Chapter XI

Zara sighed in relief. "What a day! I shall not be forgetting this birthday for quite a while." She began to walk towards backstage. "I should thank everyone for all their efforts on my behalf."

"I also wish to express my appreciation and arrange a performance at home, so I will accompany you," and Kull took her arm.

Iphicles blocked their path. "I am having a small reception in Zara's honor." Noting Zara's look of fatigue, he added quickly, "Birthday cake and refreshments, nothing big, I assure you." He chuckled, as he guided them all in the direction of the reception. "That is, if your teenage sisters left anything uneaten in the kitchen, I was told, they were all sampling the frosting and the beverages. Not to mention a certain large chicken."

Zara laughed, "Have you ever known a normal teenager NOT to be hungry or thirsty or both?" She regarded Kull. "Be sure to remember THAT when I bring a few with me to Valusia for my birthday next year."

Kull started, then his handsome mouth formed a triumphant grin. 'YES! She said when, not if!' Aloud he intoned, "As you command," and bowed his head, still laughing.

They arrived at the reception hall, where all the dancers were inside. In the middle of the hall was a large display of fresh fruits, what was left of the abused chicken, and a frosted cake. The dancers, who previously had all been too nervous to eat much, were now relaxing and enjoying the meal and the company. Hercules and Iolaus had evidently been in the audience, for they were now sharing a lively conversation with Iphicles. Zara began to look for her sisters, and waved at Twanky and at Cupid, who it seemed had taken up a permanent place at Twanky's side. Kull had crossed the room towards Twanky and was engaged in animated conversation with her. She nodded as she listened and waved back at Zara and Iphicles.

"Okay, that was Kull's request answered," Zara prefaced as she gave her attention to Iphicles. "Before I get caught up in my sisters' joyous revelry, what can I do for you?"

Iphicles was about to answer, when yells of "Zara, Sister, Artemis was here!" echoed from all of Zara's excited sisters and they were immediately surrounded by excited teenage Amazons all taking at once.

"Did you see her? Look what she gave me, it's wonderful." One of the girls waved her new shield, which, like each of its twins, shimmered with an otherworldly glow. "And we all got matching swords."

"Did you see Cleo's face when they gave her the flowers?"

"Did you see Cleo's flip? I hope she's going to teach me that. She's said I'll be old enough next year to start learning the sword dance."

"No way, I'll never be able to do that, I'm going to stick to singing like LuLu."

Zara was swept away by the deluge, and Iphicles watched sadly. She was pressed to admire each Amazon's shield; and although they were very similar, Zara marveled that each one was slightly different. So that, even when they were side by side, you could tell whose belonged to whom. Artemis evidently knew something about the spiritual side of each of the sisters and had created each shield with individual characteristics in mind.

"No fighting over them when we get back. Thank you, Artemis," she murmured quietly and reverently.

"You're welcome," came a quiet reply, which startled Zara, who in truth had not expected any response. "Discord will not be a goat for long. I do not need to give her the means for new mischief." The voice was obviously modulated for Zara's ears alone, as none of her excited sisters was reacting to it. It continued, "Though you and Iphicles were correct, Discord's new form suits her well. Don't forget to grant his request."

"Yes, Ma'am," Zara replied.

"Did you say something, Zara?" asked one of her sisters.

Zara hesitated, and then plunged on. "I need to speak to King Iphicles for a moment, please excuse me."

Scanning the crowded hall, Zara spotted Iphicles deep in conversation with Kull. As she crossed the room of well-wishers and excited dancers, she saw Kull shrug in acquisition. Both kings smiled as she finally reached them.

"Your request, Iphicles," Zara began. "Tell me quickly before someone interrupts again. It seems I am supposed to grant it."

"Your Queen has given permission for all Amazons to spend the night at MY castle. It is the middle of the night, and too cold to attempt the journey to YOURS." Iphicles waved toward the nearest window. "Do you hear the wind?" Zara listened, and even above the merry commotion of the crowd she could indeed hear a distant but unmistakeable moaning and whistling. "One of my guards told me that a strong northeastern wind has sprung up and it has begun to snow thickly." Zara opened her mouth and waved a hand to protest that the Amazons could handle just about anything. But Iphicles cut her off. "You would have far too much trouble getting yourselves and your big drum and your statue back home to make such a trip worthwhile tonight. Therefore, I have made sleeping arrangements for all Amazons, but one."

