When Jason came to Iolcus, he went straight to the square where all the inhabitants had gathered. The inhabitants of Iolko looked with surprise at the beautiful young man. They thought it was either Apollo or Hermes - he was so beautiful. He was not dressed like all the inhabitants of Iolko; a motley panther skin was thrown over his shoulders, and only one right foot was shod in a sandal. Jason's lush curls fell over his shoulders, and he shone with the beauty and strength of the young god. He stood calmly among the crowd of citizens admiring him, leaning on two spears.
At this time, Pelias arrived in the square on a rich chariot. He looked at the young man and shuddered, noticing that the young man had only one foot shod. Pelias was frightened: after all, the oracle had once revealed to him that he was in danger of death from a man who would come to Iolcus from the mountains and would be shod on one foot; this man, the son of Eson, had to destroy Pelias by force or cunning, and death should be inevitable.
Pelias hid his fear and arrogantly asked the unknown young man:
“Where are you from, young man, what tribe do you belong to?” But just answer the truth, do not defile yourself with lies, I am the enemy of hateful lies.
Jason calmly answered Pelias:
“The wise Chiron taught me only truth and honesty, and I am always faithful to his instructions. I lived for twenty whole years in Chiron’s cave and never once violated the truth or did anything wrong. I returned home here, to my native Iolk, to my father Eson. I want to demand that power over Iolcus be returned to me. She, as I heard, was taken from my father by the treacherous Pelias. Citizens, take me to the house of my great ancestors. I am not a stranger to you, I was born here in Iolka. I am Jason, son of Eson.
The inhabitants of Iolko showed Jason his father's house. When Jason entered, the father immediately recognized his son. Tears of joy welled up in the eyes of old Eson; he rejoiced, seeing that his son had become a powerful and beautiful young man.
The news of Jason's return quickly reached Eson's brothers: Pheret, king of Pher, and Amphaon from Messenia. Soon they arrived at Eson with their sons Admetus and Melampodes. For five days and nights Eson and his son Jason celebrated them with feasts. Jason revealed to them in a conversation his desire to regain power over Iolkos. They approved of Jason's desire and went with him to Pelias. Jason demanded that Pelias return power to him, and promised to leave him all the wealth that he had taken from Aeson. Pelias was afraid to refuse Jason.
“Okay, I agree,” answered Pelias, “but I will set only one condition for you: you must first appease the underground gods.” The shadow of Phrixus, who died in distant Colchis, prays that they go to Colchis and take possession of the Golden Fleece. The shadow of Frixus revealed this to me in a dream. In Delphi, the Arrowhead Apollo himself commanded me to go to Colchis. I am old and cannot decide on such a great feat, but you are young and full of strength, accomplish this feat, and I will return you power over Iolkos.
This is how Pelias answered Jason, harboring anger in his heart. He believed that Jason would die if he decided to go to Colchis for the Golden Fleece.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru