The rolling hills lay before her like a thousand miles of unexplored terrain. Only for the briefest of moments did Karrista allow herself to contemplate the unknown perils that lay ahead. As she stopped for a short, but necessary rest, her mind wandered back over the last four days. Just that recently, she had been a happy bride-to-be, planning her upcoming wedding and dreaming of a life filled with love and the happy laughter of children - the children that she had longed for and that she and Anton, her betrothed, had planned to fill their happy home - the children that may never live outside of these dreams. Karrista brushed away the unhappy thoughts along with a strand of her waist-length auburn hair. She knew that time did not allow her the luxury of grieving for the life she had dreamed of - a life that had been forever changed by the raid on her village three nights ago.
As Karrista splashed cool stream water on her face, she caught a glimpse of her own reflection. The eyes that looked back at her were not the same hazel eyes that had always been Karrista's most remarkable feature. Anton had always told here that her eyes were truly the windows to her soul. Every hope and dream was reflected there. When she laughed, they sparkled and when she looked at Anton, they shone with the love they shared. Now all Karrista could see in the eyes that looked back at her was an empty, haunting sadness.
Karrista turned away from the stream to survey the early evening sky. She knew she could travel two or three more hours before darkness enveloped the countryside. How far she still had to travel she did not know. She had never been to the city that was the object of her journey. Her father had told her many stories of his childhood there and of his brother, Karrista's uncle, whom she had never met. With the fate of her family and friends unknown to her, Karrista knew she had to try to reach the far away city. She also knew that the king's soldiers would be right behind her every step of the way. By now they had learned of her escape and were, no doubt, in close pursuit.
The raid on her village had not lasted very long. No one had expected the scores of soldiers that would descend on them in the dead of night. Some were killed in their beds, never knowing that they had seen their last sunrise. Karrista had been taken prisoner early in the battle and she was not sure how many, if any, of the villagers had survived. As the soldiers had dragged her away, she could hear her father's voice calling her name and cursing the king who had ordered her capture. As she was taken out of the village, into the darkness, Karrista could see fires burning where houses had once stood and bodies laying where children had once played. She had no way of knowing whether her father would still be alive in the morning nor what had become of her beloved Anton. Karrista had vowed to herself that she would escape before they reached the King's palace and, somehow, find a way to make him pay for what he had done.
Now, alone, with darkness falling all around her, Karrista wondered if she would be able to keep her promise. Could she possibly make it to the city where her uncle had last lived? Once there, would she be able to find him? Her father's stories about his younger brother had always taken place in a different town or village and Karrista was not sure how often he returned to the city of his childhood.
Entering a thick stand of trees, Karrista glanced furtively behind her. No soldiers were in sight - no voices permeated the cool night air. "I am alone," she breathed aloud. Even as the words crossed her lips, their dismal reality clenched her heart with a sadness that threatened to engulf her very soul. "I am really alone." Exhausted, she collapsed at the base of a large tree and finally let the tears flow. She cried quietly as she had for the past three nights, thinking of the family and friends that she may have lost forever. As sleep quickly began to overtake her, Karrista thought once more about the the uncle she hoped to find. "Please be there," she whispered as her eyes closed and she fell into a troubled sleep.
Karrista awoke suddenly to a vibration that shook the ground upon which she slept. Momentarily disoriented, she sat up and looked around. As she surveyed the sunlight filtering through the surrounding trees, the memories flooded back and she realized where she was. As her mind began to clear, she became aware of the trembling ground beneath her. Getting quickly to her feet, Karrista hurried to the edge of the trees and looked out over the countryside. She could make out horses dotting the horizon. She knew that they must be the King's soldiers. Hurriedly she tried to determine her best escape. All the things her father had taught her sprang quickly to mind. She knew she could not outrun them. Her only chance was to hide and hope they rode through the trees without detecting her presence. Remembering something her father had taught her as a young girl, Karrista quickly looked around her. Seeing a small hollow between two trees she hurriedly began to gather leaves and large branches that littered the forest floor. Laying down in the shallow depression, she began covering herself with the dead foliage. Moments seemed like hours as Karrista breathed shallowly, waiting for the horsemen to pass. Within minutes she could hear them talking as they rode past her hiding spot. As the sounds started to fade away, Karrista breathed a sigh of relief. Her alleviation proved to be premature as she felt a hand grab her ankle and pull her from beneath her blanket of safety. Kicking and screaming, Karrista struggled to free herself from the strong grip. The soldier laughed as she struggled in vain against his strength. Yanking her to her feet, he summoned the rest of his men. Karrista glared at the huge man. The anger that welled up inside her was not only for the soldier who was held her captive, but also for the situation she had allowed herself to fall into. As more soldiers arrived, Karrista saw her hopes of escape fading away. "Why don't you just kill me?" she asked defiantly, "I would rather die that go with you."
