Chapter III







Alcmene sat at the head of the table with Ioleus at the other end. To Alcmene's right, sat her son followed by Makia. To Alcmene's right, sat Xena followed by Jason and then Ashley. They all sat around, having just finished supper, talking about the "Barn incident" when all of a sudden...

"Oh I forgot my sword outside!" Jason exclaimed. " I'll be right back."

"Jason." Xena said standing up. "Do you want me to come with you?"

"Naw, I'll be ok, I'll be right back."

"Ok..."

Jason left to go outside and Xena sat down. It wasn't but a few seconds later we all heard a blood curdling scream.

"JASON!" They all exclaimed running out of the door.

They found Jason lying on the ground with an arrow in his shoulder. Hercules in a hase of rage ran into the woods, followed by Ioleus to find the culprit. Xena , Makia and Ashley carried Jason into the house to tend to him. Minutes later Herc and Ioleus emerged with a princess. They lead her into the house where Jason was laying down.

"Keep him awake Xena!" Makia said while trying to find out how bad the wound was.

"Come on Jason, stay awake buddy." Xena said softly holding one of his hands and using the other to tap him on the face to keep him awake.

"Oh Jason my poor Jason!" Ashley exclaimed throwing herself on top of Jason. Xena reached over and back-handed her.

"Snap out of it."

"We found who did it!" Every one looked up at Hercules. Jason groaned and his eyes rolled into the back of his head.

"Jason!" Xena yelled, smacking him harder. His eyelids fluttered open and then closed again.

"I'm soo sorry," the princess said.

"Jason! Xena keep him awake!"

"I'm trying!" Said Xena standing up angrily and getting in Makia's face.

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Alcmene stepped in taking charge. " Xena sit down, Makia how bad is it."

"I can't treat him here."

"Then Hercules...Ioleus and Ashley will get the horse and cart ready. I'll deal with the princess. You all are heading to Corinth tonight!"

No one said anything. They all silently did as they were told. Xena and Makia talked softly to Jason as they finally settled him into the cart.



"Man! Why did the horse have to throw a shoe?" Herc grunted. The horse, as he said, through a shoe. Herc and Ioleus had been hauling the cart most of the night. They both put the cart down and collapsed to the ground.

"Come on guys! We have to hurry! Jason is not going to be able to hold on for much longer!" Makia said.

"I DON'T WANNA DIE! I DON'T WANNA DIE! I DON'T WANNA DIE!" Jason started to repeat.

"Now look what you did 'kia!" Xena said panicking.

"Oh, Jason. I didn't mean that you were going to die! I meant that you can't passably stay awake any longer. You are not going to die!"

"I DON'T WANNA DIE! I DON'T WANNA DIE!" Jason whispered to Xena.

"Shhhhhh, Jason, everything is gonna be alright." Xena whispered back..

Ashley had been talking to the princess when she noticed the cart had stopped.

"Come on guys! Let's move!" She said. Ioleus rolled his eyes at her and didn't move. Herc, however stood up. Ashley grabbed some grass and stood in front of the boys, "Come on ponies.." She clicked her tongue. "Come on ponies..."

Herc and Ioleus looked at each other. "Get her!"

"ENOUGH!" Makia yelled. "If Xena and I have to pull this thing ourselves, we will but you all have to keep Jason awake!" Herc and Ioleus both stopped and looked down, defeated.

"No.." They mumbled. They picked up the cart again and took off. Finally they reached the gates of Corinth.

"Open the gates!" Makia yelled at the guards.

"What's your business here? It's late, go home kids." One of the guards replied. The other just mumbled "teenagers."

"The crowned Prince is hurt, are you gonna let him in? Or are you gonna let him die?" Xena said getting mad.

"Prince Jason is not due to return till tommorrow. Go home."

Out of nowhere, Ioleus punched Ashley in the stomic. Ashley doubled over and moaned.

"Help, my wife is pregnant! You gotta help her, I think she is going into labor!"

"Open the gates!" The guards yell. The princess rolled her eyes. The cadets began to laugh at Ioleus when Ashley slapped him and stormed through the gates. The cadets pulled the wagon up to the front stairs.

"Henrold!" Makia yelled, giving the man in front of her a big hug. " Jason's hurt! I can treat him but I need a few things."

"By the Gods! Get her what she needs and let's help Jason inside!" Henrold exclaimed "Oh Princess Kendra! What an unexpected surprise! Do come in!"

We had all forgotten the princess was there. She stuck her nose up in the air and walked past Makia saying "Make sure my fiancé is taken good care for. We wouldn't want him dead before his wedding night would we?"

Xena got mad and started for the princess, but Makia stopped her by holding her back with her hand.

The princess entered the castle.

"Hay!" Makia yelled at the door " Who's gonna take care of Jasooooooonnnn....." A hand reached throught the door and pulled Makia in followed by Ashley.

"How come we are never invited in?" Ioleus asked Herc.

Herc just shruged his shoulders and sighed.

"Oh come on you big babies!" Xena said still fumed, dragging the boys inside.