"All of the clerics that could not make it to the initial burning are present," High Priest Cletran said with some matter of satisfaction. After all, it wasn't every day that every priest of Mask was gathered in one spot.

Entreri looked at Cletran. The Daggerlord then eyed everyone else in the room.

There was Avariel. She was the Thief Lord and the lowest ranking of the lords, which included the High Priest. Avariel had a strong spirit, but one of the things Entreri liked best about her was the advice she gave. Avariel had been around when Aramil and ruled, and now she helped Entreri.

Jarlaxle was also in the room. He didn't really belong here, but Entreri had been insistent on the matter. It was hard to believe, but Entreri truly believed that he and Jarlaxle were becoming friends.

Next to Entreri was Callahan. The young elf was currently training with Avariel, Jarlaxle, and Entreri. Entreri had become fond of the child. Callahan was loyal, and in the world of assassins that mattered for everything.

Sahide was also present. The great panther rarely let Entreri out of his sight and was very protective. Sahide was a fine warrior and stealthy even by feline standards. His normal position was to be shrunk down to the size of a house cat so he could ride on Entreri's shoulder.

"You want me to go see them?" Entreri asked. He already knew what the answer was going to be.

"You are why they were summoned," Avariel said matter-of-factly.

Entreri shot her a glare. He hadn't expected her to give the answer. "Alright, I'll see them."

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"He's coming," Soren shouted excitedly. A minor priest, he was also the loudest and most emotional of the trio that had traveled together from Calimport.

"Who's coming?" Salima inquired. Soren's sister, Salima, was two years older and wiser.

"The new Assassin Lord," Soren replied.

Salima smiled. "Hear that Jori? We'll be the first Calimport-based priests to see him."

Jori looked at her companion, startled. She was perched on top of the sofa and had been looking out of the window.

Just then the door opened and in walked Artemis Entreri, second Daggerlord of the assassins. Jori fell off the couch.

Entreri hadn't really taken notice of the room, but at the thud slender Jori made in landing, he turned his head to her.

"Sorry about that, sir. She's not normally that klutzy," Salima said quickly.

Jori stood up. "Sorry, sir," she said meekly.

Entreri just shook his head and said, "Since there are only three of you, I will talk to each of you individually."

He motioned Jori and Soren out the room and began talking to Salima.

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Salima and Soren proved to be loyal and intelligent—perfect little clerics of Mask. Entreri was musing over what news he had gotten on Calimport when Jori entered.

"Sorry about falling," she said. "I was caught by surprise."

"Indeed," Entreri agreed. "It is not like you."

A long moment of silence reigned over the room as the two people examined each other.

One of the first things Jori noticed was the gray tint that had come to Entreri's skin. He wore the official outfit of his position as well. Black cloak and leather armor with red stitching, the gauntlet, and Charon's Claw.

Entreri eyed Jori in much the same way. It had been a year since they had seen each other, and she had clearly become more confident. He found himself studying her face more than anything. Jori had thick, curly, raven-black hair and dark gray eyes. An inner fire seemed to dance in her pupils; Entreri quickly registered that, reminding himself not to let Jarlaxle get her angry.

"You look like your mother," he said quietly, proudly.

Jori bowed and left, smiling.

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"I've met them all, finally," Entreri said, exasperated.

"It wasn't so bad, was it?" Jarlaxle asked teasingly.

The two of them were in Entreri's quarters, which held about as many rooms as a house.

"Do you want my job?" Entreri said sharply.

"I've had similar," Jarlaxle said light-heartedly.

Entreri shot him a death glare but said nothing.

"Do you know where Nova is?" Jarlaxle said, changing the subject. He had to remember that Artemis Entreri ruled here.

"The Demonweb Pits," Entreri stated casually.

Jarlaxle's left eye, the only visible one, opened so wide that even Entreri had to grin.

"Do tell me that you're joking!"

"Not unless she lied to me," Entreri replied.

Jarlaxle just shook his head and muttered, "Amazing, absolutely amazing."