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A Dark Path: Chapter 3


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#1 Guest_Silver_*

Posted 12 August 2003 - 08:35 PM

I'm really not happy with this chapter, even after a lot of editing, but I'm still posting it anyway. :twisted: All comments welcome.

Chapter 3: A Meeting of Old Friends

Ever since Artemis Entreri had set foot in Amn, he had been on his guard, knowing that region, and in particular Athkatla, was Shadow Thief ground and they didn’t take kindly to freelance assassins or bounty hunters hanging around. Of course he could take down anything they cared to throw at him, but he had already decided that he wanted no trouble, especially not from the Shadow Thieves. He had already thought about paying them a visit, letting them know that he desired no trouble, but he decided that there was no point. Not when he was only passing through.

He had come a long way in a short time, from being well known and feared on the streets of Calimport to being ignored or attacked by ignorant drunken fools in small towns where people tended to view strangers, especially those who could fight, with suspicion. But despite it being a step down from what he had once been, Entreri rather enjoyed his new lifestyle. He had left Calimport, despite it being the city he had always called his home, because he felt that there was nothing left there for him, because he had grown bored with being paid to kill and was now searching for a new challenge to take his mind of his unsolved conflict with Drizzt Do’Urden. Where he would find that challenge, the assassin had no idea. He had no idea even where he was going, he planned to continue travelling north to the Sword Coast, but where he would go beyond that and what he would do, was a mystery even to him.

Since leaving Calimport, and especially since entering Amn, Entreri had taken care to keep his identify as quiet as possible, even keeping his famous jewelled dagger hidden in case any of the common folk should recognise it. Athkatla was home to many powerful forces and where he would have been happy to take chances in his youth, he understood that to be discreet would most likely be to his advantage. But despite all his efforts, he knew that there were rumours of his return and he knew also that the Shadow Thieves and other powerful organisations were bound to investigate further, either to kill him or to ascertain that he was no threat to them. He anticipated a visit, sooner or later, which was why he was not surprised to notice that someone was watching him from the shadows in the tavern.

However, he was faintly surprised when the figure approached him and drew back their hood to reveal a familiar face completed with a scar that few could fail to recognise. Whoever he had expected to see, it certainly wasn’t Scarface, the great and powerful shapeshifting assassin, one of the most skilled assassins ever to walk Faerun, a former Shadow thief and one of the very few who Entreri had ever viewed as a real friend.

“Benny,” he smiled briefly, a genuine smile. “It is good to see you again.”

“And you,” the shapeshifter returned the smile and took the seat opposite Entreri. “It has been a while, has it not? Tell me, what god helped you come to the decision to shave that stupid beard off your face?”

“That was a fine beard!” Entreri protested, raising a dark eyebrow. Benny smirked.

“I think you look better without it,” he admitted. “But maybe that is one of the many things we are never going to agree on. Perhaps with should just agree to disagree?”

“Indeed.” Entreri agreed, leaning back in his chair, allowing himself to relax slightly. “How have things been with you lately? I heard you got married again.”

“I have,” Benny held up his hand, proudly displaying his wedding ring. “Her name’s Jaheira. She’s a druid and her husband was murdered so we had something in common and we just fell in love. I love her very much.”

Entreri made no comment on this for a long while. He had always thought that Benny was a fool for living the way he did, for allowing himself to submit to love and to lust. The shapeshifter had had two wives and countless lovers, even lying with the common street whores, and they had dragged him down. But Benny had always been able to pull himself back up, to use his emotions to his advantage, to balance protecting a family with being a powerful assassin. And although he would sooner die than admit it to anyone, Entreri, who had purposely trained to shut off all his emotions so that he could be a better swordsman, just occasionally envied him for being able to lead the life he did.

“I think you are a fool,” he said finally. “But we have been through all this before, have we not? I am just pleased that you are happy.”

