Sira sought out Hercules. She found him in the barn working on a hoe handle that had gotten broken.

"We leave tomorrow, " she said.

He smiled at her. "I know. Your husband told me. He's been trying to talk me into coming with you."

"And has he? Convinced you, I mean?"

Hercules took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Not now. But I might like to join you there later."

"That would make me very happy. We miss you when we are separated by the miles."

"Then I'll most definitely come to see you."

She gave him a serious look. "You must understand, my friend, you are always welcome. Our home is your home. You need not request permission to be there or wait for us to invite you."

What she didn't say, because she knew it would make him uncomfortable, was that he was such a part of both their souls that being separated caused both the hunter and herself grief. He wasn't yet ready to accept the tie that a soul's touch could create.

"I wanted to thank you for helping to bury my people."

"I was glad to help," he smiled at her.

"Thank you also for the healings and the help with Hercus' birth." With a smile she stepped forward and put her hand on his arm.

"You're welcome," he replied very gravely.

The hunter and his family left the next day to return to their cabin in the forest. He wanted to complete the work on their home before winter set in. It could be very hard to survive a winter in the harsh climate that could grip the high up country. They might not have made it the first winter if it hadn't been for Sira. She had grown up in this same forest. She could find food when no one else could. She had a way of finding deadfalls of wood to make it easier to gather it for their fire. She made them warm clothing from woven moss and animal hides.

The healer would have been happy with a hollowed out tree for a home. The huge trees that grew in small groves here had a tendency to lose their pulpy center. The tree lived on, gathering what it needed from its roots. But it left the center of the tree hollow. The yosemin people would clean out the inside area and enlarge it, then build a room or two on the front. The tree protected the home and gave it shade. But the hunter wanted a cabin for his family. He had worked hard to give them just that.

Sira, a true child of the forest, didn't think of a shelter the same as some might. She preferred the outdoors, only using the shelter to keep the worst of rains off or for warmth at the coldest of times. But the hunter had been raised differently. So they had compromised. They would live in the woods but they would have a good sturdy cabin there.

Sira had insisted it be made from materials the earth provided. Logs were cut and the bark peeled off to make the walls. Flat stones had been gathered to make the floor. Iolaus brought the stones the healer picked out to the cabin site and the healer placed them. She could fit them together so tightly that it formed a solid floor. She was careful to make sure they were even and smooth. Sometimes she used a chisel and a hammer to shape or flatten them.

"How can you do that?" Iolaus had asked her once.

"My grandfather showed me. In a yosemin village everyone has a trade. This was my grandfather's. Whenever I could get away from the healer's hall I would go and watch him. He was very good at it."

They took their time building their home. When the main walls were up and the one large room divided into three, Sira made curtains to put over the windows. She hung matching wall curtains over some of the inside walls. Some she left bare. She liked seeing the logs there. Iolaus had built shelves into some of the walls. Together, along with the help of Hercules, they had made a massive fireplace. It was placed so that the solid rock back of it would heat the two sleeping chambers, while the front of it could warm the large room that was kitchen and living area combined.

There were rugs and mats on the floor and growing things inside. Pretty clay pots gave color. The home was warm and comfortable.

For the empath, the best part was the fact that to be in the forest she need only step out her door. The home was filled with love and happiness.

Sitting on the grass at Alcmene's, remembering the time of Hercus' birth and the cabin in the forest, Sira felt a longing in her heart. She missed her home. She wasn't unhappy here at Alcmene's. She loved both Jason and Alcmene. There were happy memories of when she and Iolaus lived on the farm near them.

Then there was Winnie. Winnie was a special child. She wasn't a sensitive with people's minds, but she was a sensitive with plants and growing things. Sira's healing of the child's burns, which she had received in an accident, had brought this special talent to light. Perhaps some of it had come from the yosemin's own love of the earth's treasures.

Healing was an intimate thing. Mind mingled with mind. Thoughts became as one. No person who had experienced a healing could ever be quite the same.

Some humans believed that yosemins could steal a person's mind. But that wasn't really true. A strong telepath could plant images in a weaker mind. But to steal a mind was something much different. There were myths of such things being done in long ago times. But all races have their legends and myths.

An empathic transfer healing was the closest thing to this stealing of the mind. However the mind wasn't stolen. It was touched with thoughts and feelings of another, and as the thoughts blended, so did the soul. For a transfer to be truly successful there must be the blending of the two.

Any contact between people made a change in one's life. Even a casual encounter with a stranger could make a marked change. People emulated others, especially those they admired. People who were together a lot began to think alike. They even seemed to resemble each other after many years of close contact.

While telepathic contact was more direct, it was not mind control. As with any race there had been those who seemed bent on mischief and crime. There had been yosemins who had used the gifts of the earth mother for evil. So perhaps the fears of the humans were not completely unfounded.

And what of empaths? The strongest telepaths of all. Could they control another person's mind? In the legends of the time before remembered time, it was reputed to be possible. But to steal another's mind was to harm that person. And it was against all that was an empath to do such as this. To be a sensitive and an empathic healer was a thing given by Demeter, the earth mother. It was a sacred trust, taken seriously by those so blessed. To use these gifts for evil would mean pain and perhaps even death to the healer. And the power entrusted to these few remarkable women would be revoked by Demeter should they be used to harm rather than heal. Or so the legends were told.

Sira knew that healing was a part of her. It wasn't something she had a choice in. She simply must heal. To feel another's pain and not respond was impossible. The healer had often wished it were otherwise, but it was not. She had healed a small girl, and in the healing touched the mind and soul of that girl. It had enriched them both and formed a lasting bond.

Sira was glad that Winnie had learned to love the earth. It gave their friendship common ground to grow in.

The yosemin had known over eighty summers on mother earth. The life span of the yosemin was much longer than that of the humans who shared the same realm of mortal existence. In comparative years, Sira could count only a forth of that number. But the years between the two girls seemed to melt away and they shared more of a peer relationship than that of adult and child.

So the healer was not unhappy here. But her loneliness for the other half of her soul was so overwhelming at times, it over shadowed all else.

The demigod found a place away from the others to sleep. He was restless and didn't want to disturb anyone. For the first time since the rescue of Venin, the defenders of Acubus had left the girl and her father alone. Hercules couldn't help but wonder if the farmer would live through the night.

Venin had said all the right things and had done an admirable job of ingratiating herself with her father and the others. She had attacked the filth that Vector lived in with a vengeance. His tired old shack sparkled. She proved to be a good cook. She washed her father's clothing then set about mending it. Tears were often seen shining in her eyes. She had succeeded in convincing a few people of the validity of her tale of woe, but the hunter and the half man, half god were not among them. Barnabus' only comment was that she gave him the "creeps". And Granny sniffed in distaste every time the woman's name was mentioned.

Hercules was also concerned for Hector. He had rallied for a time. Sira's long distance healing had seemed to help him make a marked improvement. It had been two days now since the battle with the warlord, and tonight the young man was feverish. Hercules wished there were a way to get him to Sira. But he would never live through the trip. And Hercules didn't want the healer here. There was a feeling of foreboding in the air, an unease that kept the people in their homes at night and made ghosts of the shadows.

Giles, Jug and the others had left that morning to deliver the outlaws to Corinth. The departure of four of their fighting men did little to relieve the tension. The demigod's thoughts and prayers had gone with them. He well knew the dangers they might face should the warlord decide to rescue his men. Then there were the prisoners themselves. They could hardly be considered a savory lot. What if one or more of them got loose? He shuddered at the thought

The hunter planned to leave in a few days. He needed to return to his family and to his home. Crops needed planting, wood must be gathered, meat hunted and preserved. The couple's first winter had almost proved to be their last. The high country exacted a heavy toll on those foolish enough to winter in its midst. Now they must think of Hercus as well.

Hercules would miss his friend. But he wanted what was best for him and his family. And while he would never say it for fear of wounding the hunter's warrior spirit, he wanted him out of danger as well. The friend of his childhood, and more than friend of his adulthood had too much to live for. And the demigod knew from experience what Sira would suffer should Iolaus not return.

Demos paced before the fire. He was in a black mood. He brooded in silence, which for those who knew him signaled more danger than his moods of temper. Who would have thought they would get Hercules to help them? he thought. It was all the fault of those bloody fools after a little entertainment. He wanted Venin back and he planned to get her. He wasn't worried about her. He knew damned well she could take care of herself. She always did.

He had first met her when he had come to her cottage looking for a bit of wenching. They had found that they had a lot in common. It had been the woman's idea to put the warlord's skills and his small army to good use. Venin had not forgotten the tradable goods the villagers of Acubus relied on for their livelihood. She had been smart enough to realize this could be exploited.

While the people of Acubus dealt in legitimate goods, they sometimes dealt with less than scrupulous ship's captains. If they could somehow obtain the goods and sell them to one of these ships captains, the profit would be theirs.

She had suggested blackmailing her father. She always had good ideas, especially when it came to making them dinars.

Some of the things Venin had said stuck in his mind. "I say, get an enemy where it will hurt the most. Strike first and strike fast."

The warlord took a seat on the ground near the fire. So, he thought, what could he do to hurt Hercules? It must be something that would put the big man in his place, and also allow for the freeing of Venin. What were the demigod's weak spots? Everyone had a vulnerable spot. Everyone. He must find the demigod's.

Pollux had caught up with Demos and a couple of the outlaws just after they had fled Acubus.

"And where were you when Hercules was creaming us?" Demos had demanded of Pollux.

"Saving my skin. You shouldn't have tried to take on Hercules."

Demos was not happy with the other man's answer, or the rebuke, but he said nothing further. Right now he needed all the men he could muster.

He shot a deadly look at Pollux. "You push your luck, Pollux."

"You push yours, Demos. You played a deadly game with other men's lives."

The warlord's hand went to his sword.

Pollux didn't even flinch. "Try it, Demos, if you feel lucky. It's as good a day as any to die." His voice was low and challenging.

Demos had always considered himself a superior fighter. He had never been bested in a sword fight. He had snuck away from some, just as he had the fight with Hercules. He had always looked down on Pollux. But something in the other man's cold level eyes made him not wish to take up the challenge.

"Forget it, Pollux. My anger got the best of me. You're right. I do take chances. There's a better way to fight Hercules." He had walked away and then turned back. "Come, my friend. Let us find a place to camp. And then I want you to tell me everything you know about Hercules."

While they were searching for a place to make camp, two other men joined them.

Now sitting before the fire Demos turned to Pollux. "You haven't told me about Hercules," he reminded him.

But before he complied he asked a question of his own. "Are we going to free the men?"

"No. To Hades with them. Tell me about Hercules," he ordered.

His few remaining men grumbled. Of course they did it quietly. They knew better than to voice their objections. Demos knew they were unhappy. To Hades with them also, he thought. Let them grumble. When I've eliminated Hercules and burned that damn village they'll change their tune. He would have Venin back, and all the gold and money she had been hoarding. She always stashed the money somewhere. It should be safe. A thought crossed his mind. What if she had retrieved the money and taken off? He stilled his mind a moment. If that were the case then he would kill her. He would hunt her down and kill her. Some of the money was hers. She had saved it before he had met her. She was an attractive thing and had used her body well. No matter. He would have her and the money.

"Tell me about Hercules, everything you know about him." And as he listened to Pollux he began to form a plan.

Venin was not pleased. It galled her to have to play the dutiful daughter. She loathed the site of the filthy pig she was unfortunate to have as a father. When she found the hunter's sword at her middle she had seen an opportunity and seized it. She had always been quick to take advantage of a situation. She had already decided to sever the tie between her and Demos. The man was such a fool. But if these men were to kill Demos, all the better. She would have liked that pleasure for herself, but no matter. The gold was well hidden. Some of it was close enough to get to easily. It would get her by until she could get to the rest. The biggest majority of the money and gold was being held by a priest for her. She paid him a pittance for its safe keeping, which he promptly gave to the monastery like a fool. Then she donated some to the monastery itself. Not a great deal, but enough.

Venin had first sought out the monastery as a possible place to raid. But there really wasn't much in the way of valuable items within its walls. She had played the part of a lonely widow seeking solace. They had fallen for it completely. With her eye for an opportunity she saw here the solution to a problem. The money and gold she had hidden away was becoming a burden to keep with her and still keep concealed. She asked the priest if he might not be able to store some of her late husband's possessions for her. She told him she would be away for a time to rejoin the bosom of her family and didn't want to leave these things unprotected. The priest agreed. He had no idea what he stored for her. She had returned the next day with a locked trunk. It had been given a special place in a back room of the monastery.

She had returned once after three months to add to her stash. She told the priest that it hadn't worked out staying where she was and that she was now on her way to try staying with her cousin. She explained that she just had to see her husband's things again. But she still couldn't take them with her. She asked, with tears in her eyes, if he couldn't please keep them a little longer.

She had been very close to needing to visit the place again. Her bundle was getting cumbersome.

So now she would play the part of the poor victim for a bit. Then when she could she would simply sneak out, get the gold and be gone. Of course she had no intention of leaving her father alive. No, he must die. He must pay for what she had become. But these fools never let her out of their sight. They didn't trust her. She couldn't be sure what Demos' men might have told Hercules about her. She must be careful. The blond haired man, that friend of Hercules, was the worst. She had always been able to charm men. But not that one. He was barely even civil to her. She wanted out of here. She wanted to get the gold and be gone before Demos could return. That he would return, she had no doubt, if for no other reason than the fact that he would want the money.

They had left her alone with her father but she knew they were watching the farm. She had no intention of leading them to the money. She would bide her time, and when the opportunity presented itself she would seize it.

She knew a certain ship's captain that would help her to disappear. A few dinars and herself thrown in would do the trick. She would be safe and she would have enough money to be comfortable. Never again would a man use her. A smart girl could find a willing victim somewhere. Marry for the money. Oh yes, the future was bright. But she must get away from here first.

She stepped out of the farmhouse to get some fresh air. There, by the fence, she located one of the men that she had known would be watching. Not tonight, she thought. But you can't watch me forever. She sat on a bench that rested beside the door. Then again, even if I can't get past you now, I can always wait until Demos comes back. He'd be easy to kill. Yes, I'll watch for my chance. But if it should not come then I'll simply do what I always do. Improvise. She laughed to herself. These fools haven't a clue who they're dealing with. On impulse she walked to the fence and smiled up at the big man that leaned there.

"Nice night," she purred.

"A little cold. You should return to the house and stay warm."

"Is the night cold or are you talking about yourself?" She smiled at him.

"Take it as you wish."

She ran a finger over his forearm. "You're very strong."

He caught her hand in a tight grip. "Save it." His voice was harsh.

"Why are you so mean?" She held her mouth in a pout.

"I don't like you."

"But why? What have I done to make you hate me so much?"

The blacksmith didn't answer. He walked away, but he didn't leave. He moved away but still watched her.

She stomped her foot in frustration. Filthy swine, she thought. How dare you look down on me? I've done what I had to do to survive. She returned to the shack. If you want to hate someone, hate this pig, she shouted in her mind. She stood watching her sleeping father. He lay on his back, his mouth hung open and his snores echoed in the tiny room. It would be so easy. A quick slash with the knife and the blood on her hands. Do it now, she told herself. But she didn't. She stood looking at him a moment longer. How could anything so repulsive be my father?

Sira sat in one of the chairs Alcmene had set up in her flower garden. It was wonderful here. She could smell the flowers. The drone of bees was pleasant and soothing. She had risen early. It had promised to be a hot day and she planned to pick berries. She wanted to finish before the day grew too warm.

She hoped to bake a couple of pies for Jason. He loved her fresh berry pies. The rest of the berries she would preserve. The others had helped her pick the berries. Hercus had eaten one for every two he had put in the basket. There had been laughter and fun. Winnie had joined them and they had been having so much fun they had picked more berries than they had thought.

Now the others were in the village. There was a traveling troop of performers in the village and Alcmene knew the children would enjoy seeing them. They had begged Sira to join them, but she wanted to bake the pies and save the remaining berries. She had finished finally and now rested here in the garden. She watched the clouds building over the mountains. They were dark and threatening. It would rain, she knew.

The others would be back soon. She knew she should prepare a meal. But she was so comfortable here. I will just rest for a moment, she told herself. Then I will get busy. She closed her eyes. She never meant to sleep. But she was tired. She would never know how long she slept. Through her dreams she became aware of something. No, someone. The others must be back. She opened her eyes. She saw the blow coming and tried to turn away. Then pain. Blackness shot with bright lights. Then nothing.

Iolaus, returning to Granny's house from the well, dropped the pail he had just filled. A sudden burst of thought had hit him, and as quickly was gone. What was it? Fear? Pain? He couldn't tell. He wasn't even sure of the source. He retrieved the pail and refilled it. He reached out his mind to try and touch Sira. Nothing. He couldn't feel her. He strengthened his mind. Still nothing. He couldn't feel her at all. He knew a moment of panic, then calmed himself. The healer had shut him out in the past. Not so much on purpose but because she was using her mind for other things. But that flash of mind. And then he had never felt this shut off from her.

Had he really felt something? He said nothing. No one here save Hercules and Granny knew of his wife's special gifts. Besides that, what could he say? He wasn't sure there was anything wrong. He decided to wait awhile then try to touch Sira's mind again.

The hunter gave the pail of water to Granny. He sat down at the table where the others were talking, but he wasn't listening. He just couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. He was preoccupied and distant. He ate the pie Granny sat before him, then didn't remember doing it.

It was hot and muggy in Granny's kitchen. Iolaus stepped outside, he wanted to try and reach Sira. Still nothing. He was frightened now.

Hercules joined him in the night. "What's troubling you, my friend?"

The hunter had no intention of saying anything yet. He feared he was being a fool. But without meaning to he blurted it out.

"I don't know if I really felt anything. But the fact remains I can't feel her now. She's never shut me out this strongly before." The hunter paced in agitation.

Hercules could feel his friend's worry and concern. "Let me try," he suggested. "Sometimes my mind is stronger."

"You're sure?" The hunter knew full well how uncomfortable Hercules was with telepathy.

"If I can relieve your mind, I want to."

"Thanks Herc."

The hunter knew the truth was that Hercules was much stronger of mind than himself. Sira said he was a sensitive, and if he could use that now to reach Sira...

They went to the barn where they were sleeping tonight. It was early yet but they wanted quiet. They both sat on the fresh hay the demigod had spread in the last stall. The big man closed his eyes, and taking a deep breath he stilled his mind. Sira had been able to teach him a lot in the few times they had touched minds. He willed himself to remember all she had taught him. He sent his mind out. He pictured it moving out over the miles and searching out its destination. Nothing. He tried harder. But it felt as if there was nothing out there, no one to receive his thoughts. He touched the hunter's mind. He brought it to him and tried to use it to help him also. He knew these things were possible but he was very clumsy at it. He wished now that he hadn't been so opposed to the gifts of the healer. In frustration he gave up.

"I'm sorry, Iolaus. I can't reach her either." At the look on his friend's face he felt a stab of pain in his own heart. "But you said yourself, it might be nothing."

The hunter was silent. He no longer believed it might be nothing.

"You should head back, my friend. In the morning, try again. Then if you still can't touch her mind, start back."

The sun was just setting when Jason, Alcmene and Hercus returned to the farm. They had just left Winnie at her home. She still had to prepare a meal for her father. She would have liked to stay with the others a little longer. They had had such fun today, first picking the berries then watching the performers.

The young girl squared her shoulders. With a wave to the others she entered the house. It wasn't so bad being grown up. She heard her father splashing about in the other room. She knew he would be tired. He had worked in the orchard all day. She was glad he was cleaning up. He would feel better. She began to fix a meal. A good meal and then off to bed with him. Then I can have some time to myself, she thought. Then she smiled to herself. She had every intention of spending that time daydreaming.

Hercus was excited. He couldn't wait to tell his mother all about the performers they had seen. He had been disappointed when she hadn't come with them. But he understood. It was still hard for his mother to be around large groups of humans. She hadn't said that was the reason she chose not to come but he knew it was.

"I wonder why the candles aren't lit yet," Alcmene said out loud.

"Maybe Sira's resting," was Jason's suggestion. "She worked hard today."

They walked into the yard.

"Mommy?" shouted Hercus. "I will go check the garden. She loves it there best."

Jason entered the house first. He found the parchment on the table. Then they heard Hercus' cry.

Both Alcmene and Jason rushed to the boy. "What is it, Hercus?"

"Look," he said, pointing a chubby finger at the ground near the chair that was his mother's favorite. "It is blood."

"No, Hercus," Alcmene assured him. "Your mother must have spilled something."

In the diminishing light Jason had read the parchment. He turned an anguished face to his wife. He held out the strip of porous paper to her. Careful not to touch the brown stain on the edge she took it from him.

"No! Jason, No."

Jason motioned with his head at the boy who was watching them.

