** Twenty six hours ago .... **

She watched him closely as he traveled down the path. Was he a fool or was there something bigger at stake? The goddess followed him although he never saw her. She remembered him, that hair and quick smile. Whether he knew it or not, Iolaus was a favorite of hers but she could not quite remember why.

Then she saw it.

The hunter slowed as he spotted a fawn. She and her young grazed near an opened area, unaware of his presence. Appreciatively, and watched the wildlife. "No time for you now." he said, "Besides, it would be a waste. Take care of the little ones and teach them to stay away from hunters." he half-joked and was on his way.

How many mortal hunters would have killed at that moment just for sport, not necessity? And what of her own kind? How many hunters with god-like powers would have did the same? She, more than any other god or goddess, respected that consideration.

*******

His demeanor was tense as he looked about the forest surrounding him. Sometimes he just hated freshly traveled territory. Especially when danger was imminent. The hunter's blue eyes darted about, taking everything in, his compact form pausing briefly after each unfamiliar sound.

Hercules once told Iolaus that when he, the hunter, was focused he had an intuitive perception the demigod envied. It's what made him such a great tracker and allowed Iolaus to see past many of the barriers Hercules himself had erected to keep those who knew him best from prying too deeply into his sorrow. But that cognizance didn't stop Iolaus now, even if he was uncomfortable. He felt the need to press on. It was important. It might be the most important thing he ever did. He knew where he was going and hoped the Amazons would understand. They might be great warriors but they were also women ... and human beings.

Iolaus stopped suddenly, his progress impeded by a sound that was familiar yet dreaded. In the distance he heard a female cry. It meant one of two things: Someone was either calling an Amazon war meeting together or it was a signal for attack.

No sooner had Iolaus considered it than he heard an organized swishing above his head. Instinctively, he reached for the sword holstered at his back. He brought it out cautiously, "Hel ..Hello?" he questioned quietly. Iolaus heard two sharp yips and swallowed hard, "If you're Amazons, I'm a friend to Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt." Then he added to clarify, "I'm a hunter.". He sounded brave but, in reality, Iolaus was petrified. Amazons had a reputation for not listening when they felt themselves in the right. "I'm also a friend to your people." he continued, "I know many Amazons."

In a motion that might have impressed even Ares, a dark form bobbed down from a tree and firmly pulled the hunter-warrior's sword out of his hand. The creature was gone before Iolaus could even register surprise. "Can't believe ..." he started to admonish himself then, when he heard the beginning of a loud war cry - very close to his left ear - Iolaus, brave but hoping to fight another day, ran as fast as he could away from the area.

However, his attackers were a step ahead. They knew the terrain well and the hunter was immediately surrounded. He stopped and lift his arms cautiously in a fighting stance. An Amazon, heavily cloaked and masked as a tiger dropped from a tree and positioned herself in front of him, his sword in her hand. Soon two others joined her, by his sides. One, masked as a bear, had a hand on one of her solid but rag clad hips and, in the other, balanced a fighting staff. The third woman, wearing the mask of a hawk, carried a crossbow.

"'Friend to Artemis?" the masked woman in front of Iolaus questioned in accusing tones.

"'Friend to Amazons!" the other two mocked in unison, nearly laughing, and began to move in on him.

"Wait, let me prove it to you." Iolaus pressed, mentally searching for just the right way to show his proof, "I know Kira, Queen of the Demsk Amazons. We're great friends."

"Don't know her although we know of the Demsk. But we seriously doubt Kira even exist. No real Amazon - particularly from an Eastern tribe - would ever make friends with a man," Tiger spoke calmly, "unless she planned on mating with him. But then, of course, he'd be dead the next day ... or a slave." Unceremoniously, Tiger motioned for her warriors to take care of him.

Quickly, Iolaus jumped and kicked out, felling the Amazons on either side of him. Years at Cheron's Academy, not to mention his studies in the kingdom of Chin, had given him good intuition, not to mention enviable fighting skills. He then rolled across the damp ground and snatched his sword away from what he now assume was the Amazon leader. "I'm not lying, Tiger-lady." he came up on his feet, "I know Ephiny! Do you know Ephiny?! I met her through Hercules. I'm trying to find someone ...."

Tiger paused. Bear and Hawk, even shielded by their masks, also suddenly appeared slightly taken aback by one of the two names the stranger mentioned. "We've heard of Ephiny. Are you trying to tell us she's your woman?"

"Of course not. We're friends."

Hawk drew a dagger from a hidden scabbard and was now hunched forward, tossing the blade from one hand to the other, "He's lying. And even if he isn't ..."

"But he could be telling the truth and if he is he may be of value." Tiger surmised.

"Value?" Iolaus was confused.

"Kill him! He's a man!" Bear suddenly left loose with a loud curse and attempted to club Iolaus over his brawny back with her staff. The hunter managed to dodge the brunt of her attack. With the butt of his sword he punched then pushed the Amazon away. He watched as she landed on her backside several meters away.

Hawk then came at him with the dagger but she was quickly called away by Tiger.

"The stranger may be able to help us." she declared once again, "If he does know the Melosan tribe and Ephiny then he may also have information on their returning Amazon Queen. An important part of strategy, my sisters, is in knowing who to kill and who to torture. Besides, if he know Hercules ..." A caustic smile spread over her lips, below the mask.

While Iolaus digested what Tiger said an unexpected blow came to the back of his head. For a few seconds he saw a multitude of screaming Furies. Iolaus pitched forward and twisted about, now laying flat on his back, looking at the masked women above. One placed her heavy-booted foot on his chest.

"Should we trust you man?" Tiger asked, almost cordially, "If we bring you with us to camp will you be a good boy?"

Dazed, he sighed wearily."Really, I'm just trying to find someone."

The last thing Iolaus saw was the flat end of an Amazon fighting staff moving rapidly toward his face.



CONTINUED: