Chap 13.

A cold feeling washed over her, and she woke up abruptly, sweat dripping down her face. As her eyes adjusted, she looked around her surroundings. She wasn't lying on the debris in camp half-blood anymore. She was sitting on a bunch of comfortable pillows, and she could smell the pleasant aroma of chocolate cookies. Looking around, she came to the conclusion that she was in a tent, candle lights hanging in mid-air and blankets strewn all over the floor. And she wasn't surprised for some reason.

"Good, you're awake." A soft voice said. Someone came in the tent, and Cressida caught a gleam of silver.

A teenaged angel, around seventeen or sixteen, came inside the tent. She had the eyes of the moon, and hair the colour of auburn. She was breathtakingly beautiful. And her aura was silver, which always brought light upon her face. It was none other than Artemis, her guardian angel, although she appears much older than before.

She seemed to understand Cressida's confusion. So she sat down in front of her and said grandiosely, "Yes, I can appear as whomever I want, and whatever age I like. Though, I usually prefer younger."

Cressida's unanswered questions poured out of her. "What – what happened back there? Why did Zeus want to kill me? No one is telling me anything – Chiron is quiet – I haven't seen Nyx in a while – and everything is just – "

"Calm down," Artemis cooed. "For starters, Zeus as tenacious as he is –cares and feeds on power. And as you know, you appear as a widely known threat to the gods. Now, before you say anything – I'm here to protect you, or guide you on what's to come. SO I found out my Father unleashed monsters on order to kill you, so I hurried as I can and saw you've taken them out all by yourself."

Artemis sighed, "You were brave, and I admire that. I took you here on my campsite as I usually am with my pack hunting, so here we are in the forest. I cleaned you up and fed you. You have been awfully underfed these days."

That was true. Cressida had lost an immense amount of weight these past few days. Everything didn't feel right. Cressida glanced down to see her all cleaned up, wearing new and fresh clothes. She wore a long black shawl – which was good for the brisk weather – and normal cottoned pants and shirt.

"Thank you," Cressida said thankfully. "I – I just can't stand being out of the loop, especially with everything that's going on. Do you know where my bows are?"

Artemis smiled, "Yes, and I've cleaned them up too. Nice pair – and my sisters have made some very effective arrows."

Artemis hand shot out, and a nicely cleaned black bow was in her grasp, and her quiver with black arrows that had silver heads. She gave them to Cressida, who looked at them with awe at the newly attached silver arrow heads.

"If you don't mind, I personally think the silver is nicely potent in killing monsters." Artemis said.

"Yes, oh thank you…" Cressida breathed. She felt gratitude and affection toward Artemis, and now thinks she's the only god that she liked.

"Now – bear in mind that you are going on a very important quest, okay? My Father will stop at nothing to get rid of his threats, and Nyx is out and about now, so she'll maybe communicate with you on what is to happen. Bad things are brewing, Cressida… bad things indeed."

Cressida glanced up at her, "Like what?"

"I shouldn't tell. I suppose Nyx will of course..." Artemis looked nervous. "Do you know who Lady Mary Wroth is, Cressida?"

Cressida, confused at this question, shook her head. "No?"

"Well, she was a worshipper of Nyx in the 15th century… she would pray to her every Night, and Nyx will reward her with brilliant stars. You see, she's written a powerful poem, a poem in which gives you a clue on your quest…

When night's black mantle could most darkness prove,
And sleep did my senses hire
from knowledge of myself, then thoughts did move
Swifter than those, most switness need require.
In sleep, a chariot drawn by wing'd
Desire, I saw, where sate bright Venus, Queen of love,
And at her feet her son, still adding fire
to burning hearts, which she did hold above.
But one heart flaming more than all the rest,
the goddess held, and put it to my breast.
Dear Son, now shoot, she said, this must we win.
He her obeyed, and martyr'd my poor heart.
I waking hop'd as dreams it would depart,
Yet since, O me, a lover have I been."

Artemis stood up, and Cressida couldn't speak. "Very well then, you ought to go."

Cressida stood up too, shouldering her quiver and held her bow. She avoided Artemis's yellowy silvery eyes, and followed her outside, Artemis's silvery cloak billowing behind her in the dusk. Outside in the forest, Artemis's pack were out talking amongst each other, eating food. Even wolves were there, talking in Cressida's mind…

"Oh, Artemis must've told her…"

"She looks so sad…"

"Warrior, she is"

She blocked them out of her mind. Artemis's sisters in arms, with their silvery clothing, stood up, some staring at Cressida with respect. Artemis gave them a dismissive wave, telling them she'll be right back…

She followed Artemis into the edge of the forest, by the cliff in the open area. She looked at Cressida, her silvery aura the only source of light.

"This may be hard for you, Cressida. I'm sorry I can't help any further, although the only place for you to go to is to seek Nyx." She said softly.

Cressida looked at her. "But where? She isn't in Tartarus, its dusk now."

Artemis nodded, "Yes, it is. If you shadow travel now, it will direct you to Nyx's destination. That's all I can say,"

Cressida sighed, "Shadow travel.. Okay…"

Artemis put a hand on Cressida's shoulder, "You would make a great Hunter, Cressida." She smiled.

Cressida took this opportunity to ask the question that has been nagging her. "Why would you betray your Father? The King of the gods?"

"Because he is wrong, and… After all, the moon shines brightly in the Night." Artemis whispered the last part and then said, "Good bye, Cressida. And good luck." Then she disappeared in a cloud of silvery mist.

Cressida didn't know what she meant by everything. The poem too… about the Mantle of Night and about a boy… it was all too confusing. Cressida was furious and she had to talk to her Mother.

And then she shadow travelled.