Heroes: Volume II of Mythos

T O C RETE ‘I’ll tell you what we can do,’ said Theseus rising angrily from his couch. ‘We can act less like frightened goats and more like true Athenians!’fn16 ‘That’s all very well for you to say, you weren’t there when Minos’s fleet stood in Piraeus harbour …’ But Theseus was not interested in the past, only the future. It is one of the distinguishing features of heroes that makes them appealing and unappealing at one and the same time. ‘How are these fourteen sacrificial lambs chosen?’ ‘I am proud to say,’ said Aegeus, summoning up what dignity and regal authority he could, ‘that like the true Athenians they are, they volunteer. Hundreds offer themselves willingly every year. We draw lots to choose the final seven for each group.’ ‘One of the seven youths will be me,’ said Theseus. ‘And we shall select the other thirteen not by lots, but by holding games. I want only the most fit, fleet, cunning and clever to accompany me to Crete and end this nonsense …’ ‘But Theseus, my boy – consider!’ wailed Aegeus. ‘The conditions lay down that the fourteen must arrive on Crete unarmed. What hope can you have when you will be under guard from the moment you make landfall? What will it matter how fast, strong or smart you are? Why throw your life away? The system has worked for the past five years. It is not … ideal, and I readily admit that it reflects little credit on us, but defeat is defeat and …’ Not another word would Theseus hear. He left the room and set to work right away on devising the games and tests that would select the cream of Athenian youth for the journey to Crete. Aegeus sighed. He loved his son dearly but he was beginning to wonder if, all those years ago, he had been wrong to let Pittheus persuade him to loosen his bulging wineskin … maybe this is what the oracle had meant about it all ending with grief. On a fine spring morning on the sixth day of the month of Mounichion,fn17 Aegeus sat nervously on his throne, which had been carried in a litter to the harbour wall at Piraeus. A small ship, enough for a crew of five and fourteen passengers, was being provisioned. The king, under a flapping canopy, busied himself issuing commands for the loading of some extra cargo. ‘There’s no harm in offering Minos gifts,’ he told Theseus. ‘He may have softened his heart. If he knows that my own son … my own son …’ Theseus put a hand on his father’s shoulder. ‘Cheer up. The gods favour boldness. We will all be back before you know it.’ He turned and jumped up onto the gunwales of the ship to address those gathered on the quayside to see them off. The families of the thirteen young people hand-picked by Theseus from all those who offered themselves were at the front, easily identifiable by their pale, drawn faces and the black mourning cloaks they wore. ‘People of Athens!’ cried Theseus. ‘Be of good cheer. We young people go with glad hearts and will return to gladden yours.’ The thirteen behind him, all dressed like Theseus in sacrificial white and garlanded with flowers, raised their arms in salute and cheered. The anxious and stricken families on the quay did their best to cheer back. ‘Hoist sails and ho for Crete!’ As black sailcloth was unfurled from the yards, Aegeus came bustling up to his son. ‘Now listen,’ he said. ‘I have given the captain instructions. I will be standing on the top of the Acropolis every day to watch for your return. If the ship returns empty, if disaster has struck and you have failed …’ ‘… never happen …’ ‘… then he is to fly the black sails, but if the gods have been pleased to spare you and the ship returns in triumph …’ ‘… which is a certainty …’ ‘… he is to hoist white sails. So that I will know. You understand?’ The earnestness of the king’s demeanour amused Theseus. ‘Don’t you worry yourself, father. It will be white sails all the way home. Now, grab an olive branch to wave and try to look happy. We are ready to sail.’ ‘May the gods bless you and watch over you always, Theseus my son.’ Prayers to Poseidon were offered up, petals and grains of corn were tossed into the waters and the ship sailed.