Artemis finished the thought, "He was trying to fight Eris's curse…" She whispered. That she wouldn't have ever guessed. Eris had spun courses of events of goddesses and mortals alike, including Hera, Aphrodite, and Athena. All powerful goddesses. But to have a mortal almost resist that power… was impressive.
...
"Seems that way. My father was always strong. I was born within seasons of their marriage, and growing up, I learned to hunt from my father. As I grew older, I began walking with him to the royal palace every day, to serve in the palace as a page. My days were quickly blended into a routine. Hunt in the early morning. Serve in the royal palace, and later in the day, if my father did not have to accompany Philip, he would teach me to fight in the courtyard at the palace."
"I never bested him. I didn't, and still haven't, grown to be what I'm sure warriors are imagined to be. But in my early teens, I failed to overpower any of my childhood friends. I met Alexander one day, after serving as a page in a midday feast. A sandy haired boy, Alexander, saw me and told me to meet him and others after the feast was over."
"I did what he asked, and found him along with many other noblemen sons all holding wrestling matches. They were all my age, but I was small compared to them. After several rounds, I was battered and bruised, and scurried home, defeated and ashamed. I lamented my woes to my mother, who had always comforted me, as she was gentle and soothing towards all. When my father returned home that night, he sat down with me, and I remember telling him the whole story, fearing he would think less of me as a son."
"But he only said, 'no hunting tomorrow.' Before retiring to bed. I dreaded the next morning. My father awaited me on the front steps, before dawn, holding two practice swords. I'll never forget what he said to me. He told me, 'Son, you are not weak. Strength and power does not come from you, but your soul.' He trained me every morning, until he would walk with me to the royal palace. We trained as my body was bruised, and beaten. Sometimes he carried me to the royal palace, as I tried to sleep off any bruises and injuries I sustained. But I learned. My strength ended up being not in my power, but in my mind. I was quick witted, and therefore, mirrored that with my sword."
"The next time Alexander saw me, I eagerly asked to join him and his friends. Over the years, I began training with Macedonian royal army companies, who were tasked with refining noblemen sons in combat. I developed my prowess there for my speed and capabilities. When I was seventeen, I was appointed Alexander's right hand man, and saw my first battle at Chaeronea, where I sat with Alexander and the cavalry."
Perseus stopped, "That's about it… later that year… my father ran his sword through Philip's back. I feared that Alexander would come after me and my mother, who was already shaking with grief. But he came to me instead and brought a distant cousin along with him. She was…is beautiful. Alexander wanted us to marry, to closer out families together. That's when I realized Alexander would be a great king. He didn't judge my family for what my father did. Instead, he tied me in with his family. I married Medeia, who is…" Perseus laughed, "I miss her. Her charm and wit made me fall in love. Medeia is part of the royal family, and technically, so am I…" Perseus mused, before he shook his head," I see your eyes Artemis, I do not seek the Macedonian throne. All I want is to go back to Medeia, my mother, and spend time in our home, at peace. I scarcely got a year with my wife before I had to accompany Alexander to these places. My mother has Medeia, and they are close, but still, I hope she remains well."
Artemis nodded, "Is she still in grief?"
"I think she will always have some grief. My father and mother were besotted, even after so many years together. It is something I wish to have with Medeia one day."
"At least you have some moral capacity towards marriage and women." Artemis said off-hand, before cutting off what was likely and indignant retort, "I too though, understand your fear with your mother. I visit my own on Delos every chance I can spare from my duties. She gets restless on her island, and I fear she will soon be gone from this world."
Perseus looked to her with sorrow, "Leto, right? She is fading?"
Artemis nodded, "Yes. My sibling and I cannot stop it."
Perseus nodded sadly, deep in thought, "I could arrange for my men to offer sacrifice, to give her strength…"
She shook her head sadly, "I wish that would work. My hunters and Apollo's oracles have tried, she rejected their offerings. She wishes to go, and I will respect her wishes."
"I had forgotten, I am sorry my Lady… your hunters, where are they right now?" Perseus asked, steering their discussion away from Leto. Artemis was glad, and faced his questions.
"It is fine. I last left them in the Peloponnese, by Argos. There have been many attacks recently, and it is a safe area for them now. My lieutenant, Boularche, is experienced and knows what to do in my absence. But I do miss them."
"How many hunters do you have?"
"At the moment?" Artemis paused, "The hunt is thirty-two strong. We lost two sisters of the hunt to a pack of hellhounds before I left. I am still without powers, but I think that I would be able to feel if another died. So far, I am thankful to have felt nothing."
