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            The moon was full; shining with an eerie crimson sheen across the forest, creeping with blood red intensity into each and every fold of leaf and crack of tree until the wood itself seemed to drip with gore. Iolaus could feel it enfolding him leaving an iridescent sheen upon his skin. Somewhere in the woods behind him he could hear the wolves baying at the Blood Moon as the hunter became the hunted, could hear shrill voices chanting….

Bacc-hus, Bacc-hus, Bacc-hus…

            The ghoul came fast, slithering on its snake like body and lunging towards him out of the darkness, its serrated toothed maw gaping wide as it lunged at his throat. He dodged, diving to the frosty ground and rolling back to his feet to run again. The ghoul caught him with a sweep of its tail, snatching his feet from under him as it once more lunged. The fanged maw closed on his thigh, chomping deep into his cringing flesh as he screamed…

            And woke in a cold sweat of sheer terror, his scream locked in the back of his throat. Sitting bolt upright, Iolaus swung his feet to the floor and fought to control his trembling as he rubbed the vicious cramp in his thigh.

            "Iolaus?" Hercules mumbled sleepily from the other side of the room. "You okay?"

            "Yeah, it's n'nothing. Go back to s'sleep," Iolaus stammered.

            There was silence for a moment then the demi-god rolled onto his side and lit the lamp beside his bed. "It doesn't sound like nothing," he observed as he pushed himself up on his arms and peered through the dim light at his friend. "And it doesn't look like nothing. You’re shaking."

            "I'm not." Iolaus looked away from him, finding himself instinctively scanning the inn room for signs of the monster in his nightmare.

            "Yes, you are." Hercules climbed out of bed to push the window shutter open and let some fresh air into the room before he sat down beside Iolaus. He put a hand on his shoulder, feeling his shivering. "You feel feverish."

            "Not really. Leave me alone, Herc. It was only a bad dream."

Hercules frowned at him and left his hand where it was, noting that Iolaus made no effort to shrug him off. "About what?"

"You don't want to know," Iolaus managed a shaky laugh as he flexed his leg. The cramping pain in his thigh seemed to be wearing off at last.

"Anything that could freak you out has to be bad," the demi-god said calmly. "Talk or I torture you."            

Iolaus flashed a startled look at him and grinned ruefully. "It was nothing, really. I dreamed about the Bacchus Blood Moon and the ghoul."

"It's been a while since you had that one," Hercules commented in concern.

"It's been a while since the Blood Moon," Iolaus snorted and kept his head down so Hercules couldn't see his chagrined expression.

The demi-god glanced at the moon glowing pale as frost beyond the window. It was low in the night sky, filigreed silver instead of rich as cream. Bad weather could well be on the way and he was glad the local farmers had finished gathering their crops. The weather had been strange recently, cold when it should have been warm. Wet when it should have been dry…."We can move on tomorrow if you want," he suggested slowly.

"And miss the festival?" Iolaus protested. "Besides, we promised to help with the Tug of War. You wouldn't want me to think you’re scared of a challenge are you?"

Hercules chuckled. "I think I can beat you at a game of Tug Of War."

"We’ll see about that!"

"You and whose army? Besides, you’re the one with the weird dream."

"Don't even joke about it!" Iolaus yelped and shuddered violently, startling them both with his reaction. Hercules tightened his grip on his shoulder.

"You know, I think you are feverish," he said seriously as he felt how warm Iolaus was considering the cool night air. "Maybe you should get back into bed."

Iolaus raised an eyebrow at him. "Getting a little fussy, aren't you?"

"Well, I wouldn't want you finding any excuses when you lose, now would I?"

The hunter grimaced at him and gave Hercules a shove to make him stand up. Sliding back under the blankets, he pulled them up to his chest and then settled back with his arms folded behind his head.     

Hercules eyed him for a moment before he closed the shutter and padded back to his own bed to gratefully slide his cold feet under the covers. There was still a warm spot where he had got out and he snuggled into it blissfully.

"Herc?" Iolaus said drowsily.

"Yeah?"

"You did kill the ghoul, didn't you?" the hunter asked in a small hopeful voice.

If Hercules hadn't known his friend had had good reason to be scared of the monster that had come close to killing him, he would have teased him about his nightmare, instead he smiled in understanding. "I killed it, Iolaus," he promised. "And I burned what was left. There's no way it can come back."

Iolaus sighed in relief and turned onto his side, burrowing down among the blankets. "Good," he murmured sleepily.

Lying still, Hercules listened to his friend's breathing even out as he fell asleep and sighed. He was glad he had been able to reassure his friend, he only wished someone could do the same for him. Maybe the one he had killed could not return but he knew of nothing to stop Bacchus creating another one.

                                                            * * *

            The cowled figure knelt on the cold stone floor, huddled as close to the flagstones as it could get as the tall black cloaked woman entered the cavern with her blonde haired servant scurrying at her heels.

            "What are you doing here?"

"I have information, mistress. Important information, mistress," the cowled figure answered, bobbing obsequiously closer to the floor.

With a sniff, she gestured him to get up.  "Stop grovelling, man. It is bad enough that I have to deal with the likes of you without having to put up with your snivelling ways."

"Yes, mistress." He scrambled to his feet, keeping his cloak hood tugged tight around his face.

 "Now, what is you want?" she demanded as she settled into her throne of bones and propped her long, black leather clad legs on a stone footrest shaped like a skull.

Swallowing nervously, the man eyed her legs and took a shaky breath. "It is Hercules, mistress. He arrived a few hours ago in the village."

"And you came all the way out here after dark to tell us? How brave of you," the servant sneered, her eyes glinting maliciously.

"I obeyed Mistress Attis' orders,” the man mumbled, giving her a look of mingled fear and loathing.

"Excellent. And does he have his companion with him?" Attis asked as if neither had spoken.

"The blond warrior is with him as you said he would be, mistress. They are going to stay for the festival."

Attis smiled, her tongue flicking over pure white teeth.  "Excellent," she purred once more. "Our master will be most pleased."

The man shot a look up at her and cringed, tugging his cloak closer still around him as he eyed her lengthened incisors. "May I go now, mistress?"

Attis nodded, waving him out with a flick of long fingers. The man scuttled for the door, avoiding the large stone walled pool with its rust coloured stones that lay in the middle of the floor.

"We should kill him before he tells Hercules."

