GOLDEN FLEECE QUEST:REACHING COLCHIS
By hercules
Spending time with Phineus, had been a great pleasure for Jason.
He and the Argonauts had received a warm welcome from the exiled one, unlike the cold one they had received from King Amycus.
The island of the exiled one was about four days behind and the sailors were heading for Colchis.
The sailors tried to keep in high spirits, but the thought of meeting Aeetes hung over them, like a dark cloud. Well, over all but Heracles and Atalanta.
Furthermore, the weather was starting to change again.
“The wind’s picking up,” said Atalanta.
“The sea’s getting rougher too,” Jason said.
“I hope we’re not in for another storm,” said Heracles.
As the wind became stronger, the waves enlarged. The Argo rocked from side to side.
Jason looked up at Hylas.
“YOU’D BETTER COME DOWN FROM THERE,” he said.
“I’M COMING RIGHT AWAY.”
Hylas climbed down to the deck and clung to the mast.
The moment he did so, a huge blanket of grey clouds appeared on the horizon, accompanied by the sounds of thunder and lightning.
The storm came closer and closer and there was nothing the sailors could do to prevent it. In no time at all, it was upon them.
“This is going to be another big one,” said Heracles.
“It’s bound to blow us off course,” Atalanta said.
“We’ll just have to hold in there,” said Jason.
“Let’s hope we all survive it,” Atalanta said.
The storm raged wildly, for what seemed an eternity. Waves crashed on the deck of the ship, rain cascaded, lightning flashed menacingly and thunder rumbled.
The sailors had a terrible time. Jason almost went overboard with Atalanta, Heracles lost control of the steering, the oarsmen fell off their seats and rolled all over the place and Hylas almost ended up in the sea. Many oars were lost too.
The storm was no short one. It lasted for three, long days and nights, before finally subsiding.
Fortunately, the Argo was in good shape and all of the sailors survived with no more than several wounds. None were too seriously injured.
“That was another real big one,” said Heracles.
“It sure was,” Jason said.
“We lost eighteen oars,” said Atalanta. “But at least we’re all alive.”
“Well, we can make some more oars when we reach Colchis,” Heracles said. “We’ll find a beach somewhere along the coast where there are trees.”
“You’d better see if we’ve been blown off course first,” said Castor, who was holding a piece of cloth against a cut on his forehead.
“We must have been,” Jason said.
Heracles checked the compass.
“We’re off course by fifteen miles.”
Hylas and the oarsmen started groaning.
“Come now,” said Jason. “It could have been far worse.”
“If we get back on course, then we should reach Colchis in no more than four or five days,” Heracles said.
“The oarsmen will have to take it in turns rowing again,” said Atalanta.
“We must split them into groups,” Jason said.
So that was that.
Heracles steered the Argo back on course, while the
rowers took it in turns to pull the remaining oars.
Fortunately, there were no more storms and the sailors
reached Colchis in under five days.
Along the coastline, there were beaches, headlands, valleys and areas of high cliffs. Mountainous, tree-clad hills rose up over two thousand feet.
“There it is Jason,” Atalanta said. “The land of Colchis.”
“We’ll have to pull in somewhere,” said Jason.
One of the beaches was nestled at the bottom of a valley, where the vegetation came right down to the sea.
“We’ll stop at that beach to make the oars,” Heracles said.
“How long do you suppose it will take?” asked Jason.
“About six to seven days,” Atalanta replied.
“Some of the others will have to go off to get food and water,” said Heracles. “I’m sure there are wild fruit bushes up in those hills and game to hunt. After all, we don’t want to run out of food and water before we reach Aea.”
“Jason and I will take care of that,” Atalanta said.
So it was agreed.
The sailors went in slowly and set foot on the shores of Colchis.
After a very long storm, followed by over four-days of rowing, the oarsmen were spent.
“I’m all worn out,” said Pollux.
“I could do with a rest,” Admetus said.
“And me,” said Orpheus.
“Me too,” Idas said.
“At least we won’t have to row for several days,” said Mopsus.
“You can say that again,” Melanion said.
Heracles was not impressed with the attitude of the oarsmen and neither were Jason and Atalanta.
“QUIET!” Heracles roared. “Now I know you’re all tired, but we have work to do. Oars have to be made, food and water must be found.”
Mopsus had reached breaking point.
“Oh come on man,” he snapped. “Can’t you let us have a little rest?”
Heracles was fuming inside, but he restrained his fury, until he eventually calmed down. He then gave in and changed his mind.
“Very well,” he said in a calmer voice. “All of you may rest until tomorrow, but after that, it’s work.”
The oarsmen sighed with relief.
They relaxed throughout the rest of the day and slept overnight, while Jason, Heracles and Atalanta kept watch over the Argo. Hylas sat up in the crow’s nest to watch out for other ships, though there was little chance of the Argo being spotted in the shadows after dark.
After a relaxing rest, it was six days of solid work.
Heracles oversaw the oar making, while Hylas stayed on watch in the crow’s nest.
Jason and Atalanta went off with other crew members, to get food and water. There was plenty of game to hunt and fruit bushes were dotted everywhere. Water was drawn from a small pool.
A few vessels passed, but they didn’t approach the beach.
When the oars had been made, the sailors got back onboard and took their positions.
“Final stop, is the city of Aea,” Atalanta said.
“How long will it take to reach the city?” asked Jason.
“Roughly three days at the most,” Heracles replied.
“That’s not far,” said Jason.
The captain faced the oarsmen.
“We should reach Aea in about three days,” he said. “Now row away.”
With that, Jason and the Argonauts sailed onwards.
For more features, such as favoriting, recommending, and reviewing, please go to the full version of this story.