Uh, that should be enough wood. It’s not that cold.
It’s a beautiful night, Iolaus - perfect weather for the Winter Solstice festival.
Yeah - can’t wait.
What’s the matter? You love festivals.
A-and we are the guests of honor at this one.
No - you’re the guest of honor.
That’s not true.
Hercules, they couldn’t care if I went or not.
We both saved the town from those bandits.
OK - so - who are they erecting that statue to?
Actually, you know, I-I-I don’t care about that. It’s just -
where am I going, Hercules?
You know what I mean?
What am I supposed to achieve in this life?
Iolaus - where did this come from?
I mean - am I gonna be remembered as Iolaus?
Or - ‘The guy with Hercules’.
No - don’t get me wrong - I - I’m really honored to be your friend.
I wouldn’t - go anywhere else or - or be anything else.
It’s just - I don’t know, I feel -
Iolaus, people - will remember you.
Your time will come.
I don’t know.
Good night, Iolaus.
Good night, Herc.
My dear Maliphone -
Ah, Polonius - how was Delphi?
No incidents, I hope.
Oh, the roads were safe, for a change.
And how are you feeling, my dear?
Oh, I’m still having some morning sickness - but there’s nothing to worry about.
All of my sisters had healthy babies.
Maliphone - while at Delphi I visited the oracle.
And - what good news would you like to share with me?
It’s nothing. I don’t want to worry you.
Polonius - I’m you queen.
I wanna share your news - good or bad.
The oracle declared - that my kingship will be succeeded by a newborn child.
Of course - this child! Provided it’s a boy - and my sister assures me it will be by the way it’s positioned low.
Not of the house of Polonius.
The oracle is wrong.
The oracle is never wrong.
We will make it wrong.
Order the captain of the guard to round up every male child in the province under the age of one.
Bring them to Bethos.
But Maliphone -
Do you want to lose everything we’ve worked for?
All we’ve dreamed about?!
Guards!
What are you doing?
I - have to go.
Iolaus - it’s the middle of the night. We’ll - make the festival in time.
Oh - I’m not going to the festival.
Then where are you going?
I don’t know.
Hercules - I - have had - a dream.
It must have been some dream.
What happened to your hands? They’re all red.
I have to go.
Go where?
How about if I go with you?
Sure - whatever.
I just - wish I could understand what’s going on?
How can you understand when I can’t?
Well - let’s try - tell me about your dream.
Well - ’know? I can’t remember much about it.
It, uh - there was, um - a gnarled, old tree and a - a carved rock and - you know, Hercules?
I’ve never felt such a feeling of - peace and tranquility - like a - like a oneness, like a whole ocean of - what?!
Uh, I-I didn’t say anything?
You were looking at me strangely. What?!
No, it’s just - you know, Hera and the gods - sometimes they act in strange -
Oh, no, no, no - this is not a spell or anything.
This just feels too right.
It’s-it’s a feeling that, uh - that I have to do this.
- I gotta go. - Where?
North.
- North? - Yeah.
It’s a bit vague.
Going somewhere, Trinculos?
Just taking my share.
I oughtta kill you.
You don’t wanna try.
What about tomorrow?
You’re turning your back on the biggest take of our lives?!
Steal it yourselves! I have to go.
Where’s he going?
Ah, we’re better off without him.
Guy’s been acting crazy for two days, now!
‘North,’ he says.
No province, no - castle, no village, no nothing. Just - north.
You don’t happen to have any idea how far north we’re going, do you?
You know, this is really funny because usually, on our journeys, I’m the one that does the babbling.
Babbling - wh-what - you’re saying I’m babbling?
Like I’m talking incessantly-babbling? Mumbling-anything-that-pops-in-my-head-babbling? That kind of babbling?
Hercules - if I get any idea as to why I’m doing this - I’ll let you know.
Great. You still have no idea how far - north we’re going.
- No. - Good.
Please don’t take my baby! Don’t take my baby!
Give me the baby!
No-o-o-o-o! Help! My baby!
What is it?
I don’t know.
This all feels familiar, but - I’ve never been here before.
Maybe you - saw it in your dream.
Yeah -
you’re right - I did.
This was in my dream.
We’re going the right way.
Of course. We’re - going north.
It’s all right.
We need to get going.
How could you do this? Uprooting us like this? I don’t understand it.
Neither do I. Please, just listen to what I say.
How long will you be gone?
Who’ll plant our crops in the spring?
Loralei, please - you’ll be safe at my brother’s.
It’s not only our well-being I’m worried about.
I’m scared for you, Uris. I’ve never seen you like this.
I’ve never felt like this. I can’t explain it. It’s just something I have to do.
All because of a dream.
Believe me - I know how crazy it sounds. But I have to do it.
