A/N Not too many more chapters to go now.

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Pythagoras paced the floor uneasily, biting his lower lip. Hercules had disappeared several hours earlier to meet Meriones who had gone to negotiate with the owner of the tavern where the merchant, Dakos, was staying. The big man should have been back by now, Pythagoras thought as he walked repetitively up and down the main room of the house. Being the one left behind to wait was hard – he didn't think his friends would ever really know how hard it actually was – when all his mind could do was conjure up all sorts of disastrous scenarios. He stopped and sighed, running a frustrated hand through his blonde curls. At the best of times he was a worrier and there was still so much that could go wrong with what they were planning. Even his beloved triangles had not managed to distract him as they usually did and he had found himself gazing at the scrolls with increasing vexation, unable to focus on the lines and angles written on the page. He resisted the urge to curse loudly, casting a concerned look towards Jason's bedroom, almost irrationally afraid that the intensity of his thinking would have disturbed his friend. That was another thing that was worrying him. Immediately after breakfast he had suggested that Jason should try to get as much rest as possible during the day in preparation for what was sure to be a stressful and tiring evening and night. Pythagoras had prepared himself for a fight with his headstrong brunette friend, marshalling his arguments in advance. He had been more than a little taken off guard when Jason had meekly acquiesced to his suggestion and had to all appearances spent most of the day dozing on his bed. Pythagoras was instantly worried. It was simply not in Jason's nature to be so submissive and the mathematician found himself considering all sorts of wild possibilities as to why his friend had given in without a fight. This was after all the same boy who had hurled himself into a pit full of satyrs for the sake of a girl who, at the time, he did not even know. Jason's casual disregard for his own well-being was something that gave Pythagoras sleepless nights on a regular basis – sometimes he worried that his strange dark haired friend had a death wish – although in the cold light of day he accepted that that was not the case. The mathematician sighed again and resumed his pacing, arms flailing wildly as he gesticulated to himself.

In his room, Jason sighed silently. Pythagoras was going to wear a groove in the floor if he didn't stop pacing soon. The repetitive sound of soft sandals marching up and down was almost enough to make the young man get up and shout at his friend – if only to make him sit down for a while – but it was a bit too much like effort for him to do that. So instead he lay still, pretending to sleep and listening to the blonde's pacing. If Jason were being completely honest, he would have to admit that he wasn't feeling particularly well today. He had awoken with a headache and a slightly sore throat that had got increasingly worse as the day had progressed, and he had no real energy at all. The fact that he was still feeling cold even though he knew the day was hot and was aching all over had convinced him that he probably had a slight fever. He was, to put it bluntly, feeling absolutely ghastly and had been almost relieved when Pythagoras had suggested tactfully that he might want to spend the best part of the day in bed. Not that he had been able to sleep, though – his mind was too busy thinking about what lay in store that evening to truly allow him to relax. Jason sighed again. He had caught the worried look Pythagoras had flashed in his direction when he had given in to the mathematician's suggestion. With a start he realised that the blonde had expected him to argue and was now likely to be worrying about the ease with which he had given in. The problem was that he had not had the energy to formulate any sort of argument. He had pushed himself too hard over the last couple of days. His injury and illness had weakened his immune system and in all likelihood he had picked up a chill going out in the cold air the other night. Jason was very aware of the fact that he should let his friends know how rough he was feeling but knew that they would never let him carry on with the plan if they knew – and he could not let that happen. Any delay now might mean that they could not go through with the plan at all. Everything was set up for tonight. Besides which Dakos' bodyguard could return to Atlantis any day now and if he did their plan would be impossible. The truth was that Jason needed this more than he could say; needed to regain some control over his own life; needed to prove to the merchant (and to himself) that he had ultimately not been defeated – had not been destroyed by what had happened. He could almost guarantee that when they found out he was unwell, Hercules would shout at him again and Pythagoras would give him a long-suffering look that was a peculiar mix of concern and exasperation – the look that he gave whenever he felt Jason was doing something particularly stupid or worrying – but he could not stop now. When tonight was all over – when Dakos was successfully dealt with – then he would be able to allow himself to rest.

Jason lay still for a while longer, watching the shadows lengthening on the wall. Finally, unable to take the sound of Pythagoras' pacing aggravating his headache any more, he pushed himself up from the bed and made his way over to the table in the kitchen area. It was probably time for him to start getting ready anyway. Pythagoras would undoubtedly want him to eat something before they left – although the queasiness that seemed to have settled in his stomach and the soreness in his throat made the thought of eating less than desirable.

Pythagoras smiled wanly and sat down opposite him.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

Jason shrugged and attempted to smile.

