YES! i do love these chapters. epic battleness will ensue after this... sorry this is late. it was homecoming week so i was busy beyond reason. anyway at first everything seems good with Arthur and Artemis's relationship, but that will not last. there's always something.

enjoy.


Rebuilding Camelot was a group effort. It took everyone in the Camelot. They rebuilt buildings and walls and pathways. Artemis helped out and Arthur was making sure that the knights that died were getting a proper service. She hadn't seen much of him lately, but it didn't bother her. Her mood was very light and airy. Ava half joked that it was because she was in love. And when she did see Arthur…

"Would you two at least warn me?" Merlin yelled at Artemis and Arthur. They were in his room. Artemis was sitting in his lap and they were kissing.

"No," they both said. Merlin didn't look please as Arthur looked amused and Artemis was laughing.


On this particular day, nearly a week and a half since the Great Dragon was 'killed' Artemis was helping to finish rebuilding the wall when a voice interrupted her.

"Excuse me!" they called up to her. She didn't quite hear. "Excuse me!" Artemis looked down to see a tall man perhaps ten years her senior standing at the bottom of the ladder she was standing on it.

"Yes, sir?" she questioned.

"I am looking for the Lady Ambrosine." She raised an eyebrow.

"Are you good, Leon?" she asked the knight that was helping build. He nodded.

"Go ahead with your business, my lady. I can finish." Despite her protests, Leon insists on treating her like a lady. In fact, all the knights did. She suspected that they suspected something was going on between her and Arthur. She, after all, did affect his mood. Artemis climbed down and faced the man. She faced him. He was a typical man, a man that if you walked by you would not look twice at. He had brown hair and brown eyes. He was a fair skinned fellow and had an average build. He didn't look strong or weak.

"I am Lady Ambrosine. How may I help you?" He bowed like a Servant.

"My lady, you are even more beautiful than they say." She smiled.

"Thank you sir. I am also stronger than they say."

"I hope so. I am here to give you this," he said holding out a piece of parchment wrapped around a Babylon candle. "Good day and good luck." The man left and Artemis unraveled the paper. Artemis read before she ran off to find Ava. She ran into Everett on the way.

"Have you seen Ava?"

"She's talking to Arthur." Before he could say more, Artemis ran off and to Arthur's room. Ava was talking to Arthur when she bursted in.

"Pack your bags Ava!" she announced excited.

"Why?" she asked.

"We're going to Proeliator Dignitas," Artemis said.

"No way!" Ava said jumping up from her chair.

"Hell yes and I am in the running to be chosen this year!"

"What's Proeliator Dignitas?" Arthur asked. Artemis opened her mouth to say, but Ava beat her to it.

"Proeliator Dignitas is this world competition of the Servants of the World. Every five years, all the Servants in the entire world, besides for a few who are too busy with world peace or whatever, gather together for it! It's epic… or so I've been told. I couldn't go last time Artemis went, but this year I do! It's going to be amazing!"

"The winner's named Grand Champion and it's all in good fun," Artemis said.

"Where's it being held this year?" Ava asked.

"Far," Artemis said holding up a Babylon candle. "The Island of Xander."

"Where's that?" Ava asked confused.

"It's um… far south east," she said.

"Cool," she said with a grin. "Will the Electus be there?"

"Of course. It's required."

"Who are the Electus?" Arthur asked confused.

"They're the leaders of the Servants of the World."

"I thought that was Gwydion and the other masters."

"No. They're the leaders of this region and to the west, but there are other regions and all are ruled by the Electus. You know what?" Artemis asked with a grin. "Why don't you and Merlin just come with?"


