Hercules: The Legendary Journeys

Of Gods And Men

The Eighth Adventure In The Empath Chronicles

By Donna Eisner

Copyright March, 1998 By Donna Eisner. Please Do Not Alter Without Author's Consent.

Disclaimer: Hercules, Iolaus, Discord and Ares, god of war are the property of Renaissance Pictures, MCA/Universal, and Greek Mythology. All other characters are the products of the author's imagination. No copyright infringement is intended. This story was written solely for the entertainment of the author and her readers.

This story contains scenes of violence and sexual situations, but no more than you may encounter while viewing the average episode of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. Although not graphic in detail, some scenes may be unsuitable for younger readers. Parental discretion is therefore advised.

This one's for Stacey, beta reader extraordinaire by day, Amazon goddess by night.

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The earth's chosen one removed her feet from the treadle of the loom and stretched her tired back. With a sigh she stood to admire the results of her almost three hours of labor. She reached out to caress the soft woven moss fabric dyed in many colors. She'd woven the multicolored strands of moss into varying widths to create strips of bright color. The finished blanket was to be a present to her chosen father, Thysis.

She looked out the open door and was surprised by the lateness of the day. The lengthening shadows told their tale. With a smile she moved to the counter. I must start a meal for the men, she told herself. They would soon be returning from their hunting trip and would no doubt be hungry. She hummed a tune as she stirred up the fire then added wood. She filled the kettle from the bucket of water on the counter, but before she could put it on the stove to warm she stopped to close her eyes for a moment.

She felt the tug on her mind and a frown creased the otherwise smooth skin between the dark brown brows that topped her dark green eyes. She took a moment to be sure, then setting the kettle aside she left the cabin to head toward the river. She knew she needed to be about the preparation of the meal, but she had no intention of ignoring the mind's touch she'd felt.

She came to the shaded pool near the hidden cabin in the forest of her birth. She stood quietly looking about her at the beauty the earth had provided for her comfort. This place never ceased to stir something deep within her heart. She took a calming breath and let the earth's offered love seep into her. A bird in a tree near her left his perch. A pale brown feather floated toward the earth. The forest creature reached to take the earth's gift.

She blinked in the flash of light, then stood placidly smiling at her brother of the soul.

"So, you did feel my presence," the dark warrior god whispered in a deep slow tone that sent a shiver up the girl's spine.

"Of course, my brother. But then you knew that I would."

"Yes."

"Why not simply come to the cabin?"

"I wasn't sure of my welcome, and I wished to speak to you alone." He held his hand out to her. "Walk with me?" She hesitated a moment. "You're not afraid of me?"

She placed her hand in his. "No, I am not afraid, but I am curious."

"You're really not afraid of me, are you?"

She shook her head. "No, I have no reason to fear you."

He stopped and pulled her around to face him. "How can you say that? I would manipulate and use you in a moment if I thought I stood to gain something from it."

"So you have said before. I did not believe it then, and I do not believe it now." The god sighed in exasperation and the healer smiled. "You really hate the fact that I am not afraid of you, do you not?"

"You're too trusting, my sister. Far too trusting."

"Perhaps."

He studied her for a moment. "You've cut your hair."

She put a hand to the pale mane that trailed down her back to below her knees. "Only a little. It was so hard to take care of. In my village there were always those who could help me with it. Iolaus tries, but there were times I wished to wash it when he was not with me." She shrugged.

"I feel your regret."

"Yes, a little."

"Oh, Sira. If you would come with me there would be hundreds of hand maidens to wait on you. You need not have cut your hair."

She smiled at him. "It is only hair. It will grow."

He shook his head. "Do you remember when I combed it for you?" His voice was whispery and sensual.

"I remember."

He took a deep breath and nodded. Turning he walked along the river once more. Her hand still resting in his, she followed. "I have a favor to ask." She said nothing and he continued. "I'd like you to help me find my son."

The empath could sense the churning emotions behind the god's words. Asking a favor of anyone was not something he was used to doing. She could understand why asking it of her was even harder for him. She had seen a side of the god that few others ever had. A side of him that he hadn't even known existed until she'd touched that part of him. She knew having this side of him exposed was hard for him.

"You know without asking that I will help you if I can, my brother."

"Will you come with me now?"

She shook her head. "You know I cannot do that. I will help you, but the others must be a part of this also."

The god dropped her hand and began to pace the sandy riverbank. "Why? Why must the others be a part of this?"

"Because I cannot just walk away and not tell them where I am going."

"I thought you trusted me."

"You know that is not the reason I refuse to come away with you now. I wish their help. They are my family."

"I thought that I was too."

"And so you are. I can sense from your mind that there is danger in this. I cannot expect those who love me to sit idly by while you and I waltz about the countryside."

"I can't ask Hercules for help."

"You would not be asking. I would be. Besides, I can feel your thoughts, my brother. You knew before you asked what my answer would be. You are worried and concerned, and you want not only my help, but the help of your half brother and my mate of the soul. You do not need to hide these things from me. They do you no discredit."

"I can't find him, Sira. His mother has made him frightened of me. As young as he is he's learned to shield himself. I can't get a sense of him."

She came to place a hand on his arm. "What has happened?"

"He was taken from his bed as his mother slept." He ran an agitated hand through his hair. "How much do you know of� of my family?'

"I know about Nemesis and Evander. What I have not sensed from you, Hercules has told me."

"Nemesis came to my temple in hysterics. She was sure I had taken Evander from her again. But I was just as shocked as she was. Who would dare to steal my son?!" His voice had risen with his anger.

"You have found nothing?"

He began to pace again. "No. I've tried, believe me. I want him back."

"Your hope is that I might be able to get a sense of him and use my mind to find him?"

"Yes." He turned to face her once more. "Will you come to Bivale? Will you help me?"

"Yes. We will come."

"What if the others refuse?"

"Then I will come alone."

"You will ask them?"

"Yes."

He nodded. "You don't know how hard this was for me."

"I do know, my brother. I can feel your emotions. I will do what I can."

"Will you call me once you've spoken with them?"

"I will call."

He let his breath out in a puff. He hadn't realized he'd been holding it. "You must think I'm a fool."

"For loving your son? I do not think you are being foolish, my brother. I know that you love him." He nodded then was gone.

The empath stood a moment watching the place where he'd stood only moments ago. The peace of the evening was gone now, and a feeling of dread had crept in to replace it. She'd sensed the god of war's wish for their conversation to be a private one and had closed her mind to the others. Now she opened her mind to them and turned to retrace her steps.

The hunter found her at the river. "I was worried. When you weren't at the cabin and I couldn't feel your mind..." His words trailed off.

"I am sorry, my soul. I did not mean to frighten you." She put her arms around him.

"What's happened?

"Come to the cabin with me. We will eat, then I will tell you."

He searched her eyes. "Why wait?"

"Because we are all hungry. A meal will help us think calmly and reasonably."

He raised his eyebrows at this one. "Sira?"

She kissed his lips lightly. "In a bit, my love. Come help me, then the three of us must talk."

When they returned to the cabin they found that the demigod had started fresh venison from their kill to roast over the fire. The healer quickly sliced squash and set it to boil, then began to cut up melon and a loaf of bread left from her baking of the day before.

The half god son of Zeus kept shooting her looks. When the hunter went to the woodpile to gather more wood the big man followed him. "What's going on?"

The hunter added another split log to the ones already in his arms. "I don't know. She says she'll tell us once we've eaten."

"Why all the secrecy?"

The golden one sighed. "Damned if I know."

"Well, I guess I better start cooking the rest of the deer meat." The hunter raised his eyebrows. "I have a strong suspicion we'll be leaving soon."

Iolaus chuckled. "You know, my friend, I think you're right."

When the meal was complete the demigod began to clear the table. "Leave that for now, my brother. I need to speak to both you and Iolaus."

The half god returned to his seat at the table to take up the mug of Tassis tea the healer poured for him. The girl took a deep breath to calm herself. She wasn't sure how her mate or her brother would react to hearing that she'd agreed to help the god of war.

"While you were hunting I had a visitor." The two men exchanged looks. "Ares came to ask us to help him." She could feel the demigod stiffen. "Evander has been stolen from Nemesis." The big man jumped to his feet and began to pace. "His mother has made the child afraid of Ares, and the boy is using his godly powers to shield himself from his father." She paused to wait for her brother's explosion. He held his tongue.

"Go on, Sira," the hunter coaxed.

"Ares hopes that I can get a feel for Evander and be able to locate him."

"How can we be sure this isn't some kind of trick?" the hunter interrupted.

The healer held her hand out to her mate of the soul. "I know because I could sense his emotions. He is genuinely worried."

"Even if we find the boy, Ares will just take him."

"I do not believe that is his intention. But even if it were, the boy must be found. I sense an evil in this that makes me fear for the child. Once we have saved the boy we can deal with where he should stay."

The big man nodded. "You're right. If Ares is telling the truth and he hasn't taken the boy, we must move quickly to find him."

"Then you will help me? Both of you?"

"And if we say no?"

"Then I will go alone."

"That's kind of what I figured." The big man turned to the hunter. "Well, what do you say?"

"When do we leave?"

The demigod took his place at the table once more. "So what do we know so far?"

"Nothing. That is the problem. No tracks were found to indicate who might have taken the boy. Ares has been searching for three days and has found nothing."

"So our only hope might be in your getting a sense of the boy."

Sira could hear the concern in her brother's words. "Yes. That is why he came to me."

The half god son of Zeus studied his sister of the soul's face. "You believe Ares, don't you?"

"Yes."

"That's good enough for me."

The girl stood to send out her mind. The room was filled with light and the dark god stood before her. "We have all agreed to help you," she stated without preamble.

He took her hand. She could feel the relief that wrenched a sigh from him. "I'll provide horses for you. I can't help but feel we must hurry."

"Yes, I also feel this. The horses will be welcome."

"I can provide you with everything you should need."

Sira smiled at him. "The horses will be enough."

"Your damned yosemin sensibilities again?" He smiled to take the sting from his words.

She smiled in return. "Will you travel with us?"

"No. I'll keep looking for the boy. Call me when you reach Nemesis."

Sira nodded. "We will do all we can to find your son." He nodded in return. Stepping back he was gone.

"You're welcome," the hunter told the empty place where the god had stood.

They worked late into the night to make the preparations for their departure in the morning. An urgency had gripped the healer since her talk with the god by the river. Now it seemed to have passed to the men as well.

Hercules came yawning to the kitchen of the cabin. The hunter rose from his place at the table to pour him a mug of tea.

"Thanks, Iolaus." He looked around him. "Where's Sira? She's usually first up."

"She was. She's outside talking with the horses Ares provided."

The demigod went to stand in the doorway to watch the healer. She was doing just as the hunter had said. She was talking with the horses. The big man smiled to himself. He knew the girl would touch the mind of each horse to ask their permission to use them as beasts of burden.

"After we went to bed last night, Sira baked fresh bread. How about some now?" the hunter offered.

"Did she sleep at all?"

"Not that I know of."

The demigod shook his head. "Did you see the light in her eyes at the prospect of another adventure?"

"I saw it," he stated, a smile heard in his voice.

"She never ceases to amaze me."

"I think she gets the love of an adventure through your tie of the soul with her. You had the same look on your face when she was telling us about Evander."

The demigod smiled at his childhood friend, and more than friend of adulthood. "You don't fool anyone. You're just as bored staying in one place as she and I are."

"Do you think we can trust Ares on this one?"

