Dedication: For Maria, who wanted a transformation tale.
Description: Herc's heroic heart ends up giving him and Iolaus a very big problem.
Chapter 1:
Hercules smiled fondly at the small, blonde figure wandering and weaving along the path, sometimes in front, somtimes in back, sometimes to the side, all the while chattering and gesturing animatedly.
"Iolaus is going to love this kid," Hercules thought for about the fiftieth time in the last two days. Hercules had grown quite attached to the boy, already forgetting the misgivings he had held about allowing the child to accompany him.
The only child of a middle-aged, widowed mother, Tetrus had seemed a solemn, quiet, withdrawn, youngster...old beyond his eleven years. Very intelligent, his mother had boasted, so bright and quick to learn that her cousin, an aged and respected scholar, had offered to take the boy under his wing and provide for his schooling and future. The only catch was that the cousin's age and health prevented travelling and the man lived in Corinth.
Wasn't Hercules the brother of the King of Corinth? And hadn't Hercules just let drop that he was on his way to meet up with his partner and from there the two of them intended to visit Herc's brother?
Trapped by his own big mouth, Hercules had admitted that yes, that was the plan, but...
But who could possibly be better chaperons and traveling companions for a young, naive boy than two bona-fide heroes?
Hercules had managed to bite back the reply that came immediately to mind, namely that he knew of a hero or two who shouldn't be trusted five minutes alone with an attractive child of either gender, much less for a journey that would take the better part of a week.
It would have been unkind, as Tetrus obviously wasn't the only naive one in the family. So, he had taken the boy aside and asked him if he truly wanted to go to Corinth to live with his elderly cousin.
Hercules had been surprised at the child's readiness to leave the only home he had ever known. A bit of prompting brought forth the information that the boy was very fond of his cousin; that the cousin had assured the child his mother was welcome to come and live in Corinth as well, as soon as she could be persuaded to leave her little farm; and that Tetrus' only real friend in the tiny village, a girl his own age, had died in a tragic accident the previous harvest. Tetrus held the hope that somewhere in Corinth there was someone his own age who would be his friend.
That last had decided it. Over the years Hercules had almost forgotten that he himself had been a solemn, quiet, too-old-for-his-years youngster and that it had been the influence of Iolaus which had, for better or worse, depending on who was doing the telling, brought the young demi-god out of his shell. The same sort of shell that young Tetrus was withdrawing into. Clearly the boy missed his friend and continuing here in this tiny village, surrounded by memories of her, was clearly making the loss worse.
So the deal was struck and the mother had handed over a pitiful handful of dinars, her life's savings. Hercules had hated to accept but it would be three days before they joined up with Iolaus and Hercules, as usual, was broke, having been totally unable to resist giving his last dinar to an even poorer mother who had given him food and shelter the night before. The demi-god entrusted the money to the boy, giving him strict instructions to reserve it for emergancies. This way, Hercules figured, if the demi-god was kidnapped by bandits, mad royality, or gods, the boy would have enough for food and shelter and to send a message to Corinth.
They had set out in silence, but within an hour Tetrus had shyly asked him about Iolaus. Within two, Hercules was regaling the boy with a choice selection of some of their adventures, wishing all the while that Iolaus was there to tell the tales. By the end of the first day the boy was chattering away, making comments and asking questions, volunteering bits of village gossip (Hercules wondered if it was always the quiet children who heard and retained every conversation...Hercules himself had known every scandal in Thebes as a boy), and generally turning into a bright, happy, and friendly child.
Currently, Tetrus was telling ghost stories, specifically the Legend of the Beast of the Nemean Forest. The Beast, the boy enthusiastically explained, was an enchanted hunter who had offended the goddess Artemis and so was doomed for all time to wander in the form of a nameless Beast. His young friend, Cerlinda, had told him the tale. She had a rather romantic notion that true love would break the curse and return the Beast to his true form, but every adult Tetrus had questioned had dismissed that as nonsense. No, they had said, the truth was that the Beast could not be slain with a weapon made by mortal hands, and no mortal could ever kill such a monster bare-handed.
Hercules had had enough experience with real monsters that he thought for sure that he could tell a legendary one from the real thing. He was certain the Nemean Beast was only a legend. He was still convinced of that when they emerged from the forest road into the backyard of the little inn and came upon the goat-pen, freezing in shock of the sight within. A dozen animals lay scattered about the little pen in various states of dismemberment.
"Sad, isn't it?' asked a gruff voice behind them and they looked up to find a well-dressed middle-aged man with a shovel. The man nodded towards the pen. "All those so the Beast could take away one to eat. Wasteful, and growing worse each passing year."
"These your goats?" Hercules asked quietly, drawing Tetrus close and turning him away from the slaughter.
"Aye, my goats and my inn," he said. "Heard the racket last night; knew what I'd find in the morning." He indicated the shovel. "No fresh goat milk for a while, sorry, son," he told Tetrus.
"If it was an animal, why didn't you come out and defend your livestock? Maybe you could have driven it away," Hercules commented with a frown.
"Weren't no 'animal', friend. It was the Beast and that thing's a mankiller. My life's not worth a few goats." Leaning the shovel against the pen, he eyed Hercules speculatively.
"If you'll help with the burying, I'll feed you and the boy. If it takes too long, I'll give you use of a room for the night, free. It isn't safe to travel through the forest when the Beast is about, and I'll not have your deaths on my soul."
"That would be kind. Thank you," Hercules accepted with a nod.
"All right, then, food first." The innkeeper led the way, asking over his shoulder "Would you mind the boy helping the women in the kitchen, afters? Keep him out of mischief."
As they ate breakfast, the innkeeper's wife fussed over Tetrus.
"What a handsome young son you have," she complimented the demi-god, looking from one to the other.
'Looking for some resemblance or just wondering if Tetrus is going to grow up like me? If Iolaus were here, I'd bet him there's a daughter Tetrus' age in the kitchen.'
"He's not my son, " Hercules told her, then nipped any further comments in the bud by explaining "Tetrus is the son of a friend ('quick, what WAS that woman's name?') who asked me to escort him to Corinth where his cousin lives. My brother is the king of Corinth and I'm on my way to visit him."
"Iphicles, the king of Corinth is your brother?" the innkeeper asked.
'Oops, there you go again volunteering too much information, Hercules. Keep it simple, Herc!' He could almost hear Iolaus fussing.
"Um, yes," he admitted aloud.
"But King Iphicles' brother is the demi-god Hercules!" exclaimed Mrs. Innkeeper.
"Yep, that me," Hercules admitted with a shrug and a small smile.
"Thank the Gods! You've come to slay the Beast!" the innkeeper proclaimed.
"Huh?!" said Hercules.
Well, of course he agreed to do it. It would add a day or two to their journey and it would mean that Iolaus would have to leave the festival a day early, but there would be other festivals and Iolaus wouldn't really mind anyway.
The innkeeper, Darius, offered them all free room and meals for as long as the hunt took. Hercules knew Iolaus would like THAT. He couldn't wait to see Darius' reaction to his friend's neverending appetite.
"Haven't you people ever tried hunting this Beast before?" Hercules asked, absently dragging a forearm across his forehead and wiping the sweat off onto one leather-clad hip. He had removed his shirt and gauntlets before starting, but the day was very warm and it hadn't helped much.
"Of course we have, lad, do you take us all for fools? Hell, Marcus has damn near made it his life's work and all he's gotten for it was losing his eldest to the Beast."
"So it really is a mankiller?" Hercules was puzzled. He was still certain this was just a very cunning animal, and animals that turned mankiller usually didn't settle for goat-flesh.
"Oh, yes, it eats humans, boy," Darius' uncle affirmed from across the field where he was dragging yet another dead goat their way.
