After an excessive amount of ceremonial waving, King Pelias bid them farewell. The last of the crowd dispersed, and the thirty chosen Argonauts were left alone on the beach.
They settled around a large campfire in front of the ghostly structure of the stadium, passing skins of wine between them.
Jason got to his feet and looked around at his crew. “Argonauts, I’m honored that all of you here tonight have pledged to join me on the greatest voyage ever sailed. Some of you know each other already, but for those that don’t, let me make some introductions. We have one legend among us, whose reputation needs no preamble from me.” Jason bowed to Heracles, then gestured to the bald-headed brothers beside him. “Castor and Pollux, otherwise known as the diabolical twins. You wouldn’t want to face these two in the boxing ring.” The men grinned. Danae noted Castor was the one with the scar. Jason pointed at the bearskin warrior. “Ancaeus, the bane of any monster in the Peloponnese.” Atalanta snorted. Either Ancaeus didn’t hear her, or he pretended not to. Jason continued, “Tiphys, our navigator and the finest sailor in all of Greece.” He nodded toward a wiry man with copper skin and a long silver beard. Danae’s heart ached. He looked a little like her father. “Orpheus.” Jason pointed at a round-faced man with apricot cheeks and a lyre resting on his lap. “A musician whose voice is sweeter than a lark’s—”
Heracles interrupted him. “And you?”
Jason faltered. “I’m Jason, the captain—”
“Yes, I know your name. But what have you done?” Heracles gestured around the fire. “Like you said, I know by reputation most of the people here. But before this voyage, I’d never heard of you. And you’re damned young to be a captain.”
There were a few mutterings of agreement.
Jason forced out a laugh. “You’re right. I am young to captain a ship.” He paused. “I am the rightful King of Iolcos.”
“What?” Telamon looked at his brother, Peleus, for confirmation.
“It’s true.” The firelight illuminated the hunger in Jason’s eyes. “I was living as a shepherd when I received a message from Hera, the Queen of Heaven herself, telling me of my birthright. I came to Iolcos to claim my throne.”
A muscle twitched in Heracles’s jaw.
“Let me get this straight,” said Telamon. “You marched up to King Pelias’s gate, told him you were going to take his kingdom and in return he put you in charge of a crew of the deadliest warriors in all of Greece?”
“Not quite.” Jason smiled. “At first, he wanted to have me executed. But he was ordered to let me put together this expedition by his priestesses. If I return with the golden fleece, I will be given my crown by divine decree. You see, my destiny is written by the fates. By joining me on this quest, you will all cement your reputations for centuries to come.”
“Ifyou return.” Heracles threw an empty wineskin to the ground. “Clever move on Pelias’s part. All this makes him look like a pious and generous king. Not to mention powerful, gathering all of us together at his command. It’s a dangerous voyage, all he has to do is wait for tragedy to strike.”
The charm slipped from Jason’s face. “I’m surprised you, of all people, doubt the will of the gods. Hera’s, in particular.”
Heracles remained silent, glowering into the fire.
“How about we hear that legendary voice of yours?” Ancaeus said to Orpheus.
“Yes.” Jason clapped his hands, seemingly glad of the distraction. “Music!”
The musician smiled dreamily and lifted his lyre, cradling it as if it were his lover. As he began to play, a shiver ran over Danae’s skin. His voice was like the first breath of dawn, the rush of a tumbling river, and the pounding of horses’ hooves charging into battle, all at once.
“In the beginning, before first light
Before cities and temples and law took flight,
The earth was broken, wild and dark,
The Titans’ rule left its evil mark.
This is how it came to be,
The life we tread from dawn ’til eve,
The Twelve who watch over us all,
The sun, the stars, the earth and sea.
The gods descended from on high,
Zeus, most wise, let his thunder fly,
The Twelve battled fierce and strong,
