The Start of Something – Chapter 2
Standard disclaimer applies – I don't own them, the BBC does.
If you've made it to chapter 2, then thanks for sticking with me and I really hope you enjoy this. Thanks for all your encouragement so far. I really hope people enjoy the next part :)
The path to the mines of Pangeon was not an easy one to climb. But she had done it nonetheless. Her robes, she had discarded a short distance from the palace, stowing them into a saddle bag and swapping flowing gowns for more practical trousers and tunic, belted at the waist and, despite the heat of the day, wrapped in a thin, grey hooded cloak. Summer nights held on to their warmth, especially when surrounded by stone and rock but she knew enough to realise that higher in the mountains, temperatures could drop rapidly. Stumbling once again on the rocky terrain, the queen was also immensely glad for the thick-soled leather boots encasing her feet, rather than her delicately strapped sandals.
Her horse whinnied down below her, but though it grazed on what little vegetation it could find, it did not break free from its tether. The black beast was magnificent: strong, fast, beautiful. She had chosen him from a yearling and, when he was ready to be saddled, had broken him herself. Their bond was strong and he had carried her, faultlessly, to her mountains.
The caves rose in the foreground and Pasiphae felt a moment of apprehension pass through her. Her former husband, it appeared, could have this affect on her though for the life of her, she could not understand why. She had long since given up the guilt. Aeson had brought about his own fate with his unwavering stance, with his unreasonable demands and with his staunch unwillingness to share power, to admit that his wife possessed a wisdom that he did not.
And then he stole her child. Nothing she had done to him or could ever do to him, could make up for what he did to her.
With that thought in mind, she hardened her mettle for the task ahead and closed the last of the gap between her and the old mine's entrance, hoisting herself up the ascending path of rocks. He would be watching, or his people would. She knew that. She would not be catching him unawares.
True enough, when she reached the gaping black entrance and stood, regaining her breath for just a moment, a movement in the darkness ahead of her caused her to stiffen. And then he emerged from the shadows, the man she knew, the man she loved at one time and the man she had cursed.
"Aeson," she whispered. He drew back his tattered hood to reveal his ruined features. His eyes were cold, hard and brimming with betrayal. And curiosity. She could see that there as well.
"What do you want, Pasiphae?" he asked, his voice dull and hard. She looked him straight in the eye (one of those eyes being considerably easier to look at than the other).
"We have matters to discuss."
"We have nothing to discuss and you must leave this place." He paused. "The people here know me as Tychon. None know my true identity."
Though she had meant to come as a supplicant, Pasiphae could not help herself. She scoffed. "Well as I have no intention of conversing deep within the bosom of the leper community, you may ease your mind with the knowledge that your secret will not be betrayed by me."
Aeson's smile was twisted and unpleasant. "I heard rumour that King Minos' health is much improved."
She nodded, her voice guarded. "That is true."
"My condolences," he smirked. "So tell me then, before you leave this place and leave me to my peace: what have you come here for? The only matter we might possibly have to discuss is…" His voice became tight and twisted: "settled." Pure hatred, the likes of which almost made Pasiphae blanch, were channelled towards the queen.
"It is that matter which we must indeed discuss." She paused a moment, squared up with him, letting her meaning sink in. "Our son."
"Do not call him that!" he cried, slicing a hand across the air in front of her. Despite herself, she jumped back at his intensity. However, she would not be cowed for long.
"And why should I not?" she demanded. "You may have stolen him from me but you cannot change the truth! He is just as much mine as he is yours. You act as though I would have poisoned him, destroyed him!" She was breathing heavily now, fire burning brightly in her eyes as she rounded on her former love. "But did it ever occur to you that I might have protected him? Loved him?"
"You had nothing left in you to love with."
And though she opened her mouth to continue their argument, thrilled as she was for a moment to be back in the heat of passion, she abruptly closed it again. This was not the time and time was itself a crucial factor. "The past is done," she announced far quieter but no less urgent. Aeson noted the change in her and immediately became alert. For his wife to back down from a fight, to lower her voice for the sake of peace rather than a warning, spoke of things far worse than a bitter reconciliation.
She reached into a leather bag, slung over one shoulder and withdrew the necklace. Aeson gasped when he saw it. "He's hurt," Pasiphae announced. "He needs help. Quickly."
"What have you done to him?" Aeson breathed, reaching out a hand for his son's necklace. Immediately, she snatched it away and replaced it in her bag.
