Fight Sequence Rainbow Arc of Fire: Worlds Beneath Us

This was an fun book to write. I was able to call upon much of what I had read, and taught, about ancient mythologies and classical deities.

Chapter Nineteen

Utilizing the deer's senses, Greg realizes that Joan, or rather Artemis, is moving off in the opposite direction to search for him. He quietly pivots around the base of the tree, his hiding place, to sneak up behind her unawares. He takes a step but does not see the unwary twig beneath his foot. The snap is much louder than he could have imagined, setting off a furious chirping of nesting birds in a nearby tree before he can silence them.

Artemis, recognizing the nearness of her defamer, swiftly turns and approaches him on the run. She reaches for her belt, as Greg rapidly retreats, trying to escape and buy time for an alternative strategy. She unfurls a lasso with her left hand and sends it flying toward the fleeing man.

As if guided by the very gods themselves, the rope snakes its way through the air, the wide loop gently settling over Greg's head, wafting down around his trunk and to his ankles, where the noose becomes suddenly taut, tripping him and snapping his body hard against the ground. Greg momentarily loses consciousness as his head strikes the unforgiving surface.

Several moments later, Greg begins to open his eyes, move his head, and gaze about, the immediate scene in front of him still a blur. He also painfully discovers that not only does his forehead hurt, as a decided lump begins to swell, but also his body is now firmly and uncomfortably tied to a tree. Even with his extraordinary strength, he quickly finds that he cannot free himself.

"You were foolish to think that you could escape my wrath," Artemis coolly informs him as she reaches back into her quiver for another deadly arrow.

"Wait, Joan!" Greg pleads. "Don't do it!"

"Why do you call me 'Joan'?" Artemis responds, deeply annoyed. "Not only do you despoil my sacred temple, but now you do not even recognize me for who I am! Does your blasphemy know no bounds?"

Trying a different tack, Greg counters, "I am not from this region. I was unaware of your rituals and ways. Give me another chance to perform the appropriate offerings."

"Ignorance of our sacred laws is no excuse," she sternly warns him. "The price for your blasphemy is certain death."

Looking about in a panic, Greg feels himself precariously out of options as the Huntress levels her arrow across the bow and begins to draw the taut string firmly, to let the missile fly forth and do her fatal bidding.

Immediately, Greg's eyes catch a subtle motion across the vaulted, sky-blue ceiling above. If only he has time enough.

She fires her efficient weapon with a firm admonition, "May the supreme forces that I command guide my arrow true!"

All that Greg can see is a sharp point, homing like some guided missile and heading directly at his chest.

Two yards from the target, however, sharp claws swiftly catch the glistening shaft, and a satisfied hawk swoops away. Soaring upward with its wings all aflap, it imagines itself in surprising possession of a tender rodent, snatched out of the very air itself.

Before Artemis can reach for another arrow and fire again, Greg telepathically orders the deer grazing a few paces off to charge her mistress.

Startled that one of her own gentle creatures would attack, the goddess is caught off guard, losing her balance and pitching forward suddenly.

Greg then has the deer nudge the flared base of the silver helmet, quickly easing it off of the goddess's head before she can comprehend his simple trick.

Artemis then sits upright, her dark locks falling all around her shoulders with an oblivious sweep. Confused, she rubs her temples as if roundly awakening from a difficult sleep.

"Where am I?" Joan wonders aloud, noting the shiny helmet on the grass beside her but ignorant of its purpose.

Still tied to the tree, Greg finally allows himself a welcome sigh of relief.

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