With Attis and Melite both urging me to hide I didn't need to be told a third time. I scurried back towards the side of the temple, then ducked into the hallway with all the sleeping rooms.

That's as far as I went though, instead of hiding in our little room I stayed just inside the doorway. From there I could peek out and keep an eye on things, plus with my tall fuzzy ears I could listen in on whatever was said out there.

So I clearly heard the high priest send Milon back to his chores at the farm. I also heard him ask Lais to get back to work in the temple. Then my ears twitched to some distant sounds further down the hill, and a moment later the small procession emerged from a gap in the woods on the far side of the farm.

I hadn't noticed any sort of path or trail in that direction before, but I hadn't really been looking for anything like that. If there'd been some pavement or a road I probably would have noticed sooner, but it seemed obvious now.

They were a little over two hundred meters away from the temple, but heading straight towards us. I counted a total of eight men, six of whom were definitely soldiers. The large round shields and tall spears were kind of a giveaway there.

The troops all looked to be in their twenties or thirties, and as far as I could tell they were all in pretty good shape. Even at a distance I could tell they meant business, a bunch of strong tough guys with bronzed skin and bushy beards. They wore matching dark brown tunics underneath their pale leather chest plates, skirts, and shin guards. They were all marching in step too, which made it easy to hear them coming. Their spears looked nasty, each was about three meters long with a shiny bronze blade at the tip. And their shields were just as imposing, decorated with pictures of angry-looking boar heads.

As for the other two people, it was just as obvious that they weren't soldiers. It was still pretty easy to guess which was the important one though.

The older guy in the fine white tunic with colourful red trim had to be Lord Timoleon. He was in his forties, and like the soldiers he also had a big bushy beard the same dark brown as his short curled hair. He didn't look to be as fit or tough as his guards, but he didn't seem to have any trouble marching alongside them.

And finally the barefoot teenager in a threadbare brown tunic was obviously some sort of servant. His job was just as clear, the poor kid was carrying a large wicker umbrella thing which he held up so it kept the bright sun off of Melite's dad. The teen was skinny like he didn't get enough to eat, and he was the only clean-shaved guy in the group.

I felt another little wave of fear as the procession continued their approach, obviously heading directly towards Attis and the temple's main entrance.

/Please don't let them see us!/ Melite asked nervously.

"Don't worry I won't," I whispered. "I want to watch though. Or at least I want to listen. And I want to be ready to make a run for it, incase it sounds like they're going to come over here and search the place."

That thought led to another shudder of fear from my invisible friend, but other than that she was quiet again.

A few seconds later the priest called out to the approaching men, "Greetings Lord Timoleon. We weren't expecting you to grace our humble temple until harvest."

Attis sounded friendly enough that I couldn't help worrying he might just turn us over to the magistrate. Except something told me that wasn't going to happen. Maybe I was just being naive, but knowing the gods were real left me thinking a high priest would take stuff like sanctuary seriously. Still, I was ready to bolt for the woods if I heard anything to suggest I was wrong about the guy.

As for Melite's father, the man didn't mince words. He stated impatiently, "I've no time for pleasantries Attis. I'm here for my daughter. Now where is she?!"

The muscles in my legs tensed a little more, and I mentally cursed that we still hadn't fixed our dress. I carefully bunched it up with both hands so as not to trip over it if we had to run. Rabbits were supposed to be fast, damn it. I hadn't been able to live up to that reputation yet, but I was determined not to get caught. I wouldn't let Melite down.

"I've not seen young Melite in some years Lord Timoleon," Attis replied in a calm friendly voice. "Not since the rebellion failed. Truth be told, I feared she'd been sent to join our illustrious king's harem. I take it that's not the case?"

The magistrate glared, "Don't play games with me, priest. I know she's here. She ran off yesterday, and your temple is the only place near enough to Methymna that would have her. So hand her over."

Attis seemed apologetic as he shook his head, "Melite is not here. As I said, I've not seen your daughter in years."

Timoleon gave the priest another angry look, before his expression shifted to something more sly or cunning. "My daughter's no fool. She'd have given you another name. She may have even tried to disguise her appearance, in hopes that she wouldn't be recognized. So bring me everyone who's new to the temple. Anyone who arrived in the last day, I want to see them. Now!"

I held my breath at that point, as I watched and waited for the priest's response. Melite was just as anxious, her fear kept bleeding through and sending my heart rate skyward.

