Stark nodded and followed Storm back to the cave. When they arrived he dropped the berries carefully by the fire so Artemis and Storm could use them as they liked. Then he backed off a bit and sat down so the fire didn't make him too hot.

"So I suppose you'd like to talk about what I told you last night?" Stark broke the silence, his normally smiling face more serious than usual.

Artemis' head snapped up, her eyes boring into Stark. "You said you might know something...or someone, rather. Who is it?"

Storm sat down beside Artemis his equine stomach around her. He then frowned when Stark first spoke and then he also looked at the male. Tilting his head he then spoke, " What is it that you know Stark?" With that he checked the food over carefully.

When he was sure that it wound't end up burnt he then wrapped one arm around Artemis' shoulders.

"Artemis and I were speaking last night," Stark began, "about the strange disasters that keep happening in the countryside. I've been investigating it because my family owns a farm near here. I have younger siblings and my parents and...well I want to see if I can find a pattern, maybe stop it from coming. Anything." He paused to keep his voice steady. He was worried about his little brothers and sisters who couldn't take care of themselves. He knew his older siblings would be able to look after themselves, but the younger ones..."Well someone told me about an old farmer up here who had been talking about prophecies and warnings of old. That there were text predicting these events. I'm here to find him."

Artemis pulled the fish from the fire absentmindedly and cut it as she thought. She pulled some of the little metal plates she kept in her pack out and served up the food, piling berries on with everything else. Then she handed a plate to each of them, leaving hers untouched before her. "We will accompany you, of course. Or I will. Storm, will you be going with us?" She hardly had to ask, but she didn't want to assume. What had happened between them was still tentative in her mind, it could be broken at any moment. She didn't want to say the wrong thing and have Storm leave.

Storm smiled gently as he looked down at her. Then he spoke, " Do you really think that I'm going to let you have all the fun? Of course I'm comming with you Artie." With that he gently nuzzled his cheek against her shoulder as he wrapped his arms around her waist. Then he looked at Stark and smiled gently, "Artemis has a mare she rides. If you do not have a ride then you can ride upon my back. However I do not do the whole bit and saddle thing."

With that he just smiled gently as he took his plate and began to eat. Remembering the coffee he poured them each a cup and took a small sip. He was just glad that he wasn't too tired from the day before.

Stark gave Storm a wry smile before speaking. "I have a horse. It's at home, but I live quite near to here. I can be gone and back in ten minutes when the time comes." He accepted his plate and began to eat, enjoying the scent of the coffee filling the cave. The day was warming up nicely and he thought they would have a nice ride to the old man's farm.

Artemis leaned back against Storm's side and closed her eyes. "How far away is this man's home?"

"I was told it was about two hour's ride from here." Stark replied after swallowing some fish. "Just take Shepherd's Road up to the edge of the great forest and follow it east, is what they told me."

When he felt Artemis' weight against his side he used his free hand to play with her hair. The hand that wasn't in her hair was used to bring food to his mouth. After swallowing a bite of food he nodded towards Stark. He then spoke, "Well I guess we really do need you seeing as the town near here doesn't seem to fond of mythical creatures."

Sighing he continued playing with Artie's hair before looking back towards Stark. "So after breakfast do you want to head on out? That way you can get your horse and any supplies that you need and we can break camp." With that he indicated the back of the cave where he and Artie had slept.

Stark nodded. Tomston really did have a weird thing about mythical creatures. They ignored and alienated any harmless ones that came through and chased out any they deemed at all dangerous. It was a wonder the town still existed with the way they treated the others. Stark took another bite of his food and chewed thoughtfully.

"Alright, when I am finished I will go get my horse. All of my supplies are here. I was planning on walking but I have a feeling that isn't an option with you." Stark smiled and sipped at his coffee.

Storm just smiled gently before speaking, " I offered to give you a ride. I'm a little slower then normal because of an accident I had before Artemis and I started this adventure." With that he shrugged slightly as he then finished his food. Then taking a small sip of his coffee.

Artemis he noticed had been silent through most of this. Tilting his head he then nuzzled her jaw softly with the top of his head. Then he spoke, " Anything on your mind?"

"No offense meant, but I would not be comfortable...riding you." Stark took one final sip of his coffee, then got up and picked up his pack. "Alright, I'm off. You two can take as much time as you need finishing up and breaking the camp, I'll meet you here when I'm finished, alright?"

Artemis nodded and Stark left. Then she turned to Storm and sighed. "I'm just thinking that this is taking much longer than I had thought it would. That, and I left Apollo at that pool and he probably has no idea where I am. Granted I'm not really in much danger here, but he doesn't know that. I'm just worried, is all."

Storm looked at her gently before touching her cheek. Hearing of her fears he gave a sad smile before speaking, "Go to your brother. I know you can appear and disappear like magic. Use that to talk with you brother and then you can catch up to Stark and me later." Raising forward he then kissed her cheek before pulling back.

Sighing he then spoke, " I know that being your mate is an impossible hope. However if you ever need me you know that I'm here for you. Now go and reassure your brother." With that he stood up and breaking camp he then went to the river to fill the canteens.

Artemis nodded and turned away from Storm, leaving through the mouth of the cave. She didn't want to startle Storm by just disappearing in there with little warning. She walked what she deemed a safe distance away from the cave before closing her eyes and concentrating. With naught but a sudden breeze, she was gone from the forest.

She reappeared in Olympus City, a short walk from the palace. She made her way up to the palace, pausing only momentarily to greet her fellow Olympians. When she reached the palace she made a beeline for her brother's quarters, again stopping every so often to exchange hellos with one god or another.