"The King has other plans for you," the soldier laughed. "Surely you have heard about his recent deal with Hera."
"Any deal with Hera has got to mean trouble."
Karrista turned toward the voice and saw a large, handsome man standing just behind the ring of soldiers surrounding her.
"Go away," said the soldier who still held Karrista's wrist firmly in his grasp. "This doesn't concern you."
"I would love to comply," returned the stranger, "Just let the lady go and we'll be on our way."
"Can't do that, friend," replied the soldier. "The King wants her and we intend to see that he isn't disappointed."
Karrista studied the tall, handsome man that was trying to help her. She knew she had never met him and wondered why he would risk his life to save someone like herself. To her surprise, she saw a smile cross his tanned face.
"Well," he said "I really would hate to disappoint the King."
With that, he grabbed a soldier in each hand and tossed them aside as though they were children's toys, made of the cheapest tin. Suddenly, Karrista knew who this hero was. He could be none other that the mighty Hercules - son of Zeus.
"Kill him!" shouted the soldier as he flung Karrista aside and drew his sword. Karrista stumbled and fell to the ground as the dozen or more soldiers converged on the legendary half-man, half-god. Out of the corner of her eye she caught a movement from above. Looking up, she saw a pair of leather boots swing past her head as yet another would-be hero leapt from the trees to land between her and the ensuing battle. This man was smaller that the first but was no less eager to take on his share of the King's men. As Karrista watched him dispose of one after another of her captors, she knew who this man must be. The long-time friend and companion to Hercules - Iolaus - her father's brother.
When the fighting was over, unconscious soldiers littered the area like so many fallen branches. Hercules and Iolaus helped Karrista to her feet and asked if she had been hurt.
"No," said Karrista, her gaze riveted to the face of the uncle she had almost lost hope of finding. "My name is Karrista," she offered. "Thank you both for..."
"Don't mention it," smiled Iolaus. "All in a day's work. I'm Iolaus and this is Hercules."
"Nice to meet you, Karrista. Are you sure you're all right?" asked Hercules.
Karrista turned to face the man she had heard so many stories about. He was even taller than she had at first thought and as he looked down at her his clear blue eyes held a look of genuine concern for her.
"I'm fine," Karrista assured him. "Actually, I was hoping I would be able to find you," she said as she turned to look once again at Iolaus.
"Why were you hoping to find us," he asked, looking just a little puzzled.
Karrista took in his features. He had a strong resemblance to her father. They had the same blond hair and the same sensitive eyes. Her father had been taller and not quite as muscular as her uncle, but the resemblance was definitely there. With all the events of the past few days crowding her mind, Karrista struggled for an explanation.
"I heard about you from Orion, your brother," said Karrista, watching closely to gauge his reaction.
"My brother?" repeated Iolaus. "My brother was killed long before you were even born."
"No," she hesitated "He is alive, at least he was five days ago.... I know it's true because he is my father."
Karrista waited for the meaning of her words to sink in. Searching Iolaus' eyes she saw many emotions there - disbelief, surprise, sadness, confusion.
"There must be some mistake." he said quietly.
"No, there is no mistake," Karrista assured him. "I have much to tell you."
