Chapter 18: Lost voice



Shandara sat on a bed, drinking hot tea made that tasted horrible. She had to drink it though, the healer of the bridge guild was standing next to her, and the expression on the face of the woman indicated that not drinking wouldn't be a good idea.



"It's good, " she managed to whisper, handing the mug back to the woman. She smiled and left, greeting Artemis Entreri who just walked in.



"Well, my brave bodyguard," Shandara tried to say, but the sound coming from her throat was barely audible. "Aran will kill me," she managed to say.



"Why you? I couldn't stop you from falling," Entreri pointed out, sitting on a chair and looking at Shandara. The woman was wearing a dress that had been made for someone a lot larger than her, and it was almost falling off her other shoulder. She had wrapped a blanket around her and was looking very vulnerable without any make-up on her face.



"Yes, but I got sick. My fault," she coughed. "Oh god, I'll just stop talking now," she whispered, when her voice faded away once again.



"I didn't think that was possible," Entreri said grinning. Shandara's eyes widened with surprise and then she gave him a sweet smile. "I wish I had something to throw," she said, then starting to cough again.



"You wouldn't hit me even if you had," Entreri said laughing. He met Shandara's eyes and realized that he was talking to this woman liked he had talked to Dwahvel, and also that he was rather enjoying himself. He didn't have to worry about what he said and how his words could be used against him because, for some reason, he trusted her.



"Oh god, what have you done this time?" a woman's voice from the doorway asked. A half-elf with light brown skin and silvery white hair stared at Shandara, who managed to look a bit ashamed. "Aran sent me to get you back to the guildhouse," she continued, then addressing Entreri. "I'm Faershan. You are the famous Artemis Entreri, if I'm not mistaken."



"He is," Shandara said before Entreri had any time to respond. "The best bodyguard there is."



"Don't speak," Faershan said sharply. "That isn't good for your voice. I think you'll be fine in few days, but until then you should be quiet. Is that clear?" Faershan's voice became sharper and Shandara nodded, but when Faershan turned away, she rolled her eyes and flashed a quick smile to Entreri.



"And don't do that either," Faershan said without turning. Shandara sighed; the following days would be torture to her, not being able to talk to people.



"Could you help her out, I have a carriage waiting there?" Faershan said to Entreri. "I'll have to go and buy few herbs so that we can get her voice back. Make sure she keeps warm and doesn't speak. At all." the half-elf continued ignoring Shandara's evil stare.



"Maybe I should just carry you," Entreri said to Shandara when Faershan had hurried away. "It will be a lot easier." Shandara nodded, and had to hide a little smile when the assassin lifted her in his arms. She wrapped her arms around him and had to admit that she rather enjoyed being so close to him. She still remembered his movements when he had trained against Erik's illusions and when he had fought their attackers, and couldn't help but wonder how his body would move in more pleasurable actions.



The carriage that was waiting for them looked plain outside, but the interior was more comfortable with soft seats. Shandara curled on her seat and lifted her bare feet up under the blanket. Entreri, sitting opposite to her, remembered that he had forgotten to ask for his clothes that the thieves in the guild had promised to dry and then return. And Shandara's clothes too, except for her cloak that had probably floated to the sea.



The assassin looked at the woman who was staring out of the window. He couldn't explain the reasons to why he was feeling so uneasy. Maybe this life didn't suit him after all, he thought, but if it didn't, then what did. Artemis Entreri knew that if he didn't find his place soon, he would run out of time. He had never worried about these kinds of things before; he had always known that his place was wherever he chose it to be. Now things were different- After meeting Drizzt, spending time in Underdark, befriending Jarlaxle and Dwahvel, and... Entreri almost sighed. Killing Drizzt. What had it proved? He should have died, but he lived. And now he realized that he needed a place that he could call his own. Maybe even call his home. But was it really here among theses thieves and whores?



He realized that Shandara was looking at him. The woman looked like she wanted to say something, but then she simply smiled and reached to touch Entreri's hand. The assassin looked at her, not knowing what to think. Then he smiled, suddenly feeling very tired. "Thank you," he said, and Shandara curled back under her blanket, closing her eyes. When they reached the guildhouse she had fallen asleep and Entreri carried her inside, trying to ignore the dirty smiles and whispers from few thieves, who seemed to congratulate him for getting the woman.



Maybe this is my place, the assassin thought. Do I deserve any better than the companion of thieves and whores? Probably not, he admitted, but it couldn't stop him from thinking if it would just be better to leave. He carried Shandara to her bed and then sat on the armchair, taking one of the books that were piled on the floor next to it. He should leave, but not just yet.



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"So she's not allowed to speak at all?"



Shandara opened her eyes and looked around her. She was in her own bed, and Entreri was talking with Mitsu, whose voice had woken her up.



"Not at all," Entreri replied, and it seemed to Shandara that he didn't feel at all sorry for this.



"Wonderful," Mitsu laughed and then noticed that Shandara had woken up. "Well, it's so nice to see you," the halfling said grinning. Shandara snatched a pillow and threw it, but Mitsu docked it without any trouble. "Now, now, are we a bit touchy? Could you tell me... Oh, that's right, you can't. Oh, you poor little thing," Mitsu continued with a wide grin on her face.



Shandara got up and rushed to the table, taking a piece of paper, quill and an ink bottle. She wrote something and then gave the paper to Entreri. The assassin read it and grinned, turning to look at Mitsu.



"What did she write?" the halfling asked. Entreri handed her the paper, which said 'be a good bodyguard and get rid off her before I try to kill her with a pillow'.



"Well, your job is to protect her, not me," Mitsu said. Shandara scribbled somehing to another paper and gave it to Mitsu. 'Shut up'.



"Isn't life sometimes really great?" Mitsu asked Entreri. "You know, Shandy here really hates it when she is called Shandy, but now that Shandy is not allowed to speak, I think I can..."



"That's it!" Shandara hissed. "Entreri, throw her out now!"



"What's the matter, Shandy, no sense of humour?" Mitsu giggled. "I can't belive that..."



"What is going on in here?" Faershan asked angrily, entering the room. "Sometimes you two are no better than small children!" she continued, picking up the pillow from the floor. "Really small children. Mitsu, get out. Master Entreri, I don't think Shandara will need your services anymore today. She needs to rest, and this isn't helping it."



"I'm guarding her, like I'm suppose to," Entreri replied, but got up from the chair. "But if you take responsibility for her safety from now on, I'll go."



"You can come and guard her again tomorrow morning," Faershan said. "I'll stay with her tonight." Shandara wrote something more and handed the paper to Entreri when the assassin was leaving. 'Thank you for everything. I hope you find the answers you seek,' it said, and Entreri wondered how the woman could have guessed, or recognized, his thoughts so well. There really was more in her that met the eye. Entreri stared at the paper and then folded it carefully. He headed towards his room, many thoughts racing through his mind once again.



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Hark: A little break in writing, mostly because I've been too busy playing Final Fantasy X. I know, it's not a very good excuse, but I finished it yesterday and I can now concentrate on writing again. Unless I start playing it again... I'm trying not to. Really. Honestly. More chapters coming soon, or at least I hope so.