By Meaghan
"Heads up!" Jason jumped and kicked the ball into the goal.
"Score!" He and Lilith slapped hands.
"No fair!" Iolaus pouted.
"Oh, come on!" Hercules patted Iolaus on the back. "It's only the eighth time they've scored on you!" He grinned.
"It's time to come in for the night." Cheiron's four-legged figure strode into where they were playing.
"Aw c'mon, Cheiron." Iolaus pleaded. "Just one more game?"
Cheiron shook his head. "Sorry boys but it's past curfew, and there's rumors of a dragon nearby." With that, Cheiron swished his tail and trotted back into the school.
"A Dragon, huh?" Iolaus picked up the ball, twirling it.
"I just hope it doesn't come around here!" Lilith shivered. She and Iolaus walked into the school.
Hercules turned to Jason.
"You coming?" He asked, his face creased with concern when he saw the look on Jason's face.
Jason stood rigid, his eyes wide. His shocked, fearful expression worried Hercules.
"Hey man, you okay?" He put his hand on Jason's shoulder. Startled by Hercules, Jason shook his head, as if waking up from a dream.
"Yeah, I-" Jason shifted for a moment. "-I'm fine."
Hercules knew Jason wasn't being truthful. "Jase, really, what's bothering you? You can tell me."
"Well…" Jason fidgeted. "It's just…" He sighed. "I'maffrdrfns." He said in a low voice.
"What?" Hercules leaned in closer.
"I said I'm afraid of dragons." Jason said louder. "There, I said it, you happy?" His voice took an angry tone.
"Whoah, no!" Hercules was taken aback. "There's nothing to be ashamed of, lots of people are afraid of dragons!"
"But I'm the prince, I'm supposed to be brave." Jason sighed and sat down on the steps in front of the University. "It was years ago, I was only about eight." His eyes were fixed upon a wall nearby, but he seemed to be looking past it. "I was traveling to Ranadar with my Mom." Jason looked at Hercules for a moment as the young man sat beside him, and continued. "We were walking through the town when a huge shadow covered us. I looked up to see a giant creature above me, I later learned it was a dragon. It landed on the ground and blew fire, destroying the homes and shops around us. It looked directly at me, I could see the hate in its eyes. Its tail swept out and hit me, that was the last thing I knew. When I woke up, almost everyone was gone, the whole village destroyed. My mother quickly brought me out of there, but I've never forgotten it." Jason looked at Hercules, fear in his eyes. "I don't know if I could handle seeing anything like that again."
Hercules sat, absorbing what Jason had just told him. "Not all dragons are bad, they don't usually attack without reason."
"How do you know that?" Jason asked, a hint of anger in his voice. "Have you ever seen them?
You weren't nearly killed by one! As far as I'm concerned, they're heartless beasts who destroyed an innocent village!" Jason got up and walked into the building. Shaking his head, Hercules followed. The three boys changed and crawled into bed, deep in slumber after a few moments.
Jason tossed and turned. He opened his eyes to see Hercules was standing over him, the sun shone in the window.
"You finally up?" Herc grinned.
"Yeah, in a way." Jason groaned, rubbing his eyes. Hercules nudged the slumbering Iolaus with his foot. Iolaus only snorted and rolled over. Hercules winked at Jason.
"Breakfast!" He called.
Immediately, Iolaus leaped to his feet.
"Where?" He blinked, rubbing his eyes. "Man, Herc, don't do that to me!"
The three friends got dressed and headed toward the mess hall. Suddenly, a dark shadow fell upon them. Jason's eyes grew wide as a great dragon descended in front of him. Its red eyes gleaming, it opened its mouth, blowing a giant ball of flame at Jason. Jason cowered back as it rushed towards him…
Jason awoke with a start, sweat beading on his brow. He panted, running his hands through his hair.
Hercules lifted his head to see Jason sitting up.
"You okay?" He asked. Jason was breathing heavily, glistening with sweat. Hercules frowned and swung his legs over the side of his bed. "You have a bad dream?"
