Chapter 22

Once camp had been set up, and I had rest for a bit I decided to talk with Thalia a little more. Whatever we were about to go and confront in that city would not be easy.

"Earlier you told me that the emperor is kidnaping people and creatures. Any ideas what he is planning with that?" I asked.

"From what Britomartis told us, he is planning some kind of ceremony where he needs them." Thalia explained.

"A ceremony?" I repeated thinking what it could be. "What is the plan once we get to the city?"

"Once we are close enough, Britomartis will meet us and let us what is going on." Thalia replied.

There was still not that much information, so I would have to wait until we meet with Britomartis to find more about what was going on.

"We should get some rest before going on. You specially look drained." Thalia said.

"You could say that. Some rest would be good." I agreed.

A couple of the hunters stayed up on patrol while the rest went to rest, and I did the same. Once I laid down I fell asleep right the way, for once I was able to rest and not being concern about what was going around while I slept. When I woke up hours later, the sun was already above the horizon.

"It's morning already? I though we would go before the sunrise." I questioned.

"That was the plan, but it looked like you really needed a deep rest, so we decided to just continue our way once the sun was up." Thalia explained. "How are you feeling?"

"Better, you are right. I was needing the rest." I replied.

"How did you get to this point? I mean it is a long way here, but you shouldn't be tired and exhausted." Thalia commented.

"That is hard to explain, or better. I can't really explain it because is part of my identity." I explained.

"That's right, Lady Artemis never told me who you are, and warn me not to ask." Thalia said.

"It's a big mess, so you aren't losing any thing." I continued. "I guess that the arm sleeves are part of keeping the secret too." I added

"I can't even imagine. These few years were already a mess, I can't see what can be worse. Forget I said that. These emperors are probably as bad or worse than Gaia herself." Thalia commented.

"You have no idea." I told her. "Shall we keep going, we can't lose any more time." I added.

We continued our journey all day long, with short stops here and there to get something to eat, besides that we didn't stop until the nightfall. There weren't any delays, which was a good thing for us. We were deciding if we should keep going for a little while or stop for the night when I step on a trap. A net pulled me up to the air.

"What in Hades?" I said trying to understand what was happening.

I looked around and I notice Thalia doing the same.

"Britomartis this isn't fun." Thalia said.

"It is for me. She was sent by Artemis, but I was still able to capture her on my trap." Britomartis said showing up beside me.

I grabbed my dagger and started to cut the net so that I could free myself, and seconds later I was back to the floor.

"Lady Artemis sent me not only because I can help. There is information here that I need." I explained. "And from what Thalia told me, you know that information."

"You are here because of the emperor, aren't you?" Britomartis questioned.

"Yes." I simply answered.

"How about this. You can face him if you go in into his place. Apollo and the others will be on their way there through the back door tomorrow during the first light. However, to escape they will for sure need some extra help. And since that wannabe as one of the hunters, and other prisoners, you and the hunters can intervene. And knock on the front door. That will allow you too see who the emperor is." Britomartis informed.

"Never easy to get information." I commented.

"That would be no fun, and you are here to help the hunters right. I'm already letting you know where to find the emperor, that's big help." Britomartis.

"That will have to do for now." I said. "Looks like we have work ahead of us."

"Good luck hope you can save the prisoners, and maybe Apollo too." Britomartis said before vanishing.

"So where are we going?" I asked.

"To the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, the main entrance is under there." Thalia informed me.

We still had a long way to go, but we would make it in a maybe a few of hours, and if Apollo and the others were going to be on their way there like Britomartis had said, it would be better for us to hurry up. And the faster I could find out the identity of this emperor the best.

"Thalia, whatever happens on the emperor's palace, Apollo cannot know I'm here." I told her.

"Why not?" Thalia asked.

"It's better if my presence here is known to a minimum." I explained.

"Very well." Thalia agreed. "Just be careful once we are there."

"I will." I said.

We kept going until we reach the outskirt of the city by nightfall. So, we decided to stay there for the night and do the rest of the way at sunrise. I was so close to get the information I needed, and then only one identity will remain a secret. The faster I could find out and get this over the better. And one thing I was sure, a fight was about to happen, and it would not be pretty. I was just hoping that I was on the right place. The prophecy about me didn't help much with what could happen in the between, only about the final battle, and even if that was good information, it was not enough.