Chapter Two: The Week at Camp

Hey there, sorry about taking forever with this chapter. Things came up and yada yada yada. Hope you enjoy the chapter regardless.

Artemis slowly opened her eyes and went to sit up but felt a weight on her, strange. She tilted her head and found her son sprawled on top of her using her chest as a pillow. Then the events of the previous night came back to her. She smiled lightly as she wrapped on of her arms over her son and use the other one to gently pet his silvery-white hair. She knew he needed to wake up, even though she much rather have him stay there than move him, sadly she had to prepare for the day.

"Robert . . ." Artemis gently called as she started shaking his arm gently. He groaned a bit as snuggled closer to her. Sighing she tried a bit rougher.

"Come on sweetie . . . wakey, wakey." She said as Robert sat up and rubbed the rest of his drowsiness away before staring at her for a few moments, and then proceeded to lie back down on top of her. Artemis sighed and looked the celling, wondering how to move him. It was then then her tent flap opened up and one of her hunters walked in.

"Lady Artemis, it is mornings . . . why are you still in bed?" The hunter asked as Artemis pointed at her sleeping son and the hunter sighed and walked over to the mother and son. She carefully placed her hands around his torso and lifted him up gently as she could and held him away from her; she had a look of discomfort on as she held Robert. Artemis quickly got up and took her son back from the huntress.

"Thank you Jeanette, I'll take it from here." She said as Jeanette quickly left the tent, leaving the two alone. Artemis laid her son on her bed and left to take a shower. She was finishing her shower when Robert finally awakened for one reason only

"Got to go . . ." He mumbled and looked around the tent and found the tent flap. Robert looked in the other direction and found a door. He decided that must be a bathroom or something and went up to it being half a sleep still, he opened the door to find his mother in a towel, about to get dress.

"R-Robert, what are you do you think you're doing young man!" Artemis asked him as Robert pointed to the toilet.

"I got to go." He said like it was obvious. His mother looked at the toilet and sighed before waving him along as she gathered her clothes and left the room to allow her son to go. Artemis quickly got dress, just in time because Robert came out of the bathroom. Artemis looked at the clothes her son had on. A pair of ripped and dirty jeans, a dirtied, ripped white shirt, and a pair of socks that was brown from dirt; Artemis waved her hand and Robert gained a new wardrobe. He now had a clean white shirt on, with a pair of black jeans on, and a pair of black shoes. Over him was a hooded cloak that stretched down to the top of his shoes. Robert looked at his new clothes and smiled.

"Thanks Mama!" he said as Artemis' heart nearly stopped. It was the first time he called her his mom. She smiled a little as she walked up to him and patted Robert's head.

"Well son, there's something that I need to explain to you now, okay?" She said as Robert nodded and Artemis went into explaining what he should know and why she wasn't there for him during his four years of life. She also asked if he knows how to wield a bow.

"Yeah I did learn how but I'm not that into using a bow though." Robert told Artemis as she started thinking.

'Maybe he's better with a sword, maybe hunting knifes? Perhaps even hand-to-hand combat, his father was into that and even skilled in it. I'll have to have Zoe look into that." Artemis thought as she nodded to herself.

"Alright then let's go introduce you to your new sisters shall we?" Artemis asked as looked at Robert who was looking around in confusion.

"What's wrong sweetie?" She asked as Robert turn towards Artemis.

"Where's Eve? She was here last night." He asked as his mother thought of something to say, but luckily she didn't have to as Eve came into the tent, bouncing, and went up to Robert.

"There you are!" He said as he started petting Eve, who barked happily to him. Artemis smiled as she watched her son and the wolf. It was then that Zoe entered the tent.

"Milady, forgive me for entering without notice." She said as Artemis waved her off.

"Worry not Zoe, I actually wanted to talk to you." She said as Zoe nodded.

"I want you to take my son and find out what's he good with, I'm sure he's going to be great with the bow, maybe try with a sword. His father was also good with the bow, but he excelled in using a hand-to-hand combat and had some knowledge with the sword. I want Robert to ready for anything." Artemis said as Zoe nodded and went up to Robert.

