Chapter 35
Lizzie shivered and backed away from the circle as the Sidhe's power vibrated through the air. The hair on back of Lizzie's neck stood up as the Sidhe turned towards her. Its eyes blazed with magic. Lizzie stared in horror at what she realized was an Unseelie prince. How had she accidently summoned an Unseelie prince? This was bad. If she didn't do something quickly the Sidhe would kill her. Its eyes narrowed as they came to rest on her.
"Kimmuriel," Jarlaxle whispered. The drow stared in shock at his lieutenant. It was definitely Kimmuriel though Jarlaxle almost didn't recognize him. This was not the drow he had known in Menzoberranzan. Though Kimmuriel has always been extremely powerful, he had been mortal. This was a being of pure magic. Jarlaxle watched as the energy shimmered along Kimmuriel's black skin. Kimmuriel was much taller than last time Jarlaxle had seen him, taller than should be possible. In place of his normal robes Kimmuriel wore an ornate armor that gleamed in the moonlight. His angular features had become sharper as well.
At the sound of his name Kimmuriel turned towards Jarlaxle. His eyes widened. "Jarlaxle," he said causing the leaves to rustle as his magic rippled through the trees. "How is this possible?" he whispered. Jarlaxle moved closer a wide grin stretching across his face.
Lizzie felt like she was going to pass out. The power that poured from the circle was making it hard for her to breath. She was trying to concentrate enough to send the Sidhe back when Jarlaxle moved away from the tree and walked towards the enraged Fae. Was he crazy? She was about to warn him when the Unseelie prince said the drow's name. Lizzie's world turned upside down. The Sidhe knew Jarlaxle. What's more, Jarlaxle knew him. Lizzie's thoughts scattered in confusion. This wasn't possible. Couldn't be possible.
Jarlaxle stared at his former lieutenant in fascination. "I might ask you the same question," he said approaching Kimmuriel.
Kimmuriel's eyes narrowed, "Don't you remember?" he asked.
"I do not. Enlighten me," Jarlaxle requested.
"It is the result of the creation of Faery," Kimmuriel answered. The air surrounding Jarlaxle and Lizzie stirred with magic as the Sidhe spoke. Jarlaxle felt goosebumps rise on his arms. What had Kimmuriel become? He was no longer a drow. As Kimmuriel spoke his glowing eyes roamed over Jarlaxle's form. "I watched you die" Kimmuriel said confusion creeping into his voice.
Jarlaxle adjusted his hat, flashed his lieutenant a smile and shrugged. Kimmuriel studied him silently for a moment and then slowly nodded.
"This is the time you spoke of when last I saw you," Kimmuriel realized. "When last I saw you the cytokine storm was upon us. You were nearly too late," he remembered.
"I have heard that name before," Jarlaxle nodded. He had wondered what the cytokine storm was since the journal had warned him about it. It looked like he would get his answer. He gave Kimmuriel an encouraging look.
Realizing that Jarlaxle was unfamiliar with the cytokine storm Kimmuriel began to speak. As he spoke wind whistled around them lifting the Sidhe's pale hair away his face. "A strange illness swept across Faerun laying waste to all in its path. None were spared the wrath of the cytokine storm. We had never seen anything like it. All our efforts to stop it were for naught," Kimmuriel paused a faraway look in his eyes. "You see the cytokine storm was the result of our bodies trying to fight off the illness. The very thing that would normally save us ended up killing us. Once the illness was purged our bodies continued to fight effectively destroying us as it tried to save us. In the end our own immune system was far more lethal than any illness," Kimmuriel explained.
Jarlaxle was no longer smiling, "How did you stop it?" he asked.
Kimmuriel sighed, "We did not stop it. It could not be stopped. Once the cytokine storm began death soon followed."
Jarlaxle was silent for a long moment.
It was Lizzie that broke the silence, "Quarantine," she said softly. "That's why you created Faery. To save the survivors," she said to Kimmuriel.
