|
Note
to self: don't piss Artemis off.
I sat down and lifted a hind leg to scratch behind a floppy ear. Great, I had fleas.
I'd
made the supreme mistake of letting some of Artemis' animals free from her Sacred Grove. Hey, they'd been bored and wanted
to know what it was like ‘outside'. How was I supposed to know there was a hunter in the vicinity? Too bad about the
buck...
Now I sat on a dusty road, no longer a god, but a small mud-colored mutt. I guess it was better than being
a chicken. At least no one was going to throw me in a stew pot.
I stood up and shook myself. Since I couldn't change
back, and I couldn't access my godly powers, I figured I'd better hoof it...so to speak. I needed to get to the nearest temple
dedicated to Gaia. She either wasn't listening to me, or couldn't hear my silent cries. If it was the former, I was screwed.
It meant she agreed with Artemis regarding my actions.
I was fairly footsore by the time I reached the village. I was
also thirsty. Let's not forget hungry as well. I couldn't exactly ask anyone if they could spare a bit of bread, a boar's
haunch, a ten-course meal...I guess I was a bit more hungry than I thought. I wandered up to the nearest likely mark and pawed
at his leg. I got a foot in the muzzle for my efforts. Marking him down for later vengeance, I went along to the next likely
source of food. An hour later I was still hungry, but I had quite a lengthy list of mortals who would feel my wrath.
It
had become evident I'd have to take matters into my own hands...or paws. I headed into the market place. The area was loaded
with tantalizing smells. With all the people and noise, no one would notice one small brown dog filching a bite or two.
Like
the rest of my day, this plan went to Tartarus and a handbasket as well.
There was this nice, fat fish at just the
right level...if I stood on my hind legs and sort of hopped a little...piece of honey cake. Apparently Fortune was in league
with Artemis. I got the fish all right, along with about a dozen others. How could the owner of the fish stall not notice
that?
I found myself dodging legs with a large fish clamped between my jaws, and a mad mortal hot on my heels. It wasn't
that I was afraid of him, just that large knife he was brandishing as he pursued me.
So it was I found myself running
from the market into the main thoroughfare. Bad choice. I heard the pound of hooves before I saw them. Soldiers or mercenaries
of some kind. No matter; what did matter was the hooves I suddenly found myself trying to avoid.
Once again Fortune's
toss of the coin didn't favor me. I lost the fish as I was clipped in the side and then kicked yet again while I was down.
I vaguely remember hearing some shouting, and then something lifted me up. I must have lost consciousness because I was suddenly
listening in on the middle of a conversation.
"-crazy? You could have been killed!"
"But I wasn't, and if I
hadn't gone after him, he would have been trampled to death."
"It's just a stray. You're life is worth more than a
dog's," the first voice continued to argue. "Besides, he got kicked at least twice. He could be injured inside and die anyway."
It was a young male voice, one that seemed vaguely familiar.
"Herc, if I was a stray, would you let some horse run
me over?"
"Of course not! But you're not-"
"See? I could do no less." As if there was some real logic in there,
the second voice held a note of triumph. Apparently he thought he'd scored a point.
‘Herc'? There was only one
person I knew who answered to that name, which meant the other voice had to belong to...
"Iolaus, you aren't a dog.
Your logic is all turned around here."
"Guess I fell asleep in that class, too." Iolaus followed that with a giggle.
I felt a hand run along my side and whined when it passed over my ribs. That hurt. I wondered if my immortality had gone out
the window as well.
"Broken ribs," Iolaus murmured. When he touched one of my back legs, I growled
and snapped at his hand. Instinctive reaction...I didn't mean to try to bite the hand of my rescuer.
"Careful," this
from Hercules, "he doesn't know you." Then, with a resigned sigh, he asked, "How bad is it?"
"Broken, I think. But
it's not poking through the skin, so all we need to do is splint it up. It feels like the bones are in place..." Strong hands
passed over my leg again, accompanied by phrases and sounds apparently meant to calm me. Oddly enough, I found myself relaxing.
My tail started to wag slightly, quite by accident, I assure you.
"See, Herc? He likes me. Get some sticks about this
long, would you?"
I eyed
the blond mortal as he rummaged through a pack and pulled out some bandages. "You know," he spoke to me as if I could understand,
probably thinking just the sounds would be reassuring, "old Fiddle-face's lectures about being prepared are actually paying
off. I wouldn't have thought about bringing bandages on a trip home. Well, not my home; we're on our way to Hercules' home.
