"Gossip is mischievous," said Hesiod, "light and easy to raise, but grievous to bear and hard to get rid of."
Hesiod, Works and Days
"And as he cut the head off the hydra, two more grew in its bloody stump. The sharp teeth threatened to clamp on his throat while small crabs Hera sent grabbedand pinched at his feet. It seemed impossible for the mighty Hercules to gain his footing. He cut the heads off and two more promised to grow when the brave Iolaus grasped the torch in his hands and ..." The storyteller had every eye glued on her. She knew the power of a good story and where to stop to get the audience begging for more. Thalia took a deep breath and continued after constant urging for her to proceed. " Iolaus burned the stumps causing the hideous beast to crumple lifelessly to the ground..."
In the back of the crowd stood two unobserved participants to the story. It was quite difficult for these two to blend in, but the crowd stood transfixed by the storyteller's word tapestry.
Hercules whispered to his companion, "But that's not the way it happened."
"Shh, Herc. I like the direction this story is taking," smirked Iolaus.
"...and thus ends the tale of Hercules and his brave nephew, Iolaus."
"Nephew? Did she just say nephew? Oh boy, Iolaus, do we have to straighten this lady out!" said a very exasperated Hercules.
"I don't know. Wouldn't that make you older than me?" chuckled Iolaus. "Come on, Uncle Herc. Let's get something to eat. You can straighten her out later." But Hercules insisted that they head toward the center of the crowd trying to reach the storyteller, but when they were in the midst of children, women, and men, someone grabbed Hercules' arm.
"Hey! Aren't you Hercules?" questioned the old man rather loudly. Then all attention was directed to the pair. The mob pressed in all around them flooding them with a million questions.
"What was it like fighting those beasts with your nephew?"
Hercules started, "You see, he's not really..."
"Is it hard to work with family members?"
"NO, you don't understand, he's..."
"Is this THE Iolaus?"
Iolaus grinned at that one. "Why, yes, I am THE Iolaus."
"Funny, you both look the same age." replied a child standing next to Iolaus.
Iolaus squatted down to be at eye level with the little girl when he said, "It's a half-god thing. He's actually much older than me. See, you can see it a little around his eyes," he explained.
"Hmmmm." replied the crowd almost in unison.
"Yes, I can see that now."
"Amazing isn't it"
"Now that you mention it...."
"Iolaus!!!!!!!!!!!!" Hercules wasn't smiling now. He scowled as he grabbed Iolaus' arm and headed toward the tavern. "Sorry folks, we have to be going. Older indeed. We've got to find that storyteller. "
"Anything you say, Unc. Hey, I wonder which side of your family I'm on? I mean, you know I do have a certain power with the opposite sex. ...um that would make Aphrodite my aunt? Maybe that's where I get my powers. What do you think Uncle?" the grin turned into a full-scale smile.
I think we'd better find that storyteller."
She knew they were looking for her, but she definitely didn't want to be found. She pulled her hood up to hide. She wasn't exactly the type to blend in either. Her hair was the color of midnight silk. The sunlight reflected on it only made gave the darkness an indigo glow. Her dark lashes were fringed veils cloaking her soul, Yes, you could see into her soul through those unusual eyes. They were a most peculiar shade of gray; one moment they were silver, yet, another they were almost a pale lavender. Though she was small in stature, when she told a story, she was almost colossal. Right then, though, she wanted to blend into the scenery. She was very shy when it came to famous people. She was grace in motion, but around those she told about, she was an accident waiting to happen. She suddenly cringed when she remembered the incident with Perseus and Medusa's severed head. She hoped he had been able to retrieve it before anyone else was turned to stone. "If only my brother was here, he would give me courage to meet them. After all, didn't he say they were all the best of friends?" She walked to the other side of town and began another story shared with her by her muse. Of course she was surrounded again as people heard she was on the verge of bringing forth another tale. She began...
"Most people know of the difficult labors Hercules has performed, but few know what motivated, no cursed , him to make restitution. Hera infected him with madness...."
Meanwhile Hercules and Iolaus were sharing a not so calm meal. Hercules was deeply disturbed by the story that was just off center. Iolaus on the other hand thought it was no big deal. "Come on Herc; it's just a story. Nobody really pays attention to the details. At least we win in the story. Remember that one we heard in Thrace? It had you squished by that giant."
"I know, Iolaus. But what if she tells a story that destroys the trust we've earned? I understand that the story just changed a little, but what's to prevent her saying that I did spend the night with a King's 50 daughters, or that I recklessly killed someone?"
"Aw, Herc. Nobody would believe those kinds of....wait one night with 50 women? Hey, why didn't you tell me about that little offer?"
"Iolaus, I didn't. I managed to divert them to Salmoneus"
"SALMONEUS! You diverted them to Salmoneus. So much for being best friend to a demigod. Oh wait, excuse me, so much for being the nephew of a demigod," complained Iolaus.
"Come on, Iolaus; we've got to find that storyteller," Hercules was beginning to sound urgent.
"Wow, 50 women! Were they beautiful?" Iolaus inquired dreamily.
"You, my friend, are incorrigible!" All Hercules could do as they left the tavern was to shake his head. As they left the tavern, Hercules accidentally bumped into a small child. He immediate stooped to offer his apologies and to make sure he was uninjured. Neither Hercules nor Iolaus was prepared for the child's reaction.
"MOMMY! MOMMY! Don't let him kill me! Don't let him kill me!" shrieked the 5 year-old.
Touching his arm to reassure him that he was in no danger only escalated the child's unjustified terror. Iolaus intervened, and the child relaxed. "Son, this is Hercules. He would never hurt you. He's one of the good guys."
The child's mother rushed forward and gathered up her child in her trembling arms. "I know it wasn't really your fault, but the children are afraid that Hera will drive you mad again," she offered.
"Did I miss something? Children are afraid of me? This can't be; why would these children be afraid of me? Kids love me, and I love them. What do you mean, 'Hera drove me mad'? Would someone please explain?" Hercules was almost desperate as he saw faces in the crowd that had gathered. They were suspicious faces, agonizing faces, scowling faces.
"We know what happened to your own children and why you are cursed to travel through the world to atone," offered an elderly woman. "We know it wasn't really your fault, but the pedestal we all put you on has toppled."
"First of all, I never wanted to be put on a pedestal. Secondly, what are you talking about?" Hercules' demeanor had changed from fiery confusion to chilling reserve.
"The storyteller told us why you do what you do. She explained how in a fit of Hera inspired madness, you killed your own family with a bow and arrows, and then you burned their bodies to hide your crime. That must have been terrifying to wake up and witness that carnage to know you caused it," continued the woman. "We ache for you, but...."
"That's a lie!" Iolaus piped in as soon as he recovered from the shock of this revelation. "I was there; I saw him in his agony. Hera has always been after him. I know he didn't do that. No one loved his family as much as Hercules did."
"Did you really see her destroy his family? Now, we understand a loyal relative wanting to stand by him, and no one really holds him accountable."
"Stop! Just Stop!" shouted Hercules, and he turned and ran from the crowd. He was shaking. Was it anger? Fear? Raw emotion? He couldn't sort it all out. The mention of his children and how he was responsible for their deaths shattered his heart. The tears welled up in his eyes as he faced his own accusing heart. "You may as well have killed them. Remember when Callisto said that if they hadn't been your children they'd still be alive?"