"Not I," Kimmuriel corrected her, "Jarlaxle."
Lizzie looked at Jarlaxle. Had he actually returned to save his people? She was still trying to process the fact that these two frightening beings knew each other. So it took a minute for an even more shocking realization to hit her. Jarlaxle had existed prior to Faery. Not only that but he was also responsible for the creation of the race that would become known as the Sidhe. It made Lizzie reevaluate what she thought about him. If he was a race that predated the Fae that meant he could not be Unseelie. The Unseelie were Fae and Jarlaxle was not Fae. She looked at him thoughtfully. What happened to Jarlaxle during the creation?
Jarlaxle frowned, "I believe you mentioned that I died," he said.
"In order to create Faery you had to tear the magic from the land and create a new world with it. It was too much, even for you my old friend. You died during its creation," Kimmuriel said. The air went still as the Sidhe finished speaking.
Jarlaxle suddenly smiled, "Perhaps not all is what it appears. What makes you so sure I died?" he asked.
"It has already happened," Kimmuriel answered before looking at Lizzie, "My time here is done. Summon me again foolish human and you will suffer a long and painful death." With that said Kimmuriel vanished. The night was once again quiet and peaceful. The only reminder of the Sidhe presence was the dead grass where he had stood. Lizzie dropped to her knees and stared blankly at the circle of summoning. She was lucky to be alive. Without a word Jarlaxle walked away leaving Lizzie alone with her thoughts.
Lizzie rose shakily to her feet and started back towards the house. She had never been so frightened in her entire life. Never, never again would she summon one of the Sidhe.
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Jarlaxle climbed onto the roof and laid back to look at the stars. It wouldn't be light for hours yet. Resting his hands behind his head he wondered if he would actually go through with it. Kimmuriel had been convinced that he would die but the drow wasn't so sure. He could stay here. He liked this world. He wondered what would happen if he did nothing. Would Faery cease to exist? Though occasionally he found it amusing to play the hero there wouldn't be any glory or gain in his death.
Jarlaxle was no longer young. He had seen the passage of centuries. In truth he was a little tired of it all. The thing he had wanted most and been unable to find had been freedom. He had come to the surface hoping that he might find it there. Despite his best efforts he had never truly been free. Perhaps in death he might finally find freedom.
A slow smile stretched across his face. Perhaps Kimmuriel was wrong. Was there a way to save Faerun and escape death? As suddenly as the smile appeared it was gone. He would have to leave Anna behind after all. He had planned to take her with him, but there were too many variables. Too many things could go wrong. It was pity he had to leave her. Anna was such an amusing little thing. Jarlaxle heaved a sigh.
As the first rays of light lit the sky the drow made a decision. He would gamble one last time. If he lost this gamble he would lose his life as well. He gave a small burst of laughter. He had put his life on the line countless times. Why should this be any different? Still smiling he sauntered into the house in search of Anna.
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Anna was sitting on the porch staring unhappily into a cup of coffee when Jarlaxle found her. Anna was startled when he pulled out a chair and sat down beside her. She hadn't seen him since early yesterday and wondered if he had tired of her. She knew it would hurt when he tired of her but she hadn't expected it to hurt this much. She had been trying not to cry. She knew this would happen. She had known it since the first time she met him. It shouldn't have surprised her. But it did.
Jarlaxle noticed that Anna's eyes were shining with unshed tears. Was she crying for him? He couldn't remember the last time someone had shed tears for him. Leaning forward he propped his elbow on the table and rested his chin in his hand.
"You're leaving aren't you," Anna sniffled trying to stop the tears that were threatening to fall.
"Yes," Jarlaxle answered watching as a tear escaped to run down her cheek. "This is not how I wanted things to be," he said softly as he took her hand and brought it to his lips. Anna gave him a small sad smile. She didn't believe it for a minute. The one time he told her the truth and she didn't believe him. The irony of it made the drow laugh.