Darius nodded sadly. "Same pattern every few years. First it goes for the goats and sheep, then the herdsboys and girls. Then it goes away for a bit and when it returns the whole nasty business starts all over again."
"Yet this Marcus has been hunting it for years and it has gotten away. I take it this Marcus is considered a good hunter?" Hercules looked thoughtful.
"Hell, yes, lad," Darius said as he viciously slammed the shovel blade deep. "Ask your friend when he gets here. I think I've heard Marcus mention knowing an Iolaus. I know I've heard Marcus' ability compared favorably with your friend's."
"I wouldn't doubt Marcus knows Iolaus. Iolaus has friends all over Greece. Mostly female," Hercules sighed and counted goat-graves. "How many goats did you have in that pen anyway?"
"Too many. Been meaning to build a new pen." Darius sighed too. "But this is the last of them."
After dumping a bucket of water over his head, raking his fingers through his hair, and donning his shirt, Hercules figured he was presentable enough for lunch.
The conversation continued over lunch. Thankfully, Tetrus elected to eat in the kitchen with Merris, the innkeeper's daughter, who just happened to be twelve. Hercules had to smile when he peeked through the kitchen door to see the boy hanging onto the girl's every word with the exact same expression Herc had seen on his best friend's face more times than he could count.
'One more resemblance to Iolaus and I'm going to start asking questions,' Hercules thought, amused.
"The legend is right about one point, boy," Darius' uncle told Hercules. "Marcus has tried to kill this thing gods-know how many times and nothing has worked. It really can't be killed with any mortal weapon."
"That's where you come in, Hercules," Darius took up, "You're not mortal, so maybe a weapon in your hands will do the trick."
"Maybe," Hercules muttered, not bothering to mention that he was half-mortal; a weapon was a weapon; and he still figured this was just an animal.
After lunch Hercules hunted up a bow and arrows; a spear; and a hunting knife. He didn't like using lethal force against people, but a beast that was dining on the local children was another matter indeed.
"It hunts at night," Darius had told him, so Hercules spent the rest of the afternoon trying vainly to nap. It hadn't worked. Every time he started to drift off the image of Tetrus, his throat ripped ripped out like one of the goats, jerked him awake.
After dinner, he took Tetrus aside.
"Now listen carefully. Darius has sent word to Iolaus and Marcus at the festival but there's no way they'll get here before tomorrow. Darius and his family will watch you until Iolaus gets here. I'm going out tonight and hope to be back by morning, but if I'm not, just wait here until Iolaus arrives. If I get on this thing's track I may end up following it all night, so I'm counting on you to fill Iolaus in on all this, ok?"
"Yes, sir," the boy replied respecfully.
"'Hercules' is fine. Remember, me and Iolaus work as a team, and now you're part of the team, too. Ok?"
"Ok, Hercules!" Tetrus beamed up at the demi-god, who beamed right back.
Hercules twitched as a twig snapped behind him.
Gods, he HATED this!
He hated being alone in the forest; he hated being wrong; and most of all, he hated the lecture he could look forward to in the morning.
"What was I thinking?!" he asked himself for about the tenth time, "I'm the planner, but he's the hunter. When have I EVER managed to pull a stunt like this off by myself? Erymanthian boar? Nope, Iolaus bagged that. The Stag? Nope, Iolaus again. The Hydra? Hell, no! That thing would have killed me if he hadn't been there!"
Not that the plan was all that complicated. Hercules had figured the best he could do was draw the Beast's attention from any late travellers until Iolaus and Marcus arrived in the morning. The demi-god figured that, between the two best hunters in Greece, the Beast didn't stand a chance. So, go out and chase the Beast around until dawn; keep it too busy to search out other prey. Easy, right?
Not exactly.
Herc was certain he'd been had. Not by the villagers, but by the Beast. He had waited in the trees outside the village and sure enough, right on schedule, a shadow had come slipping out of the forest. He had crept after it, only to have it slip right back into the trees. He had given chase and been led deep into the unfamiliar forest. Then, just when he began to suspect that he was well and truly lost, he had become aware of another, even more unpleasant, realization.
He wasn't hunting the Beast anymore; it was hunting him.
It was doing a darn good job, too. Every time Hercules tried to turn back in the direction the village lay, the Beast cut him off, a silent, threatening shadow. It was herding him, and he really wasn't looking forward to finding out where. He thought of just stopping where he was, but was certain that if he did so the Beast would simply go and find somewhere, and someone, else to hunt.
Iolaus was going to really let him have it over this one, and he deserved every word.
Sighing, spear at the ready, Hercules kept moving.
At last he came to a small clearing at the base of a craggy hill. Peering through the moonlight, he could make out the opening to a cave. What kind of beast herds its prey to its lair?
One that was snarling directly behind him. Whirling, the startled demi-god got his first good look at the Beast.
Not an unnamable something, at least. A wolf. A REALLY big wolf. A Dire Wolf.
"Oh, Hell," Hercules hissed under his breath. Half immortal didn't mean unkillable, and a Dire Wolf was just the sort of creature who could rip his throat out. Not to mention that Dire Wolves had supposedly died out generations ago, and they had never had blue eyes.
This one was glaring at him with fiery blue eyes.
Oh, this was just perfect. Not only was this thing probably the result of some sort of godly magic, but the god in question had chosen one of the most lethal forms of wildlife that had ever existed in Greece.
With a vicious snarl, the Beast leaped. Hercules dropped to one knee to brace the spear. The wolf hurtled straight towards him.
Hercules had just enough time to think, "Well, THAT was easy," when the spear snapped as the point contacted the wolf's hide and Hercules was knocked on his back. The wolf drew first blood as its jaws wrapped around the demi-god's left forearm, razor-sharp teeth shredding the protective gauntlet. Hercules grunted in pain and punched the Beast in the face.
It sprang back as Hercules rolled to his feet. Snarling, the Beast paced the clearing, stalking the bleeding demi-god. Watching it carefully, Hercules retrieved his fallen bow and arrows. The first arrow bounced off the wolf's skull from right between it's eyes.
Wonderful.
The Beast continued prancing and pacing around the clearing, occasionally fading into the trees to re-appear a few yards away, taunting Hercules into letting fly the rest of the arrows. Every one hit its mark...and every one bounced off.
The frustrated demi-god could swear the damned wolf was grinning at him.
"Thanks a LOT, Artemis," Hercules thought. He definately had a few things to say to his half-sister about her propensity for curses. As soon as he got out of this, she was getting a piece of his mind.
If he got out of this.
As soon as Hercules fired the last of the arrows, the Beast boldly stepped out of the shadows and plunked itself down, daring the demi-god to make the next move.
Thoroughly disgusted, Hercules sat down as well, leaning against a large rock as he attended to his wound while keeping a wary eye on the watching Beast. He winced as he unlaced the gauntlet and pulled it free. The wound had been bad, but his demi-god healing was already at work. The flow of blood had nearly stopped and the wound was beginning to close. Pulling off his shirt, he ripped off a strip to wind around the arm. He considered putting the ruined gauntlet back on, but decided against it.
Regarding the Beast who sat only yards away regarding him, Hercules considered the situation. 'Can't be slain by mortal weapons' went the legend. Well, if this fiasco was any indication, that didn't mean weapons wielded by a mortal after all...it meant weapons MADE by mortals.
A plan formed in Hercules' mind.
Hercules spoke to the Dire Wolf. "Can I do anything to help?" he asked hopefully.
The Beast just looked back.
Hercules got slowly to his feet.
So did the wolf.
Hercules took a cautious step forward. The wolf growled.
