Hey, sorry I'm sorta kinda a lot late with the update; life got in the way. That and I kinda got stuck . . . but I think I know where I'm going now . . . Hope you like it!
Part ElevenCassandra determined that it might be close to noon time when she woke from the short rest she had finally let them take. She walked around stiffly for a moment, her head in a fog and aching. She was so used to it now, the aching. It seemed that a part of her had given up hope that it would really ever go away. She crossed her arms, standing at the side of the rise she had chosen to stop at, looking out over the many dipping hills and green fields and thought for a moment about going back. Although, it hadn’t been the first time through her nightly flight. The only thing that kept her going was the many events of yesterday and the sight of Lysandra and Icarus’s hindered bodies. But again she tore her thoughts away, afraid of what she might lead herself into.
She heard a rustle behind her and saw Pegasus, head drooped and eyes tired, walking towards her. She knew he didn’t want to be here without Hercules. She was not his master or his best friend, and yet here he was beside her. She put a hand on his head, wishing that this could all just be a bad dream.
“I know Pegasus,” she said softly. “I’m not even sure what I’m doing.”
His eyes grew large, almost expecting and he nickered softly, his head pointing in the direction they had come from.
“I’m not giving up yet,” Cassandra responded firmly. “I have to correct this. Somehow everything must tie in together.”
His head drooped again and he looked up at her with large, pitiful eyes. She rolled her eyes and looked away.
“Like those will work on me.”
Pegasus snorted and shook his head, sighing as he continued to look at her.
“Look, just a little farther. It can’t be to hard to spot an insane madman, can it? It’s just finding him that’s the hard part.” Ignoring the confused look, Pegasus gave her, she clambered onto his back again. “Alright, same direction and this time, don’t take off so abruptly.”
In a moment, he was soaring through the air, Cassandra hunched over his neck. Her eyes continued to scan the ground for any sign of life, a home if anything. Perhaps people had sightings . . . it was always possible. But there was nothing, it seemed. Just endless landscape and more hills. She yawned and urged Pegasus faster, which he obliged if a little unwillingly.
But with the lack of sleep, they had little choice but to pause a few hours in. However, Cassandra could not find the ability to rest and instead, tossed and turned on the shaded earth. Pegasus on the other hand, was quite content and dozing away in the afternoon warmth. Finally to frustrated to even try to sleep, Cassandra came to her feet, dusting off her dress irritably. Anxiety had welled inside her and she felt like she was going to burst at any given time. She still felt like she had no idea what she was doing, but was going to do it anyway. Vengeance could feel so harsh . . . and still so wonderful. Sighing, she clenched her fists and walked deeper into a wooded area, not sure which direction she was heading with this.
Herc would surely notice she was gone by now; for goodness sake, she had taken Pegasus! Gods, her life was just turning upside down . . . what had she gotten herself into? Her chin, for the moment sank into her hands and she sat heavily upon a fallen log. She just wished this could all be a bad dream and that she could wake up . . . and in the back of her head, that familiar pain was coming back. The anxious feeling in her stomach grew worse.
“Curse it, not now!”
It was then she heard movement behind her. She didn’t react at first, expecting to see Pegasus come around to face her. Perhaps give her the same sad, puppy like eyes she was so good at ignoring. When the movement stopped, a shiver came up her spine and goose bumps spread swiftly over arms. She had only a moment to pull her knees to her chest when someone tightly pulled her back, placing a large hand firmly over her mouth. She brought her hands up quickly, digging her nails into the dirty flesh that bound her but to no avail. A pair of chapped lips came to her ear.
“I have you now, Seer,” mocked the deep voice. “And you have no one to save you this time,”
It didn’t take long for her to figure out who this was but her struggling was useless. A heavy blow to the head sent her into blackness and her body was dragged away by a trembling farm boy.
Meanwhile, Pegasus had woken from an uneasy sleep. Shaking his head, he looked longingly towards the direction of home. But he would not abandon one of Herc’s friends. Besides, he did want to help Herc- more than anything – and perhaps what Cassandra said was right. It just somehow didn’t feel right to Pegasus. Speaking of which . . .
The winged horse looked around now, taking in the unfamiliar territory with alert senses. He whinnied and whisked his tail, hoping that Cassandra would hear him and come to meet him. But everything was still. Had she fallen asleep in the woods? That didn’t seem like the smartest thing to do but maybe she had. Or maybe she was just wandering. Nonetheless, he walked into the heavily wooded area with great ease, the forest calm and serene around him. Nothing felt out of place, and yet still, something drew him in further. He sniffed the air, blinking curiously. Cassandra had been here . . . excitedly, Pegasus whinnied, his call echoing loudly through the trees.
But no one answered it or came to scold him for being so loud. This confused him. Perhaps she had fallen asleep somewhere? He stepped forward again, studying the ground. It looked like there was somebody else here . . .
“I wasn’t expecting you!”
Pegasus shot around, spying a youth with angry features.
“You’re the famed pet of dear Hercules aren’t you?” he came forward and Pegasus stepped back. “Well, looks like we’ll have to just silence another witness!”
