@Xenite Country
Dark Revelations
By Skkye Blue
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Shipper Fan Fiction @Xenite Country Dark Revelations |
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Webmaster Note: To make this story load a little easier in your browser, it has been split into several web pages. You will find the link for the part of the story below at the end of each page. Dark Revelations (Chapters 62 thru 64) CHAPTER 62 "I think you should go up stairs and get some rest too Cyrus," Xena suggested. "I’ll rest after I help you," He said. "You’re tired, I can wait." Xena braced herself as another spasm of pain rippled through her body. Her discomfort did not go unnoticed by Cyrus. "I don’t think you can. The last of those leaves I gave you is wearing off, isn’t it?" "Yes," she softly replied with a grimace. Gabrielle’s face was riddled with confusion when she looked at her friend. "Xena, what’s he talking about?" "Yeah," Ares added, his gazed too fixed on the warrior woman. A weary sigh escaped Xena’s lips before she spoke. "Talon poisoned me with Dahak’s blood and if it’s not removed from my system soon, I will turn completely evil." Concern now filled Gabrielle as she went over to her friend and grasped her hands. "Oh Gods, Xena, why didn’t you tell us this when you first got here!?" "Because I wanted Cyrus to help Joxer first. Dahak used him because of me." Gabrielle nodded in understanding as she ran a hand down her friend’s arm. Not that long ago, Xena reverting back to her old ways would have been a pleasing prospect for Ares but that warlord no longer captivated him the way this Xena did. He felt things he never did with another and he wasn’t about to lose her. "So Cyrus, can you help Xena?" Ares asked. "Yes I can." From the floor, Cyrus picked up the bucket partially filled with the metal of light. "I want you all to follow me." They departed the library, headed for one of the side doors of the palace. Once outside they headed towards the bathhouse. When they stepped inside, a young woman with red hair approached Cyrus. "My lord, as you instructed, a servant removed the tunis oil from your laboratory and brought it here," the young woman handed Cyrus an indigo colored vial. "Thank you Salome." The young woman nodded before departing to take care of other tasks in the bathhouse. "What is tunis oil?" Gabrielle asked. "It’s an oil with magical properties that will help in removing Dahak’s blood from Xena’s system." Cyrus looked towards the warrior woman. "You will need to change out of your leathers." Xena disappeared into one of the nearby dressing rooms. "Okay Cyrus, what exactly are you going to do?" Ares asked. "I am going to use the steam room to flush Dahak’s blood out of Xena’s system." "But how are you going to do that with steam?" Gabrielle asked, and eyebrow quizzically raised. "It won’t be ordinary steam." Cyrus held up the bucket of metal and the vial. A few moments later, Xena stepped out of the dressing room wearing only her light brown shift. "Xena, you go into the steam room," Cyrus ordered. She did as he commanded. "The fire to create the steam is underground. You two can observe Xena either down there or on top of the steam room," Cyrus said. "I’ll go with you underground," Gabrielle said. "I’ll watch from on top of the steam room," Ares said. He watched Xena’s two friends descend some steps that led to the underground room that supplied the fire for the steam room. Afterward, he climbed a ladder so he could watch Xena from above. Cyrus opened a wooden door, and then he and Gabrielle entered the small room below the steam room. A pile of rocks was suspended above a forge like structure in the center of the room. Above it, cut out of the ceiling was a small square that opened up into the steam room. Rolling her shoulders and shaking her arms, Xena paced the length of the small steam room. "Ahhh," she groaned when another painful spasm rippled through her body. Watching from a small opening in the roof of the steam room, Ares’ face was riddled with concern. "Hey Cyrus!" He shouted. "Could you like get this going NOW!" "Okay, it will be ready in a few minutes." Cyrus quickly grabbed some pieces of wood and threw them onto the fire. Gabrielle did the same. Cyrus uncapped the vial and poured a portion of the tunis oil over the wood. Instantly, the added wood was ablaze with large orange flames. Cyrus took the bucket of liquid metal and poured its contents into a barrel of water sitting by the fire. Using a large ladle that was inside the barrel, he stirred the metal into the water. When he was satisfied that it was blended, he used the ladle to pour the mixture over the heated stones above the fire. The stones sizzled as white steam rose into the air, traveling through the square opening into the steam room. Xena continued to pace the small structure as white steam poured into the room. Another painful spasm shot through her body but she managed to inhale deeply, letting the steam fill her lungs. "You add more tunis oil and wood while I handle the water-metal mixture." Cyrus handed Gabrielle the vial. She tossed another log onto the fire then added more oil while Cyrus poured more of the water-metal mixture on the stones. The steam became whiter and thicker as it billowed into the square opening, into the steam room. "AAAHHH!" Xena screamed while falling to her knees. "Ares, what’s happening!?" Gabrielle anxiously asked. The war god knelt by the small opening in the roof of the steam room, peering into it. "I don’t know. I can’t see her. The steam is too thick." "More wood and oil Gabrielle…the fire must be made hotter," Cyrus insisted. "But what about Xena? You heard her scream." Gabrielle’s face was riddled with worry. "I heard...but this is the only way we can save her." Cyrus face was firm. The bard bit on her lower lip and quickly nodded her head in agreement as she added more tunis oil and wood to the fire. "Ooh!" Xena groaned. She was now lying on her side, clutching her stomach. Through the pain, she continued to deeply inhale the steam. She raised an arm up to her face. Through the thick white steam, she could see the droplets of sweat dotting it. While she continued to stare at her arm, her eyes widened, when she saw new beads of sweat appear that were red in color! She took her eyes off her arm and gazed at the rest of her body. Red beads of sweat dotted her chest and her legs! "It must be working," she breathed. Her crystal blue eyes rolled back in her head, as she passed out. ********** It had been awhile since anyone had heard a word out of Xena and Ares was really starting to worry. Still kneeling on the roof of the steam room, he squint his eyes, trying to get a glimpse of her through the small opening. A few moments passed when he spotted her lying on the floor of the steam room unconscious, the light brown shift she wore now red in color! "Cyrus, something is wrong with Xena...I’m getting her out of there!" Ares shouted as he quickly rose to his feet and made his way to the ladder. "No Ares, you can’t do that! The cleansing process may not be complete!" Cyrus and Gabrielle quickly made their way out of the small underground room and up the stairs. By the time they got to the top of the stairs, Ares had already unlocked the steam room door and it stood ajar. Thick white steam billowed out of the small room, just as the war god stepped out of its midst carrying an unconscious Xena in his arms. Horror filled Gabrielle’s eyes as they wandered over the light brown shift Xena wore now covered with blood. She ran over to the war god carrying her friend. "Oh Gods, what happened to her!?" "I-I don’t know, she was unconscious when I got to her," Ares replied. His brown eyes were filled with worry as he turned his gaze from Xena to look at Gabrielle. "It looks like the cleansing process was a success," Cyrus declared, looking at the blood streaking Xena’s body and staining her shift. "Now we better get her in some water and cool her off." Ares quickly made his way into the bathhouse. Cyrus and Gabrielle followed after him. It was deserted now. He went over to one of the swimming pools. The sound of splashing water was heard as he descended the steps leading into the pool. Xena was up to her chest in the water while Ares used a hand to cup some of cool liquid and pour it over her unconscious face. It trickled down skin, washing away the stains of blood. More splashes were heard when Gabrielle joined them in the pool to help the god cool her friend. "Oh gods, she burning up!" Cupping both hands, Gabrielle poured the cool water over Xena’s heated face. Keeping Xena, submerged in the water, Ares and Gabrielle continued to douse her face with the cool liquid. The blood washed out of the shift that was slowly turning a light pink color. It was some time later when Gabrielle felt Xena’s forehead. A relieved smile formed on her face. "The water helped, her body temperature has dropped." "Good. Now you can get her out of there." Cyrus stood by the side of the pool, holding a large towel in his hands. With more splashes, Ares and Gabrielle ascended the pool steps. Gabrielle took the towel Cyrus offered and wrapped it around Xena’s body. "Why is she still unconscious?" The bard ran a hand through her friend’s wet raven tresses. "I don’t know Gabrielle, but I am sure she will be all right," Cyrus assured. "We better get her back to the palace." Holding Xena closer to him, Ares placed a kiss on her forehead while following Gabrielle and Cyrus back to the palace. Xena was taken to one of the bedchambers where Cyrus, Gabrielle and Bithia could properly care for her. ********** Having changed out of his leathers that had been thoroughly soaked; Ares wore black silk pants and a matching robe as he sat on a pillow-covered bench in the hallway outside of Xena’s bedchamber. For a few hours now, he had watched Gabrielle; Cyrus and members of the palace staff go in and out of the bedchamber. No one ever had anything to report and would just say… "We’ll let you know if there is any change". The twins had joined Ares in his vigil at some point. Lysia reclined on his lap, her head drooping against a broad shoulder. Lycus half-sat, half lay against Ares’ side, his father’s muscular arm a pillow for the boy’s weary head. They had mercifully dropped off to sleep…when? A few moments ago? He wasn’t sure. Ares’ dark eyes held only shadows as they gazed into the quiet emptiness that filled the hall. Aphrodite and Vashti silently made their way down the hall and stopped in front of where the three were seated. "Hey Ar, we can put the kiddies to bed for you," Aphrodite softly whispered. "Thanks Sis...Vashti," A grateful smile appeared on his face. Both children stirred a little but remained asleep while Aphrodite lifted Lycus into her arms and Vashti did the same with Lysia. Ares watched as the two women disappeared down the hall with the sleeping twins. A few moments later, the door to Xena’s bedchamber opened and out stepped Gabrielle. Ares quickly rose to his feet. "So, any change?" "Xena has regained consciousness." "Oh, that’s good," Ares