Hercules dived for the fist-sized rock just as the Beast charged, knocking the demi-god onto his back again. As the wolf went for his throat, Hercules threw his ungauntleted arm up to protect it as he beat the wolf's head with the rock. "I really don't want to kill you," Hercules panted apologetically. The Beast snarled in reply.
Growling himself, Hercules got in a good shot and wolf teeth went flying. Yelping sharply, the Beast sprang away, shaking its head in pain.
Hercules ripped up the nearest sapling and snapped one end off to make a rough spear.
The Beast came at him again, going for his leg and Hercules slammed one end of the sapling into the wolf's neck, knocking it down. As it rolled Hercules reversed the sapling and rammed the rough point between the animal's ribs.
The Beast screamed in a human voice.
"No," Hercules breathed. Self-preservation forgotten, Hercules dropped to his knees next to the wolf just in time to witness a miracle.
The wolf seemed to split as the pelt opened and fell away. Within lay a nude man, the sapling jutting from his ribcage. The scream and the eerie blue eyes had prepared Hercules for this possiblity, but not for what else was now revealed.
The pain-filled face looking up at him in the moonlight was nearly identical to his own.
The nude man whimpered and blinked tear-filled eyes to focus on his slayer and then he smiled.
"Hello, little brother," he rasped, "I've been waiting for you for a long time."
"Hush, save your strength," Hercules urged, fighting back his own tears. He gently lifted the Beast's head onto his lap, smoothing back matted dark hair. The man was clearly dying and there was nothing Hercules could do to stop it or make it any more comfortable.
"Damn them all," Hercules thought furiously. Somebody on the divine side of his family was going to answer for this.
The Beast somehow lifted a hand to touch Hercules' cheek with trembling fingers.
"No guilt, little brother," he whispered.
Hercules swallowed hard. "Your name?" he asked gently. At least he could see to it that this man got a proper burial and entrance into the Underworld.
"Barbaras, a son of Zeus. But you knew that." Blue eyes searched his own.
"Hercules."
"I'm sorry, Hercules," the Beast murmered, the hand dropping limply to rest on Hercules' mangled forearm.
"Forgiven."
"No, you should not." The blue eyes caught his own again. "Love breaks the curse," Barbaras whispered urgently, "All the others who have hunted me did so with hate in their hearts. Only you did so out of love."
"I wouldn't say that, " Hercules demurred, remembering his battle-rage of only moments earlier.
"No, it's true. You have someone who loves you?"
Hercules nodded. "Yes, my mother, Iolaus, my brother, Jason. I'm very lucky."
Barbaras managed another weak smile. "Good," he whispered, "May they hunt you out of love."
Hercules frowned, wondering if Barbaras' mind was wandering and dismissed the strange comment.
"How did this happen?" Hercules asked quietly.
"For love," his new-found brother whispered.
"Not a sin, surely," Hercules protested, gently stroking the dark hair again.
"I murdered a man I thought a threat to my love," Barbaras sighed deeply and continued, "My love tried to break the curse and the Beast killed her."
"Why would you kill the one you loved?" Hercules asked, frowning. It made no sense to him.
"Not me, Hercules, the Beast. The Beast didn't care. It only hungered."
"I can't believe that. Surely there was some part of you in it."
"Not enough. Perhaps too much." Barbaras tried to touch Hercules' face again, but no longer had the strength. Hercules took his brother's hand and lifted it to his cheek. Those too-similar blue eyes were clouding. Sighing once more, Barbaras whispered, "Thank you, little brother. I'm so sorry."
Hercules cradled the still form for a long time, quietly weeping in the cold moonlight. At last he stirred, raising his face to the sky as he took in deep, cleansing breaths like Iolaus had taught him. Then he carefully snapped the sapling off short and wrapped Barbaras in the wolf pelt. He would take the body back to the village and bury his brother there. He would not abandon the dead Beast in the forest as though he was nothing more than an animal.
Hercules didn't even make it across the clearing before the first wave of nausea hit. He staggered, feeling light-headed and very sick. Infection from the wound? Surely not so soon, unless the Beast's bite was poisonous. Was that what Barbaras had meant by 'I'm sorry'?
Another wave of nausea, so strong that Hercules went to his knees, nearly dropping his burden. Perhaps if he rested he would feel better. That was it; he just needed somewhere to rest for a little while. Bracing himself with his good arm, hand flat on the ground, Hercules pushed himself to his feet and managed to get to the cave. Ducking inside, he squinted at the darkness within.
It would do, he decided instantly. It would have to do; he couldn't go another step. He eased Barbaras down against the far wall. To do so, he had to kick away a small pile of bones, some seeming human. There were other piles scattered about, half-seen in the weak light, but Hercules was in no condition to look any closer.
Gods, he was sick! Not only was his head swimming and his stomach churning, but his body now felt like it was on fire.
"It's too hot tonight," Hercules thought giddily and suddenly his clothing seemed unnaturally tight, constricting around him, cutting off his breath. Panting, he collapsed onto the cave floor, ripping at his own clothes until he was free.
Better now, though he was covered in sweat and he could feel his limbs twitching uncontrollably. He still felt sick and nauseous; with a moan he wadded his pants into a pillow and sprawled on his side. He would rest for just a few minutes. He would have to leave Barbaras after all, but Iolaus would be able to backtrack to the cave and retrieve him. All Hercules had to do was find his way back to the village, to Tetrus who was entrusted in his care, and to Iolaus, who he would trust with his life.
His last concious thought was that he had to find Iolaus.
Something stirred inside the den; a shadow, huge yet silent, slipped out into the moonlight. The new Nemean Beast lifted its face to the moon and roared.
Chapter 2
"EVERY DAMN TIME!" Iolaus had nearly howled upon reading the scroll, and the refrain had been repeating in his head ever since. Every damn time that he and Hercules, separately or together, attended a festival SOMETHING had to happen to ruin it.
Every damn time!
Everything had been going so well. Iolaus had a great time browsing the market stalls; listening to the bards; and flirting with all the pretty ladies. There were a lot of pretty ladies, both mature women and young girls. A fine range of feminine charms to appreciate and Iolaus was willing to appreciate as many as possible. Then he had met up with Marcus and Iolaus had temporarily given up flirting to exchange tall hunter's tales over ale.
They had been on their third tankard apiece when the messenger found them. When Iolaus showed Marcus the scroll the older's man had gone grey.
Iolaus could understand why. His oh-so-responsible-have-to-have-a-plan-for-everything partner had gone tearing off into an unfamiliar forest in pursuit of a mankilling creature. Alone.
He was going to give Herc hell over this one!
Still, once Marcus had told him the Beast's history, Iolaus had understood Herc's actions only too well. He could almost see Herc, sitting on the inn bed, arms around his knees as he stared guiltily out the window all night, wondering which traveler or goatherder would become the Beast's next meal while he waited for Iolaus like a good little demi-god.
Iolaus just hoped the damned Beast hadn't dined on demi-god last night.
"Please," the hunter prayed silently to whoever of Herc's relatives might be listening, "don't let his big heart have gotten him killed this time!"
Iolaus had wanted to leave immediately, but when Marcus, who Iolaus knew was neither a coward nor a fool, argued against traveling through the forest at night, the blonde hunter had begun to realize just how truly dangerous this creature must be. He didn't sleep that night.
Setting out at dawn, it still took them half the day to reach the village. Iolaus was a bundle of nerves, forcing himself not to be upset with Marcus' pace. After all, the man was old enough to be his father, and not used to keeping pace with a demi-god.
Not that good news greeted them when they got to the inn.
"He didn't come back," the innkeeper, Darius, admitted with a touch of guilt. He refused to meet Iolaus' anxious gaze.