"He will tell no one. His fear of us, of me, is far too great for him to risk betraying us." Attis shifted and sat up in her throne, propping her chin on one hand as she gazed into the walled pool. "Soon the crucible will once more fill with the blood of the innocent and from their blood will rise Bacchus' Servant." Attis turned her head, her long blue black hair a shimmer of shadow in the torchlight as she smiled and ran a finger along her perfect lips. "Think of it. Hercules killed the master's minion, now he will see the new Servant arise…I find it all so poetic somehow. Don't you?"

                                                            * * *

The following morning Hercules stretched blissfully in the warm air, glad to see that it had dawned bright and clear with the promise of being hot. It was a good day for the Festival of Dionysus and he had been happy to help with the last minute preparations to get things ready. He might even be persuaded into sampling a little of the local brew. Absently glancing round, he straightened his best dark brown suede tunic and started towards the buffet tables. It seemed like forever since he had been this relaxed and happy.

"There you are, Herc. I've been looking for you. Where'd you go so early?"

Hercules glanced round at his friend as Iolaus bounced out of the inn. He too was dressed in his festival finery; a hyacinth blue shirt that brought out the colour of his eyes and a wine red suede jerkin over his black leather pants and boots. "Nowhere in particular. I was awake early so I thought I’d let you sleep in."

"On a festival day?" Iolaus gave him a horrified look.

"You looked like you needed the sleep after your nightmare."

Iolaus shot a hunted look around him and came closer. "Not so loud. I don't want everyone to know."

As his friend came to his side, Hercules chuckled and draped his arm affectionately around him. "Don't look so worried. I haven't told anyone. And you haven't missed breakfast."

Iolaus shrugged him off with an indignant look. "As if that's all I care about," he said hurtly as the demi-god tugged him towards the buffet tables laid out under the trees in the shade. Food was free the day of a festival and the women had been cooking for days in anticipation. "I wanted to help out."

"I think we've both done enough of that already," Hercules soothed as Iolaus bounced over to examine the breakfast layout. The demi-god helped himself to a mound of eggs and bacon on a fresh bread trencher and sat on the seat under the trees, watching Iolaus happily sampling the almond pastries before he chose the scrambled eggs.

"They cook great food around here," the hunter said cheerfully as he perched beside his friend.

"Well, you'll need all your strength for the Tug of War later," Hercules assured him blandly.

"We'll see. Muscle power isn't everything."

"Got a few hunter's tricks planned, have you?" Hercules probed with a thrill of curiosity. He loved Iolaus' devious plans: even when the hunter did put one over on him there was never any malice in it and Hercules rarely guessed what he was up to until it was too late.

Iolaus simply gave him a bright grin. "I'm not telling," he answered.

Tilting his head to one side, Hercules considered this. "I'm sure I can pry it out of you."

"Why? You've never managed it before."

"Greetings!" The loud hail made them both look up and grin as they saw the plump figure of the innkeeper and festival organiser hurrying towards them.

"Hello Basil," Hercules responded with a friendly wave.

Basil swished to a halt in front of them in a flurry of bright red robes. He was a little out of breath as he bobbed a polite bow to them. "Greetings most honoured guests, I trust you are relishing our humble offering of a repast?"

"What?" Iolaus said blankly, glancing sideways at Hercules. 

"He wants to know if we're enjoying breakfast."

"Oh. Why didn't he say so then?"

Hercules grinned and turned back to a faintly bewildered Basil. "Breakfast is fine, thank you. Is there anything we can help you with?"

"Oh, no, no, that's quite unnecessary I assure you." Basil enthused, wringing his hands together as he spoke. "You're finding your accommodations satisfactory? No strange disturbances? The beds are comfortable? "

"Why's he asking about beds?"  Iolaus hissed suspiciously. "And what doe he mean by 'disturbances'?"

"The inn is perfect," Hercules said loudly, giving the hunter a quelling look.

"I mean, I know we're sharing a room, but…."

Hercules dug an elbow in Iolaus' ribs and spoke up while the hunter wheezed theatrically. "We're having a wonderful time, Basil, and we're looking forward to the festival. When do the revels begin?"

"Oh, any time now.  And we are so looking forward to you taking part in the Tug Of War. You don't mind, do you?" Basil gave the demi-god an anxious look.

"Iolaus and I are thrilled to be asked," Hercules told him solemnly. "When does it start?"

"As soon as you’re ready. But please, do finish your repast first. I'll have a servant bring more eggs. If you'll excuse me…"

"He's strange," Iolaus murmured as Basil fluttered back into the inn.

"He reminds me of Salmoneus," Hercules replied thoughtfully.

"At least Salmoneus speaks proper Greek," Iolaus retorted. "I'm not sure what Basil speaks."

"Fluent innkeeper, I suspect," the demi-god chuckled.

"Whatever. I never understand a word. You finished with that bacon?"

"Get your own!" Hercules yelped, fending his friend off as Iolaus sneaked a slice of bacon from his trencher. "You've got more moves than an octopus!"

                                                            * * *

Several hours later the festival was in full swing with dancers dipping and swaying everywhere to the bright music of a trio of bards. A huge table had been set up in the middle of the square and was piled high with food. Three large casks of the best wine from previous seasons made the table bow under their weight.

Cautiously sipping a brew of apple wine, Hercules leaned against a wall while he got his breath back from a strenuous bout of dancing and watched Iolaus whirling a pretty young red head around the square as if she was as light as a feather. Where his friend got his energy to keep going from Hercules never knew. Iolaus never seemed to stop and rest for long.

"Ah, Hercules, there you are." Flushed from a beaker of wine too many, Basil bore down on the demi-god with an amiable grin. He waved a wine jug at him. "Care for a sample of Dionysus' Finest?"

"I'm fine, thanks," Hercules showed him his own beaker and was surprised when the innkeeper took it away from him.

Taking a mouthful, Basil swilled it around his mouth then spat it out with an expression of disgust. Pouting, he tossed the rest of the contents away. "Call that wine? Now, this is what I call wine," he told him, sloshing a large portion into the beaker and shoving it into Hercules' unwilling hands. "Taste that."

Hercules took a polite but reluctant sip, feeling the wine scald his tongue and burn down his throat like acid. His eyes watered in pain. "Uh…great…." he managed to stammer huskily.

"Smooth….huh?" Basil beamed at him. "Make it myself. If anyone's going to win Best Wine this festival it's going to be me. Now, the Maenads of Dionysus have made a small request."

"What kind of request?" Hercules croaked suspiciously.

"Well, they always choose a Harvest Prince for the festival…" Basil lowered his voice and shot a shifty look around him. "….as a er….fertility symbol so to speak,"

"Oh?" Hercules was starting to feel even more suspicious. "Who is it?"

