A Showdown in Mycenae

Thick, dark smoke was billowing over the rise. Screams could now be heard drifting out over the fields surrounding the town, mixed with the distinctive clash of swords.

Drawing his sword as he ran down the rise into the midst of the fighting, Iolaus knocked two Corinthian soldiers away from a helpless woman shielding her child.

"Get them to safety, Brennus" Iolaus shouted as he turned to block a blow from his left. Glancing at the face of his attacker, Iolaus gasped as he looked straight into the eyes of the brother of his best friend, into the eyes of King Iphicles.

A flood of emotions ran over Iolaus as the mere presence of this person put his whole being on edge. "Iphicles!"

"Iolaus" The King of Corinth said calmly, as he swung his sword once again toward Iolaus' head.

Blocking the attack, Iolaus backed away as those old feelings of insecurity, fear, and panic overwhelmed him again. Shaken, he looked at the one person who made him doubt his place with Hercules. His right to be fighting at Hercules' side. Anger and fear caught hold of him and he couldn't shake them, couldn't relinquish them from his thoughts.

Laughing, the King shouted to his soldiers, "Burn it down!"

Looking back at Iolaus he mocked, "What's the matter Iolaus, not sleeping these days? Nightmares?"

At that remark, Iolaus again looked into Iphicles' eyes, it was then that he knew. Hatred and evil radiated out of this man's eyes toward the best friend of Hercules, then recognition that Iolaus knew this wasn't the king.

Turning, Ares shouted. "Back to the castle! Now!" And with that the fight was done. He would head back to the castle. Back to Hercules, back to where he could cause the most damage.

Brotherly Deception

Hercules arrived at Corinth just as the noon sun was upon it. Looking around, he didn't ever remember seeing so many guards on duty at one time. Worried, he rushed through the gates and into the castle in search of his brother. If anything had happened to him, he could never forgive himself. He really hadn't been much of a brother to him. Something always called him and Iolaus away. Iolaus! Why did he always have to be so stubborn? He should be here helping me protect Iphicles and Corinth. What was the matter with him lately?

"Brother, I'm glad you got here so quickly." Iphicles voice broke into his thoughts.

"Iphicles." Hercules took his brother's arm in a warrior grip, then hugging him. "Why so many guards?"

Hercules didn't notice that Iphicles pulled away too quickly with an evil gleam in his eyes. He was just happy his brother was here, alive and safe. He had worried that he wouldn't be there in time, that he wouldn't be able to get close to Iphicles and be a family again, the way his mother had always dreamed.

"First Hercules, come, let's eat some lunch. Certainly, you must be starving from your journey here." Iphicles escorted Hercules into the dining room. "We'll eat, then I will explain everything."

Nodding, Hercules followed his brother, wondering why the secretiveness. While they were being served, Hercules looked around the room at the help.

"What happened to Mala, Iphicles? I thought she was your favorite server?"

"Oh, she ran off to be married" Iphicles shrugged the question off. "Good help is hard to come by these days."

His response disturbed Hercules, Mala was the daughter of Iphicles' most trusted servants. Deciding to accept this for now, Hercules ate his food in silence, waiting until Iphicles was ready to tell him what was going on.

After seeing the damage caused by this recent attack of the village, Iolaus knew that this imposter was not Hercules' brother Iphicles. He had looked into those eyes. He had seen the god, he couldn't even explain it and there was no way to prove this yet, but Iolaus knew. He had to get to Hercules and warn him. Quickly organizing the village elders and the villagers who were not injured into three areas, Iolaus explained what needed to be done. Some took care of the injured, others were building barricades for protection, and the rest were gathering water and supplies. When he was sure they were able to care for themselves, Iolaus quickly bid them goodbye and was on his way to Corinth.

After the meal was finished, the king and Hercules adjourned to the throne room. Once there, the doors securely closed, Iphicles turned to his brother.

"You're not going to like hearing about what Iolaus has been doing."

"What do you mean, what Iolaus has been doing? I just left him this morning after being attacked by some villagers." Hercules answered warily.

"By Mycenaean's no doubt." Iphicles replied going to the window to look out.

"How did you know?" Hercules joined him.

"Because brother, they have attacked a neighboring village and I have received word that they are on their way here." Iphicles paused, letting Hercules digest this turn of events.

"That's why you have extra guards." Hercules looked out into the courtyard.