"There is no-one new here Lord Timoleon," Attis lied in that same calm friendly voice. "None have joined our ranks since last spring. I'm sorry. If you're certain Melite is seeking sanctuary, I can only suggest you might try Messa instead? If your daughter is as clever as you said, she may have thought she'd have better luck at the larger temple. Certainly she'd have more success hiding there, from whatever it is she's running from."

I could practically feel Timoleon seething from where I was hiding. And I could almost hear him grinding his teeth as he glared at the high priest.

The magistrate sounded even angrier than he looked as he growled, "This is your last chance Attis. Hand her over, or I'll have my men search the temple, inside and out. And the rest of the grounds too. If they find her I'll have you executed on the spot for treason. You know I speak for Artaphernes, and he in turn speaks for King Darius himself."

Timoleon continued, "And if that's not enough of a threat for you then know this. Melite has been promised to General Kleisthenes. Keep my daughter from me and I have but to send a single message. Your little temple and the very mountain it rests on will be crushed under the might of an entire Achaemenid army."

"Fuck," I whispered quietly. "I hate to say it Melite, but your dad's a real asshole."

/I know,/ she responded bitterly. /I told you, he is a coward and a traitor./

Attis on the other hand seemed to have nerves of steel. Despite the death threat he didn't seem the least bit scared, or even nervous. His calm demeanour shifted though, as both his tone and expression hardened.

"You may be the tyrant of Methymna," the priest stated, "But your power means little here Timoleon."

He stood tall and proud as he continued, "This temple and all its land belong to the gods worshipped within. Kill me if you must, but heed my words. Be they your handful of men or an entire Achaemenid army, any soldier who threatens this temple shall meet divine wrath. Cybele nourishes and protects us. Athena shields us. Dionysus blesses us with wine. Apollo guides the sun that it may shine upon our crops, and his music enhances our rituals. Artemis oversees our hunts, and she protects the temple's maidens and children. Compared to our divine patrons, even the king of kings is just another mortal man."

My eyes widened and my ears folded back as I mumbled, "Holy shit. Ok Attis is hecking brave, but what if they actually kill him?"

Fortunately that didn't seem to be in the cards, or at least not yet. For one thing those soldiers suddenly weren't acting so tough anymore. They were sort of giving each other uncertain looks, like they were all having second thoughts about marching on a temple. Which again, given that the gods were actually real and everything, it did seem pretty stupid to threaten their stuff. And their mortal representative.

On the other hand Timoleon didn't seem too worried about that sort of thing. If anything he sounded even more sure of himself as he pointed out, "The gods are fickle Attis. They certainly didn't go out of their way to impede Darius' forces during the rebellion. What makes you think your pitiful little temple is worth even a moment of their time?"

"Be that as it may," the priest stated firmly, "You and your men are welcome to make use of the temple if you wish. But the weapons stay outside. And I'm sure the gods will expect you to leave a donation fitting of your wealth and power."

He almost sounded like he was mocking the magistrate when he added, "Perhaps you should pray to them for guidance, on where to find your wayward child?"

Melite's father glared at Attis for a couple more seconds, then he pushed past him and stormed out of view and into the temple. I could still see all the soldiers though, they were just standing around awkwardly with Attis and the servant boy.

A moment later Lais hurried out of the temple, looking like the magistrate probably chased her out. She ended up standing next to Attis, like they were all just waiting for the obnoxious rich guy to do his praying or whatever in private.

"Do you think your father's really asking the gods to help find you?" I whispered nervously. "And would they actually tell him?"

/I don't -/ Melite started to reply, before we were both startled by a woman's voice directly behind us.

"Yes and no," she answered my question, in a tone that suggested amusement.

I stifled a yelp as I almost jumped to the ceiling, then spun around to see who was there. And when I saw her I had to stifle another little squeak.

There was a tall strong athletic woman standing in the narrow hallway behind us. She had shoulder-length sandy-brown hair and bright hazel eyes, and her face was pretty in a girl-next-door way. She looked to be in her early twenties and was dressed in a simple light-brown tunic, but had gold-coloured sandals on her feet.

The most distinctive thing about her though was the long golden bow she had tucked over her left shoulder, and the quiver of arrows hanging by her right hip. That and the fact that she bore a striking family resemblance to the athletic god that cursed us the day before.

"A-Artemis!?" I gasped as my mind almost went blank in shock.

