A/N Okay so here we are with Chapter 13. What I thought would be a little linking chapter seems to have turned into a bit of a behemoth and is without doubt the longest chapter in this story so far - I'm not quite sure how that happened actually.

I hope you all enjoy it. Thank you all for the reviews I have received for the story so far :-)


The temple at Pagenia was nothing like the great Temple of Poseidon in Atlantis. It was small and whilst it was clearly wealthy (the quality of the statuary showed that if nothing else) it was also somewhat cramped. The few priests who ran the place had, over the years, grown fat and lazy – fed well by their wealthy patrons in return for what actually amounted to little more than an hour or two of prayer a day and ceremonies for the town on feast days. They had been somewhat overawed by the arrival of both Melas and the Oracle and had deferred to the authority of the High Priest of Poseidon without question. Now they gathered in their small temple and offered prayers and supplications to the Gods with far more regularity than they had been used to doing – the influx of soldiers and refugees to the town had led to a sharp increase in the numbers of devotees attending the Temple to pray or to pay for the prayers of the priests and Melas had left the priests in no doubt that he expected them to see to the needs of the people.

As morning gave way to afternoon there was a lull in visitors to the temple as people returned to their homes or to the makeshift army and refugee camps that had sprung up outside the town walls – laid out with military precision by the officers under Dion's command – for their midday meal. Only the most faithful (or the most desperate, some would have said uncharitably) remained – although they were enough in number to make the small building fuller than normal. Suddenly the main door swung open, startling those inside, and two of the Atlantian guards marched in, taking up position on either side of the doorway, their presence announcing that a member of the royal family was here.

Pasiphae swept through the small building like an oncoming storm, her head held high and her dark cloak billowing out behind her. All around her people genuflected automatically, bowing with haste, their faces reflecting their surprise at the sudden arrival of the Queen. Pasiphae did not bother to acknowledge any of them. It was the duty of those who were socially inferior to her to show their respect in this manner after all. Without pausing, she marched towards the main bomos, veering around it to the small room at the back of the temple where the Oracle was now holding court.

The room itself looked little like the Oracular chamber in the Temple in Atlantis where the Seeress usually held court. Rather than being a cavern hewn out of the rocky hillside on which Atlantis was built with the vapours that the Oracle used to focus her visions billowing up through a crack in the floor, it was an ordinary room; small and square with frescoes decorating the walls and a largish window, currently covered with heavy cloth. It was probably a private chamber for the chief priest at Pagenia to retire to where he could take his ease undisturbed, Pasiphae surmised. It lacked much of the mysticism of the Oracular chamber in Atlantis and appeared almost homey.

It was with some amusement that the Queen noted that the room had been darkened as much as possible, the heavy cloth at the window blocking out all sunlight and only one tiny lamp lit in one corner, to try to make the small space seem as mystical as possible. Clearly the Oracle's flare for the dramatic had got the better of her, Pasiphae decided. Most of the furniture had been removed and the Oracle herself was kneeling on the floor, a large bronze bowl in front of her and a sacrificial knife laying off to one side. Pasiphae's sharp eyes had not missed the collecting bowl just inside the doorway; the priests of Poseidon had always grown fat and wealthy by controlling access to whoever currently held the position of Oracle and charging handsomely for the privilege of consulting her. Of course they did not attempt to charge members of the royal family – that went without saying – and Pasiphae had realised some time ago that her son had also been exempted from payment, even before his true identity had been known to anyone other than the Oracle herself.

"You have a question for me?" The Oracle's clear voice rang out, although she did not turn and her hands did not cease their movements in the water filled bowl.

"I do not have a question as such," Pasiphae answered. "I believe there are things which we must discuss Phemonoe… and I have a request to make of you."

"I have told you before that that name no longer belongs to me."

"You have indeed," Pasiphae agreed sharply, "and yet there are times when it is still appropriate… when I do not need to speak with the Oracle of Poseidon but with the person I knew when we were both young."

"Those days are long gone," the Oracle said, busying herself with her scrying bowl, "and I would not wish them back again… neither one of us is the person that we once were."

"We will never be friends," Pasiphae acknowledged. "There is too much bad blood between us for that."

"Any friendship we might once have been able to achieve was destroyed by your endless quest for power. You gave yourself to the darkness willingly."

"I had no choice. I did what was necessary."

"You have betrayed everyone close to you," the Oracle stated, shooting an acute look at the Queen. "That's why Jason's father took him from you."

"Took him and then abandoned him," Pasiphae shot back sharply. "Tell me, since you are so all knowing, if Aeson was so good and so virtuous – as you would have everyone believe – why he turned his back on our son? He condemned the boy to a life of loneliness and questions without answer. You have implied in our conversations in the past that Aeson is all that is good in Jason and I am all that is bad… yet it is rarely so simple as that. I may be many things but I would never have treated our son in the way that Aeson did. I would never have abandoned him so utterly. He would have grown up knowing love."

"I cannot pretend to know Aeson's mind," the Oracle said softly. "Or to comment on his actions. Yet Jason would not be the person he is now if he had not been taken away from Atlantis. The person he is comes as much from his experiences in life as anything else. He would not be the boy you have grown to love in these past weeks."

"Perhaps."

"You no longer deny that you love him then? That he holds part of your heart?"

"He is my son. He is special."

The Oracle smiled softly.

"Then it has already begun," she answered cryptically.

"How you enjoy taunting me with your prophecies," Pasiphae spat. "Spare me your barbs and let us get down to the matter at hand."

"As you wish," the Oracle replied, with the same soft smile. "You will learn my meaning soon enough anyway." She paused for a moment then withdrew her hands from the bowl, dried them on a small cloth and stood, turning to face the Queen. "You wish to talk about Jason."

"You hardly need to be able to see the future to know that," Pasiphae answered. "We have little else in common after all."

"That was not my doing," the Oracle said.

"How quick you are to apportion blame… and how you love to paint me as the villain in every respect. Tell me, you claim that Jason will destroy me… that the Gods have told you so, yet what do they say of your own fate?"

"The Gods do not permit me to see my own path," the Oracle answered, "as well you know."

Pasiphae chuckled coldly.

"And still you see yourself as untouchable," she murmured.

"You threaten me?" the Oracle demanded. "If you raise your hand against me you will suffer the wrath of the Gods. You will be cursed forever."

"You misunderstand me Phemonoe," Pasiphae answered softly. "I do not threaten you… I do not need to. I merely point out the deficiencies in your… vision. You are not all seeing and not all powerful."