"Yeah." Jason let out the breath he realized he was holding. "A-a bad dream. That's all."
"Was it about… dragons?" Asked Hercules.
Jason sighed, knowing he was caught. "Yeah, I just can't get it out of my head! It was huge, and its eyes…" Jason shook his head. "They were full of nothing but hate!" He shivered for a moment. "I can never forget what it did to me, to that village!"
"It's Ok, Jase." Hercules patted his friend's shoulder reassuringly. "I'm sure this dragon is just roaming around, he's not out to hurt anybody."
"I hope you're right." Jason lay back down, lost in thought. Hercules flopped back down into his bed and drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, they all got up and joined each other at their table for breakfast.
"Someone said they saw the dragon flying near here, yesterday." Iolaus commented, sipping his drink.
"If it shows up, you won't find me here!" Lilith chuckled. "Those things scare the Hades out of me!"
Jason just sat, staring into his food. Hercules noticed he had only taken a bite or two, pushing the rest around with his spoon.
"Hey Jase, you gonna eat that?" Iolaus motioned to his bowl.
"Nah, I'm not hungry, you can have it." Jason gave his bowl to Iolaus. Glancing at Hercules, he half smiled.
"I'm okay." He said. Though it didn't sound very convincing, Hercules nodded.
"Hey, anyone up for a ballgame before classes?" Asked Lilith, holding up their ball.
Iolaus shrugged. "I'm in!"
"Me too!" Hercules stood up.
"Count me in!" Jason smiled. The four paid for their meal and jogged outside.
"Aw, man!" Iolaus complained. The area where they usually played was packed with milling students.
"Let's go out to the field." Hercules suggested. The four friends ran out past the gate to the grass field near the Academy.
They began to kick the ball back and forth, bouncing it off their heads and bodies. Their laughter echoed across the hills as they ran around. Suddenly, a roar stopped them in their tracks. A giant shadow fell upon the ground, and Jason froze in fear. His gaze slowly rose upward to fall upon a great dragon. Its blue green scales glittered in the sunlight, powerful wings flapped and its tense muscles flexed. Fixing its gaze upon Jason it narrowed its eyes, glaring. Jason, frozen in terror, could not move as the dragon prepared a ball of flame. Hercules leaped in as the dragon blew, pulling Jason out of the way.
"Jase, man, snap out of it!" Hercules shook his friend. Jason shook his head to clear it, but he could not shake his fear. The dragon lunged, snapping at him, and they dove out of the way.
"I don't understand why he's attacking!" Said Hercules, getting to his feet.
"He seems to be going after Jason!" Iolaus ran up to Hercules. Jason was running as fast as he could, the dragon snorting and puffing right behind him. It swiped out with its paw, and sent Jason tumbling. He groaned, holding his slashed shoulder as he got to his feet. The dragon grabbed him in its paw.
"Hercules, help!" Cried Jason desperately. The dragon squeezed him hard, and he cried out in pain.
"Let him go!" Hercules jumped onto the dragons back and ran up to its head, kicking it. It squealed and dropped Jason who fell to the ground, landing on his wounded shoulder. Lilith and Iolaus ran in, helping him to his feet.
"We gotta get you out of here!" Iolaus pulled at him.
"No… not without.. Hercules…" Jason gritted his teeth, limping back.
"Jason, you're hurt!" Lilith begged. "Your arm is bleeding you need to get help!"
"We can't leave without Hercules!" Jason pushed them away. "I'm going back!" Taking a deep breath, Jason swallowed as he headed back towards the dragon, who held Hercules in its paws.
"Hercules!" Jason yelled, but the dragon swiped at him with its tail, slamming him into the outer wall of the Academy. Jason groaned and fell to the grass.
"Jason!" Hercules yelled. "Let me go!" He yelled at the dragon. He was angry and needed to yell at someone.
To his surprise, the dragon spoke back. "You are not the one I need!" He said in a low, rumbling voice. "Stay out of this and no harm will come to you!" He set the stunned Hercules down on the ground and started for Jason, who was staggering to his feet. Wavering, Jason backed up, his eyes wide with fear as the giant dragon descended upon him.
