"Okay, everybody follow close, but don't get too close to the fire," Carmella ordered. "'Cause fire can cause you to get a big ouchie and need a bandage. Iolaus is gonna need all the bandages." Alysa grabbed the remaining damp blanket and almost chuckled as all the children, even the older ones, agreed with this 5 year old's wisdom in all seriousness..

Once again someone was following the pale blue thread to the room of colors, as Carmella began to describe it. All of them kept close making sure they all knew where everyone was. From time to time, they would stop when the cavern would rumble, and Alysa took that time to do a short roll call. They all answered when their names were called except Matthus. He never left Alysa's side anyway, and he simply squeezed tighter the hand that held his. Once they had reached the end of the soft dirt, Carmella pointed at the dancing light in the tunnel. They all gasped, including Alysa, at the beauty of the distant room.

They reluctantly walked into the bright room, and they were trying to keep from crying at the sight. Theodorus was pushing his shirt so hard on the wound to keep it from bleeding more that his arms were trembling. Alysa rushed over to Iolaus and the boy and began to help. Theodorus was so intently trying to stop the bleeding that he barely noticed anyone else in the room. When Alysa moved next to him, he jumped. Looking down at the blood on his hands and back up to his surrogate mother, Theodorus let the grown-up facade he was showing crumble. He started crying unashamed, yet he did not release the cloth. Alysa threw her arms around him and allowed him to finally release the torrent he had been holding in. Now with someone else there, he felt the need to be a child again. And this child was worried.

Matthus quietly walked over to Iolaus and touched his face. The light gentle touch reached the hero, and he found himself staring into the most serious 3 year old he had ever seen. It was almost dreamlike. He heard the other children sniffling, whispering , and the sobs of someone else in a strangely colored room. In front of him though, was a very silent child. Suddenly he winced as he returned fully to his conscious state. "Matthus! Are the others here too?" he asked weakly.

Matthus nodded while Alysa released Theodorus and quickly positioned herself next to Matthus.

"We're here, Iolaus. But we really have to stop this bleeding. Theodorus has stopped some of it, but I'm afraid once he releases the pressure, it will be worse."

Iolaus nodded. He knew that the wound needed stitches, but he closed his eyes as he also realized that there was no way for her to do that since she certainly didn't even have a sewing needle on her. When she started tearing strips from her dress, his eyes flew open again. Tears came to his eyes as all of the children wanted her to tear a strip from the bottom of their dresses or shirts.

"Now, Iolaus," Alysa began, "we can't bandage you through your pants. We're going to have to get them off of you." Matthus sitting quietly next to her staring at Iolaus widened his eyes and turned his head slowly to look at her in disbelief. When he looked back to Iolaus, he found the grown-up with the same look on his face. "What?" she said slightly impatiently with a giggle.

It was difficult to speak with his face anchored to the floor of the mine, but he stammered, "Well, um, you see. This is a little awkward." If he weren't so pale, he would be blushing furiously. "I mean, um. Well, you know the children are here. And well, I hardly know you..." He winced at his own clumsiness at his last statement.

This started Alysa laughing so hard that she gave her skirt a tear up the side instead of acrossthe grain. Then it was her turn to blush as she realized a great portion of her leg was now exposed. "Ahem, I know you might be embarrassed a bit, but some of the older boys can hold up the blanket while I bandage your wound. As for me, well, you know I was married, and I'm sure I won't see anything I haven't seen before." Iolaus widened his eyes again and started choking. "I mean..well...it's just that. Never mind, Iolaus. We have to do this. And stop that coughing. I know that's only for my benefit," she said slyly. Iolaus immediately stopped on cue. Matthus stared at Iolaus with an upraised eyebrow and slowly shook his head from side to side.

