"I'm telling you, Herc, the lion skin has to go. You have a certain reputation to uphold and the lion skin doesn't do it."

"Do what?" Hercules asked, baffled as usual by his diminutive blond companion. They were wandering through the market place, munching on spicy hot sausages smothered in onions and wrapped in bread buns

"Give you the image you want," Iolaus explained, daintily licking his fingertips clean of the last few crumbs.

"What image?"

Iolaus came to a halt and glared at him in exasperation, the mid summer sea breeze whipping up the streets turning his long hair into a froth of golden curls. He looked like a kid who belonged in school not roaming around loose and unguarded. "Sometimes I think you pretend to be deliberately obtuse on purpose," he grumbled.

"What's obtuse mean?" Hercules asked plaintively.

Iolaus eyed him suspiciously until Hercules could no longer restrain himself and grinned. The young hunter thumped him in the ribs. "You know damn well what it means, it means you’re thick," he grumbled at him as the demi-god completely ignored the light blow.

"Well, come on, why should I care what image I have?"

"Care? Of course you should care! You’re the son of Zeus!"

"Sssh, not so loud. You want everyone to hear?"

"Yeah." Planting his hands on his hips, Iolaus shook his head, curls tossing. "Hey, everyone! Hercules is…."

Hercules clapped one hand over his mouth and yanked him against his side. "Shhh!" he hissed frantically.

"Mbffl?!!!"

"What?" Blue eyes glinting with sparks of bronze glared up at him and Hercules relented a little, loosening his grip a fraction; mostly because he had had a feeling Iolaus would bite him if he didn't. "Iolaus, I really don't want everyone to know."

"Mbbfl?!"

"Now who's pretending to be obtuse! Because I want to be who I am, not who everyone thinks I am. You know that!"

Iolaus frowned. "Mbbf?"

"If they know I'm the son of Zeus they'll make exceptions for me."

Iolaus sighed gustily and slumped. Hercules cautiously let him go, ready to grab him again if he looked like he was going to yell. "There are times you know when you can be really annoying, you know that?" the hunter complained. "What's the point of being…."

"Don't," Hercules rumbled warningly, starting to walk ahead.

"..if you’re not going to take advantage of it?" Iolaus finished, falling into step with him.

Hercules matched his long strides to his without thinking. "It wouldn't be fair."

Iolaus considered this thoughtfully. "So, what you need is a way for you to make your reputation as a hero," he mused.

"Not necessarily."

"Not necessarily? What's that supposed to mean?"

"Who says I want to be a hero?"

"You did! Practically every day we were at the Academy!"

"Maybe I changed my mind."

Iolaus came to a halt and stared at him, then had to scramble to catch up. "What are you up to?" he demanded.

"Nothing. Do you think maybe it's time we went home?"

"No," Iolaus said simply.

"How about back to Aeneas? See how he's doing."

"Probably much better without us."

"Okay. Maybe we should drop by the Academy and…"

"Why are you making excuses?" Iolaus frowned. "I thought we were off to find adventure and excitement and beautiful women and…"

"So far we’ve fought one lion which nearly bit your arm off and one Hydra which nearly killed the pair of us. If this is adventure and excitement I'm not sure I'm ready for it."

"Boy, have you changed the plan," Iolaus retorted.

Glancing down at him, Hercules sighed. "It's okay to want to do these things theoretically but when it comes down to it…"

"You’re either alive or you’re not," Iolaus interrupted. "You want to go home, settle down on the farm, find some woman and get fat and happy? Fine. You do it. But you'll be doing it without me. Me? I plan to see the world first!" Lifting his head proudly, he stalked on ahead in a huff.

"Iolaus? Aw, Iolaus, come on!" Hercules scuttled after him, ruefully aware that Iolaus was oblivious to the attention he was drawing as usual. Men and women alike tended to check out the blond hunter when he; well, he liked to say stalked but Hercules tended to think there was a bit of a flounce in there as well at times. Iolaus had a subconscious instinct to flirt at all times. "There are lots of people out there who are much better than us at killing monsters."

"Ah hah, a crisis of confidence!"

"No, it's not that at all," Hercules grumbled.

Iolaus waved his hands. "Look around you, Herc, we'd never have seen any of this if we’d stayed in Thebes."

"Yeah, so we could get our throats cut here instead of back home."

Folding his arms, Iolaus came to a halt and gazed up at him in disbelief. "Why so gloomy?" he wondered and softened a fraction. "You really want to go home?"

"Well, some time, yeah. But…"

"But what?"

"Well, I know you want to go to Athens, but…"

"There you go with the but again. Come on, spill it!"

Hercules hesitated for a moment, then grabbed his arm and towed his friend back across the market square to the shady tree in the centre. He pointed at the new poster that had been tacked to its trunk. "I thought maybe, instead of being heroic, we could maybe be tourists for once?"

Iolaus gave him a blank look. "That's why I wanted to go to Athens. They do nude plays there you know. With nude women in them. It's the latest thing."

"But if we do this, we could have fun without having to get chewed on by anything," Hercules prompted hopefully.

"I wouldn't mind getting chewed on by naked women."

"Knowing you it'd be the men."

"Hercules!"

Hercules waved one arm. "Read it, Iolaus!"

Shrugging and giving him a dirty look, Iolaus read the poster aloud obediently. "Do you seek adventure and excitement? Do you yearn to see exotic new islands, meet beautiful friendly women, taste delicious new foods and come back rich and famous?"

"Sounds good, huh?" Hercules prompted hopefully.

"What's the catch?" Iolaus muttered suspiciously.

"Don't be so cynical. You’re far too young for that."

"Too young?!"

"An exiled prince seeks…." Hercules started to read.

"Ah, that'd be the catch," Iolaus murmured. "And you’re to old to be so gullible."

"Seeks the help of stalwart men who wish to become true heroes, remembered for all time for joining this fabulous quest…" Hercules continued determinedly, ignoring him.

"Who writes this stuff?" Iolaus muttered. "He's got more wind than Boreas."

"This is the chance of a lifetime for the brave few who dare to go where no man has gone before…"

"Uh oh…" Iolaus shot a quick look up at Hercules and groaned softly at the eager light of battle entering his friend's blue eyes.

"Your chance for fame by helping a prince regain his lost throne…"

"Read, good chance of getting yourself killed helping the wrong guy and nothing to show for it, except get out of the palace quick before he forgets who you are and they execute you to be on the safe side."

"Come to the Games in Iolcus…"

"Iolcus?" Iolaus muttered. "I don't recall anyone saying anything about the them having mislaid a prince. Not since Pelias took over anyway and that was…"

"…and perhaps you too can join this fabulous quest and help to restore a throne to its rightful king." Hercules finished triumphantly and looked down at his friend with a huge grin. "Doesn't it sound wonderful?"

"It sounds like somebody's idea of a get rich quick scheme to me," Iolaus grumbled as Hercules wrapped his arm around his shoulders and squeezed enthusiastically.

"We could be in Iolcus in a couple of days if we catch the ferry," the demi-god enthused happily.

"Herc, are you sure about this? I mean…"

Hercules pulled him a bit closer to the poster. "Look, free food and drink to all accepted contestants," he added.

"I suspect that is an attempt at bribery," Iolaus growled. "Did you write that on there?"

"No, I did not!" Hercules protested indignantly.

"Then someone's been pretty dumb and it's going to cost them a fortune. Everyone's going to turn up."

"Exactly!"

"Exactly?" Iolaus wondered. "Did I miss something?"

"Everyone will be there, Iolaus. Every hero in Greece! It doesn't matter whether we enter or not, it's being there!"

"Is this like that 'It doesn't matter if you win or lose as long as you survive' thing Cheiron used to like saying?"

"Think of it. Think of all those heroes…" Hercules absently squashed him a bit closer until Iolaus started struggling for air, then he let him go.

Straightening his tunic as he caught his breath, Iolaus stepped warily out of reach of another grab. "Does this mean you want to go?"

"Yes," Hercules said simply, giving him an earnest pleading look. Iolaus gazed back for a long moment, then shrugged.

"Okay then. I guess if we grabbed our gear from the taverna we could make the next ferry…Yike!" Iolaus broke off with a yelp as Hercules grabbed his arm and started to tow him back to the inn where they were staying. "Not so fast," he yelped, wriggling free. "We've got plenty of time. And don't think that I'm going to forget that crack about the men, Herc…"

"Of course you will!"

"You'll be lucky!"

* * *

"Iolcus!" Hercules practically purred two days later as he flung back his shoulders and inhaled deeply, popping a button off his tunic. Fresh off the ferry, he was full of enthusiasm. A young woman passing by paused to stare before she remembered her manners and scurried off hastily. "Smell that air, Iolaus! Doesn't it smell of… of…"

"Fish?" Iolaus sniffed, dumping his travel pack at his feet and rubbing his shoulder. It always took him a couple of days to get used to sea travel and he hadn't slept well on board. "And something that smells like…goat?"

"I was thinking of heroism."

"Nope, definitely goat. And it's getting stronger…"

"Hello, young sirs," a grubby individual murmured as he approached.

"That'd explain it," Iolaus snorted, wrinkling his nose at the aroma that came with him.

"Need a guide to our fair city? I can show you the sights. Need a place to stay? I know several excellent tavernas with low prices. Or high if you prefer!" He laughed, rubbing his hands together. "Need a good meal after your trip? Several excellent restaurants are close by this very spot." He looked from one to the other of them, his grin turning slimily lecherous as he nudged Iolaus in the ribs. "How about a couple of women, boys? I know an…"

"No thanks," Hercules said hastily.

"Boys for the boys then? There's a nice discreet little place…"

"I said no thank you," Hercules repeated, grabbing Iolaus before he could attack the man.

A frown crossed their would-be guide's grimy face. "No need to be like that now. Only being helpful to a couple of strangers."

"Oh, we're not strangers," Hercules told him briskly. "We know where we’re going, don't we, Iolaus?"

"We do?"

"We do," Hercules said firmly. "The Captain gave us directions. Come on…" Grabbing Iolaus in one hand and their packs in the other, he set off along the quayside with his friend in tow. Neither of them noticed their guide straighten up and scowl after them in frustration before he vanished back into the crowds.

"So where exactly are we going?" Iolaus demanded when he wriggled free from his friend's grip and caught his breath. "And what's the rush?"

"That guy made me uncomfortable."

"Well, he did look like he might have fleas," Iolaus admitted. "But I don’t think he was dangerous."

"I'm not so sure. He'd probably have lured us into an alleyway and cut our throats."

"You and me? Now is that unlikely or what?"

"He could have had friends."

"You mean his fleas?"

"You know what I mean. It pays to be cautious in a strange city."

"Even one like Iolcus that's packed full of heroes?"

"Don't be sarcastic."

"According to you Iolcus will be the safest place in Greece while the Games are on."

"Yeah, but there's not point in taking chances with someone who may not have heard about them being here."

Iolaus sighed and gave up. Hercules was fixated on this hero thing. He wanted to prove himself to make his father proud of him. True, Iolaus wanted to prove himself too, but for his own sake and to himself. He couldn't have cared less what his father thought of him.

* * *

Iolcus was crowded and noisy and not quite as glamorous as Hercules had been expecting somehow. The directions the ferry captain gave them weren't all that accurate either in the demi-god's opinion; although Iolaus did make one or two sarcastic comments that they might have been more accurate if Hercules had actually listened to them which Hercules naturally ignored.

The third time they ended up in the market place, Iolaus parked Hercules by the fountain and trundled over to a pretty young herbseller. After a little bit of flirting to keep his hand in, he came away with a nosegay of irises that he tucked into his belt and fresh directions. Following these led them out of the crush and through the streets to a large golden stoned building near the beach on the outskirts of the city.

A guard in red and black stopped them at the gateway. "And where are you two off to?" he asked amiably enough.

"We were told the Games were being held here," Hercules explained.

"But if they’re not we can always find some other way to amuse ourselves," Iolaus added, ignoring the exasperated look Hercules gave him.

The guard looked from one to the other of them and chuckled. "You’re a little younger than some," he mused.

"So?" Iolaus retorted, bristling. If it wasn't his height they picked on it was his youth. Could he help it if he still looked like a kid?

"No one mentioned an age limit," Hercules pointed out. "The poster said come to the games. We have skills."

"Do you?"

"What does that mean?" Iolaus rumbled.

The guard chuckled. "Never mind," he said easily. "Go through the gates, turn right and follow the path round. Its quite a labyrinth but if you stay on the path with the white border, you'll be okay. Mendicus will give you a scroll each and admit you. Don't lose the scroll. Once these gates are closed and locked no one else will be allowed to enter. Another couple of hours and you’d have been too late."

Hercules nodded and shooed Iolaus ahead of him through the gates. "What did he mean about our skills?" Iolaus demanded suspiciously.

"He didn't mean anything. Don't be so touchy." Iolaus snorted and folded his arms as he stalked along. "Cheer up," Hercules urged. "We're here, Iolaus! This is going to be the start of something big! We'll go and see this Mendicus and enter the games and then-."

Iolaus cocked an eye at him and interrupted the demi-god in full flow. "You said we’d be tourists."

"What?"

"You said, we could come to Iolcus and be tourists."

"I did not."

"You did. Your exact words were," Iolaus thought for a second. "'I thought maybe, instead of being heroic, we could maybe be tourists for once?' You didn't say anything about actually entering the games."

"I'm sure I did."

"No, you said 'It doesn't matter whether we enter or not, it's being there'."

"But you knew what I meant. I told you it was free food and drink to all contestants and you never said anything." Iolaus folded his arms and gave him an exasperated look. "You know I did."