"Come along Robert, we have some things to talk about." Zoe said as Robert looked to his mother who nodded to him. Robert smiled and took Zoe's hand and the two left, with Eve behind them. Zoe led the boy out of the camp and into a clearing with the child; she knew exactly how to train children. After all some recruits were children a times, granted not as young as him, but close enough. She pulled out a small bag filled with different candies: Like Tootsie Rolls, fun size Snicker Bars and Twix Bars. It even had a few small bags of M&Ms in it. Robert eyes seemingly sparked when he gazed at the bag. Zoe smile when she got the reaction she was hoping for.

"I want one!" Robert said as he ran up and tried to grab the bag.

"On no, no, no little boy, you can only have one if you do good." She said with a small smirk and Robert instantly started paying attention to her.

"Now I want you to take this bow and use an arrow to hit one of those targets over there." Zoe said as a bow appeared in her hand. She gave it to Robert who was looking at where she pointed.

"Alright then, I can do this!" He said as he pulled back the bow string and an arrow appeared in it, his body intensively went to the right stance for him to shoot right and when he let loose the arrow shot right to the center ring of the center target. Zoe whistled as she watched it.

"It seems that you're a born natural, well knowing you're mom, that shouldn't be too surprising." Zoe said as Robert smiled up to her, she chuckled and tossed him a Twix Bar and he ripped apart the wrapping and ate the bar with a smile.

"Alright, now, I want you to try to take this M&M bag out of my hand using whatever hand-to-hand combat you know." Zoe said holding the bag in front of her, and to her surprise, she found that Robert was actually decent in the art. However that didn't mean that he could match her skills. Eventually he got the bag, she decided to go harder next time. She wondered why he was so good, sure his father excelled at it, but Robert shouldn't know this yet . . . right?

"Robert, where did you learn hand-to-hand combat?" She asked as Robert smiled, but then it died.

"My daddy taught me it, along with a bit on using a sword . . . he wanted me to know how to defend myself if needed . . ." He said as Zoe quickly turned the conversation away from his father

"Alright now for the last one." Zoe said as she grabbed two sticks and gave one to Robert.

"Every time you hit me with the stick I'll reward you with a treat." Zoe said as Robert nodded and so the two spared with the sticks for a bit as the day died, at the end a sweat drenched Robert and a slightly winded Zoe stood.

"Well . . . I'm impressed. Tomorrow we'll continue this training, as well for the rest of the week to come, maybe even further." Zoe said. 'If you come back after this week is over.' She thought. So the days went and came, Zoe continued training Robert and the two got close, like sibling close. The other hunters were still getting use to the boy, but three . . . they didn't like him one bit, even if he's their leader's son. They wanted him gone, and they had just the right idea to do so.

Afternoon of the sixth day since Robert arrived at the Hunter's Camp

"This will certainly get that boy to go away." A hunter with an evil glint in her eye said as another chuckled.

"Yes Jenny, you're plans are always top notch." The one who chuckled said.

"Jenny, Nancy do you think we're making a mistake?" The last one said as Jenny huffed.

"Quit whining Ruth, you'll love it just as much as us." Jenny told her as the one named Ruth nodded.

"A-Alright." Ruth said as they went over their plan once again.

One Hour Later

Since it might be his last night here, Zoe decided to cut Robert's training for today, so they could see if Artemis wanted to bond or whatever with Robert.

"Sorry, but my father called for a council meeting, so I won't be around until late. Zoe you're in charge." Artemis said as she was about to leave when Zoe stopped her.

"What about Robert, milady, who will watch him? I won't be able to play with him, and I'm not sure if the other hunters will want to." She asked as Artemis pondered this for a moment, wondering who to ask to watch over her son.

"We can Lady Artemis." A voice said from the side as the three turned to find Jenny, Nancy, and Ruth.

"Ah, yes. I don't see why you three can't watch Robert for a few hours. Now that that is settled, I'm off. Bye girls and Robert." Artemis said before flashing out. After the light die down, the five removed their hands from their face. Jenny then turned to Robert.

