Artemis gingerly stretched her legs, watching the ever-sinking sun fall towards the horizon. They had been outside the Parthenon for a couple of hours now, but it still wasn't dark enough to go fight the beast that lurked within. Dusk joggers and delinquents alike still stumbled through the trees and footpaths.
Now, the hunt was hidden, in the shade of moonlight. It wouldn't do to have a dozen girl scouts and their dogs out this late at night. Therefore, she had hidden them with a small amount of concealing magic.
It made her uneasy, to relax, watching mortals depart in increasingly numbers as the day wound to a close. The time to act would come soon, and Artemis was reminded by the ever-shortening amount of time she had to work with: To travel to St. Louis would take only hours, but ever hour gone was allowing more chance of a negative outcome.
But she couldn't leave the Lernean hydra behind. Maybe she could have at a time that was scantly even recallable, but now, she could never do so. He had called her a Shepard, after all, and no matter how much time had passed, Artemis tried to live up to that ideal.
"My Lady, how long did the siege of Tyre last, after you and the Macedonians killed the Lernean Hydra?" Elizabeth asked, and Artemis turned to see the hunt nodding in approval of the story of Tyre so far.
"Many months. Tyre would not fall at one minor setback. The Tyrians' resolve was solid rock, after the burning of Old Tyre. Even still, Tyre was supported by some gods, who would not sit back while the Macedonian war machine struck down Tyre's golden walls."
Zoe cut into the conversation.
"My Lady- did you and Perseus's relationship improve over the siege? The Lernean Hydra interrupted thy's talk."
"It did improve. I had been terrified." Artemis admitted after a small hesitation. "Terrified of Aphrodite following through on her promise to hurt me through you. Terrified of my own feelings towards… him."
His name still stuck in her throat like the many things she had wished she had told him, while he lay dying in her arms… Familiar despair bubbled inside her, but she shook it off, "We discussed it, him and I, during the long siege. Often, we would talk for hours…"
"My Lady, not to be rude, but you usually aren't much of a talker." Angelina cut in, looking somewhat recovered from her earlier mishap.
Artemis was somewhat glad that her resting face didn't crack a smile at Angelina's comment, and she looked over to the young hunter with an eyebrow raised, amidst a couple of covered snorts and sly grins.
"Yes, how astute of you to notice Angelina." Artemis found herself smiling despite her best efforts. For centuries, she had regained her temperament from her trying times in the East… but it was all coming undone. All her walls and mental shields lay around her like the rumble of Tyre's walls.
"What would you talk about? Besides the deep philosophical conversations on the purpose of godhood, that is." Phoebe leaned back on the marble stairs, stretching her powerful shoulders.
To her horror, Artemis felt her face heat up.
"We talked about… many things. Early on, it was a mutual hatred of being so far from home, but that grew into more- "Artemis stumbled as she reasoned what to tell her hunters. The torch lit nights at Babylon seeped into her mind without her own volition, and she snarled despite herself. Before her hunters couldn't question her, she hurried into her explanation, "At Tyre, we began to be true friends. I have told you many stories of some encounters we went through together, but in reality, most of the days were long, and contain an ongoing boredom. Most of the days at Tyre were spent in hard labor, building the mole, or guarding it at night. Skirmishes happened regularly, but seldom were there conflicts that rivaled the battle with the Lernean Hydra on the mole."
The crisp oceanic air blew over Artemis's face as a gentle breeze. Having been familiar with the wrath of the seas, Artemis was confident that her uncle wouldn't seek to punish her for entering his domain.
She edged down the sand dunes, gingerly stretching her back and the knots there screamed in discomfort from the regular day's work. She had been joining Perseus and the work crews for about a week now, since the monster attack on the mole. While she still hadn't told Perseus, his comments had gotten to her. Her purpose in the world wasn't something she usually dwelled on for long periods of times, but her situation gave her plenty of time for reflection.
