As they flew, Hunter could see the Hunter base camp come into view. This was a smaller hunt, so there were only a few Hunters needed. As they approached, 3 girls came out from the tent. One had blonde hair and bright blue eyes. Odessa. He thought to himself with a sigh. Another was smaller and had jet black hair and dull green eyes. Lily. Just my luck. He smiled as he recognized the third. Philippa. She had dark brown hair and bright grey eyes. She was tall and lean and walked in a way that made it look like she was floating. Hunter knew her very well. She was there to raise him during the first four years of his life and she was there with him on many of his hunts once he went with Artemis to Olympus. They landed near the camp and tied off their pegasi. Hunter slid off Ulysses’ back and waited for Artemis before approaching the other hunters. “We’ve tracked the Calydoinian Boar down into this valley, ma’am.” Philippa said stepping forward. She smiled and gave a nod to Hunter.
“Wonderful, hunters. Good job.” Artemis said nodding to the three hunters. “Hunter. You’ve met Odessa, Lily, and, of course, Philippa.” Hunter stepped forward and stood next to Artemis.
“Yes, ma’am.” Hunter said nodding to each of them. Philippa nodded back; the others stared in disgust.
“Ma’am. All due respect, but was it necessary you bring HIM along?” Lily said sneering at Hunter. Odessa stared at Hunter too. Philippa turned to them.
“Has Hunter given us a reason to hold contempt for him? Has he betrayed his oath?” She said discerningly. Lily and Odessa shook their head. “Good. Treat him as you would treat me.” Philippa turned back to Hunter and Artemis. “We await your orders, ma’am.” She said standing up straight.
“The boar is very fast.” She said after glancing at the small squabble. “It is faster, stronger, and smarter than a normal boar. It won’t be easy to kill. Lily, Odessa, and I will drive it out. Hunter, you and Philippa will be waiting and will attack when it charges. Tyche be with us, we will defeat it.” Artemis said with a small smile. “Let’s go.” She said.
“Umm…ma’am. Could I speak to you for a second?” Hunter said to Artemis. Artemis nodded and excused herself from the other hunters. “I was wondering.” He said clearing his throat. “I was hoping to return to camp after this. Just for a little while, ma’am.” He said. Artemis pondered this.
“After this hunt, you are welcome to return to the camp. You can have the week off, I suppose.” Artemis said with a shrug. “If I need you, I will call.” She finished. Hunter nodded.
“Thank you, ma’am.” He said smiling. Artemis stared at him. “Sorry, ma’am. I’m going.” He said calmly. He grabbed his bag and ran after Philippa. He caught up to her. “How are you, Philippa?” He asked giving her a friendly smile.
“Huh? Oh. I’m doing okay, Hunter. Thank you for asking.” She said. Hunter got the feeling something was bothering, but he didn’t know what. For some reason, she wouldn’t look him in the eye.
“I should be thanking you. I appreciate you standing up for me back there.” Hunter said. He contemplated patting her shoulder, but he wasn’t sure how she would react. Though they were close, they never really made physical contact with each other. It seemed like a taboo among the Hunters. “So any advice for killing this thing?” He asked.
“Umm…Aim for the eyes, I suppose.” Philippa said with a shrug, still not catching his eyes. Hunter furrowed his brow.
“Philippa? Are you doing okay?” Hunter asked finally. He hesitated for a second before placing a hand on her shoulder. She sighed and almost seemed to lean into it. After a moment, she pulled away.
“I’ll tell you later, Hunter.” She said quietly as they arrived in their designated spot. “Take cover and keep your bow ready and your eyes up.” She said before crouching down and then lying on her stomach. Hunter shrugged and followed suit.
After a few moments, Hunter turned to Philippa. “Since it seems like we have more time than I figured, you want to talk?” Hunter said giving her a worried look. She couldn’t meet his eyes. “Philippa. I’m your friend. Friends can trust each other. Now what is it?” He said gently touching her arm for a second before retracting his hand. Philippa took a deep breath.
“Hunter, I-“ She stopped as the sound of motion and a loud squeal broke the quiet. “”Be ready!’ Philippa shouted as she gripped her bow tightly. Hunter sighed at the fact that she was interrupted, but took a crouching stance and aimed his bow at the sound of the beast. He readied an arrow and waited for a sign for attack. Suddenly the boar emerged from the bushes and charged forward. Philippa unloaded an arrow into its side and quickly loaded and fired another arrow into its leg. Hunter knelt there and waited for the perfect moment. Come on…Come on….He thought to himself before seeing his change and firing. He arrow flew through the air and sank itself right into the nostril of the large pig. He faltered, but the arrow didn’t stop it. Hunter quickly loaded and fired again, this time hitting in the eye. It lost speed and stumbled for a moment before collapsing into dust, leaving behind a large tusk. Hunter smiled as the animal went down. He stood up and walked over. Artemis, Lily, and Odessa emerged from the bushes.
“Wonderful job, Hunters!” She said as she strolled over to the tusk. She picked it up and examined it briefly before tucking it under her arm. She began to walk off, but turned back for a moment. “Hunter. Your week off starts now. Way to end on a high.” She said smiling and nodding to him. “Come, girls.” She said as she walked back to the Pegasi.
“Thank you, ma’am! I’ll see you in a week!” He shouted to Artemis’ back. Hunter smiled and bounced on the balls of his feet for a second before turning to Philippa. “What is it you were saying?” He asked, his face starting to become serious. Philippa went back to studying the ground.
“Hunter, I…” Her voice trailed off. She shifted nervously. “I’m sorry you’re a hunter.” She said, her voice catching a little. Hunter looked at her, his head tilted slightly.
“What do you mean?” He asked quietly.
“You were forced into this life, Hunter. You were enlisted for this practically before you were born. I don’t know, Hunter, I just….” Her voice trailed off again. “Hunter, I trained you. I was hoping that you would avoid this life. Being an immortal. Being a Hunter! This isn’t an easy life. If you can call this a life.” She took a deep breath. “Then I saw you again. I met you again. This you. Hunter you. You’re strong and smart and funny and kind. That is wasted on this lifestyle. I was hoping that you would have avoided this. That you would be living a normal life and I…We…” Hunter could see tears welling up in her eyes. Hunter never knew how she felt about him.
“Philippa. I’m-“ Before Hunter could finish Philippa put her hands to his face and kissed him lightly on the lips. She broke away and turned away from her. She stood there for a second before running off up the hill toward their camp. Hunter stood there, frozen. “Am I still immortal?” He asked. He reached up and gently touched his lips. His whole body tingled. “Am I going to die?” He said, shaking his head. After a few moments, he finally composed himself and slowly walked back up the hill. Artemis and the camp were gone. He got onto Ulysses back. “Let’s go back to camp, buddy.” He said his mind still abuzz from the recent events. “Philippa.” He said plainly before a small smile spread across his face.