Final design is Olruggio as a barn owl! I’ll probably revisit this eventually to draw beldaruit, easthies, tartah, and custas, but I have to switch projects for a little bit! These are available as stickers, keychains, prints, and tshirts on my shop!
The Hunter - Chapter 10 - ArrowsofMoonlight - Percy Jackson and the Olympians - Rick Riordan [Archive of Our Own]
A giant wooden horse; hollow and filled with Achaean soldiers.
Was that truly all it took? A single artificial steed, crafted from cannibalized ship parts and left on the beach for the Trojans to find. All on the slim chance that their adversaries would bring it through the city’s gates and leave it there unguarded, instead of burning it where it stood. Zoë wasn’t sure what bothered her more; that the plan was so ridiculous in nature, or that she let it succeed on her watch. Whatever the case, it was difficult to keep breakfast down the next morning. Everything tasted so bitter.
And, clearly, she was not alone in her feelings, if her sisters’ demeanor was any indication. The downcast stares; the picked at food; the complete silence, save for the occasional crackle from the fire. None of them were used to losing. Sure, not every hunt went to plan. There were days where injuries or poor weather got the better of them, and nights when they returned home with fewer hunters than they had left with. But that was never the end. For tomorrow would be a new day, and with it, a chance at redemption. Or at the very least, closure.
But Troy was different. Artemis had ordered them to defend the city, and now that city had fallen. Wiped off the face of the earth as if it never existed, taking every soul that still resided within its walls down with it. There was no lesson to be learned here, and no second chances. They had failed their lady. And nothing they could do would ever change that.
Still, the prospect of a new hunt was appealing. Enough to get through breakfast anyway. Once they finished off the rations Artemis had so generously provided, and the injured were brought back on their feet by ambrosia, the energy started to pick up around camp. Conversation began naturally as they helped each other out of their armor, storing it away in their enchanted packs with a smile. Zoë couldn’t help but stretch when she finally changed back into her normal hunting garb. She had forgotten how light it was or rather, how heavy her armor had been. A weight she was all too happy to be rid of.
Once everyone had been fed and the fire doused, the wilds were theirs again. Artemis led the group with a ferocity that Zoë had never seen, desperate to make up for lost time. They ran through the forest with no restraints; one prey chased down, then another and another; on and on until their quivers were empty and they could finally rest. It was everything their goddess’s domain had to offer, taken to the extreme, and everything Zoë had longed to return to. And with each step, Troy slipped further and further from her mind. Exactly what they needed.
Or at least, it was what most of the hunt needed. For Iphigenia, the intensity seemed crushing. It was easy to forget that, even after a decade of service, the girl had never hunted before. And while Artemis’s blessing kept her from falling behind, and the other hunters offered constant reassurance and support, it was simply too much for the young girl to handle. While the rest of the hunt spent their nights reveling in comradery and victorious feasting, their youngest sister grew increasingly quiet and reserved, withering before their very eyes. To Zoë it was obvious that the girl desperately needed help.
Yet Artemis still pressed on as if nothing was wrong. Not from a lack of care, Zoë would never dare suggest that Artemis didn’t care for her hunters, she knew her goddess better than that, but from a blind spot in her lady’s perception. She trusted that such a lapse was only temporary, and that the problem would be noticed and delt with in time. When three days passed and nothing changed, she decided she could wait no longer. Zoë entered her lady’s tent shortly after dinner, intending to press the issue herself.
Inside, she found Artemis in the middle of one of her nightly rituals, sharpening her hunting knives by the fire. Each pass punctuated by the sound of celestial bronze scraping against stone. It was slow, rhythmic work, and if the trance like stare in her patron’s eyes was any indication, very relaxing. A perfect task for such late hours.
“Would you have a moment to speak, my lady?”
“Please. It’s been far too long.” Artemis didn’t look up, only tiled her head to the pillow on her right, an invitation Zoë took without hesitation, crossing her legs on the soft surface as she settled beside her. “Though, I imagine you’re here for more than just casual conversation.”
Of course. Zoë thought, resisting the urge to shake her head fondly. If only her lady could read every hunter so accurately.
“Unfortunately. I could not help but notice Iphigenia struggling over the past few days. We need to slow down, for her sake, or I fear her condition will only worsen.”
Artemis nodded, bringing one of her blades up to eye level, as she carefully inspected the edge. “She told you this?”
“No, my lady. She did not have to. I have never seen the girl so overwhelmed.”
“Hmmm.” The scraping sound returned, as Artemis thought it over. Zoë was certain that the idea of a hunt being anything but exhilarating was difficult for her to understand. She did not just enjoy hunting; she was the hunt. It would be like a mortal suffering from too much air; an impossibility. But eventually, her hands stopped and she set her blades away with a sigh, finally looking up at her huntress.
“I must have gotten carried away.” She muttered. “Thank you for bringing this to my attention, my nightshade.”
Any joy or pride the title should have brought was soured by the disappointment in her lady’s tone; not at Iphigenia for her struggles, but at herself for not addressing them sooner. Disappointment Zoë hoped to sooth with a gentle touch to her hand and sympathetic smile. “I am certain you would have noticed eventually.”
She shook her head. “Not soon enough…..” The room grew silent again, as Artemis took a moment to consider their options. “I am needed on Olympus in two days; we should have enough food to rest until then. Once I return, we can work on a more permanent solution. I don’t want such problems festering again.”
“Olympus? Is the solstice not months away?”
“Emergency meeting to officially end the war.” Artemis turned her hand, taking Zoë’s hand in hers with a gentle squeeze. “You were invited as well, if you’d like to join me.”
Join her…on Olympus. “Are...are you certain that’s wise?”
“Considering it was Athena’s recommendation, quite certain. She believes that having a representative from the Trojan forces would help ease some of the tension from those of us on the losing side. And you’ve more than earned the recognition.” She must have sensed her companion’s growing concern, as she quickly added. “Of course, if you don’t wish to attend, I will support that decision entirely”
Truly, Zoë did not wish to go. She had already made an enemy of Queen Hera and Apollo’s incessant flirting each time he visited his sister’s hunters wasn’t exactly pleasing either. If the rest of the Olympians were like them, she’d be better off staying home. For her own sanity, if nothing else.
But as she thought about it more, she couldn’t take her mind off of the trip there. The two of them, alone in the goddess’s chariot, with the stars above their only witness. The perfect opportunity to tell her everything.
Zoë turned the helm in her hands, fingers ghosting over the small imperfections in the bronze. One last check, before they were off. Two days of rest were gone, spent entirely on getting her thoughts together while polishing her armor to a mirror shine. Preparations for Artemis and the Olympians. And yet, she still felt uncertain, and found herself wishing she had more time. Even if she didn’t know what she’d do with it.
“Ready to go?” Zoë looked up, meeting a sharp pair of silver eyes that shined in the firelight. Eyes that looked at her with such pride. Eyes that would never see her the same way again.
She committed the image to memory, as she stood and donned her helm. When she finished, she looked down at her goddess, all worries masked behind a polite smile. “As ready as I can be.”
They arrived at the chariot at dusk; Artemis taking the driver’s position, with Zoë right beside her. The space was much more suitable for two people than it had been for a dozen or so hunters, but it still forced them to be close. And once they were airborne, there would be no escape. Exactly what Zoë wanted. But the trip to Olympus was not as expected. For with one flick of the reins a silver light overtook them, forcing her to close her eyes. The chariot began to move beneath them and Zoë braced for a wind that would never come. Instead, there was a sudden pressure and the painful feeling of her head being squeezed from the inside. One that was relieved only slightly when her ears popped. Before the feeling became unbearable, the light subsided, taking the pressure with it. When she opened her eyes again, the chariot had already landed; nestled comfortably between the foliage behind a matching silver temple. She blinked, certain only a minute or so had passed, yet here they were. On Olympus, under the full light of day. It made her head spin more than their journey already had.
“Are you alright?” Artemis asked, trying the reins to front of her chariot before wrapping an arm around the shoulders of her disoriented companion.
Zoë swallowed and nodded, leaning into her goddess’s steading touch. “I was not aware your chariot could travel so quickly.”
“You sound disappointed.”
“I was hoping we would have the chance to speak.” She tilted her head just enough to meet her goddess’s eyes. “About my life before we met.”
The arm around her tightened, pulling her close as the goddess blessed her with a smile that could only be described as warm. “We’ll have to take our time on the way home, then. It seems we have much to discuss. But first…” She tapped the back of Zoë’s breastplate as she pulled back her arm. “We have a meeting to attend.”
