Honor Amongst Thieves

Chapter 9 – Dinner and a Show

Artemis looked across the table at the council of war he had assembled. Across the half-full tankard of ale sat Rane, munching on some sunflower seeds he had acquired for himself today at the market. Over in the corner Jerrie and Rumple cuddled next to each other, enjoying the chance to be with each other in a relaxed social setting for once, as opposed to being on the job. Trap sat on the other side of Rane, leaning back, casually trying to balance a dagger by its tip on her gloved hand. She wasn’t doing a good job, because, as Artemis watched, her eyes left the blade and flickered over to Rane. The blade tilted, and Trap almost panicked. She struggled for a bit to regain control.
Why the look? Does she not trust Rane or something? I’ll figure that out later. Right now it is time to see if I’m crazy. Clearing his throat, Artemis made sure that everyone’s full attention was on him.
“Very well, I believe I am ready to make a fool of myself. I want all of your opinions on this. If you think I’m crazy, say so. Now—“
“You’re crazy,” blurted Trap, with a big smile on her face. “But at least that boyish face of yours is intact. Here’s to magical rocks!”
“Trap, I meant if you think my idea is crazy, say so.”
“Oh.” Faking an abashed look, she glanced again over at Rane, the corners of her mouth betraying her and turning upwards. Jerrie and Rumple chuckled, and Rane…
In the name of Tahira, is he…grinning? Rane? Focus, Artemis.
“Now then, I think that these magical items have been taken by Lanthander’s guild for a purpose. What do you think?”
The group sat in silence for a few seconds. Rumple finally spoke up.
“Of course they’ve been taken for a purpose, Arty. I mean, really, a ring that enhances manual dexterity and boots that make you virtually untrackable and untrappable? What thief wouldn’t want those?”
“No no no,” replied Artemis, somewhat frustrated. “That’s not what I mean. I mean for a malicious purpose. Something truly evil.”
The group sat in silence again.
“Now can I say it?” asked Trap, timidly.
“Yes.”
“You’re crazy.”
“Why?”
“Think about it, Arty,” said Jerrie, cutting in. “They have two artifacts. It’s not that special. I’d wager we have some artifacts of our own that Terni got back in the old days.”
“They have three. Don’t forget the healing stone.”
“Very well, three. My point still stands.”
Artemis sighed, resigned. “I know it does. I’ve made the same point to myself hundreds of times. I want to think to myself that this idea of mine has no chance of being right in the slightest aspect.”
“Why do you think it does?” asked Rane, speaking and spitting out a sunflower seed shell.
Artemis drew a deep breath.
“I’ve been having dreams.”
The group exploded.
“Arty, dreams don’t—“
“Is that all? There’s nothing—“
“Hah! You’re working a gut feeling off of a—“
Rane just looked at him. He did that.
“Hold on, hold on,” said Artemis, holding his hands out in the classic placating gesture. “I’m perfectly willing to take criticism, but one at a time. Trap, you first.”
