Chapter 31
Anna cautiously raised her head and slowly stood up.
Pushing away from the wall grandfather straightened to his full height which was just an inch over six feet. Though Anna's grandfather was pushing sixty his slender elegant body looked like it belonged to a much younger man. His slicked back hair was raven black, save for a streak of gray at the temples. With his perfectly fitted slate gray coat and matching fedora he cut a striking figure.
Tucking his pistol into the pocket of his finely tailored coat he pulled out a cigarette and lit it. Taking a pull from the cigarette he turned his cold blue eyes towards Anna.
A wide smile crossed Anna's face as she hurried over and threw her arms around him. "I missed you so much!" she cried burying her nose in his waistcoat. Instead of returning the hug he glared down at her.
"I thought you were in France. What are you doing here?" he asked. Anna looked up and grinned at him. Standing on tip toe she kissed his cheek and then stepped back.
"Grandpa! I am gone for almost two years and this is the welcome I get," Anna laughed.
"What did you do?" her grandfather demanded.
"What do you mean?" Anna asked starting to fidget. He grandfather's icy blues were slowly traveling over her clothing. She was wearing Betsy's clothes and her grandfather obviously didn't approve.
Cold blue eyes met hers, "You shouldn't be back yet. Which means either you did something to make them send you home or you deserted," he said. Anna wasn't fooled by her grandfather's cold manner. He had been worried about her. But he was still scary when he was angry.
Anna swallowed uneasily, "Um…well you see…" she tried to explain. He raised a raven black eyebrow and waited. She blurted, "I met some new friends and came here because we needed grandma's help." She motioned for her companions to join them. She started to introduce them only to have her grandfather cut her off.
"I wondered when you would get here," Grandfather remarked looking at Artemis and Jarlaxle. His expression changed when he saw Betsy. Without taking his eyes off Betsy, "What did I tell you about bringing that baby vamp here," he growled to Anna.
Betsy squealed happily and barreled into Anna's grandfather wrapping him in what she considered a hug. Anna laughed at the look on her grandfather's face. Grabbing hold of Betsy, Anna quickly pulled her off her grandfather's coat and reminded him, "You promised not to shoot her."
"When did I promise that?" her grandfather sputtered inspecting his coat for face powder.
Jarlaxle stepped forward and swept the Anna's grandfather a deep bow, "Allow me to introduce myself and my companion," he started to say only to have Anna's grandfather interrupt him.
"I know who you are Jarlaxle of Bregan D'aerthe and I would know Artemis Entreri anywhere," Anna's grandfather paused studying Jarlaxle's human face, "I was under the impression that drow had black skin."
The smile froze on Jarlaxle's face. How did Anna's grandfather know not only his name but also his race and the name of his mercenary band Bregan D'aerth. Quickly collecting his wits, the drow straightened and removed his mask. "I fear you have me at a disadvantage good sir, have we met?" he asked.
"We've never met, but I know you all the same. My name is Victor," Anna's grandfather told the drow. "What I have to tell would be better to discuss inside. Come," Victor said motioning for them to follow him. Noticing the gate was still open Victor turned his attention towards Betsy, "Close the gate feather brain," he told her. Betsy smiled happily at him and trotted back to close the gate. He shook his head and then looked at Artemis, "If you decide to kill Betsy just make sure you dispose of the body."
Anna swatted Victor, "Grandpa!" she exclaimed glaring at him.
"I've been telling you for years that I am going to kill that friend of yours. What are you so upset about?" Victor asked. Anna huffed and scowled at him. Victor just shrugged and motioned for them to follow him into the house.
As Jarlaxle fell into step beside Artemis he whispered, "Tell me my friend, do you still doubt that you are related?" Artemis shook his head silently staring at the man Anna's called grandfather. A small smile crossed his face. He rather liked the man.
As they walked into the house Anna's grandmother looked up from her embroidery. She shrieked and jumped off the couch catching Anna in a tight hug. "Anna! You're home! We missed you so much. Oh my," she said frowning, "you're skin and bones." Busy fussing over Anna she didn't immediately see her other guests.
Anna laughed and hugged her back, "I'm sure with your cooking that won't be a problem for long," she said. Pulling away she turned her grandmother towards Jarlaxle and Artemis, "Grandma I would like you to meet my friends." No sooner had the words left her mouth then her grandmother gasped and starting backing away. She was staring at Jarlaxle.
Anna's grandmother stared at the drow in horror. She whispered one word, "Unseelie," and then fainted.
"Women," Victor muttered. With a resigned sigh he walked over and knelt beside her, "Come on feather brain, wake up." He patted her cheek as he scowled down at her.
The drow marveled at how mismatched Anna's grandparents appeared to be. He could easily see Artemis in the Victor, but the grandmother was different story. With her bright red hair and merry green eyes, the plump dimpled woman reminded him more of Betsy than Anna.
Artemis crouched beside Victor and studied the woman lying on the floor. The assassin looked at him and raised an eyebrow.
"Meet my wife Lizzie," Victor sighed and gave Artemis a wry smile.
