Chapter 5
The three of them stared at the computer screen for a good ten minutes before Holly muttered, "I see it, but I don't get what I'm seeing."
Foaly nodded his head and reached into his shoulder bag to pull out a carrot to munch on, he was happy to continue staring at the picture.
Artemis on the other hand shook his head, not understanding.
More time elapsed before anyone said anything.
"Artemis, this Ther Drace, any idea why they chose it? What the background is?"
Artemis unglued his eyes long enough to make a reply, "Actually my guess was that they chose a common world language, but then, why not plain English? Or Chinese?"
"Weren't you looking in the past to find something?"
"I was, but when I came up with nothing, I stopped. Obviously there is nothing on them in the here and now of things." Foaly bobbed his head in agreement, it's what he would have done. If he ever had offspring, he only hoped they'd be like himself or Artemis, preferably more like himself.
Holly fingered the acorn cube around her neck. There was something too odd about this whole thing, it had an outer world feeling to it, like it didn't belong.
Foaly scratched his back and stretched, "Well, I don't know about you, but I'm on 'holiday'...I thought I'd go up north. Interested in coming?"
A slow smile crept across Artemis's pale face, "We have a few things to settle."
Butler knocked gently on the door to Artemis's private building outback. He'd been summoned and had come hurrying as fast as he'd been able to. Massaging his chest again, he waited for Artemis to open the door. Instead, much to his surprise, a small pink dressed girl opened it. She looked awfully familiar, but he couldn't quite place it.
"Ah, Butler, glad you could join us. What do you think of my temporary long lost sister?"
Opening his mouth to answer, Artemis held up his hand, "Don't worry, Butler, this scheme isn't dangerous...well perhaps a little, but don't concern yourself." Butler didn't know what to say and so remained silent, his eyes never left the girls face – so familiar.
Artemis backed towards the small closet where Foaly was hiding. Through the partially opened door, he asked the centaur, "What do you think? You saw his condition when he came to the door. He always has to catch his breath or something. Damn that Kevlar. I haven't told him about the Fairy world."
Foaly watched the pitiful creature who'd defeated the troll. The once well built up man was only a shadow of what he used to be. Although still powerful enough to take down any ordinary person, he was no match for a group of trained people. "I don't know. I have to tell you, but I have been working on something to help him out a bit. It will make the tissue more elastic, allowing more give. But no promises."
Artemis looked over at his old friend, for that was exactly what Butler was. A friend, not just a body guard, but a person he could confide in. "Administer it."
"Get him to come over here. You're very lucky I remembered to bring it." Reaching into the shoulder bag that Foaly had of late begun to carry around; he pulled out a hypodermic needle. It was filled with a serum that he had recently produced – especially for Butler.
"Butler, I'd like you to come see this for a moment."
Butler broke his gaze from the childlike face and turned to Artemis, he was standing beside one of his many computers. Artemis pointed to the computer screen. "Tell me what you think of this."
Pulling a seat up, he peered at the hazy picture. Leaning closer to the image he inspected it closely; then out of the corner in the reflection of the screen he saw a movement. Something pricked into the back of his neck, but the action came too quickly for him to react to it. The last thing he saw as he slid from his chair was Artemis worriedly hovering over him.
"You're sure you didn't kill him?"
"I can assure you this man has the hide of a dragon. He'll live."
"He better," Artemis sulked, "He and I have been through a lot."
"Trust me, I've been there for most of it."
This was the dialogue that Butler groggily woke to and it confused him immensely. Sure he and Artemis had been through a lot, but it wasn't that much, besides, who else could have been there to be with Artemis other than himself?
"See? He's waking up now. Like a dragon."
"Dragons are extinct, so find some other analogy."
"Don't get me started Holly."
Holly? Butler thought, now that name sounded really familiar...kinda like how that girl was familiar. He tried to say something, but his mouth felt all cottony and gross.
"Foaly, you dumb mule, you've dehydrated him!"
Foaly. What a strange name. Butler considered the name, another name that was on the tip of his tongue. Licking his lips he attempted to speak again, "Wher ahm ah?" Whoa! Was that his voice, it sounded all messed up.
