"Come on, Jase. He wasn't asking for a king's ransom. All he wanted was for you to say 'Please' and 'Thank You'," soothed the demigod.
"Yes Hercules, I know. But he insisted I say it at assembly, in front of the whole Academy. Where does he get off making me do something like that? I thought he was my friend," grumbled the young king.
"He IS your friend, Jase. Probably your best friend right now, the way you've been acting. You've been riding us hard these past few weeks and Iolaus has been taking the brunt of your bad humor with more patience and restraint than I've ever seen him use. You almost owed him this." challenged the demigod. Then he added, "besides, you're gonna need a friend because Lilith and I have just about had it with you."
"Oh, man! Lilith's the last person in the world I'd ever want to upset. Herc, please you've got to talk to her. Explain for me. I don't mean to be so edgy but these royal responsibilities are getting to be too much. I've still got a couple of months until I'm finished here at the Academy and I've got to deal with all the problems in Corinth too," moaned Jason.
"I understand, Jason. I'll talk with Lilith for you later. Now I want you to talk to me. I know this problem, with all the livestock in the area dying, is weighing on your mind. I've sent a petition to my cousin Aescelpus to ask for his help. In the meantime, Iolaus is going to give you whatever help you need. Cheiron let him leave last night. He wanted to be at the Port of Corinth before dawn to talk with the fishermen. He's trying to come up with a plan. He doesn't understand why you want him specifically, neither do I. But he's willing to bend over backwards for you in spite of the way you've been treating him."
"Well Aphrodite told me Iolaus would be the one to help me so..."
"Aphrodite came to you and told you that? This could be a trap then if the gods are involved..."
"It was a dream Hercules. And in the dream Aphrodite told me to think of the best fisherman I knew and that he could help me with this..."
"You have dreams about my sister?" demanded the demigod.
"Well, yeah! I dream about her a lot," retorted the young king.
"You have dreams?!?...about my sister!?!" Hercules demanded again, raising his voice an octave.
"Uh...it's not like...well...I have dreams about Al...(Herc's already steamed...don't go there...)...um, I have dreams about a lot of women. I can't control my dreams."
"Just watch it, Jase..." warned the demigod as he tried to cool himself. "What did my sister tell you?"
"Like I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, Aphrodite told me to think of the best fisherman I knew and he would be the one who could solve the problem of getting enough fish to cover the city's needs. At least until we solve this problem of the sick livestock," answered Jason. "And Iolaus is it. He's hands-down the best fisherman I know in the whole world."
"Well, I can't say I disagree with you. He's the best I know too," stated the demigod. "Okay, I'll go talk to Lilith for you and then we'd better get going if we're supposed to meet Iolaus in Corinth before sundown."
When the gate of the Academy closed behind them more than an hour later, Hercules thought he could almost feel the tension that wove it's way through their midst. Before they'd been on the road another hour, he almost imagined he could hear the tooth-grinding and blood pounding. Not a word had been spoken the whole time. Jason was turning a bright red, his conscience twisted with guilt as Lilith's eyes bore into the back of the young king's shoulders like sharpened daggers. Hercules could stand it no longer. He had to give his two friends a chance to clear the air between them.
"Look you two, I'm going to scout up ahead for a few minutes. Stay here until I return. Maybe you could collect some berries or something that we can snack on along the way, okay?" Then he turned on his heel and quickly disappeared before he could get an argument from either of them.
Lilith immediately sought to distract herself and with short, jerky, anger-filled movements she began ripping berries from the nearby bushes. Jason realized it was up to him...the price he had to pay for being an insensitive fool these past few weeks.
"Lilith...what can I say. I'm sorry...", began Jason.
"So Hercules said." was the terse reply from the fuming Amazon. "I had to hear it from him first. Why Jason? I believed you thought more highly of me than that...but to send someone in your place to apologize. You don't trust that my love for you is strong enough to weather a couple of weeks worth of your big, bad attitude? What if we're going to be together for life, like you keep saying. What if I give in to your love and then find out you really don't trust me enough to share yourself fully...your good times...your bad times. I'm strong Jase, I can take it..." the angry Amazon's voice trailed off.