"When are you leaving?" Anna asked.
Jarlaxle leaned back in his chair and looked up at the sky, "Today." He glanced at her out of the corner of his eyes as he answered. Anna nodded and sniffled.
"Then you know how to stop the flu," she assumed.
He suddenly smiled and leaned towards her catching her lips in a quick kiss.
"I thought you had tired of me," Anna said looking at him confusion.
"Perish the thought!" Jarlaxle exclaimed resting a hand over his heart. He sobered and looked at her seriously, "You are one the few people that has never bored me. I assure you, I am not leaving willingly."
Anna stared at him in shock. If she didn't know better she would thought that he actually didn't want to leave her. But that didn't make any sense. According to Artemis, Jarlaxle came from a race that knew only deceit and cruelty. He was probably lying to her. All the same his statement brought a smile to her face.
Standing up Jarlaxle extended a hand to her, "Come spend some time with me before I go," he said giving her a mischievous smile. Anna looked at him suspiciously which only made him laugh. Shaking her head she took his hand and allowed him to pull her to her feet.
They walked in companionable silence through the garden. Neither said much just simply enjoyed each other's company. It was a rare feeling for the drow whose life had always been one of intrigue. He wondered if this was what it was like to live a normal life. Perhaps this was freedom. He paused, struck by the thought. Was this freedom? In this strange world that Anna called home had he finally found what he had searched for so long? It was ironic that when he found what he had been searching for he would lose it. His chest tightened painfully as he realized he was going to give up what he had searched for his entire life. The feeling was so unexpected that it brought him to a complete stop. Anna looked up at him questioningly.
Jarlaxle didn't say a word as he took her face in hands and kissed her. In his kiss Anna felt a mix of sorrow, loss, and regret. She wondered what had happened between now and yesterday. She had a feeling that few people had ever seen this side of him. What had happened to make Jarlaxle's mask slip? Deciding not to question it she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him back.
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"Come on baby! Please go with me," Betsy pleaded tugging on Artemis' arm. The assassin yanked his arm free.
"No," he growled. Artemis couldn't believe she actually thought he would take her shopping.
Betsy pouted and batted her lashes at him, "Why not?" she whined.
"What could possibly make you think I would go shopping?" Artemis demanded scowling down at her.
The sound of Jarlaxle laughing drew their attention. The drow's red eyes sparkled with mirth as took in Artemis' disgruntled expression. It really was a shame that they didn't have more time. He would have enjoyed seeing what changes Betsy would have brought about in his dour friend. "My apologies for interrupting," he said sweeping them a bow. "I fear I must tear my friend away from you," Jarlaxle said to Betsy.
Artemis' words died in his throat when he noticed the lines of strain on the drow's deceptively cheerful face. Nodding he shooed Betsy away and then looked curiously at the dark elf. Jarlaxle motioned for him to follow and Artemis fell into step beside him. He had been on the back porch when Betsy had accosted him and for once he was glad for the interruption.
Jarlaxle walked deep into the garden until they were out of sight and then turned to face him. "It is time we return," Jarlaxle said abruptly.
The feeling of relief that Artemis was expecting didn't come. Shrugging it off he asked, "When?" Artemis reminded himself that he hated this place. He couldn't wait to be free of its annoying inhabitants. Who ever heard of someone who couldn't even speak their own language? The sooner he left the better Artemis assured himself.
Jarlaxle's smile disappeared, "Now." Artemis' eyes narrowed as he studied the drow. He didn't understand the sudden urgency but it didn't matter. He had been waiting to go home and wasn't about to argue. The sooner he was away from this insane world the better. He ignored the pair of laughing pansy brown eyes that danced through his mind.
Jarlaxle pulled out the golden puzzle box and bracelet. Carefully pulling open the bracelet he placed it over his hand. He paused for a moment and looked towards the house.
