The sun found them all strolling along the quay, looking for a boat that would take them to Colchis, but with little chance. Terrified sailors answered them in trembling voices that no one would sail to Colchis, the land of witches and monsters. By midday, desperate, they entered a tavern to eat a bit before trying again. They ordered food and drink.

"What will we do if we fail to find a ship?" Hercules asked as he served himself a cup of wine.

Jason shrugged as he munched on a chunk of bread. "We'll try again tomorrow, and the day after. We need to get there, Atlantis's fate depends on it." He hoped he sounded more confident than he felt. He would never accept that his quest would stop before it even started. Too many people depended on its success.

A strange fellow cleared his throat at a nearby table before he addressed them. "Excuse me?"

Jason turned toward him. "Yes?"

"I couldn't help but hear that you were looking for a ship, and something about Atlantis."

Pythagoras choked on water and Icarus patted his back while looking around nervously. Hercules had lifted his considerable bum from his chair, ready to flee from the tavern. A silent question in her eyes, Ariadne was squeezing Jason's hand.

Jason knew very well that anyone who could report to Pasiphae was a threat to their important mission, but if the man had information that would help them, he was willing to take the chance. "We're looking to reach Colchis. Would you know of anyone who could take us there?"

The man – about forty, grey temples, strong arms burned by the sun – grinned. "I know just the guy. Name is Argus. He has a boat and he's looking for adventures."

That tiny speckle of hope was all Jason needed. "Could you introduce us?"

"It is I. At your service, my King." The strange man bowed from his seat.

The mention of the title he had claimed for barely a day made Jason panic. "I am no king!"

"Oh yes, you are. You are Jason, the rightful heir to the throne of Atlantis. And you must be Queen Ariadne," Argus added before he took Ariadne's hand and kissed it.

Jason pushed his chair from the table. "We must go. Now."

"No, no! Don't worry, I won't rat you out," Argus assured, waving his hands in a peaceful gesture. "I want Pasiphae out of Atlantis as much as you. I'm from the city, and I was forced to flee. A little misunderstanding about illegal merchandises, but whatever."

Jason wasn't sure he wanted to trust Argus, but they had little to say in the matter: the man may be their only chance to complete the quest assigned to them. "So you have a boat?"

"The best in town. A beautiful ship, fast as the wind, and sturdy as a rock. Not the other way around," Argus said with a dry laugh.

"What will it cost us?"

A frown appeared on Argus' brow and he brought a hand to his chest. "Nothing!" His mischievous smile came back. "Although a little mention that Argus helped you when you're on the throne and... you know... clemency for my petty crimes... That would be a nice thank you."

"You don't even know where we're heading. You may change your mind when we tell you."

"Try me."

Jason felt reluctant to give the last piece of information that man needed to turn them to Pasiphae if that was his plan, but he had little choice. "We're going to Colchis."

Argus clapped his hands, a radious smile that made him at least ten years younger lighting his face. "Perfect! As I said, I'm seeking adventures."

Jason looked around at his friends, silently asking for their agreement. They all nodded in turn. Jason held out his hand to Argus, who shook it. "It's a deal."

"Great! Now, if you don't mind, I have a tab here that the owner would like me to pay today..."

Jason rolled his eyes. Argus seemed like a nice addendum to their small group of outlaws.

After a lively conversation with the tavern's owner – Jason almost fainted when he heard how much Argus owed him – Argus led them across the town.

"Where are you going?" Jason asked. "The harbor is the other way."

Without looking at him, Argus shook his head. "I couldn't afford to have my ship at the quay. You wouldn't believe how much it costs... Well, the Argo is moored in deep water, and I have a row boat on the beach to bring us to her."

That Argus' boat was named after him only seemed fitting to his eccentric personality. Jason just hoped that they could trust the guy to sail.

They found the rowing boat where Argus had said it would be, and with Hercules at the oars, they were on board when the sun was still high and bright. Argus showed them their quarters – they only had five tiny rooms, but they could share. Jason and Ariadne took one, while Icarus would sleep with his father and Pythagoras with Hercules. Cassandra would have her own cabin, as would Argus – the perks of being the captain.

Still wary around Argus, who looked very much like a con-man, Jason chose to keep an eye on him. Without being seen, he followed him to the hold and watched him hide something between crates. When Argus climbed up, Jason pulled him aside. "What was that?"

Surprise at being caught soon gave way to an impish grin that deepened Argus' crow's feet. "I don't know what you're talking about." Like an afterthought, he added, with a slight bow, "my King."

Argus' insolence made Jason burn with rage. Too much was at stake to risk ruining everything because of this man. He felt fire creep up his cheeks as he grabbed Argus' arm. "I saw you. Don't think you can –"

"Don't worry." Argus put his hand on Jason's and squeezed it hard enough for Jason to feel pain in his joints. "I assure you it is of no concern to you, and it won't compromise your quest." As Jason wasn't letting go fast enough, Argus looked at their joined hands insistently. "I'm going to take you to Colchis, but I need to be up there."

"I'll be watching you," Jason said as he released Argus' arm. He followed him on the deck.

Once at the helm, Argus became someone else. Focused, his serious expression in stark contrast with the smile he had adorned since they met, he stared at the horizon, as if he was seeing things at the point where sky and sea met – when all Jason saw was two blue infinities blending into one.

Jason didn't know yet if it was a good idea to trust the strange fellow, but when the wind blew the sail and the Argo started to slide on the waves, he decided that they had no choice anyway. As he was standing at he bow, seaspray prickling his face, he felt hope: they would find the Golden Fleece, they would defeat Pasiphae, and they would save Atlantis. With Argus' help. Probably.