Alcmene calmed herself. "Hercus, how would you like to spend the night with Winnie? You've been talking about it." She had to force her voice to be calm.

"Where is my mommy?" There was suspicion and worry in the child's voice.

Jason knelt beside the child. "Your mother has gone to join your father in Acubus."

"She is gone?"

"Only for a few days. She says to tell you she's sorry she couldn't wait to tell you herself. But she had a chance to go so she did. She'll be back as soon as she can."

It wasn't easy for him to keep calm, but he didn't wish to frighten the child anymore than he was already.

The boy wasn't happy to find his mother gone. He knew the stain on the grass was blood. "I bet Mommy had to heal someone. And they took her to see Father."

"You know, I bet that's just what happened."

Hercus was excited about staying with Winnie. He always had so much fun with her.

The Argonaut helped the boy gather a few things, then took him on his horse to make the trip to Winnie's farm.

Hercus loved the horses here on the farm, and he loved the big black stallion that Jason rode the best. The horse could be mean with some people, people the horse didn't know. But he was as gentle as a lamb with Sira and Hercus. The boy took carrots and apples to him often. The horse nuzzled him and demanded the boy scratch behind his ears. But he had never been on the horse's back before. When he was set, he touched the horse's mind with his and the horse blew a greeting.

When they reached the farm of Winnie's father, Ezekial, Jason quickly took him aside and explained what had happened. Winnie kept the boy busy while the men talked. She was a perceptive young girl and knew something had happened. But she could find out later from her father. Her father treated her as if she were much older than her years. He kept nothing back from her. He could tell her later when Hercus was asleep.

Jason hurried back to his wife. Alcmene had read and reread the parchment several times. It was crudely written. Some words were so misspelled that she could only guess at their meaning.

The note began:

"Hercules, we have your mother." 'Mother' had been crossed out and the word 'woman' had been written above it. "If you want to see her alive again, you will release Venin to me. I will seek you out in Acubus. If you have harmed Venin or if you try anything, your mother," again changed to 'woman,' "will die." The note was signed, "Demos."

When Jason returned he took Alcmene in his arms.

"Oh, Jason," she cried against his shoulder.

"It'll be all right. We'll get her back."

"But the blood?"

"No, it wasn't so much. Besides, they'll keep her alive. They want to use her as bait. They'll take care of her." He took a deep breath. He hoped what he had said was true. "I must get this note to Hercules and Iolaus."

"Jason, what will this do to Iolaus?"

"I know, my love. I've never seen a man so in love with a woman. But we must believe she'll be all right and that we'll get her back. We can't lose hope."

"You're right." She calmed herself. Now was not the time to fall apart. "I've packed your things. Do you think Hercus suspects something?"

"He's a smart boy. He'll wonder. I'm sorry to leave you with this, my dear."

"No, you must go."

The Argonaut's arms tightened around her.

"Hurry, my beloved," she whispered.

And with a quick kiss, he was gone.

"May the gods be with you," she whispered.

"You're a bloody fool, Pollux! She's no damn good to us dead. You shouldn't have hit her so hard." The warlord was furious.

"She's not dead, Demos. She moved and the blow hit her on the temple instead of the back of the neck. Besides, we were looking for the mother, not this one. How could I know we would need her instead?"

"I wonder who in Tartarus she is," one of the outlaws voiced.

"Yeah, who is she?" Demos snarled.

"It doesn't matter. Hercules will trade Venin for her. I tried to tell you before, he'd do his best to save any woman."

Pollux had been against this thing from the beginning. He had no desire to incur the wrath of the son of Zeus. Harming the big man's mother would be one sure way of doing just that. He had suggested they nab another woman, or maybe a child. These fools couldn't seem to understand that Hercules would risk his life to save anyone they threatened. But Demos had insisted it be the mother. Pollux was no fool. He knew damn well that Demos wanted the mother because it would bother the demigod more. Why must the fools of this world always strike out at those better than themselves? he wondered.

Pollux shifted the girl to his other shoulder. There wasn't much to her but he had been carrying her for quite a while.

"Let me carry her for a bit," Elias, one of the outlaws, offered.

Pollux, heaved a sigh and gladly turned the bundle over to the young man.

"Damn!" Demos swore. "It's beginning to rain. Where's that blasted cave you said you knew about?"

The second in command took a deep breath to calm himself. He had had just about enough of Demos.

The healer became aware of pain first. Blackness and much pain. She wanted to put her hands up to help hold her head on her shoulders, for with each wave of pain it felt as if it would surely fly off. But she couldn't make her muscles obey her. She slowly became aware of other things. She was being carried. It was raining. Where had she sat and watched the clouds build? When had that been? She couldn't remember. She tried to. All of a sudden it was very important that she remember. But blackness again descended. And through the blackness, a blond man and a blond boy walked hand in hand before her. She tried to reach out to them but they moved ahead of her, just out of reach. Who are they? I should know them.

Jason pulled the cloak tighter around him. It didn't really keep the rain out. Right now it didn't matter. He must keep going. Anger welled up inside him. It passed over him, leaving him feeling cold and empty. He knew it was a futile anger. At this point there wasn't a thing he could do. He wasn't a man given to bragging and threats. But should they harm Sira, their lives wouldn't be worth spit. It was a promise he made with his heart. He couldn't begin to know how deep the pain to Iolaus would be, but he knew how deep it would be for him. He had only known the yosemin a short time, but he had a deep admiration for the girl. He remembered the pain that his friend Hercules had endured and still endured at the loss of his family. He knew how he would feel if he lost Alcmene.

He urged his horse on. Raimi was a good horse. The Argonaut had purchased him for a song. The horse had the reputation of being a killer, but the former king had liked the horse's spirit. It had taken him a long time to win the horse's trust, and even longer before he dared try riding the horse. But slowly they became friends. Jason was never mean with the horse, even when the horse tried to bite or kick him, and there had been a few bites and a couple of kicks. But through love and patience he had succeeded in winning the horse over, when all the anger and abuse of the former owner had failed. The horse still hated strangers, and only barely tolerated those he knew. The only one the horse had let near him was Jason. Then Sira had walked right up to the horse and scratched his nose.

Jason smiled to himself as he remembered that day. She started to approach the horse and he had shouted a warning. The healer ignored the warning and reached her hand out. He had shouted at her that the horse would bite her. But instead the horse nuzzled her hand. What in the world? How could she do that? he had wondered. He still remembered his disbelief when she said that she had simply talked to the horse first and asked if she might not pet him.

"He is so magnificent, I had to touch him," she had smiled at the others. "I told him that too. He likes flattery just like most men."

The former king had laughed.

The horse tossed his head and snorted. He loved a good run and seemed almost to know Sira was in danger. Despite the slippery conditions, Jason gave him his head and let the horse run. There was a recklessness about the flight through the rain and mud that invigorated the seasoned warrior.

It was still a few hours before dawn when the rain began in Acubus. The storm moved slowly, bringing the much needed moisture to the earth. Sira's mother, her earth. The hunter, in Granny's barn where he and Hercules slept, had finally fallen into a restless sleep. Hercules had dozed earlier but he was awake to hear the first few drops of rain on the barn roof. He could smell damp earth. He remembered how Sira loved the rain. He sat cross-legged in the hay he had used for a bed. He closed his eyes and tried again to remember all that the empath had taught him about using his mind. While he had always been uncomfortable with using his mind in this way, he knew he could if he really tried.

The healer had remarked more than once how strong of mind he was. Now he put all that strength into his effort to reach Sira. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He let his feelings for the girl wash over him. He loved her. Not like a lover. Not like his feelings for Deianeira, or like the feelings he had had for Serena. But then the love he had shared with these two women was very different. He loved Sira more than a sister. He was honest enough with himself to admit that he found her very attractive. He realized that if she and Iolaus were not together he could easily let his feelings for her take over. He could see himself giving the rest of his life to her. But she was not for him. There was no anger or jealousy at this. Only an acceptance of the truth of the situation. He also cared a great deal for his friend, the hunter. They were closer than brothers. Somehow the love they both shared for Sira had strengthened their bond. Hercules knew that Iolaus was aware of how Sira and he felt for each other. After Hercus was born, Iolaus had told Hercules that should anything happen to him, he would want Hercules to take care of his family.

"Sira will need your love," his friend had said.

The big man took another breath and let it out slowly. "Relax," he told himself.

The demigod knew that Iolaus hadn't been asking him to wait for Sira, or that he should take her to his bed, but that they were family and that their bond was important. He ached for his friend. He knew what pain the hunter would endure should something happen to Sira. He had lived it himself. He felt the depression sweep quickly over him. Try as he might, he could not reach the healer. He sent his mind to the earth.

"Take care of her," he whispered. "She's yours. Watch over her."

In frustration he opened his eyes. He packed the hunter's things. He felt a desperation, an urgency. But the hunter would need rest so the demigod left him sleeping.

Less than an hour had passed before the hunter stirred and sat up. He sent his mind out, hoping to feel the empath. Desperation gripped him and left him shaky. He rose and Hercules handed him a cup of Tassis tea.

"I still don't feel her, Herc." The pain in the statement sent a sharp pain through the demigod's heart.

"I know. I've got your stuff ready. You can leave right away."

"You tried to reach her already, didn't you?" He didn't wait for an answer. "If something has happened to her..." He didn't complete his statement.

"I should come with you," the half man, half god said.

"No, you're needed here. This thing isn't over, and they're shorthanded enough here already. I'll get word to you as soon as I know something. Damn this rain! It's going to slow me down."

Hercules handed his friend some cheese and fruit. The hunter stuffed it in his pockets. Then picking up his water flask, he shook it. It was full. "Thanks, my friend."

He shouldered his pack and then stood for a moment in a lost daze.

"Go with the gods, my friend." Hercules held his arm out to the hunter, who took it in a tight warrior's grasp.

Iolaus nodded and then headed out of the barn. The demigod stepped to the door and watched his friend walk away. "Go with the gods," he whispered again. "And with the earth."

Toward dawn, Jason stopped. His horse needed a rest. He found a relatively dry place for a camp. He stripped the horse and let it roll. Then he rubbed it down with tufts of grass. He was weary but he couldn't seem to relax. The tension rode him like a fever. He fed the horse some oats that Alcmene had been thoughtful enough to pack. The Argonaut's heart ached for Alcmene. She was home with nothing to keep her mind occupied. He could only wonder what Hercus might suspect or ask her. He wondered if he had done the right thing lying to the boy yesterday.

He made a small fire and warmed some stew. Then rolling in his blankets, he slept for a couple of hours. But his sleep was filled with uncomfortable dreams, and a sense of anxiety tormented him. The rain had stopped but the clouds didn't lift. The day promised to be as gloomy as Jason's mood.

Sira became aware of voices. The pain had become a part of her. Was there a time it wasn't? She was thirsty. Her tongue was dry and swollen. She remembered an argument about horses and how she should be carried. Three horses. Only three horses. Where am I? she wondered. Now she remembered the blow on the head. What did these men want with her? She could smell a damp closed smell. A cave. She was in a cave. She sensed three or four men here. No, maybe more. But her mind was still so muddled that she couldn't use it to advantage. She tried lowering the barrier she had put on her pain. No! It hurt too much. Better to leave a buffer between herself and the pain. I can use my other senses to try and figure out where I am. She opened her eyes.

"Hey! Look, she's awake," said a voice.

"About damn time too," said another.

Her eyes came to focus on a face. It was a young face, barely more than a boy. She was so thirsty. She tried to move her tongue to lick her lips but it was too swollen. The young man brought her a flask of water. He gave her only a few drops at first.

It felt so cool on her lips. He waited a few moments and gave her a little more.

"Thank you," she croaked.

"Do you want to sit up?"

She moaned. "Not yet, please."

"Elias! What in Tartarus are you doing to that girl?" Demos yelled from his seat across the cave.

"Giving her some water. You said you want her alive. If we don't do something for her she won't be."

Demos came off the rock he was sitting on, his hand raised to strike. Elias stood to meet him. The warlord stopped in surprise. The boy had never stood up to him before.

"Pollux, you'd better have a talk with your puppy," he said, over his shoulder. "He's asking for a whipping." The warlord turned back to the young man. "Don't ever talk to me like that again." He rubbed a hand over the stubble on his chin. "All right, boy, you look after her then. Get her ready to go. We leave soon."

"She's in no shape to travel. You're going to kill her if you try."

"I've no intention of staying here in this cave forever while you wet nurse the bitch. She'll live or she'll die. But we're heading out."

"At least give her one of the horses. Or get a cart for her."

"Damn and Hades! You can bloody well carry her."

Pollux stepped up beside the boy. "He has a point, Demos. She won't do us any good dead. And if we have more horses we can make better time."

The warlord stared through narrowed eyes at Elias. Then he turned to Pollux. "Send a couple of men back to that village we passed last night. Get us some horses and a couple more men. There are bound to be a few men willing to follow a strong leader. I'd like at least two more with us when we face Hercules." The warlord stood over the healer for a moment. "You sure she's going to make it? She doesn't look good."

"No, I'm not sure." There was a sadness in the boy's whispered statement.

Sira had heard the argument but it made little impression. She strained to remember something. Someone. She put her hand to her head. The throbbing pain seemed to consume her, and tears rolled from eyes that seemed to grate in their sockets.

Elias gave her some more water. "Let's sit you up and see how you do. Then I'll clean you up a bit."

"No," she whimpered. "I cannot."

"I'll help you. You must try."

But she was unable to help him and he lifted her and propped her back against a rock. Her head spun and her eyes rolled back in her head. Then nothing.

She felt a warm towel on her face. Gentle hands washed the blood away. She opened her eyes again.

"I'm sorry," he said. "You passed out again. I don't mean to hurt you. But when the men get back with horses we're leaving here and you'll have to ride."

"I cannot."

"I know, but Demos won't care that you're wounded and sick. He'll tie you to the horse, and to Hades with the consequences."

"Why am I here?" There was fear in the question.

"He wants to trade you for Venin."

She was too sick to think. She had no idea who or what Venin was.

"The cut doesn't look too bad," he said as he examined the wound. "But there is a nasty knot, and I think you must have a concussion." He took up one of her hands and washed it. Then setting it back in her lap he took up the other hand. "I'm sorry we hurt you."

"What is your name?"

He didn't answer. "I'll get you some soup. It might make you feel better."

"I do not want it." She knew she could never keep it down. She felt so sick at the stomach.

"You must try."

He brought her the soup and she did manage a few bites. Then she put her hand up to push the spoon away.

"Please, I need to lie down." Tears rolled down her cheeks.

Very gently, he helped her to lay back on the ground, where she lay shivering with the cold. He put a blanket over her. She closed her eyes. Why can I not remember? There is someone I need to remember. She drifted off to sleep. And in her sleep she rolled down endless hills of snow. She shivered with cold as the snow got under her collar and into her mouth and eyes. Someone was calling her. The blond man. He was calling her. But instead of being with a boy this time he was with a tall muscular man. The tall man's light brown hair waved in the breeze and a frown creased his forehead. I should know these men. Who are you! she shouted in her dream. Who am I? Why can I not remember?

Sira opened her eyes. The young man was beside her.

"We need to get you up. The men are back with the horses."

"I do not think I can."

He bent and picked her up. The pain shot through her head. She gasped at the pain and sickness that overwhelmed her. He gently set her on her feet, but she couldn't stand. Her legs refused to obey her. She leaned against the young man and the support of his arms.

"Let's get going," Demos roared. "Damn it to Tartarus, Elias, get her going."

"She's too sick, Demos. We shouldn't move her. Can't we wait out today and start in the morning?"

"I've wasted enough time. It's past midday now. Get her out there. Tie her on the bloody horse if you have to, but get her out there."

The warlord's voice was low and measured. The boy knew that tone.

He carried Sira out to where the horses waited. The bright sun made the healer moan. Then she was sick. Violently ill. Elias held her head. With each wave of nausea the empath was sure her head would burst. When she was done the young man picked her up and sat her on a horse's back.

She couldn't sit up. She was too dizzy. She leaned forward and placed her heated face against the horse's neck. And while someone held her there, Elias gently tied her to the horse.

She looked at him with pleading eyes.

"I'm sorry. It's the only way."

She closed her eyes. With every step the horse took, her head pounded. Step and the pain. Step and the pain. She was ill, and her illness soiled the horse's neck. Elias looked back, but he said nothing and they rode on. The smell of her sickness filled her nostrils and made her all the more miserable.

I cannot go on like this, she told herself. I must help myself. She began to picture meadows of sweet smelling flowers. Green hills, tall trees, fresh water cascading over cliffs to make a misty rainbow. I must heal myself. That is it. I am a healer. Yes, I remember that. To the soil, to the trees, to the earth, my mother, I give my mind and soul. She took comfort from the prayer and from the knowledge of who she was.

Sira, yosemin empath. Granddaughter of Questa, of the clan of the wolf and the lion. She deliberately brought her mind back to the dreams that had plagued her. The dreams of the people she should know. Still, their part in her life remained a mystery. But now she knew without question that they did belong in her life.

A mile passed. And then another. The pain threatened to overwhelm her. Tall trees. Think of tall trees. A quiet cabin beside a mountain river. A child playing with wooden horses and men. Yes, I remember these things. The memories soothed her and the healing began.

The hunter hurried along. The anxiety rode him like a heavy pack. The rain had stopped at least. But the road was slippery and treacherous. Iolaus had been forced to slow down after he almost fell twice. It would do no good to injure himself. He had to be careful and keep his mind on the road. But he kept a part of his mind for the healer. His mind searched the miles ahead, hoping against hope to get a sense of her. He ate the cheese and fruit Hercules had given him. He stopped once to drink from a trickle of water that dripped from the side of a bank, then he pushed himself on. It was nearly noon when he rounded a bend in the trail and saw a horseman coming towards him. He walked on warily. You could never tell when it would be a friend or foe. But there was something familiar about the horse and rider.

Jason. The hunter stopped in his tracks. A wave of fear staggered him. It would take something very important to bring the former king here.

"Iolaus!" Jason jumped from his horse.

The hunter couldn't speak. He didn't want to know.

"Iolaus, Sira's been kidnapped."

Still the hunter said nothing.

The former king took his friend's arm. "Did you hear me? She's been kidnapped." At the look on the hunter's face he realized that his friend thought his beloved Sira was dead. "I'm sure she's alive."

At his words, the hunter sank to his knees.

"I really feel she is. They need her alive. Demos wants to trade her for somebody called Venin."

The hunter put his hands on the soil and his knees.

"Take care of her," he prayed to the earth. "Watch over her." Then he rose. "Tell me what happened."

Jason explained how they had returned to the farm to find Sira gone and the parchment left in her stead. He said nothing about the blood they had found. The man was worried enough without hearing that. The hunter read the parchment. The Argonaut had carefully torn the brown stain from the edge of the parchment. Anger washed over the hunter's face. His hands shook with the rage he was unable to control. He looked up to meet the eyes of his friend.

"I'll kill him, Jason."

Jason took the hunter's arm. "I know how you feel. We'll get her back, my friend."

"Thank you for coming here. For getting this to me." He waved the parchment. "I need to get back."

"I'm coming with you," Jason stated.

The hunter searched his friend's face a moment.

"I love her too, Iolaus. I'm coming with you."

The hunter held his hand out and the Argonaut grasped it in a tight grip. "How about Alcmene? Won't she worry about you?"

Jason nodded. "Yes, but she knew I would stay to help you."

They walked ahead, Jason leading the stallion behind him.

"Thank you," The hunter whispered.

The empath had drifted between a dizzy consciousness and oblivion. They stopped once to rest the horses. Elias brought her some water but she only threw it up.

The young man kept at Demos to stop. "You're going to kill her."

"What do I care if she dies?" the warlord had sneered.

"She won't be any good to you if she does. They might just kill Venin in retaliation."

Demos, ignoring the taunt, rode on.

"She says she's Hercules lover and that he'll do anything to get her back. If you want to use her against him you need to keep her alive." The lie had its desired effect.

Demos stopped. "His lover, is she?" A smile spread over the warlord's face. "All the better. All right, you lot, start looking for a campsite."

Elias brought his horse alongside the healer. "It won't be much longer now," he soothed her.

And before much longer they did find a place. Elias left her on the horse a moment while he made a bed for her. Then he cut the ropes that had held her on the horse and gently carried her to the waiting blanket. He rubbed her bloodless hands.

"The ropes cut your wrists. You should have said something. I could have loosened them."

"It was not so bad until my hands started to swell."

He moved to her feet. They had been tied to the stirrups and he feared her ankles might also be cut. He picked up her foot and looked closely at the brown spots he found there. His eyes searched hers for a moment but he made no comment.

Sira offered no explanation. "May I have some water?"

He dropped her foot. "Think you can keep it down?"

"Yes. Now that I am not moving, I think I can."

