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Chapter 9: The flag robbing game (part 3)

They kept strode off the place, hurriedly went straight to their tents. Leo went ahead to lead the way. Heracles, Gwen and Amelinda were after him going together while the others kept following after them. 

“How are Iphicles and his fellows now? Didn’t they come and rob our flags?” asked Heracles.

“Yes, they did but Leo turned back in time and warned me.” said Amelinda, “Therefore, I did set some burners with sleeping potion inside and burnt them before they came. When they broke in, they inhaled the smoke and fell in sleep at one. We took all their items and tied them in our tent then asked other to guard them. Then I and Leo hurriedly went to rescue you right after that.”

“God, why didn’t you tell us, about the sleeping potion?” groaned Gwen.

“Yeah, I did plan to make sleeping potion at right the time I saw the herbs but I was not sure that I could succeed. Therefore, I didn’t tell you. I need more tests.” she said.

“There has one thing I don’t understand.” said Heracles, turned to Amelinda, “You said that you put burners inside our tents and burnt it before Iphicles and his fellows came. It has to mean that our family members are people who fall in sleep first. So why can you be awake and catch them after that?”

“It’s because you all did eat leaves of the herbs which I put into our soup pot last night.” said Amelinda, “While the herb’s root and tuber are used to make sleeping potion, it leaves are considered as natural potion for you to stand against sleepiness. Its effect will last in few days, enough for us to end this game.” 

“Aren’t you kidding me?” squealed Gwen, “How can the herb appear on the world? How can it be used to make both sleeping potion and awake-potion?”

“No, I’m not Gwen. If you read hard, you will see it.” said Amelinda.

“Is there having any other way?” asked Gwen.

“No, it’s not.” said Amelinda.

Gwen did a chuck, turned to Heracles, shrugging. He didn’t ask Amelinda more. They hurriedly got back their place. Heracles, Gwen, Amelinda and Leo made their way straight to captain tent where Iphicles and his fellows were tied and guarded by some of them. They are still sleeping. 

“When will they wake up?” Heracles asked, looked on Amelinda.

“If you wake them, they will wake up. I think the effect of sleeping potion has expired.” said Amelinda.

Immediately, Gwen rushed into them, the Herathyias. He came to a chubby boy, shook his shoulder. “Wake – wake up!” he said loudly. The boy slowly opened his eyes. “Gwen, why are you here?” he cried. “Heracles, I – I’m – I’m not.” He looked at Heracles, said in shaking voice.

“You don’t need to say anything. I won’t consider you friend anymore” said Heracles coldly, “Let him alone, Gwen.”

“I’m sorry.” Avery muttered. He lowered his head, not daring to look at Heracles more. 

Heracles and other turned back to their tents. The burners were turned off. Then Iphicles and his fellows woke up right after that. They turned agitated struggling to escape from the ropes but they quickly gave up. Heracles walked to them and let them know that all their flags had been robbed. It made Iphicles not happy. However, he couldn’t do anymore because at the time their kapetanios flag, they had lost and they had to stop play. They were untied after that.Iphicles led his fellows hurriedly leaving the place. They walked back their tents, gathered with the others there. Then they all brought their belongings, went back the central camp to meet their family leader, Professor Linus there. Professor Linus had known about it and were waiting for them there.

“I’m sorry professor.” said Iphicles, kept his head down.

Professor Linus kept silent some moment. “Let’s talk it later. We go back.” he said. Then the crowd of Herathyias followed Professor Linus, silently left the place, turning back castle Methonia in that night. Three other families still stayed and continued the game. 

That night Heracles and his fellows had party to celebrate. Though they didn’t get all flags of Herathyia family; one of their stratiotes flags was robbed before that, Amelinda said for sure that if no one of other families had to leave the game early and they could keep their flags to the end of the game, they would be the winner that year. It made all people happy. They all agreed with Amelinda’s decision, to keep staying at their tents and protect their remaining flags. However, it’s not thing Heracles want. The image of Hank still bothered him. Their party finished at midnight. They separated turning back tents. Some of them took rests while others kept awake watching over.

***

Heracles woke up early but he didn’t wake Gwen up, finding the way to get out and go around their tents a round. He wanted for sure that there had no one of other family was around them at the moment. He knew that at the time the Herathyias was removed out of the game, he and his fellow became the target for the others because their family at the moment had the highest score. Heracles preferred that the others would rob flags from each other and leave his family alone but it’s only his thought. It’s very difficult to happen but there had a case could happen and Heracles really didn’t want it to happen. It’s that Aresians and Athenenas would cooperate coming and robbing their own flags and the flags they got from Herathyias. Anyway, there had no clue that they were there around their tents. Therefore, Heracles made his way to go back. When he came there, all most people had gathered outside in front of captain tent.

“Heracles here!” squealed Gwen, grinning. He kept smiling from last night. “Where are you going? I have been looking for you a while.”

“I just wander and look around. I fear that others will come and attack in time we don’t think of.” said Heracles, managing to sit by Gwen facing a large pot which was placed on the fire. 

“I think they also need to eat and rest.” said Gwen, “They will not come at this time. Let enjoy the time.” 

“He’s right, Heracles.” said Leo, “It also take them a little time to arrive to our place.” 

“Yeah, I know it. But, have ever thought that they Aresians and Athenenas will cooperate? I fear it will happen.” said Heracles, lowering his voice.

“No, I have not.” said Gwen at one, “How can it happen. It’s not fair.” 

“No, Gwen.” said Heracles, “There doesn’t have any rule to forbid them not to do it.”

“Yes, Heracles’s right.” said Leo looking at Gwen and then turn to Heracles, “But, it’s also very difficult to occur.”

“I also think that but I suddenly have a feeling they will.” said Heracles thoughtfully.

!!! The above post is a draft of my first book on Heracles, Heracles and the Nemean lion in Hippocoon land. Its content can be omitted, modified or replaced. If you want to read the full version, click here buy a ebook: Heracles and the Nemean lion or click here to a paper book: Heracles and the Nemean lion by Hung Nguyen !!!




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