"Dammit, man, what were you thinking, letting the boy hunt the Beast by himself?!" Marcus exploded.
Darius winced before replying defensively, "Marcus, that 'boy' is a full-grown man and a demi-god! A son of Zeus, a slayer of monsters! He fit the legend and he didn't seem all that worried!"
"Not all that eager, either, husband," Darius' wife commented, "until you and your uncle filled his head with tales of all the killings attributed to the Beast."
She looked sadly at Iolaus, meeting his gaze with sympathy in her gentle eyes. She explained, "After your friend heard about the children, he decided the risk was too great that the Beast would soon go after human prey. The last few nights the Beast has taken livestock only."
"Meaning it would soon start hunting for the children," Marcus told Iolaus, "That's the damned thing's pattern...livestock followed by children or any travellers it comes across."
"In summer?" Iolaus asked, puzzled. "Game is plentiful in summer. Why would it go after people and livestock when it's practically tripping over wild game in the forest?"
"The Beast is unnatural, my friend," Marcus sighed, shaking his head, "Yes, it always hunts in summer. Some part of the curse, I suspect. I've never been able to find the damned thing's den, either, and I've been all over that forest. It's like the Beast is protected."
"That's why we thought Hercules was sent to kill it," Darius said eagerly, "He fit the legend. 'Cannot be slain by mortal weapons', remember? We thought if the weapons were in the hands of an immortal..."
"Then the Beast could be killed." Iolaus completed grimly. "But Herc isn't immortal, only half," the hunter's eyes burned into Darius'. "He can be killed, you know. I know he acts like he can't, but trust me, I have it on very good authority he can die."
"And who could have told you that, boy?" Darius' uncle asked from the corner of the room.
"Hades," Iolaus answered shortly, turning away to stalk to the open door. Leaning against the frame, arms crossed across his chest, he blinked back hot tears. There were times Iolaus could cheerfully strangle his partner, and this was rapidly shaping up to be one of those times.
"Gods, what am I going to do with that man?!" Iolaus thought, with equal parts anxiety and affection.
The innkeeper's wife came up behind him. "Would you like to speak to the boy?", she asked quietly, "He's in the kitchen with my daughter."
Iolaus turned to her. "What boy?", he asked.
The farm dog had chased the rabbit deep into the woods, but lost the scent when he wandered into the clearing. Sniffing the ground, the dog began to whimper nervously as he identified the scent of human blood mixed with other, less familiar scents.
From deep within the cave came a rumbling warning.
The dog's head jerked up with alarm, then he snatched up his prize and fled.
Tetrus blinked up at Iolaus through red-rimmed eyes and swallowed nervously. Merris sat quietly by his side, offering support and holding his hand.
Iolaus smiled at the boy, a gentle, friendly smile calculated to reverse first impressions, since he was pretty sure he had just scared this poor kid half to death.
He hadn't meant to. In the first shock of learning about Herc's new travelling companion Iolaus had jumped to the conclusion that the boy might know something about his partner's disappearance; might even be the cause of it, somehow. He had been wrong. It seemed that Herc had been conned into babysitting service, was all. This kid knew even less than Iolaus.
"He told me that he might be following the Beast's tracks all night and if he wasn't back when you got here to tell you that, sir," Tetrus' words tumbled out in a babbled bluster, but Iolaus was a old hand at babbling himself, so he understood the boy completely.
"'Iolaus' is fine," the blonde hunter corrected absently, while wondering if Herc had thought to mark the trail. Possibly, but if he had truly thought he would be back by morning, he might not have thought it necessary.
"Iolaus, sir," Tetrus repeated dutifully.
Iolaus gave the kid another smile and a quick pat on the shoulder.
"We'll find the big guy, Tetrus," he assured the boy. "I've been pulling his tail out of the fire for years. I'll just have to do it again, is all."
Tetrus surprised the hunter by beaming up at him and announcing, "I know, sir..er, Iolaus. Hercules told me all about your adventures together."
Iolaus winced slightly at that. Herc was strange that way, sometimes. He could quote, chapter and verse, every single even slightly heroic deed that Iolaus had ever done, but to hear the man tell it, he, himself, had never done a thing that anyone else couldn't have done in his place.
Just as Iolaus was wondering how to respond to this revelation, Marcus appeared at the door.
"Iolaus, there's something you should see out here," he told the blonde.
"My dog brought this home about a hour ago," the farmer was explaining as he unwrapped the linen-covered bundle on the bar. "Probably found it in the forest. That hound's always taking off after rabbits and such."
Iolaus felt his hands tremble as he picked up the torn and stained gauntlet. Silently praying he was wrong, he delicately sniffed the leather, to find his worst fears confirmed.
"This is Herc's," he told the little gathering.
"You're sure?" Marcus questioned, frowning. "It may have been laying out there for weeks. We've had a lot of travellers pass through the forest on the way to the festival."
"I'm sure, " Iolaus nodded, then seeing the uncertian expressions all around him, explained. "It's Hephaestus' work and it had Herc's scent. This is Herc's blood." He traced the stains with one finger while willing his hands to stop shaking.
Marcus and Darius exchanged quick, bemused glances.
"It's Herc's scent," Iolaus insisted, getting a little peeved. "We've been friends for damn near thirty years. I know his scent!"
"We believe you, Iolaus," Marcus said quickly. "This doesn't mean the Beast got him, though. There could be some other explanation."
"I'd like to hear it," Iolaus said grimly. "This was made by Heph himself and it's been ripped apart." He held the gauntlet so they could all see the damage and the stains.
"Whatever did this was no ordinary animal," he informed them. "No mere animal could do this kind of damage to something made by the God of the Forge. There has to be magic involved here, somewhere."
"Legend does say the Beast is a cursed mortal," Darius commented.
"Doesn't make sense, though," Marcus complained. "Granted, Artemis does have a fondness for turning mortals who have offended her into animals, but would even a goddess loose such a monster into the world without providing some way to break the curse?"
"But there is a way!"
The men turned to find that Tetrus and Merris had slipped into the room.
Merris spoke again. "There is a way to break the curse and return the Beast to human form," she insisted.
"It's nonsense, girl, nothing but romantic nonsense," Darius argued.
"No, wait," Iolaus held a hand up for silence, then smiled at the youngsters. "I've come across some really weird stuff traveling with Herc," he explained. "Where the gods are concerned, sometimes the stuff that sounds the silliest is the important part. Tell me, what breaks the curse?"
Merris glanced shyly at Tetrus and then found the floor suddenly facinating. Iolaus quirked a questioning eyebrow at the boy, who swallowed, shuffled, and then mumbled, "Cerlinda told me years ago, but I didn't believe her either. I did tell Hercules, but I don't know if he was paying attention."
"Paying attention to what?" Iolaus prompted patiently.
"Love breaks the curse. The Beast can only be returned to human form by someone who loves him."
"Oh, that's just great since none of us even know who he is!" Iolaus snarled in frustration, immediately regretting it. "I'm sorry," he said, smiling at the startled youngsters, ignoring the equally startled adults in the room. "I didn't mean to snap at you like that. I'm just a little worried about Herc, is all. What you just told us, well, that's valuable information. Good to know. Thanks."
"You're welcome, Iolaus," they chorused and fled back into the kitchen.
"He didn't believe us," Tetrus said miserably.
"I know," Merris agreed, dismayed.
"Ok, this isn't getting us anywhere. Marcus, me and a few of the guys here will search the woods nearby just in case Herc's laying out there injured. Can you stay here and set the trap for when the Beast comes prowling tonight?" Iolaus paced restlessly, anxious to get moving, to get doing something, anything.
"Sounds like a plan," Marcus agreed.
