A/N Thank you all so, so much for your reviews. I really wasn't sure anyone would still be reading so it was lovely to see that people still are :-)
I wanted to get this chapter out in time for Christmas. I hope you all enjoy it. Please let me know if you do.
Oh and Merry Christmas to you all!
It was growing late now and most of the guests had long since wound their weary way home, leaving the royal family alone with only Laius and his chief advisor, Tiresias. Pasiphae smiled to herself in satisfaction of an evening well done. The local nobles (she supposed she had to call them that although they scarcely fit the bill and would certainly never have been received at the court in Atlantis) had gorged themselves on the feast and fawned over the royal family and their equally royal guest to their hearts content. They would look back on this evening for years and would bore everyone around them with tales of how the King had favoured them above all others; how he had sought them out to listen to their wise council or had sympathised with their petty problems. It wouldn't be true of course, but it would be how they remembered it and would keep them happy for years to come.
The only reason Pasiphae had had for inviting such an inferior class of nobility in the first place had been to make up numbers and convince Laius and his retinue that the hospitality of their home and their place in the affections of their people had not been lessened by their recent misfortunes. Pasiphae was no fool and realised that she (and indeed the King) was more feared than loved by the general populous (and did not really care if the truth be told) but appearances needed to be maintained if they were to convince their allies that they had a viable chance of regaining all they had lost.
Laius had been wined and dined and was now sitting, replete and comfortable, discussing the quality of the wine produced on the royal estate here in Pagenia with Minos. Pasiphae had the feeling that he was hoping for a gift of a few amphorae to send back to Thebes. Well, she could oblige him in that with very little effort or cost to herself. She made a mental note to speak with Alexarchos in the morning and present Laius with a dozen or so amphorae of the most recent vintage. Perhaps a few jars packed with the superior quality olives that Atlantis was famous for wouldn't go amiss either. Pasiphae smiled again.
From his position near to her husband, Laius raised his cup of wine in silent salute to the Queen. Pasiphae acknowledged this with a slight inclination of her head. The Theban King was so easy to manipulate, she noted to herself clinically. A little flirting and flattery went a very long way with him. Although Minos would never be aware of her actions, he at least had the guaranteed and invaluable support of Laius.
The Queen settled a little more deeply into her seat. Gods she was tired. It was annoying that the Amphigeneian inflicted injury was still sapping her strength so much. It wasn't so bad that she couldn't hide her weariness from the guests at dinner of course (or from Laius and his damnably clever advisor) but, still, she would be glad to see her bed at the end of this evening.
Yes, an evening well done indeed. Even the children had played their parts well. Not that she would have expected any less of Ariadne of course (much as Pasiphae might find the girl annoying she had to admit that Ariadne's sense of decorum was finely tuned) but Jason was must definitely still an unknown quantity (and the Queen found herself deploring the fact that she could not predict his reactions to any given situation yet). It would come, she sternly reminded herself. The more she came to know him the more she would understand him. All it would take was time and patience – something which Pasiphae tried hard to cultivate. She had played the game of power and politics over many years now and had learned to her cost early on that hasty actions and rash behaviour often resulted in poor outcomes. Still, patience was not a virtue which came easily to her and she found herself having to remind herself frequently to simply give Jason time rather than push him too hard.
For now she smiled to herself. Jason had fulfilled the King's every wish this evening. He had managed to remain polite and, in his own way, charming in spite of his fears for how the evening would go. Of course the nobles within the court in Atlantis were likely to prove far more of a challenge than the sycophantic petty officials and toadying minor nobility all trying to curry favour with the royal family here in Pagenia. Nevertheless for a first official occasion – for his first time at a royal feast – Jason had done very well. Minos had drawn Pasiphae to one side shortly after the main body of the guests had left to congratulate her on how well she had tutored the boy and to ensure that she would pass his pleasure on to Jason as well.
Now that the guests had gone, however, something had changed within the atmosphere. At first Pasiphae could not put her finger on it. She looked about herself with a carefully schooled regal smile hiding a faint frown. Minos and Laius were still deep in pleasant conversation so the source of the Queen's sudden disquiet was not coming from there. Nearby Ariadne was speaking with Tiresias, a polite but distant smile gracing her beautiful features. As Pasiphae watched she turned slightly, clearly feeling eyes on her, and glanced at her stepmother, stiffening slightly in response to the scrutiny, her eyes both suspicious and questioning. Pasiphae nodded for her to continue. Ariadne might be an insufferable brat to the Queen's eyes but she was nothing if not proper in polite society.
Still attempting to seem casual, Pasiphae allowed her eyes to drift towards her son. Far from attaching himself to Ariadne's side as his mother had half expected him to do, Jason had retreated into the half-shadows on the far side of the fire as soon as the guests had gone. Pasiphae supposed that she could not entirely blame him and he had allowed himself to be drawn forwards into the conversation whenever it had flowed in his direction; remaining polite and answering any questions clearly. Most of the time he had seemed to be content to watch and listen without actively taking part in the conversation and, as observing the interaction between Minos and Laius would be a good way for the lad to learn, Pasiphae had simply let him be.
Every time she had glanced towards the boy he had been listening intently, smiling when required and generally being as agreeable as the situation demanded. Now that he thought no-one was looking, however, Jason looked totally different; had allowed what his mother realised with something of a shock was a carefully constructed mask to slip away. The look he was directing at Laius was at best contemptuous and the expression on his face was borderline murderous. As Pasiphae watched, Minos turned to say something to Jason and his more usual, innocuous expression slipped seamlessly back into place before the King even noticed anything was wrong.
Pasiphae blinked in surprise. Jason had always seemed so open – so honest – that it was a shock to realise that he was in any way potentially deceitful. She would never have believed that the boy could hide his feelings or his emotions so well yet from the way she had seen his expression change in the blink of an eye it was more than clear that he could. So how often had he lied to her? How often had he hidden behind a mask and carefully concealed his feelings? She knew so little of him really, she reminded herself bitterly. Had Jason been hiding the truth of who he really was and how he really felt for the whole time that they had known one another?
