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had gone down very quickly on the tiny kingdom—or so it seemed. Inside the castle, Queen Xumonia was fading fast without her crown. She had been ordered by her doctors to stay in bed and conserve her strength. She had eaten little, drunk little, spoken little. The only word she could mutter was the name “Hercules,” and all she wanted to know was if there was any word of his quest.
    But the answer was always no.
    The air of cheer and joy that usually filled the tiny kingdom had faded by this time, too. Everyone in Zim knew by now that Hercules had left on the unbelievably dangerous journey. Now everyone was concerned about the queen. What would happen to Zim if Xumonia died? No one knew, simply because the queen had been alive so long. Now the people’s uncertainty hung like another dark cloud over the kingdom.
    Offerings were made at the temple. The kingdom’s priests sent messages to Mount Olympus, asking for mercy.
    But this was just a big waste of time. The gods were not listening. They were too busy with their own petty concerns, and simply didn’t care.

Chapter 8
On the Road at Night
    It took Hercules a long time to get XL’s saddle on and reins together. The horse didn’t want to go out on the road at night—and neither did Hercules.
    But because they’d been asleep for three days, they had to get to the Castletop by the next day, or the queen would die.
    So Hercules knew they had no choice but to get there as quickly as possible.
    XL just wasn’t into it, though. He bucked and bristled and made it as hard as he could for Hercules to get him ready.
    Geekus meanwhile seemed to be in shock—not much different from his usual state. He hadn’t said anything since Hercules had told him to pack up and be ready to go.
    But now, as they left the cave, taking care not to touch the strange plants that had released the sleeping pollen, Geekus finally spoke: “Is this really what we should do?” he asked Hercules. “The road at night is very, very dangerous, isn’t it?”
    Hercules turned to him.
    â€œIt’s simple,” he told him. “If we don’t go now, your aunt will die. I think we have to do this . . . do you agree?”
    Geekus stared back at him. Was Hercules really asking him for his opinion?
    â€œYes,” Geekus finally replied. “I think we have to do it, too.”
    But for them to ride the road at night, they would have to go as fast as they could. To go as fast as they could, there was no way Hercules and Geekus could just run alongside XL.
    They would both have to ride on the mighty steed.
    Hercules jumped up on XL and walked the horse over to Geekus. He held his hand out to help Geekus on, but Geekus just stared up at him in disbelief.
    â€œC’mon,” Hercules yelled at him. “We’re wasting time.”
    â€œYou want me to ride up there?” Geekus asked, astonished.
    â€œYes, it’s the only way!” Hercules yelled.
    â€œBut . . . but . . .” Geekus stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. “I’ve never been on a horse before!”
    Hercules just reached down and hauled him aboard. He was light as a feather, and lifting him was no problem.
    â€œThere’s a first time for everything,” Hercules told him, slamming Geekus into the saddle behind him. “Now just hold on and shut up!”
    Then he snapped the reins and off they went!
    The road was hilly and dark, and XL ran it as if he were a demon himself.
    Hercules was bent low, hugging the saddle, keeping the reins tight in his hands, spurring XL on.
    As for Geekus, his trembling fingers were tight around the back of the saddle. Heart pounding, nose running, he was just barely hanging on.
    They charged through the darkening forest like XL was on fire. He was puffing mightily as they raced along, twisting this way and that. Hercules could feel the excitement running through the mighty steed. He was glad XL was