"Good, good. Darius, which way did Herc leave the village? We could start searching there."
"No one knows. I never even saw him leave the inn, I just know he left sometime after supper," Darius shrugged helplessly.
"Great," Iolaus muttered unhappily, then shrugged too. "I guess we just look in every direction, guys. Herc should be easy to spot: big guy, leather pants, probably bleeding. I'm going to start over there," Iolaus pointed at the patch of trees directly opposite the inn door.
He stopped halfway through the door to suggest "Meet here at supper?"
The others watched him stride across the road and disappear into the forest. Shrugging at each other, they split into groups of two and three and left to search.
"Oh, Husband," Darius wife said softly, "What have we done?"
Sundown, and the group was back at the inn, empty-handed. None had found so much as a trace of the missing Hercules.
Iolaus sat across the table from Marcus, absently chewing on a hunk of bread while listening to the other hunter talk about the plan. The blonde wasn't even tasting the bread, but his body had begun screaming for food and he didn't want to be distracted by hunger.
"Not made by a god, but strong and not meant to kill," Marcus was explaining.
Iolaus nodded. "Might work, sorta loophole in the curse. Can't see how it's going to help us find the den, though. I've got a nasty feeling Herc managed to track this thing back to its lair."
Iolaus tapped the table with the hard loaf end, frowning. "Herc's alive out there, I can feel it, but we can't find hide nor hair of him and I think that's because he's at the lair and as long as the damned curse is in effect the lair is protected and invisible to mortal eyes or some crap like that."
"Then how did Hercules...oh."
"Yeah, the joy of half-immortal blood. Here again, gone again second sight." Iolaus sighed.
"Second sight?" Marcus asked.
Iolaus shrugged and tried to explain, "Herc's senses, his perceptions aren't like anyone else's. As a general rule he seems to see more that the average mortal and less than the average god. Sometimes we can be looking at something and we both see the same thing and sometimes I'm seeing one thing and he's seeing who-knows-what."
"How do you two get along like that, never knowing..?"
Iolaus shrugged again. "We get along pretty well, really. He seems to assume I can see what he can see most of the time."
"And if you can't?"
"I assume if it's anything really weird or dangerous he'll tell me."
Marcus shook his head in amazement. "So you're saying we could all be walking right past the Beast's den and.."
"Herc will see it and we won't. Yep, that's it, pretty much. I think the den's nearby, Herc's at or near the den, and we just can't see it."
"Damn!" Marcus cursed, with feeling.
"My thoughts exactly," Iolaus agreed.
Tetrus and Merris sat together at an upstairs window, watching the hunters' movements below.
"A net?", Tetrus asked.
"It's a good plan," Merris insisted. "It's not intended to kill, but to hold, so the magic protection shouldn't kick in. Marcus thinks if they can trap the Beast that might break the curse and make the den visible."
"And Iolaus thinks Hercules is at the den," Tetrus finished.
They watched as a young goat was staked near the now-empty goat pen. Then the men concealed themselves in the brush and outbuildings around the inn.
"This isn't going to work," Tetrus blurted.
"Why not? I told you a net..."
"Not the net part, Merris, the bait part," Tetrus pointed at the bleating little goat. "Wrong kind of kid," he explained.
She caught on instantly. "Oh."
"They need human bait. The Beast eats people, children..."
"Kids. Tetrus, my father will never go for that!"
"Iolaus won't, either. But they've got to find Hercules soon before he dies of blood loss. You saw that gauntlet."
"We shouldn't, it's dangerous!", Merris protested.
"He's a really nice guy, Merris. I can't just not do something to help find him. You stay here. I'll be ok, I'm just going out into the yard. The hunters will be right there."
"So will I," Merris said firmly, "We do this together or not at all, ok?"
"Ok," he answered shyly. He took her hand and they slipped downstairs.
Chapter 3
The Beast paused, still well inside the treeline. It could see the men scattered about the building ahead as spots of warmth and light. Grumbling softly in discomfort, it veered to slip silently through the forest heading towards the front of the inn.
"We'll have to go out the front door or the hunters will see us too soon," Merris whispered. Tetrus nodded in agreement and they slipped quietly out the front door and down the side of the building.
The Beast spotted the two smaller lights and edged closer, breathing deeply to catch the scents.
So intent were the two children on reaching the back yard that neither realized that they were no longer alone until Tetrus heard a rustle and took a quick, terrifying glance back. With a startled scream, he took off running towards the hunters, dragging Merris with him.
Iolaus sprang from his hiding place when the scream split the night. He watched, astonished, as Tetrus and Merris came tearing from around the side of the inn. Behind them came the Beast, a huge, ghostly shape in the fitful moonlight. Marcus saw it too. Iolaus, Marcus and the other men broke cover, racing up the yard to meet the Beast, throwing the weighted net over Tetrus' and Merris' terrified heads.
The Beast went down with an earth-shaking roar.
Iolaus and Darius hurried to check on the children while the rest of the men ran to the net, yanking on the ropes that would gather it into a huge, webbed sack.
"What were you thinking?!" thundered Darius in the throes of relief-anger.
"Daddy, I'm sorry! We just wanted to help Hercules!" Merris wailed as she threw herself into her father's arms.
Which left the shaking Tetrus all alone. Iolaus gathered the boy into a comforting bearhug.
"It's ok, you did good," Iolaus told him, then gently pushed him back to wag a finger at him. "And don't you EVER DO IT AGAIN!" he finished.
"I won't," Tetrus promised, then buried his face against Iolaus' neck.
After a few moments, they had both recovered enough for Darius to hustle them inside the inn, an arm around each. Iolaus paused for a deep breath, then went to take a look at the thing that just might have killed his best friend. The animal inside the net was huge, light-colored, and very angry. It writhed and twisted violently, filling the night air with its screams and roars.
"That's not the Nemean Beast!" Marcus shouted to Iolaus, who couldn't believe his ears.
"What do you mean, that's not the Beast?! There can't be two!"
"I don't know," Marcus said loudly, but no longer at a shout. "All I know is that I've gotten a couple of good looks at the Beast over the years and this isn't it!"
"How is it different?" Iolaus asked, noting absently that the Beast had quieted down quite a bit.
"Color's wrong, shape is wrong, everything is off. The Beast I've seen was like a huge, dark wolf. This thing is a lion!"
Puzzled, Iolaus took a torch from one of the villagers and moved cautiously closer to peer at the animal in the net. It WAS a lion, the biggest lion Iolaus had ever seen, with a light golden hide, a dark-honey colored mane, and watchful blue eyes. Blue eyes? Since when did lions have blue eyes? Iolaus turned away to ask Marcus if he had ever heard of blue-eyed lions.
The Beast tensed, trembling with excitement. It had been watching the blonde man carefully, patiently, knowing that it could rip away the net any time it wanted, but waiting until he was close. The Beast hungered and it knew what it wanted.
Iolaus hadn't taken more than a couple of steps when he heard the net ripping and the warning shouts. Instinctively, he spun to strike at the Beast with the torch, only to see it bounce harmlessly off the golden hide a split-second before he was knocked off his feet and the world spun around him.
Dazed, he vaguely realized that he was moving, that he was being carried somehow, but everything around him was a blur. Then his head jolted against something hard and he knew no more.
Iolaus stirred and giggled weakly as he came to. Something wet and rough was rhythmically stroking his bare skin. Vaguely, he thought, "Herc's back. I must have gotten hurt again and he's giving me a wash-up." He sighed happily...all was right with the universe again.
"Quit that, Herc," he rasped, "Where did you get that rough cloth?" He tried to push Herc's hand away only to come in contact with...fur?!
Iolaus' eyes snapped open and he found himself face to face with the Nemean Lion.