sighed with relief. "How is she feeling?" Before Gabrielle could respond, Cyrus burst through the bedchamber door out into the hallway. His hazel eyes were glaring at the war god who he now stood before. "YOU---you just couldn’t leave her alone, could you?!" "I’m in no mood Cyrus, so back off!" Ares shoved Cyrus away from him. "Cyrus! Ares! Stop it!" Gabrielle moved to stand between the two men. A hand rested on the chest of each to keep them separated. "Cyrus, you are tired...go get some rest." Tightening his lips into a thin line, Cyrus nodded in agreement and quietly made his way down the hall. "What is his problem?" Ares asked when they were alone. Gabrielle sighed in fatigue, pushing back a few stray auburn hairs from her face. "Cyrus is blaming you for what Xena is going through right now." "Me?! I had nothing to do with it. This was all Dahak’s doing." "He’s not blaming you for the poisoning, Ares. He’s blaming you for the pregnancy." Ares’ eyes widened in surprise. "Pregnant?! Xena is pregnant?!" His lips started to form a grin. "Xena was pregnant." Gabrielle frowned. "She suffered a miscarriage." The grin quickly faded from Ares’ handsome face. "How? What happen?" "Dahak’s blood in her system really ravished her body...it just couldn’t maintain the new life that was growing inside her...I am so sorry, Ares." The bard placed a hand on a broad shoulder in a comforting gesture. Ares bowed his head and closed his eyes. He had the chance to have another child with Xena, to be there from the very beginning but it was taken away. A weary sigh escaped his lips as he ran his fingers over the bridge of his nose. He opened his eyes and raised his head. "Xena’s all right though?" "Physically, she’s fine," Gabrielle replied. "Can I see her?" "Sure, she’s been asking for you." Ares moved away from Gabrielle and headed into Xena’s bedchamber. Bithia sat on the side of the bed facing Xena, who was propped into a sitting position with the help of some pillows. One of her hands rested against the younger woman’s face in a comforting gesture. When Ares came over to the bed, Bithia gave Xena a kiss on a cheek before rising to her feet. The old woman placed a hand on Ares’ right arm in a gesture of comfort. He covered it with one of his own. "If you two need me, I am here for you," the old woman said. "Thank you Bithia," Xena softly said. "Yeah, thanks," Ares added. With a sad frown on her face, Bithia quietly left the room. Ares sat on the side of the bed, facing Xena. "So, how are you feeling?" "I’m okay," Xena sighed, her crystal blue eyes somewhat misty. "Did Gabrielle tell you?" "Yes, she told me." Ares frowned. "And how are you feeling?" Xena asked. "Robbed," Ares softly replied, his brown eyes overflowing with sadness. He pursed his full lips into a tight line in an attempt to squelch the anger over their great lost that threatened to shroud his being. "I was so focused on fighting Dahak that I didn’t even notice any symptoms. Maybe if I had, things would have turned out differently." A tear rolled down Xena’s cheek. "I don’t want you blaming yourself, Xena, it’s not your fault." Ares raised a hand up to her face and with a finger wiped away the lone tear. "There’s nothing you could have done." "When Cyrus told me I was going to miscarry all I could see was another chance to be the kind of mother I always wanted to be slipping away. I could have done all the things I missed with Solan, Lycus and Lysia…" "I know the feeling," Ares softly replied, his face contorted with pain. He gently placed a hand over Xena’s stomach and she covered it with both of hers as more tears rolled down her cheeks. In shared grief and silence they sat like that for some time. "Ares, could you stay with me tonight? I don’t want to be alone." Xena looked at him with tear-filled eyes. "Sure, I’ll stay," Ares said with a faint smile. With the backs of her hands, Xena wiped the tears from her cheeks while Ares rose to his feet, and removed the black silk robe he wore, tossing it to the foot of the bed. Now just wearing black silk pants, he pulled back the sheets while Xena laid flat the pillows behind her and then moved over to give him room. When he was in the bed, he held an arm out for Xena to move in, resting her head on a shoulder as he wrapped the arm around her. "I HATE him, Ares...I HATE Dahak so much," she said. "Because of him, I lost Solan and now… our baby." Xena’s eyes started welling up with tears again. "Shh sweet, just go to sleep." Ares planted a kiss on her forehead as he began to softly stroke her black hair. Wearily, Xena closed her eyes, spilling the tears that filled them onto Ares’ chest. He continued to hold her close---her body clinging to his and soon she fell asleep. It was at this time that the bedchamber door quietly opened and there stood Gabrielle. She saw her friend lying in bed, wrapped in Ares’ comforting embrace. Known for having acute senses, Xena should have awakened but after the day’s grueling events, she was just too exhausted. Ares put a finger to his lips, indicating for her to remain silent. Seeing that her friend was in good hands, Gabrielle quietly backed out of the room, closing the door. ********** Since Xena had fallen asleep, Gabrielle decided to check in on Joxer. Quietly, she opened the door to his bedchamber and was surprised to find him awake and reclining against the pillows. "Hey Joxer, what are you doing up?" She came into the room and stood by the bed. "I was asleep but I woke up not that look ago," he replied. "Could you get me some water?" "Sure." From a pitcher sitting on the night table, Gabrielle poured some water into a mug. She handed it to Joxer then seated herself on the side of the bed. "So, how are you feeling?" "Like someone ran over my body with a loaded wagon." Joxer took a quick sip. "That bad huh?" Gabrielle chuckled. "Yup." A grin appeared on Joxer’s face. Gabrielle moved closer to him, a serious look on her face. "Joxer, I hope you don’t mine me asking about this but I am curious about something." "No, I don’t mine, go ahead and ask." "Well, when Talon was in your body, how did it feel?" Joxer sat in silence with a faraway look in his eyes. "Oh I’m sorry, I had no business asking. You’re obviously not ready to talk about that." "No, it’s okay. I will tell you," he said. "I could see, feel, and hear everything he was doing and I wanted to stop him but I-I couldn’t." He bowed his head in shame. "It’s okay...Talon is gone forever." Gabrielle placed a hand on his shoulder, in a gesture of comfort. "Um Gabrielle, when Talon was in my body...pretending to be me...he said that he loved you..." "Joxer, we really don’t have to get into that now." "What he said was true...I mean...I do love you. But I heard what you said to Talon...you only love me as a friend." "Joxer..." "No, it’s okay I understand," he said, cutting her off. "I’m not going to pressure you into feeling something you don’t. If we remain just friends only, I would be happy with that." Gabrielle leaned forward and planted a kiss on Joxer’s cheek. "You really are a good friend. Now, I’ll let you go back to sleep." She rose from the bedside and quietly exited the bedchamber. ********** Ares opened his eyes as he slowly woke from sleep. He remembered he wasn’t in his own bedchamber but Xena’s and reached out for her. He became fully awake when he realized she wasn’t lying beside him. He rose from the bed, running his fingers through his short hair. Any illumination in the room had burned out but it was not dark due to the lightening sky, indicating that sunrise was around the corner. Before going in search of Xena, Ares stepped out onto the balcony to get a bit of air. While standing there, letting the fresh air fill his lungs, in the distance he could see a horse galloping through the fields of Cyrus’ estate. He leaned forward to get a better view of the rider. His eyes widened when he saw whom it was. "What in Tartarus does she think she’s doing?!" Ares immediately left the bedchamber. ********** It had been awhile since Xena had gone for a pre-dawn horseback ride. She found this form of solitude exhilarating, relaxing – just what she needed to put her in the right frame of mind to do some deep thinking. This had become necessary upon her awakening and making a very shocking discovery. Xena had to make a decision – one that would be life changing but it was not going to be made right now. She spotted Ares making his way out onto the field and heading towards her – bringing her solitude to an end. As she watched him get closer, Xena thought about how good it felt that morning to wake up in his arms – so safe, secure and at peace. Xena was not the type who found it easy to admit to needing others but last night she had desperately needed Ares to be there for her and he came through with flying colors. She would openly take his help now in dealing with this life altering change but before she would do that, she had to know how he really felt about her. "Okay, time to find out if what Hermes told me is true," Xena murmured. She urged Argo to head towards Ares and brought the mare to a stop right in front of him. Ares stared at her in disbelief. "Xena, what in Tartarus are you doing out here?! You should be in bed." "I feel just fine," she replied with a smile of assurance. Her raven hair was windblown, falling over her shoulders and down her back. The vigorous ride had added color to her cheeks and a golden hue to her complexion. The only piece of clothing on her body was a white sleeveless nightgown that came to mid-thigh of her shapely legs. To Ares, she was the truest vision of beauty but no matter how enticing she looked, this was not what Xena normally wore when she went riding. Something was definitely not right. "I know you have the most amazing recuperative powers of any mortal that I have ever known but even you, Xena need to rest after last night’s events. We’ll put Argo back in the stables and then you’re going back to bed." Ares grabbed for the reins. But Xena held them out of his reach. "I don’t need to rest. I feel great and will probably feel this way forever." Ares smirked with skepticism. "I will prove it to you." "Xena DON’T!!!" Ares yelled. But not soon enough because in a lightening quick motion, Xena slit open her right wrist with a dagger that had been hidden in the saddle. Instantly, dark red blood began to pour from the wound. Ares knew something wasn’t right with Xena but he never expected suicide. All the color had drained from his face. "I’ve got to get you back to the palace before you bleed to death." He moved to mount Argo and seat himself in front of her. "There’s no need for that." Xena urged Argo to move away from him. Ares looked at her stunned. "Xena, you are BLEEDING like a stuck pig and will DIE if it does not stop soon." He moved towards her again and once more she urged Argo to step away from him. Xena’s anguish over the loss of their baby went a lot deeper than he thought and she now had a death wish. But Ares would not let her die --- he would take the reins by force. "I am not going to die Ares…not EVER." Xena held out her arm and let Ares see the wound she had inflicted on herself miraculously close up and leave her wrist with no scar. "By the gods…you are immortal!" Ares stared up at her in amazement. "But you never ate the apple I got from the Labyrinth of the gods so how did this happen?" "Only Cyrus will be able to confirm it but I believe it’s a side effect left over from Dahak’s blood infecting my system." Xena couldn’t help but notice the huge grin now plastered across Ares’ handsome face. "I see this news greatly pleases you." "It sure does." The smile on his face widened. "I figured you would be," Xena smirked. "Can you blame me? This removes the curse that Minos and Dahak put on my immortality," Ares said. "The children and Gabrielle will certainly be ecstatic that you’re going to be around forever." "Yes, they will be but not for reasons so self-serving as yours." "Hey, this curse being lifted from me is not the only reason I am happy you’re immortal," Ares quickly said, resentment over her comment audible in his tone. "Oh, so you’re saying that there’s another reason you’re happy I’m going to live forever? Hmm…" Xena feigned deep thought. "I’m having trouble coming up with a reason, care to enlighten me?" Ares was not prepared to give Xena an answer. He avoided her face and stared at the ground. Suddenly, he heard the voice of the annoying bard speaking in his head, ‘Go on Ares…now is your chance to tell Xena how you really feel…it will mean so much to her.’ From her lofty position atop Argo, Xena stared down at Ares, her gaze boring into him as she waited for a response. She hoped that he would come through for her like he did last night – prove what Hermes had told her a few months ago was true – that he did indeed love her. Ares finally raised his head and gazed up at Xena once again. "I’m happy you’re immortal because I didn’t look forward to the demise of a great warrior." An uneasy chuckle escaped his lips. "Xena, you were always my favorite mortal…now you will be my favorite immortal." As soon as the words left his mouth, Ares wanted to kick himself for chickening out on admitting deeper feelings – for he did have them but he just wasn’t ready to admit to having them. "Gee Ares, I’m flattered," Xena sarcastically replied, doing her best to hide the hurt. She mentally chided herself for taking serious what Hermes had revealed. Ares had been so caring last night that she actually let herself believe that he did love her but she was obviously mistaken. She was nothing more than a ‘favorite’ to him and good for nothing but a ‘roll in the hay’. Xena wanted to be more than that to Ares but she wasn’t and if that was the case, she had to sever her involvement with him NOW. Ares noticed the scowl forming on Xena’s face. "What’s wrong?" "You’re happy I’m immortal…the twins and Gabrielle will be too but I’m not happy. I never wanted this. I had accepted that one day I would die. Dahak had no right to do this to me. DAMN him!" "Sometimes life throws things our way that we have no choice but to accept…it happens to even us gods." "I know that I have to accept it, Ares. It’s just that I don’t think I will be any good as an immortal." Her lips twisted in a frown of worry. "You’re afraid that being immortal will tempt you into using the powers you inherited from Dahak?" "Yes. I tapped into those powers when I was mortal. The feeling was overwhelming…hard to control. There’s no telling what will happen if I tap those powers as an immortal." The thought made her shiver. "Xena, you are one of, if not the most determined person I have ever met in my immortal existence. If anyone can resist the urge to use such powers, it is you. And if you do have any trouble, I will be here to help you." "NO!" Xena instantly replied in a loud voice. When she continued, she spoke in a softer voice. "I need to do this myself. That’s why I went riding this morning…to figure out how I’m going to deal with this." Xena dismounted Argo and stood facing Ares. There was an uneasy look on her face and Ares knew he wasn’t going to like what she had to say next. "Ares, I have thought long and hard about this, and I really believe it would be best if we put our relationship on hold." "You’re breaking up with me but why?! Everything was going great between us…I don’t understand." Xena’s face was riddled with discomfort. "It’s not really a breakup…it’s more like a temporary separation…to give me some time to adjust to being immortal…figure out who I am again. I won’t be any good in this relationship if I don’t come to terms with my immortality." Ares had braced himself for bad news but he hadn’t expected a breakup and that’s what it was and not Xena’s spin on words. Her decision to pull away from him – yet again had caused anger to rise up in him but he was not about to display it. Doing so would just push Xena further away—possibly for good. "How much time are we talking about for this adjustment…a week…a month…a season?" "I don’t know Ares," Xena wearily sighed. "So what you’re saying is that this adjustment could take as long as your life was extended…an eternity?!" "Yes, it could," Xena admitted. "Then this ‘temporary separation’ as you put it could very well turn into a permanent breakup?" His tone was somewhat snippy, the anger he was feeling had slipped through the shield of control. "Yes Ares, it very well could be permanent!" Xena snapped. She moved away and turned her back to him. She immediately sighed with regret. Xena hadn’t meant to lose her temper with Ares. She was annoyed with all the questions because she didn’t have the answers. She really couldn’t blame him for probing for information. Once again she was pulling away from him but this time the reason was vague and naturally, he needed answers. Xena was surprised that Ares was so calm and hadn’t thrown not a single temper tantrum—he was so use to getting his own way—it wasn’t like him to be so accepting. Maybe this milder temper had something to do with his miraculous resurrection. Xena thought it was a pity that coming back from the dead hadn’t grew him a heart that would let him say he loved her, then she wouldn’t need to be doing this at all. Xena turned to face Ares once again, her lips curled in an apologetic smile. "I’m sorry I snapped at you Ares. It’s just that I don’t have any of the answers you need. If I did, I wouldn’t be asking for this time by myself. That’s why I need you to respect my wishes and not fight me on this." Ares knew Xena’s mind was made up and it would be pointless to fight her decision. Any chance of saving their relationship appeared bleak but there was still a shining light---the very reason that Xena was pulling away in the first place --- eternity. Even if it did take Xena countless millennia to accept her immortal state, Ares could wait---for he was immortal too. He would be right there to start the relationship again when she was ready. Ares moved closer to Xena and held her face in between his hands. "If time is what you need…then I will give it to you and not fight your decision." "Thank you," Xena smiled with gratefulness as she laid her hands over his. When the two finally parted, Xena mounted Argo and the mare began a slow trot for the stables. With the sun coming up over the hills behind him, Ares watched the woman he did indeed love, ride away. CHAPTER 63 Nebula sat by the bars of the cell that had been her home for over a month now. Her head peeked out in between the metal bars as her brown eyes fixed on the locked door at the end of the rocky corridor. Affixed to the stony wall by the door was a large torch---its flickering flames casting eerie shadows about the dark cavern. Snores and rhythmic breathing could be heard in her own cell and the adjacent cells as her fellow land-dweller slaves slept after another grueling day in the tarconian mines. She greatly appreciated those sounds of slumber because they drowned out the noise made by her cellmates busily executing their covert actions. Nebula took her eyes from the door to check their progress. In the dim light, Iolaus and the members of her crew were not visible---only the dirt that was repeatedly thrown out of the hole in which they had descended. If their actions were successful, they would escape Meridia. A couple weeks ago, some members of Nebula’s crew uncovered some valuable information by talking to veteran slaves. The very caverns that housed their holding cells had once been old mining tunnels that had been abandoned centuries ago. Nebula and Iolaus had did further probing and uncovered some old mining maps that put the location of the slave cells not that far from underground waterways that emptied into the open seas. This discovery revived the hope of escape, prompting a plan for such to be put in motion. Not wanting to draw the attention of their Meridian captors, the group discretely gathered some of the small pickaxes and other digging apparatuses whose disappearances could go unnoticed for awhile. From studying the old maps, Iolaus and Nebula had deduced that if a hole was dug in the floor of their own cell and tunneled under the back wall, they would eventually make a connection with the underground waterways. All digging was done at night in two shifts. They had to get some rest after working all day in the sweltering tarconian mines so while one group dug the tunnel, the other slept, helping to drown out the sounds of their covert activities with the sounds of slumber. Since digging was only done during the night, they used their empty bedrolls to hide their handiwork during the day, when the cell was unoccupied. For the past several nights, digging had taken place and they had made considerable progress. The two shifts had managed to tunnel under the back wall of their cell. They were all confident that it wouldn’t take many more nights until their efforts would pay off and they would be free. The sound of the lock being turned on the large door at the end of the corridor immediately took Nebula’s attention off the activities of her friends and to outside their cell. The large door was slowly opening! Nebula instantly rose from her post by the cell bars and made her way over to the hole in the dirt floor. She got down on bent knees and stared into its darkness. "Hey fellas, someone is coming our way. Get out of there NOW!" Iolaus and the others heard her warning and quickly scurried down the newly dug tunnel towards the hole in their cell floor. Nebula now heard footsteps heading down the corridor. She quickly glanced towards the bars again. The light from a torch began to illuminate the corridor brighter and brighter as whoever now held it got closer and closer. "You guys, hurry up!" She anxiously whispered. "We’re coming," Iolaus whispered back as he quickly made his way out of the hole followed by five of Nebula’s crew. They all grabbed some extra bedrolls and tossed them over the hole to hide it from view. Then they all quickly got in their own bedrolls and feigned sleep just as the light of the torch brightened the interior of their cell. "All right, everybody in there wakeup." A guard who stood before the cell