Dax 04: "To India"

[Dustersincc]

This is the fourth installment of a proposed series that I have created based upon the television shows Hercules - The Legendary Journies and Xena - Princess Warrior. Although I use several established characters, in no way should these writings reflect the actual actors who portrayed those characters nor imply their sexualities.



The door to the tiny cottage burst opened and Theodore and Salmonious entered, still holding on tightly to the cloaked boy with whom they'd just rescued. Theodore immediately went to the fireplace to begin building a fire, while Salmonious removed the hood from the boy's head.

The blonde hair was sprayed out in all different directions, and it was clear, from the wide-eyed blue eyes that he possessed, the boy was confused as well as frightened.

"It's ok, Little One," Salmonious said. "You're safe here with us. Have a seat right here next to the fire and get warm." He led Cast to a chair that was sitting next to the fireplace, which was now lighting up with heat. Then he looked at Theodore with a panic. "I think we should go back," he said.

"We can't," Theo replied. "It's too dangerous. They'll be looking all over for us. Plus, it's starting to get dark. It's way too dangerous."

"But we shouldn't have left him there," Salmonious pleaded with a whine. "I just know something terrible has happened to him."

"We can't go back now," Theodore assured him. "It's even dangerous for us to be where we are. They'll be on our trail in no time."

"Ohhhhh, Autalycus is going to kill me!"


In a time long ago. . .
And a land far away. . .

A man was born. . .
Half mortal - half God. . .
His incredible strength. . .
Was overpowered only by. . .
The gift of his heart. . .
His name was Hercules.

And a woman
Once cruel. . . once ruthless. . .
Her sins of the past. . .
Were placed behind her. . .
In exchange for the goodness. . .
Her name was Xena.

Together and seperately. . .
They defended mankind. . .
Against the harshness of the Gods. . .
But now they've gone. . .
They've left behind a legacy. . .
And his name is Dax.

Dax: The Legendary Warrior


"To India"



The ring of torches had now been lit, casting light in the very dark night at Looma. The moon was now gone, after chasing the sun around the Earth, leaving nothing in the sky but an array of faint stars.

Hawk stood on the platform, gazing out at the hundreds of onlookers. He cleared his throat to address them.

"Dearest fellows," he began. "What we had today was nothing more than a simple entertainment ploy by some unknown guest. We've temporarily lost our original piece, but now have a suitable replacement. I believe you'd find him just as fascinating as dear young Cast.

"He doesn't have a name yet, but rest assured, the secrecy can be all that more stimulating. Is he ready yet?" Hawk looked off towards the castle, and there was movement inside. "Good. Let's bring him out."

Four guards then left the castle entrance, dragging Dax by his arms. His face was puffy and swollen. Bruises outlined his cheek bones and cuts grazed his lips and eye brows. His metal strap had been removed, revealing yet more series of bruises. On his torso, his arms, legs, thighs, they all had blue stains spread out in various places with a few cuts and contusions here and there.

Dax was dragged to the platform, and then carried up the steps to the slab of stone.

"We will begin the bidding on this boy," Hawk announced as the guards prepared to strap Dax down. "Then we will move directly into the ceremony."

Two of the guards placed Dax upon the slab and they began to shackle his legs to the lower corners. Then, they reached up to take his arms when suddenly, receiving his second breath, Dax' wrist snapped around and popped one of the guards in the nose, spraying blood down his chin. He reached into the guards dagger belt and yanked the knife free. Before the other guard knew what was happening, he was toppling over with the dagger sticking out of his chest.

Dax reached down to try and undo his ankle ties, but just as he got one free, the two remaining guards, joined by two more, attacked the boy. They punched him with closed fists. They kicked him with steel toed boots. They struck him with spiked knuckle grips.

"This one's a dagger!" Hawk beamed with a laugh. "I might just enjoy the challenge to have him for myself!'

Dax began to collapse, but two of the guards caught him. They hoisted him up and held him in place while the last two guards shackled his wrists. After restricting his free ankle, they finally backed away.

"Now," Hawk stated with open arms. "Let's begin!" He quickly stepped off the platform, only to be replaced by the announcer from earlier in the day.

"Ok," the man began. "Do I hear 100 denars?"

"150 denars!" yelled one man right off the bat.

"175 denars!" immediately yelled another one.

