MEDEA

04

04|under the moon

I am unsure of what happened exactly.

One moment we were all talking peacefully, the next the guards had drawn their weapons, the Greeks formed a defensive ring, my father had leapt out of his seat and I was in the middle of it all, my arms outstretched.

"Stop!" I shouted.

Every eye was on me now. I suddenly wished I was not covered in seaweed and was wearing something more pretty.

"Father, please," I said imploringly. "Ask everyone to stand down."

Reluctantly, he sat, glaring and the guards sheathed their weapons. The room let out a collective sigh of relief. If I could lull a dragon to sleep, my silver tongue could definitely convince stubborn Aeetus.

I realized I was standing close to Jason, close enough that I could feel his warm breath on my shoulder.

"Give them a chance," I begged.

Aeetus was furious, both at her intrusion and her treachery. "Medea, you are a daughter of Colchis yet you side with these foreigners? Learn your place in this court."

I hung my head, feigning shame. "Yes, but they have only come here to ask for the fleece, not the kingdom's entire wealth."

"The fleece is the kingdom's wealth," snapped my father. "I see no reason why I should give it away."

"Because it is, truthfully, ours. Chrysomallos belonged to Greece," said Jason, stepping up beside me. Goosebumps erupted where our arms briefly touched.

Aeetues sneered. "The golden ram came to Colchis to get away from you bastard Greeks. Now you come in search of his fur too."

"Father, remember Phrixus," I appealed. "Remember that you gave him an opportunity, a second chance at life despite him being a Greek. All I am asking you is to do the same to these strangers."

Jason eyed me from my side. Perhaps he was confused as to why the Colchian princess was taking his side.

"Besides, you wouldn't want war with all the states of Greece. I see men from all parts of the land and imprisoning them would anger their kings," I added. My father would not turn down my advice. I was his best war council.

Aeetus considered this, weighing his options.

I knew I could not get him to freely give the fleece nor did I want him to. I wanted my father to give me an excuse to meet Jason, to show him that he could trust me, to have him depend on me.

And that is exactly what I got.

Finally, he spoke. "Since my clever daughter has vouched for your cause, I shall give you the golden fleece. You will have to prove your worth first though." He pointed at Jason. "Your general must perform one task to gain my favor. Are you willing?"

Jason lifted his chin. "More than willing. Anything you wish for is my command."

A smile spread across Aeetus' face. It was more unsettling than seeing him angry. "Well then, tomorrow, when the sun is at it's highest point of it's path, come to the palace grounds. Your task will be waiting for you."

Jason nodded, unaware of the peril in those words. "I will be there, King Aeetus."

"You're dismissed," my father waved them off without another glance. After all, they were a problem with an immediate solution.

Jason and his crew filed out silently, wondering what awaited them.

Luckily for them, I knew what it was.