GOLDEN FLEECE QUEST:JASON'S REVELATION

“There it is again,” said Atalanta. “The island of King Cyzicus.”

“I hope the king comes to the shore to meet us,” Castor said.

“He might do,” said Jason, who hoped so too.

“If not, then we’ll go to the palace,” Heracles said.

“We sure will have a story to tell,” said Atalanta.

The sailors headed slowly round to the other side of the island and landed in the same spot, that they landed in on the outward journey.

The moment they left the Argo, King Cyzicus came onto the beach.

“There he is,” Heracles said.

He, along with Atalanta and Jason approached Cyzicus and exchanged greetings.

The king then exchanged greetings with the rest of the Argonauts.

“I want to hear about everything that’s happened, when we feast later, Jason. Megara and Iona are equally as excited.”

“Thank you, your lordship.”

“First, we must get food and water, your lordship,” said Atalanta.

“And take care of another matter, your lordship,” Heracles said.

“That’s fine,” said Cyzicus. “I’ll send Iona to bring you all to the palace later.”

“Thank you, your lordship,” Jason said.

With that, King Cyzicus left the beach.

“Now then, let’s see,” said Jason. “Castor, Pollux, continue training Helios. I’ll remain too.”

“Atalanta and I will also stay,” Heracles said.

“The rest of them know where to find the food and water,” said Atalanta.

“That’s fine,” Jason said.

So it was agreed.

Heracles, Atalanta and Jason stayed on the beach to oversee Helios’ training and to keep an eye on the Argo, while the others went off to get food and water supplies.

“This is the last time we take on food and water,” said Atalanta.

“No more stops between here and Thessaly,” Heracles said.

“And no more training after this for Helios,” said Jason.

“I bet you’ll be glad to get back to Thessaly, Jason,” Heracles said.

“Glad to get back to your homeland,” said Atalanta.

“For a short while.”

Heracles and Atalanta glanced at one another briefly.

“What do you mean, for a short while?” Heracles asked curiously.

“Well – “

“Is there something you wish to tell us?” Atalanta asked curiously too.

“Yes.”

“Go on,” said Heracles.

“It’s – it’s about my position in the royal family of Thessaly. My position as heir.”

“What about it?” asked Atalanta.

“What I mean to say, is that I no longer want to be my parent’s heir.”

Heracles and Atalanta were taken aback with shock. They couldn’t believe what Jason had just said.

“You’re not being serious?” Heracles asked.

“I’m being very serious.”

“But why?” asked Atalanta. “You have royal blood in your veins.”

“You’ll be a king,” Heracles said. “With a whole kingdom to rule.”

Jason knew that Heracles and Atalanta were right, but it’s not what he wanted anymore.

“That’s the point of all this,” he said. “I no longer want to be a king. I don’t want to rule over other people. A king has duties. A king has no true freedom. I wish to live the rest of my life in freedom.”

There was a moments silence. It was a lot for Atalanta and Heracles to take in.

“You’re serious, aren’t you?” asked Atalanta.

“More than you and Heracles realise.”

“The thing is, if you step down as heir, there will be no one to rule in your place,” Heracles said. “Your parents have no other offspring.”

“I’ll take care of that matter.”

“How?” asked Atalanta.

“By handing my position over to Helios.”

Again Heracles and Atalanta were taken aback.

“Seriously?” Heracles asked.

“Most seriously. Helios did say that he’s always wanted to be a king, to rule peacefully. So I want to give him that opportunity and besides, an heir doesn’t have to be born of royal blood.”

Helios wasn’t near enough to listen in on the conversation.

“You have a point there,” said Atalanta. “But what will your parents say? They might not share all of your points of view.”

“I’ll have to reason with them. However, I still intend to overthrow Pelias and restore the kingdom to my parents. After that, I’ll see to it that my parents are made king and queen again and persuade them to make Helios their heir.”

There was another moment of silence.

“Well, if that is what you want?” asked Atalanta.

“It is.”

“What do you intend to do then?” Heracles asked.

“To travel the known world, go on other voyages, visit other kingdoms, seek adventure. But I will visit Iolcos from time to time.”

“Surely you don’t intend to go it alone?” Atalanta asked with concern in her voice.

Atalanta and Heracles admired Jason’s decisions, but they were worried. They were worried that Jason was planning on going it all alone. They feared that if he went unaccompanied, he may end up with the wrong kind of people.

“Not at all. There are only two people, who I wish to travel with and that is you and Heracles.”

That took Heracles and Atalanta completely by surprise.

“Are you serious?” asked Heracles.

“I certainly am.”

“You say that now, but you may change your mind,” Atalanta said.

“Change my mind, never. My parents told me that not every heir or heiress, choses to become a king or queen.”

“Atalanta and I have met many princes and princesses, who thought as you do now.”

“I just wouldn’t be able to face having to sit on a throne day after day, all dressed in royal garments. I would be cut off from the natural world, cut off from freedom.”

Atalanta and Heracles were starting to realise the true seriousness of Jason’s decisions, but they weren’t prepared for what was coming next.

“There is another reason why I’ve made these decisions.”

“Go on,” said Atalanta.

“I feel bound to you and Heracles.”

Heracles and Atalanta were taken by surprise again.

“Bound to us?” Heracles asked.

“Yes. You and Atalanta took me from the palace and raised me to adulthood, made me into the man I am today. I regard you, Heracles, as a second father and you as an older sister, Atalanta. Therefore, I am bound by love and friendship to the pair of you. Destiny, I believe.”

“So you believe in destiny then?” asked Atalanta.

“Just like my parents, yes. In my heart, I don’t feel destined to rule.”

“Will you reveal what you have told us to King Cyzicus?” Heracles asked.

“No. He doesn’t need to know and neither do Iona and Megara.”

“Very well.”

With that, the conversation ended.

A short while later, the rest of the Argonauts returned with food and water.

“Well done,” said Jason. “Now get everything onboard.”

The captain approached Castor, Pollux and Helios.

“Well, Jason, Helios has been practicing exceedingly well,” Castor said.

“First rate fighting,” said Pollux.

“Well done, Helios,” Jason said.

“Thank you.”

Suddenly, Princess Iona came onto the beach.

“Greetings everyone,” she said.

“Greetings, princess Iona,” Jason and the Argonauts said in unison.

They all bowed together.

“It’s time to come to the palace. The feast will soon be ready.”

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