The next few days of the celebration were great! I was convinced, through much pleading and rationalization by Annabeth, Percy, Piper and the Amazon Danielle, to participate in the unarmed combat arena, in the gladiator fighting and even in the one on one fighting matches. I don't know how, but I'm almost certain that Danielle made sure that I was pitted against her at some point in each event. In that manner, she took her revenge on me in every way for beating her at archery. Each time, she clobbered me and eliminated me from the competition. She was much better with a sword and at unarmed combat and during the gladiator fight, a large team based event where the Greek team faced the Romans and the Amazons in a three way melee, she actively sought me out and, with a big grin, disarmed me and pinned me under her, he sword at my throat. Even so, I bore her no hard feelings. She was better than me and I could accept that. Indeed, she promised to teach me more tricks after sweetly telling me that I should try on an orange jump suit and collar. She had said that while she looked down at me after each time that she had trounced me.

My friends were much more gracious about my losses, patting my back and shoulders and telling me that I had done really well considering that Danielle was an Amazon daughter of Mars. I just shrugged and smiled and took my seat and watched the contests.

Aside from the games, there was also a lot of eating and dancing and listening to music and the like. The eating and music continued even after the games were over and I couldn't help but wonder if it would go on until I was called upon by Zeus. Either way, it sure was a good time.

After the gladiator matches, I sat on a couch and sipped some coffee. All the Greek half bloods were easily mingling with the Romans and Amazons. There was no hostility at all. That was thanks, no doubt, to the fact that Jason and Percy were both half bloods accepted by both camps. They moved from couch to couch with their girlfriends, joking, laughing and celebrating with all and sundry. No one seemed to care whether they were Greek or Roman or whatever.

I myself was largely ignored unless it was someone who wanted to talk about archery or about how horribly I sucked at fighting with a sword. I tried not to let it bother me and, for the most part, I was successful for the most part. Suddenly, a group of Roman demigod legionaries came up to me and demanded, "Is it true that you are the son of Dianna, maiden goddess of the hunt?"

I knew that this would be a problem at some point in time. Grabbing a chunk of cheese and some bread from a passing tray, I took a bite before saying calmly, "Yes, it is true. I am the son of the goddess Artemis and the mortal, Scout Price."

One of them, the leader of the group, crossed his burly arms. "I think you're lying! Dianna, or Artemis - whatever she calls herself, would never break her vows of maidenhood. It is the worst possible offense for a maiden goddess."

I nodded as I swallowed another bite. "It's true. However, Minerva, as you call her, has had many children, hasn't she? She is still a maiden goddess."

"That's different; she has the ability to form children with her thoughts and the thoughts of her lovers. Dianna cannot do that."

My eyes widened. "I see! I did not know that you were so familiar with the power of the Huntress. You seem to know more about her than I do! Please tell me more about the goddess Artemis."

The Roman demigod narrowed his eyes. "I think you're just a liar - a mortal who can see through the mist or maybe a son of Apollo or Cupid or another of the archery gods."

Slowly, I stood to my feet and looked him in the eye. "Careful;" he growled, "you and I both know that you aren't all that good at any sort of real fighting. All you're good for is shooting your bow."

"Really, you think you could beat the Amazon, Danielle? I doubt that any of you would have lasted any longer. She is a daughter of Mars. Who are your godly parents? You never mentioned it."

The instigator of this debacle smiled coolly. "My godly parent is Mercury."

"Hermes;" I said. "Interesting. Anyhow, this conversation is boring me. I'm going out for fresh air. Enjoy the party."

I turned and walked away. The moon was full outside and I could just feel it. The energy, the giddiness was on me as it had been before and had to run. Before I could take off, I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned and was surprised to see Danielle. "Have you been avoiding me, Arthur?"

I frowned. "No; why would I be avoiding you?"

"'Cause you were embarrassed that I kicked your butt so many times;" she replied with a smirk and her hands on her hips.

I shrugged. "Nope, doesn't really bother me. Besides, I thought you were ignoring me."

"Why?"

I shrugged. "I dunno. Thought maybe you were hanging out with your Amazon friends or maybe challenging some demigods to an arm wrestling match or something. Anyhow, I need to go. It's a full moon and I want to run in the moon beams."

She laughed at me. "You are so weird!"

"I can live with that. See you later."

I took off running, grinning and laughing as I did. It was exhilarating to be able to run under the moon. I just wished that I could hunt. I wanted to stalk some pray or another - a monster or a wild animal. It would truly make the night perfect. I ran through the abandoned streets of New Rome, laughing and grinning. I imagined that, if anyone saw me that night, they would think that I had lost my mind. There was a park with a fountain in it that was beautiful in the moonlight so I slowed to walk through it. Unable to help myself, I began to sing quietly, "Oh it's a marvelous night for a moondance with the stars up above in your eyes..."

