Author's Notes: Well here we are again; another update... And boy; what an update. As for your suggestion Agent-G; well quite frankly I don't want to keep going after Part one is finished mainly because I'd rather put the second part up seperately. (Otherwise I'd post everything up in one single post and we'd have a story that's a good four hundred or so chapters long, give or take.) That's why I'm sticking to the formulaic approach of posting one whole book, as you call it, and then post another seperatley. Some people really don't like to read a story that goes on too long; if each section has a clear cut beginning, middle and end I find it makes things easier.
The usual disclaimer applies folks; I've got no claims to own any of the characters and have no intention of making any, I really don't need to be making more problems for myself. :) Anyway; without further ado I once again implore all who read to R&R and let me know, share it with your friends or people you might know who might enjoy it so they too can let me know what they thought.
Cursing my luck once more I stumbled over a loose stone in the road as I dodged an incoming sword. My reflexes were greatly improved, but this was ridiculous, I wasn't even armed. The telltale scream of Xenas' Chakram whizzed by overhead; connected with my attackers' wrist and knocked the blade from his hand. My anger already beyond the boiling point I grabbed the sword and used my full body weight to return to sender. The stooge tumbled over backwards his own blade protruding from his chest; I caught sight of Xenas' disapproving stare, but didn't have time to justify the kill as another goon charged me.
"Ok its official I hate warlords." I muttered ducking and rolling off the edge of the road into the cover of the underbrush; after a few more went down to Xena's blade the head honcho issued the withdrawal, I scrambled out of the bush scratched, bruised and aching from the exertions I forced upon my body. Gabrielle helped me to my feet steadying me with her arms.
"We're almost there, only a few more days now." She stated encouragingly.
"It wouldn't be so bad if that warlord hadn't started dogging us a few days ago." I admitted with a wince stepping on another sharp stone as I examined the body of the man I'd killed.
"Just what did you think you were doing?" Xena demanded stomping up to the both of us. "I'd disarmed him, you only had to punch him in the face and he would have gone down for the count."
"Well excuse me; sorry if I chose self preservation instead of be nice to killers." I snapped irritation clear in my tone; she stared at me for the longest time looking into my eyes for something, I didn't know what.
"Do you have any remorse for what you just did?" She demanded pulling the blade from the man and whirling it in my face.
"I regret some things sure; I'm not some blood thirsty animal you know. But when you're faced with life or death situations you can never be sure how you're going to act." I replied as calmly and rationally as I could be.
"Xena come on; give him a break he's been through a lot the past nineteen days." Gabrielle insisted forcing Xena to lower the blood stained sword, I slumped my shoulders and wrapped the robe around me trying to stay warm in the suddenly chilled air.
"Would it help if I said I acted on impulse?" I wondered a haunted look coming over me as I took in the man, despite evidence to the contrary this was my first kill. My warrior training had been coming along fine; I was getting a lot better at dodging and weaving around opponents. Not to mention it was working my upper body muscles, walking was all fine and good, but it really didn't do much for anything higher than the buttocks.
"The next time you're in a fight no killing." She ordered tossing the sword aside. "I'm teaching you to defend yourself, not to become another renowned warlord." She added stomping off to find Argo.
"Why couldn't we be going to Rome?" I asked of the heavens. "At least they have well maintained roads." I added as I plucked at a particularly painful stone that had just lodged itself in my foot. "Then again I'd probably look at someone the wrong way; or say something I shouldn't and wind up in the Circus Maximus." I added with a bemused chuckle.
"You?" Gabrielle asked with a funny little smirk playing across her lips. "They couldn't, you'd scare the lions." She quipped.
"Very funny." I grinned pleased with the swiftness in which both our moods had changed. The pounding of horses' hooves alerted us both to Xenas' return, she arrived from around the bend in the path astride Argo, and as she grew closer; slid off of her faithful beasts' back and moved to rejoin us.
"The road is clear the rest of the way to Athens, it's about seven more days journey to the cities gates." She reported accepting the water skin Gabrielle proffered and taking a quick sip. "Let me see your wound." She requested moving closer to me, I was wondering how she could possibly know what was in store for us the rest of the way to Athens. But I obliged her request removing the bandages they'd decided to apply; so as not to alarm anyone and to keep me from scratching.
Gabrielle stifled a gasp of shared anguish; pity and disgust while Xena gently examined the arm. The wound though no longer as severe was still taking its' sweet time to heal itself completely. Despite the obvious discomfort the sharp breeze and Xenas' prodding had on the tender tissue; I was considerably less vocal at having Xena touch it compared to the last time when she'd first applied the bandages.
"Coming along nicely with no signs of infection." She remarked. "Gabrielle, change the dressing while I gather some more herbs." She commanded moving off the path quickly and vanishing among the foliage.
"Probably more junk to keep me from scratching, oh how it itches." I moaned my fingers inching closer to relieve the aggravation. Gabrielle rapped my wrist once more with her staff and began applying new dressings; I regarded the bodies still littering the road finding it odd to be doing this amongst them.
"You are a strange young man." She remarked glancing up as I continued to watch her tender machinations.
"I see." I whispered the smell of blood making me slightly nauseous. "I do so hate to pry, but why would Xena say we can look forward to no further troubles on the road?" I inquired.
"She must have had a chat with Ares while she fetched Argo." She replied off handedly.
"She talks to the gods?" I blurted wrenching my arm from her grasp and eliciting a sting of pain.
"On occasion, now hold still." She chastised quickly finishing up her work.