Iolaus ducked his head and scowled as he kicked at a stone, caught out. "Yeah, so what? I didn't agree to enter."

"You've got cold feet."

"Have not."

"Have too. Look, we might as well enter since we're here now. With all the famous heroes around we're not likely to get picked, but at least we'll be able to say we were here." Hercules flung his arm around his shoulders. "Come on, you know you want to do it really. Don't you want to show off how good you are?"

"In front of the experts? Funnily enough, no. It was bad enough making a fool of myself at the Academy in front of the other students, without doing it in front of complete strangers," Iolaus prevaricated.

"We won't make fools of ourselves. We’re going impress them so much it’ll blow them out of their sandals!" Hercules announced with supreme confidence. "Who knows, we'll probably even win places on the quest."

"You might," Iolaus sighed under his breath. In his experience people didn't choose small blond guys when they could have a strapping six footer like Hercules.

"What?" Hercules glanced down at him curiously.

"I said, okay, we’ll do it."

"Don't you want to go on a quest?" Hercules asked thoughtfully however.

"I said okay, didn't I?"

"But you didn't sound enthusiastic about it," Hercules said slowly. "If you don't want us to enter…"

Iolaus ran his hands thought his hair. "I'm only worried it's going to be a set up."

"Is that all?" Hercules relaxed. "It won't be. I have a good feeling about this."

"Like the one you had before we went up against the lion?"

"Uh well…No, come on, it'll be fun!"

Iolaus gazed into Hercules' shining eyes and gave up. There was no point in arguing with him. Hercules wanted to enter and that was it as far as he was concerned, they would do it whether Iolaus wanted to or not. In the end Iolaus would surrender simply because he didn't want to disappoint his friend. Besides, a little part of him was curious to see if they were as good as Hercules thought they were and he didn't resist when Hercules dragged him eagerly on down the path.

Round the corner of the building they found a scribe sitting at a table with a basket full of scrolls on one side, a stack of parchment and a large amphora of wine in the other from which he had obviously been imbibing freely. A small plump man with beady brown eyes and wearing an ornate red and gold robe, he peered at them suspiciously from his alcove beside the path as they approached.

"Iolaus?" Hercules whispered, feeling his stomach churning with nerves. It was always easier fighting a monster than dealing with strangers.

"What?"

"No matter what he says, don't lose your temper."

"Me? Lose my temper? As if I would!"

"Please? I really want to do well here."

"Oh, okay," Iolaus grumbled grudgingly.

The scribe frowned at them, clearly curious what they were whispering about. "We don't need entertainment," he snapped.

"What?"

The scribe looked from one to the other of them. "That is why you've brought him along, isn't it?" he asked, jabbing a thumb at Iolaus. "To entertain the contestants?"

"We're looking for Mendicas," Hercules said hastily.

"I am Mendicas." The scribe announced proudly.

"Then we're here to enter the games," Iolaus growled, vibrating with fury.

"Oh," Mendicas sniffed. "Then you’re late."

"The guard said there were two hours to go," Hercules said coolly, absently clamping one hand on Iolaus' shoulder as he promptly started to fidget.

"We have more than enough would be heroes all ready."

"The posters didn't mention a quota," Hercules observed.

"You’re too inexperienced."

"I qualified from Cheiron's Warrior Academy," Hercules argued.

"He's too young," Mendicas inclined his head at Iolaus.

"I qualified the Academy same time as he did," Iolaus retorted, glaring back at him.

Mendicas stared at him, clearly hoping to intimidate the young warrior. Iolaus had played that game before. He stared right back until Mendicas' eyes started watering and he looked away with a grunt.

"You’re not tall enough."

"Excuse me?" Hercules grumbled, drawing himself up to his full height.

"I wasn't talking to you."

"I didn't think you were," Hercules growled. "No one mentioned height restrictions. In fact they never mentioned any kind of restrictions as all. Come to Iolcus and enter the games the poster said. We're here and we want to enter."

Mendicas scowled but plucked two sheets of parchment from the stack. "Name?" he demanded primly.

Hercules shot a triumphant look at Iolaus. "Hercules of Thebes," he announced.

"Father's name?"

Hercules flinched. "Does that really have any relevance?" he asked weakly.

Mendicas gave him a chilly look. "Do you want to cause trouble?"

"Zeus," Hercules answered in a small voice.

"Speak up!"

"I said, Zeus!"

"Another one." Mendicas didn't even blink as he wrote it down.

"What do you mean another one?" Hercules asked darkly.

"These games are stuffed full of your kind. Mother's name?"

"Alcmene."

"Oh…that Hercules."

Hercules glared at him in fury then twitched when Iolaus tapped his arm and gave him a look that was half reproving, half teasing. Realising he was about to lose his temper, Hercules restrained himself with a stiff nod and answered the rest of the questions through gritted teeth. It wasn't that the majority of the questions were embarrassing, but that Mendicas was so darn rude about asking them. He grabbed the newly written scroll thrust at him in relief and then backed up to wait for Iolaus.

"Father's name?" Mendicas demanded even more abruptly than before.

"Skouros."

"From?"

Iolaus bit his lip and didn't answer. How could he? Even Skouros didn't know where he was from.

"Well?" Mendicas gave him an impatient look.

"I don't see what that has to do with it. And you didn't ask Hercules…"

"That is besides the point. I can't allow any old riffraff to enter."

Iolaus took a deep breath, ready to yell at him.

"He's a General," Hercules put in quietly. "Iolaus isn't allowed to give you that information." Iolaus shot a startled look at him and Hercules winked. "He'd probably have to kill you if he did."

"What?" Mendicas shot an alarmed look at the demi-god.

Hercules smiled at him sweetly. "You know how it is. If he was to give that kind of information to you and someone heard about it, the next thing you'd know his entire village would be held hostage. The General would hold you responsible, of course, and…."

"All right, all right. We'll skip it. Mother's name?" Mendicas snapped in hasty interruption.

"Automedusa," Iolaus answered politely.

Mendicas rattled through the rest of the questions at high speed, clearly bored with tormenting them and eager to get back to his wine. Finally finished, he tossed the completed scroll to Iolaus. "Follow this path round to the lodge house," he ordered, pointing to indicate. "Your room assignments are on the scrolls." Taking two more scrolls from the basket, he practically flung them at the two young men. "These will tell you everything else you need to know. Next!"

Somewhat startled by the abrupt order, Hercules and Iolaus moved on down the path, glancing back at the new arrival. A dark haired young man approached Mendicas warily, giving him a weakly hopeful smile.

"Name?" the scribe barked at him.

"Talaus. I'm here to enter the games…"

"I didn't think you were here as the entertainment," Mendicas snapped, picking up a fresh parchment sheet. "You’re late."

"The son of a bitch!" Iolaus hissed suddenly, distracting Hercules completely from Talaus' answer.

"What?"

"Entertain?" Iolaus snarled. "He meant, I, with…ooohhh…."

Hercules grabbed him before he could rush back and throttle the scribe. "You promised you wouldn't lost your temper," he protested, hustling him down the path and out of sight of Mendicas.

"I didn't actually promise, I…"

"Iolaus," Hercules said pleadingly.

"Oh, all right! But I'm not going to forget it…"

Hercules rolled his eyes and held his tongue, letting Iolaus rant was a darn sight safer than making him keep his volatile temper in check. Instead he concentrated on following the path. The guard had been right, there was a maze of paths leading in and out of the building complex. What had looked like one building from the gates, had turned out to be a guarding wall for an entire complex of structures that faced out to the beach and the sea.

"Hercules!"

Hercules started in surprise at Iolaus' sudden yelp. "I was listening," he said hastily, mentally rewinding as he looked round. He had a sneaking suspicion that they had taken a wrong turn somewhere.

"No, idiot. Look!" Grabbing Hercules arm, Iolaus towed him across the wide path to the sea wall and pointed down the beach to where a wooden jetty protruded out into the water. Tying up at the end of the jetty was a ship of golden wood, with a proud sweep of bow and beautifully kholed eyes painted below her prow. Sails that glittered with red and gold stripes were being furled by her busy crew. In her stern a huge, magnificently carved ram's head watched over the deck, its gilded horns catching the sun.

"Magnificent, isn't she?" a quiet voice said from behind them, startling both young men into whipping around to face the stranger. He was tall and slender with coppery hair that turned first red then gold in the sun. His eyes were the colour of fine amber in a fine boned face. "That's Jason's ship, the Argo. They say she's one of a kind: a true sea going vessel that's more war ship than merchant." He grinned, turning beauty into mischief. "Not that I can tell the front from the back."

"Bows from stern," Hercules said promptly.

"Oh, wow, an expert. I'm Coronus by the way."

Hercules took the man's extended hand, introducing himself and Iolaus. "You’re here for the games?" he asked cautiously.

"Aren't we all?" Coronus said amiably. "Were you looking for the lodge house?"

"Uh yeah," Hercules admitted.

"You overshot…"

"That figures," Iolaus muttered. "Did you perchance get us lost, Herc?"

"No, I thought you'd like to see the sights." Iolaus gave him an 'Am I supposed to believe that?' look and Hercules grinned sheepishly.

Coronus chuckled. "It's easy enough to do. I don't suppose that slimeball Mendicas gave you proper directions anyway. Lynceus sent me out to act as guide. You followed the white path?"

"Yeah…" Hercules said cautiously.

"You’re supposed to turn off down the red one to get to the lodge house. Come on, I'll show you," Coronus started back up the path, then paused, spotting a lost looking dark haired young man coming towards them. Hercules recognised him as the young man who had followed them in. He had called himself Talaus "Ah hah, another stray. Hi there, you lost?"

"I'm not entirely sure." Talaus muttered glumly, eyeing his scroll with suspicion.

"You’re lost," Coronus said cheerfully. "I think Mendicas has been doing it deliberately." He nudged Iolaus in the ribs. "I think he fiddled with the maps," he confided. "Anyway, I'm Coronus, this is Hercules and Iolaus…"

Talaus introduced himself. "At least I'm not the only one who got lost," he muttered.

Iolaus grinned at him. "Oh, it happens to me all the time when Hercules is navigating."

"Does not," Hercules denied.

"Does too," Iolaus shot back.

Coronus studied them with interest. "Why don't we continue this at the lodge house?" he suggested mildly as he set off back up the path. Still squabbling Hercules and Iolaus followed him with Talaus bringing up the rear and scowling doubtfully at his scroll.

* * *

The lodge house was an eye opener. Far from the scruffy hotel Hercules had more than half expected, it was a beautifully proportioned building of white and gold stone with a sweeping patio that looked out over the cove below. An older man in a black robe edged with gold took their scrolls at a desk in the main entrance hall, sniffed over them and finally directed them to their rooms. Leaving Coronus talking to a stocky man he had introduced as Lynceus, Hercules led the way down the corridor with its obviously new blue and green mosaic floor. Statues stood in neat little niches all the way along the corridor, most of them of people he had never seen before. By the time they reached their rooms, he was feeling more than a little overawed by the magnificence of their surroundings.

Dumping his things on the bed in his own room and giving the black sheepskin covered mattress a quick punch to check how comfortable it was, he trotted back out to see how Iolaus was doing. The hunter had the room next door and had left the door open for him. He was stretched out on the bed, arms folded behind his head and boots off as he wriggled his bare toes blissfully. Unlike Hercules' room where the blankets were blue, his were bright red over black sheepskin.

"Nice place," he said cheerfully. "You okay?"

"Why shouldn't I be?"

"You've got that 'I didn't expect so much fuss' look again. You've got to expect a little luxury every now and then, Herc. It's good for you."

Hercules sat down on the end of the bed. "It's not that. This place is, is…well, it's more like a palace than a lodge house. And either way it gives me the creeps."

"That's because it is," Talaus said from the doorway, peering in at them.

"Come on in," Iolaus beckoned him through the doorway. "The more the merrier."

"Palace?" Hercules queried as Talaus shyly slipped into the room.

Talaus nodded. "This was the palace for the Kings of Iolcus until the massacre."

"Is that when Pelias took over?" Hercules asked warily.

"Huh? Oh no. This massacre was about three kings back, long before Aeson's time. The King at the time was some kind of blood crazed tyrant and he was overthrown. The King who followed him closed up this palace and built the new one that King Pelias rules from now on the other side of the city." Talaus waved one hand around him. "They've opened it for visitors, palace types and like that now and then ever since. But it's not very popular and no one ever stays long. It's supposed to be haunted. Some nasty things have happened here. Vicious murders and the like."

Hercules and Iolaus exchanged a look. "Are you afraid of ghosts?" Hercules asked.

"Not unless you are," Iolaus retorted. "Want me to hold your hand?"

Talaus laughed. "It's only a story," he chuckled.

Hercules raised an eyebrow at him. "Trust me, we've seen a few things that'd make you think twice about it being a story," he told him.

"Oh?" Talaus looked from one to the other of them curiously.

"You don't want to know because you wouldn't believe us," Iolaus sighed. "What do you think of this quest?"

"It sounds like fun," Talaus answered brightly. "Putting a Prince back on his rightful throne sounds cool."

Hercules groaned.

"What?" Iolaus demanded.

"He sounds like you."

"Hey, I said it sounded dangerous!"

"Yeah, well, when I say something's dangerous you always say it'll be cool."

"And I'm usually right."

"Oh yeah, sure. Show Talaus your lion bite."

"Only if you show him your lion skin," Iolaus retorted.

"Lion skin?" Talaus wondered.

"It’s the closest he comes to having a pet."

"No, that's you." Hercules growled, grabbed Iolaus by one ankle and yanked him down the bed, threatening to hit him with one large fist. To Talaus' astonishment, far from being alarmed, Iolaus only giggled and swatted his fist aside, wriggling free and rolling off the bed.