"If he'd come to anyone besides Sira, I'd say no. She obviously believes him." The big man turned to the hunter. "Did you see the look of relief on his face when he learned we'd all agreed to help him find Evander?"

"Yeah. It sure looked genuine."

"What must Nemesis be going through?"

"I know."

They left the clearing around the cabin to head west. They must cross the mountain range that surrounded their hidden cabin in order to reach the village of Bivale. The village was a large one nestled at the junction of two main roads through a fertile mountain valley. They held an annual food fair there during harvest time and the village was often called the capital of fine cuisine.

The days had already started to shorten as the earth approached her time of rest and renewal. The morning had been cool enough for the men to wear their cloaks. With the sun at its zenith now the day had turned warm. They'd been traveling steadily since sunrise.

Iolaus found a place to stop that offered water for them and the horses, as well as grass still green despite the lateness of the year.

The hunter bathed his heated face in the tiny brook that bubbled over smoothed and polished pebbles. Spotting an orange stone the golden one took it from the stream bottom to get a closer look. It was a pretty thing that he knew the healer would like.

He brought it to her and she hugged him with delight. "It is a Carnelian stone. It gives the bearer courage and self confidence."

"What better stone for my warrior wife?"

"You are right. In the time before the remembered time, when the earth's people were warriors, the stone was often worn around the neck of those whose duty it was to protect the family."

"The yosemin were warriors long before they broke into separate clans, weren't they?"

"Yes. While there was only the clan of the wolf and the lion there were many people of the earth back then. My ancestors roamed the land freely to hunt for their survival. There were others back then who shared the land with the people of the earth. Fighting was common. Warriors were revered almost as much as the healers. It was not until much later, when humans outnumbered the yosemin many times over that we went into hiding"

"So the one clan wasn't just one big group of earth's people?"

"No, there were far too many of us for that. The herds of beasts that supplied my people's needs were too small to feed many. We were all of one clan, but we sometimes went months before we might see others of our race among the mountains and plains."

"How'd you ever get them all together to form the original twenty clans?"

"We did not. Many were gathered to form the clans. As others were found they were given the choice of joining one of the clans, or in some cases forming their own."

"No wonder so much of your history is lost."

"Yes." The girl sighed. "So much was only recorded in our songs and tales. Much was lost before the council was given the duty of recording our history."

The hunter put his arm around the woman he loved and she gave him a warm smile.

They didn't stay long at their place of nooning. There was still travel time left to them and they took advantage of it. The light was fading before they found a place to make their camp for the night. The hunter gathered wood as the demigod cared for the horses. Sira simply finished cooking more of the deer meat from the night before and added roots roasted in the coals to complete the meal. After she'd served them, the healer put more of the venison over the fire to cook. They'd at least partially cooked most of it the night before in the hopes of preserving as much of it as they could. Now the healer hoped to finish the job she'd had to leave incomplete in the interest of haste. There would be cold venison and bread to break their fast in the morning.

The woodland creature of the earth couldn't seem to stop yawning. She'd dozed during the preceding night but had never really slept. She found a comfortable place at the feet of the hunter where he sat on a rock. She knew she couldn't stay here long since the meat would need tending soon, but it was good to rest for now. She put her cheek against the hunter's thigh. Just a moment to rest, she promised herself. She fell asleep almost at once. The golden hunter of the forest picked her up and carried her to her blankets. When he would have left her she moaned and clung to him.

"Stay with her, my friend," the half god whispered. "I'll tend the meat until I can't stay awake then I'll wake you to take over."

The hunter smiled at his friend. "Thanks, Herc."

A night bird called to the moon that hung over the horizon as an orange ball, and the demigod made himself more comfortable by the fire. He shook the pot and was rewarded with the sound of plenty of tea to help keep him awake during the night. He pushed the pot closer to the fire to warm.

They'd made their camp near a small stream. The man who was also half god could hear the pleasant sound of the water as it rushed over the rocks and pebbles that made up its bed. How many nights had the three of them camped like this? It was hard to believe the hunter had found the empath nearly eight years ago. She looked no different now than she had then. She seemed not to age at all. But then, he had to admit the hunter hadn't really changed either. Sira had told him once that it was not unheard of for a human mate of a yosemin to share at least part of the earth people's longevity through the tie of soul. He wondered if this might not be so in his friend's case. He dared to hope it might be.

He let his mind dwell on the son of his half brother. Evander must be nearly three now. He and Iolaus had been on an extended hunting trip while Sira stayed with Hercus and Thysis at his cave, when they'd first learned that Ares had fathered a son with the gods' former executioner.

The demigod remembered again how he'd felt when Nemesis told him the child was his. He knew it was more than possible. He'd never found it easy to keep his hands off his childhood sweetheart. He'd been eleven the first time he'd kissed her. It was his first kiss and he knew he'd never forget it.

"We're coming, Nemesis," he whispered into the night. "We'll find him for you."

The empath brought a mug of tea to the demigod and lightly touched his arm to wake him. He opened his eyes to dazzle her with a blue brilliance. "Morning, sleepy head," she teased.

He raised up on one elbow to accept the tea. "Is it morning already?" he asked, smothering a yawn.

She chuckled at him. "I am sorry I was of no help tending the meat during the night."

"It's all right. I dozed for a bit by the fire then woke your husband to finish the job. Speaking of which, where is he?"

"He is bathing at the stream. I have completed my bath, and the first meal of the day is ready."

"You should have awakened me sooner. I don't want to hold us up."

"You will not. Once we have eaten you can bathe while Iolaus and I break camp."

The hunter came striding across the late summer grass now brown with age. "Was I being talked about?"

"It was only good things we said," the healer teased.

"Well, of course. What bad things could you find to talk about? On second thought, don't answer that question."

"In truth," the demigod stated, "I was telling your wife how beautiful she is. I was trying to convince her to come away with me, but you returned much too soon."

"She'd never do that, anyway. Once you've had the best, why settle for the rest?"

"She hasn't had the best, yet. I told you, you came back too soon."

"If you two do not stop fighting over me, I will simply go away with Ares. He knows how to treat a woman the way she deserves."

The hunter sent her a shocked look. "Really? Well, I never." The healer laughed at his foolishness then went to give him a kiss. "So you think you can buy my regard with a few kisses, do you?"

"It has always worked before," she offered.

He swatted her bottom. "I have a good mind to beat you like that ruby giving, dirty old man from the island suggested."

"If I remember correctly, he offered me a safe haven from your tyranny."

"Next you'll be telling me he knew better how to treat a woman."

She laughed at him. "Maybe he could give you a lesson or two, at that."

They went slower today since they were climbing. The horses might tire too quickly if they were pushed very hard. They stopped once to water the horses and let them take a breather then traveled on. Midday found them in a high mountain meadow. A spring bubbled up from among a jumble of rocks to form a tiny brook.

The healer served melon, cheese, and the last of the bread to appease their hunger.

"We'll stay for a bit to let the horses rest," the son of Zeus suggested. "Then we'll make a few more miles before we stop for the night." A strong breeze blew his shoulder length, sandy brown hair across his face and he looked to the sky. The blue of earlier was gone behind graying clouds.

"Yes, my brother, you are right. It will rain before the night is past."

"There's a tavern not too far ahead where we might shelter for the night."

The hunter covered a yawn, then taking his blanket from his pack he rolled up in it and promptly went to sleep. "Why do you not sleep also, my brother? I will wake you in a little while."

He smiled at her. "I'm fine. But thanks for thinking of me."

She smiled back and set about finishing the clean up from their meal. She hummed a tune as she worked. She looked up to catch the demigod watching her. "What?" she laughed at him.

"I was just thinking how beautiful you look."

"You tell such stories."

"I wasn't telling a story. I meant it." She sent her mind to him, letting her love for this man who also shared a part of her soul touch him. He knew what she was thinking. "And what woman would live in the woods and share me with you?"

The empath frowned. "You are right; my hold on you is unfair. I have been selfish. We can start to build some barriers on our mind's touch. It will take time and it will not be easy. But we are both strong of mind. We could do it."

The big man had stretched out on the grass, one elbow bracing him up. Now he sat up. "Sira, I was only teasing you."

"I know. Still, you are right. I have enjoyed our closeness so much that I have done nothing to ease our bond, even though it has kept you from finding happiness with another."

The big man rose and crossed the camp to take her into his arms. "No, my more than sister. I want no restrictions on our bond. You and Iolaus have made me feel loved and needed. You, Sira, have filled a place in my heart that was empty and sore. I'm most content with my life in the forest and with the feeling we have for each other." He heaved a sigh. "I do miss the physical needs of my body being met by a woman I have given my heart to. But as for love, that is never lacking. There may yet be a woman out there for me, the earth willing. Still, I really have no desire to hasten things along. You're right in what you're thinking. I do find you very stimulating, not just because I have chosen to do without a woman, but because we are so close." He tightened his arms around her then held her away from him to study her face. "Please don't put a restraint on this or on me because you think you're being unfair to me. I don't think I could stand that."

She closed her eyes for a moment. "All right, my brother. You well know my feelings for you. You must, however, promise me that should you wish to be free of the bond between us, that you will tell me. I will do everything in my power to release you."

"Do you really believe it could be done so easily when we've become so close?"

"No. It would not be easy." She gave him an earnest look. "The grief we would feel would be very real." She put her arms around him and he kissed her hair. "It would tear my soul apart," she whispered.

He tightened his arms around her. His mind and his soul reached out to her and she sent her own feeling to him in return. It was enough for him to know she had been willing to try and do this for him. But like her, he knew it would tear his soul to do so.

"I could never willingly release you completely, my more than brother. Never."

"Nor I you, my more than sister."

When they left their place of nooning, they headed into the approaching storm. Wind beat at them as if to hold them from their quest. The hunter pulled his cloak tightly around him in a vain attempt to shield himself from the draft of cold air that seemed to crawl beneath the fabric of their body's coverings like worms in freshly turned soil.

Bright streaks of light cut across the ever darkening clouds in fury, and the sound it made shook the earth beneath its might. The rain seemed reluctant to release its hold on the heavens and the travelers continued on, grateful for the moisture's stubborn stance.

They walked the horses for a time, then mounted again and moved ahead. "The inn can't be far ahead, now!" the half god shouted over his shoulder to be heard over the roar of the tempest that thrashed them with its powerful breath.

They crossed a knoll and the inn sat before them on another ridge only slightly lower than the one they sat their horses on. The yosemin put her moccasins over her brown spotted feet then nodded to the demigod. He knew his sister never liked being among a large gathering of people. In compassion he sent his mind to her and she looked up to smile at him.

They stopped at the stable with the horses. "Looks like we're not the only travelers to seek the shelter of the inn," the hunter offered. "The stable's crowded, but I'll find a place for the horses. Go ahead and see if they have any rooms left."

The half god took the empath's hand and turned to head toward the tavern. As he did the first few drops of rain fell. The innkeeper looked up from his game of chips to nod at them. "Be right with you. I've almost got this game sewed up."

The chips were played once more and the innkeeper shouted in triumph. The other man mumbled in annoyance. "Don't know why I play ya, anyway. I never win this damned game."

"Don't feel too bad. It's not that you're unlucky. I'm just a better player." The innkeeper laughed and slapped his opponent on the back. "Let me help these good people and I'll win another round from you."

"Not me. I've had enough. I'm headed home before the storm gets any worse."

"You'll get yourself thoroughly wet, my old friend."

"It won't be any worse a bath than the one you've given me in chips," the farmer grumbled.

