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Joxer and the Men	By : AmberDDawn Category: S through Z > Xena Views: 2235 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I don't own "Xena: Warrior princess", or "Hercules: The Legendary Journey" They were produced by Renissance Pictures I am not making money for this fiction.

Chapter List
- 1
- 2
- 3
I'm back I hoped you liked the last chapter. I am still worried it isn't very good, but like I said I was just writting to entertain myself and thought I'd share it with you all. It's been a long time since I felt theis much into a story i have been writting and instead of trying to get back into an older story and finish it I'm gonna go ahead and work on this one first, I promise to try and work on my older stuff in the near future but for now this is what i want to work on.

Autolycus will be appearing in this story from this point on. As I am writting this I havent put words to the screen yet. IDK if he will be tempted by Joxer's charms or not. You can read and find out for yourselves.
I'm kinda feeling iffy on the parts of the story without Joxer. I hope its all ok though.

Joxer and the Men
Chapter 2: Joxer and the Fever

Joxer felt something cold and wet pressed to his head. He blinked as water rolled into his eyes and he tried to sit up nearly bashing in the head of a very concerned looking Idas.   The older man gave a warry smile. Joxer blinked the water from his eyes and looked over the man's shoulder to see two new Guards posted and a short squat man holding a bowl filled with jars and gauze under his arm. His throat felt scratchy and his head was pounding.

"What's going on?" The captive rasped out. Joxer knew he was a prisoner. As nice as they were being and as safe as they wanted him to feel those guards were not standing there for his safety. Perhaps for the safety of the chief's consort, but really they were prison guards keeping him in this tent, keeping him from his friends.

Were his friends gone? He couldn't say. Would Xena and Gabby have actually sold him out and left him here high and dry and possibly doomed to a fate worse than death?

"You have a fever," Idas patted the damp cloth over his temple then down behind his head, "It might be from the burn. Lydus is here to give you a better looking over."

"'Course, my luck to get sick now," Joxer pouted.

"Shhh," Idas dipped the cloth again and washed his neck, "Don't worry little one. We're gonna fix you right up."

"Somehow I don't feel very assured," Joxer sniped then tried to turn away realizing he was firmly tucked under a thick hide.

Idas looked back to the healer, "Lydus?"

"I brought more salve and medicines, and I think we might need to draw a cold bath for the boy. I think somethin' more than a burnt hand might be goin' on," The ancient looking man came to kneal next to Joxer's pallet.

Idas stood and stretched his back. A few quiet cracks could be heard coming from his joints. He blushed, "I'm getting old... I'll take care of the hot water and send some men to fetch some buckets from the stream," Idas shuffled past the guards rubbing his lower back.

The healer started to unwrap the hides covering Joxer. As soon as his arms were free Joxer pushed the old man over. He struggled to his feet and made a dash for the back of the tent. Stumbling over his own feet, he dove hitting the ground hard. He screamed as the bruise in his side exploded in white hot pain, but he crawled for the canvas of the tent and lifted it. He was halfway under it when his ankle was grabbed and he was dragged back.

He screamed and flailed, "Let me go! Stop!"

He choked as he was lifted into the air in one jerking motion and his chest smacked into the guard's legs as he was shaken like a rag doll. He nearly vomited from the motion. There he hung like a prize goose in the air as a man twice his size and four times his strentgh held him upside down by his calf. Jozer fought the urge to puke down and peeked up to see the angry frown dragging down the man's jaw and exposing his lower teeth. Joxer yelped when he was shaken again for good measure. He was sure he was about to be used as a human mallet to beat the ground flat any second.

"Caster! Bring him here and put him down!" Lydus ordered in a sharp voice. He dusted himself off and sat cross legged where he'd fallen. He saw the guard shake Joxer again angrily and tacked on an order, "Be gentle with him!" The old man saw Joxer's shirt fall over his chest revealing his bruised side. Lydus's iritation faded into concern.

Idas came back in suddenly followed by three guards and two of his children. He looked from Castor holding Joxer like a ragdoll to Lydus, "What in the name of all the gods are you doing to that poor boy! Castor you're hurting him! Put him down this instant!"

The huge man walked over to the bed of furs and lay the trembling man down. "Sorry Idas...He tried to escape. He pushed my Da'."

"That's no excuse for treating my Son's bethrothed so poorly," Idas scolded a man who towered over him. If Joxer's head wasn't spinning and he thought he could open his mouth without losing what little he had in his stomach he would have laughed. Also did he just say...bethrothed?

Forget holding in his puke. He rolled to his side and gaged until he brought up last night's fish and onions.

"See what you've done?" Idas said exasperated.

"Boys, go get the hot water and make sure that cold bath is taken care of," He looked to the two children, one about ten the other thirteen.

