Guardian of the Hunt

Chapter 5 (Edited, yet again - 2021)

Percy POV

For the first time in a very long time, I woke up without the heavy feeling in my bones. Exhaustion no longer threatened to paralyze me as I noticed that my energy had picked up, my power reserve refilled and almost overflowing. Yawning, I stretched out like a cat before properly opening my eyes.

Only to realise I was not in my tent.

It was someone else's. The tent itself was mostly white with the odd brown wooden beam providing extra support. A few dreamcatchers lined themselves along the wall above my head, each intricately woven and embroidered with beads. What really caught my eye though was the ceiling. Whoever was in this tent had somehow managed to put the sky into their tent. It was a night sky, stars glittering serenely as the milky way splashed across the middle. The moon itself glowed dazzlingly against the darkness of the sky. I couldn't help but let a small smile dance on my lips as I dragged my hands over the soft blankets. It reminded me a lot of home. My real home. My mum would make her special, soft blue cookies to dip in warm honey and spiced milk. If Gabe wasn't around, hot chocolate.

"Finally, you are awake," someone stated, but it was deathly calm and serious. Artemis sat on a stool a meter from the bed, eyes steely as she crossed her arms over her chest. Her usual silver robes had been replaced with black cargo trousers, daggers tied to her waist by belts and a fur lined hiking jacket wrapped loosely over her skinny eighteen year old frame. I almost didn't recognize her new form as I blinked, taking in her youthful looks, silvery eyes, long auburn hair pulled back into two plaits and freckles that splashed over her pale skin. Up until now she'd been living in her twenty-five year old form and I'd only just realized. Why suddenly change it now?

I was about to ask her why out of pure curiosity before noticing a silver fur-lined sleeping bag laid out on the floor. Was I in her tent?

"My Lady, where am I?" I politely asked, watching as she cringed from her title. I sat up in the bed, craning my neck to get rid of the stiffness. "And...how long have I been in here?"

"It is Artemis to you Perseus, and you are in my tent in my bed. I did not know if you would be OK with me entering your space so I decided my tent would just be easier," she informed, suddenly finding the dreamcatchers behind me very interesting as her cheeks blossomed pink. "You collapsed the day before yesterday at the campfire. It appeared that you were so tired your body forced you into a deep sleep. It's been twenty-nine hours."

"I am sorry My Lady. I have caused a problem for you and I even stole your bed from you. I would happily have gone on the floor. Bed or no bed, it does not make any difference to someone like me." I replied. I smirked slightly, winking at her. "And, you shall forever be My Lady, My Lady, until you call me Percy and not Perseus."

I slowly dragged my fingers through my tangled hair and down my face, wiping the sleep from my eyes. It was certainly time for me to get up and resume my duties. Pushing the thick blankets off of me, I quickly looked around the room for my belongings. "My Lady, where are my weapons and my cape?" I asked, scratching my head. She motioned over to a small table in the corner of the tent with a wave of her hand. Within seconds I was out of her bed, clicking my fingers and equipping myself with my weapons and cape. I thrust my hand out, a small green flash lighting the tent as my scepter dropped into my hand.

"Thank you, My Lady," I bowed slightly, starting towards the exit. She quickly stood up, stopping me just as I reached the tent flap with a hand on my shoulder. Like usual, I flinched away and watched as she cringed, smiling to let her know she shouldn't feel bad.

"I had a word with the hunters by the way. I only very briefly told them the basics as to why you're here. I told them that the Camp abused you and that you've gone through exactly what they've all been through, the only difference being that you're a man. They seemed to listen and agreed to go easier with the pranks and also promised to not prank you at night. I'm not sure how they will treat you from now on but I do know Thalia may have caught on to you are," she smiled lightly, clasping her hands in front of her.