Tangled Webs

by Margui

TANGLED WEBS

Anticlea came bounding into the kitchen of the palace. She quickly grabbed a piece of flatbread from the table as she skirted around the cook. She was trying to make it to her bedchamber before her guardian would notice.

Feta couldn't help but notice. Along with the mud that she tracked into the kitchen and that covered her boots, the teen`s face was streaked with purple and her long, dark hair was sprinkled with dried grape leaves.

"What have you been up to, my child? Your father would not be pleased," Feta chastised.

"Come on Feta, I was just having a little fun in the vineyard."

"I can see that," Feta laughed as she dipped her apron into the water she was using to prepare the afternoon meal. She approached the sixteen year old and cornered her, wiping her face of the purple grime. "Who'd you take down this time?"

"Morson," Anticlea answered as she ripped off a piece of the bread with her teeth. "I didn't like the way he called me princess. It was so, um," she thought for a moment as she chewed her bread, "condescending."

Feta continued to scrub Anticlea's face.

"Hey, watch it." Anticlea protested, "I have delicate skin you know," then she teased, "After all, I am a princess."

Feta shook her head, "What am I going to do with you?" she laughed. "It's amazing. You're as rough as raw silk until it suits you."

Feta looked at her young charge. She decided Anticlea's face had had enough scrubbing. "Okay, you're done," she announced going back to her chores.

Anticlea plopped down on the stool next to the fire and took off her muddy boots. She then wiggled her unrestrained toes in front of the fire. Relaxed and comfortable, and never very princess-like in the company of Feta, Anticlea jumped up when a young attendant walked into the scullery holding a large wrapped package.

"Princess Anticlea, " the young girl announced. "It looks like your secret admirer has struck again. This was left for you."

"What do you think it is?" Anticlea asked Feta as she rushed up to the attendant and took the package greedily from her.

The mysterious packages began appearing shortly after her mother, Amphithea died. Anticlea was about three. The gifts seemed to come only on special occasions and always anonymously.

Protective of his only child, King Barchan was concerned at first, but did not openly object to the mysterious packages and the unwelcome intrusion into his young daughter's life. She came to look forward to the special gifts, and when several years had gone by and no harm had befallen the princess, he reluctantly accepted they would remain a part of her life.

"Open it." The attendant encouraged.

Anticlea needed no encouragement. She had already ripped into the brown and gold wrapping and had flung open the box. She pulled out a silk beaded top in a deep turquoise, a color that could have easily rivaled the beauty of the Aegean Sea. Underneath the mid-rift top was a long flowing skirt in the same shade of turquoise.

"For the festival of Demeter?" she asked, already knowing the answer.

For as long as she could remember she would receive a special gift a day or two before the spring celebration. It was always clothing, and it was always made out of the most exotic and breathtaking material. So special was the fabric and style, she knew that no other woman in the province, whether princess or peasant would have an outfit like it.

Anticlea dug around in the wrapping for the personal note that always accompanied her gifts. She found it on the bottom of the package. It was never much, usually a sentence or two. She read it aloud: "For the festival of Demeter."

Anticlea grabbed the top and began parading it in front of Feta. "Told you," she giggled as she sashayed around the room.

$$$$$$

The festival of Demeter was held in the early spring when the warm days outnumbered the frosty mornings two to one. It was designed to encourage community cooperation, collaboration and political accord with other kingdoms. The festival was one of the most popular and biggest celebrations in the province and was visited by many dignitaries across the land. It was already in full swing when Iolaus arrived.

A procession of minstrels, dressed in colorful costumes, singing and carousing, forced Iolaus off the main road as he proceeded toward the village square. From the side of the road, he watched the procession move by and smiled.

The hunter was without his best friend and partner, Hercules, who had detoured to Cephalonia to settle a territorial dispute between two warring kings.

Iolaus really didn't mind going to the festival alone. Although he loved Hercules like a brother, the demigod was somewhat of a killjoy at festivals, always worrying about something. Hercules didn't know how to cut loose, but Iolaus did. He was looking forward to having a good time and catching up with old friends.

The village square was gaily decorated with colorful flags, paper lanterns and ribboned streamers. Numerous kiosks lined the square and sold souvenirs and consumables such as food and beverages. Surveying the kiosks for something to eat, Iolaus spotted a familiar face. He carefully tiptoed past the booth that Falafel was occupying, hoping that the meager chef wouldn't notice him.

"Iolaus," Falafel cried, trying to get the hero's attention.

Iolaus stopped, shook his fist briefly in disappointment and defeat, and then proceeded over to the chef.

"Falafel," he greeted. Iolaus then peered over the booth to watch in fascination as Falafel prepared his most recent culinary nightmare.

The chef stood behind a contraption that looked very much like a stone potter's wheel. Underneath the wheel, a descent fire loomed. Sitting atop the wheel was a large metal caldron. Falafel worked the peddle with his foot which allowed the wheel to spin. "Would you like to try my spider web candy?" he asked.

Without waiting for an answer, Falafel dipped a paper cone into the pot and began swirling it around the sides. As he did, strings of the spider web candy wrapped around the cone. In minutes, the white confection grew in size and shape.

Falafel handed Iolaus the candy. "What's in it?" Iolaus questioned skeptically.

Falafel smiled brightly, showing each of his rotting teeth. "It's sugar cane, heated at extreme temperatures and then spun onto a cone."

It seemed harmless enough, Iolaus thought. He tore a bite off the cone and closed his eyes, tasting it. He was cautiously concerned after trying Falafel's many other creations.

Iolaus was surprised when the concoction melted on his tongue and created a pleasant, sweet taste.

"You like it?" Falafel asked.

"It's not bad, Falafel, but you really should do something about the name."

"What do you suggest?" he asked.

"I don't know. It kind of looks like wool. How about `Wool Candy'?" Iolaus suggested and shrugged. He took a step back and began to wander the grounds in search of more diversions.

"Well, that's just silly." Falafel said to himself after Iolaus left. "In that case, I might as well just call it Cotton Candy."

Iolaus followed the path that led to the arena. A raucous wrestling match between a local favorite, Morson and a wrestler from the village of Nemea was in progress. The crowd formed a tight circle around the perimeter. Morson had his opponent in a tight hold. He was quickly wearing him down.

Iolaus spotted Anticlea standing in the inside circle of the crowd. He smiled. The warrior had known the spirited princess since she was a little girl. He watched with delight as Anticlea tried valiantly to disguise her enthusiasm for the local wrestler.

Getting involved with the action of the match, Anticlea was animated, twisting and turning, anticipating Morson's next move. Realizing that her odd gyrations and obvious bias were not becoming a princess, she would stop and look demurely around to see if anyone had noticed her. Lost again in the wrestling match, she would soon forget about her royal boundaries as she cheered for Morson again.

Iolaus took his eyes off of Anticlea momentarily and looked around the crowd. Across the circle from the princess were three ruffians. Their sour demeanor and scowl suggested to Iolaus that they were not happy with how the match was progressing. In an obviously heated conversation they would occasionally point in the direction of Anticlea and the two wrestlers.

From the back of the crowd, Iolaus recognized another familiar face. The tall man wove his way into the inner circle of the match. His body moved with ease between the crowd and Iolaus couldn`t help but wonder how many trinkets the thief had picked up.

But when the King of Thieves finally stopped and stood in the crowd, he was not focused on the wrestling match. He was watching Anticlea with rapt attention. Iolaus smiled briefly at the smitten look on the thief's face and then frowned. If Autolycus was here, it could only mean one thing; he was planning some elaborate theft. His attention toward the young princess sent shivers up the hunter's spine. Iolaus surmised he either planned to charm Anticlea into letting him into the palace walls, or he planned to steal from her outright.

Iolaus decided to confront the thief before he had the chance to victimize Anticlea. Although the direct approach was never very effective with the stubborn thief, at least his presence would catch Autolycus off guard.

Iolaus left the inner circle of the match and walked around to where Autolycus was standing. Weaving his way back into the crowd, he stood next to Autolycus. The thief continued to watch the princess, a look of longing on his face.

"Exquisite, isn't she?" Iolaus asked.

"Yes she is," Autolycus answered in affirmation and then turned his head to see who had initiated the conversation. Autolycus jumped when he saw Iolaus, as if he was caught with his hand in the royal vault. "What are you doing here?" the thief asked in obvious vexation.

"More importantly, what are you doing here?"

Autolycus ignored the question as he looked in the crowd for the tall demigod. When his presence wasn't immediately noticed, Autolycus asked, "What? Did Hercules finally let you off your leash?"

Iolaus bristled at the barb. "Ha. Ha," he mocked. Iolaus wanted to make sure Autolycus knew the attention he paid to the young princess had not gone unnoticed. "At least I'm not making a ninny of myself. She could be your daughter," Iolaus finished, nodding in the direction of Anticlea.

Autolycus gave Iolaus a withered look, "What do you mean by that?"

"Don't you think she's a little too young for you?"

Iolaus looked at the thief's sullied expression. "Hmm...how can I put this politely? I don't think you should be thinking about sowing your wild oats in her field, that`s all. Her father is very protective and you have enough trouble staying on the right side of the law as it is."

Autolycus let out a long sigh, "You're right. I`m a thief, not a pervert," Autolycus said as he narrowed his eyes in distain, and then his demeanor brightened. "Besides, I was just admiring her, um, necklace."

Iolaus looked at Autolycus and then squinted his eyes to spy on Anticlea. "She's not wearing a necklace, Autolycus."

Iolaus couldn't quite figure it out, but he knew Autolycus was up to something. If the thief was not infatuated with the lovely, young princess then it had to be something else.

"Oh?" Autolycus said shielding his eyes from the sun that was already behind him. "So she isn't. My mistake," he said as he turned from the crowd and waved the objection away.

Iolaus stopped Autolycus by grabbing his shoulder.

"That's right. It will be your mistake if you're thinking about using the Princess of Ionia to steal from King Barchan."

"She's a princess?" Autolycus asked, his attempt at lying being all too evident to Iolaus.

"Oh, come on, Autolycus," Iolaus chastised, "you knew she was a princess and you're trying to worm your way into Anticlea's good graces just so you can take advantage of her. Well listen, buster. I`ve known Anticlea since she was three and I`m not going to let you get within five feet of her. So, with that being said, you might as well just go."

