oh, this chapter. i don't like this chapter, but we have a returning character which is happy. anyway don't worry, we'll meet eylan in the next chapter. he is important after all. he does become one of arthur's knights after all. enjoy. and happy holidays.

"Rhian," Artemis said standing. They had both been reading. She had found an intellectual companion in Rhian. She was somewhat of a smartass, but it was refreshing.

"Yes?" she asked.

"I'm going to go take a dip in the lake," she said. "It's a warm day out. Don't. Use. Magic." Artemis told her.

"Alright, alright." Artemis grabbed fresh clothes from her wardrobe. Artemis walked down to the lake. She pulled off her flat shoes and pulled off her shirt to a thin shirt underneath. She was about to pull off her skirt when she heard a crack in the forest. She turned and saw five lumbering men coming near her. She swore under her breath. They lunged at her. Big mistake. Artemis ducked out of the way. One of the men punched the other in the face. One grabbed her from behind. He was elbowed in the stomach and when keeled over he was kicked in the face causing him to fall on his back. The next one was clothes lined. Artemis had the last by the throat.

"Who sent you!" she demanded. He didn't answer. She crushed his throat harder. "Who sent you!"

"Cenred," he choked out.

"Why!"

"He… he want… he wanted," Artemis released his throat slightly so he could talk. "He wanted to negotiate the release of a girl."

"Girl! What girl!"

"Blonde, blue eyes. If we don't come back with you, he'll kill her."

"What's her name!" Artemis demanded. "I need a name."

"I don't know. She was traveling with a boy, Everett."

"Ava?" Artemis questioned. "Is her name Ava!" Artemis commanded.

"I don't know," he said. "I swear."

"Where are they?"

"The Castle of Fyrien," he said. Artemis knocked him out. Without hesitation, she got on her horse and rode off. She could have asked for help, but she knew that it was Morgause pulling the strings and that bringing others would mean Ava's death.

Artemis knew when she could win and when she was sure to loose. Artemis held her hands up in defeat. Her weapons on the ground beside her. She was surrounded by hundreds of Cenred's men. So much for going in with swords blazing.

"Have you seen Artemis?" Merlin asked as Rhian came inside the house.

"No," Rhian said. "She said she was going to go take a bath at the lake, and she never came back. She just disappeared."

"And that doesn't concern you?" Merlin asked.

"No, I'm used to her disappearing often," Rhian admitted.

"Well, it worries Arthur," Merlin said.

"Of course it does. He's in love with her."

"You know… I'm curious. You're from the future, right?"

"Yes," she said.

"Does Arthur still love Artemis like he does now?" he asked.

"You told me not to tell Artemis anything, so I am not telling you anything."

"Oh, come on," Merlin pushed.

"No," Rhian said.

"But-"

"No." Rhian said. "Shouldn't you be looking for Artemis?" she asked.

"Oh, yeah," Merlin said suddenly getting back to looking for his sister.

"Where is she!" Artemis demanded of Cenred. She was on her knees. Her hands were tied in front of her. Cenred leaned down. Artemis flinched away. "If you kill me, it means war!" she hissed. He cut the ropes.

"I am perfectly aware the rules of the Servants," he told her. "It only means war if I kill you. I don't plan on doing that." Cenred waved to the guards at the door. The door opened and a woman entered with a burlap sack over her head. She was thrown to her knees in front of Artemis. The cover was taken off.

"Ava," Artemis breathed hugging.

"Artemis," she cried clinging to her.

"What do you want?" Artemis commanded.

"All in good time."

"You will tell me now," Artemis commanded. The guards all filed out without Cenred listening to her. "Look at you," Artemis said looking at her. "You've grown. You're hardly recognizable." And indeed she was, she looked less like a girl and more like a woman. Her hair was halfway pulled back. It dropped in curls several inches past her shoulders. She had a very bright light in her eyes. She had feminine armor on, leather, that showed her body well. "How old are you now?"

"Sixteen," she said. "It's been a year. Artemis… What's happening?" Ava asked. "Why am I here?"

"Is Everett safe?" Artemis asked. Ava nodded through tears.

"We were riding along the border heading to the River of Harper when we were captured. I didn't know why or how. We stood no chance. There was too many."

"I know. It's alright. Stay calm. I will do whatever it takes to get you and him out of here. I promise. I cannot break you out. He has armies. Morgause is behind this. I am sure."

"Morgause? What has occurred in Camelot since I have been gone?" Ava asked.

