Chapter Two: Conflict
"The crow called out blood stained its beak, for the victories of battle brought the death of thousands,"
Faldore the pride and joy of his race had grown out of the dirt and mud 30 years before his birth during that time the city had grown in strength. The entire place is a city of the future made out of white marble decorated with leafs flowers. In all the stones and buildings are picture of a black dragon growing out of the marble.
To honor the Dragon that had been forced under the twisted Kings control. It had never been his fault at least that's the story anyway. Faldore had grown in strength and popularity because of its unique ability to create high quality material at a low cost.
This had been do to the industrialization and all of the technology advancements they had made by stealing the peoples technology. By the people he means the fairies that is, the fairies them selves are a bunch of small pointed ear creatures.
They lure humans out on the trail and rob them blind you see they pretend to be children in need of help. Fairies are small only about the size of a toddler but they really are much older. At least his Father had told him that.
Fairies in general have many type of species as Fairy is just a general term indeed. They cause a lot of trouble by stealing and sometimes swapping human children for fairy children. No one knows why they do this but if caught they are killed.
It has been many months since his Father had launched his first attack swiping over territory and setting many boundaries up. Queen Nasuada had set to settle things peacefully in the next few months Artemis had very little time to himself.
Finally he had managed to sit in his private study to reach at least that's what he says he is doing. Normally he'd be more than happy to obliged but even his bruises had bruises. If he hadn't been the King son he's pretty sure he'd be sent home.
Climbing walls digging trenches working out with sword and steal isn't his thing. Most of all being hit hard by a macho inflamed idiot wasn't high on his to do list. That and Artemis could see the amusement it brought his twin siblings.
Beckett and his brother Myles the two of them were only older then him by four years. Myles is probably the most alike to him while Beckett is not as gifted in the mental department. Still he wondered why Father chose him over Myles.
Myles is not quite as smart as he is but he's already trained in combat in fact he makes it his pleasure to kick his ass quite frequently. Artemis did not like or appreciate the use of foul words however his two siblings enjoyed it too much.
Thought is quick to note that Myles never speaks that way in front of his Father or women while Beckett could really not care. Lost in thought he remembered the way Myles had tried to borrow his invention and make modifications to it.
To use the bolt to power his own ship you see using men or magic to do it takes up a lot of energy. He wondered what his Brother was up to. He usually didn't spend a lot of time following him around but his brother had said he hoped to make a ship that would move without man power. This would free up a lot of slots to the battle field.
He'd been busy gaining his strength or more or less getting so many bumps and bruises he found it hard to walk. His body ached for a long period of silence the talk of the men in the camp disturbed him. Not all the men were foul mouthed leaches but most of them are.
Rubbing at his burning eyes he longed for intelligent conversations someone who could understand him. But being the resident tactician it hadn't taken him long to form plans of his own he had put at least a hundred different Defenders through out the city.
All would launch a lesson that would be filled with electrify it would lock onto the dragon catching it into a net and zapping it. Even if it landed partly on the dragon it would cover the beasts with enough burns to sent it flying.
But that's not all Artemis had developed several smoke and gas bombs that would either disable an enemy or knock them out completely. Their are several different setting so even the most simpleton could activate it.
Simpleton his brother would often call him that to annoy him. Both twins would to irriate him funny how their the only ones who can touch a nerve. Probably because of blood he decided he got up out of his seat to gaze out of the window.
It looked peaceful now with the many inhabitants of their great city. Already he could see hundred of thousands of people moving in the uniform rows. Everything properly organized his Father did what he told him to do.
The biggest weapon they had is keeping their advancements to themselves. Keeping things secret if people knew they'd want it for themselves. Artemis got up lining his fingers around the books and computers in front of him.
Just moving cost him a slight disarray despite his work most of his bruises did heal. Despite being out side his skin as always remained incredibly pale. Even his brothers skin had darkened some what from being trained.
He looked as if he had never stepped a foot outside. "Do you need something Master Fowl?" at the world he turned and saw Butler looking at him from the corner of the room. Here Butler didn't have to pretend.
Fully dressed up in his matching suit Artemis felt much more comfortable in his own suit. However protocol called for wearing training armor most of the time. It is clear that he didn't get special favoritism do to his Father in that regards.
"I am getting a little hungry perhaps I will join you to the main hall," Artemis spoke watching Butler move to stand outside of the door he gave him a few seconds to check for traps. One could never be to lenient .
His party of two made it through the many passage ways all of which Artemis had memorized most people would get lost in the vastness of Castle Faladore. "Sir would like you some grasp they've been imported."
Artemis turned his attention to the man who had offered him grapes for the third time in under twenty minuets. "I've already rejected your offer twice do you really think a third time will change my mind." the man flinched.
"If you would only try them my lord," The man stammered red face his nails were nicely polished and he looked to be sweating through every pour on his body.
It had been over a year since Artemis had started training at the fort. By now even the pale faced gangly youth had started to fill out. His skill with a sword had also increased he turned and noticed the man eying Butler.
"Sit down," Artemis snapped his tone harsh.
"What? But sir I am- Silence your nails are recently manicured you've put on this pathetic disguise to check for weapons. Butler is armed of course being the Kings Guard but as I am currently being trained I am not allowed to carry weapons in the city."
"You sir are not a waiter but our contact and now I don't need to ask twice do I? Otherwise you might cause Butler to get irritated." He'd be the hunter he'd heard more then one rumor about an underground fairy bunker.
Now its time to test the blood in the water so to speak, "Tell me about the very special healer," he spoke interested to learn about the animal.
The man protested until Butler revealed his gun the shiny blackness is all it requires for the man to sit down. He starts talking and Artemis looks him over his eyes never leaving him around him hidden in the market place are under cover knights.
He'd left them instructions not to get involved until he gave the signal. "She never comes out into the sun and she has green skin. Trades anything for rum or whiskey," he gasped watching Butler shift his eyes went to him.
"Sir I am the one you should be speaking to," Artemis tone grew more annoyed and harsh more then a little bit of fear grew in his eyes. "I do appreciate any information on the whereabouts of fairies." he smiled at him. "We will pay you in full but first you will bring us to our destination."
The man stared at Artemis red face and panic stricken, "That wasn't part of our deal." Artemis snapped his fingers.
An arrow shot out from the roof top landing in between the mans fingers. The man jumped up to his feet landing flat on his back. Artemis looked at his long elevated fingers, "You should know better then to mess with a Fowl. Your coming with us I will not risk the event of a trap."
"If it is a trap you won't live to regret it." The man cowered on the ground begging for mercy. People had started to stare how quickly they dissolved into their houses. Artemis could hear the shutting of several windows and doors.
"Like I promised you will be honored as an informant you family will be welcome into the house of Fowl." Artemis moved from the table. Many had tried to convince him to take more then one guard. But he hadn't wanted to draw attention in fear of his contact not showing up.
"Yes what ever pleases you my Lord and Master," The man voice shook obviously scared of his wits. Scared or terrified it didn't matter he's still alive.
It took less then an hour to arrive at the spot or where he said the spot is, "Pay the man Butler." he waved his hand off to him staring at the door. The woman laid behind the cloth he advanced having scanned the block more then a hundred times.
Just one heat signature inside of the building he had his men print out a 3D model just incase they had unwanted guests. He drew himself trying to keep his composure finally he'd capture the fairy that had been brain washing civilians.
Getting them addicted to her poison magic at least that's part of the reason why he's here. "Fairy," he knocked on the door. "I have a deal to be made."
"What? Young boy is mad, I am healer," came a disgruntled sigh from inside of the building, "I fix would, tooth infection, skin deasies." the woman babbled on but Artemis could smell it from here. Years of drinking had stolen her magic making her ill, sick and weak.
"Despite from a slight dust might allergies and some small aches from training I assure you I am perfectly healthy fairy," he said fairy with irritation watching the animals eyes spring with madness she threw something at him.
A bottle it broke onto the street, "Whine first then talk human, if you know what I am then you know I have more magic in my finger then your entire body." she laughed with a madness and glee that Artemis ignored.
He hadn't flinched at all Butler however had taken out his gun and pointed it at her, "You really shouldn't have done that fairy," he knew if he touched her fairy bible by force that it would explode on contact.
Still he handed her the bottle watching her mottled green hand reach and yank it out from him. She started drinking it he waited. It wouldn't take long he watched her, "Still here human? You got itch I will heal it filthy human just ask."