Yeah, I know - that's absolutely ridiculous but, hey, I couldn't help it. The moon effects me that way. I reached for my harmonica only to remember that I, once again, had to turn it into Terminus and his assistant. I was about to jog on when I heard some whispering down one of the paths. Instantly, old reflexes kicked in and I did my best to fade into the shadows. I didn't sneak towards the whispering voices, instead trying to sneak away but they revealed themselves on the path, looking back and forth with confused looks on their faces.

I didn't recognize the two of them, just a couple of Roman demigods for a romantic late night walk. Not wanting to disturb them, I slipped away, heading towards the city limits. Terminus popped up in front of me. "Don't forget your weapon, Son of Dianna;" he said much more cheerfully than I expected.

"Thank you, sir;" I said as I took my little harmonica out of the tray that Julia held up. I winked at her and handed her a small bag of candy I had snuck out of the celebration with. Julia beamed at me and popped a piece into her mouth.

I turned towards Temple Hill, playing my harmonica as I went. Suddenly, behind me, I heard the patter of feet. Quickly, I spun the harmonica in my hand and it turned into the celestial bronze boar spear. I had no need to however since I saw that it was a rather large group of half bloods from the party. Percy, Annabeth, Piper, Jason, Calypso, Leo, Frank, Hazel, Nico, Will and a few others, including Danielle and some Amazons. Since it was only them, I turned my spear back into a harmonica and began to play it again as I sauntered towards Temple Hill. "Hey Art;" called Calypso, "where're you headed?"

I smiled and said, "About to make sacrificse to my mom and my aunt Britomartis. What are you all up to?"

"Apparently the Roman's have adopted fireworks for a celebration too. It must be an American influence on them. We're all going to get good seats."

Frank lifted a hand. "Actually it was the Chinese to first invent fireworks, not the Americans."

"Whatever;" said Leo, "anyhow, I'm interested to see if there shows are as good as the ones Hephaestus cabin puts on at Camp Halfblood."

I nodded. "Save me a good spot and I'll meet you down there."

Suddenly, Danielle split off and said, "I'll meet you guys down there. Who did you say you were sacrificing to besides your mother, Arthur?"

"Britomartis; she's the goddess of traps and fishermen and one of the Hunters of Artemis. In fact, she's the only goddess who took the oath to be a hunter. She's not actually my aunt but I call her that because, if she was, she'd be my favorite. We got into all kinds of trouble when I was younger and my mom would freak out whenever she heard that I was spending extended periods of time with Aunt Britomartis. Anyhow, let me see here..."

It appeared that the shrine to Britomartis was still under construction. The alter itself was complete so I shrugged and put some cheese and bread into the sacrificial fire. The wonderful aroma rose and I murmured, "For you, Aunt; I hope it's pleasing to you and I hope that you are doing well, where ever you are. I can't wait to get to see you again."

We exited the shrine and I didn't even make it ten steps before I stepped on something. "Oh crap!" I muttered before a weighted net swirled around and ensnared me. Luckily, it wasn't filled with poisoned hooks and wasn't covered in sticky goo so I would be able to get out of it fairly easily.

"Are you alright, Gargarean?" asked Danielle anxiously.

Before I could offer a reply, a chuckling voice said, "Oh he's alright, Amazon. Arty will be out in a few minutes. Go ahead, Arthur."

I was already carefully working my way out of the net. It would have taken less time if I had any of my knives on me but I didn't. Grumbling, I carefully extricated myself, "You know, most people just say 'hi' and give each other hugs when they meet. I think you are the only being, god or otherwise, who traps someone, Aunt Brit."

She chuckled and said, "Yes well I've always found other beings, gods and otherwise, to be boring."

I struggled to my feet and there she stood, smiling almost innocently. "Well done, darling. Come on and give your Aunt a big hug."

But I knew better. I knelt down and examined the ground, prodding and tapping at it. It didn't take me long to find the second trap. "Really, Aunty - a Russian anti-tank mine? Would the pressure plate even depress for me?"

Britomartis looked very pleased. She snapped her finger and I knew that the mine was gone. "You are getting better, Arthur. No more traps, I promise. Come here."

I grinned and gave her a hug. I had to be careful because she incorporated nets and even hooks into her clothing. I had once heard my uncle Apollo describe her as an anime character but I had no idea why he said that. She wasn't all that dramatic and her mode of dress, a departure from the other Hunters of Artemis, wasn't that outlandish. "So what have you been up to, Dear?" she asked, throwing an arm around me and angling me towards Dianna's shrine.