As Hercules and Iolaus listened, Karrista recounted the events of the last few years. She told them of Hera's plan to kill Iolaus if he ever visited his brother's village. Orion knew that if Iolaus thought him to be dead, he would not endanger his life by trying to find him. She told them how her father had told her stories her whole life about the exploits of Hercules and his friend, Iolaus. She told them of the pride that shone in her father's eyes whenever he spoke of his brother. And, finally, she told them of the King's deal with Hera that had eventually led to the raid on her village and her capture by the King's soldiers.
When she had finished, no one spoke. After a moment, Iolaus got slowly to his feet and walked off.
"Don't worry," Hercules told Karrista, "He just needs a few minutes to absorb all that you have told him. He'll be back."
"I hope so," replied Karrista. "I know it must have come as quite a shock to learn that his brother is still alive and that he has a niece. I would never have endangered either of you by telling you what's been going on, but I really had no one else to turn to."
"You were right to tell him, Karrista," offered Hercules. "He has a right to know that his brother is alive. He would want to do anything he can to help, and I'll be with him all the way, no matter what happens. Nothing would make me happier than to help Iolaus be reunited with his brother and putting an end to Hera's scheme would just make it that much more satisfying."
"I only hope that my father is still alive," Karrista worried. " I really don't know what became of anyone in the village after I was captured. They may have all been killed."
"Let's hope that's not the case," countered Iolaus as he rejoined his long-time friend and his new-found niece. "I thought I had lost my brother once, I will do everything I can to make sure I don't lose him again. Can you tell us more about Hera's plan?"
Karrista thought for a moment and then started to relate what she knew about what had been going on in her village.
"I guess it really started about three years before I was born," she started "My parents were passing through the village on their way to Athens where they were going to build a home. They loved the people and the surroundings so much that they decided to stay there instead. They were very happy there. People were very kind and the King was a very generous and sensitive man. When Hera learned where they were living, she made it clear to my father that he was to entice Iolaus into the village where he would be killed. When my father learned of this, he sent word to his brother that he had been killed in a fire."
"But why would Hera want to kill me?" asked Iolaus.
"After she killed Hercules' family, she tried to kill you many times. Zeus was the one who always saved you." she explained.
"That comes as a bit of a surprise," Hercules thought aloud.
"My father says that Zeus has always regretted not stopping Hera before she killed your family." explained Karrista. "He said he couldn't do anything to bring them back but he could make sure that you didn't suffer the loss of your closest friend as well."
"But what does this have to do with what happened to your village?" prodded Iolaus.
"Well, when Hera realized that she couldn't get to you through my father, she made life very difficult for people in the village. She hoped she could break my father's spirit and get him to change his mind about helping her. She sent a terrible sickness to our village. This terrible plague lasted almost four years. My own mother succumbed to the sickness shortly after I was born. Even then, my father would not betray his brother. Hera's anger reached new heights and she decided to try a different approach."
"But Hera didn't just kill Orion for failing to go along with her plan," interjected Hercules.
"No," Karrista shook her head. "She wanted to make my father suffer more than that. She knew that my father would gladly die before he gave in to her. For years we thought she had given up, but then, just recently, we learned of her latest plan."
"And this is where the deal with the King comes in?" asked Iolaus.
"Yes," Karrista went on. "Hera told the King that she would spare his own daughter's life in exchange for mine. That's why the King ordered me brought to his palace. He was to kill me using the dagger that Hera provided him in order to save his daughter's life."
"All fun and games for Hera," muttered Hercules.
"I escaped from the soldiers on the way to the palace, two days after my capture. I couldn't return to my village. I knew the King would never stop coming for me and I feared for those who may still be alive."
"Karrista," said Iolaus, taking her hand, "I only wish that I had known my brother was alive and had a family. We have a lot of catching up to do, but first, we must put an end to Hera's latest scheme."
"Somehow, I knew you'd say that," said Hercules, smiling. "Let's go. We have a long way to travel to reach the King and put an end to this."
As they walked, Karrista talked about her father and Anton, the man she had planned to marry. Iolaus had many questions and Karrista did her best to answer them all. As night fell, Iolaus built a fire and Hercules went to find something that could pass for dinner.
When they had finished their meagre but satisfying meal of wild mushrooms and quail, Karrista sat by the fire and thought about how things had changed since she had found her uncle. She now had a feeling of hope that she had not had in days. She looked up from the fire when she realized Iolaus was watching her. She smiled at him as he sat down beside her.
"You are truly my brother's daughter," he said as he poked at the fire with a large stick. "Orion always put everyone's welfare ahead of his own. Even when we were children, he always watched out for me and he took the blame for things I had done more times than I can remember."
"He loved you very much," Karrista answered softly. "I could see it in his eyes whenever he talked of you. My greatest wish is that he will be alive to see you when we get back to my village."
Iolaus put a comforting arm around his niece's slender shoulders. "He will be," he said quietly. "He will be."
As the sounds of the night closed in around them, Karrista lay down and for the first time in four nights, she welcomed sleep with a faint smile on her face and a glimmer of hope in her heart.
When Karrista awoke Hercules and Iolaus were no where to be seen. Had it been a dream? Had she really found her uncle? The sound of voices eased her mind as the two men approached with fresh fish from a nearby stream.
"Ready for breakfast?" asked Iolaus.
Karrista smiled and nodded. "Sounds wonderful," she answered.
"You've obviously never had the pleasure of your uncle's cooking," joked Hercules as he put more wood on the fire.
As they started once again for the King's palace, Karrista asked the question that had been on her mind since their journey had begun. "What are we going to do once we get there?"
"WE aren't going to do anything," replied Iolaus. "You are going to stay well out of sight until everything is taken care of. Herc and I have handled guys like this before."
"What Iolaus means is we'll think of something," smiled Hercules, "and then we will return you to your village."
Karrista longed to see her home again even though she had no idea what awaited her there. She didn't know if her father was alive or dead. And Anton - had he survived the raid on her village? Was he searching for her? Did he even know she was alive? Karrista pushed the questions from her mind. "I will deal with everything when I get there," she thought. "Whatever happens, I know that I'm not alone."
Early that evening, they reached the outskirts of the palace grounds. Iolaus hid Karrista in some bushes and told her to stay there until they came for her. With that, he and Hercules set off to find the King. They were stopped at the gates by a trio of guards.
"The King can't see anyone tonight," one of the burly guards told them.
"We just need to talk to him for a minute," explained Hercules.
"His daughter is ill and he isn't seeing anyone," replied the guard gruffly. "Leave now or I will have you thrown in the dungeon."
Iolaus look at Hercules and shrugged his shoulders, then turning to the guard he hit him with all his strength, the blow hitting him sqarely in the jaw. The guard stumbled backward but did not fall. It took him mere seconds to recover from the surprise attack and call for more guards. In an instant there were twenty or more soldiers in full armour rushing at the two men.
"I hate when this happens," muttered Hercules under his breath as he began to fight his way through the crowd of heavily armed guards. After a somewhat short battle, Hercules and Iolaus were standing amidst a group of unconscious men and discarded weapons.
"This looks vaguely familiar, don't you think?" Iolaus laughed as they ran toward the palace doors.
Once inside, the palace was relatively free of soldiers. The King obviously thought that he was protected well enough by those outside. After searching through a maze of rooms, they came upon the quarters where the King sat at his daughter's bedside.
"Who are you," he demanded, standing up and calling for his guards.
"I think they're a little indisposed at the moment," Iolaus told him. "I am Iolaus, brother of Orion, and this is Hercules."
"Iolaus?.... Hercules?" the King stammered, "but how..."
"Karrista found me and told me what you've been doing," answered Iolaus. "I know of your plans to kill her and I'm here to see that doesn't happen."
The King sat down by his daughter's bed and put his head in his hands. He suddenly looked much older that he had when they had entered the room.
"I never wanted to hurt Karrista," he said sadly. "Orion is a good man and Karrista used to play with my daughter, Venecia, when they were children. Venecia is dying and she is all that I have left. I had to try to save her."
Hercules and Iolaus looked down at Venecia sleeping in her bed. She was a beautiful girl with long, blond hair and delicate features. Her skin was very pale and perspiration dotted her brow. She was obviously very ill.
"We're sorry to hear about your daughter," offered Hercules, "but Karrista's death will not cure her illness."
"But Hera promised she would live if I killed Karrista," argued the King.
"Hera has never been known for keeping promises," retorted Iolaus. "Could you live with yourself knowing that you killed an innocent girl?"
"What can I do?" pleaded the King, "If I refuse Hera, my daughter will surely die."
"It's me that Hera wants," replied Iolaus. "Offer Hera my life in exchange for Karrista's."
"Are you nuts?" asked Hercules in amazement.
"I know what I'm doing," whispered Iolaus, "trust me."
"Very well," sighed the King, "I will not harm Karrista. She may return to her village and I give my word that I will send no one after her."
"Your word is good enough for us," said Iolaus. "We will take Karrista back to her father and Hera can do what she will."
When they had left the palace, Hercules took Iolaus aside and asked him what he was trying to do.
"I will explain later," Iolaus promised. "Right now we need to get Karrista back to her father."
As they walked to Karrista's village, Iolaus related to her their conversation with the King.
"I can't let you do this," Karrista exclaimed. "I can't let you trade your life for mine."
"Don't worry," Iolaus assured her, "It won't come to that. We are going to cheat Hera at her own game."
"I wish I shared your confidence," Karrista replied uncertainly.
"So do I," thought Hercules to himself.
When they arrived at the village, Karrista was overjoyed to see people bustling about. There were obviously many survivors. She hurried to the home she had shared with her father. Bursting through the door, she was overwhelmed with gladness to see her father tending to an injured man.
"Father," she cried as she flung herself toward him. As the startled man turned away from the bed, Karrista's elation turned to horror. The man in her father's bed was none other than Anton.
"Anton!" she cried, hurrying to his side.
"He can't answer you, my child," her father told her softly as he gently turned her to face him. "His wounds are severe, I'm afraid. I'm doing everything I can but... well, I just don't know how long he'll live."
Karrista turned back to Anton and knealt beside the bed, taking his hand in hers.
"My darling Anton," she whispered, "I have come back to you, you must come back to me."
Getting no response from the man she loved, Karrista stood up and turned once again to her father. His eyes were filled with tears as he looked at the daughter he thought he would never again see. "How did you escape?" he asked her, his voice choked with emotion.
"That's not important right now," she smiled faintly at him. "I have a surprise for you."
Karrista took his arm and turned him to face the doorway where the two men who had saved her life stood waiting. When Orion caught sight of his brother, he was filled with surprise and fear. "Iolaus!" he cried in amazement. "You can't stay here..."
"Orion, my brother," said Iolaus and he shook the older man's hand, "Karrista has explained everything to me and I am here to help."
"Hera will kill you if she finds you here."
"That's actually part of the plan," Iolaus replied wryly.
"That's the part of the plan I don't like," interrupted Hercules.
"Forgive me," hurried Karrista, "Father, this is Hercules."
"Glad to meet you, Orion," smiled Herules as he shook his hand, "Iolaus has told me much about you."
"I don't understand what's going on but I'm glad to meet you." replied Orion.
"The King has agreed to spare my life as long as Iolaus gives his." explained Karrista.
"We can't let you do that," protested Orion. "You and Hercules do so much good. This is Hera's way of getting to Hercules. Your death would serve no purpose."
"Relax, Orion, I know exactly what I'm doing," Iolaus assured him. "Hera will come for me and once I am dead, she will leave you and your village alone."
"Can I speak with you a moment?" Hercules said as he took Iolaus by the arm and led him to a corner of the room. "Look, I don't know what you have in mind but I won't let Hera kill you just because she wants me to suffer."
"Trust me," Iolaus assured him, "Nothing is going to happen to me."
"It's Hera I don't trust," insisted Hercules, "You and I both know what she's capable of."
"Don't worry, Herc, I don't trust Hera either, but I have a solution that will solve everything."
"I hope you're right," sighed Hercules.
"Let's go outside and get this over with," said Iolaus, patting Hercules on the back.