Lizzie moaned and her eyes fluttered open. As she focused on Artemis she smiled warmly and then frowned.
"Why am I seeing two of you dear?" Lizzie asked. "Not that I'm complaining mind you," she giggled laying a hand on Artemis' arm.
Victor groaned and rubbed his temple, "How did I end up with someone as feather brained as you?" he asked no one in particular.
Lizzie turned a saucy smile on him. "Oh that's easy. You couldn't resist me," she said.
Looking at Artemis, Victor deadpanned, "Note that she didn't deny being feather brained." Something suspiciously like amusement crept into Artemis' eyes. Seeing the look in the assassin's eyes, grandfather warned, "Careful that baby vamp doesn't get her claws in you like this one did in me."
Artemis snorted, "No chance of that."
"That's what I said," Victor muttered grabbing his wife's arm and pulling her to her feet. "Don't you faint again or I will leave you on the floor," he threatened.
Jarlaxle watched in fascination. Victor was what Artemis could be if he opened his heart. The drow's red eyes drifted over to Betsy, so like Anna's grandmother Lizzie. The feel of Anna's hand on his arm drew the drow's attention. "Artemis actually looks like one of my family, doesn't he," she said in wonder.
Jarlaxle smiled down at her, "He does indeed." As he watched Victor scold his wife for her foolishness, the dark elf quietly said, "They are very different from one another."
Anna laughed quietly. "They are as different as night and day. But don't be fooled by my grandpa's growling he loves her with his whole heart," she said.
In Menzoberranzan love didn't exist. There wasn't even a word for it. Love was a foreign concept to the dark elf. It made no sense to him. What was the use in staying with someone if there was no gain or benefit? Though Jarlaxle preferred to be in the company of friends, he never kept friends that did not benefit him in some way. As hard as he tried he couldn't see any benefit that Victor had gained from this partnership.
Anna smothered a laugh as Lizzie realized that Artemis wasn't the result of double vision.
"Oh!" Lizzie gasped as her eyes widened in surprise, "You're not Victor. Though you sure look like him. Who are you sweetheart?" she asked.
Artemis' dark eyes glinted, "Artemis Entreri," he said. She stared at him blankly for moment. Her mouth dropped open as she recognized the name. She turned questioning eyes on Victor who nodded in confirmation. She stared at Artemis again, "My you're a handsome man," she smiled.
Victor shook his head in amazement, "Honestly Lizzie, you meet a man as dangerous as Artemis Entreri and the first thing that occurs to you is that he is handsome," he groaned.
Lizzie patted Artemis' arm and smiled at him, "Any man who is related to my Victor can't be all bad," she told the assassin. Artemis stared at her. One look at his cold dark eyes should have warned her that he was a bad man. "I am so happy to finally meet you," Lizzie babbled happily. Artemis looked at Victor who shrugged and rolled his eyes.
"Perhaps you would be so kind as to explain how you know us?" Jarlaxle asked moving closer to Artemis and Victor. Lizzie slowly turned toward the drow and stared at him horror.
Lizzie leaned clos to Artemis and whispered, "Why did you bring an Unseelie Fae with you?"
"I did not bring Jarlaxle. Jarlaxle brought me," Artemis told her. Lizzie looked stunned.
"We need to send him back. Immediately. We are in great danger," she whispered beginning to panic.
"Pray tell," Jarlaxle gave her a wicked smile, "Why do you say we are in great danger?" he asked. Lizzie gasped and backed away staring at him like he was a monster.
Victor sighed and lighted slapped the back of Lizzie's head, "That is Jarlaxle. He is not Unseelie," he informed her. Lizzie didn't look convinced.
"See, what did I tell you?" Betsy hissed to Anna, "Even your grandma knows Jarlaxle is evil." Anna scowled at Betsy and then walked over to stand beside the drow.
"Come, let me offer you a drink. I have a lot to tell you," Victor said motioning for them to follow him.
Victor led them down a long marble hallway. Gleaming dark wood trim added a warm glow to the cold marble. Victor led them into his study. A large desk dominated the room. Dark green velvet drapes pulled back with silk cords covered the tall windows. Thick Persian carpets covered the floor. Victorian style furniture was scattered throughout the room. Motioning for his guests to take a seat Victor walked to the desk and pulled out a slender envelope. He handed it to Artemis.
"What is this?" Artemis asked taking the envelope.
"It's yours. You left instructions to hold it until you arrived," Victor answered as he sat down behind the desk. As the others took a seat Artemis opened the envelope. He pulled out a slender leather bound journal. It was so ancient that it nearly fell apart in his hands. Opening the cover he stared in shock as he read what was inscribed inside.
Hello Artemis Entreri.
Denial and disbelief warred within the assassin. There was no doubt that he had written the journal. It was his handwriting that filled the pages. But he had never written a journal so how could this exist?Artemis scanned the next few paragraphs. He stared at the journal aghast at what he had just read.
