Hercules Read Online Free PDF Page A

want to be seen. And that old throne room is full of shadows.”
    “But what do you mean, you’ll tell Hercules?”
    “Just what I said. I’ll do what the king told you to do. I’ll meet him outside the walls and tell him he has to kill that dreadful thing.”
    “I can’t let you do that. He’ll be very angry when he hears what he has to do.”
    “I’m not afraid of him.”
    “You’ve never seen him.”
    “Oh, yes I have. I saw him when he first came. I sneaked after you and was hiding behind the gate.”
    “Well then, you know how big he is.”
    “Yes … and how kindhearted. He won’t hurt me. He likes children.”
    “How can you possibly know that?”
    “I know.”
    When Hercules came to Mycenae, he once again found the city locked against him. Once again, he thought about knocking the gate down and forcing his way into the castle. But then he realized that he really had no wish to see the king, who didn’t want to see him. In fact, there was nothing he wanted here but to work off his curse as soon as possible and go back to Thebes or to the centaurs. But he had to wait where he was until someone came to tell him what he had to do next.
    He camped outside the city. He stuck his spear in the ground, hung the lion’s skin over it, and had a fine tent. He sat in his tent and watched the gate. He expected to see soldiers coming through, then Copreus, bearing a message from the king. No one came through. He waited and waited. He dozed off. When he opened his eyes he saw a girl standing near him.
    “Are you awake?” she asked.
    “Unless I’m dreaming. Who are you?”
    “Iole.”
    “Hello, Iole.”
    “Is that the lion skin you’re using for a tent?”
    “It is.”
    “I’d like you to tell me all about how you killed it, but I have something to tell you first. Do you remember Copreus?”
    “The king’s herald? Of course. I expect him to show up soon.”
    “He won’t. I’m here instead.”
    “I don’t understand.”
    “He’s my uncle. But he’s afraid to tell you what you have to do, so I will.”
    “He’s afraid to come himself and sent you? What kind of man is he?”
    “A coward. And the king’s worse. But no one sent me exactly. I wanted to come.”
    “Well, at least you’re not afraid of me.”
    “No sir, I’m not. I have a lot to tell you; shall I start?”
    “Please.”
    “The thing you have to fight next is called the Hydra. I don’t exactly know what it is, though. The king’s bad at describing things. But it’s very big. And very awful. It has a hundred heads—lizard heads or dragon heads—and each head has a hundred teeth, and every tooth is poison. The way I picture it is a hundred crocodiles joined at the waist.”
    “Where is this charming creature to be found?”
    “In Argos, in a grove called Lerna, on the bank of a river. I’m coming with you.”
    “What?”
    “Oh, yes. I watched you when you left to fight the lion, and I wanted to come with you. But we didn’t know each other then. Now we do.”
    “Do you really think I’d let you anywhere near that dragon with a hundred heads?”
    “I want to come with you.”
    “Listen to me, Iona dear …”
    “Iole.”
    “Iole dear, I like you very much. I’ve enjoyed our conversation. And I thank you for bringing me this message, unwelcome though it is. But forget all about me and the Hydra.”
    She didn’t answer. She was gone before he saw her move; she had slipped away like a shadow.
    “What a smart brave girl,” he said to himself. “I hope I haven’t hurt her feelings. But I can’t think about that now. I have to prepare for this monster. Yes, this will take a bit of thinking. I wish my brains were as strong as my muscles. Well, I’ll do what I can with what I have. Now, what did that child tell me? The Hydra is very poisonous, she said. So even one tooth breaking my skin will kill me. And a hundred mouths times a hundred teeth. Let’s see: that’s ten thousand deaths coming at me all at once.