Together, they disembarked, Artemis leading them to the council chambers, giving Zoë the opportunity to take in their surroundings. Though the temple in front of them was mostly silver it was adorned with endless carvings; images of hunters and prey, brought to life with immaculate paintwork. Much of it was too high up on the columns to make out completely but was beautiful none the less. She couldn’t help but wonder what the inside looked like, as they walked by. A curiosity to be answered on a future visit, perhaps.
Once they exited the tree covered path along the temple and reached the main road, Zoë got her first glimpses of Olympus proper. There were temples and palaces as far as the eye could see, all treated with the same loving craftmanship as Artemis’s. Each one painted and styled to match their patron’s preferences. Even the streets weren’t spared, as she looked down to find white marble lined with ivory and gold. It was both opulent and reflective of the beings who resided there; the intense egos of the most powerful gods in existence, all fighting for attention. Compared to the uniform black marble of Mt. Othrys, it was almost unbearable to look at.
“It’s a bit much, is it not?”
Artemis laughed. “Honestly, for my family, it may not be enough. Come, and stay close, we still have a ways to go”.
They continued walking forward and upward, until they at last reached the council chambers at the peak of the mountain. What they found behind that final set of doors put the rest of Olympus to shame. Not in decoration, or in wealth, but in sheer power. Twelve towering thrones, set in a half circle around a large hearth. Illuminated not just by the fire, but by stars so close they appeared to be hung on the ceiling itself. Zoë glanced around the room discretely, taking mental note of each of the gods present. As the very embodiment of their domains, each was recognizable on sight, though the statues she had seen of them in the mortal world didn’t do them justice. Ares and Athena were each dressed in armor, eternally prepared for war. Demeter sat on a golden throne of intricately braided wheat stalks, each one ripe and ready for harvest. Hestia tended to the hearth in the center of the room, no longer given a seat of her own, but still held in a position of honor amongst her family. Apollo waved excitedly to his sister as they arrived, as all others seemed too preoccupied to notice.
Hera looked exactly as Zoë remembered, large dark brown eyes, well-kept black hair, a crown displayed proudly atop her head. But today she looked…happy, happier than Zoë had ever seen her. Up there on her throne, she was commanding, victorious, and perhaps most importantly, the very center of her husband’s attention. Everything a queen should be. The look must have been longer than Zoë had intended as, before she could look away, the queen turned, their brown eyes meeting. The moment was fleeting, and nothing about Hera’s demeanor changed, as she quickly turned back to her husband to continue their conversation, unabated. Still Zoë couldn’t shake the feeling that she had walked into a trap.
With a deep breath, she turned back to Artemis, head held high. She had been invited here for her service to her new lady after all, not her old one. And while that service was far from perfect, it was nothing to be ashamed of. She returned to her side as her lady increased in size to take her own seat of power, with Zoë standing respectfully to her right. As she joined her, a voice called from above.
“Well, well, someone’s in a good mood. Excited to show off your new favorite to the family, are we?” Aphrodite leaned on her armrest, getting as close to the Artemis as possible. The goddess of beauty looked more like Apollo’s twin than Artemis ever had, with her long golden curls and bright sky-blue eyes. But then she smiled and Zoë realized her error. She did not remind Zoë of Apollo, but a different son of Zeus. One she’d rather forget.
Artemis crossed her arms, side-eying the other goddess with clear annoyance. “Zoë earned her presence here by her own merits. My favor has nothing to do with it.”
Aphrodite rolled her eyes, unconvinced. “Of course, dear, whatever you say.”
Before they could argue further, Athena joined the conversation from her throne on Artemis’s left. Where Aphrodite’s appearance was one of casual and effortless beauty, Athena’s was one of discipline. So much so that not a single strand of her black hair dared poke out from beneath her helm. “I do have to agree with my sister here. The huntress proved to be quite the adversary for the Achaean forces. I received many a prayer asking for ways to strike her down. Well fought.”
The statement was strange, an acknowledgement of both a decade of hard work and that that the goddess of battle strategy had wanted her dead. But judging by the way her lady smiled, she imagined it wasn’t actually a threat.
“Always so quick with the compliments when you win. Can’t imagine you’d be so kind if you lost.”
“Perhaps, I suppose we’ll never know.” Athena smirked, cold grey eyes shimmering with pride in her victory. “Whatever the case, I’m glad this war is over. I’d much rather fight alongside you, than against you.”
At that, the two virgin goddesses trailed off, mending their sisterhood after a decade of fighting. Zoë closed her eyes, and let them get to it, the conversation not intended for her ears anyway. In silence, she waited for the remaining thrones to be filled, and for the council meeting to finally begin.
Before long, Dionysus stumbled in, the hungover god of wine collapsing on the final empty chair. The clap of thunder that followed was all Zoë needed to know the council was now in session. Zeus led them through the proceedings, starting with the winning side. Hereoes that were able to go home, triumphant in their victory and dead souls to be honored with the everlasting joys of Elysium. But that list was incredibly few. For there were many in need of punishment. The Achaeans had gone too far in their victory, their pillaging so obscene that even the gods found it distasteful. And they paid for it, dearly. Many of the men who had breached Troy’s walls found they never made it back outside them. Through it all, Zoë listened for two names.
Agamemnon, king of Mycenae, father to Iphigenia. He was fated to die upon his return home, a consequence of his willingness to sacrifice his own daughter for fair winds. A reminder that bonds of blood could not be so easily discarded.
Odysseus, king of Ithaca, grand tactician, and architect of Troy’s downfall. He would spend a decade lost at sea, punishment for attacking one of Poseidon’s sons. No specifics were given, but Zoë didn’t care. He deserved to suffer for the wooden horse alone, as far as she was concerned. And the fact not even Athena spoke up in defense of her once favored mortal only confirmed that feeling. Her only annoyance was that the man apparently waited until the war was won to start making terrible decisions.
Once that was done, they covered the Trojan forces. A much briefer conversation, little more than a list of the fallen who had been granted Elysium, all reuniting with prince Hector in death.
“Zoë Nightshade” Zeus called. At last, her time had come.
With one deep breath, she stepped forward. The sound of her armor clanking against itself had never been so loud. She stopped close to the fire, kneeling before the king of the gods in reverence, placing her helm on the floor in front of her. Ready to face judgement.
“Artemis, you have the floor.”
“Thank you father. The huntress before you has served me faithfully for a century, proving to be not only a loyal companion, but a capable leader. One who kept my huntresses safe in my absence, and fought valiantly not only for me, but for all of us supporting Troy. And though that fight ended in defeat, I am certain that she gave that city everything she had and more. For I know she would never have settled for anything less.”
Zoë struggled to keep her head down, as her body surged with pride. Not just at her lady’s words, but the way she spoke them. Such admiration, Such fondness. All directed at her. She focused on keeping her composure, even as her cheeks flushed and lips broke into a smile.
“And yet the city still fell under her watch.” Ares added, from the other side of the council chambers. “If you hadn’t arrived, your precious hunters would have all perished, despite her best efforts. They should have all perished, if you ask me. Staying to fight would have been the honorable thing to do.”
“I disagree.” That was Athena. “A tactical retreat is nothing to be ashamed of, there is a certain value in living to fight another day.”
“Tell that to the Trojans.”
“Our sister’s hunters have been nothing but a boon to Olympus in the past. It would be foolish to let them all perish for nothing”
“And can we trust her to continue that support.” Came the voice of Hera, calm and impassioned, as her nails tapped against her armrest. “Need I remind the council of the full content of her character.”
Remind?
The word hit Zoë like an arrow, striking her hard and with deadly precision. She tried to ignore the sudden chill in her veins as she looked up. Not at her former lady, but her current one. She furrowed her brow in confusion. You knew?
Her surprise did not go unnoticed by the queen. “A hundred years and she didn’t even have the decency to be honest with you?”
Artemis held Zoë’s gaze for a moment, her eyes full of an emotion Zoë wasn’t used to seeing. Pity. A sentiment that quickly faded, as she turned to respond to the queen.
“We were going to speak after the meeting. I have no doubt…”
“Then let’s hear it.” Hera interrupted, turning to the huntress still kneeling before her. “Go on, tell your lady what you’re really like. Explain to her how little your word is worth.”
Zoë wanted to argue back, insist that the past century had changed her, that she was a different person now and such things no longer mattered. But that would be a lie. She would always be Zoë the hesperid, and there was nothing Zoë the huntress could do about it. Her head fell, unable to hold it up any longer, as shame took hold. She shifted her gaze to the eye openings of her helm, something to focus on, to keep her from collapsing entirely. Where would she even begin?
