Hark: This is the second version of this chapter. I originally had written three new chapters, but then I started to think about them and realized that I was making the plot too complicated in some kind of soap opera style (it involved Shandara leaving Entreri and acting in a stupid, childish and very non-Shandara way). So this is (I hope) the better version. Comments, please.
Chapter 35: Love is dangerous
"You ordered me to come," Entreri said, and Aran didn't miss the sharp tone of his voice. But the Shadowmaster wasn't in the mood for any games. He looked at the paper in front of him, at the notes that Erik had scribbled down, and then fixed his gaze back on Entreri.
"I have a job for you," Aran said. "And I believe you're going to like it. Kill lord Kheran." Aran enjoyed the look that flashed quickly through Entreri's face. It was the first time he actually saw a clear emotion on the assassin's face. The man had looked first surprised, but then very pleased.
"You have some kind of reason for this change of heart?" Entreri asked smiling slightly. "Weren't you ready to send whores to amuse him just some time ago?"
"Well, that was before Erik accidentally started to decipher a seemingly harmless note we found among Kheran's belongings. We had thought it to be nothing, but then... Well, it's enough for you to know that the information we found is enough to earn Kheran his death."
"When?" Entreri asked, trying to hide a smile that he felt creeping to his face. Aran shrugged. "As soon as possible. This night sounds good. Erik will bring you a sign you have to leave there, so that people know what happens to those who oppose us. It can be painful, if you want to," Aran added. "I believe I don't have to tell you how to do your work."
"You're right," Entreri said. "If you have nothing more to say, then I'll go. I have to get ready."
"You have the whole day," Aran said. "And if you see Shandara, you can tell her. I believe that she'll be relieved when she doesn't have to sleep with Kheran again."
"I'll tell her," Entreri said and left Aran's office, trying hard to hide his smile. It had turned out to be an exceptionally good day.
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Entreri was sitting on Shandara's bed when she returned from the kitchen. She looked at him and wanted to scream, but instead sat down next to him, kissing his cheek. "It's a surprise to see you her, especially when I locked the door."
"A simple lock," Entreri said. "Anyone could pick them if they wanted to."
"And you decided to want to," Shandara said smiling. "I'm sorry, but I have a lot on my mind right now, and I think that..."
"Has something happened?" Entreri asked and Shandara was almost scared of the kind tone of his voice. It shouldn't have been like this. She shook her head. "It's nothing. Well, promise you won't tell Jarlaxle. Isaldora is pregnant."
"Pregnant? With Jarlaxle's child?" Entreri asked, stunned. "A half-drow?"
"If you are confused, think how Isaldora must feel. Poor girl..."
"Girl?" Entreri asked smiling. "She's older than you, isn't she?"
"She's an elf. After ten years I'll have a terrible amount of wrinkles and she is as beautiful as ever," Shandara sighed. "So in that sense she is a girl. And she's going to have a baby and I can't keep secrets, so you have to promise you won't tell Jarlaxle."
"I won't," Entreri said and pulled Shandara close. "And don't worry about your looks. You've never looked as beautiful as now, and I believe you will look the same in ten years."
"Stop it," Shandara sighed, pushing Entreri away and getting up. "We... I... I need to think and I can't..."
"You don't need to worry about Kheran," Entreri said and got up, taking hold of Shandara's shoulders and looking into her eyes. "Aran just found out that he is in league with the new guild. He asked me to kill Kheran. And I'm going to do it tonight."
"Kill him?" Shandara asked. "You mean I don't have to... Thank the gods," she laughed hugging Entreri. "But it really changes nothing," she continued, pulling away from him. "I'm still a whore and I fear that you can't take it much longer."
"Do you have to be?" Entreri asked, not even sure himself why he asked the question. Shandara stared at him and he could see the panic in her eyes. "I mean..." he started to say.
"I know what you mean," Shandara said. "You'd better leave now. I need to be alone. But..." she said when Entreri was at the door. "Come to see me after you've killed him. I want to know for sure that he is dead."
"I will," Entreri said and walked away, feeling strangely happy. He was starting to get used to feeling that way and that worried him, but not enough to let go of what he had.
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Shandara could remember the last time she had felt this way. She had been young, foolish and completely in love. He hadn't been much older and she couldn't really say that he had been more experienced, for she had been working in the streets and for Aran for five years altogether, but it had been something she had never experienced before. He had been a thief in the guild, called Reanan.
