"I think we can stop now," Avariel said to the group as they did indeed stop. Callahan just collapsed.
"Where's the new arrivals?" Entreri asked.
Indeed Nova, Wraith, and Nightwing had vanished.
"I haven't a clue," Sahide stated simply.
"At this rate, I don't think we're going make it into Waterdeep," Jarlaxle said.
Everyone else nodded.
"What if Akilah calls in some friends?" Avariel asked.
"It's a possibility," Jarlaxle said, looking at Artemis.
"I can try. Why don't you rest, Callahan?" Everyone nodded and began their chores.
7
"So Akilah's going to get some friends?" Jarlaxle asked Entreri as they sat by the fire. Everyone else was asleep.
"Yes," he replied.
"What did you think of that group?" Jarlaxle asked.
"A little too light and fluffy for my taste," Entreri replied honestly.
Jarlaxle nodded his head, understanding completely. "I wonder why Nova acted the way she did."
"She kept saying Aramil over and over," Entreri replied.
"That's odd. I wonder why."
"I don't know, and I don't really care."
"You do," Jarlaxle said.
Entreri looked at him, wanting the drow to go on.
"You want to know why she acted that way," Jarlaxle explained.
"Maybe a little, but it's not something I intend to explore too much."
"Understood," Jarlaxle replied.
77
"I feel bad about just ditching them," Wraith said to her companions as they sat together.
"Listen, how badly do we care? I don't care as much anymore," Nova replied.
"You don't like Artemis," Wraith corrected.
"You're right, I don't," Nova said quietly.
"You want Aramil though," Wraith said. There was true sympathy in her voice.
"Yes," said Nova. She was close to tears.
"I am sorry to have to say this, but you need to remember that Aramil is dead. Being nice to somebody you hate isn't going to bring him back."
Nova smiled slightly and nodded.
777
Avariel looked at the sleeping forms of her companions. They weren't going to make it. Artemis's breathing was regular, and he showed no signs of a nightmare. But there wasn't a chance.
Avariel tried to push the thoughts out of her mind but couldn't. There was no way they were going to make it. She had to contact the High Priest when they got into Waterdeep. He would transport them where they needed to go. They weren't going to make it, at least not without some casualties.
7777
"How many more days do you think until we reach Waterdeep?" Callahan asked Entreri. The two were traveling side by side on the road and were a little bit away from everyone else. Callahan was the only one who seemed to want company.
"About three," Entreri replied off-handedly.
"I hope nobody dies," Callahan said all of the sudden. This reminded Entreri of a question he had wanted to ask.
"Callahan, why do you want to become an assassin?"
"My mother was one. I want to follow in her footsteps," Callahan said quietly.
"Are you sure you're cut out for a life of killing?"
"I haven't killed yet, so can't know how I'll react. Seeing it doesn't bother me though."
"That's good," Entreri said quietly. Then he realized that it could be a problem.
"Why do you ask?"
"I will not teach you anything that actually has to do with being an assassin until I have watched you kill someone."
7777
"I don't believe it!" Ali Entreri roared. "How could things have gone wrong?"
"A mask," Sokale said.
"A mask?"
"What do you mean?" Gareth asked.
"The mask Isra wears," Sokale explained.
"Isra?" Ali inquired.
"Indeed, do you not know of who I speak of?"
"Who?" Gareth asked.
"Mask, I speak of Mask."
"What are you saying?" Ali said losing patience.
"If we can get that mask she will be…almost powerless," Houchie said quietly.
"How do you steal from the Lord of Thieves?"
"I'll tell you." With that Sokale leaned in and began discussing his plan.
77777
Nova watched the sleeping form of Artemis Entreri with some trepidation. She shouldn't be here. Jarlaxle was keeping watch, and Sahide was keeping an eye on Entreri.
Nova heard Entreri's heart begin to beat faster as well as Avariel's. Something was wrong, something was terribly wrong.