"I have never pretended to be," the Oracle answered. "I am not you. I have never sought power… I understand only too well the bloodshed and suffering that such desires lead to. Such power as I have is derived from the Gods themselves."

"And how brutally you wield it," Pasiphae retorted. She turned away and sighed. "I did not come here to trade insults," she said. "Must every conversation between us turn into a battle?"

"What is it that you want, Pasiphae?" the Oracle enquired with a long-suffering sigh.

"I want many things," the Queen answered, stalking around the Oracle like a predator. "I want the Amphigeneians out of Atlantis. I want my rightful position as Queen restored. I want Atlantis to be strong… to be the great city that I know it can be."

"What is it that you want from me?" the Oracle clarified.

"I want my son's happiness," Pasiphae answered shortly, "and I believe you are in a position to… assist in that."

"In what way?" the Oracle demanded. "I will not be party to your machinations in your quest for power."

"I do not ask you to help me lightly," Pasiphae retorted. "I ask you because I believe that… I believe that you are the only one who can help me… can help Jason. You told me once that everything you had done, you had done to protect him. You told me not to make the mistake of thinking that I was the only one who cared for Jason. So I am asking you – if you care for the boy at all – to help me now."

The Oracle closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them again, she directed a clear eyed stare at the Queen.

"What would you have me do?" she asked.

"Back in the Temple – before Atlantis fell – we discussed the possibility that Jason shared your gifts," Pasiphae answered softly.

"Yes," the Oracle answered, "and I have come to believe that you were correct. On our journey from the city to Dodona Jason was showing unmistakable signs of it… but when I attempted to speak with him on the matter he backed away. He is still a little angry at me I think for keeping the knowledge of his identity from him… although all I ever really did was seek to protect him."

"I believe his abilities grow a little stronger each day," Pasiphae murmured. "Since we have been here in Pagenia… there are times when he will be talking and his words will simply stop – when he will seem to drift away inside his own head – as though he were seeing things that are not visible to anyone else. It is momentary – fleeting – and I believe that Jason is as yet unaware that I have noticed it happening. I also believe that for now I am the only person who has noticed… and that is for the best I think."

"Why? What do you fear?"

"I fear that Minos would think that the boy is unstable. I cannot risk the King acting with undue haste," Pasiphae answered. "If Jason does have some level of foresight – and I firmly believe that he does – then he will need to be brought to accept it and to learn control. Once that happens I believe that Minos will come to see the advantages of the situation… but until then – until Jason accepts who and what he is – I must fear the reactions of others."

"You have not spoken of this with Jason?" the Oracle asked.

"No," Pasiphae responded shortly. "I do not believe that he would react well to any introduction of the subject on my part – that he would retreat and try to deny everything." She hesitated for a moment. "There was a moment when we were in the hunting lodge when I believed that he was almost ready to speak of it himself – when I actually thought he might raise the subject – but we were interrupted and he has not attempted to speak of this since. Yet I also believe it is something that must be tackled head on… and soon. It is already beginning to affect Jason adversely. Aside from the momentary lapses, I suspect he is sleeping badly and there have been times in the last few days when I suspect he is experiencing fairly intense headaches." She paused again. "I remember all too well the fear that came when I realised that I possessed powers beyond the understanding of normal men… and the loneliness that went hand in hand with that." She looked sharply at the Oracle. "I believe you yourself will understand those fears too."

"I do," the Oracle answered. "To have power derived from the Gods… it is a lonely life."

"You told me once that there was a way that you could force Jason's abilities into the light; that you could reveal the truth of them no matter whether he himself tried to hide them. I believe that the time is rapidly approaching when you may have to do this… for Jason's sake. Otherwise I fear that his attempts to supress his own nature – which is something I think he is doing, whether he is consciously aware of it or not – will only cause him suffering. I will not see him made unwell or driven mad by this blessing; this curse."

"Perhaps you are right," the Oracle said. "I had hoped to have the opportunity to speak with Jason and to gently open his heart and mind to the realities of this gift we both believe him to possess without needing to resort to more extreme measures... But it seems that he is no longer willing to confide in me in the way he once did and you might be right in thinking that our time is now running out. To force his abilities into the open will be a risk though. I fear there is a chance that we will drive Jason even further away. I do not believe he looks favourably on me at present and if he were to think we were conspiring together…"

Pasiphae snorted.

"I hardly think that our discussions could be called 'conspiring'," she objected.

"Agreed," the Oracle replied, "and yet that is how Jason might construe them if he were to learn that we were speaking of him behind his back. I do not think he would be happy with either one of us."

"I do not think Jason is happy with anyone at present," Pasiphae responded with a sigh.

"Why not?" the Oracle asked. She searched Pasiphae's face. "What is it? What has happened?"

"You are undoubtedly aware that several of our allies have arrived to pledge their allegiance and offer their assistance in reclaiming Atlantis," Pasiphae answered. "Yet their help is not without price. King Agrias of Tanagra has never been a close friend to Atlantis and the price he has demanded is a steep one. The cost of his help is Ariadne's bride price. He has demanded that she be betrothed to his younger son and Minos has had no choice but to agree." She looked sharply at the Oracle. "You have refused to tell me of my son's future often enough… have told me to concern myself with my own fate… but tell me this now, is Ariadne's marriage to this Tanagran boy part of the future?"

The Oracle sighed.

"The images I see are fleeting and not always clear," she admitted. "I have seen great suffering and hardship… but also great joy. If it is the Gods' desire that Jason and Ariadne should marry, then there will be little anyone can do to prevent it – even Agrias of Tanagra must bow to their will."

"You cannot tell me then whether this marriage will take place?"

"Sometimes the future that I see is clear," the Oracle said a little hesitantly. "Sometimes the course of events is so fixed that there is no deviating from it… but now I see many paths before us and many different outcomes. The future is uncertain – so many things may depend on seemingly insignificant events." She grasped Pasiphae's wrist and forced the Queen to half turn. "One thing is clear though," she said urgently. "Jason is the only hope for Atlantis' future. He alone can save us from the peril that is to come… and if he should falter, if he should fall, then Atlantis will fall with him. The Gods have spoken."

"Then I must crave your help once more," Pasiphae responded. "The engysis must be made with Tanagra but neither the King nor I would wish to see the marriage take place yet. After all we have not even met this boy as of yet and for the wedding to take place so hurriedly would seem… imprudent. Minos has chosen to insist that the wedding should be postponed until Atlantis is back in our hands. It would seem only right that the heir to the throne of Atlantis should be married in the great Temple of Poseidon and not in some backwater such as this. I fear, however, that King Agrias will try to force Minos' hand and insist on the marriage taking place here before we return to Atlantis… or worse that he will insist on Ariadne being taken to Tanagra. I would ask for your support on behalf of the King… as the Oracle of Poseidon your words would carry much weight." Pasiphae's mouth was pulled into a line, as though she found her own words distasteful.