Hercules ran between them. "Leave him alone!" He yelled at the dragon.
"I said stay out of this!" The dragon hissed angrily, knocking him over. Weak from injuries and loss of blood, Jason passed out, crumpling to the ground. The dragon picked him up and jumped into the air, flapping his wings. Hercules, who was getting to his feet, was nearly knocked over by the air from the dragons wings as it took off, Jason with him.
"Jason! No!" He yelled, falling to his knees. "No…" He said in disbelief.
Iolaus and Lilith slowly approached him, shocked from the previous events.
"Wh-what do you think the dragon will do with him?" Asked Iolaus worriedly.
Hercules shook his head. "I don't know. I still can't understand why the dragon attacked him!"
"He's strong." Said Iolaus. "I'm sure he's still alive.
"He was hurt pretty bad." Said Lilith. "He can't do much fighting back."
Hercules stared at the ground for a moment. "I'm going to get him back." He vowed. "No matter what!"
"What about the dragon?" Asked Lilith fearfully.
"Yeah, Herc." Said Iolaus. "He'll turn us into toast!"
"I don't think he's bad." Said Hercules, promoting confused expressions from his friends. "He didn't hurt me, didn't you see? He put me back down, Jason was the only one he took. Now I'm going after him to see what's going on."
Lilith and Iolaus exchanged glances. "We're with you."
The three friends packed supplies they would need, and set off in the direction the dragon had flown. Awhile later, they sat down to rest.
"We haven't found much of a trail." Said Iolaus, taking a drink from a jug of water.
"We should split up." Said Hercules, looking at the two trails ahead of them. "Iolaus, you and Lilith take the left trail, I'll take the right."
"You sure, Herc?" Asked Iolaus.
"It'll increase our chances of finding Jason." Hercules replied. "We have to find him as soon as we can, he needs help."
Iolaus and Lilith nodded, picked up their gear, and started down the left trail. "Good luck, Herc!"
Hercules waved, picking up his things, and headed down the dusty trail on the right. He had been walking for a while, when he heard low rumbling. Dropping low in the bushes, he snuck towards the sound. He came up to a small clearing, in the center stood the dragon! Hercules was sneaking towards him, when he stepped on a branch, snapping it. The dragon whirled to face him. It eyes widened.
"You!" He said. "What are you doing here!"
"I came to get Jason back!" Said Hercules angrily.
"Why should I give him to you?" The dragon glared.
"Because I don't think you're evil." Said Hercules.
"Evil?" The dragon chuckled. "Child, I am not evil!"
"Then why did you hurt Jason?" It was Hercules' turn to glare.
"I was merely carrying out a sentence he was due for." Said the dragon.
"Look, Mr. Dragon…" Hercules started.
"My name is Baladar. Who are you?" Asked the dragon, laying down to be closer to face- level with Hercules.
"I am Hercules." He replied.
"Hercules?" Asked Baladar, surprised. "I have heard many things about you. Why have you come after a ruthless king?"
"He's not ruthless!" Said Hercules. "He's my friend!"
Baladar looked unconvinced. "I don't see why you should be friends with him, he's a cold, terrible tyrant!" His nostrils flared. "Years ago, it was he who called the attack on the Drenedet village, burning it to the ground. Nearby was my mother's nest, which they also destroyed, killing her and my brothers and sisters!"
"Whoah, back up, here!" said Hercules.
"What?" Baladar looked confused.
"It's a figure of speech." Hercules explained. "What I mean is hold on! Jason never called an attack on Drenedet! Who told you this?"
"The man who saved me from the same fate." Said Baladar. "He rescued me and has taken care of me. I am merely helping save any other village from the same fate."
"In case you haven't noticed." Said Hercules, not meaning to be sarcastic. "But Jason is young, he isn't even king yet, he's only a prince!"
Baladar stared at him for a moment. "Lies will not help him!" He growled.
