All rights belong to Rick Riordan

Chapter 19

My First Day on the Job

(Percy)

The flight back to Orthrys from Olympus was uneventful save for the short-lived exhilaration of leaping from the roof of the Empire State Building. This left me with several hours to actually consider what I had just volunteered for. Looking back, I had happily accepted a job as the guardian of a bunch of ultra-feminists, who simply hated being in the presence of males.

Sure, I may have been friends with Thalia and had a seemingly respectful arrangement with Artemis herself but the rest of them however were unlikely to see me in the same positive light. The only 'good' news if it could be called as such, was that they were relatively few in number at the moment. I mean it was bad in the sense that was why they needed help in the first place, but still it meant I could keep an eye on most of them at the same time or at least I should be able to.

What I had expected for a task was perhaps helping my father, or maybe even training the minor gods in fighting. But then again, I was back to square one of only do training for a fight I hoped would never come. Besides I knew that they too would likely become boring after a while, just like Orthrys had done. Dealing with the same never changing individuals, day in and day out.

At least the Hunters were still generally mortal and as such were prone to shifts of opinion after a while rather than stubborn pride like true immortals were both gods and Titans. Or so much as I hoped that was the case maybe after a while, they would accept me.

There was however one deception I was hoping to maintain, they were not to find out about my true nature if I could help it. The gods had sworn not to reveal anything of it to the camps or the Hunt last year and hopefully they had indeed done so. As far as the Hunt needed to be aware, I was merely an immortal demigod like they were albeit with an impressive array of weapons and another pet monster. Sure, the wings would be difficult to hide under a trench coat forever but I could manipulate the mist, if necessary, enough to hopefully make even a Hunter question the sight if they were seen. Overwhelming power has some advantages after all.

Finally, I arrived at Orthrys and travelled to the palace gate, it was different to when I first arrived, where there were twelve names there originally now there were only ten. My own name was there in place of Krios at the bottom, which was good as it meant I could actually reach the thing to place my hand against it and watch it open automatically, the entrance recognizing my authority. Orthrys had the magical equivalent of a palm scanner, Olympus had an asshole in a suit, and I knew which I preferred as I entered.

My first port of call was of course the Council Chamber straight ahead, I was unsurprised to see all the remaining members gathered in their thrones listening to the minor Titans. Venturing through the assembled crowd, I made my way towards my throne. Stopping to stroke Nemea's head who was laying alongside it, before taking my seat without a word. I received a subtle nod from Iapetus in return but that was it, the others continued to listen to the loud figure of Atlas, as he explained how he may have got a mortal pregnant after he was released and went celebrating in the city below.

Truthfully, I was surprised it had taken this long for this situation to arise. The gods if the past had shown me would have needed this debate within a week of their release. I was also unsurprised though to hear it was Atlas that had been the first to bring the issue up. From what I had seen he had never had an issue with mortals. As I saw during the quest to free Artemis, as long as they were not inept, he was quite happy using them for his purposes.

Besides it was also true he had disappeared for a few days after his initial release, saying he wanted to get a proper back rub and upon his return he told me and his father that he had found this amazing place in the city where they did everything you wanted. In short, the Titan had got himself a 'happy ending'. Despite his offers to show me where the place was, I had told him I was alright. I was not using a brothel to get over Annabeth no matter how much he pestered me about it.

There was of course little the council could do at the moment, not before the demi-Titan was born. Although we would have to make arrangements of what to do when the resulting child inevitably came of age. Apparently, this was the first time this had happened, in the past the Titans had not seen the ancient humans as anything worth breeding with. Instead preferring the company of each other and the various nymphs that generally resulted from the other relationships.

So, we would have to find a solution like the camps or either our own or even permitting them into the other two camps. I said I would discuss it with the Olympians at the winter solstice, which was a few weeks before the baby was due apparently.

Still, we did have to remind the son of Iapetus that there was a limit on the number of children he could have at one time and he didn't have to have them all at once. For a Titan who already had 5 living daughters at the moment he seemed pretty put down by this. Although judging by his prior statements and the way he acted around his daughters, I suspected he wanted a boy this time after six girls in a row.