ordered. He ran a baton across the metal bars that made an irritating noise. "Hey, what’s going on?" Iolaus feigned a sleepy yawn as he rose from his bedroll. "Yeah." Some of the others in the cell mumbled as they too rose from their bedrolls. "You’ll find out soon enough. Just get on your feet," a second guard sternly replied. Iolaus, Nebula and her crew had risen from their bedrolls, and stood gazing at the guard, his comrade and a very beautiful young woman. Nebula poked Iolaus in the ribs with an elbow and whispered out of the side of her mouth, "Isn’t that the woman who took Hercules away?" Iolaus closely inspected the woman. "Yeah, that is her. I wonder what she wants with us?" The woman’s face was unreadable as she stood in silence, letting her violet eyes wander over them. One of the guards unlocked the cell door and stepped inside. "Okay, line up and hold your arms out in front." They all did as he commanded. The first guard put metal cuffs around the wrists of each as the second guard put matching cuffs around their ankles. "Now move it." The second guard ordered. The other guard led the chained group out of the cell as his comrade took up the rear. Still silent, the young woman walked beside them. The other slaves had been awakened by the noisy activity and watched the procession leave the cavern. The group slowly made their way out of the cavern of cells and into a larger rocky corridor that seemed to be unending and went upward, heading towards sea level. "Where are they taking us?" Nebula asked Iolaus as he walked in front of her. "I’ve never seen these parts of the caves before." "Maybe she bought us and now we are going to wherever she took Hercules," Iolaus replied. "I don’t think so," Nebula warily said as the procession came to a stop. She along with the others took in their new surroundings. The group stood in a large cavern that contained a lagoon that emptied into the sea. Waves of the ocean could be heard as they crashed on the rocks at the unseen entranceway of the cavern. Sitting upon the lagoon’s waters were several anchored ships. "Hey look, there’s the Oasis!" One of the crewmembers said pointing a finger. Iolaus, Nebula and the other crewmembers gazed in the direction he pointed and also saw the ship that had brought them there. It appeared to be in perfect sailing condition. "I don’t get it," Iolaus confessed. "Why would they bring us to our ship?" The echo of footfalls could now be heard and all heads turned to see the new arrivals. Two more guards and another beautiful young woman wearing a turquoise silk gown stepped into the cavern. The two guards that had arrived with the bound slaves departed the cavern in silence as the new arrivals approached those who still remained. "My name is Helena," announced the woman who had arrived with Iolaus’ group. She waved a hand in front of the woman whom now stood next to her. "And this is my cousin and future Queen of Meridia, Catherine." "Thanks for the introductions but could you just tell us what is going on?" Nebula asked with impatience. "I see the description I got of you was quite accurate, Nebula," Helena chuckled with amusement. "You are the type of woman who likes to ‘get to the heart of the matter’." Nebula, Iolaus and her crew all had startled expressions on their faces. "Come now, my words shouldn’t be such a surprise to you." Helena let her gaze wander over the gathered slaves until she fixed it on the blonde curly-haired man. "Especially you Iolaus. For the last few weeks I have heard so much about you it’s as if I know you. Ever since Hercules has been in my company, he has expressed concern for the welfare of his sailing companions above his own---he always talks about you." Knowing that was just like his pal Herc, Iolaus couldn’t help but smile. "You still haven’t said why you brought us here," Nebula repeated. "I bought all of you and now I am setting you free," Helena declared. The group of slaves stood with their mouths agape as the two guards moved about them, unlocking their chained cuffs around their wrists and ankles. "I know you must want to inspect your ship." Catherine proceeded towards the Oasis with Helena by her side followed by the two new guards. The slaves got over their initial shock of being set free and followed after the four. "The crew should go aboard and make sure the ship is in good sailing condition. You’ve got a long journey home," Helena said when they all stood before the Oasis. The enthusiastic crew quickly made their way up the plank and disappeared into the ship checking to see if it was seaworthy. Nebula watched the crew move about the ship before setting her gaze on the two Meridian women before her. "Not that we aren’t grateful but we did hear that freeing slaves was unlawful, so why are you doing it?" "It’s because of Hercules," Helena confessed. "Due to him, I finally saw how wrong it was to enslave those who live upon the land and have fully joined the abolition movement headed by my cousin." "Yeah, that’s just like Herc. He has the power to persuade people wherever he goes," Iolaus proudly said. "Where is he anyway?" "He’s with my husband Felix," Catherine replied. "They’re out in the sea, retrieving that saber piece you need to defeat an evil god." "When Hercules told me why you were traveling upon the seas my conscience would let me do nothing less than pledge my full support," Helena said. "This is great! When Hercules returns with the saber piece, we can be on our way," Iolaus said. Helena and Catherine nodded in agreement. "And just think, you and my crew did all that digging in our cell for nothing." Nebula had an amused smile on her face while she draped an arm around Iolaus’ shoulders. The two Meridian women had puzzled expressions on their faces. "We were working on an escape before you decided to free us," Nebula explained. "Ohhh," Helena and Catherine said in unison with a chuckle. "I’m afraid there are going to be some changes to this bon voyage!" A disembodied female voice shouted throughout the cavern. Those standing by the Oasis and on the deck immediately looked about them for who had spoken. A young woman with brown shoulder length hair, wearing a wetsuit appeared from behind some of the large boulders in the cavern and approached the Oasis. In her right hand was a loaded spear gun that she pointed at the assembled group. "Alexis, what are you doing here!?" Helena asked. "Making sure that my family regains its position of power in Meridia again." The two guards made moves for their charged batons but were halted by spears shot from the guns of unseen assailants that embedded deeply into their chests. Gasps of pain escaped the mouths of both guards who immediately fell to the floor. Those that remained looked stunned as several men joined Alexis, each carrying a loaded spear gun like hers. "The next person to make such a move will end up just like those guards," she threatened. Alexis looked toward the Oasis. "Okay, everyone on the ship get down here NOW!" The crew did as ordered and quickly joined the others standing in front of the Oasis. "Now we are all going to take a little trip," Alexis declared, her eyes dancing with devilment. ********** Hercules pulled back on the reins he held in his strong hands bringing the large golden seahorse that he sat atop to a stop. The others in his traveling party that included Felix and four members of the elite palace guard had done the same with their mounts. The group watched as a large school of dolphin fish swam across their path. The demigod wore a diving suit along with a helmet. Air bags were attached to his back so he could breathe. His Meridian companions needed no such airbags since they not only had lungs but gills to collect oxygen directly from the water. They also did not need the protection of a helmet or special diving suit since their people had become accustomed to life on the sea bottom centuries ago. Hercules peered through the opening in the helmet and let his gaze wander over his surroundings. In the distance, in front of them was a large range of rocky mountains. Growing on the ocean floor beneath them, foot long dark green sea grass swayed in the current of the waters. When he looked upward, towards the surface of the great ocean, he saw blue caused by the rays of the sun that gave the waters an appearance similar to the sky. If one took away the wet surroundings, the sea bottom would look like any location on dry land. It really was rather beautiful. The demigod decided that when he got back to Greece, he just might take up diving to break up the monotony of living the life of a hero. When Hercules looked to his comrades once again, Felix was stretching out an arm, an index finger pointing in the direction of the mountain range. That’s where the group was headed and where they would find the piece to the Holy Saber. The son of Zeus had met with Meridia’s future King the day after the incident at the opening party for his upcoming coronation. It had been kept from the Meridian population, but Felix had breathed in a dangerous amount of the poisonous gas before palace guards managed to whisk him and Catherine to safety. Hercules didn’t feel right meeting with the man when his health wasn’t up to par but Felix had insisted that he examine the maps that Helena had retrieved from Nebula’s ship. That meeting had taken place a few days ago. Felix’s health still was not at one hundred percent but he was the only one who knew well the area where the saber piece laid so he led the expedition for its retrieval. As the group got closer to the mountain range, vast amounts of steam could be seen rising from some of the peaks indicating they were volcanic. At the base of one of the mountains, there was a cave that was home to the gigantic octopus, Oligar. The large animal was apparently in his abode for a few of his large tentacles were draped outside the entranceway to the cave. The group traveled towards two of the mountain peaks, headed for the valley in between them. The eyes of the demigod widened upon seeing all of the abandoned ships scattered about the ocean floor in between the mountains. These ships had belonged to land-dwellers that had been brought to the sea-bottom kingdom of Meridia as slaves centuries ago. The rotted-out ships were covered with barnacles and now served as homes for the many fish that swam about. The group abandoned their seahorse mounts and proceeded on foot towards the ancient wrecks. Felix led the way, headed towards a rotted out old ship resting at the base of one of the mountains. After intensive study of the maps, Felix had determined that the saber piece was in this general area. Now, everyone moved about the old and unstable wreckage, looking for the saber. The palace guards cautiously made their way into the ship’s hull to search while Hercules and Felix searched the deck. As he took careful steps on the rotted wood of the deck, Hercules spotted a shiny speck in the deck floor near the stern of the ship. Felix stood nearby him so he instantly laid a hand on the man’s shoulder to get his attention. He pointed in the direction