Medea | ✔

03

03 | a dissolution in corinth

Ten years had passed, since Jason and Medea had fled Iolcus. As much as her plan to get rid of Jason's uncle had worked, she hadn't thought of the consequences. His son, Acastus, had chased them out of Iolcus. It was only days after they'd discovered Pelias, lifeless and bloodied, with his daughters grieving over his body. Acastus had branded the couple as murderers, sentencing them to exile. No matter how many times Medea had insisted that it was not her doing that his father had died, it fell on deaf ears. Rumour had it that he had also sentenced his sisters. Medea, of course, held no sympathy. If the girls had more sense in those small heads of theirs, they wouldn't have fallen for her trap.

Eventually, after countless arguments and tiresome journeys, they finally settled in Corinth. It was a couple of weeks travel from Thessaly. They'd been forced to pass through Athens. Through the traveller's city of Megara. Lastly, they'd had to cross the Isthmus of Corinth, a small strip of land connecting Greece and a land known as the Peloponnese. An island that had been conquered and ruled by Pelops. A man whose own father had killed him, serving him to the gods. A man who, when sent back down to the land by the heavens, was granted an ivory shoulder by Demeter. It was a wonderful land; much nicer than Iolcus.

Amongst her travels she'd given birth to Thessalus. Once they had settled, Medea had also given Jason two more sons: Mermeros and Pheres. With Jason's treasure from his travels, she hadn't had to worry about how they'd live. She needn't worry about how they were going to afford the large home they were living in. Medea lived, relatively, worry free. Happiness had radiated through her. The children were spitting images of their father, and she couldn't have treasured them any more than she already did.

But as much as she loved her sons, and they her... it was her husband she had recently become concerned about. Life in Corinth hadn't been the smoothest. While Jason was renowned for his journey to Colchis – and the journey back spread like wildfire – he was also burdened by the events of Pelias' unexpected death. Acastus had taken the throne, and a king naming you a murderer was not one so easily removed. Medea had ignored the insult. She had been called far worse since they settled down in the city.

The women, at first, seemed to dislike her. They spoke in hushed tones, gawking at her. They scurried their children off away from her, separating her children too. Of course, her own little ones did not understand – and their nurse had tried to explain. It just became something they had become accustomed to. It enraged Medea and as much as she wanted to punish the gossiping gaggle of wives, Jason had convinced her otherwise. More blood on her – and more importantly his – hands wouldn't do anybody any good. Especially not for their young children.

Things had, eventually, calmed down. The women hadn't exactly accepted Medea as one of them – she held herself higher than gossiping and spreading false news – but they invited her round. They chatted to her, attempted to show her the life of a good wife. Unfortunately for them (and her dear husband), she was not going to tether herself to their ideals. Of course, she had provided Jason with healthy sons. Powerful sons. She also organised the household staff.

Although she did not invest her time in spinning and weaving, like the other wives. Instead, she had devoted her free to her magic. It was important that she kept up with her skills, experimenting with new potions. The nurse that Jason had bought looked after her sons, and sometimes the housework (Medea did not need half a dozen slaves running round, interrupting rituals). Jason had expected her to cover hersef head-to-toe when she left the house. "To avoid other men's gazes", he once claimed. Medea did not listen. She walked outside her house in whatever cloth she liked. As she'd told Jason, the men could gaze all they want but she would not allow herself to be touched by them. No. That was reserved for Jason, and only Jason.