Most of the palace was in darkness this late at the night, the corridors lit only by the odd torch flickering in their wall sconces. But here in the long hall, it was bright with moonlight pouring in through the open windows and balconies looking out over the royal gardens that surrounded the buildings. The air was perfumed with the rich scent of exotic flowers that cascaded from every balcony, decorating the plastered outer walls with torrents of orchids in scarlets, deep creams, vivid blues and bright golds all backed by glossy green leaves and vines.

"This would be a perfect spot for a romantic little tryst," Iolaus' voice whispered softly through the shadows to his two companions as they padded quietly along the long hall. "Moonlight, flowers, torchlight…And what am I doing? I'm out with you two."

"Don't you ever think of anything except sex?" Aethalides hissed at him impatiently.

"At my age? No. Why should I? We should be back at the banquet…"

"Okay, so sometimes you think about food too."

"Only to keep me going for the sex."

"Shut up, Iolaus," the herald snorted in exasperation. "Tal, are you sure these guys were up to no good?"

Talaus looked up from peeking over the edge of the balcony at the men they were following through the gardens from above. "They looked suspicious."

"Three guys wearing dark clothes, sneaking through the palace, following people, talking in whispers and looking furtive," Iolaus observed. "Let me see now, why would anyone ever think they were up to something suspicious?"

Aethalides and Talaus looked at him each other, looked at the blond hunter and then looked back at each other. Talaus laughed nervously.

"He does have a point. We do look suspicious."

"You want to go back?" Aethalides asked, glaring at Iolaus.

Iolaus shrugged. "No. But I want you to explain it to Hercules and Jason when we get caught."

"Jason told us to look out for trouble," Talaus pointed out.

"I don't think he meant us to look for trouble so we could get into it," Iolaus retorted. "I think he wanted us to avoid it."

"Then why did he tell us to watch ourselves?" Aethalides asked pointedly.

Iolaus gave him a steady look. "Maybe because we’re usually the ones who get into trouble in the first place?" he suggested sarcastically. "It wasn't so much a 'look out for yourselves', more a sort of 'don't you dare' warning."

"Oh," Aethalides said in surprise.

Talaus nodded. "He's really keen on impressing King Iamarides," he mused.

Iolaus frowned. "I hope we're not going to spend all our time sucking up to local kings on Pelias' behalf," he said irritably.

"No, we'll probably be sucking up on Jason's behalf," Aethalides observed dryly. "He's going to need support if he wants the throne of Iolcus."

"What bothers me is that scroll Acastus gave the King," Iolaus said, frowning. "Why didn't Jason give it to Pelias?"

"It was probably a personal message of introduction."

"Which is not reassuring. Why not give it to Jason?" Iolaus argued. "Or you or Archivus? You’re our heralds."

"Acastus is his son and heir. Iamarides knows him. It's a King thing," Aethalides said patiently. He was starting to get used to being the voice of reason where Iolaus and Talaus were concerned.

"But did you notice Acastus didn't look happy about it?" Talaus put in.

"Yeah. But then Iamarides would make anyone's skin crawl. Did you see the way he looked at us?" Aethalides sighed and ghosted out onto to the nearest balcony to check on their prey.

"I saw the way he looked at you," Talaus teased.

Iolaus glared at him. "It was Coronus putting a light in his eye," he corrected. "He was standing right next to me."

"Nope. It was definitely you…"

"You’re seeing things."

"Guys," Aethalides hissed impatiently.

"What?" Iolaus and Talaus chorused.

"They’re on the move again."

Iolaus and Talaus promptly squeezed onto the balcony with him to look. In the garden below, the three black garbed men had stopped lurking in the wisteria arbour and were heading off down the path and through an archway.

"What's through there?" Aethalides asked, looking from one to the other of the companions. He knew one of them would have reconnoitred since they arrived. This time it turned out to be Iolaus.

"It’s the rear entrance to the Temple."

"I told you they were up to something," Talaus said triumphantly.

"Because they’re going to the Temple?" Aethalides frowned.

"Because they’re taking the rear entrance," Talaus corrected. "And the place is closed to everyone except royalty and invited guests."

"And we're going to lose them if we don't hurry. Come on. Stairs this way." Iolaus shot off, his doeskin boots making no sound on the richly coloured mosaic floor. Aethalides and Talaus sped after him, eager for the chase.

Down the marble steps and across the scented garden, the three of them sprinted, ducking under the archway the three men had gone through and finding themselves in a small herb garden at the rear of the splendid pink and white marble temple building with its smoothly curved outer walls.

"Where'd they go?" Aethalides hissed, peering around him.

Iolaus crouched, examining the ground for footprints. He found the mark of a boot heel and the ruffle of dirt where a cloak hem had touched and led the way, searching for more tracks until they reached the wisteria covered wall where the prints vanished on the stone walkway. "Spread out and search," he ordered.

It was Talaus who found the arched doorway concealed behind a tangle of vines. "Over here," he called to the others. He touched the handle as they joined him. "It's been forced," he whispered, glancing at the others for permission "Now what?"

Aethalides hesitated, but Iolaus nodded and urged him on.

The door opened to Talaus' touch and he slipped his head round the edge, checking the room beyond out before he crept inside. They found themselves in a small stone room with one small torch on the wall, another door and a heap of carefully stacked boxes, clay jars and oil amphorae.

"Store room," Iolaus observed, peering into the nearest clay jar and finding it full of corn.

Aethalides pushed the door shut behind him. "This is weird," he said softly, looking back at what now seemed to be a blank stone wall. "A door hidden inside and out?"

"An escape route," Iolaus and Talaus both answered, giving each other a sheepish grin for the echo.

"For priests?" Aethalides said sarcastically.

"For priests and kings and other things," Iolaus said brightly.

"Other things?" Aethalides asked darkly.

"Yeah, sure, you never know when you might need to slip out the back way for a secret meeting with someone while everyone thinks you're offering a sacrifice. Or for a tryst…"

"Oh…"

"Are you sure you’re a son of Hermes?" Iolaus asked, peering at him curiously. "Only I’d have thought Hermes would have figured that out."

"Yes, well, I'm not him, am I?" Aethalides retorted primly. "And I don't have a dubious past unlike some people I could mention."

"That's not what I hear," Iolaus snorted.

"Guys?" Talaus called softly as he waited impatiently at the other door. "Am I on my own here or what?"

"Let's go," Iolaus darted over to his side, eyes shining with excitement. They slipped out of the storeroom into a torch lit corridor, warily looking both ways as they did so.

"Left or right?" Talaus asked, looking to Iolaus for guidance.

"This way," Aethalides decided before Iolaus could say a word, his sharp hearing picking up a faint sound of movement. As he sped off, Iolaus and Talaus exchanged a look and then raced after him. They followed the fleet footed herald down several corridors and around several turns before he skidded to a halt and backed up.

"What is it?" Talaus hissed in alarm.

"Someone's coming," Aethalides answered anxiously.

Shooting a quick look around them, Iolaus grabbed his friends by an arm each and towed them over to a doorway, dragging them both inside before they could be seen. A moment later the three men came back around the corner, one of them looking around them furtively.

"I don't see anyone," the man in the lead said gruffly.

"I'm sure I saw someone," came the whined response.

"It doesn't matter anyway, does it?" the Nubian third man snarled sarcastically. "Seeing as how we’re lost thanks to you."

"It wasn't my fault, Echion."

"It ever is, is it, Diccius."

"Shut up you two," the leader snapped. "We took a wrong turn is all. It's back this way." He stalked on ahead, his black cloak billowing stylishly around him. The other two followed him, Diccius looking like a bundle of black rags and the taller, sturdier built Echion looking uncomfortable in his long black cape.

After they had gone, the door eased open a fraction and Iolaus, Talaus and Aethalides peeked out. "They've gone," Talaus observed in relief.

"Gee, you don't say," Aethalides sniffed, sarcastic when scared. "We'd better follow them."

"No, I think I know where they’re going. Come on, back inside." Iolaus ducked back into the small room they had found and headed for the steps.

"Now where are we going?" Aethalides complained even as he and Talaus followed the young Argonaut.

"The balcony that looks out over the cella," Iolaus explained, urgently beckoning at them with both hands to hurry up.

"How do you know that?" Aethalides asked sharply. "You haven't been poking around in her on your own, have you?"

"Of course not," Iolaus retorted indignantly. "What do you think I am?"

"A thief?" Aethalides replied.

"Ex thief," Iolaus corrected, leading them upwards. "That's ex thief, not thief. And as it happens, this is a Hestial temple and all Hestial temples, apart from the occasional bit of decoration, are laid out the same way."

"They are?" Aethalides said in surprise.

"They are," Iolaus said firmly.

"How do you know that?" the Herald asked, curiously.

"I've been in a lot of her temples."

"Dare I ask why?" Aethalides asked dryly.

"Her priestesses will feed runaways when they're hungry and ask no questions about who or what they’re running away from," Iolaus answered, throwing a look over his shoulder at him. "I used to run away on a regular basis when I was little and the priestesses would always take me in and make sure I got home safely. It's not nice out there, Aethalides. If it wasn't for them, I’d probably have ended up a slave boy long before I was big enough to realise what kind of trouble I was laying myself open for. So, don't you dare suggest I’d take anything from them."

Iolaus pushed through a blue and gold beaded curtain with its pattern of flowers and flames ahead of them and disappeared from view, leaving Aethalides gaping after him in surprise.

"Close your mouth, Aethalides, you’re not going to catch anything," Talaus suggested sardonically as he slipped after the hunter. Somewhat chagrined, Aethalides pulled himself together and ducked through the curtain after them.

The tiny room beyond was lit a by a dim glimmer of light that made patterns on the floor as it fell through an intricately carved and fretted gilded wooden screen. Talaus hissed at him to be quiet as he tripped over his own feet then pulled the Herald into the gap between himself and Iolaus.

"Iolaus? I'm sorry…." Aethalides leaned closer enough to whisper into Iolaus' ear. Iolaus twitched as his breath tickled and shot him a smile.

"It's okay. I'm used to people thinking the worst of me."

"I don't," Aethalides said softly and then tapped a finger at the screen. "What is this?"

"The virgins are not supposed to show themselves when men are around at certain ceremonies, so they watch the ceremonies from up here where they can't be seen," Iolaus answered. "Now look…" Tugging his sleeve, Iolaus pulled him closer to the screen and pointed into the circular cella below. Below them the sacred fire burned in its round hearth, nestled at the feet of the statue of Hestia with her arms spread out in welcome and comfort. Offerings had been laid around the rim of the hearth, fruit and flowers mostly, but the coin basket was half full and here and there items of jewellery sparkled.

"Easy pickings," Talaus murmured.

"Don't even think it," Iolaus growled.

"Why isn't it guarded?" Talaus pressed however.

"It's a temple, isn't it? A temple in the middle of a palace? What could be safer? Besides, it's traditional not to have guards," the hunter told him. "Hestia's temple is a home and a home doesn't have guards."

Aethalides hushed them nervously as he saw movement at the far end of the cella and the three men entered. The leader marched straight up the hearth and stared up at the statue, while the others edged uneasily around the walls.

"What are you two doing?" he asked irritably as he saw what they were up to.

"Er, making sure Hestia doesn't see us?" Diccius said uneasily, glancing nervously at the statue.

"It's a statue, you moron. Hestia isn't really here. Now come on. Give me a leg up."

"Are you sure it's safe, Machus?" Echion asked warily.

"If she knew we were here, we’d be soot stains by now. Now hurry up before someone comes!"

"What are they doing?" Aethalides hissed in alarm as the Diccius and Echion reluctantly came over to join their leader. The three of them gathered under the tall statue, helping him scramble up onto her stone skirts.

"Oh no, they can't take that!" Iolaus exclaimed, stiffening in alarm as he realised that the three men were after the ornate necklace around the statue's throat.

"What is it?" Talaus demanded, craning to see.

"Hestia's sacred amulet," Iolaus groaned. "They must be crazy. Iamarides will have them hunted down and tortured for taking that."

"It must be valuable then," Talaus guessed.

"Diamonds, amber and adamantine," Iolaus agreed. "It's priceless."

"More than that," Aethalides replied. "The amulet marks Hestia's protection of this city. It’s a symbol of her approval. The only time when it can be removed from the temple is when King Iamarides wears it on ceremonial occasions."

"Like when he gives Jason his blessing?" Talaus asked.

Aethalides and Iolaus both looked at him in alarm.

"If it's not here…" Iolaus whispered.

"Hermes save us. They’re going to blame us," Aethalides moaned.

"We've got to stop them and get it back."

"How?" Talaus asked practically.

Iolaus flashed him a grin. "How do you think? What are we good at?"

"I'm not sure that's ethical," Aethalides worried.

"What's not ethical about it? They took it from Hestia. We take it from them and give it back to Hestia," Iolaus replied swiftly.

In the cella below, the leader of the men was clambering down from the statue, the necklace cradled safely in one hand. In the light of the fire, it glowed with rich colour. Shaped like a fan of flames around cabochon eyes of deep golden amber, the diamonds caught the light throwing back an iridescent rainbow sparkle of colours.

"It's beautiful," Machus murmured, holding it up admiringly in his gloved hands.

"Worth a fortune in the right hands," Diccius agreed, greed lighting his eyes.

Echion scowled at him and Machus gave him an irritated look. "And if you didn't have the contacts, you wouldn't be here," the leader snapped. "Come on. Let's get back to the others." Wrapping the necklace, in a piece of black velvet he led the way to the doors.

"Right," Iolaus said decisively. "Tal, you check out the cella and make sure no one was hurt. Find the priestess and tell her what's happened. Aethalides, you go and fetch Hercules and Jason."

"What are you going to do?" Talaus asked.

"Follow them and get it back."

"Maybe I should come with you?" Talaus argued.

"Yeah, maybe you should go flutter your eyelashes at the priestess and then explain things to Hercules," Aethalides agreed.

Iolaus shook his head. "I can handle it."

"Since when are you captain?" Aethalides asked in exasperation.

"Since I came up with the plan. You and your silver tongue should be able to persuade Jason and Herc easy enough. Besides which, I know my way around this place better than either of you do. I can catch them and you can't. Now move it! They’re getting away."

Before Aethalides could protest again, Iolaus darted back through the curtain and vanished down the steps. Talaus chewed his lip as he gazed after him.

"What is it?" Aethalides prompted.

"I don't know. Something…trouble I think."

"Where Iolaus is concerned, it comes naturally," Aethalides pointed out scornfully. "You go the cella. See if these men left any clues. I’ll fetch Jason and be right back."

"Okay," Talaus agreed doubtfully. "But hurry up, will you? I've got bad vibes."

"Faster than Hermes in his sandals," Aethalides assured him and raced off.

Talaus peered down into the cella, shook his head uneasily and finally followed the others down the steps. Iolaus was long gone when he got to the bottom and Aethalides was nowhere in sight. Talaus trotted along the corridor, checking doors and side corridors until he found the one leading into the cella itself.

The door was standing ajar and he slipped inside, feeling himself sweating without knowing why. He was very much afraid and he didn't know why. It wasn't the excited fear of being where he shouldn't be and about to take something, or the delicious sensation of relying on his skill and wits; it was the genuine fear of being discovered that he hadn't felt in a long time.

He trotted over to the fire and the statue, gazing up at Hestia's serenely beautiful face with the inset amber eyes and admiring her richly enamelled blue and copper robes. The inset gap beneath her collarbone where the sacred amulet had rested looked pale and bare in the firelight. He bowed and then knelt before her gently chiding gaze. "Graceful Hestia, show mercy," he whispered. "We mean well. Guard my friend Iolaus."

The flames swirled and danced, drawing his eye for a second before he got up and looked around. He wasn't going to find anyone in here. Iolaus had said to find the priestess and tell her what had happened. S he started back towards the doors however, his eye was caught by a necklace glinting amongst the flowers and he hesitated, torn by old instincts.

Which was when the priestess walked in saw him, noted the missing amulet and promptly started to scream….

* * *

Slipping from shadow to shadow, Iolaus found it all too easy to follow the three men. They obviously weren't expecting trouble now that they were clear of the palace buildings. They had walked; laughing and joking together towards the main gates that led out into the city, bamboozling the guards they passed into seeing nothing wrong with their sheer open effrontery. In fact the guards took more notice of the lithe blond shadow flitting past than they did of Machus and his companions, but Iolaus too went ignored as a stray Argonaut looking for excitement in town.

By the time they reached the fish market with its ever present smell of raw fish near the harbour, however, Iolaus was starting to have his doubts whether or not they did know he was following them. They seemed determined enough to lose any pursuit, taking a twisting and turning route through the city alleyways, but they never quite seemed to take advantage of the times when they could have lost him.

Puzzled and uneasy, Iolaus slowed down and fell back, letting them get ahead of him. He couldn't help remembering that one of them had almost spotted them back at the palace. True it had been Diccius, the nervous one, but in Iolaus' experience it was the nervy ones who usually spotted a tail. Chewing on his lower lip, he looked back the way he had come, debating whether or not to turn back and face the teasing that would follow. Getting teased would be lot less uncomfortable than getting beaten to a bloody pulp, he mused. Machus and his men didn't look like the kind to take kindly to being followed. And he was unarmed because of the rules of the feast; well, apart from his boot knife and that didn't really count.

Voices from up ahead attracted his attention and curiosity replaced his common sense, leading him on to the corner around which Machus and his men had disappeared. He peeked cautiously around the wall into the empty market square, keeping to the shadows close to the blue black stones of the wall.

Machus had met a group of men and gathered them around him. His voice carried on the fish scented sea breeze blowing up from the harbour. "We got the amulet."

"Any problems?" a deep male voice asked.

"None at all. The cella was empty. We could have brought a troupe of flute girls in and no one would have noticed."

"Now what?"

"We go back to the Fish and Hook and buy ourselves a few drinks in celebration."

Iolaus did a quick head count and slunk back around the corner. There was bravery and there was sheer stupidity and he classed taking on this bunch of cut-throats alone and unarmed as stupidity. He had a clue as to where they were headed; he had names and descriptions. Jason was always on about letting him make the decisions, so Iolaus would tell him and leave the next move up to his Captain and the palace guards.

Easing another step, he swung around and slammed straight into Echion. He had shed his long black cape, revealing biceps as big as thighs emphasised by the wide golden bands he wore around them that glowed against his dark skin. He wore a leather harness studded with gold coins and a set of throwing knives and a magnificent gold belt around the rippling muscles of his stomach.

Iolaus let out an only partly feigned yelp of fright and attempted to dodge. Echion grabbed him and flung him back against the wall, effortlessly holding him pinned there. "So what do we have here?" he mused, looking Iolaus up and down and taking in his dark royal blue suede tunic and pants, fastened around his midriff with a Cretan silver belt that showed off his waist. "A fine feathered young buck out on the prowl, hmmh? And what are you doing on the street instead of up at the palace selling your wares?"

"I thought I’d find something more interesting out in the city," Iolaus answered coolly, resisting the urge to be insulted.

"And you thought you’d find following us more interesting?" Echion sneered, raising his voice to hail Machus as he loosened his grip. "I caught our young tail!"

"I wasn't following you," Iolaus lied indignantly.

"Looked that way to me," Echion snorted, glancing over his shoulder as Machus ambled into sight. The tall man had thrown his cloak back over his shoulders, showing off fine black leathers and the amulet now gleaming against the tanned skin of his chest through the criss-crossed strips of his 'tunic'.

"I told you, I wasn't following you," Iolaus repeated then brightened up with a flash of inspiration at the sight of the amulet. All he had to do was get close enough and he had all the weaponry he needed to do that! Lowering his voice to a seductive growl, he gave Machus a sly look. Leaning back against the wall, he raised one foot to brace against the stones and arched his back a little in sultry display. "I was following him."

"Machus?" Echion echoed in surprise. "What's he got that I haven't?"

Iolaus raised an eyebrow at him. "Want a list?"

"Mouthy bit of fluff," Echion snorted, amused but unimpressed. "Hey, Machus! Looks like you got lucky with this one. He'll probably do you for free."

"Probably looks like a rear end of Hydra then," Machus snorted.

"Oh, I wouldn't say that! Don't know how skilled he is though." Echion laughed. Tugging Iolaus away from the wall, he gave him a brisk shove towards his leader and smacked him briskly on the butt to help him on his way.

Iolaus jumped, disguising the murderous look he shot at the Nubian behind a pout. Machus caught him by the back of the neck and turned him around to look at him.

"Hmmh, not bad, not bad at all," he said thoughtfully, grinning at Iolaus. "And how much do you earn a night?"

"I don't," Iolaus retorted hotly.

"That can change," Echion laughed.

Iolaus shot a quick look at him, realising that he could wind up in a lot of trouble if he wasn't quick and careful. "People will be expecting me back at the palace," he warned coolly.

"Oh? Part of the entertainment, are you?" Machus teased. "One of the dancers maybe? Or a flute boy?"

"A guest," Iolaus retorted, looking up at him from under his eyelashes with expert calculation.

"And out on the streets looking for a bit of rough?" Machus' wasn't so good humoured any more.

"Something like that," Iolaus purred.

Machus grabbed him; yanking him up close and wrapping his fist in Iolaus' shoulder length mop of golden waves and curls. "I don't like being followed," he told him harshly.

"My, I thought it'd happen to you a lot," Iolaus whispered, fluttering his eyelashes.

Machus gazed down at him implacably. "A fine little flirt," he said appreciatively. "But it isn't me you’re interested in."

"Oh, but it is," Iolaus lied.

Machus snorted, slapped one hand down on his butt and yanked him up close. Iolaus squirmed instinctively, then froze in chagrin as Machus rubbed against him. "Liar," Machus sneered. "What are you really up to?"

"I told you…"

"You told me a handful of lies," Machus interrupted curtly. "You were following us for some other reason. Why?"

"Maybe he followed us from the palace," Diccius suggested. "I told you I saw someone…"

"What does it matter?" Echion said however. "Let's have a little fun with him and if he turns out to be any good, we can take him with us and sell him."

"Please, don't hurt me." Iolaus gave Machus a look of wide-eyed fright and wriggled fetchingly, pressing his hand against the taller man's chest as he struggled weakly.

Machus studied him, intrigued and aroused. Tightening his grip, he bent his head and nuzzled Iolaus' throat. "Let's see what you can do," he growled, backing him up against the wall.

"Someone might see," Diccius complained.

"Then get back and keep watch," Machus ordered curtly, his dark eyes locked on Iolaus. "I don't need an audience." Iolaus held his back, resisting the urge to panic as Machus' hands roamed over him. There was some muttering but Diccius and the others retreated around the corner. Only Echion waited, a nasty grin on his face as he alternately watched Machus and Iolaus and checked out the alleyway.

"Wait," Iolaus gasped as Machus fumbled at his clothes. "What about him?"

"Echion? What about him?"

"Are you going to let him stand there and watch?"

"Yeah. He guards my back. And as a reward, I'm going to let him take his turn too."

"What if I don't want him?"

"That's your problem. Either co-operate or get hurt and I sell you as a slave. Or co-operate and I let you go when we’ve finished."

"Oh." Iolaus held still, reluctantly letting Machus nuzzle him a bit more and suppressing his revulsion at being groped. Cautiously, he rested his hands on his upper arms, sliding upwards to link around the tall man's neck and run his fingertips along the amulet's chain. Pleased by his apparent co-operation, Machus pressed closer, pushing him into the wall and cupping his chin to tilt his mouth up for a kiss.

Iolaus shuddered, felt the amulet's clasp open under his skilled fingers and promptly drove his knee up into Machus' groin with all his strength. Machus squealed like a pig and doubled up. Snatching the amulet, Iolaus wrenched free and dropped into a crouch, using a sweep kick to knock Echion's feet from under him.

"You’re not my type!" he yelped at them as he sprinted back the way he had come.