"I have done nothing, you fool! Do you really think I would bother seeking help for him if I had? I realised the disease would wither your face but I had thought I was leaving you your senses in tact."
"Then why do you have his necklace?" he demanded. Thoughts of Jason lying murdered at his mother's hands flew dizzyingly round his mind. But even as he thought them, Pasiphae's words started to make sense. She would not be here if she had harmed him. But then, what?
"Why I have the necklace is none of your concern. Suffice it to say that Jason is injured and trapped in a cave nearby, in the mountains."
"Trapped? For how long?" Seeing the grim lines of her face, his own paled. "In these conditions?" he wondered aloud. "The caves can be cold if you aren't dressed for them and he will need water. There are underground streams that he might yet find, though." His voice took on strength as he registered the hope in his own musings. "He's strong," he suddenly insisted. "And resourceful. He'll find a way."
"It's possible," Pasiphae admitted, slowly, "that he was attacked by an animal before taking shelter in the cave. They found blood. He was wounded. I don't know how badly but it's been five days and if the wound is infected…" And for once, Aeson looked at the woman he married, not the monster she became. She was afraid, vulnerable and he was the only one she had to turn to.
He watched as she forced a timbre of strength back into her voice. "It is possible he cannot move freely. There were earth tremors. They shook the cave and mountainside and caused both the roof of the cave to collapse and the entrance to be blocked. It cannot be shifted."
Aeson's gaze was far off, his thoughts in uproar as hope warred with cold logic. "Then you tell me my son is dead," he whispered in disbelief, shaking his head.
"I tell you to find a way around this!" she snapped, fiercely and her voice was like a clap of thunder, breaking through his stupor. "I do not have time for us to argue or for you to wail like a hysterical woman! I have supplies of food and water, rope, the means for light and basic tools but I need you to guide us. You know caves inside and out and you know this area. Did you feel the tremors these days past?"
With grim determination, Aeson nodded. "We felt them and in the area around us." Moving out past Pasiphae, he stood at the edge of the cliff face where the elevation afforded him a good view of the surrounding terrain and the mountains. "There." He pointed off to the distance and, reluctantly drawing nearer to him, Pasiphae followed where he pointed.
Less than half a mile away the vegetation and rocks on the side of a mountain had obviously been disturbed, lying in a high, thick wall of earth and stone in front of the mountain's face. "Does that tally with your information on where he was last seen?"
She thought for a moment on his question, heart pounding in her throat. Were they so close? She hardly dared believe it. Inwardly, she traced the directions she had been given, saw the ascent of the rocky scree below the blocked entrance and half imagined that she could even see the last remnants of dried blood on the uneven rocks.
"Yes," she announced, still training her eyes on the scene before her. "I am sure of it."
It was with some reluctance that Pasiphae allowed Aeson to help her down the uneven terrain of the rocky slopes from the silver mines. Her pride would mend quicker than a broken ankle, she told herself as he grasped her waist to lift her down the final drop and onto even footing.
They silently turned away from each other the moment he released her and the queen headed straight for her horse, Aeson following. She untied the reins from the tree that it had been tethered to and combed her fingers through its forelock, smoothing her other hand along its sleek ebony neck. Beside her, Aeson looked on, somewhat taken aback at the tenderness of the actions. Then she removed the saddle bags and handed them to her former husband before leading the horse deeper into the shade of some trees.
"There's a small brook a little further along." She almost started at the intrusion of his voice, coming from behind her. Irritably she snapped her head round to the side.
"What of it?" she demanded.
Aeson could not keep the amusement out of his voice when he replied: "If we're to be a while, it might be kinder to water him. There's plenty of shade and grass, too." He glanced over towards the caves that waited for them on the other side of the plain. "It's nearer to the cave, too. Far easier to move him if we have a horse." Aeson watched her jaw work itself and the muscles in her arms start to tense. It had not been his intention to rile her this time but the reaction would always be welcome all the same. It would not be long, he knew, before she reached the same conclusion and he wasn't wrong. A moment later and she nodded, tersely.