"How bitter it must be for you to be forced to acknowledge my influence," The Oracle said softly. "But I cannot lie and pretend that the Gods have spoken when they have not… even for the King." Her eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Still," she continued, "it would seem sensible to consult the Gods given all the recent turmoil; to seek their blessings for the marriage… and that can only be done through a blood offering. The offering must then be taken to the sacred grove at Dodona where the Gods will make their will known. To undertake such a thing from here in Pagenia… no, we must wait to consult the Gods until we are back within the walls of Atlantis and the proper offerings and sacrifices can be made. If the omens are good, the Princess must be married before the great bull statue in the Temple of Poseidon lest the Gods be made angry." Her eyes twinkled brightly.

Pasiphae let out the breath she was holding.

"We are in agreement then?" she asked.

The Oracle smiled enigmatically.

"For once I believe that we can work towards the same end," she said softly. "I will have Melas send for the assembled Kings so that they might hear my words themselves. As for the other matter, send for me when you need me. I will come and help you to guide Jason through what is to come."

Pasiphae frowned.

"I believe that Jason needs your help now," she snapped.

"No," the Oracle answered. "The time is not yet on us. There will come a time when he can no longer deny what he is experiencing. If I act prematurely we will force him away; he will try to deny everything and lash out. The timing must be perfect."

"And how am I to know when that is?" the Queen demanded. "I do not possess your gift of foresight."

The Oracle's smile widened.

"The Gods will guide your hand," she stated softly. "When the moment is right you will know."


Jason trudged back in through the door of his room and threw himself onto the bed with a sigh. With hindsight Pythagoras had probably been right: he really hadn't been in the right frame of mind to study and his performance in his friend's tests wasn't likely to be particularly good. Certainly he couldn't really remember anything he had written and had been surprised when he found all the pages Pythagoras had given him to complete had been finished – which didn't bode well for the quality of the answers, he suspected. Still, it had served the purpose of distracting him when he most needed it and somehow he thought that Pythagoras would take his lack of concentration into account and quietly lose those papers and results that would not give a true impression of what the mathematician felt Jason could actually do, re-administering the tests as necessary when Jason was in a more receptive mood.

Toeing off his shoes and allowing them to fall to the floor with a distinct thud, Jason allowed himself to sink properly back into the mattress, listening to the little pops that came from his back as he stretched out cat-like on the bed. Oh God he was tired. Perhaps training so hard and for so long this morning had not been the best idea he had ever had, although, like this afternoon's lessons, it had served the purpose of partially distracting him when he had needed it. He lifted his arm a little and sniffed at his tunic, grimacing at the smell of sweat that greeted his nostrils. In light of the hard training session a trip to the baths definitely seemed to be in order and perhaps a soak in warm water would help both to improve his mood a little and to ease his aching muscles, and to soothe his chest where the last lingering effects of the illness that had clung to him since the time in the forest still stubbornly refused to let go. He sighed again.

"You have not had a good day." Pasiphae's tone was matter of fact as though there was no room for argument in what she said.

Jason, startled, sat up suddenly at her voice. How had he failed to spot his mother sitting in a chair by the fire when he had come in? And what exactly was she doing in his room anyway?

"Do you always let yourself into other people's chambers when they're not there?" he asked grumpily.

Pasiphae raised one elegant eyebrow.

"I think you are forgetting both your manners and the fact that I am Queen," she stated flatly.

"I think Anaxandros might dispute that," Jason retorted bitterly. "With the Amphigeneians in charge in Atlantis you're not really Queen at the moment."

Pasiphae's eyes narrowed dangerously.

"I am the rightful Queen of Atlantis," she said sharply, "and I have the right to go wherever I wish in this house."

"Even if that means invading someone's privacy?" Jason demanded.

"I have had little time in the last two days to speak with you," Pasiphae answered frostily. "I wished to check whether my son is well and happy. Is that so very wrong?"

Jason sighed again.

"I'm sorry. It's been a long day," he replied. "I wasn't expecting anyone to be in my room."

"It has been a difficult day," Pasiphae stated. "Ariadne spoke with you." It was not voiced as a question.

Jason snorted.

"Yes," he said.

"A little prematurely perhaps," Pasiphae sniffed. "I would have waited."

"For what? The wedding?" Jason snapped. He paused and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath and releasing it slowly. "I'm sorry," he murmured. "That was rude and I don't mean to be. It has been a long day and I'm tired… but that's no excuse really."

Pasiphae nodded gently.

"Apology accepted," she said softly. "Now come and talk to me properly," she instructed, holding out her hands. "I would like to help if I can."

"I don't see how you can," Jason muttered, pushing himself up from the bed and starting to make his way across to his mother.

He was about halfway across the room when he froze, a feeling of hot and cold sweeping through him and a rushing sound pounding through his head as a wave of pressure rocked him. His vision darkened at the edges and became hazy, all colour becoming muted and dull somehow.

Jason dropped to one knee and looked up in supplication, awaiting orders or judgement. Before him stood Pasiphae, dressed in a deep red dress very different from the Atlantian blue he was used to seeing her in, her hair awry and a smear of blood on one side of her face. A bloody sword was clasped loosely in her hand and her lips were drawn back in a feral smirk; her dark eyes lit with an unholy look of triumph.

"It is finished," she sneered, raising the blade.

Jason gasped as the image faded and the real world dropped into focus again. Breathing heavily, he closed his eyes against the momentary wave of dizziness and nausea that overcame him. A stabbing pain hit behind his eyes and for a moment he wavered until a firm hand caught his elbow and guided him to sit down. Opening his eyes again he came face to face with his mother, dressed normally now and looking more concerned than triumphant. For a moment the two images of her were juxtaposed on top of one another and Jason found himself having to swallow back another wave of nausea that soured his stomach, before the one image faded away leaving only the reality around him.

Pasiphae sat back down in the seat opposite the one she had guided her son to and looked at Jason thoughtfully, her dark eyes scrutinising him. Jason shifted uncomfortably under her gaze.

"Is there something you would like to tell me?" the Queen enquired, her tone clipped.

"What do you mean?" Jason hedged.

"I believe you know exactly what I mean," Pasiphae said sharply. "This is not the first time you have had that sort of attack."

