Part 9
The ship had left port hours ago. Captain Nemius said that it would not be long until they reached the Isle. Lilith, Helaine, Jason, Iolaus, and Theseus were scrambling around the boat, gathering all their supplies. When they were finished, everyone's packs stuffed as tightly as possible, the group sat down and went over one again what they were going to do when the reached the Isle. "Helaine, who is this Serena again?" asked Theseus.
"She is one of our best archers. When I left to get your help, Willow, our leader, had Serena wait in a cave on the beach until my return.
"Why?" Lilith queried.
"To escort me back to our village. In case the fighting worsened while I was away, I would have protection on the way back."
"Couldn't you just remain in your human form?" questioned Jason. "How would Orarin's men know if you were a hind or not?"
"No humans live on Artemis's Sacred Isle. And all hinds have dark hair and brown eyes. One of our sisters overheard Orarin giving orders to capture any girls with dark hair and brown eyes."
"Ah, I see. So when we reach the island, we find Serena. Then she, Theseus, and I head off to Orarin's camp and spy a little, see what we can find out. You," Iolaus pointed to Helaine, "Lilith, and Jason high tail it back to your village. After we've done a good bit of spying, Serena will take my group back to the village. Will Serena mind spying on Orarin?"
"By nature, we hinds would not engage is such activities as fighting and spying. Which is why it is still a puzzle why Ares took a shining to us. Normally, Serena would not condone such actions as fighting and spying. However, she understands the ways of the world. She understands that these are desperate times." Iolaus nodded at Helaine, eyes displaying the weight of his heart and mind. A glance around and it was evident that the others felt the same way. The situation for the hinds must be frantic if they were being forced to deny their natures.
"Hercules will have joined us by this time tomorrow," commented Helaine off-hand, quietly. More like she had vocalized a passing thought.
"How? This is the last ship gong out in this direction for at least a few days. And for that to be possible, Hercules would have had to be just behind us. Why didn't you say anything? I could have gotten Captain Nemius to delay the casting-off."
"Hercules was not right behind us, Jason. But he will be."
"How do you know?" Theseus's curiosity was perked.
"I just know. Trust me. I should not be even telling you as much as I have. It is really not my concern. I only know because it used to be." Helaine's explanations for her vagueness concerning whom Hercules went to get were getting more cryptic each time she discussed it. Iolaus looked around at the others. Through non-verbal communication, they decided it would be wisest to not ask anything about what Hercules was dong, at least until they saw him again. Uncomfortable silence followed, each keeping to his or her own thoughts. The quiet was pierced with the vocalization of two simple words: "Land Ho!"
Lilith, Theseus, Iolaus, Jason, and Helaine rushed to the edge of the ship and surveyed the fast-approaching island. "It's so beautiful," Lilith breathed, "the way the water laps up at the beach, all the green…it all looks so tranquil."
'If it only was as tranquil as it looks from here. I guarantee you, it's far from beautiful once you get further in. With all the massacre…' but Helaine held her tongue. The contented looks on her friends' faces…she did not wish to disrupt their content. Let them enjoy a brief period of peace now. For once they reached the island, they won't be able to enjoy another moment like this for a long time.