“Well, I was just saying that there’s nothing to worry about. Dreams don’t tell the future. When I was young, I dreamed I was a bunny, and I was hopping everywhere, and there was this one hole I was really afraid of, but we won’t get into my weird childhood nightmares, everyone has them. The point is, you don’t see me hopping everywhere or sprouting a little puffball out of my butt, do you?” Jerrie acted like he was looking. Rumple smacked him. Jerrie winked at her and kissed her forehead. Artemis couldn’t help but chuckle.
“True, thankfully. I’d hate to see you roasted on a spit, Trap. Ok, Rumple, you’re turn.”
“Right. I pretty much wanted to say what she said. Dreams don’t mean anything, Arty. I recommend you just calm down. We’ll get the upper hand on these thieves yet. You’re probably just stressed.” Artemis nodded his acceptance, then glanced to Jerrie, indicating for him to make his peace.
“Arty, we both know that the thief’s greatest ally is the gut feeling, properly used. But to have a gut feeling based not on what the world’s telling you, but what your brain is telling you, that’s just unwise. You know I’m right.”
Artemis nodded. “I know. I think I’ve been having this dream a lot, but I finally remembered it this morning. Thank you all, I just wanted to hear from everyone that I was wrong so I can try to get this dream and this damn feeling of—“
“I think you’re right,” said Rane. Artemis stopped, dumbfounded. Looking Rane squarely in the eye, he saw Rane truly did believe he was right.
Stuttering, Artemis finally managed to blurt out, “Why would you possibly think I’m right, Rane?”
“I have a feeling you’re right.”
“Gah!”
“Well, it’s just my opinion,” interjected Trap, sidling a little closer to Rane to show her support, “but if both Artemis and Rane have a feeling that this could be correct, we should at least investigate.” Reluctantly, the others nodded there assent. “Good. Now, we should start learning everything we can about the new guild starting tomorrow. I know Terni’s wanted us to keep our ears open, but now I think we should actively start questioning. Is everyone agreed?” Once again, everyone nodded in agreement with the sound plan Trap proposed. Everyone except Artemis.
“I wasn’t planning for you guys to go along with me on this. I’m not going to be here tomorrow and possibly the next day.”
“Why? Oh, right, you’re going to meet your sister’s boyfriend at dinner,” said Jerrie, answering his own question. “Well, the rest of us could get started while you’re away. It’s not like you’re the leader of this group, you know,” he said, winking.
“True,” said Artemis, smiling, relieved that his friends would continue working on this without him. “Speaking of which, I need to go find something to bring back as a present. It’s traditional.” Getting up, Artemis bid everyone farewell as he headed out to the market to see what he could find. As he walked away, he heard his friends planning how they were going to support him, and he smiled.


