Iolaus was sore, he wasn't sure there was an unbruised part of his body. He limped down the trail straining to see through swollen eyes. He had to meet Hercules at the fork in the rivers. He hoped he would be able to make it in time. He had never failed his friend and didn't plan to this time, so he doggedly trudged on. Nightfall came and since it was hard enough to see in the daylight Iolaus stopped and made camp. He drank deeply from his flask and chipped cheese off of the block he carried with him. While looking for fire wood he spotted some fresh berries and some greens, the ones he loved. With his basic needs satisfied Iolaus settled down for a good night's sleep.
Dawn came at its appointed time and Iolaus cursed the day. If anything he was stiffer and the bruises more colorful today than yesterday. He cleaned up his camp and headed towards the appointed meeting place.
"Iolaus, hi," the cheerful voice called out.
"Iolaus? What happened to you?" a very concerned Hercules questioned.
"Oh, this? This is nothing, you should see the other guys," an embarrassed Iolaus mumbled.
"Iolaus," the patient parental tone of Hercules carried across the river, "what happened?"
"Just because I show up with a few bruises you don't have to go acting like my father!" a hostile Iolaus answers.
"A few bruises?" Hercules tried to stifle a laugh. "You have more bruises than Salmoneus has schemes." That brought a smile to Iolaus's face.
"Ow, that hurts! Don't make me laugh," a now-smirking Iolaus utters. "If you want to know the truth_"
"Iolaus, you're a grown man and if you don't want to tell me what happened you don't have to. I am your friend and if you are in trouble then I want to help."
"Naw, it, well, its, a very complicated and delicate matter," a self-conscious Iolaus said.
"Who was she?" an understanding Hercules asked.
"How did you know it was a 'she'?" an amazed Iolaus wondered. "Well, it really wasn't a she. It was her three brothers. They seemed to think I should be part of the family!"
"Iolaus, my dear friend, how many times do I have to tell you about your social life?"
"I know, I know, but Herc, she was soooo pretty, and her hair, her hair smelled like jasmine. And her voice, oh she could sing," Iolaus rambled on and on.
"Iolaus, my old friend." Hercules shook his head while stifling a giggle. "What about this incredible fishing hole we are supposed to be heading to?" "Well_.." Iolaus hesitated for a moment, "you see I need to go back to Astako, and I'm sure that's not a good idea right about now. I need to go back and talk to Katrina."
"Katrina?"
"Yes, her brothers did this to me and the more I think about it, the more I think I should go to her."
"No, that might not be a good idea," Hercules said. "Are you sure you want to go alone?" Iolaus stood by the riverbank watching his friend, all the while wondering just how things had gotten so out off hand in Astako. He had walked into town on a fine morning, hoping to purchase some new fishing line and perhaps get a new pair of boots when he saw her. She was at her brother's stall selling fresh fruits and vegetables. He had been drawn to her as if a rope had been tossed around his neck.
"Hi, are these fresh?" he had asked.
Insulted at his tone and manner she retorted, "Of course, I picked them this morning before coming to market." Stunned by her outburst and amazed at how beautiful she was even when angry, Iolaus tried to make up for his slip-up. "I'm sorry if I offended you. I'm Iolaus." "I'm Katrina, Iolaus. You are new in town." It was a statement, not a question. "My brothers own a large farm and they and their families work them and I get to sell the goods at market. At least until my husband gets back from the fighting in Parthneos. Then I will get to settle down and stay at home, I will no longer be under my brothers' care." Katrina spit the last part out. It was clear she wasn't happy with her current situation.
"You're married?" Iolaus stammered. "What I meant, ah, what I mean, ah." "Why, Iolaus, you're blushing," Katrina slyly said, knowing full well she was the reason he was stumbling around. Iolaus, realizing that he was being made a fool of by a pretty girl, just giggled. "Okay, yes, I am new in town. And yes, I was hoping to ask you out, but now that I find out that you are a married woman I will have to eat alone today."
"Not necessarily," a flirtatious Katrina answered.
"Now wait a minute," Iolaus stopped to choose his words carefully. Yes, he did want to have company while he ate and yes, he did want to have some fun while in town, but this girl could be trouble. "I am sorry, Katrina, I just wouldn't feel right eating with you without a chaperone." He hoped that would be the end of the discussion and he started to walk away.
