It was late afternoon when the forest child ended the healing. She laid down beside Ares, a foot on his leg to hold him within the forces of the earth. She turned her back to him and moved close. He pulled her into his arms in a moment of longing. She fell asleep there, cradled in his love.

The healer slept, but the former god did not. It wasn't easy being this close to her. She stirred the human emotions he was so new to. He admitted it was good to feel Sira so close. Even in her sleep her gentle mind's touch was there. It was as if she were a part of him. A part he wondered if he could live without. His fatigue and illness claimed him and lulled his mind to sleep. In the sleep, the healer sent the earth to him and he began to heal. Unknowingly, Ares had accepted the earth and the part she played in a healing. The earth now took it upon itself to see to his healing. It willingly sent its aid to its chosen daughter.

When they woke the former god felt better. The healer sensed his needs. "We can break the physical touch now, my brother. Not the mental one, but the physical one. Iolaus can help you to the woods."

Ares blushed. Sira turned away so he wouldn't see her smile. The hunter had a hard time keeping his own face straight as the realization of what Sira meant sunk in. He offered the former god a hand up. Ares leaned heavily on the hunter as they made their way to the woods.

The demigod watched his sister of the soul and she turned to smile at him. "What is it, my brother?"

"I was just wondering if you have lost sight of the fact that we're dealing with Ares here. The anger and hate that made him the god of war aren't just gone because his godly powers are."

"I know that. I can sense that part of him still there."

"That doesn't frighten you?"

"The anger and hate do not. All of us have that side to us. It is what we do with the anger and hate that makes us good or bad. You chose to use that part of you to help others."

"You think Ares is going to turn into some do gooder legendary hero?"

Sira smiled. "You are not a do gooder, but that is not what I meant. Now, right now while his emotions are high, while he is vulnerable, what he becomes will be formed. It is up to us to show him a better way. He has that part of him there also, my brother. He needs love and understanding and he needs a firm hand. Much like a baby he is new to the world around him. With love and nurturing he will find his place."

"I never thought I'd feel sorry for Ares."

"Your feelings do you credit, my brother. I am not asking you to love him. I know what went before. I am, however, asking you to put that in its proper place and judge his future actions from this moment on."

The hunter and the dark warrior started back to camp. The former god's stomach growled loudly. "Damn," Ares swore. "Real hunger."

The hunter smiled at the exclamation. "It's not easy being human, is it?"

"Are you trying to be funny?" the former god snarled.

"Only an observation, my friend."

Ares sighed. "You're right, it's not easy."

"I heard what Sira said before about you not being alone. She's right, you're not."

"You think I need your pity?" the dark warrior was quick to snap.

"No, and I'm not offering any. I haven't forgotten what you did for Sira and myself, and if you need a friend you have one."

Ares was silent. He had no idea how to answer the hunter's declaration. He admitted it brought him comfort, however.

While Sira and Ares had slept the hunter had used his skill to provide them with venison. He and Hercules fixed a meal now. When they'd eaten, Sira insisted they heal again.

Night crept slowly over the day to shut the light away. The healing was long, and when it was complete the healer laid beside the former god once more to sleep. Her healing came in her sleep as the earth mother renewed her energy. Ares was asleep before her this time, a hand in the girl's hair.

Hercules joined the hunter by the fire and accepted a mug of tea. He was tired, himself, and yet he felt restless. He kept shooting glances at the healer and the former god sleeping so closely to each other.

"What's bothering you, Herc?" the hunter asked.

"Doesn't it bother you to see Sira like that with Ares?"

The golden one watched them sleeping for a moment. "No."

"Well, it bothers me." The big man refilled his mug and offered more tea to his friend.

Iolaus held his mug out for the tea then cradled the warmth it offered in his hands. "Sira is a healer," he stated. "There were times at first when this kind of thing was hard for me. She warned me way back when we first declared our feelings for each other."

"You know how she feels about Ares."

The golden one nodded. "Yes, and I know how she feels about you." The demigod blushed and Iolaus chuckled. "The point I'm trying to make, Herc, is that what she feels for others and what she must give of herself in a healing doesn't take away from us. Just because she loves Ares doesn't mean she loves you and I less." Hercules sighed in frustration. "It's a hard lesson to learn," the hunter continued. "I used to be very jealous of you and Sira's feelings for each other. No longer, my brother. I know damn well what is between you and her. All I can say is, I'm glad for both of you. I hope someday you and she have a chance together. Her feelings and emotions run far too deep to be lessened or weakened because she cares for others."

The hunter smiled at his friend. He had just called this half man, half god brother. He had done so deliberately. He realized he always thought of his big friend this way. "Search your heart, Hercules. You'll find, just as I did in that barn so long ago, we are a privileged few to have found what we have with this remarkable woman. Nothing will change that. Nothing."

The big man smiled and shook his head. "I hadn't realized what I was feeling was jealousy. But I guess that's what it amounts to. You are something, my brother. I only hope I can do as well as you."

The golden one saluted with his mug. "You're exhausted. Get some sleep. I'll keep the fire going. It's going to be cold tonight."

The hunter of the forest built up the fire then pulled more wood close. The fog had rolled in again and it dripped from the trees like rain. Rolling in his blankets he made himself comfortable by the fire. Tomorrow, if Ares was up to it they would go for Evander. He wasn't looking forward to facing the new goddess of war. He had few illusions about Discord. She'd harm the child in a minute if she thought it was to her advantage. He had a strong suspicion the only reason she'd kept the boy alive this long was to draw Ares to her. Torturing her brother seemed to be her new passion.

Sira said they must stop her. But how in Tartarus were they going to do that? Right now Discord was holding the top hand and she damn well knew it. He wondered if the earth's power Sira possessed was strong enough to combat a god. If they could take the sword of Ares away from Discord it just might be. She was, after all, only a minor god. His mind began to drift. He put more wood on the fire, then adjusting his position on the ground he closed his eyes.

As he slept a dark, sinister goddess returned to the temple where she had tricked the god of war. The temple had always been there, shielded behind her godly powers. She'd left it for a time in case Ares retained enough of his godhood to find her. Despite hurting him as she had she was still afraid of him. She just wasn't quite ready to face him yet. Not until she could learn to harness the powers of the sword. Who would have thought it would prove so difficult? She admitted she was in a nasty mood. Taking care of Evander had proved exhausting. Traveling with him even more so. She couldn't just zap herself here and there. Evander was only half god; her power couldn't move him.

She'd watched some of Ares' struggle to get away. She had to admit it was impressive. She hadn't stayed long enough to see where he was going. There'd been purpose in his gallant fight. She wanted to believe he was running away, and yet somehow she just couldn't.

I should just eliminate the boy and have it done, she told herself. She had two good reasons why she didn't. If somehow Ares ever did get his powers back she knew she'd find her endless life very uncomfortable if she killed his son. Then, too, there was still Zeus to consider. He'd always liked Nemesis, and Ares was his son. Would he look kindly on his grandson being killed? He'd done nothing when Hercules' children had been taken, but then that was an act of Hera's. Zeus never confronted his sister-wife. She doubted the same would be true of her.

She was convinced that with or without his powers, Ares would be back. She only hoped she had a little time to learn the use of the sword's power.

She began to rise in the air. "Stop it, you little brat. How many times do I have to tell you to leave me alone!"

"I want my mommy."

"Tough."

Sira woke to a dull ache behind her eyes. Damn, she thought. If we catch up with Discord today I will not be at my best. She closed her eyes to heal herself, but the pain only seemed to get worse and she gave up in frustration.

Going to the fire she built it up then filled a pan with water. Tea would help, she told herself. While the water heated she made her way to the woods. She bathed before returning to camp. She made the tea and drank a cup, then another. The pain in her head over her right temple did ease. Will I never be free of Pothose's influence? she asked herself. Since the time the warlord hit her on the temple while kidnapping her so that she could be used as bait to convince Hercules to release Venin, she'd had times of pain when she was ill or overly tired.

She rubbed at her temple then resolved to put the pain from her mind. She set about fixing their first meal of the day. While the activity helped to clear her head, it did little to lighten her mood.

The hunter was the first to join her at the fire. He accepted his food and a mug of tea and returned to his blanket to enjoy it as he watched the woman he loved. "Everything all right, love?"

"Yes. I am just tired."

"Maybe we better put this off another day."

"No. If Ares is up to it we should make a start. I sense that Discord and Evander have moved again. They are close. We should strike now while they are still near."

"You're sure?"

"Yes."

The former god made it to the fire without help to accept his own plate of food. He limped badly, but he made no complaint.

While the men ate Sira packed their camp. She hadn't eaten, but the men assumed she had before they came to the fire and said nothing. She wasn't hungry; her stomach felt too queasy and unsettled to try eating.

They left their camp and headed back the way Ares had come to find them. The dark warrior limped painfully along, using a stout branch the demigod had smoothed for him, as a crutch. His ribs and shoulder were much improved, as were his many cuts and bruises. He still felt lightheaded at times from the poison he'd unwittingly taken at the hand of the new goddess of war. He kept his mind on Evander, willing himself not to think about his pain and discomfort.

They stopped for brief rests twice before midday then stopped for a longer period to eat. The former god of war sank gratefully down on a sandy bank. After a moment he laid down on his left side, easing his injured leg out before him.

The healer came to sit beside him, placing her hands on the leg and pulling some of the pain to herself. "We can stop here, my brother. Tomorrow will be soon enough to find Evander."

"No. A little rest is all I need."

"You are still ill."

"I can recuperate after we have him." He opened his eyes to search hers. "She'll kill him, Sira. I know her. She's too much like I am."

"You have not been like that for some time, my brother."

"Maybe." He smiled. "Being around you has changed me."

"The earth changes much."

"Don't ask me to believe in your gods, Sira. I've seen what you're capable of, but whether I believe this comes from some god of the soil or not, is another thing."

The empath smiled, not in the least offended. "Where else would such power come from?"

He'd closed his eyes again, but now he opened them to watch her. "From yourself."

"Then if that is the case, maybe I am a god. Some long lost daughter of Zeus, perhaps?"

He chuckled. "Maybe you are a god." He'd been teasing her, but now he became serious. "I hope you are. We may need godly help to stop Discord."

They left their place of nooning. The terrain was rocky and rough and the demigod marveled again that Ares could have come so far over such country in his condition.

Sira walked a little ahead, lost in the pain in her head. She'd said nothing about it to the others. She was sure they'd insist on delaying. Now she was sure where her illness came from and knew if they didn't find and rescue Evander now it might be days before they could.

They stopped at a small stream to drink its cool water and refill their flasks. Ares took a seat on a fallen log, rubbing at his injured leg. Sira squeezed his shoulder. In her healing at their noon camp she'd taken much of his pain on herself. It added to her own misery, but she feared if she didn't he might not make it.

"This used to be so easy," he moaned.

"You are doing great."

"Yeah, that's probably what you tell all the former gods."

"Only the ones I care for." There was a whispery sound to her words.

He studied her face a moment. "Are you feeling all right?"

"Yes."

"Would you tell me if you weren't?"
"No."

"That's what I figured."

She gave him a hand up and they moved on. The shadows lengthened as the world turned slowly, not concerned by gods and men. The empath began to build the earthly powers she commanded, but as she did the pain in her head increased.

It was almost dark when Sira, slightly ahead of the others stopped abruptly.

"What is it, my sister?" the demigod asked.

"We are here."

"We're where?" the hunter asked.

"Close your eyes a moment." Both men looked skeptical. "Do it," she snapped.

The former god of war was too tired to be aware of what the others talked about. He sat on a rock a little apart from the others, his mind lost in his misery.

Hercules and Iolaus did as they were told and the healer brought the image to them. The demigod's eyes flew open. "How come you see it when we can't?"

She gave him a disgusted look. "Because I see with my mind, not just my eyes."

It was unlike his sister to be snappish. He turned to watch her but she turned away to hide

her face from him. "Sira?" She ignored him and started forward. "Sira." She didn't stop. "Damn. Come on, Iolaus."

The hunter took the dark warrior's arm. "Come on, friend. Time to be a warrior."

Ares nodded and rose. He felt the empath's mind on his and felt a surge of energy flow through him. He nodded again and followed the demigod and the child of the forest.

Sira waited at the entrance to the temple for the others to catch up. Her mind touched theirs. "I sense that the way is clear into the main room of the temple."

The demigod nodded and moved ahead of her to enter. The large main chamber of the temple was well lit with torches that threw a shifting yellow light about them and filled the room with a smoky haze. The room was overly filled with large, dark, gaudy furniture. There was a sickening smell of incense in the air that made the child of nature wrinkle her nose.

Several doors led off the main room. The empath moved to each one, not opening them but feeling with her mind for the child. Her sense of him was very strong now. She opened a door, and in two steps she stood looking down on a beautiful child. He looked like his father; his mouth generous, his hair dark and curly. Sira smiled and ran a finger lightly over his slightly puckered lips. He slept soundly on. She carefully lifted him to her shoulder then returned to the others. The brothers turned to her and she nodded at them.

The hunter stood a little apart from them watching for the goddess of war. "She's here," he warned them. They joined him in the main room.

"Put the brat down and walk away," the dark goddess demanded. "If you leave now, I might let you live."

Ares stepped forward. "He's my son. You have no need of him.."

She smiled. "Except my having him causes you pain. That's reason enough," she sneered. "How are you liking mortality?" Her laughter filled the room.

"I don't like it, Discord. I don't like it at all."

"I'm a little surprised to find you looking so well."

"I'll just bet you are. Let the others go. It's me you want."

She smiled slyly. "Don't flatter yourself. I've got everything from you I want."

"Then you don't need my son."

"Perhaps. But I've been very bored. I kept hoping you'd come to entertain me."

Sira sensed the goddess' intention and sent her mind out in a blast of earthly power. Pain shot through her head. She'd built barriers to protect herself from her own pain and illness and the pain of the dark warrior she'd taken to herself. Some of this protection must be sacrificed to fight Discord.

The goddess lunged for Ares, but the blast of mind hit her and she recoiled, a look of disbelief on her face. The former god took advantage of Discord's confusion and kicked a high hard kick to her chin. It was a solid blow that knocked the goddess back to land hard against her throne. The former god's leg, still not healed, gave way under him and he fell.

Hercules followed up Ares' kick with a kick of his own. Discord lunged to her feet to throw a punch at the demigod, but he ducked under it to hit her instead. The hunter came at her from the side. She grabbed a metal bowl from a nearby table and threw it like a discus at him.

He grunted with the force her godly powers put behind the throw and the healer cringed. In her fear for the hunter's safety she forgot her own discomfort and lowered the carefully constructed shields she'd put on her mind. The goddess of war screamed as her hands flew to her head. She tried to fight back with her own mind, but she knew nothing of focusing her thoughts to use as a weapon. Sira felt Evander send his own mind to her to add even more force to the crippling hold she kept on the goddess of war.

In a flash of light the goddess was gone. Her voice filled the air. "You may have won this round, but there will be another. Just you and me, Ares."

The demigod fought the pain the healer's mind filled him with, and going to her, he laid a hand on her arm. He knew she was entranced. The little demigod she held so tightly to her seemed unperturbed by the force the nature child exerted and he greeted his uncle with a warm smile. Iolaus came to the healer as well.

Hercules took the child from her arms and handed him to the hunter then turned back to Sira. "It's all right now, my sister. You can stop." She put both hands to her head.

In concern for the woman he loved the hunter took the child to Ares and handed him down to the former god where he still sat on the floor. As his hands touched Evander the temple disappeared and he looked up to see stars.

"I've got him," Ares assured the hunter. "Help Sira." The dark warrior looked down on the boy who met his gaze with a curious straight forward appraisal. "Hello, little man. I'm your father."

The boy reached out to tug lightly on his father's goatee. With that tug he also tugged the man's heart.

The hunter took the healer's hands away from her head. "It's all right, Sira. It's over. Let it go."

"I cannot."

"We'll help you," the half god assured her. "Let us in."

"It hurts too much." The men exchanged looks. Sira pulled her hands away from the hunter to put them back to her temples. A shutter ran through her, then another. Slowly she pulled her mind away so that she was no longer hurting those she loved, but she seemed unable to leave her trance behind.

"Iolaus, if you can help Ares and Evander, I'll carry Sira We need to find a place to camp for the night. It's already cold and I think Sira is ill."

The hunter searched the healer's glazed eyes with concern. "Damn it, I knew something was wrong. Sira." The girl turned to him but made no reply.

"She's still entranced," the demigod told him. "We need to bring her out of it, but this isn't the place." He picked the earth's chosen one up and headed back the way they'd come. He remembered a place near a small stream that might make a good camp for the night.

The hunter took Evander from his father then offered the former god a hand up. Ares moaned in pain and his limp was much worse. Leaning on the hunter and using his crutch they followed the demigod from the clearing where the goddess of war's temple had been.

Ares was concerned. Would Discord be smart enough to stay away now that she knew the power Sira was capable of harnessing? She wasn't known for having the best judgment. The empath had hurt her, this he was sure of. But how much of an impression this would make on his godly sister he wasn't sure. Once she'd learned to use the power of the sword things would be different. Then again, if he could get the sword away from her, Sira could fight her again. Without the sword Discord would return to what she'd been before; a minor god not given to a great deal of power. Ares was grateful now that a god didn't come into their full potential until they were made god of something. A rank and privilege only Zeus could bestow legitimately. As had been proven before, the power could be stolen. But it took time to learn to use it, just as in Discord's case. He wondered idly if Zeus might help him, but as soon as the thought formed he discounted it. Zeus refused to undo what another god had done. He knew his father too well. He knew the King of the gods would sit back and wait to see what developed. Unless Discord pulled a major blunder Zeus would keep his nose out of it. Even at the expense of the people who inhabited the earth he professed such love and concern for.

The half god son of the King of the gods used the powers of the earth the healer had awakened in him to try and reach the girl he loved more than a sister. As her mind began to clear he could sense her illness and cursed himself for not seeing or sensing it sooner.

He reached the river, and placing the still entranced healer on a rock, he quickly gathered moss, leaves, and small twigs together to try and make a fire. There was water and wood here but no real shelter. The night was already cold. As he worked he could see his breath. The moss and leaves were wet from the nights of fog and dampness that clung to the earth even now despite the cold breeze that fanned his face. The fire wouldn't take. In frustration he cut a small bit of the woven moss from the hem of the healer's pants. Shredding it in his strong hands he put it over the moss. Striking his gauntlets together several times he was finally rewarded with a tiny flame. Careful not to snuff it out he added bits of bark and twigs.

When the fire was burning brightly he went to the healer. "I need to help Ares. Stay here by the fire and keep warm." She seemed not to hear him. "Sira, do you hear me?"

She nodded then went to her knees beside the fire. The demigod dragged a large branch that the healer could break twigs from to keep the fire going until his return. "I'll be back soon." He hated to leave her, but was concerned that the hunter and his brother hadn't found them yet.

The girl added wood to the fire then dug in her pack for her cloak. These were routine things that did much to clear her mind. She dug in the pack to try and find the pot to heat water for tea, then stumbling from camp she was ill. Her head pounded in rhythm to her heartbeat and she cringed with each wave of pain that assailed her. Not fully aware of what she did she returned to camp to roll herself in her cloak near the fire.

The demigod found the others. Ares limped so badly now the hunter was practically carrying him as well as the little demigod. Hercules picked his brother up and threw him over his shoulder.

"You okay, Iolaus?"

"Yeah. I think our dear friend, Discord gave me a couple of broken ribs, but I'll be fine. How's Sira?"

"Better, I think."

Ares made no objection to his brother's help. He was too lost in his pain to care what happened to him at this point. "How's Evander?" he did manage to ask through his misery.

"He's sleeping," the hunter chuckled. "Can you believe it? He went right back to sleep almost at once."

The half god lowered Ares to the ground beside Sira. "See if you can keep her warm. Touch her mind if you have the strength. She's still entranced."

The former god took the healer into his arms and she moaned. The hunter made a bed beside the fire for Evander, then grabbing the large cooking pot and the tea pot he headed for the stream. The demigod gathered more wood and brought it close to the fire. He took his own blanket from his pack and put it over his brother and the healer.

Ares cradled the healer like a baby, talking to her as his mind touched hers. The demigod came to kneel beside them. "How is she?"

The former god shook his head. "What's wrong with her?"

"She's ill. I think she has been all day but kept it from us. Using her mind to battle Discord has only made it worse."

He made himself comfortable on the ground beside them and placed his hands on the healer's back. Closing his eyes he willed himself to relax. His mind touched the healer's and found her mind a little clearer. He found most of her thoughts shut behind the tight shield she'd erected against the pain. He didn't even try to break through the shield. He knew she needed the barrier right now to protect herself.

The hunter joined them to send his own mind to the woman he loved so completely. Sensing his mind on hers she sighed and began to relax. "You are all right, my love?"

"Yes. A few sore ribs, is all. Don't worry about me."

"When I saw you fall�" Her voice broke.

"I'm fine. We all are, thanks to you. Evander's sleeping soundly by the fire. Let's just worry about you for now."

"I need sleep. I will heal in my sleep."

"Then sleep. We'll take care of everything."

"Ares' leg is bleeding. Will you help him?"

"Of course. You just rest. If we need you to heal him we'll wake you."

"Just a little sleep, then I will help."

"Shh. Sleep, my soul, sleep." He felt her jerk as sleep claimed her and sighed in relief.

The demigod gave him a wide smile. "She'll be all right now," he whispered.

The hunter turned to the former god of war. "Let me have a look at that leg. Why didn't you tell us you were bleeding?"

"I just wanted to get away from there." He eased his position to expose more of the injured leg. "I only got in one kick and I was done."

"Yeah, well, none of us got a chance," the demigod chuckled. "Our little healer saw to that."

Sira had laced the slit in the dark warrior's pants with a thin leather strap. The hunter cut through the lacing to pull the pant leg out of his way. He shot a look at the demigod. Ares had lost a lot of blood when the wound, not completely healed, had torn open. The hunter took the hot water from the fire and added some of the green liquid from the healer's pack just as he'd seen her do, then began to bathe the blood away. He worked gently to try and save the injured man as much pain as he could. Still, before he was done the former god was bathed in perspiration.

The golden one sprinkled a white powder he'd seen the healer use over the wound then bandaged it in a clean cloth. "Well, my friend, that's the best I can do for now."

"Thanks, Iolaus." His words were thick with pain.

The demigod moved to sit beside his brother. "Iolaus, if you can keep an eye on things I'll see if I can ease some of Ares' pain."

"Sure, I'll sleep by the fire and keep it going. I know we're all hungry, but I just don't have the strength to fix a meal."

"Don't worry about it. We'll be fine tonight. Try and get some rest."

The demigod sent his mind to his half brother, using the things Sira had taught him to try and bring the brother he'd hated at times at least a little comfort. When Ares was sleeping well the big man rose. He stretched tired muscles as he looked around him. He and Evander were the only ones left well from the attack on the new goddess of war. Granted, the former god had been injured before. Still, it didn't bode well for future encounters with the dark goddess. And somehow he knew there would be future encounters.

He built up the fire, pushing the pot of tea closer to the coals to heat. It would freeze tonight and there weren't enough blankets to go around. He carefully pulled the sleeping child close to the hunter and the fire then spread the hunter's blanket over them both. His own blanket was over Ares and Sira. He pulled his cloak closer around him then went in search of more wood to keep the fire going through the night.

The earth was bathed in moonlight that made some things stand out in stark clarity and hid others to give the landscape an eerie cast. He took time to set snares then gathered wood. He brought in one load then stopped to drink a mug of tea and eat some dried meat. The tea helped to warm him. He hated to venture into the night again but he knew they would need the wood before morning, and the light the moon offered would soon be gone. With a weary sigh he ventured once more into the night.

In the short time he'd been at the fire, frost had gathered on the dampness left by the fog. It crunched under his boots as he walked. He checked his snares but found them empty and left them where they were. His hands ached with the cold before he returned with the wood. Blowing on them for warmth he used the large hunting knife the hunter always carried to cut off several branches and stack them near the fire. With another mug of tea he took a seat near the wood. The hunter reached from under his blankets to put a log on the flames then quickly pulled his hand back beneath the wool covering.

The demigod smiled to himself and moved some of the wood closer to his friend. It was comforting to know he wouldn't be alone in keeping the fire burning during what remained of the night. With a sigh he laid down, curling himself into a ball to try and cover as much of himself with the cloak as possible.

The hunter was first up. After making sure that the healer slept peacefully he went to the fire and built it up. He shivered in the cold morning air. He broke the frost from the bucket of water and poured some into the pot to heat for tea.

Venturing into the forest he followed the demigod's footprints to his snares and was rewarded with three furry forest creatures. He reset the snares then gathered more wood and returned to the fire. The damp frozen wood hesitated to burn well, but he added more anyway. It was the only heat they had. He made the tea and set the rabbits to cook. Later I'll try the meadow, he told himself. We need something besides rabbits to build our strength. He pulled his vest aside and took a look at his ribs. He'd turned aside when he'd seen the silver bowl coming at him. It had landed a firm blow to his right side. He was bruised from just under his arm to his waist. With a puffy cheeked sigh he lowered the vest.

The demigod put a log on the fire from his place under the cloak. The golden one grinned and took a mug of tea to him. The big man sat up and pulled the cloak around him then accepted the mug of tea. "Smells good. What's cooking?"

"Rabbits from your snares. Didn't you sleep at all last night?"

"I slept a little."

Evander left his blankets and came to the demigod wiping the sleep from his dark brown eyes. With a yawn he took a seat in the big man's lap. With a tolerant smile he wrapped the cloak around the child. He made sure the tea wasn't too hot then let the boy have some. He knew the warm liquid would do much to warm the little demigod.

"I'm hungry," the boy complained.

"It's almost ready," the hunter assured him.

"I'm cold, too."

"You have the cloak," Hercules teased. "The sun will soon warm us and the food will help."

"Are you going to take me to my mommy?"

"Yes. I'm your Uncle Hercules and this is your Uncle Iolaus. You met your father last night, and the girl sleeping next to him is your Aunt Sira."

"Mommy said I should be afraid of my father, but he seems nice."

"He is nice. He came here to get you and return you to your mommy."

The boy seemed satisfied with this and asked for more tea. The former god of war hobbled painfully to the fire. He accepted a mug of tea from the hunter. The little demigod moved from his uncle's lap to his father's, careful not to hurt his leg.

"You hurt your leg?" the boy asked.

"It's nothing. You're safe now, that's the important thing."

The hunter brought father and son a plate of food then took one to the demigod. He favored his right side and the demigod asked to see it. He was shocked by how bad the bruising was.

"Damn it, Iolaus, that's bad. Why didn't you say something?"

"It'll be all right. I'm going to eat then I'll try to get us something bigger than rabbits to eat. There's a good meadow just over the ridge that just might supply our needs."

"Maybe you'd better let me do the hunting."

"No, I'll be fine. Can you bathe Ares' leg? I think we should keep at it. I don't want it to get infected."

"You're sure you're up to hunting?"

"Hey, hunting is therapy."

The big man grinned at his friend. "Then I'll take care of the sick ward while you're gone."

The little half god held his plate out to the hunter. "More?"

The golden one chuckled. "I guess I'd better get us some meat soon. The boy has as big an appetite as his Uncle Hercules."

"Food keeps up our half god strength," the big man defended himself.

With a salute of two fingers to his temple the hunter left the camp, bow in hand.

Hercules heated water and bathed the former god's leg. He was a little concerned by the look of the wound. The skin around it was red and hot to the touch. He used the green liquid and the white powder just as the hunter had done during the night then bandaged the leg once more.

The dark warrior kept shooting glances at the healer. "Is she all right?"

"I think so, yes. She seems to be sleeping peacefully. Want help making it to the woods?"

"Yes.

The demigod pulled him to his feet. "Lean on me and we'll go slow."

"This whole thing is damned embarrassing."

The half god chuckled. "It's a fact of life."

"Of a mortal's life."

His brother turned to search his face. "I know you won't believe this, but I'm sorry for what Discord has done to you."

"Thank you, Hercules. I guess I'll find some way to live with this."

"You're strong. You'll manage. You're not alone."

"Believe me, that's about all that's kept me going. That and Evander."

The boy had followed his father and uncle to the woods. At his name he took the dark warrior's hand in his. The former god lifted the boy's hand to study it. It looked so small and pale in his big tanned hand. A feeling he was totally unfamiliar with swept over him and he looked to his half brother, a look of surprise and wonder on his face.

"Kind of makes it all worthwhile, doesn't it."

"I'm sorry you lost your family."

"Mother, Jason, Sira, Iolaus, Hercus, Thysis. They're my family now. Still, missing the children never seems to get any easier."

"Hera was wrong to take them like that, and Zeus was wrong to let it happen."

"As I recall, you had a hand in taking family from me."

"Yes," the former god of war sighed. "In a round about way I did. If I'd left well enough alone Serena wouldn't have died. Still, she does live, just not as your wife."

"In some ways that makes it harder."

They returned to camp and Hercules left the former god while he went in search of more wood. Evander came with him, and using his godly power of levitation gathering wood became fun. The boy laughed and giggled, delighted when he found good pieces of wood and got his uncle's praise.

The hunter returned with a large buck. They'd traveled lightly, leaving some food for the former executioner of the gods. The hunter wasn't really worried, however. He knew the healer could find food in the forest even this late in the year and the venison would go a long way.

The hunter watched the little demigod as he broke branches from the dead fall his uncle had brought to camp. Being around the boy made him miss his own son all the more. Hercus and Thysis were staying at a yosemin village the elder had found in his pilgrimage. Being separated from his son was hard, but he wanted the boy to learn of his mother's heritage. He sensed the changes in his son's mind at the elder's tutelage. He was proud of the controlled state of his son's mind. He sent his mind to the boy now and felt an instant response. He felt the boy's concern for his mother's health and felt guilt that he hadn't touched his son's mind sooner to reassure him that his mother would be all right. It wasn't always easy to remember that the mother's and son's minds were always linked.

The hunter made up his mind. When things were settled, he wanted to visit his son and the healer's chosen father at the yosemin village. It was one thing for the yosemins; they lived longer than he would. My time with our son will be all too short, he thought. He'd talked with Hercus about this after they'd returned to Alcmene's farm from the Neberous forest. Thysis was old even by yosemin standards and his time on the mortal plane was short. The boy wanted to learn as much from the elder as he could while there was still time. Iolaus understood this and for the most part accepted it. That didn't mean he enjoyed it, however.

The demigod began to gather rocks to make a wall to build the fire against. When this was complete he began to build a shelter. He had no intention of sleeping in the open again tonight. The cold of the night just past had possessed him with its clinging fingers of misery. A shelter would hold the heat in and help keep them all warm.

He cut small trees then stripped the branches to make poles. Even Evander joined in this. The hunter knew without asking what the big man had in mind and worked with his friend to make the shelter.

They sank poles into the soil at regular intervals with cross poles tied in place with vines for support. Next they attached poles over the top to make the framework for the roof.

Ares tended the cooking meat as the others worked. He said nothing about his leg but the men could see how he favored it. Iolaus had made a chair of sorts for the former god so that he didn't have to sit on the ground. It did much to relieve his discomfort and he found by stretching his leg out straight it eased the pounding pain in the limb.

Once the framework of the hut was set up the men began to weave pine boughs in and around the frame to fill in the shelter. They worked steadily, stopping once to eat some of the roasted deer then returned to their task.

When they were satisfied the walls and roof were as tight as they could make them they began to pile dirt around the base of the shelter, inside and out. It would help steady the structure and also keep a draft from finding its way under the walls. Evander thought this was great fun to see adults playing in the dirt and joined playfully in the fun. Once the dirt and mud were built up around the edge of the shelter they began to throw it over the roof to help make it waterproof. The pine boughs had been woven so tightly that little of the damp earth filtered through. The hunter and the demigod gathered moss to cover the floor of the shelter. The wall of rock was near the entrance to the shelter and the fire would be built in front of the entrance to it to allow the rock wall to reflect the heat back into the pine bower. The few holes the demigod left in the rock wall would help to pull the smoke away to make them even more comfortable.

When the big man had done all he could to make the shelter comfortable he stood back to admire his and the hunter's handy work. "Not bad," he congratulated himself and his friend. "Now I think the three of us better wash up."

He turned to the muddy little demigod and shook his head. He removed the large pot of water from the fire and cooled it with a little fresh water. He bathed the boy first then dressed him in the healer's extra woven moss shirt before sitting him beside his father. "Try and stay clean at least until Uncle Iolaus and I can get cleaned up, okay?"

The boy laughed and nodded at his half god uncle. The big man washed out the boy's things and hung them on the shelter to dry. He checked on the sleeping healer then he and the hunter went to the stream to bathe. The former god smiled as he heard their exclamations of how cold the water was. He was glad his injured leg let him off the hook as far as bathing in an icy stream was concerned.

It was well past midday when the healer woke. She didn't stir or open her eyes. Instead she took time to analyze how she felt. She was still tired, but she no longer felt ill. The earth had healed her in her sleep. She sent her mind to lightly touch the others to check on their health. She sensed the hunter's discomfort and knew a moment of concern. Strengthening her mind's touch on his she realized that while he was sore and bruised, he wasn't in any real danger.

She found both the adult and the child demigods well, then touched the mind of the former god. She knew at once he wasn't. She rolled over and sat up and the hunter came to her at once. "Are you all right now, my love?"

"Yes, I am quite well."

He offered her a hand up then pulled her into his arms. "You had me damned worried."

"I am sorry."

"I've missed you."

"I have missed you also." She touched his mind with a message and he chuckled.

"There's hot water. Why don't you find a place in the woods and I'll bring it to you."

She nodded and headed out of camp. The sooner her needs were met, the sooner she could work to help Ares.

The hunter found her and stayed to help her bathe. It was much later before the lovers returned to camp walking hand in hand. The girl wore the hunter's freshly washed shirt, tied at the waist over the pants she'd taken from her pack. The little demigod still wore her shirt, but she didn't mind.

When they returned the little boy came to hug the healer's legs. "You look pretty," he told her. "I like your hair."

Sira had left it down after her bath so that she could comb it. She took a comb from her pack and handed it to the boy's father. Taking a seat before him she waited for him to comb her hair. She'd said nothing. The real reason for coming to him for help was to get a sense of what was making him ill. Just as silently he began to comb the girl's long tresses. Seemingly innocently she placed her hand on his injured leg and knew immediately where his illness came from this time. The leg was infected.

"After we eat I will heal you, my brother."

"Don't worry about me, Sira. You're not well yet, yourself."

"I am well now. The poison is gone."

"What made you so ill?"

"Your sickness. The poison in your system poisoned me."

"Even though you didn't transfer?"

She nodded. "Yes, even without transfer much can pass to the healer. I took your pain and injury to myself as much as is possible without transfer. We were closely linked."

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

"You have no need to be. You have done nothing wrong."

"I'm still sorry."

She took up his hand and kissed the back of it. "You are ill now, my brother. I feel the infection in your leg. You are feverish."

"We kept the wound clean and bathed it in the green liquid," the hunter offered.

"You did the right thing, my love. It should have been enough, but Ares has no defense against disease and illness. As a god he did not need it. But now�" She shrugged. "If he is no better after tonight's healing I will transfer and let my body's immunity fight the infection."

Before the meal was complete the former god of war was shivering with the fever his body called upon to fight the infection that was slowly claiming him.

Sira made him lay down within the shelter then took a seat beside him. With her feet touching his side and her hands on the injured leg she began to sway. She used the earth's powers to heal this once godly brother of her soul. The day gave way to night and still the dark warrior's fever rose despite the girl's efforts.

Evander put his hands on his father, and for a time his mind joined the healer's. She was glad for his help, just as she'd been in the goddess of war's temple. But the little fellow was too young to stay long in the healing and soon left the shelter to join the hunter where he sharpened his hunting knife.

The demigod came to take his nephew's place beside the healer and his brother and sent his mind to help the girl he cared so much for.

In his fever the former god's anger and frustration at his new found mortality could no longer be hidden. The girl felt his grief at the loss of something he deemed so important in his life. She knew how she would feel if she lost her powers of the earth, and could sympathize with her brother.

His body was wracked with chills and his mind was muddled as his body fought the poison the infection sent through him. A dozen times the healer wished to transfer but the former god's anger blocked his mind and the girl was afraid to try.

At her instructions the hunter heated water then treated it with the green liquid the healer made from growing things. She placed her knife in the water for a time. Then removing it she told the men to hold the former god.

"I must open the wound or it will not heal."

The once god cried out in his pain as she cut the flesh that held the poison in the leg. With a bit of cloth soaked in the treated water placed in the wound to keep it open, the girl put a loose bandage over the wound then continued to heal the dark warrior.

Hercules bathed his brother's face with cool, wet cloths, trying to help reduce the fever. In the dark one's delirium he grabbed the healer's hand in a tight grip. The girl cried out but didn't stop the healing. The hunter stayed close to help hold the dark warrior down. He shouted his anger at them, cursing them for his sudden thrust into a world he knew so little about.

Sira finally decided she must take the risk and transfer without the former god's participation. But before she could she sensed a lessening of his fever. Hoping the thought wasn't just born of her desperation she waited a little longer. Time seemed to stand still as she used her powers of the earth to help this once god who'd touched her heart.

Slowly the fever that possessed him eased. He was calmer and the hunter found he didn't need to hold the former god down now.

Evander had been frightened by his father's illness and stayed close to the demigod. He'd finally fallen asleep beside him, a chubby cheek resting on the big man's thigh.

Assured now that Ares was better the healer relaxed a little. He wasn't out of the woods yet, but now her healing seemed to be making progress.

It was just turning light in the east when the dark warrior's fever broke. He heaved a sigh then shifted his weight to make himself more comfortable. Almost at once he fell into a natural sleep. The healer, exhausted from her efforts began to cry. The hunter helped her lay down beside the injured man then put a blanket over them both. The girl rolled over to curl herself around her brother then she also slept. Hercules, too tired to make the effort to go to his bed, laid down beside the healer. With a hand on her arm to lend what strength he could in his sleep he sighed with fatigue.

"Rest, my brother," the hunter whispered. "I'll take care of things."

He put a blanket over his large friend. The golden one built up the fire, then pulling his cloak around him he laid down beside the little demigod so that he'd know when the boy woke. He felt drained, himself.

Seeing the former god so ill hadn't been easy for him. In his delirium the one time god talked of Xena and Nemesis. He'd sworn his innocence in the death of Serena. He'd also professed his feelings for the healer. The hunter had been touched by the depth of feeling that poured from the ill man's mind and soul as the illness lowered the barriers he'd used to hide his feelings.

The hunter woke to the chattering of a child. He rolled over to watch the boy playing with bits of wood lined up in army ranks. He played the voice of the general leading his army of twigs on parade. With a tolerant smile the hunter sat up.

"Come see my army, Uncle Iolaus," the boy coaxed.

"And a fine army it is." The hunter came to sit across from the child. "Are they marching into battle?"

"No. Mommy doesn't like me to play war. They are marching to Corinth to greet King Iphicles. He just returned from a long voyage."

"Oh, so the army has come to honor the great King?"

"Yes." The boy gave the golden one an earnest look. "Do you think King Iphicles is a great King? Mommy says he is. So does Falafel."

"Yes, I believe he is a great King."

"I wish I could meet him. Have you ever met him, Uncle Iolaus?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I have. He's your Uncle Hercules' half brother."