Autolycus opened his mouth for a smart retort, but his gibe was drowned by the excited cry of Anticlea.

"Uncle Iolaus," she yelled as she spotted the hunter in the crowd. The match had been decided and the crowd was thinning. Anticlea was giving Morson a victory hug when she spotted Iolaus talking to the thief.

Autolycus glanced toward Anticlea. She had broken away from the wrestler and was heading straight for the two of them at breakneck speed. The usually calm thief panicked and gave Iolaus a steely glower, cursing him silently for putting him so close to Anticlea before he was ready.

He shook his shoulder from Iolaus' firm grip and spoke to the hunter in an angry murmur. "Fine, Iolaus. If that is your warning, then consider me warned. Now, if you don`t mind, I have things to do."

Autolycus slid into the anonymity of the crowd as Anticlea connected with Iolaus by giving him a fierce hug.

The blond warrior looked around for the thief but Autolycus had already made his escape. Iolaus could see his dark head and familiar green tunic quickly heading away from the square. The thief turned around and glanced at Iolaus once, before turning a final corner out of the square.

The princess rocked Iolaus in an exuberant embrace. "You came!" she squealed.

"Are you surprised? You've only been inviting me for five years now."

"Yeah, but I never thought you'd really come," Anticlea said as she wrapped her arms around Iolaus' bicep and led him away from the arena. "How is Hercules?"

"Well, you know. Hercules is Hercules." Iolaus shrugged.

"Couldn't make it, could he?" Anticlea asked.

Iolaus shook his head.

"Too bad," she answered, "I really wanted to meet him."

An official stepped up and reluctantly stopped the two as they traveled arm in arm. "Anticlea, your royal presence is needed at..." the dignified man paused as if too ashamed to speak the words, "the farkenberry eating contest."

"Judging?" Iolaus queried.

"Heck no! Eating," Anticlea said as she stepped away from Iolaus and smiled. "Catch you later?" she asked.

"You bet," Iolaus answered as he waved her on to her next official function.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

The three ruffians from the arena quickly gathered the defeated wrestler and walked out of the square and toward a narrow alley. They were huddled in an alleyway speaking in whispers when Iolaus approached.

"Whoa, are you telling me that's the same princess of Ionia whose father, King Barchan, ordered my father killed?"

"Yeah, yeah. Anticlea. I heard the little blonde guy tell the thief that." Tomis answered.

"So, whatcha gonna do, Hoffus? Huh? Watcha gonna do?" another chimed in, as if egging him on.

"I'm going to make him pay," Hoffus spat through clinched teeth. "You say the girl is not protected?"

The three men shook their head in unison.

"Barchan is a fool, then." Hoffus answered. A wicked sneer crossed his face as he pulled his compatriots further into the alley. Iolaus was no longer privy to their covert conversation.

"Here's what we're going to do..."

Filling ill at ease with the conversation he had just heard, Iolaus stepped back for a moment. Although he had set his hopes on other diversions for the day, Iolaus had made a mental note to keep a close eye on the defeated wrestler and his cohorts, and an even closer eye on Anticlea.

$$$$$$$$$$

Iolaus was looking for Anticlea for a good portion of the afternoon. The crowds had gotten thicker making it more difficult to spot the masquerading princess. Finally spotting her in her vibrant costume, he walked toward the open-air theater where she and several children had congregated.

Storytelling was a favorite pastime in the province and Anticlea had gathered the children around a grassy area. She was reluctantly determined to entertain them. Generally considered a royal function of the festival, the poet laureate would usually perform the narrative, but he had suddenly become ill after trying Falafel's newly created confection. He bowed out and Anticlea reluctantly stepped in, but in her stage fright, the princess could only remember one story to recite.

She sat in a corner under a large tree, surrounded by a semicircle of two dozen or so children.

Iolaus stood back from the crowd, folded his arms against his chest and listened to her story.

"Moments later the two thugs come back with their reinforcements. The contemptible and sinister King of Thieves reaches into the chest and pulls out the most valuable and precious of the jewels, the stone from King Menelaus' scepter, the Dragon's Eye Ruby. He tosses the chest toward Iolaus who he knows will have to take the fall for his vile thievery..."

Anticlea's slow, methodical narrative enthralled the young children and Iolaus chuckled at the description she had painted of Autolycus. Anticlea had heard the narrative many times. It was her favorite of Iolaus' cornucopia of stories but like any good fairy tale, there had to be an unequivocal good guy and bad guy, so Anticlea chose to embellish the story and vilify the outlawed thief.

In another corner, Autolycus frowned. He was also listening to the story. Even from a distance, the thief could spot the colorful outfit Anticlea had worn to the festival. He walked up to the group hoping to get another glimpse of the girl but spotted Iolaus on the other side.

Autolycus thought about leaving since, if he were caught, he would have to listen to another sanctimonious diatribe from the overprotective peon to Hercules. However, upon hearing the story, the thief was compelled to remain. After Iolaus' earlier warning, Autolycus was careful to stay out of the hunter's line of sight.

The manner in which Anticlea delivered the words as she described the thief clearly showed the children her contempt for the King of Thieves. Iolaus made him seem so unbelievably callous that Anticlea vilified him heartlessly even without knowing him. She had never thought of Autolycus as being a real person, with real feelings.

The creature she was describing bore little resemblance to the King of Thieves. Sure, Autolycus was often misguided and insensitive but in the end he did the honorable thing. He returned the ruby to King Menelaus and cleared Iolaus` name.

Autolycus was about to turn and walk away from the travesty, or at least make his escape before he was unduly recognized, when he heard the sound of horse's hoofs bearing down on the crowd. He watched as four riders passed him and beat a path toward Anticlea and the children.

"Anticlea! Behind you!" he yelled trying to warn her, but his shout was drowned in the din of the thundering hooves.

The clatter of the hoof beats stopped Anticlea's story in mid sentence. She got up from the ground as the horses and their riders bore down on her and the children. The horsemen were not slowing down, even through the desperate cries of the children's parents.

Those children not too terrified by the deafening sound of the hoof beats moved out of the animals' path. Others stood in the grassy area petrified in fear. Iolaus dropped his shoulder bag and rushed into the crowd, ushering as many of the children off to the side as he could.

A toddler boy was standing in the middle of the field in the direct path of one of the horses. Iolaus rushed in and grabbed the boy, then turned around to identify the rider that galloped by him. The leader was the wrestler Iolaus recognized as Hoffus. The wrestler pushed toward Anticlea as the three other men wrecked havoc by circling and taunting the children.

It was clear their actions were meant as a diversion to take attention away from the intended victim, Anticlea. The three men were getting a perverse pleasure from circling the children in wide arcs, thus ensuring that the kids would be frightened, but not harmed.

Hoffus approached Anticlea with steeled determination on his face. She was oblivious to the thundering hooves behind her as she worked valiantly to get the kids to safety. As she turned to help another one, Hoffus swept past her on his horse. Tilting low in his saddle, he grabbed the young girl by her waist, slowing just long enough to pull her up and onto his steed.

Once Hoffus had Anticlea safely on his horse, he turned his steed and headed directly out of the village. The three men abruptly broke off their attack and followed Hoffus out of town.

Anticlea fought and tried to scream for help but Hoffus clamped his calloused hand tightly over her mouth and squeezed the breath out of her as he clinched her to his chest.

Autolycus moved toward Anticlea as fast as he could. He carelessly pushed the men and women out of the way as he tried to reach her in time. Iolaus on the other side of the open-air theater was converging on Autolycus as the blonde was chasing after the kidnappers.

Hoffus kicked his horse harder as he raced toward Autolycus. Eager to leave with his hostage, Hoffus barreled toward the thief, who seemed determined to stop him from abducting Anticlea.

Worried that the thief may actually stop his plan, Hoffus released his foot from the stirrup and kicked Autolycus as he rode by. The sole of the kidnapper's boot hit the thief squarely in the chest as Autolycus tried to stop Hoffus from his flight. Autolycus fell back and rolled away, gripping the side of his chest in pain. He writhed slowly on the ground.

"Talk about kick starting your day. Ooh, that smarts," Autolycus moaned as he struggled to get up. The pain in his side was growing into a raging fire with each labored breath. But as he watched Hoffus ride away he forced himself to stand, gritting his teeth to stifle the pain in his side.

Iolaus continued to run after Anticlea and the kidnapper. He stopped within inches of Autolycus, panting and out of breath. Together, they watched Hoffus ride away. Despite the vise-like grip the kidnapper had on his captive, Anticlea forced herself around, panic building in her usually fearless face. She tried to entreaty Iolaus for help, stretching her arms toward the hunter, but Hoffus angrily slapped them down.

"Why didn't you stop him?" Autolycus asked.

"What do you think I was trying to do?" Iolaus answered perturbed.

"Come on. We've got to go after her," Autolycus stated, an edge of panic in his voice. He began walking toward their escape, favoring his injured side as he stepped. When the rider faded into the distance, Autolycus ignored his pain and quickened his pace to a slight run.

"Wait," Iolaus pleaded. He ran back and grabbed his haversack. As he was running toward the thief, Morson caught up to Iolaus. He had witnessed the chaos, but had not seen Anticlea abducted.

"What's going on?" he asked Iolaus as the blonde was rushing toward Autolycus.

The hunter looked at Morson as the wrestler kept pace with Iolaus. He put a hand on the wrestler`s shoulder, but barely slowed as he said. "Tell King Barchan that Anticlea has been kidnapped. We're going to rescue her."

"Who's we?" Morson asked as he stopped in stunned disbelief.

"Me and Autolycus," Iolaus shouted as he retreated from the wrestler.

Morson watched as Iolaus caught up with the green-clad man. Quickly turning around, he sprinted toward the castle to inform King Barchan of what he had learned.

Running into the kitchen, Feta could see the concerned look on Morson's face and knew something was wrong.

"Where is King Barchan?" Morson asked as he grabbed her shoulders in a desperate plea.

"In his throne room, I think," Feta answered.

Morson breezed by Feta and traveled toward the throne room. The troubled wrestler threw the chamber doors open.

"Morson?" King Barchan questioned, scrutinizing the wrestler's ill manners.

"I'm sorry King Barchan," he apologized as he inhaled deeply.