of the shiny speck and that’s where the two headed. When the pair stood above the speck, they could now see it was an oblong piece of metal a few inches in length deeply embedded in the wood of the deck. The two men squatted to their knees. The metal was wedged into the deck pretty deep so both used their fingers to pick away the wood surrounding the piece until it popped from its resting place and floated into Hercules’ waiting hand. He held it up so Felix could see it too. Even with the partial design engraved in it, the shard of metal looked old and ordinary but when it was joined with the pieces found by the others it would form a saber that had the power to kill Dahak --- the most evil being to have ever existed. Hercules took his gaze off the saber piece and saw a group of divers swimming towards the wreckage. There were five total, with four wearing helmets similar to Hercules’ indicating they must be land-dwellers. He alerted Felix to the new arrivals and the Meridian quickly took the saber piece from Hercules and placed it in a pouch secured around his waist. The palace guards who had seen the men steadily approaching from one of the old portholes had made their way back to the ship’s top deck and were on alert for a possible attack. As the divers got closer, the one without the helmet, the Meridian, was recognized by all in attendance as Roger, someone Felix had known his whole life. Any sense of caution started to evaporate but quickly returned when each of the helmeted divers shot off spears from the guns they wielded hitting the palace guards in the neck and chest, mortally wounding them. Hercules and Felix stood in shock. Both were weaponless and did not move and only watched as Roger took the lead in front of the helmeted divers. A loaded spear gun was firmly held in his right hand and aimed in a threatening manner at the unarmed pair. Felix was thoroughly baffled as to the reasons why Roger had committed such a treacherous act. When he finally stood before the two, a sinister smile was plastered across his face. With his free hand, Roger pointed towards the pouch attached to Felix’s waist and motioned for him to hand it over. Both men were now really at a lost as to why Roger would want the piece of old metal they had come to collect. That is until Hercules gazed into the eyes of the armed, helmeted, land-dwellers that had accompanied him. Thanks to the metal of light medallion hanging from his neck, Hercules could now see a red glow in the eyes of these men that he had unfortunately seen before. The evil that had befallen those upon the land had made its way to Meridia. Roger wanting the piece to the Holy Saber made sense now. Hercules turned towards Felix and through the glass-covered opening in his helmet yelled, "ROGER IS WORKING WITH DAHAK!" Felix’s eyes widened in understanding and horror. ********** Alexis had a triumphant smile on her face as she led her prisoners into the volcanic caverns under the large home that had been in her family for centuries. The newly freed slaves, along with Catherine had their wrists shackled. Only Helena was allowed to remain without shackles. With loaded spear guns pointed at them, the group was ushered into the cavern and made to stand before a large hole in the cavern’s stoney floor. The heat around the hole was intense as thick white steam rose from it while lava could be heard bubbling deep within its depths. "Our freedom was certainly short-lived," Nebula grumbled as she stood beside Iolaus. "Now I wonder what’s going to happen to us?" Iolaus didn’t answer and only wriggled the metal cuffs around his wrists. His eyes wandered over their new surroundings and fell on what appeared to be a garden on the other side of the cavern. His eyes widened when he saw what was being grown. "Oh by the gods, NO!" "Iolaus, what is it?" Nebula asked with concern as she too turned her gaze towards the makeshift garden. The others in the group did the same. "Those are the same plants being grown by Dahak’s cult." His bound hands pointed in the direction of the large plants with bright orange flowers that had not yet bloomed. "The plants contain demons and when the flowers bloom, the demons shoot out of them and if anyone is in the vicinity, the demons will take over their bodies." Touching the medallion that hung from his neck, he looked at the guard standing across from him. A red flicker danced in the man’s eyes. Iolaus quickly looked at the other guards and they too had that same red flicker about their eyes. "The guards...they are all demon-possessed." All in the captured group now gazed in fear and horror at the large plants on the other side of the cavern as well as the evil that they now knew surrounded them. "Ah, so you know about the plants," Alexis deduced. "But then again, you land-dwellers would since Dahak revealed himself to you first." Helena glared at Alexis with anger and contempt. She made a move towards the woman but was immediately restrained by two of the armed guards. "Alexis how could you!?" Helena struggled against the strong grip of her captors. " Why would you align yourself with someone as evil as this Dahak!?" "I would have aligned myself with anyone to put my family back in its rightful position as rulers of Meridia," Alexis casually replied. "Centuries ago, my family had secret dealings with Dahak. So, when he showed up again, Roger and I renewed those ties." "Roger! He’s in on this with you!?" Catherine asked with surprise. "Why of course he is," Alexis huffed. "Roger always goes along with his big sister’s plans. Especially when they have his best interest at heart." When she finally stopped struggling, Helena was set free. "And where is Roger now?" She looked around the cavern. "Oh, he wanted to monitor Felix’s and Hercules’ search for the Holy Saber piece." There was a gleam in Alexis’ eyes as she seated herself atop a nearby boulder. "They will meet with an unfortunate accident, so I’m afraid you won’t be seeing them again." Her tone was laced with mock sympathy. Upon hearing Alexis’ words, anger boiled in those being held captive. "And I guess you are going to kill us too?" Iolaus asked. "Only your souls," Alexis replied with a wicked smile. "Your bodies will become the new homes for Dahak’s comrades." "You’ll never get away with this," Catherine hissed. "There’s nothing you can do to stop us," Alexis said with unwavering confidence. "Felix is probably already dead. Since he has no direct heirs, the throne will go to Helena, who will then announce to the people of Meridia that she has accepted my brother’s proposal of marriage and their joint rule as King and Queen. "I will NEVER marry Roger!" Helena spat. "Oh you will marry him all right or your sisters and mother will suffer the consequences of your defiance," Alexis threatened. "They have already been taken into custody by men loyal to me so you have no choice but to cooperate." Everyone being held captive now had faces riddled with worry. Alexis’ eyes were filled with merriment over her impending triumph as they gazed at the prisoners. "It’s time you were introduced to the lava plants." The guards prepared to usher the bound group towards the makeshift garden. "NO!" Helena shouted as she grabbed for the spear gun being held by one of the guards standing next to her. The gun fired, sending a spear in Alexis’ direction that embedded in her shoulder. She screamed in agony as she fell from her position atop the boulder. The commotion gave Iolaus enough time to shove aside the guard standing next to him as he delivered a kick to another. Nebula and her crew soon joined in the ruckus. Using a rock, Helena managed to knock out one of the guards and grab the keys that hung at his waist. She unlocked the cuffs around Catherine wrists. She wanted to get to Iolaus and the others but they were embroiled in an intense battle with the guards and despite having bound hands were doing a fair job. Iolaus had the chains binding his hands wrapped around the throat of a guard. Knowing that his opponent was demon possessed, Iolaus could not kill him because that would put those around him in jeopardy of being a new home for the displaced demon. So, the blonde hunter had to come up with another way of destroying his opponent. Dragging the gasping and struggling guard over to the large hole, Iolaus released the chain from around the man’s neck as he shoved him into its depths. The man’s cries echoed out of earshot as he disappeared into the bubbling fiery lava below. Iolaus wiped sweat from his brow as he looked to his bound comrades fighting the remaining guards. "We have to get them into the lava hole!" Iolaus shouted as he went to lend the others a hand with their opponents. "It’s the only way to destroy them without risking demon possession." The others did as Iolaus ordered and tossed the remaining guards into the steaming, bubbling lava pool. "I have the key for your cuffs." Catherine approached the group of land-dwellers. "Where’s Helena?" Iolaus asked while watching her unlock the cuffs around his wrists. "She went after Alexis," Catherine replied while moving on to the cuffs of his comrades. "Hey, look up there!" Nebula pointed to a precipice that jetted out from a cavern wall. Everyone looked up to see Alexis poised near the edge of the precipice. The spear gun she still held was aimed at the group. So focused was she on those standing far below that she didn’t hear Helena creep up behind her. Her arms were held above her head and in her hands was a rock that she brought down on the back of Alexis’ skull. The woman dropped the spear gun as she fell to the precipice floor unconscious. "Are you guys okay?" Helena shouted as she gazed down at the assembled group. "Yeah, we’re okay. How about you?" Iolaus shouted back. "I’m fine," she said with a smile. "Now we must free my sisters and mother." She glared at the unconscious woman lying before her who would have no choice but to help them do just that. ********** Knowing that Roger was allied with Dahak did not budge Felix who refused to hand over the pouch containing the piece to the Holy Saber. Roger prepared to shoot the future King with the spear gun when a commotion at the bow of the ship halted his intention. The three fixed their gaze in that direction just in time to see the large tentacles of Oligar wrap around the bodies of the men who had accompanied Roger. Their mouthpieces were knocked loose and bubbles poured from their lips as the giant octopus swam away carrying each man wrapped in the death grip of a tentacle. Roger watched the spectacle in horror, giving Hercules the opportunity to jump the distracted man. He knocked the spear gun from the Meridian’s hands but Roger did manage to deliver a stunning punch to the head gear of the demigod, knocking him hard into a sail mast on the ship, severely dazing him. With an angry snarl, Roger lunged at Felix, knocking them both down and sending them through the rotted out floor of the deck. When the deck collapsed so did the sail mast of the ship, directly into the hull where Roger and Felix had disappeared. When Hercules, got his bearings