"They're not lies!" Said Hercules, exasperated. "Jason is a good guy! He'd never hurt anyone in his life!"
Baladar frowned. "I want to believe you, Hercules, but this has been told to me by a man who I have trusted for my entire life. Humans only fear and hate dragons, thinking we're brutal beasts who burn villages. They're spiteful and will try to trick me. Peloxious is the only human I have trusted, Why should I believe you over him?"
"What has Jason ever done to you?" Asked Hercules furiously. "He doesn't deserve this!"
"He killed my family!" Baladar roared in his face. "He deserves more than we have done!"
"Did you ever see Jason?" asked Hercules. "When you attacked, did he hurt you? Wouldn't he have troops or bodyguards if he was so brutal? You were the brutal one!"
"But…"
"When you picked me up, didn't he come after me? To come and help me? Why would he do that?"
"I…" Baladar shook his head. "Stop! You are trying to confuse me!"
"No I'm not!" Said Hercules. "Jason is a good man, he would never hurt anyone, he doesn't deserve what you've done to him!"
Baladar looked crushed. "I-I want to believe you, young Hercules." He said. "But how can I be sure?"
Hercules thought for a moment. "I'll show you." He said. "Bring me to Corinth."
"This was easier than I thought, Peloxious!" Said a dark-clothed man.
"Yes, my plan worked out perfectly!" Peloxious stepped out of the shadows. He was about forty years old, with slightly greying brown hair. He wore a black cloak with black leather gloves, his face twisted in a malicious smile. "Baladar has done exactly as he was told, he brought prince Jason right to us!" He strode over to Jason's unconscious form, which lay propped against the wall, bound tightly. Peloxious lifted Jason's chin. "Our young prince will bring us a handsome ransom, Gered!" He grinned to his companion, before turning back to Jason. "Yes he will!"
"This way, shh!" Hercules lead Baladar through the forest as close as he could to Corinth, while still keeping him hidden in the trees. Well, as hidden as an over two-ton dragon can get! Hercules led Baladar behind one of the taller walls surrounding Corinth. There were a few people milling about the marketplace, chatting.
"Did you hear about prince Jason?" One woman asked her friend.
"Yes, it was horrible!" The other replied. "Poor prince Jason, carried off by a dragon! I hope he is all right!"
"I hope so too." Said the first woman. "He seemed like he would be as kind a king as his father was."
Her friend nodded. "His people are worried about him, I sincerely hope he is brought back safely." The two woman continued talking until they were out of earshot.
Hercules turned to Baladar, who was looking at the ground.
"You were right, Hercules." He said softly. "But why would Peloxious want me to bring Jason to him?"
As Hercules was thinking about this, another conversation was heard between two men.
"A ransom?" Asked one.
"Yes." Said the other. "They are demanding money to get prince Jason back. Three thousand dinars, or they kill him!"
"Three thousand dinars?" The other man was shocked. "Corinth doesn't have nearly that much money!"
"I know." Said the first man solemnly.
"A ransom?" Asked Baladar. "That is why Peloxious had me bring the prince to him?" A shocked look came over his long face. "What have I done? Peloxious will surely kill him!"
"Not if we get to him first." Said Hercules. "You have to come with me save him. He is badly hurt and needs help or he'll die!"
Baladar's face was sorrowful. "This is my fault." He said sadly. "I was so gullible. I thought I was doing the right thing, instead I have helped Peloxious kill and innocent man!"
"I don't think he's killed him yet, Baladar." Said Hercules. "You have to help me find him before he does! Please!" He pleaded.
Baladar frowned, angry that he had been tricked. "Yes, I will help you, Hercules." With that he picked up the young man and flew off to find Peloxious.
"Ohhhh…" Jason groaned, opening his eyes. The deep gashes in his shoulder were throbbing painfully, and he tried to touch them, to find his arms couldn't move. "Huh?" His arms were bound tightly to his sides. He twisted and struggled, but only succeeded in making his arm hurt worse, the ropes wouldn't budge.
