The Race Continues

Even with her eyes closed, Atalanta could see the faint traces of morning light filtering through her eyelids.

I suppose I should get ready or Artemis will have words.

She opened her eyes, and the morning sun shone brightly on her face.

She rolled over and saw Donavan’s sleeping face. His free arm acted on its own and pulled Atalanta close.

Maybe just a little while longer.

She closed her eyes.

…

“Atalanta! You’d better be ready!”

Artemis! I overslept!

Atalanta shoved away Donavan’s arm and rushed out of bed, throwing on the first dress she could find.

She slipped on her boots and bolted out of the bedroom into the kitchen.

Artemis was sitting impatiently at the kitchen table while Daphne scrambled eggs.

“You overslept—again.”

“I did not—”

Daphne looked at Atalanta and started laughing.

“What?” Atalanta said.

Daphne nodded at Artemis with a smirk. “Help your sister while I finish breakfast.” Atalanta was still puzzled by the reaction.

Artemis sighed before standing up and leading Atalanta to a mirror. Her hair was tangled, sticking up in some places while flattened against her head in others.

“Should we find a brush before the family of birds return?”

Atalanta rushed to the bedroom and returned with a brush. Artemis sat her in a chair and began brushing her hair.

“Did Sir Boring keep you up all night?”

“No—not all night.” Atalanta blushed. “It’s the new recruits—they’re just a little inexperienced.”

“They get younger every year.” Daphne laughed. “But Artemis and I still manage to wake up on time.”

“But you get archers—swordsmen are different.”

Artemis yanked at a tangle.

“Ouch!”

“You are saying that archery is easier?”

“No, just different.”

Daphne placed three plates of breakfast on the table. “No braids today. Eat.”

The three women sat at the table and began eating.

Atalanta took a bite of bread and smiled at Daphne. “Thanks for cooking.” She nodded toward Artemis. “And the hair. I’m sorry about being late again.”

“Oh, I don’t mind.” Artemis chuckled. “Kick Sir Boring out and I’ll do your hair every day—braids too! Freckles will make breakfast.”

“Stop it—you like Donavan,” Daphne said. “We should leave him a bit of breakfast for when he gets up.”

“Fine by me.” Artemis pushed her plate to the center of the table. “We need to get moving. Can’t keep the Doctor waiting.”

Daphne headed for the door, and Atalanta followed.

Artemis didn’t move.

Atalanta turned. “Artemis—we’ll be late.”

“Sis, you’re wearing a dress.”

Atalanta stared back blankly.

“Riding pants.”

Atalanta looked down. “Oh.”

She rushed back to the bedroom.

Atalanta, Artemis, and Daphne rode side by side along the cobblestone avenue. Artemis smiled as she watched children walking to school.

“School number sixty.”

“Sixty?” Daphne asked.

“Didn’t you listen to Sarah? Her kids can walk to school now.”

“But her kids are so young.”

“Little Miranda has been going for a year.”

“That means little Daphne started school too,” she groaned. “I missed it.”

“First day of school is a parent thing,” Artemis said. “You can show her how to use a bow. She’ll love you for it.”

“Isn’t she a little young?”

“Nah. What’s the worst that can happen?” Artemis shrugged. “Besides, Doctor Miranda lives just down the street. If she has an accident, she can fix her up—probably.”

Atalanta looked up at the sign. “Well we’re here.”

Daphne slid off of Turtle and marveled at the sign. “Doctor Miranda. So fancy.”

“What’s even better is that hundreds of schoolchildren that can read it now!” Artemis chuckled as she opened the door and the three of them walked inside.

“Hello.” Talia greeted them. Then she turned toward the stairs. “Mother! They’re here!”

Miranda hurried down the stairs. “I’m sorry. Jonas already left for the academy.”

“The new recruits.” Atalanta nodded.

“Yes, but that leaves me with the twins, and—”

Shouts began from upstairs.

“Stop poking me!”

“You took my shirt!”

“Mommy!”

Miranda sighed. “And they are being difficult.”

“Twin boys,” Artemis said with a snicker. “You are a better woman than I am.”

“Oh, they’re a blessing.”

“Mommy!”

Miranda closed her eyes for a moment.

“A very loud blessing.” She turned to her daughter. “Talia, baby. Could you please help with the twins or you will all be late.”

Talia sighed. “Fine!” And then she shot up the stairs.

“I don’t understand.” Miranda frowned. “Max was so easy.”

“Don’t understand?” Artemis laughed. “You don’t remember! Max was a total pain in the ass!”

“I was a total pain in the ass.”

Max was at the front door, grinning.

“But at least there was only one of me.”

“Thank goodness you’re back. Go upstairs and help your sister with the twins. I have to go on patrol now.”

Atalanta turned to Miranda. “Oh, we can wait, if you—“

“I have to go on patrol now!” Miranda glared.

“You go,” Max said with a smile. “I’ve got this.”

“Thank you, dear.” She kissed him on the forehead.

The four ambled down the road with Artemis and Daphne riding in front and Miranda and Atalanta riding behind.

“Max seems to be doing well.” Atalanta remarked.

“Yes. He stayed with his other parents last night.” She smiled. “But he will be a full apprentice next year.”

Atalanta brought Goliath closer to Miranda’s mare. “Have you and Jonas thought about…”

“What?”

“Stop taking the herbs.”

Artemis laughed. “More children? With those twins in the house!”

“They aren’t so bad.” Miranda said. “Yes, we’ve stopped.”

“No!”

“It might be hard—especially if we find any more shifters. The twins were a surprise. But it would also make us happy to have more.”

“You are as crazy as Sarah.”

“Well, I think she’s done at six.”

Artemis looked back at Atalanta. “Wait, sis, you aren’t thinking—“

Atalanta didn’t answer. She pushed Goliath to the head of the group, then into a gallop. “Race you to the outer gates!”

She laughed as she left her friends behind.

“Cheater!” Artemis called, pushing Zephyr forward.

And the four friends raced down the road together.

end