Jason's mind froze. There was no way she could know what he had been experiencing was there? He thought he had managed to brush off any lapses he had had in public fairly well. Whilst he knew he really ought to talk to someone, and given the fact that his mother was also touched by the Gods and had admitted to having powers beyond the understanding of ordinary men to him she would seem the logical choice, he still found himself unwilling to speak; afraid of her reaction; afraid she would simply think he was mad.

"I've just got a headache," he muttered, somewhat unconvincingly, "and I stood up a bit too quickly. That's all."

"That is all is it?" Pasiphae responded sarcastically. "Simply a headache? Well perhaps I should send for a physician since this 'headache' seems to be severe enough that for a moment you looked as though you were about to pass out."

"I'm fine," Jason growled defensively, feeling an irrational little surge of anger. "I don't need to see anyone. It really is just a headache."

He wasn't actually lying either, he told himself; every time he had one of these weird moments – these daydreams or whatever the hell they were – he ended up with some kind of headache. Without really thinking about it, Jason twisted slightly in his seat and reached down to open a small box that sat alongside the chair, pulling an earthenware vial out and drinking the contents quickly.

Pasiphae raised an unimpressed eyebrow at him.

"Pythagoras gave it to me," Jason muttered, gesturing at the vial – unsure why he felt the need to explain himself. "It's some kind of headache remedy apparently. I didn't like to ask what was in it."

Actually, now that he thought about it, perhaps he hadn't been as subtle as he had hoped at hiding the effects of his absent moments; at hiding the headaches and weariness. After all, why else would Pythagoras have pressed several small bottles on him, telling him that they would alleviate any pain in his head and with the instruction to take them whenever it struck. His current headache spiked and Jason could not suppress a small wince, hand coming up automatically and rubbing his temple gently.

Pasiphae's frown deepened.

"You are frequently troubled by headaches?" she asked.

"No," Jason answered. "Not really."

"And yet your friend felt it necessary to supply you with a remedy," Pasiphae pointed out. "I hardly think he would have done that if he did not expect you to require it."

Jason rubbed his forehead again and huffed out an un-amused breath.

"Pythagoras worries too much," he murmured. "It's in his nature. If there was nothing at all to worry about, he'd worry about not being worried. I once told him that before I came to Atlantis I used to get the occasional bad migraine – it's a really intense, painful type of headache. More often than not I'd end up in bed, throwing up because of it and about all I could really do was lie down somewhere dark and quiet until it passed – and it could last for a couple of days if I was really unlucky... That's a bit of a simplification of what happened but I'm guessing you get the drift."

Pasiphae's eyes narrowed.

"Your father's mother was susceptible to similar attacks," she said shortly.

"Mmm," Jason replied. "I know. I've been told. Anyway I haven't had anything like that in over a year now – not since before I arrived in Atlantis – but I have had a few relatively mild headaches lately… it tends to happen when I'm tense. Pythagoras worries, like I said, and likes to be prepared for anything… hence the tonics he made me keep – just in case, you know?"

Pasiphae looked at her son thoughtfully for a moment, wondering if this gave her an opportunity to broach the subject of Jason's suspected abilities.

"Indeed," she murmured. She hesitated for a moment, deciding what she wanted to say. "And what happened just now was just the effects of a headache?" she probed.

"Of course," Jason answered, his tone becoming defensive once more. "What did you think it was?"

"When I was a girl," Pasiphae began, before trailing off for a moment. "My childhood was… relatively normal – at least for a Princess of Colchis. I grew up with my brothers and sisters in the Palace at Apsaros. As children of the King we perhaps had a little less freedom than a peasant child would and were expected to behave in a certain way, but what we lacked in freedom was more than made up for by the many advantages of our position."

Jason blinked at the apparent non-sequitur and frowned slightly. Why was his mother telling him this?

"Growing up I was always aware that there were those around me who practiced what the uneducated would call witchcraft; that there were women of great power in Colchis. And yet it was not something that I was truly aware of within my own family – at least not at first," the Queen went on. "My eldest sister showed signs early on of having the favour of the Gods – of being a seer – but it was not Colchian magic. She was taken to be a priestess when I was still quite young. It was never hidden from me that I was touched by the Gods and yet I did not understand what that meant until my own powers began to manifest. It was a difficult time. My father was already ailing; had already developed the lingering illness that would kill him in the end. Between caring for him and trying to prepare my younger brother Aeetes for the throne – a role he would have to take on when he was still really a child and far too young for the responsibility – my mother and all the other members of the court and my immediate family who might have helped me or explained matters to me were far too busy. I was very afraid and very alone… but I came to learn that those who share this sort of ability are drawn to one another; share a bond that goes beyond what ordinary men can understand. That I was not alone."

"Why are you telling me this?" Jason asked softly.

"Because I wish you to understand that you come from a very powerful bloodline," Pasiphae answered. "From a family where more than one member is blessed with… unusual abilities. And I wish you to understand that those abilities are nothing to be ashamed of or afraid of."

"Alright," Jason answered slowly.

"So is there anything you wish to tell me?" Pasiphae asked again.

"I don't think so," Jason replied, his expression becoming increasingly guarded.

Pasiphae had to stop herself from sighing out loud. It appeared that Jason was still not ready to open up to her and the thought that he still did not fully trust her caused her a little stab of sorrow and pain.

"Very well," she said briskly. "How are your studies going?"

Jason looked down at the floor and shrugged, forgetting for a moment how much his mother disliked the gesture.

"Fine… I think," he answered. "Pythagoras said there are a couple more subjects he wants to test me on before we begin anything properly."

"Then I will expect his report in due course so that a proper schedule of study might be drawn up for you," Pasiphae retorted. "I wish to ensure that your lessons give due attention to the most important subjects." She paused and raised an eyebrow. "You are not displeased with the tutor I have provided I hope." Her tone was still clipped.

Jason flushed slightly, still not fully meeting her eyes.

"No," he said quietly. "It was kind of you. Thank you."

A delicate hand caught his chin and tilted his face up.

"My expectations of you are high," Pasiphae said, her tone noticeably softer than it had been just a few moments before, "but I do not wish you to be unhappy Jason."

Jason returned her gaze steadily now.

"I know," he admitted. "You and the King… you've both gone out of your way to make me feel comfortable from the moment I got to the Palace."

"You are my son," Pasiphae answered simply. "But come, this is not the conversation I intended us to be having."

"And what did you intend?" Jason asked, a faint note of suspicion colouring his tone.

