By midday, they had reached a small village. The activity proclaimed it marketday, as the open field was lined with stalls and wandering vendors. Hercules moved steadily through the crowds, but something in one of the stalls caught Alteira's eye. She paused, moving for a closer look. Hercules, oblivious, continued on his way while Alteira entered the stall, drawn by hanging clothes.

Once inside, Alteira went immediately to the small but varied stock of women's clothing, and the shop's proprietor hurried over, eager to make a sale. It was then that he first caught sight of the slave collar still fastened around Alteira's neck. Instantly, his obsequious expression changed to one of disdain, but then he took a closer look.

The merchant ran his eyes over Alteira's form as she examined the clothing available. Liking what he saw, he stepped forward and took hold of her shoulder in a familiar manner. "Well, well. What brings you to my store?"

Alteira turned, the movement causing the merchant's arm to fall away. "How much for those clothes?" she asked, indicating several selections.

He looked skeptical. "You can pay?" Alteira hesitated, and the merchant moved closer with a cunning leer. " Or were you thinking of a different kind of deal?"

He again laid his hand upon her shoulder, this time giving it a suggestive squeeze and raising his eyebrows meaningfully.

Alteira brushed his hand away with weary disgust. "Just answer my question."

The man ignored her. "Since when does a slave have money? From the look of your back, your master can't be too happy with you. Could you be planning to run away? My silence -- like my clothes -- can be purchased... for a price." He replaced his hand and moved it down.

Meanwhile, Hercules was examining some of the fruit when yells of terror made him spin about. Automatically, he started toward the sound, intending to help.

The merchant, his nose bleeding, fled up the street and cannoned into Hercules, who reflexively caught him.

"Help! Help me!"

"Calm down" Hercules soothed. "What happened? Who did this to you?"

"She's crazy! She's going to kill me!"

"'She'"? With a sinking sensation, Hercules knew that the man wasn't referring to Hera. Then Alteira appeared, heading straight for the merchant, who dodged behind Hercules' reassuring bulk with a piercing shriek. Hercules rolled his eyes heavenward and blocked Alteira's path. "What's the problem?"

"None of your business! Stand aside!"

"Aaaah! Don't do it! Help me!" the merchant begged, clutching Hercules' shirt.

"Alteira, I'm not going to let you hurt him."

"You know her?" The man straightened in surprise.

"This isn't your affair!" Alteira snapped, trying to get at the merchant.

Hercules easily deflected her grasping hands. "It is so long as we're traveling together. Now, what -"

"So you are planning to order me around," Alteira exclaimed triumphantly. "I knew it!"

"I just asked you not to hurt him! Is that too much to ask?" Hercules retorted impatiently.

"Who are you to ask me anything?" she demanded with hauteur.

"Doesn't the fact that I bought you count for something?"

"Wait a minute. Are you her master? She belongs to you?" the clothing seller interrupted.

Hercules waved him to silence, distracted. "No. Yes. Sort of. I mean, I purchased her at a slave market, but --"

"I knew you were planning to keep me as a slave! So much for the myths about your sterling nature. I guess you're interested in helping others only when you can benefit from it. What's your plan? To sell me in Loradon? How much of a profit do you expect to make?"

Exasperated, Hercules explained, "I only meant that I did you a favor in Coveda -- you admit that much yourself -- and so I don't think it's too much to ask that you --"

The merchant tugged at Hercules' shoulder. "I have a complaint to make about your slave! She assaulted me! I want her punished!"

Alteira stared at Hercules challengingly. "Well?"

Hercules held up his hands, trying to sort things out calmly. "Wait a minute, wait a minute. What exactly happened?"

"She invaded my store --"

"I was shopping."

"With what? You've no money! When I asked her if she could pay, she attacked me!"

"I attacked you after you made disgusting remarks and refused to take your hands off me."

"You have no right --"

"I have no right? What about you --

The clothes seller turned to Hercules. "Can't you control your property?"

The question reignited Alteira's fury, and she lunged for the merchant. Hercules intercepted her in midair and held her back, feet dangling, while the man scrambled out of reach.

