Chapter 4

Jason was conducted to a more modest tent, the quarters of a soldier on patrol judging by the discarded clothes in the corner. He was baffled by the trust Pasiphae seemed to have in him. He couldn't imagine why he wasn't in the cages with his friends. Was it a rule of diplomacy that an invited guest had to be well treated? He really didn't know. Although there was a guard posted at the door so his confinement wasn't entirely cordial.

The rest of the day was interminable. Jason alternated between lying on the cot and pacing the tent, waiting for night to fall, chafing to make his departure from the camp. He'd seen and heard enough, and was ready to return to Atlantis. He was grateful that Pasiphae didn't seek his presence again that day, obviously giving him the night to consider her proposal, and in the long hours of the afternoon he pondered the circumstances in which he found himself. Not even slightly was he tempted to become Pasiphae's second in command. The idea of spending his days allied to her was unthinkable. She had already been defeated once in her quest for Atlantis, he could much better serve the city by remaining within its walls, than by staying close to Pasiphae. And he couldn't quite understand her motives. Why would she place any importance on him. Because he had retaken the Palladium? Because he had fought well against her army? Neither of those things had he done individually and it seemed odd to single him out. And the timing of the offer was interesting. Pasiphae was only defeated two days ago, what made her think he might be persuaded to join a camp in tatters? Did she think that the destruction of the city fresh in his mind might motivate him to prevent it from happening again? The whole thing was weird. Even after two years in ancient Greece he couldn't quite get a handle on the customs and people of this time, he always felt like he was missing something. But he had to admit, the adventure had been a welcome diversion from moping about Ariadne.

When the sky was black, and movement outside had abated, Jason drew out the small knife secreted at his wrist and slashed the wall of the tent. He cautiously poked his head through, made sure no guards were in the vicinity, and climbed out.

He had no idea where his friends were. There were only two guards on patrol in the camp and he had no trouble avoiding them as he explored the area, trying to find where two caged men might be kept. When he had reconnoitred the entire area without success he stopped and scratched his head. Then he looked into the inky blackness beyond the camp, and could just make out some shapes in the distance. He jogged over, hoping fervently that the guards weren't in a position to notice him.

He discovered his friends in wooden cages not nearly big enough to contain them. Both were laying on their side with their knees drawn to their chest and Hercules was snoring loudly, which made Jason smile. Pythagoras stirred as soon as Jason drew close, and sat up.

"Jason!"

The utter relief in his friend's voice made Jason wince. "I'm sorry. I didn't come earlier in case I was seen."

"No, no, I knew you were coming," Pythagoras assured warmly. "And I am very glad to see you."

Jason jerked a thumb toward Hercules. "He seems quite comfortable in there," he quipped. "Do you think we should leave him?"

Hercules roused at Jason's voice. "What?" He stretched out a leg and bumped it against the side of the cage, growling in frustration. "This is inhuman," he muttered, and rolled into a sitting position, a similar pose to Pythagoras. It was then that he noticed Jason, and his face stretched into a grin.

"Thank the Gods," Hercules sighed. Then added hopefully, "I don't suppose you brought food."

Jason reached inside his tunic and produced a cloth parcel. He handed it through the bars to Hercules who unwrapped the material, then whimpered in delight when he saw Jason's evening meal contained within. "Ask me to marry you."

Jason chuckled. "No, because you might say yes." He gave Pythagoras an apologetic look. "I'm afraid that's all I have."

"Don't worry. I can contain my appetite until we return to Atlantis."

There was little difficulty in Jason opening the cages, he used the small knife to saw through the bindings holding the bars together. He kept flicking his eyes toward the camp, watchful for anyone approaching, but the patrol of the guards didn't appear to extend beyond the line of tents, and the breakout was never in danger of being interrupted. Jason thought idly that if he was second in command he might suggest security be tightened. But then Pasiphae was probably more concerned about people entering the camp than leaving it. The men finally spilled out of the enclosures ungracefully, and painfully extended their legs, working away the cramp of confinement. Removing the manacles at their wrists was a easy as lifting the bolt at each cuff.

"Horses," Hercules demanded, mouthing around a piece of bread.

Jason peered uncertainly toward the camp. There were horses, he had seen them, but horses were loud and unruly, they would likely draw attention.

Pythagoras echoed Jason's thoughts when he said, "Surely we should make a quick escape and not press our luck."