"This better be a side affect, Foaly."
Foaly forced a laugh out, "Heh heh...I'm sure it is."
Butler felt someone lean over him and whisper in his ear, "Rest my friend, I'll be back in a while, Foaly will explain everything here if you wake up before I get back – don't kill him."
Foaly giggled nervously and took a safe step back away from where Butler lay.
Artemis sat in the office of the headmaster of the school. The room was richly furbished in mahogany and deep red velvets. Most likely the last bribe that Artemis had handed over for an explanation for missed school. It seemed like another one would be added onto it, not that Artemis couldn't afford it or anything.
Holly sat beside him, once again dressed up in the pink dress and bonnet. She hated dresses, but even more, she hated pink. But as Foaly had pointed out, pink really did suit here. But none of that mattered, she'd have to put up with the swaths of fabric. She was the ultimate excuse for why Artemis was leaving school again.
The professor waddled into the room a few minutes after the noon bell, obviously he'd been out to lunch and enjoying it thoroughly. Some of it was even on his tie.
"Ah, Master Artemis. How nice to see you again. Is anything amiss?" His chins, and seriously, there was more than one, jiggled with each word. "I hope you aren't thinking of taking off again. Your professors haven't had a good word for you about your attendance."
Artemis remained placate, his expression the epitome of blankness. Of course those very professors had never complained about his marks. They couldn't find fault with that. "No everything is fine, but I'm afraid it is to do with another take of leave." A calculating look momentarily entered Artemis's eyes, "You see, it is my long lost sister. My family recently found her, in the America's."
A frown added more creases to the professor's already wrinkled face, "Oh my, I never knew you had a younger sibling." His eyes turned to Holly.
Artemis sniffed disdainfully and glanced down as well, "Neither did I, and trust me, this comes as a complete surprise to me as well. But the parents want to have family time where we can connect. Somewhere where we cannot be disturbed."
Nodding his support, the professor leaned forward to rest heavy arms on his wooden desk, clasping his hands together he stared at them for a few minutes before he said what was on his mind. "Well, it won't be easy, Artemis..." he shook his head, "It's going to be mighty hard to get the other professors to understand...although I'm sure there's something that could turn their minds."
Flicking invisible dust from his immaculate suit, Artemis replied blandly, "I'll up the amount this time, but only this time. As you well know, I already pay you handsomely."
"I don't know, Artemis. Second time this month. It's awfully suspicious with you getting top marks and always away. The cost will be high."
Artemis's eye brows inched upward, "I have a plausible reason for taking leave, do I not? As you can see... My parents are finishing up back at the mansion if you are wondering about their appearance, or rather, lack of."
"Still..."
Holly piped up, it was her turn. She'd been invited into this building, witnessed the disgusting world of bribery and now was determined to end this session. In a false voice she cried out, "Oh please, sir. We've just united." She forced a few tears out and sniffled, "Please, I don't know how long he'll be gone, but it won't make up for the time we've been separated." She began to break down into sobs.
Coughing slightly, Professor handed her a kerchief to wipe her face with, "Ahem. Yes. Of course, your sister here has won me over." He placed a hand where his heart would be, but Holly suspected that what beat there was nothing but cold calculating thoughts filled with greed. "But there's still the matter of the professors..."
Holly was about to beat some sense in this greedy old bag, but Artemis refrained with a hand on her arm. "I see that the other professors have upped their prices, very well...how much?"
Holly was not going to take any more of this, wrenching her arm free she stomped ungirlishly to the headmasters. Clambering up onto the desktop, she crouched till she was looking into the shocked professors eyes. Then, reaching deep inside herself, she used the mesmer that would allow herself to imprint some ideas into the despicable man. "You'll let Artemis and his sweet sister leave without a word. It is for family reasons."
The Professor's head bobbed like a chicken, "Yes."
"No payment required, just your happiest regards."
"As always."
"Good." Then, jumping off the desk, Holly straightened her dress and marched out of the room past a smirking Artemis who quietly followed.