He continued in a single, rushed breath, "Anticlea's been kidnapped from the festival. Iolaus and his partner went to rescue her."

Barchan exhaled heavily and collapsed into his throne in shock. "By the gods, just like her mother," he muttered.

"King Barchan?" Morson questioned still catching his breath.

"Anticlea's mother, Amphithea was abducted 13 years ago at the festival of Demeter. A warlord thought he could gain his king's favor by committing such a vile act. Iolaus finally brought the man to justice but not in time to save my wife."

"You said Iolaus and his partner? Is Hercules with him?" Barchan asked, unsettled but feeling somewhat relieved that the powerful demigod would be involved with the rescue of his daughter.

Morson shook his head, "No," he answered, "Iolaus said his name was Autolycus."

"Autolycus? The King of Thieves?" Barchan asked and then turned to his courtier. "Quick, get the horses ready," he commanded. "I'm joining the rescue."

$$$$$$$$$$

Iolaus quickly caught up to Autolycus. Customarily a self-serving coward, the thief seemed to be on a desperate mission to catch the kidnappers. Iolaus once again put his hands on the thief's shoulder to momentarily stop him.

"Autolycus, what's going on, here?" he asked, "You don't normally give a fig about anyone. So why are you doing this; rescuing Anticlea and going after the kidnappers?"

Iolaus paused and then countered, "Unless it's because you're expecting a reward."

Autolycus slowly turned around. His words were tinged with indignation and sadness. "Believe it or not, Iolaus, not everything I do is about the money or the gems. That`s not what this is about."

Iolaus took a moment to study the thief. Genuine concern clouded his features. Iolaus didn`t know what to think, but knew that Autolycus was telling him the truth. It wasn`t about the money. It was about Anticlea. The hunter's voice softened.

"Then tell me what it is about? Iolaus asked.

"You wouldn't understand," Autolycus answered, looking into Iolaus' expressive blue eyes.

"Come on, Autolycus. I can see that you care for Anticlea more than you should. But, my question is: why?"

Autolycus turned and continued to move toward the path that the kidnappers took. His will to travel with speed was hampered by the burning pain in his side. He knew he needed the hunter's help, but was too proud to ask for it.

When it wasn't certain that Iolaus was following him, he turned around and beckoned. "Well, are you going to play the consummate hero and buttinski and come, or am I going to have to do this alone?"

"Oh, I`m coming. I`m coming," Iolaus answered sardonically, shifting his haversack to his other shoulder. He could see Autolycus was in no condition to follow Hoffus alone. Injured, he wouldn't be able to fight Hoffus or his men even if he should happen upon them. Besides, after being chained to Autolycus for one day, he knew the thief to be a lousy tracker.

"Fine," Autolycus responded turning back to the road.

"Fine," Iolaus reiterated.

Iolaus soon followed behind Autolycus all the while wondering what was driving the King of Thieves on.

Their progress was slow and several times Autolycus would have to stop. He would often gulp for a breath of air and grip his side in obvious pain before silently beginning his trek again.

Keeping pace with the thief, Iolaus tried to draw Autolycus into a conversation, "What happened to your side, anyway?" he asked.

"Oh, it's nothing," Autolycus answered waving the hunter off. "I'll be okay as long as we keep moving." But the thief knew he wasn't moving very fast. "We should have gotten horses. There's no way we can catch up to them like this."

"Autolycus, maybe we should call it a night." Iolaus suggested.

"No. If we keep moving..."

"I know, I know. You'll be okay."

"I'll be able to find Anticlea." Autolycus answered.

The two men traveled in silence for a while. The thief's ashen complexion and the grimace on his face suggested he couldn`t continue much longer. Iolaus looked up at the sky. The light blue canopy that was above them when they started their search was deepening into dusk.

Finally, the thief stopped--so abruptly that Iolaus almost ran into him. Autolycus didn't turn around, but in a single breath announced, "Anticlea is my daughter."

Silently, Autolycus set out on his own again as Iolaus stood in the path for a moment in stunned disbelief.

Iolaus thought about Barchan and Anticlea. Nothing the king did or said would suggest that Anticlea was not his natural born daughter. He loved the impetuous girl and even doted on her every whim. No father could be more devoted to his daughter. He quickly caught up to the thief. "What do you mean? How can Anticlea be your daughter?"

Autolycus snorted. "It doesn't surprise me that Skouros was too busy to tell you about the birds and the bees Iolaus, but I would have thought by now you'd have some practical experience with it."

"Of course I've had experience, " Iolaus bristled at the comment. He grabbed Autolycus by the arm and steered him in another direction. "Over here,"

Even engrossed in the conversation as he was, Iolaus was continually looking for clues to the direction Hoffus had traveled. Noticing broken branches high along a narrow path, he determined that the horsemen had chosen the lesser-traveled route that wound to the west.

Autolycus nodded and moved past him taking the lead again. "Good," he answered, "because I don't have the time to educate you now."

Iolaus was not sure what to say or what the thief would be willing to share, so they traveled in relative silence for a while. Most of the time, Autolycus insisted on taking the lead in the search for Anticlea, even though Iolaus had to steer him down the right path several times. Iolaus could tell that thief's mind was not focused on the immediate search.

Iolaus was about to go mad with the silence and quietly wished for one of Autolycus' biting insults when the thief finally spoke up. The blond warrior barely recognized Autolycus' voice. It was so tinged with emotion.

"Amphithea was very young when she fell for the likes of me. Back then, I was nothing but an up and coming thief and her father was the magistrate for King Barchan. He frowned upon our more than platonic relationship and forbade her to see me. I don't know whether it was the excitement of dating an outlawed thief or just a chance to rebel against her father but we continued to meet, in secret at the old guard house on top of the acropolis, overlooking the city. Hours would be spent in tangled sheets."

He let out a lamented sigh, "I couldn't help it. She was so beautiful and so willing. I loved her, but Barchan was also in love with her."

"So what happened?" Iolaus asked.

"She announced she was in the family way." Autolycus said and then he turned to face Iolaus. "I would have liked to marry her, but I was a thief, wanted in three provinces. What kind of life would she have had? Would my daughter have had? She deserved better than that."

He sighed, "Heck, she deserved someone she could be proud of, or at least show up in public with."

Autolycus rested against a tree, emotion and exhaustion biting at his words. He rubbed his hands across his face as if to wipe away some memory from long ago. "Sometimes at night, I can still hear her sobbing," he tapped his sternum, "feel her tears against my chest, just like the night I told her I couldn't marry her. I know you think I'm a heel and maybe it was the wrong decision. I don't know anymore, but by the gods, I loved her, Iolaus. It just about killed me to hurt her like that but I loved her so much I had to let her go."

Then he let out a sardonic laugh. "Two weeks later she married Barchan."

Iolaus listened attentively. "I don't mean to be insensitive, Autolycus. But if she was being courted by both you and Barchan, and she was so quick to marry Barchan, what makes you so sure you're Anticlea's father?"

"Oh, I don't know," Autolycus, said with an ironic smirk. "Could be the fact that Barchan came to me and asked if he could raise my daughter as his own."

Autolycus pushed himself up from the support he had gained from the tree. He moved forward, back to the broken path Iolaus believed Hoffus had taken. He turned to Iolaus who followed closely behind, and gave him a wry, sweet smile. "I mean, who wouldn't want their daughter to grow up to be a princess?"

The two men quickly came to a fork in the road and Iolaus bent down to study the tracks left in the soft dirt. He could see that one horse had taken the path to the left, which led back to the village, while the other three horses had taken the path to the right, which led them further into the woods. But it was too dark to determine which path the large wrestler and Anticlea might have taken. He didn't want to take the wrong path and backtracking would only delay the rescue, so he had to convince Autolycus to stop.

"We need to make camp," Iolaus said, steadying himself for the thief's certain objection.

He turned to see Autolycus along the side of the path, bent over and gasping for air. "What about Anticlea?" he asked.

"Right now, I'm not worried about Anticlea, but I am worried about you. You're as white as a sheet. Besides, it's getting dark, and I can't track in the dark. Hoffus has probably made camp by now so he`s not going anywhere. We`ll get an early start tomorrow."

Iolaus went over to Autolycus and patted the thief's shoulder in sympathetic camaraderie. He then said, "She'll be okay."

Iolaus then moved ahead of Autolycus to find a campsite.

It took every effort Autolycus had to keep moving. His legs felt like they had run a marathon, and he had trouble catching his breath. Even though he could barely breathe, Autolycus had to do something to occupy his thoughts and once he started talking to Iolaus, he was finding it hard to stop.

"You know, I saw her as a baby once," Autolycus said in bemusement. "By then I had become more than just the local nuisance of the province, I was the King of Thieves. Amphithea sent word for me to meet her in the guard house. I was sure it was a trap set by Barchan or her father, but like a fool in love I couldn`t stay away."

Autolycus laughed. "Anticlea was beautiful, even as a baby; ten fingers and toes, long, thick eyelashes, a cute little pout and a head full of black hair. It stood straight up."

Iolaus smiled. He remembered all too well the first sight of his own sons. Autolycus had the same sense of awe that Iolaus had looking into the tiny, helpless face. Yep, ten fingers and toes. Too bad he couldn't say the same thing about Obi. Iolaus thought when his mind wandered to the birth of Typhon and Echidna`s youngest monster. Which brought Iolaus' thoughts around to another kidnapper and finally why they were both in the woods together.

"Why don't we make a camp here and let me look take a look at your ribs?" Iolaus asked. He was suddenly eager to change the subject. Iolaus wasn't sure if Autolycus knew about either Anya or their sons, but he didn't want to think about it. Autolycus was dishing out enough misery for the both of them at the moment.

Iolaus insisted Autolycus sit under a tree while he quickly built a fire. The hunter always kept bandages and healing herbs in his backpack and once he was sure the fire was going strong, Iolaus plunged into his haversack. He pulled out a roll of linen bandages and a small bag of herbs.

He dropped the bag into a water tight skin placed above the fire with a spit. He used a stick to stir the concoction and then crossed over the camp to where Autolycus sat.

"Let's say we take a look at that wound?" Iolaus asked as he helped Autolycus out of his green tunic and black shirt. The thief sucked in a large gulp of air when he moved his arm to pull the shirt from the waist of his pants.