"I AM DEAD." he thought with perfect confidence and firmly closed his eyes and counted to ten, fully expecting to see Hades' anti-chamber when he opened them.
He saw lion.
He blinked several times and took a couple of deep breaths, trying to get a grip on the situation. 'Just how hard DID I hit my head?' he wondered. He felt warm weight on his chest, more on his hips and legs. Carefully lifting his head slightly, he was able to peer over the lion's shoulder to see the Beast sprawled on him, effectively pinning him where he lay.
Damn, this thing was big! The lion's haunches came about even with his kneecaps.
Unconcerned with his scrutiny, the lion had resumed washing him, rough tongue working it's way over his ribs, up his chest, over his collar-bone....
'Here's where it rips my throat out,' Iolaus thought resignedly. His right arm was pinned under the lion's body and he was still too weak to do more than push at the great head with his left. He tried it anyway.
The lion licked his hand. Iolaus stared, flabbergasted, as the lion shifted to reach over and lick clean his whole left arm. Reaching his shoulder, it snuffled and pushed aside his vest and went for the under-arm, causing Iolaus to wiggle and giggle uncontrollably. With what sounded for all the world like a resigned sigh, it gave the offending area a couple of quick swipes, then licked his cheek, moving on to the ear, delicately licking around his earring.
'You know', Iolaus found himself thinking giddily, 'Just when I think life can't get any weirder the Fates go and throw something like this at me.'
Great. Now it was washing his hair, shifting again so that one great paw rested on his now-clean shoulder. Iolaus watched an extremely close-up view of lion neck through one squinted eye while wondering if he could rip out its throat with his teeth before it could rip out his with its claws. He doubted it.
Apparently satisfied with his hair, the lion proceeded to wash his face, moving on to his neck, his right ear, even behind the ear. Alcmene would love this lion.
And that's when the dinar dropped.
Alcmene + blue eyes + wash-up = "Herc?!" Iolaus squeaked.
The lion paused in its licking to nuzzle Iolaus' right ear affectionately. Iolaus giggled, a slightly hysterical note in the laugh.
"You're alive, Herc! You're really alive!" He hugged the lion weakly with his left arm. The lion responded by shifting again, freeing his right side so it could continue its task, washing his arm and shoulder before nuzzling aside the vest once more.
"Will you quit doing that! I know you like cleanliness, but this is ridiculous!" Iolaus protested breathlessly, pushing at the furry head.
With another sigh, the lion gently licked his neck, resettled itself, then nestled its chin on his shoulder, eyes closing. It began to purr contentedly.
Iolaus sighed, too. Looking at the huge head currently covering the right side of his chest, he reached over and started stroking the honey-colored mane with his left hand. Aloud, he said, "You know, Herc, I think this makes it official. Life with you just can't possibly get any stranger than this."
The purring grew louder.
Iolaus rolled his eyes. "I'm glad one of us is having a good time, here," he complained. "Herc, all this fur hasn't made you any lighter," he continued. "Could you scoot over so I can breathe, please?"
The lion-who-was-Hercules didn't move a muscle.
"Can't understand a word I'm saying, can you?" Iolaus asked with another sigh. Great.
Iolaus resorted to the trick he had used since childhood whenever Hercules rolled over on top of him during sleep. He dropped his left hand to gently tickle the lion's ribs. The lion promptly rolled over.
"Thank the gods!" Iolaus breathed, lifting his right arm and shaking it to restore the circulation. Herc/lion rolled right back over, snuggling its muzzle into his armpit, purring.
"No wonder you wanted that clean," the hunter observed wryly. At least most of the weight was off his chest, though one great forepaw was draped affectionately across his waist. The weakness and dizziness from the blow to his head was lessening, though he still had a hell of a headache. And Herc was alive. A lion, yes, but he could deal with that, would have to, sooner or later. Iolaus decided on later. Herc's warmth and purring were making him sleepy.
Iolaus shrugged. "I get the point, big guy. Like it or not, its naptime." He yawned. "OK." Wrapping both arms around Herc's neck, he snuggled his cheek against his partner's mane and closed his eyes. Just before he drifted to sleep he murmured, "I sure hope nobody finds us like this. I'd never live this one down."
Iolaus woke shivering in the moonlight. As he rolled to his feet he became aware of three things: he was currently lion-free; he still had absolutely no idea where he was; and nature was screaming her lungs out at him.
Moments later, he looked up from attending to nature to find the lion gazing at him. He hastily adjusted things, fussing, "There are some places Iolaus washes himself, so don't go getting any ideas!" The lion just purred and nudged his leg, herding him back into the clearing. Once there, the lion slipped ahead, picked something up from the cave entrance, and returned to drop it at Iolaus' feet.
It was a dead goat.
"Gee, thanks, Herc, but no, um fire, y'know? To cook it?"
The lion nudged the back of Iolaus' knees, forcing him to sit. Then the lion delicately ripped a hunk of goat-haunch out and dropped it into his partner's lap. Then the lion sat and watched Iolaus expectantly.
"You're kidding me, right?" Iolaus smiled weakly. "You're not kidding." He shrugged, picked up the hunk of raw goat, eyeing it doubtfully before saying, "Well, I've eaten raw fish before, so..." He nibbled at the goat and made a face. "Definately an acquired taste, Herc. I don't know if I can eat this. Why don't we go back to the village and get some nice fruit? I can follow the stars from here."
The lion nudged his arm again until he gave up and nibbled a little more goat. Grimacing, the hunter buckled down to finish dinner, muttering, "You are going to owe me big for this, buddy. We're hitting every festival in Greece this year and I don't want to hear one word of argument about it."
Herc purred and proceeded to polish off the goat, much to Iolaus' relief.
Dinner done, Iolaus wiped his bloody hands off on his pants and explored the clearing. He found Herc's torn shirt, the broken spear and arrows, the discarded bow, the bloody makeshift bandage, and the blood-stained sapling. He frowned thoughtfully as he put the pieces together and the scene that must have taken place played out in his mind.
"Had yourself a good little war, here, Herc. So what happened to the other guy?"
The lion trotted to the cave entrance and waited for the hunter to join him. Iolaus tangled a hand in the honey-colored mane and let the lion lead him to the pelt wrapped body. After dragging the bundle to the patch of moonlight coming in through the entrance, Iolaus knelt and unwrapped the pelt. He gasped slightly at the face of the Beast.
"Oh boy, he's got to be a relative, Herc!" Iolaus looked speculativly at the lion gazing over his shoulder, then back at the body. "Let me guess. Another half-brother, courtesy of Zeus. Blood on your gauntlet...he bit you, didn't he? And that somehow transferred the curse. Damn!"
Re-wrapping the body, Iolaus replaced it against the cave wall. He gently touched the little pile of bones nearby, then squinted through the halflight at the other piles scattered around the cave.
He felt Herc nuzzling his vest, followed by the now-familiar rough licking as the lion started to clean his back. He pulled away and turned to take the lion's head in his hands, gazing into those strange, blue eyes for a long moment.
"Gods, Herc, what are we going to do? I don't know about this godly curse stuff. That's your department, remember? We have to get you back to normal, somehow, and I'm not willing to kill you to do it!"
Abruptly, the lion tensed, a low growl rumbling from his chest. Iolaus froze, shocked. The lion pulled away from his grasp, gave one hand a quick lick, then slipped soundlessly from the cave.
Iolaus shook himself and followed. The lion was nowhere in sight.
Iolaus stood in the center of the clearing and slowly turned in a complete circle. No lion.
"Herc!" Iolaus called softly into the night. "Hercules! Where are you, Herc?"
