Hercules opened his eyes very slowly. The world was a mass of dark, fuzzy shapes against pale light. He tried to bring them in to focus and failed. "Iolaus", he thought. "I must find my Iolaus". He struggled to sit and found his muscles were made of cotton wool.
"Ssh. Take it easy," said a very familiar voice. He was lifted by strong arms and found himself resting against a firm shoulder held gently in those arms. He felt warm and safe and loved. A cup pressed against his lips. He sipped. The liquid was cool and slightly bitter. It refreshed him and he drifted into a peaceful sleep.
"Well. He's not out of the woods yet," Asclepius said. "But he's sleeping normally now. So I don't need to stay. I'll leave some medicines and a diet sheet. Make sure you follow the instructions Iolaus and he'll be fighting fit in a few months. Now. Go to bed. I'm tired of telling you that if you don't take care of yourself, you'll make yourself ill. Iphicles. See that he does."
"Sure," Iphicles said. Iolaus found he was too tired to protest. The relief of knowing at last that Hercules wasn't going to die seemed to drain all his energy. He leant on Iphicles as they walked into the adjoining room. Iolaus collapsed on to the bed.
"Wake me, if anything happens", he mumbled into his pillow. Iphicles tucked him in.
"He's not to be disturbed," he instructed the guard at the door and went to take his turn watching by his brother's bed.
Iphicles woke with a start. He'd fallen asleep over the report on the corn merchants' tax. Hercules was restless again and starting to cry out "No. Iolaus.... You're not." Iphicles moved rapidly. It was a real struggle to restrain Hercules, even weakened as he was, in one of his attacks. Asclepius said it was the way he fought the poison, but knowing the reason didn't make them any easier to deal with. Hercules fought everyone not recognising anyone. The worst part was that he thought Iolaus was his worst enemy. Iphicles took hold of Hercules.
"Hush now, " he said. "It's Iphicles. Your brother. You're safe. In Corinth. In my palace. Hush Hercules. Hush." His brother quietened a little but still tossed and turned and muttered.
"Remember this?" Iphicles asked and began to sing softly,
"Lu La Lu Lay
My darling my joy
Sleep quiet at peace
Safe in my arms
Mama is here
To keep you from harm
Lu La Lu Lay"
Hercules began to relax. Iphicles continued to croon the song, remembering the times long gone when he'd used it to get his baby brother to go to sleep. Hercules drifted back into quiet slumber.
"Mom said that always worked like a charm on both of us," Iphicles observed quietly, as he wiped the sweat off his brother's face and drew the covers back over him. "Sweet dreams."
He went back his paperwork.
When Hercules next opened his eyes it was broad daylight. Iolaus was sitting by his bed with the sunlight glinting in his blonde curls and broad grin on his face. Just as Hercules remembered him from so many times gone by. Iolaus moved to hide the tears forming in his eyes.
"Hi Herc," he said, thickly, "Welcome back."
"Hi" replied Hercules, sleepily. He tried to sit and found his stomach muscles seemed to have been replaced with a layer of soggy jelly. Iolaus lifted him and propped him up on the pillows. Hercules reached up and placed his left hand on his friend's face. He moved the chin so he could look directly into the blue eyes, now shining with tears of relief.
"You feel real.", he said slowly, " And your eyes are blue. But you're dead. And you were possessed.." He pushed Iolaus away, but hadn't the strength to push him far. "I must be dreaming."
Iolaus stayed where Hercules had left him. "It's OK now," he said, "You've been very ill. Gilgamesh bit you. We all thought you were going to die, but you fought against it. It was real hard to restrain you some of the time. Boy, did you say some weird things!!"
"What sort of weird things?"
"Oh. About fighting people with strange names. Asclepius said they were northern gods. But none of it made any real sense. And Dahak was in there too somewhere. The way you were rolling around, it must have been a real nightmare."
"So this is real?"
"I'm here, aren't I?"
"But you were there. You were Dahak."
The Golden Hunter laughed. "Me????!!!!! Dahak!!!!"
"And then you died and you were the Jester"
"Far out. Asclepius said that poison was strong stuff. And he said I wasn't to tire you out talking when you did wake up. You have to drink some stuff too. I'll fix it." Iolaus moved over to a table loaded with bottles, bunches of herbs and papers. "He left scrolls and scrolls of instructions.... ah this is the one." Iolaus began mixing. Hercules looked around the room.