"Let's go explore," he urged. "I want to take a look around this place."

"And check for escape routes," Talaus said without thinking, then coloured in embarrassment as he realised what he was saying. "I m-mean…" Hercules gave him the kind of thoughtful look that Talaus knew only too well from past experience. Hercules had the kind of eyes that could look right through you and see all your dark little secrets.

Iolaus only grinned. "Good idea," he chirped, prodding Hercules in the ribs. "You never know when we might need to make a fast getaway."

Hercules sighed in exasperation. "You promised, Iolaus," he pointed out.

"See these fingers?" Iolaus held up his hands. "They'll never leave my hands, promise."

Hercules groaned and headed for the door. Iolaus turned back to Talaus. "Coming?"

"Maybe I should…" Talaus mumbled miserably.

Iolaus grabbed his arm and interrupted, "Don't mind, Herc. He's harmless as long as you’re not one of the bad guys. He's kind of like a scroll shelf." He towed Talaus over to the door.

"Scroll shelf?" Talaus echoed blankly.

"Large, heavy and full of useless information."

"I heard that, Iolaus!" Hercules bellowed indignantly from down the corridor.

"Bat ears!" Iolaus called back cheerfully then turned an impish grin on Talaus. "He's also my best friend. Come on, I'm hungry and I want to find out what the food's like around here."

Feeling a little overwhelmed, but strangely pleased by his company, Talaus fell into step beside the blond warrior. Hercules seemed a little distant, but Iolaus was friendly enough. At least somebody here was willing to talk to him.

* * *

"You failed."

Perides scowled at the sound of the priest's voice booming around the room. Straightening up, he finished drying his face after spending an hour washing off the dirt and grime. Rolling around in the goat pens was an excellent way of perfecting his disguise but for someone as fastidious as he was, it was a revolting necessity. He had already burnt the clothes he had borrowed since covering his tracks even when it wasn't necessary had become a way of life. "He wasn't alone," he answered coolly, refusing to let the priest see that he was put out by his sudden appearance in his doorway. "You didn't mention that he would have his sidekick with him."

"I wouldn't have thought that would be a problem. You should have killed the blond."

Perides glared at the black cloaked figure standing in his doorway. "For one thing, there were two many people around on the quayside for me to get away with killing either of them. Secondly, they wouldn’t let themselves be lured into the alleyways where I could do the blond quickly and quietly. And thirdly-."

"More excuses?" the priest sneered.

"You only paid me to kidnap Hercules and stop him coming here. I don't do freebies." The priest stirred, making the cloak ripple around his slender figure. Perides had never seen his face and long experience told him that his voice too was a disguise. The assassin didn't care. As long as he was paid, it was no concern of his who hired him or why. Besides, the priest gave him the cold creeps.

"No matter. I have something else for you to do."

"If you expect me to return your money, you can think again. The money pays for the risk I took. We had a deal that doesn't include extras."

"You have been well paid already," the priest observed darkly. "But…" With a dull thump and the chink of coins, a leather bag landed on the floor at Perides feet. "You will do what is necessary."

Perides made no move to retrieve the bag. "Which is?"

"Prevent Jason going on his this quest by ruining these games of his by whatever means necessary. The more you kill the better. Indulge yourself. And secondly, bring me Hercules as you were paid to do. You will know when it is the time."

Perides rubbed his thumb against the side of his nose and for once allowed curiosity to get the better of him. "Why?"

"My Master requires his presence at his Rising."

"And who would your Master be?"

"Do you think to go direct to source? It would avail you nothing but your own death. It would not bring you more dinars," the priest said coldly. "I hired you because death is your talent. In that you suit my Master well. Fail me again and I will have your life."

Perides folded his arms across his black leather clad chest. "You think you can kill me, priest?" he mocked.

The priest lifted one hand, making a complex gesture. Perides jerked in shock, feeling a sharp spasm of pain run through his chest as if ice cold fingers had reached inside him and clenched…He choked, gasping for breath and clinging to the bed for support as the grip suddenly eased.

"You of all people should know how fragile life is, assassin," the priest said quietly. "Do not tempt me again or you will suffer for your disobedience."

Pushing himself upright as he regained his composure, Perides looked round. "Don't think you can threaten-" he began, then paused as he realised the priest was gone. Feeling better by the moment, the assassin approached his half open door and looked out. The corridor was as empty as if the priest had vanished into thin air.

* * *

There proved to be a great deal many more people competing for a place on the quest than Hercules had expected. Around every corner there seemed to be new faces, awkward strangers meeting for the first time, groups of warriors who obviously knew each other, solitary men with grim faces who kept themselves to themselves and fingered their weapons when anyone looked at them too long.

"Do you get the impression a lot of these guys are not looking for a quest but for a fight?" Talaus whispered to Iolaus when they finally found the eating hall.

"I get the feeling that a lot of them are looking for a way to get out of Greece for a while," Hercules said quietly. "See that guy over there by the door?"

"The one who keeps sidling round the walls?" Iolaus wondered.

"That's him. I'm sure that's Perides."

"The assassin?!" Talaus squeaked.

"Not so loud!" Hercules hissed at him in alarm.

"Why would an assassin be here?" Talaus protested.

"How about to kill off a certain prince?" Hercules replied.

"If you mean Jason, he isn't here yet," a cool voice said from behind them. "He's staying with the King until tomorrow."

Hercules turned round warily, eyeing the two young men behind him. They both seemed a little older than him and one was a great deal taller and broader in the shoulders than the other, but they were both dark haired and similar enough in features to be related.

"Eavesdropping is rude, Castor," the bigger man commented dryly and stuck out his hand to Hercules. "Hi, I'm Polydeceus, this is my brother, Castor, the gravity defying."

"Gravity defying?" Iolaus queried curiously.

"Old joke," Polydeceus grinned at him. "He's a bit of an acrobat."

"Unlike my brother, the comedian," Castor snorted.

"I'm Hercules, this is Iolaus and Talaus," Hercules made the introductions as he gripped Polydeceus' wrist.

"You’re strong," Polydeceus observed speculatively when Hercules didn't flinch at his grip. "What's your game?"

"Huh?" Hercules said intelligently.

"Boxing?"

"Oh, no, I prefer wrestling."

"Oh good, I stand a chance then." Polydeceus turned brown eyes on Iolaus and Talaus. "What about you two?"

"Running mostly," Iolaus answered promptly.

"Climbing," Talaus offered.

Polydeceus winked at him. "Bedroom windows huh?"

Talaus blushed. "Something like that," he muttered, aware that Hercules was looking at him thoughtfully again. He was saved from having to say anything else when a voice called for hush from the platform at the end of the room.

"Thank you," the scribe said with icy politeness when hush finally fell. "As you will remember, I am Mendicas…"

"How could we forget," Iolaus muttered and Hercules hushed him hastily.

"I am here on behalf of King Pelias and Jason to welcome you to these games. Jason will arrive tomorrow for the beginning of the games. It will then be his decision who will accompany him on his quest."

"What exactly is this quest?" a warrior dressed in black leather demanded, pushing his way to the front and standing before Mendicas with his hands braced on his hips. Mendicas looked down his nose at him.

"And who might you be?"

"I am Agride from Sparta," the warrior answered, scowling.

"It is not my place to discuss the quest, such as it is," Mendicas retorted primly, glancing sideways at the stocky man standing beside Coronus. He stirred and stepped forward.

"I am Lynceus, friend of Jason's," he announced. "Jason's quest is to prove himself worthy of being heir to the throne of Iolcus. Your quest is to prove yourself worthy of accompanying him. If the only reason you’re here is to find fame and riches, you can pack your bag and go home again."

"The poster said we'd be helping a prince regain his throne, Agride," a slender young man with long, glossy chestnut brown hair said, pushing up beside Agride. "Think of the challenge!"

"And you are?" Lynceus asked the young man.

"I am called Aethalides."

"He looks familiar," Iolaus groaned, eyeing Aethalides' fine boned features warily.

"I think he's a son of Hermes," Talaus offered helpfully.

"Hermes?" Iolaus squeaked.

"He's probably nothing like him," Hercules said, patting Iolaus' shoulder soothingly. "How do you know who he is, Talaus?"

"I like to check out the competition."

Lynceus was still talking. "Who knows what we’ll find on the quest," he was saying. "If we succeed then maybe some of us will indeed be famous. But that is not what the quest is about. It's a chance for you to prove yourselves to yourselves and help Jason regain his rightful place."

Aethalides nodded thoughtfully.

"Uh huh," Agride snorted. "So like I said, what's it worth to us?"

Lynceus glared at him.

"You’re a Spartan, isn't the honour alone enough?" Aethalides asked.

"Honour doesn't pay for your next meal." Agrive grunted, but he looked uncomfortable under Aethalides' innocent green-eyed gaze.

"The meals here are free, so are the beds while the games are on. What more could you ask for?" Coronus pointed out, making a ripple of laughter run round the room.

"How about a few women?" someone called from in back.

"Those you'll have to pay for yourself," Coronus called back.

"And not here!" Mendicas barked. "I will not allow any of that within these grounds. If you want to debauch yourselves go into the city! There will be no fighting or carousing here!"

"Well, that'll ruin everyone's fun," Castor muttered.

Mendicas started strutting up and down, spouting rules that no one seemed to be listening too and getting more and more annoyed by the moment. They already had the answer they wanted, free food and lodging and Jason would arrive for the start of the games the next day. As the servants trotted out with the trays, Mendicas gave up and stalked off the back of the platform, disappearing through a doorway at the back with an amphora. Rather than take a seat on the high table, Lynceus hopped down into the crowd and started to circulate, introducing himself and answering questions. Coronus made his way over to Hercules, Iolaus and Talaus. Polydeceus had headed for the food and his brother had followed him.

"Having fun?" Coronus asked cheerfully.

"We were until Mendicas started," Iolaus grumbled. "Pompous…"

"Ah ah," Coronus scolded, wagging a finger under his nose. "Manners."

"Is Mendicas really running things?" Hercules asked warily.

"He's made most of the arrangements for the King, so I suppose you could say he is. He's very good at organising things when he wants to, but he doesn't like us. He's done his level best to frighten people off from entering, which has actually been to our advantage, much to his annoyance." Coronus grinned. "He's loyal to Pelias and his son Acastus, you see. The last thing he wants is for Jason to prance in and take over. Jason can't stand him by the way."

"And you and Lynceus both know Jason," Hercules said carefully.

"Oh, I don't. I know Lynceus. But Lynceus and his brother Idas have known Jason since way back. They went to Cheiron's Academy together."

"We went to the Academy too," Iolaus put in. "I don't remember any of them."

"They probably left before you little ones started then," Coronus said cheerfully, ignoring the furious blaze in Iolaus' blue eyes as Hercules grabbed him for safety. "I'd only met Jason a couple of times before now."

"Where's this Idas then?" Hercules queried.

"He's not here. He decided to stay with Jason and Archivus to make sure nothing happens to Jason."

"You think it's likely to?" Hercules asked.

Coronus shrugged. "Conveniently missing heir inconveniently turns up. What do you think?" He shot a quick glance round and edged closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially, "Between you and me I wouldn't trust Pelias as far as I could throw him. Some say he was behind the coup that overthrew Aeson in the first place. But the fact is, he said he was only acting as regent until Jason turned up."

"Not expecting Jason to ever be seen again?" Iolaus guessed.

"Bright as well as beautiful," Coronus grinned at him. "Correct. Everyone thought Jason had been killed so Pelias had no reason to ever change his promise. Now he's stuck with it."

Iolaus paled slightly and backed up. "Are you-?" he stammered.

"That's for me to know and you to find out," Coronus teased with a glint of wicked amber eyes. "Oops, looks like Lynceus needs me. Got to go."

Coronus stalked off through the crowd like a hunting lion, leaving Iolaus looking nervous, Hercules thoughtful and Talaus curious.

"So I guess this quest thing is so Jason can prove that he is who he says he is and that he's worthy of the throne," Talaus mused.

"Looks that way," Hercules agreed. "Iolaus? What's wrong? You look a bit green."

"Never you mind," Iolaus muttered. "Where's the food? I'm starving."

"This is unusual?" Hercules teased.

"Funny," Iolaus growled. "I couldn't eat on the ferry, remember? Come on, let's go see if they’ve got anything other than fish…"

* * *

"Well, if the foods going to be like this all the time, I won't care about the games," Iolaus murmured as he and Hercules strolled back to their rooms after a meal that had been more of a banquet than anything else.

"Mendicas certainly didn't stint on it," Hercules admitted. Honey glazed lamb, roast spiced chicken, lemon baked fish, every kind of vegetable imaginable, sauces and spices, fruit from every corner of Greece, stuffed aubergines and onions, strong crumbly cheeses that made the mouth water, soups and desserts, the best wines and strong ales. The choice was almost too much.

Popping a few almonds into his mouth from the handful of sugared and salted ones he had obtained, Iolaus grinned at him happily. "I might even admit this was a good idea if they keep it up," he teased as they halted outside his bedroom door.

Hercules snaffled an almond off him and grinned back. "Think of the honour of competing."

"I think I’ll watch you," Iolaus answered

"We're both entered now," Hercules pointed out.

"Herc," Iolaus suddenly wasn't smiling any more. "What if you get a place on the crew and I don't?"

"You will."

"But what if?"

"Then I won't go, simple as that."

"But, Herc, I've been thinking about it and I think you should. It'd be good for you."

"And it'd be bad for you?"

"That isn't what I meant. You need to do something like this because of who you are, I'm only..."

