by Simon Hawke
"Shakespeare," Delaney said, identifying the quotation. "Prince Hamlet to Horatio."
Steiger smiled, "No, actually it was Mooney Dravott."
"Who?"
"Mooney Dravott," Steiger said. "He was a fine old Elizabethan drunk. Shakespeare used him as the model for Falstaff. Mooney would get ripped and say the most amazing things. Bill wrote them down and used them in his plays."
"Bill?" said Delaney. "You knew Shakespeare?"
"Oh, yeah," said Steiger. "Nice fella. I met him while I was gathering intelligence on the Temporal Underground in the late 16th century. He would have been amused to know how well his work came to be regarded and how long it has survived. He didn't take it all that seriously himself. To him, it was just a living, something he did for enjoyment and to make money. He used to say, 'It beats acting.' He did a lot of his writing in pubs, soliciting reactions and taking suggestions from just about anybody. He wrote for the people, so he had a high regard for their opinion. Much of what he wrote was taken from history, but he was more interested in the story for its own sake than in historical accuracy, which is one of the reasons I always suspect history as handed down to us by storytellers."
"Such as Apollonius of Rhodes, you mean," said Andre.
"Exactly."
"I keep thinking about the mission programming," said Delaney. "I've seen a lot of strange things, but if it wasn't for the centaur, I wouldn't have bought any of it."
"I'm not sure that's not the right approach," said Steiger. "Just because we caught a centaur who-or is it which? — corroborated some of the details of an ancient fable doesn't necessarily mean it's all true. If Apollonius really was picking up on psychic impressions of this place, how much of what he wrote can be considered reliable information and how much the result of a primitive mind attempting to make sense of science and technology beyond its grasp?"
Delaney frowned. "What are you saying?"
"Well, I've been trying to think of rational explanations for what seem to be irrational or supernatural elements in the story," said Steiger. "Maybe their technological development here is completely at variance with what we would expect at the same period in our timeline. But that's only one possible explanation. We're at war with the congruent universe. Intelligence is important to each side. It would be in their best interests to supply us with disinformation. Maybe we're actually dealing with a universe in which certain physical laws are different from those in our own timeline. On the other hand, suppose the centaur was actually created by genetic engineers in the future of this universe. This whole thing could be a setup."
"Interesting idea," said Andre, "but it doesn't seem very likely."
"Why not?"
"All right, let's assume that was what happened," Andre said. "They created a centaur in their genetic labs, programmed it with disinformation about this timeline and sent it through the confluence to draw us here. For one thing, if that were the case, they could have taken us by now. And for another, it would require genetic engineering capabilities far in advance of our own."
"And that's not impossible," said Steiger. "There's also the possibility that they could have taken us, only taking us this early in the game didn't fit in with their plans."
"Okay, I'll grant you that," Andre said. "But then it still doesn't add up, because if the centaur had been programmed, it would have shown up in the psych team's debriefing session."
"Maybe not," said Steiger. "What if they're better at psychological conditioning than we are? Can we make a centaur? There's still another possibility to consider. If this is some sort of setup and they really planned the operation carefully, they could have had people on the inside, on our interrogation team."
Delaney whistled. "Boy, that's really getting paranoid!"
"Sound too incredible to you?" said Steiger. "Don't forget, they managed to infiltrate Archives Section before and alter some of our records. There's every reason to suspect they could have managed to infiltrate us elsewhere. It sounds a lot more believable to me than the idea of gods and monsters being real."
"Is that any less believable than my having been born in the 12th century?" said Andre, playing devil's advocate. "The first time I saw a suit of armor made from nysteel, I thought it was magic. The first time I saw someone make a temporal transition, I thought he was a sorcerer appearing out of thin air. Well, wasn't he, in a sense? Where does technology stop and magic begin? Isn't it just a matter of perspective?"
"I suppose it all depends on whether an immortal is actually a god or someone who's achieved the ultimate in life extension," Steiger said.