Iphicles hesitated, anticipating the effect of what he was about to say. "Iolaus is leading them."

"What?" Astonished, Hercules whirled to face his brother. "You must be mistaken."

"No Hercules. I'm not mistaken." Turning and heading toward the table, Iphicles grinned in satisfaction, thinking This is working too well. "Come, let me tell you what I know."

Decision Point

"Think Iolaus. You just can't barge in there and tell Hercules his brother is an imposter." Iolaus mumbled to himself as he hurried toward the castle. 'Gods, why'd you have to say those things to him,' shaking his thoughts away, Iolaus stopped at the clearing near the castles front entrance. 'Something isn't right here.' Looking around he saw no common people entering or leaving the palace. "For a place that's always bustling, it sure is quiet now." Iolaus whispered.

Taking a deep breath, Iolaus checked his sword, straightened his shoulders, and headed straight for the main entrance. Whistling as if he hadn't a care in the world, Iolaus covertly looked around the parapets and guard towers on the castle walls. A dozen soldiers stood watching him. As he neared them, Iolaus put on his biggest grin asking, "Can you tell me where Hercules is?"

Before he could react, other soldiers appeared from inside the gate surrounding him. "What's the meaning of this? I'm a friend of the crown."

Laughing, the closest soldier punched Iolaus in the stomach. "Sure he is and Zeus is my best friend."

Iolaus doubled over from the punch struggling to catch his breath while thinking that things could be going better than they have so far.

"You heard his highness' orders, take him to the dungeons!" Shouted the leader. Grabbing Iolaus, six of the guards started marching him into the castle. Two on each side, one in front him, and one in back of him.

"Hang on here. Hercules is my best friend, just go ask him" Iolaus shouted, twisting in an attempt to free himself. Iolaus tried to think of some way to warn his friend.

"Shut up and come along peacefully, or we'll have to shut you up." The guard on his right hissed at him as he gouged him in the ribs. Struggling with the guards, Iolaus looked around and saw they were in the same corridor as the throne room. Pulling against the hands holding him, Iolaus started shouting "Herc, Hercules! Hercules, where are you?"

"Shut him up now!" Shouted the guard in front. The guard behind him immediately lashed out and kicked him behind the right knee.

Hissing with pain, his leg giving out, Iolaus shouted louder, "HERCULES" as he hit the floor.

Hearing the ruckus in the hallway, King Iphicles and Hercules ran to the door. Upon opening the door, they saw six guards manhandling one prisoner, dragging him off the floor to his feet.

Closing the Trap

"What in Tartarus is the ruckus about here?" King Iphicles bellowed at the guards.

Iolaus being held up by the guards stopped struggling, looking for his best friend. "Herc?"

"Iolaus!!" Hercules could hardly believe his eyes, turning to his brother. "Iphicles? What's going on here?"

"Release him." The king ordered. Turning to Hercules, Iphicles quietly said "Hercules, let's go into the throne room where we can have some privacy."

"What are you talking about?" Hercules asked, looking at his brother, then at Iolaus limping to the door.

Iphicles held up his hand, "Wait" and turned, walking into the throne room.

Worried, Hercules made sure Iolaus was following him, then entered the room behind his brother.

"Iphicles, why were your guards taking Iolaus prisoner? You told me you'd give him a chance to explain." Hercules questioned as soon as the door was closed. "He's my friend, he's your friend."

"Because he's not Iphicles, Herc." Iolaus quietly said.

"What are you talking about Iolaus, of course he's Iphicles." Hercules countered in a now exasperated tone of voice.

"No Herc, he wants you to believe he's Iphicles. The Iphicles I knew would never try to burn down a peaceful village or kill innocent people." Iolaus shouted in frustration.

"Stop it Iolaus! I can't believe you'd say things like that simply because you're jealous of Iphicles."

Gritting his teeth as fatigue and frustration threatened to overwhelm him, Iolaus looked his best friend straight in the eye, the one person he could always count on, and pleaded with him. "Herc, you know me. I would never say these things if I didn't think them to be true."

Hercules shook his head, not wanting to believe what Iolaus was saying. "What's happened to you Iolaus?"

"Think Herc. When have you ever known me to lie about something like this?" Iolaus asked, praying Hercules would see the truth.

Hercules thought about this, turning he looked at his brother. "Iphicles?"