At the water's edge, she stared down the shore, past the newly arrived rows of Greek ships that had beached themselves along the mole. One of the Hydra's severed charred heads was mounted on a wooden spike alongside the mole in the water. The mole now extended at least double the distance where the head was hung on the pole. In the distance, Artemis could see faint figures tirelessly hauling rubble and dirt to the end of the mole. They were close enough to Tyre now that two twin siege towers were being constructed. By tomorrow evening, Artemis estimated they would be within artillery range of the Tyrian walls. Perseus had been leading the effort yet again, but she had called it for the day. Already, the sun arced down towards the horizon guided by Apollo, racing across the sky.
The thought of her sibling came as a surprise to her… since she found herself missing him. The only contact she had gotten from him was his gift: her black yew bow. Though her knives, forged by the Macedonian blacksmith, had snapped while fighting the Lernean hydra, her bow hadn't been worn down at all. Apollo's blessing had endured the elements so far. Instinctually, she knew why Apollo hadn't come to converse with her. Even coming down to confront Anahita had probably earned him a severe warning from Zeus, if not worse.
Artemis stared over the expanse of the Mediterranean, the small wake lapping against her sandaled feet. So much of her life was so distant now. Greece lay far over the horizon, her homeland, her seat of power, her priests and priestesses, and most importantly: the hunt. Under the watchful eye of Athena, they would be safe, had the goddess answered her plea. Aphrodite was a cunning and formidable goddess to war against, but even she would think twice about daring to challenge Athena's wile and warrior mind. Once, she had stood in a similar situation, when she was young, and far too foolish. The shores where Alexander had crossed into Anatolia weren't far from the landing of the Greek expedition against Troy, almost a millennia separating the two crossings of the Aegean. She had remained in the East then for a decade, fighting for supremacy in a war where gods moved pieces in a game.
And it was where she had demanded a sacrifice for strong winds.
The cool breeze swept through her hair again, but this time, she only felt the cold bite of bitter memories. Perseus was right, damn him. Her pride wasn't something she lorded over mortals anymore. Despite herself, the mortal world was working as an instrument of change. Welcomed or not, she had to face the bitter pangs of morality.
Her feet carried her over the wet sand, along the shore. She passed ambling groups of seamen, workers, followers, and soldiers alike. They paid her little attention, beyond passing glances. By now, most knew her as Cleoxene, the Amazonian guide. Only three knew her as Phoebe Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt.
Her path guided her past ships, down towards the mole, but eventually, she feet steered her to her tent. It was in the heart of the Macedonian camp, which was still full of trade, crafting, and general ongoing of a siege. The frontlines, so to speak, were exclusively guarded by soldiers, but here, the camps blended into a mix of camp followers, venders, and artisans. Artemis glanced over at one particular blacksmith, seeing the heavyset man who had made her former hunting knives. His business was crowded with an assortment of allied Greeks. She was glad that she didn't have to shoulder he back there. The weight of her newly forged hunting knives was a comforting presence. Alexander had kept his word, for what it was worth, and had two knives commissioned for her.
He clearly hadn't used the blacksmith in the camp where she had her's forged, because the knives she now owned were a much higher caliber of blade. They glowed a dull gold in the sun, blades forged with bronze and iron in a dazzling mix of metals.
Despite Alexander's recent actions, she could only admire the workmanship. They were no godly weapons, which were extensions of her own self. But they would do the trick.
Artemis finally weaved her way to her tent, a much more solid structure than previous encampments. Wooden beams and ropes provided a frame that the oiled tent fabric was stretched over. Two guards from the Pellian accompaniment stood by the door, both familiar faces to Artemis. Yet two of them meant only one thing: Perseus was back.
She nodded to both of the men- both had fought besides her at the mole with the Lernean Hydra- and stepped through the heavy linen flap.
She immediately saw Perseus, who was sitting in one of the small unbacked chairs, poring over a document on their small table. He was shirtless and wrapped in a fresh cloth.
He looked up as she entered, with sharp eyes, and an ever-growing beard that twitched in amusement.
"Nice of you to bathe before coming in."
Artemis rolled her eyes, and walked towards her cot, her separating curtain around rolled open. She deposited her quiver, bow, and hunting knives on a chest with a dull thunk before joining Perseus in the common room.
"I suppose next time, I should leave all the work to you men then. My day will consist only of sharpening arrows, and imagining you as a target while I brood here."
"That would be a lot of arrows." Perseus laughed, before turning the document to her. "What do you think of this?"