He brought the flask to her and held it while she drank. When she was done he wiped a drop of water from her chin."

She smiled at him. "Thank you."

"Who are you?" he asked.

"I am Sira, Hercules' lover."

He searched her face again. He couldn't tell if she was telling the truth or if she was joking with him. Or perhaps she had seen the advantage to her welfare if they believed this.

"What I really meant is 'who' are you? I mean the feet. Your eyes. And you talk differently than us."

"It is not important. Could I have something to eat?"

"So you are feeling better despite the abuse we've given you."

"Yes. May I eat?"

He chuckled. "Of course."

The young man moved away from her to get the food. She closed her eyes. I have to get away from here. I have to help myself. Maybe tonight when they are sleeping. She felt someone's eyes on her and opened her own. A man stood over her. The look on his face was leering.

"You're a right pretty girl. You really Hercules' lover?"

Sira said nothing.

"Maybe you'd like to be with a real man. A whole man. Not some half breed mongrel cur."

"Perhaps. But since real men are sadly missing from this group of swine, I cannot tell."

"You little..." He raised his foot to kick her.

Her mind shot out and Elias punched the man in the face. Just as quickly, Sira shut her mind away. The pain engulfed her and threatened to consume her. She felt like she would surely pass out. But the stars in her eyes cleared. She took two slow breaths to steady herself.

Now she remembered. Iolaus, Hercus, Hercules. Tears filled her eyes. Her love for them swept over her. She felt a pain in her heart for them. But one quick try at lowering her mind's barrier to contact them was enough. No, it must wait. The pain was too intense. First she must heal herself.

The man Elias had punched sprawled on the ground. He rubbed his chin and sent a look of hatred at the young man.

"I'll kill you for that, boy. Someday I'll kill you."

"But not today, Phallian. Not today. And when you're ready, you'll find I take a lot of killing."

"You had no call to punch me."

"Leave the woman alone and I won't do it again."

Elias deliberately turned his back on the man and checked on Sira. "He didn't hurt you did he?"

"No. Just made my head hurt again."

"Still feel like eating?"

"Yes." She didn't, but she knew she needed to get her strength back.

He brought her some stew and sat facing her while she ate it.

"You do not belong here with these men," Sira stated.

"Actually, I do. I'm just as bad as they are. Maybe worse."

"I do not believe that. You have taken good care of me."

He shrugged. "No more than I would do for any sick or injured animal."

She searched his eyes a moment. "Help me get away from here."

He jumped to his feet. "No. You have no right to ask that of me."

He started to leave.

"Do not go. Please."

He turned back to look at her, then walked away.

She sighed in frustration. I went too far, too fast. If only I could use my mind, I could sense what he is thinking. She needed to visit the woods. She was sure they were not going to let her walk out of the camp on her own and she didn't trust anyone to take her. But it was a real need. She sat up carefully and started to rise.

"Do you need some help?" The man that had asked was one she hadn't really seen before. He was not overly tall. He had a good looking face, dark hair curled away from a long forehead. His voice was pleasant.

"I need to visit the woods."

"So you were just going to march on out there and do your business and then return, of course?"

"Of course."

The man chuckled. "I'm glad you're feeling better. I never meant to give you such a knot. But you moved."

"Yes, well, a person tends to do that when they see a club coming at them."

He chuckled again. "Elias, take the lady to the woods. And for the gods' sake, don't take your eyes off her. You lose her and Demos will have your head."

Elias gave her a hand and escorted her to the woods.

"I am sorry about back there. You are right. I should not have asked you to betray your friends."

"I owe them. At least Pollux. Besides that, he's right. Demos would kill me."

"It is just that despite what you said, you do not belong with this bunch. You are different."

"You don't know anything about me," he said in anger.

"No. But you could tell me."

"Why would I do that? It doesn't matter anyway. You'll soon be returned to Hercules and that will be the end of it."

"You do not really believe Demos is going to let me live."

He said nothing.

"Besides that, it does matter to me. I saw how you stood up for me. You deserve better than this."

He sniffed. "Don't waste your time on me. I'm not worth it."

She sighed in resignation. This was getting her nowhere.

"If I turn my back, do you promise not to try anything?"

"And if I will not give my promise?" she asked.

"Then I won't turn around."

She knew she was too weak to make any real move anyway. "I give you my word. I will not try anything funny."

He grinned at her and turned his back.

When she was done he helped her back to the camp and she lay back on her blanket. She closed her eyes and stilled her mind. With care, because of the pain in her head, she began to heal herself.

Iolaus and Jason traveled as fast as they could. They didn't really believe that Demos would be ahead of them but he did have horses and they couldn't be sure. They wanted to get back to Acubus and let Hercules know what was coming. They continued to travel even after darkness had descended around them. It was a good road and the moon would soon be out to help guide them.

The moon rose with a silver light. It was just past its full glory and it lit the ground with a shadowy brilliance. The hunter watched it rise. He sent his love out. He hoped Sira was watching the moonrise as well.

Hercules stood outside the barn at Granny's. He was watching the moonrise. The day had been interminably long. The way he felt, he knew the night would be even longer.

The healer watched the moon as well. She sent a prayer to it. "Watch over them for me. I cannot touch them yet. I feel so empty."

Alcmene, sitting in a chair in the garden, also watched the moon. Her day had seemed never to end as well. The boy beside her sent his own prayer to the moon.

The moon was at its zenith when the Argonaut and the hunter reached Acubus. And as they approached Granny's barn the demigod stepped out to meet them. Jason watched the play of emotions on the big man's face. It was evident he also feared the worst.

Jason did his best to relieve his friend's mind. "So you can see my reasoning. They'd need her alive to make this work."

Hercules had watched the hunter's face as Jason talked. What neither Iolaus or Hercules had said was that it didn't explain why they couldn't get a feel for the healer's thoughts.

They were in the barn. Jason combed the stallion down as they talked and had given him the last of the oats he had brought with him. Now the men sat in the stall that had been doing duty as a bed chamber.

Iolaus and Hercules filled the former king in on what had happened with Demos here in Acubus.

"So this Venin and Demos are lovers, and he wants her back?"

"That's about it," Hercules nodded.

"Why not just let her go then?"

"The thing is, we're not holding her. We watch the farm for the father's sake." Hercules stretched his legs out before him. "I can't help but feel he's in danger from her."

Jason looked from one to the other of them. "So you think she might kill him? I begin to see. It's interesting." He rubbed his chin. "You know, Venin is another word for poison."

The hunter and the demigod looked at each other. The hunter raised an eyebrow.

"Strangely appropriate," he said to no one in particular.

Both the eyebrows of the former king went up. "So this woman is free to go whenever she wishes. I wonder what's keeping her here."

Hercules shook his head. "I don't know. But now, maybe we better make sure she does stay. We can't take a chance on her disappearing before we get Sira back."

"Wouldn't she just seek out Demos?"

"Perhaps. But even if she did..."

The demigod left his statement unfinished. He had no need to finish it. They knew what he was thinking. If Venin returned to Demos, there would be no reason to keep Sira alive.

Hercules rose and left the barn. He was gone for awhile before he returned. He made sure that Venin was still with them and set two more men to watch the farm. Then he checked on Hector. Calla was sitting up with him. He was doing better but Calla was still afraid to leave him for long. When the big man was assured that he had done all he could he returned to the barn.

Iolaus looked at him expectantly. "She's still with us and she will stay there." Hercules rolled his head from side to side in a vain attempt to relieve the tension he felt in his neck. "I would have been back sooner but I wanted to check on Hector."

"How is he?" the hunter asked.

"Better. His fever broke, and he has been more alert."

The hunter nodded then turned to Jason. "How is Hercus holding up?"

"He's a strong boy. He knows something is up but he's handling it well. He doesn't know the truth of course." He smiled at his friend. "Trust Alcmene. She'll take good care of him."

Sira's sleep was troubled. Her headache had grown worse with the effort she had exerted in healing herself. Demos had insisted she be tied to a tree. She was most uncomfortable. Her wrists, already raw from the ropes used to tie her to the horse, throbbed with pain now. Her hands were swollen again. Her feet out before her were also tied.

Elias had argued that he could watch her and that she was too sick yet to escape anyway. But Demos had told him to go to Tartarus. Phallian had tied her and he had done a cruel job. He had bent close to her, his foul breath fanning her face.

"I'm going to have a piece of you yet," he said to her.

"Not as long as there is breath left in me you will not."

He had chuckled. "As if you could do anything about it."

"Do not under estimate me. You might be surprised."

He had said no more, but the way he had handled her had made her skin crawl.

She moved to the right as far as she could to try and ease her back. Her arms scraped painfully against the rough tree bark. She began to scrape the ropes along the bark. Up down, up down. How many times had she done it already? It made the ropes cut into her wrists all the more, but if she could break them she could try to sneak out of here. Elias was wrong. If she were free she could walk away. While her head pounded, the healing had done a lot to bring back her strength. I must not fall asleep again. I cannot give up. I have too much to live for.

She pictured him in her mind. The blond curls blowing about his face. The tiny scar above his right temple. His quick, sure movements. The other half of her soul. She let her mind dwell on her son as well. He was so much like his father. His blue eyes the same clear blue. They had the sky in their eyes, while she had the forest in her own. The boy's hair was curly like his father's, while hers was straight. But the child's resemblance to his father went beyond the physical. It was in the way he thought and felt about things. His emotions ran deep and pure. The hunter was more of the forest than Sira had ever thought a human could be. His years as a hunter had joined him to the earth, and the yosemin's own roots in the soil had strengthened the bond. The boy was also a part of the earth. How could he be otherwise when his parents were so in union with nature?

The healer deliberately kept her mind on these things. It helped shut out the pain and discomfort.

Elias rose from his blankets and came toward her. She stopped the endless movement of the ropes on the tree.

"How are you holding up?" he whispered.

"Does it matter?"

He checked on the ropes that held her fast to the tree. Anger swept over him when he saw what she had been attempting.

"You fool." His voice was a harsh whisper. "Even if you do succeed in getting free, do you really think you'll get away?"

"I do not know, Elias. But I must try."

"Why? We're returning you to Hercules. Maybe you're not comfortable, but it won't be for long."

She took an exasperated breath but said nothing.

"Is it because of Phallian? I won't let him hurt you."

"Please, Elias, you are no fool. You cannot truly believe Demos will let me live." At the shocked look on his face she continued. "He wants to hurt Hercules. How better than by killing me?"

"But he wants Venin back. If he kills you he won't get her."

"I am sure he has thought of that. I think he has a plan to get her and still kill me."

The young man shook his head.

"Look, he was quite pleased to think I was Hercules' lover. At the time I could not remember who I was or how I was associated with Hercules. But echoing what you said seemed to make a difference in whether he let me rest or not. That is all I cared about right then. But now the lie has sealed my fate. He will kill me to get back at Hercules. You said yourself that Demos seems to hate him."

Elias sighed. What she was saying was beginning to make sense.

"Weak hateful people strike at those who have bested or foiled them. His hate is really for himself but he will take out his revenge on Hercules by killing me."

"I don't know. Maybe you're right. But..."

"You know I am right, Elias. Search your heart. You know what he will do."

Elias shook his head.

"Help me. Untie the ropes then return to your bed. Just look the other way."

Pollux had heard Elias rise to check on Sira. He lay in his blankets, unmoving. He could hear their whispered conversation. He had to admire the girl. She's no dummy, he thought. He had drawn the same conclusions she had. Killing innocent women was not his style. Besides that, he liked this girl. She showed spunk. But he was not prepared to go against Demos and he didn't want Elias to either.

Pollux liked Elias. He had brought the boy to the group and taken him under his wing, as it were. He had taught him to use a sword and a bow. He had honed the boy's fighting skills. But the bottom line was the boy did not belong here. He was a good kid at heart. If his young life had been different, he would never have been here in the first place. Despite the fact that the boy had become a thief to survive, he was not an outlaw. He had too many morals and scruples, something Demos and Pollux were sadly lacking.

He could sense that Elias was beginning to believe that what the girl was saying was the truth. The damn fool. Demos will kill him. Oh well. Do I care? he asked himself. He sighed. Yes, I guess I do. He rose and walked to the tree where Sira was tied.

"Maybe you'd better get some rest," he told Elias.

The young man turned to him. "Does Demos plan to kill Sira?"

"No, boy. Don't be silly. Where did you get that idea? Go rest. I'll sit with her a bit."

Elias rose, and with a nod returned to his bed.

"When he finds out you have lied to him he will hate you," the healer stated.

"Maybe. But better that than being run through by Demos."

"How would Demos know how I got loose?"

"He's no fool. And he's deadly cruel. He's seen how much Elias likes you. He would assume, and on that assumption he would kill the boy."

"I never meant for that to happen."

"I know, but if you keep at him it will."

"Turn me loose." It was a statement. She didn't beg or plead. "You know he will kill me."

The man nodded.

"Can you live with that on your conscience?"

Pollux checked the ropes. "You're scraping more bark and skin off than cutting through the ropes."

"Can you live with my death on your hands?' she asked again.

He scratched the stubble on his chin. I need a shave and a bath, he thought. "I guess I'll find out soon enough," he stated and rose to return to his own bed.

Elias couldn't hear their conversation. But he wasn't sleeping. He hadn't believed Pollux's denial of Demos' intentions. He was at a loss. He couldn't seem to think straight. He had helped Sira because she was so damn pitiful. But in helping her he had found a liking for her. Killing innocent women was wrong. Sira had done nothing to deserve the fate he was sure now, Demos had in store for her. Anymore than that other woman had deserved the fate she had received at the hands of Demos' men. He had been with the men that had taken the first woman. They said they were going back for more goods. But the only goods they had brought out of the village had been the woman. He had had no part in hurting her. But he had done nothing to stop them either. What they had done to her. The memory of it still had the power to make him sick. The bottom line was, he had been too afraid to try and stop them. That was one of his biggest failings. I'm a coward, he told himself. If I try to help Sira I'll face Demos. I've seen him fight. I wouldn't stand a chance. Besides that, Demos is the leader here. I owe him a certain loyalty. But how can I stand by and let Sira be hurt? I'll leave. I can be gone and then I won't have to face it. Right now, he told himself. But he stayed where he was.

Hercules sipped his Tassis root tea. "The best we can do is wait for him to seek us out. Any move we make now might endanger Sira."

The hunter paced the floor in exasperation. "I hate just waiting."

"I know, Iolaus, but Hercules is right. We must wait," Jason tried to soothe his friend.

"Why can't I reach her mind? It doesn't make sense." He kicked an unoffending pile of straw. "I can't stand this." He stomped out of the barn.

The Argonaut and the demigod looked at each other. "So that's what's been going on," Jason stated. "He can't touch her mind. No wonder he looked so frightened when I first found him on the road." He turned to the half god, half man. "I don't know that much about this telepathy thing. I know they communicate without words, but I had no idea."

"That's why Iolaus was returning. He thought he felt a flash of something. Then he's been unable to reach her mind."

"Does he always feel her? I mean, are their minds always in touch?"

"Yes, Jason, they are. The thing is, I've tried to reach her also. It's as if she's not there."

"I wasn't going to say anything about this, but I think Sira was injured when they took her. I mean, we don't know for sure, but there was blood." Hercules closed his eyes and let his breath out slowly. "I still believe she's alive. And we've got to get her back. We're talking about two lives here, not one. It will kill him if he loses her."

"I know, Jason," the demigod whispered.

Jason put his hand on his friend's shoulder. I'm sorry, Hercules. I shouldn't have reminded you. It was thoughtless of me."

The half man, half god gave him a wan smile. "I wish we could reach her. I don't know which is worse, not knowing, or knowing without a doubt." The big man followed his friend into the night.

"Damn!" Jason swore.

Hercules read the time by the stars. It was well past the middle of the night. He hadn't slept. But he knew it was no use. He went to Vector's farm. If he was going to be up all night he might as well relieve someone else from guard duty and let them sleep.

The healer slept again. She was frustrated and frightened. But her body, still weak from the blow on the head led her mind to sleep. In her sleep she healed. Her body's ability to heal itself was remarkable.

Elias shook her arm. "Sira, we're leaving soon. Let's get you up and see if we can get your blood moving." He cut the ropes and her arms fell lifeless to the ground. "Your arms are all scraped. And the ropes have cut your wrists even more. Why did you do this to yourself?

"It would be a small price to pay if I could have gotten loose and thereby save my life."

He helped her to her feet and held her arm until she was steady on her feet. "Come on. I'll take you to the woods."

When they returned to the camp, Elias brought her a mug of tea. "Do you want something to eat?"

"A good meal, since it may be my last?"

"Stop it, all right? Just stop it." He turned his back on her but he didn't walk away.

"No, Elias," she whispered, "I do not want to eat." She sent her mind to tentatively touch his. She was shocked by the conflicting emotions she could perceive in that touch. It went beyond the moment to the deeper emotions of an early life she knew nothing about. The wounds ran deep. She wondered what he might have endured in his eighteen or so years that could have left such deep scars.

Phallian came up to her. "It's time. We're just going to tie you to the horse so's you stay put."

"I'll do it," Elias insisted.

"No. No, Demos told me to. He don't trust you to do it right."

The outlaw grabbed her arm and she jerked it away.

"Don't touch her, Phallian."

"And what are you going to do about it? You talk so big. But we all know you're nothing but a coward."

A flush swept over the boy's face.

"Phallian!" Demos shouted. "Get that damn whore on the bloody horse."

The outlaw grabbed Sira's arm again and stepped past the boy. "Now then, shall I lift you up to the nice horsie's back?"

Sira jerked her arm away again and in one swift movement, she jumped on the horse's back and swung her leg over. Straddling the horse pulled her dress up and exposed a great deal of leg. The outlaw reached out a filthy hand to touch her leg. His face wore a look of hunger. When the hand touched her she shivered. He never saw the kick coming but it took him square on the chin. His head jerked back and he staggered. Sira threw her leg over the horse's back and dropped to the ground on the far side.

Pollux stood beside her. "Going somewhere?"

She threw up her hand and scraped it across his face. Four red streaks marred his cheek. Blood welled to the surface and dripped to his chest.

He grabbed the hand in a tight grip. "The cat has claws."

Phallian came around the horse. The slap turned her around to fall to her knees. She jumped to her feet to run but Pollux grabbed her arm. Demos grabbed Phallian and held him from getting to Sira.

"I told you to put her on the horse, not play with her. Get her up there or face me." Demos seemed unperturbed by the scene other than that it had delayed their departure.

Pollux motioned to the horse.

"You are bleeding," Sira stated in sarcasm.

"Shall I help you up?" he offered.

Sira again jumped to the horse's back. And Phallian grabbed her wrist and wrapped a rope tightly around it.

"You should have whored up to me instead of the boy and I would have got you out of here. But you're out of time. We'll be there today."

No! Sira shouted in her mind. I thought I would have more time.

Her face throbbed where Phallian had slapped her. Iolaus! she cried silently. And her mind shot out as a wave of despair swept over her. Her mind touched the hunter's and tears filled her eyes. She sensed his tortured thoughts, his pain at their separation.

The hunter, standing next to the fence that surrounded the yard of the farmer's hut, grabbed the top rail for support. His eyes were tightly shut.

"Are you all right?" the blacksmith beside him asked in concern.

Iolaus held up a hand for silence.

His first reaction to her mind's touch was relief. But he sensed her fear and pain despite her effort to hide it away. His own fear joined hers and quickly took the place of his relief.

"Today," her mind told him. "It will be today."

Their souls touched and blended even over the miles. And the healer was comforted.

Iolaus grabbed the blacksmith's arms. "She's alive, Barnabus. Sira's alive!"

The blacksmith looked perplexed.

"Watch Venin for me. I've got to let the others know."

Barnabus nodded. He hadn't the vaguest idea how Iolaus could know if his wife was alive or not.

When the villagers had learned that Sira had been kidnapped they had been shocked . It seemed such a drastic measure for Demos to take. But they had rallied around their new friends with offers of help and support.

The hunter burst through the door of Granny's hut. "She's alive. I felt her." A grin split his face.

Hercules grabbed his friend's arm in a warrior's grasp. "You really felt her? She's all right?"

The hunter nodded. "They'll be here today. We have to get her back." He took the demigod's arm in a tight grip. "She's scared to death. I also sensed pain. I think they've hurt her."

"It's all right, my friend. We'll get her back."

Jason squeezed the hunter's shoulder. "Thank the gods she 'is' alive." he whispered.

The wait seemed a lifetime, the time slipping away in minute seconds of anxiety as they waited to hear from Demos. The next move must be his.

Barnabus and Calla came to the hunter where he paced the floor. He counted the steps back and forth. It took eight steps to reach the far wall. Eight steps forward and eight steps back. Over and over, his mind on the woman he loved. He felt her mind on his. Not in communication but in a light caress of thought. It was what he had been missing. He hadn't even realized it was a part of him until it was taken away.