Silently, she let him lead the way, across the terrain until they came to small grove of trees which grew next to another dangerously jagged ascent of rocks. A thin row of trees lined the circumference of the plain, nestled snugly in-between the mountains. Looking up from where they stood, the evidence of the landslide seemed impenetrable. "This way," Aeson told her, quietly, leading them all deeper into the trees until they arrived at a small brook. After the horse had been seen to, Aeson opened the saddle bags and took stock of their contents. He raised his eyebrows, perhaps in appreciation. The gesture was not missed. "Have I anticipated all that we will need?" Pasiphae asked, sweetly mocking, her arms folded defiantly across her abdomen. She levelled a pointed look at him and Aeson was forced to nod, begrudgingly. "We might have done with a few more strips of cloth to bandage wounds and perhaps some herbs for a poultice." He glanced about the grassy banks of the stream and the surrounding trees. "We might find something here, though."
Pasiphae pursed her lips and made no reply. Without a word, she scanned the fauna and moved off a pace, kneeling down in the dirt and uprooting small, flowering blue plants. Then she swiftly moved to the base of a myrtle tree and dug out some roots, growing in a twisted nest. A few more plants here and there, were quickly but expertly added to the mix. When done, she rose and returned to Aeson, stuffing the plants into her leather belt pouch. She raised one eyebrow to the man, who watched her with an air of passivity: a challenge, thrown down to him. The old king gave a crooked half smile.
"Let none say that Queen Pasiphae does not know her herb-lore." Then he swung about and back-tracked their path, heading out towards the plain that separated them from the caves they needed. "But you should probably let me do the mixing," he called back to her as she was forced to stride quickly to catch up. "After all, I can't imagine when you last combined those ingredients to make a concoction that healed." He watched, with grim satisfaction, as her flushed face darkened at his words. "Wouldn't want any unfortunate accidents, would we?"
"Just serve your purpose, Aeson," she snarled. "The sooner we have Jason free and back in Atlantis, the sooner we may quit each other's company."
He made no reply to her comment, but instead, indicated the way up. "It's getting dark quickly," he pointed out. "We must make good time if we're to find a way in." He glanced down at the unlit torch, removed from the saddle bags. "We should save the torches for when we get inside the caves if we can help it." Immediately, her eyes shot up towards the immoveable wall of rock.
"You cannot mean to shift it?" she asked, though logic already guided her thoughts away from the notion. Still, she noted his bitter, mirthless laugh and pressed her lips tightly together.
"Clearly, I left you with a grander impression of my talents than I had believed," he scoffed but before an argument could escalate, he pressed on. "There are many entrances to caves such as these. There's a path that winds west around the mountain. My people and I have travelled it on occasion. It's our best chance of finding another entrance." He cast an appraising eye over her. "Are you able to keep up? I don't need you slowing me down. It may be wiser for you to wait for me here."
"You always were a fool to doubt me, Aeson and we have wasted enough time! The evening is drawing in so let us move." And with that, she pushed past where he stood, hoisting her bag more securely over her shoulder. Sighing wearily, Aeson followed, moving ahead of her to guide them. The climb was not easy. The way up rose in steep increments and jagged outcroppings of rock interspersed their journey. Several times they had reached out to grasp each other's wrists to stop themselves from slipping. They found the path that wound round and up the mountainside easily enough but with the fading light, the secure route became harder and harder to navigate. Where the path narrowed so only one could safely pass, the earth on the outside crumbled worryingly as their feet trod too near it. It was not the animosity between them that kept both former partners silent: their concentration was rooted to the way up.
How much further to go? Pasiphae wondered as the first moments of doubt crept into her mind. Had she given any thought to what would happen once she found Jason? If he was awake, what questions would he have for her? How was she to explain her presence to a young man who believed she wanted him dead? And if he discovered the truth – what then? By the gods, what would Minos say? Not for the first time, she found herself wading in murky depths. Just how far would her re-awakening maternal nature allow her to travel on this dangerous path? Aeson believed she could not harm her own son, but both of them knew it was a sentiment built on sand.
Casting her gaze about her, one thing she knew for certain was that if they found Jason alive, moving him in the dark would be next to impossible. None should make the return trek before day break, not if they valued their lives.
Suddenly, she saw the shadowy outline of Aeson hold up a forestalling hand, just ahead of her. Obligingly, she stopped, a question hovering on her lips. "Here," Aeson intoned. She followed his gaze and saw that she was looking at a large crevice in the side of the mountain. It was wide enough for both to pass through side by side and high enough that they need not stoop. Aeson fumbled in the saddle bag until he had found the torch. Quick and skilful flint work sparked up the necessary flame and soon, the oil soaked cloth was burning brightly around the head of the torch.