"Awe, but papa you said we could see the pretty man that Gallus got..."

"Later!" Idas turned his stern gaze on the two boys and the both turned tail. He was over at Joxer's side the next instant cleaning up his mess. Joxer lay still, his breathing was shallow and quick. The pain was getting worse. Why did it feel like there was a sword lancing his side?

"Joxer," Idas rubbed the younger man's temple gently. Joxer didn't respond.

He lifted Joxer's head gently and placed it on his lap. The younger man blinked and stared seemingly at nothing.

"Its a lot worse than we thought," The middle aged man looked to the healer who was rummagaing through his bowl. He finally dumped the contents onto a low table and sorted it all out. He nodded but didn't speak. He found what he was looking for and Idas gasped as the long curved blade was produced. Lydus took it to the fire pit and laid it in the coals then he came over to where Joxer lay. He opened the shirt they had given him and tugged his pants down just enough to keep his modesy. Over his left hip and even creeping up his stomach a dark purple spot bloomed. The struggle with Caster had not helped things at all.

"He's bleeding inside," Lydus said as he pressed on the bruise.   Joxer whimpered but didn't move.

"Can you hold him while I cut? I need him held down and no moving. If you can't...bring in someone else. Someone with more control than Caster." The healer grimmaced at that little horror show from five minutes ago, and don't let Gallus in here I don't want him getting in the way or things might get messy. The healer would have to have a talk with his own son about self control, later.

Idas slipped from under Joxer's head letting him fall gently to the furs. He was about to leave to look for his husband when one of his sons came back with the hot water. Idas took it and said, "Nestor, go get your father I need him here please." He took the boiling pot and rested it on the fire pit to keep it hot until they needed it. He took a place above Joxer and slipping the suffering man's head back in his lap. Looking over to the entrance of the tent he saw his son standing still and staring at him he shooed him, "Hurry!"

Nestor bolted for the edge of camp where he had last seen His father and eldest brother.

"Pytheaus will come. We can hold him," Idas looked a bit scared but sure of himself.

Gallus and his father had been walking the camp border checking on the guards and relaying orders for the next few days. Pytheaus normally handled this but he had brought his son with the excuse that he would be taking over some of the duties once he and Joxer married. But it was really to try and keep Gallus out of his dad and Lydus' hair while the saw to the ailing man.

Gallus had it bad for Joxer and him falling ill right when they had gotten him was such poor luck. They needed him to get well. The sooner he was feeling better the sooner Gallus could convince him of his love, give him the pertility potion, and bed him. The sooner another little baby would be welcomed into the world. Pytheaus was feeling a renewed vigor toward his own love watching spring's first buds and the blooming of young love made him feel young again too.

They had just passed the last guard post and were about the head out to the pasture to check on their herds of sheep and cattle when His middle son came running and waving at them like he'd just finished a marathon.

"Papa needs you Father!" Was all he got out when the chief turned back and sprinted to the camp. Gallus stayed for a moment, a hand on his younger brother's shoulder. "You alright Nes?" He rubbed his brother's shoulder.

Nestor shook his head and managed to speak, "Something's wrong. That man, your man is sick..." he looked up at his brother seriously. His eyes said it all. 'Go now I'll catch up,' Nestor squatted hands on his knees and caught his breath. Gallus was gone already.

Gallus ran all the way back but slowed when he saw the crowd gathered at Joxer's tent. He tried to push past the guards, but one, Aleuas said, "Sorry we've been ordered to keep you out."

"What's wrong?" Gallus pushed at the man who was his equal in size and strength.

"Don't know, just your father's orders," Aleuas said.

The air was rent by a high pitched scream followed by Lydus's voice screaming, "Hold him still!"

Gallus punched Aleuas and lunged past the entrance to the tent. His eyes widened in horror   at the sight of His fathers holding Joxer down while the healer cut into his stomach.   Idas held a strap of leather in the young man's mouth which Joxer was chewing through. His father was holding Joxer's legs down, leaning on them with all his weight. Joxer's left leg looked bruised and swollen. Joxer screamed, then whimpered, then screamed even louder. His back arched and Idas pushed him down hard.

'So much blood!' was all he could think until someone had an arm around his neck and either of his arms were grabbed and he was dragged back. He screamed and kicked until another anguished scream sounded from within the tent. When things went quiet all the fight drained right out of him. Then he sagged to his knees and sobbed uncontrollably.

Idas whispered into Joxer's ear in a gentle voice. One he had used and honed over years of rearing five active boys through many scratches, bumps, bruises, sprains, and breaks. They were mountain people and boys were apt to get into trouble, falling out of trees, scraping their knees, the ocassional squabble breaking out into a wrestling match that resulted in more bumps and bruises.