"Get him!" Machus screamed, his voice having gone up a good couple of octaves, but then getting kicked in the groin had a tendency to do that to a man.

Iolaus didn't wait to see what would happen next. He ran for all he was worth, knowing his speed might be the only thing between him and a messy end. By now Hercules and the others were bound to be looking for him and he hoped he could find them before Machus and his men found him…

* * *

"No! Wait! Let me explain!"

Hercules could hear Talaus' voice raised in panic and broke into a sprint as he approached the cella.

"I didn't do it!"

"A likely story!" an angry male voice answered. "Seize him"

"Please, wait for Jason! I can explain!" Talaus wailed.

"Be quiet, you little rat," the man snarled and there was the sound of a blow. "Hold him down!"

Hercules slammed through the doors, aware that he had left the others standing. As he raced in, he took in the scene at a glance. The pale blue robed priestess off to one side, her hands clasped to her mouth. The two burly guards holding Talaus down beside the fire, his arms forcibly held out across the hearth wall as he struggled. And the Captain with his raised sword sweeping down in a vicious cut….

Hercules skidded across the cella and flung himself between the guards and across Talaus' back, clamping his own hands across those of his fellow Argonaut's a split second before the sword could land and slice off Talaus' hands at the wrist. The blade bounced off Hercules' adamantine wristbands, sending the Captain shuddering back from the impact.

"Grab him!" he bellowed in fury and the guards grabbed at Hercules. Hercules scowled and flexed his shoulders, ready to throw them off and fight his way out if he had to.

"What is going on here? Release them!" the voice of reason came from Cres, King Iamarides chief advisor and about the only sober Elder at the feast. Jason and a handful of the Argonauts followed him into the cella at a fast lope, careful not to trample him in their eagerness. "You! Captain Ignatius, explain yourself!"

Hercules relaxed gingerly and the guards backed off sulkily, letting their leader do the talking. "The priestess called us," he began.

As soon as he was sure the immediate danger was over, Hercules eased his weight off Talaus, aware that his friend was shaking violently. "You okay?" he asked gently, helping him up. "Did they hurt you?"

Talaus managed a mute shake of his head, his dark eyes enormous in his pale face as he folded his arms and hugged his hands underneath. "Thank you," he whispered through chattering teeth as he flipped his tangled wavy hair out of his face. Hercules nodded and turned his attention to the guards.

"Having established that the amulet was gone, we proceeded to take the prescribed action against the thief," the captain finished, jerking a nod at Talaus who retreated behind Hercules. "Him…"

"I didn't do it," Talaus protested, adding desperately when he saw the furious expression on Jason's face. "Jason! I didn't! I didn't steal it! I swear I didn't."

Jason looked over at him and his scowl softened a little. "You word is good with me," he said coolly. "Captain Ignatius, you say this man is the thief who took the amulet. Where then is the amulet?"

"What?" Ignatius stared at him.

"You say he was found here. That he took the necklace. Where is it then? Have you searched him?"

Talaus edged even closer to Hercules and the demi-god put his arm around him automatically. His wrists still ached from the sword blow and he could imagine how Talaus was feeling.

"Well, no," Ignatius admitted. "The priestess said…"

"And, with respect," Jason purred, turning a cool look on the priestess herself. "Did you see him take it?"

"There was no one else here. Who else could have done it?" she replied primly.

Hercules stirred, frowning at her and inclining his head questioningly to Jason. Jason nodded back, looking thoughtful.

"I suggest you start by searching the cella, Captain Ignatius," Elder Cres decided.

"I’ll start with him!" The Captain took a threatening step towards Talaus.

"On the contrary," Cres said sharply. "You will start with the cella as ordered, Captain. Talaus is the King's guest. You have insulted Jason by laying hands on him already. Let us see if your excuse for doing so is valid."

Ignatius flinched and turned away, hastily ordering his men to start searching. Jason eased over to Hercules and Talaus, gave Talaus a quick pat on the shoulder and turned questioning brown eyes on the demi-god.

"If she didn't see the amulet taken, then she wasn't here, right?" Hercules said quickly.

"Sounds logical," Jason agreed.

"Then where was she?" Hercules asked. "The fire is never supposed to be left untended. If she wasn't in the cella, then where was she?"

"Good question," Jason mused. "Talaus, did you see her?"

"Not until she started screaming. I did my best to explain, but she wouldn't listen. She grabbed hold of me and held on like an octopus until the guards arrived. See?" Talaus held out his arm, displaying the crescent nail marks in his hand and forearm. "I didn't take the amulet, three men did. We were following them."

"So Aethalides said." Jason frowned. "So, you came to make sure no one was hurt, Aethalides came looking for us for help and Iolaus went after the bad guys?"

"Don't you even dare think Iolaus was involved," Hercules rumbled.

"I wasn't," Jason retorted. "If I've learned anything about that little troublemaker it's that he protects his friends and keeps his word. And he gave me his word not to steal anything the same as Talaus did." He groaned softly. "What a damn mess."

"Someone should go after Iolaus," Hercules fretted. "There are three of them."

"Yes, true. One of them could get hurt," Jason said dryly.

"Jase…" Hercules protested indignantly.

"I know, I know. But if you suddenly take off without any explanation, it might be misunderstood. Be quiet and let me think…" He looked over the priestess again as she stood next to Cres, putting on a fine display of righteous anger mingled nicely with dismay.

"It was terrible," she was saying, her clear voice carrying across the temple to all concerned. "I was terrified what he might do next. So I grabbed hold of his arm and absolutely screamed for help."

Cres patted her hand where she clung to his arm. "There, there, now. You were very brave."

Jason's eyes narrowed and he strode over to join them. "Excuse me?" he murmured, all princely politeness. "Might I have a word with you, priestess?"

She smiled at him shyly, still clinging to Cres. She was a slender creature; all huge almond shaped blue eyes and hair so pale blond it was almost silver. "Oh, yes, your highness. But not alone. I am after all a priestess."

"I wouldn't dream of any impropriety," Jason assured her, noting that she knew exactly who he was. "I merely need to ask you a few things."

"I understand. Of course you may…"

"Might I ask your name?" Jason pressed gently.

"It's Volare," she answered.

"And you are priestess here?"

"That is correct."

"Sole priestess?"

"No, there are three of us according to tradition, although I am lead priestess. I was chosen to guard the fire for this night." She tightened her grip on Cres' arm, leaning against him shakily. "I was so frightened."

"You guard alone?"

"It is an honour," she replied primly. "And safe enough. No one may enter here once the garden gates are closed."

"No one who means well," Cres observed darkly, shooting a glare at Talaus. "I will see to it that there are guards set on the temple from now on, Volare. You need not fear for yourself or your companions."

Jason wondered if he was the only one to note the flicker of angry frustration that crossed her face at Cres' decision.

"I'm sure that isn't necessary," she said swiftly. "The temple must be open to all. We cannot hide from those who need us."

"The guards won't turn away anyone who seeks your help. Only those who mean to do wrong," Cres assured her, shaking his head. "It really is a disgrace. To frighten a priestess in her own cella!"

"I'm sure," Jason said calmly, interrupting while she was still searching for an answer. "But if I might continue…"

"Please do," Volare murmured, her huge eyes locked on his face with flattering attention.

She was well aware of the advantage her looks gave her and not above using them, Jason reflected, wondering how she had ever achieved such as exalted position that relied so much on chaste discretion. "Did you see Talaus enter the cella?" he asked calmly.

"He was here and the amulet was gone."

"I didn't ask that," Jason pointed out. "Did you see him enter?"

Volare hesitated, dainty teeth nibbling at her lower lip. She flicked a glance skywards for a moment then shook her head. "No. I did not. I was distracted by a noise outside. I went to look for a moment, when I returned he was here and the amulet was missing."

"Then you didn't see him take it?"

"No…" she admitted. "But he was here alone…"

"And the noise you heard? What was it?"

"I didn't find anything," she said shortly. "It was probably a mouse."

"You left the flame untended for the sake of a mouse?" Jason questioned.

Volare gave him a dirty look. " There are many valuable offerings made here. I feared someone might be attempting to force an entry," she told him coldly and shot a vicious look at Talaus. "It would seem I was right."

"Except that Talaus doesn't have the amulet."

"He must have hidden it."

"Where? And why?"

"He heard me returning and wished to fool me into thinking he hadn't taken it," Volare explained sarcastically. "No doubt he intended to return later and retrieve it. As to where he hid it, I wouldn't know."

"Neither it would seem would Captain Ignatius," Jason observed.

Ignatius and his men had completed a brisk but through search of the cella and found nothing. Now they were closing in around Talaus with hungry looks on the faces. Whoever had taken the amulet had made them look bad and they wanted someone's head for it.

"Then perhaps you should ask your crewman," Volare responded pertly.

Jason's smiled coldly. "According to Talaus and Aethalides, they and another of my crew followed three men here. They're the ones who took your amulet. It isn't going to be found here."

"You seem very confident," Volare snapped.

"I trust my men."

"Really," she retorted, folding her arms across her shapely chest. "So where are these other two men of yours?"

"One is following the thieves, the other is around…"

"How convenient that neither of them are here," she sneered. "Frankly, I find this tale hard to believe."

"Indeed, Prince Jason, I would agree with Volare on that. It is time to ask your crewman a few questions. After he is searched of course," Cres said insistently.

Jason frowned, but nodded reluctantly. "Sorry, Talaus, but it is necessary," he called to the Argonaut. Talaus nodded miserably, huddling on himself.

"Right," Ignatius said in satisfaction. "Strip him, lads."

"What?" Talaus squeaked in alarm. Hercules grabbed him, pushing the dark haired young man behind him for protection.

"I don't think so," he rumbled dangerously. "Jason! There are limits!"

"I don't see any reason to humiliate him," Jason said furiously.

"If he has the amulet on him…." Cres began.

"And when he doesn't? Are you going to explain it to King Iamarides?" Jason demanded angrily. "One more insult to me or mine, Cres, and I will be demanding restitution."

Cres gave him an alarmed look. So far Jason had shown princely restraint, but looking at him now the Elder realised that he was facing a dangerous man backed by a crew of fully armed and possibly even more dangerous and experienced men. He was also aware that several more of the Argonauts had drifted in to see what was going on and were standing around watching with suspicious curiosity. They also had Ignatius and his handful of men out numbered.

"You can't possibly expect him to strip in front of a priestess!" Aethalides exclaimed, all wide-eyed shocked innocence.

"Where have you been?" Jason hissed at him in exasperation.

Aethalides inclined his head towards Ialmenus and Ascalaphus. "You told me to find these two. It was a little harder than expected."

"Don't tell me, Ascalaphus was gambling."

"Okay then, I won't. What's going on?"

Jason rolled his eyes in exasperation as Ascalaphus grinned at him. "The amulet's gone and they’re blaming Talaus."

"But I told you, those three men took it," Aethalides complained.

"I know that. But you convince Cres of that."

"Fine, I will."

"No," Jason grabbed his arm. "Let me handle this."

"But why?"

"Because I have a feeling that there's a lot more to this than it first appears." Jason looked round anxiously, glad to see Hercules standing guard over Talaus with an ominous scowl on his face.

Ignatius was dithering, startled by Aethalides' pointed reminder. Cres was scowling. "Very well then," he decided. "He must be searched, but not here. Take him to the dungeon."

"Wait!" Jason barked. "You can't do that!"

"And why not?" Cres demanded. "One way or another, this young man knows what happened to the amulet."

"Three men took it," Aethalides interrupted in self-righteous indignation, forgetting his good manners for once in concern for his friend. "They’re called Machus, Diccius and Echion and Iolaus is following them."

"Is he now?" Cres said dryly. "Then why isn't he back yet?"

"I don't know," Aethalides admitted reluctantly. "But you should have your men out there looking for them, not harassing Talaus!"

Cres frowned at him. "Let me explain something to you, young man, your friend was caught right here. The amulet was missing and he has yet to explain how he got in. Neither have you for that matter. All this talk of strange men being the thieves sounds like an excuse." He turned to Jason, his eyes narrowing astutely. "Your crewman goes to the dungeon where he will be stripped and searched. He will be kept there until sunset tomorrow at which time we will carry out the prescribed punishment for thieves and cut off his hands."

"You can't…" Jason began.

"I can and I will," Cres snapped. "Obviously, he was involved and that breaks your guest right. I can see no other reason for him being here. But I am a fair man. Bring me these other thieves and the amulet intact and I will release him unharmed. You have until sunset tomorrow, Jason, and no longer." He nodded towards Hercules. "Now, have your man get out of the way, or I’ll have him in the dungeon too."

Jason hesitated, but he couldn't see any other choice. He jerked his head at Hercules, meeting his furious glare with a glare of his own. Very reluctantly, Hercules started to move aside then balked. Talaus took a deep breath and stepped around him, flinching as he was promptly seized by the guards and hustled towards the doors. They all towered over him like Titans and kept a wary eye on Hercules as they dragged him out of reach.

"You think they pick them for size?" Aethalides murmured, awed.

"It's sure not for their smarts," Ialmenus growled. "Anyone can see Talaus didn't do anything."

Jason ignored their comments. "Ialmenus, Ascalaphus, go with him," he ordered curtly.

"Huh?" Ialmenus said.

"I want Talaus guarded by someone I can trust," Jason told him simply. "Go. And don't let him out of your sight. I'll send someone down to take over from you."

Ialmenus nodded and bounded after his brother who was following hard on Talaus' heels watching the guards every move. The look Captain Ignatius gave them as they left the cella was none too happy, but Jason was within his rights to send them and he knew it.

"I must return and speak to the King," Cres said grimly. "Do you have anything else to say, your highness?"

"I'll speak for myself," Jason said coolly. "Be right with you."

With a sniff, Cres turned on his heel and stalked out. Jason looked round for Volare, but her companions had arrived and the three blue robed women were whispering over the hearth. He didn't dare disturb them.

"Jason?" Hercules' voice was harsh with frustrated anger.

"Don't you start," Jason grumbled.

"Why did you let them take Talaus?"

"I had to. Arguing the point would have made things worse."

"I’d have guarded him."

"Ialmenus and Ascalaphus will do fine. I have something else for you to do."

"Such as?" Hercules folded his arms and glared at him.

"Something you're better at than anyone else. Finding out where Iolaus has got to…"

* * *

Propelled into the dungeon, Talaus was pushed across the floor while Ignatius slammed the door shut and then disappeared through an unlit doorway on the other side. Talaus meanwhile was shoved through the door in a metal grating and ordered to stand in the room beyond while his two guards watched him suspiciously, hands on their swords hilts. Too scared to even think about escape, Talaus folded his arms and hunched in on himself, dreading what they were going to do to him. The last time he had been strip-searched it had very nearly turned into an all out assault.

"It's this one," Captain Ignatius announced, pointing out Talaus to the man with him as he returned. The dungeon master was a squat, gap toothed man who looked as if he rarely saw the light of day, let alone a bath. He looked Talaus up and down, a nasty light entering his eyes as he smirked and flexed his hands slowly. As he moved forward, the two guards backed out of the way, looking uneasy at his presence.

"Captain?" one of them began cautiously. "Maybe one of us could search him?"

"I think Dungeon Master Galous can manage quite well," Ignatius replied icily, folding his arms as he watched.

Talaus swallowed hard and retreated up against the far wall as the dungeon master ambled into the cage with him with a rolling gait that spoke of some time spent on a ship in the past.

"Right now, we can do this the easy way, or the hard way," Galous began, his very voice sounding slimy to the frightened Argonaut.

"I don’t have the amulet," Talaus protested.

"We'll have to see about that, won't we," Galous moved with in grabbing range, licking pudgy lips as he ran his eyes over Talaus. Talaus drew himself up, determining to fight before he let Galous lay a finger on him.

The crash of the door bursting open made them all jump as Ialmenus strode in with Ascalaphus close on his heels and two more guards scrambling along behind them.

"I was wondering where you’d got to," Talaus exclaimed, slumping weakly in relief at seeing them.

Ialmenus was too angry to speak, his midnight blue eyes snapping with fury as he stalked into Talaus' cage. Ascalaphus turned a filthy look on the guard beside him. "These two morons thoughts it would be clever to lead us astray," he said sarcastically. "Your idea for them to get us lost was it, Captain?"

Ignatius gazed back at him coolly. "They’re new here," he said blandly. "It's easy to get lost if you don't know your way around. My apologies."

"Like I believe you," Ascalaphus shot back.

"What exactly are you doing?" Ialmenus hissed like an angry dragon, glaring down at Galous in loathing. Galous backed up a fraction, sensing the demi-god's barely contained rage.

"The dungeon master is about to search the thief," Ignatius answered for him.

"First of all, you have yet to prove he's a thief." Ascalaphus said rapidly. "And secondly, that person is not going to touch him."

"And how else do you propose we search him?" Ignatius sneered back. "I'm certainly not going to let one of you do it."

"How big is this amulet?" Ascalaphus demanded, ignoring his subtle insinuation.

"What does that have to do with it?"

"A lot," Ascalaphus answered. His eyes bored icily into the captain's.

Under that glare, Ignatius gritted his teeth in fury. "About so big," he gestured, describing an object about four inches long and three deep.

"And spiky I believe? Shaped like flames?"

"How do you know that?" Ignatius glared at him suspiciously.

"I saw the space it left on the statue," Ascalaphus replied. "What kind of masochistic contortionist do you think Talaus is?" he continued. "Precisely where do you suggest he could hide the amulet?"

Ignatius opened his mouth, then closed it again, flushing in chagrin and bitterly aware of the guards struggling not to snigger. "Very well," he said curtly. "But I still want him stripped to the skin."

Galous smirked and started forward, only to run slap-bang into Ialmenus' solidly muscled forearm.

"Talaus is a big boy. He's been undressing himself for some time now," Ialmenus told him sarcastically. "So why don't you wait outside. In fact, why don't you get right out of this room all together?"

"Are you going to let him talk to me like that?" Galous demanded, refusing to look away from the demi-god's broad chest and speaking over his shoulder to the captain.

Ignatius looked from Ialmenus to Ascalaphus and back again. He could feel something in the air, something that made the hair on the back his neck stand on end. Something that told him he had pushed these two as far as he dared. "It's your dungeon," he replied quietly.

"Exactly," Galous spat and finally looked up at Ialmenus. "So I fully intend to search…" His voice wandered into a silent gap where it was ripped apart by the look in Ialmenus' blazing eyes. "I uh, I mean wait outside."

"Excellent idea," Ialmenus hissed, advancing towards him as the dungeon master backed out of the cage. Ascalaphus followed him the rest of the way to the darkened doorway, making sure he left. Planting himself in front of the doorway, Ialmenus leaned on the grating, waiting until Ascalaphus gave him the nod before he glanced over his shoulder at Talaus. "Get your gear off and hand it over, Tal," he said briskly.

At Ialmenus' matter of fact attitude, Talaus nodded miserably and peeled fast, skimming down to bare skin and unhappily wishing he had worn more clothing. He passed it to Ialmenus piece by piece, right down to his boots, and the demi-god handed them all out to Ignatius and the guards. Ascalaphus stood over them, watching like a hawk as they picked through the Argonaut's things.

"Scared I’ll plant something?" Ignatius sneered at him.

"Yes," Ascalaphus replied flatly and the captain shut up in surprise at the bald answer.

"Well?" Ialmenus said curtly, when Talaus finally stood buck naked and shivering, his arms folded tightly around his chest. He had had never been ashamed of his body and more than one woman had appreciated him. But if Galous had still been there he would have been hiding in a corner. "Are you satisfied he's got nothing on him? Or do you want him to peel off his skin too?"

The demi-god's sarcasm earned him a glare from Ignatius that Ialmenus was oblivious too. He came as far as the grating and peered in at Talaus. "Turn around, slowly," he ordered.

Feeling angry and humiliated, Talaus reluctantly did as he was told. The captain grunted when he finally faced front again. "All right, stay there until we finish with your clothes."

"Like I'm going anywhere?" Talaus muttered sullenly under his breath.

Ialmenus glanced at him and smiled faintly. Peeling off his own half cloak he tossed it to the younger man. "Here, wrap yourself up, kid," he urged.

Talaus grabbed the cloth eagerly, wrapping it around himself. "I'm cold," he blurted under Ialmenus' steady gaze.

"Yeah, it's chilly down here," Ialmenus agreed, moving closer to him and lowering his voice. "Did that slimy pig of a dungeon master lay a finger on you?"

Wide-eyed in surprise that he should ask, Talaus shook his head.

"Good. Otherwise I'd have had had to break both his arms off and Jason would complain."

"Thanks, Ialmenus," Talaus whispered. "He made my skin crawl."

Ialmenus nodded. "Mine too. Creep," he muttered, shuddering elaborately.

"What are you two whispering about?" one of the guards demanded.

Ialmenus glared at him. "If you must know we were discussing what kind of perverts let a pervert like the dungeon master do the strip searches," he retorted, then swung back to Talaus when the guard looked away in chagrin. "Look, Tal, don't worry. One way or another we’ll get you out of here. Jason will think of something and if he doesn't, Ascalaphus and I will break you out."

"You will?" Talaus gazed up at him in astonishment and was amazed when Ialmenus put an arm around him and gave him a quick awkward hug.

"You’re an Argonaut and a friend," Ialmenus answered. "We’ve got to look out for each other."

"All right," one of the guards grumbled, stomping into the cage with the untidy bundle of Talaus' clothes. "You can get dressed again."

"Can I go now?" Talaus asked hopefully as he grabbed for them.

"No."

"But you didn't find anything, did you?" Talaus said pointedly as he started to wriggle back into his pants.

Ignatius came over to glare at him. "Obviously you hid it somewhere," he said angrily.

"Where?" Ascalaphus asked. "You've searched the cella, you've searched him. Where else could it be?"

"Obviously he hid it outside the cella."

"So he went in, stole the amulet, took it away and hid it, then returned for the priestess to find him?" Ascalaphus mused.

"Yes," Ignatius snapped, doing a slow burn as he realised how preposterous it sounded. "Obviously he meant to pretend to discover it was 'missing' and report it himself, to distract attention from himself.

"I see," Ascalaphus mused. "So you’re saying the priestess is lying?"

"What?" Ignatius gave him an alarmed look.

"She says she left the cella only for a few moments, hardly time enough for anyone to do all this," Ascalaphus reminded him gently. "So either she was gone longer than she said, or Talaus didn't do it."

"If he didn't do it then he knows who did. He's staying right here until that amulet is returned."

Ascalaphus sighed and looked over at his brother. "Looks like it's going to be a long night, guys," he observed.

"Maybe we can send out for a take away and couple of flute girls," Ialmenus said cheerfully.

Ignatius scowled. "If you two insist on staying here…"

"Our captain ordered us to," Ialmenus said promptly, his lazy amusement vanishing.

Ignatius glared at him and pointed at Talaus. "He will be locked in. You two will remain out here with my guards."

Ialmenus bristled, opening his mouth to protest. Ascalaphus got in first. "Naturally, captain," he said coolly, giving his brother a quelling look. Ialmenus scowled, but nodded tightly and stomped out of the cage, glaring at the guard who swung the door shut and locked it.

Talaus came over to the grating, curling his fingers around the cool metal as he gazed out at them mournfully. Ignatius started issuing orders, arranging guards. Exchanging a look with Ascalaphus, Ialmenus picked up the heavy wooden table standing in the middle of the floor and carried it over to plant it in front of the grating. Then he sat on the wooden seat adjoined to it and grinned cheerfully at Talaus. Talaus smiled back weakly, oddly comforted by being blocked in.

"What do you think you're doing?" Ignatius roared in outrage, stalking over to him. It didn't help that he knew it normally took at least four men to move the table. "You've blocked the damn door!"

"So?" Ialmenus gazed up at him coolly as Ascalaphus settled on the seat beside his brother.

"So we can't get in!"

"Your point being?"