"Hey, you want to play a game? I know this really fun one!" Jenny said as Robert smiled.

"Alright, I love learning new games!" Robert said excitedly as Jenny grabbed his hand and ran off. Zoe squint her eyes at the four; she had the feeling that those three weren't going to play nice with Robert and the fact that Ruth wasn't acting calm. To the untrained eye one wouldn't noticed much, but as the lieutenant of the hunt, Zoe notice Ruth fidgeting slightly ever few seconds . . . it was odd. She was sure it was out of nervousness, but because of what? Zoe shook her head, she would check on them later, hopefully it's just her eyes playing tricks on her, after all Artemis didn't hesitate to leave him with them . . . but still she couldn't shack the feeling of dread she's feeling.

With the four

Robert slowly opened his eyes; his sight was hazy. A light form fire made his eyes ach, he wanted to rub them but found his hands bound away from him and his shirt was gone. He started struggling, confused to why he was in this situation. He looked around to gather his surroundings, after all Zoe did train him for this kind of situation like many others, but he didn't think he would need to use those skills as soon as this. Robert noticed that he was in a cave, since he could see the entrance to the cave further ahead, but night was near. He started pondering the reason for this and what he was doing before. Then it hit him, Jenny and her friends were going to show him a new game . . . and when they got to the spot away from the hunt he felt something hit his head. Robert's eyes widen as he realized what happened, Jenny and her friends did this to him, but why? He sat there pondering this when footsteps echoed around him.

"Ah . . . the little boy is awake." One of the three said as all three stepped out of the shadows. Jenny walked up to him and grabbed Robert's throat and lifted him as high as the chains would allow her to.

"Now, let's have some fun shall we?" Jenny as thundered crackled in the sky.

Back with the hunters

Zoe looked at the sky, not only was it getting dark, but a storm was coming as well. She wondered if something happened to anger Zeus. Though she wasn't too worried, it wasn't going to affect the camp but outside would get soaked. However Robert and the girls that went into the woods haven't returned yet. Zoe looked to see Eve sitting at the spot they entered, waiting. She was acting strange, like she wanted to rush to Robert's side right away. This made Zoe frown, during her time in the hunt. If a hunter is given wolf, they are connected in a way. Even though she doesn't have one, Zoe can tell the difference if a wolf wants to be with their master out of missing them or if they're in danger and Eve was defiantly acting like the second one. Zoe turned on her heels and walked to a hunters she knew she could count on, when Artemis was away.

"Phoebe," She said making the girl turn to her. "I want you to watch over camp while I'm away." Zoe finished as Phoebe looked at her strangely.

"Alright, but why?" The hunter asked as Zoe looked at Eve.

"Something tells me that everything isn't as it seems." She told Phoebe as Phoebe looked at Eve and then back to Zoe.

"Alright, I understand." Phoebe said as Zoe thanked her and went back to the pup

"Eve," Zoe called out to the pup, making said pup turn towards her. "Can you track Robert?" She asked getting an exited bark in return.

"Alright lead me to him." She said and the two were off.

Back in the cave

Blood dripped from the four year olds mouth, the pain he's been feeling for the past two hours were indescribable for Robert. The hit him, shot at him with arrows, carved into him and even . . . made him do dirty things that made Robert want to shiver when he thought about them. He hung there with the chains on his arms holding him up. Tears continuously dripped onto the ground without stop. His voice lost all its strength. Robert looked at the ones responsible, while they had a nice pleasant meal.

"Oh man that was great!' Jenny said as she munched on some cooked deer.

"Yeah it was!' Nancy said as she laid back.

"But what to do now?" Ruth said as she tapped her chin. Jenny chuckled darkly.

"Well I don't know about you two, but I'm pretty board with this thing, after all he's not crying out anymore." Jenney said as she grabbed her knife.

