A/N: Alright so fourth chapter! I can't believe how many of you guys have read this! As of right now 1,444 people have viewed this story! That's amazing! Thank you all for your support and reviews, it has been motivational! If there is anything wrong in this story grammatically please let me know! I might not catch some things in revising each chapter and by letting me know it will improve my writing! I hope you guys enjoy the chapter!
Chapter four: It's really hard to come up with chapter names
"Stop!" Artemis yelled out. "This is where we'll set up camp for the night."
I dropped to my hands and knees; I've never been so tired in my life. We had run for eight and a half hours straight. I looked around and saw that the hunters barely seemed phased by our 'light jog'. It must have been part of their blessing. Not only are they faster, stronger and smarter, but they do not tire as easily. Thalia received the blessing before we started travelling, which I think is unfair.
Everyone immediately got to work. Everyone knew what to do and how to do it; even Thalia had a role to play. I got up to my feet, and looked around. I had no idea what I was supposed to be doing. I saw Zoe on the other side of the clearing, so I decided to ask her. I quickly walked over to her, but on my way over, I nearly ran into a hunter with pitch black hair.
"Watch it, boy." She growled at me.
I lowered my gaze. "Sorry." I muttered. And with that, she turned on her heal and strolled away. I made it to Zoe without another incident, but she was giving orders to some hunters so I waited for her to be done. Zoe noticed me and sent the hunters away.
"Yes, Percy?" She asked me.
"I was wondering what I should do. Everyone seems to have a part to play in setting up camp and I want to help."
"Yes, you're going to need to if you want to survive the Hunt. Find a river or a stream. There should be one within a mile of here, but watch yourself Percy; a pack of hell hounds is within a two hours fast march from here." She warned me. "And I will talk to Artemis about your tent and hunter uniform."
"Thank you, Zoe." I walked out of the clearing and set down on a rock. I cleared my head and focused on the familiar feel of water. A tugging sensation in my gut occurred and I could sense that there was a slow moving river in the area. I couldn't tell where it was yet, so I concentrated more. I could tell that it was about a mile and a half north east of camp, but there was something else about the river. I couldn't tell what it was, so again, I concentrated even more. I was working up a sweat when I was hit in the chest and knocked off of my rock. I opened my eyes to see the laughing faces of Phoebe and the hunter I ran into earlier.
"Are you so useless that all you can do is rest on that rock?" Phoebe called out. The other hunter doubled over in laughter.
"You know, Phoebe, I think we worked him to hard in the run. I guess he can't handle a 40 mile run, he can't do anything afterwards!" The other hunter said. She kind of killed the mood. It wasn't that funny, but hey, at least she tried. I got up, ignored them, and started to walk to the river.
It was 15 minute walk and when I got to the river, there was nothing wrong with it; at least, nothing wrong that I could see. I walked over and put my hand in it. It was safe to drink, but again something felt off about it. I decided to jump in, to investigate more, but again I couldn't figure out what was off about it. I climbed back onto the shore bank and sat down facing the water. I didn't like the feeling it gave me, so I drank some to make sure it was safe. It would look bad if it poisoned any of the hunters. It tasted fine, and it was clean, so I decided I was just tired from the run and started back towards camp.
I walked into the clearing and spotted Zoe. I walked up to her and she handed me a pile of clothes and a square the size of a pack of gum.
"Here are your clothes and tent. If I were you, I would set up your tent at the edge of camp. It will be colder for you, but the girls are less likely to harass you over there." Zoe told me.
"Thanks, Zoe." I replied. "I found a river; it's a 15 minute walk north east of here. It's about a mile and a half."
"Thanks, Percy."
"Oh and Zoe?" Zoe sent a questioning look towards me.
"There's something off with the water, it's safe to drink but it gives me a bad feeling. You're a daughter of the sea; I would like you to check it out before the other hunters get too close to it."
"Alright, Percy, I'll check it out. After you set your tent up, go and see Artemis in hers. She would like to talk to you."
"Thanks Zoe. See you later." With that, Zoe went to check out the river and I walked to the edge of the clearing. I looked at the folded up tent, it dawned on me that I didn't know how to use it. I stood there for a good five minutes before Thalia came over.
"Hey, Seaweed brain, need any help?" Thalia said. She had on the Hunters' uniform that is a silver shirt, silver combat fatigues and combat boots. Unlike most of the hunters, however, Thalia's hair wasn't braided.
"Yes please." I said, handing her the tent square. She took it and just threw it on the ground. It unfolded itself. I couldn't believe it was that easy.
Thalia smirked at me. "If you want to fold it back up, just tap it with both hands twice."
I smiled. "Thanks, Thalia. Do you know what Artemis wants to talk to me about?"
Thalia looked puzzled. "She probably just wants to go over rules, boundaries, those kinds of things."
"Alright, hopefully I won't come out as a jackalope." I smiled. Thalia laughed and punched me in the arm; leaving me to walk to Artemis' tent, rubbing my arm all the way over. I knocked on the wooden post in the center of the entrance that served as both a support for the tent and an entrance.
