Ares used his godly powers to make sure Mysella was alone in her room. Assured that she was he materialized outside the door and tapped lightly. She called to him to enter.

"Aramond? What are you doing here?" She rose up slowly. "If they find you here�"

"He hasn't hurt you again, has he?"

"No. I haven't seen him all day. I told the other girls I was ill."

He came to kneel beside her cot. "Are you?"

"Not sick, just stiff and sore." The words were whispered. "I just couldn't face any of them."

He took her hand. "You've done nothing wrong, Mysella. You mustn't blame yourself."

"But I do."

He rose and began to pace. "I wish I knew what to say to you. I wish I knew how to make you feel better."

"Having you here does make me feel better."

He turned back to her. He wanted to tell her the truth. He wanted to take her into his arms and be honest with her, and yet somehow he knew it would spoil things.

"I have to get back to Sira. I'll check on you later."

"No, Aramond, please don't come here again. I'll come to you. It's safer that way."

He was angry now. She shouldn't have to live in fear. What Plantose and Strabiss had made of her turned his stomach. She seemed like a cornered animal, caught in a trap she had no way of freeing herself from. "All right, Mysella. I have no wish to bring you more trouble."

She rose carefully and came to put her arms around him. "Thank you for being my friend."

He ran a hand over her hair. "I am your friend, Mysella. No matter what happens, I am your friend."

The day seemed to drag for the healer. She tried repeatedly to reach the hunter. Try as she might, she couldn't seem to get past the barrier that shielded him from her. She got a sense of him but little more. By late afternoon she was exhausted. She fell across the bed in frustration. The tears that stained her pillow did little to relieve the tension. Still, after a time she did sleep. Once again she dreamed of the blue chamber and the hunter trapped behind a transparent wall of crystal. He called to her. She tried to call to him, only to have her words thrown back at her.

The dream left her more tired than before but she couldn't sleep. Tomorrow, if they had not found the hunter they would take the aggressive path. "Forgive me, my mother. I am afraid I would welcome it. I never knew that I could be so willing to risk harming another. But that is what this is about. I will do what I must to save him, even if it means I lose the power of your love."

She paced the floor. She stood looking out the window. Salmoneus tapped on her door and she jumped. She was short with him then apologized. She couldn't relax. She felt the earth within her and took comfort from this, but still feared for what might come, and for what she was becoming.

Maybe Thysis is right, she told herself. Maybe I am a throw back to a time when the yosemin were an aggressive race. Maybe the healer in me is a facade, or could this be the path my mother wishes me to take? She couldn't think and the confusion in her mind worried and upset her all the more.

The demigod tried to hold her but she couldn't stay still long enough for him to do so. In concern he sought the elder of her clan.

"Do not worry, my son. What you are witnessing is the burning away of the old ways. She is emerging from the shell that years of yosemin teachings have bred into her. What you are witnessing emerge from the shattered bits of shell is the real empath, the real yosemin, and it will be an awesome sight. Stand back, my son. She will be stronger yet when this is over."

"Are you trying to say she was led here? That there was a design in all of this?"

"Whether it was by design or simply fate, it will not change the outcome. She fears losing her earthly powers if she harms another. She lives with the fear of her power. She must learn to accept it and know the earth has chosen her. The earth would not let her do something not of its liking. She must learn to trust the earth as it has entrusted her."

"I worry about what this whole thing might do to her sensitive heart."

The elder laid his hand on the demigod's gauntlet clad arm. "I know, my son. You love her. It is only natural to worry about her. Do not underestimate her. The earth will guide her, and you if you let it."

The night was dark, the stars hidden behind a mesh of feathery clouds. The day had been warm and sticky as the moisture in the clouds held the sun's warmth close to the earth. The god of war was still searching the castle for a clue to the hunter. The demigod had searched for a time as well, then returned to the healer's room. She could see the dark smudges under his eyes. The worry and lack of sleep were taking a toll on all of them.

The empath had insisted the others retire. She knew now that they would be unable to find the hunter. Tomorrow would come too soon. She insisted her brother of the soul also retire. He had argued for a time, but he couldn't keep from yawning.

"Please, my brother. We will all need your strength tomorrow. Rest now while you can." He'd reluctantly agreed.

Little Sal had let himself out the door of the salesman's bedroom and disappeared for the moment. The demigod assured the salesman they wouldn't leave the castle until the cat was found. Salmoneus still worried about his furry friend. Sira wondered if he was sleeping.

The night passed slowly as the empath prayed to the earth. She longed to open her eyes and see the god of war standing in the room, a wide smile on his face as he explained where the hunter had been found. But when she opened her eyes it was to the night and the small candle burning on the bedside table.

She was lost in a trance, and yet she heard the scratching at her door. She sent her mind out to seek the source of the sound. Little Sal. She bounded from the bed and hurried to let him in. When she opened the door however, he refused to enter the room.

"You naughty little cat. You have worried Salmoneus something awful. Come in here this minute."

The cat began to purr then started to walk away. The girl went after him. She reached to take him in her arms but sensing her intention he scurried just out of reach. "It is nearly morning and you want to play games. Come here, Mister."

Little Sal came to her, but when she reached for him he walked away. This time he turned and meowed at her. "What is it? What are you trying to tell me?" She followed him a little further into the hall. Again when she reached for him he walked away and called to her.

"All right. But if this is some wild goose chase to show me some dead mouse or something, I will cheerfully swat your little furry bottom." She touched the cat's mind. "You are definitely trying to tell me something. But what?"

She followed the cat to the stairs. She hesitated there for a moment but Little Sal's meows demanded she follow him. She searched ahead with her mind to be sure it was safe then followed him as he descended the stairs to the next floor. She kept her mind searching ahead. Of course if Strabiss were milling about at this hour she would never be able to detect him. She touched the cat's mind once more. She could feel his urgency and continued to follow him. She sensed someone coming. She knew a moment of panic then calmed herself and slipped into a room that led off the main hall.

The room was in total darkness. She leaned against the door, straining with her ears and her mind to listen for the approach of the person she had sensed. She heard their footsteps pass the room she hid in and she held her breath for a moment. She frowned into the darkness. There was a familiar smell in the room. Herbs. She sniffed. Moss. She made sure the hall was clear then opened the door cautiously. When she was sure it was safe to leave the safety of the room she went to the candle holder near the stairs. Removing one of the candles she returned to the room she had just hidden in. She knew in her mind what she would find even before her eyes confirmed it. In the corner was a large loom looking very much like the one that stood in her front room. Plants grew in pots under a large window. They were plants the yosemin used to make medicine. Clay plates and pots adorned a low table in the middle of the room. They were very similar to the ones she made herself. These were yosemin things. The walls were decorated with woven moss garments. Many of the things she found in the room could also be found at human settlements. So much of the yosemin culture had found its way there. Woven moss was often worn by humans in the deeper forested areas.

She picked up one of the plates and held it to the light. The design on the plate was a clan marking. Strabiss was yosemin. She should have known. His small stature, his oddly colored eyes. She had been so lost in her need to find the hunter that she had missed the outward signs. True, she hadn't had much contact with him but it should not have taken the marks on the pottery to open her eyes. This was the sign of the clan of the otter and the raven. People of this clan were said to be intellectual and strong in the healing powers of the earth. The girl shuddered. How could a child of the earth have gone so wrong? Little Sal meowed at the door. He had followed her into the room then called to her to let him out. She returned the pot to the table and followed the cat once more. He led her to the large stone staircase that would lead her to the ground floor.

Her searching mind found nothing to alarm her, but she took the steps slowly. They were lost in shadow for the most part and she might duck down into the shadows to hide herself given enough warning.

The cat led her to a door on the main floor. He scratched at it and it opened a crack. The cat disappeared inside. It was as dark in this room as the one upstairs. She took down a candle, and entering the room she closed the door behind her. Holding the candle high she walked further into the room. This must be the self proclaimed monarch's study, she thought. The walls were lined with shelves from top to bottom. Each of them was crammed with scrolls, parchments, and parchment boxes.

Little Sal scratched at the bottom of one of the sections of shelves. "Darn you, Little Sal. Are you going to tell me you brought me here to help you catch a mouse?" She turned to examine the room. It smelled of stale fire and old parchment paper. The cat mewed at her. "What is it?" She gave a tolerant sigh and went to her knees beside the cat. "If a mouse jumps out at me, you are dead meat," she threatened. She held the candle closer to the space beneath the last shelf. "I do not see a thing, you little schemer." She started to rise then stopped. Holding the candle to her right she examined the shelving there. She then examined the shelving on the left. It was designed differently than the shelving that so held the cat's interest.

She looked closer. The middle rack didn't reach all the way to the floor. She felt ahead with her hand and found a slight gap behind the middle set of shelves that wasn't accessible on the other shelves.

She felt a shiver of anticipation sweep over her. She stood and tried to move the shelves. They held fast. She tried again. They had no intention of moving. She stood staring at the offending case. Could there be a lever of some kind that unlatches these?

She started at the bottom. Strabiss wasn't a tall man. If there was a latch it wouldn't be too high. She felt along the edges of the case. There was a gap here also. She took a minute to check other shelves in the room. Only this one had the gap along the sides. She moved to the next shelf, then the third. She moved the scrolls and parchments, feeling with her hands and her mind for a latch or lever of some kind. She moved the parchment box on the fifth shelf. It resisted. She pulled harder on it and she heard a click. She stopped suddenly. She was almost afraid to try again to pull the shelves away from the wall. She took a deep breath to calm herself and pulled. The shelving moved easily open like a door.

She stood blinking in disbelief. A solid wall of rock confronted her. She stared at it in wide eyed shock. She had been sure she would find a way into an underground chamber of some kind.

Little Sal rubbed against the rock first then against her leg. "It is a door, is it not? The earth led you here and helped you bring me here. All right, little one. I will never doubt you again. Now help me find the way to open this."

The cat meowed by way of answer. The girl slowly slid her hands over the smoothed stone. She covered every inch of the surface she could easily reach. She tried again. "Damn. I know it is here." She closed her eyes and willed her mind to relax. "Help me, my mother." She opened her mind and sent energy through her hands and out to her finger tips. She willed her mind to see what her hands had missed. She went slowly. Wait, what was that? She moved her hand over the spot again. She grabbed the candle from the table and held it to the rock. It was a tiny crack in the rock. It was only about two inches long and very narrow. She tried to get her fingers into the crack but it was too small. It must take some kind of key.

She checked the shelves near the open case. Nothing. She checked the other shelves. She lost track of time as she searched for the key to open the rock wall. The candle burned out and she lit another one from a holder on the desk. Then because she was getting desperate she lit all the candles still remaining in the holder. Maybe with more light she would spot what she was looking for.

She searched the desk drawers. Nothing that looked like it might work. In exasperation she began to cry. "Help me, my mother. Show me where it is." What if Strabiss has it on him? She felt desperation and frustration grip her. "Please, my earthly mother." She looked around the room once more, then her eyes came to rest on the desk. The candle holder that rested on the desk shown in the light from the tall tapers that burned there. It was a strange looking thing made of metal. She walked up to it and examined it more closely. She pulled what looked like a smoothed, narrow metal leaf easily from the base of the candle holder.

Her hands shook as she raised the leaf to the crack in the solid rock surface. The door swung toward her on invisible hinges.

Sal mewed and slipped into the opening. "Little Sal, wait." The girl peered into the chamber behind the rock door. It was lined with blue shiny crystal. "My dream," the girl whispered. She stepped into the chamber. She felt something give under her feet and heard the door start to grind shut. "No!" The sound echoed back at her and hurt her ears. She turned quickly, but knowing it was too late, she sent her mind out in a mighty blast. Slipping her moccasin off she held it in the narrowing crack of the closing door. She kept her mind flowing out in a panic filled force. She pulled her fingers away from her shoe just as the door closed.

When the door clicked shut her mind's blast was thrown back at her and she screamed. She dropped the candle then watched it roll away from her and go out. The wick burned with a red glow for a moment then disappeared completely.

The demigod sat up abruptly. "What in Tartarus?" His sleep numbed brain couldn't seem to focus. He stumbled to his feet and opened the connecting door to the healer's room. Her candle had burned out and the room was filled with darkness. He took a minute to grab a candle from his room. It seemed to take forever to light it. His hands shook with apprehension as he returned to the empath's room. Her bed was empty. He looked about him. The door to her room was open. "Sira!" he called. Nothing. He sent his mind out. He couldn't feel her. Panic gripped him. "Sira." He rushed to his room and began to dress. He was still pulling on his boots when he looked up to find Thysis in the doorway between the two bedrooms.

"You felt it too?"

"Yes. Hurry, my son."

What is it?" the salesman came yawning to the door. "I thought I heard Sira call out."

The room was filled with light. "Where's Sira?" the god of war demanded.

"We are not sure, my son," the elder stated.

"I sensed her mind very strongly on mine."

"On all of us. Could you tell where the thoughts were coming from?"

The god closed his eyes a moment. "Downstairs."

The demigod and the elder exchanged looks and without a word headed toward the door.

The empath shook with fear and panic. She knew the others would never feel her thoughts from inside the chamber. She screamed as a furry body rubbed against her leg. The sound hurt her ears and she ducked as her hands flew to cover them. Little Sal meowed and the sound joined her scream to bounce against her sensitive ear drums.

"Do not do that! I damn near died of fright, you little menace."

Now the cat mewed from down the corridor. Taking a deep breath to calm herself the girl felt along the wall on her left side with her hand and along the floor with her foot. She stopped and removed the second moccasin and left it near the rock door. She could only hope the others would find the shoes. If the shelving had also shut they might not find her. Still, she reasoned, they wouldn't wait now. Once her disappearance was noted the demigod and the god of war would stop at nothing to find her. She didn't envy Strabiss and the brothers.

She moved slowly ahead. She began to realize that the further she moved into the smooth rock tunnel the more she could see. The rock itself gave off a luminescence. She became aware of a steady vibration that seemed to come from the stone itself. "This is too much like my dream," she whispered.

The men reached the ground floor. "Which way?" Hercules hissed.

"There." Salmoneus pointed to the study door that stood ajar. Hercules rushed forward. The candles on the desk had gone out as the rock door whooshed shut behind the empath. "Damn! I can't see a thing."

The room was lit with brilliance as the god of war filled the room with candles. The big man winced as the bright light hurt his eyes. The room looked no different than it had the last time they had been here. The god of war began to pace. "Where could she be?"

Hercules looked about him. "We don't even know if she's been here."

"Wait," the elder cautioned. "Give me a moment." He closed his eyes and used the powers of the earth to feel for the girl. "She has been here. I get a sense of her."

Sira continued to follow the left wall of the tunnel. Was the hunter here? She felt the difference in the floor. Sand. The earth. She stepped onto the soil and sent her mind to the earth.

Thysis jerked. "She is inside a chamber. Behind a wall."

Sira got a fleeting sense of the elder, then her thoughts were thrown back to bombard her own mind. The shielding must be the rock itself, she thought. It wasn't like anything she had seen or felt before. I can feel nothing of the earth here. This was not formed by any natural phenomenon of my earthly mother.

The demigod began to look along the walls. He went over the shelves once then started over.

"You can't even be sure we're in the right place," Ares stated in agitation.

"You got a better idea?"

"Let's go get Strabiss. We'll find out where Sira is then."

"Has it occurred to you that they might have her? We've made enough noise here to wake the dead." He moved more of the parchments. "Why hasn't anyone challenged us?" He stopped in his tracks. Caught on a rough board of the shelf he was examining, he found a long blond hair. He knew it was Sira's. As he pulled it from the shelf, he got a sense of the healer.

He looked around the area once more then squatted. There were spots of wax on the floor before the shelves. He stood, and working his fingers into the crack between the shelf and the one next to it he pulled. It resisted. He tried again, putting his god given strength behind the pull. With a cracking and grating sound the shelving gave way.

The demigod stood blinking at the stone wall in confusion.

"Well," the god of war chuckled, "would you look at that." He indicated the moccasin stuck in the rock.

The metal leaf shaped key lay on the floor. The salesman bent to pick it up. "Could this be a key?"

The demigod took it from his friend and began to examine the rock's smooth surface, looking for a way to use the key to open what appeared to be a solid wall of rock.

The further the healer went into the bowels of the crystal chamber, the louder the vibration became. She could not only feel it, but hear it now. She had been descending since she entered the chamber. The light had grown stronger and she began to see other layers of crystal behind a smooth, transparent layer of the stuff.

She hadn't realized she had left the main tunnel and followed a tunnel to the left. She stepped through a narrow opening and stood in a large chamber. It was made of the same blue rock, only here it wasn't smooth and shiny. Stalagmites and stalactites gave a ghostly look to the dimly lit chamber.

"Look out," the god of war advised. With a wide sweep of his hand the rock grated aside to reveal the tunnel.

Hercules grinned at him. "Show off."

Ares grinned back at him. They stepped through the opening. Before they were all through, the door began to close. The demigod stepped into the opening and braced his back against it. It continued to move. He planted his feet wide apart. The movement slowed but didn't stop.

"Get out of there, Hercules!" Salmoneus shouted. His words echoed around them. "You'll be crushed."

The god of war stood in indecision for a moment. He could do nothing and let his brother be killed. He had wanted his death for a long time. This was his chance. He raised his hand and the door slowly slid back open.

"Thanks, Brother," the demigod stated. He turned around before he got a chance to see the look on the god of war's face.

But Thysis hadn't missed it. There was anger, surprise, pleasure, pride, sadness. All of these emotions passed briefly over the god's face. "You're welcome, Brother."

Hercules turned to smile at him. "Come on, let's find Sira and Iolaus."

The healer walked slowly forward. The ground seemed to shake beneath her feet with a steady rhythm. Before her was some kind of enclosure made of the blue rock, shaped and formed to make a booth whose upper half was formed of clear sheets of crystal. She tried again to send her mind out. As before, it only came back to her. She approached the enclosure cautiously. When she was close she bent forward to peer through the murky, crystal panel. "Iolaus!" The sound echoed through the chamber. She placed her hands on the panel. "Iolaus." She began to cry. Frantically she searched for a way to open the chamber and release him.

"So, you found him after all."

She whirled around to face Strabiss. "What have you done to him? Release him."

Strabiss shook his head. "How did you discover the tunnel?"

"Why is he here? What do you want with him?"

"Ahh, yes. It's really quite ingenious. Step this way and I'll show you." She hesitated. "Come." He stepped aside so she could get past the enclosure that held the hunter and see what he wished to show her without putting her near him.

She stepped cautiously around a rock. "Your feet!" Strabiss exclaimed on a great intake of breath. "You're yosemin."

"I am of the earth, and so were you at one time."

"You've seen the room upstairs. I know you can't read my thoughts. The crown I wear is made of this same blue stone. I covered it lightly with gold to make it decorative, but its real purpose is to shield my thoughts from others and to shield me from them. I've always found the chaotic thoughts of humans annoying and intrusive. It blocked my ability to think as clearly as I wished."

"Why are you holding Iolaus?"

"Behold," he motioned with his hand.

What the healer saw was some kind of machine made of metal. Across the front were three large rollers studded with spikes. As she watched, the rollers began to turn. Sira felt again the vibration in the rock chamber.

The old man watched the machine, a look of pride on his face, as if he looked on a favored son. The healer moved a little to the right. She had seen a patch of sand. She wanted to touch it and use it to send her thoughts to the others.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" the old man asked her in reverence.

"What is it?"

"I guess you could call it an earth grater. You see, it digs at the rock of the chamber and breaks off small pieces that are collected in a tray below."

"Why collect the rock?"

The old man laughed. "That's the best part. The rock of the chamber is filled with riches beyond belief. This was Cronos' treasury. The Titans used a natural underground chamber and built the castle over it. The underground chambers were used to store the king of the Titans' wealth. It was full of gold, silver, and precious stones. When Zeus overthrew his father and the Titans he sealed the treasury in this blue stone. The stone is of the gods. It is impenetrable. It can't be sensed by man or god. It holds sound and thoughts, and repels them."

"How did you find it then?"

Strabiss laughed. "By being more clever than anyone else. In the parchments and scrolls I collect was a bard's tale that told of this place, and the sealing of the treasury. I searched for a long time before I found the location of the old Titan's temple. It took me a long time to find the way into these chambers. I never would have if I hadn't used the powers of the earth to strengthen the sensation in my hands. I felt for the opening and found it. It was a process of elimination, really. I checked every surface that offered access to the outside. Clever, don't you think."

"And the machine?"

"That," Strabiss bowed to the girl, "is of my own making."

"You still have not answered my question. What do you want with Iolaus?"

"I need dear Iolaus, my daughter, because his mind runs my machine."

He had used the yosemin elder's address to a female of the earth. The healer shivered. "You have no right to address me thus. You are no longer yosemin, despite your pretty display upstairs.

"You're right. I love money and power too much and I don't give a damn for our so called mother. The room upstairs was sentimental and foolish."

Sira sent her mind through the earth beneath her feet. "How could Iolaus' mind power your machine?"

"Again I was so clever. See the tubing? It is bamboo, covered in a layer of the blue stone. The stone is quite soft and melts very easily. It can then be molded to whatever shape you please. The tubing is connected to the machine. Iolaus thinks, and his thoughts are channeled through the tubing to the machine. It uses the power of the mind to power it. It pulls the thoughts to itself in fact."

"Release him. I will power your machine."

"No, not yet. His mind is strong. I can still get a few days from him. Then, my daughter, it will be your turn."

Ares produced a torch to light their way down the tunnel. The elder tried to reach the empath, only to have his thoughts bounce back at him. The footing was treacherous and they were forced to go slowly. They walked down the center of the tunnel, the torch throwing the sides into shadow. Unknowingly, they missed the smaller tunnel that led off to the left. They went only a little further when they came to a large room. It was a smaller version of the chamber where Sira was even now.

They went further into the room. "Split up and look around," the demigod suggested. "She must be here somewhere."

A few minutes of searching turned up nothing. "Damn!" the god of war stormed. "She's not here. We must have missed another tunnel back there."

They headed back toward the tunnel opening. Blocking the entrance was Plantose and Contose.

Plantose moved toward them. "I knew we would have our time, Aramond."

The god of war took a step toward him. "I'm going to enjoy killing you," he sneered. "There's nothing I admire more than a warrior. But you're no warrior. You're just a sadistic coward."

"What would you know about warriors?"

Ares chuckled. "You might be surprised."