Hadren O’Connor watched as Raven stormed out of Lanthander’s “office,” though most people in the guild were calling it The Throne Room. He knew by talking to her that things had become more strained between her and Lanthander, but now he saw how bad it really was. Apparently Lanthander suspected Raven of betraying them to the other guild and helping the Black Ghost escape.
No, there’s no way Raven would do that. Lanthander has cared for her since before I was even IN the guild. Why would she betray us for someone from the other guild? Heh, if we were told more than that the man was “The Black Ghost,” maybe my personal network could find him. Damn Lanthander and his secrecy. Still, that’s a thought. Maybe I’ll suggest it to him. Noticing that Raven had seen him and was coming over to him, Hadren tried to hide his thoughts.
“Hadren, I need to talk to you. Do you have a minute?”
“I wish I did, Raven, but I’ve been called to talk to the Big L, and you know how he is if someone shows up late.”
“Alright, but when you’re done, I need to talk to you. It’s about that guy you said you’d look out for, Artemis.”
“Right. When I get done here, I’ll come to you.”
“Thanks.”
Hadren trotted past her to the doorway into the office.

“Ah, welcome, young Hadren,” crooned Lanthander. “You know, someday I’m going to have to give you full-fledged thief status whether you like it or not.” Lanthander smiled, reminding Hadren of a dry corn husk being split lengthwise. Lanthander had been looking worse and worse every day, his eyes now seeming to be permanently red-rimmed, and his skin seemed to have taken on an unhealthy pallor. His eyes never seemed to be fully focused on anything anymore, and more often than not fixed in a thousand-yard stare. I wonder what he sees?
“Yes, sir, I’d like that,” said Hadren, chuckling. It was an old joke between them.
Smiling again, Lanthander gestured to Hadren. “Come here, my boy, I have some questions to ask you.” Resting his hand on Hadren’s shoulder in a fatherly way, Lanthander began.
“Hadren, I know that Raven is one of your friends, and I know that you’re one of her best friends, so what I have to ask you may be somewhat painful. The word about your personal information network has reached my ears, and I must say I’m impressed. I also know that Raven went to you to engage its services. Now then, did she come to you to find the Black Ghost?”
“No sir.”
Turning to face Hadren fully, Lanthander stared directly at him. “Do you swear this?”
Flinching slightly from the increased pressure on his shoulder, Hadren returned the gaze steadfastly. “Yes.” I think I’m starting to see why Raven and Lanthander have been fighting. By the Five Hells, he’s changed, even in the short time he’s been here. The others say that since his wife was killed in that botched job back in Nycris, he hasn’t been the same. At least he’s still nice most of the time.
Lanthander let out a resigned sigh and fell back into a chair, seeming to grow ten years older in an instant. “I’m sorry if I frightened you just then, Hadren. It’s just this business with the Black Ghost escaping has rattled me. I know you don’t believe Raven had anything to do with that, and I know the rest of the guild doesn’t believe it either, but I do, and I’m positive of it. I can’t act without proof. Raven’s like my own daughter, and I don’t want to punish her unless I have proof.” Lanthander rested his head in his hands and sighed again. “All I want is to be able to protect this guild, protect those that are as close to my heart as a child is to a father.” Lanthander’s look hardened. “And I’ll do anything I must to make sure they stay safe.” Glancing back over to where Hadren stood, gazing curiously, he gave a small grin. “Thank you for telling me that Raven did not lie to me. She’s hiding something, and I’ll discover it eventually, but it looks like it won’t harm the guild.”
“She’s in love,” blurted Hadren, wanting to put his guildmaster’s mind at ease and put Raven back in his good graces.
“LOVE?” asked Lanthander, incredulously, and then he began to laugh. “Of course, that makes so much sense, thank you Hadren. I assume that that is what she came to you for? Information on her love?”
“’Tis indeed, sir.”
“What’s his name?”
Hadren’s mind failed him. “I can’t remember off the top of my head, sir, sorry. I remembered it long enough to give it to my network, then apparently forgot it. If you wait for two days I’ll be able to tell you.”
“Really? Why two?”
“Because I’ve already met with my informers for the day, and I’ll be gone tomorrow and some of the day after, so I’ll be out of touch.”
“Gone?”
“Yes, sir. Remember, you were letting me go see my girlfriend, Elianna?”
“Oh yes. How is that going, anyways?”
Hadren grinned ear to ear. “Wonderfully, sir. I never knew how good the world could be till I met her.”
“Well done, my boy. I’m glad you’ve got to experience the feeling of being in love.” Lanthander’s grin faded a little as he suddenly remembered his wife.
“Oh, sir, I wanted to ask you, do you want my network to work on the problem of the Black Ghost? I might be able to scrounge up something.” Hadren was relieved to see that the question distracted Lanthander.
“What? Oh, no, that won’t be necessary. I’ve been doing some research on my own, and I’ve figured out who he must be, and, praise be to Tahira, found out where his family is. That’s all there is to it, really. Just find the right style of leverage and you can accomplish anything. We’re going to strike soon, probably in the next few days.”
“You’re going to kill his family?” asked Hadren, concerned.
“No no, Hadren, we aren’t monsters. We’ll just do a classic kidnapping and coercion. He’ll tell us what we need to know.”
Relieved, Hadren replied, “Sounds good, sir. Am I done here? I need to run some errands.”
“Yes, yes, you are dismissed,” said Lanthander with a smile. Hadren gave a small bow and exited the room.