"200!" came a third response.

"210!"

"225!"

"240!"

"250!"

"260!"

"275!"

"295!"

"300!"

"310"

"325!"

The yellings came fast and the numbers went wild. Which was why it didn't take too long for the final bid of 785 denars to be called out.

"Sold to the highest bidder!" the announcer exclaimed. "Meet me at the courthouse and I will have your papers drawn up for you."

As the announcer left the platform, Hawk strolled back on up. "Gentlemen!" he shouted. "It's time to enjoy the show!"

A trumpet suddenly blared from the palace entryway, announcing the arrival of the fortresses leaders. Ray-Bon stepped out first, yet surrounded by four guards. They were followed by five more men, all with black cloaks and hoods, hiding their faces. Four more guards stepped out, and together, the legion of men marched towards the platform.

The slab was slowly tilted to a horizontal position, and Dax struggled to retain his consciousness. Blood was trickling down into his eyes once again and his head was spinning somewhat furiously, making it very difficult to stay focused.

Drums started to pound away, creating a spooky yet somewhat erotic atmosphere. Ray-Bon stepped next to Hawk. Wide smiles graced both men's lips as they exchanged excited glances. The five leaders began to take their places, by creating a half arc around the now deathly still Dax.

The drums stopped cold and one by one, the leaders removed their robes. Appearing to be about 70 years of age, they were definately the fortresses' elders. They had wrinkled and crumpled up skin around their joints, and falling loosely from their breasts and tummy areas, while sporting huge erections at the site of Dax lying their helpless, waiting for their penetrations.

The air was chilly, but the men were too hot to be cold.

"When you're ready, my fathers!" Ray-Bon chanted out as his hand dug itself beneath his own robe. "When you're ready!"

The first man moved in. He approached the side of the slab and looked Dax' body over with a smirk. He let out a groan as he stroked his wrinkled dick catching Dax' attention. The boy struggled to turn his head to face the man.

"Don't touch me!" Dax screamed out weakly.

The man raised his arm into the air and with incredible strength, crashed it down across Dax' face. Dax' eyes rolled into the back of his head as the final blow rendered him unconscious. Then, the remaining four elders rushed to the table.

Hands began to grope Dax' body. They grabbed and pulled violently at his nipples. They tugged at his flaccid penis like a child playing with a rubber band. They grabbed his hair and pulled on it, causing Dax' head to lean backwards, which in turn opened his mouth.

One by one, each of the men climbed up onto the table. His legs were pushed apart farther as fingers found themselves shoved up between them and into his backside. A hard dick was slapped against Dax' relaxed mouth, forcing the head to enter between his lips.

Hawk and Ray-Bon stood back, enjoying the scene. It looked like a pack of wild dogs feasting on a dead corpse. The old men were actually howling in between grunts and groans as they poked and proded the helpless lad.

One of the men then jumped off the table, backwards, and landed squarely on his rear on the platform cement. Another man suddenly sailed through the air, missing the platform altogether and landing on the steps. A third man was mysteriously hoisted into the sky, flying above the people's heads and landing among the crowd.

The fourth and fifth leaders were pulled back also, by some invisible force, sending them sprawling out among the villagers. As Hawk attempted to move in, a flash of light halted his footsteps.

"Ares!" Ray-Bon whispered in shock.

"Sorry fellas," the God of War sniffed while placing a hand on Dax' shoulder. "But this one's mine!"

With that, another flash of light engulfed the two, and both Ares and Dax suddenly vanished leaving nothing but empty shackles lying on the stone slab.

"Damn!" cursed Hawk under his breath as the rage boiled beneath his skin.


***


The room was encased in darkened stone. The queen sized bed, however, had flaps of white hanging off the ends of the posts. Silk drapes rested motionless atop the canopy, creating a bluish tint across Dax' smooth body.

The boy laid silently on the bed, still unconscious from the beating that he took from Looma. Ares stood above him, wearing a black battle skirt and nothing else. His hips shone brightly compared to the dark cloth and his hairy chest created ruffles in his skin as he massaged it.

"Oh, my dear boy," he whispered. "You are so beautiful, even with all the bruises. You wear the battle scars well."

Dax remained unmoving as Ares slid onto the bed next to him.