Artemis gave the drow a sharp look. Was there regret in Jarlaxle's eyes? If he didn't know better he would think that Jarlaxle didn't want to leave Anna. No, that was ridiculous. Jarlaxle was a drow and incapable of such a thing.
Jarlaxle cast one last look towards the house and then fitted the bracelet against the puzzle box. Blue light exploded from the box as the sides separated and locked into position. Blue light glittered along the skeletal fingers of the bracelet. A second later light exploded all around them and then they were gone.
Anna stepped away from the tree she had been hiding behind and slowly approached the spot where Jarlaxle and Artemis had been standing. Sinking to her knees she buried her head in hands and sobbed.
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Artemis and Jarlaxle found themselves standing in exactly the same spot that they had been in just before leaving Faerun. Both of them looked around as if seeing it for the first time. It felt strange to be back.
"It would be appear that we have made it back successfully," Jarlaxle remarked.
Contrary to his expectations Artemis felt out of sorts like something wasn't right. He wondered if the magic from the puzzle box had done something to them. Jarlaxle met his eyes. Something was wrong. He saw his feelings reflected in the drow's eyes. He had this strange feeling that he had lost something. But that didn't make any sense.
Jarlaxle shook off the unexpected feeling of depression that washed over him. Where had that come from? Ignoring the feeling he turned to Artemis.
"I do believe we should do something about those clothes," Jarlaxle suddenly grinned and motioned to the pin-striped suit that Artemis was wearing. Pulling out a button from his vest he opened a magical pocket. Reaching in, he retrieved Artemis' clothing. To his surprise the assassin merely nodded and took the clothes.
"What are you going to do?" Artemis asked as he pulled on his leather jerkin.
Jarlaxle's eyes sparkled with mischief, "I am going to convince the wizards to work together."
Artemis finished lacing his boots and glanced up, "Which ones?" he asked. Jarlaxle's grin widened.
"All of them," the drow said.
Artemis just stared at him. Did Jarlaxle actually think he could convince the surface elves and the drow to work together? "How do you plan on accomplishing this miracle?" he asked.
The dark elf shrugged, "I have no idea."
"Why doesn't that surprise me," Artemis remarked to no one in particular. "The surface elves will never listen to you," he said as he finished adjusting his sword and dagger.
"You might be surprised," Jarlaxle said with a sly grin. Artemis just looked at him. "Think my friend, they are dying and are desperate for a solution. All they need is the proper motivation," Jarlaxle said as a plan began to take shape in his mind. Artemis crossed his arms across his chest doubt clear on his face.
The assassin looked at Jarlaxle, "It won't work," he said.
"Of course it will," the drow said. Artemis scoffed not bothering to answer. "All I need to do is find the wizard Cadderly," Jarlaxle explained.
"Cadderly, that paladin in a wizard's clothing? What makes you think that Cadderly will listen to you?" Artemis demanded. Cadderly was a powerful wizard who did not particularly care for the drow.
"He will listen," Jarlaxle assured him. Artemis gave him a hard look. What did Jarlaxle know that he didn't? Deciding he didn't care Artemis shrugged and reached into the pouch on his belt and pulled out a small figurine. Setting it the ground he called the nightmare's name. "If he doesn't listen don't say I didn't warn you," Artemis said leaping onto the demonic steed's back.
"Where will you go?" Jarlaxle asked as he called up his own steed.
Artemis shrugged, "Does it matter?" He glanced at Jarlaxle one last time before digging his heels into the steed's sides. Artemis had no way of knowing that he would never see the dark elf again.
"It only matters that you go alone," Jarlaxle said softly. He waited until Artemis was out of sight before turning his steed towards Spirit Soaring. The home of the wizard called Cadderly .
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Cadderly stared at Jarlaxle, "You want to do, what?" he sputtered.
Jarlaxle sighed and patiently explained again, "If we are to save the survivors we must form a new realm."