"Isn't it bloody obvious?" Ignatius bellowed.

"We can't get in. He can't get out. Where's the problem?" Ialmenus asked, winking at Talaus whose smile widened in appreciation of his protection. Ascalaphus fished out his velvet belt pouch, scattering his set of copper knucklebones on the table.

Infuriated, Ignatius stood over them spluttering incoherently. Cautiously Talaus settled on the end of the rough wooden bed in his cage, sitting close to the grating as Ascalaphus offered him the knucklebones.

"I warn you," Ignatius shouted. "One of you Argonauts took that amulet and one of you will pay for it if I have to hunt him down myself!"

"You take first turn, kid," Ascalaphus urged cheerfully, ignoring him.

With a wordless snarl, Ignatius swung on his heel and stalked out. His guards trotted after him, leaving two behind to hover in the doorway on watch.

"No doubt off to tell Cres about us and make his guards lives a misery," Ialmenus muttered smugly.

"You don't really think he’ll go after anyone else, do you?" Talaus worried.

Ialmenus gave him a thoughtful look. "You worried about Iolaus?"

"He should be back by now," Talaus answered. "What if he's in trouble?"

"Like you, you mean?" Ialmenus said dryly.

"This isn't Iolaus' fault. It's a misunderstanding. He'll turn up with the amulet. I know he will."

"Oh yeah, and Captain Ignatius will take that so well he’ll have his hands off before you can say chimera!"

"Oh nice going, dingbat," Ascalaphus complained as Talaus stared at Ialmenus in alarm. "Now you've upset him."

"You don't think they would blame Iolaus, do you?" Talaus yipped anxiously.

"Uh, no?" Ialmenus said weakly, shooting a look at his brother.

"Iolaus is too smart to get caught out that way," Ascalaphus said firmly. "Jason will see to it that someone finds him first and warns him."

"You're sure?" Talaus fretted.

"Yeah," Ascalaphus said firmly, studying him. "You okay?"

"Scared witless," Talaus shrugged. "For me and Iolaus now."

"I don't blame you. But one way or another we’ll get you out. No one's going to hurt you and that's a promise…"

* * *

Iolaus ducked into an alleyway, crouching down out of sight in the shadows and resting his back against the cold stone as he struggled to catch his breath quietly. He had slipped the amulet around his neck for safe keeping and its weight was both reassuringly warm and scary with what it represented. His survival instinct was telling him to dump it and run. No piece of jewellery was worth this much fright and threat to his life. But his soul told him something else. His soul said it was beautiful and sacred and worth saving from whatever plans Machus had in store for its corruption. And that it was important for Jason's sake that he took it back. Such a coup by an Argonaut would increase the captain's standing with King Iamarides ten fold.

On the other Machus' men were closing in on him all the time. Iolaus had the advantage of youth and speed, but Machus' men knew their territory and were tracking him like a pack of dragon hounds on the scent of blood. Unless he was very, very lucky they were going to catch him soon and the only thing he could think of to help was if he hid the amulet somewhere safe. That might give him a bargaining point to save his life because he was pretty sure they were going to kill him, slowly, if they did catch him.

"This way!" Diccius' voice rang out in the street. The small man might whine but he was a damned good tracker.

Holding his breath and feeling his heart hammering, Iolaus eased back to his feet and retreated further down the alleyway, realising he had made a possibly fatal mistake as a wall of darkness loomed up ahead of him. Feet pounded past in the street and a window slammed open.

"What's going on down there?!" a male voice yelled indignantly.

"We're looking for a thief!" Machus bellowed back. "About so big, young, blond?"

"What's he done?"

"He stole from Hestia's temple. Have you seen him?"

"No. But I’ll keep a look out for him. Taking from Hestia's temple?! Kids have no respect these days! He deserves to get his hands cut off!"

Iolaus shuddered and pressed back against the wall. So that's what they did to a thief around here. Drastic but effective; if you survived, he supposed. He would get no help once Machus started to spread that story.

A low rustle in the alleyway behind him made him tense and stare into the darkness. He didn't dare move again until Machus and the others had passed. He was cornered.

Touching the smooth warm adamantine of the amulet, he held it for a second, feeling its encouragement. "Be kind, Hestia," he whispered to it, wondering if he imagined the tiny spark of fire from the amber eyes.

The rustle came again and he held his breath, hoping it was a rat. Shutters crashed shut as a window was closed and feet pounded out in the street, moving away. Iolaus let out a tiny breath and took a step. The mere brush of air fragranced by the scent of leather against his face was all the warning he had and he twisted sideways desperately, avoiding the blow he sensed coming out of the darkness at him.

The thrown dagger hit metal, skidding off the adamantine amulet and missing his heart as the blade slithered off and bit into his shoulder instead. Iolaus staggered back, crying out in pain as he hit the wall.

"Stand still, you little bastard!" Echion hissed in rage as he loomed up out of the darkness, his big hands locking around Iolaus' throat. Iolaus scrabbled at him one handed, his left arm didn't seem to want to move. Ignoring him, Echion concentrated on crushing his throat as he grasped his knife, rocking it free of the wound. Iolaus sagged at the knees, his consciousness flickering at the explosion of ragged pain and the gush of blood that followed.

Wiping the knife on Iolaus' tunic, he slipped the blade back into his chest harness then reached for the amulet. The chain refused to break, jerking Iolaus forward into the big man. Iolaus dug his fingers into his wrist, prying for a nerve hold as his senses swam. Echion grunted in irritation, clubbed him across the face with a brutal back fist and shifted his grip, curling his hand around the amulet. "Mine I think," he sneered in triumph as he yanked at it.

The amulet woke, a blaze of fire exploding from within its amber eyes. Dropping both Iolaus and the amulet, Echion staggered back, screaming in pain as the flames licked his hand and bit hungrily into his arm, using his flesh to fuel themselves. Flailing wildly he retreated, the flames illuminating the alleyway until he fell to ground in pain, burrowing his hand into the dirt in an effort to out the fire.

Echion's screams drew attention and within moments Machus raced into the alleyway, his men close on his heels. Seeing Echion, he dropped to his knees beside him, using his cloak to wrap the man's hand and extinguish the flames. As soon as they were out, he grabbed the whimpering man by the shoulder and yanked him up close.

"Where is he?"

"There," Echion gasped.

"Where?" Machus demanded, scanning the empty alleyway. Iolaus was gone.

"There…" Echion looked and hissed in rage and pain. "Damn it…he got away. But I knifed him…good. He can't…have got far…"

"Spread out and find him," Machus ordered. He turned back to Echion. "What happened to you? Stick your hand in a torch?"

"It was the amulet. I touched it and it burned…"

"Never did me any harm," Machus pointed out smugly, his hand clenching warningly on Echion's shoulder. "Could it be I'm worthy of it and you’re not?"

"You wore gloves. I didn't," Echion spat back, shaking him off and glaring at him.

"I also wore it against my skin."

Echion scowled and looked away.

Machus considered him for a moment longer then pulled back and pushed to his feet. "Diccius, take care of his hand. I might have need of his skinning skills later when we catch that little blond bastard. It seems our prey tonight is more cunning than I anticipated."

* * *

Iolaus stumbled into the wall, clutching one handed at the cool stone in desperate need of propping up. Blood trickled down his shoulder, soaking his tunic through so that it clung to his skin. Shivering and sweating at the same time, he took a few more faltering steps and then had to stop again, his knees shaking under him.

As he rested, his whirling thoughts spun around him, chasing their tails in his confusion. He wasn't sure how he had got away from Echion. There had been a blaze of light that dazzled his eyes, a feeling like cool water tickling his chest then Echion had been leaping away from him and screaming, his arm apparently on fire. Iolaus could only assume that he had somehow brushed against a torch at some point and his movements had finally stirred a smouldering spot on his tunic to catch fire. Dimly, he was aware that that wasn't a very logical answer, but right then he didn't care. Nothing was making any sense to him.

He still didn't know how he had made it over the wall and into the labyrinth of streets beyond without getting caught. Sheer panic had overridden the shock and pain of being wounded and kept him moving, survival instinct driving him onwards into the darkness. But adrenaline could only supply fuel for so long and now he was running on empty, the fear of getting caught paling before the urge to lie down and hope the world went away.

That's typical of you, boy, his father said inside his head. Things get a little bit hard and you want to run away and hide…

"Yeah, like you did," Iolaus hissed under his breath in resentment and forced himself to move again, stumbling on down the narrow alleyway towards the lights he could see ahead. All his life it seemed he had been doing his best to impress his father and never won his approval. The only way he ever drew Skouros' attention was when he did something wrong or somehow didn't live up to what seemed to Iolaus to be impossible standards.

The alleyway opened out suddenly into a neatly cobbled street, with clean prettily painted houses with balconies decorated with flower boxes. Iolaus leaned on the wall for a moment, gathering himself for another effort, refusing to give Skouros the satisfaction of seeing him give in.

The cobbles seemed to wriggle under his feet, determined to trip him as he tottered onwards. There was no one around. Somehow he had reached a more respectable district of the city well away from the tavernas and less savoury establishments that might have offered a young sailor a safe refuge. Vaguely he considered hammering on a door until someone came to see what was happening, but he doubted that anyone here would dare to open their door to a blood covered dishevelled stranger, assuming him to be drunk or worse and probably dangerous. And even if they did, they would probably call for the Watch, which Iolaus wouldn't have minded right then. But it was even more likely he would be handed over to Machus and his men. Machus seemed to have glib tongue, he could probably convince anyone he was the Watch, especially someone eager to get rid of possible trouble.

Iolaus shook his head, shaking the perspiration out of his eyes as his vision fogged. What he really needed to find was a temple where he could claim sanctuary while he sent to the palace for Hercules and Jason and the others.

Wind chimes murmured from nearby, chiming softly in the faint breeze. Iolaus tripped over his own feet, stumbling against the wall and clutching at it for support. He found himself clinging to an elegantly wrought silver gate, real flowers woven in among the metal. Beyond he could hear the gurgle of water, startling him into realising how incredibly thirsty he was. Shoving away from the gate, Iolaus stumbled inside, finding himself in a white and pale blue stone paved garden where torrent of flowers of every colour imaginable hid the walls and heavily scented the air.

Following the sound of water, Iolaus found its source in a spring fed fountain against the wall. The curved red stone backdrop was beautifully carved with images of flowers and fruit and almost invisible behind a curtain of wisteria. Leaning over the fountain's broad lip, Iolaus shoved aside the foliage, cupping his good hand under the cool water to drink. His blood spattered the water, turning it crimson in the light of the torches in niches beside the fountain but it was swiftly washed away by the movement of the water. The bottom of the fountain was covered with weed fronds, coins, shells and coloured stones and speckled with pieces of amethyst and peridot.

His eyes glazing, Iolaus clung to the edge of the fountain, sound roaring around him as he watched his blood vanish into the water. Almost without thinking, he slipped the amulet over his head and plunged it into the water, burrowing under the shells to hide the necklace chain and all amongst the weeds. It disappeared from view, safely hidden.

With a flicker of relief, Iolaus pushed away from the fountain and took a weary step back towards the gate. Machus, he hoped, would never think to look for the amulet in a private garden. If he caught Iolaus, the young Argonaut would have a bargaining point, a way of delaying the man's plans until Hercules and the others could find him.

The sound of marching footsteps startled him and he froze, clutching at his shoulder in pain and clinging to consciousness by a thread. He couldn't let them find him here!

Stepping back, Iolaus pushed among the ferns and fronds, burrowing in amongst the greenery to hide behind the massive fluted bowl of the fountain. He scrunched down, curling up into a ball as he forced his breathing to slow down. He tugged a frond down, watching the gateway as he strained to hear their voices.

Diccius' whine rose above the rest. "I've lost the track," he complained.

"How?" Machus demanded bitterly. "I thought you could follow anyone."

"This guy is good," Diccius retorted.

Thanks for the compliment, Iolaus thought with slightly hysterical humour. He had done his best to throw them off his tail, but he knew he wasn't at his best.

"And that's your excuse is it?" Echion snapped, his voice irritable with pain.

"He came this way. He can't be far ahead now…" Diccius retorted waspishly. "It wasn't me who let him get away. Twice…"

There was the sound of a blow and a grunt of pain from Diccius.

"Stop it," Machus ordered grimly. "Fighting among ourselves is pointless. Diccius, keep your mouth shut and Echion keep your fists to yourself. Now move it! I want that amulet back."

The footsteps sounded again, moving closer.

And so did other footsteps, a whisper of cloth murmuring with them as they came along the path through the garden right up to the fountain.

Iolaus choked back a sob of despair and flinched back, the ferns rustling around him as a woman in blue came to a halt beside the fountain and looked round at the noise, her alert eyes darting amongst the leaves until they encountered his. For a long moment, she stared at him and Iolaus shook his head frantically, pleading with her silently not to scream and reveal his presence.

To his amazement, she simply smiled and looked away. She placed the tray she carried on the edge of the fountain, took the small lamp from it then turned and walked calmly towards the gates, arriving there at the same time as Machus and his men.

Iolaus held his breath, terrified that she would give him away.

Machus stared at her belligerently, clearly surprised to see her. When she reached to close the gate however, he stepped forward and grabbed the edge of it.

"Wait," he ordered.

"Remove your hand, young man," the woman said crisply.

"I mean you no harm, mistress. But we are looking for a thief," Machus described Iolaus simply but effectively. "The youth is armed and dangerous. He has already attacked one woman and wounded my friend here when he sought to help her." He gestured at Echion.

She looked at Echion, studying his bandaged hand and arm and then looking up at his face before returning her attention to Machus. "You called him a thief, I believe?"

"He has taken a valuable object from the temple of Hestia."

She tilted her head in a bird like gesture, studying Machus now. Machus lifted his own head, glaring arrogantly down at her. His scowl would have intimidated many a man, but she didn't even notice. "I assume you mean the one at the palace," she said coolly. "For there is nothing missing here. Now, if you please, step back. Midnight approaches and no man may enter Hestia's temple after midnight."

"If you see this man…"

"Youth, you said," the priestess reminded him.

"Youth," Machus agreed through gritted teeth. "He may even have entered without your knowledge."

She gave him a level look at that. "None but the pure have entered here," she told him. "Now, let go of the gate and be on your way."

Something in the way she looked at him made Machus release his grip. "If you do see him…"

"If I see a thief, then I shall report a thief," she agreed. Machus opened his mouth to say something as she continued calmly, "To my friend the Watch Captain."

Machus met her eyes in challenge for a second, then inclined his head as she firmly closed the gate in his face and turned the latch. "I shall leave a guard," he began.

"No need. The Watch Captain himself checks our gate. No doubt he will be along soon." She smiled at him sweetly and then turned away, ample hips swaying the soft folds of her robe as she walked back to the fountain and her tray of fruit and flowers. Dipping the pitcher from it into the water, she filled it and set it back on the tray then carried it over to a statue of Hestia across the garden. She took her time about arranging the flowers and fruit about Hestia's feet, carefully refilling the lamps around the pedestal and trimming the wicks of each so that they would burn true during the night.

By the time she had finished Machus and his men had gone. Smiling thoughtfully to herself, the priestess looked up at Hestia. "Is it time then?" she murmured. "It seems so soon."

A whisper of air tugged at her robes, the faintest hint of sweet wood smoke swirling around her. Nodding, she gathered up her tray and pitcher and went back to the fountain. Placing them carefully on the ledge again, she knelt and parted the leaves, gazing in at Iolaus as he huddled back against the stone.

"It's all right, Iolaus," she said kindly. "They’re gone. You’re safe here."

"You know my name?" he faltered, shocked.

"Of course, I do, little one," she chuckled. "Don't you remember me? You've claimed sanctuary from me before."

Iolaus blinked, leaning forward and struggling to focus through the darkness pouring in on him. A flicker of memory sparked and he smiled tentatively, remembering. He started to crawl out of hiding, forgetting not to use his wounded arm for support. Pain swept through his shoulder and exploded in his mind, sending him crashing into the soft loam. She caught him in strong hands, cradling him in her lap and brushing his sweat soaked hair out of his eyes. A feeling of relief and safety poured over him like the warmth of a fire on a cold night as she brushed a comforting kiss across his blond curls the way she had when he was small, whispering reassurance.

"Hush, little one. I’ll take care of everything now. You're safe with me…."

* * *

Hercules was going slowly and steadily berserk. His companions, Aethalides and Coronus could all see it and were treating him with cautious respect, having learned since meeting him that he had a vicious temper. And while it took a lot to cause him to lose it, cruelty or unfairness roused it fast and anything happening to his friends - particularly Iolaus - could cause it to explode without warning.

This time they had warning and were able to stand well back when he finally succumbed and swung on them.

"This city is a cesspit!" he roared in rage. "They see a man running from a pack of men and all they can think of is to get out of the way. They don't stop to ask or wonder why! They assume the worst and never think to offer help!"

Aethalides looked expectantly at Coronus, hoping he would know what to say. Coronus shrugged, his long red gold hair shimmering in its ponytail with the movement in the torchlight. "I'm not Iolaus," he whispered. "He's not going to listen to me."

"We don't even know it's Iolaus," the herald offered weakly.

Hercules gave him a disgusted look. "Don't be so damn stupid, of course it, is!" he snarled. He continued to rave as he stomped along the alleyway. He was wearing his new boots; the beetle-stompers as Iolaus called them. The metal studs in the heels rapped sharply against the cobbles with every step.

A window was flung open overhead. "What's all the noise down there?!" an irate male voice demanded. "What are you doing now? Can’t a man get any sleep around here without you lot stamping about?"

"Ah shut up!" Hercules bellowed back at him, striding on down the alleyway and kicking an empty barrel out of his way. It exploded against the far wall in a hail of splinters.

Wincing, Coronus hurried after him. "Take it easy, Hercules," he soothed. "You want the Watch after us?"

Aethalides had come to a halt under the window. "Please, sir," he called up at the occupant as the man glared after Hercules in angry disgust.

"Drunks, the lot of you," he snarled.

"No, no, not drunk," Aethalides hastened to say. "Merely worried about our friend. We are guests at the palace and he wandered off. We fear he may be in trouble. Have you seen anyone tonight?"

"Only the Watch after a thief," the man sniffed. "They said he had stolen from Hestia's temple, can you believe that?"

"No," Aethalides said dryly. "But something was stolen from the temple at the palace tonight. By three men," he described them quickly, with a herald's eye for accurate detail.

"But that's…" the man hesitated, looking alarmed.

"Yes?" Aethalides prompted gently.

"They were the three men who said they were after a thief," the man swallowed, clasping one hand to his mouth in panic.

"Did you see the man they were after?" Aethalides pressed urgently, hoping for a clue. It was frustration as much as anything fuelling Hercules' temper and any clue, no matter how slight, might be enough to calm him. The few people they had found who had seen the pursuit had ignored it, preferring to concentrate on their own interests.

"No," the man admitted reluctantly. But he leaned out of the window and pointed a little further down the alleyway. "But there was the sound of a fight and then a man screaming from down there. They went to see what was happening."

"And what did you see after that?" Aethalides pressed.

"Nothing. I went back to bed. It was no concern of mine."

Aethalides drew himself up. "In your selfishness, you have let one who acted in her name come to harm. I suggest you make haste to sacrifice to Hestia and hope she will forgive you," he told him, his voice ringing with heraldic confidence. Leaving the man spluttering nervously as he retreated behind his shutters, Aethalides stalked on down the street to join the others.

Hercules had a sombre expression on his face as he took their torch from Aethalides and lifted it high, studying the side alley the man had indicated to them. Fear for Iolaus was like a bucket of cold water over him. The alleyway was empty and he let out a puff of relief, surprised to realise had had been holding his breath. Leading the others, he ventured into the alley, stepping cautiously.

Dark and narrow, the alleyway offered nowhere to hide except the shadows and the torch chased those away.

"Hercules, bring the torch over here," Coronus called softly from where he crouched. Hercules came over, holding up the torch so the Argonaut could examine the ground. "Looks like someone rolled around in the dirt here."

"Something smells burnt," Hercules added, sniffing warily. "Cloth and…oh…."

"Oh? Oh what?" Coronus looked up at him sharply.

"You don't want to know," Hercules turned away, controlling his features with an effort. The smell of burnt flesh was unmistakable and turned his stomach. He didn't want to throw up in front of his friends and ruin his reputation as a stalwart hero. He also desperately didn't want to think about the fact that it might be Iolaus who was burned. If Iolaus had somehow got hold of the amulet - which Hercules wouldn't have put past him for a moment - then Machus and his men might be inclined to torture the young hunter to find out where it was if they caught him.

"There's blood over here," Aethalides called from over by the wall. "Looks like someone put a hand here…" Coming over to join the Herald, Hercules put his own large hand over the bloody handprint and grimaced at the comparison of size. Instinct told him it was Iolaus' hand that had rested here….

Coronus dropped to his knees, careless of ruining his bronzed leathers in the dirt. "Looks like a scuffle took place, there's a bit of blood…"

Hercules crouched, holding the torch over the tracks and recognising the nick in the boot heel from where Iolaus had blocked a sword with a kick. "This way…" Hercules was on the scent now as he loped to the wall, finding where Iolaus had scrabbled up and over the rough stones. He climbed over it, dropping lithely to the ground on the other side and scouting a short way ahead while he waited for the others to join him.

Beyond was another maze of streets and alleyways, all paved and cobbled now as they entered the upper class city quarter and moved away from the back streets. After ten minutes, even Hercules had to admit they had lost Iolaus' tracks completely again.

"Look at it this way, if we’ve lost him, Machus is bound to have lost him too," Coronus urged encouragingly.

"Yeah. He's probably back at the palace by now with the amulet, being fussed over by everyone, lolling about in pampered luxury and living it up like a hero. He's probably wondering where we are."

Hercules gave Aethalides a long-suffering look. "Do you really believe that? Because I don't," he said gloomily.

"Where's your optimism?" Aethalides urged.

"Right back there where we found that blood," Hercules answered, looking up at the night sky. It would start to get light in an hour or so.

"We should get back," Coronus pointed out quietly, adding quickly. "And don't look at me like that, Hercules. You know I'm right."

"You go. I want to find Iolaus," Hercules argued.

"We promised Jason we’d be back before light to tell him what we found out. It does look as if Iolaus was heading for the palace if he came this way. He may not be living it up if he's wounded, but he may be there," Coronus told him. "Besides, we need to round up some of the others and start a real search. We need reinforcements."

Hercules sighed and nodded, reluctantly admitting that Coronus was right. He let them go ahead, gazing around him wistfully in search of one last clue as to his partner's whereabouts. He could hear a wind chime on the breeze, catch the scent of flowers and running water and wondered at their presence in the city. No time for sightseeing now, he reminded himself. Finding Iolaus and saving Talaus' neck came fist.

With a final glance back at the streets, he plodded after the others, picking up the pace with them as they broke into a lope as he caught up, hurrying back towards the palace and the rest of the Argonauts.

* * *

Iolaus roused slowly and reluctantly, his senses waking first; the feel of a soft feather stuffed mattress and smooth fabrics supporting and cradling his body. Someone who knew he felt more comfortable sleeping when covered had tossed a light coverlet over him, giving him something to snuggle in even in the warm night air. Scents flitted in an out of his awareness, hyacinths and roses, a dash of honeysuckle and beneath it all the sweetness of a light incense. He smiled faintly, memories of these things flickering like silver fish in a stream.

Gradually the snippets of information creeping in to his mind stirred his thoughts to life, reminding him of what had happened and pulling him the rest of the way to the surface.

He woke with a start, flailing desperately to struggle to his feet and run…

Instead, firm but gentle hands pressed him back down, holding him against the cushions until he could make sense out of the words tumbling over him.

"Hush, Iolaus, hush now. You’re safe. Lie still, child."