“You owe me one, girl.”
“For what, Hadren?” asked Raven, turning as the young lad walked up behind her.
“I just got you back in good with the boss,” said Hadren, smugly.
“He thought I had it out for the guild! How’d you manage to convince him I didn’t?”
“Simple. He thought that because he knew you had come to me for help, and he thought that it was for help finding the Black Ghost. Once I told him that’s not why you came to me, and told him you came to me to help find your lover boy, he was alright.” He glanced over to her. “You alright, Raven?” Raven’s face had gone pale.
“Hadren, did you tell him my love’s name?”
“No. In truth, and I’m rather embarrassed to admit it, I kind of forgot it. Sorry Raven.”
“No no, that’s alright, Hadren.”
“What’s his name, again?”
“Artemis.”
“Artemis, that was it! Hold on Raven, I’ll be right back. I told Lanthander I’d tell him when I’d remembered what his name was.”
“No!”
“Why not? My Goddess, Raven, what’s got into you? You look sick to your stomach.”
Checking to make sure there was no one around to listen in, Raven whispered, eyes downcast, “Artemis IS the Black Ghost.”
Hadren leaned against a wall, then slid down it, his face a mask of shock. “Raven. No. You’re joking. Please tell me you’re joking. You really did betray us? You couldn’t betray us. You’re like my sister. You CAN’T betray us!” Hadren seemed to be on the verge of a breakdown.
“Hadren, Hadren listen to me. Calm down. I’ll admit it, I contacted Artemis’ guild to get him out.” Hadren started to sputter, but Raven plunged on. “I didn’t do it to betray our guild. I did it because, well, I love him, and Lanthander was TORTURING him.”
“Well oh no! We aren’t holy, Raven. We’re CRIMINALS. He was from a rival guild! If they caught one of us we’d probably see the bad end of a sledgehammer to the leg or arm. It’s common.”
“Not like this, Hadren. You know about that healing gem Lanthander has, right? He was using it on Artemis so that he could do worse things than a simple broken arm. I never saw exactly what he did, but there was enough blood on the floor to coat this entire hallway, and he even stuck a damned Dryamlan stone INSIDE of him. No one should ever be forced to endure that.”
Hadren paused. “Look, I admit, that kind of torture probably wasn’t called for, but you still betrayed our guild, and I can’t forgive you for that. By the Five Hells, you were going to use ME to betray the guild.”
“I know, Hadren, I’m sorry, and I don’t expect you to. All I ask is that you keep my secret from Lanthander. Please.”
“What reason could I possibly have for helping out a traitor?”
“The memory of the friendship we used to have.”
That simple statement broke through all the rage and pain that had built up inside Hadren, and he appeared to deflate. Stepping closer to Raven, he looked her in the eye. “We always will be friends, Raven. Nothing you say or do could change that. I’ll keep your secret, but when the time comes, know that I will side with Lanthander against your Artemis.”
Stepping in and embracing him, Raven replied, “I know, Hadren. Thank you.”
Breaking the embrace, Hadren turned slightly in a feeble attempt to hide the tears welling in his eyes. “I, um, have to go. I have a long trip, and I want to be back at my house before nightfall, say hello to my folks and all that. I’ll see you around, Raven.”

Raven watched him leave, a smile on her face. There were few things in the world greater than true friendship, and she was glad to have one.


“Aremo! Someone’s at the door, could you get it please?”
“Yes, mother.” Aremo Sendant chuckled. Here he was, a grown, married man, still taking orders from his mother. Some things would never change. He opened the front door.
“Why you disorderly lout, begone from this holy place!”
“Ruffian! Dotard! No holy place could be the home for the likes of you!” The intruder slapped Aremo on the cheek, a blow which Aremo returned likewise. They both laughed as their ritualized brotherly greeting ended.
“Welcome back, Artemis! It’s been too long. Almost a month?”
“I know, Aremo, but work’s been busy. We got an order from a company for 500 locks. I’ve barely had time to get a decent night’s sleep.”
“Yeah, yeah, soon you won’t even see us,” said Aremo, with a smile. “Just go apologize to Mom and Dad. Mom’s in the kitchen with Julianna, working up another epic feast. Dad’s in the smithy.”
“Right then, time to go grovel, I guess.” Artemis turned to head into the kitchen, when he felt an arm wrap around his neck. Pulled down so quickly he couldn’t react, Artemis felt his brother’s knuckles make contact with the top of his head. Artemis had just enough time to realize what was coming before he felt the knuckles grind themselves quickly back and forth.
“Argh!”
Yep, some things will never change, thought Aremo as he continued his assault, a large smile on his face.

