Baltic's Book
The Voyages of Jason, part 2
Interlude
When nearly all wine was consumed and Hercules was about to leave Iolcus, Balticos mentioned his life in Stymphalia and current problems with this city... and asked Hercules for help. "I want Agapenor to understand that I am and always was acting as his friend!"
"Well, boy, that wine of yours sure was some sort, and I enjoyed teasing that doggie... but I have some other work now." Hercules said. "You know what? Start some rumors about Stymphalian birds, exaggerate a lot - and make sure king Eurystheus of Mycenae hears it. As I know him, he will fall for it and send me there. But now, I must leave. Eurystheus wants me to kill some lynx that steals lambs in Nemea... someone told him it is a lion with iron-hard skin." Hercules grinned, winked and emptied his cup.
Chapter 2
For some mysterious reason, taxes weren't collected until many years later, so Iolcus developed only slowly. Woodcutting was still the main source of income, especially when Lemnos started to buy more wood. Production of fleece wasn't high, because of comparatively small meadow area near the city - but it was enough to develop one block of houses to tenements and fulfill all requests; there were even some surplusses that could be exported. Allies were very helpful, and Balticos was careful to repay them their help with gifts and always dispatched the requested goods promptly.
Dionysus came with another quest - he needed to retrieve the Horn of Amalthea. Theseus was the man who was able to do it. Balticos built a Hero hall for him in the best place near palace, surrounded it with wall and beautified the neighborhood with parks and a monument. Allies supplied wine and marble - part as a gift, part on request, the rest had to be imported. Just as Theseus was on his way to the city, Artemis unleashed her pet on the city. Great boar appeared in the woods, started to attack shepherds and sheep, and destroyed wheat farms. Theseus sent him packing as soon as he arrived, and then started off to bring the Horn of Amalthea.
Relations with Stymphalus were more and more friendly, and although they requested tribute for the first time, Balticos was sure that everything will be OK soon.