'Sounds like I'm calling a dog', the hunter thought ruefully just as a dog broke through the underbrush, Marcus in tow.
"Thanks the gods we've found you!" Marcus exclaimed.
Iolaus was busy looking at the dog sniffing his ankles. "Of course," he muttered, "If the dog could find the den once, why not again?" He slapped his forehead. "Old hunter's trick! Why didn't I think of it?"
"Iolaus, are you listening?" Marcus shook his friend's arm urgently. "We have to get out of here!"
Iolaus lifted his head to look at Marcus, but found the view over his shoulder much more fascinating.
The lion was back; and he was stalking Marcus.
Chapter 4
"Um, Marcus," Iolaus started, definately distracted by his partner, "The um, lion is Herc; at least I'm pretty sure it's him, which is ok, right?"
"How is Hercules turned into a lion, 'ok'?" Marcus asked, shocked.
"Well, Herc wouldn't eat people." 'Gods, I hope not,' Iolaus added silently. Herc/lion was looking very intently at Marcus.
Marcus frowned. "Iolaus, I doubt the Beast was a cannibal before he was cursed. If Hercules is now suffering under the same curse, he may be compelled to follow the same pattern."
Iolaus felt his blood freeze. "Goats, then the goats-herds," he whispered, remembering the dinner he and Herc had just shared. Stricken, he asked urgently, "Was anyone killed tonight?"
"No, after the lion got you last night, they're all hiding after dark. They think you're dead," Marcus informed him.
"That's good," Iolaus answered absently, slipping past Marcus to take a defensive position between his friends.
"Down, Herc," he said firmly.
Marcus turned and saw the lion only a couple of yards away. He blanched.
"It's ok, Marcus, that's Herc. Herc, this is my friend Marcus."
The lion rumbled, frozen in mid-stalk, tail twitching and flopping unhappily.
"Now, be nice, Herc and quit growling at Marcus. He'll think you don't like him." Iolaus suddenly thought he knew how Alcmene had felt when she would break up their childhood fights.
The lion stopped growling.
Iolaus beamed. All right! This was working after all! "Now, why don't we all sit down and try to figure this curse business out, ok?"
Marcus snatched Iolaus' arm, spinning the blonde man around and shaking him.
"Are you out of your mind, man?!" the older hunter shouted.
Hercules snarled.
Iolaus saw Marcus' eyes widen with fear; worse, he saw what was reflected in those eyes. He ducked down, trying to pull the other man with him and failing. Marcus was literally stiff with fear. Then he was gone, hurled across the clearing by a blur of golden fur.
"Hercules, no!" Iolaus shouted, dashing after them to throw himself on the lion's back. Hands digging deeply into the honey-colored mane, he wrapped his legs around the lion's middle and yanked, intending to pull the lion's head away from Marcus' throat. The lion roared and shook himself violently, trying to dislodge the man on his back. Then the Beast twisted, swatting at Iolaus and connecting, the blow hard enough to send Iolaus flying.
The blonde warrior staggered to his feet, staring at the horrifying sight before him. Marcus was down and Herc was savagely mauling him, fangs tearing at the forearm Marcus had thrown up defensively, claws digging deeply into unprotected shoulders and hips. The older man was screaming and Iolaus could smell blood.
"Gods, no, Herc!" Iolaus wailed and launched himself at the lion again. The lion simply ignored him. As Iolaus punched and kicked furiously, Hercules got his fangs into Marcus' shoulder and ripped out a huge chunk of flesh before his best friend's shocked eyes.
"NO!" Iolaus was crying in frustration; nothing he was doing could stop the attack; nothing could stop Hercules from becoming a murderer. The lion twisted beneath him and Iolaus was thrown again, landing on his back.
He felt something hard dig into his back as he landed. He winced as he rolled on his side, the breath knocked out of him by the force of the landing. Reaching behind him, his fingers closed on the hard object. Not a rock, a knife.
Iolaus gasped and sprang to his feet, mind racing. Not just any knife, this was the knife Hercules had given him for his last birthday. The knife that Iolaus had found missing upon awakening; dropped, he supposed, during Herc's flight through the forest. The knife that Herc has crafted himself at Heph's borrowed forge.
A weapon not made by mortal hands. A weapon capable of killing the Nemean Beast. Of killing Hercules.
Iolaus didn't give himself time to think about what he had to do; he knew already what Herc would have wanted, would have begged him to do if only he could.
With a wail of pure grief, Iolaus sprang onto the lion's back and thrust the knife between Hercules' ribs. The Beast screamed and twisted away from the blow, rolling over on Iolaus who, screaming himself, yanked the knife out to stab over and over again in a frenzy of blind rage and grief. At last, the lion grew still, laying panting painfully and staring into the hunter's tear-streaked face a few feet away.
Then Marcus started laughing.
Iolaus blinked tears and dirt out of his eyes and stared, uncomprehending, as Marcus' form blurred and became that of Ares, God of War.
"No, please, no," the blonde warrior whispered in horror.
Ares sauntered over to where Iolaus lay in the bloodied dirt and looked down at the mortal.
"You two are priceless, you know that? Absolutely priceless!" Ares chuckled. The War God grabbed Iolaus' arm and yanked the hunter to his feet, then shoved him towards the dying lion.
"Come on, pipsqueak, you're going to miss the best part," the god growled.
Iolaus stumbled and fell to his knees just as the lion whimpered and seemed to split, the pelt falling away to reveal a nude Hercules within.
The dying demi-god reached to touch Iolaus' cheek tenderly with trembling fingers.
"It's all right, Iolaus," he whispered, "Thank you."
"How touching, but you should be thanking me," Ares announced, sarcasm dripping from every word.
"You bastard!" Iolaus snarled, whirling and swiping at the dark god with the blood-coated knife.
Ares danced back, taunting, "Such manners, little mortal! And after I've done you such a favor!"
Panting, the blonde circled the God of War, swearing steadily.
"Iolaus, don't."
The voice was familiar...and feminine. Iolaus spun, astonished, to see Aphrodite bending over her half-brother, gently running her hands over his wounds, healing them with her touch. She straightened and looked at her bloodied hands in dismay.
"Here," Ares said, pushing past Iolaus to gently wipe her hands with Hercules' torn shirt.
Iolaus just looked at the two immortals for a moment, then went to kneel by Herc's side once more. "You ok?" he asked quietly, brushing Herc's bangs back from his forehead.
Hercules smiled wearily and sighed, "Yes, I think so."
Iolaus noticed he was weakly clutching at the edges of the pelt, trying to hold it together over his waist. Understanding, the hunter took pity on his modest friend and slipped off his vest to drape it over Herc's hips. Herc murmered, "Thanks," and let the pelt fall away.
Feeling pretty weary himself, Iolaus sat and gently shifted Herc's head into his lap. He began stroking and untangling his partner's tangled hair.
Looking up at the gods, he asked the obvious question. "What the hell is going on?"
"It wasn't Artemis' curse, it was mine," Aphrodite explained quietly. "But it didn't work the way it was supposed to, and once I'd done it, I couldn't undo it. Barbaras wasn't supposed to remain a Beast, and he wasn't supposed to kill again. He was only to wear the form of the Beast until the one he loved recognized and forgave him, proving her love with an act of trust. The part about being immune to weapons and the den invisible to mortal eyes was just to protect him so that he wouldn't be accidently killed in the meantime."
"But the damned thing got botched somehow and became that the Beast could only revert to human form after being dealt a mortal blow by someone who loved him, using a weapon not made by mortals," Ares continued, folding his arms across his chest and gazing sardonically down at the two heroes.
Iolaus whistled quietly. "That was some botched -up curse," he observed.