"Whatever might come, we want to help," Barnabus stated. "Calla and I will do whatever we can."

Iolaus nodded in thanks. "Thanks, my friends. We just have to wait and let him make the first move. Then perhaps we can form some kind of plan."

Two other villagers also offered their support as well. It eased some of the tension. It was good to have friends willing to help in something like this.

Pollux urged his horse forward to ride beside Demos.

"What have you got planned?"

The warlord said nothing for a moment. He was not given to explaining himself.

"What I plan is to kill the woman. His woman, right under his nose."

Pollux let his breath out in an exasperated hiss. "What are you thinking? If you kill that girl Hercules will hunt you down and your life won't be worth a plug dinar.

"The warlord sniffed. "I'm not afraid of a ghost. I have every intention of eliminating him as well."

"And what if he isn't so easy to eliminate?"

"You don't really buy into this god thing do you? He's mortal. He'll die."

"Human or half god, he's a fighting man. Why take a chance? As long as you get Venin back, what's the point of killing the woman?"

"You sound like you care for this woman," Demos snorted. "Or are you beginning to get scruples?"

"Come on, Demos. We've been together for a long time. You know me. I just don't see the point in all of this."

The truth was he knew all too well why Demos was planning this course of action. He had been made to look the fool by Hercules. He was letting his ego get in the way of his common sense.

"What? Don't tell me you're afraid of Hercules?" There was a deliberate taunt in the question.

"No. But I begin to wonder if you are."

"What in Tartarus does that mean?"

"You're afraid to let this go because of some warped idea of honor. All Hercules did was stop you from terrorizing that village. We've been stopped before. Why take it so personally this time?"

"You've said enough, Pollux."

The warlord urged his horse ahead. So why was he determined to go through with this? Pollux was right. It was more his style to run from this sort of confrontation. Well for one thing, I want that money. Then there's Venin. She's my woman. But even Demos didn't really believe this. They were not together out of love. But because they had found each other useful.

The warlord let out a sigh of exasperation. All this still doesn't explain my obsession with this whole business. Then he knew the answer. He had been slowly losing his command, his men silently slipping away. Where was the loyalty? His men should look up to him. Follow his orders. There used to be no question of who was in charge. If I let Hercules get away with this I won't be able to command a single man. Then what? I'm a warlord. It's what I do. I'll be damned if I'll let Hercules or any other man take that from me.

It was like Demos not to see his own part in his loss of followers. He had changed the way he operated and he was not suited for the change. The type of men he could command were not fit for it either. He had never before tried to keep an army of men. His followers had changed continuously. He would raid a village and a few stragglers would join the outlaws. He hired out to some fool to eliminate someone or something and picked up strays along the way. His men were not fighting men. But rather criminals that had found it impossible to make it on their own, but were too stupid to admit it. He had never really commanded his rag tag assortment of prison refugees. But he believed he had. And now he saw the fantasy slipping away. The reality was too hard to live with and it was dangerously close to rearing its ugly head before him.

Hercules, Jason and Iolaus stood near the community well in the center of town and watched the stranger approach. The horse he rode was a nag but he sat the horse well. He was young, not much more than a boy really. His light brown hair curled in a masculine way back from a smooth forehead, tanned to a light brown by the sun. The young man stopped before them. And after a moment's hesitation he dismounted the horse. Trailing the reins behind him he handed a torn bit of parchment to Hercules. The big man could feel the tension in the boy.

He read the note then handed it to Iolaus who read it out loud.

"Meet me at the big pile of rocks near the east edge of the forest. Bring Venin. No one else. No weapons. Be there in an hour or your woman dies."

"Will you come?" Elias asked the demigod.

"I will. Tell him I will comply with his demands."

Elias nodded, and mounting his horse he turned to leave. He hesitated for a moment. "He plans to kill Sira." The boy kicked the horse in the ribs and left the village at a run.

The hunter, the blacksmith, the Argonaut, Calla, and two other villagers slipped through the grove of trees at the back of Granny's place and into the woods. They must move silently. Demos would have men already in the woods near the pile of rock where he had chosen to make his stand. Iolaus remembered the area from their early exploration of the entire area surrounding the village. They brought with them swords and other weapons suited for close up work. They must not tip off the warlord. One hint of their intentions and it would write the healer's death warrant.

Hercules went to Vector's. He found the farmer and Venin just sitting down to their midday meal.

"Demos is here to get Venin," he stated without preamble. "He's holding Iolaus's wife, Sira, as hostage. I need you to come with me." He reached to take Venin's hand.

"No!" Vector shouted. "You can't give her back to that bastard."

"I hope to prevent that. But if I don't show up with her, Demos will kill Sira."

Venin did some fast thinking. Demos is back. I've got to get to the gold and get out of here. This might be just the opportunity I need. Hercules won't give up without a fight. And while they're killing each other I can slip away and be gone before they know it. Time enough to kill dear old father later.

Venin rose from the table to follow Hercules.

"No. She won't go with you. She's been through enough."

Hercules looked at the woman. "Well, what's it going to be?"

Venin motioned for Hercules to lead on.

Her father grabbed her arm. "Please, Venin. You mustn't."

All her hatred for the disgusting little man welled up inside of her. It exploded over her in a wave of pure anger. "Don't touch me. I can't stand you to touch me. You don't give a damn for me. You never have. If you had ever cared you wouldn't have left me in that village to become a harlot. I willingly left there with Demos. It was better than selling my body to every filthy pig who came along."

The farmer shook his head in disbelief.

"Oh yes. That's what your daughter became. That's what your wife was. I was twelve the first time a man took me. My darling mother made the arrangements. We needed the money. Did you care? Did you ever once send money or check on me?"

"But I did, Venin. I did. I sent more than one message with Lucious. I sent money with him also. Your mother refused to even answer my notes. Lucious said she refused my offers of help. She took the money I sent. Sure, it wasn't a lot. I'm not a rich man. But..."

"Lucious?" Venin interrupted. "Lucious was mother's lover. He was the first. He gave her money so she would let him sleep with me. She let him into my room. And when I screamed and cried, did she stop it? No, she yelled at me to take it and be quiet. That's what you did to me, Father. By not caring. If I meant anything to you, why didn't you come check on me?" She laughed a bitter laugh. "You're a fool, just like Mother always said. I hate you. I want you dead and I want to be the one to kill you. I killed her and I'll do the same to you. To feel your blood on my hand would be the greatest triumph of my soiled life."

The farmer had slumped back into his chair. His face wore a look of shocked disbelief.

"Still don't get it, do you? This whole thing. The raids on Acubus. It was all my idea. We took you for such a fool. But I knew it would be easy. You never had any sense. If you had had any, you never would have married an ignorant whore. You never would have believed Lucious. You're pathetic." She spat the last two words.

"We need to hurry," Hercules interrupted the woman's tirade. He had heard more than he cared to.

Venin turned her back on her father and walked out the door. They walked on in silence. The demigod had no idea what to say. Hearing the things the woman had confessed about her childhood had made him feel sorry for her. But hearing her murder confession had left him feeling empty.

They approached the pile of rocks. They had to walk up a long open ridge to get near the mound of granite boulders. The ground fell off to either side of the ridge. Demos would have all the advantage. If he were up in those rocks he would command a clear view of anyone who approached.

And as these thoughts formed in the demigod's mind the warlord raised up from the rock.

"That's far enough," he shouted.

Hercules stopped where he was.

"You played havoc with my men," the warlord called down.

"You came looking for it." Where is Sira? the big man thought. "I gave you a chance to walk away."

"With my men watching? No, you gave me no chance." Demos reached down and grabbed Sira's arm and pulled her to her feet beside him. Just like I won't give your woman a chance, he thought.

"Start Venin and I'll start your woman." Demos demanded. He gave the healer a shove "Go on, and don't try anything."

Without Hercules saying anything, Venin started forward. Demos, you're a damn fool if you think Hercules is going to stand there and let you get away with this, she thought.

Sira felt the hair on the back of her neck raise up. She gingerly made her way through the rocks. She expected an arrow in her back at any moment. I must warn Hercules. How can I let him know that Demos has a bow ready? She knew the warlord planned to kill her. But now she knew he also planned to kill Hercules. Seek cover, Sira thought. Do not just stand there, inviting an arrow in the chest. Tension was thick in the air. The healer could feel it press down on her, sucking the breath from her lungs. She wanted to scream. Do something, anything to break the spell. Everything seemed to move in slow motion. The walk seemed to go on forever, almost as if she stood still.

Sira and Venin were almost parallel. Demos grabbed the bow and steadied the arrow in the groove. Hercules, sensing what was coming, sent his mind out in a blast of thought to Sira. The healer lunged at Venin, pushing her out of the way and falling with her to roll from the ridge and into the gully. The arrow sped harmlessly passed them.

The bow was the signal to his men. They surged forward, bent on surrounding the demigod. But they were met with more than they had bargained for. The hunter and the others met them head on. Demos notched a second arrow and let it go. Hercules, watching Sira, almost missed it. Ducking his head to the left he snatched the arrow from the air.

Both Venin and Sira were momentarily stunned. The dark haired girl recovered first, and jumping to her feet she turned to run. Sira grabbed her arm to stop her. Venin jerked out of the healer's grip and sent a kick to the girl's ribs. Pain shot through the empath's side. Without waiting to see the results of her kick Venin ran for the woods.

Demos saw Venin's flight. She's going for the money! he shouted in his mind. He jumped to the side, and in two sure footed leaps he was out of the rocks and running after Venin.

Barnabus's club came down on a skull and he was rewarded with a loud crack. The hunter fought desperately. He had seen Sira and Venin go over the ridge. He knew Venin might hurt Sira, given a chance. But he had Barnabus' back. He couldn't leave his friend to the mercy of the outlaws.

Hercules landed a punch in a face. He ducked under a sword swing.

Elias saw Demos jump from the rocks. He was headed toward Sira. He plans to kill her, he thought.

Hercules also saw Demos heading in the healer's direction. Not this time, he thought. You won't get away this time. He brought his knee up in a hard kick to a man's middle. Then he jabbed a right to a face already showing signs of a struggle. Four streaks of dried blood ran down the right side of the man's face. The man took the punch coming in and went to his knees. Hercules ran after Demos.

The warlord was furious. His well laid plan had failed completely. He ran forward and there was Sira still on the ground. With a roar of frustration and hate, Demos pulled his sword.

"No!" shouted Elias.

The boy stepped in front of Sira. Demos swung his sword, and the boy's own sword clashed with that of the warlord's. Elias was good with a sword. He had Pollux to thank for that. But Demos was better. The boy felt the sword cross his middle in a slashing blow. He stood where he was a moment, Sira's cry of protest still ringing in his ears. Then he slumped to his knees as realization hit him.

Demos stood over him a moment then stepped to Sira. But the fight with Elias had delayed him. Venin might be leaving with the money this very moment. The warlord felt something in his head. He shook his head to clear it. Then not even knowing why he did it, he walked away. After a few steps he began to run. I must catch up with Venin.

The healer rushed to Elias and cradled his head in her lap. Tears dripped to his face.

"I wasn't afraid this time," he said through clinched teeth. The shock was wearing off and he was beginning to feel the pain.

"Do not try to talk. I can help you. But you must trust me, Elias."

Hercules knelt beside them. "Are you all right, Sira?"

The healer felt the concern and worry in his words.

"Yes," she nodded. "Go stop them. I will take care of Elias."

The demigod hesitated.

"Go!" She shoved at him "They must be stopped."

Iolaus pushed the man away. The blood dripped to the grass in an ever widening pool. The man stood watching his life's fluid flow from his body to stain the earth. Why couldn't she have liked me just a little? I'm not so bad. Those strange green eyes. That's what had done it. I wish I could have had a chance with her. My problem is I never learned how to treat a real woman. I scared her off just like I always do. He slumped to his knees. Then he fell forward into his own blood. That pretty gold hair. I wonder what it would have felt like to feel that hair wrap around us both as we made love. He forced himself to roll over. The sky is so blue today. I wonder why I hadn't noticed before.

The fight was over. Iolaus knelt beside the man. The fallen man tried to say something but he couldn't get it past the blood in his throat. The blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. Tell her I would have loved her, he shouted. But no words came out. And the man that had been Phallian realized this would be the last blue sky he saw on this mortal plain. And his unseeing eyes stared at nothing.

Demos caught up to Venin. He heard sounds before him and slowed his pace. Looking through a screen of brush he saw her. She was kneeling on the ground, digging at something. He watched as she pulled a leather bag from the hole she had dug.

He stepped through the brush. "You weren't thinking of leaving without me, were you?"

Venin looked up but said nothing.

"So this is where you've hid it all this time."

"This is only a portion of it. There's more hidden elsewhere."

Demos chuckled. He felt a moment of exhilaration. More money? he wondered. No, he decided. She's lying. He walked to stand before her.

"Let's have it," he demanded.

"It's mine, Demos. I've earned it." She left the leather bag on the ground and got slowly to her feet. With one step she moved closer. "Besides, I thought we were partners." She reached her left hand up to caress his cheek. "We can share the money." She raised up to take his lips.

He grunted as the knife sunk deep in his flesh. She jerked it once then stepped back to admire her work.

"I told you I would gut you someday. And it was all too easy." A smile of pleasure crossed her face. "You're dead, Demos. I'm glad it was me and not Hercules who had the pleasure of killing you. I've been looking forward to it for a long time."

He studied her face a moment. "What you said about there being more money. Is it true?"

She laughed. "All true. You're such a pathetic fool."

Demos sank to his knees. They had gone weak with the realization of what he might have had. She turned her back on him and bent to retrieve the leather bag.

The shout from Hercules came too late. Demos, mustering all the hate and frustration of his wasted years, rose to his feet to sink his knife in the woman's back near her right shoulder blade.

Demos swayed on his feet a moment than crumpled to the ground. He was dead, all his hate and evil spilling out of him with the red tide of blood.

Hercules took Venin by the arm and pulled her to her feet. "Let me help you."

"You can go to bloody Hades!" She jerked her arm away from him, but she staggered from the effort.

Iolaus knelt beside Sira and placed his hand on her arm. She turned tear stained eyes to him. He stood and pulled her into a tight hug. He buried his face in her hair.

"I thought I'd lost you." His voice broke.

The anguish in his words tore at her heart and soul. "Oh, my love," she cried.

Their souls touched and mingled and they both found comfort in it.

Elias moaned beside the lovers.

"We have got to help him, Iolaus. He saved my life."

He nodded. "We'll do our best."

The healer knelt beside the boy again and put her hands on the wound. She threw her head back and began to sway.

"Trust me, Elias. I cannot hurt you. You must trust me."

Jason and Calla approached them. "Where's Hercules?" the Argonaut asked.

Sira removed one blood stained hand from the boy's side and pointed to the woods. "There. He went after Venin and Demos."

Jason ran in the direction she had pointed.

"Iolaus," Calla said. The hunter's attention was focused on the healer. "Iolaus?" She repeated herself to get his attention. "We have a cart on the way." She hesitated a moment. "What's she doing?"

"She's trying to stop the bleeding."

"With her bare hands?" There was a sound of shock in the girl's voice.

"Believe me, Calla, she knows what she's doing. If anyone can save him, she can."

"Iolaus," Sira whispered through the pain she was now experiencing. "It will rain later. We need to get him to some kind of shelter. I would rather not transfer before we do."

"A cart is on the way. Can you hold on a bit?"

She nodded.

Calla looked about her. There were no clouds in the sky. Why had the girl thought it would rain? And what was a transfer? She was curious but she said nothing.

Jason came up to Hercules and Venin. He raised his eyebrows at the demigod. He could see that Venin was hurt. Hercules handed the leather bag to his friend.

"Is she hurt bad?" he asked motioning to Venin.

"I don't think it's too bad. Don't look at me like that. I didn't do it. Demos did."

"Where's Demos?"

"Back there." The big man motioned with his head. "Dead," he added.

At the look on the former king's face Hercules shook his head. "I didn't do that either. She did."

"Look," Venin stated. "Can we finish this later..?"

She didn't complete her statement. She fainted instead. Hercules picked her up and carried her.

"By the weight of this bag I'd say it's filled with gold and coin."

"That's my guess," Hercules nodded.

"So now we know what was keeping her here."

"Anyone hurt?"

"Not on our side." Jason grinned. There is the boy with Sira and another man with a cracked head, courtesy of Barnabus. The one you punched to the ground got away. Barnabus is holding two others." The former king motioned with his head at the woman the demigod carried. "What are we going to do with her?"

Hercules sighed. "After what I've seen and heard?" He shook his head. "She must go to Corinth. It isn't for me to judge her, but she's bad news. I refuse to turn her loose on an unsuspecting world."

Hercules and Jason stopped where Sira still knelt beside Elias. The demigod lowered the woman to the grass. Sira tossed him a strip of cloth from her skirt. She made no comment. He wrapped the cloth around Venin's shoulder and tied it at her side. The murderess watched every move he made.

"Sira, hand me another bandage."

The healer tore another piece of the dress and tossed it to follow the first. Hercules pulled the woman up and held her arms behind her. She grunted as the movement moved her shoulder. He tied her hands behind her back.

"Is that really necessary?" Calla asked.

Hercules pushed Venin to the ground. "It's necessary," he stated.

The cart arrived. Hercules put Venin in the cart then returned to Sira. "Let's get him in the cart."

Sira nodded but stayed by the boy's side. Hercules lifted the boy and the empath rose with them. She didn't break her touch on his side. The cart moved ahead and Hercules walked beside it. He had no intention of trusting Venin with anyone else. Barnabus picked up the man with the busted skull and placed him in the cart that had moved around the ridge and come to a stop beside him. The two outlaws who were uninjured were tied securely to each other. The cart started off again. Barnabus offered to bring in the others. Calla stayed with him. Iolaus walked on one side of the cart, Hercules walked on the other. Jason followed.

When they reached the village Granny met them near the community well.

"We have a room ready for the wounded."

"No," Sira objected. I must be outdoors. A tarp to keep the rain off will do."

The unconscious man was taken to the room. The others, including Venin, were taken to the livery barn and tied there at Hercules' order.

"Granny, can you take care of her shoulder?"

The old one nodded. "I'll get some warm water and some bandages."

"Be careful of her, Granny. She's poison."

Jason searched his friend's face. It wore its habitual frown. The former king couldn't tell if he was making a joke or not.

Sira had taken some of the pain from Elias. It was the best she could do without a transfer. Hercules carried the injured boy to a grassy area near the barn. He squeezed Sira's shoulder in passing. His brief touch gave her strength.

"Elias, you must trust me." Sira told him. "I will not hurt you. I can heal you, but only if you trust me and let me lead you in this." She swayed beside the boy. "I can touch your mind and take the pain from you. There will be more pain at first. You may bleed more at first. But I can help you."

The healer looked up to see Iolaus watching her. She let her mind touch his. She was afraid he might object to the healing. But his mind sent her understanding and acceptance. The healer closed her eyes and began to chant. She anchored herself to the earth and brought the blue white light to her.

"Relax, Elias. Once we start this you must not stop me. You must let me control the healing."

Iolaus, working on the shelter, stopped and watched the woman he loved. Pride welled in his heart for her. She was still injured and weak herself, but she was giving of herself to another. She was never more beautiful than when she was in a healing. There was a visible glow about her.

"Iolaus, hand me that end of the tarp," Hercules said. He repeated himself. Still the hunter didn't hear him. The half god reached for the corner of the tarp and took it from his friend's hand. The hunter looked up and smiled an apology at his friend. The demigod smiled back.

Sira healed Elias throughout the night. The boy was weak from the loss of blood, but the empath refused to give up. Through the transfer she had gained some insight to the boy's past. It had made her all the more determined to save him. She had rested for a while, but as the sun streaked the east with a diffused brilliance through the scattered clouds she woke and began to heal again. Hercules and Iolaus had stayed with healer and wounded under the temporary shelter throughout the night. The rain had stopped for the moment. The clouds along the horizon had lifted some. Calla, dozing by Hector's bed during the night, had awakened to the sound of the rain and shook her head in disbelief. How could she know it would rain? she wondered.

Granny brought tea, fresh baked bread, and fruit to the shelter. Hercules had started a fire to warm them as the morning held a damp chill.

Granny watched Sira for a moment. "Is she going to be okay?" she asked of Iolaus.

"Yes. She knows what she's doing."

"When you told me about her, I wasn't completely believing. But I'm beginning to become a firm believer."

Iolaus grinned at the old one. "Thanks, Granny."

The gray haired woman frowned at him. "Thanks for what, young man?"

Iolaus gave her a quick hug. "For not condemning her for what she is and what she can do."

Granny gave him a playful shove. "She's a lucky girl to have you as her champion."

