Not really sure what to put here, posting multiple chapters in a row doesn't give much opportunity for reviews and favorites and follows. So I'll just leave you with this: Stay lovely! Enjoy the new content, hope you liked the last chapter as well as this one. This one is pretty short, sorry about that, but stay tuned for more coming soon!
Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson nor do I own anything affiliated with it. Percy Jackson and all his friends (as well as his enemies) belong to the brilliant mind of Rick Riordan.
Chapter 7
Hermes flew until he spotted the silver tents of the hunters' camp. He landed by the fire, all the hunters' curious stares on him. "Hi!" he spoke friendly. "Is Artemis here? I have a message for her."
One of the hunters stepped forward. "Lady Artemis has not yet returned. We have no clue as to when she'll be back."
Hermes sighed. "Well, how about her second in command? Where's Thalia?" Hermes looked around, trying to spot the familiar face of his half-sister.
The hunter shook her head. "She left with a few others to get some game, and I believe she was going to try and contact her father and see if he knew when Artemis would be back."
Hermes pursed his lips and stood thinking for a good minute before answering. "Well then, guess I'll have to trust you with it."
The hunter's eyes widened. "Oh, I don't know if I should be the one entrusted with it. Why not just wait for Thalia or Artemis herself?"
"Come on, it's a letter in a sealed envelope. All you have to do is keep it safe until Artemis comes back. What's your name?"
The hunter hesitated before replying. "Sierra. Daughter of Athena."
Hermes flashed a smile. "Well, Sierra, I believe you're more than capable of keeping a piece of paper safe." He handed her the letter which she took reluctantly. "Keep it away from the fire!" He called as he took off, leaving the camp far behind.
Moments later Thalia and two other hunters returned from their hunt, carrying bags full of game. Sierra told Thalia of the letter to Artemis, and they agreed to keep it with Sierra until their goddess' return. They waited, until the night turned dark and cold, and finally after the new moon had peaked above them, they saw Artemis emerge from the shadows, her face nearly expressionless. The hunters approached her cautiously, Thalia speaking first.
"My lady? Is everything okay?"
Artemis simply held up a hand as she headed toward her tent. "If you wouldn't mind, I'd just wish to be alone right now." She walked into her tent and sat on her bed, still as a tree.
Sierra carefully poked her head in the tent. "My lady?"
Artemis' gaze stayed in place as she talked. "What is it Sierra? Forgive me, but if it is unimportant, then I would prefer it wait."
"Hermes stopped by here earlier with a message for you."
Artemis turned toward her. "What was the message?"
Sierra held up the envelope so Artemis could see. "He didn't say what it was, just that it was written to you." Artemis' brow furrowed and she stood up, walking toward Sierra and taking the envelope. She studied it for a few seconds before nodding to her.
"Thank you Sierra." Sierra gave a small bow before leaving the tent. Artemis returned to her bed and opened the envelope, removing and unfolding its content. She read, and read until tears clouded her vision. She wiped her eyes and read on, only having to wipe her eyes again and again. When she was finished she set the letter aside and put her head in her hands, tears streaming out with sobs. She realized she was smiling. She had actually received word from her brother against all of Zeus's orders. She silently prayed a thank you to Hermes before taking up the letter again and lying in her bed. She fell in to a vision-less sleep, clutching the letter against her chest. She had now been given a small rebellion against the dark tyranny.