Basil gave him a weak smile. "Er, this is dreadfully embarrassing which is no doubt why the Maenads asked me to tell you."

"Tell me what?" Hercules wasn't about to be used as a fertility anything if he could help it.

"Their ritual selected Iolaus." Basil blurted. "Please, don't be angry. I did tell them they had to be wrong and the ritual meant you, but they insist Dionysus wants it to be Iolaus and I really don't know how to argue with them…" Pausing warily, the innkeeper peered up at the demi-god. "Why are you laughing?" he asked in the same tone of voice someone might ask a barbarian what he meant to do with the axe he was brandishing.

 "Oh, nothing, nothing at all," Hercules chuckled. "I'm sure Iolaus will be delighted to help out."

Basil pouted. "I hope so. If I can ever get close enough to ask him. He seems to be avoiding me." Glancing at the beaker of wine he held, Hercules could understand that.  "I don't want them to scare him."

"Why would they scare him?"

"Well, there's a ritual kidnapping, you see. I wanted to warn you so you wouldn't be concerned. I assure you there's no violence involved. The Maenads are nothing at all like Bacchanites."

Hercules considered this for a moment and then nodded. "I doubt they'll scare him even if you don't tell him," he said mildly. "But I'll let him know for you."

"Oh, thank you," Basil said gratefully. "Now, drink up. Enjoy." Hercules smiled weakly and took a tiny sip of the wine as Basil looked round, spotting a friend in the crowd. "Hey, Lovis! Stay right where you are! I've got the winning brew right here!" As the innkeeper hurried off towards a dismayed looking farmer, Hercules looked round shiftily and emptied the beaker into a convenient window box.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, shame on you, Herc!" Hercules jumped a foot as Iolaus spoke up from right behind him. "You realise you've killed that plant off now, don't you?"

"Self preservation. Have you tasted that stuff of Basil's?"

Iolaus nodded solemnly. "I spilt some on the table, it blistered the wood."

"I'm not surprised," Hercules muttered with feeling. "Did you hear what Basil said?"

"Yeah. It sounds like fun." Iolaus' eyes sparkled in anticipation.

"It probably involves sampling their wine or something." Hercules lied solemnly. Knowing exactly what kind of orgiastic rituals the Maenads went in for, he figured his friend would have more fun finding out about them for himself. "I'm afraid you'll find it very boring."

"Oh…" Iolaus' face fell so fast, Hercules had to fight a laugh.

"Did you get bored with dancing?" he asked instead.

"No," Iolaus said, promptly cheering up. "It's time for me to thrash you in the Tug Of War." Hercules raised an eyebrow and looked around him very deliberately. "It's down by the stream," the hunter told him.

"I wasn't looking for that."

"No? What then?"

"Your army…."

Iolaus gave him an indignant glare. "Oh, you're going to be sorry for that," he assured him.

Hercules grinned at him. "Loser cooks dinner next time?"

"What? Burnt rabbits again?" Iolaus snorted as he led the way across the square.

"I have a new recipe."

"Really…?"  The hunter retorted sarcastically.

"Quail with roast almonds…."

Iolaus slammed to a halt, thought about it and then slid a look up at his friend. "Roast almonds? That's a temptation…."

"I know your addictions," Hercules teased. "You on for the bet?"

"What if I lose?"

"Trout with tarragon." Hercules was extremely fond of Iolaus' campfire cooking – to the detriment of his waistline.

"Okay, but you do the fishing."

"And you catch the quail."

"I’d rather catch the almonds. They don't fly so fast."

Hercules laughed, but before he could say anything there was a yell of warning from the far end of the village and the pounding of approaching hooves.

"Amazons ho!" went up the cry.

Hercules groaned and before Iolaus could protest, sprinted across the square. The last thing the demi-god wanted was to see the peaceful festival erupt into violence.

"Hercules!" Iolaus darted after him, doing his best to flag him down. "Hey, Herc! Wait up! Listen!"

Ignoring him, Hercules positioned himself across the entrance into the square and folded his arms, glaring at the approaching band of Amazons and doing his best to look suitably menacing.

"Hold!" he roared in his best demi-god tones. Surprised by his audacity, the Amazons reined in, their horses eddying around him as they gazed down at him in amused curiosity.

"Hey, first time we got a good looking welcome committee," one of them commented, tilting her blonde head to study the demi-god's rear view. 

Hercules shot the young Amazon a wary glance. They didn't seem to be violent, but it was always hard to tell what might set Amazons off.

"Things are looking up," an equally young brunette chuckled. "How about it, handsome?"

"How about what?" Hercules growled.

"Don't be dense, Herc," Iolaus panted, wriggling between the horses to his side. "They’re guests!"

"What?" Hercules gave him a startled glance.

"The elders always invite them to the festivals. Basil told me so. It's good relations."

"I'll say!" the blonde Amazon chuckled enthusiastically. "You up for some relations?"

Iolaus glanced up at her and grinned back, but was distracted before he could answer.

"Hey! Blondie!"  An excited yelp came from further down the street as a second group of Amazons trotted their horses up to see what was going on.

Iolaus glanced round warily at the nickname, then grinned hugely as he saw a six foot two, red haired Amazon swinging lithely down from her horse and striding to meet them. Without a word she wrapped both arms around the hunter and yanked him up close for a deep kiss. The other Amazons rode past, laughing and teasing and making ribald comments that made Hercules blush.

"Hey, come on, Amaryllis. Leave some for us!" the young brunette complained, nudging her fellow Amazon in the ribs when the kiss proved to be far more than a mere peck on the mouth.

"Find your own, Azalea." Amaryllis retorted as she released a breathless Iolaus and tapped him on the end of the nose with one long finger. "You've been practising your kissing, sexy. I do hope you've been practising with other portions of your anatomy besides your lips? Or do I have to take a whip to you again?"

Iolaus coloured. No one could embarrass him quite as easily as Amaryllis. She always seemed to know exactly what to say.

"Whip?!" Hercules echoed, raising an eyebrow at his friend.

"It isn't what you think!" Iolaus yelped, going scarlet. "It's only the way she says it that makes it sound, sound…!" The hunter floundered to a halt, glaring at Hercules as he gazed at him in amused disbelief.

"Whatever happened to share and share alike?" the blonde Amazon complained.

"I caught him, Aster, he's mine," Amaryllis retorted, studying Iolaus with a predatory glint in her eyes. "You can play with Hercules; assuming you can catch him and Arum will let you."