"I do love you, Lilith. Believe me. We're both new in this relationship thing. I'm going to make mistakes...maybe you'll even make a mistake or two..." said Jason with a quick grin. "You know, just so I don't feel bad for being the only one making all the mistakes."
Lilith could hear the good humor in Jason's voice and her resolve began to waver. It was the first time he had been relaxed around her in weeks...well...relaxed enough to make a small joke and she wanted to keep it that way. She could also see the regret in his eyes when she finally allowed herself to meet his gaze. "You're forgiven, your royal highness. Don't let it happen again, okay. Now, can we kiss and make up please?" the blonde Amazon purred as she curled herself around Jason's solid frame, closing her eyes and tossing her head back in clear invitation.
The young king was not one to miss such a golden opportunity and thinking himself totally alone with his love took his time, doing a thorough job of the kissing and making up.
Hercules had made an interesting discovery just at the top of the hill ahead and he doubled back quickly to get his friends. At first, he didn't want to interrupt Jason's apology so he kept himself hidden behind a nearby tree. When things began to escalate between the two, he couldn't show himself. His own emotions were being shredded to bits by what he heard and witnessed.
A ragged whisper dragged from the throat of the almost breathless Jason . "Lilith, you said I didn't trust you...but it's you who don't trust me. I'm not a kid any more like the others. I'm a king now with weighty responsibilities and you don't trust me to know what I want...for me...for you...for our future. I need you to trust me to take this all the way...trust me to love you now...love you forever."
Lilith's heart was pounding. She wanted to believe it all. To trust this strong-willed, handsome man whose arms she fit into like he was sculpted by the gods as an exact fit for her. So perfect, so right... "...trust you, Jason. All the way. It's all yours. I'm all yours. Take what you want..."
And for a minute, Hercules thought that Jason was going to be fool enough to do the deed right there...in the middle of the clearing. Gods...he had to do something fast. The demigod began backing up as quietly as possible until he was far enough away to fool the two cadets into thinking he had just arrived on the scene. He made enough noise and began calling to them while he was still out of sight.
"Jase...Lilith you've got to come quickly...you've got to see what I found..."
The two cadets sprang apart before Hercules entered the clearing. "What is it Hercules?" queried the young king.
"You'll see, come quickly," called the demigod as he turned abruptly and started back the way he came. He was grateful to be able to turn his back on his friends so they couldn't read what was probably plainly written across his face.
When they reached the turn in the road at the bottom of the hill, Hercules pointed to a path between some stately trees. Dozens of green apples were neatly lined up in an arrow pointing straight up the hill. Near the top were obvious signs of a bandit attack. Some very familiar pieces of material that were obviously from Iolaus' vest and one of the straps from his backpack were swinging from low tree branches. A little further on three bandits in various stages of unconsciousness lay on the ground all trussed up. Hands and feet were tied together with ropes that were also wound around their necks before being tied to tree trunks. Iolaus' handiwork.
The friends spoke briefly about this change in plans and it was decided to send Lilith back to the Academy with news of the bandits. Jason instructed her to ask Cheiron for use of a horse so that she could then follow them to Corinth on horseback. Then the cadets parted ways.
Hercules and Jason make it to the next hill before they spoke. Jason told Hercules that he'd apologized to Lilith and about how relieved he was that there wouldn't be any more awkwardness between them.
Hercules was never one who could hide his feelings and he told Jason that he had seen and heard the whole thing.
"After that whole business with Medea I would have thought you'd be a lot smarter than to let a woman ever get in between our friendship again. You've always known what a crush Iolaus has had on Lilith. You're going to break his heart. He really started to feel closer to Lilith these past few weeks and he's practically been walking on air, not that you'd have noticed. You've been so wrapped up in yourself lately." raged the demigod.
"This is none of your business, Hercules so butt out. And just in case you didn't notice while you were eavesdropping on us...Lilith happens to love me as much as I love her and as soon as this problem with the livestock is solved I'm going to call a meeting of all my royal advisors and inform them about my choice for their queen," stormed the angry young king.
