EPISODE 92

IN WHICH THE ARGONAUTS PART COMPANY

Previously: The Argonauts have just escaped the giant Talus thanks to Medea’s witchcraft. And Apollo has come to their aid by offering them a little light.

The voyage was approaching its end. The ship sailed fast and kept a straight course. When the shores of their native land appeared on the horizon, the Argonauts burst out with joy. Each one laughed, wept. They all fell into each other’s arms. They had succeeded! They were returning to their homeland, victorious and alive! Even Jason was radiant with happiness. He had draped the Golden Fleece over his shoulder and could not take his eyes off the approaching shores. Medea alone kept herself apart from the general gaiety. She had abandoned everything so that Jason might return triumphant, she had betrayed her father, left her homeland, killed her half-brother. She regretted nothing, but she could not bring herself to rejoice all the same.

The reception of the heroes of the Golden Fleece was quite exceptional. Great celebrations were organized. People sang, danced, hailed the heroes. And already their adventures were spreading by word of mouth, like a legend. Having made the most of this triumphant return, Jason assembled the Argonauts one last time on the beach before the moored Argo. Orpheus played one last tune, Echion told the story of their long epic. They all listened in silence to the narrative of the conquest of the Golden Fleece. Hermes had taken advantage of the darkness in order to come close. He saw many smiles and many tears that night. A little before the day rose, Jason called each man in turn and held him tight in his arms, weeping. They had faced so many dangers together; this separation was painful for all of them. Each, however, had to follow his own path from now on. Hermes was proud of his sons. He looked at his children walk away in the distance, and he saw that they had become men.

Jason remained alone on the beach beside the hull of his ship, which had now become useless. It was then that Medea approached and laid her hand on his shoulder.

“There is one thing left for you to accomplish: recover your crown and avenge your parents. I can punish your uncle Pelias, if you wish it. It is because of him that you embarked on this adventure.”

Jason did not have his heart set on vengeance. He sighed and said:

“Without that tyrant Pelias, I would never have experienced what I have just lived through; I would never have met my companions. And all these trials have made me into a different man.”

Medea insisted: “Even if you have succeeded in the trial he forced upon you, even if you have brought back the Golden Fleece, Pelias will not give you back your kingdom.”

Jason remained silent for a moment. Medea always knew his secret desires. He turned towards her and he said to her in a strangled voice: “Do as you wish.”

 

To be continued…