"Sorry." I apologized. "Boy I sure hope she's right, I'm tired of getting jostled on this long winding road." I muttered my patience practically non-existent.
"Rest assured there will be quite a lot more jostling young man." Hera whispered as she chuckled at the thought of Hercules fighting this mere mortal under the presumption, thanks to her ministrations, that he was a powerful and dangerous God.
Iolaus sighed as he sat in one of the local taverns listening hard for anyone using the name Alumni, for the past seven days he'd turned up nothing and he knew the marauding giant couldn't wait much longer before more innocents were harmed. Huddled in a dark corner watching Iolaus carefully was the mysterious cloaked man who had overheard their conversation days previously. He too was growing annoyed at the long wait for a person he'd never heard of and hoped fervently today would bear fruit.
Watching both of them; Joxer sat at the bar nursing a mug of ale and trying to appear non-chalant, he wasn't doing a very good job of it, but he knew something big was going on if Hercules was around and he wanted to help if he could. Suddenly Joxer caught sight of two familiar women and was about to call out to them when he noticed the strange man between them. He appeared to have once worn fine clothing; though now it was a mess and mostly covered up by a few hand me down robes and such no doubt due to a long journey. He wore no footwear as evidenced by the great many scratches and imperfections that marred his feet. He had also once been a very heavyset man and was still slightly obese; however his lower leg muscles, upper legs and thighs which had been vastly underused were now leaner and slightly better developed. His upper torso was not as pear shaped as it had once been, a lot of the stomach fat having been burned off with obvious exertions. A few more weeks of travel with those two and his abdomen, arms, upper torso and even neck and cheeks would most likely become marginally better compared to his current appearance.
During his silent observation of the newcomers mysterious traveling companion Iolaus had moved over to the two women and a jovial conversation had begun, almost instantly after the dark haired woman mentioned the mans name; Iolaus got a sick look on his face and he hastily excused himself. Now was his chance to find out who this guy was and weather or not he was trouble.
"This will be interesting." The other silent observer whispered signaling for another drink.
"So that was Iolaus huh?" I remarked as though I knew of the man. "Strange guy; I wonder why he acted as if he knew my name?" I mused as I lowered my vastly improved bulk down onto a chair across from the women. Suddenly a second man joined the group offering a very enthusiastic hello and I caught the muttered words, oh no, from Xena.
"Hey Xena, Gabrielle it's been ages since we last saw each other." The comically dressed man greeted. "I was trailing a dangerous thief for some Romans when he gave me the slip, so who's your friend?" He asked eyeing me with a funny look on his face.
"Joxer this is Alumni, Alumni, Joxer." Xena introduced.
"Say I heard someone was looking for an Alumni." Joxer muttered plopping right down beside me with his drink. "You wouldn't happen to know anyone in town would ya?" He asked.
"Ah, no." I replied rather put off by the way this man was acting, I had never seen anyone come off as both goofy and serious at the same time before.
"Oh well; it can't be you then." He amended turning to Gabrielle and getting that funny look in his eyes again. "Hi Gabrielle." He slightly cooed, slightly sighed.
"I sure hope this Salmoneous guy can dredge up something decent to wear." I spoke rather loudly before Gabrielle could say anything. "I can't imagine what it'd be like running around with this on much longer; who knows it might fall apart on me or something." I complained making a sour face eliciting Gabrielle to laughter while Xena acquired a small smirk on her own lips. Just as suddenly as he had left Iolaus returned with Hercules in tow; Xena tensed up sensing possible danger as the two marched straight up to their table and Hercules gently tapped Alumni's' shoulder.
I was completely unaware of what was going on behind me until I felt that tap, turning slightly I glanced up at one of the biggest men I'd seen since arriving in this place, and I'm talking muscle wise not fat.
"Are you the one claiming to be Alumni?" He inquired somewhat perplexed.
"Uh yes that is my name." I replied in obvious confusion.
"If that is the case; I must ask that you leave here, return to whatever home you came from and not cause whatever trouble you intended, or I'm afraid I'll be forced to destroy you." He stated as calmly and rationally as he could considering the dire meaning of his words. I was so startled that I found myself moving unsteadily to my feet and attempted to back away seeking cover behind the rising form of Xena. Unfortunately; my movements were slightly lethargic due to the continued exhaustion over the long days of travel and instead I found myself tripping over the leg of the table. Doubly unfortunate for me, because it appeared as though I were lunging at Hercules, unthinking more out of reflex than anything else Hercules lashed out with his hand to defend himself.
I felt a sharp crack as the palm of Hercules' hand connected with my unprotected chest exuberating enough force to break ribs as evidenced by the sharp cracking; I unleashed a sharp cry of pain as my vision blurred red and I found myself flying through the air. I felt the sharp slam of my back connecting with the taverns far wall with enough momentum to break through the clay and send me crashing to the ground across the street among a group of pedestrians at a fruit stand. The owner of the stand cried out in shaken surprise and dove for cover; thinking I would rise and attack him believing me to be another drunken fool caught up in a tavern brawl no doubt. However I was in no condition to attack anyone, in fact I could swear I heard a woman laughing at my expense as I lost consciousness and saw no more.
To Be Continued... Uh-Oh; talk about your mistaken identities, whatever is going to happen now that Hercules has inadvertantly damaged our hero? And who is the mysterious thief continuing to watch and seeking profit? Perhaps we'll find out in the next exciting chapter; or at least discover what the big story is surrounding Alain.