And come to that, why exactly had he been looking at Laius with such derision in his eyes? Pasiphae wracked her brains for something that might have happened that evening that would account for Jason's clear dislike of the Theban King. They could not have come into contact before this evening and try though she might the Queen could not think of one single solitary event which might have sparked her son's disdain.
"I understand from King Minos that you were not raised in Atlantis, Jason," Laius said softly.
"No," Jason answered quietly. "I am told I was born in Atlantis but I was raised far from here."
"And where exactly were you raised?" Laius queried. "Perhaps I might know it."
"I doubt it," the young man said quickly. "It's a land far to the north of here. Beyond the sea."
"Beyond the sea?" Laius responded with his eyebrows raised. "Beyond the borders of Greece you mean?"
As Jason inclined his head in agreement the Theban King continued.
"The lands of the barbarians are to the far north," he said. "But you hardly seem like one of those savages."
"Appearances can be deceptive," Jason answered, but his tone was light and amused and a wry smile graced his lips.
Pasiphae could not help but notice that the smile did not quite reach his eyes, however – they were sharp and hard; cold as ice; probing.
"Take you for example," the young man went on.
"Me?" Laius sounded both amused and vaguely affronted.
Pasiphae stiffened. What in the name of the Gods did Jason think he was doing?
"Yes," Jason responded. "You don't quite fit the traditional image of a king; he fits it better than you do," he nodded towards the listening Tiresias. "Yet here you are, King of Thebes… a royal lord of many… talents… and here I am… and I am no more a barbarian than you are a commoner."
Laius laughed then and Pasiphae let out the breath she was unconsciously holding. The Theban King seemed to think that Jason was making a joke, the Queen was grateful to realise. Yet she had caught the barb in her son's tone and knew that whatever game Jason thought he was playing she would have to bring it to a rapid close.
"The boy is pert," Laius remarked to Minos.
"The boy is not a boy," Jason retorted.
"I intended no offence," Laius answered quickly.
"And I take none," Jason answered. He chuckled lightly. "I am joking of course. No-one could mistake you for a commoner My Lord. You are every inch a king."
Laius laughed again.
"Your parents are still in the place where you were raised?" he asked.
Jason flicked a quick glance towards Pasiphae.
"No," he said. "I didn't know my mother when I was growing up. I was always told she died shortly after I was born. My father didn't like to speak of her."
"And what of your father?"
Jason hesitated for a moment. Angry though he still was at his father he hated the thought that anyone else, particularly someone as morally bankrupt as Laius seemed to be, would think badly of the man; hated to say anything that might lower other people's opinions of his long idolised dad.
"He disappeared when I was a child," he answered shortly. "Went away and didn't come back. It's a long time ago now."
"A sad story," Laius proclaimed.
"Hardly unique," Jason responded. "There are lots of children in the world who grow up without parents for one reason or another."
"Yes, but for a man to abandon his son in that way… what man would do that?" Laius shook his head seriously.
"I wouldn't think that it's any worse than exposing an infant," Jason retorted sharply. He knew he was bating Laius, coming perilously close to letting slip secrets that he knew he had to keep, but the man's attitude grated on him; right now he seemed to be the worst type of hypocrite.
"Exposing an infant is a time honoured tradition and is never done without good reason," Laius replied. "Oftentimes the child will be too weak to survive… subnormal in some way… or there may be social reasons why they cannot be raised within a family."
"Born out of wedlock you mean," Jason said, snorting contemptuously. "And that makes it alright to condemn a baby to a slow, painful death does it? To leave them to starve or be ripped apart by wild animals?"
"A child who has been exposed is not necessarily condemned to die," Laius argued. "They may be found by someone and taken in. Their fate is in the hands of the Gods."
"The chances of that aren't exactly high though are they?" Jason said. "At least my father didn't leave me to that fate."
"Jason," Pasiphae said warningly, glaring at her son.
Laius turned towards Minos.
"You were right," he murmured. "You warned me that he was forthright. Tell me," he continued, turning back to Jason, "why do you object to this so much? Surely there must be similar customs in the land where you were raised?"
"No," Jason answered. "I'd never even heard of anything like this until I came here… but it's inhuman."
"You have the courage of your convictions at least," Laius observed. "There are few who would dare to voice such an opinion publically."
Jason flushed slightly and looked down.
"Forgive me My Lord," he said flatly. "I do not mean to offend anyone."
"It would take a little more than an outspoken opinion on a random subject to offend me," Laius responded with apparent amusement. "You have the idealism of youth and the nerve to voice your beliefs. I cannot fault you for that... although some might call such outspokenness foolhardy." He took another sip from the cup in his hands. "This is a truly excellent wine," he complemented Minos.
"I will see that a supply is laid aside for you to take when you return to Thebes My Lord," Pasiphae said smoothly, keen to ensure that Laius remained as happy as possible.
"You are very kind," Laius murmured, casting a warm look in her direction.
"And how is your wife My Lord?" Ariadne's clear voice rang out, her tone faintly arch.
Inwardly Pasiphae groaned. Although she knew that her stepdaughter was too well trained in the intricacies of court life to ever make a scene, she also knew that Ariadne was more than capable of making biting comments while still appearing polite and gracious; of spreading honeyed poison with an innocent face. Now that the Queen had Laius exactly where she wanted him – had extracted a promise for unconditional help and support – the last thing she needed was the two children playing up and jeopardising everything. Jason she would deal with privately to find out what game he had been playing, but Ariadne would need to be neutralised now. Not that she would publically embarrass or admonish the girl of course, but perhaps she needed to be reminded that Laius was an ally no matter what her own personal feelings might be.
"Jocasta is very well thank you," Laius replied. "She was sorry not to be making this journey with me but it is hardly appropriate for a woman to be travelling into a war zone. She could hardly help with the military side of affairs and would only prove a distraction at times when I will need to concentrate."
"You believe that a woman cannot understand military strategy?" Ariadne asked softly.
"A woman is a delicate creature," Laius answered. "She requires protection and care. Her mind does not work in the same way that a man's does. She has no place on the battlefield."