Two pairs of eyes turned thoughtfully to the demi-god. Hercules squirmed in chagrin and took a step backwards. "Now, ladies…."

"You’re Hercules?!" Azalea asked mildly.

"Yes…." Hercules admitted reluctantly. After all, he couldn't very well lie. Particularly when Iolaus would probably drop him right in it if he did.

"Ooh…we've heard all about you," Aster cooed in appreciation.

"Arum told us lots of things," Azalea added with wide grin.

"Lies, all lies…." Hercules stammered, shooting a wary glance round for the dark haired Amazon.

"Oh, I do hope not."

Amaryllis chuckled and looked up from her lazy perusal of Iolaus that was making the hunter feel like steak on a plate. "You'll have to check it with Arum," she warned as she put her arm around the warrior's waist.

"Aw, come on, what she doesn't know won't hurt her. We can drag him off into the trees for a while…." Aster argued.

"First come, first served. You know the rules."

"But it's a Mating Ride!" Azalea protested.

"And it'll be your last if you don't follow the rules. Go and play." Pouting, the two Amazons reined up their horses and circled the two men, following the other Amazons into the square. Amaryllis gazed after them watchfully for a moment, her hand idly caressing Iolaus' hip. Finally she turned an astute look on Hercules. "You needn't worry. There won't be any trouble from us," she told him. "This band comes here for every festival apparently. The villagers make them really welcome if you know what I mean?" She winked broadly at both men.

"I think so," Hercules mumbled. "You've joined their band then?"

"Temporarily, yes," Amaryllis admitted.

"Um, I see. Arum isn't with you, is she?"

"Course she is," Amaryllis chuckled. "They'll be along soon. We ran into a little trouble on the road."

"Serious?" Hercules asked in concern.

Amaryllis tossed back her hair as she laughed. "With us involved? What do you think? A petty skirmish with an odd looking bunch of would be Amazons. I'll tell Arum you’re looking for her."

"Uh, no, that's won't be necessary," Hercules muttered.

"Do you good, Herc," Iolaus teased, knowing perfectly well that Hercules' efforts at celibacy stood no chance when Arum was around. The black haired Amazon simply wouldn't take no for an answer.

Amaryllis laughed and pinched Iolaus on the rear end, making him yelp and leap away from her indignantly. "Do you good too, sweet hips. Care to go flatten some hay with me?"

"Not right now," Iolaus said weakly, doing his best to ignore the heat of her eyes. "We're taking part in the Tug Of War."

"Sounds like fun," Amaryllis said happily, rubbing her hands together and inhaling deeply enough of the fresh air to make both men stare at her spectacular cleavage. Her flint blue eyes sparkled in amusement as she noticed their appreciation of the view and she deliberately flexed a little more. "So what end do I get to pull?"

"What?!" Hercules and Iolaus both exclaimed at the same time.

"I meant the rope, naturally," Amaryllis said dryly. "But if it's three in a bed you want, I'm always game…."

"We'll stick to the rope," Hercules said hastily, ignoring Iolaus' efforts to hush him. Iolaus groaned, guessing what Amaryllis was going to make out of that.

"Ooh, kinky. Arum never mentioned you were in to that."

"I meant for the Tug of War!" Hercules yelped.

"Oh, of course you did, Legs. I know that." Amaryllis purred lazily as she set off into the square: leaving Hercules with the distinct impression that she definitely hadn't believed him at all.

                                                * * *

Rubbing his hands down his leather pants to dry them, Hercules picked up the thick rope and glanced across at Iolaus. His partner was happily organising his team of villagers into place on the rope, cheerfully bossing and teasing them until they were in position while desperately ignoring Amaryllis' bawdy comments. It didn't help that the Amazon's teasing was setting the other women off and he had to keep dodging to avoid getting pinched black and blue.

"The Amazons are coming! The Amazons are coming!" Basil's youngest son, Daedlion, yelled as he raced across the site towards his friends and slammed straight into Amaryllis as she turned to see what he was so excited about. He bounced off her cleavage and landed in the grass on his back as she gazed down at him disapprovingly.

"Not yet I'm not, but I plan to," she said cheerfully, throwing a lecherous glance over at Iolaus. The hunter ducked his head in embarrassment.

"Um, the Amazons are coming over to my place for wine?" the teenager added hopefully, as he looked her up and down.

"Daedlion! Watch your manners!" His older brother yelled indignantly from where he was taking up his place in the Tug of War.

 Chuckling, Amaryllis caught hold of Daedlion's hand and hoisted the blond youth back to his feet. "Come back when you finish growing up," she told him, shooing him towards his friends. The other boys accepted him into their midst with an excited babble of chatter. "Boys will be boys," Amaryllis commented to Hercules as he glanced at her curiously.

"You don't mind?"

Amaryllis shrugged. "Human instinct. We’d be stupid to ignore it. Besides, it's fun. Right, Blondie?"

"Right," Iolaus agreed as he ambled over. "Ready to get beaten, Herc?"

"No. Are you?"

"With Amaryllis on my side how could we lose?" Iolaus retorted and, taking the startled Amazon by the hand, he led her back towards his team.

"Do you want to ruin my reputation as an Amazon?" Amaryllis hissed as she impatiently tugged her hand free. Her blush belied her glare and only made the hunter grin, unperturbed. Tugging on a lock of red hair, he pulled her down and whispered something in her ear that made her laugh before she snatched the opportunity to kiss him on the mouth. She swatted him on the rear end as he bounded to the back of the rope to take his position.

"Ready, Hercules?" Amaryllis called as she took her own place.

Digging his feet in the soft ground, Hercules curled the rope around his hands and yelled back that he was as they took up the slack. There were two women, Dillon, the village healer, plus Amaryllis and Iolaus against the demi-god. Hercules thought it was about even as he leaned back against the pull on the rope and stood his ground. With much heaving and yelling his opponents sought to drag him forward, enthusiastically encouraged by the crowd that had gathered to watch.

"Come on, Herc! I thought you were going to win!" Iolaus yelled from the back. "Put some muscle into it! Flex 'em, Herc!"

Hercules growled under his breath and heaved, determined to pull all of them flat on their faces. To his astonishment the team staggered forward, but remained upright despite his efforts. Feeling the sweat break out on his back and start to trickle down his skin, Hercules stepped up his efforts – still with no more effect apart from a rustle of muttering.

"I need to drop out!" Dillon, who was at the front, called out. "I can't afford to be a healer with rope burns!"

"Herc?" Iolaus called questioningly.

"No problem." Hercules eased up so that the Dillon could release the rope and step back. "You want to get someone else?" 

