Silvery tears slide down the goddess' face as she thinks of her lieutenant.
—
"What have you done?" Atlas demands ; no, snarls at his daughter. " I told you not to help those idiotic heroes!"
The young Hesperide cowered in fear. " Father-"
"GET OUT!"
Zoe's eyes widen as she looks to her sisters, the other hesperides for help. They shook their heads solemnly, leaving Zoe no choice but to leave.
—-
Zoe remembers how charming Hercules was, and how he needed help.
Zoe gave it to him. But what did she gain? Nothing ; that man took her idea, gave her no credit. It's at this point that the former Hesperide began to despise men.
No wonder she joined the Hunt. The idea of hunting in the wilderness, refusing the company of men, being young forever - that was Zoe's idea of freedom. The allure of Artemis' offer was great, and Zoe Nightshade became lieutenant in no time. She was loyal, one of the goddess' best hunters.
—-
The forever young hunter sees Camp Half-Blood for the first time. Artemis has her own Cabin for the hunters- lucky, too. Zoe wasn't keen on sleeping in the same room with a boy.
But Artemis is gone, and her lieutenant is determined to save her. If only she's known then what the quest would lead to.
The members of the quest are chosen. Zoe can still remember that boy- Percy Jackson- his look when he's not chosen. Of course he just had to follow them on the quest. The hunter can see he's sweet on the daughter of Athena, Annabeth Chase. However, he'd proven himself to be a good swordsman…
With a jolt, Zoe realises she recognises that sword. Anakmouslous, Riptide.
The very same weapon she'd given to Hercules, so many years ago.
But when he says he's not Hercules, that he doesn't need the Nemean Lion skin, she can't agree more.
—-
Sometimes when Artemis looks up at the stars that Zoe loved so much, she can see a young maiden with a bow, running across the sky.
She's free at last.