It was in this state that Iolaus found him. He witnessed first hand the destruction a falsehood could plant. He was no longer saying that it was just a story.
She wandered through the streets compelled to tell her stories of kings, gods, and mortals. The muse she trusted dictated what she said, but now she was beginning to doubt the accuracy of that muse. How could Hercules have done those things? The way the muse explained it, he had a very volatile temper. He'd killed his first teacher in a fit of rage; however, her doubts overcame her when the muse told how Hercules warred with the centaurs and accidentally killed his mentor, Chiron. She remembered her brother talking about the death of Chiron, and it was nothing like the story Melpomene just presented to her.
So she was presented with a dilemma. Should she continue the stories, or should she risk the wrath of the muses? She was confused and desperately needed to talk with someone. Her brother was scheduled to meet her in the Naupaktos; as she traveled to the next town, the storyteller only hoped he could help her.
"Come on Hercules. Let's get far away from Plataea as fast as we can. We know those stories are false. Surely when those people have had a chance to let them sink in, they won't believe them either," Iolaus pleaded with his friend.
"Once people think you said or did something wrong, it doesn't matter how far from the truth it is; it's just impossible to convince them otherwise. Those people will forever think that I killed my own family and the only reason I help others is to sooth my conscience. That storyteller created a picture, a past, that somehow was believable to the people of Plataea. I need to find her before it happens again," Hercules sighed. They were walking back to the village when they heard a familiar voice.
"Oh, Herculeeees! Hey, wait up." A traveler was hurrying as fast as a man could hurry running in a toga.
"Oh, great. Just what we need...Salmoneus," muttered Iolaus under his breath.
"Hey, be nice," Hercules replied. "Maybe he can help us find her."
Salmoneus gasped and sputtered as he caught up with them. He greeted them breathlessly, "Hercules... Iolaus... good... to... see... you... again."
"Come on, friend; sit down for a moment and catch your breath," Hercules urged. "We were just wondering if you could help us out in Plataea, weren't we, Iolaus?"
"Yeah, sure," Iolaus became distracted and almost wondered aloud, "50 women with no better breath control than this?"
"Well, actually, Hercules, I'm suppose to meet my sister in Naupaktos tomorrow. I was hoping you could come with me. Of course, you too, Iolaus. Hercules you should see my sister!" Salmoneus pitched. "She's got such personality and talent. Why..."
"Speaking of talent, about those 50 women..." Iolaus began.
"You're getting a little obsessed with that story. I'm getting worried about you," Hercules observed.
"Oh and quite a story it is. You see..."Salmoneus stopped as he saw Hercules wince. "Never mind; I'll tell you later. Say, my sister is great with a story. Mind you not THAT kind of story, but when she gets started, it's almost like you are there in the midst. By Olympus, once she was telling a story about a giant, and you would have sworn the ground was trembling with his footsteps. And well, you know I don't like to brag too much, but she's quite a beauty. Long black hair with the texture of silk, and she has these incredible gray eyes that light up when she's involved in one of her stories. Really, she's... what?"
Iolaus and Hercules had stopped dead in their tracks. Incredulously, they looked at one another. "No! It can't be the same woman. What are the odds of that happening?"questioned Hercules.
"It has to be with that description. Where was she traveling from, Salmoneus?"
"As a matter of fact, she was in Plataea, where you are headed. Why?"
"We want to stop her before she opens her traitorous mouth again; that's why! Your sister has been telling huge lies in her stories and destroying Hercules' reputation! We heard some of her stories there and felt the scorn of the village as the result of another story. Tell me, what does she have against Hercules? What has he ever done to her to deserve this kind of slander?" Iolaus was backing Salmoneus to a tree with his voice building to a deafening crescendo.
"How dare you speak against my sister! She's a sweet, innocent, gentle human being, and there's no way she could even hurt a fly, let alone a demigod. Talk about slander! You'd better watch YOUR mouth!" answered Salmoneus. Neither Hercules nor Iolaus had ever heard Salmoneus that angry. He stood up to Iolaus and was seriously considering punching him in the face, knowing full well he'd only get that one punch in before Iolaus stomped him into the ground. He was defending his little sister, and best friend or no best friend of Hercules, no one was going to talk that way about his sister.
Iolaus was considering how far he could make Salmoneus fly through the air when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Hercules had moved slightly between them. Thisfight was not going to happen because of him. He already felt so responsible for so much. He turned Salmoneus to face him and began to explain in a more tactful way the progression of events that day.
"I'm sorry, Sal. I know she's your sister, and maybe I was way out of line jumping on you like that, but if you could have seen the look of terror on those children's faces when they saw Hercules..." explained Iolaus.
"You have to understand that what you've told me is so foreign to my sister's actions. Something is dreadfully wrong. I... I have to catch up with her," offered Salmoneus.
"We'll come with you. I really need to set her straight on her stories before..." Hercules began. "Don't worry, I'll be gentle."
"
Corinna walked slowly down the tree lined path always conscious of her surrounding. Partly because she had a creative spirit and partly because she knew this road had seen bandits before, she was determined to be alert. She felt somewhat relieved to find a traveling partner. He was a simple Boeotian farmer, but he had an intelligence that betrayed this unassuming demeanor.
Hesiod eagerly listened to every story Corinna could unfold on their journey. Conversation flowed naturally between the two, and he stopped a time or two to question her on a point of her story. He even made some suggestions on word choice and gestures but never the plot of the story. He was fascinated with the stories of Cupid and Psyche, Jason, Theseus, Perseus, and of course, Hercules. She explained her reluctance to share those stories, but that the muse Melpomene had insisted. He was very understanding about her hesitancy, but it must have been true if the gods declared it.
"You know, Corinna, you really should write these tales all down somewhere," suggested Hesiod.
"No, I could never be a writer; I crave the immediate feedback of the crowd. How could I tell whether or not to pick up the pace, drop part of a story, or go into intricate detail? No, I'll leave that chore to someone else. Perhaps you could write them down. Oh look! We're here. I'm suppose to meet my brother at the Inn of the Rainbow. Could you show me where it's located?" Corinna asked. She wanted company for a little while longer. Somehow, she didn't feel the same compulsion to tell her stories while visiting with Hesiod.
"Why don't we share a meal there. They are famous for their pheasant dish. My farm can wait a few more hours. Besides, I'd like to hear the one about Hercules and the Nemean lion again."
On Mt. Olympus, Hera spoke with her messenger. "Are you sure she doesn't know?"
"No, she still thinks I'm Melpomene," stated Iris.
"Well," sneered Hera, "if I can't kill Hercules at least I can annihilate his reputation. That would certainly destroy him. The 'great hero' would be nothing more than a second rate champion. Now do you remember the story about Hippolyta? Go demand your tribute from the little storyteller."
They sat at in the crowded inn engaged in pleasant conversation. It allowed Corinna to forget about the compulsion to repeat such tales of tragedy. She was in a far off place when Hesiod repeated his farewells.
"Corinna? I said that it has been an honor meeting such a talent, and I still think you should write these stories down," insisted Hesiod.
"No, I keep telling you that I'm not a bard; I'm just a simple storyteller, From our discussions, I believe you have quite a talent for such things," and with that he bade farewell. As he returned to his farm, she left for her room. She was so exhausted from her trip, all she could think about was the chance of dreamless sleep.