The big brute took a swing at the god of war, who blocked it with no real effort. "You'll have to do much better than that."

The big man narrowed his eyes at Ares. "I'm just warming up." He swung again, but the god saw it coming and countered with a high kick to the chin.

Plantose's brother drew his sword and went for Hercules. The demigod looked around him quickly. "Where's a good stick when you need one?" he mumbled.

The god of war's kick took Plantose square on his protruding jaw and the man fell backward. Ares stood patiently waiting for him to rise. He was beginning to enjoy himself.

Hercules threw his arm up to block a sword swing. The blade hit the half god's gauntlet. The sound bounced against the walls and bounded down the corridor to be lost. Contose was big and strong. He was also cool and despite his simple mind he knew how to fight. He turned around to bring his sword over his shoulder in a slashing blow designed to cut the demigod in half from his shoulder to his waist.

Hercules rolled aside and kicked at the big man's legs.

Plantose rose slowly. The kick had surprised him. He'd never felt that kind of force before. He narrowed his eyes at the dark god then lunged.

"You bore me!" the god snarled. He grabbed Plantose around the neck with one godly hand and held him off the ground. "Now let's see you try to brutalize innocent young women."

The big brute struggled. "Who are you?" he managed to choke out.

"I am Ares, god of war." Plantose's face was distorted and red from his struggle to breathe. At the god's declaration the big man went pale. "Where is Sira?" When no answer was forthcoming the god of war tightened his grip. "Where is she?" He gave Plantose a good shake to emphasize his words.

"She's back down the tunnel. Big room on the south side."

"Thank you," the god of war smiled benignly at the big man. Then with a quick jerk of his wrist he snapped the brute's neck then tossed his body across the chamber like he might toss a dirty shirt. Plantose sprawled on the floor like a rag doll, all his brutality gone in that sickening crack of bone.

The god of war stood looking at the pile that had once been a man. With a slight smirk on his face he stretched, moving his head from side to side to loosen the muscles of his neck. "Ahh, that felt good," he stated to no one in particular.

Hercules kicked Contose's wrist and the brother's sword flew into the air. He kicked him again, swinging his leg from the side to add power to the kick. Reaching up he snatched the sword from the air.

"Quit playing, Hercules," Ares scolded. "Let's find Sira."

The demigod brought the hilt of the sword down on the brother's temple and Contose crumpled to the floor of the chamber.

"Let's go," the god of war called over his shoulder as he headed back down the corridor.

The healer looked to the enclosure that held her mate of the soul. "You have done this to other people?"

The old man chuckled. "Why do you think people have turned up missing? People's minds only last a short time. The machine draws their senses away from them and destroys their mind. But I've learned a lot. I keep them well fed and they get exercise here in the chamber. I give them rest periods. But when they're in the chamber, there is a constant demand on their thoughts."

"Release him. I am much more powerful. I can do much for you."

Strabiss chuckled again. "I told you, you will have your turn. You still haven't told me how you found the tunnel or how you knew that Iolaus was still alive."

"I knew he lived still because despite the god stone, I felt him."

"That's impossible."

"I not only felt him, so did Thysis."

"So, he is yosemin also? I wondered." He looked thoughtful for a moment. "How did you find the tunnel?"

"The earth found it and sent Little Sal to lead me here."

The cat rubbed against the healer's leg when he heard her speak his name.

"Ahh, the witch's familiar. I've never understood the yosemin's affinity for creatures of the earth."

"That is because you no longer are a creature of the earth."

Ignoring her, he continued. "Especially cats. They're all self important, arrogant little things."

"Then you should have a lot in common."

He laughed. "I like you. You show no fear. That is an admirable trait, but it will do you no good."

She sensed his intention despite the shielding of the god stone and sent a warning to Little Sal. The cat bounded away before the old man could raise his foot to kick him.

Strabiss narrowed his eyes at the girl.

"If you do not release me, the others will come looking for me."

The old one shrugged. "My boys will take care of them."

The healer sent her mind out. She got a sense of the demigod, but when she tried to strengthen her mind's touch on his her thoughts were thrown back at her. I must fight my enemy. He must not be allowed to harm the others as he has harmed Iolaus. A shaft of pain shot through her. How much of the hunter still remained behind the crystal walls of the torture chamber this once child of the earth had manufactured to fulfill his greed? Have I found him, only to lose what makes him what he is and who I love?

She felt the anger grow inside of her. She had no illusions about the danger this could present. Anger lent a power of its own to her earthly powers. "Guide me, my mother," she begged in her mind. She needed guidance to help her deal with the churning emotions that threatened to consume her. "For what I may be forced to do here, forgive me. But I must save him."

If I can remove the crown from his head, I can use my mind to stop him. She reached for a stalagmite to steady herself as the growing power of her mind threatened to topple her. Almost against her will she could feel it build and grow. The cool stone of the water formed sculpture brought her comfort. It felt of the earth. It wasn't the blue god's stone. She was surprised for a moment then realized she shouldn't be. Stalagmites and stalactites were formed by chemicals leached from the earth as water found its way through cracks and fissures in the earth and dripped slowly, in an everlasting drip. The minerals formed the natural formations. They were the earth in its purest form.

She could feel the earth send her comfort. With a squaring of her shoulders she turned to the task set before her. "Why did you allow us to come here?"

"Self gratification," Strabiss smirked. "To prove I was superior. I saw no real harm in it, and you were ill."

"I was not. We used that as a means of gaining access to the temple."

"I saw how ill you were. I felt your fever."

"No. What you felt was the earth working through me. I brought that to my body in order to fool you, and it worked so easily. You pride yourself on your intelligence, but the real truth is you are nothing but a fool. You insist this was once a temple to honor the great lord Ares. You could not be further from the truth."

He chuckled. "How would you know?"

"Because, the one you know as Aramond is the god of war. He is my brother of the soul," she paused for effect. "He was not very happy with your conclusions."

"But it's the only explanation that fits."

"Then perhaps you cannot read the old scrolls as well as you believe."

"You're lying. There can be no question. I am right. Your lies will do you no good." He chuckled. "Besides, what would the god of war be doing here? It was a good try. Trying to undermine my confidence was a good move, but it won't work."

"May I see Iolaus?"

"Only through the rock."

She went to place her hands on the crystal panels once more. "His wound is healed?"

"It was a small arrow. It was meant to deliver a drug rather than to harm him."

"Will you release him?"

"No."

"I have no wish to harm you. Release him and I will not."

He laughed. "What do you think you could do to harm me?"

"You were of the earth once. Surely you know of her powers."

"They hold no fear for me."

"I will power your machine," she offered once more.

"Not yet. I find you far too entertaining. You have a way with a tale. I think I'll just keep you around for a bit."

The healer closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "You leave me no choice then." She turned back to him, and made a quick grab for his wrist. As her flesh touched him she sent her mind to him in a powerful blast. He staggered back. With a howl, Little Sal jumped at him, throwing him even further off balance. Strabiss hit at the cat, and Little Sal flew across the room to land hard against a stalagmite. The healer's heart constricted.

The old man couldn't get his balance and began to fall. Still holding onto his wrist the healer swept the crown from his head then let him fall backward to the rock floor of the cavern.

As the crown sailed away to clatter among the rocks, the old man screamed. Pain shot through his head, then over his body to twist and cramp his muscles. "You're an empath?" The girl didn't answer with words. No words were needed; he could feel the truth.

He was shocked. He'd been sure there were no empaths left. His readings had shown him this. Still there could be no question that this young woman was an empath, and a powerful one. He tried to shield his mind from hers, but his feeble attempt brought him nothing.

"I didn't know that you were an empath. How could I know?"

"If you had still been a child of the earth you would have known. You traded the greatest gift of all for wealth. How much greater your knowledge could have been if you had let the earth into your heart and soul."

"What clan banner do you honor?"

"I am of the clan of the wolf and the lion."

"Your power. It's like nothing I've felt before. These things aren't possible." He sent his mind out once more to try and stop her relentless onslaught.

She strengthened her mind. The floor of the blue chamber pitched beneath him. "No," he whispered. "This can't be true. You shake the earth with your mind. You're the one, the one foretold of in the scrolls. Your coming was written of centuries ago. It's there in the yosemin book of clan."

"You possess the clan book of my people?"

"It is my greatest treasure."

"It has been lost for centuries. Why did you not return it to my people?"

"No. It's mine. All of the parchments and scrolls are mine."

"You are truly pitiful. You have lost the earth so completely, there is no hope for you. You might live on, but you are already dead in all things that really matter."

The old one screamed as his body twisted at the power of the girl who stood before him.

The demigod knelt beside the healer. "My sister, let it go. He can do you no harm now. Release him."

"I cannot."

"It's all right, Sira. We've found your golden hunter. Strabiss can do you no harm now. Release him."

All her days of pain and sorrow, her days of grief, were still with her. Her anger at this man, her hate of what he had done to others and to the hunter possessed her.

Strabiss screamed again. "Make her stop!"

"Sira, please, you're hurting him and us. Your power has nowhere to go in this cavern. You'll destroy us all." As if to prove the demigod right the ground shook once more and a stalagmite crashed to the floor near them. "Sira!" She didn't seem to hear him. "Ares, help me reach her."

The god of war knelt beside the girl. "Sira, my sister, let the anger go. It does you no credit. Let the earth guide you."

"No!" Strabiss screamed. "This can't be true. It was just a tale in the book of clan. How could it come to pass?" The man who had once been a child of nature could feel the love these two men had for the empath. He knew the truth of what she had told him. His mind drew the identity of these two from their own minds. The sons of Zeus. "What the book of clan foretold is true. Even the gods are humbled before her. The sons of Zeus will unite to rid the earth of evil and they will be led by the empath."

Ares ignored the old fool. "My sister, feel the love you have invoked in Hercules and myself. You are love. Take hold of it and pull yourself back. Come to us."

Slowly the girl began to respond. Slowly her mind cleared.

"Sira," the demigod soothed her, "let it go. Build the barriers, little healer."

She slumped against the demigod and he took her in his arms. "Get him out of there," she whispered. "Save Iolaus."

Strabiss groaned and the girl looked at him with contempt. Seeing the look on her face he shouted, "No! No one looks at me like that." He pooled his thoughts and sent them out in a powerful blast in an attempt to cripple and maim the healer.

The girl's mind sensed it coming. Whether the demigod and the god of war were warned by her mind or by the mind of the man on the floor, neither one of them could say. Thysis felt it coming as well. Together, the four of them blasted the mind of the old man. Once again the earth trembled, and more of the chamber collapsed. A huge portion of the ceiling crushed the earth grater. The tubing that had sucked the mind from the hunter for so long was lost in a jumble of rock.

Strabiss screamed, then screamed again. He twisted into a little ball as his body contorted and cramped. With one last attempt to fight the mind of the healer and those who fought beside her, his mind seemed to implode. The girl felt the sudden loss of his thoughts and collapsed to the ground beside him. The combined force of the four minds linked as one had robbed an old man of his mind. Tears spilled from the corners of the girl's eyes. "What have I done?" she whimpered. She heard a stifled sob and looked up to see Salmoneus cradling Little Sal.

She held her arms out to him. Her mind was still lost in the trance of the earth. Her power still surged about her. "Bring him to me."

The salesman rose and gently lay the unconscious cat in her arms. He gave her a pleading look that tore at her sensitive heart. As her tears dampened the animal's gray fur, she sent her powers of the earth to heal, rather than harm. "My little savior," she whispered. A glow surrounded the animal and seemed to turn his fur a florescent blue. With a great intake of breath the cat opened its eyes. It licked the girl's hand then began to purr.

Salmoneus laughed. "You healed him." Tears filled his eyes as relief swept over him.

The girl handed the animal back to the entrepreneur. "He will need lots of love and care for a few days"

"He'll have it. He'll have whatever he wants."

The healer reached for the hand of the demigod and the god of war. "Help me. I must touch the earth." They helped her to her feet. With an unsteady hand she touched one of nature's sculptures. With a sob she opened her heart to the earth. She could feel her mother's comfort. The earth was still with her. She had killed a man here today. His body still functioned, but his mind did not. Her anger and hate for him had consumed and possessed her, and yet still the earth surged through her. She needed that to heal herself. She had been willing to risk losing it to save the hunter but was filled with renewed energy to know she hadn't lost the gift the earth had given her. She knew she would need it now to heal her Anmchara. Knowing she was still of the earth gave her strength and comfort. "Forgive me, my mother. I have used your powers to harm another. I lost sight of your love for a time, and for that I beg your forgiveness." She turned to the demigod. "Get him out of there, my brother."

The demigod examined the small enclosure, looking for a way to open it. In frustration he rose, and raising his fist he punched it through the transparent wall of stone. The hunter stood unmoving, his eyes staring blankly ahead as the pale blue crystal shards of rock flew about him.

The demigod went cold with apprehension. Careful now to protect his friend, he pulled the rock away to make an opening large enough for the hunter to pass through. "Iolaus?" his friend questioned. The golden one was unmoved by the destruction of the enclosure or by the pleading sound in the big man's voice. The half god son of Zeus reached for his friend's hand. Still Iolaus didn't move. The big man tugged gently on the hand and the hunter followed him like an obedient dog on a leash.

The healer came to stand before the man she loved above all others. She did nothing to hide the tears that stained her cheeks. With a sob she wrapped her arms around him. He neither moved nor spoke. After a moment he did reach up a hand to smooth her hair. Not because he wanted to comfort her or because he wanted comfort, it was more an absentminded reaction to finding someone pressed so tightly to him.

The healer stood back and searched his blank eyes. Still searching them for some sign of recognition she addressed the others. "Let us get out of here." She took the hunter's hand and began to lead him toward the tunnel entrance.

Ares caught at the demigod's arm, then jerking his head to indicate Strabiss. "What are we gonna do with that?"

"Leave him."

The god scratched at his chin. "Okay by me. But� Well, is he gonna be able to care for himself?"

The elder of the clan of the wolf and the lion answered for the demigod. "He is dead, my son. His body still functions, but not for long. No one can exist without a mind."

The god shrugged. "You take the lead, Brother. I'll bring up the rear. Plantose is dead but Contose isn't. This may not be over yet."

Hercules hurried to catch up with Sira, Iolaus, and Salmoneus. "Let's be careful. Contose is still on the loose."

When they reached the door to the old man's study the demigod stepped through cautiously. Contose stood near the desk with Mysella, Dayna, and Mersha.

"We don't want any more trouble," the demigod offered. "But if you're set on it let's get this over with."

"Where is Strabiss?" There was no emotion in the question.

"He's dead. Back there in the chamber."

"No!" Mersha swayed and Mysella put an arm around her to steady her. "No."

Ares had joined the demigod in the study. He hadn't taken his eyes off of Mysella. "Plantose is also dead," he told her.

The girl closed her eyes for a moment then opened them to give the god of war an earnest look, tears showing in her eyes. A silent thank you was conveyed to him from her look and he nodded.

Contose put an arm around her shoulder. "It will be all right. I know he wasn't always good to you. He wasn't always good to me either." He turned back to the demigod. "I wish no trouble either."

Ares took the healer's arm and led her from the tunnel. She kept the hunter's hand in hers and he willingly followed her. "Take them outside, Thysis," the god instructed. He had sensed the demigod's hesitation.

When the others left the room Hercules turned back to Contose. "We need a moment." The simpleton nodded and led the girls from the room.

"What's troubling you, Brother?" Ares asked

"I hate the thought of leaving this tunnel and what's in it so accessible. What Strabiss attempted could be tried by another."

"Why not simply seal the tunnel up?"

"Can you do that?"

The god of war gave him a disgusted look. He raised one hand and moved it slowly through the air. The rock door closed. He turned to face the door squarely then held both hands out, palms up, his fingers spread, as if pleading with someone for mercy. After a moment he lowered his hands. "See for yourself," the god bragged.

The demigod examined the stone, running his hand over it, looking and feeling for the opening. It was gone. The stone was smoothed and polished into one solid slab of rock.

"You really are a show off, Brother."

The god bowed. "It's a shame, really."

"How so?"

"To seal up all that wealth."

"You know where it is now if you want it."

The god laughed. "You have a good point." He patted the demigod on the back. "Come, Brother, our sister awaits."

Sira led the hunter to her father of the soul. "Will you watch him for me, Father? There is something I must do."

The elder took the hunter's hand. "Be careful, my daughter."

The healer planted a kiss on his cheek and ran back to the temple. She found Ares and Hercules just leaving the study. The girl went to them and into the demigod's arms. "What can we do to keep others from finding the blue caverns?"

"Ares has taken care of that for us. He sealed the entrance."

The healer turned to smile at the god. "Thank you, my brother."

He bowed. "At your service. Now, little one, let's blow this stand."

"There is something I must do first, then we can go. Will you get the horses ready?" He nodded. She started to turn away.

"Wait, Sira." Hercules took her hand. "I'll come with you." The girl ascended the stairs in silence. When she started along the second floor hall the demigod could hold his curiosity no longer.

"Where are you going?"

"There is something I must get."

"We can come back for our things later."

"No, this cannot wait."

She let herself into the room she had found the previous night. She stopped on the threshold. Had it been last night? The sun was shining now with a defused, yellow morning brightness. But somehow it seemed days ago that she had found this place. With a squaring of her shoulders she entered the room. The window let sunlight in to nurture the plants growing in pots around it and to brighten the room. In the light the girl could see how dusty and shabby the room was. This was not a place the old man had frequented. The girl ran a finger over a pottery jar on the table.

"Strabiss was yosemin?" The girl started at the demigod's question. She'd forgotten him for a moment.

"He once was, yes."

"I'm sorry, Sira."

"All races have their good and their bad. But I appreciate your concern for me. You are right, finding out that Strabiss was yosemin was hard for me."

She went to a small dais. Placed on its slanted top was a large leather-bound book. The leather was cracked and worn with time. Sira laid a hand on the cover, closing her eyes tightly. After a moment she opened them. She wanted to open the book and look through the pages, to read the picture writing of her people. But it was not her place to do so. Looking around her she pulled a woven moss cape from the wall. Shaking the dust out she wrapped the book in the cape and held it lovingly to her.

"What is it, my sister?"

The girl gave the demigod a sad smile. "The book of our legends. It is from before the remembered time. It has been missing for centuries, and its loss has been felt by all of those truly of the earth."

He offered to take the book from her. He could tell it was heavy. "I would be honored to carry it for you."

"Yes," she nodded. "You are of the earth. I think she would be pleased to have your strength on her side."

They returned to the courtyard. Salmoneus sat his horse, Little Sal on his lap. The girl went to them and stroked the cat's side. "You will be well, little creature of the earth. I will ease your pain as much as I can."

The cat purred deep in his throat. Sira looked up at the salesman. "He will be fine, my friend."

"Thank you, Sira."

Thysis led the hunter to a horse. Whether the extra horse was there by the gracious hand of Ares or if it had come from Strabiss' stable, the healer couldn't tell. Right now she didn't care. Thysis closed his eyes and sent his mind to the blond man beside him. After a moment Iolaus mounted the horse.

Thysis winked at the healer. "His mind is reachable, Empath. There is hope. If you can reach his mind you can heal him."

The girl laid her cheek on the hunter's knee where it rested on the horse's side. Again he smoothed his hand over her pale tresses. He picked up a strand and rolled it between his thumb and fingers. He stared at it intently as if trying to remember where he had seen and felt it before.

Sira opened her mind to the hunter and touched his mind. She had been afraid of what she might find there. Tears filled her eyes. What she was feeling wasn't the hunter, at least this was not the mind of the man she knew so intimately.

Thysis put an arm around her. "Come, my daughter. We must leave now. The earth will help him, but the earth here is tainted."

The girl nodded. With a quick leap she mounted her own horse then bent to take the reins of the hunter's horse.

"Ares? Salmoneus?" Hercules questioned. "How would you feel about going into the village and getting some supplies? We're going to need some things. Sira can guide you to us."

Ares shrugged. "I could provide everything we need."

Sira smiled at him. "I cannot risk offending the earth now, my brother. Will you do this for me?"

He shrugged again. "What do we need?"

The big man tossed a leather pouch that landed in the god's hand with a satisfying clink. "Salmoneus will know. He'll get you the best price as well."

The salesman rode his horse to Sira. "Will you watch Little Sal for me?" She held out her hands for the little gray bundle. The cat found a place on the saddle in front of the girl. "I'll be back soon, Sal. Be nice to Sira."

Ares rolled his eyes in exasperation. "Are you coming?"

"I'm coming, already. Keep your godly leather pants on."

Sira smiled at the god and he rode close to take her hand. "Well, Lord Ares?" she questioned.

"About time you treated me with some respect," he teased.

She smiled at him. "Thank you." He squeezed her hand then released it. With a salute of two fingers to his temple he turned his horse to leave the courtyard. "May the earth go with you!" she called.

"And with you, little one."

Sira took the lead, and heading out through the wooden gates she turned north. She knew what she needed and the demigod was content to let her guide them. She set a brisk pace until they were past the cultivated land and into the forest. Slowing to a walk she continued on. After a time she stopped and slid from her horse's back. Cradling Little Sal in her arms she walked ahead. She led her horse and the horse that the hunter still rode.

The demigod joined her. "Everything all right?"

"Yes. I just needed to feel the earth beneath my feet."

He nodded and put an arm around her shoulders. He sent her strength and love and she responded. After a time they mounted again and continued on, climbing higher and higher into deep virgin forest. The morning gave way to afternoon. They stopped to rest the horses for a time. The healer took a drink of water from a small stream, then removing the water flask tied to her saddle she filled it.

The hunter licked his lips. "Water?" He held his hands out for the flask. The healer took it to him and he drank greedily. The girl's heart constricted. He looked so pale and thin. Dark smudges gave his eyes a sunken, hollow look.

Sira pulled his head into her lap and cradled it like she might a child. Smoothing the hair from his forehead she sent love to him.

"Food?"

"There is no food for now, my love, but I will find us some soon."

The demigod turned away. He couldn't watch them anymore. He went to squat near the tiny stream. What had that bastard done to these two people? The man who sat on the fallen log looked like his friend, but this wasn't Iolaus. Where was the vigor and life of his friend and companion? The humor and energy? The hunter always had such vivacity. The one Sira cradled to her was an empty shell. Grief swept over the half god son of Zeus and left him shaky. His need to bend and force something to his will threatened to overwhelm him. What good was his strength in the face of this kind of thing?