"Morgana is back, and she has turned against us. She is Uther's daughter."

"What?" she asked in surprise.

"And she knows. She wants Arthur dead."

"But… that still makes no sense. You and Arthur are nothing now. Right?" Artemis didn't have a chance to answer. Artemis looked around.

"I know you are there Morgause. Come out like the coward you are," Artemis hissed standing.

"So you are the Artemis she spoke of," Morgause said appearing near Cenred's throne. "I am surprised."

"Morgana thinks me an ally. Oh, yes, I know, Morgause. Those around Morgana know of her teachery. Arthur knows."

"You are a liar."

"I prefer to think of it as exaggeration. What do you want? You do nothing with cause." Guards came in and grabbed Ava. Artemis made to kill them, but before she could, Morgause shouted a spell at her throwing Artemis off her feet.

"Do not be so quick, or she will die. If you want her back, you must bring Arthur Pendragon to me."

"I am nothing in Camelot but a maid."

"You are a liar."

"I suppose your sister told you that," Artemis hissed.

"She did," Morgause said. "It's a shame too. Morgana seemed to think that you would be on our side. I didn't realize the Artemis she spoke of was also the Ambrosine I warned her about."

"And if I don't bring Arthur to you?"

"I will have her soul burnt for existence while you watch," Morgause threatened.

Artemis was back in Camelot soon after. She didn't know what to do. She didn't know who to turn to. Go to Arthur and that would be doing what Morgause wants, but she couldn't do this on her own. She needed help, but who to turn to that she trusted with Ava's life. It hit her.

Artemis walked into the palace and up a few flights of stairs until she reached her destination.. She knocked on his chamber doors.

"Artemis," Jack said brightly answering the door to his chambers. "What's wrong?" he asked seeing her tear stricken face.

"It's Ava," she whispered.

"Those bastards," Jack hissed. Ajax and Jack both listened to what had happened.

"I don't know what to do," she whispered. "I can't bring them Arthur, and I can't let Ava die."

"Then we go after her," Ajax said. "We must. She is a Wake and a future ally to the Servants. She must be saved."

"Everett too," Artemis said.

"Everett too," Ajax agreed.

"It will be alright," Jack assured her squeezing her shoulder. "We leave at dawn. She will be alright. Nothing can stop three Servants of the World. Not an entire army." Artemis smiled.

"Thank you, Jack," she whispered with a sad smile.

Dawn came. Artemis didn't sleep. She couldn't. She met Jack and Ajax outside of the palace ready to go.

"Not leaving without us, are you?" a voice asked. Arthur was standing there with Gwen, Merlin, Rhian, and unfortunately Morgana.

"What are you doing here?" Artemis asked.

"I told them to be here," Ajax said.

"Ajax," Artemis breathed horrified shaking her head.

"We need a couple more people, Artemis, if we're going to pull this off. I can't hold an entire army," Ajax said. "Well, maybe a weak army," he joked, "but not one like Cenred's. It will be fine." Artemis leaned to him.

"Morgana is a traitor," she whispered. Ajax looked a little surprised by this.

"Why did you not tell me earlier?"

"How was I supposed to? You're a Servant I thought you already knew this."

"It's too late to tell them no."

"If we die because this, I will never forgive you." Artemis got on her horse waiting for the others.

"I used to be afraid of these woods," Arthur noted.

"The great Arthur Pendragon afraid?" Artemis teased.

"It's true. My father used to bring me here when I was a boy. It seemed every leaf fallen was a bandit, every huff of wind was a ghost. You just get used to it in the end."

"I don't think I'll ever get used to it," Artemis said. Something about the woods they traveled in was unsettling. It was bright, but it felt like something lingered.

"You don't have to," he said. "You've got me." Artemis smiled gently. At the corner of her eye, she saw Arthur look back at Merlin. He turned forward serious. "What I mean is that in an event of an attack we will all look out for each other."

"Naturally," Ajax said in agreement. "Spoken like a Servant."

"Not worthy of one though," Jack muttered.

"Neither are you yet, Jack," Ajax teased his son.

"Almost."

"Almost is not the same. When you enter the gates, it is a new world. The experience is terrifying and thrilling."

"What are the gates?" Arthur asked recognizing the term from the rule book.

"They show you your greatest fears, desires, and disappointments. You enter them when you become a Servant. Some never come back out," Artemis said. "You must conquer what you see in there to become a Servant."

