Disclaimer - these characters are the property of MCA/Universal and Renaissance Pictures and no attempt is made to infringe the copyright thereof. We are just borrowing them and will give them back at the end of the story

RESISTANCE

Part 1

By Mel


The redolence of their lovemaking lingered heavily in the air and Hercules opened a window to allow the gentle night breeze to flow softly through the bedchamber. Iolaus lay sprawled in serene slumber across the crumpled bed and as the refreshing coolness drifted soothingly over his sweat glistened body he stirred languidly, rolling onto his side.

The demigod flexed his tired muscles leisurely and while the cool night air played softly over his skin, his mind drifted inexorably to more serious matters. They had arrived in Corinth earlier that week having received an urgent summons from the King, Hercules half brother, Iphicles. Rumours of a destructive force gathering to the north of Corinth had been reinforced by intelligence gathered, describing in frightening detail, the extent of a steadily growing peril. The king's spies had observed hidden camps, ships laden with weapons and supplies unloading in secret locations and several small settlements had been plundered and burned by ferocious warriors.

Iphicles had begun carefully planning a campaign to repel the threat and he had called on the invaluable skill and experience of Hercules, Iolaus and Jason the former King of Corinth, to assist him. The last few days had been spent in meeting with the king's generals and making detailed plans for the upcoming campaign. At dawn, the first phase would be put into action.

Iphicles and Jason would sail north with troops, weapons and supplies while Hercules and Iolaus accompanied the rest of the king's army on foot to a predetermined location, to rendezvous with the king. The ships would proceed north to attempt to intercept the enemy's supplies while the army prepared to defend the king's land and people against the invading legions.

The King of Corinth would have preferred to have, avoided war at all costs, but as yet there was no indication as to precisely who they were preparing to fight. There had been no direct threat made against the King, only an ever-increasing awareness of a menacing presence along the northern borders.

This could be a long and bloody campaign and Hercules was concerned that he would have few opportunities to be alone with the keeper of his heart in the next few weeks.

The demigod quietly padded over to sit on a chair beside the luxurious bed. He placed his feet on the edge of the pallet and resting his elbows on his knees and his chin on his interlaced hands, he ran his eyes unhurriedly over his lover's sleeping form, taking inventory of his perfectly shaped features.

His gaze drifted along the hunter's strong legs, over his thighs to the gently rounded curve of his firm pale buttocks, wherein nestled one of the demigod's favourite places. He moved leisurely on over his lover's sun kissed skin, travelling up his spine to his strong broad shoulders and then on down a well-muscled arm to his hand. A hand that could expertly wield a sword to kill a man, or slide tenderly over his partner's body, stimulating every nerve ending it encountered with practised skill.

As the moon slipped from behind a cloud, its pale light streamed in through the open window casting an ethereal aura over the hunter's peaceful form. As the soft breeze ruffled his hair silvery moonbeams danced in the blond man's silken locks and Hercules felt his heart swell with deep and abiding love for this man, his partner, his lover, his friend.

Moving silently onto the bed and lying behind the hunter's golden body, the demigod coiled his arms around his lover, enclosing him protectively in a warm embrace. Iolaus sighed and pulled Hercules' strong arms more tightly around himself as he snuggled contentedly back against his partner's powerful frame.
Hercules nuzzled sensuously against the hunter's neck and gently blowing the hair away from his ear, he playfully teased a fleshy lobe with his teeth. He ceased his delicate nibbling to flick his tongue over and into his lover's ear and when he then blew gently on the moistened area Iolaus moaned softly.

A hand brushed lightly over the hunter's chest and strong fingers began to tease a hard brown nipple seductively between thumb and forefinger. A shiver of delight coursed through his body but when he tried to roll onto his back his powerful friend held him securely, pinning his arms. "Don't move, my love." the demigod whispered quietly.

"Like I have a choice," the hunter answered huskily and another shiver of pleasure raged through him as his partner's fingertips glided sensuously across his firmly muscled stomach, diverting slightly to drift fluently over the curve of his hip to his thigh, before returning smoothly to their origin. The demigod repeated the movement, allowing his fingers to venture slightly lower over his lover's abdomen this time before sliding up over his hip, his feather light touch burning a hot trail across the hunter's sensitised flesh. When Hercules tantalisingly trailed his fingertips along their familiar path for the third time, they slipped low enough to brush enticingly against the soft thatch of hair below, leaving Iolaus squirming with desire. "Please, Herc," he begged breathlessly.

As the demigod's hand resumed its relentless torture, Iolaus trembled in anticipation, but this time the teasing digits brushed provocatively past his throbbing shaft and curled gently around the furry sacks, nestling below.