"But what exactly is a god?" said Andre. "Whose definition are we using?"
Steiger smiled, "Why don't we wait until we meet one? Then we can go right to the source."
They reached the river shortly before dark without encountering anyone, mortal or immortal. The crossing did not prove difficult to find; it was almost exactly where Major Curtis had indicated it on his hastily drawn map. The river flowed swiftly and the water came up to their thighs, so it was necessary for them to move slowly and carry their weapons high as they waded across. They made camp not far from the riverbank. The night was warm and they decided to sleep under the stars, taking turns standing watch. It felt strange hearing the familiar sounds of crickets and nightbirds, seeing familiar constellations and knowing they were in another universe.
As their fire died down, Steiger reached into it and removed a glowing branch. He used it to light a cigarette.
"That's very non-regulation, you know," Delaney said. "You're not supposed to bring things like that through to Minus Time."
Steiger grinned. "You want a drag?"
"Sure."
Steiger passed him the cigarette.
They took turns standing watch and the night passed uneventfully. At dawn, they rose and washed up in the river, then checked the baited hooks they had left in the water overnight. Each of them had caught a fish. They were trained in survival techniques, but so far their journey was less a mission than a pleasant hike. Living off the land would pose no problem. As they were finishing their breakfast of cooked fish, someone hailed their campsite from the riverbank.
Exchanging glances, they made sure their weapons were within easy reach before replying to the call. A moment later, a slender, strikingly handsome young man came through the trees and stopped a short distance away from them. Like them, he was dressed in a knee-length chiton and a short mantle draped over one shoulder. He carried a small leather pouch and a bronze spear. A knife was tucked into his girdle. He had dark, curly hair that was in need of cutting. His cheeks were youthfully smooth. His features were well defined, with prominent cheekbones, a high forehead, a sharp nose and a slightly squared chin. His eyes were dark and his mouth had a proud, stubborn look about it.
"I did not wish to come into your camp and take you unaware," said the young man, "so I gave warning of my presence. As you see, I am alone and mean no harm."
"Come forward, then," said Delaney. "If you are hungry, we still have some food left."
The young man stepped forward and they could not help but notice that he wore only one sandal.
"The price of doing someone a good turn," he explained, noticing their gaze and glancing down at his unshod foot. "I was carrying a poor old woman across the river on my back. She would have been drowned for certain on her own; the current is swift and she was too frail to have stood against it. My foot became caught between two stones halfway across. While I struggled to free it, the strap upon my sandal broke. With the old woman on my back, I could not have tried to catch it before it was swept away. Faced with a choice between the loss of an old woman or a sandal, I chose to lose the sandal. The proper choice to make, I think, if not the most convenient one."
He dropped his spear on the ground and sat down beside them. "I will trade you figs for fish," he said, opening his leather pouch and passing them several fruits. "I am Jason, son of Aeson, rightful king of Iolchos. I am on my journey h
ome to claim my birthright." He said this as casually as if he had been remarking upon the weather. "I am called Fabius," said Delaney. "And these are my friends and traveling companions, Creon and Atalanta. We travel to Iolchos, also."
"Excellent," said Jason. "We shall all go together, then." It did not seem to occur to him they might not want to all go together. He simply accepted it as a matter of course.
"I heard Pelias is king in Iolchos," Andre said, to see how Jason would react.
"The throne does not belong to him," said Jason, his mouth full of fish. He spat out several bones, "He took it from my father and now I will come and take it back from him."
"All by yourself?" said Steiger.
"It is mine by right," said Jason, simply.
"Pelias might not see it that way," Steiger said.
"It matters not how Pelias might see it," Jason said, masticating furiously. "The kingdom is mine to claim and claim it I shall."
"But what if Pelias disputes your claim?" said Andre.
"Then I will have to challenge him. I do not wish to do this, so I intend to ask him to step down of his own free will. He will have to see that right is on my side and so I must prevail."