"Iolaus, wait!" Katrina's voice was a cry for help. "Please don't go, I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong impression. I would love to have a meal with you and we could eat here at the grocery stall. With all the shoppers how many more chaperones do you need?" The market was full and bustling, people were everywhere. It certainly looked safe.
"Ok," Iolaus gave in, "what shall we have for lunch?"
"I have some chicken, and some fresh fruit, will that be ok?" Katrina asked. "Sure," Iolaus answered thankful for any meal he didn't have to prepare. Katrina covered the market stall with a light cloth and led Iolaus towards the back into the shade and she began to get lunch together. "Do you want to wash up before you eat?"
"Uh, yeah, I guess so." Iolaus had eaten so many meals alone or with Hercules that the idea of eating formally was a bit nerve-wracking. "Where do I go to do that?"
"The town well is just down that way a bit. Here are some dinars, could you buy something sweet at the baker's stall on your way back?"
"I don't need your money. I can buy the sweets myself!" A self-righteous Iolaus headed off towards the well and bakers stall.
Katrina laughed to herself. She felt a happy feeling that she hasn't had since her brothers forced her into the arranged marriage with Tilden. Tilden, who was almost twice her age and mean, but had property that bordered her family's. She forced those thoughts out of her head and set up lunch. Iolaus returned somewhat cleaner and ready to eat. He had a nice pie from the baker's stall, which he offered to Katrina.
"So, tell me about yourself, Iolaus," Katrina queried.
"Not much to tell," Iolaus started, "I just travel around with my friend helping people out who need help. We occasionally slay a monster or two. My favorite monster was the Hydra, but the water eel was a close second. I definitely don't like Minotaurs, they are too tall and have really hard heads!"
"So, who is this friend you travel with?" Katrina asked.
"Oh, just a boyhood friend." Iolaus wondered again if anyone really cared about him.
"Just a boyhood friend? That must have been some village," Katrina giggled. "Okay, my friend is Hercules." "Wow, you know Hercules?" "Yes, I know Hercules, can we talk about something else?" Iolaus tried to steer the conversation away from Hercules. "Now what are we having for lunch?"
"Oh, my, I'm sorry, Iolaus I've upset you."
"No, not really, it just gets old when everybody wants to talk about Hercules and they seem to forget I'm a person too."
"Ok, Iolaus, tell me about you! What can you tell me about you?" Katrina asked.
Iolaus grinned, "I'm not sure that there is enough time for that! So, Katrina, tell me about yourself."
Katrina gave Iolaus a wry look, but went ahead. "Not much to tell, really. I'm the fourth of four children, the only girl. My parents died when I was young and my brothers raised me. When I turned 15 they married me to the man who owned the land that borders ours. Tilden, my husband, left shortly after our wedding two years ago to fight against the warlord Puckist. I haven't seen him since and to be honest I hope I never do!"
"You were forced into marriage?"
"Yes, it is quite common, Iolaus. Is it different where you live? Does a poor girl with no parents, no standing in the village have a chance to pick her own husband?" Katrina's voice rose with her indignation..
"Well, ah, um, it's just, ah, I've never really given it any thought, to be honest." Iolaus sputtered out the words, feeling about as small as an ant.
"Typical," Katrina counters, "I bet you travel from town to town and enjoy the ah, friendship, of some of the women and don't really think what happens to them after you leave. Well, am I right?"
An extremely embarrassed Iolaus had to agree to her every damning word. "So, what about me made you want to eat with me? You seem to understand me SO well."
"I'm not sure, to be honest. But, you look like someone who would be willing to listen to me." They sat in silence for a moment while Katrina settled down a bit. She didn't want to ruin lunch with this charismatic stranger. She took a deep breath, and then started breaking the food out.
Katrina and Iolaus settled down to eat lunch. They both were hungry and for a time all that could be heard was the sounds of eating.
"Wow, can you cook! My wife couldn't cook at all. Even the pigs refused her food!" Iolaus exclaimed.
"Your wife!?!"
