Sunlight began to creep in through the wooden shutters bathing the small room in a faint golden glow. When Artemis woke she forgot where she was and a brief moment of panic settled in her chest. Jolting upright, the pain of her ordeal last night came rushing back in a series of blurry details. The rain, the pain, the blood, soft and gentle hands, the comfort of a friend, and the feeling of wiping teara away from her cheeks.
Swallowing tightly, Artemis tossed aside the covers, aware of the searing pain in her hands. She could vaguely remember how ugly and wounded they were. In fact, it was a blessing that bandages covered her hands lest the sight of ragged flesh make her nauseous. Head reeling the auburn haired girl stumbled out of the small bedroom blinking furiously as her eyes adjusted to the light.
The house was quiet and the sound of rain still spattering the world outside was almost relaxing. Sighing, Artemis moved to go and collect her clothes from the porch- where they'd been previously discarded-only to notice Zoë slumped over and asleep at the table. Her dark hair sprawled out in a halo about her head. Her lips were slightly parted and the corners of her nose flared with each shallow breathe.
Artemis' face relaxed shifting from the frown she didn't know she'd been wearing to a curious little smile. Padding silently across the room she regarded the slumbering farm girl for a moment longer wondering if she ought to wake Zoë or let her sleep. Pursing her lips, Artemis decided it was best not disturb the slumbering girl and instead ventured outside.
Part of her wanted to get to work again. To feel useful and like less of a burden, but the other part of her knew it was a foolish idea. Instead, she sat in the chair from last night and watched rain spatter on the porch railing. Each drop exploded with gusto, creating a tiny mist of water when it broke apart. Sighing softly Artemis leaned back in the chair resting her chin carefully in her hand and wondering what Apollo was up to back home.
She suspected he'd be grudgingly woken, dressed, and sulking off to the bank to learn about loans and financing. Then there was the rest of town. Hades and Persephone would be opening the shop soon. The crows above the church would be sounding off the morning like imposters for the roosters. While Artemis hated most of Olympus, it admittedly had a bit of charm to it.
Admiring the view and soaking in all that nature had to offer, Artemis found herself rather content. She'd always had a bit of wanderlust in her. Perhaps that was genetic. Then again being stuck on the farm wasn't as stifling as one would assume. It was nice, full of possibilities and unexpected adventures if given time. It was a life Artemis didn't mind having at least for the time being.
"I don't want to wait for breakfast!" Calypso complained loudly from inside.
"We're meeting Hermes first. I need your help with things. You know that." Zoë reminded, venturing out onto the porch with Calypso following close behind. The eldest girl frowned at the rain as she carefully braided back her hair. Calypso on the other hand marched right outside and into the rain heading straight for the chicken coop.
"I didn't know Hermes stopped by here," Artemis noted. She'd always thought he passed straight through Half-Blood and onto Olympus.
"He's a business man," Zoë explained, "if there's a chance for him to profit why not take a little side quest?"
As if speaking of Hermes had some sort of magical power Artemis spotted his three wagon caravan making its way slowly around the hill that shielded the farm from view. The wagons bounced and teetered along, their wooden wheels not used to unpaved terrain.
"Where did you put the rest of the eggs?" Calypso asking, running up the steps with her apron full of fragile white shells.
"Inside. Check the cabinet to the left. Should be on the upper shelf," Zoë directed, venturing down the porch and around the back of the house.
Artemis would be lying if she said she didn't feel out of place at the moment, but she also didn't want to be under foot. Instead, she waited patiently for Hermes to make his way towards the house where he inevitably stopped beside the porch.
He was a man of medium height and slender build with pointed features that gave him a mischievous look. Despite the lopsided grin that indicated he was up to some sort of scheme, Hermes was one of the most honorable merchants Artemis knew of.
"Howdy," Hermes grinned, "didn't expect to see you here given the history-"
"My dad can get over it," Artemis shrugged, standing to lean on the railing where she nodded politely to George and Martha the two other wagon drivers.
"Fair enough," Hermes shrugged, stepping down from his position on the wagon seat as Calypso came hurrying out of the front door.
"I got eggs for you Mr. Funny," Calypso grinned, holding out a carefully padded box full of eggs.
"Ah, thanks kiddo," Hermes took the box with care and moved to settle it in the back of his wagon. Smiling proudly, Calypso moved on to pet the horses, offering them a plethora of free scratches.
Eventually Zoë returned hoisting a heavy basket of apples. Artemis hadn't noticed how sturdy the girl was until now, watching the way she distributed the basket's weight evenly enough to walk with ease. The muscles of her forearms stood out against her coppery skin and her hands were equally noticeable.
"I can get the rest," Artemis offered, moving to step down off the porch as Hermes hoisted the apples into George's cart.
"Sit." Zoë ordered, sparing Artemis a pointed look.
"Yes Ma'am," the Cowboy stammered, taking her seat once more and watching the exchange of goods. Truthfully, Artemis hadn't realized how much had been grown until now, and she was rather proud of the two farm girls.
"Alright, that seems like everything. Is there anything I have that you would like? I'll subtract it from the money I owe you." Hermes decided, strapping down a large basket of corn.
"Pick something you want Cally," Zoë waved her little sister over while she and Hermes discussed what he had to offer.
In the end, Calypso retrieved a series of lollipops much to her liking, and Zoë sorted out the more serious business like food and wears. Once everything was safely put away for both parties, they bid Hermes goodbye and wished him safe travels. As Calypso sat on the porch steps to enjoy one of her candies, Zoë tossed Artemis a pair of thick leather gloves.
"What-" the question died on Artemis' lips as soon as she saw what had just been chucked at her. "Oh, thank you."
