The Cytokine Storm Chapter 13
"Bodies are being brought out by the wagon-load." At the assassin's words, even the drow was rendered speechless.
The elf's white brows pinched together. It had been less than three moon rises since they left the city and less than two moon rises since his meeting with the wererat. What manner of madness was this?
Anna's face drained of color, "The boy didn't say anything about wagons full of bodies."
"They weren't bringing them out of the front gates." Artemis' cold eyes bored into her. What caused a man to have eyes like that? She looked away, unable to hold his gaze.
"They are trying to avoid a panic." Anna's observation drew Jarlaxle's attention.
"Or trying to hide something." The elf added.
Anna met his eyes, "No, I've seen the effects of tragedy before. The city is probably on the brink of a full blown panic."
The drow was surprised at her assessment of situation. "You seem quite certain of this."
Anna looked him in the eyes, "I am."
"How can you be so sure?" The drow asked. This was the first time that she had insisted she was right.
"I have seen this many times. The fear. The desperation. Desperate people don't think rationally." The unwavering certainty in her eyes spoke volumes.
"You surprise me." Jarlaxle smiled, absurdly pleased by the fact.
"She is right." Like the elf, Artemis was surprised at Anna's quick grasp of the situation.
"Then let us decide our next move." Jarlaxle set his hat on the grass and rolled onto his back, hands clasped behind his head. Without the hat to shade him the wide variety of jewelry about his person flashed and glittered in the sunlight. A slight smile played on his lips as he studied the clouds overhead.
"We should get as far away from here as we can." Artemis sat down beside Anna and stretched one leg out in front of him. Anna looked startled. He idly wondered if it was because he suggested they leave the city or because he sat down beside her. With her, it could be either one.
Anna tried not to inch away. She was almost certain that he was the same Artemis Entreri that her grandpa had told her about, which made them related. He shouldn't have been scary. Artemis was not a big man. In fact, he was closer to the drow's height. She peeked at him from beneath her lashes. His eyes were so cold that they might have been dead. No, size didn't matter when it came to a man like Artemis Entreri. Danger emanated from him. The barely leashed violence was so strong that just a glance from him made her shiver
"Are you cold?" Amusement crept into the drow's red eyes. She was trying so hard not to fidget. Yet, what surprised him the most was Artemis. The assassin was teasing her.
"What? No! I'm fine." She stammered. "Why would I be cold?" Jarlaxle laughed out loud at that.
"Stop fidgeting." The assassin growled and grabbed Anna's hand. She squeaked and stared at him out of wide eyes.
Jarlaxle was thoroughly enjoying himself. It pleased him to no end to see Artemis playing with Anna even if the girl herself didn't realize it. In truth, she looked ready to make a run for it. The drow considered if he should keep her around for his companion's amusement.
Anna rearranged her skirt. Maybe if she could put a little distance between herself and her scary relative she would feel better. All she had to do was move away…slowly. Maybe he wouldn't notice. She didn't want to appear rude, but he gave her the willies.
Artemis wondered if she was trying to be stealthy. She was slowly inching across the ground toward Jarlaxle. As if the drow was the safer of the two of them. Did she really think he wouldn't see her trying to sneak away? Judging by the self-satisfied look she was wearing, apparently so. Poor deluded child. Artemis was beginning to understand why the drow so enjoyed teasing her.
Anna yawned daintily, trying to act nonchalant. She was almost there…A hand shot out and grabbed her arm. She shrieked and stared at him. Artemis looked irritated. Well, Artemis normally looked irritated, but he looked more irritated than normal. What should she do?
"Can't you sit still?" The assassin snapped. She was staring at him like he was a monster. It was about time.
"Really, Artemis you are scaring the poor girl." Jarlaxle chided, earning a scowl from the assassin. Jarlaxle pushed himself off the ground, picked up his hat and brushed it off. After ensuring that it sat on his head at an appropriately rakish angle he ambled over to the assassin. "Perhaps now would be a good time to see if the journal can provide some answers." He pealed the assassin's hand off of Anna and sat down. Placing himself between the two of them, he reached into his cloak and pulled out the journal.
Unable to stop herself, Anna scooted a few more inches away from the two of them.
If Jarlaxle noticed that she had moved, he gave no indication of it as he opened the journal and began to read.
Entry 6
I finally have the artifact in my possession. Two moonrises have passed since then and now it would appear we have a new foe to defeat and a mystery to solve. Now if I could only get Artemis to use the freshly laundered shirts I have provided. It is so much to ask that my companion take more care with his appearance?
Entry 7
Artemis has informed us that boy's tale was correct. Though the fact the others were dying as well was a surprise. If there are indeed wagons full of the dead, things may be more serious than I had originally thought.
