Virginia 1778

The two British platoons marched on a dirt road that had a forest on left side and a corn field on the right side. They had just burned down a town full of rebels angry and supportive of defeating the British. They took any weapons they could use and loaded them onto four wagons. Any men of military age were captured or killed when resisted. Some women were killed when they tried to fight the British after they took the men. The men that were captured were tied to the back of the wagons. Many of the soldiers felt guilty about what they did, but shrugged it off as an act of war.

Unbeknownst to the British soldiers were the flashes of silver in the forest next to them. The flashes were fast, so fast that any redcoats that saw them, thought they were just seeing things. Those flashes of silver were the Hunters of Artemis. Female warriors of the wilderness who were known for being quick, ruthless, and stealthy. They had set up an ambush for the British soldiers farther up the dirt road.

A young women, around the age of sixteen, dressed in silver with a silver circlet ran up to another silver-clad girl, who looked around the age of 13, who was crouching and watching the progress of the British soldiers. The girl crouching was none other than Artemis, goddess of the Moon and the Hunt. She had natural auburn hair and glowing silver eyes. Both girls had lean bodies built for speed and precision. She wore an distasteful and hateful scowl towards the soldiers. Killing the women in the town had angered her very much.

¨The trap is set milady.¨ said the sixteen year old girl. She had hair as dark as night itself, eyes of obsidian and was taller than Artemis. Artemis did not acknowledge what the girl said instantly.

¨Good job Zoe, we shall show those males what happens when they encounter the Hunters of Artemis.¨ Artemis quietly announced with a smile. Neither Artemis or Zoe could have prepared themselves for what happened next.

A whistling sound was heard in the air and then an audible thud. The British lieutenant on horseback in front of the column stopped his horse suddenly. The rest of the column stopped along with him. Some of the other redcoats looked confused at the lieutenant's sudden halt and was curious why he stopped. Their answer came when the lieutenant fell off his horse limply. Lodged in his throat was an arrow, blood was gushing out of the wound. Even though the redcoats were caught by surprise, the column was able to formed roughly around the wagons. They watched for any other signs of attack.

At first both the goddess and her lieutenant were angered, thinking another huntress decided to intervene early. Zoe prepared to stand up and fight, but didn't have the time too when Artemis grabbed her arm to keep her behind their cover. She looked questioningly at Artemis who gestured to the arrow that fell the British lieutenant. While still at a distance, Zoe was able to get a clear view of the arrow that fell the officer. It shocked Zoe that instead of being a silver arrow like the ones used by the huntresses, it was a plain brown arrow. A new player had entered the game.

The sound of horses came from behind the British column. The redcoats wheeled around and set up to engage the coming riders. While waiting they were caught by surprise a second time when colonial militia appeared out of the cornfields. They fired their weapons at the British soldiers, using a type of hybrid warfare that used both muskets and rifles to their advantages. Men with rifles took out any soldiers of rank, while the men with muskets fired at any target. Many of the militiamen were on mark and hit their targets. The captured civilians ducked and layed on the ground so not to be shot.

The British soldiers wheeled their weapons onto the militiamen from the cornfield, but the redcoats were surprised a third time. The second phase of the of the militia´s attack started when more militiamen appeared behind the column on horseback. While the men on horseback with firearms blasted away, the men in the cornfields advanced ready for melee combat. Every once in awhile a arrow would fly through the air and hit another redcoat. The sounds of all the weapons firing was deafening for anyone nearby. Very few redcoats were able to fire their weapons before they were cut down by bullets and blades. Some of the British surrendered when they saw their fellow soldiers fall.

All the while Artemis and Zoe watched their attack from their cover and were slightly impressed at how fluid the attack was. The attack was over in minutes. One rider strode forward and ordered the men to loot the wagons and gather any enemy wounded or prisoners. Most of the militia strode forward and started their duties. The rest of the militia gave care to the captured civilians and watched out for any random British patrols. A rope that fell from above, surprising everyone except the militia. When the end of the rope hit the ground, a man with a bow and a quiver of arrows slid down.

The rider giving orders got off his horse when the civilian prisoners approached him. Many gave their thanks to him and left to go back home. Some of the other civilians asked where they were going after the looting and gathering prisoners and wounded. The rider said that they were bringing the prisoners and weapons to the Continental Army. When the civilians heard this they asked if they could tag along to join up. While surprised the rider told them they could.