"Mmmmm," he moaned. "I could take you now." His hand ran across Dax' smooth chest, circling each of the nipples, before continuing it's journey downwards. It soon came to rest on the boy's limp penis and remained there for a few moments for Ares to give him a slight kiss on the lips. "Dax," he whispered in a musical tone. "Wake up."

Dax stirred as if following the order. His eyes opened and his vision gradually came into focus as he let out a soft groan before falling back to sleep.

Ares looked down to his hand cupping Dax' balls. He let out a deep sigh and bent down to kiss a nipple.

After a few licks, he raised his head and looked at Dax in the face. "Someday, my dear boy," he whispered. "I don't want it like this. But someday. . . whenever you need me. . . whenever you want me. . . all you have to do is just call my name. And I'll be there."

Ares raised his head up further and kissed Dax on the lips.


***


The fire burned in the fireplace, creating the only light in the small room. Salmonious sat at the table, his arms folded up and his head resting upon them. He sighed a whimpy sigh and looked as though he was going to start crying at any moment now.

The bedroom door opened up and Theodore stepped out. "Well, he's asleep now," he said.

Salmonious did not answer.

"Look, Salmonious," Theodore began as he sat across the table from him. "In the morning, you and the boy have to be gone. They'll be coming here looking for him. I don't want them finding him here."

"I know," Salmonious said with a sigh. "I just wished that Dax would. . ."

*POUND* *POUND* *POUND*

The pounding on the door jarred both of them to alert status immediately. They stared at each other and Theodore's face suddenly went pale. "They're here," he said with a swallow.

"What are we going to do?" Salmonious whispered in another whine.

"Get into the bedroom," Theodore ordered. "Get the boy up. Go through the window if you can. Get outta here. Far away."

Salmonious jumped to his feet and sprinted into the bedroom, closing the door behind him. Theodore stood up and ran his sweating palms through his dark brown hair. He took in a long breath and let it out slowly.

In an attempt to give Salmonious enough time to make his escape, Theodore moved slowly to the door. But he knew that he couldn't take too much time, for Looma's guards would get suspicious and knock the door down themselves.

After another deep breath, he lifted the board from it's slot and carefully turned the handle. Opening it up, he peeked out into the night's air to see. . . nobody.

"Huh?" he muttered to himself before looking down and seeing Dax' tattered body curled up on the doorstep. A white silk drapery was loosely covering his naked flesh as Theodore gasped in shock.

"Salmonious!" he exclaimed as he bent over and scooped the boy into his arms. "Salmonious, get in here!"

Theodore carried Dax back inside the hut. He laid the boy down on the table and rushed back to bolt the door.

"Salmonious!" Theodore screamed again. "Get in here!" But he received no answer.

He ran to the bedroom door and threw it open to see Salmonious' ass and legs flinging wildly inside the window.

"Salmonious!" he yelled.

"Uh. . . Theodore?" Salmonious answered whimply.

"What's wrong?" Theodore asked.

"I'm not as young as I used to be," Sal exclaimed.

"He's stuck!" hollered Cast from outside the window.

"Can you please help?" Salmonious begged.

Theodore ran over to the window and pulled Salmonious back inside by his legs. "Go around to the front," he told Cast. "Salmonious, it's Dax!"

"Dax?! Where?"

"C'mon!"

Theodore and Salmonious entered the dining area of the cottage. While Theodore went to the door to let Cast back in, Salmonious raced over to the table to tend to Dax.

"Oh my, what's happened to him?" he whined.

"Here," Theodore said, joining Salmonious at his side. "Let's get him into the bed. We can clean him up there." Together, Salmonious and Theodore picked up the limp body and carried him into the bedroom.

"Get me some water, boy," Theodore ordered Cast, who immediately ran back into the dining area to do what he was told. Theodore turned towards a shelf and began pulling off rags while Salmonious removed the silk linen.

"What's this?" he inquired to himself as he gave the cloth a look over. Upon examining it, Salmonious came across something that caught his eye. The bulging eyes and the opened mouth gave way that Salmonious knew where it had come from. He quickly shoved it in his shirt as Theodore returned with a stack of cloths.

Cast also re-entered the room, carrying a pan of water which he carefully placed down on the floor next to Theodore's side. Cast looked incredibly tiny in the over-sized clothes that had once belonged to Gale, Theodore's love. And as he pushed his sleeves up past his elbows, he regained his posture upon getting a good look at his rescuer. The face -- that face he remembered so well when he was tied to that slab. He backed away against the wall, unable to break his stare while the two men went to work at cleaning the hero up.