Alysa got two of the older boys to hold the blanket to allow Iolaus some sense of modesty.Then, she shooed all of the children, except Theodorus to the other side of the blanket. "Theodorus," she whispered tenderly. He opened his eyes again and showed the exhaustion that was taking up residence in there. "Theodorus, in just a minute, I'm going to need you to let go of his wound. Then I'll need your help in removing his pants. I know you're tired, but please try to hold on a little longer. I'll need you to help me bandage it properly."

Theodorus nodded slowly, "I'll be ready. You can rely on me, Alysa."

"You certainly can," resonated a weak tenor voice that caused Theodorus to swell with pride.

"Okay, Iolaus, I'm going to roll you on your side. Don't worry! I'll close my eyes. Anyway once you are on your side, you'll need to unbuckle your belts and laces, and we'll help you do the rest." She noticed the embarrassment reaching a new level. So, she tried to ease it. "Look, we're onlygoing to remove the leather pants. We won't take off anything else. Unless...You are wearing something under these pants aren't you?"

Iolaus looked at her indignantly and groaned, "Of course I am! Now, can we get on with it before I lose what little pride I'll undoubtedly not have when this is all over."

"I'm sorry, Iolaus. I really don't mean to embarrass you. Will you forgive me? And would you please start unbuckling your pants?"

Iolaus gasped to realize that she and Theodorus had already maneuvered him onto his side. He marveled at how painlessly this was done. Of course, his mind was on other things, and he guessed that was what kept him distracted. With a sigh of resignation, he unbuckled his belts and began to loosen his pants when he looked up into Alysa's eyes. "Well, I thought you were going to close your eyes at this point. Hmmm?"

Theodorus in his own exasperation cried out, "Oh quit being such a baby, Uncle Iolaus, and let her help you! My arms are getting really tired, and I don't think I can keep this up much longer. She's like a mom anyway. What are you worried about?"

"Well...nevermind. You're right, Theodorus. I'm sorry. Okay. They're undone. Now can we please get on with it. Go ahead, Alysa. Humiliate at will," he said chuckling this time.

Alysa grasped his pants but looked firmly into his eyes as she inched them below his hips. She began to feel a little warm, and she began to blush herself. She had peeled the black leather down to the point where Theodorus still tried to stem the tide. As she reached his hands, she shouted in frustration, "Blasted Bauccae's Beard!" The children on the other side of the blanket gulped and looked in shock as they heard her. The boys holding the blanket jerked their heads to look to each other.

"What now? Oh..." he groaned again. "My boots! My boots are still on!" Iolaus held back the torrent of words he desperately wanted to release. He looked in surprise as a Matthus calmly walked around to his side of the blanket and knelt at his feet. He pulled one lace then the other, and with great effort for a 3 year old, slipped Iolaus's boots off of his feet. He ,then, just as businesslike walked back around to the other side of the blanket. Iolaus's eyes followed him around and laughed weakly. "Thank you, Matthus." Matthus stuck just his head back around the blanket and nodded then returned to his seat with Carmella. While Alysa was busy, Matthus clung to Carmella's hand.

"Okay, Theodorus, let go." Theodorus fell back and shook with the pent up tension that had been in his arms. Alysa quickly grabbed the back of Iolaus's leg to hold the wound closed. He was still losing blood, but at a much slower rate Theodorus had told her. Theodorus took up where Alysa had left off and tossed the crumpled bloody, and torn black leather next to his boots.

"Hey, careful there buddy. Those are my best pants!" Iolaus said in all earnest. He looked mildly hurt when the whole cavern erupted in laughter and giggling. Alysa herself had to restrain from giving in to it by squeezing the wound a little tighter. "All right, but those are my lucky pants. Do you think you could fix them when this is all over?"

Alysa said, "Let's worry about fixing you up first. I'm afraid this is going to hurt, but we'll have to bind the wound pretty tightly. I wish I had some water to clean the wound." Iolaus sighed in agreement.

Suddenly, they heard a small voice from the other side of the blanket. It was Carmella, "Alysa, I found some water. I guess when it was raining, some of the water came down here."