Come on.
No, thanks, Herc, I don’t want anything.
I can’t believe you’re not hungry.
I mean, we’ve been walking since before dawn.
Yeah, I know, I-I just feel, uh - I feel like we gotta keep moving.
Maybe you’ll - think better on a full stomach.
Wait a minute. Are you saying I’m not thinking clearly?
No, I didn’t mean that. I meant - maybe it’ll help you remember more of your dream
Hercules - you’re gonna find this hard to believe.
But I’ve never been so focused in my life.
I mean, I really feel this is so - right.
Good - then - where are we going?
- I told you, we’re going - - north.
As long as it’s clear.
Crystal.
Iolaus - wait! Would you wait a minute?!
No, Herc - that is fine.
You know, I mean - if you don’t wanna take me seriously, then don’t.
I didn’t mean any harm. I was hungry.
All ya had to do - was ask.
Come on - there’s plenty of food.
Besides - I hate eating alone.
Thanks.
Do you have a name?
Trinculos.
Why were you sneakin’ around?!
You can’t be too careful.
The hills around here are crawling with bandits.
Which way are you two headed?
Oh, uh, that would be, ‘North’.
Maybe we could travel together.
No, no, no - you see? We travel really fast.
Fine by me.
By the way, what are your names?
Well, this is Hercules.
Hercules. The Hercules.
Uh, yeah. And this is - Iolaus - the Iolaus.
Who?
Pleased to meet you.
Pleasure.
Iolaus.
Frined of yours?
They’ve seen us. Hurry.
- There they are! - Get them!
Get to my brother’s!
- No, I won’t leave you! - Go!
Herc! Behind ja!
- Must’ve meant those two. - Yah!
Let’s get out of here!
Everywhere we go.
Yeah.
You all right?
Yeah, I’m fine. My family?
They’re over here.
I wondered where you’d got to.
It wasn’t my fight!
I don’t stick my neck out for anyone.
Yeah. Ah, so - I-I-I’m sorry - I don’t know your name.
Uris.
Uris - why were the soldiers after you?
He wanted our baby.
Another traveller warned us.
What do they want your baby for?
King Polonius - has ordered all babies under the age of one to be rounded up and taken to the palace.
He says it’s for a census, but we don’t believe that.
Aah, it does seem a bit strange, doesn’t it?
Ah - look - thank you - but we’ve gotta get going.
Oh - wait. Where are you headed?
Um - north.
E - excuse me.
May I?
This is getting really - weird.
So - you’ve had the same dream.
That’s all he can talk about.
I was dropping my family off at my brother’s.
It’s a little out of the way.
But it’s outside the Bethos Province - and they’ll be safe there.
Maybe - we should go with you, in case you run into more soldiers.
Herc -
Iolaus - I -I know your dream is important to you, but we’re talking - children - babies at risk here.
Yeah - yeah, you’re right. I know.
We should find out what Polonius is up to.
Now, hold on here. Like I said, I don’t fight anyone else’s battles.
This baby business -
Then you’ll just have to get used to travelling this bandit-filled road on your own, pal.
No. Look, there’s - no reason for all of us to escort Uris family.
Why don’t you go on ahead and - see what you can find out. And we’ll meet up at - at - Kasi.
- You sure? - Yeah.
OK - Kasi.
- I’m - going with him. - Fine.
Hey, wait for me!
All right - let’s go.
You and the baby will be safe.
Sire - Hercules is in the province.
Hercules? Where?
At a border town.
My men were pursuing fleeing families - and there was a small skirmish.
What about those fleeing families?
Did you stop them?
All but one, my lady - but the rest -
If I were the captain of the guards -
and my king made a request of me -
I should think that I’d do all in my power to keep my king - happy.
I would make it my life’s task -
to take my well-paid soldiers and seal the borders.
I might even send my elite cavalry unit into the next province -
to seek out any families who might have gotten away.
Begging my lady’s pardon -
And I would do these things - as quickly as humanly - possible.
Yes, my lady.
You look worried.
You should be relishing the thought of gaining your revenge after the humiliation Hercules heaped on you at Kasi.
My love - Hercules is a most formidable -
He’s one man! You have command over thousands.
Polonius - we waited so long for this - an heir to pass on our kingdom to.
We can’t let this slip away from us now - can we?
You’re right, my love.
You’ll be safe here.
- Remo - take good care of them. - OK.
He’s hungry.
I think you’re right.
You’d better go.
Here’s your son.
Uris - I - I know it’s not my place.
But - if you’re having such a hard time leaving your family behind -
are you sure you’re doing the right thing?
No - I’m just sure it’s something I have to do.
I love you.
We better go.
Don’t worry. I’ll make sure he gets home to you safely.
