As he exited the woods, the hunter looked at the valley below him. The sun was just setting over the city as he headed toward Corinth to meet his friends for the festival. It had been two weeks since he'd seen Hercules, there had been so many request for help they'd had to split up. Iolaus was looking forward to seeing his best friend and was not particularly adverse to enjoying a good festival in full progress.

It was time for the new harvest and Iphicles, like Jason before him, threw the festival for the people at the end of harvesting. Thus, accomplishing two things, assuring the villagers worked together as one and then a festival to celebrate the good yield and friendships.

Usually, he and Hercules helped with both parts of this particular celebration, this time however, Iolaus had missed the harvesting. The last town he'd been at had bandits raiding their homes in broad daylight. It had taken longer than he thought for the villagers and himself to finally rid the town of them. It had also brought him to the point of exhaustion, not that he'd let on though. Hercules was like a mother hen. If he even suspected Iolaus had a cold, he hovered over him. Iolaus knew it was because of their close friendship that Hercules acted this way, but it still irked him that the Demi-God felt he had to protect him.

Almost to the entrance, the hunter sighed and shook his head, smiling he thought, "What he doesn't know won't hurt him."

**************************************************

King Iphicles, Jason, and Hercules walked to the next booth. They had been held up in the palace in meetings for most of the day and were glad to be out enjoying the celebration. It was a perfect evening for the festival. Every so often, Hercules scanned the crowds looking for a familiar blond head.

"Hercules, he'll be here, Iolaus never misses a festival." Jason watched his friend look across the roadway for the fifth time.

Glancing back at Jason and his brother, Hercules chuckled. "I know, all the food, women? Iolaus wouldn't dare miss an opportunity like that."

Laughing with him, Iphicles and Jason exchanged glances. Hercules would never relax until his best friend showed up.

"Herc!" Looking to the direction he heard his name, Hercules spotted Iolaus.

Smiling, Hercules walked toward his friend. "About time you got here Iolaus. You missed all the hard work of course."

Grabbing the demi-god's arm in greeting, Iolaus replied, the smile not quite reaching his eyes. "It couldn't be helped. Bandits are getting pretty courageous, attacking during daylight."

Nodding, Hercules noted that the hunter looked tired. He'd have to find a way to get his friend away from the festival early tonight.

"Iolaus."

"Jason, Iphicles, out of the palace? Well, well, the harvest must of been exceptionally bountiful this year." Iolaus joked as he shook each of their hands in greeting.

"Yes and where were you?" Jason queried, laughing. "We were getting tired dodging answers to all the young women you'd promise to meet here."

"I practically had to promise the world to them all." Iphicles joined in the banter. It'd taken awhile, but he and Iolaus had put aside their differences and had become good friends. Iphicles had finally realized that it wasn't the hunters fault that he was not close to his brother when they were younger. Circumstances, and his father's family had a hand in that.

Normally the mention of women perked Iolaus up tremendously, but right now all the hunter wanted was something quick to eat and nice soft bed. He hadn't realized that he was so tired.

"I can't help it I'm so popular" Iolaus joked back, "You know right now all I want is some food. I headed straight here, didn't even stop to eat."

"Iolaus, you'd be hungry even if you had stopped an hour ago."

Hercules looked at his friend, something was wrong. Sure, Iolaus was always hungry, but there was something else, something he couldn't pinpoint right now, but definitely, something wrong. He was about to question Iolaus when they were approached by one of the palace staff.

"Your Highness, it is almost time for the speeches." Bowing, the staff member waited for his King to reply.

"Very well, Anchalan, we will be along in a moment." Iphicles dismissed him.

Turning toward his companions, Iphicles joked. "Hercules, Jason our speeches await us."

"Let's get this over with." Hercules mumbled to Iolaus, "Then go find someplace to get dinner and talk."

Laughing at his friend, Iolaus knew Hercules hated this part of their work, "You guys go ahead. I think I'll just get a quick bite and look around a bit. I'll meet you at the dias in an hour."

"You might as well go with us Iolaus, otherwise Hercules will be miserable. At least with you there joking, it'll seem to go quicker." Jason laughed.

"Nah, I think I'll just look around, see if I can find any of these women Iphicles had to promise the world too."

"Ok then, we'll see you in an hour." Hercules wasn't exactly eager to go to these speeches, but figured the sooner they started, the sooner he could find out what was bothering Iolaus.