Iolaus writhed as his lover's fingers finally travelled back up to the inflamed centre of his desire and lightly gripped the tip of his swollen member. The hunter gasped, thrusting his hips forward as the demigod's thumb rubbed gently over his glistening head and his fingers lightly stroked his aching erection. Squirming in delight the blond man's breath came in short gasps while his lover's fingers gripped and pulled, milking his throbbing member until he was close to the brink of shattering eruption.

When Hercules' busy hand suddenly deserted his engorged shaft, Iolaus groaned in desperation. Rolling onto his back with the hunter still pinned against him the bigger man reached over his shoulder for the small bottle of oil on the bedside table. The bottle tipped, spewing its slippery contents across the smooth wooden surface and the demigod dipped his fingers into the fragrant liquid.

Hercules pushed the hunter over onto his stomach, his slick fingers gliding down to the concealed opening between the delectable globes of his lover's firm arse. As one of the demigod's fingers paused over his puckered anus, Iolaus pushed upwards and his partner met him halfway, slipping his digit past the tight opening into the welcoming warmth beyond.

Iolaus wriggled delightedly as his lover's finger delved deeper, pushing and stretching until it brushed enticingly past his prostate and Hercules thrust a second finger purposefully into his partner as the hunter gasped and trembled in ecstasy.

While his fingers continued their gentle probing, the demigod used his other hand to thoroughly coat his erection with the spilled oil on the table, stroking his powerful hand smoothly back and forth along his aching length. Positioning himself behind his lover, Hercules' hot slick shaft brushed enticingly against the hunter's firm buttocks and Iolaus raised his hips. "H-Herc, now, please," he panted.

Withdrawing his fingers, Hercules pressed the tip of his aching member against his friend's puckered entrance and in a single fluid movement he pushed swiftly into the tight embrace of the hunter's eager body.

Iolaus gasped, and Hercules paused to allow his lover a moment to become accustomed to the sudden painful intrusion. As the initial discomfort gave way to more pleasurable sensations, the hunter pushed back to take his partner's hot shaft entirely inside him and the demigod emitted a long satisfied sigh.
Withdrawing and plunging again Hercules established a slow steady rhythm, sliding and pushing, gradually increasing the intensity of his fevered movements, as flesh encountered flesh and passion met desire. Snaking a hand beneath his lover's hips, his fingers wrapped firmly around the hunter's aching member and moved them in sympathy with the undulating motion of their joined bodies.

As his lover pounded incessantly into him, harder and faster, towards rapturous climax, Iolaus wrapped his arms firmly around a feather stuffed pillow and buried his sweat glistened face in its cool softness. He uttered a muffled cry of completion, his body quivering as his milky seed spurted hotly across his abdomen and pooled on the sheet below.

Gasping in ecstasy and throwing back his head, Hercules forcefully rammed his throbbing length home and his muscular frame shuddered with tumultuous passion as he came explosively within the enfolding warmth of his lover's body.

Iolaus began to sag forward and without breaking their intimate connection, the demigod rolled onto his side, pulling his lover's body with him. The satiated lovers lay thus linked while their ragged breathing and racing heartbeats returned gradually to normal.

Eventually, it was Iolaus who broke the contact, as he wriggled free of his friend's embrace and rolled over to face him. "You really enjoy torturing me don't you?" he said with a knowing smile.

Hercules frowned, but he couldn't hide the twinkle in his deep blue eyes. "I don't know what you mean," he replied innocently.

The hunter rolled his eyes in disbelief. "No of course you don't," he sighed as he moved closer and curled himself contentedly around the bigger man's body.

Hercules rested his cheek against his partner's golden curls and closed his eyes. "Go to sleep Iolaus," he urged gently. "I think we're going to need all the rest we can get."

Within minutes, the lover's were lost in satiated slumber, their bodies entwined in a peaceful tableau of mutual adoration.

**********************************

Iolaus crouched behind the rocks and peered anxiously down at the small village, nestling in the lush valley below. Even from their elevated position they could clearly hear the blood curdling screams of the terrified inhabitants as a horrifying force of destruction swept through the unfortunate settlement.

The hunter, now a general as far as the king's troops were concerned, turned to the lieutenant by his side and issued hurried orders. "Take two men and return to the rest of the army. Tell Hercules what's happening here. I'm going down there with the rest of the patrol to do what I can."

The soldier nodded. "Yes sir, good luck," he said as he hurried away.

Iolaus turned to the rest of his men. "We will be hopelessly outnumbered down there," he began. "So I will ask for volunteers to accompany me. There will be no shame for those who wish to remain behind."