"You've brought these two people together," he whispered to the soil at his feet. "Help them now. Don't do this to her. Don't punish her. She's your child, the one you've given so much to. This will kill her. Maybe not a death of the body, but a death of her heart and soul. Better she live without him, than to have him like this."

The elder knelt beside his son of the soul. "No. It is not better to be without him. Their souls will touch even like this. Have you not felt the difference in her? You are right, she would not want him to stay like this. But should the earth see fit to make it so, she will still rejoice in their soul's touch."

"This whole thing is so unfair."

"Yes. But life is often unfair. It is what we do with the injustices in our lives that make us what we are."

They left the small stream and continued to weave their way among the tall trees of the forest. The shadows lengthened, and still the girl continued on. The horses were weary. The girl could sense their need to stop. Sending her mind out she changed her direction slightly but didn't stop. She led them over a slight ridge, and below them was a lake. The water was a deep blue, surrounded on three sides by rugged granite mountains. The shore of the lake was studded with huge boulders, looking for all the world like some giant had shook them to the ground from some mammoth sized salt shaker.

The girl dismounted, then handing Little Sal to Thysis she held her hand out to the hunter. He dismounted with ease. So, he hasn't forgotten everything, the demigod noted.

Leading him by the hand she wound her way through the boulders to the water's edge. A huge granite slab reached out over the lake on her left, on the right the trees grew close to the water. The mountains were still blanketed with snow and the frozen rain still clung to the shadows among the rocks at the girl's feet. She turned and headed to her right along the lake. Before she had gone far she stopped and turned inland. She skirted a huge boulder then stopped abruptly. Slipping between two slabs of rock she stepped into a small oasis surrounded on all sides by immense walls of gray rock. Against the far wall stood a stone cabin. The demigod followed the girl through the crack between the rocks and stopped abruptly. He was struck with the beauty of the little meadow. A small cascade of water stained one wall black before it splashed among man sized boulders to disappear under the wall.

Sira turned to her brother of the soul. He could see awe constrict her pupils and deepen her green eyes to black.

With a sob she went to her knees in the grass. Lying down on her stomach she spread her arms wide to embrace the earth. Hercules led the hunter to a natural rock bench near the waterfall. Cautiously he approached the cabin. A tattered sun bleached wool blanket covered the door opening. He reached to pull it aside and the cloth turned to dust in his hands. He swept the rest of it away and peered in. The roof had collapsed into the rock walls ages ago, leaving only a few rotted pine poles to tell of its existence.

The healer joined him at the cabin. "It can be made livable?"

"Yes. The walls are sound. How did you find this place?"

"The lake I found with my mind. We needed a place to stop and we needed water. The cabin the earth led me to."

"There is a peace here," he whispered.

"Yes. The earth brought us here to heal Iolaus."

He turned and took her into his arms. "He will heal, won't he?"

"Yes, how much remains to be seen, but he will heal."

"You know no matter what, I'll be there for you."

"I knew it, but hearing it voiced gives me strength."

"We'll take care of him together."

"I love you, my more than brother of the soul."

"I love you too. Our love for each other and our love for him will make a difference."

"Yes, I think so also."

The healer went to the hunter and gave him water. He asked for food again. "I will find us food, my soul." She turned to the elder. "Will you watch him while I gather food?"

"Of course. I will do what I can to heal him as well."

The hunter tugged at her sleeve. "Sleep?"

She nodded. Spreading one of the horse blankets on the ground she pointed to it. He lay on his side with his arm under his head for a pillow. Little Sal limped painfully to him and curled himself against the hunter's stomach. Iolaus gently stroked his furry side.

Thysis had found a place for the horses and the demigod had brought the saddles to the enclosed meadow. The healer checked on the horses first. Assured they were taken care of she went to the forest. A painstaking search netted her a few roots and some Tis Ehat leaves. She brought them to the lake with her. Stripping to her underthings she waded into the icy water. She closed her mind to the cold and waded deeper into the liquid earth.

She sent her mind to the water mother, taking comfort from the chilly water. She swam for a moment, letting the water wash away the stain of corruption that still seemed to cling to her from the old temple.

She fished for their dinner, taking her time. She needed the chance to find peace with herself and with what had happened last night. She must be one with the earth to heal the hunter.

She left the water, and gathering her things she returned to the others. The hunter still slept. Thysis had started a fire as the last of the light was fading.

They let the hunter sleep, saving his food for when he might wake. The empath's hope was that rest would help to clear his mind. When the meal was complete the healer sat beside the hunter. She stared into the fire, letting her mind become entranced by the flames.

The elder of the clan of the wolf and the lion came to sit beside her. "He will heal, my daughter."

"I know. But how much will he heal? Will he be the same?"

"That is for the earth to decide."

"I want him back, Father. All of him, not just the shell that sleeps so soundly now."

He nodded. "But you have him back at least."

"Yes. I thank the earth for that. And no matter what, I will love him. The soul's touch will still be there, even if he is not."

"You are wondering what life will be like for you then?"

"I know I am being selfish." She turned to give him an earnest look. "I will do whatever it takes to bring him back."

"Yes, I believe the earth would expect nothing less."

"Let us hope she will still be with me when this is over."

"Has she not proven to you yet that she works through you, and as long as you are open to her she will guide you? She will not turn her back on you. Not all that you learned as an apprentice healer was truly what the earth expected of you. Let her lead you. Remember, she brought him to you. Would she deny you the right to use what she has given you to save your mate of the soul? You said yourself Iolaus is of the earth. She would not so easily let her son go."

"I hope you are right. I will do what I must, even if it means losing the earth."

"Yes. I say again, she would expect nothing less."

When the god of war and the salesman left the temple they rode straight to the village. The god of war was quietly reflective for a moment. "I was wondering," he began, "why not save the purse? I can get us whatever we need." The god could see the gleam in the salesman's eyes. Temptation was plainly written on his face.

Then with a visible squaring of his shoulders he shook his head, "No. We'll do this the mortal way. We promised Sira. She's been through enough. I'm not going to do anything that might make things harder on her. Then again," He hesitated. "No. As much as it pains me to say this, we will spend the purse this time."

"You're too practical," the god grumbled. He wouldn't have admitted it, but he found a respect for the salesman in his stand with the empath.

"What's going to happen to all of Strabiss' wealth?" the entrepreneur asked.

"I sealed it up in the chamber with the old man, where it belongs."

"You sealed it up? The whole thing? All that wealth?"

"Yep. All of it. Sealed behind solid rock."

"Everything? The jewels and the gold? All of it?"

"Everything."

They rode on in silence for a time. "Such a waste," the salesman mumbled.

"Sorry," the god soothed him with humor in his voice.

Ares gave the purse to the salesman and let him haggle with the merchants. The god of war procured a few things on his own including two pack horses. The salesman studied them through narrowed eyes. "Where'd you get the horses?"

"Hey. We had to have some way to haul the supplies."

"Yeah, but I had the purse."

"You had Hercules' purse. That doesn't mean I didn't have a few dinars of my own." The salesman still looked suspicious. The god of war held his hands in the air, an innocent look on his face. "I swear I purchased the horses."

"Then my next question is, where did those dinars come from?"

"It was gold coins, really. You can ask the former owner yourself."

"Where did the gold come from?"

"Well� Gold comes from the earth, right? It's a part of the earth. Sira's got to like that."

Salmoneus laughed. "You know? You'd make a pretty good salesman."

"Really? Thanks."

The salesman laughed harder. "Still, I wouldn't give up my day job."

"Oh." The god pretended to be disappointed.

They returned to the temple to gather their things. Mysella and Dayna helped them. Mersha had gone to the village to be with her family.

"She really did love Strabiss," Mysella explained. "Although how anyone could is beyond me. But I guess he was good to her in his own way." The girl had searched the god of war's brown eyes. "Will you be coming back this way?"

He took her hand. "I'm not sure. I'm not really who I appear to be, Mysella. Now that Plantose is gone you have a real chance for happiness."

The girl nodded. The god pulled her to him and brushed her lips lightly with a kiss. She clung to him for a moment. "Thank you," she whispered.

Dayna found a chance to be alone with Salmoneus. She pulled him to her and took his mouth with hunger. "I expect you to return real soon."

He was completely tongue tied. After a moment of stunned silence he pulled her back to him and kissed her as eagerly as she had kissed him. "I'll be back. Little Sal and I will both be back."

The healer stayed by the hunter. He woke in the night and she gave him food. He ate everything she had saved for him and wanted more. He savored the tea she had made from the leaves and twigs of the Tis Ehat. It had always been one of his favorites. The healer sent her mind to him once more. He looked up to smile at her. Her heart did a flip flop. His eyes were brighter now. They burned with the same intense blue she remembered all too well.

With her mind on his she sent her mind to their son. She had communicated with him many times. She knew her father of the soul did the same. Now she led her son's mind to that of the hunter. She had no wish to keep anything from the boy. A strange haunted look came to the hunter and he reached for the healer's hand. The boy sent love to his father and to his mother. He could feel her anxiety. He let her feel his own fear of the future and took comfort from her reassurance that life would go on. She asked him to be brave and to continue to send love to his father. "Go to the earth, my son. She will guide you."

The demigod built up the fire then made a dash for the woods. He hoped Ares and Salmoneus would bring their things from the temple. He'd been cold all night. One horse blanket just wasn't enough. He returned to the fire. The healer slept beside the hunter, her hands on his vest front. Hercules put his blanket over them and went to check his snares. He was rewarded with abundance. He left Thysis to care for the roasting meat and began the job of cleaning out the rock cabin. He swept the floor first then dusted the walls down with pine bows. He cleaned out the fireplace. He was fascinated by the work that had gone into making the cabin. The floor was made of small stones laid in intricate patterns. The combination fireplace and stove had been put together with no mortar. The small stones had been so carefully chosen and pieced together, none was needed.

The hunter opened his eyes. He was a little shocked to find the woman lying so close to him. He watched her as she slept. She's so beautiful, he thought. Her skin is so white and smooth. He reached out and took a strand of her hair. It felt like silk as it ran through his fingers. I should know her, I'm sure I should. What was it they called her? Sira? Yes, Sira. Why does that sound so familiar? He wished he could remember. Suddenly it became very important for him to remember. His eyes lowered to the swell of her breasts. Somehow he knew she would smell of flowers and growing things. His eyes traveled back to her face where they were met by an earnest, forest green gaze. He could see desire in her eyes. He knew it was mirrored in his own.

She reached out a delicate finger to brush his lips. He took her hand and kissed the finger tips. "Iolaus?" she questioned, her voice barely audible.

"Is that my name?"

Tears spilled from her eyes. "Yes."

He brushed the tears away with his thumb but they were right back. "I should know you."

"Yes."

"I wish I did."

She cried harder. "Your mind is clearer today."

He only nodded. "Why do you cry?"

"Because I wish you remembered also."

"My not remembering hurts you?"

"Yes."

"I'm sorry."

The half god son of Zeus left his labor on the cabin only long enough to eat. As he worked his admiration for the long ago architect grew. The stones at the top of the walls were laid in such a way to form grooves for the roof poles to rest in. With a careful weaving of the poles in the alternate leveled grooves, the framework of the roof was sturdy and secure. The demigod then wove pine bows through the poles. Next he added layers of dirt. The hunter was most happy to scoop dirt onto one of the horse blankets. Then pulling the four corners together to form a bag he lifted the dirt up to the big man.

A second layer of pine bows was added to the others and the roof was complete. The demigod made his way to the lake. It was early afternoon and the big man was hot and tired. He'd worked all morning on the cabin, but it was ready now. He had no way of knowing how long they would be here in the hidden valley, but he hoped to make the stay here as pleasant as possible.

He watched as the healer fished. She looked up to smile at him. "You should bathe."

"I will when you're done."

"I will not look," she coaxed.

"Yes, you will," he stated quite seriously.

"You think you are so irresistible that I cannot keep my eyes off of you?"

"Yes."

She laughed. "It must be nice to think so highly of one's self."

"It's not that, really. I just know you."

"You think so? I could walk away from you in a heartbeat and never look back."

"Fine," he shrugged. "Have it your way." He started to undress.

Sira left the water and hastily gathered the fish. She kept her back turned and began to walk away. When she was behind a rock she stopped and peeked around the rock to watch the demigod. The big man knew damn well he was being watched but still took his time to strip and enter the water.

Sira took a deep breath to steady herself then returned to camp. She gave the demigod time to finish then led the hunter to the lake.

Hercules was lacing his boots when they arrived. "So, did you like the view?" he asked.

"I do not know what you are talking about."

"Right, and I'm a Hydra."

"I always knew there was something funny about you."

He smiled at her. "Want some help with Iolaus?"

"No thank you," she shook her head. "I will manage." She turned to the hunter. "You need to bathe," she told him. He looked out over the lake. "It looks cold."

"It is cold," Hercules assured him. "Damn cold."

The hunter turned a skeptical look at the healer. "It will not kill you. Now strip." The hunter's eyebrows shot up at this. "I have seen you naked before," she stated.

"Really?" The golden one's face was split with a smile that seemed to transform him. The demigod took a quick breath and the healer reached out for the rock she stood by to steady herself.

"Have I seen you naked before?" The girl blushed and Hercules laughed. "I'll take that as a yes."

Hercules gave him a salute and left the lake to the healer and the stranger dwelling within the hunter's body.

"Yes, you have seen me unclothed before," the empath explained. "We are mates. Husband and wife."

The hunter looked shocked. He stared at her a moment then turned and walked away.

"Iolaus!" The girl ran after him. "What is wrong?" He stopped walking and turned to stare at her with the same blank look she had found when the crystal wall that had enclosed him had been broken away. "Iolaus?"

She cursed herself. She had gone too fast. She had frightened him. She could sense it now. Why was I so foolish? I must go slow. I must give him time.

"Do not be frightened. No one here will harm you. We will ask nothing of you."

"I want to go back to the camp now."

"All right."

She took his hand and led him back. Hercules took one look at Sira and knew something had gone wrong. She led the hunter to the log by the fire, then turning she ran back to the crack between the rocks.

"Sira!" the demigod called to her. He ran after her. He caught up with her near the lake and took her into his arms. She sobbed uncontrollably against his leather shirt.

"What happened?"

"I frightened him. I told him we are mates and he went to pieces. Did you see his eyes? He was doing so well. I almost believed he might be mine again. But now, because of me he is back the way he was when we found him."

"He'll come around. Maybe for now we shouldn't try to make him think. Didn't you say Strabiss's machine made him think continuously, drawing his thoughts from him?" Sira nodded. "Maybe he just needs not to think for awhile. You know, to get a rest and to give his mind time to heal?"

Sira nodded again. "Maybe you are right. Maybe I just need to go slowly."

"We all do. Damn it. It won't be easy. I miss him too much."

Sira stayed close to the hunter. He napped in the afternoon and when he woke he seemed better again. He went with the healer to examine the cabin. She was as taken by the love that had shaped the place as the demigod had been. She ran a hand over the stones of the fireplace. "This was not done in days. It must have taken years to make this."

"Or a lifetime," Hercules whispered.

"I wish I could have known this person," the healer added.

"I wonder why whoever it was chose to isolate themselves out here so far from others."

"Only the earth can know now." The empath turned to the demigod. "The others will be here by tonight."

"We should be more comfortable once they get here with the supplies. What they bring will last for a bit, especially if we keep gleaning from nature. But if it's needed I'll go for more supplies myself. There's no real hurry to leave here. The cabin will do quite nicely. We can take our time and let Iolaus heal slowly. When he's better I do want to return to Neberous. The people there may need some help. With the disappearance of the wealth and of their leader they may be lost. It's the least I can do."

"Yes. We will return there. There may be much we can do to help them. For now I must stay here where the earth wants me. I thank you for helping to make that possible. As for provisions, the earth has provided much already."

He looked around him at the cabin. "She most certainly has."

Sira found a place in the meadow to sit among the wildflowers. Within moments she was entranced. With little effort she sent her mind to Ares. He grabbed onto her thoughts quickly. He had learned much. The gods possess the strongest minds the healer had ever felt. They were clairvoyant and even somewhat telepathic. Still, their minds were unchanneled. They had no control over the telepathy they possessed. The god of war was learning how to use what he already had more productively. Sira called it the earth's power. Ares considered it his godly right. But whatever the case, she was finding it easier and easier to communicate with him using her mind. She gave the god of war a direction then sent her mind on to her son. She took comfort from the familiar feel of his thoughts on hers. She longed to hold him. Her soul still felt so lost and torn. She knew until she truly found her golden hunter she would continue to feel this way. And if he never recovers? she forced herself to ask. Then I must find a way to hold him to me if at all possible and be glad for what we have. She couldn't bring herself to think about what she would do if he insisted on leaving her. She was counting on him staying a part of her life even if he stayed as he was now.

She returned to the fire and the roasted fish. She carefully picked the bones from some of the meat and fed Little Sal. "Your name sake will be here by evening," she told the cat. "I have spoken with mind to Ares. He is bringing all our things and lots of food." Hercules watched the empath's face a moment. She looked up at him. "What is it, my brother?"

"I was just wondering just how much Ares has learned about this mind thing?"

"You are thinking he will use what he learns from me for his own selfish god of war needs?"

"Yes. We are, after all, talking about Ares." The girl took a bite of her own food and chewed in silence. "Well?"

The girl took another bite. "Well. I do not care."

Hercules sent a shocked look to the elder. "You don't care that you may be teaching him even more ways to harm others?"

The girl set the piece of bark she was using for a plate aside, and wiping her hands on the grass beside her she held them out to the demigod. He rose, and taking them in a firm grip he pulled her to her feet. She dropped one of his hands. Still holding the other she led him toward the lake.

"Ares gives me strength," she stated simply. "I also care for him. There is a bond between us."

"But why, Sira?"

"I do not know the why, my brother. I only know it to be true. We have touched in soul. Remember how it was for you and I? Before we knew we loved each other?" He nodded. "It is much like that between Ares and myself. I need him as much as I needed you. Remember the first time our minds touched? That very first time, when Iolaus was injured and I helped him call to you? Even then there was something there between us. It was not explainable, it just was."

She walked on, leading him to the granite slab that protruded out over the lake. She walked out on the slab and stood looking out over the lake and the surrounding mountains.

"I'm sorry, Sira. I can't help but worry about what Ares will do with what he learns from you."

"I know. Please try to understand." She turned to face him. "In the next few days or weeks I will face a healing that frightens me very much. So much rides on this." She took a deep breath to calm herself. "I am selfish, my brother. I want him back. All of him. Ares possesses a power I do not. Once before, a god helped me in a healing. Without that help Jason would not have fully recovered. If I must use Ares to save Iolaus, then I will. I will do whatever it takes to have him back. I refuse to give him up without a fight. If I do everything earthly possible and he is not healing, then I plan to use the powers of the gods to try and heal him. If that does not work then I will find a way to live with whatever I have. But at least I will know that I did everything possible to save him."

She took both the demigod's upper arms in a tight grip. "The thought of Iolaus living the rest of his life with his mind so much mush is a horror I cannot face. If he were truly gone I would begin to heal, and I have already chosen the one who can bring me happiness. No one else but you could hope to fill the void losing Iolaus would bring. I have pledged myself to you. But Iolaus lives. Maybe not the same Iolaus, but still the tie of soul is there." Tears filled her eyes. "I say again, I want him back. I do not want to go through life with neither of you. If he stays as he is I will not really have him, but I will not be free to have you either. He is my soul. He has a part of me that not even your love can fulfill. I want him, my brother. I do not care what Ares may do in the future because I have used him to gain what I want. I only care about me and my own selfish needs." The healer shook with the emotions her confession brought to the surface.

The demigod pulled her into his arms. "I never thought," she continued, "that I could be so selfish. I destroyed that old man because of my hate and anger, not only at what he had done to others, but at what he had done to Iolaus and myself. What is worse, I felt very little remorse at what I had done. Maybe it is I who will change by being near Ares. Maybe he has already had a profound influence on me. Whatever the case, the truth I found in that crystal chamber was that I will do whatever it takes to protect my family. Iolaus and Hercus, you and Thysis, your mother, Jason, Salmoneus, and even Ares. I will fight with whatever weapons are at my disposal to protect the people I love. Perhaps that is wrong. But if it is, I no longer give a damn. It is how I feel."

Sira was lost in her emotions. She hadn't felt the presence of the god of war. He and Salmoneus had arrived only moments after Sira and Hercules left the hidden meadow. Wishing to be near her the god of war had left Salmoneus making a fuss over Little Sal, and using his godly powers made himself unseen by humans. It was much easier to travel this way even for short distances. He really hadn't meant to spy on his brother and the empath. He had missed her and wanted to see her.

He heard every word the healer said as she stood on the granite boulder. He watched every move she made. The power she possessed surged and eddied around her, making a halo over her gold and silver mane. The snow capped granite mountains framed her in her own elements and lent a primeval, untamed look to this child of nature he had fallen in love with. What she had said sent a shiver up and down his spine and his spirits soared.

Hercules took the healer into his arms and kissed her. It was not a brotherly kiss, but a lover's kiss. She responded. She had no choice. "I will wait for you, Sira, no matter what. I want him back also. If it takes Ares, then so be it. But know this. Regardless of what may come in the future, I love you."

Damn, the god swore in his mind. How can I do less than my half god brother? He's just vowed to wait for, the gods only know how long, to have a chance with her. I have no choice now but to do the same. That still leaves me with the dilemma of how to prolong her life so that, we too, may have a chance. He rubbed thoughtfully at his goatee, as a wicked gleam came into his eyes.

Sira kissed the demigod. She opened her lips and let him take her tongue. What he offered her now she needed desperately. He wasn't offering sex. He was offering love.

The god of war admitted the beauty of the scene being played before his eyes. He hated to lose, and he hated to lose to Hercules most of all. Still, if he played the chips as they lay just as Jason had suggested, then this was a natural delay that would only sweeten the pot when his turn came. He turned away and left his brother and the yosemin in peace. What a god she could make, he declared. She is a warrior in the truest sense of the word. By the gods, she makes me proud.

Sira pulled back from the demigod. "Please do not hate me because I am selfish."

"I don't hate you. I don't find you selfish. I admire you, little empath."

"You are not jealous of my feelings for Iolaus, and that he must always come first in my heart?"

"Not jealous. Envious, perhaps. He has the greatest gift of all. He has your unconditional love. You see, I am selfish also. I want that for me someday. I want you, but I can wait. I love Iolaus too much to be in any hurry for him to be gone. I love him too much to be jealous of what he has with you. But I can't help but be envious at times."

