Chapter 1: Orion the Hunter

I am Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt. My twin brother, Apollo, is the god of archery. I always give animals a painless death. Apollo is not as merciful as me, but we get along, despite our differences.

 

I’ve always been independent of men, choosing women as hunting companions sometimes instead. I made my father, Zeus, the king of the gods, promise me he would never force me to marry anyone.

 

I wake as the sun rises, to the sound of birds singing a sweet melody. I get up from my bed of soft grass and gaze into the horizon through the forest. The grass glistens with dew all around me and I feel refreshed, just like every morning.

 

Out of the birdsong, I hear the calm trickle of the nearby stream. Walking to its bank, I dip my hands in its water and cup myself a drink.

        

The water is fresh and sparkling as always. The bright color of fish glows from underneath. Their scales reflect the light. Longing for a bath, I follow the stream down to the clear pond it flows into.

        

When I reach a small waterfall where the river enters the pond, something rustles in the leaves of the trees. I turn to look.

        

It’s a man dressed in a short gray tunic. I stare at him in shock as he runs and jumps into the center of the pond. This makes a big splash, and waves wash over the water. His short black hair appears through the surface of the water before he notices me.

 

“Sorry, I didn’t see you there,” he says.

        

“This is the goddess Artemis’s hunting grounds,” I state, staring down at him with my hands on my hips. “She doesn’t take kindly to strange men, or any men at all.”

        

“Really? Then tell me, what can I do to earn her approval?” he asks with a brash smile.

        

I scowl. “Nothing. She doesn’t trust men because they’re all liars.”

        

“That’s an intriguing notion. Would you arrange a meeting for us to discuss it?”

        

“I am Artemis, and now you will leave.”

        

His smile fades and he gets out of the water. “I’m sorry if I insulted you,” he says. “Won’t you make an exception?”

        

“No. Why?”

        

“Because I’ve traveled far across the sea just to hunt with you. My name is Orion.”

        

I cross my arms as I consider his words. “Then, I suppose I could make an exception, just this once, but you’ll have to prove yourself worthy by hunting down my dinner.”

 

 

The logs crackle with sparks of fire, a pot of fresh venison hanging above it. I sit on the grass facing it, across from Orion, who deterred my wrath by going off on his own to take down a deer with his bow. I found him here later, following the scent of food.

 

“Want to hear a story?” he asks with a smile.

        

“Is it about you?”

        

“Yes. It took place on the island of Chios.”

 

“Okay then, tell me,” I say, trying not to sound to interested.

 

“It began when I hunted all the wild beasts there to win the princess’s hand in marriage, but unbeknownst to me, the king didn’t approve. I made the mistake of drinking with him to celebrate my victory, and he blinded me in my sleep. To recover my sight, a Cyclops guided me to the sun. Then, I returned to Chios, hoping to take the princess in spite of the king, but they both had since fled.”

        

“That’s an impressive feat, hunting down so many wild beasts,” I say, trying not to sound too impressed. “A shame it went unrewarded. How did you cross the sea?”

        

“I walked. I can control water.”

        

“That’s impossible.”

        

“Then tomorrow, I’ll prove it.”

        

“Very well. You can prove yourself further tomorrow,” I say, my curiosity sated for now.

 

I fall silent and look up at the stars, shining bright in the purple sky. The constellations dance before my eyes and the moon is a silver crescent, my symbol. They remind me of my childhood in Troy. I grew up beside Apollo, the god of the city.

        

A five-year battle came. The Greeks laid siege over Troy, led by the king of Achaia. The Olympians were divided over the conflict, and Troy was finally burned to the ground.

        

When I was little, Apollo used to sing songs for me. One was the story of Orpheus and Eurydice, and it was my favorite. Now, I listen to his far-off voice, singing in my head.

 

On a summer’s day,

music starts to play

from a nice, young lad.

It was all he had.

 

Dancing till the night,

now in firelight,

are the others there.

Did they even care?

 

And then he sees her.

She is his only cure.

His music grew,

for now, he was sure.

 

On their wedding day,

music starts to play

from a nice, young lad.

She was all he had.

 

Dancing in the light,

now in bright sunlight,

are the others there.

Would they really fair?

 

Death took her away,

on that sunny day.

 

Where there is no day,

music starts to play

from a nice, young lad.

It was all he had.

 

Dancing in the dark,

now inside his heart,

are the bluest flames.

Could they ever spark?

 

Then he saw her.

She was his only cure.

His music died,

for he was not sure.