"Aha, he's awake!" Peloxious grinned down at him. The hairs on the back of Jason's neck stood up as the man stared at him.
"Let me go!" Jason snapped.
"I don't think so, my friend." Peloxious picked up his staff, twirling it. "I plan to get a handsome ransom for you." He suddenly stopped the pointed end of the staff at Jason's throat. "So I wouldn't try anything funny if I were you."
Jason glared at him. Peloxious only laughed. "I don't think you'll be much trouble in your condition anyway, after what my dragon did." He grinned as Jason's face went white. "Aww, is the prince afraid of the dragon?"
"My friends will come after me." Said Jason coldly.
"Well, we'll have to see about that, won't we?" Peloxious chuckled. "I have many more than one traps that will stop them before they can get even near here!"
Furious, Jason got to his feet, ramming Peloxious for all he was worth. Peloxious fell to the ground as Jason ran for the tunnel out of the cave.
"Gered!" Peloxious yelled, and Gered stepped in front of Jason. He lashed out with his fist, but Jason ducked, kicking him over. Gered jumped to his feet, hitting Jason in his wounded shoulder. Gritting his teeth in pain, Jason whirled and kicked Gered again. Gered fell to the ground, but swept Jason's feet out from under him. Jason jumped back to his feet and fought back as best as he could. He was a good fighter, but he was weak and tied, this gave Gered the advantage. He punched Jason in the stomach, who doubled over and he kicked and punched him again. Finally, Jason fell to the ground, unable to take anymore.
Peloxious knelt on one knee beside him. "Apparently I underestimated your strength, young prince." He said, impressed. Jason only glared defiantly. Peloxious smiled. "Keep a closer eye on him, Gered."
"Yes, sir."
"I do not understand, he was here!" Said Baladar, searching around an empty cave.
"He must have moved to somewhere else." Said Hercules, spying a half-eaten plate of food. "He was here not long ago, he couldn't have moved very far."
"You are right." Said Baladar. The two exited the cave and walked along the bottom of the mountain to find clues.
Jason's head perked up as he heard his friends voice nearby. "Hercules." He said weakly. "HERCULES! HEL-" He was cut off as Peloxious swung and hit him across the face with the blunt end of his staff, subduing him as Gered gagged him.
"Wait, did you hear that?" Hercules help up his hand to stop Baladar. "I just heard Jason!"
"I heard something." Said Baladar. "But where was it coming from?"
"It was this way!" Hercules pointed, motioning for Baladar to follow. Hercules came up to the side of the mountain. "I could have sworn it was coming from here." He said. "But this is just rock!" He tried to think. "Um, open sesame?" Suddenly the wall gave way, opening like a door.
Hercules and Baladar exchanged glances before going inside. The tunnel was barely large enough to fit Baladar, if he folded his wings in tightly.
"Let's be careful." Said Hercules. "There's bound to be some traps around h- ahh!" The floor beneath him gave way, and he was barely able to grab onto the edge before falling into a pit of spikes. Baladar helped him up.
"Whoah!" Hercules breathed a sigh of relief. "I gotta be more careful!" He inched along the hallway, when he suddenly tripped over an invisible wire. Arrows shot out of the wall, straight at Hercules.
"Look out!" Baladar stepped in front of Hercules, wincing as the arrows hit his shoulder.
"Are you all right?" Asked Hercules. "Thank you!" He helped Baladar pull the arrows out of his shoulder.
"You are welcome." Baladar grunted as the last arrow came out. Hercules inspected the wounds.
"They're very shallow, they'll heal soon." He said, and Baladar nodded.
"Let us keep moving, then." Baladar continued walking.
"There!" Hercules pointed. Up ahead, a light was flowing into the tunnel. "There must be a room there!"
Suddenly, a giant lizard-like dog filled the tunnel, blocking their way.
"Oh boy." Hercules sighed.
Screams and shrieks could be head from the tunnel.
"Looks like my pet is taking care of your friends." Peloxious grinned maliciously. The shouts and crashes went on for a few more minutes before ceasing. Peloxious smirked. A moment later, Hercules strode into the room, Peloxious' face fell.