He'd had more than one ocassion where he had to be brave and strong yet soft and gentle. He hoped he was able to sooth the poor boy under him as he was being operated on, "Shh, It'll be ok. I know it hurts but it'll be done soon and then you can rest. Lie still." It never got any easier.

Idas had tears streaking down his cheeks but he held strong. Joxer's body went limp and pliable as soft clay in their arms. His poor mouth was bleeding from the violent chewing on the leather straps. Idas gently slipped the ruined leather from his mouth so he couldn't accidentally choke.

The blood was being drained into the bowl Lydus had brought. It was so much. Joxer was almost white as a ghost by the time the healer was finishing up.   He began stitching the wound up. He whispered a prayer to Apollo. As a healer tended to do this over those he mended. It was always heartfelt and he thought that the god listened to his prayers even if they didn't always get answered.

Lydus was breathing hard, his brow was covered in sweat but he dare not swipe at it with his bloody hands. He let out the sigh he had been holding in for a good ten minutes, "If...if we had waited longer the boy would have died. I pray to the mercy of all the gods that we weren't too late. Its in their hands now."

"Lydus you should clean up and rest. I'll take care of Joxer," Idas looked to his love, "Pytheaus can you get some clean furs. These need to be washed or burned, and...go get our son. He should be here with Joxer now."

The chief nodded and went to fetch his eldest and some clean furs.

After his father convinced him Joxer wasn't dead, Gallus stumbled into the tent. Idas was finishing with cleaning the wound. The bowl of blood was shoved out of the way, but it mocked them. It was already drawing flies. Gallus wrinkled his nose at it in nauseated distaste.

"What happened...how could this have all gone so wrong," Gallus collapsed next to his dad and rested his head on his shoulder looking at the fragile life laying on a dirty lambskin with his new linnen clothes ruined with blood.

"Wrong? Son...if he had not come to us this day he would have died at the hands of those harpies," Idas lifted his arm and his eldest son settled into his side seeking comfort. Even if he were a head taller than his dam he would always look up to him as the strongest person he had ever known. Joxer was a candidate for the strongest now. After the horrors he must have seen. He still had that inner light and beauty the the world tended to rob of its pitiful creatures. He must be have been in so much pain.

Gallus reached out and smoothed his sweaty locks, "He's so beautiful Da."

"I know honey," Idas rubbed his back in that way only a parent could to comfort their child, "It's your responsibility to keep him that way. Make his life better and make him know he is loved. You do that and I'm sure he can't resist someone as handsome, and brave, and strong as you."

Gallus blushed, but snuggled in next to his dad. He felt so scared and sure he was going to lose Joxer, "Joxer's not out of danger yet...is he?"

"I think he's through the worst of it. We just need to keep him warm dry and well fed. I think though its going to be clear broth for him for the forseeable future," Idas patted his son's back and started to get up, "I think this tent needs a tidy, don't you?"

Gallus nodded and started to stand. His dam pushed him back down gently.

The older man shook his head, "No you stay right where you are. Joxer needs reassurance when he wakes." Idas collected the nasty blood bowl and left. Gallus was too focused on his bethrothed to notice as people cam in and started cleaning around him and his beloved. Gallus sat back and watched the fitful sleeping face of his love. Painfully pinched and white from blood loss. Lost in thought he was startled when something soft was placed in his hands.

"Can you undress him and wash off the blood. Mind the bandage and try not to move him until Lydus is back from resting. We'll move him to a clean bed then and put some new clothes on him." Idas smiled down at his boy and smoothed his dark locks back.

Gallus nodded slowly.   He was going to bathe Joxer. He had been barred from the tent before when they rebandaged his hand and washed him.

The way Joxer had squawked and fussed at them had seemed funny then, but now that he knew how ill his love had been he felt awful for chuckling at how cute he was, being all modest and shy.

He swallowed hard. He hadn't seen his beloved Joxer in all his glory yet. The guards had though. He frowned hard. They'd been there to protect his Dad, but they had gotten to watch. He had the sudden urge to find his father's guards and gouge their eyes out. He was being irrational and he he was rambling in his head all the while the object of his love and lust was bared out for him, helpless, waitng for him to caress that skin and wash away all the sweat grime and blood and make him clean.

He got to work. There was half a pot of hot water left and a wad of clean linnens. He carefully began cutting the pants away. They were soaked with blood, he would get new pants for Joxer later. Besides, he didn't want to risk lifting him to take them off. He did the same with the shirt so he was laying in the bloodied torn cloth.   Only a stratigecally placed square of linnen covered the lithe figure.

"What in the name of Zeus are you doing," Came a rasped out exclamation from a very weak but very awake Joxer, "And why do I feel like I've been flogged inside out?" The man tried to sit up. Gallus firmly pushed him down.

"Don't move. You'll rip out your stitches," Gallus tried to sound firm but kind.