"I believe that Ariadne explained the realities of our situation to you," Pasiphae replied.

Jason felt the pit open up in his stomach again; the sinking feeling that grew with every passing moment.

"She told me that she was to be married," he admitted tonelessly. It felt like a hard knot was forming in his chest, making him ache inside.

"She is to be betrothed, yes," Pasiphae said. "Ariadne understands that this is her duty both to her father and to Atlantis."

"How can the King ask this of her?" Jason couldn't help asking, anger bubbling below the surface. "To be married to a man she hasn't even met? It isn't right."

"Perhaps not but it is all too common," Pasiphae answered. "Ariadne is a princess and her marriage must be advantageous."

Jason snorted.

"And she gets no say in it?" he demanded.

"Ariadne agreed of her own free will," Pasiphae reminded him sharply. "She is not being forced into this."

"Being told that her father has agreed to it and that it will be for the best. What sort of choice is that?" Jason fought to rein his temper in. "Where I come from people are free to marry who they want."

Pasiphae raised an eyebrow.

"I thought we had agreed that you are no longer where you came from," she stated. "You are in Hellas and must abide by our laws and customs. And if you think that this situation is in any way what any of us desired then you are very much mistaken. Minos does not wish to see Ariadne married to the younger son of King Agrias."

"So why does he ask it of her then?" Jason demanded sharply.

"Because he has no choice you foolish boy!" Pasiphae snapped back. "Agrias has set Ariadne's hand as the price of his help and Minos cannot afford to offend him by saying no. Not only does he have by far and away the most troops with him out of any of the allied kings but should Minos refuse it will discourage our other allies from coming to our aid. Ariadne is the heir to the throne. She will be the guardian of Atlantis after her father. Her marriage must be about more than love. Whether you like it or not that is the simple reality of the situation."

"I understand," Jason stated bitterly.

"No you do not," Pasiphae retorted. "These are difficult times and we are all being forced to make choices that we would not want to. To refuse King Agrias' demands would place every plan for the future in jeopardy. This is a battle that we cannot win." She paused and levelled a sharp-eyed look at her son. "The war is not over yet Jason," she said cryptically. "It is barely even begun."

"What do you mean?"

"Simply that it is a long journey from engysis to a marriage – just as it is a long journey from Pagenia to Atlantis – and many things may happen along the way that we are not expecting."

Jason narrowed his eyes.

"What are you planning?" he asked suspiciously.

Pasiphae looked at him thoughtfully. Should she tell Jason that she was actively seeking a way to prevent Ariadne's marriage to this Tanagran prince? She had no doubt now that the boy was perfectly capable of keeping secrets – had learned over the past couple of days how good he was at masking his emotions – but would he be able to remain completely cool and rational where matters of his own heart were concerned? Knowing the little that she did about her son's sometimes emotional nature, Pasiphae doubted it.

It wasn't as if she had any sort of definite plan yet either. No, perhaps it was better not to give Jason what might amount to potentially false hope; perhaps it was better to keep her own counsel for the moment. After all she did not want any hint of what she was planning getting back to Minos. Not that she thought he would necessarily disapprove – after all he had played the game of politics for many years now – but if he knew that she was planning to break the engysis it might put him in a difficult position and he could not afford to be seen to act in anything less than good faith.

"I have no plans at this time," she answered. "But Ariadne has been betrothed before without it leading to marriage. The Gods may not look any more favourably on this match than they did on that one. Perhaps you should remember that."

"That was different," Jason mumbled a protest. "Ariadne didn't want to be betrothed then."

"And she does not want to be betrothed now," Pasiphae answered sharply. "She at least understands, however, that it is a political necessity at this time. Ariadne is of more than marriageable age – many girls would have been married for some years already – but Minos, for good reasons, would not part with her cheaply. Sooner or later a betrothal was inevitable, however. It would have been better if it had been to a man from within Atlantis or from within my family, but right now that is not a possibility. We must play this game with the dice we have been given and for now that means Ariadne must be promised to the son of the Tanagran King." She reached out and covered her son's hand with her own. "I know this is hard for you Jason. I know how you feel about Ariadne and I understand how bitter this must be… but you must remember that you were never given leave to court her. Minos intended you to see one another as brother and sister – at least until he decided otherwise – and that is what you must do."

"I've never been very good at giving up," Jason muttered.

"But for now you must," Pasiphae retorted. She sighed. "For the good of Atlantis you need to stand aside and let this engysis happen… because it will happen whether you like it or not."

"I know," Jason answered steadily.

"Good," Pasiphae said. "But remember that just because two people may become betrothed, it does not necessarily mean they will get married at the end of it. The future is more uncertain than ever at this time. We are at war and men die in the heat of battle. When we are back in our rightful places, the blessing of the Gods must be sought for the match and they may withhold their favour. In any case the heir to the throne must be married in the Temple of Poseidon in front of the court, so no marriage can take place until then at the very least. We have a long way to go to get to that point and many things may happen… and we must each play our parts to remove the Amphigeneians from our city."

"I will do my duty to Atlantis," Jason replied. "I already told Ariadne that we can be united in that if nothing else."

Pasiphae nodded her acknowledgement.

"Very well," she said softly. She hesitated. "There is to be a feast tonight to celebrate the making of the match," she told Jason. "King Agrias would expect no less. Under the circumstances I will not expect you to attend. Spend the evening with your friends if you will."

Jason looked at her seriously.

"Will King Laius be there?" he asked.

"Yes," Pasiphae answered. "Minos will be joined by Agrias of Tanagra, Laius of Thebes and Attalos of Pergamon. At present they are the only allies who have arrived here, although Mithridates and others are expected in the days to come. Why do you ask?"

"The other night when I was introduced to King Laius, the King introduced me as a member of the family and his champion." He hesitated for a moment, gathering his thoughts. "If I'm not there tonight won't it look a bit odd?"

Pasiphae smiled faintly.

"I am sure Laius will have more important things to think about," she answered. "Minos made it clear to him that he wished you to be introduced to cultured society gradually. I would imagine that Laius would assume that Minos had decided not to subject you to the next step until you were comfortable with the last one. And if he were to wonder where you are it can be explained away simply as you being a little unwell. After all he witnessed the fact that you are not fully well for himself the other night." The Queen levelled a sharp look at her son.

"It's just a cough," Jason protested. "I'm fine really." He paused and bit his lip, only to release it from between his teeth when he saw his mother's eyes harden. "You said we all need to play our parts to take back Atlantis… and I think this is mine. I don't necessarily want to come to this feast tonight but I think it's my duty to."

