Chapter 5
Confusion, denial, and disbelief warred within Anna. It couldn't be London. Not the London she knew. It was impossible. Anna closed her eyes and took a deep breath. A disturbing idea occurred to her. What if instead of traveling to Faery, she had actually traveled back in time? She immediately dismissed the notion. Everyone knew that time travel existed only in the mind of a madman. Opening her eyes, Anna slowly examined the impressive fortress in front of her.
A huge stone wall encircled the city. The bridge stretching across the Thames was not the London Bridge that she had known. It must be the old bridge. Like the bridge that Anna was familiar with it was made of heavy stone, but there was an entire section of the bridge that didn't exist in Anna's time. Of course in Anna's time London wasn't surrounded by a moat either.
"Impressive." Jarlaxle said from behind her.
Artemis made a noncommittal noise as his cold gaze took in the heavily fortified city. The dark elf turned towards the assassin. "You go first." He said, tipping his huge hat in the direction of the armed guards standing at the gate. Artemis snorted. "Why am I not surprised?" He said, looking at the elf's black skin and pointed ears. Jarlaxle grinned at him cheerfully. Dismounting in one smooth motion, the drow motioned for Anna to join him. Artemis dismounted as well and turned towards the city to study its thick walls.
Pulling his cloak over his head, the elf covered his tell-tale black skin and pointed ears. Drow weren't welcomed anywhere. "Come; let us see this magnificent city for ourselves." Jarlaxle said. With a dramatic flourish he ushered them towards the stone bridge.
Anna had family in London and had visited them several times prior to The Great War. It was eerie. It was London, yet not London. She knew the Tower, and the great wall encircling the city, but the moat had been filled in long ago. The dark glistening water that now filled the moat reminded her that she was in uncertain and dangerous times.
As they approached the bridge the dark elf slowed his steps and fell behind them. Anna glanced back at him curiously. Jarlaxle smiled at her. There was a flash of white from under his cowl and then he was gone. Anna blinked. Staring at the space the elf had been Anna caught a glimpse of the drow's outline just before it blended in with their surroundings.
"How did he do that?" Anna whispered as the shadowy outline of the elf disappeared against the stone of the bridge. "There is far more to that one than meets the eye." The assassin's cold voice took her by surprise. It was the first time he had answered her. Looking up at him, Anna could only nod.
"What's your business here?" A rough voice demanded.
"Just passing through. All we want is a hot meal and place to sleep." The assassin answered.
The guard pointed at Anna's clothing. "Not from around here eh?" Artemis put a warning hand on Anna's arm. "No, this is our first time here." He answered. The guard stared at Anna for a long moment and then waved them on.
As soon as they were out of earshot, Artemis leaned towards Anna and growled. "Don't speak; don't move unless I tell you. Understand?" Anna nodded.
Anna glanced at the assassin and then away. Could this frightening man truly be her ancestor? His hair was darker than hers, but their eyes were close in color. He was built like an athlete; muscular, but not bulky. Underneath her uniform, Anna also possessed a surprising amount of muscle. His controlled movements spoke of a lethal grace. Anna was graceful, but whereas her gift was healing, he dealt in death. Anna glanced over again earning herself a warning a scowl. It was possible. The realization didn't make her feel any better. Pushing her worries out of her mind, Anna turned her attention to the city. Tall frame buildings lined the bridge, some rising to three stories or more. Anna stared. These buildings were long gone by the time she had been born.
London was cramped; really, really cramped. Anna shouldered past a woman carrying a large basket of baked goods. She was falling behind. If she didn't hurry she was going to lose sight of Artemis. "Hurry." He commanded without looking back. Anna picked up her pace. She didn't want to be left alone in this city which she no longer knew. Falling into step beside him, Anna unconsciously moved closer.
Artemis glanced down at her. It was an unusual sensation to have someone voluntarily stay close to him. Especially someone he could so easily kill.
