Lieutenant

Chapter 8- Family

And so the gauntlet had been thrown down. Orion was not to be trifled with. He was even more present than he had been before. Constantly there. Constantly in the way. Even while buying he would get in the way.

For instance, they had all been trailing a manticore, and rather than waiting for permission to be given for the kill, he had fired his bow and slaughtered the beast before he'd been given the right of passage.

It defiled the kill, let alone the honor of it. It had been Mila's turn and the anger etched in her features was enough for Zoë to know that the others' distaste was only growing. What was worse, Orion did not only fancy the goddess now but seemed to gravitate towards another young nymph.

All Zoë could do was tick the information away in her head. Artemis had become more observant since their conversations, but she still seemed to be mesmerized by his skill. Eager to learn as was her flaw.

He would "teach" her new tricks to practice with the bow. Ways to hunt easier, but Artemis already knew such things she just had not realized it yet. These tricks were ingrained in her bones, waiting to be used, only now they were being realized.

Zoë did her best to remain at Artemis's side, she slept little at night and her fears only grew as Orion became friendlier with the others. She was waiting for the break. Where the weight of his conscious would finally break his resilience.

It was difficult, awkward especially, when he was forced to remain out of sight when the others took turns bathing in rivers or streams. Zoë was quite certain he found ways to remain near while going unnoticed.

Nearly a week after the conversation Artemis had with Zoë, they all stumbled upon a beautiful location. A mountain of rocks with a waterfall cascading over its edge into a deep lake secluded by emerald trees.

The girls had all eagerly explored, they all had the natural need for adventure. Zoë herself partook in the activities and smiled as Artemis excitedly scaled the side of the rocks. She leapt from handhold to handhold like a wild monkey. Strong but lithe.

Zoë was quick to follow, her hands gripping the rocks tightly. She wedged her feet into nooks and crannies until she drew up to the top where Artemis pulled her onto flat ground, smiling brightly.

"Look." The goddess dragged Zoë to her feet and tugged her towards the crystal water that toppled off of the edge. The view was amazing. Off in the distance, Zoë could spot white tunics of the girls running around and chasing animals or each other.

Orion was out of sight as well which was comforting to Zoë. Artemis peered over the edge, her eyes glinting brightly. Zoë could tell what she was thinking before she even did it. Artemis sprang forward, sprawling out like a bird in a graceful free fall. Zoë watched, amused, as there was hardly a splash when she crashed into the water.

Sighing and shaking her head, Zoë leapt after her. Artemis emerged from the water in time to see Zoë completely submerge beneath its surface. She waited patiently until her friend's face popped out of the water.

Artemis smiled brightly when Zoë resurfaced. "The water is the perfect temperature."

"I'll say," Zoë agreed, running a hand through her hair. "Look."

Zoë pointed at a red-colored fish swimming lazily by through the clear water. Artemis chuckled and followed after it, diving beneath the water. Its tail and body moved rhythmically through the water.

Another creature passed by in the opposite direction with four legs that looked like they were covered in a dry greenish leather. It had a hardback. Artemis decided it should be called a turtle.