back, he rose to his feet and swam through the hole in the deck and into the hull. Fish quickly retreated as he made his way into their home. Rotted out trunks that had contained the old ship’s cargo were scattered everywhere. His eyes widened in horror when he spotted Felix and Roger on the barnacle covered floor. Roger had fallen on top of Felix as the sail mast pierced right through the former’s body. Hercules quickly made his way to the fallen men and inspected their condition. The sail mast had penetrated all the way through Roger’s chest and appeared to have penetrated Felix’s torso as well. There was no movement out of the man on top but he could see the gills along the sides of Felix’s face opening and closing indicating he was still alive. The only way to save him was to remove the sail mast. The demigod got a firm grip on the sail mast and as gently as he could, gave it a pull. Hercules could feel the mast sliding out of Roger’s body. He looked down at Felix. The man’s eyes had opened. A muffled cry of agony represented by bubbles escaped his lips as the rotten wood came out of his body. Felix looked up into Roger’s face. His mouth hung open in surprise and his eyes had the stare of death. The pain Felix felt was excruciating but using what little strength he had left, he pushed aside Roger’s lifeless body and moved himself from beneath the dead man. Hercules released his hold on the sail mast and made his way to Felix’s injured form. The rotten wood had punctured the man’s abdomen and blood now poured from the wound. Gently, Hercules draped one of Felix’s arms around his broad shoulders as the injured man used his free hand to slow down the escape of blood from the wound. The two made their way out of the old ship’s hull and headed to where the seahorses had been left. ********** Hercules had a concerned look on his face as he gazed at Helena. She sat on a pillow-covered bench alongside her two sisters and mother. All four women were crying. In a comforting gesture, he held Helena’s delicate right hand in his large one as the woman used the handkerchief held in her left hand to wipe away the tears streaming down her face. Iolaus, Nebula and her crew were present also---their own faces expressing the grimness of the situation. They all waited in the hallway just outside the royal bedchamber inside the Meridian palace. Catherine was inside the bedchamber, along with the royal physician and palace servants who were attending to the injured Felix. No one knew how long they had been waiting in the hall but it seemed like forever when the large door to the bedchamber quietly opened and out stepped the royal physician. All looked to him to find out Felix’s condition. The man had snowy white hair. His gray old eyes were misty with tears that went along with the grim frown on his face. "I have already given Catherine the news and she wanted me to come out here and inform you," he began. "Felix was already in a weakened condition from the poison attack and that has made the wound he received fatal." Upon hearing the bleak news, loud sobs poured from the mouths of Helena’s sisters. Their mother pulled them close for comfort. The doctor had delivered Felix when he was born, so this was extremely sad for him too. He pulled a handkerchief from a pocket and quickly dabbed his eyes that threatened to spill with tears. They were somewhat misty when he turned to look at Helena and Hercules. "Felix has asked to see you two." Hercules helped Helena to her feet and continued to hold her hand as the two made their way into the royal bedchamber. Palace servants stood in a corner of the bedchamber softly crying. Felix looked very pale as he lay in a large canopied bed---his body covered by purple silk sheets and blankets. Catherine sat on the side of the bed; tears were running down her cheeks as she grasped onto one of her husband’s hands. Quietly, Hercules and Helena had made their way over to the bed and now stood before it. Felix looked at them as did Catherine, who moved aside to give them room. "Hercules...I just wanted to thank you...for getting me out of the wreckage," he said in a hoarse voice. "Considering the sacrifice you made helping me, it was the least I could do," Hercules grimly replied. Slowly, Felix raised an arm in Helena’s direction. "Dear cousin, come sit." Quickly wiping away the last of her tears, Helena moved to sit on the side of the bed. She took hold of Felix’s offered hand as she stared into his pale face. "My death will make you the Queen of Meridia," he whispered. "I don’t want to be queen," Helena sobbed as she wiped away new tears with the handkerchief in her free hand. "But Helena you must. Since I have no direct heir, you are the next in line." Felix squeezed her hand with the little strength he had left. "You must free the land-dweller slaves like we discussed." "I will do it Felix, in your memory." Helena brought his hand up to her lips and kissed the palm then held it against her face. A thankful smile crossed Felix’s pale face as he took his last breath and closed his eyes. "Oh, he’s gone!" Catherine wailed as she turned to Hercules who stood beside her. Hercules did the best he could to comfort the new widow who cried against a broad shoulder. Helena was freely crying too as she laid Felix’s hand on his now stilled chest. ********** "All right fellas, let’s get these supplies on board the Oasis," Nebula ordered as she clapped her hands together three times. Each member of the crew quickly grabbed a crate and headed up the plank that led onto the Oasis. "Aye, aye, Captain," Iolaus said in his best pirate impersonation. He saluted her before picking up a crate. When he walked by her to go up the plank, she gave him a playful slap on the rear. Iolaus quickly turned around and looked at her with mock shock in his eyes. "I couldn’t resist," Nebula confessed as a wide grin spread across her face. Iolaus grinned back as he made his way up the plank. Nebula followed after him. Hercules had stood on the sidelines watching the whole scene. A faint smile came to his lips. It certainly wouldn’t surprise him if a romance blossomed between his best friend and the pirate woman. He turned to look at the woman standing beside him. A faint smile graced her beautiful face. It was the first time he had seen her smile since Felix’s funeral. "Helena, we don’t have to leave right away. We could wait until after the coronation ceremony." She grasped Hercules’ big hands in hers and squeezed them with affection. "How I would love for you to be able to do that but you have already stayed here far too long. You have to get that saber piece back to Greece so it can join with the others and you can defeat Dahak once and for all." "You’re right," he confessed. "But I’m worried about you and Meridia. We still don’t know how many people were taken over by demons." "Don’t worry. The medallions you and Iolaus were gracious enough to leave us will be melted down and mixed into metal to create more. They will provide my people with the protection needed to root out any remaining demons," she assured. "And I will be just fine as well. I have my mother, sisters and Catherine to look after me." Helena raised a hand and laid it against his face. "You just make sure that when this mess with Dahak is over, you will come back to visit." "I promise, I will be back." Hercules gently held Helena’s chin with a hand as he tilted her face upward while he leaned down and softly claimed her lips with a sweet kiss. When the kiss was broken, they stared into each other’s eyes a moment before Hercules turned and headed up the plank. Once he was aboard, palace guards removed the plank from the side of the ship and untied the ropes securing it to the dock. The crew on board immediately hauled the ropes onto the deck. A strong wind caught onto the raised sails and got the ship underway for its long journey back to Greece. Hercules, Iolaus and Nebula stood on the deck and waved to Helena and the guards as the Oasis sailed out of sight. CHAPTER 64 Thick gray clouds slowly moved into position in the sky above the Daba valley. A low rumble of thunder could be heard, indicating the possibility of a severe rainstorm before the day ended. But the threat of bad weather did not dampen the spirits of the men comprising the massive army. All were marching off the high of victories over the warlords who had control over the northern regions of the Shu province. Wong Tai and his stronghold in the southern regions of Shu province were the sole remnant of Ming Tien’s tyranny. With his defeat, all of Chin would finally be united under the rule of the new Emperor, Ming Tao. The Imperial army was made up of fifty thousand men. Added to their ranks were the men who made up the armies of the wealthy landowners of southern Shu province. All were adorned in shiny armor, proudly displaying the colors of the new Emperor. Chen Yee rode on horseback in the front line of the imperial army. Because of his stature, he could have observed the battle from a safe distance, but he felt, as did many of the other landowners, that it was his duty to take part in the unification of Chin. There was also the need for justice for the many friends he had lost to the tyranny of Wong Tai’s father and the young warlord, himself---among them, Chin Jie’s birth father. The combined forces of the imperial army and those of the landowners met the sizeable army of Wong Tai on a lush field with the picturesque view of the Daba Mountains as a contrasting backdrop to what was to come. Thick dark clouds now shrouded the fleeting rays of the sun that had been visible. Imperial General Yan Tak-Wing, on horseback, trotted out before his troops. The snorting and whinnying of horses comprising the Calvary could be heard as well as the clanging of armor on men taking their places in battle lines. There was a momentary breathlessness as they waited for the order of attack to be given. General Yan set a steely gaze on his counterpart in the opposing army. Then he unsheathed his mighty sword, pointing it towards the dark gray heavens. Every eye in the Imperial army was glued to his sword as it pointed skyward. The general lowered the sword, pointing at the massive foe and at the top of his voice shouted, "ATTACK!!!" His army responded with a shout of its own while immediately charging the enemy whom was now charging right for them. The movement of the two armies sounded like thunder as they came together. The first steel connected just as a streak of lightening cut across the darkened sky followed by a loud clap of thunder which ushered in the pouring rain. Under countless war boots and horse hooves, the lush green grass quickly turned to mud---its color deepening with the spilling of blood. As the rains intensified, the fighting did not cease and would only stop when there was a clear victor. ********** Autolycus could not help but be a bit startled when he heard a loud rumble of thunder roll across the sky. He had been pacing his dank cell when he had come to a sudden stop. When the thunder ceased, he resumed his pacing again. He nervously ran