He's the big guy. I'm Iolaus. You have a name?"
I automatically tried to respond. Somehow, I don't think the yip that
came out was very edifying. His hand reached out and ruffled the fur on my head.
"No...oh, no..." Hercules had returned
and was shaking his head as he stared at his friend.
"What?"
"I know that look. No way can you bring this dog
to the Academy. We're not supposed to have pets."
"Aw, come on, Herc. He's hurt. We can't just leave him. Besides,
we're not on our way to the Academy." Eyes wide, Iolaus gave his friend an innocent look. As soon as Hercules' back was turned,
he muttered to me, under his breath, "Yet." The demigod managed to hear it. Thus started a huge debate between the two as
Iolaus splinted my leg, and it lasted well on our way to their destination.
They took turns carrying me. In spite of his protests, Hercules warmed up to me along the way, if the
constant petting was any indication when it was his turn to be the beast of burden. We eventually arrived at Hercules' home.
I recognized the place by scent before I saw it. Hercules' mother had a green thumb, and that was putting it mildly. Alcmene's
garden was cream of the crop in the area. No one could match hers for variety and health. Personally, I think she was Gaia's
favorite.
Before long, I found myself settled on the hearth before a small fire, a bowl of water nearby. Her son and
his friend bringing home a wounded stray didn't faze her in the least. The gods know she'd been inundated with such when the
two young men had been but boys. I drowsed off to the sound of human chatter as Hercules' told his mother about their latest
exploits as cadets. Iolaus punctuated the conversation with observations that alternately left Alcmene laughing and Hercules
protesting.
Thus began my stay with Iolaus and Hercules. I was watered, fed-no dog had eaten as well as I did from
the scraps of Alcmene's table-petted, exercised, and even bathed. Let me say, as a god, I liked baths, but as a dog, they
left much to be desired. Wet fur wasn't fun. Licking it dry was even worse. The ribs healed fairly quickly, but the leg was
taking its own sweet time. I three-legged it as much as possible. Other times, Iolaus or Hercules carried me with them. We
spent a lot of time fishing, lazing under trees, eating either what was caught, or what Alcmene had sent with us. Iolaus had
even named me: Hermes. He'd explained to his friend that it fit; after all, they'd found me in the midst of a theft.
Hercules pointed out that I'd failed, but Iolaus insisted that was what they would call me. I was a clever dog in his opinion.
I thought it ironic to be named after my father, not that they had any inkling of what and who I was.
It was an ideal
time, and like all such times, it couldn't last. Their break from cadet life was all too soon ended. I sat on the end of Iolaus'
bed, watching the two pack their travel packs. As usual, they were arguing. Most of the time, it was more like a heated discussion;
this wasn't one of them.
"We can't take him with us. I told you that when we found him."
"But Herc, he _needs_
me-us! He needs us. His leg isn't fully healed yet." Iolaus stopped shoving his things into his travel pack and patted my
head. I returned the sign of affection with a sloppy lick of his fingers.
"He'll be fine here. Mother will watch out for him." Hercules carefully folded his extra shirt and just as carefully
arranged it in his travel pack.. Alcmene had a soft heart and it hadn't hurt that I'd proven useful in ‘chasing' off
poaching rabbits in her garden.
"He'll miss us, Hercules. We
can't abandon him. He'll have issues."
"What issues? He's a dog."
"A smart dog. A really smart dog. We could
train him at the Academy to sniff out criminals or something. We just have to convince Cheiron." Iolaus resumed packing, shoving
yet another doomed shirt into the depths of the sack before shoving some leather ties in after it.
"That's
where your idea stalls and dies, Iolaus. He won't go
for it. Then what happens to Hermes? We won't have time to bring him back here." Hercules carefully sealed his bag and turned
back to his friend. "Face it, he can't come." That said, he headed out to say his last goodbyes to his mother.
I watched
the emotions that flew across Iolaus' face. The only one who had issues here was the blond cadet. From my long time observation
of him, I knew he had a strong need to protect those who were weak, abandoned, the underdogs of society. He knew what it felt
like to not be wanted. He operated often from an emotional base, far more than Hercules, who tried to approach things logically.