The boy's eyes got big. "Uncle Hercules is related to the King of Corinth?"

"Yep. So in a round about way the King is kind of your uncle, just like Hercules is."

"Wow. Is my father related to Hercules too?"

"Yep. Hercules and your father are half brothers also." The boy looked confused and the hunter reached out to ruffle his hair. "It gets confusing, doesn't it?"

"Yep."

The boy imitated the hunter and the golden one laughed. "Want to come to the meadow with me? I thought we could take some cold venison with us. I'll show you how to use a bow and arrow. Later, you could help me gather more wood for the fire."

"It takes a lot of wood to keep us warm, huh, Uncle Iolaus?"

"Yep." They both laughed.

The hunter and the little demigod found some roots protected from the frost by thick brush. They dug them up to be added to the food supply back at camp. The golden hunter showed Evander how to use his bow. The child wasn't overly small for his almost three years of age, but the bow was still hopelessly big for him. The child was silently saddened when the hunter used the bow to bring down a wild turkey.

"I'm sorry I upset you. The animals are here to feed and clothe us. They help us in our work, or become our pets, and in so doing ease our loneliness. We need the meat, little man. There are lots of mouths to feed."

"Do animals go to the Elysian Fields when they die?"

"Our pets do, that I know."

The boy nodded gravely. "The old yellow dog at our hut is my pet."

"He's a good dog." The hunter offered a hand to the boy. "Let's bring in some wood."

The boy took the hunter's hand and they left the meadow to search for fuel to feed the fire. The hunter wanted to check the snares but decided to wait until he was alone. He didn't want to upset the sensitive little demigod any more. He'd been touched by the boy's depth of feeling.

Evander proved to be a big help in gathering the wood. He simply used the godly powers his father had endowed him with and moved the wood by levitation. The hunter found himself talking to the boy as if he were much older than his years. The little one's sharp mind made this easy to do.

"You're half god, and that gives you some powers that make you different. You have to learn when to use what you have and when not to. Don't think you're superior because you have these gifts. Everyone from gods down to the lowliest of mortals has special gifts that make them unique and special. Watch your Uncle Hercules. He's a demigod just like you, but he doesn't flaunt his powers. Instead he uses them to help people. Look at the special powers your Aunt Sira has. She can heal people. She doesn't think this makes her better than others. She also uses her powers for good."

"Is Aunt Sira a god?"

"In a way, I guess you could call her that, but she isn't a god from Olympus. She gets her power from the earth."

"Mommy says that my father is the god of war and that he is mean and evil."

The hunter sighed. "Your father was the god of war. He was pretty mean at one time, and I guess you could blame him for every war or fight that ever happened. But the truth is, he didn't start them all. It's human nature to be hostile and argumentative. People are going to fight no matter what. The god of war serves a purpose here on earth. He maintains the balance. Without the god of war people lose sight of what is right and wrong. Good people seem to lose control of their ability to reason calmly and they begin to fight. Your father has changed a lot in the last couple of years. Don't judge him by what he was before. Give him a chance and then make up your own mind."

The boy smiled at his uncle. "So even though he's a god, it doesn't mean he's bad?"

"No. Even as a god he wouldn't have to be bad. Not all gods are. But your father isn't a god anymore. While he was trying to save you from Discord she gave him some poison that took away his godhood."

The boy looked awed. "Wow."

The child and the golden one returned to camp and the hunter began to make a travois. The boy sat watching him for a time, then curling up on his blanket he fell asleep within minutes. The hunter smiled at the sleeping child and continued to work on the travois. As ill as the former god of war had been, the hunter was sure he wouldn't be walking out of here anytime soon, and the boy needed to be returned to his mother. With the travois he and Hercules could pull Ares and they could make a start.

The demigod came yawning to the fire. The hunter offered him a mug of tea. He'd made the tea from leaves and branches from a low growing bush he'd found near the edge of the meadow. It wasn't the best time of year to harvest the plant that made a tea with a cinnamon taste, but it was still useable. Their supply of Tassis tea was almost gone. With the cold weather, they would be needing the warmth and energy both teas could bring them.

"Tis Ehat," the demigod stated, using the yosemin name for the bush the tea had been made from. "This is good, my friend. Thank you."

"We're getting low on Tassis tea. In fact, we're getting low on everything."

"That why you're making a carrier for our friend?"

"That and the fact that Evander needs to be returned to Nemesis."

"Yes, they've been separated too long as it is." The half god stretched. "Anything to eat?"

The hunter gave him a tolerant smile. "Cold venison all right?"

"Sure. Is that turkey you're cooking?"

"Yes, but it won't be done for a bit."

"Venison sounds good to me."

The hunter dished up the meat then went to check the snares. He was rewarded with a fine catch. He had the rabbits skinned and ready to cook as soon as the turkey was done, before the little demigod left his blanket.

He came to sit by his Uncle Hercules. "I helped get more wood, Uncle Hercules," the boy told him.

"Thank you, Evander. You're a big help."

"Want to see the stones Uncle Iolaus and I found in the stream?"

"Sure."

The boy went to his blanket to get the stones, then coming to sit beside the demigod once more he handed the stones to the big man. "Aren't they nice ones?"

"They sure are." He dug a small leather pouch from his waist pack and handed it to the boy. "That will keep them safe." He smiled at the boy.

"Thanks, Uncle Hercules."

The dark warrior woke. He lay on his side facing the healer. He remembered being ill and the others healing him, but everything seemed a blur.

He reached out a shaky hand to lightly touch the empath's cheek. Being close to her like this sent a shiver up his spine. To wake every morning to that pleasure; yes, that would be good. He allowed himself to think about it a moment. These were dangerous thoughts, however. He was on fire with desire. Passion swept over him with a painful rush and he took a deep breath to calm himself. Mortal emotions were so powerful, or perhaps it was just that they were so new to him. With an effort he willed his mind to back away from his feelings for the woman he could never have now. He turned away from her, careful not to wake her. Movement brought pain to his leg but he did it anyway. He knew he had to if he were going to be able to control his overpowering need of the girl who called him brother.

He heard his half brother and the hunter talking by the fire. He said nothing. He wasn't ready to face these men who had a real hold on the sleeping healer. He well understood the tie between the girl and her mate of the soul. He'd seen what the thought of losing him had done to her. He admitted to himself that this was when the real change in him had taken place. Something in caring for the sick girl had stirred a need deep inside of him. A need to be more than just an evil, hateful harbinger of death and destruction. He wasn't fooling himself. He knew he was still filled with anger and violence that he found damn hard to control. Whether Sira wanted to admit it or not, it came with the job. A job he had taken very seriously. Godhood of any kind was a sacred trust. But to hold the power of such an important position was one he knew his father had saved for his rightful son.

He wasn't as sure of the hold his half brother had on the child of the forest. He knew that they'd made a commitment to each other when they'd thought the hunter was dead, and that they'd never released the commitment after the hunter was restored to them, but rather put it on the back burner, as it were.

He didn't even begin to profess an understanding of the yosemin beliefs on these kinds of things. Thysis had told him that Hercules was also the healer's soul mate, and that should the hunter die their love for each other would blossom and grow into something wondrous and awe inspiring. He hadn't wanted to believe this at first, but through the tie of soul he also shared with the healer and the tie of healing, he now knew it to be true. He also knew the empath loved him. But not in the way he wished he were free to love her.

He'd had special feelings for the warrior princess, and admitted he still did. What he felt for her, however, was quite different from what he felt for the healer. He'd had feelings for Serena, as well. Again, they were different from what he felt for Sira. His feelings for them were all tied up with possessing and manipulating them. He admitted that at first he'd felt the same about the child of the earth. The thought of possessing her power and strength had, for a time, intoxicated him like a strong wine. Then when she'd been so ill from the tearing away of part of her soul when she thought she'd lost her golden hunter, his feelings for her had changed. He'd wanted to protect her. He'd wanted to love and comfort her.

He felt confused. He must soon face Nemesis, a woman he also had feelings for. The feelings he had for the former executioner of the gods were probably closest to those he had for Sira. When Nemesis came to him begging him to make her a god once more, he'd felt sorry for her. She seemed so lost and confused. With a rush he realized he had even more reason to feel for her plight. Now he, too, was faced with a life he had no idea how to live.

He knew Nemesis hated him. His attempt at taking his son from her had severed their final tie and driven a wedge of mistrust and suspicion between them too wide to ever connect. Not that he blamed her. He'd taken the boy because he saw the chance to make something great of his offspring, but also to use and exploit the boy into being like himself. He'd hoped to manipulate his father's laws to his own advantage, thus reaching an end to a goal that had eluded him for far too long. Now his wish to see his half god brother, Hercules meet a painful end had changed. He no longer felt the same burning shaft of jealousy and hate for the favored son of his father. It had galled him that the father who had never treated him with anything but contempt, could love a half god bastard child more than his rightful son. Somehow that no longer seemed so hard to understand.

He and his father had talked a few times, now without the anger that had always been a part of any encounter they'd had. His father had even confessed he was proud of him.

Ares had gone so far as to tell his father he loved him. Then just days before Nemesis had come to him to accuse him of once again taking Evander, Zeus had told him that he loved him as well.

The former god thought back to the night his father had come to his temple. He'd talked of some of his children, both god and mortal, confessing he hadn't been much of a father to any of them. He told his son that he'd gone to Hades to try and see his half mortal daughter Amanda, only to find she'd gone to the earth in the yosemin way. Not finding his daughter to ask for her forgiveness at his lack of fatherly support or love had made him melancholy. He'd come to Ares to ease these feelings.

The god of war had been touched more than he wanted to admit even now. True, he'd thought for a time that he might find a way to exploit what seemed to be a new relationship between him and his father, but his heart hadn't been in it and he'd left these thoughts behind to spend some time watching a small skirmish between two strutting warlords. There'd been a time he would have stirred the pot, as it were, and made a real war out of this golden opportunity. But this time he simply enjoyed the battle itself for the strategic moves made by both men. He had to admit they'd done pretty well. Oh, nothing like the warrior princess had been capable of in her day, but still he'd found it entertaining.

With a sigh he settled himself more comfortably on the sand. His mind still in a muddle of anxiety and confusion he finally returned to sleep, his illness wracked body too tired to fight his emotions.

It wasn't yet dawn when the healer woke. She made sure she felt well, then careful not to wake the man sleeping beside her she placed a hand on his side. Using her earthly powers she felt for his life force, probing for signs of fever and infection. He wasn't completely well, but she found no fever and heaved a sigh of relief.

Rising, she stretched. Her hand hurt where the former god of war had gripped it so tightly during his fever induced delirium. It was swollen and slightly discolored, but she knew there hadn't been any serious injury done.

The night was cold and dark. She could feel the frost in the air and shivered with delight. Going to the fire she put more wood on, then filling their largest pot with water from the skin, she set it to heat in the coals. She knelt beside the little demigod sleeping beside the larger half god. The boy slept soundly, as did the man. With a smile she left them to their sleep. Her stomach growled and she lowered the cooked meat hanging from a rope suspended in a nearby tree. Cutting off a large chunk she pulled the rope back up well off the ground and away from predators of the forest night.

Tearing off bites of the cold venison with her even white teeth she ate it despite the light covering of frost on the meat. A quick dash to the woods left her bare feet tingling with cold and she warmed them by the fire as she waited for the water to boil. When it did, she took her things and the water to make her way to the stream. There was a heavy layer of ice at the water's edge, but the forest creature didn't mind. The frosty night was like a friend come home from a long absence. The bright sparkle of stars overhead seemed to reflect on the frozen ground to sparkle with a brilliance of its own.

When she'd finished bathing she wrapped a cloth around her wet hair and packed her things, but she didn't return to the camp. The night was just too beautiful to leave so soon. She wished now she'd brought her cloak as the cold finally drove her back to the fire.

She built it up once more and put water on to heat for tea. Taking her comb from her pack she took a seat by the fire to comb out her hair. The hunter watched her from his blankets. The firelight on her face lit it with a soft light, highlighting her natural beauty and making a halo around her pale tresses. He got a faint hint of jasmine from the air and knew she'd bathed, using the flower scented soap she made herself. A tingle started at the base of his spine and quickly engulfed his lower half with fire. He knew how sweet her skin would taste. The thought tore a ragged breath from lungs constricted with desire.

Sensing the hunter's eyes on her and his mind touching hers she sent her thoughts to him. He rose with one swift fluid movement to come to her. She went into his arms, her lips seeking his with an urgent insistence.

He turned to grab the blanket he'd just left. Removing the water from the fire he picked the nature child up and carried her to a secluded screen of brush near the edge of the meadow. When he set her on her feet she slipped her hands beneath his vest. He jerked and pulled her hands away.

"What is it, my lover?"

He wasn't about to tell her she'd hurt his bruised side. "Your hands are cold."

She giggled and took his mouth with hers. "So warm them," she suggested.

He untied the straps of her top and helped her slip out of it. She stood before him, her upper half covered with a thin woven moss camisole that drew attention to her amply proportioned upper torso.

"You're so beautiful," he whispered.

His words and the desire she felt behind them took her breath away. The golden one pulled her down onto the blanket spread over the frost covered grass. His lips took hers with hunger as his hands unlaced her trousers. He kissed her stomach at the V-shaped opening of her trousers then trailed kisses back up to the neckline of the camisole. With hands that trembled slightly he helped her remove the soft woven moss garment. His hands on her flesh felt like liquid fire.

He helped her slip her pants down over her rounded hips then tossed them aside, never taking his eyes off of her beauty. Rising to stand above her he removed his vest then his pants. She took a quick breath at his nakedness, her eyes filling with the light of desire as he joined her once more on the blanket. His hands caressed her. She arched her back as a breathless moan escaped her lips and he kissed her lips as if to seal the sound away.

She'd still not seen the bruise on his side since he'd turned that side away from her, throwing it into deep shadow when he'd undressed. But her sensitive hands and mind found it and she rose to hover above him. She pulled his arm out of the way to see it better. Even in the dim predawn light it glared darkly against his pale skin. Her breath caught on a sob and she turned eyes filled with anxiety to him.

He caressed her cheek. "It's all right, my soul." His voice was a whisper. "It's healing on its own."

She bent forward to place a kiss on his injured side. His hands cupped her breasts and her look of sorrow at his injury turned to a look of hunger. She kissed his stomach then still lower and he began to tremble.

"Sira." The one word was torn from him in a breathless whisper and she threw her leg over his to straddle him. His hands went to her hips to steady her. Her hair, still loose, fell around them to bring the scent of the flowering vine to him. It was like a strong wine intoxicating him, stripping him of his senses and stirring his blood. His hands caressed her, driving her mad, taking her breath away, leaving her dizzy. Her cry of pleasure and release was followed closely by his own, and the two sounds blended to ripple over the meadow still held in frozen bondage by the night that was only now relinquishing its hold on the earth to the golden rays of the sun.

The half god son of Zeus woke reluctantly. He hated to leave his bed on a cold morning, but the fire needed wood. With a sigh he rose. Seeing Sira gone from her bed beside the former god, he knew a moment of concern. Turning to the hunter's bed he found it empty as well and relaxed. He built up the fire then put the pot of water back on the coals to heat.

He made a quick trip to the woods then wished he hadn't as the cold air bit at his lungs and turned his breath into a thick white vapor.

The tea was ready when the lovers returned to camp walking hand in hand the blanket folded and draped over the healer's arm.

"I see you're feeling better," the big man stated to both of them.

The girl giggled, then standing on tiptoes and pulling the big man down to her level she brushed his lips with a light kiss. "Yes, we are both feeling better."

"Do you feel well enough to do me a favor?"

"Of course."

"Do you think you could reach Nemesis with your mind and make her understand that we have Evander?"

"I have already done so, my more that brother. When I first woke after being ill."

He smiled at her then returned her kiss just as lightly. "I should have known."

Her smile was flirtatious. "Yes, well, you quite often underestimate me."

"Not so much anymore, little nymph of the forest."

She handed him her mug to be filled with tea. "I am starving. Half frozen venison just does not fill the void." The hunter gave her a suspicious look. "So you're the one who ravaged my roast."

"And the cooker of the meat, as well."

He turned slightly red and the demigod chuckled. "I'll check the snares," he stated

innocently, and headed out of camp.

The former god of war woke in a surly mood. His leg ached with an intolerable throbbing

pain, his mouth felt like he'd been eating mud, and he needed a bath. He rolled over then lay watching the others by the fire with an irritated glare.

The healer sensed that he was awake and came to sit on the ground beside him. "How are you feeling, my brother?"

"Fine."

She placed her hand on his leg and sent her mind through the bandage to see beyond it. "I should bathe your leg."

"It's fine, Sira."

She frowned at him. "Then we will do it after you have made yourself more comfortable and have eaten. Hercules can help you to the woods. There is water heated to bathe with." She handed him her water flask. He took it without comment. When he'd had his fill he handed it back, still without saying anything. "Are you ready?" She turned to call to the demigod.

"I can manage on my own."

"Yes, most likely you could. You certainly have the courage. Still, let us help you for a bit, yet, and save yourself as much pain as possible." She reached for his arm, thinking perhaps help from her might be better received. He jerked his arm away and tried to rise by himself. He grunted with pain at his sharp movements. "Please, my brother, let me help you."

"I don't want your help."

"Very well." She rose and turned away.

The demigod helped the former god to his feet whether he liked it or not. Iolaus took up the pot of water and a pack and headed toward the river, the brothers in his wake.

When they returned the empath brought Ares a plate of food and a mug of tea. "You look much better after your bath. I still need to bathe your leg in the treated water. It helps fight infection."

"It's fine, Sira. You don't need to fuss over me."

"But I like to fuss over you."

"Well, I don't like being fussed over."

"If it were just that I would respect your wishes. But it is more than that. If the infection gets a head start in the wound I will have to heal you again. We need to get Evander home to his mother."

He sighed. "Fine. Do whatever you want."

She waited until he'd finished eating then removed the bandage. As gently as she could she removed the bit of cloth she'd left in the wound to help it drain. The dark warrior stiffened but made no comment. "It looks much better." She smiled at him. "I know this is uncomfortable; I am sorry." He looked away.

With a sigh she cleaned the leg then rebandaged it. She understood where his anger came from. It was a natural part of grief. He'd lost something very important to him, and the real reaction was setting in. She wished he'd let her ease the pain of loss, but he just wasn't ready for that yet. She fought back the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes. Tears at his pain both physical and mental, tears at her own fatigue. Healing was something that drained her and left her tired and vulnerable to her strong emotions.

She rose to wander from camp, heading toward the stream. She needed to touch the earth. The hunter watched her go then came to kneel before the former god. "I know you're ill and in pain so I'll try to keep my anger under control. I told you that you had a friend if you needed or wanted one, and I meant it. But if you hurt Sira like that again, you and I will have words. Serious words. She looks strong and she acts strong. She is strong, but the very things that give her this strength also leave her vulnerable. Her strong mind and sensitive heart are easily hurt, and the hurt takes awhile to heal. She's never been anything but a friend to you. Treat her like one." He rose and left camp to follow the girl he loved.

The former god sat watching him walk away then rolled in his blankets, his back to the camp. Evander came to squat before his father. "Want to see the stones I found in the stream?"

Ares took the pouch from the boy and poured the stones into his hand. "They're very nice. So you like pretty things, do you?"

"Yes, Father. So does Mommy, but she doesn't have very many."

At the boy's simple words the dark man's heart constricted. "Things haven't been easy for your mother, have they?"

"Sometimes she cries, because she gets so tired, or there's not enough food."

The once god, now man offered his arms to the boy. Evander laid down beside his father, mindful of his leg. He rested his head on the man's muscular biceps. A yawn claimed him, then another.

"Tired, little man?" The boy nodded as he yawned again. "Then sleep."

The boy settled himself more comfortably beside the dark warrior. The man felt his son jerk as sleep claimed him. A sense of awe filled him. Could this child really be his? He had other children; he wouldn't lie about that. But it wasn't as many as some people or gods seemed to think. Unlike his father, he wasn't a philanderer. There had been women in his life, however. A god was immortal; their lifetime unending. Not even the gods could control the conception of a baby. Being with a woman or a god must lead to this fact of nature. He admitted he hadn't been any better a father to his offspring than his own father had been to his.

With a rush that left him shaky, he realized he wanted things different with Evander. Maybe it was the empath's influence on him; it had certainly changed him in many ways. But whatever the reason, he understood now that the feelings he'd had after kidnapping the boy from his mother were still there. He wanted to get to know Evander, and he wanted Evander to get to know him as well. Then his thoughts seemed to freeze as something close to fear possessed him. Is it me I want him to get to know, or what I used to be?

The empath did another healing on the former god's leg when she and the hunter returned from the stream. He made no objection and the healing went well.

"Your leg is much improved," she told him. "We have made something to transport you. We should be able to make a start for Nemesis' hut in the morning."

"Just what have you come up with to transport me?"

The girl could feel his anger start to build. "It is a travois." She pointed to the hide covered poles the hunter had constructed. "The hide is stretched over the poles while still green then left to cure in the sun. This hide has not had much of a chance to cure so it will stretch, but we can tighten it as we go."

"I'm not going anywhere on that thing."

The healer sat back on her heels. She looked for a moment at the travois then looked back at the former god. "Why?"

"It's a little more than degrading, don't you think?"

"No. It is not your fault that you were hurt. But since you are and you cannot walk yet, this is the best solution."

There was a stubborn set to his dark features. "I won't be hauled all over the countryside like so much dirty laundry. Just leave me here. I'll be fine."

"And pigs may fly someday."

"I'm not getting on that bloody contraption. I've got something to do, anyway. Just leave me here with some food and a blanket."

"Who will gather wood for you, or bring you water?"

"I'll manage. I need to do something as soon as possible."

The girl reached for his hand, but he jerked it away. "I know what you must do. I do not confess to understand all of this, but I know how important this is to you." She watched his face. "Come with us now. When you are better, I will come with you."

He gave her a shocked look. "Do you know what you're saying?"

"Yes, my brother. You have something that could bring your godhood back."

"Ambrosia. I would be a god again, and once I am I'll take my sword back. Some insolent upstart will find herself lost so deep in the catacombs she'll never find her way out."

"Then wait until you are able to walk, my brother, and I will help you."

"I don't need help, Sira. This is something I can do on my own."

"And if your temple is shielded, will you find it, then?" He said nothing. "I can help you find it, just as I found Discord's temple despite her best efforts."

He searched her face. "I will be the god of war again, Sira."

"I know that."

"I thought you preferred the real Ares, and not the god." There was sarcasm in his tone.

"I love the real Ares enough to want this for him. You are very perceptive, my soul brother. For me to have you as Ares and not as a god is good. I have found an even deeper touch of soul with you over these few days. But for you, retrieving what has been stolen so violently from you is the right thing." She reached for his arm again, and this time he made no objection to her touch. "You have been violated. I do understand the need to avenge such an act of betrayal."

"I don't even know if the temple will still be there, let alone the fruit of the gods. If it's not�" His words trailed off.

"Then you will try to find Ambrosia elsewhere. Is it not true that it can be found here on mother earth?"

"Not so much anymore." His voice was wistful. "I could spend a lifetime looking and never find it."

"But the quest could be rewarding in itself."

He smiled at her. "You're talking like a warrior again."

She smiled back. "I cannot seem to help it."

"You'd really help me?"

"Yes."

He nodded. "Maybe in time I will ask for your help. For now this is something I have to do on my own."

She let her breath out with a puffy cheeked sigh. "Then at least wait until you are better." He shook his head, then watched as tears filled her eyes. "You cannot stay here alone. Not yet. And Evander must be returned to Nemesis as soon as possible."

"Then take him. I can and will manage on my own. You forget, I always have."

"You forget that you no longer are a god." Her voice was filled with anger. "You cannot just conjure up the things you will need. You cannot even walk right now. The infection is not completely healed. My healing is not yet complete. If you go now it will hurt me as well as you. Whether you like it or not, we are linked, and we are all in this together." She stood to look down on him. "Tomorrow you will get on that thing. You will lay there quietly and make the best of it. I, for one, am more than tired of your selfishness and arrogance. It was these very traits that landed you in this fix in the first place. If you do not want help to find your precious Ambrosia, then fine. But you will wait to go on this quest until you are well enough to do so. I refuse to let you tear my heart out with worry and concern for your safety just so you can try to prove how strong and self reliant you are."

She turned and stormed from the camp. She'd watched several emotions cross the former god's handsome face, not the least of which had been pain at the sting in her words. The beauty of the world around her began to eat at her anger, chipping it away and bringing her comfort. She felt remorse over her outburst. She'd promised herself she'd stay calm and allow his grief to take its natural course. That resolve hadn't lasted very long. I was pretty rough on him, she scolded herself.

The demigod came to her where she walked by the stream. The day was turning cool and he'd brought her cloak to her. He gave her a sympathetic smile as he laid the dark green wool garment over her shoulders. "Are you all right, my more than sister?" She turned to him. At the look on her face he pulled her into his arms. She cried silently, her cheek resting on his broad chest. He smoothed the hair from her other cheek. "It's all right, little healer."

"I should not have said those things. I was cruel."

"Maybe. Still, they needed saying." She sighed. "You're still tired. Come back to camp and rest."

She nodded. "I need to apologize, anyway."

They walked hand in hand back to camp. The child of the forest needed the strength their closeness could bring her. The demigod was content to lend it.

On their return the hunter looked up to search her eyes then went to hug her. "Anything I can get for you?"

"Would you mind heating some water? I would like to soak my hand."

He took the hand still sore and swollen from the former god's grip. He turned it gently to see it better then kissed the palm. "There's water hot now. I'll bring it to you."

She gave him a smile by way of thanks. With a deep breath for courage she went to kneel beside Ares. "I am sorry, my brother. I was unnecessarily cruel to you. I�"

"Save it, Sira," he interrupted.

Tears welled in her eyes. Rising, she went to stand beside the fire. The hunter brought her the asked for water. She made herself comfortable on the sand to soak her hand and the hunter took a seat beside her, his mind touching hers with comfort and love.

The demigod's face was set in stern lines of anger as he went to stand before his brother. Before he could voice his anger the former god asked a question of him, "What's Sira doing?"

"She's soaking the hand you damn near crushed last night."

"I hurt her?"

"While you were out of your head with fever you squeezed her hand. But that didn't hurt her nearly as bad as you hurt her just now, you bastard." The big man turned to watch Sira for a moment. There was more he wanted to say to his brother, but he knew she hated for them to fight. With an almost visible effort he fought for control over his anger. Afraid he'd lose the battle he turned and walked away.

The once god, now man sat in silence. He hated to admit it, but he knew his brother had been right. He had hurt Sira. He wasn't even sure why he had. He was angry, but he wasn't angry with her. And he really did want her help in trying to find his temple. Would allowing the others to help me be so bad? They've helped me so much already. Maybe that's part of the problem, he thought. He'd been forced to rely on others for his very survival. It wasn't something he was used to doing.

That he must be pulled along on that contraption made his present situation all too clear. Sira had been right. Without their help he just might not make it. I'm the great Ares, god of war! his mind screamed. I'm not some puny weakling that must be carried and coddled.

Grief swept over him, and for the first time since he'd found the healer, her mate of the soul, and his brother after being beaten by Discord, there was no strong touch of the mind to ease his pain and grief. He realized with a rush of added pain that he missed the comfort the child of the earth had offered him. No matter how impossible his love for her was, he still loved her.

He watched his brother bringing in a load of wood from the forest. Now he understood him. Now he knew what kept Hercules with the healer and the hunter. The things he needed were here. Love, companionship, friendship, and the steady touch of the mind from both Sira and Iolaus to comfort and ease his loneliness and despair.

He wanted a chance to speak with the forest's child, but she slept for a time then kept herself busy packing and preparing for their departure in the morning.

Sira deliberately avoided him. She'd tried to apologize but he'd refused to listen to her. She was hurt but had no intention of letting him see just how much his harshness had hurt her. She and the others talked about it and agreed they would leave in the morning with or without Ares. Evander needed to get back to his mother. The healer was filled with dread over the decision. She hated to think what the former god might go through because of his stubborn stance.

Still avoiding her brother, the girl took to her bed for the night, not that she found sleep easy. Through her mind marched columns of men armed with swords and spears, the cry of battle on their lips, the smell of death in the air. Looking down on the army from a lofty perch was the darkly beautiful goddess of war.

Morning dawned clear and cold. A slight breeze sent the cold air scurrying about their camp to gut the fire the healer nursed from coals to a warming blaze. She needed tea to help clear her head and she knew they would all need it to warm them.

The golden one joined the earth's child at the fire and offered to fix the first meal of the day while she bathed. He could see the dark smudges under her eyes and knew she hadn't slept well. Taking her things and a pot of hot water the healer took him up on his offer.

Hercules came to stand before the former god. "Well, what's it to be? Do you come with us, or do we leave you here?"

Ares studied his brother's face through narrowed eyes.

"He's coming with us," the hunter stated. "If he doesn't it will tear Sira apart."

Ares sat up and Evander came to sit in his lap. "Please, Father, come with us."

The dark man sighed. "All right, I can't fight you all."

The hunter smiled. "Good. I was afraid we'd have to hog tie you."

When Sira returned to the camp it was obvious she'd been crying. She stood before the others a little apart from them. "I just cannot do this. I cannot leave Ares here alone. I will stay with him while you take Evander back to his mother. Once you have, you can come back for me. The extra few days will do much to improve Ares' leg."

"Sira." The demigod started to tell her that her Ares had agreed to come with them.

"No." She held up her hand to stop what she thought would be an objection. "I have made up my mind. I will stay."

Ares raised his eyebrows at his brother. "Sira," he spoke her name softly, all anger gone from his voice. "I've decided to take you up on your offer and come with you."

She turned to him as tears spilled from the corners of her eyes. "You mean it?"

"Yes. I'll come. And once I'm better I'd really like your help in trying to find my temple."

She went to her knees beside him. "Thank you, my brother."

He could feel the worry and concern in her voice. How was it this woman could always touch his heart? It ached now at the hurt he'd caused her. "I'm sorry about yesterday," he whispered. "I was a first class jerk. I wasn't angry with you�" She put her fingers over his lips to stop him and he sighed. "None of this is easy."

"I understand, my brother. If it were within my power to return you to godhood, I would do so."

He frowned at her. "You really mean that, don't you? After all the times you've asked me to be Ares and not the god of war you surprise me."

"It is still a part of who and what you are. To walk away from it willingly is one thing. To have it torn away from you is quite another. I need a few days if you can wait that long. I promised Nemesis we would help her learn ways to help her survive on her own. She is not fairing very well." The empath stopped at the anger that distorted the former god's face.

"I offered to help. When there was something I could do, I wanted to help her. She refused my help."

"Can you really blame her?" the healer whispered.

"Yes. She should have thought of the boy's welfare."

"I believe that is what she was doing."

"Damn it, Sira."

"I am not trying to be harsh. It is just that you have not exactly acted like the doting father."

"I wanted what I thought was best for Evander. Maybe not at first, but after being with him, things changed. I changed. Still, I wanted something more than� This," he waved his hand to indicate the mortal plane and life in general, "for the son of a god."

"Nemesis did not know that your feelings had changed. She was lost in her fear. She could not know that you could love a son. He was not conceived out of a love between you two, so that tie of soul was not there for her to build trust on. If he had been conceived as a symbol and affirmation of a deep love, things might well have been different. You went to the girl, using her fear and insecurity against her to obtain a child that you hoped to manipulate and control. How do you expect her to feel about you?"

He narrowed his eyes at her. "That isn't what happened."

The empath's mind was linked with his. She sensed his sincerity. "So what did happen?"

He started to turn away. "It doesn't matter."

She took his arm. "It matters to me."

He turned back and met her earnest gaze. "In the first place she came to me. She was, just as you said, frightened and vulnerable. She wanted her godhood back. She was so damned pitiful." He shook his head. "She's a beautiful woman. Things happened. She was a willing partner in them. I was willing to use the Ambrosia to help her. I admit I could have given it to her first then wooed her, but there was something beguiling in her vulnerability. When she found that she carried my child she refused my aid. She was angry and hurt. She swore I'd used and manipulated her. I guess in a way I did, by not insisting on returning her godhood first. But things seemed to heat up between us so fast. I never meant for her to become pregnant." He sighed. "She was cruel and hateful. She refused to let me help her or to accept my offer of a home for her and the child. She wanted no part of me or godhood. She wanted the boy raised as a mortal, I wanted him raised as a god. She fled in the night and I let her go. But once the boy was born I came after her. I wanted the boy for a very evil and vile reason. But then once I'd had him with me. Once I'd bathed and changed him�" His words trailed off. He didn't know how to finish his thought.

"Once he touched your heart," the healer finished for him.

"I know you won't believe me, but I wanted her, as well. I didn't just take the boy, I offered her a home. I offered her love. She refused both. She was right, I guess. What do I know of love? It would have been just like with Serena. I just don't know any other way."

Sira took his hand. "That is not true, my brother. Your emotions run deep. I sense them there and know you have been truthful with me."

He gently took the hand and turned it over to see the dark bruise. "I'm sorry I hurt you."

"It is nothing, my brother."

Hercules took up the poles of the travois first. The former god laid on the hide covered poles with as much dignity as he could muster under the circumstances. Evander was excited. He knew they were taking him home. He walked beside the travois chattering about anything and everything to his father who kept a tolerant smile throughout the endless questions that flowed from the boy's sharp mind. Like the empath's own son, Evander was far advanced beyond his almost three years of age. His mind worked much faster and with more clarity than could be expected of a human child of the same age.

Uncle Iolaus accused the boy of being a chatter box then picked him up to put him on his shoulders. He could see that the boy's father was getting tired. Despite the travois and despite the demigod's efforts to take a smooth path, the movement caused Ares pain. The empath noticed his fatigue as well and sent her strength to aid him.

They stopped at a small trickle of water cascading from a rocky cliff face to refresh themselves. When they moved on again Evander walked beside his father once more. After a short time he began to lag as wide sleepy yawns robbed him of strength. Without a word he hopped on the travois beside his father. With the uninhibited affection of children he threw his arms around his father's neck to kiss his cheek. The former god looked up, a startled look on his face. Obviously love and affection were a side benefit of fatherhood he hadn't counted on.

The boy settled himself comfortably beside the dark warrior and proceeded to take a nap. Sira smiled at her brother. "There is something very special about holding a sleeping child, is

there not?"

"I didn't know it could be like this."

They walked on into the aging day. The sun was just past its zenith when they found a place to stop again. Hercules lowered the poles of the travois carefully, then stood rubbing his tired shoulders. His hands felt stiff from holding the poles and he worked to loosen them.

The healer took his hands in hers. The demigod felt a tingling on his flesh that started at his fingertips and spread to his hands then up his arms and across his back where the muscles ached from his burden.

He watched her face as she healed him. Her eyes were closed, her long dark lashes rested on cheeks left slightly pink from the sun. She opened her eyes to dazzle him with dark green brilliance. His quickly drawn breath spoke volumes.

He reached out to caress her cheek with his knuckle. "Thank you, my more than sister. I feel much better."

The hunter started a fire to make tea then set out cold meat to break their fast. Their supplies were painfully low and he knew he needed to hunt again. The dark warrior asked his brother to help him to the woods. The half god was grateful to find Ares didn't need as much help as he had the day before.

Evander found a place to sit beside a small mound of pebbles. The healer sent her mind out in a search of the area around them. Someone at some time had stopped at this same spring and left the pebbles here. She got no sense of life that might resent their presence, and relaxed.

The little demigod looked through the stones, scrutinizing each one with a critical eye. It kept him entertained and the healer sent a prayer of thanks to the long ago traveler who'd left the stones for them to find. When they got ready to leave the spring the healer again piled the stones up in a mound.

"What ya doing?" the little demigod asked her.

"Leaving the pebbles as we found them."

"Why?"

"For the next traveler. Someone left them for us, and you found much pleasure in them." Satisfied with her effort she stood to admire her handy work. "Now the next little boy to stop here will find them and have fun with them."

"You think another little boy left them there for me to find?"

"It sure looks like it."

The boy smiled and reached for her hand. Together they joined the others and they left the little glen where they'd stayed to rest and refresh themselves.

Iolaus pulled the hide covered poles when they started out from their nooning. The day turned sticky with moisture that promised fog later. Sira passed her water flask to Ares and he drank gratefully. Evander rode the demigod's shoulders chattering about something and pointing out the things he found interesting in the forested area they now passed through.

"He never stops," the healer chuckled. "He reminds me of Hercus."

"He seems as enthralled with nature as your son, as well," Ares offered.

"Yes, the earth is strong in your son."

"I'm glad. Maybe he'll need his Aunt Sira to nurture that part of him." Sira smiled at the dark man who watched her so earnestly.

They stopped once more so that the demigod could again take up the poles of the travois. Evander walked beside his father once more. The hunter and the healer walked hand in hand a little apart from the others. Sira sent strength and healing to her mate of the soul. He took her offered love and sent his own back to her. A blue-white light surrounded them both, as if to hold them together in gentle bondage.

The shadows grew long, and still they traveled on. No place to stop for the night presented itself and there was still light left to travel.

The hunter took a rabbit with his bow then missed the next shot, and Sira teased him about it. Pretending to be angry at her he handed the bow to her. "There, see if you can do any better, Miss Smarty."

She accepted the bow with dignity then helped herself to an arrow from the suede quiver on her mate's back. Readying the arrow she waited her chance. Moments later she took a rabbit with seeming ease. Without a word she tried to hand the bow back to the hunter.

"No, no. Let's see you do that again."

Sira retrieved the rabbit. Wiping the blood from the arrow on the grass she put it in place ready for the next shot. Turning swiftly she shot at a rabbit bounding away from them. The little furry creature had been behind her. There was no way she'd seen it, and yet she took it, again with seeming ease.

"You cheated," the hunter accused. "You used your mind to find that little beastie."

"It is an old hunter's trick."

He laughed then pulled her into his arms to swing her around and kiss her thoroughly.

The demigod knew that ahead of them was the river they'd crossed in finding Ares. He'd hoped to reach and cross it before stopping, but it wasn't going to happen. The former god's face was drawn and haggard with the pain in his leg. Evander was tired and fussy for the first time since they'd found him in Discord's temple. He also admitted he was done in, himself. His brother was a large man. Only the strength he'd been given by the gods had made it possible to travel this far.

The healer found a place for them to stop. There was grass and shade, ample wood and water from a spring. Seeing the advantage in the little hollow among a thick grove of trees the demigod made no objection to stopping.

Sira put the little demigod on the grass beside his father. She'd been carrying him the last mile or so. She left him her water flask and a generous portion of cold venison to eat then set about making a fire from the first load of wood the men brought in. Once she had the water heating for tea she skinned the rabbits and started them cooking.

She brought fresh water to Ares then knelt beside him, not touching him, but feeling for his life force with her mind. Finding no fever she heaved a sigh of relief. Bringing the pot of water she'd heated for the purpose she bathed the leg in water she treated with the last of the green liquid she'd made back home in the hidden cabin in the forest. She wasn't overly concerned that it was gone. She knew of other things that could be gathered from the forest that would help fight infection.

The hunter turned the rabbits on the spit while the woman he loved helped the once god, now man she called brother. She healed him for a time then went to sit on the grass behind the demigod. The hands she placed on his shoulders were almost too hot with her healing powers.