Pasiphae saw Jason beginning to bristle with every word that Laius uttered. Seemingly casually she stood up and crossed to the couch he was sitting on in the semi-shadows on the far side of the fire. Sitting herself down beside him she shot him a warning look that promised dire retribution if he said anything impolite or out of turn right now. She watched her son swallow down whatever retort he had been intending to say and smiled to herself. On the whole he was such a good boy really. The set of his shoulders was still tense and unhappy however. Pasiphae surreptitiously slipped her hand over his, squeezing lightly in reassurance.
"What of the Amazons My Lord?" Ariadne responded. "I believe they might dispute your claim that a woman has no place on the battlefield."
"The Amazons are savages," Laius proclaimed. "No well-bred or right thinking woman would wish to emulate them."
"Perhaps," Ariadne acknowledged, "but there might be circumstances in which a woman might be forced to engage in a battle. For instance when Atlantis was under attack and Amphigeneian troops were in the Palace I took up a bow to defend myself… was I wrong to do so?"
"There were other women fighting out in the streets as well," Jason added. "They were defending their homes and their families… defending their honour."
"I appreciate that under extreme circumstances a woman might be forced into a position where she has no choice but to defend herself by any means possible," Laius responded. "But I cannot believe that it is right for a man to allow any woman in the cold light of day to join a military expedition. The presence of a woman in a camp full of soldiers would only act to inflame the men and cause unnecessary discord. Besides, women are not educated in strategy in the same way that men are. They could have little to add to any council of war."
"On that point I feel I must disagree with you," Minos interjected. "My own Queen will hardly have been formally schooled in the art of war and yet I would never dream of holding a council of war without her at my side. Her insights and advice are invaluable to me." He smiled fondly at Pasiphae.
"Queen Pasiphae is indeed a rare and gifted woman," Laius agreed, looking between Pasiphae and Minos. "But Jocasta is… not so exceptional. I do not believe that she has any desire for a role other than the one she fulfils now; looking after my home, entertaining my guests and bearing and raising any children that the Gods may see fit to bless us with in the future."
"You have no children then My Lord?" Jason asked softly.
"No," Laius replied shortly. "We do not."
"That's a shame," Jason murmured, trying to keep the irony out of his voice and on the whole succeeding. "I'm sure any children you had would be… well looked after."
"I would love to have a son," Laius admitted. "There was a boy for a short time but he is gone."
"I'm sorry," Jason responded. "To lose a child… no mother should have to go through it."
Without turning he squeezed his own mother's hand gently, unseen by the other occupants of the room. Pasiphae swallowed past the sudden lump in her throat and kept the impassive mask she usually wore firmly in place. Then she stiffened as the young man at her side gave a sharp cough. It worried her slightly that Jason still seemed to be struggling to shake off the last lingering after effects of the chill he had had in the hunting lodge. She did not miss the concerned look that passed between her husband and stepdaughter either and wondered almost idly if her son knew just how many people worried about his wellbeing now.
Laius frowned.
"You are unwell?" he asked.
"No," Jason responded a little breathlessly. "Not really. I had a bad chest a little while ago and I've just got to get rid of the last of it." He looked at the Theban King seriously, suddenly aware of the worried looks he was getting from Ariadne. "It's fine… really. I just cough a bit when I'm cold or tired," he admitted. "So on that note, if you'll all excuse me, I think I'm going to go to bed. It's getting late."
"Of course," Minos said. "Sleep well."
"Thank you," Jason answered, pushing himself up from the couch. "It was nice to meet you," he lied, looking at Laius with as much sincerity as he could muster.
"And you also," Laius retorted. "I hope we will have time to speak with one another again."
Jason nodded awkwardly and turned to leave.
"Jason," Pasiphae's voice was clear; her tone clipped. "Wait a moment. I will accompany you." She turned towards her husband. "The hour is indeed late," she said, "and I believe I will retire also."
"As you wish My Love," Minos answered.
Ariadne also stood gracefully.
"Goodnight Father," she said warmly.
Minos came forwards and caught his daughter in his arms.
"Sleep well," he said softly. "I love you more than anything."
"And I you," Ariadne responded, kissing her father lightly on the cheek.
The walk to Ariadne's chambers was a short one. Pasiphae remained silent, mulling over the evening in her head. At the door to her stepdaughter's room she bid the girl goodnight and turned away, keen to have a short but to her mind necessary discussion with her son and not wanting to have it in a corridor where they might still be disturbed or overheard (however unlikely that seemed).
Pasiphae's desire for a quick goodnight was thwarted, however. Ariadne, it seemed, had other ideas. She stepped forwards towards Jason with a soft smile, her eyes warm and affectionate.
"I have enjoyed your company this evening," she said gently.
"Thank you," Jason answered.
"For what?"
"You're about the only thing that made it bearable," Jason said softly. "I thought all those toadies and their awful wives were never going to leave."
Ariadne laughed lightly.
"You will grow accustomed to it," she asserted gently. "Besides, I think you made quite an impression on some of the guests… one in particular." Her dark eyes sparkled impishly.
Jason looked vaguely confused.
"The woman in the rather tight dress," Ariadne clarified. "She seemed very taken with you."
She nearly laughed at the growing horror on Jason's face.
"She was ghastly," Jason stated.
"Oh I do not know," Ariadne murmured mischievously, her tone light and teasing. "Perhaps I should ask Father to invite her and her husband to dinner again."
Jason spluttered – a splutter which rapidly turned into a short barking cough. Ariadne's face darkened with concern; one hand reaching out to rest on Jason's upper arm.
"I'm fine," Jason tried to reassure the Princess. "Just a bit tired."
"Then I will bid you goodnight," Ariadne answered gently. "Sleep well."
"And you too," Jason responded.
Pasiphae cleared her throat loudly.
"Goodnight Ariadne," she said pointedly.
Ariadne gave one last sweet smile to Jason and slipped into her room.
Jason turned and looked steadily at his mother. Could she have been any more obvious about trying to get rid of the Princess? Pasiphae returned his look with a raised eyebrow and gestured imperiously down the corridor, clearly intending that her son should make his way to his chambers without any further hesitation.
At the door to Jason's room she paused and gestured for him to enter, following closely behind and closing the door firmly behind her. If Jason was in anyway surprised by her actions he did not show it.
