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Ladies and Gents without further more Chapter 22
Chapter 22: A Bond Forged in Silver and Sea
The Hunt's encampment hummed with life despite the cool stillness of the glade. The Hunters' whispers mingled with the rustling of the trees, an unspoken language of understanding among those who had devoted themselves to Artemis's cause. Percy felt out of place, his every step on the soft grass a reminder that he was a guest in a world built on centuries of trust and discipline—trust he had yet to earn.
He sat by the fire after his conversation with Artemis by the stream, staring into the crackling flames. The warmth did little to ease the tension in his chest. Around him, the Hunters moved with quiet purpose, their glances toward him fleeting but heavy with meaning. He couldn't tell if they were curious, cautious, or outright disapproving.
A sudden weight on the log beside him made him glance up. Phoebe, one of the Hunt's most skilled trackers, settled into the seat, her bow resting across her lap. Her sharp features were set in a neutral expression, though her eyes held an edge that Percy recognized all too well. She wasn't here to chat.
"So," she began, her voice low but firm, "you're the one we're supposed to trust with our Lady's safety."
Percy straightened, unsure whether to bristle or explain himself. "I'm not here to take anyone's place if that's what you're worried about."
Phoebe's lips twitched into something that wasn't quite a smile. "Good, because you couldn't if you tried. But what I'm worried about is what happens when things get messy. Are you going to be another burden we have to clean up, or are you going to prove that you deserve to stand among us?"
"I don't expect anyone to carry me," Percy shot back, his voice steady despite the prickle of defensiveness. "I've faced monsters and gods, and I've made it out every time. I know what I'm doing."
Phoebe studied him for a moment, then gave a slight nod. "Words are easy. Actions are harder. Tomorrow will show us what you're made of."
Without waiting for a response, she stood and disappeared into the shadows. Percy let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. If Phoebe was any indication, earning the Hunters' respect would be more grueling than he'd thought.
The next morning came too soon. The golden light of dawn spilled into the glade, cutting through the mist that clung to the ground. Artemis had wasted no time; training began almost immediately after breakfast, her voice sharp and commanding as she led Percy and the Hunters through a series of drills.
"Your enemy will not wait for you to get comfortable," she said as Percy stumbled over an uneven root. "Anticipate the terrain. Adapt to it."
Percy muttered a curse under his breath, catching himself before he fell. "Easier said than done," he grumbled.
"I didn't ask for easy," Artemis replied, her tone cutting but not unkind.
The drills were relentless. Percy was used to fighting with the ocean at his back, with wide-open spaces and crashing waves to fuel his strength. The dense forest felt like an entirely different world, its tangle of roots and low-hanging branches forcing him to rethink every step. The Hunters moved through the terrain with practiced ease, their movements almost predator-like as they weaved through obstacles and drew their bows with lethal precision.
By midday, Percy was drenched in sweat, his arms aching from deflecting arrows and parrying mock attacks. He collapsed onto a fallen log during a brief break, gulping down water as Artemis approached him.
"You're improving," she said, offering him a small, rare smile. "Slowly, but steadily."
"Feels like I'm just trying not to embarrass myself," Percy admitted, wiping his forehead with his sleeve.
"That's part of the process," Artemis replied, her silver eyes gleaming. "Mastery is earned, not given. And even then, there is always more to learn."
Percy glanced at her, his expression softening. "Was it like this for you? When you first started?"
Artemis tilted her head, considering his question. "I've been a goddess for as long as I can remember, but even I had to grow into my role. Power is one thing; understanding how to wield it responsibly is another."
Before Percy could respond, a horn sounded in the distance. The Hunters snapped to attention, their hands going to their weapons.
"What's going on?" Percy asked, standing.
Artemis's expression darkened. "A test."
The group gathered at the edge of the camp, where a scout had returned with news. A pack of monstrous wolves had been spotted in the nearby woods, their movements too coordinated to be random. Artemis wasted no time assigning roles, her voice calm but authoritative.
"Phoebe, take the left flank. Zoe, the right. Percy, you're with me."
Phoebe gave Percy a sidelong glance but said nothing. Zoe Nightshade, the Hunt's second-in-command, looked equally skeptical but didn't object. Percy clenched his fists, determined not to let their doubt rattle him.
The group moved silently through the forest, the tension thick as they approached the wolves' last known location. Percy's senses were on high alert, every rustle of leaves and crack of branches setting his nerves on edge.
They found the wolves in a clearing, their glowing red eyes scanning the forest as they prowled. There were at least a dozen of them, their sleek black forms blending into the shadows.
"Stay close," Artemis whispered to Percy. "These aren't ordinary wolves."
"Got it," Percy murmured, gripping Riptide tightly.
The battle was swift and brutal. The Hunters moved with practiced precision, their silver arrows finding their marks with deadly accuracy. Percy held his ground, slashing and parrying as the wolves lunged at him. Their snarls echoed through the clearing, their claws tearing at the earth.
One wolf broke through the Hunters' line, charging straight for Artemis. Percy reacted without thinking, hurling himself between them and driving Riptide into the creature's side. The wolf let out a pained howl before collapsing, its body dissipating into shadow.
Artemis gave Percy a sharp nod, her eyes shining with approval. "Well done."
The remaining wolves retreated into the forest, their howls fading into the distance. The Hunters regrouped, their expressions a mix of relief and respect. Even Phoebe gave Percy a grudging nod.
As they returned to camp, Percy felt a new sense of determination settle over him. He still had a long way to go, but for the first time, he felt like he belonged—not just as an ally, but as part of something greater.
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