Even in the dimness of the firelight, Iolaus could see the large black contusion along the thief's ribcage. Autolycus looked down at the nasty sight as Iolaus pressed his fingers along the injury to check for any broken bones.

Autolycus stifled a groan. "Dig in a little deeper, Iolaus and you'll come out on the other side."

"Sorry," he apologized. "You have a couple of broken ribs." He got up and walked to the fire. Pulling the bag of herbs out of the warm water, he applied the potion as a compress to the wound, guiding the thief's hand to hold the warm poultice in place as he unwound the linen strips.

"Lift your arm," Iolaus commanded.

Iolaus tried to be as gentle as he could as he wound the linen strips around the larger man's torso. He knew it had to hurt. Autolycus grumbled in painful protest every time Iolaus would pass by the tender ribs.

"How does that feel?" Iolaus finally asked as he sat on his heels to admire his handiwork.

"Like someone kicked me in the ribs," Autolycus answered, laughing ironically.

"Well, think of it this way. You can now tell everyone you were the sole survivor of the attack."

"Ha. Ha. Very funny," Autolycus smirked.

There was a moment of complete silence as the two men`s eyes met in congenial accord. Iolaus turned around and picked up his backpack.

"Thanks, Iolaus," Autolycus said, making sure the warrior's back was turned before he voiced his appreciation.

Iolaus smiled to himself and then replied, "Don't mention it," before he turned back to question the thief.

"Hey! We need to eat." Iolaus said as rubbed his hands together in hungry anticipation. "Will you be okay while I dig up some grub?"

"Sure, go on." Autolycus answered, waving nonchalantly at the hunter. The thief stared absently into the fire as Iolaus grabbed his snare and wandered into the woods to find them some food.

About an hour later, Iolaus emerged from the woods.

He looked around for Autolycus, but the man was not in the camp. "Oh no," Iolaus said to himself, "Don't tell me that fool went out to find Anticlea on his own. Does he ever listen?"

Iolaus was about to grab his haversack and start the search for the thief when he heard some rustling in the underbrush behind him. He grabbed the hilt of the sword and turned around to see Autolycus push through the bushes.

"Where were you?" Iolaus asked, a hint of concern in his voice.

"Nature called," Autolycus answered pointing toward the brush behind him. "So, what's for dinner?"

$$$$$$$$$$

Autolycus lapsed into silence again during dinner. He picked at the partridge the hunter had caught and barely touched his vegetable. He spent most of his dinner intently watching the fire, so Iolaus decided to engage him in another conversation.

"So how is it?" Iolaus asked.

Autolycus diverted his eyes from the fire and looked over to Iolaus. The hunter had given the thief a perfect opening for an insulting barb, but Autolycus refused to take the bait.

So Iolaus continued, "You don't like my cooking either, do you? Hercules is always complaining about my cooking."

Iolaus threw the food down on the small wooden plate in dramatic effect.

Autolycus knew he had been absorbed in his own self-misery and worry. "Sorry I haven't been proper dinner companion for you, Iolaus. I've just had, well, things on my mind."

"It's okay, Autolycus." Iolaus began apologetically, "I was just trying to make some dinner conversation. I didn't mean it that way. It's okay. Really."

Autolycus tried to smile. He picked up a small white morsel about the size of a thumb from his plate. "Well, you know," he prefaced in an attempt at good humor, "when you said you were going to dig up some grub, I didn't think you meant dig up some grubs."

"They're not grubs!" Iolaus defended, "they're tubers."

"Well, they taste like grubs," Autolycus protested. He threw down his plate. "I'm not hungry anyway."

Iolaus sighed, "Autolycus. Anticlea is resourceful. She'll be okay."

"You would know, wouldn't you?" Autolycus answered an edge of resentment in his voice.

"Know what?" Iolaus asked.

"More about my daughter than I do."

From tracking to taping his ribs, the self-reliant thief seemed to be relying on Iolaus for almost everything on this trip, even as far as giving the thief the smallest tidbits of information about his daughter.

He wanted to know about his daughter, and the only one at the moment that could provide him that information was Iolaus. So Autolycus begrudgingly began asking questions.

"Tell me about her. What is she like?" Autolycus asked shielding his wounded pride by putting the fire between him and Iolaus.

Iolaus was silent for a moment. "Actually, Autolycus. She's a lot like you in many ways."

"Oh really?" Autolycus chuckled, "In what ways?"

"Well, she's proud and stubborn, that's for sure. She can be manipulative to get what she wants, but she`s got a good heart." Taking a bite of his partridge, Iolaus added, "And she's passionate."

Autolycus sat up and pointed toward Iolaus in a gentle warning. "Hey, watch it buddy, that`s my daughter you`re talking about."

For sixteen years he had kept her existence secret, his thoughts of her only his own. Finally, it was the first time he could speak of her in such an intimate way and although it had to be disclosed to Iolaus, his interminable antagonist, it still felt good.

Autolycus shifted into a reclining position in front of the fire. He rested his head on his arm. "What's her favorite color?" he asked.

Iolaus thought about it for a while. "I know she hates turquoise, but not as much as she hates pink."

"You're kidding?" Autolycus answered, "Then why in Tartarus did she wear the dress I gave her to the festival?" he asked.

"Dress?"

Autolycus nodded, exhaustion creeping into his words, "Yeah, you know that expensive one-of-a-kind silk number she wore today. Every year for the festival, I would send her a special dress. That way I'd be able to spot her easily in the crowd."

"How long have you been going to the festival?" Iolaus asked in surprised curiosity.

Autolycus sighed. "Since she was nine. After all, what kind of a thief would I be if I didn't at least try to steal a glimpse of her growing up? Before that, I used to send her little trinkets I would pick up here and there; things I thought my little girl would like. With Amphithea gone, I wanted to be some part of her life, however unapparent that may be." Autolycus smiled half-heartedly at his play on words.

"I'm sorry about Amphithea." Iolaus said, "So you're her secret admirer?" Iolaus asked.

"Uh huh," Autolycus yawned. "Secret, yeah. And it'll have to stay that way. If she found out the King of Thieves sent her that dress, you'll soon be seeing me wearing it--around my neck as a noose. She hates me, you know."

"Anticlea doesn't hate you," Iolaus countered wondering where his sudden diffidence was coming from. "Heck, she doesn`t even know you, other than what I`ve told her about you."

Iolaus was suddenly quiet, realizing the impact his confession had on the thief.

"Why does it not surprise me that you, of all people, would poison my own daughter against me. Still can`t get over what happened in Scyros, can you?" Autolycus said in distain.

"Aw, come on Autolycus. First of all, I didn't know she was your daughter." Then Iolaus deciphered what really had the thief stirred up, "You're not talking about her story are you? Come on. She was just entertaining the children. You know kids today. Monsters don't frighten them like they used to-- probably because Hercules has managed to kill every one of them. Today they need a good guy and a bad guy to root for."

"Yeah, but why did she have to make me the bad guy?" Autolycus asked.

Iolaus' voice rose in exasperation, "You're a thief, Autolycus. You're always the bad guy," then he looked at the shattered face of the thief and his voice softened, "well, most of the time."

"No, you're right, Iolaus," he said as he waved the hunter off, "I know that. I just don`t want her to know that, seeing that the King of Thieves is also her old man."

Iolaus frowned. "Get some sleep, Autolycus. Things will look better in the morning."

"Yeah," Autolycus answered, yawning again, "maybe a little shuteye would be nice." The thief closed his eyes, and asked in exhaustion, "Did I do the right thing, Iolaus? Is Anticlea happy?" The thief was asleep before the words were practically out.

Iolaus stretched out in front of the fire, hoping to get some sleep himself. Knowing Autolycus couldn't hear him, he still answered the thief, "She seems happy, Autolycus. She seems very happy."

$$$$$$$$$$

Hoffus and his men had stopped by the fork in the road to let their horses rest. By then, the men had slowed their rides to an easy trot, figuring they had put enough distance between themselves and the town.

Anticlea was quiet and subdued, but she had not surrendered. She was carefully studying her captors. Hoffus seemed to have a tight control over his toadies, as they looked to him for every little step in the abduction. It was clear that her kidnapping was not thoroughly planned and Anticlea decided that she could work that to her advantage.

Hoffus stopped and turned to Cendus, "Send a message to King Barchan. Tell him: Hoffus, son of the warlord Titias, has his daughter and will exact revenge for the murder of his father."

"Whose daughter?" Cendus queried.

"Barchan's daughter," Hoffus sighed annoyed.

Cendus nodded his head in understanding. He repeated the message back to Hoffus to make sure he had understood the message completely. "Okay, let me get this straight: `Hoffus, son of the warlord Titias has Barchan's daughter and will exact revenge for the murder of his father`?" Cendus queried again.

"My father," Hoffus answered.

"Your father, not his father?" Cendus asked again, pointing to imaginary figures in front of him in confusion.

"That's right, you moron. Titias is my father not Barchan's father."

"I know that, but whose murder are you going to exact revenge upon, your father, or his father?"

Hoffus began to turn red with fury. "Just give him the message."

Cendus nodded reluctantly. "Okay, fine. But don't blame me if he doesn't understand it," he mumbled conspiratorially to himself. He turned his steed toward the path that lead back to the village and galloped off.

"I'm not speaking some crazy foreign language like English, am I?" He turned and asked rhetorically. "I mean, it certainly sounds Greek to me."

Not expecting nor wanting an answer, Hoffus then dug his heels into the side of his mount and raced down the path continuing to hold Anticlea tightly against him.

As night fell, the woods in front of the kidnappers had quickly become dark. Hoffus realized they could no longer traverse the woods in safety and began looking for a favorable but well hidden place to camp. Finding a clearing behind a thick copse of trees, Hoffus quickly dismounted and hauled Anticlea down from his horse. Carrying her over his shoulder, he unceremoniously dropped her down on the ground next to a tree.

The princess rubbed her rump as she glared up at Hoffus. He instructed Tomis to unbridle his horse and used the rawhide restraints to tie her arms behind the tree.

The three men quickly built a fire and huddled around the warming flame, leaving Anticlea tied to the tree. Their conversations were strained and whispered, as Hoffus would often turn around and gaze at his captive.

Still early in the spring, the afternoons were warm, but the daytime heat would evaporate into the atmosphere as the sun went down causing the nights to become bitterly cold.

