Deciding to take-on the City-State by foot, Herc dismissed Pegasus. "We'll see you at the villa, later, when it's time to take the girls back."
With a deflated grumble, the winged stallion, once again, took to the skies.
As the group entered the heart of the city, the girls were overcome by the enormous structures and furl of activity. Citizens and merchants bustled about without any sign of staling. The streets were crowded with people and horse-drawn chariots and wagons. It reminded Meg of the run-about life of back home.
Taking in the large populous, Zebra was eager to get started. "You know, perhaps it would be more efficient to gather information faster if we split up...." She smoothly looped her arm through Torrin's and started dragging him away. "We'll meet up with ya later. Good luck."
Before Meg could protest, or knock her block off, Zebra and Torrin disappeared through the crowd and out of sight. Feeling tricked, she sighed and glumly looked to her assigned partner.
Just as confused as she was, Herc just smiled awkwardly.
"C'mon, let's get to it." Meg walked on without seeing if Herc followed.

The first half-dozen people they approached with their questions were no help at all, either totally clueless or ignoring them completely and returning to their business.
"This might take awhile", Herc commented.
'You're telling me', Meg grumbled to herself, scanning the populous. She tried to stay ahead of Hercules, but he always seemed to appear at her side, like a loyal puppy.
"S...s..so, Meg, do you have someone back home waiting for you?" He asked shyly, casually digging for information as best he could without pushing.
"Like who?"
Herc's next words were awkward, but he had to know, one way or the other. "Like..........a beau.......a f....f..fiance? Is that why you're so determined to return?"
Meg stopped and stared at the hero, searching. Then she scoffed. "Not hardly."
Herc breathed a sigh of relief. "Then.....why?" What other reason could there possibly be?
Meg was getting uncomfortable at this point, almost agitated. He sure was impertinent. "It's where I belong", she insisted, though the treble in her voice didn't confirm it.
"Really?!" Now there's something he could personally relate to. It filled him with such warmth to know that he was not alone in such a state of mind. "I'm still trying to find my place in this mixed-up world." Herc conceded.
Meg felt a twinge of pain. She needed an escape, because she had no desire to re-live her past or blabber it out to someone she barely knew. But his question made her think; Perhaps, she belonged nowhere. The thought made her shiver. She walked on, in hopes of distracting her mind, one foot in front of the other. Then she perked-up; "You know what? Zebra was right; we should split-up. You take this side of the street, and I'll take that."
Herc watched her walk away, feeling forlorn. 'This is hopeless.' His thought had a double meaning.

Along the street Meg assigned herself to, lay a tavern of sorts. Meg read the sign scrolled above the wooden door, 'Snakes Alive'. 'Odd name', she thought.
Though it was still early in the morning, burly, drunken men staggered about on gelatin-like legs. Not much to work with. Still, someone, somewhere, had to know about Zebra's grandfather.

Hercules decided to be on the lookout for Meg as much as Mr. Sanders, to be on the safe side, the city tended to attract troublemakers, and Meg would be the perfect target if she wasn't careful.

Meg carefully approached the soberest looking of the bunch. "Excuse me..."
The man reluctantly turned from his bottle, his mouth shaped to suction over the rim, to look upon Meg. He smiled and gazed at her just as hungrily as he had his beverage, a suggestive look gleamed in his eyes.
"I'm looking for someone. A man n......"
The burly chap put his sweaty arm around her slight form, tugging her close, his tainted breath from the liquer making her want to gag. His words slurred, an obvious side-affect from drinking. "Looksss tome like ya found one, dollll."

From not far off, Herc clenched his fists, prepared to intervene, watching the whole thing. Little did he know, he was about to witness Meg in action.

Repulsed, Meg tried to unlock his grip. The brute chuckled at her struggle. When there was no give, she jabbed her elbow into the most convenient spot she could find, his crotch. The man's eyes bulged from their sockets, releasing Meg as he crumpled to the ground, trying to breath through the pain. His fellow men laughed at his expense, too intoxicated to do otherwise.

Herc was astonished. Apparently, Meg wasn't your everyday damsel. Phil's training never mentioned the damsel defending herself.

Meg rested her hands on her hips. A smile tugged at her lips; not only from the display before her, but also in mock to herself. Chastising, as if she should have known better than to turn to a MAN, for assistants. No wonder guys were such pigs in her century, if they sprung from this swine.
"I'm sorry", she pardoned herself, playing casual. "I didn't realize you were busy. Please excuse me." She trudged onward.

Not wanting her to discover he'd been watching, Herc discreetly moved on as well.

Meg's thoughts continued to depress her. Was the male mind always on a flesh circuit? Then again, of course, Hercules had never......No. He was just like all the rest. It ran in their genes, passing on to the next recipient until all were infected with the same wave-length.

