GOLDEN FLEECE QUEST:AEA

For over two days and nights the sailors continued along the coast, until they reached a wide river mouth.

Ships of different kinds were either making their way up river, or heading out to sea. Others weren’t moving.

A pair of ships heading up river, appeared to be war galleys. The sight of them filled everyone, except Heracles and Atalanta with dread.

“Those war galleys belong to Aeetes,” said Atalanta.

“He has many more too,” Heracles said.

The feeling of dread rose.

“How far up river is Aea?” asked Jason.

“About twenty miles,” Atalanta replied.

As the Argo made its way up-river, the sailors stared at the banks. All along them, there were houses and other buildings, either grouped in small clusters, or dotted about. There were many trees and on-lookers too.

At one point, a very large building came into view, high up on a bend. The building had high stone walls, dark windows and was surrounded by a wall.

“What is that building?” asked Jason.

“The palace of Aeetes himself,” Atalanta replied.

It looked totally impregnable.

“The Golden Fleece is located in the very grounds of the palace,” said Heracles. “And in plain view of the king.”

He soon wished he hadn’t mentioned that.

“You’re not serious?” asked Mopsus.

“I am. Why, do you doubt my word?”

“No, but the question is, how are we going to get the Fleece? Aeetes will be right there.”

“That’s right,” Pollux said.

“We can’t just go in there and steal it,” said Idmon.

“We’ll be caught for sure,” Orpheus said.

“How are we going to get the Fleece then?” asked Telamon.

“Yes, how are we going to get the Fleece?” Iphitos asked.

Jason and Atalanta were starting to get annoyed with the rowers.

“I’ll work something out,” Heracles said with a tone of annoyance in his voice.

He was starting to lose his temper very fast.

“You don’t even have a plan?” Mopsus asked sarcastically. “How very disappointing.”

“I agree with you on that,” said Coronus.

“So do I,” Argos said.

“Me too,” said Talaus.

“You should have thought things through Heracles?” Mopsus said. “You should have told us where the Fleece is.”

That was the very last straw for Heracles.

“ENOUGH!” he roared. “ENOUGH OF THIS COMPLAINING. ONE MORE WORD OUT OF YOU MOPSUS AND I’LL THROW YOU OVERBOARD.”

“Are you going to stand for that, Jason?” asked Nestor.

“Yes, as a matter of fact. If I had the strength, I’d hurl Mopsus overboard.”

“So would I,” said Atalanta, who felt no better.

Heracles suddenly thought better of it and with good reason.

“On the other-hand, maybe it wouldn’t be such a good idea to throw him overboard,” he said quietly.

“Why not?” asked Atalanta.

“Because he might get onboard another ship heading up river and expose our mission. If it’s a Colchian ship, especially.”

Jason and Atalanta agreed.

“You have a point,” said Atalanta. “The last thing we need, is for Mopsus to blow everything.”

“I agree,” Jason said.

When the Argo had rounded the bend, a settlement came into view, no more than two miles away. The settlement was built up in tiers on the riverbank, like a fishing village. Along the water-front, there was a long line of ships, including twelve galleys.

“There it is, Jason,” said Heracles. “The city of Aea.”

“Just out of a matter of interest,” Orpheus said. “When are we going to get the Fleece?”

“Tonight,” replied Jason. “And we’ll get away tomorrow, as soon as we’ve taken on food and water.”

Jason, Heracles and Atalanta, had all thought it through.

“Are we going armed?” asked Pollux.

“Of course,” Heracles replied. “Without weapons, we could find ourselves in very deep trouble.”

“But Aeetes might think that we’re just another band of common enemies,” said Butes.

“And have us put to death,” Idas said.

Jason was concerned too, but he knew that the chances had to be taken.

“He won’t while I’m present,” said Heracles.

The rowers didn’t exactly agree with Heracles that time.

“I don’t see how Heracles can possibly know that,” Melanion said.

“He may be strong,” said Butes. “But Aeetes might be stronger and larger too.”

“His army may be greater than Amycus’s,” Talaus said.

“If that is so, then what good will Heracles possibly be able to do if we get caught?” asked Telamon.

“Nothing, I say,” Admetus replied.

Jason knew where this was going and he didn’t like it one bit. Neither did Atalanta and especially not Heracles, who was fuming.

“Aeetes will sentence Heracles to death,” said Mopsus. “He will have him tortured on the rack, peeled like an orange, ground to a pulp, burned on the stake, drawn and quartered, cast –“

Mopsus got no further than that.

Heracles exploded with fury.

“I’VE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS,” he bellowed.

He let go of the steering, jumped off the stern and

went for Mopsus.

“What are you going to do to me?” Mopsus asked in fear.

“I’m going to throw you overboard.”

Heracles grabbed Mopsus and there was nothing any of the other oarsmen could do to prevent it.

“Let me go, let me go.”

It was no use and Mopsus knew it. Heracles lifted him up and hurled him into the sea.

Everyone watched, as Mopsus began to swim towards a nearby ship, heading for Aea.

“I’m afraid to say this, Heracles, but I er – I don’t think you should have done that,” Jason said quietly. “If Mopsus exposes us to Aeetes, then it will all be over.”

“I agree,” said Atalanta.

That dreaded thought, suddenly entered Heracles’ mind again. He was so driven by anger, that his actions got the better of him.

“I let my rage get the better of me,” said Heracles. “A grave error I made in casting Mopsus overboard – an error, which may bring disastrous consequences.”

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