All Rights Belong to Rick Riordan
Chapter 27
The Lone Legionnaire
(Percy)
The move itself was seemingly uneventful and I simply stood to the side as the hunters re-erected the camp with practiced ease. The only source of amusement was when the figure of Artemis reappeared with a highly annoyed Nemea who seemed determined to swat the goddess. Despite her attempts Artemis kept acrobatically dodging her attacks before finally ending up a tree looking down on the golden monster.
Apparently, the Lioness was not a fan of being flashed around without her consent. She only calmed down when she saw me looking onwards before suddenly reverting to docile much to the hunts and the goddess's relief.
Thalia had offered to erect my tent amongst the others this time, but I elected to keep myself separate. Claiming it was so they had personal space away from me, when in reality it was the other way around. I wanted to be able to stretch my wings once in a while and I couldn't do that if they were constantly around.
So now my tent was built on top of the rock outcrop I had seen before. It allowed me to see down without being observed myself and I could see the entire camp from up here.
I had taken my leave after noon to go rest and soon found myself in sitting below a waterfall in Sonoma Creek. The cascading water both calming me as well as rejuvenating my energy, I had exhausted quite a bit in my haste to get back I time, normal flying and gliding was replaced by frantic flapping as I tried to get back in time, the energy required to flap ten metal wings was quite exhausting when maintained. The whole ordeal kind of rendering having a shower back at Orthrys pointless in the end.
I simply sat under the falls and thought of my discussion with the Titaness earlier and felt relieved I had finally confided in someone even if that someone was her own mother. The best bit was though the fact I had finally decided to admit what I felt about the goddess even if I decided to not act upon it for the moment. At least not until I knew what she felt about me. I did not plan on being castrated for even trying no matter what Leto assured me of her daughter's inner self. The problem was said supposedly softer inner thoughts were still concealed by the icy outer shell of the Huntress.
Finally, around three in the afternoon, I felt a presence approaching and knew it was the goddess. Perhaps it was a result of the Hunt domain I now had, but if I cleared my mind from distractions, I could seemingly detect life around me. Whilst it was certainly not clear on whom was who it gave me a rough idea of what was around me.
So, by the fact that I could detect her purely immortal divine essence, the hunters were still immortal, but it felt like theirs was diluted and not as strong. I could not know for certain, but I suspected my own was somewhere in between the two. I hadn't yet mentioned this to Artemis just in case she suddenly came up with some training regime for me to use to deal with this sense. I had enough issues with the archery and tracking/concealment ones already.
"Perseus cover yourself up I am not falling for that again." Artemis called out from behind a tree, hearing her over the crashing water I stood up and stepped out of the falls becoming aware of the distant sound of wolves howling for the first time.
I stepped towards my cloths that I had discarded and threw a shirt on, a job made easier by the fact that I could instantly turn dry on demand. Still, I was still not worried about anyone else seeing and left my wings on display for the time being.
"Ok done Milady." I called out and looked across to her and saw her frown, hey she called me Perseus it was only fair.
"Good I need you to return, we are having company." She explained and I was curious about this sudden news.
"'Good' company or 'Bad' company?" I asked using air quotes.
"The good kind. Why do you think we are in Annadel, so close to a major godly site?" She explained coldly and I had one idea.
"I would assume it has something to do with the howls that are approaching this general location and coming from the same direction of the Wolf House." I answered putting together the obvious.
"Very good Perseus, by now I assume you have noticed that we are missing a part of the hunt." Why was she calling me Perseus again and why was she acting colder and more hostile to me? Had I done something wrong that I was not aware of?
"If you mean the general lack of animals in the hunt, I had wondered on their location. I haven't seen them since I was 13." I answered simply thinking back to that time.
"I lost a high number of my wolves during the Titan war and during my hunter's actions defending the Wolf House while Jason and his friends rescued my stepmother. I cannot simply wave a hand and summon a pack of tamed wolves. Besides, I was not the only one who's pack was depleted in numbers. It was the best of both worlds." She explained and I had a guess of who the other pack was.
"So, you and Lupa combined the packs for the time being and replenished your numbers. I assume that is what the howls are and why we are here in the first place."
"Not bad Perseus perhaps you are not as ignorant as you make out. I want you to return and keep an eye on Nemea and make sure she does not cause trouble. She is prone to rashness when you are not around, it seems only you can calm down her feral moments and I would rather not have her depleting my pack again when it can be avoided. The last thing I need is one to growl at her because she is technically a monster, and she takes it the wrong way." With that said she began turning back towards the camp half a mile away.