"How.. how did you…?!" Peloxious was shocked.
"Herffls!" Jason shouted through the gag. Hercules ran to him, removing the cloth from his friends mouth.
"Hercules…" Jason gasped. His eyes suddenly widened, and he kicked Hercules with his feet. As Hercules flew backwards, Peloxious' staff flew past where he had been and embedded itself in the stone wall. Hercules whirled to face Peloxious, falling into a fighting stance. Jason pushed against the wall with his feet, pushing himself upright. He was looking around for something to cut his bonds with, when Gered appeared in front of him, brandishing a sword. Jason swallowed.
Hercules delivered kicks and punches to Peloxious, who parried them with his staff. He lunged at Hercules, but he pushed the sharp end of the staff away. Peloxious whipped the staff around and hit Hercules across the head with the other end, sending the youth flying.
Gered and Jason circled each other. Gered swung his sword, while Jason desperately struggled against his bonds. Gered leaped in and swung at Jason, who ducked. Gered attacked again, and Jason rolled out of harm's way, avoiding the swinging blade. Jason kicked the sword out of his hands, and Gered punched him, knocking him over. Before he could get to his feet, Gered began kicking him, in the head and stomach.
"Jason!" Hercules yelled, but Peloxious blocked his way. Jason began to see stars, and cried out as Gered kicked his shoulder. He swung his foot, and kicked at Gered, knocking the man backwards into the shadows of the tunnel. Jason heard a roar, and Gered did not come back out. Jason wondered for a moment, before turning to see his friend in danger. Hercules was on the ground, Peloxious had his foot on top of him, raising his staff.
"Hercules!" Jason yelled. He ran at Peloxious, who whirled and dealt him a blow with his staff that sent Jason spinning to the ground.
"That's it!" Hercules was furious. He grabbed Peloxious' staff and snapped it in half. Picking him up, Hercules threw him into the tunnel. Peloxious' scream was heard, then nothing more.
"Jason…" Hercules knelt by his side, removing the ropes. Jason looked up at Hercules.
"The… tunnel?" He asked. Hercules looked towards the tunnel, and Baladar stepped out. Jason went ghostly white, and he frantically backed up.
"No!" He cried. "Stay back!"
"Jase, it's ok!" Hercules tried to calm him down. "This is Baladar, he's a friend now!"
"I won't hurt you, prince Jason." Said Baladar. "I am truly sorry for what I did, I was tricked into thinking you had destroyed my family. I am humbly asking for your forgiveness."
Jason stared at the dragon. He looked into the dragon's gaze, but instead of hate he saw sadness, and intelligence.
"I forgive you." He said softly, but he broke off into a fit of coughs.
"Jason!" Hercules supported his weak friend. Jason was pale with a few bruises, but the worst was the three claw slashes in his arm that had been bleeding profusely. Seeing this, Baladar closed his eyes and bowed his head, ashamed.
"This is my fault."
"No it's not." Said Hercules. "And Jason will not blame you, but he needs your help, we have to get him back to the Academy!"
Baladar nodded, taking Jason gently in his paws. Hercules climbed onto his back, and they took off.
Iolaus and Lilith trudged back to the University, spirits downcast. They had found no sign of Jason, and were looking for Hercules.
"I hope he's back at the Academy." Said Iolaus as they entered the gate. Suddenly screams erupted as a giant dragon landed near the front door.
Lilith grabbed Iolaus' arm. "That's the dragon that took Jason!" The two ran over to see Hercules jumping off the dragon's back. The dragon gently lay Jason's still form on the ground.
"Jason!" Iolaus and Lilith ran to his side.
"Quickly, get Cheiron and the Academy doctors!" Hercules ordered a student, who complied.
Cheiron galloped out, his face creased with concern as he spied Jason. "What happened?" He asked, eyeing the dragon.
