A Dark Path: Chapter 4

Chapter 4: The Meeting

A day later, the two assassins arrived back at Imnesvale and went immediately to Kane’s house.

“Home at last,� Benny tried the handle and discovered the door was open. Monitoring to Entreri to follow him, he took a step inside and then stopped as his eyes fell on two figures leaning against the wall.

Kane and Edwin were locked in a tight embrace, their arms around each other, their bodies and mouths pressed together…with them both wearing black, it was difficult to tell where the wizard ended and the warrior began. Neither of them noticed the two assassins, which was hardly surprising as they were totally engrossed in each other.

“Interesting,� Entreri muttered, from just behind him. “Very interesting indeed.�

Benny cleared his throat and the two lovers quickly pulled apart, looking slightly flustered as they quickly adjusted their clothing.

“Benny!� Kane very quickly pulled himself together, more shocked at Benny’s sudden entry than being caught in such a compromising position. “You’re back! We were wondering when you would…� He trailed off, suddenly noticing that there was someone else with his teacher. He scowled and his dark eyes narrowed dangerously as he recognised the assassin.

“What is he doing here?� he asked aggressively. Entreri just stared at him blankly, he had expected a hostile reaction from the warrior and it didn’t bother him in the slightest. But he knew that Kane wanted him to get angry, wanted him to start a fight and he had no intention of doing so. Artemis Entreri was not going to give him the satisfaction.

“It is good to see you too, Theaza,� he said finally, taking great care to keep his tone neutral, neither angry nor friendly, as he looked the warrior directly in the eyes. Kane’s scowl deepened.

“You told me to get someone to protect Emma,� Benny said quickly, shooting Kane a warning glance. “Someone capable, you said, and someone who we can trust…�

“I don’t trust him!�

“But I do,� the shapeshifter countered. “I trust him and I know that the two of you don’t get along, but surely Emma’s safety is the most important thing right now. And I really do believe that Entreri is the best person to protect her. She’s as safe with him as she is with me.�

“He speaks the truth,� Entreri said suddenly. “I owe Benny a great deal and though I care nothing for you, I shall not betray him. �

“I don’t see how she is going to be safe with him,� Edwin couldn’t resist making his opinion known. “How many times has he been beaten by Drizzt the drow? As far as the rumours go…�

“I don’t care about rumours!� Benny said sharply. “I’ve seen him fighting, I know that he’s good enough to protect Emma. I wouldn’t have asked him if I didn’t think that he could do it…�

“Well he isn’t!� Kane replied, equally sharply. “I’m not working with him and I’m not having him anywhere near my sister! You!� He turned on Entreri, eyes blazing. “Get out of my house!�

“Don’t be so hasty!� his teacher protested. “At least let him and Emma meet, let her see what she thinks. She should have a say in this after all. And you do want her to be well protected, don’t you? Wouldn’t you rather have her alive and protected by someone you hate than dead? You said when I left here that you would trust my judgement, so prove it! Give Entreri a chance.� Kane stared at him for a long moment.

“Very well,� he agreed, although very reluctantly. “It should ultimately be Emma’s choice, but if she wishes him to stay then I shall not argue. My sister’s safety is my uttermost concern right now and if you insist that he is the best person for the job…well, I trust your judgement, Benny. But I shall be watching him closely and if he steps one foot out of line…he will pay!�

Entreri raised one eyebrow, not in the least bit fazed by the warrior’s thinly veiled threat. He had dealt with much worse than Kane Theaza in the past and knew that he was more than capable of dealing with the warrior if it turned out to be necessary.

