Lucian moved through a series of combat stances, muscle straining with each motion, sweat glistened on his brow.

As he shifted into a defensive posture, the sound of approaching footsteps caught his attention. Stephanos strode into the courtyard.

Lucian paused, reaching for a water bottle nearby. He took a long drink, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand before addressing his companion. "What brings you here?"

Stephanos came to a stop a few paces away. "I've finished my plans for infiltrating Aristos' warehouse near the docks."

Lucian set the water bottle down. "That's good news. What have you got?"

"I had my operatives scan the area, take note of Aristos' operation. The comings and goings, guard rotations, that sort of thing." He paused, making sure Lucian was following. "Best time to sneak in is after midnight. Everyone's guard is down then. They get sloppy."

"That's good, but how are we actually going to sneak in? I'm assuming you've got more than just a timeframe."

"That's why I'm here. We need to train first. Practice how we're going to approach the warehouse, how to move silently, how to blend with the shadows. It's not just about knowing when to strike, but how."

"What about Drakon? Is he in on this?"

"I'd like to involve the old man, but he's not available. Been trying to track him down all day."

"That's odd," Lucian glanced around. "Where could he have gone?"

"Your guess is as good as mine," Stephanos shrugged. "But we can't wait around for him. The two of us should be enough for this job."

Lucian considered this for a moment before nodding. "Alright, I'm in. One more thing though - where does Aristos' accountant keep the ledger? That's what we're after, right?"

"Ah, yes. The ledger. My sources tell me it's kept in a small room on the second floor of the warehouse. Northeast corner. It's hidden in a locked chest beneath a loose floorboard - not exactly ingenious, but effective enough."

"That’s a weird way to hide your ledgers."

"That’s what I’m asking myself. If they hide it that way, that means the information in there is very valuable."

Lucian nodded. "So how do we get into the chest?"

"That's the tricky part. It's secured with a complex lock mechanism. My informant says it requires a specific key, which Aristos keeps on his person at all times. We'll need to find a way to either obtain that key or break the lock without leaving obvious signs of tampering."

"Okay, that gives us something to work with. Any ideas on how we might get our hands on that key?"

Stephanos stroked his chin. "I've got a few leads we can pursue. One of Aristos' servants might be persuaded to help us, or we could try to create a distraction and swipe it ourselves. We'll need to gather more intelligence before making a final decision."

"Sounds like we've got our work cut out for us," Lucian said. "So, when do we start this training of yours?"

"No time like the present. We've got a lot of ground to cover if we want to pull this off."

"Alright then, let's get to it. Show me what you've got in mind."

"First, to the servant."

"Ok. Who’s the guy?"

Stephanos leaned in closer. "He goes by the name of Demetrios. He's been in Aristos' employ for years, but lately, he's been... disgruntled. Seems his boss hasn't been as generous with his coin as he would like."

"And you think this Demetrios might help us?"

"For the right price, yes," Stephanos nodded. "He's willing to meet us, but not in any tavern or marketplace. Too many eyes and ears."

"Smart. So where then?"

"There's an old, abandoned shrine to Hermes just outside the city walls. It's overgrown, mostly forgotten. Demetrios suggested we meet there at dusk tomorrow."

"Bit ominous, isn't it? Meeting at an abandoned shrine?"

"That's the point. No one goes there anymore. It's quiet. Perfect for the kind of conversation we need to have."

"Fair enough," Lucian conceded. "What do we know about this Demetrios? Can we trust him?"

"Trust is a strong word," Stephanos shrugged. "Let's say... we can work with him. He's been with Aristos long enough to know valuable information, but not so long that he's blindly loyal. And from what my sources tell me, he's got a weakness for drachmas and a growing resentment towards Aristos."

"Sounds like a man with motivations we can exploit. But we'll need to be careful. If Aristos gets wind of this meeting..."

"Exactly," Stephanos nodded. "That's why we're keeping this close to the chest. Just you and me for now. We'll assess Demetrios ourselves, see if he's truly willing to help or if this is some kind of trap."

"Alright, I'm in. Dusk tomorrow at the abandoned shrine. Anything else we should know or prepare?"