"Nah!" Iolaus answered cheerfully and the rope tightened firmly.

Once more Hercules heaved, taking up the minimal amount of slack before he again met solid resistance. Still the villagers wouldn't budge hard as he heaved.  "Are you cheating?" he called suspiciously to his friend.

"Who? Us?" Iolaus called back, wide eyed with innocent as he leaned ostentatiously back against the pull of the rope. "We had our oats this morning, that's all."

Hercules grunted and heaved again to another whisper of muttering. The woman at the front staggered and went down on one knee and for a moment Hercules thought he had them, but the rope remained as taut as ever. Dillon hurried forward to help the hobbling woman out the way.

"Want to give up?" Amaryllis called, waving one hand at him.

"No!" Hercules bellowed back and stamped his heels into the ground, determinedly striding back a step before he had to admit that the rope simply wasn't moving. The second woman suddenly let go and doubled over, clutching at the small of her back and limping out of the way.

Hercules stared. Only Amaryllis and Iolaus remained and the demi-god knew without a doubt that he was stronger than either of them. So why weren't they moving? Amaryllis glanced over her shoulder at Iolaus, bracing her long legs astride as she leaned back and the pair of them heaved in unison. Hercules slithered a bare fraction forward then pulled back and Amaryllis slipped and went down on her rear end.

"Oh now look! I'm covered in mud!" she wailed as she sprang to her feet, backing away from the rope.

Hercules gaped at her. Since when did Amaryllis ever care anything about a little dirt? Shooting a glare at a laughing Iolaus, he grinned evilly and hauled. Iolaus leaned back, bracing himself against the sudden yank and not moving. Hercules' jaw dropped. This was impossible!

"What's the matter, Herc?" Iolaus called mischievously. "Lost your touch?"

"I.…What have you done?!"

Iolaus' laughter bubbled over into a waterfall of delighted giggles and he let go of the rope, stepping well clear as it remained stretched taut. For a moment Hercules couldn't believe it, then he saw the huge ancient tree the rope had been securely tied around. All the time he had been straining against a solidly rooted tree with nowhere near enough leverage to affect it.

"You’re slow, Herc!" Iolaus yelled teasingly and legged it through the laughing crowd before the demi-god could make a lunge to grab him.

"I'm going to get you for this!" Hercules roared, flinging the rope to the ground and belting after his partner with a huge grin of pleasure in the chase.  It felt wonderful to forget who and what he was for once and simply indulge in some fun for once.

Iolaus was fast and skilful, ducking and weaving through the crowd as Hercules pursued him back into the village and across the square. The demi-god finally cornered him among the market stalls set up at the far end of the square, trapping him in the narrow alleyway between the blacksmith's forge and the wall of the Temple of Hestia.

"Cheat, will you?" Hercules growled, prowling towards his friend.

"Now, Herc," Iolaus held up both hands in placation. "You never said I couldn't have a tree on my team."

"You…!" Hercules lunged and grabbed, missing as Iolaus danced out of reach but whipping sideways to get between him and freedom. "Not so fast, my friend."

Iolaus backed up, looking over Hercules' shoulder with his eyes widening in horror. "Behind you…"

Hercules frowned and glanced over his shoulder, then swung back and caught his partner as Iolaus sprinted past him. Hoisting the squirming hunter off his feet, he held him up over his head and well out of reach of any tricky handholds. "You didn't think I'd fall for that, did you?" he chuckled.

"It was worth a go," Iolaus laughed back. "You did last time."

Hercules snorted and stomped back into the square, ignoring Iolaus' protests as he looked around. He lowered the hunter onto his shoulder, holding him in place with an unbreakable grip. "Now, what shall I do with you?"

"Aw, come on, it was a joke!" Iolaus yelped. "What happened to your sense of humour?"

"Not a thing," Hercules answered cheerfully, spotting exactly the people he wanted and heading towards them. "People are laughing, aren't they?"

"Yeah! At me!"

The Maenads, dressed in their colourful dancing costumes, looked like a bed of wildflowers as they oversaw the distribution of the wine. They watched Hercules carrying Iolaus towards them in eager anticipation.

"Hey, come on, put me down," Iolaus protested as he peered around Hercules to see where they were going.  "I don't want to sit and taste wine!"

Hercules laughed and tightened his grip so Iolaus couldn't squirm off his shoulder. "I thought I’d deliver your Harvest Prince to you, ladies," he announced as he deposited Iolaus on his feet in the middle of the circle of women. Iolaus shot an uneasy look around him at their excited faces and then glared at Hercules as the demi-god firmly held him in place with a grip on his shoulder. "I'm afraid he's a bit shy…"

"I think we know how to deal with that," the High Priestess said dryly, gesturing to the Maenads. With a ripple of giggles, the Maenads closed in on the hunter, wrapping ropes of flowers around his wrists and a strand of tiny blue flowers around his neck to act as a lead rope.

"I'm gonna get you for this!" Iolaus yelled indignantly as they then led him across the square towards the lone tree in the middle. Hercules ambled after them, curious as to what they'd do next. Backing the reluctant hunter up against the pine tree, they bound him in place with ropes of flowers around his chest, waist and thighs and placed a circlet of flowers on his head. A basket was positioned at his feet and the High Priestess came to stand in front of the warrior.

"I am Zora, priestess of Dionysus. Do you know what is required of you?" she said mildly as the other Maenads hurried back to the square.

"No," Iolaus admitted warily. By now he was starting to feel a tiny bit anxious about what they had planned. He doubted it was going to be painful and he knew he could break the ropes if he needed to escape in a hurry. Hercules wouldn't let anyone hurt him, but letting him have the life embarrassed out of him was another matter. The demi-god was standing at a safe distance with his arms folded and a huge grin of amusement on his face.

 The priestess smiled at him and gently patted him on the chest. "Don't worry. You'll enjoy it," she assured him. "To ensure fertility for the village we capture a single attractive male…." She paused and frowned slightly. "You are single, I trust?" Iolaus nodded reluctantly, unsure whether he was being complimented or not.  She smiled in satisfaction and continued. "Each woman in the village who wishes to then accepts your sacrifice to ensure fertility for herself and the village."

"What sacrifice?!" Iolaus yelped in alarm.

"Why, a kiss of course," the priestess answered, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "What did you expect?"

"I er, I…." Iolaus blushed. He knew of at least one fertility rite that involved tying a man to a tree and whipping him until he came. It had always sounded acutely painful to him. Sex and pain didn't go together at all as far as he was concerned. He noticed that Hercules was grinning at him in wicked merriment and sent him a ferocious glare. "Why me and not Hercules?" he demanded finally.

