Disclaimer: Eoin Colfer owns all the characters. I own nothing.

Domovoi Butler
I'm getting old. I can feel it in my bones. It doesn't help that 15 years of my life was used up to save my life and, naturally, all of Artemis's shenanigans have taken their toll. I'm sure there's been at least three times where I should have died only to be saved by Artemis's intelligence and the healing magic of the People. Speaking of Artemis, I think there's something wrong with him.

I don't think he has Atlantis again; he's moved past that. He just doesn't talk to me anymore. He stays shut up in his office all day and won't even tell me what he is up to. His parents are worried about him. I'm worried about him. Angeline and Artemis Senior have asked me to keep an eye on him but Artemis doesn't make anything easy for us. He's put several combination locks of his door and, knowing Artemis, he'll have hacked into the security cameras and will be alerted the second one of us walks up to his room. He really frustrates me sometimes.

Holly has been helping me to cope with Artemis's behaviour but I know she will have to leave soon. I think Trouble Kelp has been a bit easy on her however, if she takes much more time off work she'll probably lose her job. Mind you, she's in the dark about this as much as I am. We're both soldiers and, while we are both slightly above the average intelligence, neither of us truly understands Artemis. Oh well. I'm probably worried about nothing. Still… I'd better go and check on him. Not that it'll do any good though.

What a minute. Something is flying in the corner of my vision. I make a grab for it. Ah, it is one of Artemis's messengers. It has a bit of paper in its claws. Obviously a message from Artemis. He must need my help in whatever he is working on. So I read it. It isn't what I was expecting at all. I must run and stop him.

A single scrap of paper floats in my wake.

Dear Butler
First of all I want to thank you. You have been mu faithful bodyguard for the 15 years since I was born. You never complained when I was difficult or when I had you running all over the place just to keep me safe. Now I need to ask something of you. My spirit needs to be set free and I must ask you to let me do this. I know you swore to protect me against any danger. But I have to do this. It is my duty. You are a soldier. You understand duty. The second thing I need to ask is to help my family. Mother and father and the twins won't understand. Protect them. Please. I'm sorry, old friend. My time is up.
Artemis Fowl II