Without further discussion, their general rose from behind the protective cover of the boulders and made his way quickly down the gently sloping hill to the hapless village below. Without hesitation every one of his small group, followed him faithfully into the fierce conflict.

The enemy swarmed relentlessly through the village and Iolaus realised that his futile attempts to turn the tide of destruction were likely to fail, but he battled on regardless. One by one the brave men who had loyally followed him into the fray were falling, as they battled desperately to repel the seemingly unstoppable onslaught.

The hunter fought like a man possessed, his sword whirling unceasingly, his whole body, a blur of untiring destruction as the enemy bore down on the helpless village without respite. Bodies littered the bloodied ground and Iolaus fought a steadily increasing sense of helplessness as the battle raged on.

As the hunter raised his sword to repel another attacker, something thudded forcefully into his arm and he barely managed to duck below the vicious swing of his mounted opponent's sword as he thundered past. An arrow was deeply imbedded in the upper part of his left arm and Iolaus staggered, as the agonising pain of the wound reached his battle-fevered brain. He reeled in shock when he snapped off the shaft of the arrow, but the adrenaline coursing through his body gave him the strength to continue as the enemy continued its inexorable advance.

Thick choking smoke stung his eyes and throat as buildings burned fiercely all around and the hunter blinked back tears, as he squinted through the dense clouds. At the far end of the settlement, the enemy soldiers were herding a small group of men, women and children, but before Iolaus could get close enough to get a clear view of the proceedings, the sound of thundering hooves alerted him to imminent danger. He whirled to face the rapidly approaching threat, but before he could focus in the blinding smoke, something connected violently with the side of his head and his world erupted in a sudden blinding flash.

When Iolaus came to, everything was eerily silent and as he struggled to sit up, the whole world lurched and whirled around him sickeningly. He lay motionless for a few moments, until his vision cleared, then he attempted once more, to pull himself into an upright position. Burning pain lanced mercilessly through his injured arm and his head pounded fiercely while he fought to retain consciousness.

Gritting his teeth he climbed unsteadily to his feet and his heart filled with profound sadness when he glanced around at the battle's bloody aftermath. Bodies lay scattered everywhere and a baby's distressed wailing drifted on the breeze with the choking smoke from the smouldering ruins. Iolaus began to move numbly through the destruction in search of survivors but he held little hope of finding more than a handful.

As he tentatively entered the nearest small house his heart twisted in sorrow at the pitiful sight before him. A young woman lay in a sticky pool of blood and a small boy, no more than three years old was crouched by her side, frantically pulling at her sleeve. When the child saw Iolaus his eyes widened in his pale, tear streaked face and his small body quaked in terror.

The saddened hunter stepped closer and with careful deliberation he placed his sword on the table and held up his hands. "I'm not going to hurt you," he said gently. Kneeling beside the woman, he checked briefly for a pulse, but her lifeless body was already growing cold so the hunter concentrated on gaining the child's trust.
Smiling reassuringly, Iolaus held out a hand to the frightened boy and to his immense relief the child cautiously raised his own small hand. The hunter curled his fingers gently around the much smaller ones and spoke softly, "We have to leave now."

The child glanced briefly at his mother's still form, then he looked into the blond man's gentle blue eyes and Iolaus knew that somehow the frightened child understood. He led the boy out of the building and hand in hand they continued along the street to the source of the crying he had heard earlier.

As they proceeded through the smoke filled streets, a movement up ahead caught the hunter's attention and he paused until the smoke cleared sufficiently for a clearer view. He observed a woman, her face bloodied and tear stained, kneeling beside the still form of a man. As Iolaus approached he determined that the baby's frantic wailing was emanating from the house behind the tragic couple. With a heavy heart he approached the grieving woman and knelt by her side. "Is that your baby crying?" he asked.

As if waking from a dream, the woman looked up and blinked at the blond stranger. Then her head turned towards the house. "My son," she said worriedly and rose shakily to her feet.

Iolaus placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Your son needs you and this young man," he said indicating the little boy who was still clinging to his hand, "has lost his mother. Will you take care of him for me please?"

The woman looked down at the pathetic child and an expression of profound sorrow passed across her face. "Yes of course," she said and reached down to take the child's tiny hand.

As she was leading the boy into her house the woman turned, glanced tearfully at her husband's body and then looked questioningly at Iolaus. The hunter nodded, understanding her unspoken plea. "I'll take care of him," he promised.

Iolaus grunted with the pain and effort of dragging the man's body out of sight around the side of the house. He covered the rapidly cooling corpse with a blanket and was about to resume his sad mission when a familiar voice reached him.