"Where is this?", he asked.
"Corinth.", answered its King walking through the door.
"Iphicles?? But I'm miles away from Corinth. You aren't involved... Iolaus died in Sumeria. This is a dream."
"No. This is real. Whatever you think happened is the effect of Gilgamesh's poison." Iphicles stated firmly.
"I don't know", replied Hercules, uncertainly.
"Sounds like that story Cheiron told us about the philosopher and the butterfly dream. What was it again?", asked Iolaus coming over with a cup of liquid.
"A philosopher once dreamt he was a butterfly and when he woke could never be sure whether he was a philosopher dreaming he was a butterfly or a butterfly dreaming he was a philosopher." replied Hercules.
"That seems to fit" observed Iphicles, lifting his brother. "Now drink this, whatever it is. Asclepius says it will help you get better."
Hercules looked suspiciously into the cup. "It's purple!", he exclaimed.
"What's wrong with purple?" asked Iolaus. "C'mon. Drink it. You need it to make you well again."
"You're trying to poison me!!", Hercules yelled and struggled to knock the cup out of Iolaus hand. The Golden Hunter jumped back quickly protecting the precious liquid and turned away to hide the pain he felt.
Iphicles took hold of his brother and forced him to look directly at him. "Stop it, Hercules." he commanded. "You ungrateful..... " he took a deep breath and continued more calmly. "Without him you wouldn't be alive now. Do you know what it's like when someone you love is dying slowly and you're helpless? When all you can do is pray, but you know you can't pray to any of the gods because your friend wouldn't want their help? Aphrodite offered. She could have cured you in a heartbeat. But your best friend there, your buddy, said 'No. You wouldn't want to owe her. And you wouldn't want any of your friends to owe any god for you.' Oh you'll deal with Hades, or Ares even. for someone you love"
"Hey. You did." interjected Iolaus.
"But you couldn't accept anyone else doing it for you. So we've had to watch and wait for Asclepius treatment to work. It's his prescription. And his instructions are for you to drink it and go to sleep. I'll make you drink it if I have to."
"Go easy Iph." Iolaus said. "Asclepius said to expect that Hercules would be very confused for a while. We have to be patient."
"OK", said Iphicles.
"How did Asclepius get into this?", he asked looking very puzzled. Iphicles looked at Iolaus.
"He won't sleep until we've answered all his questions." Iolaus said.
"No", Iphicles agreed, with a slight smile." My brother was always stubborn. Cupid brought him."
"Cupid?"
Flashback:
Cupid flew in through the bedroom window and hovered. He looked at the small group gathered around the bed. Blonde curly hair, purple jerkin, heart breaking with grief. Right. He flew over.
"Hi", he said gently, addressing the little man. "You must be 'sweetcheeks'. Mom said Uncle Hercules was very sick and you needed help."
"Iolaus", Iolaus said, tearfully. "Mom! You're Cupid!"
The man in Cupid's grasp struggled and made muffled noises of protest. "Yeah." replied Cupid setting down his burden, untying him and removing the gag. "Asclepius didn't want to come. I hope he's really needed."
"I am." said the healer, looking at the prone figure on the bed. He moved Iphicles and Jason out of his way. "I need to examine my patient. What happened to him?"
"Well. He had this dream and we went to Sumeria...."
"I don't want a travelogue." Asclepius snapped, examining the wound on Hercules' shoulder. The place where he had been bitten was now a dark green lump. Lighter green and red tendrils snaked across his chest around his heart, up his neck and down his right arm. The arm looked white and dead; the muscle beginning to waste away. Asclepius noted how cold it felt. "I want the medical facts. What bit him? Do you have a sample of the poison?"
"Gilgamesh. No"
"The Sumerian King? But this isn't a human bite. Looks more like a snake. Hmmm"
"Gilgamesh became a god. Hercules fought him and destroyed him. During the fight, we think Gilgamesh bit him.Nebula said some snakes strike too fast for the human eye to see."
"So it won't just be a physical poison, it will affect the mind and spirit too. There are cults, you know, where the shamans use small quantities of poison as psychotropic substances." He looked round at the blank faces. "To induce visions."
He examined the pile of medicines and herbs the palace healer had piled on the table against the wall.
