GOLDEN FLEECE QUEST:A STOLEN TREASURE

When Aeetes looked out into the gardens from his bedroom window the following morning, he discovered that the Fleece was gone. The two guards still lay on the ground.

“I don’t believe it,” the king said frantically. “I don’t believe it.”

Fuming inside, the king stormed out of his bedroom and down through the palace, passing the drugged guards along the way, before heading out into the gardens.

He then approached the tree where the Fleece had been hanging, to have words with the guards, both of whom were coming to.

“My lord,” one of the guards said sleepily.

“Get up clod-heads,” Aeetes raged.

“What’s the matter, my lord?” asked the other guard.

“The Fleece is gone.”

The guards looked at one another in surprise.

“Gone, my lord?” they asked in unison.

“See for yourselves fools.”

The guards stared up at the branch.

“I cannot believe it,” one of them said.

“Neither can I.”

“Do either of you know anything about this?”

“No, my lord,” the guards said together.

“We never fall asleep on duty, my lord,” said one of the guards.

For a brief moment, Aeetes calmed down a little. He knew all too well, that none of his guards ever slept on duty.

“You’re right,” he said. “Someone must have drugged the pair of you and several other guards too, if not all of them. Now, can either of you remember who was here last?”

The guards shook their heads with honest looks on their faces.

“Very well. I’ll get to the bottom of this and I know just where to begin.”

Aeetes stormed back into the palace and made for the throne room.

Meanwhile, Jason and the Argonauts were discussing their departure from Colchis.

“Hopefully, we’ll be on our way soon,” said Jason.

“We’ll have to get food and water from the city,” Castor said.

“Aeetes might provide it,” said Atalanta.

“A fat chance that will be,” Idas said.

“Well, we’ll see,” said Heracles.

Before anyone else could speak, Aeetes burst furiously through one of the side doors.

“Is something the matter, your lordship?” asked Jason.

“Yes,” Aeetes replied angrily. “The Fleece has been stolen.

Jason and the Argonauts pretended to act surprised.

“Stolen?” Atalanta asked open-mouthed.

“That’s too bad,” said Castor.

“Who would do a thing like that?” Orpheus asked.

“Do you suspect us, your lordship?” asked Lynceus.

“The thought had crossed my mind.”

“Well, your lordship, we had nothing to do with it,” Heracles said.

“We’ve been here the whole time, your lordship,” said Atalanta.

“We’d be too afraid to steal the Fleece from your lordship,” Jason said.

For a moment there was silence.

Jason and his crew waited with baited breath, while Aeetes thought the matter over.

“Very well,” the king said. “Someone else must have stolen the Fleece and I will not rest, until I have found the culprit.

“But first, I will see to it, Jason, that you and the Argonauts are supplied with food and water.”

“Thank you, your lordship.”

“I will return when all is ready.”

With that, Aeetes left the throne room.

Everyone sighed with relief.

“Well, we got away with it, Heracles said.

“At least the king didn’t pay any attention to the sack,” said Atalanta.

“Let’s just hope he doesn’t question what’s in it when we leave,” Argos said.

“If he does, then the game will be up,” said Melanion.

“It will indeed,” Idas said.

“Then this whole quest will have been in vain,” said Butes.

“Execution for us all.”

Most of the other Argonauts murmured and nodded in agreement. Heracles was rather irked about it, as were

Jason and Atalanta.

“Please don’t start this now,” Heracles said with irritation in his voice.

“Think about Apsyrtus,” Atalanta said firmly.

“He’ll be in very deep trouble if Aeetes discovers that he helped us,” Jason said severely.

The thought of it made Helios’ blood boil.

“His death will be very slow, brutal and ghastly,” he said.

“We could see to it that he makes a break for it,” said Zetes.

“Chances of that would be very slim,” Atalanta said.

“Especially if guards are present.”

“That, I don’t doubt,” said Heracles.

“We could sneak him onboard and take him with us,” Calais said.

“That, does not sound like a good idea,” said Meleager.

“Why not?” Telemachus asked.

“Because suspicions may spread and fast.”

“I agree,” said Iphitus.

“Enough!” Heracles snapped.

“It’s more important to keep the Fleece hidden,” said Atalanta.

Fortunately, she had spoken just in time, because Aeetes entered the throne room, the very next moment.

“All is ready now,” the king said.

“Thank you, your lordship,” said Jason, who like the Argonauts, was relieved that the king hadn’t overheard the conversation.

“I will have all my servants bring the food and water down to your ship,” Aeetes said. “I will come too. I want to see the vessel myself.”

“Very well, your lordship,” said Jason.

So it was.

Jason and the Argonauts left the palace and headed down to the Argo, accompanied by Aeetes, two dozen soldiers and three dozen servants carrying containers full of food and water.

At one point, the king glanced at the sack, which was being carried by Heracles, but he didn’t question what was in it. It didn’t occur to him that the Fleece was inside.

Eventually, everyone reached the Argo. The slaves placed the containers on the pontoon.

“There she is, your lordship,” Jason said. “The Argo.”

Aeetes stared in admiration at the vessel. The soldiers did too and the slaves even.

“She’s a magnificent vessel,” said the king.

“Thank you, your lordship,” Jason said.

“Heracles built her, your lordship,” said Atalanta.

“A fine work of craftmanship,” Aeetes said.

“Thank you, your lordship,” said Heracles.

Jason turned to face the rest of the Argonauts.

“Get everything onboard,” he ordered.

The other crew members carried the food and water onboard and filled their own skins and containers. They then went back onto the pontoon.

“So where will you and the Argonauts sail now, Jason?” asked Aeetes.

“Wherever the tide carries us, your lordship,” Jason lied.

“Well, you’re all welcome to come here again,” said Aeetes. “It’s very rare that I receive trustworthy visitors. And now, I must return to my palace. I have to find out, who stole the Golden Fleece.”

Neither Jason, nor any of the Argonauts were concerned over that matter anymore.

They all exchanged farewells with Aeetes, before getting on board to their positions. Helios took Hylas’s place in the crow’s nest.

Then finally, Jason and the Argonauts left Aea.

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