"I'm the lucky one. Not only did she give me life by healing me, but she brought life to my heart."

Granny cleared her throat. She liked the hunter. Something in his love and devotion to his unique wife had touched her heart. She turned to Hercules. "What are you planning to do with Venin?"

Jason had joined the others under the tarp. A light misty rain had started to fall and the former king added some more wood to the fire. He put a blanket over the healer's shoulder. The girl, lost in her healing trance, made no response. But Iolaus smiled at his friend.

"She must face the authorities at Corinth. Giles and Jug will be back any day. I guess they can start back again."

"Will they really do anything to her?"

Hercules sighed. He had been wondering the same thing. Women were sent to prison. There was a women's level in the prison at Corinth. But women were never held for long. Hercules realized he hadn't answered Granny's question.

"I don't know, Granny. If she turns those big sad brown eyes on the judge he'll have a hard time believing she's evil. If her childhood trauma comes out people will feel sorry for her." He shrugged. "I don't know if she'll get more than a slap on the wrist."

"She'll get justice if I take her in." Jason stated. "They'll believe me, and Iphicles might be convinced to help sway the court in the direction needed to prevent Venin from using her evil to harm anyone else."

"You'd be willing to do this?" the demigod asked.

"I insist."

Jason had sent a messenger to Alcmene. He had written her a long letter, explaining everything. He knew he should have gone himself, but he had felt his work here was unfinished. Now he would get Venin to Corinth and stay until she was brought before the court. Then he would return to his beloved wife. He knew she would miss him as he would miss her, but he also knew she would understand his need to see this through.

Vector came to see Venin. He begged her to forgive him and to ask the gods to grant her forgiveness for her sins. She had told him to go to Hades.

"You're a filthy fat pig and I loath the sight of you. If I ever get out of these ropes I'll slit your throat."

Vector had wept and Granny had led him away.

"You should just stay away from her, Vector. She's no good."

"But she's my daughter. She doesn't mean what she says. She's just lashing out."

"She 'was' your daughter. The girl that left here ten years ago is not the same as you see now. But you must remember, Vector, she always did have a cruel streak."

"No! You never liked her because she was my daughter. She was a good child. She doesn't deserve anymore punishment."

He had walked away. No one here had ever given a damn for him or his family. Why should he believe they would start now?

Granny shook her head. She remembered Venin as a child all too well. She had been a mean spiteful child, given to cruelty even then.

Calla left Hector in his wife's care. He was doing much better now. There was no question that he would live. She found Barnabus waiting for her near the sheep pens. He offered to help her get the sheep to the field. A young boy stood waiting as well. Calla often paid him to watch the sheep. The girl gladly accepted the blacksmith's offer of help. It wasn't really needed. Her dog did most of the work. He barked and nipped at the sheep's heels and soon had them in line. The blacksmith and the girl walked with the sheep to the field. The drizzle had lightened to a mist of fog, coming in off the ocean.

"I wonder how Sira knew it would rain?" she said without preamble.

Barnabus shrugged. He was too lost in the pleasure of being here with Calla to let something so unimportant bother him.

When the sheep were settled Calla and the blacksmith returned to Acubus and joined the others under the tarp.

Sira swayed with the pain she felt. She was desperately tired. Her head had begun to ache again. Her ribs throbbed. She wasn't sure if the pain came from the kick Venin had given her or if it was from the wound across her waist.

Hercules watched the healer's face. She was struggling. He could sense it as well as see it. He remembered how she had tapped his strength in healing Iolaus. He rose in one smooth movement and knelt beside the empath. He placed one hand on hers where it rested on the boy's wound. He placed his other hand on Elias. Sira drew in a quick breath. Almost instantly she had felt the strength flow to her. Her hand was almost unbearably hot under his. He opened his mind to her and felt her gratitude for his help. Iolaus knelt on the other side of her and also placed his hands on that of the healer and then on the boy. Sira threw her head back. She swayed with the earth's power that surged through her. She took even more of the boy's weakness and injury on herself.

"What's she doing?" Calla whispered.

"She's healing him," Jason answered her. "She's an empath. She can take the injury of another to herself. Then her own body can fight it. As the injury grows less in the one being healed, their body can better fight it also."

"But she's bleeding," Barnabus said.

"She knows what she's doing. She won't hurt him."

"Yeah, but she's hurting herself," the blacksmith stated.

"I say again, she knows what she's about. She healed Iolaus. He was in much worse shape and she healed him."

Sira had heard the conversation. Not so much the words, as the feeling behind them. So often when she was entranced like this, she could sense so much more. Her mind and soul were left open to the things around her. She sensed fear in the others. Without really meaning to, she touched the mind of the blacksmith. It was a light touch, not meant to be intrusive. She sent him understanding. Now that she had touched his mind and found he was not repulsed by her or what he was witnessing, she let him feel more.

The blacksmith was a little surprised. But after a moment he decided he kind of liked the sensation. It was like having a friend close. Not even knowing how he did it he opened his mind to the healer. After a moment's hesitation he knelt by Elias and put his hands on the boy's leg. The energy that shot through him was almost painful in its intensity. He felt wonder that anything so incredible could really happen.

Calla stared in disbelief at the blacksmith. She liked him. She liked him a lot. But she had always thought of him as a quiet simple man from a quiet simple village. But lately, he had proved to be much more. And now seeing him so open to something so foreign made her realize he had a depth to him she had never given him credit for. She smiled to herself. He was indeed a special man. She sat on the ground beside him, and crossing her legs like Sira, she put her hands on his where they rested on Elias.

Sira sensed the feeling these two had for each other. She also sensed their shyness about letting the other see that feeling. The healer took a moment to back her mind away from the healing. She directed her mind to bring Calla's and Barnabus' feelings together. She smiled to herself when she felt their shock at the depth of their feeling for each other. Sira brought her mind back to the healing. She wasn't sure that Barnabus or Calla would be any real help in the healing, but they had found each other, and the healer took strength from their love.

Venin was not a happy woman. Her shoulder throbbed with an intolerable ache. She was uncomfortable. She was stiff from the confinement and her wrists were irritated by the ropes that held her to the barn stall. They had only turned her loose long enough to eat. Calla always took her to the woods. They never took their eyes off of her. She knew they were leaving soon to take her and the others to Corinth. She had heard enough of their conversation to know the older man was taking them. Well, he was a good looking man, she thought. I can simply turn my charms on him. A grin crossed her face. The trip might even be enjoyable. I'll have him eating out of my hands before two days have passed. She shifted her position in a vain attempt to get comfortable. I don't need to visit the woods, but if I say I do, it will get me out of here for a little while. A man stood by the door to the barn. There was always one of them near.

"Hey you," she called sweetly. "I need to visit the woods."

He turned around to face her. "You just went."

"So I need to go again."

"Calla's busy. You'll have to wait."

"I can't wait."

The man sighed in exasperation. Looking about him, he spotted Barnabus at the shelter. He called to the blacksmith. When Barnabus approached, the man explained.

"Thanks. I'll take care of it." Barnabus walked into the barn to stand over Venin. "Calla's busy. I'll take you."

She smiled at him. "I'm so stiff and sore. I really need to get up and move around more than I need to visit the woods."

"Do you want to go or not?"

"You'll have to help me. I can't stand."

He stood unmoving. "If you want to go, you can help yourself."

She clicked her tongue. "Don't be such a hard nose. I won't hurt you."

"I was more worried about what I would do to you if I were to get my hands on you."

The blacksmith turned his back and left the barn. Going to his workshop, he stood looking around him a moment then started a fire in his forge. Working with metal always cleared his head. It was evening. He and Calla had helped for a long time with the healing. When they had left the shelter they had walked hand in hand to Calla's house.

The blacksmith had felt restless however. He checked on Hector. "How are you doing, Buddy?"

Hector smiled at his friend. "Much better. I'll be glad when I can get out of this bed."

Barnabus stayed with him for a time, then went to Hector's farm. He had been helping Hector's wife around the place, splitting wood and getting things for her. He fed the animals twice a day. He knew she had enough to do with the place and with her son. She didn't need to be worried about the animals as well. When he had completed the evening feeding he went to check on Venin and the other prisoners. He wanted to be sure they were being watched closely. When he had done all he could at his friend's place he had joined Hercules at the healing shelter. He had only been there a short time when he was called to take Venin to the woods. Being near her gave him the creeps. He had a morbid fear of her getting free and harming Calla or Granny. He had sought a release in the familiar. Metal was his friend.

He worked into the night. The swing of the hammer brought an ease to the tension he felt. The sound in his ears was a tonic. He stoked the forge again. This he understood. Taking the raw hunk of metal and shaping it into something useful brought him a satisfaction like none other.

He slept for a few hours. He knew he would be tired today but it would be a good tired. He rose early despite his late night, and taking the products of last night's labor and a large padlock with him he went to the livery barn in the village. This morning he didn't stop at the shelter where the others still slept. He wondered if they had had a late night as well. Should I have offered to help with the healing again? he asked himself. Perhaps. But this was important also.

The blacksmith stopped at the entrance to the barn. He had never used his talent with metal for something like this. Now that the moment had come to use his handy work for its intended purpose, he was shy about it. Squaring his shoulders, he entered. He was greeted at the door by the guard.

The blacksmith stopped before Venin. She stared at him and the things that hung over his shoulders.

"You're not putting those things on me."

"It'll be better than the ropes. Your feet will be shackled as well as your hands. But you won't have the ropes cutting into your wrists and you'll have more freedom of movement."

She shook her head.

"You better get use to it. You'll be shackled in prison."

She sniffed. "You don't really think they'll hold me there, do you?"

He set the things he had brought with him on the ground. He had brought a metal stake with a ring attached that the chains would go through. He had also brought a sledgehammer to pound it into the soil. He gave the stake one quick tap to set it in place. Then spreading his feet wide, he raised the hammer to strike again.

"Here, let me." Hercules stood behind him.

The blacksmith lowered the hammer and handed it to the demigod which he refused. One blow from the demigod's closed fist drove the stake into the ground up to the ring.

"You're not putting those things on me," Venin objected again, her voice rising.

Barnabus ran the chain through the ring. "Will you help with her?"

Hercules stood over the woman. "Well, what's it going to be?"

"You can't chain me like some kind of animal."

"We've tied you like one. Besides, this should be more comfortable."

"You're not doing this for my comfort. You're doing it to humiliate me."

Hercules sighed. "You don't need any help in that. You do a fine job on your own."

"What do you know? You've always had an easy life. You never had to sell your body to some filthy stinking man just to get food to fill your empty belly. No man has ever held you down and forced himself on you. I did what I had to do to survive." She spit the words at him.

"You're right, Venin. I've never been in your shoes. But murder isn't necessary to survive. You didn't kill your mother or Demos to save yourself. You killed them out of hate and vengeance. Yes, you've had it rough. No one will ever know the pain you've been forced to endure. For that part of your life, I have compassion.

"But you're a clever girl. You could have found an honest way to survive. Instead, you chose to stay the harlot your mother made of you. And you chose to blame others for that." He watched her in silence for a moment. "Now, do we do this the hard way or the easy way?"

"You bastard!" she spit at him.

The son of Zeus shrugged, and bending took one of her ankles and held it as Barnabus placed the shackle on it. Venin shivered as he used the hammer to smash the metal pin that would hold the shackle in place. When the second one was fastened she closed her eyes. A feeling of panic swept over her. She hated to be confined. She felt as if she couldn't breathe. She made no objection as her wrists were shackled. When they were done she asked in a shaky voice if she could go to the woods. Sensing her panic, Hercules led her outside himself. She took two quick breaths to steady herself. She had a hard time walking. The chain between her ankles was too short to allow for a full step. She shuffled along beside the demigod.

"I'm sorry you feel so frightened of the chains."

The half god, half man felt remorse that the chains were necessary. But when he had come into the barn and seen the blacksmith's intention he had felt a sense of relief. This was much more secure than the ropes.

"You really are a bastard. You can take your pathetic lies and feigned sympathy and go straight to Tartarus."

"I've been there," the demigod smiled. "Several times in fact."

Venin scowled at him.

It was just past midday when Giles, Jug, and the others returned to Acubus. Jug immediately agreed to return to Corinth with the new prisoners. But Giles declined this time. Everyone in Acubus felt the need to have the problem of the prisoners taken care of as soon as possible. So it was arranged that they would leave in the morning. The sooner Venin was safely tucked away in prison, the better. Granny and Calla fixed a large meal for the group under the tarp. The men who had just returned from Corinth were invited. It was like a party atmosphere.

Elias was better. He was conscious much of the time now. Sira was worse. But that was to be expected. She was at that point in the healing. Iolaus brought her some soup. With one brown spotted foot on Elias' side to maintain the physical touch she leaned back against the hunter and ate the soup. She wasn't really hungry, but it would help build her strength. Elias kept shooting her guilty looks.

Finally, when he could stand it no longer, he burst out, "Why did you do this to yourself? Why hurt yourself for me?"

The healer smiled at him. "Because you were good to me from the first. Then you risked your life for me. I happen to think you are worth saving."

Elias frowned at her. He studied her face for a moment. He couldn't decide if she was telling the truth or not.

"What makes you think I'm worth it?" There was sarcasm in the question.

"I do not just think it, I know it. I have felt the worth in you, Elias, from the very first. You may be able to hide it from others, but not from me. I have felt your pain and I have felt your strength."

He sniffed. "Well, if you're telling the truth and really feel that way, you're the only one who ever has."

"It does not matter so much what others believe of you. That is unimportant, so long as you believe in yourself and try your best. It is you who needs convincing, not others. And once you see your own worth, others will see it also."

The boy was silent now. He was sorry he had brought the subject up. He had no desire to share with Sira or anyone else what his life had been like. He had heard Venin's story. There was a deep feeling of sadness and compassion in his heart for her now. He could understand, perhaps better than others what a twisted and painful childhood could make of a person. He didn't approve of what she had become. But then he didn't approve of what he had become himself.

"Elias, I'd like to thank you for helping Sira." Iolaus smiled at him. "She's told me of your care of her and how you saved her life." The hunter watched the boy's face. "You'll always have a place with us if you need or want it."

Sira had finished her soup and now held her husband's hand. Her grip tightened. She sent a thank you to him. He had understood her desire to help Elias and had joined his forces with her in the attempt.

The young man's mouth dropped open. He had no idea how to respond to this. Somehow he could feel the sincerity in the simple declaration. He was shocked to realize that Iolaus meant what he had said.

Hercules brought him a cup of tea and helped prop his back against some cushions so that he could drink it.

"No spirits for you, I'm afraid," he joked with Elias. "We can't risk getting Sira drunk through the transfer. But the tea is strong and sweet." The big man saluted the boy with his own cup of the dark brew.

Hercules treated him with friendly camaraderie. It was as if these men didn't hold a grudge for his part in terrorizing Acubus or for his part in the kidnapping of Sira.

Elias smiled at the son of Zeus. He sighed wistfully. It would be nice to have these people as friends. The closest thing to a friend I've ever had was Pollux. But it wasn't like the feelings I sense here. The boy looked around him. Barnabus and Calla were sitting side by side, holding hands. The blacksmith had carried Hector to the shelter and he sat on the ground with his back against a log. There was easy banter between the three of them, Calla, Barnabus, and Hector. Hector's young wife was near, getting things for him and sending looks of love his way.

Jug and Giles were at each other in a good hearted argument. Jug slapped the older man on the back in congratulations on a point well made. Jason was talking and laughing with Granny.

These were good people. They were a close knit group of friends and neighbors. Why couldn't I have been raised in a village like this? the boy thought.

Jason placed a quick kiss on Sira's forehead in farewell. "Get better, my dear." He smiled at her.

"Go with the earth, my friend," she smiled back.

Jason turned to Elias. "Don't let her push you around too much."

Elias nodded.

The unconscious man was loaded into the wagon first. They tried to make him as comfortable as possible, but Jason doubted he knew the difference anyway. Next Venin was led to the wagon. Her shackles were riveted in place on both ankles and on one wrist. The other wrist could be released with a padlock. Her hands were free enough to allow her to eat or scratch her nose should she wish. But she couldn't get them much higher since another chain was attached to the ankle chain and was too short for her to lift her hands very high. Jason ran the wrist chain through the metal band the wagon seat rested on then secured it back on the girl's wrist. She had to sit in an awkward position but she made no objection. The other two men were shackled to the side of the wagon bed and the supplies were stuffed in around them.

Jug and another man rode the wagon seat. Jason would ride the stallion behind them. Hercules and the Argonaut stood a little apart from the others talking. The big man handed his friend a parchment which the former king put in his saddle bag. Then they grabbed each other's forearms in a warrior's grasp.

The wagon hadn't even cleared the coastal valley Acubus rested in before Venin asked for a drink. The way her hands were secured Jason had to hold the water flask for her. She gave him a sweet smile and thanked him just as sweetly. He smiled back at her.

This is going to be easier than I thought. He's just another fool. Give them a couple of smiles and they're lost.

By midday Venin was most uncomfortable. "Please, Jason. Can't we find another way to do this? I can't ride all the way to Corinth like this." She pleaded with tears in her eyes.

The Argonaut rode his horse behind the wagon for a moment to study the situation. He could well imagine how uncomfortable the girl was.

"Jug, hold up a minute."

The young man stopped the wagon, and as Jason dismounted Jug jumped to the ground. He stretched tired muscles and took some water to the men in the wagon bed.

Jason unlocked the wrist bracelet and pulled the chain from around the seat. But rather than fastening it to the girl again he locked it in place on the unconscious man's wrist.

"You can't be serious. You intend to chain me to a dead man?"

"He isn't dead yet, Venin. And since when does death bother you?"

The girl pretended to shutter. "It's just so repulsive. He's so repulsive."

"Are you saying you'd rather be chained back to the seat?"

She shook her head.

They started on again. "Please, can I have some more water?"

Jason rode along side the wagon and tossed his water flask to the girl. With one hand free she could manage by herself. She took only a sip. Of course he had known she wasn't really thirsty. She was playing a game. Well, let her play it. What difference could it make?

They stopped shortly after to rest the horses and themselves. Jason led Venin to the woods, and with a rope tied to the chains to add length, he fastened her arms around a tree. He stood aside and turned his back. She was given plenty of room to help herself, but she wouldn't be going anywhere.

"I can't do this tied to a tree," she objected.

"So you want to return to the wagon?"

She sighed. She was tempted to say yes and wait until they were on the move again, than insist she couldn't wait. But the truth was she couldn't wait now. With resignation she found a way to help herself. She hoped he would be embarrassed by this. But when he released her from the tree he showed no sign of it. She thanked him sweetly and gave him her best smile. She tossed her long dark hair behind her with a swift movement of her head. She had pretty hair and she liked to show it off. The movement of the head was originally designed to bring attention to her hair. But it had now become more of a habit. Most of the time she didn't even realize she did it.

Jason chained her to the wagon wheel and brought her some fruit and cheese.

"You're being so good to me. Thank you."

He said nothing and walked away.

She shrugged. So maybe he would be a little harder to crack. A grin crossed her face. That's okay, she thought. I'm kind of enjoying this. She stretched her head over to get to the hand that held the apple. Damn these chains.

Barnabus sat cross-legged on the ground next to Elias. The blacksmith was talking about his passion, metal working. The boy listened with rapt attention. Barnabus was showing him some of the things he had made. There were several magnificent knives and swords. The boy admired one now.

When Barnabus had brought his wares to show Elias, the boy had been surprised. "You'd trust me with a knife?"

Barnabus grinned at him and handed the knife over.

"I'd like to learn a trade of some kind." There was a wistful longing in the boy's barely audible words.

Barnabus studied the boy's face a moment to determine if he was telling the truth. Something he saw in that study assured him that Elias was sincere.

"I've been wanting a partner. When you're better, why not give it a try? Working with metal has to get into your blood if you're going to be a success at it. But if you can get a feel for the metal, well, then the fever will be on you." The big man looked up to watch Calla getting water from the community well. "It's the same with a good woman." He grinned at the boy.

Elias hadn't said a word. He was stunned. Had this man really offered him a chance? Is he really willing to teach me a trade? To invite me to stay in the village? The boy's thoughts were confused. I could stay here. Start over. The boy's heart swelled. He felt a tingle spread over him.

"I would very much like to have a chance to work with you."

Barnabus stuck out his arm and grasped that of the boy. "Then it will be so." The blacksmith rubbed a forefinger over his chin. "Now that I'm going to be married, I won't have as much free time. I'll need some help."

Sira smiled to herself. She had known it was inevitable. But at the blacksmith's words the others in the shelter laughed and gave their congratulations. There were slaps on the back and ribs were poked.

Calla knelt beside Sira. "You'd think no one ever got married before."

Both girls laughed. "I am very happy for you," the healer offered.