"Jason was kidnapped by someone who tricked the dragon, Baladar, into thinking Jason was bad." Hercules explained. "He had Baladar capture Jason, and he wanted to ransom him off to Corinth. Baladar realized Jason was good and helped me save him."
"I am truly sorry, Hercules." Said Baladar sorrowfully. "I never meant to hurt anyone!"
"This is no time for guilt trips, Baladar." Said Hercules. "Jason needs our help!"
Jason's breathing was shallow, Hercules felt his head, he was burning up!
"Quick, get me a cool cloth." Cheiron asked Lilith, who got it right away. The centaur placed the cloth on Jason's forehead, supporting his head as the University doctor, Raindre, hurried over.
Raindre had Hercules and Lilith put Jason into a stretcher and carry him to her office. He was placed on a small cot by the window, where every once in a while Baladar's giant blue eye would peer in, to see how the young man was faring.
"How is he?" Baladar's rumbling voice all but shook the small hut. He flopped onto the ground, and the hut shook more.
"Careful, big guy!" Hercules caught a falling bottle.
"Sorry." Baladar's voice sounded so sad Hercules felt sorry for him.
"Herc!" Iolaus trotted to the hut. Looking for a way in, he was inching around Baladar to get to the door when Baladar shifted and his tail rested on Iolaus' foot. "Umm, hey, Mr. Dragon!" Iolaus struggled to free his foot. "Hey, Lilith!" He spotted the young cadet nearby. "A little help here?" Lilith took one look at the trapped Iolaus and began to giggle.
"It's not funny!"
"It is from here!" She laughed, punching Iolaus playfully in the arm.
"Yeah, ha ha, can you help me now?" The two cadets managed to lift Baladar's tail enough to get his foot out. "Ow ow ow!" Iolaus rubbed his sore toes before heading into the doctor's, just as she was talking to Hercules.
"… in his arm were not tended to, he's lost a lot of blood, and other somewhat minor injuries…" She shook her head. "He is in fragile condition right now, his body has to struggle to try to heal, we will only know in time. All I can do is help ease the pain."
Hercules took a deep breath and nodded. "Thank you."
"Wait, wait, how is he?" Iolaus and Lilith stood in the doorway as Hercules headed towards them.
Hercules sighed. "He's in bad shape, and a lot of pain. He's trying to get better, but we have to wait to see."
"He'll pull through, Herc." Iolaus put his hand on Hercules' shoulder.
"Yeah." Lilith agreed. "Jason's a strong guy, he'll hang in there."
"Yeah, let's hope so." Hercules bit his lip.
"I'm sorry, Hercules, but I have to ask you to leave." Raindre ushered him towards the door. "I have to give your friend full attention, you guys need to stay outside for a while."
Hercules reluctantly let himself be let outside, before sitting down on Baladar's tail.
"This is all my fault." Hercules sighed.
"Your fault?" Baladar raised his scaly eyebrows. "How in the world could this be your fault?"
"I… I don't know." Hercules ran his fingers through his hair. "I should've been there for him!"
"Hercules." Baladar lay down on the ground to be more at eye level with the demi-god. "You did all you could do, you found and rescued him, you were there for him when he needed your help."
Hercules looked up. "And so were you."
Baladar raised his head, thinking. "I-I suppose I was." He seemed surprised at himself. Then he sighed, disheartened. "He would not have been in this whole mess if it were not for me." He closed his eyes, head bowed.
"Hey, Baladar, it's not your fault." Hercules put a hand on the dragon's massive paw. "It's no one's fault. You were tricked. Actually, you did the right thing, you did what you thought was right. When you found out the truth, you helped save Jason's life, and that's what counts."
Baladar half-smiled. "You have a point, young Hercules. Thank you." He nodded his head.
"Hey, uh, do you want something to eat?" Asked the demi God. "I'm going to grab something to eat at Kora's, I could pick up a little something for you…" He looked at the size of the dragon. "Or a lot of something."
"Yes, thank you."
Hercules found Iolaus and Lilith at Kora's and sat down with them.
"You guys ok?' He asked, seeing their sullen faces.