Artemis spoke before she could answer, anger clear in her voice. “No, you have no right…”
“I have no right!? You have no right to bring this treasonous wretch before me and demand I hold my tongue. You brought her here for recognition and I intend to make sure she receives it. For everything she’s done.”
“She’s right.” Zoë knew she spoke the words, but the sound was unrecognizable. Her voice was not one that belonged to the confident huntress she arrived as, but that of a lost hesperid. Someone who would always be alone in this world. “Lady Artemis’s appraisal of me was…incomplete.”
“It was incorrect” Hera reminded her. “But go on.”
“I…I was sworn in service to Queen Hera, tasked with protecting her sacred garden, and I betrayed her. Helped a hero steel one of her golden apples, a treasure no mortal could ever deserve.”
“Which hero?”
“You know which one. Everyone does.”
“Remind me.”
Zoë hesitated. She never wanted to speak that man’s name again, never even wanted to feel the letters form against her tongue in silence. It was an honor he didn’t deserve, and one she had sworn to deny him till the end of her days. But it was the queen’s command, and if she was capable of keeping her word, she wouldn’t be in this mess in the first place.
“Heracles” she hissed. A name that meant glory of Hera but felt more like a curse. Because to her, it was.
“That wasn’t so hard, was it? Now, enlighten us, why did you do such a thing?”
Zoë shook her head. Why? It was the one question she hadn’t prepared for, as she knew Artemis would never have asked it. A question so painful that her vision fogged just from considering her answer. Because truthfully, she could not justify her actions, not even to herself. She threw away everything, her service to her queen, her home, her peaceful eternity with her sisters, even her cherished sword, all for a man she barely knew. When had she become so foolish, so easily used, so weak? Tears began to fall.
“Today, huntress”
“He promised to take me with him” She somehow croaked out in her misery. “See the world outside the garden.”
“So, not even paradise was enough to sate you then.” The queen let the statement hang in the air for a moment, let Zoë feel every bit of contempt held within such few words. “Still, you travel often as a huntress, do you not. So, tell me, was it worth it?”
Images of her time with the hunt flashed in her mind. Joking with the others, as she struggled with her bow. An attempt by her sisters to lift her spirits. Chasing after streaks of silver, smile on her face and adrenaline coursing through her veins. Hitting a monster clean in the eye, turning it to dust before it could strike the injured hunter before her. Catching Artemis’s smile out of the corner of her eye, as they stargazed together. It was a better life than anything Heracles could have ever given her.
A quiet no was her only reply.
“Well,” Hera clapped her hands, satisfied at Zoë’s humiliation. “It appears this huntress has indeed learned her lesson. We can only hope it sticks. Now dear husband, I believe we are done here, unless there was another matter you wished to discuss?”
Thunder cracked again, and the meeting ended, each god filtering out of the throne room. Everything darkened as Hestia took her leave, taking the hearth’s warmth with her. There were fires elsewhere in need of tending. But Zoë hardly noticed. She collapsed in on herself, head buried in her arms on the floor, letting the tears fall freely. She would never outrun the worst mistake of her life; it was foolish she had ever pretended otherwise.
A hand appeared on her back, rubbing soothing circles, bringing just enough lucidity to realize that her lady unsummoned her armor. Zoë wanted so badly to lean into that touch, accept the comfort that was freely given. But how could she, when she no longer deserved it.
“How long have you known?”
“I knew you were a hesperid from the moment we met.” Artemis said, softly. “Hera filled in some of the details at the first council meeting after. Said she wanted to warn me about my newest hunter’s “poor character””. The goddess said those final words as if she didn’t believe them, but Zoë knew they were true.
She nodded, but didn’t lift her head, as another round of tears sprung forth. From the very beginning then. “Then why” Why didn’t you say anything? Why did you bring me here? Why leave me in charge of the hunters? Why even keep me in the hunt at all? These questions and more all raced in Zoë’s mind, to the point that even she didn’t know what she was asking.
“Because it doesn’t matter.” Artemis leaned in, until she could whisper the words in her ear. As if that could make her believe them. “You are a hunter now, one of unquestionable loyalty. I would not have left you in charge if I had any reason to suspect otherwise, and you would not have succeeded in that task if I was wrong. I rely on you, my nightshade, we all do. And for good reason. One century old mistake doesn’t change that.”
“Then you do not know me well enough.”
“Oh? And how well do you think you know me? I’ve certainly made my fair share of mistakes, Zoë.”
“Not like this.” She was certain of it. This was no hunting accident, a split-second decision that could go either way, or even a misunderstanding of her hunters’ limits. This was entirely her own doing. She knew that helping that hero was wrong, every step of the way, and did it anyway. She deserved whatever punishment the fates deemed worthy.
Artemis sighed, hand falling from Zoë’s back as she moved to sit comfortably beside her. “Then you do not know me well enough.” Only when Zoë’s words were echoed back at her, did she realize how much they hurt. A hundred years spent together, knowing each other, reduced to nothing. “I take it you’re familiar with the Pleiades?”
The Pleiades? Indeed, she was familiar. Her much, much older sisters from Atlas’s first relationship with Pleione. There were many lovers that separated them from the Hesperides and countless children, to the point that Zoë didn’t really consider them sisters. But she couldn’t imagine why Artemis would have brought them up at all, the subject change so severe that it brought her out of her grief, enough to sit up anyway. She wiped her eyes and allowed the world to come back into focus.
“Not as familiar as you’d expect. They hardly ever paid our garden a visit, preferring to spend their days with our mother beneath the sea. Why?”
Artemis hummed. “They used to visit Delos every year, back when Apollo and I were small. Always happy to take the two of us off our mother’s hands for a few hours of fun in the sea. Acknowledging us, even before Olympus did. I know it doesn’t sound like much but those days…they were everything to me. So much so that, even as I grew, and founded the hunt, I always returned home once a year to meet them. They were family, after all.”
A trip Zoë had never seen her take.
“What happened?”
The goddess hesitated, as if unsure where exactly to begin. “War broke out against Gaia’s fearsome giants, creatures born to counter the might of Olympus. A punishment for our treatment of the titans. I was tasked with tracking down Apollo’s and I’s fated adversary so we could take him down together. But what I found was a man, not a monster. He was a simple hunter, one that wanted no part of his mother’s war, only seeking satisfying hunts alongside worthy companions. So long as he could have that, he promised he would have no quarrel with us.”
She shook her head. “And I believed him. Enough to bring him here, in front of the council, and vouch for his life after the war was won. And enough to invite him to my hunt in the aftermath.”
“You allowed a man…to join us?” Zoë tried to avoid sounding too judgmental, especially since Artemis had always shown such patience with her. But the idea just felt wrong, viscerally so. And so very unlike the Artemis she had come to know.
The goddess smirked, almost amused at her surprise. “Like I said, I’ve made my fair share of mistakes. Obviously, the others didn’t approve, but I asked them to keep an open mind, certain that they’d come around in time. Afterall, the man wanted everything I did, the hunt part of his very nature, as much as it was part of mine. I thought I met a kindred spirit, another true immortal to share the hunt with. Forever.”
“I could not have been more wrong.” Her words turned cold, her eyes distant, no longer seeing the huntress before her, but a memory she’d rather forget. A feeling Zoë knew all too well. “For while the man was indeed an excellent hunter, with skills nearly rivaling my own, he was not one for sharing. Not when it came to me. It did not matter whether it was his sisters in the hunt, or the Pleiades, or even my own brother. He treated them all as if any moment spent together was a waste of my time, and that he alone was worthy of it. As the superior hunter. By the time I realized my mistake, and asked him to leave, it was too late. I had already shown him how to destroy me.”
She clenched her eyes shut, her next words too painful to even picture. “I heard prayers the next day. Desperate pleas from each of the Pleiades, begging for me to save them, as they were chased by an unstoppable pursuer. And I knew exactly who was after them. But before I could act, the voices vanished, all at once, as father intervened. Sending them to the one place he could never reach” She opened her eyes and turned to the sky, locking in on one constellation amongst the heavens. Zoë followed her gaze, finding a small collection of seven blue stars, all huddled together. One for each of her sisters.
“One mistake…” She said, voice full of sorrow, as a single silver tear ran down her cheek. “And my oldest friends were lost to me forever.”
“That is not your fault.”