I quickly gathered my remaining possessions I had with me before running to catch her up.
"Why am I suddenly back to Perseus again? Did I do something wrong?" I asked, once again she was back behind the Façade of the Huntress, and I was back to square one.
"You disobeyed me, I told you to stay in the park this morning and wait for me to return and instead you took a diversion to Orthrys." She growled out snapping her head towards me. The look on her face was not so much one of anger but frustration. I was more concerned with what she could have seen if she had returned to the chariot as she hinted at. If she had seen me return to Orthrys did she see my discussion with her mother? If the answer was yes, I was thoroughly screwed.
"You never said I couldn't leave and besides I found a location as requested and I was not just going to sit around twiddling my fingers waiting for you to return. As you said when I joined the Hunt, I was free to do as I wished as long as it did not affect the safety of the hunters. As they were on the other side of the country with you as far as I was aware there was supposedly little chance of that happening, so why do you care so much about one small trip to my own home Phoebe Artemis?" I snapped back, I may secretly be in love with her but there was no way I was taking this crap for no reason.
"Do not call me that! I cared when you had a little rendezvous with my mother while you were there! Now what did you talk about?" She demanded angrily.
"Seriously this is why you are angry, because I had a conversation with Leto? I was simply making friendly conversation and how I was going to ask you to visit her more often as she misses you, your brother regularly visits her, but you don't. I was defending you and explained that you had a lot on your plate at the moment! I actually like your mum as she was basically the only one who thought of actually helping me when I first got there, so I thought I would help her as recompense." I said raising my voice back at her.
"I know what you asked her, I want to know what you said when she asked about me?" She practically screamed getting to the real issue finally and actually making me calm down. So, she had clearly eavesdropped on us but had not heard my confession it seemed.
"Artemis why are you so concerned; do you have a problem with the fact I talked to your mother about you? Mortals complain about their bosses all the time but in this case, I was actually complimenting you but apparently, I was wrong. You can't cooperate with males it seems. I will not abandon the hunters as they need help, but I am doing this for them not you." I said quieter and more in a case of tranquil fury. I had no intention of leaving or even in forgetting my affection for the goddess, but I wanted to put some distance between the pair of us as we were moving too fast even if we were not even together. The words seemed to shock the goddess out of her anger as she looked at me with worry.
"Percy I am sorry." She whispered barely loud enough to hear.
"Just accept I can do things in my free time. If I willingly disobey you feel free to bitch at me all you want but when I have done nothing to piss you off don't treat me like crap. I get enough of that from Tania, have I not done enough to be treated better than that. Besides you were beginning to act like Dionysius and his hatred for everything he considers beneath him. I was actually telling your mom how I was actually enjoying being with you, she knew how bored I was back there most of them did. At least here there is a difference in pace and character." I stated neutrally taking a deep breath.
"Don't compare me to Dionysius, I am nothing like that drunk idiot and thank you I guess you are right I was being unfair." She finished with a smile. Gods if the mood of this conversation did not stop yo-yoing it was bound to get whiplash.
'Well, well, well, am I interrupting something Diana?' I heard from a voice to my right, but the strangest thing was it was more directly into my head than audible. We had been arguing so much neither of us had noticed the dozens of presences now surrounding us.
(Diana)
The moment I turned and saw the new arrival I changed aspect and looked at the Roman wolf goddess, who was regarding me curiously. The large black she-wolf was looking from one of us to the other as if waiting for a reaction while her pack simply sat on their haunches behind her.
"Lady Lupa, a Pleasure." Percy said with a small bow which surprised me. There were very few he actually showed respect to and now very few who actually beneath him in the hierarchy. After all, only our and his councils were above or equal in rank. Though how many amongst that number could claim to be senior to him was certainly debatable. You certainly couldn't expect him to follow Bachus's instructions for example.
'Nice to see you too Perseus, you have certainly changed since you were last in my city back before you left with half it in flames and filled with an angry lynch mob.' She stated with a grin that looked more like a snarl except for the barely audible chuckle.
"Hey, hold on don't blame me for that calamity, it was your Augurs and Terra's fault both of whom are now dead.' He defended
'And then you killed both of them with your own hand correcting it. Though I wish it had solved all Rome's problems at the same time.' She exclaimed with the canine equivalent of a sigh.
"I thought things were better now, considering the legion is cooperating with the Greeks?" I asked confused by the she-wolf's statement.
'Sadly, not everything is that simple as a quick death for the problem makers. After the rewards ceremony for what was left of the Seven it was discovered that Jason could no longer remain a Praetor if he was a god and with Perseus here missing the Legion had to choose a replacement. Unfortunately, I didn't agree with their choice and nor did his peer." She explained.