"Yeah." Iolaus poked at his food. "We're just worried about Jason. "Y'know, his chances and all."
"Yeah." Hercules sighed. "Me too."
"Hi Hercules." Kora came over to the foursome. "I heard about Jason, how is he doing?"
Hercules shook his head. "Not good."
Kora looked downcast. "I'm sorry, Hercules. Of all the luck, to have a dragon come after you…"
"What?" Hercules sat up.
"A dragon." Kora repeated, startled by Hercules' sudden outburst. "The dragon that kidnapped prince Jason and wounded him so badly, it actually had the nerve to come back!"
"Kora, that dragon saved his life! He didn't mean to kidnap Jason, he was tricked!"
Kora brushed her hands off on her apron. "I've heard that story, but some say it's just covering up for what it did. Some of the villagers are getting together to try to get rid of it…"
"I gotta go." Said Hercules urgently. He turned to his friends. "We have to help Baladar!"
"Herc, are you sure Baladar isn't gonna hurt Jason?" Asked Iolaus. "I mean…"
"Iolaus, think of Ruff!" Said Hercules. "He didn't mean to hurt anyone, Baladar helped me save my friend, and now I'm going to help him!"
Hercules took off out the door. Iolaus and Lilith exchanged glances before quickly following.
Hercules ran to find Baladar backed against the doctor's hut, surrounded by a mob of people, his eyes wide with fear.
"We'll teach you to come after us, dragon!" Someone threw a rock, and Baladar winced as it bounced off his cheek.
"We know what you're trying to do!" The people waved pitchforks and torches, forcing Baladar back.
"Leave him alone!" Hercules tried to get to Baladar, but he couldn't get through. "He didn't hurt Jason! He was tricked!" He tried to yell, but was drowned out by the crowd.
"Go back where you came from, Beast!" Someone waved a torch in Baladar's face, and another jabbed him with a pitchfork. Baladar roared in pain, and the torch waver, shocked, dropped the torch and ran back. The torch burned at the base of the hut, and the fire slowly crept along the straw.
"JASON!" Hercules yelled in terror, seeing the hut engulfed in fire.
"By the Gods!" Raindre ran up to Iolaus and Lilith.
Hercules ran to the front of the hut, and rammed through the door, running inside with Iolaus, Lilith and Raindre behind him. Jason was struggling to sit up, coughing.
"Jason!" Hercules ran to him. "You're awake!" His joy was short lived as the roof began to fall through. Hercules and Iolaus supported Jason as Lilith and Raindre salvage what supplies that they could, and headed for the door. Suddenly, part of the roof fell in, blocking the door.
"What do we do now?" Iolaus yelled above the roar of the flames. Suddenly the opposite wall exploded, it was Baladar!
"Hurry!" Baladar motioned for them to come out the hole. He held the wall up with his paws until they got out.
Hercules supported Jason as he limped out of the hut. Once they were outside, he sank to his knees, coughing. When he finally regained his strength, he wobbled to his feet, and Hercules held his arm. He looked up to see the mob cornering Baladar.
"No!" He shouted, trying to move towards them, but his knees buckled, and Hercules caught him. The villagers turned to the prince.
"He… he saved my life." Jason gasped. "Don't hurt him, he helped me escape from the real kidnappers."
"But… wasn't he the one that captured you?" Asked someone.
Jason shook his head. "He was tricked, he didn't mean to do it, and he has asked my forgiveness, which I have given to him. He saved my life again just a moment ago, he has proven himself to me. From now on, this dragon is under the protection of the palace of Corinth!"
The crowd exchanged glances, surprised.
Jason limped over to Baladar, and placed a hand on his paw.
"Thank you." He smiled, and turned to the crowd again. "He has shown true bravery, and risked his life to save me. Thank you, Baladar!"
An enormous cheer rose form the crowd, who one by one came to thank the great dragon.
"Glad to have you back, Jase." Hercules, Iolaus and Lilith surrounded Jason, and the four friends embraced tightly as Baladar smiled down on them.
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