"I was married, she died in childbirth. The child lives with friends. I - I'm sorry I mentioned it." Pain was written all over Iolaus's face.
Katrina was shocked to see the transformation in her luncheon partner. Here she thought she had a fun-loving, carefree man, and instead she had someone who had suffered deeply.
"Katrina, we need some fruit, are you closed for the day?" Demtri shouted at them.
"Oh no, Demtri, I'm still open, just here in the shade having lunch with an old friend," she lied. She gets up to help Demtri with his purchases.
"Why did you say I was an old friend?" Iolaus asked after she sat down again. "I really don't need Demtri to go tell my brothers that I am lunching with a handsome young man."
"No, I guess not, at least it would be safer for me." Iolaus said with a giggle. As the lunch time had come to an end and shoppers were coming back, Iolaus remembered he came to town to get some boots. "Katrina, do you know of a good place where I can get some boots?"
"Yes, I do. From the looks of yours you could use some sturdy boots. My friend Lylac's husband makes the best footwear in all the area. Tell Macher that Katrina sent you, and he will give you special service." Katrina said with a smile.
"Thanks, Katrina, this has been a special treat. I enjoyed lunch immensely." Iolaus was really dragging his feet, he didn't want to leave, but Katrina was married and it wasn't his place to step in.
"Iolaus, I will be staying in town tonight. Would you, I mean, if you aren't busy, I will be eating dinner at the tavern and well _" Katrina blushed as she tried to continue with her invitation. Lunch had been easy, Iolaus was a handsome man but now she knew him and wanted to spend more time with him. It was a fine line she was walking, for she knew Iolaus was a man of honor.
"Sure, I would love to join you at the tavern for dinner," Iolaus was thankful that Katrina had taken the first step.
Iolaus went to the boot maker and Katrina was right. Macher had wonderful boots and other leather goods. Once Macher found out that Iolaus was a friend of Katrina's he even threw in a free pouch so Iolaus could carry his belongings slung on his back instead of off his shoulder. Macher did warn Iolaus to be careful around Katrina.
"She is beautiful and so very lonely and sad. What her brothers did to her is unforgivable. But there is no way she can change her lot in life. But my new friend, it is her lot, not yours, and her brothers are not forgiving men and if they think you have besmirched Katrina's reputation, they will come after you seeking blood."
"Thanks for the warning, Macher. Katrina is a lovely woman and if circumstances were different I would be very much interested in her, but she told me up front she was married and I will not do anything to dishonor her." Iolaus responded.
Iolaus spent the rest of the day wandering through the town looking at new swords, trying out new bows and arrows. He tried his hand at a few games of chance and skill with the local men. As darkness was falling he wandered over to Katrina's stall and helped her close up shop. She had sold out of almost all her fruits and vegetables.
"Well, my brothers will be happy when they return to town tomorrow morning and see all this money. So are you ready for dinner?" Katrina asked with a happy lilt to her voice.
"Ready for dinner?" Iolaus said with a smile. "No, not tonight, sorry, maybe later." And with that he started to walk away.
"Iolaus!!" Katrina said, confused. Then she heard the soft giggle, and she picked up the not yet ripe tomato and tossed it at his back.
Iolaus jogged back to help her out of the stall and together they walked to the tavern. Katrina went to the tavern keeper and asked about her room, then she asked if there was another room for her friend. Orazio gave her a smile but was unable to get a room for Iolaus.
"Don't worry, Katrina, I can find a place to sleep. If I hadn't met you today I would be sleeping on the dirt anyway, it is ok." Iolaus reassured her. "Let's just get dinner. I would rather have company when I eat, especially someone so pretty as you."
Katrina was not happy. She did not want Iolaus to leave, and now that he couldn't get a room here at the tavern she knew he would be leaving after dinner.
Iolaus saw the sadness in her eyes and gave her a quick hug. "Let's order dinner."
A group of townsfolk gathered and started playing music, Iolaus looked at Katrina with a grin, "Would you like to dance?" Iolaus and Katrina danced and laughed for the next couple of hours. Iolaus was a perfect gentleman and at no time did Katrina do anything to dishonor her husband or her brothers. This, however, did not stop Condiment from rushing the long distance to Katrina's brothers farm to tell them that Katrina was with another man. Condiment had been in love with Katrina since they were small children but she never returned his affection. He had never gotten over her marriage to Tilden, he did not know it was an arranged marriage for the convenience of Katrina's brothers and not a marriage of love. It would not have mattered to him anyway.