Artemis took the roll of parchment, intrigued. After a quick scan, she realized it was a description of the battle of the Granicus, along with several half-written scribbles on Alexander cutting the Gordion knot.
"What is this?" Artemis asked, her mind spinning different directions, "Surely Alecander is not writing poetry about himself?!"
"I wish," Perseus responded, before he took a sip of wine from a cup on the table, "Alexander just showed me this as I was finishing bathing. This is an excerpt from Callisthenes, Alexander's personal historian, who has been writing the history of Alexander's expedition since we arrived in Anatolia."
She stared at Perseus for one moment, before looking back to the text. After a brief skim, she was shaking her head. It was a description of the Battle at the Granicus; however, the battle was poorly described, at best. She had been there after all, and Perseus had fought in that battle!
She looked back to Perseus but already found him grinning ear to ear. "It's wonderful, isn't it Cleoxene?"
"Wonderfully horrid, yes." She responded dryly, his use of her cover name reminding her of the countless time that Perseus was always cautious. "Both of us were at that battle. I could certainly describe it better than this upstart."
Perseus shrugged, "From what Alexander told me, Callisthenes is a relative of Aristotle, his mentor in Philosophy."
Artemis snorted, "A philosopher in name only, then."
The kings of Greece had seen countless inept rulers, only counteracted by upheavals or new systems of governance. Yet, the witless still sometimes seeped through the cracks into places of power. "I remember the battle well. At the time, what struck me most was your decisive action, Perseus. You single-handedly saved the expedition that day."
"What do you mean?" Perseus cocked his head, taking back the scroll from her outstretched hand. "I was following Alexander the entire battle, he led the charge across the Granicus. His boldness won the day, not me."
But she shook her head, "Don't be so modest. Your king would have been cut from collarbone to navel had you not sliced that Persian's hand off just in time." She neglected to mention that she had sorely wished that he had not done such a valiant move, back when she had been quite bitter with her constant vigil over the Macedonian Expedition.
"Oh. That." Perseus rubbed his beard, "It was the right time, right place. I certainly did what any companion of Alexander would've done that day."
"Maybe you should go keep moving rubble, you are still being far too selfless," Artemis ground out, before pointing to the text, "Kleitos gets the credit for saving Alexander, according to Callisthenes."
Perseus hummed, scanning the parchment, "Kleitos still has it out for me. He is the more experienced general, and though we've settled most of our… disputes, I'm not surprised that he'd pull something like this."
"You'd have him be remembered, and not you?" That was the underlining point, and Artemis found herself looking forward to Perseus's reply. She knew enough by this time that Perseus was no idiot, and was far more thoughtful that some on Mount Olympus. Where many found glory to be the most coveted of prizes, Perseus avoided it like the Furies themselves.
"I don't want glory or immortality. I came here for a friend, honor, and for duty. I still owe Alexander for what my father did to Philip. No matter how the Gods interfered, its my job to set it right." Perseus set the scroll back on the table, a tired look on his face, "Even if Alexander does something like this."
She took the jug of wine from the table and poured herself a cup, drinking deeply from the warm beverage. Its dry fruity taste soothed the stress of the day away within moments. There was a small period of silence, and Artemis took that time to unbuckle her armor, and find a change of tunic. There wasn't a lot of space within their tent, but Artemis didn't really mind. Perseus had proved to be respectful, and hadn't even paid her a glance when she changed out of her sweat-soaked tunic.
Artemis had to admire his resolve. After all, she knew she was beautiful. Her mortal body was toned and full, which had proven to be an issue amongst many of the soldiers on the Expedition. Yet, with Perseus's warning, the death toll remained at zero from her hands. On the other hand, she had made it explicitly clear to Perseus that if she were to catch him looking at her naked or in any state of undress, she would most assuredly kill him.
She grabbed a whittled comb from her cot side, and was in the middle of brushing down her long red hair when Perseus spoke up, still unmoved from his position at the table.
"It has been quiet this week, but tomorrow will bring a fight, I'm sure of it."
"I had the same thought." Artemis admitted, "The Tyrians will try something, either through bombardment, assaulting the mole, or more monsters."
