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."
...
Perseus continued forwards, the rise almost directly in front of them. He still grumbled about his nose, seemingly reminded of the dried blood there. Artemis laughed at him, but focused down on the bow that Apollo had bestowed to her.
It wasn't a godly weapon, but was made of yew on the wings, and had hardwood for the grip. It was sleek, and had a heavy draw, but curved near the ends, which lessened some of the weight for the draw. The arrows were plain, with bronze tips. Nothing special, but a godsend in of itself.
They began walking up the rise, a small incline that was topped by a grove of pine trees. They neared the top, when Perseus held up his hand. Artemis immediately stopped, recognizing the hand signal for hunting. Perseus raised a hand to his mouth, and sharply whistled.
There was a moment of silence in the sunny woods, before a returning whistle pierced the air, and Perseus nodded.
"That'll be the sentry." Artemis followed him as he approached the pine tree grove. As they came near, a man shouldered through the needles. He was dressed similarly to Perseus, and had a youthful face, with a sword strapped to his waist. He wore only a leather chest piece with his tunic. The man, who was just a boy, immediately noticed her. His eyes widened, as he looked to her, then Perseus, and most likely saw his bloodied nose.
"Cleander, wasn't it?" Perseus asked, "You have questions, but I promise you'll hear of it when you return to camp tonight. Continue your watch."
Artemis glared at the boy who looked back to her, as she saw his glance drift downwards. But he heeded Perseus's command.
"Yes sir…" Cleander melted back into the pine grove. Perseus walked around the grove, and Artemis followed, glaring at the grove of trees one last time before huffing.
"Stupid boy."
Perseus laughed, turning his head, "Yes, I met Cleander yesterday. All our sentries are the most youthful soldiers. He is young, but is one of the fastest scouts I've ever seen."
"I bet that he can't outrun an arrow."
"Hopefully you don't do that. I can't protect you if you harm any Macedonian."
Artemis sighed again. It killed her that he was right, and that she needed this protection. Maybe not now, as she had weapons. But even then, she didn't favor a solo trek across Asia, or wherever Alexander dared to go, while avoiding Persian and Macedonian troops. The small solace that she found was that Perseus didn't goad or remind her consistently of the situation. He was genuine, and focused on making sure that they arrived at the Cilician Gates.
They had passed the pine grove, and quickly, Artemis began to see a few tents, bedrolls and fire pits ahead. Some spread into some sparse sections of the woods, but she saw that the majority were nestled close together in a large clearing. It was the only clearing besides the one she had landed in that she had seen in the entire forest so far.
Before they got any closer, Artemis readied herself. She put on a hard-stoic face, and steeled herself. Perseus seemed to understand and walked swiftly. All throughout the fire pits and tents, Artemis could see that there were only half a dozen tents, but the bedrolls numbered in the hundreds. Men lounged around on the bedrolls, and were cooking food, repairing armor and weapons by the fires. One soldier, who was whittling in the sparse trees by a fire, noticed Perseus and herself. It was instantaneous. A few more, then dozens noticed their commanders return, along with his unknown companion. Artemis wrinkled her nose, and met any gaze with a glare. Some were curious. Some suspicious. Others lustful. She trusted the suspicious gazes most.
Perseus was quick however. She heard him draw breath, and release it in a yell that echoed around the clearing and trees.
"OFFICERS, COMMAND TENT NOW!" Perseus then steadily walked forward, and Artemis followed. He weaved through the bedrolls, paying the men no heed as he walked. Artemis mirrored him, and soon, then left the cover of all the trees, and now walked in the sunny clearing. The half dozen tents were arranged in the clearing, but a central tent stood out from the rest.
While the others were a tan grey, the central tent was yellow and lined with purple edges. These were the two Macedonian colors that were used by the Argead dynasty. A royal line that Artemis knew Perseus was now a part of. She watched as Perseus promptly pushed open the flap of the tent, and help it open for her as well.
She ducked inside, as got her bearings. In the middle, was a map of the region on the floor, with a woolen blanket covering ground under the map. The rest was the nature grass from the clearing. In the corner was an armor rack, which on bore the bronze helmet, which had white fiber strands spilling down the nape. On the other side of the tent was a cot, and wooden slate, along with a stylus and row of thin wooden blocks, which were used for messages.
Voices reached her ears, and she whirled, not recognizing Perseus's among them. A dozen men walked into the tent, some in armor, other bare-chested from their longing in camp. They all cast her intense gazes, but did not speak. Unlike the common soldiers, none were disrespectful. After they had all entered, Perseus closed the tent flap and stepped forward. The officers formed a semicircle around the map. Artemis walked slowly towards the other side of the map, ending up directly across from Perseus. Although it wasn't a judgement, it certainly felt like one.
"Men, thank you for not raising a fuss," Perseus began, looking left and right, "This is Cleoxene, of the Amazons."
The officers slowly nodded, giving her more thoughtful glances. Artemis scowled, and glared at Perseus, she knew what Cleoxene meant, and didn't appreciate the humor in it.
"I met her in the southern clearing today, and we had a little scuffle./" Perseus continued, but one of his officers laughed.
"Sir, it looks like more than a scuffle. Wouldn't want word getting out that she got the better of you?" The man, who was shorter than Perseus, but bulkier and muscled, eyed Artemis over. She switched her gaze to him, ready to chew him out.
"Yes, please do let it get out, Cleoxene here is a formidable warrior, I wouldn't want to cross blades with her again. Now the reason I have called you is because after a truce, Cleoxene and I have come to an agreement. I will give her some of my personal funds and she will be our guide back to the Cilician Gates. She reports that there are more Persians along my planned route, and that there is a more secretive route through the foothills to the Northwest."
The man who had laughed nodded, along with others, but one officer asked her a question. He was of average build, and had a short beard like Perseus.
"Are you sure Sir? Can we trust an Amazonian? And how can we be sure of her knowledge of the area?
Artemis switched her gaze to the officer, "I hold no favor with the Persians, boy. But proper payment, and I'll show you the routes I have used all my life in this area. From Phrygia to the great coastal Citadel of Tyre, I have wandered for years."
The same officer opened his mouth, but Perseus cut across him, "Enough, she will be under armed watch during the march tonight. I will kill her myself if she double crosses us. Plus, she has agreed to yield payment until the Cilician Gates."
The officer and others looked to be fine with this. Perseus nodded, "Alright, inform the men of our new guide, and the marched order tonight. It'll be the same as before. And I know what your men are thinking. They try to touch our Amazonian guide, I'll have them hanged. If she doesn't kill them first. Alexander's orders."
The twelve officers clenched their fists to their breasts, "Sir." Then they all filed out of the tent.
Artemis breathed deeply, looking to Perseus yet again, "Did you have to make that last remark?"
"Well its true, isn't it?" He shot back, "You are welcome to go wherever you please, but we are going to pack camp and move after sundown. After we Arrive in the Cilician Gates, Ill make sure you get your own tent."
Artemis opened her mouth to object, but closed it when she realized that there was nothing absurd about his reasoning. "I dislike you Perseus," she ground out.
He laughed, "I know."
===================
Don't forget to throw some power Stones, to keep the story going.
...
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