Nobody's Prize Read Online Free PDF Page A

find me?” I asked him.
    “I was coming down from the palace to have another look at the
Argo
when I saw the crowd you’d attracted. There were too many people to see what was going on, but I had a fine view of things when you collapsed. I thank almighty Zeus that I recognized you, because you were the last person I’d expect to find in Iolkos, in the middle of a brawl. I almost had to get into one myself with that slave of yours. He was ready to fight me to the death when I tried to pick you up and get you out of the sun.”
    “
Stop
calling Milo my ‘slave.’ He’s my friend, and he’s as free as you are!” I spat out the words with so much force that Iolaus raised his hands to ward off my anger.
    “Lady—Glaucus—what can I say? I only remember him from King Oeneus’s palace in Calydon, where there’s no denying he
was
a slave. And he certainly is your friend. He let me carry you away only after I whispered your true name.”
    “Where is he now?” I asked, placated by Iolaus’s explanation. “You never told me.”
    “I sent him for more water.”
    “Oh.” A fresh thought came to my mind. “Iolaus, you spoke of my brothers. You can’t tell them I’m here. Please.”
    He looked puzzled. “I thought you came to Iolkos to find them. I’ll tell you the truth, I’ve been sitting here wondering what could’ve happened to make a girl like you risk the journey here. When your brothers showed up in Prince Jason’s company, they told me how you’d all traveled together as far as Delphi, where they’d left you safe, yet now…here you are.”
    I told Iolaus the whole story behind my decision to come to Iolkos and how I’d accomplished it. While I was talking, Milo returned. He was carrying a deep bowl filled with water. I took it from his hands with thanks and drank greedily. I’d never tasted anything so delicious!
    “Slowly,” Iolaus cautioned me. “Gulping cold water can tie your guts in a knot.”
    I set the bowl aside reluctantly. “I guess sometimes I need to be protected from myself.” I looked at him steadily. “But who’s going to protect me from you?”
    He reacted as if I’d slapped him. “Why would you say such a thing?”
    “Forgive me, that came out badly. You helped me today, and you were a good friend to my brothers and me when the boar hunt ended in disaster.”
    “All I did was bring you terrible news,” he said. “Your cousin’s death, and then how his mother died by…” He sighed deeply, turning away from the memory of my aunt’s suicide.
    I shook my head so that my sunstruck vision reeled. I’d have toppled sideways if both Milo and Iolaus hadn’t grabbed me at the same time. My friend shot a poisonous look at Iolaus, who let go of me and edged away from us, even though he could have shattered Milo’s wrist with one hand.
    “Milo,
no,
” I said, shaking my head more cautiously this time. “I don’t need anyone to protect me
from
Iolaus. Since he’s recognized me, I need
him
to protect my secret.”
    “What are you talking about?” A deep crease showed between Iolaus’s brows.
    “When we sail on the
Argo—
” I began.
    “‘We’?” He cut me off at once. “No. Out of the question. It’s too dangerous.”
    “Why?” I asked. I spoke softly, but my pulse was racing. “This will let me join Prince Jason’s quest safely.” I gestured at my boy’s clothing. “The only reason you discovered me was because you know me and got a close look. Trust me, I won’t give Castor and Polydeuces that chance.”
    “That’s not the danger I mean,” he said. “If I don’t stop you now and some dreadful fate befalls you on this voyage—the gods forbid it!—I couldn’t bear the guilt.”
    I took a deep breath and tried a different tactic. “Iolaus, do you hate my brothers?”
    “‘Hate’ them?” he echoed, puzzled.
    “If you tell them I’m here, they’ll want to get me home. Whether they hire armed men to escort me to Sparta or take me back