I grinned and said, "The Greek demigods were invited here to celebrate the defeat of the Giants a few years back. We had a feast, games and apparently fireworks later too. Now, I'm just making sacrifices to you and mom. Hey, I heard that Thalia and the others haven't been able to find Mom. Have you heard anything from her?"

She looked troubled for a moment before answering, "No, I'm afraid not. The last I heard, she was chasing a lead of a group of mysterious and previously unknown demigods to make sure that they aren't a threat. That was weeks ago though and I haven't heard from her since."

We were both silent until she turned to Danielle. "Hey sweetie, I didn't mean to interrupt your date with my nephew. I hope you don't mind."

"Aunt Britomartis!" I groaned, "it wasn't a date!"

Aunt Brit turned to Danielle with one eyebrow up. "Was it a date, young Amazon?"

She shook her head, still awed apparently.

Aunt Brit smiled and threw an arm around her too. "Well hopefully my nephew will muster up the courage to change that before he heads back to Halfblood Hill. You mentioned fireworks earlier; let's go and watch. I do enjoy fireworks every once and awhile."

After I made the sacrifice to Artemis, we muscled our way through the crowd. When we found them, my friends gave Aunt Britomartis curious looks but the fireworks were beginning to start so they didn't ask for introductions.

The fireworks were every bit as spectacular as they were at Camp Halfblood though they were just a little different. Instead of being all Greek themed like Spartans in armor, triremes with warriors fighting sea serpents and the Olympian gods committing great feats, there were Roman legions battling barbarians or the wolves of Lupa's brood howling and running through the stars with young Roman demigods following. Without a doubt, they were very good.

Aunt Brit had placed herself on my left and Danielle was on my right. As we watched, she leaned in and asked, "I didn't know that your mother was missing. I'm sorry to hear that. I wouldn't worry though. I mean, it's not like you can hold a god or goddess captive."

I looked at her and then whispered into her ear. "You and I can't but another god or goddess could. I'll talk to you about it after the fireworks."

I put it out of my mind as best as I could. She was probably right anyway. My mom had disappeared for months or even years without speaking to the other gods or her hunters. Doubtless she was just on a long and dangerous hunt.

The fireworks lasted over an hour and our ears were ringing when they finally ended. Slowly, we all made our way to our beds. Britomartis had whispered good bye to me and kissed my cheek before disappearing into the darkness as the fireworks wrapped up. My friends asked about her and I explained. Annabeth frowned. "I didn't realize that she had survived so long. Most of the gods taken from other cultures didn't survive the millennia. They just weren't worshipped widely enough by the different Greek societies. Maybe the fact that she became a Huntress helped somehow."

I shrugged, not knowing myself. "Anyhow, I'm glad I got to see her but I was hoping that she would have news of Artemis."

An uncomfortable silence followed. "That's going to be your quest, Arthur;" murmured Percy Jackson. "You're going to need to find her and bring her back."

"We don't know that, Percy;" said Annabeth but she said it without any confidence.

I shrugged. "We'll find out at the end of the Summer. How long are you all staying here?'

"Only a couple of weeks total;" replied Annabeth. "We need to keep up with events at Camp Halfblood and to make sure that the Greek demigods there are progressing with their training."

"But shouldn't someone stay with Arthur? Is it really okay to just leave him here alone?" asked Piper.

I felt slightly miffed and yet, warmed by her concern. I didn't have the energy to say anything though. No one was volunteering anyway. It complete silence, we headed back to our various beds. Danielle walked me all the way back to my barracks room that I shared with Sherman Yang. As we walked, she asked, "So you're expecting a mission from someone. Do you know what it will be?"

I shook my head. "Not a clue. Annabeth and Percy seem to think I'm going to be looking for Artemis."

"But what god or goddess would dare try to capture her? A daughter of Zeus and sister to Apollo would be a very foolish target, wouldn't they?"

And that is what was troubling me. I had no idea who would try to pull that off but it had to be someone powerful and they had to have help.

We were at my barracks and Danielle seemed to be studying me in the moonlight. I didn't to just say 'goodnight' and go inside but I wasn't quite sure what to say. Suddenly, she decided the issue by saying, "Well good night, Gargarean."

I grinned. "Good night, crazy Amazon."

"Oh don't pretend you don't like that I'm crazy;" she laughed. I was about to retort when Sherman growled. "Some of us are trying to sleep, Price."

I whispered, "Sorry, Yang."

Danielle giggled and said, "See you tomorrow, Gargarean."