The innkeeper laughed good naturedly at his friend's back then turned to the healer and the demigod. "Looking for a room, for the night, are you?"

"Yes. For myself, my sister and one other."

"Well, you're late in arriving, my friends. There's only the one room left and it's my best. Seventy five dinars and it's yours."

"That's outrageous," Hercules objected. "No room's worth that."

"Maybe you think you can find someplace else to shelter before the storm hits in earnest?"

"We could sleep in the barn," Sira suggested.

"I'm afraid that's already been taken. Seems no one wants to pay the asking price for my best room. Tell you what I'll do. For the seventy five dinars I'll throw in a free meal. That's a fair deal, isn't it?"

"No room's worth seventy five dinars."

"Well, that's the offer. You could stay in the public room for ten dinars, but it's going to be damn crowded tonight."

"So," the healer smiled at the innkeeper, "you like to play chips?"

"I'm the best." he bragged.

"I am better," the girl stated. The man laughed good naturedly. "You doubt me?"

"Women can't play chips."

"All right, then. Best two out of three?" she challenged.

"You wouldn't stand a chance."

"Are you afraid to find out?"

"I just wouldn't want to embarrass you, is all."

The empath smiled at him. "I am not the one who will be embarrassed. Shall we make it more interesting? If I win, we get the room and two meals for twenty dinars. If you win, we pay double your asking price."

The man laughed again. "You can't be serious. Either way I get the best deal."

"Yes. But we get a room for a reasonable price, and I get the pleasure of knocking some wind out of your sails."

"Double my asking price?"

"Double."

"My mother didn't raised no fool. You're on."

The healer started to move to the table but the demigod put a hand on her arm to stop her. "Sira, you don't have to do this. We can find a place in the hills. We've done it before."

"Do not worry, my brother. I will enjoy beating this arrogant wind bag."

The big man chuckled. He realized the healer had challenged the man more to best him than to get a cheaper room. He almost felt sorry for the man. "Don't be too hard on him, my sister."

"Humph. He deserves what he gets." The girl took the seat across from the innkeeper. "Your chips. You may deal out."

The man laughed. "I'm gonna enjoy this."

The hunter entered the inn shaking the rain from his golden locks. "What's that all about?" He pointed to the healer and the innkeeper where they played at the small round wooden table.

"Your wife's being a warrior again." Iolaus raised his eyebrows at this and the demigod explained further.

Iolaus chuckled. "He doesn't stand a chance."

The big man nodded in agreement. "Come on, I'll buy you a mug of ale." The hunter grinned a snowy white smile and followed his friend to the counter that did duty as a bar. "Ale for my friend and tea for me," the half god ordered from the innkeeper's wife.

"Why's the lady doing this? Does she enjoy paying far too much for an already over priced room?"

"How much does he usually get for his best room?"

"No more than twenty dinars. It is our best, but he only asks for so much when he knows the weather makes the room worth the price."

"Well, bad weather or not, I guess my sister didn't think the room was worth the price."

"She can't hope to win."

"Watch," the demigod advised.

The innkeeper moaned and the healer gave him a smug look of satisfaction when she won the first hand. "It's luck, that's all," the man reassured himself.

"It is not luck. I am just a better player."

The sarcasm of the remark went unnoticed by the innkeeper. "We'll see, lady. We'll see." The second game was won just as easily as the first game and the healer started to rise.

"Wait. You said three games.

"I said best two out of three. I have already bested you."

"Okay, fine, you've won your bet, but we can still play." She shrugged and handed him the chips. "Damn!" he swore when he was defeated a third time. "I can tell you're playing fair. I almost wish you were cheating."

"I told you I was a better player."

"All right. Shall we wager a little more on this next game? Shall we say, winner takes all?"

"I have proven that I am better. Why keep playing?"

"Cause I'm gonna get you, yet. I have a reputation to uphold."

"Very well. If I win, the room is free. We get two free meals and all the refreshment we can drink. The stabling of the horses and the feed to keep them is also free." She smiled at his look of incredulous disbelief. "You did say winner takes all."

"Then when you lose, you'll pay triple for the room, there'll be no free meals or refreshments and you'll pay the full price for the horses."

"That sounds more than fair."

The man wore a smug look. I've got her now, he thought.

A crowd had gathered to watch the game. Many of the people here had felt the innkeeper's arrogance, themselves. Most of them were rooting for the healer.

The half god son of Zeus, the golden hunter of the forest, and the earth's chosen one enjoyed a fine meal of roast mutton and potatoes. There was tea and cider to wash it down and fresh melon for dessert. The three of them were shown to their room by the innkeeper's wife. She was less than friendly.

Once the door to the room was shut the hunter picked the healer up to twirl her around. "That was the best free meal I've ever had." He looked about him. "It's not a bad room for free, either. You were wonderful, my little yosemin. I loved the look on that fool's face when you beat him the fourth time. Then when he wanted to keep playing and you beat him again." The hunter laughed. "If his wife hadn't insisted he stop, you'd have owned this inn before the night was over."

"I did take unfair advantage of him."

"No, you didn't," the demigod stated. "You're just a better player. You can remember what's already been played and can use your intelligence to predict what's most likely to be played next. That's what being a good player is all about." He gave her a smile. "Unless of course you used your telepathy to cheat."

"Of course I did not cheat. There would be no victory, no satisfaction in cheating."

"And you thoroughly enjoyed yourself, didn't you?"

"Of course. He had it coming. And that look on his face was very satisfying. I would hate to be him tonight when his wife can get him alone."

The men laughed. "I wonder if we should offer him our protection?" the hunter mused. "She looks pretty tough." He plopped on the bed and held his arms out to the healer.

The demigod let his breath out in a puff of resignation. "I take it I get the floor tonight?"

"It's all yours, old friend." The hunter laughed.

"I should have had Sira win me my own room."

The rain on the roof was a pleasant thing, and lulled by its soft whisperings the healer slept. It was not yet light when she woke. She felt refreshed and alive. Too alive. She knew she'd never return to sleep now. Carefully, so that she wouldn't wake the hunter she slipped from the bed they'd shared. The room was cold and she shivered with the bone chilling cold that could only possess a person just rising from a warm comfortable bed.

She poured the cold water from a pitcher on the washstand into the large pottery bowl left for the purpose and washed herself in the icy water. The rain had settled into a steady light drizzle that made a soft sound as it caressed the tavern. The girl completed her bath then let herself quietly out of their room. She was glad they hadn't agreed to sleep in the public room. There was little or no space left, and the noise of many snorting and snoring in their sleep was painful to the girl's ears.

Leaving the inn she stood for a moment in the rain, her face turned up to feel the gift the sky gave to its lover, the earth, then she went to the stable to check on the horses. The hunter had put the three of them in one large stall at the back of the barn then stayed to make sure they were fed, watered, and curried. The healer found oats in a wooden barrel near the door and gave each horse some of the grain. Their travel today wouldn't be an easy one. The roads and hillsides would be muddy and slippery. She knew the horses would need the added stamina the grain would bring them.

She stayed to pet and comb each of them, letting her mind touch theirs. The earth mother provided the animals for her children's use, but there was no harm in letting those put here to serve know their service was appreciated.

The empath sensed someone coming and stood quietly beside the horses. It was a fellow guest from the inn. One who'd been too free with the ale the night before. He'd been noisy and annoying during the chips games she'd played with the innkeeper. Then while she'd eaten he kept giving her leering looks that she ignored.

"You're up mighty early, pretty thing. I watched you standing out there in the rain. What were you doing?"

Sira found it hard to see how this was any of the man's business, but she held her tongue. With a mental squaring of her shoulders she pulled the earth's power to her and pooled it behind a barrier ready to unleash should she find it necessary. "I was just enjoying the rain," she replied.

"I was enjoying you. You must be cold now, though. How's about I warm you up, pretty thing?"

The girl could feel the trouble in this man. "You really do not want to do this," she warned.

He rubbed his hand over the dark stubble on his chin. "I think maybe I do."

"No, believe me, you really do not want to do this." She sent her mind out as he took a step toward her. It wasn't enough to stop him, but it should have been a warning.

He seemed not to take notice and the girl strengthened her mind. "I want you to pet me like you're petting those horses." He laughed at his own wit and took another step. He frowned at the touch of her mind on his, but came toward her anyway.

Sira stepped away from the horses and stood ready. "I will not warn you again."

He lunged at her. She stepped into his lunge, her mind blasting out in a crippling blow. Grabbing his arm she shifted her weight to use her body as a lever and flipped the man over her shoulder to land with a thud on the stable floor. Her mind's force bombarded his with pain and he screamed, both hands on his head as if to hold it on his body.

The stable door flew open and the demigod stood half dressed in the light thrown through the open door.

"What goes on here?" He grabbed the man to his feet and shook him violently. "What were you up to?" The empath backed her mind away a little bit and sent her thoughts to her brother of the soul. "You flipped him?" The big man laughed. He shook the man again.

"Leave me be. Can't you see she done hurt me bad?"

"You should have heeded my warning," the girl told him.

The demigod shook him again.

"I didn't hurt her," the man pleaded. "I only wanted a kiss, anyway."

"There was more than a kiss on your perverted mind." The healer blasted him again.

The son of Zeus cringed. "Please, my sister," he said in pain.

"Sorry."

The hunter burst through the door. "What happened?"

The demigod shook the man again. "This fool tried to hurt Sira. She blasted him with her mind and flipped him to the ground."

The hunter went white, then red. "I'll kill him." His declaration was delivered in a menacing growl.

"I think your wife has punished him enough, my friend."

The child of the forest could feel her husband's emotions. She went to stand before him and took his hands in hers. "All is well, my soul. He did not harm me. Let your anger go."

He pulled her into his arms. "I'm sorry, my love."

"You do not need to be sorry. The workout has invigorated me." She smiled at him.

"How can you joke?"

"You should have seen me. I flipped him so easily. You would have been proud of me."

He tightened his grip on her then buried his face in her hair. "If he'd hurt you�" He didn't complete his thoughts with words, but his mind on hers said much.

"I was foolish to come here alone."

The man began to struggle and the demigod shook him again for good measure. "Let me go. I can't breathe."

"Maybe I should turn you over to my friend," the demigod suggested," or let Sira handle you."

"Let me go."

The demigod brought his balled up fist down on the man's head in a powerful blow as he released the man with his other hand. The would be assailant crumbled to the floor in a heap. The big man bent to take a hold on the seat of his pants and the back of his shirt and sent him sailing into the stall across the barn to land in a pile of manure.

He slapped his hands together to rid them of dust then turned a self satisfied smirk on his friends. "So, shall we get that free breakfast the innkeeper owes us?"

The rain had stopped by the time they left the inn. They turned northwest when they left the gate in the wall around the inn. They stuck to higher ground to try and avoid at least some of the mud. The horses were rested and wished to be given their heads but they held them back. They knew the horses would need their strength before the day was out.

Midday found them on a high ridge standing like a sentinel over the valley they would cross to reach Bivale. The morning had been cold and damp, but by midday the clouds had burned away enough that the sun could warm the earth at least a little.

They found a place to stop that wasn't too muddy. Sira unpacked the last of their venison and served it with bread they'd brought from the inn. The water in the small river they stopped by was too muddy for their use, but the horses didn't seem to care. The travelers quenched their thirst with water from their flasks.

They didn't stay long. The ridge was too high. They needed to reach lower ground before night came to claim the earth.

Their descent was dangerous, as the horses slipped and slid in the mud. Before they'd gone far, all three of them were covered in mud. The horses were blowing hard when they made the valley floor.

They dismounted to let the horses walk. The mud here was even worse and they plodded along wearily. The sky had clouded over once more and a light mist came to plague them further. They found themselves climbing slightly and the footing became better as the terrain became rockier. Mounting again they rode on, looking now for a place to stop for the night. They found a rocky overhang that would afford them at least a partial shelter. There were three large pools of rain water that had gathered in deep indentations in the surrounding rocks and a wooded area to provide them with wood.

"I say we stop here," the hunter suggested. "There's no way of knowing if we'll find a better place. And I, for one, am beat." The healer, not waiting for the demigod's answer slid from her horse's back to stretch tired muscles.

The big man smiled at his friend and did the same. The healer took her pack from her horse, and not caring who might see she went to one of the pools. Removing her muddy clothing she began to splash the water over her with a gourd she'd brought for the purpose.

The hunter shook his head and headed out of camp to gather wood while the demigod brushed the horses before leading them to water. When they'd had their fill he picketed them on some grass near the trees and returned to camp.

Sira had the fire going and tea ready by the time he got back. She brought him a mug of the dark brown brew. "I have left clean things out for you and Iolaus by the pool. While you bathe, I will fix our meal."

He kissed her cheek and headed to the rocks to take a bath. The hunter was just finishing when he arrived.

Sira cut up the rabbits the hunter's bow had provided, and slicing the meat from the bones she put it in a pot of boiling water. Taking the dirty clothing and the roots she'd gathered to the pool they'd used to bathe in she washed both. She hung the clothing in bushes to dry then returned to camp to add the roots to the stew she was making.

She felt the dread creep over her like a thick moist fog over a still pond. She saw the woman standing in the smoky candlelight, her pale face fringed by black hair, her lips black in the deceptive light. And before the woman lay children dead and dying. Beside her, in a place of honor rested a magnificent sword.

I must save the children, the healer thought, but her thoughts were thrown back at her to haunt her with the impossibility of doing so. "Let them go," she begged, but the woman only laughed at her. "Take me instead."

"No, my sister!" Ares called to her. But it wasn't the Ares she knew. He seemed weakened somehow.

"They must be saved, my brother. No matter the cost, we must save them. They do not deserve their fate."

"I can't help them or you, Sira. Not anymore. I can't help them."

The healer woke with a start and lay trembling beside the hunter. The dream had left her feeling lost in the pain of death. A death she somehow felt responsible for.

She sat up to pull her knees up under her chin. A sound behind her made her jerk around before she realized it was just the hunter's hand moving on the tarp they'd put down to protect them from the worst of the mud. She felt flighty and nervous. With a quick look around with her eyes and her mind to reassure herself there was nothing unusual in the night she rose to replenish the fire. She pushed the pot of tea closer to the flames to heat. She felt the need of the stimulation the heady brew could bring her.

Still disturbed by her dream she let her mind feel for the dark warrior god. He was there strong and powerful, and the girl relaxed a little. "I have got to stop believing every dream I have is a sign of things to come," she whispered. Still, she reasoned in her mind, I only seem to have disturbing dreams when we are into something dangerous. "Damn," she swore under her breath. Removing the tea from the fire she poured herself a mug and sat cradling it in her cold hands. What she really wanted was a drink of water, but she wasn't about to venture from camp to get to the pools. The demigod's flask was closer. With a shrug she took a long drink then replaced the cork and returned it to the big man's things. I am acting like a baby, she told herself, but it did little to dispel the fear the dream had left her with.

She finished her tea then returned to her blankets and the warmth the hunter offered. She slid beneath the blankets and he pulled her into his arms. With a sigh of contentment at his closeness she began to relax. She didn't think she'd sleep again, but she did, and this time her dreams were not disturbed.

The half god son of Zeus was the first up. The morning was sunny and cold. He left his blankets to put wood on the fire and make a quick run to the woods then took to them again. He laid in the sun feeding wood to the fire. "Why do people always need our help in the winter?" he grumbled under his breath. After a bit he rose and started water to heat for tea. His cloak hung open now. He wasn't sure if the day had grown warmer or if the activity had started his blood flowing. He put a pot of water on to heat. When it was boiling he dropped grain in and stood stirring it for a bit before removing it from the fire.

The hunter rolled over and shot him a suspicious look. "Is it as cold out there as it looks?"

"Colder."

The golden one moaned. "That's what I figured." He pulled the covers over his head.

The demigod laughed. "I've got some nice hot tea ready."

"I don't want that until I visit the woods, and it's too cold to leave my bed."

"Then I guess you've got a problem, my friend."

The hunter sighed in resignation and left his bed. He quickly pulled his boots on, then pulling his cloak around him he made a dash to the woods. When he returned he readily accepted the tea the demigod held out to him. "I tell you, it's times like these I wish we were back at the cabin."

"All snug and warm in your little bed?"

"You got it."

"Yeah, I was just thinking the same thing."

The healer sat up to dazzle the men with a wide smile. She looked around her as she stretched. "It is a beautiful day." She rose, and not bothering to cover her feet or use her cloak she also visited the woods, then returned for the tea the demigod handed to her.

"Aren't you cold?" the hunter accused.

"No. I was up in the night. It was cold then, but it is not cold now."

"Humph," was her husband's reply.

The demigod laughed. "You were up in the night? Is everything all right?"

"Yes. I had a bad dream, is all."

The men exchanged looks over the girl's head. They were fully aware that the child of the forest only had bad dreams when her mind was touched by the perception of danger. "Care to tell us about it?" the big man asked.

"No. I refuse to give the dream credit. Until I have more dreams or find a reason to believe this one was a sign from mother earth, I plan to forget it."

The men again exchanged looks. It was unlike Sira to question a dream. They'd both felt her fear of what she'd seen in her subconscious state despite her attempt to shield these emotions.

The half god took up a bowl and spooned some of the cooked grain into it then handed it to the healer. "Well, let's eat up and hit the trail. We should be able to reach Bivale by this afternoon."

Sira sent a silent thanks to her brother of the soul for not insisting on pursuing the conversation about her dream. She just wasn't ready to share it yet. If what she'd seen were to come to pass, the pain of so many children lost in death would tear her apart. Death of any kind touched her sensitive heart and soul deeply, but the death of a child, a new life with so much ahead of it, ripped a hole in her too deep for the scar to ever heal completely.

Their travel was much easier today, the mud less of a problem. They let the horses set their own pace as they climbed the gentle incline that would take them to one of the main roads into the village of Bivale. When the village was first thought of as such and not just a few scattered farms, it was called Cellos, after its oldest citizen. Then when more and more people saw the advantage of the fertile valley and the two trails through the mountains became established roads, the village was renamed. Some people wanted the village named for the two roads that intersected through the town center. Others thought it should be named for the valley. Bivale was finally chosen since bi means two and vale means valley. Both the roads and the valley were mentioned in the simple name and people were happy with the compromise.

The earth's child covered her feet before they entered the bustling little community. They left their horses with a boy paid to keep an eye on them and entered the market. Sira had been unable to get a feel for the gods' former executioner, and her calls for Ares to show them the way had brought her a sense of him but nothing else.

The empath did get a sense of something or someone else and she was beginning to believe it might be Evander, himself. She hoped this was the case. It would make it much easier to locate him.

The demigod went one way, the hunter and the healer another. They approached a stall with a sign over it reading "F. Salt, Esquire."

"Fish and chips," a man called to the shoppers. "Fish and chips wrapped in parchment."

"Falafel?" the hunter questioned.

"Ah, my friend. You must try my fish and chips. They're the greatest."

"Fish and chips?" the hunter asked in skepticism.

Falafel nodded. "Wrapped in parchment. They're on the house to such a good friend."

The hunter smiled at him. "We're not that good of friends."

"I would like to try it," the healer stated. "It sounds very good."

"No, Sira. Believe me, you don't want to try it."

"But why? It does smell good."

"She's right," the cook stated. "It is delicious. The fish is dipped in a light batter and fried in hot animal fat. The potatoes are pealed, sliced long way and fried in the same fat." He kissed his fingertips. "It's mouth watering."

"No, thank you," Iolaus shook his head. "Do you know where we might find Nemesis?"

"Of course, my friends. Buy my fish and chips and I'll tell you the way."

The hunter laughed. "We'll pass, but thank you anyway." He took the healer's arm and began to lead her away.

"Wait, my friend," Falafel called. "Go south from town, and when you come to a gnarled pine, turn right down the track. You'll come to Nemesis' hut." The hunter waved by way of thanks and they went in search of the demigod.

"Why did you not want to try your friend's fish and chips?" the healer asked.

"I've tried his food before. It's just not worth taking a chance on your health."

The healer smiled. "I see."

They found the son of Zeus back at the horses. He'd also found someone to give him directions. "I must have asked two dozen people before someone could direct me," the big man offered as he mounted his horse.

"You are bothered by this, my brother?" The empath could sense disquiet from her brother of the soul.

"It's not that big a village. Unless she's only been here a short time or she's living in seclusion, why didn't anyone know where she lives?"

"Well, " the hunter offered, "I guess we'll know soon enough. This looks like the gnarled old pine Falafel told us about."

"Yes," the healer nodded. "This is it."

"You sense her now, don't you, my sister?"

"I sense her pain." The hunter reached for her hand and she moved her horse closer to take it. "Let us hurry," the girl whispered.

The hunter turned to the demigod. "As out of the way as this place is, maybe you're right. And Nemesis is living in seclusion."

"But why?"

They rode on in silence, going deeper into a wooded area. The track turned to avoid a large outcropping of rock, and before them was a small hut set among tall scrub pines and oak.

The hut had seen better days. As they approached, an old yellow dog rose from his place before the door and moved toward them. He looked friendly enough, but Sira sent her mind to him to make sure.

She slid to the ground to pat the graying muzzle. "Thanks for the welcome, old timer."

A tall dark haired woman stepped to the door of the hut. "Hercules?" she whispered. "Hercules." She began to shake uncontrollably. The big man went to her and took her into his arms and she began to sob. "Ares said you were coming, but I didn't believe him. He said you could help find Evander."

"It's all right, Nemesis. We're here to do what we can."

"He's been gone so long."

"Shh, we'll find him."

"I've heard nothing in days. Ares came to tell me you'd agreed to help, but I haven't seen him since."

"Well, we're here now." He turned her to face the others. "Iolaus, you know. This is his wife, Sira. If anyone can find Evander, it's her."

The empath gave the mother a smile of compassion. "I will do everything in my power to find your son."

"What can you do that others can't?"

The words were not spoken kindly. Sira knew where the anger came from, however. The mother was afraid to put any hope in anyone. If she did, and they failed her also, she would have no hope left.

She came to lay a hand on Nemesis' arm. "I am telepathic and clairvoyant. The earth gives me this power and I have been able to use it to find people before. If I can get a feel for your son, there is a very good chance I can find him." Nemesis looked skeptically at her then looked to the demigod who still had an arm around her. "Ares knows of my ability," the healer continued. "That is why he came to us."

"Is this just another of his tricks?"

The demigod was angry now. "Look, we came here to help. Being rude to Sira is uncalled for. Even if you don't trust Ares, you know you can trust me. Sira can help."

"I'm sorry. It's just�" She began to cry again.

The healer smiled at her brother of the soul. "Stay with her. I will see if I can get a feel for Evander from his things."

