GOLDEN FLEECE QUEST:TRAITOR

The shores of Colchis were far behind Jason and the Argonauts.

In three days, they had covered many miles and in fine weather.

They knew nothing however, that Mopsus had betrayed them to Aeetes, or that a fleet of Colchian war galleys was chasing after them fast.

It was only when Helios spotted the approaching vessels, that the unrest began.

“I SEE A FLEET OF TWELVE WAR GALLEYS COMING TOWARDS US, JASON,” he said with concern in his voice.

The sailors started to feel disturbed.

“WAR GALLEYS DID YOU SAY?” asked Heracles.

“COLCHIAN WAR GALLEYS,” Helios replied.

There was only one possible explanation, which anyone could think of.

“Aeetes must have found out we have the Fleece,” said Atalanta.

“How, I wonder?” Jason asked.

“That servant, Apsyrtus, must have double-crossed us,” replied Castor.

“Someone, must have double-crossed us,” Atalanta said.

The oarsmen nodded at one another in agreement.

Heracles had a darker thought on his mind.

“Unless, it was Mopsus who betrayed us,” he said.

“I don’t see how,” said Atalanta, who was unconvinced.

“Neither do I,” Orpheus said.

“He wasn’t at the palace when we were there,” said Zetes.

“And he certainly could not have reached it before us,” Lynceus said.

“We even moored the Argo before he set foot on land,” said Argus.

Even Jason wasn’t convinced. He suspected that it was someone living at the palace. But that was the least of his concerns, because he could now see the approaching fleet.

“AEETES IS ONBOARD THE NEAREST GALLEY,” Helios said. “AND THERE’S ANOTHER MAN WITH HIM.”

“ANOTHER MAN?” asked Jason.

“YES. HE’S ARMED AND APPEARS TO BE WEARING THESSALIAN ARMOUR.”

“THESSALIAN ARMOUR?” Heracles asked curiously.

“YES. LIKE THE ARMOUR ONBOARD THE ARGO.”

At that, the others began to doubt their thoughts, about Mopsus not having a hand in their betrayal. But how he had been involved, they had no idea.

However, there were far worse things for them to be concerned about. Facing a furious Aeetes and a fleet of twelve war galleys with prows like battering rams.

“Aeetes has obviously come for the Fleece,” said Atalanta.

“It looks like we have no choice, but to give it to him,” Heracles said.

“We may be strong warriors, but that’s nothing against Aeetes and his army,” said Castor.

“He must have over a thousand warriors,” Heracles said.

“There’s nothing for it then,” said Atalanta. “We have to give the Fleece back.”

Jason had no intention to give the Fleece back to the king, but he didn’t intend to keep it either. He had something else in mind.

“There is one way to prevent Aeetes from getting the Fleece,” he said.

“How?” asked Heracles.

“By doing the same thing that king Cyzicus would do if he had the Fleece.”

Everyone, except Helios, who had never met king Cyzicus, thought that Jason had suddenly lost his senses.

“You don’t mean –“ Atalanta began.

“I do.”

“Are you seriously telling us, that you’re going to cast the Fleece into the sea?” asked Castor.

“Yes, I am.”

“You’re mad,” Pollux said.

“Yes, mad,” said Orpheus.

Even Heracles and Atalanta thought so.

“I may be mad, but king Cyzicus was right in saying that no mortal has the right to possess the Fleece. He was also right in saying that the Fleece never should have been stolen from the last of the golden sheep of Colchis.”

For a moment there was silence.

“So, Jason, you’re starting to think along the same lines as king Cyzicus?" Heracles asked.

“I am. If I cast the Fleece into the sea, then no mortal will be able to lay hands on it, including Aeetes and Pelias too.”

“I think it will be a foolish move to make,” said Idas.

“So do I,” Admetus said.

“And I,” said Butes.

“Even if you do cast the Fleece overboard, we won’t escape our fate,” Telamon said.

“Aeetes will still bring about our doom,” said Argos.

For once, Jason didn’t get annoyed with the oarsmen, for he could see no way out of what was to come.

“There’s only one thing for it,” said Heracles, who wasn’t annoyed either.

“What’s that?” Jason asked.

“We must stop and face the fleet.

“I agree,” said Atalanta.

“Me too,” Jason said.

He faced the oarsmen.

“Stop rowing. There’s no point in running any further.”

The oarsmen stopped rowing without the slightest bit of hesitation. All of them were of the same mind as Jason.

There was only one choice and that was to face the fleet, which was drawing nearer.

Closer and closer those galleys came, until they caught up with the Argo. The nearest galley came right up alongside the Argo.

King Aeetes was onboard with Mopsus by his side. Both of them had menacing looks of victory on their faces.

“The game’s over, Jason,” Aeetes said. “You cannot outrun us.”

“I see that Mopsus is with your lordship,” Jason said coldly.

“Mopsus betrayed you all, Jason. He told me about your position in the royal family of Thessaly.”

“We never saw him at the palace, your lordship,” said Jason.

“Mopsus came to the palace, after you and the Argonauts left Aea. He was present by the waterfront when the Argo departed.”

Jason, was taken by surprise. Never once had it occurred to him that Mopsus may have been present, when he and the Argonauts were preparing to leave Colchis. Nor had it occurred to him, that the former Argonaut had betrayed them, after the Argo had set sail.

Heracles, who was fuming, like most of the Argonauts, lost his temper.

“IF I WERE ON THAT SHIP, I’D CLUB YOU TO A PULP, MOPSUS,” he roared.

“So would I if I had Heracles’ strength,” said Castor.

“And I,” Orpheus said.

“Me too,” said Meleager.

Everyone else felt the same, including Jason and Atalanta. They all wanted to get back at the former Argonaut.

“ENOUGH!” Aeetes bellowed. “I want the Fleece back.”

Silence fell onboard the Argo.

“Give me the Fleece and I’ll spare your lives. If you refuse, then my fleet will send you all to the bottom of the sea.”

Everyone onboard, was terrified – most of all Jason.

The captain knew not what would happen when he cast the Fleece overboard.

“Very well,” he said in a voice of hysterical calmness.

The Argonauts thought that Jason had finally lost it, but not one of them dared say a word in the presence of Aeetes.

“I knew he would,” Mopsus said to Aeetes.

The latter watched as Jason pulled the Fleece out of a secret compartment and for some reason, tied it to his shield.

“If you want the Fleece back, go and fetch it,” said Jason.

He hurled the treasure into the sea.

“There, go and fetch it.”

Aeetes was stunned by Jason’s move. He watched as the Fleece sank beneath the waves.

Mopsus was equally as stunned as were the warriors onboard the galleys.

“I don’t have the Fleece, your lordship doesn’t have the Fleece,” Jason said.

He and the Argonauts waited fearfully with baited breaths. How was Aeetes going to react?

A wicked smile appeared on the king’s face.

“You’re a very clever, cunning man, Jason,” he said with a laugh.

“What are you going to do, your lordship?” asked Mopsus. “Are you going to destroy them?”

The king was totally at a loss, for he hadn’t expected Jason to cast the Fleece into the sea. In fact he admired the young captain’s craftiness. Therefore, he decided not to strike.

“Well, your lordship?” Mopsus asked again with impatience in his voice.

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Because I see no point, now that the Fleece is gone.”

Mopsus seethed furiously as Aeetes turned his fleet back towards Colchis.

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