GOLDEN FLEECE QUEST:KING AMYCUS

The island was very similar to the last one in appearance, but slightly larger. It had gentle, tree-covered hills, low cliffs, headlands and beaches. One beach had a row of ships on it and a settlement was partially in view over half a mile inland.

The thought of meeting King Amycus, filled Jason with dread.

“I very much doubt that Amycus will allow us to take on food and water, or make new oars,” he said.

“He won’t even allow us to land,” said Atalanta.

“I’ll see to it that he does,” Heracles said.

“The question is,” said Jason. “Where are we going to land?”

He certainly did not want to bring the Argo to the beach where the other ships were.

“That deserted beach to the left will do,” Heracles replied.

“Looks fine to me,” said Atalanta.

Jason faced the oarsmen.

“Slow down the pace and bring her in.”

The rowers did as they were ordered.

When the Argo was less than half a mile from the island, a group of six to seven dozen figures came down to the beach from a low headland.

One of the figures was dressed in, what appeared to be, a grey and black gown. A golden object on his head, gleamed in the sunlight.

The others wore grey chitons and black armour.

“There’s Amycus himself,” Atalanta said.

“I don’t like the look of this,” said Castor.

“Me neither,” Jason said.

Closer and closer the Argo went, until it was no more

than a hundred feet from the beach.

From there, Jason could see that Amycus had black hair going grey.

The shiny object on his head, was a golden crown.

“HALT RIGHT THERE,” the king shouted angrily.

“WE WILL LAND ON THE SHORE OF THIS ISLAND,” said Jason.

“I FORBID IT.”

Heracles grabbed his club and strode to the prow.

“WE WILL SET FOOT HERE,” he said, pointing his club at Amycus.

There was a moments silence.

“ON SECOND THOUGHT, WHY NOT,” Amycus said more calmly. “SEEING AS YOU AND ATALANTA ARE HERE.”

“Alright, bring her in,” Jason said to the oarsmen.

The oarsmen rowed a few metres, before letting the Argo drift in. The anchor stone was cast overboard by Pollux, Phalerus and Argos.

“All ashore,” said Jason.

The sailors left the Argo.

“So, Heracles, what brings you and Atalanta and those other sailors to my island?” Amycus asked in a much calmer voice.

The king had steely grey eyes and looked around fifty years of age.

“We are on a voyage to the land of Colchis and are stopping off here along the way.”

“But a storm came upon us,” said Atalanta. “And we lost twenty oars.”

“We were driven off course by twenty miles,” Jason said.

Amycus eyed Jason for a moment.

“Who might you be?” he asked curiously.

“I am Jason, the captain of this fine vessel.”

Jason decided not to reveal everything about himself, not to mention that he was the son of Aeson and Medea.

“But why have you come to my island?”

“To take on food and water,” replied Jason. “And to make new oars from these trees.”

“Have you now?” Amycus asked with an edge of sarcasm to his voice.

Jason was far from happy about it.

“Yes,” he replied solemnly.

“Well, you’re not taking anything from here,” Amycus sneered.

A big mistake.

“We will take what we need,” said Heracles, who was starting to get angry with Amycus.

For a moment, the King had forgotten that Heracles was present. He had been so focused on Jason.

“No, you won’t,” he said.

At that point, Amycus had gone too far.

Heracles marched forwards in rage, sending a wave of fear through the soldiers, all of whom were too afraid to stand up to him.

Even Amycus felt on edge. He tried to make a break for it, but fell over. By then, it was too late.

Heracles grabbed the king with his free hand and lifted him up off the ground by his right leg.

“Put me down, put me down,” Amycus said in vain.

It was no use.

Heracles raised his club, ready to strike.

“Alright, alright,” the king said. “Take what you need. Just put me down.”

Heracles dropped the king on his head.

“Castor, Pollux, Phalerus, take this lout onboard,” he said. “And tie him to the mast.”

The three Argonauts seized Amycus and dragged him cursing and squirming onboard the Argo. They then tied him to the mast.

The soldiers didn’t so much as dare to prevent it.

“Now what do we need?” asked Jason.

“Wood for making the oars,” Heracles replied. “We can get that from these trees.”

“Food and water too,” said Atalanta.

Amycus was far from pleased.

“DON’T JUST STAND THERE,” he yelled at his soldiers. KILL THEM! KILL THEM! KILL THEM!”

The soldiers drew their weapons and clashed in battle against the sailors. Sword against sword, shield against shield. Heracles fought easily – killing many soldiers with his club.

In the end, the soldiers were all defeated. Their bodies lay strewn all over the beach.

The sailors had survived with no more than a few wounds.

As for Amycus, well, he was totally shocked. He stared at his dead soldiers in disbelief.

“What do we do now?” Atalanta asked.

“You and Jason will go off with twenty-five of the other Argonauts,” replied Heracles. “I’ll stay here and see to it that the rest start making the oars.”

“Very good,” Jason said.

He and Atalanta went off with twenty-five of the others to get food and water, which there happened to be plenty of – wild fruit especially. They avoided the settlement, so as not to attract attention.

When they returned to the beach, they found the others chopping away at trees, under the watchful eye of Heracles.

“Keep it up,” said Heracles. “Keep it up.”

One of the trees suddenly fell.

“Good work,” Heracles said.

“They’re working well,” said Atalanta.

“They certainly are,” Jason said.

He turned to the other Argonauts.

“Get the food and water onboard.”

The sailors did as they were told.

“How long do you think this will take?” Atalanta asked.

“About five to six days,” replied Heracles. “Maybe seven.”

Indeed it did take seven days to make the oars. Chopping the wood and shaping it into oars, was no fast job.

They had to have food and water too.

When the work was done, Atalanta and Jason went off with over half the crew members to get more food and water.

After that, it was time to sail on.

“Back on board everyone,” Jason said.

The sailors got back onboard to their places.

“Next stop, is the island of Phineas,” said Atalanta.

“What about me?” asked Amycus, who was desperate to go ashore.

“What about you?” Heracles replied.

“Can someone please untie me, so that I can go ashore?”

“No,” replied Heracles. “You’re going somewhere, where you won’t be able to cause any more mischief.”

The king gave up. He didn’t want to push Heracles too far again.

He had no choice, but to watch his homeland disappear over the horizon, as Jason and the Argonauts sailed away.

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