"Don't
worry, Hermes. I'll think of something...wait...it's coming to me..." The next thing I knew, he was dumping out his sack and
rummaging through it, tossing some things aside. After reducing his stock to bare necessities, he shoved it all back in and
then, to my surprise, grabbed me and stuffed me in on top. It was a good thing I was small. Even so, I was rather cramped.
Arranging the flap over it to give me enough air, he hoisted me up on his back. "Whoa, you're heavier than I thought. Must
have been Alcmene's cooking. Now be quiet."
As
plans went, it wasn't first rate, but it worked. I kept silent like no real dog would and we were on our way.
===================================
Midway to Cheiron's Academy, Iolaus gave his partner an excuse of nature
and made his way into the woods lining the path. He let me out, apparently satisfied that Hercules couldn't see him. I tumbled
out of the pack, my legs prickling with renewed circulation. Trying to shake my body awake, I only succeeded in losing my
balance and falling over. Iolaus stifled a giggle.
"Iolaus?
You okay?"
"Um, yeah! I'll just be another minute!" He poured some water into his hand from his waterskin and let me
drink. That done, I took care of nature myself. He was just trying to get me back into the pack when we were both startled
by another call.
"Iolaus!"
I was roughly grabbed and shoved into the travel pack. "Coming!" After a few moments
of jouncing about in the dark, I finally found a less uncomfortable position and settled in for the rest of the journey.
We
hadn't gone far when Hercules cleared his throat and asked, "So, how long are you going to smother Hermes in your bag?" We
came to an abrupt halt.
"You know?!"
"Iolaus, I've known you since we were kids. I know how you are."
"What's
that supposed to mean?" Suspicion colored his voice. I poked a nose out of the air hole and snuffled. Maybe now I could be
carried properly and in more comfort.
"It means I know you have a soft spot for animals. When were you going to let
me in on your scheme?"
"Um, when we got there?" I found myself being pulled out by the demigod and cradled in his arms.
A hand absentmindedly petted me.
"You know what Cheiron's answer will be." They resumed walking. This was much more
like it. Fresh air, and hand to scratch me behind my ears...if it wasn't for the fact I was actually a god, I'd have been
content.
"We can hide him...maybe in the barracks. The others will be okay with it...right? Everyone likes a puppy."
"I
don't think he's a puppy. He's just little."
"He has a big heart," Iolaus grumped. I'd noticed he had this thing about
being small and seemed inclined to foist the same dislike off on me. "You saw how good he was; he kept quiet all this way.
He can hide from Cheiron until we get him trained-"
"Not that idea again! Iolaus, what's he going to do once he's sniffed
out a criminal? Pee on his leg?" That did it. I might be small, but I wasn't totally helpless. I bit Hercules.
"Ouch!
Ow! He _bit_ me!" I almost got dropped.
"You shouldn't have called him little," Iolaus reminded him. "We'll think of
something. Plan Alpha is to hide him in the barracks. You come up with Plan Beta."
"Great. We'll be expelled because
you can't leave a dog behind." I noticed that in spite of the grumbling, Hercules kept walking
I got a rescue of a
different sort when we stopped to set up camp. They weren't due back till the next day, and rather than start extremely early
or walk late into the night, they'd decided on camping overnight. Alcmene had packed them enough food for an evening meal.
One small bundle turned out to be a bone. Got to love that woman. She knew her adopted son quite well.
I'd contented
myself with gnawing on the bone for a while until the sounds and smells of the night intrigued me enough to set my canine
tendencies to the fore. So I heaved myself up and hobbled off to investigate the source of the smells that tickled my nose.
One in particular led me further from the campfire than I'd planned on.
Nose to ground, snuffling in the rich scent
of earth, I ran right into a sandaled foot. With a yelp, I jumped back, lost my balance, and toppled over at the feet of Artemis,
Goddess of the Hunt.
"Have you had enough?" The stern
look she caste down on me made it pretty clear she was still miffed over the Sacred Grove escapade. I yipped at her. I also
had the feeling she wasn't here out of forgiveness, but more likely someone with more clout than she had coerced her into
seeking me out. "Hold still and I'll return you to your natural form."
I
flinched as she drew her bow and struck me with one of her arrows. The transformation wasn't without its pain. I found myself
stretching and remolding at a rapid rate. Now, I can shapeshift in a limited way, but it's usually much slower than what I
was subjected to at that point. I stifled a groan as I uncurled and stood up. Digging my bare toes into the soil of the forest,
I fed upon the earth to pull the energy needed to heal my leg. The bindings had broken as I grew and the sticks Iolaus had
used to set my leg lay abandoned at my feet.