"Let's continue this back at the camp after we have introduced the hunters to my wolves and yours." I suggested and received nods from the pair.
The wolf goddess changed her form into a more human one. Although she would have passed for a human from a distance up close it was quite a difference as she had more of a snout than a nose and her long canines were clearly visible under her upper lip. Her black hair was also unruly as it tumbled down her back and did little to hide the two black furred ears atop her head.
Percy looked surprised by her sudden transformation before simply shrugging and walking again.
"Perseus go ahead and control Nemea we will be there shortly." I instructed and received a nod of acknowledgement as he ran ahead weaving between the trees. Carving a clear path as he did so, making me wince.
"So why were you apologizing and why did you start calling him Percy before but Perseus now?" Lupa asked audibly this time with a feral grin looking directly at me.
"I am suddenly remembering why I don't like Rome." I said simply ending that conversation before it began. Looking around at the assembled pack behind us I began making out the familiar figures of my own wolves' silver fur coats amongst the mass of black, brown and grey. In terms of size mine were usually smaller but more fleet footed while hers were stronger but slower.
"You now have thirteen of them if you were wondering?" Lupa stated noticing my wandering eyes. This was good news after Manhattan there had only been eight left out of the original twenty followed by the subsequent loss of another three at the Wolf House.
I always found it amusing how the mortals had never tried to explain the presence of a dozen dead wolves with clear battle wounds on the streets of the city, not even an escape from a zoo or anything like that instead it was just written off as another unexplained mystery of that few days.
"Thank you Lupa, how is the pack on your side now?" I asked curiously we had to wait until Percy got control of the lioness anyway.
"Thirty although five are still barely omegas out of cubhood. That delaying against Polybotes's army was damaging but without it New Rome would have likely been doomed." She explained, sadly her pack had once numbered in the seventies or above. It was easy to forget that despite Percy and Legion ultimately defeating the giant and his forces, it was the often-forgotten blood of the pack that gave them time to pull it off.
"I think Perseus has had enough time now so let's be off." She said abruptly after another minute of silence and the pack began to move in the direction of camp and I received little choice as I walked alongside Lupa or risked being left behind.
We arrived to find Perseus sitting on Nemea's paw alongside the campfire in the centre of camp. As soon as the lioness became visible to the pack they began to bark and howl at her and were met by a mighty roar which overshadowed theirs silencing them into whimpering submission.
"I take it this Nemea as you called it is really the Nemean Lion?" Lupa said focusing on the monster curling her lips back baring her teeth in apprehension.
"Nemean lioness I would think you would know the difference, Lady Lupa. I suggest you tell your packs to stand down before they get themselves slaughtered and Lupa goddess or not if it was a fight between the pair of you the kitty here will get my bet." Percy said rising from his makeshift seat and placing a hand against her neck calmingly to which she settled slightly albeit eyeing the wolves closest to her.
Lupa released a bark and all the wolves suddenly averted there attention elsewhere and she calmed down, it was true though the minor goddess stood little chance against the monster in its adult form and Percy would not likely take her attack very well in the event.
I looked around to see the hunters watching the exchange in a group.
"Thalia, Phoebe, Atlanta go and introduce the newer hunters to our wolves and show them how to care for them. After that find a location and build a shelter for them." Normally a shelter was simply an open sided tent but with so many materials lying around, they could erect a more permanent structure out of natural materials nearby besides it would keep them occupied for a while.
"Yes milady." The three said in unison before bowing and walking to the left of the new range site followed by the other girls and just over a third of the wolves, compromised solely of almost all the silver and grey furred wolves. Only one large silver wolf remained with Lupa's pack, in truth he had once been one of mine as well several centuries ago but now Lobo served as her Alpha and occasional mate.
"Now let us go inside and talk about what is happening with the Romans." I suggested and entered my tent which we were alongside followed swiftly by Lupa and several seconds later Percy who had further to travel from Nemea's side. I was not worried about the other wolves now as they had seen their mistress admit it was futile, the monster was simply too powerful for a depleted pack to stand a chance. Besides the Alpha would keep them in check in their mistress's absence.
Once we were inside I summoned chairs for myself and Percy identical ones to the ones he had had in his own tent. I was surprised when the wolf-goddess reverted form and in response I summoned a large dog bed which she happily laid down on which was amusing to witness until Percy inadvertently chuckled at the scene and was swiftly barked at angrily.
