Prologue
Artemis rubbed his temples. Something was wrong here. His Swiss account had a nameless object in it, which he didn't put in there. Someone had been messing with him, and of course he wouldn't stand for it. He slumped, and sighed. What could he do about it, though? Ever since those damned contacts he had been unable to think straight. The very same contacts that Artemis himself had apparently ordered. This was becoming too much for him. First the contacts, then Butler aged overnight. Sure, he tried to hide it, but it was becoming obvious.
Then, he also knew things he shouldn't have. Like, Butler's first name, Domovoi.
He thought back over the last three years. He had had lapses over that time period. Times when he hadn't acted himself. When he had felt emotions he'd never had to deal with before. Compassion, empathy, caring, guilt.
And, finally, the item in his account.
He didn't know what was going on, but he knew that the something in his account would be the answer.
He depressed the button on the intercom. "Butler?"
After a pause, his bodyguard answered. "Yes, Artemis?" his breathing slightly heavier than usual. It sounded like he had just come up the stairs.
"Contact Lars. I need something from my account."
Tara Shuttleport
Captain Holly Short stepped off of the landing bay, checking her wings. Satisfied, she made sure she was shielded, and took off into the night sky. According to her moonometer, it was about ten o'clock. She sighed, early for once, and headed off. Shielding was harder than usual, she noted, and vowed to never do this again. This was the third time she had neglected the ritual, and the last time had been disastrous. Deciding that being late was better than suddenly coming into view above Fowl manor, she made a sharp turn for the nearest site. Site fifty-seven, as it so happened.
Fowl Manor
Artemis waited impatiently for Butler to return with the package. It was nearing evening by the time the manservant got back, a manila envelope in hand.
"Here it is, Artemis." he handed it to the eager boy. Artemis opened it, and pulled out a disk. Scowling, he took it into the study, to find out what was on it.
There was only one file to be found. He started it, and the computer began whirring, almost as if contemplating whether Artemis should see the contents or not. Finally, the screen went blank, and a simulated book appeared on screen. It was golden in color, and a lock held it closed. A computerized voice, in his father's tones, asked him for the password, as Artemis Junior looked the digital picture over. His head began to hurt, as his eyes scanned over a code, written in spirals.
He knew what it said. The very first thing translated. How could he have forgotten? "The booke of the people..." he whispered, running a finger over the words. "Being instructions to our magicks and life rules." the book opened, and he began to remember.