Titans Wrath

Percy: Chapter 9

Flashes of light. That's all I saw for the next few what I assume were minutes, as I drifted in and out of consciousness. I heard whispers and giggles, and I saw the flashes of the forest canopy above my head as I was dragged through the leaves and dirt, still weighed down by the net. My hands had been bound more tightly to the netting to keep me from reaching for Riptide, and my legs were tied together to keep me from running. A voice flitted through the trees in my dazed state. It was soft, and melodical, and soothed my pounding head. 

"My guardian..." 

I was  stuck in this state for I'm not entirely sure how long, before I felt myself get hoisted up and placed into a sitting position. The netting was yanked off of me and I was blinded temporarily as my eyes adjusted and my senses sharpened. I was surrounded by hunters, all of which were wearing masks over their faces, save for the one that turned my face into her foot rest earlier. She was a large, brutish woman with arms big enough to snap a tree trunk in half. She was every bit as tall as I was, and had dark brown hair down to her shoulders. Her two trunks of arms were crossed over her chest, and she wore a glare that reminded me of the way Heracles had stood between his pillars on our trip through Europe those years ago, in the Giant War. Her face was hard and set like stone, and she grunted in disgust as we made eye contact. 

"Some guardian you are." She started gruffly, but I wasn't paying attention. I was already assessing my surroundings. They hadn't brought any water with them, which was smart as they didn't have me bound in celestial bronze, but I didn't need water. A plan already started forming in my head as I just looked up at her and grinned.

"You and I both know if you hadn't caught me unawares, I would have mopped the floor with you and your little band of merry men." I called back tauntingly. My plan revolved entirely around her taking the bait, and take the bait she did. 

"Why you little-" She started towards me with her fist raised, ready to pound my head in, and when her swing came, it came with the force of a dozen sledgehammers, but all she hit was open air and abandoned ropes. I reformed behind her, leaving my mist travel, and before she could turn to see what had happened, Riptides hilt was already connecting with the back of her head, sending her toppling to the ground in a non-moving heap. I laughed and had to do a double take, because I'd never bee able to turn to mist and reform that fast. My moment of celebration was cut short as the creaking of bows filled the air, but before anything could happen I was already a shimmering mist cloud, shooting towards the sky.  

It didn't take long to make it back to the hunters camp, and when I did, Artemis was waiting for me, and she appeared very angry. "Where were you? I sent for you an hour ago!" She yelled, and hunters gathered around. The group that had me tied previously slipped from the tree line just off to our right, and joined the crowd without a sound, including the one who I'd introduced the flat of Riptides blade to earlier. Artemis's foot was tapping impatiently, and she glared at me with an emotion I couldn't decipher swimming in her silver eyes. "Well? Do you care to explain yourself?" She demanded, taking a step towards me. While I had fought her one on one, with her using only a sword, I did not envy fighting her using all her godly skill and force, as well as her signature weapon, her silver hunting bow. 

I glanced at the hunters who had entrapped me once again, and saw a smirk on their faces, and sighed. I looked at Artemis and held her gaze. "I apologize m'lady, its my fault. I got distracted from my duties as Guardian." I dropped to one knee and hung my head in front of her. I heard some small noises of confusion, and silence from Artemis. After a few moments, silence hung in the air like a heavy fog, and I swear everyone was holding their breaths. I didn't dare move from my spot on the ground, still fearful of finding the tip of an arrow leveled between my eyes should I do so. 

Finally, the soft crunch of shoes on gravel broke the silence. They approached from off to my side, and someone spoke up. The voice was gruff, and the grave footsteps gave away the large woman's long stride. The girl who I'd knocked out minutes ago stepped forward. 

"He's lying, m'lady. Myself, along with some other hunters, ambushed him on his journey to see you. Should we have stayed our hand, he would have reached you with no delay. It's our fault he's late, not his." 

I looked up from my spot on the ground, and locked eyes with her. She held a grudging respect in her gaze, before turning back to Artemis. She stood rigid, her feet planted side by side, shoulders squared with her arms behind her back, like a soldier. 

Artemis nodded, before motioning for the hunter to follow, turning on her heels and walking back to her tent. The hunter followed quietly, without hesitation.