"What happened?" Joxer settled back not wanting to be obedient but also not wanting to lose his guts on the floor. Would he lose his guts? There was a rather large bandage across his middle and over his hip...And he did feel like someone emptied him out squeezed his insides through a strainer then piled them back into him. Oh he hurt!

"Your last beating left more of an impression than we thought," Gallus started sponging blood off his thighs, and worked around the cloth covering his manhood, down one leg then the other. The cool water soothed Joxer's feverish skin. He let out a little moan without meaning to.

"My...beating? Oh...right those guards in the village...that one really hurt," Joxer's voice was barely audible and his throat itched like he hadn't had a drop of water in a week.

The gargarean frowned deeply as he moved up to Joxer's torso. He carefully wiped around the bandage. This time the moan elicited from the pallid body was one of pure pain. Joxer clenched his jaw hard until he could hear his teeth grinding together.

"I think Lydus could get you something for the pain if you think you could manage to swallow," Gallus said the word then acted it out by swallowing his own saliva down.

Joxer glared at him through slitted eyelids and grimaced, "Something for pain would be appriciated." He let his head drop to the dirty lambskin tiredly. Maybe he shoud just sleep. his eyes drooped. He had spent half the day sleeping aparently...actually he didn't know how long he had been sleeping it looked to be twilight outside the tent but it could be dawn or he could have slept for days.

His eyes rolled in their sockets as he fought to stay awake.

"You should rest. You have had a hard day," The Gargarean said as he washed Joxer's chest.

"So its been only one day?" Joxer asked more to himself then to the man leaning into his space so uncomfortably. Gallus reached for his cheek but Joxer turned sharply away, then hissed as his side was jerked slightly.

"Lie still," A gruff voice commanded, "I won't have you undoing my hard work today young fella." Lydus came in with a cup of tea in his hand.

"Help me lift him so he can drink," He looked to Gallus as he circled to Joxer's other side and knealed next to him.

Gallus slipped his arm under Joxer's shoulders and lifted him slowly until he was almost reclining. Joxer wanted to struggle to try and get away from the touch, but he hurt so badly, it hurt to move. It hurt to breathe.

A cup was pressed to his mouth and tilted. His dry tongue darted out and found bitterness, but also warm wetness. He drank it before even considering if it were poison.

"That should help with pain and help you sleep," Lydus brought his hand under Joxer's head and guided Gallus to lower him.

"When the tea takes affect we'll move him. It'll be too painfull to do when he's awake, plus I don't want him getting any ideas," The old man looked pointedly at Joxer who's eyes were fluttering as he fought sleep, "He's got spirit. I'm not gonna say that's a bad thing but it sure as tartarus isn't helping us right now."

If Joxer had the energy he'd have flung a few colorful curses at the old man but on second though if he was the healer he better not make him too angry. Besides his body was feeling delicously warm, not that icky feverish hot, just pleasently buzzy and warm and numb. He let his eyes close as the numbing and sleeping agents went to work on his system.

In less than a minute he was quietly snoring. By Zeus, even his snores were cute. Gallus felt a warm churning of his own. He blushed as his pants tented.

"Clean thoughts boy," The old man knocked him on his head with a fist,

"Your not getting any of that from him until he's fully healed and I say its ok."

Gallus blushed even harder having been caugut out right thinking about taking Joxer by a man old enough to be his grandfather.

Xena hoped that she was right about Auto being there. Last time she had had a run-in with Herculese and Iolaus they had mentioned he had been heading in the same direction as her and Gabrielle. She'd asked around about him since then. Not necessarily trying to avoid the man and the troble he often brings along, but simply to be aware. The rumors about this burgurly was rather common in the right circles. Common enough to be more than just rumors...She hoped she could find him, because she didn't know anyone better for getting in and out of tight spots undetected.

Xena arrived at the small village set next to a huge lake. It was quiet, and relativly empty this time of year. Argo trotted into the village carrying the Warrior. The place oozed extragavence. The shops were all decorated in the finest silks, housed in marble buildings with guilded doorways. Everythign was painted bright colors and there were frescos decorating many of the buildings. It was a sight to behold if one had time to stop and sight see, but this was not the time for looking at art.

This was one of those places all the wealthy people went when the sun got too hot in the south. Xena stuck out like a sore thumb here even in the slow season. Her warrior garb had people staring either in awe or nervousness. The place wasn't exactly deserted, but in a few months it would be bustling, and packed with spoiled rich people, elitests, royalty and all their friends.

Summer would have been a time she would have expected to see the theif mingling, picking pockets, and bilking foolish people for a small fortune, but "Why bother with that when you could have a diamond encrusted chamber pot."

She slid off her horse and lead it by the reigns intent upon asking about her sometimes ally. After a few hours of asking around with no luck she saw a familiar green jacket and smirked. Hiding in plain sight? Or was was he leading her somewhere?