“What is going on here?� The four men turned, as the sharp female voice cut into their argument, though the owner had not yet come through the door “We could hear shouting from outside. Is there a problem?�

“Yes,� Kane muttered, though only loud enough for those in the room to hear. “And he’s standing right here.�

“Aye,� the second female agreed, though this one sounded more good-natured. “Honestly, leave men alone for a few minutes and they start fighting like a pack of wild dogs.�

“Thank you for that…flattering comparison, Emma,� Benny said dryly, as the two women entered the room. “Being compared to a wild dog has just made my day.�

“Benny!� Jaheira threw herself into her husband’s arms and gave him a quick kiss. “You’re home! I was worried about you.�

“You always worry about me when I have to go away, Jaheira, my love,� the shapeshifter said patiently, holding her tightly against him. “And I always tell you that there is no need. I can take care of myself well enough.�

“I know that,� she whispered. “I know. But since when was it a crime for a woman to worry about her husband?�

Entreri took advantage of the fact that no one was paying any attention to him to study the two women carefully, particularly to size them up for weaknesses, as was his habit. First the woman who Benny had referred to as Jaheira, obviously the assassin’s new wife. Dressed in a simple green tunic with no armour and carrying a wooden quarterstaff, accompanied by a plain dagger in her belt, at first glance she didn’t look like much of a fighter. But the small scars on her face and the way she carried herself, not to mention the stern look on her face, the assassin concluded that she was probably stronger than she looked.

And the other woman had to be Emma Silverblade, the one he was supposed to be protecting. He had heard several stories of her, some obviously untrue and some a little more believable, and he had been uncertain of what to expect…but it wasn’t this. About his height with the small and slender build of an elf, she hardly looked like a hero. And she looked fairly young, not much out of childhood, though there was a darkness in her face and eyes that suggested that she had suffered much. She was dressed casually, in men’s breeches and a blue shirt with a long sword at her belt for protection. No…not quite what he had expected, though he could understand why Benny felt that she needed protection. Finally, possibly sensing that he was watching her, she glanced at him briefly, then turned to Benny.

“Who is this?� she asked the shapeshifter. “A friend of yours? Are you not going to introduce us?�

“Don’t bother,� Kane muttered. “You don’t want to…� he was cut off by Jaheira’s glare.

“You have probably heard of me,� Entreri started, taking no notice of the fact that Kane was glaring at him. “I am Artemis Entreri.�

“Artemis Entreri?� Shocked and unsure of what to say, Emma glanced at Benny, who nodded. “The Artemis Entreri?�

“The very same,� Edwin smirked. “The one famous for trying to kill Drizzt the drow, but not succeeding.�

“Unfortunately,� Kane said at the same time.

“Benny tells me that you have need of someone to…protect you,� Entreri stepped forward, then hesitated briefly as the large, scarred wolf at Emma’s feet began to growl, keeping it’s amber eyes fixed on the assassin. Emma sighed and shook her head.

“I still think this is just a big deal over nothing,� she said, glancing round at the others. “There is certainly no need to bring one of the best assassins in Faerun here just to protect me.�

“Nothing but the best for my little sister,� Kane forced himself to smile, as difficult as it was. “Especially after that scare you gave us the other day. But if you don’t want him, we could always find someone else. It wouldn’t be any…�

“No,� Emma interrupted. As Sol-leks pressed himself against her leg, still growling, she studied the assassin for a moment, her face almost as emotionless as his. She moved a couple of steps closer to him, so she could place her hand on his arm for a moment to show her wolf companion that she didn’t fear him, then quickly moved back again. All the time, Entreri just stood still. “No,� she said finally. “He’s here now so although I think it’s a stupid idea, I’m willing to give him a chance. We’ll just have to see how things work out.�

Kane and Edwin were locked in a tight embrace, their arms around each other, their bodies and mouths pressed together…with them both wearing black, it was difficult to tell where the wizard ended and the warrior began. Neither of them noticed the two assassins, which was hardly surprising as they were totally engrossed in each other.

I still find it hard to picture edwin not wearing red, even if he isn't a red wizard any more. *concentrates hard*. I guess he'd probabkly look quite good in black though.

“You told me to get someone to protect Emma,” Benny said quickly, shooting Kane a warning glance. “Someone capable, you said, and someone who we can trust…”

“I don’t trust him!”

But Kane doesn't trust many people, really.