"Servant?" Gwen asked. Artemis smiled.

"Ah, yes. I never told you," Artemis said. "It's pretty much an organization of do-gooders. They are strong and brilliant people. A very selective society." Gwen nodded.

They stopped and made camp near a river. Morgana went to go get firewood while Rhian and Gwen went to get fresh water.

"I think you need some alone time with her, lad," Ajax said quietly to Arthur. "Jack," Ajax called. "Come with me. Why should we laze about while the women do the work? Let us catch supper." They walked out of camp. Arthur turned to Merlin and hinted at him to leave being daft like he is something Merlin didn't understand at first. Then, he got the hint and left to 'help' Morgana.

"Need some help with that," Arthur asked Artemis, who was unstrapping Libera's saddle.

"Thanks," she said as he helped. Artemis started walking around finding things to do. She was reading and pacing and singing to herself and straightening things out all at the same time.

"Sit down for a moment. You're wearing me out," Arthur said as he say on a fallen tree.

"A busy mind cannot think of those in danger," she told him.

"You're worried," Arthur said trying to light the fire.

"I'm always worried about something Arthur. If it's not Ava and Everett, it's the Servants or Jack or Merlin or Gwen or Rhian or you or Camelot. There's always something I'm worried about," she said.

"And why is it that you are always worried?" Arthur asked.

"It's what happens when you love someone or something," she said finally sitting beside him. They looked at each other. There was a moments silence between them. "If anything happens to you, I will never forgive myself."

"Don't worry. It won't," Arthur said sure. Arthur continued to try and light the fire.

"Let me," she said taking the lighting materials from him. She lit it with ease. Arthur looked at her. "I like fire."

"Mm, dangerous like for you," he said. Artemis laughed lightly. They looked at each other. They leaned in to kiss, but the moment was interrupted by Morgana and Merlin. It was awkward.

"What are you reading?" Arthur asked nodding to her book breaking the silence between them.

"I borrowed it from Jack. I hope it will help me find a way to get Rhian home, but I haven't found anything. Those mirrors were made in a time of magic superiority. A time where the common man was exiled for not having magic. Magic was strong then not like now. It's weak now. The Old Religion is dying. Not many hold it's power anymore. To create another portal like this… would not be possible… not anymore. She must go through the portal she came from. This I am sure of."

"You take too much at once," Arthur told her taking the book out of her hands. "One thing at a time. Let's get Ava back."

"Cenred's chose his hideout well. Now the Castle of Fyrian backs onto the sea. We will be vastly outnumbered and his lookouts will spot us before we reach the gates," Arthur said explaining the situation.

"We know this already," Jack informed him.

"Ah but what you don't know is that there's another way. When Clarion was defeated by my father at the Battle of Danaria, he retreated to the Castle of Fyrian. It seemed victory would be denied us, but my father knew of a secret labyrinth beneath the castle."

"A labyrinth?" Morgana asked.

"Fyrian was greedy. To avoid Camelot's levies, he dug tunnels to from the castle to the sea. That way he could smuggle goods into the castle without anyone knowing."

"He ambushed Clarion using these tunnels," Morgana said.

"He never saw us coming," Arthur said, "and neither will Cenred."

"Alright even I admit that's brilliant," Jack said. Artemis grinned.

"Sounds fun."

"Why did you come Gwen?" Artemis asked quietly. Everyone was asleep, and they laid near each other along with Rhian.

"Why wouldn't I?"

"It's just… I understand Arthur and Merlin. I even understand Morgana's twisted motives, but I don't understand why you would risk yourself for me."

"You are my friend Artemis. I would have it no other way. You have kept me company lately though, I must admit if Ava comes back we will not have any room in my house."

"Yes, it seems that way. We shall see what to do when we get there. And you, Rhian, should not have come?" Artemis said.

"I would not have left you," Rhian said. "I know how to fight. You and my father both have taught me. I am worthy of the sword."

"Perhaps," Artemis said. "But if you did die, there could be huge consequences."

"I won't."

"And how do you know?"

"You would never let a comrade fall," Rhian whispered. Artemis was silent.

"Rhian," she whispered. "Are you sure it is me?"

"Who teaches me? I am sure. Why?" Artemis blanked. She saw herself die and yet… Rhian was her student. Was she mislead? Was she wrong? There was no other explanation. She was going to live.

"No… no reason," she whispered. The boulder on her shoulders slid off. She suddenly felt lighter, but then what did the visions led up to. There had to be something.