"Perhaps you are right," Pasiphae said. "But it will not be as easy as you seem to think. Do you really believe that you can sit and watch King Minos giving thanks to the Gods for Ariadne's betrothal? Watch King Agrias gloating? And never allow your feelings on the subject to show? Because you would have to hide how you feel."

A slightly bitter smile touched Jason's lips.

"I'm going to have to do that sooner or later anyway aren't I?" he asked. "Better to start as I have to go on. Besides, I've spent most of my life hiding how I really feel from the rest of the world. This will be no different."

He wasn't quite sure what prompted him to tell his mother that. After all it was something that he would never of imagined admitting to her when he had first gone to stay in the Palace.

"Indeed?" Pasiphae murmured. "You admit that you are not as open as you pretend to be then."

"None of us are who we pretend to be for the rest of the world," Jason answered. "We all hide behind masks; behind façades that stop people from seeing when we're in pain. It's how we protect ourselves. I'm no different to anyone else really."

For a moment Pasiphae found herself at a loss for words; a rare occurrence in her life. To hear such world-weary bitterness coming from her apparently sunny natured son was disconcerting.

He is not as innocent as you believed, part of her said.

I never believed he was completely innocent, the other part responded. There is no way he could have survived alone this far in life if he was… but I still believe that his heart is open and kind; that he still has some innocence about him.

"I've shocked you," Jason said quietly.

"No," Pasiphae answered. "I am not shocked. Although I will admit that I am a little surprised. I had not thought to ever hear you speak so cynically."

Jason snorted.

"No-one can be an optimist all the time," he replied. Then he sighed. "You've caught me at a bad time," he admitted. "I'm angry and I'm hurt and that's never a good combination for anyone. It'll pass soon enough though… and no doubt I'll get my positive outlook back as soon as it does."

Pasiphae looked at him through narrowed eyes. He was being sincere, she quickly realised. Looking down at the hand that still covered Jason's she squeezed it, gently rubbing her thumb across the back of his knuckles.

"I wish that I could make this easier on you," she said softly. "I know how hard it must be both for you and for Ariadne."

Jason snorted again.

"You've never really cared about Ariadne," he retorted sharply.

"You misjudge me," Pasiphae replied. "Ariadne and I may not be friends but we were not always bitter enemies either. Once upon a time I tried hard to be a mother to her but she rejected me at every turn." She sighed. "No. We are not friends… and yet I have been where she is now – promised in marriage to a man that she has not met. I would spare her that fate if I can."

"You are planning something then?" Jason demanded, his eyes narrowing.

"I have no plans," Pasiphae answered. "I will delay the marriage for as long as I can but the engysis will not easily be broken without dishonour coming on Minos – something that we could ill afford at a time when we are seeking allies. That is for the future, however. Now we must deal with the present." She paused and regarded her son seriously. "Perhaps you are right that your absence would be missed from this evening's gathering. If not Laius, then certainly that overly clever advisor of his would realise that you were not there. Very well. If you feel that you can behave appropriately and not make a scene I will not prevent you from attending. It might be for the best for you to meet King Agrias and King Attalos in a social setting anyway. After all, you will be expected to deal with them in a political setting soon enough."

"What do you mean?"

"Now that the immediate negotiations for aid from the allied kings who are here have been completed, Minos wishes to get on with the business of planning the reclamation of Atlantis," Pasiphae stated. "There will be further negotiations as more of our allies join us here but for now that stage is complete. Minos was impressed with the ideas you came up with that brought us to Pagenia and set us on this road. He has instructed me to inform you that your presence will be required at some of the strategy sessions he will be having over the next few days. It will not be every meeting, of course; there will be those where the gathered kings will wish to be alone. As such it should not take up too much time and should not interfere significantly with the lessons you will be having with your friend. I trust this will be acceptable?"

Jason blinked in surprise and cast a slightly startled look at his mother. Pasiphae supressed the urge to smile broadly – the expression made the boy look remarkably young.

"What exactly would the King want me to do?" Jason asked. "I'm not refusing to go," he added hurriedly, hoping that his mother didn't think he was and take offence. "If the King really wants me there then of course I'll be there… it's just I'm not sure how much use I'll be."

"All that will be required is for you to attend the meetings as requested and support the King," Pasiphae answered briskly. "If the King asks for your opinion then give it. Other than that, listen to what goes on and learn from it." She looked affectionately at her son. "I know you will make me proud," she said.

With a soft smile, the Queen lifted her hand from where it was covering Jason's and brushed the back of her knuckles lightly down the side of his face.

"There are still several hours until tonight's gathering," she remarked. "Use them to rest and try to rid yourself of the headache that you said you have. I will arrange for the servants to bring water for you to wash and refresh yourself," she added, taking in Jason's somewhat dishevelled appearance with a disapproving glance.

Jason flushed.

"I was training at the practice grounds earlier," he explained, "and I haven't had time to change since. Actually I was thinking of heading to the baths."

"Very well," Pasiphae answered. "Make sure that you do." She tempered her disapproval with a faint smile. "I have lingered too long," she said. "Much as I would like to remain in your company my own duties are calling. I must go and check on the preparations for the feast. If I left Alexarchos to his own devices he would undoubtedly arrange to serve the eel with quails' eggs and pine nuts, which is a combination that Minos finds abhorrent, rather than with feta and almonds, which he particularly likes. Everything must be perfect." She rose gracefully from her seat. "I will see you tonight," she added, placing a warm hand on Jason's shoulder.

Then with one last warm smile at her son, she swept from the room.


Jason starred unseeingly out of the window he was standing at, mind wandering down convoluted and dark pathways. Soon enough the room behind him would be full, the allied kings coming to hash out the strategies they were considering for retaking Atlantis, but for now he was blessedly alone for once. He sighed. What exactly was he doing here? No-one (besides Minos and possibly Dion) actually wanted him here; his presence was largely ignored. The other kings were bemused by his presence at best and contemptuous at worst. Laius was pleasant enough, talking to Jason in a relatively open and friendly manner (and Jason had never thought he'd be grateful to speak to Laius of all people), but of the other kings Attalos and Mithridates (arrived in the last two days) were polite enough but largely ignored his presence and Agrias was openly contemptuous, clearly unable to believe that Minos had named a champion who in the Tanagran King's opinion was little more than a boy and plainly unable to fulfil his role properly.

