Oh, Amadeus. =D And yes, I am back for the time. =D

Three days passed and with Zhi's healing and several of the other Electus's help, Artemis was well enough to see Arthur, Merlin, and Ava off. Merlin and Artemis hugged. They spoke quietly.

"Watch Morgana. I fear this is why Arthur is meant to be in Camelot," Artemis said.

"I know," he replied. "I will watch her. Get better. You still look ill."

"I will," she told him. Ava and Artemis hugged. She said nothing.

"Artemis?"

"What?"

"I'm sorry."

"What for?"

"For leaving you. For acting like a brat when you needed me most. It wasn't right, and… I haven't been able to suck up my pride long enough to apologize. You were right. I was too young to go off alone in the world. It may not seem like it, but Everett and I had a lot of troubles. Still… we had each other, and I think he doesn't regret it, and I know I don't. I regret leaving you in that state. I thought it was the right thing to do…, but I know now that leaving someone, running away doesn't solve anything." Artemis stared at Ava. She smiled gently.

"Don't let it worry you. You have grown. You have every right to leave and go as you please. I can no longer tell you what is right and wrong. You were right. You outgrew. Everything you wish to learn now. Must be learned by experience now."

"You say that, but… in truth, I wish to resume my training… if you'll allow it. I… I still don't want to be a Servant. It's not for me. It's not my calling, but it would be an honor if you would teach what I didn't have the patience to learn before. I like to think I've grown up enough to listen to you." Artemis sighed and nodded.

"Of course Ava. When I return to Camelot, we will finish your training." Ava seemed to be holding something back. Something still held on her tongue. Her eyes shifted back and forth. She "What do you hide from me?" Ava was silent. She looked down both embarrassed and ashamed. "Ava? What do you truly wish to tell me?"

"I…"

"Tell her," Zhi said looking at her sharply when she still said nothing.

"How do you know?" Artemis asked the Green Electus. He stood behind Artemis carefully watching her to make sure she did not strain herself.

"She consulted me to confirm it."

"Confirm it?" Artemis looked to Ava. "Ava, what did he confirm?"

"I'm… with child, Artemis." Artemis's eyes widen in shock, and after dealing a blow to Ava upside the head she looked neither surprised nor anger.

"That does not surprise me. The child is Everett's I suppose," she said coolly as if she never hit Ava. Ava was rubbing her head where Artemis had hit her.

"Yes. He's tried to make it right. He's asked me to marry him. I said no. I don't want him to marry me because he has to."

"You'll be looked at as a harlot," Artemis told her though she suspected Ava already knew this.

"I know, but it doesn't bother me. Let society say what they wish." Artemis nodded.

"I am… perhaps not angry…, but slightly upset with you, but at the same time worried and happy for you." Artemis stared blankly at the forest behind Ava. "It means you will have to put your life on hold, Ava. You know that, right?"

"I do, and I am prepared for that."

"You shock me sometimes. If this is the choice you make, then I guess there is nothing I can do." They hugged again. "Don't get caught in between battles, Ava. You do not want to loose that child. You will regret it if you do."

"I know. Thank you." Artemis still a bit in shock turned to Arthur.

"Today is full of surprises," he told her.

"I guess," Artemis replied rubbing the back of her head. She looked at Arthur before throwing her arms around him. She rested her head against his chest listening to his heart as he held her. "I'll be back in 3 weeks. I promise no longer."

"I will miss you."

"And I you," she replied. She tilted her head up and kissed him. "Three weeks."

"Three weeks," he repeated.

Artemis waved them off. They would take a portal from the edge of the hideout. It would lead them to two days ride until Camelot.

"Have you been avoiding me?" a voice asked Artemis as she continued to let Zhi heal her. She was starting to get better. Erus sat across from her. She was silently watching Zhi's progress.

Artemis turned her head toward the voice that spoke from the doorway. Brown eyes met her blue ones.

"Master Saoirse!" Artemis said surprised. She stood but immediately regretted it as a sharp pain jumped up her leg. She fell back to her seat. "Are you well?"

"Well but sad. The Masters of the Servants are dead. My friends are dead," she said with a haunted look on her face.

