Part 14
Coming Together…Almost
Iolaus was whispering over his shoulder to Jason when he turned, then jumped back. In his face was the pointed, sharp strong tip of an arrow. Behind it stood a brown hair and eyed young woman, her face harsh and determined. "Whoa," he exclaimed. Iolaus was about to continue with one of his classic remarks when Helaine cut him off. She appeared from the back of the cave, placed a hand on Serena's bow arm, and lowered it.
"It's alright, sister. These are the friends that I was telling you about. They're here to help us." Serena took in the sight of the cadets and king warily for a long while. A glint of trust lit her eyes eventually.
"You're right," she said laconically to Helaine. "They're trustworthy. But we mustn't waste any more time; there isn't a moment to spare." With that, she turned and walked briskly into the blackness of the cave. The others waited only long enough to light a makeshift torch before hurrying after her.
***
Conditions worsened daily in the hiding place of the caves. Scouts were sent out whenever it seemed safe enough. The reports that came back were grave. Orarin's army pushed further into the Isle. It would only be a few days until they discovered the caves. Because of this, runs into the forest for food and fresh medical supplies were risky and only attempted when nothing else could be done. Fortunately, there was a natural spring running through the caves, providing the hinds with clean and fresh water.
Yet, it was still not enough. If they did not receive help soon, the hinds would become a near-extinct race in a matter of a few seconds. This knowledge weighed heavily on Willow's mind. So heavily that her days soon filled with pacing throughout the series of cavers, wringing her hands, pleading fervently with Artemis, and in her greatest moments of desperation, Ares. It was in just such a position that she was joined by the most unexpected of company.
***
Hercules meekly followed Kora through the twisting catacombs. After "daring" to ask once about how much further they had to go and barely escaping becoming an arrow pincushion, he mellowed. The demigod now stayed silently a couple steps behind Kora. He hardly was able to hold back his tongue in confusion when Kora suddenly disappeared. An opening in the cavern wall, cleverly concealed amongst stalagmites, led to a hidden, narrow passageway. Hercules squeezed himself in between the rough stone walls and went after Kora. He traveled in this fashion for what seemed like forever, and was relieved when he saw a light up ahead and heard two voices—one he knew and one unfamiliar.
***
"Please, Ares, I beg you. You seem more bold than Artemis, perhaps you will help us. I know in my heart that my kind is in your favor, and that our plight brings you distress…"
"I would not be so quick to forsake your patron goddess. She has not forgotten you."
Willow gasped at the voice that interrupted her prayers. It was not one she recognized. Willow stood from her kneeling position and turned a gaze full of hope upon the figure before her. Her hope deepened to joy as she realized who this was. "A huntress of Artemis!" she whispered in awe. "Not in our wildest dreams…our goddess sent you?"
"She did, yet she did not," Kora replied cryptically, moving aside to let Hercules step through the passageway into the cave.
The hind leader's eyes turned towards the demigod. "And who are you? Did Artemis send you as well?"
A small smile alighted Hercules' face, and he reached for Willow's hand and shook it. "I'm Hercules."
Willow's breath caught in her throat. "Hercules!" she gasped. Frantically she looked into the dark passage behind the demigod. "But where is Helaine?"
Hercules' brow furrowed for an instant, then smoothed when he remembered, and understood what Willow must be asking about. "oh, no, no, it's not like that. Let us explain," he turned to Kora, who nodded, indicating that he may tell Willow the tale.
Half an hour later found Hercules, Kora, and Willow ambling through the caverns, observing all that went on. Hercules and Kora listened as Willow explained the state of affairs for the hinds. "As you can see, we can't last much longer. But if what you say is true, and Helaine and your friends are able to bring King Jason and his army, then there is hope for us yet." Willow bowed politely to her guests. "Now, if you will excuse me, I am off to find Briannon, Seinia and Rhena. They aid me in making decisions for all our sisters. Could you meet us in the conference cavern that I showed you shortly so that we may discuss our next move?"