"By tearing the natural magic from the world and making into a new one. Yes, yes you have explained that several times already," Cadderly said holding up a hand to stop the drow from continuing. He shook his head, "You're crazy."
"So I have been told," Jarlaxle said dryly, "The question remains, how might we accomplish this?"
"Do you know what it will take to do something like that?" Cadderly exclaimed.
"I do not. That is why I need your help," Jarlaxle explained for the fourth time.
"It's insane. It'll never work," Cadderly groaned and rubbed his temples.
"Do you have a better idea?" Jarlaxle demanded. The drow was becoming impatient. It had taken far longer than he expected to get Cadderly to listen to him. They didn't have much time. The dead already far outnumbered the living. At the rate the number of dead were increasing if something was done soon it would be too late.
Cadderly sighed and looked at the drow, "No," he finally said. Cadderly raked his hand through his hair, "Something like this is a monumental undertaking. We will need all the wizards involved to perform the spell at exactly the same time," he paused and stared at the ceiling. "Nothing like this has ever been attempted. The outcome may not be what you expect. Providing it works at all," he warned.
Jarlaxle nodded, "I understand the risk. All I ask is for your help," he said.
Against his better judgement Cadderly agreed. He doubted the drow's crazy plan would work but at least it was chance. A slim chance was better than none.
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With Cadderly taken care of all Jarlaxle had to do was convince Kimmuriel. Ironically he was the most difficult person to convince. It took a ridiculously long time to coax his lieutenant to work with the surface races.
"It's the only way. The wizards need to cast their spells at exactly the same time for there to be enough power to separate the magic from the land," Jarlaxle said ignoring the look his lieutenant was giving him.
"I still don't see why we need to involve the surface races," Kimmuriel grumbled.
"Because without them it won't work," Jarlaxle patiently explained. Kimmuriel didn't like it but he was a sensible drow and he knew that Jarlaxle was correct.
He gave Jarlaxle a disgusted look, "I still don't like it," he muttered.
Now came the tricky part. Jarlaxle needed to figure out how to move everyone except for himself into the new realm.
"There is one more problem," Jarlaxle said causing Kimmuriel to roll his eyes. "I can't come with you," he said.
Kimmuriel frowned, "What possible reason could you have for wanting to remain behind?" he asked. Jarlaxle considered how to explain his reasoning but Kimmuriel didn't wait for an answer. "If you resist the spell it will tear the innate magic from you. If this happens you will not survive," he said. Kimmuriel went on to explain in excruciating detail why it wouldn't work.
Jarlaxle finally gave up, "I cannot come with you because I am carrying the disease," he told him.
"You don't appear ill," Kimmuriel observed. It was well know that once the disease took hold you the symptoms appeared almost immediately. They had been talking for some time. If Jarlaxle was ill Kimmuriel would have noticed.
"I was exposed to the disease and though I did not sicken the disease has remained in my blood. Anyone I come into contact with will be infected," Jarlaxle said.
"You are sure of this?" Kimmuriel asked sharply.
Jarlaxle nodded, "It is why I am not speaking with you in person."
Kimmuriel had wondered why Jarlaxle had not returned to Menzoberranzan when the disease started. "When the time comes we will be ready," he finally said. Jarlaxle finalized the plans with his lieutenant and then said his farewells. He was surprised to see something that might have been regret in Kimmuriel's eyes when he broke the link they had been speaking through.
Once the time had finally been agreed upon Jarlaxle was free to reflect on his decision. Self-sacrifice did not sit well with the dark elf. With a few hours to spare Jarlaxle went outside to watch what would probably be his last sunset. He missed Anna he realized in surprise. It hadn't been very long yet his life felt strangely empty without her. He had become so used to her presence that he found himself starting to talk to her only to find that she wasn't there. Jarlaxle didn't like the feeling at all. He wondered if he survived if this feeling of loss would go away. He had a sinking feeling that it wouldn't. Perhaps death wouldn't be so bad.