Sira entered the cottage. It was neatly kept despite the fact that the plaster on the inside was crumbling from the bricks that made up the walls. The healer opened the shutters on both the small windows to let in light then stood looking about her, letting her eyes adjust to the dim light in the old hut. She moved to the counter under the window to pick up a small cup that she knew belonged to a child. She held it a moment then replaced it. She moved to a small chair sitting near the fireplace. Kneeling before it she put her hands on the wooden seat and closed her eyes. With a sigh she stood to look about her once more. Near the bed in the corner was a smaller bed, pushed beneath to save what little space the small hut afforded its owner. Sira went to her knees and pulled the bed out. The moment her hands touched the wicker sides of the child's bed she gasped. The something she'd felt since talking with Ares flooded over her. The child was felt so strongly through her sensitive soul. His mind was strong indeed.

She could feel the child calling to his mother and tears filled the empath's eyes. Her first impulse had been to pull away from the feelings that flooded over her. Instead, she placed both hands on the mattress and opened her mind. The sense of evil she'd felt in her dream swept in to take the place of the frightened child's feelings.

The image she'd seen in her dream filled her mind once more. Her hands slid over the mattress to the tiny pillow and the healer raised the soft head rest to her nose to deeply inhale the scent of the little demigod she must find. His image was there for her to see, and the tears fell from her chin to stain the soft cloth of the bed. "We will find you, little one," she whispered. "Do not lose hope."

She shook with the emotions that assailed her entranced mind and soul. With a sob that tore at the hunter's heart the healer returned the pillow to the bed. As she did her hand brushed something lost between the mattress and the wicker sides of the bed. Again the child's emotions were lost to the hate and anger of another. The girl removed a black Onyx amulet set with a silver sword. At the bottom of the sword blade, three tear shaped rubies were set in a line. Their significance was clear. They were there to represent the spilling of blood. The leather cord that had held the amulet around the thin pale neck of a woman who might have been beautiful, if not for the evil that corrupted her from the inside out, was broken.

Had the child struggled with his captor and wrenched the amulet from her? Or had she done so herself, leaving it as a calling card?

The hunter came to kneel beside the woman he loved. He'd wanted to sooner, but feared he might disturb her or the sense of the child she hoped to touch with her mind.

She looked up at him with eyes filled with anguish and fear as she handed him the amulet. He took it and turned it to the light to see it better. His eyes met hers. "No," she shook her head. "It does not belong to Ares. I sense nothing of him in this."

"But you do sense someone, don't you?"

"Yes."

"Do you have Evander?"

"Yes, very strongly. He is frightened and misses his mother, but he seems unharmed. I will be able to follow his thoughts."

The hunter rose and offered her a hand up. She took it, but rather than just standing up she melted into his arms. She needed the strength his love would give her. He held her as her mind began to clear. He could feel the difference in her not only by the touch of his mind on hers, but by the way she now stood more on her own feet than leaning on him for support.

She pulled back. "Come, we must tell Nemesis that her son is well."

The demigod had deliberately kept the former executioner outside the hut. He didn't want her to disturb Sira, but he also didn't want her to see Sira's reaction should the healer perceive death in her search for the little demigod. He knew before his sister of the soul left the hut that his nephew was alive and breathed a sigh of relief.

The healer came to take the former god's hands in hers. "He is alive, Nemesis. I have touched his mind and I will be able to follow it to him."

The dark haired girl searched her eyes, afraid to believe her and afraid not to. "He� He's alive?"

"Yes."

"You couldn't be wrong?"

"No. I would know it he had gone to the earth."

The girl began to tremble. "You can find him for me?" Her voice broke and Sira pulled her into her arms.

"His mind is very strong. I will find him easily."

The demigod turned to the hunter, a broad smile on his face. The golden one handed him the amulet. "What's this?"

"Sira found it in Evander's bed"

The big man raised his eyebrows. "Does she know who it is?"

"I'm not sure. She says it wasn't Ares."

Sira held her hand out to her brother and he came to her. She reached for the amulet. "Nemesis, have you ever seen this before?" She held the macabre piece out to the former executioner.

"No. I've never seen it before." She shivered at the sight of the piece and refused to touch it.

The shadows had begun to lengthen. With a sigh the healer searched the demigod's eyes. She let him know with her mind that they must talk, but preferred to do so when Nemesis was not present.

"Let's get something to eat," the big man suggested. "We'll all feel better with a good meal under our belt."

The hunter took up an ax near a pitifully small woodpile. With a shrug at the edge on the ax he took a shale stone from his pack. Sitting on a log he began to put an edge on the ax.

"There's nothing to eat," the former god whispered. "I haven't hunted since Evander�" She turned away, not able to complete her statement.

The demigod took up the hunter's bow, and with a salute of two fingers to his temple he headed into the woods.

Nemesis returned to the hut and Sira followed. She could feel the dark haired girl's fatigue. "Try to rest," the empath suggested.

"I can't. I've tried. When I lay down my mind is flooded with� With�"

Sira took her hand and led her to the bed. She insisted Nemesis lay down, then took a place at her head. "Try and relax. I will help you to leave it behind for a bit."

A tear slipped from the corner of the girl's closed lids. "When will you go for him?"

"In the morning. We will make a start in the morning."

"You're sure he's alive?"

"I am sure."

"He must be so frightened."

"He has a very strong mind; he will be all right."

The healer put her fingers to the girl's temples and moved them in a slow circle. Her mind touched that of the former executioner, willing her to relax and sleep. She knew Nemesis had barely eaten or slept since her son had been snatched from his bed. She'd grown weak with the lack of food and rest, not to mention her emotional state.

With the help of the earth the healer soothed the girl to sleep. When she was sure she would stay asleep the healer left the hut to watch the hunter at his labor.

He sunk the ax blade in a log and came to the healer. "Nemesis all right?"

"She is sleeping." The empath wrapped her arms around herself. "Her despair runs deep."

"He's all she's got."

"Yes, I have sensed that."

The demigod joined them in the yard, three rabbits slung on a cord dangling from one hand. "Everything all right?"

"Yes. Nemesis is sleeping. I wanted a chance to talk with you both." She took the amulet she'd found in the child's bed from a pocket of her pants. "When I touch this I get a sense of a very powerful woman. The same woman I dreamed about last night. She is pale with dark hair."

"Powerful, like in a god's power?"

"Yes, there is most definitely something about the gods in the sense of her I got from my dream and from the amulet."

The hunter and the demigod looked at each other. "Discord," they said together.

"This is a god?"

"She's the sister of Ares, and maybe even nastier than he is."

"She has Evander," the healer whispered. She searched the demigod's eyes. "She is not your sister?"

"No. She's not a daughter of Zeus, but of Hera."

"Maybe that's where she gets her evil," the healer offered.

"Well, wherever it comes from, she is just that. While Ares is evil, he's at least highly intelligent. I think Discord is a little demented."

"What does she want with Evander?"

The demigod scratched at his chin. "Maybe just the fact that he's Ares' son. They have a kind of love-hate relationship."

"Love-hate?"

"I know what you're thinking. That kind of thing goes on between gods. Hera is actually Zeus' sister."

The girl raised her eyebrows. "We must get Evander back."

"I know, my sister. In the morning we'll leave."

"We may well need Ares to help with this. He, at least, has godly powers of his own to combat hers."

"As much as I hate to say this, you may be right."

The girl nodded. "Tonight I will try to call him here." She sounded tired and the hunter put an arm around her.

"Let's get you something to eat. You're beat."

The former executioner slept on. The healer's light mind's touch soothed her and allowed her to leave her pain and fear behind for a time. The girl's exhaustion did the rest.

The hunter fixed the meal while Sira rested. She found sleeping impossible but she did relax, which gave her time to renew her energy.

It was fully dark by the time the meal was over. While the men cleaned up, the empath went to the grove of trees where they'd picketed the horses. Being near the creatures of the earth always helped her find the earth. Despite the fact that the horses had come from godly powers, they were now of the earth and the healer felt it flow through them.

She stilled her mind and opened it to the god of war. They needed his help, but even more than this the healer wished to let him know the boy was still alive. She called to her brother with the powers the earth granted to her. She sensed his presence before the grove of trees was filled with a bright flash of light.

"My little warrior." He held his hand out to her and she took it willingly. "What have you found?"

"Your son lives, my brother. I have felt him." She could sense his relief.

"You can find him?"

"Yes. His mind is strong."

"Of course. He is my son."

"I sense your thoughts, my brother. You are wrong. Search your heart; you will see that he belongs with his mother."

"He's my son."

"Yes, and as such he should know you and learn to love you as I have. But taking him away from his mother would be wrong."

"He is destined for greatness."

"Of course. But do you really want him raised as you were?"

"Sira." The one word was a warning.

"I feel your love for him, my brother."

The dark warrior god turned away. "Before, when I took him all I could envision was his power; his destiny. Then when I held him. When he was mine for that short time�" He didn't complete his statement.

"You found that you loved him."

"I won't give him up, Sira."

"I am not suggesting you should. But to take him from a mother who can give him the love and protection you were denied as a child would be wrong."

"Damn it. You go too far."

"Why? Because I have seen what made you the way you are today? Do you really want a son that will be like Ares, god of war, or a son who will be like the real you? A son who will be like the real god. A son like my brother of the soul, Ares."

He grabbed her arms in a tight grip. "You've said enough."

She leaned into him. "I love you, my brother. Use your heart and you will do the right thing."

He kissed the top of her head, all anger gone. "Only you would dare to speak to me like this. Only you will I allow to touch my heart in such a way."

"We need your help, my brother." She pulled away and took the amulet from her pocket. "We found this in Evander's bed."

He stepped from the trees to use the moon to see what she handed him. "Discord."

"Yes. We need your godly powers to stop her." The god began to shake. "Not yet, my brother. Together we will go for him." He started to step back and she grabbed for him. "Wait, my brother. I feel there is something more behind this than just a wish to anger you. This Discord is up to something. I have sensed her evil."

"Good bye, my little warrior. I will return him to Nemesis for now."

"Wait, Ares. You must listen to me. Ares!" The god was gone. The healer felt the dread she'd been left with after her dream, deepen. "Go with the earth, my brother."

The healer went to the hut. "Did you contact Ares?" the demigod asked.

"Yes."

"What's happened."

"He has gone after the boy by himself."

"Maybe that's the best thing."

"No." She turned to her brother. "There is more to this than we know. I feel it. We must follow. In the morning we must go after him."

The men exchanged looks. "If that's what you feel is best, then we'll go."

The healer began to pace. "Why could he not have waited?"

The hunter brought her a mug of tea. "It's from our supplies. I couldn't find any tea in Nemesis' things."

The demigod nodded. "I wonder why she lives out here so secluded and without supplies? Why would she choose to live like this?"

The former executioner jumped from the bed. "I didn't choose to live like this. I live like this because I don't have a choice. Can you even begin to imagine how hard it was to be suddenly dropped into mortality and left to fend for myself? I have no skills that will help me in this life. I don't know squat about farming. I can't make even a simple garden grow." She took a deep breath. "I'm doing the best I can. You can't imagine how cruel people can be. I've deliberately kept Evander's origin a secret. Can you imagine the potential for danger in people knowing he's the son of Ares? But even so, he's only a child. He doesn't understand that he shouldn't use his powers, and once he does people are cruel." Tears rolled down her cheeks. "I do the best I can."

The demigod took her in his arms. "I'm sorry, Nemesis. You're right. I have no room to talk. Forgive me."

"I'm tired of being condemned."

Sira put a hand on her arm. "No one is condemning you, my friend. You have been very brave. I wonder if the rest of us could have done so well? Once Evander is home we will stay for a time and help you. There is much to learn. Still, it is something you can learn if you will give learning it the same strength you have shown so far."