With an effort, he controlled his panic stricken instinct to flee and focused instead on the woman leaning over him. She was a little older than he remembered; the laughter lines around her warm brown coloured eyes a little deeper, a little silver now in her honey coloured hair, but her understanding smile was still the same.

"Hester?" he asked shakily.

"Yes, child. That’s right. Now will you lie still for me?" she urged sternly even as she smiled warmly at him.

Iolaus subsided weakly into the mattress, glad to stop struggling. "Why aren't you in Athens?" he blurted.

"Why aren't you in Thebes?" she retorted, straightening the hyacinth blue coverlet over him and then sitting down on a stool beside his bed.

"I'm on a quest," Iolaus answered, feeling a surge of pride that he had something worthwhile to tell her. It was hard to focus on her through the weariness that snared his body. All he wanted to do was sleep. "I'm an Argonaut now. I'm sailing with Prince Jason to retrieve the Golden Fleece."

"Ah, that quest," Hester said mildly as he retrieved a cloth from a flower patterned basin and wrung it out before dabbing his face with it.

"You've heard of Jason?"

"All of Greece will hear of Jason and his quest. I have special contacts, remember?"

Iolaus blushed then reached for her hand. "Hester, I…Can I still call you that?"

"Always," she said mildly. "But you can also call me Lady now you’re a young man if you feel more comfortable with that."

Iolaus smiled gratefully. "I'm in trouble, you know," he said gloomily.

"I know." She indicated his shoulder with a sweep of a graceful hand. "Who did you think stitched you up? And I warn you, if you go bursting your stitches I will not be pleased with you."

"I'll be good," Iolaus assured her. "Right now I feel too awful to do anything."

"That's understandable," Hester observed dryly. Rising to her feet, she walked over to the half open door and pulled it back a little. A startled dark haired girl in a voluminous white robe nearly fell through it. Hester gave her a reproving look. "And what exactly are you doing?" she asked her dryly.

"I was merely acting as your chaperone, Lady," the girl answered primly.

"With absolutely no curiosity at all about our handsome young guest himself?"

"Of course not. I was only wondering…" she protested, attempting to peer around Hester as she spoke.

"How handsome he was without his clothes?"

"Lady Hester!" the girl exclaimed with a startled yelp. She blushed furiously, her dark almond eyes widening in embarrassment. "I thought only to protect your virtue!"

"Daphne, I have been protecting my own virtue for a considerable length of time. And I have known Iolaus since he barely reached my knee. I hardly think I need protecting from him. Now, go to the kitchen and bring me a pitcher of wine and a bowl of good chicken broth for our young guest."

"But Lady Hester…"

"Daphne, go!"

Flushing, the girl gathered up her skirts and ran off. Hester gazed after her until she was out of sight, then returned to sit straight backed beside the bed. Iolaus had nearly dozed off and opened his eyes with an effort to look at her.

"I'm sorry," he mumbled. "I should go. I'm ruining your reputation."

"Nonsense. Daphne is full of flighty ideas. She'll be much better off when she gets past the idea of wanting to be a Hestial Virgin forever and admits she likes boys," she sniffed haughtily.

"She's a Hestial Virgin?" Iolaus echoed in awe. "What a waste! I m'mean…."

"I know perfectly well what you mean, young man," Hester said sternly. "Now, you’re not going anywhere until you're rested. You can sleep after you've had a little wine and some food," she continued kindly.

"I'm not hungry," Iolaus argued, feeling nauseous at the very idea of eating.

"You need to get your strength back. Now, would you like to tell me what happened?"

Iolaus nodded, closing his eyes to collect his thoughts. He was having difficulty keeping things straight by now and the constant nagging pain from his shoulder distracted him. "Those men who came to the garden. The ones you sent away? They took the amulet from the palace temple and I took it from them."

"Is that when you were hurt?"

Iolaus opened his eyes and looked at her, surprised by her sharp tone. "No, Echion caught me when I was getting away," he admitted. "I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't have taken it from them. I should have gone back and told the King and the guards or something. But it was right there in my hand…." He broke off as Hester leaned forward and rested her hand over his with a comforting little pat.

"You acted out of faith, not out of selfish greed," she told him. "You have faith in Hestia, don't you?"

Iolaus blushed faintly, ashen from blood loss.

"Hestia approved of your actions or she would not have protected you from Echion and guided you to me."

"She helped me?" Iolaus gave her a blank look.

"I don't think you were really in any condition to appreciate in it, but yes she did. She burned Echion for you, made him let you go so you could escape with the amulet."

Iolaus stared at her, a flash of fire searing through his mind. Unconsciously he touched his chest, recalling the liquid sensation that had poured across his skin.

"Iolaus, dear, I was sent here to wait for you. Well, actually I was sent here to wait for who ever brought the amulet here from the palace. I know you don't have it on you…"

Iolaus clutched at the coverlet in chagrin, well aware from the feel of silk that he was naked apart from his bandages.

"Oh, don't be shy, I've seen it all before," she scolded. "Where is the amulet?"

"I hid it."

"I guessed. Where?"

Iolaus opened his mouth to tell her and then stopped himself, shaking his head reluctantly. "If I tell you and Machus comes here, he may hurt you to make you tell him where it is. I can't take that risk."

"Has it occurred to you that he'd do that anyway? Either to make you tell, or because he won't believe I don't know."

Iolaus stared at her in shock, then shuddered and struggled to sit up.

"Now where do you think you’re going?" Hester demanded impatiently. "You’re too weak to even stand up on your own."

"Please, I need my clothes."

"Well, you can't have them. They were filthy after you've been rolling around in the streets. Your pants might be salvageable but that tunic was ruined."

Iolaus slid a look askance at her, remembering that oft voiced complaint from when he was young and prone to collecting mud and dirt.

Hester smiled at him affectionately, obviously realising what she was saying. "You always were filthy when one of the Watch brought you in tucked under his arm; a little wriggling tow haired scrap of courage. My, you won some hearts."

Iolaus flashed her a grin. "I win hearts now too," he teased brightly.

"I'll bet you do," she chuckled. "The amulet?"

"I can't tell you. If you were meant to know, you'd know. The longer I stay here, the more danger you'll be in."

"I think I can take care of myself and the others."

"It's safer if you let me go…"

"Get out of that bed, young man, and you'll be flat on your face before you take two steps." Hester folded her arms as he shoved the coverlet between his thighs and pushed up on one arm. She made no move to stop, watching purse-lipped as he wavered and sweated and finally collapsed back into the bed. "There, you see?" she said sharply as he lifted his feet back onto the mattress and covered him up again. "Always did have to find out for yourself, didn't you?"

"Sorry," Iolaus managed a thread of a whisper as his head spun with webs of shadows. "Hurts…"

"Lie still now," Hester said gently. "I'll get you something to help…"

"Eek!" Daphne's startled shriek made Iolaus twitch in alarm.

"Oh, don't be ridiculous, girl," Hester exclaimed in exasperation. "Give me that tray and fetch me my things from over there. Iolaus is hurting and I need to mix him a few herbs up to help." She took the tray from Daphne and while the acolyte went to flutter over a cedar herb chest, she returned to Iolaus' side and gave him a frown. "Didn't think I was going to be fooled into leaving you alone, now did you?" she asked dryly.

Iolaus smiled wanly. "Maybe," he admitted, biting back a whimper at the searing pain building in his jostled shoulder. "But it does really hurt…."

"I know, little one. Lie still. Everything will be fine."

* * *

"So, we know Iolaus is alone, wounded and on foot," Jason muttered bitterly, sliding a wary glance over at Hercules. The demi-god was sprawled in a chair, his long legs outstretched as he brooded in ominous silence. As soon as he had assured himself that Iolaus had not returned to the palace, he had wanted to return to the search. Jason had reluctantly stopped him. He was almost as worried about Iolaus as the demi-god, but he had the rest of his crew to think about.

King Iamarides had not taken the news well that the amulet had gone missing and was likely to take it out on the Argonauts personally at the slightest provocation. Since Talaus was still languishing in the dungeons, Jason had a horrible feeling that he would be the first target of the King's wrath. In a valiant effort to soothe Iamarides' ruffled nerves, he had sent the rest of the Argonauts back to the ship and sent Aethalides with his kithara to sing to the King. "But we don't know what happened."

"I can guess," Coronus offered from where he lazed on a handy blue velvet couch, munching an early breakfast of grapes. "He followed Machus and his men. Somehow he caught up with them and got the amulet back. They’re chasing him to retrieve it. If you ask me, Iolaus has gone to ground somewhere safe and is waiting for us to come looking for him."

Hercules grunted, making Jason and Coronus look at him warily. "You don't agree?" Coronus asked cautiously.

"We're not going to find him by sitting around here, are we?" Hercules demanded sardonically. "We don't know how badly he's wounded, or if he's been caught or anything else."

"You’re speculating…" Coronus warned.

"And what are you doing?"

"Arguing amongst ourselves isn't going to help," Jason warned sharply, taking a seat and a chunk of fresh bread from the basket on the table. "Hercules, come and eat something."

"Not hungry."

"It'll help you to think better. Don't sulk."

Hercules gave him a murderous look but unfolded his long body and came over to grab a chunk of bread and sharp cheese to stuff into it.

"This whole situation is a suspicious mess," Jason observed once the demi-god started to eat. "The amulet is priceless and sacred, yet no one guarded it."

"Volare was supposed to be there." Coronus pointed out. "And Cres said the fact the amulet is sacred is its best protection."

Hercules grunted again and took a goblet of wine as he stomped over to the balcony and stared out across the city at the sunrise. The sun was rising, turning the sky from deepest black to pale blue with banners of gold and pink fluttering across the sun's path. Light flowed across the city, illuminating it in patches of colour as it chased away the shadows. The world emerged from darkness fresh and new, flowers exploding into brilliance as the shadows lifted. Seagulls started to cry, launching back into the air as the sea breezes stirred.

"But she wasn't," Jason reminded him. "So where was she and what was she doing? Was she lured away deliberately? Did she know what was happening? Or is she telling the truth?"

"And how come Ignatius got there so fast?" Hercules asked, turning his back on the sunrise. He was no mood to appreciate its beauty, no matter how spectacular it was. "He must have been close by with his men to respond so quickly."

"They are the palace guard," Coronus said slowly.

"And we're the King's guests, yet Ignatius immediately assumed Talaus had taken it. No questions asked."

"On Volare's word," Coronus reminded him.

"Assumption, an incorrect assumption," Hercules said flatly. "If he had cut off Talaus' hands, we could have asked for his in return. Yet he was in an awful rush to blame Talaus. Jason?" He swung to face his captain. "Are we sure Ignatius isn't involved?"

Jason sighed wearily. He hadn't had any sleep and he had drunk too much at the feast to be happy about it. He didn't need Hercules bristling at him. "We can't go following Ignatius' example and blaming him because it looks suspicious. That's makes us no better than he is."

"But he was awfully eager to get Talaus out of the way."

"He took a big risk if he was involved," Jason pointed out.

"Maybe not," Coronus observed thoughtfully. "Ignatius doesn't know anything about us. He might have assumed you’d act like a normal prince, accept that Talaus had taken it and leave it at that. Or at most asked for a blood price. If he is involved, it was hardly a risk at all."

"We don't have time to speculate!" Hercules snapped. "We have to find Iolaus!"

"Yes, we do. Because he's the key to all this," Jason agreed in a placatory tone. "But I'm with Coronus. He's probably found a hole and pulled it in after him. The question is, which hole and where? You’d know that better than anyone, Hercules."

"So I keep telling you!" Hercules bellowed. "But you keep insisting I stay here."

Jason sighed and ran one hand though his shaggy dark hair. "I know, I know," he soothed wearily. "But Iamarides insisted we all stay in the palace and he is the King…"

Hercules took a threatening step towards Jason and then caught himself. "I think," he said icily. "That Pelias would like you out of his way and Iamarides either engineered this mess, or is taking advantage of it to ruin your reputation. Acastus gave him that scroll, remember? We don't know what was in it."

"Neither does Acastus," Jason told him firmly.

"Oh? And how do you know that?"

"I asked him," Jason retorted. "And don't tell me I'm wrong about him either."

"I wasn't going to," Hercules admitted with a blush of chagrin. "But the scroll still exists."

Jason gave the demi-god a cool look. "Do you really think I hadn't thought of all this for myself?" he asked sarcastically as he pushed to his feet. "You two stay here and keep out of trouble. I'm going to talk to Cres. If Aethalides has managed to calm Iamarides down, we may be able to talk him into letting us conduct a proper search for Iolaus and Machus."

"And if not?" Hercules demanded in a hostile tone.

"Then we'll have to go look for him anyway."

"And insult a King?" Coronus mocked.

Jason gave him a guarded look. "I'm not letting anything happen to either Talaus or Iolaus," he said grimly. "And if Iamarides doesn't understand that, then he knows where he can stuff his royalty…"

* * *

When Iolaus woke up the lamps had been put out and sunshine was filling the room. Wooden shutters stood open on a balcony festooned with flowers. He could hear voices from outside, feminine voices softly chanting in a lilting rhythm that lulled him back into a doze. The next thing he knew Hester was leaning over him, her cool hand on his forehead.

"You’re a little feverish," she told him in concern when he reluctantly opened his eyes to focus on her. "You'd better stay in bed."

"I need to get back to the palace," Iolaus protested tiredly, really wishing he could do what she suggested. Despite the fact that it was his shoulder that was hurt, he ached all over and his head was still spinning. He had only distant memories of drinking some herbal concoction before he slipped into a deep and dreamless sleep.

"You’re not up to it. You've lost far too much blood."

"But Herc's going to be worried about me," Iolaus quavered, startled by his own plaintive tone. "And I left Talaus and Aethalides to explain. What if Jason doesn't listen to them? What if he thinks I've abandoned the quest and they sail without me?!"

"I don’t think you need to worry about that," Hester soothed, pressing him back into the pillows with a gentle hand.

"But the amulet, I have to take the amulet back! The guys could get into trouble without me!"

Hester raised an eyebrow at him. "Or you could tell me where it is," she reminded him.

"I…No! I can't!"

"Very well then. I’ll send a messenger to the palace to tell your friends where you are."

"You will?" Iolaus subsided, gazing up at her hopefully.

Hester inclined her head gracefully. "If you promise to lie still and rest, yes. I'll send Daphne."

Iolaus eyes widened in dismay. "She could be in danger."

"Nonsense. Daphne goes to the palace every day to take flowers to the priestesses at the temple. Not that Volare's any better than she should be, mind you. But no one will think twice about Daphne making her normal visit." Hester smiled in amusement. "No doubt Daphne will tell all her friends there you’re here anyway. The girl's a gossip."

"But will she be allowed to speak to Hercules? Or Jason?"

"She's a Hestial Virgin, dear. Of course she will."

"Yes, but…"

"She's Chief Advisor Cres' daughter and the man dotes on her."

"So he let her become a Hestial Virgin? Why not marry her off if he wants her out of the way?"

Hester frowned at him. "First of all, young man, it was her idea. Secondly, having a daughter selected to become a Hestial Virgin is an honour that the nobles practically come to blows over. Thirdly, after being a Hestial Virgin a woman can choose for herself who she wishes to marry. And strangely enough men will fight for that honour too."

"I didn't know that," Iolaus frowned.

"There are no doubt a great many other things you don't know either," Hester said dryly. "Some of us return after being married. Others choose to stay rather than leave and become priestesses. All you need to know is that a virgin is a virgin and I’ll thank you to keep your libido to yourself while you’re here. Is that clear?"

Iolaus blushed furiously and nodded hastily. "Yes, Lady."

"Good boy. Now, go back to sleep while I speak to Daphne. Then I’d better change that dressing of yours again. Oh, and drink this…" Taking a beaker off a tray she had set aside, Hester pressed it into his hand.

"Milk?" Iolaus protested indignantly.

"Milk," Hester agreed firmly, giving a stern look. "It's good for you. Then you can eat the sandwiches. You need to build up your strength."

"But…"

"Yes?"

"Oh, nothing," Iolaus sighed heavily and sipped the milk with a grimace as she bustled out. Hopefully Daphne would deliver the message and Hercules would come and rescue him. Hester obviously hadn't realised he was an adult now and not a little boy any more.

* * *

The Argonauts were gathered on the patio at the end of the gardens, staring out over the wall into the city below. Jason and Hercules had been in with the King for over an hour and they were all getting bored: particularly since Archivus was delivering one of his lectures. This one was on the subject of Hestia and her followers.

"So Hestia's sacred flame should never be left untended…"

"Which is precisely what this Volare did," Polydeceus pointed out in a valiant effort to interrupt the bard.

"The fire wasn't exactly likely to go out though, was it?" Lettus put in from where he perched on the wall.

"I've always thought that if it did, they'd simply re-light it while no one was looking," Aethalides commented thoughtfully. "I mean going all the way to Delphi to get a brand from the sacred flame there seems like an awful lot of trouble."

"It's a long way to go to Delphi," Polydeceus agreed.

"It's a long way to go," Aethalides murmured slyly, his voice lilting into tune. Polydeceus grinned at him, knowing he had given the young Herald his chance.

"Stop that," Archivus complained. "I was being serious. We need to find out why Volare really left. It could be important."

"Oh, we thought you were telling us a story," Aethalides murmured, all wide eyes and innocence.

Archivus gave him a dirty look. "If we find out where Volare was, maybe we can find out who these men are," he said pointedly. "If she was bribed to look the other way…."

"The general opinion is that she was bribed, by sex…." Coronus' purring voice drifted across the patio making them all look round in surprise at the sudden appearance of their fellow Argonaut. Seeing that he had their attention, Coronus straightened up from where he was lazing against the side the archway and strolled over to the wall.

"Sex?" Aethalides asked eagerly.

Coronus grinned at his avid interest in the subject. "I have been having a little chat with some of the lovely young ladies in the palace kitchens…"

"Oh, so that's where you were," Lettus said dryly. "There we were thinking you were off looking for clues."

Coronus looked down his nose at the red haired sailor. "According to local opinion, Volare is having a mad passionate affair and likes to take the last fire watch so she can have a private assignation with her lover."

"I don't suppose he happens to be called Machus, does he?" Aethalides said hopefully.

"No. Nor is he either of the other two you mentioned," Coronus leaned against the wall, a faint smirk curling his sensuous lips. "Care to take another guess?"

"Zeus?" Lettus suggested sarcastically.

"No, it is not Zeus!" Coronus snapped. "It's Captain Ignatius!"

"Are you serious?!" the Argonauts chorused.

"I said so, didn't I? All the guards know about it apparently."

"Don't you get bits chopped off for fooling around with a virgin?" Aethalides asked nervously.

"Yeah. And it ain't your hands either," Archivus muttered darkly.

"But if she's been doing what Coronus says she's been doing, then she ain't a virgin!" Polydeceus cackled. "No wonder Ignatius was so eager to blame Talaus. He has to protect both of them. We'll have to get Jason to tell Cres."

"We can't!" Aethalides protested.

"Why not if it gets Talaus out of the dungeon?!" Polydeceus demanded.

"Well, for one thing it's only a rumour," Aethalides argued. "And for another, what will happen to Ignatius and Volare? I say we keep this among ourselves - unless it’s the only way to help Talaus." There was silence all round, uncomfortable looks being exchanged. "Coronus?" Aethalides prompted at last.

"He does have a point," Coronus said slowly. "Poly?"

"Don't call me Poly," the big man grumbled, shifting restlessly under their gaze. "All right, we don't say anything to Cres. But we do tell Jason! He needs to know. Agreed?" He shot a sharp look round at the others and was relieved when they all nodded.

"Agreed," Coronus said thankfully.

"Tell me what?" Jason's demand cracked across the patio making them all jump as he strode into the garden with Hercules in tow.

"I'll summarise," Coronus answered cheerfully. "Volara's been getting her leg over with Ignatius, which explains where she was when the amulet was being taken."

"Oh," Jason said, momentarily taken aback.

"So, can we start searching? What did you find out?" Coronus went on brightly.

"That King Iamarides is a two faced lying son of a bitch," Hercules snarled, making them all gape at him in shock. Ignoring them, he stomped over to the wall and stared out over the wall, his fingers leaving dents in the solid stone.

"Uh, I take it things didn't go well?" Archivus said cautiously.

Jason gave Hercules a quelling look. "Depends what you mean by well," he said wearily. "He's thinking about it. In the meantime, the Watch is out looking for Iolaus, Machus and the other two. He's of the opinion that's its all a conspiracy to get him off the throne."

"Is he crazy?" Polydeceus sputtered.

"Well," Jason began reluctantly.

"He's a delusional paranoid, that's what he is," Hercules rumbled darkly. "And that bastard would be tyrant Cres is running the kingdom."

Jason sighed. "Apart from the colourful language, Hercules is more or less right. Cres is running things. Iamarides has…episodes where he's definitely not all there. Cres admitted that he spent some time thinking he was a seagull before we arrived."

"Yeah. Pity they didn't let him find out he couldn't fly," Hercules spat.

"You’re not taking this too well, are you?" Coronus observed wryly, used to Hercules' more even tempered moods. The look Hercules gave him nearly singed his skin off.

"How come no one mentioned this before?" Lettus wanted to know.

"Come on, would you admit your King is several oars short of a warship?" Jason snorted. "Cres hoped this lucid period would last long enough for us to leave. It's emotional stress that triggers it apparently."

"And we turn up and the amulet vanishes. Oh, I'll bet Cres loves us," Archivus groaned.

"You could say that," Jason admitted. "But I've promised to loan him you for the day."

"Me? Why me?"

"Because listening to stories usually helps him back into focus. You're our bard and you spin a better yarn than anyone else…"

"Hey!" Aethalides yipped.

"And he's tired of kithara music," Jason continued, turning to the Herald. "Besides which, you've seen these men, Aethalides, and we haven't. I need you out there looking for them."

"Cres said we couldn't search," Hercules said grimly, moping.

"But he didn't say we couldn't take shore leave," Jason responded smoothly. "Talaus doesn't have enough time for us to waste it hanging around here. So, no more playing by the rules. Get out there and find Iolaus and the amulet. And don't come back without them." Hercules sprang for the doors with the Argonauts on his tail.

Archivus gazed after them gloomily and then turned back to Jason.

"No," the prince said firmly. "I need you here. I also need to know why Iamarides and Cres are both so hysterical over this amulet."

"Apart from the legend that the throne and city will fall if it's lost, you mean?" Archivus said dryly.

Jason stared at him. "Really?"

The bard inclined his shaggy head. "According to legend, a long time ago a handsome…"

"Cut to the action. Talaus doesn’t have long."

Archivus gave the captain a miffed look, then nodded. "The city was overthrown by a Tyrant and the royal family was wiped out. The only survivor of the family was the youngest prince. He begged the Gods for help and Hestia gave him the amulet. With its help he was able to raise an army and reclaim his throne."

"No quest for him then," Jason muttered with feeling.

Archivus smiled faintly. "But think of the adventure and excitement he missed."

Jason snorted. "The amulet?"

"It's Hestia's symbol of protection of the city. It's said to have the ability to protect the wearer from harm and to give its wearer the power to throw fireballs. The only problem being, it isn't keyed to royalty alone. Hence the bit about the throne and the city falling. Logical I suppose. Anyone who has it could use it to take the throne. I guess having it is a sign from the Gods that you’re worthy."

"No, but keeping it would be," Jason murmured. "No wonder they’re panicking. They probably think I want to claim the throne."

"If you’re right about Iamarides needing a new game of marbles, he could do with an heir," Archivus said thoughtfully.

"I get the distinct impression Cres already considered that place taken," Jason retorted wryly.

"But the amulet might be useful to get Talaus back with."

Jason gave the bard a ruthless grin. "True. But I think we’ll do equally well with brute force if we have too…"

* * *

Humming to herself, Hester closed the door on her young patient and made her way along the curving corridor towards the cella. She was pleased with Iolaus' progress, both from boy to young man and as a patient. Last night when she and the other priestess carried him in from the garden, she had been seriously afraid for his life after the amount of blood he had lost. But while still weak and feverish he was improving and she had left him to sleep for a while.