"You’re not only anything," Hercules grumbled. "You’re my best friend and we’re partners, a team. If Jason doesn't select you then he's a fool and I don't want to go on any dumb quest with a fool for a captain. So there."

"Herc, you’re an idiot."

"So are you. Go to bed."

Iolaus grinned. "I love you too," he chirped, offering him an almond.

"Ah, shut up," Hercules grunted, took a few almonds and headed for his own door. As he reached it, he hesitated, cocking his head to one side as he listened. Uncertain as to what he was hearing, he glanced back at Iolaus. Unable to get his door open with his hands full of almonds, Iolaus had given up juggling them and tossed them in his mouth.

"Mmpf?" he queried at Hercules' expression, pausing in mid chew.

Hercules pressed a finger to his lips for silence and then pointed at the door. Iolaus nodded in understanding and padded to his side, listening carefully.

"I think there's someone in there," Hercules whispered.

Swallowing the last almond, Iolaus nodded in agreement and mimed kicking the door in. Hercules gave him an exasperated look, grabbed the door handle and flung it open, rushing inside with Iolaus on his heels.

A blur of motion crossed in front of him, then something seemed to seize the demi-god in ice cold hands and lifted him off his feet, hurling him back through the doorway to crash into Iolaus and knock the hunter flying. The door crashed shut behind them as they landed in a heap on the corridor floor.

Badly stunned by the fall, Hercules groaned and gingerly stirred, wondering if any of his limbs had been ripped off.

"Herc…" Iolaus whimpered from underneath him, shoving at the demi-god feebly. "Ow…you’re heavy, you big lug…

Hercules rolled off him hastily. "Sorry. Are you okay?"

"You landed on me, you moron. What do you think?"

"You’re okay," Hercules sighed in relief. If the hunter was complaining then he was more or less undamaged. Picking himself up, the demi-god pressed one hand to the door then snatched it away with a gasp, leaving a layer of skin off his fingertips on the icy door.

"What'd you do that for anyway?" Iolaus demanded petulantly as he sat up and rubbed his back. "You don't usually jump backwards."

"I didn't. Something threw me. Come and look at this…"

"It's a door, Herc. Did you land on your head? Although if you had landed on your head you couldn't have possibly hurt yourself. Broken what you landed on maybe but-."

"Shut up and look at this." Catching Iolaus' arm, Hercules lifted him to his feet and pointed at the frost-covered door. The wood was bulging outwards under some pressure from within and blood red ice was forming around the edges of the door, oozing out from the cracks in the planks.

"Uh oh," Iolaus said quietly.

"There's something in there."

"Gee, you don't say? Maybe now would be a good time to make like Boreus and blow?"

"Or get in there and find out what's going on." Hercules looked round for something to break the door down with.

"We could go round and look in through the window," Iolaus suggested. Hercules simply looked at him. "Well, excuse me for making a sensible suggestion. We could."

"And whatever it is could get away while we're doing it."

"And wouldn't that be a disappointment! I mean, we really need to know what kind of something it is that can throw you across a room and then seal the door with ice!"

"It wasn't mortal, Iolaus."

"I had kind of figured that! And it's all the more reason to leave it to it! Maybe it had trouble getting a room in the city."

"It could be dangerous."

"Like to us maybe?" Hercules gave him another impatient look. "I am really going to have to do something about this hero complex of yours!" Iolaus complained.

"It could be some kind of test."

"What?"

"A test, for the quest."

"You think Jason has supernatural thingywhatsits at his beck and call? Like I do so not want to know that. It's more likely to be a trap." Iolaus glared back at his friend when Hercules frowned at him. "And you know it."

"What's going on?" Talaus interrupted them as he strolled down the corridor towards them with Polydeceus in tow.

"There's something in my room," Hercules explained.

"Someone broke in?" Polydeceus queried.

"Not someone, something. Look at the…" Hercules paused, realising that the crimson ice was actually melting rapidly in blood coloured runnels of waters.

"Weird," Talaus commented, peering at it. "You guys playing tricks?"

Iolaus folded his arms and gave him the kind of quelling look Hercules usually gave him. "Where would we get ice from?" he asked sarcastically.

Hercules gingerly touched the door handle and gave it a push. At his touch, the door creaked open, shedding a fine layer of ice with a crackle as it shattered. He peered warily inside, appalled by the mess. "Whatever it was, it seems to have gone," he said slowly.

"Mendicas is going to love you," Polydeceus observed dryly, peering over his shoulder at the wreckage while Iolaus and Talaus peeked around the pair of them. The trunk at the foot of the bed had been hurled across the room, the small bedside table was smashed to smithereens and the heavy bed itself had been turned completely upside down amid the torn remnants of bedding.

"It wasn't like this when I left. Stay here," Hercules ordered, ignoring the beginnings of a protest from Iolaus. It was okay for Iolaus to see him get freaked out by some strange phenomenon, but he wasn't going to let a couple of strangers see it. He stepped forward briskly, meaning to stride across the room to the window and look out. With the first step he took, his feet shot out from under him on a patch of ice and he slammed into the floor, shooting across the floorboards to hit the wall on his back with a thud. There was a short but meaningful silence while Hercules lay on the floor, feeling a complete and utter fool.

"Oh, graceful, Herc," Iolaus teased, breaking the silence with a bubble of laughter. "You want to watch that first step."

"So help me, Iolaus, as soon as my bones knit, I’ll kill you if you laugh," Hercules growled, tipping his head back so he could see his partner. They looked upside down to him from that angle, but he didn't need to see them right way up to know they were grinning at him.

Skirting around the ice, Iolaus padded across to his side and hunkered down next to him. "You okay?" he asked in quiet concern.

Hercules shrugged ruefully. "I dented my pride," he said sorrowfully.

"You'll survive," Iolaus assured him with a relieved grin. "You want to get up?"

Hercules sighed and rolled over, levering himself awkwardly to his feet and doing his best not to let them slide out from beneath him again. He felt like a fawn walking on ice as he clutched at the windowsill for support.

Polydeceus entered the room slowly with Talaus tagging warily at his heels. "Cold in here," the big man observed.

Iolaus prodded at the furs scattered across the floor, flinching away as a layer of ice broke with a crackle. "This is really strange," he said slowly. "It couldn't possibly have got cold enough in here to freeze everything like this. And this fur is torn, not cut…""

Hercules propped his hip on the windowsill and took a casual grip on the ledge. There was no way he was going to fall flat on his face again if he could help it. "I told you something threw me," he reminded him.

"Did you see it?" Iolaus looked at him curiously.

"Barely. It moved so fast that it was only a blur. But it was strong and cold. And I got the feeling it was angry."

"Ghosts," Talaus muttered, looking around him nervously. "I told you this place was haunted."

"You didn't take it seriously though," Iolaus reminded him.

"Suddenly I've changed my mind," Talaus retorted.

"Look, whatever it was, it didn't do any real harm," Polydeceus pointed out smoothly. "There's nothing we can do about it. You’d better tell Mendicas about it and see if he can find you somewhere else to sleep."

"I don't think he'd take too kindly to being disturbed," Hercules said gloomily.

"You can sleep in my room if you like," Talaus offered. "There's a spare bed."

"Or you can borrow the floor in mine," Iolaus added brightly.

"I think I’ll take the bed," Hercules said dryly. "Thanks, Talaus."

"No problem. But what about this mess?"

"Leave it," Hercules decided. "And tell Mendicas about it in the morning. If he insists of giving me a haunted room and not warning me, it's his problem."

* * *

"A ghost," Mendicas repeated with a disdainful sniff, looking around the waterlogged wreckage of Hercules' room. "You expect me to believe that a ghost did this?"

"Yes," Hercules said flatly, folding his arms across his broad chest and giving him a belligerent look straight back. "You can ask Iolaus. And Talaus and Polydeceus were here too. They saw the ice."

"Ice," Mendicas repeated huffily.

"Yes," Hercules said firmly.

"And you expect me to find you a new room."

"Yes," Hercules had decided to keep it short and simple. He figured that arguing with Mendicas would only make them both bad tempered.

"Let me guess, owing to this little problem, you expect the best suite with the gold bath and the velvet throws?"

"You actually have a gold bath?" For a second, Hercules was too overawed to realise the scribe was being sarcastic, then he noted his supercilious expression and pulled himself together. "No," he said quickly. "Another room like this - without the ghost - will be fine."

"I'll see what I can do." Turning on his heel, Mendicas swept off down the corridor, muttering darkly under his breath about arrogant young upstarts who didn't know their place.

"You should have held out for the gold bath," Iolaus commented from behind him.

Turning to look at him, Hercules found his friend leaning drowsily against the doorjamb of his room, his shoulder length blond hair a mop tangled by sleep. "I didn't think you'd be up yet."

"Mendicas has the kind of dulcet voice that could pierce bronze," Iolaus retorted, ruffling his curls with one hand as he yawned. "Is it time for breakfast yet?"

"Probably." Hercules had smelt bacon frying while he was looking for Mendicas. "Go get dressed and I’ll wait for you."

Iolaus nodded and disappeared back into his room, leaving Hercules to prop himself against the wall with folded arms while he waited. He had slept fairly well despite their close encounter with the ghost and Talaus' persistent snorting in his sleep. But he couldn't help wondering why the ghost had come after him out of everyone in the building. It seemed unlikely that he had been singled out because he was a demi-god. After all, as Mendicas had pointed out, he wasn't the only demi-god around. And how could a ghost possibly know which room he was in anyway?

"Herc? You've got that funny look again," Iolaus emerged from his room dressed in black leather pants and a red suede jerkin. He was tying his mop of hair back with a length of matching red suede.

"I was thinking."

"I've told you before about that. It doesn't do you any good and it usually gets me intro trouble."

Hercules grinned at him amiably and wrapped his arm around his shoulders. "I was thinking about the ghost. How do you feel about going ghost hunting?"

"Strangely enough, completely uninterested."

"Liar."

"Well, not until after breakfast anyway. Maybe you can impress me with your plans then."

"Okay, let's go. Besides, Jason should arrive today so we can start the games."

"I think I’d rather go ghost hunting," Iolaus sighed, but he let Hercules' enthusiasm roll over him and he was soon grinning along with him as they walked down to breakfast.

* * *

With little else to do until Jason arrived, Hercules and Iolaus joined the others on the patio where it looked out over the cove. Hercules insisted it was to be friendly and meet the others. Iolaus called it checking out the competition.

Warm sunshine poured over the cove, turning the wave tops to as glistening filigree of silver. The Argo was still at her moorings, her sails furled now as she seemed to doze on the water. Leaning precariously over the edge of the balcony, Iolaus studied the long drop down the steep cliff to the beach below while Hercules sat on the rail top beside him.

"There aren't as many heroes here as I expected," he observed wistfully.

Iolaus turned around to consider the crowd. "Who were you expecting?" he asked curiously. "I mean Perseus would be ancient if he was around."

Hercules shrugged and folded his arms across his chest. "I don't know. I thought there'd be someone famous here at least."

"What? You want to get an autograph? See if Perides will toss a dagger at you."

"He's infamous, not famous," Hercules pointed out.

"I thought the idea was to become famous on this quest. I mean if I was this Jason guy, I wouldn't want a bunch of ready-made heroes along telling me what to do. I’d go with a bunch of common or garden warrior types who want to be so heroes so much they’re willing to take a risk. Heroes don't get to be heroes by being…" Iolaus paused thoughtfully.

"By being what?"

"I was going to say stupid, but then there's you…"

"Hey!" Hercules yelped indignantly and took a swipe at him. Iolaus dodged it easily. They both knew it was a game. If Hercules really meant to hit him, he would swing at full speed and Iolaus wouldn't stand a chance. With a quick lunge, Hercules grabbed the hunter, wrestling him against the rail.

"No fighting is allowed at the games," a curt voice snapped however, making them both look round in surprise at the slender man looking down his long nose at them. "If you have a quarrel either leave or wait until the games are over to settle it."

Hercules let go of Iolaus' arm, self-consciously straightening his dark brown suede tunic as he met the man's grey eyes. "We weren't fighting," he answered. "We were….uh…"

"Wrestling," Iolaus supplied cheerfully.

The well-dressed man looked slowly from one of the other of them. "Fooling around is for kids," he told them icily. "I am Prencious, the King's representative. Jason requires men, not boys on his quest. You would do well to remember that."

As he stalked away, Hercules grabbed Iolaus' arm before the hunter could make a rude gesture at his back. "Let's not ruin our chances," he hissed urgently.

"Come on, Herc, if these are the kind of guys this Jason has on his side, then he's got to be an idiot. They’re a bunch of pretentious struck up morons!"

"Couldn't have said better myself," a dry voice commented. They both looked warily at the new arrival, a stocky brown haired man with astute brown eyes that seemed to look right though them both. He was wearing brown leather pants and a matching vest richly embroidered with gold thread. Giving them a polite nod, he moved on, circulating quietly through the crowd and making his way towards the main doors where he disappeared inside.

A few moments later, Coronus appeared in the doorway. "My friends," he called loudly. "If you will all follow me down to the beach, Jason will greet you and explain the quest to you before the games begin."

"Finally," Iolaus chirped. "I was starting to get bored. Herc, you coming?"

"Uh yeah…"

"What's the matter?"

"I don't know but I've got a horrible feeling all of a sudden…"

* * *

The would be heroes gathered on the beach some fifteen minutes later, gradually calming down as their excitement settled. The long stretch of white beach had been laid out as a game arena, with everything from a marked out running track and jump pit to balance beams and archery butts. A few of the older men had gone off to pace out the track while one or two of the others were examining the pit.