“Hello mother,” said Artemis, walking into the kitchen and rubbing his scalp.
“Artemis, you’re back! It’s been too long!” Artemis’ mom ran over and gave Artemis a big hug, which had the side effect of putting flour handprints on his back. Artemis returned the hug warmly.
“Well well, hot stuff, couldn’t resist seeing me again, could you?” said Julianna. It was a running gag now in the family of the crush she had had on Artemis before falling for Aremo.
“Of course not, my secret desire, and soon I shall make enough money from my job that I can come sweep you off your feet and we can fly to a new life across the sea!” This last bit was said with a flourish guaranteed to elicit a chuckle from everyone present.
“Well, we’ll talk at dinner, Artemis. Right now Julianna and I are at the critical portion of the cake-making process, and cannot be disturbed.”
“Ok Mom, I’m just on my way to see Dad. Oh, and any clue where Elianna is? She didn’t do her usual in-the-door tiger pounce.”
“She’s upstairs in her room. Hadren beat you here, and she loves to have him read poetry to her.”
“Translation: They’re up in her room, making out like fiends, and your mother doesn’t want to think about that.”
“Julianna, she’s my daughter! No parent wants to think of their children doing anything more than hugging!” Mariana said, with a funny look of horror and reproach. Artemis grinned.
“Thanks. I’ll go play the ‘Intimidating Older Brother’ after I say hi to Dad.” With that Artemis left the kitchen, leaving the two women playfully bickering.

“Hello Father!”
“My son!” said Pitien before embracing him in a manly hug. “So glad you’ve come back.”
“Me too Dad. I thought you usually took this day off.”
“I usually do, but we’ve had a large rush order for silver, um, silverware, along with goblets, plates, trays, and the like, and I’m trying to get the rough stuff done so I can help Elianna with the detail work. My guess is some rich noble in the city’s having a large party in the next few weeks. Have you heard anything about it?”
“Come on, Dad, I’m just a locksmith’s apprentice, I don’t know anything about the rich folk.”
“I know, just wanted to check. Have you greeted your mother?”
“Of course. I always greet her first, otherwise I get less chicken for dinner,” said Artemis with a smile.
“Good man. Women may be the power behind the thrones of this world, my lad, but every man should know how to profit from it. Have you talked to Elianna? She’s missed you terribly.”
“Not yet. I heard she was up in her room with…Hadren, wasn’t it?”
“Ah. Yes it was. I like the boy, we all do, but I give you my permission to go scare the daylights out of him, as is your duty.”
Artemis threw his father a mock salute. “Very well, sir! I shall do my best to complete this mission!”
His father returned the salute. “Thank you sergeant! Dismissed!” Artemis turned on his heel and marched out of the smithy as his dad smiled and returned to melting silver for pouring.

Mental judging sheet? Check. Scowl? Check. Pants? (That was an embarrassing episode for all involved.) Check. Ready to scare.