She watched the 'king of theives' slip into an alleyway.

"You stay here Argo," She patted the horse on the nose and walked the way she'd seen the figure go.

Argo stayed obediently next to the building waiting for her mistress to return.

Xena slowly followed Autolycus.

"So what do I owe the pleasure of such fine company?" He spoke over his shoulder as he lifted a plain looking bag out an equally plain crate.

"I came to ask you a favor," She frowned.

"No time for pelasantries?" he asked as she shrugged a heavy bag over his shoulder.

"I'm not feeling all that pleasant? So you have something interesting there," She nodded to his bag the rim of something shiny and gold sticking out. Autolycus quickly adjusted the bag so the items settled inside.

"So its true?" Xena had to laugh at that, "Will these nobles cease to confound? Golden, Diamond encrusted chamber pot..."

"Hey do I look like the kind of guy who would steal a chamber pot? I just took the pitcher and the wash basin," Under his breath he added, "The pot smelled like piss, anyway."

"Never mind. I need to get back and I need you to come along," Xena began.

Auto had other ideas, "I need to get these sold before I think of going anywhere."

"What? Are you just going to walk up to any of these merchants and open your bag and say, 'Can i interest you in a golden chamber pot?' Sooner or later they're going to be missed?" Xena complained.

"I know a guy," Auto started to walk away. Xena grabbed his shoulder and jerked him back.

"Last year in Athens.   That big ruby the one dedicated to Aphrotide. The one cleaved into the shape of a heart...Funny how that peice of glass replaced it and nobody noticed. Aparently not even the goddess herself had..." Xena pretended to examine her fingernails. the singed ones reminding her of her friend's peril.
The thief stopped in his tracks, "How in tartarus did you know that."

"I know a guy," She mimicked his earlier words, "Word of advice...if you come across a one of a kind ruby stolen from a god's temple. You might not want to flaunt it around. If this is the same guy you knew last summer...he's probably not avaliable anymore."

"It's not the same guy..." The thief frowned, "Something does smell fishy though, and I don't think its the Lake...How did you hear about my latest exploits? Someone's got a big mouth or you're an oracle? Maybe I should come with you... Yeah now's a good time to go." His face lit suddenly with realization. He in turn grabbed her arm. Almost as if he was expecting someting he tugged her toward the other end of the alleyway.

"You change your tune fast," Xena balked, "...But were going the wrong way."

Auto adjusted his heavy bag and pulled Xena along., "trust me you don't want to go back that way, " He broke off in a dash and Xena followed just as a something made a whizzing sound. There was a woosh and then a defaning crack and the crates they'd been standing next to exploded.

They had to round the building quickly and circle back for Argo. Xena saw her horse and dashed for her; another whizzing sound warned her of an impending explosion. She mounted her horse. Without the pretense of asking Atuo hopped on behind her.

"Go!" He shouted. The urgency in his voice brooked no room for questions.

Xena shrugged. After all she had come to get him and he was with her, "What did you get into?" She snapped the reigns. and they took off out of town chased by whirrling flashes of lights. "Autolycus?"

"I might have made an enemy recently...one from Chin. I can't beleive I fell into his trap," The thief scratched his head but then grabbed Xena's waist. Had she not been planning to drag him back to Colyrus she might have knocked him off her horse.

They weren't going to make it back to the village that night. She just rode until she felt safe that they weren't being followed. Those strange explosions had frightened Argo and not wanting to lead Auto's friend/friends back with them she hand headed east for an hour before starting to turn southward again.

They spotted a stream and Xena slowed to a gentle trot before stopping. She looked behind her, "So tell me oh great king of theives, what did you do to piss off our friend from Chin? Steal some of his rockets?"

"I might have slept with his wife..." The man admited. Xena gave a very dry look over her shoulder at the man. He shrugged, "I thought she was his sister!"

At this Xena reared her horse back bucking the man off.

"What?" He groaned and picked himself up, "I thought you needed my help?"

"I do, but Argo needs a rest," She smirked as she slid off the horse. She removed her bridle and patted her rear flank. The horse slowly wandered toward the small stream to drink.

"Lets make camp and I can fill you in on things and you can fill me in on why you thought it was a good Idea sleep with a man's sister or his wife. ...And to top it off, steal from Governor Xuthos? He's not exactly a forgiving soul, from what I've heard."

The thief and the warrior got busy gathering wood for a fire and Xena caught some small fish for them to roast. Autolycus managed to find some ram's beard. He was chewing on a root but handed the rest over to the woman who was gutting their dinner, "Here."

"Thanks," She said absently as she was skewering the fish, "Want 'em cooked I suppose?"

"The roots yes...the buds could go inside the fish," He shggested. The woman nodded and worked the buds into the fish.