Suddenly she was aware of a presence in her room. She dropped to her knees and bowed to the winged goddess. "Oh gracious muse, what story would you have me weave?"
Night fell too quickly for Hercules, Salmoneus, and Iolaus, and rather than risk coming across bandits in the dark, they decided to set up camp. Across the campfire,
Salmoneus enlightened them about his sister. "Ever since I could remember, Corinna has loved stories and the telling of them. She could invent such outlandish tales to avoid trouble when she was a child. And even though you knew the story was outrageous, she had a way of making you believe every word." The look Hercules shot him confirmed for Salmoneus that Hercules had experienced that particular gift. He continued, "I keep telling her that she needs to get married, settle down and have a houseful of children. I'm afraid my other sister's married life hasn't exactly been the best model for a fulfilling life. Hercules, you remember my brother-in-law don't you? If there was a shady deal, he was involved in it. And I guess my lifestyle hasn't been the most stable. Corinna is like me, a free spirit. She enjoys traveling, new experiences, and entertaining people. I worry about her, but she just tells me that it's her life. I guess she's right, but I just think she'd make someone a beautiful wife, Hercules," suggested Salmoneus.
"Uh oh, sounds like he's trying to arrange something, Herc," Iolaus teased as he threw a wink at his best friend.
"Actually," began Salmoneus, "that wouldn't be a bad idea. Hey! Then that would make me your brother-in-law!"
"It's getting late. We'd better get some sleep if we're going to get there by morning."
"Nice save," whispered Iolaus.
The next day the three travelers arrived at Naupaktos to find the town virtually abandoned. Salmoneus, Hercules, and Iolaus walked into the Inn of the Rainbow and spoke to the innkeeper.
"Where is everybody?" questioned Salmoneus.
"Oh, you must be strangers to not know. There's this fantastic new storyteller in town. Most of the town has been on a hillside just outside the city limits listening to her. I'm missing it, but I hope that little lady will give me a private audience, if you know what I mean," leered the innkeeper.
Iolaus leaned across the desk and grabbed the innkeeper by the collar. "Thanks for the information, but you'd better watch how you talk about that 'little lady'. He's her brother, and we, Iolaus and Hercules, are his friends! Got that?"
The innkeeper swallowed hard and nodded rapidly as Iolaus let him go.
They headed for the hillside when they heard laughter and Corinna finishing a story. "...Then Hercules told his brave nephew, 'You look good in purple.' And I hear that it took three whole months for all of the purple to disappear."
Iolaus wasn't purple any longer, but he'd trade his bright red for purple any day. "What is she saying? Herc, what are you laughing at? "
"Calm down, Iolaus. After all it's just a story." Hercules couldn't resist turning this hunter's words back on him. At least this story seemed to be more accurate than her others.
"Besides, it only took one month. Okay, Okay, it took two for ALL the purple to disappear. Hey, Hercules, don't we have something more to do here than have fun at my expense?" asked Iolaus.
"After a short break, I'll share with you a grievous story about one of Hercules' labors. It's a tale of a beautiful Amazon queen, a golden girdle, and tragic consequences." She was heading straight for them, but as yet had not seen the trio. That is how she crashed into Iolaus and sent both of them stumbling to the ground.
"Hey! Why don't you watch where you're go.." Iolaus growled until he looked into those eyes up close. They were still a pale lavender transforming into pure silver as she looked into his eyes. " Um, are you hurt?"
"No," she replied as she started to rise unsteadily.
"Wait. Let me help you," he offered. Then as he regained his balance, he offered her his hand. When their hands met, it was like being struck by lightning again.However, she rose quicker that Iolaus expected, and they crashed into each other again. This time, instead of going to the ground, they were clasping their respective foreheads. "Yep, like a bolt of lightning," thought Iolaus.
"You're Iolaus, aren't you?" she asked tentatively still trying to focus her eyes.
"Hey! She knows me!"
"Then that would make you...,"Corinna started again. But before Hercules could confirm her observation, she caught sight of her brother standing beside him. "SALMONEUS! Oh am I glad to see you! Brother, do we really need to talk!" She threw both arms around him and squealed.
"I think we all need to talk," replied Hercules. "The sooner, the better!"
" But the people are waiting for me to finish my story," She then remembered the tale she was about to tell, and suddenly, as if it were possible, she began to feel even more awkward. She looked to her brother for support, but he only nodded and looked a little sheepishly at Hercules.
"I think you have been misinformed about some of your stories," added Iolaus. Salmoneus was suspicious at the gentler tone Iolaus was using with before he looked into her eyes... before he held her hand. Salmoneus resolved to keep a close watch on this man. Furthermore, he wasn't sure he liked the look on his sister's face as she listened intently to Iolaus.
"Yes, well, Corinna, let's go back to your room so we can discuss this a little more privately," suggested Salmoneus as he strategically placed himself between Iolaus and Corinna. This maneuver also placed Corinna incredibly close to Hercules.
They headed to the inn surrounded by an awkward silence. Now that she had met Hercules face-to-face, he didn't seem like the type to blow up. She stumbled in the road as she realized that she was walking next to the son of Zeus. He reached for her before she actually hit the ground, and Corinna found herself in the arms of the strongest man on earth. Salmoneus smiled as he thought, "Nice move, Sis!"
She squiggled out of his arms as if she was trying to get free from a serpent's grasp. After she reclaimed her dignity, she explained, "I'm sorry. I tend to get a little clumsy when I'm around famous people. I was hoping to be over that when I crashed into you, Iolaus. And now, Hercules, I seem to be going for a record on how many times I end on the ground."
"Hey, that's all right," reassured Iolaus. "You should see how many times I find myself on the ground." He flashed his brilliant smile at her as he remembered that she considered him to be famous too. "What you need to learn is how to roll so you won't get hurt. I could show you later if you'd like."
"I don't think my sister needs rolling around on the ground lessons from you," offered Salmoneus. "But, Hercules, if you could show her a few self-defense moves, I'd worry less about her traveling alone."
Why was her brother snubbing Iolaus? He's a great hero too? Why was he turning every conversation to Hercules? Corinna blushed furiously as it became apparent to her what her brother was trying to set up. She only hoped that his motives weren't as transparent to the others. She purposely deployed herself next to Iolaus and hooked her arm through his. She originally meant to do this to spite Salmoneus. But she found him to be very comforting. Considering the task she would have once they arrived at the inn, she felt like she could use all of the comfort she could get.
The crowd was beginning to get restless waiting for her to return.
Didn't she say she would return shortly? Crowds can get very demanding in the midst of a story. In absence of the storyteller, the crowd began to invent stories, spread gossip, and stir up rumors against Hercules. Hadn't he killed his own family? Didn't he kill his first tutor just because he was being corrected? Here he was presenting himself as a moral role-model, and he spent one night with 50 different women? The crowd was getting more restless as a brief shower dispersed the mob. A rainbow appeared to anchor itself to the Inn of the Rainbow.
Corinna was busy rehearsing her explanation to Hercules. She could see pain in his eyes, and she knew that she was partially responsible. But Melpomene said that he killed his own family, he was responsible for Hippolyta's death, and that he had a terrible anger raging inside him. Why would a Muse lie? She would have nothing to gain by it. On the other hand, Hercules had everything to lose by her continuing the tales.
