So this is the death of Artemis's previous lieutenant. She plays a part in everything and I am very aware that Viking Era isn't after ancient greece and before egypt but hey, SCREW CANON! DISCLAIMER; I DON'T OWN PJO OR THE CHARACTERS.
Viking era: Winter
Becoming a lieutenant
Zoë's POV
Your hunting knife meets its mark and embeds itself in the heart of the great bear. The bear had slain Artemis' lieutenant only moments before its large body collapses in the snow. Her cub scurries off, weaving through the trees. Without missing a beat you sprint after it, drawing your bow and nocking an arrow. The arrow embeds itself in the flank of the bear, drawing a cry from the wounded animal. Drawing your second hunting knife you fling it at the bear, catching it behind the ear. The creature cries out once more before falling to the ground. "Not the cleanest kill." You mutter as you look down at the bleeding bear. Grabbing your knife by the handle you pull it out of the bear and put it out of its misery. Three hunters jog up to you silently. "Nice job Zoë." You nod, not looking away from the dead animal. "I thank thee sisters." You finally say. The bear stops bleeding and you pull your arrow from its flank. The hunters drag the cub to its dispatched mother. Glancing up from the pile of fur you see Artemis kneeling at the side of Sage, her lieutenant. Sage is a viking that had joined the hunt after me. Lady Artemis had been more than impressed by her skill and made her her lieutenant.
The newest hunters stay by the kills as the rest of us walk over to pay our respects. Sage has four gaping gashes across her torso that bled profusely. "Lady Artemis." She pants and grimaces. Her blonde hair has blood and twigs tangled into it and her blue eyes tearful. The glow of immortality flickers and fades around her. "Sage, you have been an honorable lieutenant." Artemis clutches her hand for dear life. Sage's other hand has her bloody hunting knife.
"It- it has been an honor be-being at your side Lady Artemis." She coughs up blood before settling. The last bout of blood gushes on to her silver chain mail. Her eyes say what her lips can't to the goddess. She trembles then there's nothing. The light in her eyes and her immortal glow fade from her. Artemis is shedding silent, silvery tears. The hunters all know that Artemis was romantically involved with Sage. Sage joined the hunt close to eight hundred years ago, had been her lieutenant for seven hundred years and they had been together for six hundred. Artemis' previous lieutenants never lasted that long. Artemis closes her eyes but tears continue to flow down her cheeks onto Sage's body. None of the hunters say anything. None of us could say anything. The only sound in the forest is our breath. Artemis is clutching Sage's hand with both of hers, holding it to her chest.
"I love you too." Artemis murmurs. You can't help but feel like your intruding on such a private moment. You rise to your feet and look at the other hunters.
"Come. We shall prepare a grave." They got to their feet.
"No." Artemis' voice has a very subtle tremble to it.
"Milady?" You ask.
"Sage was brought into this world as a Viking and will leave that way too." We understood. Artemis closes Sage's eyes and brought her hand up to her lips. Wordlessly we leave Artemis to grieve and begin to search out the lake. A choked sob travels to your ears through the wind. A goddess crying wasn't unheard of but Artemis almost never cried. This is the first time since our last lieutenant died but it was never like this. The group of hunters subconsciously pick up the pace. Ducking past the last tree we saw the lake. It wasn't frozen but mist hovered above it eerily.
"I don't sense any trouble." You glance around at the outlying forest. All was calm.
"There's a dock." One of the younger girls says. Drawing either knives or bows the hunters approach the dock. It was weather worn wood but not to the point of decay. A dinghy covered by an animal skin was tied to the dock. One of the hunters cuts the ties of the tanned skin and tosses it onto the dock. The boat is in excellent condition.
"Lady Artemis will be pleased." She says.
"I will tell her. Pheobe, Helena, take a group of hunters fetch the slain bears. They will be an honorable sacrifice." You command, beginning your trek back into the forest. You can hear Artemis' sobs and see her trembling form. Everyone knows for a fact that the gods despise looking weak. You hesitate. "Sage." Artemis sobs. Sage is Artemis' first real love that any of the hunters can remember. The Viking girl was fierce and loyal, bold and dangerous. She was devoted and adored the virgin goddess. Artemis loves her right back. Everyone strives to meet Sage's level including yourself. None of the hunters will admit it but in each maiden there is a prickle of jealousy towards Artemis and Sage's interactions.
Artemis strokes Sage's hair, the lieutenant's circlet gleaming dully. "Milady?" You call out tentatively. Artemis turns her head but doesn't meet your eyes.
"Yes Zoë?"
"The boat is ready."
"Good." Artemis lifts Sage's body. The viking's head lolls lifelessly and as Artemis stands, her arm dangles, hand still clutching her hunting knife. Artemis turns slowly and looked up at me. For the first time she actually looked old. She is still in her thirteen year old form but she has an aged presence. A sullen, morose expression shadows her face making her look grim.
"This way milady." You try not to squeak. The goddess nods and you start off towards the lake. Phoebe and Helena are placing the bears into the boat.
"An acceptable sacrifice." Artemis' voice sounds almost strained. You nod, not knowing what the right thing to say was. You join the other hunters on the dock, standing at attention. Artemis places Sage into the boat. Artemis folds the viking's arms across her mutilated torso and kisses her forehead just below her lieutenant's circlet. Artemis lingers and strokes the viking's cheek lovingly. Sage's bow and quiver appear beside her in the vessel. Artemis steps back and wordlessly the hunters step into the water on either side of the boat. Grabbing onto the sides you and the other maidens walk it away from the dock and push it towards the center of the lake. The snow began to fall again, heavier now. Artemis nocks an arrow and fired it into the sky. The arrow arcs through the night like a falling star before landing in the center of the boat. A silvery flame grows in the boat, wisps of smoke rise to the full moon. You can't help the tears that you had suppressed before as they overwhelm your emotional barriers. Sniffling you stare at the growing flame as it settles in the center of the lake. A hand on your shoulder manages not to break the reverie.
"We're going back to the camp." Helena's voice is no more than a whisper. You nod, its snowing much more than before and the camp is empty and vulnerable. You walk out of the lake with them and stand at Artemis' side as the goddess stares at the silvery flame with tear filled eyes. You gaze up at the trail of smoke as it weaves through the sky to the moon. Moments pass, then minutes, then hours. The longest hours of your life before the smoke begins to fade. Artemis murmurs a few words and the rest of the smoke traveled towards the moon quickly, swirling next to it and creating a star. The star was bright and glowed blue like Sage's eyes. It was right beside the moon and shone brighter than Sirius. "Thank you Zoë." Artemis turns and looks up at you.
"Of course milady." The goddess walks to you and you stand at attention.
"I believe you are worthy of being my lieutenant."
"Milady, thou is sure?" She just lost her lover of six hundred years.
"Yes. Zoë Nightshade, will you be my lieutenant?"
"Yes milady." You aren't going to pass this up. Artemis held her hand out, palm facing the stars. A silver circlet, different than Sage's, materializes.
"Wear it with pride and honor." She places the circlet on your head and you bow respectfully.
"Yes milady." Artemis nods and glances up at Sage's star one last time.
"Come Zoë, we should check on our hunters." You jog to catch up with the goddesses strides. Artemis' breathing is ragged and both yours and her breath form puffs of vapor in the cold, dark night. You're finally her lieutenant. You glance at the auburn haired archer. Artemis has been known to become romantically involved with most of her lieutenants. You wonder if that will happen between you and the goddess. Tipping your head back you look at Sage's sapphire star and sigh. Lady Artemis would need time to heal before either of you could consider that.