"I truly believe there will be a time for us. When and where is up to the earth. We both know that time is not now, but like you I want that also. I hope you will not let this limit your love. Please do not, in waiting for that time, close your heart to another. You have such a capacity for love. Promise me you will not hide it away."

"I can't make that promise, Sira. I guess I'll just have to let the earth guide me with that. I wouldn't want to risk passing up a chance for us by making a commitment to someone else."

"There would still be a time for us, I believe. I would be unhappy if you passed up love."

"Then we'll cross that bridge when and if we come to it." He kissed her again.

She led him to the edge of the granite slab. "Will you swim with me?"

"If you want me to," he smiled. The healer started to pull her dress over her head. "Wait." He stopped her. "Maybe we'd better not go that far with this thing. I am, after all, only half god. The other half is all man."

She laughed. "I can keep my hands off of you."

"Like you didn't watch me bathe?"

She laughed again. "You are quite magnificent, my more than brother."

He groaned. "You delight in making this hard for me, don't you?"

"Have I made it hard for you?"

Reading her mind he stepped back. "Damn it, Sira, behave yourself. You said you could keep your hands to yourself."

"Ah, but can you?" With a laugh she dove into the water.

The demigod took a deep breath to calm himself and followed her. The cold water did help.

Before the empath left the water she knew that Ares and Salmoneus had arrived. She could sense their presence.

When she went through the cleft in the rocks and entered the hidden meadow the salesman jumped to his feet. He held Little Sal tenderly in his arms.

"Oh, Sira. Sal is so much better. I can't get over it."

The girl reached out to rub the cat between two gray furry ears. "He is a special little person. There in the temple he helped me find Iolaus. It is not the first time he has brought the earth to me. I will never forget what having him meant to me when Iolaus and I had the farm near Alcmene, and I was so lonely for the forest."

She looked up to search the entrepreneur's face. "Is Iolaus any better, little healer?"

"Maybe a little. There seems to be some improvement each day."

"I thought we would find you in a healing."

"He is not ready yet."

"Well, there's no hurry. Ares and I brought lots of goodies."

Sira looked up to see the god of war watching her. She was a little surprised to realize how much she had missed him. He gave her a mischievous wink. He was a little surprised by how much he had missed her as well.

Hercules began to unload the pack horses and Ares moved to help him. "You got a lot of supplies," the demigod stated suspiciously.

"Salmoneus is a wonder."

"I know damn well you didn't have enough brass to pay for horses."

The god looked innocent. "I swear I did pay for them."

"And the dinars? Where did they come from."

Ares scratched at his chin to try and hide his smile. He failed. "I found them?"

Hercules turned away to hide his own smile.

Ares turned back to watch the healer once more. She was sitting on the grass beside the hunter. "How is Sira?"

The demigod stopped to watch her also. "Lost. Confused."

"Is he any better?"

"Yes, he seems to be."

The god of war removed a package from the packs, and going to the healer he held it out to her.

"What is this?"

"Just something Salmoneus and I thought you could use. Open it."

She pulled the strings aside and folded back the parchment paper the package was wrapped in. She found a comb and mirror wrapped in the folds of a pale blue dress. She looked up at the god of war. With one fluid motion she rose to wrap her arms around his neck. "Thank you, my brother."

"We thought you'd like it." He bent and took her lips with his. The girl was surprised by the kiss but was honest enough to admit she enjoyed it. He pulled back to study her face then kissed her again.

The hunter frowned at the two of them. Hercules, watching his friend's expression raised an eyebrow. He could see anger and jealousy in the deep blue eyes.

"I had something to do with the gift too, you know," Salmoneus stated.

Sira hugged him next. "It was very thoughtful of you both."

The hunter rose, and taking the healer's hand he led her aside. "What is it, Iolaus?"

"Didn't you say we were married?"

"You remember that?"

"I remember. Is it true?"

"Yes, it is true."

"Then why are you hugging and kissing other men?"

The healer smiled at him. "Does it bother you to see me doing this?"

"Yes."

She raised up on her toes and kissed his lips. He looked startled. She kissed him again and his arms went around her. She nibbled his lower lip.

Ares watched them for a moment. "I guess he is getting better."

The hunter pulled away. "Sira?"

She ran a finger over his chest where his vest hung open. "Yes?"

With a moan he took her lips again. "I didn't like seeing you in another man's arms at all. I have no right to object, but�"

"You are my soul. You have every right to object."

"But I can't remember. I have no right to expect you to be there for me."

She searched his face. "Nothing will change the tie of soul between us. Do you think that just because you have been hurt that I would forget you?"

"You've talked of doing a healing. But what if this healing does no good? What if I never remember?"

"Then we will start over."

"That would be unfair to you."

"No. To lose you would be unfair. I do not care that you are different. I want you. You are my soul. I cannot give that to another, only to you." Tears stained her cheeks. "Please do not leave me. If you can be jealous of others who care for me, then you too must care. If you do, then do not hurt me. We will find a way. The earth will lead us."

"Holding you feels right somehow."

"It is right. We belong together."

"We may have once, but do we still?'

The girl turned away. With a stifled sob she ran from the clearing. The demigod went after her.

Ares came to stand before the hunter. "What did you say to upset her?" The golden one shrugged. "Look, damn it. I don't know what's going on in that head of yours, and I don't care. The woman you just hurt has put her life on hold for you. When you were missing she thought you were dead. She almost died herself. She loves you so completely she is willing to risk losing her earthly powers to save you. I think she deserves better than what just happened."

"That's the whole point. She does deserve better. I know how muddled I am. I see how the rest of you act and react. What have I got to offer her? She does deserve better."

Ares narrowed his eyes at the hunter. "Is that what you told her?"

"Sort of."

"You bastard. Can't you see even through that mush you call a brain that she can't live without you? I don't profess to understand this tie of soul and how it works and interacts with the earth, but I watched what losing you the first time did to Sira. If you have any feelings for her at all, give this thing a chance. Let her heal you."

"You really believe that is the right thing to do?"

"I know it. Now go find her and tell her what a lout you are and beg her forgiveness."

The hunter nodded and followed the healer and the demigod from the hidden meadow. He found them sitting on the granite slab across from each other. They hadn't talked. The demigod had sat with her to offer her comfort. She had taken it gladly.

She looked up at the hunter's approach. "Sira, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you." She held her hand out to him. Taking it he sat beside her.

"The three of us, together again," she whispered. She sent her mind to the hunter and the demigod. With ease she brought their minds together. Joy filled her heart as she got a glimpse of the hunter still buried beneath the fog that clouded his thoughts and robbed him of his memory.

"We've done this before, haven't we?"

"Yes, my love, we have. That is how we met. You were wounded. I healed you until Hercules could get to us, then the three of us healed together."

"I'm willing now to try this healing thing. I don't know what will come of it, but if that is what you need, then let's do it "

The healer wiped the tears from her eyes. "We will start tomorrow. You are tired now, and so am I."

The demigod rose. "I'll leave you two alone."

"Thanks, Herc."

The big man turned sharply around to stare at the hunter's back. Sira looked up to nod at him. She could feel his emotions. He shook his head then turned to make his way back to the rock enclosed meadow.

The hunter turned to the healer. "Who is Hercus?"

"Hercus is our son."

He stared at her. "We have a son?" She nodded. "Tell me about him."

As she spoke he took her hand. "I keep seeing a log cabin in the forest."

"That is our home. We built it together."

"I do seem to remember some things. Maybe there is hope for me after all."

"Would you like to take a walk?"

"Sure." He rose and pulled her up. Still holding hands they walked toward the forest. "I like it here. There's a peace about the place."

"Yes. That is the earth working through you." She found a grassy place to stop. She turned to face the hunter and he pulled her into his arms. She melted against him. His skin was warm. He took her lips. His were soft and inviting. She parted her lips in invitation as she wound her hands in his hair and pulled his lips tighter against hers.

He kissed her ear, her neck, the triangle indentation at the base of her throat. She threw her head back to expose more of her sensitive skin to the touch of his lips.

He pulled away. He was breathing heavily. "This isn't right."

"It is right. We are husband and wife."

"But I can't remember."

"I remember. I remember every touch, every kiss. I need you, my soul." She pulled him back to her and took his lips once again. Her hands slid down his chest to unlace his leather trousers. He caught her hands to stop her.

"You're sure of this?"

She went to the grass at his feet and pulled him down beside her. She untied the tails of the woven moss top she wore and pulled the shirt off her shoulders. She wore a lye bleached undershirt of woven moss. It did little to hide her ample figure. The hunter's eyes traveled over her body then back up to study her face.

She reached out to caress his cheek and he turned his face into the hand. With shaky hands he began to unlace her undershirt.

He drew a quick breath as he pulled the undershirt away from her. "You're so beautiful." He touched her and she closed her eyes. She sent her mind to his and sensed his desire.

He leaned into her and took her lips once again. There was hunger in the kiss and the girl responded in kind. He unlaced her pants and she unlaced his.

He laid her on the grass. She cried out when he took her. Not with pain, but with love. His mind grabbed onto hers and held her thoughts. He seemed to be pulling knowledge to himself as he took her body with his. Her cry startled a bird from his evening perch.

"By the gods," he whispered. He shuddered with emotions he didn't understand.

They lay in each other's arms, and quiet tears slipped from her eyes.

"Did I hurt you?"

"No, my love. My tears are of joy."

"I think I finally believe what you told me. We really were mates before."

"Did you think I had lied to you?"

"No. It's just that I couldn't feel it."

"Now you do?"

"Yes." He rose to hover above her. "Why does the word forever keep running through my mind?"

"It is the word my people say when they take a mate of the soul. You said it to me when we made our choice."

"Forever," he whispered.

She sobbed. "Even unto death."

He kissed the swell of her breast. "You smell like flowers."

"It is the Jasmine flower. It has always been your favorite."

"It is again." He kissed her once more then ran his tongue across her flesh. She arched her back as he kissed and caressed her.

"Your hands remember," she whispered.

He kissed her knee, then her thigh, and she began to tremble.

It was late when the girl led the hunter back to the enclosed meadow and the bed the demigod had made for them in the cabin. It was a cold night and frost crunched under her feet. They hadn't eaten but neither of them cared. The stone cabin was snug and warm. Sira stepped carefully over the others who slept on the stone floor. She laid down beside the hunter and he took her into his arms.

The god of war raised up on his elbow and put some wood on the fire. When he'd joined the others in the cabin he'd meant only to lay in the warm dark room and rest. He was tired. His need to rest was great but he was surprised he had slept. He shot a quick look at the bed that had remained empty for most of the night. Yes, Iolaus must definitely be better. With a grin he laid back down and let sleep claim him once more.

The healer fell into a deep sleep. The slaking of her physical needs and the touch of the hunter's mind on hers had helped to relax her.

She dreamed of the time when her village had been destroyed and she had fled the death and evil. She felt again her fear and sickness. She remembered wondering if she, too, would die, and wishing she could. She remembered her exhaustion and apathy. She remembered her sleep and her wish that she wouldn't wake from it. She heard again the plea for help that had heralded a new life for her. She lived again the wonder of seeing him for the first time. The power of their first touch. Her awe at the realization that this was the one for her. She stirred and started to wake. Still wrapped in the dream she closed her eyes tighter, not wanting to wake yet.

The hunter kissed her but she didn't respond. He kissed her again and she put her arms around his neck.

"Morning, sleepy head."

She moaned. "Not yet. I do not want to wake yet."

"Then don't. Go back to sleep." He started to rise and she moaned again.

"Do not leave me. Stay and hold me."

He smiled and laid back down beside her and took her into his arms. He felt wonder that anyone so perfect, so special, could love him. A wave of vertigo possessed him as he remembered having this feeling about her before. He could see her kneeling beside him as he had lain wounded and ill. He remembered their first kiss.

He wanted her to rest, and yet now he was anxious to start the healing. He desperately wanted to remember all of it. He wanted back what Strabiss had stolen from him. He realized with a rush that even if he never remembered any more than he did right now he would never willingly give her up. He settled himself more comfortably beside her.

They bathed together in the lake. He couldn't seem to stay away from her. Despite the cold of the water he took her and she was his willingly.

They returned to the meadow and a meal. The others had already eaten and the demigod was hunting. The nature child chose to wait for his return before starting the healing.

She found a sunny place to sit in the grass while the hunter split some wood for the fire. Sitting cross legged she began to comb out her hair. Ares came to stand over her. "Want some help with that?"

"Yes, please. It is not easy to do alone. I guess I should cut my hair."

"No. Don't. It's beautiful." He took the comb from her hands and began to gently comb through the long, pale hair. "I take it, Iolaus is better?"

"Yes."

"Will you start the healing soon?"

"Today. When Hercules returns, we will start."

"Will you feel pain?"

"I do not think so. Iolaus is in no pain." She watched the hunter as he placed a log on a stump and cut through it with one fluid motion. She felt a tingle at the base of her spine. "The real trick will be to keep enough of my wits about me to keep the physical and the mental contact. If this is not handled correctly we could both be harmed."

"You don't have to so this, Sira." She took a deep breath but said nothing. "Come with me, little warrior." His words were whispered. His voice was deep and sensual.

"I cannot leave him like he is now."

"Come with me and I will heal him." Again she sat in silence. "You said yourself, you would do anything to save him."

"You were eavesdropping. When Hercules and I talked, you were listening."

He brushed her interruption aside. "Did you say it, or not?"

"You know damn well I did. But coming with you might be the worst thing for him."

He had come to sit before her so that he could see her face. She could see the hurt look in his eyes. "I gave you my word I wouldn't harm him. Do you still think so little of me?"

"I did not mean that."

"I would give my word again."

"And I would take it. I was not trying to imply that coming with you would put him in danger. What I meant was, that leaving him now, when we are just discovering each other again would be unfair. Besides that, the healing you offer is not enough."

"Think of it, Sira. You and I together for eternity."

"No, Ares."

"Would being with me be so terrible?"

"No. To be with Ares would not be terrible. Being with you in love, sharing my days and my nights with you, waking in your arms. These things would be glorious. But that is not what you are offering me, is it?"

"I don't know what I'm offering you. I don't know if I'm capable of giving you that."

"I know, my brother. But I would settle for nothing less."

He closed his eyes a moment. "There is still no need to put yourself in danger. I will help him."

She took his hand. "You would do this for me?"

"Yes. For you I would do this. For my little warrior."

"You would expect nothing in return?"

"Hard to believe, I know. But it's true."

She did nothing to hide the tears that shown in her eyes. "You have offered me the greatest of gifts, my brother. Your willingness to give unselfishly of yourself has touched me deeply. I will not forget this."

"Do I take that as a no?"

"The healing you offer him is not enough. His body has healed on its own. You could easily heal his mind, but that is not enough. His soul must also be healed. Our souls must once again be as one. If I fail, then, my brother, I would ask that you help his mind. Then he will at least have that. But I want it all, my brother, and I am the only one who can bring that back to us."

He nodded and rose. She stood also. With a moan he took her into his arms. "Someday, little warrior, there will be a time for us."

"Are you willing to wait for that time?"

"It seems I have no choice."

"Perhaps you are correct then. Perhaps there will be a time for us. Anything is possible. After all, you just offered me eternity."

He laughed. "Godhood, little one. Immortality. Think of it."

"I have," she stated simply.

"And? Would you accept the offer?"

"I honestly do not know. Perhaps someday."

"Don't keep me waiting too long. I'm not a patient god."

"What is a few hundred years to a god?"

He threw his head back and laughed. "Good point, little warrior, good point."

Sira chose to start the healing on the grass near their camp. If the weather turned bad they could still move inside the cabin. It was made of native stone and could offer the earth that the healer needed in her healing, but she preferred to heal where she could smell the grass and see the mountains. Hercules made a fire for them. He had brought down a deer and Salmoneus tended the roasting meat.

Sira led the hunter to the place she had chosen. She had asked the others to give them some time alone. She sat across from him, her legs crossed, both hands holding his. She could sense his apprehension.

"It will be well, my love."

"How dangerous is this?"

"There is danger in any healing."

"Could you be harmed?"

"Yes. It is possible that I could be harmed."

"I couldn't bear that."

She smiled at him. "Take a deep breath and let it out slowly."

"Sira?"

"The time is now, my soul. Relax, I will guide you." She began to sway as her mind became entranced. She chanted the yosemin word for earth over and over in a rhythmic tone that soothed and comforted them both. He remembered the chant and took strength from the memory.

"Cantos, Cantos, Cantos." She sent her mind to her mother and anchored herself. She guided him in doing the same.

She took her time. Too much depended on this healing to rush things. She sensed the hunter's growing awareness of her and took joy from it. The day passed slowly, and still the healer didn't transfer. The half god son of Zeus was getting concerned. He knew the minute the transfer began. It was at this point that the healer was in the most danger.

He came to sit beside her, ready to help her if she needed him. She called him to join them, not because she was in trouble but because his strength could add much to the healing.

Thysis also joined them. The god of war paced near the fire where Salmoneus tended the roasting venison. Over and over again he would make up his mind to join them in the healing, but before he could act on his decision he would think better of it. It wasn't until he felt the healer call to him that he went to sit on the grass. He allowed his mind to be brought to the four of them. The elder led him here. He was shocked and dismayed by what he perceived of the healer's mind. She was most definitely not herself. Her thoughts were muddled and chaotic. The empath was only dimly aware she had called to the god of war. She was only dimly aware he had joined them. She lowered yet another barrier on her mind.

"My daughter," the elder cautioned, "we must go slowly. You will do him no good if your mind is too muddled to heal him."

The light faded as the yosemin empath healed her golden hunter of the forest. The dampness in the night air renewed her strength and she was able to back away from the healing slowly. Carefully, to protect herself she built the barriers needed to halt the transfer for the time being. She released Ares first. He stood shakily to his feet, then in a shower of sparks he was gone. Next she released the elder. Salmoneus helped him to his feet then brought him a mug of tea.

"Thank you, my friend. It is not as good as Tassis tea but it is still good."

Hercules helped Sira lay down beside the hunter. She fell into an exhausted sleep almost at once. He brought water to the hunter then helped him lay down as well. He made a quick trip to the forest then ate a hurried meal. When it was complete he joined the hunter and the healer on the grass. He stretched out beside them, his hand on the healer's arm.

He sent a prayer to the earth. He'd been frightened by how lost the healer's mind had become. With an exasperated sigh he wondered where Ares had gotten off to. He might well be needed in this. He settled himself more comfortably on the grass and closed his eyes. His own mind was a little foggy at the moment. Whether from something retained from the healing or from exhaustion, he couldn't tell.

He felt someone putting a blanket over him and opened his eyes. The god of war was covering them all.

"Thank you, Brother." The demigod yawned. "Where were you?"

"I made a quick trip to my temple. I needed to regain my strength."

The half god son of Zeus frowned. He was too tired to try and analyze his brother's riddles right now.

"Well, thanks for coming back."

"Shhh. Go to sleep. Sira will need your help again soon."

The earth mother sent comfort to her chosen one and the girl stirred slightly in her sleep. She had been keenly aware of the earth in her healing. She had feared the hunter's incapacity might be from the earth itself, doled out as punishment for using her powers of the earth to harm another. Now she knew without doubt that was not the case.

A light breeze ruffled the short hairs around her face. Even in sleep she felt the offered comfort of her mother and opened her eyes. Instantly she sensed the two men, one on either side of her. How many times had it been like this? The three of them together. She longed for that again. The breeze tickled her face once more. She remembered the thrill of adventure with these two men, being with them in battle, using her wits to protect the innocent. She was no longer that quiet little healer that had fled from the death in her village. She no longer wished to be. "Guide me, my mother. To the soil, to the trees, to the earth, my mother, I give my mind and my soul." The prayer gave her peace and she slept again.

Morning sunlight turned the snow covered mountains to golden folds of fleece when the healer once again led the hunter in the transfer healing. She could sense that he was stronger and she felt something of the man she missed.

The girl's mind turned into a foggy muddled mass. She was lost in the healing. She no longer knew how to break the spell, so lost had she become. She fell further and further into the abyss she had created. The demigod called to her with his mind but she didn't hear him. Thysis called upon the earth to help them, and still the girl pulled further and further away from those she loved. She felt the vibration of the earth grater and stared out through murky crystal walls to watch it dig the giant's wealth from the god stone.

"Ares," the demigod called to his brother. "Help us. She's slipping away."

The god of war was at the fire, but hearing Hercules he rushed to him. Within minutes he was entranced. Hercules pulled his mind to him and used his added strength to call to the healer.

"By the gods, Hercules. What's she done to herself?"

"Help me! We've got to reach her."

The three men and the god fought to pull the girl's mind back. Rather than respond, she grabbed onto their thoughts to steady herself then let yet another barrier fall. It was the hunter himself who finally helped her. He began to pull away from her, bringing her mind with his. Over and over he lost her, only to grab at her again and help her build the barriers on her mind.

Hours passed as they fought to save the healer. When at last she built the barrier needed to halt the transfer, the mountains were stained in purple shadows.

"Sira," the demigod called to her. He had been so frightened. "Sira." She opened her eyes to stare blankly at him. She hadn't the least idea who he was. "Sira, why have you done this to yourself?"

The elder's heart constricted at the pain in the demigod's voice. He laid his hand on the big man's arm. "Let her sleep, my son. She heals in her sleep." He turned to Ares. "Help me up, my son. I have grown so stiff. I must rest so that I may help her again. This is a crucial time in the healing. Right now Iolaus is more healed than she is. He is very close. When she is ready we must all help her."

Ares pulled the elder to his feet and steadied him until he could walk. He lent him an arm to make it to the fire. Hercules laid down beside the healer once again. He simply couldn't bear to leave her.

Ares paced by the fire for a moment, then turned to the elder. "Will she be all right, my father?"

The elder couldn't hide the smile, hearing the formal yosemin address of elder coming from the god of war brought him. "I do not know, my son."

The god began to pace again. "She didn't have to do this. I offered to help."

"She did have to, not only to bring the tie of soul back to them, but to bring herself back to the earth. So many of the earth's children have a warped view of their roll in the bigger scheme of things. Sira was afraid she had lost the earth by using her powers in the ways she has. She has learned that the earth is still with her. I fear for her also, but this is something she must do."

"At the risk of going insane?"

"If that is what it takes, I fear she may do just that. She knows she could never really be complete without the tie of her Anmchara."