"Alright," he lied, almost wincing at how scratchy his own voice sounded. He reached for a cup of water as Pythagoras shot him a concerned look. "I'm sorry I think I have something stuck in my throat."

The mathematician stared at him unconvinced, looking more worried than ever, his eyes narrowing. Jason forced another smile as he took a sip of water, resisting the urge to sigh in relief as the cool liquid soothed his throat. It was important to convince Pythagoras that he was as well as he could be given the circumstances, although he was not entirely sure how long he would be able to keep up the pretence. Finally the blonde looked away, apparently satisfied that Jason was not lying to him. The brunette felt a pang of guilt at the thought of deceiving his friend this way.

"Are you hungry?" Pythagoras asked turning to fetch the pot of leftover lentil stew from last night that had been warming on the fire.

Jason nodded, trying to ignore the way his stomach lurched painfully at the thought of food.

Pythagoras slopped a small amount of stew into a bowl and placed it in front of his friend, carefully watching the dark haired young man's reaction. He was only too aware that Jason was once again trying to hide something from him – sometimes his friend was just too transparent. The mathematician was endlessly grateful for the fact that the brunette was such a terrible liar – rivalling Hercules himself in his lack of ability to create a convincing story or tell an untruth – because it did make it easier to keep an eye on his well-being in the long run. He smiled reassuringly, hoping that Jason was merely trying to hide his nerves about tonight's endeavour from him and not something more serious. At least he would know now to keep a very close eye on his friend – not that he wouldn't have done that anyway given Jason's current state of health.

As the bowl was placed in front of him, Jason found himself staring at it half helplessly. Eating really was the very last thing he felt like doing at the moment, and yet he didn't want to raise Pythagoras' suspicions by refusing. Slowly he picked up a spoon and raised a small amount to his mouth, desperately trying not to let anything show on his face as his stomach rolled rebelliously. He forced himself to eat half the bowl before deciding that he would risk being sick if he ate any more. Putting the spoon down, he looked at his blonde companion.

"I can't eat any more," he admitted. "Sorry. Nerves I guess."

Pythagoras nodded sympathetically.

"I know what you mean," he said. "I am worried. Hercules should have returned by now."

"I'm sure he'll be back soon," Jason answered reassuringly, happy that the conversation was once again on safe ground and diverted away from any possible discussion of his own health or lack of it.

"Do you really think so?"

"Yeah. You know Hercules. He's probably just got caught up... they were going to meet in a tavern after all."

Pythagoras couldn't help the incredulous snort of laughter that escaped him. He raised an eyebrow and tried to hold Jason's eyes for a minute, before they both dissolved into helpless giggles – the unexpected laughter a welcome distraction from the tension they were both feeling.

Closing the door softly behind him, Hercules turned quietly and looked at the two boys snorting with laughter at he didn't know what – and didn't think he wanted to know honestly. He shook his head at the pair, eyes softening with warm affection.

"I can't leave you two on your own for five minutes can I?" he asked.

"Hercules!" Pythagoras exclaimed, coming to his feet in an instant. "Did everything go well? Will the landlord help? Are we ready?"

Hercules held his hand up to stall the barrage of questions from the young genius.

"Have I ever let you down?" he asked

"Yes!" the two boys answered at the same time.

"Frequently," Pythagoras added.

The big man clasped one meaty hand over his heart.

"I'm hurt by your lack of faith," he said. "I'll have you know that everything is ready for us. Meriones is in the tavern already and his delivery cart will meet us at the corner shortly. If you're ready, that is," he addressed his last statement to Jason.

The dark haired boy pulled himself up from the table, grabbing his crutches.

"Ready as I'll ever be," he answered.

Pythagoras grabbed his cloak and put it around his friend's shoulders, determined that Jason would not get cold this time. He fussed around a little, straightening out the folds of the cloak, much to Jason's annoyance and Hercules' amusement. The big man nodded gently.

"Alright then," he said. "Let's end this."

Meriones sat in a semi-dark corner of the tavern watching the stairs that led from the rooms on the upper level. At a table somewhat nearer to the stairs a couple of his lads sat enjoying a drink at their bosses expense. Meriones had picked the men he had brought with him carefully. Both were on the right side of large and both were completely trustworthy – could be trusted not to breathe a word of what they were going to do tonight to anyone. He smiled to himself. A sudden movement on the stairs caught the huge man's attention. Someone was coming down into the bar. Meriones cast a look at the landlord who stood behind the bar polishing cups. The landlord nodded surreptitiously. Meriones smiled again, wolfishly. So the man on the stairs was the merchant then. It was time to move into action.

Moving more quickly and silently than anyone would have believed possible for such a large man, Meriones slid across the room, nodding to his boys as he passed, and took up his position behind Dakos, a flagon of wine in his hand.

