Subj: Vampires, Gods and Time 3 of ?
Date: 10/31/99 2:00:38 PM Central Standard Time
From: Mysterious Millicent

A cave in the hills, near the city of Athens--

Iolaus became frozen the moment Drakon touched his harm and was blinded by a bright light. He was aware of movement that caused a dizzy feeling and suddenly the light dissipated. When he regained his senses and stopped swaying from the dizziness, his eyes began to focus and he was aware that he was in a cave. A cave occupied by someone of great wealth. Realizing that he was now able to move he started to wander around. There were large lounge pillows and mats everywhere, and wooden chairs with big, fluffy pillows on the seats. His eyes suddenly fell on a large wooden table over towards the corner on which was----FOOD! {Great! at least I won’t starve!} Iolaus snickered with glee and seating himself at the table picked off a leg of Pheasant and was about to put it in his mouth when a voice came from behind him.

“I do hope the cuisine is to your liking. I had it ‘specially’ prepared for you, Iolaus, knowing how
finicky you are.”

Iolaus got up and away from the table, brandishing the leg of pheasant as he would a sword. “Ares. What are you doing here and what are you up to?”

Ares looked at Iolaus and burst into laughter. “I would suggest that you eat that leg instead of using it
as a weapon, my friend.”

Iolaus looked down at the leg and threw it on the floor. In anger he repeated, “What do you want Ares? What are you up to?”

Ares moved towards Iolaus with such grace, balance, beauty and power that Iolaus began to envy his
god-abilities. {Must be nice to be a god and be able to do whatever he wishes}

“It is I assure you.” Ares broke into Iolaus’ thoughts. He moved his hands in the air in and arc and shimmering light appeared coming together in the form of a beautiful, well formed and well endowed woman. She had long flowing blonde hair, beautiful blue eyes and was scantly clad, barefoot and very sensual. Iolaus was lured. She put out her arms in a gesture of beckoning and Iolaus began to advance towards her, licking his lips. But he stopped abruptly. Looking at Ares in contempt he said, “This isn’t going to work Ares. She’s not human!”

Ares walked over to the woman and put his hands on her head, intertwining his fingers in the long strands and lifing them up to his nose, he said. But she can be. All you need do is embrace her and she will be yours and you will be her master. Is she not beautiful? She is exquisite and will make you a most beautiful companion.” Sniffing again her said, “Come, Iolaus, embrace her and smell the sweet aroma of her hair, it smells of Autonia blossoms.”

Iolaus again begin to advance forwards, when it suddenly hit him. Autonia blossoms were Hercules’ mother’s favorite flower. He turned his back on the apparition and said, “No Ares, it won’t work. She is not human and never will be because she has no soul. Your tricks won’t work.”

Ares frowned and then with a huff of irritation waved his hand and the woman suddenly disappeared. “I see you are not so easily lured, Iolaus. I will have to find another route.”

Iolaus looked at Ares with a puzzled look, then recognition came across his face. “No, Ares. I know what you are up to. I won’t betray my friendship. Hercules and I have been through passion, love, hate, and death together. We have shared too much and are too good a friends for you to make me be disloyal to him. I will never betray the friendship I have with Hercules. So don’t bother.!”

Ares became angry and stomped towards the wall of the cave. He turned to look at Iolaus and said, “You will, Iolaus. I promise you. You will betray your friend and I will enjoy that very much. To see my little brother betrayed by someone he cares so much for.” And Ares disappeared in a loud thunderous boom of fire and smoke.

Iolaus was now alone in the cave. He moved around the walls trying to find a way out. He had to warn Hercules. He had to get to his best friend before it was too late.

“There is no way out of this cave, my barbarian friend, so you needn’t look any further.”

Iolaus wheeled around and saw Drakon standing there looking at him with an amused smile on his face. “So you are going to try to taunt me as well. It won’t work, Drakon.”

Nicholas/Drakon advanced a bit further towards Iolaus who had his back to him trying in vain to find an opening in the cave walls.

“And just what do you think you would tell Hercules if you were able to get out of here? That The god of War was out to kill him. Don’t you think he knows that? Just what do you think you can do anyway?”

Iolaus did not look at Drakon but kept his search for an opening. “I will find a way out of this cave and I will be able to help Hercules. And, “ Iolaus added with a snide tone, “I have a mind of my own and can do as I please, not to be a mere puppet for the God of War”

Nicholas/Drakon became angry and closing his eyes, electricity began to emanated from his body. Iolaus had to move quickly to avoid being hit. But as soon as the anger appeared it was replaced by a sudden smile, that wicked and yet enticingly friendly smile that was dangerous to say the least. Nicholas/Drakon moved closer to Iolaus who had stopped at one of the walls, and when he was close to Iolaus, he bent and put his lips to Iolaus’ ears.

“You know my barbarian friend, if I were you I would be more afraid of what this Barnabas Collins might do rather than Lord Ares. You don’t know anything about him do you? Hercules is in more trouble from Barnabas than he would ever be from Ares. Think on that!”

Nicholas/Drakon stood up and smiled down at Iolaus who looked at him and shook his head. “No, Hercules has nothing to fear from Barnabas.”

“Are you sure?” Nicholas/Drakon replied and then with that silly smile still in place he disappeared.

Iolaus gritted his teeth. He knew that Drakon was lying to him. But the more he thought about this, the more he wondered. What did Hercules know of Barnabas? Nothing. He had just met him. And he knew his friend. Hercules had a heart of gold, and incredible ability for caring and compassion. And it was usually this characteristic that got him into so much trouble. He always wanted to think the best of people and then when it was too late, he realized he was taken for a fool.

“I gotta get out of here! I gotta find a way out of this cave!”

From a few feet away not visible sat Ares and Nicholas/Drakon smiling. “Well done, Drakon. I am impressed. But then I expected you to come up with something. But this is just delicious. I will reward you handsomely for this.”

Nichols/Drakon smiled and said, “Thank you, my Lord Ares, I only am here to serve you.”

NO PHEASANTS WERE KILLED CRUELLY TO PROVIDE FOOD IN THE WRITING OF THIS STORY--