Entry 8
Listen well my younger self. The wererats are merely the beginning, and this is not something that can be ignored. The wererats will spread the disease to the far ends of Faerun. You must take action. Send Artemis and your young guest into the city. There is information within its walls that you must find.
"That is the last entry." Jarlaxle told them. "It would appear our journey here has not ended."
Artemis resisted the urge to rub his temples. The drow had left yet another ambiguous statement. Why he expected anything else he would never know. Now, thanks to that cursed journal he would have to go back into the city. He knew from experience that once Jarlaxle had made up his mind it was useless to try and resist.
Anna felt sick. Go back into a city that was riddled with plague?
"Tomorrow you will leave for the city?" Jarlaxle turned his attention to the unhappy assassin. Artemis grunted non-committedly. "It's settled then." The elf would provide an excellent opportunity for Artemis to spend some time with his ancestor, though admittedly neither looked pleased at the prospect.
Anna stood up, needing to work out some of the tension. The drow gave her a curious look but didn't stop her as she walked along the stream. Having put a little distance between herself and her questionable companions, she sat down and looked at her ankle. She wanted to soak it in the stream. Though it didn't hurt, she knew the swelling wouldn't have gone down yet. Pulling the skirt back, she gasped. The swelling was gone. Impossible. She pulled the skirt back further and she stared at her legs. The black and blue marks were gone. How was this possible? Those bruises should be worse. How could they be totally healed? She brought her fingers to her cheek. The cut was gone too. Tears spilled over her cheeks unheeded. What kind of place had she come to?
"I would have thought that you would be pleased that your wounds had healed." The drow's musical voice broke into her thoughts. Anna nearly jumped out of her skin! How long had he been following her?
"I…Iam happy." She stammered as she pushed her skirt back down.
Jarlaxle crouched in front of her and caught a tear on the tip of a slender dark finger. "Then these are tears of joy?"
"I am happy, it's just it shouldn't be possible. I feel like I don't understand anything. It made me realize how far from home I really am." The elf cocked his head at her dejected tone.
"You miss your home." He sat on one of the fallen trees, his jeweled rings sparkling as they caught the light. He looked ridiculously handsome as he relaxed on the tree. As he tilted his head the outlandish hat obscured everything except for the sharp line of his jaw and the sensual curve of his lips.
Anna stared, entranced, and then mentally slapped herself. Stop it! The Fae were a beautiful race, it was only natural that she would find him so appealing. She really needed to get hold of herself. "I have been homesick since I left for the France. I wonder if I will ever be able to see it again." A lump formed in her throat at the thought. The realization that she might never see her family again made the tears start to flow. She bowed her head to hide the tears. She heard the elf move and then a gentle finger turned her face toward him.
He crouched in front of her, far too close for her comfort. "Is my company truly so terrible?" He asked softly.
"Huh?" Anna sniffled and rubbed at her nose.
"Is my company truly so terrible?" he repeated. He had seen tears shed many times, but it was usually accompanied by pleas for mercy. It was quite unusual to find himself in a position that he might offer comfort. Did he want to offer comfort? For that matter, did he know how? Drow as a whole were not a compassionate people. Yet, he found he did not enjoy her tears.
"No, I like you." Anna told him. It was the truth. She did like him. Heaven knew why, but she was drawn to him.
The drow was momentarily speechless. He couldn't remember anyone ever saying they liked him. NO ONE liked the drow; feared, hated, and envied, certainly. Liked? Never. It was a novel feeling. One that he filed away to reflect on later.
Anna wondered why the elf looked so startled. You wouldn't think that being liked would shock him, but he was definitely shocked.
"Next you will tell that you like Artemis." The drow laughed to hide his discomfort.
Anna grinned, "Artemis scares me half to death, but sometimes…he reminds me of my grandpa."
Jarlaxle's mouth dropped open. "Pray tell, how could Artemis remind you of your grandfather?" How could his dour companion possibly remind Anna of her beloved grandfather?
Anna laughed at his expression, "I know, I know. It's his grouchiness. My grandpa is a chronic grouch."
The elf frowned, "This is the same grandfather that you love?"
Anna's eyes sparkled with laugher, "My grandpa is a grouch but he is also the kindest person I have ever known." She didn't bother to tell him that she was the only person that thought that.
"Ah." Was the drow's only response. He sincerely hoped she wasn't under the impression that Artemis had kindness buried deep inside somewhere. If it existed he had never seen it. He wondered what the assassin would say if he knew that he reminded Anna of her grandfather.
This grandfather sounded like an interesting character, the drow mused. Too bad he wouldn't have the opportunity to meet the man. He was becoming quite curious.
Anna noticed the sun was beginning to set, streaking the sky with crimson. A breeze lifted the drow's cloak. The brilliant cloth fluttered, catching the rays of the setting sun. Busy studying the colorful fabric she failed to notice how close he was to her. His fingers against her cheek drew her eyes to his.