"Iolaus," it was Hercules' voice and the hunter raised a hand wearily in greeting as the tall figure of his friend emerged from the smoke. The demigod's face was clouded with emotion as he approached his wounded partner. "I was afraid everyone had perished," he said with relief and placed a solicitous hand on his partner's shoulder. "Are there any other survivors?" he questioned.

Exhaustion and pain were clearly etched on the blond man's face as he nodded in affirmation. "Not many, I'm afraid. So far there is a woman and her baby in the house here, a small boy and a lucky soldier with a hard head." He grimaced slightly as he gently explored the growing lump behind his left ear.

A soldier approached the pair, "Any orders sir," he asked.

Iolaus indicated the covered body nearby and spoke up. "This man's wife is in the house, with her baby son and another little boy whose mother was killed. Arrange for her husband to be buried in a place of her choice and take care of the woman and the children." He grimaced in pain and supported the elbow of his injured arm momentarily with his other hand as he continued. "Continue to search for further survivors, organise a detail to dig graves and get these fires extinguished," he finished wearily as he wiped his watering eyes with the back of a grimy hand.

"Yes sir," the soldier turned questioningly to Hercules, "Anything else sir?"

"Yes, send some clean water and bandages to that house over there," he indicated a large house on the far side of the street. "We'll be using it as our headquarters while we're here."

The soldier turned away to carry out his orders and Hercules put a steadying arm around his swaying friend. "Come on, let me take a look at that arm," he encouraged and gently steered the weary hunter across the street to the aforementioned house.

Once inside the house Iolaus allowed his friend to steer him to a comfortable bed and he sank down gratefully, his shoulders sagging as the strain of his recent endeavours coupled with the pain of his wound caught up with him. As soon as the bandages and water arrived Hercules sat beside Iolaus on the bed and carefully lifted his friend's blood encrusted limb. Pain was clearly evident in the hunter's pale blue eyes and he gritted his teeth while the demigod gently examined the wound.
Hercules hated to see his Iolaus in pain but the wound had to be treated and after careful deliberation he grasped his friend's injured left arm firmly by the elbow to support it. "Grip my arm, Iolaus," he instructed and the hunter regarded him questioningly as the fingers of his left hand locked around the bigger man's upper arm. "The arrow has missed the bone but it's gone most of the way through your arm. It's going to be easier if I push it the rest of the way through," he explained gently.

Iolaus took a deep breath, releasing it slowly as he steeled himself for what was to come, then regarding Hercules steadily he said. "Do it," and turned his head away.
Not wanting to prolong things any longer than was necessary, the demigod grasped the shaft of the arrow in his powerful hand and without hesitation he smoothly thrust it through his partner's arm.

A choking gasp of agony ripped from the hunter's throat and his whole body jerked in shock, as the head of the arrow ripped through his flesh, emerging in a shower of blood. Iolaus' fingers dug painfully into his friend's arm but ignoring the discomfort of his partner's tight grip, the demigod pulled the arrow the rest of the way through and clamped a thick pad of cloth over the profusely bleeding wound. The hunter's face was grey and lined with pain and his breath came in ragged gasps. Hercules released his grip on his friend's elbow and used that hand to hold the cloth in place leaving his other arm free to place around his partner's shoulders. "Hang in there, Iolaus," he soothed gently.

Iolaus leaned gratefully against the demigod's strong shoulder and after a while his breathing calmed and he relaxed a little. "Gods, that hurt," he said shakily.

Hercules tenderly smoothed the damp hair from the hunter's forehead. "I know, take your time," he said. "Let me know when you're ready and I'll clean and bandage it."

"I'm ready, Herc," Iolaus replied bravely and the demigod helped him to lie down on the bed.

As Hercules proceeded with his ministrations he began to question Iolaus about the earlier battle in an attempt to distract him from the pain of his wound. "How many soldiers would you estimate attacked the village?" he asked.

"It was hard to tell," Iolaus answered through gritted teeth. "There was too much smoke but I suppose maybe fifty."

"Did they take prisoners?"

Iolaus grimaced in pain and it was a few moments before he was able to speak again. "Yes, a few men but mostly women and children I think. I'm guessing that they only take the children over five as the little ones would need too much caring for." There was anger in his voice as he continued. "They kill, anyone who resists and take the rest as prisoners, what I can't figure out is why."

Hercules frowned as he carefully wrapped a bandage around his friend's arm. "It's been puzzling me too why they would want to take prisoners. They aren't interested in gaining ground because they attack the villages and then leave so why in Hades do they bother?" he finished tying the end of the bandage and gently lowered the injured limb. "All done," he said.

Iolaus smiled wanly. "Thanks, Herc," he said gratefully and closed his eyes for a few moments while Hercules cleaned up.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, the demigod leaned over and gently brushed his lips against the hunter's soft mouth. Iolaus moaned softly and murmured, "Not now, Herc, I've got a monster headache."