He passed the bag back to Pasiphae who took it without comment as he lifted the torch ahead of them, lighting their way into the inky blackness.
"Is this way safe?" she asked, her voice sounding startlingly loud in their cavernous surroundings. Aeson peered further inside the opening and stepped in. "Wait here a moment," he instructed and then he was gone, disappeared into the gloom. Pasiphae tried not to count the moments as she listened to the sounds of his shuffling footsteps moving deeper inside. The wind picked up around her and a sudden strong gust had her gripping tightly on to the jutting rock along the wall. A temptation to call out his name was thankfully rendered obsolete when he suddenly re-emerged.
He beckoned her on with one finger. "This is the way," he announced. "The air is staler the deeper the passage winds but it's breathable and we can pass unobstructed." Pasiphae nodded and took one step over the threshold. Then she paused.
"How will we find our way back to the front entrance?"
Aeson's reply was more saddened than bitter. "I've spent nearly twenty years making passageways such as this, my home. Trust me. I know the turns of tunnels, can read the breath of air on my face as clear as a map." Was it the fading light, or could he read a flash of emotion in his former wife's eyes? Perhaps.
"Before we go any further though," he suddenly announced, "I have a condition of my own. A boon, to be granted on your return to Atlantis."
That brought the queen up short. For just a moment, her mouth hung open before she found her voice. "A condition?" she asked, incredulously. "Your son's life hangs in the balance and you wish to barter for favours?" Of all the ways he could have surprised her, this was the very last thing she would have imagined. From her own lips, maybe, but not her noble Aeson – the doting father.
"Then we should not waste time in our negotiations," Aeson replied, evenly.
"What would you imagine I could possibly grant you?"
"For Jason's life? Have you thought what you're prepared to sacrifice?" He gave a bitter laugh. "Don't worry," he assured her, darkly. "Whatever boon I ask of you will not affect that which you truly care about. The throne," he supplied after a moment's pause. "Your almighty power. I have no designs to reignite the wars of past times or to throw myself back into a world of struggle and betrayal. I leave you to pave the way for your own demise."
He watched her spine straighten and her shoulders square. "No, my request will be a simple one, within your power to grant and it will not affect that which you hold most dear. Do we have an agreement?"
Pasiphae released a sharp breath which came out more as a hiss. "If your petty privileges mean so much to you, then so be it. I will grant your boon on my return. Now let us move on."
"Swear it!" he demanded, sharply. "By Poseidon."
She paused a moment, taken aback by his fire. "As you wish – I swear on Poseidon's name. Now are we done? Jason's time runs short, if it pleases you to care."
Still unsettled by the strangeness of his behaviour, the queen pushed aside her feelings, as apparently, did Aeson. They knew they must concentrate on the task at hand. She stepped through the opening, glad when the glow from the torch revealed a more hospitable path than she had built in her mind's eye. She did not know for how long they travelled, turning one way then the other but, though she was reluctant to admit it, Aeson's confidence amazed her. He paused at forked paths for only a fraction of a moment before decisively choosing a direction. Never once did he backtrack or appear to question himself and the queen only hoped this was borne from instinct and ability and not from pride or stubbornness.
But suddenly, they rounded a corner and stopped short. A wide chamber stood before them, a small mountain of rock and debris scattered across the mossy floor from the middle of the space and stretching over to the blocked entrance. For a second, Pasiphae's breath caught in her throat but it was not long before she found herself pushing past Aeson and into the room. "Careful," he warned, reaching out to place a restraining hand on her arm. "We don't know how stable the roof of this cave is. The tremors may have loosened something that is yet to fall."
"Take your hand off me!" she hissed. He complied immediately but further cautioned.
"Try not to disturb the surroundings – we don't want to cause any more shifts in the rock." Pasiphae afforded him a brief, irritated nod but her attention was elsewhere.
"Can you see him?" she asked, tension mounting in her voice. "Move the torch closer – here!" She pointed to a mound of rocks on the floor, the shape of their shadows drawing her attention. Aeson did as she instructed, hovering the flame lower over the fallen slabs of stone. She was right: something lighter seemed to be coming through beneath the darkness of the fallen rocks. Quickly, willing his hand not to tremble, he moved the light along length of it.
Pasiphae gasped and that's when he saw it. The bloodied figure – legs, arms, back; broken, pinned, unmoving. "Jason," he whispered.
That's it for now. Chapter 3 on the way soon. Thanks for reading this far.