She risked a sideways glance at the demigod. Nothing seemed to rage inside him except a good heart and devastating loneliness. She was just beginning to face the war within herself when like the angry buzzing of a hornets' nest, the crowd was approaching them.
A feeling of righteous indignation roused the crowd. They saw the storyteller with Hercules and the others and had assumed the worst.
"Look! He's got her"
" Let her go! She's only telling the truth. Maybe you can't handle other people knowing the facts about you, but that doesn't mean you have to kill her too!"shouted one aggressive member of the mob. With that, he picked up a stone and flung it in Hercules' direction. It fell very short of its goal, but this action was like pouring oil onto a fire.
It ignited the rest of the mob as they began rushing toward them.
"We've got to get out of here!" yelled Salmoneus.
"But the muse... she'll be waiting, and if I'm not there, she'll punish me by withholding my gift!" argued Corinna.
"Wait! I'll speak to them," Hercules started, but as he rushed into the crowd, he became aware that he was the object of their rage. They began to hit him with anything available. He could have easily defended himself, but there were women and children in that mob. Hercules wouldn't risk hurting innocents so he started backing out of the crowd. Suddenly, a man in the crowd aimed an arrow straight at Hercules. Salmoneus was the only one to see what was progressing. Iolaus was busy trying to hold back Corinna and shield himself and her from the steady barrage of rocks, rotten vegetables, and sticks.
"Hercules! WATCH OUT!" And with that, Salmoneus pushed Hercules out of the path of the flying arrow. Unfortunately, Salmoneus lacked the agility of Iolaus or the ability to catch an arrow like Hercules. Instead all were shocked into a new reality when a sickening thud and a gasp proceeded out of Salmoneus. He looked down, stunned to see an arrow shaft protruding from his side.
"NO!" shrieked an anguished Corinna.
Hercules sprang into action and effortlessly lifted Salmoneus. "We've got to get out of here NOW!" And they all ran as quickly as they could before the crowd regained its momentum.
Iolaus moved them quickly through the forest until they came to a secluded clearing near the river. There couldn't have been a better place to stop. With the herbs readily available, it was like a healer's dream. Hercules and Iolaus set up camp rapidly in order to tend to Salmoneus.
Corinna was beside herself. Her brother was laying on the ground with blood flowing from the wound. Fortunately the arrow wasn't barbed and was removed quickly. But the puncture was deep, and Salmoneus had lost a lot of blood. Never a very dark man, he took on a rather gray look, as gray as the sorrow in Corinna's eyes. How could this happen? How could the crowd turn against them like that? It was over a story, just a story. She buried her face in her hands as Hercules tried desperately to stop the bleeding. Her desperation wrenched soul sick sobs from her body. She was shaking uncontrollably now as she considered her responsibility in her brother's injury. "Oh please," she implored, "don't let me be responsible for my brother's death." She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to gaze into such blue eyes; the depth of their understanding flooded her spirit, and she found herself swimming toward the safety of Iolaus' arms.
He held her tightly realizing that he was her lifeline at this point. As he whispered comforting words into her raven hair, he saw Hercules' grim face as he felt for a pulse.
Iris had been waiting in the storyteller's room impatiently. When she first heard the violence outside, she investigated the unruly crowd. She left and reported back to Hera the impending riot.
"This is perfect," murmured Hera. She quickly transported herself into the very thick of things. She changed shape from one person to the next allowing her vindictive influence to permeate the mob. In fact, she was responsible for the crowd turning violent. She whispered the "atrocities" of Hercules in one ear than another. She was the one to put the suggestion into the archer to let loose his arrow. In her poisoned heart, she knew that arrow would never kill Hercules. After all if Hephaestes' arrows couldn't kill him, would a mere piece of wood and metal do it? No, he'd probably just do that "catch the arrow just before it touched him" thing. But if the arrow found another mark, like his best friend, the storyteller, Salmoneus, or some poor unsuspecting child, then that would be another death Hercules would feel guilty about. Another death that she could lay at his feet. Yes, her plan had worked perfectly.
>
Back at the campsite, Hercules had a false calmness about him. Inside he was frantic, but he was aware of Corinna's desperation, and he couldn't risk her becoming hysterical. He didn't like the ashen appearance of Salmoneus. He'd finally was able to stop the bleeding and dress the wound; however, Salmoneus was still unconscious, and his breathing was shallow and ragged at best. Salmoneus had a very faint pulse, and it barely had a rhythm to it. He knew the situation was critical, and Hercules wasn't sure he'd make it. He'd lost so much blood. Hercules was amazed at the sacrifice he'd made. One that perhaps wasn't necessary. Except for that brief period he'd been mortal, he had always been able to catch an arrow loosed by mortals. He took the blanket Iolaus had given him from his pack and covered the brave man and stood up.
Corinna turned toward Hercules in time to see him slip from grim reality to a mask of false optimism. She felt Iolaus grip her shoulders to give her some stability. Her world was spinning out of control around her. She was gathering her courage to ask about her brother's condition, but Corinna was terrified to find out the answer.
"Is he....," a sob overpowered her words. Funny, she was never at a loss for words. Words were her gift; she could paint pictures with her words. She had pulled laughter from depressed spirits with her words. She had drawn tears from the coldest heart in the region. But now, her words were abandoning her, and all she could do was weep.
Iolaus wrapped his arms around her, and asked the question she was afraid to. "Is he going to make it?" Iolaus held his breath for the answer. He looked at the man on the ground and saw again the courage so well disguised in his form. He felt a little ashamed at his ridicule of this man in the past. He became aware of a pain blossoming in his throat.
Hercules faced the two with uncertainty. He stepped forward and reached for Corinna. Iolaus gave over his comfort to his friend as he watched Hercules grasp her hands. He stood watching Salmoneus as he listened to Hercules explain his condition.
He pulled her closer to him as he fought the urge to just say that everything would be all right. He couldn't lie about this; she may not get another chance to say good bye to her brother.
"It's very serious, Corinna. I've stopped the bleeding and dressed the wound, but it may have been too late. Salmoneus has lost a lot of blood, and," Hercules felt himself hesitating, "he may not make it through the night. We'll have to keep a close eye on him and watch for infection, but I just don't know if that will be enough."
She looked at him through her cloud gray eyes in shock. She just stared for a moment or two. Then her catatonic state dissolved into hysteria. Her tears erupted from her eyes as a tremor violently rocked through her. She began striking out at Hercules simply because he was the closest. "Why can't you do something! You're the son of Zeus with the strength of 50 men. Why won't you do something? Is this your revenge for me telling the world the truth? Are you going to let him die because you hate me?" She was now shrieking at him as she flailed him with her fists. Hercules pulled her closer to him until she was practically buried in his chest. It would have been easy to lash out at her in return to tell her of the pain she had inflicted on him, but now was not the time. He recognized the desperate fear in her grief stricken voice and actions.
"Come on, Corinna! Stop! Stop this! This isn't going to help your brother," he said as her fists were pounding his chest. He felt the tension melt away as a new realityinvaded her mind.
"It's all my fault. It's all my fault! None of this would have happened if it hadn't been for me!" her own trembling voice bitterly accused.