“No, don’t act like I couldn’t have known. If my own hunters’ discomfort wasn’t enough of a warning, my brother’s pleading should have been. Apollo begged me not to let that man join us, swearing that I would regret it if I did. But I didn’t listen, as if I could predict the future better than the god of prophecy. I risked everyone’s safety on the word of a man I knew to be dangerous, and in the end, I wasn’t even the one to pay for that arrogance.”
Zoë wanted to argue further, but the words were stuck in her throat. Because, in truth, her lady was right. That man became her charge the moment he took his oath of service, the same as every hunter did. And while that oath did not make the goddess responsible for all of his actions, she was at fault for providing the opportunity in the first place. An opportunity to inflict harm longer lasting than anything Gaia’s children could have ever hoped for.
Still, she had to say something. “Did you at least get justice for them?”
“No, not that I didn’t try. I was furious, of course, tracked him down with blood boiling, intent on wiping his existence from the face of the earth. But again, I was too late. By the time I found him, he was already gone, stung through by a giant scorpion, body turning to dust. One last indignity I suffered at his hands.”
She looked to the sky again, tracing a figure with her hands; a man drawing an arrow for his bow. Close to the Pleiades but forever trailing behind them. Never closing the gap. “All I could do was place what was left of him in the sky, not as an honor, but a reminder of all that he deserves. And when our paths cross again, I’ll make sure he receives it.”
“And has he, have any of the giants, returned?”
“Not yet, but it’s been centuries. Tartarus won’t be able to hold him forever, and when he escapes, if won’t be me he’s after.”
He’ll be after us, Zoë finished in her head, understanding her goddess’s meaning and the threat they were all under. A giant, one powerful enough to take on Artemis and Apollo together, dead set on destroying the hunt. A danger that may even rival her father, and an adversary Artemis entirely blamed herself for. And despite how little she thought of herself that night, for a moment she put her doubts aside. Her lady still needed her. She wrapped an arm around her, and pulled her close, caressing her in comfort. “Then we’ll be waiting.” Together. For as long as you’ll have me.
“Yes, we will.” A bit of the misery left her tone, as Zoë’s words had their intended effect. Artemis shifted, leaning into her fully and closing her eyes, appreciating the huntress before her. “Though, I have not finished my story. For centuries later, I found myself face to face with another nymph, one so similar to the Pleiades she could only be their sister.” She opened her eyes and looked up, voice more hopeful than anything either of them had said that evening. “And I knew then why Selene had sent me so far to find her; a daughter of Atlas and Pleione, one I could still save.”
Zoë shook her head. “I am not my sisters.”
“And I am not Heracles. But the fates brought us together for a reason. Perhaps, they decided to give us both a second chance.”
“Or maybe they think we just haven’t suffered enough yet.” Zoë countered, looking away as her face suddenly became warm. Unsure if even she agreed with her words, but unable to accept Artemis’s. That she could be her goddess’s second chance.
At that Artemis laughed, breaking through a bit of the tension in the air. “Forever the optimist. Very well then, I suppose we’ll have to see which of us is right. But whatever the case, I’m glad they did.”
She untangled herself from her huntress and stood, holding out a hand to her companion on the floor with a smile. “Now, come. I believe we’ve both had enough of Olympus for one night.”
And Zoë took it.
The flight home was exactly what Zoë had originally planned; a relaxing moment together, under the stars. Artemis summoned a bench for them to sit on, sensing her companion was too exhausted to stand for long, a gesture Zoë greatly appreciated. She sat beside her lady in silence, mind fixated on everything that had happened that night.
Zoë had often imagined what speaking to her lady would be like, wondering how she would take it all in. Would she be angry at her huntress for keeping secrets, disappointed that she felt she had to conceal them at all, or perhaps be completely uninterested, too used to hunters with tragic pasts.
But even in a century of musing, she had never imagined it being like this. Never thought her lady could truly understand everything. The pain that came with trusting a man who didn’t deserve it, and the suffering that follows. The shame of knowing that you failed those closest to you, failure you’d do anything to take back. The isolation of keeping all of this a secret from those you hold most dear. All of this and more, a century’s worth of regret, mirrored by the experiences of the goddess beside her. In a way Zoë never would have thought possible. Everything was out in the open now, there was nowhere left to hide, for either of them. And that changed things between them, in a way she couldn't describe.
But she knew one thing for sure.
Artemis and the Pleiades
Heracles and Zoë
Now, Artemis and Zoë
Three times now, the children of Zeus and Atlas, the god sky and the titan who bore it, had met. Two times, such meetings had ended in tragedy. That was certainly no coincidence. But a second chance. Could the fates truly be so kind?
Her eyes drifted over to her lady, driving the chariot forward with practiced ease. To all the world, a goddess of unwavering composure. But Zoë saw more. The tiredness in those silver eyes, radiant as ever in the moonlight. The few loose strands of hair she hadn’t bothered to fix, fluttering gently in the wind. Sitting so close together that the silver aura they shared overlapped; the space between them made brighter together. And despite everything she’s endured, everything they’ve endured, something inside her answered. Yes, they can. Still one question remained. Would she allow herself to receive such kindness?
She took a long breath and looked to the stars. That once mysterious tapestry that her goddess had unraveled before her, one constellation at a time. Even when such tales were ones of great personal regret, and loved ones long passed. Honesty she had yet to fully reciprocate.
“My lady…” She exhaled, gesturing to the sky above them. “It seems we have run out of tales to tell. Perhaps, I could share one of my own?”
“Please.”
Her story was simple. It was not one of proud heroes, fearsome monsters, or prideful mortals, and certainly not one deserving of the stars. No, this was the tale of a nymph, the eldest of five sisters, tasked with maintaining paradise. A millennia of sisterhood, laughter, joy, and pain; a life too long to be summarized in a single night. So, she focused on something she knew her lady would enjoy, the trial of Ladon; learning how to best feed a creature with a hundred heads, and one stomach. All the while, Artemis hung on her every word.
That night, Zoë had her moment of true honesty. The first of many.
Aylin was Selûne’s sword, so it seemed only fitting that her love would be Selûne’s shield. A weapon and her complimentary piece of armor. But shields are made to be struck, a fact Aylin would have liked to have put off, for a little while longer.
Written for Aylin/Isobel Week 2026 - Day 3
To Be A Shield - Chapter 1 - ArrowsofMoonlight - Baldur's Gate (Video Games) [Archive of Our Own]
Aylin was the perfect sword. Her body unbreakable, even to the ravages of time itself. Her skills honed to perfection, until no one could stand before her. That was what she was destined to be; a weapon to be wielded by the Moonmaiden, enacting her vengeance upon the mortal plains and giving both the innocent and the wicked what they rightfully deserved.
It seemed almost too fitting when she met her love, a mortal woman bold enough to declare herself as Selûne’s shield. Someone who would take up the cause not as a weapon, but armor. Armor strong enough to protect all held close to her. A wonderful sentiment, one that only made Aylin love her more.
But in the act of protection, shields are struck, and it did not take long for the pair to be reminded of that fact. Aylin had not even been beside her beloved when it happened, as was often the case in the chaos of battle, but the way Isobel cradled her arm in the aftermath told her all she needed to know. She raised her hand in an instant, calling forth enough magic to dispel her pain, but Isobel refused. It was just a minor blow, she said, an errant swing of a mace that had missed one of their allies and connected directly to the cleric’s shoulder. A painful injury, but not a fatal one; their healing magic would be better spent elsewhere. As always, Aylin trusted Isobel’s judgement and settled for tying a quick sling around her arm, before they got to work healing those who had bravely fought beside them.
It was only when they retired to the privacy of their tent, that Aylin found herself wishing that she had healed Isobel anyway. Her love lay on the cot before her, back finally bare, revealing the full extent of her injury. It looked far worse than the cleric had let on. Her shoulder was completely misaligned and swollen, marked by a dark red bruise larger than Aylin’s hand. And that was only what existed on the surface, there was no telling how much she had broken underneath the skin. It hurt to even think about.
Still Aylin had a job to do. She reached into Isobel’s pack, following the cleric’s instructions to the letter, and pulled out a jar of numbing balm. The medicine felt cold to the touch, but she applied it liberally; ghosting over skin that she would normally caress. Even that was too much for her darling, as Isobel’s grip tightened on the covers at the touch.
“I know how much it hurts.” Isobel said, between gasps of pain. “Seeing me like this.”