Artemis opened the door, turning the knob and giving the door a decent smack so that the two lovebirds could have an instant to know that they’d been discovered. Opening the door fully he suddenly heard poetry resuming, and when he finally caught sight of the two, he saw his sister, her face still somewhat arranged in a kiss-face, and a black-haired boy reading from a poetry book.
Hmm. Superior reflexes. The book is right-side up. Good attention to detail. Not breathing hard. Good under pressure. Got to give him good marks so far.
Elianna turned to him and gave a small gasp. “For the love of the Twins! Couldn’t you knock?”
“’If I could I’d build a staircase to the skies / And bring you down the stars I see reflected in your eyes,’” finished the black-haired suitor.
“Who dares to impugn my sister’s honor?!” said Artemis, threateningly.
The boy got up at a measured pace and calmly said, “I would never dare nor allow myself to impugn sweet Elianna’s honor, but if you are asking who is it that is currently courting your sister, that would be myself. Hadren O’Connor, at your service. I gather you are the brother I have yet to meet, the one who works in the city?”
Thinks on his feet, quick wit, able to assess the situation rapidly, I approve.
“Indeed I am, young Hadren, and you will be glad to know that you have passed my first test with flying colors. Artemis Sendant, at yours, sir,” Artemis finished, bowing low.
Hadren started. He fits the description, his name is Artemis. Tahira, why do you hate me? Recovering quickly, Hadren reached out and shook the hand of his assumed-adversary. After all, it could just be that he looks like Raven’s Artemis by coincidence.
Now what was that about? thought Artemis, pulling his hand away from the handshake. The odd look he had gotten from Hadren had not gone unnoticed, but what it signified was lost to Artemis.
“Well, I suppose I can continue the interrogation over dinner, so I hereby give you permission to continue ‘reading poetry.’ Just make sure you don’t go much beyond the first chapter, you two,” Artemis said with a wink before backing out of the door and shutting it, his mind awash with puzzlement.
“So that’s your brother, eh?” asked Hadren. “Seems like a nice guy.”
“Oh, he is. Probably one of the best brothers a girl could ask for, the other being Aremo, of course,” replied Elianna with a giggle.
“What was it you said he did in the city, again?”
“He’s an apprentice locksmith, I can’t remember of whom, but you should see him open locks! We’ve had a couple break since he got that job, and he opened them right up and fixed them. He knew them inside and out. It was impressive. Why do you ask?”
“Oh, just wanted to have some knowledge of him so I can talk with him over dinner without seeming like a fool,” said Hadren, though his look said different.
Not noticing the look, Elianna said, with finality, “Well, dinner won’t be for another hour yet, so come here.”
For the next hour, all thoughts of Artemis were washed from Hadren’s mind, his love forcing them out.


The food was excellent, as it always was. The first few minutes of the dinner passed with the usual conversation between family, Artemis catching up on the family gossip, the rest learning what he supposedly did in the city. Once all that had been taken care of, Artemis turned his attention back to the young man sitting across from him. Elianna, noticing this, wrapped Hadren in a protective, possessive hug.
“Don’t be too hard on him, Arty.”
“Don’t worry, Elian, I just want to know the basics about him.”
“Right. I doubt that. Good luck, love,” said Elianna with a smile.
Turning to face Artemis directly, Hadren looked him dead in the eye, unconcernedly. “Very well. What do you wish to know?”
And a lot of backbone. “Nothing much, just the usual. What do you do in the city?”
“I’m an information getter.”
“How do you mean?”
“I’m sorry, I don’t know any better term for it. Whenever my boss needs a piece of information about something, I track it down so he doesn’t have too.”
“Ah, I see now, and what business is your boss in?”
“Moving. Whenever someone has something that needs to be moved for one reason or another, my boss has it done.”
“Seems like there’d be a lot of business in Tyro for that kind of thing.”
“Not as much as you’d think. Our business is rather new, so it’s still competing with a rival business for recognition. The good thing is that it gives me some free time now and then, aside from time that I come here. I actually fancy myself a rather skilled birdwatcher, now.”
“You’re a birdwatcher, Hadren? You never told me,” said Elianna.
“Sorry, Eli, I thought you’d find it terribly dull. I did for a while, though recently it’s become much more interesting.”
“Why’s that?” asked Artemis.
“Well, I found a bird living in Tyro that usually is never found in the region. A raven.” Artemis froze as all the double-meanings of what Hadren had said clicked into place simultaneously.
“A raven?”
“Yes, the only one that I know of. We seem to be on good terms. Friends, even. I’m not sure, but I get the sense it’s here because it’s looking for something it has yet to find. It’s kind of pitiful, actually. I resolved myself to help it find whatever it was looking for, and I think I might actually have.”
“Aww, that’s nice. What’d you find for it?” asked Elianna.
“Well, you know how usually ravens like shiny objects like necklaces and rings, right? Well, it turns out this raven wanted boots.”
Elianna burst out laughing. “Boots? A bird wanted boots?”
Artemis faked a laugh. “That is quite the story, Hadren. I went looking for a pair of boots recently, myself. By the time I got to the store they were all out. Maybe your bird took my boots.”
Hadren chuckled, knowing he had found his target at last. “It is quite possible.”
Elianna chuckled, “Oh Ulien that would be funny!” Artemis could only smile.
Normal conversation resumed.