The chamber itself was warm; the cheerfully crackling fireplace providing the only light. On the table in the corner there was a small covered pan and an empty cup with what appeared to be a note attached. Jason frowned slightly and made his way over to it, momentarily forgetting his mother's presence. I thought you might need this, the note read in Pythagoras' distinctive handwriting. Jason raised the lid of the pot and sniffed. The spicy scent of the milky drink his father used to make hit his nostrils and made him smile.
"Pythagoras you're a star," he murmured to himself as he lifted the pot towards the fire to warm it through, making the mental note to thank his friend profusely in the morning.
Behind him, Pasiphae cleared her throat pointedly again. Jason turned towards her, suppressing a sigh as he did. Much as he knew that his mother would want to discuss the events of the evening (and probably point out all the deficiencies in his manners, he thought somewhat uncharitably) he had rather hoped that she would be willing to wait until the morning. He was still angry at her (although it had to be said that the bulk of his anger was reserved for Laius) and he hadn't been lying when he said he was tired. In fact all Jason really wanted to do tonight was to slip into bed with the warm drink Pythagoras had provided and to try to sort out his tangled thoughts enough to get some sleep.
He looked at the Queen standing at the end of his bed and winced. Pasiphae had drawn herself up to her full height and crossed her arms, her face unreadable but her carriage rigid and forbidding. She gestured wordlessly to Jason to sit down.
Jason did as he was bid but not before retrieving the now warm pan from the fire and pouring the contents into the cup on the table. He took a long sip and sighed in contentment as the warmth of the drink spread through his chest and eased muscles that he had not even really registered were aching.
Pasiphae seated herself opposite him and stared at the young man for a moment with a raised eyebrow.
"On the whole you did very well this evening," she stated firmly.
Jason braced himself for the 'but' he was sure was coming.
"I would ask, though, what exactly you thought you were doing speaking to Laius in the way that you did," Pasiphae went on.
"I don't know what you mean," Jason replied guiltily – although why he should feel guilty in any way he didn't know.
"Oh yes you do." Pasiphae's voice was like a metal trap springing shut. "You know exactly what I am talking about and you knew exactly what you were saying. I told you we needed Laius' support and you set out deliberately to goad him… to argue with him."
"I don't like him," Jason answered shortly.
"So I gathered," Pasiphae retorted. "I saw the look on your face when you thought that nobody was looking. Nobody was asking you to like Laius, Jason, but I distinctly recall instructing you to be polite and not to argue with him no matter how much you might disagree with his opinions. You may not have liked what he was saying but he is of royal blood and it was your duty to show him the respect that his position demands."
"Why?" Jason asked sharply. "Why should I show him any respect when he doesn't show any to anyone else? Particularly the King?"
Pasiphae snorted an incredulous laugh.
"What are you talking about?" she demanded. "Laius and Minos are friends and have been for many years. He has been a guest in our home before. If nothing else common courtesy dictates that you should be polite to him. After all he is the guest of the King. Even Ariadne understands this so why can you not see it?"
Jason could feel his temper coming close to the surface and fought to keep a tight hold on it.
"I saw you," he blurted.
"I beg your pardon?" Pasiphae responded icily. "Explain."
"I slipped out of the room earlier to get a little air," Jason answered. "I needed to get away from the crowd for a few minutes so I went into a sitting room further down the corridor."
Pasiphae felt the first stirrings of unease. Surely no-one had been in the room earlier when she had been speaking to Laius alone? Surely she would have noticed the presence of another person?
"I was sitting in the window," Jason went on. "I'd only been there a few minutes when I heard the door opening. It was King Laius… and you. I saw him pawing you; heard you… what you said to one another… the way you said it."
"And?" Pasiphae asked. "So you overheard me having a private conversation with an old friend. What of it? Eavesdropping is incredibly impolite Jason."
"Trust me I didn't want to eavesdrop," Jason answered morosely. "Laius was all but propositioning you."
"And what if he was? What business is it of yours?"
"You're my mother," Jason responded hotly. "Plus you're married… and so is he. You were acting like a pornai."
Jason didn't even see the slap coming until the sudden burning flare across his cheek registered. He whipped his head back around to look at Pasiphae and noted both the anger and pain that showed in her eyes with rapidly growing guilt. He had hurt his mother.
"You will never use that language in this house again," Pasiphae hissed. "Or you will regret it deeply."
"I'm sorry," Jason muttered. "I deserved that. What I said was uncalled for. It's just that watching you flirting with him… watching him panting after you… it's just plain wrong."
"You are innocent aren't you?" Pasiphae retorted. "It may surprise you but I am an adult and can speak to whomsoever I like and in whatever way I choose. You are not the guardian of my morals."
"Maybe not but I won't stand by and watch either one of you make a fool out of Minos in that way," Jason snapped.
"What has that to do with you?" Pasiphae demanded. "Minos is not your father so I really cannot see why it would bother you so much."
"He's been good to me," Jason responded. "He was kind when he had no real need to be. I can't watch him being betrayed… I just…" he broke off and went to stand in the window, shoulders rigid.
Pasiphae sighed and came to stand behind her son, resting one hand on the taut back.
"Come and sit down," she said more gently. "I will explain. There is more at stake here than perhaps you realise. Come… please."
Jason followed her to a couch near the window and sat down next to her, his whole body stiff and unyielding. Pasiphae frowned. The boy was clearly deeply unhappy.
"Now," she said, her tone still gentle. "Before I explain things to you I would like you to answer one question for me. Why does this bother you so very much?"
Jason sighed.
"I don't think you'd understand," he said.
"Try me," Pasiphae answered firmly.
"It's childish really," Jason replied. "Stupid of me."
"Jason," Pasiphae warned.
"It's just that when I was little… after my Dad left… I used to look at other children's families and pretend they were mine," Jason said softly. "It was only ever make believe and I knew it… but it still made me happy to pretend even if it was only for a little while. I grew out of it eventually. Learned the hard way that I could never have what I wanted… what I dreamed of."