Jason sighed softly again. The dinner at which he had had his first encounter with both Agrias and Attalos was three days ago now. It had been damned painful (more painful than he would ever openly admit) to sit there and hear everyone offering thanks to the Gods for Ariadne's betrothal; to look at the beautiful girl down the length of the table and to realise that she would not even meet his eyes; to witness both King Agrias' gloating and the hearty congratulations that were offered to both the Tanagran monarch and King Minos. Yet he had managed to conceal his own feelings on the whole; had not caused a scene. Not that it was really in Jason's nature to cause a scene out of choice – no matter what his mother might fear to the contrary. Before Atlantis he had always chosen to fade discreetly into the background wherever possible. It was only since he had arrived here that his own sometimes dreadful luck had thrust him into the limelight as it were – although he did have to admit that his own lack of understanding of the laws and culture had definitely not helped.

He had anticipated that things with Ariadne would be difficult but he hadn't really realised just how difficult they would be. As things were it had become painfully clear that the Princess was avoiding him as much as possible. If Jason entered a room then Ariadne left it as quickly as she could and if they were forced to remain in one another's company she would talk to just about anyone else in the room other than him. Mealtimes had become particularly difficult with Ariadne deliberately arranging to see to her duties at the temple at that time if she knew Jason was going to be there. For his part Jason had taken to skipping as many meals with his mother and the King as he dared; hating to think that he might in any way be usurping Ariadne's position at the table.

One thing was becoming increasingly clear, Jason thought bitterly – that they could not go on like this. Living under the same roof was proving to be impossibly painful for them both. He grimaced to himself. Why, oh why had he not gone with his first instincts and run as far and as fast as he could away from Pagenia when Ariadne had first informed him of her forthcoming engagement? Hercules had openly said that he and Pythagoras were willing to leave if that was what Jason wanted. Perhaps he should take his friends up on the offer now? He huffed an almost silent, humourless laugh. No. What he'd said the other day was true – there really was no way he could bring himself to leave while Atlantis was still in the hands of an enemy; while the few friends he had who were still in the city were potentially in danger. To know that he had walked away and not done everything he could to save those he cared for was unthinkable.

A noise from the corridor outside alerted Jason to the fact that someone was approaching. He grimaced again before straightening his shoulders and turning towards the table in the centre of the room. His time alone was over it seemed. It never seemed to last for long these days and Jason found himself cherishing every private moment that he got – and often wishing for the simpler times he had shared with his friends before he had learned who his parents were.

Minos entered the room alone, although Jason knew that the other kings and their chief advisors would not be far behind and that Dion was also expected to join the meeting as well. The Atlantian King seemed deep in thought; his brow furrowed unhappily. The cares of his position seemed to hang heavily on his shoulders today.

"Is everything alright, My Lord?" Jason asked softly.

Minos started.

"Jason," he greeted his stepson. "I had not expected anyone to arrive before me."

Jason flushed, unsure whether he had broken some obscure element of protocol by being in the room before the King arrived.

"I'm sorry," he muttered. "I didn't want to be late."

Minos regarded the young man seriously. He had had little time over the last few days to speak with Jason alone and it seemed unlikely that that situation would change in the days to come. The truth was that he knew his stepson was ill at ease in these strategy meetings but Minos firmly believed that Jason might have ideas that would prove important; that he might see things that the more formally trained monarchs and their advisors would overlook. After all it had been Jason's idea which had brought them to Pagenia and gathered the troops from the garrisons, and it had been Jason's idea to send word to their allies to gather help.

"You have done nothing wrong," he asserted. "I was simply deep in thought and failed to notice you before you spoke." His frown deepened again.

"Is there something wrong Your Majesty?" Jason asked.

"I have received news which is disquieting," Minos affirmed, "but such things can wait until our allies join us here. That way I will not have to repeat myself."

They lapsed into silence. The King seemed too distracted to talk properly and Jason did not know what to say. Fortunately, it was not too long until they were joined by the others and soon the room was filled with chattering – although Minos did not really join in, brooding quietly at the head of the table. Jason allowed himself to slip into the background once more, content to listen and observe. He couldn't help but notice the worried frown on Dion's face when he entered and began to quietly worry about what the disquieting news Minos had received might be.

The only person they were waiting for by this point was King Agrias. Even his chief advisor was present but the Tanagran monarch was yet to put in an appearance. Jason had noticed over the last three days, however, that Agrias liked to arrive after everyone else; to make a grand entrance when he was sure that he would receive the most attention. Finally, Agrias swept into the room, smirking openly at the assembly.

"I have news, My Lords," he said. "Good news. I have received word from my son. He is little more than a days ride from here and should be with us late tomorrow. As soon as he has arrived and has been introduced, the engysis can be made formally."

If he had expected or hoped that Minos would react to his statement, he was disappointed. Agrias frowned.

"Did you hear what I said, My Lord?" he enquired of the Atlantian monarch, with a frown.

"Forgive me," Minos answered. "I have received disturbing news this morning and I am uncertain as to the correct course of action."

"Might we know the contents of this news?" Mithridates of Pontus asked.

He was the oldest of the kings present in the room. A large man with grey hair and a solemn air about him. He was unfailingly polite to everyone, however, and his remarks were generally sensible and to the point; displaying intelligence tempered with common sense. The other monarchs seemed to afford him a great deal of respect. Jason had decided shortly after meeting the man that he liked him.

Minos sighed.

"I have received word from our scouts," he answered. "They have been sent out periodically by General Dion so that we might know when Anaxandros made any moves."

"And what news have these scouts delivered?" Laius queried.

"It seems that Anaxandros is confident enough in his position that he has begun to send out his troops to subdue the rest of the kingdom," Minos replied. "The town of Athanos is under attack."

"You must have known this was coming," Mithridates said.

"I did," Minos confirmed. "Although I will admit that I had hoped we would have a little more time before the Amphigeneians made their move. It is more the location of this first attack which disturbs me."

"Athanos is close to Pagenia?" asked the chief advisor to Attalos of Pergamon; a man whose name Jason had so far failed to catch.

"No," Minos admitted. "Quite the opposite in fact. Athanos is at least five days hard ride from here, and for an army moving slowly? No, we do not need to fear that the Amphigeneians will stumble across us here. Pagenia was chosen because it is such a small and out of the way town. I suspect it will be one of the last that the Amphigeneians bother with." He paused and gathered his thoughts. "I had hoped that Athanos would not be the first town attacked," he said. "A vain hope as it is the next largest town after the city of Atlantis itself. It is the home of one of my greatest friends and advisors."

Minos gestured to a waiting servant to bring him a cup of wine and took a long sip.