After dinner Hadren, Elianna, and Artemis all went out for a stroll out to the outskirts of town, into the forested foothills of the northern mountain range. As they got there, Artemis said to Elianna, “Time for the final part of me being a big brother. You know the deal, Elianna.”
Elianna pouted a little, but said, “Yes, I know. Hadren, he is now going to drag you a little deeper into the forest where you’re out of earshot from me, and threaten you. I don’t know what he’s going to say, but my first two boyfriends came back white as a sheet and would look over their shoulder any time they were coming within five feet of me. Just giving you a warning, because I like you more than them. Brother, you may now take him away.”
Artemis bowed and grinned, “Thank you, oh gracious sister. Come on, Hadren.” With that, he took Hadren by the arm and dragged him off into the woods, leaving Elianna to listen to the birds of the evening and admire the sunset over western Tyro, often considered one of the Ten Wonders of the World.

Once they were out of earshot of Elianna, Artemis let go, sighed, and turned around.
“She’s right, usually, once I’ve got her boyfriend out here, I’d threaten them with acts unimaginable if they treated Elianna wrong. However, I thought they were walking piles of scum, whereas, with you, I get the sense that you aren’t the type that would do anything to hurt her, so you are spared that.”
“But…”
“Exactly. We know the score. You know I’m the Artemis Raven was talking about, and I’d wager that you also know that I am the Black Ghost, or else you wouldn’t have felt the need to use innuendo at dinner, am I right? Good. I know that, in order to know Raven, you’re in the guild of Lanthander, which puts us on opposite sides of a silent war. Do you have any suggestions on how we handle this?”
“I do not. According to the honor of my guild, I should try to bring you back for more questioning. According to my feelings for Elianna, I should do nothing. I told Raven that I would keep her secret from Lanthander, but that, when the time came, I would side against you. This has made things infinitely more complicated.”
“You are aware that, if you choose to try to take me in, I will defend myself to the fullest extent.”
“Yes, but nonetheless I am required to try. I swore an oath to do what is best for my guild. I don’t doubt your guild has something similar.”
“It does.” Kid’s got honor, too. Elianna, I wish you both the best. You found a boy I approve of. Too bad I might have to kill him.
“There is nothing for it,” said Hadren, drawing his blade. “I am honor-bound to bring you in. I pray you survive, and I hope with all my heart Elianna will not hold it against me.”
“I like you, Hadren, I will not lie,” said Artemis, drawing his own rapier. “Therefore, if you do manage to subdue me, I will explain it to her, if, in return, you tell Lanthander that I came willingly, in the hope that he’ll go a little easier on me this time.”
“I agree wholeheartedly. Raven is my friend, and I believe that, given time, I could easily count you among my friends as well.” Hadren assumed a low guard stance, as they were still far apart. “I suppose we’d better have at it then. I’m sorry.”
Artemis assumed a stance of his own. “Yes, and I am sorry too.” He tensed himself for the first strike.

That was when they heard the scream. A scream that was suddenly silenced.

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A/N: That’s right, boys and girls. Artemis, Raven, and the whole gang are back. Sorry for the –huge- break, but I needed to sort a lot of stuff out. As always, please review, and I’ll try to make it better than ever!