Hercules realized that he was angry and didn't want to hurt Jason accidentally so he curbed his strength. He reached a gentle hand out to place it on Jason's shoulder as he called for his friend to think things over well before he took such a big step. Jason took immediate offense, believing that Hercules thought his judgment was flawed, so he wasn't pulling any punches when he took a swing at his friend. It took the demigod off guard and he slammed backwards with full force into a tree, splitting the trunk almost in half and injuring his right shoulder. Rivulets of blood trickled down the demigod's arm and dripped, forming ruby red pools on the ground below his elbow. The sight of blood snapped the cadets back to reality.
"By the gods, Hercules! I didn't mean it. I don't know what got into me...when you questioned my judgment like that it just..." the young king's voice trailed off.
"Jase, look I'm sorry if you think I'm interfering in something that's not my business," snapped the injured demigod. "But when it affects my two closest friends it is my business. I just wanted you to think it over...that's all."
"I have thought it over, Hercules. She'll be my queen and you'll stay out of my business if you want to continue being friends," growled the touchy royal cadet.
The rain that had been threatening all day finally arrived and they walked the rest of the way to Corinth in miserable, dripping wet silence. Hercules spent the time reflecting on where his own heartbreak was coming from. Jason had always been his hero, usually so cool under pressure. Now the demigod was disappointed that his hero was proving to be so difficult about seeing things clearly here. But so much more than his disappointment in Jason, Hercules knew that his heart was really aching for Iolaus. He knew the pain his best friend would go through when he found out where Lilith's affections truly lay.
'Rain...how appropriate,' thought the young demigod. 'It certainly mirrors the mood.'
When Hercules and Jason arrived in Corinth, there was a message waiting for them at the palace to meet Iolaus on the docks. The two young heroes only took a few minutes to change into some dry clothes and to get Hercules' shoulder bandaged by the palace healer before running out to meet their young friend at the seaport.
Iolaus' face fell the minute he laid eyes on his best friend...all bandaged up and in obvious pain.
Jason greeted the young hunter first. "Iolaus, did you talk with the fishermen? Do you have any ideas yet?"
"Well, I had it all figured out until you showed up with Herc all damaged like that. I had this great idea about the ship and casting three nets instead of just one but the nets have to be pretty far away from each other to do any good. Now how are we ever going to get the extra nets out far enough. My secret weapon's throwing arm is out of commission?" replied the visibly disturbed Iolaus. "What happened to you, buddy. Run into a monster on the way here without me to watch your back?"
Hercules cast a look at Jason who winced as the demigod replied, "Yeah, something like that. Now, come on, guys. I'm starting to get wet again. Let's go to the tavern and get out of the rain. We can grab a bite to eat and try to think this thing out." The tavern's owner showed the king and his friends to a back room, supplying them with plenty of good hot food and lots of privacy for their discussions. The only problem was that neither one of Iolaus' friends would talk. The golden whirlwind kept up a constant babble until Lilith arrived. The young hunter was grateful for the distraction she afforded and he made a fuss over the Amazon, assuring himself that she was warm, well fed and settled before telling his friends all about his plans for catching the optimal amount of fish.
Lilith picked up on the silence between the two sullen cadets. Taking Hercules injury into account, she realized what happened and joined the friends in their uneasy silence. Iolaus was too busy with his thoughts to notice. Unconsciously he began playing with his food. Rocking the spoon full of stew back and forth on the end of the table. He tapped the end of the spoon with just a little too much force and Eureka!!! Iolaus jumped up and began laughing and dancing around the room. "We don't need you Herc! We could have a whole flotilla of ships out there...not just one ship. Here guys...watch this!!!! Iolaus grabbed all the spoons in the room, filled them with food and lined them up along the edges of the table. Then one after one he kept tapping their ends a little too hard sending the food flying in all directions around the room.
