A True Hero

Chapter 3

I guess it was to be expected.

"You're.. blind?" disbelief turned into confusion, "but I saw you shoot the monster, that couldn't be luck. Was it instinct?"

"Not really, it's more like... I don't see with my eyes, I can just feel what's there." I felt awkward explaining this to someone I had barely met, but it's not like I was sharing my biggest secret. Besides, I didn't consider the fact a weakness in any way.

She recovered from her shock quickly, her attention stolen by something else, "Can I check out your bow?"

After a moment of thought, I gripped the precious wood and cautiously handed her the weapon. She turned it over in her hands, inspecting the wood and handwork. "Not bad, for a mortal weapon. Let me see the arrows you use." I drew an arrow from my sheath, not handing it to her until she gave back the bow. "The arrowheads must be made from a magical metal mixture of some sort. I'm no expert." She handed the arrow back and I returned it to its sheath.

"Magical metal?" I questioned.

"Demigods and gods use weapons made from celestial bronze or imperial gold to kill monsters from the underworld. It's the only way they can be killed. Well, there's also stygian iron, but that's only used by Hades' kids . You wouldn't want to be one anyways, everyone has some sort of grudge against Hades children."

I considered asking why but decided to discuss more pressing matters, "You mentioned a satyr earlier, and some camp where Artemis is at."

"Yeah, satyrs are these goat-legged dudes that run errands for Camp Half-blood, the Greek camp. I'll let Chiron explain the rest. Just chill, everything's gonna be a breeze from now on. You and your friends will be safe at camp and you got us here to protect you until then. It's almost dark, better do your stretches cause we'll be headin' out soon." She stood, stepping towards the flap of the tent.

"Wait," she halted, "What was the point in killing the daylight and waiting around just to travel by night?"

"Don't tell your friends this, wouldn't wanna worry them, but there's some killer monsters hanging around all day long, they're never around at night. It's smarter to avoid them" she shrugged and stepped out.

As I began to follow I noticed that Carol wasn't very pleased, shielding Nick and Roadie from the other archers. I sighed and pondered on the interesting fact that I was perfectly okay with everything going on right now. I was still somewhat numb from my experience the other day, but I was thinking as I usually did. While talking with Thalia, I made sure they weren't harmed in any way. Although, I may have possibly failed at that considering the state Carol was currently in. I flipped my hood back up, the familiar fabric providing a greater sense of comfort, before any of the others happened to turn my way. I then approached the scene. "Explain." I stated, knowing that Carol would be aware that I was addressing her.

"They shun Nicholas, then ask if I or Roadie would be interested in joining them. They are persistent." Her glare never wavered from the two girls.

I turned them and stated almost boldly, "We are family. We stick together. We do not look down on each other, only on those who look down on us. Whatever the offer may be, let it not be one that splits us apart. That is a warning." I had said it few times before, it sounded different from before. I wondered what impact it would have now.

One of the girls nodded hurriedly, the other crossed her arms and turned away.

"We're leaving," Thalia stated and reduced the tent we were in, to its portable size and turned to us. "Rose, Liz, flank." she turned while gesturing to follow.

"Let's go," I said to Carol and the kids before starting after Thalia. Carol came by my side, ushering Nick and Roadie in front of us, and we headed out.

Liz and Rose stayed a few yards behind us, Thalia leading about the same distance away. Nick and Roadie were chattering away, i'm glad Carol had shielded them from the sight yesterday, I wouldn't have wanted them to see. Carol spoke softly enough for them not to hear, "Are you okay? I didn't get the chance to ask yesterday." I lowered my head trying my best not to recall the atrocity. She didn't mention anything after that.

We eventually made it to what seemed like a war camp. I guess it was in a way. The other two girls parted. We followed Thalia towards one end of the camp, passing many girls similarly dressed to Thalia and carrying the same weapon as well. Nick, Roadie, and, dare I say, Carol as well glanced around, somewhat curious to the sights around them.

"I'll just drop you guys off with the next available satyr and be on my way. The goat'll take you to camp half-blood, Chiron'll fill you in, and all is well.

Carol snapped her head to the girl, clearly angered. I quickly covered Carol's mouth as she was about to speak and asked Thalia, "Where's Artemis?" A few heads turned our way, I retracted my hand but held my stance.

"She's busy," I felt her stubbornness was not intended to be aimed at us, "gods don't always have time to hang around or say hi."

"That may be the case," spoke a girl that seemed a bit younger than me, "but I decided that perhaps it would be wise to greet these young demigods." she glanced over all of us, her eyes lingering on Nick slightly longer than the others, before stopping at me. "After all, I have a feeling you all may be useful assets in the near future." My demeanor changed at the word "assets". I analyzed the girl to notice an overwhelming aura. This was Artemis. Unless, of course, it was some other god that decided to stop by and say hello. I wasn't well educated on Greek mythology, but I knew that Artemis' weapon was a bow and that she was a maiden. That led me to conclude that this was indeed Artemis. I half expected a few people to get on their knees or something of the sort. It never came. "You are skilled with the bow," she said as if she had seen me use it before. All a skilled archer had to evaluate in order to assess someone's power with the bow was one draw, one release. To test experience you would focus on the speed of the draw, the way the fingers were placed and how quickly one aimed at targets placed at various distances.

I didn't give her a response. Carol did. "Why else would he be carrying that piece of wood around?!" she didn't annunciate it as a question, although rather spiteful.

Artemis turned to me, "Would you ever consider getting a new one? The one you have looks rather old." I managed to show my dislike at the thought of a new bow, through my facial features. "I see. Well, considering what my brother has told me, you're going to an upgrade."

I was prepared to argue a storm, that was, until I felt something radiate from behind me. I realized that it was my bow along with the sheath of arrows. The imminent power diminished and I slung my bow into my hands. It didn't seem any different than before. I swiftly snatched an arrow, notching it and drawing the string back in one fluid motion. That took less than a second. Only moving one of my feet, swung around and shot at a tree near the edge of the forest. It was then I noticed something different. It was as if I hadn't pulled an arrow at all. I brought my hand to the feathery tips of the arrows, counting to make sure. There was just as many arrows as before.

"Do not fret young one," she turned to Nick, "you will find a suitable form of protection soon." She looked over all of us once again. "I wish you all safe travels." I nodded in thanks. Roadie smirked, Carol crossed her arms and Nick gaped at Artemis in admiration.

Just as Artemis turned to leave a teenage boy with no shoes on approached. "Alright, let's get this party to-go." he smirked and gestured to the forest, "Hello, I'm River and I'll be your guide today and maybe tonight. We will now be entering the forest of doom," he pointed dramatically at the forest, then composed himself and smiled, "Our destination shall be camp half-blood. You guys are reeking of Greek scent."

After that interesting display, he sauntered into the forest. After looking to Thalia for confirmation, we followed. I couldn't help but notice Carol's facial expression as she looked at Thalia dumbfounded. It read "Do we really have to follow this idiot who just might kill us by talking too much?" Thalia only shrugged.