"You are a mortal and he is not," she answered simply. "A few small coins are also requested from each supplicant as a gift to the Temple of Hestia."

"To Hestia?" Iolaus echoed in surprise. "Not to Dionysus?"

The priestess shook her head. "As Maenads we serve Dionysus, as women we look to Hestia who protects hearth and home. It is Hestia who protects our village."

Iolaus relaxed. He knew that any Temple of Hestia would take in anyone who needed help and had had reason in his own youth to be grateful for its protection.

"Do you accept the honour of being Harvest Prince?" the priestess asked and then leaned forward to whisper something in his ear. Iolaus shot a startled look at her as she drew back.

"Really?" he said curiously. "By any Maenad I choose?"

"As a thank you, yes." The priestess inclined her head as she opened a leather pouch on her belt and started to dab his bare skin with perfumed oil.

"Okay. I guess can manage a few kisses…." Iolaus glanced over at Hercules who winked at him and nodded in approval. "But you’re gonna pay for this, Hercules, you are going to pay….!"

                                                            * * *

A few kisses is one thing, this lot is quite another, Iolaus reflected as he surrendered his mouth to yet another passionate female. The first five or six, he had enjoyed, but after that they tended to blur together unless the girl was either particularly passionate or particularly gorgeous or had wayward hands. He had soon discovered that if they got a bit too familiar and he was driven to a yelp, Zora would bear down on the woman in question with a thyrsus in her hand and a determined look in her eye to drive them off.

Aster drew back slowly from her kiss, a speculative look in her blue eyes.  "You know what Amaryllis doesn't know…" she began.

"No," Iolaus said firmly.

"I've got a couple of gold coins for Hestia…." the Amazon hinted as she touched his sword belt.

Iolaus' expression settled into a stony glare.  "I'm not for sale. Go away."

"Come on now…."

A soft smacking sound from behind Aster made her look round into Zora's cool grey eyes. The priestess was slapping her thyrsus across one hand as she frowned at the young Amazon. "He is neither a slave, nor for sale," she informed her briskly. "You had your kiss and much good may it do you. On your way."

Aster glared and drew herself up to her full height. "I am an Amazon," she said threateningly.

"So?" Zora retorted. "You are also little more than a child who needs to learn her manners."

Aster reached for her sword in fury. "I am not a child!"

"Leave her alone, Aster. You’re peace-bonded," Iolaus reminded her sharply, flexing against the ropes that held him. "Besides, she's a priestess and Amazons don't attack unarmed women!"

Aster hesitated, then slammed her sword back into its sheath and stalked away. "Thank you," Zora murmured, inclining her head gracefully to the warrior.  "But I am armed." She lifted the thyrsus meaningfully.

"I noticed, but it was my pleasure," Iolaus responded, licking dry lips. "When do I get out of here?"

"Sundown."

"Sundown! I can't last that long!"

Zora raised an eyebrow at him.

"Well, I mean…." Iolaus squirmed in embarrassment.

"Or until the women are finished with you," Zora qualified. "I suspect you may be here all night. Apparently you kiss well."

Iolaus rolled his eyes and decided to save his strength, wishing he didn't kiss well right then. After a moment, Zora strolled back to her shady spot a few yards away and settled down with the basket of coins. He watched her for a while, grateful that no one else seemed to be coming over from the square, and was contemplating a quick nap when he realised someone was approaching.

Hercules ambled across the square to the priestess and spoke to her softly. She looked up, smiling at the demi-god in a friendly fashion and chuckling at whatever he said. Frowning, Iolaus strained to hear what they were saying but the light breeze whisked away their words. When Hercules tossed a handful of coins in the basket and turned towards his friend with a huge, evil grin however, Iolaus gaped at him in disbelief.

"Herc?" he questioned warily as the demi-god strutted towards him. "Hercules?! Don't you dare even think it!"

Hercules said nothing, his grin widening as he watched Iolaus attempt to wriggle round to the other side of the tree. Then he leaned with one hand against the tree above the hunter's head and gave him a slow, lazy smile.  "Well, hello…" he purred in his best seductive tone.

Iolaus' eyes went wide with panic. "Herc, you wouldn't!" he stammered. He knew that tone of old. "Have you been drinking?"

Hercules only smiled and delicately brushed a golden curl away from the hunter's ear.

"Hermes?" Iolaus questioned; half-hopeful, half-afraid it was the Herald. At least he knew what Hermes' lecherous intentions were.

"Nope…." Hercules leaned closer and blew in his ear.

"Hercules?!" Iolaus screamed indignantly at the demi-god, squirming at the tickling sensation.

"Yes, suntop?" Hercules purred absently as he tugged playfully at a curl.

Iolaus shook his head free. "I've still got my feet free," he warned in a dangerous growl. “You lay so much as a lip on me and I’ll kick you where it hurts! And don't call me suntop!"

Hercules gave in with a burst of laughter. "You should see the look on your face! I only brought you some water, what did you think I was going to do?"

Iolaus went scarlet. "You know damn well I thought you were Hermes!"

"Oh yeah, sure, you did!" Hercules laughed as he swung a waterskin off his shoulder and held it up so Iolaus could take a long drink. "You want me to bring you something to eat?" he asked as Iolaus gulped thirstily.

"No. Couldn't you rescue me though?"

"What? Surely not getting bored, are you?"

"Very funny. Can't you find a monster or something that you need my help to fight?"

"You mean lie?" Hercules said, wide eyed. "I couldn't possibly do that."

"Oh, a great lot of help you are. Go away," Iolaus told him irritably.

Hercules chuckled and put the waterskin down.  "I'll check on you later," he said mildly, lightly slapping his friend's shoulder before he started back towards the square.

Iolaus let out a long groan and sank heavily back against his tree. Either he was slipping or Hercules was getting more devious. "Hey, Zora?" he called as a thought hit him. "Have I got a quota to make?"

"A quota?" she echoed in surprise. "Of kisses? No…."

"How about if I pay you to let me go?"

The priestess shook her head and chuckled. "And what of your reward?"

Iolaus sighed heavily and shrugged, wriggling his shoulders into a more comfortable position against the tree. Right then the only reward he wanted was to be released. He closed his eyes, concentrating on feeling the sun warming his body into relaxation and sinking into a light doze.

It was the chink of coins that made him open his eyes and look round, curious to see his latest visitor. His eyes widened as he saw Amaryllis stalking briskly towards him, her whip slapping lightly against her leather-clad thigh. "Uh oh…."