"Bring a pouch of coins," Stephanos advised. "If Demetrios is genuine, we'll need to give him a taste of what's to come. And be ready for anything. I don't expect trouble, but in our line of work..."

"Expect the unexpected," Lucian finished for him. "Got it. I'll be ready."

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Lucian and Stephanos wrapped up their discussion. He made his way back to his quarters, muscles aching from the day's training.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

After changing into fresh clothing, Lucian felt restless. The cool night air called to him, promising a reprieve from the stuffy confines of the house. He decided a walk might clear his head.

As he approached the door, a familiar figure caught his eye. Drakon stood in the hallway, looking as if he'd just returned from somewhere.

"Old fart," Lucian called out. "Where have you been these past weeks? Stephanos was looking for you earlier."

"Out and about," he replied. "Checking on some old contacts, following up on some leads."

Lucian frowned, sensing the evasion in his master’s words. "Anything specific? Anything that might help us with Aristos?"

"Nothing concrete yet. Just tying up some loose ends. Don't worry about it, boy. Focus on your training."

Without waiting for a response, Drakon brushed past Lucian and continued down the hallway. Lucian stood there for a moment, watching the old warrior's retreating back. Something about his demeanor didn't sit right with him. It was clear he was hiding something.

A nagging thought crept into Lucian's mind. First Stephanos with his protectiveness towards his master, and now Drakon with his mysterious disappearances. Were they keeping something from him? A part of him wanted to confront them, demand answers, but another part hesitated. They had more pressing matters to deal with.

Shaking his head, Lucian pushed the thoughts aside. Whatever was going on with Drakon and Stephanos, it would have to wait. They had a mission to focus on, and he couldn't afford distractions.

Stepping out into the night, he took a deep breath of the cool air. The streets were quieter now, but not deserted. He passed by people hurrying home, merchants closing up shop, and the occasional group of revelers heading to a tavern.

As he walked, Lucian's mind drifted back to their plans. The meeting with Demetrios, the infiltration of the warehouse, the hidden ledger - it all seemed so daunting. And yet, a part of him thrilled at the challenge. This was his chance to make a real difference, to strike a meaningful blow against Aristos.

But as he rounded a corner, the doubts crept back in. What if it was all for nothing? What if they were walking into a trap?

As Lucian walked, lost in thought, a familiar voice suddenly cut through the night air. "Beautiful evening, isn't it?"

He nearly jumped out of his skin, whirling around to find Linus standing behind him, a bemused expression on his face.

"Gods!" Lucian exclaimed. "Do you have to pop out like that every time? You're going to give me a heart attack one of these days."

"My apologies, nephew. I forget how startling it can be for mortals."

"It's fine. Just... maybe a little warning next time?"

Linus nodded, then gestured down the street. "Care for some company? I hear there's a play at the theater tonight."

"Yeah, sure. A play sounds like a good idea."

They made their way to the open-air theater, finding seats on the stone benches. The amphitheater was carved into the side of a hill, providing a natural acoustic that carried the actors' voices clearly to even the highest rows. Torches flickered around the perimeter, creating shadows across the stage.

As they settled in, Lucian turned to his uncle. "It's been a while since I last saw you. What have you been up to?"

"I've been searching for the puppet master behind Kyra's actions."

"And? What did you find out?"

"I have no idea. That's what makes this so frustrating."

"Well, whoever that puppet master is, he’s not stupid enough to bring himself into the light."

"That maybe."

"Then... is it possible Kyra is doing this on his own?"

"It remains to be seen. But I still believe there's someone pulling the strings. Kyra's actions... they don't quite add up on their own."

They fell silent for a moment, watching as the actors took the stage. A woman dressed as Artemis strode across the wooden planks. Opposite her, a man portraying Apollo declaimed his lines with dramatic flair.

The sight of the actress playing his mother stirred something in Lucian. He turned back to Linus. "Uncle, could you tell me more stories about my mother?"

"More stories about your mother, huh? I swear by Zeus, if Artemis could have remembered who she was, this will be an easy breeze."

"What’s the fuzz?"