Anticlea was far enough away from the fire to receive none of it's warming benefits and she shivered in the cold.

Hours had passed when Anticlea finally asked through chattering teeth, "What do you plan to do with me?"

Sauntering up to his captive, Hoffus bent down. He looked into her deep brown eyes and answered in a sadistic laugh. "Didn't you hear me? I plan on killing you to send a message to your father."

"King Barchan?" Anticlea asked.

"That's right, King Barchan." Hoffus spat. "Thirteen years ago, he ordered some little warrior punk by the name of Iolaus to kill my father. I believe in an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a life for a life or more precisely, a father for a daughter. Don`t you?" Hoffus asked tilting his head and smiling with cold, calculated intent.

"Perhaps. Except King Barchan is not my father," Anticlea announced calmly.

"What?" He asked in clear annoyance, "You are Anticlea, the Princess of Ionia, aren`t you?" Hoffus asked, fearing that his men misunderstood their information thereby prompting him to kidnap the wrong victim.

"Yes, I am. But King Barchan is not my father."

"Then who is?" Hoffus asked.

Anticlea lowered her head in shame and answered, "Autolycus: The King of Thieves."

The sinister glare that Hoffus had delivered told Anticlea that his threat to kill her should be taken quite seriously. Hoffus was not playing a game. His argument was against her father. But, thank the gods, as far as she knew; he continued to remain safe and protected in his palace, where Hoffus could not reach him. As long as she was tied to King Barchan, she was threatened from his ill conceived and poorly planned retribution, so to diffuse the situation, Anticlea decided to disavow her relationship with her father.

She quickly ran through the gambit of eligible men to suddenly call `daddy`. She thought of naming Iolaus as her father, but couldn't put him in jeopardy considering he was named as being Titias' executioner. She thought of Hercules, but who could believe she was the daughter to the demigod. Finally, Anticlea's thoughts lit on the King of Thieves.

Using the thief's name in vain may make Hoffus think twice about seeking retribution. Anticlea figured that kidnapping the daughter of someone as vile and corrupt as the King of Thieves would be at best ineffectual. From the pictures that she had conjured up of Autolycus, she was sure he would never risk his nefarious reputation by attempting a rescue of his daughter or even care if she was murdered.

"It's really a sad tale," Anticlea began. "My mother was traveling to Scyros to do some volunteer work for the Widows and Orphan's fund. King Barchan begged her not to go, seeing that they had just gotten married and hadn't consummated their marriage yet. Kings, always busy," she announced flippantly as she rolled her eyes in dismay.

Hoffus laughed sardonically, "Yeah, maiming and murdering."

"The road to Scyros was dangerous, filled with all sorts of robbers and cutthroats, not the least of whom was Autolycus. Have you ever met the King of Thieves?" Anticlea asked conversationally to gage his knowledge of the despicable thief. She took the blank stare she received from Hoffus as no and continued.

"Traveling alone down the main road, my mother saw a figure lying in the road. Of course, she stopped to help and when she did Autolycus jumped up and demanded everything my mother had."

"The small beady eyes and look of depraved hunger on his face told Amphithea that he meant business." Anticlea said as tried to embellish the story by remembering the thief's weapon of choice, but could only remember it was a hook of some kind. She went through the logical choices: shepherd's, fish, crochet. Finally she said, "He carried with him a large meat hook that he threatened her with."

Long before she began her tale of woe, Anticlea had been gently working on the rawhide ropes that had her hands bound. She had wedged the knot onto a broken stem along the base of the tree trunk and was gently pulling the strap, stretching it ever so slightly until she could free her hands.

"When he discovered my mother carried no gems or money, he did what any vile thief would do," Anticlea said as she forced tears from her eyes, "he took the one thing she could give him, her virginity. He...he de-flowered her."

Anticlea lowered her head to her knees and began sobbing uncontrollably.

Hoffus spoke up, "You know, I just don't believe you," He said as he stared down at his victim. His voice was filled with such saccharine that Anticlea knew not a hint of her lie had gotten through. "Because Autolycus carries a grappling hook, not a meat hook."

He thumped her head in meanness. Slowly, Anticlea lifted her head and gave him a searing look as she continued to work on the damnable strap.

"Oh, all right," she confessed, her demeanor changed in an instant. The sobbing stopped and a sinister grin crossed her face. "That's not the truth. Truth is, my father hates me. I've been a big disappointment to him. I don't think he's ever forgiven me for that nasty little assassination attempt on him last summer," Anticlea mused, "You'd actually be doing him a favor by killing me."

Hoffus shook his head and laughed wickedly. "I can understand why, but you know, I still don't believe you."

Anticlea finally got her hands released. "Fine," she answered before she slammed her foot into Hoffus' groin. "Would you believe this?"

Hoffus doubled over in pain as Anticlea rose and ran toward the woods, hoping the primeval darkness of the thicket would protect her.

"Get her!" Hoffus croaked.

Tomis and Hoffus' other toady began running after Anticlea as Hoffus writhed on the ground in pain. Her athletic skill kept her in the lead, but the men kept pace and continued to keep her close within their sights.

Anticlea tore through the underbrush trying to keep her distance from the two men chasing her.

The brambles and the vines whipped at her legs as she struggled through the thicket. Low slung branches slashed at her face. She tripped over exposed roots, and believed the forest was punishing her with it's own retribution, but she continued to keep a safe distance between her and her captors. Still, after long hours in the chilled air, she was quickly tiring.

As Anticlea entered an open field she turned around once more and saw Hoffus in the distance. The assault on his groin was driving him to catch up to his vagarious victim for which he now shared a personal enmity. Although she couldn't see them, she could imagine the rage in his eyes, not only because she had gotten away, but also because she had assaulted him in the most intimately painful way.

Anticlea felt like she had been running for an eternity. Her muscles burned with exertion and she wondered how much longer she could run before her legs would give out. Then she saw the flicker of a dim firelight in the distance. Knowing she could be running into another set of despicable outlaws, she weighed her options and headed toward the flame.

Iolaus had tried to sleep, but the tossing, turning and low moans from the thief kept the hunter awake. He could understand that Autolycus was having a fitful night, what with his injury and his long-kept secret finally being revealed, but Iolaus was even more astounded that the thief could be just as annoying asleep as he was awake. He turned his attention from Autolycus when he heard the sound of rushing footsteps and rustling in the thicket of brush beyond him. He quickly got up and shook Autolycus awake.

"Hey, get up. I think we've got company." Iolaus said.

"Huh, what?" Autolycus answered in a sleepy fog, but then became fully alert when he heard the sound of not only one set of footsteps, but several moving toward him. As a thief, it was a sound he was intimately familiar with.

The thief got up and immediately readied his grappling hook. At that moment, he was very glad that his injury was on his right side and not his left. The jerking motion that he had to use to summon the grapple would have been impossible if the injury had happened to the left side.

Autolycus turned just as Anticlea erupted through the bushes. She immediately recognized Iolaus and ran toward him.

"Incoming," she gasped as she pointed to the bushes from which she had just escaped. Anticlea stood along the edge of the encampment with her hands on her knees, panting and trying to get back some of the breath that the chase had taken away.

Iolaus pushed her behind him protectively and set himself for the melee that was sure to follow.

Autolycus stepped back also readying himself for the assault. He let the lead on his grapple fall several inches. Looking up at a tall branch that hung over the campsite, he began swinging the grappling hook in a low circle, and then he let it go. The grapple wrapped around the branch.

Tomis was the first of Hoffus' men to escape from the bushes. Taller and thinner than his compatriots, his long legs carried him farther. His look of surprise when he saw Iolaus and Autolycus waiting for him gave Iolaus the advantage he needed. Inches from the kidnapper, Iolaus produced a hook of his own, a right hook to the side of Tomis' jaw.

The kidnapper's head snapped to the right. He touched his jaw and then smiled at Iolaus with evil intent. Tomis brought out a knife from the back of his belt and quickly swiped it at Iolaus' midsection. The blonde warrior was forced to retreat from the attack by falling back toward the fire. Tomis lunged again. Iolaus rolled away from the man's advance and picked up a smoldering stick from the fire. Rising safely from a distance, Iolaus began his own advance with the only weapon available to him, a hot, smoldering hand staff.

Iolaus waved it in front of Tomis, urging him back. The choking smoke was effective in drawing the kidnapper into a corner. Tomis tried one more offensive attack, swiping again at Iolaus' midsection with the tip of the knife. As Tomis lunged toward Iolaus, the hunter forced his weapon down by blocking the blow with the burning stick then he turned toward the kidnapper.

Iolaus forced an elbow to the face and followed with a swipe to the legs to bring him down. The hunter soon made quick work of Tomis.

Autolycus spit in his hands and readied himself for the next kidnapper to come through the bushes. As the kidnapper emerged, the thief grabbed his grappling line and swung himself toward the man.

He grimaced in pain as the force of his own weight coupled with the taped ribs and outstretched arm reminded him of his recent injury.

Autolycus' feet hit the kidnapper directly in the solar plexus lifting him off the ground and causing him to fall backward into a tree trunk. The kidnapper's breath was knocked out of him, thereby ending his attack.

Hoffus watched from the bushes at how quickly the blonde and the brunette dispatched his men. But his distain for the two fighters could never replace his hatred toward Anticlea and her father. He still intended to make good on the promise he had delivered to King Barchan, so he circled the group and snuck up behind Anticlea, intent on recapturing his prize.

Gripping his side in renewed pain, Autolycus turned toward Anticlea and saw Hoffus coming up behind her. He was within a hair's breath of grabbing her.

"Clea, watch out," Autolycus shouted.

Startled, Anticlea stood up and turned toward the dark haired man. She was surprised to hear her pet name of "Clea". Her mother had given her the nickname, but because she was a princess, her parents were the only ones that were permitted to use it.

"What'd you call me?" Anticlea asked the instant before Hoffus wrapped his arms around her neck in a chokehold.

"I swear. Back off or I'll kill her," Hoffus announced with murderous intent gleaming in his eyes.

The hold was a classic wrestling move, one that Morson enjoyed using on Anticlea endlessly. There were several methods of diffusing the hold and putting the advantage back onto her and Morson had taught the princess every one. Anticlea was not afraid to wrestle.