The three of them stared at the computer screen for a good ten minutes before Holly muttered, "I see it, but I don't get what I'm seeing."
Foaly nodded his head and reached into his shoulder bag to pull out a carrot to munch on, he was happy to continue staring at the picture.
Artemis on the other hand shook his head, not understanding.
More time elapsed before anyone said anything.
"Artemis, this Ther Drace, any idea why they chose it? What the background is?"
Artemis unglued his eyes long enough to make a reply, "Actually my guess was that they chose a common world language, but then, why not plain English? Or Chinese?"
"Weren't you looking in the past to find something?"
"I was, but when I came up with nothing, I stopped. Obviously there is nothing on them in the here and now of things." Foaly bobbed his head in agreement, it's what he would have done. If he ever had offspring, he only hoped they'd be like himself or Artemis, preferably more like himself.
Holly fingered the acorn cube around her neck. There was something too odd about this whole thing, it had an outer world feeling to it, like it didn't belong.
Foaly scratched his back and stretched, "Well, I don't know about you, but I'm on 'holiday'...I thought I'd go up north. Interested in coming?"
A slow smile crept across Artemis's pale face, "We have a few things to settle."
Butler knocked gently on the door to Artemis's private building outback. He'd been summoned and had come hurrying as fast as he'd been able to. Massaging his chest again, he waited for Artemis to open the door. Instead, much to his surprise, a small pink dressed girl opened it. She looked awfully familiar, but he couldn't quite place it.
"Ah, Butler, glad you could join us. What do you think of my temporary long lost sister?"
Opening his mouth to answer, Artemis held up his hand, "Don't worry, Butler, this scheme isn't dangerous...well perhaps a little, but don't concern yourself." Butler didn't know what to say and so remained silent, his eyes never left the girls face – so familiar.
Artemis backed towards the small closet where Foaly was hiding. Through the partially opened door, he asked the centaur, "What do you think? You saw his condition when he came to the door. He always has to catch his breath or something. Damn that Kevlar. I haven't told him about the Fairy world."
Foaly watched the pitiful creature who'd defeated the troll. The once well built up man was only a shadow of what he used to be. Although still powerful enough to take down any ordinary person, he was no match for a group of trained people. "I don't know. I have to tell you, but I have been working on something to help him out a bit. It will make the tissue more elastic, allowing more give. But no promises."
Artemis looked over at his old friend, for that was exactly what Butler was. A friend, not just a body guard, but a person he could confide in. "Administer it."
"Get him to come over here. You're very lucky I remembered to bring it." Reaching into the shoulder bag that Foaly had of late begun to carry around; he pulled out a hypodermic needle. It was filled with a serum that he had recently produced – especially for Butler.
"Butler, I'd like you to come see this for a moment."
Butler broke his gaze from the childlike face and turned to Artemis, he was standing beside one of his many computers. Artemis pointed to the computer screen. "Tell me what you think of this."
Pulling a seat up, he peered at the hazy picture. Leaning closer to the image he inspected it closely; then out of the corner in the reflection of the screen he saw a movement. Something pricked into the back of his neck, but the action came too quickly for him to react to it. The last thing he saw as he slid from his chair was Artemis worriedly hovering over him.
"You're sure you didn't kill him?"
"I can assure you this man has the hide of a dragon. He'll live."
"He better," Artemis sulked, "He and I have been through a lot."
"Trust me, I've been there for most of it."
This was the dialogue that Butler groggily woke to and it confused him immensely. Sure he and Artemis had been through a lot, but it wasn't that much, besides, who else could have been there to be with Artemis other than himself?
"See? He's waking up now. Like a dragon."
"Dragons are extinct, so find some other analogy."
"Don't get me started Holly."
Holly? Butler thought, now that name sounded really familiar...kinda like how that girl was familiar. He tried to say something, but his mouth felt all cottony and gross.
"Foaly, you dumb mule, you've dehydrated him!"
Foaly. What a strange name. Butler considered the name, another name that was on the tip of his tongue. Licking his lips he attempted to speak again, "Wher ahm ah?" Whoa! Was that his voice, it sounded all messed up.
