Percy Jackson: Guardian of the Huntress

"Thank You Percy"

Hello Readers,

Here's the next part. Enjoy!

~Leonidas_son_of_Nike

***

"You appear to be enjoying yourself." I whisper, a ghost of a smirk passing over my face as we look out at the crowd gathered below us.

My goddess shrugs with barely contained excitement, " Perhaps I am. This is a festival in my honor. I have every right to enjoy it."

I bow my head, "Of course Lady Artemis. I did not mean to imply anything else."

Artemis directs her attention from the people and looks at me, "Is there something you wish to say Perseus?"

I shake my head, "No Milady."

"Come now Perseus. I know you well enough. You always become formal whenever you have something on your mind."

I sigh and look at the crowd again, watching the ritual playing out in the town center. Of course, no one noticed two people resting on a hill just outside of town; everyone else was watching the ceremony as well. Once every four year, the town of Brauron holds a festival to honor Artemis. It lasts a few days and ends with a dance of sorts. Young girls, dressed in the pelts of bears, perform a ritual dance in the center of the town. This ends with the young girls shedding the bear pelts, becoming "full women" in the process. There are many symbolic reasons for it, most attributed to Artemis' role as protector of childbirth, but I never truly bothered to learn all of the details of the ceremony. The day after the festival, tomorrow, Artemis' priestesses in the temple will burn the offerings for my goddess. She will never admit it, but Artemis likes that part of the festival the most.

After a few moments to collect my thought, I return my attention to the moon goddess looking at me intently, impatient for an answer.

"Recently I have found my thoughts drawn to the day I became your Guardian." I reply carefully.

She quirks an eyebrow, but says nothing. The goddess of the hunt is notoriously difficult to read, but over the years, I have managed to figure her out. I certainly helps that I have known her longer than almost anyone else. she appears...apprehensive.

"It is about the telekhine, and that strange substance he spoke of."

"Acheronic Oil..." Artemis says slowly, "Do you think it was wise not to alert the council about that?"

I shrug, "I do not know M'Lady. Perhaps it was not, but there is nothing we can do to change that now, other than telling them now."

Artemis nods, "Perhaps that would be the best course of action..." I can hear the question in her voice, which is strange. I have never known her to be unsure of anything.

Perhaps now would be an appropriate time to redirect her. I had not intended to affect Artemis' enjoyment of a festival in her honor by weighing her down with such thoughts.

I force a smile and nudge her gently, "Come now, this is not the time."

My goddess looks at me, confused.

"There is a festival down there in your honor, and here we are conversing on such heavy topics. You should go down there and join the crowd." My smile becomes genuine, "Perhaps even partake in some dancing?"

She looks at me and smirks, "Are you asking me to dance with you?"

I shake my head, "Of course not M'Lady. I would never disrespect you and your oath by doing such a thing."