Perseus laughed, "That is good news. Maybe someday, I can meet the hunt. If they are anything like their mistress, I feel like it will be amusing at least for me."
Artemis growled, glaring over at him, "You do know, that if I was indeed the goddess I am, I most likely would have turned you into a squirrel by now?"
"You didn't though, while you were a goddess so far, I see no reason it would change now."
That gave her a bit of a stump to work around, as she pondered Perseus. Unfortunately, he was right. He hadn't been especially obnoxious or demeaning to her. Annoying yes, but respectful. He hadn't leered at her body, and hadn't tried to peek at her while changing, like the scum Orion long ago.
She really had no reason to turn him into a squirrel. Which annoyed her.
Artemis replied quickly, however, "Well, I think you would consider it a blessing, if you met the hunt. Squirrels are harder to hit with arrows."
Perseus gulped, leaning back, "I see, maybe that would be for the best."
"Maybe. Although, if I catch them in a good mood upon my return, we might venture north. There are no Macedonian girls in our hunt as of right now, and right now, Macedonia is at the top of the Greek world."
Perseus smiled, getting to his feet. Artemis did the same.
"I think it is time to get to camp. We won't depart until dark falls, for the Cilician Gates are a full night's march away. You wouldn't happen to know a good way of getting there, would you?"
Artemis scowled at him, "I am unfamiliar with this part of the world, but I did see some trails in the hills to the northwest while flying. Where did you plan to go?"
Perseus nodded sagely," I will say that I planned to march somewhere besides the foothill paths. That should give you some credibility as our new guide."
"Your scheming is reassuring." Artemis sourly said. But Perseus only turned, and began walking towards the rise ahead of them. The sun still shone high in the sky, and beams of light seemed to illuminate a path forwards. Artemis trailed behind Perseus, catching a few errant beams of light on her hands. She wondered if Apollo could see her now.
In front of her, a beam of sunlight sudden gleamed impossibly bright, and Artemis skidded to a stop, shielding her eyes as the light grew and grew in intensity. "Ah! Perseus!" Artemis called out, her left arm raised over her eyes, the vambrace attached to them offering some protection.
"What is… gah! That's bright!" Artemis heard a sword being unsheathed, and without warning, Artemis felt the heat and brightness of the light slowly fade. She slowly peered out from behind her forearm, seeing distorted shapes in her vision, no doubt from catching too much of the sunlight.
On the forest floor however, was a beautifully smooth black yew bow, with a quiver of arrows, held in a deerskin quiver. Artemis glanced up at Perseus, who looked back in awe.
She quickly scooped up the bow and smoothly flung the quiver onto her back. In a single motion, she drew a grey-fletched arrow, quickly notched it, pulling the bowstring back in a single motion. She loosed an arrow and it flew swiftly for a full second, before burying itself into a nearby tree trunk. It was perfect.
She whirled around, her auburn curly hair flying past her, "It seems my brother too shows his regard."
Perseus replied, "Yes, this is amazing, I have always believed in the gods, due to my mother, but after seeing you, now I see these gifts being given… I will need a lot of time to adjust… wait what's this?" Perseus reached for a clay tablet, picking it up, where her quiver had been laying on the ground.
Artemis's eyes widened, and she quickly lunged forward, but, she was far too late. She watched Perseus read to tablet before gaping at the words.
"What the… are you serious? I didn't deserve this!" Perseus yelled up to the sky. Artemis was ready to leap forward again, but was thrown off by his reaction.
"What are you talking about? Give it here." Artemis demanded. Perseus grumbled at her command, but he heeded it, handing the clay tablet over without question.
She quickly looked down to read it and nearly fell to the forest floor.
"Nice punch, I have your back sister."
"I…" Artemis spluttered with laughter, wheezing uncontrollably, "Apollo…" She finally got out. He sides were heaving, and for a couple of moments, she failed to breath. A lack of air scared her, and she quickly tried to suck in as many breaths as she could.
Perseus still frowned next to her, "Yes, blame me. I am the victim here."
Artemis finally had control of herself, "I am sorry, Apollo usually is annoying, like yourself, but I never realized he could have the same effect on others."
"Yes, well at least he solved your weapon problem. Shall we continue to the camp?" Perseus grumbled.
Her spirits were lifted for the time being, and now the thought of the camp rolled back into mind. It couldn't be delayed any longer. Besides, she had weapons now, and wasn't afraid to use them.
"I agree."
===================
Don't forget to throw some power Stones, to keep the story going.
...
if you want to support me or just to read ahead of the public release, you can join my p@treon :
p atreon/Moonhorse