"Come in." Came a reply. I walked in and saw Artemis standing over a table with a map. I immediately dropped to a knee, bowing to the goddess. "Oh please stop that. I appreciate the gesture but if you have to bow every time you see me in the next six months, I'd get very annoyed." I immediately stood back up. I looked around the tent and what I saw surprised me. The tent was much bigger on the inside.
"It's bigger on the inside." I remarked.
She smiled. "Yes, I suppose it is. Now, we need to discuss some ground rules." She said sternly.
"Yes ma'am."
"You cannot be in another hunters' tent besides your own or mine with permission." I nodded to show my understanding. "You cannot be out alone with another hunter. You either have to be by yourself or have at least two other hunters with you. You will take an equal share of chores, excluding laundry. You will do your own laundry and will not touch my hunters' laundry." At that I was a little confused but I nodded anyway. "You're duty, when we find a place to set up camp, will be to find the nearest, drinkable water source." At least now I won't be standing around looking stupid. "And finally, when on the hunt, you will use the hunter's main choice of weaponry." I stared at her, dumbstruck.
"But I'm terrible with a bow!" I argued.
"Then I suggest you learn quickly." She said, sending a glare in my direction.
"Fine, but I don't have one to use."
"I will provide you with one. However, since you are not a hunter, it will be an ordinary bow with ordinary arrows. We will give you 20 arrows but after that, you'll have to make your own. Dismissed."
I bowed my head slightly and then took my leave. I stepped out into the sunlight and fund Thalia waiting for me with a bow and quiver.
"Zoe told me to give you these before she left."
I took the bow and arrows. "Thanks Thalia, is there any place I can practice with these?"
"Not yet, but I think Naomi and a few other girls are setting up an archery range, go see if they need any help."
I walked over to where I saw a few girls erecting a few targets and a firing station. When I got there I saw the girl that was with Phoebe, the one with pitch black hair. She didn't notice me but one of the hunters she was with did.
"Naomi!" A hunter called out and pointed at me. The girl with black hair looked at the girl and her eyes fallowed to where she was pointing. When her gaze hit me, her eyes narrowed.
"What are you doing her boy?" She growled.
Nervously, I walked up to her. "I came to see if you needed any help setting up the range?"
"What are you suggesting? That we need your help? That we are not capable of setting it up?"
"No not at all! I just thought that it would go faster with more people working on it."
"He does have a point…" One of the hunters started, but she was quickly silenced by Naomi.
"We do not need your help."
"Okay." I said. "Sorry to bother you." I turned around and started walking to my tent.
"Fine!" I heard a voice call out. I turned around and saw Naomi standing there, fuming. "You can pace out the distances for the targets."
Smiling, I walked back over and another hunter walked up to me. She didn't seem as hostile as Naomi but it was clear she didn't want to talk to me. "I'm Clair, let's get something straight. I don't like you. You shouldn't be here. But My Lady commands that we show you respect so I am. I am not your friend and do not expect me to be friendly to you. The first target is to be set up at 25 yards, the next at 50 yards, and the last target at 75 yards. Got that?"
"Yes, Clair." I said, a little intimidated. From each station; I paced off 25 yards, 50 yards, and 75 yards. I stuck sticks straight into the ground to mark off each target, and I made sure to stagger them so there was a clear line of sight from each firing position. I walked over to Clair.
"The targets are all marked out." I told her. She peered around my shoulder, nodding at the marks.
"Good job." She said grudgingly. "Most people don't realize they need to be staggered when setting up the targets the first time. You can go. Dinner is in one hour. Don't be late."
I walked over to my tent and decided to check out where I'd be sleeping for the next 6 months. I half expected it to be bigger on the inside, but it wasn't There was just enough room for me to stand up, and I had about two feet to spare when lying down. If I stretched my arms out to the side, I barely touched each side of the tent. Well hey, at least it was cozy. Inside there was already a sleeping bag, a magic lamp that served for both a light source and a heat source. I moved the sleeping bag from the center of the tent to against the right side. I put down my bag of clothes on the left side where I found some silvery tinted clothes. I looked at them, they seemed a bit girly to me but they were obviously boy clothes, so I put them on. I left the tent and went to find Zoe; she would be back from the river by now. I couldn't find her so I went looking for Thalia. I spotted her talking and laughing with a few other hunters. I recognized Clair but not the other two. "Hey Thalia, have you seen Zoe around?"
"Not for a while, why?"
"I wanted to ask her something before dinner."
"I think she's still out looking for that river you told her about."
My eyes widen in realization. "Thanks Thalia!" I said as I ran off in the direction of the river. Worst case scenarios kept running through my mind. I should have gone with her to check out the river. I should have made sure the water was safe. I should have checked around the water for anything suspicious. I reached the river in less than 9 minutes. I looked around but I was alone. I saw Zoe's footprints leading towards the water's edge but none coming back. I approached the water, still looking for any sign of Zoe.
