"Michael," the woman continued, "your status has been reduced to that of
demi-god. You will live among mortals until such time as the Council sees
fit to restore your immortality by virtue of your actions. You will aid the
mortals in defending the weak and those in need. So shall it be."
Posted on Jun 25 1999, 03:45 PM
Epilogue
Maddie stirred slightly and stretched. She must have nodded off slightly
but it seemed like such a long time. Strange to be so active in your
dreams. She sat up, rubbing her eyes. Birds were singing. She could here
the horses at play.
"Auto, I just had the weirdest dream," she began. "It was so vivid though."
Instead of answering, Auto pointed to the other side of the lean-to. Bei
remained next to Aquillea, who was still sleeping fitfully on the cot.
There was Eeyoraus . . .
. . . and dozing next to her was the figure of Michael.
(Bard's note: I do hope you enjoyed our adventure. Let the story continue
wherever you left off. Here's to another 500 chapters!)
