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Q U E S T
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A. A. S.
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I
Next, the wind stirs as the sun itself ascends over the mountain crests. The wind blows seaward, cool and refreshing from the mountains, stirring the wine-dark waters of the bays and coves of the gulf that connects the city with the wide world of the Achaeans and Beyond--the vast unknown world that only mainland Achaeans and people of great Minos the island king are brave enough to sail in their small, sleek, fine-crafted ships propelled by oars and sails.
Donkeys braying, dogs yapping, old women complaining of aches, most men still snoring in their beds, morning dawns in Iolkos like any other day, but though people don't suspect a thing, the whole world will change on this particular day.
Having walked during the remaining night hours down from a mountain valley, a young man crosses a remaining stream that separates him from his destination.
Jason, the son of the previous king (who was injured permanently hunting the great-horned wild ox and let the throne go under his brother's aegis until his son came of age), is nineteen years old, and of sufficient age to rule as the heir to the kingdom of which Iolkos, a small, fishy-smelling Aegean port, is the capital. Although he still cannot find much excitement in the idea, his father has grown increasingly restless under his brother's rule, and has prodded Jason to step in as king. Respectful of his father, Jason has come to claim his throne, so he goes first to the royal palace and fortress on the hill where his uncle, Peleus, is reigning in his stead.
The guards too, stationed at the palace gate, are just as amazed and taken by surprise. Calling for the king to see him, Jason waited a moment, then when they seemed to take too long to suit him, strode boldly into the palace through the open doors, which had been opened to admit the fresh cool morning air. In a moment, he was in the throneroom itself, with the gate soldiers running to catch him and the palace guards just standing, gazing at Jason and not knowing what to do.
Peleus, of course, recognizes him--this noble youth could only be his brother's son, he knew--since there was no one else like him in the kingdom! As the guards rushed to try to stop the one-sandaled intruder from intruding even further on their king, Peleus waved them away, and they fell back, dumbfounded.
"Father sends his greetings. I've come to sit in my chair, honored Uncle!" Jason announced simply. "Well?"