"Yes--Cleo; she will be difficult to convince; she thinks castle life is ruining our normal Amazon instincts." Zara's gaze wandered to where Iolaus and LuLu were kissing, and gave in to some solemn musing on what LuLu's ongoing intense relationship with Iolaus was doing to her Amazon instincts. 'Artemis can't be pleased,' she pondered. 'We'll lose that one some day...' Raising her voice so that Iphicles could plainly hear, she said, "I was serious about the 'begging'; I will speak to her."

Iphicles shook his head. He was almost shouting himself, as he answered. "No, Cleodora and the other Cleo from Twanky's troupe are sharing accommodations. I think Twanky's Cleo is trying to get YOUR Cleo to agree to teach her the 'sword dance.'" As the noise level increased almost beyond endurance, Iphicles motioned for Zara to follow him.

They left the hall, and entered a small alcove off the kitchen. Here the decibel level was greatly decreased, to the relief of both. Iphicles turned towards her.

"I have spent precious little 'time' with you on your birthday. And, I have to say, most of it was unpleasant …" He shrugged. "Well, you were there."

Zara smiled. "Not my idea of a celebration either." Her smile broadened, as she was now sure what he wanted to ask her. And she had already been given 'permission' to agree. Artemis might be a misandrist, yet she evinced no particular concern as to the precise nature of Iphicles' current request of Zara.

"As Kull also has no place to sleep--"

Zara studied him quizzically. 'No,' she thought, 'that wasn't it. What? Kull is bashful now? Someone else has to ask for him?'

Seeing her look of confusion, Iphicles continued. "No, I have given him MY quarters, as I am informed we only had one room left. Will you share it with me? I had planned a different birthday celebration, but..."

Zara interrupted, touching his lips with a finger as she smiled again. "I am informed by my goddess that all kingly requests are to be granted. But, I am NOT to make a habit of it. So yes, you may share a room with me. Unfortunately, so much has happened I may not be good company. I fear I will be asleep as soon as my head touches a pillow."

Iphicles' smile matched hers in warmth. "I could wake you with a kiss in the morning. Your birthday has been extended, so it would still count."

Zara shook her head, ruefully. "Not safe to wake an Amazon that way. It's the warrior training; startle me and I could hurt you without meaning to. And things have been bad today; I would not want them spilling over into tomorrow." She brightened, as she thought of a possible solution. "But, what if I woke you? Would that work?" She watched him. "Or do you have the same problem?"

"No," he grinned. "That will work!"

Zara kissed him again. "Now that's settled, we should go back. I still need to thank Twanky and Cleo for everything. Cupid is probably with her, I take it."

Iphicles nodded. "He's really smitten with that little Widow, she seems to have lots of hidden talents." He smiled as he remembered, "That 'ending flip over the swords' was her idea, and Cleo went along with it. Everyone, including my brother Herk, is still talking about it. And I think they will be for some while to come."

"I feel certain the visiting New Greeceland Gazette press will give both the dance groups a most excellent review! If they don't," and Zara's lips curled into a smile of mischief, "my sisters and I shall have to have a word with them!" She thought of the feast spread on the center table. "But right now, I should eat some cake and open my presents."

"It's still your birthday tomorrow," Iphicles reminded her. "You could do the present opening after breakfast. "

Zara grinned up at him. "Now you sound like my mother. Opening my presents on my actual birthday was the one thing I insisted on as a child, though Mom was always trying to get me to do it in the morning."

They re-entered the hall, and on cue everyone, Iphicles included, began to sing;

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday dear Zara,

Happy Birthday to you

Zara smiled brightly in sincere appreciation, then she and Iphicles each graciously accepted a piece of cake offered by Liza. As Zara took the first bite, she scanned the room for Cleo. Spotting her next to their Queen, Zara and Iphicles crossed the room towards her. Cleo, who had finally realized what Zara was wearing, frowned her disapproval.