Theodorus jumped and ran around to stand before her. He looked dusty and tired, and he had blood all over his hands. But he looked hopeful. "Show me where it is, Carmella." She grabbed him by the hand and pulled him to a small puddle of water. Since it pooled inside a weathered crystal, the water looked clean, and Theodorus allowed the widest grin he'd had all day. "It's clean, Alysa!" The rest of the children cheered; though most of them didn't really have a clue what they were cheering about, the excitement in his voice was contagious.

Theodorus jumped down from the perch and helped Carmella down as well. Then, he bolted around the blanket past his exhaustion and stood face to face with Alysa. She said, "Take one of the bandages and soak it in the water; then, come back quickly. She smiled down at Iolaus trying to keep from shivering. What was she thinking! He must be freezing with only his vest and his...well...his. She stopped before she let her mind go any further. "Children! Iolaus is getting cold. Is there anything we can put around him?" She was startled to hear more tearing of fabric. Then quietly around the blanket walked Matthus. He took the strips of cloth and laid them across Iolaus like a patchwork quilt. Iolaus smiled when Matthus took the largest strip and tried to cover his embarrassment. It wasn't as warm as a blanket, but he felt warmer. Theodorus returned with the torch and with the water soaked bandaged. He handed the cloth to Alysa and firmly anchored the torch in the ground in front of Iolaus. The torch was close enough to put out a little warmth but far enough away to keep from burning him. Iolaus held out his hand to the boy and held on.

Alysa saw them and told Theodorus to stay right where he was. "You can squeeze my hand, Uncle Iolaus. It's all right. When Alysa sewed up my chin last month, that's what Samarias told me to do. Really it helps. Try it. I'm strong enough," declared the child.

Iolaus smiled and nodded. Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, he calmed himself and relaxed. Then as he opened his eyes again he concentrated on the glow of the torch, and Iolaus gently griped Theodorus's hand.

Alysa tried to work quickly, but she knew that she had better be thorough. The water was cold and caused him to shiver more, but she thought the cold water might also help stop the bleeding, so she methodically cleaned the wound. The cold was helping some though it didn't stop it completely. "Hold on Iolaus. I'll wrap it in just a minute." She raised his leg and began binding it securely with the strips of cloth. She layered the cloth and from time to time would tie tiny knots to hold the strips together. Once she had bound them securely, she touched Iolaus's shoulder gently and said, "I'm finished now." She noticed through the whole ordeal, Iolaus had stared into the flame of the torch and held Theodorus's hand. Small beads of sweat had popped out on his forehead. She repeated herself, and he took a deep breath and shuddered. Now that he was bandaged as properly as he could be, Alysa stepped to the blanket and told the two boys they could release the blanket. It felt sufficiently dry by now; so, Alysa gently covered Iolaus with their picnic blanket.

As soon as she did, all of the children tentatively inched closer to Iolaus. The older ones hung on to the edge of the blanket while Carmella and Matthus reached out and held lightly to his hair. Iolaus smiled at the warmth, tenderness, and love he felt and relaxed into it. "Why don't you rest now, Iolaus. I think you're going to need a little strength to get out of here, " whispered Alysa. "Why don't we all try to rest for a bit?" she said leaning against the wall with Matthus and Carmella. Theodorus curled against Iolaus's back, being very careful to not come in contact with his wounded leg. Alysa wondered at how quickly the child was asleep. He and Iolaus were snoring softly in unison.

Her smile was replaced by a frown as she noted the sky through the hole in the ceiling. She had been so intensely preoccupied with caring for Iolaus, Alysa hadn't noticed the approaching nightfall. As she sighed, she heard Matthus's tummy rumble. Carmella looked up to her sleepily and whimpered, "I'm hungry too, Alysa."

This started echoing affirmations throughout the cavern. The mumbling and unintentional whining woke Iolaus from a shallow sleep. His own stomach reflected what the little ones were complaining of. He sighed in frustration. "I should be getting these kids out of here. Look at me; I'm just as helpless as these little guys," he muttered under his breath. Alysa jumped to see him try to get up and rushed to his side.