He paused for a moment and felt his mother's hand covering his. He looked up and found Pasiphae indicating silently that he should continue.
"Then a few weeks ago you came along… and I really didn't want to get close to you or to let you get too close to me… but the last few weeks it's been like my childhood dreams have been coming to life… not like I'd imagined they'd be but still good. I love Hercules and Pythagoras. They're my family… but lately it had begun to feel like I might just be part of your family too… and now Laius is trying to take all that away… he's trying to rip it all apart on a whim… and you're letting him… helping him… and it makes me wonder…"
He trailed off again.
"Makes you wonder what?" Pasiphae encouraged.
"Whether it was all actually a lie… whether any of it was ever really true. It makes me wonder whether it was all an act… whether you actually care or whether you're just using me to get what you want in the end… and I don't really want to think that… I want to believe that you really care but when I saw you with Laius this evening it was like you were a completely different person from the one who sat here talking to me this afternoon… or who stayed with me when I'd been poisoned."
Pasiphae closed her eyes briefly.
"You do not believe that I love you," she said sadly.
"Love can be taken away just as easily as it's given," Jason replied.
"I am sorry that that is what your life so far has taught you," his mother answered. "I hope that given time you will come to see that my love is not so fickle and will never be withheld." She looked at Jason seriously. "I would, however, like to address the rest of your fears."
She stroked the hand she had been covering with gentle fingers.
"You fear losing everything that you are coming to care for… everyone that you are coming to care for," she said softly. "You fear that I will betray the King… will cuckold him… perhaps that I already have… and that you will lose this new family that you have become part of as a result. It is not true. What you witnessed was not the start of an affair but merely a small part of the game of politics."
Pasiphae held her son's eyes as she continued, knowing that she had Jason's full attention.
"What you saw… what you heard… I needed to assure myself that Minos would have Laius' unconditional support in the days to come. Others of our allies will place conditions on their help; will use our current position to extract promises and concessions from Minos that he might not otherwise have given. I needed to be sure that Laius would stand by us no matter what and that he would help to sway others to our cause."
"So you offered yourself to him," Jason stated bitterly.
"No," Pasiphae retorted sharply. Then her tone softened. "You have not grown up in the court and you have much yet to learn about both politics and our society. It is a fact – whether I like it or not – that a woman does not hold the same position within society that a man does. A man like Laius believes that a woman is inferior. Even Minos, while he acknowledges my strength and cunning, believes me to be merely a woman. A woman cannot rule and cannot truly understand politics. That is the general belief. Ariadne is heir to the throne but her husband – when she marries – will be expected to rule in her stead."
"That's ridiculous," Jason scoffed. "Ariadne will be a good Queen."
"Perhaps," Pasiphae said. "But that is the way things are. A female child does not receive the same education as her male counterpart for a start."
"I don't understand that either," Jason responded. "Where I come from boys and girls are educated the same."
"We are not where you come from though," Pasiphae pointed out. "We are in Hellas and I am informing you of how things are here." She paused for a moment, marshalling her thoughts. "If a woman of noble birth is clever and has the inclination, however, she may influence even the highest levels of society," she went on. "But to do so she must use all the weapons and wiles available to her and her allure is simply part of that. Laius is a man who responds to flattery so I flatter him. He is also a hunter – addicted to the thrill of the chase – in all aspects of his life."
"You are his prey," Jason said.
"Yes," Pasiphae answered. "I am his quarry. A trophy that he desires, nothing more. But as with all things, the thing a person desires the most is the one that is forever just beyond their grasp. So I flatter and flirt with Laius but remain forever just beyond his reach. It holds his interest and allows me to manoeuvre him into a position which is to the greatest advantage of Atlantis."
"It's still not right," her son responded.
"Perhaps not," Pasiphae said. "But that is the reality of life I am afraid. Atlantis is a great city. I would not see it destroyed. The people will only be safe when Atlantis is strong. We are not so different, you and I. We would both use any weapon at our disposal to protect the city. What you saw tonight was just part of that battle." She slipped an arm around her son and drew him towards her, gradually feeling the tension leaving him. "Do not worry," she said. "I am not betraying Minos. I am merely trying to ensure our victory. You will not lose me and you will not lose your family. I promise you that."
Breakfast in the royal household was by far the most relaxed meal of the day. It was the one meal that Minos did not request that all the members of his family attend every day. It was understood that there would be times when the members of the household had other tasks to attend or wished to remain resting in their chambers if they had been undertaking their duties late the previous evening. Still, Pasiphae had noticed over the short time that she had known him that her son was apparently a habitually early riser. It was a little surprising, on the morning after the feast, to find that he had not made it to the breakfast table. Surely the boy was not still upset from the previous evening? She had thought that everything had been sorted out between them and that she had succeeded in calming both his anger and assuaging his fears. By the time she had left, weary and aching and desperately wanting her bed, he had seemed to be at peace with himself – tired but not unhappy – and had been curled up in front of the fire with a second cup of whatever drink his friend appeared to have left for him.
With an imperious gesture the Queen summoned a servant and enquired about Jason's whereabouts. Once the servant had been despatched she turned back to her husband and her breakfast. Ariadne, she had already learned, had gone to the small temple dedicated to Poseidon within Pagenia early this morning to complete her duties and devotions. The Oracle had already set herself up there several days earlier and was now enjoying the hospitality of the priests and priestesses rather than that of the royal family (which Pasiphae couldn't help but be grateful for to be honest; too much time spent in the Seeress' company tended to set her teeth on edge). Apparently there had been a steady stream of devotees to keep the Oracle occupied ever since (carefully managed by the ever vigilant Melas so as not to overtax his mistress); townsfolk who wished to know the answers to their petty problems or receive guidance as to their future actions, or soldiers from the camp outside the town walls wishing for reassurance about the war to come or asking for news of loved ones left in Atlantis or in one of the other outlying towns. Even when they were in Atlantis time was set aside each day for members of the general population to consult with the Oracle yet on any normal day such visits were few and far between. Most people did not really want to know what the future had in store for them and would only consult the Seeress if they felt it was important enough. In times of trouble, however, even men who did not hold the Gods in high regard tended to turn towards religion and prayer – and the Oracle played a big part in that.