“I don’t see how she is going to be safe with him,” Edwin couldn’t resist making his opinion known. “How many times has he been beaten by Drizzt the drow? As far as the rumours go…”

Heh, but it's fairly unlikely that Drizzt is behind the attack on Emma, really. Maybe you need to lower your standards a little Eddie - if you want someone who's never been beaten you could be looking for a looong time.

“I don’t care about rumours!” Benny said sharply. “I’ve seen him fighting, I know that he’s good enough to protect Emma. I wouldn’t have asked him if I didn’t think that he could do it…”

Just tell them to find someone then and leave them to it, Benny. Then be really smug when they come asking for your help again in a few days time...

“Yes,” Kane muttered, though only loud enough for those in the room to hear. “And he’s standing right here.”

Oh, give it up, Kane. You've lost this one already.

“You always worry about me when I have to go away, Jaheira, my love,” the shapeshifter said patiently, holding her tightly against him. “And I always tell you that there is no need. I can take care of myself well enough.”

Guess after losing Khalid it's natural for her to be worried about benny. Btw, I take it they don't have a child in this reality?

Nice chapter

“I don’t see how she is going to be safe with him,� Edwin couldn’t resist making his opinion known. “How many times has he been beaten by Drizzt the drow? As far as the rumours go…�

“I don’t care about rumours!� Benny said sharply. “I’ve seen him fighting, I know that he’s good enough to protect Emma. I wouldn’t have asked him if I didn’t think that he could do it…�

If Artemis would ever manage to gut that annoying drow, I would probably like him a great deal more. Maybe Benny could help him - I'm sure that Dork would not stand a chance against the two of them...

“Very well,� he agreed, although very reluctantly. “It should ultimately be Emma’s choice, but if she wishes him to stay then I shall not argue. My sister’s safety is my uttermost concern right now and if you insist that he is the best person for the job…well, I trust your judgement, Benny. But I shall be watching him closely and if he steps one foot out of line…he will pay!�

Since we know what is going to happen between Emma and Artemis, Kane's reaction will be... interesting to see.

“I know that,� she whispered. “I know. But since when was it a crime for a woman to worry about her husband?�

Awww. Admit Jaheira, you're not as much worried about him, rather than starving for... *ahem*... as I was saying. Cute.

Entreri took advantage of the fact that no one was paying any attention to him to study the two women carefully, particularly to size them up for weaknesses, as was his habit. First the woman who Benny had referred to as Jaheira, obviously the assassin’s new wife. Dressed in a simple green tunic with no armour and carrying a wooden quarterstaff, accompanied by a plain dagger in her belt, at first glance she didn’t look like much of a fighter. But the small scars on her face and the way she carried herself, not to mention the stern look on her face, the assassin concluded that she was probably stronger than she looked.

And the other woman had to be Emma Silverblade, the one he was supposed to be protecting. He had heard several stories of her, some obviously untrue and some a little more believable, and he had been uncertain of what to expect…but it wasn’t this. About his height with the small and slender build of an elf, she hardly looked like a hero. And she looked fairly young, not much out of childhood, though there was a darkness in her face and eyes that suggested that she had suffered much. She was dressed casually, in men’s breeches and a blue shirt with a long sword at her belt for protection. No…not quite what he had expected, though he could understand why Benny felt that she needed protection. Finally, possibly sensing that he was watching her, she glanced at him briefly, then turned to Benny.

Yep, those two weak females who faced countless dragons, balors, fallen solars, demi-liches, illithid, beholders, prince of demons and a nearly-a-goddess-wannabe... somebody needs to enlighten that guy.

“Artemis Entreri?� Shocked and unsure of what to say, Emma glanced at Benny, who nodded. “The Artemis Entreri?�

Theo: Never heard of him.

[quote][quote]
Kane and Edwin were locked in a tight embrace, their arms around each other, their bodies and mouths pressed together…with them both wearing black, it was difficult to tell where the wizard ended and the warrior began. Neither of them noticed the two assassins, which was hardly surprising as they were totally engrossed in each other.
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I still find it hard to picture edwin not wearing red, even if he isn't a red wizard any more. *concentrates hard*. I guess he'd probabkly look quite good in black though.
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*grins* Yeah...I think he would.