Hercules was feeling nervous as he looked around him, realising that although there were some contestants close to their age, he and Iolaus were among the youngest present. Despite the air of cocky confidence he was learning to project, he could feel the claws of panic tugging at him. He didn't want to make a fool of himself and he was scared that his nerves would trip him at the most embarrassing moment possible.

"Herc?" Iolaus prodded him in the ribs. "What do you suppose that's for?"

"What what's for where?" Hercules was glad of the distraction.

"Out on the rock there." Iolaus pointed out to sea where a huge spire of rock jutted up from the waves. "See the bell?"

"Yeah," Hercules was surprised to see the highly polished silver bell hung from the rock. It obviously couldn't have been there for long or it would have tarnished in the sea air. "To warn ships off maybe?"

"I suppose if the wind caught it you’d hear it," Iolaus mused. "Maybe someone stands guard out there at night or something."

"Could be," Hercules agreed. "Hush up, something's happening."

Iolaus obediently closed his mouth, following Hercules as he pushed his way through the throng towards the commotion. A platform in the shelter of the cliff had been raised and three men were standing on it. One was Lynceus, another was a burly young man with a bush of brown hair and the first fringes of a beard and the third man was the brown haired man who had spoken to them on the patio.

The burly young man stepped forward, raising his hands in a theatrical gesture for silence. "Thank you," he began politely. "I won't keep you long…"

"That'll make a change," Lynceus muttered, starting a ripple of laughter in the crowd.

"I am Archivus," the man continued doggedly. "A bard of some renown…"

"Never heard of you," someone called mockingly from the crowd.

"I have," another voice called back.

"Aethalides? Is that you?" Archivus peered in the direction of the voice and Aethalides slipped through to the front, grinning up at him. "You made it out of the Athens Academy?"

"I got my Herald's mark," Aethalides answered proudly.

"I thought you weren't going to keep us long," the third man remarked.

"Aethalides is an old friend," Archivus retorted.

"Chat later."

"Yes, oh masterful one."

"Cut to the chase, Archivus."

The bard grinned at him and turned back to the crowd. "As I was saying, I am Archivus. It has been my honour and great pleasure to assist in establishing these games that will become a by word for…Yes?" He paused warily, eyeing Iolaus who had stuck up his hand in question.

"Did you write the posters?" Iolaus asked, ignoring Hercules who was ostentatiously sidling away from him.

"Yes, how did you know?"

"Lucky guess," Iolaus answered wryly and another ruffle of laughter ran through the crowd.

Archivus sniffed. "As I was saying-"

"Get to the point, Archivus," growled the brown haired man.

"Yes, yes, all right. Don't be in such a hurry."

"Oh for crying out loud," the brown haired man muttered impatiently and stepped forward. "I'm Jason, son of the deposed King Aeson," he said simply.

"Open mouth and insert foot," Hercules hissed at Iolaus as the blond warrior gaped in dismay. "I told you I had a horrible feeling."

"Oh shut up!" Iolaus retorted. "It wasn't my fault he was eavesdropping!"

Jason was still talking. "I was told to return to Iolcus by Hera herself…"

"He had to mention Hera," Iolaus groaned as Hercules' expression turned to stone.

"It had always been my dream to return here to my home and regain my throne. But on my return I discovered that King Pelias has well and wisely ruled Iolcus in my absence and he has a son of his own. I cannot in good conscience demand that he cast aside his heir without proof that I have a right to the throne. Therefore I have agreed to this quest to prove myself. And to crew my ship the Argo, I need a stalwart crew good and true to accompany me."

There had been an approvingly curious murmur running through the crowd, now Agride stepped forward. "What exactly is the quest?"

Jason hesitated. "To go to Colchis and retrieve the Golden Fleece from the Grove of Ares," he answered, ignoring the way Lynceus and Archivus both frantically shook their heads at him.

"Ares too, huh? Want to make it best out of three?" Iolaus murmured, then winced as Hercules dug his fingers into his shoulder. Hercules wasn't angry however, the competitive light was back in his clear blue eyes. "Uh oh…"

"Colchis?" a red haired warrior exclaimed. "You want to go to Colchis? Do you know how far that is?"

Jason smiled faintly. "This is our quest, to follow the dream, no matter how dangerous, no matter how far. Our five year mission…"

"Five years?" someone gasped. "The wife will kill me. I'm out of here!"

"To seek out new civilisations, discover lost cities, to boldly go where no one has gone before," Jason continued blandly, ignoring the laughter as the young man pushed his way towards the back of the crowd.

"If no one's been there how do we know the fleece is in Colchis?" Castor called curiously.

"I have been promised that it is. Don't you know the legend of the ram Hermes sent to help Phrixus and Helles? Please say you do, or Archivus will insist on telling it us…"

Castor nodded as a murmur of laughter ran round the group. "I know it, but is probably moth eaten by now."

Jason paused and shrugged. "I told you the speech wouldn't help," he commented to Archivus. "Look, the poster said it all. We’re going to Colchis and I need a crew of the best men Greece has to offer. I can't guarantee that'll you'll win fame, fortune or anything else. I can't even guarantee that we’ll all survive. But this is the chance of an adventure of a lifetime. It's an adventure that I've always longed for, only I never dreamed that I’d be the one leading the quest!" He smiled at them all, sweeping them all up in his enthusiastic glow. "I'm going. Lynceus, Idas, Archivus, Argus and Coronus are coming with me. When they tell the tale of the Argonauts and the Golden Fleece do you really want to be the one to say, I could have gone but was to scared to compete for the chance?"

Archivus produced a quill and scroll and started scribbling frantically. "Jase, how are you spelling Argonauts?" he whispered.

"You’re the bard, you spell it. How should I know?"

Archivus nodded, muttering to himself as he wrote frantically.

"So," Jason cleared his throat as the silence became deafening. "This is a matter of honour for Iolcus. To find the fleece one way or another. The games are ready. The ship is waiting. Who wants to prove to me he's the one to go?"

A cheer went up, a roar that rolled along the beach like a tide. Caught up in the enthusiasm, Hercules and Iolaus found themselves cheering along with the rest.

"I'll take that as a yes," Jason grinned proudly. "Shortly, Prencious, will announce the games. Mendicas will then give a slip to each of you who wish to compete in the individual events. I will choose from among the winners who will join me on the quest, but there will be prizes for all winners. There is one other thing, a challenge for you all. If you will look out to sea, you will see a bell hung on the rock out there. I'm curious to see who can ring it. Now, Prencious, if you will begin please…"

* * *

Shading his eyes against the sun with one hand, Talaus studied the rocky spire with its bell and frowned. "It's impossible," he complained to Iolaus. "It's too far!" The hunter was sitting on the edge of the quay beside him, watching the other competitors hurling rocks out at the bell in the vain attempt of hitting it. It was the last event of the day and so far Polyphemus was the only one who had come close. During the day, the competitors had been divided up into two groups, consisting of mortals and demi-gods and they had spent the day competing for the prizes in various events. Polydeceus had won the boxing much to his delight. Hercules had thrown himself gleefully into winning the wrestling and was rather proud of the new dagger he had received as a prize.

"Hmmh," Iolaus murmured thoughtfully. "I wonder…"

"Wonder what?" Hercules trotted up behind them and dropped into a crouch beside his friend. Being able to compete against other demi-gods without having to restrain his strength had been something of a novelty for him and he was in a bright and breezy mood.

"If you could hit it," Iolaus answered easily.

Hercules frowned faintly. "That isn't what you were thinking."

"Sure it was," Iolaus purred, fluttering his eyelashes at him.

"Don't do that," Hercules laughed amiably. "You'll give Talaus ideas."

Talaus blushed as Iolaus gave him a suspicious look. "I'm not like that!" he protested.

"Don't change the subject, Herc," Iolaus said however. "Could you or couldn't you?"

Hercules shrugged. "Of course I could."

"Let's see you give it a go then."

"I already won the wrestling. I don't want to show off."

"Oh, like that's likely," Iolaus snorted, bouncing to his feet and dragging Hercules to his feet. "You're only scared you can't do it."

"I can too!"

"Dare you!" Iolaus taunted, giving him a shove.

With a scowl, Hercules stomped off down the quay with Iolaus and Talaus trotting after him. Many of the competitors had started to drift back to the lodge house for the evening meal, but Hercules' strength had been drawing attention all day and some had lingered to watch. Crouching on the sand, he picked over the pile of small rocks and pebbles that had been gathered on the throwing spot and selected one he liked.

"He'll never do it," Agride grunted, folding his arms as he scowled at the young demi-god. Hercules scowled right back at him.

"Watch the cross wind," Polyphemus advised in a friendly tone as Hercules stepped up the mark and took aim. He moved aside for the demi-god, shoving his dark brown hair out of his craggy face.

Hercules nodded solemnly, sighting on the bell and digging his bare toes into the sand for purchase as he took careful aim. He wound up for the pitch, taking his time about it and tuning out everyone around him. As he sank into the zone, the rock seemed to fly from his hand, darting like an arrow from a bow. It zipped off the mooring post at the end of the quay, swerved in mid flight and zinged against its target.

The high clear note reverberated across the waves as the rock bounced off the bell's shiny silver side, chiming repeatedly as the bell swung busily.

"Go, Hercules! Go Hercules!" Iolaus yelped, punching the air in triumph before he dived at his friend to hug him. Laughing, Hercules hugged him back, embarrassed by the cheer that had gone up on his hitting the bell.

"Fluke," Agride grunted sullenly, interrupting the congratulations of the other competitors.

"Sore loser," Iolaus mocked him, sticking his tongue out at the Spartan. Agride threw him a filthy look but said nothing as he stalked off. in a huff.

"Don't provoke him," Hercules hissed at his diminutive friend. "He's looking for a fight."

"So I’ll give him one. He keeps calling me little."

"He's twice your size. Don't start anything."

"I won’t. But if he starts a fight, I’ll finish it," Iolaus retorted.

"Hubris causes trouble," Butes commented dourly, frowning at Iolaus. Like the majority of the competitors, he was a big man with short-cropped dark hair. He had a deep voice like rough velvet, although he didn't seem inclined to say much. He had drawn with Otus in the mortal wrestling bouts. "But I congratulate you, Hercules. Well done."

"Thank you," Hercules said politely, not knowing quite what else to say. "You did well in the wrestling. Maybe we could have a match sometime?"

"Maybe." Butes nodded and ambled off in the direction of the lodge house with Polyphemus.

"I think Butes would be a good man to have on your side in a tight corner," Polydeceus murmured, slapping Hercules briskly on the back. "Well done. It took more than strength to hit that bell."

"We'll see. It's only a matter of getting the hang of the crosswind…"

"I think it was more than that," Polydeceus said dryly. "By the way, what's your little blond friend up to?"

"Don't call Iolaus little. It really annoys him. He's not…uh oh…" Hercules eyed the hunter warily, unsure about the way he had gone into a huddle with Talaus. "Then again, maybe he is up to something. Iolaus?"

"Be right there," Iolaus assured him cheerfully and trotted back to his side. Ferreting through the pile of rocks, he selected a smooth flat rock and held it up on the flat of his hand, inspecting it carefully.

"You'll never hit it with that," Talaus scoffed.

Frowning, Hercules looked from Talaus to the rock, to Iolaus' intense blue eyes and then grinned. "A dinar says he does," he offered.

"You’re on," Talaus said swiftly.

"I'm in for that," Polydeceus agreed.

"When you've quite finished," Iolaus said haughtily. Hercules stepped back, bowing him up to the mark. Iolaus ignored the teasing from his remaining audience, concentrating on the flow of the waves. He took up a different stance to Hercules, more sideways on, then threw almost underarm with a flick of the wrist that sent the stone skipping out over the waves in broad arcs until it bounced against the rocky spire and sprang upwards, stinging the side of the bell to set it ringing rapidly.

Straightening up, Iolaus dusted off his hands and grinned smugly up at Hercules. "I knew you were up to something," Hercules chuckled approvingly, wrapping his arm around his slender shoulders in a quick, congratulating hug.

"Is that allowed?" someone protested indignantly. "Isn't it cheating?"

"The challenge is to make it ring. Jason never said how," Iolaus retorted.

"Yes, but, surely…"

"Iolaus is right," Coronus observed, appearing from the back of the small crowd. "The challenge is to ring the bell. There are no other rules." He turned a brilliant smile on Hercules and Iolaus. "Congratulations. You'll be the first to drink from the bell cup."

Iolaus stared at him. "But I only wanted to see if I could do it," he protested. "I didn't mean-."

Coronus grinned and ruffled the hunter's hair, making Iolaus duck away from his hand indignantly. "You rang the bell and that's what counts," he told him, lowering his voice so that only Hercules and Iolaus could hear. "Jason needs men who can think for themselves. The more ways round a problem that can be found, the less of a problem, a problem is. That's what the bell challenge is really about. You've solved it. Now let's see who else can find a different way to do the same."

Hercules pouted. "But I only rang it the obvious way," he complained. "So that doesn't count."

Coronus raised an eyebrow at him. "Sure it does. You didn't have to bounce it off the mooring post, did you?"

"Well, no," Hercules flushed.

"He didn’t want to make it look too easy," Iolaus observed. Hercules gave him a rueful look and ducked his head in chagrin.

"Thought so," Coronus snorted. "Proves you know about trajectories though, doesn't it? Anyone can chuck a rock at something but it takes smarts to show some ingenuity. See you for supper, boys."

As the copper haired man sauntered off, Hercules pursed his lips and looked down at Iolaus with a faint frown.

"You did great, Herc," Iolaus assured him. "Why the scowl?"

"Where'd Talaus and Polydeceus go? They owe me some dinars."

