GOLDEN FLEECE QUEST:THE ARGO AND THE ARGONAUTS
By hercules
Jason knew of the Golden Fleece. Heracles and Atalanta had told him that it once belonged to the last of the golden sheep of Colchis.
He had also been told that the Fleece was in the possession of king Aeetes – ruler of Colchis and that many other rulers wanted it.
Heracles and Atalanta had made the journey from Thessaly to Colchis before and had seen the Golden Fleece.
As for Pelias, he had made a very cunning move – a move to get his nephew out of the way. He hoped that Jason would fall for it and so did Acastus.
“You’re mad,” said Atalanta, who didn’t believe a word of it.
“Yes, mad,” said Heracles, who didn’t believe it either. “You just want the Fleece for yourself. Aeson told me as much.”
“That is so, but if Jason doesn’t get the Fleece, I will not hand the kingdom back to Aeson and Medea.”
“So be it,” Jason said strongly.
Like Heracles and Atalanta, he didn’t buy it, but he didn’t want to let on to his uncle.
“No, Jason,” Atalanta and Heracles said together.
“You must build your own ship, Jason and find a crew.”
“If he can find a crew,” Acastus sneered.
“Very well,” said Jason.
“Now be off with you,” Pelias said.
Jason left the palace with Heracles and Atalanta. Although he didn’t buy what Pelias had said, he had one or two cunning tricks up his own sleeve.
“You should have refused, Jason,” said Atalanta.
“I know what I’m doing,” Jason said.
“Do you?” asked Heracles.
“Yes.”
“Well, I don’t believe a single word that came out of Pelias’ mouth,” Atalanta said.
“I don’t either,” said Heracles.
“Neither do I,” Jason said. “He just wants the Fleece.”
“Then why did you not refuse?” asked Atalanta.
“Because I wanted to give Pelias the impression that I believe him. I’m not backing out of this.”
“Very well,” Atalanta sighed. “But you are not to go it alone.”
“We will come too,” said Heracles. “The journey to Colchis is very long and is not to be taken lightly.”
“That’s right,” Atalanta said. “Without us, you won’t reach Colchis, let alone return.”
“Your safety is our prime concern, Jason.”
“Thank you. I’ll be most glad to have you two accompany me.”
Jason knew from what Heracles and Atalanta had told him years ago, that the voyage to Colchis was very challenging.
He knew also, that preparing for the voyage, was going to be far from straight forward and was going to take some time too.
For one, he had to build a ship and find a crew. No way was he prepared to go round asking the ship builders to help him build a sailing vessel, let alone mention the Golden Fleece.
Finding a crew, was something else.
It was most fortunate that Heracles and Atalanta were with him.
“First however, I need to build a ship,” he said. “And find a full crew.”
“Don’t concern yourself over that,” said Heracles. “I’ll build the ship. I’ve built many ships, as I’ve said
before. I’ll find other crew members too.”
That took the weight off Jason’s shoulders.
“Thank you,” he said.
“How many more sailors would you say we need?” Atalanta asked.
“Let me see,” replied Heracles. “For a voyage to Colchis, I would say forty-two. Forty to pull the oars, one to beat the drums and one to go on watch. I myself will steer the ship.”
“That sounds fine to me,” Jason said. “But I want strong, armed fighters. No laggards.”
“You can count on that,” said Heracles. “I will make sure that the sailors are worthy.”
Jason felt less burdened with worry.
“How long will it take to build the ship?” he asked.
“Several months,” replied Heracles.
“What are you and I going to do for several months Jason?” asked Atalanta. “We can’t just hang around and sleep on the beach.”
Jason lifted that worry off Atalanta’s shoulders.
“We won’t have to,” he said. “There are many people who I used to be well acquainted with to visit, if they are still there that is. We can go hunting outside Iolcos and spend nights in the open.”
That brightened Atalanta’s spirits.
“Perfect,” she said.
So that’s how it was.
Over the next six to seven months, Heracles had a vessel built by local ships carpenters. There were
plenty of trees outside Iolcos to get the wood from.
He managed to find forty-two worthy sailors, all aged from around Jason’s age to over forty. They were willing to go on the voyage.
Furthermore, he saw to it that arms were produced by the local metal workers and had all the other supplies prepared.
Atalanta and Jason, on the other hand, visited several residents, who had been present when Aeson and Medea were king and queen and became acquainted with the crew members too.
They also went outside the city for days at a time.
Then one day, the ship was finished. Heracles named her (ARGO).
A fine ship the Argo was. She had forty large oars, a crow’s nest, a white sail with a gold lion painted on it and a lion-shaped figure head.
“You’ve done a fine job, Heracles,” Jason said with admiration in his voice.
“The finest sailing vessel I’ve ever seen,” said Atalanta.
“I thank you both,” Heracles said.
“A magnificent vessel and a bunch of worthy strong-looking sailors,” said Atalanta.
The names of the ARGO members, are as follows.
Jason Lynceus Zetes Melanion
Heracles Mopsus Meleager Telamon
Atalanta Euphemus Orpheus Admetus
Pollux Idmon Peleus Ancaeus
Castor Laertes Calais Amphion
Areius Capheus Eurytus Iphiclus
Asterius Hylas Eurydamus Iphitos
Armenius Coronus Euryalas Nestor
Butes Deucalion Eurymedon Oileus
Azorus Argus Iolaus Peneleos
Phalerus Talaus Staphylus Idas
Argos
Henceforth, they would be known throughout the world, as (Jason and the Argonauts).
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