"Relax, my more than brother, you have done much today."

"How is he?" He jerked his head to indicate his brother.

"He is tired and in some pain, but the infection has not returned."

The big man moved his head from side to side as the girl massaged his shoulders and upper arms. "That feels good, my sister. It makes carrying Ares almost worth it."

"I know this is not easy for you."

"Sometimes when I look at him, it all comes flooding back to me. All the years he's tormented me. Serena." He shook his head. "I'm trying to look past it. I know he's been through a lot, but I can't help but think maybe he deserves some of it."

"Hardship can change and shape some people into better and stronger beings. Much as it has you, my more than brother. Then there are those like our friend, Venin that are scarred too deeply to ever be whole again."

"Ares is taking this better than I thought he would."

"He is strong, and no matter how much he denies it the earth flows through him. The love and friendship we offer has helped also. But I think the thing that has saved him thus far is his son. Their tie of soul is very strong. How Nemesis kept them apart this long is beyond me. But she never will be able to again. This I know."

"What if he does find his precious Ambrosia then takes back the god of war's sword? Then what?"

"He will still love the boy. He will never willingly give him up now."

"If he tries to take him from Nemesis, he'll deal with me."

"Me also, my more than brother. But I did not mean that. I mean he will want to see the boy at times. I do not believe he would try to separate the boy from his mother."

"Let's not forget who we're talking about, my sister."

She rested her cheek against his back. "I know. But I trust my mind and my heart. Maybe I should not always do so, but I cannot seem to help myself."

"I'm glad. I wouldn't want you any other way."

When they'd eaten, the empath and the hunter went to the spring to bathe. It was well shielded from view by brush and trees. The lovers didn't enter the water, although the empath's sensitive mind told her it was deep enough to swim. They would need the water for drinking, so they contented themselves with standing on the bank and pouring the water over them with a gourd.

The hunter's hands on the girl's naked flesh set her on fire. She couldn't seem to keep her hands off of him.

"If you keep that up, I'll never get your hair washed," he teased.

She kissed his neck. "I do not really care right now."

"Just let me finish, then I'm all yours."

"All mine? All of you is mine?"

He laughed. "If that's what you want."

She kissed him on the chest. "That is what I want."

"Oh, the sacrifices we men must make to keep our women happy." Her hand tightened and his eyes got big. "I give up."

He caressed her and she moaned. "Will you please hurry with my hair. I cannot wait much longer."

"Can't wait for what?"

She didn't answer with words, but her actions told him quite positively what she couldn't wait for.

It was fully dark before the lovers returned to camp. Fog had claimed the night to shroud it in mystery.

The demigod brought a mug of tea to each of them. "That's the last of the tea. We're out of honey and all the dried nuts and berries we brought with us. In short, if we don't hunt we don't eat."

Sira put her hand on his arm. "Do not worry, my more than brother. I will find things we can eat, and Iolaus will hunt. There are rivers with fish and water plants in them that we can eat. There is always food if you know where to look for it."

He nodded. "As slow as we must travel we'll be at least two more days getting back to Nemesis' place. Not that we'll be any better off there. She hasn't got enough supplies to keep herself going, let alone the rest of us."

"You are not usually this pessimistic, my brother. You are tired. Go to your bed."

He nodded again. "I've bathed Evander, but his things need to be rinsed out. Not that they will dry in this fog."

Sira raised up to kiss his cheek. "Go to bed."

"We should keep the fire going tonight."

The hunter chuckled. "I'll take care of it. Quit trying to be invincible and get some rest. You don't have to prove anything to us."

The big man chuckled. "All right, you win. Call me if you get too tired."

"Go to bed, already."

The hunter made himself comfortable on a log beside the fire and the healer came to sit at his feet. He rubbed gently at her shoulders, liking the warmth of her skin that came through her woven moss top. She leaned back against him to rest her cheek against his thigh.

"Tired, love?" his words were like a caress.

"A little. Mostly I was enjoying our soul's touch." He caressed her cheek with a light touch as his mind touched hers.

The night was cold and damp with a thick fog that clung to the ground like a ghostly vapor sent up from the bowels of the earth to surround them in its surreal world of necromancy.

The fog was gone by morning, swept away by a chilling breeze. Dark, threatening clouds hugged the horizon. The empath found several of the Tis Ehat bushes growing near the spring and gathered enough leaves and small twigs to supply them with the cinnamon tasting tea for a few days. It wasn't as good without honey. Still, it would warm them and lend them the earth's energy. There were rabbits to break their fast.

The demigod kept watching the sky. The healer watched him for a moment, then bringing him a mug of tea she also watched the sky.

"What bothers you, my brother?"

"Is it going to rain?"

"Most assuredly."

"We still have the river to cross."

"Yes, perhaps haste might be in order." She looked about her once more, then without a word began to pack the camp.

They left the grove of trees behind. Now the wind buffeted them, seeming to come at them first in one direction, then another. The half god moved quickly now, not as careful to make the trail easy for his half brother. Sira explained the need to hurry and Ares made no objection. Evander didn't walk this morning. That would only slow them down. Sira's sensitive mind knew it was already raining in the mountains.

They reached the river before midday. They'd been traveling steadily since just after first light, but they didn't stop now. Hercules took some of their things and the little demigod across first. Leaving the boy on the far bank with their things he returned. Without a word he picked his brother up and headed back to the river. The former god made no objection to being slung over the big man's shoulder. He, too, understood the need to hurry. Iolaus took the travois apart for easier carrying, then shouldering the rest of their gear he forded the river.

The current was swift, the water deep. They might have been able to find a better place to cross, given time, but that was one luxury they didn't have. Every one of them understood the danger. To reach Nemesis' hut they must cross the river at some point. Rains would swell the river and make crossing it even harder. No one wanted the delay this would cause.

The demigod returned once more. The healer waited for him. She knew she'd never be able to hold her own against the strong current. She'd watched her mate of the soul struggle, her heart pounding with apprehension.

The more than brother of her soul smiled at her. "Ready, my sister?"

"When you are, my brother." He picked her up and waded into the water. "There are definite benefits to traveling with you," she teased. "Especially when we need to cross an angry river."

"I was just thinking there are benefits in traveling with you. Especially when there are angry rivers to cross."

They'd almost made it half way across the river. Here the water was deep. It followed a straight path stretching out and flowing swiftly.

"My brother," Sira whispered, fear in her voice. "I think we should hurry."

The big man looked to where she was looking, her eyes large with fright. He drew in a quick breath. Coming toward them was a wall of water. The big man looked away, forcing himself to concentrate on the current and the depth of the river still left to cross. The river bottom was rocky and slick. A fall now would spell their doom.

The empath couldn't seem to take her eyes away from the force of nature that sped toward them. Old tree trunks and driftwood rode the tide's crest for a moment, only to be churned under the destructive flood of water that descended on them. Debris was thrown several feet into the air, only to splash back into the death the flash flood offered to anything in its wake.

The girl could hear the roar that filled the narrow river canyon. She shot her mind out in a prayer to the water mother to protect them.

The half god made the bank. Sira jumped to her feet, scrambling up the high cliff face that was their only hope of safety. The ground was wet and slippery from the other crossings. She couldn't get a hold on anything. Afraid to look back but screaming inside to look for the demigod she forced herself to move further up the bank.

The sound of the flood behind her was deafening. A hand shot out to help her up and she grabbed it like the lifeline it was.

"Higher!" the demigod shouted. "We're not high enough."

The four of them scrambled over the ridge just as the water hit them. It seemed to suck the healer away from the others and she knew a moment of panic. Suddenly she was pulled up and away in a powerful jerk to find herself held tightly by the former god. His hold on her hand was painful in its intensity. The girl slumped against him, fighting her panic and fear for a moment. Then she pulled back to search his darkly handsome features. She read fear in his own eyes. But there was something else there as well. Something she'd felt in his grasp.

"Well, that was fun," the nature child stated in sarcasm.

The men look at each other, wide grins on their faces. The demigod began to chuckle. The others joined in and the chuckle became a laugh. There were pats on backs and hugs.

The former god was more than shocked when the demigod laid an arm across his shoulders. "Thanks for helping Sira, Brother."

The dark warrior laughed. "Is traveling with you always so much fun?" They all laughed again.

Gathering their things they stayed where they were. Evander had fallen asleep on the grass, a pack for a pillow. The hunter made a fire then set water to boil for tea. He'd taken some quail during the morning that would ease their hunger, if not fill them up.

The healer knelt beside the little demigod. He looked so peaceful lost in slumber. The hunter came to stand behind the girl and she rose to receive his arms. "Is he all right?"

"Yes. I am glad he did not see what just happened."

The golden one's arms tightened around her as he buried his face in her hair. "That was too close, my love," he whispered.

She sent her mind to him, touching him with her love. As they held each other the first few drops of rain fell then passed on almost unnoticed.

Light flashed overhead, and the rumble of thunder followed closely on its heals. The former god limped to where the nature child stood encircled by the arms of her mate of the soul.

With difficulty he took a seat beside his son. Pulling a blanket from a pack he covered the boy. "I think we're going to get wet."

Light flashed again. The earth seemed to vibrate with the crash of thunder. The sound woke the sleeping child and he began to cry. Thunder again assailed their ears and the boy cried harder.

Ares pulled the boy into his arms. "It's all right, little man. It's only thunder." He looked to the healer, an appeal in his eyes, as if to say, what do I do with a frightened, crying child?

"You are doing fine, Dad," the girl smiled at him.

He smiled back. "Dad. I like that."

They moved on, leaving their place of nooning to follow the river. After the flash flood the river had settled a great deal. It was still higher and muddier than before, but not as angry as one might think. A few scattered drops of rain teased them but failed to bring the downpour the dark clouds seemed to promise.

Ares walked now, using a stout branch as a crutch. When he was too tired to go on he willingly took to the travois. They passed through showers, but still the heavy rain trapped in the black billowing clouds found no escape.

They found a place to stop for the night with a deep cut in a sandstone cliff face to offer them shelter. The healer headed toward the river.

"Wait, Sira!" the hunter called. "Where are you going?"

"To catch us some dinner."

"You can't swim in that icy water. Besides, it's too muddy to see the fish."

"I do not need clear water to see the fish with my mind. It will be well, my love."

She tossed her top and pants on the riverbank then waded into the water. They'd camped near a bend in the river that offered a safe haven for her to wade in. Unless she ventured to the middle of the current she wouldn't have any trouble keeping her footing.

Taking her time, she was able to feel with her mind and capture the wriggling offerings of the water mother. The river water was too muddy to drink, but their flasks were still half full and the water skin was more than half full. It would have to do until they could find fresh water.

The child of the forest left the water to take the offered blanket from the hunter. "You're shivering. Get back to camp and warm up."

She let the blanket drop then hugged him, sliding her hands beneath his vest. "I know what would warm me up."

He shook his head and turned around to face the camp. "Your teeth are chattering. Get to that fire, young lady." He gave her a little shove and a swat on the bottom.

"You know I love it when you get rough."

"Oh no, you don't. Now off you go." Giggling, the healer did as she was told. The hunter chuckled. "My little woodland creature."

The healer, still clad only in her undergarments, knelt beside the fire for a moment to warm her hands. The hunter began to clean the fish. After a moment the healer rose to go to the former god. Pain and fatigue were written on his face.

She went to her knees beside him. Without a word she placed her hands on his injured leg. Even through the leather of his pants leg he could feel her cold hands. He realized she was shivering.

"I'm fine. Get warmed up."

"A healing will warm me much faster than the fire."

She made herself comfortable beside him as she closed her eyes, coaxing her mind into a trance. Now her hands felt almost too hot. Light glowed around her, lighting her pale features. Her still wet underthings did little to conceal her ample figure. In fact they seemed to accentuate them and draw his eyes.

Desire swept over him to leave him shaky. He felt as if he couldn't breath. With an effort he raised his eyes to her face, but that was no better. Her beauty clutched at his insides. His eyes seemed to have a will of their own, and he watched the light pulse that beat steadily on the side of her long slender throat. Each beat sent a pulsation of its own through him. His eyes traveled still lower to the triangle at the base of her throat. The skin looked soft and warm. Still his eyes moved lower to the deep cleft between her breasts.

The healer sensed his desire and her own was kindled. The touch of soul between those also held in the heart made this kind of reaction inevitable. She remembered all too well how his full sensuous lips felt on hers. She'd felt his arms around her, his heart beating against her own.

With an effort she pulled her mind away from these thoughts and continued the healing. She felt despair flood in to sweep away the desire he'd felt only moments ago. I'll never have her now! his mind shouted. She knew he'd always believed he'd have a time with her at his side as an equal. She'd never denied this belief. She had special feelings for this brother of her soul. And who could tell what the earth might bring?

Now he would go to the earth long before her yosemin longevity released her, and there were two other men she cared more for than him.

The healer sent love to him. Not a physical love, but a love of understanding and compassion.

"Please, Sira," his mind pleaded, "I can't do this anymore." She left the healing behind and opened her eyes to search his face.

"I am sorry, my brother, that this is so hard for you. You are healing well. I will not heal you again, unless I must."

He narrowed his eyes at her. "I'm the one who should apologize to you. But you're right. If I frighten you, you should stay away."

"You do not frighten me. I was concerned for you, not for me."

"You think you're so irresistible that I can't keep my hands off of you, and that I'd take advantage of you, or that I'd use you. Well, little healer, you're right, I would. Now you're getting to know the real me."

She knew where his anger came from. He was using it as a defense; a shield to protect himself from feelings and emotions he couldn't yet begin to understand.

She wasn't hurt, but her own anger began to rise. "Very well, Ares. If telling me that makes you feel better, then so be it. But take fair warning. I will only take so much from you. I refuse to let you turn my love for you into a twisted, hateful thing that you can turn against me. Go on, wallow in your self pity and anger." She rose to stand beside him. "I have promised to help you and I will do so. But take heed, mend your ways or you will find yourself damn lonely." She rose and stormed to the fire, her back to him.

"Fine, I don't need you or anyone else. I don't need your help. Just forget I asked for it."

She turned on him. "Push me much further and I will do just that." Her underthings had dried. Taking up her clothing she began to dress.

The demigod brought her a mug of tea. "He's a real charmer, isn't he?"

The girl sighed. "The truth is, he is scared to pieces, and cannot or will not admit it." She shrugged. "Anger is a natural reaction."

"Maybe you're crediting him with too much emotion."

"What you mean is, human emotion. Well, he is human now, Hercules, with all their faults and all their wonders. And he is experiencing raw emotions for the first time."

"Maybe," the big man offered.

"You are just like him. Hide behind a false front of indifference and hate and it will all go away. I, for one, am sick of both of you. I am sick of human emotions and human anger." She stalked away to find a place in the forest to calm herself.

The hunter smiled at his friend. "It doesn't pay to make her angry, Herc."

The half god nodded. "Yes, I know. I didn't mean to make her angry. Should I go after her?"

"Let her cool off a bit first," the golden one advised.

The demigod began to pace while the hunter set the fish to cook over the fire. After a long silence the big man asked, "Do you think I'm being too hard on Ares?"

"The gods know you've got plenty of reason to be."

"That's not what I asked."

"I don't know, Herc. Maybe so. But then again, maybe not. You're going to have to decide that for yourself."

"Thanks a lot. That certainly cleared that up."

Iolaus shrugged. "I don't have a yes or no answer."

The demigod began to pace again and the golden one took pity on him. "Go get her," he smiled at the friend of his childhood and more than friend of his adulthood.

Hercules smiled back and headed after the girl he loved more than a sister.

The hunter watched his friend's back a moment, then with a shake of his head he turned back to the cooking fish on their spit. After a moment he took a mug of tea to the former god, and one cooled and thinned with water to the little demigod.

"Thank you, Iolaus," the man voiced.

"You're welcome." He started to walk away then turned back. "Want a word of advice?" Not waiting for an answer he continued. "You should be more careful."

"Why? Is she going to zap my brain if I don't?"

The golden one chuckled. "No. Not that she couldn't. But she wouldn't do that to someone she cares so much about." Now he grew serious again. "She cares for you, and that makes her vulnerable. I know she's seen and felt a side of you no one else has, and this has only strengthened her feelings for you."

"Is there a point to this?" the once god interrupted.

"I was coming to that. Push her too far, and out of self defense she'll walk away from you. And no matter what you say, I don't think you want that. The tie of soul would always be there, making the separation all the harder, but the friendship you share with her will be gone." The hunter studied the former god's face a moment. "Besides that, I told you what would happen if you hurt her. And remember, you're no longer invincible." He deliberately walked away to return to the fire and the cooking fish.

Hercules found the healer sitting on a log near the river and joined her there.

"The river is beautiful even in flood, is it not?" she asked.

"Yes, it is. Since I've met you I see the world in new ways. There really is great beauty out there. Most of us just don't know how to see it. You've taught me how."

"The earth has taught you, my brother." She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I am sorry for what I said earlier."

"You don't owe me an apology. The truth is, we all rely on you for our emotional support. You're always in tune with it and it's easy to depend on you to find stability. It's not very fair to you. We don't give back what you give to us. No wonder you get tired of our petty squabbles."

The empath sighed. "It can be very draining at times. But it has always been that way for me. It is the price I pay for my empathic gifts."

"You're tired and drained right now. I can feel that in you, my more than sister."

The girl leaned against him and he put his arm around her. "I have kept a part of my mind for Ares. I have tried to ease his pain and his churning emotions." She sighed. "Sometimes I wish I could shut out others' feelings and thoughts; their pains and heartaches. But I cannot. I never have been able to."

"For you, I'm sorry. I'm beginning to understand how hard it must be for you. But for the rest of us, I'm glad you are the way you are. I wouldn't want to give up your soul's touch." His arm tightened around her and he planted a kiss on the top of her head. "Will you forgive my human failings and return with me to camp? I bet your husband has that fish ready."

The girl nodded. "Thank you, my more than brother."

"For what?"

"For loving me, and for lending me your strength."

"It's no more than you've done for me many times." He rose and offered her a hand up.

The former god of war said nothing to the hunter. Oh, he wanted to. He wanted to argue, but the simple truth was he'd been justified in what he'd said. As much as I hate to admit it, I was being a jerk, he thought. But then that seems to be the only thing I'm good at anymore.

With a sigh he tried to make himself more comfortable on the ground. Every move sent fire through his leg. His efforts of the day had aggravated the still unhealed ligaments and muscles.

Shutting the pain from his mind he thought about the first time he'd felt Sira's strong mind. He'd felt her power like a strong pull on him and had been determined to find the source of such energy. He remembered their first encounter in the underground chambers of the old castle. He smiled as he thought about the next time he saw her. He'd stood hidden behind his godly powers to watch her bathe in the river. He remembered with stark clarity the pleasure he'd found in her nakedness. In fact, he admitted, all his encounters with her from the smallest to the here and now were clear in his mind. She'd stood by him and believed in him almost from that first moment he'd sent his own powers to aid her in saving her mate of the soul. Yes, she believed in him. The problem was, he no longer believed in himself. He could no longer discern the difference between what used to be his reality and the reality of now.

He watched his son at play. This, he thought, is reality. This and Sira's love and friendship. He watched the hunter at the fire. This also was reality, he decided. The man had offered him friendship. All of a sudden he wanted that friendship very badly. He watched as his brother and the healer returned to camp. Hercules, my half brother. Sometimes it's hard to believe we have the same blood in our veins, but we do. He is my brother, no matter how much I've despised him in the past. Why did I despise him so much? Jealousy was the main reason; Sira had seen that at once. Then, he admitted, she always did read his thoughts far too easily, even when he'd been a god.