'Perseus I know what you are now but that does not mean I will accept condescension from you. I prefer this form when I am relaxing.' She growled out and he wisely chose to stay quiet and not annoy the mother of Rome.
"So then, what is the news from the Romans then Lupa?" I asked curiously.
'The problem is our new Praetor Steven, son of Mars. Somehow after Perseus here's admittedly one-sided battle against the Legion at the Greek camp and Octavian's subsequent torture and death. He was able to incite the crowd and gain power.' She began and I saw Percy shudder at the mention of his brutal torture of the Augur.
"Do I even know this Steven guy? The name doesn't ring any bells." Percy asked thinking on the name.
'He was the one who demanded the Legion attack you when you demanded they surrender Octavian. Somehow it seems he got the gift of oration somewhere, considering his father's blunt approach. Now likes to consider himself the second coming of Octavian, the good one at least, the first emperor Augustus. You knocked him out during you attack.' She explained and he nodded simply.
'After Jason was forced to lose his position and become a god of heroes. Instead the fool was elected as his replacement due to his 'terrific' incited speech on the battlefield. He claimed your subsequent disappearance was a result of the god's anger at you and you were likely punished for your murder of their augur.'
"Hades even Mars had no problem with me afterwards what a little bastard are you sure he isn't one of Apollo's?" Percy exclaimed.
'Quite unfortunately, after the Legion returned to New Rome, he began to undermine the support our other Praetor had. Claiming Reyna consorted with the enemy and helped torture her fellow acting-praetor. Sadly, I am not allowed to get involved in the city's politics and I could not interfere as she began to lose all support. Finally, it seems the daughter of Bellona had enough and released her dogs to chase the idiot around the Senate House and stormed out herself afterwards and left the city on her own.' She explained further and saw Percy once again giving that foolish downward expression which meant he was blaming himself again.
"Perseus this is not your fault, Rome has always had political problems." I stated to which Lupa nodded limply raising her head off the floor.
"Do you know what happened to her afterwards Lupa?" He inquired curiously.
"Initially she went to the Amazons for a few months before she disappeared from there too. After that is simply unsubstantiated rumour. Demigods began to arrive at the city limits under the cover of darkness soon after leaving the Wolf house and me. There is little information because apparently, they are forced to swear on the Styx to tell nothing of their helper. What we know from a few nymphs who witnessed some of it is apparently, they were picked up and flown by Pegasus from near the Wolf House and dropped off by an armoured girl in a tattered purple cape." She explained.
"I take it she took Scipio with her when she left then?" Percy asked and received a nod from the wolf.
"So, she hates the political aspect of the city but still continues to bring demigods to the city safely, Reyna sounds like she is losing it." He stated sadly.
'You were not so different during your brief tenure for two years since her arrival she had to put up with Octavian's disregard for others and influence, but she at least had an ally in Jason. Whom being a child of Jupiter very few were willing to stand against or argue with, and then he disappeared, and you turned up and put Octavian in his place as he rightfully deserved. However, before less than a week was out you were all declared enemies and Octavian gained authority anyway. Finally, at the end of the war she was declared as helping an enemy, kill her fellow praetor. Even if he was a usurper the fact that she did not try and stop you lowered her standing with the Legion and then he too was replaced with another power-hungry brat that was able to leverage your perceived infamy and her compliance with it. How would you be Perseus if you had that constant trouble? You may be a Titan now but you seemingly have little actual responsibility except on that council.' Lupa declared eyes focusing on the Titan Lord who seemingly had little to argue against.
"So why haven't you caught her then and taken her back?" I asked curiously.
'Because wolves cannot fly for starters, unlike a Pegasus.' Lupa answered sarcastically before continuing as Percy looked at me as if wanting to laugh.
'Two she hides her presence until we are not in the area to retrieve the demigods. Truthfully, I don't mind her action at heart, she means well with her actions. Needless to say, I respected her ability to lead the Legion during her few years there. The only problem is now her actions are happening to frequently and go against the traditions of the Legion. Demigods should make their own way from me to the city and not be reliant on others as you know Perseus.'
"So, what do you plan on doing about her then, catch her and drag her back to the city?" Percy asked curiously.
'No, she will likely just be subjected to a farce of a show trial by the senate. I have another idea, but it depends on you Diana.' She stated turning her head to look at me.
"Oh no you don't, I don't care, she is not my problem. I don't do Romans." I said shaking my head vehemently.
'Then would you like to explain the presence of a child of Venus along with the others, I know a Roman amongst Greeks, much as I knew Perseus was different when he was dropped in my lap." She explained and I had to curse Aphrodite again, this was her fault.