"You're not doing anything around here until you're all healed up. When you are, wear those so you don't hurt yourself anymore," Zoë explained, pausing to ruffle Calypso's hair. "You did good this season."
"I did, didn't I?" Calypso grinned, stuffing the lollipop into her cheek.
"Remember though, you stay inside tonight. Lycaon will be stopping by for his share," Zoë reminded much to Calypso's dismay.
"That reminds me," Artemis sighed, glancing between the two siblings as she pieced together her thought, "I have an idea on how to get him out of your hair."
"Really? And what would that be?" Zoë asked, arching a brow.
— — —
Night settled over the land in a thick blanket, and with it the rain only worsened. Artemis waited impatiently on the porch once more for their guests to arrive, only this time they weren't welcome ones. In the distance flickering lanterns threatened to sputter out as a stampede of pounding hooves echoed like the thunder above.
"They didn't have this many horses last time," Zoë worried, watching the growing light wearily. She gripped a newly purchased shotgun in white knuckled hands, swallowing tightly.
"We'll be fine. I'm the best shot in the West." Artemis reminded, tipping her hat as if that was supposed to soothe the other girl's nerves.
Taking the steps with care, Artemis moved to greet the group of men and their snorting horses.
"You again?" Lycaon scoffed. "Don't you have better things to do?"
"Like what?" Artemis asked, aware of the cold rain dripping from the brim of her hat. "I'm making sure this goes smoothly."
"So you hired a body guard?" Lycaon asked, turning to glare at Zoë who remained unphased by his distaste. "Whatever. I'm here for my share. Where is it?"
"Over there," Artemis gestured to a section of the fields they had yet to harvest. They were supposed to do it earlier in the day like usual in order to satisfy Lycaon, but Artemis was counting on her plan.
"You're joking," Lycaon snarled, his venom like gaze falling back on the Cowboy.
"I'm not," Artemis insisted, hand settling on the revolver at her hip. "I'm funnier than that."
"This isn't the de-"
"Actually, the deal was that I leave you what's yours," Zoë interjected. "If you're too lazy to get it yourself then it's not important. Besides, there was never a contract saying I had to harvest it for you."
"In fact there never was a contract to begin with," Artemis reminded.
"You know the consequences of breaking our agreement. Do you really want my friends to have a go at the little girl?" Lycaon asked, arching a brow. "They won't play nice."
"I don't play nice either. Turns out I know your little scheme," Artemis sighed, shaking her head in mock disappointment. "You never had an agreement with their father. You're just a piece of scum preying on little girls and their fears. The only leverage you have is the location of this place."
Lycaon snorted, but as he shifted in his saddle Artemis noted the nervous twitch of his lips. "You know what Olympus does to outsiders. They swallow them up whole. Besides, your father won't take kindly to your...affiliations."
"Good thing we aren't on speaking terms then," Artemis grinned, pointing her revolver at one of the outstretched lanterns. "Take what's yours or it all goes up in smoke. Got it?"
"You wouldn't," Lycaon snarled.
"Try me," Artemis glared, cocking the hammer of her gun.
"You'd burn their house to the ground?" Lycaon laughed. "Where would you even go?"
"I'm not here to burn a house down," Artemis rolled her eyes.
"And what makes you think I won't snitch the moment I get back home?" Lycaon asked, smugly sitting back in his saddle.
With a flick of the wrist, Artemis fired her gun sending Lycaon's hat clean off his head and into the growing mud before any of his friends could draw their weapons.
"Snitch and I shoot a little lower next time," Artemis shrugged.
"Is that a threat?"
"It's an insurance policy." Zoë remarked. "You understand don't you? What was it you always said about Calypso? Oh! She was collateral."
"Guess your life is our collateral," Artemis smirked, rolling her shoulders as if loosening up for a fight.
"Neither of you have killed a man before. You're too green-"
"One, I'm the one with a shotgun pretty boy," Zoë frowned, moving off the porch to size up the thin wolf like man upon his horse, "and two, I'm not above blowing your head off to keep my family and home safe."
"And I've always wanted to shoot you!" The Cowboy admitted, inspecting her gun with care. "Go on. Give me a reason."
Lycaon swallowed tightly as his horse skittered nervously. As if he could understand what the creature was saying, Lycaon caved.
"We'll be back. You'll regret all of this." He warned, his horse rearing back as he spun about.
"I'll be ready for you," Artemis promised, keeping her weapon handy as the group of men rode off back the way they'd come.
Silence fell between both girls as they ventured back to the porch now soaked to the bone. Zoë glared at the darkness as if it too were her enemy. "Do you really think he'll keep his word and come back?" 
"He will. He's petty. But I'll be waiting for him." Artemis promised, leaning against the porch railing. "Like I said. I want him to give me a reason to put a bullet in his perverted brain."
As if to prove her point, Artemis began to load her gun much too Zoë's confusion.
"Wha-was it empty besides that one bullet this whole time?" The farm girl frowned.
Artemis nodded silently at the question. Then with a sigh, she met the bewildered girl's eyes. "I needed motivation to sell my bluff about the 'burning things down' bit. If things turned sour we were screwed, but they didn't know that, and I'm scary enough that they believed it. Besides, ammo isn't cheap and I don't have much of it left."
"You're crazy," Zoë scoffed.
"Yeah, I know," Artemis smiled, moving to sit in the same chair she had in the morning. "You better get used to it little lady. Especially if I'm going to stick around."
"At least warn me next time," the farm girl grumbled, but the corner of her mouth twitched into a smile as she ventured back into the house leaving Artemis to stare down the darkness.