Free Timothy Boggs - Hercules Legendary Joureneys 01 by By The Sword

course, like you said, I'm with you. And they would naturally think that, since we're kind of but not really partners, you'll tell me everything."
    "Probably."

    "Which mea ns..." Nikos shuddered. "I don't live right, you know? I'm an innkeeper, not a fighter."
    "Yes," Hercules said. "But for an innkeeper, you're a pretty good fighter anyway."
    Nikos beamed.
    Hercules checked behind them to be sure there were no riders on their trail. Then he explained.
    For a small kingdom, and an even smaller king, there was, it seemed, an awful lot of construction going on at the palace. While the old king might have been content with what he had, it didn't appear to Hercules as if the new king was following in his father's footsteps. Hercules had seen the partial construction of one tower, which undoubtedly meant there would be at least three more. Without having been inside, he reckoned King Arclin II wasn't going to be satisfied with a couple of bedrooms, a great hall, a throne room, and a few meeting rooms. This palace looked to be striving for something usually found only around Athens, Corinth, or Sparta.
    "The man has taste," Nikos suggested.
    Hercules pictured the gold-tasseled sandals, and shook his head.
    And with all due respect, he continued, he sincerely doubted that, as good as the king's army was, it was in any way so wondrous and marvelous that it would be able to protect the entire kingdom, especially since Arclin was adding new towns to his holdings somewhat frequently.
    New towns did not come alone.
    There was all the land that connected them, and Arclin didn't seem at all concerned that the rulers who owned those lands were probably more than a little annoyed.
    Sooner or later one of them was going to step in. If it hadn't already happened.
    "The army," Nikos reminded him.
    The army, Hercules reminded him in turn, was small. He doubted it would be able to hold off much larger units from much larger, wealthier kingdoms whose leaders were probably royally pissed.
    "But he's been able to stop Zorin, hasn't he?"
    They reached the crossroads just as the sun sank below the horizon. Although dusk still provided some light, it was not enough for their needs. Hercules steered them to the left, back toward Markan. It was the obvious route to take should there be pursuers, but he had no knowledge of the terrain elsewhere, and this was no time to learn.
    Nikos had been puffing for quite some time, and now added a touch of panting.
    Nevertheless Hercules pressed on.
    Of course, all his suspicions could be wasted. It might well be that Arclin was just a short king with tall ambitions. Whatever the hell that meant. Yet Hercules was determined not to take any chances. At least not until he was able to straighten out what he had gotten himself into this time.
    A habit, he realized sourly, he had grown much too used to for his own peace of mind, and for keeping all his body parts where they belonged.
    First, he had to make sure the king's men didn't kill him and Nikos. Assuming they were going to try.
    Assuming Arclin suspected that Hercules suspected that not all was well and proper around here these days.
    Then he had to figure out how he was going to keep his promise to Hephaestos, and recover the stolen sword. Assuming the stolen sword was recoverable. Assuming the stolen sword wasn't Zorin's Fire.
    He snorted.
    Well, of course it was. Any idiot could figure that one out. How else could Zorin be so successful, so quickly?
    But if the stolen sword actually was Zorin's Fire, then why was Zorin content just to raid towns and villages now and then? Why didn't he aim for a larger prize, like Athens or ... ?
    With a grunt he stopped, and Nikos bumped into him, rebounded, and stared.
    "Why," Hercules asked, "hasn't Zorin tried to take this kingdom as his own?"
    Nikos stared.

    "Why hasn't Zorin run amok around here? He certainly has the power to do it."
    Nikos stared.
    "How has King Arclin been able to stop Zorin, when Zorin has this