If she were in a better mood, Aylin would have laughed at the suggestion that she was the one hurting. Instead, she simply hummed, knowing exactly what Isobel was getting at. “This is not the same.” She replied, reaching into the jar for more ointment. “I would have healed by now.”
She couldn’t see Isobel’s face, but Aylin could sense her rolling her eyes. “And I will be healed by morning, Selûne willing of course. So, no harm done then?”
Of course not. Aylin thought, but didn’t say, unwilling to cede such ground so easily. Because truly, their circumstances could not be more different. Aylin could take on any foe, go into any battle, with absolute certainty that she would live to see the end of it. It would take an act of the gods themselves to keep her down forever. The same could not be said of Isobel. She had come mere inches away from being killed today, from a hit not even intended for her. The simple fact that she could fall so easily, shook Aylin like nothing ever had. Her love was truly so fragile; so long as Isobel fought beside her, Aylin could no longer be sure that she'd escape any battle with her heart unscathed.
Eventually, Isobel sighed, filling the silence since Aylin refused to. “I just want you to remember this feeling, the next time you fly off into danger. I see you like this far too often.”
Aylin thought it through and leaned down to place a gentle kiss on her love’s cheek. “I will be more careful in future.” She meant every word. For if anything happened to her, who would protect Isobel in her absence?
“That’s all I ask.” Isobel turned around, her gentle smile shining as bright as the moon itself. Her spirits lifted for now. “Well, that and a handsome pillow to sleep on, perhaps.”
Aylin smiled back.
They shuffled around slowly, careful to avoid any pressure on Isobel's back, until Aylin found her place beneath her cleric. Strong arms wrapped around the much smaller woman atop her, as they began their rest together. But Aylin did not sleep that night. She waited. Her hands ran through short silver hair, as she counted down the seconds. Until at last, she felt the familiar jolt of her magic returning. Wasting no time, she shifted her hands, until they rested just outside the boundaries of the bruise. Aylin whispered, a portion of her magic draining as easily at it had come, and Isobel sighed, finally relaxing fully into her touch. The injury made a thing of the past, but the memory would stick with Aylin forever.
The Hunter - Chapter 9 - ArrowsofMoonlight - Percy Jackson and the Olympians - Rick Riordan [Archive of Our Own]
Artemis broke the news to her hunters the next morning, after each of them awoke for breakfast. In an instant, the sense of calm that normally accompanied dawn was broken, replaced by an almost nervous tension. One of silence and confused glances across the circle. Each girl convinced that they had somehow misheard, or that this was some kind of joke. But their goddess’s demeanor was clear, this was all too real. As that realization hit, Artemis was bombarded with questions, all of them focused on one central concern.
Why can’t we go with you?
In the chaos, Zoë couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief, as Artemis argued back and forth with a dozen upset hunters, thankful that all the focus was on Artemis’s decision to leave, and not on her chosen replacement. The only acknowledgement Zoë received at all was a congratulatory pat on the back from Mira, as her roommate beamed with pride.
After what felt like hours, the protests died down as a certain acceptance was reached, and the hunters at last dispersed to ready themselves for the battle that lay ahead. But Zoë would not join them. Instead, her goddess took her aside and led her through the winding streets and busy marketplaces of the city, stopping only when they reached the royal palace. Artemis entered confidently and requested an audience, one that was soon granted. Zoë needed to meet their allies, after all, and Artemis needed to make it clear to King Priam that the hunters were not his to command, even in her absence. Two birds killed with one stone.
Priam took it all in in silence, only looking Zoë’s way when the goddess finished speaking. He regarded her strangely as if he didn’t know what to make of her. And Zoë could imagine why. She had fought alongside her goddess for a century now and even trained with the general of the Titans himself, but she carried none of that experience on her face. To all the world she was nothing more than a young woman. And while Artemis herself looked even younger, she had all the power of an Olympian held within that youthful appearance. Power that could not be ignored. Zoë was supposed to take her place? It must have seemed absurd.
But then the man at his right spoke up, a soldier dressed in immaculate bronze armor, with the demeanor of one that knew exactly what war entailed. Hector, the eldest son of Troy. “Well met.” He began, voice cordial but commanding. “We are truly blessed to have your continued patronage, Lady Artemis. Please, let us know if your hunters will need any additional support while you are away.” He turned to his father, with a smile that left no room for argument. With the commander of Troy’s forces on board, the king relented, halfheartedly repeating his son’s sentiment as they made their leave.
With that settled, they spent the next few days getting their affairs in order; final preparations before the goddess was needed on Olympus. Zoë met with her nightly, asking as many questions as she could think of, to cover any potential issue that may arise in her absence. And each time, Artemis would smile and gently remind her that every scenario is unique, there is no right answer to all of them, but she trusts Zoë to do what is right. As if her trust was all she needed.
When the time finally came, the hunters were ready. They gathered outside the temple, each dressed in armor to say their goodbyes. Artemis spared a moment for each one, with many hugs shared and tears cried amongst them all. She approached Zoë last and pulled her into a tight hug.
“Keep them safe” She whispered, soft enough for only Zoë to hear.
“With my life.” Zoë replied, conviction clear in every word.
At that Artemis pulled back enough for their eyes to meet. “And keep yourself safe”
Zoë almost smiled at the correction, wanting to respond with a sarcastic “If I must” and an eye roll. But she could tell that her goddess was genuinely concerned; she needed to be put at ease.
“Of course, my lady”
Artemis held her gaze for a moment longer, to ensure she got her point across, before stepping away. Without further delay, she took her place at the front of her chariot. One hand clasped around the reigns, as she looked over her followers. A final glance shared between them. With a flick of the wrists and a flash of light, she was gone, and the hunters were truly alone.
Zoë let out an exhale, as she felt a dozen sets of eyes settle upon her. “We best be off.” She said, looking over the group. “The fighting should resume in an hour’s time; we need to be ready by then.”
She placed her helmet on her head, and secured her quiver, as she made her way to the wall. Projecting a confidence she didn’t feel. For now, the others followed.
Year 1
Zoë surveilled the battlefield below, finding nothing out of the ordinary. Close to the wall, the greatest of the Achaean and Trojan forces faced off in one-on-one duels. Each one a hard-fought struggle of strength, endurance, and skill between each army’s finest. A spectacle worthy of Ares himself. But Zoë paid them no mind. Hector had insisted that each duel be decided with honor; no outside interference was allowed. And Zoë saw no reason to disagree. The hunter’s talents would be better served elsewhere, namely on the lines of solders gathered 20 yards behind them, locked in an endless stalemate.
The Achaeans had formed their lines well, as they approached the city in tight phalanx formations, each about 8 men wide and 8 men deep. Between the shields and armor, Troy’s archers were all but nullified. There were still openings here and there, lethal shots to be taken, if one was patient enough, but they were so infrequent that it almost wasn’t worth the effort. The natural advantage of the high ground was all but lost.
But not all shots needed to be lethal. Zoë lifted her hand, a signal for the hunters to hold their fire, before drawing back her bow. Her form slow and steady, as she readied her aim. There wasn’t much there, but she fired anyway. A nick on the shoulder, a silver arrow lodged in a thigh, another arrow connecting with only a hand. She continued her barrage of arrows, hitting skin wherever she could find it. In total only 10 men had been hit, though all had been unphased by her efforts. Then she waited.
Before long her first target, a large man that held up the center of the front line, began to slow. His spear arm suddenly sluggish, his shield nearly falling, as his body weakened. An easy kill for their Trojan allies. The two men behind him were next, one suddenly struck with confusion while the other dropped on the spot. From there, the others she hit began to suffer, some worse off than others, but combined it was enough for the phalanx to fall.
The nightshade poisoning had taken its toll.
Poison was not a tool used by the hunters. Artemis wanted her hunts to be a fair contest, a test of skill between hunter and beast. One that wasn’t truly completed until the spoils were taken and enjoyed around the campfire, in respect of the animal’s sacrifice. As such, poisons were highly discouraged, unless absolutely necessary. But Zoë had been a Hesperid, one with a thousand years of experience with all sorts of plants and their cultivation. If any of that knowledge could help turn the tide of this war, she had an obligation as the leader of the hunt to use it. Or at least, that’s what her father would have said, a statement Zoë couldn’t bring herself to disagree with. Only hope that Artemis would understand.