The girl nodded. "I'll do what I must to make things better for Evander."

"Good. Now eat. We have saved you some food."

The healer left the hut once more. She went to kneel beside the garden the girl had tried her best to grow. It was on the wrong side of the hut. It didn't get enough of the morning sun and received too much of the hot afternoon sun. Still, it should have grown better. The healer placed her hands on the soil and sent her mind to the earth. She sent healing to the soil and a prayer that it would yield at least something for her new friend's efforts. It was far too late in the season to start a new garden. A pumpkin vine near the girl moved to curl around her wrist, not in bondage, but with a caress.

The demigod came to check on her. He could see her kneeling by the garden with the moonlight glowing about her. She held her hand out to him and he pulled her to her feet. He marveled again at the compassion in this woman. He could feel her concern for Nemesis and Evander. His own feelings of inadequacy swept over him.

"Tomorrow, my brother. We will go for him tomorrow. I promise you we will not leave Nemesis until I know she will be able to take care of herself and your nephew."

"I didn't mean to hurt her feelings. I had no idea she'd had it so hard. I should have been there for her."

"You could not have known."

"Maybe I should have. She was my first love, you know."

"I know. I felt that. But loving her does not mean you can know that she is in trouble."

"I almost wish I were Evander's father."

"Yes. I can understand that. But you cannot blame yourself, my brother."

"It's so strange. Two women come to me and claim me as the father of their sons. Both times I've become attached to the boys, only to find out they aren't mine, after all."

"I understand your pain at learning this. As for two women claiming you as the father, that is easy to understand. There could be no better man to be the father. Both Iolaus and I have been close to death. Should that ever happen, I can think of no one I would rather have as a father to my son than you."

He took a deep breath. "I made that promise to the earth. When we thought Iolaus was gone and you were so sick. I think of him as my son, even now. Our tie is closer than that of blood."

"I am glad, my more than brother."

"We will get Evander back?"

"Yes. I refuse to have it any other way."

He pulled her into his arms. "Oh, Sira."

"I know, my more than brother." She let her love for this very special half god, half man flow to him. "You are cold. Come. The sooner we sleep, the sooner we can make a start in the morning."

"Discord!" The goddess' temple was filled with light.

"Ares. You've taken your own sweet time getting here." Her voice dripped sensuality.

"Where is he, Discord?"

"He's safe." She walked up to him to run a black tipped finger nail down his chest where his vest hung open. "I've missed you," she purred.

"Release him."

"I will. I never meant to harm him anyway." She ran her pointer finger over her lips then across his. He opened his mouth slightly and she touched his tongue with her middle finger.

He took her hand in a tight grip. "What are you up to?"

"You know I can't resist you."

He brought her hand back to his mouth and sucked lightly on her finger. "Now is that any way for a sister to talk to her brother?'

"Since when have the gods cared about such things. We surely never have before." She raised up to take his lips with hers.

"Are you trying to tell me you stole my son to try and lure me here so you could seduce me?"

"You haven't been very attentive lately," she pouted. "I've been lonely." She slid both hands under his vest to caress his flesh. He closed his eyes a moment. Again she touched his tongue with her finger. "I like the way you sucked my finger a moment ago. Do it again."

He felt dizzy for a moment then it passed. He took her lips savagely and she responded in kind. His legs felt weak. He stepped back as another wave of vertigo made him stagger. "What have you done?"

She stepped back and laughed. "I've stolen your godhood, and it was all too easy." He reached out to take a hold on a pillar to steady himself. He felt nauseated and ill. "Who would have believed Brossus would really work. I remember as a kid, my mother refining Ambrosia and swearing the slag would take away godhood while the food of the gods could give it."

"Discord!"

"No. Not Discord. I'm the goddess of war. Your sword will be mine, and with it I will rule as the goddess of war." He made a lunge for her and she backhanded him, sending him flying back. "You're a mortal now, dear brother. Are you sure you want to fight me?" He rose to his feet and she kicked him. "You really are pathetic." She kicked him again, and when he fell at her feet she kicked him in the ribs.

He was lost in pain and illness. The Brossus had not only stolen his godly powers, it had left him ill. She kicked him again, then again when he tried to rise. He couldn't keep his balance. It was gone with his godly powers. Her attack was unrelenting. Over and over she hit and kicked him.

The tiny hidden hut was filled with a strange green light and the healer jumped to her feet. Thunder filled her ears and the room was lit again. The healer screamed.

"Sira?" The hunter put his arms around her. "What is it?"

"Can you not feel it? It is a disturbance." She pulled out of his arms to run to the yard.

"Sira, it's just lightning."

"That's no regular storm," the demigod offered.

The big man ran after the healer. The night sky was clear of clouds. Lightning hit the ground near the healer and the demigod grabbed her to pull her back inside.

"Can you not feel it?!" she shouted to be heard above the sound of thunder. "It is like the very fabric of the world is being torn." She sobbed.

Then as quickly as it had come, it was over. The girl slumped against the demigod.

"It's all right, my sister."

"No. Something is grievously wrong. I can feel it."

He woke to the sun in his eyes. They were tightly closed, and still the light seemed to hurt eyes that felt dry and sore. He opened them reluctantly then closed them quickly. He tried to roll over to shut the light away. His body refused to respond. I've felt like this before. But where? When? I remember this clinging weakness. With a groan for courage he managed to make it to his knees. His head pounded in a rhythm with the pain in the rest of his body. With each surge of pain his stomach threatened to betray him. He tried to look about him then was violently sick. He felt a tearing pain in his side with each convulsion of nausea.

Now he remembered all too well when he'd felt this way before. When he'd lost his godhood and his sword. Then he'd retained some of his powers, however. He was never sure if he'd been mortal, but he remembered being afraid to find out. He could feel pain and illness. But then it wasn't that gods didn't feel these things, only that they could overlook them and make them go away.

Nothing like this weakness had assailed him then. He'd lost his power to heal himself, but some of his strength had remained. Since that time he'd done much to insure he would never again be left so defenseless. He'd strengthened his godly powers with the food of the gods. He'd physically strengthened his body. He'd used his strong mind to hold and store much of the god's powers his heritage gave him.

But now. Now all that was gone as well. He could feel it in his pain and weakness. She hadn't just stolen the sword, she'd truly made a mortal out of him. It was all gone now. Seemingly even the physical strength his strong muscles should have afforded him.

He threw his head back. "No!" he shouted to the morning. "No!" Birds flew up and away at the anguished cry that filled the valley where once Discord's temple had stood.

"The horses are gone," the hunter answered the demigod's question.

The big man had been shocked by the look on his friend's face when he returned from checking on the horses. Now he raised his eyes brows at the hunter. "What do you mean, gone?"

"I mean, gone. No trace, no tracks, no nothing. Like, gone; in poof." He held his hands up as he shook his head.

"He's found Evander and taken him from me," the former executioner interrupted. "I told you he would. He's taken my son."

"No," the healer whispered. "No, something has happened. I cannot touch the mind of Ares. There is something there, vague and distant, but it is not the Ares I know." She turned frightened eyes to the others. "I still sense Evander, and he is with Discord."

The half god came to stand before her. "What are you trying to say?"

"I do not know. We must hurry."

"Where are we going?"

"To find Ares."

"I thought you said you couldn't feel him."

"Then we will search for the something of him I do feel." The men exchanged looks. "I know what you are thinking. I will go alone if I must, but I will find out what has happened. Besides, we still must try to help Evander, with or without Ares." She'd been stuffing her things in her leather pack as she spoke. She slung it over her shoulder and headed toward the door.

"Sira! Wait. Let us at least gather our things," the hunter called to stop her. "We'll come with you." The healer waited, her impatience poorly concealed.

The former god of war woke again. As before, the realization of what had happened to him last night washed over him and threatened to make him ill once more. When he could calm himself he rolled over, and using a rock he pulled himself to his feet. Every move sent pain through his ribs. Weak and dizzy, he sat on the rock to look around him.

It was gone. Discord, the temple, Evander.

"Evander, my son. What have I done?"

Despair shot through him. How will I help him now? I can't leave him with Discord. The thought sent nausea to claim him again. I have to get help.

Sira. She could find him. The others could help. Sira. I must find the empath.

He stumbled to his feet where he stood swaying like a drunken man. He took a step and moaned with the pain it brought him. He took another step. She will be coming from the south. I must head toward her. Where had the sun been this morning? He took a moment to remember. Yes. He took another step. Slowly and painfully he headed toward the south and toward the healer. Why am I so sure she will be coming for me? He shook his head. He didn't know, but believe it he did.

He'd never believed Brossus could steal away godly powers. He'd heard the rumors. All gods had. The refining of Ambrosia had been discontinued because of the potential for danger. It meant the fruit of the gods was only used in its raw form which wasn't always as pure, but since the use of it was discouraged and any of the fruit found was taken by Zeus, himself to be disposed of, not refining it made little difference.

The King of the gods had been incensed that those of godly powers had come to depend on the narcotic-like substance to maintain their powers rather than using their mind and physical strength to enhance them. Just as Ares had done after the loss of his sword, godly powers could be increased. The mind could be trained and the body strengthened. But rather than put out the effort, the gods turned to Ambrosia. It allowed the gods to turn away from rest or sleep, often going for years without taking time to renew themselves naturally with sleep and food. Many had come to believe the needs of the physical forms that housed them made them weak and pitiful. Zeus changed all this when his beloved half human son Hercules had been tempted to use the narcotic-like substance. The Ambrosia was taken and destroyed; the sources of it sealed and hidden.

Still, it could be found on earth itself and there were gods who still had it. Ares had Ambrosia. He'd never used it like so many others had, but having it gave him a sense of power over others and he'd protected it jealously.

"If I could find my temple, I could use the Ambrosia to regain my godhood. Then I could go after my sword. Yes, I must try, but now Evander is more important. I must do what I can for him first. Then it will be my turn."

The half god son of Zeus kept watching the empath. That she was entranced he could easily tell. She walked silently along, her eyes staring ahead, not seeing where she walked, but seeing something with her mind instead. Not that she stumbled. How she could walk so gracefully without even being aware of the trail, he never could understand, but he'd seen her do it before.

He sent his mind to her, not as an intrusion, but more to check on her. He knew she'd been worried and concerned since the freak lightning storm during the night. He'd admitted it was no natural phenomenon. He also admitted he was concerned, himself. The empath pulled his thoughts to her and drew on his strength to try and tap his earthly powers and enhance her own. After a moment she released her hold on him.

"What is it, my sister?"

"I do not know." She turned to look at him and he realized she'd left her trance behind. "I cannot get a true sense of Ares. I feel him, and yet it is not him at all. I believe he is calling to me."

"You think something has happened to him?"

"I do not know. Evander is no longer where he was. The direction has changed. I know Evander is not with his father. Ares went to try and save him from Discord. He has failed in that, at least for the time being. What else might have happened, I do not know."

"Will you still be able to find Discord and Evander?"

"Yes. The boy's mind is strong. It is undirected, but I sense him just the same. He is not calling to me, but his mind's strength makes it possible for me to feel him. He is safe, at least for now."

Nemesis had argued that she should come with them. She'd been convinced that Ares had taken Evander and that he was in more danger now than before. Nothing Sira had said would convince her otherwise. The empath understood how hard it must be to wait for someone else to do something when inaction drove the despair and fear deeper with each passing day. Still, the empath wanted her at the hut in case Ares should succeed in rescuing Evander. The child of the forest was just as convinced that Ares would return the boy as Nemesis was convinced he wouldn't. Should Sira prove to be right, she wanted Nemesis at the hut to receive her son.