Reanan had been the best lover she ever had; gentle, kind and loving. They had loved each other and when Reanan had finally asked her to leave her profession and go with him, she had agreed. They had moved to a small house near the docks and life had been wonderful, until he had changed. She didn't know what had caused it, but he had become angry and jealous, watching her every step and doubting every word she said. Still he had told her that he loved her, he loved her so much he couldn't bear the thought of her with someone else. She had tried to convince him nothing was going on, that she belonged to him and him alone. He had believed for some time.
Then he had stopped believing. Every time he doubted her he hit her, every time he saw her talking with someone else, every time she did something he thought was wrong... Finally she had escaped, ran back to Aran and begged for help. She hadn't seen Reanan since. She had never asked Aran whether he had the man killed, or was Reanan smart enough to leave and was now living somewhere else. She hadn't wanted to know.
She had told herself that Entreri was different. That with him it would work. That he wasn't Reanan. But no matter how well she explained and rationalized things, there was the irrational fear that didn't let go of her. And now he had asked her to leave her profession, although he had seemed to be as surprised as she had been to hear him say those words. He hadn't planned them, of that she was sure. Reanan had persuaded her, planned his words carefully. Entreri had just slipped out what he clearly wanted to say.
Shandara knew she had some time to think about things. It was early day and Entreri would come to her in the night after he had killed Kheran. She would have enough time to make the right decision.
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Entreri left that night after the sun had set, walking from rooftop to rooftop like on paved streets. He had missed this part of his work, this feeling of freedom he had enjoyed even as a young man, honing his skills in the rooftops Calimport. The roofs had been his place, they had given him freedom... Then he had given up on those stupid thoughts and concentrated on other things in his dark profession.
He moved easily, without thinking. This task was nothing; killing an old fat man wasn't a huge chore. But it meant something. He knew that he was doing this because he couldn't bare the thought of Kheran's hands on Shandara's body, his lips touching hers... This was a revenge for what she had gone through to help the guild. Things he would have wanted to save her from.
He loved her, there was no way of denying it anymore. He didn't know how or why it had happened, but that didn't really matter. Weakness, distraction, useless emotion. And also the only thing that he could believe in. His life had lost some of its meaning after he had killed Drizzt; the hatred in his heart had diminished. And now it had been replaced by something new and wonderful. Entreri reached Kheran's house and shook those thoughts of Shandara away. There would be time for them later.
Kheran's guards were easy to take care of. Entreri didn't kill them, that would have been too easy. He walked into Kheran's room; the man was asleep. Entreri locked the door and closed all windows. Then he lit a few candles and pulled out his jewelled dagger.
"Wake up, your lordship," he said, shaking Kheran. The man muttered something and then opened his eyes, looking around puzzled. Entreri smiled at him, pressing the dagger against his neck. "We have about an hour before I have to go meet someone. I might get it over faster, but I doubt it. This happens when you plot against the Shadow Thieves," Entreri continued and enjoyed the look of horror on Kheran's face. Soon things would indeed be better.
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When Entreri returned to the guild house he went to see Aran first. The Shadowmaster looked like he wanted to say something to Entreri, but then he simply thanked him for a job well done. The assassin left the room and walked through the quiet guildhouse, meeting only a couple of thieves on his way.
Shandara was waiting for him, feeling nervous. She had tried to read something, but now she couldn't even remember the book's name, little alone what it had been about. When there was a knock on the door she almost dropped the quill she had been playing with. Entreri stepped in and closed the door behind him. "He's dead."
"That must be one of the strangest conversation openers I have heard," Shandara said smiling. "I thought I should leave the door open so that you wouldn't have to pick the lock."
"I don't think that I'll ever understand you," Entreri said, shaking his head. "Do you want me to leave now, or..."
"Stay," Shandara said. "And sit down," she continued, and waited until the assassin had sat down on her bed. "I talked with Aran. About my work and you and... Well, if you meant what you said, I can say that I resigned."
"What?" Entreri asked, staring at Shandara. The woman sat down on the bed next to him and touched his cheek. "I resigned. I told Aran that I can teach her girls right behaviour and things like that, but I won't be working as a whore anymore. That is... If you can give me a good reason to do so. I can still go and tell Aran that I've changed my mind."
"Don't," Entreri said, taking hold of her shoulders and looking into her eyes. "I don't know if I have any good reasons to offer you. I just... I love you."
"That is good enough for me," Shandara said, leaning to kiss him. "I love you too."
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Q: Couldn't you really come up with a better title?
A: No. It's two o'clock in the night.
I have to learn to sleep during the night and write during the day.