"Oh, Iolaus, this has been great fun," Katrina said as she sat on the bench outside the tavern. Iolaus handed her a mug of ale and she drank it down. "I can't remember when I have had this much fun."
"Katrina, this has been fun, thank you for allowing me to show off my great skills as a dancer." Iolaus said with humor. His dancing skills had been the butt of more jokes as he kept tripping in his new boots, the leather had not yet molded to his feet and the soles were still a bit slick, so Iolaus spent a great deal of time sitting on the ground.
"Ah, yes, your dancing skills, how can I forget?" Katrina's eyes shone with joy and laughter.
Iolaus's heart ached as he knew it would be a long time before Katrina was as happy as she was now. As much as he wanted to help her he knew he had nothing to offer her. His life was as bad as Tilden's. He was on the road with Hercules so much, that having a family was just not practical.
Iolaus reached out and grabbed Katrina. She gave herself to him in a hug, each wishing that it would or could last forever, each knowing that it would not. Iolaus broke the hug looked into Katrina's eyes, and with his eyes asked, she said yes. He kissed her, gently at first, then with a growing passion. Katrina had never felt such passion in a kiss, her whole body leaned in for more, her breath taken away. She was a bit faint when Iolaus finally broke the kiss off.
"I need to leave now, before this goes too far," Iolaus said softly. While his voice said leave he couldn't get his body to follow. It took all of his strength to turn and walk away. Katrina stood and stared at him. She knew if she said his name he would come back, she also knew if she did so her brothers would kill both of them. So she watched as he walked down the road out of town. When she could no longer see Iolaus she went back inside and up to her room. Orazio watched her go.
"Anything I can do for you, Katrina?" He called after her. Katrina shook her head. Orazio shook his head sadly. Katrina deserved better than this. His dog deserved better treatment than the way Katrina's brothers treated her.
Iolaus spent an uncomfortable night sleeping in a small gully just outside of town. He felt like he had let Katrina down, but he didn't know why. He got up and started on his way to meet Hercules so they could go fishing. Iolaus looked back over his shoulder as he headed down the road, as much as he wanted to go into town, he knew he couldn't do that for he knew he would not be able to leave Katrina.
"There he is, there is the man who besmirched your family name!" Condiment shouted as he lead Katrina's brothers down the road. They were large, heavy men and they meant to harm him. Iolaus had speed and skill on his side, and these enabled him to escape alive -badly battered, but alive.
"I did not do anything wrong!" Iolaus shouted at the men as he kicked one in the knee and as the brother went down Iolaus used him as a stepping stone to the shoulders of the tallest brother. "All I did was have lunch and dinner with your sister. You might try being nice to her." Iolaus said as his blows punctuated his words.
Those words just angered the men even more and they became vicious in their attack of Iolaus. The battle such as it was did not last long. The men were simply too much for Iolaus and as the youngest of the three men left the dazed and bleeding Iolaus on the roadside he kicked Iolaus's ribs for good measure. Iolaus had managed to inflict considerable damage on them as well, but power in numbers ruled this battle.
"Iolaus, Iolaus, are you ok?" A concerned Hercules asked. Bringing Iolaus back to the conversation.
"I can do this alone, if you don't want to help me, but I really would like you to join me." Iolaus asked his friend.
"Iolaus, I will be there with you if you want, you know that." Hercules answered.
The two men walked in silence towards the town. Iolaus trying to remember where Katrina said her home was, for he was sure that would be where he would find her. In the end he went in to town and asked Macher where he could find Katrina and Tilden's home.
Hercules knocked on the door of the poorly built shack. He was amazed that the structure was standing so poorly was its construction. The door opened slowly and a faint voice asked, "What can I do for you?" "I am looking for a young woman, a friend of mine asked me to check on her. Her name is Katrina. Do you know where I might find her?" Hercules asked. He could see now the reason Iolaus wanted him to be the one to knock on the door, as two large men came walking towards him, aggressively.
