Chapter 4: What the Darkness Brings

Jeaden Tren’dimis awoke, two hours after his aunt had left the house. The little elven boy swung his legs out of his bed. He did a small hop to the floor, and sluggishly headed out, dragging the blanket Dusk had covered him with behind him. It was not at all cold, but the child wrapped the entire blanket he could around himself, pulling part of it over his head.

The little elf walked as noisily as he possibly could down the hall, making huge strides for such tiny legs, towards his aunt’s bedroom. Jeaden pulled a hand out from underneath the blanket and grabbed the doorknob. It would not budge.

Locked? How come? Thought the little boy, and shook the handle of the door. Maybe she’s takin’ a bath now... but she never locks the door... He shrugged his shoulders. When it was warm as it was at the time, Dusk often let Jeaden sit in her rather large bathtub with her, and he almost always started splash fights. These were always spontaneous, never planned. Jeaden would just walk into the room with the grin that every child up to some thing wears... and the door would never be locked.

Jeaden lightly knocked on the door. He waited a moment, but got no answer. The boy knocked again, much harder, and called; “Dusky?” The little elf heard quiet grumble, and some slight movement within the room. He chewed his bottom lip, trying to come up with an idea of how to open the door. The child no longer believed that his aunt was in the room, or in the house for that matter, at all. If she were, the lady would have opened the door before he even got to it.

The elven child then remembered a simple spell Dusk had taught him once. His sister had locked him out of the house when his parents weren’t at home, and he had gone all the way up to his aunt for a solution. The spell she taught him would open nearly any door (he had tested it out on his sister when he had gotten home), so perhaps it would work on this one. The boy stood in thought for a bit, making sure that he remembered the spell correctly.

Jeaden put his tiny hands around the doorknob, and chanted softly. The spell needed to be cast quietly; else the door it was meant to open would be literally blown from its hinges. He continued the chant, speeding up towards the end, and then blowing softly on the door. It swung open easily.

The boy jumped up in the air happily. He had not been sure the spell would work on the door of the one who had taught him the spell. Jeaden giggled a bit, creeping into the room as quietly as he could.

Lying on the bed was Jarlaxle, peering secretly at the boy. Perhaps if the little one thinks me sleeping, he’ll leave me be this time! The drow thought, for Jeaden had kept him up for most of the last night. He closed his eyes again when the child crept closer.

Jeaden stifled a laugh (one of those demonic little kid laughs). The elven child pulled his blanket tighter around his head, and, in all stealth he could muster started running towards the bed. At the last second before hitting the hard frame, the boy leapt up into the air. He landed upon Jarlaxle’s supposedly sleeping form, a little too hard for the mercenary to keep up his facade of slumber.

”Child, what in the hell are you trying to do? Kill me?!” Jarlaxle cried. He pulled the giggling boy (who seemed to be trying to tickle him) off, and held Jeaden over him at arms length.

”Uh uh! I just saw you sleepin an I was wondering wha you were doin’ sleepin in my auntie’s bed! An then I don’t know where she is neither, so I thought I’d ask you, cause tha one guy who wasn’t wearin anything before doesn’t like me, an he’s grumpy anyhow, an I like you better!”

Jarlaxle heaved a sigh, and shook his head. He wondered how angry Dusk would be if he tied the child up in a closet. The mercenary figured that it would not be wise to try it and find out, but Jeaden would simply not allow him a moment’s peace! The boy had a certain charm that kept Jarlaxle from killing him, but how much longer could he stand the child?

”Little one, if I tell you where your aunt is, will you promise to leave me be for at least a few hours more?” Asked the exasperated mercenary. To this Jeaden nodded, and grinned his childish grin.

”All right, remember your promise now!” Jarlaxle told the boy, letting him know what could happen if the boy did forget. “The lady went into town for a while to get a few things, and she should be back fairly soon. Why don’t you go downstairs and wait for her? I’m sure she’d be happy for the gesture.”

Jeaden’s grin widened, happy to please his aunt. He wrapped his little arms around Jarlaxle’s head in a tight hug. The little boy squeaked happily and looked at the drow.

”You just gave me the bestest idea in the whole world!” Jeaden exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear. “I’m gonna go make auntie dinner, an then she’ll come home and be soooooooooooo happy, an you get to sleep too! Oh oh!! What does the grumpy guy like? I can make him something too, an maybe he won’t be so grumpy at me.... an you! You get something really special, cause you gave me the idea!”

Jeaden jumped off the bed and bolted out the door. Jarlaxle stood to follow and groaned, rubbing his eyes. The child had said something about making dinner for them all, which frightened the drow profoundly. He knew he had to keep to boy from going anywhere near the kitchen, for if he got to make the dinner he so desired to, he would probably burn the house down.

Either that, or we shall all be deathly ill by the end of the night... Jarlaxle thought. If the child managed to cook something without killing them all, then whatever it was would probably do the job just as well. Jarlaxle had started to walk wearily to the door when Jeaden poked his head in.

”Wha’s his name?” The boy asked.

”Whose...” Jarlaxle replied, puzzled. He realized that the boy must be asking of Entreri, being the only “he” who was left not standing in Dusk’s doorway. “Oh, Entreri. You did not...”

The drow was cut off by Jeaden, who went running down the hall, yelling.

”Entreeeeeerrin!!! Aw, wait no.... ENTRERIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!”

Jarlaxle’s mouth dropped open. He knew the man was not at all fond of the boy... what if he was asleep, and the child woke him?

”Jeaden get back here!” Jarlaxle whispered harshly to the boy. He cursed when the only answer he got was another yell from Jeaden, still trying to find the assassin. Then to himself he said; “She’ll kill me.”

If Entreri laid a hand on that boy, or if Jeaden started playing in the kitchen like he had wanted to... either way, there would be one huge mess. Jarlaxle was to be minding the boy and making sure Entreri behaved himself as well. (If one could ever truly keep that man in line.)

Should something happen, much of the blame could be put squarely on Jarlaxle. Dusk loved him, but so help him if any harm came to that boy!

Jarlaxle ran out of the room, slid down the banister upon reaching the stairs, and ran with all haste on Jeaden’s heels.

* * * * * * * *

The elven maiden slowed her mount, cresting one more hill. She took a moment to look upon the lovely sunset. She sighed. How many times had she and one of her dearest friends sat upon a high balcony and watched this same scene? It was always different somehow, always turning to show a new facet in the beauty of the sunset.

The elf shook away the fond memories. Her dear friend might be in great danger now, and here she was, dawdling. She kicked her mount, running the beast as fast as she might. More than the maiden’s friend could be in danger, her own son was with the woman!

The maiden leapt from her horse, not bothering to tether it. She paused for a moment, standing in front of the house belonging to her dear friend, listening.

She heard a child’s scream, a crash, and another scream... and bolted into the house, readying her bow.

* * * * * * * *

Artemis Entreri, sitting silent and unseen up on top of a bookshelf, chuckled at the scene unfolding below him. He had climbed up hearing Jeaden tearing through the house, yelling his name. The assassin wanted to keep away from the child if at all possible.

Besides, the man wasn’t entirely sure he wished to find out what the boy wanted of him. Especially then... he had heard Jarlaxle trying to catch the child, running into things and calling for the boy to stop his foolishness. Jeaden would then run by, screaming hysterical laughter. He would find someplace to hide, wait for Jarlaxle to come near to passing his hiding place, and run out in the other direction.

Better to let Jarlaxle deal with him... The assassin thought. He had toyed with the idea of going to help the drow, but dismissed it. Entreri was enjoying the show far too much to stop it.

It seemed that Jarlaxle was having plenty of trouble trying to do just that. The little one was quick and agile, and, though the drow was even more so, he simply could not catch Jeaden. The boy knew every place to hide, everything that could possibly slow the dark elf down. To him, it was all a big game, and it seemed that he played often. Though, the boy had the advantage of knowing the layout of the house very well; and Jarlaxle did not have such an advantage. He had been to the place only a few times, and had never taken a tour running at top speed, either. Apparently, the boy had done this before.