Sooner or later Pasiphae supposed she would need to consult with the Oracle herself. She had spoken with the woman several times over the past couple of weeks about what she believed to be her son's growing abilities. Yet neither she nor the prophetess had managed so far to persuade Jason himself to open up and talk to them. There had been a moment back in the hunting lodge where Pasiphae had felt he might – where he had started talking about strange dreams and had come remarkably close to confirming what she suspected – but he had backed away again when they were interrupted and had not attempted to broach the subject again since, in spite of his mother's attempts to subtly prod him towards it. Pasiphae suspected that the time was rapidly approaching when they would have to force Jason's hand; when the Oracle would have to take the action that she had alluded to back in the Temple in Atlantis when Pasiphae had first admitted her fears and suspicions to the woman.
As she mulled over all these thoughts in her mind, Pasiphae nibbled absently on a pastry. It was perhaps fortunate that Minos was preoccupied by his own concerns this morning and therefore did not notice her distraction. Word had come to the King shortly after dawn that several more of the allied kings had been spotted by the scouts approaching Pagenia with their allies. They would arrive before the lunch hour and Minos was now busy trying to mentally prepare himself for the negotiations and strategizing that he knew would come in the next few days. He could hardly expect all his allies to be as accommodating as Laius after all and knew that several of them would require a more tangible reward than the promise of reciprocal support if they should ever need it. In fact he suspected that he would have to engage in some fairly hefty political manoeuvring before they could even begin to talk about plans for retaking Atlantis.
Given the level of distraction from both the King and Queen it was perhaps just as well that Laius had decided to take breakfast with his retinue of advisors this morning. Presently Pasiphae shook herself. Where had that dratted servant got to? He had been asked to go and check on Jason's whereabouts and it should really not be taking this long. As if thinking about the man summoned him, the servant came hurrying back into the dining room, stumbling over apologies in the wake of the Queen's imperiously raised eyebrow. Inwardly Pasiphae smirked. It appeared her fearsome reputation was still intact if the man's fear was anything to go by.
Diffidently the servant explained that he had gone to the chambers of the young man the Queen had enquired about. He had been about to knock when he had been intercepted by Alexarchos who had informed him that the young Lord (the servants had been told that Jason was of noble birth and a kinsman of the royal couple without actually being informed that he was the son of the Queen) had requested not to be disturbed this morning. Apparently the younger of Jason's companions had delivered the message and as he was being backed up by the glowering form of his older companion, standing behind him with his arms folded and looking dangerously protective, the overseer had chosen to take him at his word.
Pasiphae frowned slightly. She knew that her son and his two friends were remarkably protective of one another but what were they apparently protecting Jason from this time? What was going on? The servant, mistaking the Queen's frown for displeasure at his actions, began to stammer apologies once more and to offer to go back and inform the young Lord himself that Her Majesty required his presence at the breakfast table.
Pasiphae silenced him with a few curt words and waved him away with a single flap of her hand. She had intended to continue her discussion of yesterday with Jason; to begin the process of ascertaining the level of education he would require to allow him to function as a proper member of the court – to take his place as Prince of Atlantis. Of course that in turn raised the question of where she would find a tutor of sufficient calibre in such a small town as Pagenia; particularly a tutor who Jason would not object violently to and who would be able to deal with her strong-willed son. Once they were back in Atlantis there would be no problem of course but for now she needed someone who could deal with the lad's initial testing and training. The Queen wrestled with the problem in her mind for a while.
Then it came to her. The solution was really so very simple. All that was actually needed right now was someone who could administer the tests that she required and begin to tutor her son at a fairly basic level; to teach him a little of the history of Atlantis and begin to teach him their laws and customs. For that she suspected his horribly clever friend Pythagoras would do very well indeed. A more suitable tutor – one who understood the intricacies of everything the boy would need to know – could be employed once they were back in their rightful places in Atlantis. Engaging in lessons would, she felt, help to keep her son occupied and out of mischief (because she had seen too much of his antics since he had come to Atlantis to believe that he would ever manage to keep himself out of trouble) and he was hardly likely to object when his teacher was one of his closest friends. She smirked, pleased with the solution that she had come up with.
Finally done with breakfast, Pasiphae pushed herself up from the table and began to make her way towards the family rooms. A servant would be hastily despatched to locate her son's younger friend and bring him to her, she decided. Pythagoras would obey her commands, she had no doubt; the young man was loyal to a fault, particularly where his friends were concerned, and once he realised that what she was proposing really was in Jason's best interests he would give her the assistance she required. It helped that he clearly believed in order and the rule of law too and would do as she commanded out of a sense of duty. Pasiphae shook her head. It still surprised her that this logical and coolly rational young man was friends with her apparently far more emotional son; their personalities seemed so different to one another.
But then, last night had made Pasiphae shockingly aware of how little she really knew of her son's personality. To realise that he was actually very good at hiding himself behind a carefully constructed mask and the speed with which he managed to slip it on and off had been unsettling. Jason, it seemed, was far more complex than she had realised. He had seemed such a sunny (if sometimes a little chaotic) personality that she had underestimated him; had wrongly believed that he was too innocent to have any sort of dark side. Now though, having watched the way he had bated Laius, having seen the calculated way he spoke to the man, Pasiphae was forced to re-evaluate. Jason had displayed far more cunning than she would have given him credit for if she had not witnessed it with her own eyes.
Even so there had been almost a breath-taking innocence to the fears he had confessed to having; the fears of losing a family he was clearly coming to love almost against his own will. Fears that his mother supposed were probably rooted in a childhood that she still knew too little about – although she thought she could guess some of it both from the little that Jason said and what he didn't say. Yes, she was rapidly coming to the conclusion that her son was a far more complex person than she had anticipated.
Lost in thought Pasiphae almost missed the movement that indicated the presence of another person further down the corridor. Two people in fact. Pasiphae looked up and smiled wolfishly. It appeared that the Gods were smiling on her today and she would not have to wait while a servant searched for her son's friend.
As the Queen drew level with the two men she saw them bow automatically. At the last moment before she passed them by she turned and looked back haughtily.