* * *

"So what do you think?" Lynceus asked as he propped himself against the wall, and watched Jason mull over the lists of winners for the day.

"I think it's looking good," Jason answered, easing back in his chair and folding his arms behind his head as he stretched in the candlelight bathing the room in its soft golden glow. "If what I've seen today is anything to go by, we're going to have the best crew ever."

"I meant about our problem," Lynceus snorted.

"Which one? Acastus? Perides? Or Charbyis?"

"Take your pick."

Jason frowned. "I don't think Prince Acastus will be a problem. If Pelias wants his son along to make sure we don't cheat then that's up to him. He's supplying us for the trip after all."

"If you want to trust Acastus that far…"

"I didn't say I trusted him," Jason retorted. "I think Acastus genuinely doesn't care about my throne one way or another."

Lynceus scowled and dropped into a chair, facing Jason across the wooden table. "But he'll be Pelias' spy!"

"Better him than one we don't know about."

"Like Perides? What's he want, Jason? He can't think we'll take him along!"

Jason pursed his lips. "Coronus says that's exactly what he wants. Apparently, he's got three kings and a General on his tail. He's like all the other misfits who need a place to hide for a while."

"I don't know. I think he's up to something."

"He's an assassin, Lynceus. Of course he's up to something. But since I don't plan to hold an event concerning stabbing people in the back, he's hardly likely to win a place, so why worry?"

"Someone has to," Lynceus grumbled. "You don't."

Jason gave him a huge grin. "Must be the prince in me. That's why I have advisors."

"It isn't funny, Jase. What if he's been hired to kill you?"

Jason sobered. "I'm hoping Pelias is a little more subtle than that. If not, I'm trusting you and the others to watch my back when I can't."

Lynceus shook his head, making his shaggy brown hair flop.

"Cheer up," Jason urged, pushing the platter containing his evening snack towards his friend. "Have some cheese."

"What about Charbyis?"

"What about him?"

"Are you going to take the money his father offered?"

"And let him buy a place on the crew? No. The money doesn't matter," Jason answered. Lynceus stared at him silently until Jason gave in. "Okay, okay, so money does matter! But it isn't a deciding factor. If I let Charbyis buy a place, Pelias can say I'm taking bribes. I can't take the chance."

"It's a lot of money to turn down," Lynceus said sadly.

"And I have a lot to lose if I take it," Jason pointed out. "For all we know, it may be a trick and if not, well, what kind of father would be willing to buy his son a place on a trip that might get him killed? Either Charbyis is very spoiled and being indulged shamelessly, or he's damn well useless and they want to get him out of the way."

"What if he wins a place on his own merits?"

"Then he's welcome," Jason answered. "You want this cheese or not?"

Lynceus sighed and accepted a chunk of cheese and fresh bread. There were times he really wished Jason would give up on both the idea of reclaiming his throne and the quest. But Jason was too stubborn for his own good. He wanted what he saw as rightfully his and that was all there was to it. Lynceus could only hope he would grow out of it before he got them all killed.

* * *

The silvery chiming was starting to get on Hercules' nerves as they strolled down the corridor to their rooms. Since Mendicas had been unable to find another room, Hercules was still sharing Talaus' room and right then he was pretty grateful that he wasn't sharing a room with Iolaus.

"Will you stop that?" he demanded, taking a swipe at the small silver bell Iolaus was merrily swinging around one finger. He missed as Iolaus promptly caught it in his fist.

"Why? It's pretty."

"Yeah, it's exactly like you," Hercules grumbled.

"Pretty?" Iolaus narrowed his eyes suspiciously at him.

"No, irritating," Hercules retorted and made a swift grab for his hand. "Give!"

"No! It's mine! You've got your own." They had each been given a silver bell on a cord as a prize for ringing the bell on the rock and a drink from the magnificent silver and amber winner's chalice Pelias had given Jason. It was a pity that the wine in it and been so disgusting. The miniature silver bells that had been given out as prizes were pretty little things, each marked with an intricate little symbol. Hercules had promptly stuffed his in his belt, too inhibited to wear it, but Iolaus had been playing with his ever since and was slowly but steadily driving Hercules mad with it.

Grabbing Iolaus in a headlock, Hercules pried at his hand. He could quite easily have crushed his friend's hand, but long experience had taught him how to control his strength and he deliberately never exerted himself to give Iolaus a fair chance when they were playing. "I said give…" he growled.

"Oh, it's you two," Prencious' haughty sniff made them both freeze in chagrin. "I might have known."

Hercules and Iolaus sprang hastily apart, both doing their best to look innocent. "He slipped," Hercules offered.

Iolaus shot him a dirty look, but smiled sweetly. "These stone floors are so slippery, don't you think?"

"Not really," Prencious sniffed.

"Oh, no, of course, you don't," Iolaus purred.

For a split second Prencious gave him an uncertain look, suspecting that he had been insulted somehow but fooled by Iolaus' wide-eyed gaze. "I believe you requested another room," he said however, turning to Hercules.

"I did. There was a little bit of trouble last night in mine…"

"Oh yes, there was a burst water pipe for the fountain." Hercules exchanged an incredulous look with Iolaus as Prencious continued, "Mendicas was able to find you another room. So, if you'll come with me?"

"I'll fetch my gear."

"You can collect it later. I don't have all night to mollycoddle you would be heroes, you know. Come along." With another sniff, Prencious stalked off, leaving Hercules to grimace at his back, give Iolaus an exasperated look and then trot after him hastily. With a shrug, Iolaus slipped the bell around his neck and let himself into his own room to grab his towel. He would wait for him then go to the baths on his own if he didn't show up.

* * *

Somewhat over an hour later, Hercules loped back along the corridor. He couldn't believe how long Prencious had kept him cornered. For someone who claimed to be busy, he seemed to have a lot of time to waste. First of all he had had a huge list of rules that he insisted on reading to Hercules, then he had questioned him to see if he had understood the rules, then shown him around his new room. By the time, Hercules managed to get rid of him he was about ready to scream and he was pretty sure Iolaus was going to yell at him. He had promised his friend they would go to the baths - assuming they could find them - and Iolaus would be highly indignant at the delay.

Reaching Iolaus' door, he knocked briskly and waited. There was no answer. "Iolaus? It's me. Come on, don’t be mad. It wasn't my fault," he called through the door.

"Problem?" Talaus asked as he ambled past, a towel draped around his neck as he headed for his own room.

"I hope not. Have you seen Iolaus?"

"Ten minutes ago at the baths," Talaus told him. "He got bored waiting for you."

"That figures. He's got the attention span of a butterfly at times."

"Strange. That's what he said about you. I believe you were late?"

Hercules snorted in chagrin at the sarcastic comment and, after getting directions from Talaus to the baths, sped off to find his friend.

* * *

Muttering to himself, Iolaus finished drying himself off and wrapped the competitor's white pleated kilt around his waist, then slipped the bell back around his neck with the talisman that he hadn't bothered to remove. Water never did the dark green stone any harm and wearing it in the bath meant he never had to clean it. Sitting down on the stone seat with its fanciful carvings of Cretan dolphins by the edge of the water, he gazed into the depths of the now empty pool and sighed. Everyone else had either turned in to be ready for the following day's games or gone off into Iolcus to celebrate or commiserate with each other. Iolaus would have liked to do the same, but he had promised Hercules he would wait for him and he knew his friend would be disappointed if he went off without him. Big and confident though Hercules might seem on the outside, inside he was as soft as marshmallow at times.

A faint shimmer of blue in the water caught Iolaus' eye and he frowned, tracing the glimmer of movement as ripples trickled across the formally still surface. The ripple repeated itself, then again, spreading outwards from the centre in faster and faster circles. Yet there was nothing to cause the motion, not even the faintest of ground tremors.

Unnerved, Iolaus got to his feet, folding his arms across his bare chest as he noticed how cold it had suddenly become. The baths were heated by a system of tunnels under the floor, with fires kept constantly stoked during the day that kept the temperature of both air and water comfortably warm on even the coldest day. The chill in the air was downright unnatural considering that Iolaus had found it pleasantly warm so far. He made his way along the edge of the bath towards the doors, shivering as the air grew colder and colder and his breath started to mist in the air.

Reaching the doors, he caught at the bronzed handle, then snatched his hand away with a yelp as the bitter cold of the metal bit into his fingers. Using a fold of his kilt for protection, he grasped the handle again and tugged. The handle wouldn't move, seemingly stuck fast rather than locked. The cold seeped through the linen quickly and Iolaus withdrew, banging on the wooden panels instead.

"Hey! Open the door someone!" he yelled indignantly. "This isn't funny!"

There was no answer except for the cold wind that started to blow, blasting icy fingers up and down his back and setting his kilt to fluttering. Shoving his loose hair out of his face with one hand, Iolaus set his back to the door and faced the room. To his shock a fine sheet of ice was forming across the pool, shining white in the light of the guttering torches. As it thickened it started to crack, forming weird ridges and shapes as pressure swelled it over the edges of the pool and across the black and gold mosaic tiles of the floor.

Ignoring the shivers that were making his teeth chatter, Iolaus loped along the wall, circling the pool again to get to the second set of doors that led into the cold plunge beyond. He was almost there when the ice shattered with a deafening crack, exploding upwards as if something had hit it a violent blow from below. Something erupted from beneath the surface, something made of blue white ice and water with blazing eyes of blue within a face that was a mere ball of icicle spikes. As the ice fell away from around it, it expanded, growing taller and broader like some fantastic tree of writhing ice.

Frozen for a moment by sheer surprise, Iolaus stared up at it, then realised what he was doing and crept on tiptoe towards the doors. His fingers were going numb with cold, the urge to shiver stopping as the cold crept into his very bones and slowed his thoughts. He stumbled, falling over his own feet and sliding on the ice slick surface of the tiles. Catching his balance against the plastered wall, he leaned against it for support, struggling to think straight. He didn't need to test the handle of the cold room door, he could see that it too was sealed as crimson ice formed across it in layer upon layer.

The crackle of ice made him lift his head, focusing on the being forming in the pool. It dawned on him that it was looking at him, the ice blue eyes boring into him and seeming to suck the warmth from his very soul. The ice peeled back, like petals from a flower, exposing a face of purest black that shimmered like water. It had no mouth, no nose, only a smooth oval in which the oval orbs of its eyes burned.

Distantly, Iolaus heard the pounding on the far door, heard Hercules' voice calling his name from far, far away, but the cold ate into him, froze his limbs and blood, kept him immobile…

Some tiny seed of survival instinct made him push away and stumble towards the sound of the demi-god's voice.

"Iolaus! What's going on in there? Are you okay?" Hercules bellowed.

"Herc…help…" Iolaus staggered, tripping over the seat and grabbing at it on his way down as ice scraped his bare shins. It was too much, he was too cold…

The doors burst open, their hinges shattering under the impact of an annoyed demi-god. Bits of wood and plaster flew in all directions as his explosive entry tore out part of the wall as well. One of the doors skidded cross the tiles and slid into the ice-covered pool. The other one hit the wall and hung there like broken wing.

"Iolaus, where…oh…" Hercules skidded to a halt, staring up at the ice creature towering over him.

Staring back at him, the ice creature shattered and cracked open a mouth like a chasm forming in a glacier, fangs of ice emerging from the gaping maw as its icy breath blasted the young demi-god and made him step back from its force.

"What's all the noise…?" Polydeceus paused in the doorway, gaping past Hercules at the ice creature.

"Oh my…" Aethalides murmured, peering around the bigger man. "Already?"

"This happens a lot to you, doesn't it?" Polydeceus observed sarcastically to Hercules.

Hercules ignored him, having spotted Iolaus lying in a heap by the stone seat. "Distract it," he ordered grimly and darted froward, skating on the ice slippery floor.

"Distract it?" Polydeceus exclaimed. "How am I supposed to…?"

"Allow me," Aethalides said quietly and slipped past him, staring up at the creature. "By the power of Hermes, I command thee…" he began.

Polydeceus grabbed his shoulder and yanked, whipping him back out of reach as a shard of ice easily the height of the young Herald speared through the spot where he had been standing.

"That isn't supposed to happen!" Aethalides complained in an indignant yelp.

"Never mind! Hercules, look out!" Polydeceus' shouted warning came barely in time.

Spotting the stalactite hurled by the enraged ice creature coming at him, Hercules flung himself flat and slid the last few feet to his partner on his stomach. Seizing the edge of the seat, he ripped it from its setting and tipped it onto its side, using it as a shield as he grabbed Iolaus and shook him. Iolaus felt ice cold to Hercules' touch, but he opened his eyes, mumbling something incoherent before he slumped against the demi-god. Worriedly, Hercules patted his cheek and when there was no response he anxiously felt his throat for his pulse. It was there, but very, very slow and sluggish.

Ice exploded against the wall behind them, the foot long splinters coming perilously close. Deciding that this was no time to give care and consideration to making a proper plan, Hercules went with his instincts. Slinging Iolaus over his shoulder, he bolted to his feet and ran for it.

"Coming through!" he bellowed as Polydeceus and Aethalides stood and gaped at him. Pulling themselves together, they dived back through the doorway as Hercules bore down on them, ice cracking under the pounding of his boots. Icicles shattered around him, one of them slicing his shoulder, another ripping his leather pants at the knee. Then the ground heaved under him, hurling him off his feet. Hercules twisted in mid fall, protecting Iolaus' instinctively with his own body. He hit and rolled, taking Iolaus with him as he tumbled through the doorway into the corridor. Releasing Iolaus he sprang back to his feet and nearly fell over the Herald as Aethalides bounded between him and the door, raising his hands high as a rapid gabble of words exploded out of him.