"We had an agreement," the merchant pointed an accusing finger at the landlord. "You were to provide meals for me in my rooms so that I did not have to come down amongst this riff-raff." His tone was annoyed, although Meriones noted that the voice was well modulated – the cultured voice of a man used to getting his own way.

"Of course," the landlord agreed. "We have provided your meals in this way every day since you arrival."

"Then why has my supper not arrived this evening?" Dakos asked. "It is over an hour late and I have been forced to come in search of it."

Meriones smiled to himself, pleased that the landlord had done what was requested of him. The plan that the young mathematician had devised relied on getting the merchant out of his rooms for a while and this had seemed like the most effective way to the enormous man.

"Forgive me good master," the landlord said unctuously. "As you can see we are very busy tonight. The girl must have forgotten. I will see that she is properly punished and that your meal is prepared and delivered as asked. In the meantime would you accept a flagon of wine on the house as recompense for your trouble?"

The merchant seemed to consider, his face still contorted angrily.

"Very well," he said finally. "See that it is delivered to my rooms."

As he turned to leave Meriones sprang into action. Lurching forward as though he had been barged into by someone behind him, he sloshed his flagon of wine over the front of the merchant's robe. Dakos sprang back, nearly backing in to the bar.

"You clumsy oaf!" he growled angrily, his voice no longer so cultured. "Look at the mess you have made."

Meriones bowed.

"A thousand pardons good sir," he uttered smoothly. "Forgive my clumsiness. Allow me to buy you a drink by way of apology."

"I think not," Dakos said, trying to push past.

Meriones smiled in an apparently friendly manner.

"Where are my manners?" he asked rhetorically. "Forgive me. My name is Meriones. I am a merchant and businessman. Please, tell me how I can make amends for my inexcusable ineptitude."

Dakos stilled instantly.

"You are Meriones?" he asked. "I have heard of you. I am a merchant myself, although I come from Kos. I have been visiting your great city for some months and I am keen to expand my dealings here. I have heard from many people that Meriones is the man I must do business with if I wish to trade extensively in Atlantis. Perhaps it was the fates that brought us together tonight." He smiled ingratiatingly.

Meriones laughed and clapped him on one shoulder, nearly driving Dakos to his knees with the force of the blow.

"Come," he said. "Join my friends and I. We will drink together tonight and talk of many things. Tomorrow, if the gods allow, we will do business."

He steered Dakos towards the table where his two men sat, making sure that the merchant was sitting with his back to the stairs, and began to pour wine for the four of them, waiting patiently to put the next stage of the plan into action.

The evening air seemed colder than ever to Jason as he and his two friends stood at the corner awaiting Meriones' delivery cart. He shivered involuntarily and pulled Pythagoras' borrowed cloak around himself a little more tightly. The stall that Hercules had positioned them near sold fish during the day and the floor underneath it was covered with rotting fish guts not yet swept away; the air thick with the overwhelming sweet stench of decay. Jason found the smell almost overpowering, making his guts churn even more, forcing him to fight down the vomit that rose in his throat. He closed his eyes and swallowed hard, muttering a quick prayer to whatever gods might be listening that he would be able to keep the contents of his stomach where they belonged – at least until Dakos was dealt with. Opening his eyes again, he found Pythagoras watching him worriedly while Hercules looked on speculatively.

"It's not too late to back out," the big man rumbled. "If you don't feel up to this..."

He was cut off by a sharp wave of Jason's hand.

"I'm fine," the dark haired young man lied quickly. "I'm just a bit on edge is all."

"Jason..." Pythagoras began. He was cut off from any further discussion by the arrival of the wine delivery cart.

Jason stepped forward and pulled himself up onto the bed of the cart, settling himself down amongst the wine flagons. His two friends exchanged a concerned look before joining him.

As the cart set off, Jason was forced to admit to himself that the swaying motion was doing little to help his queasiness, and he found himself swallowing down bile on more than one occasion. Pythagoras once again eyed him worriedly. Jason forced a grin and was rewarded by the notable lessening of tension in the blonde's shoulders.

Eventually the wagon stopped outside the back entrance to a tavern in the streets to the south of the Sacred Way. Hercules and Pythagoras both jumped down from the back of the cart immediately – the large man going to greet the landlord who had just appeared in the doorway, while the mathematician started to help the carter unload some of the flagons of wine. Jason stayed still for a few moments, trying to make sure that he had control of his stomach before he moved. Sliding himself to the edge of the backboard he sat for a while listening to the conversation between Hercules and the landlord.

"They are all inside," the landlord told Hercules in a low conspiratorial tone. "Meriones and his boys have the merchant at a table drinking with them."