"Zoe!" I called out. Still no sign. I opened my mouth again to shout, but I saw bubbles break the surface of the water. Without hesitation I jumped in, there was certainly something off about it. I opened my mouth to breath, but I was met with only water. I tried to use the currents to propel me back to the surface, but they didn't respond to my control. Realization dawned on me. The water felt off because it wasn't under my control. There had to be a really pissed off something to refuse my father's claim over water. I swam to the surface to catch my breath. I quickly dove back under. Whatever was controlling the water had to have Zoe. I swam down to the river bed, fighting the currents that tried to sweep me away. I could see a feint silver glow in the sand. I quickly swam over to it. I started to dig in the sand. My hand found another hand very quickly. I pulled the person up and I saw that it was Zoe, sealed in a kind of magic stasis. I started to swim up with her, when I felt the water almost tighten around my ankle. I was instantly pulled back down to the river bed. There I could see the outline of a figure. It was a man; he had wide shoulders, a very toned, muscular body. It reminded me of a swimmers body. But this person did not look friendly.
"I am the river god Alpheus. This is my river the Alfeios. What are you doing here." He commanded.
I was running out of air. I needed some control of the water. I sent a prayer to my father begging that I retained my ability to talk underwater. "I am Perseus Jackson; son of the sea god Poseison. I demand you give me control of this river or my father will hear about this." At that, Alpheus lost some nerve, I felt some of the anger leave the water, but it was mostly still there. I was able to take a breath and also summon air bubbles for Zoe.
The river god steeled his nervous again, but I was still able to breath. "You think you scare me kid?" he yelled. He produced a fishing spear, aimed to skewer Zoe and me. I willed a current to take Zoe and I to the surface. We shot out of the water and landed on the beach hard. I laid there until I heard Zoe stir.
Zoe looked around with wide eyes before they fell on the river and narrowed. "Alpheus." She growled.
"Do you know him or something?" I asked.
"Yes. He and the hunt have a long history."
"Care to explain?" I asked.
"Before Alpheus was a river god, he was a great hunter. One day he stumbled upon a river nymph. Her name was Arethusa. She captured his attention, but she wanted nothing to do with him. After knowing his intentions, she fled to the island of Orytgia. He pursued her there and when he caught up Arethusa, Artemis took pity on the naiad. She turned her into a well, and Alpheus, so determined to be with Arethusa, turned into a river. Starting where the chase began, and ending at Arethusa's well. Or so the myth says. In truth, Artemis did switch Arethusa for a well, but she never turned her into one. She offered Arethusa a place in the hunters. She is still alive and with the hunt to this day. After Artemis had tricked Alpheus, he had sworn to get his revenge. We must warn Lady Artemis." As the last word was said, Alpheus erupted from the river. He had a net in his left hand and a spear in his right. I knew we couldn't walk away. If we wanted to go back to camp, we had to beat this guy. I looked at Zoe, and she nodded. A bow materialized out of thin air. I pulled a cheap, ball point pen out of my pocket. It didn't look like much, but when I uncapped it, it grew into a 3 foot, glowing bronze sword. As I draw Riptide, I charged forward, running across the water. Alpheus threw his net, but I side stepped it easily. He raised his spear to strike, but two arrows quickly found their way into the chink of his armor at the bend of his elbow. He stopped the attack, leaving me free to land a few strikes on him. I slashed at his waist before twisting my wrist, changing the momentum into a downward hack aimed at his right shoulder. Both blows were direct hits. I retracted my arm to thrust Riptide into his thigh, but I was met with a powerful kick to the chest. I flew back several yards. When I got back up, I saw that Alpheus was peppered with arrows. I was surprised to see that he was even moving at all. Just then, Alpheus threw his spear at Zoe. It clipped her in the shoulder. But the spear was so big it almost took her arm off! I rushed forward with Riptide. The river god was too busy looking pleased with himself that he didn't realize I was attacking him until it was too late. He didn't have a weapon to defend himself, so there was nothing to block my attacks. I sliced at his throat; he was barely able to move back in time. I then brought riptide down on his shoulder. Riptide cut from the base of the neck, to diagonally towards the midline of his body. The god stumbled back. He fell over onto his back, and flashed away. Either to recover, or maybe sentenced to Tartarus, I wasn't sure. All that mattered was that he was gone. I had full control over the water. I rushed over to Zoe. She was on the ground and losing a lot of blood.
A/N: Alright! So now that we ended on that happy note, what did you thing? Let me know in a review or a PM! Feedback is an author's nest friend! This chapter was a little bit longer, about 1,000 words longer. Better than the other ones but still not enough! But as time goes on I should be writing more each time. Thanks for taking time to read this and thanks for all the support! Oh and if you think that Percy is acting too submissive to the hunters, remember that he is only 13 years old at this point, and it is his first day being surrounded by a man hating cult of immortal women. I'm sure he would be a little intimidated by everyone. Maybe he'll grow a pair later on. Alright thanks again for reading!
