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

Hercules jabbed the small of his back. "No! Gods, no, that wouldn't be right."
    "Of course." Titus glanced at the council. "Now, sirs, if you will excuse us, we have much to do before tomorrow."
    Iolaus agreed, made sure he knew the directions to the inn where he and Hercules would be quartered, and shook hands all around. Hercules followed suit, and trailed Iolaus down the stairs.
    "Oh. Hercules," Titus called.
    Hercules turned.
    "Do be careful, won't you? Once those rebels discover you're actually in town, they may try something
    . .. harmful. I certainly wouldn't want anything to happen to you. Or your friend, of course."
    ' 'I think I can take care of myself, but thanks for the warning," Hercules answered, then waved a farewell, and caught up with Iolaus midway across the plaza.
    "You know, Herc," his friend said with a sad shake of his head, "this isn't going to be as much fun as I thought. And that guy gives me the creeps."
    Hercules couldn't resist a little good-natured teasing. "But what about all those women? Their dreams.
    Their aspirations. Their hopes. Their—"
    "All right, all right," Iolaus groused. "Boy, a guy can't say anything around you, can he?"
    Hercules draped an arm around his shoulders as they left the plaza for the boulevard. "Iolaus, you're forgetting something."
    "What."

    "This city is probably filled with lovely women. This city is about to explode with parties and banquets and parades and who knows what else? This city knows who the fantastic Iolaus is and will—"
    Iolaus stopped him with an upraised hand. "Got it, got it, I got it. I'm being greedy, right?"
    "Right."
    "I should make my own fun, right?"
    "Right."
    "I shouldn't have any trouble lining up a couple of real—"
    The hand that was on his shoulder shifted to cover his mouth. "Don't push it, Iolaus. Don't push it."
    Five minutes later they reached the Red Boar Inn, a fine-looking establishment with, Iolaus noted instantly, amazing proximity to other fine-looking inns from which sounds of revelry drifted into the night air. As he made for the entrance, however, Hercules stopped him.
    "Take care of the rooms," Hercules told him. "I'll see you later."
    Iolaus frowned. "Hey, you're not going to have fun without me, are you?"
    "No. I promise." His expression darkened. "But there's someone I have to see, and I have to see him now."
    Iolaus shrugged. "I'll go with you."
    "No, I don't think so."
    Iolaus shifted, ready to argue, until suddenly he realized what Hercules meant. "Oh. Okay. I'll take care of everything, don't worry." His hand touched Hercules' arm. "Just promise me that you're not going to try to take on Hera on your own."
    Hercules could so promise, and did. "But it's not Hera I'm looking for," he added. A hearty slap on Iolaus' shoulders sent him back. "Just make sure there aren't any rebels in my bed when I get back."
    Then he walked down the boulevard.
    Heading for the sea.
    Titus paid no attention to the others as they bid him a good night. He kept his gaze on the two men leaving the plaza, wondering if perhaps he had made a mistake. Although there was nothing spectacular about Hercules' appearance, he couldn't help feeling the sheer power that emanated from the man.
    Even if he didn't know of his connections to the gods, he'd have to be an idiot not to at least sense something beyond the ordinary run of mortals in him.
    Hercules was human, and something more.
    Just looking at him made Titus uneasy.
    Soft footsteps behind him made him smile, and he held out his hand without looking. A much softer hand took his and squeezed it gently.
    "Your people," he said, "couldn't hold them, it seems."
    A woman's quiet laughter made him smile himself. "They weren't supposed to, darling."
    "Did you tell them that?"
    "Of course not. But twice, three times their number wouldn't have done it. 1 just wish the delay had been longer. I think—" She exhaled loudly. "I think he might have too much time to think."
    Titus considered the notion, and