After this came the usual monotony, cases of no real importance before the minor Titans left leaving just us in the council. With them gone I quickly explained what I had heard at the Olympian council, including their own petty squabbles just to show that they were equally as bad. Before finally getting to the two important issues that impacted Orthrys, the search for our own two missing council members. Oceanus and Tethys who still remained hidden under the ocean it seemed, as we discussed before despite trying to located them for almost the last year, we too had no leads, just like my father.

The second matter was my application and acceptance as the guardian of the Artemis's hunt.

Most of the Titans listened in shocked silence as I explained my situation to them, only Iapetus seemed unsurprised by my true feelings but he already knew of them. The rest it seemed, had never considered how I was feeling on Orthrys. Listening as I explained my bored state as a result of nothing but training and politics.

In the end though there was little they could do to stop me though. As long as I swore to attend the proper council meetings when summoned, as well as to inform them of any decisions the Olympians made or brought to attention while I was with the Hunt, I was free to do as I pleased.

With that out of the way the Council was adjourned and we each went our separate ways with Koios offering me good luck with his grand-daughter's hunters sympathetically. I almost felt bad for him now, it was only going to be the two male Titans to five female Titaness' on the council. I assumed that Oceanus wherever he was, had it relatively easy compared to his brothers.

So, with Nemea beside me, I entered my chambers and swiftly packed everything I would likely need while I was gone, mostly enough spare clothes that would still fit in a pack. Which of course left the last 'item' to bring. The three-tonne feline currently curled up in her supersized bed fast asleep.

Sensibly deciding against waking her, I used my power over time to shrink her to an extremely small kitten, before she too went in the top of the pack with barely a mew. She may have been able to resist it when she was conscious and mature but by making her a new-born cub, she was all but helpless to resist the passage of time. Although I was sure she would likely be mad when I changed her back.

Finally checking I had everything, I gently slung the pack over my back securing it firmly, so it was between my wings. Holding the bow and shield in my left hand I walked out of the Palace via the stable exit in my chamber, before jumping into the air where I unexpectedly found Blackjack waiting for me alongside Lelantos.

"Hey boss, we hear you are leaving for a while, that true?" The black pegasus asked but seemingly confusing Lelantos who only heard neighs. Unlike the two of us humanoids the pegasus had to constantly keep flying in circles whereas we could just hold position despite having to flap multiple wings to his two.

"Yeah, I am going to be spending some time with Artemis's Hunters, they need some help and frankly this place is getting boring. If I have to listen to the council go on and on anymore, I may end up like Kronos just to shut some of them up." I explained jokingly to the pair and Lelantos to fill in the blank of what the Pegasus asked.

"I have to agree with you Perseus, that's why we are going with you as you travel across country. I would like to explore this country's East Coast. I hear the cities out there are much more different to those here. Besides with you gone, I have no one to train with. So, I too will have to find something to entertain myself." The titan of the air explained and I was glad for the company on the journey.

"What he said boss, I want to go see if Guido and Porkpie have been eaten yet by Hannibal Lect-horse." Blackjack said laughing now flying behind me.

"Blackjack how many times have I said to stop calling me boss, and you Lelantos my name is Percy. I told you I hate my formal name; we are friends now remember!" I told the pair of them in exasperation.

"Ok then Sir." The pegasus joked as I let out a sigh.

"You know what, never mind Blackjack." I relented knowing it was pointless, he would just keep finding other titles to use.

"Very well then Pers-Percy let us be on our way." Lelantos finished almost slipping up as he led the way eastward. Add that as another thing I disliked about Orthrys, the constant formality of everyone. No matter how many times I told them to call me Percy they still insisted on calling me Perseus. It happened so much that at one point I started to refer to myself as Perseus in conversation. Thankfully after a few hours, I actually realised what I was saying and corrected myself from doing so but it was still annoying.

We travelled swiftly across country, leaving a trail of devastated Target billboards below that stretched across five states. Lelantos would use his new bow and fire a few arrows into the bull's eye before I would then throw my spear at them afterwards, the flaming spear blowing a large hole out of them.

Despite my constant attempts to offer the bow I held back to the Titan he had always refused, saying it was connected to the Hunt and so was mine to keep, instead had ordered one from Hephaestus TV's telesales channel that came with a self-refilling quiver.

This enchantment combined with my own weapons return to owner function meant we never had to stop during the night to retrieve any of the projectiles. It must have surprised the mortals below to see several massive arrows falling from the sky before a blazing lance of gold would devastate the billboard with perfect accuracy. The mist probably showed them as falling meteors or something like that but I wasn't sure how it would explain the fact that only a specific brands billboards were hit. Maybe they though Walmart had some sort of space weapon they could fire at the competitions advertising.

Eventually we began to make out the dark reflection of the ocean far ahead of us in the pre-dawn twilight and so we made our separate ways. Blackjack would show Lelantos the way to New York City before heading to Camp Half-Blood while I turned towards DC and Shenandoah Park to the north.

By the time I had reached the Capital City the sun had raised and despite the fact it was only around five AM, after all the solstice had only been yesterday. This meant I had a just a few more hours to find the Hunt before the time the goddess had requested. The problem however, was that I had an entire National Park to explore and just to make it even worse. I planned to do so on foot, to avoid unwanted attention should I be detected by both the Hunters and the mortals.

The last thing I wanted being this close to the capital, was to be detected as an unidentified flying object on radar and shot up the ass with a patriot missile.

Therefore, once I had arrived at the park around 6am I was forced to land and remove the slightly cramped and awake cub from my pack who seemed rather annoyed. At least if the hissing and clawing attempts on my arms were anything to go by as I set her upon the ground and began to age her. I only aged her by a few years though, enough to be of use in finding the Hunt but not enough so that her size would damage the park and draw easy attention, I was pretty certain there was not supposed to be any lions in this park. Besides I really didn't want a three-tonne lioness that was in a bad mood with me.

Eventually I settled on the size of a regular lioness for her albeit golden and asked her to remember the scent of the Hunt back then or failing that even just that of Thalia. I was hoping she had some recollection of those smells from back when she attacked us three and a half years ago, in the middle of Smithsonian during her last life before we were forced to kill her... via some unconventional means of course.

At first however the monster was having none of it, perhaps due to my surprise transformation and rough handling of her, this combined with the bad memories of being shot by silver wearing girls with bows and worse space food. Instead, she lay on the floor unyielding despite my requests, all I would receive was a glare followed by incomprehensible growls from the lioness. She eventually relented after I summoned a deer and let her eat it. By the time she was finished it was almost seven AM.

"Now will you please lead me to the hunt?" I asked patiently, the only reply I got was a meaty belch followed by her rolling on her back, as if demanding a belly rub. I had discovered this several months ago, it seemed that after every meal now the giant feline would demand it someone/me to rub her chest until she was content. It was only when this was done would the lioness become compliant again, rather than a petulant child.

Wary of the ever-flowing time I did the act as quickly as possible. Going through the now familiar process I stood back just in time for the oversized cat to leap to her feet arch her back into a long stretch before finally seemingly being ready to go. With that out of the way I quickly ensured I still had all my stuff on me. Final checks making sure my wings were now completely hidden, my iris's hidden by the mist to appear normal and human. That taken care of to my satisfaction I began following her, aware that I only now had an hour to find the Hunt.

To my surprise it only took a few more minutes of following the lioness to find them. As it turns out I had got lucky and landed only a half kilometre from the outskirts of their camp. I suspected that Nemea knew they were close and used it as chance to get an extra meal out of me. The problem however was whoever was on guard duty reacted badly to our presence and fired an arrow straight at Nemea.

As the silver arrow shattered harmlessly against her golden hide, I saw her gain a feral look in her eyes as the memory of similar arrows striking her before overcame her brain and her fight or flight instinct kicked in. Unfortunately, she was not a real lion who might turn tail when attacked from range and this was only going to end one way. As I saw her ready to pounce on the barely visible figure behind a tree and I had but a second to react. As I leapt on the surprised lioness before beginning to fight her to the floor. Something that would have been impossible were she any larger, fortunately for me the curse seemed to be in effect and my clothes were magical and designed to repair any damage after a few seconds, so her struggles should leave no permanent marks on me. If it hadn't this would have been the shortest job placement as I would have been torn to bloody ribbons before even getting to say hi.

As I eventually pinned the lioness down, with my forearm firmly wedge in her jaw. I heard shouts and commotion from in front of us, fortunately not followed by any more arrows. Ever so slowly the struggling lioness's eyes began to calm as I looked into them, she was unable to break my grip and so after another minute or so she realised the threat had subsided. Slowly standing up I backed away from her without a word but keeping constant vigilance just in case. Confident that she seemed alright now I looked at the eight figures arrayed in front of us.

(Thalia)

The whole hunt had woken early after Phoebe who was on guard duty spotted a golden flash fly overhead, she claimed it looked almost looked like a person but we suspected it was simply a golden eagle flying over and when questioned Artemis simply nodded in agreement with the rest of us despite her protests to contrary. However, the commotion reminded us of our expected visitor who we were expecting within the next few hours and so no one returned to sleep. Instead, everyone attended to their morning chores and breakfast.

The calm was interrupted just after eight when a mountain lioness was spotted approaching the camp, the strange thing was it had a deep golden almost metallic fur coat that seemed almost familiar. I was about to tell Phoebe to stand down when she instead took the shot; I watched helpless as the arrow flew straight and true before simply bouncing of its hide the shaft shattering on impact. We all watched in horror as it seemed ready to attack the older Hunter. Only for us all to stare in bewilderment when a large human figure tackled the animal to the floor and restrained it by hand despite the monsters' struggles to free itself before seemingly giving up at last.

By this point though, the rest of the Hunt and Artemis herself had arrived and began to watch the odd wrestling match in front of us with a mixed expression of shock, awe or in the goddess's case apparently amusement. Everyone held their weapons except Phoebe who's was now held in Artemis's hand, after having being relieved of it. The Hunt watched as the man slowly backed away from the creature before turning towards us.

He was huge, easily almost seven feet tall and well-muscled and I almost certainly thought it was my asshole brother Heracles despite Artemis's assurances last night to the contrary. However, that thought lasted only a moment longer as I saw his face and recognized the unruly black hair and those sea-green eyes.

"Seaweed Brain, what are you doing here?" I asked in confusion looking at the now smiling figure.

(Artemis)

Having briefly watched the Titan and his two fellow travellers last night from the chariot I expected that he should arrive on time by the progress they were making. So, when Phoebe mentioned something large and golden flying overhead, I had assumed that we just going to come out with the truth of his nature to the Hunters. Instead, he appeared to keep on going and I was forced to humour the others as they told the daughter of Nike it must have been a golden eagle.

Still, using my own supernatural senses I felt the arrival of another immortal close by that could only be him for more than hour as they stayed stationary where they were. At the rate they were going I was almost expecting to have to go fetch him myself. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I felt them approaching at last. however, whilst I was thinking that was good, I was unable to stop Phoebe in time from drawing and firing an arrow at the lioness once it appeared first. This despite my clear warnings to the Hunters last night, they knew what beasts lived in this forest both natural and mythic. Lions of either sort were not one of them and she should have known that. I know things had been bad recently but with six-hundred years' experience I expected better from her. As such as I reached her and I took the weapon from her hands despite her arguments. My attention instead had returned to the battle of wills and strength being played out in front of us, until at last the lioness relented.

Looking around, I watched my Hunter's confusion as they regarded the pair of figures in front of them. Until Thalia at last recognized her cousin despite his new physique.

"Nice to see you too Pinecone Face." Perseus added in reply, before laughing at the look of shock on my lieutenant's face as well as the few older hunters that likely remembered him.

"Well girls as you can see Perseus here and his pet will be staying with us for the foreseeable future. I do not expect a repeat performance of what just happened." I said introducing him before focusing my attention solely on the daughter of Nike. The disarmed girl looking embarrassed before I eventually gave her back the weapon with much apologies.

"Nice to meet you all as Lady Artemis said I am Percy and this is Nemea." The young Titan added indicating the Lioness that was now standing behind him, away from their bows.

"Wait a second Percy since when did you have the Nemean Lion as a pet?" Thalia added shocked putting the facts together.

"Technically it is Nemean Lioness, but yes I have had her for a while now." He said almost embarrassed scratching the back of his head nervously.

"Anyway, you didn't answer my question what happened to you? Where have you been? Why couldn't I get hold of you?" She demanded suddenly reminding me of father causing me to sigh.

"Thalia, Perseus follow me. The rest of you are to return to your duties. Phoebe remember to think before you act, if Perseus didn't stop her, you would have just died. I did warn you all last night to expect the arrival of a monster. So next time I expect better from you." I told the French girl who was looking awfully embarrassed. With that out of the way, I led the two cousins towards my own tent. As we entered inside the lioness decided to wait by the entrance behind us laying down there.

(Percy)

As I entered the tent, I saw it was different from the last time I had entered it. Back on that evening in Maine all those years ago, when I first met the goddess in front of me. Compared to then there was less of an abundance of furs lying around and decorating everything, which initially surprised me. Until I promptly remembered it was height of summer now and all that extra insulation would turn the room into a blast furnace during the day.

Leading us in Artemis summoned three chairs into the middle of the room and indicated for us to sit in them. The goddess sat first and Thalia took the one immediately beside it. Leaving a single one a slight distance away for me as the strange male in the room. Absentmindedly, I briefly wondered if I was the only male to actually be in Artemis's personal tent more than once and live to talk about it. Still, I was surprised to see mine was a simple stall but with an open back it was better to accommodate my hidden wings. So, she managed to keep the looking down on men façade, whilst still considering my comfort it seemed.

"Thank you, Lady Artemis. Now what would you like to know Thalia?" I said politely to the goddess before looking at the youngest daughter of Zeus.

"WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU? For ten months you disappear of the face of the earth and the next thing is you are here as our new 'guardian', you owe me some explanations." Thalia asked demandingly meanwhile Artemis had to hold her ear in annoyance after having the other girl shout next to her. Though she decided to keep quiet and let this play out, probably realising the Lieutenant needed to get this out of her system.

"Well after Annabeth died and I killed Octavian, I began to wander I suppose. I couldn't stay at home because the monsters would attack me and with my mum pregnant and I didn't want to put her at risk. So, I left New York and visited Annabeth's family and told them what had happened. After that, I simply travelled and trained on my own to get stronger. She died because I was unable to save her, I was not strong enough to defeat Enceladus." I said while admittedly feigning excess sadness as I explained the partial lie; I mean I did do all these things but there was some dramatization to sell the story, after all I had almost a year to practice.

"Oh Percy, don't say that. Why do you always blame yourself when something bad happens, there was no way you can protect every person forever, especially not during a war. I learned that the hard way as well that day." Thalia said tearfully grabbing me in a hug her arms grabbing me around the shoulder's, which was good because if she went under my arms there was no way she could have not felt the golden wings beneath.

"I know but it didn't make the loss any easier to deal with, I was suddenly confused about what to do with my life. The Olympian Council was forbidden from making me a god and the camps were too easy by comparison. Besides I would have taken the attention away from the new gods of Heroes and I don't think the Romans trust me anymore after what happened."

"Who cares about them, they should have kept that fool on a leash. Besides what about me and Nico and the others that cared about you?" She asked letting go of me at last backing up to her seat and making me relax somewhat.

"I will be honest, technically I have seen Nico every few weeks or so in the Underworld and I admittedly don't want to go anywhere near where Arion could be, not after I kind of told the whole world his secret fear of the sky." I admitted.

"Oh, so the little ghost king gets to see you and I am left in the dark! I am going to kill that little zombie boy for not telling me." She promised bitterly.

"That may be a little difficult. He is after all both immortal now and a god, although you are welcome to try if you want. He will come back after a while if you do."

"Damned corpse breath." She muttered as the point sank in.

"Anyway, why did you choose to become a guardian? Especially here, I mean the hunt of all places are you mad?" She said getting back on track.

"Well, I was at the council meeting yesterday and I overheard Lady Artemis asking Zeus for help. I was getting bored on my own so I volunteered to help. Lady Artemis had a choice of me or your idiot brother and so she chose the one who isn't a self-righteous ass. Additionally, I chose to swear not to flirt with any of the Hunters which he likely wouldn't do. Finally, I am not a full immortal which means I can get involved in mortal affairs and am not bound by the ancient laws." I explained, thankfully she did not ask what I was doing in a meeting of the Olympian council before Artemis cut in to my explanation.

"I think that is enough explanation for now Perseus, Thalia please return to your duties the others should be about to begin CQC fighting I would like you to oversee it." Artemis told her and Thalia merely nodded to her mistress before leaving, apparently concentrating on what I had said that she forgot to say bye even as she carefully stepped around the lioness.

"Perseus follow me to your tent; I will show you where you are staying." The goddess said rising to her feet and venturing towards the door.

"Is there anything else for us to discuss milady?" I asked as we left the tent, Nemea now following me. Following behind her it was amusing for me to consider that the goddess was almost two full feet shorter than me, which meant that unlike me she didn't have to duck under certain tree branches.

"Yes, but I don't think you want the hunters to hear it." She explained leading me out of the circle of tents that made up the hunter's current camp.

Eventually, the three of us arrived at a solitary tent next to a small stream some distance away from the others. The sound of nearby running water automatically putting my mind at ease before we entered and found it devoid of any contents.

"It is similar to all godly residences simply wish for what you would like." She explained and having experience now with this sort of thing. I did so immediately imagining a layout similar to my own bedroom on Orthrys, simple furnishings of wood just the barest essentials. Well, alongside two chairs that were slightly more unique both being miniatures of our thrones for the moment to sit in.

"Because that won't give your identity away Perseus." Artemis said sarcastically indicating the black and gold chair I was intending on sitting in as she went and reclined in her own silver one.

"We are alone and would be more comfortable for the moment." I told her with a shrug.

"So, what did you want to discuss milady?" I asked after shutting the door, Nemea once again waiting outside. With the door closed I had some privacy and as such I could stretch my wings without the hunters seeing them.

"I gather you don't want the girls to know your new identity, but understand that to me their safety is of much more importance than your secret. I will tolerate no holding back on your part if it results in avoidable injury to any of them." She explained sternly, I simply nodded in agreement. I would not forgive myself if I did it either.

"Two at night you are to provide sentry for the camp while I will be away dealing with Moon Chariot. Due to the current state of the Hunt. I am unable to separate my aspects and be in two places like I usually would, you will also tell no one of that fact." She said threateningly. Despite the fact this was coming from a girl who appeared much younger than me, I obviously knew what the goddess was capable of in a real fight.

"Yes Milady, Can I suggest that I alternate every other night with Nemea in her adult form? Unfortunately, I do also need to sleep at some point, although I will of course remain on standby as well." The truth was I found that I did need to sleep less than I used to as a demigod, often going several days without sleep if I hadn't needed to use my powers. Something that had not been helped by the Xbox in my chamber.

"That should be acceptable though I would ask that you keep an eye on her for the few nights, I know that you trust her but she is still a monster regardless. In reality the only being in this camp that could likely stop her is you, even I would need to get lucky to defeat her quickly." The goddess explained and I understood her thinking on the manner as I nodded, she was taking a risk after all with the lioness' presence amongst them.

"Next you will treat all my huntresses respectfully and in return, they will treat you the same. If either side impeaches this, I WILL find out who was responsible. I cannot have internal conflict within the Hunt. Certainly not while we are in this state, it will destroy it. You are not to enter their tents at all, I know some of my hunters have deep rooted hatred of your gender but in some cases, it is well founded. Although I know you are different from the majority of men, they do not, it is your responsibility to gain their trust." She told me leaning forward and looking at me with what were beautiful silver eyes.

"Very well Lady Artemis." I told her simply. Although truthfully, I would likely not tell her on the hunters if they did do something. I needed to gain there trust, not risk alienating myself by snitching on them about everything.

"Whenever you must leave to do your own responsibilities with the Titans, I expect to be informed beforehand as well as when you leave and when you get back. I would ask however that the Nemean lion will have remain with us though. If we are both gone that would leave my hunters at too much of a risk. You saw it with Phoebe they are jumpy and prone to acting rashly. They have seen to many of their sisters die in the last year.

"I understand and that should not be too much trouble, as long as she is fed while I am away. She will probably do anything you ask." I explained Nemea would do just about anything possible for a proper meal.

"Lastly every other evening, let us say the ones you are not on duty. You will begin having training with me, we may now share a domain but I will see that you do not embarrass it. I know you have a bow and I expect you to learn how to use it. That spear of yours is not designed for hunting, no matter what its design. I saw what you were doing to the billboards last night." She said surprisingly as I raised an eyebrow in surprise. Did that mean that whilst she was in the chariot, she could see anything below her?

"But Lady Artemis, I think it is abundantly clear that it is physically impossible for me to hit a target with a bow. I only have it because your uncle, Lelantos refused to take it back besides what is wrong with my spear, it does the job of killing the target?" I protested that was one unfair condition.

