Waterdeep, 1373 DR

Jarlaxle and Kimmuriel had met for their usual discussion of Bregan D'aerthe. In the past four years, Jarlaxle had only partially returned to his position as captain of the mercenaries. He occasionally returned to Menzoberranzan, took meetings, sent agents on missions, but he had refused to cease his travels on the surface. He had informed Kimmuriel that he was investigating further business opportunities, but they both knew that was only, at best, a partial truth.

But it was progress. Kimmuriel knew that Jarlaxle would have to return to the band eventually. But he would prefer to return to his own studies sooner rather than later. Kimmuriel had started considering plans to draw Jarlaxle back to Menzoberranzan; his first idea had failed, but this time he wouldn't rely on the irrational, unpredictable variables that humans tended to present.

Today's meeting was in a inn room in Waterdeep. Where his previous travels had taken him far to the east and the north, Jarlaxle had kept his adventures with Athrogate close to the Sword Coast in recent years.

Kimmuriel finished his summary of Bregan D'aerthe's most recent jobs. Since he and Jarlaxle were effectively co-captains, it was important to keep each other apprised of such things. Human armies had been known to attack each other based on poor communication, after all.

"—and the mining operations near the edges of Blingdenstone don't seem to have drawn any attention yet," Kimmuriel said, finishing up his report.

"Good. And what about Entreri?" Kimmuriel blinked at the rapid change of subject, then withheld a sigh. Jarlaxle had suggested that they keep the assassin under surveillance. He's worked with us enough that our enemies might approach him for information, he had said. If they do, we'll know. No sense in getting caught by surprise.

"We're not the only ones following him," Kimmuriel said with a scowl. His suggestion of killing the human and eliminating vulnerability from that corner had been ignored entirely. "He fled some Netherese agents in Calimport three weeks ago. We've noticed others in places that he's been, but they don't seem to be having much luck."

Jarlaxle laughed. "Of course they aren't. They've barely had a year to relearn the material plane. Catching Artemis Entreri in his own city would require more practice than that."

"They'll have plenty of opportunity. They're sure to catch him eventually."

"Perhaps. Perhaps not." He glanced at Kimmuriel. "How should we react, if they get too close?"

"Not at all. We have neither the resources nor the incentive to get into a war with the Netherese."

"We'd be preserving a potential future asset from certain death. That seems like an excellent incentive."

"We'd be preserving a current liability from potential death. The Netherese would be doing us a favor if they killed him."

If Kimmuriel hadn't been watching for it, he wouldn't have noticed Jarlaxle's lips tighten for a brief second before returning to his normal, carefree grin.

"As usual, you are focusing too much on survival and not enough on potential gain."

But to Kimmuriel's relief, he dropped the subject any way.