"We could get back to Atlantis in a quarter of the time with horses," Hercules insisted.

"No," Jason returned decisively. It seemed foolish to re-enter the camp and risk getting caught when their escape on foot was assured. Before Hercules could complain further he took the first few steps on their return journey to Atlantis, forcing Hercules to grudgingly follow.

"Jason and his friends are gone." Goran, the queen's general, kept his eyes respectfully lowered, and braced himself for the outburst that might follow.

Pasiphae was perched on pillows in her bed, awake with the dawn but not yet presentable to the camp. When the general had requested an audience despite her indisposition, she figured it had to be important, and granted him entry. She sniffed at the news he brought, annoyed but not at all surprised. Her son was resourceful, the only way she could have forced his continued presence at the camp would have been to restrain him and she didn't wish to set that tone for their relationship.

"How many dead?" she asked.

"None."

Pasiphae raised her brows in surprise. "Not even the guard at his door?"

"No Majesty."

She pressed her lips together. Jason could probably have slain the whole camp while they slept if he was so minded, that he didn't, that he didn't even slay one, showed real short-sightedness on his part. His lack of ruthlessness dismayed her, it was a character flaw that needed addressing.

"Thank you," she dismissed the man. Her encounter with Jason may be over but she was certain she would see him again. Their paths were intertwined, and had been for a while, meeting again was inevitable.

Goran hesitated before leaving, drew in a breath and said, "You never told me why Jason was invited to the camp. It was a dangerous move. Was it worth it?"

Pasiphae regarded him thoughtfully. "I think it was."

Hours away from Pasiphae's camp, the men rested beside a stream. Pythagoras enthusiastically created a 'tonic' using the stream water and some herbs he had picked up on the journey, and exhorted his friends to drink. Jason was always impressed by Pythagoras's easy ability to identify medicinal plants, and use them to their benefit. He seemed to have a remedy for everything. The tonic tasted awful, but Jason felt reinvigorated after drinking.

"What do you think that was all about?" Jason ventured, as he lay on the ground with his hands behind his head, staring at the canopy of trees above. "With Pasiphae?"

Hercules shot a warning look to Pythagoras, and replied lightly, "I think you are the hero of Atlantis. And Pasiphae thought removing you from the city, would bring the city undone."

Jason chewed it over for a moment, then turned his focus to Pythagoras. "What about you? What do you think?"

Pythagoras averted his gaze uncomfortably, but after some consideration was able to return honest eyes to Jason, as he solemnly answered, "I think Pasiphae sees the value in you. I believe having you by her side would be equal to being queen of Atlantis."

Jason huffed a disbelieving laugh. "I don't think that's it."

Pythagoras could only smile sadly at his friend, who was unaware that his mother was reaching out to him.

Safely back at their house in Atlantis, Jason immediately felt the weight of depression settle over him. The familiar surroundings reminded him of his troubles - Ariadne. He sat at the table and rested his head in his hands.

Hercules recognized the despondent expression and lay a comforting hand on his shoulder. "You're tired."

"We're all tired."

"Yes, but you need sleep like I need wine."

Jason chuckled, then tilted his head quizzically. "Wait. Was that an insult? Are you saying I sleep too much?"

Hercules blinked slowly, unsure how Jason had found offence in his flippant comment. "I'm saying you should go to bed now."

Jason didn't feel like arguing, he really was exhausted, although he felt a little ashamed that neither of his friends was falling into bed, Pythagoras was out finding food. He rose wearily from the table, but then planted the knuckles of his fists onto the wooden surface, and dropped his head.

"What?" Hercules prompted.

Jason regarded him uncertainly. "Do you think I should tell Ariadne? About the meeting with Pasiphae?"

"No," Hercules replied gently. And the answer was honest, not just an attempt to keep Jason from a source of pain. "Nothing came out of that meeting that Ariadne needs to know about."

Hercules didn't add that he intended to send a note to Ariadne's guard, alerting them to Pasiphae's whereabouts. Better for Jason to think they had no accountability to the Queen.

Jason nodded, and gave a small regretful smile before wandering to his room and dropping onto the bed.

Hercules watched after him fondly, and felt the gravity of the role the Gods had asked him to play. There could be no greater honour than protecting Jason. And nothing he wouldn't do to keep him safe.

The End