Anticlea gave Iolaus a knowing smile. Grabbing Hoffus' arms for leverage, she bent over and rolled, forcing the man who was twice her size onto the ground. Using his own taut muscles against him, she grabbed one arm and the opposite leg and forced them toward his back, pushing them with the leverage of her own weight until the breaking point.

"Say Uncle," she commanded.

Hoffus fought against her and almost succeeded in toppling her over but Iolaus quickly came to her rescue. He allowed Anticlea to relinquish the hold she had on Hoffus, as her weight was replaced by his own. "Say Uncle Iolaus," the hunter directed in Hoffus` ear.

"Iolaus," Hoffus hissed, "I should have known that that evil she-devil of a princess would be in league with you. You killed my father."

"Killed your father?" Iolaus asked and then looked at Anticlea. "Do you know what he is talking about?"

"According to Hoffus here, you killed his father, Titias thirteen years ago by the order of my father."

Iolaus looked back at Anticlea mulling over the statement and questioning. "Thirteen years ago?" Then Iolaus pulled Hoffus' arm tighter, "You think I killed Titias?"

"Didn't you?" Hoffus spat.

"I brought Titias to justice, yes, after he kidnapped and murdered Queen Amphithea, Anticlea's mother and King Barchan's wife. Fearing retaliation from King Barchan, your king ordered Titias to death, not King Barchan."

Anticlea only had vague memories of her mother, so she could listen to the retrospective of Amphithea's death with detached interest. Still the ironic connection between her kidnapping and her mother's did not go unnoticed. She wondered how twisted it was that the son of her mother's kidnapper and murderer would commit the same torture to her family some thirteen years later. She chewed her lip thinking of the torment that her father must be going through. He was probably consumed with worry, still unaware that she was safe.

Autolycus was watching Anticlea. He had often imagined what he might have said to his daughter if he ever had the chance to meet her. He had rehearsed his speech in his mind, going over it, refining it, but the day had come and the usually verbose thief was tongue-tied. For years, Autolycus had only seen his daughter from a distance and spied on her from afar. Only the space of the campfire had separated the two now. Without an inkling of what he was going to say, Autolycus found himself approaching his daughter.

"Anticlea...I...That is, you...I just wanted to say..." Finally giving up Autolycus asked, "Are you okay?"

She turned and regarded the stranger in front of her. His dark, beseeching eyes showed an odd combination of pain and wonder as he scrutinized her face. He was staring, as if looking desperately for something.

Autolycus saw a scratch on her cheek and reached up to blot the trickle of blood away. Being so close to her, he wanted desperately to touch her, but certainly felt that kissing away her injury would have been slightly inappropriate considering their relative unfamiliarity with each other. As he raised his hand to her face, she flinched away from the stranger.

The thief backed up as he withdrew his hand. He pointed feebly toward the scratch. "You have a nasty, little gash...on your cheek, over there," he said dismayed.

Anticlea nodded and put her hand up to wipe away the blood. "I'll be okay," she answered him, still apprehensive about his staring, "I'm just worried about my father. He doesn't even know that I'm safe."

Autolycus was hoping to find some connection to the young girl that stood before him, but the wary and worried look on her face reminded Autolycus that although he had always considered her his daughter, he most certainly was not her father, nor would ever be.

"Your father," Autolycus answered almost choking on the words in resentment, "Good old King Barchan."

"Did you know him?" Anticlea asked, "Did you know my father?"

Autolycus was compelled to answer, "As well as I know myself," but his thought was interrupted by Iolaus, who very much wanted to hog tie the kidnapper underneath him.

"I need a rope. Got any rope?" he asked Autolycus.

Autolycus was glad for the momentary distraction. He turned toward Iolaus, opened his outer tunic and pointed to his various accouterments. "Rope, manacles, fetters, straight jacket, muzzle...which I'm surprised I haven't used on you, yet...grappling line." He pulled out a lariat of rope and threw it toward Iolaus.

Anticlea looked at Autolycus with curiosity hearing the list of the varying restraints he had in his possession. "A magistrate?" she asked.

"Not exactly," Autolycus answered and then added in lament, "Although, in my line of work, I've come close to hanging with a few.

Anticlea smiled warily and sat down to warm herself by the fire.

$$$$$$$$$$

King Barchan would have like to have set out to find Anticlea on his own, but his advisors sternly objected. When Morson agreed to accompany him, King Barchan reluctantly accepted. He surmised any more time spent arguing with the old fuddy-duddies would cost him precious time looking for Anticlea, and Morson made an agreeable companion when he wasn't constantly talking about wrestling.

A fair tracker himself, Barchan and Morson continued their quest until the darkness of the woods became impenetrable. The two men, eager to get out and not fully prepared for a day-long search, set up an impromptu camp. As Morson worked to build a fire, Barchan's thoughts quickly turned to Autolycus, Anticlea and Amphithea.

He worried just what kind of lies the thief would tell Anticlea if he managed to rescue her. He was sure that the thief must harbor some animosity for the man that raised his daughter. It was for that reason that Barchan chose to go and search for Anticlea, himself. He wanted to find his daughter before Autolycus did.

Idealistic as a young king, Barchan had thought he could give both the beautiful Amphithea and her child a better life than even the hubristic thief could have imagined. In the end, Amphithea was unhappy in the exigent and forced marriage and then later killed, so Anticlea grew up deprived of her mother. Now, it appeared Anticlea could well suffer the same murderous fate as Amphithea. The luxury of being the wife and daughter of a king may have cost both of them their lives.

Barchan paced as he wondered if Autolycus could have made a better home for Amphithea and Anticlea. He knew the thief loved them both, and his decision to walk away from them must have been a hard choice to make. Autolycus may have tried but could never make Amphithea understand the reasons behind his sacrifice, because it was Autolycus whom she loved. As for his daughter, Anticlea was never far from the thief`s mind. Barchan had always suspected Autolycus was Anticlea's secret admirer and his presence in Ionia at the festival confirmed it.

The king could well imagine both Amphithea and Anticlea with Autolycus, constantly on the run but alive and happy.

"A dinar for your thoughts," Morson responded in the quiet of the woods. He warmed his hands by the fire. He could tell the king was consumed with thoughts of Anticlea.

Barchan smiled back as best he could. It was a sad smile but one filled with hope. "Ah, but Morson, you know my Anticlea is priceless."

Morson nodded. He had quite a crush on the young princess.

Barchan sighed as Morson yawned trying to stay alert and ready for his king.

"Try to get some sleep, son." Barchan commanded. "I'll stand watch. I can't sleep anyway. We'll start again at twilight."

$$$$$$$$$

"Need some help?" Autolycus asked as he watched Iolaus hauling Tomis to his feet and then forcing him to sit beside the other kidnapper along the base of a tree. Iolaus began binding the two kidnappers hands together. Once they were sufficiently bound together, he bound them to the tree for good measure.

The thief really had no interest in helping Iolaus and had waited to the last possible moment to offer his help. But, nonetheless, at least this way Iolaus couldn't say he didn't offer. Instead, the thief's eyes focused on Anticlea, his mind lost in thought. So much so that Autolycus couldn't hear Iolaus' answer to the thief's request to help.

"Autolycus, you're staring," Iolaus whispered as walked past the thief, pushing Hoffus toward the tree.

"Oh, yeah. Right." Autolycus answered and then turned away nervously. The thief was torn. Moments were spent with a litany of different emotions: anger, sadness, regret, embarrassment and pride.

Anticlea watched the dark haired man and the watchful gaze he had on her.

Once securing the kidnappers to the tree, Iolaus tugged on the line once for good measure and then joined Anticlea by the fire. He sat down beside her and laid a reassuring hand on her arm, "It looks like you fought some kind of battle, there." he said as he gently touched the skin beneath the scratch with his thumb. "I'm glad to see you're safe. So, how did you manage to escape from those bruisers?"

Autolycus followed Iolaus to the fire and sat down next to the hunter, keeping the flame between himself and his daughter. He watched intently as Iolaus traced his thumb under the scratch on Anticlea's cheek. Uncomfortable with the closeness he and his daughter shared, he picked up a stick and began drawing in the dirt to avoid the crushing scene.

"I'm fine." Anticlea answered eying Autolycus as he played in the dirt. "As for escaping, once I got my hands free, I kicked Hoffus where the sun don't shine, and then ran like Tartarus."

Iolaus grimaced at the thought of being kicked in the groin as Autolycus laughed halfheartedly and replied in a proud but hushed voice, "That's my girl."

"What did you say?" Anticlea countered.

"Uh, he said `atta girl. Didn't you buddy, " Iolaus interjected, giving Autolycus a warning glance and a friendly slap on the shoulder.

Iolaus knew Autolycus could be just as impetuous as his daughter and the hunter had a real fear that once the selfish thief had met Anticlea, he wouldn't be able to hold his secret for long.

"Yeah, right, sure, whatever," Autolycus mumbled.

Anticlea watched the sideward glances and the forced smiles and knew there was some burning secret shared between the two men. Being female and the only one on that side of the camp not privy to the secret, Anticlea pushed for some answers.

"So, Iolaus," Anticlea prefaced, "Who's your creepy friend over there?"

Iolaus sighed suspecting the heightened reaction the princess would have once she found out who he was keeping company with, "Are you sure you want to know?" Iolaus asked as Autolycus pulled his head up in panic.

"I asked, didn`t I?" she bristled.

"Anticlea, meet Autolycus." He then turned to Autolycus and sighed again. "Autolycus...Anticlea."

Autolycus waved weakly as Anticlea's eyes widened in surprise.

"Autolycus? The King of Thieves? That Autolycus?" she asked pointing indignantly at the thief.

"The one and only," Iolaus answered in resignation.

Rising like a phoenix from hot ashes, Anticlea stood and demanded, "Get him out of my camp!"

"Whoa, hold it. Wait a minute," Autolycus said as he jumped up in protest. He gripped his side in pain, "your camp?"

Iolaus was quick to follow the two to a standing position, "First of all," Iolaus objected, "this is my camp..."

"Our camp," Autolycus corrected.

"...Okay, our camp and I say..."

"We say," the thief interrupted.

Iolaus glowered at him. "...we say who comes and goes. I know you don't trust Autolycus but to spite what you think of him, he came along to try to rescue you."

Autolycus opened his mouth and was about to protest when Iolaus countered with, "Who's telling this story, Autolycus?"