"So about this business with the man from Chin?"

"He's a wealthy merchant. Had a whole entourage with him. Including a very beautiful woman who seemed to be making the rounds at a tavern in Pagasae. The group had a huge ship at port full of gold, silks, spices and a whole lot of that spark powder they use to make their rockets," Auto paused and took another bite of his root, "Well she only knew a few words, 'Come, bed, lover'...You get the idea. She wasn't hard on the eyes ovbiously and I was almost sure a fight was going to break out when she took my arm and dragged me out of that fine establishment. She'd been sitting in some sailor's lap before she saw me and fell for my charms."

"I bet," Xena snorted softly as she turned the fish on the fire.

"Hey I happen to be very charming, but that vixen...She had her charms too. I knew she was with the merchant and when she brought me to the port I didn't think twice when she brought me onto their boat. We got comfortable, very comfortable...the things that woman could do with her mouth." Just thinking of the lewd acts made his pants uncomfortably tight. He looked to Xena and smiled ruefully, "Her husband found us on deck entwined in eachothers arms...in the after glow of a great night."

"I bet he was angry," Xena looked entertained.

"Nearly chopped my head off with a hatchet," Auto cringed, "She may have barely been able to speak to me, her husband was quite fluent and well versed in curses and threats.... anyway I thought I had shaken him and his goons by going inland, but then I got that tip about Governor Xuthos' summer home being rather poorly guarded. Poorly guarded...there were only two of them. I should have known something was up. I'm an idiot?

It's so elaborate, the lengths Guowei has gone to. Travled half the country. Set up this overly elaborate trap and I still got the goods," Auto smirked as he patted his bag. He frowned as if he realized something. He opened his bag and lifted up the shiny gold pitcher. It was dented, and some of the gems decorating the object had fallen off. There were some imperfections in the surface. The thief did what he should have done before releiving the villa of some of its treasure. He took his knife and cut an fine line into the bottom of the object. It scraped throught he soft metal, sure gold was soft but it was usually mixed with a stronger metal rather than being used in its purest form. He looked to see a line of grey under the bright yellow.

"Lead?" He sighed and dropped the artifact, "Lead and glass gems no doubt. I'm such an idiot. Wasting my talents on a rumor...A tempting rumor of glorious treasure, but still just a rumor."

"Chasing rumors and vindictive men's wives," Xena handed him a roasted fish with a smirk.

The two talked until the sky was black, they settled in for the night, and were up early heading south west.

Gabrielle was pacing infront of the prefector's house. She looked ready to strangle the man, "This is your fault you know. If you weren't so spinless, you could have easily negotiated with those men yourself, now they've taken Joxer hostage!"

"Who's this Joxer again?" the pompus man said with an air of distaste at the name.

"He happens to be mine and Xena's friend," The bard explained.

"Oh that baffoon that nearly got me killed the other day?" The man sniffed indigently, "Good ridance I say."

He had barely spoken the words and the petite woman had his shirt in her fist, "He's the reason you got your precious offering, and why would you buy an offering for Athena from a tribe of men who hate all women?"

"Who says I bought it?" The man was sweating a little, "The priest said you brought it in bragged about having it specially made and all." The woman let him go noticing the guards looking at her like she'd lost her mind, "Never mind you got your problem taken care of. You might want to think of flushing out the bandits that had been attacking your walls now that you have Athena's favor back. She's normally a pretty sensible Goddess so I would take care of that before she regains her senses and abandons the temple here again."

The blonde woman left in a huff and headed for the gates of the village to wait for Xena to return.

Joxer's head was pounding and his side hurt like the white hot fire and in the background he registered that his left leg was throbbing.

"Get off!" A small voice hissed.

"You move over I was sitting here first Ceyx!" Another growled in what Joxer assumed was supposed to be an intimidating voice.

"Shut it you two," A third voice chided the others, "You're gonna wake him and then Papa'll blame me."

Joxer cracked his eyes open but quickly regretted it as the bright walls of the canvas tent hurt his eyes. He squinted and turned his head toward the noise. There sat 4 boys. The tallest ligned up with his shoulder. The next was half a head behind him in height the the one after him crowding into the middle's space and on the lap of the first boy a chubby tyke sucked his thumb and stared wide eyed at him. Joxer wanted to roll over and hide from the four pairs of scrutinizing eyes but he couldn't come up with the energy. He felt sluggish and numb. Probably the numbness wasn't so bad, if memory serves he'd been wrung out then put back together.

"He's awake," The boy siting fruthest from him pointed out.

"You hold Kimon and I'll go fetch Dad and Lydus," The tallest handed the little one and stood. He was almost as tall as Gallus. His hair was lighter and straighter and he didn't sport a beard unlike most of the men in camp. Actually he looked strikingly like Idas. Same tawny brown. Same grey eyes. The boy was shaven, but Idas's face seemed to be hair free, and this boy was broad shouldered and muscular even though he still had a very young face.