Then she just collapsed as her guilt ravaged her spirit. Hercules lifted her and placed her gently on the ground next to her brother. Iolaus and Hercules both felt the tears well up in their eyes. They kept watch over two very special people. One might not make it through the night, and the other might not make it through her life if he didn't.
She awoke with someone holding her hand. She thought it was Salmoneus, but her eyes flew open as she remembered what had happened. Her eyes met Iolaus'. He had such a tender expression of concern, she almost started crying again. She turned to see her brother breathing raggedly. Iolaus helped her as she struggled to sit up. She reached out and held Salmoneus' hand as she let go of Iolaus'.
"Don't leave me," she pleaded. "You know how much I rely on you; Salmoneus, if you can hear me, I want to say how sorry I am for the trouble I've caused." She looked over to the campfire, and saw Hercules brewing a healing potion. "He must hate me," she whispered to Iolaus.
"No, you've got him all wrong. The only one I've ever known that he actually hated was the one responsible for his family's death. Hercules didn't kill his family, you know. Hera had them burned alive, and that is the true story. He doesn't hate you, but can you see how your stories have hurt him?" Iolaus gently informed her.
"I've got to talk with him. Could you please..," Corinna began.
"Sure I'll watch him. You go; I know he's been wanting to speak with you."
Corinna rose and approached Hercules hesitantly. She remembered through her hysterical fog that she'd said some pretty cruel things, and she vaguely remembered attacking him. If he had been the way she thought he was, he would have killed her on the spot. She felt very guilty about the stories she had told about this demigod.
"Hercules?" She barely knew how to begin what she wanted to say. "I'm very sorry for the way I've behaved. I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I..."
Hercules looked up, and at once he was on his feet walking toward her. With all the gentleness he could muster, he put his arms around her, and said, "I have already forgiven you. But I have to know why you could believe those things about me. Why did you spread those false stories about me?"
"Honestly, I didn't know they were false. The muse told me that they were the true stories of Hercules and I had been chosen to tell those stories."
"Which muse?" Hercules was now very curious. He was no enemy to the muses. In fact they were some of his relatives that he actually enjoyed. He enjoyed them because they were so entertaining; when Apollo led their singing, the music would penetrate his spirit. He also had a deep respect for them because they wanted to truly inspire mortals to stretch their creative wings and fly. This was what was so confusing. He had never known them to be deceptive .
"It was Melpomene, of course. Who else could relate the tragic story of your life?" She almost choked off that last part for it was tragic, but it was not a tragedy he brought on himself. She was beginning to feel used.
"Hercules! Come here!" shouted Iolaus. He had just felt Salmoneus' forehead, and it was burning up. They had feared a fever would overtake him, but they actually expected it to arrive much later.
Hercules and Corinna made it to his side in what seemed like one quick step. Iolaus grabbed a piece of Salmoneus' outer garment and dashed to the river to wet it. Hercules instructed Corinna to check to see if his potion had cooled sufficiently enough to give to her brother. She carefully dipped her finger into the brew and let a drop trickle to her wrist. Since it felt only warm and not hot, she brought the medicine to Hercules. He carefully lifted Salmoneus' head and poured the warm potion down his throat. He was rewarded withsputtering and coughing, and one eye opened. It was glazed and feverish, but it was the first sign that he was truly alive.
"Oh...that's...awful..," he moaned and closed the eye again.
"Salmoneus!" shouted Corinna. "Don't you dare close your eyes again. Wake up and drink the rest of this medicine." He weakly obeyed his younger sister, but after draining the cup, he muttered something about being tired and fell back into a deep sleep.
She wanted to shake him; she wanted him to talk to her to reassure her that he would be just fine. She started to when Iolaus ran back to them with the wet linen strips he had shredded the outer garment into. Each one was soaked with cool water, and he and Corinna started to try to bring the fever down. She had never seen her brother this feeble.
"Corinna, I know you want him to stay awake, but actually rest will help him more. Try to let him rest, but if he wakes again before morning, give him more of the brew. I've already mixed it; it just needs to be heated," Hercules instructed.
"You sound like you're going somewhere," Iolaus stated. "Surely you don't plan to go back there on your own, not after what that mob tried. We still don't know who is behind all this, and there will be no one at your back. Think about it, Herc."
"I've got to find out why Melpomene would do this. Akra isn't too far from here. The muses' temple is just outside the city there. I can be there and back before noon if I hurry now," Hercules explained.
Iolaus knew the battle was lost once he made up his mind. "And he calls me stubborn?" ran through his mind. "Okay, but be careful! We already have our hands full with one injured person," he tried to sound confident, but he knew that the road Hercules traveled was obstacle filled.
Shortly after Hercules left, Iolaus considered what to do about dinner. He couldn't risk leaving Corinna and Salmoneus alone too long; he decided to set a snare not too far off in the woods. His craft rewarded them with a small pheasant dinner. His mouth was watering as Corinna took over cooking their feast. He continued to lay cool cloths over Salmoneus' forehead.
"You know, I'm quite a cook too. You didn't have to cook dinner. I mean I know you must think because I'm a man that my food must be hideous. But, I'll have you know that people love my cooking. In fact, I'm almost as famous for my delicious culinary talents as I am for my incredible fighting, hunting, tracking,...why one time," before he could finish, he was rewarded with a giggle that tickled his heart.
"I'm sorry; I'm sure you are gifted in many areas," she burst into laughter that had her gasping for breath.
"What? Come on, it's not that funny," but he found himself giggling with her. When she heard the delightful quality of his giggle, she just laughed harder. One guffaw fed the other until their dinner almost burned. Moments later, they were both breathing deeply and wiping their eyes. It felt so good to laugh; it had been days since either one of them felt such joyful release.
"Thank you," she replied.
"For what?" he asked helping her retrieve their dinner off the spit.
"For making me laugh, for being my brother's friend, for sheltering me from my guilt. I know you could have been justifiably brutal toward me after what I did to your best friend. Believe me when I say that I never meant to hurt anyone," she sighed.
"I know that now. You know, I have to confess I was furious with you at first. But Salmoneus convinced me to calm down. Actually, as experienced as I am in fighting, your brother stood toe-to-toe with me to defend you. He loves you very much." He looked down at the bird he was consuming to avoid those eyes. Iolaus was embarrassed at this previous outburst he'd experienced with Salmoneus. He was considering how easy it would be to fall in love with her. He was brought back to reality by the pathos in her voice.
"Yes, he's always been protective. Some people don't understand my brother. They think he's some kind of dinar loving man with a get rich quick scheme always in he back of his mind," she began. She noticed that Iolaus had dropped his eyes again with those words. "You see, we, Salmoneus, Kalias, and I, were abandoned by our parents when we were very young. Salmoneus was just 9 years-old , and I was just a baby. They left us at Hestia's temple promising to return the next day, but they never did. The virgins at the temple wanted to find a home for us, but everyone wanted my sister and me, but no one wanted a 9 year old boy. Kalias told me she use to lie awake in the temple and hear Salmoneus cry because no one wanted him. He made a decision beyond his early age,but he was determined that they wouldn't split us up. We slipped out of the temple one night and ran away. Salmoneus slipped me into some kind of carry sack, and somehow he managed to take care of us. Did you know that at 9 years of age, he gathered discarded garments and made rugs from them. He called them rag rugs, and he set up a booth in the market to sell them. He always had a tale to tell any adult who would become curious about three small children alone. However, when they became more suspicious, we just moved on to a new village. He was always thinking up one scheme after another to take care of us, and he did a great job. I can't imagine surviving all this time without him. I can't imagine what life would be without..." and the tears began to flow again.