Artemis was curious about their identities and wanted to stand up and demand their identities. She had a gut feeling though to stay put for a bit. Zoe was just as curious, but decided to wait for when Artemis was ready to approach. While they were both curious, they were also angry that their chance to kill the redcoats was taken away. Their patient waiting paid off.

The rider who was still dismounted ordered the militia to take the supplies and men to the Continental Army. The enemy prisoners and wounded were loaded into two wagons after the supplies were stuffed in the other two. Any of the civilians who wanted to fight had to ride double with the militiamen. The convoy turned and moved through the cornfield towards the location of where the Army was resting. The rider and another man on horseback stayed behind. The other rider got off his horse and both led them towards a nearby stream to quench the thirst of both horses and riders

The only thing the two riders had in common were black hair and were younger, much like the other men in the militia. The first rider was tall and had green eyes that looked like the waters of the Caribbean. He was lean like a swimmer and had a natural tan. Artemis could sense an aura of the sea around him. The other man had an aura of death around him. He was shorter than the first rider and had dark eyes that looked like shadows. He had a similar build to the taller man. Both had flintlock pistols on their belts and the shorter man had a Greek xiphos at his waist. Artemis could sense a lot of godly power in both riders.

Artemis and Zoe saw their opportunity to capture and interrogate the two men. They quickly took out their bows and nocked arrows, but before they could stand up they were surprised when the first rider spoke up.

¨Be warned, if you are going to use those bows against us, we will defend ourselves.¨ He said. He had not looked up and anyone looking would have thought that he was talking to the other rider. The shorter man did not react and both continued drinking. Artemis decided it would be best to stand up and be ready to fight, while Zoe copied her movements.

¨Who are you and why are you interfering with our hunt?¨ Artemis demanded. The man looked up and was about to speak before his eyes darted behind Artemis. He reacted as fast as a huntress and pulled a flintlock pistol he had on his belt and fired it. Both Artemis and Zoe loosed their arrows when he pulled his pistol. Their arrows were stopped before they reached the rider by the other man when he pulled his xiphos and cut them in half.

Artemis and her lieutenant were about to load another arrow when they heard a thump behind them. They turned to see a man who had a similar uniform to a redcoat, except for it being mostly green. The man had a hole in the center of his chest from the round fired by the rider.

¨Huh, I guess Rogers is in the area.¨ The man said. ¨We better warn good old Georgie.¨ Artemis and Zoe turned to see two men mounting their horses, but before they could ride Artemis stopped them.

¨Who are you boy!?¨ Artemis yelled, ready to kill him. Zoe shared Artemis´ sentiment.

¨Apologies Lady Artemis, we need to tell Washington about the situation before Rogers attacks.¨ the man said. Right before both men rode away, he announced ¨The name is Perseus Jackson, but my friends call me Percy.¨ Then the men rode off into the direction of their men, leaving behind two very confused hunters.

¨That was very strange….¨ Zoe voiced both her and Artemis thoughts.

I apologize if anyone does not understand some of the information and historical references on here. I also apologize if I make the British sound evil.

(In case anyone is interested)

Terminology:

Platoon: A formation of soldiers usually numbering between 15 to 30 soldiers

Lieutenant: An officer rank in the military. Usually commands a force the size of a platoon.

Musket: A firearm with a smooth bore barrel and usually loaded from the front.

Rifle: A firearm with a barrel that has spiral grooves inside the barrel, giving it better accuracy.

Flintlock: A firearm using the flintlock mechanism is fired when a large spring-loaded hammer forward onto another piece of metal causing the black powder to ignite.

Hybrid Warfare: Military strategy using both conventional and irregular warfare.

Redcoats: A nickname for the British soldiers by the Colonials. The name is derived by the red coat worn by British Regulars.

References:

Roger's Rangers: A light infantry unit created by the British during the French and Indian War under the command of Major Robert Roger from Massachusetts. His unit was easily identified among other British soldiers by their green uniform. Some sided with the British and some sided with the Patriots during the Revolutionary War.

Continental Army: The colonial army under the command of George Washington that fought the British forces. Predecessor of the modern United States Army.

This is Foxtrot-2-November signing out!