"I found Amice," Artemis said saying anything that could cheer her up. Saoirse looked at her in surprise.

"What?" she questioned.

"Amice. I found her." Saoirse put her hand to her mouth and slid into a seat near Artemis. She looked both relieved and shocked.

"Thank God," she said. Tears slid down her eyes. Saoirse had always cared deeply for Amice, but Artemis knew not why. "Why were you so relieved?" Saoirse looked to Erus. She nodded.

"Tell her if you wish." Saoirse licked her lips. She looked at Artemis.

"She is my daughter."

"What?" Artemis questioned. "I never knew you were married."

"I wasn't," she replied. "It was many years ago. He died, because I violated the law of Drust. He was Ajax's best friend, Marlow. It is why Ajax and I are so close. It is what connects us. The lose of someone we loved. Marlow was Jack's Godfather."

"Why did you never tell me?"

"It was forbidden. Amice was the child of a Master and a non-servant. It… She wasn't meant to be."

"Does she know?"

"No," Soairse said. "I never told her."

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay. It hurts thinking about it, but… I believe no matter what we say there are some things we cannot do. We cannot burn a soul from existence. I believe not even our power is that great." Artemis nodded. "That comforts me. He still exists, I believe."

"Is Galen good?" Artemis asked trying to change the topic.

"Yes. He's better. I hear Ava's with child."

"Yes," Artemis replied. "It's true."

"She will face much trial."

"I believe she is ready to face life in a way I've never seen her."

"She has become a fine woman like you. You have gone passed my hopes and expectations I had for you."

"You honor me." Saoirse smiled and nodded.

"I must go now. I believe Erus wishes to discuss something with you." Saoirse along with Zhi both stood and left leaving Erus and Artemis.

"What now?" Artemis asked Erus. They looked at each other.

"Now? Now, we wait for the opportune moment to gain this war. One battle, that is all I seek. Cassandra says the time will come. However, in the meantime, the rule book must be rewritten. No more Law of Drust. No more burning peoples' souls. I want your help with that. Can you?"

"Yes. I can help you if that is what you seek."

"I seek nothing else from you… however… I wish to know… Saoirse will take the place as head of the North East region. The base has been compromised, however, so we will find somewhere else. However, I wish to know if you would like to become a Master of the Blue in the North East." Artemis looked at her surprised.

"I am young. Very young. There are more worthy of me. Ajax for instants."

"Ajax is more talented in battle than you. However, you would make a better Master of Life. People follow you and listen to you, Artemis. That makes a good leader. You would be a good leader." Artemis shook her head.

"I cannot. My place is in Camelot. It always will be. I sealed my fate, and I couldn't be happier with it," Artemis said. "I think Ajax should be chosen. It is about time. Most of the northeast have been waiting for it." Erus nodded.

"Of course. I understand, but you still will be a Servant?"

"I hope as a ambassador for Camelot," she replied.

"Of course," Erus replied understanding that she has wished to settle down in one place. "In your opinion, when will Ambrose attack?" Erus asked. She was curious in what Artemis thought.

"I think he will wait like us until the ideal moment. I believe it will be when Uther is off the throne, and his illegitimate daughter takes it from him."

"She will do that?"

"I saw it in a vision."

"How sure are you?"

"I am positive."

"It will happen soon then. Cassandra wanted Prince Arthur in Camelot for a reason. That is probably it."

"That is what I told Merlin. He will be watching Morgana for me. What of Tynan and Eleanor?"

"They have betrayed us indefinitely," Erus replied. She ran her fingers through her hair. Artemis observed her carefully, and a sudden question sprang on her lips.

"How did you get those markings on your face?" she asked. Erus stared at her coolly. Artemis bit her lip. "Sorry. I didn't mean to…"

"It's fine. It was my physical punishment for breaking the Law of Drust. It was a reminder that I am bond to the Servants."

"It doesn't have to be that way," Artemis replied. "You could be Elizabeth if you want to be." Erus was silent. She looked into the fire. She sighed.

