Uprising

And So Begets the War

Artemis was sleeping still, yet she seemed to still see what happened after she fainted in front of Lady Aella. Everything from the desperate running and tears to that young girl they rescued earlier coming in and rescuing her. She had to thank her, at any rate. Her head popped up, and she could see that Alkyone and Lady Aella were both sleep, it was probably dark outside. Artemis got out of bed carefully and tip-toed out to the hallway. She went to the sun room, it was probably where their new guest was. She walked carefully into the room. Even if the womyn was over her initial shock, she might still be a bit jumpy. Artemis found her sitting near the waterfall, the herbs from her bag, in a neat little square beside her. Artemis walked over to her, her feet softly dragging themselves along the grass. “Thank you.......for saving my life back there.........It was really... just, thank you.”

The womyn looked up, instead of the frightened womyn Artemis had met easily almost hours earlier, this one seemed to radiate a wise, omniscient aura. Her blonde hair was pulled over one shoulder, and she was wearing one of the chitons that was in Artemis' pack. “I try. It wasn't anything special, and that wasn't even my forte. No~......On the other hand, I should be thanking you. You rescued me first, and I felt compelled to return the favor.” She motioned for Artemis to sit near her.

Artemis walked over the the womyn, whose omniscient aura seemed to grow stronger the closer you got. She found herself having a hard time standing up, and happily sat down. The womyn took her hand and held it tightly, “Thank you, young one. You saved me, and this isn't something I'll likely forget, mind you.” Artemis shrugged, “I was just trying to help you out, it's nothing. That's just what womyn do.” They sat near the waterfall in silence, aside from the rushing waters. Artemis turned the the girl, “What are you going to do? Now that we've saved you?” The womyn sighed, “Well.....When I'm feeling better, I will probably rejoin my family, but for now....” she then gestured to her own leg, which was in a complete cast. “Your friends said that if it doesn't show signs of healing soon, it might as well be amputated.” Artemis looked down to the ground, “I'm sorry.” The womyn lifted her right hand over her injured leg and held it there. “It's not your fault, my own methods at trying to heal my injured leg have proved futile...”

The womyn's hand began to glow, as did her leg, but her leg soon got dark and cloudy, causing her hand to retreat quickly back to her side. The womyn held her hand for a second and looked over it, to make sure nothing was wrong. Artemis looked on in fascination, “That's what you used to heal me, isn't it?” The womyn nodded, “How do you learn to do that? I've never seen any healer do anything remotely close.” Artemis looked at the womyn eagerly, nothing malevolent, just childish curiosity. The womyn laughed, “Curiosity killed the cat, you know.” Artemis sighed, a puzzled looked on her face, “So~ you're not gonna tell me? And what does this 'cat' have to do with anything?” The womyn took a deep breath, as she rolled into a larger fit of laughter than before. It was clear that she was either never going to answer Artemis' question, or at that moment she was tired and needed to rest.

“If you need to sleep or something-” Artemis started, but was cut off by the womyn staring straight at her, “You are different from the others.....Something strange-, never mind........ You want to know about me? I'm flattered,” she said in an almost dry voice, “Where do you want to begin?” Artemis was a bit nervous, but paused to think, “Umm~ Maybe, what is your name?” The womyn smiled again, “Easy one, I am Athena, and you are?” Artemis smiled, this introduction was actually going well, for once, “I'm Artemis. That's a nice name you have Athena.....If I'm allowed to ask, how is this-” Athena put up a hand, “This will answer everything, I'm sure.”

Right, I just have to put up a good conversation!

Artemis thought, her confidence boosting ever so slightly. It had been months since she'd made a new friend, and maybe she wouldn't scare this one away like back at home. “If I can ask, Athena why were you tied up like that when we meet you?” Athena seemed to have to think on this one, as she placed a hand on her chin and thought, “Hmm~.....I know, I know this one.....Some monster......”