Jeaden rounded a sharp corner into the room where Entreri hid. The child veered towards the bookcase, as if he were going to run straight into it, Jarlaxle right on his heels.

The perched assassin grinned. Do not disappoint me, drow... The man thought, ...you would never fall for a child’s trick such as this one... Though he held faith in Jarlaxle’s prowess, he chuckled at the thought of the drow actually hitting the bookcase. Entreri watched, amused, as Jarlaxle came running in to grab the boy.

Though, the amused smile turned to one of shock, as he noticed Jeaden. There was a small rug in front of the bookcase, which the boy stepped lightly on and pushed behind him, right under Jarlaxle’s feet.

Jeaden pulled away from the bookcase at the last possible moment. But Jarlaxle had no such luck. He deftly kept his footing somehow, but eventually came careening into Entreri’s perch. Most of the books fell out, one landing on the drow’s foot, sending him yelping and hopping away from the thing. The assassin teetered on the bookcase, trying to balance the thing out before it dumped him off and straight into the front door. He succeeded, and settled back into a crouch, watching.

Jeaden turned about, to see if his beloved new friend had been seriously hurt. The drow took the advantage of the child’s sitting still, and tackled him. Jeaden laughed and squeaked at Jarlaxle as he held the boy up over his head. The drow stood, still holding Jeaden.

”Little one...” Jarlaxle said, breathing heavily, “...the next time I tell you to be still, you must listen! We have now made a lovely mess of your aunt’s house, as you can see, and...”

“And now it is time for you to get your rancid hands off that boy!” A calm female voice called from behind him.

The drow heard the click of a notched arrow and froze in place. He placed Jeaden’s feet gently down on the floor, and the boy ran from the room at top speed. Jarlaxle then turned around to face the lady. He began to say something to her, ask her what she was doing in the house, but she cut him off.

“There is a young human woman who lives here. It is said that she had a man here, guided by my son, who was supposedly injured.” Said she, with a growl. “You are going to tell me exactly what you have done with both of them, and perhaps I shall spare your pathetic life.”

Leena Tren’dimis knew that she was well overmatched by this strange drow elf, but she had to make him think that she was much more powerful than she actually was. She had learned enough about the drow race to know that he wouldn’t dare attack her if he thought that he would be defeated. More or less, drow were tricksters, and would try to bargain their way out of trouble. The elf maiden hoped that was so with this drow, and that he would not call her bluff.

Jarlaxle had no intentions of attacking the elf in the first place, but not because she seemed more powerful than he. Apparently, this was Jeaden’s mother, which meant that she was probably a friend to Dusk. Hence, Jarlaxle knew that the maiden should not be harmed.

But, he thought, how am I to keep her from harming me? The elf had her bow trained on his heart, and seemed to have no intentions of moving her aim. Jarlaxle, though, was sure that he could get out of being shot.

“The lady Dusk went to get something for the injured man you spoke of... dressings, I believe...” Jarlaxle began. The things he was telling the elf weren’t far from the truth, actually. He continued.

“Yes, that was it exactly. He has a broken wrist, you see, and he was losing blood until the lady patched him up with what bandages she did have. She left earlier this afternoon, headed for the very place you came from, if I remember correctly.” The clever drow kept talking to the woman.

He had a few ideas on how to get a hold of that bow, which was still aimed at his heart. Many of his first ideas relied on the use of the numerous magical items he had at his disposal, but in order to use those he would have to move, and that he knew would get him shot at.

“You lie, foolish drow. Had she been moving toward our town, I would have seen her upon the trail here.” Spat the elven woman.

Jarlaxle looked puzzled for a moment. Did this elf not know what Dusk was capable of? The drow realized that this must be true. Dusk might not wish to risk the knowledge of her true bloodline getting loose, and so she was posing as a human magic user of some kind. She had been doing it for many years now, so why should she risk all by dropping a fine ruse? Jarlaxle sat appreciating the lady’s ability to hold such a ruse for so very long, but realized that he still had not solved his current predicament. He could congratulate the lady later on.

“Listen, Madame, can we not at least be civil until our common friend returns? I assure you that no harm has come to her, or your son for that matter.” Jarlaxle said softly.

The elf’s scowl faltered for a fraction of a second at the mention of her son. She did not seem surprised that the drow had caught the resemblance, but more so that the boy had indeed just run by her, seemingly fine.

“What of the human? I was told that he was injured. Was that your doing?” Asked the elf incredulously. She turned her head sharply at the sound of another voice, but kept her bow trained on Jarlaxle’s chest.

“I was indeed injured for a time. But, no, it was not by his hand at all.” Entreri spoke up, stepping from the shadows beside the bookcase. He fixed the maiden in his cool gaze. “I would be much obliged if you would put away your fine bow. You see, the lady of the house would be very upset should either of us be harmed. I do believe that she is rather fond of him, especially.” The assassin gestured to Jarlaxle.

The drow himself was rather surprised. Entreri was the last person that he would expect to come to his aid, especially since the man had nothing to gain from such a thing. In fact, Entreri had just put himself into as much potential danger as Jarlaxle. The drow nodded silent thanks to him for his uncharacteristic generosity.

Jarlaxle spotted a tiny blonde head sticking past the kitchen doorway. Jeaden stood there, looking as though he hadn’t realized what was happening. The boy had been waiting, hidden from sight, for his mother or Jarlaxle to pick the chase back up again. He peeked out further and finally took in the whole scene. His eyes widened fearfully as he came to understand that his mother’s bow was notched and quite ready to fire at his newfound friend. The boy bolted from the kitchen and attached himself to Jarlaxle’s waist. The drow tried to push him away, incase an errant arrow flew from his mother’s bow, but the boy would not release his hold.

“Mommy, don’ hurt him!” Jeaden craned his head around to look at his mother. The little one looked as though he might cry, and Leena stood in shock. “I know he’s a dark drow an’ all tha, but he’s a nice dark drow, mommy! He played chase all over the house with me an’ he was jus about ta help me make dinner for Dusky, really he was! Jus wait for Dusky an’ she’ll tell ya that he’s nice, honest!” The boy’s babbling turned into sudden sobbing, and he clung to Jarlaxle even tighter.

Leena Tren’dimis stood very still. The dark elf caught her gaze and spread his hands out wide, letting her know in no uncertain terms that he had no intentions of harming her son. He certainly could, but he refused to, his eyes told her.

This is madness. Thought the elven woman. Outright and utter madness. This drow is using no magic upon Jeaden, yet my little one begs that I not harm this creature. He is trying to defend the drow’s life with his own! And the human defends him as well… Leena lowered her bow at last, but did not remove the arrow. More than one goodly drow in this world was far too much to hope for, but she found herself wondering all the same. Finally she found her voice.

“Jeaden, who are these men?” She asked gently.

The boy sniffled and wiped at his nose with one sleeve, but still did not release his hold on the drow. “This is Jarlaxle, mommy, and tha’s Entrerin.” The assassin raised an eyebrow at the mispronunciation of his name. “He’s a little grumpy, but he’s nice too, an’ Dusky likes him, so don’ hurt him either. Please, mommy, put the bow away like Entrerin says cause they won’ hurt anybody I promise.”

The elf truly had no idea what to do, but she wasn’t given much time to decide, either. Her bow and saber were suddenly taken from her and tossed out of reach, and she found herself staring into a pair of impossibly green eyes. Reflexively, Leena jumped back and punched at the person in front of her, only to have her arm caught and held still. She blinked at the familiar face of her dearest friend, quite startled to find the lady there all of a sudden.

