GOLDEN FLEECE QUEST:TREASURE STEALING

“So, Helios, tell us why you wish to leave Colchis,” Jason said.

“To get away from Aeetes. A vile, ruthless king is Aeetes. Most of those who get on the wrong side of him, are brutally tortured to death, in the most devastating ways imaginable."

“That’s outrageous,” Heracles said.

“Aeetes never revealed any of this to me when Heracles and I first came here,” said Atalanta.

“If I had the opportunity, I would take a sword and plunge it, right into his foul, black heart,” Helios said.

No one said anything in protest.

“I would do the same,” said Castor.

“And me,” Pollux said.

“Me too,” said Admetus.

“I would tear him apart with my bare hands,” Argus said.

“I would set a pack of hounds on him,” said Butes.

“I would have him drawn and quartered,” Orpheus said.

“I would have him ground to a pulp,” said Idas.

“Alright, alright,” Heracles said. “You’ve said your pieces.”

Heracles was too appalled by Helios’ revelation to be annoyed and so were Jason and Atalanta.

“I think we should tell Helios why we’ve come for the Fleece,” said Atalanta.

“I think so too,” Jason said.

Helios was ready for anything.

“Tell me everything,” he said with deep enthusiasm.

“Well, Helios, the first thing you should know, is that we didn’t tell Aeetes the full story,” said Jason. “Not the whole truth in fact.

“The point is, I am no ordinary ship’s captain. In reality, I am the son of Aeson and Medea of Thessaly.”

Helios was taken right by surprise.

“You’ve got royal blood in your veins?” he asked open-mouthed.

“Indeed I have. When I was ten, King Pelias, who happens to be my uncle, seized the kingdom and had my parents imprisoned.

“I wasn’t around to witness it, because Heracles and Atalanta took me from the palace and raised me to adulthood. I learned how to fight and hunt.”

Helios was most fascinated.

“Have you returned to the palace yet to confront Pelias?” he asked.

“I have, but he refused to hand back the kingdom, unless I get him the Golden Fleece.”

“Are you under your uncle’s orders then?”

“Not in the least. I don’t believe a word he said and neither do Heracles and Atalanta. We believe that Pelias only wants the Fleece.

“However, I decided to come here to try and get the Fleece, in order to fool Pelias into believing that I fell for his deception.”

Helios thought that was as a very clever and cunning move. Most impressed he was too. At the same time, he envied Jason.

“A very cunning man you are, Jason,” he said. “Yet I envy you. My whole life I’ve wanted to be a king, to rule a kingdom peacefully.”

Jason thought that Helios had every right to be envious.

“In all our travels, Atalanta and I have heard many men, women and children say as much,” said Heracles.

“We don’t want to be rulers though.”

“Speaking of travelling, when do you and the Argonauts intend to return to Thessaly, Jason?” Helios asked.

“After we’ve taken on food and water tomorrow. That is if Aeetes doesn’t suspect our deception beforehand, or find out about it even.”

“I sure can’t wait to go with you all,” said Helios. “Though I know nothing about rowing, so I’ll need to practice.”

Jason set Helios’ mind at rest on that matter.

“You won’t need to row,” he said.

“I won’t?”

“No, you won’t. I’ll put you on watch up in the crow’s nest.”

Helios was familiar with that, for he had seen many ships coming into Aea and vice versa. Taking up position of watchman sounded perfect to him.

“Fine by me,” he said.

“Now the other Argonauts will introduce themselves to you,” said Heracles.

One by one, the other crew members introduced themselves to Helios.

“Now you are an Argonaut, Helios,” Jason said.

“You’re one of us now,” said Heracles.

“Welcome to the crew,” Atalanta said.

Never had Helios felt better in his life. Now he was part of something special – something, which Aeetes had no rule over.

As soon as he thought that, a man carrying a large sack, came into the throne room. The man was around his age and was wearing old sandals and worn-out clothes.

“Here is the servant, which I told you about, Atalanta,” said Helios.

“Which one of you is Jason?” the servant asked.

Jason faced the servant.

“I am.”

“Well, Jason, it is done. I drugged the guard’s drinks. They won’t wake up until tomorrow morning.”

“Well done,” Jason said. “Whoever you are?”

“Apsyrtus is my name,” said the servant, who handed the sack to Jason. “Hide the Fleece inside it.”

“Thank you for your help, Apsyrtus,” Jason said,

“You’re welcome.”

Apsyrtus left the throne room.

So the moment had finally arrived – the moment, which Jason and the Argonauts had been waiting for.

It was time to seize the Golden Fleece.

“Time to get this over with,” said Heracles.

He exited the throne room, through the pair of side doors, which Apsyrtus had come through.

He then made his way stealthily through some of the ground level areas of the palace. Along the way, he saw guards, either slumped against walls, or sprawled out.

At one point, he went through a pair of doors, leading to an area of Moonlit gardens round the back of the palace. The guards by the doors lay flat out.

The gardens were formal to look at with fruit bushes, flowers, an arbour, fountains, paths and trees.

In the centre, there was a tree, which stood up to thirty feet tall. Hanging over one of its branches, was a large woolly object.

It was none other than, the Golden Fleece.

The two guards protecting it lay sprawled out.

For Hercules, it was easy to get the Fleece. He silently approached the tree, pulled the treasure off the branch and went back into the palace.

“I have the Fleece,” he said when he entered the throne room.

“Well done, Heracles,” said Atalanta.

Neither Jason, nor any of the other Argonauts said anything at first, for they were so inspired by the Fleece.

The treasure was a marvel to behold. Unlike any ordinary fleece, it was pure gold in colour.

“You have done well, Heracles,” Jason said.

“Thank you.”

Heracles handed the Fleece to Jason, who put it in the sack.

“Do you suppose Aeetes will suspect us, when he discovers the Fleece has been stolen?” asked Jason.

“Possibly,” Heracles replied. “But I’m sure we’ll get out of it somehow.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if he bursts in here to question us tomorrow before we leave,” said Atalanta.

Recommend Write a ReviewReport