"Pythagoras. A moment of your time if you please," she stated.
Pythagoras looked instantly worried – although Pasiphae was beginning to suspect that that was his default expression most of the time. She gestured impatiently towards the family rooms.
"I would speak with you alone," she said.
Pythagoras swallowed hard.
"Of course My Lady," he answered. "It would be my pleasure."
Leaving the clearly suspicious Hercules behind, Pasiphae ushered the young mathematician into the sitting room and firmly closed the door behind her. Crossing the room she lowered herself onto a couch, reclining on it and looking up at the young man with sharp eyes. Not invited to sit in the Queen's presence, Pythagoras stood awkwardly, watching her with anxious eyes.
"I understand that you informed the servants that Jason did not wish to be disturbed this morning," Pasiphae began, her voice sharp and cold. "Perhaps you would be so good as to explain to me exactly what my son said and why he has chosen not to attend breakfast."
Pythagoras flushed guiltily and looked away.
"He did not," he muttered.
"Excuse me?" Pasiphae said.
"He did not say anything My Lady," Pythagoras answered, knowing full well that he might be about to get himself into a great deal of trouble. He looked at the Queen with a hint of defiance warring with the obvious worry in his eyes. "I decided that Jason did not need to be disturbed."
"And why, pray tell, would you do that?"
Pythagoras sighed.
"Jason gets insomnia," he explained quietly. "It is fairly bad at times… especially when he is worried or under stress."
"And he was worried about the meal last night," Pasiphae said thoughtfully.
"Indeed," Pythagoras replied. "I suspected he would not sleep well as a result." He kept his eyes on the Queen. "If the truth be told I suspect he has not been sleeping well for a little while… I have learned to spot the signs. This morning Hercules checked on him… he does it with both of us from time to time, although he would undoubtedly deny it if he was asked… and told me that Jason seemed to be fast asleep. It is very unusual for him to sleep so late. Jason is usually up before either one of us and I knew therefore that he must be tired not to have risen as normal. I decided at that point that it would be better for him not to be disturbed. If I have done wrong Your Majesty then I apologise and will take the blame… and any punishment you deem necessary… but neither Jason nor Hercules had any part in this and I would not see either one of them penalised for my actions."
"You have acted out of concern for my son," Pasiphae stated. "I will not see you punished for that. Your loyalty is commendable."
"Jason has saved my life on numerous occasions," Pythagoras answered steadily. "He is without doubt one of the strongest and most noble people I have ever met… but I think I knew from the start that he had seen too much of the darker side of life too. They say that like calls to like and I see all too clearly the ways in which Jason and I are alike… I have always known that there was a darkness in his past which rivalled the darkness in my own. He has been damaged by what he has experienced in his life… has been scarred by it… and yet he is still the bravest and most selfless person I know… and I am proud to call him my friend. I love Jason – as I love Hercules – they are the only real family I have left. I do not wish to see him hurt in any way again and if there is something that I can do, however small that something might be, to prevent Jason from coming to harm – to make his life easier – then I will do it."
"A noble sentiment," Pasiphae responded giving the mathematician a long look. "And I have no doubt that you are virtuous enough to stand by it."
How, Pythagoras wondered as Pasiphae spoke, did the woman always manage to make a compliment sound like a faint insult? He took in the slight upturn at the corners of her mouth, the sly amusement as she watched him out of the corner of her eyes, and sighed to himself. This was for Jason he reminded himself. He had never believed that the day would come when he would be alone in a chamber conversing with Atlantis' fearsome Queen, yet here he was.
"I will always stand by my friends," he said earnestly.
Pasiphae allowed the silence that followed the young genius' comment to stretch between them for a few moments.
"You are a very clever young man," she observed.
Pythagoras shuffled awkwardly, unsure what to make of the Queen's apparently kind words.
"Thank you My Lady," he murmured.
Pasiphae snorted.
"I do not pay you an idle compliment," she stated sharply. "I am aware that you saved my life after our escape from Atlantis."
Pythagoras looked at her steadily.
"I did it for Jason," he admitted.
"Whatever your reasons you have my thanks," Pasiphae said. She looked him up and down. "Yes, a very clever young man indeed… but not a wealthy young man. In fact I am led to believe that the three of you live in some poverty."
"We get by," Pythagoras answered. He knew that disagreeing with Pasiphae was not generally considered to be a good move – that it might prove hazardous to his long term health – but he was growing concerned at the direction the conversation was taking.
"Really!" Pasiphae scoffed. "I hear that much of the time you border on starvation. That there was an occasion several months ago where my son was reduced to stealing bread meant for the pigs."
Pythagoras stiffened. How had Pasiphae heard about that? He only hoped that she did not know the full story. Somehow he didn't think Jason would appreciate his mother knowing that he had been cursed and turned into a Kynikos as a result of his accidental sacrilege.
"I also hear that there are occasions when you have gone without food for days at a time," Pasiphae went on. "Although I can scarcely believe it of your fat friend."
"Hercules does not…" Pythagoras began, wanting to defend his old friend.
"I do not say this to insult you," Pasiphae interrupted, her voice softening. "I wish to make you an offer."
"An offer My Lady?" Pythagoras asked, wary of her intentions.
"Indeed," Pasiphae answered. "I have a proposition for you that is suited to your abilities. You are clever and I believe you have been educated. I wish to make use of your intelligence and education." She looked shrewdly at the young man. "Do not look so worried," she said. "I do not intend to ask anything of you that would make you uncomfortable or would betray those you care for. I merely wish to enlist your help on behalf of my son."
"Jason?" Pythagoras queried. "You wish me to help Jason?"
"Yes," Pasiphae retorted. "What I am asking of you will not in any way disturb your conscience. It will be to the benefit of my son… and I hope to the benefit of us all… and you will be well rewarded for your assistance."
"What are you asking of me?" Pythagoras asked suspiciously.
Pasiphae sighed. She stood and made her way to the window, looking out at the garden beyond. For a long moment she stood there, working out how best to word the proposition she wished to make to the young man.
"I do not believe I have made any attempt to hide the fact that I wish Jason to take his rightful place as Prince of Atlantis," she said softly.