A small hand shot out, grabbing Anna's skirt. Small and dirty, a girl no more than six years old held out her opposite hand begging for money. The girl's shapeless, ragged clothing did nothing to disguise how painfully thin she was. Reaching into her pocket, Anna pulled out a coin. She was about to hand it to the child when Artemis grabbed her hand and took the coin from her. "What did I tell you?" He snarled under his breath. Anna looked up at him. "She's just hungry." The assassin directed her gaze to the shadows that stretched between the buildings. "Can you feed them all?" He asked. Anna followed Artemis' gaze. Hidden within the darkness, hungry eyes silently watched them. Lowering her hand, Anna's head drooped. She didn't like it, but she understood why the assassin had stopped her. If she gave to one, they would be swarmed, drawing attention to themselves. Anna was enough of a curiosity as it was. He was right; one small coin wasn't going to help the multitudes of hungry children that roamed the streets.
Artemis slipped the coin into his pocket and pushed Anna across the crowded bridge.
"What is that smell?" Anna asked, holding her sleeve over her nose.
"Civilization." He answered flatly.
Civilization? Anna looked around trying to figure out where the smell was coming from. It was so strong it was making her eyes water. The smell reminded her a little of the trenches. It had the sickly sweet smell of rotting flesh, but there was also a stench that could only come from a sewer. She wouldn't have thought it possible, but the closer they got to the city the stronger the smell became.
Once they passed through the gate and entered the city, Anna found the source of the stench. Lining the narrow streets on either side was a trench filled with the city's garbage. As she watched, a butcher walked out of one of the buildings carrying a large bucket filled with putrid meat, entrails, and offal. Tossing the filth on top of the rotting vegetables and human waste that already filled the trench; the butcher wiped his hand on his apron and walked back inside. Anna gagged and looked away.
"That" Artemis said, waving his hand towards the filth. "Will be thrown into the river. The same river they will then use for washing, bathing, cooking and drinking." Anna turned disbelieving eyes on him. If she didn't know better she would have thought he was amused.
Following the assassin through the narrow streets was interesting. To Anna's amazement, no one bothered them. NO ONE. Perhaps it was the predatory air that surrounded Artemis Entreri like a cloak. Perhaps they could sense the death that awaited anyone foolish enough to cross him. Whatever the reason, they made it through the crowded streets in a remarkably short period of time.
Artemis stopped in front of one of the buildings. Anna tilted her head back. Five stories high, the building actually leaned over the street. It was as if once they ran out of room they just added stories to the existing building…without bothering to line them up. When the assassin stepped into the building, Anna almost didn't follow. Almost. Lifting her skirt to avoid dragging it through the rotting filth lying in the street, Anna hurried in after him.
A plump, red cheeked woman greeted them as they walked into the house. "We need a room." The assassin said brusquely. Smoothing the graying hair back from her face, the woman gave him a nervous look. "A pence for a week's stay." She said. Reaching into the pouch at his waist, Artemis tossed the woman a coin. Deftly catching the coin, she told him. "Top floor."
Without sparing a glance for the woman the assassin headed for the stairs.
"We're staying on the top floor?" Anna whispered, following him up the crooked staircase. When he didn't answer, Anna chewed on her bottom lip looking uneasily at the shoddy workmanship. What if they got to the top floor and the uneven weight made it fall off? It was a long way to the ground.
Stopping at the top floor, Artemis opened the door and waved her in. Anna walked slowly into the room. "Aren't you coming?" She asked when he remained outside. Looking at her out of mocking eyes, he said. "We are not staying here. You are." Before Anna could speak the assassin closed the door and walked away.
Moving carefully to the center of the room, that is if you could even call it a room, Anna sat down and hoped the building would remain upright until he came back for her. A dirty straw mattress lay in the corner beside a wooden bucket. Even from where she sat, Anna could see suspicious brown lumps clinging to the rim. A rough table and rickety chair completed the furnishings. Anna was thoroughly disillusioned by her first real look at ancient London.
"I can assure you, if you stand the house will not fall." Jarlaxle said in amusement.
Anna started, and then twisted toward the door. "How did you get in here?" She gasped.
The dark elf sniffed in disdain and walked around the sparsely furnished room. "Really Artemis, one would think you purposefully picked the most disgusting room you could find." He said, touching the rough wood of the table. Losing interest in the furnishings, Jarlaxle walked over to Anna and held out a hand. Anna looked up at him but didn't move.