Hercules laughed softly, "How is that thick head of yours?" he inquired as he gently probed the lump behind his partner's ear.

The hunter winced. "Ow! It's a little sore just there thank you and a hundred maniacal blacksmiths are hammering incessantly in my head with huge metal hammers, but otherwise ... not too bad, I guess," he sighed.

Gently stroking his lover's damp forehead with his fingertips, the demigod smiled sympathetically down at his suffering friend. "Get some rest, Iolaus. I'll check on you later," he said and leaned forward to kiss the hunter again.

This time Iolaus responded willingly and opening his mouth he returned and deepened the kiss until both men were slightly breathless. When their busy mouths eventually parted, Iolaus opened one blue eye, "Now get out of here and let me rest," he demanded and his eye snapped shut.

When Hercules returned a few hours later he found his friend standing by an open window, cradling his injured arm against his chest and staring out morosely into the gloomy streets. The demigod crossed the room and slid an arm around his partner pulling him gently back against his strong body. "Why aren't you resting?" the son of Zeus asked laying his cheek tenderly against his friend's golden hair.

Closing his eyes, the blond hunter leaned back wearily against the demigod's powerful form and sighed. "I couldn't rest," he explained. "Every time I close my eyes, I see the faces of the people whose lives were torn apart today." Iolaus turned and raised sorrow filled eyes to regard his friend. "How many survivors where there?" he asked.

The hunter's feelings reflected in the demigod's eyes as he replied sadly. "Only five, a woman and four small children."

Turning away, the hunter blinked back tears. "Why?" he said quietly, shaking his head. "It's so pointless."

Realising how deeply his exhausted friend had been affected by the seemingly pointless destruction of the innocent village, the demigod placed a sympathetic arm around his shoulders and encouraged him to return to the bed. "You need to rest Iolaus," he said soothingly. "How is your arm?"

"It's fine. Stop fussing," Iolaus snapped irritably as he slumped onto the bed and closed his eyes.

"I doubt that," the demigod snorted.

Iolaus opened his eyes and regret flooded through him as he looked into his friend's worried face. "I'm sorry, Herc," he said. "I'm tired and my arm hurts. I didn't mean to take it out on you."

"I know that," Hercules replied as he tenderly ran his fingers through his friend's tousled hair, "And I do understand, Iolaus. I will never be able to observe the bloody destruction of war and witness the profound effects on the lives of the people it touches, without experiencing the deep regret you're feeling right now my friend. I know it's painful, but it's what separates us from the monsters who destroy and kill without compunction."

"You're right, Herc, but I felt so helpless today and I can't help feeling guilty for being alive when so many good men died," Iolaus explained.

Hercules paled slightly as he replied. "I have no doubt that you would willingly have died with the rest of those brave men today, Iolaus. You did everything in your power and have no reason to feel guilty." Impulsively the demigod gathered his friend into his arms and held him close. "When I walked into this village today and saw the death and destruction, bodies and blood, I was so afraid I had lost you." His voice caught in his throat and he couldn't go on.

Returning the embrace, the hunter's voice was choked with emotion as he replied, "I hadn't thought of that, Herc, I'm sorry, I was being selfish."

Hercules pulled away slightly from his partner and regarded him fondly, "No, my friend, you don't have a selfish bone in your body and the way you feel about what happened here today is typical of the brave, selfless, passionate man I know and love. Don't ever apologise for being you, Iolaus." The demigod replied emotionally then he leaned over and pressed his lips tenderly against the hunter's delectable mouth.

Responding eagerly, Iolaus' lips parted, welcoming the demigod's probing tongue to the sweet, moist recesses within. Their tongues entwined, sliding sensuously together, probing deeply, until nothing else existed but the thrilling sensations evoked by the joining of their mouths.

It was Hercules who reluctantly ended the ardent kiss and briefly cradled the hunter's head against his shoulder. "Rest now, my love," he whispered as he tenderly laid his exhausted friend on the soft bed and held his hand.

Sighing contentedly the blond hunter closed his eyes. "I love you, Herc," he muttered as he drifted into much needed peaceful slumber.

The next day Hercules left to make the two-day journey to meet up with Iphicles and Jason and report the recent events. Then he would return from the coast with supplies and orders from the king. Iolaus remained with the king's army in the village to supervise the rest of the cleaning up and burials.

Hercules had let the exhausted and wounded hunter sleep through the night into morning and they had only had a few brief moments together to say their farewells, before the demigod departed.