His mind felt heavy, his thoughts in a muddle. I need a good bloody battle to clear my head, he told himself. A little manipulation, a little scheming, that would do the trick. But no, those days are gone. Now he understood. He grieved for that loss. All he'd ever known was gone. What, by the gods of Olympus that I used to be a part of, am I going to do with this mortal life I've been condemned to? The truth is, I'm not fit for anything. War. Yes, I know of war. But what good is that going to do me now? He shook his head to clear it. It ached with a dull throb. He shut his eyes as he let his breath out with a sigh.

The hunter shook his arm. "Sorry to wake you, Ares. But you should eat."

The dark warrior nodded, then wished he hadn't. The pain in his head was worse. "I never meant to sleep, anyway."

Something in the look on his face warned the hunter that the former god might have overdone today. "Are you all right, my friend?"

"It's nothing." The former god rubbed at his temple.

"It's called a headache," the hunter smiled at him. "Come on, I'll help you to the fire. You'll feel better after you've eaten."

"I remember another time I had a headache. Eating only made it worse."

"Well, if that happens this time you'll have my apology."

"Humph," was the dark one's answer to this. He was glad to find he could still get around easier than on the day before. With the pain worse he'd been afraid he'd cause a setback in the healing. Apparently it wasn't that as much as that he was sore from using the leg. The golden one helped him get comfortable near the fire, a rock at his back for support. "Thanks, Iolaus."

Sira handed him a plate of food and a mug of tea. There were only three mugs, but the healer never failed to pass hers to the former god of war or the little demigod. Ares tried to catch her eye, but she refused to look at him.

He ate in silence for a moment, his son sitting beside him lost in his own food. Again Sira waited to eat, as did Hercules.

"The food is good. Thanks everyone," the former god told them.

It wasn't easy to say these things. Voicing gratitude or apologizing was not something he was used to. He'd seen and heard the others being polite as a matter of course, taking it seemingly for granted. He wondered if he'd ever feel at ease with such things as they did. As a god I never questioned my ability to do anything. That very attitude has gotten me into plenty of trouble, too.

Evander took the leather pouch his Uncle Hercules had given him out of his waist pack. Dumping the stones and pebbles on a piece of bark he began to sift through them. Ares watched him, a tolerant smile playing about his generous mouth.

"Look at this one, Father." The boy held a stone out to the dark warrior who took it readily enough. "What kind of stone is it?'

"I'm not sure, son. I don't know the names of the stones." He looked to the healer. "Do you know what this is called, my sister?" he held the small stone out to her.

She looked up to study his face then took the stone. "This is an agate. It has been smoothed by the river. If you were to handle it a lot and rub it with your fingers it would become shiny." She handed it back to the former god.

He grasped her hand in his. "I'm sorry, Sira." Somehow this time the words came easier. The empath nodded. She couldn't speak past the lump in her throat. Ares flashed his even white teeth at her in a boyish grin then released her hand. "I like your pebbles and stones, son. When my leg is better I'll help you find some more."

"Aunt Sira will heal you, Father."

Ares sighed. "Your Aunt Sira isn't too happy with your father right now. I don't think she wants to do that anymore."

The boy turned to the child of the forest. "Will you heal my father?"

She searched her brother of the soul's face a moment. "If your father wishes me to, I will."

Ares was silent as he thought about what he would say. "This whole thing is difficult for me. I'm not a sociable sort at the best of times. Maybe a quiet secluded life would be the best thing for me, so that my antisocial behavior won't offend anyone. But whatever I decide, I must first get this damnable leg to heal. Before I can try to find my temple or the Ambrosia, I have to be able to walk. I can't expect my brother to haul me around for the rest of my life." He took a deep breath then let it out slowly. "I would very much like your help, Sira. I feel a difference with each healing."

She smiled at him. "I will help. In fact, now might be a good time. I still feel rain in the air, and I do not know how long we will have before it comes to us."

The former god nodded. "I'm ready if you are."

The healer had Ares lay down near the fire then made herself comfortable beside him. Without being asked the demigod joined in the healing, lending his strength to the girl he loved more than a sister, and to his half brother.

It was past midnight before the earth's chosen one halted the healing. She was well pleased. The healing had gone well. The former god's mind was more at rest, which added much to his reception of the earth's power the girl brought to him.

When she'd left the healing trance behind she went to the blanket she shared with her mate of the soul. She didn't sleep long, however. Her dreams were invaded with vision of death at the hands of a dark goddess. She woke trembling from the fear her subconscious mind had conjured up to torture her. Almost afraid to return to sleep she left her blanket to build up the fire. She checked on the little demigod, making sure he was warm enough. Satisfied that he was, she took up the teapot and shook it to see if there was enough tea left to make it worth heating. Assured that there was she pushed the pot closer to the coals to heat then took a seat nearby.

The demigod came to join her. "What some company?"

"Of course, my brother."

"Is everything all right?"

"Yes, I just could not sleep."

He made himself comfortable beside her. "Mind if I ask a question?"

"No, I do not mind."

"Why have you agreed to help Ares find his temple?"

"Because it was the right thing to do. He needs his godhood. He needs it far more than many other gods might. His strength, his strong mind and deep emotions make this so. I have prayed to the earth that someday he will willingly give up the role of god of war, but I could never wish that he would turn his back on his godly self. It is a part of him, and that part has been violently ripped away to leave a deep and lasting scar."

"He'll never leave it at being just a god. He'll go after his sword."

"Yes. He is not ready to set that aside. Maybe he never will be."

"You don't seem overly concerned by the prospect of Ares once again being the god of war."

"Have you given any thought to the havoc Discord might perpetrate on the earth with the full powers of the sword at her disposal?"

"You have a point. But was Ares any better?"

"Maybe not at one time. But now? Now I think the answer is yes."

"I have to admit, he has changed."

"There will always be quarrels and arguments; fights and wars. There must be a balance between the good and the bad of all of us. A god of war maintains that balance, but a truly cruel and evil one can make a blood bath of a simple argument over a loaf of bread.

"I am fully aware that Ares can be evil. I know he has done great evil in his time. But now I believe that evil is tempered with reason and a hidden depth of love and compassion that makes him an even greater god of war than ever before."

"The lesser of two evils, as it were."

"Just so."

"What if he doesn't find his Ambrosia?"

"Then I will try to stop Discord, myself."

He sat up straight. "You can't be serious."

"If I could take the sword from her she will have no claim to greatness beyond her immortality. I have fought her once and I have felt her powers. Without the sword she is no real threat to me."

"Even if that's true, what will you do with the sword? You're not a god, Sira. You can't control the bloody damn thing."

"I would not want to have control of the bloody damn thing." She smiled at him. "If I can take it from Discord I will return it to your father. There are gods out there that could and would take the job of god of war seriously and not use it for their own selfish, evil ends."

"And if you are unable to take the sword from her?"

"Then I will have failed both my people and yours. The world will not be safe for any of us with Discord left loose to use it as her play thing." He let his breath out in a deep sigh but said nothing more. "Will you help me, my soul's brother?"

He turned slightly to see her better. His eyes searched her earnest gaze. "Yes, my soul's sister. I will help you in this."

She leaned toward him and his arms went around her. He knew she was crying. "Why do you cry?"

"Because I was afraid you would refuse to be a part of this and I wanted you with us so badly."

"You know I can't refuse you anything. I couldn't stay away from you if I tried. In fact, for the first couple of years after you and Iolaus found each other, I did try to stay away. I was miserable. It's the three of us, remember? Three souls linked as one."

"Yes, three souls linked forever." She didn't voice the rest of her thought. Even unto death.

But voiced or not, the commitment was there. The half man tightened his hold on the girl he loved more than a sister and sat rocking her like a baby. His gentle mind's touch soothed and comforted her. He felt her jerk as sleep claimed her. Waiting to be sure he used a stick to remove the tea from the fire. It had almost boiled away. Assured that she was indeed sleeping, he rose, and lifting her in his arms he took her back to her bed and laid her down gently beside the hunter.

"Stay beside me tonight, my brother."

"Shh. I'll stay. I need the closeness as much as you do."

He laid down on the other side of her, his back to her. She put one tiny hand on his side and he took it in his big hand. With a sigh she went back to sleep almost at once.

A light rain began to fall before the sun could lighten the cloud shrouded sky. The healer, still sleeping, turned her face to the offerings of the sky god and slept on. The hunter, further under the overhang, was still dry. The demigod on the other side of the girl was not.

He slipped from his blanket to rise. Taking the blanket with him he moved further into the limited shelter offered by the cleft in the sandstone cliff face. He stopped long enough to put more wood on the fire, then finding a place to lay down he rolled in the damp blanket and returned to his slumber.

Iolaus was up first. Leaving the others to sleep he visited the woods then checked his snares. The rain still fell in a light drizzle, but the snares offered much on which to break their fast.

He returned to camp and built up the fire. He put water on for tea, shaking the water skin with apprehension. They needed to find clean water soon. Skinning the rabbits from his snares he put them to cook over the fire then ventured into the forest for more wood. When he returned the former god of war sat near the fire, slowly turning the spit to keep the rabbits from burning.

"Thanks, Ares," the hunter smiled at him.

"I guess it's time I started earning my keep." At his words the slight smile on his face disappeared.

"You'll find your niche here in the mortal world, my friend. You're strong and resourceful. In the meantime, there's no hurry. You can hang around with us for a bit."

"Living off your generosity?" There was no anger in the question.

"You're family, that makes a difference."

The dark one raised his eyebrows at this. "Somehow I never believed I would ever presume on the blood tie between myself and Hercules."

"I was thinking more the tie of soul you have with Sira."

The former god nodded but made no comment. He kept watching the healer sleeping, her face turned to the elements. "How can she sleep like that?"

The hunter chuckled. "She calls the rain liquid earth. She actually seems to derive energy and strength from the rain." He shrugged. "She's not in the worst of it, anyway."

"Are we going to try and stay here, or move on?"

The hunter searched the sky. "We'll move on. The rain's not too bad."

The dark one sighed. He said nothing, but he couldn't help but think how much easier things were when he could simply use his godly powers for whatever he wanted.

They left the cliff and continued to follow the river. Ares walked again, using the crutch and going slowly. His leg felt much better from the healing, and he admitted the healing had also done much to build his strength. He hadn't realized he'd still been left weak from his illness, assuming his weakness came from the drastic change from godhood to mortality. Perhaps some of it had and he was now simply getting used to the change. When he grew tired he took to the travois. Evander had ridden the broad shoulders of the demigod most of the morning. He wasn't happy with the rain, his usual chatter stilled by his discomfort at being cold and wet. When his father took to the hide carrier he joined him there. Wrapped in a blanket he slept.

The travelers stopped near midday, using a thick stand of trees to try and keep the worst of the rain off. It didn't help much, however. They finished the last of the rabbit left from the morning as they stood over a dismal fire that smoked on the wet wood more than it warmed them.

With the deepening mud the travois was too hard to pull and they agreed to abandon it, going slower for the former god's sake. They couldn't travel fast with the mud, anyway. They left the poles of the carrier behind, taking the hide with them, if for no other reason than to cover the mud when they could find a place to stop for the night.

Evander was not happy. He fussed at the weather and the fatigue the adverse conditions brought to him. He'd been carried most of the day and longed to be able to walk, but the mud made that impossible. Hercules took him in his arms and pulled his own cloak around him to shelter the little demigod from the worst of the rain. Sira walked beside them, her hand on the little one's back sending him love and comfort. She hoped also to keep the chill away from him. She had no intention of delivering him into his mother's hands with a cold, or worse.

Their water flasks were empty now, the water skin dangerously low. As afternoon faded into evening with little change in the light that filtered through a blackened sky the healer sent her mind scurrying about her. They needed water and shelter or they'd all be ill. Twice they'd had to skirt great gullies torn in the earth from flash floods of water. It added miles to their journey, but there was no preventing it. They trudged wearily on, lost in their own thoughts. The hunter was able to take a couple of rabbits. The healer found some roots and wild onions and took the time to dig them from the muddy soil.

Her mind, almost numb from her search for shelter cleared all of a sudden. Taking a breath to calm herself she sent it forward. Moving up to her brother of the soul who still carried the boy she laid her hand on his arm. He turned sleepy eyes to her and she realized he'd only been half awake, walking on in a haze of exhaustion.

She smiled at him. "Follow, my brother. There is a cave this way. I sense water as well. I only hope it is drinkable."

He nodded. "If it's not, we'll boil some of the river water for tonight then leave the pot out to collect rain water."

She squeezed his arm. "It is not far now, my soul brother."

He let his breath out wearily and followed the nature child as she turned to their right and headed away from the river into deeper forest.

The dark warrior, lost in his own misery, simply followed the others. The hunter put an arm around his waist to help him. "I think Sira has sensed shelter of some kind. It shouldn't be long now."

"Good, 'cause I don't think I can go much further."

The cave was really just a cut in a jumble of rocks, sealed with more rocks and the debris left from a fallen tree. Still, the space was large and roomy, offering a dry sandy bottom and protection from the rain. Among the rocks, rain water had accumulated in deep indentations, offering them clean water to drink. The deeper forest in the little valley the healer had led them to offered wood.

The demigod put his nephew down near the back of the shelter. The boy curled into a ball and lay whimpering with cold. His father limped painfully to him, and lowering himself to the sand with the help of the hunter he took the boy into his arms.

"It's all right, little man. We'll be warm in no time. Iolaus has rabbits for us and Sira will make that tea you like."

Sira gave the dark one a warm smile as she took up the cooking pot and the water skin and headed to the pools of rain water the earth mother had led her to.

The demigod gathered leaves and twigs blown into the hollow over the years and set about starting a fire. Iolaus ventured into the forest to try and find wood dry enough to burn. The earth was with him in his quest. Buried beneath brush and fallen trees blown down long ago in some mammoth wind storm, he found a wealth of dry wood. Almost absentmindedly he gave a prayer of thanks to the earth for leading him to the wood. Thinking about it, he laughed. It really did seem as if he'd been led to this place. With another laugh he thanked the earth again. Loading his arms with the wood he returned to the others.

Sira started the cooking pot to boil, then taking up their flasks and the teapot she returned to the water and filled each of them.

With the fire burning well the demigod followed the hunter to the forest and loaded his powerful arms with the earth given fuel needed to keep them warm during the night. Finding the shelter and the water had done much to lift the lethargic dullness of his mind and body. He knew much of his fatigue came from a sleepless night. And lack of food.

Sira put the rabbit meat in the boiling water to cook. She planned to add the roots and onions to it to make a thick soup. It would do much to warm them all. Once the meat was cooking she took up her pack and headed to the river. When she came back she was bathed. With her she brought some thick leafed, pulpy plants that she cut up and added to the cooking meat. Leaving her freshly washed clothing hanging from natural shelves offered by the rocks that made up the shelter she came to kneel beside father and son.

Closing her eyes she cleared her mind and willed herself to relax. After a moment she began to sway. The dark one watched her, his face wearing a look of longing.

The empath placed her hand on Evander's back. The boy wasn't sleeping. He'd stopped whimpering to lean quietly against his father's broad chest. The girl was grateful to find the boy wasn't ill. She sent him healing anyway, pulling the earth's energy to her and through her to the boy.

After a moment he laughed. "That tickles."

The energy flowing through the girl's hand tingled on his back and made him happy. With a tolerant smile the girl placed her hand on the former god's leg. Here, too, she found no illness. The infection was gone, and the leg continued to heal itself despite being used to carry the big man through the mud.

The girl opened her eyes to dazzle father and son with a show of emerald. "You are both fine. Tired, cold, wet and hungry, but well. I will have food for us soon and our little rocky home is already becoming warm." The girl closed her eyes once more. "Inane ingrasha cantos foy ncy icecnohsia. Thank the earth for her generosity."

The former god reached out to caress her cheek. "And her child who brought us to it."

With a warm smile Sira bounded to her feet then went to stir the cooking meat. Satisfied it had cooked long enough she added the roots she'd gathered then spices from leather pouches in her pack.

The hunter took up his things and braved the cold rain and the even colder river to bathe. He'd washed his clothing as well and it joined the girl's things in the shelter to shroud the place in damp clothing.

The empath sent an expectant look to her brother. He moaned. "Do I have to?"

"Yes. And when you are done you can help Ares to bathe at the river. I will help Evander later when the pot is empty and I can heat water."

"Might as well do us both at once," the big man grumbled. Going to his brother he offered him a hand up. "Come on. You heard the lady."

"Do I really have to do this?"

"If I do, you do."

Ares took the offered hand and let his brother help him up. "Women."

"Tell me about it. If it were just us guys, we'd stay muddy and dirty and be just as happy."

"There was a time I could have zapped us clean."

"Say, you sure you've lost all your powers?"

The former god laughed. "Yeah, I've already tried that. It didn't work."

"Ah well. There's nothing for it, then. Come on."

There was an extra shirt from the demigod's pack for Ares, but no extra pants. Hercules washed his leather pants out then the former god put them back on still wet. When they returned to camp Sira shook her head. Digging in the hunter's things she tossed a pair of loose fitting woven moss trousers to Ares. "Those will do until your things are dry." He raised his eyebrows at her. "Do it. You cannot stay in wet leather pants all night." She turned her back to him to give him privacy.

With a shrug he turned to his brother for help. The hunter's pants were too small for the dark warrior, but he managed to get them over his muscular hips. The loose fitting waist, tied with a leather cord was all that saved him. If the pants had been fitted to the hunter the former god might have been forced to tie the pants around his waist to hide his nakedness rather than actually wearing them. For the first time he cursed his habit of wearing nothing under his black leather pants.

Sira poured tea for them, then again for herself and the hunter. Once they'd finished the first mug of tea she poured the rest into the mugs and refilled the pot so that she could heat water to bathe Evander. She stripped him then wrapped him in a blanket while she ventured to the river to wash his things. The river was almost clear now. The mud and silt left from the flash flood was settling to the bottom or had been washed away by the swift current. The light rain now did little to disturb the river. She washed out the boy's things then returned to find the little one already bathed, thanks to the hunter. The rocky chamber was warm and snug so they had the little demigod wrapped in his blankets while the healer dished up the soup.

Evander took his plateful with a wide smile of thanks. "I like the way you cook, Aunt Sira."

"Thank you, Evander."

"My Mommy doesn't really know how to cook." The healer looked up, a startled look on her face.

"Gods don't need to cook," the dark warrior offered.

"How has she survived all this time?"

"She's a smart girl. She's learned how to survive anyway she can."

"A few days with her may not be enough to help her learn how to live through a harsh winter."

The former god sighed. "I can't help her now."

The healer read the thought behind the statement. "I cannot just leave her to fend for herself. She has been through enough."

"I'm with you, Sira," the demigod offered. "I still owe her a favor for not doing my friend in." He smiled at the hunter.

The golden one scratched at his chin. "Sounds like a long, hard winter."

Ares was the first to wake. He stayed where he was for a time, not wishing the day to start. Today if the rain wasn't too much of a problem, they would reach the small hut Nemesis called home. Sira had touched the mind of the former executioner to let her know Evander was well and would soon be returned to her. But did she know that her former lover was also on his way to her hut?

He knew damned well he wouldn't receive a warm welcome from her. He'd tried to see her a few times, but she'd been less than friendly. He offered his help more than once, only to have her refuse it. He'd had to find other ways of doing what he could to at least insure she didn't starve. She was doing better where she was now. She could hunt for some of their food at least. Still, he knew she hadn't faired well, and he also knew she'd blame him for that. He'd tried to reason with her, but he'd always become angry as she had. She seemed determined to blame him for everything that had ever gone wrong in her life.

The dark one eased his position on the sandy floor of the rocky little chamber. He hadn't admitted to himself, let alone anyone else that the girl's hate and anger had hurt him. He admitted the girl had reason to distrust him after he stole her baby from her. But things had changed after he had. The problem was, she refused to believe that. He'd wanted her and the boy with him. Not in a sweet clinging family relationship, but at least as part of his life. Maybe that was the problem. Maybe Nemesis wanted the former.