Perseus nodded a couple of times, "You never did tell me how they would've unleashed a Hydra on us. I've never seen a city summon monsters from… anywhere to do their bidding."
"You are partially right. In other circumstances, I would shrug off the Hydra's appearance as unlucky, but here, and now, with the Expedition? Nothing is by chance. Tyre is being aided by some Godly presence."
Perseus sat back, scratching his bare stomach, "Can you tell who it is?"
Artemis shook her head, "I know Tyre, and they mostly worship Heracles, but Zeus would forbid his assistance to Tyre in a moment's notice. I haven't felt any other presence yet, but it's there. I can feel the threads of power at work. If I was a full goddess… it wouldn't be so hard." She'd felt the tug in her gut as a God walked unseen around her, during her work on the mole.
"Right, if you'd even be here as a goddess."
Artemis found herself looking Perseus in the eye, seeing her moment to admit her realization. He was right, she wouldn't have stayed had she woken up in that meadow with her powers intact. But now…
"True. But I have given some thought the that. You were right, when we were talking, before the hydra attack. Despite my position, I have changed from the goddess I was. Would I be here to help you and the Expedition? No. But I am here now, And I am doing what I can." Artemis resolved, her face hardening, as she thought about Perseus's father again. If she couldn't even garner the devotion of a young man, who'd seen her face to face, then what was her place in this world?
"You know, you don't have to help. What happens if you fall, or the expedition scatters in a defeat?"
"Tartarus awaits me then, until I would reform. I sincerely doubt my father would offer me to regain my strength so easily if that were the case. My willingness comes from a position of survival, but also from a standpoint of justice. You were right, we gods should be better. As much as you feel responsible for Philip's death, I feel the same burden of responsibility. The gods' caused this expedition to go on under Alexander, and gods have caused enough havoc here. I will see that this ends on the terms of the mortals here, not some puppeteer in the shadows."
She met Perseus's gaze, and smiled lightly, seeing his surprised expression.
"Really now? I've made you speechless? And I thought you had a proficiency for your quips." Artemis smirked, spinning her whittled comb in hand in a practiced dagger flick. But then, she had to keep her hands from twitching because Perseus was looking at her with… a look. An intense, vulnerable look that Artemis found herself drowning in.
"Thank you." Perseus said, his eyes never wavering from hers, "Really… it means a lot to me that you are here. My mother always told me that the gods watched over us, but I never believed her. I guess, when we first met, I had expectations that were unfair to ask of a goddess."
"Distant, I think was the word you used." Artemis pointed out, her chest tight.
"Not anymore." Perseus smiled, "I think my mother would be happy to know that I in the protection of one of her most beloved goddesses."
"You never mentioned that!" Artemis spluttered, coughing violently and she choked on her wine. What had been an attempt to quell her growing complacency with Perseus had been completely reversed.
"I grew up on stories about you." Perseus said sheepishly, "And yes, I know, I'm a dead man walking. My mom would always tell me about Artemis, the goddess who walked amongst the woods, guiding her huntresses, and making sure that new children would be welcomed into their families."
"If this is a roundabout way of asking if you can join the hunt, my answer is no." Artemis recovered, narrowing her eyes at Perseus. Even if she could not read his thoughts, she still had a skill for reading people. She should have known that Perseus would've grown up on stories about the Gods and Goddesses. Lightning flashes of panic struck her, as she wondered what stories he had heard. Most were smudged in one way or another… but many rung true.
"It was crushing news as a child, when I learned from my mother that Artemis only had young girls in her hunt."
That was a sight. Artemis found herself snorting with laughter before she could stop herself, as the conjured sight of Perseus in a silver tunic with a tiara on her head injected itself into her mind.
"This doesn't bode well for my pride, does it?" Perseus asked ruefully.
"No…" Artemis covered her mouth as another ungodly snort tried to break free, "No it does not."
Artemis steadied herself, and thought it over, "I think they would like you though."
"As a punching bag?" Perseus said doubtfully.
"That was a joke." Artemis protested lightly, "I swear it. I will bring the hunt up to Macedon after this is over. They could use a lesson or two in fighting swordsmen. Once they see your skill, most would be more open to learn from you."