He lunged for Pegasus but Pegasus pushed against the ground in time, lifting himself into the air with a cry of anger. This person had done something with Cassandra! Pegasus was stuck with indecision for a moment; should he stay or go for Hercules? The decision was suddenly made for him as a large rock came hurtling his direction. Moving in an awkward position, he dodged the flying object and snorted indignantly as the boy on the ground continued to screech and threaten him from the ground. Rolling his eyes, Pegasus sped off, fresh and alert.
Flying the fastest he could go, he lurched through the air, his focus set in one direction.
He was going to get Herc.
* * *
“You’re friends are doing remarkably better this morning. Icarus’s wound is certain to heal smoothly and Lysandra seems awake and alert, though she is having some memory problems and Icarus is . . . having some trouble keeping food in his stomach. We’re keeping a close watch on both, I assure you.”
Hercules had never felt so much relief save for the time when Meg came back to life. He heaved a large sigh and slunk back for a moment, Meg’s hand grasping his tightly. Finally raising his head, he smiled brightly.
“Can we come and see them?”
“Yes, yes, you may see Icarus at least, if you will give us a moment to move them to their rooms. We don’t want to upset Lysandra to much yet,” Herc nodded and the nurse walked away.
He pulled Meg into a warm embrace, sighing into her curls. She gripped him back and kissed his cheek gently. And though Herc had found immense relief in knowing that both were okay, knowing that Cassandra was missing (with Pegasus) had not left his mind. Meg sensed this and pulled back, stroking his face.
“You okay, Wonderboy?”
He smiled and softly took her hand in his. “Just a little distracted. But we’ll get through it,”
“You bet we will.” She punched his shoulder gently. “And then, maybe, we can . . . uh . . . finally place a wedding date, hm?”
She grinned childishly as his face turned crimson and he smiled sheepishly at her.
“Don’t worry Herc, everything’s going to work out,”
Catching her lips with his, they kissed and lost themselves in a blissful, carefree moment. Pulling away slightly, Herc placed his forehead against hers.
“As long as I got you Meg, I think I could do just about anything,”
She chuckled warmly. “I’m always going to be beside you.”
The moment ended when the nurse came back through the door and ushered them into see Icarus.
“Hey . . . buddy . . .” Icarus’s voice sounded weak and very much unlike him. Herc beamed at him as he stepped into the room.
“How are you feeling, Icarus?”
“Oh,” he crinkled his nose. “Icky doesn’t feel good . . . how’s my Cassie-wassie?”
Herc swallowed hard and forced a smile. “She’s perfectly fine, Icarus,”
His dull, tired eyes lit up for a moment. “Can I see her?”
Herc faltered, a bit to long and exchanged a glance with Meg, who clutched his hand tightly. The light in Icarus’s eyes dimmed. Meg released her good hand from Hercules’s and gently patted Icarus’s shoulder.
“She isn’t here right now, Icarus.”
He leaned back against the pillow, sighing and jutted out his lip. “Oh . . . alright then. You’ll tell her to come see me, wont you?”
“Oh course, Ick.”
Eye’s drooping closed reluctantly, Icarus’s head bobbed heavily to the side. Herc and Meg walked out of the room again. “Well, that lasted long,”
“He really adores her, doesn’t he?” Meg asked.
Herc chuckled. “Yeah, he really does.”
“Herc?” Meg spoke up timidly. He looked down at her to show he was listening. “Do you think that . . . Hades might have something to do with all of this? I mean, to get revenge for you defeating him, taking me . . . maybe he has a new “soul bought” minion that he’s using. Maybe he really can take Cassandra’s visions away. And, if you think about it, death really is his “theme” right? So wouldn’t it make sense if he was behind this?”
Herc considered this for a moment and then nodded. “But this soon?”
“If he has the tools, why not?” they met eyes for a moment and Meg saw the uncertainty in his eyes. She gently touched his arm. “I know him a lot better than you do.”
“Do you think I should check out the Underworld?”
“No,” Meg said, jutting her hips out to one side. “I think
we should,”
“But Meg,” he stuttered, looking at her bandaged wrist and arm.
She took her other hand and tilted his chin up so he met her eyes. “Look; I know the Underworld like the back of my useless hand. I can guide you around. Besides, I’m always on your side, remember?”
He smiled uncertainly, loving her stubborn determination more and more, but still fearing for her nonetheless. She buried her head into his chest warmly, sighing as his arms came around her.
“I know,” he finally said.
Their heads turned suddenly to a loud whinny outside. Herc was already racing to the door, flinging it open. “Pegasus! Ca . . Cassandra?”
Meg came out after him, excited for him and then saw that Pegasus seemed to be the only one that had returned. “Where is she?”
Pegasus seemed to be dancing on his feet, thrusting his head in a particular direction. Meg looked to Herc, who was looking at her. She understood instantly that Pegasus knew and Herc was going to follow. She nodded to him firmly and swallowing her fear, he picked her up easily and placed her on Pegasus’s back, leaping on in front of her. Pegasus needed no urging and took off instantly, flapping his wings madly to gain more altitude. Instinctively, Meg grasped Herc around the middle, hiding her face in his back as the ground became smaller beneath them.
Meg, trying not to think that she was on the back of a flying horse, found comfort knowing that Hercules was there and that Pegasus seemed to know where Cassandra was. This might just resolve itself in no time . . . and things could settle back to the new normal . . . She held back a scream as Pegasus lurched to the right and clung helplessly to Herc’s middle.
Oh Hades, you’re going to pay for this one,