"By the power of Hermes, I command thee be gone! In the name of earth, air, fire and water, I repel thee! In the name of Hermes, I expel thee! This doorway be closed to ye! Begone!"

A blast of hurricane force blizzard exploded through the doorway, hurling all of them off their feet. Hercules caught Aethalides as he was tossed into him and he slammed into wall behind him as the wind threw them both aside like leaves. Snow and ice whirled around them in fury, driving them all to the floor in a huddle of cold then, as abruptly as it had begun, it was over. With a dull whumpf of sound a wall of ice blocked the doorway and silence settled in the corridor with the last few flakes of snow.

Polydeceus sat up from beside Iolaus who he had been sheltering with his own body and swore pithily. "What in the name of Hades was that?" he demanded, looking at Hercules expectantly.

"Why ask me?" Hercules complained as he scrabbled through the snow to turn Iolaus over onto his back and wipe his snow wet hair from his face.

"Well, aren't you related to him?"

"Yeah, I'm related to him but I don't exactly stop by for afternoon tea."

"I don't think it had anything to do with Hades," Aethalides said slowly, looking and sounding rather dazed.

"Or Hermes?" Polydeceus gave him a sharp look. "What was all that you were yelling at it?"

Aethalides blinked. "To tell the truth, I don't know. I don't remember. Was it interesting?"

Polydeceus stared at him, looked at Hercules as he fussed over Iolaus and sighed. "Why do I get the feeling that this trip is going to be rather more interesting than I expected?" he murmured, then lunged to his feet as he heard movement in the corridor.

Prencious appeared with a trio of armed guards. "What is going on here?" he exclaimed in outrage. "Look at this, this mess!"

"Nothing to do with us," Aethalides said quickly, giving him a look of wide-eyed innocence that would have done Iolaus proud.

Hercules grunted and scooped Iolaus up in his arms, cuddling him close in an effort to share his own body warmth with him. "Where do I find the healer?" he demanded impatiently.

"First of all I want an explanation," Prencious sniffed.

"Stuff that," Hercules growled at him and turned a chilly glare on the nearest guard. "The healer?"

"I'll show you," the guard said promptly, peering at Iolaus with a frown. "Here, you can borrow my cloak…"

"Now, wait a moment," Prencious argued indignantly. "You can't-

"It's really pretty simple," Polydeceus interrupted quickly, taking Prencious' arm and turning him around to the wall of blood red ice sealing the door. It was starting to melt, dripping tears of blood to the floor. "Something nasty came up through the drain…"

* * *

Hercules shifted on his seat by the window, turning his gaze from the darkened view across the gardens to his friend. Bundled up in furs and sheepskins for warmth, Iolaus had shown no signs of stirring from his torpor despite the extra heat of the brazier the healer had had brought in. Ranberus, the healer, a wiry older man with a busy of grey hair and kind brown eyes, was sitting by the bed, checking Iolaus' pulse every now and then.

"It's a matter of getting his temperature back up," he said, catching Hercules' eye. "He'll be fine once he's warm again. He isn't actually hurt."

Hercules nodded, only marginally reassured. He wouldn't be convinced until Iolaus was awake and talking. "I can sit with him," he offered however.

"Aren't you taking part in the games tomorrow?"

"Well, yes, but I don’t really need that much sleep and I won't sleep while I'm thinking about Iolaus."

"Worrying you mean," Ranberus chuckled. A faint frown crossed his wrinkled features at the sound of a brisk tap at the door. Hercules went to open it when he nodded to him and, to his astonishment, it was Jason himself.

Jason nodded to him politely as Hercules stood aside to let him in. "How's he doing, Ranberus?"

"Cold, but warming up nicely. If you keep the door shut…"

Flushing in chagrin, Hercules slammed it shut. Jason glanced at him and startled the younger man with a surprisingly sympathetic smile. "You two have been doing well in the games, I wouldn't want to see you miss out on the others," he told him. "Would you like to tell me what happened? The version Polydeceus and Aethalides gave me seems a little sketchy."

"There was something in the pool made out of ice," Hercules explained. "And it wasn't a party decoration."

"Perhaps a little more detailed?"

"I don't really know anything else," Hercules admitted. "I,uh ,opened the door and…"

"Broke it down you mean, be honest," Jason corrected dryly.

"Yeah, well, I was in a hurry and Iolaus was in trouble," Hercules muttered.

"Interesting," Jason mused.

Hercules shot a quick glare at him. "I didn't think so at the time."

"I meant the lengths you went to, to help your friend."

"Oh," Hercules could feel himself blushing again. It was one of the things he really wished he would grow out of in a hurry. "Uh, well, the ice demon was there in the pool and Iolaus seemed to be hurt. So I grabbed him and legged it."

"Risking life and limb in the process?"

"I wouldn't put it quite like that."

"And then Aethalides said some kind of spell that sealed the doors?"

"Well, he said something but I think the doors were sealed by the demon to protect itself."

Jason inclined his head slowly. "Maybe. It's certainly gone now."

"You've been to the pool then?"

"Prencious decided to wake me up to see what vandalism you and your - what was it? - oh yeah, your misbegotten thugs had been up to."

"I'm sorry about that."

"It's hardly your fault the man screeches like a broken kitara," Jason said cheerfully. "Or that this place seems to be haunted. You called it a demon. Why do you think it's here? Is it after you? You've had two encounters with it so far."

"This one wasn't my fault! I wasn't even there!" Hercules protested.

"But your friend was."

Hercules opened his mouth to argue, then hesitated as he realised how astute Jason's comment had been. "I was supposed to meet Iolaus at the pool," he admitted slowly, giving Jason an uneasy look. "You really think it's me it wants?"

Jason raised a dark eyebrow at him. "Bit of a coincidence otherwise, isn't it?"

"I should leave," Hercules muttered, slumping miserably.

Jason snorted. "Fat chance, hero," he told him. "You don't strike me as the kind to run away from a challenge or you wouldn't be here. What we need to do is find out what this demon is, what it wants and who's sending it."

"Hera," Hercules growled.

"Not Hera," Jason met his eyes in challenge. "She sent me on this quest."

"Then you don't want me along. Not if you know who I am."

"I know exactly who you are." Jason gave him a calm smile. "And on the contrary, it’s the safest place you could be. If you travel with me, then you travel free from the malice of the Gods. The Gods have plans for us and our destruction is not one of them."

"Sure of that, are you?" Hercules mocked.

"I may not know who's going yet, but I'm sure they do," Jason answered. "Our problem right now is this demon." He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, gazing into space for a moment. "We need to know more about it. Know the enemy."

"Quote, unquote, Cheiron," Hercules nodded. "Aethalides knew the spell that blocked it."

"You think he sent it?" Jason frowned at him. "Archivus knows him quite well."

"People change," Hercules pointed out. "But, no, I don't think Aethalides sent it, I think he was sent to stop it. He's the son of Hermes. And Hermes is, uh, well, he's uh…Iolaus is…uh…" He stopped uncertainly, wondering how to explain the weird one-sided relationship the Herald had with Iolaus. If you could call Iolaus screaming and throwing things while the Herald teased him a relationship.

"Who slammed the door?" Iolaus' voice complained querulously, lifting his head from his pillows and shoving at the furs tickling his face. "And why am I wrapped up like a sausage roll?"

Hercules bounded to his side, nearly knocking the quietly watchful Ranberus out of his way. "Iolaus, you’re awake!" he yipped in relieved excitement.

"Yeah, so? What's all the fuss about?" Shoving his tangled hair out of his eyes, Iolaus looked around him, focusing on Ranberus dazedly as he checked his pulse and then spotting Jason. "Uh, hi…"

"Hello," Jason said mildly. "We were talking about the demon that seems to be on Hercules' tail. Care to add anything?"

"Uh, it wouldn't be the first time?" Iolaus suggested.

"You've seen this demon before?"

"If you mean the ice thingy in the pool, no. But Herc seems to attract monsters the way I attract girls." Iolaus gave Jason a dazzling grin.

"Fancy yourself as the competition for the women, do you, Trouble?" Jason teased.

"Maybe," Iolaus smiled at him as Hercules groaned quietly.

Ranberus released Iolaus' wrist, frowning faintly over his pulse. "This young man needs some rest," he announced. "Why don't you come back and talk to him in the morning?"

"I feel fine," Iolaus argued. "A little cold and a bit foggy maybe, but…" He paused, frowning and turning to Hercules. "Did someone mention Hermes?"

"It was your imagination," Hercules told him solemnly, ignoring the puzzled look Jason gave him. "Why don't you get some sleep?" He pushed his friend down flat and tugged the sheepskins up over him as Iolaus blinked at him groggily. Ranberus shooed him away, herding both Jason and Hercules to the door.

"If Aethalides was sent to stop this thing, maybe he knows what it is," Jason commented as they were pushed through the door.

"Maybe it's only reacting to my presence here," Hercules suggested.

"Why you and not the others? There are enough of your kind around after all. Aethalides himself maybe? Or…"

"I'm sure someone mentioned Hermes…" Iolaus' sleepily plaintive complaint drifted after them, making Hercules smile before Ranberus firmly closed the door on them.

Jason frowned. "What's all that about?" he asked curiously.

"You don't want to know," Hercules told him wryly. "It certainly isn't anything you need to worry about."

"Well, it’ll make a change. What with one thing and another…"

"Jason!" Archivus panted towards them. "I've been looking for you everywhere!"

"Obviously not everywhere or you’d have found me. What is it this time?"

"A calamity has befallen us!" Archivus wailed.

"Another one? It's all go…"

"Does he always talk like that?" Hercules whispered.

"Pretty much. It's the bard in him. He's better when he's not nervous. And, speaking of which, what's happened, Archivus?"

"A body. We've found a body!"

"Uh oh," Jason's good humour vanished. "Please tell me it was an accident."

"Idas doesn't think so. It's uh… it's Charbyis."

Jason groaned and covered his eyes. "Do Prencious or Mendicas know yet?"

Archivus shook his head. "Lettus and Domesticles found the body on their way back from the city. They had the sense to come and tell Lynceus first."

"Show me," Jason ordered grimly and followed the bard as he hurried off. Glancing around, Hercules shrugged and then followed. Jason glanced at him but said nothing, accepting his presence as if he belonged with them.

* * *

The body lay behind the back of the lodge house where it was likely to be discovered by anyone taking the short cut back from Iolcus over the wall as Lettus and Domesticles had done. Charbyis had been a reasonable looking young man in life and whoever had killed him had taken pains to lay him out neatly. He lay on his back, his blond hair neatly smoothed into place and his hands folded across his chest. Placed in the centre of his chest on the back of his hands lay a bronze disk inscribed with a series of strangely entwined horn like symbols.

"We found him exactly like this," Lettus told Jason grimly when the prince arrived. He was an ordinary looking man in his mid twenties with a shock of red hair. "I thought he was asleep at first, but…"

"He didn't look right," Domesticles added. He was equally nondescript, brown haired and fit enough but with the look of man who might turn plump in time.

"Did you touch anything?" Jason questioned.

"Nothing. Lettus went for help while I stayed here," Domesticles answered. "I did touch him while Lettus was here to see if there was anything we could do, but he was dead and already getting cold."

Jason gave him a sharp look, then turned to Idas who had been called to the body by Lettus. "How cold?" he demanded..

Stocky, dark haired Idas grunted. "He's dead," he said simply. "Cold as in cold."

"Not frozen? Ice like?"

"No, but why frozen?" Idas gave him a blank look.

"We have a demon in the palace," Jason explained gloomily, casting a sharp eye at Hercules as he knelt beside the body. Archivus leaned over the demi-god's shoulder, studying the body. "Do we know what killed him?"

"No sign of any knife wounds and he wasn't strangled," Idas said promptly and gestured helplessly. "If it wasn't for the way he's lying, I’d say it was natural."

"Could someone else have found him and tidied up?" Lettus suggested.

"Why not call for help like we did?" Domesticles argued.

"Well, we had each other to say we didn't do it and we’d been at the taverna. Maybe someone found him who was scared he might get the blame," Lettus explained.

"Good point," Domesticles admitted.

"But why tidy up?" Idas wondered. "That doesn't seem normal to me."

"Maybe whoever it was drunk," Lettus expounded, getting into his theme. "But wanted to be respectful."

"That doesn't explain this disk," Archivus interrupted them, pointing at the disk. "These symbols are from some kind of cult. The disks were only given to sacrificial victims."

"And how do you know that?" Lettus gave him a suspicious look.

"I read a lot," Archivus retorted sarcastically. "You might consider it sometime." Lettus gave him a dirty look. "Look, I know someone who might know more. I’ll ask him."

"I've found a wound," Hercules interrupted, pointing to a spot at the base of the skull where the hair was matted with something dark. He held up his fingers up to the torch Idas was holding, rubbing them together as the substance flaked off. "It's very small, but something like a stiletto could have made it."

"Not accidental then," Idas crouched, peering at the base of the skull where Hercules pointed. "Damn…"

Jason swore succinctly. "Archivus?"

The bard scrubbed his bearded cheek with his fingertips. "Well, normally it would have been a knife wound with lots of blood. But that would have involved mess and noise…"

Hercules pushed to his feet. "This was quick and clean, the way an assassin might do it."

Jason swore again and folded his arms, looking skywards in exasperation.

"Perides," Idas spat, thumping one bunched fist into his other hand. "He wants to make us look bad. When I get my hands on him…"

"Hold fast, Idas. He's likely to succeed if we react wrong," Jason snapped. "I have to think…"

"Shouldn’t we tell Prencious?" Hercules asked Archivus quietly.

