Banished

46

Percy PoV

Artemis was frantic and urgent when I got her out of the tub, telling me about how her hunters were in danger and they could be seriously injured or worse.

She appeared dry and in clean clothes. "I have to get them to one of the demigod camps. Will you help me?"

"Of course," I replied, helping her stand. "Whatever you need."

We appeared at the hunters' camp and they were about to rush her when Thalia yelled at them to wait.

"Lady Artemis, it's been almost a month. What happened?" The lieutenant asked.

"I was injured while trying to capture a mutated drakon," she explained. "You need to get everyone packed and ready to stay at a demigod camp."

The girls rushed to do as they were instructed and were ready to go within minutes.

My fiancee tried not to lean on me very much, but found that she was unable to stand without me.

The few hunters who noticed were scared by this. If one of these monsters could incapacitate an Olympian goddess, what might it be able to do to them?

There was a quick vote to decide which camp they would be staying at, and Camp Jupiter won by a landslide.

The hunters linked arms and Artemis put a hand on Thalia's shoulder.

We appeared in the area just past the little Tiber, and the camper on watch nearly fell over from shock before running to get the Praetors.

The camper returned with Reyna, who was surprised to see me but addressed more important matters first.

"Lady Diana, how may Camp Jupiter be of assistance today?" She asked.

My fiancee cleared her throat. "There is a growing threat to demigods in the mortal world, and I fear that my hunters will fall prey to the threat."

"What is this threat?" The Praetor asked.

"I am not to disclose that information yet," the goddess replied. "I only recommend you do not allow any demigods out of the camp unless absolutely vital and that you pass on this warning to your Greek counterparts."

Artemis insisted she sit with her hunters while they set up their temporary camp.

This gave Reyna and I time to speak.

"So, Percy," she started. "What are you doing hanging out with a group of maidens? Did you get castrated during a quest or something?"

I shook my head. "I was made into a god with the rest of the seven. It's really boring, to be honest. There are so many rules I have to follow."

She chuckled and noticed the ring on my finger. "So, who's the lucky lady?"

I grinned. "You're not going to believe me."

"What?" My friend asked. "That you finally popped the question to Annabeth?"

I shook my head. "Nah. Annabeth has been wholly consumed by her work for her mother, whatever it is. I'm marrying Artemis."

Reyna looked at me with wide eyes before glancing over at the hunters. "How in Pluto did you manage that?"

"It's a long story for another day," I replied. "I just know that I'm the lucky one and with Artemis getting married, I'm sure her hunters will be allowed to date. Especially with squared away demigods like you, Praetor."

She blushed deeply. "How did you know?"

"You were searching for a particular face among the hunters when you approached us," I explained. "I'm going to go check on Artemis. See you later!"

I walked over to where the hunters had set up camp.

Evidently, Artemis had told them about my proposal.

I was expecting some sort of attack, verbal if not physical, but was not harmed in any way. In fact, they all seemed happy to see me. "I guess there's a first time for everything."

"We know that Lady Artemis can take care of herself, and she certainly wouldn't have dated a bad guy, much less decided to marry him," Thalia explained.

Artemis took my hand and hoisted herself up. "Thanks for the help."