"Perhaps but that will be when the next leader is chosen, and I can rest. Perhaps Saoirse is right. Perhaps Victor's soul still exits waiting for me in Avalon. That would be nice." Artemis smiled gently. "I've noticed lately… something's wrong with you. You have no concern for your own life. What's wrong?" Artemis was quiet.

"I saw a vision. I died." Erus frowned.

"Are you sure about that?"

"No. Rhian, Arthur's daughter from a time not yet here, says I'm alive, but I know what I saw. I'm going to, and I don't know how or why. I'm lost."

"Things change. Time doesn't stay the same. Nothing does. No vision, no person from what will be can say what will happen. Our choices is what makes it. There will come a time where you know if you enter a room or a battlefield that you will die, and if you don't enter you will live, but you alone can face those consequences. What will happen if you don't enter? What will happen if you do? If you do not die, the universe will compensate and someone else will die. Do you understand? You are in charge of your fate."

"I understand. It is not exactly what I wished to hear, but I do understand." A knock on the door interrupt them. A man with long dark red hair entered. He wore a red cloak over his armor.

"Amadeus," Erus said recognizing the red Electus. "What is that you want?"

"Ambrosine requires minor training according to Zhi. I have volunteered to help her get back on her feet," he said with a smile. Artemis groaned. Not him anyone but him. Erus laughed.

"Very well," Erus said. "You may take her." Amadeus helped Artemis out of her chair.

"Shesh. Like an old lady. Very unattractive. What does your knight think about you not being able to bend backward for him?"

"Amadeus!" Artemis yelled turning red. Amadeus was laughing. They walked out together. "You are a terrible person!"

"Maybe. I don't really think about these things," he said shrugging. He laughed. "So what happened to knights are… what was it again? Bull headed condescending asses with the incompetence of a troll and the arrogance of a god?"

"Actually, it was the arrogance of a dwarf. I would never relate a knight to a god in any way."

"Well, what happened to that? You're in love with one."

"You are of the Red fraction. You tell me."

"Love can be found in rare places. The most unlikely could become lovers."

"That was actually sweet," she told Amadeus as they walked outside.

"Well, you know, of course love can be found anywhere. It's not really that rare. It happens to nearly everyone at least once in their lives. People like to think their love is one of a kind, but it's definitely not. All you're feeling is the chemicals in your head swooshing about," he said with a smile.

"Firstly, how did you come to be the Red Electus, and secondly, you really are a terrible person."

"Well, I may say terrible things, but deep in my heart, I'm way worse," he said with a smile. Artemis rolled her eyes.

"Sometimes I wonder why you were chosen as an Electus," she grumbled. He ruffled her hair. She smacked his hand away. "Did Zhi really tell you to train me?"

"Yes. You need to regain your strength, because if you don't, you and Arthur will never going to be able to-"

"Amadeus! Shut up!" she yelled quite aware from the mischievous smirk on his face what he was going to say.

"It's not what you think I was going to say."

"Oh?" she asked suspiciously.

"I was going to say will never be able to dance in the sheets again."

"That is exactly what I thought you were going to say!" she yelled at him before hitting him.

"You really do need to gain some muscle back that barely hurt, and frankly my dear, it's not my fault your head was in the gutter," he told her.

"I'm going to kill you. And… for your information," she said turning red. "We haven't danced in the sheets, or whatever the hell you call it."

"Oh, well, your such a prude, love. Boy's probably dying by now."

"I hate you. Anyone but you. You were the same way with me and Kael."

"Well, that simply couldn't be helped, you knocked boots in a library, and that's probably not even the worse place."

"Just fight me Amadeus. I want to kill you," she said standing in a fighting stance.

"I'm not usually one for fighting, but you cannot and that is because you are not well enough. By the second week, go for it, but Zhi warned not to fight you. He doesn't want your muscles tearing, so we are simply going to do some jogging and stretching and all that."

"Fine," Artemis said. "You've got five seconds."

"Till what?"

"Till I run after you, and attempt to kill you. It's down to three." Amadeus ran off. Artemis followed. Two weeks training, and then she could shove her foot down Amadeus's throat. That was a good thought.