"He's a good man. He's changed so much in the last few weeks." The girl smiled at the healer. "It's not just me saying that. Have you noticed how the other villagers seem to come to him now if there is a problem or something needs doing?" Calla shook her head. "It wasn't like that before."

"And you like the new Barnabus." Sira grinned at the shepherdess.

"Yes," she nodded. "I've always liked him. But I like the changes that have taken place. I'm very proud of him."

The healer could sense the love this girl had for the big man. She was glad. They were good people. She wished them happiness. Sira would never say it, but in the healing she had glimpsed some of what Calla had suffered at the hands of the outlaws.

As if reading the empath's thoughts the girl continued. "After what happened to me when those men took me," she shuddered, "I never thought a good man would want me. But I misjudged Barnabus. Rather than being put off, it seemed to strengthen the feelings he has for me." She gave a sideways grin at her new friend. "I still have a hard time dealing with what happened to me. But Barnabus being there for me really helps."

Sira reached for the girl's hand. She sent her mind to comfort and to place a thought. And with word she strengthened that thought. Elias wasn't trying to eavesdrop. And much of his attention was diverted. But he heard some of what the healer told the girl.

"You must not blame or second guess yourself. Things happen to us on this mortal plain, things that we have no control over. These things have the power to change our lives. Sometimes the change is slight. Perhaps even unnoticeable. Then at other times the change is profound." Sira threw her long pale braid behind her back and rubbed her neck. "We make mistakes and bad decisions with our lives. But if we learn from these mistakes and go on to do our best to correct the mistakes and improve ourselves," the healer shrugged, "then we are doing what the earth put us here to do in the first place." She moved her head from side to side. Her stomach ached, the wound still open and raw. The throbbing in her side was reflected in her temple and the tension in her neck.

Calla sensed her fatigue and sent a guilty smile to her friend. "You need rest." The girl rose and going to the blacksmith she whispered in his ear.

"I'm sorry. We've been thoughtless." He rose to leave. "Sira needs to rest," he told the other villagers.

The blacksmith and the girl he loved walked hand in hand to the fields that stretched out behind the girl's home. It was time to gather the sheep.

Iolaus knelt beside the empath. "I'm sorry, Sira. I didn't realize you were getting so tired."

She held out her arms to him. He was careful to not cause her to break the physical contact. He sighed as his arms surrounded her. It felt so good to be here. He buried his face against her neck. Several short strands of hair had escaped her braid and they blew across his cheek in the gentle breeze.

"I was not tired until a moment ago, or at least I did not know that I was. A nap will be all I need."

He helped her to lay down, and then laying beside her he took her in his arms. He massaged her temple. He had sensed in their touch that her headache had returned.

Moved by the evidence of the love between these two, Elias turned away as best he could to try and give them privacy.

Hercules put a log on the fire. The day had turned cool as the sun was obscured by the ever increasing clouds. He put a couple of blankets over those that rested.

Sira smiled up at him. Thank you, my friend," she whispered.

"You're welcome." He smiled back. "Now go to sleep."

She was pleasantly drowsy. It was a blissful state to be in. Not yet asleep, and yet not quite awake. The world around her seemed to take on a rose colored glow. She felt comforted and loved. As she drifted to sleep she sent her mind in a light touch to her son and sent a prayer to the earth. Help Elias, her mind whispered. She knew it wasn't much of a prayer but she was too sleepy to think of a better one. She hoped the earth knew she meant for help in his future rather than for help with his wound. She could help there. But what the boy did with his life from this point on she had no way of controlling. She could only hope he would make the right decisions.

Jason had Jug stop the wagon near a spring. There was wood and water, and the trees nearby gave a sense of shelter. The prisoners were led one by one to the woods. When they were returned to the wagon they were tied to the axle. They could sit on the ground and stretch out a little. Jason had no intention of giving them enough rope to get into mischief. But he was a compassionate man and would do his best to ease the discomfort of their confinement.

Jug started a fire and then returned to the woods to bring in more wood. The same clouds that shielded the sun over Acubus brought a chill to the prisoners and guards.

Jason chained Venin to the wagon wheel and helped the young man with the wood. The third guard, Luxz skinned the rabbits the Argonaut had provided and set them to roast on a spit. When they were cooking he sliced cheese and put some on each plate then added sliced apples and sliced raw squash.

"It may rain," Venin commented to Jason.

The former king stood near the wagon, currying the stallion.

"Yes, it may," he agreed.

"Do you intend to leave us tied to the wagon unprotected from the rain."

"It's not raining yet. You're fine where you are for now." He searched the sky as if in doing so he could determine for sure what the weather might bring. I wish Sira were here, he thought. She would know. "Should it start to rain, I'll bring you closer to the fire. Although I don't think there will be much shelter even under the trees."

"I'm cold," she whined.

Jason left his task, and taking a blanket from the wagon he spread it over the woman where she sat on the grass. Then he returned to the horse. He brought an apple with him and offered it to Raimi. The horse tossed its head and tried to pretend it didn't want the apple. Jason took his hunting knife from his belt and cut the apple in half for the animal. The horse took one half with a delicate nibble that spoke little of his hatred and viciousness of less than a year ago. Jason took pleasure in caring for the horse. He liked the strength and power of the animal. The black hair glowed with health. The horse's muscles rippled as he moved.

"You've become nothing but an old softy," he scolded good naturedly.

The horse tossed his head and snorted. The Argonaut scratched at the base of his ears and the horse nudged him for the rest of the apple. With a chuckle he gave the rest of the fruit to the horse and went back to his brushing.

Venin turned away. Something in the way Jason cared for the horse left her feeling lonely and empty. I wonder what it would be like to have someone care for me like that. Maybe if anyone ever had, my life would be different. She stretched tired muscles and eased her back. She stole a quick glance at animal and man. I wonder what it would be like to have him care for me like that.

The night was windy and cold but there would be no rain. Sira woke well into the night and lay listening to the wind in the big trees behind the livery barn. She wished it could rain. She loved the renewal of the earth quenching liquid. The healing was going very well. Elias was healthy and his body could help hers fight the injury. She had napped for awhile then she had healed again. This time she had given back some of the pain and injury to the boy. Together they could heal themselves and each other. Sira had sensed other changes in the boy beside the healing of the wound. His mind was clearer and more focused. Some of the turmoil of his mind and spirit had eased.

He stirred next to her. Now she could sense he was awake. She raised up on one elbow to check on him.

"Sira, you're awake? Is everything all right?" There was concern in the question.

"Yes, Elias. Everything is fine. I am just wakeful." She lay back down. "I am sorry I woke you."

"You didn't. I've been thinking is all."

She sensed that he wished to talk. "I will listen if you wish to talk of your thoughts."

He was silent for a moment. He liked Sira. He had a deep respect for her. She was the kind of person he had somehow known was out there but had never thought he would meet. He had read the scrolls and parchments that the old man he traveled with for a time had peddled to make a living. They were mostly bard's stories. Most were not true tales he knew. But, he had reasoned, they must be based on truth. At least a bard's version of an event or of a person. The women in the tales were like Sira. Honest and straight forward. Loyal to that one special one. Clean and pure of heart. And while he had read these tales and believed there was some truth in them, he had always wondered where people like this might exist.

He was afraid to share his thoughts with the healer for fear she might condemn him. He had been hated and condemned all his life. He could shrug off these things from others but he couldn't bear to think of Sira feeling this way also.

He knew he had been silent a long time. I wonder if she's still awake.

"Elias, You do not need to fear my wrath. I will not condemn you for your life."

"You're reading my mind," he stated without censure.

"Actually, I did not need to this time. I know you feel guilt about your life." She turned to face him although the light was too poor to see any details of his face. "Perhaps you have not led an exemplary life. But you have a second chance here. Stay in Acubus. Learn a trade. There are good people here. Treat them fairly and you will be treated the same. Right now. Here, in this village you have a chance to turn your life around. A chance to redeem yourself from the past."

"Barnabus really meant what he said, didn't he?"

"Yes, Elias, he did."

"I've never really had a chance before."

He sat up. He was careful to maintain his touch on her. He had gotten very good at moving around while still keeping a part of himself in contact with the healer. He had been embarrassed at first. But Sira and the others, Iolaus and Hercules, seemed unperturbed by the situation. While there were still embarrassing moments he had accepted this part of the healing and done his best to make it as easy as he could for himself and the healer.

"I don't even know who my father was." He whispered the words. "My mother hadn't wanted me to begin with. She was a whore. We moved from town to town with one traveling show or another. She never missed a chance to tell me I was unwanted and a burden to her. But then she was never really herself. She drank too much. She always went around in a daze of intoxication." He sighed. "It wasn't all bad. Sometimes she was friendly with me. She never treated me like a son, but she could be friendly. She taught me how to juggle. I became very good at it. I knew it pleased her so I worked at it constantly. When she was sober enough to notice she would tell me I was coming along well.

"When I was almost seven she left me in the market place of a small village. She was very fair about it. She didn't just abandon me. She took me aside and explained that she had found a man she really liked and wanted to be with. But he didn't like kids. So she was going to leave me here. A peddler was going to take me to Corinth with him." He sighed again. "What she expected me to do once I reached Corinth, I don't know.

"The peddler was not a nice man. He'd been given no money to deliver me to the city, so he was determined to get as much work out of me as possible, and provide the least food and shelter as possible in the bargain."

Elias changed his position. He was uncomfortable about sharing these memories. He had tried for a long time to shut them out. To bury them. But now. Now he felt that if he were to go on and make something of himself, he must let go of some of the pain and anger these memories always invoked.

Sira said nothing. She could feel the pain behind the words. They were too closely linked for it to be otherwise. Her mind was touched with his. She knew he could feel her understanding and compassion at his words. She also sat now. And while he couldn't see her, he knew she was crying.

"Why do you cry, Sira?"

"Because I feel the pain and loneliness of that little boy standing in the market place watching his mother walk away. Maybe she was not the best mother, but she was your mother. What you had with her was all you had known. I can feel your thoughts, Elias. I understand."

His voice was unsteady as he continued. "When we got to Corinth the man wanted me to stay with him. But I was tired of being hit and kicked. So I snuck away the first night. But that left me in the city with nothing. I stole food to eat. Not right away, I begged some. But people that work hard for their livelihood understandably don't like to give it away. So I began to steal. There were some in the market who would give me food. I never stole from their stall. A peddler of scrolls was kind to me. And when he left the city to travel, he took me with him. He taught me to read. When I wasn't working he let me read his wares. I worked hard, for he expected a lot. But there was a steady supply of food and I loved reading the scrolls. I liked watching him barter and dicker with people to buy or sell his scrolls and parchments. He carved these beautiful boxes to keep the parchments in. He taught me a little about carving. I was with him three years."

Sira could sense that what was to come next was painful for him. She strengthened her mind's touch on his.

"He came to me one day and said he didn't want me with him anymore. Just like that. I asked him why. All he would say, was he had no place for someone else's bastard cast off." He swallowed to steady himself. "I figured I must have done something to make him angry, but I don't know what it was. I had begun to think he liked me." The boy shrugged. "So I began to steal again. I didn't know what else to do. I stayed in the village where he left me until they began to catch on to me. Then I walked to the next village. I stayed to the bigger towns and cities because it was easier to get lost in the crowd once I took something. Sometimes I stole clothing and changed my appearance. I even dressed like a girl sometimes so that I could get away with the theft. When people got to the point of knowing my disguises I walked to the next town. Sometimes I juggled for the money people would throw my way.

"When I was fourteen I tried to pick Pollux's pocket. He caught me and took me back to Demos with him. Pollux was pretty good to me. He taught me how to fight. Demos, at that time was more a mercenary. He hired himself and his men out to the highest bidder. He fought for whichever side paid the most. Sometimes we robbed villages. But not that often. Then he met Venin. You know what happened after that."

Elias stopped talking. He sat silently beside the healer.

"There is more, my friend. I sense it."

"All right, Sira. You're right. There is more."

He hesitated now. What he had just told her of his life as a child and a teen could perhaps be excused. He had done his best to survive a situation not of his making. But what he had to tell now was a different matter. Now was when Sira might turn her back on him. But he had to do this. As much as he feared her condemnation, now was the time to be open.

Sira waited in silence while he fought his inner battle. She could sense the turmoil of his thoughts.

"There was another woman taken from this village besides Calla." He stopped again.

"Yes, Elias. I know that."

"I was with the group of men that took her. Demos sometimes sent three or four men down the coast to scout for the ship we were to meet. I was often sent with them. This one particular time they decided to raid Acubus on their own before going to look for the ship." He took a deep breath. "I didn't like the idea and hung back waiting for them. They didn't raid the village. All they did was grab the woman. I tried to get them to return her. But they'd been drinking. They wouldn't listen to me. We went down the coast, taking the woman with us. When we made camp I again tried to get them to let her go." He stopped talking again.

"It is all right, Elias. Go on." Her voice was soothing.

"Those men hurt that woman. And I did nothing to stop them. I had no part in it but I just sat by and let it happen. I'm a coward. I always have been. If I had had any courage, I wouldn't have taken to stealing to get by. I would have tried to find another peddler to work for. But it was easier to steal. I was afraid I would be beaten again. I didn't steal all the time. I worked here and there. I went with a traveling show for a while. I could juggle anything. I used to juggle knives and that brought in the dinars. But I was afraid all the time. And when things got rough I would steal. I'd tell myself I wasn't going to do it anymore. I'd try and convince myself that it would be better to starve than to keep on stealing. But I still did it. I never had the courage to do anything else."

Sira put her hand on his arm. "No, you were never a coward, Elias. What you did took great courage. To survive such odds took a strength most of us do not have."

"But that woman," he interrupted. "I just let them hurt her. She begged them to let her go. Her screams." His voice broke.

"I am sorry you had to witness that, Elias. But what could you have done? If you had tried to stop them what would have happened? How many of them were there?

He swallowed to steady himself. "There were four of them."

"And they had been drinking. They might very well have killed you if you had tried to stop them."

"Maybe," he whispered. "But the point is, I did nothing. I was too afraid."

Sira anchored herself to the earth, and taking a deep breath she relaxed. She prayed to the earth to guide her words. She pulled the blue white light to her and took courage from its energy.

"Elias, what you did in not helping that girl might be considered cowardly. Perhaps there was more you could have done. But the survival instinct is strong in all of us. Your entire life has been one long struggle to survive. You fought almost impossible odds on a daily basis just to make it through another day. Your instinct for life was honed and sharpened to such a point that it had begun to rule your every move and your every decision. Once again, you did what you had to do to survive. You were not being a coward. You were doing what you had to do to live."

"But it was still wrong."

"I am not so sure about that. Did you know they intended to kill her?"

He shook his head. "I thought they just planned to use her. I tried to shut out what was going on. It wasn't until the next day that I realized she was dead."

"So you believe you should have risked your life to try and stop them from harming her?"

"Yes. But also from killing her."

"But you did not know they would kill her."

"Still," he whispered.

"Perhaps you made an unwise decision based on your need to protect yourself. But I do not really see it that way. To lose your life, to try and save her when the odds are so against you might be considered foolhardy, as well as a noble thing to do. But, my friend," Sira paused to take a breath, "you learned from what happened. I think a boy was there with those men. A confused uncertain boy. But from the shame of that terrible night a man was born. The events you witnessed changed your life in many ways. It peeled your fears and defenses away. So that when I was taken, you had already become the man I see before me now."

Tears rolled down his cheeks. He wiped them away with a shaky hand.

"You were willing to risk all to save me. I felt it in that first gentle touch. What has happened since that night you witnessed the brutality of those men, and up until this moment, has made up for that past. What you do from this point in time will be recorded on a new page. You have a chance now to redeem the past and to make a better future."

"I was afraid you'd hate me as much as I hate myself."

"No, Elias." Sira wiped her own tears away. "I could never hate you for the past. But what you make of yourself now will determine our friendship in the future. You do not have to answer to me, however. But to yourself. And I get the impression you will be a hard task master."

Morning brought a return of the sun. Jason, up first, stirred the coals, and adding small bits of wood was rewarded with a flame. When the fire was burning well he went to the spring for water. He filled the pot then placed it on the fire to heat. He put the stallion on a tether so that he could roll if he chose. He wanted the horse to graze and work out some of his energy before the saddle was put on his back. He could be very difficult to handle in the mornings.

When the Argonaut returned to the fire he pulled the boiling water from the coals and added the tea leaves. He would let it seep for a time. He felt the need of a strong stimulant this morning. He knew he would be engaged in battle with Venin again. While it was a quiet unspoken battle, it was a battle all the same. He got the impression she was enjoying it. But the same could not be said for him. He found it hard to believe a woman could have committed the things this one had. He knew they were true. And he was aware there were other women out there that had done even worse. The Warrior Princess had done her share of unspeakable butchery. But despite that, she had felt remorse. The fact that she now struggled to redeem her past was evidence of the core of goodness in her.

Venin seemed to have no such foundation. She felt no remorse at the killing of her mother or Demos. The outlaws that had been taken to Corinth earlier had painted a grim picture of other murders, including one of their own who had dared to make advances to her.

The task that Jason had set for himself was a necessary one. He had insisted he be the one to carry it out. But he could never be happy in doing it. To deliver Venin to Corinth was one thing. But to then plan to see that she receive the maximum punishment for her crimes was quite another. He had every intention of using whatever influence he still held as the former king of Corinth to see that justice was served.

Venin stretched. She was stiff and sore. She felt dirty and cranky. She was sure it was not going to be a good day.

Jason came to her. "Do you need to visit the woods?"

"What do you think?"

He removed the padlock key from a cord around his neck and unlocked the bracelet from her wrist. Without a word he fastened it to his own, then held his hand out to motion her forward. When they reached the woods he unlocked the bracelet from his wrist and tied a rope securely to it.

"Look, what I need to do can't be done if I'm tied by both hands to a tree."

He shrugged. "You have a problem then."

"Can't you just tie one hand to the tree?" she suggested.

"And leave the other one free to untie the rope? I'm not that foolish."

"I give you my word I won't do that. Can't you give me a few minutes?"

He laughed. "Not even a second, my dear."

"I tell you, I need one hand free."

He took a deep breath. "Very well then, but I'll have to watch you."

"You can't be serious."

He shrugged. "It's that or both hands around the tree like yesterday."

"You bastard! You're just like all the other men. You want a free look."

He shrugged. "Think what you like.".

Tears filled her eyes. "Please, Jason. A woman needs some privacy." She smiled through her tears. "Surely you can understand."

"Venin, let us understand each other. Your considerable charms, your tears and your reassurance of compliance won't work with me. Maybe you'd better save it for the authorities in Corinth."

"I hope you rot in Tartarus, you bastard." Her face was twisted with hatred and anger.

"Where I'll end up spending eternity is still in question. It will be up to Hades at any rate. However, I don't think there is any question of where you'll find yourself when your time comes. Shortly, you'll be delivered to Corinth. And once you are I intend to see that you are punished for your crimes. You can't charm me out of it. That won't work for you this time."

"And you're so powerful and so important that the authorities will listen to you without question." Sarcasm was thick in her voice.

"Yes, Venin, that's true. I may no longer be king, but I still have some influence in the workings of the government."

King Jason? No! she objected in her mind. It couldn't be true. She racked her brain to try and remember all she had heard of King Jason. Jason, the Argonaut. The retriever of the golden fleece. Could this be true?

Yes, now that she thought about it she remembered that Jason had some tie with Hercules.

She was used to being around braggarts, low life scum who found it necessary to lie about themselves to impress others. But she realized that this was not the case with Jason. She felt a wave of fear wash over her. Could he really influence the authorities at Corinth? Yes, she acknowledged to herself, he could.

"You're really Jason, the Argonaut?"

He bowed to her. "At your service. So what is it going to be?"

Venin threw her hair behind her back. She studied his face a moment. Well, if she was going to go to prison she was going out in her way. She would make him pay for the fear he had sent scurrying along her spine.

"One hand only."

He shrugged. "Have it your way."

He secured one hand to the tree then stood back to give her room. She hesitated a moment. She hoped to humiliate him. She wanted him to be forced to turn around. But he did not. Not only did he not turn around, he showed no embarrassment at the situation. Damn his stinking hide, she thought. Somehow, some way he must be made to pay.

They returned to the wagon and she was again chained to the wagon wheel. Jason brought her a pot of water.

"I thought you might like to wash up."

She kicked the pot over. "Go to Hades."

He shrugged. "It's your loss."

She did eat the food he brought her however. When he put her in the wagon and chained her to the unconscious man she made no objection.

"Is he still alive?" she asked.

He checked the man. "Yes, barely."

"You should have left him in Acubus. This trip will kill him for sure."

"Why leave him for the villagers to deal with? They've had enough to deal with the last few months, don't you think?"