"Ready?" Artemis asked about a week later. They were standing in her home. She had a bag on her. Ava, Arthur, and Merlin stood around her. Artemis held out the candle. Ava grabbed it followed by Merlin. Arthur was hesitant. "Are you a man or a mouse?" she asked. "It's just a little magic." Arthur grabbed the candle as if to prove to her he was a man. Artemis lit it. "The Island of Xander." The scene spun around them and swirled into a multitude of colors. The scene settled and they were in a forest. Hundreds of people were migrating farther north as they arrived. The people were as different as could be. There were men, women, and children both old and young, dark and pale, short haired and long haired, scantly dressed and heavily dressed, short and tall, skinny and fat, strong and weak.

"Amber!" A woman's voice came from behind. Artemis spun around. A very dark skinned, very tall woman with short brown hair and ink eyes was grinning at Artemis. She wore a loose tan dress that just barely covered her.

"Peyton!" Artemis yelled before running to the woman and hugging her.

"How are you? You look amazing."

"Thanks. You look great too. I'm good."

"Who are they?" she asked as Arthur, Merlin, and Ava came closer. She looked at them.

"Oh!" she said. "This is my student, Ava. She was Kael's sister."

"Oh? It's nice to meet you. Personally, I never liked your brother. He was a pushover."

"Yeah, he kind of was," Ava said with a laugh. "But I loved him."

"So did Artemis. The amount of times I tried to set her up with some else."

"Shut up," Artemis said with a laugh. "Oh… um… this is my biological brother, Merlin."

"Pleasure."

"And… Arthur," Artemis said not sure what to say about the man that was courting her but defiantly shouldn't be. Peyton looked at Arthur. She stared and stared and titled her head and stared.

"Ah, you're in love with-" Peyton was cut off by Artemis throwing herself on top of her and covering her mouth. They both fell to the ground.

"Sh," Artemis said. "He's the Crown Prince of Camelot."

"You're dead if the Electus find out."

"Which is why nothing is going to be said. Right, Peyton?"

"Well… we'll see. If I like him, I won't say anything. He just better not be a pushover."

"He's not," Merlin and Ava said. Artemis laughed. Together her and Peyton stood. Artemis dusted herself off.

"You're in the running this year, aren't you?" Peyton asked. They slowly started to follow the crowd as they talked.

"Yeah, but I'm probably not going to be chosen. Ajax is always the blue representative for our region." Peyton was grinning. "What's with that look?"

"Ajax isn't going to be here this year. He's busy fixing the problems in Beram," she said.

"Hm… then I wonder who's going to be the champion for the blues this year. Ajax usually is chosen to be the representative for the blues in my region and then usually ends up as Grand Champion."

"This year is unpredictable," Peyton said.

"Though it is sad that I won't get to see Ajax. I've missed him terribly."

"Yeah, it's a shame that we only get to see him once in a while."

"It is. Perhaps I'll visit him soon."

"That would be nice."

"It would," she confirmed. The woods began to thin out and Ava was jittery with excitement. Peyton and Artemis seemed unexcited by it. Finally they reached a huge clearing in the middle of the forest. Huge tents, that looked to be made of silk, blocked the view any farther into the camp. The tents were each a different color. The colors of the different fractions of the Servants of the World. Artemis pulled up the hood on her cloak as they got closer to the tents.

"Still weary," Peyton laughed.

"It's all right and good for you, but whenever they see me they start a riot." Peyton laughed.

"Ah, the down side to being famous."

"Famous?" Ava questioned.

"Nothing," Artemis said with exasperation. Peyton laughed again.

"Amber is very well known in the Servants of the World. Everyone likes to pretend they know her and I have bragging rights to say I actually do."

"That's because you punched Kael in the face the first time I was here," Artemis said. Peyton laughed.

"Good times."

"You broke his nose."

"Again good times." Artemis laughed.

"He was such a baby about it," she said with a grin.

"Just like you're a baby about your fame… or maybe infamy depending on how you look at it."

"Will you shut up?" Artemis said bitterly. Peyton was laughing again.

"I'm still confused," Ava said. "Why are you famous?"

"You'll find out soon enough," Peyton said. "Once they hear that Amber's here they'll be riots."

