Heroes: Volume II of Mythos

T HREE G ODDESSES Jason’s anguished complaints rose into the heavens where they reached the ears of Athena and Hera on Mount Olympus. ‘He has a point,’ said Athena. ‘Until now I greatly admired his spirit,’ said Hera. ‘This whining self-pity is a disappointment. Comparing us to cats playing with mice. That is hardly proper.’ ‘He has some cause,’ countered Athena. ‘To have got so far and now be trapped into promising the impossible.’ Hera arched an eyebrow. ‘Nothing is impossible.’ ‘You are suggesting we intervene? Go down and assist him?’ ‘That would hardly do. Zeus has made it clear that he frowns on too much of that sort of thing. And heaven knows I have tried to make clear my views of his mortal entanglements. No, one rarely if ever makes appearances these days. We could send a plague to kill Aeëtes, perhaps?’ ‘But Jason has already sworn an oath to undergo the three trials. It makes no difference whether Aeëtes is alive or dead.’ ‘This is all most vexing,’ said Hera. ‘I am beginning to think my plan to use the young man as a means to punish Pelias for daring to violate my temple is too elaborate, too indirect. Perhaps Jason is not the right vessel. So young. So cocky and headstrong.’ Athena stroked the chest of the owl that sat on her shoulder. ‘Ah, I think I have it. The daughter of Aeëtes …’ ‘Chalciope?’ ‘No, the other – Medea.’ ‘What of her?’ ‘It happens that she is a worshipper of HECATE and skilled in her arts.’fn62 ‘Is she now?’ ‘None more so, they say. She could help Jason.’ ‘But why should she?’ ‘What is it that drives mortals more than anything? More than power or gold?’ ‘Ah!’ said Hera, nodding her head. ‘How wise you are, Athena. Seek Aphrodite out.’ Athena found the goddess of love in Cyprus. ‘How may I help you?’ asked Aphrodite. ‘Hera and I need a Princess of Colchis called Medea to fall in love with a Prince of Iolcos called Jason. You see, Hera intends this Jason to …’ ‘I really don’t need the reason,’ said Aphrodite. ‘I know this Medea. It has long irritated me to see how she devotes herself to Hecate while neglecting me. I shall send my boy to her at once.’

M EDEA Medea was sitting and reading a clay tablet on a window seat in the corridor of the palace when Eros arrived in the early morning. She did not see him, for the god of desire was invisible. He stood there, his quiverful of arrows over his shoulder and his silver bow strung and ready. ‘What a beautiful young woman,’ he thought to himself. ‘No wonder mother is annoyed that she has remained single all her life. Lucky Jason.’ He turned his head towards the entrance to the palace’s guest wing and blew. Jason woke suddenly in his bed. He sat up and rubbed his eyes. Strange dream. Eros had whispered in his ear and commanded him to … It was all nonsense. He had other things to think of than the sport of love. He must see if there was a way to defeat these oxen. No reason not to explore the palace; he might find something that could help. Eros shot his arrow into Medea’s chest and stepped back. She looked up from her tablet. The young prince Jason was walking along the corridor in her direction. Why had she not noticed how handsome he was? Oh my heavens, he was more than handsome, he was beautiful! That hair, that walk, those eyes, that slim but muscled frame. She stood. ‘Jason!’ He saw her. ‘Ah, Princess Medea, isn’t it? I wonder if you can help me. I’m looking for –’ ‘I can help you. Come, come with me.’ She led him by the hand to the corner of the palace where she kept her shrine to Hecate. She turned to him, her green eyes alight. ‘I am going to help you with your three trials.’ ‘That’s wonderful. Why?’ ‘Why? Because I love you, Jason. I love you and will come with you when you return to Greece. I will be by your side, always.’ This could only be the work of Eros. That must be what his dream had meant. Jason knew that his prayers had been heard. And how wonderful a way to answer them. This Medea was very beautiful indeed. ‘I am going to prepare a salve, an ointment,’ she said. ‘In the morning you must rub yourself all over with it. Every part of you, from the crown of your head to the soles of your feet.’ ‘Why? ‘It will protect you from the fire of the bulls. You will be invulnerable for the course of one day. As you anoint yourself, pray to Hecate. That is important. I’ll teach you the right words. You must learn them.’ ‘I will.’ ‘I love you, Jason. I would do anything for you. Anything.’ Anything. She meant it.