Ares nodded. "When Barbaras killed his lady-love, 'Dite couldn't undo the damned thing and there was no one left alive at that time to fulfil it."
'Dite sighed. "I've been trying to fix this for ages, but nothing worked. Then Ares came up with the idea of getting you involved," she told Herc sadly. "But the curse wasn't supposed to transfer to you. When it did, Ares suggested tricking you, Curly, into striking the mortal blow with that knife my bro gave you for your birthday."
"How did you know about Iolaus' knife?" Hercules demanded.
Ares shrugged. "Heph just can't keep a secret, little brother. Man doesn't have a sneaky bone in his body."
"So why didn't you just tell us this, 'Dite?" Iolaus asked angrily.
"Telling Herc would have violated the curse. If he had known about Barbaras, he probably couldn't have brought himself to kill the Beast. And think, Curly. If I appeared to you and said 'the Beast is Herc, so be a good boy and stab him with your special knife, please?' would you have done it?"
"Good point," the blonde man conceded. "I would have just thought it was Ares up to another of his schemes."
"Thanks a lot, 'Curly'," Ares snarled.
"Then why am I not dead?" Hercules asked. Iolaus had wondered that himself, but had intended to let that pass. Some things are better not questioned.
"Mortal blow, and mortal blow you actually die from, are not quite the same thing. Loophole. Every curse should have one, though I always try to eliminate them out of mine," Ares smiled wickedly.
"Wait a minute," Iolaus said, looking down at his partner as a thought occurred to him. "When Ares scammed you by pretending to be Marcus, did you know it was Ares?"
The demigod frowned thoughtfully. "I think so, but so much of the last couple of days is a blur, I'm not sure," he answered, gazing worriedly into his friend's eyes.
"You did, bro," 'Dite asserted brightly. "That's why Ares had to help. He was the only one we could be sure you would attack."
"Wasn't counting on it being so enthusiastic," Ares growled, rubbing his shoulder. "But I knew with your 'civilized' inhibitions down, you wouldn't be able to resist having a go at me, especially if I seemed to go after your pet."
"Iolaus is not my pet," Hercules corrected automatically. "So you're saying I wouldn't have gone after the real Marcus?"
"Nah, not unless he was stupid enough to pull a knife on Blondie. You just don't have that killer instinct, little brother. That's one thing you and Barbaras didn't share."
"So the real Marcus is safe back at the village?" Hercules asked.
"No, the real Marcus is safe back at the festival," Ares replied silkily.
Iolaus stared as THAT sank in. "You mean, for the last day and a half, that was..?"
"Oh, yeah," Ares purred. "Wouldn't want to miss a minute of the show. You should have seen him, little brother. Worried sick and barely eating. That alone qualifies this as one of the Wonders of the Modern World...the time Iolaus wasn't hungry'." Hercules ignored him; the demigod was pre-occupied by something else. "'Civilized inhibitions down'? What does that mean?" he asked, not sure he really wanted to know.
'Dite tried explain. "Barbaras was supposed to have human intelligence and morality to guide him, but that part of the curse went south, too. Instead, the Beast acts according to his fundamental nature, which in your case..."
"Was extremely...affectionate, shall we say," Ares purred, leering at Hercules. "Some memories lingering more than others, little brother? Bet that one sticks around for a loooong time."
Hercules blushed and Iolaus had to duck his head to hide his smile. It felt good to have something to smile about.
"So that's it, huh? We all just pack up and go home? Done, finished, kaput?" Iolaus asked.
"Well you and Herc still have to get cute, brave little Tetrus and Merris to Corinth." 'Dite said.
"Merris isn't going to Corinth," Hercules protested.
"Yes, she is," 'Dite insisted. "She's one of mine, but she's one of Athena's, too, and 'Thena says she'll make a good scholar, so she's going to Corinth too."
"But who will take care of her in Corinth?" <
"Tetrus' cousin. Don't sweat the details, bro, it's all worked out. All you and Curly have to do is get them there in one piece."
Herc sighed, resigned, "Ok, Merris is going to Corinth."
Iolaus giggled. "I can see where this is going. Two-scholar family. Should be interesting."
"Try one scholar and one bard. Tetrus is a natural talent. Be careful what you tell him about this Beast bit," 'Dite warned, "Cause I can practically guarantee it'll end up in a scroll."
"Iolaus can decide that. I can't wait to hear his version, anyway," Herc answered with a small smile.
'Dite smiled back. "Thanks, boys! Bye, now!" and she was gone in a haze of pink sparkles.
Ares grinned wickedly down at them. "It's been fun, guys. We'll have to do this again sometime," he purred, gesturing.
"Wait!" Hercules called urgently and Ares re-appeared, frowning.
"What now?" he asked, clearly annoyed at being called back.
Reluctantly, Herc said, "It looks like I really do owe you thanks after all."
The War God's dark eyes flashed. "Let's get this straight right now, 'brother'. I didn't do it for you...I did it for her. And the next time your pet has a go at me, I'll take his damned fool head off!" he snarled, before vanishing again.
Iolaus frowned at the empty space. "Herc, next time we see Ares, remind me to have a discussion with him about that 'pet mortal' business."
Hercules said slowly, "We won't be able to leave tomorrow, you know."
"I know," Iolaus replied, "We have to bury Barbaras and the others."
"How many others, Iolaus?" Herc asked quietly.
"Not all that many, really. If all the victims were brought back here, there should be a lot more remains than there are. The Beast was around a long time, Herc. Marcus' grandfather hunted it. I think your brother's 'fundamental nature' wasn't all that bad. He tried to fight the curse, he just didn't always succeed."
They were quiet for a long time, then Hercules looked up fondly at Iolaus and asked, "Are you going to sit there all night playing with my hair or are you going to help me find my clothes?"
"Greedy, you've got my vest. What more do you want?" Iolaus teased.
"Just help me find my pants. They must be around here somewhere," Herc replied.
"Think I saw them in the cave. Wait here. I'll be right back," Iolaus told him, easing Herc's head down and getting up.
"Like I'm going anywhere like this," Herc grumbled to himself.
Iolaus returned with a very ripped up pair of leather pants and an equally ruined set of boots. Holding them up, he remarked, "Looks like you used these for chew toys, Herc. Good thing you've got that pelt."
"Great," Herc grumbled. Clamoring to his feet, he tossed Iolaus his vest and tried to figure some way of covering himself with the lionskin. Maybe if he tied it around his waist somehow?
Watching him, a mischevious light dawned in Iolaus' eyes. With a quick glance at the sky, the hunter started edging towards the trees. "Hey, Herc, can I get a couple of promises out of you?" he asked.
"What?" Herc replied, distracted.
The blonde grinned. "First, no more hunting anything bigger than a bunny without me, ok?"
"Ok," Herc agreed, trying to figure out how to tie the lion's tail like a belt.
"Grand. Second...are you listening to me, Herc?"
"Yes." Maybe if he looped the tuft it wouldn't keep sliding out of the knot?
"Ok, second, next time you think I need a wash-up, give me a little advance warning."
"The next time I...oh." 'This is a trap,' Hercules thought, but walked into it anyway. "Why?"
"So I can get some honey. I might as well have a little fun, too." Giggling wildly, Iolaus bolted out of the clearing, a growling Hercules in hot pursuit.
Finis
Disclaimer: Yes, one demigod turned Beast was killed during this adventure, but Hades is giving him time off in Tartarus for being the victim of 'Dite's haywire curse. Hercules would like to make the following statement 'I do not wash those parts Iolaus washes himself... unless absolutely necessary'. The writer was unable to confirm the rumor that Iolaus always carries a small jar of honey 'just in case' , as he and Hercules were not available for comment, being on their way to a festival.
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