(For those who enjoyed "Foreign Allience", I suggest you browse Deviant Art. A friend has drawn a couple scenes that are just amazing. Again thank-you all for your support. ENJOY!)
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"Where do ya think you're going?"
Hercules jumped, startled from being caught sneaking out. "Uhh...well...I was gonna go and see my parents."
"No, no, no!" Yelled the little goat-man, frantically. "We have appointments to keep"
"But Phil.....", Hercules whined. "I haven't seen them for months. They need help with chores around the farm, especially around this time of year." He pursed his full lips into a pout and pressed his hands together, making his blue eyes shine. "Pleasssse Philll....?"
The satyr groaned and hid his face from his begging student. Finally, he threw up his arms. "Argh! Alright! But don't take too long"
Hercules trapped his trainer in a monster hug. "Thanks Phil!"
Phil squirmed and fought for air, while in his pupil's massive grip. "Just.....go...!"
Hercules released him and raced to retrieve his winged stallion, Pegasus. "I promise, I won't be long!" He assured.
Heading South-West, toward Arcadia, Pegasus made himself home, among the clouds. After all, it was from which he was born. A top the white stallion's back, Hercules was above the clouds. Not only physically, but mentally as well. He was always daydreaming. Dreaming of becoming a true hero, someday, and return to his rightful place, among the Olympian gods. Thinking back, before he discovered his true parentage, he always felt so alone, so out of place. Now, he had hope, a promised ticket home. His heritage made him a bonafide prince of Olympus. He just had to prove himself, here on earth, to restore his rightful place, where he belonged.
Alcmene and Amphitryon had raised him, and he had come to know and love them as his parents. No matter what happened, he was determined to be faithful to them. Recognizing the land below, Pegasus dove, plunging to the earth.
By mid-afternoon, Meg was exhausted, but she continued in her work. She spread the seeds, glittering the soil with promised life. She struck the hoe into the dirt, and leaned into it. 'Funny', she thought. That line of work reminded her of sitcom re-runs for a 70's made show called; 'Green Acres'. It's plot followed a rich New York lawyer, who decides to move to a little farm in the country with his wife. Meg started to sing the opening theme song to herself, tapping her hoe in the dirt to the beat. "Green Acres is the place to be, farm living is the life for me. Land spreading out so far and wide. Keep Manhattan, just gimme that country side." Lifting her spirits, she continued to sing as she worked.
Pegasus landed smoothly. Hercules leaped off his back and breathed in the fresh country air. He was home. He approached the farm-house, and opened the front door, letting himself in.
"Ma? Mom, I'm here!"
Alcmene emerged from a back room, her arms open to greet her son. "Hercules!" She exclaimed cheerfully, enfolding him in a motherly hug. "Oh I've missed you." Hercules pulled back slightly. "Sorry Mom. But you know how it is; a hero's work is never done."
Alcmene gently brushed his cheek. "I know son"
"So, where's Pop?" Herc wondered, following his mortal mother to the sink as she started on the dirty dishes. Alcmene handed him a dish to dry.
"He's off on one of his trades. He should be back sometime tomorrow morning." Now, completely changing the subject. "Now tell me son, how are things going in your life? Have you met any nice young ladies in your travels?"
Herc sighed, troubled that he had not, nor had he had much opportunity to do so. Being a famous hero, all that anyone seemed to care about was that he was....just famous. No one took the chance to get to know him for who he was.
"No Ma. I'm not sure, in my line of work, if I could meet a genuine girl."
Alcmene turned, wanting to comfort his lonely heart.
"Don't worry sweetheart, I'm sure you'll find someone. Probably sooner than you think." Her eyes twinkled. Hercules scoffed. Not daring to hope. "Anyway, I wish we could get to see you more often"
"I know Ma. But..I'm here now." He spread his arms with enthusiasm. "And I'm ready to get straight to work."
"Oh, there's no need for that, it's being taken care of", Alcmene waved off.
"Come again?" Herc asked, puzzled.
"We've acquired a couple of farm hands."
Herc was taken aback. "When did this happen." Feeling his home territory was being invaded.
"Well....they just sort of.....happened upon us. Poor dears, wondering around with no where to go"
Hercules fumed. He could only imagine the lowest scum who would take advantage of such a sweet couple. They had to be criminals, waiting for just the right moment to suck his parents dry of what little they had. He would have to step in and take action. If these people didn't consort to his reasonable words, he would let his muscles do the talking. His nostrils flared as he continued to muse this thought. 'Only the most devious, the most vicious, the most gruesome and ugly.....' Just then, a figure slipped through the door. Herc's eyes jumped toward the entry way, expecting trouble. With their back to them, the figure hung up a sun hat upon a rusty nail poking from the wall.
"No worries Alcmene, I have a feeling that when spring comes around, you'll have a veritable cornucopia of produce." The figure turned to face them, not realizing they had company, and stopped.
Herc's train of thought made a 130 degree flip-flop; 'The most gorgeous creature I've ever laid eyes on.' Though her face glistened with perspiration from her hard labor, Herc still felt as if he'd stepped through the gates of Olympus.
"That's wonderful!" Alcmene gushed. "Oh, Meg, look who's here; Allow me to introduce my son. Hercules, this is Megara, one of our talented farm hands."
Meg eyed the young man suspiciously, as she did with every male she encountered. Though her prejudice, her mind couldn't help but be side-tracked for the briefest instant. After all, he was, without question, extremely handsome. His body was perfectly carved in massive muscles. Despite his hardened exterior, his boyish features game him feeling. If Meg's heart hadn't been ruled, and carefully disciplined by her unbreakable will, she would have melted into a puddle of goo at his sandaled feet. She was, however, curious to see how Zebra might act in his presence. But, for Alcmene's sake, she would be civil. Meg nodded her hello. "How are ya", she greeted, with all the enthusiasm she could muster.