She turned away. She didn't give a damn what happened to the man. He wasn't one she knew anyway. Demos must have picked him up after she had been taken. Not that she would care anyway. She had hoped to make Jason feel guilty but had failed.

They moved forward slowly. Jug was doing his best to avoid the worst bumps. He had avoided Venin whenever possible. She turned his stomach. He had old fashioned values, and a woman like this one was like some kind of monster from Hera.

It was near midday. Venin called Jason.

"Your favorite bondage post is dead," she stated with a complete lack of feeling.

Jason slid to the ground as Jug stopped the wagon. He checked the man. He wasn't surprised that this had happened.

Jason and Jug dug a grave, and when the man had been covered Jason said a short prayer to the gods.

"That's rich. You kill him then you pray over him. You think that will do him any good?" Venin taunted.

Jason sighed. "I doubt it will do any good, Venin. But it's something that needed done. If you expect me to feel sorry he's dead, I don't. Considering the atrocities he undoubtedly perpetrated in his wasted life, I'd say we're all better off. Besides that, when we reach Corinth I plan to demand the most severe punishment be given to all of you. He's avoided all that."

It had been five days now since Jason and the others had left for Corinth. They would have arrived by now. The healing was completed except for the time of physical touch. Elias had been very quiet since his talk with the healer, but Sira had sensed the healing of the boy's inner turmoil. Barnabus had spent some time with him everyday. He talked metal and showed the young man some of the things he had made. A light came into the boy's eyes as he listened. Sira smiled to herself. She was sure the fever that Barnabus had mentioned was upon her new friend.

Vector had left this morning to travel to Corinth. Granny had tried to talk him out of it.

"She hates you, Vector. She won't be happy to see you there."

"She may need me. I was never there for her before. I will be this time."

The blacksmith and the son of Zeus worked out everyday. Sometimes Giles or some of the others joined them. Even Calla joined in sometimes. Barnabus and the shepherdess were waiting to be married until Sira could be with them. Calla had asked Sira to stand up with her. She had also asked Iolaus to give her away. Hercules would stand with the blacksmith. Calla had gone through poor Barnabus' place with a fine toothed comb. Curtains now hung over the windows. The place was scrubbed and cleaned. The blacksmith moaned and complained, but he was, in truth, quite pleased.

Granny told Hercules she was thinking about taking to her bed. "There's so much joy and happiness around here we need a little shake up," she stated.

Hercules laughed. "You just want attention. Everyone else is getting it and you're feeling left out," he teased.

"No respect for your elders at all," she chided. But there was an impish look in her eyes.

Sira spent time each day sending her mind to Hercus. She missed him desperately. His mind was so lively that her touch on his mind was almost like being with him.

The empath took her time in making the physical break. She had no wish to frighten Elias. She had brought them to this point slowly. A quick break could be too wrenching. She started as the day started. She made the time of contact between the brief breaks long and soothing. When the break was complete the healer felt depressed. It was a common occurrence after the days of contact. She was led to Granny's home to share a meal and to have a long awaited bath. Her time of the healing sleep would come all too soon.

When her bath was complete she took Iolaus aside. "I want to be with you, my love. But the time will be too short. And there is something else I must do."

He held her tightly. "I understand, Sira. We'll have the rest of our lives to make up for the lost time. Don't feel guilty."

"Three lifetimes would not be enough. But we will just have to do the best we can."

She gave him a mischievous smile. Then she went in search of Hercules. She had yet to thank him for his warning on that grassy ridge outside the village of Acubus.

She found him near the community well. There were benches under some trees and he sat there now. It was almost completely dark under the trees. The half man, half god had sought out the grove of trees and the bench to find a quiet place to unwind. The demigod watched the sunset from the bench. He had wished that Sira could see it. He knew she would find pleasure in the bright array of color.

"May I?" She motioned at the seat next to him.

"Of course." He smiled at her. "You missed a beautiful sunset," He drew his eyes from the now darkened sky. "You're feeling better?"

"Yes. I will not heal completely until the healing sleep is complete, but I will be fine."

"And why are you not sleeping?"

"I wanted to thank you for warning me that Demos was about to shoot me in the back with his arrow."

"You're welcome."

"Your mind's touch was very strong. I was surprised you warned me in that way."

He chuckled. "I was a little surprised myself. Why didn't you do the same to warn me of what Demos had in mind?"

She sighed. "I have tried for so long to not use my telepathy with you. I know how uncomfortable it makes you. It has not been easy to shut my mind from yours, especially since you have such a strong mind. I miss the communication I grew up with." She smiled at him. "Iolaus and I communicate all the time with our minds, but it is not the same. The freedom of mind is restricted. But I have done my best to follow your wishes for such a long time that my still muddled brain did not think of it."

He nodded but said nothing.

"But you would have felt my thoughts, would you not?"

"Yes, Sira, I believe I would have."

Now she nodded. "Thank you again," she said with a smile, and rose to return to Granny's and the bed that awaited her.

"Sira." He stopped her. "You don't have to guard your mind's touch from mine any longer. It's all right if you wish to touch my mind."

The healer turned back and studied his face a moment. She read the sincerity in his slightly wrinkled brow. At his words and her acceptance of the truth behind them, she felt as if a weight had been lifted from her mind and her heart.

"Why now?"

"Because almost losing you made me realize that I've missed out on a lot by not being open to your telepathy."

She placed her hand on his forearm and he rose to stand beside her. A smile crossed her face and she sent her mind to his. He bent down and she planted a kiss on his cheek.

"I love you, my more than brother," she told him. Then she yawned. She sent him a sheepish grin. "Help me back to Granny's. I need to sleep the healing sleep."

He realized she was almost asleep on her feet. He picked her up and carried her to the cottage. As he walked, he watched her face. He felt the tenderness toward her build and blossom within him.

"I love you also, my more than sister," he whispered. The healer turned her cheek to rest it against his chest. And the demigod placed a light kiss on her forehead.

The healing sleep took three days. Granny's house had never been so quiet. The old one insisted the others keep the noise down.

"The poor girl has been through Tartarus and back. If she'll heal in sleep then she'll have all the sleep she needs."

The hunter hovered around the room she slept in. He slept each night on the floor beside her bed. He had seldom left the shelter while she had healed Elias. He found it hard to be far from her. He still felt guilt that his separation from her had put her in danger.

Elias spent time with the blacksmith. Barnabus was busy making knives and swords. He wanted plenty to trade when the ship anchored in their harbor.

"Now that I'll have two mouths to feed I can't be sluffing off," he had stated.

Barnabus and Hercules were feeding Hector's horses. The young man was back at his farm but it was still too much for him to pitch the hay to the animals.

"Elias is doing really well," the blacksmith commented.

"I'm glad to hear it. Sira thinks he deserves a second chance and I agree."

"Well, he's a quick study. And he's very willing."

"You're a good man, Barnabus. Even though you tried to kill me."

The blacksmith laughed. "I was desperate and frustrated. I don't know that I could have killed you even if I had been able to land a blow."

"Well, I wouldn't want to fight you now. You've come a long way."

"I want to keep learning. We don't always deal with the most principled of sea captains and their crews." He grinned at the demigod. "A man needs to be able to protect his home and family."

The sun had chased the stars away and sent a thin streak of yellow to the horizon when the healer woke. She sensed the presence of Iolaus near her. She lay quietly, taking a minute to check on her health. Yes, she felt well and rested. Carefully she sat up and looked over the bed to watch the face of the hunter. She smiled. She slipped out of the bed and left the room to find a private place. She took her time. On her walk she found a plant growing near a spring, and breaking off some of the leaves she drew her dress over her head and waded into the cold water. She splashed the water over her, and cupping her hands she wet her hair. She broke the leaves she had gathered, stripped the pulp from the middle, and rubbing it in her hands she made a lather to wash her hair.

When she had completed her bath she lay on the grass to dry. She sent a prayer to the earth to thank her mother for the healing strength. The grass caressed her sides and wound around her feet. She smiled at the feel of it on her naked skin. It would have been nice to stay here awhile and enjoy the earth, but she wanted to be back at Granny's before Iolaus woke. She rose carefully so that she would not harm the grass and slipped the dress over her head. As she walked back to the village she combed her hair with her fingers.

Calla and Granny were awake when the empath entered the cottage. She gave them a warm smile.

"Are you all right, Dearie?" Granny asked.

"Yes, I am quite all right. Thank you for your concern."

Calla left the room a moment and returned with a comb. "It's the one you used after the healing. I'd like you to have it."

Sira smiled her gratitude at the girl.

"If you'll sit a moment I'll comb your hair for you."

The healer did as she was bid. When Calla had finished Sira gave her a quick hug. She slipped back into the room she had slept in for almost four days. She sat on the bed, her feet crossed. She opened her mind to her son, and his active mind brought a smile to her face. She was still in communication with him when Iolaus joined her on the bed. She took her husband's hand, and with her mind linked to his she led his mind to that of his son's.

When they had built the barriers needed to bring their minds back to the present the hunter took Sira in his arms.

"Feel like a walk?"

"Yes. Very much so."

"Good. Let's see if we can take a basket with us. And a blanket of course."

She giggled at him and bounded from the bed. "I will see what I can do."

The hunter led her to the beach. There was a steep winding trail down the grassy cliff that brought them to a quiet cove. The healer played in the surf. She left her dress on the sand and waded into the water. She squealed with delight when the first wave washed over her legs. She hunted shells and rocks. The hunter watched her with a tolerant bemused smile on his face. She was like a child in her delight at the new world he had led her to. But his feelings for her were anything but childish. He joined her in the surf. She grabbed his hands and danced around with him and he pulled her into his arms. Their kiss was long. He picked her up and carried her to the blanket on the beach. It was almost dark when he suggested they return to Acubus.

"Not yet. There is wood here. There is still food in the basket. Can we not stay for the night?"

"Won't the others worry?"

"I will let Hercules know where we are. It will be fine."

"In that case..." He pulled her back onto the blanket.

She had to gather the wood for the fire. Her night vision was much better than his. He built the fire from the first load of wood she brought. It was damp and cold on the beach but the healer didn't seem to notice. And when the fire was burning well and there was enough wood to last through the night, the lovers held each other and the cold didn't matter. The food that was left was forgotten for the moment.

The hunter and the empath returned to Acubus in the morning. The healer spent the day helping Calla, Granny, and Hector's wife prepare for the wedding. Food was prepared. Sira shortened a white satin dress that Jug's wife had given to her. The women laughed and talked as they worked. In the late afternoon, Sira and Hector's wife went to the hills around the village and picked flowers. Sira gave a prayer to her mother to ask permission to take her bounty. They decorated the shelter that had been arranged for the healing. It would make a fine outdoor chapel for the wedding.

The morning was bright with sun. A slight breeze ruffled the tarp that covered the wedding party. Calla wore a pale blue dress. Sira had piled the bride's hair on the top of her head in a becoming way, then wound flowers into the curls. The wedding was held early. There was food at Granny's place for later. The bride and groom didn't stay long at the party in their honor. They snuck away to the blacksmith's home instead.

There were gifts to the newlyweds from their friends. There were also gifts for the demigod, the hunter, and the empath. Everyone thanked them for their help in ridding their village of the warlord Demos.

Giles gave the men leather and suede packs. The leather was carved in intricate designs of dragons. He gave Sira slippers made from pale gold suede. Hector gave the healer a wooden box of wooden carved animals. The detail was so perfect that the healer squealed at the gift.

"The wood is of the earth and the animals are so perfect that they glorify the creatures the earth mother has given us. It is the perfect gift for a child of the earth. Thank you, Hector."

"Thank you for your help in my healing. I'll never forget that first gentle touch on my mind. It seemed to bring me back from a dark void. And as you eased my pain it gave me the strength to go on." He took her hand and planted a light kiss on her knuckles. "I owe you my life."

She touched his mind now and a smile crossed his face.

There were toys for Hercus. Calla gave Sira a warm wool blanket. The shepherdess had worked the wool until it was soft, then woven it in patterns of alternating widths of pale pastel colors. The wool was of the earth and Granny assured the yosemin the dye used to color the wool was from the earth as well. The healer was overjoyed that her new friends had taken to heart her need to be surrounded by the gifts of Demeter. They had accepted her and her differences with openness and friendship.

She hugged the old one. "Thank you, Grandmother. My heart is warmed by your soul's touch. We will be leaving here tomorrow, but we will never really be apart. We have touched too deeply to be."

The old woman wiped a tear from her cheek. "I hope you are quite happy, my granddaughter. You have made me cry again. I cried at the wedding and I'm crying now. I haven't done this much blubbering since I was a babe." Granny wasn't really sure where the address of Granddaughter had come from. But when she had said it, it just sounded right. She was glad she had used this word.

Sira wiped a tear from her own cheek.

The healer was aware of the hunter's eyes on her. He had watched her all day. Their minds had touched and caressed throughout the wedding and now at the party.

He sent his mind to her now. She looked up to smile at him. The hunter crossed the yard to take her hand.

With a quick look around to see if they might slip away, Sira pulled the hunter aside and passed Granny's cottage. They faded into the woods unobserved. The empath sent her mind to the demigod. She didn't wish to alarm anyone by their absence. She felt his response.

"I'll keep the wolves off your back," his mind joked with her.

She smiled to herself. She felt such a freedom of mind now that the son of Zeus had lifted his restriction on her mind's touch. She sent her gratitude to the big man for his acceptance of her gift as well as for his offer to watch their back.

It was evening now. The light breeze of the morning had blown itself away. It was still and warm under the trees. The light was beginning to fade in the dense thicket Sira led the hunter to.

She stopped under the branches of an ancient birch tree and turned to face the man she loved above all others.

"I liked the way you looked at me today," she whispered.

He ran a finger down her bare arm and she shivered at his touch.

"I couldn't keep my eyes off of you. You look so lovely in that dress."

She placed her hand on his chest. She delighted in the feel of his skin. Where her hand touched he felt a tingle.

He put his hand on her shoulder and pulled her to him. As his arms surrounded her, he moaned.

"You smell so sweet." The hunter buried his face in her hair. "I missed you so much. I don't ever want to be separated from you again."

His lips found hers. She teased him with her tongue and bit playfully at his lower lip.

He held her at arm's length from him and his eyes swept over her in a caress. "You look lovely in that dress. But you'll look even lovelier out of it."

He unfastened the strap around her neck that held the dress. It slipped in a shimmer of white to pool around her feet and he pulled her into his arms again.

They lay in each other's arms. The night was dark and cool.

"Why do I feel a disquiet in you, my husband?"

"Sira," he sighed, "can you ever forgive me for putting you in danger?"

"My love, you did not intentionally do so. We cannot live our lives always second guessing our every move. I am glad you went with Hercules. Yes, the separation was hard. But we proved that it could be done. You said earlier that you had no desire to be separated from me. But there will be times when we will be. This is as it should be. If I were to insist you never leave my side, in time you would grow to resent me. That, my love, would crush me." She raised up on her elbow to hover above him. "No matter how many miles separate us we will never really be apart. Even unto death." She slid her leg over him and sat astride his waist. She bent to kiss him and her golden hair fell in a cascade of flowers sent to surround them. She kissed his lips. "Besides, my love, just think of how much fun we have making up the time we lost while we were apart."

Hercules had their gear packed and was on his second mug of Tassis tea before the lovers returned from the woods.

"Everything all right, my friend?" Hercules asked the hunter. "You look tired." A grin played about the half man's mouth.

"Oh yes, everything is more than all right." Iolaus grinned at his comrade. "Sorry we're late."

"I'll bet you are," Hercules mumbled under his breath.

Sira changed from the satin dress and carefully packed it away. She took her time, deliberately stalling. She hated good-byes. The villagers were out to see the travelers on their way. It was good of them but it made it all the harder to leave.

Hercules came looking for her. He gave her a grin. "Come on. You can't hide in here forever."

"I am not hiding," she stated defensively.

"Yes you are."

He linked his arm with hers and led her to the yard. He let her arm go but he kept his mind on hers. He knew this was hard for her.

She hugged Calla. They both cried openly. Granny was next. There were wishes of good travel and the men were patting each other on the back. Sira hugged Barnabus and Hector. Forearms were grasped in farewell.

Sira noticed Elias standing alone near the well at the center of town and went to him.

"Why the long face?"

He took a deep breath but said nothing.

"We will come this way again and you must come to see us."

Still he said nothing.

Sira put her hand on his arm. "Barnabus says you are learning very quickly. I am very proud of you, my brother."

He turned his back. "You've given me a second chance. I..." His words trailed off.

"This was not my doing. You chose the right path."

"But you saved my life. And you gave me the confidence to give life a try." He turned back now to face her and he did nothing to hide the tears that shown in his eyes. "How can I thank you for that?"

"By doing your best here. You have, and will thank me in this way."

She put her arms around him. "I will miss you. But our minds will touch and should you need me, you need only call."

"You are truly my sister. Go with the earth." He walked to the others and took the offered arm of first Hercules and then Iolaus.

The hunter brought a pack to the healer and helped her put it on. He gave her a sideways smile.

"Let's go home," he stated.

Hercules joined them and they walked away. When they were clear of Acubus the hunter offered the healer some cheese and bread.

She shook her head. "Not yet. Maybe later."

He took her hand and they walked on.

Sira closed her mind to the pain of departure and let it feel for the earth instead. It was a sunny day. The sky was pale. The clouds looked like curdled cream strained through a blue cloth. She took a deep breath and let the tension flow from her as she let the breath out slowly. A bird called from the bushes and a quail flew up at their passing.

Sira linked her arms through that of the hunter and the demigod. The big man grinned. The three of them were together again on the trail. It was good.

"Sorry we made for a late start this morning," the healer's mind told that of the demigod.

"That's okay," his mind spoke back with humor. "I understand completely."

Sira blushed at the feelings behind his mind's touch.

At her feelings of embarrassment Hercules laughed out loud.

"See? Mind touching can be uncomfortable," he teased. "Remember, I can read many of your thoughts as well."

"What are you too laughing and grinning at each other about?" Iolaus inquired.

"Your wife's been flirting with my mind, old friend."

The hunter nodded. "Yeah, she does that a lot."

"Iolaus, I do not," Sira objected. "Well, I only flirt with you."

"Hum," the big man said gravely. "Did she mean me or you, Iolaus?"

"I'm not sure really. Maybe you should reconsider your offer of open mind. A strong barrier is your only protection from her, you know," Iolaus stated just as gravely.

Sira stuck her tongue out at them both, looking for all the world like a naughty child. Both men laughed.

They stopped for a nooning in a small grove of trees. There was a small trickle of water in a meandering brook. The yosemin soaked her feet in the cool water and picked some watercress to add to their meal. The packs they carried were heavy with the gifts from Acubus and more food than they would ever need for the trip to Alcmene's. Hercules also carried a fine sword. Barnabus had made it and Hercules now carried it to Jason. The former king had admired it but had refused to accept it from the blacksmith because he said it was too valuable. So the blacksmith gave it to the demigod to deliver. Jason couldn't refuse it this way.

They took their time on the trip back home. Sira was still bothered with occasional headaches. Besides that, there really was no hurry except that the healer longed to be reunited with her son.

Their camp for the night was at the base of a low hill. There was shelter of a sort in the trees. Wood and water were close at hand. Sira set her pack down with a sigh and rubbed tired muscles. It felt good to stop for a moment and sit on a fallen log. She stretched her legs out before her and took in the smell of the dust and the trees. A smile of contentment filled her. She felt her strength surge and with one swift movement she rose to help fix the camp for the night.

She started a stew cooking. There were rabbits from the hunter's bow and vegetables from Acubus. The healer had gathered herbs from their travels of the day to spice the thick soup. The good smell of the cooking meat filled the air.

"How much longer, Sira?" the hunter asked. "I'm starving."

"You are always starving," she shot back in mock exasperation. "It is almost ready. Go practice your knife throwing like a good boy and let me alone."

The hunter grinned at her. "Thou shalt not speak to your master in such tones, wench."

He sidestepped the spoon she threw at him.

Their travels of the next day put them over the ridge of hills against which they had spent their first night. The day had been hot and sticky. They camped near a sizable river which they had crossed on granite boulders. The evening was clear. There was not a cloud to mar the blue canopy overhead. A slight breeze had sprung up as evening approached. It rustled in the tree tops but seldom made it to the ground. However, when it did on occasion make it that far it scattered the leaves in circles.

Sira had bathed in the river and sat now on a rock to comb her hair. She felt invigorated. Her health was returning and she was doing something she enjoyed, living in the open and traveling with the two men she loved. She longed for Hercus and yet she hated for the trip to end. It would be a full moon tonight. The empath loved the time of the moon. It turned the night into a silver and black shimmer. She found it fascinating that with the absence of color, something became clearer, while the silver light washed away other things.