"Not my idea," Zara defended quickly with a laugh, trying to forestall any remarks that she was sure Cleo wanted to make. "My original clothes are being repaired. And I am assured they will be fixed and ready to wear by breakfast time."

Iphicles nodded solemnly. "My staff is working on them as we speak." He smiled apologetically, indicating the cake he was eating. "I need something to wash this down."

Zara shook her head. "Nothing for me, please."

"Excuse me, then."

Zara smiled after Iphicles as he left, then she turned to Cleo. "The dance, everyone is talking about the flip you and Twanky did."

"Twanky's idea," Cleo shrugged, unwilling to reveal the more unpleasant details of the rehearsal. "I'd never finished the dance like that before, so we practiced, and when I told her I wasn't comfortable with the stone floor, Twanky insisted I NOT try it." Cleo smiled, remembering Twanky's face onstage when she realized Cleo had done it successfully. "But, with Artemis there, I felt I should be brave."

Cleo frowned a warning as she saw Zara's face become thoughtful. "NO, you are not ready for it!" Then she hugged the much younger Amazon tightly. "But, you will be soon." Her silver-gray eyes glistened with tears. "I was heartsick, when that 'Discord' told us you'd been killed! How cruel she is!"

"As was I," added the Queen softly. Then she barely suppressed a giggle, "But that was another issue that has been resolved."

Zara laughed through a yawn. Seeing the fatigue in her subject's face, the Queen added gently," Perhaps you should get some sleep now. Your presents can wait until morning, and I will make your apologies."

Zara nodded wearily, and turned to leave. As she headed towards the door, a familiar voice rumbled, "Hey, don't leave before I thank the Birthday Amazon for helping my brother when he was a frog, and wish her a Happy Birthday."

She turned and smiled at Hercules. He hugged her, saying, "The minute we heard what happened, Iolaus and I ran non-stop to get here to see what we could do."

Iolaus came up beside him with LuLu pressed tightly to his side. "When Iphicles or anyone else needs our help, Herk can keep up with me pretty good if he really tries!"

"Oh, YoYo," LuLu tittered and sighed into his ear, "you're so funny."

Hercules rolled his eyes at their fatuous antics. "The crisis was over, so we stayed for the party--"

"Well, duh!" Iolaus interjected. "Like we'd miss a good party? That'd be a first." He snickered against LuLu's dark curls.

His tall friend continued to hold Zara with one arm while whacking Iolaus gently with his free hand. "Good thing we stayed, or we would have missed that sword dance."

"And I would have missed my favorite girl singer!" enthused Iolaus, kissing LuLu's blushing cheek.

"Mine, too," Hercules grinned, squeezing said 'girl singer's' hand. "You were wonderful, LuLu! As always." Then he shook his head, thinking of those gleaming deadly-sharp sword blades. "Twanky taught me to dance, but I'm not learning that one."

Zara smiled, as she released him. "And she actually saved your brother, I didn't. SO...you owe her your thanks, not me." She reached upward and whispered quietly, "And, Iphicles is still sensitive about being a frog, so I wouldn't tease him too much." Then she rounded on Iolaus, waving a finger. "And that goes for YOU, too!"

"Yes'm!" An angel couldn't have smiled any more innocently than Iolaus did just then.

"I can tease him, as he still teases me about the day I spent as a pig," Herk replied, blue eyes twinkling.

"Well, I had to carry you around," Iolaus complained. "And remember, I had my own problems the day I spent chained naked to Autolycus--"

"OINK, OINK!" said an irritated Iphicles, who had been following Zara, and had heard the entire exchange. He observed her with one uplifted eyebrow. "Decided to open presents tomorrow, I see."

"I think that would be best," Zara said wearily, as she reclaimed Iphicles' arm. They walked towards the door. "It's been a full day. Good night, Hercules and Iolaus, thank you for coming."

Hercules smiled and waved as they left. Then, with a sly grin, nudging Iolaus, when he was sure Iphicles was barely within earshot, "R-RIBBIT."

Iphicles started at his brother's taunt and Iolaus's giggle ("Hercules! Iolaus!" Aeolusia hissed disapprovingly), but Zara tightened her grip on his arm as they continued walking. "Get even tomorrow, this Amazon needs her sleep," She said. "I hope the 'last' room is close."