"I'll tell you what, Iolaus, we'll go over to the inn and have lunch then we'll go to the tavern and meet with your new friend," Hercules suggested as he and the hunter walked in the direction of the their lodgings.

The innkeeper had come up to Hercules as he was signing a toy for one of the Gaspius children and asked if he and Iolaus would consider dining with his humble family. "I'd consider it an insult if you refuse," he pushed.

What was a demigod to do?

"You know Hercules, you tend to outwardly dismiss it but I think you really enjoy all of this hero worship," Iolaus jokingly mentioned as they walked to the inn.

"Oh come on, Iolaus, you know I never..."

"I know. You never go looking for attention but it always seems to find you, good or bad. But when the good stuff comes it's nice, isn't it?"

"Well," Hercules was forced to nod, "Yeah, you're right. Have to admit I'd rather be sleeping in a warm bed tonight then lying on the cold, hard ground."

Just before Hercules and Iolaus were ready to cross the street, to go to the inn where they were expected, they were startled by a loud argument. It was close by, in the middle of the city square, near a huge stone and marble fountain.

"Stop it, Gorgus!" a woman, wearing a desperate expression, pulled at what appeared to be her husband's arm, "or you will be the ruin of the festival!"

"But did you hear what he said? He's just like Palaxius and their type will be the ruin of the entire city!"

A crowd had gathered around what were obviously two men in the middle of a disagreement.

Hercules and Iolaus gently pushed their way in to see what was happening.

"You're stuck in the past!" A dark boy, no more than seventeen years of age, was confronting the couple. "Palaxius is a good man with great ideas but this city - the entire region - is deaf to what he says and how his theories can be put to good use. We cannot live like this forever." The boy turned to the crowd, imploring, "It's got to stop or soon Gaspius will destroy itself!" Spotting a few who nodded at what he was saying, the boy lifted hands to his fellow Gaspians, "Tell me what Palaxius says is truly wrong, that he and all of us in the rebellion don't know what we're talking about. You know what I'm saying! You can't! Give us your support!" he urged.

"I'll give you something!' an anonymous voice suddenly called from the crowd and a stone was thrown, striking the boy above his right eye. He flinched and fingers touched his forehead as blood seeped from the wound.

Shouts both angered and approving came from the crowd.

"Stop it!" Hercules moved to the front, followed closely by Iolaus who positioned himself by the injured boy. "What is this all about?"

"It's town rabble, Hercules." The man who had been part of the argument stepped forward. "We have traditions and some of the youngsters of Gaspius think we should pull away from them."

With a sigh, Hercules folded his large arms over his chest. "Fine, have your argument but at least talk calmly, like civilized people."

"You don't understand." The man's wife moved forward, both nervous and defensive. "A lot of us have lived here a long time. We were here when it was bad, when we lived a hand to mouth existence, when farming was all we were allowed to do. We don't want that anymore. We've worked hard for what we have, which includes our yearly festival to honor our patron god. Is that so terribly wrong? The young people of this city will tell you it is."

"She's not telling you everything!" the boy called out, Iolaus by his side. "She's not telling you that our prosperity comes at a horrible price."

"Blasphemer!"

"No, listen to him. He speaks the truth!"

Suddenly, all Tartarus broke loose. Fists began to fly in the crowd and citizens, those who agreed and disagreed, were at odds. Women jumped onto men's backs attempting to scratch at their faces. Bodies sailed into the air impacting with one another. Not long after, when the riot had reached it zenith, temple soldiers appeared to break it up.

And, of course, Hercules and Iolaus found themselves mopping up.

"One thing I have to say," Iolaus mentioned as he slugged a brute who intended to do the same to him, "this is a little more like the Gaspius I was told about!"

Hercules nodded just before tossing a man over Iolaus' head into the fountain.

****

The heroes heard the clanging of some keys and watched, more than a little curious, as the guards in the outer room stood at attention, away from their aromatic afternoon meal.
Hercules and Iolaus were the last two of those who had been arrested for public brawling. The cell had been quite full a couple hours previous but soon, one by one, men and women were bailed out and now it was down to them.

Minister Angerles had entered and Palaxius was with him.

A few words were exchanged with the Captain then they were following him, flanked by another guard. Once in the cell chamber, Palaxius made brief eye contact with Iolaus then turned to Angerles, "Yes sir, these are the two men. They had nothing to do with initiating the brawl. They were trying to stop it when matters got out of hand. I saw it all."