"Surely that is a decision for Jason to make," Pythagoras found himself saying. "I do not think it would be fair for me to attempt to influence him either way if that is what you want me to do."
"I do not ask that of you," Pasiphae replied. "Jason has made it abundantly clear that this a decision he will make himself but that he is not yet ready to take it. He has expressed a desire to know more of our lives and it is to that end that I have summoned you."
"Why?" Pythagoras asked bluntly. "I do not think I am the best placed person to tell Jason about life in your court."
"No but there are other things which you might teach him," Pasiphae answered. "If Jason is to understand his place in the world and to take on the role he was born for he must be educated… and at present I am not aware of exactly what that would entail. I would have him learn our history; our customs; our laws. Areas where I believe at present his knowledge is woefully lacking." She held up a hand to forestall Pythagoras' defence of his friend. "It is not Jason's fault. I am well aware of that. From the little he has said of his upbringing it is clear that he has grown up far from our borders and to expect him to have learned all he needs to know in the short time he has been in Atlantis would be patently unreasonable. These are areas of my son's education, therefore, that I know must be addressed… What I do not know, however, is where any other gaps in his education might lie. It is clear that he has received some education… but I wish to know whether he will need to begin his secondary education from the start, or whether there are merely gaps in his knowledge that might be easily filled." She hesitated for a moment before continuing. "Jason has agreed to this. Indeed back at the Palace he had already expressed a desire to learn something of our Gods and our religion. Once we are returned to Atlantis and Anaxandros has been driven back to his own lands, or despatched to Hades as he deserves, a tutor will be chosen and appointed. I believe, though, that it would be beneficial for Jason to begin some level of study as soon as possible. He is a bright boy and I would hope will begin to learn fairly quickly. This then is where you will come in."
"What is it that you actually require of me Your Majesty?" Pythagoras asked softly.
"I believe that Jason will respond better to a tutor that he does not actively dislike," Pasiphae answered. "I would ask you to help me by assessing where the weaknesses in Jason's education lie and beginning to address this. I would, of course, ensure that you are rewarded for your assistance."
Pythagoras looked at her steadily.
"I do not need to be bribed to help my friend," he said firmly.
"I am not bribing you," Pasiphae responded sharply. "But I am aware that a regular wage would assist your situation. You would receive the same wage that I would pay any pedagogue… a position which would seem to suit you far more than any manual labour. It is a solution that will be to everyone's advantage. You will earn a reasonable wage while helping a friend. That is not so unreasonable is it?"
"Logic dictates that you are correct," Pythagoras murmured. "I will do as you ask… for Jason's sake."
Pasiphae smiled.
"Thank you," she said quietly. "Let me explain in detail what is required of you."
Minos took a deep breath and steeled himself before stepping back into the chamber where several of his potential allies waited for him to re-join them. Laius of Thebes had been joined during the day by Attalos of Pergamon. Mithridates of Pontus was expected to arrive within the next day or two. With Attalos had come Agrias of Tanagra, a close neighbour of Laius'.
The arrival of Agrias had taken Minos by surprise. Whilst he was bound by the terms of a treaty drawn up some fifty years ago to provide aid to Atlantis whenever it was required, he was not what anyone would call a close ally or a particular friend. He did, however, command a sizeable number of troops. Whilst it appeared that most of the Atlantian allies had brought no more than token armies (not having anticipated a full scale war to dislodge Anaxandros from his claimed position and having believed this would be a simple and straightforward show of support and muscle to persuade the Amphigeneian King that his best course of action was withdrawal), Agrias was paranoid enough that he had brought the bulk of his troops with him – a sizeable force of men that Minos desperately needed.
So far the negotiations had been difficult. Minos had not been so naïve as to believe his allies would want nothing in return for their help (although somewhat to his surprise he had found that Laius had done just that) but Agrias seemed reluctant to offer even the most basic of aid until a treaty had been hammered out – with Minos having to make whatever concessions he demanded. He had not as yet seen fit to clearly state his demands, however, and had been content to allow Attalos to make his own requests for the time being – although it had been absolutely clear from the comments he had made that he intended to drive a hard bargain himself.
As for Attalos, Minos had made a variety of concessions with regards to trade between the two kingdoms. That and an agreement for reciprocal aid should the situation ever arise had been all the Pergamonian King had actually wanted. Still it had taken several hours to get to that point and draw up a treaty for both monarchs to sign. Minos had stepped outside immediately afterwards on the pretext of answering a missive from General Dion about the disposition of some newly arrived troops but really to give himself a little breathing space and the chance to gather his thoughts.
Now though, he stepped back through the door into the council chamber with renewed vigour. How he wished that Pasiphae could be at his side. Her sharp cunning would be much appreciated right now. Unfortunately custom dictated that she remain absent, and Minos knew that Attalos in particular would have been offended by the presence of the Atlantian Queen at such an important negotiation. Attalos was incredibly conservative when it came to the role of women within society and would never have accepted Pasiphae's attendance.
"Well My Lords," he said. "Now that we have reached an agreement with Pergamon we must turn our attention to Tanagra."
Agrias smiled. It was not a pleasant smile.
"Tanagra will require more than a promise of future aid," he said smoothly. "We may never need your help after all. We will need something a little more tangible. Trade concessions are all very well but we trade little with Atlantis so they will hardly be of any great use to us."
"You will require other reparations then," Minos said. "Perhaps a package of trade concessions combined with monetary inducements will sound more attractive to you."
"I think not," Agrias answered. "I have little need of your money or your jewels… No My Lord the price of my help is far more simple. I will not wring any great concessions from you. I want only one thing in return for my help. Grant it to me and the armies of Tanagra will be yours to command."
"And what might that one thing be?" Minos asked, immediately on his guard.
"I have a son," Agrias responded. "He is a good boy. Very dutiful. He is my younger son, however, and can have little in the way of expectations. You have a daughter of marriageable age. I am told that she is very beautiful and has been educated in all the social graces. All I am asking for in return for my aid is your daughter's bride price. Betroth her to my son and announce the betrothal publicly and you will have my full and unquestioning support."