Iolaus hated being away from his lover for more than a few hours and the time passed slowly but he amused himself with thoughts of how he and Hercules could spend their next evening together. With that in mind the hunter made arrangements for a large bathtub, in the big house they were using, to be filled with hot water and he added some fragrant oils in anticipation of his lover's return.

Just to add to the hunter's misery it had rained incessantly all day and now he was pacing back and forth outside the house and fretting in case the torrential rain had slowed the supply wagons so his lover might not make it back before nightfall.
Finally, as dusk was fading into night, Iolaus spotted the tall figure of his friend striding down the muddy street and he almost leapt with joy. He ran back into the house and lifting the last pot of hot water from over the fire in the kitchen, he hurried into the bedroom to add it to the already cooling tub.

Hercules removed his muddy boots at the door and padded barefoot into the kitchen. "Iolaus," he called as he warmed himself in front of the roaring fire.
The hunter appeared in the doorway of the kitchen and promptly burst into a fit of giggles. The demigod raised his eyebrows questioningly, "What's so funny?" he inquired.

Iolaus regarded his tall muscular friend as he stood in front of the hot fire with steam rising from his damp clothes. "I guess you must be hot for something," he laughed.

The demigod looked down at his steaming attire and smiled. "What I really need right now is a hot bath," he sighed.

The hunter looked hurt. "Is that all?" he asked sulkily.

"Not entirely I suppose," Hercules grinned.

Iolaus put out a hand and his lover moved across the room to take it. "Come with me," the hunter said mysteriously. "I have a surprise for you."

The son of Zeus allowed himself to be led into the bedroom where he stopped in mixed amazement and pleasure as he observed the steaming tub of water waiting within. He turned to his lover who was fairly beaming at the pleased expression on his friend's face. "Iolaus, you are wonderful," he said and began to strip off his sodden clothing.

"I know," the hunter answered smugly and stepped forward. "You may thank me in any way you see fit," he said and smiling seductively he wrapped his arms around the demigod's waist. Hercules took hold of a handful of his friend's golden hair, pulled his head back and crushing his lips against his lover's mouth he kissed him with such intensity that the hunter was left trembling and breathless.

When their mouths separated, Iolaus moaned softly and began to lave his hot tongue across his partner's bare shoulder. Moving lower, he nibbled sensuously at one of the firm nipples nestling in the matted hair across over his chest and Hercules gasped and gently pushed him away. "Are you going to lick me clean or are we going to get in that tub before the water gets cold," he laughed.
In moments they disrobed and slid into the steaming water. Hercules sighed and closing his eyes he leaned back, luxuriating in the warmth of the fragrant water, the cold and tension easing from his tired muscles.

The hunter allowed him a few moments to relax before he began to question him about his trip to the coast. "How was Iphicles?" he asked.

Hercules opened his eyes. "My brother is hopping mad," he began. "The ships these people are using are bigger, have taller masts and larger sails than anything in the king's fleet. He just can't catch them."

"Has he tried lying in wait along the coast?" Iolaus inquired.

The demigod nodded. "Yes, but they never land at the same place twice and Iphicles doesn't have enough ships to patrol the whole coast day and night."

Iolaus frowned. "No wonder he's frustrated." he stated. "What does he want us to do?"

Hercules flexed his tired muscles and sighed. "He wants us, which I suppose means you, to try and follow the trail left by the soldiers who attacked here. Jason will be arriving in the morning with the supplies, I came on without him," he smiled meaningfully at Iolaus who grinned back in understanding. "He will be going with you."

"I have been thinking, Herc," Iolaus began. "Although there have been several attacks on villages, no more than around fifty or so men have been seen at any one time. Maybe there are only fifty of them and they move around a lot."

Hercules looked thoughtful. "You could be right," he said. "But Iphicles has spotted three ships in the last week, why would they need so many supplies for only fifty men?"

"I have no idea," Iolaus said resignedly. "I guess we will have to sneak around a bit more and find out." He had begun to unwind the bloodstained bandage from his injured arm and Hercules watched solicitously.

"How is your arm?" he asked.

"It's healing okay, Herc. I just need a clean bandage."

The demigod rose and climbed out of the tub. "Where are the bandages?" he asked as he began drying his muscular body with a large soft cloth.

"On the table by the bed," Iolaus grinned. "Next to the large bottle of oil."

Hercules retrieved a roll of cloth from the table and returned to the side of the tub.
"Out," he commanded and Iolaus hopped over the side of the bath to stand in front of the demigod, rivulets of fragrant water flowing over his muscular frame and pooling at his feet. Hercules tenderly dabbed the water from his lover's body, from his wide shoulders, over his golden torso, past his slim hips paying particular attention to the rapidly filling shaft standing proudly from the tangle of golden hair and down his strong thighs over his calves to his feet. When he rose and began to bandage the hunter's injured arm he couldn't miss the lascivious gleam in his lover's pale blue eyes. The hunter's experienced hands wandered sensuously over his partner's body and by the time Hercules finished applying the bandage his hands were trembling with desire. "You've missed me then?" the demigod laughed as he backed up carefully and sat on the edge of the bounteous bed.