"Diana, she does have a point and Reyna would be an excellent hunter if she joined." Percy said looking at me in the eyes.
"Is she even a maiden? She is a little older to become a hunter and she spent time with the Amazons." I claimed although it was unfair of me to jump to conclusions. However, I was also well acquainted with that clan, being that they still actually worshipped me and Mars as their principal deities. They just saw the chastity guideline as more of a nuisance and if anything tried to actively break it as early as possible. The fact that the missing Praetor was the known sister of their queen was not exactly suggesting that she was all for maiden behaviour.
"Yes, she is older than normal but so were the twins. In fact, she is probably older than me as I don't know how long she was on Circe's island, even if she appears younger physically now than she probably should. But how is that any different to the hunters? Atlanta looks fifteen but is what two thousand so that is not exactly a fair point. But she was not with Jason romantically, according to her own words when she spoke to me. Also isn't it harsh to say that just because she stayed with her sister, who is the Amazon queen does not make her immediately jump into bed with any guy she can get a leash on. Times are changing Diana, you need fresh hunters and Reyna needs a purpose before she gets herself killed, so what is the problem and stop thinking on excuses?" Percy asked sternly.
"Fine. Perseus if you can find her bring her back here, then I will talk to her and make the offer for her to become a huntress if she is eligible, but you are doing it alone." I stated folding my arms and he nodded.
'Very well then is all I will ask of you. You needn't worry about the Legion itself causing any problems for the time being as they are currently at the Greeks camp for the summer. I highly doubt Steven will try anything with Chiron and the six gods of Heroes supervising him. As much as he thinks of himself as being untouchable now. He still has to bow to their authority. It is unfortunately they were at the Greek camp when Reyna left. Now I must be off I have a new arrival expected in an hour.' Lupa said rising from her bed and it dissolved as she stepped out of it, I walked with her as the pair of us wordless left the tent leaving Percy inside.
"Thank you Lupa for your help with the pack, I will send the wolves back to you this winter before the mating season." I said to her simply and she merely wagged her tail in acknowledgement not turning her head before suddenly releasing a howl and the rest of her pack materialized from the woods around the camp. Once they were assembled around her, she simply barked, and they all vanished in a flash of light.
"So, when do you want me to try and find her?" Percy asked from behind me, rising out of his chair and folding his wings back beneath his jacket.
"Tonight, try and find some sign of her if you can. Fortunately, you have some experience in these woods and made the trip to the city yourself. I will search from the chariot and will message you if I find her.'
"What about my guard duty?" He asked, after all it was supposed to be his turn tonight after Nemea did yesterday. I pondered the matter as I retook my seat.
"I will use tonight as an excuse to have the girls learn how to patrol the camp borders with the wolves at their sides. Besides, Nemea will still be with them and unlike you she doesn't find excuses for why she cannot do things. But you will need to be careful when you return, as they will be watching the skies as well as the ground." I warned, the hunters knew threats could come from any direction.
"Ok then I will leave after dinner then." He said taking a step towards the exit.
"No, you will leave after Archery practice. You don't get out of that so easily." I said jokingly as he froze in place and turned back towards me.
"Greaaaaat, I get to piss off another forest and then search for an aggravated and possibly deluded former Roman commander whose misfortune is likely my fault all night, aren't I lucky?" He joked sarcastically.
"As long as you don't go running off again on your own tangents, we should be OK but if you do. I will be the one putting an arrow in your face, and you won't look quite so handsome anymore." I said happily then immediately regretting that last line, but he didn't seem to notice the compliment or was good at hiding it.
"Yeah, I don't like being shouted at particularly and certainly not when the shouter is armed."
"Good then enjoy the rest of the afternoon off and perhaps use the opportunity to meet my wolves; they may appreciate your special talents in cuisine when no one is around." I joked remembering his ability to summon wild animals which was almost guaranteed to win the pack over. As a group they were bigger gluttons than even Nemea. Most of the game we caught was merely to feed them. In their absence over the last year, we actually had cut back on actual hunting by more than half as a result of not having to cater for them.
"Right just throw me to the wolves as well why don't you. You must really hate me, Diana." He sighed running his hand back through his hair.
"Oh no I like you really. But try to think of this as character building, have fun." I told him cheerfully as he merely nodded and left the tent. Walking over to the bed I collapsed on it face down. Strange as it was to consider I was not used to operating this body for so much time in one day. I was far more used to being Artemis's shadow connected to her at all times but not really considered and always hidden behind her out of the spotlight.
Closing my eyes, I allowed Artemis to take back control for the rest of the day.