Chapter 25

Jarlaxle silently cursed his unpredictable magic. The enchantment shouldn't have ended until he commanded it to stop. "I believe this would be a good time for me to take my leave of you," he whispered. Before she could respond he moved away from her and melted into the shadows.

It was then that she realized he had left her to deal with the curious onlookers all by herself. She briefly cursed the dark elf for leaving her behind. Anna looked around frantically for a means of escape. What should she do? Behind her were more people whispering among themselves. She ignored the curious stares as she walked into the crowded street. She never realized that Jarlaxle remained hidden in the shadows so that he could keep an eye her.

When she finally reached the ambulance Jarlaxle was waiting for her. Ignoring him she climbed into the driver's seat and gripped the steering wheel tightly. She wanted to strangle the elf. He made her so mad.

The drow watched in amusement as Anna tried to strangle the steering wheel. Placing a hand on her arm he waited for her to turn towards him and then leaned forward and kissed her.

"What was that for?" Anna sputtered.

"To make up for the last kiss that was so rudely interrupted," Jarlaxle answered.

"Oh! I'm not talking to you anymore," she exclaimed glaring at him. It was dark now and the elf's eyes were actually glowing red. Disturbed, Anna looked away and jumped out of the driver's seat. Moving to the back of motorcar she climbed in to check on Jacques.

Artemis noted in grim satisfaction that he wasn't the only one that Jarlaxle used for his amusement. He studied the dark elf's amused face. Jarlaxle had returned just a few minutes before Anna. To Artemis' surprise the drow had been watching over her, though obviously Anna had been unaware. She had no idea how unusual this was for the elf. Normally Jarlaxle would have left her to deal with whatever mess he had gotten them into. Artemis certainly had enough experience with that.

Ignoring the dark elf, Anna laid a hand on Jacques forehead. His was burning up, but when she touched his arm his skin was deathly cold. At her light touch Jacques eyes fluttered open. They were black with pain as he stared at her blankly for a moment before passing back out again.

Anna's eyebrows drew together. Concerned, she lifted the bandage to check the stump. As soon as she lifted the bandage the sickening smell of rotting flesh hit her.

Her face tightened. The stump was so swollen that it was nearly twice the size of the leg. Pus oozed from beneath the blackened flesh. Could she get him across the channel in time? Anna chewed her lip nervously. Jacques was getting worse. Chances of getting him across the channel alive were slim to none. She glanced up when Jarlaxle sat down beside her.

"I saw an aid station not far from here," she said. The drow looked at her curiously. Seeing that he didn't know what she was talking about, "An aid station is like a small hospital. The stump is too infected to risk taking him across the channel without some medical treatment first," she explained.

"We'll need something to carry him on," Anna said getting up to look around the ambulance. There wasn't anything that would work as a stretcher. She paused and looked at the canvas roof of the ambulance. "Artemis, can I borrow your knife?" Anna asked holding out a hand as she looked at the canvas. When she didn't get the knife or a reply she glanced over at him. He was glaring at her again.

Anna stared at Artemis in exasperation. Why was he so protective of that gaudy thing? "What's so special about that knife?" she asked.

"It's a vampiric blade that steals the life force from its victim," Jarlaxle piped in cheerfully ignoring the assassin's murderous glare.

Anna stared at the drow. Was he serious? She could never tell with him, though Artemis certainly looked angry. "Okay…well, are there any non-vampiric knives that I could use?" she asked. Jarlaxle laughed and dropped a dagger into the magic bracer on his arm which provided an endless supply of knives and asked, "What do you need the knife for?"

"To cut the canvas, it should work well enough as a stretcher," Anna answered. What did he think she wanted it for she thought to herself.

Gracefully flipping the knife over in his hand, the drow held it out to her. Anna gave him a confused look and took the knife from him. "Thanks," she said getting up to start on the canvas. After several minutes of cutting, she had enough canvas to use as a stretcher. "Thanks," she said handing the knife back to Jarlaxle and then moving beside Jacques.

Anna positioned the canvas next to Jacques. "I can't do this by myself," she said meeting Artemis hard eyes. If he refused she didn't know what she would do. He stared back at her, "This is a waste of time," he told her. Anna's shoulders slumped as she rubbed her eyes. Looking at him out of tormented eyes, "I…I can't just leave him here to die. Please, please help me," she pleaded.

Artemis knew that the man was going to die. He had seen death enough in his lifetime that he knew the signs. Normally he wouldn't think twice about leaving Jacques to die. So why was he considering helping Anna? He looked into her haunted eyes and then surprised himself as he nodded in agreement.

"Thank you," Anna said softly blinking away her tears. "Okay, I am going to lift him. Slide the tarp underneath him when I do," she instructed. Artemis slid the canvas underneath the dying man. Moving to Jacques feet, Anna picked up the end of the make shift stretcher. Taking the other end, Artemis motioned for her lift him out of the ambulance.