Delaney rolled his eyes.
"You would not, by any chance, have any spare sandals with you?" Jason said. "No? Worse luck. It means I shall have to enter Iolchos looking like a beggar who cannot even afford two sandals. Not a very good beginning for a king. Still, perhaps it is an omen. One can never tell about such things. The whims of the gods are strange."
"Have you ever met a god? asked Steiger, smiling at Andre.
"Not knowingly," said Jason. "It is said gods often take human form to mingle with us mortals. If I have ever encountered any, I do not know of it. Of course, there is Hercules, who is said to be the son of Zeus, or so claims his mother, Alcmene." He shrugged. "One never truly knows about such things. Hercules does have strength greater than that of mortal men, so perhaps he is a demigod, indeed. I do not give much thought to such matters." He finished eating and wiped his hands on his bare legs. "Time to travel on," he said, putting himself in charge of their expedition as if it were the natural order of things. "Soon, we shall enter Iolchos and I shall meet my destiny."
He set off in the vanguard of their small troop, walking quickly and purposefully with his shoulders squared and his head held high, as if he were a general leading a victorious army into a vanquished city.
"What do you make of this boy?" Steiger asked Delaney quietly, so that Jason would not hear.
Delaney shrugged. "He's either a fool or the most complete innocent I've ever met. If that's what comes of Chiron's teaching, I'd hate to see his other pupils."
"Well, if there's any truth to the legend," Andre said, "we'll be meeting a lot more of them before too long. So far, things seem to be happening according to the story."
"Except for us," said Delaney.
"I'm not sure he even knows we're here," said Steiger, indicating Jason up ahead.
Jason marched ahead of them without a backward glance, supremely confident in his ability to lead. He was in excellent condition and he set a good pace, devoting his energies to walking and sparing no effort for idle conversation as they went. He seemed a remarkably self-contained young man. His bearing reflected his assumption that he was destined for greatness.
They arrived in Iolchos late in the afternoon and Jason made his way directly to the palace. At least, he must have assumed it was the palace because it was the largest building in the city, which was small in spite of the grandeur of its architecture. In fact, it turned out to be the Temple of Poseidon, but it served just as well because King Pelias was there, preparing to sacrifice a bull to the sea god. A crowd had gathered at the foot of the temple steps.
Jason ploughed through the crowd as if he were an icebreaker crashing through a frozen sea, shouting, "Make way for the true king!"
People stared in amazement at the presumptuous youth who dared to shout such words in the hearing of King Pelias, who turned frowning from the carcass of the bull, a bloody knife held in his hand. Soldiers immediately started down the steps to intercept Jason, but at that moment, the king's high priest saw he was wearing only one sandal and he held the soldiers back.
"Wait!"
"It's the man with one sandal!" said the captain of the guard. "The one the prophecy spoke of. Why not just kill him and have done with it?"
"No," the high priest said in a low voice. "How do we know that killing him will not somehow fulfill the prophecy? If, in killing him, we set in motion events which would lead to Pelias losing the throne, then he would indeed lose his kingdom to this stranger, though he be dead. The gods can be capricious in their whims. The conditions of the prophecy must be fulfilled without risking the throne."
"But how?" the captain asked. "It does not seem possible!"
"To a clever man, everything is possible," said the high priest. He turned to Jason. "Who dares profane the sacrifice?" he demanded as Jason started up the steps. "Who are you?"
"I am Jason, son of Aeson, rightful king of Iolchos. I have come to claim what is mine by birthright."
"Oh, brother," said Delaney. Beside him, standing at the foot of the stone steps leading up to the temple, a soldier groaned miserably.
"Oh, cruel gods," the soldier said, "that I should lose all for want of having stopped a foolish boy!"
"Lose all?" said Andre.