Shortly after moonrise the healer led the hunter to a grassy knoll. They stood together in the full light of the moon. It shimmered in the healer's hair, making it look like a white satin veil.

She slipped her hands under the hunter's vest and slipped it from his arms. Picking up the herbs she had brought with her she crushed them in her hands and rubbed them on his chest in a circular motion.

The healer's hands met in the middle of his chest to move out in a fan to his shoulders and down his arms. She repeated the motion over and over until her hands were almost unbearably hot, a slow caress up and out and down his arms. He stood motionless. His whole body tingled with the power of her touch.

She rubbed the herbs on her lips with one finger then kissed him. But when he would have taken her mouth she pulled back. She slipped her dress over her head and stood naked before him. His eyes caressed her. Her skin glowed in the moonlight.

The empath took the hunter's hands, and putting the scented herbs in one palm rubbed his hands together. The sweet smell filled his nostrils with an intoxicating aroma. She placed his hands on her chest. Sensing her desire he moved his hands in the same motion she had shown him. Up and out and down the arms to the hands and then the finger tips. His breathing quickened. She put her finger to his lips to rub the oil of the herbs there then she kissed him again. This time she let him take her mouth completely.

She loosened the laces of his trousers and let them fall at his feet. Then taking his hands she led him forward two short steps to leave the leather pants behind. She knelt on the ground on her knees and pulled him down beside her. She again rubbed the essence of the herbs over him and kissed his scented lips.

He trembled now at her touch, his breathing quick and irregular. Still she caressed and teased him until he thought he would surely go mad. Then she lay on the grass, her arms outstretched to him. He watched her for a moment. The moonlight washed over her and her skin seemed to generate a light of its own. He could sense the energy surging through and around her, her hair a halo of silver around her face. Then he came to her with a breathless moan and their lovemaking was slow and tender.

When they were exhausted with pleasure, the healer led him to the river and they washed in the icy water. They came together in a deep pool. His hands and lips teased her and she threw her head back. She trembled at his touch and clung to him for support. Her legs felt weak. She couldn't catch her breath. Her scream of delight woke a squirrel in a nearby tree and he scolded these foolish creatures who had no better sense than to splash about all night in a freezing river.

It was well past the setting of the moon before the hunter and the healer retrieved their clothing and returned to camp. They walked hand in hand, the yosemin leading the hunter through the darkness. He was always amazed at her ability to feel ahead with her mind and never miss a step even on the darkest of nights.

Jason the Argonaut was home. Alcmene was saddened to see the dark circles of strain beneath his eyes. She had missed him terribly. His message that Sira was safe had been most welcome. She had counted the days until his return. She had no illusion about the man she loved. She knew he would return to her as soon as possible, but she also understood he would not leave Acubus until things were finished there. At times she told herself she wished he weren't so conscientious. That was the loneliness talking. She knew in her heart it wasn't true.

She had worried about him. She well understood the dangers he might face between the coastal village of Acubus and the port city of Corinth. But he was home with her now and she sent a prayer of thanks to the gods of Olympus for his safe return.

The former king relaxed in the garden. His head rested on the back of the wooden chair from which Sira had been taken such a short time ago. He sighed. It seemed like forever since that evening they had returned from watching the performers in the village to find the healer gone.

Alcmene brought him a mug of cool cider. He smiled up at her. "Sit with me a bit," he suggested.

She sat on the edge of his chair. He took up her hand and kissed the finger tips. "I missed you, my love."

"And I missed you. You look so tired. Are you all right?"

He nodded. "Yes. It wasn't an easy thing. But I'm fine. Being here with you again is all I need." He took a sip of the cider. "How was it here for you?"

"Actually, it was better than you might think. Winnie has been wonderful. She's kept Hercus very busy and very distracted."

"But he knew something was amiss, didn't he?"

"Yes, of course he did. He's a very intelligent boy. When he came home from Winnie's that first day, he was very quiet. He asked where you were and quietly accepted that you had gone to Acubus to see his parents and his Uncle Hercules." She took a sip of her own cider. "That evening he came to me and crawled into my lap. He was very matter of fact about the whole thing. He told me he had been praying to the earth all day, but it was hard to pray right when he wasn't sure what had really happened."

Jason sighed. "So he did realize I had lied to him?"

Alcmene smiled at her husband. "That's been bothering you, hasn't it?"

He nodded. "Yes. I think an awful lot of that little boy. I couldn't stand the thought that I might have lost his trust."

"Well, you can stop worrying. I told him some of the truth. Not that his mother was in such grave danger of course. But enough to help him understand and accept it. It all tied in with what you had said and he never thought that you had lied. And really, my love, you didn't. There was a grain of truth in what you told him."

"So what did you tell him?"

"I explained that some men had taken his mother and that they were going to Acubus. I told him that Hercules and his father were holding a woman there, and that these men wanted that woman back and would trade his mother to get her. I said that the woman was not a very nice person and that his father wanted to stop her from not being nice." Alcmene took another sip of cider. "Then I told him that Hercules and his father would trade the woman for his mother and then his father and mother would be coming back just as you said they would."

She smiled at her husband. "He thought about this for a while. You could just see his little brain working on what I had said. Then he nodded at me so gravely that I had a hard time not laughing. He said he knew his father and Hercules would make everything okay. He wasn't worried about his mother now, he said, because he knew they would protect her." Alcmene shook her head. "I know it sounds silly but when he said that, it made me feel better also. He said it with such conviction. And he is telepathic. I don't know. It was like he had some precognition or something. I suppose that's not possible but I did start to feel better." She grinned at him. "Foolish, I know."

Jason again kissed her fingertips. "I'm not so sure it's foolish. Just a couple of years ago I would have said the things Sira can do were impossible. Now, well, I'm beginning to believe anything is possible."

Alcmene chuckled. "I know. It's pretty amazing, isn't it? Anyway, Hercus then went on to assure me that Hercules and his father would save his mother but that they would never let the bad woman go. I told him, to save his mother they would because they loved her so much. But he shook his head at me. 'They will save Mommy, ' he said. 'But they will see that the woman learns how to be nice.'

"Honestly Jason, it was so touching. I gave him a big hug and he clung to me for a moment. But he was fine. He's stayed close to Winnie and me. Perhaps he's been a little quieter. He prays a lot to the earth. I would find him and Kitty in the garden on the grass. He sits with his feet crossed like his mother and the grass winds itself around him just as I've seen it do with Sira."

"You, my love, are amazing. But how could you possibly know Venin wasn't a nice woman?"

"I didn't know really. I just assumed it was so. I mean, since she was associated with the likes of Demos."

He nodded. "What about the blood? Did Hercus ask about that?"

"You know, that was the strangest thing. After you left that night I brought a lantern out here. I wanted to cover up the blood with dirt. You know, so that when Hercus came back in the morning he wouldn't see it. But it was gone."

"You mean it soaked into the ground?"

"No, Jason, I mean it was gone. It was thick and drying if you'll remember. It couldn't have soaked into the ground."

"Are you sure you were looking in the right place?"

She nodded. "Yes. It was right there by the chair. I went in for another lantern to light the area better. There wasn't even a trace of a stain left. It was completely gone." She paused for a moment. "And look there now."

The Argonaut leaned forward and looked over the side of the chair to the place on the grass where the healer's blood had lain in a dark red pool. He sat back, his eyes wide in amazement. Where the blood had been, a red thick stemmed flower bloomed.

"Maybe you're right, my love. With Sira anything is possible," the woman he loved whispered.

He shook his head in wonder. "So how long will Hercus be at Winnie's?"

"She said she would bring him back after dinner."

"Good." He grinned at her and pulled her into his arms. "That gives us some time." His lips sought hers.

She giggled.

It was past midday when Hercus, playing with his toys on the floor of the kitchen, stopped and jumped to his feet. "They are here." he squealed, and bounded out the door, almost running over Jason in his rush to leave the room.

"What's that about?" the Argonaut grinned at his wife.

She grinned back at him. "I believe his parents have arrived.

Hercus jumped into his mother's arms. She saw him coming and knelt to greet him. "I missed you, Mommy."

Tears streaked her face. "I missed you also." She held him away from her and searched his face. Then she pulled him back into her arms and held him tightly. "Your mind's touch was so strong, my son. I am very proud of you."

Alcmene stood in the doorway. She wiped a tear from her cheek. The scene before her touched her heart.

Hercus held his hands out to his father. The hunter picked him up and swung him around. "My boy," he whispered.

Hercules gave his mother a hug and held out his hand for a firm grasp from the Argonaut. Then he picked up the half human, half yosemin boy.

"Were you good while I was gone?"

"Yes. But I missed you."

The demigod met Sira's eyes. She read the pain and the joy in his face at her son's words.

"I missed you also," the big man told him.

Alcmene hugged the yosemin. "Are you all right, my dear?"

"Yes, I am fine. I am sorry you were frightened. It must have been hard for you."

The women fixed a meal to close the day. There was much chatter and much laughter. The healer felt warm and comfortable here in the older woman's kitchen. She and Alcmene were friends. More than friends. When the meal was over the men went to the garden and the women cleaned up from the meal. When they were done the women joined the men in the garden. Alcmene sat on the edge of the chair that Jason sat in. Sira sat on the ground at the hunter's feet.

"Are you really well now?" Jason asked of the healer.

She nodded. "Yes, I believe so. The trip here in the outdoors seemed to put the final touch on my healing."

Sira noticed that Alcmene's hand rested on that of the former king. She couldn't seem to keep her hands off of him. The healer understood. She felt the same about the hunter.

"How was your trip to Corinth with the prisoners?" Hercules asked his father in law.

"It went well. That fellow with the busted head didn't make it however."

Hercus had been playing apart from the adults but he came to show his mother the yellow lady bug he had found. She exclaimed over his discovery and he moved away to look for another one.

Jason smiled at the boy's back. "I guess Venin hoped to charm me into letting her go. But she soon thought better of it. It didn't take long once we got to Corinth to get her before the magistrate. Iphicles was a big help. I pulled a few strings, and with the testimony of Jug and the other evidence, the magistrate was convinced that Venin was bad news." He turned to Hercules. "Your signed statement went a long way. It was a good idea. She was convicted and sentenced to execution."

"I never thought they would be that harsh with a woman," Iolaus stated.

"I was a little surprised myself," Jason nodded. "I don't think I'll ever forget that look on her face when they read the sentence to her. It was a look of incredible disbelief. I guess she never believed it would happen. I tried to warn her." He shook his head. "I'm not a morbid man. Watching the execution isn't something I would find appealing so I left the next day."

Hercus came back to the adults. He wore a great deal of the garden on himself and his clothing. Sira stood up with a tolerant grin on her face.

She took the child's hand. "Come on, you. It is time for a bath."

Alcmene followed them to the house. "I'll get you some towels." Kitty rubbed against the older woman's legs. "I take it you expect a tidbit or two." She was rewarded with a meow. "Well, come on then. I'll see what I can do." As if understanding every word the woman had said the cat followed her to the house.

Iolaus chuckled. "It's good to be back."

Hercules turned back to Jason. "Thanks for delivering Venin to Corinth. You haven't said much, but I know it couldn't have been an easy trip."

"No, it wasn't. After Venin was sentenced she sent word that she wanted to speak with me. I almost didn't go to see her. I couldn't imagine what she might want. And the truth is I was very tired of her and her mind games. But I did go."

"What did she want?"

"I'm still not sure. When I got there she refused to talk at first. When I pushed her she said she wanted to see me squirm. I guess she thought I would feel remorse that she was to be executed. When I didn't, she got angry. She made some pretty vile threats. I didn't want to say anything in front of your mother, but she swore that if she ever got out of the prison she'd be coming for me." He shook his head. "Hatred and vengeance seem to be the only emotions she possesses."

Salmoneus was weary and foot sore. He had been traveling for two days, and since dawn this morning. Little Salmoneus had been meowing and complaining for almost an hour.

"Come on, Sal," the salesman encouraged. "We're almost there. We can't stop now."

The cat sat in the middle of the track, swishing his tail.

"Come on, Sal. You know Alcmene always has fish for you."

But the cat was unmoved by the bribe.

"All right. All right," conceded Salmoneus. He walked back to the cat and stood over him. "I don't see what you're complaining about. You have four feet to walk on. I only have two." But the salesman bent and picked up the cat and placed him on his shoulders. Little Sal rubbed his head on his namesake's cheek and the man absentmindedly scratched under the cat's chin.

The salesman let out a sigh of contentment. He sat back in his chair to relax a bit and let the good meal Alcmene had provided set. He watched Little Sal eating fish. See? I told you so, he thought to himself. As if reading his thoughts the cat scowled at the salesman.

"I swear Sira has enchanted that cat," Salmoneus commented. "I know he can read my thoughts."

Iolaus laughed at him.

"So what brings you to us, my friend?" Hercules asked.

"I'm just passing through really. I've got this new kitchen utensil I'm selling. I call it the Salamatic. It's really hot. It slices and dices. It will peel vegetables and fruit. Really, ladies, you must have one."

A moan from the others stopped the salesman. "All right, I get the hint." He was silent a moment.

Hercules smiled to himself. Good old Salmoneus.

"Big doings in Corinth," the peddler commented.

"How so?" Jason asked.

"Some woman escaped prison. She was awaiting execution and bribed a guard. Venom? Venin? Something like that. I've forgotten her name."

The salesman was unaware of the tension his words had brought into the room.

"Anyway, she got away and while the authorities were looking for her there was a murder. Some guy named Vector got his throat cut. Then there was a brawl in a tavern. With all the excitement the woman got clean away."

Jason and Hercules looked at each other over the salesman's head. Salmoneus talked on of the goods in the Corinth market, but the demigod and the former king weren't listening.

The hunter and the healer had made their plans to return to their cabin in the forest. There was much to do to prepare for the winter. Alcmene had invited them to stay with her and Jason for the winter. The former king had added his wholehearted agreement. But the couple wanted to get home. Especially the healer. She could never stay for long away from the forest. She seemed to draw her strength from the tall trees and mountains. The winters could be harsh, but the empath never seemed to feel the cold, and her son, like her seemed immune to the elements. The hunter didn't have the same advantage but he was content to be where Sira was. They had survived their first winter in the mountains. They would make it through this one.

The half man, half god, the hunter, and the former king were in the study.

"I can't believe she got away," Jason commented.

"Somehow it doesn't really surprise me," Hercules said. "She was too damn clever by far."

"I, for one, don't like it. She was also too damn vengeful." Jason sat back in his chair. "I can't help but wonder if we've seen the last of her."

Hercules was lost in thought for a moment. "After Iolaus and Sira leave tomorrow, I think I'll head to Corinth. Maybe I can pick up her trail."

"Hold on," Iolaus interrupted. "You don't think I'm going to run off and leave this for you, do you?"

The big man smiled at his friend. "You have a family to think about. You've already lost valuable time on your winter preparations."

"Still, I'm a part of this thing."

"Yes, and believe me I would love to have you with me. But have you forgotten your first winter in the mountains? I haven't. You damn near didn't make it." He smiled again at the hunter. "You take care of your family. I'll go to Corinth and see what I can find out. It won't take us both for that."

"I don't like leaving things unfinished," the hunter objected.

"Hercules is right, my friend," Jason stated. "Sira and Hercus must be your first consideration." He turned to Hercules. "I hate leaving this with you. I'd like to go to Corinth also." He ran a thoughtful finger across his chin. "But I don't want to leave your mother alone."

"No, you stay here. I'll find out what I can. If I can get Venin back, I will. But she has a head start on me, and who knows where she might turn up?"

"Still, I do hate asking this of you."

"You didn't ask. I insisted."

Iolaus, Sira, Hercus and Kitty left early the next morning. The empath wiped tears from her eyes. She longed to return to the forest, but hated to say goodbye. Hercules stood at the gate to the yard and watched them walk away. Sira, with her mind sent love to her more than brother.

A smile broke over his face, and with a sigh he returned to his mother's house. He felt depressed. He would have welcomed Iolaus with him in what he must do. But he knew his friend's place must be elsewhere for now. He made a decision. He would clear up this business with Venin as soon as possible and then head straight to the forest and the hidden cabin there. And should I get snowed in? he asked himself. He shrugged. Idle time was not easy for him. It left too much time to think, to feel. Better to keep busy and moving. But he well remembered how hard his friends had struggled to make it that first winter. They could use his help, and he had every intention of giving it.

The demigod's trip to Corinth was uneventful. He had pushed himself, but not to the point of exhaustion. He went first to the palace to see Iphicles.

"Damn it, Hercules," the king complained. "It's like she just vanished off the face of the earth. We've searched everywhere. Jason warned me about her. I put every man I had on this. I want her found as much as you, but we've turned up nothing. Well, that's not completely true. We did find the guard that released her."

"Can I talk with him?" Hercules asked.

"We found him dead. His throat was cut."

The demigod paced the floor. "Where did he turn up?"

"A cheap brothel on the edge of town."

Hercules nodded. "Okay if I look around a bit anyway? Maybe talk to the people where you found the guard?"

"Of course. I'll send Rior with you, he's been in charge of most of this. He might be of help to you."

Two days of retracing the steps already taken turned up nothing new. Hercules hated to return to his friend and his mother with nothing accomplished. But there was no choice. Iphicles was right. The woman seemed to have fallen off the face of the earth. The demigod had hoped for a speedy end to this because he wanted to get to the forest and help the hunter and the healer. But he had hoped for a conclusion to the problem, not a dead end. In his mind he voiced the same thought Jason had only days ago in his study. I wonder if we have seen the last of Venin.

"I'm sorry I couldn't find out anything, Jason," Hercules told his friend.

"Well, you did all you could. I appreciate it, my friend." The former king took a sip of wine. " I sent a message to Acubus to let them know. Better forewarned."

The big man sighed. "I guess that's all we can do then." Jason could hear the frustration in the demigod's words.

The former king understood that frustration. It was easy for a strong man to understand physical strength. Moving mountains came easy to his friend. But the intangible, the things that he couldn't lay his hands on and move, well, these came harder. To leave unfinished business was to leave the mountain unmoved. It was like a bothersome itch. It would continue to nag at his subconscious thoughts.

Jason stood, and going to the side board in his study he filled a mug with Tassis tea. This he handed to his friend. "I wonder what happened to Vector." The demigod accepted the tea with a smile of thanks. "He was alone in Corinth," Jason voiced his thoughts out loud. "I doubt anyone in Acubus knows he was killed."

"I doubt anyone would really mourn if they did know. He wasn't the type to invoke deep or lasting friendships." Hercules rose and went to stand by the window. It was late and the moon was just a silver sliver, the night dark. But he wasn't really looking through the window anyway. "Vector was buried in Pauper's Field in an unmarked grave along with two others unfortunate enough to die that same night; a drunk who was killed in a brawl and an old man too poor to afford a proper burial." He turned back to the room. "Not much to show for a lifetime, is it?"

"No," Jason agreed. "No reason why we couldn't put a marker up for him," he suggested.

The big man shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe Sira is right and there's just an empty shell left after death anyway. He can return to the earth in an unmarked grave as well as a marked one. The yosemin don't mark their graves. Once they bury the body they say a prayer to the earth to take the body back. They believe the soul goes on to dwell elsewhere."

Jason nodded. "Not a bad way to pass on. I wonder if a human could do the same?"

"Supposedly if we're given to the earth we can." Hercules smiled at his friend. "I guess we would have to ask Hades about that to be sure. But at any rate I gave the death prayer for the man. It's up to the fates... Or the earth now."

Jason sipped his wine in silence for a moment. "Are you staying home with us for a while this time?"

"No," Hercules shook his head. "I'm going to help Iolaus and Sira catch up on their winter preparations. This thing in Acubus put them behind."

"It seems hard to believe they enjoy living so isolated," Jason reflected. "Their life there must be harsh."

"Sira is of the forest. It's all she has known. And she draws a strength from it that she finds nowhere else."

Jason offered the demigod more tea and Hercules held out his cup for a refill. The Argonaut filled his goblet with wine. "I know Iolaus has always loved the forest also."

"Yes. I think he gets lonely sometimes. But he likes hunting. And he enjoys making Sira happy."

Jason chuckled. "I think she keeps him happy also." He held up his glass. "Here's to happy endings."

Hercules drank his tea to the toast. But, with Venin on the loose he couldn't help but wonder if any of them could count on a happy ending.

Coming Soon: The Mighty Have Fallen - The Third Adventure In The Empath Chronicles

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I would like to give special thanks to my husband, Dan [AKA Ares, god Of Love] for his tireless hours of help. Without his editing and proofreading, not to mention his advice, good ideas, and inspiration, these stories would not have made it passed the handwritten stage.

And if I may be so bold as to quote the great Ares, GOL, the adventures of the Empath are better because "It's a love thing."

Comments And Kind Criticism Are Always Appreciated. E-mail Me At [email protected]

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