Hercules hadn't budged, instantly smitten by the young lady. He should definitely drop by more often. "H-how do you do?" He gave a lop-sided grin.
Meg bit her lip, trying to come-up with a way to escape this awkward situation. This had to be a set-up. She glanced at her soiled hands. "Yes, well, I'd better go wash up...." She hurriedly backed-out the door. Jogging, while watching over her shoulder, she made her way to the stream. 'Man! The tension in there was so thick, I couldn't breath.' Shaking her head, she proceeded in scrubbing the dirt from her hands. 'How could those two produce a giant like that?!'
Hercules met his mortal mother's eyes and immediately blushed. "Gee Mom, you didn't mention you had hired 'female' helpers." Alcmene laughed, knowing her son all too well. "You never asked."
Coming-up over the rise, the Agora, a market shopping center, came into view. It was nothing like Zebra had ever seen before; Hundreds of people gathered within the square, shouting and bartering deals, left and right. Amphitryon led Penelope just inside, coming to a halt. Zebra jumped down from the wagon before Amphitrion could help her down, drinking in the sights and sounds of history in the making. Amphitrion came up behind her and placed a concerned hand upon her shoulder. "I'm going to go and see what kind of deals I can strike on our ware. Why don't you go look around?" Zebra nodded eagerly. "But don't stray too far, this place can be quite unpleasant once the sun sets."
Zebra wondered through the numerous stalls. Merchants selling everything from pottery, live stock, and an endless array of clothing. 'Perfect', she thought, shouldering her pack of goods, and approached the first stall.
Among the crowds were a couple of known troublemakers, though not in their current forms. "Is this what we're looking for?" He held up a sausage link for his partner's inspection.
"No pain!" His tall, thin friend shouted, smacking the back of his head. "The list the boss gave us says; 'A link CHAIN', you idiot"
"Fine. Fine. Let's keep looking."
The mysterious men continued their search, to complete their shopping list. They made their way through the crowded melee of merchants, when a certain discussion between consumer and merchant, caught their attention.
Zebra took out her right tennis shoe from her pack and displayed it before the potential buyer. Despite it's travel wear, the shoe wasn't in terribly bad shape. Though, she blushed slightly at the apparent odor. Intrigued, the merchant took the shoe to get the feel of this new piece of footwear.
"This is an interesting object. What do you call it"
"I believe they're called Keds", Zebra responded shyly.
The sly looking men moved in to ease drop. "Hey, that looks neat, Panic"
He nodded. "Let's get a closer look."
Being the shrewd business man that he was, the merchant put on his game-face. "The quality seems pretty poor. I'm afraid the best I can offer is.....10 Drachma." Zebra look disappointed, but she had a few ideas of her own. "Really? Well, that's too bad." She snatched back her shoe. "I suppose I'll just try my luck elsewhere. Thank-you for your time, sir." She turned to leave.
"Wait!" The merchant shouted, not wanting to let this unusual object slip from his grasp. "P..perhaps we can work something out"
Zebra paused in her stride and smiled before returning, just as she expected. "What did you have in mind?" She asked coyly.
The merchant cringed. He knew he had to offer something of equal value, or more, to close the deal. "Make an offer."
'Now that's more like it.' "I request your finest, most exquisite, women's apparel you've got"
The merchant cast a weary eye back at his goods. Folded nicely, in the back, were his most valuable merchandise; two elegant gowns, imported from Rome, and crafted in silk. He was planning on saving such for royalty, or at least someone of great importance. He smiled nervously. "Feel free to look around"
Zebra browsed through a few drab outfits, unsatisfied. Then her eyes caught sight of something quite promising. "What about those?" She asked, pointing at the fine dresses.
The merchant quickly stepped between Zebra and the goods that interested her. "What, these? Oh these are just rags, not worth your time"
Zebra scrutinized him and pushed the merchant aside. She held one garment up against her body and slid her hand delicately over the rich fabric, instantly falling in love with it. "I'll take these!" She proclaimed.
The merchant snatched the outfit back, smoothing out the wrinkles, and throwing off any germs she might have transferred. "Perhaps I could interest you in something else?"
Zebra took the dress back. "It's either these, or nothing"
The merchant seemed to be in physical pain, trying to decide which merchandise would bring him greater profit. He shut his eyes tightly. "Very well", he finally agreed.
Zebra gladly handed over the shoe. " As a bonus, I'll even throw in its mate, no extra charge. It was a pleasure doing business with you", she said with a curt smile. "Good day to you, sir"
The merchant scowled after Zebra, feeling slightly cheated. He'd have to inflate the price on the so-called Keds to make-up for his loss.
As an after thought, Zebra quickly turned back. "Oh sir?" She had almost forgotten her main reason for coming along. Feeling slightly embarrassed she asked: "Have you heard of a man named, Julius Sanders"
"No ma'am, I haven't", the merchant sighed, not giving it much thought.
Zebra nodded. "Thank-you again." She went on her way, to inquire the same question to the other patrons.
The men whom had ease-dropped, now approached the merchant's stand. "Excuse me good sir, but how much for those fine looking slippers?"
Still moping, the merchant scoffed. "A lot more than you could offer"
Three large purses, filled to the brim with Drachmas, were tossed onto the counter. One or two spilled out and rolled, knocking into the merchants trembling, greedy, money grubbing fingers.
"W...w..well perhaps w...we could come to an agreement"
The men exchanged a greedy and triumphant smile. "Excellent."