Thank you.
What are you in such a hurry for?
You should know. You had the same dream.
I didn’t have any dream.
Yeah? What happened to your hands?
I don’t know.
Look, everybody has nightmares.
I don’t believe in all that spells and curses stuff.
Well, I don’t think this dream has got anything to do with spells or curses.
Then what was it about?
What do you care?! You didn’t have it!
I’m just curious.
What did you see in your dream?
OK, I saw this - this rock - like a -like a signpost pointing somewhere,
and, uh - oh, and these glowing coals, like the -
the baleful eyes of some hideous monster.
Yeah? Well, like I said, everybody has nightmares.
Come on - pick it up.
Hey - what’s the rush? Wait for me?!
I’ve never left home before.
Having second thoughts?
I feel like I should be with them.
But something - keeps urging me on.
If it makes you feel any better, Iolaus has the same obsession.
And he’s one of the most - sensible people I know - most of the time.
We had the same dream.
Well - something very similar.
He can’t remember all of it - but it keeps - driving him forward.
I know. That’s the torment of it.
Well, what about you? I mean, do you remember any of your dream?
Only bits and pieces.
I can see an old, gnarled tree - almost like it’s giving me directions.
Like a - signpost.
Sort of.
And I get this feeling - that I’m gonna be a part of something important -
very important - me, a poor peasant farmer from Thessaly.
Who’d have thought?
It’s not so surprising.
Money isn’t a measure of a man’s worth.
Round up the mothers and infants!
Come on!
Quick! Hide!
- Give me that baby! - Hand it over!
Hide!
Where’s that baby?!
Give me that!
No! No! No! No! My baby!
Where are you taking me?!
Mommy.
You got here fast.
Find out anything?
It’s like - Uris says.
Polonius’ men are rounding up every boy under the age of one.
They swept through here this morning.
The infants?
Gone.
What direction?
North - toward Tulosa.
Well, we have to catch up to them.
They have a head start and they’re on horseback.
Is there a shortcut.
Over the mountains - but it’s rough going.
Well, it’s never stopped us before.
Nope. Come on.
What’s wrong?
That tree.
Yeah - it was in my dream, too.
This must be the right direction.
Are we going? Or not?
Come on, Trinculos. Admit you saw the tree, too.
I admit nothin’. I don’t wanna get involved.
Out of the way! Get out of the way!
Move aside!
- before someone get hurt.
Have you made the sacrifice to Hera?
And her response?
She’ll help us.
Thank the gods.
But only with Hercules.
The infants are our problem.
Then the oracle was right.
Polonius - you worry too much.
With Hera on our side - you’re going to be king for a long, long time.
You don’t doubt her powers, do you?
No! I just want some proof of her - intentions! Some - !
Great Hera! Show those who doubt!
Soldiers! I don’t need more warriors.
I’ve enough at my command.
these aren’t just any soldiers.
Captain - who’s your best man?
Go - show her.
By the gods!
Maybe I should be an oracle - because I foresee a good year for us, Polonius.
You’ll have an heir to your throne - and your revenge - on Hercules.
You think there’d be an easier way.
I don’t see why you’re in such a hurry.
Stop complaining. That’s all you do.
Busting our hump to get to Tuloser.
All it’ll get us is a fight with Polonius’’ soldiers.
At least we’ll have the element of surprise.
You’ll have it.
I don’t risk my life for anyone.
Besides, I have to be somewhere.
Hey! Watch out!
Keep your shirt on - pig feeder.
We don’t have time for this.
What do you got against farmers, anyway?!
I used to be one - before I wised up.
I guess he doesn’t wanna be friends.
- These guys. - Yeah.
Oh, Iolaus, uh - I still don’t - understand this dream, but -
whatever it is, I just wanna let you know that I’m - I’m here - to help.
Thanks, Hercules.
Company could be better.
My thoughts, exactly.
Would both of you just - stay quiet?
Please don’t take my baby.
It’s OK. I’m Hercules.
We’re here to protect you from Polonius’ men.
Come on. It’s OK.
Thank you. Thank you.
That’s everyone.
All right. Let’s get them into the hills.
You sure they’ll be all right?
Yeah, there are caves in those hills. With food and shelter, they’ll be safe for a couple of days, at least.
And after that?
We try to keep one step ahead of them.
What’s the next village?
Vilos.
- Let’s go. - All right.
I don’t like this business -
Trust me. My plan will work.
It had better.
Your Highness - things are going well.
We have almost two dozen infants and mothers - in the castle dungeon.
And - ?
And - we - still haven’t captured the family that eluded us at the border.
And?
And - we’re having problems in the southern part of the province.
Hercules must have heard of our plan.
