Hadrian smirked as Drizzt's eyes widened with the revelation. Drizzt stared at the elf, finally seeing the similarities between the assassin and Hadrian in more than just the same dark, cold eyes. It was impossible, yet, as the young boy had stated to Artemis Entreri, here he was, sitting right in front of him.

Hadrian was thoroughly enjoying the drow's reaction. He wondered if Drizzt would simply drop dead with shock at the end of his tale. He continued to smile and let Drizzt gather his wits.

"You are the grandson of Artemis Entreri?" Drizzt asked incredulously.

"I am," replied the elf. "You see, long ago Artemis Entreri fell in love--well, maybe lust is a better word--with a woman named Calihye. She was half-elf. When she tried to kill him, he threw her out of a window. Jarlaxle..." Hadrian paused and raised an eyebrow. "You do remember Jarlaxle, do you not?"

Drizzt nodded, still trying to wrap his mind around the information Hadrian was giving him. Entreri's grandchild!

"Jarlaxle rescued her from dying slowly in the streets," the elf continued. "But she was already pregnant by the time he took her in, with my mother.

"Jarlaxle never told him Calihye bore a child from his loins," Hadrian said. "Calihye threw herself from a cliff when my mother was barely old enough to walk. She looked very much like him, my mother did. I suppose Calihye couldn't stand the sight of her."

Drizzt scrutinized the elf. Hadrian sat up a little more comfortably and cleared his throat.

"Artemis Entreri asked me many of the same questions that are going through your head," he said.

"How does Hadrian Twilight know my thoughts?" Drizzt asked.

"You are incredibly like him," Hadrian realied, and his tone meant that he believed his words to be true. "I will answer those questions in time, I assure you. For now, I believe my stomach is getting angry with me. Lunch would be most appreciated, and I will tell you the rest of the tale while we eat."

Drizzt nodded and stood, slowly moving as if in a daze. He still could not believe he was talking to a descendant of Artemis Entreri. He walked from the prison, Guenwhyvar following him silently.

He sent the panther to rest in her home on the Astral Plane. He decided that if this elf was in fact who he claimed to be, then Guen would be needed later if he made an attempt at escape.

Drizzt entered the prison carrying a pair of waterskins and a tray filled with food. He settled himself down once more and set the tray between them. Hadrian took a drink and began his tale again, speaking between mouthfuls.


The boy answered every question Artemis Entreri could think to ask, which became many as the night wore into morning. It wasn't until the noise of the city carried through the cracks in the walls that the assassin fell silent in thought. He stared at the boy sitting on the floor in front of him. The boy's face was perfectly blank, but Entreri could see that it was nothing more than a mask to cover his concern at the silence.

Many minutes passed before Entreri asked, "Why are you here?"

"I wanted to know the great assassin I had always heard of," the boy said. "Every day my ears filled with tales of Artemis Entreri's skills and abilities. I heard of your many victories, as well as your losses against a drow renegade."

Entreri winced at the mention of his biggest rival. The boy continued to speak as if he didn't see the assassin's reaction.

"I have heard many stories," the boy said. "But I want to know more. I want to know everything about Artemis Entreri, so I can be a great man like him."

"And what will you do it Artemis Entreri is not the man you believe him to be?" the assassin asked.

"Then I will learn from his mistakes," said the boy as he puffed out his thin chest. "I will be the greatest assassin."

"You have a long ways to go before you claim that title, boy," Entreri said, calmly.

"But most of all," the boy murmured quietly, "I wish to hear of my grandfather."

They stared at each other for a long time. The boy's wide, innocent eyes, not yet scarred by the world, reminded Entreri that he was dealing with a child. Entreri's look hardened as his thoughts became clearer. If the boy wanted to know how to be like Artemis Entreri, then the assassin would oblige.

"I will tell you everything, on one condition," Entreri added as the boy's face brightened. "You will do something for me, a favor, and you will do it without question. If you do not, I will kill you."

The boy's gray eyes widened, but he nodded, eager to hear about the assassin. "What do you need me to do?" he asked.

"I will tell you after I've finished," Entreri said, leaning back in his chair. "Will you do this favor if I tell you the story?"

Entreri watched as the boy nodded, enthusiastically. The boy sat up straighter and watched the assassin intently, as if memorizing every movement. Entreri smiled a little, thinking that eager look would disappear if only the boy knew. He pushed that thought away and began to dreg up memories he had long ago suppressed and locked away.

He took a breath and began, "I was born in Memnon..."