"Will we be able to get past them?" Pythagoras asked, coming forward to join the conversation.

"Yes," the landlord confirmed. "They have made sure the merchant has his back to the stairs. As long as you are quiet there should be no problem."

Hercules nodded.

"Good," he said. He turned and offered a hand to Jason. The brunette grabbed the big man's forearm with his hand, allowing himself to be pulled to his feet, ignoring the wave of light-headedness that washed over him at the sudden movement. He took his crutches back from Pythagoras and smiled brightly at his friends.

"Right," he said. "Let's go."

Dakos was enjoying himself. This great drunken fool was the famous Meriones? He almost spat derisively. Ever since he had arrived in Atlantis for the first time some four months ago the merchants he dealt with had been telling him that to expand his operations he needed to deal with Meriones – needed to come to some accommodation with the man. They spoke of the businessman in almost reverential tones. Now having met him, Dakos had to wonder why. Meriones was clearly an idiot – a bluff drunken idiot – who would be ripe for the picking. All Dakos would have to do would be to make the man believe that he was his friend and he could bleed him dry without the fool ever realising what he had done. He thanked his lucky stars that he had chosen Atlantis to trade in – the city had been far luckier for him than he could have hoped in his wildest dreams. The only dark spot on the horizon was the continued absence of Aegon. His erstwhile bodyguard should have returned to Atlantis before he himself had got back from Helios and he had been back for nearly three weeks. The only conclusion that he could draw was that Aegon had finally decided to double-cross him – had stolen the items he had been sent to Pathmos with (or more likely the money that he had sold them for). Ah well, he would deal with his former associate at his leisure – would make an example of him so that the world knew that you did not betray Dakos and get away with it. The irony of his own thoughts did not even occur to the man.

Meriones smiled to himself. The merchant was puffed up with his own importance and believed himself to be far more clever and cunning than he actually was. It was amusing to watch him, knowing that he believed Meriones to be a complete idiot. It was a part the enormous man had played to his own advantage many times in the past. A movement by the stairs caught his eye and he returned Hercules' smile with a barely perceptible nod as he watched his friend guide his two younger companions up the stairs. Meriones' eyes narrowed slightly. The boy Jason still worried him. Watching him now, the huge man couldn't help noticing that the lad looked paler than yesterday and there was a slight hesitation in his movements that spoke of pain and exhaustion. Still, if Hercules believed that Jason could hold up his end of the plan, Meriones was willing to believe him. Despite his friend's propensity for tall tales Meriones would trust Hercules with his life if it came down to it. He smiled brightly at his companions. Time to put phase two into action.

"So tell me," he asked, turning towards Dakos, "what brought you to our glorious city in the first place?"

"I had heard it was a good place to trade," the merchant answered smoothly. "That there were plenty of opportunities for... profit"

Meriones laughed.

"There are always opportunities for profit," he rumbled. "You remind me of someone I used to know... what was his name now... ah yes I remember... Cleodaeos. I wonder whatever happened to him..."

"Went mad," Gelo, Meriones' right hand man, stated knowledgeably, taking his cue. "Thought he was being hunted by a ghost... most ridiculous thing I ever heard."

"I don't know," Kerkyon, Meriones' other man, said thoughtfully. "They do say that there are spirits that walk."

"Who are they when they're at home?" Gelo scoffed. "Ghosts and spirits are just stories to frighten the simple minded – never thought you were that much of an idiot though. I've never met anyone that's seen a ghost and I don't think you have either."

"I'm not going to argue, friend," Kerkyon answered mildly, "but I still think there's more to these stories than meets the eye. My father used to tell me that there were restless spirits that walk the earth – those that have died before their time, or have died a violent death, or were unburied. He said that they haunt those that were responsible for what happened to them – especially those that have no grave. That they cannot find peace in the afterlife until the wrongs done to them have been righted and that they will wreak vengeance until that happens."

"Your father also told you that your pet piggy flew away though, didn't he? And in actual fact you'd eaten him for supper."

As the two continued to argue back and forth, Meriones caught Dakos' attention.

"They can go on like this all night," he said gesturing towards the two men. As the merchant turned to look at the two, the giant man smoothly slipped a small bottle out of his robes and poured the contents into Dakos' cup, filling it with wine before the man turned back. This was his own contribution to the plan – and one he had not felt the need to inform Hercules about. It was a simple hallucinogenic draught that would make the merchant more susceptible to the suggestions they were going to put into his mind tonight.

"A toast," Meriones said raising his cup. "To friends old and new." He smiled as he watched his three companions raising their own cups, draining them in one go. Now it was simply a matter of waiting for the drug to take effect. He drained his own cup.

"Now how would you feel about a game of dice?" he asked.