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Your ride upon Surf, son of Arion, is a painful one, but the motion further loosens the knots of your right side as you descend from the hills – well worth the discomfort.
As you had guessed, the Sardinians are preparing their loaned yellow-hulled vessel – bringing nets and fishing spears aboard. Dawn shines ruddily upon the waves, the skies are clear, and the salt-laden breeze of the water is fresh and invigorating – a fine morning. The twins have stowed their chariot and horses high on the beach, and a team of bored Trachian scouts is settled on their haunches close by with slings and bows – they will protect the Sardinian chariot and steeds while their masters on the Gulf.
Nicodromus and Halocrates greet you, and at first glance, appear no worse for wear, despite their losses two days previous. You’re not an envious man, but the blood of Heracles certainly seems to have its advantages… As you clasp their forearms in greeting, you see that your first impression was not quite accurate – the twins are no longer mirror images of one another. Halocrates’ jaw has been misaligned, and several pearly-white teeth are now absent, stolen by Hyperbius’ club, and Nicodromus now has a nasty scar wrapping around the back of his scalp, peeking through his blonde tresses. You make no reference to their appearance, and they make no remarks about your own injuries, although you catch them peering at your right shoulder and arm from time to time. The three of you are no trained rhetors, so you simply get to business: you apologize for the interruption, and begin to lay out your case for cooperation in the final challenge. Before too long, the twins trade amused glances with one another – Halocrates interrupts you, speech slightly slurred by his ill-formed jaw and missing teeth:
“Hippomedon, no need for winged words here – each of us has suffered grievously due to Theban’s savagery. What is your plan? We are not so foolish as to ignore the advice from Argos' finest general."
Pleasantly surprised, you explain that all castle-rustling is simply the movement of a herd from one place to the next, and this will provide the opportunity for an ambush. The twins are your superiors when it comes to fortitude and recovery – they will be the anvil, setting themselves upon the trail to confront Hyperbius and drawing his attacks. As for yourself, in a wounded state, you must settle for ranged support and serve as the hammer. You will plan to strike him with stones from the side, preferably hidden from view by vegetation or by Surf’s flanks, or both. You explain to the twins that you have a tremendous capability for throwing, and fighting through the pain, demonstrate your power and accuracy with a pair of fist-sized smooth stones from the beach, killing two gulls flying overhead in a flash. The twins are suitably impressed and so finally, you explain that to simply bring Hyperbius down is not adequate – he must be shamed before the crowd.