There was also the concern for her safety. Discord would prove a worthy adversary, the healer was sure. What good would it do to sacrifice the mother to save the son?

The tall, dark man kept moving despite the pain he felt; a pain both mental and physical that he was ill prepared for. Nothing in his life before this moment had strengthened that part of him. Only once before had anything come close to this kind of numbing reality, and then he had still retained some of the gods about him.

A child comes into the world, their nerves and senses heightened to pain and discomfort. As they grow their minds and bodies build barriers and shields to protect them from the realities of life, both mentally and physically. But a being who'd never had to learn to shield themselves from such things was left defenseless against them.

He felt himself falling. He'd lost count of how many times he'd fallen then forced himself to rise and move on. Sira. The word echoed through his mind. She can help Evander. It had become a chant in time to his faltering step. Sira. She can help Evander.

He hadn't seen the ravine. He'd been lost in his pain and misery. He hit hard and rolled down the rocky bank. His side hit a rocky outcropping, launching him into the air to land hard on his shoulder then roll over and over. He crashed through a tangle of brush that slowed his descent for a moment, then falling from a low cliff he landed in a jumble of rocks.

He cried out in his pain and fear. He couldn't move. He was numb and cold. "Evander." He whimpered the name. The mumbled word gave him strength and he tried again to move. His right leg was on fire. Clawing his way from the rocks more with the strength in his hands than anything he sprawled on a grassy incline gasping for breath. His chest hurt with each breath and the shoulder he'd landed on in his fall throbbed in rhythm to the pain in his head. What if I die here in the middle of nowhere? What if I do? It wouldn't really matter. All I had is gone. Death would be a relief, not a punishment. A sense of peace washed over him. I don't have to struggle. I can just wait here for death to claim me.

He'd shut his eyes. They flew open and he jerked to an upright position. Evander. I can't lose sight of him. He needs me. He tried to move his leg and cried out with the pain. His leather pants were soaked with blood. He reached down to touch a fingertip to the red stain. Blood. My blood. The leg was swollen and pushing painfully against the leather. Through the torn leather he could see the torn and bloody flesh. Nausea swept over him to leave him hot, then cold. How many battlefields have I looked over and never felt anything but pleasure at the gore? But then it wasn't me who felt the pain. It wasn't my blood that stained the grass.

He crawled forward, pulling himself forward by his hands. He lost a nail on a jagged rock but wasn't even aware of the pain. He cut the palm on another rock but crawled on. He came to a tree and pulled himself up, balancing his weight on his left leg. Leaning against a rock for support he found a stout branch. Both his right shoulder and leg were almost useless, so he tucked the branch under his left arm and started forward, dragging the injured leg behind him.

He needed a drink desperately. His mind seemed obsessed with it as visions of cool, clear water cascading from a rocky cliff tantalized him. Sira. Sira. The one word repeated itself over and over in his mind. "Sira." Even through his pain he knew he needed her. Not just to help Evander, but to help him. Her love would help him. That was it; he needed her love. But then he always had; he'd just never admitted it before. How had she seen what no one else ever had? How had a woman who was goodness and purity seen past his evil and hate and found a way to love him?

The empath was lost in her inner struggle. She'd left her entranced state behind, and yet she couldn't close her mind to the sense of someone calling to her. She kept the others moving until well past midday. Hercules insisted they stop when they came to a small trickle of water.

He made a fire and started water to heat for tea. The empath found a place in the grass, and sitting cross-legged on it she called upon her mother to help her. She was entranced in moments, sending her mind out to search for what nagged and picked at her. She got a clear sense of Ares, not the god of war, but the man behind the god. Then just as quickly as it was there, it was gone. That someone was in pain and calling to her, she knew. That much was clear now. "I am coming. Whoever you are, I am coming."

She ate nothing at their nooning. She did drink a mug of tea then hurried the others on.

"What did you find?" the demigod asked her.

"Someone is hurt and they are calling to me."

"Someone. Like who?" the hunter questioned.

"I do not know. I get a sense of Ares. Not so much the god of war, but my brother Ares. Still, it is not clear. I do not know if it is him who calls to me, or someone else."

They kept moving through the day, stopping only once more to refresh themselves at a spring then leaving its shaded coolness to gain a few more miles before night fell.

He found a small stream and cried with pleasure at the sensation of the cool water trickling down his parched and swollen throat. He bathed his face and hands then rolled over on his back to rest for a moment. He never meant to sleep. He wondered how long he might have stayed asleep if nausea hadn't awakened him. He rolled over and was sick. In despair he forced himself to rise again and trudge through the stream to reach the other side. Pulling himself up and over the sandy bank left him shaking and dizzy, but he did his best to shut the pain away and moved on.

The empath sat near the fire, her mind lost in a trance. She'd eaten little of the roast rabbit the hunter fixed for their evening meal. They'd traveled until the light was gone then found a night camp by the healer's mind more than anything.

The golden hunter of the forest was worried about the girl he loved. He'd seen her like this before. The earth was calling her to a healing and she couldn't turn from it. Still, it left her vulnerable, not only to her own emotions, but to the emotions of the one in need.

He came to sit behind her and rubbed her tired muscles. She leaned back against him, turning her mind to him and letting her love wash over him in a caress. He took a deep breath of pleasure at the warmth her love gave him and his mind touched hers. He could feel her unsettled state. "We'll find whoever it is, my love."

"I believe it is Ares. And yet there is something very wrong if it is. I get no sense of the gods about him."

The hunter remembered the missing horses. Poof, they were just gone. A cold chill ran up his spine.

The dark man crawled now. He simply didn't have the strength to walk. On and on he crawled, following something he felt in his mind. He had no idea of the direction he was going, but it no longer seemed to matter.

The healer jumped to her feet. They all heard a crashing sound in the forest. Hercules also jumped to his feet. "What is it?" The girl ran toward the sound. "Sira? What is it?"

"It is Ares," she called over her shoulder. She knelt beside the fallen man. "Help me get him to camp," the girl sobbed.

"What in the name of the..?"

The former god was unconscious. The demigod picked him up gently and carried him to the fire. As carefully as he could he laid him down. He searched the healer's eyes. The firelight reflected off the tears in them. He looked back to the man on the ground before him. Ares? But how?

The empath ran her hands over the still form, not touching him, but feeling for his life force and the extent of his injuries. She removed the knife from her waist pack and slit the leather of his pants leg to get a look at the injury.

The hunter gasped at what she revealed. "Heat water," she told him. "I need to bathe his leg."

"What's happened?"

"He is hurt badly."

"I can see that. But gods don't get hurt."

"No, but mortals do," she whispered. "He has lost his godly powers." The demigod exchanged a look with the hunter. "Heat water, damn it. He needs our help."

The hunter moved to do as she'd demanded and the demigod took a place beside his brother. "What happened to him?"

"He is ill. I believe by some kind of poison, but he is also hurt. He has broken ribs, cuts, bruises, torn muscles. Some of his injures are about a day older than the injury to his leg and shoulder."

"How in Tartarus has he lost his godhood?"

"It is something Discord did. That is about all I can get from his foggy mind."

"How bad is he?"

"He has lost a lot of blood." She turned anguished eyes to the demigod. "I have to help him."

He reached to take her hand. "I know, my sister. I'll help. We'll make him better."

"He is going to need us now, my brother."

"I know. We'll be there for him, just like he was there for you. It's the least we can do."

She squeezed his hand. "Thank you, my more than brother. The earth is strong in you."

The healer began the laborious job of cleaning the many cuts and bruises on the former god. She stripped and washed him in water treated with a green liquid she made from plants then dressed him in clean clothing she took from the demigod's pack. The half god helped her with him, his big hands gentle. Twice the former god woke, mumbling about Evander and Discord. He was feverish, his mind muddled with the poisons his body fought.

The hunter brought her fresh water. "Will you transfer?"

"I cannot. Not while his mind is so muddled. At least it would not be safe for me to do so. I will know if that is the only way to save him, and then I will take the chance with or without his participation. Still, if I do, we will be tied here for who knows how long, and we still must go for Evander. I pray a transfer will not be needed. I can do much healing without transfer, and with you and Hercules to help maybe it will be enough."

The once god of war opened his eyes to stare wildly around him. "Sira?"

"I am here, my brother."

He took her arm in a painful grip. "You were right. I should've listened to you. You've got to help Evander. I can't stand the thought of her having him. She'll hurt him just to get to me."

"Calm yourself. We will save Evander. But I must help you first."

"No. I don't matter. Promise me you won't do a transfer. You have to be free to help him." He turned to the demigod. "Please, Hercules, you have to help him."

"We'll get him back. But Sira's right. You need help, and we may need your help getting the boy away from Discord."

"I'll be of no help to you now. I've lost everything."

"No," the empath interrupted. "You have lost your godly powers, but you still have strength and cunning. You are still a warrior. You have to help me help you, then we will go for your son together."

"I was an arrogant fool. I should have listened to you." His grip on her arm tightened. "You can still feel Evander? You can still find him?"

"Yes, Ares. I still have him. He is safe." He laid back down with a moan of pain.

The hunter wet a cloth to bathe the dark warrior's face. "Iolaus."

"It's all right, my friend. Rest now. You've done much in reaching us. Rest and let us heal you, then we can go for Evander."

The healer sent her love to the hunter. She could feel his willingness to help the former god. With a sigh the girl closed her eyes and drew the power of the earth to her. The hunter and the demigod felt it on their skin as an almost painful tingle. The former god of war drew a ragged breath then seemed to relax.

The night was cold. A heavy fog rolled down the ridge and along the valley where the healer's mind had led them. The hunter left the healing to put more wood on the fire. He put the demigod's and the healer's cloaks over their shoulders then put a blanket over Ares.

Donning his own cloak he returned to the healing. The healer swayed to the rhythm of her chanted words. Her mind on the former god gleaned much of what had transpired after he left her in the grove of trees near Nemesis' hut. She got a sense of the courage it had taken for him to keep moving through his pain and sickness.

It was nearly dawn before the healer built the barriers needed to allow her to rest. The hunter helped her ease muscles left stiff and sore from immobility then helped her lay beside the dark warrior. The girl turned on her side and rested close to Ares to lend him warmth. The hunter pulled the blanket over them both then put the girl's cloak over them as well. The empath kept her foot against the injured man's leg. She hadn't transferred so she didn't have to maintain the physical contact, but she knew the healing would go better if she kept a part of her mind and body for him.

The demigod laid on the other side of Ares. He was just too tired to make the effort to move. He pulled his cloak around him while sharing it with the half brother he'd never really known. Like the child of the forest, he'd felt some of what Ares had endured. Through the former god's delirium the thing his mind dwelt on was Evander, not his own misfortune.

There were thoughts for Nemesis and Xena, and the half god son of Zeus also felt the love his brother had for the empath. Still, through it all, while his mind grieved for what he'd given up in his attempt to save his son, love and concern for the little demigod was the thing Hercules felt the strongest. He had to admit he was surprised. He'd always thought of his half brother as selfish and unfeeling. Maybe Sira was right, and much of that was a carefully constructed facade to hide the real Ares. Well, the god of war was no more. It might be interesting to see what the man behind the god was really like.