"Well, these stories should have been told by your mother, not me."

"For crying out loud, if you don’t want to tell it, you should have told me."

"No," Linus raised his hand. "I don’t mean…of course I’m glad to tell you stories about her."

"Ok, then tell me one. And I want a badass one this time."

"A badass one? Sure, I think I can…" Linus leaned back. "You want to hear about your mother's exploits with Hades himself."

"Hades? As in The Hades, the god of the underworld?"

"The one and only."

"Wow. Sure. What happened?"

"Well," Linus began, "it all started when one of Artemis' sacred deer wandered into the Underworld. Now, you have to understand, this wasn't just any deer. This was a magnificent golden-antlered stag, blessed by Artemis herself."

"Ok," Lucian nodded, completely engrossed. "Can you explain that further to me."

"Which one?"

"The blessing."

"You're wondering how it affected the deer?"

"Yes, I am. What made this deer so special?"

Linus leaned back, his eyes taking on a distant look as he recalled the details. "Well, you see, when Artemis blesses an animal, it's not just for show. Her power infuses the creature, changing it in profound ways." He gestured with his hands as he spoke, painting a picture with his words. "This golden-antlered stag... it wasn't just beautiful to look at. Artemis' blessing gave it abilities beyond any normal deer. For one, it was incredibly swift. It could outrun the fastest horses, leap over the widest rivers."

"That must have made it hard to catch."

"Oh, indeed," he chuckled. "But that wasn't all. The deer had an uncanny sense of danger. It could sense a hunter's presence from miles away. And its golden antlers? They weren't just for show either. They could deflect arrows, even those shot by skilled archers."

"Deflect arrows? How is that possible?"

Linus tapped his temple. "Divine magic, nephew. The blessing imbued those antlers with a fraction of Artemis' own power. But there was more. The deer's hooves left no tracks, making it nearly impossible to trail. And it could go for days without food or water, drawing sustenance from the blessing itself."

"No wonder Hades wanted to keep it. A creature like that in the Underworld..."

"Exactly. In the realm of the dead, such a vibrant, living creature would have been a prize indeed. But more than that, it was a symbol of Artemis' power. By keeping it, Hades was, in a way, keeping a piece of Artemis herself in his domain."

"And that's why she was so determined to get it back."

"Precisely," Linus said. "It wasn't just about the deer. It was about what it represented. Your mother's freedom, her connection to the wild, her power as a goddess. She couldn't let that remain trapped in the Underworld."

"What happened next?"

"Hades, being Hades, decided he quite liked the look of this deer and thought it would make a fine addition to his gloomy realm. So he kept it."

"He just... kept it?"

Linus chuckled. "Oh yes. When Artemis found out, she was furious. She stormed down to the Underworld, bow in hand, ready to take on the Lord of the Dead himself."

"Gods. What happened then?"

"Well, your mother marched right up to Hades' throne and demanded her deer back. Hades, of course, refused. Said anything that enters his realm belongs to him."

Lucian could almost picture the scene - his mother facing down the imposing figure of Hades.

"They argued for days," Linus continued. "The Underworld shook with their shouting. Finally, Persephone - Hades' wife - got fed up with the whole thing. She suggested a compromise."

"What kind of compromise?"

"A hunting contest. If Artemis could catch the deer in Hades' realm within three days, she could take it back. If not, it would stay in the Underworld forever."

"And?" Lucian leaned forward.

"And your mother accepted. She spent three days and nights hunting through the gloom of the Underworld. Just when it seemed she might fail, she found the deer drinking from the River Styx."

"Did she get it?"

Linus nodded. "With a single, perfect shot. The arrow passed clean through the deer's golden antlers, pinning it to a pomegranate tree without harming it. Hades had to admit defeat."

"That's... incredible."

"That was Artemis. Skilled, and never one to back down from a challenge. Even against the Lord of the Dead himself."

"Thank you for telling me that," Lucian said. "It helps me understand her better."

Linus smiled. "She was... complex, your mother. Fierce and gentle, wild and nurturing. These stories, they're just glimpses of who she was. But I hope they help you know her, even a little."