Free Timothy Boggs - Hercules Legendary Joureneys 02 by Serpent's Shadow

used to. Decorations were everywhere, and merchants hawked their wares from stands in front of their shops; the air was thick with the aromas of cooking food, and despite the noise of pedestrians and sellers, music could be heard escaping from the open doors of taverns and inns. The din and the sheer numbers of people made the horses nervous, and it was all Hercules and Iolaus could do to keep them from bolting.
    Their pace grew slower as they neared the city's center, where, since Themon had evidently been laid out in a grid, the intersections were particularly crowded.
    Not so crowded, however, that Hercules wasn't able to spot the occasional pair of soldiers stationed at the corners. At first he figured they were there to look for rebels; then, after witnessing a brief struggle with a trio of men who had obviously been testing each other's wine-tasting capacities, he realized the soldiers were there primarily to keep the peace.
    Evidently Themon was determined that its citizens and visitors would enjoy a festival unmarred by violence.
    Suddenly a child darted in front of Iolaus, who had to fight to keep his horse from rearing. It was one thing to escape from their captors without saddle or reins, quite another to keep the animals under control without such aids under conditions like this.
    "That's it," Hercules said, sliding to the ground. "We're getting rid of these beasts before they kill someone. Like me."
    With one hand still gripping the black's thick mane, he spotted a stable down a narrow, nearly empty side street and made straight for it, not bothering to check to see if Iolaus was following. As he approached, a young man stepped out of the dark interior, wiping his hands on a towel tucked into his belt.
    "There's no room," he said regretfully. "We're all boarded up."
    "I don't want to board him," Hercules said. "You can have him."
    The stable boy blinked his bewilderment. "You . .. I..."
    "Can have him," Hercules repeated. And as Iolaus rode up he added, "That one, too." Without waiting for permission, he guided the black inside, grabbed a rope from a hook on the wall, and looped it loosely around the animal's neck. "He's been ridden hard, by the way, so take care of him, all right?'
    The young man was too flustered to object when Iolaus did the same with his mount.
    Hercules smiled and shook his hand. "Thanks. And tell your boss he can do whatever he likes with them, except treat them badly." He leaned forward and deepened his voice. "I'll know if he does."
    The young man stepped back with a nervous nod, nearly yelped when Iolaus poked him in the back.
    "We have to get to the plaza. Can you tell us how?"
    The stable boy nodded again, rattled off directions that made Iolaus blink in confusion, then stopped, excused himself, and repeated the directions more slowly.
    "You got that, Herc?" Iolaus asked when the stable boy had finished.
    Hercules nodded. He was fairly sure he had understood, but the smell of the stable was a little over-powering, and what he wanted was fresh air. Even the fresh air of the city street. If he made a mistake and got lost, they could always ask someone else. He thanked the stable boy and hurried outside. They were the only pedestrians.
    "Left," Iolaus said when he joined him.
    "Right," Hercules said.
    "No. Left."
    "Right."
    Iolaus grinned. "See?" And took a step to the left before Hercules grabbed him.
    "I said right, not left."
    "But I said left, and you said right."
    "That's right."
    Iolaus made a noise deep in his throat. "I said—"
    Hercules stopped him by taking hold of his vest and pulling him close. "Don't start, Iolaus, or we'll be at it all night."
    "But what did I say?"
    "Too much. Just follow me."
    Iolaus started to argue, stopped, and looked over his shoulder.
    Hercules did the same.
    The stable boy stood in the wide doorway, staring.
    "Yes?" Iolaus said warily.
    The young man pointed. ' 'Are you . .. Hercules?'' he asked hesitantly.
    "Nope. I'm Iolaus. Judge Iolaus, that is."