two fingers over his moustache and now full beard. The day of his execution had finally come. Autolycus had no idea how he would meet his end, only that it would be slow and painful. He had prayed that his friends would find a way to rescue him but as the time for the execution got closer and closer, that hope had faded and was now long gone. Footsteps could now be heard echoing off the stone floor of the corridor outside his cell. With dread spread across his face, Autolycus turned towards the large metal door, and stared at it as the sound grew louder, then ceased. It was replaced by a whiny creak as the door slowly opened and in stepped Tu Dong Po’s monstrous frame. "Well foreigner, today is *THE* day," the big man smirked. Instead of a catchy comeback, the King of Thieves chose to remain silent and tried to appear resigned to his fate. Getting no sign of fear out of his prisoner, Tu Dong Po walked over to Autolycus and stood behind him. He roughly grabbed a hold of the man’s arms bringing them to rest at his back as he secured them in place with chains around his wrists. Autolycus had to bite his bottom lip to keep from wincing in pain when the chain hit up against his broken hand. When Tu Dong Po was confident his prisoner was secure, he led him from the cell, roughly holding on to an arm. The sound of their boots against the dark stone floor loudly reverberated through Autolycus’ head as the pair made their way down the corridor. The execution was supposed to take place outside but due to the downpour of rain, would now take place inside Wong Tai’s palace. Tu Dong Po led his prisoner into a medium size room that was very dark and dreary. Two large torches provided the only light. Autolycus was rather insulted that he didn’t rate being killed in front of a crowd. Even though he had tried to steal Wong Tai’s lucky charm, he didn’t expect the big warlord to show up. But he thought Juang Thao would at least be there since he made such a big point about him dying a slow and painful death. The only other person in the room besides him and Tu Dong Po was the executioner. He was a man dressed in a flowing black robe. His face was hidden behind a large mask with the features of a scorpion painted upon it. He stood at the end of a long dark-colored stone slab with metal wrist and ankle restraints built into it. When he saw Autolycus and Tu Dong Po enter the room, he silently motioned them over with the wave of a hand. The executioner turned his attention to a wooden box situated on the end of the slab where he stood. He proceeded to open the box and run his fingers over its contents----several odd looking knives and other instruments of fatal torture. When he stood before the stone slab, Autolycus got a glimpse of the box’s contents and swallowed hard. He knew exactly what would happen to him now. Zhen Yu had told him how Ming Tien liked to execute people by performing torturous operations on them and it appeared that Wong Tai had adopted his deceased friend’s form of execution. Tu Dong Po removed the chain’s binding Autolycus’ wrists. "Lie down," he ordered while poking him in the back with a finger. Autolycus did as commanded. Trying not to think about the horror to soon follow, he gazed up at the ceiling and focused on the sound of the pouring rain that could be heard from the room’s two windows as Po secured his wrists and ankles with the restraints built into the stone slab. ‘Just stay calm Auto ol’ boy and try not to think about the coming pain’ he mentally reminded himself. He was now staring up into the scorpion mask of the executioner who stood over him. He felt the man open his shirt. The masked man held up for him to see an odd looking instrument with a large jagged edge. Autolycus braced himself for the feel of the instrument mercilessly cutting into his flesh. The executioner brought the object down towards Auto’s bare skin and was about to cut into him when a canister came through one of the windows and landed on the floor. Instantly, a yellow gas began to pour from its contents. "Ah YES! I’m being rescued!" Auto breathed as the yellow gas filled the room. The executioner was now too busy bent over, coughing from the gas to slice into Auto. Po was also coughing uncontrollably but he managed to make it over to the room’s door and open it. "We need help...in here...NOW! We are...under...attack!" Po managed to shout in between coughing fits. Hurried footsteps could be heard headed down the corridor towards the room just as four figures clothed in black from head to toe, their faces shrouded, leaped through the windows. They already had swords drawn ready for a fight when six guards burst into the room. Also coughing from the gas, Autolycus struggled in the restraints, trying to wrench around to see what was happening. Shadowy figures moved about the dense atmosphere, their swords weaving in and out of the yellow smoke and seemed to be cutting perilously close to where Autolycus laid bound. With all his strength, he pulled against the restraints but they would not budge. All he could do was lie there and listen to the clashing of steel and the occasional groan of pain when a blade found its mark in human flesh. It didn’t take long for the sounds of fighting to fade and for Autolycus to see a dark figure hovered over him. "Hey Auto, are you okay?" The figure asked. "Meleager?" he coughed. "Is that you?" "Yeah, it’s me." Meleager removed the black filter covering his face, that blocked out the yellow gas, so Auto could see him. "Zhen Yu is here too." He removed the bonds from Autolycus’ wrists. Zhen Yu had already removed his facial protection and stood by the slab so Autolycus could see him as he removed the steel bonds from the man’s ankles. "I had almost given up hope. But deep down, I knew you guys would rescue your ol’ pal Auto." A grin of relief brightened his face. Now free, Autolycus rose to a sitting position and swung his legs over the side of the stone slab. "Wong’s boys gave me a good lickin’ but I kept right on tickin’." "Just like a Timexus sundial." Meleager mused. Zhen Yu shook his head in confusion over western whit. "It’s good to see that being mere moments from facing an agonizing death didn’t damage your psyche any." Autolycus remained silent and only shivered when he thought about how close he came to being cut open. The yellow gas had started to dissipate from the room. Tu Dong Po, the executioner and the six guards laid about the room in pools of blood that indicated they were quite dead. Autolycus looked towards the two remaining dark figures that had aided in his rescue as they removed their protective masks. One quickly showed his face and introduced himself. "I am Chen Yew…the youngest son of Chen Yee." He bowed in greeting. The other man was rather small in stature and revealed his identity with some hesitation, not only removing the protective mask but the hood covering his head. The black hood came off first, freeing a long silky black braided ponytail that came to rest on a slender shoulder. This was followed by removal of the protective mask, revealing the oval face of a beautiful young woman. She had cocoa brown almond shaped eyes that instantly avoided Autolycus’ penetrating stare. "And who are you?" Autolycus asked, an eyebrow raised in piqued interest. The woman remained silent and slightly bowed her head. "This is Chen Jie…my sister," Chen Yew replied. "I want to thank you for helping with my rescue." Autolycus looked at the two siblings, giving Chen Jie a very appreciative smile. She remained silent and only acknowledged his gratitude with a slight bow. "We better get out of here," Chen Yew suggested in a rushed tone. He took hold of his sister’s arm and escorted her over to one of the windows. The rest of the group followed them. Autolycus stood by Chen Jie at the window and couldn’t dismiss the notion that there was something familiar about her. Situated below the window, in the courtyard below, were bales of hay. Chen Jie stood on the window ledge and with a graceful movement leapt from its heights, headed for the hay below. The others watched as she landed with a soft rustle. "Okay Autolycus, you go next," Zhen Yu suggested. With an uncomfortable smirk, Autolycus climbed onto the window ledge then jumped. Chen Jie was standing by the bales when he landed in the hay. As he rose to climb out, he accidentally put too much weight on his broken hand and grimaced in pain. "Here, let me help you." Chen Jie offered a steady hand, helping Autolycus climb out of the hay. When he stood on his own two feet, she quickly let go of him and turned away as she felt his probing gaze boring into her. After the others safely jumped from the window, the group quickly made their way to the stables. By the time they got there, the pouring rain had drenched them. They were greeted by the sound of clashing steel and as they walked inside saw Salmoneus and three of Zhen Yu’s men, battling seven of Wong Tai’s men. "Oh, thank the gods, reinforcements for our side," Salmoneus breathed with relief while quickly moving a pitchfork in front of him---blocking the incoming blade of his opponent, with not a moment to spare. Quickly unsheathing their swords, the four rescuers charged into the melee. Wanting payback for his own harsh treatment, Autolycus eagerly joined the fight too. He saw Salmoneus wallop another guy upside the head with the pitchfork, leaving him disoriented. Auto finished up by slamming the man head first into a stable support column knocking him unconscious. Horses in stalls whinnied with distress at the sound of clashing steel and warring shouts filling the stable. With the added help, Wong Tai’s men were being overpowered. Delivering a punch to the stomach of another man and shoving him away, Auto looked to his comrades fighting around him, Chin Jie in particular. The petite woman delivered a powerful spinning kick to the head of a man immediately rendering him unconscious. In that instant, Autolycus was back in the courtyard, the night he had been captured. He had safely made it out of Wong Tai’s bedchamber. Guards had been on his tail and he was about to walk to freedom ...when a petite, slender figure jumped down in front of him and delivered a kick to his midsection. Autolycus stumbled backwards, almost falling down but remained on his feet. "I saw you take the ring," the attacker hissed. "Now give it to me!" The attacker delivered a spinning kick to Autolycus’ head that knocked him to the stone courtyard... The eyes of the King of Thieves widened in recognition and surprise as an angry scowl appeared on his face. His friends had just finished up on their own opponents when they took notice of his demeanor. "Hey Auto, what’s wrong?" Meleager asked. "It was YOU!" Autolycus growled as he glared at Chen Jie. "You are the little harpie that attacked me in the courtyard and the reason I was captured and nearly EXECUTED!!!" He lunged for the young woman. Zhen Yu and Meleager instantly restrained him. "Leave my sister alone!" Chen Yew jumped in front of Chen Jie to protect her from Auto’s threat of attack. "LET ME GO!!!" Autolycus