Rumors that Heracles and Iskios had joined the [Argo] expedition spread across Greece, and attention on the [Argo] expedition soared.
As a result, heroes—both the fabled and the self-styled—began to gather one by one. And me? I stayed on guard, scanning for any man bold enough to try something behind my back. While I waited, I picked up stones to kill time, ready to strike back at a moment's notice.
Except for the first two I met—Orpheus and Nestor—most of the new arrivals gave me reason to keep my guard up. The second anyone tried crossing the line I'd drawn, I'd hurl a stone in their direction. It was during one of those watchful stretches that I realized the mood itself had turned uneasy.
"What the...?
Some glanced at me with ill intent, others stared the way a man eyes a courtesan, and a few simply panted with barely restrained desire.
Right. This was end-of-days Greece. A pit of misery for women—raped at every opportunity, killed in the most brutal ways, and denied even the slightest respect.
—Huh? So what's the big deal, you ask? Well, it's obvious. The first female applicant to the expedition had arrived. She showed no sign of concern, but Jason was, as always, conducting her interview.
"An applicant...?"
"Yes."
The woman answered Jason without hesitation. Long hair streaked pale green and yellow, a raw, wild beauty tempered by delicate features. I could see why a few of the men were practically drooling.
I've lived in this grim Greece for almost twenty years, and apart from the goddesses, pretty faces like hers were rare. Even if they did exist, Zeus would rape them, Hera's jealous wrath would tear their homes apart, and society would crumble.
"Then tell me your name."
"Atalanta."
Atalanta... Ah, I remembered—Calydonian Boar hunt and all that. A famous female hunter and runner. My memories are getting hazy these days, but I recalled enough.
I decided to watch her interview like the others. Whether I liked it or not, she was the center of attention right now. Then Peleus leaned over.
"Peleus?"
"Huh? Oh—Oh! Iskios, you're here too."
The guy was staring at Atalanta like he'd been struck by lightning. I got it—love at first sight. Who knows whose father he'd end up being, but I didn't care to worry about that.
The real question was whether this Atalanta would pass. Since Heracles and I had joined, Jason had started formal interviews to test the strength of each new recruit. He filtered out the failures, and only the qualified remained.
"So what shall the test be?"
"How about securing food?"
That suggestion came from me. On a long sea voyage, self-sufficiency was crucial. If we resorted to plundering, the locals would rise up against us—something I'd never stand for.
There's an old saying: He who does not work, neither shall he eat. A few men scowled, but Jason nodded thoughtfully before turning to me.
"You haven't forgotten our plan, I trust? We'll be at sea for days on end. You need the skill to both gather and prepare food. Worst case, we might not sight land for a week."
"Then, Iskios—how do we measure success?"
"Hm... Let's say you bring in a week's worth of provisions gathered purely from nature, ready to eat, by tomorrow morning. Meat, nuts, roots—whatever you find, so long as it won't kill us at sea. None of you want to starve in the middle of the ocean, right?"
The men fell silent, then slowly nodded. End-of-days Greece or not, I'd at least keep a shred of conscience.
Atalanta, famed as she was, wouldn't find this task impossible. I'd give equal opportunity, and once the men saw the sense in it, their reluctant grumbles turned into quiet acceptance.
"You're fine with that?" I asked her.
"Yes. I welcome the challenge."
Atalanta bowed her head in calm agreement. I looked to Jason for permission.
But the whispering men—"No way she can do that..."—mocked behind their hands. Typical end-of-days humanity.
"Then I'll handle Atalanta's evaluation. Sound good, Jason?"
"Sure. I trust you'll do well."
Jason gave his blessing, and only one thing remained: Atalanta's trial. About fifty people—mostly hot-blooded men—had to procure a week's worth of food from the wild. A daunting task, even with a forest nearby.
"First, introductions. I'm Iskios, and I'll decide your fate. Good luck."
"You must be Iskios. Thank you for your time."
I reached out my hand. She took it, and with that handshake, the trial began.
-The word "hero" was not undeserved.-
Atalanta sprinted straight into the forest where the expedition was anchored. I melded into the shadows and followed her every move.
I'd thought it impossible at first, but perhaps I'd underestimated her. She gathered dead branches and kindling, set a small fire, then eyed her quarry: a full-grown wild boar—well over a meter tall.
She hurled a stone to rile it up, baited it to charge her chosen kill site, dodged its tusked rush, and finished it with a single arrow to the throat. Unbelievably precise.
She lured the carcass to the rendezvous point, then darted back into the forest for her next prey: a bear. Same tactic—draw it out, fire at neck and eyes. The beast crashed to the ground, dead on impact.
After that, rabbits, birds, and other small game fell to her arrows. She gathered meat swiftly, then moved on to edible plants and mushrooms, sorting out the poisonous from the safe. By dawn, she'd secured a full week's provisions.
Truly worthy of the title hero. I knew her reputation, but her foraging skill was equally first-rate. Though I did wonder—would she decimate the forest's wildlife?
"Impressive work. No one here can complain now."
"You've been watching the whole time? Where did you—?!"
I stepped out of the shadows. Startled, she shrank back, eyes wide upon recognizing me.
"You've heard the rumors about me, right? This is nothing."
"I see..."
I'd run from Apollo himself and evaded his divine power. When it came to fleeing and hiding, no one beat me.
Still, one must never lower one's guard. I whistled—a signal for Jason and the others to return to shore. They'd be here any moment.
"Needless to say, you pass. I wish I could award you more than a pass..."
"That's a relief."
Atalanta surveyed the assembled carcasses. She'd skinned the beasts, stripped out bone and entrails, then smoked the meat over her fire. Not a single step looked new to her.
And her archery—every arrow had struck a fatal weak point. Her skill with bow and hunt was beyond question.
In this era, bowmanship was scorned in favor of swords—some even whispered about Heracles's bow. A truly wretched age.
"What the...? All of this by yourself!?"
Jason and a few others arrived, eyes bulging at the sight of her handiwork. The men who'd grumbled about a woman joining now stood speechless.
Jason approached and nodded. "Iskios saw it all and gave you his approval. We can't deny the verdict."
"Welcome aboard, Atalanta, to the Argo expedition!"
Even Heracles approved, and Atalanta's face lit up. A few still clicked their tongues, but I paid them no mind.
At first, I'd wanted to keep my life separate from the expedition. Though Jason's offer held little appeal, I agreed to help bring the children along. Since I made that promise, I'll demand a fair payment for my cooperation.
Jason's personality was garbage, his flaws nearly overwhelming his strengths, but I was banking on what little merit remained. And so the [Argo] expedition set sail.