“Hello, Leena. I am quite happy to see you, of course, even though you’ve never greeted me in such a fashion before.” Dusk smiled at her friend. “I see you have already met my guests.”

 

* * * * * * * * *

A moonlit sky found Leena and Jeaden Tren’dimis, Jarlaxle, Artemis Entreri and Dusk all seated in various couches and a cushy chair about the den. Much had been explained in the past few hours, mostly to the elven maiden. Dusk and Jarlaxle had spoken at length with her over the goings on of the past day and a half. Although the two did leave out a few small things, Leena listened with good grace, though her mind whirled with many, many questions. Surprisingly, Jeaden said close to nothing, but merely curled up on the couch between the drow and Dusk. After the lady had calmed his mother enough, she had led them all here, and the boy had laid himself across the two, clinging fiercely to Jarlaxle’s legs. This surprised the drow quite a bit, for he thought that the still shaken child would go straight to his mother. He was slightly uncomfortable, though quite touched by the gesture.

Entreri said nothing at all during the entire conversation. He was a bit disturbed by it all, for though he did not remember everything that had happened, Dusk had obviously led the elven woman to believe much that was not true. For instance, she left out entirely what had only a night ago ailed the assassin, saying only that he had been injured and taken a fever. Entreri wondered why, but had kept his thoughts to himself.

Leena sighed finally, after long moments of contemplating Dusk and Jarlaxle’s version of the happenings of the last few days. Everything did fit into place, but the maiden was still left with many burning questions. The dark elf was apparently with the small party that had traveled to see her friend, of that she was certain. Why, then, did the elves that had met up with the woman remember nothing of him? She voiced her questions on this matter to Dusk, who smiled slightly.

“Perhaps your dear brother thought not to worry you. Once he saw that I had things under control, that Jarlaxle was no threat to neither I nor Jeaden, he may have figured it best not to tell you that your son was in the company of a strange dark elf.” She paused momentarily, patting Jeaden’s outstretched little leg. “I think he was correct in his thinking, although he did err a bit in telling you nothing of my dear friend. Had I not returned…”

Dusk left the consequences of such an error unspoken, but Leena could figure out her meaning easily enough. Had the lady not shown up, the gentle elf might have uselessly harmed the strange drow, perhaps even killed him. Such thoughts troubled the maiden a little, but brought on even more disturbing questions. How had Dusk returned home so quickly? According to both the lady and the drow, she had gone into town, far below her home. The sheer timing of it was impossible; especially since the lady had indeed reached the town, returning with the items she had gone after. The trip down was nearly a full day’s ride! To do even minor shopping and head straight back should have taken her into the next day, at least. Leena shook her head at the thoughts.

“How did you return so quickly?” The elf asked, exasperated. “The drow had told me that you had only been gone a few hours, but…”

Dusk cut her short with an outstretched hand.

“That is a tale within itself, and it will have to wait until another time, I am afraid.” Leena started to protest, but the lady merely stood, crossed the room to her friend and kissed her forehead. The elven woman went silent once more.

“Worry no more, about any of it. You are weary and probably famished, as far as I can see. Would some dinner and a bit of rest not serve you better than more banter?” Asked Dusk with a smile, the inflections of her voice carrying to the elf with a bit more strength than that of a mere suggestion.

Jeaden’s head came up from Jarlaxle’s leg at the mention of food, and he was quick to pester his aunt about letting him help if she were to make supper. The drow chuckled at him, throwing Dusk a wink. The lady motioned Jeaden to her side with an outstretched hand. The boy beamed at Jarlaxle, squeezed his leg once more, and leapt up to take the offered hand. Leena began to laugh at her son along with the drow. She looked up at Dusk.

“I suppose I am worrying a bit too much over things past, aren’t I?” Leena stated, chuckling a bit at herself. The lady merely smiled. “And I certainly am hungry.” She patted her son on the rump as he walked by her, and then reached up to kiss Dusk and the boy each on the cheek.

“Do you need an extra hand, dear?” Dusk shook her head and looked at the boy, implying that she had all the help she could handle. Leena laughed aloud at the look of rapture on her son’s face. “You mind Dusky, now. Do exactly as she tells you and nothing more. No ‘secret ingredients’ this time, okay sweetheart?”

Jeaden nodded sheepishly and started to pull his aunt toward the kitchen at the other end of the hall.

All the while, the silent Artemis Entreri sat privately gawking at the woman. Jeaden’s mother had been brimming with questions, doubts, even. The perceptive assassin had seen it in the elf’s face, and yet Dusk had dispelled all of that with only a few words. He thought that he understood a little bit of the lady’s magic, then. There was something about her voice… he had thought it strange from the first he had clearly heard her speak, and he was now fairly certain that some of her power, at least, lay within the odd resonance of her every word.

He wondered how long such a powerful suggestion would last, though, against the clever mind of the elven woman. What if she was able to shake it off, and began questioning Jarlaxle and Entreri while the lady was off preparing supper?

The assassin decided that such was a question that should be answered immediately, if only to avoid a possibly explosive confrontation with Leena Tren’dimis. He politely excused himself from his companion and the maiden, and followed Dusk down the hall. He caught up with her in the kitchen archway.

“Lady, a word, if you would?” He whispered, taking a tentative hold upon the crook of her elbow.

She nodded ever so slightly to him, and sent Jeaden to gather a few things from a garden the assassin hadn’t known existed. Surprisingly, the lady let him lead her into the furthest corner of the kitchen. It was far from all doorways and the window, but still the assassin continued to whisper.

Dusk chuckled at him, putting a hand on his arm, which, to her delight, he did not jerk away.

“There is no need. The boy and his mother are both far enough away for you to speak freely. Unless, of course, you wish to say something that you do not wish even Jarlaxle to hear… then it would not matter either way, since he hears everything, eventually.” She smirked slightly, amused at the assassin’s worry.

 

* * * * * * * *

Jarlaxle sat upon the couch were Dusk had left him, staring pensively up at the ceiling. He was slightly uncomfortable with the presence of the golden elf woman in the room, and so he tried not to look at her. The drow did believe in his friend’s ability to hold the maiden under her spell, unlike Entreri, but still he knew that he had reason to be a bit wary. It was a simple matter of race. Jarlaxle did not mind Leena, he actually found her rather pleasant, but he held little illusion of the elf’s impression of him. She would never trust him, he knew, and ever would he have to take care in his actions when she was around.

After a few moments of sitting in silence, and the sense that Jeaden’s mother was watching him even now, Jarlaxle thought it prudent to be away from the woman. He stood and tipped his hat to her.

“Well madam, it has been very fine to meet you, but if you would please excuse me, I will retire for a while before supper.” He said, bowing slightly.

Leena watched the dark elf step from the den, his boots clicking loudly upon the floor. She started at nothing for a moment, wondering at this strange creature. He was very polite, for a drow, and Dusk had no qualms with calling him a friend. Her own son seemed positively enamored of him, as well… but he was still a drow, and thus worthy of her suspicion. The elf sighed, and called quietly to the strange dark elf as she heard his foot hit the first of the stairs. She knew he would hear her, for his ears were perhaps keener than her own.

“Stay with me, drow. I would speak with you.”

Jarlaxle’s heel squeaked upon the stair. Not a moment later, he reappeared under the archway of the den, peering at the elf. She gestured to the couch Entreri had occupied earlier, motioning for him to sit so that he might face her squarely, but at a safe distance. The drow shrugged. He moved to the seat, allowing the maiden to take a measure of his confident stride before sitting down. He did not fear his surface cousin in the least, and he wanted her to know this. Jarlaxle could kill her easily if he so chose, but he did not, and Leena seemed to understand this. The drow reclined onto the couch, propping himself up onto one elbow. He nodded his head slightly, indicating that he was prepared to listen.

Leena snorted at his posture. “You look comfortable.” She said, shaking her head.

The dark elf smiled, shifting himself further back onto one cushion.