The cadets shot startled looks at their young blond friend thinking that he may have finally lost it. Lilith was the first one to catch on as she watched her friend tap the ends of the spoons on her side of the table. She jumped up out of her seat, grabbed Iolaus by his arms and they danced around the room together laughing out loud. "Brilliant, Iolaus...absolutely brilliant!!" declared the Amazon.
Hercules could see the reverent gratitude and near worship shining out of his best friend's eyes, as he basked in the praise of the beautiful Amazon girl who was holding him so closely while they danced around the room. The demigod knew he had to put a stop to this before Iolaus reached the point of no return in his feelings for this girl so he interrupted them a little more loudly than was necessary.
"Stop twirling around like that right now you two and let the rest of us in on what you're carrying on about!" Hercules demanded.
The authoritative tone in the demigod's voice brought the two whirling dervishes to a halt but Iolaus couldn't seem to contain himself and he continued to pace back and forth in front of the table. "Jase...Jase...how many catapults do you have in your armory?"
"Catapults? We've got three for each wall. Why, Iolaus?" responded the young monarch.
"Twelve...ha, ha. That's twelve catapults...on twelve ships. Three nets each ship...that's what???" asked the young blond
"That's 36," injected the demigod.
"I know my math Herc. That's 36 nets full of fish every day. Kewl!! That should be enough to feed all of Corinth and most of the surrounding villages. Ha Ha. You were right Lilith...it is brilliant isn't it?" raved Iolaus.
"Calm down and explain Iolaus. We're all paying attention." urged Jason.
Iolaus explained his idea in detail. First they would have the Corinthian soldiers place one catapult on each of twelve ships. They would take the ships far out into the harbor and launch the nets from the catapults, adjusting the trajectory between the throw of each net. This would assure that the nets would be cast out far enough apart and away from the ship to be productive. Iolaus had determined from his talks with the fishermen that three nets for each ship would be the maximum they would be able to haul in without sinking. All Jason would have to do is urge the people of Corinth to pray to Poseidon, asking the god to fill the harbor anew with fish every day until this livestock crisis could be solved.
The young heroes returned with Jason to the palace where the young king explained their plan to his advisors, to his generals and to the ships' captains. With everyone in agreement on what needed to be accomplished, it was decided that they would all meet at the docks two hours before dawn to begin the grand experiment.
By early afternoon the fleet returned to port, nets overflowing with the bounty of the sea. Thanksgiving was offered to Poseidon first, then the job of sorting and transporting the catch was undertaken.
A very relieved young king offered public thanks to his friends and while Iolaus was left to congratulate the returning fishermen, Jason pulled Hercules off to the side to apologize again for his recent bad behavior.
"It's okay, Jase. I told you before. Just do me the favor and think about all of this one more time before you do anything. Please, promise me on our friendship you'll think about it." urged the demigod.
"I promise, Hercules. Will you come back to the palace with us. Iolaus can handle things down here. You need to rest that shoulder.," offered the young king.
"Nah. I'll stay here and keep Iolaus out of trouble. You do the same for yourself," returned the demigod with a meaningful look towards the blonde Amazon. "We'll finish up here and see you back at the palace."
The two best friends stayed several hours down at the dock helping the fishermen sort their catch until Iolaus caught the pained look on the demigod's face every time he moved the bandaged arm.
"Let's go, Herc. The only thing left is for Plutos to throw back all that squid they caught in their third net. It doesn't sell well so they've kept only one barrel of the stuff. They don't want to catch it again tomorrow so they're going to take the squid around the other side of the harbor and dump them down by that great stretch of beach. And they don't need us for that. Besides, I could use a nice warm bath and some fresh clothes before we see Lilith again." When Hercules winced once again, it wasn't from the pain in his shoulder. The pain in his heart was returning once again. He put his good hand on his best friend's shoulder and they walked together back to the palace.
The young heroes bathed and changed into some clean clothes. Fully refreshed, they headed towards the throne room to meet up with Jason and Lilith before heading to the Dining Hall for the evening meal. They found the throne room empty except for the lone figure of the Lord Chamberlain who was busying himself over some ancient-looking scrolls. Hercules inquired on the whereabouts of the king and their young Amazon friend and he was politely told that the two young ones had headed to the beach with a picnic dinner and their swimsuits.
