Chapter Two

Iolaus groaned for what must have been the tenth time that afternoon as he and Hercules walked quickly behind Jason. They were supposed to wait that morning for horses at the Academy's stables, but for some reason unknown to the two, Jason had walked right on by determined to set out for Corinth. They hadn't stopped for anything, no rest, water, food…and it was really starting to take its toll on Iolaus. He had no idea why Jason was in such a rush. He'd been moping all week and Iolaus was almost positive it had something to do with going back to Corinth…but apparently he was wrong.

"Jason, can't we take a small break?" Iolaus whined dragging his feet as they passed the lake that signified that they were nearly ¾ of the way done with their journey.

"No!" Jason called over his shoulder as he kept up with his brisk walk.

"But I'm hungry!" Iolaus called back.

Hercules laughed at that, "You're always hungry Iolaus."

"Just eat while we walk!" Jason called back as Iolaus rolled his eyes. There was no point in eating while he walked, it just made his stomach upset.

"Why do we have to rush?" he asked.

He could hear Jason sigh before calling back his answer, "There's someone I want you to meet!"

Suddenly he felt a hand smack his back, he looked up to see Hercules grinning down at him, no sign at all that the demi-god was tired, "Come on Iolaus, we're almost there."

Iolaus rolled his eyes again, "You said that three miles ago…"

IOI

Orichius paused as he entered the throne room. He looked around noticing how quiet it was. Hercules and Iolaus were currently lounging around the room, Hercules fiddling with a small statue of an archer while Iolaus lay on his back on the small steps that led to the throne. He glanced over to see Jason sitting at his worktable, going over the numerous papers that had piled up during his time at school. He couldn't help but grin to himself, the boys had arrived nearly two days ago and there wasn't much to do. But still, he now had news that would be sure to brighten Jason's day.

He walked quietly over to the boy king, startling him slightly when he whispered something in his ear. Jason looked up at him, questioning him with his eyes. Orichius nodded, the grin growing on his face as he watched Jason grow one on his own.

Jason shot up from his seat, startling Hercules into dropping his statue, which effectively woke up Iolaus from his bored trance. They watched as Jason rushed out of the room, pausing only a moment before getting up and rushing after him. They ran past the doors of the throne room in time to see Jason hugging a beautiful woman, spinning her around before setting her on the ground and giving her a small kiss on her cheek.

They looked at each other before stepping closer to the odd couple, "Why didn't you tell us you found a wife?" Iolaus asked in his true blunt, straightforward way.

Hercules struggled to hold in his laughter at the truly disgusted look that the girl was displaying at the suggestion. Jason himself looked shocked as well. He looked at the woman before looking quickly away, now mirroring her disgusted look. "No, no, no, no!" he shouted, starting to laugh, "Guys, this isn't my wife, this is my sister Corina of Corinth."

'Such a stupid name,' the girl said, drawing Hercules attention to her. Now that he looked at her, he could see the family resemblance between her and Jason. They both had the same brown hair, though hers was a little more golden, and the same hazel blue eyes.

Jason turned to Corina, placing an arm around her shoulder; he led her closer towards his two friends. "Corina, this is Hercules…" She nodded slightly, taking the hand that Hercules offered her in greeting, "…and this is…"

"I am Iolaus…" Iolaus stated making a big show of bowing and kissing her hand. "A pleasure to meet you, your highness."

Corina pulled her hand back, staring at Iolaus oddly before looking to her brother. Hercules' eyebrows furrowed slightly as he watched what she did. She moved her hands around, pointing at Iolaus and making weird signs.

Jason watched her intently; he was a little rusty with his hand signals, having not seen his sister in a while. It seemed as if she were asking him if Iolaus was always like that. Yes, that's what she was signaling. He nodded, watching as she signed again, this time saying that she felt bad for him. He couldn't help but laugh at that, despite his sister's condition, she still maintained a great sense of humor.

Iolaus watched the small interaction between brother and sister, mistaking their communication for some sort of game. And, not one to be left out, Iolaus had to join the charades. "Oh, oh, my turn!" he shouted, before looking serious. "Ok…ok…" he held up four fingers, then one, then pointed to his ear…before doing some sort of crazy dance.

Corina raised an eyebrow as she stared at the odd little man before her. Jason stared also…for a minute...before pulling Iolaus away by the ear shaking his head. Corina felt a little bad, she never had a problem with people making fun of her, but Jason always did. He didn't even let the servants mock her hand signals. But still, just thinking of the crazy dance she'd just seen, Corina couldn't help but laugh along with Hercules.

Hercules watched her quietly laugh to herself over the events that had just occurred. Her shoulders shook slightly before she straightened up and shook her head, 'He's funny,' he heard her say as she started to walk in the direction that Jason had just gone in.

He couldn't help but agree, "Yeah, he is."

The girl stopped in her tracks, turning slightly to face him, 'What?'

Hercules smiled at her, "I agree, Iolaus is a goof."

She didn't smile…or laugh…or even agree with him. She just stood there, staring at him shocked. 'Can you hear me?' she asked…and it was then that he realized…her lips hadn't moved.

A/N – Next chappy should be about the history of Corina's condition.