***


Meanwhile, over in Looma, Hawk stormed down the castle's hallway toward his chambers. Two warlords followed close behind like puppies.

"I want you to take all the men you can muster and search everywhere for them!" he bellowed. "I want them both found!"

"Yes, sire," both warlords replied.

"My hawk will assist you with arial supervision."

"Yes, sire."

"You are to start out. . . tonight!"

"Yes, sire."

Both warlords suddenly turned and whisked themselves away as Hawk rounded a corner and came face to face with Ray-Bon.

"Do you think they'll actually be around?" Ray-Bon asked non-chalantly. "I would imagine Ares took them far away from here."

"I'm not so sure," Hawk replied as the two continued their pace down the corridor. "I have reason to believe that Ares had no part in the escape of our young Cast this afternoon. I would like to think that he is hidden out somewhere close by. As for the other one, I've never known Ares to be so protective over a mortal."

"Yes, that's certainly a strange situation indeed," Ray-Bon commented. "At any rate, I think that the both of them are lost to us forever."

"Don't be so sure," Hawk snapped. "Ares may lay claim on one of them but the other one is mine. And if I get my way. . ."

"Which you usually do," Ray-Bon interjected with a wry smile.

"Then I will have both of them! I will not stop until I get them, Ray-Bon."

"Oh, I'm sure you won't," Ray-Bon replied as he turned down a different corner.


***


Salmonious sat at the dining table. The fire lit up the place well enough for him to study the cloth a little more closely. The expression on his face was as serious as anyone had ever seen.

Inside the bedroom, Theodore had just finished cleaning Dax. Now covered by a bedspread, the boy looked a little better and much more peaceful. He looked over at Cast, who was sitting on the floor, back perched up against the wall, and smiled.

"Will you stay with him?" Theodore asked.

Cast nodded an affirmative allowing Theodore the ability to leave the room.

Once the door was shut, Cast rose to his feet. He carefully made his way to the bed where Dax lay sleeping and sat down on the edge. He stared down at the bruised face, studying the facial lines deeply. His eyes wandered down to his bare chest, just peaking over the top of the bedspread. Cast witnessed the rise and fall of Dax' tummy, caused by his breathing. Somehow this appeared soothing to him. He readdressed his attention back to Dax' face once more.

Cast remembered that face so well. When he was tied to the slab, he remembered locking eyes with this youthful beauty. He recalled how he tried so hard with his eyes to make this man help him. It must have worked, the man must have heard, because he came to Cast's rescue. He felt the urge to kiss Dax, yet he resisted. He did not want to wake the fellow. He raised his hand to touch his bruised cheek, but pulled back just before contact. Again, he did not want to wake him. Instead, Cast continued to sit on the bed, staring at his hero.


***


"He'll be fine," said Theodore as he poured himself a drink from a glass bowl. "Just needs some rest."

"Hm," Salmonious grunted while continuing to study the white cloth.

"What you got there?" Theodore inquired as he sat down in the chair near the fire.

"Nothing," Salmonious replied. "Nothing at all."

"Well, we're still going to have to plan out some sort of action tomorrow," Theodore continued. "It won't take long for Looma to find us out here. With both Dax and the boy here, we'd be taken for sure. We'd probably be killed on the spot and left for. . ."

Theodore's words faded out as Salmonious studied the emblem on the linen. The letter "A" with a circle around it meant only one thing. Ares. What could Ares possibly want with Dax? -- he asked himself.


***


The sun was up and shining over the small cottage hidden within the trees. Salmonious opened up the bedroom door to find Cast, sitting beside the bed, sound asleep with his head laying upon Dax' chest. Dax, meanwhile, had his eyes wide open and staring out the nearby window.

"Oh, you're awake," Salmonious exclaimed with joy.

"Shhhh," Dax replied. "You'll wake him."

"Oh, sorry," Sal said as he tiptoed over to the bed. "How you feeling?"

"Fine," Dax said. "Amazingly well."

"You actually look better than what you did last night," Salmonious commented. "By the way, what did happen last night?"