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By the time the wizards had gathered to begin the spell there were very few survivors left. It is doubtful that more than one percent of the population still lived. They were out of time. If this failed they wouldn't get a second chance.
As the moon reached its peak the wizards began to chant. They concentrated on controlling the spell as pitch black clouds rolled in covering the sky shrouding the land in darkness. Lightening flashed across the dark sky as the wind kicked up. The wind grew steadily until entire trees were uprooted and tossed about in the howling tempest.
Suddenly everything went silent. The wizards glanced around nervously as they continued to chant. A deep rumbling came from beneath their feet. The ground trembled and groaned as the spell slowly peeled the magic away from the earth. The wizards were nearly knocked from their feet as the ground shook violently. Deep underground the bedrock shifted. Cracks spidered in all directions. The wizards struggled not to lose control of the spell. The magic abruptly ripped free.
As the magic separated from the earth Menzoberranzan crumbled. Jarlaxle watched in horror as the once great city was reduced to dust. Across the world the same thing happened to the dwarven halls and the cities of the deep gnomes. The magic that had been used to create their world now destroyed it, leaving nothing was left to suggest they ever existed.
The wizards immediately worked on creating a new world with the now freed magic. Once complete the magic had formed an entirely different dimension, a place separate from the world of men. The remaining survivors were pulled into the magical dimension as the spell ended.
Jarlaxle had been silently watching the destruction from the safety of Cadderly's mansion. Once he had explained to Cadderly why he could not join the others the wizard had provided him with a magical mirror. The magical item allowed him to observe without endangering the survivors. As the spell ended the mirror exploded into a thousand pieces.
Gasping in pain Jarlaxle collapsed to the floor. He shook convulsively as the spell tore the magic from him. He couldn't breathe. Clawing at the flagstones the drow fought the spell. It was no good. He was on fire. His heart felt like it was going to explode. He was going to die.
Cadderly came rushing in when he heard Jarlaxle scream. The drow's entire body was shaking uncontrollably. He dropped to his knees beside the shivering form of the dark elf. He frantically tried to figure out what to do. Until now he had not thought much of the dark elf. He had not thought a drow capable of the sacrifice Jarlaxle had been willing to make. It wasn't right that after all he had gone through that the dark elf would die.
"Jarlaxle," Cadderly said placing a hand on the drow's shoulder. An idea suddenly occurred to him, "Let the magic take you," he said. Jarlaxle looked at him out of pain filled eyes and shook his head. "There is a chance you can bend the magic to your will," Cadderly said urgently. Jarlaxle opened his mouth to deny it but ended up coughing up blood. Placing his hands on the dark elf Cadderly concentrated on bringing the drow and the wild magic together. Jarlaxle's form thinned as the magic swirled around him. "Bend it to your will. You can overcome this," Cadderly commanded. A second later the drow disappeared.
Cadderly sat back on his heels staring at the empty space, "I really, really hope that worked," he muttered.
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"May you suffer the torments of the abyss," Jarlaxle cursed the wizard. The fool had banished him to a place outside of time. It was like being on the opposite side of a mirror. He could see any number of realities but could not touch them. Cadderly had sent him to a place where he was neither alive nor dead. He was like a ghost drifting aimlessly though time.
He would not die in this place. Cadderly had doomed him to an eternity of emptiness with only himself for companionship. For the first time in his life the drow had no idea what to do.
"What have you done?" Jarlaxle whispered in horror.
Author's Note: Hmmm…It looks like Jarlaxle's plans aren't working out so well.
Yulandia: I'm not sure how Lizzie turned out to be a witch. Sometimes I think this story has a life of its own!
LifeTTL: Thank you for the kind review. Though I must say...its cruel to tease someone with fresh baked bread! LOL. So mean. I found it interesting that you enjoyed reading the reviews and my answers. Its cool how reading a story differs from person to person. I hope you enjoyed the rest of it. One more chapter to go! Yay!