Prologue
Artemis sat upon a wooden throne decorated with various pelts of animals, many of them no longer roaming the earth. The floor in front the goddess were silk rugs and pillows, should she decided to grant an audience or called a meeting with her Hunters. Her silver bow, carved so that it resembled a gazelle's horns, hung on a polished oak display behind the goddess. In the center, burning without wood or smoke, a golden brazier that kept the tent warm and comfortable. But none of this occupied nor concerned Artemis. She was preoccupied with a laptop, floating at the perfect height in front of her. She was typing on the computer's keyboard when Zoë Nightshade, lieutenant of the Hunters, entered and bowed before the goddess.
"My lady." greeted Zoë. "The Hunter have finished breaking camp. We await thy orders.
"I must really give Hermes credit." said Artemis. "This is groundbreaking."
"My lady?" queried Zoë.
"Oh, I'm merely remarking upon the ease Hermes has given me with this webpage."
"Ease with what my lady?"
The laptop floated in front Zoë. "Gaze upon TheHunt. god. Thanks to Hermes, I have an entire database of potential Hunters at my fingertips."
Zoë seemed confused. "But thy are a goddess, my lady. Did thy not already posses this?"
Artemis considered it for a moment, "I never gave much thought to something like this. Machines and this internet are more of Hermes and Hepheastus forte."
"I see."
"Plus this contraption has given me something to distract myself. I'm particularly found of DemiBook."
"Demibook?"
A page opened on the laptop for Zoë to see. "I believe a son of Hermes invented this. I think he calls a 'social network'. Of course Apollo had yo insisted on some trivial games. You can control a cartoon Demeter or Persephone and plant various kinds of crops. I think there is some sort of trivia game where you must answer questions given by Athena." Artemis rolled her eyes." You can guess the rest from there. I don't care for them much, though I find the cartoon depiction of myself oddly flattering. But my point, this page allows me or any of the other Olympians to see what the demigods are up to. For instance, it has made keeping track this one much easier.
A profile page opened and Zoë frowned when she saw who it belonged to her. "Artemis Raposo Gallezi. I haven't forgotten him."
"I hope not." said the goddess. "He did save your life."
"Only because he was foolish enough to endanger it in the first place." Zoë said respectfully, but firmly.
"That could be argued."
"His words, not mine my lady."
"Ah, I wasn't aware of that."
"My lady, may ask thee a question?" Zoë looked unsure if she should ask or not.
"Yes, Zoë?"
"If it is not too presumptuous, why do thee concern thyself with a single half blood? And a mere boy at that?"
The laptop floated back to Artemis. "Simply put? He intrigues me. He shows potential."
"Potential, my lady?"
Artemis nodded as she clicked through the demigod's history. "He managed to survive on his own in the wild for four years, pursued by the very monster that killed his family all over south and central America, before he reached Camp Half Blood. Then he embarks on a quest not two months later, with meager supplies and unarmed, crossing most of the country to reach Yellowstone National Park on foot. And after sustaining injuries when he dispatched Orion, he still finds the strength to carry you back to camp."
"Which thee rewarded him with a Hunter's bow." Zoë finished, trying hid the hint of bitterness in her voice.
Artemis raised an eyebrow "You disapprove of my decision?"
Zoë quickly shook her head, "No, my lady. But thee of all know the restrictions when using moonsilver weapons."
Artemis nodded. "I did warn him of the repercussions of moonsilver."
"And he still accepted it."
Artemis shrugged. "As long as he leads no maiden astray, he can continue to use the bow or any object made of moonsilver."
"Only if he possesses an incredible of self control." said Zoë. "And we both know that men aren't exactly known for that."
"He may surprise you." Artemis closed the laptop. "Have Phoebe gather the wolves to signal our arrival. We leave within the hour.
"As you command, Lady Artemis." Zoë bowed as he left. "It will be done."
Artemis watched her lieutenant leave, before glancing back at the laptop and thought to herself . Would they be more understanding and accepting of you? If you were my daughter rather than my son?
