Clearing his throat nervously, Percy spoke up. "I, um, I was in the woods. I couldn't sleep. Annabeth is out there, and all we are doing is sitting here by the fire! I was mad, so I went out. I stayed near the camp, I swear. I'm not that stupid-"

"That is yet to be determined…" Phoebe muttered.

Awkwardly laughing, he continued, "Yeah, anyways, I was walking around the forest when I heard a noise. I could hear footsteps walking toward me. They were quiet, a little hard to hear from the wind and the trees and the birds. I just kept walking though. Then, I heard the footsteps growing louder. I guessed that something was following me. I pulled out Riptide. Suddenly, this huge black dragon approaching me-"

"Boy, it was not large at all," another hunter, Marie, pointed out. "Kora's size fits her age, that of a child. You have not seen large dragons then."

"Look, I get it. I messed up," Percy stated frustrated. "Just let me finish. The dragon started approaching me. Those green eyes were staring into me. It was like it wanted to eat me. Before I was about to attack, that beast-"

"Boy, watch your words!" someone shouted at him.

"Sorry, the dragon held me down. The claws were covering my neck and pinned my body down. Before I could do anything, that dragon was so fast. So I did the only thing I could do before the, um, dragon ate me, I screamed for help. Thalia and Grover came quickly. Thalia drew her sword and hit the dragon's scales but it did nothing. Grover kept trying to shoot it with the arrows, but again, nothing hurt the dragon. After a few failed tries, Thalia stabbed at the dragon between the scales. That worked. I was let go, then you guys, um girls, found me," he finished lamely.

Phoebe steps up, "Boy, tell me that this is what you are saying. You foolishly wandered off into the unprotected woods, found yourself followed by Kora, and attacked Kora without thinking about one of the newest huntresses that joined just hours ago?"

"Yes," he meekly said.

"And you not only attacked Kora but injured the young one enough to cause her to fall unconscious from blood loss?"

"Yes."

"And you roped your fellow camper and guardian satyr into this mess?"

"Yes."

"Is there anything good you can say of this situation because it appears that you have messed up in major proportions?"

"No," Percy drooped.

"Leave us, boy. We will call you when Lady Artemis returns from the tent," Phoebe ordered.

Oddly enough, Zoe stayed silent throughout the whole explanation and questioning. She couldn't think of anything but Kora's unconscious body, but she knew she had to stay behind to hear what the son of Poseidon had to say about the situation. Yet, she was unsurprisingly angry at the situation of the boy's idiocy.


Meanwhile, Artemis laid the young dragon on her bed in the tent only reserved for the goddess. Sitting beside the young one, the moon goddess stroked the jet-black hair as she watched the gashes heal themselves far faster than any demigod. It was clear that her monstrous bloodline was at work. After about half an hour, Zoe strode in to explain Percy's side of the story. Those seemingly unheard of motherly instincts Artemis held were resurfaced after hearing about the boy's stupidity. Not only did she want to turn the boy into a jackal, but she also wanted to maim him for hurting Kora. Kora. The girl who has known nothing but pain is once again suffering for her family. It seemed as though the young one has an uncanny bit of unluckiness. First her parents, then her uncle, and now this. Will the poor girl ever get a break?

After another two hours of waiting, vigilant for the slightest of movements, Kora groaned, stretched, and opened her eyes all at once. Artemis, still beside the bed stroking her hair fondly, paused. Zoe, also watching, jumped up to grab some more ambrosia and nectar for the injured girl.

"Young one, how are you feeling," Artemis kindly asked.

"Like I've been hit by a bus. What happened? The last thing I remember is a black-haired boy going to get the sword. Then…" Kora nervously recalled.

"Then what, little Kora?" the moon goddesses guided.

"Then, my beast took over. She wanted to protect me and the Hunt. Me and her, we are separate. She keeps me safe when I am alone and scared. She helps me survive." Artemis gave an understanding look, while Zoe just looked confused. Two separate beings inside one body?

"Does your beast have the same name as you? Or is she called by another name?" asked Artemis.

"She likes to be called Amyntah."

"Defender. A fitting name," Zoe commented.

Blushing Kora said, "Amyntah knows that the Hunt is family. She will never harm you. When she saw you, she gave me a little more control back. Not enough to have my memories, but enough to recognize you came for me. You came for me."

"Of course we did. And to respond to the earlier question, that boy is Percy. He was foolishly wandering around before he caught him. He then called two others to come save him. Nothing seemed to work until he got you in between the scales. You are nearly done healing."

Pulling Kora into her side, Artemis protectively cuddled the young monster. "Can I get you anything else, young one? Some water? Some more medicine? Some food?"

"Ju-just some water, please. I'm not hungry yet."

Zoe returned with a glass of water. "Do thee wish to sleep? Tis been a long night, a long, hard night."

Kora looked between the two strong women. Wanting to sleep for a little longer, but also not wanting to, she shook her head. "I'm good for now, I think."

"Is thee sure? Thee seems quite tired."

"Do-don't want to-to be alone to-night. Be with you and Lady Artemis."

Hugging the girl tighter to her, Artemis cooed, "Oh young one, you can stay here tonight, and we will stay with you. Won't we, Zoe?"

"Of course, Kora," the lieutenant smiled.

Humming in appreciation, the dragon snuggled beneath the covers as Artemis waved her hand to expand the bed to fit all three. With Artemis and Zoe on either side of her, she felt safer than she had ever felt in years. Falling asleep to the light strokes of her hair and soft whispers above her was a breeze.