"Shut up, Peyton." Peyton and Artemis walked into the blue tent. They others followed. There were a few hundred in there. They either talking with others or were in line in front of a long table. Artemis and Peyton stepped in line still prattling on about nothing important. "I suppose that's one nice thing about being a blue. The line aren't as long as the other fractions," Artemis said.

"Agreed. I heard that the whites and blacks are usually in line for hours."

"That would be awful," Artemis replied. They made it to the table. There was a rather bored looking blue in front of them. He was a normal boy. Probably, from the looks of it, too young to be a full fledged Servant. He was probably still in training.

"Name?" he asked bored.

"Peyton of Aceal."

"Region?"

"Central," she said. The boy looked through a stack of papers. He picked one out he stamped the paper and gave it to her. "Thanks." Peyton stepped to the side to wait for Artemis.

"Name?"

"Lady Ambrosine of Ealdor plus three."

"Reg…" Realizing what she said, the boy looked up at her in wonder. Artemis rolled her eyes.

"North East Region," she said. He continued to stare. "Do your damn job?" she said bitterly.

"Ri-Right," he stuttered rather flustered. He went through the papers and stamped hers. Then he took out three other papers. "Fill these out, my lady" he said. He was still staring in wonderment. Artemis moved to the side and quickly filled out the other three. The boy stamped them. "Have a good time, my lady."

"Yeah, yeah," Artemis muttered taking the papers. She gave each a paper with their name on it. "Okay, so keep these on you at all times, and for the Gods' sake, Arthur, don't tell anyone your of a monarch. You'll be lynched before you get a chance to defend yourself. Only the purples like monarchs. The rest of the Servants don't like you so much. You ruin our world."

"So where do you think the arena is going to be?" she asked. Artemis grinned.

"You really wanted to know?" Artemis asked. Peyton nodded. Artemis pointed to the volcano in the distance. "In the center of that. It's inactive, I assure you."

"That's insane."

"It tis, but since when has the Electus been sane?" Artemis asked. Peyton laughed.

"Point taken, and yet we follow them."

"Frightening, isn't it?" They continued through the mass of nothing but tents until Peyton stopped. She sighed.

"I suppose this is where I leave you. So not fair."

"Just work harder and you'll be able to share a tent with me," Artemis said with a laugh.

"Oh, please. Even working hard will get me no where." Artemis laughed.

"Perhaps in a very few tournaments time."

"Hopefully," she replied. Peyton left to go to one of the small tents in the middle of the camp. Arthur, Merlin, Ava, and Artemis all continued walking in the direction of the volcano that Artemis had pointed out early. As they got closer, the tents got bigger and bigger until they were as big as the tents they had checked into. They were also now mixed. The fractions weren't separated as much. They continued on until the tents became personalized with names. Finally, about 100 yards from the volcano and another 50 yards from a lake a tent with the name Ambrosine on it stood. There was several others much large tents in front of Artemis's and if one were to count there would be 60. This was a very significant number to the Servants of the World.

Artemis walked into her tent. Merlin, Arthur, and Ava were surprised to find a fully furnished tent. There was a dining table with several chairs around it and a basket of fruit on top. There were bookshelves and weapons shelves. There were four sections separate off except for right now the curtain that would separate them was tied back by a gold rope. The furniture in the room was made for king's. Artemis seemed unfazed by this.

"Looks like the Electus knew you would have company with you," a deep voice said from behind them. Artemis turned. An older man was standing there leaning on a cane. One of his legs seemed to be stiff and unmovable. Despite being old, he looked strong, stronger than most men. His hair was gray and slicked back.

"Guthrie," Artemis said warmly before walking to the man and hugging him. "What happened?" she asked looking at his leg.

"Ah, hell of a story, love. I was fighting a Forest Ancient."

"Oh, hell," Artemis said. "Must have been brutal."

"Oh, it was. Managed to kill, but at a price. I just had Zhi look at it. He said that there's nothing much even he could do. He said he'll be able to have it healed in about a year, but I can't fight this year. I'm out of the running."

"Oh, that's no fair."

"Well, better chance of you becoming champion."

"No, I am just here to watch."

"We shall see," Guthrie said.

"Have a seat," she said making a gesture at the table. Guthrie sat down and Artemis sat across from him. Merlin, Arthur, and Ava joined them. "Everyone this is Guthrie. He's a really good friend and a servant and friend of the Electus. I met him the on my very first mission as a student for the Servants of the World, and I've kept in contact with him ever since."

"And by the Gods Amber I've never seen you look so radiant as you are today." Artemis laughed. "And are these the men I owe thanks to?" he asked looking at Merlin and Arthur.

"Ah, yes. I believe I've told you about Ava, Kael's little sister," Artemis said nodding to Ava.

"Right, the pushover," he said nodding.

"Why does everyone think that about my brother?" Ava asked confused.

"Ah, it's a joke of the Servants. Any man, who's stupid enough to attempt to woo Artemis, is made fun of. In all honesty, your brother was a good man. In my personal opinion, he was a good man, but was he really worthy of Amber? I can't really say. He made her happy. That's what matters. Continue," he said.

"This is my biological brother, Merlin."

"Ah," he said pleasantly. Emrys? Yes?" he asked Artemis nodded. "It's a pleasure. She had mentioned she had an idiot brother." Artemis laughed.

"This is Merlin's master, Arthur," Artemis cleared her throat and muttered, "Pendragon."

"What was that love? I didn't hear you."

"I said… Pengwkmfs," she said into her shoulder.

"What are you hiding, Amber? One more time."

"Pendragon. Arthur Pendragon," she said at last. Guthrie's eyes flashed to Arthur.

"A Pendragon, aye? You should know better, Amber. The Electus might not like it if a monarchs near here even a young monarch. You know how they feel."

"I know. I do."

"Ambrosine… you know the consequences of stupid things like this… being friends with a monarch… with the object of your mission is… we leave a lonely life, Amber. You know that." Artemis looked down at her hands that were folded on the table and then at the ceiling and that at Guthrie.

"I don't want to go back into the darkness," she said. "The idea of it… it terrifies me." Artemis's voice cracked slightly. Guthrie put his hand over hers. He nodded.

"I know, love. What happened to you was unfair and unjust. Just be careful. Erus doesn't like you. She'll take ever chance she gets to through you in the hole. You know that."

"But the other Electus like me."

"Erus is a manipulative woman. She knows how to get her way. In fact, she's very similar to you," Guthrie said with a smirk.

"That's not funny."

"Okay, I'm confused," Ava said. "What the hell is going on? Who's Erus and why doesn't she like Artemis? And why is Artemis famous? Start from the beginning." Guthrie and Artemis looked at each other.

"I believe it's time to unbury everything you choose to hide from those you care about, Amber." Artemis nodded.

"I think you are right, Guthrie. Will you help me?"

"I will add my own comments here and there."

"Okay… so… Servants of the World… usually start training young… really young… a lot of the time they're born into it and then… they don't become full Servants until they're older. The average age for the Servants is 75. Servants… are manipulators of life. They can prologue their life and keep their youth. The Electus are several hundred years old, but look like they're only in their twenties or so."

"75? But you're a full Servant?" Ava questioned.

"Exactly," Guthrie said.

"I am the youngest Servant in the history of the Servants of the World. I am also considered one of the best."

"But there is so much more," Guthrie said. Artemis nodded. She breathed in and breathed out. She was shaking slightly.

"The heart of a child so twisted and mangled by the cruelty of a damaged man shall bring about the world's demise. She will bring fire and ice. She will split the world in to and slaughter all those who stand against her. She will be more powerful and more evil than anything the world will ever see. Hundreds of years will follow. Poverty and drought will rain across the land. All people will be starving for something. They will be unable to live, to breath. They will forever be dead. By the time her reign ends, the world will be too damaged to save. The name Ambrosine will forever mean death."

