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

powerful weapon? With his army?
    That army?"
    Nikos stared.
    "And what in blazes are you staring at, Nikos?"
    Nikos interrupted his staring long enough to point tremulously over Hercules' shoulder.
    Hercules turned, sighed, and said, "Now what?"
    And Hermes, hovering about four feet off the ground, answered, "If you know so much, dear brother, why don't you stop asking so many questions and go get the thing before Hephaestos blows his top?" The messenger shuddered dramatically. "Literally."
    "If I knew where it was," Hercules said testily.
    "Well, that's why I'm back."
    "You know where it is?"
    "Yes." Hermes shuddered again. "But that's not all."
    "What are you talking about?"
    Three pairs of wings fluttered in agitation as Hermes smiled wanly and muttered, "Boy, you're not going to like this one."

    Realizing that standing in the middle of the road with a winged god, even if it was nearly full dark, would probably draw some unwanted attention, Hercules hushed his brother with a gesture and suggested they head for the grove of oak he had spotted some hundred yards distant.
    Hermes flew off without argument.
    Nikos said he didn't think he could take any more wonders today, and would Hercules mind if maybe he just headed on home by himself?
    Hercules did mind.
    With a firm hand he guided the innkeeper across the plain to the grove, in the center of which they found Hermes, a warm fire already burning in a shallow pit and a large plucked bird turning slowly on a spit.
    "I figured you were hungry," he explained, tossing a pinch of herbs over the roasting fowl.
    "Thanks," Hercules answered as his stomach growled. "We are."
    Nikos couldn't help himself: "How did you do that so fast?"
    "God stuff," Hermes answered.
    Nikos sniffed the air and sighed approval. "It smells wonderful."
    "Thank you." A cocked eyebrow at Hercules. "At least someone around here appreciates me."
    "Don't start," Hercules warned as he sat on the grass. "I'm not in the mood."
    "It's not going to get any better," the messenger replied. He had abandoned the silver kilt for a long green tunic that reached his knees and was belted around the waist in basic black. From a small pouch on the belt he pulled three plates, passed them out, and used the hissing caduceus to slice pieces from the spitted bird.
    Nikos blinked. "How did you do that? There's no blade."
    "More god stuff," Hermes answered. "I like your cloak, by the way. Make it yourself?"
    Nikos drew the fur cloak around his shoulders. "Actually, Lydia made it. She's very good at things like that." His voice softened. "It's only been a couple of days, you know, but I miss her already."
    Hercules ate silently, wondering why he never thought of bringing a pack with him. The night air had chilled considerably, and although the fire was warm, he couldn't help feeling a chill on the back of his neck.
    He suspected, however, that it had nothing to do with the temperature.
    Once they declared themselves satisfied, Hermes smiled at Nikos and suggested that the innkeeper might want to catch a good night's sleep.
    "Not tired," Nikos said. "This is too exciting."
    "Oh, I don't know." The caduceus passed over the man's head. "You look exhausted to me."
    Seconds later Nikos was on his back, a mound of leaves for a pillow, snoring softly.
    "A good man," the god said.
    "He is," Hercules agreed. "A very good man, who doesn't deserve any of this."

    An owl questioned in the dark, and was answered by the bark of something passing the grove.
    "Zorin's Fire," Hercules said at last. "It's the sword, isn't it? Hephaestos' stolen sword."
    Hermes nodded. "I figured you would figure that out soon enough."
    "But you said there's more."
    "I did."
    "And I wouldn't like it."
    "You won't."
    Hercules poked a stick at the fire, sending sparks spinning above their heads. "Do I have to guess?"
    "Only if you want to." Hermes tried to smile. "It'd be more fun, actually. Heavy news on a heavy stomach is bad for your constitution."
    "My