So I know I've been out of the game for a few and that I didn't even explain myself at all in the last chapter but things have gotten hectic. I work an average of fifty to sixty hours a week at a hospital now as a technician, I lost my primary means of typing up my stories and me and fiance are trying to plan our wedding so I have very little time for anything anymore. so to my loyal readers please understand that I am not in no way abadoning my stories or I just don't care anymore, I will continue to update but dont expect them to be consistent. As of now I have about two more chapters that I am trying to edit and draft up so hopefully it won't take me long. SO without further adieu please enjoy!
In a forest clearing in upstate New York, close to the border of Canada, was a group of around twenty young girls tending a large camp. Their ages were all within the teens with the youngest being no more than eleven years old. They all wore grey cargo pants with silver ski parkas and most were armed with a bow and a quiver of arrows and hunting knife strapped to their side while others tended to either the tents or the fires that were dotted around the encampment.
These were the Hunters, immortal maidens and followers of the goddess Artemis. Each one was recruited by the goddess herself so as to escape the world of man and achieve true freedom. All of them looked on edge though, the Winter Solstice meeting should've ended hours ago and their Lady had yet to return. Artemis was never one to stay on Olympus more than necessary so this was causing a small panic amongst the girls.
"What do you think is keeping her so long?"
"You think something happened?"
"I hope everything's okay…"
"This is Lady Artemis we're talking about, there's nothing she can't handle."
Small blips of conversations of the like continued to pop up through the camp in hushed tones as the night grew later. One Hunter stood apart from the camp and just stared into the forest with her bow lowered but with an arrow still knocked. One key thing set her attire apart from her fellow sisters and that was a silver circlet woven into her hair like a small crown. This was Zoë Nightshade, Artemis's lieutenant and leader of the Hunters in her stead. She was also one of the ones who have been with Artemis the longest.
She had faith that her mistress was safe but couldn't shake the feeling that something unbelievable had happened and that it would change thing for them. So lost in thought was she that she almost missed the subtle sound of someone walking toward her.
Almost
Reacting on instinct Zoë spun towards where she suddenly sense the presence and leveled her bow at the intruder, ready to shoot if need be. Before she could demand who was there a calm and somewhat amused voice made her stop.
"My, you seem to be jumpy tonight Zoë but I must say that your reaction time is as impressive as always."
Hearing the intruder praise her skill made Zoë pause to the person in front of her more closely, the voice was already familiar to her. As the person stepped closer her feature became more visible and once Zoë got a good look at her face and eyes she finally recognized who the woman was.
"My Lady Artemis," Zoë gasped before quickly lowering her weapon and dropping to one knee, "Forgive me, I did not recognize thee." Artemis merely gave a soft smile, "Rise Zoë, I have told you before that you don't have to kneel to me,"
"I know milady but I was not expecting thou in such a form," Zoë said as she stood up and dismissed her and began to follow the goddess back into the camp. "I understand, to be truthfully honest neither was I," Artemis replied making it to her tent and calling for all her Hunters to come to her.
"Milady?"
"In a moment Zoë, everyone needs to hear this, there is much too tell."
Just a few seconds later and all the Hunters were present with some in sleeping attire, obviously being the ones who would have the late shift of night watch. With a wave of her hand there was a large fire in front of Artemis and the Hunters so that they could stay comfortable in the cold of the night.
"Once the meeting had ended I began to talk to Athena like I usually do, mostly to catch up and to get her input on a new bow design I have been thinking of before taking it to Hephaestus, I believe some updated equipment would do us some good but that's another matter entirely." She said with a small wave of her hand, "While we were talking Zeus requested my presence back in the throne room and once I arrived I noticed that both Lord Poseidon and Lord Hades were also in there." This drew curious looks from all of them, the Big Three very rarely stayed together after the meeting, "Once we were alone my father and uncles told me something that I am still trying to come to terms with."
The Hunters continued to watch their mistress with curious and confused gazes, rare was it that Artemis had a hard time with any situation. Taking a small breath to steady her nerves Artemis told them, "Zeus, Poseidon and Hades told me that I was to be a mother and have granted me a child. I'm pregnant." Even after mostly accepting the fact it was still unsettling for her to say it out loud.
A stunned silence overtook the entire camp, even the wolves that patrolled the perimeter had stopped as they sensed the tense atmosphere. "Forgive me Lady Artemis, but did you just say that thou art with child?" Zoë asked after a moment. Artemis looked at her second in command and nodded, "Yes, I am."
The shock that had a grip on the Hunters was finally broken and smiles lit up each of their faces and they proceeded to congratulate their Mistress as more excited chatter flew between them. One Hunter voiced a concern that made the camp go quiet once more, "But does this mean that you're not a maiden anymore?"
Artemis saw the fear spread through each of them and was quick to calm all of them, "No as I said the child was a gift from Lords Zeus, Poseidon and Hades so it was an immaculate conception. No man has touched me nor shall they ever." And just like that the fear was replaced with relief all the Hunters started to smile again.
The youngest and most recent addition to the Hunters came forward and nervously asked, "Can I feel the baby?" Artemis looked surprised for a moment before smiling, "Of course Alexis, though there isn't much to feel at the moment," Nevertheless Alexis mad her way over to Artemis and placed her hand on her lower abdomen, right where the baby would be. The little Hunter smiled as if she just felt it, "She going to be a great and beautiful Hunter, just like you Lady Artemis."
Artemis frowned slightly at that comment; she had forgotten that they didn't know she wasn't carrying a girl. "I'm afraid she won't be Alexis," Alexis pulled her hand back and grew confused along with the rest as they looked at their master, "I say that because I'm not carrying a girl. I am pregnant with a boy."
All the Hunters gasped in disbelief, they just couldn't believe it!
"A boy?"
"No!"
"Why would they give you a boy!?"
"Surely this is some kind of mistake!"
Artemis watched as they began to grow hysterical and quickly took command of the situation, "Silence!" And just like that they immediately grew quiet once more. "You are my Hunters and I expect to act as such. Not like the air headed daughters of love!" That comment stung their pride slightly, it wasn't often that Artemis grew upset with them and she never compared them to the children of Aphrodite. "Whether it be a boy or a girl makes no difference; this is still my child. My first child and first demigod and I will care for him and raise him and nothing will change that." Artemis stated firmly.
The Hunters were shocked at their mistress's words and her obvious commitment towards bearing the boy. "Also with all of us raising him there is no doubt in my mind that he shall become a good man." That appeased most of the Hunters and the others didn't see the point in questioning Artemis's reasons and so with a command of 'go back to your duties' all the girls went back to their tents and the night watch went back to their positions. Only Zoë stayed with Artemis, "Are thou sure of this Milady? NO good hath come from a man before.."
Artemis looked at her second in command and a ghost of smile came across her lips, "That may be so Zoë but I just have this feeling that I can't explain but I know that this little one is going to be a good man, even without our guidance. I also know that he is going to do great things for the world." Zoë nodded and bowed before going back to her own tent.
With one last look at the stars Artemis walked into her tent while placing a hand on her abdomen and feeling the tiny life force that she now carried. A love-filled smile spread across her face as she thought of her child.
Yes, he would be good man.
He would help change the world.