"You are," he answered, "and you're doing a lousy job of it too, Shorty. Came along? You`re the one who `came along`." Autolycus pronounced.

"Yeah, rescue me?" Anticlea objected over the din of Autolycus. "you know, I thought I was doing a pretty good job of rescuing myself. I didn`t need his help."

Iolaus raised his arms in an effort to quiet the cacophony of the two. "Will you two shush? Can I get a word in edgewise? Sheesh, you two even argue alike."

Autolycus quieted. Anticlea, however, did not. Taking advantage of the silence she continued with her tirade. "You know what, I don't care if he was trying to rescue me." Anticlea prefaced. "I still don't like him. He's a thief and a liar and he keeps staring at me," she answered as she shifted her top up to make sure she was adequately covered. "How can you associate with him after what he did to you?"

"It's a long story, but I've forgiven Autolycus."

"Fine. You forgive him," Anticlea said with resignation, "I still don't want him around. So, ask him to leave."

"Anticlea, I'm not going to ask him to leave."

"Fine," she said, "If you won't ask him to leave, then I'll leave."

"Aw, come on. You don't mean that," Iolaus answered.

"Oh, I don't?" she responded, "Just watch me." Anticlea turned on one heel in anger. She walked past Autolycus, giving him a caustic look and then headed out of the encampment.

"Did I mention she was stubborn?" Iolaus asked as they both watched her leave.

Autolycus raised his hands in frustration. "Now you did it, Iolaus. Boy, talk about your royal temper fit. Where does she get that from?" Autolycus asked then turned to the hunter, "This is all your fault."

"Did what? And how exactly is this my fault?" Iolaus asked.

"I know I could have won her over with my natural charisma," Autolycus began but was interrupted by Iolaus' disbelieving snorting, "But no...you had to take my side, and you know what Anticlea thinks of me. Now, she's mad at both of us."

"You think?" Iolaus asked mockingly.

"How am I supposed to win her over, now?" Autolycus asked as he pointed toward the area she was last seen.

Anticlea wasn't serious about leaving the campground, but she didn't want to be in the company of Autolycus, either. Iolaus always had a forgiving nature, but Anticlea still could not forget how the thief left Iolaus to be executed for a crime he didn't commit.

Fuming as she left the encampment, she wasn`t aware of how dark and foreboding the woods were away from the firelight. She stood shivering in the cold listening to the mumbling sounds of Iolaus and Autolycus talking in the backdrop.

The loud hoot of an owl above her startled Anticlea and she came running back to the encampment, putting a quick halt to her excited steps once she reached the perimeter.

Not wanting Iolaus or Autolycus to see her frightened, she smoothed her turquoise skirt against her legs and then sauntered over to the kidnappers.

Anticlea stopped at the tree and regarded the three brutes. Since Iolaus didn't run after her, it was clear that he didn't take her threat seriously. Now, instead of being angry with just one of the men, she was irritated at both.

Coming up with an alternate plan, she smiled wickedly and asked Hoffus, "Mind if I join you?"

The kidnapper snarled in response.

"I'll take that as a yes," she said as she glanced toward Iolaus and Autolycus still standing by the fire. "I hope I didn't hurt you earlier in the day," she said with saccharine sweetness. Then she bent down and whispered to him, "you know it was just business, kneeing you in the macadamia's and all."

She kicked the side of the buttocks of Hoffus and Tomis with her foot so that they would move over. Anticlea then sat down, squeezing tightly in between the two. "This is cozy," she said as she looked to Hoffus and then to Tomis. Finally, she glanced toward Iolaus, and nodded in compliance to the threat she had given him.

The thief's back was facing Anticlea, and he didn't see her take up residence with her three kidnappers. His spirit suddenly brightened as he laughed, "The good news is, I think she's madder at you than she is at me. Hey, with you on the outs, I might actually get a chance to get on her good side." Autolycus slapped Iolaus on the shoulder in gratitude, "Thanks, buddy."

"I'd hold that thought," Iolaus told Autolycus as he pointed toward Anticlea. "Looks like she'd rather keep company with the kidnappers than the likes of us."

Autolycus looked back. "Oh, now that's just being cruel," he answered pointing toward her.

"You know, she's doing this just to get to you." Autolycus said. He rubbed his hands together in anticipation. "Maybe I should go talk to her. You know, convince her she`s made a mistake. You know, socializing with these backsliders."

"Maybe you shouldn't." Iolaus answered back but he could see that Autolycus had already made up his mind. "You're not going to say anything stupid, are you?" Iolaus asked.

"Yeah, Probably," Autolycus answered. With that, the thief left protection of the fire.

Anticlea was trying to fight off the chill by drawing her knees up to her chest and wrapping her arms around them. Still, her arms were left unprotected and she shivered in the cold night air.

She watched as Autolycus approached, "What do you want?" Anticlea spat.

Autolycus could see her shivering and took off his tunic. "Here, take this," he said offering her his jacket. The black shirt was tucked clumsily into his black leather pants and exposed his taped ribs. Anticlea looked up and saw the bandages.

"What happened?" she asked pointing toward his ribs.

"Oh this, it's nothing," Autolycus answered.

Seeing the result of his handiwork in the village, Hoffus laughed, and responded proudly, "I fed your hero over there a little sole food when he tried to rescue you."

Autolycus pushed back the opening of his shirt so that more of the bandaged ribs could be seen. If he couldn't receive Anticlea's love or respect for trying to rescue her, at least he could possibly gain her sympathy.

He pointed to the wound. "Yeah, guess you could say he fed me some foot-lay of sole."

Anticlea smiled at the pathetic attempt at humor.

"You like that?" Autolycus asked, responding to her smile. "Hey, I`ve got a million of them."

In response, she grabbed the jacket from Autolycus. Anticlea`s demeanor softened, but her stubborn nature would not let her forgive the thief so quickly. "I'm sorry you got hurt. Thank you." She said trying to finalized the conversation. She wrapped his jacket around her arms.

"Well, I'll go now," Autolycus said as he lowered his head and turned around. He took two steps and then waited a moment hoping against hope that Anticlea would stop him from leaving.

Something about the thief's contrite demeanor and his promise to leave made her respond. She got up from her spot between her two kidnappers and stood next to Autolycus. "So there is honor among thieves? You`re going to leave?" she said.

"Well, you know," Autolycus prefaced, "The Thieves' Guild of Scyros would revoke my charter membership if I didn't do at least one `less than despicable' act a year."

"Okay. Okay. I get your point."

"And?" Autolycus asked prodding her.

"And I'll loose the right to call myself princess if I don't throw at least one royal temper fit a year." She answered back as she hung her head low and shuffled her foot in embarrassment.

"You call that an apology?" Autolycus smiled, "Tell you what. I'll keep your secret if you'll keep mine. Iolaus thinks he's reforming me."

She smiled again as she wrapped the thief's tunic tightly around her.

Autolycus found himself watching her again, trying to pick out similarities between Anticlea and her mother and himself. The casual conversation gave him new hope and he grinned thoughtfully.

"You're staring again, Autolycus," she warned.

"Sorry," the thief said, diverting his eyes toward Iolaus. The hunter had warned him, but he couldn't help it. His impetuosity was getting the best of him, "you just remind me of my little girl."

"You have a daughter?" Anticlea asked.

"Yeah, a daughter," he uttered thoughtfully. "I haven't seen her in a long time, but it's not hard to imagine that she'd be a lot like you."

Anticlea blushed, wanting to think of something kind to say to the thief. "Then, I'm sure she misses you. I grew up without my mother and I miss her, even though my Dad has always tried to be there when I needed him." Anticlea answered candidly.

"Has he been good to you, King Barchan that is?" Autolycus asked, suddenly needing to know.

"He tries," Anticlea answered suddenly shy, "But, you know, some things you just can't talk to your dad about." She shifted her eyes to the ground shuffling her foot in discomfiture again, "What would you say if your daughter was with you now?"

Autolycus spent little time thinking about it, he had already had sixteen years. "I'd probably pull her into a tight hug and tell her how proud of her I was."

He hesitated and then he sighed. "But alas, she's not here, is she? It's just you and me."

Anticlea nodded sadly, her teeth chattering from the cold.

"Listen, Anticlea. Why don't we call a truce for tonight? You can go back to the fire, warm up, and talk about me behind my back. I can stay here and watch these bozos for you. Then, in the morning, I'll be on my way."

It had been a harrowing night, and Anticlea was too tired to argue with him.

"Okay," she nodded reluctantly and turned to walk back to the campfire. She turned back to check on Autolycus, but the thief had already found a spot under an adjacent tree and settled in for the night.

Iolaus watched Anticlea and Autolycus from the campfire. They seemed to be having a friendly conversation, and the young girl had yet to raise her voice or storm off. He could even see a smile dance across her face a couple of times. Iolaus wondered if Autolycus was indeed using his charm to win her over. He watched Anticlea nod and then turn to walk back to the fire. Autolycus stayed behind.

"Where's Autolycus?" Iolaus asked as Anticlea joined him by the fire.

"He decided to stay behind." Anticlea answered.

"I see," Iolaus said, eyeing the thief. "I really wish you would give him a chance. Autolycus has a talent for getting into trouble, but his heart is usually in the right place. He has been a good friend to Hercules and myself when we've needed him to be."

"I know." she said as she sat down next to the fire. "He reminds me of a weed you`re trying to get rid of. You keep stomping on it, but it keeps growing on you."

"Yep, that's Autolycus." Iolaus said as he sat next to her and drew her into his arms, letting her head rest on his chest. He rubbed her arm as she breathed a heavy sigh.

"Try to get some sleep, okay?" Iolaus suggested and Anticlea nodded.

The thief's head rested against the tree as he watched the deep purple of the night sky slowly transform into daylight. He never thought being so near to his daughter would be so excruciatingly painful. It must have been the reason he had kept his distance for so many years.

He had made a promise to Anticlea, and had decided he had to keep it. Once Iolaus woke, Autolycus would leave. He just hoped that Anticlea would still be asleep when he made his farewell, but for now he shared his time with watching the morning unfold and his daughter sleeping peacefully against Iolaus` side.