"What can we do for you stranger?" the larger of the two men asked.
"I am looking for Katrina, my business is with her," Hercules answered. "Katrina, doesn't have any business that we don't know about, friend, so tell us and we will determine if she needs to hear about it."
"I am sorry, but my business is with Katrina and not with you fine gentlemen." Hercules bit off the word gentlemen allowing even their dense minds to absorb the insult.
"And just who might you be, stranger, making demands to see our sister?" "I'm Hercules." "Ya, right, well 'Hercules' Katrina still isn't taking any visitors, she isn't feeling well. So you might as well be on your way to where ever it is you were going."
"Well, why don't you let me talk to Katrina, and then I will decide if I will leave or stay for awhile?" Hercules was getting angry. These men were cruel, he could see it in their eyes and in the way they stood in front of the door.
"You want to talk to Katrina? Well fine, she is out under that big tree over there." The older of the two men pointed to the field. Hercules looked out to the field and saw a fresh grave under the tree. He looked back at the brothers in horror.
"Yes, it seems that Katrina, misbehaved with a man in town and besmirched our fine family name, she needed to be taught a lesson. Then she tried to leave in the middle of the night. We just couldn't allow that. Our family has been here for years and we won't have our name ruined by that little tart."
"Katrina!!!! Katrina!" Hercules called for her, hoping the fresh grave was just a ruse, but there was no answer. From the doorway a young girl came and confirmed what her uncle had told Hercules.
Hercules left the family dwellings with a heavy heart. He knew that Iolaus was not going to take this news well, his standard of fairness and justice and honor was as strong as Hercules'. There was no way to break the news to him gently. Hercules' only hope was to keep Iolaus from heading back to the farm to avenge Katrina's death.
"Iolaus, I went to the farm and I have some bad news for you," Hercules started to tell the anxious Iolaus. "I went to the door and asked for Katrina, her brothers came to talk to me." Hercules paused. Iolaus looked into his eyes and saw the pain.
"They killed her didn't they?" Iolaus asked matter of factly. "Katrina, feared they would do that to her. I hoped she would be wrong, and I hoped I could get to her in time. I failed her." Iolaus' voice trailed off and he looked off into the distance lost in thought.
Hercules sat by his friend for the rest of the day, just being there ready to help if there was anything he could do. He wished he had met this girl who in the course of one day had so captivated his friends heart.
"Herc, is there anything we can do? Anything?" Iolaus asked as darkness started to fall.
"No, Iolaus I am afraid not, it would be their word against yours, and they could claim that by your being with their sister and dancing had ruined their good name, and the magistrate could order you to jail or death." Hercules wished that there was something that could be done but sadly a woman and her family honor was not something that could be challenged. What ever the family thought was a besmirchment could be considered, no matter how ridiculous it seemed.
"I wish you could have met her Herc, she was really special. She made me feel special and she never even asked questions about you even tho she knew I knew you." Iolaus stood and started walking.
"Whoa, Iolaus, where do you think you are going?" Hercules asked. "I am going into town, I am going to tell Katrina's friends what has happened to her, maybe they will have the courage to not buy the fruits and vegetables from the family and in doing so I can cause them the ruined reputation that they think I have done." Iolaus continued down the road, still stiff, still sore, and heartbroken, but now, now at least he had a plan and Katrina would be remembered and she would be avenged.
Hercules watched as his friend went down the road, "Iolaus wait a minute, I'll be right there." Hercules stamped out the fire and grabbed Iolaus' new pouch and together they walked to town.
Some images, characters and other things used in these works are the property of others, including but not limited to Renaissance Pictures and Universal Studios. Everything else remains the property of the artist or author. No money will be made on anything appearing on this webpage and no copyright infringement is intended. This site was created by fans for the enjoyment of other fans.
For information on reprinting text and/or artwork (including privately owned photos, photo manipulations, and other images) from this website, please contact IolausianLibrarians , who will assist you in contacting the original creator of the piece. Do NOT reprint, republish, or in any way link to items on these pages without obtaining permission from either the original creator of the piece or the webpage owner. A written one-time use statement may be issued to you at the discretion of the artist or the author. Please respect the legal and artistic rights of our contributors.