Hercules' search turned out no better, but he remained positive. An odd sound caused him to pause in mid-stride. He stopped to listen, and pieced together what it could be; the sound of a muffled cry, a child's cry. Following his ears, he turned the next corner and saw, curled on the ground, a very young girl, perhaps five or six in age. Cautiously, so not to startle her, he approached, bending on one knee to become level with her.
She became aware of his presence and looked up. She gasped, frightened, and shrunk away. Even crouched down, he must have seemed enormous to one so small.
"Don't be afraid, little one", he spoke softly. "I'm a friend."

At this particular moment, Meg was rounding the same corner Hercules had just passed. When she discovered the scene taking place before her, she slunk back into the shadows, pressing her back against the wall of the building. Somewhere, inside, her instincts advised her to wait, voicing that this was something she should quietly observe. It was a voice that she hadn't given much freedom or say in any decision for some time. The voice echoing from her heart, was usually kept under lock-and-key.
She wanted to argue, 'This is pointless. Why should I stay here and waste my time on such trivial matters when there's work to be done?'
But as much as she protested, she couldn't bring herself to move. So she remained, and watched, and waited.

"What's your name, honey?"
She straightened, though still uncertain of the 'big man's' intentions. Her shoulder length dark hair fell across her eyes as she timidly squeaked; "M...Mera."
Herc gingerly swept her hair clear, revealing her cherub like face. "That's a beautiful name."
This caused a smile to shine through her tears.
He sat next to her, keeping a comfortable distance. "So, Mera, can I ask what's wrong? Where are your parents?"
She shook her head. "I don't know. Mama, Papa, and I were shopping in the square buying fruit when I saw a silk doll being displayed at a merchant's stand. She was so pretty, her face was painted like the fairest goddess of Olympus. I only wanted to get a closer look....." She whimpered, tears threatening to escape. "When I turned back........" The tears came, overflowing, making the rest of her tale impossible to interpret. Though it wasn't necessary, Herc could determine what happened next.
"There, there", he soothed, reaching into his tunic to retrieve a handkerchief.
She took it, blowing haphazardly into the cloth. She muttered a feeble, 'thank-you.
Herc placed his elbow upon his knee, resting his head within a cupped hand, watching as Mera continued wiping her nose. "Now then, what to do with you........Maybe you should come with me."
Again, Mera shook her head, frantically, Making Herc dizzy. "Oh no, I couldn't do that. Mama told me never to go with strangers."
The hero smiled. "That's good advice, and I commend your mother for relaying it to you. But I still don't feel good about leaving you alone......So, I shall stay here, with you, until your folks arrive."

This was surprising to Meg, though it shouldn't have been. Her attention wavered when a delicious scent alerted her senses.

"Pastries!" A merchant baker announced to any hungry patrons within hearing. "Fresh Fig Pastries!"

Meg shut her eyes, letting her nose do all the work. But she couldn't give herself away. Not yet.

The sumptuous scent soon reached Herc's nostrils, giving him an idea. "Wait here", he told Mera. "I'll be right back."

Meg watched Herc leave. 'I knew it! I knew he would shirk away.' She sighed, supposing it was up to her to finish what the MAN started, and continue caring for the girl. Typical.

"Here ya go."

Meg fell back into her hiding place.

Hercules returned to Mera's side, carrying a load of sweetened baked goods. "Are you hungry?"
She nodded, accepting the warm treat. Herc munched one himself. Mera's mouth was smeared with the gooey pastry filling.
In between bites, they engaged in small conversation; Did she have any brothers of sisters? What she was learning in school. Her favorite color. Herc even to her to laugh, telling of his antics when he was a boy. Time seemed to fly by. Mera appeared to be quite the chatterbox, once you got her going. She soon forgot her dilemma, simply enjoying the hero's company.

"Mera?"

