She frowned, surprised by the question. She was still lightheaded from the dart. “I... I’m their seer.”
Hypsipyle’s eyes narrowed.
“I divine omens and relay the will of the gods.”
“You are their mantis.”
“Yes.” She had no idea what Hypsipyle was talking about.
“They listen to you?”
“Yes,” she said again, with more conviction than she felt.
“And you.” Hypsipyle pointed the sword at Atalanta. “You fight with them?”
Atalanta spat onto the sand. “I would give my life for the man your dog tried to kill.”
Thankfully Peta was too far away to hear the insult. Danae clenched her jaw. The last thing this situation needed was the warrior’s temper.
Hypsipyle appraised them both for a long moment. “Maybe I can make use of you after all.” She cut Danae’s bindings with her sword. “Make a move toward a weapon and I will kill you. Understand?”
Danae nodded, aware of the knife nestled in her bag.
Once free of her bonds, she rose unsteadily to her feet. Whether it was the effects of the dart or the strangely viscous air, she couldn’t quite shake the fog that had settled into the creases of her mind. A worrying predicament, given she had to negotiate for all their lives.
She was distracted by her itching wrists. Angry red welts circled her skin. She glanced down at the discarded bindings lying in the sand. They appeared to be fashioned from vines with black, mold-like spots. She rubbed her skin and looked warily at the hunters scattered around the beach.
Hypsipyle prodded her with the sword. “He is not your leader?” She gestured at Heracles.
“No.” Danae pointed to Jason.
Hypsipyle’s eyes roamed over the captain’s unconscious form. “Thisone?”
She nodded.
Hypsipyle marched her over to him. “This is the deal I offer you. Our homes were damaged by the storm. You will repair them for us, then we will allow you to take wood from the island to mend your ship. Break your word and we will kill you. Your leader and your men must agree to these terms.”
Danae didn’t trust her, but what choice did she have? She nodded.
Hypsipyle crouched down and pulled the darts from Jason’s neck. Then, she took a small bottle of amber liquid from a pouch on her belt and wafted the contents under Jason’s nose. His eyelids fluttered. Then he struggled like a newborn lamb, his legs flapping uselessly against the sand.
Hypsipyle placed a firm hand on his thigh.
“Wh-what have you done to me?” Jason slurred.
“I am Hypsipyle, Queen of Lemnos. We bound you to protect ourselves from those who come uninvited to our shores.” The other hunters were looking at the Argonauts with sullen, mistrustful eyes. “Tell me who you are.”
Jason pulled himself up against the tree trunk. “I am Jason, captain of theArgoand rightful King of Iolcos.” He looked as though he was going to be sick.
Danae was suddenly reminded of how young he was. For all his bravado and confidence, he was a boy playing at being a captain, in charge of warriors far older than him and hardened by years of bloodshed.
Hypsipyle moved her face closer to his. “This is what will happen, Jason. I will wake your men, and you will stop them from attacking us.” She glanced at Heracles. “If you fail, you all die. Understand?”
Jason nodded.
“Good.” She straightened up, staking her sword into the sand and folding her hands over the pommel. “Tell him the deal, Mantis.”
Danae relayed the bargain Hypsipyle had offered.