" I'll need some stuff from my laboratory. Cupid. I'll give you a list. My assistants will be able to find everything."
"Great. Now I'm a shuttle service, " Cupid muttered.
"You mean you can make him well?", Iolaus asked, trying hard to not to get his hopes up.
" I can repair his body," came the reply, "But. And I want to stress this. But. This poison may permanently affect his mind."
"You mean. He might be mad?", asked Iphicles.
"Yes. And with his strength it would be difficult to restrain or confine him. You would have to kill him. It might be easier to let him die now."
"NO!!!" shouted Iolaus and Jason.
"No," agreed Iphicles. "If he's mad. We'll deal with that when it happens." Iolaus felt his tears overwhelm him and moved away from the bed. Cupid flew after him. Iolaus leant against the God of Love and sobbed. Cupid gently patted his back. "I understand. You love him so much." he said, sympathetically.
The blonde head nodded against his chest.
"That's great."
"Cupid! Here's the list.", Asclepius ordered." What are you doing?"
"My job." replied Cupid. "OK now Iolaus?"
"Yeah. Thanks."
Iolaus felt the gentle touch of Cupid's wings as he walked away.
"And Cupid's been back and forth as Asclepius' messenger all the time you've been ill." Iphicles finished.
"How long's that?" Hercules enquired.
"About five weeks"
"Five weeks!!!"
"Yeah. It took us about a week to get back from Sumeria. Then it took Asclepius a while to find the right, what's the word, anti-toxin." Iolaus explained.
"Anti-toxin. That's right." Iphicles confirmed.
"Asclepius tried all sorts of stuff." Iolaus confirmed. "He got Dionysus to come here. He said if anyone knows about mind-altering substances it is Dionysus."
"That's true." said Hercules.
Iphicles continued. "Dionysus was interested. He said something about you being on a really bad trip. I think he wanted to try it."
"Anyway", Iolaus said. "It was after that, about three weeks ago, Asclepius found the right mixture and you started to get better. You were still hallucinating but the despair seemed to have gone."
"I felt better after I killed Dahak." Hercules explained.
Iphicles and Iolaus exchanged a look.
"Yeah. Sure." Iolaus said reassuringly.
"I know I went on this long journey." Hercules said slowly, trying to sort out his confusion. "I saw you die, Iolaus, and I fought you when Dahak possessed you. You were the sacrifice which allowed him into the world. But, I haven't the strength to move. I feel like I'm lying on sandpaper. So, I could have been in bed for weeks. So, you could be telling the truth. My journey was all so real."
"What you need," Iphicles said, "Is to take your medicine and sleep."
"No," replied his brother. "What I need is a bath. And to know what Iolaus thinks happened in Sumeria. Then I'll think about sleeping."
"Stubborn as a mule." Iphicles grinned, and went to arrange things.
Hercules tried to stand but, even with Iphicles and Iolaus helping, it was impossible. He agreed walking was beyond him. They did manage to wrap a robe around him. Then Iphicles whistled up a squad of his guard to carry Hercules on his mattress. They laid him down on the steps leading up to the bath and left.
"Glaucus is organising a handcart to get you back." Iphicles said. "It'll be more comfortable. And less of a strain on my soldiers." Hercules tried his best to help as they sat him up and removed the robe. Iolaus stripped.
"I'll have to get in with you", he explained. Hercules nodded, accepting that he was too weak to wash himself and might have difficulty even keeping his head above the water. Iphicles and Iolaus manoeuvred him to lie on the side of the small pool which was the King of Corinth's bath tub.
"Hang on." Iphicles said. "I don't want to get my shirt wet. I've got a Council meeting." He slipped it off and together he and Iolaus lowered Hercules into the bath. There was a lot of splashing. By the time Hercules was safely propped against the side and Iolaus sorting out soap and sponges, Iphicles was drenched. Water glinted on his curls and dripped down his chest. He towelled himself vigorously.
"If you need anything, there's a guard at the door. Just yell. If he doesn't answer by the time you count ten, I want to know."
He picked up his shirt and left.
The bath steamed slightly and there was a pleasant floral scent in the air. Hercules relaxed as the water supported him. He found he could begin to move again with some degree of control over his body. Iolaus began to gently soap him all over. It was soothing and felt good. He sighed contentedly.
"What's the scent?", he asked.