"This better be a side affect, Foaly."
Foaly forced a laugh out, "Heh heh...I'm sure it is."
Butler felt someone lean over him and whisper in his ear, "Rest my friend, I'll be back in a while, Foaly will explain everything here if you wake up before I get back – don't kill him."
Foaly giggled nervously and took a safe step back away from where Butler lay.
Artemis sat in the office of the headmaster of the school. The room was richly furbished in mahogany and deep red velvets. Most likely the last bribe that Artemis had handed over for an explanation for missed school. It seemed like another one would be added onto it, not that Artemis couldn't afford it or anything.
Holly sat beside him, once again dressed up in the pink dress and bonnet. She hated dresses, but even more, she hated pink. But as Foaly had pointed out, pink really did suit here. But none of that mattered, she'd have to put up with the swaths of fabric. She was the ultimate excuse for why Artemis was leaving school again.
The professor waddled into the room a few minutes after the noon bell, obviously he'd been out to lunch and enjoying it thoroughly. Some of it was even on his tie.
"Ah, Master Artemis. How nice to see you again. Is anything amiss?" His chins, and seriously, there was more than one, jiggled with each word. "I hope you aren't thinking of taking off again. Your professors haven't had a good word for you about your attendance."
Artemis remained placate, his expression the epitome of blankness. Of course those very professors had never complained about his marks. They couldn't find fault with that. "No everything is fine, but I'm afraid it is to do with another take of leave." A calculating look momentarily entered Artemis's eyes, "You see, it is my long lost sister. My family recently found her, in the America's."
A frown added more creases to the professor's already wrinkled face, "Oh my, I never knew you had a younger sibling." His eyes turned to Holly.
Artemis sniffed disdainfully and glanced down as well, "Neither did I, and trust me, this comes as a complete surprise to me as well. But the parents want to have family time where we can connect. Somewhere where we cannot be disturbed."
Nodding his support, the professor leaned forward to rest heavy arms on his wooden desk, clasping his hands together he stared at them for a few minutes before he said what was on his mind. "Well, it won't be easy, Artemis..." he shook his head, "It's going to be mighty hard to get the other professors to understand...although I'm sure there's something that could turn their minds."
Flicking invisible dust from his immaculate suit, Artemis replied blandly, "I'll up the amount this time, but only this time. As you well know, I already pay you handsomely."
"I don't know, Artemis. Second time this month. It's awfully suspicious with you getting top marks and always away. The cost will be high."
Artemis's eye brows inched upward, "I have a plausible reason for taking leave, do I not? As you can see... My parents are finishing up back at the mansion if you are wondering about their appearance, or rather, lack of."
"Still..."
Holly piped up, it was her turn. She'd been invited into this building, witnessed the disgusting world of bribery and now was determined to end this session. In a false voice she cried out, "Oh please, sir. We've just united." She forced a few tears out and sniffled, "Please, I don't know how long he'll be gone, but it won't make up for the time we've been separated." She began to break down into sobs.
Coughing slightly, Professor handed her a kerchief to wipe her face with, "Ahem. Yes. Of course, your sister here has won me over." He placed a hand where his heart would be, but Holly suspected that what beat there was nothing but cold calculating thoughts filled with greed. "But there's still the matter of the professors..."
Holly was about to beat some sense in this greedy old bag, but Artemis refrained with a hand on her arm. "I see that the other professors have upped their prices, very well...how much?"
Holly was not going to take any more of this, wrenching her arm free she stomped ungirlishly to the headmasters. Clambering up onto the desktop, she crouched till she was looking into the shocked professors eyes. Then, reaching deep inside herself, she used the mesmer that would allow herself to imprint some ideas into the despicable man. "You'll let Artemis and his sweet sister leave without a word. It is for family reasons."
The Professor's head bobbed like a chicken, "Yes."
"No payment required, just your happiest regards."
"As always."
"Good." Then, jumping off the desk, Holly straightened her dress and marched out of the room past a smirking Artemis who quietly followed.