My apologies, this chapter is short and dry. The end is quite near, and I'm plodding along, this story having sapped up my stores of creativity; I've put more thought into this story than any of my others and I'm beginning to wonder if there's any left…so if it's not as good as the rest of the story is, I'm sorry.
Part 17
Casualties were heavy on both sides. The number of hinds was seriously depleted, and although they were victorious, the afternoon air was thick with sorrow. The one positive thought on everyone's minds was that it was finally over.
***
Willow contemplated the many events of the day as she made her way slowly through the caves, directing and helping where necessary. The hind leader would have preferred to set about one specific task and commit all her energy to it, but each of the hinds needed to see their leader in order to take heart in the face of the deaths of their sisters. So instead, Willow traveled from group of group of hinds.
Across the way, Jason reunited with Balin and the rest of the Corinthians. Of the hundred or so men, a good number remained (causalities were greatest for the hinds). Balin and his young king discussed the battle and plans. "I still don't understand," Jason mused, puzzled. "We were outnumbered at least three to one. Why did Orarin and his men retreat?"
"I do not know, my liege," Balin replied. "It seems that for once, the gods were on our side."
***
Upon on Olympus, Artemis smiled.
***
Dusk fell rapidly. Theseus and Lilith searched the Corinthian camp until they found Jason. "Jason!" Lilith called, beckoning him over with a wave of her hand.
Jason jogged over to his friends. "Yes?"
Theseus glanced over Jason's shoulder, didn't see what he was looking for, then asked, "have you seen Iolaus anywhere?"
Jason felt his stomach sink. "No, not recently…why?"
Lilith chewed at her lip, her eyes troubled. "Neither have we. We can't find Hercules either."
Jason breathed a sigh of relief. "Well, that's okay, then. Iolaus must have run off to find Hercules. I wouldn't expect them back anytime soon, Hercules probably got himself really lost…" Jason slapped Theseus friendlily on the back and walked off to meet again with Balin.
Lilith and Theseus watched him go. What Jason said made sense, but neither of them could banish the nagging feeling that not all was right.
***
Iolaus' super surge of adrenaline, trigged by Hercules' dying state, allowed him to carry the demigod only so far. Gradually, Iolaus felt his arms sagging and he knew that he wouldn't be able to keep this up for much longer. Still, the stubborn hunter pressed on, refusing to admit defeat and fighting to save his best friends' life.
Iolaus kept going until he stumbled on a protruding tree branch and nearly fell. He had to stop for awhile to sit, and put Hercules down. Iolaus hated stopping. They had to keep going. Herc's life may very well depend on it. But, if he didn't stop for a few seconds to catch is breath, he'd collapse, and that would be no good for either of them.
Iolaus stiffened. A careless rustling and crunching sound came from the brush to his right. Something was coming towards them, something that didn't bother to conceal the sound of its approach. Being sure to take cautious and silent steps, Iolaus crept to where Hercules, still unconscious, lay. Iolaus lowered himself onto the ground beside his best friend and pulled the bushes around them. It was better to try to avoid any fighting. He needed to conserve his strength to make the rest of the trip back to the hinds' camp.
The rustling grew louder; Iolaus could see the underbrush shaking now. He braced himself as the figure burst through. It was tall and its skin was a scaly tannish yellow. Thin tendrils of smoke wisped from its nostrils. Its eyes were a pale blue with greenish tendencies.
"Ruff!" Iolaus exclaimed, relief laced with joy in his voice. The basilisk snorted in recognition when he heard his former "mother's" voice. "Ruff!" Iolaus repeated, standing. Ruff snorted and coked his head at Hercules, who was still on the ground. Iolaus looked in the same direction as rough and felt the painful worry, temporarily banished by the appearance of the basilisk, flare again. "Herc isn't doing too good, buddy," he said grimly, trying to keep the fear out of his voice. Suddenly, his eyes lit with an idea. "Do you think you could help me?"
In the strange way he always had before, Ruff seemed to understand. He trudged over, leaned down, and picked up Hercules. Iolaus nodded to Ruff gratefully then turned and dashed through the woods. As basilisks are far faster than they appear, Ruff was able to keep up with Iolaus easily. Together, they fought the swiftly setting sun to get back to the caves in time.
***
"Where are they?" Lilith squinted at the edge of the forest and kicked at the ground in frustration and impatience. Full darkness was nearly upon them and the was still no sign of Hercules or Iolaus.
"They'll come. Don't worry," Theseus stretched on the rock on which he was sitting and resumed sharpening his sword.
Lilith whirled around on him. "Would you stop that?" she snapped. "It's driving me crazy! What do you need it sharp for, anyway? We're done fighting!"
Theseus held up his hands in defense. "Whoa…chill there…"
"She's just worried," Jason explained, striding out of the save. "We all are, we just express it in different ways. It never hurts to be prepared," he said to Lilith, defending Theseus.
Theseus caught a glint of anxiety in the depths of Jason's eyes. "What is it?"
Jason sighed heavily and studied the edge of the forest and surrounding area. "I just spoke with Willow. She senses that something's…out of place."
"Out of place?" Theseus shook his head, "what is that supposed to mean?"
"Not right," Jason answered simply, his voice bleak. "Hercules and Iolaus need our help, wherever they are."
"Why are we standing around here, then?" Lilith glanced impatiently from Jason to Theseus. "We need to find them!"
"Look!" Theseus stood, and his eyes fixed on a corner of the forest. He pointed, "that's Iolaus!"
Jason and Lilith's heads jerked around to see the figure running toward them. After a moment of shock, all three raced down the hill to meet Iolaus. The hunter stopped and leaned down, stretching and gasping for breath. "Herc—hurt—R—"
"Ruff!" Jason cried out in surprise. For just then, Ruff emerged from the woods carrying Hercules' limp form. Theseus and Lilith gaped at the basilisk, having heard of but never seen him. The amazement lasted momentarily; Iolaus quickly regained enough breath to speak.
"Explain later," he panted, "no time. We need help—now!" One look at Hercules' bleeding and broken form caused another second of shock before everyone sprung into action. Just as night's cloak of darkness swept and fully covered the island, Hercules was rushed into the caves. All that was left was to find out if it was too late.