yelled as he struggled against the firm grip of his friends holding him in place. "Auto be quiet!" Salmoneus said. "The rest of Wong Tai’s men might hear you." With nervous eyes, he peered out of a stable window, making sure none of Wong Tai’s men were headed their way. "Yes, I am the one who attacked you that night in the courtyard. I am so sorry." Chen Jie peered over her brother’s shoulder, her lips twisting with regret. "That’s why I had to take part in your rescue." "Look, you two will have to settle this later, because right now, we have to get out of here," Zhen Yu reminded them. Auto new the man was right and finally stopped struggling against those restraining him. The group made their way over to a wagon that Salmoneus and his group had managed to hitch to some horses before Wong Tai’s men discovered them. To avoid a confrontation with Autolycus, Zhen Yu, Chen Jie and Chen Yew sat on the bench while the others piled into the wagon. The rain was still pouring when the wagon headed out of the gates of Wong Tai’s compound headed for Chen Yee’s ranch. When they reached the ranch, the rain had slowed to a drizzle. The place was eerily deserted except for a lone servant; a middle-aged woman named Dao Ha-Chi. She greeted them in the foyer, crying hysterically. "Dao Ha-Chi, what is wrong?" Chen Jie asked her face riddled with concern. "Oh, Mistress Jie…Master Yew, something awful has happened!" Ha-Chi sobbed while dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief. "Your father...he was killed in the battle against Wong Tai’s army." Chen Jie brought a hand up to her mouth as tears began to form in her eyes. Chen Yew pulled his sister into an embrace, resting her head against a shoulder. "I am so sorry." Zhen Yu placed a hand on each in a show of comfort. The others voiced their sympathy too, including Autolycus who now gazed softly at Chen Jie. "Maybe we should join the battle," Meleager suggested. "No." Chen Jie said while pulling herself from Chen Yew’s embrace. She took the handkerchief that Dao Ha-Chi offered and wiped away the tears streaking her face. "As soon as Autolycus was rescued, my father wanted you to leave right away. You must get that saber piece back to Greece so you can stop Dahak." "You guys have it?" Autolycus asked with surprise. "We sure do," Salmoneus replied with a smile. He let a hand pat a pouch secured around his waist. "When my father told me of its importance, I gave it to him and he gave it to your friends," Chen Jie added. "Master Yee’s body was brought back by some of the men so it can be prepared for the funeral pyre. He lies in the receiving room," Dao Ha-Chi said. "I want to see him one last time," Chen Jie softly replied while gazing down the hall where the receiving room was located. She turned toward those about to depart. "I pray that the journey ahead of you is safe and you defeat this great evil threatening our world." She bowed to them all, then let Chen Yew lead her down the corridor, headed for the receiving hall. The others stood in silence and watched the two walk away and finally disappear behind a large door. "Two wagons have already been prepared for your journey," Dao Ha-Chi informed them, breaking the silence. "They are stocked with food, water and other supplies you will need." "Uh, before we leave, if it’s all right with you guys, I would really like a bath and a shave." Autolycus ran a hand over his full beard. "It’s all right with me ‘cause I would like to change into some dry clothes." Salmoneus had a look of discomfort on his face as he pulled at his soaking wet attire. "Yeah, some dry clothes would be nice," Meleager confessed. "I better go find you all something dry to wear." Dao Ha-Chi disappeared down a hall. ********** Autolycus grabbed a towel and wiped the water from his face. He turned around and gazed at his reflection in the mirror behind him. "Now I’m back to my ol’ self." A pleased grin broke out over his face while he ran a hand over his clean-shaven chin and his recently trimmed moustache. "Hey Autolycus, are you about ready ‘cause the rest of us are dressed." Meleager announced as he stepped into the changing area of the bathhouse. "Yeah, we wanna get on the road while we still have daylight," Salmoneus added as he, too, entered the room followed by Zhen Yu. "Hold your horses, I’ll be ready in a few seconds." As fast as he could with the use of only one good hand, Autolycus hopped into the clean pants Dao Ha-Chi had brought him and then the shirt. "Did you guys get the chance to see Chen Jie again?" "When we went to the receiving room, it was empty," Zhen Yu replied. "Dao Ha-Chi told us that after she saw her father’s body, Chen Jie went up to her room to get some rest." "After the day she’s had, I know she needs it." Salmoneus’ face was etched with sympathy. Autolycus now sat on a bench and was putting on his boots. A sigh of regret escaped his lips. "Now I feel just awful for blowing up at her like I did." "Well you shouldn’t. What she did almost got you killed. Even she understood the reasons for your anger," Zhen Yu said. "I just hope she will be all right," Autolycus said. "She will be. She has six older brothers to look after her," Meleager said. "And tons of servants who will make sure she is just fine," Salmoneus added. "They’re right. She’s in good hands," Zhen Yu assured. ********** "A caravan of villagers trying to flee the fighting is headed for the city of Jincheng. They haven’t got that much of a head start on you so you should reach them in no time," Dao Ha-Chi informed them as she watched the men load into the two wagons. Autolycus, Meleager, Salmoneus and Zhen Yu road in the first wagon while Zhen Yu’s men road in the second wagon. "Well Dao Ha-Chi, we thank you for the stocked wagons and the clothes," Autolycus began when all were aboard both wagons. "I personally want to thank you for the bath and the shave." "You are most welcome." Dao Ha-Chi had a big smile on her face as she bowed to them. "Now you take care of yourself and the Chen family," he said then the wagons began their departure. The servant woman watched the two wagons leave the Chen ranch and head down the dirt road. She had been right about them catching up to the caravan for they joined them a few miles down the road from the Chen ranch. The two wagons took up the rear of the caravan. Sounds of the battle could be heard in the distance while the flashes of artillery filled the sky, adding to the reddish-orange backdrop of the setting sun. But these sounds and vision of war slowly faded as the caravan of wagons got further from the fighting. A few hours had passed---the sounds and sights of war had long been abandoned. Zhen Yu and Meleager were embroiled in an intense conversation as they sat on the bench of the wagon, directing the horses. Salmoneus was in the wagon itself and had fallen asleep after stuffing himself with some of the food Dao Ha-Chi had packed for them. Autolycus lounged against some boxes. He was lost in thoughts about what he would do with himself after they defeated Dahak when out of the corner of an eye; he spotted movement near the back of the wagon. Grabbing a nearby frying pan to use as a weapon, he cautiously made his way to the back of the wagon. Whoever it was stopped moving when they sensed his presence hovering above. In one quick motion, he removed the bedrolls covering the person. His eyes widened in surprise when he saw who it was. "Chen Jie!?" "Shhh, not so loud," she whispered before she crawled out from under the bedrolls. Auto quickly looked to the direction of his friends. Meleager and Zhen Yu were still embroiled in their conversation and Salmoneus was still asleep. He turned to the young woman once again. "What are you doing here? He asked with a whisper. "I’ll explain but can I have something to eat first?" Chen Jie whispered. Autolycus went over to one of the baskets where the food was packed. He removed a few tasty items then headed back over to Chen Jie. She gratefully took the food Autolycus offered. He seated himself before her and waited for an explanation. Not to alert the others, the conversation took place in hushed tones. "Once again, I want to tell you how sorry I am for what happened to you because of me." Chen Jie bowed her head in profound sorrow. "Hey, I’m still here so don’t worry about it." Autolycus placed a hand on her shoulder in a comforting gesture. "Now, tell me why you were hiding in our wagon." After hearing his words, Chen Jie raised her bowed head and looked into his face. "With Chen Yee dead, there is nothing back there for me now." "But what about your six brothers? How can you just leave them?" "They are my adopted brothers." Auto gazed at her with confusion. "Chen Yee was my adopted father," Chen Jie continued. "He took me into his home after Wong Tai’s father killed both my parents and my four older brothers. I was only two years old when he took me into his home and raised me as his daughter." "But that ranch has been your home for nearly your whole life. We have to take you back there." Autolycus prepared to rise to his feet. But Chen Jie held firmly to an arm, preventing him from rising. "I WILL NOT go back," she declared in a firm tone. "Why not?" "Chen Fang is my oldest adopted brother. Now that Chen Yee is dead, he is the head of the family. He wants me to marry some landowner named Tsang Shan. Fang is in love with Tsang Phi-Anh and wants to marry her. She is Tsang Shan’s daughter. He is against the marriage. So, Chen Fang wanted to offer my hand to Tsang Shan in marriage since he has always lusted after me. My brother figures Tsang Shan will soften to the idea of him marrying his daughter if he gets what he wants." Chen Jie’s face was riddled with disgust. "Chen Yee was against this but now that he is dead..." "Chen Fang will force you to marry Tsang Shan," Autolycus finished for her. "And I would have no choice but to obey him," Chen Jie growled with tempered anger. "Tsang Shan is fat, ugly and three times my age. I WILL NOT marry him! My only choice is to go to Greece with you." "But Greece is so far away and a different culture. Maybe we could find you a place to hide in Chin where you could start over," Autolycus suggested. "No, Chen Fang has connections everywhere so I am afraid he would find me. The safest place for me would be Greece." Chen Jie finally bit into the food Autolycus had given her. Autolycus shrugged his shoulders in defeat. "Hey Auto, who are you talking to?" Salmoneus sleepily asked rubbing his eyes. A yawn escaped his lips as he rose to a sitting position after a very relaxing nap. "You weren’t talking to Salmoneus?" Meleager chimed in from the wagon bench. "So who are you talking to?" Zhen Yu asked. The two now had their heads turned as they gazed into the wagon. Autolycus looked to his friends seated on the wagon bench then to Salmoneus. "Fellas, it appears we have a stowaway." He moved aside so the three could see Chen Jie. The three had looks of surprise on their faces. "Hello." Chen Jie just flashed them a smile and waved a hand.
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