"Hiya, sexy," she greeted him, as she looked the hunter up and down before leaning against the tree beside him as Hercules had.

"You get one kiss and that's it."

"For two gold coins I should get a lot more than that," Amaryllis scolded, tapping the whip handle lightly against his chest.

"Two gold…. Where did you get that kind of money?"

Amaryllis shrugged lazily and ran the handle down to rest on his belt buckle. "I fleeced a couple of dice players."

"Dice players?" Iolaus echoed.

"It wasn't that hard. I did the drunk and dumb routine and they fell for it like a right pair of morons." The whip handle slid lower and Iolaus gulped.

"Don't you dare…."

"Dare what?" Amaryllis purred, shifting her body so that Zora couldn't see what she was doing as she slid the whip handle deliberately between his thighs in a sensuous caress.

Iolaus rested his head back against the tree and fought the urge to respond that blazed through his body. He met her eyes coolly. "You’re being unfair," he said flatly.

Amaryllis grinned. "I'm an Amazon. Since when are we fair to men?" She leaned closer, her soft lips teasing his. "Remember the barn?"

Iolaus closed his eyes, feeling the heat rushing through his body as his memory supplied full details. "Ay yi yi, do I ever!"

Amaryllis laughed and grabbed his bound wrists. Yanking his hands up over his head, she captured his mouth, kissing him into willingly silent submission. The kiss turned into a duel of challenging tongues and passion as Amaryllis pressed as close as she could get to his hard muscled body. When they finally had to surface for air, the Amazon stepped back, meeting blue eyes that had turned smoky with desire and hunger. "Mine," she purred in satisfaction and ripped the flower ropes away from his chest, waist and legs.

"Hey…." Iolaus protested feebly. "I'm supposed…."

"Hush up, Blondie, you’re bought and paid for," Amaryllis said briskly and ducked, yanking him over her shoulder and off his feet. She sagged a little under his weight but turned to face the startled priestess as she got up. Tossing a couple more gold coins to her, Amaryllis winked broadly. "Iolaus and I are going to go and er…complete your fertility ceremony the old fashioned way. Don’t wait up," she said cheerfully and strode off into the woods with an acutely embarrassed Iolaus over her shoulder.

"You know you could ask…" he growled as he wriggled his way to his feet.

Amaryllis snorted, idly flicking her whip out to behead a few flowers. "Sure, I could, but ravishing you is so much more fun… " she said cheerfully as she then grabbed his hand and bodily yanked him after her into the undergrowth.

                                                            * * *

"Hercules!"

The demi-god looked up from his tankard of ale, peering over its wooden rim at the breathless youth sprinting across the square to where he and Dillon were having a quiet drink.  The healer rolled his eyes at his brother's enthusiast rush and sighed.

Panting to a halt beside their table, Daedlion leaned on the wood and gasped out his message. "Hercules, you’d better come at once. Iolaus has been kidnapped."

"Kidnapped?" Hercules echoed sharply, slamming down his tankard and starting to his feet. "How many of them were there and which way did they take him?"

"Only one and into the woods…."

"One? What was he? A giant?" Hercules had difficulty imagining anyone kidnapping Iolaus on their own, at least not without a noisy struggle that the demi-god would have been sure to hear.

"No, it was that red haired Amazon. She was dragging him…."

"Oh, her," Chuckling in enormous relief, Hercules sank back on his seat and drained his ale. "I thought you were serious for a moment."

"But I am serious!" Daedlion yelled.

"You didn't hear him yelling for help, did you?" Hercules pointed out.

"No, but…."

"Daedlion, Iolaus and Amaryllis are old friends. The last thing she's going to do is hurt him," Hercules explained reassuringly.

"But she had a whip and everything!"

Seeing the way Dillon raised an eyebrow, Hercules grinned at him.  "She won't hurt him…much."

"But…"

"She's an Amazon. They like to play," Dillon told his brother.

Daedlion glared at him, obviously annoyed by their amusement. Turning his back on them, he stomped off muttering under his breath. Dillon watched him for a moment then turned a thoughtful look on Hercules. "How broad minded is your friend?"

"Iolaus? Pretty unflappable. Why?"

"Well, Daedlion's of the age to be curious."

Hercules eyed him for a moment then laughed. "You mean he’ll go watch?"

"He might…" Dillon admitted uncomfortably.

"I doubt if he'll be able to find them. But even if he does, I think they'll catch him before he can see much…."

                                                            * * *

"Iolaus?" Amaryllis murmured lazily as she lay sprawled on her back in the forest glade that she and the hunter had found to share their pleasures in.

"Mmmh?" Iolaus lay on his stomach beside her, his head cushioned on her tanned midriff.

"I think we should think about going back," she told him, idly combing her fingers through his tangled golden curls where they tickled her skin.

"Already?" Iolaus lifted his head enough to give her a sleepy look from under half closed long eyelashes.

Amaryllis shivered in delight under his smouldering gaze and with a growl grabbed him by the shoulders, kissing him thoroughly.

"We could stay here," he pointed out as few minutes later as he lay on his back with the Amazon sprawled comfortably across him.

"Arum will be waiting for me."

"So?"

"So, it isn't easy keeping a group of young Amazons under control. You know what our tempers can be like. It isn't fair on her to make her watch them all herself."

Iolaus sighed as, reminded of her friend, Amaryllis rolled off him and reached for her scattered clothes.

"Besides," she went on as she tossed his leathers to him. "Won't Hercules come looking for you soon?"

Iolaus grimaced, acknowledging the truth of that. He hadn't exactly stopped to tell Hercules where he was going and he might get a tiny bit worried by his friend's unexpected disappearance.  Reluctantly, he slid to his feet and started to pull on his leathers. Amaryllis watched in silence, her flint blue eyes avariciously taking in his sunlight and shade dappled body until she could stand no more and took a prowling step towards him.

"Ah, ah, ah," Iolaus scolded, holding up one hand to fend her off. "Think of Arum."

"Arum who?" Amaryllis retorted, reaching for him. Catching his hips, she pulled him determinedly towards her.

Iolaus linked his own arms around her waist and grinned. "Then there's…" He stopped, tilting his head warily to one side. "Did you hear something?"

"Nope…" Amaryllis purred as she tugged open his unfastened shirt.

"I did. It was kind of a growl…."

"That was me…."

"No. It was definitely a growl."

"Be fair, Blondie, and stop distracting me."

Iolaus frowned and caught her wandering hands. "I mean it, Amaryllis, I heard something. Sounded like a wolf."