"What about Gally?" Joxer slowly dragged his eyes to the one now holding the Squirming child Joxer assumed to be Kimon. The middle one looked like a mini Gallus. He had the same dark hair and eyes and though his wasn't crooked they had the same nose. Joxer veguely wondered what happened to Gallus to break his nose in the past.

"Let him sleep dummy," The eldest of the quartet mocked him, "He was up all night."

The middle one threw a disgruntled look at the other, "No need to be an ass."

"Well Da said let him sleep," The tallest of the four stood up, "That one..." He indicated Joxer, "Kept him up all night with a fever or something. Anyway don't do anything 'til I'm back or Da or Lydus. Just sit there and keep an eye on him."

Joxer held his tongue...Not really sure what to say these children were obviously Gallus' brothers, and though he wasn't Gallus' biggest fan right then, he didn't like the idea of bad mouthing anyone in front of their little brothers.

The tall one walked out past two guards who were standing at the tent flaps. Joxer noticed a pallet closer to the opening of the tent where Gallus lay. He felt a confused mixture of emotions. On the one hand It was his fault Joxer was in this mess, but on the other he had stayed up all night looking after him. He wanted to be angry at these men but they had aparently saved his life. He hadn't even realized how badly his insides had been abused by those guards. He had taken worse beatings truly, but he supposed it was bound to happen sooner rather than later. Thank the gods it was still going to be later. Suddenly a small hand was on his face turning his attention back to the boys. The smallest of the boys was looking at him with curious brown eyes. He was a little cherrub. Even Joxer had to admit he was adorable. His chubby hands were also pleasantly cool on his skin.

"What's 'er name?" He said in a childish lisp, "I'm Kimmen." He enunciated.

"I'm Joxer," He finally rasped out, "Can I have some water?"

"Ok Josser," The child patted his cheek. He turned to his brothers and said, "Josser's firsty."

The second youngest got up and went to a bucket and came back with a cup of water. He pressed it against Joxer's lips and slowly tilted it being extra careful as to not spill it on the man. He knew if he got one drop on any of Joxer's bandages his Dad would make sure he regretted it.

"I'm Ceyx," He smiled. He was only slightly less cherrubic in the face then the smallest, but he seemed rather calm for a child so young.

The other shrugged and gave a lop sidded grin, "I'm Nestor, an Theos was the one that just left...Are you gonna marry Gally?"

"Wha..." Joxer tried to keep up with all the talk but he was still feeling a bit light headed and fuzzy.

"Gallus? Our brother...you're gonna marry him?" Nestor spoke slowly as if he were speaking to an addle brained person, "If not...I think Theos want's you. He said he thought you were pretty."

Suddenly the older boy was back and pushing Nestor to the ground, "Shut up you dumbass!" He glanced at Joxer blushing furiously.

"Boys!" That voice Joxer knew. It was sterner than it had been when speaking to him in quiet whispers and promises that it would be all right. Joxer's eyes rolled slowly to Idas who was holding a steaming cup and some fresh linnens. Idas sighed when they kept rolling on the ground dangerously close to Joxer, "Take it outside if you're going to behave like animals."

Theos stood and dusted himself off looking from his dad to the strange man laying on the softest furs the camp could provide. Idas knealt next to him, and Theos' blush grew when Idas lifted Joxer's blanket to check on the bandages on his stomach. He got a brief glimpse of Joxer's lower body and his face started to resemble a beet.

Nestor snorted and whispered in his brother's ear, "Now you have something to think of when you use your hand tonight." Joxer noticed the youner boy had a bright blush of his own and his eyes lingered on Joxer's body far longer then the man was comfortable with.

Joxer barely caught Nestor's words and it even took a minute to realize what they meant. By then Theos had chased Nestor out of the tent and was throttling his younger brother. Joxer would have blushed at the teenager's words had he any extra blood to rush to his face.

"Ceyx, take Kimon out to play while I change Joxer's bandages." Idas continued to work on Joxer. "Please excuse my son's they're in that phase where they think lewd things far too often and you being both an outsider and being Gallus's intended make you a target for jealous eyes. It doesn't hurt that they think you're pretty either."

Joxer didn't know what to think about being called pretty. He knew he wasn't really much to look at even if he sang about being mighty and handsome he knew he wasn't really. He turned his head to look away as Idas lifted his bandage. There was some seepage and a little blood but that was to be expected. The flesh around the cut was inflamed and looked fevered. Despite this Joxer's fever had broken toward dawn. Idas looked over to his eldest son lying on a wolf skin from his and Pytheaus' tent. He and his husband had dragged him away from the sleeping man's side. Pytheaus had promised he would wake his son as soon as Joxer was awake also. That wa as far as Gallus was willing to go however.

