Here ya go-- the next part.  In this chapter, the good stuff starts rollin'.

“THE EIGHTH LABOR”

by Eric R. Umali

Chapter 2 - “The Crystal Pool”

Hippolyte supposed she shouldn't have been surprised.  When she returned to the healer's tent, Hercules was nowhere to be seen.

"Hercules?" she called.

"Out back," came the reply.

The Amazon pulled open the back entrance of the tent, to find the young hero on the ground, doing one-armed push-ups.

"You know, you really shouldn't be doing that.  The arrow did go into your shoulder, after all."

Hercules grunted.  "That's why I'm only using the one arm."

She shook her head.  "Did the healer tell you that it was all right to leave the tent?"

As if in response, Hercules stopped, and proceeded to press himself upright.  Soon, he stood balanced on one hand.  "No."

Hippolyte crossed her arms.  "Are you trying to impress me?"

"No," he replied casually.

"Are there any more words in your vocabulary?"

"Yes," said Hercules, before flipping to his feet.  "Breakfast."

Her eyes brightened a bit.  "I thought as much.  I will have some food brought to you."

Hercules raised an eyebrow.  "Brought to… Oh, I see.  Since I'm a man, I'm not allowed to eat in the communal area?"

"It is our way, yes.  I'm sorry."

"Don't be.  I wouldn't dream of opposing your traditions."

"Very well," she replied, then turned away, only to turn back.  "Would you like… company?"

"I would, yes.  And I would be honored if it were you who joined me."

"Then I will return with two servings."

The easy smile returned to his face.  "Good.  But you'd better make it three.  I'm still healing, and famished."

"You've never had an Amazon serving, have you?  Trust me, one will be more than sufficient."

"Then I'll wait right here."

**********

If there was one thing that Hippolyte did not expect Hercules to be, it was a raconteur.  Despite her best efforts, she found herself enjoying his stories.  Breakfast went all but ignored as she listened to him go on about the adventures he'd had, and of the people he'd met in his extensive travels.

Hercules, for his part, was enjoying the Amazon's company-- particularly her elusive smile, which he was able to pry out of her once or twice.  He was careful, though, to make as little of his own extraordinary abilities when relating the tales, and embellishing the humor.

Finally, Hercules wrapped up the longest story yet.  He happily watched the ghost of a smile cross her features, then vanish.

Hippolyte rose.  "I think I should like to meet this Iolaus.  At any rate, I should be getting back."

"All right.  Thank you again."

"It was my pleasure.  Is there anything else you need?"

He thought a moment.  "Is there a nice, scenic place in the area that's good for a walk?"

Hippolyte's chin rose in thought.  "Yes," she answered.  "Follow the main trail out of the camp until you reach a small clearing, perhaps a thousand paces out.  Head East, and you will reach a small brook.  It is quite pretty."

"Thank you.  Will I be able to speak to Queen Larisse sometime today?"

"I believe so.  Perhaps around sundown."

"Sundown it is then," he said, coming to his feet.  Hercules held out his hand, and she grasped it firmly.  A moment later, she turned and headed towards the main part of the camp, while he started walking in the other direction.

**********

*She's quite good at understatement,* Hercules thought as he found the brook.  It was beautiful-- clear and bubbling, and the water was cool and sweet.  He walked for about two miles until he found the brook's source.  It was fed by a small, shallow pool, which in turn was fed by a waterfall, the end of a larger stream.  Much of the bottom surface of the pool and behind the waterfall was covered by sparkling, blue-green crystals.

"Perfect," he whispered.  Hercules looked around, then, satisfied that he was alone, began to undo the ties of his tunic.

**********

When Hippolyte had not found Hercules halfway down the length of the brook, she knew where she _would_ find him.  The Crystal Pool, as she had dubbed it, was her favorite spot for quiet contemplation-- a rare indulgence for an Amazon.  But she had found it years ago, trying to prepare herself for an anticipated battle.  There, she had sat beside the water, listening to the calming, trickling rush of the waterfall.  When she arrived back at camp, her mind and spirit were clearer than they had ever been.