"I don't know," Dax answered. "I remember getting caught by them. I remember getting beat up. I vaguely remember being taken outside. But then. . ." Dax stopped as a quick vision of Ares' dark stoned bedroom flashed before him. "But then, I woke up here."

"Oh, ok," Salmonious said. "Well, look, we have to get you out of the bed." He approached Cast and gently lifted his head for Dax to slide out from under it.

"Why?" asked Dax.

"Theodore has said that Cast can stay with him while we go to the Oracle. But we must hurry, because Looma's troops are sure to be out searching for the two of you. Once we return, we must all get out of here as quickly as we can."

Dax rose to his feet. Realizing his nakedness, he blushed while covering himself. "Uh, Salmonious, where are my clothes?"

"Oh, right here," Sal giggled as he turned to scoop up a freshly pressed pile of clothes and handed them to Dax.

Dax smiled as he unrolled his trousers and prepared to slide into them.


***


At the fortress of Looma, the hawk flew to his master's shoulder, who was standing at his window. Hawk watched the nighttroops stroll into the village area, obviously drained from the all night search. He then turned towards another group of soldiers who were marching out towards the forests. Those were the day troops, picking up right where the night troops left off.

"You!" he ordered, looking at his bird. "You may rest when they are found. Go now!" With that, he shrugged his shoulder, allowing the hawk to take to the sky once again.


***


"Are you sure you're feeling ok?" Salmonious asked as he and Dax trolloped the horse down the not-so-well beaten path to Delphi.

"Yes," Dax reflexed as if asked for the hundredth time. "I'm fine!"

"Ok ok," Salmonious stated. "Just checking."

"Do I look that bad?" Dax inquired.

"Not as bad as you looked last night," Sal replied. "But how can I take you back to Autalycus with you looking like that? He's going to go nutty."

"Don't worry about Autalycus," Dax stated before realizing that he called his stepfather, whom he always believed to be his father, and who everyone else believes is his father, by his real name.

The horse was a good idea. Although Theodore only had the one, it was able to cut down the travel time by a good two thirds of the way, even with Dax and Salmonious sharing it.

"Oh my," Sal whined. "Did I ever tell you how much I hate horses?"

"Yes!" pleaded Dax. "At least ten in the last hour."

"Well, it's true! I mean, my poor back can't take much more. . ."

"What's this?" Dax asked coming into a clearing.

"That's it!" Salmonious exclaimed as he clumsily slid off the horse. "That's the Oracle at Delphi."

The building stood high into the sky, almost as tall as a castle. But there were no windows and only two huge double doors made from wood at the top of several stone steps. The walls were made out of a plaster like substance, making it too rough and too edgier to be from cement or stone.

Dax leaped off the horse and stared the building down. It looked a little eirie as if nobody seemed to have been there for many many years. He also silently wondered if anybody was in there now.

He looked back at Salmonious, who stepped forward and took the horse's reins from his hands. He gave his young friend a gentle nod, telling him silently that it was now his time to go on ahead.

"You're not coming?" Dax asked a little concerned.

"This is your journey from here on out," Salmonious told him. "You must face this one alone."

"What do I do in there?"

"I don't know," Salmonious said. "But you will know when you get in there."

Dax started up the stoned steps of the building. What seemed like an eternity, his knocking knees finally made it up to the top. He stopped at the door and looked back.

Salmonious stood there, holding the reins to the horse as he violently swiped at the air to shoo away a fly. Dax forced a smile on his face before turning back and pulling the door open.

A slight creak sounded out, but that was the only one. The door pulled open silently the rest of the way and Dax stepped into the darkness.

As the door shut behind him, Dax had to let his eyes get adjusted in order to see. He saw a red glow sprouting up from a huge crack in the floor. What sounded like a raging river came from that crack. He stepped forward a few steps before a voice halted him in his tracks.

"What brings you to seek out the Oracle?" a female voice demanded in a drone tone.

"I came here for some answers," Dax replied searching the darkness to find the source of the voice.

"What answers do you seek?" The voice asked.

"The answers to my questions," Dax answered.

"What answers do you seek?" the voice asked again in the same tone.

