Xena helped push Thetis out of the tunnel, who then promptly froze in front of it. "Get out of the way." She said irritably. The moment Xena pulled herself out, she instantly wanted to crawl back in.
There, sitting astride his horse, was Draco's little weasle, Nyfitsa. She'd done her fair share of smacking his hand away. As if that weren't bad enough, everyone knew that he would stab you in the back, first chance he got. Of course Draco would send him; he was Draco's best tracker.
"Well, well, well. What'd I tell you boys? You want to go mole hunting, you got to be patient. They have to come out eventually. You're going to have to do a better job of hidding from me than that. Your horses were in plain view."
"I guess I should be honored that Draco sent you? Tell him I'll be back as soon as I take care of this . . . problem."
"Well, let me help." He smiled wickedly.
"I don't think . . ." Xena started to say before Nobody literally flung himself out of the hole and then turned and pulled Hercules up after him. They looked terrified. Then their faces turned to even more concerned when they realized their predicament.
"So sorry to interrupt." Nobody smiled nervously. "Um, we'll just get out of your way."
"This is the cursed kid whose head you're supposed to be hunting? Honestly, I was expecting more. And instead, we get reports of you attacking Draco's men. Looks like you're too soft and couldn't handle the assignment after all." Nyfitsa sneered.
"He is protected by the gods. You don't know what you're messing with." Thetis shouted.
Xena groaned inwardly. "The gods?" Nyfitsa looked at Xena, then began laughing outrageously. Suddenly Nobody joined in as he herded them away from the hole and toward their horses. Hercules kept glancing at the hole then at the soldiers, as he too started laughing forceably with them. Xena looked at them both as though they were crazy.
"What are you laughing about?" Nyfitsa snapped at them, causing everyone to stop. That's when they heard it. There was definitely a noise coming from the hole in the ground. It had now drawn Nyfitsa attention towards it. "What's that noise?" He said with unease.
"Noise? What noise?" Nobody said stupidly as he kept pushing everyone towards their horses.
"Stop them." Nyfitsa shouted. But it was too late. Three dark beings flew out of the whole and dove mercilessly at the closest opponents.
"Run." Nobody yelled.
Everyone scrambled up onto their horses, and took off at a full run. "What happened to saving innocent lives?" Xena said mockingly.
"Do you really think they were innocent?" Nobody clapped back.
They weren't riding in any specific direction. They just wanted to get as much distance between them and the dangerous creatures behind them. Which was the more dangerous? Xena couldn't be sure. They didn't stop until the sun was hanging low.
"I think we lost them." Nobody breathed as they slowed to a walk.
"Lost them? That was Draco's best tracker. We may have put some distance between us, but we haven't lost him. He'll be right on our tail." Xena vented.
"Then good thing we've got you." Nobody smirked. "Regardless, the horses need a break."
"What were those things?" Hercules asked.
"Uh, I believe they're known as the kindly ones." Nobody said calmly.
"The Kindly Ones?! The Kindly Ones?" Xena said somewhat alarmed. "We have The Kindly Ones after us too now?!"
"My husband's home isn't far from here. He will protect you. It will give you a chance to rest before you continue on your quest." Thetis offered.
"I don't want to bring you any trouble." Nobody said doubtfully.
"Nonsense, you have saved my life, and that of my child. It is the least I can do. Just another hour. Come." She urged them. Thetis rode on, motioning them to follow.
"I vote we go." Hercules piped up.
"Your call." Nobody looked to Xena.
Xena didn't like it, but she agreed. "Fine. But stay on your guard."
After about an hour's ride, she led them into a kingdom, right up to the palace gates.
"Queen Thetis." The soldiers saluted. King Peleus will be happy you have returned.
"Queen?" Xena looked at her with surprise.
"I am happy to finally be home." She smiled as they opened the gate and let them in.
The palace was stunning. White marble columns lined the buildings filled with hanging plants.
"Thetis, my wife. I hope your quest was successful." Peleus said as he embraced her and kissed his son.
"Thanks to these heros." Thetis beamed at them.
Xena felt strange at being called a hero.
"We are in your debt. Come in. Come in. We will feast in your honor." He led them in and called for servants to tend to them. "I'm sure you would like to bathe."
Xena couldn't remember the last time she bathed or even entered a place as nice as this one. She had been fighting for Draco for so long, such facilities were never available. Memories of her mother bathing her as a child suddenly surfaced. She shoved them down. After thoroughly bathing herself, she was guided to the dining hall. Nobody had attempted to flatten his hair, but had failed miserably. Hercules look the same as always. Thetis wore a white linen dress with a golden rope, looking every inch a queen.
"Please, sit down." King Peleus said.
They sat down at a grand table laden down with food.
"Please, help yourself."
Nobody and Hercules wasted no time in helping themselves to the food. Xena felt uncomfortable with the whole situation. What if they discovered who she was? Would they be so welcoming?
"So, tell me about yourselves." King Peleus said as he took a bite of food.
Hercules swallowed a giant bite just taken and said, "I'm Hercules. This is Nobody. And that's Xena."
Xena cringed and waited for the bad reaction to her name. "Nobody? Is that really your name?" King Peleus asked.
Nobody laughed. "Today it is."
"They're on a very important quest for the gods to save the world." Thetis said proudly.
"Ahh, then you are honored guests indeed. A toast!" He raised his goblet. "To the gods."
"To the gods." They repeated, though Nobody looked less than enthusiastic about it.
Thetis turned the conversation back towards the king the rest of the night, talking about the many riches of the kingdom. Apparently, he like to talk a lot about himself. The next day, Xena was anxious to get going. Thetis pulled her aside before she even got the chance to get to her horse.
"I just wanted to thank you. I know we didn't start off the best, but you were there to protect me and my child. And to me, you are a hero."
Xena didn't know what to say. Luckily, Thetis wasn't expecting her to say anything and went on to say goodbye to Nobody and Hercules. They said their goodbyes and soon they were headed out towards their original destination, Mount Orthys. But now they had not only monsters to worry about, but Nyfitsa.