They continued on the next day. They were riding along when Morgana's horse took fright and flung her off. Merlin quickly went to her 'aid.'

"You alright?" Merlin asked helping her up with Gwen.

"My leg," she said.

"Can you walk?" Arthur asked.

"No, it's her ankle. She needs to rest," Merlin said.

"We don't have that kind of time," Arthur said.

"We can't go without her," Gwen said.

"What other choice do we have?" Merlin asked.

"No, it's alright. I can go on."

"No, you can't!" Merlin objected. "You'll only make it worse."

"I said I'm fine," Morgana told him pulling her arm from him.

"You may say that, but if you break your ankle because of it's weakness while we are fighting you are then a weakness. You should stay here," Ajax said. "It's best."

"No!" Morgana objected. "I will be alright."

"You are lucky. It could have been serious," Arthur said. "Come on Merlin. Don't just stand there."

They continued on their path in a hurry. Artemis was weary of Morgana. What will happen? She did not know. They walked among the rocky shore as Arthur guided them to the cave.

"Are you sure we shouldn't try sneaking into the castle itself?" Merlin asked.

"No. The tunnels are our best bet. That way the element of surprise is guaranteed." Arthur stood, but Merlin pulled him back down.

"No, no, no."

"Are you questioning my judgment?" Arthur asked him.

"No, no, it's just an instinct that's all."

"Oh, well, if it's your instinct, we should ignore my lifetime of military experience."

"What if it's a trap? What is Cenred knows about the tunnels?" Merlin asked.

"I'm willing to bet me life he doesn't," Arthur said as they continued on. "Here we are," Arthur said as they reached the entrance. Artemis looked at them.

"I have to agree with Merlin, Arthur," Artemis said. "I'm getting bad vibes. If Cenred did know about the caves, then we would be trapped like rats inside."

"He doesn't know, Artemis." Artemis sighed as they continued on. The caves were covered in spider webs and cobwebs. Gwen let out a piercing scream. Artemis turned ready to kill anything that harmed her friends. It was just a skeleton. Arthur lit two torches. He gave one to Merlin and held the other. There were skeletons everywhere.

"Trapped like rats," Artemis reminded Arthur.

"This is Clarion's last stand," Ajax said. "It was a hell of a battle. He was fool, but a brave fool."

"Where's Morgana?" Merlin asked.

"Right here," she said appearing out of no where.

"We need to stick together everyone. We need to keep moving," Ajax said taking the lead now that they were getting closer to danger. They got farther in the caves and stopped.

"What?" Arthur asked.

"Do you hear that?" Ajax asked.

"No," Merlin, Arthur, Gwen, and Morgana said.

"Yes," Jack and Artemis said.

"People," Artemis said. "Soldiers from the sound of their feet."

"How can you hear that?" Arthur asked.

"Trained that way," Jack said.

"This way," Ajax said going to led them a different way, but people's shadows could be seen coming near that way.

"We're trapped," Arthur said.

"Like rats," Artemis added giving him a smug yet grim look.

"How did they know we were here?" Merlin asked.

"It was probably my scream," Gwen said. "Sorry." They all pulled at their swords.

"I assure you Gwen. This was not your fault," Artemis said.

"How many can we hold?" Artemis asked Ajax."

"Three Servants alone can take a whole army, but we must think of the others. If they get taken hostage-"

"Then our numbers matter little," Artemis finished. "Not to mention if we kill all of them, Cenred still knows we're here. He'll kill Ava."

"Then, we cannot fight?" Jack asked.

"We can try," Artemis said. They appeared, and the fight began. Within minutes, just what Ajax said happened. Gwen was taken hostage. They stopped fighting and dropped their weapons. "And this is why it should have been just us three," Artemis said. They were restrained.

"Artemis?" Ajax asked her.

"Yeah?"

"What say you about an earthquake?"

"Too dangerous. The whole castle could fall on us. Let's… mull over this," she said with a smile.

"Meet you at the horses then?" he asked.

"Yeah. You help Gwen and Rhian. I'll gather the others. You'll be put farther away from us. Last one there has to tell Uther they're a sorcerer," she joked.

"Shut up!" a soldier yelled and knocked her out.

Artemis turned over. Ava was sitting in the cell with her.

"Glad to see you conscious," she said.

"Glad to see you alive," Artemis replied.

"You came back on a suicide mission?" Ava asked.