The pair jerked their heads toward the new voice, especially Mera, upon hearing her name.
The crowd of people in the streets were rudely pushed aside as someone fought their way down the middle. As the last few citizens parted, a woman, followed by a man, that could only be assumed was her husband, emerged from the group.
Her face flush with relief and joy, her eyes moist, when she beheld the small child.
"Mera!"
The girl sprang to her feet. "Momma! Papa!"
The woman gathered her daughter in her arms. "Where have you been? Don't you ever run off again!" She tried to sound stern but her tears betrayed any attempted scolding. The father embraced them both of them at once, in a true family hug. He stroked a hand through his daughter's hair, by all appearances an inheritance from him.
Herc stood, smiling at the happy reunion.
"Are you hurt?" The gentleman asked, brushing the Fig juices from her lips, baffled, fearing it was blood.
Mera shook her head, finding the idea absurd. "I'm alright. And I've found a friend." She shifted in her mother's arms to indicate her hero.
Following her gaze, the couple stiffened, overcome by the overall size of their daughter's new friend, not recognizing his true identity.
The father came forward nervously, his hand outstretched. "Thank-you. For keeping an eye on my little girl."
Herc accepted his hand, heartily shaking it. "No thanks necessary. It was a pleasure chatting with your lovely daughter." He gave Mera a wink, causing her to giggle.
"Well, we should be going. Thanks again." With Mera safely in the care of her parents, the three turned to depart. Looking over her mother's shoulder, Mera realized she'd never asked her new friend's name. He waved farewell to her and she returned the gesture.
"Goodbye, Mr. Big Man!"
Herc chuckled. "Stay out of trouble, Mera." Watching as they disappeared into the city, he chuckled once more, shaking his head. 'Mr. Big Man?' He shrugged. 'I guess it's better than Jerkules.' He turned, about to return to the original mission, and nearly leaped out of his sandals. There, leaning with her shoulder casually braced against the wall, was none other than 'Meg'.
"Meg! I was just.....I mean.....there was....." Herc fidgeted, desperately trying to occupy his hands, as if he'd been caught doing something naughty.
Meg smiled in amusement. But she wasn't there to embarrass him. "You're quite the Wonderboy, aren't 'cha?"
Herc tilted his head inoccently, not sure what she'd meant, but it sure sounded good. "Excuse me?"
She pushed away from the building, and stalked toward him. "Doing what you did just now, helping out that kid. That was......" Nothing too graphic, her instincts stressed. "......descent, of you. I don't think anyone, where I come from, would have even bothered." She strolled past him at a slow pace, allowing him plenty of room to catch up, after he collected his thoughts.
"Meg?" Walking by her side now with more confidence. "If you don't mind me asking.......Where ARE you from?"
Meg kept her eyes forward, on the trail ahead, averting her gaze as they headed toward the shipping docks. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
She always threw off his questions, toying with her answer until it left the hero stewing. "Try me..."
She stood before him, halting his steps. Her face was serious, contemplating her response. "Tell me, do you know the saying; 'there's more to a person that meets the eye'?"
Herc nodded, further baffled by how his simple question got so lost and twisted into a question directed at him.
"Well, if there's any truth to that, and after what I've just witnessed.......then I do believe that we share a common thread between us.....Wonderboy."
She was looking at him now. Really looking at him without a gaggle of criticisms flooding her brain. She was seeing in him what she couldn't see before. And she actually liked what she saw.
Herc was also enjoying the attention, becoming lost in the vivid, and unique color of her eyes.
Meg's voice of logic interrupted, vibrating through her brain. 'What do you think you're doing?! Are you nuts?! SNAP OUT OF IT GIRL'
Meg wagged her head, trying to dislodge any unreliable feelings threatening escape, making things right in her skull. Still cringing off the last bit of disillusion, she spoke, her voice a bit shaken. "Listen...um...I think its time we regroup, and share any information we've learned. Shall we?"
Herc shrugged; OK, so he hadn't penetrated Meg's hard exterior, but he felt, at least, he was chipping away at the surface, and that was saying something.
Together, they headed toward the docks.