"I hope you learned your lesson," Artemis scolded.
"I learned a
lot of lessons," I retorted. "But what about Iolaus and Hercules?"
"They'll get over losing the dog. Strays are like
that. Here one day, gone the next." So saying, she disappeared in a subdued display of sparkles. No sense attracting anyone's
notice.
I wasn't so sure about this. I couldn't stay a dog, true, but I'd watched mortals enough to know they got unusually
attached to small animals. With Iolaus, it could well be stronger, and where Iolaus went, Hercules followed. And the reverse.
I sunk into the earth and returned home only to make myself stay away from watching the two in a convenient mud puddle. That
lasted until dawn.
Opening up a window on my obsession, I tuned in just in time to see Iolaus yelling for me...um,
me-as-dog, that is.
"Keep that up, Iolaus, and you'll have the real Hermes here. We've got to get going if we're going
to get to the Academy at a decent hour."
"But, Herc, he's injured. We can't leave him out here. He can't fend for himself."
"We've
been calling for him since we got up." Hercules picked up his travel pack and refrained from pointing out that he'd told Iolaus
they couldn't bring the dog with them.
"Go on ahead. I'll catch up. I'll just track him down. He could be hurt again.
You don't think there were any wolves nearby, do you?" The blond started searching the campsite for signs to indicate what
way I'd gone. I'd forgotten how good he was at tracking. He picked up my trail and began tracing it, oblivious to the demigod
rolling his eyes and finally shrugging and following him.
In a flash, I was back at the spot where I'd returned to
my original form and erased the presence of my bare feet where little dog prints had stopped. Then it was a simple matter
to continue those tracks on to a nearby stream. I wondered if I should make them head on back all the way to Thebes, and then
decided to leave them ending in the stream. It wasn't deep, so he wouldn't think I'd drowned.
I returned to my scrying
puddle and watched the two come upon the torn bindings and sticks from my makeshift splint. Iolaus knelt down and picked up
one of the linen strips. "He must have torn these off..." He touched a print that led away from the spot. "Doesn't seem to
be limping badly..."
Hercules didn't answer but simply followed his friend, casting worried glances at his back the
whole way to the stream. Once there, it became evident to the two that I'd walked into the stream and not back out any time
soon. Finally, after they'd gone some distance up and down it, Hercules finally called a halt to their search. "He's gone,
Iolaus."
"No...no, he's around here...somewhere..."
"Iolaus." When the demigod wanted, he could put a lot of
command into one word. Iolaus looked up at him, then his shoulders slumped in defeat. Hercules reached out and gripped his
friend's shoulder and tried to comfort him. "He's probably gone back home. He'll be okay. If he could tear off the splint
and make it to here, he's fine. We have to get back on the road to Chieron's. We can send a note to mother from there to keep
an eye out for him."
Iolaus nodded quietly and followed at Hercules' heels, stopping only once to look back at the
stream.
=====================
I watched over them all the way back to the Centaur's school. Iolaus was uncharacteristically silent,
leading Hercules to worry and try repeatedly to engage him in conversation, any conversation. Finally, even he gave up and
simply trudged next to his friend in silence.
That evening found Iolaus at the gate, eyes searching the land for some
sign of a little mud-colored mutt. I felt bad and was wondering if I should ask Artemis to change me back into a dog. I didn't
want to spend the next ten years as an animal, but I didn't like letting the small human suffer either. I should have realized
then that my obsession had transcended curiosity into something more.
Before I could make a decision that would affect
my life profoundly, Hercules sought out and found his friend. Quietly approaching, he leaned against the opposite gatepost
and took up watch with the other cadet. It was Iolaus who broke the silence.
"You think he's all right?"
"I
think Artemis takes care of all animals, even little stray dogs." Hercules straightened up and joined Iolaus, resting an arm
across the smaller youth's shoulders.
"You think so?"
Iolaus looked up at his friend and there was no mistaking the hope in his eyes.
"Yeah." Hercules emphasized this with
a slight tightening of the arm around Iolaus' shoulders.
I left them then, confident that, though Iolaus would worry
for a while, Hercules would be there to help him through it...and no little glad that I didn't have to spend more time on
four legs.
The End
|
