Subj: Vampires, Gods and Time 9 of ?
Date: 11/14/99 8:09:28 PM Central Standard Time
From: Mysterious Millicent

A Cave near Athens--

Iolaus continued to move against the walls, running his hands along the stone, his fingers probing for an opening, any opening or flaw in the structure. He had to find a way out. He knew Hercules was in trouble, far more trouble than he had ever been.

This Drakon had powers like unto the gods. And yet, for some reason, this stranger knew about him. But where did this Barnabas Collins come from? He seemed out of place, as if he belonged to another time. Yes, another time. Iolaus remembered the incident Hercules told him of meeting King Arthur who existed in the future, yet somehow through the gods cruelty wound up in the past.

Now he knew for sure that he had to find a way out of this cave. This could only be the work of Hera!

“You have no idea how right you are, Iolaus” a voice came from behind.

Iolaus wheeled around, sword drawn and saw Drakon standing not far from him with a silly grin on his face.

“Drakon! I should have known it would be you. What are you up to and where is my friend? Why are you keeping me captive?” Iolaus spit out in haste.

Drakon, still smiling put his hand up in a gesture to stop and said, “Wait a minute, my dear Iolaus. One question at a time.”

Iolaus, sword still drawn and in attack stance looked at Drakon with eyes full of hatred. “Well?”

Drakon moved closer to Iolaus still smiling and yet staring right through the mighty warrior. “Put the sword down, Iolaus, you can do nothing to me, and you might hurt yourself.”

Iolaus slowly lowered the sword. He felt as if he were being drawn to a flame. A fiery flame from which there was no escape. Trying to shake the feeling he shouted, “No!” and turned away from Drakon’s penetrating stare. “I know your tricks Drakon, and I will not betray my friend for any god!”

“You will, Iolaus. You will do exactly as I say or your friend will indeed die. Hercules may be powerful and the son of Zeus, but it is Hera that commands and she will have her revenge upon Zeus for defiling their marriage bed.” Drakon put his hand on Iolaus’ shoulder, turning him around to face the warlock. Iolaus tried in vain to prevent the movement and even more tried to prevent himself from looking into Drakon’s face, but he was powerless to do so.

“Hera, wishes for you to stay in this cave. She does not want you to interfere in her plans. So----- we will find a way to amuse ourselves.” Drakon now certain he had Iolaus locked in his power moved both of them to the small wooden table and chairs. When they both were seated he picked up a decanter and poured mead into both wooden goblets handing one of them to Iolaus.

“Now then, let’s talk about how you are going to betray your friend. And how with that betrayal and death I will gain the favor of Hera and the gift of immortality will be mine.”

--------------------

A road near Athens.

Hercules lay on the ground unconscious, bleeding from the wounds inflicted on him from Hera’s archers.

A sudden gust of wind blew through the air, and the figure of a man suddenly appeared. Clothed in peasant garb and a sack cloth weave cloak, the figure walked over to the fallen hero. Looking down at the massive wounds and blood flowing and then into the expressionless face the figure kneeled down beside the body. Placing his hands on the wounds a glow began to flow from the hands onto the wounds forcing the arrows out and stopping the blood. The glow then began to penetrate the body and soon the entire body was aglow with an unearthly light. That light soon began to fade and Hercules began to stir to life. In a few minutes he opened his eyes and looked into the face of the strange figure.

A smile crossed his lips and Hercules said softly, “Thank you, Father.”

“Are you strong enough to stand, son?” Zeus said quietly offering his hand as support.

“I-- I think so.” Hercules replied and moving to a sitting position and with the help of the King of the Gods soon was on his feet. He was a little bit unstable for a few minutes and Zeus helped him over to a large rock near the road. As soon as he made sure his son was comfortably sitting he laughed out loud.

“Well, I think we have been a bit naughty, my son.”

Hercules gaining more strength as the seconds ticked on began to chuckle as well. “Yes, I think we did. Ares will be very surprised when he realized that I was on to him the moment he came to my house.” Then Hercules remembered Barnabas. “But what of Barnabas, Father? Where is he?”

Zeus put his hand to his mouth in a gesture to be still. Moving quickly behind his son, he suddenly whisked them both out of sight and into the air as another figure materialized out of nowhere.

Strife had returned as Ares requested and looking about realized that his worst fear was true. Some other god had interfered, and he was almost certain he knew who! But just as Strife was about to vanish a large hand came down on his shoulder.

“I don’t think it would be a good idea for you to leave at this time, Strife!”

Strife wheeled around and saw Hercules standing next to him, his hand on Strife’s shoulder and looking rather menacing for a mortal.

“Your---alive! You can’t be. No one escapes Hera’s archers arrows! What god has helped you?”

“A rather stupid question coming from someone such as yourself, don’t you think Strife?” Hercules replied.

“Let me go. You have no power over me!” Strife cried out.

“Then if that is true, why are you still here?”

Strife now became a bit worried. For try as he might he could not move! This power coming from a mortal? That couldn’t be! He tried to move, but was held firmly in place by the larger hand on his shoulder.

“The next time you listen to Ares, you might check his plan completely, Strife. And you might consider that there are other gods that might oppose the God of War.” Hercules spoke as he led Strife over to a patch of trees. Once beside the tree he pushed Strife against the trunk and backed away.

Strife looked up quickly in time to see a brilliant flash of light and the form that appeared frightened him, as well it should.

“So, you choose to defy my order and help Ares kill my son. There will be a high price you will pay for this Strife!” Zeus bellowed. And then calming a bit he smiled and said, “But I might be inclined to lighten your sentence if you do as I command. And if you fail, your punishment will be far worse than it is at this time.”

Strife knowing full well that Zeus meant what he said bowed his head and said, “What is your will my Lord Zeus?”

Zeus smiled at Hercules who also was grinning. To watch Strife cowering so, really was something he was going to relish. Speaking quietly Zeus said to Strife, “I want you to go back to my son, Ares and tell him that Hercules is indeed dead. And then I want you to tell him that you saw the people of Thebes getting together to have a STATE FUNERAL for my son Hercules. Can you do that without making an error Strife?”

Now feeling rather puny and totally humiliated, Strife shook his head in agreement. “Yes, my Lord Zeus. I will do as you command.”

“Make sure you are convincing, Strife. Because I am watching you!” Zeus again raised his voice in authority. “Now Go!”

Strife moved quickly away from the trunk of the tree and in a few seconds was gone.

Zeus, still chuckling walked over to Hercules and said, “Now, my son. We have much to do to prepare for your funeral.”

Hercules nodded and then followed his father towards the town of Thebes, his birthplace and the home of his mother Alcmene. But in the back of his mind, the man uppermost in his thoughts was his best friend, Iolaus!

“Father, I am worried about Iolaus. Do you know where he is?”

Zeus stopped for a moment, and putting his hand on his sons shoulder smiled and said, “Of course I do. He is in no danger, let me assure you. He will be attending your state funeral and will be acting the grieved warrior who has lost his best friend. Don’t worry, my son. All is going as I have planned.”

Hercules nodded and began walking beside the King of the Gods. For the first time in his life, he really felt love for Zeus and was happy to be his son!

HERCULES RECEIVED NO PERMANENT AFFECTS FROM HERA’S ARCHERS ARROWS DURING THE MAKING OF THIS EPISODE.