"What is that?" Merlin asked.

"It's a prophecy… about me. There are many about me destroying the world. When I entered the Servants… only Galen, Saoirse, and Gwydion were willing to help me. The others were okay if I died. It was… too dangerous to late me in, but they did it anyway. The three of them were nearly executed for it, but there were cries of protest, and I… I challenged the leader of the Electus, Erus. She accepted. I got my ass kicked all over the place and… she nearly killed me, but… something happened."

"What?" Arthur asked hanging on her every word.

"The Prophet of Old stopped her. There is only one that can override Erus's decision and that is the leader of the Prophets, Cassandra. Cassandra sees all. She knows all. I don't know what happened… know one really does. Cassandra ordered Erus to stop and she did after I was unconscious… and then Cassandra and Erus talked alone. Ever since then… things have been even worse between Erus and I. She hates me, but she does nothing. She cannot do nothing… that's when the rumors started. There were so many different rumors going on about me. Some say I was chosen. Others claim that I had the destiny to destroy the world, and the Servants wouldn't stop it. Others claim that Erus and I would have a final battle. I've asked Cassandra, but she wouldn't tell me. She said that in time I will know."

"And so you shall," a voice said entering the tent. Artemis looked up. In the doorway stood a woman. She had white hair that was covered by a white hood. Her eyes were a light blue, nearly white. She was a gorgeous woman.

"Cassandra," Artemis grinned getting up. They met halfway and hugged.

"I am fine. My brother is being an ass like usual, but I am fine."

"I didn't ask how you are," Artemis said.

"You were going to," Cassandra replied. Artemis laughed.

"I was," she admitted. Cassandra smiled and removed her hood.

"This tournament's going to be one for history," she said.

"Yeah?"

"Oh, yes," she said with a nod.

"How far can you see?" Ava blurted out. Artemis smacked her upside the head. "Ow!" Cassandra laughed.

"I can see as far as I want."

"So… you gonna tell me the outcome of the tournament so I can make some betting money?" Cassandra laughed.

"No. I will not."

"Ah, but Cassandra," Artemis complained.

"No. In fact, you're lucky I don't tell Erus that he," she said pointing at Arthur, "is Arthur Pendragon Crown Prince of Camelot."

"Psh… psh… I have no idea what you're talking about." Cassandra laughed.

"I'm still wondering whether you actual love him or if you just like breaking the rules," Cassandra said. "I've already had this argument with Gaerwn."

"The other Electus know?"

"Erus doesn't, but the others do."

"Why Cassandra?" Artemis said dramatically. "Why would you tell them!"

"They're not going to care. Only Erus will."

"They'll never let me live it down!"

"No, no they won't," Cassandra grinned. "Amadeus is especially interested in meeting Arthur."

"I hate you."

"Wait," Guthrie said, "This is the man that you were speaking of?" He asked gesturing to Arthur.

"Indeed," Cassandra said. Guthrie laughed.

"Boy, you are in for one hell of a week. So what's wrong with this one, Cassandra? You read people better than any." Guthrie laughed and Cassandra chuckled.

"A typical knight," Cassandra said.

"Ah, not a lover, eh? A fighter?" Cassandra nodded. "Amadeus is going to get a kick out of this." Artemis smacked her head to her forehead.

"We're not here to discuss my life," Artemis said through clenched teeth.

"Excuse me?" a small voice said. They all looked to the door. A little girl stood there shyly. "Um… I… uh…," she blushed and held out a letter. Artemis took it from her.

"Thank you sweetheart," Artemis said with a sweet smile. She knelt down. "What's your name?"

"Uh… it's… uh… Miakoda."

"Miakoda, huh? That's a pretty name. You must be from the North West Region, yeah?" The girl nodded. Artemis smiled and opened the letter. The girl turned and left.

"The drawings started," Artemis said rising. "Time to gather."

"Alright. Why don't you walk with an old man?" Guthrie joked.