He evacuated the villages at Tulosa, Vilos, and Leurissa - before my soldiers got there.
Hercules - how? Your men were on horseback.
Sire, the hostages slowed us down.
No excuses!
I want that family. Take your cavalry - and track them down.
And I want Hercules’ head on a pike - now!
- Yes, Sire. - That won’t be necessary.
My queen?
He’s coming - to us.
All we have to do is to make sure he knows we’re holding the infants in our castle.
A clever trap by your soldiers - and Hera’s men will roast Hercules - like venison.
I can’t believe that took so long.
At least the babies are safe for a while, anyway.
I know everyone is tired, but we have to keep moving.
Why? We’re not gonna do anyone any good if we collapse from exhaustion.
Besides - we can’t save all the babies.
Well, we can try, can’t we?
What are you doing?
It’s nothin’.
- No, no, no. I’ve seen this. - What is it?
I”m tellin’ ya. It’s nothin’.
This should be - like this.
What do you mean, ‘Should be’?
You’ve seen it too?
In my dream. More like a sword.
Yeah. And look.
Two baleful eyes - set in gold.
It looked - regal.
All right, I saw it too. So what?
So, you’ve all had the same dream.
And you’re all goin’ to the same place, for the same reason.
But what place?
I don’t know.
It’s just - this dream has been guiding you all northward, right?
The last town north of here is Bethos.
Then we are going in the right direction.
Whoa! Hold on here. You’re talkin’ crazy.
You’re gonna walk right into Polonius’ palace - past all his guards, and-and soldiers?
Count me out.
I’m not so sure you can count yourself out.
See, you’re a part of this whether you want to be or not. You’ve all had the same - calling.
A collective misfortune.
Thanks, guys, but I’ve got a career.
So I can see.
Nobody try and stop me.
Shouldn’t we try to bring him back?
Yeah - especially since you think he should be with us.
Aah, that’s something he’ll have to decide for himself.
Let’s get out of here.
You look frustrated, Polonius. What’s the mother?
The captain and I have been interrogating the new mothers for the past three hours.
They either can’t - or won’t tell us which one of them gave birth to the new king.
That is unfortunate.
Well, how will we know which baby to kill?
It’s really very simple. Kill them all.
I’ve never seen a village so quiet.
Where is everyone?
You’re expecting a fanfare?
I didn’t expect it to be deserted.
It might not be.
Keep your eyes open.
Hi!
I’m glad you decided to rejoin us.
You were right. I didn’t have a choice.
Whatever this is about - it’s too big to walk away from.
Let’s go.
Welcome back.
So? This is the one Hercules helped escape.
Yes, your Majesty.
And why are you so special that the son of Zeus takes it upon himself to spare your child?
I - uh - I don’t know, my lady.
Please - can I see my baby?
Don’t know - or won’t tell?
I don’t know, my lady! I swear!
It doesn’t matter.
My king. My queen. Hercules has entered the city.
Your men are ready?
Yes, your Majesty.
No - it doesn’t matter - at all.
No! No! No-o-o-o! Please! I just wanna see my baby!
You thinking what I’m thinking?
Yep.
You figure we’re heading for a trap?
Wouldn’t be the first time.
Come on, then. We don’t wanna disappoint the king
Hercules!
Welcome to Bethos.
Where are the children, Polonius?
So, this isn’t a social visit?
Where are they?!
Where you can’t get them - unless, of course - you wanna go through them?
Oh, and Uris - your wife says to tell you that she loves you.
You black-hearted pig!
Not a proper way to address your king?
And he will remain your king - for a long time.
Not after this, he won’t.
Kill them all!
Interesting.
This is more my style - like a pitchfork!
Uris!
No-o-o-o-o-o!
I thought you didn’t stick your neck out for anyone.
I didn’t have a choice.
Let’s go find your family.
Uris - Daddy’s here.
You forget - I carry the heir to Polonius’ throne in my womb.
And you forget the laws of succession in Bethos.
If the king dies without a living male heir - the people may elect their next ruler.
I think you’re a couple ’a months too short.
Have a happy exile.
Hasta la vista, baby.
Well - that’s it.
That’s - what we were - supposed to do.
I have to admit. Felt pretty good -
- saving all those children.
Yeah - but I’m not sure that that’s the end of it.
Me, neither. Take a look.
Hercules - this is my dream.
You - and that star.
Then maybe you should follow it.
This is what the dream was all about.
It’s true. I can feel it.
It’s a sense of calm - and peace.
What?
Just a hunch - but somehow, I believe that what you’re about to witness is - bigger and - more important than anything we’ve ever done.
Let’s go.
Gonna come with us?
No. Go on. I’ll - I’ll be there.
OK.
Such a feeling of peace.
Yes - peace - and friendship.