"Oh no you don't. I spent too much time and embarrassment for you to get up and start that wound bleeding again. We also don't have any other bandages. So, just lay back down there right now, Mister!" Alysa punctuated her speech with a gentle nudge and pushed him back to the ground.

This woke up Theodorus, and he muttered groggily, "You better do what she says, Iolaus. Or you'll be in big trouble." Then, he rolled over and nodded off.

Iolaus smiled at the wisdom given him and laid back down, "I'm just feeling a little guilty, Alysa. Samarias trusted me to take care of you today. And well, I just felt like I let you and the kids down."

She slid her hand inside his and leaned down so he wouldn't have to strain to hear her. "Iolaus, you didn't let anyone down today," she whispered. "You gave strength and hope to two children who have had little in their lifetime. I wish you could have seen the way that little girl half asleep over there guided us with confidence and pride. Earlier today she didn't think she could do anything right. And that little one behind you, so much wanting to be like his hero, learned about teamwork and trust. He's had so few people to trust in his lifetime, and he's had few people who put there trust in him. No, I don't think you let any of these kids down today."

Iolaus gently squeezed her hand and looked searchingly into her eyes, "And what about you? I let you down."

She scooted closer to him and whispered even softer to him. Gentle tears gathered in her eyes as she said, "No Iolaus, you haven't let me down. Do you want to know why my father didn't want me to go alone today?" She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "One year ago today, my husband and child were killed in an accident. Cyleus was just barely three, but he thought he was grown. I was in arguing with the butcher about some stupid thing when Cyleus saw his father across the street. He just started walking to him. I should have held his hand; I should have kept an eye on him. It was just a stupid piece of meat," she started sobbing quietly. She didn't want the children to hear, but they were very quiet, and they heard. Iolaus released her hand and pulled her closer. His heart broke for her while she wept silently for a few moments. Then, she took a deep breath and continued with her story. "My husband saw him enter the street and yelled for him to get back, but Cyleus was determined to go to his daddy. My husband saw the soldiers on their horses charging through the streets. He knew they'd never stop for Cyleus; so, he ran into the street to save him. They both were trampled by the soldiers' horses. My husband tried to use is body as a shield, but..." she couldn't finish.

Iolaus pulled her tighter to him. "Today," she whispered, "Today, you helped me focus on these children's needs. I'm not the only one who has ever faced heartache. And I'm sure I won't be the last to face it. Your strength and confidence that helped these children, helped me to realize I can go on."

Iolaus smiled as he saw a tiny hand rest on her shoulder, and soon another joined that one. Pretty soon they were both surrounded by all of the children. Some of them weeping for a grown up; some of them weeping for themselves; some were just quietly resting in the security these two grown ups had given them. They all snuggled together that night and stayed warm in body and soul.

The first ray of sunlight into their room of colors was like a brilliant light bursting into the room, and Matthus rose first. He frowned as his tummy growled very loudly; then, he looked to Iolaus as his stomach answered much more loudly than his, and Iolaus opened his eyes and winked at the little one. He tried to rise, but there were children, and Alysa, all around him. His back ached along with his leg which he discovered to feel a bit wet. He carefully looked around and was almost relieved to discover that it had started bleeding again and not something else. He touched Alysa's face gently to wake her.

"I think I have a problem here," he cocked his eyes toward his leg, and she gasped to see the small red stain on the blanket. Matthus frowned as he stretched his neck around to peek at what Iolaus was talking about. Alysa's small gasp seemed to act as well as a rooster crowing because now all of the children were awake and mumbling about being hungry. Theodorus rose and looked immediately at the leg. He'd hoped that he hadn't kicked it in the night. As if he could read his mind, Iolaus turned slightly and told him, "No, Theodorus, you're not responsible. You'd have heard me yelp if you had kicked me." He was trying to sound chipper. He wasn't fooling anyone.

