Another story hiding from me.  I found two whole new chapters for this one.

“THE EIGHTH LABOR”

by Eric R. Umali

Chapter 3 - “Audience”

Hercules was the first to reach the Queen’s quarters, the most solidly-built structure in the entire village.  A pair of statue-sized guards stood flanking its entrance, heavy spears crossed, barring the door.  They glared at the young man.

“I’ve been called to see Queen Larisse.  Please let me pass,” he said calmly.

The guards’ eyes immediately went to Hippolyte, who stood just behind Hercules’ shoulder.  The Princess nodded, and the guards pulled in their spears.  Hercules entered slowly, Hippolyte a pace behind him.

As Hercules had expected, the receiving area of the place was not very large, and spartan in its décor.  Cloths decorated with bronze scales and rings hung on the walls, along with a few spears and shields.  Soon, Hercules stood about ten paces before the Queen, sitting well above everyone else in her massive throne.  Larisse sat bolt upright, with an air of regality that could be felt in the air around her.  Amazons surrounded the room, and at the Queen’s left stood Alea, a grim look on her face.

Hercules stopped, and lowered to one knee.  “Queen Larisse-- it is an honor.  I am Hercules.”

Queen Larisse nodded slightly, then turned to Hippolyte.  “Daughter,” she said simply, and gestured to the small but ornate chair to her right.  Princess Hippolyte strode forward and took her place at her mother’s side.

“You may rise,” she said to Hercules, who obeyed.  “I trust you are feeling well, Hercules.”

“Yes, Your Highness.  Your healer is most effective.”

“Excellent.  Then you are well enough to travel?” Queen Larisse asked.  With every eye in the room on Hercules, none caught the disappointment that flashed across the Princess’ features, then disappeared.

Hercules shifted his weight, unsure.  “I suppose so, Your Highness.  However, I have been wondering...”

“Speak, young man.”

“If there might be a way I could... stay,” he said haltingly, adding, “for a while.”

“Impossible,” Alea said, almost spitting the word.  Larisse raised a hand in front of her, silencing the younger Amazon.

The Queen sized up the young man before her.  “Why?”

“I have seen you and your sisters fight, and was truly impressed.  That’s not a shallow compliment-- I have lived among some of the finest warriors alive for the last few years.”

“Chiron’s Academy?”

Hercules was surprised.  “Y-Yes, that’s right.  How did you--“

Larisse smiled.  “You have the way of a trained warrior about you.  I have crossed paths with other former cadets before.  Chiron would have been satisfied with your performance yesterday.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.  In any case, what I was thinking... was that I could learn a great deal from you and your warriors.  Things that I can’t learn at the Academy... or anywhere else.  Amazons are respected everywhere for their martial abilities.”

“Feared, you mean,” replied Alea, before turning to Queen Larisse.  “Surely you cannot even be considering this... _man’s_ ridiculous idea.”

The Queen did not answer.  Instead, she kept her focus on Hercules.  “What you ask is contrary to our tradition as Amazons.  What could you possibly offer to us that would make us consider this?”

“I understand that you intend to expand the size of your village, Your Highness.  Is that correct?”  Larisse nodded, so he continued.  “I could be of good use with the work-- particularly the clearing and lifting towards the start.”

“Are you suggesting,” Hippolyte said carefully, “that we Amazons are not sufficiently strong to do this job?”  Her question was more a reaction than an attack, but Hercules was caught off-guard.

“No, Your Highness, of course not.  It’s just that...  Well, there’s really no way to say this right...”

“Then say it plainly,” said the Queen.  “It is the best way.”

“Queen Larisse, the Princess asked me earlier today who I was.  My name is Hercules, and I grew up in the kingdom of Corinth.  My mother’s name is Alcmene.  My father... the one who gave me life, that is... is Zeus.”

There was an audible gasp, but only barely.  The Amazons’ stoicism returned in a moment.  Except for Alea, though, who snorted in disgust.

“You expect us to believe that you are the son of the king of the gods?”

Hercules bristled.  “It’s not something I’m particularly proud of, but it’s the truth.  It’s also the reason I could be of help.”

“What do you mean?” Larisse asked, genuinely curious.

Hercules stepped forward.  “If I may--“  He was stopped short by a pair of very sharp spear heads.  Queen Larisse waved the guards away and watched puzzled as Hercules crouched before her.  The young man dug his fingers under the large wooden platform upon which both thrones were placed.

Hippolyte’s eyes caught Hercules’ for a moment, the twinkle in them answering her silent question.  With a slight huff, he began to strain.  The young Princess watched the rippling play of Hercules’ muscles as they pressed against the huge weight of the platform and thrones.

Alea turned again to the Queen.  “This is pointless, my Queen.  It would take at least a dozen Amazons to lift this platform.”

As if in response, all three women felt the first sensation of being lifted.  The Amazon guards gaped in awe as Hercules hefted the platform and everything upon it clear off the ground.  Hippolyte stared as Hercules lifted, showing as much strain as she would expect for lifting a few large sacks of grain.  She glanced at her mother, who watched calmly.

Once Hercules had gotten the platform to chest height, Larisse spoke.  “That will be quite enough, Hercules.”  Nodding, Hercules slowly lowered the platform, returning it perfectly to its original place.  Panting, Hercules stepped back and stood silently.