"I. . ." Dax paused for he truely didn't know what question to pose to the voice. "I don't know." Dax was at a loss for words. He knew that he had to come here. He had always known that something else had been drawn in his future other than living in a castle in Athens or even on a small humble homestead in the middle of the countryside. He knew that his fate was on a different path than the one he'd been living. And with the new revelations that he had acquired within the past several days, the feeling grew even stronger. He knew he had to seek out some sort of guidance to help him on his way but had never thought about which questions to ask.

"Step forward," the voice demanded.

Dax walked a few steps forward, where he could hear a popping sound that came from the river in the crack. He was tempted to take a look but decided against it.

"Who are you?" the voice asked.

"My name is Dax," he replied.

"Who are you really?" the voice asked again.

"I am the son of Hercules and Xena," Dax answered.

There was a moment of silence.

"Come forward some more," the voice finally stated.

Dax walked a few more steps until he was near the large crack in the floor. He could feel the heat rising from inside it, and as he looked over the edge, he saw not the river of water, but the flow of lava.

"You claim to be the son of Hercules and Xena?" the voice asked.

"Yes," Dax replied. This time, he saw movement just beyond the crack in the floor. As he fixed his gaze, he could make out what appeared to be a preistess dressed in a white flowing dress.

"A strong revelation indeed," she said. "The Gods are not aware of this."

"Not many people are," Dax commented.

"Not yet anyway," she said.

"I guess what I'd like to know. . ." Dax began before getting cut off.

"No need to speak any longer," she stated. "It is clear why you are here. You are here for only one reason. And I will show you the reason."

Dax developed a strange look upon his face, not understanding what the priestess was meaning. However, another glimpse of a shadow caught his eye. He turned to face it as a figure came in clearer. It was a person and that person was dressed in white.


***


The huge door silently opened back up and Dax stepped outside. Salmonious stood in the exact same spot, holding the horses reins, swatting at that exact same fly. Dax looked towards the sun, and had to shield his eyes due to it's brightness.

"Is everything okay?" Salmonious asked him.

"What time is it?" Dax asked, still looking at the sun. "It looks like it's the same time as I went in."

"It is," Salmonious replied. "You just went inside not even a second ago."

"What do you mean?" Dax asked as he approached Salmonious and the horse. "I've been in there for. . . a couple of hours at least."

"When you go in to see the Oracle, time stands still," Sal explained. "I believe it gives you the chance to contemplate whatever it is that you search for without losing any time."

"Well, let's go then," Dax stated with a renewed sense of enthusiasm. "Let's get back to the cottage, pick up Cast and get outta here."

"I couldn't have said it better. . ." Salmonious started.

"Shhhh!" hushed Dax in a serious manner.

Just as he was about to mount the horse, the prickly hairs on the back of his neck gave rise to warning.

"What is it?" Salmonious asked, his eyes shifted back and forth while his head remained motionless.

"I don't know," Dax whispered. "I feel. . . I feel. . . like. . . we're being. . . "

Suddenly, with a roar of laughter, Ares appeared from his flash of light. Dax stepped back as Salmonious let out a quick shriek.

"ARES!" he screamed.

"Hello there, Sally," the God of War deadpanned with a roll of his eyes. "Nice to see you again, too!"

"What do you want, Ares?" Dax asked with an attitude.

"Ooooh, sounding so much like your mother," Ares replied with a smile.

Salmonious mouthed the word "mother" as he searched in his head for the connection.

"Yeah, from what I understand I could probably kick your ass just like my mother did many times, too."

"HAAAAhahaha," Ares roared with laughter again.

"Mother?" Salmonious confusingly asked.

"Cute, my dear boy," the God of War moaned. "But Xena never kicked my ass."

"Xena?!" Salmonious exclaimed.

"She may have given me a good run for my money every now and then," Ares continued, "but she never kicked my ass."

"I knew it!" Salmonious shouted. "I knew that Dianna's pregnancy was faked. I knew it was way too quick. Xena's your mother!"

"Yeah," Dax replied quickly before turning back to the God of War. "So, why you here, Ares?"

"What? No 'Thank you for saving my virginity, last night?' C'mon, I would have thought that you were raised better than that. Seeing it was by a Princess after all."

"That means," Salmonious whispered to himself while doing some calculating, "that Xena and Autalycus. . . oooooooh!!!!"

"Thank you," Dax forced from his mouth. "Thank you for saving my. . . life. Now, I know that's not the reason you're here."

"Oh, come on," Ares cooed. "Can't an uncle pay a visit to his brother's son?"