"You know me. I love danger," she said with a smile.

"Did you come alone?"

"Of course not," Artemis said. "Arthur, Merlin, Morgana, Gwen, Rhian, Jack, and Ajax came with as well.

"Jack and Ajax?" Ava questioned. "What are they doing here?"

"Oh, they're in Camelot watching me and Arthur to make sure we don't do anything. We have been anyway," Artemis told her.

"Who's Rhian?"

"She came from the future. She's Arthur's daughter."

"I've certainly missed a lot."

"Well, that's what you get for going away for a whole year.

"You were sulky and dead. What the hell was I supposed to do? You were suffocating me!"

"I know," Artemis said standing.

"What are you doing?" Ava asked.

Artemis held her hand out and chanted a spell. Nothing happened. Artemis frowned. She tried again. Nothing. Again. Nothing. Again. Nothing.

"What's wrong?" Ava asked.

"It's not working," Artemis said with a frown.

"Maybe you're saying it wrong."

"I'm not," Artemis said. "And I feel nothing. Usually, if I'm just not exerting enough power into it, I can still feel it a little." Artemis tried to move something with magic. Nothing.

"What is it?"

"I can't… I can't do magic. When was the last time I've done magic?" she asked herself. "The Battle for the Ruins of Lumen."

"The what?" Ava asked.

"What did I do?" she muttered. "Did I burn myself out?"

"What are you talking about?"

"It doesn't matter. We sit here and wait." Artemis sat back down. She held her head between her head thinking. She had a dark look an her face. She wasn't happy. She was pissed.

"You're mad at me," Ava noted.

"Well, yes, but can you blame me?" Artemis asked glaring at nothing.

"No. What do they want?"

"Arthur dead," she replied simply.

"How did Cenred know about you and Arthur?"

"Morgana saw him and I a few weeks ago."

"Wait, what?"

"Oh, yeah, he was going to get married to this girl named Elena. Real nice girl, had a sidhe stuck in her. Anyway, he called off the marriage, and I was so thrilled I kissed him in front of Morgana. She told Morgause of our relationship and boom. Here we are."

"So are you and Arthur…?"

"Yes and no still. It's complicated still, but Arthur said he will find a way for us. Meanwhile, I'm having visions of me dying and having to deal with sending Rhian back and dealing with Jack's advances and insistence upon marriage. I'm just about to pull my hair out."

"What?" The door bursted open. A man with no trousers fell in on his face. Arthur, Merlin, and Everett stood in the doorway.

"Look at you," Artemis said to Everett, who was as tall as Arthur and Merlin now. He grinned.

"Hey, Artemis. How's it going?"

"Better now."

"Where's Morgana?" Arthur asked. "And Gwen? And Ajax? And Jack? And Rhian?"

"Oh, trust me. They're already gone. They're at the horses, and I lost a bet. Damn it. Now I have to tell Uther I'm a sorceress. Me and my big mouth," she groaned.

"Let's go!" They ran down the halls. Arthur slowed as they started to reach the entrance to the tunnels. "Get Ava, Everett, and Artemis out of here. Guard them with your life," he told Merlin.

"Where are you going?"

"To get Morgana."

"It's too dangerous," Artemis said.

"Sorry, Merlin. I won't leave without her." He turned to Artemis. "When you get to the horses, ride straight for Camelot. Promise."

"But-"

"Promise."

"No," Artemis said.

"Artemis," he warned.

"No," she said. "I will wait until you come out of this damned castle."

"And if I don't?" he asked.

"Then I will come in here and drag your damn body out," she told him. They were both glaring at each other. Arthur kissed her fiercely.

"I suppose I would have you no other way," he said before he went off out of view.

"Go after him!" Artemis yelled at Merlin. "I will get them out of here." Merlin ran off.

"You love him," Ava teased.

"Shut up and get moving!" Artemis ordered. They ran back through the tunnels and to the horses. Just like Artemis predicted, Rhian, Ajax, Jack, and Gwen were already waiting for them. "Whew," Artemis said wiping the sweat of her forehead. "That was a workout. Ava, Everett, this is Rhian." Her eyes lit up.

"Wow," she said looking at Ava. "I mean wow," she said.

"Wow, what?" Ava asked.

"I mean... you're just... you're legend in Camelot." Ava smiled. "I mean um... in the future Camelot."

"I'm I really?" Ava asked amused.

"Oh, yes. You're practically family to me." Ava grinned.