"Still failing to see how I'm not a punching bag here."
"Shut up." Artemis rolled her eyes, leaning back to crack her back. "You should take that as a compliment. Besides, once you meet my hunters, they will test you, with my permission or not."
"You've never really talked about them, your hunters… huntresses." Perseus faltered, in a rare display of indecision.
He had a point. Her huntresses hadn't been a talking point for the many months she'd been a part of the expedition. But after Aphrodite's threat...
"They are almost like children, if not sisters to me. I have missed them very much, but opening up about the hunt makes it seem… distant, for a lack of a better word. Far away from me, in both distance and time. My silence about the Hunt is certainly not indicative about my lack of care for them"
"I see. It's almost like admitting they are gone? Taken even?"
Artemis nodded somberly, understanding completely, "I wish I could see them tomorrow, and be free of this burden put on the two of us. You'd like one of my veteran huntresses. Her name is Zoe, a former Hesperides of Atlas. She was tricked by the 'hero' Heracles into helping him kill the guardian of the Golden apple orchard, Ladon. She was expelled from the Gardens before she finally found me."
Perseus whistled, "Ladon, the one hundred-headed dragon?"
Artemis grinned good-naturedly, "The very same."
"She must be quite the huntress."
"I plan on her being my lieutenant, in time, should something go wrong to Boularche. Zoe has more hatred of men than most, but she is one of my closest companions. Her trust is hard to gain; howe,ver she has been my loyal friend for centuries now."
"So she would hate me from the start?" Perseus frowned good-naturedly, "I feel so honored."
"I had no good intentions towards you at the beginning of our relationship. It was only your treatment of that woman in the follower's camp early in the Expedition that committed adultery which earned you some respect." Artemis defended herself, "I see myself in her, during our hunts together."
"Two Artemis's?" Perseus echoed, "I would definitely be out of my depth. I'd have to ask you for a favor before you would be able to subject me to that."
"With that tone? It better be a small favor."
"I don't know how big of a favor this would be, but would you visit my mother with me? It'd mean the world to her."
There was a period of silence after Artemis paused in her storytelling, a wave of millennia old rage, despair, and hopelessness washed over her.
"My Lady…" Elizabeth started quietly; Then she fell silent.
"would you visit my mother with me?"
Artemis had imagined that scenario thousands of time in her head, to the point that her conjured up meeting -the way it should have gone- almost seemed real, and the gloomy reality a horrible nightmare. Where she would have been welcomed in his home, with his smiling mother there greeting the two of them. Artemis could have able to look at his face, and see happiness there… happiness for both of them.
"I had forgotten that I already told you about visiting his mother." Artemis finally spoke, sighing deeply. "And for what it's worth… Zoe…"
Her faithful lieutenant smiled at her from a couple steps to her right, "Perseus sounds like a good man, if you found him to be one, how could I not?"
"Hades, I would've liked to meet the guy too. Of course, as you suggested, I would've had to rough him up a bit. I like a challenge." Phoebe joined in.
Artemis considered Phoebe for moment, "It would've a close fight; I can't say who would've won."
Phoebe's answering scowl lightened the mode immediately, as Mara cracked up first, as she was a constant voice against Phoebe's rigorous training workouts with the hunters.
The conversation dissolved into light hearted bickering for a few minutes, as Artemis sat back and looked over the steadily darkening park around the Parthenon. It was time to move in.
"Alright girls, it's time. Gather round." Artemis called out, standing up, her armor and weapons shimmering in a silvery glow.
The Hunt dropped their playful expressions, or in Zoe and Phoebe's cases, their slightly amused expressions.
"I have seen the Parthenon before, and there is only one place I can think of that would be suitable for the Lernean hydra's lair. Behind the Athena Parthenos is an antler room. It is one of the only enclosed spaces that is big enough for such a creature. Zoe, take Emily, Jennifer, Winifred, Anna, and Christina on the right as we enter. Phoebe, take Elizabeth, Kathleen, Victoria, Mara, and Sarah on the left. I'll lure it out into the middle of the building's interior."
"Your will, My Lady." Zoe agreed, "Shall we blind it?"