"Something Asclepius left. He said it cheered the heart. He made me use it a couple of times while you were out of it. He wouldn't say what it was."
"So what did happen in Sumeria?"
Iolaus continued his ministrations. He leant Hercules forward so he could wash his hair.
"I could wash you in bed but not your hair." Iolaus said massaging Hercules's scalp.
Hercules lifted laid his left hand on his friend's chest under the water.
Iolaus looked down.
"What happened?" Hercules insisted.
"Rinse the soap out and I'll tell you."
Hercules slid himself down under the surface. Iolaus helped him back up and rested Hercules head against his shoulder.
"Right." he said. "What's the last thing you remember about the fight with Gilgamesh?"
"Him throwing a dagger at Nebula. You leaping in front of her and the dagger going through your heart. You were dead so I killed Gilgamesh. You were all wrapped up. And Nebula and I went to find Dumuzi. Then I went off in Nebula's ship...." Hercules began to get excited so Iolaus interrupted.
" Sssh. OK. Gilgamesh threw a dagger at Nebula and I leaped to her rescue. I agree with that. But Nebula's a big girl and, as she kept reminding me, she knows when to duck. She was already moving out of the way when I jumped. She rescued me. She pulled me down on top of her. The dagger still went through my jerkin and sliced my ribs. Look."
Iolaus swivelled round and lifted his side out of the water. Hercules saw a newly healed scar running across his friend's side in line with his heart. He managed to raise his right hand and touch it.
"Why were you so still?"
"I was stunned. I had the breath knocked out of me. When I came to you were struggling with Gilgamesh. I saw you throw him into the flames. Then you collapsed.
Flashback.
"HERCULES!!!!!" Iolaus screamed. Nebula beat him in the race to get to the body. "Is he dead?"
"No." Nebula said. "But he soon will be. Look."
She indicated a bite-mark on the demi-god's shoulder. Two deep puncture marks which glowed green. She pulled the knife out of Iolaus jerkin. The blade cut across his ribs again. He winced.
"I need to suck the poison out." she explained, cutting into the wound. She put her mouth to the gash and began to suck and spit. The stuff she spat out sizzled on the floor. The palace healers arrived.
"Get the stuff you use for snake-bite.", she commanded.
"It won't do any good. He is doomed. Your Majesty." replied the Chief Healer
"He's not dead yet." She absorbed the formal address. " So do as your Queen commands."
"Yes, Majesty" He bowed, and one of the junior healers went running off.
"Cool." Iolaus remarked.
"Useful" replied Nebula. "Now let them look at you and we'll get him into bed."
She had a few carefully chosen words with her new minions. Before long Iolaus found himself sitting in Hercules bedroom. His wound had been cleaned and dressed and his jerkin taken away for repair. He felt a lot better for bathing and putting on clean clothes. He had a plate of food in front of him and a jug of wine at his elbow.
"How is he?", Nebula enquired as she entered.
"He seems peaceful. I think you got to him in time."
"I'd like to think so. The Chief Healer isn't so sure. He's had a lot more experience of snake-bites than I have. He says the anti-poison will only slow things down. It won't cure him."
"Herc's strong. And a demi-god. Maybe slowing it down is all he needs to deal with it himself."
"I hope you're right." She slid her arm around his shoulders. He rested against her needing the comfort of the hug.
Hercules shouted, "You're not burying him!!. No." He leapt from the bed and stood staring at the wall. "Iolaus may be dead but I'm going to find his spirit and bring him back."
"Hey Herc." Iolaus said. "It's OK. I'm not dead."
He went to reassure his friend. Hercules pushed him aside. Iolaus was thrown across the room and crashed into the far wall.
"You're not taking him!"
"Nobody's taking him anywhere." Nebula said soothingly.
"Nebula. Great. I need to find the way to the Underworld so I can get Iolaus back. He must be there."
Nebula and Iolaus looked at each other in horror.
"What do we do now?", she hissed.
"Play along." Iolaus said, pulling himself to his feet. "He's too strong for us to restrain. How much chance do you think your guards will have? He'll kill them."
Nebula took a deep breath. "I know the way." she said. "We need to go by river. Let's get into the boats."
She led him over to the bed. He climbed on to it.
"There we are. And off we go."