The two talked casually for several minutes, mostly about work and why Entreri had left Calimport. They understood each other well, having known each other from childhood, although they had had little to do with each other back then. But since they had both left the city, their paths had crossed several times and they soon came to realise that they had much in common. They were almost equals as far as fighting was concerned though Benny was the faster of the two now; age was beginning to creep up on Entreri, though the assassin hated to admit it, while Benny’s demon blood kept him young and would do for many more years. The two assassins had both sworn, many years before, never to raise a blade to the other with intent to harm and, despite having their arguments, it was an agreement they had both stuck to over the years.

“As good as it is to see you,” Entreri said finally. “I hardly believe that you went to the trouble to look for me just for the company. What do you want from me, Benny?”

The shapeshifter fell silent for a minute and Entreri searched his face, looking for any clue as to what was bothering his friend. Something obviously was, for he could see that Benny looked tired and a little pale and his grey eyes, so similar to Entreri’s own, were troubled.

“Do you remember when I betrayed that wizard I was working for in order to save your life?” he said at last. Entreri nodded, it had been years before but he had never forgotten it. Benny had risked his life and his career to help Entreri and that wasn’t something the assassin forgot in a hurry. “You said that you were in my debt and we never found a way for you to repay it?”

“That is correct.”

“I need a favour,” Benny told him. “Somebody close to me is in real danger and I need a skilled warrior, someone capable and who I know I can trust to protect her.”

“I see,” Entreri nodded thoughtfully. “And who is this woman?”

“Kane’s sister and a young woman who my wife and I see as a daughter,” the shapeshifter told him. “Her name is Emma Silverblade.”

“The hero of Baldur’s Gate?” Entreri asked and Benny nodded silently. “And parts of Amn. There are several stories about her. Tell me, why does one such as she require protection?”

“Recently she has been attacked by assassins,” Benny explained. “Three times in the last ten-day. We have no idea who is behind it or why they are targeting her…revenge on me or Kane seems most likely, but we can’t be sure. They are dangerous assassins though, I’ve fought them and they know what they are doing. They generally attack in groups of two, three or four, either when she’s on her own or with just one of us, never when we are all together. I have a strong feeling that someone is watching her movements somehow, perhaps magically. Her husband is a powerful mage but he’s travelling and we can’t contact him just now, which means that she’s often alone and vulnerable if they attack in groups.”

“And you have absolutely no clue as to who might be behind these attacks?”

“None,” the shapeshifter shrugged helplessly. “Their clothes are plain black, they wear no tattoos and the weapons they carry are laced with very powerful poison but don’t stand out in any way. There’s just one thing…” he hesitated and Entreri waited patiently until he was ready to continue. “The assassins aren’t quite human,” he said at last. “They seem like undead to me…vampires most likely although they can still strike in the sunlight. I think they might be in the early stages of vampirism, considering that they have the ability to drain the life from those they touch, and the process has somehow been halted by magic or something.”

“Very curious indeed,” Entreri leant forward again and rested his chin on his hand. “It would take a very powerful being to do that. And you plan to try and find out what is behind all of this?”

“Yes,” Benny agreed. “But Emma’s safety is our first priority. If we know that she is well protected, then we can focus all our efforts on finding out exactly what is going on.”

“Understood,” the other assassin nodded. “So tell me, exactly what would you require of me?”

“To stay by Emma’s side at all times or at least close by and to travel with us for as long as it is necessary, helping us in battle if need be. It won’t be easy though, Emma’s not particularly happy about needing someone to protect her, I’m not sure if she’ll co-operate at first.”

“I am sure I can deal with all that.” Entreri shrugged. “It certainly sounds different. Very well, Benny, if you want my help then you shall have it. I shall come with you and meet this Emma Silverblade. But I do have just one question.”

“What?”

“You said that she was Kane Theaza’s sister. Does your son know that you have chosen me to protect his sister?”

“No,” Benny admitted, understanding why his friend had asked that question. Artemis Entreri and Kane had only met once but it had been hate at first sight, on Kane’s part at least. “But he promised me that he would trust my judgement and accept whoever I chose for the job. And he did say that he wanted the best.”

“Then the best he shall get!” Entreri chuckled darkly. “Come then, my friend, let us go. I shall not be sorry to leave this place.”