Princess Hippolyte was the first to speak.  “Well, Mother-- that would seem to be a sufficient demonstration, don’t you?”

Neither Larisse nor Alea could mistake the tinge of expectation in the Princess’ voice.  The Queen rubbed her chin thoughtfully.

“Hercules-- if you would return to the healer’s tent for now, we will send for you when a decision has been made,” she said evenly.

“Of course,” Hercules replied, and turned around.  By the time he reached the doorway, Alea had caught up to him.

“I will show you the way back.”

He answered curtly, “I know the way, thank you.”

“I insist.”

Without another word, Hercules tried to step forward, but was blocked again by the guards’ crossed spears.  Alea ordered them to part, and they complied.  Hercules walked on, straight back to the tent.  As he opened the flap, Alea leaned in close.

“Even if the queen accepts your offer-- which she shouldn’t-- you won’t know a moment’s peace if you stay here,” she hissed.

Hercules turned his head, bringing his face inches from Alea’s.   “I didn’t know you cared,” he said, then disappeared into the tent, leaving Alea fuming in his wake.

**********

“This simply cannot be!” Alea shouted.  “We are Amazons!”  Her words were met with a number of voices in support.  She sat again to the left of the Queen, at a table with five other Amazons, Princess Hippolyte, and Queen Larisse herself.

While Larisse cleared her throat to respond, Hippolyte stood.

“Alea is correct,” she said, eliciting a confused look from both her mother and Alea, “we _are_ Amazons.”  She stepped slightly to her left, to stand beside the Queen.  “We are Amazons whose culture and traditions and beliefs define us.  We value courage, and treasure honor and discipline.  The Amazons have survived for many years thanks to these values-- not by being stupid.”

“Thank you, Princess,” Alea began, “I’m glad--“

“What would be stupid,” continued Hippolyte, “is to throw away a perfectly good opportunity.  We need to expand the village.  With the help of Hercules, we could finish the job in a third of the time, if not less.”

“He is a man!” shouted one of the Amazons at the table.

“That’s correct,” the Princess retorted, “he _is_ a man.  Would any of you argue that this simple, manual labor is what he, as a man is good for?”  There were low murmurs, but no arguments.  “We are not at war, and at this time, we have no secrets to hide.  It would cost us nothing to accept Hercules’ bargain.”  She returned to her seat.

Queen Larisse raised her hand before any more spoke.  “I will consider this mater overnight.  You are all dismissed.”  The women rose and began to file out of the room.  Larisse put a hand on her daughter’s arm.

“Daughter.  I wish to speak with you.”

“Of course, Mother.”

Larisse’s voice lowered, becoming softer.  “Alea has... informed me that you and this Hercules spent a good deal of time together today.”

“Hercules saved my life, Mother-- and yours and Alea’s as well, as I recall.”

“And our healer saved his.  The debt is paid.”

“He is a good man, Mother.  If he says he only wishes to help us and to learn, then it is the truth.”

The Queen shook her head.  “I am sure of that, Hippolyte.  That is why I am going to accept his bargain.  I am only delaying the announcement so as not to ruffle feathers.  What I am concerned about is you, my daughter.  You have had little contact with men in your young life.  I warn you to be cautious.”

“I understand.  Thank you, Mother.  You will not regret your decision.”

“I am sure.  Now go and inform Hercules that he will have his answer in the morning.”

Hippolyte turned, and headed for the door.  Larisse’s voice stopped her.  “He _is_ quite handsome, isn’t he, Hippolyte?” she said.

The Princess pivoted, the faintest smile tugging at her lips.  “Yes he is.”

**********

Hercules looked up expectedly as Hippolyte appeared in the opening to the healer’s tent.

“You bring word from your mother?” he asked.

“Only that she will give her decision in the morning.  I am... optimistic about your chances.”

“Really?  Well, then I should thank you in advance.”

“There is nothing to thank me for.  You will be useful.”  Hippolyte seated herself across from him.  “Tell me,” she began, “what it is like for you?  What is the life of the son of a god like?”

Hercules’ face darkened.  “It’s the life of a child abandoned.  A child ignored.  A child who would trade the gifts his father gave him for a moment of his attention.”

“I am sorry, Hercules.”  They sat in silence until Hippolyte spoke again.  “What is this Academy you and my mother mentioned?”

Hercules seemed glad of the change in subject.  “A centaur named Chiron is the headmaster.  He teaches young people the martial arts-- how to be great warriors and leaders.  The sons of most nearly all the monarchs and generals I’ve ever heard of go there.  The highest principles are valued there.”

“The sons, eh?  No daughters?”

“There was one,” he said, turning quiet again.  “Her name is-- _was_ Yvenna.”

“I am sorry again.  I think I would enjoy a visit to your Academy.”

“You’d fit right in,” Hercules said, brightening again, “and the guys would like you.  Especially Iolaus.  Maybe a little too much...”  His voice drifted off.

“What do you mean?”

“Iolaus has a weak spot for beautiful women,” he said, then quickly clamped his mouth shut.  He turned to see the Princess blushing warmly.

They stared at each other for a few long moments.

Hippolyte rose.  “I will,” she started slowly, “be back shortly with your supper.”

“Will you join me again?” Hercules asked sheepishly.

“Yes,” she replied quickly, then vanished out of the tent.

Hercules sat back on his cot, slapping himself on the forehead.

TO BE CONTINUED…