He was lost in his own thoughts when he heard the thunder of hoof beats in the distance. He rose from the base of the tree, groaning at his stiff muscles and the annoying pain in his side. He walked over to the encampment, where Iolaus and Anticlea slept. The hunter's arm was wrapped protectively around Anticlea.

Autolycus gently shook Iolaus awake.

"What is it?" Iolaus asked in annoyance, his sleep being interrupted by Autolycus for a second time in one evening.

Autolycus whispered, trying to allow Anticlea more time to sleep. "Horses, coming this way," he answered.

"At this hour?" Iolaus asked. He knew it could only be a search party sent out to look for Anticlea or the errant kidnapper coming back with reinforcements. Iolaus carefully lifted Anticlea's arms away from his chest, cognizant of the disapproving and yearning face of the thief.

"Do you want to keep her company while I go check?" Iolaus asked, but his gentle jostling and the familiarity of his voice brought Anticlea awake.

"What's going on?" she asked looking to Iolaus and then to Autolycus.

"Horses. Heading this way." Iolaus answered, "Autolycus, keep an eye on Anticlea while I check it out. Be ready," he warned.

"I know Iolaus is a little soft in the brains but does he also make a good pillow?" Autolycus asked still stinging from the sight.

"Good enough," Anticlea answered as she got up and dusted herself off.

Iolaus walked out of the perimeter of the encampment and into the field. He drew his sword but quickly sheathed it when he saw the two riders heading toward him. He recognized the one in the front by the heraldic symbol on the muzzle of his horse. It was King Barchan.

The hunter waved toward the two riders. Barchan saw the blonde man and galloped toward him. The two riders stopped as they reached his side.

"Anticlea, have you found her?" Barchan asked with no preamble.

"She's safe," Iolaus said as he pointed toward the encampment.

"Thank the gods!" Barchan breathed. "And the kidnappers? We found their encampment abandoned and feared the worse."

"Captured."

Barchan nodded as he kicked his horse to a trot toward the encampment. He was quick to confirm that his daughter was safe. Morson followed at a slower pace with Iolaus walking behind him.

Barchan jumped off of his mount even before it came to a halt when he saw Anticlea beside the thief.

"Daddy," Anticlea yelled and came running to him. She held him in a tight embrace.

"It's okay pumpkin. Everything is okay," Barchan said and took his Anticlea's head in his hands, tenderly pulling it away from his chest. He kissed the top of her forehead as he examined her face for any untold horrors she may have experienced.

Morson got off of his mount and patted Anticlea affectionately on her shoulder. The young girl turned around and gave Morson an affectionate hug before returning to her father's side.

Morson stood by Iolaus as Autolycus reluctantly walked up to the family reunion. The thief's eyes remained downcast, not willing to view the obvious affection between Anticlea and Barchan.

"Iolaus. Again, you have come to my family's rescue. Thank you," Barchan announced.

"I'm glad to have been there to help, King Barchan."

Barchan turned to the King of Thieves. "Autolycus," he acknowledged, "I see you've had the chance to meet my daughter, Anticlea."

Autolycus looked up and opened his mouth to answer but hesitated. "Yes I have, Barchan. She's a great kid. I little pigheaded for my taste, but you have done a fine job raising her."

"Daddy?" Anticlea prefaced looking up at her father, "Do you know Autolycus?"

Barchan looked at Autolycus as he spoke. "I knew him a long time ago, pumpkin. He once gave me something very precious to keep for him."

Autolycus turned away, finding something more interesting on the ground behind him until he could force his eyes to clear. Hearing the kindness in the voice of King Barchan brought on a new set of emotion.

Iolaus, understanding the gist of the veiled conversation also looked away.

"Was it a gem?" Anticlea asked looking from the thief to the king hoping for some momentary intrigue.

Both Barchan and Autolycus began to hem and haw around the answer. "Um..." Autolycus faltered and then nodded in sync with Barchan`s agreeable nod, "Yes...yes, I think you can safely say it was a gem."

"A stolen gem?" Anticlea asked looking up at her father.

"Um...well..." Barchan stammered.

Autolycus came to the King`s rescue. "Stolen has such a negative connotation, don`t you think? I prefer permanently appropriated or borrowed." The thief finished as his hand moved to suavely stroke his mustache.

"You'll never change, will you, Autolycus?" Anticlea asked.

"What? And ruin my sterling reputation?" the thief answered.

"You mean your reputation for stealing sterling, don't you," Iolaus answered back.

"Ha, ha," Autolycus sneered.

Barchan turned toward Morson eager to get his daughter back to the safety of the palace. "Morson, see to the prisoners," he commanded then he looked down at Anticlea once more. He smiled at his daughter as he patted her upper arm in encouragement.

"I think it's time to say your goodbyes," he announced. Barchan allowed Anticlea the opportunity to say her farewells in private. He mounted his horse and patiently waited as his daughter walked toward Iolaus.

"Uncle Iolaus," Anticlea said as she drew him into a loving embrace. "I'm sorry we didn't get to spend much time together. Will you promise to come to the festival next year? I can`t promise it`ll be as exciting as this year's, but it`s bound to be more fun."

"I`ll try," Iolaus promised, patting her reassuringly on the back.

Anticlea released herself from his arms, not fully wanting to let go of the warm embrace. She turned to Autolycus.

"Hey kid, maybe I'll see ya around," Autolycus announced, jabbing at her arm with his closed fist ostensibly in unconcerned play. He was trying to set the tone for the sad goodbye.

"Maybe," Anticlea answered demurely, and then said to herself, "Aw, what the heck."

She took two steps toward Autolycus and wrapped her arms around the thief, squeezing hard. Autolycus winced in pain as her arm brushed past his abused ribs. Surprised at the uninhibited sign of affection, Autolycus looked toward Iolaus and Barchan. Barchan smiled and nodded his acquiescence.

The thief closed his eyes to keep the tears from escaping and tentatively wrapped his arms around his long forfeited daughter. When he felt the hug was genuine, he held on tightly, resting his cheek momentarily on the top of her head.

"Thank you." Anticlea whispered and she pushed away from him. When she separated from the thief, she could see the pain wrought on his face. "Your ribs. Oh, I`m so sorry. I forgot."

Autolycus tried to laugh. "You know what they say, no pain, no gain. It's okay, Clea. I would have much rather had the hug.

"Funny," Anticlea prefaced, "no one calls me Clea but my mom and dad and you`ve done it twice in one day."

Autolycus began to panic as he stumbled across his words. He was still not comfortable with his newfound truce with his daughter, and wondered what tirade would follow for his thoughtless faux pas.

"I'm sorry...I didn't know...Anticlea, then"

"No. It's okay," she said mulling it over, "Somehow it...feels okay."

Morson had come up beside the princess and tapped her on her shoulder. "King Barchan tells me it's time for you to go."

Anticlea nodded and reiterated as if the two men had not heard the wrestler, "It's time to go." She followed Morson to his horse, turning around once to wave goodbye. With Morson holding the reins, Anticlea placed her foot in the stirrup and hoisted herself up, on to the beast. She spurred the horse to stand beside her father's mount.

"You ready to go?" Barchan asked.

She nodded her assent and then looked from Iolaus to Autolycus to Morson. Without taking her eyes off of the three men, she kicked her horse to a gallop. Barchan nodded to the three and he too, spurred his horse to a full run.

$$$$$$$$$$$$

Autolycus, suddenly feeling magnanimous helped Iolaus quickly break camp.

"Morson and I are going to be escorting the kidnappers back to the village. Do you want to come?" Iolaus asked.

"Huh?" Autolycus queried turning back toward the hunter. He picked up his tunic- the same one that Anticlea had used to warm herself the night before. It smelled of jasmine and ginger. The fragrance was a bit too feminine for the King of Thieves, but he put the garment on anyway. He hoped the delicate fragrance would linger, reminding him for some time of the hours he spent with his daughter.

"If it's the same to you, Iolaus, I think I need some time to myself."

"Sure. I understand." Iolaus said as he began to kick the fire with dirt to smother it. "Autolycus, are you going to be okay?"

"Me? Why wouldn`t I?" came the thief's reply.

"Because, I've seen you hurting before, that's why?"

Iolaus walked up to Autolycus and put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "I don't know if I'll ever get the chance to say it again, Autolycus, but I`m proud of you. You had plenty of chances to tell Anticlea who you are, but you didn`t.

""I wanted to," Autolycus answered back, "I just couldn't break Anticlea's or Barchan's heart like that."

Iolaus nodded assuredly. "Her father loves his daughter."

"I know he does." Autolycus answered, "So do I," he said almost silently.

Iolaus looked toward Autolycus, but the thief's face was turned away from him, so it was hard to gage his feelings. Still the tenderness in the thief`s voice was hard to disguise. "I meant you, Autolycus." Iolaus said as he finished with a smile. He patted the thief once more on the shoulder and then walked toward Morson to help round up the prisoners for their journey home.

Morson quickly went over and hauled the kidnappers up from the tree. He pushed Hoffus toward Iolaus. Morson shoved the abductor with fury, hoping the bound wrestler and orchestrator of Anticlea's kidnapping would fall flat on his face.

"Easy there," Iolaus cautioned. "We wouldn't want him to have an accident before his trial. Remember, they`re supposed to be the brutes."

Morson nodded reluctantly and quickly followed with the other two prisoners. Autolycus watched the large wrestler struggling with his two charges. Suddenly, the need to be alone in his misery escaped him.

"Which do you want?" Morson asked Iolaus as he shoved the other two men toward Hoffus.

Autolycus came up and grabbed the binds of Hoffus. "I'll take this one," he answered.

"Alright then," Iolaus nodded in approval. "Morson, you take Tomis, I'll take this one."

As they headed out of the encampment, Iolaus pushed on the back of his prisoner to match the thief's hurried stride.

"Tell you what," Iolaus began, "I know a great tavern in town. Good food and all the ale you can drink. We`ll deliver the kidnappers to the authorities and then I`ll buy you an ale to help you nurse your own ails. How does that sound?"

"They don't serve grubs, do they?"

"I told you they weren't grubs." Iolaus admonished.

"Still tasted like grubs," Autolycus answered remembering the foul taste. He pushed Hoffus ahead of Iolaus and his prisoner.

"I'd like to see you do better, hunting in the dark," Iolaus answered.

"Anytime, Shorty. Any time." Autolycus challenged as they slowly made their way back to the village.

THE END

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