"It's all right. There now. Everything will be okay..." he found himself with his arms wrapped around her again. "I could get use to this," he considered. She pulled away from him and gave him a sweet smile that clenched his heart. He took that sweet face in his hands and brushed his lips against hers. Just an innocent little kiss, but it deepened and was becoming rather intense when he felt a blast of air and sound enter his mouth. She was laughing again! "You know my ego could be permanently damaged by this," he confusingly stated.
"I'm sorry, it's just tha..." and she was grabbing her sides and dropping to the ground as the laughter had overtaken her again.
"What?" He felt his own giggle making its daring escape from its serious confinements. Her laughter had caught him off guard, but now he was reveling in it. He soon found himself gasping for air and rolling on the ground without a clue as to what he was laughing at.
When they had once again regained their composure, Corinna stated, " I'm sorry, I just figured out those other ways you're gifted." And with that the giggling started all over again until they heard Salmoneus' voice.
"Iolaus? Iolaus?" Salmoneus pleaded.
"I'm right here, buddy," reassured Iolaus with a new found respect for the man.
Salmoneus' fever glazed eyes looked into his deep blue and said, "Iolaus, stay...away...from...my...sister." Corinna and Iolaus looked up at each other and then back down at her brother. Through his fever fogged brain, Salmoneus could swear he heard giggling.
Hercules ventured forth into the temple just before dawn. As he entered the main room, he could hear music drifting from a passage concealed by a tapestry. He wandered into that room to face all 9 muses singing an unfamiliar tune. The music seemed to travel right through his body and dance through every fiber of his being. Hercules was experiencing music through all of his senses, and he smiled as he marveled at the joy he was drinking in. How could someone capable of such beauty give birth to the malice he was now facing.
Calliope was the first to take notice of his presence. She squealed with delight, and the others followed suit. They surrounded him laughing and talking all at once.Hercules wondered at the sound. He was amazed as they even laughed in harmony. Terpsichore danced around him while Thalia tried to pull him into her latest joke. Each muse wanted her half-brother's full attention. Only Melpomene was less exuberant than the others. Still, a bittersweet smile blossomed on her face as she toyed with her mask and slowly fanned her wings as she listened to the others' unbounded joy. Hercules gave each the attention she craved. Terpsichore was amusing the others with her story of his awakening gift of the dance when he excused himself and sat next to Melpomene. She grinned shyly at him as he leaned his head toward hers. "We need to talk," he whispered trying not to distract too much from the story. They excused themselves from the revelry to a private room in the temple. When he looked into her eyes, he knew there had to be a mistake; she wouldn't deliberately hurt him by giving Corinna those stories.
"There's this storyteller..." began Hercules.
"Yes, I know. Thalia and Calliope are usually her patrons, but we've noted as of late that she's getting involved in tragedy," replied Melpomene.
"Exactly! You are aware then of the stories she's been telling?" he asked as she nodded her head. "She told me that you are the actual author of those tales and that you commanded her to spread them lest she lose any inspiration from the muses. I know that can't be true, but she had a pretty accurate description of you."
Melpomene gasped in shock and disbelief. "You don't believe her do you? Why, that little...I'll make sure she never tells another story again! Hercules, you must believe that I've had, none of us have had anything to do with those stories!" The others rushed into the room as they heard their sister in distress. Melpomene quickly explained what had occurred, and Corinna was about to be visited by the wrath of 9 fuming muses.
Hercules stepped in and explained his theory before Corinna found herself in anymore trouble.
"I don't think she's at fault. She's not a liar, but I think she's been deceived."
Thalia and Calliope agreed for they knew her best out of the others. But who could, who would be the master of this deception. Then as if conducted by Apollo himself, they all chimed, "Hera!"
Melpomene responded rapidly, "She described me. There are those who think Iris resembles me. That would make perfect sense. She's Hera's messenger, and she does have wings, but mind you, not as magnificent as mine. Who else but Hera would want your reputation ground to dust?"
Hercules couldn't have agreed more. He promised to return for a happier visit when this current trouble was put to rest. They made him promise to bring his friend, Iolaus, with him. He was a little puzzled when Erato was especially insistent. When he questioned them as he took his leave, they all blushed and giggled once again in harmony. He just shook his head and thought, "Iolaus, what is it about you that inspires even the muses?" He had to get back to the camp as he realized he had left them alone to deal with Hera.
And deal with her they were! It had been a long night. Iolaus and Corinna had taken turns watching over the feverish Salmoneus. He slipped in and out of consciousness all night, and both attendants were exhausted. Iolaus let Corinna sleep as dawn had made its entrance. He reached for Salmoneus and discovered that the fever was gone. Hercules' potion had done the trick, and while he was still a very weak and seriously injured man, Salmoneus would recover. Iolaus slipped off to catch some fish for breakfast during one of Salmoneus' waking moments. He explained that he would return quickly with something to eat. It took even less time than Iolaus expected to find their breakfast.
As he entered the camp, he gazed at the sleeping Corinna and remembered the sweet moment he had experienced the night before. She looked so tranquil, so innocent, and so breathtaking his heart ached. Yes, he could see himself, if he wasn't already, falling in love with her. He let his imagination carry him to a place in the future. The house was modest yet comfortable, and it had a forge just 20 paces from it. He was working at the forge with a new plow while Corinna was surrounded by 3, no 4, small blond children. He would smile as Corinna would tell them the story of how their mother and father met and would join in the incessant giggling when she related the part about Uncle Salmoneus. Ooh, he shook the vision of Salmoneus out of his head as he returned to his fantasy. Later that night, after they put the children to bed, he would slowly take her into his arms and...
"Ahem! Iolaus? Iolaus? Iolaus can you hear me? Are you going to fix me breakfast or let me suffocate with the fish smell; I'm not a well man, you know," interrupted an aching Salmoneus.
Iolaus physically shook the vision out of his head. "Calm down, now," he said to himself. He noticed that Salmoneus was looking at him very suspiciously. Iolaus almost worried that he could read his mind. Just then, Corinna woke and stretched in a stunning way, ran her fingers through her hair, and slowly opened her silver eyes. Iolaus felt a shiver race up and down his spine at that vision. He almost thought he was back in his fantasy.
"Well, good morning. Am I the last one up?" she asked. She looked at these two men who were staring intently at her. Her heart went out to both of them, and she slowly joined Iolaus at Salmoneus' side. "I know I must look a mess. Would you please excuse me while I clean up?"
"Where are you going?" asked Salmoneus.
"Just down to the river. I need just a little bath. I'll be quick; there's no need to worry," assured Corinna
"No! That's not a good idea. We don't know if the villagers will stumble upon us here or not. It's not safe to be alone!" Salmoneus demanded weakly.
"I can go with her and watch; I mean watch over her. No! I mean watch out for her; you know, keep watch?" Iolaus thought about crawling under a rock as he firmly put his foot in his mouth.