“I am.” He replied simply. He screwed up his face weirdly then, and slipped one hand beneath his body, frowning suddenly. “Well, I was, at least. These cushions are very wet in some places.”

The surface elf laughed. “That would be my son’s doing, in all likelihood.”

Jarlaxle smiled ruefully at the thought of the boy. “It is true, the little one cannot stand to leave anything in proper order.” He chuckled and sniffed at the couch. “But this is the work of my human companion, of that I am certain.”

The elf made a non-committal sound, her thoughts turned elsewhere. The strange drow elf’s companion was a mystery to her, an unreadable facet to an otherwise clear tale. The human had added nothing to the explanation for his and Jarlaxle’s presence. He had merely watched the play of the conversation, seeming to take in each word and commit it to his memory. The man made Leena curious, especially in the manner that he had watched Dusk speak. His dark eyes were quick to train upon the lady when she spoke, and not only to take in her expression, the elf thought. He looked as though he were trying to figure the green-eyed beauty out, attempting to learn everything of her that could possibly be gleaned by careful study. Something more had briefly shown itself in the human’s eyes, something deep and powerful, but it had disappeared as suddenly and inexplicably as it had come.

Something had happened to Artemis Entreri, and he did not wish to deal with whatever it might be. Leena knew this to be true of the man, although she could understand little else of him. He made the maiden worry for Dusk, and it was the more motherly feeling that she held for her friend that had compelled her to call the drow back. She meant to learn the human male’s intentions as soon as possible, and thought that her dark cousin might give some insight to the man.

Leena locked her fingers together and sat back in her chair. “Your companion,” She began carefully. “Why is he here?”

“He was injured, and quite sick as well. I knew that our mutual friend had the means to heal him, so of course I brought him to her. Were our explanations unclear?” Jarlaxle asked politely, raising an eyebrow.

“Certainly not, on that subject, at least. However, why the two of you journeyed to see Dusk in the first place is a little shadowed. This country is full of healers, and the whole situation makes me wonder if it would not have been far easier to take the human to the first you could find.” The elf replied, peering incredulously at the drow.

“Ah, I see your meaning.” He paused, thinking quickly on his feet. “Our reasons are quite simple, to tell the truth. I had not seen the lady in some time, and I greatly missed her company. Artemis was with me when I thought to pay a visit, so I proposed that he come along and meet her. He was more than happy to do so, and, since neither of us had had any pressing business to attend to, here we are.” Jarlaxle flippantly threw out his hands.

“Unfortunately, my friend ended up taking ill, and he broke his wrist shortly before we arrived here. Who better to care for him than the very lady he would soon meet?”

Leena eyed him strangely, no doubt running his words over in her mind to see if any hidden meaning lie behind them. A smile tugged at her lips, and the drow wondered why… Jarlaxle sincerely hoped that the maiden would take his story as truth. It was not entirely a lie, more a careful twisting of the reason for his and Entreri’s journey. In all honesty, the assassin knew nothing of what his companion had in store for him, but the drow had sorely missed Dusk.

Had Jarlaxle given the elf the full and completely honest story, though, the clever ruse that his dear friend had created about herself would be smashed. Leena was very curious and very quick of mind, the dark elf knew. She would figure out the lady’s identity with great ease if he allowed her to know even a fraction of what Dusk was capable of. He could not allow such a thing, and he needed to lead the elf to think that the woman was as normal as could be.

“Does that answer your question, my lady?” Jarlaxle asked after a moment, breaking the maiden’s musings.

The elf finally allowed a smile to cut onto her face, the first true expression of mirth that the drow had seen in her. He relaxed, knowing that despite the untrustworthy nature of his race, she believed his reasons for coming. Jarlaxle thought that her smile was one of relief, for she had seemed to fear for the safety of her friend at the appearance of a drow elf and an obviously formidable human.

He was correct in gleaning the reason for her worry, but not that of her smile.

“Then the human is a suitor?” Leena asked with a little laugh.

Jarlaxle let his mouth fall open, and he sat up. This was not at all how he had planned his words to lead the maiden, and it might cause quite a stir… Jarlaxle was certain that the assassin, at least, would be less than pleased to go along with such a thing.

“Your pardon?” He asked, trying to hide his surprise.

“This man, Artemis Entreri, would have the lady Dusk’s hand.” She looked at the drow’s still shocked expression. “Well, were I in his place, I would make a try for her! It really comes as no surprise, what with a beautiful and clever human mage living all alone upon a wild mountain trail. Even many elven males seek to take her for a mate upon hearing tell of her.”

“Oh dear…” Jarlaxle mumbled, putting a hand over his face.

No good may come of this! He thought, and was quite sure that he was correct. Nothing good could possibly come of playing out such games, indeed, but the drow was far too weary to attempt to think of something better. If it would dissuade the elven maiden from any further questions, then it would have to do. Perhaps it would be best to lead her as far from the truth as possible. Jarlaxle’s quick mind began its careful planning, and in moments he had his start.

The drow took his hand from his face. “How did you figure that out? No one was supposed to know of his intentions until he was certain that Dusk would react favorably to his advances.”

“Watch your friend carefully, for he hides his heart well. I have never seen such ability in a human to control what they feel, but on few rare instances since I have met him, there is something far deeper than a healthy respect when he looks upon that sweet girl.” She paused, and Jarlaxle had to bite back a snort at her calling Dusk a ‘girl’.

“But by all means, tell him to make his try! It is past due for her to take a husband; I have nagged at her for a few years now about living here all alone.”

Jarlaxle could only nod. With not another word he lay back on the couch, tipped his hat once more to Leena and then pulled the ridiculously plumed thing down over his face to find some rest. He had nothing to fear from the elf woman, he knew, as long as he did nothing to provoke her, and so he allowed himself a light nap.

Dusk will be greatly amused by all of this. He thought. And Entreri… I shall probably have to stay clear of him for a few days. No, he will not be pleased.

Jarlaxle’s hidden grin nearly took in his ears as he dropped off to sleep. He did so love to play games such as these, and upsetting Entreri might just be worth the fun.

* * * * * * * * * *

The lady Dusk stared off into space for a brief moment, wondering. Though it was only the slightest few seconds, it was quite long enough to irritate the already wary Artemis Entreri. He had a few burning questions for her, and she knew this. At any given moment, Jeaden might come bounding back into the kitchen with the things she had sent him after, and the assassin knew that he had precious little time in which to have his answers. He was more annoyed than angry with her for even the slightest tarrying.

“Is something wrong?” He asked, trying to sound polite.

The lady pursed her lips. “Something amuses Jarlaxle greatly.”

Entreri looked hard at her, knowing full well that she had just used the obviously formidable powers of her mind once again. Jarlaxle was many yards away, and she could easily pick out what the drow was feeling without even having to try, he knew. It was such ability that had prompted the assassin to follow after her.

“You can do that at any given moment, can’t you?” It was more a statement of fact than a question.

“I can.” She smiled at him. “Does that bother you?”

“It does, indeed, though not nearly as much as your ability to seemingly change a being’s very thoughts.”

“Ah, you are quite perceptive, but not quite correct. You took notice of what I did to Leena, I suspect.” He nodded, frowning. “I never do such things unless it is entirely necessary… it does not please me in the least. I will have you understand that I did not truly change her thoughts. That is quite a bit more difficult, and you would have known without a doubt what I had done.” She told him, her smile quickly fading.

He took notice and forced the edge from his voice. “Then I would know what it was that you did.”

She sighed. “It is more than curiosity that drives you to ask, isn’t it? You remember that I gave you the same kiss upon your forehead just last night, and you could not deny my wishes then. You fear that I might now be able to manipulate you in other, less subtle ways because of it, am I right?”