"Of course," Kora answered with a dismissing tilt of her head. After Willow ran off, Hercules let out a long breath. His gaze strayed in the direction of the outside and his foot began tapping unbeknownst to him. Kora took in the scene with slight amusement.
"They are coming, you know. They'll be fine." Kora's voice startled Hercules out of his reverie. He noticed his tapping foot and flushed in embarrassment.
"I can't help it. Iolaus has a knack for getting into trouble. And so many things could go wrong." Kora smiled, a thing quite rare for her when in the guise of the Huntress, and placed a reassuring hand on Hercules' shoulder—which was even more rare.
"I know. But they know what they're doing. In the meantime, do something constructive instead of worrying. C'mon, we have a strategy meeting to go to." Hercules thanked Kora for her support with a warm smile. He sighed, then made his way with the innkeeper to the side cavern reserved for leaders' meetings.
***
The group led by Serena had been traveling through the network of tight caves for hours. Iolaus tried desperately to quell the fierce rumbling in his stomach, but he did not know how much longer he could hold out. Just as he was about to beg for a rest, Serena stopped. The others looked around; the path that they had been following suddenly divided into two paths, one going left and the other right.
"Here's where we split up," Serena announced in a commanding tone. "Helaine informed me of your plan for a few of us to spy on Orarin's camp, and given the circumstances, I agree that it is a good idea." She turned to Helaine, "you take Lilith and Jason back to the main caves, that's where our sisters have been pushed to. You," now she addressed Iolaus and Theseus, "come with me." Helaine nodded and gently jerked her head towards the right.
"This way." Lilith and Jason exchanged goodbyes and see you later's with Theseus and Iolaus, then walked away after Helaine.
"Alright then, let's go," Iolaus said, rubbing his hands together vigorously. He took the left path, Theseus and Serena at his side.
***
"You have your orders, Orarin! Follow them precisely…or you will end up like Nauticus!"
"But my liege, did not Nauticus follow…"
"Dare you question me?! Do as I say!" With the strength of his booming voice shaking the sides of the tent, Kal disappeared. Trembling, Orarin scrambled onto his feet and scurried out of the tent, on his way to deliver Kal's orders to the soldiers.
In the bushes surrounding Orarin's tent, Theseus' eyes were wide with shock. "Did you hear that?" he whispered to his companions. "There's some god from another land behind the attacks!"
"We heard," said Serena grimly. "Come, we must tell Willow, our leader, of this." Theseus and Iolaus did as Serena dictated. Iolaus was quiet for the entire trip to the caves. Something troubled him, something having to do with a certain half god.
***
Hercules pushed his way through the thick foliage. The sky was turning a charcoal grey; Apollo was just about to call it quits for the night. Despite his best efforts, Hercules had gotten himself lost. "If only Iolaus were here," the demigod muttered. "But then, Iolaus is the reason why I'm even out here."
Upon reaching the caves where the hinds hid, Helaine, Lilith, and Jason made their way to the leaders' conference. As soon as Hercules learned that Iolaus had come up with the "reckless" idea of spying on Orarin right at his camp, Hercules took off. The others barely had enough time to try and talk him out of rushing off to "rescue" Iolaus, Theseus, and Serena before Hercules was out of the cave and halfway down the slope.
Not even an hour later, Hercules found himself lost on some strange island that he wouldn't even be able to find his way off of. Deciding that he should rest and figure out what to do next, Hercules found a comfortable patch of moss and sat. Before long, his eyelids began drooping, and though he tried his hardest, not even Hercules' divine strength could keep them up. In a few moments, Hercules was curled up on the ground, fast asleep.
***
In some magnificent marble palace nestled high in between foreign mountains, a menacing figure watched the image of a tall and lanky teenager slumbering peacefully. A twisted laugh echoed throughout the polished-stone walls. "Enjoy your rest, Olympian half-runt. Build up your strength