"No!" snapped Salmonious. "You aren't the kind. . . wait a minute, brother's son?! You and Autolycus. . . ?"

Ares rolled his eyes.

"Don't bring Hercules into this," Dax demanded. "You never liked the guy so why bring him up?"

"Hercules?" asked Salmonious.

"Why?" repeated Ares. "It didn't matter that I never liked him. I still enjoyed his company every now and then."

"Yeah, just to torment him and stir up some trouble," Dax replied.

"Hercules??" asked Salmonious again.

"Now that's not true," Ares defended. "After all, I sort of owe him. He got rid of Zues for me."

"Yeah right," Dax stated with a roll of his eyes. "If he was around today I'm sure you'd be cosying right up to him."

"Hercules?!?!" Salmonious shouted.

Ares turned to Salmonious. "Do I have to put a muzzle on you?" he threatened before turning back to Dax. "Now, I am not one for cozying up to anybody. Well, not many anybodies anyway."

"So, I've heard," Dax said as he lifted himself up onto his horse. "But I'll ask again, why are..." Shouting from men in battle erupt from the distant hills, catching Dax' attention.

"That, my dear boy, is the reason I am here," Ares said with a smile. "Looma is after your sweet little tail."

"Have they gotten to the cottage yet?" Dax asked with a worry as he reached his hand out for Salmonious.

"Not yet," Ares answered. "But they will soon."

"C'mon, we'd better hurry," Dax demanded as he pulled Salmonious up onto the horse behind him.

"You'll never make it," Ares warned. "By the time you reach the cottage, so will have Looma's men. In fact, you just might be looking at a fight on your hands."

"It sounds like there's already a fight going on," Dax commented, nodding towards the hills.

"That's right," Ares replied. "I have men holding them off. But they won't be able to much longer."

"Then we must go," Dax announced.

"Come with me," Ares pleaded. "I can take you to safety. I'll even take Sally here and drop him off at his shoppe."

"Oh, home sounds so good about now," Salmonious whined.

"No can do, Ares," Dax said. "I have a mission to carry out and I intend to accomplish it."

"Stubborn," the God stated. "Just like his mother!"

"Get out of my way or I'll really show you a side of my mother!"

Ares laughed as he stepped out of the path of the horse.

"Heeyah!" shouted Dax as he kicked his heels deep into the side of the horse. The beast broke into a fast run, with Dax holding on to the reins and Salmonious holding on for dear life.

Ares chuckled to himself, as he watched the horse disappear into the forest, before vanishing himself.


***


At the cottage, Theodore handed a wrapped satchel to Cast, who was now dressed in plain wrap around trousers and a shirt that seemed to fit him a little more securely. "Here," Theodore said. "For food. It's not much but it will last you the day before you can start hunting some more."

The sound of a horse's hooves echoed outside through the opened doorway. "That's them," Theodore stated. "Let's go!"

The man and the boy raced outside just in time to see Dax and Salmonious approach on horse.

"We haven't much time," Dax announced. "We must be going as quickly as possible."

"Take the boy," Theodore ordered. "Salmonious and I will stay back here."

"Is it safe?" Cast asked as Salmonious slid off the horse and fell to the ground.

"Yeah, is it safe?" Salmonious repeated while stumbling to his feet.

"Yeah," Theodore replied. "They're only looking for the two boys. I'm sorry I don't have another horse, but take that one."

"Thanks," Dax replied as he helped Cast mount up behind him. "This will do just fine. Are you sure you two will be safe?"

"Yes," Theodore stated.

Dax looked at Salmonious and saw him trembling. "Salmonious?" he asked with a worried look.

"Uh. . . Y-yes. Yes!" he answered. "We will be fine. Just go, Dax. Get out of here."

"Ok," Dax said reluctantly. "Be careful."

"You, too," Theodore replied.

"Dax," Salmonious chipped in. "Did you get your answers from the Oracle?"

"Yes. Well, sort of."

"Oh? And where do you think you'll be going?"

A distant battle call could be heard through the trees, letting them know that the men were closing in.

"To India!" Dax announced as he shoved his heels into the horse.

The animal sprung into action, leaping straight into the trees, and disappearing with the two boys on it's back.

"India?" asked a confused Theodore.

Salmonious shrugged and smiled. "To India."