'I don't care Perseus; you will learn and as for the spear I wonder. Perhaps because it is bright Imperial Gold, wreathed in small flames and lights up half the forest I bet, sounds like the perfect weapon for a stealth kill. We expect to eat what we kill not blow it to pieces. Again, I saw your flight with my uncle last night and the trail of devastation you left behind the pair of you." She said firmly once again confirming that she had been spying on us.

"How did you see me and Lelantos last night anyway?" I asked raising the point, it would be nice to know if the goddess could keep an eye on me each night without me realising.

"Are you forgetting I ride the moon, I can see everything below that can see it, unfortunately I must admit that I cannot see dense foliage such as surrounds this camp. Knowing this I expect you not to slack off. Besides I was quite impressed with the barrel roll off hand throw over Omaha that is despite you missing the centre of the sign by a few inches." She told me nitpickingly and I realised that the goddess in front of me could basically act like a spy satellite if she could see that much detail. I mean seriously Apollo got a really hot car which was ironically cool, Artemis got what could only be described as an SR71 on crack.

"Thank you I guess milady, for the compliment I mean. Although I promise nothing on being able to use a bow to hit a target"

"No Perseus, you have a lot of promise you simply do not know how to use it, I am the goddess of archery. If you do as I say and even then, I cannot make you improve over the next few weeks. Then and only then will I admit that to you it is a lost cause. But until then, you will train ask the hunters for tips, copy what they do, learn from them. Oh, one more thing, I may need your help during recruitment. There are sometimes eligible candidates that are stuck in extenuating circumstances that I will not send the other hunters into. A lot of them are what can be described as emotionally damaged, what they could see may drive them over the edge and I don't want that. A general dislike or distrust of males is fine, I do not want them to actively target them on sight. However, sometimes these cases even I cannot directly interfere with, they are mortals imparting their will on mortals but your unique nature somewhat allows you to intervene." She asked uncertainly.

"What do you mean extenuating circumstances." I asked already fearful of the reply. Deep down I guessed what she was referring to, a reason that the other girls would only further despise a whole gender.

"Use your imagination Perseus, few gods let alone mortals walk the road of honesty that we wish they would. While others actively avoid it and inflict unmentionable horrors on others that cross paths with them, you may need to give these lost souls an early trip to our uncle." She explained and the answer sickened me. Yes, I knew such injustices existed even being dyslexic it was easy enough to get the meaning from the front page of a newspaper. However, like most I simply wished they didn't happen until it struck close to home. Though we did not speak about it I had seen similar acts with my first step-father.

Back when I saw him hit my mother, I realised this must have been going on for a while, yet even so I knew I was lucky. I was away most of the year and was not often a victim of abuse by him like she could be, but not everyone had such a luxury and there were far worse forms of abuse than condescending words and a beating here and there. If I found another in that sort of situation Gabe would be gaining some company in the Fields of Punishment.

"They will find Punishment a welcome relief, after I am done with them milady." I growled out, Artemis simply nodded at the answer. We both knew what had happened to the former Augur after all.

"Now let us get off of that unpleasant subject. That will be all for now Perseus you may have the rest of the day off but I expect you to get to know the hunter's names at least and be ready to do your duties tonight. Besides you do not have to be so formal with me calling me milady and Lady Artemis when we are alone. We are technically equally powerful members of two councils. Just because you have to follow my orders here does not mean you are my inferior. I think you have more than earned the right to speak to us without using honorifics constantly, only my father demands constant signs of respect to stroke his ego." She explained making me realise that the goddess was far calmer and more rational than her legends made her sound. Then again, they normally ended with someone getting on her bad side.

"Very well then Artemis, I shall be ready for tonight although I may need some help with re-aging Nemea if I have to think up a cover story for how she grew so much bigger in a day." I admitted that was one thing I would not be able to explain to the hunters without giving away the whole charade.

"Tomorrow morning when I return, I shall meet you outside here, we will tell them I placed my blessing on her and unlocked her full potential whilst you age her back to normal. The hunters will accept my word on the matter." She explained rising from her silver chair which dissolved into light. I waited until she stood before I did the same folding my wings back into place so they were hidden once again.

"That sounds almost plausible. Ok then Artemis unless you have any further instructions, I will be meeting the rest of the hunt, wish me luck." I asked before we stepped out of the tent and walked back towards the camp.

"I am afraid you will need more than luck to get on their good sides." She stated as we separated, her heading back towards her tent as I wandered towards the sound of metal striking metal and my possible killers.