Percy Jackson a Hunters tale c21

Cara woke up, her head was sore and as she moved her whole body ached. Confusion clouded her judgement as she tried to remember what had happened her mind was foggy as she looked next to her to see Artemis sitting across from her.

'What happened?' she thought

'Give it a sec it will come back.' Artemis replied and as she did Cara's eyes widened as she remembered; the quest, the mortals, the beach…Hercules. 'You are alright, he did not take you.'

'I could not call you.'

'I know, I am sorry.'

'Why? Why did he... He said something about Zeus?' Cara asked as she looked up at Artemis who sighed looking down at her.

'You do not remember your past before you met me no?'

'You know I do not.'

'I know very little about your past, I do know that Aphrodite blessed your family that is why the men are attracted to you. When my Father came across you, I later found out you were running from your family. You have heard the stories of my Father yes?'

'Yes…I grabbed his attention?' Cara realised her eyes widening in horror as she realised the situation she was in, she was confused and hurt if she grabbed his attention how is she one of Artemis's maidens?

'Yes, but you said no. You are the first mortal to refuse him, to say he was angry is an understatement. You called to me for protection and I answered your plea, but I was not the only one.'

'Athena and Hestia?'

'Yes.'

'You said you found me after an accident.' Cara stated feeling hurt that she lied.

'I know, I wanted to protect you.'

'You should have told me…but I can see why you did not.' She said as she did she winced from moving slightly. 'It hurts.'

'Here.' Artemis gave her a cup helping her sit up Cara took the drink taking a sip she pulled a face.

'That is disgusting, what is it?'

'Drink it all.' Artemis stated not liking that she had to use the bond. Cara pulled a face but her symbol burned so she ended up drinking all of it. 'It will help with the pain. It is medicine.' Artemis said taking the cup back once it was empty.

'That was not nectar.'

'Nectar will not help you this time. It is why you have not healed already. Father has made it so I cannot heal you.'

'I was wondering why I am…my head is. That stuff works fast. Mm tired.' Cara mumbled so Artemis helped her lie back down and ended up falling asleep.

The next six weeks went by much to slow for Cara and most of it was in a haze considering the medicine Artemis gave her made her kind of out of it. Apollo had come to the camp to check on her and agreed that she was able to move around now but was to take it easy for another couple of weeks. So Cara limped around the camp Thalia was helpful but she preferred to stay with Phoebe. Artemis made sure she was never alone, she always had one of the hunters with her. She was sitting next to the fire (even though it was not yet lit as it was around midday) trying to help make arrows but she was finding it difficult with her hand being wrapped and it still hurt to move it too much. She ended up flinching as she moved her hand in a way it was not ready to move.

"You know you are meant to be taking it easy." Phoebe stated from beside her, taking the arrow she was trying to make to finish it off.

'I am.' She signed but winced again as she moved her hand. Throwing her other hand in the air in frustrations. 'Taking too long to get better.' She signed fast before grabbing her sore hand with the other and applying pressure.

"If it is sore I could get some medicine…"

'No, no I am good.'

"Cara, you know what Artemis said."

'I do not like the medicine.' Cara pouted making Phoebe smile at her and shake her head before getting up and leaving her when she returned she had a cup and sat next to her Cara pulled a face but took the cup and looked at the contents inside it with a frown.

"Drink up." Phoebe smirked making Cara glare at her but ended up drinking it.

'Happy?' she asked as they sat their Phoebe continued to make arrows, when Cara tried to Phoebe stopped her. Cara could feel the medicine working as her senses became dulled and her mind started to slow down.

"You alright there?" Phoebe asked Cara knew she took too much joy seeing her this way. She decided to head to her tent before she would do anything embarrassing she learnt that the hard way even though she had no recollection of what they tease her for (in a sisterly way).

She was resting on her cot when someone knocked on her pole before entering her tent she turned to see Artemis and she seemed troubled so Cara sat up giving her undivided attention.

'Everything alright?' Cara asked through their link

'You had some medicine?'

'Yeah, Phoebe noticed…' Cara stopped

'Noticed?'

'I had not been taking the medicine.' Cara stated without really thinking

'You have not been taking it?'

'Do not like it?'

'It helps with the pain?'

'Makes my head fuzzy. What troubles you? Can I help?' she asked trying to get the attention off her.

'It will please you to know that you will no longer need to take it.' Artemis said

'Yes.' Cara replied as she did Artemis placed her hand on her leg and the other on her hand. She felt her power flow into her and when she was finished and moved her hand away Cara's head was clear and she was not in pain. 'You healed me?' Cara asked

'Yes it was the only way I would agree.'

'With what milady?'

'To send you on a quest.'

'Q-quest?' Cara asked she could not help but feel panicked at that word.

'Grab your bow.' Artemis said as she went out of the tent making Cara sigh before grabbing her quiver and going out of her tent. She was surprised Artemis was waiting for her and as soon as she was out of the tent Artemis made it shrink into her pack before handing her the pack and leading her away from camp. She shared a looked with Phoebe before going after her goddess.

'The mortals are fighting a monster, you will assist them.' Artemis instructed when they were far from the camp.

'This is why you healed me? They can take care of themselves.' Cara replied she would rather drink that awful tasting medicine then re-enter the mortal world.

'Cara they are not equipped to handle monsters.'

'And you cannot intervene. I will slay the monster than return, where are they?' Cara said walking ahead only to stop when Artemis stopped. 'Milady?'

'After you slay the monster you will be staying with them.' Artemis stated

'Milady?' Cara asked confused turning around to face her.

'Trouble is coming Cara, we will need them.'

'Then send your heroes, I am a hunter, one of your hunters.' Cara pointed out.

'On this I need you.'

'What aren't you saying?'

'Cara please.' Artemis stated and in her tone all of Cara's arguments died she ended up looking down.

'What shall I tell them?'

'You know the laws. You will assist them and stay with them until I send for you.' Artemis instructed and Cara felt the symbol on her collarbone burn. As Artemis ended up flashing them out of the forest to a different one.

''We are in central Park, you should sense the monster from here. This is where I leave you." Artemis said and Cara's eyes widened she knew Artemis would leave her but this was happening way to fast.

'I-I will not fail you milady.' Cara said taking an arrow and running into the bush in the direction of the monster the mortals were fighting, it being clear they were in need of aid.