"I'm kinda hungry, Iolaus. Let's go get some dinner. Jason and Lilith should be back by the time we're finished eating," urged the demigod.
"No Herc. Have you forgotten already. We've got to warn them. Plutos dumped all those squid in the waters down by the beach. Some of those things were pretty big and they could...they could...well I just don't want Lilith to get scared or grossed out by them." returned the eager young hunter. Hercules began to put up an argument but Iolaus wouldn't listen. He was determined to head for the beach by himself if his best friend wouldn't accompany him.
Iolaus won. They arrived at the beach just in time to witness a most stunningly colorful and beautiful sunset. The young heroes stopped to admire it for a few minutes in peaceful reflection. They searched the beach for any sign of their friends. Hercules was the first to spot their clothes laying in two haphazard piles in the sand. Laying in a third pile were the two swimsuits.
Iolaus' head shot up and the demigod could see how upset he was even in the fading light. "Herc," came the whispered voice of the hunter, "they're skinny dipping!" Hercules fervently prayed that that was all his friends were doing. They raised their eyes to scan the beach looking for signs of activity in the water. The demigod's spirit fell when he realized there was no one in the water. Iolaus fell very quiet, just like he usually did when he was hunting game and that's when they heard it. Small whimpering, pleading noises coming from behind some boulders on the beach. Iolaus raised his hand to his lips to silence anything the demigod might attempt to say. Then he whispered to his friend. "They're probably hiding behind the boulders because they're afraid to come out and let us see them, you know, all naked and stuff. I'll just take Lilith's clothes over to her so she doesn't have to be embarrassed in front of us." With that, the hunter snatched up the Amazon's clothes and headed towards the boulder before his friend could utter the whispered warning "Wait!" With a deep sigh, the demigod took off following closely behind his best friend.
Iolaus snuck up on the boulder and stopped. He was frozen in time like a statue sculpted by some mad artist . Sculpted to represent the ultimate face of raw pain. He remained standing in the shadows, not able to go forward because of what he saw...not able to retreat for fear of alerting all parties to his presence. Forced to witness the coupling...forced to hear the words of love, the whispers, the sighs, the moans of ecstasy that he'd wanted for himself. He closed his eyes against the sight but the sounds...the sounds raked his heart.
He felt the demigod join him in the shadows...he felt his best friend reach out a steadying arm towards him and Iolaus grabbed on to that proffered arm as if it were a lifeline. Hercules could feel Iolaus' fingertips boring into his forearm, right above his gauntlet. He shared the pain with his brother of the heart...his bruised flesh throbbing in sympathy for his best friend's bruised heart.
When the lovers were finally sated the moans changed quickly to excited whispers and giggles. The watching heroes almost breathed a sigh of relief when they heard the lovebirds agree to take a quick skinny dip. Here was their chance to retreat unseen.
As the two, who were now one, ran down to the water's edge...the two who remained made their way back to the clothing piles where Iolaus threw Lilith's things back into a haphazard heap.
As the best friends turned back towards Corinth, Hercules held them up with a quick "Wait! Iolaus, didn't you want to warn them about the squid."
They stood in the moonlight looking into each others' eyes and Hercules became witness to a small miracle. The twinkle that had, just a moment before, been missing from his best friend's eyes slowly but surely began to return. The hunter's lip curled in a small tight smile as he quietly whispered, "Nah...Nah...I don't think so. You know Herc, I think Aphrodite wanted to teach me something while I was helping Jason, 'cause I learned a very valuable lesson today from all of this."
"Yeah, what's that my friend?"
"Just that there are plenty of fish in the sea if you know where you want to cast your nets."
They could hear the sounds of shouting and squealing coming from the direction of the beach. The demigod smiled as he put his good arm around his best friend's shoulders and added, "from the sounds of it, there are plenty of squid in the sea too!"
The End
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