As for his growing up, Hester smiled. She had little doubt as to why young Daphne had been so flustered. Iolaus had turned from a beautiful little boy into a gorgeous young man who, when back on his feet, would set all of the doves in the dovecote a flutter, vying for his attentions.

"Lady Hester?" Ioan, one of the older acolytes came hurrying towards her, her blue robes swishing. "You'd better come at once. There are men in the cella."

"Men? From the palace?" Picking up the hem of her skirts, Hester fell into long legged stride beside the younger woman. Daphne hadn't been gone long. Surely she couldn't have reached the palace and sent Jason and Hercules back so soon.

"I believe so. I'm not sure."

"Not sure?" Hester gave her a sharp look.

"They said they were from the guards, but…they don't look like any of the guards I've seen."

Hester came to an abrupt halt, a chill running down her back. "Did they give you their names?"

"No. They asked for the Lady…"

"But not me personally, by name?"

"No, Lady. Did I do wrong to let them stay?"

"Ioan, my dear, I have feeling you couldn't have made them leave if they didn't wish to." She touched her shoulder. "Gather everyone up and go to the palace."

"Everyone? But…"

"Do as I say, Ioan. Take everyone. Now go…"

"What about our guest?"

Hester hesitated. If these men were who she thought they were then Iolaus was in great danger from them, but she didn't dare move him yet. "He isn't strong enough to be moved." Unhooking a key from her girdle, she pressed it into Ioan's hand. "Wake him, then lock his door and slide the key underneath," she ordered. "When you get to the palace speak to Jason or Hercules, tell them their friend is in danger and that they must come at once."

"What about the guards?"

"Yes, yes, tell them. But make sure you tell Jason or Hercules first. It's important. The guards will have to be cautious, Jason and his men will respond at once. Now go! Hurry! The longer you stay, the greater the danger."

* * *

Machus was growing impatient as he stood in the middle of the cella, glaring the hearth with its gently blazing fire. It made the room far too hot for his tastes, despite the cooling effects of the pale golden marble of the circular walls. A carved image of flames licking up the walls didn't help his feeling of being trapped. Nor did the stern glare of the Hestia's statue standing over the hearth, cloaked arms outstretched as if to gather them all under her wing. As for the acolytes in their pale blue robes, they gave him the creeps the way they looked at him.

His men were staying close to the entrance, unnerved about being on Hestia's home ground again so soon. Diccius was muttering nervously, fingering some little herb bag he had brought in the market as if it would protect him from the wrath of the goddess. Echion sat silent and pained, cradling his badly burnt arm and hand. Machus had his doubts that he would ever regain full use of his hand again and for a moment his own doubts about the power of the goddess twinged. It wasn't as if she was Ares though. Ares would have killed them on the spot. Now there was a god, a real god. One a man could follow and believe in.

"Stir it up, you lot," he snapped at him men. "You want Ares to see you snivelling like a bunch of cowards?"

"Young man, I can assure you that Ares will not help you here," the female voice he remembered from last night rang across the cella and he turned quickly to face her, dropping one hand instinctively to his sword hilt. She stared back at him, obviously still unimpressed by him as she casually lowered the curtain behind her.

"You're the Lady?" he blurted without thinking.

"The Lady here. Yes." Calmly, Hester crossed the cella to stand in front of him.

"But you were tending the garden…"

"Tending the fires and sacrificing," Hester corrected calmly.

Machus pursed his lips and recovered his poise, refusing to be daunted. "The man we were looking for…"

"The youth, you mean?"

Machus gritted his teeth. He really wished she would stop correcting him, especially in front of his men. "We were unable to find him. I believe he doubled back and hid here."

"You mean perhaps that he took sanctuary here?" Hester said pointedly.

"He's a thief. He isn't allowed sanctuary."

"No thief passed these doors last night," Hester told him. "And you are incorrect, anyone can ask sanctuary. Whether or not we give it is another matter entirely."

Machus met her eyes and prided himself on the fact, he didn't flinch. "We mean to search for him," he said stiffly.

"And would that be with or without my permission?"

"Whichever way you choose, mistress."

"That's what I thought," Hester sighed. She clapped her hands briskly. "Ladies, come here if you please." The acolytes came to her, settling around her like a cloud of butterflies. Satisfied, she gave Machus a cold look. "Harm anyone within these walls and you will pay for it," she told him flatly.

"Oh, is that a threat from the Lady?" Machus sneered.

Hester's eyes burned into him as she lifted her head a little. "Show respect while you may, young man, for later you will not have the chance to regret your insolence."

Machus glared at her and he was forced to admit that he could not outstare her, then he turned away with calculated insolence. "Echion, Diccius, find the little bastard and let's get out of here."

"Language," Hester sniffed in disapproval.

Machus felt his shoulders tense and ignored her deliberately, marching over to give orders to his men instead. The damn blond was here somewhere, he knew it. This was the only place between here and the palace that they hadn't searched where he could have gone to ground. They had already lost valuable time looking for him. It had taken him hours to force his men into coming back here to search. They were all terrified of what would happen to them. Already there were mutterings that they should forget the amulet and make a run for it. But Machus wasn't going to give up yet. He had a high price planned for that amulet. He wasn't fool enough to risk using it himself but he knew a couple of prospects who would. That new female warlord they were all talking about for example. He wondered what else she might be willing to offer to sweeten the deal.

Suppressing a grin, Machus turned his attention back to the search. If the blond wasn't found soon, their ship would sail without them and they'd be trapped. They might have caught Ignatius and his men on the hop with their double-cross, but that wouldn't last. As soon as the Captain of the palace guards recovered his temper, he'd start worrying about salvaging his pride. Then he'd be on their tail for sure. And Machus didn't want to be around when that happened. Ignatius was a killer when crossed. And taking the amulet while he was off with his woman had been a sure-fire way to cross him.

* * *

"I don't care if every damn door in the temple is locked! Break it down if you have to! I want that guy found!"

Seated on the floor with his back to the locked door, Iolaus shivered and hugged himself, unnerved by the sound of Echion's rough voice moving closer. The sound of splintering wood and smashing statuary followed and he sat up straight, cursing and clutching at his shoulder as it spasmed indignantly at his sharp movement.

"That statue was priceless!" Diccius wailed somewhere too close for comfort.

"And too easily recognisable to sell!" Echion barked.

"You didn't have to break it."

"Find the damn blond and stop whining!"

Iolaus pushed awkwardly to his feet, propping himself up against the wall as his head spun. Ioan had woken him with a hurried warning to hide then slipped away, locking the door on her way out. Iolaus had crawled out of bed and dressed slowly, finding his own pants neatly folded on the clothes chest at the bed end along with a neatly mended light blue tunic to replace his own ruined one. He fastened his silver belt underneath, letting the tunic flop loosely over the top. After that, he tottered over to retrieve the key and ended up sitting on the floor, gathering his strength while he listened to Echion getting closer to his room.

It was difficult to think straight with his head spinning, but his survival instinct was still alive and kicking. Obviously Echion was going to kick the door in when he arrived and apart from under the bed, there was no place to hide. Iolaus certainly wouldn't fit in the chest. Fright got him back on his feet and over to the windows where he slipped out onto the balcony and peered over the rail cautiously. There was no one below. So, he could do one of two things. Slip out of the temple before he got caught and hopefully fetch help. Or find somewhere close by to hide and see if he could do something to help Hester and her ladies on his own.

The first option smacked of running away to the young hunter and rankled his pride. Besides which, he wasn't sure how far he would get. The second sounded better, assuming he could stay hidden. And hopefully, if he wasn't caught, Machus would give up and leave Hester in peace. Alternatively, he could grab Hestia's amulet back and use it as a bargaining point to free Hester and her acolytes. He was pretty sure Hestia wouldn't object to that.

Daringly, he leaned further out, checking both ways along the wall. Sure enough, there was another balcony further along. Decision made, Iolaus swung one leg over the balcony and reached for the trellis, clambering sideways amongst the wisteria that cascaded down the wall. All he needed to do was slip inside a room that had already been searched and stay low until they stopped looking for him.

It was a good plan, sort of. But he didn't allow for three things; one, his shoulder, two the rotten condition of the trellis and three that Echion was damn sight faster and angrier than he had expected.

Iolaus was halfway along the wall when he heard the door of his room explode as it was violently kicked open. Panic stricken, he scrambled for the next balcony and the trellis cracked and gave way under his weight, the vines he grabbed for support tearing away from the white plastered wall.

"Gotcha, you little bastard," Echion bellowed in triumph as he appeared on the balcony, attracted by the patter of falling leaves and plaster.

Iolaus yelped, lunged for the next balcony and felt the trellis tear away from the wall under him. For a moment he swung by one arm, his feet scrabbling for purchase, then fire exploded through his shoulder and his fingers spasmed as he let go.

His last thought before he hit the ground below was that he should have left the trellis climbing to Talaus…

* * *

"Are you cold?" Ascalaphus' question startled Talaus out of his introspection into looking up at him.

"No," he said automatically. "Why?"

"You've shivering."

"Oh…" Talaus looked down at himself, realising that he had his arms wrapped around himself. "I've got a bad feeling. I hope Iolaus is okay."

"He's probably scared," Ialmenus said lightly to his brother.

"Am not!" Talaus protested indignantly.

"Course not," Ialmenus grinned and winked at him. He hid a yawn behind one hand and looked at Ascalaphus. "You think they’re going to feed us?"

"I doubt it," Ascalaphus said dryly. "None of us made ourselves particularly popular last night and you turning that guard upside down and shaking the coins out of his pockets didn't help improve things."

"He was cheating! It's not fair cheating at dice!"

"Isn't that the point?" Talaus puzzled.

"Ialmenus, you were three times bigger than he was. Asking for your money with one of your best scowls would have been enough."

"But not so much fun," Ialmenus grinned.

"You're incorrigible," Ascalaphus sighed.

"Gee, you noticed."

"Hey guys!" The light voice made them look up warily then relax when they realised it was Zetes and Calais entering carrying a covered tray each. The two guards promptly moved to block their way with their spears.

"What do you want?"

"We brought breakfast for our guys," Calais responded, flipping back the cloths so they could see the trays. "What? You think we baked a dagger into the bread or something?" he demanded sarcastically as the guards peered at it suspiciously.

"Wouldn't put it past you," one of the guards snorted, taking a sample bread roll and breaking it open. He shoved it in his mouth, chewing as he reached for a plate of steaming bacon.

"We're not that good cooks," Calais snorted.

"Otherwise we’d have slipped a poison in the bread," Zetes added sweetly.

The guard flinched and rolled his eyes up at him. "Funny," he sneered.

"I believe that's my breakfast, you’re eating," Ialmenus growled furiously, coming up silently behind the guards to loom over them.

"Never stand between Ialmenus and his next meal," Ascalaphus warned cheerfully. "Its safer to get between a Hydra and his lunch."

The guard flinched, hunching his shoulders under the weight of the big man's glare. "I guess it's okay," he mumbled, shuffling aside as his companion grinned and winked at the pewter haired twins. Calais stalked past them with his nose in the air, but Zetes winked back at the guard and handed him a bread roll as he trotted after his brother.

"Traitor," Ialmenus scolded as he followed.

"Keep 'em sweet," Zetes retorted brightly. "Hiya, Tal, how ya doing?"

"Better for getting breakfast," Talaus admitted, his mouth full of bread and honey smothered roll. "Any word from Iolaus?"

"Nothing yet," Calais admitted. "But Herc and the guys are out uh…" He glanced back at the obviously listening guards, "…on shore leave."

"Shore leave?" Talaus echoed, hurt, then caught the wink Calais gave him and subsided. "I guess that is why we’re here. What's Jason doing?"

"His best to persuade the King, Cres and Captain Ignatius that you didn't steal the amulet. Ignatius seems to be on a one way track though and Cres is half listening to him."

"I think it's a pride thing with him," Zetes said seriously. "He doesn't want to admit he let someone take the amulet under his nose."

Talaus said nothing, his misery showing. He really wasn't happy about being caged.

"Hey, you didn't actually bake this bread, did you?" Ialmenus asked to distract his young friend, eyeing the roll Zetes had handed him.

"I was joking about the poison," Zetes snorted acidly. "We got the food from the palace kitchen."

"Wonderful. Something Archivus didn't cook," Ascalaphus sighed in pleasure, stuffing his mouth with fresh figs. "So what shall we do now, guys?"

"The same thing as we did last night, plot to take over Greece," Ialmenus suggested as he started on the bacon.

"We'd only frighten the guards again," Ascalaphus pointed out.

"How about taking over Colchis? Talaus asked. "We'll need a plan when we get there."

Ialmenus nodded. "Uh huh. I say Jason should get the local princess to fall madly in love with him…"

* * *

"Jason? Are you busy?"

Pausing in his pacing, Jason looked up, surprised to see Acastus hovering in the doorway. Pelias' son was quite a bit younger than he was and had been raised a prince. It had taken him a while to settle into the rough life of a sailor after his pampered upbringing, but he had shown himself to be a resourceful and tough young man and was accepted by the crew. Jason liked him a great deal more than common sense suggested he should bearing mind that they were vying for the same throne. "Only wearing a groove in the floor," he answered dryly. "What's up?"

"I think we need to talk," Acastus slipped into the room and closed the door behind him, leaning against it as he glanced round to check for company.

"We're alone," Jason assured him, sinking into the nearest seat.

Acastus slumped and came closer. "I don't really know where to start, but I want you to know that I don't approve of my father's actions regarding you."

"You've told me that before," Jason reminded him, leaning back comfortably. "Or do you have something new to add?"

Acastus sighed and helped himself to a seat at the table across from him. "You know I don't want to be king," he said slowly. "I hoped that by coming on this voyage, I’d be able to show what I meant to my father, but as usual he hasn't listened. I've been talking to Cres."

"I wondered where you were."

"Did you think I was plotting behind your back?"

"I was hoping you were smoothing the waters over for Talaus and Iolaus with your princely charms."

Acastus allowed a smile to light his usually solemn face. He was by nature a quiet, good-humoured and unassuming young man - not the greedy usurper Jason had expected when they first met. "I did my best," he admitted. "I've known Cres since I was little. He came to Iolcus as Ambassador many times and he's always had a bit of a soft spot for me. That's why he wanted to talk to me. He wanted to tell me what was in the scroll my father sent."

"An assassination plan? Or some other plot to get rid of me?"

"A plot, yes. But to our advantage."

"That makes a change," Jason mused.

"My father was serious about renewing and confirming the trade agreement between our cities, but he is also interested in formalising a closer alliance. Iamarides has no heir of his own. So he's offered Iamarides a choice between you and I as his heir with a promise that to seal it one of us will marry Cres' daughter."

"I didn't know he had one," Jason managed, unable to think of anything else to say.

"She's a Hestial Virgin at the moment. That alone makes her a highly prized catch, but Cres and Daphne both have close ties to the throne, enough to make a valid claim for it if anything should happen to Iamarides," Acastus paused, taking a deep breath. "I don't know which way Iamarides will jump, but if he accepts the deal I’d be willing to stay here."

Jason stared at him. "And give up Iolcus?" he said quietly.

"I have sisters," Acastus reminded him gloomily. "Several sisters all older than me, most of who nag me every move I make. If I was king…One of them's a Hestial Virgin too." He paused and gave Jason a sly look. "You know, if you were to marry one of them you could make your path to the throne a lot easier."

"Acastus, you’re nearly as cunning as Pelias," Jason retorted with a grin.

"I grew up in a palace, Jason. I've had to be," Acastus answered seriously, then shot a quick look at the door as there was a rapid knock and it was briskly flung open. The servant who opened it barely managed to dodge Cres and a pretty young woman in white as they swept in.

Jason and Acastus both shot to their feet automatically and the young woman blushed, demurely lowering her eyes.

"Prince Acastus, er um Prince Jason," Cres greeted them. "My daughter, Daphne."

Acastus gave her a huge smile. "Daphne, my, you have grown up lovely. I don't suppose you remember me?"

"Oh yes, your highness. I remember you…" Daphne dimpled at him prettily, blushing even more furiously as Acastus' grin widened knowingly.

Cres gave her a look of mingled exasperation and affection. "Your message, Daphne?" he prompted.

"Message?" Tearing her eyes away from Acastus' dazzling smile and Jason's dark good looks in flustered confusion, she looked up at him and pulled herself together. "Oh, oh yes, The Lady Hester gives you greeting and offers you welcome to the temple where your friend, Iolaus, lies…"

"Iolaus!" Jason yelped in mingled alarm and relief, then caught himself in chagrin for interrupting her. "I'm sorry. Is he all right?"

"A handsome blond hero wounded in valiant battle with the forces of darkness," Daphne answered, her eyes shining. "He struggled bravely to our temple where he lies resting in the Lady Hester's gentle care…."

Jason tuned out the rest of her rhapsody and gave Acastus a wry look. "She's seen Iolaus all right," he murmured.

"And heard him," Acastus agreed in amusement.

Daphne paused, giving them a primly indignant look. "The Lady bids you come at once," she told Jason sternly. "She fears he may be in danger."

Cres winced. "I'll arrange for a guide to show you the way, Jason," he offered. "Daphne will remain here."

"Oh, but I must return to help Iolaus, I mean Lady Hester…"

Cres snorted, giving her a stern look. "I can well imagine what you want to help with young lady," he retorted. "You'll stay here."

Daphne blushed again, clasping her hands together in front of her as she demurely lowered her head and help her tongue.

Jason bit back a grin. He could see why Cres had turned her over to the temple. Demure and innocent as she seemed, she had a look of invitation in her dark eyes that would have led many a man astray if not for the protection of her white robes. His smile faded as he thought of Iolaus, alone and wounded. A temple was a fine place to take refuge, but only if its sanctuary could be guaranteed and they had every reason to think Machus would think little of violating sanctuary if it stood between him and what he wanted. "So," he said aloud. "How long will it take us to get there? If Iolaus is in danger, I’ll need to send for more men from my boat."

"Ship," Acastus murmured and grinned at the dirty look Jason gave him.

"I can supply you with men from the guards," Cres said however. "I'm sure Captain Ignatius will be glad to help."

Jason started to refuse, not wanting the Captain involved if he could help it. On the other hand, if it kept him away from Talaus… "That would be kind of you," he said calmly. "But we need to hurry…"

* * *

Iolaus woke up feeling as if every bone in his body was broken and that someone was attempting to steal his teeth by knocking them loose from his jaw. After a moment it dimly sank in on him that someone was slapping him none to gently and shaking him violently with a fist in his tunic at the same time. A half-hysterical giggle flitted through his thoughts that they'd probably shake his teeth loose first before awareness rushed in properly and he opened his eyes, clutching at the shadow leaning over him.

"Stop hitting me…" he whimpered in protest.

"I'll stop hitting you when you tell me where that amulet is!" Echion roared at him.

Iolaus flinched at his volume. "Then stop shaking me…" he stammered as his head rocked from another blow.

"I'll only stop when…"

"…before I throw up…."

Echion dropped him instantly and Iolaus thumped into the soft loam of the ruined flowerbed that had broken his fall. Any hope that Echion would let him lie there and whimper for a while was ruined when the Nubian grabbed him by one ankle and towed him out of the shattered flowers and shrubbery and onto the rough path, where he kicked him viciously in the stomach. Iolaus doubled up with a whoop for breath, seeing stars as Echion knelt on top of him and yanked his head back by a fistful of long hair.

"Where's the amulet?" he demanded again.

"Don't know…" Iolaus managed then yelped as Echion slammed his head against the path.

"You’re going to damn well tell me…"

"Echion!" Diccius sounded out of breath as he pounded up the path. "Machus wants you to bring him inside."

"He can come out here…"

"Before someone sees you," Diccius added. "If we’re caught here…"

"Damn it!" Echion snarled and shook Iolaus again. "Get up…"

"Can't…" Iolaus whimpered, seriously afraid to move.

With a grunt of frustration, Echion grabbed him and threw him head down over one shoulder, stomping along the path as if the young Argonauts weighed nothing. Diccius trotted on ahead, leading the way back inside.

Hanging upside down did nothing for Iolaus' bruises or equilibrium, let alone his nausea but he wasn't about to say anything. Sympathy was the last thing he was likely to get. Plus there was always the hope he would throw up down Echion's back.

Before his stomach could gather the strength to co-operate, however, he was roughly yanked down and dropped on his feet. The world swung around him in a dizzying swirl of colours and shapes that he couldn't focus on. Then a cruel blow in the small of his back buckled him at the knees before he could decide whether he was able to stand up on his own. The floor came up to meet his face and the world promptly went away again.

* * *

There was something about the scowl on Hercules' face that was giving Coronus a very uneasy feeling. It was the sort of look that reminded him whose son he was. The sort of look that said thunderbolts were charging. And while Hercules couldn't actually hurl thunderbolts - at least Iolaus hadn't mentioned that he could…yet…- he was probably capable of a physical equivalent.

Coronus wished they had brought Ascalaphus and Ialmenus along to help Polydeceus restrain him if it became necessary.

"Do you hear thunder?" Aethalides murmured, falling into step beside him. "Only, every time I look at Hercules, I hear thunder."

"You too huh? Scary, isn't it?"

"I don’t think I’d want to be this Machus guy when he catches him."

"You think he's going to catch him?"

"Uh huh. Don't you?"

"I'm wondering what's going to happen if we don't. Or worse," Coronus lowered his voice. "If we don't find Iolaus alive."

Aethalides shot a nervous look at him. "I wish you wouldn't say things like that."

"I wish I didn't think them," Coronus sighed. "I don't suppose any of your uh contacts are saying anything?"

"My contacts aren’t talking to me any more than they’re talking to Hercules. They don't unless they want something. Maybe one of us should go back to the ship and ask the Chorus what they think. I know Iamarides refuses to allow Seers to set foot in his city, but we could still ask them."

"Jason thought of that last night. He sent Lynceus back."

"And?" Aethalides asked hopefully.

"The short answer was, it's a Goddess thing. Don’t ask."

"A Goddess thing? That's it?"

Coronus shrugged. "Well, they used more words, but that was the gist of it. Whatever's going on they’re not allowed to talk about it. Oh they did say one other thing."

"Yeah?" Aethalides pressed hopefully.

"It was, can we hurry up and go because this city gives them all a headache."

"Tough."

"I believe that's what Lynceus told them. Along with, sharpen your swords because we are not leaving anyone behind…"

* * *

Iolaus woke up to the sensation of being dragged across the floor and unceremoniously dropped flat on his face again. He whimpered instinctively, wishing he had stayed back on Argo rather than succumbed to the promise of a party. Of course, if he had let Talaus and Aethalides go off on their own he wouldn't be in this mess to start with. But Talaus and Aethalides always got into trouble if he didn't go with them…

A boot in the ribs jerked him painfully back to full awareness as he started to slide back into the fog. It was followed by the owner of the boots upending a pitcher of cold water over his head and he woke up with a gasp for breath at the shock.

"Better!" Machus snapped in satisfaction and grabbed the Argonaut by the hair, jerking his head back as he laid the flat edge of a dagger against Iolaus' jaw. "Are you with me now?" he demanded. "Ready to answer my questions?"

"Let me go," Iolaus protested faintly.

"After you tell me where the amulet is."

"Don't know…" Iolaus answered. Machus promptly hit him across the face with his fist with all his strength. The Argonaut thumped dizzily back to the floor, his lip swelling as he spat blood.

"He's not going to be able to tell you anything if you beat him unconscious!" Hester's voice rang out in cold anger.

"You shut up and stay out of this, woman," Machus snapped at her. Turning his attention back to Iolaus, he lifted his chin with his dagger point and ran the tip down his throat. "Echion tells me you were running away, you little coward."

"No, that's a lie," Iolaus croaked, swallowing blood.

"You were leaving all these poor helpless women here alone…"

"No…"

"Don't torment the boy," Hester said curtly. "I know him a great deal better than you do."

"Oh? So what was he going to do?" Machus sneered.

"Probably retrieve the amulet and bargain for our freedom," Hestia retorted.

Iolaus winced, startled by her astute reply.

"Really," Machus murmured smugly, leering at Iolaus. "Is that true, pretty boy? You hid the amulet here?"

"No," Iolaus started to shake his head and felt his senses reel at the sudden pounding of a headache.

"Then where is it?" Machus roared at him.

"Won't tell," Iolaus yelped as the dagger tip opened a cut along his collarbone.

"This isn't getting us anywhere, Machus," Echion complained angrily.

"You want to do it?"

"As someone who knows about hurting people," Echion said bitterly. "I can tell you that you can rip him apart and he won't tell you anything. We don't have the time to waste on him."

Machus said nothing, glaring at Iolaus as the hunter wavered on the verge of passing out. Then he dropped him with a thud and straightened up, staring down at him. "All right," he said softly. "Either tell me where you hid the amulet, or we start hurting the women."

"You wouldn't dare!" Hester exclaimed, shocked.

Iolaus' eyes widened as he gazed up at Machus, seeing the truth in his angry dark eyes and knowing that Machus meant every word he said. "All right, I'll tell you," he whispered.

"I knew you'd see reason," Machus smirked at him. "Where is it?"

"No, Iolaus," Hester protested. "If you tell him, he'll kill you."

"Maybe, maybe not. But he means what he says," Iolaus answered miserably. "And I think you’re more important than one amulet. I hid it…" He paused and Hester knelt next to him, her hand petting his tangled mop of hair in consolation and understanding.

"Where?!" Machus demanded impatiently.

"After Echion attacked me, I ran about two blocks. There was a house with a white plastered wall painted with flowers. It had a blue flower box. I hid it under the plants."

"You’d better not be lying to me-" Machus snarled.

"What'd be the point? You'll still have me captive. Let the women go…"

"Fat chance. Echion, Diccius, take some men and go find it."

"You trust them?" Hester sniffed.

"I trust Echion to be smart. He knows I can sell that amulet and he can't," Machus answered coolly as his two men gathered up a handful of the others and galloped out. "Diccius I trust as far as I can throw him. The man's a coward and a coward can never be trusted. Which is why I sent him with Echion. Now, where was I? Oh yes…" He eased closer, leering down at Iolaus who had subsided to the floor and was concentrating on breathing and stay conscious.

"Leave him alone!" Hester snapped. "Haven't you done enough to him already?"

"Oh, I've barely begun."

"He's hurt and feverish. At least let me get him a blanket and some herbs to help."

"I think not…" Machus purred maliciously. Iolaus opened one eye to watch him warily.

"What harm can he do you now?" Hester protested.

"None at all. But he owes me for the aggravation he's caused me and he's going to pay for that."

"And hurting him now while he's helpless will make you feel better, will it?" Hester sneered. "That will make you feel big and strong and brave, will it?"

"You have a cruel way with words," Machus said stiffly.

"Sometimes the truth is cruel."

Machus glared at her and withdrew. "Very well," he said curtly. "I'll leave him alone for now. But not because you wish it. But because I think he's lying about the amulet and I want him able to talk when Echion returns. Unless you know where it is?"

"If I knew I’d tell you," Hester retorted.

"I believe you would," Machus mused, surprised. "Why?"

"To stop you hurting him."

"Ah. Good old compassion. That complete and utter waste of time."

"You may have reason to wish for it later, young man," Hester told him sharply.

Machus shrugged. "Better ask for it for him," he said, gesturing at the semi-conscious Iolaus. "He needs it more than I do. Like I said, he's going to pay."

"How? He's told you where the amulet is."

Machus cocked his head to one side as he lolled against the wall, absently scraping the blade of his knife down his stubbled jaw. "Well, now, I figure he's going to survive this if you patch him up. Then I'm going to take him and sell him as a slave."

"You can't."

"Watch me."

"He's worth more as a hostage," Hester said sharply. "He's one of Prince Jason's men and a guest of King Iamarides."

"Like I care?"

"You could get a ransom for him."

"That I could. I could also get a ransom for you," Machus pointed out. "But I think I’ll be better off getting out of the city as fast as I can with what I can grab. That means the amulet and him. Even if I don't end up with a good price for him I figure he’ll at least do for entertainment on the voyage."

* * *

Coronus flinched absently, feeling the crackle of electricity in the air. There was a storm brewing far out to sea, he could smell it in the air. Whether or not it actually had anything to do with Hercules' bad mood was another matter, but it was a storm and a big one.

"So much for the idea of snatch Talaus and make a run for it to sea," he muttered.

"What?" Polydeceus glanced at him curiously.

"The back up plan?"

"We have a back up plan?" Polydeceus said in surprise.

"Yeah, I always thought the back up plan was run away and if it's serious, run away very fast," Lettus said lightly.

"No, that's a strategic withdrawal," Polydeceus said dryly. "Also called an advance towards the rear."

"Hercules…" Aethalides hissed, trotting past them. He had been hanging back, peering suspiciously down the alleyways. They were back in the area where they had lost Iolaus' tracks, backtracking over the ground they had already covered.

Hercules shot a glare at the Herald. "Not now," he grumbled.

"No, listen," Aethalides grabbed his arm and dug his toes in, dragging him to a reluctant halt rather than pull him over. "We've got to go back."

"No." Hercules snapped, shaking him off.

"Will you listen!" Aethalides demanded, latching onto him again and shaking his forearm furiously. "Something's going on back there."

Hercules grunted. "Not our problem," he said flatly, saw the expression that crossed the Herald's face and sighed. "Polydeceus, Lettus, why don't you two…"

"No," Aethalides set off back the way they had come, dragging determinedly at Hercules. "We have to go and look. It's important."

Reluctantly, Hercules let him pull him a step after him before he braked again. "So's finding Iolaus," he said grimly, peeling his hand off again.

"That's why we have to go back," Aethalides insisted, fluttering his eyelashes at the big man "Please, Hercules," he wheedled.

Hercules blinked, surprised to hear an echo of Iolaus' best pleading tone in the Herald's voice. "Why?" he asked darkly.

"Because I need to take another look and little me is scared to go all on my own," Aethalides begged, fluttering his eyelashes again. "Pretty please, big guy?"

A small smile curved Hercules' lips, loosening his scowl. "Am I supposed to fall for that bull?" he asked sarcastically.

Aethalides brightened up. "I was starting to think that scowl was going to be permanently etched in place," he told him, then shifted into a startling imitation of Jason's command tones. "Come on, hurry up." Grabbing Hercules' wrist again, he trotted back down the alleyway, pursuing the others who had all ready turned back.

Wondering who else the Herald could mimic, Hercules let himself be towed along until they reached the others. Pushing him against the wall, Aethalides squeezed in between Coronus and Polydeceus and peeked around the corner.

Five men were gathered beside a white plastered house, apparently intent on wrecking a flower box. The tallest of them, a man with a bandaged hand and arm was kicking it to pieces in an obvious fury, scattering wood and flowers and dirt in all directions. Two others held a small, frightened looking young woman against the wall while a third stood in front of them.

"Tell us what you did with it," the man demanded, his whiney voice grating on the ears.

Aethalides ducked back and looked up at Hercules as the demi-god peered over his head. His green eyes were wide and serious. "That's them," he said grimly. "I wasn't sure until I got another look, but that's Echion with the bandages and Diccius talking to the woman; two of the men we saw."

"What about the other one?" Coronus hissed.

"I don't see him," Aethalides admitted.

"Either way, the lady needs help," Polydeceus rumbled, flexing his arms.

"Let's get them," Hercules announced. "But don't let any of them get away."

The five Argonauts ghosted into the alleyway, swords hissing in hunger as they drew their weapons and fanned out to cut off the men. The man picking through the flowers looked up with a start, glimpsing movement.

"Echion," he hissed, pushing to his feet.

Echion lifted his head, deliberately crunching a last shard of wood under his boot heel. "Nothing to see here," he told them coldly. "Move on."

"I don't think so." Without thinking, Hercules automatically assumed the lead. He stepped slightly ahead of the others, absently adjusting his bracers. "We want to talk to you. So, let the lady go and we can do this the easy way."

Echion looked him up and down, seeing only a broad shouldered but unarmed young man who looked far from dangerous. He glanced at the others, scanning them critically. Coronus and Aethalides he paused on, smiling faintly at their festival finery. Both men enjoyed their jewellery but it hardly made them look dangerous. Deciding they were a bunch of young nobles who didn't know what they were getting in to and sensing easy pickings, he jerked his head at his own men. "I'll tell you what," he began. "You give me your all gold and we’ll let you go without hurting you."

"Oooh, I'm so scared," Aethalides quavered mockingly.

"Wrong answer," Hercules sighed with a wicked grin that promised mass destruction.

Echion glared at him and flicked a gesture at his men to attack. To his astonishment, the Argonauts moved first, sweeping forward like a well trained phalanx of soldiers. Recovering from his surprise, he lunged at Hercules and found his sword batted aside by a bracer as if it was a feather. With a dark grin of triumph, the demi-god closed in on him…

Coronus and Polydeceus moved left and right, cutting off the flank. Lettus and Aethalides darted through the middle to get to the woman. Lettus engaged the first man, rapidly driving him back with Diccius retreating in a panic behind him. Aethalides blocked and thrust at the man left guarding the woman and when he let go of her, knifed him with a dagger he drew seemingly from nowhere. Swinging her around behind him, he braced himself to stand guard and blinked in surprise, realising that most of the fight was all ready over. Only Hercules was still dodging Echion's sword blows; the smug expression on his face making it obvious to his companions that he was enjoying his cat and mouse game.

"Hey, Hercules, quit playing with him!" Coronus called impatiently from where he and Polydeceus were guarding their captives. "We want to find Iolaus, remember?"

"Hah!" Echion gasped, slashing viciously as he leaped forward. "Who's playing with who?"

"Me!" Hercules snarled and grabbed, seizing Echion's sword hand and squeezing. Echion dropped the weapon with a howl of pain. Twisting his arm, Hercules slammed him back against the wall and crushed his forearm across the man's throat, holding him pinned. "Where's Iolaus?" he demanded, furious with himself for forgetting his partner's plight for even a moment in the joy of battle.

"Ooh, he's so strong," the young woman purred, her hands patting Aethalides' back in excitement. "And you’re all so brave…" she added as Aethalides turned to look down at her. She was younger than he thought, pretty and blue eyed. He grinned at her, absently preening a little before her wide-eyed attention.

"Oh, it was nothing," he assured her.

"Turn it off, lover boy," Lettus snorted, herding Diccius and the other man back to join the other captives.

Aethalides shot a glare at him then turned back to the woman. "What did these men want, my lady?"

"I'm not sure. But that man, the one your handsome friend is being so masterful to, he kept shouting about some necklace he thought was hidden in my flower box. I have no idea what he meant."

"I think we do," Aethalides muttered, disgruntled that she had noticed Hercules at all. "Is this your house?"

"Oh yes. Would you like to come in for some wine?" She gave him a hopeful look that made Aethalides' smile, then Diccius' startled yelp from behind him reminded him what he was supposed to be doing and he gave her his best heroic look.

"I have to help my friends deal with these ruffians first," he told her. "Perhaps later. Why don't you go inside and rest and recover from your fright?" Shooing her inside, he darted down the alleyway to the others. Polydeceus was questioning Diccius and the others while Hercules held Echion pinned to the wall by the throat while he bellowed at him. Echion was looking seriously scared by now.

"Nice of you to join us," Coronus said sarcastically.

"What can I say? She wants me."

"Yeah, right," Lettus snorted.

"You’re only jealous because she liked me best."

"Later," Coronus interrupted curtly. "Help Hercules question Echion."

"He seems to be doing fine on his own," Aethalides retorted, miffed.

"Go!"

Aethalides sniffed but quickly trotted over to Hercules' side. As he got there he realised that Hercules had lifted Echion off his feet by his throat in fury and the man was gurgling for air and going a funny colour. Gingerly, Aethalides tapped the demi-god on the arm.

"He might be able to answer you better if you let him have some air and stop crushing his throat," he said gently when Hercules glared down at him.

"Huh?"

Aethalides pointed at Echion's dangling feet. "He's going a funny colour…"

"Oh…" Hercules dropped Echion hastily back to ground and loosened his forearm lock enough for Echion to suck in a huge wheezing gasp of oxygen. He continued to hold his good arm locked tight to the wall.

"Hold him still…" Scooting closer, Aethalides searched the man rapidly, relieving him of the chest harness and weapons with a deft snick of his dagger blade.

Hercules nodded, accepting that he had forgotten to search Echion in his anger. "Right, now answer me! Where's Iolaus?!!" he began his interrogation again.

"Who?" Echion croaked and then flinched as Hercules' bunched fist pulverised the wall beside his head.

"Damn, my aim's slipping," Hercules rumbled and drew back for another go.

Aethalides' grabbed the demi-god's wrist hastily. "I can't hold him for long, you know," he warned Echion. "You’d better tell him what he wants to know."

"They must mean the blond guy!" Diccius wailed, cowering before Polydeceus as the big Argonaut absently smacked his fist into his other hand under the man's nose.

"Shut up," Echion hissed, his voice choked off by Hercules hand closing about his throat again.

"I'm going to ask you one more time," Hercules told him, his eyes glittering with barely restrained anger. "We're looking for Iolaus…"

"The blond guy, about so tall? He was following you," Aethalides elaborated. "We saw you take the amulet. We're assuming he took it off you, that he got wounded and that Machus now has him. And that he told you he hid the amulet here so that Machus sent you to get it. Am I right?"

"No idea…" Echion croaked.

"Tell them before they kill us!" Diccius shrieked.

"They’re not going to kill us," Echion retorted.

"Don't be so sure," Hercules snarled, tightening his grip. "We only need one of you alive to talk and your cohort over there seems more than willing."

Echion paled and cringed as he looked into Hercules' eyes. "What's it worth?" he demanded.

"Worth?" Hercules' anger was tinged by surprise.

"If you let us go, I’ll tell you what you want to know," Echion bargained.

"No deal…"

"Then I'm not telling you anything," Echion sneered and then flinched in pain as Hercules grip tightened, his fingertips digging bruisingly into his throat.

"Then maybe I should start tearing you limb from limb," Hercules suggested.

"Like you’re that strong…" Echion gasped into silence as Hercules squeezed his throat.

"Like he isn't," Aethalides said dryly, tipping his head towards the pulverised brick of the wall. "But the problem with that is that's its messy and noisy and the shock will probably kill you before you can tell us anything." He produced his long bladed dagger with a flicker of speed and looked up at Hercules hopefully. "How about if I kill him to teach the others we mean what we say? Then I can torture the one who keeps whining; Diccius…"

There was a shriek from Diccius and Polydeceus stepped back, looking at him in disgust as the man fainted at his feet.

Hercules frowned, pursing his lips as he looked from Echion to Aethalides and then over at the others. "Won't he scream?" he asked, fingering Echion's throat and feeling him swallow in panic.

"Not if you keep hold of his throat, he won't," Aethalides pointed out brightly.

"Or you could cut out his tongue." Drawing his own dagger, Coronus prowled over, his amber eyes glowing with a predatory light. He nudged a toe against Echion's weapons harness then crouched to draw one and raise an eyebrow. "This is a skinning knife," he observed darkly. "How long does it take to skin someone?"

"Why ask me?" Hercules snorted. "You’re the expert."

Coronus rose lithely to his feet. "I've never done it," he admitted. "But I could use a couple of nerve holds I know to make him keep still while I experiment…"

Echion trembled and clutched at Hercules' wrist, shaking his head frantically.

"What?" Hercules asked dryly. "You want to say something?"

Echion nodded desperately, eyeing Coronus in terror. Coronus gazed back, a little startled by the reaction he had received.

"Go on then…" Hercules ordered, loosening his grip.

"You’re right, Machus does have your friend. At the temple," Echion gasped out. "Him and the women…"

"Which temple and where?" Aethalides said sharply.

Echion took a shaky breath and told him, spilling out everything he knew as fast as he could. When he had finished, Hercules dropped him and stepped back, letting the man sink to the ground in an abject huddle at his feet.

"Right, I'm going to get Iolaus," he announced, flexing his hands slowly.

"We can't leave this lot here," Coronus argued.

"We can't take them with us and there's no time for anything else," Hercules said flatly.

"So, what? You want us to let them go?" Coronus retorted.

"Huh? No, I…" Hercules gave him a lost look. Intent on rescuing Iolaus, everything else paled into insignificance.

"Look, take it easy," Coronus said quickly, understanding. "I'll put nerve holds on them all so they can't do anything. But they’ll need a guard…"

"I could stay," Aethalides offered.

"And get distracted by the girl? I don't think so…" Polydeceus snorted.

"I'll stay," Lettus offered.

"Then I'll go get the Watch. I'm the fastest," Aethalides said, giving Polydeceus a dirty look.

Polydeceus grinned at him. "Sounds like a plan to me," he said cheerfully.

Coronus glanced down at the alleyway at Hercules who was already moving off with single-minded purpose. "Go after him and stay with him," he urged Polydeceus. "I'll catch you up. Aethalides, after you get the Watch, go and fetch Jason. We'll need the Argonauts."

Aethalides nodded and darted off, leaving Coronus to turn and give Echion a thoughtful look as the man stared at him nervously. "Right," Coronus murmured, flexing his fingers. "Now, where were we?"

* * *

"Shouldn't they be back by now?"

Machus halted his pacing and turned to glare at his men, unsure which of them had voiced his thoughts aloud. "If Echion as here you wouldn't dare doubt him," he said acidly.

"If Echion was here, I wouldn't be doubting him," came the answer as Dionius stepped forward. A big man, he folded his arms across his broad chest and glared at his leader. "All I'm saying is, they’ve been gone a long time to get one lousy necklace. It wasn't that far. What's taking them so long?"

"Perhaps Diccius got lost - again…" one of the others sneered. None of them had any time for the whiny little man. Even Machus only put up with him because they needed his lockpicking skills.

Machus stalked towards them. "Do you really think they'd dare cross me?" he demanded belligerently.

"That does seem to be what they’re saying," Hester noted. She was seated on the floor with Iolaus, his head resting in her lap. He hadn't moved in a while. Machus wasn't sure if he was conscious or worse and hadn't cared until now. If he had been lying about the amulet's hiding place, it was possible Echion would be scared to come back without it. He took half a step towards them, meaning to kick the young man awake. Hester closed her arms around him protectively and gave him a defiant look.

Dionius scowled. "It's more they got caught," he said darkly. "We shouldn’t be here, boss. We should cut them loose and get to the ship before we’re caught too."

Machus gritted his teeth. "No. That necklace is too valuable a prize."

"Won't be if we get caught before we can sell it," Dionius argued. "Come on, boss. There'll be other chances if we’re still alive. If they catch us here they’ll hang us for sure."

Keeping his face expressionless, Machus nonetheless winced inside. Dionius had a point about the temple.

"What we should do is strip this temple of everything it's got and make a run for it," Dionius went on. "Leave the women and the youth here. They'd only slow us down."

Machus turned very deliberately and stared at him. Dionius was making sense and the men were listening to him. Where was his enforcer when he needed him? If the son of a bitch had found the amulet and ran off with it….

The crash of a door opening announced the arrival of the lookout from the roof. "Machus! Men coming!" he panted.

"Here?"

The lookout nodded. "I'm on my own up there. I need help."

Machus blinked and then gave his men a slow stare. They looked at each other with shifty eyes. "I set two lookouts. Where's Mernis?"

"He went with Echion," someone muttered.

Unnoticed by Machus, Iolaus twitched and opened his eyes, peering towards the lookout. Hester's hand patted his shoulder and her fingers drifted across his eyelashes as she leaned forward with a whispered warning for him to stay still and quiet.

"Now what?" Dionius asked sarcastically.

"You get up on the roof and find out how many men are out there," Machus snapped, recovering. "Tell them to back off or we'll burn the temple down. Take your weapons and be prepared to drive them off."

"Burn a temple?" someone exclaimed.

Machus turned on him furiously. "Yes," he snarled. "Unless you want to hang our only chance now is to hold these women hostage and force them to negotiate. Get up on that roof and drive them off!" He turned his back on them, glaring down at Hester. His assumption that they would obey assured they would and he heard Dionius round up enough men to do the deed and lead them out of the cella.

"You’re behaving like a fool," Hester informed him coldly. "I sent for Jason and his men. They’re not going to be as easily discouraged as the guard. They won't be worried about the temple, only their friend."

"And you. And if they’re not the guard, it won't matter so much if we kill them," Machus retorted, he jabbed a toe into Iolaus' side and won a whimper out of him. "Can he walk?"

"No," Hester said flatly. "If you want a hostage, take me."

Machus met her cold eyes with a glare of his own. "If they’re Jason's men, then they’ll care more about one of their own than about you. But don't fret, you'll get your turn."

"Machus?" Reddius the lookout was back from the roof, panting after another run up and down the winding stairs.

"What?"

"They’re not guards. There's only three of them."

"Three of them? Three of them?!" Machus exclaimed. "What did you come back for? Kill them!"

"They’re too damn fast. They're under cover and one of them killed Kires with a slingshot."

Machus felt his jaw drop and closed his mouth with a snap. He swung on Hester. "Is there another way out of this temple?"

"Through the garden where we met last night."

"No good," Reddius panted. "They're positioned to see the gardens from where they are. They must be scouts, Machus. Sent to keep us pinned until the rest get here."

Machus swore loud and long in frustration. How had things gone wrong so fast?

"Language, young man," Hester scolded.

Machus swore again and swung, kicking Iolaus hard. The young hunter yipped and recoiled from the unexpected blow, unprepared to lie still. As Iolaus looked up at Machus in alarm, the older man gazed back at him, his mouth twisting into a smirk of calculation. "So, you were faking it. Jason's men, are they?" he mused. "Looking for their little blond friend? Well, why don't we show him to them?"

* * *

Jason moved fast, trotting at the head of a phalanx of guards and a handful of Argonauts. Ialmenus, Ascalaphus and Lynceus had joined him, leaving Zetes and Calais to guard Talaus. Acastus had gone to the ship to draw more support as soon as they had left the palace, sneaking away under Jason's orders. Ignatius brought up the rear, his scowl showing that he had joined them unwillingly and only at Cres' insistence.

"The man's possessed, Jase," Ialmenus told him as he loped easily at his Captain's side. "He's convinced this is all some plot to ruin his reputation. He wasn't going to let us have any men whatever Cres said if it wasn't for priestess Ioan's arrival."

"At least he sent for the Watch when he did agree," Ascalaphus pointed out.

"He didn't have much choice at that point," Lynceus muttered.

Jason grunted. He was still steaming over the delay Ignatius had caused. The arrival of the priestess and the other acolytes had been both fortunate and worrying. Now they knew for sure where Machus was, but also that he had far more men that they had assumed. They were looking at the possibility of an all out battle on temple grounds that might well spill over into the city. A lot of people could get hurt if they weren't careful. At least the Watch would know the territory and hopefully be able to contain it.

"Jason!" The yell came from behind them.

Dodging to one side with Ialmenus, Jason gestured to Lynceus to keep going while he peered back down the alleyway for the source of the hail. Aethalides panted into view, slipping around the rear of the guards and giving Ignatius a wary look as the Captain scowled at him.

Lynceus caught the Herald's arm as he skidded to a halt beside them. "Take it easy, kid," he soothed. "What's the rush?"