Over months, she tried out different toxins, before finally settling on nightshade, a plant she found herself taking a liking too. Easy to grow, but incredibly toxic. So much that she tended to the task herself, far away from the others. Long nights spent carefully brewing berries, roots, and flowers together, until she was left with potent poison. It was tiring work, and another burden for her to carry alone. But as she looked below, at the fear and panic her poison coated arrows had wrought, it was difficult to argue with the results. Zoë smiled with pride, at last signaling for her sisters to fire. Without their formation, the men were picked off easily, their number reduced by half before their commander could call for a retreat. Zoë watched them flee; the men who had arrived so confident, so desperate for glory, finding only misery and death. And as long as the hunters were here, that was all they would find.
She motioned again, and the hunters paused, taking stock of their arrows. Once more, Zoë scanned the battlefield, until her sight landed on another group of soldiers. There was still work to be done.
When the sun set, and the fighting finally ended for the night, the hunters enjoyed some well-deserved rest at Artemis’s temple. In those moments of joking and laughter over dinner, they could almost forget that they were still at war. But Zoë’s day was not yet finished. She stowed away her armor for the night, taking a few luxurious stretches once she was freed from the weight, and got back to work. She needed to prepare for tomorrow.
With that in mind, she joined her sisters by the fire, grabbing a bowl of food and taking notes on the day’s proceedings. They still had plenty of arrows prepared at the temple but were running low on the supplies needed to make more. They would need to send someone to the market soon and acquire more. She looked at her schedule to see who would be on temple duty in the next few days, one name standing out amongst the rest. A conversation she could no longer ignore.
“Callisto” Zoë said, raising her voice to speak over the normal evening chatter. “You are on temple duty with Iphigenia tomorrow. We are running low on supplies.”
“Why?” Her sister replied, voice tinged with annoyance. Offended that she had even asked.
It took all of Zoë’s willpower not to sigh. Leading the hunters on the battlefield was one thing, her sisters knew the flow of battle well, her orders weren’t much more than a formality at times. But getting them to follow her orders elsewhere was proving to be a challenge. She had expected issues taking over for Artemis, the hunters had never taken orders from anyone else, after all. It was natural for there to be an adjustment period. And they were all under so much stress, brought on both by the war and by Artemis’s decision to leave; they all deserved some patience and grace.
But for reasons Zoë did not understand, Callisto seemed determined to be difficult, as if she was the only one upset that Artemis had left them behind. And it was starting to get on Zoë’s nerves.
“Everyone else has already had their turn. And you have certainly earned the break.” Zoë had tried to soften the blow, but Callisto was having none of it. If anything, her mood only soured further.
“Everyone except for you, of course.”
“I am needed up on the wall, to lead the others, you know that.”
“But you have deserved the break.” She said, her tone matching Zoë’s from earlier. Mocking her.
Zoë let herself roll her eyes at that. “You may not agree with me sister, but I am not wrong. I am trying my best to place everyone where they are most needed. For the good of all of us.”
“Well, where we’re needed most is at Artemis’s side, so I guess you’ve already failed then.”
“And that’s my fault?”
“How is it not? Do you honestly think she would have left us here if she didn’t have someone so eager to replace her?”
Zoë opened her mouth, blood boiling at the accusation, but didn’t get the chance to reply, as Mira interrupted them both.
“Callisto,” she said, laying a calming hand on their sister’s shoulder, completely unphased by the argument between them. “If this is such a big deal for you, I’ll cover for you this time, if you cover for me the next time I’m up.”
The suggestion must have been acceptable, as Callisto’s rage appeared to subside a bit. But she still didn’t seem to want to let this go. “Whatever,” She stood, pulling away from the touch. “I’m going out for a walk; could use some air.” With that, she stormed out, leaving the hunters in an awkward silence. Zoë watched her go, unsure if she should go after her or not, but decided to stay at the temple. She was the last one Callisto would want to see, and Zoë was still enraged at her sister’s accusation. Whether that was the correct decision would remain to be seen, but for now, the hunters could return to their dinner. Even if the air was still uncomfortable.
“If anyone else disagrees with any decision I make…” Zoë started, unsure exactly what she wanted to say, but felt she had to say something. “feel free to speak up. I promise you all, I want Lady Artemis to return as much as you do. And I will do everything in my power to ensure we will all see her again, once this war is over.”
She did not receive much of a response from the girls, only a few nodding heads and soft words of agreement. But she spoke her peace, if only to herself. Another oath made in service of her lady, one she would do anything to keep.
Year 3
A scream pulled Zoë from slumber. Next she knew, she was on her feet, still half asleep, and heading for the door of the temple. Without the cover of a blanket, her thin sleepwear was cold, made colder still by her bare feet on the marble floor. But there was no time to dress, not when one of her sisters needed her.
Or at least that’s what she thought. When she arrived outside, she found Phoebe startled, but not otherwise worse for wear. The same could not be said of the young man on the ground before her, with her arrow aimed directly at his head. His thick linens were that of a Trojan soldier, but judging by her sister’s demeanor, he was no ally. Even in the dark, Zoë could see a thin line of blood dripping down his cheek and that the right hand he held close to his chest was broken. No, not just broken, crushed.
It seemed the situation was not as dire as she had feared.
“What happened?”
“He tried to get me to leave my post.” Phoebe answered, never taking her eyes off the man. “Then tried to grab me when I refused.”
“It’s not what you think…” He started, as if there were a way to defend his actions. Zoë cut him off with a swift kick to the side.
“No, it is exactly what I think, do not pretend otherwise. That you still draw breath is a testament to my sister’s restraint.”
“I’m sorry” He groaned, clutching his side. A pitiful attempt at an apology. But Zoë did not dwell on it. Instead, she turned her attention to someone who deserved it. “Are you alight?”
Phoebe nodded, appearing confident “I’ll be fine.” She said, but Zoë couldn’t help but notice the tension in her posture. Phoebe could hold her bow for hours, if needed, but tonight her arms trembled ever so slightly. Her sister was thoroughly shaken.
“So, what now” Spoke a voice from behind her. One of the small group of hunters who had congregated outside the temple, all stirred by the sudden commotion.
The question should have been simple. The man’s life was forfeit. If Artemis were here, he would have already been transformed into some small helpless creature. One they would hunt down with great satisfaction; see how he enjoys being someone else’s prey. But Artemis was not here, and Zoë could not claim the same divine authority she had. If this was not handled properly, there would be no telling how the Trojans would react, and Zoë did not want to invoke their ire. Not while they were surrounded.
But still…
“We must make an example of him, let the Trojans know that this behavior will not be tolerated. Tie him up. I will take him to King Priam tomorrow morning, and ensure justice is done.”
“Right, and what if the king doesn’t want to deal with him?”
“Then I will deal with him myself. I promise. Does that sound aggregable to you, Phoebe?”
Again, her sister nodded. “Good, I will watch him until then, you should all get some sleep.”
The others had enough sense to not argue and helped her restrain the man before returning to their own peaceful dreaming.
When dawn broke, Zoë all but dragged him to the palace, the man not willing to face the consequences of his actions with any dignity. But that was fine. There was no way he could get away from her, and it gave her ample opportunity to remind him of that fact. When she finally arrived in front of the king, she threw him to his knees.
“What is the meaning of this?”
“This man attempted an assault on one of my hunters last night. He needs to be dealt with.”
Before she could explain further, her prisoner interrupted.
“She’s lying, my king.” He began, voice soft and meek. “I was simply out for a walk, enjoying the cool night air after many hours fighting for our city, when I heard a voice calling to me from Lady Artemis’s temple. As I approached, one of them attacked me, and shoved me to the ground. I did nothing wrong, I swear it.”
A pitiful defense, Zoë thought, rolling her eyes. But the king paused, considering it carefully.
“Do you have proof to back up your claim?” He looked to Zoë, as if she were the accused.
She scoffed. “His injuries are proof enough. We do not bother with men unless we must, my sister would not have attacked him unless he deserved it.”
“So, it is your word against his.” Zoë felt disgusted that he was even deliberating this. Whether he truly did not understand, or simply did not want to understand, she didn’t know. But it didn’t matter. She would make him understand whether he wanted to or not. Zoë spoke her next words slowly, intent on clearing up any confusion on the severity of the situation.
“If you let this go, Lady Artemis will pull her support, I assure you. Were it not for the women and children of Troy, I imagine she would have pulled it already.”
“All for the actions of one man?”
“No” Zoë’s eyes flashed, indicating her annoyance. “For the actions of two.”
Judging by the anxiety that appeared on the king’s face, the point had been made. He sighed and leaned back on his throne. “Very well, I leave him to you.”