Entreri blinked at her. She was entirely right, of course. The man’s solitary mind refused to accept such control, and he would fight it with all of his considerable will. It disturbed him that he had been unable to fend off the subtle nudging that the lady had given him last night to curb his questioning and make him relax.

“You are indeed correct, and I wish you to tell me exactly how you did what you did.”

“So that you might find a way to defeat those suggestions, in case I try to use them upon you again?” Dusk retorted, a pained expression crossing her face. The assassin glared at her, thinking that she was reading his mind once again, despite her promise to desist. The lady closed her eyes, shaking her head.

“Do not look give me such looks, for they are wrongly placed. I do not intrude upon your mind, though I do know what you are thinking. I know you better than you could possibly understand. Perhaps, someday, I might explain that to you, but now is not the time. Nor can I tell you exactly how I did what I did to you, and just this day, to Leena. It is not something that I can put into words, but simply something innate.

“As for your worries, I believe that I still can alleviate them for you. Take comfort in what I tell you.” She paused, opening her eyes. “If I so desired, I could control you. It might not be as easy as it would be with some others, for your will is quite strong. No matter, it would be possible for me to do so… but I do not, and I will not. Though I hardly know you, I have a great respect for you, assassin. I gave you my word last night that I would not intrude upon your thoughts, and I shall give it again. Your mind will always be your own. I shall never manipulate you as you so fear.”

Dusk turned away from him then, and the man found himself at a loss for words. He just stood there, his brow furrowed, trying to think of something to say. His worries seemed to make her quite upset, and he was unsure of what to do in the face of such uncharacteristic sadness from the lady. Impulsively, the man reached out to take her by the elbow once more. He allowed his hand to rest on her forearm for the briefest of seconds, and then pulled away just as quickly. She stopped her preparations and peered at him over her shoulder. The lady let lose the shortest of laughs.

“You may stay, if you like, I do not mind. Find whatever pleases you.” She said quietly, and her tenderness was not lost on the assassin, who had received so little of it throughout his life.

Entreri was unsure of what to do in the face of such a strange emotion. So bemused was he that he did not notice the re-entrance of Jeaden until the boy came barreling into him. The child nearly knocked him over, and he found himself saved from falling on his face once more by Dusk. The lady needed only give him the slightest nudge and he stood aright again. He wheeled on the boy, perhaps to yell at him, threaten him… the man never needed to find out. The little one looked up at the assassin, and then at his aunt, taking in the expression upon each of their faces. The boy set the small bundle he carried onto a nearby counter as quickly as he could.

“Uh oh!” He whispered, giggling, and dove into the nearest cabinet.

The man might have opened the door to scold the elven child, and even began to move to do so… until he heard Dusk’s soft laughter. He stopped dead in his tracks and turned to her once more. She had a slight smile on her face, but her eyes still looked very sad, and Entreri wondered why. A moment later, he wondered why he cared, but could not push aside the fact that he did. He came to stand behind the lady, forcing himself to place a hand on her shoulder, and he whispered into her ear.

“I offer my deepest apologies, for although I did not mean to offend you, it seems that I have. You have been… more than kind to me. Forgive me, I…” He shook his head. “I need to go for a walk.”

And for the second time in just as many days, he took hold of her hand and gently kissed it. With that, he sighed, and walked out the kitchen door. No sooner did his heel clear the doorjamb, and the door swing closed behind him, Jeaden’s giggles sounded from within the low cabinet yet again. The boy cracked the door open and peeked around it at his aunt, ducking back inside when she turned to look. He snickered fiercely and poked his face out once again.

“Hey Dusky, can I ask you somethin’?” He asked, grinning widely all the while.

Dusk chuckled at him, shaking her head. “Of course, sweetheart.” The boy went into another fit of giggles before he spoke again.

“Do Enterin’s whiskers tickle?” He blurted, then ducked behind the cabinet door and laughed merrily. The lady found herself laughing with him.

“Why would you ask a silly thing like that, child?”

He stepped out of the cabinet then, grinning sheepishly. “Well, daddy doesn’t have em, an I’ve never esactally seen em up close like I did just now. They jus look like they tickle, tha’s all.”

Dusk fixed the boy with a mock angry glare, putting her hands on her hips. “Why you little rat,” She said with a smile. “You were watching all of that?”

Jeaden nodded, smiling widely up at her. The lady lunged for him and caught him around the waist, hoisting him up in the air. He shrieked in helpless glee as she lifted up his shirt and blew raspberries all over his stomach.

* * * * * * * * *

 

Plink!

Artemis Entreri’s head snapped up from his dinner plate. Something small and warm had just bounced off of his cheek, and he now peered around the table, looking for the unseen missile. Gingerly the man rubbed at his cheek where the thing had struck him. He flexed his jaw about, and although he was fairly certain by then that the tiny missile was not something that would harm him, the movement did give him a good look about the table.

The assassin peered secretly at Dusk, who sat directly to his right. She was engaged in some deep conversation with Leena, but Entreri paid no attention to her words. Rather, he watched carefully the slight smirk that was tugging at her lips. The man reached over and poked her closest knee with his toe. Dusk glanced at him momentarily, then brought one hand up to brush a stray piece of hair from her face… and turned the fingers around, gesturing to Entreri in the silent drow hand code.

Is something wrong, my friend? She slowly signed to him, covering up the movements with a scratch of her head.

Entreri glared at her out of the corner of his eye. Must I endure such childish antics from even you?

Plink!

Entreri snapped his hand up before his face at the last moment, catching a second missile just before it would have hit him squarely in the forehead. Slowly, he opened his hand… a pea. The assassin heard a muffled giggle from the other end of the table. Instantly he turned his glare upon Jeaden, and the boy clammed up immediately, purposefully slipping his fork to the floor with a clatter. The little one dove beneath the table after it, his muffled giggles quite obvious to all in attendance.

“Oh, darling, did you drop something?” Dusk called loudly to the boy, trying to direct the attention of Jeaden’s mother away from Entreri’s awful scowl.

She got a few more muffled giggles in return, and then a halfhearted ‘yep’ from the boy.

Are you certain that I cannot bind the little rat to his chair? Signed Entreri, not bothering to cover up the halting motion of his own fingers.

Jarlaxle caught the assassin’s gestures with ease, and he raised one eyebrow high, having only noticed part of their conversation. Either the drow hadn’t noticed what Jeaden was up to, or he did, but he hadn’t cared to stop the child. Though the latter was more likely, he started to carefully sign something in return.

Dusk coughed. (Well, she pretended to cough… it sounded more like a cleverly covered laugh.) The lady reached across the table to pat Leena’s hand, again drawing the elf’s attention, now from both Entreri and Jarlaxle. Leena smiled at the gesture, but still peered about suspiciously at the three males, for Jeaden had reappeared with a great smirk upon his childish features.

“Have I missed something?” Asked the maiden, now carefully watching Jarlaxle.

Jeaden snickered once again, and Entreri looked on the verge of speaking.

His mouth was half opened, but suddenly the assassin had nothing to say. He sat up unusually straight and still, the scowl he wore deepening just a bit.

Dusk smiled at her friend. “Not a thing dear. I was just thinking…”

At the same time, her hands were again gesturing to Entreri, tactfully flashing behind the screen of her hair. Follow my lead if you would please, for you and I have much to discuss this evening.

“…Upon where I shall put you all tonight. I have only three other rooms outside of my own, so one of us will have to double up.”

It is difficult for me to follow much of anything at the moment! The assassin’s sharp features scrunched up ever so slightly, conveying the urgency behind the true intent of the comment.

Though Jarlaxle, who had been keeping careful vigilance over both spoken and signed conversations, could not understand Entreri’s meaning, Dusk grasped it easily. She smirked at the man and gently moved her toes from where she had set them against his groin, but to an only slightly less uncomfortable position on the inside of his calf. The assassin relaxed visibly, still keeping a wary eye on his strange host.

