Pertemis A Moon's Tale

Chapter XXIII: Tale of The Rift

The room was tense, except Therion, the other Princes implied a heavy atmosphere in the room. No one spoke a word, they only stared at each other. Any wrong move now would lead to a brawl. Perseus stayed at the head of the table, challenging the presence of  all others.

"I say we kill her for good!" Tharnor finally spoke as he slammed his hand on the table. The wood groaned underneath him.

"I have to agree on this" Ecthelion stood up. "She's been causing enough troubles for us. If it wasn't for Therion, I would've finished the job myself."

"No one is laying a hand on her" Perseus at that point had enough. He warned everyone in the room. He knew he was revealing the secret between him and Artemis, he know he was declaring his feeling for her. But at this point, I didn't care anymore. Artemis was in grave danger.

"Don't you dare intimidating us, Perseus!" Tharnor pointed his finger. "It was you who brought her here. I thought you only kept her as a pet, a spoil of war. That's why I never questioned it, never doubted you. Yet...you went out against your people just because of an Olympian!"

"Big Sis is not a bad person. She is nice to everyone in the Clans" Harthon, a flicker of his presence that now shine like a star. Among the Clans, his people are highest in number. Having the Earthen Tail in the war means having the reserve and the vanguard secured. 

"Don't you dare support her, Harthon!" Tharnor growled as he turned to the youngest prince. "Have you forgotten what her people did to you? It was her father that struck your mother with a lightning bold while she was still carrying you. So, that now, you have to be stuck in this...pathetic childish form forever"

Harthon eyes widened as he slumped back to his dark secret, the secret that it people never wanted to share to outsiders. A mark, a pain and humiliation upon a proud race. It was Zeus who made him, despite nearly two thousand years of existence cannot grow up. Cannot mature like his other brothers. Forever condemned and cursed by the Olympian king. His people still held this to heart. Earthen Tail was a peaceful clan, its members preferred talk over fighting. But, ever since the declaration of war was made, his people were one of the firsts to take up arms. Because they couldn't forget, couldn't forgive what Zeus had done to their Prince, their people.

The Lieutenant, who always stood behind the Harthon for every meeting or be his representative when the High Prince is not there stepped forward. His hand gripped Harthon's shoulder for reassurance.

"Please, refrain your words, Lord Tharnor" he warned.

Upon hearing the Lieutenant's voice, the Fire Mane prince calmed down a little. Despite his position as second in command, everyone knew the Lieutenant of the Earthen Tail had a reputation and respect among the Clans. He's even older than Therion himself and the nobility and longtime existence of his House could've made the Lieutenant a High Prince. Yet, his decision to stay loyal to the Earthen Tail Crown earned him the respects of everyone.

"Regardless," Ecthelion shook his head and spoke. "she even dared to break into the dungeon and freed the prisoner. What next? Open the entrance for our enemies?"

"She fought with us!" Perseus bellowed. "She stood along side me in the recent war"

"And that was against the monsters" This time, Glorfindel spoke. He still sat on the chairs, arms folded across his chest. His voice silenced everyone.

The grey wolf turned to Perseus. "What if it was her people that she had to fight. Would she have fought with you? To strike against one of her own? Or she would consider abandoning you"

Perseus wanted to argue. He wanted to say she would never leave him. But, despite all of the trust he had for her, he wasn't sure himself. Artemis was a Princess, born and raised as an Olympian. Even he wouldn't betray his own kin given how much he loved her. So he doubted Artemis would side with him and fight her people, much worse killing them. But, his silence gave them the advantage.