The prisoner erupted in anger, struggling against his bindings, in a last-ditch effort for survival. He drew a breath, likely intending to use his final moments to lay every curse he knew upon her name. But he was denied that chance. In a single motion, Zoë drew her hunting dagger and slit his throat. An end fit for a beast. As he collapsed on the floor, she didn’t spare him or the king another glance. Her message was sent.
When she arrived back at the temple, she sought out Phoebe, telling her that the deed was done. If her words were not clear enough, then the scent of blood that clung to her blade was all the confirmation she needed. Phoebe thanked her quickly and went back to putting her armor on for the day, seemingly unphased by the news. But Zoë saw her sister let out a small exhale, saw the relief in her eyes. Phoebe would be ok, and that was all that really mattered.
Year 5
Zoë rested on the roof of Artemis’s temple, admiring the view. There were no trees to block her sight, no buildings in the way. Nothing but an uninterrupted view of the stars; one she’d take advantage of for as long as she was able. On a night like tonight, cool but not cold, clear skies, and complete silence, it was perfect. A time of much needed relaxation. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply, basking in the serenity for as long as she could justify. But as she opened them again, she reminded herself that she did not come here just to look at the stars.
“I do not have much to report tonight, my lady.” She whispered. Her prayer barely spoken to ensure she didn’t wake her sisters as they slept below. A difficult balance to reach, but something she had become used to over the years.
“The war rages on, with no end in sight. Even with reports that the Achaeans are growing weary and that infighting has become commonplace at their camp, you would never know it on the battlefield. They fight with as much resolve as ever, as if they intend to fight to the very last man. I am still certain we will outlast them, your blessing makes it so, but still things have been…. difficult on everyone.”
Zoë sighed. “But, we suffered no injuries today, so I suppose things are still going well”
She paused before proceeding, clearing her mind of some of the lingering frustration with their progress, before proceeding to happier topics. “Iphigenia’s training has progressed nicely, given the circumstances. The girl has picked up archery faster than I did.” Zoë smiled and shook her head. “Though I suppose everyone does. I am still keeping her from the front lines, as we discussed, but I am certain that she will make a fine huntress, once we have put this city behind us.” Iphigenia still had much to learn from the wilds; how to track prey, how to find water, how to move through the forest in effortless silence. But Zoë was confident her newest sister would succeed, and in turn get to experience all the freedom and joy that came with being a huntress. Something they all yearned to return to, after years spent in captivity.
“As for the others, they have begun to respect my leadership. So much so that I have been given a title.” Nightshade. To the Trojans, the epithet was nothing more to a reference to the poison that coated her arrows, weapons used in defense of their city. But she knew that’s not what the hunters meant by it. For them, it was a promise; she who would ensure those who harmed the hunt faced deadly consequences. It wasn’t as grand as the numerous titles her lady claimed, and Zoë still was not sure if she truly deserved the recognition, but she could not help but smile, anytime she was referred to as such. A welcome sign of her sister’s approval.
“I admit, it is strange to receive such honors. I never thought I would be able to call myself more than your hunter, or more than…” more than a Hesperid, Zoë finished in her mind. But that need not be discussed now, that was a conversation that they both deserved to have in person. “Well, I suppose we can discuss this further, when next we meet.” Deep down, she knew there was no guarantee she would ever see her lady again, but that was a thought she refused to entertain. She would see this war through to the end, they all would. They had to.
The moon shined higher overhead, a sign that her time was up. She needed to get some rest, if she was to be of any use tomorrow. Any lingering thoughts or longing for her goddess would need to wait. She sat up and carefully moved to her feet, sparing one final glance at the sky. “I must go for now, my lady. I will speak to you again tomorrow, if I am able. Until then, rest well and goodnight.”
Year 7
“Callisto!”
Zoë turned just in time to see her sister fall. An errant spear had come over the wall, hitting Callisto square in the chest and knocking her off balance. Time seemed to slow as she tumbled over the edge, and into the city below. Gone from their view.
“Mira” Zoë called, as she began her descent, with Phoebe close behind her.
“Already on it.” Mira responded, moving to direct the hunter’s fire, while Zoë attended to more pressing matters.
They found Callisto crumpled on the ground, holding her left leg in pain, but still breathing. It was clearly broken, as was her ankle, both contorted to unnatural angles. But her greave seemed to lessen the damage and kept the bones from breaking the skin.
“We’re lucky this wasn’t worse.” Phoebe said, as she carefully removed her sister’s armor. Zoë could not agree more. She sent a silent prayer to the fates, thanking them for their mercy, before kneeling by Callisto’s uninjured side to give Phoebe room to work. “You will be ok”
“I know…” Callisto tried to say more but was silenced by the pain as Phoebe shoved her bones back in place. The healer grabbed a few arrows from her quiver, breaking their points and securing them on Callisto’s injured leg with layers of bandages, finishing the split with a quick prayer to Apollo, for good measure.
“That’s all I can do here; we’ll need to get her back to the temple.”
Zoë nodded. “I will take her right; you take her left.” Together, they carefully helped her on to her feet, until both her arms were rested across their shoulders. It took some coordination, but eventually, they found their footing and began to limp back home.
“You don’t need to do this, Zoë.” Callisto groaned. “You should head back up, I’m sure Phoebe and I can manage.” But Zoë shook her head.
“I am needed more here. I do not think Lady Artemis would forgive me if I let anything happen to you.”
For once, Callisto did not disagree.
They walked the rest of the way in silence. One grueling step at a time, until they at their destination. Together, they laid her down on her cot as carefully as possible.
“She’ll be fine.” Phoebe said, as she started arranging blankets and pillows around the injured hunter, until Callisto was comfortable. “Probably won’t be back on her feet for a few weeks though.”
“Understood, I should be going then. Let me know if her condition worsens” Zoë turned to head back out, when she was stopped.
“Wait. Phoebe can you give us a moment.”
The healer obliged, leaving to gather a few supplies from her bag on the other side of the temple.
“Thanks again, for the help today. Don’t know if I would have done the same if our positions were reversed.”
Zoë held up a hand. “It was nothing. It will take more than a few harsh words to keep me away. And I have certainly heard worse.” The youngest of the Hesperides, Aigle, once called her a filthy thief for over a hundred years after her favorite hair pin went missing, deciding her eldest sister was to blame. A grudge that was immediately dropped when the pin in question was finally found between some of Ladon’s teeth, never to be brought up again or apologized for. One of the few downsides of immortality, everything lasted longer, including the petty fights between siblings. And while it had been infuriating to deal with at the time, the memory now only brought feelings of nostalgia. Things were so simple then.
“Still,” Callisto grimaced, and Zoë wasn’t sure if it was from the words she struggled to find or the pain. “I was wrong about you. I thought you were doing all this for yourself; for the glory or to get Lady Artemis’s attention. I see now that’s not the case. You’re all right, Nightshade.”
Zoë smiled, despite the circumstances. “I am honored to have your support.”
“Don’t push it.”
She closed her eyes and snickered, before Phoebe returned with the bandages. Her time here was up. She slung her quiver over her shoulder and summoned her bow. “Heal well, sister”
Year 10
The streets of Troy were deserted, its citizens resting after a long day of feasting and celebration. The Achaeans had finally retreated; the war was over. There was no final decisive victory, no last stand, their foes merely left in the middle of the night without warning. As if all of their bravery and bravado that had carried them for a decade finally ran out. It had not been the glorious and bombastic ending that Zoë had expected, but it was an ending that suited her fine.
She walked the streets almost solemnly, with only the moon to light her way. Troy had been home for the longest decade of her life, it almost felt strange to leave it so suddenly. As she meandered through familiar streets, she wondered if she’d ever return. It would not be for centuries, at least, and the city would surely change much in her absence. Become unknown to her again. It was strange to think about, but in a way, it's what she fought to for, the continuation of Troy and its people. But she didn't do it for them.
When she turned the final corner, she found that not all revelry had ceased. The temple of Artemis was fully alive and in the midst of partying, the news of the Achaean’s retreat reaching them before Zoë had. And as always, she was all too happy to join them.
“Zoë!” They called, as she picked a spot around the fire. Crossing her legs comfortably as she settled on one of the pillows and helped herself to some wine.
Mira got her attention with a snap. “Here, catch”
Zoë caught it with one hand, the other still holding her filled cup. She set it on the floor, careful not to spill, and inspected the item she was thrown. It was a helmet, one she instantly recognized was hers, but was confused on why her sister had given it to her. Until she turned it in her hands and saw the plume decorating the top. The silver hair that identified her as one of the Hunters of Artemis was changed, a single purple stripe added down the middle. The color of nightshade flowers.