"She would sacrifice herself for this?"

"Yes, she would. But she knows what she is doing better than we do. Trust her, my son."

"She knows what she is doing when she has her wits about her. But does she now? If she sacrifices herself she will be sentencing him to an unfulfilled soul. This is ludicrous!" He made up his mind. If it came to a choice between her sanity and his stepping in he would use his godly powers whether she liked it or not. I just found her, he told himself. I'll be damned if I'll risk losing her.

The elder smiled into his mug of tea. He was quite pleased with the roll the earth had set for the god of war. He had played into the greater scheme of things quite easily and quite nicely. Now if we can but find a way to soothe some of the animosity between him and Hercules, then we might see some real progress.

The healer slept but a short time. Her need to heal possessed her and robbed her of the healing she might gain during a long sleep. She woke to a dull throbbing pain over her right temple. She sat up carefully so that she wouldn't disturb the hunter and the demigod still sleeping beside her.

Ares brought her a mug of tea. "You go too fast, little healer. You will do your golden hunter no good if you lose your own sanity."

She accepted the tea. "I did not mean to take such risks. My mind was too muddled. I could not think clearly."

"Ready for my help?"

She held her hand out to him. "Your help in the healing is appreciated. But if you are talking about using your godly power, the answer is no. At least not yet."

He inclined his head. "How about some soup? Salmoneus made it. It's not bad."

"I am not hungry."

"It will give you strength."

"Very well," she gave a noncommittal shrug.

She had to admit the soup was good, and it did give her strength. She felt much better once she had eaten the first bowl and asked the god for a second.

The healer led them in another healing. The demigod was glad she kept this one lighter. She spent time helping the hunter remember his past. The demigod could help here. They had been friends since childhood. With each memory they invoked, sometimes with no more than a word, other memories followed.

There was laughter and there were tears. Some of the tears for the healer came from the hunter's growing awareness of who he was.

Their tie of soul grew and blossomed with a greater strength than she had felt since that moment in their log cabin when she had accepted what she thought was the truth of the hunter's death.

The others left the lovers alone and the healer continued to heal. It was the hunter who sensed her fatigue and halted the healing. He took her into his arms and held her.

"Forever," he whispered.

"I would have died rather than live without you."

"I don't want that, my love. If I were to leave this plane I could live on in you and the love we shared."

"To be without you was too great a pain to endure."

"Sleep now. You heal in your sleep. You'll feel better when you've rested." He'd sensed her depression and was frightened by it. It was so unlike her.

In the night she healed again. As before, the others helped and the healing seemed to go well. She was careful not to take too much on herself, and yet when the healing was completed her mind was lost in a fogged confusion. She slept for only a few hours. When she woke she couldn't remember the hunter's name. She stared at the others with a blank look. When Iolaus reached for her she shied away from him.

"Do not hurt me," she begged.

"Sira, I would never hurt you."

She put both hands to her head. "I cannot think."

The demigod took both her hands away and stared deep into her eyes. "Now it's our turn to heal you. Let us lead you this time, my sister. I see the real you behind those dark green eyes. You're just tired."

She nodded. "Yes, Hercules. I need your help. She held her hand out to the hunter. "My love, my mind is clearer now. Will you help?"

They healed her, using the methods she had taught them. As her mind cleared she transferred again. This time, however, she sent back some of what she had taken from the hunter. It pained her to do so, but she knew she must.

Morning brought a light drizzle. Hercules offered to help her and the hunter to the cabin. "No. Not unless it rains in earnest. I need the earth beneath me."

Ares moved his arm in a circular motion and a tarp shelter loomed over their heads. Sira turned to him and held her hand out to him. "I know it is not easy for you not to use your powers. I appreciate your efforts and accept your gift in the spirit it was given."

"Good. Now you're making sense." Later he brought her a plate of food and a mug of tea.

"It is nice to be served by a god."

"The great Ares only serves those worthy of his homage."

"And I am worthy?"

"Oh yes, my little warrior. You are most worthy."

The demigod helped the hunter and the healer bathe. The need for the physical contact made for some interesting situations when it came to cleansing the body. The healer showed no embarrassment but the men did. The god of war kept his back turned and his eyes staring into the fire. He was keenly aware of what was going on under the tarp covered shelter. Salmoneus whistled a little tune that grated on the god's nerves. With a roar he rose. With a shower of sparks he was gone.

"What's his problem?" the salesman asked of the elder.

"He is not used to the human side of life."

"He did look a little pink around the ears," Salmoneus laughed.

"Yes, he did."

"Hmmm. I wonder if Hercules needs any help over there?"

"You are looking a little pink yourself, my friend."

The healing was long. The hunter's mind was healed. Much of the soul's touch had returned with his memory, and yet there was something still missing. Sira pushed herself to the brink of insanity. This must work, she vowed. She relaxed then tried again. Quiet tears filled her eyes. She had healed her golden one to beyond the point that Ares could lend his godly help. Now her worst fears were becoming reality. She tried again. She could feel the hunter's own desire to bridge this last gap between them but he hadn't the least idea how to do so.

The healer turned to the earth. She wanted this so desperately. "Help me, my mother. Show me what to do." Her mind was flooded with such intensity that she cried out. Her mind was filled with the memory of the first time their souls touched as Anmcharas. She was in transfer with him, and they were making love for the first time.

"Hercules, can you help us to the cabin."

"Now? While you're in transfer?"

"Please. It must be now."

He felt her urgent desperation. With the help of Ares, the healer and the hunter made it to the rock cabin.

"Please leave us. We need time alone."

The demigod understood. He wasn't sure where the knowledge came from but he understood the girl's request. He joined the others at the fire. He brought their blankets with him. "We'll sleep out here tonight," he announced.

"What's that all about?" the god of war asked.

Thysis handed a mug of tea to Hercules and to Ares. "The healing Sira will do now is best done alone." Ares only raised his eyebrows. "Iolaus' mind is healed. Now Sira must heal his soul and their soul's touch. The bond between them must be renewed. His mind's touch is not enough. His mind remembering is not enough. Now his soul must remember."

"So I take it she won't be needing me any longer?"

The elder could hear the pain in the god's statement. "She will not need you in the healing, but she will still need you."

Thysis wasn't the only one to hear the emotions in the god of war's words. Hercules had also heard it. Sira's mind had felt it.

She touched the god's mind with hers. "I need you now more than ever, my brother. Thank you for being so ready to help me. When the healing is over I will sleep for a time. Then we should talk."

The healer turned to curl herself around the hunter. He took her lips. "My love," she whispered. He kissed her again. Trembling hands untied her top.

"Sira."

"I know, I feel it also."

"By the gods, I want you. It won't hurt you to be with me now, while we are so closely linked?"

"No. It is the right thing to do."

She kissed his chest then ran kisses lower. Unlacing his pants she pulled them aside to caress and kiss him. He moaned. She helped him remove his leather pants. He pulled her undershirt over her shoulders. She whimpered with her urgency.

She threw her leg over him. His hands cupped her breasts. Their mind's and soul's touch deepened. Something beyond mind and touch transferred between them and she knew the moment he was truly hers again. She cried out with pleasure and release, and her cry blended with his own.

"My soul," she cried, "I have missed you so."

"Forever, my love."

"Forever, even unto death."

He rolled her over to study her face. Tears shown in his own eyes and he buried his face in her hair. "When I think about what I almost lost�"

"It is over now. We have each other once again."

"Having lost it for a time makes it all the more precious now."

She put her arms around his neck and let the peace of their oneness seep through her. Slowly, as the tears slipped from the corners of her eyes the horror and pain of the last few weeks began to fade. Her fear began to ease.

He kissed the swell of each breast then trailed his tongue across her abdomen and past her navel. He was sweet and gentle with her, giving her pleasure and asking nothing in return.

It was morning before either of them fell asleep. The healer in her sleep of healing, the hunter in the sleep of contentment being with the nature child always brought him.

It was afternoon when the hunter woke. The healer's fingers were tangled in his hair. Her hair fell around them in a shower of silken strands. He turned over and raised up on one elbow to watch her face. The blanket had pulled low to reveal much of her. He lifted it further to get a better look.

Tears filled his eyes. What have I done in my lifetime to deserve something so incredible and so wonderful? He sent his mind to the earth. "Thank you for watching out for her."

He left their bed reluctantly. He'd been surprised when the empath told him their time of physical touch was over, as well as the healing.

"We both have healed so completely, the physical touch was completed while we made love."

"I'll miss that part of the healing. I like being close to you."

"You can be close to me anyway."

The hunter found the demigod near the fire. The big man stood and offered his arm. Iolaus took it in a warrior's grasp. "Thanks, Herc."

"It's good to have you back, my friend."

"It's damn good to be back. All of me." He looked around him. "Where is everyone?"

"Thysis and Salmoneus are off arguing somewhere about something. Ares winked out shortly after you and Sira threw us out of the cabin."

"What's up with him anyway? Sira told me all he's done for her and for me. Has he really been such a sweetheart?"

"Believe it or not, he has."

"I have to ask myself, why?"

"He says he does what pleases him, and right now it pleases him to help Sira. The thing is, I think he really cares for her."

"Why, when you said that, didn't it sound like a good thing?"

"I have firsthand knowledge of what he does to the women he likes."

The hunter went pale. "I understand what you're getting at. But Sira paints a very different picture of this whole thing."

"I know. So does Thysis. I just hope they're right."

The god of war sat on his throne polishing one of the swords he had made. He wasn't really aware of the cloth on the cold metal blade. He was lost in deep thought. He felt at loose ends. I need a good war to distract me, he thought. A little blood and gore might restore my good spirits. He let the sword fall to his lap. Now the waiting begins. What was it she said? "What's a few hundred years to a god?" It's not that I don't have the time, it's that I don't want to wait.

Maybe I should just stay away. She'll be expecting me though. But then again, I'm not at her beck and call. "Damn!" He stood and stormed to the wall to replace the sword. "That's what really bothers me. I'm not at her beck and call. If I stay away she'll miss me." He whirled and zapped an unoffending spider scurrying across the wall. "I'll miss her also, is the problem." Maybe I should look Xena up. A battle of wits with her usually promises a good time.

Hercules was sitting near the lake. Iolaus was hunting. His energy seemed boundless. Thinking about it now the demigod smiled. It was indeed good to have his friend back. Ares appeared out of nowhere and walked up to his brother.

"So, Sira and her golden hunter are truly reunited."

"Where have you been, Ares?"

The god shrugged. "I'm a busy god, you know."

"Then to what do we owe the pleasure of your company?"

"I came to check on Sira. She sleeps so soundly."

"It's part of the healing. She'll be fine." Ares nodded then looked out over the lake. The demigod could sense some of his churning emotions. "It's not easy to lose, is it?"

"What makes you think I've lost? There will be a time for us. If you can wait, I can."

"No, Ares, she'll never be yours."

"Yes, little brother, she will. Someday she will be mine."

"You forget, she won't live forever. She'll be old and wrinkled and beyond your caring before a time might come for you."

"But that wouldn't be true if she were immortal."

"But she isn't."

The god turned back to watch Hercules. "Things aren't always as they appear, little brother."

The demigod narrowed his eyes at the dark god. "What have you done?"

The god shrugged. "There are ways to make a god of a mere mortal."

The big man jumped to his feet. "What have you done, Ares? Why can't you just leave her alone? She's not for you."

"Not now, but someday. I can wait. I have all of eternity."

"Leave her alone." The demigod's anger was growing. "You don't care for her."

"But I do." The god's voice was level.

"I've seen what you do to the women you profess to care about."

"What's that supposed to mean?!"

"You supposedly cared for Serena and you killed her, you bloody bastard!"

"I did not kill Serena! Strife killed her."

"Oh, you didn't stick the knife between her ribs as she slept, but you killed her all the same."

"No. That was never supposed to happen. He was just supposed to make you think you were becoming violent. I knew the only way you would ever give her up willingly would be if you thought it was the best thing for her. I never wanted her dead."

"It sure didn't seem that way, Ares. You seemed to take full advantage of the situation."

The god's voice was a controlled whisper. "That's exactly what I did. I took advantage of a situation I couldn't change." He shrugged. "I did care for Serena in my own way. I did what I could for her."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Ares began to pace. "Think about it, Brother. Think about when you traveled back in time. Didn't you ever wonder how that could all come to pass?" The demigod looked skeptical. "Wasn't it quite a coincidence that these events could come together like they did? You and Autolycus in the same place at the same time. The crystal. The time you were sent back to. Think about it, Brother."

"What are you trying to say? That you arranged for that to happen?" Ares inclined his head but said nothing. "You can't be serious?" Still the god of war remained silent. "If what you're implying is true, and don't think for a moment I believe you, but if it were true, why? Why would you do this?"

"I've told you. She was never supposed to die. She was special to me. Her skill with a bow, ahh, it was magnificent."

"You're trying to tell me you were sorry she was killed? Why not simply reverse time? You're a god. Why not just bring her back to life? Why the time travel?"

"Come, Brother, you know I can't undo what another god has done. If I had tried to reverse time, I would have been in a lot of trouble. There are very strict rules governing such things." Ares shook his head. "No, I had to be deceitful and cunning. But then, that is, after all, what I'm really good at, little brother."

"So you planned everything that happened? It was all prearranged?" There was contempt and doubt in the big man's voice.

"Well, not everything. Some things had to be played by ear. That's true in any strategic endeavor."

"How could you be sure I wouldn't kill you?"

"I couldn't be sure. But I was counting on your bothersome and annoying sense of decency."

The demigod's anger was gone. In its place was sadness. He didn't want to believe Ares. Still, there had been the ring of truth in what the god had said. "If all you've said is true, then why not send her back to the present with me? We could have started over."

"Because if I couldn't have her�"

Hercules interrupted him. "You couldn't stand for this half breed bastard to have her." He turned and stumbled away.

"Wait, Hercules. There was more to it than that. Hercules!" The demigod didn't stop. "Damn!" Ares swore. He turned in frustration to stare once more out over the lake. "Now why did you confess that?" he asked himself.

The half god son of Zeus found a place to sit on the granite slab that hung out over the water of the lake. He felt dazed and confused. If what Ares had confessed was true, it changed things. Have I misjudged him, or is this just more of his lies? Yet somehow he believed what Ares had said. Maybe a lot of what Ares said and did was designed to anger and shock. He began to realize that the god of war liked to be thought of as hard and cruel. To be the god of war, people must think of him as brutal and murderous. He wondered now how many times Ares had taken credit for acts of violence he had really had nothing to do with. Was a lot of the god of war thing a facade? A front to make him seem worse than he was? Sira believed this to be the case.

And what was all that about Sira? Was he really implying she might be immortal? That wasn't possible, or was it? Ambrosia could turn a mortal into a god. Hercules racked his brain to try and remember all he could about the food of the gods. His own experience with it hadn't been a pleasant one.

It was almost odorless. It had a very mild, fruity taste that could easily be disguised. In its refined state it would melt easily in hot liquid. How many cups of tea and bowls of soup had Ares served Sira?

Hercules sat up straighter. What had Ares given as the reason for being gone after that first healing? He needed to regain his strength? Some gods used Ambrosia for just this reason. Rather than rest when they needed to, or to allow themselves to sleep they took Ambrosia. After the time Apollo had convinced a very naive Hercules to partake of the god's fruit Zeus had banned its use except in emergencies. He had confiscated all of it he could find and kept it safely tucked away. Still, there were those who had the stuff, and the raw form could be found here on earth.

Could Ares have made a god of Sira? She would make a powerful ally. But surely that couldn't be true, or could it?

"Why are you hiding out here?" The hunter came to join his friend on the granite slab. Hercules smiled absentmindedly at the hunter. "So what's troubling you, Herc?"

"Is it that obvious?"

"Yes. So what's up?" The half god told him about his conversation with Ares, at least the part about Serena. "You believe him, don't you?"

The demigod sighed. "I don't know. I don't know what to believe, Iolaus. Still�"

"Yeah, go on."

"I guess I kind of do believe him."

"It certainly changes things if it's true. After what he's done for Sira and myself, I'd kind of like to believe it."

"Maybe that's what's bothering me. Maybe this whole thing just seems too good to be true."

"Well, I, for one, believe Ares does care for Sira." He smiled at the demigod. "She is, after all, pretty hard to resist."

Hercules smiled back. "She is that all right."

Iolaus looked serious. "I've wanted a chance to thank you for taking care of Sira. I know what you did for her during this whole nightmare."

"You're my brother. Of course I would be there for your wife."

"I know it went way beyond that. I know how you and Sira feel about each other. I want you to know, I'm glad. I won't live as long as she does. Knowing you'll be there for her eases my pain over that fact."

"We don't know how long I'll live either, my friend. We don't know if I'm immortal or not. And I hope not to find out the hard way."

"Still, you stand a better chance than I do of growing old with Sira. She's going to need you, my friend."

"And I will be there, my brother." They grasped each other's arms in a firm grasp. The demigod rose. "Shall we head back? I'm starving. How was the hunting?"

"There's meat at the camp."

"Is Sira still sleeping the healing sleep?"

"Do you think I'd be out here with you if she were awake?"

"Did you check on her?'

Iolaus frowned. "Yeah. Just before I came looking for you."

"How did she look?"

"Fine. Why?"

"Nothing," he replied as if deep in thought. The hunter shot him an inquiring look but said nothing. "Was it just me?" the demigod asked without preamble, "or there at the end, did Sira seem a little different?"

Iolaus stopped walking. "Different? How so?"

"I don't know," the demigod shrugged.

"Now that you mention it, she did seem a little stronger somehow. Maybe a little more focused than usual."

"So you noticed it too?"

"Yeah, I figured it was just because the man she loves was so much better. Say, what's this all about? What's got you worried?"

"I'm not worried. I was just wondering is all. I just thought she seemed a little different."

"Well, she did have godly help."

"She what?! You� Oh, you mean Ares?"

"Yes, Ares. What did you think I meant?" Hercules only shook his head. Iolaus frowned at him. "Are you sure this whole thing hasn't muddled your brain a bit?" he teased.

"Maybe it has, my friend, maybe it has." The hunter looked sideways at the big man but said nothing more.

When they came through the cleft between the rocks and stepped into the meadow beyond, Ares was waiting for them by the fire.

Iolaus held his hand out to him. "I've wanted to thank you for all you've done for Sira and myself." Ares took his arm in a warrior's grasp.

"Now that is a welcome sight," the healer stated from the door of the cabin.

In three long strides the hunter was beside her. He picked her up and swung her around. "By the gods, I've missed you."

"I have missed you also. Will you come to the woods with me?" He gave her a lecherous look and she laughed. "That too, but for now I have other pressing needs."

He took her hand. "Then come along, young lady." They walked from the meadow with a light step.

The god of war turned to the others. "What's that all about?"

Hercules chuckled. "Mortal needs. Something gods don't need to worry about."

Ares looked disgusted. "Oh, that."

"Yes. Mortals must take care of those things."

"Yes, well, gods have some of those same needs." The god of war knew Hercules was hinting that if what Ares had suggested about Sira were true, she wouldn't find the needs of the body such a pressing matter. "Things are not always as they appear."

"So you've said before. Care to elaborate?"

"Nope."

Sira and Iolaus were long in returning to the little hidden meadow. They bathed together in the icy water of the lake. The water was too cold for the hunter to stay for long, but the healer didn't seem to notice the cold. It always amazed the hunter that the girl who swam so joyously in the alpine lake could be comfortable in short sleeves when others shivered in cloaks. She seldom wore shoes, her brown spotted feet bare even on frozen ground. What Iolaus had said to Hercules was true; this child of the forest he loved was truly unbelievable. He was filled with astonishment and awe to think that she loved him so completely. She had almost died rather than live without him. The hunter admitted it was frightening at times. He sent a prayer first to the gods he knew, then to the yosemin gods. It was a prayer of thanks and a prayer of need, a need for the child of the earth to be protected. He knew without question that should he lose her, he would not wish to go on either.

The girl joined the hunter on the grass. "What are you thinking about to cause such a serious look on your face?" she teased.

The golden one took her into his arms. "I was thinking of you."

"I like that." She took his mouth.

He gave it eagerly. "Guess what I'm thinking about now," he suggested.

"I could not possibly guess. You will have to show me what is on your mind."

"I think that could be arranged."

When they did return to the others the sun had set behind the mountains, streaking the western sky in shades of lavender and pink. The healer stood watching the clouds that hugged the horizon. They gave the sunset a screen to show its glory. She let the peace of the earth seep into her and bring her comfort. She would hate to leave the mountain cabin. It was so beautiful here. But more than that, it was here that her golden hunter had returned to her.

She looked around her. She knew she would someday return to the lake and the hidden meadow. The earth would call her here just as it called her home to the cabin the hunter, the demigod, her half human son and she shared. She could never stay for long from her home and the forest that surrounded it, the same forest where she had lived for nearly eighty years before she found her destiny with the golden hunter.

The healer was also reluctant to leave because of where their destiny lay next. The demigod wished to return to the village of Neberous. She understood his reasons, and they were valid ones. He was concerned about what might happen to the people there now that their leader and his wealth would no longer be there to influence their lives.

When they put an end to the old yosemin and his abuse of others they had caused a ripple effect that might bring changes to the forest village and surrounding area for many years to come. Strabiss and Plantose both needed to be prevented from continuing their reign of manipulation and corruption, but the fact remained the once child of the earth had done much for the area around the old temple.

The healer knew returning there was the right thing to do. She knew there was no longer anyone there to harm her. Still, knowing this did little to dispel her dread of the recent events returning there would remind her of.

The healer went to check on the horses they had ridden here. She found a comfort in the earth she felt about them. She knew they had come from godly powers, but that didn't change the fact the earth now flowed through them as it did all creatures of nature.

When Ares and Salmoneus had arrived at the lake and the hidden oasis behind the walls of rock, the god of war had offered to simply whisk the beasts away. The empath wouldn't hear of it.

"I made the things from the powers you say you abhor," the dark god reminded her. "Why take care of them when there is no need?"

"I do not care where they came from," Sira countered. "Now they are flesh and blood. You cannot just eliminate them. Besides, we can use them when we leave here."

"There are plenty more where these came from, little one."

"Please promise me you will not harm them. It would be very unsettling for me."

He pulled at his earring. "What's it worth to you, my sister?"

The girl studied his face a moment. "Do not put a price on it, my brother."