"I like her," Ava said to Artemis. Artemis laughed.

"You would. Everett, this is Jack and Ajax. Friends of mine. Ava, you've met them before."

"Yeah, we have," Ava said. Ajax nodded to her.

"I'm sorry about your brother," Ajax said. Ava nodded.

"All people die. He had a good run."

"Spoken like the student of a Servant." He turned his attention to Artemis. "So when are you going to tell Uther you're a sorceress?" Ajax asked.

"I will tell it to his grave," Artemis said with a grin.

"You little cheat."

"It's still telling him." A few minutes followed and Merlin, Morgana, and Arthur came running. Arthur was carrying Morgana across his shoulder. Arthur put her down, and before they could catch their breath, Cenred's men came out of the woods and attacked. Everett took two on while Arthur took on one. The Servants stayed where they were. The battle would be child's play for them. Arthur turned around and saw Everett easily take them down.

"Not bad," Arthur said.

"I've improved," Everett said. Ava whistled. Philip, her horse, came running. "I will never know how he knows where we are." Everett got on while Ava got on behind him.

"They were trained by my brother, duh," Ava joked.

"Are you two coming back to Camelot?" Artemis asked getting on her horse.

"I think it's about time," Ava said.

"Good." All together, they rode back. The adrenaline fell, and they no longer felt on alert as they got nearer to Camelot.

"So what did Cenred want with you?" Artemis asked Morgana trying to catch her off guard.

"He was trying to extract information," Morgana said. "I told him nothing.

"See," Arthur said. "That's what men like Cenred will never understand. Camelot was built on trust and loyalty. It will never be defeated as long as we stay true to those ideals."

"Oh, the irony," Artemis muttered.

They arrived back in Camelot, and a few things went wrong. One was that Gwen's house was definitely not big enough. but apparently it didn't matter, because as soon as they got back to Camelot, Ava made it clear (in a dress no less) that she was nobility, and she expected to be welcomed as such. She would be staying in a room next to Everett's in the palace.

The second thing was Morgana.

"I swear, Artemis, if you so much as accuse me of acting strange, I will accuse you of a hundred times worse. Do you understand?"

"I suppose Morgause told you about me, did she?" Morgana glared at her before turning away.

"Wow, that was terrifying!" Artemis called after her. "I'm shaking in my boots."

The third and last thing that was amiss was Artemis's magic.

"Why? I don't understand why I can't use magic any longer," she said. "Did I burn myself out?"

"It's possible," Ajax said. Artemis put her head in her hands.

"Magic is half of what a Servant is," Artemis whispered. "If I have no magic, it spells bad news. If I was found out..."

"I don't know much about it, Artemis. You'll have to talk to the Electus. They will know more than me."

"But if they find out-"

"Erus may hate you, but she knows you are valuable to the Servants. She had more loyalty to the Servants than hate for you. She will help me." Artemis nodded. "In the mean time, try no magic whatsoever. Understand?"

"Yes," Artemis said. She stood slowly. One more thing to do for the day. She walked to Arthur's chamber. She knocked and entered without his reply. He was sitting at the table.

"What are those?" Artemis asked looking at the dresses.

"Gwen gave them to me. Just in case."

"Ah, clever. I uh… I wanted to thank you for everything. Ava's back in Camelot, and… if it wasn't for you… and well everyone… then… thank you."

"Well, that's what you do when you're in love," Arthur said. Artemis sighed. She smiled.

"I hate that you're charming," she said with a smile. He smiled.

"Well, it's a natural gift," Arthur said

"Oh, well, now you're being arrogant. How unattractive," Artemis said jokingly. She smiled at him. "Well, I have to go now. Lots to do."

"Like what?" Arthur asked.

"Well, if you must know. Gwen and I have decided to take a little vacation. Something about me murdering people if I don't get a break."

"Where?"

"The Valley of Telmore," she said. "They have these fantastic hot springs."

"How long?"

"A week and a half. Rhian's going to stay here in case the Servants appear and wish to speak to her. As for Ava, well, she's grown up now. She'll be fine with just Everett. They've been alone for the last year, and minus the kidnapping thing they're fine."

"And what about me? What am I supposed to do without you for a week and a half?"

"You'll live," Artemis said.

"That's not the point."

"Good bye, sire," Artemis said bowing to him dramatically before leaving him. For the next week and a half, she would get to put everything leaning against her to the side. It was going to taste sweet to finally have time to relax.