The docks were the general direction Zebra had escaped with Torrin. Scanning through the numerous sea-dogs, Meg was becoming anxious. She just wanted to find Zebra and get back to the farm-house, Julius Sanders or no Julius Sanders. She'd had enough of this day already, like experiencing an emotional roller-coaster.
Spotting the two, Meg felt more at ease, making their way along the vast ships along the bridged platform. At least they appeared trying to accomplish their goal, rather than playing the 'getting to know you game'. Zebra sensed their approach.
"Hey! Any luck?"
Meg and Herc shook their heads. "How 'bout you guys?"
"Unfortunately, no. But we were just about to inquire with this gentleman."
The sailor, in question, was just securing his vessel to a docking pole, when Zebra tapped his shoulder. He turned around to face her. Zebra flinched upon seeing him in full view. "Pardon me, sir, but we're looking for information regarding my grandfather, Julius Sanders....?"
The grizzled man scratched his nearly bald scalp. "Hmm.....Julius Sanders......" As he continued to stew over the question, Meg struggled with the temptation to plug her nose. Never had she ever seen or SMELLED a person with such a bad case of B.O. The sweat mixed with sea-salt was so overpowering, her eyes were on the verge of burning from their sockets. If this was how she was reacting in his presence, she couldn't imagine how the others were coping, while she was suffering. His skin was worn to a leathery callous, dirt and grime caked into every pore. And if you think that sounds bad, you should have seen his teeth (what was left of them) not to mention his breath.
"You know, I do believe I've come across a man in my travels who went by that name......"
This was a dramatic change of pace. Meg and Zebra's faces brightened. After months of absolutely no sign of his existence, this was excellent news. But was it too good to hope for?
"Really?!" The girls exclaimed.
"Yes. It's been a while, but I'm sure that was the fellow's name."
Despite his repulsiveness, Meg leaned eagerly forward, almost desperate. "WHERE?! WHEN?!" Ready to grab him by his shabby tunic, to shake the answer from him if necessary.
The sailor smiled, displaying his crooked, rotten teeth. "Unfortunately, I'm not as young as I used to be. And in my old age, I'm afraid my memory grows dim and my sight's not as sharp....."
Meg read right through his rouse, this guy was a con-man, pure and simple. He expected to be paid for his knowledge, for what little he may still posses. Why of all the dishonest....
"Then we'll take it out of your HIDE!!" Meg snarled, displaying her balled fist.
The sailor flinched as Zebra held Meg at bay, though she was also tempted to throttle the devious little man herself.
Herc sighed. And without another thought, he reached into a pouch that hung off his waist, then thrust a handful of Drachma into the sailor's greedy, slimy palm. He seemed pleased, but not satisfied. He flicked his fingers inward, requiring a higher payment.
Zebra felt Meg tense, once again, beneath her withholding grip. When the hero provided him with what he required, he was significantly happier.
"Very good. I'm glad we understand each other." He tucked away his small fortune. "Now, what was it you wanted to know?"
It took the strength of both men to hold back the women. The sailor threw up his hands, innocently. "I'm kidding! Can't 'cha take a joke? You youngsters sure are touchy."
All members of the group had their arms locked cross their chests. The glare in their eyes demanding his paid information.
"Like I said before, it's been a while, about a couple decades. Before I heard the call of the ocean. In my youth, I was a wanderer, seeking out my destiny....."
"Could you edit your sap story and cut to the chase?" Meg interjected.
"As you wish. Anyway, I was passing through Nemea, on my travels when I came across a man, in the country side, a hermit of sorts, very private man. I attempted to engage him in conversation, perhaps trade some adventurous tales, but he insisted on being left alone. The only information I could gather from him was his name.....Julius Sanders......... The inventor's name echoed through time. For once, filling Meg with new-found hope. Could this be the break they'd been searching for, or was this man just delusional?

Flashback time!

"Hail friend!"
He was tinkering with numerous pieces of metal, barely looking up to acknowledge my presence. "Good day, sir."
Rather an unfriendly fellow. "Say, what's that you're working on?" He finally held my gaze, his eyes empty of life.
"Something you wouldn't understand."
"Oh, I don't know. I happen to think my brain has the capacity to comprehend any mystery given...."
"If you don't mind", he interrupted. "I'd rather not be disturbed." Which I thought was rather rude. But I guess ya can't win'em all.
"Very well. I will leave you to it......Mr......?"
"Though my name will mean nothing to you, I shall give it, none-the-less. I am, Julius Sanders."
"Unusual name. I'm Radak. And I wish you well, Julius Sanders."
"Same for you." And I left it at that.

Zebra took a moment to ponder the pungent sailor's story. "Could you tell us the exact location of this past encounter?"
Radak, the sailor, had a greedy gleam in his eyes. "Hmm, I can't be certain. My mind seems to have grown fuzzy, once more.....perhaps....."
The old cliche: If looks could kill, with the stare Meg set, then they'd have to bury him twice.
"I...it was about five miles Southeast of Nemea. Li..living in a run-down shack."
Pleased, Meg smiled. "Thank-you. Glad we understand each other."

Leaving the old sailor healthfully intact, the small party went to plan their next move.
"So, next stop, Nemea?" Herc offered.
Meg approved of this. "Absolutely!"
Zebra nodded, saying nothing. A little shaken from what they had learned.
"All right, shall we stop by the Villa?"
"Why?" Meg wondered. Seeing no logic in a detour when their ticket home could be staring them in the face.
"We need to grab Pegasus." Herc insisted. "Nemea is across the coast."
Meg gulped. "W..why not just board a ferry, or something?" Thinking the sea would be gentler on her stomach than the unfriendly skies. She warily shut her eyes as Hercules confirmed her fears.
"Nemea is back in Central Greece, the same direction we came from. But about twenty more miles to the east."
Zebra took her friend's hands and gave it an encouraging squeeze.
"That way", Herc continued. "we can rest and refuel."
Zebra looked to Torrin for his opinion, who nodded in agreement. "Thank-you, Hercules. For everything."