Artemis remained unmoved, "Their is plenty of more where that comes from. Fairy you will let me borrow your book for thirty minuets or I will leave you here to die this is the first option." he noticed the sweet on her face.
"I choose the first option I will out live human by many generations," He wondered if the alochol had robbed her of all sense of self preservation. Artemis grinned advancing closer to the building with a long wavering glance.
"Not with a half pint of holly water," a horrible wail split through the fairys lips she threw the bottle onto the ground.
"You've killed me human!" She moaned clawing at her face in a panic. Artemis continued to watch her sob as she poked her now burning stomach. "The second option?" she looked at him with panic in her eyes.
"You let me borrow your book as I stated, for thirty minuets." he watched her through a long stare. "And I will heal you and return your magic to you." He kept his hands at his side, "And you will leave this city,"
The fairy let out a sound of anguish, "You murder stupid filth human boy!" She looked at him tears in her eyes. "This is impossible you have tricked me once before human," he watched her looking at him with terror.
"It is a good idea being a Fowl you know how much we hate fairies. That and well your surrounded by arm guards. How would you like to fly again? Live among your own people," For however short amount of time they had left.
All the fairies would be consumed by humans. The world would be as it should be without them finally justice would be his.
She gulped nervously watching him, "Alright I choose this option for no more then thirty human minuets."
For more then a moment he thought she would reject it. No doubt she had heard of his family her eyes widened but she licked her lips obviously already feeling the pain in her gut. "Deal, deal," she shouted desperately.
She hesitated as Artemis gave her what she needed in order for her to heal. He wasn't willing to watch how the alcohol that she had poisoned her body up until now would do. It would take leave from every pour from her body.
Artemis took the book and used his copier to scan every single page. With this he would finally have a way to defeat the fairies. He would find all of their secrets get revenge for his Mother and finally the humans would have a common foe to fight.
During the exchange he had lost all interest in what Butler and his human companions would do. Finally at the age of eleven he would rid the world of the poisonous kind. They would either submit to his Father or be purged.
Who cares if it took out extremely out of your mind pixie or what ever she is to get what he wanted? She would be known as the fairy that sold out her entire people to death. With this he knew he had a power over them that no human would.
When Artemis had reached the castle doors theirs a crowd of people cheering. All sitting in rows of thousands the flag at front mass. He could see the large black flag flapping in the wind he smiles at him and his men also cheer.
What he sees makes his chest heave at the front of the room is the fairy. The one who gave him the information he needed. He saw the fear in her eyes she is tied up to the stake and he stops seeing his brother Beckett standing over the fairy.
"Brother you give us great victory over fairy kind," he grinned looking at him as he swung his sword over the still tired fairy.
It had taken him many hours to get here. The fairy seemed almost intoxicated perhaps the sleeping pills he had put in the alcohol disorientated her still. Artemis walked off of his horse watching the men looked at the fairy in disgust.
"It burns," she gasped hiding at the sun trying to fight her restraints. "You promised human," she wailed in a panic.
"Disgusting wench stinks worse then a two dollar whore at the Prancing Dragon," spat Spiro looking down at the fairy. "She also bit me," Artemis turned his attention to the man watching the fairy looking at him desperately.
"Yes I promised that I would spare you I said nothing about my brother however." he watched Becketts face change from disbelief to a smirking satisfaction.
"You horrible human!" She yelled at him as if trying to think of names to call him, "Born from a devil spawn," this earned her a harsh kick from Spiro and a knife to her throat. She began gasping in panic as the crowd began to chant.
"Kill her kill her!" They cheered raising their hands in the air. As if it were a volley rally Artemis knew that the fairy had to die.
He remained impassive at her shouts of protest her attempts to escape, "Human promised," she wailed desperation as another wave of throwing up and gagging went through her.
"Get away from her do you wan't what ever it has?" Beckett snapped watching Spiro jump back away from her as if she'd burned him.
"Disgusting," he cursed in his annoyance she managed to breathe in large panic breaths. Some of the humans started throwing fruit at her.
Artemis stared at the fairy watching his brother Beckett smile and raise both hands, "Let us be done with it," he turned raising his hands above his head and struck. He would have hit its mark if not for the loud bang that followed.