Jeaden piped up then, and began tugging at his aunt’s dress.

“Dusky, I wanna sleep in your room.” The little one’s eyes sparkled at his aunt, pleading for a positive answer. The lady might have given him what he asked for, even though she did need to speak with Entreri. It was extremely difficult for her to turn the child down, but luck seemed to be with her this night.

Leena patted her son upon the head. “Now sweetheart, I’m sure Dusk doesn’t want you kicking her out of her own bed for the second night in a row.”

“But mommy…”

The elf placed a hand over Jeaden’s mouth. “No buts. You can sleep with me tonight.”

“But I didn’t sleep with Dusky las night, honest! I stayed with mister Jarlaxle almos the whole time… an you talk all funny when you sleep.”

The maiden’s face turned slightly pink and her eyes widened at that. She turned an odd stare on the drow, who merely shrugged.

“The boy wanted a bedtime story, and for some reason, he thought that I should tell it to him. I can’t understand it myself.” Jarlaxle added with a chuckle, and might have said more had Jeaden not interrupted.

“Yeah, I couldn’ sleep a bit, cause I was kinda worried about Dusky, cause she had to fix up Entreri an’ all, an’ she was soooo tired she felled asleep right on him when she was done…”

Leena’s eyes went all the wider at her son’s innocent slip. She stared imploringly at Dusk then.

Of course, the lady had no idea why, since Jarlaxle hadn’t the time to tell her of the ruse he had accidentally created. He conveyed all of this to her now, relaying his entire conversation with Leena in careful projections of his mind. Dusk nearly spit a mouthful of wine all over the place, trying to cover up her sudden laughter with a cough. She painted upon her face a look of embarrassment for Leena’s sake, though in truth, she wanted to bust out in gales of laughter. The elf was now glaring daggers at Entreri, but directed her questioning at Dusk.

“Dear, please tell me that this is not so.”

The lady chewed her lip and put her chin in one hand, signing to the confused assassin with the other after giving him a poke to the calf with her toe.

It seems that we have a slight predicament. You should do your best to look very innocent and just a little bit nervous for the moment. She chuckled, signing, then answered Leena.

“But it is so, and I believe that the arrangement will do just fine for this night, as well.” She paused, glancing at Entreri to catch his answer.

Why? He asked simply, trying very hard not to scowl.

I shall tell you why later… but Leena believes that you have been rather naughty, if you catch my meaning.

It was then Entreri’s turn to nearly spit his wine across the room. He understood what the lady was hinting at, but was able to compose himself. He knew not the reason for such thoughts, but did manage to force upon his face the purest look of ‘meep’ he could muster. Leena still glared at him, and Dusk forced a sigh.

“Sweetheart, don’t look at him like that. He hasn’t done a thing wrong. I am certain that he will be a perfect gentleman once again tonight.” The lady implored of her elven friend, who seemed far more like an angry mother at the time.

Must I go through with this? Entreri was nearly pleading, the contortions of his face clearly showing Dusk his discomfort with the entire situation. The lady replied with only a barely discernible nod of her head, and the assassin sighed deeply.

“I don’t like it.” Leena frowned at her friend, a most palpable disapproval in her tone.

“Milady, I shall happily take my rest under the bed if it will only alleviate your unfounded concerns.” Entreri interjected, causing Jarlaxle to peer at him curiously. Leena still scowled a bit at the assassin.

“And you know perfectly well that I’ll have no one sleeping on the couch.” Added Dusk, breaking into a chuckle. “Don’t worry, mother, I shall be on my best behavior!”

At that, Leena dropped her scowl. She smiled, shaking her head at her friend.

“I suppose that you should be fine… you are a grown woman, that is simple enough to see.” She reached over to take Dusk’s hand. “But compared to you, I am indeed old enough to be your grandmother, and sometimes I see more of a daughter in you than a sister.”

The lady rose then, and kissed the elven maiden on one cheek. Wordlessly she began clearing the table, quietly snickering all the way to the kitchen. Only Jarlaxle’s sharp ears were able to pick it up, though, and it was all he could do to keep from laughing at the whole situation himself.

 

* * * * * * * * *

An hour or so later, after it had taken all four adults to get Jeaden into bed, Entreri stepped into the Dusk’s bedroom behind her. Without a sound he shut the door, and at a motion of the lady’s hand it was latched. At the sound the assassin was instantly on his guard. The idea of being locked in with this strange woman bothered him more than a little, for even though he could pick nearly any lock in necessary, Dusk had undoubtedly sealed the door by magic as well.

He did not move from his position before the wall, but merely stood there locked in a silent combat of eyes with the lady. She stared right back at him, easily holding a gaze that had send so many others scampering for dark holes. After a moment of the contest, the woman chuckled.

“Please, my friend, save your daggers for thy foes. Sit and be at ease, I’ll not harm you.” She said quietly, gesturing for him to take a seat on the bed.

Without another word she broke from Entreri’s cold gaze and turned away. The lady began searching through a drawer of her dresser, seeming not to care that she now had a skillful and deadly assassin at her back. This particular action was not borne of carelessness at all, though. Had she wished, Dusk could still have kept watch over the man while she pawed through her drawer. It was quite apparent that she had purposefully given Entreri and easy target for a dagger throw, and she meant to prove more benevolent intentions than such a wary man could accept by words alone.

The assassin did sit down, finally allowing himself to believe that this peculiar woman would not harm him, at least for the moment. Soon she joined him, holding in her hands something that Entreri did not at first recognize. Far enough away for his comfort, Dusk sat on the bed beside him and folded her legs beneath her. She sighed, placing the object from her drawer between the two of them.

“What, pray tell me, is that?” Asked the man, studying the object in the room’s dim candlelight.

Dusk frowned slightly. “It is yours, by demand of tradition.”

A raised eyebrow from Entreri was all that she got in reply. Clearly he did not understand, and of course, the lady had not expected him to. She gestured that he pick the thing up. Cautiously, he did so, finally coming to realize what it was.

A length of Dusk’s hair, carefully bound an either end, fell across his palm like honey loosed from a jar. Entreri remembered making the cut well enough in his small scrap with the lady on the floor in the next room. She had been quite upset, though he still knew not why. But he knew this to be the very piece he had none too gently hacked off.

But why present it to him now? Or at all? The assassin pondered on the question for a moment or two. Originally, Entreri had thought that vanity on the lady’s part had caused her extreme ire. He was left to wonder then if such a conclusion was really so.

“I do not follow your meaning, madam. If you would teach me some lesson, you should enlighten me of its purpose. It would be terribly disappointing were I forced to spend the night with you over an issue of simple vanity.” The man stated coolly, hoping for a forthright answer to such an odd puzzle.

At his cheek and sarcasm, Dusk wore a half amused smile. She knew at once that the man would be greatly bothered by what she had to tell him, but at least he would not be disappointed. She looked Entreri in the face and grinned a bit wider.

“That,” She began, gesturing to the lock, “is the equivalent to a human’s wedding ring.”

“What?” The assassin asked, his tone flat and dangerous.

Dusk graciously held a laugh and continued her explanation. She tapped a finger against her chin.

“Let me see, how may I explain this as simply as possible?” She paused, looking up at the ceiling. “Ah, in your terms, when you cut that piece of my hair, you were both asking for and forcing me to accept a marriage proposal. Technically, we are engaged.”

The lady chuckled at the last, unable to hold onto any sort of tact at Entreri’s expression. If the man’s jaw had fallen any lower, she might have had to put it back onto its hinge. A moment’s shocked silence and he found his voice at last.

“You are joking.” He stated simply, a wicked edge coming into his voice.

“I am not, I assure you.” Dusk replied, leaning back against the footboard of the bed.