Archivus pursed his lips thoughtfully. "We have a little problem," he explained quietly. "Aldis, Charbyis' father was attempting to bribe Jason into giving his son a place on the quest. He threatened to stop the quest if Jason didn’t agree."

"Can he do that?"

"Aldis is a very powerful man in Iolcus. And Pelias would love it if he came up with a way to ruin Jason before he even started out."

"So Jason was caught either way. If he said no, Aldis would set him up. If he said yes, Pelias would say he was taking bribes." Idas added.

"And now that he's been killed it doesn't look good for Jason," Archivus sighed.

Jason stirred. "We don't have any choice. We have to tell Prencious. Leave everything the way it is. Hercules, why don't you go to bed? There's no need for you to be involved."

"I'll stay if you don't mind," Hercules said however. "Prencious might take it the wrong way if I'm not here."

* * *

"Murder?" Iolaus gazed at the demi-god, wide-eyed.

"Murder," Hercules confirmed grimly. "But don't go telling anyone."

They were sitting on the quay watching the other competitors gather for the day's events. One or two were managing to look bright eyed and bushy tailed, but some of the others looked like something a Hydra would have turned down for breakfast.

Iolaus shivered. "Charbyis," he said softly. "I don't think I met him, but even so…"

"From what Archivus said, he spent most of his time in his rooms living it up."

"He didn't enter the games?"

"His father wanted to buy him a place on the quest. At a guess I’d say, he planned to get off at the first port and pretend he went all the way to Colchis."

"Fame and glory with no risk," Iolaus snorted. "Spoilt rich kid."

Hercules sighed. "Not that it did him any good," he said sadly.

Iolaus shot a quick look at him. "It wasn't your fault," he pointed out. "You can't be in two places at once."

"I should have been watching Perides."

"Instead of rescuing me from a demon? Gee, thanks."

"You know what I mean."

"Perides isn't your responsibility. Jason knew he was. You want to bet he hadn't pointed him out to Prencious and the guards?"

"Well, no…" Idas had told Hercules that Jason had done exactly that and been ignored.

"Anyway, there's nothing we can do about it."

"But it isn't a very good start for Jason."

"It might not have anything to do with Jason," Iolaus pointed out reasonably. "We don't know anything about Charbyis or what he was like. Maybe he did something that he deserve to be killed for. Maybe someone hired Perides specifically to kill him."

"Iolaus!" Hercules yelped, shocked.

"Don't tell me you hadn't thought it too. You have to cover all the angles and you know it," Iolaus retorted. "Besides which, it's Jason's problem, not yours."

Hercules hesitated and then shrugged. "I guess…"

"So while he's dealing with it, you want to come and watch me at the archery?"

Hercules shot a quick look at him, hearing the faint note of unease in his friend's voice. "Is that first?"

Iolaus nodded, nibbling on his thumb nervously for a second. "I hope I do okay."

"You'll be fine," Hercules assured him warmly, giving him a quick hug and glad to set his darker thoughts aside. "As long as your bow finger has thawed out."

"Oh very funny," Iolaus snorted, slipping to his feet. "Come on…"

"Iolaus?"

"What?"

"Seriously, I mean it. You'll be fine. I know how good you are."

* * *

Valiantly suppressing a smirk, Hercules counted the dinars as Lettus paid them into his hand. The red head sighed as he set down the last one and tied up his purse again.

"I won't fall for that again," he grumbled, shooting a quick glare at Iolaus as he bounced back with his prize ribbon.

Iolaus' grin of pleasure wilted under his glare. "Did I do something wrong?" he asked hesitantly.

Lettus managed to maintain his hardboiled scowl for a moment then shook his head and slapped the young hunter on the back. "No, you did great," he assured him. "Congratulations. Keep your pet Cerebus here under control though, will you?"

"Cerebus?" Iolaus shot a bewildered look up at Hercules as Lettus stalked off, shaking his head. "Did I miss something?"

Hercules could no longer restrain himself and gave him a huge grin. "I bet him you’d win and like a fool he bet me you wouldn't. It cost him twenty dinars to underestimate you."

Iolaus' eyes widened. "You didn't!"

"Of course, I did. Is it my fault he fell for it?" Hercules replied innocently.

For a moment Iolaus was lost for words then he laughed. "You’re incorrigible."

"I learned it from you," Hercules laughed back.

"But you don't gamble!"

"What gamble? I knew you’d win. See? I told you, you could do it. I had every confidence in you."

His eyes sparkling, Iolaus nodded and looked proudly towards where the archery targets were being taken down. Every one of his arrows had hit in the bullseye and he couldn't remember ever shooting better in a contest. Perhaps it was only because he had never been so determined to show his own worth before, but he could still hardly believe it. He had even managed to beat Agride the contest favourite into second place.

He glanced up at Hercules as his friend put his arm around his shoulders, then followed his gaze. His smile of delight faded as he spotted Agride coming towards them. The big Spartan was scowling in fury.

Hercules tightened his grip. "He was arguing with Mendicas over you winning the contest," he told the hunter. "Don't say anything. He’ll turn you into baklava."

"I thought you had every confidence in me?"

"When it comes to archery, I do."

"I think I'm insulted."

Hercules grinned at him then turned his full attention to the Spartan as he reached them. "Yes?"

"Stay out of it," Agride snapped. "This is between me and the little guy hiding behind you."

"I don't think so," Hercules said mildly then winced as Iolaus' elbow jabbed him in the ribs as the hunter escaped his restraining grip.

"Who are you calling little, you overgrown moron?" Iolaus growled.

"You, titch."

"Titch? Titch! You…"

Hercules grabbed Iolaus' shoulder in a desperate effort to halt his lunge. "Come on, Jason said no fighting amongst ourselves!" he yelped. "He only wants to get us thrown out of the games."

"Us?" Suddenly doubtful, Iolaus looked up at Hercules and so missed the fist Agride swung back handed at him. The blow knocked him to the ground where he lay stunned, holding his jaw and staring at the Spartan in shock.

"Get up and fight me, coward," Agride snarled.

"Leave him alone!" Hercules said furiously, stepping between them.

"Yeah, why don't you pick on someone your own size?" a male voice demanded. Hercules glanced over his shoulder, surprised by the size of man behind him. Shaven headed, and barechested, his arms bulged impressively with muscles. After a moment Hercules recognised him as the Spartan from the mortal wrestling event.

"Get stuffed, Otus," Agride snarled at him.

"You’re earning us Spartans a bad name," Otus rumbled grimly. "Leave them alone."

"Or what?"

"Or else."

"This is none of your concern. Spartan honour is at stake."

"I didn't know you had any," Iolaus spat, recovering from his surprise and staggering to his feet.

Agride glared at him. "Oh, so suddenly you’re brave now when your friends are around to protect you?"

Iolaus drew himself up to his full height. "I don't need anyone to protect me," he responded.

Agride smirked. "Sure of that, are you, boy?"

Iolaus bristled, fury overtaking what remained of his common sense. If there was one thing besides being called a coward guaranteed to make him lose his temper is was being called boy.

Hercules swore and grabbed, seizing his friend by the upper arms and wrapping him in a wrestling hold to restrain him. "Push off, Agride," he ordered bitterly, struggling to hold onto the spitting, curse snarling young Theban. "We don't want any trouble."

"No?" Agride planted his fists on his hips and cocked a nasty grin at them. "What do you pretty young things want then? Looking for a new boyfriend each? Or do you share?"

Hercules almost but not quite let go of Iolaus in outrage. It was only the fact that Iolaus froze that stopped him. "Why you…" he began and was interrupted by the arrival of Jason and Coronus.

"What's going on here?" Jason demanded, his fury simmering beneath the surface like lava in a cauldera.

"A friendly little discussion," Agride answered, unable to keep the sneer from his voice.

Jason glanced from the furious expression of Hercules and Iolaus to the Spartan and then turned a glare on Otus. "Well?"

Otus shrugged and folded his massive arms. "Spartan honour forbids me to say who started it," he said with grim calculation.

Jason's scowl deepened, then Coronus nudged him in the ribs and hissed something in his ear. "Oh, I see," the prince said, giving the big Spartan a thoughtful look and then turning cold eyes on Agride. "Does this have anything to do with the archery contest by any chance?"

Agride bristled in response to Jason's stare. "The blond cheated," he snapped. "Every one knows it."

"I don't," Otus grunted.

"The contest was fair," Coronus argued, having been there to referee the whole thing. "Iolaus almost had a perfect score."

"Favouritism," Agride spat.

"Excuse me?" Coronus gaped at him. "How can it be favouritism when I hardly know the guy?"

"Favours offered, favours taken," the Spartan retorted, his lip curling.

"Can I kill him now?" Iolaus asked hopefully. "It wouldn't take long, Herc."

"No, you can't," Coronus said darkly, his amber eyes glittering with the predatory sheen of a hungry lion. "He's mine…"

Jason gave them both a quelling look. Hercules had let his friend go for the moment, but still held a handful of his tunic in the small of his back to keep him in place. "What are you saying, Agride?"

"I told you," the Spartan jerked his thumb rudely at Iolaus. "He cheated."

"You can’t cheat at archery," Iolaus argued.

"My bow was faulty."

"You had your choice of bows," Coronus pointed out. "You chose your weapon before Iolaus. If you chose a faulty bow, then your own skills deceived you."

"A good archer can hit the target with his own bow, but a real archer can hit his target with any bow," Otus observed quietly. "Spartan rules, Agride."

Agride gave him a filthy look. "The arrows were useless."

"Again, they were your choice," Coronus reminded him.

Agride's lips writhed in a snarl. "I am the best archer here," he snapped. "I demand the prize."

"No," Jason said flatly before any of them could argue. "Iolaus won the contest fair and square. I will not be threatened into changing the decision."

The Spartan glared at them and took a step closer to Iolaus, his fists clenching. "I am not going to lose to a half-pint sized Theban catamite who should never have been allowed to…"

Iolaus hit him without warning, ripping his tunic free from Hercules' grip as he lunged up on the balls of his feet and smacked the Spartan in the jaw with all his strength. Agride staggered back and fell over his own feet, sitting down unexpectedly in the dirt.

"You see," he sputtered, spitting blood. "A liar, a cheat and a coward. He has no honour at all!"

Iolaus went white in rage, taking a stiff stalking step towards him. It was Jason who stepped between them. "That's enough," he said coldly.

"You saw him hit me!" Agride reminded him, clambering back to his feet. "I demand you withdraw the prize from him and exile him…"

"You hit him first," Hercules interrupted hotly. "You came over and started insulting us and then you hit him when he wasn't looking! You call that honourable?!"

Jason sighed heavily. He glanced at Coronus, annoyed by his grin.

"What are you smirking about?" Agride demanded irritably, noticing Coronus at the same time.

"That a hulking great brute like you should whine over being hit by a half-pint who knocked him down."

"He took me by surprise," Agride grumbled sullenly.

"And you call yourself a Spartan," Hercules snorted. "Don't they say that Spartans never get taken by surprise?"

Agride drew a deep breath, his face turning ruddy with fury. "Are you going to let them talk to me like this, Jason?" he shot at the prince. "I was invited here by King Pelias himself! Unlike this pair of half-wits!"

Jason gave him a look of loathing. "I know exactly who invited you here," he admitted. "But it seems to me that you’re the one who started this, Agride. You’re the one who claims Iolaus cheated. So why don't we let the Gods decide?"

"What?" Hercules squeaked in alarm. Iolaus went very still, studying Jason carefully and then looking at Agride. The Spartan was looking distinctly uncertain.

Jason ignored Hercules. "Well?" he said quietly, looking from Iolaus to Agride and back again.

"Let them decide how?" Iolaus asked cautiously, having good reason though dint of knowing Hercules when to exercise caution on the subject.

"Iolaus!" Hercules yipped.

"Stay out of this, Herc," Iolaus told him briskly.

"Yeah, what titch said, how?" Agride said warily.

Iolaus shot a glare at him but managed to hold his tongue.

"You two will compete against each other," Jason decided. "You want to fight? Then fight you will, but under supervision and by the rules. No doubt the Gods will choose the winner."

"When and where?" Iolaus wanted to know as Agride frowned suspiciously.

"This evening after the games and before the evening meal."

"With what weapons?" Agride demanded. "I choose swords!"

"I will choose the weapons," Jason said flatly. "Now get out of my sight. If either of you so much as speak to each other before hand I’ll exile the pair of you." Lifting his head, the prince stalked off. Agride snorted in disgust and marched off in the opposite direction.

"I’d better keep an eye on him." Shaking his head, Otus ambled after his fellow Spartan. Coronus glanced after Jason with a shrug.

"Jason won't hold you to it if you don't want to fight," he told Iolaus.

"I'm not afraid of Agride. I’ll cream the Spartan bastard," Iolaus promised.

Coronus chuckled. "You know, I think you might at that, Suntop. Don't forget to pick up your prize bow later," he said mildly and trotted off after Jason as the prince bellowed his name.

"I can't believe you agreed to that!" Hercules yelped.

"He called me Suntop," Iolaus grumbled.

"Iolaus! Are you listening to me?"

"You think maybe I should be insulted?"

"He wants you to fight a Spartan!"

"I'm not sure what he meant by it. But, knowing Coronus…"

"You should be scared!"

"Over a nickname?" Iolaus peered up under him from beneath his shaggy fringe in bewilderment.

"No, you idiot! Not the nickname!"

Iolaus' eyes widened. "Ooh, you think Coronus-?"

"No! I meant over fighting Agride!"

"Oh him. Piece of baklava. Got a pottery jaw."

"Iolaus!" Hercules wailed and then slumped in surrender. "What am I going to do with you?"

"How about buy me a drink? I did win the archery, you know."

* * *