It sounded like a fairly easy job, with a possible adventure thrown in, even if it did involve working beside an unpredictable, bad-tempered and jealous warrior. But Artemis Entreri didn’t care about that; should it be necessary, he knew that he was more than capable of taking on Kane and coming out on top. Oh yes, the assassin smirked in the dim light and gently touched the hilt of his jewelled dagger. He was certain that this would be an interesting job…

#2 Guest_Dark-Mage_*

Posted 12 August 2003 - 09:45 PM

Another good chapter, I really likes your idea about the part vampire assasins. I cant wait to see what happens next. :twisted:

#3 Guest_Bjorn_*

Posted 12 August 2003 - 10:51 PM

“No,” Benny admitted, understanding why his friend had asked that question. Artemis Entreri and Kane had only met once but it had been hate at first sight, on Kane’s part at least. “But he promised me that he would trust my judgement and accept whoever I chose for the job. And he did say that he wanted the best.”


Heh, Kane seems to have some issues when dealing with assassins who aren't Benny. Hope he manages to put Emma's need for protection ahead of his dislike of Entreri this time though.

It sounded like a fairly easy job, with a possible adventure thrown in, even if it did involve working beside an unpredictable, bad-tempered and jealous warrior. But Artemis Entreri didn’t care about that; should it be necessary, he knew that he was more than capable of taking on Kane and coming out on top. Oh yes, the assassin smirked in the dim light and gently touched the hilt of his jewelled dagger. He was certain that this would be an interesting job…


It's certainly shaping up that way - whatever else you can say about evil vampire assassins, they're unlikely to be boring.

Nice chapter :twisted:

#4 Guest_Silver_*

Posted 13 August 2003 - 05:10 PM


“No,” Benny admitted, understanding why his friend had asked that question. Artemis Entreri and Kane had only met once but it had been hate at first sight, on Kane’s part at least. “But he promised me that he would trust my judgement and accept whoever I chose for the job. And he did say that he wanted the best.”


Heh, Kane seems to have some issues when dealing with assassins who aren't Benny.


Really it's assassins who are friends with Benny that he has a problem with. He tends to get rather jealous when it comes to Benny having any other friends, but luckily Benny knows how to handle him.

Hope he manages to put Emma's need for protection ahead of his dislike of Entreri this time though.


We'll see. :) In any case, Entreri can hold his own against Kane.


It sounded like a fairly easy job, with a possible adventure thrown in, even if it did involve working beside an unpredictable, bad-tempered and jealous warrior. But Artemis Entreri didn’t care about that; should it be necessary, he knew that he was more than capable of taking on Kane and coming out on top. Oh yes, the assassin smirked in the dim light and gently touched the hilt of his jewelled dagger. He was certain that this would be an interesting job…


It's certainly shaping up that way - whatever else you can say about evil vampire assassins, they're unlikely to be boring.


*grins* That's certainly true.

Nice chapter 8)


Glad you liked it. Thanks for commenting. :(

Silver

#5 Guest_bondari_*

Posted 13 August 2003 - 07:14 PM

Neat story so far and i've always liked artemis when he is used well but kismet asked and i didn't see an answer:

Is kelsey gonna be killed by the assassins before they even tell him his wife was stabbed??

#6 Guest_Silver_*

Posted 13 August 2003 - 08:05 PM

Neat story so far and i've always liked artemis when he is used well but kismet asked and i didn't see an answer:


Is kelsey gonna be killed by the assassins before they even tell him his wife was stabbed??


Nope, Kelsey isn't going to be killed. He won't be appearing until much, much later, but I need him so to have him killed would be a bit of a pain. :)

Glad you like the story so far.

Silver

#7 Guest_Silver_*

Posted 15 August 2003 - 01:14 PM

Another good chapter, I really likes your idea about the part vampire assasins. I cant wait to see what happens next. ;)


*grins* I wanted something different...that's why i decided to have part vampire assassins. Glad you like the story and thanks for commenting. :P

Silver




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