"A wolf?" Amaryllis' attention snapped back into place and she looked round, scanning the bushes as intently as Iolaus. "I can't see anything."

"No, but I heard it. I'm sure of it."

Amaryllis looked from him to the bushes and back again and decided not to take any chances. She caught up his hand briskly. "Come on then, let's get back to the village. I've still got plans for you that don't involve you being a wolf's supper."

                                                            * * *

"Well, it's a difficult decision, but…." Hercules hesitated; weighing the merits of the honey glazed berry pie against mead soaked apricots. Both were delicious and he was hard pressed to choose between them. Where was Iolaus when he needed him?

The women gathered around him gazed at him expectantly, each one hoping it would be her dessert he picked.

"I think possibly….the berry pie first and the apricots second," he rushed out the answer, hoping they wouldn't maul him too badly in their disappointment. The plump brunette who had baked the pie let out a yip of glee, flung her arms around the demi-god's neck and kissed the startled Hercules soundly on the mouth. She let go equally suddenly and went scarlet in embarrassment, hiding her face in her apron. To Hercules' intense relief his decision seemed to be a popular one and he was allowed to gracefully retreat from the round of congratulations that followed.

Strolling back across the square Hercules found himself wondering seriously where Iolaus had got to. He was starting to have an uneasy feeling that grew stronger the longer the hunter was out of sight. He wasn't sure why. Something in the air seemed to be disturbing him, grating on his nerves more and more as the afternoon wore on. The breeze was starting to turn into a chill wind and overhead clouds were brewing, threatening rain to finish the day.

"Hercules?" A worried looking farmer trotted up, shooting a shifty glance around him to see if anyone else was within listening range.

"Yes. It's Lovis, isn't it?" Hercules recognised the man as one of Basil's friends. "What can I do for you?"

"We er, we have a little problem. Could you come, please?"

"What kind of problem?" Hercules asked warily as he nonetheless followed the farmer back the way he had come. 

"I’d rather not say. Basil asked me to fetch you."

Puzzled, but curious, Hercules lengthened his stride as the farmer broke into a jog and led him across the square and out to where the Tug Of War had been held earlier.  There was a gathering of men at the edge of the woods as they crossed the stream by its narrow bridge and Hercules felt his unease grow at the sight. Somehow he didn't think he was about to be invited to a drinking party. The men watched him come and silently stood back, letting Lovis and the demi-god through into the tangle of undergrowth beyond.

As soon as he entered the clearing a fifty yards or so further on, Hercules felt his tension crash over him in an icy wave. There was a blond haired body on the ground, only the ashen pallor of the skin suggesting that the man wasn't merely curled up under a tree asleep.  Basil, Zora and a dark haired young woman in Hestial robes were standing over the body, watching as Dillon finished his examination.

Hercules moved closer, shoving rudely past Lovis to get a better look at the body and exhaling in relief as he realised his fears were invalid. It wasn't Iolaus. "What happened?"

"We're not sure. Yuna here found him." Basil gestured to the young woman standing close to the high priestess.

"He was lying there….I didn't know he was, was…." Yuna shuddered and turned away, burrowing into Zora’s arms in a fit of tears.

"I thought we should call you," Basil went on soberly. "We hoped you might know what to do."

Hercules frowned and knelt next to Dillon. "I take it you don't think this was an accident then?"

"Look for yourself," Dillon replied grimly and moved back so Hercules could view the body as the healer tilted the limp head to one side. The neck was bruised but surprisingly clean considering the twin holes punctured deep into the flesh. "He was drained of blood…."

Hercules felt his skin crawl as he went cold all over in horror. He knew of only one creature that killed in this fashion.

"Do you know of anything that could do this?" Basil asked.

"Do you?" Hercules looked up at him questioningly.

Basil gazed back at him uncomfortably.

"Oh say it," Zora snapped irritably as Yuna moaned in distress. "It was a Bacchanite. What else could it be?"

"We don't have their kind in this village!" Basil protested indignantly. "You promised when you came here there were no Bacchanites among you!"

"And there aren't. My followers are Maenads. We serve Dionysus, not his brother Bacchus." Zora told him impatiently and turned her attention to Hercules as he stood up.  "You of all people should know the difference between Dionysus and his brother."

Hercules sighed and nodded wearily, aware of how often the twin Gods were confused by mortals. They were like two sides of a coin: darkness and light, good and evil. Hedonistic pleasure lover Dionysus loathed the maliciously licentious Bacchus and their natures were reflected in the activities of their followers. But the twin Gods very lives were entangled and one could not exist without the other whether they wished to or not. "Zora is right. It was a Bacchanite."

"How much harm can one Bacchanite do?" Lovis asked nervously from where he stood listening at a safe distance.

"Depends how hungry it is," Hercules muttered. "And whether it is only one Bacchanite. They have a nasty tendency to travel in packs."

"Like wolves?"

"Rumour has it they can turn themselves into wolves," Dillon murmured uneasily, glancing around him at the suddenly menacing woods.

"It isn't rumour," Zora said crisply. "You’d better bring this poor young man to the Temple Of Dionysus."

"That might not be exactly tactful…," Basil said cautiously.

"Perhaps not. But he was killed by a Bacchanite." Zora raised a meaningful eyebrow at them. "There are certain purification rituals to be observed."

"For the sake of his soul," Dillon murmured, nodding to himself.

"That too," Zora agreed dryly.

With a shudder, Hercules understood exactly what she meant. A male victim would not become a Bacchanite, but a zombie could rise from the remains if precautions weren't taken. "Basil, I think the party is over. Can you recall everyone to the village?" Hercules knew that Iolaus and Amaryllis weren't the only ones to sneak off to celebrate the fertility festival in private and there were likely to be couples scattered all over the woods.

"We can sound the horn," Basil answered. "Zora? Would you mind? I’d better help Dillon and Hercules." Zora nodded and she and Yuna set off back the village. After a quick glance round, Lovis scurried after them.

"Do you know who he is?" Hercules asked as he helped Dillon arrange the body.

Basil nodded gloomily. "He's one of Daedlion's friends. I wonder what he was doing out here all alone."

"If he was alone…." Dillon muttered. "If he came out here with a girl and the Bacchanite bit her too…."

"I think that's enough speculation, son," Basil interrupted him. "Let's get him back to the village and then figure out what we’re going to do next."

Hercules said nothing as he helped them lift the body. He was too busy worrying. If Dillon was right then this poor youth's companion might be turning into a Bacchanite even as they talked.