As they slowly made their way to the aid station Artemis wondered at his willingness to help her. It proved a challenge trying to navigate the crowded street with the injured man and Artemis was regretting his decision by the time they reached the station.

The aid station turned out to be nothing more than a series of large tents. As they entered the nearest tent a nurse told them to set Jacques against the wall. Injured people of all kinds filled the tent. As soon as they set Jacques down Artemis turned his back on her and walked away.

Hurrying after him, "Where are you going?" Anna asked. He glared at her, "I carried him here, that is enough," he growled. Anna didn't argue as he walked away. That he had agreed to help her at all was a shock. "Thank you Artemis," she said to his retreating back before returning to the aid station to see what the doctor could do for Jacques.

She waited beside Jacques until one of the doctors came over to examine him. Lifting the bandage the doctor examined the stump and then looked at Anna, "He'll be dead in less than six hours," he told her. Anna wanted to argue but she had already suspected that Jacques wasn't going to make it. She just hadn't admitted it herself. Anna looked up when the doctor laid a hand on her shoulder, "I'm sorry," he said. Anna nodded unable to talk as he turned to leave.

Leaning forward she buried her face in her hands. She knew that she had to leave him. Wiping her eyes, she crawled over and kissed his forehead, "I'm so sorry," she whispered.

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she started back towards the ambulance. Jacques had been like family to her. How could she face Bovier or Juan? She had promised Bovier that she wouldn't let him die. A sob escaped her as she bowed her head to hide her grief.

Jarlaxle and Artemis were sitting in the front seats when she got back. The drow took one look at her grief stricken face and jumped down and walked over to her. Anna didn't say anything as she walked over to him, grabbed his cloak, buried her face in his vest and sobbed. Jarlaxle looked at Artemis and then said to Anna, "You have no reason to feel guilt. I have never known anyone to go to the lengths you have for a friend."

Anna raised her head to look at him out of tear filled eyes, "I left him there to die," she told him.

Resting his hands on her shoulders, "Was there any other choice?" the drow asked. Anna shook her head. "Then have no regrets," he told her. Anna stared at him her eyes full of sorrow, "Jacques is going to die alone," she whispered. For once there was no laughter in the drow's eyes, "We all die alone," he said softly. Anna stared at him in confusion, "I don't understand." Jarlaxle sighed and brushed a tear from her cheek, "Death is something that we all must face alone," he explained.

She didn't like his answer, but Anna nodded and dried her eyes. She would grieve for Jacques later. Right now they needed supplies if they were going to get going before sunrise.

"We need to find some supplies. We will need food and water. Crossing the channel will be difficult and it could take us half a day to reach the other side," Anna said letting go of Jarlaxle's cloak.

Watching the elf, Artemis decided it might be in their best interest if he accompanied her this time. Leaving the ambulance he walked over to join them. He wondered why Jarlaxle had dropped the invisibility enchantment. He would have thought the elf would have remained invisible until they were on open water.

Jarlaxle heaved a sigh, "Alas, I am afraid you will have to settle for Artemis."

Artemis suddenly realized that Jarlaxle wasn't visible by choice. He stared at the drow in shock. The realization that the elf's magic wasn't working normally worried him far more than he would have thought possible.

Jarlaxle's words broke through Anna's sorrow. "Why did you decide to become visible?" she asked unknowingly voicing Artemis' thoughts.

"I assure you it wasn't by choice," the drow answered. Anna frowned at him and then her eyes widened, "My world affects your magic," she gasped.

Jarlaxle's face twisted. He normally wouldn't admit such a thing but it would be in his best interest to let them know. This was the third time he had used magic and each time it had not worked like it was supposed to. He didn't know his limitations anymore and he was greatly disturbed. "So it would seem," he answered.

"We can't worry about that right now. Our immediate problem is getting food and water and then getting out of France. Once we get to the United States my grandmother may be able to shed some light on why your magic isn't working the same as it did in your time," Anna said suspecting that the dark elf would not want sympathy. Jarlaxle looked at her speculatively. She wondered what he was thinking.

"We should leave now to collect the supplies you mentioned," Artemis said drawing her attention. At Anna's nod he turned towards the drow, "Did you find the boat?" he asked Jarlaxle.

Jarlaxle flashed a smile, "You wish to meet me there," he said. Artemis nodded shortly.

"Which way?" Artemis asked Anna. She looked up to meet the assassin's cold dark gaze. "We won't find any food in the village, but there are some farms on the outskirts. We may find some there," She answered. When he continued to stand there staring at her, "What?" Anna asked.

A look of irritation crossed his face, "This is your world, not mine," Artemis reminded her.

"Oh right," Anna said as she started walking away from the village. Artemis fell into step beside her.

"Do you see anything?" Anna asked as she watched his eyes roam over the dark structures that dotted the landscape. "Wait here," he said. Anna opened her mouth to reply but he was already darting through the shadows. To her amazement he was every bit as silent as the drow as he blended into the shadows. Within seconds she could no longer see him. A short time later he walked out of the shadows holding a sack in one hand.