"Herodion has been my friend from childhood," he went on. "As boys we would challenge each other to remain in the bull pen for as long as possible and the first one to jump out would pay a forfeit. He supported me through everything. When I took the throne he became my most trusted advisor; unswervingly loyal. Many years ago now Herodion's wife became dangerously ill. She was with child and the doctors feared for both her life and the life of the child. They advised my friend to take her away from the city; to take her to quieter surroundings so that she might recover. Herodion took them at their word and took his wife to Athanos. For many months her life hung in the balance – even after the babe was born. When it was all over I tried to persuade Herodion to return to Atlantis – told him how much I needed his guidance – but he would not be swayed. He had settled in Athanos and nothing could entice him to return to the city. Over the years we have remained in regular correspondence and I have come to value his advice more than that of any other. Due to the secrecy surrounding our residence here in Pagenia I had as yet been unable to inform Herodion of the current situation… and yet I had hoped that there would be time enough both to warn him and to request his presence in Pagenia. I believed that with the threat of attack from the Amphigeneians, he might finally leave the town he has come to call home. I would still wish to rescue him and his family if I could because his advice is invaluable to me… but I cannot see a way that this might be achieved."

"How long will Athanos hold out?" Mithridates asked.

"No more than a week. Two at the most," Dion rumbled. "Although the town walls are strong, it doesn't have the formidable defences of Atlantis itself."

"And yet Atlantis fell," Agrias pointed out snidely.

"Through treachery I believe," Minos answered, shooting a hard look at the Tanagran King. "The Amphigeneians came through the sewage tunnels beneath the city and must have been shown the way."

"Where exactly is Athanos?" Mithridates queried.

At another gesture from Minos a pair of servants brought a large rolled map forwards and carefully unfurled it on the table, weighting down the corners to prevent it from rolling back up. Jason found himself peering at it, trying to identify both the places he knew and the place Minos was speaking of. Mithridates stood and leaned across the table, carefully measuring off distances, his brow furrowed as he carefully considered both the map and the issue Minos had laid out. Finally, he stepped back.

"It could be done," he said, "but not without alerting Anaxandros to the scale of your remaining forces. If we were to go to the defence of Athanos I cannot see how we could prevent Anaxandros from learning of the massed might of our armies."

"And that is the problem," Minos replied. "We are not yet ready for a pitched battle… and I wished to keep our presence a secret for as long as possible. If we are to retake Atlantis itself, we cannot afford to give the Amphigeneians too much warning." He sighed. "No," he added. "Galling as it may be I cannot put the safety of one man above the needs of my kingdom… even if the loss of that man will be a great blow to me. We cannot commit our forces to this."

Jason looked at the map again, frowning deeply. He could see a solution but he wasn't sure Minos would like it.

"My Lord," he said quietly before he could persuade himself not to speak. "May I say something?"

"Of course," Minos answered over Agrias' barely concealed derisive snort. "You have thoughts on this?"

"You can't send an army," Jason said softly, eyes never leaving the map and ignoring King Agrias' mutterings about him stating the obvious. "But what about one or two men? A small group would be less likely to draw the attention of the Amphigeneians. In the chaos of battle, they could slip through and rescue Lord Herodion and his family from the town."

"The plan has merit," Mithridates murmured. "Where many might fail a small group of no more than three or four men might succeed – particularly if they knew in advance which house belonged to this Lord Herodion. It should be easier for them to sneak in past both attackers and defenders alike."

"And who exactly do you think will undertake this mission?" Minos asked, giving his stepson a hard look; fearing that he knew only too well who Jason was about to suggest.

"I'll go," Jason answered, holding the King's eyes.

"Out of the question," Minos growled.

"I believed that the boy was your champion," Agrias said with a sneer. "And yet you do not even seem to trust him to undertake this, the simplest of missions."

"I hardly think it will be so simple," Minos argued, still glaring at Jason. "Besides, Jason is a kinsman as well as my champion."

"All the more reason that he should be chosen then My Lord," Agrias stated. "If you are unwilling to take a risk and to allow your kinsman to play his part in this war, then why should any of us risk our armies to help you? Many of us have young men with us who are kinsmen. Why should this boy be kept safe when you are asking us to risk their lives?" The word 'boy' was laced with contempt. "I believe that there are none of us here who do not understand the importance of good counsel. If this advisor is as invaluable to you as my own chief advisor is to me, then surely this will be a risk worth taking?"

"There is one other consideration, Your Majesty," Dion rumbled quietly. "When the city fell, Jason managed to save both the Princess and the Oracle; getting them out of the city under the very noses of the Amphigeneian soldiers who were searching for them. As this is a similar task it would seem that he is suited to it."

Minos nearly growled. Deep down he knew that both Dion and Mithridates were right; even Agrias was right in his own way. Yet it was not a decision that Minos would take willingly – not least because he suspected he would have to face the wrath of his wife for risking her son's life; Pasiphae was vicious when something she cared about was threatened and Minos was under no illusions that she cared deeply about Jason. How could he refuse though? Agrias had made sure that if he did not agree to Jason going on this mission the other kings would be likely to think twice about lending him their aid. For political reasons he had to agree, but that did not mean he had to damn well like it.

"Very well," he answered shortly. "You will arrange for two or three of your best men to accompany him," he added with a look towards Dion.

"No," Jason objected.

He flushed as Minos turned angry eyes on him.

"I beg your pardon?" Minos asked his voice and eyes as hard as winter. "You dare to defy me?"

"No My Lord," Jason answered quickly, his voice low and apologetic. "I meant no insolence. It's just… I work best when I'm with my friends. We're a team and I've got used to us fighting together as a group. We know each other's moves. It'll be easier to get into Athanos and back out again with them than with strangers."

Minos' eyes softened.

"I understand," he murmured. "But your friends are not trained warriors."

"They're as trained as I am Your Majesty," Jason pointed out quietly. "Hercules is a fighter and Pythagoras is so clever that I wouldn't even want to consider going in without him. Besides… even if you send me off with other soldiers they'll still come along. We protect one another."

Minos raised an eyebrow and glanced at Dion. The burly general returned his look with a grave nod.

"I witnessed them fighting alongside one another in the streets of Atlantis," he said seriously. "I believe they will be suited for this task."

Jason felt relief wash over him at Dion's support.

Minos steepled his hands, resting his elbows on the table and his index fingers against his lips.

"Very well," he murmured. "You will remain behind after the conclusion of this council so that we might make plans for your departure to Athanos," he said to Jason. Then he looked around the rest of the table. "And now My Lords we must turn our attention to our strategy in the coming days and weeks."