Idas only felt mildly guiilty in breaking the promise to wake him. His son needed the sleep, he had been so anxious and they didn't really need him getting in the way. Besides from the look of things Joxer's hardly in to mood to entertain company.

"He reminds me of how his father was after he had been born," Idas chuckled, "Such a mother hen. So worried over every little thing."

Joxer kept quiet, only breaking the silence to hiss when his throbing side was probed gently.

"Gallus really took a shine to you from the moment you met. I might even suspect Cupid's hand in the matter. But he sat up all night keeping you as comfortable as possible. He's like his father. A good man, but he's both teritorial and extremely protective of what he thinks of as his." Idas began applying fresh bandages to Joxer's side and the man whimpered, "Shhh. I know it hurts.   I brought you some tea for pain if you think you can sit enough to drink."

Joxer gave a curt nod and the man put a slender but surprisingly strong arm behind his shoulders and lifted him. He leaned him forward and quickly folded up some of the furs to make a pillow for the injured man. He leaned him down. Joxer held his breath as a fire shot through his abdomen. Once he was reclining the pain settled back to a dull throb. He was handed the tea which he tried to take with his burned hand. Idas shook his head and put the tea in his left hand and then took his right wrist and held it firm while he unwrapped the cloth around his hand. Joxer focused his attention to not spilling the tea as the raw open blisters throbbed and stung.

Idas tutted and produced a jar of salve much like Xena's but the difference between his and hers was that hers was chunky and stung, his was smooth as silk and cool as a fresh stream, "Feel better?"

Joxer nodded and sipped.

"Lydus's own recipe. He won't tell anyone, but it works so well I suspect his gods might have something to do with it. You wouldn't think Puck and Apollo would work well together but being a god of the wood....Puck is able to find medicinal herbs other plants that are very useful. He visits us after a fashion. Not often mind you but he took pity upon us. Sure he associates with females. But he's never brought a nymph here and the little blighters stay clear of our people. We don't bother them and they in turn do not attempt to seduce or trick our men...well as long as we make offerings to Puck and keep caches hidden around our boarders...That keeps anything female out...including animals. So we have to keep our cattle out of camp, but that's not a problem at all. There are caves we can stable them in the mountains in the winter and in the spring and summer they are free to pasture in the valley..." He paused as he rewrapped Joxer's hand, "I'm rambling...I'm sorry."

"You keep mentioning a god called Puck...I haven't heard of such a god..."

"Oh I guess you call him Pan here I always forget.   He answers to many names. Where my father was from he was known as Puck...He gets around. But he is the spirit of the woods. He's rather mischevious but he has been good to our people so we set an alter up to him wherever we make camp," Idas explained. , excited that Joxer was showing an interest in talking.

"Where are your from?" Joxer asked tiredly.

"Oh I was born in Greece, but my father came all the way from Brittiania...He was wanted...for a lot of crimes," Idas frowned, "He...he wasn't a good man."

Talking about his past, Idas unconsciously shrank in on himself and pulled away from Joxer's hand leaving the bandage hanging loose. Joxer felt an inkling of sympathy. He'd not had the best childhood. His father saw him as trash and told him as much whenever he had the opportunity, which was a lot. His mother wasn't actively malicious she was callus and neglectful which hurt even more.

The man seemed to snap out of it and swallowed back tears that had long since dried up. He didn't cry over his past anymore. Not now that he was surrounded by love, and a real family. He smiled sadly and looked at the unraveling bandage on Joxer's hand and clicked his tongue, "I've botched this patch job." Joxer offered him a watered down smile and Idas chuckled. "I've been told my head is full of air sometimes."

Joxer's smile widened. He knew what that was like too, "Me too."

Idas' eyes shined appreciatively, "Perhaps we are kindred spirits."

Joxer felt conflicted should he be friendly with one of his captors? Was he betraying his friends...himself...by liking this man? Its not the first time he'd faced this conflict. Being dedicated to Ares. Even worshiping him most of his life. He should not be with a woman who abandoned Ares, and a woman who despises him. He souldn't be freindly with Herculese who hates his half-brother, the very same god. Still he is and he still leaves offerings for Ares when he can get away from the people he consideres his closest friends.

Joxer sighed. His eyes felt heavy he set the cup on the ground next to him, "Tea making me sleepy?" He yawned. the deep intake of breath sent a shot of pain through him but it was also starting to soften to a dull ache again.

"Best thing for a recovering body...rest and later we'll try to feed you some soup."

Joxer's stomach rumbled at the mention of food and he nodded, "Sounds good..."

His voice trailed as his eyelids slid closed.

TBC
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Joxer and the Men