He sighed. He just didn't believe he was capable of that. He was too selfish. Even now that he was no longer a god, he wondered if he could truly set his own selfishness aside to love and care for another.

With a sigh of resignation he left his bed and made his way to the fire. His leg felt better today. It was still stiff and painful, but the flesh no longer strained against his pant leg. He built up the fire and put water on to heat for tea before venturing into the darkness that still shrouded the forest. After taking care of personal needs he went to the river to splash water over his face. He'd never worried about hygiene while a god. It wasn't that they never needed a bath; it was just that they could cleanse themselves with godly powers.

He had the tea ready before the demigod joined him at the fire. The former god handed him a mug of tea. "You're up early," the half god offered

The former god shrugged. "It's not raining."

The demigod found a seat near the fire. Nursing the tea with both hands around the mug, he nodded. "Good, then we should be able to reach Nemesis' today."

"I wonder if I should even go there."

"What's this all about?"

"Nemesis isn't going to like it."

"She'll come around."

"Maybe."

"Well, Sira isn't going to have it any other way. Not until your leg is better and we can go in search of your temple."

Ares smiled. "So, she's talked you into being a part of this, has she?"

Hercules smiled back. "She can be very persuasive."

"I wonder if this is just an exercise in futility. I can't believe Discord would be foolish enough to leave something as valuable as Ambrosia behind."

"Still, we'll find out for sure. Just how does this temple thing work? I mean, is it really there, or just an illusion?"

"No, the temple is always there, but it can be shielded from view. Anything in it that has come from godly powers can be transported with the same powers. Things of nature can't be, however. Still, we can make them disappear, but that is by shielding it from view."

"So you can shield yourself and an object, and poof, both would seem to disappear?"

"Yeah."

"So Discord couldn't remove your temple, only shield it?"

"Right. But she could remove everything in it."

"Like Ambrosia."

"Like Ambrosia."

"Does she know you had your own secret stash of the stuff?"

"Yes."

The demigod was silent. Then with a deep breath he turned an earnest look to his half brother. "Did you use some of your store of Ambrosia on Sira?" The dark warrior studied his brother's face but gave no answer. "You're still not going to tell me, are you?"

"Someday I might."

"You don't really believe the Ambrosia is there, do you?"

"I have to know for sure."

"And just in case it is, you're not revealing your secrets."

"I want my godhood back. Other gods have the stuff, you know."

"You really think you can convince them to share?"

"I don't know. But I have to try."

The demigod rose. Handing the mug to his brother he left the rocky chamber to make his way to the woods. He just wasn't sure how he felt about this whole business. Being with his half brother could be uncomfortable for him. He couldn't simply forget the years of animosity between them. He'd sensed the tension and anxiety in his brother's words. Ares might act casual, but he was anything but. The big man walked along the river, letting the beauty of the chilly morning ease his own tension. The thing is, he told himself, I don't want to care. Somehow it was easier to hate Ares and all he stood for. But while I don't want to care, the problem is I do care. "Damn!"

They left the jumble of rocks that had served them so well. The sky was still laden with dark threatening clouds. The ground hadn't had enough time to dry and mud was a problem. Still, nothing was said about delaying. They all wanted to reach the former executioner's hut as soon as possible. Evander was tired and cranky much of the time now, crying repeatedly for his mother. The healer's sensitive heart ached for him. He needed the love and protection only a mother could give. She also ached for the mother waiting for her son. Sira had touched the mother's mind, but despite having a strong mind Nemesis wasn't a sensitive. Sira couldn't be sure just how much the dark haired woman understood.

Ares was apprehensive about going to the hut, but he wanted an end to the traveling so that his leg could have a chance to really heal. He was tired of the pain and discomfort. He was tired of the mud and the cold. He asked himself over and over if this would ever get any easier. He didn't have an answer.

They passed through a rain shower that only added to their misery. Slipping in the mud the former god twisted his injured leg and cried out with the pain.

Hercules reached to steady him. "All right, Brother?"

The former god took several quick breaths to try and calm himself. "I'm not sure."

Hercules helped him to higher ground. "Let's get a look at the leg."

"It's fine."

"I want to be sure you didn't break the wound open."

"Really, I think it's going to be fine."

Sira put her hands on the leg and sent her mind to the former god. After a moment she opened them. "It seems all right. But I am afraid it may be more painful, now."

Ares stood. "I'll make it." With determination he moved on, limping more than before.

With a shrug Hercules followed. Sira and Iolaus exchanged looks and fell in behind the brothers.

Little Evander rode his Uncle Iolaus' shoulders. "Is Father all right?"

"I think he will be, little man," the hunter stated. "If he's not, Aunt Sira will help him."

It began to rain again. No place to stop offered itself and they walked on into the early afternoon. Sira fed bits of cooked rabbit to the little demigod as they walked. There'd been soup left to break their fast, and the hunter's snares had yielded four rabbits which the healer cooked then wrapped in cloth to bring with them. Now she was glad she had.

Just after midday the former god found a fallen log near the river and lowered himself to it, carefully stretching his leg out before him. He rubbed at the leg, once again painfully swollen.

"You going to make it?" the hunter asked.

"I just need a minute to rest." The hunter offered the dark one his flask. Sira joined them on the log and offered the cooked rabbit to them all.

Evander found a place on a nearby rock and Hercules pulled up another log to sit on. "Damn this mud," he complained.

The hunter studied the healer's mud encrusted bare feet. "Liquefied earth," he smiled.

Sira looked up to smile back at him. "It is a gift from my mother." The brothers exchanged looks of disgust but made no comment.

They didn't stay long. The day was moving too swiftly as it was, and they still had a long way to go.

To keep Evander occupied, Sira taught him a song. The boy caught on remarkably fast. Once he was able to sing the song all the way through he asked for a different one.

The empath started another song then stopped. "Come on, Uncle Iolaus. You know this one. Why do you not join us?"

"You know I can't sing."

"Please, Uncle Iolaus?" the boy pleaded.

"Please, Uncle Iolaus?" Sira chimed in.

"All right, all right," the golden one capitulated. The nature child started the song again and the hunter joined his voice to hers.

Evander clapped and nodded. "Uncle Iolaus sings."

"Well, if you want to call it that," the demigod teased.

The light had already faded from the day as they neared the hut where a mother waited for her son to come home to her. Hercules, his arm around his brother's waist for support practically carried him along. The former god's face was etched in pain and exhaustion.

Evander had fussed and cried until Sira took him into her arms. Putting him over her shoulder like a baby, she'd patted his back as she touched her mind to his. He'd fallen asleep almost at once. The healer carried him until he'd become too heavy then carefully handed him over to her mate of the soul. He was awake now but still rested in the strong arms of the golden hunter of the forest.

The old yellow dog rose from his place at the front door of the hut but offered no bark to warn them to stay away. Iolaus put Evander on the ground just inside the clearing around the hut. The dog began to wag his tail, then his back end, then his whole body seemed to get into the happy swaying. With legs gone stiff with age and inactivity the dog started for the boy. His lone bark was loud and welcoming.

Nemesis came to the door of the hut to see what had dragged the solitary woof from a dog who she'd never heard bark before. She slumped against the door jam, a hand to her chest, at the pain seeing her son again brought to her heart.

She felt as if she couldn't breathe. The boy loved the old dog, hugging him tightly around the neck. He looked up to see his mother. Running forward he called to her. His fear and loneliness over the days just past were in that cry and Sira drew a quick breath.

Nemesis went to her knees to gather the boy into her arms. She cried openly, her own fear and loneliness joining the boy's to fill the little clearing. The hunter reached for the healer's hand and she gave it willingly.

Hercules, his arm still around the former god, moved forward. Nemesis stood, Evander in her arms.

"What's he doing here?" she demanded of the half god.

"Not now, Nemesis. He needs rest and shelter."

"He's not welcome here."

"He helped save your son."

Sira moved past the girl. "Let us get him inside and off that leg."

"No!" the former executioner shouted. "I won't have Ares here."

Hercules took her arm with his free hand. "If he goes, we all go. He's hurt and he needs our help."

"He's a god, let him heal himself."

"That's just it, Nemesis. He's no longer a god. Discord stole that from him when he tried to rescue your son."

The girl looked startled, then disbelieving. Evander kissed his mother's cheek. "Father saved me from that woman."

Pain shot through the dark woman. No, she moaned inwardly. I don't want him to steal my son.

The hunter took Ares from the demigod's support to help him to the hut. "Let me catch my breath." The dark warrior's words were slurred with pain and weariness. "Then I'll go," he told the girl.

"No!" Sira objected. "You are in no shape to go anywhere."

Nemesis started to protest as Iolaus led the injured man into the hut but the demigod took her arm again. "Evander, get your mother's cloak. "She and I are taking a little walk."

Iolaus led Ares to the solitary bed in the room and helped him lay down. Without a word he began to remove the former god's boots. Sira built up the fire, then filling a pot with water from a bucket on the table she put it on the stove to heat.

"Remove his pants also. I need to get a look at that leg."

Ares made no objection as Iolaus helped him. He simply pulled a blanket over his lower half to hide his nakedness.

The healer came to sit beside the dark warrior. His leg was badly swollen again, but the wound hadn't opened. While hot, the flesh wasn't infected, and Sira breathed a sigh of relief.

The former executioner of the gods turned on her childhood sweetheart. "Why did you bring him here?" Her words were spit out in rage.

"Because it was the right thing to do. What I told you is true. He's mortal and he's hurt."

The girl turned away from the demigod. "How? How did this happen?"

"Discord tricked him. She used Brossus to steal his godhood away."

"But that's only an old fate's tale. Brossus can't really harm a god."

"No, Nemesis, it's not a tale. Ares was trying to get Evander away from Discord. She stripped him of his powers, beat the Tartarus out of him then left him for dead. I guess he's made of sterner stuff than she thought. He limped and crawled away to find us. He had a nasty fall that wracked up his leg. He stayed with it, though. Finding us, then helping to recover Evander. His leg got a nasty infection. He almost died."

The girl wheeled around to pin the demigod with a hard stare. "You sound as if you admire him."

The big man took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I guess I do. If you'd seen what he went through to save his son, you'd admire him as well. It took guts. Whatever else he might be, he's a fighter. A warrior."

"I don't care. I don't want him here. God or not, you know he can't be trusted."

He's taken very good care of Evander."

"No! I don't want him anywhere near Evander. I won't let him take my son from me."

"Well, for now, at any rate, he has no intention of taking Evander anywhere." The half god was getting impatient.

"I don't want him around Evander, ever."

"It's too late for that, Nemesis."

Fear swept over her. "What do you mean, too late?"

"The boy has bonded with Ares, and Ares with him. I don't think Evander will like you forbidding him his father."

"Damn you. That's blackmail. Using Evander against me is beneath you, Hercules. Besides, this doesn't concern you. You have no right to insist Ares stay here."

"We're the ones who put our lives on hold and in danger to save the boy. We've gone through Tartarus to get him back here. All of us, Nemesis. Including Ares. I say again, if he goes, we all go. Remember Sira's promise to help you learn how to survive here on your own? Can you really afford to send us away?"

"Listen to yourself. You're defending him. The same Ares you've always hated as much as I do."

"Things have changed. Ares has changed. Even before this he'd changed."

"Even if he has lost his godhood, which I don't believe. Can't you see this is just some trick of his to take Evander away from me?"

"You're wrong."

She rushed on as if he hadn't spoken. "Even if he has lost his godhood, he's the same Ares. Deep down inside nothing has changed. Losing godhood doesn't change what's already there. Look at me. I lost my godly powers and my immortality, but I'm still the same."

Hercules studied her face for a moment. "I'd say you've changed a great deal. Before Hera tricked and used you, you were filled with love and compassion. That little godly girl with such a capacity for humanity is the one I fell in love with. After you were freed of Hera's bondage you seemed more like the girl I remembered from childhood. I see that isn't the case. You're filled with hate and cruelty." He started to walk away. "I'd say you've changed a great deal."

"Hercules." The big man kept walking. "Hercules, wait!" The demigod halted but he didn't turn around. "He can stay for tonight, at least. But say what you will, he's still evil. He can't be trusted."

"He's the father of your son."

"Not by choice."

The big man turned now to face her. "Tell me, Nemesis, did he rape you? Did he force you to be with him?"

The girl's breath caught on a sob. "You're being cruel."

"Who went to whom?" the demigod continued. "You wanted your godhood back. He offered you a way and you accepted."

"It wasn't like that."

"No? Then perhaps his version of what happened is more to the truth."

"Stop it! Just stop it." She took a shuddering breath. "I've said he can stay." The girl ran past him, headed toward the hut and her son. The demigod followed.

She stopped just inside the door, her back wedged against it as if she were cornered. The hunter brought her a mug of tea and handed it to her with an encouraging smile.

Sira, still on the bed beside the former god was lost in the healing trance. A pale light glowed around her and seemed to fill the hut with energy.

"What's Sira doing?" the girl asked suspiciously.

Before the hunter could answer, Evander did. "Aunt Sira is healing Father. His leg is all big again. She can make it better." The dark haired girl searched her son's face a moment but made no comment.

The golden one motioned to food already set out at the tiny table. "I see you've managed to get some food in."

"Falafel came by looking for Hercules. He helped me out."

The hunter nodded. "Remind me to thank him. Uh, he didn't leave any prepared food, did he?"

"No. He offered, but what I really needed were supplies."

Iolaus nodded. "Good." The demigod entered the hut and the hunter motioned to the food. "Eat up, my friend."

Hercules tried to meet the eyes of the gods' former executioner but she looked away. With a sigh of resignation he took a plate from the table and found himself a place to sit with his back to the wall.

The hunter took a plate of food to a place by the demigod and motioned for the boy to have a seat. Evander smiled at his Uncle Iolaus. "Will Sira make my father better?"

"Yes, Evander, she will." He looked up at the sob he'd heard from the former executioner, then watched as she fled from the room and into the night. He gave a raised eyebrow look at his half god friend but only got a shrug from him. Rising he went after the girl.

He found her standing at the edge of the clearing staring into the darkness. He didn't say anything, only put an arm around her shoulder to let her know he would listen if she needed to talk. She turned to bury her face against his shoulder as the tears she'd fought to hold back could be contained no longer.

"He's all I have. Everything else I had has been stripped away from me."

The hunter patted her back like he might a child's. "You haven't lost him, Nemesis."

"Ares will take him away."

"I don't believe that. Not if you're fair about this."

"What do you mean?"

"Let Ares see his son. Let him have some time with him." He felt the girl stiffen. "I didn't say you have to let Ares move in here. Once he's better he plans to leave anyway. What I meant was, let Ares visit. It will do them both good. A boy needs his father."

"Not Ares, he doesn't."

"Wait to make that judgment. You haven't seem him with the boy."

"If Evander turns to his father, what is there for me?"

"You're not going to lose Evander, or his love. He's still your son. What you have with him isn't diminished because he has others that he cares about. In fact, your life is enriched. You and I have a lot in common. Our worlds center around unique and wondrous beings. For me it's been Hercules, and now Sira, as well. For you it's Evander, and maybe even a little bit Ares. These people have such strong minds. Their loyalties and loves run deep. Whether we wish it or not, we will always share them with others. But that's what they need to be happy. Neither one of us wants to make them unhappy. We love them too much for that." He held her at arm's length for a moment so he could see her face. "The things that make them so special to us make them special to others.

"You're right in what you're thinking. It's not always easy, and there will be times of jealousy and even loneliness. But think how much more lonely we'd be without them. The important thing to remember is, they will always be a part of us, no matter what. There are many things in this life and this world to bring us pleasure.

"Look at the stars. They're beautiful tonight. You must learn to see and feel the beauty around you. Sira taught me that. It makes your heart swell. These things also make life worth living so it's a little easier to share those we care so much about with others. You're the mother of a half god child. Nothing will change that, so you'd better be ready to change and adapt to it instead."

"I can't help but fear Ares will try to take him away."

"He knows he can't raise him."

"He tried before," she reminded him.

"Yes, but he's changed since then. Besides, back then he had his godly powers to help him with the boy."

"And if he gets his godhood back, what then?"

"That, my dear, would have to be faced when and if it comes. Still, I don't believe he'll try to take Evander if you let him see him once in a while." The hunter changed the subject. "Since you seem to hate him so much, why did you have his son in the first place?"

"I wanted my godhood back."

"So he told you that if you gave him a son you'd have your wish." The former executioner looked uncomfortable. "That's not what happened, is it?"

"All right, it's true, I went to him. He was a god. I'd been raised with his kind. What did I know of humans? Most of them I'd seen I'd been sent to kill for arrogance and pride." The girl began to pace. "He's very�" She paused to search for the right word.

"Virile?" the hunter supplied.

"Believe it or not, he was good to me," she stopped.

"So you had feelings for him, and those feelings fostered a son." The golden one's voice was gentle.

"He talked about the son of the mighty Ares. His seed; his crowning glory. I kept thinking how foolish it was. It's not as if he doesn't have other children. He's never given a damn about them. He kept bragging about how mighty the child would be. He wanted to raise him as a god. He even talked of making him a full god by giving him Ambrosia. All I could think of was an innocent child being raised to take his father's place as the god of war. That's not exactly something a mother would want her child to aspire to. I asked him once what he'd do if the child was a girl."

"What was his answer?"

"He said he'd raise her the same. Then all I could think of was another Discord." The girl sighed. "I ran. When Evander was born, I kept running. But Ares found out it was a boy and came after me."

"Did you ever think that maybe Ares had feelings for you also?"

"At first, when we were together, I thought he did. But once I carried his child that all seemed to change. All he talked about were his plans to create the next god of war. Bigger and better than his own father."

"Could it have been that he was lonely and wished to have you and his child near him? Did Ares offer you a home?"

"Yes, as his concubine," she hissed through clinched teeth.

The hunter chuckled. "That sounds like Ares, all right."

"I could stay there with him and raise our child. I could share his bed. That is, unless, he had something better to do."

"He's arrogant, all right. There's no denying that." The hunter scratched at his chin. "You know, you sound like a jealous wife."

She wheeled on him. "You think this is funny?"

He held up his hands. "No, Nemesis, I never meant to imply that. It sounds to me like you were both out to use each other. Still, I understand why you ran. But I guess I can understand why he came after you and Evander, also." The hunter came to stand beside her. "The thing is, Nemesis, the game has changed. You're going to have to change with it, for your own sake as well as for Evander's." He took her hand, giving it a light squeeze. "It's getting cold. Come back inside and have something to eat. It'll make you feel better." The girl hesitated. "I know you've been through Tartarus. We all understand that. Even Ares."

The girl squeezed his hand back. "I'll be in, in a little bit. I need time to think."

"Want me to stay with you?"

"No. I'll be fine." He nodded and turned to leave her. "Thank you, Iolaus. You're a good man. And to think I almost took your life." The hunter chuckled, then with two fingers to his temple in a salute he left the girl to the night and the earth.

When he entered the hut he found Hercules sleeping on the floor, the little demigod wrapped in his arms, also sleeping soundly. He smiled then went to stand beside the healer where she still sat on the bed beside Ares.

She looked up to smile at him. "How is Nemesis?" she whispered.

"She's going through a lot of soul searching right about now. What Ares told us about them getting together is true." The hunter helped the healer to rise from the bed. "The thing is, I think she still cares for him."

"She does. That is what frightens her."

"How is our former god of war?"

"He is resting well. He is more exhausted than anything. Not only has he gone through a lot physically with the injuries and the illness, he is also going through a withdrawal from all he has known and cared about. A lesser person might not have made it this far. Still I wonder."

"What?"

"He has a strength about him. There was real strength in him when he pulled me from that flood."

"What?"

She shook her head. "Nothing. Is there anything to eat?"

"Of course." The hunter gave her a tolerant smile. He knew better than to push her. If there was something she wanted him to know she'd share it when she was ready, and not before. "Come on, I'll warm you up some of the hunter's special."