Iolaus tried to meet the young man's eyes again. He had been looking for Palaxius when they discovered who the argument was about but he hadn't seen him.

"Very good." Angerles mimed the guard beside him to open the cell door. "Please forgive this, Hercules. You are our honored guest but we have treated you badly."

"Mistakes happen," Hercules commented. He looked at Palaxius, "Thank you for coming forward."

The young man nodded. "It was the least I could do," but he looked troubled.

"No really," Iolaus stepped forward when the cell door opened, "Maybe we could have that drink later at the tav..."

"Yes," Palaxius head tilted up, almost inspired, looking hard at both men. "In the town tavern. I'd still like to talk with both of you."

It was obvious to both Iolaus and Hercules that he needed to speak with them regarding something very important.

"Unfortunately," Angerles shut the cell door himself, apparently unaware of the boy's undercurrent. "This incident has depleted village morale. Because there has been violence, the festival has been postponed. Our people are very angry and volatile." The minister bit his lower lip then added, "I'm afraid I am going to have to ask both of you to leave Gaspius immediately. For your own safety. There are many here who blame you for this disruption, Hercules."

Without a word, but obviously agitated, Palaxius turned and walked from the jail.

"No problem," Iolaus spoke up quickly, noting something inexplicable in their ally's eyes before he left. The boy was frightened, he was sure of it. Still, the sooner they exited this crazy town the better.

Hercules had seen it too and nodded, "Of course." He watched as the minister turned, with the Captain and guard following and walked from the area. Coming to a decision, Hercules took a deep breath and mentally studied the situation, "Iolaus, go to the inn and get your sword and our supplies. While you're doing that I'm going to go to the tavern and talk with Palaxius."

"Think that's a good idea after the warning we were just given?"

"It's because of that warning I think I should go. I want to try to get to the bottom of whatever is going on here. Something just isn't adding up and I'm not talking about their weird laws, secret gods, traditions or even calm where there has always been disorder and violence. Come to the tavern when you're done."

"Gotcha, Herc."

******

If the people of Gaspius were angry with Hercules for ruining their fun, the appearance of the demigod in their home town tavern didn't seem to illicit a negative reaction. Of course, those who were there were more interested in their ale, the flute music from a talented musician and the beautiful, scantily clad woman who was on a small stage dancing. Hercules could only assume the men and few women in the place were there to drown their sorrows. Postponed festivals had a way of doing that to the populace.

"Palaxius, you acted as if you had something to say at the jail but now you're tight lipped. Why?" Hercules asked quietly, leaning over the bar, as he observed Palaxius lift the mug in his hand to his lips.

He was nervous. Anyone who was watching could see this.
"You and Iolaus need to leave. The sooner the better," he said tightly.

"We plan to but something is going on here."

"No, there isn't. But there will be if you don't leave -- quickly."

It didn't sound like a threat. It was a plea. "Tell me about the fight. Those two men were arguing over you. There was a mention of some kind of rebellion. What's it about?"

"I didn't hear them. I wasn't around."

"Of course you were. You told Minister Angerles."

Frustrated, Palaxius leaned into Hercules and spoke quietly but firmly, "I lied, okay?" He grunted in fear, "I had to come forward and say something to get you two out of jail. I was being helpful because I consider Iolaus a friend." He then gulped, "Please Hercules, just leave. You and Iolaus..." He could see the resolve on the demigod's face and knew he was not going to leave Gaspius until reassured, "Hercules, trust me. Matters are in hand but you don't want to be here tomorrow." He drained his mug.

"What *aren't* you telling me?" Hercules insisted.

Slightly less sober than he was when he came into the tavern, Palaxius murmured, "I'll tell you this -- We have got to change Gaspius. We can't keep depending on the gods to serve us just because of all the sacrifices we make." Then, "But some people will suffer. It's always the way in a revolution. The innocent pay."

Hercules nodded. He understood about sacrifices. Men and women were always making sacrifices to the gods, their land and souls if necessary, but did the gods ever really appreciate it? No, not ever. Even the good ones demanded more than what most could give.

Palaxius laid his head down on the bar, apparently tired of conversation.

With a sigh, leaning back in his chair, Hercules wished Iolaus would show up. He and Palaxius seemed to have bonded. He'd probably get a lot more out of him than an ill received demigod.


********

Part 3