“Paris came by earlier asking what tribute our goddess would want, as thanks for defending the city. It wasn’t too hard to get some purple dye for our lovely Lady of Nightshades. Along with some food and drink, of course.”
Zoë rolled her eyes at her sister’s Paris impression. Even after a decade of war, the man could be so dramatic. It really was no wonder that he had chosen Aphrodite’s favor over Athena’s and Hera’s. But her expression softened with a smile that grew across her face. “You should not use some of our lady’s tribute for me.”
Mira shrugged and sent a glance over to the statue of Artemis that kept watch over the altar. “I’m sure she approves, she would have let us know if she didn’t, right?” She paused, and stared at the statue, as if expecting some kind of sign. But nothing happened. There was no change in the air, no sudden appearance of one of her sacred animals, or anything really, to show the hunters that their goddess was still listening.
She sighed. “Has she reached out to you at all?”
Zoë shook her head. “No.” It was difficult to be ignored, to be treated as if they were no different than any other mortal. But all that was about to change. “We’ll see her at dawn, will we not? We can ask her then”
Her statement brough out a few cheers from the hunters who had been listening in, excited to see their lady again. One of them lifted a cup, for a toast. “To Lady Artemis, may her journey here be as swift as ever.”
“To Artemis.” They repeated, cups smacking together, a bit of wine spilling on the floor. Zoë grabbed her own cup and took a few more sips. Ready for a night of feasting and fun, now that Troy was finally behind them.
As soon as the wine touched her lips, their night was interrupted by the sound of a large bang from outside. “Zoë?” One of her sisters called. “You’re going to want to see this.”
They joined her at the entrance of the temple and saw the unthinkable. The bright blaze of a thousand torches, all gathered near the front gate of the city, accompanied by the rumble of soldiers charging. The Achaeans had breached the walls, Zoë wasn’t sure how, but that didn’t matter now. Troy had fallen and the pillaging had begun.
She put her hunting horn to her lips, as if by reflex, and blew as loud as she could. The note was clear, even over the sounds of fighting in the distance. But still, nothing happened. There was no flash of light, no arrival of a silver chariot to carry them far away from here. Nothing.
“She left us here to die!!!” Iphigenia screamed, voice panicked.
“No.” Zoë replied, wondering what had gone wrong. Artemis would never abandon them; she was sure of it. And yet, here they were trapped in a doomed city without her. “Something must be keeping her.” That was the only explanation she could think of, the only thing that made sense.
“So, what’s the plan?” Mira asked, as they all looked to her for guidance, waiting for her to find some way to save them.
Zoë looked toward the gate again, the multitude of torches, growing ever closer. She donned her helm. “We need to buy her time. Iphigenia, I want you and the healers to pack everything and ready the wounded for transport. I want us ready to leave as soon as Lady Artemis. Mira, you are here with me, the rest of you, follow Callisto to the roof and summon your bows. I want you to fire on anyone who approaches the temple.
“What about you?”
Zoë drew her sword, for the first time in a century. The weapon Artemis had acquired upon her request didn’t feel as comfortable in her hands as anaklusmos once had, but tonight, it would serve her well. She pointed to the entrance of the temple. “We will stay here to finish off anyone who makes it through your fire. Ensure no one gets through."
With the plan set, everyone went to their respective positions and prepared for the worst. Zoë had grabbed a shield, for extra protection, while Mira had chosen to fight with her pair of hunting knives. Together, they stood watch.
It took some time for any of the invaders to arrive. Artemis’s temple was closer to the outskirts of the city than the entrance, and there were certainly more enticing places to pillage along the way. The first few men to approach them were disorganized and undisciplined, running around as if they expected no resistance. They were picked off easily by their arrow fire. For a while, that was all they faced, careless fools.
Eventually, the men grew wise, noticing their fallen comrades that lay before them and assembled themselves into a quick phalanx; 3 men wide and 3 men deep. They walked slowly forward, shields raised, tight enough to keep the arrows at bay. If they got too close to the temple, they would no longer be in the line of fire from the archers on the roof. The hunt would be overrun. They had to be taken care of.
Zoë ran straight towards them; shield held in front of her. She heard Mira calling for her but didn’t have time to explain, she needed to break the formation before it was too late. The men extended their spears on her approach, intending to run her through. But it didn’t matter. They were mortal men; she was a huntress; they were outmatched. Once in range, she dodged the thrust of the spears and used all her strength to kick the shield of the man in the center, knocking him over along with the two men behind him.
No longer safe behind cover, the men dispersed, some running straight for the temple, while three men surrounded her. She focused her attention on those facing her, trusting her sisters to handle the rest. The first man charged her with his spear, and for a moment she was not fighting these men, but her father. Years spent training, his javelin vs her sword, clashing against each other from dawn to dusk. A battle she could never win. But the spear that came for her now was different, its wielder’s form was sloppy, the charge slow and weak. She sidestepped it easily and countered with a precise slash to the space between his helmet and breastplate. One man down.
His comrades changed their strategy, taking defensive positions behind their shields and trusting the reach advantage of their spears, trying to catch her between them. She dodged them patiently, until she found an opening. With a well-timed shield bash, she shattered one of the spears on impact. Before the now unarmed man could recover and draw his own sword, she rushed in, stabbing straight through his linen breastplate. Two men down.
The final man grew desperate, attacking as soon as she dispatched his companion. But he was still too slow. Using her shield hand, she grabbed his spear and pulled it from of his hands. She broke it over her knee for good measure, before throwing it on the ground before her. Finally taking the hint, he turned to run but did not get far before a silver arrow lodged itself in his neck.
Finally free of combat, Zoë looked around her. Her sisters had done well, killing the soldiers she had been unable to handle herself, even as more of them had approached during the fight. She motioned to Mira to return to their post at the front of the temple, when she heard the rumbling of feet behind her. Another battalion had arrived, over a hundred men strong. Too many, even for the hunters to handle. She looked at Mira, her eyes reflecting the same sentiment Zoë was feeling. This was hopeless, but if they were to fall, better to go out fighting than be taken as some sort of prize by these wicked men. Zoë gritted her teeth and charged, hoping to take as many of them with her to Hades.
Then everything changed. A warm breeze blew through her hair, accompanied by the smell of drying pelts and meat cooked over the fire. Home. The men dropped before her, writhing in agony. They screamed and pulled at their armor, as hair grew over their skin, hands turned to hooves, and helms were pushed off by antlers. Faster than she could blink, the army in front of her had been transformed into a herd of deer.
“Hunters, load up.” A voice called from behind her; one she missed most dearly.
Artemis was there, as if she had never left, her chariot parked in front of the temple as she caught girls evacuating from the roof; carefully placing them on the ground by the chariot, before holding out her hands for another. She looked to Zoë, as if she could feel the nymph’s gaze and their eyes met. Zoë held them there for a single beat and not a moment more, before she nodded and ran to the temple to assist the others. When she finished her final trip, she jumped into the chariot and sat down on an open space on the floor, completing a quick headcount.
“Everyone present and accounted for, my lady”
As soon as the words left her mouth, they took off into the sky. The chariot rose higher and higher until the city below was nothing more than a faint flicker in the darkness. Lit by a thousand torches. Zoë took a long breath; one she hadn’t realized she needed.
“I’m sorry I was late.” Artemis said to them all. “Father wanted to make it very clear that I was only to recue my hunters, no other mortals in Troy.”
“You made it in time.” Zoë assured her, thankful to see her again. “That is all that matters”
Artemis hummed, looking over Zoë as if in thought. She wasn’t sure why until the goddess ran a hand through the plumage of her helmet. “I don’t remember dying this purple.” Approval clear in her voice.
Zoë flushed as Mira nudged her in the side, an unspoken I told you so. “It was the other’s idea, my lady.”
“It suits you well, my nightshade”
If she could have somehow blushed further, she’s sure she would have. Instead, she simply smiled and felt thankful to be under the cover of darkness.
“You should rest, all of you, we have a long flight ahead of us. And I’m sure you’re all tired after fighting for so long.”
The others relaxed, as commanded, but Zoë wanted to stay alert, if only to ask the burning questions that raced across her mind. What exactly had happened down there? How had the Achaeans breached the city? But her eyelids grew heavy, lulled by the cool air and the gentle rocking of the chariot. Her shoulders slumped, as if a weight had finally been removed from them. Unable to fight any longer, she succumbed to rest. Her world finally at peace.
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