The hunter built up the fire then went in search of more wood. He removed the rabbits from his snares then reset them. Filling the water skin, he brought it to the fire then filled each of their flasks. He was tired, but these were things that needed doing. He dozed by the fire as the rabbits cooked, waking every few minutes to turn the meat or build up the fire. He watched the healer sleeping. Her hair was tousled. Pale silver-gold strands framed her face and rested on her pale cheeks. He remembered how beautiful she'd looked in the night with the glow of healing shining about her. He'd felt her love and compassion for this once god, now man she called brother and he'd been humbled that the woman he loved was so full of compassion. There'd been times when he'd wished she might be spared the pain and sorrow of others. Times when he'd wished she was not a healer. But since that time he'd truly found the earth and through her found an acceptance of this wondrous forest creature he loved so completely, he'd found a new joy in the things she was capable of.

He didn't give a damn how many others she might love; it took nothing from him. In fact it seemed to enrich his own love for her. Ares needed them all right now. But what he really needed was the unconditional love the child of the forest was so willing to give. It was her love that healed more than any power the earth god might grant her.

He'd begun to understand this anyway, but after what he'd felt from her when the godly enhanced crown of Jason had enhanced her powers, he knew it to be the real truth. He sent a prayer to the earth for the woman he loved, but also for her soul brother, lost now in a world he was ill prepared to face.

The dark warrior woke to pain and a clinging, consuming cold. He'd never known cold before, not like this cold. The blanket over him was damp from the fog and did little to warm him. He looked about him, trying to remember where he was. He'd awakened to the fear of the night before when he'd crawled on, clinging to a sixth sense of direction even through his fever addled mind.

His eyes came to rest on the healer. She lay beside him with her back to him, one dainty brown spotted foot resting against his leg. Her hair streamed out behind her in a shimmering cascade of pale light. He reached out to take a few strands in a hand cut and swollen. He rubbed the soft tresses between his thumb and forefinger, liking the feel of it on his skin. He brought it to his nose and inhaled the clean scent of growing things that always clung to the empath. It smelled faintly of Jasmine. He'd always found her scent intoxicating.

A wave of despair swept over him, leaving him shivering even harder. It was like a living, breathing thing that possessed him. The healer still slept, but even through her sleep she felt her brother's pain and rolled over to move closer to him.

He watched her face in sleep, and the knife of pain seemed to cut him in a million places at once. She's so beautiful, he thought. Now there will never be a chance for us. She will outlive me.

The girl moved closer to the former god and took him into her arms without even waking. Her love blanketed him. He could sense it touching and caressing him. This was part of what had made him keep going when all he'd really wanted to do was curl into a little ball and let time slip away. She loved him, and even through his pain and despair he knew she would go on loving him.

He'd been so cold a moment ago, but now he felt warm and comforted. A feeling he was new to. Was this what a child felt from his mother? Was this what Evander needed from Nemesis? We'll find you, my son, and when we do we'll return you to your mother. This I promise.

Sira rested her cheek on his arm, her skin warm and soft. He felt warm all over now. With a sigh he relaxed and closed his eyes. His pain had eased with the love he felt from the tiny forest creature. Closing his eyes tighter he drifted to sleep once more.

The healer slept on for a time, renewing her energy so that she might heal again. When she woke she sat up carefully so that she wouldn't wake the former god. With one foot against his side she accepted the mug of tea the hunter brought her.

"Have you slept at all, my soul?"

He rubbed a knuckle over her cheek, still pink from sleep. "I dozed for a bit."

She'd been aware of his care of all of them last night. She took a deep breath, and as she exhaled she let her love flow to this mate of her soul. He closed his eyes and took a seat beside her. Her offered tenderness swept his fatigue away. She was sending him strength through their tie of soul and mind. His own thoughts reached out to her and she reached for him with a hand that shook slightly.

He kissed each fingertip then laid her hand along his cheek. "Don't worry about me, my love," he whispered. "I'm fine. My mind isn't as strong, and I never know if what I lend to a healing does any real good, but I can do other things to help. I feel needed and useful when I do."

"Your mind on mine in a healing adds much, my mate. Do not underestimate your earthly powers. The earth flows through you in wondrous and glorious ways. But you are right. The things you do are needed, as well."

She stretched tired muscles. While she hadn't transferred and therefore maintaining the physical touch was not imperative, she chose to do so, knowing it would help to maintain the bond between her and the man she must heal. The hunter brought her warm water then helped her wash. He no longer showed embarrassment at the personal things he helped her with. It was all part of loving her, and therefore a gift from the earth.

When she was more comfortable he brought her food. He spiced the roasting rabbits with a dried and crushed leaf he'd taken from the girl's pack. He knew she savored the wild forest flavor it lent to the meat. She hadn't felt hungry, but once she began to eat she found she really was.

He'd sweetened her tea with honey since she said the sweet offering of the bees gave her energy. She was well aware of his tender concern for her.

The former god moaned in his sleep. The healer almost wished she hadn't agreed not to transfer. Her brother's injuries were severe, but more than this his mental state was in chaos. She'd felt his depth of despair at his loss of godhood. The things Nemesis had said filled her mind. It's not easy being suddenly dropped into mortality and left to fend for yourself among humans. Sira knew now that this wasn't the first time Ares had tasted the bitter pill of humanity. She'd gleaned an insight into what had happened when his sword had been stolen by Sisyphus. She knew from her brother's mind what had happened when he'd tried to confront Discord. So now the goddess was the god of war. Sira felt a wave of dread seep over her as a painful tingle along her spine. What had Hercules said? I think Discord is a little demented.

The dream she'd had on the night before they reached Nemesis came back to her now. The children dying at the goddess' feet. That must not be allowed to happen, the earth's chosen one decreed. If I must fight her myself, this end cannot be allowed to come to pass.

The empath felt sore in mind and body. Whatever else Brossus was, it was a poison. It had left the former god weak and dazed. Despite the fact that the healer hadn't transferred she'd taken some of Ares' pain and illness to herself. She let her tenderness for this brother of her soul build. She watched his darkly handsome features in his sleep. With her, his face had often softened to give him an almost boyish look that touched her heart. She watched his face harden with others, but even when he was angry with her he'd never worn the same harsh look with her as he could at times with others.

She watched his eyes open. They were foggy and unfocused as he looked about him. She saw his pupils dilate as reality hit him with a painful weight. She gasped with the force of his emotions. He turned to stare at her and she watched the play of emotions that rushed across his face as she felt them in her heart. Still blinded by the force of his emotions she reached out for him and he grasped her hand with his.

"You are not alone, my brother. And as long as I live you never will be." The words were torn from the empath as her love and compassion for him pulled his pain to her. As a god he'd known how to control his emotions, but as a man he did not. He felt shaky and almost ill at the flood of feelings that swept over nerves and senses left raw and open to emotions he'd never experienced with such intensity before.

The half god sat on the other side of the former god. He, too, was bombarded with his brother's emotions. He felt dizzy and nauseated with the pain and anguish that seemed to fill the very air around them. The healer's touch on the former god's mind helped him to bring his emotions under control. He latched onto her offered help like a life line and used it to pull himself up from the deep pool of despair he'd fallen into.

The healer's love was like a salve to a wound, soothing and easing the pain.

"Sira?" The one word spoke volumes.

The girl tightened her grip on his hand. "I am here, my brother. We are all here."

The demigod put a hand on his brother's shoulder. The former god of war turned painfully to look to the demigod. "Brother," the half god offered.

"I remember a time you swore you'd never call me brother."

"There was a time I couldn't think of you as that."

"And now, Hercules?"

"And now, I've gotten to know you better." He shook his head. "It has nothing to do with what's just happened to you. I saw a side of you I never knew was there, when you helped Sira after she thought Iolaus was gone."

"I was a damned fool, Hercules, and my foolishness has put my son in danger."

"We'll get him back."

"You'll help me?"

"Yes, Brother, I'll help."

"When I was trying to find you, I kept saying in my mind that I wanted your help. The help of all of you, and yet I still wondered if you would be willing to do so."

"Even if I was too pig headed to help you, I would still want to help my nephew."

The hunter had made soup from roots he'd gathered, as well as rabbit meat. He brought a mug of the thickened broth to the former god. "Eat this, my friend. It'll give you strength. We need to get you better so we can go for Evander."

Hercules propped Ares' back against a rock with a blanket behind him for comfort. The former god's hands were cut and swollen so Sira offered to help him eat. "I'm not helpless, little warrior."

"I was not trying to imply that you are." She took one of his hands in hers. How long did you crawl using your hands to pull yourself along?"

"I don't know. I had no sense of time. I just kept going."

She brought the hand she held to her lips and kissed the palm. "They will heal. There is much strength in them. It will help them to heal quickly."

He smiled at her. "All I could think of was getting to the three of you and getting help to save Evander."

"That was not the only thing in your mind. I sense something else."

"Are you talking about my desire for revenge?"

She could hear the steel that came into his voice. Good, she thought, he has some fight left. He will need it. "Yes, I sense that also."

"Don't tell me it's wrong, Sira. You'll never know what she's stolen from me."

"I did not say it was wrong. Perhaps revenge is wrong, but the desire to stop Discord is not." The demigod raised his eyebrows at the healer. "I know what you are thinking, my more than brother. You are right; I have devoted my life to saving people and to healing them. Still, to save many at the expense of one evil person, or god, cannot be wrong. How many times have we pitted the earth and our wits against evil? Discord is evil. In my dream I saw children dead and dying." She turned anguished eyes to the half god she loved more than a brother. "I will do what I must to stop this from happening."

"My little warrior," the former god smiled.

The demigod smiled at his brother. "She always has been a warrior."

"If only we can do as well," the hunter offered.

"You can tease all you want, but I mean what I say. I will battle her if I must."

The men exchanged looks. What could she do against a god? She couldn't kill Discord.

The chosen one knew what they were thinking. "For now, rescuing Evander will be enough." She moved closer to the dark warrior. "It is time to do another healing."

"Maybe we shouldn't do this anymore," Ares whispered. "I'm better."

"Do not be foolish. You are not yet well enough to help us, and we should make a try for Evander as soon as possible. Beyond his safety, taking him from Discord will let her know she will be held accountable for her actions."

"Sounds to me like someone else is plotting a little revenge."

"Call it what you like." She closed her eyes, and placing her hands on the former god's injured leg she began to chant.

"I guess we do another healing," the demigod chuckled as he made himself comfortable beside his brother.

"What does it matter if I'm better?" Ares stated. "I'll be of no help to you."

The healer's eyes flew open. "You are a warrior, my brother. You will add much to the fight to save your son." He looked skeptical. "Your godly powers are gone, but your strong mind and body are not. Your fighting skill still remains. It is a learned thing that you have not forgotten. Your cunning, your common sense. These are things you remember. You will find a way to put them to use."

"Without my powers?" he interrupted her, disgust in his voice.

"Forget your powers. They are not what made you a great warrior. Some are destined to be warriors, some are destined to be other things. Look at Xena. She was good, but she was not great. Not until you taught her how to be a true warrior. What you have shown her, you must show yourself. You, my brother, could be a leader of men. Let go of your anger and channel it into other things, things that you will need to survive. Your son needs you. His need forced you to pull yourself across miles of rocky terrain. It forced you to live when dying would have been much easier. Do not tell me you have lost your strength. I sense it in the healing. I feel it in your grip."

He studied her face a moment. "You'd make one damn fine general, little warrior."

"Thank you, my brother. Now are you going to cooperate in the healing, or must I get mean?"

He threw up his hands. "You win." He closed his eyes and took a deep breath to calm himself.