"I thought we'd had this discussion before. Iolaus, stay away from my sister," Salmoneus was starting to rise, but Iolaus put a gentle, but firm hand on his shoulder. "Can't you see her life is complicated enough? She doesn't need you to mess it up further. What kind of life do you think she'd have with you? You're always traveling around, and speaking of traveling, you seem to have a woman in every village. Do you think for a moment I want my sister to join herself to a womanizing, self-important, arrogant man like you?" Salmoneus was so upset, he started shaking and coughing. Corinna dropped to his side to give him a drink of water with tears filling her eyes. How could he? How could he be so cruel to a man who stayed up half the night to make sure he was okay? Iolaus didn't deserve this treatment. He was kind and gentle, yet he had a strength and courage that so few men she'd met had. She hadn't really considered it before, but , yes, she could fall desperately, hopelessly in love with this man. This man her brother was wounding. Her thoughts were shattered by Salmoneus' command directed at her. "I forbid you to continue this contact with Iolaus."
"You what? I don't believe this! Just because you have visions of being Hercules' brother-in-law doesn't mean that I want that. You have no right to demand I do anything. I'm not a child anymore. Trust me; I know what's best for my life, and if I want to be with him, it's none of your business!" she shouted at him. With that said, she was back on her feet again; she turned and ran into the woods leaving two men who were very special to her staring at the ground.
"Iolaus, I'm sorry I said some pretty stupid things. I just want the best...," he started.
"And I don't quite qualify, do I? Look, we'll talk later. You're right it isn't safe for her to be alone out there." Iolaus replied downhearted.
Suddenly, their painful exchange was torn by a scream. It ripped both hearts to shreds as they realized it was Corinna's.
Iolaus took off in the direction of the screams. Each step seemed to take an eternity. When he finally crashed through the bushes into a clearing, his heart froze at the terrifying vision before him. Hera's archers surrounded Corinna with their arrows pointing outward aimed at anyone who might approach them while the head archer held a knife to her throat. Iolaus could see red pearls of blood beading at her neck as evidence that the leader meant business.
"One step closer and your body will become like a sieve!" she sneered at him. He could see a controlled terror in Corinna's eyes. They pleaded with him to stay back. She was oblivious to the danger facing her; she could only think of the snare Iolaus would find himself in. Iolaus took another step toward her but hesitated when the leader continued, "If youcare nothing for your own life, you might want to consider the life of this storyteller. If you try anything, this trickle will become a flood."
"What do you want?" he said through clenched teeth.
"If you ever expect to see this one alive again, have Hercules come to Hera's temple by sunset!" she shouted as she backed toward her horse. She had Corinna thrown across her horse, and she mounted glaring at Iolaus in contempt.
"Wait! Which temple? You can't expect him to...," but he was just shouting at horses galloping away. He made his way back to Salmoneus dreading what he had to tell him. Despair must have been written all over his face because the way he was feeling was reflected in the look on Salmoneus' face. Hercules always said that Iolaus wasn't good at hiding his feelings. He related the threat made against Corinna and the conditions to get her back. However, Iolaus neglected to tell him about the slit cut into her throat. The man was in no condition to be fully aware of what his little sister was suffering; it was hard enough on Iolaus.
"Don't worry; we'll get her back," Iolaus reassured him confidently.
"Hercules and I always manage to come out on top in situations like these."
"Except when they involve family and people you love," shot back a dejected Salmoneus. He laid back against a tree wincing at the pain shooting through his side. All they could do was wait for Hercules before they could find her. Each one pushed from his mind the fate that would be waiting on them at Hera's temple.
Hercules noticed from a distance that Corinna was not at the campsite, and instinctively he knew something drastic had happened. The melancholy hung over them like a vicious fog. When he finally arrived at the camp, they sprang the story on him like a lion pounces on its prey. He tried to decipher what they were saying which was difficult considering they were both trying to talk at the same time. "Iolaus, tell me again Hera's archers' conditions for Corinna's release."
"They said that you had to be at Hera's temple before sunset, but they didn't tell me which temple. We need to hurry or she'll...," Iolaus stopped. He didn't want to think about the consequences of their delay. "Come on, we have some tracking to do."
"Aren't you forgetting about Salmoneus? No, Iolaus, you have to stay here and take care of him," instructed Hercules.
"Hey, you can't go after them alone. And you know you won't be able to track them as fast as I can. Why don't we take him to the next village on our way? We can leave him with a healer, and go rescue Corinna." Iolaus was making a valid case when another opinion was voice.
"Surely you don't think I'm going to lie somewhere while my sister's life is in danger? I'm going with you!" insisted Salmoneus.
"Are you crazy? Look, I know how you feel about your sister, but remember, you were shot yesterday. We spent the better part of the night trying to bring you out of your fever; not to mention, you lost alot of blood. We'll be able to help Corinna faster if you cooperate," reasoned Iolaus.
Salmoneus grudgingly put aside his pride and agreed with their plan. They put together a stretcher constructed from branches, vines, and a blanket. Hercules inspected their handiwork and decided it would have to do. They gently lifted Salmoneus onto the stretcher and tucked the blanket around him. "I suppose you'll want a bedtime story as well," joked Iolaus.
"Very funny. If you don't mind, shouldn't we be on our way?"
So, they traveled along the road after Iolaus found the archers' tracks. Hercules shuddered as he remembered the last time they found themselves trailing Hera's archers. Salmoneus made some comment about shaking the stretcher, and Iolaus grinned, "Yep, he's getting better." They had traveled for some time with no promise of a village in sight. Iolaus was following the tracks so intensely that he almost missed it. Someone was following them. He looked to Hercules and saw him nod slightly.
They were abruptly attacked. Hera's fanatic army had them surrounded. Of course, the condition to go to an unnamed temple was just a ruse. They had been set up. Iris stood by the archer leader and announced that she would bring the message of Hercules' defeat to Hera. She summoned her rainbow to travel to Olympus when she heard Hercules address her. "Iris, why are you a part of this? You are not evil, yet you've stooped to deception, kidnapping, and treachery. How could you do this?"
"You mistake my actions. I am simply a messenger to Hera. I make no moral judgments, but I do as I am commanded. None of this has been nor should be taken as personal," she replied in a cold, indifferent manner.
Hercules carefully laid Salmoneus on the ground away from where he planned his first assault. Iolaus was searching for Corinna in the crowd of hostile beings when her brother first caught sight of her. Her gray eyes were barely recognizable as they were nearly swollen shut. Bruises mottled her fair skin, and the cut at her neck, though not deep, threatened to become infected. She was tied to a tree to witness the destruction of heroes, and the final consequence to her stories. Would she be able, if she survived, to tell this story? Her heart sank as she recognized the man on the stretcher. Would she also be responsible for her brother's death? She cringed as she felt a hand crack across her face. She saw rage in three men's eyes, and she closed hers in hopes they would not lose control and lose the battle.
Always ready for a fight, Iolaus charged headlong into the battle. He wanted to tear them apart bare handed, but reason interrupted rage, and he grabbed his sword.
Hercules, on the other hand, was more cautious and made the warriors come to him. His fist shot out with the force of a boulder let loose from a catapult, and three warriors found themselves simultaneously several paces from the battle. It's hard to wage war when flying through the air in a semi-conscious state. Hercules stepped up to the next group of warriors, hoisted an unlucky soldier, and unceremoniously treated him like a battering ram. His fellow fighters certainly felt battered.