Entreri let loose a low growl, but he had enough sense not to attack the woman. A frightening light sprang forth in her eyes just then, illuminating the space between them and letting him know his imminent peril if he decided to press any attack. It seemed that Dusk was no happier than he over the engagement that neither had meant to make. The lady made this perfectly clear not a moment later.

“Do not dare to lay your anger on me, Artemis Entreri.” She whispered. “Although you knew not what you had done, this certainly wasn’t my idea. You may be quite a handsome and able man despite your age, and I might happily bed you if you would only allow it. But I have no intentions whatsoever of holding to a promise that I did not willingly make. Still, though, we have a slight problem before us.”

“We are in agreement upon one thing, then. I’ll not hold to such a proposal myself.” Replied Entreri, trying to ignore Dusk’s comment about sleeping with him. “Though I see no problem.”

The lady shook her head. Of course Entreri didn’t see any problem just yet. She had not told him of Jarlaxle’s earlier news, nor the possibility of danger posed to the three of them.

“Well, here it is.” She began, calming herself quickly. “My dear friend, Leena thinks that you, my unwilling fiancé, are a suitor to me. She must continue to believe so, or you, Jarlaxle and myself are all in a lot of trouble. If Leena figures out what you two are up to, or who any of us really are, then we may all be doomed.”

Entreri blinked at her, wondering what in the nine hells she could be babbling about. He resisted the urge to kill everyone in the house, save maybe Jeaden. That would be quite a bit simpler for him, he thought, but there again was his nagging curiosity. Who, and what, exactly was Dusk? Perhaps he could lead her to explain that during the course of this conversation.

“Jarlaxle, at least, is always up to something. The potential for disaster follows him everywhere, but since I no nothing of his plans of late, how am I in such a predicament? I did not come here by choice, as you should well know.”

“I do indeed. I also know that your reputation has preceded your arrival. Though your name is not known here, tales of a dark assassin from far Calimport are quite well heard of. A mere human who could rival the likes of Drizzt Do’Urden is quite a feat to hear of, believe me. Follow that knowledge, and there lies your danger, for would the renown of the drow not be shared…”

“By the one who took down the hated assassin, chief enemy and murderer of the paladin dark elf.” Entreri finished for her, a low rumbling growl in each word. “I care nothing for the foolish would-be swordsmen who might seek my head. As you can see by the fact that I am still breathing now, they have never been able to touch me.”

Would he never escape the shadow of one foolish drow elf? Drizzt Do’Urden was long dead, as far as the assassin knew, and yet again he was confronted with more tell of his old foe. And just how much did the lady before him know? He was hard pressed to hold his growing anger in check as Dusk leaned in very close.

“They almost had you, don’t you know?” She whispered. Entreri’s eyebrow arched ever so slightly, and the lady wore a grim smile. “Of course, you were not there to confront the elves who followed you nearly to my home. It was I who spoke with the elf Dareenfeil, and only I who knew his true purpose in ordering his company to tail you yesterday. It was not only Jeaden he hoped to retrieve, but you, as well. For many months now, he has been keeping watch over the town below, waiting for a man dark of hair and eyes, built more like an elf than a man. This man would carry few visible weapons, save perhaps a single, beautiful jeweled dagger. A man who the even the light of day seemed to skirt, who walked ever in shadow even where there seemed to be none, and who exuded an almost palpable air of power and control.”

She paused, smirking at the effect the description was putting on the man. Undoubtedly Entreri wondered how this elf, Dareenfeil, could know his stature so very well. The black look in his eyes nearly spoke the question for him, and again the lady did not deprive him of an answer.

“You were described in immense and perfect detail to the elf, though he was never given your name, by none other than Drizzt himself. Your purple-eyed foe came through these mountains some time ago, and in his pass he shared many such tales with those who asked for them. Dareenfeil was one of those few who willingly took the drow and his small company in for a night, and so he was told much. Since he is quite protective of these mountains, or rather, he was most protective of me; he did not want such a man as yourself coming anywhere near here. At least, that is what he pretended. If he were to come upon a chance at you, he would have been quite happy for it, for you see, such a renown as he would know would impress any lady, would it not? But, that is quite another story altogether. Let me merely put it to you this way, and now you may understand.

“The appearance of a strange drow elf at your side only days ago was fine coincidence for Dareenfeil, that and the fact that little Jeaden had been ‘kidnapped’ by this drow two nights ago gave him all the reason he needed to give chase to your party. He ordered his company to take care of Jarlaxle, find the human who traveled with the dark elf and Jeaden, and bring both to him. While Jeaden was sent home to his mother, he would have killed you and thus let it be known who you were, finally getting his long awaited prize.

“Had it not been for myself and Jarlaxle, that very swordsman who has never touched you would have had you then and there and killed you, sick or no, for his own gain. Because of a few careful ruses, you are still alive, and those ruses are the only thing keeping you alive now. If you cannot act out your part of an ordinary suitor, at least in front of Leena, she will know you for who you really are. And then not only Dareenfeil will come for you, but quite a few others as well. You are safe here alone, as long as no one is able to connect the name of Entreri to the man you truly are. It is the same for Jarlaxle and myself, although I am certain that you do not care about that.”

Entreri cursed. Indeed he was caught in the role of Dusk’s suitor, for the time being, at least. Once again the assassin was reminded of why he hated most of society in the first place. None could bear to simply leave him alone, not in Calimport, not Helioglobas… and certainly not here. He hadn’t even bothered to learn the town’s name, and already some sought him out. That he could deal with, since Entreri had been turning aside many fools who would have his station all of his life. But now it seemed that his only relative safety was at the side of a very dangerous woman, and only then if he pretended to court her. Certainly such a thing did not please him, and thus the assassin made other plans.

“If I were to leave this very night, could you not remove my very presence from the minds of those who would seek me out?” Asked Entreri.

Dusk was shaking her head before he had even finished the sentence.

“You cannot, or you will not? I have been under the impression that you could do anything.” Again the lady was irritating him, but the man knew that great care was necessary. From his earlier conversation with her, this was indeed a touchy subject. “It would be far simpler, for a ploy as elaborate as that you propose will be dangerous. Even the smallest slip may spell disaster.”

The lady smiled. “It might be simpler for you, but it would kill me to try. There are too many who know that you are here for me to dare attempt such a thing.”

“Oh…”

She chuckled at him, twirling a stray piece of hair around her finger. “Unless you’ve a better idea, you may be stuck with me for a time. I daresay that I have ways to make it more bearable for you…”

The mischievous smirk returned once more, leaving Entreri with no doubt of what she was thinking. He scowled deeply, unable to take the implications behind the comment seriously. Why did Dusk feel the need to toy with him in such a fashion? Jarlaxle would happily oblige her in what she pretended to want from the man, and the little game angered him.

“You are impossible!” Entreri spat. “If I must be your suitor, then so be it. But along those lines I do indeed have a better idea. Tell your Leena tomorrow morning that I went and had my way with you in a most ungentlemanly manner and then took off into the night without so much as a farewell. Would that tale suit you, darling?”

“It might, but she wouldn’t believe me…”

“It would be little different, were I actually to lie with you. Never have I claimed to be a gentle man.” Interrupted the assassin with a growl.

Though his growl was nothing in comparison to the sound Dusk began to produce. It was not really an angry sound in the least, and Entreri had never heard its like. If a tiger were able to purr, he thought that it might sound similar. The assassin backed away from her anyway, pulling taut the muscles in his legs to spring if she came too close.

But he never got the chance. Though she hadn’t seemed to move at all, Entreri found Dusk practically on top of him all the same. The hand instinctively reaching for his dagger was held securely down by one of her knees.

“Don’t do that.” Came an unexpected whisper in his ear. “I am not going to hurt you.”

Though he was far from helpless, Entreri pressed no further attack.

“How did you to that?” He asked. Any movement that somehow escaped his careful notice was of great interest to him, and so he forced himself to calm.

