Fear of Erebus

Liars At The Council

After what felt like hours and hours of lying awake in bed, my head in turmoil and thoughts racing faster then Atalanta could run, finally, I slipped into peaceful sleep...

Only to be rudely woken up.

I looked up and was met with Thalia's concerned face.

"Is something wrong?" I asked, worried that we were under attack.

"Quick, you need to come, now!" She rushed from the tent, leaving me wondering exactly what had happened to get her so worked up.

I grabbed my bow and quiver before leaving the tent. Prepared for a fight, or battle, rouge monster,  something! If only it was that exciting. Turns out that the big commotion was over Perseus Jackson. Again.

It seems that the boy was telling the truth about his wounds. He looked much healthier today and was walking around on his own, which was a good sign. It meant that he could get the Hades out of here.

Currently, he was feeding sugar cubes to a beautiful black Pegasus, the one he rode during the Giant War, whilst Thalia seemed to be furiously whispering at him.

I looked around the camp, the soft glow of the morning sun had slowly began to break into the sky. The camp fire had died and only it's smoky soul drifted to the heavens. Our camp was quiet and peaceful, all the other hunters were still fast asleep. Well the camp would have been quiet if it wasn't for Thalia muttering.

I sighed, there ought to be a good reason for what's going on this early in the morning. Walking towards them, I began to make out what Thalia was saying. Trying to persuade Perseus to stay.

So he was leaving—smart boy.

When I was within speaking range, Thalia turned to me. "Please, Lady Artemis, order him to stay. He can't just up and leave!" Perseus now turned to look at me too, waiting for my reply but his eyes told me he already knew the answer.

"Now, Thalia, this is an all-girls Hunt. Males are not permitted." Thalia appeared betrayed. I have no idea what she was hoping I would say. When she realised that I would be of no help, she returned to arguing with him. Eventually, Perseus sighed, obviously he was also fed up with Thalia's unreasonable begging.

"Thals, listen, I need to go but I promise that I'll keep in touch. Besides it's not safe for me to be here. I'm a living magnet for trouble."

"No, you listen to me," Thalia jabbed her finger into his chest and narrowed her eyes at him, "you have been gone for four years, gods know what happened down in Tartarus, but for four long years, your friends, your family and everyone else who has cared about you, has thought you were dead!"

"So have the monsters! Once they hear that I'm back, they will travel miles just to get payback."

"We can help you!"

"No, Thals, this is my fight and my fight alone." The two glared at each other for a while, both daring the other to backdown. Soon, Thalia stomped her foot in frustration and walked back to her tent, cursing Perseus all the way.

I was about to do the same when Perseus called my name.

"What?" I asked curiously.

"I would just like to thank you again for your hospitality, I assure you that this will be the last time that I bother you."

I sighed and rolled my eyes. "Well, I doubt that. Knowing you, you'll get into trouble and we'll probably have to save your arse, again."

"You could let me die."

"Yeah, and have Thalia hate me forever? Saving you is a risk I'm willing to take." He gave a sad smile and returned to bridling his steed. "So, where will you go?"