Why she had directed this stranger in that direction was a question she had been wrestling with in the hours since they had parted company.  For some reason, she had decided, she felt some strange connection to this Hercules, as if she'd already known him all her life.  She was still puzzling over it as she reached a turn in the brook, where what lay beyond was hidden by a dense copse of trees.

The Amazon came around the bend, knowing that just beyond her sight was the Crystal Pool.  She had not, expected, however, to find the young man in his present state.  Hercules stood beneath the fall, the water coursing down around his shoulders and arms, down to the pool, knee deep at that point.  His eyes closed, Hercules seemed to be going through a practice fighting sequence, in agonizingly slow motion.  He was also clothed in nothing more than a pair of brief trousers that stopped well above the water.

Hippolyte moved slowly, stealthily.  Without a sound, she made her way around the perimeter of the pool, while Hercules continued, apparently oblivious to her presence.  Gently, she knelt beside the edge, and gingerly removed her boots and unslung her short sword.

*I know how little _I'd_ appreciate my training regimen to be interrupted suddenly,* she thought, and so, she was determined to announce her presence gently.  Truth be told, she was also curious as to his abilities as a warrior.  She was not disappointed.

By the time she was within a yard of him, she had just opened her mouth to speak his name, when he snapped into action.  With lightning speed, he grasped her arm and twisted, sending her flying into the middle of the pool.

"Hercules!" she cried, before going under.

"Oh, Gods," he said, then waded out after her.  Before he reached her, she sprang up like a river nymph, as time itself seemed to slow.  Hippolyte threw back her head, her darkened tresses arcing through the air, sending thousands of crystalline droplets spraying everywhere.  He watched with fascination the simple motion of shaking her head and the flow of the tiny drops as they flowed down her face and neck.  Finally, he was able to shake himself from the mesmerizing sight.

"I am _so_ sorry, Hippolyte.  I didn't know it was you."

Once more, the hint of a smile tugged at her lips.  "You have nothing to apologize for.  For someone who is not an Amazon, you have a true warrior's senses, and remarkable reflexes."

"That doesn't excuse my throwing you into a pool," he disagreed.

"Nor does it excuse my making enough disturbance for you to know someone was there."

Hercules sighed.  "Well, this is getting us nowhere."

"Indeed."

"So, you came looking for me?"

"Yes.  I knew you would find this place.  The Crystal Pool is a special place for me."

"Is that so?  It's beautiful, and very peaceful.  I'm glad you led me here."  They stood for an awkward moment, silent.  "Is it time for me to see your mother?"

Hippolyte nodded.  "Although," she said slyly, "you may wish to dress a little more formally."

"Huh?" said Hercules.  Then he looked down.  "Oh!  Uh… sorry," he said sheepishly, then tried to make his way to dry land while covering up.

"You have nothing to be ashamed of," she said, then immediately regretted letting the words slip.  She thanked the gods when Hercules didn't seem to notice.  Hippolyte modestly turned her back as he slipped his clothes back on and waded to the other side, where she quickly recovered her boots and sword.

"Ready?" she called over her shoulder.

"Ready," he replied.  They skirted the edge of the pool until they had reached the brook.  Without a word, Hercules crouched, then sprang into the air, flipping gracefully onto Hippolyte's side of the water.

"Who are you, really?"

Hercules shrugged.  "I'm sure you'll find out when I get to speak with Queen Larisse.  If not, I'll tell you tonight, all right?"

"All right."

Hercules and Hippolyte were carrying on an animated conversation as they headed towards the center of camp.  Virtually every Amazon head turned as they walked by.

The warrior Alea stared the hardest.  "The Princess has already wasted far too much of her time and energy on that… man."

"That man," the Amazon beside her pointed out, "saved your life.  Without him, neither you, Princess Hippolyte, _or_ Queen Larisse would be here to tell about it."

"You don't know that!" Alea snapped.  "We didn't need his help.  At the very least, _I_ didn't need it."

"Whatever you may think of him," another said, "he's favored of the Princess, and most likely, the Queen as well."

"Not for long, if I have anything to say about it."  Alea turned sharply, and headed off after the two young warriors.

TO BE CONTINUED…