"That was one of the wildest nights I have ever spent with you", Iolaus finished. "We acted out a whole journey. It ended when you fought Dumuzi and found that he didn't have my spirit. Then you went to sleep. Nebula and I agreed that it would be dangerous to keep you in the palace. She wanted to confine you somewhere until you died. But, I didn't want you to die in Sumeria. I thought maybe we could find a cure here. Xena or somebody might be able to help. Anyway, even if you died on the way, or here, Iphicles would want to bury you. I wasn't sure if we buried you in Sumeria that you'd find your way to the Elysian Fields. That's where you'd want to be isn't it? With Deianeira and the kids? And your Mom. And Serena."
"Yes. "
"So when you next sort of woke up, Nebula suggested you take her ship and search for me in Greece or the North. You agreed and we got you on to the ship without any more trouble. You were quiet on the ship too. You didn't eat much and you slept more and more. By the time we got here I was really scared you would die. You had these outbursts, like you were in a fight. It was scary. You were really out of control."
"I have one question, Iolaus."
"Yeah."
"Why isn't the water getting cold?"
Iolaus splashed him.
"Stop it. You'll get water all over the floor."
"So? Iphicles has an army of maids who'd love to come in here and mop up. Especially, if there's a chance of catching a glimpse of you naked. Though why that should interest anyone..."
"What!!!"
"I asked one of them and she blushed and muttered something about 'things being in proportion'."
Hercules felt himself blushing.
"Anyway," Iolaus continued. "I bet it'll be weeks before you can splash hard enough to get the floor wet."
"What do you bet?" Hercules asked, experimentally flexing muscles and beginning to try to kick his feet under the water.
Iphicles cut short his Council meeting and went back to his study. Jason was at his desk steadily working his way through papers.
"How did it go?" he asked.
"Fine" Iphicles answered, distractedly. He sat and stared out of the window.
Jason continued with the paperwork.
"Jason", he said finally. "Do you ever envy Hercules and Iolaus their friendship. I mean you were a threesome when you were at the Academy. I never had friends like you were. I used to envy Hercules that. Now they're your friends but not like it used to be. Right?"
"Right." Jason replied. "But then, even at the Academy, their's was the special relationship. I always knew I would be King of Corinth and that would change our friendship. Kings can't do the mad things cadets can."
"Or heroes." Iphicles said. "My brother is a very lucky man to have a friend like Iolaus. It would be a very stupid man who tried to come between them, wouldn't it?"
"Yes." agreed Jason. " Are you still jealous?"
"No. I was never jealous. Envious but not jealous. Now it's more regret."
"But you have made Corinth peaceful and prosperous. You are a good King. Better than I was. You've been here. Not going off chasing the Golden Fleece."
Iphicles was stunned into silence.
"I mean it.", Jason said.
"I know." Iphicles replied slowly. "Thank you. And thank you for all the hard work."
"It's easier when you know it's only temporary. I've never been much good in sick rooms."
There wasn't much water on the floor when they'd finished but Hercules was pleased that Iolaus was able to get him out of the bath without any extra assistance. Some of his strength was returning. He managed to sit upright while Iolaus dried him gently and helped him back into the robe.
"Asclepius gave me some oil and showed me how to massage into your skin. You get sores if you lie in bed without moving for too long. I'll do that back in your room."
The room had been thoroughly cleaned in their absence. There were fresh flowers. The bed had a new mattress and clean linen. Even the clutter of herbs, scrolls and phials on the medicine table had been tidied. A second table held food: fresh bread, cheese, honey, fruit and two pots on tripods being kept warm over candles. Iolaus went to investigate. The soldiers gently helped Hercules off the handcart and into bed. Iolaus came over with a steaming bowl.
"There's quail for me," he said. "And chicken soup for you. Asclepius says some eastern healers he met once swear chicken soup can cure anything." He looked at the cup.
"OK." Hercules said. "Medicine first. Then chicken soup."
He picked up the cup and drained it. Then he ate a bowl and a half of the soup before getting Iolaus to help him to slide down under the crisp, sweet-smelling sheets.
"Iolaus." he said, sleepily. "The next time I say 'Let's go some place like Sumeria', let's not."
"You got it!"
Hercules fell fast asleep. Iolaus sat down to eat his quail and, for the first time in five weeks, ate everything that was put in front of him.
The End. Alternative series 5 starts here.
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