"You wish to remain here?" The drow asked when Anna continued to stare at him.
Confusion washed over Anna's face. Looking around the room she asked. "There is only one room. Where else would I go?" Jarlaxle smiled broadly causing Anna's earlier confusion to turn to suspicion. "Where indeed." The drow agreed. "Come." He said, waiting for her to take his hand.
Obviously the elf wanted her to come with him. Alone. Anna swallowed hard. She shouldn't go with him, and she certainly shouldn't go with him all alone. He was Fae, and she still didn't know which kind. Unfortunately that didn't stop her from wanting to go with him. Charming didn't even begin to cover Jarlaxle's appeal. Mystery, danger, and sensuality surrounded the dark elf like a cloak. To trust such a creature was beyond foolish. Anna put her hand in his.
Jarlaxle's smile widened as he pulled her to her feet. "Excellent." He exclaimed, making Anna doubt her wisdom even more. Pulling a slender wand from beneath his cloak, Jarlaxle extended it in front of him and spoke an unfamiliar word.
A black hole formed in the middle of the room. Jarlaxle started towards the hole. Anna didn't move. "There is nothing to fear." He assured her. Shaking her head in denial, Anna pulled back. "That's the work of the devil." She blurted, years of Sunday school lessons rushing back. The drow tilted his head, watching her curiously. "Which devil?" He asked politely. Anna's eyes rounded. "There is only one devil!" Jarlaxle shook his head. "Not so. I know several." He told her. Anna's mouth dropped open. Taking advantage of her shock, the dark elf pulled her into the darkness of the portal.
"No!" Anna shrieked. Too late. There was a moment of complete and utter darkness and then they were in another room. Jerking away from him, Anna stumbled back, looking wildly around the new room. Rich fabrics and glints of gold and jewels were all Anna saw before she collapsed to the floor in a dead faint.
"Not exactly the response I had expected." The elf murmured to himself, crouching beside her. She really was an enigma. In the face of blood and death, she was calm and matter-of-fact, yet the mere sight of a portal overcame her. The elf shook his head in amusement and then a slow smile spread across his face.
Anna moaned quietly and opened her eyes to find Jarlaxle hovering over her. A brilliant smile flashed across the elf's handsome face. Anna groaned and closed her eyes. Musical laughter came from above her, followed by the soft brush of warm breath. Anna's eyes popped open to find the elf barely a hair's breadth away from her. "Ah good, you're awake." He said, softly brushing her lips with his. Anna squeaked in alarm and scrambled backwards. The elf laughed and rose to his feet.
"You kissed me!" Anna gasped in disbelief.
"You thought that was a kiss?" The elf actually looked shocked.
Anna scurried across the floor as Jarlaxle walked towards her. "Don't you touch me!" Anna warned, getting to her feet. The elf backed her up against a wall and then wrinkled his nose. "I assure you I have no desire to touch someone that smells of death." Anna stared back at him suspiciously. "Then why are you holding me here?" She demanded. Taking Anna's hand in his own Jarlaxle placed a small object in it.
Waving at a tub of steaming water in the corner of the room, he said. "There are fresh clothes on the bed." Turning his back to her the dark elf walked to the door. Pausing at the doorframe, he glanced over his shoulder and said. "Wash up, my dear, and when I return I will show you what a kiss is." Flashing her a smile he closed the door and walked away.
Authors Note: Sorry about the wait! I have the next chapter underway, so it will be posted a lot sooner.
Sushi-san85: Thank you so much for the detailed review. You even pointed out what stood out! It really helps when I know what appeals to you. I think this story is going to be very cool. I hope you enjoy this chapter as well.
Musingsage: Yep the tower of London is pretty old. Worked out just perfect for me! Hehe. Hmmm…fracture in time? Perhaps…perhaps not….
Surreptitious Chi X: A little mind blowing is a good thing… ;)
Shadowman3764: Hehe…even my friends are reviewing my story. Okay that's cheating a little, but still very cool.
Anon: Sorry about the wait…I went to see Foamhenge…and got side tracked! The next chapter won't be as long in coming. :-[
Xoroth: I am glad you are enjoying this. I am quite wordy, so this will probably go on for a while.