Finally, she reached her brother's quarters, knocking on the door before entering. Between the two of them, it was only necessary to announce your presence, not to request entry. It had simply become routine to knock and then enter without waiting for an answer. She closed the door behind her and peered into the large room with curious eyes.

Watching her as she left he just smiled. Then taking a shuddering breath he slumped back against a rock. Tilting his head back he just closed his eyes glad for once that Artie's mind had been so occupied. Looking down at his coat he brushed his hand back against the grain.

Seeing the sickly spots on his hide he just shook his head. Knowing he should have told her when he woke up he had seen how worried she was, and so had kept it to himself. Besides he knew that she would have forced him to turn back and go home. He would keep how truly sick he was until they found out what was killing so many nymphs.

Standing up he banked the fire slowly. Then going outside he used a brush to fix his coat. He knew that unlike him Stark would tell Artemis if the other suspected that Storm was sick. Hiding all evidence he then began to wait for the human.

Artemis found her brother sitting at his desk and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around, surprised to see his sister there. They hugged and Artemis explained about everything that had happened, but swore Apollo to secrecy. She couldn't have the other gods messing about in her business, especially not at such a crucial time. She assured Apollo that everything was alright and that she was fine, then bade him farewell and transported herself back to the forest where Storm was waiting.

She walked up to him, feeling that something was off. It was familiar, but new, and she couldn't quite place what it was. Shrugging, she let it go and greeted Storm warmly. "Is Stark back yet?"

As if by a stroke of fate, Stark walked through the trees, leading a lovely chestnut gelding behind him. He smiled and brought the horse up to the edge of the cave where Artemis' own steed stood, still grazing. He picketed his horse swiftly and turned to face the others.

Storm smiled as he gently kissed her temple and before he could speak further Stark walked forward. Smiling gently he then spoke, "Yes he has." Turning to the side he then looked towards Stark, " Let's go on then." With that he just smiled hiding all signs that he was sick.

Taking a few steps to get rid of any soreness from sleeping on the ground he didn't let his pain show. Yeah it felt like every bone in his body was screaming, but he had to keep moving. He couldn't worry Artemis and besides he had been healed so many times by her that she had to be getting weaker. Besides what kind of friendship was that? Just being friends with her because she could heal any sickness he caught.

Artemis walked over to her mare, stroking the horse's nose before untying her from the post and mounting her. She looked down and waited for Stark to do the same. He did and the pair followed Storm as he walked off.

"I think the road is up that way." Stark pointed off to the right, shielding his eyes from the glare of the sun. He squinted towards the trees and nodded. "Yes, that way."

Artemis turned her horse to follow Stark's indicated path. "Storm, this way." She wasn't sure he'd heard Stark, as he was a bit ahead of them. "Let's be off."

Storm heard them and nodding his head he turned towards the right. Walking carefully over some broken twigs he then walked along the path. Placing on a forced smile he just kept walking. Shaking his head he then came to an area he didn't know.

Stopping in the middle he waited for the others to catch up. He looked towards Stark before speaking, " Why don't you lead the way. You know this area better."

Stark nodded and moved forward, taking the lead. He guided his horse through the clearing and into a thicker patch of woods where light fell in smaller, scarcer patches. The ground was soft underfoot and the wood smelled moist. The effect of the sun shining down from the trees was lovely. The patch was small, though, and they were through it in no time.

When they emerged on the other side of the trees, Stark spotted the road to the left. He turned and approached it, looking back to make sure the others were following. They were, so Stark pushed his horse to go faster. They arrived at the road and Stark paused to check that they were going in the proper direction.

"I'm pretty sure it's just a few miles down that way." He pointed up the road on the side that led into the hills. They had already been riding for about an hour and a half, so they couldn't be too far away. "We're almost there, I think."

"Alright, well then let's get moving again." Artemis was getting impatient. She wanted to get there and meet whoever this man turned out to be. She wanted to find out something about these stupid disasters that had been ruining her fun of late. She grumbled to herself and pushed her horse forward.

Storm had taken the rear when the ground had gotten too moist for his still slightly sore leg. When he got out of it he shook each hoof to get a rock out of one of his hooves. Then looking up he nodded his head as he stayed back to get the rock out of his hoof.

Once they were abit ahead he lifted the hoof and pulled out the rock. Seeing a few rings in the bottom of his hoof he cursed slightly. Then rubbing some black mud in the bottom he hid it. Then setting his hoof down he cantered after them.

Smiling gently he then spoke, "Come on Artie I know I didn't give you a slow horse." With that he then sped up past her almost catching up with Stark. Shaking his head he just grinned as he sped a little bit past Stark and his horse.

Artemis grinned and kicked her horse up to a canter, following Storm and circling around Stark, who just laughed and watched the two. If nothing else, playing around would take Artemis' mind off of the task at hand, giving her a chance to relax and stop worrying for a moment. She sped past Storm and turned her horse around, taunting.

"No, you certainly did not. And I know I didn't leave you with a bum leg. Come on!" She turned back towards their destination and trotted in a zig-zag pattern as she waited for Storm to catch up.

Hearing her Storm laughed befor running after her. Shaking his head he then spoke, " That you did not my lady." With a shake of his head he soon caught up with her and ran at the same pace as her mare. Raising one hand up he pulled his hair back trying to get his ponytail tighter.

Then looking back towards Stark he smiled, " I'm betting this is not your dream trip with a goddess and her consort." He knew that in her home that was all he could ever be, and he was fine with that. Looking around he then called back, "How much farther is this place of your's Stark?"