"I'd say we end him and just say that we were attack by monsters. They'd believe that." She said as she stalked to Robert who eyes widen in fear. Jenny brought her knife above her head to stab Robert in the skull, but before she got a chance an arrow pierced her wrist knocking it away. Jenny held her newly bleeding hand and looked towards the direction the arrow came from. Her face paled and the other two looked at her as well. Standing at the cave's entrance was a shadowy figure with a bow in its hand with a wolf pup next to her growling at them. Lightening flashed and the figure reveled to be Zoe with a face of rage.

"Z-Zoe, this isn't what it looks li-" Jenny started but never finished. Zoe had her throat in her hands and lifted her above her.

"Give me a reason." She started but Jenny couldn't say anything do to the pressure around her windpipe.

"Oh so you don't have one?" Zoe said as a grin spread across her face.

"Then I have no use for you." She said as she punched Jenny's face knocking her out. Zoe then dropped the unconscious girl and looked towards the other two.

"Would one of you care to tell me why Robert's like this?" She asked as the two started backing up. After all this was the lieutenant of the hunt, not someone you want to mess with, even if you're a hunter. Though ether out of bravery, or stupidity, probably the second one. Nancy lunged at Zoe, but Zoe mealy kicked her in the face knocking her out as well.

"And then there was one." Zoe said as Ruth started shaking.

"Maybe you will tell me what happen?" She said calmly as Ruth immediately spilled everything.

"I see . . ." Zoe said as she went to Robert.

"For cooperating, I'll give the choice to drag you're two friends back to camp, or die. You're choice." Zoe said as Ruth immediately went and grabbed her friends. This gave Zoe the chance to check on Robert. She found that he was unconscious making her sigh. While she was glad he didn't see her deal with those girls, she was worried that he would die. So carefully she picked up the boy bridle style. She looked at Ruth who was waiting for her.

"Go, start going, I'll be right behind you." Zoe said as Ruth nodded and started dragging the girls back to camp.

Back at the Camp

As the girls waited for Zoe to return Artemis returned from the meeting she was at. She glanced around before turning to Phoebe who went up to her.

"Phoebe where's Robert and the girls assigned to watch him. Also where is Zoe and Eve? I know that they shouldn't be with them." Artemis said as Phoebe shrugged.

"Honesty Milady, I'm not quite sure. Zoe told me that I was in charge until she return, but that's because Robert, Jenny, Nancy, and Ruth haven't returned yet." She told Artemis as she nodded.

"I see, well I talk to Zoe once I see her." The goddess said as she walked to the fire and sat on a log as she waited for the five pulse pup to return.

One Hour later

An hour passed since Zoe ordered Ruth to carry her unconscious friends back to camp and it was already dark out, making it harder since she couldn't see anything well. They were lucky no monster came around during the ordeal, and the walk back. When she saw a light from a fire, Ruth grimaced; she knew that if they were lucky they would only be forced out of the hunt. When she entered the camp all hunters quickly went to her and asked her what happened, but Ruth stayed silent and continued walking towards Artemis, who looked quiet worried as she approached them.

"What has happened Ruth?" Artemis asked as Ruth opened her mouth to responded, only for Zoe to intervene.

"I caught her and her two friends sitting around a fire chatting away about what they were going to do next to Robert, and from what he looked like, I'd say they tortured him." Zoe said as she walked to Artemis who looked at Zoe, then at her son who was still unconscious and badly bruised. Artemis' eyes grew watery at the sight of her son. She growled before angrily slamming her hand on Ruth's head and saw what they did to her son.

"Phoebe, get them out of my sight, immediately!" She growled she stared to glow bright sliver, so bright that many thought she would blow the clearing sky high. She then started floating above the ground face full of rage, before it faded quickly and Artemis fell to ground on her knees and head bent down.

'I'm sorry Styx . . . I'm not worthy to be a mother after all . . .'Artemis thought with her hair shadowing her eyes.

"Milady . . ." A hunter said as Artemis slowly stood and walked over to Zoe.

"Zoe . . . please hand over my son . . . I want to spend my last night as his mother in peace." Artemis said as Zoe handed the child over and the mother's energy started healing the wounds on his body.

End of Chapter two and man is it long! I'm not sure if every chapter will be like this, but who knows? Until then see you all later!