"Like as not my life as well," the soldier said, morosely. "Pelias heard a prophecy from the Oracle of Delphi that he would lose his kingdom to a man who came to him wearing but one sandal. I was charged to keep a supply of sandals ready to hand out at the palace entrance and to make certain no such man came into the presence of the king. Months spent with my eyes cast down, inspecting the feet of all who came to the palace seeking an audience with the king and now this wanton youth beards him at the temple! The gods must hate me!"
Pelias was staring intently at Jason, who returned his gaze confidently, as if daring him to deny his claim. "My brother, Aeson, is dead," said Pelias, "and his son with him."
"His son stands before you, very much alive," said Jason. "Look well on my face and tell me that you do not see my father."
Pelias seemed to consider. "Yes," he said at last, "there is a similarity, but that alone proves nothing. I could as easily find a dozen boys of the right age in this city who could make the same claim based upon a chance resemblance."
He smiled and gazed out at the crowd, the compassionate and understanding king taking great pains to be patient with a mad boy. When he spoke, his tone was condescending and more that a little ironic.
"You understand, surely, that as king I have great responsibilities. I must consider the welfare of the people. I cannot simply hand over my throne to the first man who comes along, claiming to be my poor dead brother's son. This is a delicate matter which requires some deliberation." He turned to speak with the high priest.
"I await your answer, Pelias!" Jason shouted after a moment, growing impatient.
"He will get his answer in a spear between his ribs," the soldier in charge of inspecting feet said. "And then, doubtless, I shall make the long journey to Hades with him."
"Perhaps," said Delaney, "you would be best served by making another long journey before the king has time to think about your fate."
"You offer sound advice, stranger," said the soldier. "My thanks. The wandering urge is suddenly upon me. I think I will depart at once."
As the soldier hastily pushed his way through the crowd, Pelias turned to Jason while the people waited expectantly to see how their king would deal with the impetuous youth.
"I have consulted with my high priest about the best way to deal with this matter," he said, speaking loudly enough for all to hear. "If, as you claim, you are truly my brother Aeson's son, then you are indeed the rightful king of Iolchos. But, on the other hand, if you are not my brother's son and I were to step down in your favor, then not only would I have acted
foolishly, putting the fate of the people of Iolchos into the hands of an imposter, I will have angered the gods, as well. As king, I must do what is right and just, both for the sake of the people of Iolchos and to appease the gods."
"If you do what is right and just," said Jason, "you have no need to fear the gods."
"But we are mortals and not gods," said Pelias, smiling. "We cannot always see the truth of things as the Immortals can. If we could, then we would be as gods ourselves. Surely you would not utter blasphemy by suggesting it were otherwise?"
Jason frowned, giving the matter careful thought-something which did not seem to come easily to him. "I would never blaspheme against the gods," he said, uncertainly.
Pelias smiled. "Very well, then. Since we are but mortals who cannot always see the truth of things, would it not be best to let the gods guide us in our decision? I will abide by the wishes of the gods. Will you do the same?"
Jason could not very well answer that he would not.
"You claim to be my brother's son," said Pelias. "So be it. You appear to be an honorable young man. For the sake of my departed brother, I will put my trust in you. I will act in good faith and accept your word. Let all gathered here be witness that I step down from the throne of Iolchos in favor of my brother Aeson's son, King Jason."
The crowd gasped with disbelief.
"However," Pelias continued, "since I have acted in good faith, you must do likewise. You have made the claim, so it is you who must provide the opportunity for the gods to reveal their decision to us, as we have agreed. For the sake of the people of Iolchos, there must be a test. I can think of no more fitting test than for you to bring back the golden fleece from Colchis. It will be an arduous journey, but if the gods mean for you to rule in Iolchos, you cannot fail. In the meantime, I will keep your throne safe. When you return, then all will know that we have acted in accordance with the wishes of the gods."
"It looks like Pelias just found a loophole in the prophecy," Delaney said.
"And our boy Jason fell right through it," Steiger said. "Things are proceeding right on schedule."
