"All I need is fire resistance to help me deal with the blood," Sokale Von Houchie explained.
Across the table, Ali Entreri looked at the vampire. How could he trust that one? "Your proposition is indeed a nice one. You help me capture Artemis, then you take the fire resistance. After that the Awakening can be completed."
"That is the deal."
"Very well, then. I accept."
6
It was morning, and Artemis had decided to ride Akilah. Sahide shrunk down and rode on the assassin's right shoulder.
Nova walked beside the assassin. After her conversation with Wraith, she had come to realize that she needed to know Artemis before judging what to do next.
"I didn't catch your whole name," she said casually.
"I didn't catch any of yours," Entreri replied harshly.
"Fair enough, my name is Nova Von Houchie. Now, you answer."
"Artemis Entreri."
Now, it was time for the dangerous part. "Is your surname from your father, or is it your own?"
Entreri looked at her. "It's my own."
"Odd for someone to choose their own surname," Nova replied. She sounded truly interested.
"Just be blunt. What do you want?" Entreri snapped.
"Is your father Ali Entreri?"
Artemis looked at Nova with one of his famous death glares.
"Ow!" A small flame started on her shoulder.
Wraith smiled and cast a simple clerical spell. About ten gallons of water fell right on Nova's head. Everyone was laughing. Even Artemis was smiling. Then Nightwing came back from her scouting mission.
"Sokale! And he's with the Entreris!" she shouted in their minds.
"Father!" Nova shrieked in disbelief.
Entreri just sat on Akilah. His three worst enemies, here and together.
"I don't think there's anyway to avoid them," it continued.
"Then we fight," Wraith said defensively.
"I understand that we need to fight, but let's gather up what we know first," Jarlaxle said calmly. "Wraith, what do you know?"
"We'll be fighting an archmage vampire who doesn't hold all of the normal weaknesses; he's too powerful for the sun to really affect him. That's Sokale. Ali is the High Priest of Shar. This makes him the most powerful cleric of Shar in the realms. He also has control of fire. His brother is Gareth Entreri, a wererat and a powerful rogue and fighter," she said looking pointedly at Avariel. "He has some control of earth. I suggest you watch your footing, Jarlaxle I want you to levitate."
"Is that it?" the drow stressed. He now seemed pretty scared. An archmage, powerful cleric, and warrior in one fight!
"It's the outline," Wraith said off-handedly.
"The outline, right. Is there any way we can survive this?" Jarlaxle asked.
"Luck and teleportation," Nova said.
"Why don't we just do that now?" Avariel asked.
"Chances are they'll be able to track us. We do better off if they need to lick some wounds. It would help us get more distance," Wraith explained.
"Why are we waiting?" Entreri said sarcastically. Why him?
66
There was no way they were going to sneak up on this batch of enemies, and they knew it. In other words, Jarlaxle and the group simply walked into the grove of trees. The effects were instant.
Jarlaxle felt a spell try to enter his mind, but he was able to fight it off with the help of his eye patch. The whole ground became covered in mud. It wasn't deep, but it would certainly hinder movement. Ali began casting a spell.
Ali wanted her to accept and change Artemis. The Mistress of the Night looked at the fight with interest. She might be able to do just that very soon.
The Lady of Loss was not the only one to look at the fight with interest. The Master of All Thieves knew that Shar was being called. If she appeared so would it.
Wraith began casting her own spell. A bolt of lightning shot from her hand and shook the tree that their enemies were on. All of them landed gracefully to the ground, except Ali. He just levitated and kept calling out to his dark deity.
Artemis, Sahide, and Nightwing all charged Houchie. None of their attacks worked. In fact he just stood there mocking them. Nova drew her sword and went for Gareth.
She dived in low. Gareth easily parried. Nova swung her sword up, and Gareth barely stopped that from hitting his heart when Avariel and Callahan came in. If his brother didn't help he'd be dead.
Suddenly, everything went pitch black. Everyone stopped. Not even Houchie could tell where who was. Artemis felt something grab at him. Then he felt that person jerk and let go. The darkness abated. Everyone turned to stare at the battle going on before them.
Shar and Mask were fighting.
"Run!" Artemis and his group heard in their head. It seemed wise to follow that advice.