MEDEA

05

05|promises

The girl lead me through a maze of tents. We walked in silence for a short while and finally approached what looked like the Argo's council.

A group of men were gathered under an open tent supported by wooden poles. Fire torches cast an eerie light across their figures. They seemed to be in deep discussion and did not hear us approach.

"Jason, you need to meet someone," said the girl.

The group raised their heads and peered at me.

A man leaning against a pole snickered. "What have you brought us, Atalanta?"

Atalanta. It was a pretty name.

The man's eyes flickered over me lazily. "How did you manage to get a bed slave before the rest of us men?"

Appreciative laughs came from the group. I bit my lips to stop me from retorting in anger.

"If you had learnt kept that mouth shut, you wouldn't be fucking shrubs, Euphemus," said Atalanta coolly.

Euphemus turned red and curled his fists. "I will not allow a wo-".

"Enough," said a wary voice. Jason stood up and looked at us. "Who are you?"

I was crestfallen. He did not recognize me after all that I had for them. We had stood shoulder to shoulder against my father but he could not recall my face. Even Atalanta remembered but not my beloved.

I took a deep breath. "I am Medea, daughter of the King, princess of Colchis."

Everyone stood up, immediately on full alert. Euphemus straightened up and eyed me with renewed interest.

Jason bowed low. "Why has the princess payed us a visit so late?"

"I wish to speak to you alone." There was tremble in my voice that had not been there before. "Please, Jason."

He looked startled when I used his name.

"Leave us," he said to the group. They left, grumbling and throwing me distrustful glances. Only Atalanta smiled encouragingly before she followed them out.

"Sit down, your highness," he took my hand lightly and lead me to a chair. "And tell me what the urgent matter is."

"My father intends to have you killed tomorrow. No matter how much prepared you are, the task is impossible. No one but my father can succeed." The words escaped my lips faster than I could stop them.

In the glow of the fire, Jason went white. "How do you know this?"

"Because I have seen Aeetus perform this challenge before. He is the son of a titan and a nymph, divine blood runs through his veins. Your strength cannot rival that of a minor god's."

Jason raked a hand through his hair. "What will I do? I cannot return to Ioclus empty handed, I will be murdered. I cannot let my men down, they came so far in search of glory."

"There is one solution," I said softly.

Desperation filled across his face. "Anything. I am willing to do anything." Another promise to family of Colchis.

"It will not be free," I said. I needed him to agree to this more than he did.

"Name the price. Is it riches that you want? We have lots of that."

I shook my head. "No, not riches or fame. I want love. Your love."

His brow furrowed in confusion. "I don't think I understand."