Metal against metal, Iolaus' sword was a defensive weapon as Hera's devotees outnumbered and threatened to overpower him. He caught sight of Corinna's battered form and fought back with a renewed fierceness that even surprised him. Desperate aggressiveness could describe his attack strategy as his sword struck metal to flesh. His main goal was to dispense with these wicked disciples so he could free Corinna. And so he fought on.
In the thick of battle, an unnoticed figure had slowly lifted himself off the stretcher. His goal was to likewise liberate his sister. He wanted to be in the battle this time. He actually wanted to feel the archer's heart stop beating. What was he thinking?! She wasn't even mortal, but that didn't keep him from wanting retribution for what she had done to Corinna. He crawled unobtrusively along the fringe of the fighting. Every now and then, he had to stop to avoid being struck with one of Hercules' amazing flying villains. Even as he was risking his life to free his sister, he considered how many tickets he could sell to an event billed as such. He reminded himself to approach Hercules about it after he rescued his sister. No one noticed him as he finally reached the ropes that had Corinna bound to the tree. Painfully, he struggled up to untie the ropes, and they both collapsed to the ground. He held her as he had when she was just a baby and muttered comforting words to her. She saw him covered with blood and was horrified as she remembered his wound. True it was weeping, but most of the blood came from their enemies.
Hercules had dispatched the last of his consignment when helplessly all three onlookers saw Iolaus' last enemy find his mark.
A hoarse scream wrenched from Corinna's throat as they witnessed Iolaus fall to the ground. Hercules reached the unfortunate author of this brutality and launched him high into the trees. A weakened Salmoneus held a hysterical Corinna back as Hercules approached his fallen friend. He tried to stem the flow of blood from the gash in his head. It didn't really look that bad, but Hercules knew head wounds could be deceiving. The first thing he needed to do was to get him to regain consciousness. They seemed to stop breathing as they waited for those blue eyes appear.
"Iolaus? Iolaus? Iolaus, you've got to wake up. Can you hear me? Iolaus, come on!" Hercules pleaded with his friend. The other two gathered around him and made the same plea. When Corinna took his hand in hers, that simple action seemed to do the trick.
"Herc? Corinna's safe?" he asked. He seemed to relax when Hercules informed him that they were all fine except him. Iolaus' next announcement momentarily caused a collective chill as he stated, "Herc, I can't see!"
Then Hercules saw through his friend, "Open your eyes, Iolaus."
"Oh yeah, I forgot," then he burst into a giggle that in turn slapped his aching head.
"Not funny, Iolaus. Very not funny. We were worried about you!" Corinna stated. Then, he looked up at her and flashed that "gotta love me" smile, and she also giggled, "Ooh, that hurts." Iolaus became concerned with her injuries as well as he searched her face and neck.
"You know, you really ought to see a healer," he advised. Hercules and Salmoneus looked at each other in disbelief. Then they started their own painful laughter as Corinna and Iolaus looked confused; then they were all caught up in the absurdity of injury wracked people giving medical advice to others. Their reprieve was cut short by six menacing archers with their arrows pointed straight at them. Too injured to even fight, the three observed a very weary Hercules stand up to them. Unsure of what his tactic would be, he knew he couldn't let Hera win this battle.
Suddenly, they were surrounded by bright multicolored lights as nine figures materialized around the foursome. They looked on in astonishment as all nine muses stood between the mortals and Hera's archers.
"I don't think you want to take us on," threatened Calliope. "Tell Hera her plan didn't work this time either."
Melpomene added, " And tell that witch, if she ever has someone impersonate one of us again, all future stories about her will include her magnificent ugliness and the tragedy of her lack of intelligence."
The archers knew they were no match for these angry goddesses, and they vanished with the veiled threat that the battle may have been over, but the war had barely begun.
Melpomene reached out to Corinna and touched her wounds at her neck and face. "The stories of tragedies must be told, but they must be the truth. Otherwise, great stories disintegrate into plain gossip.
Guard your heart against such things." She whispered something else into her ear and vanished. Each muse in turn touched her wounds and implanted a deep secret into her heart. Erato giggled as she shared hers, and Iolaus felt a little uncomfortable as muse and Corinna looked in his directions as they giggled. Calliope was the last to gift her. She spoke aloud, "Corinna, treasure the gifts you've been given. You've always been a favorite of my storytellers. Keep telling the tales of demigods, heroes, and epic adventures, but get them right. By the way, he's his friend, not his nephew." She winked at Iolaus, kissed her half-brother on the cheek, and then vanished. In her place was a potion left as a gift from Apollo.
Hercules recognized it as a healing potion and turned to Corinna first, but she didn't need it anymore. The muses' touch was enough, and she had an almost unearthly beauty about her. She seemed to radiate true beauty, knowledge, creativity, and love. Hercules administered it to Salmoneus first and was amazed as the wound seemed to heal immediately from the inside out. There wasn't even a scar left. Iolaus didn't even feel the potion going down his throat until he choked. He'd been staring at Corinna. His head wound slowly disappeared, and pain was replaced by an incredible feeling of well-being. They all said their private thanks to their benefactors and made their way to the next village in almost a sacred silence.
The foursome enjoyed the companionship over the next few days. They each tried to outdo themselves in storytelling. At one point, they seemed to be having a "most embarrassing moment" contest. They decided it was a toss up between Salmoneus' adventure with Cupid's arrow and Iolaus' episode with the Sword of Veracity. Though Corinna wasn't sure why she didn't particularly care for the Sword story.
The day they were to depart, Iolaus and Corinna walked ahead to the fork in privacy. They held hands, laughed, and teared up as the inevitable was on the verge of happening. He hadn't felt this at ease with anyone in a long time. He wasn't trying to prove himself with her, and their friendship had taken root in his heart. Maybe this was where true love begins. He considered his feelings for her when she spoke what they both knew to be the only path for them.
"Iolaus, I have to go. The timing isn't just right now; I have to try and correct the misunderstandings I've caused. That's why I have to go back to Naupaktos. I thought all I was doing was telling just a story; now I've got to set that story straight. Salmoneus will help me do this, but I really have to go."
"Corinna, wait. Maybe we could work this out," but in his heart, he knew it was pointless. They each had a destiny to fulfill. And so he held her tightly one last time and completed the kiss started so long ago. They waited in companionable silence when the remembrance of that first kiss surfaced. They looked at each other and began laughing again.
Hercules and Salmoneus approached them to find them both on their knees holding onto each other as giggles ravaged their senses. Hercules and Salmoneus both sighed.
"Iolaus?"
"Yes, Salmoneus?"
"Stay away from my sister," this time said with a giggle of his own.
They said farewell with a promise to keep in touch and parted company; each pair going in the opposite direction.
"You know it would be an impossible relationship," inserted Salmoneus into her private thoughts.
She grinned as she remembered Erato's gift, "Maybe not as impossible as you think." She could have sworn she heard a voice say,"Now that's just a story worth waiting for."
Epilogue:
Late at night, a simple Boeotian farmer sat by candlelight. He remembered advice given to him by a young storyteller years before; Hesiod tried to remember as
accurately as he could the stories she told him, and he began Theogony, the history of the gods.
This website and its contents are not intended in any way to infringe upon the rights or copyrights of any other party, including those of Renaissance, Universal, or
MCA. The fiction appearing here does so with proper consent and was written by fans for fans not profit.