Carmella said, "I think we need to get out of here now." Theodorus threw her a look of amazement. He almost replied something quite caustic and sarcastic, but he just decided that it was just early, and he never did like waking early.

He just said matter-of-factly, "How do we do that, Carmella?"

She pointed to the hole in the ceiling, and Iolaus grinned. "That-a-girl!" he thought.

"But, Iolaus, that's pretty high up there. And the hole is pretty narrow. I don't think I can get through it," said Theodorus.

"Maybe I can," said Carmella.

Iolaus raised up slightly, "No, I'm all right, Alysa. Help me off with this blanket."

"You know, Iolaus," Theodorus simply stated, "you still don't have any pants on."

"Okay, Theodorus, I'm gonna take your advice and not be such a baby. Besides, Matthus here supplied me with all of these strips...All these strips!" That's it!" gasped Iolaus, and he began to tear the blanket into long strips. He began to weaken so Theodorus, Carmella, and the others began tearing the blanket as well. Iolaus turned to Alysa and whispered, " Please help me to the wall."

She wasn't so sure moving him around was a wise idea, but she let him drape his arm across her shoulder, and Matthus quickly stood under him so he could push up from the ground. Alysa threw both arms around him, and the two of them helped him to the wall next to the hole. He looked up and tried to gauge just how far the top was and wondered if he'd have the strength to get their makeshift rope to the mouth of the small tunnel. Alysa helped him find a small perch to elevate his leg. It was beginning to bleed more now that he was moving about, but he had to get them out of there, and she knew he was right.

"I wish I had my dagger. We're going to need some weight on the end of this 'rope'," he muttered to himself. Carmella brought to him the crystal shard that had acted like a dagger the day before.

"Will this work?" she asked hesitantly.

"Will it work? You're a genius, sweety!" Iolaus grabbed her and laughed brightly. Carefully the children brought the blanket strips to Iolaus, and he tied it securely to the crystal. "You children tied these strips like experts. I'm very proud of you!" he said as he tested each knot. Then drawing strength and support from Alysa, Iolaus stood underneath the hole and threw the spike with all of his might. Though it reached the top, it didn't anchor properly, and they scattered as quickly as they could when they saw its return flight back to the cavern. Iolaus grimaced as the jarring further caused a stabbing pain in his leg. He was weakening fast. The lack of food and loss of blood was taking its toll. He turned to Alysa and told her, "You'll have to throw it this time. I ...can't." He drew in such a ragged breath is frightened them all. She quickly lowered him to the ground and tried to make him comfortable.

"Iolaus, you're so much stronger than I am. I don't know if I can do this," she stated anxiously.

"Sure you can," came a calm voice that was Carmella's. "Iolaus says that girls can help. Women even help him and Hercules. You can do it, Alysa. You can be strong, and you can be a helper." The others echoed her confidence in the woman.

Alysa felt Matthus's hand slip in hers again and squeeze. She looked down at him, and he nodded. So, Alysa took the crystal shard tied to the blanket strips. She stood under their escape route, grasped the shard firmly, said a quick prayer to any of the gods who would bestow athletic ability, and launched the crystal with all her might. She still had her eyes closed when she heard the cheers go up. The clink at the top signaled her success. "I did it! I did it!" She danced around with each of the children; then, she heard Iolaus moan. The wound seemed to be completely open now. "Hurry children! Who can fit through the hole?" They all pointed to Carmella.

Carmella beamed with pride and confidence once again as she grasped the blanket rope. They gave her a boost up, but half way there, they saw her back down. Tearfully she plopped on the floor of the cavern. Theodorus asked her what was wrong, and she answered, "It gets smaller. I can't get through." All of the children looked to Iolaus as he seemed to grow paler.

"I'll go!" answered a very small unfamiliar voice. They all turned around to its source. There standing in the throes of staunch determination was Matthus. "I said....I'll go!" he repeated. Alysa rushed to him from Iolaus's side.