"I have to get back to the Electus," Cassandra said. "Enjoy." Cassandra left and Guthrie and the others set off into a cave that lead them in to heart of the volcano. Inside was a huge arena. Thousands of spectators sat in the stands. They were separated by color and region. Artemis lead them up to the set of seats that they would sit in. Her hood was up again. They sat. At the top of the bleachers, the nine Masters sat as well as their lead prophet. A prophet that out of the four of them, only Artemis had met before. In the very front, center of the arena a section of the bleachers were cut out and ten gold chairs sat. The ten sat there.

"That's the Electus," Artemis whispered to the others noticing their staring. "The one in the center next to Cassandra is Erus. She's our leader." Erus was a woman with long brown, wavy hair and bright green eyes. There were two symbols that looked as though they were carved into her skin, a pentagram in her forehead and strange symbols under both her eyes. She looked dangerous even though she looked young. "Next to Cassandra on her other side is the blue leader, Brac." Brac had bright blue eyes and long brown hair that was tied back at the moment. He wore little armor. In fact, he wasn't even wearing a shirt. He was a rather good looking man. "On Erus's other side is the White Leader, Cassandra's brother, Gaerwn." Like Cassandra, Gaerwn had oddly white hair and pale eyes. He was tanner than her though. He also wore little armor. His chest was partially covered and so was his arms and legs, but much of his chest was bare. Like Brac, he was a good looking man. In fact now looking, all the Electus were attractive. "Next to Brac is the Black leader, Kanika." Kanika had long brown hair that was tied up and dark skin. She was in armor that was all black. Only her left leg was nearly bare. "Next to Gaerwn is the green leader, Zhi." Zhi was an oriental man with long black hair that was tied back. He was wearing full armor as well. His chest plate had an odd yellow symbol on it. "Next to Kanika is the Red leader, Amadeus." Amadeus had dark red hair. He wore armor on his hands and knees, but the rest of his clothes were red or black cloth. He wore a hood up. "Next to Zhi is the Yellow leader, Sa'id." Sa'id was a tan woman with full lips and long brown hair. She wore gold armor and brown trousers. "Next to Amadeus is the Purple leader, Klytie." Klytie was a very beautiful woman with long brown hair and who barely wore anything. She wore a very skimpy purple dress that was practically see through. "Last is the Brown leader, Enki." Enki wore full, brown body armor. He had short black hair and a rather war worn face. "They make up the Electus, but don't be prejudice against them based on my masters. They are all rather neutral. In fact, I get along very well with Kanika and Brac even though I don't get along well with Eleanor and Tynan." Erus stood. Silence spread over the crowd.

"Welcome to the 947th Proeliator Dignitas," she said. Cheering roared through the crowd. Erus gestured to another enterance on the opposite side the came in. What looked like a large glass trophy cup was brought out. There was silence as it was put in the middle. Erus clicked her wrist. The flames turned brown from the flames the words North West and then a name appeared in the flames." A man stood. There was a lot of cheering mainly from the section he sat in. After him, South West then Central, South East, and last North East. Each time a new person stood. They lined up in front of the Electus in the middle of the arena. There was a lot of cheering from the brown and then it died down as the flames turned purple and the process was repeated. Yellow flames followed the purple and then red and green, black, white, and last blue. There were already 39 champions picked by the time the last champion would be picked. 15 of them were women and 24 were men. Most of them were older looking, but as Artemis had said earlier most of the Servants were older. The flame wrote North East. North East disappeared and replaced by it was the name Lady Ambrosine of Ealdor. Artemis stared.

"That's you!" Ava said grinning. There was a lot of cheering and yelling at the same time. Artemis just stared. "Go!" Ava pushed Artemis. Artemis stood in a daze. She threw her cloak off and went down to join the other blues. Artemis could see the bitter look on Erus's face. Artemis smirked. People were still cheering and screaming even the other fractions seemed excited that she had been chosen.