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“I don’t trust him!�
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But Kane doesn't trust many people, really.
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No, he doesn't.

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“I don’t see how she is going to be safe with him,� Edwin couldn’t resist making his opinion known. “How many times has he been beaten by Drizzt the drow? As far as the rumours go…�
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Heh, but it's fairly unlikely that Drizzt is behind the attack on Emma, really. Maybe you need to lower your standards a little Eddie - if you want someone who's never been beaten you could be looking for a looong time.
[/quote]

That's very true. But you know Eddie, he has to make at least one comment.

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“I don’t care about rumours!� Benny said sharply. “I’ve seen him fighting, I know that he’s good enough to protect Emma. I wouldn’t have asked him if I didn’t think that he could do it…�
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Just tell them to find someone then and leave them to it, Benny. Then be really smug when they come asking for your help again in a few days time...
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Benny: Now that really is a good idea. Neither of them could have found anyone like Artemis...and managed to persuade them to help.

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“Yes,� Kane muttered, though only loud enough for those in the room to hear. “And he’s standing right here.�
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Oh, give it up, Kane. You've lost this one already.
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So he has.

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“You always worry about me when I have to go away, Jaheira, my love,� the shapeshifter said patiently, holding her tightly against him. “And I always tell you that there is no need. I can take care of myself well enough.�
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Guess after losing Khalid it's natural for her to be worried about benny. Btw, I take it they don't have a child in this reality?
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Nope, not this time. But maybe later...you never know.

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Nice chapter [/quote]

Thanks you. And thanks for commenting.

Silver

“I don’t care about rumours!� Benny said sharply. “I’ve seen him fighting, I know that he’s good enough to protect Emma. I wouldn’t have asked him if I didn’t think that he could do it…�

If Artemis would ever manage to gut that annoying drow, I would probably like him a great deal more. Maybe Benny could help him - I'm sure that Dork would not stand a chance against the two of them...

Well maybe it will happen. You never know.

“Very well,� he agreed, although very reluctantly. “It should ultimately be Emma’s choice, but if she wishes him to stay then I shall not argue. My sister’s safety is my uttermost concern right now and if you insist that he is the best person for the job…well, I trust your judgement, Benny. But I shall be watching him closely and if he steps one foot out of line…he will pay!�

Since we know what is going to happen between Emma and Artemis, Kane's reaction will be... interesting to see.

Interesting, yes. And probably incredibly violent too, knowing Kane.

“I know that,� she whispered. “I know. But since when was it a crime for a woman to worry about her husband?�

Awww. Admit Jaheira, you're not as much worried about him, rather than starving for... *ahem*... as I was saying. Cute.

*grins*

And the other woman had to be Emma Silverblade, the one he was supposed to be protecting. He had heard several stories of her, some obviously untrue and some a little more believable, and he had been uncertain of what to expect…but it wasn’t this. About his height with the small and slender build of an elf, she hardly looked like a hero. And she looked fairly young, not much out of childhood, though there was a darkness in her face and eyes that suggested that she had suffered much. She was dressed casually, in men’s breeches and a blue shirt with a long sword at her belt for protection. No…not quite what he had expected, though he could understand why Benny felt that she needed protection. Finally, possibly sensing that he was watching her, she glanced at him briefly, then turned to Benny.

Yep, those two weak females who faced countless dragons, balors, fallen solars, demi-liches, illithid, beholders, prince of demons and a nearly-a-goddess-wannabe... somebody needs to enlighten that guy.

Oh yes, they certainly are more powerful than they look at first glance...but they had lots of powerful companions behind them when they fought all those things, they didn't do it alone.

“Artemis Entreri?� Shocked and unsure of what to say, Emma glanced at Benny, who nodded. “The Artemis Entreri?�

Theo: Never heard of him.

*smirks* Artemis Entreri...who's Artemis Entreri? Anyway, thanks for commenting.

Silver