"Just what is the hunter's special?"

"Meat and vegetables, cooked with rabbit and thickened with cornmeal, then spiced with peppers."

"It sounds good. Where did you learn to make this hunter's special?"

"Well," then together they finished his thought, "it's an old hunter's trick." The golden one pulled the girl he loved into his arms to swing her around. He buried his face in her hair. "If we get up early enough, we could take a walk in the woods."

"Yes, we could."

"So you'd better eat up and get to bed."

"I would if someone would turn me loose long enough to do so."

"I like you where you are." He took her mouth with his.

When the empath had eaten she made a bed on the floor near Hercules for her and the hunter. The hut was small and the space confined, but she moved some things and slipped Evander's bed under the larger one then spread blankets on the floor for Nemesis. The healer's mind told her that the girl was well. She wasn't worried about her disappearing. Evander was here and the girl wouldn't leave without her son. Whether this was why the demigod held his nephew so tightly, Sira wasn't sure. But intentional or not, it would serve to keep the former executioner here at least for tonight. Sira did worry that the once goddess might be cold and debated on whether she should take her a cloak then decided against it. Nemesis must come to terms with the relationship between her son and his father. Somehow Sira was sure the girl wouldn't want any advice from her right now. Leaving food on the table for the girl she took to her blankets beside the golden hunter.

His arms around her soothed and comforted her, lulling her mind to sleep. His even breathing was like a warm blanket on a cold frosty morning and she snuggled closer to him in her slumber.

Nemesis entered the hut. Sira had left a candle burning for her. She looked around her. What she saw sent shivers of apprehension up and down her spine. How would she ever get Evander away from Hercules without waking him?

She stuffed a few things in a leather pack. Moving past the bed she stopped to watch the former god as he slept. His dark hair curled back from his prominent brow, giving him a boyish look. His full lips were slightly open, adding to his look of innocence. His strong arms bulged with strength. She remembered all too well what it had felt like to feel those arms around her. She swayed on her feet as memory robbed her of balance. His lips on hers, his flesh touching hers. In a panic she turned away. Taking up some food, it followed the child's clothing she'd already packed in the leather pouch.

Sira sat up in her blankets. "You will never get him away from Hercules without waking them both." The former executioner turned sharply around, startled at being caught. "Someday you are going to have to stop running."

"You know nothing about it."

"I know you are too frightened to think clearly. It is cold out there tonight. It is almost winter. How will you shelter yourself and Evander? How will you feed him? What you are contemplating would be cruel and dangerous to your son. Better he stay with his father than what you will put him through if you run in the night." The girl slumped to the bench at the table and buried her face in her hands. "There is time to think and to plan. For your son's sake, take that time. You have my word that Ares will not steal your son away. He is in turmoil of his own. You of all people should understand what he is going through. It has not been long ago you were in his shoes. Whether you wish to believe it or not, he loves his son and he has feelings for you. You do not have to love him, but at least give him a chance to prove he has changed."

"I don't believe he has changed."

"No. But he has. Since that first touch of his mind on mine, he has gone through many changes. He is not the same as he used to be."

"He'll get his godhood back then he'll be just as evil and cruel as before."

"No, my sister. He was not that god even before this happened. He was still god of war, and a damn fine one. But his hate and his anger were tempered with reason and compassion. His emotions run deeply. Give him a chance and he will be a loyal and lasting ally."

"You really trust him?"

"With my life, and that of those I love. Even Hercules, whom he once wished desperately to kill. There is food for you. Eat. It will help you feel better. Then sleep. You are exhausted. Your emotions are raw. In the morning we will talk again. Then if you still feel the same, we will leave here."

The former god of war eased his position on the bed. He hadn't meant to eavesdrop on the conversation between the healer and Nemesis. He'd awakened to a rustling sound made by the former executioner as she stuffed food into her pack.

So she hates me so much she's willing to put Evander in danger to get away from me. I'll leave, he told himself. He felt the dread seep over him. He didn't want to leave. He wanted to be here near Evander and Nemesis. He wanted to prove the things Sira had said were true. I need Sira's help to find my temple. I could walk right over the place where the temple is and never even know I'd reached it. How she was able to penetrate Discord's shield in the first place is hard to believe. Then how was she able to make us all see what only a god who knows how it's done should have been able to see?

Tomorrow, I'll leave. I don't want to make this any harder on Nemesis. Tomorrow� But I don't want to go.

The former god of war was the first up. He built up the fire then stood looking about him. It wasn't much of a place. Not that he was blaming Nemesis. He knew she'd done the best she could. He looked through the wooden boxes that did duty as cupboards. There was little enough to get by on. I used to be a pretty good hunter.

Taking up the golden one's bow and quiver of arrows he let himself out of the hut. His leg felt much better today. The swelling was gone, as was much of the stiffness. Still favoring it, he made his way to a clearing of grass and low bushes near the small stream that meandered past the cabin.

The empath was up when Ares returned. She'd awakened to find him missing from the bed and known a moment of panic. Calming herself she'd sent her mind to find him. Assured that he hadn't taken it into his head to simply disappear she relaxed. It was early yet, but finding it impossible to return to slumber she'd risen to build up the fire and heat water to bathe herself.

She borrowed a dress from the former executioner's scanty supply of clothing to cover herself until she could wash her own things. She'd just finished tying the leather lacing at the neck when the former god of war entered the hut.

He smiled at her. "I downed a deer with one arrow," he bragged. "It's out there now." His smile turned sheepish. "I haven't the vaguest idea what to do with it."

Sira laughed. "Come along, mighty hunter, I will give you a lesson in skinning a deer." He gave her a boyish grin and followed her from the hut.

Removing a small knife from her pack she began the laborious job of removing the hide from the deer. She went carefully, hoping to save the hide for tanning.

Ares shook his head. "There must be an easier way."

The forest creature laughed. "Hard work has its own rewards."

"You're joking, right?"

Her smile of amusement broadened. "No. There really are rewards in doing a hard job and doing it well. It gives you a certain satisfaction." He looked skeptical. "I mean like the feeling you got when you found you had not lost your skill with weapons."

He nodded. "I wasn't sure I could still shoot an arrow straight. Not without my powers to back it up."

"But you can. These are learned things that your mind and body remember. Just like you still have much strength. You are muscular and strong, although you will have to work to keep your strength now."

He moaned. "How do I do that?"

"Chopping wood is good for your arm muscles."

"Is that a hint?" She gave him an innocent shrug and he laughed. "I'm not sure my leg is up to chopping wood," he teased.

"Humph. You seem much better today."

"You work miracles, little healer." There was a deep sensuous sound to his voice that made her look up sharply. "What?" She only shook her head. Something in his voice had sounded very much like his former godly self.

He took up the ax. Balancing a stout branch on a large tree stump meant to be used as a chopping block he raised the ax above his head then brought it down in a powerful blow that cut through the branch. Taking up the log he split it with one blow. Sira watched him for a moment. His movements were sure and accurate. A mortal he might be, but weak he was not.

The demigod made plans to repair the roof on the hut. It would soon be winter, with her rains and cold weather. The roof would never last. The day was almost hot with a clear blue sky to reflect the heat and make the promise of winter seem a liar's tale. But the big man hadn't so quickly forgotten the cold and rain of the days just past.

The nature child showed Nemesis how to find soils in the forest that were rich with nutrients that she could put on her garden. "Turn the dirt and mix the new soil with it, like this." With her bare hands the healer mixed the dark rich soil she'd taken from under bushes in the forest and mixed it with the soil of the garden she'd already loosened and turned with a small hand rake she'd made from the antlers of the deer Ares had taken from the earth mother's generosity. "Keep the weeds out so they cannot rob the vegetables of the nutrients they need to grow and produce. Next year, move your garden to the other side of the hut so that it will get the warm morning sun but not the hot burning sun of the late afternoon. Corn, the gourds, and the squash can and should be grown in the full sun, but peas and beans need a little shade. If you wish to only have one garden plot grow the beans and peas beside the corn with the tall corn stalks shielding them from the afternoon sun."

The girl looked dejected. "Who would have thought growing a garden could be so complicated?"

Sira smiled at her. "Grow the gourds under the corn and save water, but keep the squash away from the gourds or they will pick up the flavor of the other plants." Nemesis groaned.

The empath rose from her crouch by the newly turned soil. "Come on and I will show you how to make fish hooks from deer antlers. There are lots of fish in the stream that the water mother would willingly share, if you but ask her."

The hunter left the repair on the roof long enough to show the former executioner how to set a more efficient snare. He showed her how to make arrowheads from bone, as well. "If we had more time I'd show you how to make them from shale rock. They're better for larger animals, but it takes some skill to get it right. Maybe Sira could show you and you could practice during those long winter evenings." He gave her an encouraging smile.

The empath had made tea earlier then put it in gourds. These she'd put in the stream to cool. Retrieving it now she brought it to the men. Hercules accepted his mug of the sweetened brew with a nod of thanks.

Ares had worked as hard as the others, using his skill with the ax to cut and smooth the poles they would use as braces on the new roof. Sira brought him a mug of tea as well. He sunk the ax blade deep in a large stump the demigod had brought to the hut to be split later for firewood. Wiping his brow with his forearm he took the offered tea.

"Tell me, Sister, when does the satisfaction part of hard work come in?"

She laughed at him. "Soon, my brother. Soon."

The former god took a seat on the cutting block and eased his leg out before him. He watched Evander playing with the old yellow dog near the edge of the clearing. He sighed. He'd meant to leave when he woke. He'd planned it during the night, but seeing Evander sleeping near Hercules he'd changed his mind. The boy looked so small and vulnerable in his sleep. Ares admitted he just wasn't ready yet to leave the boy behind. He was honest with himself. He never would try again to steal the boy from his mother, but he wanted a chance to get to know his son better. I have a few days before my leg is really well enough to make a try for my temple. I want that time with Evander. If Nemesis doesn't like it, then tough. I owe the boy that much, at least.

After their noon meal the empath took Nemesis and Evander to the woods to show them roots and plants that could be used for food and medicine. She showed the mother plants that would clean her clothing or herself without using harsh lye soaps made from animal fat and ashes. While they moved from plant to plant the healer gathered several large thick leafed, pulpy plants. When they returned to the hut she cut open the stems of the plants she'd gathered then ground them between two rocks. This she mixed with mud to make a thick paste. Leaving it to thicken a little in the sun the healer used a rough rock to scrape away the flaking and cracked mud the outside of the hut had been covered with. The walls were made of clay bricks skillfully placed together then mortared together with mud. Then a layer of clay had been smeared over this to form a strong thick wall. Someone had spent a great deal of time on the hut, but that had been a long time ago.

Sira took up her mud and plant mixture and began to seal the cracks in the outside walls. The demigod came to watch her. "How'd you learn to do that?"

"My grandfather was a stone mason."

"Let me guess, the plant pulp helps hold the clay together."

"Right. This should last two or three winters before it will need done again."

The big man shook his head in wonder at the child of the earth. "It looks like someone took a lot of time building this hut. The roof poles were skillfully placed." He turned to the former executioner. "How did you find this place?"

"Aphrodite led me here." Sira looked up to search the former god of war's face. He looked innocent and the healer said nothing. "Aphrodite has helped me more than once. We used to be kind of friendly although she never approved of the work I did for Hera."

Sira handed the girl a flattened stick. "Now it is time to learn how to do things for yourself. Apply the mud just as you have seen me do."

The girl sighed then began to do as she'd been told. After a moment she moaned in frustration. "You make it look so easy. How did you learn so much about survival?"

"I lived for eighty years in the forest. The yosemin people have no choice but to learn how mother earth wishes her gifts to be used. If they do not, they do not survive."

The hunter climbed the ladder he and Ares had made from some of the poles the former god had stripped. "I need some more poles up here," he called down.

"And you'll have them," the dark warrior offered, "as soon as my brother gets done playing with the girls and gets back to work."

With a sheepish smile the demigod took up three of the heavy ridge poles. Holding them under one arm he climbed the ladder with them.

Sira followed the demigod up the ladder. "If you put the poles closer together you could cover the roof with sod instead of thatch. It is water tight and lasts much longer." Both men looked at her. "Sod is mud bricks cut from the meadow grasses. You cut down below the roots and take soil, roots, and grass to make the brick. Once it is in place on the roof you seal it with the mud mixture I have made. The grass soon grows to cover the entire roof. With channels in the mud to help water run off, the rain does not get through the thick roots of the grass and you have a long lasting, low maintenance roof."

The men exchanged looks again. "I suppose you know how to do this sod roof thing?" the demigod asked.

"Of course."

The big man chuckled. "Well, I'm for it. What do you say, Iolaus?"

"It's worth a try. It might take longer, but if it lasts better I guess it's worth the extra work."

Sira smiled at them. "You have to place the poles next to each other so that you have a solid base to put the sod bricks on."

The half god looked down on the former god of war where he stood looking up at them. "I know," he sighed. "You need more poles."

"Yes, I'd do them myself but you're so much better at it than I am."

"Your flattery is wasted on me, Brother."

"Well, then you should do it because you can't climb the ladder with your bad leg."

"Damn! I was in hopes you'd forgotten about that."

"Well, I'm up here with bruised ribs," the hunter reminded them.

The demigod laughed. "Don't give me that. Sira healed that days ago."

"Well, it was worth a try."

Sira gave them a stern look, each in turn. "When you boys are through whining and complaining, maybe we could get on with this."

All three men laughed.

Nemesis watched the dark warrior. When she'd first come to him with a request for his help in regaining her godhood, he'd been suspicious of her. He hadn't asked her to leave, however. She'd stayed because she had nowhere else to go. She'd been just as suspicious of her host as he was of her, and yet almost at once she'd found she liked his sense of humor. She'd only been around him a handful of times, and then not for long. But what she'd remembered of him was anger, not humor. But now he seemed to have a quick wit fostered by a strong intelligence that never seemed to stop scurrying about in his brain. He could go from anger to laughter quickly, seeming to leave the cause of his ire behind with no real effort.

Then after she'd told him she was with child he seemed obsessed with the thought of having a child to raise and train to be the next god of war. She admitted now for the first time she'd been jealous of his focus on the, as yet, unborn child. Once he'd responded to her advances, and she admitted she'd made the first ones, he'd been very attentive. She'd reveled in that attention. She'd fed on it, using it as a crutch to help her stand against a world she knew so little about and a life she was ill prepared to face.

Now, as on that night in his temple when she'd finally voiced to herself her feelings for this imposing being, she knew his humor was a large part of her desire for him. The gods could be so serious. Not so much Zeus. He, too, could find the humor in most things. She'd known little of the lighter side of life. She liked the way Ares laughed and the way his face seemed to light up when he was about to say or do something funny. Not that he was a clown. He could be very serious and very harsh at times, although not so much with her personally.

She turned away in frustration. I can't trust him, she told herself. He'll use you like so much armor then discard you once your usefulness has passed. He's here to manipulate you and Evander, you have to remember that.

While the men worked to place more poles across the opening of the roof, the healer took the hunter's large knife and headed toward the meadow. The former god of war took up the ax and followed her.

Sensing him behind her she waited from him. When he was beside her she hooked her arm through his and they continued on toward the meadow.

"You, my little sister, are quite something. It did my heart good to see you show Hercules and Iolaus a thing or two."

She indicated the ax he carried. "Why the ax?"

"I thought you could use some help. The ax might cut the� What did you call it?"

"Sod."

"Yes, the sod, easier than the knife."

"You are very good with an ax."

"I used to practice with a battle ax."

"Now you put that ability to practical use. I am proud of you, my brother."

"Well, let's see how well I do cutting sod."

They reached the meadow, but before the healer would show the former god how to cut and lift the large bricks of clay, grass, and roots she went to her knees in the grass. Placing her hands on the grassy soil she sent a prayer to the earth. The grass curled around her fingers, welcoming one of its own. The once god watched as a pale light lit the girl's face and flowed from her to the soil beneath her. He stood in awe at the earth's response to the child of the forest.

Her prayer completed, the healer marked out the line of the rectangle brick she wanted with the tip of the knife. Then pushing the knife deep she moved it slowly forward, lifting it and plunging it once again into the soil following her mark. The former god took the knife from her and used the ax to make the deep cut around the tracing she'd made. She showed him how to lift and cut the soil with the knife without cutting the roots of the grasses themselves.

He set the large rectangle shaped brick aside as she traced another one in the dirt. Nemesis and Evander came to watch them. Nemesis had done her best to avoid the father of her son. He'd respected this and stayed out of her way.

Evander used his godly powers to lift the second heavy brick from the hole and place it beside the first one. "Look, Mommy, I can help."

"You know I don't like you to use your powers, Evander," she scolded him.

The boy looked sheepish and stopped. Sira saw the angry look that crossed Ares' face. To his credit he said nothing.

Evander's lip began to quiver. After a moment his mother sighed. "All right. I guess it's all right to use your powers with someone we know really well. But remember, not around strangers."

The boy smiled and waited impatiently for the next brick so he could help his father with it.

Ares smiled at the mother and tried to meet her eyes but she looked away. With a sigh the former god of war returned to his work.

The night was mild, which was a good thing since the roof wasn't completed. Sira and Nemesis fixed the evening meal. The venison was most welcome. The empath had already started to tan the hide. She planned to give it to the former executioner once it was complete. Whether she would know what to do with it once the healer gave it to her was another thing.

The healer had watched the former goddess closely during the day. It wasn't that she couldn't learn. She seemed to catch on fairly quickly. It was just that there was so much to learn. Sira began to have serious doubts that the girl could make it through the winter.

Before too much longer Sira knew she must return to Corinth to be with Reyna during her confinement. She'd promised to help Ares in his search for his temple. Time was running short. It was still early fall, but the rain and frost of the days just past spoke of a hard winter. There might not be time to gather the food needed to last through a harsh winter.

When the meal was complete and the clean up done the healer sought out the hunter. He knew at once she was concerned by something. "Walk by the stream with me?" he invited.

She nodded and took his hand. A light squeeze let him know she appreciated that he'd seen her need. He led her to the stream, then hand in hand they walked along its sandy bank.

"So, tell me what's bothering you, little empath."

"I am concerned for Nemesis and Evander. I cannot see how they will survive this winter even with our help. If we had more time maybe this would work, but the season is too late. I have an obligation to Ares and to Reyna."

"I know. I was thinking the same thing. Even with all of us working, I don't see how she'll be ready for a prolonged winter. If she'd move closer to civilization, then maybe she could trade work for food. But living so far out here she doesn't stand a chance."

"She is afraid to live near others because of Evander."

"I know. You can't blame her for that. You know firsthand how cruel people can be about someone who's different. I don't see how she survived this long, if you want the truth."

"Ares helped her," the healer stated. "She did not know the help came from him. He had Aphrodite bring food and clothing to her and Evander. He found this hut for her. But he cannot provide her with these things any longer."

"Did he tell you he'd helped her?"

"No. He always said she refused his help."

"But my little telepath read between the lines."

Sira smiled at him. Her eyes were deep pools of green in the moonlight. "The truth is, Nemesis has never had to make it on her own. She really has no clue how to do so. She even relies on others for her emotional support. Especially Evander. That is a lot for such a little child to be held responsible for."

"What she needs is a lesson in being a yosemin." Sira stopped walking and turned to face the hunter. He could see that look on her face. "I was only joking, Sira." She was lost in thought. "Sira, what are you cooking up in that pretty little head of yours?"

"Nothing."

"What that means is, you're not telling."

The girl chuckled. "You know me too well, my golden lover."

He pulled her into his arms to take her mouth with hunger. When he pulled back to catch his breath she took his hand, and tugging on it she led him deeper into the forest.

"Are you reading my mind again, little empath?"

"Yes. Do you mind?"

He laughed. "Not one damn bit."