"Yes, just as I mentioned in my time at Tyre. Go for the eyes. Once it's blind, I should be able to get a clean shot at its hearts. It has three, remember. A twin heart on the left breast, and another below the liver. If you see an opening, take the shot there. By no means go close quarters. I will do so if need be."
Her hunters all wore hard-set faces, and Artemis felt idiotic, for telling the story of the Lernean hydra beforehand. While educational, the imagery of the Macedonians who died in gruesome matter against the monster was no help to anyone. Artemis glanced to Angelina as a default, her newest hunter. The girl was ready, but Artemis could sense her unease, mixed with the charged atmosphere of adrenaline and anxiety.
"Let's move." Artemis ordered crisply, before leading the hunters towards the entrance of the Parthenon. The dim yellow glow of the night lighting on the marble building almost brought Artemis back to the torch-lit Athenian Acropolis.
They shuffled along the pillars to the wide double doors, which remained open. A mortal night guard sat in a booth on the side, with an iron fence and metal detector serving as the real entrance.
She wasted no time in swirling the mist around the guard, hiding their presence to the cameras and his own vision completely. They slipped through the detector, its beeps going unnoticed by the guard. Artemis stood to the side, making sure no one else noticed their incursion, while simultaneously sending a mental order to the wolves.
'Cinder, guard the perimeter, make sure you howl if any one approaches.' Artemis flashed herself into Cinder's mind. She didn't need any confirmation to know if Cinder had received the message. The wolves were already running around the sides of the Parthenon, as Artemis could feel their familiar presence all around.
Artemis followed Angelina into the Parthenon, as she was the last hunter to enter. Already, Zoe and Phoebe were creeping around on the left and right with the hunters, finding positions against the wide marble pillars, arrows on their bowstrings.
The stench of the Lernean hydra was unbearably strong here. Artemis walked forwards into the golden hall, seeing the giant statue of Athena, clad in gold, looming ahead. However, a dark shape sat behind the massive marble work, bundled tight alongside two pillars in the shadows of the gleaming splendor of Classical Greece.
It sensed her presence as well, and the shadows began to uncoil themselves. A horrific scream pierced through the Parthenon, as the Hydra threw itself forwards, slipping between the pillars and the Athena Parthenos.
"It is good to see you again, I haven't had the pleasure in far too long." Artemis growled, steeling herself for the coming conflict.
The Lernean hydra reared upwards, becoming fully visible in the dim light. Its heads almost reached to the ceiling, all five twisting and turning, its red beading eyes never leaving her. The scaled body sat squat, their dull brown color melting into the light of the room, making their weak point invisible to most.
"Now!" Artemis shouted, raising her own bow as she called for the Hunt's assault to begin.
Silver arrows shot out from the sides in lightning quick volleys, arcing straight towards the Hydra's eyes, but in a blur, the hydra twisted its heads, causing most of the arrows to fly off target; They clanged against the marble walls and pillars, or bounced off the armored scaled of the beast.
The middle head screamed, twisting back and forth toward her hidden huntresses. Artemis immediately launched an arrow from her unerring bow at the hydra, but it came too late, and too hurried.
The middle head belched forth a devouring jet of hungry flames. It cascaded down through the hall, licking around the pillars. Two hunters, Emily and Jennifer, had to dive out of the way, as the fire curled around the marble, snapping at the images of the hunters.
Her arrow caught the hydra before it could do more damage. The silver shaft, humming with magic, slammed into the beast's lower chest, piercing straight through the scales there and imbedding itself in the monster's heart. It recoiled instantly, squirming and coiling backwards. It gave her hunters the time they needed.
More arrows flew through the air, and this time, with the hydra injured, they found their marks. One by one, silver arrows buried themselves in the Hydra's eyes, blinding the monster. With each eye it lost, it desperately tried to find the hunters, but the enclosed space and thick marble pillars kept them concealed. Even still, it was a fearsome beast.
Its blind heads slammed into pillars with shattering force, sending deadly chunks of marble raining down on the hunters. However, it was all going to plan, when Artemis nocked another arrow on her string, settling her sights on the exposed breast of the hydra. The other heads were preoccupied, and the shot was clear.
She let out a breath, and let her fingers slip from the silver bowstring.
And she missed.