"Sira, I wasn't serious. I won't harm the horses, you have my word. I wasn't aware how strong you felt about this. Now that I am I'll take care of the horses for you. When we leave here they're yours to do with as you please."

She smiled at the god of war and laid a hand on his arm. "Thank you, my brother. You are most generous and kind."

"Kind? I'm getting tired of being referred to as kind," he grumbled. "Besides, there is nothing kind about it. I don't want the fool things."

"I beg your pardon, oh mighty god of war. I am most sorry I attached emotion where none exists."

The god narrowed his eyes at the healer. He knew he was being teased. He stormed away mumbling something about respect and Sira laughed at him.

The next day was spent in preparation for their departure the next day. Sira washed their clothing then draped it over bushes to dry. She gathered roots from the surrounding forest. By evening she trembled with fatigue. Reading it in her face the hunter took her in his arms. "It's to bed with you, young Miss. You know it takes a few days after a healing sleep to get your strength back. You shouldn't have done so much today."

"Will you lay with me for a time?"

He gave her mischievous smile. "If I do, will you promise to rest and not play?"

She ran her tongue along the cord of his neck. "No. I make no promises. So will you lay with me?"

"Of course." He led her to the cabin, and laying down beside her he took her into his arms.

"Iolaus?" she whispered.

"Yes?"

"Will you bring me back here someday?"

"Whenever you want. There's something about the lake and the cabin that kind of grabs at you, isn't there?"

"Yes. I was not aware you felt it also."

"Maybe it's just knowing whoever built the place must have loved it here. It's like that love still inhabits their old haunts."

The girl stifled a yawn. "You are right, the love is in the air. Now we have added ours to it."

"I like that. It makes our being here seem all right."

"I think perhaps that long ago man or woman would be pleased that we have come to find the earth here and to admire the beauty of it all."

"I think you may be right." He felt the healer twitch as sleep claimed her. The hunter made himself more comfortable on the bed beside her, then letting his breath out with a sigh of contentment he closed his eyes and let his mind drift.

The morning was cold and blustery. Clouds hid the mountains in billowing swirls of vapor and hid the sun from view. The healer went to the lake to say her farewell. She stood on the granite slab that hung over the dark depths of the lake. At some long ago time the earth mother had spewed forth molten rock to help form the mountains. The crater left when the fire mountain had exploded had embraced the watery offering from the sky and held it close to help heal the angry scars left from the earth's turmoil. The beauty here had done more than heal and disguise the damage done by an angry god of the earth. It had helped to heal a bruised and wounded soul.

The healer knew the woman who left here was not the same woman that had arrived such a short time ago. She had discovered a warrior's spirit that had remained hidden from her for over eighty years. She had also found an inner strength she hadn't known she possessed. She had found her golden one once more, and she had found a depth of love for the demigod that went far beyond anything she had known was possible. They were lovers, not in the physical sense, but in the touch of their souls and hearts.

The empath sent her mind to the earth for answers. How was it possible to have two soul mates at the same time? One who possessed a part of her soul so completely that she had almost given her life for him. This was the one who possessed her body. The one who completed her and made her whole. Then there was the other who possessed a part of her soul as well. His love had captured a part of her, and she knew that losing him would also rend the fabric of her being beyond repair. Their mutual love of the golden one held the three souls together as one. It was the love they shared that made the healer complete. The souls of the three of them curled around each other, intertwined in a bond that went beyond love, beyond a physical plane to form with the earth and the powers she offered to those she deemed worthy.

The girl returned to the cabin. Their things were packed now in preparation for leaving. Sira stood in the doorway of the cabin looking in on its darkened beauty. She had left an offering of flowers on the now cold hearth. She felt the tears sting her eyes. "Good bye," she whispered. "I will always hold a part of you in my heart. You have added your powers to the earth to help me heal. I will return."

The hunter came to stand behind her and put his arms around her shoulders. "Don't worry, my love. We'll take a part of it away in our hearts, and I promise to bring you here again."

She turned around in his arms. "It was here I found you again."

He kissed the top of her head. "And here I found you. I have something for you." She stood straight and held her hand out to his cupped hand. He dropped a small blue-green pebble into her hand. It had been smoothed and polished by the lake.

She wiped the tears from her cheek. "It is beautiful. It will bring longevity and strength to the one who carries it." She smiled up at him. "It will help us remember this place."

"That's what I thought, and I can always use the longevity," he smiled at her.

With an arm around her shoulders he led her through the cleft in the rock and to the waiting horses.

The demigod smiled at her. "Are you ready, my more than sister?"

She smiled back at him. "Yes, I am ready." With a quick jump she mounted the horse and turned him away from the lake. As they ascended the rise that would lead them beyond the crater where the lake and the hidden meadow rested, the healer turned in her saddle to gaze once more over the serenity. Lightning flashed over the far mountains. With a sigh the girl turned back to the trail ahead.

Little Sal jumped from the salesman's lap to Sira's. She scratched under his chin and accepted the comfort the earth offered her in the form of a purring little gray ball. Little Sal had recovered completely now. He had spent much of his time near the hunter, and always seemed to be there for the healings. The empath suspected he had also been healed by the earth while she healed her golden hunter of the forest.

Salmoneus gave the yosemin a tolerant smile. He would not soon forget what Sira had done for his little friend. He moaned and complained about the cat and how much trouble he was. No one was fooled and the salesman knew no one was, but he still played the game. The truth was, he wasn't sure what he would do if the cat were no longer around. He had known lonely times in his pursuit of the all mighty dinar. The companionship of the animal dispelled some of that and gave the man something to care for, something that needed him as much as he needed the cat. The need to care for and nurture someone or something was a natural part of living. It was a deep seated part of the compassion and love that went into the make up of most beings.

While this could sometimes be buried in some, it never could in someone like the entrepreneur, whose tenderness ran deep and pure beneath his greedy facade. He might be able to hide the inner gentleness from others, but not from the healer. The look on the salesman's face in the blue cavern when he thought Little Sal was dead still haunted the healer.

She winked at Salmoneus and he nodded at her. A silent message passed between them. They were both acknowledging the fact that Little Sal was quite special. While Salmoneus wouldn't forget how Sira had saved the cat's life, the healer would never forget that Little Sal had led her to the hunter.

Just before midday the travelers stopped in a grassy meadow with a small brook ambling placidly through its center. As the sky had darkened, a strong cold wind had followed to buffet and torment anyone fool enough to venture out in the growing tempest. Sira had warned of rain long ago, but so far the promised precipitation had stayed behind the sulking black clouds.

They didn't stay long in the meadow. It offered little protection from the coming storm and no one wished to stay so exposed to what promised to be a Hadean gloaming.

As they left their place of nooning thunder rumbled over the mountains they had left such a short time ago. The empath closed her eyes for a moment and let her mind return to the lake and the granite enclosed valley. She could envision the water of the lake pelted by the rain, its surface churned to gray and silver. She knew without doubt that it rained there already. She wondered again who might have built the cabin. Had the person died there? How many rains had they seen sweep over the mountains with its gift of renewed life? Why had they hidden themselves away? Was it grief over a lost lover? Could it have been to avoid persecution, or simply a love of the high wild places?

The healer felt the first few drops of rain and turned her face up to it. Rain was a gift from the sky, to his lover the earth and the child of nature rejoiced in it.

Iolaus found the cave. His quick eye spotted the darker shadows behind the screen of brush. The space was small and cramped but it would keep the wind and rain from them and they took the offered shelter with gratitude. The healer sent her mind forward to make sure no animal would object to their using the hollow in the rock.

The hunter cleared away some brush to better expose the cave and Little Sal bounded from the healer's lap to investigate. He gave the shelter a once over then stood waiting at the entrance to the cave placidly licking his fur. He had given the place his seal of approval.

While Hercules found a place for the horses in a thick stand of trees and brush, Salmoneus went to a small brook they had crossed only moments ago. The water skin needed filling. The hunter and the yosemin elder gathered wood. Ares found a sandy place well inside the cave and made himself comfortable.

The healer sent him a disapproving look. "You could help, you know."

"I'm cold and I'm wet," he complained.

"We are all cold and wet." The girl began to put together a fire.

The god of war mumbled something about mortals being used to it and stubborn yosemin, but he got to his feet. "I'll make the fire." He took the sticks from the healer's hands and squatted near the circle of rocks the girl had already put together.

Sira smiled despite herself, and turning away she began to dig through the packs for the things she would need to make their dinner. She saw the light of the fire reflected on the walls of the cave, and turning to Ares she gave him an accusing look. She knew he hadn't had time to use a flint to start the good sized blaze that was already warming the cave.

He gave an innocent look that didn't fool her for a moment. "Shall I start water heating?" he offered. She knew he was trying to change the subject.

She turned away to hide her smile. "Yes, please." He hummed a little tune while he put the pot near the coals to warm. Sira had never heard him do so before. She turned back to watch him. He wore the black cloak he had worn the first time she had seen him in the old castle at Yucaipia. She remembered that first brief touch. She remembered the power she had felt in that touch. She thought, not for the first time that she was glad they were not enemies. To fight such power would be a challenge, but not a pleasant one, she was sure. That the god of war was capable of strong emotions, she knew. She understood that he could be petty, selfish, and vindictive. Still, whether he would ever admit it or not, he could also be kind and loving. Sira could feel a sadness and a loneliness about him that tugged at her heart. His own heart softened in her presence and hardened again with others. She did sense that some of the hate both he and Hercules had for each other had eased. They had at least a grudging respect for each other now.

In bits and pieces gleaned from the minds of Ares, Hercules, and the hunter she knew of the part the god of war had played in Serena's death, and in her return to life. Iolaus told her how hurt the demigod had been upon learning the truth. Whether or not Ares could have brought Serena to the present time or not, the healer didn't know. She sensed there was more to keeping the golden hind in the past than met the eye. She wished she knew the whole truth. While she knew too much had gone before, and no matter what, Ares and Hercules could never really be comfortable with each other, she also knew that bridging the chasm that separated them would help to heal them both. The girl sighed. At least, she consoled herself, a rope has been strung between the two, always the first step in building a bridge.

The god of war looked up to see her watching him and he smiled at her from where he still knelt near the fire. She went to him and pulled his head against her hip, her hand in his hair, not unlike she often did with Hercus. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I love you, my little warrior," he whispered.

The girl was shocked. The depth of feeling behind his words touched her. "I will miss you when you return to your godly ways."

"I'll miss you too."

Hercules and Iolaus came running in from the forest. They were cold and wet and noisy. They had gathered wood, then checked on the horses, then sought warmth from the night in the cave. Sira had wanted to ask Ares why he hadn't already returned to his life as the god of war, not that she wanted him to. Still, she knew the time must come. The dark god seemed to have accepted that she was not for him, at least not at the present. She wondered not for the first time what held him here, but there was no time to ask now. She poured tea for the men then set dry clothing out for them. Salmoneus stirred the stew she had started from dried meat and the roots she had brought from the forest around the lake. Good hot food would help chase away the cold and make their night less miserable.

Thysis found an outcropping of rock near the fire that offered a seat, and taking advantage of it he lowered himself down with a sigh. Sira took tea to him also. With the insight born of her earthly powers she sensed his fatigue. Stepping behind him she began to massage his shoulders. He let out another sigh, this one of contentment. "I think I will have to keep you with me. No one can ease my tired old bones like you, although Hercus is a fair hand at it."

Sira smiled. She sent her mind to her son and directed him to his grandfather of the soul. She had used her power of mind speech to communicate with her son daily. He knew of the successful healing of his father. Sira had led the hunter's mind to the boy even before Iolaus knew who he was or could remember the son she'd told him about. From their minds Hercus knew that they would be delayed for a time in the Neberous valley. He had sent his understanding and love to let them know he was well.

The rain settled into a light drizzle that seemed heavier since it was hurled at the earth by gale force winds. The cave entrance was too large to make warming it easy and no one slept well. Ares and Hercules ventured out twice to gather wood and the men took turns keeping the fire going. The storm had eased by morning. Thunder still rumbled as a light mist fell, but the wind was gone now as if it had never been.

Sira fixed cooked grain and strong tea to break their fast. The horses were brought close to the cave. Sira was sure they hadn't found the night any more restful then the humans had. She dried them off with a blanket then fed them the last of the roots she had brought.

They left the cave and turned to follow the storm on its easterly journey. Great black clouds obscured the rising sun, their surface streaked with jagged bands of light. Thunder rumbled in the distance like the grumbling sounds made by an ogre's restless sleep. The healer smiled in exhilaration. She loved the changes of the weather. The static electricity in the air seemed to charge her with energy.

The god of war rode his horse a little behind the others, and the healer slowed her horse so that she might ride beside him. She gave him a warm smile.

"What are you so happy about?" a grumpy god of war asked.

"It is so beautiful this morning, the clouds, the lightning, the clean dampness. Can you not feel the power in the air?"

"All I feel is cold and sore from sleeping in that disgusting cave."

A mischievous smile crossed her lips. "Can gods feel these things?"

"You know damn well we can."

"My, we are grumpy this morning, are we not?"

"Yes, very, and your good mood is making it worse."

"Which brings up a question I have wanted to ask. Why are you still traveling with us?"

"I thought you liked my company?"

"You know that I do. That is not what I meant and you know it." She turned a serious face to him. The god of war sat his horse in silence. "Well?"

He shrugged. "Let's just say it's a matter of observation."

"And what are you observing?"

"You."

"I am flattered. Are you looking for anything in particular?"

"Maybe."

"For instance?" He only shrugged. "I can tell by that stubborn look on your face that I will not be getting a straight answer from you."

The god chuckled. "Oh, Sira, when I do go, I'll miss you terribly. Waiting for you won't be easy."

She now understood at least part of his reasons for not leaving them yet. He hated the thought of being away from her. She could sense there was more to it than that as well, but she couldn't tell what it might be. "You will have to visit us often then," she soothed him.

The god sighed as he nodded. "Still, seeing you in the arms of another when you belong to me is a hard thing to accept. It makes me wish I had never promised to keep my hands off your family."

"But you did promise." Her voice was firm. "Besides, if you should try to harm them I would fight you, Ares. I would fight you to the death if that is what it takes. And should you harm my family and get away, I will hunt you down wherever you may be. And believe me, I will not be looking to spend eternity with you."

He laughed. "Spoken like a true warrior. You know, I like you like this, Sira. It invigorates me. Fighting you would be a challenge I could enjoy."

"But whether I win or lose, you will still lose," she whispered. "You will lose me."

He stared at her a moment then he laughed again. "Yes, I like you like this." His voice was low and seductive. "The time and effort I've invested in you and plan to continue to invest in you, will, I predict, pay me back tenfold. You see, there is still more to come, little warrior. Someday you will be mine. Body, mind, and soul."

"Should I ever willingly come to you, and who is to say I will not? Then, my dear Ares, it is you who will belong to me. Body, mind, and soul." She urged her horse forward and left the god of war laughing in the trail behind her.

"Damn it, I like it!" he exclaimed to no one in particular.

They rode first to the old temple. The healer felt her stomach muscles tighten as they topped the ridge and looked down on the cultivated farmland with the temple in the distance. The hunter sensed her tension. He rode beside her now and reached out to take her hand. "No one there can harm us now, my love."

She smiled at him and took a deep breath to calm herself. "I know. I cannot seem to help it, however. There are too many bad memories down there."

"Then we don't have to go down there. We can go on to Alcmene's. Hercules and Salmoneus can take care of things."

The demigod overheard them and rode forward. "He's right, Sira. If this is too hard on you then don't do it. I'll see you later at Mother's or at the cabin."

"No. Better to face my fears, and the people may need all of us. I will be fine."

"You're sure?"

"Yes," she nodded. "I will come with you."

"That's my girl. The three of us together like always."

She gave the demigod a warm smile. "Yes, the three of us together like always."

They rode through the large wooden gates and stopped near the main entrance to the temple. The demigod was just dismounting when Mysella and Contose stepped through the door and stood on the landing at the top of the stone steps. The girl looked past the half god to the dark god still astride his horse and her heart began to beat faster. Still watching him, "Welcome. We hoped you might return."

The half god son of Zeus looked from Mysella to Ares, then back again. "We wanted to check on you. We weren't sure how you might be fairing."

"It's good of you to be concerned."

"We came here first, but if you think we would be welcomed in the village and that we could be of help, we'll do what we can."

The girl left the landing and made her way down the steps. "Of course you would be welcomed in the village. Whether there is anything you could do or not, I don't know."

The demigod nodded. "We weren't sure of our reception."

"What Strabiss did was an atrocity. He needed to be stopped."

"Still, there must be those who resent the loss of wealth, if nothing else."

"Yes, I guess you're right. But even Mersha, as much as she loved him, doesn't blame you. None of us knew what he had done to innocent people to obtain his wealth. We all learned a lot about surviving from Strabiss. We'll be fine. We have some of the most successful farms in the province. We have the lumber business. Now that the farms are ours, the money we make will come directly to us." She laid a hand on his gauntlet clad arm. "You should feel no guilt. Strabiss was an animal, and so was Plantose. We're all better off without them. Please, all of you, come in. You must be hungry." She turned to Contose. "Will you take their horses, Contose?" He gave her an adoring look and moved to do as she had asked. She smiled at his back then turned to the others still mounted. "Please. I know you can't have any good memories of this place, but things have changed. Dayna and her little brother live here along with Contose and myself. We're keeping the lumber business and farming as well."

The healer slid her leg over the horse's back and slid to the ground. She had sensed the girl's tension and her need to make up at least in part for what Strabiss had done. The others followed suit and Contose took the horses' reins.

The girl smiled at Sira. "Contose told us what Strabiss did. I'm so sorry."

The hunter came up to the empath and took her hand. His presence helped to calm her. "My husband is well now. I hold no grudge against you for anything that happened."

Mysella shook her head. "I knew he was cruel and manipulating, but I had no idea he would go so far. He and Mersha were lovers and he still managed to keep the truth from her." She shook her head again then turned to the golden one. "You are truly well now?"

"Yes." He brought the healer's hand to his lips and kissed the knuckles. "Thanks to Sira."

The girl smiled at him. "I'm so glad. Now come on. Let me take you in. We only use the ground floor now. The place is far too large for us, but it's a roof over our heads." She led them to the kitchen. "Dayna! Come and see. They've returned just as you said they would."

The other girl bounded down the hall. "Oh, thank the gods. We've been so worried about you all." She held her hands out to Little Sal and sent a beseeching look at the salesman. "He hasn't forgotten me, has he?"

The salesman placed the gray ball of fur in the girl's arms and the cat butted her chin. Salmoneus laughed. "No," he stated, looking deep into her eyes, "I'd he say he remembers you quite well."

"Oh, little puss, did your handsome master take good care of you? He didn't mistreat you or make you sleep in the rain, did he?" The cat's purr was quite audible as he rubbed his head on the girl's chin once more.

Ares gave the girl a disgusted look. Hercules tried in vain to hide his humor behind a feigned cough.

They shared a simple meal with the two girls, Dayna's brother and Contose. As the girls talked the demigod realized that his concerns for the community were unfounded. They seemed to have bounced back from the loss of their leader with little effort. He heaved a sigh of relief. He was just as anxious as the others to return to his mother's.

Contose excused himself from the table. He planted a quick kiss on Mysella's head then left the room. Ares' eyebrows shot up. The girl searched his face a moment but gave no comment.

The healer rose also. She had no wish to offend Mysella, but she needed to feel the earth. The atmosphere of the temple seemed to press down on her, suffocating her. "I will check on the horses," she mumbled and headed for the door that would lead her to the hall and the door to freedom.

The hunter started to rise but Thysis laid his hand on his arm to stop him. "I will go."

Iolaus started to object then felt the old one's mind on his and thought better of it. "Call if you need me."

Thysis nodded and followed the girl from the room. He found her standing on the landing just outside the main door. "There is nothing to be afraid of, my daughter. Could you not feel the difference here?"

She turned anguished eyes to her father of the soul. "All I could feel was that old man's death." She left the steps and walked across the courtyard toward the gates.

"Sira. Wait, my daughter." The girl stopped and waited for him to catch up to her. "You must not blame yourself for that."

"Then who is to blame?"

"If there must be blame laid at anyone's door, lay it where it belongs. Strabiss himself brought the earth's wrath down on his head, not you."

"How could one of the earth's children have gone so wrong?"

"There are those good and bad in all races." He shrugged. "Who is to say when or why Strabiss turned from the earth?"

The girl began to walk again, going slower this time so that Thysis could stay with her. "I have changed so much, my father. I have used my powers in ways they were never intended to be used."

"No! No, my daughter of the soul, your deeds have been directed by the earth. You are right, you have changed a great deal. I would like to have known you before; before you lost your people and before you found your true destiny in the arms of the golden hunter of the forest. It would be exhilarating to see just how much you have changed."

"You make it sound as if it is a good thing."

"And so it is, my daughter, and so it is. The earth led you to this place for a reason. Have you not realized the earth does not want a docile, submissive little healer as its champion? It wants and needs a warrior. Can you not see that you are that warrior? Our race is dying out. If we are to be saved at all, changes must take place. You, my daughter, have helped these changes to begin. You brought the earth back to me. You have brought Hercus into this world. He is very powerful, my daughter, perhaps as powerful as yourself even though he is not an empath. Someday he will be a great leader. But beyond this you have brought others to the earth. Iolaus is a true child of the earth. Hercules too, has found a place for the earth. In time he will truly embrace it. Even Ares. You have changed us all, but none more than you have changed him. He will never again be what he once was. From this time forward he will have your love and belief in him to guide his every move. If the people of the earth are to survive we must turn to other races and other people. You now have, through the half god son of the king of the gods, a voice with those who rule the surface of our mother. The time for hiding away behind our minds in the deep forest is gone. The time for action is upon us."

The girl had stopped walking just inside the gates to the inner courtyard. Now she turned to the elder. "You truly believe this?"

He took both her hands in his. "Yes, I truly believe this. A god is only real if there are those who love and believe in them. If all those who worship the earth are gone then what will happen to her? Open your heart and let the earth guide you."

She nodded, then dropping one of his hands she led him with the other to the stable. She dug in her pack left propped up against a mound of straw. She took a large heavy object wrapped in a woven moss cape from the pack and handed it to the elder.

"What is this, my child?" She said nothing. He set it on a small table near the door and began to unwrap it. His hand slid under its protective covering and he gasped as his skin touched the object beneath. He pulled the cover away and gasped again. "It is the book of clan," he whispered. "By the earth, Sira, where did you get this?"

"Strabiss had it. It was in the room of yosemin things upstairs."

He ran a loving hand across the surface of the book. "My own people are written of in this book. The clan of the otter and the lynx." He turned pale blue eyes to her that shown with tears. "Our history since the beginning of the clans is written in this book. Long ago, before the remembered time, when we took to the forest and the mountains we were all one clan. Your clan, the clan of the wolf and the lion. But with the need to hide from our enemies it became necessary to break up into small groups. Each group formed a clan of their own. Each clan is documented here in this book. There is much we can learn from this. Perhaps now the reason for your coming here is made clear."

"Will you open it?"

"No. No, as much as I would like to, I am not worthy of such an honor. But you could open it."

She gasped. "I have done nothing to earn that right."

"You are the chosen one. You are the earth's emissary. Who better to unlock the earth's book of secrets than you?"

She shook her head. "The village you found in your travels, the village where you have taken Hercus. Would they honor the book and share it with all of the earth's people?"

"Yes, my daughter, they would."

"Then the book must go to them. It is not my place to care for it or to try and unlock its secrets."

He shook his head and let his breath out in exasperation. "Someday perhaps, you will see your own place in the earth's plan. But for now this may be the best thing. You are wise. Delivering the book back to our people may do more to bring them together than all the talking in the world. You must deliver it there if you will not take the earth's directions and open the book to your strong soul's touch."

"No, Father. I will not be the one to deliver the book. I am not ready to face these children of the earth. You must protect the book. You and Hercus must be my emissaries and deliver the book for me."

"Why would you find it hard to be among your own people?"

"Because I am no longer what I was born to be. I could never again be the docile, submissive healer you, yourself mentioned. I have no desire to return to that way of life."

"No," he smiled at her. "But the fact that you are strong willed does not mean you would not be accepted. Give the people of the earth a little credit."

She smiled back at him. "Will you take the book back to our people?"

"Yes," he nodded, "I would be honored." He carefully wrapped the book once more in the protective covering and handed it back to the girl.

The empath put it carefully back in her pack. "Someday, will you tell me of your clan?"

"I am of the clan of the wolf and the lion. I am most proud to be so. But someday I will tell you of the clan that used to be mine before I turned my back on the earth. The clan that I had claimed so long ago, long before my rebirth."

They strolled from the stable and headed back toward the temple. Sira stopped to watch as Contose hitched a team of mules to one of two heavily loaded wagons. Both were filled with freshly cut logs. The girl hated to see the evidence of the raping of the virgin forests of her mother. The elder must have felt the same. He stepped up to the wagon and placed his hands on the logs and closed his eyes to send a prayer to the earth.

The girl looked away to watch as Contose led a second team of mules to the wagon she and Thysis stood by. She sensed something and turned back to the elder. She sent her mind out as a shout left her mouth.

The logs shifted and one rolled toward the elder. It hit him in the chest and knocked him to the ground. A second log rolled over him and pinned his chest to the ground. The girl screamed, and heedless of the danger she ran forward. The old one struggled to breathe.

The healer knew he could not live with such a weight on his chest. She ran to the end of the log. She closed her eyes and sent her mind to the earth. Taking a deep breath she let it out slowly. Bending her knees she took hold of the log's end and lifted.

The others rushed through the temple door just as the empath gave a mighty heave and shoved the massive log up and over the elder's head to land with a crash well away from him. The girl knelt beside her father of the soul. She sent her mind deeper into the earth, and anchoring herself she sent her mind to find the extent of his injuries.

The demigod grabbed the god of war's arm. "Help me. We've got to get that wagon out of there before they're both crushed."

He ran to the side of the wagon and steadied the logs on the wagon. "Pull it away!" he shouted to the god.

Ares lifted the tongue of the wagon and began to pull it forward. I could cause those logs to fall so easily, he thought. I could crush little brother just that quick. It would be so easy. He continued to pull the wagon well away from Sira and Thysis. Damn! the god of war swore in his mind. I can't do it. I can't hurt her like that. A wave of vertigo swept over him, and as quickly passed. I know what it would do to her. I just can't do it.

"Okay, Ares, that's far enough." The god stopped and carefully lowered the wagon tongue. With a leap Hercules jumped aside and the logs thundered to the ground.

The hunter knelt beside the healer. "Sira?" He knew she was entranced. "Sira, will he be all right?"

The girl ran her hands over the elder's body, not touching him but feeling for his life's force. Her mind touched his. She could sense his pain and that he had some difficulty breathing. She lowered another barrier on her mind and ran her hands over him again, then once more. She placed her hands on his chest and let them feel for the damage she felt sure the log must have inflicted. She tried again to sense his injuries. She could sense only one broken rib and two cracked ones. There was massive bruising, but nothing else. She had been sure his chest must be crushed. She couldn't believe her own senses when she found that it was not.

Hercules knelt beside her and placed his hand on her shoulder. She opened her eyes and sat back on her heels. "How is he, my more than sister?"

She shook her head in amazement. "He is not seriously hurt." Tears filled her eyes. "He will be fine." She began to shake as reaction set in. "I cannot believe it, but he will be fine."

"The mud," the elder offered. "The mud cushioned and protected me."

"It is a miracle," the girl whispered. "You are truly blessed by the earth this day, my father."

"Speaking of miracles," the demigod interrupted, "how in the name of the earth did you lift that log?"

The empath looked over the elder's head and studied the log for a thoughtful moment. She turned large eyes to her brother of the soul. "I do not know. I knew he would die if it was not moved. I called on the earth for strength." Her eyes got even bigger. "How did I move the log?"

Ares stood a little apart from the others, a smug look on his face. Hercules sent him a narrowed eyed look. "Ares," he accused.

The god held his hands up, an innocent look on his face. "Don't look at me. I was behind you and Iolaus. I couldn't see a thing at first. I didn't move the log." He looked the half god son of Zeus in the eyes. "She did it herself."

Hercules rose in a smooth, swift motion and came to stand before the god of war. "What have you done, Ares?" he whispered menacingly.

"How can you be sure I've done anything?"

"No mortal could have lifted that log, especially not a small woman."

Before Ares could answer Sira called to the demigod. "Come help me get him to his feet."

Hercules narrowed his eyes at the god and returned to Sira. He gently lifted the elder and helped him to stand. "All right, my father?"

Thysis took a shaky breath. "A bit unsteady, I am afraid."

"Let's get you inside and off your feet."

"No. Not in the temple," Sira objected. "He will need healing and I cannot do it there. Take him to the stable."

Hercules put an arm around the elder and helped him along. "How could Sira have lifted that log?" He was wondering out loud more than asking Thysis for an answer.

"Sometimes when one is faced with an emergency, they find a super strength. I have heard of this before. And who is to say the earth did not lift the log for her?"

Sira ran ahead to the stable and made a place for the elder. Hercules helped Thysis to lie down then stayed to see if Sira might need him.

Mysella stood in the doorway. "I'll bring blankets and some water. Is there anything else I can get for you?"

Sira looked up to smile at her. "No, that will be enough for now. Thank you."

"I'm so sorry this happened."

"It was not your fault, nor was it Contose's. The ropes just gave way. You must not blame yourself."

The girl smiled at the healer and nodded. Contose stood behind her, and when she turned she patted his cheek. Sira could see the concerned look on his face. Mysella must have seen it also. "It's all right. You've done nothing wrong. Come with me to get the blankets." He stood in indecision and the girl took his hand to lead him away with her.

"Do you need me right now, Sira?" the demigod asked.

"No. I will do a healing in a little bit, then I would welcome your help. But for now we are fine."

"Will you transfer?"

She shook her head. "There is no need. He will heal on his own, I believe."

"Stop talking about me as if I am not here," the elder demanded. "A transfer will not be necessary. A healing might be helpful if you are willing to lend me your powers of the earth, but I refuse to let you fuss over me."

Sira laughed. "Try and stop me from the healing or from fussing over you."

Hercules smiled at them both then went to joined Iolaus in the courtyard. "Iolaus, you saw her lift that log," he stated rather than asked.

"I saw it, but I don't believe it. That's why I stayed out here. I tried to lift it. I couldn't do it."

Hercules studied his friend's face a moment. Should I tell him what Ares has hinted about? he asked himself. How would he take that kind of news? How will I take it if it's true? Will it change Sira?

"What is it, Herc? You haven't been yourself since before we left the hidden lake."

The demigod shook his head. "It's nothing."

"What you mean is, it's nothing you plan to share with me. All right, my friend. I trust your judgment and I respect your privacy. But� Well, should you need to talk, you know I'll listen."

Hercules thrust out his arm. "Thank you, my friend." He smiled at the hunter. Still his mind was distracted. He asked himself again, would Sira be changed if she were to become a god? Other than seeming stronger in mind and in body she seemed no different. He had sensed some of her turmoil at the death of Strabiss, but he sensed no other dilemma that might indicate she had changed. Damn it! he thought, I just can't tell.

The god of war walked slowly along the canal bank, Mysella's hand in his. He had asked her to come with him. Now he almost wished he hadn't. He wasn't sure what to say to her. He thought over and over that trying to explain any of his feelings was impossible since he didn't understand them himself. Why do I feel I owe her an explanation in the first place? he wondered. I've never been compelled to explain anything to anyone before. Still, she must know I won't be staying here and that I won't be returning.

The girl hadn't spoken either. How? she wondered, do I explain about Contose? All I really want is to feel Aramond's arms around me, but there are so many things between us that make that impossible.

As if reading her thoughts he stopped walking and pulled her to him. She came willingly. "I'm sorry, Aramond. It seems things have become awkward between us."

"I know. I'm sorry too. I had to come back. I wanted you to understand. But now that I'm here, I don't know how to explain." The demigod's words came back to him. "You'll have to be completely honest with her."

The dark god took a deep breath to calm himself, but before he could speak the girl did. "I'm engaged to Contose."

"What?!" He held her away from her. "You're what?"

"I don't expect you to understand, and I know I've been unfair to you. But I had no way of knowing if I would ever see you again. I know in my heart you're not the settling down kind. I have to be here for my family. My mother and siblings need me. Don't misunderstand. I want to be here and I want to be a simple farm wife. It's the life I was born into and I feel no desire to have it otherwise. You would never be happy staying here away from your own family and tied to a farm."

He walked away from her to gaze out over the canal and the fields. "You're right, I could never be a farmer. I wanted to explain that to you. I can't be the type of person you just described, no matter how much I want to be with you." He turned back to face her. He held his hand out to her, and when she took it he led her to a stone wall near the temple and found a place for them to sit. "I need to tell you the truth." The girl sat in silence while he did. Her eyes got huge and round with fear when he told her who he really was. He finished explaining, and still she said nothing. "Mysella? For the love of the gods, Mysella, don't look at me like that. I would never hurt you. Don't be frightened of me."

She was frightened. She had known one cruel and hateful man. She had no desire to trade that Tartarus for another, but something in his voice sent a shaft of pain through her heart. I've hurt him. With a sob she reached for him. "I can't seem to take this in. Ares? But the god of war is supposed to be cruel and brutal. You're none of those things."

He sighed. "Actually, I am all of those things. But somehow I've found that I no longer can be with those I hold special to me. It never used to be like this. I was all the things you've heard and all the things that put that look of fear in your eyes. I was quite content to stay that way. I don't know how all this happened. I'm still the god of war with others. But with Sira and with you I can't seem to be anything but Ares."

"Why does it sound like you're not happy with this change?"

He stood and began to pace. "I'm not happy. I'm Ares god of war. Death and mayhem, these are my friends. Using the puny humans of this world for entertainment and for my own gain is what I do best. I'm pure hate. There are too many truly divine, underhanded schemes I have pulled off to even count." He turned back to her. "This is who I am. Or rather it's who I used to be. Don't you see? The god of war can't be soft. The world will lose its balance between good and evil if there is no god of war. I have a purpose here, you know."

The girl smiled at him. "That doesn't mean you can't temper some of your godly duties with a little compassion and love."

He turned away and moaned in frustration. "Why can't life be simple?!" he shouted to the fields.

Mysella came to place a hand on his gauntlet clad arm. "Thank you for being honest with me. It does ease the pain at not being a part of your life. Now I can really let go and give my love to Contose."

He pulled her once more into his arms. "Why Contose?"

"He's a good man. He's sweet and gentle. All the things Plantose wasn't. When I first met Plantose I was attracted to him. There was a thrill in his strength and size. He had moments of kindness as well and I did love him at one time. All the things I could love about him I have found in Contose. But he'll never be cruel and he'll never hurt me." Now she went to stand at the canal, her back to him. "I used to watch Contose with the horses. He's so gentle and loving. His hands and voice can soothe the most frightened of animals. He always looks on the beasts with such love in his eyes, even when they're giving him trouble. Now he looks at me like that." She turned back to face him. "I know what you're thinking. How can I love a man who is simple? But with me he loses some of the simplicity. He wasn't always like he is now. Strabiss did this to him with his machine. Contose was the first to power the thing. He was left as he is now, and if you ask me he's much better off. Strabiss found the boys in a burned out village and took them for his own. He raised them to be like Plantose was. They used to use their heavy handed ways to force innocent people to their will. Contose was the worst of the two. But Strabiss' mind powered machine sucked all that from him and left him like he is now. He's been very good to my mother now that he is out from under Strabiss' control."

"You really care for him, don't you?"

"Yes. And now you've set me free to love him." The god of war nodded and let his breath out with a sigh. "Please don't hate me," she begged.

"I don't hate you. I admire you. You've chosen wisely."

"I could easily have loved Ares, but I could never have loved the god of war."

"I know. That seems to be a favorite theme among the women I fall for." He smiled at her. "I'm happy for you, Mysella."

She ran to him and put her arms around him. "Thank you, Aramond."

He chuckled. "I never did like that name."

The empath sat beside the elder of the clan of the wolf and the lion. Her feet were crossed and her brown spotted toes touched his side where he lay by her. She was entranced in the healing powers of the earth. She hadn't transferred with him but she had taken much of his pain and soreness to her through their link of the mind and the soul. Much healing could be done with the grace of the earth even without a complete transfer. The healer had every intention of using her healing powers to help Thysis, whether he wanted her to or not.

Hercules sat on the other side of the elder. He, too, was entranced. Through the link of soul with both Sira and Thysis he got a feel for the old one's pain. He also intended to use what Sira called his earthly powers to help his friend. He'd had broken ribs of his own a time or two. He knew firsthand it wasn't a pleasant experience.

The hunter sat near them. He hadn't joined in the healing, but the look on the empath's face gave him a clue to the pain she felt. He had gone to the village to see if their help was needed. He'd been met with guarded friendliness. He talked with Mysella's mother at length. She had assured him that the village would survive without the old man's wealth and be much better off for not being under his influence.

"You and your friends are good to return here out of concern for us, especially after what Strabiss did to you. But we'll be fine. There may not be as much gold and silver to throw around, but we won't starve. The trade alone keeps us comfortable. Now that we have found more productive ways of producing the tradable goods, we have nothing to worry about. So don't worry for us. Take your family home and try to put this behind you."

The hunter had returned to the temple to find the healer and the demigod lost in a healing with Thysis. Not wishing to disturb them he'd found a comfortable place to sit and gaze upon the woman he loved. She was never more beautiful than when she was in a healing. A blue-white light surrounded her, softening her features in a gauzy light and making a halo about her pale hair. He could feel her energy tingle on his skin and tickle the hairs on his arms. He marveled again that she was his. He didn't doubt it, he just felt awe that anything and anyone so extraordinary could find him desirable. He felt her mind touch his with love and he chuckled. She always knows what I'm thinking. He moved up beside her and placed his hands over hers where they rested on the elder's chest and allowed her to pull him into the healing.

A horse stomped in a nearby stall and Little Sal opened a sleepy eye to look around him. He rose from the pile of hay he'd used for a bed and stretched. A wide yawn claimed him and he stretched again. Then bounding over the straw he went on a nocturnal search for his dinner. Barns always provided easy pickings.

Salmoneus stood at the sink in the temple kitchen, up to his elbows in sudsy water. He whistled a tune as he handed Dayna another plate. She shot him a look of camaraderie. He had insisted he would help her and nearly demanded the others leave the kitchen and leave them to the task.

Little Sal sat on the edge of one of the benches around the large main kitchen table placidly licking his little gray paws. He had been thoroughly loved by the girl then given a hearty breakfast of sheep's liver. His every move exuded contentment, not unlike the man he loved.

The salesman removed his hands from the water and carefully dried them on a towel. The dishes weren't done by a long shot and the girl sent him an inquiring look. He pulled her into his arms to sweep her off her feet and kiss her thoroughly. When he set her down he had to steady her. She was dizzy and out of breath.

She fanned herself for a moment. "Oh, Salmoneus."

He pulled her back into his arms and took her mouth gently. Her lips parted willingly on his and he took her tongue. This time when he pulled away it was he who couldn't breath. "Your kisses intoxicate me like a strong wine," he whispered. She leaned into him and turned her face up to him for another kiss.

The demigod strolled into the kitchen looking for another mug of tea. "Oh, excuse me. I don't mean to interrupt." They didn't seem to notice him and continued their kiss. "Don't let me disturb you two." Still there was no response. The big man helped himself to some tea and filled two other mugs to take to the healer and the elder. He couldn't hide a wide smile as he mumbled something about getting stuck like that and left the kitchen behind.

Sira gladly accepted the mug of tea from her brother of the soul. The hunter had brought them breakfast in the stable, knowing Sira was uncomfortable in the temple and knowing Thysis was too sore to walk there on his own. The hunter had helped him sit up and offered to help him to the temple but he had declined the offer. He had allowed Iolaus to help him with some personal needs while Sira took a short walk. Iolaus accused Thysis of being as stubborn as Sira when it came to allowing others to help them.

"I am fine, my son. You do not need to fuss about me like a mother hen."

The hunter chuckled. "Are all yosemins stubborn?"

"Are all humans so disrespectful?"

The golden one chuckled again. "You know damn well Sira isn't going to let you go without a little mother henning of her own."

"Yes, well, one overly zealous healer fussing about me is enough."

"Did you ever stop to think she may need to do this to ease her own discomfort? I don't mean a physical discomfort, but a mental one. She was pretty unnerved at seeing you hurt. Lifting that log should prove that."

The elder nodded. "You are right. She has been through enough. If babying me helps her, then I will have to swallow my pride and accept it."

"She loves you very much."

The old one nodded again. "Our soul's touch runs deep. She is a person of deep and lasting love."

The hunter sat back on his heals. "Did Ares help her with his powers to lift that log?"

"No, I do not think that is the case. Ares denies that he had anything to do with that and I believe him. The help must have come from the earth itself."

"You had a long talk with Ares yesterday while Sira was resting. What does he think of all this?"

"He denied having helped her, but stated he was not surprised that she had been able to find the strength to do so. Then he told me that things are not always as they appear and refused to say more about it."

"I wonder what he meant by that?"

"I do not know. He has learned a great deal from Sira about using his mind and he successfully shielded his inner thoughts from me." The elder shrugged. "But it is not the first time Sira has pulled off a miracle."

The hunter laughed. "No, I guess it's not."

By that afternoon Sira knew that Ares was gone. She wasn't surprised. She had spoken to Mysella and knew the girl was promised to Contose. While the god of war had never shared his feelings for the girl with the empath, she knew from his mind that he had feelings for Mysella. She was sorry her brother had gone, but she'd been expecting it. There was really nothing to keep him here besides his feelings for Sira. She understood that he found it hard to see her with Iolaus. She was aware that the energy she shared with her Anmchara sometimes touched others. She knew this couldn't be comfortable for the god of war.

The healer sent her love scurrying about in the hope that he would sense it then she turned her attentions to the healing of Thysis. He was much improved. The girl's sensitive mind told her his broken ribs were mending well.

When he announced that he felt well enough to travel she made no objection. She was more than ready to start their journey to Alcmene and Jason's farm.

"Give me today to help you, then we will make a start," she suggested.

"Very well, my daughter. You know better how healed the broken bones are."

She smiled at him. "The trip will not be pleasant for you, my father. I sense your pain. Travel will only make it worse."

He nodded. "Yes. But it is time, little one. Your son and I have a mission."

"We will travel slowly. If we need to, we will pull you in a travois."

"Let me have at least some of my dignity. I will ride a horse."

"I will know when you are in pain. You will not get away with fooling me, you know."

He reached out to pat her cheek. "You are a good daughter. Now run along and let me rest."

"Oh, no. You can rest while I heal you. Now close your eyes and anchor yourself to the earth."

He gave an exaggerated sigh but did as she had requested.

The morning was clear and bright with a promise of warmth to send the travelers on their way. The horses were saddled and ready. Mysella had been quiet and reflective the last two days. She'd been most generous with supplies and outwardly helpful in the preparations for her guests' departure, but there was a sadness about her as well. Sira tried to talk with her but she was unresponsive.

"I will miss Ares," was the most she would say. "Don't get me wrong, I care very much for Contose. I know I will be happy here with him, and it was my choice. Still, one can't help but wonder what their life might be like if they chose a different path."

Hercules helped Thysis to his horse. The old one managed to mount with the help of the demigod and sat now waiting for the others.

Salmoneus wasn't quite ready to leave yet. He was in the kitchen with Dayna saying his final farewell. He held the girl in his arms as she cried.

"I'll be back this way, you know."

"I'll miss you, Salmoneus. You and Little Sal."

"I have to go. I owe it to my friends but I also owe it to myself. I'm a salesman. I have to travel to make a living. I had everything tied up in my boot and shoe venture. For the time being I'm financially challenged."

"I'm sorry."

"Well, I'll be flush again before long. It never takes me long to come back from something like this. When I do I'll come see you."

She kissed him. "You don't need dinars to impress me."

He took her mouth with hunger. He felt a tingle in the pit of his stomach as desire swept over him. He really didn't want to leave her. "I know I don't need brass to impress you. But I can't help it. This is the way I am. I'm never happy without the jingle of coins in my purse. But I'll travel this way often. I'd like to see you when I do."

"You better come back to see me real soon."

"I have something for you."

"For me? You have something for me?"

"Yes. It's to remember me by."

She reached up to scratch at the beard on his chin. "Don't worry, I won't be forgetting you."

He took her hand and led her to the table where a basket with a lid waited. He opened the top of the straw container. Reaching gently into its depths he pulled out a small orange bundle of fur and handed it to the girl.