Iolaus only nodded as he sank to his knees in front of his lover and gazing up lovingly he ran a hand teasingly over the demigod's inner thigh. Hercules moaned in delight as the hunter's tongue flicked delicately over his engorged member, trailing sensuously from tip to base and back again. Entwining his fingers in his friend's silken hair, the demigod shuddered in pleasure as the thrilling sensations evoked by his lover's skilled mouth coursed through his trembling body.

Mustering all of his self-control, Hercules firmly pulled his friend's head away from his groin and patted the bed on either side of him indicating that Iolaus should straddle his hips. As the hunter complied, hopping lithely onto the bed, the demigod pulled him into a crushing embrace and kissed him thoroughly, their tongues clashing ardently in mutual passion.

Their lips finally parted from the bruising encounter and Hercules began to plant a line of burning kisses across his lover's chest to his erect nipples. Lying back across the bed, the demigod pulled the hunter with him and as his teeth gently nipped at the hard brown nubs, he firmly grasped his lover's hips. Hercules' strong hands gently encouraged his partner's body to slide past his teasing mouth, his tongue burning a hot trail across his lover's torso to his groin and his waiting, aching cock.
The demigod ran his tongue tantalisingly along his partner's throbbing length until Iolaus whimpered in anticipation. Interlacing his hands behind his lover's head, the hunter raised it enough to gain a more comfortable angle for the passage of his engorged member into the demigod's warm talented mouth.

Iolaus thrust his hips forward as Hercules, taking him into his moist cavity from tip to root, began to work his sensuous magic with mouth and tongue. Suckling eagerly on the hard shaft, the demigod's lips teased and pushed and his experienced tongue lovingly savoured the precious droplets oozing from the tip of the pulsing member. Trembling with the effort of holding back from completion, the hunter pulled away from his lover's exquisite ministrations and lay back on the generous bed, grinning seductively and spreading his legs in obvious invitation.

Hercules rose to his knees and reaching for the bottle of oil beside the bed he dribbled the lightly perfumed liquid onto his fingers and rubbed it over his throbbing erection with slow deliberate strokes.

The hunter squirmed with delight when his lover's oiled fingers slid enticingly between the cheeks of his firm arse and teasingly explored the region adjacent to his puckered entrance. Then one long probing finger slid firmly past the tight ring of muscle and wriggled sensuously inside him in search of his most sensitive area. When the probing digit reached its target, Iolaus arched his back and moaned, his head rolling from side to side and the demigod slipped another finger in to join the first.

Iolaus writhed wantonly against his partner's hand. "Now, Herc," he pleaded breathlessly and hooked his legs over the demigod's shoulders.

"Not yet, my love," the demigod whispered as he leaned forward and took one of the hunter's brown nipples into his mouth and suckled on it, teasing with teeth and tongue while his busy fingers flexed and stretched inside the hunter's arse. Taking the firm moist nipple between his teeth the demigod bit down hard and Iolaus yelped in pain and pleasure as a delicious bolt of sensation raced to his groin.

Attending to his own urgent need, Hercules withdrew his probing fingers, and quickly positioning himself he thrust forcefully, impaling his lover's eager body with his aching shaft. Iolaus grunted in pain at the sudden aching fullness, but within moments he was enthusiastically pushing himself further onto his lover's hot length.
As Hercules began to lunge purposefully in and out of his friend's warm passage he reached between them for the hunter's throbbing member and, enclosing it in his powerful fist, he began to milk it in time with the rhythmic movement of their coupled bodies.

Sweat glistened on the hunter's lithe body and his hands convulsively clenched and unclenched in the crumpled sheets, his knuckles showing white as his partner's shaft rammed fervently into him. "Harder, Herc," he gasped. "Har-arhh-arhh-arder."

Hercules grunted with effort as he speared the hunter's arse with increasing vigour, harder and faster, pounding relentlessly until he felt his lover's body shudder in ecstasy and his pearly essence streamed hotly, splashing over his firm stomach.
Gasping in rapturous fulfilment as he climaxed, the demigod urgently released his burning passion deep inside the clinging depths of his lover's tight arse.

Sliding out of the hunter's warm haven, Hercules collapsed beside Iolaus and lovingly enfolded him in his arms. The hunter rested his golden head exhaustedly against his lover's chest and listened contentedly to his wildly thumping heart. As it gradually calmed to a slow steady rhythm his eyes began to drift shut. "I did miss you, Herc," he murmured as he slid gently into a peaceful satiated slumber.

*********************************

It had finally stopped raining when the soaking wet and thoroughly miserable ex-king of Corinth arrived with the supplies late the following afternoon. The wagons had needed digging out of the deep mud three times and Jason didn't hesitate to air his displeasure. "My clothes have been soaked through for so long that my skin will probably be permanently wrinkled," he complained as Hercules and Iolaus led him through the squelching mud to the warm dry house.

Jason noted as he watched Hercules out of the corner of his eye that the big man at least had the decency to look slightly guilty as he spoke up. "Come into the house and warm up by the fire while I have hot water brought in for the bath," he said in an effort to placate his grumbling friend.

Jason finally began to cheer up when the demigod led him into the bedroom and indicated the large steaming tub in front of the fire. "All I need now are some dry clothes, a good hot meal and a sound nights sleep in a comfortable bed," he declared as his eyes roamed around the room. He spotted the crumpled bed and the bottle of perfumed oil by its side and raised his eyebrows knowingly.

Hercules blushed slightly and backed towards the door. "I'll see about some clothes and food then," he mumbled as he hurried out.

*************************

"At least it isn't raining," Iolaus said brightly as he trudged through the clinging mud with a sullen Jason by his side.

The former king grunted and looking up at the heavy rain laden clouds overhead he scowled. "I don't know how we are supposed to pick up any sort of trail in these foul conditions," he griped.

The hunter gave up on trying to cheer his friend up and concentrated on the task ahead. "The rain won't have washed everything away and we know their supplies will be close to the coast, so if we head roughly east we may be able to pick up some signs," he explained.

Iolaus' instincts proved to be true and by midday they had found the campsite used by the soldiers and their prisoners as they headed towards the coast. The rain held off and by mid afternoon the welcome appearance of the sun had begun to raise even Jason's damp spirits. The two men reached the shore as evening approached and Iolaus couldn't believe their luck when they stumbled on an enemy camp on the beach.

A ship was anchored out in the bay and it appeared that the some of the soldiers were breaking camp and loading the last of their equipment into a boat at the edge of the surf.

Iolaus signalled that he was going to take a closer look and Jason watched silently as the hunter slipped stealthily down the steep bank towards the beach. He stopped when he reached the last of the rocky outcrops on the grassy slope and observed the activity on the sand below.

As they might have expected there were wagons loaded with supplies standing ready to leave but something else had caught the hunter's attention. Several people were already sitting in the boat and as he peered between the rocks Iolaus realised that there were women and children among the small group. As he puzzled over why the soldiers would be transporting their prisoners to the ship he began to back away from the rocks in preparation for the climb back up the steep incline but before he had taken two steps the ground lurched suddenly beneath his feet. He froze in his tracks and when he glanced upwards, he realised that the rocks above were moving slowly away from him. No, he corrected his assessment of the situation, he was moving or more correctly the earth beneath his feet was moving, but before he could react, the ground gave way violently. His descent to the beach below was a rapid and dangerous journey among a crashing wave of mud and rocks. He grunted in pain as he came to a bone-jarring stop at the bottom and then curled reflexively into a ball, covering his head with his arms as the rushing tide of debris continued to hurtle down the slope.

After what seemed an interminable period the onslaught ceased and the hunter began to scrabble frantically in an effort to free himself from the choking layer of mud. He sagged in relief as his hands broke through into the air above but then yelped in surprise when several sets of strong hands gripped his arms and roughly pulled him clear of the clinging mud.

The hunter tensed in preparation for a fight but the tip of a sword pressed threateningly against his breastbone and he gave up all hope of escape as he glanced around at the twenty or so men who had gathered round their mud caked captive.

The men parted to allow the passage of a warrior who was clearly their leader, a man with eyes of piercing ice blue and an impressive scar from his navel to just below his right breast. He raised his sword and pressed the tip against the hunter's stomach. "I could open you up like a ripe melon," he sneered. "But that would be too quick a death for one of the king's spies."

Iolaus held the warrior's cold blue gaze defiantly. "You must have me confused with somebody else," he said. "I just came here to fish."

The scarred man laughed and lowered his sword. "Chain him and put him in the boat," he instructed and turned away.

When Iolaus had disappeared down the slope in the hurtling wave of mud and rocks, Jason had feared for his friend's life. His relief at seeing the hunter alive and on his feet had been short lived and as he watched Iolaus being shackled and roughly tossed into the waiting boat he wondered how badly Hercules was going to take the news of his friend's capture.



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