“Perhaps I’ll explain it sometime. I only ask that you have patience. Just listen to me for a moment, will you?” The lady implored, peering into his face.

Entreri merely raised an eyebrow, committing to nothing. Dusk had him in an extremely uncomfortable position, with one leg held tightly between her knees and the use of only his right hand, since she still had not freed his left. Not to mention the fact that the lady’s dress was now hiked far up on her thighs. Such a thing would have greatly distracted any other man, and perhaps even the assassin as well, had he allowed himself to look. But he had no wish to be distracted, since he was far too wary of the woman still. Entreri’s cold gray eyes stared straight into hers, as though he might see right through her.

Dusk pressed her cheek against that of the human, whispering to him once more.

“Now, if I were to tell Leena what you would have me, you might be able to escape this whole mess for a time.” She began, taking in the smell of the assassin’s skin and purring once more. “Perhaps you might get fairly far. But you see, even if she believed the lie, still you would be in quite a bit of trouble. For some reason, I cannot fathom exactly why, I am extremely well liked by many of the inhabitants in this place. Many would be very angry with you, and quite a few would chase you down wherever you went.”

Entreri twitched his free leg away as the lady trailed her fingers up far too high for his comfort, like a pair of running feet. Dusk chuckled slightly, grabbed the hand that brushed hers away and pressed it to her thigh. The man glared at her but did not seek to move again. That hand had been getting pins and needles sitting at such an odd angle beside him, anyway. The lady looked straight into his glare and continued anew.

“Despite all of your formidable skill, despite your brilliant weapons… Eventually, my friend, you would be caught. And then…”

Quicker than the assassin though possible, Dusk’s free hand practically flew forward and came to rest upon his groin. He gave a small grunt, for the touch was a little harder than he would have liked. The lady merely sighed.

“…You would be castrated before you were killed.”

Entreri sat as still as possible, staring at the lady with one half-cocked eyebrow and the beginnings of a sarcastic grin. For some reason, he found himself a little amused at his current predicament. The lady did, quite literally, have him by the balls, and perhaps this was how she had planned to get him to listen all along. Behind her façade of utter seriousness, those queer green eyes positively twinkled with mirth. At such close proximity the assassin could see this quite clearly. What Dusk might do to him if he still refused to go along with the ruse she had set into motion worried him just a bit. With all of his best arguments defeated by the lady’s logic, Entreri found that he had little choice in the matter.

And still, she had not lifted the press of her hand from his most sensitive nether-parts. Perhaps, the assassin thought, he might be able to bear acting as Dusk’s suitor for a little while. He sighed, shaking his head.

“As you wish it, lady. I will follow your lead a little longer. I don’t like this in the least, but if there is no other way, I suppose I must tolerate it.” Said Entreri after a silent moment. “But one thing must be very clear…”

The lady smiled and nodded for him to continue, though she already knew what he would say.

“We are not getting married. Not even in name alone for the sake of your clever ruse. You understand me, I hope?” The man’s tone showed that he would take no refusal in this matter, at least.

Dusk understood just as well, since she had thought the same. A human companion she could deal with, and perhaps this Artemis Entreri might even do as a lover. But a human husband? Certainly not.

Finally she released the man’s crotch. With a kiss to his cheek she swung her legs out behind her and off of the bed. Entreri stood quickly, smarted at the movement and shifted the supple leather of his pants back into place. He noticed the length of Dusk’s hair, somehow moved to the bedside table. Eyeballing it curiously, the assassin picked it up and tossed it to the lady. She caught it easily, cocking her head to the side, wondering at his action.

“What of that?” Entreri asked, hoping that it might simply be forgotten.

“Never do you miss a thing.” Replied the lady with a chuckle. “I will keep it, but you need worry for it no longer. I only ask that you not forget it entirely, and take greater care not to cut another.”

The assassin nodded his agreement, breathing a quiet sigh of relief. Again Dusk chuckled. At a motion she had the drawer opened once again, and at another she had the piece floated carefully into it. She came within a few feet of the man, grinning slightly. He regarded her warily, for the grin looked none too trustworthy.

The grin widened, and she laughed at his stiff posture.

“I tell you again, I’ll not harm you. But I do bid you goodnight, and ask that you rest in my bed if you wish. I have a far finer one elsewhere.” She threw him a wink. “Until the morrow, then, my friend.”

With that the lady turned, oddly enough, headed for the balcony doors.

Before she could get too far away, though, Entreri took advantage of her turned back. Fully recovered from his illness and injuries, the assassin was just as quick as ever. With one hand he reached out and grabbed both of Dusk’s wrists, pinned them securely behind her back and spun her to face him. He tugged the lady to him and held her there, pressed tightly to his chest. She stood stock still, blinking in surprise.

Entreri chuckled a little, pleased that at last he had found some weakness in the woman’s seemingly impenetrable defenses. He momentarily contemplated pulling his dagger, but dismissed the thought. The purpose of his action was not to harm the lady, nor ignite her dangerous anger. He merely wished to let her know that he could turn the tables just as easily as she, if he really cared to do so.

“My beautiful lady…” Whispered the assassin. “Why must you toy with me?”

The look of surprise had left Dusk’s face, and now she regarded him with her usual smirk. She shrugged her shoulders as much as was possible in the restraint of Entreri’s iron grip.

The man pulled her as close as he might, and with his free hand reached back and dealt a stinging slap on the lady’s rump. A little yelp escaped her lips, but otherwise, it did not seem that she minded much. She raised an eyebrow at Entreri.

“That, pretty one, is for my pain. Take care not to touch me as you did, or at all if you can help it, ever again. Unless, of course,” He amended, with the best wolfish smile he could produce. “I ask you to do so. Though I hardly think that our time together will be so long as for me to allow it.”

Entreri spun her away from him then, and as soon as the lady had regained her fine balance, he dropped into a low bow.

“And now I bid you goodnight as well, wherever you may find your rest.”

When he looked back up at Dusk, she was smiling widely, though still regarding him with a curious eye. Without a word she returned the bow. The balcony doors opened at her gesture, and the assassin watched as she stepped up onto the railing. He walked a little closer so that he might see what was happening, and his eyes widened in surprise as the lady simply dove off the thin wooden rail, disappearing from his sight. The assassin shook his head, unable to see where the lady might have landed.

Satisfied that Dusk was gone, Entreri cautiously walked to the bedroom door. He tried it, and found that it opened easily. It seemed that the lady had lifted whatever spell had been on it while he had been preoccupied. The assassin shook his head, relocked the door and set a nearby chair beneath the knob. Oddly enough, the balcony door he left unlatched. Certainly it would be rude to lock a lady out of her own bedroom!

After checking everything in the room for any trap or possible danger to him, he stripped to the waist and did lie down on Dusk’s bed… though he still wore all of his weapons. He felt safe enough, but after living so long on the edge of disaster, the man never could be too cautious.

Entreri allowed himself a satisfied grin at the night’s events. Though Dusk did have a slight edge over him, he really didn’t mind so much any longer. Perhaps he was a little angry with the lady for putting him in such a ridiculous ruse as that of her suitor, but he couldn’t blame her. She was doing all that she could to protect herself, and in doing so, she also protected her allies. Oddly enough, Entreri found that he respected the woman for that, at the least. Perhaps he might even like her. But at the time, the man had found what he needed most from the lady Dusk… a weakness.

Though it was naught but a small thing, it might curb the lady from making such cheek with him, at least. If the assassin were able catch her completely off guard he could, if only for a moment, have the lady at his mercy. Though he had no wish or plans to harm a hair on her pretty head, at least he knew that it was possible, if necessary.

With that in mind, and the comfort that Dusk was nowhere near to creep up on him, Entreri dropped off into the half sleep that only an assassin might know. But even though she was not near to him, the man found Dusk in his dreams once again, and normally, he never dreamed. The darkness does bring such strange things.