Aethalides leaned on him gratefully, sucking down gasps of breath. Ignatius stomped to a halt beside them, scowling in disapproval. "I didn't think I’d catch you," he managed. "The Watch Captain said he'd had a message you were on your way to the temple all ready. He wanted me to go with them, but Coronus said to find you."

"And you have," Jason pointed out. "Why?"

"Iolaus is at the temple," Aethalides explained.

"We know that," Lynceus said dryly. "Why do you think that's where we’re going?"

Aethalides shot an annoyed look at the sharp-eyed lookout. "We caught Echion, Diccius and three other of Machus' men. Machus and the rest are holding Iolaus and the temple women until they get the amulet. Hercules and the others went to see what they could do."

"Machus will hold them hostage," Ignatius said curtly.

"Hercules won't get caught."

"I meant the women," Ignatius snapped, turning a cool look on Jason. "You’d better let me handle this."

"Why? You've made a mess of everything else so far," Jason shot back with hostile venom. "If you’d listened to us, Iolaus wouldn't have been left out here on his own. And you'd have the amulet back by now. Instead…" Jason stopped, ignoring Ignatius shocked spluttering and swung back to Aethalides. "You said until they get the amulet? They don't have it?"

"According to Echion, Iolaus told them he'd hidden it in a flower box. It wasn't there, so Iolaus obviously lied. He must still have it and Machus doesn't know."

"A bargaining point," Jason said thoughtfully.

"You can't bargain over the amulet!" Ignatius yipped.

"Why not?"

"For one thing you don't have it! For another it's sacred!"

"Well, if we don't have it, it doesn't matter whether it's sacred or not since we can't hand it over, now does it?" Jason pointed out sarcastically. "Aethalides, where's the Watch Captain now?"

"On his way to the temple with his men. I told him to look out for our guys. He sent men to collect Echion and the others from where Lettus is guarding them. Then Lettus will come to the temple to help us."

"Good enough," Jason broke into a lope, following the guards as they trotted out onto the street and turned in the direction of the temple. He had a plan half formed, but it all depended on whether or not Machus had forced Iolaus to hand over the amulet yet or not.

* * *

Kneeling beside Coronus in concealment at the end of the alleyway, Hercules took a deep breath and forced himself to hold it as long as he could before he let it out in a slow sigh. He felt much of the tension he felt ease out of him with it, leaving him alert but calmer and he was grateful to Coronus for the advice.

"There, feel better now?" Fingering his slingshot, Coronus flicked a glance at him from behind the barrels he was hidden behind.

"Yeah," Hercules agreed, half shrugging. He had wanted to charge the temple doors and batter them down with his bare fists when the first spears had fallen among them. Coronus had taken out one of the men with a well-aimed slingshot, but the others had taken cover with the ease of practise. Polydeceus had moved along the curved wall of the building to watch the garden gates that were the only other exit from the building.

"At least we know they’re all in there," Coronus offered in consolation.

"So's Iolaus," Hercules growled and took another deep breath. "Kill, maim, rend, savage, tear, destroy…" he muttered to himself.

"Sorry?"

"Nothing," Hercules shifted on the hard ground, making himself as comfortable as he could. Common sense told him there was nothing they could do now but wait, but it wasn't easy when his best friend was held wounded and captive only a few hundred yards away from him.

"Stalemate," Coronus murmured, leaning forward to peer up at the temple roof then ducking quickly back into concealment. "They can't get out, but we can't get in."

"That'll change when Jason gets here," Hercules said firmly.

Coronus slid a look sideways at him. "Know a lot about sieges, do you?" he asked sardonically. "They have the advantage of having hostages. And I doubt if Iolaus being in there will help."

"Don't sell him short," Hercules growled.

"I wasn't. But he is hurt and if this Machus guy has any sense he's probably got him bound and gagged as well. That little blond has more mouth on him than Charybdis. There's no end of trouble he could stir up if they let him talk."

Hercules glared at him, unsure whether Iolaus was being insulted or not. But he admit to admit that while the hunter's mouth had got him into a lot of trouble in the past, it had also got him out of a lot of trouble as well.

"Pssttt!"

"Am not," Coronus snapped indignantly, shooting a barbed glare at the demi-god.

"It wasn't me," Hercules responded, hurt.

"Psstttt! Guys!" Belatedly realising where the warning came from, they both leaned forward and peered into the shrubbery by the gate where Polydeceus was hiding. Seeing that he had their attention, he gestured quickly then ducked back into cover, narrowly avoiding a spear from an alert roof guard.

"What's he on about?" Coronus wondered, baffled.

"There! Look!" With a sigh of relief, Hercules had spotted movement in the alleyway as the first of the palace guards arrived and spread out along the temple walls. Movement behind them, made Hercules turn warily to keep watch,

"Coronus! Hercules!" Aethalides' soft hail made him relax as the Herald nipped into sight behind them, waved at someone the demi-god couldn't see and then darted to his side.

Hercules yanked him down briskly to keep him out of the line of fire. "Are you on your own?"

"No, I found Jason and the others on the way. Ignatius and the guard are here too," Aethalides broke off as Ialmenus and Ascalaphus slipped up beside them. Ialmenus squeezed in beside Hercules as Ascalaphus joined Coronus.

"Cosy," Ialmenus grinned impudently as he snuggled up behind Hercules' back. Hercules shoved a sharp elbow in his ribs to shove him away.

"Where's Jason?"

"Back around the corner with Lynceus. They’re doing their best to talk Ignatius out of rushing the building," Ialmenus sobered quickly. "You seen any sign of Iolaus yet?"

"No," Hercules admitted gloomily.

"You and Aethalides had better go join Jason then. We'll take your place here."

Hercules hesitated, but the look Ialmenus gave him was serious and he nodded, hurrying after Aethalides as the Herald loped off. Catching up, he grabbed his shoulder and pulled him down under the flight of an arrow that whirred past overhead.

"Ooh…" Aethalides looked at it wide-eyed as it spanged off the wall beside him.

Hercules grunted and yanked him around the corner out of harm's way. "Survival instincts of a butterfly," he muttered.

"Hey! I do okay!"

"Oh, shut up," Hercules grumbled, glad to see Jason up ahead. A moment later, he was pulling Aethalides down beside their Captain.

"You know anything that can help?" Jason asked, not bothering to greet him after a quick visual inspection to check the demi-god was unharmed.

"There are only two ways into the building; the front way and an entry through the garden. We’ve had them both covered since we arrived. No one's come in or out. You know they have men on the roof?"

"We noticed," Jason said dryly, glancing at a handful of spent arrows lying a few feet away. Ignatius muttered something under his breath, glaring at Lynceus who was staying huddled close beside him in the protection of the wall.

"From what Echion told us most of them are up there. Machus probably has only one or two men inside to cover the women and Iolaus. Coronus thinks they’ve probably got Iolaus tied up."

"It's certainly what I'd do," Jason agreed in amusement. "Bound and gagged to keep him quiet."

Hercules gave him a slow burn. "What is this thing you guys have got with Iolaus and bondage?" he asked darkly.

Jason flashed him a rueful grin. "Wishful thinking?" he teased. "It's about the only way to keep him quiet and still."

"It isn't Iolaus' fault he's got a lot of energy," Hercules complained.

"Never said it was. I wish he knew where he got it from is all. Then maybe we could find the off switch…"

"Captain," Aethalides hissed urgently, the formal note in his voice attracting Jason's attention fast. "On the roof…"

Jason leaned forward, peering around the Herald as Hercules squeezed up behind them. "Oh, Styx…" he groaned as Machus dragging Iolaus across the flat rooftop to the edge. Without thinking, he reached back and clamped one hand into Hercules' jerkin, holding the young man still as he coiled to leap. "Don't even think it…" he warned.

"Jason…" Hercules rumbled.

"I can see," Jason retorted. "But you put a foot wrong and you’re going to get him killed."

Reluctantly, Hercules subsided, but the rumbling noises he made reminded Jason all too much of a barely restrained Hydra wanting very badly to kill something. Out to sea there was a violent rumble of thunder that boomed and echoed around the buildings, bringing a crackle of static to the too warm air.

"Styx," Aethalides whispered, echoing Jason's own reaction. "Look what they’ve done to him."

"I'm going to kill them," Hercules breathed, his eyes glittering with tightly suppressed rage and the thunder crashed again, making everyone except the demi-god flinch and duck instinctively. Jason sincerely hoped it was only a coincidence.

Wishing the Herald hadn't reminded Hercules of Iolaus' battered appearance, Jason gave the demi-god a half warning, half reassuring pat and edged a little further forward, glancing across at Ignatius and Lynceus and their grim expressions.

Iolaus was far from happy, his entire body aching and throbbing like one huge bruise after his fall. His shoulder length hair was loose in a froth of tangles twined with leaves around his bruised face and his clothes were badly torn and filthy. What he could see of his skin was covered in scratches and bruises under a layer of dirt and blood. His tunic was half ripped from one arm, exposing the blood-stained bandage on his shoulder. His arms had been bound behind his back and there was a leather belt looped around his throat that Machus was using as a leash.

The brigand dragged the hunter to the edge of the roof, prodding him into place with a jab of his sword and a yank of his leash. Standing behind him to use him as a shield, he wound his fist into the leather and drew Iolaus' head up and back so that it rested against the taller man's shoulder, then he laid the blade of his dagger across Iolaus' exposed and vulnerable throat.

Iolaus swallowed and closed his eyes. He couldn't look at the drop without feeling dizzy and he really didn't want to be pushed off the edge of the roof. He had survived one fall today without breaking anything. He didn't want to push his luck with a second go.

"All right!" Machus bellowed, making Iolaus flinch at his volume right next to his ear. "I've laid the goods on the table. Now, let's negotiate!"

"Who is he kidding?!" Ignatius snarled, his fist closing tight around his sword hilt. "There's nothing to negotiate! We don't bargain with raiders!" He lunged to his feet and suddenly found himself flat on his back with Lynceus glaring down at him and a knife pricking his chin.

"Negotiate this, moron," he hissed.

"Lynceus! Put the knife away!" Jason barked.

"We let him handle this and he'll get someone killed," the lookout retorted.

"I know. But I'm not having you executed for threatening him," Jason snapped. Lynceus gave him a startled look and let Ignatius push him off.

"How dare you…?!" the Captain began.

"He stopped you getting an arrow in your throat," Jason interrupted. "He's offering to negotiate, not a surrender and not a truce. Take a step out of cover and someone will put an arrow in you with or without Machus' command. I doubt if he's got that much control over them. They’re all looking at an execution and they know it. They’ve got nothing to lose. We have."

"I know you’re there!" Machus roared. "And I don't have a lot of patience!"

Jason met Ignatius' angry stare with a level gaze. "Well?"

"We don't negotiate with raiders," Ignatius snapped.

"Fine. I will." Jason started to ease forward, then shot a sharp look at him when the Captain moved too. "Don't interfere," he warned icily. "Keep him quiet, Lynceus."

"My pleasure," Lynceus agreed, giving Ignatius a warning glare. Ignatius glared back at him but subsided, realising he was out numbered by the Argonauts.

"This guy's running out of time here!" Machus roared impatiently. "I have five women downstairs waiting to take his place!"

"I'm here," Jason called, lifting his voice so he could be heard clearly.

"Come out where I can see you!"

"No chance! You wanted to negotiate, so negotiate."

"Who are you?" Machus wanted to know, peering around Iolaus suspiciously at the apparently empty walls.

"Jason of Iolcus, Captain of the Argo, prince of Iolcus," Jason called back.

"Ah," Machus tugged on Iolaus' bound wrists, making him flinch. "And is this little morsel one of yours?"

"Yes," Jason replied, his voice curt with rage at Iolaus' taut expression of pain.

"So, we both know where we stand. I don't want to hurt the priestesses. Hurting women isn't my style, but the way I see it, this guy is fair game. Lots of things I can do to him."

Jason put out one hand to warn Hercules back as the demi-god snarled something under his breath. "You hurt him and you'll never get out of here," he warned.

"Is that a threat, captain?" Machus sneered.

"No, it's a promise. I don't hear you negotiating, Machus. We have enough men to take you now with more on the way. You don't have time to waste."

Machus scowled, jerking Iolaus closer and driving a whimper of pain out of his captive.

"Damn it," Hercules jerked forward angrily.

"Down, boy," Jason warned, noting that Aethalides had gabbed Hercules' arm and was hanging on grimly.

"All right. I'll tell you what I want. I want the amulet and I want free passage for myself and my men out of this city on a ship."

"And in return?" Jason responded coolly, ignoring Ignatius' shocked splutter.

"I'll let the women go unharmed."

"What about Iolaus?"

"I'll let him go when we’re safely clear."

"Give me time to think!" Jason called back quickly.

"That's a lie if ever I heard one," Lynceus said darkly. "Iolaus has made him royally mad. He's going to hang on to him."

"Why would he bother unless he's involved?" Ignatius sneered. "You’re not fooling me, you know. I know you’re all involved in this little plot. This whole thing is a charade."

Jason gave him a dirty look. "With Iolaus looking like something a Hydra dragged in?"

"Good make up. Or, for all I know, he's into masochism."

Jason grabbed Hercules' free arm automatically before he could swing at the Captain.

"That grubby little blond up there is worth a fortune on a slave market," Coronus' quiet voice observed from behind them, startling them all with his silent approach. Even Hercules gave him a chagrined look, embarrassed that in his anger he had failed to hear the Argonaut coming. "Put Iolaus on a slave block in an Athenian closed sale and you'd get anything you’d ask for him."

Ignatius gave him a sharp look, then looked thoughtfully up at the roof as he fell silent.

"Jase, I brought Captain Atreides of the Watch. He wasn't sure where you were," Coronus explained, gesturing to the big, black haired man crouched beside him, throwing spear in hand.

"I heard you negotiating," Atreides said quietly, his voice surprisingly soft.

"I warned him that we don't negotiate with raiders, captain," Ignatius said stiffly. "But he didn't listen."

Atreides gave him a curious look. "Of course, we don't," he said blandly. "But we do lie to them. Do continue, Captain Jason. I’d as soon not let Machus know the Watch is here. We've had dealings before and he doesn't trust me for some reason."

Jason found himself smiling at the softly spoken man and turned his attention back to Machus again as the brigand grew impatient. "We'll need time to find you a ship," he replied.

"No problem. Give me yours," Machus retorted with a sneer.

Jason opened his mouth to reply in a fury, then stopped himself and took a deep breath. "If I give you my ship, then I want Iolaus back before you set foot aboard her," he answered flatly.

"You’d give them Argo?" Aethalides gave him a stunned look.

"If I have to. He won't hurt the ship and we can always get her back. Iolaus is another matter."

"I don't hear you mentioning the amulet!" Machus mocked, avoiding agreeing.

"We have the amulet!" Hercules called before Jason could say a word. "We also have your men; Echion, Diccius and the other three. We'll sweeten the deal. Release Iolaus and the women and you can have your men as well as the amulet!"

"Damn it, Hercules! I was saving them," Jason said angrily.

Hercules winced under his exasperated glare and then shrugged. "He needed an incentive. They’re not as important as Argo."

Jason scowled in exasperation and turned away, his bluff called.

"You have an hour," Machus called down however, sounding suddenly smug. "Then I want you personally at the gate, Jason, with my amulet and my men. You'll take us all to the ship and then I’ll release any hostages I have. Do we have a deal?"

Jason hesitated, glancing at Ignatius and Atreides. Ignatius scowled and shook his head, looking away in disgust. Atreides nodded. "Go for it," he said softly. "From what I know of Machus, he's an impatient man. We need a way to get him out in the open where we can take him."

"We have a deal, Machus," Jason called aloud. "But I'm warning you, if you hurt any of them, the Argonauts will track you down and kill you."

"I'm so scared!" Machus sneered, but he yanked Iolaus back from the edge, keeping him in front of him until they were out of sight.

Jason let out a breath he hadn't known he was holding and slumped, glancing at the others. "Where's the amulet then?" Atreides asked.

"No idea," Hercules shrugged.

"What?!" Atreides gaped at him.

"It wasn't where Echion thought it was, so Iolaus must have lied to them to buy time."

Atreides rubbed one hand down his face while Ignatius snorted. "Now you see what I've had to deal with," he said haughtily.

Atreides gave him the sort of look that said he'd found better things on the bottom of his sandal. "All right," he said quietly. "Machus is going to want to see the amulet before he leaves the temple. What's it look like?"

"You don't know?" Jason gave him an amazed look.

"It's the royal Hestial amulet," Ignatius said however.

"The Hestial amulet? From the palace temple?" Atreides echoed, shocked. "How come no one told me it was missing?"

"Cres ordered us to keep it quiet to prevent panic spreading," Ignatius answered coolly. "No one knows outside of the palace."

Atreides took a deep breath. "Ok-ay," he said slowly. "So we need a plan. For a start, I'll position my men on the surrounding rooftops. I have some good archers who can pick some of them off…"

* * *

Iolaus hit the floor with a thud, thrown there by a brutal thrust from behind by Machus., Squirming onto his side, he eyed the brigand warily, tossing his hair back out of his eyes with a flick of his aching head. Machus stood over him with folded arms, his eyes glittering with fury as he drummed his fingers against his biceps and looked across at the women. Hester and her acolytes had gathered around the hearth in a semi-circle, chanting softly.

"What are they doing?" Machus demanded of the man he had left to guard them.

"She said it was some kind of ritual they always do now," the man answered, eyeing Hester nervously.

Machus grunted and went back to glaring at Iolaus.

"What's the matter?" Dionius asked. "They’ve agreed to the deal. We're getting out of here, with the amulet."

"Something's wrong. I'm betting Jason's a cunning bastard, he's got something in mind," Machus retorted, idly kicking Iolaus' thigh and adding a new bruise to the young Argonaut's collection. Iolaus curled up, doing his best to look small and harmless.

"What can he do? We've got the hostages. Course you shouldn't have said you wouldn't hurt the women," Dionius sneered.

Machus swung and punched Dionius across the mouth, knocking him staggering. "They’re priestesses, you fool," he snapped. "The amulet is one thing, they’re another. I need to show Jason I mean what I say, that I'm not afraid of him." His eyes settled on Iolaus once more, glittering dangerously. He nudged him with a boot toe again. "How about it, boy? You think Jason means what he said about you? You think he'll come after me if I hurt you?"

"Yes…" Iolaus answered, convinced that he could trust Jason to keep his word. The Argonauts reacted in unison to a threat to any one of them. And then there was Hercules; the demi-god's reaction to anyone who hurt his friend frightened even Iolaus.

"I don't," Machus mused, crouching in front of him and playing idly with the knife.

Iolaus drew his feet away warily, concentrating on freeing his wrists from the ropes binding them

"I think he might consider it if I killed you. But I doubt if you're worth him giving up this whole stupid quest everyone's talking about for your pride. He's got too much to lose."

Iolaus swallowed nervously, calculating his chances and seeing them dropping with every second. Pain denied him the use of his left arm although he was fairly sure the damage would mend clean. But his reflexes were ruined by the abuse his body had suffered and he was in no shape for a fight even if he hadn't been tied up.

Machus suddenly grabbed his ankles and yanked him closer, smirking down at him as he pressed the knife against Iolaus' throat. "I believe we were having a little discussion earlier too, weren't we? Before you decided to snatch the amulet?"

Iolaus bit down a whimper of panic and did his best to replace it with anger. He gave Machus a defiant look. "Touch me and I’ll kill you," he hissed.

"How? With kindness? Or exhaustion maybe?" Machus chuckled nastily, glancing up at Dionius as he stood leering down at the blond Argonaut. "You owe me, boy. You've cost me time and dinars. I've killed men for less. But you? Maybe you can pay another way."

"Leave him alone, Machus!" Hester's voice sliced through the hushed air of the temple, ringing off the walls like the distant boom of thunder close overhead.

Machus looked up in surprise. "No…" he retorted, amused.

"Do you think I will stand here and let you harm him?" Hester demanded angrily.

"You don't have a choice, mistress," Machus sneered as Dionius moved towards her. "Turn your back if you don't want to watch. Or watch if you wish. You might learn something."

Iolaus looked frantically around him, seeking escape and starting to squirm backwards. Grabbing his thigh, Machus dug his fingers in cruelly. "Remember our deal?" he asked nastily. "Co-operate and I'll let you go when I've finished…"

"Machus, I will not warn you again," Hester said icily, taking a step towards them. "Let him go…"

"Shut her up, Dionius," Machus ordered as he flung himself across Iolaus, pinning the Argonaut to the cold floor with a hand around his throat. He backhanded him across the face a couple of times as Iolaus struggled, then started to rip at the shreds of his tunic when Iolaus subsided into dazed semi-consciousness.

Dionius grabbed Hester's arm and manhandled her, shoving her against the stone rim of the hearth before he released her. She straightened her up, her eyes burning into his with unrestrained fury. Startled Dionius stepped back, then yelled in horror as Hester stepped up onto the hearth's edge and stepped deliberately into the fire itself.

Overhead the thunder roared out, rattling the roof tiles as the storm broke with a vengeance, deluge of rain pounding the building.

"Be warned, the Goddess comes," the acolytes chanted, ringed round by a pool like spread of fire.

Dionius' howl made Machus flinch and look up, distracted from his prey as the flames in the hearth turned in a flash from the reds and golds of normal fire to an eye searing blue white in the midst of which Hester's body writhed and danced. The acolytes fell to their knees, chanting as Dionius retreated in terror.

"Hester…" Iolaus moaned groggily, terrified. "What did you do?"

"N'nothing," Dionius whimpered. "I didn't touch her…She, she…."

One of the acolytes looked at the men, her eyes burning. "The Goddess walks among us! Obey or burn in her wrath! So speaks Hestia!"

The flames roared up, bathing the domed roof of the cell before they splashed back down. Hester stepped from their midst, her form shimmering and her eyes burning with flame. "Be gone!" She pointed at Dionius, fire dancing around her fingertips a fireball exploded from her hand and struck him in the chest. Dionius screamed in agony and fled, battering at the flames.

"No! You fool!" Machus sprang to his feet, yanking Iolaus up with him to use as a shield. Dionius crashed into the doors, scrabbling the locking beam out of his way as he ran outside into the pouring rain and hail.

Hester stepped down from the hearth, beckoning to Machus.

"Stay away from me! I’ll kill him!" Machus screamed at her, retreating. His men streamed down from the roof, retreating from the violence of the hail tearing into them, screaming of fires breaking out all around them.

Hester looked towards them and flicked a hand, sending a barrage of fireballs towards them. Terrified, they fled after Dionius into the rain, their clothes smoking and smouldering as flames licked their heels, too busy putting out the fires to notice the men closing in on them.

"Release him and I will let you live," Hester ordered, her voice crackling like a raging forest fire.

Machus shook his head, clutching Iolaus closer as he looked round wildly for an escape route. He flinched as Jason, Ignatius and Hercules appeared in the doorway with Atreides right behind them and Ialmenus darting up to join him. "You can't harm me!" Machus roared. "The amulet couldn't! It's mine! Get out of my way!"

Hester's sigh was like the hiss of a guttering candle. "Only the innocent can use the amulet," she told him. "Release him…"

Ignoring her, Machus backed up, keeping Iolaus clamped against him. Iolaus shifted, deliberately going limp to make it harder for Machus to manhandle him. Swearing at him, Machus scrabbled for a better grip, grabbed his throat in a choking grip and yanked him upright. With a gasp for air, Iolaus grabbed instinctively at his wrist.

Hester lifted her hand and snapped her fingers, an arrow of flame zipping from her fingertips to sing through the narrow gap between Iolaus' raised arm and Machus' grip on his throat. A flicker of flame danced in Iolaus' curls as the arrow touched him but Machus screamed in agony as the flames exploded in his face. Releasing Iolaus, he staggered back, clutching at his face and chest as the flames poured like liquid down his body.