"Congratulations," Erus said much more bitter than before. "Proeliator Dignitas starts tomorrow. Be here by sun rise." There was cheering as Erus turned and disappeared. Artemis knew it was more than likely to throw a fit. Everyone stood and cheered.


"Congratulations," a cold voice said as Artemis walked in her tent laughing with Merlin, Cassandra, Arthur, Ava, Peyton, and Guthrie. The laughing stopped. Sitting at the table was Erus.

"Hello, Erus," Artemis said. Her posture immediately corrected and she got into a solid stance, a defensive stance.

"Hello, Ambrosine. It's been too long."

"So it has. Leave us," Artemis said to the others that had entered in with her. Arthur, Merlin, and Ava looked at each other, but Guthrie, Peyton, and Cassandra pushed them out of the tent. "What do you want?"

"There is nothing I can do to you. I have no cause, but I promise if I find any reason to kill you I will. I will with a smile on my face. Are we understood?"

"Are you threatening me?"

"Of course," Erus said. A cruel smile crept up onto her face. "I will make your life unbearable."

"You forget who you are talking to," Artemis replied. "The Servants are on my side. You've long since passed your time, Erus."

"Are you threatening to take the away my leadership?"

"If you threaten me, I will threaten you. I have never liked you, and you have never liked me. That is the way it is and nothing will change that. Leave. Get out. I wish to be among friends tonight, not enemies." Erus stared.

"Watch yourself," she said as she passed Artemis. "I can make your life hell." Erus leaved. Artemis leaned against a chair. She put her hand to her head in stress. The others reentered.

"Are you alright?" Arthur asked. She looked at them. Her face was contorted with stress, anger, and concern, but she slid on a well placed mask. Her face smooth out and a false smile slid on her face.

"Let's celebrate, yeah?" she said. And celebrate they did, but Artemis wasn't really in it. Arthur could see through it. He could see through it very well. The others left at late hours. Merlin was passed out from drinking too much cider and even though Ava had a bed she was curled up on the floor in the corner with a blanket and pillow sleeping like a cat. Artemis was still awake and sitting at the table.

"You want to talk about what's bothering you?" Arthur asked sitting next to her.

"No," she said shaking her head. Arthur gently took her hand in his.

"Talk to me." Artemis said.

"Erus and I… I just worry is all what could happen to those around me. She's not above hurting others."

"You'll be alright," Arthur said gently rubbing her hand. She smiled before embracing and kissing him.

"Thank you," she said quietly.

"For?"

"Everything," Artemis said. "I didn't think… I could… love someone the way I love you. I feel happy for once in my life. I'm being selfish. I admit this, but you know… I'm okay with that."

"Artemis," Cassandra's voice came from the entrance.

"What's wrong?" Artemis asked. Without a signal or so much as a crack in her voice, Artemis knew something was wrong with Cassandra. Call it intuition or perhaps magic, but whatever it was Artemis knew Cassandra was worried.

"Can we talk?" Artemis stood before looking to Arthur.

"Get some sleep, yeah?" she said. Arthur nodded. Artemis went out the tent and walked by Cassandra's side. "What troubles you? It has been such a fine day I thought-"

"You must stop what you are doing with Arthur," she said. Artemis frowned.

"I don't understand."

"Erus will find out."

"No, I do not think so."

"But she will. I have seen it."

"Not all paths are the paths that will be," she replied. Cassandra didn't like that answer. She looked off into nothing.

"Do you love him?"

"I do."

"Then end it, Ambrosine, for his sake before things get too far."

"I can't, Cassie. It's not that simple. It's never that simple."

"You once told me that if you love someone enough that you would be able to pull away from them for their own good. This is a case that that should apply to."

"I'm sorry. I can't."

"Then, I have done what I can. I clearly cannot change your mind. Heed my words, Amber. Your love for him will cause suffering." Artemis left Cassandra. She allowed those words to sink in, but it meant nothing to her right now. She was stubborn and she was convinced that Erus would not find out and that no one would suffer no matter what a prophetess tells her.