Chapter 38: Percy Jackson
The sounds of Thalia's footsteps leaving the tent left a stretching silence inside. The sounds of the Hunters outside were muffled, I could only catch snippets of them if they walked by the front, which many avoided to do.
My left leg hurt, not a burn, but more like a throbbing. Looking down, I saw that it was wrapped with gauze, though in some spots I could see patches of dark blood seeping through. I sat up on the mat I had been given. The tent was small, but not cramped with only myself and...
Annabeth?
Her head was propped up on a pillow, her face white, a contrast to the tanned hue it normally was. Her hair lay spread out on the pillow, framing her face.
I turned my attention back to the entrance of the tent when the flap opened again. This time, a girl with auburn hair entered.
"Percy." She spoke, demanding my attention.
The magical aura around her was strong, and through the open flap, I could see thick forest around us.
"My lady." I said in reply. Artemis tolerated men, me slightly more than others, but only slightly. It would not due to be disrespectful to her. I dip my head and wait for her to speak to me again.
"Your group is fine." Even in the cloth room, her voice echoes.
I breathe a sigh of relief.
"But," She hesitates.
My head snaps up. What. What is wrong?
"There are 5 people you look for, four you have. The last is in my ranks and I will not let her go." An icy tone overtook her voice, but the voice was still hers. "The full moon rises tonight, convince her by sundown or wait another millennia."
The shifting of covers reminds us that there is another person in the room, I glance over, Annabeth's rubbing sleep from her eyes as she sits up.
"Tell her not to go on anymore quests injured." And with that, the goddess leaves.
"What was that about?" Annabeth asks me as the tent seals itself shut again.
"Our quest, I'll tell you with the others."
"The Hunt helped us?"
"Yeah, I'm going to make an educated guess and say that they were after some monster or another. You missed Thals."
"I'll say hi later. What happened to your leg?"
"Monster, probably."
"No, duh, Perseus son of Jack." A girl with blonde hair, the color was dark enough to be almost hazel, but even in with the poor lighting I could tell it wasn't.
She glanced at me before going over to Annabeth and helping her up from the floor.
"Can you stand?" Annabeth nodded and she walked over to me, hoisting my up with an arm, I stood on shaky legs.
It's okay, you're together.
We walked out of the tent, the blonde leading us.
No matter what, you're together.
We were met with the smoke of an early-evening fire and a table with food on it.
You've held the world up for her. You would hold it up again to save her.
We walked past it.
You'll be okay.
Under a canopy of leaves, we walked.
No matter what, she'll be okay.
We entered a clearing, the ground covered in dead leaves and pine needles.
Annabeth is safe.
The goddess sat on the flooring, and even though she looked different, her presence commanded the same respect, the same leadership. The same authority. The same power.
The clattering of needles, falling to the floor.
We bowed before her.
One.
"I see you are among the living again." Artemis spoke. "Good. Kassidy introduced herself?"
Two.
"Yes." No. She hadn't.
One.
"Lies. Kassidy, you have seen the people you would travel with, do you wish to continue with them?"
Two.
"My lady, I have served you for many years, I am not your oldest huntress, but not your youngest. I am still human though immortal in ways. I am proud to have served you but it seems the Fates have woven a different path for me, may we part on good terms and meet again. It has been an honor, my lady, to have served you."
Silence.
WOW! I didn't actually think I would make it this far, anyways, happy Labor day, Merry Christmas, Happy Birthday... I hope you liked it, only a few chapters left, I'm definitely getting some muse back, that week-ish off was a good idea, I'm sorry I left you hanging last chap!