In fact her appearance left me so stunned I just stood there like an idiot for the next few seconds, gawking wide-eyed at the second god I'd met in a day. At the same time it almost felt like my life was flashing through my mind, everything from childhood to that shiny ancient coin that brought me here.

Except along with my life, I also found myself 'remembering' moments from Melite's life too. Most of that didn't make much sense to me though, which just left me feeling even more confused and overwhelmed. It was probably another five or ten seconds before I finally regained enough of my wits to bow. Then for good measure I sank down to my knees in front of her.

"Well aren't you two just fascinating," the goddess finally commented.

She seemed to staring intently at us, and it suddenly dawned on me that the whole 'life passing before my eyes' thing was probably her doing. Like she looked into our souls or read our thoughts or something. That would explain how she knew there were two of us in the one body.

I couldn't tell if she was here to help though, or to mess with us more. And since she wasn't saying anything I decided to take the chance and ask.

"Um," I gulped nervously, "Sorry ma'am, did you say the magistrate is praying for help finding Melite?"

The goddess looked amused again as she nodded, "He is. He's praying to Apollo for a vision, to tell him where his daughter is hiding."

"Too bad for him my brother's still sulking back at Delphi," she added with a bit of a smirk. Her expression became serious again as she added, "You prayed for my assistance earlier, Chloe. You asked me to help both you and Melite. You also mentioned something about being a nymph? And wanting to be a disciple?"

My eyes widened as I felt my cheeks warming up. I was about to clarify that stuff was from a video game, but cut myself off before saying anything. Something told me this wasn't the time to start info-dumping about futuristic games to an actual goddess. I wasn't sure what to say about the nymph stuff either, but I assumed she knew our current bunnygirl state was thanks to Apollo's curse.

So I just nodded, "Yes ma'am. I'm sorry if that's offensive, or presumptuous of me."

Artemis quietly regarded me for another couple seconds then asked, "What of you, Melite? Considering you and Chloe seem to be in this together, would you also wish to become my disciple? And how do you feel about being a nymph?"

I wasn't sure if she'd respond, or if the goddess would be able to hear her if she did. I shouldn't have doubted though, because it only took a moment for the voice in my head to speak up. Except this time her words didn't appear in my mind.

When Melite spoke it was like my mouth suddenly started moving on its own, while my voice filled the air. Which was an incredibly strange sensation, but it did a good job of reminding me this wasn't actually my body.

"Yes my goddess," my invisible friend replied. "I'd be honoured. Especially if it means I never have to worry about being forced to marry some man."

That answer seemed to satisfy Artemis.

"I already have a disciple at this temple, but I'm sure she'd appreciate an apprentice. Particularly one as cute as the two of you," she commented with another little amused smile on her face.

The goddess's expression became serious again as she stated, "Swear an oath of allegiance to me, swear you'll never lay with any man, and I will accept you as my disciples, and as one of my nymphs. I'll even take care of your current problems as well."

While that sounded like a good deal I actually had some questions about it first. But when I tried to ask I found out Melite was still in charge of our body.

So all I could do was watch and listen as we bowed deeply and pledged, "I swear to dedicate my life to you Lady Artemis, and I will never lay with any man."

"Thank you Melite," the goddess of the hunt replied. "Your turn Chloe."

Suddenly I was in control again, and I straightened up a bit to look at her. I stayed on my knees though as I asked, "Can I just clarify something? I never want to sleep with a man either, but what's your stance on women sleeping with women? Like, is that ok?"

Not that I'd ever had a girlfriend, but I still had some hope. And I didn't want to accidentally doom myself to a life of divine-enforced celibacy.

Fortunately the goddess smiled, "I've no concerns with my nymphs or disciples sleeping with each other, or any other women."

"What do you think the nymphs and I get up to when we're not out hunting?" she may have whispered under her breath. Or maybe I just imagined that part.

Either way she continued, "So Chloe, will you swear the oath as well?"

I nodded, "Yes ma'am! I swear to dedicate my life to the goddess Artemis, and to never lay with any man."

As soon as I said the words a mischievous smile appeared on the goddess's face, leaving me to worry we'd just been duped somehow. Before I could react though she stated, "Seek out my disciple here. She'll be very happy to have you join her. Now I'll go take care of your most pressing problem."

With that Artemis turned as if to walk away, then vanished completely before she'd taken a single step.

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