"What did you find?" She asked. "Not enough," Artemis answered shortly before handing her the sack and disappearing into the shadows again. She should feel guilty about stealing food from people that were struggling to feed their families, but she didn't. Did that make her a bad person?

Artemis returned with enough food and water to get across the channel. "How did you get all this?" Anna started to ask and then shook her head, "Never mind, I don't want to know," she decided.

Relieved that they were done robbing the farmers Anna found herself wondering why was he traveling with Jarlaxle. He acted like he couldn't stand him. Yet she couldn't imagine Artemis Entreri doing anything he didn't want to do.

"Can I ask you something?" Anna asked giving in to her curiosity.

"No," he said. "No?" Anna frowned at him. "You don't even know what I was going to ask," she told him. Artemis glared at her. She wondered if he would answer if she simply asked him.

"No," he said causing Anna to look up at him in confusion. "The answer to what you are wondering is no," he explained.

Ignoring his answer Anna asked, "Why are you traveling with Jarlaxle?" Artemis scowled at her. When he didn't answer she continued, "It's strange because he treats you like a friend but you act like you can't stand him."

"It's not an act," Artemis said unexpectedly answering her question. Encouraged Anna stated, "You really don't like him." Hard eyes bored into her, "Jarlaxle is a drow," he said as if that explained everything. "What does him being a drow have to do with anything?" she asked hoping he would answer. "Everything," Artemis grated.

Anna walked beside him in silence. "I never heard of a drow before I met you," she remarked.

Watching her out of the corner of his eye, Artemis considered if he should satisfy her curiosity. Would she listen to him or would the drow's charm make her dismiss his warning?

"To a drow kindness is a weakness to be exploited. Treachery and deception is the very air they breathe. They would torture you simply for the pleasure of hearing your screams," Artemis said meeting her eyes.

Anna swallowed uneasily. Artemis was dead serious. She didn't want to believe him, if he was telling her the truth that meant that Jarlaxle was an Unseelie Fae. The Unseelie Fae were monsters. Anna's grandmother had told her about these evil creatures who thrived on the suffering of others. They were the stuff of nightmares. Some of the Unseelie looked like the monsters while others were as beautiful as they were deceptive and cruel. Anna stared at the ground. Perhaps the drow was not Fae. She didn't want Jarlaxle to be Unseelie. To her knowledge the Unseelie were incapable of being anything other than evil. She shook her head and looked back at Artemis.

"If Jarlaxle is so evil why hasn't he hurt me?" She asked. Artemis gave her a disgusted stare, "He is toying with you. At the moment it benefits him to keep you alive," he informed her.

Anna sighed, "My grandmother told me stories about a magical race called the Fae that lived in Faery. Do you think she was talking about the drow?" she asked.

Artemis was about to scoff at her question but then stopped to think about it. Thus far he had only seen humans. "Tell me about the Fae," he commanded her.

"I don't know as much as my grandmother," she said, "But Fae is the name for immortal magical beings living in Faery. In Faery there are the Seelie and the Unseelie. None of the Fae care about humans but the Unseelie go out of their way to harm us," Anna decided that would be enough information for now. She would rather leave the rest to her grandmother.

Artemis frowned, "You said this race called Fae is immortal?" he asked. At Anna's nod he continued, "I know of no race living in Faerun that is immortal."

"Are they all mortal?" Anna asked in shock. "Yes, even the drow with their long lifespan will eventually die of old age if something doesn't kill them," Artemis answered.

Anna was silent as they walked back towards the ambulance. If what Artemis said was true then Jarlaxle was not one of the Fae. What was he?

Author's Note: Don't yell at me! Jacques had to die. I know it was mean. *Sighs* I have been working on the setting for WW1 with my neighbor who is a 93 year old female marine who served in WW2. Coolest most interesting person I know. "Why can't I take Jacques across the channel," I asked her. She shakes her head, "He wouldn't survive. Either Anna has to leave him at the aid station or she will have to toss him off the boat while crossing the channel. Do you want to toss him off the boat?" *Grumbles* I opted for not tossing him off the boat.

Sonra: lol, I'm sadistic huh? I'll take that as a compliment! I am afraid my whole family enjoys tormenting each other. It comes naturally. ;)

General zargon: Oooohhhh a fish slapping contest between Jarlaxle and Artemis? No, no, don't give me ideas! O.O … so tempting…

Surreptitious Chi X: I know I should have re-thought that paragraph. Ugh, unfortunately after rewriting several parts of that chapter I was so irritated I just let it go. Forgive me.

RT86: Thanks! Oh, I will respond to your PM shortly. I have been in story hell for a few days. Lol. *begs for forgiveness*

Yulandia: A roomful of Artemis'? Oh my, wouldn't that be something? Not sure even I would go that far. Lol. But that doesn't mean there is no family resemblance. :D