Hercules sprang to Iolaus as the hunter crumpled, ready to beat out the flames in his hair with his own hands. As he landed beside Iolaus on his knees however, the flames went out leaving only a few singed blond strands. Grabbing his friend, Hercules hustled him urgently away from Machus as the brigand writhed in a ball of flame on the steps, his high pitched screams sickening them all.

It was Atreides who abruptly stepped forward and silenced his agonised screams with a well-aimed thrust of his spear. The moment the body went limp, the flames went out leaving an unrecognisable blackened husk smouldering on the floor.

Hester sighed and dropped to her knees, her hands falling limply to her lap. She swayed forward and her acolytes rushed forward, gathering around her anxiously.

The men watched silently, stunned and scared by what they had seen. Hercules sank down on the steps, holding Iolaus cradled against his side in one strong arm. Iolaus looked up at him dizzily, looked once around the cella and then huddled gratefully up against the demi-god.

"You took your time getting here," he grumbled.

Hercules sniffed. "Should have told me what you were up to in the first place then," he scolded.

"Then you’d have lectured me," Iolaus pointed out, falling silent again at an outburst of shouting from outside. "Herc?" he whispered after a moment longer of warily watching Hester and her women..

"Yeah?"

"I'm glad to see you."

"Me too, Iolaus. You had me worried."

Abandoning an argument with Ignatius, Jason stirred, stepping warily down into the cella to crouch in front of the blond Argonaut. "Iolaus?" he prompted, gently touching his bruised chin. Iolaus lifted his head to focus on him with an effort, his eyes glazed. "I know you’re hurting, kid," Jason said gently. "But Talaus is in deep trouble. And it’ll be sunset soon."

"Sunset?" Iolaus eyes wandered past him, settling on the smouldering body first as Atreides tossed his cloak over it. He shuddered and looked away, gazing at Hester. Hester gazed back at him groggily, smiling reassuringly. "Will she be okay?"

"She'll be fine once she has rested," an acolyte assured him. "She will remember none of this. Hestia is kind to those who call upon her strength."

Jason pulled Iolaus back to face him gently. "The amulet, Iolaus, where's the amulet? We need it to get Talaus out of the dungeon."

"Tal's in the dungeon? What's he doing there? Where's Aethalides? Is he okay?"

"Aethalides is fine. But it's a long story, suntop. But we need that amulet now."

"Oh, okay." Iolaus' eyes cleared a little. "Herc, up…" He ordered. Surprised but obedient, Hercules lifted him to his feet, guiding his shaky footsteps up the steps and out of the temple. Iolaus paused, blinking at the rain that had turned soft and kind to water the earth, eyeing the men who had held him captive and were now the captives of the city. Then he turned along the path that led around the temple, leading the others around the building into the garden and the fountain close to where Polydeceus had hidden to keep watch. He dipped one hand into the water and fished out the amulet, holding it out wet and dripping and glistening to Jason. "Pretty, isn't it, huh? And I don't care what you think, I didn't take it for me."

Jason looked up at his earnest expression and smiled. "I know, Iolaus. I don't doubt your honesty."

Iolaus blinked and then smiled shyly, offering the amulet to him. The prince took it carefully, half-afraid to touch it after what he had heard of his powers. Iolaus looked from one to the other of them, frowning at their awed expressions and finally tugging wearily at Hercules' arm. "Herc? Can I go lie down now? I'm kind of tired…."

* * *

Hercules shifted restlessly, tugging uncomfortably at his new blue tunic until Jason gave him a quelling look. He would really much rather be with Iolaus, but King Iamarides and Cres had insisted on seeing Jason and his 'officers' to discuss what was to be done with the captive brigands before he spoke personally with Iolaus and Talaus. Aethalides was keeping very quiet in the background, hoping not to make things more complicated by pointing out his own involvement.

"Of course, there will have to be a ceremony," Iamarides noted.

"Ceremony?" Jason blurted, somewhat confused by the subject change from dealing with Machus' men.

"For the amulet," Iamarides replied, looking down his beak like nose at him. "The ceremony of welcome for you can no doubt be adapted, can it not, Cres?"

"I'm sure it can, your highness," Cres murmured.

"And then of course there's the matter of Daphne marrying my heir…" Iamarides mused. "The girl's not getting any younger."

All of the gathered Argonauts looked curiously at Jason and Acastus, having heard the rumours. Jason smiled weakly. "Perhaps it would be better to consider the subject of your heir further," he suggested. "You shouldn't rush into a decision."

"Yes," Acastus agreed. "Perhaps when we return from Colchis we could discuss it again?"

Iamarides gave him a thoughtful look and nodded. "Perhaps," he said slowly. "Cres, perhaps a feast would be in order? To reassure the people that the amulet is safe and all is well…."

Jason let out a breath of relief and exchanged a quick look with Acastus. Acastus smiled back ruefully, neither of them were keen to rush into marrying anyone. And who knew whether Jason would retrieve the fleece or not anyway? His failure might make the whole subject a moot point.

* * *

Perched on the balcony listening to the rain pattering through the leaves in the soft darkness, Iolaus turned his head to watch his friend pacing. He was dressed in his black leather pants and a loose white tunic that hung off one shoulder. It was too big for him, but it was comfortable in the humid warmth. For once he would rather had been in bed, but the servant who had collected them had told them to wait in the suite among the delicate and expensive statues until the King was ready to see them. "Tal?" he queried.

"Yeah?" Talaus came to a halt and eyed him nervously. He was wearing black leather pants like Iolaus with a deep red vest embroidered in black. He had tied his dark hair back with a strip of red leather to keep it out of his eyes.

"What's wrong? Why so nervous? It's not me, is it?"

"Why would you make me nervous?" Talaus frowned at him.

"I got you into trouble," Iolaus pointed out.

Padding over, Talaus perched on the balcony rail beside him and swung his booted feet. The rich scent of rain washed flowers floated up from the gardens below, filling the air. "You’re the one with the knife wound," he replied. "It was my idea to follow Machus in the first place, remember?"

"Only to see what they were up to. I don't blame you for me getting hurt. That was my own fault."

"Oh, well, I don't blame you for me getting flung in the dungeon," Talaus said, relieved that they were on equal footing.

"Then what's bothering you?"

"I've never been presented to a King before."

"Well, he spends his time thinking he's a seagull, so why don't you?"

"What? And throw bread crusts at him?"

Iolaus giggled, delighting Talaus that he could make him laugh. The hunter had been looking far too strained for his tastes. "I don't think that'd go down to well. Jason would kill us."

Talaus shrugged and slid to his feet, pacing again. "You think they'll keep us waiting much longer?"

"Probably." Iolaus said easily, idly leaning against the wall behind him and dangling one foot over the rail. He frowned at his friend, absently supporting his wounded arm across his raised knee. "Is that all that's bothering you?"

"I have bad vibes," Talaus shrugged, rubbing his bare upper arms. He wore a spiral patterned copper armband around one upper arm and he touched it, rubbing it reflexively.

"Still?"

"Yeah. Like I'm waiting for something…" Talaus jumped and spun towards the doors as there was a brisk knock on them.

Iolaus laughed and slid to his feet only a little less lithely than usual. "Sounds like the King is ready for us at last," he said lightly as he passed him.

Talaus moaned. "Do I look okay?"

"Why? You going to ask him for a date?" Iolaus teased, flinging open the door. His grin faded as he froze, staring down at the spear point resting against his chest. Before he could let out a word, a second guard spun him around and twisted his wrist behind his back. Iolaus gritted his teeth in pain at the strain on his shoulder but held his tongue at the warning prod of the spear.

"What are you doing?" Outraged, Talaus sprang forward to help and then skidded to a halt as Ignatius stepped out of the shadows behind the two spearmen.

"Did you really think I was going to fall for all your lies?" he asked icily as a spearman prodded Talaus back a step then twisted one arm behind him to hold him. "You may be able to fool your pathetic captain and the rest of them, but not me. I know you were involved and I'm going to prove it."

"How?" Iolaus demanded angrily as he was pushed over to Talaus' side.

"You'll find out. Now, men."

Before either Argonaut would guess what was happening, a rough canvas bag was thrown over their heads and they were roughly shoved to the floor, lengths of rope being swiftly twisted around their bodies to immobilise the pair of them.

"Don't bother struggling," Ignatius said, his voice muffled by the canvas. "You're being taken to the temple. By the time anyone notices you’re gone it'll be all over and one way or another, I’ll know the truth."

* * *

Hester sat bolt upright in her bed, a chill of alarm running through her formally warm body. "Oh my," she exclaimed as she pushed aside the coverlet.

"Lady?" Ioan, returned from the palace to tend her, stirred from her chair. "Do you need anything?"

"My clothes, quickly," Hester ordered.

"You should rest," Ioan argued. "Such possession…"

Hester turned a stern look on her. "I have experienced it before, you know. Now I must got to the palace at once. Those poor boys are in trouble. And the King needs my help…"

"The King?" Ioan gazed her wide eyed.

"Yes, yes. Those funny turns he's been having. I know why now. I should have realised when Volare asked for extra stores of the Blue Lotus. Idiotic female that she is. She should have asked for herbal advice before she started playing around with those Now, my clothes, Ioan! Those boys don't have much time!"

* * *

"Oof…" Talaus heard Iolaus' muffled yelp of pain then he was flung on a hard floor and grunted at the impact. While he recovered his breath from being jostled and jounced over a brawny spearman's shoulder, the bag was split open with a knife and pulled off him. Dazzled by the sudden rush of light, he blinked around him. Iolaus was a couple of feet away, swearing under his breath as he hugged his shoulder and struggled to sit up.

"On your feet!" Ignatius barked, toeing the hunter with his boot.

Iolaus slapped his foot away with a snarl and struggled to get up. Scooting over, Talaus scrabbled to his own feet and pulled Iolaus carefully up beside him.

"You shouldn't be treating us like this," Talaus complained, supporting Iolaus as he wobbled unsteadily. "We didn't take the amulet and, it's only thanks to Iolaus, that it was returned safely! You didn't do anything!"

Ignatius lashed out with a blow that rocked Talaus' head. "Did I say you could talk?" he roared at him and lashed out again. This time Iolaus blocked the blow with a grab at his wrist before he could hit the stunned Argonauts again. Ignatius shook him off, meeting his glare angrily, but he backed off to join his two spearmen.

"Don't provoke him, Tal," Iolaus warned softly. "It'll only make him worse."

Licking his bloodied lip, Talaus nodded in understanding. "What are we going to do?" he worried.

"That kind of depends what Ignatius has got planned," Iolaus murmured, looking around him to get his bearings. They were in the cella where it had all started. The fire in the circular hearth blazed even higher than before, filling the cella with its warmth. The flowers around the edge had been changed for fresh ones and their sweet scent mingled with that of wood smoke. Above the fire, Hestia gazed down serenely, her neck still bare while the amulet lay in the safety of the King's treasure vault.

"Archivus said they’re going to replace it with a display copy," Talaus whispered, following his gaze.

"Bit late," Iolaus murmured back.

"What are you two whispering about?" Ignatius demanded harshly.

"Wouldn’t you like to know?" Iolaus shot back.

"Someone should teach you to keep that smart mouth of yours shut," Ignatius retorted grimly.

"I thought you said don't provoke him?" Talaus hissed.

Iolaus winced. "Sorry. I forgot." Lifting his head, he gave Ignatius a proud look. "So, what are we waiting for? How do you intend to prove we were involved when we weren't?"

Ignatius folded his arms and glared at them. "Very simply, with the test of fire," he sneered.

"Test of fire?" Talaus echoed. "I don't think I like the sound of that."

"What exactly is the test of fire?" Iolaus asked warily. "Because if it involves walking over hot coals…"

Ignatius smiled coldly. "It's easy. We throw you into the fire." He gestured at the fire burning on the hearth. "If you come out alive and unburned, you’re innocent. If not…" He shrugged. "Then you took the amulet."

Talaus gaped at him in horror then swung wide eyed to Iolaus. "That's not fair!" Iolaus yipped. "That's a no win situation!"

"On the contrary," Ignatius sneered. "Have faith in Hestia. If you’re innocent, you'll be saved."

"Have faith?!" Talaus yelped. "If she's distracted…"

"I'll know you did it," Ignatius said coolly, glancing over his shoulder as the Dungeon Master stomped in. "Ah good, Galous. You’re here."

"Glad to see you didn't start the toasting without me," Galous sneered, eyeing up the two young captives.

"What's he doing here?" Talaus demanded in disgust. "He'd better not come anywhere near me…."

"As Dungeon Master it's Galous place to ensure this test is done correctly," Ignatius replied.

"And I do enjoy a good barbecue," Galous added with a nasty smirk. "Shall we begin?"

Ignatius inclined his head, gesturing to the two spearmen to close in on the captives. With spears pricking them, Iolaus and Talaus had no choice but to back up onto the wooden platform placed over the edge of the hearth. Talaus slipped his arm around Iolaus' waist, supporting him as he stumbled. The platform's edge hung over the hearth, barely high enough to be out of the flames. Heat had blackened the planks along the edges where flames had licked up around it.

"I don't believe this," Talaus complained. "I thought Hestia was nice."

"Hestia is nice," Iolaus said firmly. "It's Ignatius who isn't." He pulled away from Talaus, glaring at the Captain. "I don't think this test is real. I think you’re making the whole thing up."

Ignatius pursed his lips. "I must admit it is an archaic test that hasn't been used in I don't know how long. But it’s a valid one. It's never been wrong."

"Probably because no one's ever survived," Iolaus said sarcastically.

"Good point. Effective, isn't it?" Striding up to the edge of the platform with Galous at his heels, Ignatius drew his sword. "You might as well get it over with," he ordered crisply, taking a vicious swipe at their legs that made them both scramble back out of reach to the very edge of the platform. The spearmen had moved to the edges of the platform, their faces expressionless as they gripped two wooden levers at the sides. "Make your peace, boys."

"You ever done this before?" Iolaus whispered as he and Talaus edged closer together.

"No. You?"

"I walked over hot coals once," Iolaus admitted. "But that was different. The Amazons wanted us to survive."

"Amazons?" Talaus gave him an awed look.

"It's a long story, but I don’t think we have time…" Iolaus glanced nervously at the nearest spearmen, wondering what the levers were for. Galous was reading from a scroll behind them, calling on Hestia to punish the captives and stumbling over the ancient phrasing.

"Oh great. So you tell me now when I’ll never know the ending?" Talaus said indignantly.

Iolaus gave him a weak smile and offered him his hand. "I'll tell you on the Other Side?" he offered.

Talaus hesitated and took his hand, squeezing his fingers tight. "See you there," he agreed then yelped as Ignatius barked an order and the spearmen yanked back on the levers, knocking away the supporting blocks beneath the platform and tumbling both young Argonauts into the flames.

Talaus screamed in panic as he fell, feeling the heat flare up around him as he landed on the hot coals, his eyes clenched shut against the flames. He had lost his grip on Iolaus' hand and for a terrifying moment he could feel nothing.

"Talaus?" Iolaus whispered, prodding his shoulder. "Look at me…"

Talaus whimpered and opened his eyes, making a grab for his friend through the veil of blue white flames surrounding them. "Is this it? Is this the Other Side? I thought it'd hurt more…" he demanded, clutching at Iolaus.

Iolaus hugged him back. "So did I…" he admitted shakily, peering around him and seeing Ignatius and the others in the cella, looking far away through the flames.

"Boys, boys, boys," said an amused, friendly voice. "Didn't you hear what he said? The innocent have nothing to fear."

With a yelp of panic, Iolaus clutched tighter at Talaus and felt his friend's arms wrap tighter around him. A hand touched his hair, ruffling his curls affectionately and he looked up warily, focusing first on a kind smile and amber eyes in a face shaped out of flames.

"Would I let any harm come to you, my little ones?" Hestia asked kindly, taking an arm of each of them and urging them to their feet. "Come now, let us show them the truth."

The flames went out around them with a sizzle as if doused by water, leaving Iolaus and Talaus feeling suddenly cold. Hestia smiled at them, shooing them to the edge of the hearth. She wasn't particularly tall and her figure was abundantly curved, her face was warm and well made, her eyes warm amber and her mouth well suited to smiles. Her jewellery was simple, strands of amber at her wrists and throat and twined into her tawny brown hair, with sandal straps made of amber beads. She could have been a mortal woman, except that her dress was a shimmering blaze of orange and reds, blues and golds, all the colours of fire and made up of leaping flames and as she stepped down from the hearth, she left smoking footprints on the tiles.

The spearmen very sensibly flung themselves face down, flat on the floor, whimpering in a panic-stricken plea for mercy. Galous screamed and ran at them, lunging at Talaus with drawn knife.

Hestia's hand flicked out impatiently and the Dungeon Master exploded into a fireball of flame from the inside out. Blackened in a split second, he toppled at her feet and subsided into a pile of black ash. The knife spun across the tiles and came to a halt, its blade pointing at Ignatius.

"It always annoys me having to do that," Hestia murmured, glancing at the Argonauts. Iolaus and Talaus dropped to their knees instinctively under her gaze.

"I didn't do anything," Iolaus yelped.

"I didn't take anything!" Talaus added in a moan. "I looked, I know. I thought about it. But I didn't take anything!"

"Hush," Hestia murmured. "Youth is tempered by wisdom. I know your souls are pure."

Iolaus cracked one eye open and peeked up at her. "Us? Pure? Tarnished maybe…"

Hestia chuckled and ruffled his hair. "No, Iolaus, not tarnished. Burning bright, my young tiger. But as for you…" She swung back to Ignatius, glaring as the Captain attempted to sneak away without being noticed. A ring of fire sprang up to circle his feet. "Explain yourself."

"I thought they'd taken the amulet!" Ignatius yelped.

"Don't lie to me. Tell me the truth or burn."

"I…" Ignatius looked round wildly, then dropped to his knees, bending until his forehead touched the tiles. "Forgive me, lady. Love drove me to it."

"Love?" Hestia frowned at him.

"My love for Volare. I wanted to give her dowry to the temple so that I could take her away, but I don't have the money. Machus approached me. He wanted me to lure Volare away so that he and his men could take the sacrifices. He promised to give me half of what he made. I swear I didn't know he wanted the amulet. I swear it."

Hestia's gaze turned distant for a moment and she sighed. "Volare does love you," she said quietly. "But she loves her temple and her position here also. She thought to win the King to her bed and give him your son as his heir." She shook her head. "Such folly. Iamarides will have his own son soon enough. But you Ignatius, why did you turn on these two young men?"

"Turn on them?" Ignatius echoed blankly, lifting his head a fraction and then ducking again. "I believed they were Machus' men. When I found Talaus here, I thought he was going to betray me. I had to know whether they were involved or not!"

Hestia blinked and looked down at Iolaus and Talaus as they knelt at her feet. "Do you know, boys, he's telling the truth. He genuinely believes in the test. He didn't believe you would survive, but then he didn't know you were innocent." She lifted her head quickly, frowning at the cella doors where forced open and Hercules and Ialmenus burst into the cella with Jason, Cres, Hester and Ioan, Coronus and a handful of other Argonauts hard on their heels. They skidded to a halt, jaws dropping as they gaped at Hestia.

Bending down, she placed the sprig of laurel in Iolaus' hand, ruffled his hair, patted Talaus' head and vanished, leaving behind a drift of sensual perfume, the faintest hint of fresh baked bread and a set of footprints burned deep into the tiles where she had stood.

"Iolaus!" Hercules was the first to move, belting forward to scoop his friend to his feet.

"Hi, Herc," Iolaus said dizzily, leaning against him and staring at the laurel leaf. Spotting Hester, he held it out to her and smiled shakily when she took it gently from him.

Ialmenus had pulled Talaus upright and hugged him fiercely, handing him over to the others to be patted and congratulated. "How'd you know?" Talaus asked, wriggling out of Ascalaphus' hug.

"Hester told us there was trouble," Hercules explained, releasing Iolaus to let him stand unsteadily on his own beside him. "You feel kind of warm, Iolaus. You okay?"

"The boy needs to lie down," Hester decided, sweeping in to take control. Iolaus twitched when she touched him, then relaxed when she didn't scald him. Before he knew what was happening, he was being briskly hustled out of the cella by the two women.

Jason started to say something as the hunter was whisked past then shrugged and decided he would interrogate Talaus instead; assuming he could get past the Argonauts gathered around him. Sighing, Jason glanced around, feeling a bit left out. Cres had ordered the palace guards to seize the dazed Ignatius and the two spearmen and were marching them out. No doubt they would join Echion and Diccius and the rest of Machus' men. Cres had been muttering about sending Machus' men to the mines.

"Jason!" With a broad grin, Ialmenus strode towards him. "Now will you let us celebrate?"

Jason did his best to give him a stern look, then gave up and grinned. "Why not? I think we could all do with a few drinks…"

* * *

Leaning on the rail of the Argo and watching the city disappear between the cliffs behind them Iolaus wriggled out of his sling and turned around, stretching cautiously but happily. It had taken them two days to win free of the city. Very time Jason thought he had persuaded every one it was time for them to set sail again, Iamarides or Cres would come up with a new reason to delay them. In the end it had been Iolaus' cautious flirting with Daphne that had got them hustled out to sea with almost indecent haste by the King's chief advisor.

"Drop that sling over the side and you'll be swimming after it," Hercules said sternly, appearing out of nowhere to glare at his friend.

Iolaus smiled at him innocently and tucked the sling into his tunic as if he had meant to all along. "I don't know where you got the idea I was going to do that from," he said lightly.

"Hah! You’re supposed to wear it."

"I'm also supposed to exercise my arm and I can't do that in a sling."

Hercules grunted and leaned on the rail beside him, watching the rocks of the headland slide past as they raced out to the open sea with full sail on. For once no one was having to row as wind and current bore them along. "You feel okay now?"

"Not even a touch feverish," Iolaus assured him. "Hester knows what she's doing with her herbs. Unlike Volare. Fancy giving the King blue lotus when he's allergic to it! No wonder he thought he could fly."

Hercules chuckled. "At least Jason and Acastus won't have to worry about marrying Daphne if he has a son like Hestia said."

"She's always right. Hester will soon sort him out. The blue lotus is a powerful aphrodisiac if it's used right," Iolaus mused.

"How'd you know that?" Hercules exclaimed.

"Aethalides told me. I wonder what it'd be like…Ow! What was that for?" Iolaus rubbed his arm where Hercules had swatted him.

"To save time hitting you later," Hercules retorted. "Your libido is hot enough already without adding fuel to it."

Iolaus smirked smugly at him. "You’re only jealous."

"Hah!"

"Ooh, snappy comeback."

"Ah, shut up," Hercules rumbled and flung his arm companionably across his shoulders. Giggling, Iolaus settled down comfortably against his side.

"I wish I’d seen the look on Volare's face when they told her she was marrying Ignatius and being banished."

"I can't think of a nicer person for it to happen to," Hercules said dryly. "I'm sure they deserve each other and they’ll be very happy together."

Iolaus glanced up at him. "Her lying about Talaus got to you?"

Hercules lifted one shoulder in a shrug. "Talaus is a friend," he said simply.

"You trust him now?"

"About as far as I can throw you."

"That's a long way."

"I know." Hercules grinned and lifted his arm, ruffling Iolaus' mop of blond curls. "You want to see what he and Archivus have burned for dinner?"

"They’re no worse at cooking than you are." Iolaus retorted, digging him gleefully in the ribs and then darting out of reach. Laughing, Hercules bounded after him, chasing him along the deck to join the other Argonauts who greeted them with a roar of laughter as Iolaus flung himself into Ialmenus' arms with a cry for protection.

Five minutes later, Iolaus dropped to the deck cross-legged beside Hercules with a bowl of chicken stew and leaned against him comfortably as he ate. Sharing a grin with him, Hercules relaxed, enjoying the sun and sea and the sound of the sea beneath Argo's hull, happy and content with the companionship of his best friend beside him.