"What are you doing?" She demanded, not sure she wanted know.
The elf grinned, "You don't know?"
"Oh no. You are NOT going to kiss me again!" Anna yelped. She jerked back and would have fallen if not for the drow's quick reflexes.
"Do you dislike being kissed?" He asked as he moved back to log and perched on the edge. He propped his chin in his hand and waited to see what she would say.
"You can't just go around kissing whoever you please!" Anna's heart pounded so loud that she was sure the elf could hear it. How did he do this to her? She tried to ignore him, but it was impossible.
"You didn't answer my question." Jarlaxle said innocently.
Anna licked her lips, "Being kissed is fine and well, but I don't kiss just anyone."
"Ah, good. As I am definitely someone there should be no problem." The look on her face was priceless. He tapped his lips thoughtfully, "Perhaps you are afraid?"
"That's ridiculous. Why would I be afraid?" Anna kicked herself as soon as she said it.
"Why indeed? Then, come. Sit beside me if you have nothing to fear." He nearly laughed out loud at her expression.
He raised a white brow and flashed her a challenging smile.
How had she gotten herself into this? She stood up, brushed the grass and dirt off her skirt and prepared to walk back to the assassin. She was seriously beginning to wonder who was worse, the drow or the assassin. The elf's laughter drew up short. She stiffened and slowly turned around, "Why are you laughing?"
"Your home must be a sad place indeed if you are afraid of a simple kiss." He waited for her to take the bait. He didn't have to wait long. She huffed, and then marched to the tree and plopped down beside him.
Swinging one leg over the tree so that he was facing her, he caught a lock of her hair and tugged it. "Tell me, why do wear your hair like a man?" Unlike other women Anna's hair ended at her jawline. Most unusual.
Anna, who had been looking straight ahead, turned confused eyes on him. "I don't wear my hair like a man." What was he talking about? The elf could be so strange sometimes.
He brushed the bottom of her hair with a slender ebony finger. "Then this is normal for your land?"
"Well, no. Not always, but it's much easier to keep clean this way." There was also the added bonus that her prim and proper mother hated it.
"I see." He leaned forward and brushed her lips with his, "Was that so terrible?" He whispered against her lips.
She knew with Jarlaxle a kiss would never be simple. It was lightest of touches, almost didn't even qualify as a kiss, yet it unnerved her. When she didn't answer he kissed her again. She felt slender fingers slide into her hair, coming to rest behind her ear. His lips barely touched hers as he trailed a series of soft kisses along her mouth and across her cheek. Reaching her ear, he caught the lobe between his lips. Anna was in trouble. What had she been thinking coming back? Oh, blast it all, why did she enjoy his kisses so much? Anna was convinced. She was a wicked woman. A wicked, wicked woman.
"I am beginning to believe that you have not been kissed enough." He whispered into her ear before pulling back. "I will have to rectify that." Oh dear, she looked horrified, poor child. He was tempted to kiss her again just to see her reaction except that the log was abominably uncomfortable. There was a piece of bark cutting into his backside. Another time, he decided. Swinging his leg back over the tree, he slid off and then offered her a hand. Anna stared at it blankly for a minute, trying to collect her scattered senses.
"You call that a simple kiss?" Taking the proffered hand she slid off the tree.
"As I said, you have not been kissed nearly enough." Indicating the way back to camp, Jarlaxle walked next to her watching her expressive eyes. She looked like she was still in a daze. It was amazing that a mere kiss could unnerve her. Once again the drow wondered about the place that she came from. Why would a simple kiss affect her so? Admittedly, he was skilled, but such a light caress shouldn't make her dazed. There were so many unanswered questions. Jarlaxle smiled, and wondered when he would tire of her.
Upon reaching camp, Jarlaxle pulled out his tent and the trio settled down for the night. No one talked much that evening, not even the drow.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Morning came far too quickly. Anna had tossed and turned most of the night. She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes as her companions voices drifted into the tent.
"Going into the city is foolish." Artemis growled. "If you are so curious, why don't you take her?"
Jarlaxle sighed and patiently explained again, "The journal was quite specific. It must be the two of you." His explanation was met with silence. "Obviously there is something important we must know, and it must be you that finds it." The drow insisted.
Atremis made an aggravated noise and said, "Get out here now." Anna blinked, he couldn't be talking to her, could he?. "I know you're awake, don't make me come in there and get you." Oh dear. He was. She scrambled to her feet and hurried outside. He didn't actually plan on returning to London, did he? An image of wagons filled with bodies flashed before her eyes.
Author's Note: Oh yeah, the bodies are starting to pile up!
Yulandia:I am so happy you are enjoying this story. Thank you for letting me know.