Her breath caught on a sob as tears spilled from her eyes. A plaintive little mew melted the girl's heart. "Oh, Salmoneus. I don't know what to say. You couldn't have gotten me anything I would treasure more."

The salesman ran a finger along a furry orange chin. "And she didn't cost a dinar."

"I'm going to name her Joy, because knowing you has brought me such joy."

He took the kitten from her and put it back in the basket. Turning back to her he pulled her into his arms and kissed her thoroughly.

The girl followed the entrepreneur to the waiting horses, little Joy held lovingly in her arms. She didn't even try to hide her tears. Little Sal went willingly to Sira while Salmoneus mounted then just as willingly jumped from the healer's saddle to that of his friend and master.

The hunter turned his horse and headed for the gates that would lead them from the old temple. Salmoneus sat his horse a moment, looking deeply into the tear filled eyes of Dayna, then with a wave he turned his mount. "I'll be back," he called.

The golden one led them across the cultivated fields as quickly as possible. Thysis' injuries made it necessary to travel carefully but the hunter knew Sira would feel much better once they were in the forest once more. The healer rode ahead to bring her mount up beside the man she loved beyond all others and he held his hand out to her.

"It won't be much longer, my love. You'll soon be in the forest again."

She squeezed his hand. "It is calling to me."

"I know. I hear it. It calls to its own."

"Tonight, will you make love to me in the forest?"

"Try and stop me."

The girl began to sing. The words were yosemin, and yet the hunter could feel the forest in the melody. He liked to hear her sing. Her voice was sweet and clear, like a frosty morning in the woods. He could feel the earth in her song and opened his heart to her god.

They traveled deeper and deeper into the tall trees. The healer slid from her horse's back, and removing her moccasins she walked barefoot in the pine needle enriched soil. A blue jay scolded her and she laughed at him. Like the shedding of a winter coat the child of the forest seemed to shed her tension and anxiety of the last few days. She was home, and like the comfort of a warm cabin the forest welcomed her.

They topped a ridge, and there in the trail before them the god of war sat astride a magnificent black stallion. At their approach the horse began to dance around. The god let him, in fact he encouraged him to do so. The horse reared but the god sat the saddle unperturbed.

"So, you have returned," the healer smiled at him.

He could sense her pleasure at seeing him and he smiled back at her. "I haven't said good bye yet."

"Nice horse."

"I made it just for you." He fell in beside the healer and they traveled on. Little Sal rode the saddle in front of Sira, but when the god of war came alongside her the cat jumped to the back of his horse instead. Uninvited he crawled to the god's shoulder and made himself comfortable.

The dark god looked startled for a moment then annoyed. "What is this?"

Sira giggled. "It would seem I am not the only one to miss you."

"Humph," was the god's only reply, but after a moment he reached up to scratch the cat's chin. He was rewarded with a deep resounding humming in his ear.

The morning was almost passed when they found a place to stop. A small brook fed by melting snow offered water. The demigod helped Thysis down from the horse. The elder stood unsteadily on his feet, afraid to step out too soon for fear he would make a fool of himself.

Ares came to him and offered an arm. "Let me help you, Father."

With the aide of the strong sons of Zeus the old one made it to a fallen log. Sira went to her knees before him and rested her cheek on his knees. "We should not have tried to travel so soon."

He ran an unsteady hand across her other cheek. "I will be well, my child. The forest helps me as much as it does you."

"Will you let me take some of your pain to me?"

"Yes. This time I will."

Ares knelt beside them. "Can I help? I would take some of the discomfort for a time."

Sira searched his eyes. She read compassion in their deep brown depths. She also sensed his farewell. He truly had returned to them to say good bye. She felt almost a bereavement in the realization.

"I'll stick around a few days, little warrior. At least until Thysis is feeling better."

She nodded and turned back to the elder. With a quick breath she pulled some of the old one's pain to herself. Perspiration beaded her upper lip. Her face went pale, her skin waxy.

Ares placed his hand over hers. "Let some of it go, little one. I will help."

His eyes narrowed as he felt the pain come to him, but he made no comment. They stayed long at their nooning. The elder needed the rest and there really was no need to rush.

When they did leave their place of nooning it was agreed they would look for a campsite for the night. They rode into higher, rockier country. They followed the brook for a time until it turned from the direction they wished to travel, and now they must also be concerned about finding a camp with water.

The sun was well past it zenith and still no suitable place to stop presented itself. Sira could sense the elder's fatigue and pain and rode her horse ahead to where Hercules rode.

"We must find a place to stop even if we make a dry camp. But it must be soon. Thysis is done in."

Salmoneus rode up to them. "We have to stop. Thysis isn't going to make it much further."

"I'm trying to find a place, Salmoneus."

The salesman nodded. "I'll ride beside him and keep an eye on him. You just find a campsite."

"If you can break Ares and Iolaus apart for a moment they might be of help. Iolaus is better at finding a camp than I am."

The god of war and the golden hunter had found a friendship in each other's company. The hunter had taken a rabbit with his bow from the back of a moving horse and Ares had accused him of being a show off. Not to be outdone the god of war had done the same.

They took turns picking out targets to aim for as they rode. The god conjured up arrow after arrow to entertain themselves with. There were plenty of rabbits to roast over the evening fire and now the two talked at length about past battles.

Sira rode to the hunter. "We must find a place to stop. Thysis will not make it much longer." The hunter rode ahead immediately.

"Is there anything I can do?" the god of war offered.

"Will you ride beside him in case he may need you?"

Ares nodded and brought his horse alongside the old one. He was worried by the look of the elder. He reached out and placed his hand on the old one's arm. Not sure how to do this on his own he did his best to bring some of the old one's pain to him while sending strength back to him.

"It shouldn't be longer now, Father." Thysis nodded but made no comment.

It was Sira who found their place to stop. She sensed water with her mind and led them to it. There was wood and water and a place to build their fire where a granite boulder would reflect the heat back at them.

Sira rode ahead of the others, and jumping from her horse she spread her blanket on the ground to make a bed for the elder.

Hercules lifted Thysis from his horse, and carrying him to the waiting blanket he laid him down gently. The healer was already entranced, and when she placed her hands on the elder's chest he gasped. The girl swayed beside him, willing the earth's powers to help one of her own. The demigod sat on the other side of Thysis and sent his mind to help the elder as well.

Iolaus tossed the almost empty water bag at the god of war who caught it with no effort. With a shrug he took the hint and made his way to the spring Sira had found. Salmoneus stripped the saddles and packs from the horses then picketed them on a patch of grass while Iolaus gathered wood. When the water bag was full the god of war filled their water flasks, then starting a fire he joined the hunter in gathering wood.

Bats filled the evening sky silhouetted against pale shades of lavender and purple, and still the empath used the power of the earth to heal her father of the soul. She was relieved to find that he was more tired than ill. The pain he endured had zapped more of his already depleted strength, but a few days rest should put him to rights. She'd been prepared to transfer his injury to her but found it wouldn't be necessary.

The elder slept while the girl led his mind in the healing and after a time she also slept, curled up on the blanket beside him. The hunter covered her with a blanket then set aside food for the elder and the healer to eat when they woke. He knew they would heal in their sleep and he had no intention of robbing them of that.

Ares played chips with Salmoneus. The god of war was surprised at how good the salesman was. For the first time, Ares had no difficulty playing the game fairly and found a pleasure in the skill of the game rather than in the winning of it.

Hercules hadn't been overjoyed at finding the god of war back among them, but he admitted he hadn't felt the same loathing his half brother had always invoked in him before.

The moon was almost full, the night clear and cool when the healer left her bed beside the elder and went to the hunter's bed.

She slipped beneath the covers beside him and he pulled her into his arms. "I've missed you," he whispered.

"I am sorry. He needed me also."

He kissed her forehead. "I know. It's all right." He kissed her lips and they parted on his. She shivered with delight when his tongue touched hers.

"You made a promise to me on the trail, do you remember?" her voice was husky with desire.

He rose and pulled her to him. He reached for a blanket, then taking her hand he led her from camp. He found a grassy place concealed by rocks and brush. Dropping the blanket in a heap he pulled her up against him.

He wrapped his hands in her hair and took her mouth with hunger. Her hands slipped under his vest to caress his skin and he drew a quick breath. He kissed her neck then trailed kisses down to where her top rested in a v-shape between her breasts. His tongue teased her heated flesh and she threw her head back to expose more of herself to him.

"I guess you do remember the promise you made."

He untied the tails of her top and pulled it aside. "I always keep my promises," he whispered.

She helped him slip his vest off then began to unlace his trousers. His hands on her neck and shoulders sent shivers of anticipation up and down her spine. She wore an undershirt of woven moss cut low to reveal much of her ample figure. The hunter caressed her through the soft fabric and she began to tremble. He bent to fix the blanket but she refused to release him and he pulled her down on the grass instead. She pushed him to his back and straddled him.

"Can I at least take my boots off?"

She began to unlace them for him then pulled them off one by one. His pants followed the boots and she straddled him again.

Her braid fell forward to tickle his cheek. Untying the ribbon he began to loosen the woven strands from each other. He could smell jasmine in her hair. She always smelled of the pungent yellow flower and the scent seemed to possess the power to intoxicate and arouse him. Taking up a handful of her golden mane he brought it to his nostrils.

The forest protected them and the night concealed them. The eastern sky showed with a thin line of muddy gray that chased the stars away and made a promise of morning before the lovers returned to camp.

The hunter took to his bed but the healer gathered her things and left the camp following a line of green grass and small shrubs in search of the source of the spring that fed their camp. She found a bubbling artesian well amid a rocky ravine. She slipped out of her clothing, and sitting on the rocks she bathed. The morning was chilly but not cold. The girl took her time, enjoying the solitude and the energy the life giving liquid earth brought to her. Birds sang in a nearby tree to add their sweetness to the coming of the day.

She was just tying the last lace on her camisole when a smile crossed her face. The healer didn't turn around. "Hello, Ares."

"Damn! I can never fool you, can I?" He came to stand beside her. "Shall I make a tub for you to bathe in?"

"No, thank you. I have already bathed."

"Then not only can I no longer hide myself from you but I'm also late. I had great fun the last time I watched you bathe."

"It is my turn to watch you bathe then."

He laughed. "That might be fun at that." He turned serious. "I'll be leaving soon."

"I know. I have sensed that."

"Will you miss me?"

"More than you know, my brother."

"There's something you've wanted to ask me. For you I'll be honest. I couldn't bring Serena to the future, even if I had wanted to, I couldn't. Zeus knew she had died and that it was a god that killed her. I couldn't change that. I had to be conniving and devious to pull any of that time travel stuff off." He began to pace. "It's true, I didn't want her with Hercules. But not bringing her to the present to be with him was necessary to save myself. Dispossessed gods find eternity very unpleasant. I did what I could for Serena. I did have feelings for her, but I wasn't ready to risk all to satisfy Hercules' need for a woman."

Sira came to stand before the god of war. "What he felt for Serena was more than a physical need, my brother."

He looked into her eyes. "Yes, well, perhaps I can understand that better now."

She ran a finger along his jaw line to his goatee. "Thank you my brother."

"For what?"

"For your honesty and sensitivity. Why can you not be like this with others?"

"Like what, little one?" The god frowned in a fair imitation of his half god brother.

"Like the side of you I cherish," she whispered.

"We both know that isn't the true me."

"I choose to believe it is."

He took a deep breath. "No one has ever made me feel like this before. No one."

"I am glad I was the first to feel the hidden humanity in you."

He took her into his arms. "Will you kiss me?" She raised up to brush his lips with a kiss. He released her and stepped back. "When Thysis is better I will go." With a wave of his hand he was gone but the healer knew she would find him at the camp. She went to sit on a rock near the water, and unbraiding her hair she began to comb it. When he did leave she would miss her godly brother of the soul.

When she returned to camp the god of war brought her a mug of tea. She took it gratefully. "I can't vouch for the taste," he apologized. "I made it myself without godly powers."

"It will taste all the better for that."

Sira insisted they stay at the spring at least for that day. Thysis lamely objected, and the very fact that he didn't insist strengthened the healer's resolve. She healed Thysis most of the morning then left him napping to eat a meal. The hunter brought in a wild turkey which Salmoneus prepared for roasting. He had announced his intention of traveling with the others over the mountain they camped on now, then cutting east to intersect the main road to Corinth.

"I thought you would return with us to Alcmene's," the healer questioned.

The entrepreneur could hear the girl's disappointment at the prospect of his departure. He knew farewells weren't easy for her. "I need to make a few dinars," he explained. "I lost everything when my cart of boots and shoes was lost."

"I am sorry our misfortune has left you in this state."

He smiled at her. "Easy come, easy go. I'll soon be back on my feet again. You can't keep a good man down."

"You could always come to the cabin with us. You would not need dinars there."

He looked shocked. "Oh, no. I love the brass too much for that. I'll find a sweet deal in Corinth, don't you worry."

The day passed as the empath again healed the elder. When she was done the elder insisted on visiting the artesian well so that he could bathe. He was much improved from the healings and the rest.

"I feel restless and dirty. A bath in the cold water will help relieve the latter, and the walk will help the former. I am much better, my daughter, do not fuss."

"Will you at least allow someone to come with you?"

"It is not necessary. Should I need help, your mind will know." The old one took up the staff he always carried as a cane in one hand and his pack in the other. "Hopefully the bird will be ready when I return. I am most hungry." With that he walked slowly from camp.

Sira sat frowning by the fire. The hunter grinned at her. "Can't stand not having a patient to baby, eh?" She stuck her tongue out at him.

"You can always baby me, Sira." Salmoneus offered.

"Or me," Ares chuckled. "No one ever babys the god of war."

The girl pulled her blanket from her pack. Rolling in it she pretended to be asleep. She wasn't, her mind was with the elder and she knew it would be until his return.

They left their camp by the spring the next morning. Thysis was much better and wood was getting scarce. They took their time, letting the horses pick their own way over the rocky summit of the mountain. Something in the thin cold air of the high country seeped into the healer and brought her peace. They crunched over snow for a time before they started their downhill trek. They found a place to stop for a meal just past midday. They started no fire, eating cold roasted turkey left from the night before. They mounted again and continued to descend from the heights into forest that had been thinned at one time by the ravages of fire. Dead gray tree trunks, some massive in dimension, still remained to boast of their past glory.

They found a place to stop in a green meadow surrounded by rocky outcroppings of jagged igneous rock. A snow fed cascade of water stained a granite cliff face black and offered the travelers refreshment.

Salmoneus came to Sira leading his horse by the reins. "This is where I get off." he stated.

She searched his face a moment. "Why not in the morning?"

"There's lots of travel time left yet, and besides, it won't change the inevitable."

She put her arms around him. "Thank you, my friend. Your love and friendship has touched my soul deeply."

He tightened his hold on her. "I'll miss you too, but it won't be for long. You know I can't stay away from you guys."

"Will you wait a moment while I talk to the others?"

"Yeah. What's up?"

"I will only be a moment." The healer took the others aside and talked quietly with them. They all wore foolish grins when Sira returned to the salesman.

He looked bewildered. "What is it?"

The empath smiled at him. "I want you to have the horses. Ares gave them to me and I want you to take them. It will help make up for your losses."

He looked shocked. "I can't take the horses. What about you guys? What about Thysis?"

"We will go slowly and the walk will help him regain his strength. We talked it over. We want you to have the horses. I have one request, however. Try to find someone to sell them to who is kind to animals. I could not bear to think they might be mistreated. Better Ares whisk them away than to have them abused."

"No, no. I'll be careful, even if it means losing a little on the deal." He looked up at the others. "You're sure about this?"

Iolaus came to stand beside the healer. He thrust his hand out to the salesman who grasped his arm in a firm warrior's grip. "It's the least we can do, old friend. You left your merchandise behind to get word to Sira. We owe you for that."

"But you wouldn't have been hurt in the first place if it weren't for me."

The hunter patted him on the back. "You can't blame yourself for that. Take the horses and good luck to you."

Salmoneus looked from one to the other of them. "I don't know what to say. This really changes things. Here I was thinking I was a pauper. Now I'm rich." He smiled at the healer. "And I don't mean with wealth. I mean rich in friendship. This means a lot to me."

Sira hugged him again. "You be careful in Corinth."

"Oh, no. I don't need to go there now. I bet I can get a really good price for the horses in Neberous." His face showed a delightful pink.

"In that case, say hello to little Joy for me." The salesman's face turned a darker red.

Sira left Thysis resting and went to sit on a knoll overlooking the meadow. Just below her the hunter and the god of war practiced their skill with bow and arrow. The demigod came to sit beside her.

"Why are you not down there impressing me with your skill?" she teased.

The big man chuckled. "I don't have to prove myself. I'm Hercules." The girl laughed at him. He watched the man and the god for a moment. "They're very good, aren't they?"

"Is Ares using his godly powers?"

"No, I don't think so. He's even better when he does."

"When we get back will you teach me how to use a bow?"

"You know how." A frown creased his brow.

"Yes, but I wish to improve. I want to learn more about hand to hand combat as well."

He turned to stare at her. "Why, Sira? Why would you want to learn these things?"

"We are forever getting ourselves into some kind of trouble or another. I want to know how to fight."

"You have skills of your own, my sister."

"Yes, but I wonder if that will always be enough." She turned to him. "Will you teach me?"

"If that's what you really want."

"It is." She turned back to watch the hunter and the god of war.

The demigod sat in silence. He was stunned by his sister of the soul's request. She was already good with a bow and with a staff. Her mind powers were most useful in battle. Why would she feel the need of learning better ways of fighting? She abhorred violence. At least she used to.

He stood. "Maybe I will go try my hand at the bow. Those guys need to be shown how it's done."

The girl smiled up at him. "The winner gets to kiss the fair maiden."

"In that case I'm gonna win."

When the half god son of Zeus reached the others he found a moment to talk to Iolaus alone. The hunter handed his bow to the demigod and made his way to Sira. He flopped down on the grass beside the yosemin.

Hercules and Ares stood side by side. The demigod shot the first arrow true. The god of war's arrow joined it in the center of the target.

Hercules readied another arrow. "Do you know what Sira just asked of me?"

"No, Brother. What?"

"She wants me to teach her hand to hand combat."

The god of war laughed. "That's my little warrior. I've always said women make better warriors than men."

"Doesn't her request strike you as funny?"

"Not necessarily," Ares hedged. He loosed his arrow. While it still quivered in the target the demigod's arrow hit and split it.

"Good shooting, Brother."

"I'd like a straight answer from you for once, Ares. Did you make Sira a god?" Even though it was Ares' turn the half man, half god shot again to split his own arrow. "Well?"

"Maybe, maybe not. I do have the means to do so."

"I said a straight answer." The half god son of Zeus could feel his anger rising.

"I don't give straight answers, Brother."

Sira sensed the tension below. They are at it again she thought. She stood but didn't approach her brothers of the soul. She turned to Iolaus. "Did Hercules ask you to leave him and Ares alone?"

Iolaus sat up. "Yeah."

"Did he give a reason?"

The hunter shrugged. "No, he just said he wanted a moment alone with Ares."

The god of war started to walk away. "Ares!" the name was a threat. "I'm asking you as a brother. Have you done something to Sira?"

The god ignored Hercules and moved to walk past him. The demigod grabbed his arm. "I want an answer."

"I don't give a damn what you want." The god jerked his arm from his brother's grasp.

"You bastard. I'm tired of your games and your riddles. I'll get an answer from you if I have to beat if out of you."

"You're welcome to try."

Hercules took a swing at the god of war. A bolt of pure energy hit the big man's chest and he grunted. The god of war laughed and strengthened the power behind his assault of the demigod. The half god cried out.

Sira began to run. "Ares! Stop!" she shouted.

The god threw his arm out wide to hit Hercules with a powerful blast of energy and the demigod flew back to land hard on the grass.

"Damn you, Ares!" the empath shouted. She knelt beside her brother of the soul. "Hercules? Are you all right?" He was only semiconscious but his head cleared when she took his arm. Ares stepped up to him and Sira jumped to her feet to stand between him and the demigod.

Iolaus had his sword out, ready to defend his friend.

"Leave him alone, Ares," the girl demanded. "You promised."

"I promised not to hurt your family."

"And you know damn well he is my family. Do not make me regret taking your word."

The god of war shrugged. "I didn't hurt him�Much," he growled.

"Why can you two not get along?"

"He annoys me."

"Damn it! You are brothers. Whether you like it or not, you share the same father. His blood courses through both of you."

"That's one of the things that annoys me the most."

"Either you hold your temper around me and mine, or you stay away, Ares."

He could tell she was mad. "Now who's angry?" he laughed.

Grabbing her he pulled her to him to savagely take her mouth. She tried to get loose from his hold but he only held her tighter. The healer shot her mind out, and as she did she bit his lip. He let her go so quickly she almost fell.

He touched a finger to his lip and found blood there. He narrowed his eyes at her. "My little warrior." He wasn't in the least perturbed by her attack.

"Why do you call me that?" she demanded.

"Because it's what you are. You use the weapons you have available and you use them with great skill. You are a true warrior, and a worthy adversary. Besides, there's a streak of savagery in you." He licked the blood from his lip.

"What was this latest fight about?" the girl asked.

"You, of course," He stepped around her to talk to the demigod where he still lay on the ground. "I will say only that someday she will be mine." He turned to Sira. "Until next time, little warrior." His voice was low and sensual. A shower of light and he was gone.

Sira stood where she was. "Iolaus, would you go for Thysis. I may need him."

"I'm fine, Sira," the demigod told her.

"Go, Iolaus!" the girl demanded. The hunter gave the demigod a shrug and headed back to camp. The girl knelt beside her brother of the soul. "Are you all right?"

"Sira, I'll be fine. Stop worrying. I was only stunned for a minute."

"Will you tell me what that was all about?"

"No." The big man started to rise. "That won't work either, my sister. You can't use your mind to find your answers this time."

"Ares is right," she growled and shoved him back to the grass. "You are annoying." Her anger was poorly concealed.

"He's also right about you," he chuckled. "You do have a savage streak."

She threw up her hands in frustration and stormed away.

"Ares was right about something else," he mumbled to himself. "Sira is a warrior." He laughed, then he shook his head as he realized he no longer cared if she had become a god. He loved her, no matter what.

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Coming Soon: Honor Among Thieves-The Seventh Adventure In The Empath Chronicles

Comments and kind criticism are always welcome. E-mail me at [email protected]