Once outside, Orion called out to Hera telling of Iolaus' presence. Within minutes six of Hera's archers appeared ready to do battle. Iolaus sent Orion and Karrista back inside as Hercules began taking on the group of evil warriors. Each time he got rid of one, another appeared. Suddenly, all six disappeared. A perplexed Hercules looked around him. "It's not like Hera's archers to give up so easily," he thought. As he swung around, expecting another attack, he caught sight of Iolaus lying on the ground.
"Iolaus!" he shouted as he rushed to his friend's side.
Lifting Iolaus' head he was dismayed to see an arrow protruding from his chest, just below his heart. Iolaus looked up at him, his usually sparkling eyes filled with pain. He managed a weak smile. "I don't think I realized how much it would hurt," he said weakly, "See you on the other side, my friend."
As his friend's eyes closed and the life slipped from his body, Hercules was filled with a rage that overpowered him. "No!!" he shouted as he stood up and looked toward the sky.
He could hear Hera laugh briefly and then there was silence. Hanging his head in despair, Hercules turned back to the lifeless body of his long-time friend. Memories of all the years they had spent together flooded his mind. The painful memories of the death of his family, dulled by time, but never forgotten came back with a sickening sharpness. As he struggled to come to terms with yet another senseless death at the hands of Hera, Hercules saw Iolaus' eyes flutter and then open.
"Iolaus?" he asked incredulously.
Iolaus sat up, the arrow now gone from his body. "What did I tell you?" he asked smiling, "Nothing is going to happen to me."
"But I saw you die.... or I thought..."
"Yes, you did indeed see me die," laughed Iolaus, standing up and brushing the dust from his clothes, "and so did Hera."
"But how..."
"This," explained Iolaus, holding up the medallion he always wore around his neck. "Zeus gave this to me years ago. He knew Hera would come after me and this was to protect me from her."
"Why didn't you ever tell me?" Hercules demanded, looking at the medallion more closely.
"I couldn't," answered Iolaus sheepishly, "Hera had to see that you really believed I was dead before she would be satisfied."
"You know Hera will find out you're still alive," insisted Hercules.
"Yeah, I know, but now she will leave Orion and his village alone. She knows that they are protected by Zeus and she'll give up on them. They mean nothng to her."
Hercules shook his head is amazement. "Iolaus, my friend," he said laughing, "Don't you ever do that to me again."
"Don't worry," Iolaus laughed, "That really did hurt."
As they re-entered the house, they were not that surprised to see Anton, eyes open, smiling up at his future wife.
"Iolaus!" cried Karrista, as she flung her arms around him, "Thank you so much for everything you've done."
"Wait a second," scolded Iolaus sternly, "That's Uncle Iolaus to you young lady."
Taken aback, Karrista pulled away to see his face. She was rewarded with a grin like none she had seen in a long time. "Yes, Uncle Iolaus," she smiled back, hugging him once more.
"And Hercules," she said going over to him and taking both his hands in her own, "How can I ever thank you for all that you have done?"
"You and Anton have a long, happy life together. That will be thanks enough for me." he smiled down at her.
Karrista smiled back at him and turned to face her family. Iolaus and Orion were already deep in conversation with each other, catching up on years of separation. Anton was sleeping peacefully, well on the road to recovery. She turned back to Hercules, "I hope you will be here for the wedding," she said hopefully.
Hercules laughed, "You couldn't keep me away," he assured her.
"Hercules, Isn't it great! I have my brother back and a lovely niece. Isn't family wonderful!" Iolaus beamed from his brother's side.
"Yes, it certainly can be," smiled Hercules glancing skyward. "It certainly can be."
The End
Some images, characters and other things used in these works are the property of others, including but not limited to Renaissance Pictures and Universal Studios. Everything else remains the property of the artist or author. No money will be made on anything appearing on this webpage and no copyright infringement is intended. This site was created by fans for the enjoyment of other fans.
For information on reprinting text and/or artwork (including privately owned photos, photo manipulations, and other images) from this website, please contact IolausianLibrarians , who will assist you in contacting the original creator of the piece. Do NOT reprint, republish, or in any way link to items on these pages without obtaining permission from either the original creator of the piece or the webpage owner. A written one-time use statement may be issued to you at the discretion of the artist or the author. Please respect the legal and artistic rights of our contributors.