Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Daughters of Artemis ❯ Chapter 12

Daughters of Artemis: Fourteen

 

The three Furies bowed as one, the warrior women's expressions a mix of determined and respectful. "We must go," the Searcher said simply, "it's past time."

 

"Zeus hates the three of you for hurting him," Diana frowned as the tawny haired huntress said, "he'll try to kill you the first chance he gets."

 

"He can try," the Judge answered calmly. Softening her tone just a bit she said, "Vengeance fought him alone, as has been our custom, but we've learned from our error. When next we face Zeus, he will battle three."

 

"They're right love," Circe told her lover softly as the blonde sorceress continued, "and in truth there is great power in threes, too. Zeus will not find battling them easily."

 

"Thank you for your shelter," Vengeance bowed, her usually cold eyes softened a bit, "we will not forget the debt we owe you."

 

With that the three unearthly warriors left, striding through the jostling crowd in the bar and then out the front door before simply disappearing. Few in the crowd noticed, and those that did knew enough of the supernatural not to comment on it.

 

Diana sighed, "We could have used their help if Zeus ever hit us again."

 

From where she was polishing the bar nearby Descent shook her head wryly, her long and glossy black hair flowing over near bone pale skin. "I still can't get over it," she said with amusement, "gods walk among us."

 

"Where did you think gods went to once they were no longer worshipped?" Circe smirked. A bit more seriously she asked, "How is Sam handling it?"

 

Sister Samantha Theresa was a Templar and a soldier of God who had taken refuge in the bar along with Descent a few weeks ago. After they had both recovered from their various injuries they had adopted the bar as their headquarters, working part time and promising not to bring their crusade into the bar itself.

 

Descent shook her head, "She's not. Instead she's decided that you're merely extremely powerful beings who think they're the old gods."

 

"That's an awfully thin rationalization," Diana blinked.

 

Athena returned from where she had been delivering a round of drinks, the blonde athlete scowling slightly. "Well, whatever gets you through the day," she said, having overhead at least some of the conversation.

 

"You look happy," Circe blinked.

 

"I found out one of my students is being hassled on campus," Athena said to her shortly, "and I may have to take steps."

 

"As in?" Diana raised a worried eyebrow. Despite Athena's wisdom she was known to have a temper, and she might be considering something rash.

 

"Nothing like that," Athena waved it off, "I'm considering a formal complaint, tho. I know they have anti-discrimination policies, they're just not enforcing them."

 

"What's the situation?" Circe asked curiously.

 

"She's one of yours, actually," Athena noted, "Shannon Mcgee."

 

"What?" Circe straightened up in alarm, her eyes narrowing in anger. Shannon was a member of her circle of mystics as well as a good woman, and the idea of her being in some kind of trouble concerned her greatly.

 

"Shannon's being hassled over her being a druid," Athena explained, "despite the freedom of religion provisions at the university. So I expect I'll have to dust off my lawyer cap and go down there to do battle."

 

"You're a lawyer, too?" Descent looked curious.

 

"If it involves using knowledge of information I can do it," Athena calmly explained, "it's one of my godly gifts."

 

"Do you want me to magic up a license?" Circe offered grimly.

 

"No, I plan to take the exam this afternoon," Athena said, "I'll pass, of course. However, are you willing to be an expert if I need one?"

 

"No problem," Circe answered promptly.

 

"Wish I could send someone with you two," Diana sighed softly, "I don't want to think of the kind of trouble you could get into on your own."

 

"What trouble could we get into?" Athena asked innocently.

 

Diana shuddered, "The mind boggles."

 

A young man's bitter complaints soon became known as he strode up, long black hair flowing over his back. "Would somebody please stop that crazy lady?" he bitched, "She groped my girlfriend then grabbed my ass!"

 

"Lead the way," Diana sighed, leaving her lover and sister behind to attend to business. They hurried over to the corner table then Diana bit back a groan, "Her again."

 

Liliandra smiled cheerfully as she juggled beer bottles, sitting cross-legged on top of the table. her blonde hair and glasses made her look deceptively normal, but to Diana's perceptions she seemed to shimmer with chaotic energies.

 

"Hey, back already?" Liliandra smirked.

 

"What are you doing here?" Diana asked, rolling her eyes. Dropping her voice a bit she added, "I thought Loki said you couldn't come here any more."

 

"Dad is such a worry wart," Liliandra shrugged casually, "he's always scared I'm going to trigger Ragnarok early." She looked Diana up and down boldly, "You still seeing Circe?"

 

"Yes, I am," Diana flushed faintly.

 

Liliandra pouted, "Too bad."

 

Diana fought back a headache, "I can see why Loki thinks you're more trouble than Hel, Fenris and the Midguard Serpent combined."

 

"Dad said that?" Liliandra raised her eyebrows in pleasant surprise, "I'm touched."

 

Diana groaned, quickly trying to think of how to reason with what amounted to a chaos goddess. Ultimately deciding it was a waste of time she gave up. "Try not to make too much of a spectacle of yourself?" she asked instead.

 

"Would I do that?" Liliandra batted her eyes innocently.

 

Diana looked around for a familiar face then smiled when she saw her in the crowd and called, "Hey, Amaterasu!"

 

"Yes?" Amaterasu answered, the redhead carrying her cup of sake over with her. She seemed to glow with a regal power, her eyes touched with a gentle kind of mirth.

 

"Meet Liliandra," Diana gestured. Dropping her voice a bit, "You mind keeping her out of trouble for a while?"

 

"I suppose," Amaterasu looked amused by the hungry look in the other woman's eyes.

 

"Susanoo isn't going to mind, right?" Diana remembered to asked.

 

Amaterasu shrugged casually as she answered, "We're estranged now anyway." She sat down at Liliandra's table and smiled at the other goddess, "So, come here often?"

 

Liliandra laughed, "As much as I can."

 

'Good, they should keep each other out of trouble at least,' Diana thought as she headed back up to the bar. "Where are Athena and Circe?" she asked Descent curiously.

 

"They already left," Descent said dryly. She actually smiled slightly, "I think Athena's exact words were that they'd better go before you decided to chaperone them."

 

"Great," Diana scowled.

 

"I talked Sam into going with them," Descent added, "that should help."

 

"Hope so," Diana sighed.

 

To be continued....