It is strange to think that I am writing to myself. Though if my instructions have been followed and this journal finds its way to you, I imagine that you find this even stranger. I am old man now. Far older than any man should be, the year is 1776. How ironic that I find myself writing this the same year that America became a country. I don't have much time left.
Should I record the events that occurred so long ago? Even as I write this I am torn. I could say nothing and let the many races of Faerun slip into oblivion. Yet I am no god and I find myself loathe to pass judgment.
I wonder what will happen if you choose to remain silent. Will the events that I remember still happen? I chose to share this information. Will you decide differently?
I writing to warn you that the world that you come from is changing and all the races of Faerun, save humans will die. This influenza that will become known as the Spanish Flu changed the world forever.
If you choose to offer aid then read this out loud for the others to hear.
Artemis stared at the journal in hands. Did he truly write this to himself? It was his handwriting. The assassin read a little further and then made a decision. "I wrote this," he said.
Jarlaxle struggled to keep his curiosity under control. His friend was clearly unsure if he should tell them what was in the journal's dusty pages. "I don't remember you ever keeping a journal," the drow said.
Artemis looked up, "According to the journal I wrote this when I was an old man," he said. All eyes in the room were fixed on the assassin. Should he tell them? If he said nothing much of the evil in the world would cease to exist. No, that wasn't true. There would always be evil and if the monsters from his time died what manner of evil would take its place? Looking back at the journal he began to read.
"Though Anna brought the influenza to Faerun, she was not the cause of the deaths. That dubious honor belonged to Jarlaxle. When he cut himself on Anna's uniform the flu mixed with his blood and mutated. In essence Jarlaxle became a walking disease." Artemis' statement was met with dead silence.
Jarlaxle stared at the hand that he had cut on Anna's uniform. A thin white line ran along his palm. Was what the journal said true and he had become a walking disease? Everyone he had come into contact with had died. Perhaps it was true. If that was the case what would become of the drow known as Jarlaxle? The thought that he might be the last of his kind didn't sit well with the drow.
"Please continue," Jarlaxle said.
Artemis turned his attention back to the journal. "This was no cure. All who were exposed to it died. There were no options except to impose a severe quarantine. Jarlaxle succeeded in quarantining the remaining few that had not been infected but it was nearly too late. I have often wondered if his effort was wasted. After that day I never saw Jarlaxle again. I have often wondered what became of my old friend." Artemis stopped reading and looked at the dark elf. The thought that he might never see the dark elf again disturbed him more than he would have ever imagined.
Jarlaxle leaned back in his chair thoughts rushing through his mind. What happened? What could have happened? Was he dead? Had the drow called Jarlaxle ceased to exist?
"How long have you known?" Artemis asked Victor.
"All my life," Victor answered, "I knew you would come, I just didn't know when."
"Have you read the entire journal?" Artemis asked his face tightening.
Victor nodded, "Yes, the remainder of the journal is an account of your experiences. They are the tales I told Anna as a child. This is the only remaining evidence that the races of Faery ever lived among us," he said seriously.
"That would explain how you knew me," Jarlaxle said.
Lizzie stood up and walked over to Victor. Perching on the arm of his chair, "Why did you say Jarlaxle is not Unseelie?" she asked.
Victor smiled at her and patted her cheek, "Because I read the journal. Jarlaxle is neither Seelie nor Unseelie," he said. Lizzie frowned at him. Victor laughed at her expression.
"Then what is he?" Lizzie demanded.
Victor looked at Jarlaxle, "I don't know. I have often wondered if he was even Fae. After all the journal says that he quarantined those that hadn't been infected, but it didn't say he succeed in stopping the flu. It's entirely possible that the quarantine failed and the race is now extinct."
Artemis frowned at the ancient diary in his hand. Flipping through a few pages he considered Victor's words. Was it possible that Jarlaxle failed? A hard smile played along his lips. No, he didn't believe that. Jarlaxle was far too wily to let something as simple as a disease get the best of him. Victor didn't know Jarlaxle and couldn't possibly understand.
Lizzie suddenly spoke up, "What about the legend about the Tuatha de Danann."
Author's note: Things are starting to come together. Did this chapter surprise you? Don't forget to review!
Pho: Anna's grandfather somehow ended up being much different than what I had originally pictured! :D
Sonra: I know what you mean. When I originally read the series I had the impression that Artemis and Jarlaxle were close friends. Until I purchased a readers guide written by RA Salvatore. He pointed out that the friendship was more on Jarlaxle's side than Artemis'. When I went back and reread the sell sword trilogy I realized that Artemis motivation for remaining with Jarlaxle was self-preservation. He knew that without Jarlaxle's protection the other drow would find him and kill him. So, though I think he does feel some friendship towards Jarlaxle it is different from what Jarlaxle feels towards him. The only person that Artemis truly views as a friend is Dwarvel. His interaction with her is dramatically different. Well, at least that's my take on it. Lol.
Yulandia: Hmmm…respect Betsy? Maybe if he can get past wanting to strangle her! LOL. As for Anna, Artemis did call her naive. I think that is probably the best way to describe her though I doubt she would agree. :P