"I warn you, I'll have satisfaction," he threatened. "We have a law-abiding town here. We don't take this sort of nonsense from slaves. If you don't keep her in her place, I'll go to the town magistrate. It's a crime for a slave to strike a free man. Even if you won't punish her, the magistrate will. She'll be beaten --"

Hercules set Alteira back on her feet and turned to the merchant with a frown. "Just a minute. If any laws have been broken, it's my responsibility, so if anyone gets beaten, it'll be me."

"What? Why would you submit to these yokels?" Alteira demanded, shocked.

"Because we're guests in this town, and I'm not going to break the law. Besides, I'm sure the magistrate will be reasonable and accept an --"

"He's my brother," the local informed them smugly.

"I'm not going to let you play the hero like this. You're preachy enough already -- you'll be insufferable after yet another act of martyrdom!" Alteira said furiously.

"You're welcome," Hercules riposted sardonically.

"Did you hear me? You are not claiming responsibility!" Alteira repeated, eyes narrowed.

"Hey, in case you hadn't noticed, I'm doing you a favor!"

"It's not a favor if I don't want you to do it. Have you always been this high-handed? I can understand it given your paternal heritage, but didn't your mother teach you any manners?"

Hercules ignored the question, and stated with finality. "This is my decision."

"Why? Because I'm your slave? Is that why what I want doesn't matter?"

"You are not my slave! I already told you, you're free!" Hercules yelled, his patience long since at an end.

"Then why don't you treat me like it?" Alteira challenged immediately. "Talk's cheap, but when it comes to actions, you're nothing but empty words."

Suddenly the merchant lost his smirk. "What? Hold on. I thought you said she was your slave."

"I said I'd purchased her, but I gave her her freedom immediately thereafter," Hercules explained briefly, his attention still on Alteira.

"So allow me to exercise my freedom. If you insist that we obey these mudeaters' laws --"

"I'm not insisting you obey anyone!"

"Except you."

"Look --"

"Wait, wait, wait." The merchant waved his hands to interrupt them. "If you aren't a slave, why are you wearing that collar?"

"What difference does it make?" Alteira said dismissively.

"Er, well..."

Hercules caught on. "Aha. It does make a difference -- doesn't it? You said a slave can't strike a citizen. What about one free citizen striking another?"

The seller began to sweat. "Well, I, um, suppose that some of what I said could be construed as -- er -- offensive -- to a, a free citizen. But when I saw that collar, I thought --"

"It's a fashion statement, you provincial clod," Alteira sniffed.

"But -- but the marks on your back!"

"So I have 'exotic' tastes," Alteira shrugged.

The merchant wrinkled his nose. "Ick. Is that why you two were fighting over who would be beaten?"

Hercules hastily changed the subject. "I think it might be a good idea if we were to visit your brother and see what he thinks of your harassing visitors to the village."

"Don't be silly, Hercules. We'll just tell all his other potential customers about the reception I received. I'm sure that will produce much more gratifying results than a visit to the magistrate."

"You can't! My business would be ruined!" the merchant exclaimed, horrified.

"Oh dear."

The man made a sickly attempt at an ingratiating smile. "We're both rational, civilized people. Surely we can reach some mutually satisfactory resolution to this present difficulty."

"Suddenly she's rational and civilized?" Hercules demanded indignantly. "A minute ago you were treating her as though she were subhuman! Don't you see the illogic of slavery? It makes no sense that some arbitrary system decides that one person is better than another."

The merchant and Alteira regarded him steadily for a moment. Then: "He does go on, doesn't he?" the man asked Alteira.

"You've no idea," she replied feelingly. "So, what sort of deal did you have in mind?"

"I thought you were ready to kill him!" Hercules protested.

"At that time he wasn't offering me a new wardrobe, but he is now. Aren't you?"

The merchant swallowed hard. "With pleasure."

"Is that what this was all about? Getting new clothes?"

"No, but since you'll make a terrible fuss if I kill him, I might as well take what I can. Besides, how can I go to Loradon in these?" She gestured at her skimpy costume.

Hercules followed her gaze, confused. "Why? You look very -- er -- nice."

Alteira gave him a look of contempt. "Typical man. The Covedans forced me to wear this ridiculous outfit. They thought it would enhance my marketability. It seems that it worked, but it's uncomfortable and completely unsuited to long hikes. So -- after you, merchant. Let me see what you have."

TBC...